STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND
The present disclosure relates generally to apparatus for rolling cigarettes, cigars and the like, and more particularly to a portable herb rolling and wrapping device for personal use.
Industrial cigarette-making machines can make high volumes of tobacco cigarettes. However, many individuals wish to roll their own herbal materials into customized cigarettes. Rolling such cigarettes by hand is time-consuming and results in inconsistent quality. Devices exist for rolling the herbal material and wrapping it into a paper. However, such devices have weaknesses in applying the proper force and rolling characteristics to achieve quality rolling and wrapping.
SUMMARY
A personal herb rolling and wrapping device rolls customized herbal cigarettes having consistent rolling quality while enabling hands-free operation. The device includes a first roller supported by the device body and a second roller supported by a carriage. The carriage in turn is supported by the device body, but is movable so as to move the second roller between an open condition, in which herbal matter can be added to an apron supported by the rollers, and a closed position in which the first and second rollers are adjacent one another. The carriage rotates relative to the device body, and the position of the second roller when in the open condition is disposed to a side of an apex of such carriage rotation. A motor can power the second roller to effectuate rolling. During rolling, the second roller pulls upwardly on the apron, applying force that both rolls and compacts the herbal material. Simultaneously, an opposing downwardly-directed force is applied to the second roller by the herbal material being rolled in the apron. Since the second roller is disposed to the side of the apex, such downwardly-directed force tends to keep the carriage in the closed position, thus enabling hands-free, self-tightening operation. A detent mechanism can also be used to keep the carriage in the closed position.
In accordance with one embodiment the present specification provides a personal herb rolling device, comprising a body defining a rolling zone between a first end wall and a second end wall, and a first roller rotatably supported by the first end wall and the second end wall. The first roller extends across the rolling zone. A carriage is supported by and between the first end wall and the second end wall, and the carriage is configured to move between a closed condition and an open condition. A closed stop mechanism blocks movement of the carriage beyond the closed condition. An open stop mechanism blocks movement of the carriage beyond the open condition. A second roller is rotatably supported by the carriage so that the second roller moves with the carriage relative to the body. The second roller is maintained generally parallel to the first roller with a space therebetween. When the carriage is in the open condition the space is an open distance, and when the carriage is in the closed condition the space is a closed distance, the open distance being greater than the closed distance. An apron comprising a flexible material configured in a continuous loop, the apron being looped about the first roller and the second roller. A motor is configured to rotate the second roller. When the motor is actuated, the motor rolls the second roller so as to pull the apron upwardly through the space.
In some embodiments the carriage comprises a first plate and a second plate, a carriage guide structure is disposed on the first plate, and a wall guide structure is disposed on the first end wall, the carriage guide structure and wall guide structure configured to engage one another so as to guide movement of the carriage relative to the body.
In additional variations the carriage guide structure is directed generally downwardly as the carriage moves toward the closed condition from an apex.
In further variations the carriage guide structure is directed generally downwardly as the carriage moves toward the open condition from an apex.
In yet further variations the carriage guide structure is configured to move along an arcuate path when the carriage moves between the open condition and the closed condition, the arcuate path having the apex.
In still additional variations the carriage comprises a first plate and a second plate, the second roller being supported by and extending between the first plate and the second plate.
In some such variations, a guide member extends from the first plate and a guide slot is formed through the first end wall, the guide member extending into the guide slot and moving within the guide slot when the carriage moves between the open condition and the closed condition.
In yet additional variations, the guide slot has a top wall, a bottom wall, a closed stop wall and an open stop wall, and wherein the guide slot is arcuate and has an apex, the closed stop wall and the open stop wall being on opposite sides of the apex so that the bottom wall slopes downwardly from the apex to the closed stop wall.
Some variations can additionally comprise a third roller rotatably supported by and between the first plate and the second plate of the carriage, the third roller configured to press the apron against the second roller.
In some variations the guide member is engaged with the closed stop wall of the guide slot when the carriage is in the closed condition.
Further variations can additionally comprise an inner plate attached to the guide member, the inner plate being disposed on a side of the first end wall opposite the first plate of the carriage.
In some such variations the motor is mounted to the inner plate.
Further variations can additionally comprise a second guide member extending from the first plate and received in a second slot formed in the first end wall.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a personal herb rolling device, shown in a closed configuration;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the personal herb rolling device of FIG. 1 shown in an open configuration;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an apron for use with the herb rolling device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a carriage of the personal herb rolling device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of rollers of the personal herb rolling device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 2, and showing herbs being loaded into the herb rolling device;
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 1, and showing herbs closed into the herb rolling device before rolling;
FIG. 11 shows the configuration of FIG. 10, depicted in an early stage of rolling; and
FIG. 12 shows the configuration of FIG. 10, depicted in a late stage of rolling.
