DEVICE FOR PACKING AND CARRYING CONE-SHAPED WRAPPING PAPER OF SMOKABLE PRODUCTS

Abstract

A device for carrying and packing cone-base wrapping paper. The device has a first housing that defines at least one first semi-conical slot and a second housing defining, for each first semi-conical slot, a complementary second semi-conical slot. The first housing and second housing are configured to move relative to each other between a disengaged condition and an engaged condition that defines a conical chamber for each first semi-conical slot and complementary second semi-conical slot, whereby the conical chamber is dimensioned and shaped to engage and radially support a lateral surface area of the cone-base wrapping paper along a substantial length thereof.

Claims

1. A device for carrying and packing a cone-base wrapping paper, the device comprising: a first housing defining at least one first semi-conical slot; and a second housing defining, for each first semi-conical slot, a complementary second semi-conical slot, wherein the first housing and second housing are configured to move relative to each other between a disengaged condition and an engaged condition that defines a conical chamber for each first semi-conical slot and complementary second semi-conical slot, whereby the conical chamber is dimensioned and shaped to engage and radially support a lateral surface area of the cone-base wrapping paper along a substantial length thereof.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein each first semi-conical slot is cross-sectionally defined by a first non-diametric chord coplanar with a first planar face of the first housing, wherein each complementary second semi-conical slot is cross-sectionally defined by a second non-diametric chord coplanar with a second planar face of the second housing, and wherein the first and second planar faces are flush and align in the engaged condition.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the second non-diametric chord is disposed so that the cone-base wrapping paper housed in an associated conical chamber is retained by the second semi-conical slot in the disengaged condition.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the first and second planar faces define a portion of a jigsaw cut along a shared longitudinal axis of the first and second housings, respectively, wherein a remainder of the jigsaw cut defines respective first and second side rails that engage when the first and second housing move between the disengaged condition and the engaged condition.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein a portion of said remainder of the jigsaw cut is along a midpoint between exterior surfaces of the first and second housings in the engaged condition.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein each conical chamber comprises a muzzle opening and a breech opening, and wherein both said openings communicate with an external environment so that opposing ends of a housed cone-base wrapping paper projects into said external environment.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein an upper surface of a first body of the first housing defines the muzzle opening, and wherein a first perimetral barrier of the first housing projects beyond the upper surface of the first body to define a first catch basin between the first perimetral barrier and said upper surface.

8. The device of claim 7, further comprising a locking tab associated with the first housing and a locking recess associated with the second housing so that in the engaged condition a locking engagement is formed between the locking tab and the locking recess.

9. The device of claim 8, further comprising an indicator arrow disposed along the exterior surface of the first housing.

10. The device of claim 8, further comprising one or more finger grips disposed along the exterior surface of the first housing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a top exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a bottom exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 5.

[0015] FIG. 7 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 5.

[0016] FIG. 8 is a top exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, illustrating insertion of empty cone-shaped wrapping paper 30 into the device.

[0017] FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, illustrating packing of cone-shaped wrapping paper 30 inserted in FIG. 8.

[0018] FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, illustrating sliding of the first housing 10 relative to the engaged second housing 22 to remove packed cone-shaped wrapping paper 30 of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

[0020] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the use of directional terms such as upper, lower, upward, downwardly, top, left, right and the like are used in relation to the illustrative embodiments as they are depicted in the figures, the upward direction (or upper) being toward the top of the corresponding figures, the downward direction being toward the bottom of the corresponding figures.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 10, the present invention may include a cone packing device 100 providing one or more conical chambers for stabilizing and reinforcing cone-shaped wrapping papers 30 while they are being backed with smokable material 32. Each conic chamber is dimensioned and shaped to reinforce the cone-shaped wrapping paper 30 for a substantial portion of a length of the cone-shaped wrapping paper 30. Thus, the conic chamber restrains the cone-shaped wrapping paper 30 laterally/radially along every point of its circumferential perimeter that said substantial length engages and is reinforced by the conical chamber, thereby preventing buckling of the cone-shaped wrapping paper 30 during packing and compaction of the smokable material 32 therein. It is understood that the term cone-shaped wrapping paper includes truncated cone shaped papers and other materials usable to define the other surface of a cigarette.

