Patent Application
20220015418
This patent document contains material subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction of this patent document or any related materials in the files of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.
This invention relates to cigarette holders, including a cigarette holder with a built-in humidifier system.
Tobacco cigarettes have been popular for decades, and with the legalization of cannabis in many places, cannabis cigarettes also have risen in popularity.
As is known, tobacco cigarettes are sold in small pocket-sized packages that typically hold twenty cigarettes. However, cannabis cigarettes are only sold individually if at all, with most smokers having to roll their own cannabis cigarettes by hand. Because of this, the cannabis cigarettes do not come with ready-made multi-unit packages and cannot be carried on one's person as easily.
In addition, cannabis is best stored in sealed containers at roughly 60% relative humidity to preserve freshness and usability. As such, cannabis cigarettes carried in unsealed containers may dry up and generally expire.
Accordingly, there is a need for a multi-unit cannabis cigarette holder with a built-in humidifying system.
Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
In general, the assembly according to exemplary embodiments hereof provides a holder for cigarettes and the like. The cigarettes may include cannabis, tobacco, herbs, other smokable substances and any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the holder includes an inner tray that is adapted to hold the cigarettes in place within the holder and separated from one another. For example, the cigarettes may be held side-by-side within individual channels within the tray. In some embodiments, the holder may also include an inner humidifier system to regulate the humidity within the holder to an appropriate relative humidity for the proper storing of the cigarettes (depending on the smokable substance contained within each cigarette.
In one exemplary embodiment hereof as shown in
In some embodiments, the housing assembly 100 includes a front 102, a back 104, top 106, a bottom 108, a left side 110 and a right side 112, thereby defining an inner volume 114 therein. The housing assembly 100 may comprise fiberboard, paperboard, paper form, thermoformed polystyrene, plastic, wood, metal, other polymers, other materials and any combination thereof. It is preferable that the housing assembly 100 be rigid, strong, puncture-proof and relatively light weight. It may also be preferable that the outer surface of the housing assembly 100 be smooth to the touch and be printable with graphics and such.
In some embodiments, the housing assembly 100 includes a height H1, a length L1 and a width W1. In general, the height H1 may be chosen to accommodate the length of a standard cigarette resting upright within the housing 100. Accordingly, if a standard cigarette may measure about 50 mm to 120 mm in length, it may be preferable that the height H1 of the housing 100 also be at least about 50 mm to 120 mm. In addition, the length L1 may be chosen to accommodate the width of a standard cigarette, and the width W1 of the housing may be chosen to accommodate a plurality of cigarettes (e.g., 2-8 cigarettes side-by-side). Accordingly, the length L1 may be at least 5 mm to 8 mm, and the width W1 may range from about 10 mm (e.g., for about two cigarettes) to about 60 mm (for about eight cigarettes). It is understood that the dimensions described in the above examples are meant for demonstration and that the height H1, width W1 and/or length L1 of the housing 100 may be chosen to accommodate cigarettes of any dimensions.
In some embodiments, the housing assembly 100 comprises a material that preserves the relative humidity level (RH) inside the housing 100 at a constant level. For example, the housing assembly 100 may comprise a material that generally blocks moister from permeating through the assembly 100 (from the inside to the outside or vice versa). In other embodiments, the housing assembly 100 may include a surface coating (inside, outside or any combination thereof) that generally blocks moister from permeating through the assembly 100.
In some embodiments as shown in
In some embodiments, the body portion 116 and the top lid 118 are releasably held together in the closed configuration by a securing mechanism 120. In some embodiments, the securing mechanism 120 may include a first securing portion 120a configured with the lid 118 and a second securing portion 120b configured with the body portion 116. When in the closed position as shown in
In some embodiments, the interface between the lid 118 and the body 116 may be air-tight when the lid 118 is in its closed position. In some embodiments, the interface between the lid 118 and the body 116 includes a seal 117 that seals the inner volume 114 from the environment outside the housing 100 when the lid 116 is in its closed position. The seal 117 may include a gasket or other type(s) of seal mechanisms comprising any sufficient material such as rubber, silicon, plastic or other materials. In some embodiments, the seal 117 is odor-proof so that the odor of the contents held within the holder 10 (e.g., cannabis cigarettes) may not be noticeable, identified or otherwise recognized outside the holder 10 when the holder 10 is closed.
