U.S. patent application number 11/111304 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-26 for rolling tray for herbs for smoking.
Invention is credited to Kerry Simester.
Application Number | 20060237026 11/111304 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37185580 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060237026 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Simester; Kerry |
October 26, 2006 |
Rolling tray for herbs for smoking
Abstract
This invention discloses a Rolling Tray for Herbs for Smoking.
The tray includes one or more grooves that may allow the user to
easily sort and temporarily store materials on the tray. At least
one of these grooves may be semi-cylindrical in shape in order to
allow the user to place rolling papers into the grove, place herbs
onto the rolling paper, and easily roll a cigarette into a
cylindrical shape. Other grooves within the tray surface allow for
temporary storage or sorting of materials during the cigarette
rolling process. The tray is attached to a pad that allows the
Rolling Tray for Herbs for Smoking to rest comfortably on the
user's lap, a table, or any other surface, and remain roughly
perpendicular relative to the plane of gravity.
Inventors: |
Simester; Kerry; (Los
Angeles, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARC E. HANKIN, ESQ.
11414 THURSTON CIRCLE
LOS ANGELES
CA
90049
US
|
Family ID: |
37185580 |
Appl. No.: |
11/111304 |
Filed: |
April 20, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/329 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24C 5/44 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/329 |
International
Class: |
A24F 25/00 20060101
A24F025/00 |
Claims
1. A rolling tray for herbs for smoking, comprising, a tray and a
pad, said tray including one or more grooves within the surface of
said tray, one or more of said grooves being semi-cylindrical in
shape to allow the rolling of cigarettes by the user, said pad
being manufactured from a compressible material, said tray and said
pad being fixedly or re-attachably connected to one another.
2. A rolling tray for herbs for smoking as defined in claim 1
wherein said tray includes a molding at its edges in order to
prevent herbs or other materials on the tray surface from falling
or sliding off the tray surface.
3. A rolling tray for herbs for smoking as defined in claim 1
wherein said tray includes two grooves, the first said groove being
generally semi-cylindrical in shape for the placement of rolling
papers and herbs for the rolling of cigarettes by the user, the
second said groove being any shape and used to temporarily store
materials.
4. A rolling tray for herbs for smoking as defined in claim 1
wherein said tray is fixedly connected to said pad by nails, brads,
glue, or any other suitable attachment means.
5. A rolling tray for herbs for smoking as defined in claim 1
wherein said tray is re-attachably connected to said pad by a
mechanical connection such that said tray can be removed and
re-attached to said pad.
6. A rolling tray for herbs for smoking as defined in claim 1
wherein said tray includes one or more grooves that are semi-conic
in shape, such that cigarettes in the shape of cones can be rolled
within said groove.
7. A rolling tray for herbs for smoking as defined in claim 2
wherein said tray includes two grooves, the first said groove being
generally semi-cylindrical in shape for the placement of rolling
papers and herbs for the rolling of cigarettes by the user, the
second said groove being any shape and used in order to temporarily
store materials.
8. A rolling tray for herbs for smoking as defined in claim 2
wherein said pad includes one or more pockets.
9. A rolling tray for herbs for smoking as defined in claim 2
wherein said tray is fixedly connected to said pad by nails, brads,
glue, or any other suitable attachment means.
10. A rolling tray for herbs for smoking as defined in claim 2
wherein said tray is re-attachably connected to said pad by a
mechanical connection such that said tray can be removed and
re-attached to said pad.
11. A rolling tray for herbs for smoking as defined in claim 2
wherein said tray includes one or more grooves that are semi-conic
in shape, such that cigarettes in the shape of cones can be rolled
within said groove.
12. A rolling tray for herbs for smoking as defined in claim 3
wherein said pad includes one or more pockets for the storage of
the implements or products of cigarette rolling.
13. A rolling tray for herbs for smoking as defined in claim 3
wherein said tray is fixedly connected to said pad by nails, brads,
glue, or any other suitable attachment means.
14. A rolling tray for herbs for smoking as defined in claim 3
wherein said tray is re-attachably connected to said pad by a
mechanical connection such that said tray can be removed and
re-attached to said pad.
