Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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A SMOKABLE PULVERIZED LEAF STRUCTURE
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention generally pertains to tobacco or other substance smoking
devices, and
more particularly to a wrapper-less smokable structure made of a pulverized
leaf substance.
BACKGROUND ART
Although smoking cigarettes and other tobacco products is on the decline,
there are many
people throughout the world who still smoke. In the United States and certain
other countries it
is anticipated that a previously illegal leaf product will soon be legalized
for smoking or other
uses. In some countries it is already legal.
One of the most predominant concerns of people who smoke manufactured
cigarettes is
that multiple additives, some of which are harmful to a person's health, are
present in the
cigarettes. The possibility that this will occur when the currently illegal
substance is legalized is
also a concern too smokers. Many smokers feel that the optimal smoking
experience occurs
when using a pure pulverized leaf substance preferably in a pipe which removes
the need for any
type of wrapper.
Typically, a wrapper is made of paper, which is known as cigarette paper, and
is used to
maintain the tobacco or other pulverized leaf substance in a tube-like
structure for smoking. All
manufactured cigarettes utilize a wrapper, and people who "roll their own"
cigarettes also use a
wrapper. The only purpose of the wrapper is to maintain the tobacco or
pulverized leaf in
cohesive structure that can be lit and inhaled from.
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It would be extremely beneficial to provide a smokable structure that does not
require a
wrapper and is made entirely of pulverized leaf Optimally, the structure would
allow
manufactured cigarettes to be provided without a wrapper, and would allow
individuals to
provide their own wrapper-less cigarettes when desired. A wrapper-less
pulverized leaf smokable
structure would also preferably be made of one hundred-percent (100%)
pulverized leaf, without
any additives or chemicals, which are typically extremely harmful.
A search of the prior art did not disclose nay literature or patents that read
directly on the
claims of the instant invention. However, the following U.S. patents are
considered related:
PATENT NO. INVENTOR IS SUED
1,073,422 Kattar 16 Sept. 1913
4,481,954 Luke et al 13 Nov. 1984
4,691,717 Ikeda et al 8 Sept. 1987
9,032,970 Szarvas 19 May 2015
The 1,073,422 patent discloses cigarette made with a long-fiber tobacco
filling in which
long shreds of tobacco are arranged longitudinally, forming a compact mass
within the wrapper.
The fibers of a protrusion of the filling extend slightly beyond the ends of
the wrapper. This
protrusion is desirable in that it renders the roll or stick at the ends
slightly less compact in
texture than that which is directly within the wrapper. Thus causing the
products of combustion
passing through the other end to expand and cool.
The 4,481,954 patent discloses a method for modifying the peripheral
conformation of a
cigarette, which has an external, heat deformable, wrapper comprising a
proportion of
thermoplastic fibers or filaments. Heat is applied to the wrapper by a heat
forming means moved
relatively and in contact with the cigarette, in a direction transverse to the
longitudinal axis of the
cigarette.
The 4,691,717 patent discloses a cigarette that is covered with a sheath made
of material
which does not generate any appreciable amount of smoke when the cigarette is
sucked but burns
when the cigarette is sucked. The material is made of starch, agar, gelatin or
a mixture thereof.
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The 9,032,970 patent discloses a highly efficient cigarette filter in which
materials of
natural origin not used before are applied. The cigarette filter can be used
for absorbing the toxic
components of the cigarette smoke, and neutralizing the free radicals produced
during burning of
the cigarette.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In its basic design the smokable pulverized leaf structure is comprised of a
smokable
cylinder made entirely of one hundred-percent (100%) pulverized leaf, and a
mold for producing
the smokable cylinder. The one hundred-percent (100%) pulverized leaf can
consist of any
smokable leaf such as tobacco or cannabis. The mold comprises a plurality of
plates that are
maintained together in a geometric form by at least one strap. A rod is
inserted into the mold and
then a quantity of pulverized leaf is poured into the mold. Once the leaf is
within the mold, a
press is utilized to apply pressure around the mold, thus compessing the
pulverized leaf within.
After the pressure is applied, the rod is removed. Additional pulverized leaf
is then inserted into
the space created when the rod was removed. With the space filled, a solid
smokable cylinder is
created. If desired a filter can be attached to either end of the smokable
cylinder.
In an alternate design, for greater manufacturing quantity, a mold can be made
that
produces an elongated smokable cylinder. Whatever desired length of each
smokable cylinder
can then be cut from the elongated cylinder.
The benefits of the structure are that either individuals or companies can use
the inventive
concept to produce a smokable structure. The mold could be sold as a single
unit to an
individual for making smokable cylinders at home, or the mold design could be
adaptable to
large-scale production of smokable cylinders. When used at home, a person can
be sure that the
pulverized leaf they are using is one hundred-percent (100%) free of additives
and/or chemicals.
In view of the above disclosure the primary object of the invention is to
produce a
smokable pulverized leaf structure that allows a wrapper-less smokable
cylinder of pulverized
leaf to be quickly and easily created.
