Method and apparatus for preparing a finished tobacco product including special form casings and sheet configurations
09655381 ยท 2017-05-23
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
A24D1/025
HUMAN NECESSITIES
B65D75/38
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
B65D75/38
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
Abstract
A finished tobacco product is formed by a set of pre-rolled sheets. In one embodiment a form casing is used which includes at least two portionsa non-smokable portion along with a container portion which includes tobacco filler material.
Claims
1. A tobacco product comprising: (a) a first pre-rolled sheet of a first material that is smokable; (b) a form casing supporting the first pre-rolled sheet in a rolled condition wherein the first pre-rolled sheet is rolled around the form casing; and (c) the form casing being formed of a non-smokable first material, the form casing having an interior opening, the interior opening holding a second material that is different from the non-smokable first material of the form casing; and (d) the pre-rolled sheet being packaged for sale in an unfinished state, wherein the second material contains moisture that passes through the form casing and to the first sheet of material.
2. The tobacco product of claim 1, wherein there are multiple of said pre-rolled sheets of material that are each wrapped around the form casing.
3. The tobacco product of claim 1, wherein the second material held in the form casing imparts scent to the first pre-rolled sheet.
4. The tobacco product of claim 1, wherein the second material held in the form casing imparts flavor to the first pre-rolled sheet.
5. The tobacco product of claim 1, further comprising an intermediate sheet in between the form casing and the first pre-rolled sheet which tends to resist sticking of the first pre-rolled sheet to the form casing.
6. The tobacco product of claim 1, wherein the form casing supports the first pre-rolled sheet in a rolled condition, the second material includes a flavoring, and the form casing includes a perforated section that enables migration of the flavoring in the second material from the interior opening of the form casing to the first rolled sheet.
7. The tobacco product of claim 1, wherein the form casing supports the first pre-rolled sheet in a rolled condition, the second material includes a scent, and the form casing includes a perforated section that enables migration of the scent in the second material to the first rolled sheet.
8. A tobacco product comprising: (a) a first pre-rolled sheet of a first material that includes smokable tobacco containing material; (b) a form casing supporting the first pre-rolled sheet in a rolled condition wherein the first pre-rolled sheet is wrapped around the form casing; and (c) the form casing being formed of a first material that is a non-smokable material, the form casing having an interior opening; (d) the interior opening including a second material that is different from the first material, which second material imparts moisture to the first sheet of material by migration through the form casing; and (e) the pre-rolled sheet being packaged for sale in an unfinished state empty of any smokable filler material.
9. The tobacco product of claim 8, wherein multiple pre-rolled sheets of material are supported by the form casing.
10. The tobacco product of claim 8, wherein the second material imparts scent to the first pre-rolled sheet.
11. The tobacco product of claim 8, wherein the second material imparts flavor to the first pre-rolled sheet.
12. The tobacco product of claim 8, further comprising an intermediate sheet which tends to resist sticking of the first pre-rolled sheet to the casing, the intermediate sheet rolled together with the first pre-rolled sheet.
13. The tobacco product of claim 8, wherein the form casing supports the first pre-rolled sheet in a rolled condition, the second material includes a flavoring, and the form casing includes a perforated section allowing the second material to naturally diffuse from the interior of the form casing to the first rolled sheet.
14. The tobacco product of claim 8, wherein the form casing supports the first pre-rolled sheet in a rolled condition, the second material includes a scent, and the form casing includes a perforated section allowing the scent of the second material to naturally diffuse from the interior of the form casing to the first rolled sheet.
15. A tobacco product comprising: (a) a first pre-rolled sheet; (b) a form casing supporting the first pre-rolled sheet in a rolled condition; and (c) the form casing being formed of a first and non-smokable material, the form casing having an interior opening; (d) the interior opening including a second material that imparts moisture to the first pre-rolled sheet of material by traveling through the form casing; and (e) the first pre-rolled sheet and form casing being packaged for sale in an unfinished state.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals, and wherein:
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AT LEAST ONE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
(27) Detailed descriptions of one or more preferred embodiments are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in any appropriate system, structure or manner. Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals.
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(29) Sheet 100 can include edges 110, 120, 130, and 140. Sheet 100 is shown as being rectangular in shape. Alternatively, sheet 100 can be other shapes such as square, trapezoidal, or an irregular shape.
(30) Sheet 200 can include edges 210, 220, 230, and 240. Sheet 200 is shown as being rectangular in shape. Alternatively, sheet 200 can be other shapes such as square, trapezoidal, or an irregular shape.
(31) Sheet 300 can include edges 310, 320, 330, and 340. Sheet 300 is shown as being rectangular in shape. Alternatively, sheet 300 can be other shapes such as square, trapezoidal, or an irregular shape.
(32) Sheets 100, 200, and 300 are shown as decreasing in size. Alternatively, these sheets can be the same size, or any combination of sizes. For example, sheet 2 can be larger than sheets 100 and 300.
