METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COMPRESSING MATERIAL

Abstract

A device includes a u-shaped receptacle comprising a base wall and two sidewalls that extend off of the base wall. The two sidewalls are generally parallel to each other and parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the u-shaped receptacle. The device also includes a packing block disposable between the two sidewalls. The base wall, the two sidewalls, and the packing block together bound therebetween a variable size region for receiving a material. The packing block is movable along the central longitudinal axis between the two sidewalls relative to the base wall. Movement of the packing block adjusts a size of the variable size region. A method is also disclosed.

Description

BACKGROUND

This application relates to a method and apparatus for compressing material, such as compressing cannabis or tobacco to be rolled into a cigarette.

Rolling loose material, such as tobacco leaves or cannabis flower, into a cigarette can be a challenging process. While products for rolling cigarettes are commercially available, those products focus on the rolling process and generally do not include features for organizing and/or compression of the material to be rolled into the cigarette onto a rolling paper. Even if such compression features are provided, it is difficult to avoid dispersing the compressed material when the apparatus is removed from the compressed material.

SUMMARY

A device according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure includes a u-shaped receptacle including a base wall and two sidewalls that extend off of the base wall. The two sidewalls are generally parallel to each other and parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the u-shaped receptacle. The device also includes a packing block disposable between the two sidewalls. The base wall, the two sidewalls, and the packing block together bound therebetween a variable size region for receiving a material. The packing block is movable along the central longitudinal axis between the two sidewalls relative to the base wall. Movement of the packing block adjusts a size of the variable size region.

In a further embodiment of the foregoing embodiment, the packing block includes a first face that extends between a first end and an opposing second end of the packing block. In a first packing block configuration, the first end is a boundary of the variable size region, and the first end and base wall at least partially define a length of the variable size region. In a second packing block configuration, the first face is a boundary that at least partially defines a height of the variable size region.

In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the face is generally planar. The first face and the first end are generally perpendicular to each other.

In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the packing block includes a second face that is opposite the first face, and a handle extends off of the second face.

In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the two sidewalls are movable apart from each other, and the movement of the sidewalls increases the size of the variable size region.

In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the two sidewalls each have a respective distal end and a respective proximal end relative to the base wall. The respective proximal ends are joined to the base wall and are fixed relative to each other. The distal ends of the two sidewalls are movable relative to each other to adjust a width of the variable size region.

In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the two sidewalls are movable relative to each other through flexing of the two sidewalls between the distal ends and the proximal ends.

In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, a majority of a length of the two sidewalls are movable apart from each other.

In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the distal ends are movable relative to each other between respective first positions in which the distal ends of the two sidewalls are a first distance away from each other, and respective second positions in which the distal ends of the two sidewalls are a second distance away from each other that is greater than the first distance. The u-shaped receptacle has a first receptacle configuration in which the distal ends are in the respective first positions for compressing the material in the variable size region, and a second receptacle configuration in which the distal ends are in the respective second positions for removal of the u-shaped receptacle from the material.

In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, a grip is provided on the base wall.

In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, a plurality of tick markers are provided along a length of at least one of the two sidewalls to indicate a length of the variable size region.

In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the u-shaped receptacle includes at least one of a first recess between a first of the two sidewalls and a first end of the base wall, and a second recess between a second of the two sidewalls and a second end of the base wall that is opposite the first end.

In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the u-shaped receptacle includes both of the first recess and the second recess.

A method according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure includes arranging a u-shaped receptacle onto a generally flat surface. The u-shaped receptacle includes a base wall and two sidewalls that extend off of the base wall. The two sidewalls are generally parallel to each other and parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the u-shaped receptacle. The base wall, the two sidewalls, and a packing block together bound therebetween a variable size region. The method includes providing material on the generally flat surface in the variable size region; sliding a packing block between the two sidewalls in a first direction along the central longitudinal axis towards the base wall to move the material towards the base wall and reduce a length of the variable size region; and sliding the packing block between the two sidewalls in a second direction towards the generally flat surface to compress the material against the generally flat surface, and thereby reduce a height of the variable size region, with the first direction being transverse to the second direction.