DESCRIPTION
The present specification discloses a personal herb rolling device 20 that enables a user to custom roll an herbal cigarette with consistent rolling quality while enabling hands-free operation. The rolling device 20 has a body 22 that supports a first roller 38 between first and second end walls 26, 28. A carriage 40 supports a second roller 50. The carriage is supported by the body 22 and is configured to move between a closed condition (see FIG. 1) and an open condition (see FIG. 2). A guide 80 of the carriage 40 extends through an arcuate slot 90 formed in the first end wall 26 to help control movement of the carriage 40 (see FIGS. 4 and 6). The guide 80 also supports the second roller 50. An apron 55 is supported by the first roller 38 and the second roller 50. When in the open position a user can load herbal material 130 onto the apron 55 (see FIG. 9). The carriage 40 can then be closed, holding the herbal material 130 within the apron 55 (see FIG. 10). A motor 114 can power the second roller 50 to draw the apron 55 upwardly through a space 132. The herbal material is drawn upwardly and compressed, and is rolled within the apron 55. The resistance of the herbal material 130 to the second roller 50 pulling the apron 55 upwardly causes a downwardly-directed force F (see FIG. 6) to be exerted on the guide 80. Since the guide 80 is disposed to one side of an apex 140 of the slot 90, this force F tends to hold the guide 80 in place, keeping the carriage 40 in the closed condition during operation without requiring intervention by the user. Also, when the carriage 40 is moved to the closed position, a secondary guide 82 can be pulled into the primary slot 90 and adjacent an open stop wall 102, thus functioning like a detent, resisting movement of the carriage 40 toward the open position. Once the herbal material 130 is sufficiently rolled, the carriage 40 can be moved back to the open condition and the rolled cigarette can be removed.
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, an herb rolling device 20 has a body 22 having a plurality of feet 23. A rolling zone 24 is defined in the body 22. The rolling zone 24 is defined between a first end wall 26 and a second end wall 28. A zone base wall 30 and a back wall 32 extend between the first end wall 26 and second end wall 28 in the rolling zone 24. An elongated first roller 38 is rotatably supported by the first end wall 26 and second end wall 28 and extends across the rolling zone 24. With additional reference to FIG. 4, a carriage 40 is also supported by and extends between the first end wall 26 and the second end wall 28. The carriage 40 is supported so as to be movable between a closed position as shown in FIG. 1 and an open position as shown in FIG. 2. The carriage 40 rotatably supports a second roller 50 and a third roller 52, each of which also extends across the rolling zone 24, parallel to each other and to the first roller 38.
With additional reference to FIG. 3, an apron 55 comprises a flexible textile material formed into a continuous loop and having a width approaching the lengths of the rollers 38, 50, 52. As shown in FIG. 9, the apron 55 can be looped around the first roller 38 and second roller 50. The apron 55 preferably comprises a woven or non-woven fabric that is non- or minimally-stretchable in the direction of the contiguous loop.
With specific reference next to FIGS. 5-7, the first roller 38, second roller 50 and third roller 52 each are substantially cylindrical in cross-section along their lengths. The first roller 38 and third roller 52 each have a pair of roller pins 56 at either end, which roller pins 56 are received in pin receivers 58. The pin receivers 58 for the first roller 38 are formed in the first end wall 26 and second end wall 28. The pin receivers 58 are sized and configured to receive the roller pins 56 so that the first roller 38 rotates freely about an axis through the first roller pins 56.
With reference next to FIG. 4, the carriage 40 comprises a first plate 60 and a second plate 62 that are connected to one another via a base 64. The base 64 extends from a bottom edge 66 to a top wall 68. A grip portion 69 is defined at and adjacent the top wall 69. Preferably, the grip portion 69 of the base 64 is thick and reinforced so as to accommodate forces from a user gripping and pushing the carriage 40. A pair of carriage pins 70 extend outwardly from the first and second plates 60, 62 adjacent the bottom edge 66. With additional reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the carriage pins 70 are configured to be received by carriage pin receivers 72 formed in the first end wall 26 and second end wall 28 so that the carriage 40 can be rotated about the carriage pins 70 relative to the rolling device body 22.
