Abstract
A smoking product and method of making thereof for the consumption of a smokable substance which includes a smoking tube having a tube interior; an insulator ring having an insulator annular area, and an open insulator interior, wherein the insulator ring is located in the tube interior, wherein the insulator annular area is filled with a first insulating material, and wherein the insulator ring has an insulation efficiency of between 50 and 95 percent; a support having upper and lower support ends, wherein the support is inserted in the tube interior and resisting collapse of the tube against an external force; a filter element located outside of both the tube interior and the open insulator interior, and wherein the smoking tube, insulator ring, and filter element are packaged for sale in packaging.
Claims
1. A smoking product comprising: (a) a smoking tube having a tube wall, upper and lower tube ends, and a tube interior, wherein the tube wall has a first insulation value, (b) an insulator ring having outer and inner insulator ring walls, upper and lower insulator ends, an insulator annular area, and an open insulator interior, wherein the insulator ring is located in the tube interior, wherein the insulator annular area is filled with a first insulating material that is different from the outer and inner insulator ring walls, and wherein the insulator ring has an insulation efficiency that is at least 50 percent; (c) a support having upper and lower support ends, wherein the support is inserted in the tube interior and resisting collapse of the tube wall against an external force applied to the tube wall; (d) a filter element located outside of both the tube interior and the open insulator interior, wherein the filter element is selectably insertable into the open insulator interior; and (e) wherein the smoking tube, insulator ring, and filter element are packaged for sale in packaging, wherein smoking tube being un filled with a smokable filler.
2. The smoking product of claim 1, wherein the first insulator material is corrugated with a plurality of ridges and plurality of valleys which are sized to allow flow of smoke though the insulator annular interior while blocking smokable filler which may be placed in the tube interior.
3. The smoking of claim 1, wherein the lower support end contacts the insulator ring, and the upper support end extends out from the upper tube end.
4. The smoking product of claim 1, wherein smoking tube is cylindrically shaped, the insulator ring is cylindrically shaped, and the filter element is cylindrically shaped.
5. The smoking product of claim 1, wherein smoking tube is conically shaped, the insulator ring is conically shaped, and the filter element is conically shaped.
6. The smoking product of claim 1, wherein the first insulating material is corrugated.
7. The smoking product of claim 1, wherein the first insulating material is selected from the group consisting of: acetate.
8. The smoking product of claim 1, wherein the first insulating material is selected from the group consisting of: silicon, rubber, glass, cork, perlite, ceramic, teflon, and insulating foam.
9. The smoking product of claim 1, wherein the first insulating material is selected selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene, polyolefin, polyvinylchloride, polystyrene, polyester, nylon.
10. The smoking product of claim 1, wherein the insulation efficiency of the insulator is at least 60 percent.
11. The smoking product of claim 1, wherein the insulation efficiency of the insulator is at least 75 percent.
12. The smoking product of claim 1, wherein the insulation efficiency of the insulator is at least 80 percent.
13. The smoking product of claim 1, wherein the insulation efficiency of the insulator is at least 90 percent.
14. The smoking product of claim 1, wherein the insulation efficiency of the insulator is at least 95 percent.
15. A smoking product comprising: (a) a smoking tube having a tube wall, upper and lower tube ends, and a tube interior, wherein the tube wall has a first insulation value, (b) an insulator ring having outer and inner insulator ring walls, upper and lower insulator ends, an insulator annular area, and an open insulator interior, wherein the insulator ring is located in the tube interior, wherein the insulator annular area is filled with a first insulating material, and wherein the insulator ring has an insulation efficiency that is at least 50 percent; (c) a support having upper and lower support ends, wherein the support is inserted in the tube interior and resisting collapse of the tube wall against an external force applied to the tube wall; (d) a filter element located outside of both the tube interior and the open insulator interior, wherein the filter element is selectably insertable into the open insulator interior; and (e) wherein the smoking tube, insulator ring, and filter element are packaged for sale in packaging, wherein smoking tube being un filled with a smokable filler.
16. The smoking product of claim 15, wherein the first insulator material is corrugated with a plurality of ridges and plurality of valleys which are sized to allow flow of smoke though the insulator annular interior while blocking smokable filler which may be placed in the tube interior.
17. The smoking product of claim 15, wherein the first insulating material is selected from the group consisting of: acetate.
