U.S. patent application number 16/249863 was filed with the patent office on 2019-07-18 for conical shaped device used in heating and inhalation of organic leafy materials.
The applicant listed for this patent is Banana Bros, LLC. Invention is credited to David Richmond, Howard Richmond.
Application Number | 20190216127 16/249863 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 67212493 |
Filed Date | 2019-07-18 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190216127 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Richmond; David ; et
al. |
July 18, 2019 |
Conical Shaped Device Used in Heating and Inhalation of Organic
Leafy Materials
Abstract
A conical or frustum shaped product is provided comprising
compressed leafy organic material and a filter or crutch, wherein
the leafy organic material and filter or crutch are wrapped
together in paper. The product has a cone shape, truncated cone
shape, pyramidal shape, truncated pyramid shape, frustum shape, or
any other shape that tapers to have at least one narrow end, and is
designed for use with a device capable of heating the organic leafy
material to be inhaled by a user and to produce an experience that
closely resembles smoking in taste and feel.
Inventors: |
Richmond; David; (Culver
City, CA) ; Richmond; Howard; (Los Angeles,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Banana Bros, LLC |
Culver City |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
67212493 |
Appl. No.: |
16/249863 |
Filed: |
January 16, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62622789 |
Jan 26, 2018 |
|
|
|
62618564 |
Jan 17, 2018 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24C 5/465 20130101;
A24D 1/027 20130101; A24F 1/28 20130101; A24D 1/14 20130101; A24C
5/42 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A24C 5/42 20060101
A24C005/42; A24D 1/02 20060101 A24D001/02; A24C 5/46 20060101
A24C005/46; A24D 1/14 20060101 A24D001/14 |
Claims
1. An apparatus, comprising: organic leafy material; a conical
shaped covering wrapped into a tapered cylinder around a filter,
the covering configured to maintain the organic leafy material; a
lower compression element configured to receive the conical shaped
covering wrapped into the tapered cylinder around the filter and
the organic leafy material; and an upper compression element
configured to compress the organic leafy material in the within the
covering positioned in the lower compression element using
pressure.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper compression element
when compressed on the lower compression element compresses the
organic leafy material toward the filter.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the upper compression element
when compressed on the lower compression element closes a top of
the conical shaped covering and causes compression of the organic
leafy material toward the filter.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper compression element
when compressed on the lower compression element causes a groove to
be formed in the organic leafy material.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an axially central element is
provided with the conical shaped covering, wherein the upper
compression element when compressed on the lower compression
element compresses the organic material about the axially central
element, and further wherein the compressed organic leafy material
is separable from the axially central element, thereby leaving a
channel within the organic leafy material.
6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the groove is irregularly
shaped.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper element comprises a
central lower protrusion and the upper compression element when
compressed on the lower compression element causes an end of the
conical shaped covering to remain open about the protrusion while
causing compression of the organic leafy material toward the
filter.
8. An apparatus comprising: organic leafy material; a filter
positioned adjacent the organic leafy material; and a conically
shaped covering configured to maintain the organic leafy material
and the filter, wherein the apparatus is configured in a shape
fitting within a compression device.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the
organic leafy material is compressible toward the filter within the
conically shaped covering.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein compression of the organic
material closes a top of the conically shaped covering.
11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the compression causes a
groove to be formed in the organic leafy material.
12. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising an axially central
element provided with the conical shaped covering, wherein
compression compacts the organic material about the axially central
element, and further wherein the compressed organic leafy material
is separable from the axially central element, thereby leaving a
channel within the organic leafy material.
13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the groove is irregularly
shaped.
14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein compression causes an end of
the conical shaped covering to remain open.
15. An apparatus comprising: a conical shaped covering; compressed
organic leafy material positioned within the conical shaped
covering; wherein the conical shaped covering is configured to fit
within a conical shaped opening provided in a smoking or vaping
device.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the conical shaped covering
is frustum shaped when assembled.