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In addition to the primary object of the invention, it is also an object of
the invention to
produce a smokable pulverized leaf structure that:
= utilizes a mold that is easy to use,
= can produce smokable cylinders of pulverized leaf in any size desired or
required,
= can utilize multiple methods of manufacture,
= can produce smokable cylinders from any type of smokable leaf,
= can save a smoker a significant amount of money by producing their own
smokable cylinders,
= allows a person to know exactly what type of smokable leaf is utilized,
and to
know that no additives or chemicals have been included,
= creates a more personal smoking experience,
= can include a mouthpiece that is either also made of pulverized leaf, or
is a
conventional synthetic material, and
= is cost effective from both a manufacturer's and consumer's point of
view.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent
from the subsequent detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the
appended claims
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPION OF 'THE DRAWINGS
FIGURE 1 is an elevational side view of a smokable structure made of
pulverized leaf.
FIGURE 2 is an elevational side view of a mold comprising rectangular plates
held
together by two straps.
FIGURE 3 is a top view of the mold having a contour opening with a solid rod
inserted
into the opening.
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FIGURE 4 is an elevational side view of the mold with an integral funnel above
the
opening.
FIGURE 5 is an elevational side view of the mold with a separate funnel placed
above
the opening.
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FIGURE 6 is a top view of the mold with pulverized leaf inserted into the
contour
opening around the solid rod.
FIGURE 7 is an elevational side view of the mold having a hollow tube with
pulverized
leaf within the tube placed above the opening and a solid tube rod placed
above the hollow tube
prior to be inserted into the hollow tube thereby forcing the pulverized leaf
within the tube into
the opening.
FIGURE 8 is a top view of a mold comprising four plates, each with a 90-degree
arc cut
into a corner section.
FIGURE 9 is a top view of mold comprising two plates, each with a 180-degree
arc cut
into an inner side.
FIGURE 10 is an elevational side view of a smokable structure with a
mouthpiece
attached.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms that
disclose a
smokable pulverized leaf structure, as well as steps for producing the
structure. There have long
been objects that facilitate the smoking of a crushed or pulverized leaf
substance. These objects
include pipes, wrapping paper (which is also known as cigarette paper) and, in
the case of a
cigar, a tobacco leaf wrapper. Rolled cigarettes became and are still the most
widely utilized
object for smoking tobacco and other leaf substances. This is because
cigarettes, whether
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manufactured or self-rolled, are a quick and convenient facilitates for
smoking. Many people
though would prefer to smoke a leaf substance in a pipe in order to enjoy just
the leaf substance
without the paper wrapper.
The structure disclosed herein provides an alternative that offers the
convenience of a
cigarette without the paper or any other type of wrapper. The smokable
structure allows a
smoker to inhale only the leaf substance and to know exactly what is added to,
or not added to,
the leaf substance. This is important because manufactured cigarettes have
multiple additives,
many of which are deemed harmful to a person's health. The structure is
primarily used for
smoking pulverized tobacco or cannabis, but other smokable leafs can also be
used including
amaranthus dubius, arctostaphylos uva-ursi (bearberry), amica, damiana,
eschscholzia
californica, humulus luplus, lobellias, opium poppy, salvias, sida acuta,
syzygium aromaticum
(clove), verbascum, and zornia latifolia
The structure 10, as shown in FIGURES 1-10, includes a smokable cylinder 12,
and a
mold 26 that facilitates the manufacture of the smokable cylinder. Methods for
utilizing the
mold 26 are also disclosed. The smokable cylinder 12 comprises an outer
surface 14, a first end
16 and a second end 18. In the preferred embodiment, the smokable cylinder 12
is made entirely
of a pulverized leaf 22 substance, as shown in FIGURE 1. Additionally, while
the structure is
preferdbly cylindrical, any geometric shape can be produced.
In order to create the smokable cylinder 12, the mold 26 is utilized. As shown
in
FIGURES 2-7, the mold 26 is preferably comprised of four plates 28 which are
made of a hard
material such as metal or plastic. The dimensions of the plates 28 can vary
depending on the
desired size of the smokable structure 12.
The four plates 28 are rectangular shaped and are placed adjacent to each
other, thereby
forming a rectangle with an upper surface and a lower surface consisting of
the four plates 28. It
should be noted that while four rectangular plates are preferred, other
embodiments utilizing
multiple plates of various geometric shapes can also be effectively used.
At least one strap 30 is placed around the plates 28 to maintain the shape and
position of
the plates. The strap 30 can be made of any durable material, and the length
of each strap 30 is
determined by the dimensions of the plates 28. Once at least one strap 30 is
in placed around the
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plates 28, a first opening 32 is created preferably by drilling longitudinally
down through the
center of the upper surface of the plates 28, wherein the center is the
location where the four
plates 28 intersect. In an alternate design, each of the four plates has a
comer section cut into a
90-degree arc 54, as shown in FIGURE 8. When the four plates are placed
together and the four
cut corner sections intersect, a 360-degree circular opening is created. Also,
only two plates
could be utilized, with each plate having a 180-degree arc 56, as shown in
FIGURE 9.
A second opening 34 is created at the lower surface/base of the plates. A
solid metal rod
36 is inserted into the second opening 34. The dimensions (diameter) of both
the solid rod and
second opening can vary depending on desired thickness of the smokable
structure. Once these
steps are completed, the mold 26 is created.