15. A rolling tray for herbs for smoking as defined in claim 3
wherein said tray includes a second said groove that is semi-conic
in shape, such that cigarettes in the shape of cones can be rolled
within said second said groove.
16. A rolling tray for herbs for smoking as defined in claim 5
wherein said tray includes one or more grooves that are semi-conic
in shape, such that cigarettes in the shape of cones can be rolled
within said groove.
17. A rolling tray for herbs for smoking as defined in claim 6
wherein said tray includes one or more grooves that are semi-conic
in shape, such that cigarettes in the shape of cones can be rolled
within said groove.
18. A rolling tray for herbs for smoking, comprising, a tray and a
pad, said tray including a molding at its edges in order to prevent
herbs or other materials on said tray surface from falling or
sliding off said tray surface, said tray further including one or
more grooves within the surface of said tray, said pad being
configured to enable said tray to rest on an uneven surface, yet
said pad being configured to enable said tray surface to be roughly
perpendicular relative to the plane of gravity, said tray and said
pad being fixedly or re-attachably connected to one another.
19. A rolling tray for herbs for smoking as defined in claim 18
wherein one or more of said grooves is semi-cylindrical in shape to
allow the rolling of cigarettes by the user.
20. A rolling tray for herbs for smoking as defined in claim 18
wherein one or more of said grooves is semi-conic in shape, such
that cigarettes in the shape of cones can be rolled within said
groove.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates, generally, to apparatuses for
rolling herbs for smoking; more particularly to apparatuses that
aid in the rolling of cigarettes, cigars, and the like, by hand and
are shaped as trays that can be placed on the users lap with a soft
flexible bottom to stabilize the upper surface, and remain roughly
perpendicular relative to the plane of gravity.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The field of hand-rolled herbs for smoking allows the smoker
to customize his or her cigarettes, cigars, and the like to his or
her individual taste. Thus, despite the abundance of mass produced
cigarettes, smokers continue to enjoy rolling their own cigarettes
because the cigarettes can be individualized to the smoker's taste.
The size, length, thickness, and density of the cigarette can be
varied for each cigarette rolled. What is more, the smoker can vary
the mixture of tobacco, herbs, or other combustible vegetable
substance used in the cigarette in order change the taste or effect
of the smoke. (The term "herbs" is used herein to refer to any
combustible vegetable substance used for smoking; the term
"cigarette" is used herein to refer to any tube-like collection of
rolled and packed herbs for smoking; and the term "rolling paper"
is used herein to refer to any type of plant leaf or paper that can
be used to hold herbs).
[0003] Due to the difficulties in grinding, separating, rolling,
and packing cigarettes by hand, a variety of implements and devices
have been developed in order to aid in the rolling process. Some
relatively simple devices, commonly referred to as "rolling mats,"
allow the user to lay a cigarette paper flat, add herbs, and roll
the cigarette and herbs into a cylindrical shape. Other, more
elaborate devices, commonly referring to as "rolling machines"
perform the function of the rolling mat by providing a wide belt
onto which herbs and rolling papers are placed, and allowing
rolling of the material inside the belt as the belt is run across
two cylindrical rollers.
[0004] A more intricate apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
4,832,056 to Bryant et al. that discloses a mechanical means of
rolling cigarettes by feeding the herbs and rolling papers into a
device that mechanically rolls them into a cylindrical shape.
Because this device relies on fixed mechanical means, however, it
does not allow the user to individualize his cigarettes. Further,
the gears and levers used to form the cigarette are a departure
from traditional hand-rolling and are thus, disfavored by many
smoking enthusiasts.
[0005] Other devices for filling herbs into a cigarette tube are
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,571,800 to Yu and U.S. Pat. No.
6,206,006 to Schutze et al. Both devices disclose a tobacco filling
device that assists in hand-rolling of cigarettes by packing and
funneling tobacco such that it can be easily placed into a
cigarette. U.S. Pat. No. 6,571,800 includes a stepped funnel that
facilitates tobacco packing by limiting the area through which it
passes as it is pushed through the device. U.S. Pat. No. 6,206,006
relies upon a lever to tamp and pack the tobacco before it is
rolled into a cigarette. Both devices, however, limit the extent to
which the user can individualize his cigarettes. Further, while
both devices aid in the filling of tobacco, neither provides an
effective means to roll tobacco or to roll the cigarette paper.
[0006] A cigarette paper with an additional strip to aid in the
rolling of cigarettes is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,657,773. This
invention discloses a cigarette paper that includes an additional
strip of material on its inside that is rolled prior to placing
tobacco within the paper and rolling the paper. By rolling the
strip first, a form is created around which the tobacco and
cigarette paper can more easily be rolled, thus, providing an
easier means for tobacco rolling that convention rolling papers.
This device, however, is limited because it does not work with
conventional rolling papers or provide a means of sorting and
packing tobacco. Further, the cigarettes produced include an
additional appurtenance that is undesirable to many smokers.
[0007] Four other cigarette packing apparatuses can be found
described on the Internet. Three of these, the Rolling and Storage
Tray, the Rolling Mat, and the Rolling Machine are disclosed at
http://www.cascadecigar.com/smokeshopcoop/ryo_accessories.htm. The
Rolling and Storage Tray has two side compartments and a central
section. However, this device is limited because the tray cannot
conform to the lap of the person rolling the cigarettes, and is
therefore more likely to be dislodged. The Rolling Mat consists
solely of a bamboo surface to roll the cigarettes and does not have
compartments to store either the herbs or the cigarettes. The
Rolling Machine consists essentially of a roller rod, a volumetric
tray, and a blanket section. However, this apparatus does not
permit the user to individualize his or her cigarettes. The fourth
apparatus is a Weed Rolling Tray shown at
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAP.dll?ViewItem&category=133&item=6168696707-
&r. This apparatus is limited, however, because the tray cannot
conform to the lap of the person rolling the cigarettes.
[0008] Therefore, there has been a long felt need in the art for a
rolling tray for herbs for smoking that facilitates the easy
hand-rolling of cigarettes while providing a space for sorting the
herbaceous material, allows the user to customize the cigarettes to
a variety of sizes and shapes, and includes a means for resting the
rolling tray on the user's lap or on a table.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] This invention is directed towards overcoming the above
shortcomings by disclosing a cigarette rolling tray that allows the
user to easily roll customized cigarettes in a variety of sizes and
shapes while also providing a surface for sorting and separating
the herbs from any impurities that might be contained in the bulk
starting product.
[0010] The Rolling Tray for Herbs for Smoking is comprised of two
primary assemblies, a rolling tray and a support pad. The rolling
tray serves as a smooth tray for sorting and rolling herbs. The
edges of the rolling tray include an upwards protruding molding
that serves to prevent the herbs from inadvertently falling or
sliding off of the tray surface. One or more grooves that are
indented into the surface of the rolling tray facilitate the
sorting and rolling of cigarettes more easily. One or more of the
grooves may serve as a receptacle for temporarily storing and
sorting one class of materials, for example seeds, stems, skeins,
or herbs that will not be used in the cigarette. Another groove(s)
may be configured as a base for rolling the cigarette itself. These
cigarette rolling grooves are shaped half-cylinders or half-cones
that allow the user to place a rolling paper at the base of the
cigarette rolling groove, slide the herbs over the rolling paper
from the tray or from one of the sorting grooves, and roll the
cigarette in a cylinder or cone shape, as desired. Thus, the
rolling tray serves as a compact, effective, and efficient surface
for sorting and rolling herbs.
[0011] The second primary assembly of the Rolling Tray for Herbs
for Smoking is a pad that serves to support the tray while the
Rolling Tray for Herbs for Smoking sits on one's lap, a table, or
other support surface. The pad may be manufactured from
compressible materials, such as a bean bag material or pillow
materials, to allow the pad to rest comfortably upon the users lap
or other surface.
[0012] Variations on the design of the Rolling Tray for Herbs for
Smoking include different configurations of the tray or the pad.
The tray, for example, can include any number of grooves that allow
for further sorting or to allow for different sizes and shapes of
cigarettes to be rolled. The tray can also be manufactured from
wood, plastic, acrylic, metal, or several other suitable
materials.
[0013] The design and manufacture of the pad can also be
extensively varied. In one embodiment of the invention, for
example, the pad includes one or more pockets for storing herbs,
rolling papers, or other materials used in rolling cigarettes.
Other embodiments of the invention include varied materials for
constructing the pad. The pillow filling materials can include
beads, feathers, padding, or any other suitable material for
compressible filling. The compressible material may be compressible
itself, for example memory foam, or the like. The pad preferably is
configured to enable the surface of the tray to be roughly
perpendicular relative to the plane of gravity to assist in
preventing the herbs, rolling papers, or other materials used in
rolling cigarettes from inadvertently falling or slipping off the
surface of the tray. The outer covering of the pad can be
manufactured from a variety of materials in order to allow varied
aesthetic and design configurations. Such materials include
leather, suede, faux-leather, faux-suede, vinyl, flannel, cotton
fabric, denim, or any of a number of other fabrics.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is an illustration in perspective view of one
embodiment of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 2A is a top view of the tray in one embodiment of the
invention.
[0016] FIG. 2B is a side view of the tray in one embodiment of the
invention.
[0017] FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the cigarette rolling
tray in one embodiment of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the cigarette rolling
tray in one embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] In the following detailed description of various embodiments
of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order
to provide a thorough understanding of various aspects of one or
more embodiments of the invention, however, one or more embodiments
of the invention may be practiced without these specific details.
In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and/or
components have not been described in detail so as not to
unnecessarily obscure aspects of embodiments of the invention.
[0020] In the following description, certain terminology is used to
describe certain features of one or more embodiments of the
invention. For instance, the term "herbs" refers to any one of the
combustible materials that may be rolled and smoked; "cigarette"
refers to any one of the configurations of smoking material wrapped
in rolling paper that is generally cylindrical or conical in shape;
and the term "rolling paper" is used herein to refer to any type of
plant leaf or paper that can be used to hold the rolled herbs).
[0021] FIG. 1 is an illustration in perspective view of one
embodiment of the invention. A Rolling Tray for Herbs for Smoking
is shown along with its constituent parts, including a tray 105 and
a pad 110. The tray 105 is used as a surface on which to lay a
rolling paper, place herbs onto the paper, and roll the cigarette.
The tray 105 includes moldings 115 along its edges in order to
prevent herbs from inadvertently falling or slipping off the
surface of the tray 105. The tray 105 also includes two grooves
that aid in the rolling of cigarettes. The first such groove is a
sorting groove 120 that serves as a receptacle for temporarily
storing materials that will not be rolled into the cigarette. The
second groove is a rolling groove 125 and is used to roll the
cigarette, to hold the herbs that will be rolled into the
cigarette, to hold the rolling paper, or to hold the cigarette. The
pad 110 includes a pouch 130 that allows the user to store
materials used in hand rolling cigarettes.
[0022] FIG. 2A is a top view of the tray in one embodiment of the
invention. The tray 205 of the Rolling Tray for Herbs for Smoking
200 is shown along with its constituent parts: the edge-moldings
215, the sorting groove 220, and the rolling groove 225.
Additionally, this illustration also diagrams the cross sectional
illustration that are FIGS. 3A and 3B.
[0023] FIG. 2B is a side view of the tray in one embodiment of the
invention. A Rolling Tray for Herbs for Smoking 200 is shown along
with its constituent parts: the tray 205, the pad 210, and the
pouch 230.
[0024] FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the Rolling Tray for
Herbs for Smoking in one embodiment of the invention. (See FIG. 2A
for the location of the cross sections). A Rolling Tray for Herbs
for Smoking 300 is shown along with its constituent parts, the tray
305 and the pad 310. The parts of the tray 305 include the edge
moldings 315 and the sorting groove 320. The pad 310 includes the
following parts: the pouch 330, filling material 335, and the outer
covering 340.
[0025] FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the Rolling Tray for
Herbs for Smoking in one embodiment of the invention. (See FIG. 2A
for the location of the cross sections). A Rolling Tray for Herbs
for Smoking 300 is shown along with its constituent parts, the tray
305 and the pad 310. The parts of the tray 305 include the edge
moldings 315 and the rolling groove 320. The pad 310 includes a
filling material 335 and an outer covering 340.
* * * * *
References