Patent Grant
10709169
The present invention relates generally to smokable products, and more particularly, to preparing papers or external covering materials of irregular shape used in producing a smokable product.
People have adopted the practice of smoking, where plant matter containing phytochemicals, such as tobacco or cannabis, is burned to produce inhalable smoke. Humans have created several devices to facilitate smoking, such as pipes or hookahs, but many prefer the convenience and experience of smoking a cigarette, which is produced by wrapping plant matter in a thin piece of paper rolled into a tube.
Pre-manufactured tobacco cigarettes are readily accessible to consumers in packs or cartons sold at stores around the world, however, many individuals prefer to roll their tobacco cigarettes for a number of reasons. Some prefer to roll their cigarettes because it is less expensive to purchase loose tobacco and wrapping paper than to purchase pre-manufactured cigarettes. Some individuals prefer to roll their own cigarettes to ensure that their cigarettes are free of unwanted additives and chemicals and to have greater control over the strain of cannabis used to make the cigarette. Hand rolled cannabis cigarettes are frequently less expensive than their pre-manufactured counterparts.
An individual may create a hand-rolled cigarette by first placing loose plant matter, such as tobacco or cannabis, stock onto a sheet of rolling paper and then using his or her fingertips to wrap and seal the paper around the plant matter. An optional filter or crutch may then be placed on either end of the cigarette to enhance the smoking experience. Unfortunately, a hand-rolled cigarette's quality depends greatly on the preparer's skill and experience, and producing a cigarette with uniform plant matter density can be challenging. Uneven packing can result in an unevenly burning cigarette with a harsher and less enjoyable smoking experience.
Certain wrapping papers are available that have been rolled by hand into a conical or cylindrical shape that may include a crutch or a filter (known in certain instances as a “pre-roll paper” or “pre-rolled paper,” used interchangeably herein). Each hand rolled pre-roll paper has one open end in which an individual may fill the pre-roll paper with plant matter to produce a cigarette. Pre-roll papers, as well as machines used to roll cigarettes, are available and offer alternatives to the user hand-rolling a single cigarette, but both alternatives are inefficient for large-scale cigarette production. Both alternatives often fail to yield consistency among the cigarettes they produce, with the risk of an uneven burn. Pre-roll papers, while available, are believed to be universally produced by hand rolling.
Further, the papers used for cannabis cigarettes are generally conical in shape rather than cylindrical, and thus traditional cigarette paper rolling machines that roll cylindrical papers do not work well with cannabis rolling papers. Further, the papers associated with cannabis tend to be thinner than papers used in rolling cigarettes. Cigarette papers can vary, but are generally on the order of 0.003 inches thick, or three one thousandths of an inch in thickness, and has a weight of approximately between 12 and 13 g/m2 for the thinnest cigarette papers. Rolling papers employed with cannabis tend to be on the order of 10 g/m2, and sometimes less. Aside from the fact that cigarette machines cannot produce conical shaped paper rolls for cannabis, a cigarette machine rolling cylindrical shaped cigarettes using the thinner cannabis paper typically would result in tears, losses, and delays.
Cannabis legalization is becoming more common around the world and in many places in the United States. Legal statutes now permit both recreational uses of cannabis, and the demand for cannabis-filled cigarettes continues to increase as the legal market size continues to grow. To meet the demand for cannabis-filled cigarettes, cannabis cultivators have begun filling pre-rolled papers with cannabis to produce cannabis cigarettes referred to as “Pre-Rolls” that consumers may then purchase to avoid the need to produce their own cannabis cigarettes. But again, the papers in such Pre-Rolls are typically rolled by hand.
It would be beneficial to provide a product that provides a reliable and relatively quick way to provide rolled, complete cannabis papers including the optional components discussed, using relatively thin papers, without the delay inherent in hand rolling such papers. Such a design that overcomes issues with prior designs would be beneficial, and thus improve the production and distribution of such products.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the claimed subject matter. This summary is not an extensive overview, and is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of the claimed subject matter. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
According to one aspect of the present design, there is provided an apparatus for rolling papers into a non-cylindrical orientation. The apparatus includes a rotatable non-cylindrical workpiece having a plurality of openings provided therein, a surface comprising a receiving indentation configured to receive and fit the rotatable non-cylindrical workpiece, a suction producing arrangement connected to the rotatable non-cylindrical workpiece, and a rolling paper. The suction producing arrangement draws air through the plurality of openings while the rotatable non-cylindrical workpiece rotates such that the drawn air draws the rolling paper toward and around the rotatable non-cylindrical workpiece, the rotation causing the rolling paper and a quantity of adhesive applied to the rolling paper to form a completed non-cylindrical rolling paper product.