In some embodiments, the interface between the lid 118 and the body 116 may be at an inclined angle on the left 110 and right 112 sides towards the back 104 as shown in
In some embodiments, at least a portion of the inner tray 200 may be exposed when the lid 118 is positioned into an open position (e.g., the top portion of the inner tray 200) as shown in
In one exemplary embodiment hereof as shown in
The front width of the tray body 202 may preferably generally correspond to the inner front width W1 of the inner volume 114, and the side width of the tray body 202 may generally correspond to the inner side length L1 of the inner volume 114. In this way, the inner tray 202 may fit within the inner volume 114 and be generally held therein by pressure fit. The height of the tray body 202 may generally correspond to the height H1 of the housing's body 116, but it is understood that the height of the tray body 202 may be larger or smaller than the height H1 of the tray body 116 depending on the architecture and dimensions of the lid 118. In generally, it is preferable that the tray body 202 not obstruct or otherwise inhibit the functionality of the lid 118 (e.g., when the lid 118 is either opened and/or closed).
In some embodiments, the tray body 202 includes one or more channels 208-1, 208-2, 208-3, . . . 208-n (collectively and individually 208). In some embodiments, the channels 208 are generally positioned on the front 204 (as shown in
In some embodiments as shown in
While one row of channels 108 is shown in
The purpose of each channel 208 may generally be to hold a single cigarette therein (although it is understood that more than one cigarette may be held within a single channel 208), separate from other cigarettes that may be held in other channels 208. In this way, the cigarettes may not touch one another when held within the holder 10. In addition, it is preferable that the tray 202 provide sufficient rigidity to the channels 208 so that cigarettes held within the channels 208 may be generally protected from outside forces. For example, if the housing body 116 becomes compressed or otherwise damaged (e.g., due to an inadvertent force applied to the body 116), it is preferable that the tray body 202 and the channels 208 generally hold their shape and withstand the compression so that any cigarettes held therein may be protected.
In some embodiments, the width of each channel 208 is chosen to be slightly larger than that of the cigarette(s) that the holder 10 may be used with, whether the cigarettes may be mass produced (e.g., tobacco cigarettes) or hand-rolled (e.g., cannabis cigarettes also referred to as joints). In this way, the cigarette may fit within the channel 208 and be held and protected therein. In some embodiments, the width of each channel is about one-half inch. However, the width of each channel may be other dimensions. It may be preferable that each channel's width be uniform over the length of the channel 208, but this may not be necessary. For example, some channels 208 may be tapered from top to bottom so that the bottom of the channel 208 may have a smaller width than the top of the channel 208. In this way, the bottom of the channel 208 may come into contact with the bottom of the cigarette and thereby hold the cigarette in place within the channel 208 via pressure fit. In addition, the width of each channel 208 need not match the widths of other channels 208, and some channels 208 may have larger widths to accommodate larger width cigarettes.
In some embodiments, the holder 10 includes a holding area 210 that may be adapted to hold the humidity control device 300. In some embodiments, the holding area 210 may be configured with the tray assembly 200 and may include one or more slots, cavities, cutouts, openings, adhesive, double-sided tape, pegs, other types of holding areas 210 configured with the tray 202 and any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the holding area 210 may include an area within the inner volume 114 that is unobstructed and adapted to receive the humidity control device 300. In this case, the holding area 210 may or may not be configured with the tray 202. For example, the holding area 210 may simply include an area within the inner volume 114 of the holder 10 that is not obstructed by the tray 202. In some embodiments, the holding area 210 is sized and shaped to accommodate the humidity control device 300 and to hold it therein.