18. The smoking product of claim 15, wherein the first insulating material is selected from the group consisting of: silicon, rubber, glass, perlite, cork, ceramic, teflon, and insulating foam.
19. The smoking product of claim 15, wherein the insulation efficiency of the insulator is at least 75 percent.
20. The smoking product of claim 15, wherein the insulation efficiency of the insulator is at least 95 percent.
21. A method of preparing a finished cigar comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a smoking product comprising: (i) a smoking tube having a tube wall, upper and lower tube ends, and a tube interior, wherein the tube wall has a first insulation value, (ii) an insulator ring having outer and inner insulator ring walls, upper and lower insulator ends, an insulator annular area, and an open insulator interior, wherein the insulator ring is located in the tube interior, wherein the insulator annular area is filled with a first insulating material, and wherein the insulator ring has an insulation efficiency that is at least 50 percent; (iii) a support having upper and lower support ends, wherein the support is inserted in the tube interior and resisting collapse of the tube wall against an external force applied to the tube wall; (iv) a filter element located outside of both the tube interior and the open insulator interior, wherein the filter element is selectably insertable into the open insulator interior; and (v) wherein the smoking tube, insulator ring, and filter element are packaged for sale in packaging, wherein smoking tube being un filled with a smokable filler; (b) opening the packaging and removing the smoking tube and filter element; (c) placing the filter element in the open insulator interior; (d) placing smokable filler in the tube interior while the support remains inserted in the tube interior; (e) after step d, sliding the support relative to both the smokable filler and the tube wall and closing the first end of the smoking tube to form a finished smoking product; and (f) after step e, while supporting the finished smoking product by grabbing outside of the insulator ring, lighting the smokable filler and causing smoke to flow through the tube interior and filter element.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
(1) For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:
(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an unfilled cigar shell.
(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an insulation ring which can be placed in the interior of the cigar shell, wherein the insulation ring has an interior which can accept a filter tip.
(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the insulation ring of FIG. 2 now placed in the interior of the cigar shell of FIG. 1.
(5) FIG. 4 is an end view of the cigar shell/insulation ring of FIG. 3.
(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an insulating ring.
(7) FIG. 6 is a sectional view of FIG. 5 taken along lines 6-6 showing a first embodiment of insulating ring.
(8) FIG. 7 is a sectional view of FIG. 5 taken along lines 6-6 showing a second embodiment of insulating ring.
(9) FIG. 8 is a sectional view of FIG. 5 taken along lines 6-6 showing a third embodiment of insulating ring.
(10) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a supporting sleeve.
(11) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a form mandrel.
(12) FIG. 11 is a sectional view of FIG. 9 taken along lines 11-11.
(13) FIG. 12 is a sectional view of FIG. 10 taken along lines 12-12.
(14) FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a removable filter tip.
(15) FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a cigar shell with insulating ring schematically indicating that supporting sleeve is being inserted into the interior of cigar shell.
(16) FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a cigar shell with insulating ring and inserted supporting sleeve packaged for sale with removable filter tip located adjacent cigar shell in the packaging.
(17) FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a cigar shell with insulating ring and inserted supporting sleeve packaged for sale with formal mandrel and removable filter tip located adjacent cigar shell in the packaging.
(18) FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a cigar shell with insulating ring schematically indicating that a form mandrel is being inserted into the interior of cigar shell.
(19) FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the cigar shell with insulating ring of FIG. 17 taken along lines 18-18.
(20) FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a cigar shell with insulating ring schematically indicating that a form mandrel is being inserted into the interior of supporting sleeve, and that the combination of form mandrel/supporting sleeve is being inserted into the interior of cigar shell.
(21) FIG. 20 is a sectional view of the cigar shell with insulating ring of FIG. 19 taken along lines 20-20.
(22) FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an insulating sleeve with removable filter tip inserted into the interior of insulating sleeve.
(23) FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a cigar shell with insulating sleeve/removable filter tip inserted into the interior of cigar shell.
(24) FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the cigar shell/insulating sleeve/removable filter tip of FIG. 22 being filled with smokable filler thereby making a finished cigar.
(25) FIG. 24 is a side view showing a user smoking the finished cigar of FIG. 23.
(26) FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the cigar shell of FIG. 23 schematically indicating smoke flow along with heat flow about the length of the cigar shell.
(27) FIG. 26 is a sectional view of the cigar shell of FIG. 25 showing heat flow being schematically blocked by insulating ring.