According to a further aspect of the present design, there is provided an apparatus for rolling papers into a non-cylindrical orientation, comprising a rotatable non-cylindrical workpiece having a plurality of openings provided therein, wherein the rotatable non-cylindrical workpiece is generally frustrum shaped, a surface comprising a receiving indentation configured to receive and shaped to accommodate the rotatable non-cylindrical workpiece, a suction producing arrangement connected to the rotatable non-cylindrical workpiece, and a rolling paper. The suction producing arrangement draws air through the plurality of openings while the rotatable non-cylindrical workpiece rotates such that drawn air serves to draw the rolling paper toward and around the rotatable non-cylindrical workpiece, resulting in a leading edge of the rolling paper binding with an adhesive applied to a trailing edge of the rolling paper.
According to another aspect of the design, there is provided an apparatus for rolling papers into a non-cylindrical product, comprising a non-cylindrical workpiece having a plurality of openings formed therein, a surface comprising a receiving indentation configured to receive and shaped to accommodate the non-cylindrical workpiece, a suction producing arrangement connected to the non-cylindrical workpiece, and a rolling paper. The suction producing arrangement is configured to draw external air through the plurality of openings while the non-cylindrical workpiece rotates such that drawn air serves to draw the rolling paper toward and around the rotatable non-cylindrical workpiece, resulting in a leading edge of the rolling paper binding with an adhesive applied to a trailing edge of the rolling paper.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the claimed subject matter may be employed and the claimed subject matter is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features may become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
In this document, the words “embodiment,” “variant,” and similar expressions are used to refer to particular apparatus, process, or article of manufacture, and not necessarily to the same apparatus, process, or article of manufacture. Thus, “one embodiment” (or a similar expression) used in one place or context can refer to a particular apparatus, process, or article of manufacture; the same or a similar expression in a different place can refer to a different apparatus, process, or article of manufacture. The expression “alternative embodiment” and similar phrases are used to indicate one of a number of different possible embodiments. The number of possible embodiments is not necessarily limited to two or any other quantity.
The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment or variant described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or variants. All of the embodiments and variants described in this description are exemplary embodiments and variants provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the invention, and not to limit the scope of legal protection afforded the invention, which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.
The present design comprises an apparatus or method for assembling cannabis wrapping papers faster than previously known. The wrapping papers are assembled in a conical shape and thin wrapping papers, such as those having less than or equal to 10 grams per square meter of weight may be used. The system employs a means for drawing the paper to the conical shaped work piece, such as an air intake arrangement or may employ static electricity. The system is manual in one embodiment and may be automatic or partially automatic in another embodiment. Using the method and apparatus, a user can quickly and efficiently assemble wrapping papers, potentially including filters and/or crutches when desired.
According to embodiments of the present design, there is a flat surface employed with a mandrel, also called a roller or rotatable non-cylindrical workpiece, having a plurality of openings with suction applied through these openings. Paper is placed onto this flat surface and holds the paper steady, easing the activation of pregum, or application of adhesive. When the paper is ready to be rolled, the mandrel or roller, with the plurality of openings when employing suction, is oriented and presented to the paper with openings facing directly to the paper. Suction switches from holding the paper in place to application of force suction on the rotatable roller. The user may apply the suction and feed the paper, or one or both of these actions may be automated. The mandrel or roller rotates with suction applied, drawing through the holes proximate the paper, and such suction pulls the paper around the mandrel or roller.
Wheel 105 may be provided with a handle 107 if operated manually or may be turned automatically. Wheel 105 is provided with a belt 108 that engages the end of rotating hollow shaft 102. While not shown in this view, stops are provided to allow a complete turn of papers, such as 360 degrees. In one embodiment, papers are provided in a flat form in a receptacle 109, and may be picked up and placed at a position below receiving opening 112. In a typical arrangement, the papers are flat and folded and look like a portion of a circle, but other paper configurations may be provided. The papers may be folded over, such as in half. Papers are stacked in receptacle 109. Thus the operator may obtain the flat papers and apply glue to the edge of the paper. The user may then lower wheel 105 using handle 107 to a position such that the paper is positioned under the conically shaped work piece 101, or between conically shaped work piece 101 and receiving opening 112. When the device is in the lowered rolling orientation, the user may position the paper proximate conically shaped work piece 101, and operate the device as described below to roll the paper about the conically shaped work piece 101. Thus the user may either position the paper with glue applied next to the groove or receiving opening 112, or with the paper edge beneath the conically shaped work piece 101, or the user may lower the conically shaped work piece and place the paper, with glue applied, in a desired position proximate the conically shaped work piece 101.