With specific reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the pin receivers 58 for the roller pins 56 of the third roller 52 are formed in the first plate 60 and second plate 62. The pin receivers 58 are sized and configured to receive the roller pins 56 so that the third roller 52 rotates freely about an axis through its roller pins 56. The second roller 50 has a primary roller pin 59 at one end and a roller pin 56 (not shown) at its opposite end. A pin receiver 58 (not shown) is formed in the second plate 62 of the carriage 40 and is configured to receive the second roller pin 56 therewithin. The primary roller pin 59 can be configured differently than the other roller pins 56. In the illustrated version, the primary roller pin 59 has a larger diameter than the roller pins 56 and includes a keyed aperture 61. A primary receiver 63 is formed in the first plate 60 of the carriage 40 and is configured to rotatably receive and support the primary roller pin 59 therewithin. As such, the second roller pin 50 and third roller pin 52 are rotatably supported by the carriage 40
With specific reference next to FIGS. 4 and 6, a first primary guide 80 and first secondary guide 82 extend outwardly from the first plate 60 of the carriage 40. A first primary slot 90 and first secondary slot 92 are formed in the first end wall 26 and are sized and configured to receive the first primary guide 80 and first secondary guide 82, respectively, therewithin. The first primary slot 90 and first secondary slot 92 are each elongate and arcuate, each extending from a closed stop wall 100 to an open stop wall 102. Top walls 104 and bottom walls 106 of the first primary and secondary slots 90, 92 are positioned and configured to complementary and slidingly engage top and bottom surfaces of the respective first primary guide 90 and first secondary guide 92.
In operation, the carriage pin 70 is received within the pin receiver 72, the first primary guide 80 is received within the first primary slot 90, and the first secondary guide 82 is received within the first secondary slot 92 in a manner so that the carriage 40 can be rotated about the carriage pins 70, but such rotation is limited by the guides 80, 82 within the respective slots 90, 92. For example, FIG. 6 shows the first primary guide 80 engaged with the closed stop wall 100 of the first primary slot 90, thus preventing further rotation of the carriage 40 in a direction toward the back wall 32. This is the closed condition depicted in FIG. 1. If a user was then to pull on the grip portion 69, in a direction away from the back wall 32, the carriage could be rotated until the first primary guide 80 became engaged with the open stop wall 102 of the first primary slot 90 and the first secondary guide 82 became engaged with the open stop wall 102 of the first secondary slot 92, which configuration is depicted in phantom lines in FIG. 6, and which configuration is the open condition depicted in FIG. 2.
With specific reference to FIG. 6, in the illustrated variation, when the carriage 40 is rotated to the closed position, the first secondary guide 82 is pulled past/over the closed stop wall 100 of the first secondary slot 92 and into the first primary slot 90 so that it sits adjacent the open stop wall 102 of the first primary slot 90. In this manner, the first secondary guide 82 functions as a detent to resist rotation of the carriage 40 toward the open position, as such rotation would be blocked by the first secondary guide 82 engaging the open stop wall 102 of the first primary slot 92. However, upon application of sufficient force, the first plate 60 of the carriage 40 will deform sufficient to allow the first secondary guide 82 to disengage from the open stop wall 102 of the first primary slot 90 and return to the first secondary slot 92. In some variations the closed stop wall 100 of the first secondary slot 92 and/or one side of the first secondary guide 82 can be inclined so that the first secondary guide 82 easily slides over the wall 100 when the carriage 40 is being moved toward the closed position. Preferably, the first secondary guide 82 and associated walls 100, 102 are configured so that it takes less force applied to the carriage 40 to move the guide 82 into the first primary slot 90 and adjacent the open stop wall 102 than it takes to pull the carriage 40 sufficient to disengage the first secondary guide 82 from the open stop wall 102 of the first primary slot 90 to enable moving the carriage 40 away from the closed position.
With specific reference next to FIGS. 4 and 7, one of the carriage pins 70 is received within a carriage pin receiver 72 formed in the second end wall 28. A second primary guide 84 and a second secondary guide 86 extend outwardly from the second plate 62 of the carriage 40. A second primary slot 94 and second secondary slot 96 are formed in the second end wall 28 and are sized and configured to receive the second primary guide 82 and second secondary guide 82, respectively, therewithin. The second primary slot 94 and second secondary slot 96 are each elongate and arcuate, each extending from a closed stop wall 100 to an open stop wall 102. Top walls 104 and bottom walls 106 of the second primary and secondary slots 94, 96 are positioned and configured to complementarily and slidingly engage top and bottom surfaces of the respective second primary guide 94 and second secondary guide 96.
In operation, and in structure, the second guides 84, 86 and slots 94, 96 are configured to work in concert with the first guides 80, 82 and slots 90, 92 in guiding and regulating rotation of the carriage 40, and thus operation of the second guides 84, 86 and slots 94, 96 is substantially similar to operation of the first guides 80, 82 and slots 90, 92 as discussed above.
