Pulverized Leaf Cigarette Structure

Abstract

A pulverized leaf cigarette structure consisting of a smokable cylinder that is made of one hundred-percent (100%) pulverized leaf, such as tobacco or cannabis. Means for applying pressure facilitates a quantity of pulverized leaf to be formed into a cylinder with significant structure integrity. Once the pulverized leaf is within the means for applying pressure to the pulverized leaf is compressed into the cylinder shape. The pulverized leaf cylinder is then removed from the means for applying pressure and can be smoked.

Claims

1. A pulverized leaf cigarette structure (PLCS) comprising a smokable cylinder of pulverized leaf without a paper wrapper or covering.

2. The pulverized leaf cigarette structure of claim 1, wherein the PLCS is made entirely of pulverized leaf with no additives or chemicals.

3. The pulverized leaf cigarette structure as specified in claim 1, wherein said pulverized leaf is comprised of tobacco.

4. The pulverized leaf cigarette structure as specified in claim 1, wherein said pulverized leaf is comprised of cannabis.

5. A pulverized leaf cigarette structure (PLCS) that is made entirely of pulverized leaf, without a paper wrapper or covering surrounding the pulverized leaf or the inclusion of additives or chemicals to the pulverized lea the PLCS comprised of: a quantity of pulverized leaf, means for applying pressure having an opening, and a center rod, the pulverized leaf is inserted into the means for applying pressure via the opening, the rod is inserted into the substantial center of the pulverized leaf within the means for applying pressure and pressure is applied, the center rod is extracted and a solid structural maintained smokable cylinder of pulverized is removed for the means for applying pressure.

6. The pulverized leaf cigarette structure of claim 5, wherein said pulverized leaf is comprised of tobacco.

7. The pulverized leaf cigarette structure of claim 5, wherein said pulverized leaf is comprised of cannabis.

8. The pulverized leaf cigarette structure of claim 5, wherein the means for applying pressure is configured for manual operation.

9. The pulverized leaf cigarette structure of claim 5, wherein the means for applying pressure is configured for automatic, pulverized operation.

10. The pulverized leaf cigarette structure of claim 5, wherein the means for applying pressure is comprise of a press device.

11. The pulverized leaf cigarette structure of claim 5, wherein the means for applying pressure is comprised of a squeeze device.

12. The pulverized leaf cigarette structure of claim 5, further comprising a funnel that is utilized to insert the pulverized leaf into the opening, wherein the funnel extends upward from the opening and is integrally attached to the means for applying pressure or is a separate component.

13. The pulverized leaf cigarette structure of claim 5, further comprising a mouthpiece that is configured to fit into sand be frictionally maintained on one end of the pulverized leaf cylinder.

14. The pulverized leaf cigarette structure of claim 5, further comprising a screen having a mesh of a selectable size through which the pulverized leaf passes to selectively control the sim and uniformity of the pulverized leaf.

15. The pulverized leaf cigarette structure of claim 5, further comprising heating means that produces heat that is applied to the pulverized leaf that is inside the means for applying pressure, wherein the heat functions to harden the leaf, thereby producing a cylinder with a hard outer surface.

16. The pulverized leaf cigarette structure of claim 5, further comprising heating means that produces heat that is applied to the pulverize leaf structure after removal from the means for applying pressure, wherein the heat functions to harden the leaf, thereby producing a cylinder with a hard outer surface.

17. A method for producing a pulverized leaf cigarette structure comprising the following steps: acquire a quantity of pulverized leaf, grind pulverized leaf to a uniform consistently, place pulverized leaf through a mesh screen for uniform size, pour pulverize leaf into hopper in an extruding apparatus or a pressure applying means, place a weighed amount of extruded pulverize leaf into an extruding apparatus or pressure applying means with geometric shaped openings, place polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or metal rod into substantial center of pulverized leaf surrounding the rod, place a cap over a center opening sleeve that is inserted into or onto the extruding apparatus or pressure applying means to eliminate pulverized leaf from spilling out, apply pressure to pulverized leaf to compress lea, place compressed leaf in a heating means to harden structure, and apply mouthpiece filter to one end of structure.