Also shown in
The depictions of
In one embodiment, positioning the rolling paper as shown by element 304 may precede application of adhesive or glue as indicated by point 303. The paper employed for this application tends to be light, on the order of 10 g/m2, and sometimes less. Such light paper can be more difficult to position or adjust once made wet or damp with the application of an adhesive activator or glue. Thus glue may be applied before or after positioning of the paper, and elements 303 and 304 in
At point 305, the user may, or the apparatus may, position the apparatus in the working position, with workpiece proximate or within the receiving indentation of the surface below. Point 306 calls for the user or an automated device to cause suction to be applied, thus drawing air through holes or openings in the periphery or exterior of the sides of the conically shaped work piece 201. Point 307 calls for rotating conically shaped work piece 201, by the handles shown attached to the wheels of
From
As may be appreciated, the holes in conically shaped work piece 401 may be positioned in various ways, such as a line on one side of conically shaped work piece 401 and a line of holes 180 degrees opposite, or may be graduated around the surface of the conically shaped work piece 401, or may be randomly spaced. Holes and suction are provided to ensure the rolling paper is drawn tightly and remains tightly drawn to the conically shaped work piece 401.
Thus in accordance with the present design, a paper may be provided in a non-cylindrical shape using a shaped workpiece offering openings and suction provided through the openings. In one aspect, papers are provided in a preferred orientation proximate a workpiece, such as with glue attached to the trailing end, and the workpiece is rotated while suction is applied to the workpiece and through a series of holes to hold the paper in place while the paper is wound about the workpiece. Such a device and method may be automated in whole or in part and may be user operated. As an example, the device may be oriented such that the filter is applied to the conically shaped work piece vertically, at the bottom of conically shaped work piece, the papers fed in a sideways orientation, and when completed and suction removed, the completed paper and filter may drop into a collection bin or onto a conveyor belt. Other automated attributes may be employed in realizing a completed non-cylindrical paper end product.
Such an apparatus may be successfully employed with very thin papers. The present design can accommodate, for example, rolling papers on the order of 10 g/m2, and sometimes less. Typical existing cigarette producing machines would likely tear papers of this weight.
While described herein with an emphasis on the rotatable non-cylindrical workpiece employing holes and suction to draw the paper to the workpiece, other constructs are possible. One other way of drawing the paper toward the workpiece employs static charge, wherein the system applies a charge of one polarity, such as positive charge, to the rotating non-cylindrical portion and a charge of opposite polarity, such as negative charge, to the rolling paper as the rolling paper is positioned proximate the rotatable non-cylindrical workpiece. In such an embodiment, vacuum holes and suction are not needed or may be optionally provided in addition to static charge. Further, the rolling papers may be charged when separate from the device and then placed in the device, such as having a charged receptacle holding the rolling papers, or the charge may be applied to an uncharged rolling paper from a device or devices located at the machine. An electrical charging bar or strip may be provided near the rotatable non-cylindrical workpiece when in the working position such that passing the paper over such a bar or strip causes the rolling paper to acquire charge of one polarity while the workpiece, located separate from the bar, is provided with charge of opposite polarity.
According to an embodiment of the present design, there is provided an apparatus for rolling papers into a non-cylindrical orientation. The apparatus includes a rotatable non-cylindrical workpiece having a plurality of openings provided therein, a surface comprising a receiving indentation configured to receive and fit the rotatable non-cylindrical workpiece, a suction producing arrangement connected to the rotatable non-cylindrical workpiece, and a rolling paper. The suction producing arrangement draws air through the plurality of openings while the rotatable non-cylindrical workpiece rotates such that the drawn air draws the rolling paper toward and around the rotatable non-cylindrical workpiece, the rotation causing the rolling paper and a quantity of adhesive applied to the rolling paper to form a completed non-cylindrical rolling paper product.
In a further embodiment of the present design, there is provided an apparatus for rolling papers into a non-cylindrical orientation, comprising a rotatable non-cylindrical workpiece having a plurality of openings provided therein, wherein the rotatable non-cylindrical workpiece is generally frustrum shaped, a surface comprising a receiving indentation configured to receive and shaped to accommodate the rotatable non-cylindrical workpiece, a suction producing arrangement connected to the rotatable non-cylindrical workpiece, and a rolling paper. The suction producing arrangement draws air through the plurality of openings while the rotatable non-cylindrical workpiece rotates such that drawn air serves to draw the rolling paper toward and around the rotatable non-cylindrical workpiece, resulting in a leading edge of the rolling paper binding with an adhesive applied to a trailing edge of the rolling paper.
In another embodiment of the design, there is provided an apparatus for rolling papers into a non-cylindrical product, comprising a non-cylindrical workpiece having a plurality of openings formed therein, a surface comprising a receiving indentation configured to receive and shaped to accommodate the non-cylindrical workpiece, a suction producing arrangement connected to the non-cylindrical workpiece, and a rolling paper. The suction producing arrangement is configured to draw external air through the plurality of openings while the non-cylindrical workpiece rotates such that drawn air serves to draw the rolling paper toward and around the rotatable non-cylindrical workpiece, resulting in a leading edge of the rolling paper binding with an adhesive applied to a trailing edge of the rolling paper.
What has been described above includes examples of one or more embodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the aforementioned embodiments, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of various embodiments are possible. Accordingly, the described embodiments are intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4158989 | Barr | Jun 1979 | A |