In a further embodiment of the foregoing embodiment, the material includes tobacco or cannabis.

In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the packing block includes a face that extends between a first end and a second end of the packing block, that is opposite the first end. Sliding the packing block between the two sidewalls in the first direction includes sliding the packing block with the first end as a leading end, and sliding the packing block between the two sidewalls in the second direction includes compressing the face against the material.

In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the face is generally planar.

In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the method includes providing a rolling paper for rolling a cigarette onto the generally flat surface. The providing material includes providing the material on the rolling paper. The sliding the packing block to compress the material includes compressing the material onto the rolling paper.

In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the method includes, after the sliding the packing block to compress the material, removing the packing block from the compressed material; moving a respective distal end of each of the two sidewalls away from each other to increase a width of the variable size region; and removing the u-shaped receptacle from the compressed material while the two sidewalls are moved away from each other.

In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the moving the respective distal end of each of the two sidewalls away from each other includes flexing the distal ends away from each other.

The embodiments, examples, and alternatives of the preceding paragraphs, the claims, or the following description and drawings, including any of their various aspects or respective individual features, may be taken independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, unless such features are incompatible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure can be further understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an example device for compressing material that includes a u-shaped receptacle and a packing block.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the packing block of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a portion of the u-shaped receptacle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4A illustrates material to be compressed disposed within a variable size region of the u-shaped receptacle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4B illustrates use of the packing block to resize a variable size region bound between the u-shaped receptacle and the packing block.

FIG. 4C illustrates a top view of the packing block arranged to compress the material onto a rolling paper.

FIG. 4D illustrates a view taken along line Z-Z of FIG. 4C.

FIG. 4E illustrates movement of the sidewalls of the u-shaped receptacle away from each other for removal of the u-shaped receptacle from the compressed material.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an example method of compressing material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an example device 20 for compressing material 60 (see FIG. 4A), such as material to be rolled into a cigarette (e.g., tobacco leaves and/or ground cannabis flower). The device 20 includes a u-shaped receptacle 22 and a packing block 30. The u-shaped receptacle 22 includes a base wall 24 and two sidewalls 26A-B that extend off of and away from the base wall 24. In one or more embodiments, the sidewalls 26A-B are equally spaced apart from each other, are generally parallel to each other and to a central longitudinal axis A1 of the u-shaped receptacle, and are generally perpendicular to a side face 23 of the base wall 24.

The base wall 24, the two sidewalls 26A-B, and the packing block 30 together bound therebetween a rectangular variable size region 28 for receiving the material 60. The packing block 30 is movable between the two sidewalls relative to the base, and movement of the packing block 30 between the sidewalls 26A-B adjusts a size of the variable size region 28. In particular, horizontal movement of the packing block 30 between the sidewalls 26A-B along the central longitudinal axis A1 towards the base wall 24 reduces a size (e.g., length) of the variable size region 28 along the axis A1. Also, downward movement of the packing block 30 between the sidewalls 26A-B along an axis A2, that is perpendicular to the axis A1, reduces a height of the variable size region 28. In this manner, each of the base wall 24, sidewalls 26A-B, and packing block 30 at least partially define boundaries of the variable size region.

The base wall 24 includes an upper face 44 that is adjacent to the side face 23 and that extends between the two sidewalls 26A-B. The upper face 44 includes ridges 46 for gripping the base wall 24.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the packing block 30 of FIG. 1. Referring now to FIG. 2 with continued reference to FIG. 1, the packing block 30 includes a first face 48 that extends between a first end 27A and an opposing second end 27B of the packing block 30. In a first packing block configuration, the first end 27A is a boundary of the variable size region 28, and the first end 27A and base wall 24 (and in particular side face 23 of the base wall 24) at least partially define a length of the variable size region 28. In a second packing block configuration, the first face 48 (which may be generally planar and perpendicular to the faces 27A-B) is a boundary that at least partially defines a height of the variable size region 28. The packing block includes a second face 50 that is opposite the first face, and a handle 51 extends off of the second face 50 for gripping and/or moving the packing block 30. The second face 50 is recessed relative to a rim 52 of the packing block 30 to form a recess 54 around the handle 51. The recess 54 may function a tray to hold excess material and/or ash from smoking a cigarette.

