The present disclosure relates to devices used in conjunction with pre-rolled smoking tubes.
Pre-rolled smoking tube manufacturing allows tobacco or cannabis papers to be rolled for consumers and users. The base or tip of a pre-roll may be rolled into a cylinder, cone, or another shape according to preference. Typically, filter paper is commonly used in pre-roll smoking tube manufacturing. Filter paper tips, however, do not have the rigidity necessary for automation and allow for material to pass through the tip during manufacturing. In addition, when such apparatuses are used, burnt material may be sucked through the paper filter tip into a consumer's mouth cavity. Current alternatives are made of either filtering media or rolled paper. Filtering media, however, is not desired by end consumers. Rolled paper is not rigid or consistent enough to be used in automation of pre-rolled smoking tubes.
There is a need for a filter-less smoking tube tip that is able to be used with automated rolling equipment to roll smoking tubes. An embodiment of the present disclosure is a device. The device includes a tube configured to roll a smoking tube. The tube includes a distal end having a distal opening, a proximal end spaced from the distal end along a central axis, the proximal end having at least one proximal opening, and a lumen that extends from the distal opening to the at least one proximal opening along the central axis such that the distal opening and the at least one proximal opening each have an outer diameter and an inner diameter, wherein the tube is further configured to act as a mouthpiece of the rolled smoking tube.
Another embodiment of the present disclosure is a method. The method includes creating a mold of a tube configured to roll a smoking tube. The tube includes a distal end having a distal opening, a proximal end spaced from the distal end along a central axis, and a lumen that extends from the distal opening to the at least one proximal opening along the central axis. The method further includes injecting a rigid material into the mold to form the tube. The method further includes die cutting the formed tube at the proximal end to create one or more customizable openings at the proximal end.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of the present application, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purposes of illustrating the present application, there is shown in the drawings illustrative embodiments of the disclosure. It should be understood, however, that the application is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:
Referring to
The device 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 includes a tube 104, 204, 304, 404, 504 configured to roll a smoking tube and act as a mouthpiece for the rolled smoking tube. The tube 104, 204, 304, 404, 504 is configured to act as a mandrel and roll a smoking tube during automated manufacturing of pre-rolled smoking tubes. In alternative embodiments, the tube 104, 204, 304, 404, 504 may be configured to roll a smoking tube during semi-automated or manual manufacturing of pre-rolled smoking tubes. The tube 104, 204, 304, 404, 504 is further configured to act as an interior mouthpiece of the smoking tube once the smoking tube is rolled.
Current tip devices for pre-rolled smoking tubes are made of either non-rigid or filter material and therefore cannot be used as a mandrel during the automation processes of manufacturing pre-rolled smoking tubes. In addition, current devices either prevent desired users of smoke from entering the oral cavity or allow for charred material to enter the oral cavity. In addition, these devices offer little in the way of customizing airflow using the same materials.
In the embodiments of the present disclosure, however, the tube 104, 204, 304, 404, and 504 are made of a rigid molded material constructed with one open end and one closed end, where the closed end includes any number of customizable and unique opening patterns to (a) create differing airflow patterns, (b) reduce waste of desired materials during the manufacturing of filled smoking tubes, and (c) reduce charred materials entering the oral cavity. The customizable opening patterns on the closed end may be made via integrated or secondary processing. The device 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 may therefore be used, in whole or in part, as both a mandrel during the manufacturing of pre-rolled tubes via automated, semi-automated, or manual processes as well as a mouthpiece for the rolled smoking tube for smoking by a user. The user may therefore utilize the device in lieu of paper tips.
Referring to
The tube 104 is configured to both roll a smoking tube and act as a mouthpiece for the rolled smoking tube for smoking by a user. The distal end 108 is therefore sized and shaped to fit into a mouth cavity of the user. The distal end 108 includes a distal opening 120 that extends into the lumen 116. The distal opening 120 is configured to provide airflow into the mouth cavity of the user. The proximal end 112 includes at least one proximal opening 124 that extends into the lumen 116. The at least one proximal opening 124 is sized and shaped such that air may flow through the tube 104. The at least one proximal opening 124 is capable of being molded and cut to create any desired opening shape or pattern. This configuration allows the at least one proximal opening 124 to regulate airflow during smoking, catch material for waste reduction during manufacturing, and prevent material from being sucked into the mouth cavity. In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one proximal opening 124 includes a single opening. In other embodiments, however, the at least one proximal opening 124 may include two or more openings in customizable patterns.
