PACKING DEVICE FOR SMOKING CONES

Abstract

A packing device for smoking cones is disclosed. The packing device has a slidable scooper that may be deployed to scoop tobacco, cannabis, or other smokable herbs directly into multiple smoking cones simultaneously. A poker is stored within the body of the packing device and it may be removed and used to help pack the tobacco, cannabis, or other smokable herbs into the smoking cones as desired by the user. The packing device also has plugs and caps that are configured to tightly seal the packed smoking cones within the body of the packing device, thereby protecting the packed smoking cones from damage during transport and also minimizing any odors emitted from the tobacco, cannabis, or other smokable herbs.

Claims

1. A packing device for smoking cones comprising: a body configured to hold multiple smoking cones therein; a scooper slidably coupled to the body; and a removable poker stored within the body.

2. The packing device of claim 1 wherein the body comprises: an open top end; an open bottom end positioned opposite from the open top end; an enclosed center positioned between the open top end and the open bottom end; at least two tapered channels passing through the enclosed center; and a center channel that passes through a portion of the enclosed center and that is positioned between the at least two tapered channels.

3. The packing device of claim 2 wherein each of the at least two tapered channels comprises: a circular open top end that is contiguous with the open top end of the body; and a circular open bottom end that is contiguous with the open bottom end of the body.

4. The packing device of claim 2 wherein the center channel comprises: a circular open bottom end that is contiguous with the open bottom end of the body; and a circular closed top end that terminates within the enclosed center of the body.

5. The packing device of claim 2 wherein the center channel has a constant diameter along its length.

6. The packing device of claim 2 wherein the center channel is tapered.

7. The packing device of claim 6 wherein the center channel is positioned in an opposing orientation with respect to the at least two tapered channels.

8. The packing device of claim 1 wherein the scooper comprises: a front wall; a rear wall; and two side walls; wherein the front wall, rear wall, and two side walls of the scooper together define an open top end, an open bottom end, and an open center configured to receive the body of the packing device therethrough.

9. The packing device of claim 8 further comprising: two elongated grooves, each of the elongated grooves formed on one of two side outer surfaces of the body of the packing device; and two elongated projections, each of the elongated projections formed on an interior surface of one of the two side walls of the scooper; wherein the two elongated grooves and the two elongated projections together form a tongue and groove connection between the body of the packing device and the scooper.

10. The packing device of claim 2 further comprising: a top cap removably coupled to the open top end of the body; and a bottom cap removably coupled to the open bottom end of the body.

11. The packing device of claim 10 further comprising: a first gasket coupled about a neck of the top cap, the first gasket being configured to create a friction fit between the top cap and the open top end of the body of the packing device; and a second gasket coupled about a neck of the bottom cap, the second gasket being configured to create a friction fit between the bottom cap and the open bottom end of the body of the packing device.

12. The packing device of claim 3 further comprising at least two cylindrical plugs, each cylindrical plug comprising: a cylindrical body configured to be inserted into the circular open top end of one of the at least two tapered channels; and a tab extending upwardly from the cylindrical body, the tab being configured for gripping of the cylindrical plug.

13. The packing device of claim 2 wherein the poker comprises: a proximal end configured to protrude from the open bottom end of the body of the packing device; an elongated body; and a distal end; wherein the elongated body of the poker and the distal end of the poker are configured to be housed within the center channel.

14. The packing device of claim 10 wherein a proximal end of the poker is coupled to an interior surface of a bottom portion of the bottom cap.

15. The packing device of claim 13 wherein the poker further comprises threading formed on its elongated body near its proximal end, the threading of the poker being configured to mate with corresponding threading formed on an interior surface of a circular open bottom end of the center channel.

16. A packing device for smoking cones comprising: a body comprising: an open top end; an open bottom end positioned opposite from the open top end; an enclosed center positioned between the open top end and the open bottom end; two tapered channels passing through the enclosed center, each of the two tapered channels being configured to hold a smoking cone therein; and a tapered center channel that passes through a portion of the enclosed center and that is positioned in an opposing orientation between the two tapered channels; a scooper slidably coupled to the body; and a removable poker stored within the tapered center channel.