17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the compressed organic leafy
material includes an axial central channel
18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the compressed organic leafy
material comprises a groove formed therein.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the groove is irregularly
shaped.
20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the conical shaped opening
comprises a protrusion comparable to the groove such that the
organic leafy material fits within the conical shaped opening and
holds the organic leafy material with the protrusion fitting with
the groove.
Description
[0001] The present application claims priority based on U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/618,564, filed Jan. 17,
2018, inventors David Richmond, et al., entitled "Product for
Heating and Inhalation of Organic Leafy Materials," and U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/622,789, filed Jan. 26,
2018, inventors David Richmond, et al., entitled "Conical Shaped
Device Used in Heating and Inhalation of Organic Leafy Materials,"
the entirety of both of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND
I. Field
[0002] The present invention relates generally to products
comprised of leafy organic materials that may be smoked or inhaled
upon heating, and, more particularly, to products comprised of
leafy organic materials that create an authentic smoking experience
when heated without being burned.
II. Background
[0003] Humans have smoked tobacco, parts of plants belonging to the
Cannabis genus ("cannabis"), herbs, and other leafy organic
materials. In the past fifty years, people have come to recognize
the harm that results from inhaling the smoke produced when organic
plant material is burned or combusted.
[0004] The need for smoking alternatives and a desire for variety
among consumers has resulted in development of a number of
smoke-free products. Tobacco companies offer a variety of ways for
people to consume the tobacco plant or to absorb nicotine (one of
the simulants that occur naturally in the tobacco plant) as
alternatives to smoking tobacco-filled cigarettes. Some of these
alternatives include loose tobacco leaves placed between the cheek
and gum, pieces of compressed powdered tobacco that dissolve in the
mouth, nicotine chewing gum, and transdermal patches that release
nicotine into the body through the skin.
[0005] While the aforementioned smoking alternatives enable a user
to experience some of the side effects of smoking, they are unable
to adequately recreate the feel and ceremonial aspect inherent in
smoking cigarettes. In response to this deficiency, certain
devices, such as vaporizers, have been developed that attempt to
recreate the smoking experience by enabling users to orally inhale
vapor or aerosol produced from heating wax or concentrated liquid
containing some of the same chemicals present in tobacco, cannabis,
herbs, or other leafy organic plant material, typically via a
plastic tip attached to the device. Alternative designs attempt to
recreate the smoking experience by warming loose leafy organic
plant material to a temperature lower than the material's kindling
point, but still high enough for the leafy organic plant material
to release chemicals into the surrounding air to be inhaled by a
user.
[0006] Despite all of the means for consuming leafy organic plant
materials, many consumers remain dissatisfied with previous
attempts to recreate the smoking experience. While devices that
heat wax or concentrated liquids mimic a "draw" or "drag" from a
cigarette, the flavors produced from these devices are unique and
distinguishable from those produced by burning leafy organic plant
materials. Devices that heat loose leafy organic material produce
flavors that are more familiar to those produced when smoking the
material. However, because of the design of these devices and the
materials from which they are made, inhaling through these devices
has been reported to not "feel" the same to the user as inhaling
through the end of a cigarette.
[0007] Devices have been developed to heat tobacco cigarette-like
sticks comprised of a wrapper, cut sheets of tobacco, and a filter
similar to those found in tobacco cigarettes. Such devices enable
users to inhale through a paper-wrapped filter to create a more
authentic cigarette feel on the lips of the users. These sticks are
cylindrical and work well with cut tobacco. Such sticks are a close
substitute for tobacco cigarettes. However, the design of these
sticks is not sufficient to substitute cut tobacco for leafy
organic material ground prior to smoking. This deficiency results
from the tendency of ground leafy organic material to fall out of
cigarettes unless first packed or compressed, and also due to the
design, structure, and feel of cigarettes intended to contain
ground leafy organic material (commonly in the form of "joints"
and/or "blunts") being different than the design of tobacco
cigarettes.