Each of the sidewalls 26A-B has a respective distal end 34A-B and a respective proximal end 32A-B relative to the base wall 24. The respective distal ends 34A-B are opposite the respective proximal ends 32A-B. The respective proximal ends 32A-B are joined to the base wall 24 and are fixed relative to each other. To join the base wall 24, the sidewalls 26A-B may be integrally formed with the base wall 24, or may be secured to the base wall 24 with a fastener or adhesive, for example.

The distal ends 34A-B of the two sidewalls 26A-B are movable relative to each other to adjust a size (e.g., a width) of the variable size region 28. The sidewalls 26A-B are movable apart from each other to adjust a size of the variable size region 28. Movement of the sidewalls 26A-B apart from each other increases a width of the variable size region 28, and movement of the sidewalls 26A-B towards each other reduces a width of the variable size region 28. In one or more embodiments, a majority of a length of the two sidewalls are 26A-B are movable apart from each other.

In the examples discussed herein, the respective distal ends 34A-B of the sidewalls 26A-B are movable relative to each other by one or both of the sidewalls 26A-B being flexible, and thereby are able to be flexed away from the other of the two sidewalls 26A-B. However, it is understood that other configurations are possible (e.g., only one of the sidewalls 26A-B is flexible, the sidewalls 26A-B are removable from the base wall 24, one or both of the sidewalls 26A-B can rotate about a hinge, etc.). In one or more embodiments, the sidewalls 26A-B are at least partially composed of plastic or an elastomer, such as rubber, to promote flexibility.

The distal ends 34A-B are movable relative to each other between respective first positions (shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4A) in which the respective distal ends 34A-B of the two sidewalls 26A-B are a first distance D1 away from each other, and respective second positions (shown in FIG. 4E) in which the respective distal ends 34A-B of the two sidewalls 26A-B are a second distance D2 away from each other that is greater than the first distance D1. As will be explained in greater detail below, the u-shaped receptacle 22 has a first receptacle configuration in which the respective distal ends 34A-B are in the respective first positions for compressing the material 60 in the variable size region 28, and a second receptacle configuration in which the respective distal ends 34A-B are in the respective second positions for removal of the u-shaped receptacle 22 from the material 60.

In the example of FIG. 1, a plurality of tick markers 42 are disposed along a length of both of the sidewalls 26A-B for indicating a size of the variable size region 28 relative to the packing block 30 and/or for positioning a rolling paper 62 (see FIG. 4A) beneath the u-shaped receptacle 22. Although the tick markers 42 are equally spaced apart along at least of the sidewalls 26A-B in FIG. 1, it is understood that other spacings and other quantities of markers 42 could be used. Also, in one example tick markers 42 are only provided along one of the sidewalls 26A-B.

Ticker markers 43 are also disposed along a length of both sides of the packing block 30. In the example of FIG. 1, the tick markers 42 and markers 43 are spaced apart at the same intervals. Here too, it is understood that other quantities of tick markers 43 could be used, and that tick markers 43 may be provided on only one side of the packing block 30, or may be omitted (as the ends 27A-B of the packing block 30 could be used as a reference against the tick markers 42 of the sidewalls 26A-B-see FIG. 4B).

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a portion of the u-shaped receptacle 22. The u-shaped receptacle 22 includes a first recess 56A between sidewall 26A and a first end 58A of the base wall 24 and a second recess 56B between sidewall 26B and a second end 58B of the base wall 24 that is opposite the first end 58A. The recesses 56A-B facilitate flexing of the sidewalls 26A-B relative to each other.

The first recess 56A has a length L1 measured along a axis A1, and the second recess 56B has a length L2 measured along the axis A1. The base wall 24 has a length L3 measured between the two ends 58A-B. In one example, the length L3 is 3-11 times the lengths L1 and/or L2. In a further example, the length L3 is 4-8 times the lengths L1 and/or L2. In a further example, the length L3 is 4.5-5.5 times the lengths L1 and/or L2.