17. The packing device of claim 16 further comprising: a top cap removably coupled to the open top end of the body; a first gasket coupled about a neck of the top cap, the first gasket being configured to create a friction fit between the top cap and the open top end of the body of the packing device; a bottom cap removably coupled to the open bottom end of the body; a second gasket coupled about a neck of the bottom cap, the second gasket being configured to create a friction fit between the bottom cap and the open bottom end of the body of the packing device.

18. The packing device of claim 16 further comprising two cylindrical plugs, each cylindrical plug comprising: a cylindrical body configured to be inserted into a circular open top end of one of the two tapered channels; and a tab extending upwardly from the cylindrical body, the tab being configured for gripping of the cylindrical plug.

19. The packing device of claim 16 wherein the poker comprises: a proximal end configured to protrude from the open bottom end of the body of the packing device; an elongated body; and a distal end; wherein the elongated body of the poker and the distal end of the poker are configured to be housed within the center channel.

20. A packing device for smoking cones comprising: a body comprising: an open top end; an open bottom end positioned opposite from the open top end; an enclosed center positioned between the open top end and the open bottom end; two tapered channels passing through the enclosed center, each of the two tapered channels being configured to hold a smoking cone therein; and a tapered center channel that passes through a portion of the enclosed center and that is positioned in an opposing orientation between the two tapered channels; a top cap removably coupled to the open top end of the body; a first gasket coupled about a neck of the top cap, the first gasket being configured to create a friction fit between the top cap and the open top end of the body of the packing device; a bottom cap removably coupled to the open bottom end of the body; a second gasket coupled about a neck of the bottom cap, the second gasket being configured to create a friction fit between the bottom cap and the open bottom end of the body of the packing device; two cylindrical plugs, each cylindrical plug being configured to be inserted into a circular open top end of one of the two tapered channels; a scooper slidably coupled to the body; and a removable poker stored within the tapered center channel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The novel features believed to be characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. In the descriptions that follow, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same numerals, respectively. The drawing FIGURES are not necessarily drawn to scale and certain FIGURES may be shown in exaggerated or generalized form in the interest of clarity and conciseness. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0012] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a packing device for smoking cones in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the packing device for smoking cones of FIG. 1, shown fully assembled and in a closed position;

[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the packing device for smoking cones of FIG. 2, shown in an open position and with the scoop extended;

[0015] FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view of the packing device for smoking cones of FIG. 2 shown with two packed smoking cones stored therein;

[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a poker and bottom cap of the packing device for smoking cones of FIG. 1; and

[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the poker of the packing device for smoking cones of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present disclosure may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of blocks for constructing and operating the disclosure in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

[0019] Smoking cones are used to hold tobacco, cannabis, or other herbs. Smoking cones may be rolled manually with rolling paper. For convenience, smoking cones may also be pre-rolled. Smoking cones, whether rolled manually or pre-rolled, may therefore appear in various sizes. The typical length of a smoking cone may range between 70 mm-140 mm. Smoking cones may be used with or without a filter tip. One example of a pre-rolled smoking cone may be about 70 mm in length, which may include a 24 mm filter tip. For illustrative purposes, a 70 mm long smoking cone may hold between 0.25 g-0.50 g of tobacco, cannabis, or other smokable herbs while a 140 mm long smoking cone may hold up to about 2.25 g of tobacco, cannabis, or other smokable herbs.