In one embodiment as shown in
In some embodiments, the holding area 210 may be configured on the back 206 of the tray 202 as shown in
In one exemplary embodiment hereof, the humidity control device 300 is positioned within the holder 10 to set and generally regulate a desired relative humidity level (RH) within the holder 10 when the holder 10 is closed. In some embodiments, the humidity control device 300 includes a 2-way humidity control device 302 such as a saturated salt solution device 304. The saturated salt solution device 304 may include a solution of water (preferably distilled) and salt (preferably chemically pure) within a breathable pouch or other adequate type of container and adapted to regulate the relative humidity within the holder 10. The type of salt(s) used in the solution may be chosen to enable the device 304 to regulate the relative humidity to a desired level. For example, for a particular desired relative humidity RH1, the saturated salt solution device 304 may be designed to absorb moister when the relative humidity surrounding the solution is above the desired RH1, and release moister (preferably pure water vapor) when the relative humidity surrounding the solution is below the desire RH1. In this way, the device 304 may generally maintain the relative humidity RH1 within the closed holder 10. Other types of 2-way humidity control devices 302 and/or 1-way humidity control devices also may be used.
In some embodiments, the salts may include one or more of the following (without limitation): ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3), ammonium sulphate ((NH4)2SO4), lithium chloride (LiCl), magnesium chloride (MgCl2), magnesium nitrate (Mg(NO3)2), natrium chloride (NaCl), potassium sulphate (K2SO4), potassium nitrate KNO3), potassium chloride (KCl), potassium acetate (CH3CO2K), potassium hydroxide (KOH), sodium chloride (NaCl), sodium nitrite (NaNO2), sodium dichromate (Na2Cr2O7), other salts and any combination thereof. The RH generally set and maintained by the salt solution device 304 may depend on the salt(s) included, the temperature of the device 304, impurities in the salt(s) and/or water, the speed of the saturation and other factors.
In some embodiments, the saturated salt solution device 304 is formulated to set and maintain the RH within the closed holder 10 at about 55% to 65%. In some embodiments, the RH is set and maintained at about 60%. It is understood that the humidity control device 300 may be designed to generally set and maintain the RH within the closed holder 10 to any desired RH, and that the scope of the holder 10 is not limited in any way by the type of humidity control device 300 or by the RH level generally set and/or regulated by the humidity control device 300 within the holder 10.
In some embodiments, the saturated salt solution device 304 may include a Boveda® 2-way humidity control device. It may be preferable that the device 304 be formulated to last 1-2 months or longer.
In some exemplary embodiments hereof, the inner tray assembly 200 and the humidity control device 300 are placed within the inner volume 114 of the housing 100 and secured therein as shown in the cut-away schematic of
It is preferable that the entirety of the inner tray 202 and of the humidity control device 300 be enclosed within the holder 10 when the holder 10 is closed. It is also preferable that any cigarettes C placed within any of the channels 208 of the tray 202 be entirely enclosed within the holder 10 when the holder 10 is closed, and that the cigarettes C be easily accessible (e.g., from the top) when the holder 10 is opened. In some embodiments, the upper portion of the cigarettes C may extend beyond the top of the tray body 202 so that the upper portions may be exposed when the top lid 118 of the holder 10 is repositioned to open the holder 10. In this way, the upper portions of the cigarettes C may be easily grasped to remove the cigarettes C from the holder 10.
It is also preferable that the inner volume 114 include adequate space to allow for sufficient air flow between the humidity control device 300 and the cigarettes C held within the channels 208 so that the humidity control device 300 may generally set and regulate the RH level of the area surrounding the cigarettes C and of the cigarettes C themselves. In this way, the smoking material included within the cigarettes C may be generally held at a desired RH level to maximize the storage conditions of the cigarettes C for freshness and longevity.
In some embodiments, the tray assembly 300 is secured within the inner volume 114 of the housing 100 by a pad 121. The pad 121 may generally secure the tray 202 within the inner volume 114 by attaching a surface of the tray 202 to an inner surface of the housing 100. For example, the pad 121 may secure the back 206 of the tray 202 to the back inner surface of the housing (
Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate and understand, upon reading this description, that embodiments hereof may provide different and/or other advantages, and that not all embodiments or implementations need have all advantages.