[0022] The cone packing device 100 may provide a first housing 10 and a second housing 22 that are movable relative each other between a disengaged condition and an engaged condition that defines each conical chamber. The first housing 10 may provide one or more first semi-conical slots 12, while the second housing 22 provides one or more second semi-conical slots 22, whereby in the engaged condition each complementary first and second semi-conical slot 12 and 22 define a conical chamber that surrounds the entirety of a perimeter of a housed or received cone-shaped wrapping paper 30 for portions thereof that are circumscribed by the conical chamber.

[0023] In other words, each conical chamber may be formed via the interface of two semi-conical slots 12 and 24 that each define a portion of the conical chamber, whereby when the two semi-conical slots 12 and 24 interface, they define the entire conical chamber, wherein a first semi-conical slot 12 is provided in a first housing 10 and a second semi-conical slot 24 is provided in a second housing 22 that operatively associate and disassociated for loading and removing the cone-shaped wrapping paper 30 into and out of its respective conical chamber. It is noted that the term semi-conical refers to a shape that is defined by the relevant housing 10 or 22 and is generally conical or truncated conical for twenty-five to seventy-five percent of the radius of the conical/truncated conical shape, where the remainder of said radius is undefined by the relevant housing 10 or 22.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 4, the first housing 10 may provide a first body 11 that defines each of the first semi-conical slots 12 by way of longitudinal section cuts through said first body 11. As a result, the first semi-conical slots 12 are voids through the solid first body 11, wherein each first semi-conical slot 12 is bookended by a shared first planar face 41. Though the first body 11 need not be completely solid but for each first semi-conical slot 12; for instance, the first body 11 could be partially hollow, as long as the first body 11 provides each first semi-conical slot 12 and adjacent, bookending first planar face 41. The first semi-conical slots 12 and side rails 14 may terminate on a shared longitudinal plane 44.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 3, the second housing 22 may provide a second body 21 that defines each of the second semi-conical slots 24 by way of longitudinal section cuts through said second body 21. As a result, the second semi-conical slots 24 are voids through the solid second body 21, wherein each second semi-conical slot 24 is bookended by a shared second planar face 42. Though the second body 21 need not be completely solid but for each second semi-conical slot 24; for instance, the second body 21 could be partially hollow, as long as the second body 21 provides each second semi-conical slot 24 and adjacent second planar face 42. The second semi-conical slots 24 and second planar face 42 may terminate on a shared longitudinal plane 44.

[0026] Referring to FIGS. 5 through 7, when the first and second longitudinal planes (planar faces 41 and 42) interface and are aligned and flush against each other in the engaged condition, thereby defining the conical chambers. The first and second bodies 11 and 21 may provide a jigsaw puzzle cut 45 along the shared longitudinal plane 44 that, as a result defines side rails 14 and 26, respectively, where the jigsaw puzzle cut 45 zigs and zags, as seen in FIG. 5. As a result, the respective side rails 14 and 26 can be used to slidably engage the first and second bodies 11 and 21 so their respective planar faces 41 and 42 are urged to align and be flush when fulling interfacing in the engaged condition. The jigsaw puzzle cut 45 is critical because it forms asymmetrical semi-conical slots 12 and 24, wherein one slot is less than half (cross-sectionally) of a full conical slot while the other is more than half (cross-sectionally) of a full conical slot, while a portion of the jigsaw puzzle cut 45 runs along an approximately midline or midpoint of the two housings 10 and 22 in the engaged condition. As a result, the more than half semi-conical slot can retain a cone-shaped wrapping paper 30 received therein in the disengaged condition.