[0020] FIGS. 1-6 together disclose a packing device 10 for smoking cones 1000. More particularly, this disclosure describes a packing device 10 that may be used to scoop dried tobacco, cannabis, or other smokable herbs; to fill multiple smoking cones 1000 simultaneously; to pack the dried tobacco, cannabis, or other herbs into the smoking cones 1000 as tightly as the user desires; and to serve as a protective carrying case for packed smoking cones 1000. The packing device 10 may be made of hard plastic or other suitable material so that the packed smoking cones 1000 contained within may be protected from tearing, deforming, or spilling. The packing device 10 is also compact which allows for convenient and discrete portability. The packing device 10 also provides a tight seal to help minimize the aroma emitted from the dried tobacco, cannabis, or other herbs contained within the packing device 10. In its simplest form, the packing device 10 for smoking cones 1000 comprises: a body 12 for holding multiple smoking cones 1000; a scooper 58 for scooping the dried tobacco, cannabis, or other herbs into the smoking cones 1000; and a poker 110 for packing the dried tobacco, cannabis, or other herbs into the smoking cones 1000.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the packing device 10 has an elongated body 12. The body 12 has an open top end 14, an open bottom end 20, and an enclosed center 24. The enclosed center 24 of the body 12 defines two tapered channels 26 that extend from the open top end 14 of the body 12, pass through the enclosed center 24 of the body 12, and extend to the open bottom end 20 of the body 12. It should be clearly understood that although only two tapered channels 26 are shown, substantial benefit may still be derived from the enclosed center 24 of the body 12 defining less than two or more than two tapered channels 26. Each of the tapered channels 26 has a circular open top end 28 that is contiguous with the open top end 14 of the body 12. Each of the tapered channels 26 also has a circular open bottom end 30 that is contiguous with the open bottom end 20 of the body 12. The diameter of each of the circular open top ends 28 of the tapered channels 26 is larger than the diameter of each of the circular open bottom ends 30 of the tapered channels 26. The length of the tapered channels 26 may vary. The tapered channels 26 may have a length configured to hold a smoking cone 1000 that is between 70 mm-140 mm long.

[0022] The center 24 of the body 12 also defines a center channel 32 that is positioned between the two tapered channels 26. The center channel 32 may be tapered, but it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may also be derived from a center channel 32 that is straight with a constant diameter; i.e. not tapered. The center channel 32 has a circular open bottom end 34 that is contiguous with the open bottom end 20 of the body 12 and a circular closed top end 38. The center channel 32 extends from the open bottom end 20 of the body 12, passes through a portion of the center 24 of the body 12, and terminates within the center 24 of the body 12. The center channel 32 does not extend through to the open top end 14 of the body 12. If the center channel 32 is tapered, the diameter of the circular open bottom end 34 of the center channel 32 is larger than the diameter of the circular closed top end 38 of the center channel 32. Furthermore, if the center channel 32 is tapered, the center channel 32 is positioned in an opposing orientation with respect to the tapered channels 26; i.e. the narrower circular closed top end 38 of the center channel 32 is positioned proximate the wider circular open top ends 28 of the tapered channels 26. This alternating in the positioning of the tapered channels 26 and the center channel 32 would help to minimize the size of the body 12 required to accommodate the tapered channels 26 and the center channel 32 within it. If the center channel 32 is not tapered, the diameter of the circular open bottom end 34 of the center channel 32 is equal to the diameter of the circular closed top end 38 of the center channel 32.

[0023] The body 12 of the packing device 10 may have one or more indentations 42, 46 formed therein. An indentation 42 may appear on the front outer surface 40 of the body 12 and an indentation 46 may also appear on the rear outer surface 44 of the body 12. The indentations 42, 46 may extend along the entire lengths of the outer surfaces 40, 44 of the body 12 as shown. It should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may still be derived if the indentations 42, 46 extend only along a portion of the lengths of the outer surfaces 40, 44 of the body 12. The indentations 42, 46 may help a user to maintain a good grip on the packing device 10. It should also be clearly understood that substantial benefit may still be derived from the outer surfaces 40, 44 of the body 12 not having any indentations 42, 46 formed therein.