The lumen 116 extends from the distal opening 120 to the at least one proximal opening 124 along the central axis A. The distal opening 120 therefore includes an outer diameter DOD and an inner diameter DID. Similarly, the at least one proximal opening 124 includes an outer diameter POD and an inner diameter PID. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer diameter of the distal opening DOD is less than the outer diameter of the at least one proximal opening POD, and the inner diameter of the at least one proximal opening PID is greater than the inner diameter of the distal opening DID. In one example, the outer diameter of the at least one proximal opening is 0.04 inches and the inner diameter of the distal opening DID is 0.157 inches. The inner diameter and the outer diameter of the at least one proximal opening PID, POD may decrease along the length of the tube in a distal direction toward the distal end 108. In another embodiment, the outer diameter of the distal opening DOD is equal to the outer diameter of the at least one proximal opening POD and the inner diameter of the at least one proximal opening PID is equal to the inner diameter of the distal opening DID.
The tube 104 may include at least one void (not depicted) on an outer surface of the tube 104, the at least one void is configured to further adjust airflow patterns within the tube 104. The at least one void extends from an outer surface of the tube 104 to the lumen 116. In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one void is a single hole. In other embodiments, the at least one void may have various shapes, including a slit, and may include two or more voids on the tube 104. The tube 104 may further include an orifice (not depicted) configured to act as a receptacle for a filter.
Referring to
The tube 204 has a length L that extends along the central axis A. In the illustrated embodiment, the length L is 1.024 inches. In another embodiment, the length L is at least 1.0 inches. In yet another embodiment, the length L is greater than 0.50 inches.
The tube 204 is configured to both roll a smoking tube and act as a mouthpiece for the rolled smoking tube for smoking by a user. The distal end 208 is therefore sized and shaped to fit into the mouth cavity of a user. The distal end 208 includes a distal opening 220 that extends into the lumen 216. The distal opening 220 is configured to provide airflow into the mouth cavity of the user. The proximal end 212 includes at least one proximal opening 224 that extends into the lumen 216. The at least one proximal opening 224 is sized and shaped such that air may flow through the tube. The at least one proximal opening 224 is capable of being molded and cut to create any desired opening shape or pattern. This configuration allows the at least one proximal opening 224 to regulate airflow during smoking, catch material for waste reduction during manufacturing, and prevent material from being sucked into the mouth cavity. In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one proximal opening 224 includes a single opening. In other embodiments, however, the at least one proximal opening 224 may include two or more openings in customizable patterns.
The lumen 216 extends from the distal opening 220 to the at least one proximal opening 224 along the central axis A. The distal opening 220 therefore includes an outer diameter DOD and an inner diameter DID. Similarly, the at least one proximal opening 224 includes an outer diameter POD and an inner diameter PID. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer diameter of the distal opening DOD is less than the outer diameter of the at least one proximal opening POD and the inner diameter of the at least one proximal opening PID is greater than the inner diameter of the distal opening DID. The at least one proximal opening 224 further includes a proximal diameter PPD that is less than the inner diameter of the at least one proximal opening PID and greater than the inner diameter of the distal opening DID. In one example, the outer diameter of the at least one proximal opening is 0.04 inches and the inner diameter of the distal opening DID is 0.157 inches. The inner diameter and the outer diameter of the at least one proximal opening PID, POD may decrease along the length of the tube in a distal direction toward the distal end 208. In another embodiment, the outer diameter of the distal opening DOD is equal to the outer diameter of the at least one proximal opening POD and the inner diameter of the at least one proximal opening PID is equal to the inner diameter of the distal opening DID.
The tube 204 may include at least one void (not depicted) on an outer surface of the tube 204, the at least one void configured to adjust airflow patterns within the tube 204. The at least one void extends from an outer surface of the tube 204 to the lumen 216. In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one void is a single hole. In other embodiments, the at least one void may have various shapes, including a slit, and may include two or more voids on the tube 204. The tube 204 further includes an orifice (not depicted) configured to act as a receptacle for a filter.