FIG. 4A illustrates material 60 disposed within the variable size region 28, with both the material 60 and the u-shaped receptacle 22 disposed on a rolling paper 62, which is on a surface 63 (e.g., a table top). In FIG. 4A, the u-shaped receptacle 22 is in the “first receptacle configuration” discussed above, in which the respective distal ends 34A-B of the two sidewalls 26A-B are a first distance D1 away from each other. As shown, the material 60 is loosely placed onto the rolling paper 62 in the variable size region 28. As shown in FIG. 4A, the u-shaped receptacle 22 may be open between the respective distal ends 34A-B.

FIG. 4B illustrates how the packing block 30 has been slid along the central longitudinal axis A1 between the sidewalls 26A-B and towards the base wall 24 (see direction for force F1), with end 27A as a leading end and end 27B as a trailing end, to reduce a size (e.g., a length) of the variable size region 28, and to move the material 60 that was previously between tick markers 42A-B towards the base wall 24 and beyond tick marker 42B. This corresponds to the first packing block configuration discussed above.

FIG. 4D illustrates a view taken along line Z-Z of FIG. 4C, in which the packing block 30 is in the second packing block configuration and is positioned for compressing the material 60 onto the rolling paper 62. A user utilize the handle 51 to position the packing block 30 in this manner, causing the leading end 27A of the packing block 30 to abut the face 23 of the base wall 24.

From this position, the user can slide the packing block 30 between the two sidewalls 26A-B in a downwards direction (e.g., coaxial with or parallel to axis A2, see direction of force F2) towards the generally flat surface 63 to compress the material 60 against the surface 63 (and onto the rolling paper 62 if present), and thereby reduce a height of the variable size region 28 and compress the material 60 against the generally flat surface 63 (and optionally rolling paper 62). After this, the material 60 is compressed onto the surface 63 (and optionally also rolling paper 62).

FIG. 4E illustrates the u-shaped receptacle 22 in the second receptacle configuration, in which the respective distal ends 34A-B are in the respective second positions (spaced apart by the distance D2), for removal of the u-shaped receptacle 22 from the material 60. As shown in FIG. 4E, the sidewalls 26A—have been are flexed away from each other so that the distal ends 34 of the sidewalls 26A-B are in a second position at a distance of D2 apart from each other, which is greater than the distance D1. This second configuration is useful for removal of the u-shaped receptacle 22 from the material 60 and the rolling paper 62, to avoid disturbing the compressed material 60. In one or more embodiments, a degree of flex of the sidewalls 26A-B is over a range of about 1 cm to about 5 cm, so as to be clear of the packed material 60.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an example method 200. The u-shaped receptacle 22 is arranged onto a generally flat surface 63 (step 202) (e.g., onto a rolling paper 62 on the surface 63). Material 60 is provided on the surface 63 (e.g., on the rolling paper 62) in the variable size region 28 (step 204). The packing block 30 is slid between the two sidewalls 26A-B in a first direction, along central longitudinal axis A1 of receptacle towards the base wall 24 to move the material 60 towards the base wall 24 and reduce a size (e.g., a length) of the variable size region 28 (step 206).

The packing block 30 is slid between the two sidewalls 26A-B in a second direction towards the surface 63 to compress the material against the surface 63 (e.g., against the rolling paper 62 on the surface 63), and thereby reduce a height of the variable size region 28 and compress the material 60 against the surface 63 (step 208). The second direction is transverse to the first direction.

The packing block 30 is removed from the compressed material 60 (step 210). Respective distal ends 34A-B of the sidewalls 26A-B are moved away from each other to increase a size (e.g., a width) of the variable size region 28 (step 212). The u-shaped receptacle 22 is removed from the compressed material 60 while the two sidewalls 26A-B are moved away from each other (step 214).

The teachings discussed herein provide a number of benefits over prior art devices. By utilizing a u-shaped receptacle 22, a user is able to see what they are doing and visually observe the packing process of the material 60, and to have greater control over how the material 60 is packed. This also allows a user to compress the material 60 onto another material (e.g., a rolling paper) which may have a different geometry than the u-shaped receptacle 22. In this manner, the u-shaped receptacle can be conveniently placed on top of a rolling paper 62. The movement of the sidewalls 26A-B allows a user to avoid disturbing the compressed material.