[0024] The packing device 10 may also have two cylindrical plugs 52, one cylindrical plug 52 for each tapered channel 26. While it is preferred that the packing device 10 have cylindrical plugs 52, it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may still be derived from a packing device 10 that does not have cylindrical plugs 52. In the embodiments where the packing device 10 does have cylindrical plugs 52, the cylindrical plugs 52 help to close off the tapered channels 26 and help to prevent the tobacco, cannabis, or other smokable herbs from falling out of the open top ends 1010 of the packed smoking cones 1000 that are held within the tapered channels 26. The cylindrical plugs 52 also help to minimize any odors emitted from the tobacco, cannabis, or other smokable herbs. The cylindrical plugs 52 may be made of silicone, rubber, or other suitable material. Each cylindrical plug 52 has a cylindrical body 54 and a tab 56 extending upwardly and perpendicularly from the cylindrical body 54. The outer diameter of the cylindrical body 54 of a cylindrical plug 52 is configured to be friction fit within the circular open top end 28 of a tapered channel 26. The gradually narrowing diameter of the tapered channel 26 prevents the cylindrical plug 52 from descending into and getting stuck within the tapered channel 26. A user may grip or take hold of the tab 56 of the cylindrical plug 52 to insert the cylindrical plug 52 into the tapered channel 26 and to remove the cylindrical plug 52 from the tapered channel 26.

[0025] The body 12 also has two opposing side outer surfaces 48, each side outer surface 48 defining an elongated groove 50 therein. Each elongated groove 50 is positioned near the top end 14 of the body 12 and extends along a portion of the length of the body 12 toward the bottom end 20 of the body 12. Each elongated groove 50 may terminate near a midpoint of the length of the side outer surface 48 of the body 12.

[0026] Referring to FIGS. 2-3, the packing device 10 further comprises a scooper 58 that is slidably coupled to the body 12. The scooper 58 has a front wall 60, a rear wall 66, and two opposing side walls 72; together, the front wall 60, rear wall 66, and side walls 72 define an open top end 78, an open bottom end 80, and an open center 82 of the scooper 58. The open center 82 is configured to receive the body 12 therethrough and to allow the scooper 58 to side back and forth along a portion of the length of the body 12. As shown, the length of the front wall 60 is shorter than the length of the rear wall 66. This configuration, along with the two side walls 72, allows the scooper 58 to easily scoop up, hold, and slide the dried tobacco, cannabis, or other smokable herbs into the tapered channels 26 in the center 24 of the body 12.

[0027] The interior surface 74 of each of the two opposing side walls 72 of the scooper 58 defines an elongated projection 76 (i.e. tongue) that extends along a portion of the length of the side wall 72. The two elongated projections 76 on the interior surfaces 74 of the opposing side walls 72 of the scooper 58 mate with the corresponding elongated grooves 50 on the two opposing side outer surfaces 48 of the body 12, thus creating a tongue and groove connection. This tongue and groove connection allows the scooper 58 to be slid outwardly and away from the body 12 (shown in FIG. 3) so that the scooper 58 is in an open and deployed position. Conversely, the tongue and groove connection allows the scooper 58 to be slid inwardly toward the body 12 (shown in FIG. 2) so that the scooper 58 is in a closed and stored position.

[0028] The outer surface 62 of the front wall 60 of the scooper 58 may have an indentation 64 formed therein. An indentation 64 may appear on the outer surface 62 of the front wall 60 of the scooper 58 and an indentation 70 may also appear on the outer surface 68 of the rear wall 66 of the scooper 58. The indentation 64 may extend along only a portion of the length of the front wall 60 of the scooper 58. It should be clearly understood that substantial benefit may still be derived if the indentation 64 extends along the entire length of the front wall 60 of the scooper 58. The indentation 64 on the outer surface 62 of the front wall 60 of the scooper 58 may align with the indentation 42 on the front outer surface 40 of the body 12. The indentation 64 on the outer surface 62 of the front wall 60 of the scooper 58 may help a user to slide the scooper 58 outwardly and inwardly between a deployed position and a stored position. It should also be clearly understood that substantial benefit may still be derived if the outer surfaces 62, 68 of the scooper 58 did not have any indentations 64, 70 formed therein.