(28) FIG. 27 is a sectional view of the cigar shell of FIG. 25 showing heat flow being schematically blocked by a different embodiment of an insulating ring.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(29) 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.
(30) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an unfilled cigar shell 100 which can comprise first end 110, second end 120 with inner surface 114, side wall 104, and interior 130.
(31) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an insulation ring 200 which can be placed in the interior 130 of the cigar shell 100, wherein the insulation ring 200 has an interior 230 which can accept a filter tip 1200. Insulation ring 200 can comprise first end 210, second end 220 with inner surface 206, exterior surface 204, and interior 230. Between inner 206 and exterior 204 surfaces can be an insulating material 250 which can resist radial heat flow substantially more than sidewall 104 of shell 100. Insulating ring 200 has a longitudinal length shown by dimension 222.
(32) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the insulation ring 200 now placed in the interior 130 of the cigar shell 100. FIG. 4 is an end view of the cigar shell 100/insulation ring 200. As will be explained below insulation ring 200 will vastly increase resistance to radial heat flow during smoking of finished smoking article 10 from heated smoke passing along the longitudinal axis of shell 100 compared to the situation of heat flow through sidewall 104 not having insulation ring 200.
(33) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an insulating ring 200. FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a first embodiment of insulating ring 200 taken along lines 6-6. In this embodiment an insulating material 250 is provided in the gap 208 between interior 206 and exterior 204 of insulation ring 200. Insulating material can be corrugated having a plurality of peaks 254 and a plurality of valleys 256. The total insulating effect of insulating material is the combination of: (i) insulating value of insulation material 250, (ii) insulating value of the plurality of valleys 256, and (iii) insulating value of the interior wall 206 and exterior wall 204.
(34) FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of insulating ring 200 taken along lines 6-6. In this embodiment a solid insulating material 290 is provided in the gap 208 between interior 206 and exterior 204 of insulation ring 200. The total insulating effect of insulating material is the combination of: (i) insulating value of insulation material 290 and (ii) the insulating value of the interior wall 206 and exterior wall 204.
(35) FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a third embodiment of insulating ring 200 taken along lines 6-6. In this embodiment an insulating material 270 is provided in the gap 208 between interior 206 and exterior 204 of insulation ring 200. In various embodiments there also can be a gap or gaps 278 in this annular space between insulating material 270 and the gap 208. The total insulating effect of insulating material is the combination of: (i) insulating value of insulation material 270, (ii) insulating value of the gap(s) 278, and (iii) the insulating value of the interior wall 206 and exterior wall 204.
(36) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a supporting sleeve 600 which can comprise first end 610, second end 620, side wall 604, and interior 630. FIG. 11 is a sectional view supporting sleeve 600 taken along lines 11-11.
(37) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a generally solid form mandrel 650 which can comprise first end 656, second end 658, and outer surface 654. First 656 and second 658 ends can be tapered. FIG. 12 is a sectional view of general solid form mandrel 650 taken along lines 12-12.
(38) FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a removable filter tip 1200 which can comprise first end 1210, second end 1220, side wall 1204, and interior 1230. Second end 1220 can be tapered 1205. Removable filter tip 1200 is conventionally available and is shown only schematically with opening 1230 being clear, however, conventionally available removable filter tips will have interiors constructed to allow smoking to pass by while blocking smokable filler and ashes.
(39) FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a cigar shell 100 with insulating ring 200 schematically indicating that supporting sleeve 100 is being inserted into the interior 130 of cigar shell 100. The lengths of the major components can be: (i) dimension 122 for cigar shell 100, (ii) dimension 222 for insulating ring, and (iii) dimension 622 for supporting sleeve 600. Dimension 124 indicates the length of cigar shell 100 that remains following insulating ring. Because insulating ring 200 is shown preferably flush with second end 130 of cigar shell 100, dimension 222 plus dimension 124 would equal to dimension 122. Also in this embodiment the length (dimension 622) of supporting sleeve 600 is preferably equal to dimension 124. Alternatively, the length (dimension 622) of supporting sleeve 600 can be slightly larger than dimension 124 so that supporting sleeve 600 will stick out slightly from first end 110 of cigar shell 100 which can both (i) prevent damage to first end 110 of cigar shell 100 and (ii) facilitate the pulling out of support sleeve 600 from the interior 130 of cigar shell 100 (wherein sticking out first end 610 facilitates a user grabbing support sleeve 600 without having to touch first end 110 of cigar shell 100). Alternatively, insulating ring 200 can be slightly recessed into interior 130 of cigar shell 100 so that second end 120 of cigar shell 100 sticks out further than second end 220 of insulating ring 200 (however this embodiment is not preferred as it is believed that such would increase the risk of damage to second end 120 of cigar shell 100).