18. The pulverized leaf cigarette structure of claim 17, wherein the pulverized leaf is comprised of tobacco or cannabis.

19. The pulverized leaf cigarette structure of claim 17 wherein the heating means is comprised of an oven.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] FIG. 1 is an orthographic view showing a pulverized leaf cigarette structure (PLCS) made entirely of pulverized leaf and not having a wrapper or covering.

[0031] FIG. 2 is an elevational side view of the PLCS.

[0032] FIG. 3 is an orthographic view showing the PLCS with a center bore.

[0033] FIG. 4 is an elevational side view showing the PLCS with a mouthpiece filter on one end.

[0034] FIG. 5 is an orthographic view showing a press type means for applying pressure.

[0035] FIG. 6 is an orthographic view showing a squeeze type means for applying pressure.

[0036] FIG. 7 is an elevational view showing an extruding apparatus with a hopper.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0037] The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms that disclose a pulverized leaf cigarette structure (PLCS) and method for producing the structure. There have long been objects that facilitate the smoking of a crushed or pulverized leaf substance. These objects include pipes, wrapping paper (which is also known as cigarette paper) and, in the case of a cigar, a tobacco leaf wrapper. Rolled cigarettes became and are still the most widely utilized object for smoking tobacco and other leaf substances. This is because cigarettes, whether manufactured or self-roiled, are a quick and convenient facilitates for smoking. Many people though would prefer to smoke a leaf substance in a pipe in order to enjoy just the leaf substance without the paper wrapper.

[0038] The structure disclosed herein provides an alternative that offers the convenience of a cigarette without the paper or any other type of wrapper. The smokable structure allows a smoker to inhale only the leaf substance and to know exactly what is added to, or not added to, the leaf substance. This is important because manufactured cigarettes have multiple additives, many of which are deemed harmful to a person's health.

[0039] The structure 10, as shown in FIGS. 1-7, includes a smokable cylinder 12, and a method that facilitates the manufacture of the smokable cylinder. The smokable cylinder 12 comprises an outer surface 14, a first end 16 and a second end 18. In the preferred embodiment, the smokable cylinder 12 is made entirely of a pulverized leaf 22 substance, as shown in FIG. 1. The structure that is produced can be a solid circular design, or the structure can have a center bore that allows additional pulverized leaf to be inserted therein during manufacture, or the structure with the bore can be provided to users to allow a user to insert their own choice of pulverized leaf (or other substance) into the bore. In order to compress the pulverized leaf 22 into a cylindrical, cigarette shape, a means for applying pressure 26 are utilized, which can be a press type means 28, as shown in FIG. 5, or a squeeze type means, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0040] A funnel 42 can be utilized to pour the pulverized leaf 22 into means for applying pressure 26. The funnel 42 is either integrally attached to the means for applying pressure 26, or can be a separate component that is placed above the means. During this process the means for applying pressure 26 can be vibrated to ensure the pulverized leaf 22 completely fills the means for applying pressure 26.

[0041] Once the pulverized leaf 22 is within the means for applying pressure 26 a center rod 40 which is made of hard material such as metal or plastic is inserted into the pulverized leaf. Pressure is then applied either manually or from mechanical/powered means, thereby compressing the pulverized leaf 22.

[0042] After pressure is applied and the pulverized leaf is compressed, the rod 40 is removed and a hard shell of compressed pulverized leaf is left within the means for applying pressure. If desired at this point, to increase the structural integrity of the smokable structure, a binding agent (not shown) such as wax or an oil can be applied to the shell of pulverized leaf. Additionally, a binding agent can be mixed with the pulverize leaf before the leaf is inserted into the means for applying pressure 26.

[0043] In an alternate design, a hollow tube can be placed above the PLCS. The hollow tube 38 is filled with additional pulverized leaf. A solid tube rod can then be pushed downward into the pulverized leaf structure thereby creating a solid smokable structure that is made of two or more types of pulverized leaf.