[0029] The packing device 10 may also have a top cap 84 removably coupled to the body 12, wherein the top cap 84 helps to secure the packing device 10 in a closed position. The top cap 84 has a solid top portion 86. The shape of the solid top portion 86 corresponds and aligns with the shape of the open top end 14 of the body 12 of the packing device 10; i.e. an outer perimeter 88 of the solid top portion 86 of the top cap 84 is identical to the outer perimeter 16 of the open top end 14 of the body 12 of the packing device 10. The top cap 84 also has a neck 92 that extends downwardly and perpendicularly from an interior surface 90 of the solid top portion 86 of the top cap 84. The shape of the neck 92 of the top cap 84 corresponds to the shape of the open top end 14 of the body 12 of the packing device 10, but the size of the neck 92 of the top cap 84 is smaller than the open top end 14 of the body 12. The top cap 84 also has a flange 96 formed at the open end 94 of the neck 92, positioned opposite from the solid top portion 86 of the top cap 84. A gasket 98 is positioned around the neck 92 of the top cap 84 and above the flange 96 of the top cap 84; the flange 96 holds the gasket 98 in place around the neck 92 of the of the top cap 84. The gasket 98 may be made of silicone, rubber, or any other suitable material. Overall, the top cap 84 is configured so that its neck 92 and gasket 98 may be inserted into the open top end 14 of the body 12 creating a friction fit between the top cap 84 and the open top end 14 of the body 12 of the packing device 10. When the top cap 84 is coupled to the open top end 14 of the body 12 of the packing device 10, the neck 92 of the top cap 84 is also configured to surround the cylindrical plugs 52 that are inserted into the open top ends 28 of the tapered channels 26. The top cap 84 helps to minimize any odors emitted from the tobacco, cannabis, or other smokable herbs stored within the packing device 10.

[0030] Referring to FIGS. 5-6, the packing device 10 may have a bottom cap 118 and poker 100. The bottom cap 118 is removably coupled to the body 12 of the packing device 10 and helps to secure the packing device 10 in a closed position. The bottom cap 118 also helps to minimize any odors emitted from the tobacco, cannabis, or other smokable herbs stored within the packing device 10. The poker 100 has an elongated body 110, a proximal end 112, and a distal end 116. To store the poker 100 within the packing device 10, the distal end 116 of the poker 100 is inserted into the center channel 32 of the body 12 of the packing device 10. The poker 100 may have a tapered elongated body 110, with a wider proximal end 112 and a narrower distal end 116, that would be configured to fit within a corresponding tapered center channel 32 within the body 12 of the packing device 10. Alternatively, the poker 100 may have an elongated body 110 of uniform width, that would be configured to fit within a corresponding straight center channel 32 of the body 12 of the packing device 10.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 5, the bottom cap 118 has a solid bottom portion 120. According to one embodiment, where the poker 100 is removably coupled to the bottom cap 118, the interior surface 124 of the solid bottom portion 120 of the bottom cap 118 may define an aperture 126 that is configured to receive the proximal end 112 of the poker 100 and that is sized to create a friction fit between the inner surface of the aperture 126 and the proximal end 112 of the poker 100. According to another embodiment, the poker 100 may be permanently coupled to the interior surface 124 of the solid bottom portion 120 of the bottom cap 118. And in another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the poker 100 may have threading 114 formed on its elongated body 110 near its proximal end 112. This threading 114 would mate with corresponding threading (not shown) that is formed on the interior surface of the circular open bottom end 34 of the center channel 32 of the body 12 of the packing device 10.

