REMOVABLE INSERT FOR ROLLED SMOKING ARTICLES

Abstract

A removable insert for a rolled smoking article includes male and female ends. The smoking article is rolled in a roller apparatus including first and second rollers rotatably mounted in a frame. The male insert end is configured for telescopic and magnetic interconnection with the female insert end whereby the female insert end can be extracted from the smoking article and replaced with a filter. The smoking article end opposite the filter end can be crimped to complete the smoking article production.

Claims

1. A removable insert for rolling a smoking article in a roller apparatus including first and second rollers rotatably received in a frame, which insert comprises: a generally cylindrical male end including a concentric protrusion concentrically mounting a magnet; a generally cylindrical female end including a receiver mounting a ferro-magnetic plate; said smoking article having a first configuration in said roller apparatus with a piece of rolling paper encircling a quantity of smoking product and said, male and female ends; said smoking article having a second configuration with said male end extracted from said smoking article and said protrusion received in said receiver with said magnet and said plate magnetically engaged; said smoking article having a third configuration said, male and female ends extracted from said smoking article; and said smoking article having a fourth and final configuration with a crimped end opposite said filter end.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of a removable insert for rolled smoking articles embodying an aspect of the present invention, shown with a smoking article roller.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the insert, showing the male and female ends thereof.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a front, elevational view thereof.

[0010] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view thereof.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a top plan view showing smoking material placed in the roller between the inserts.

[0012] FIG. 6 shows a sequence of finishing the assembly of a smoking article using the insert of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

I. Introduction and Environment

[0013] As required, detailed aspects of the present invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed aspects are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

[0014] Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, up, down, front, back, right and left refer to the invention as orientated in the view being referred to. The words, inwardly and outwardly refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the aspect being described and designated parts thereof. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar meaning.

II. Preferred Embodiment Removable Insert 2 for Rolled Smoking Articles 34

[0015] As shown in the attached images, the present invention provides an insert 2 for forming smoking articles, such as cigarettes and joints 34, in a roller 8. The roller 8 is commercially available. The example shown includes a frame 10 rotatably and adjustably mounting first and second rollers 12, 14.

[0016] The insert 2 generally includes a removable male end 4 and a removable female end 6. The male end 4 includes a protrusion 20 concentrically mounting a magnet 22. The female end 6 includes a receiver extending with a ferro-magnetic plate 18 configured for interacting with the magnet 22.

III. Method of Operation

[0017] The smoking article roller 8 is preferably adjustable to accommodate different sizes of smoking articles. A smoking product 24 is deposited in the roller 8 between the first and second rollers 12, 14. The rollers 12, 14 are then repositioned within the roller frame 10 whereby a smoking article can be rolled. A sheet of rolling paper is placed in the roller 8 for containing the smoking product 24. The positions of the individual first and second rollers 12, 14 can be adjusted to produce smoking articles of different dimensions. Moreover, different sizes of frames 10 can be utilized to provide smoking articles of different lengths.

[0018] FIG. 6 shows the sequence for producing a smoking article 36 with the removable insert 2 of the present invention. The smoking article 28 is rolled with the male and female inserts 4, 6 in place and a quantity of smoking product 24 in position therebetween. The smoking article 30 has the male insert end 20 removed from the left end and placed on the smoking article right end. The insert ends 4, 6 magnetically engage with the protrusion 20 positioned in the receiver 16. The magnetic engagement enables extracting the female end 6 by pulling outwardly on the male end 4. The smoking article shown at 32 has open cavities at both ends. The resulting male end cavity leaves space for twisting the end 38 of the smoking article for lighting. The resulting female end cavity can receive a filter 36, which can be accordion-folded. Alternatively, various types of filters can be utilized with the present invention.

[0019] It should further be noted that the invention can be fabricated from various suitable materials. Still further, various smoking substances and rolling papers can be utilized. For example, rolling papers are commonly available and can be utilized with the roller of the present invention.

[0020] It is to be understood that while certain embodiments and/or aspects of the invention have been shown and described, the invention is not limited thereto and encompasses various other embodiments and aspects.