(40) FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a cigar shell 100 with insulating ring 200 and inserted supporting sleeve 600 packaged for sale in packaging 800 with removable filter tip 1200 located adjacent cigar shell 100 in the packaging. Removable filter tip 1200 is not located in the interior 130 of cigar shell 100 and the user has the option whether to use filter tip 1200 or some other blocking item relative to insulating ring 200. Cigar shell 100 is unfilled with smokable filler while located in packaging 800.
(41) FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a cigar shell 100 with insulating ring 200 and inserted supporting sleeve 600 packaged for sale in packaging 800 with removable filter tip 1200 and form mandrel 650 located adjacent cigar shell 100 in the packaging. Both removable filter tip 1200 and form mandrel are not located in the interior 130 of cigar shell 100 and the user has the option whether to use filter tip 1200 or some other blocking item relative to insulating ring 200. Cigar shell 100 is unfilled with smokable filler while located in packaging 800.
(42) FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a cigar shell 100 with insulating ring 200 schematically indicating that a form mandrel 650 is being inserted into the interior 130 of cigar shell 100. This is an alternative embodiment to that shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 where form mandrel 650 has replaced support sleeve 600. FIG. 18 is a sectional view of cigar shell 100 with insulating ring 200 taken along lines 18-18 showing form mandrel 650 being coaxially situated in cigar shell 100. With this alternative embodiment cigar shell 100 with insulating ring 200 and inserted form mandrel 650 are packaged for sale in packaging 800 with removable filter tip 1200 located adjacent cigar shell 100 in the packaging. Removable filter tip 1200 is not located in the interior 130 of cigar shell 100 and the user has the option whether to use filter tip 1200 or some other blocking item relative to insulating ring 200. Cigar shell 100 is unfilled with smokable filler while located in packaging 800.
(43) FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a cigar shell 100 with insulating ring 200 schematically indicating that a form mandrel 650 is being inserted into the interior 630 of supporting sleeve 600, and that the combination of form mandrel 650/supporting sleeve 600 is being inserted into the interior 130 of cigar shell 100. This is another alternative embodiment to that shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 where now form mandrel 650 has been added to support sleeve 600. FIG. 20 is a sectional view of cigar shell 100 with insulating ring 200 taken along lines 20-20 showing the combined form mandrel 650/support sleeve 600 being coaxially situated in cigar shell 100. With this alternative embodiment cigar shell 100 with insulating ring 200 and inserted form mandrel 650/support sleeve 600 are packaged for sale in packaging 800 with removable filter tip 1200 located adjacent cigar shell 100 in the packaging. Removable filter tip 1200 is not located in the interior 130 of cigar shell 100 and the user has the option whether to use filter tip 1200 or some other blocking item relative to insulating ring 200. Cigar shell 100 is unfilled with smokable filler while located in packaging 800.
(44) FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an insulating sleeve 200 with removable filter tip 1200 inserted into the interior 230 of insulating sleeve 200. FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a cigar shell 100 with the combined insulating sleeve 200/removable filter tip 1200 inserted into the interior 130 of cigar shell 100.
(45) FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the interior 130 of cigar shell 100/insulating sleeve 200/removable filter tip 1200 being filled with smokable filler 1000 thereby making a finished cigar. Already added smokable filler 1010 is also shown. Optionally, support sleeve 600 as shown in FIG. 15 can be kept in the interior 130 of cigar shell 100 during the smokable filler 1000 filling process which is schematically shown in FIG. 23, and smokable filler 1000 can be added to the interior 630 of support sleeve 600 (which is also in the interior 130 of cigar shell 100 as support sleeve 600 is coaxially positioned in cigar shell 100). The added smokable filler 1000 can be compacted while in the interior 630 of support sleeve 600 and support sleeve 600 can resist the tearing of side wall 104 of cigar shell 100 during the filling and compaction process. At the end of the filling/compaction process of cigar shell 100, support sleeve 600 can be selectively removed from the interior 130 of cigar shell 100 by pulling on first end 610 of support sleeve 600 (schematically indicated by arrow 601) while using force on compacted smokable filler 1010 (schematically indicated by arrow 602) to prevent the compacted smokable filler 1010 from moving longitudinally relative to cigar shell thereby allowing support sleeve 600 to slide longitudinally relative to both smokable filler 1010 and sidewall 104. In one embodiment solid form mandrel 650 can be used to apply the force schematically indicated by arrow 602 to prevent the compacted smokable filler from sliding with support sleeve 600.