Referring to
The tube 304 is configured to both roll a smoking tube and act as a mouthpiece for the rolled smoking tube for smoking by a user. The distal end 308 is therefore sized and shaped to fit into the mouth cavity of a user. The distal end 308 includes a distal opening 320 that extends into the lumen 316. The distal opening 320 is configured to provide airflow into the mouth cavity of the user. The proximal end 312 includes at least four proximal openings 324 disposed along a plane that is perpendicular to the central axis and that extend into the lumen 316.
The at least four proximal openings 324 are sized and shaped such that air may flow through the tube. The at least four proximal openings 324 are capable of being molded and cut to create any desired shape or pattern. This configuration allows the at least four proximal openings 324 to regulate airflow during smoking, catch material for waste reduction during manufacturing, and prevent material from being sucked into the mouth cavity
The lumen 316 extends from the distal opening 320 to the at least four proximal openings 324 along the central axis A. The distal opening 320 therefore includes an outer diameter DOD and an inner diameter DID. Similarly, the at least four proximal openings 324 include an outer diameter POD and an inner diameter PID. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer diameters and the inner diameters of the at least four proximal openings POD, PID are equal. The inner diameter and the outer diameter of the at least one proximal opening PID, POD may decrease along the length of the tube in a distal direction toward the distal end 308. In another embodiment, the outer diameters and the inner diameters of the at least four proximal openings POD, PID may vary.
The tube 304 may include at least one void (not depicted) on an outer surface of the tube 304, the at least one void configured to adjust airflow patterns within the tube 304. The at least one void extends from an outer surface of the tube 304 to the lumen 316. In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one void is a single hole. In other embodiments, the at least one void may have various shapes, including a slit, and may include two or more voids on the tube 304. The tube 304 further includes an orifice (not depicted) configured to act as a receptacle for a filter.
Referring to
The tube 404 is configured to both roll a smoking tube and act as a mouthpiece for the rolled smoking tube for smoking by a user. The distal end 408 is therefore sized and shaped to fit into the mouth cavity of a user. The distal end 408 includes a distal opening 420 that extends into the lumen 416. The distal opening 420 is configured to provide airflow into the mouth cavity of the user. The proximal end 412 includes at least one proximal opening 424 that extends into the lumen 416. The at least one proximal opening 424 is sized and shaped such that air may flow through the tube. The at least one proximal opening 424 is capable of being molded and cut to create any desired opening shape or pattern. This configuration allows the at least one proximal opening 424 to regulate airflow during smoking, catch material for waste reduction during manufacturing, and prevent material from being sucked into the mouth cavity. In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one proximal opening 424 includes a single opening. In other embodiments, however, the at least one proximal opening 424 may include two or more openings in customizable patterns.
The lumen 416 extends from the distal opening 420 to the at least one proximal opening 424 along the central axis A. The distal opening 420 therefore includes an outer diameter DOD and an inner diameter DID. Similarly, the at least one proximal opening 424 includes an outer diameter POD and an inner diameter PID. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer diameter of the distal opening DOD is less than the outer diameter of the at least one proximal opening POD and the inner diameter of the at least one proximal opening PID is greater than the inner diameter of the distal opening DID. In one example, the outer diameter of the at least one proximal opening is 0.04 inches and the inner diameter of the distal opening DID is 0.157 inches. The inner diameter and the outer diameter of the at least one proximal opening PID, POD may decrease along the length of the tube in a distal direction toward the distal end 408. In another embodiment, the outer diameter of the distal opening DOD is equal to the outer diameter of the at least one proximal opening POD and the inner diameter of the at least one proximal opening PID is equal to the inner diameter of the distal opening DID.
The tube 404 may include at least one void (not depicted) on an outer surface of the tube 404, the at least one void configured to adjust airflow patterns within the tube 404. The at least one void extends from an outer surface of the tube 404 to the lumen 416. In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one void is a single hole. In other embodiments, the at least one void may have various shapes, including a slit, and may include two or more voids on the tube 404. The tube 404 further includes an orifice (not depicted) configured to act as a receptacle for a filter.
