A method of forming a wrapped article, comprising the steps of: forming a continuous stream of material such as an agricultural product; moving the continuous stream of material along an elongated path; compressing the continuous stream of material to reduce the cross-sectional area thereof until a predetermined cross-sectional dimension is achieved; drawing the compressed continuous stream of material through a rod-forming arrangement, the rod-forming arrangement having a non-contact displacement transducer associated therewith; folding at least one web longitudinally around the compressed continuous stream of material to form a continuous rod of material; and detecting variations in rod density within the rod-forming arrangement from a signal obtained from the non-contact displacement transducer.

A finished smokable product is formed using a booklet of smoking rolling papers comprising: (a) a plurality of smokable sheets being stacked together each sheet having first and second longitudinal edge portions along with first and second lateral edge portions, and first and second faces, and a plurality of openings adjacent the first longitudinal edge portion, and the first longitudinal edge portion having a first length, and the first lateral edge portions having a first length; (b) wherein the plurality of sheets are bound together by a plurality of connecting loops; (c) wherein the plurality of openings have bound and unbound states, wherein in the bound state the openings are unbroken and have a mean diameter opening and mean spacing between unbroken openings, and in the unbound state the openings are broken open with the mean spacing remaining constant but the first lateral edge portion having a second length, the second length being greater than the first length of the first lateral edge portion; and (d) wherein the bound plurality of sheets and plurality connecting loops are packaged for sale.

A finished smokable product is formed using a booklet of smoking rolling papers comprising: (a) a plurality of smokable sheets being stacked together each sheet having first and second longitudinal edge portions along with first and second lateral edge portions, and first and second faces, and a plurality of openings adjacent the first longitudinal edge portion, and the first longitudinal edge portion having a first length, and the first lateral edge portions having a first length; (b) wherein the plurality of sheets are bound together by a plurality of connecting loops; (c) wherein the plurality of openings have bound and unbound states, wherein in the bound state the openings are unbroken and have a mean diameter opening and mean spacing between unbroken openings, and in the unbound state the openings are broken open with the mean spacing remaining constant but the first lateral edge portion having a second length, the second length being greater than the first length of the first lateral edge portion; and (d) wherein the bound plurality of sheets and plurality connecting loops are packaged for sale.

A product and method of making thereof for the consumption of smokable substances such as tobacco or herbs. The product is comprised of smokable substances such as smokable herbs, plants, tobacco, homogenized tobacco and/or natural leaf materials and has a hollow conical shape that allows for the easy insertion of smokable substances. Additionally, the conical or frustoconical shape of the product provides for larger amounts of smokable substances in the end of the product the consumer lights, resulting in an initial slower prolonged burn and more even distribution of nicotine. Additionally, placement of a supporting insert into the interior of the product supports the conical shaped of the product when packaged along with supporting during the process of being filled.

A product and method of making thereof for the consumption of smokable substances such as tobacco or herbs. The product is comprised of smokable substances such as smokable herbs, plants, tobacco, homogenized tobacco and/or natural leaf materials and has a hollow conical shape that allows for the easy insertion of smokable substances. Additionally, the conical or frustoconical shape of the product provides for larger amounts of smokable substances in the end of the product the consumer lights, resulting in an initial slower prolonged burn and more even distribution of nicotine. Additionally, placement of a supporting insert into the interior of the product supports the conical shaped of the product when packaged along with supporting during the process of being filled.

A method of forming a wrapped article, comprising the steps of: forming a continuous stream of material such as an agricultural product; moving the continuous stream of material along an elongated path; compressing the continuous stream of material to reduce the cross-sectional area thereof until a predetermined cross-sectional dimension is achieved; drawing the compressed continuous stream of material through a rod-forming arrangement, the rod-forming arrangement having a non-contact displacement transducer associated therewith; folding at least one web longitudinally around the compressed continuous stream of material to form a continuous rod of material; and detecting variations in rod density within the rod-forming arrangement from a signal obtained from the non-contact displacement transducer.

A method of forming a wrapped article, comprising the steps of: forming a continuous stream of material such as an agricultural product; moving the continuous stream of material along an elongated path; compressing the continuous stream of material to reduce the cross-sectional area thereof until a predetermined cross-sectional dimension is achieved; drawing the compressed continuous stream of material through a rod-forming arrangement, the rod-forming arrangement having a non-contact displacement transducer associated therewith; folding at least one web longitudinally around the compressed continuous stream of material to form a continuous rod of material; and detecting variations in rod density within the rod-forming arrangement from a signal obtained from the non-contact displacement transducer.