(33) Although only two and three sheets 100, 200, 300 are shown in
(34) If desired sheets 100, 200, and 300 can include intermediate sheets which may assist in preventing the sticking together of one or all of the sheets.
(35) In another alternative embodiment, pre-rolled sheet 400 (e.g., sheet 100) and separating sheet 510 are first rolled into rolled shell and then pre-rolled sheet 400 (e.g., sheet 200) and separating sheet 520 are then rolled over the shell formed by pre-rolled sheet 400 to form a new rolled shell with pre-rolled sheet 400 and pre-rolled sheet 400. Alternatively, multiple rolled shells can be formed in this manner with alternating pre-rolled sheets and separating sheets. The order of pre-rolled sheets and separating sheets can be varied, such as having inner pre-rolled sheets and outer separating sheets; or inner separating sheets and outer pre-rolled sheets. Alternatively, one or more separating sheets can be omitted from the set of pre-rolled sheet(s).
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(38) Form casing/mandrel 600 is preferably formed from a rigid or flexible material in a form of a cylinder of a predetermined length and outer diameter. Form casing/mandrel 600 can be made either hollow, with a central opening, or as a solid body. It is desirable that form casing/mandrel 600 be substantially inflexible and strong enough to withstand forces applied to form casing/mandrel 600 when one or more sheets are pre-rolled on form casing/mandrel 600, when the unit is shipped to its ultimate selling outlet, and when one or more pre-rolled sheets are unrolled from form casing/mandrel 600.
(39) In various embodiments form casing 600 can be comprised of one or more of the following materials or combinations of materials: filter material, sponge, cotton, paper, cardboard, wood, metal, tobacco, hemp, hemp paper, clove, mir, willow bark, dogwood cornus sp, red osier, pipsissewa, chimaphila, pyrola, kinnikinnik, arctostaphylos uva-ursi, camomile herbs, manzanita, shrubby arctostaphylos sp, madrone, arbutus menziesii, blackberry, rubus sp, scotch broom, cytisus, scoparius, cannabis, hemp THC-free, calamus, mullein, and/or verbascum thapsus. In various embodiments form casing 600 can be comprised of sticks, tobacco sticks, and/or pipe cleaners.bark, In one embodiment filter material can be comprised of acetate, paper, plastic, polymer, cotton, charcoal, and/or a combination of one or more of the specified materials.
(40) In one embodiment, form casing 600 can include two layers (inside and outside layers). The layers can be comprised of an aluminum/polymer/non-smokable outside layer and tobacco filler inside layer.
(41) Additionally, form casing can include a perforated section with a gel interior to allow the gel to gain access to the one or more pre-rolled sheets 400. This gel interior can be used for moisturizing, flavoring, and/or scenting the one or more pre-rolled sheets 400.
(42) In one embodiment, the moisturizing, flavoring, and/or scenting item can be separated from the form casing but packaged together with the one or more pre-rolled sheets 400 which may or may not include a form casing 600. For example, one or more of the following can be included: gel in package, package or back, filter, pocket in packaging, loose tobacco in packaging.
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(50) To use one ore more pre-rolled sheets 400, the user merely unwraps the one or more pre-rolled sheets 400 and fills one or more of these sheets with the user's tobacco filler of choice. If form casing 600 was used it is removed. If form casing 600 included tobacco filler material, such material can be used to make the custom tobacco product. Because the one or more sheets are pre-rolled when unwrapped they will tend to have a roll back memory which will assist in rolling a finished tobacco product. Each sheet will have this memory which will cause it to tend to roll back up on its own. Thus the user will have an easier time in creating a custom finished tobacco product (e.g., cigars and/or cigarette) and will not need finger dexterity as required with flat sheets.
(51) One or more intermediate sheets 510, 520, and/or 530 can be used to substantially increase the shelf life of packaged set of pre-rolled sheet(s) 400. Because at least one pre-rolled sheet 400 can be made of tobacco, when exposed to it will tend to dry out and become brittle. Intermediate sheets 510, 520, and/or 530 being wrapped between and/or around at least one pre-rolled sheet 400 provides multiple layers of protection against air flow and consequent moisture loss.
(52) The at least one pre-rolled sheet(s) 400 can be packaged in conventional containers and sold directly to customers who desire to roll their own tobacco products, but do not have the required finger dexterity. An ultimate user will remove the at least one pre-rolled sheet 400 from its outer packaging, then prying the at least one pre-rolled sheet 400 open by forcing it open. Because the at least one pre-rolled sheet 400 is pre-rolled, it has a roll back memory and will attempt to again assume a cylindrical or spiral shape. The user will then fill the at least one pre-rolled sheet(s) 400 with any desired blend of his favorite tobacco and seal its edges by applying a small amount of moisture to the edges, and then bringing the edges together. A small amount of pressure may be applied to the edges to cause them to seal together. If more than one pre-rolled sheet is 400 contained, the user has the choice of rolling the finished tobacco product with one or more than one sheet (e.g., 100, 200, 300, and/or etc.). Alternatively, the user can use each sheet to make individual custom made tobacco products. In this manner, a custom-tailored tobacco product(s) (e.g., cigar(s) and/or cigarette(s)) is made, answering all requirements of a connoisseur regarding blend, layer configuration, size, and/or length.