With reference next to FIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 7, and in light of the discussion above, the first roller 38 is supported by the first end wall 26 and second end wall 28 of the body 22, and thus does not move in translation relative to the body 22. The second roller 50 and third roller 52 are supported by the first plate 60 and second plate 62 of the carriage 40. Although these rollers 50, 52 do not move in translation relative to the carriage 40, the carriage 40 moves in translation relative to the body 22, and thus the second and third rollers 50, 52 move in translation relative to the body 22 with the carriage 40.
The second primary slot 94 and second secondary slot 96 are formed as cavities in the second end wall 28 and, in the illustrated version, do not open through the second end wall 28. Similarly, the first secondary slot 92 is formed as a cavity in the first end wall 26 and, in the illustrated version, does not open through the first end wall 26. However, the first primary slot 90 comprises an aperture opening through the first end wall 26. As such, the first primary guide 80 extends through the first end wall 26 into an interior space 108 formed within the body 22 on a side of the first end wall 26 opposite the rolling zone 24. With particular reference to FIGS. 4 and 8, an inner plate 110 is attached to the first primary guide 80, but is positioned within the interior space 108. The inner plate 110 preferably is generally parallel to both the first end wall 26 and the carriage first plate 60. The inner plate 110 also extends radially outwardly from the first primary guide 80, and thus is blocked from fitting through the first primary slot 90.
In practice, the inner plate 110 provides additional stabilization to the carriage 40 as it moves between the open and closed conditions. Also, with particular reference to FIG. 8, a motor 114 can be mounted to the inner plate 110 and aligned so that an output shaft (not shown) of the motor 114 engages the keyed primary pin aperture 61 of the second roller 50 so as to power rolling of the second roller 50 in a direction that is counter-clockwise as viewed in FIG. 8. In other words, the second roller 50 is rotated by the motor 114 so that its upper surface is moving away from the back wall 32.
The illustrated motor 114 is mounted to the inner plate 110 so that the motor moves with the carriage 40. In other versions, the motor 114 can be mounted statically within the interior space 108 and can be linked to the primary pin 59 so as to drive rotation of the primary pin 59 in other manners, such as by one or more gears, belts, or the like.
Wires 116 deliver power to the motor. As shown in FIG. 8, wires 116 extend to the motor from a printed circuit board (PCB) 118 that has control circuitry. A button 120 selectively engages control circuitry on the PCB 118 so as to control operation of the motor 114 as desired. Supply wires 122 can supply power to the PCB 118 from a power source such as a battery 123 (see FIGS. 9-12), which may be disposed within a battery compartment 126 defined within the body 22. In FIG. 8, the power wires 122 extend through a thru-hole 124 formed in the first end wall 26 to communicate power from the battery space to the PCB 118.
With reference next to FIGS. 2 and 9, when the gripping portion 69 is pulled away from the back wall 32, the carriage 40 rotates about the carriage pins 70 until the guides 80, 82, 84, 86 engage open stop walls 102 of respective slots 90, 92, 94, 96. This is the open condition, in which the first roller 38 and second roller 50 are spaced from one another, providing an opening through which a user can deposit herbal material 130 (such as tobacco, chamomile flower, or the like). In the open condition, apron 55 is held somewhat loosely by the first roller 38 and second roller 50. The engaged guides 80, 82, 84, 86 and slots 90, 92, 94, 96 maintain the device 20 in this open condition without any further interaction from the user, who adds the herbal matter 130 to the apron 55 along the length of the rolling zone 24.
Once the herbal matter 130 is deposited on the apron 55, the user can engage the gripping portion 69 to urge the carriage 40 to rotate towards the back wall 32 until guides 80, 82, 84, 86 engage the closed stop walls 100 of the respective slots 90, 92, 94, 96. This is the closed position depicted in FIGS. 1, 6, 7 and 10. As shown, the herbal matter 130 is generally enclosed within the apron 55. The first roller 38 and second roller 50 are disposed at the same height relative to the body 22, are adjacent one another but with a space 132 therebetween. The space 132 is small, but large enough so that the portion of the apron 55 on the first roller 38 is spaced from the portion of the apron 55 on the second roller 50. Additionally, preferably a wrapping paper 134 can be extended through the space 132 and into contact with the enclosed herbal matter 130, as shown.
Once the device 20 is in the closed position, with the herbal material 130 within the apron 55 and the wrapper paper 134 extending through the space 132, the user can engage the button 120, triggering the motor to exert torque on the second roller 50. In the illustrated variation, the second roller 50 is driven by the motor 114, and the first roller 38 and third roller 52 rotate freely. As shown, the second roller 50 is driven so that the top of the second roller 50 moves away from the back wall 32. As such, the second roller 50 draws the apron 55 upwardly through the space 132. The space 132 is sufficient so that the portion of the apron 55 supported on the second roller 50 does not interfere with the portion of the apron 55 supported on the first roller 38.