Where a process is described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the process may operate without any user intervention. In another embodiment, the process includes some human intervention (e.g., a step is performed by or with the assistance of a human).
As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “at least some” means “one or more,” and includes the case of only one. Thus, e.g., the phrase “at least some ABCs” means “one or more ABCs”, and includes the case of only one ABC.
As used herein, including in the claims, term “at least one” should be understood as meaning “one or more”, and therefore includes both embodiments that include one or multiple components. Furthermore, dependent claims that refer to independent claims that describe features with “at least one” have the same meaning, both when the feature is referred to as “the” and “the at least one”.
As used in this description, the term “portion” means some or all. So, for example, “A portion of X” may include some of “X” or all of “X”. In the context of a conversation, the term “portion” means some or all of the conversation.
As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “using” means “using at least,” and is not exclusive. Thus, e.g., the phrase “using X” means “using at least X.” Unless specifically stated by use of the word “only”, the phrase “using X” does not mean “using only X.”
As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “based on” means “based in part on” or “based, at least in part, on,” and is not exclusive. Thus, e.g., the phrase “based on factor X” means “based in part on factor X” or “based, at least in part, on factor X.” Unless specifically stated by use of the word “only”, the phrase “based on X” does not mean “based only on X.”
In general, as used herein, including in the claims, unless the word “only” is specifically used in a phrase, it should not be read into that phrase.
As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “distinct” means “at least partially distinct.” Unless specifically stated, distinct does not mean fully distinct. Thus, e.g., the phrase, “X is distinct from Y” means that “X is at least partially distinct from Y,” and does not mean that “X is fully distinct from Y.” Thus, as used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “X is distinct from Y” means that X differs from Y in at least some way.
It should be appreciated that the words “first,” “second,” and so on, in the description and claims, are used to distinguish or identify, and not to show a serial or numerical limitation. Similarly, letter labels (e.g., “(A)”, “(B)”, “(C)”, and so on, or “(a)”, “(b)”, and so on) and/or numbers (e.g., “(i)”, “(ii)”, and so on) are used to assist in readability and to help distinguish and/or identify, and are not intended to be otherwise limiting or to impose or imply any serial or numerical limitations or orderings. Similarly, words such as “particular,” “specific,” “certain,” and “given,” in the description and claims, if used, are to distinguish or identify, and are not intended to be otherwise limiting.
As used herein, including in the claims, the terms “multiple” and “plurality” mean “two or more,” and include the case of “two.” Thus, e.g., the phrase “multiple ABCs,” means “two or more ABCs,” and includes “two ABCs.” Similarly, e.g., the phrase “multiple PQRs,” means “two or more PQRs,” and includes “two PQRs.”
The present invention also covers the exact terms, features, values and ranges, etc. in case these terms, features, values and ranges etc. are used in conjunction with terms such as about, around, generally, substantially, essentially, at least etc. (i.e., “about 3” or “approximately 3” shall also cover exactly 3 or “substantially constant” shall also cover exactly constant).
As used herein, including in the claims, singular forms of terms are to be construed as also including the plural form and vice versa, unless the context indicates otherwise. Thus, it should be noted that as used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Throughout the description and claims, the terms “comprise”, “including”, “having”, and “contain” and their variations should be understood as meaning “including but not limited to”, and are not intended to exclude other components unless specifically so stated.
It will be appreciated that variations to the embodiments of the invention can be made while still falling within the scope of the invention. Alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose can replace features disclosed in the specification, unless stated otherwise. Thus, unless stated otherwise, each feature disclosed represents one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
The present invention also covers the exact terms, features, values and ranges, etc. in case these terms, features, values and ranges etc. are used in conjunction with terms such as about, around, generally, substantially, essentially, at least etc. (i.e., “about 3” shall also cover exactly 3 or “substantially constant” shall also cover exactly constant).
Use of exemplary language, such as “for instance”, “such as”, “for example” (“e.g.,”) and the like, is merely intended to better illustrate the invention and does not indicate a limitation on the scope of the invention unless specifically so claimed.
While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