(53) In one embodiment, the user may use more than one pre-rolled sheet to decrease the burn rate of the finished tobacco product. It is believed that the burn rate decreases when the amount of sheets are increased.
(54) Alternatively, the at least one pre-rolled sheet(s) 400 can include multiple sheets of differing flavors and/or scents. In this manner the user can determine the flavor and/or scent of the finished tobacco product.
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(56) Alternatively, inner layer can be reconstituted tobacco binder material, and outer layer can be reconstituted tobacco wrapper material. In the alternative, inner layer can be reconstituted tobacco binder material, and outer layer can be tobacco leaves bonded thereto. At least one pre-rolled sheet 400 can be a single layer, in which case it is preferably made of tobacco leaf material, though it can be made of homogenized tobacco material or other smokable material.
(57) As part of the method, the at least one pre-rolled sheet 400 can be sprayed with a liquid that preferably includes a flavoring.
(58) At least one pre-rolled sheet(s) 400 can be packaged in any appropriate manner. For example, they can be individually packaged in a pouch, bag, or box. In one embodiment multiple sets of pre-rolled sheets 400, 400, etc. can be packaged in a single zip-wrapper where the multiple sets are together pouched, bagged, or boxed. Alternatively, the individual sets can be pouched, bagged, or boxed. Units can be packaged in a zip-wrapper and the zip wrapper can be enclosed in a box. The box itself can be covered by a wrapper and include a window for viewing the contents.
(59) In one embodiment, multiple sets of pre-rolled sheets 400, 400, 400, etc. can each be individually wrapped and placed in a single carton opening at the top through a lid. The multiple sets of pre-rolled sheets can each be individually packaged in wrappers and such wrappers can have indicia which provides consumers with information concerning the sets of pre-rolled sheets, such as flavoring, scent, moisture, or other information. The carton can itself be covered by wrapper.
(60) Those skilled in the art will understand that various materials for wrapping can be used to enclosed the sets of at least one pre-rolled sheet(s) 400. These include, but are not limited to, Low & High Density Polyethylene with EVA additive, Linear Low Density Poly, Polypropylene, Orientated Polypropylene, Cast Polypropylene, PVC, Polyester, Vaper Barrier packaging, Moisture Barrier packaging, Laminated packaging, Shrink film, Stretch Film, Foil Films (which can be translucent or opaque), Metalized Film, Cellophane, and Polyethylene Terephthalat. In addition to an EVA additive a barrier foil lamination can be used being either coated or metallized. The packaging, whether plastic, aluminum, or glass, keeps moisture in or dramatically slows down moisture loss from the sets of pre-rolled sheet(s). It is preferable that the wrapping material have adequate moisture resistant properties so that the set of pre-rolled sheet(s) does not dry out before use by consumers.
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(73) TABLE-US-00001 REFERENCE NUMERAL LIST REFERENCE NO. DESCRIPTION 100 sheet 110 edge 120 edge 130 edge 140 edge 150 first end 160 second end 170 longitudinal opening 200 sheet 210 edge 220 edge 230 edge 240 edge 250 first end 260 second end 270 longitudinal opening 300 sheet 310 edge 320 edge 330 edge 340 edge 350 first end 360 second end 370 longitudinal opening 400 one or more pre-rolled sheet(s) 410 longitudinal opening 430 arrows 432 arrows 500 separating sheet 510 separating sheet 520 separating sheet 600 form casing 700 packaging 710 packaging 720 packaging 730 packaging 800 finished cigar 810 finished cigar of oval shape 850 finished cigarette 870 tobacco filler 880 tobacco filler 900 kit 910 kit 920 kit 930 kit 940 kit 950 kit 960 kit 970 kit 1020 non-smokable form casing 1030 tobacco filler material 1040 tobacco filler materialy 1050 sheet 1060 bore 1070 perforations 1080 edge 1090 edge 1100 arrow 1110 arrow 1120 arrow 1130 arrow 1140 line 1150 perforations 1200 non-smokable form casing 1210 sheet 1220 edge 1230 edge 1240 openings 1250 openings 1260 arrow 1270 arrow 1280 cord/string/thread/tie 1300 non-smokable form casing 1310 sheet 1320 edge 1330 edge 1340 area 1350 edge 1360 edge 1500 tip 1510 first end 1520 second end 1530 large opening 1540 mouth opening 1550 threads 1560 opening 1564 cross sectional area 1566 rear opening 1700 material 1710 arrow 1720 arrow 1730 plurality of migration waves 1740 plurality of migration waves 1750 plurality of migration waves
(74) It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention set forth in the appended claims. The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.