(46) FIG. 24 is a side view showing a user smoking the finished cigar 10. Arrow 1002 schematically indicates the flow of smoke while in the interior of cigar shell 100, and arrow 1003 schematically indicates the flow of smoke while in the interior of insulating ring 200 and filter tip 1200. As can be seen in this figure the user's fingers hold the finished cigar in the area of insulating ring 200.
(47) FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the cigar shell 100 schematically indicating smoke flow along with heat flow about the length of the cigar shell. Arrows 705, 706, and 707 schematically indicate radiating heat flow from the lighted smoke which can freely leave the sidewall 104 of cigar shell 100. If a user were to touch this portion of the cigar shell 100 sidewall 104 can be very hot.
(48) FIG. 26 is a sectional view of the cigar shell 100 showing heat flow being schematically blocked by insulating ring 200 with insulation material 250. For clarity filter tip 1200 is not shown in this figure. Arrows 704 schematically indicate heat radiating from the smoke passing though filter tip 1200 and the interior 230 of insulating ring 200 while arrows 710 schematically indicate that the vast majority of the heat is blocked from passing though insulating ring 200 and thereby only a small fraction of this heat (schematically indicated by arrow 714) that the user's fingers will fee.
(49) FIG. 27 is a sectional view of the cigar shell 100 showing heat flow being schematically blocked by a different embodiment (of FIG. 8) of an insulating ring 200 with insulating material 270. Arrows 704 schematically indicate heat radiating from the smoke passing though filter tip 1200 and the interior 230 of insulating ring 200 while arrows 710 schematically indicate that the vast majority of the heat is blocked from passing though insulating ring 200 and thereby only a small fraction of this heat (schematically indicated by arrow 714) that the user's fingers will fee.
(50) Thermal efficiency expresses the effectiveness of some particular piece of insulation in preventing heat loss from some particular surface. It may be written simply as the ratio or expressed as a percentage.
Thermal efficiency=[Qwithout insulationQwith insulation]/Qwithout insulation100%
(51) In various embodiments the insulation efficiency of the insulator 200 can be at least 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, and 95 percent. In various embodiments insulator 200 can have a thermal efficiency falling within a range of between any two of the above specified insulation efficiencies. For example, insulator can preferably have a thermal efficiency of between 50 and 95 percent and more preferably between 76 and 90 percent.
(52) The following is a Table of Reference Numerals used in this patent application:
(53) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE OF REFERENCE NUMERALS: REFERENCE NUMBER DESCRIPTION 10 smoking article 100 hollow shell 101 longitudinal centerline 104 sidewall 110 first end 114 inner surface 120 second end 122 dimension 124 dimension 130 interior 140 outer surface 150 first opening 160 second opening 200 insulating ring 204 outer surface 206 interior surface 208 dimension 210 first end 220 second end 222 dimension 230 interior 250 insulating material 254 plurality of ridges 258 plurality of valleys/gaps 270 insulating material 278 gaps 290 insulating material 600 hollow support mandrel 601 arrow 602 arrow 604 sidewall 610 first end 620 second end 622 dimension 630 interior 650 solid support mandrel 652 dimension 654 outer surface 656 first end 658 second end 700 heat flow 704 exterior and radially directed heat flow while inside insulating ring 705 exterior and radially directed heat flow in area closest to first end 706 exterior and radially directed heat flow in longtitudinal middle area 707 exterior and radially directed heat flow in area closest to second end and insulating ring 710 insulating ring reflected and interiorly directed heat flow 714 heat flow leaving insulating ring 800 package/wrapper 802 arrow 810 closed end 820 open end 830 interior 840 seal 900 straw or tamper 1000 smokable filler 1002 arrow 1003 arrow 1010 smokable filler located in interior of shell 1200 filter 1204 outer surface 1205 tapered portion 1210 first end 1220 second end 1230 interior 2000 plane
(54) All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise.
(55) 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.