Referring to
The tube 504 is configured to both roll a smoking tube and act as a mouthpiece for the rolled smoking tube for smoking by a user. The distal end 508 is therefore sized and shaped to fit into the mouth cavity of a user. The distal end 508 includes a distal opening 520 that extends into the lumen 516. The distal opening 520 is configured to provide airflow into the mouth cavity of the user. The proximal end 512 includes at least one proximal opening 524 that extends into the lumen 516. The at least one proximal opening 524 is sized and shaped such that air may flow through the tube. The at least one proximal opening 524 is capable of being molded and cut to create any desired opening shape or pattern. This configuration allows the at least one proximal opening 524 to regulate airflow during smoking, catch material for waste reduction during manufacturing, and prevent material from being sucked into the mouth cavity. In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one proximal opening 524 includes a single opening. In other embodiments, however, the at least one proximal opening 524 may include two or more openings in customizable patterns.
The lumen 516 extends from the distal opening 520 to the at least one proximal opening 524 along the central axis A. The distal opening 520 therefore includes an outer diameter DOD and an inner diameter DID. Similarly, the at least one proximal opening 524 includes an outer diameter POD and an inner diameter PID. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer diameter of the distal opening DOD is less than the outer diameter of the at least one proximal opening POD and the inner diameter of the at least one proximal opening PID is greater than the inner diameter of the distal opening DID. In one example, the outer diameter of the at least one proximal opening is 0.04 inches and the inner diameter of the distal opening DID is 0.157 inches. The inner diameter and the outer diameter of the at least one proximal opening PID, POD may decrease along the length of the tube in a distal direction toward the distal end 508. In another embodiment, the outer diameter of the distal opening DOD is equal to the outer diameter of the at least one proximal opening POD and the inner diameter of the at least one proximal opening PID is equal to the inner diameter of the distal opening DID.
The tube 504 may include at least one void 528 on an outer surface of the tube 504, the at least one void configured to adjust airflow patterns within the tube 504. The at least one void 528 extends from an outer surface of the tube 504 to the lumen 516. In the illustrated embodiment, the at least one void 528 is a single hole. In other embodiments, the at least one void 528 may have various shapes, including a slit, and may include two or more voids on the tube 504. The tube 504 further includes an orifice 532 configured to act as a receptacle for a filter.
Now referring to
In step 1012, the formed tube 104, 204, 304, 404, 504 may be die cut and/or punched at the proximal end 112, 212, 312, 412, 512 to create one or more customizable openings at the proximal end. Holes, slits or voids may be further added to any surface of the device 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 to adjust or change airflow of the device 100, 200, 300, 400, 500. The device 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 may then be used in automating the production of pre-rolled smoking tubes. Specifically, the device may be used as a mandrel to roll smoking paper material into a smoking tube during pre-rolled smoking tube automated manufacturing. Adhesives may be applied directly to the device 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 to adhere the pre-rolled smoking tube material to the device 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 when the smoking tube is rolled, such that the device 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 is interior to the rolled paper. Once the smoking tube is rolled, the device 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 further acts as a mouthpiece of the smoking tube for smoking by a user.
Referring to
In step 2012, the formed tube 104, 204, 304, 404, 504 may be die cut and/or punched at the proximal end 112, 212, 312, 412, 512 to create one or more customizable openings at the proximal end. Holes, slits or voids may be further added to any surface of the device 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 to adjust or change airflow of the device 100, 200, 300, 400, 500. The device 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 may then be used in automating the production of pre-rolled smoking tubes. Specifically, the device may be used as a mandrel to roll smoking paper material into a smoking tube during pre-rolled smoking tube automated manufacturing. Adhesives may be applied directly to the device 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 to adhere the pre-rolled smoking tube material to the device 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 when the smoking tube is rolled, such that the device 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 is interior to the rolled paper. Once the smoking tube is rolled, the device 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 further acts as a mouthpiece of the smoking tube for smoking by a user.
While the disclosure is described herein, using a limited number of embodiments, these specific embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure as otherwise described and claimed herein. The precise arrangement of various elements and order of the steps of articles and methods described herein are not to be considered limiting. For instance, although the steps of the methods are described with reference to sequential series of reference signs and progression of the blocks in the figures, the method may be implemented in an order as desired.
The present application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/227,602, filed Jul. 30, 2021, the contents of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63227602 | Jul 2021 | US |