[0032] The shape of the solid bottom portion 120 of the bottom cap 118 corresponds and aligns with the shape of the open bottom end 20 of the body 12 of the packing device 10; i.e. an outer perimeter 122 of the solid bottom portion 120 of the bottom cap 118 is identical to the outer perimeter 22 of the open bottom end 20 of the body 12 of the packing device 10. The bottom cap 118 also has a neck 128 that extends upwardly and perpendicularly from the interior surface 124 of the solid bottom portion 120 of the bottom cap 118. The shape of the neck 128 of the bottom cap 118 corresponds to the shape of the open bottom end 20 of the body 12 of the packing device 10, but the size of the neck 128 of the bottom cap 118 is smaller than the open bottom end 20 of the body 12 of the packing device 10. The bottom cap 118 also has a flange 132 formed at the open end 130 of the neck 128, positioned opposite from the solid bottom portion 120 of the bottom cap 118. A gasket 134 is positioned around the neck 128 of the bottom cap 118 and below the flange 132 of the bottom cap 118; the flange 132 holds the gasket 134 in place around the neck 128 of the bottom cap 118. The gasket 134 may be made of silicone, rubber, or any other suitable material. Overall, the bottom cap 118 is configured so that the neck 128 and gasket 134 of the bottom cap 118 may be inserted into the open bottom end 20 of the body 12 of the packing device 10 creating a friction fit between the bottom cap 118 and the open bottom end 20 of the body 12. When the bottom cap 118 is coupled to the open bottom end 20 of the body 12 of the packing device 10, the neck 128 of the bottom cap 118 is also configured to surround the bottom ends 1012 of the smoking cones 1000 that protrude from the circular open bottom ends 30 of the tapered channels 26. The neck 128 of the bottom cap 118 is also configured to surround the proximal end 112 of the poker 100, whether the poker 100 is coupled to the circular open bottom end 34 of the center channel 32 or coupled to the interior surface 124 of the solid bottom portion 120 of the bottom cap 118.

Statement of Use

[0033] A user may remove the top cap 84 from the open top end 14 of the body 12 of the packing device 10. The user may then take hold of the tabs 56 of the cylindrical plugs 54 and remove them from the circular open top ends 28 of the tapered channels. A smoking cone 1000, whether manually rolled or pre-rolled, may be inserted into each tapered channel 26, so that the bottom ends 1012 of the smoking cones 1000 are proximate the circular open bottom ends 30 of the tapered channels 26 and the open top ends 1010 of the smoking cones 1000 are proximate the circular open top ends 28 of the tapered channels 26.

[0034] The scooper 58 may be slid in an outward direction away from the body 12 of the packing device. The scooper 58 may then be used to scoop up tobacco, cannabis, or other smokable herbs. The user will hold the packing device 10 vertically, allowing the tobacco, cannabis, or other smokable herbs to fall downwardly into the open top ends 1010 of the smoking cones 1000 held within the tapered channels 26. The user may then tap the bottom of the smoking device 10 (i.e. the bottom cap 118 that is coupled to the body 12) onto the table or other solid surface to help pack the tobacco, cannabis, or other smokable herbs into the smoking cones 1000.

[0035] If the user desires to pack the tobacco, cannabis, or other smokable herbs into the smoking cones 1000 more tightly, the user may remove the bottom cap 118 from the open bottom end 20 of the body 12 of the packing device 10 to reveal the poker 100. The poker 100 may then be slid out of the center channel 32 of the body 12 of the packing device 10. The user may then insert the distal end 116 of the poker 100 into the smoking cones 1000 to help push the tobacco, cannabis, or other smokable herbs further down into the smoking cones 1000.

[0036] The user may repeat this process until the smoking cones 1000 are packed according to the user's preference. Once finished, the user may reinsert the poker 100 back into the center channel 32 of the body 12 of the packing device 10 and reinsert the bottom cap 118 into the open bottom end 20 of the body 12 of the packing device 10. The scooper 58 may be slid inwardly toward the body 12 back into its stored position. The cylindrical plugs 52 may then be reinserted into the circular open top ends 28 of the tapered channels and the top cap 84 may be reinserted back into the open top end 14 of the body 12 of the packing device 10.

[0037] The foregoing description is provided to enable any person skilled in the relevant art to practice the various embodiments described herein. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the relevant art and generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown and described herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language of the claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean one and only one unless specifically stated, but rather one or more. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various embodiments described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims.