Smokable Pulverized Leaf Structure

Abstract

A smokable pulverized leaf structure consisting of a smokable cylinder and a mold for producing the smokable cylinder. The smokable cylinder is made of one hundred-percent (100%) pulverized leaf, such as tobacco or cannabis. The mold has 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 compressing 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 is removed. With the space filled, a solid smokable cylinder of pulverized leaf, which does not require a wrapper to remain intact, is created.

Description

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.

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	ISSUED
	1,073,422	Kattar	16 Sep. 1913
	4,481,954	Luke et al	13 Nov. 1984
	4,691,717	Ikeda et al	8 Sep. 1987
	9,032,970	Szarvas	19 May 2015

The U.S. Pat. No. 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 U.S. Pat. No. 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 U.S. Pat. No. 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.

The U.S. Pat. No. 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 compressing 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. The filter can be made entirely of pulverized leaf as with the smokable cylinder, or the filter can be made of a conventional cellulose fiber material and attached to the smokable cylinder by an attachment means such ad an adhesive or a press-fit.

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.

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 DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational side view of a smokable structure made of pulverized leaf.

FIG. 2 is an elevational side view of a mold comprising rectangular plates held together by two straps.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the mold having a contour opening with a solid rod inserted into the opening.

FIG. 4 is an elevational side view of the mold with an integral funnel above the opening.

FIG. 5 is an elevational side view of the mold with a separate funnel placed above the opening.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the mold with pulverized leaf inserted into the contour opening around the solid rod.

FIG. 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.

FIG. 8 is a top view of a mold comprising four plates, each with a 90-degree arc cut into a corner section.

FIG. 9 is a top view of mold comprising two plates, each with a 180-degree arc cut into an inner side.

FIG. 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. 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 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 10, as shown in FIGS. 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 FIG. 1.

In order to create the smokable cylinder 12, the mold 26 is utilized. As shown in FIGS. 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 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 corner section cut into a 90-degree arc 5L, as shown in FIG. 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 FIG. 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 FIG. 4, or the funnel 42 can be a separate component that is placed above the opening for use, as shown in FIG. 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, an oil, honey, sugar and water, or flour can be applied to the shell of pulverized leaf.

Continuing, a hollow tube 38 is placed above the shell 44, as shown in FIG. 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 leaf within the hollow tube 38 into the shell 44, thereby creating a solid smokable structure 12, as shown in FIG. 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 preformed 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. I-Teat is then 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 FIG. 10, can be utilized. The mouthpiece 50 is 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 hard material such as plastic, can be utilized.

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.

Claims

1. A smokable pulverized leaf structure (SPLS) comprising a smokable cylinder made of pulverized leaf and a mold for manufacturing said smokable cylinder, wherein said SPLS provides a person with the ability to smoke a pulverized leaf structure that is made entirely of pulverized leaf, without a requirement of a paper wrapper or the inclusion of additives or chemicals to the pulverized leaf.

2. The smokable pulverized leaf structure as specified in claim 1 wherein said smokable cylinder has a geometric shape.

3. The smokable pulverized leaf structure as specified in claim 1 wherein said pulverized leaf is comprised of tobacco.

4. The smokable pulverized leaf structure as specified in claim 1 wherein said pulverized leaf is comprised of cannabis.

5. A smokable pulverized leaf structure (SPLS) that provides a person with the ability to smoke a pulverized leaf structure that is made entirely of pulverized leaf, without a requirement of a paper wrapper surrounding the pulverized leaf or the inclusion of additives or chemicals to the pulverized leaf, wherein said SPLS is comprised of:

a) a smokable cylinder having an outer surface, a first end, and a second end, and

b) a mold for manufacturing said smokable cylinder, wherein said mold comprises a plurality of plates that are placed adjacent to each other, forming a geometric enclosure with an upper surface and a lower surface; at least one strap that is placed around the plates to maintain the shape and position of the plates; a first opening that extends downward longitudinally through the plates at the center of the upper surface, where the plates intersect; a second opening at the lower surface of the plates; and a rod that is inserted into the second opening, wherein a quantity of pulverized leaf is inserted into said mold via the first opening, wherein once the pulverized leaf is inserted, said mold is placed on a press where pressure is applied, wherein after the pressure is applied, the solid rod is removed, and a hollow tube is placed above a hard shell of compressed pulverized leaf within said mold, wherein a hollow tube filled with pulverized leaf is placed above the shell, and a solid rod is inserted into the hollow tube to push the pulverized leaf within the tube into the shell, wherein said mold is then removed, exposing a solid smokable cylinder of pulverized leaf.

6. The smokable pulverized leaf structure as specified in claim 6 wherein said smokable cylinder has a geometric shape.

7. The smokable pulverized leaf structure as specified in claim 6 wherein said pulverized leaf is comprised of tobacco.

8. The smokable pulverized leaf structure as specified in claim 6 wherein said pulverized leaf is comprised of cannabis.

9. The smokable pulverized leaf structure as specified in claim 6 wherein said pulverized leaf is comprised of a combination of various types of smokable pulverized leaves.

10. The smokable pulverized leaf structure as specified in claim 6 wherein the plurality of plates is comprised of four plates.

11. The smokable pulverized leaf structure as specified in claim 6 wherein each said plate is made of a metal or plastic.

12. The smokable pulverized leaf structure as specified in claim 6 wherein the length of the plates determines the size of said smokable cylinder.

13. The smokable pulverized leaf structure as specified in claim 6 wherein the length of each said at least one strap is determined by the dimension of the geometrically arranged plates.

14. The smokable pulverized leaf structure as specified in claim 6 further comprising a binding agent that is applied to the shell of pulverized leaf to increase the structural integrity of the shell.

15. The smokable pulverized leaf structure as specified in claim 15 wherein the binding agent is made of a substance selected from the group consisting of wax, an oil, honey, sugar and water, or flour.

16. The smokable pulverized leaf structure as specified in claim 6 further comprising a funnel that is utilized to insert the pulverized leaf into the first opening, wherein the funnel extends upward from the first opening and is integrally attached to said mold or is a separate component.

17. The smokable pulverized leaf structure as specified in claim 11 further comprising each of the four plates having a corner section cut into a 90-degree arc, wherein when the four plates are placed together and the cut corner sections intersect, a 260-degree circular opening is created.

18. The smokable pulverized leaf structure as specified in claim 6 further comprising a mouthpiece that is dimensioned to fit onto sand be frictionally maintained on one end of the smokable cylinder, wherein the mouthpiece is made of pulverized leaf, preferably with a binding agent to maintain the shape of the mouthpiece.

19. The smokable pulverized leaf structure as specified in claim 6 further comprising a screen having a mesh of a selectable size through which the pulverized leaf passes to selectively control the size and uniformity of the pulverized leaf.

20. The smokable pulverized leaf structure as specified in claim 6 further comprising heat that is applied to the pulverized leaf that is inside or outside the mold, wherein the heat functions to harden the leaf, thereby producing a smokable cylinder with a hard outer surface.