A funnel 42 is utilized to pour the pulverized leaf 22 into the mold 26 via
the opening.
The funnel 42 can be either integrally attached to the mold 26, as shown in
FIGURE 4, or the
funnel 42 can be a separate component that is placed above the opening for
use, as shown in
FIGURE 5. During this process the mold 26 can be vibrated to ensure the
pulverized leaf 22
completely fills the mold 26.
Once the mold 26 is filled with the pulverized leaf 22, the mold is placed on
a press. The
press consists of a hollow tube 38. The press is designed so that the hollow
tube 38, which is
made of hard material such as metal or plastic, fits between the mold 26 and
the solid rod 36.
Once the hollow tube 38 is in place, pressure is applied around the mold 36,
either manually or
by mechanical/powered means, thereby compressing the pulverized leaf 22.
After pressure is applied and the pulverized leaf is compressed, the solid rod
36 is
removed from the center of the mold 26. At this point, a hard shell 44 of
compressed pulverized
leaf is left within the mold 26. If desired at this point, to increase the
structural integrity of the
smokable structure, a binding agent 46 (not shown) such as wax or an oil can
be applied to the
shell of pulverized leaf.
Continuing, a hollow tube 38 is placed above the shell 44, as shown in FGURE
7. The
hollow tube 38 is filled with additional pulverized leaf. A solid tube rod 40
is then inserted into
the hollow tube 38. The solid tube rod 40 is pushed downward thereby forcing
the pulverized
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leaf within the hollow tube 38 into the shell 44, thereby creating a solid
smokable structure 12, as
shown in FIGURE 1.
The strap(s) 30 are then removed and the plates pulled off, thereby opening
the mold 26
and revealing the smokable cylinder 12 in the form of a solid rod of
pulverized leaf. If desired,
an additional, or first, binding agent can be applied to the outer surface 14
of the smokable
structure. A person can now light either the first end 16 or the second end 18
of the smokable
cylinder 12 and inhale, as with a conventional paper-wrapped cigarette.
The above disclosed steps are the preferred method of producing the smokable
cylinder.
There are other methods and/or embodiments contemplated which are equally
effective for
producing a smokable cylinder. For example, a two-piece mold made of a
resilient material that
comprises and opening therethrough. In this design, the pulverized leaf
substance is inserted into
the opening and pressure is applied. There is no center rod within the
opening. Preferably a
binding agent is utilized to increase the smokable structure's ability to
maintain circular shape.
And, while a circular shape smokable structure is preferred, the invention is
not limited to this
shape. Any geometric shape smokable structure can be created by altering the
shape of the
opening in the mold.
In another alternate method, instead of utilizing a multi-component mold that
is opened
after pressure is applied, a mold that allows a smokable structure to be
manually or automatically
pushed outward from the opening and cut at a desired length can be utilized.
This type of mold
could be made in a relatively larger size to produce a single smokable
structure that can be cut at
various locations to product multiple smokable structures.
And, in a final alternate method, the pulverized leaf is ran through a screen,
which can be
of various mesh sizes to allow for uniformity of and various sizes of leaf to
be produced and
utilized. After the leaf passes through the screen, a binding agent is applied
to maintain the
shape and integrity of the final smokable cylinder. One of the pre-disclosed
mold designs is
utilized, with the components of the mold that come into contact with the
leaf, coated with
Teflon or a similar substance that will reduce sticking of the leaf to the
components. The
pulverized leaf is inserted into the mold via a funnel and an auger applies
downward pressure.
By this method, various amounts of pressure can be applied to the pulverized
leaf. Heat is then
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applied, which hardens the pulverized leaf, thereby creating a smokable
cylinder with a hard
outer shell/surface when the leaf is extruded.
To add to the utility and improve the smoking experience for some people, a
mouthpiece
50, as shown in FIGURE 10, can be utilized. The mouthpiece 50 is preferably
also made of a
pulverized leaf 22 substance, and consist of a cylindrical tube that is
preferably hardened with a
binding agent. The mouthpiece 50 is dimensioned to fit onto and be
frictionally maintained on
one end of the smokable cylinder. The mouthpiece 50 can be utilized as a
hollow design, or a
smokable non-pulverized piece of leaf can be wrapped around a filter and
attached to the
smokable cylinder 12. Additionally, a conventional cigarette
mouthpiece/holder, which is
typically made of a material such as plastic, a paper or composite material
can be utilized.
And finally, an outer covering can be utilized to protect the pulverized leaf
structure prior
to use, during transportation, or when displayed for sale. Preferably, the
covering is made of
transparent plastic, although other material such as paper can also be used.
The pulverized leaf
structure can be presented and sold (where legal) individually, or a quantity
of pulverized leaf
structures can be placed in a box (such as a pack of cigarettes) or in a cigar-
type box.
While the invention has been described in detail and pictorially shown in the
accompanying drawings it is not to be limited to such details, since many
changes and
modification may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit
and the scope
thereof. Hence, it is described to cover any and all modifications and forms
which may come
within the language and scope of the claims.