As shown, the third roller 52 is immediately adjacent the second roller 50 so as to contact and squeeze the apron 55 as it moves between the first roller 50 and second roller 52. In this arrangement, the third roller 52 rotates in a rotational direction opposite the second roller 50, being driven by contact with the second roller 50. Also, the apron 55 is pressed tightly against the second roller 50, preventing the apron 55 from slipping over the surface of the second roller 50 so that the apron 55 moves with the second roller 50. As shown, the effect of this arrangement is that the apron 55 is pulled upwardly through the space 132 by the second roller 50. The herbal material 130 blocks the apron 55 from being drawn through the space 132, and in the meantime the herbal material 130 is compressed by the force exerted on the apron 55 by the second roller 50. Also, as the apron 55 is being pulled by the second roller 50, the portion of the apron 55 on the first roller 38 is pulled downwardly through the space 132, resulting in the herbal material 130 being rolled by the moving apron 55. The herbal matter 130 contacts the wrapping paper 134, pushing it against the downwardly-directed portion of the apron 55, and drawing it through the space 132 (see FIG. 11) so that it is held against the apron 55 and rolled around the herbal material 130 (see FIG. 12). Once the herbal material 130 is fully enclosed within the wrapper 134, rolling can be stopped. The user can then engage the gripping portion 69 to pull the carriage 40 into the open condition. The completed, rolled herbal cigarette can then be removed from the apron 55.
As discussed above, the primary slots 90, 94 are arcuate. With specific reference again to FIGS. 6 and 7, each arcuate primary slot 90, 94 has an apex 140 vertically above the carriage pin 70 about which the carriage 40 rotates. The apex 140 is the vertically highest point of the arcuate primary slot 90, 94. The closed stop wall 100 of each primary slot 90, 94 is on one side of the apex 140, while the open stop wall 102 of each primary slot 90, 94 is on the other side of the apex 140. More specifically, when the carriage 40 is in the closed position, the primary guide 80 is engaged with the closed stop wall 100 and is entirely on a first side of the apex 140. Further, during operation, forces exerted by the second roller 50 pulling upwardly on the apron 55 are resisted by the compacted herbal material 130, as discussed above. Such forces help compact the herbal material 130 but also create an equal but opposite downwardly-directed force F that is exerted on the second roller 50. Since the second roller 50 is supported by the primary guides 80, 84, the primary guides 80, 84, are also subject to the downwardly-directed force F. The top and bottom walls 104, 106 of the primary slots 90, 94 are sloped downwardly from the apex 140 to the closed stop wall 100 where the primary guides 80, 84 are located. Thus, the downwardly-directed force F tends to urge the primary guides 80, 84 downwardly over the downwardly sloped bottom walls 106 and push the primary guides against the closed stop walls 100. This has the effect of urging the carriage 40 to remain in the closed position during operation. This enables true hands-free operation while also maintaining appropriate spacing of the rollers so as to ensure an appropriately-tight roll. Also, as discussed above, the secondary guides 82, 86 function as detents to help keep the carriage 40 in the closed position, but the orientation of the primary guides 80, 84 on the downward side of the apex 140 reduces or eliminates the need to rely on such detents so that the carriage 40 can automatically keep itself in the closed position during operation. In essence, the powered second roller 50 maintains itself in the closed position, and also self-tightens the apron 55 around the herbal material 130.
With reference again to FIGS. 1, 5, 6, and 9, since the primary guides 80, 84 are on opposite sides of the apex 140 between the open and closed positions, the second roller 50 is at nearly the same vertical position, relative to the first roller 38, when in the open condition as it is when in the closed condition. Preferably, the second roller 50 is at substantially the same vertical position relative to the first roller 38 when in the closed position, and is less than 10% vertically lower than the first roller 38 when in the open condition.
The embodiments and variations discussed above have disclosed structures with substantial specificity. This has provided a good context for disclosing and discussing inventive subject matter. However, it is to be understood that other embodiments may employ different specific structural shapes and interactions.
Although inventive subject matter has been disclosed in the context of certain preferred or illustrated variations and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the inventive subject matter extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while a number of variations of the disclosed embodiments have been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of the inventive subject matter, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplated that various combinations or subcombinations of the specific features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the inventive subject matter. Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed inventive subject matter. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the inventive subject matter herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above.
Patent Application
20250151775