[0027] The first and second bodies 11 and 21 may also provide an indicator arrow 18 and finger grips 20 to further facilitate the proper alignment and interfacing needed to form the conical chambers in the mated, engaged condition. The first and second bodies 11 and 21 may be easily moved between the engaged condition and the disengaged condition through sliding the first body 11 relative to the second body 21 along the side rails 14 and 26. The first and second bodies 11 and 21 may provide a locking tab 16 and a locking recess 28 which forms a locked engagement when proper alignment and interfacing of the first and second bodies 11 and 21 in the engaged condition.

[0028] The first and second bodies 11 and 22 may have an uppermost surface (the surface along which the muzzle/access holes of the conical chambers are present, as shown in FIG. 5) that is at an elevation downward of an upper edge of a barrier 13 and 23 of the first and second bodies 11 and 22, respectively.

[0029] In the engaged condition, each conical chamber may be loaded with an empty cone-shaped wrapping paper 30. From there, a user may pack the cone-shaped wrapping paper 30 with smokable material 32, and then seal the one or more cones at their open ends. This sealing is facilitated by conical chambers being open on both ends, so that the opposing ends of the cone-shaped wrapping paper 30 protrudes and projects beyond the first and second housings 10 and 22. Also, the fenced-in volume, defined by the barriers 13 and 23 of the first and second bodies 11 and 22 relative to the uppermost surface of the bodies 11 and 22 in the engaged condition, are dimensioned and adapted to catch excess smokable material 32 that falls outside of the cone-shaped wrapping paper 30 during the packing process, illustrated in FIG. 9.

[0030] Once sufficiently packed, a user may slide the first and second housings 10 and 22 to the disengaged condition whereby because of the shape of, in the illustrated embodiment, the second semi-conical slots 24or whichever semi-conical slot is greater than half (cross-sectionally) a full conical shape,the cone-shaped wrapping paper 30 is retained therein in the absence of the first housing 10, i.e., in the disengaged condtion. From there, a user may slide out the packed wrapping paper 30.

[0031] As a result of the foregoing features, the present invention allows for, in the engaged condition, tight compaction at the base of a paper cone for stability and slightly lighter compaction in the upper cone for better smoke ability.

[0032] The cone packing device 100 can be placed in a pants or jacket pocket in the engaged condition until the rolled tight cone is ready to enjoy. Although the disclosed cone packing device 100 is described as having cone formations for receiving paper, or other types of wrappers, e.g., plant leaf based, other partially semi-conical shapes, and other formations of wrapping paper can be used with the cone packing device 100.

[0033] A method of manufacturing the present invention may include the following steps. Via three-dimensional (3D) printing, using ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) or similar resin, the resin is shaped into the final product. Specifically, an additive manufacturer may shake and pour bottle of resin into a printer vat, select print, remove from printer build plate, form a 99% IPA (Isopropyl Alcohol) bath to remove excess resin, wait until parts are dry to touch, apply UV light to cure for approximately three minutes, and clean and deburr as needed.

[0034] As used in this application, the term about or approximately refers to a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number. And the term substantially refers to up to 80% or more of an entirety. Recitation of ranges of values herein are not intended to be limiting, referring instead individually to any and all values falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated, and each separate value within such a range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.

[0035] For purposes of this disclosure, the term aligned means parallel, substantially parallel, or forming an angle of less than 35.0 degrees. For purposes of this disclosure, the term transverse means perpendicular, substantially perpendicular, or forming an angle between 55.0 and 125.0 degrees. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term length means the longest dimension of an object. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term width means the dimension of an object from side to side. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term above generally means superjacent, substantially superjacent, or higher than another object although not directly overlying the object. Further, for purposes of this disclosure, the term mechanical communication generally refers to components being in direct physical contact with each other or being in indirect physical contact with each other where movement of one component affect the position of the other.

[0036] The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., such as, or the like) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the embodiments or the claims. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any unclaimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosed embodiments.

[0037] In the following description, it is understood that terms such as first, second, top, bottom, up, down, and the like, are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms unless specifically stated to the contrary.

[0038] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.