Fulcrum and cantilever humidor

• US 6,615,841 B2
• Filed: 08/28/2001
• Issued: 09/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Guy M. Deloach
• Original Assignee: Guy M. Deloach
• Inventors: DeLoach, Guy M
• Primary Examiner(s): MAYES, DIONNE WALLS
• Application Number:
  US09/940,948
• Publication Number:
  US 20030041868A1
• Time in Patent Office: 742 Days
• Field of Search: 131/329, 131/290, 131/300, 131/303, 312/31, 312/902, 312/266, 206/213.1, 206/205, 206/349, 206/372, 261/94, 119/312, 119/314, 119/300
• US Class Current: 131/329
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 25/02 Moistening devices

Abstract

A humidor 30 for the retaining and preserving of tobacco products includes multiple independent storage compartments 29 arranged vertically with hygrometers 9 mounted externally for ease of monitoring internal humidity levels. Independent storage compartments swivel in a variety of directions allowing multiple opening configurations and accessibility. Rotational means is achieved via a fulcrum and cantilever mechanism 12. Compartments are sealed air tight utilizing a sealing gasket material 15 imbedded within the side wall of the compartment above and mating with the side wall 11 of the compartment below. The vertical array of independent storage compartments swivel around a common bottom support base 24. Each independent storage compartment utilizes an integrated venting structure comprised of a bottom vent panel 10, a venting side panel 7, a humidity generating means, and a hygrometer 9. The humidor is preferably made of wood.

Claims

1. A humidor for storing tobacco products, said humidor comprising:

a plurality of storage compartments, each compartment comprising;

a bottom wall defining a first and second side;

a side wall formed adjacent to said first side of said bottom wall;

sealing means attached to said second side of said bottom wall for creating a seal;

a humidity generating means;

a humidity monitoring means; and

attachment means for movably attaching each of said compartments to adjacent compartments; and

each of said compartments are stacked vertically.

2. The humidor of claim 1 wherein:

the number of said compartments is user determined by adding or removing the compartments.

3. The humidor of claim 1 wherein:

said attachment means comprises a rotational attachment means.

4. The humidor of claim 1 and further comprising:

a hole formed in said side wall;

a fulcrum; and

wherein said hole pivotally slides against said fulcrum.

5. The humidor of claim 4 and further comprising:

a rotational stop formed on said side wall.

6. The humidor of claim 4 wherein:

the attachment means comprises a rising swivel hinge, said hinge comprising a first member and a second member;

wherein said first and second members pivotally slide on said fulcrum; and

wherein said first and second members slide relative to each other.

7. The humidor of claim 4 wherein:

said attachment means comprises a threaded hinge for moving said compartments along a vertical axis.

8. The humidor of claim 1 wherein said humidity monitoring means is attached to said side wall.

9. The humidor of claim 1 wherein said humidity generating means is attached to said side wall.

10. The humidor of claim 1 and further comprising:

a lock mechanism; and

wherein said lock mechanism interacts with a first compartment and a second compartment; and

an integrated venting structure adjacent to said bottom wall, said integrated venting structure comprising a plurality of venting passages spaced above said bottom wall and said side wall.

11. The humidor of claim 10 and further comprising:

a divider disposed within said integrated venting structure.

12. The humidor of claim 1 and further comprising:

a cantilever;

a first hole formed in said side wall of a first compartment;

a second hole formed in said side wall of a second compartment;

wherein said cantilever is pivotally attached to said first compartment by said first hole; and

wherein said cantilever is pivotally attached to said second compartment by said second hole.

13. A humidor comprising:

a plurality of vertically arranged storage compartments which comprise at least one side wall and a bottom wall, with said compartments sealably preventing direct communication between any of said compartments, wherein said compartments utilize rotational means for allowing separate access to each of said compartments, wherein said compartments retain an integrated venting structure allowing free air circulation between a humidity generating means, a humidity monitoring means and a plurality of tobacco products, wherein the venting structure comprises a venting panel with a plurality of venting passages spaced above said compartment side and bottom walls.