[0044] The basic design of the PLCS comprises the following: [0045] a quantity of pulverized leaf, [0046] means for applying pressure having an opening, and [0047] a center rod.

[0048] The pulverized leaf 22 is inserted into the means for applying pressure 26 via an opening and the rod is inserted into the substantial center of the pulverized leaf within the means for applying pressure. Pressure is applied, the center rod is extracted and a solid, structurally maintained smokable cylinder of pulverized leaf is removed from the means for applying pressure.

[0049] The preferred envisioned steps for producing the pulverized leaf structure are: [0050] acquire a quantity of pulverized leaf. [0051] grind pulverized leaf to an uniform consistently, [0052] place pulverized leaf through a mesh screen for uniform size, [0053] pour pulverize leaf into hopper in an extruding apparatus or a pressure applying means, [0054] place a weighed amount of extruded pulverize leaf into a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) extruding apparatus or pressure applying means with geometric shaped openings, [0055] is place PTFE or metal rod into substantial center of pulverized leaf surrounding the rod, [0056] place cap over a center opening sleeve that is inserted into or onto the extruding apparatus or pressure applying means to eliminate pulverized leaf from spilling out. [0057] apply pressure to pulverized leaf to compress leaf, [0058] place compressed leaf in a heating means, such as an oven to harden structure, and [0059] (if desired) apply mouthpiece filter to one end of structure.

[0060] Alternately, a hopper 56 is filled with pulverized leaf that falls into the extruding device, goes through at least one form to produce the basic shape, proceeds through heating element, is hardened and cut to length. The resulting structure is a solid core or a tube that can be filled and a filter placed thereon. Also, in lieu of an oven as the heating means, a hot/heated air blower could be utilized.

[0061] The above disclosed steps are one method of producing the smokable pulverized leaf cylinder. There are other methods and/or embodiments contemplated which can be equally effective for producing a smokable cylinder. For example, a two-piece means for applying pressure design, the pulverized leaf substance is inserted into an opening and pressure is applied. There is no center rod within the opening. Preferably a binding agent is utilized to increase the smokable structure's ability to maintain circular shape.

[0062] In another alternate method, instead of utilizing a means for applying pressure comprising a multi-component mold that is opened after pressure is applied, a mold that allows a smokable structure to be manually or automatically pushed outward from the opening and cut at a desired length can be utilized. This design could be made in a relatively larger size to produce a single smokable structure that can be cut at various locations to product multiple smokable structures.

[0063] For any of the methods, the pulverized leaf can be passed through a screen, which can be of various mesh sizes to allow for uniformity of and various sizes of leaf to be produced and utilized. After the leaf passes through the screen, a binding agent can be applied to maintain the shape and integrity of the final smokable cylinder. Also, for any of the designs and methods is the components of the means for applying pressure that come into contact with the leaf can be coated with Teflon or a similar substance that will reduce sticking of the leaf to the components.

[0064] While a circular shape smokable structure is preferred, the invention is not limited to this shape. Any geometric shape smokable structure can be created by altering the shape of the opening in the means for applying pressure. The circular shape geometry structure can vary in wall thickness and length as well as solid core structure.

[0065] To add to the utility and improve the smoking experience for some people, a mouthpiece filter 50, as shown in FIG. 4, can be utilized. The mouthpiece filter 50 is also preferably made of a pulverized leaf 22 substance but can also be made of other material such as plastic or paper/cardboard. The mouthpiece consists of a cylindrical tube that can be hardened with a binding agent. The mouthpiece 50 is dimensioned to fit onto and be frictionally maintained on one end of the smokable cylinder. The mouthpiece 50 can be utilized as a hollow design, or a smokable non-pulverized piece of leaf can be wrapped around a filter and attached to the smokable cylinder 12. The mouthpiece filter 50 can also be wrapped in a cloth material such as hemp cloth, with or without a decorative element

[0066] While the invention has been described in detail and pictorially shown in the accompanying drawings it is not to be limited to such details, since many changes and modification may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and the scope thereof. Hence, it is described to cover any and all modifications and forms which may come within the language and scope of the claims.