Although example embodiments have been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this disclosure. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the scope and content of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A device, comprising: a u-shaped receptacle comprising a base wall and two sidewalls that extend off of the base wall, the two sidewalls are generally parallel to each other and parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the u-shaped receptacle; anda packing block disposable between the two sidewalls;wherein the base wall, the two sidewalls, and the packing block together bound therebetween a variable size region for receiving a material, the packing block movable along the central longitudinal axis between the two sidewalls relative to the base wall, movement of the packing block adjusting a size of the variable size region.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein: the packing block includes a first face that extends between a first end and an opposing second end of the packing block;in a first packing block configuration, the first end is a boundary of the variable size region, and the first end and base wall at least partially define a length of the variable size region; andin a second packing block configuration, the first face is a boundary that at least partially defines a height of the variable size region.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the face is generally planar, and the first face and the first end are generally perpendicular to each other.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the packing block includes a second face that is opposite the first face, and a handle extends off of the second face.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the two sidewalls are movable apart from each other, the movement of the sidewalls increasing the size of the variable size region.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein: the two sidewalls each have a respective distal end and a respective proximal end relative to the base wall;the respective proximal ends are joined to the base wall and are fixed relative to each other; andthe distal ends of the two sidewalls are movable relative to each other to adjust a width of the variable size region.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein: the two sidewalls are movable relative to each other through flexing of the two sidewalls between the distal ends and the proximal ends.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein a majority of a length of the two sidewalls are movable apart from each other.

9. The device of claim 6, wherein: the distal ends are movable relative to each other between respective first positions in which the distal ends of the two sidewalls are a first distance away from each other, and respective second positions in which the distal ends of the two sidewalls are a second distance away from each other that is greater than the first distance; andthe u-shaped receptacle has a first receptacle configuration in which the distal ends are in the respective first positions for compressing the material in the variable size region, and a second receptacle configuration in which the distal ends are in the respective second positions for removal of the u-shaped receptacle from the material.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein a grip is provided on the base wall.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein a plurality of tick markers are provided along a length of at least one of the two sidewalls to indicate a length of the variable size region.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the u-shaped receptacle includes at least one of: a first recess between a first of the two sidewalls and a first end of the base wall; anda second recess between a second of the two sidewalls and a second end of the base wall that is opposite the first end.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the u-shaped receptacle includes both of the first recess and the second recess.

14. A method, comprising: arranging a u-shaped receptacle onto a generally flat surface, the u-shaped receptacle comprising a base wall and two sidewalls that extend off of the base wall, the two sidewalls are generally parallel to each other and parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the u-shaped receptacle, wherein the base wall, the two sidewalls, and a packing block together bound therebetween a variable size region;providing material on the generally flat surface in the variable size region;sliding a packing block between the two sidewalls in a first direction along the central longitudinal axis towards the base wall to move the material towards the base wall and reduce a length of the variable size region; andsliding the packing block between the two sidewalls in a second direction towards the generally flat surface to compress the material against the generally flat surface, and thereby reduce a height of the variable size region, the first direction transverse to the second direction.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the material comprises tobacco or cannabis.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein: the packing block includes a face that extends between a first end and a second end of the packing block, that is opposite the first end;said sliding the packing block between the two sidewalls in the first direction comprises sliding the packing block with the first end as a leading end; andsaid sliding the packing block between the two sidewalls in the second direction comprises compressing the face against the material.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the face is generally planar.

18. The method of claim 14, comprising: providing a rolling paper for rolling a cigarette onto the generally flat surface;wherein said providing material comprises providing the material on the rolling paper; andwherein said sliding the packing block to compress the material comprises compressing the material onto the rolling paper.

19. The method of claim 14, comprising, after said sliding the packing block to compress the material: removing the packing block from the compressed material;moving a respective distal end of each of the two sidewalls away from each other to increase a width of the variable size region; andremoving the u-shaped receptacle from the compressed material while the two sidewalls are moved away from each other.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said moving the respective distal end of each of the two sidewalls away from each other comprises flexing the distal ends away from each other.