[0008] It would therefore be beneficial to provide a product that
improves the experience of inhaling heated, ground, leafy organic
material by recreating the feel and experience of smoking a
cigarette containing ground leafy organic material.
SUMMARY
[0009] The following presents a simplified summary in order to
provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the claimed
subject matter. This summary is not an extensive overview, and is
not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the
scope of the claimed subject matter. Its sole purpose is to present
some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more
detailed description that is presented later.
[0010] According to one aspect of the present design, there is
provided a product comprising compressed leafy organic material,
paper, and a filter or crutch. The product is configured so that
leafy organic material that has been compressed into a truncated
cone shape and abuts a filter or a crutch at its narrow end. Paper
surrounds or wraps both the compressed leafy organic material and
the filter to hold them together. The paper aligns with the filter
or crutch at the base or narrow end of the product and the broad
end of the compressed leafy organic material.
[0011] According to a further aspect of the present design, there
is provided a product, comprising compressed leafy organic
material, paper, and a filter or crutch. The product is configured
so that leafy organic material that has been compressed into a
pyramid shape, truncated pyramid shape, cone shape, or any other
shape that tapers to have at least one narrow end that abuts a
filter or a crutch at its narrow end. Paper surrounds or wraps both
the compressed leafy organic material and the filter to hold them
together. The paper aligns with the filter or crutch at the base or
narrow end of the product and the broad end of the compressed leafy
organic material.
[0012] According to another aspect of the present design, there is
provided a product, comprising compressed leafy organic material, a
coating, and a filter or crutch. The product is configured so that
leafy organic material that has been compressed into a pyramid
shape, truncated pyramid shape, cone shape, truncated cone shape,
or any other shape that tapers to have at least one narrow end that
abuts a filter or a crutch at its narrow end. A coating may
surround the compressed leafy organic material, the filter, or
both.
[0013] According to another aspect of the present design, there is
provided a product, comprising compressed leafy organic material,
paper or coating, and a filter or crutch. The product is configured
so that leafy organic material that has been compressed into a
pyramid shape, truncated pyramid shape, cone shape, truncated cone
shape, or any other shape that tapers to have at least one narrow
end. One or more channels or grooves may be bored into or carved
out of the compressed leafy organic material or created along the
edges of the leafy organic material.
[0014] According to another aspect of the present design, there is
provided a product, comprising compressed leafy organic material,
paper or coating, and a filter or crutch. The product is configured
so that leafy organic material that has been compressed into a
pyramid shape, truncated pyramid shape, cone shape, truncated cone
shape, or any other shape that tapers to have at least one narrow
end that abuts a filter or crutch at its narrow end. The filter or
crutch may contain RFID technology to track and communicate with
the device to ensure quality control or to collect user habit
information.
[0015] In one embodiment, there is provided an apparatus,
comprising organic leafy material, a covering wrapped into a
tapered cylinder around a filter, the covering configured to
maintain the organic leafy material, a lower compression element
configured to receive the covering wrapped into the covering around
the filter and the organic leafy material, and an upper compression
element configured to compress the organic leafy material in the
within the covering positioned in the lower compression element
using pressure.
[0016] An alternate embodiment includes an apparatus comprising
organic leafy material, a filter positioned adjacent the organic
leafy material, and a covering configured to maintain the organic
leafy material and the filter, wherein the apparatus is physically
altered to fit within a compression device.
[0017] To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends,
certain illustrative aspects are described herein in connection
with the following description and the annexed drawings. These
aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways
in which the principles of the claimed subject matter may be
employed and the claimed subject matter is intended to include all
such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel
features may become apparent from the following detailed
description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a general conceptual depiction of the product and
its basic components;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a conceptual depiction of the product wherein a
groove runs the length of the compressed leafy organic
material;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a conceptual depiction of the product wherein a
groove runs down half of the length of the compressed leafy organic
material, turns perpendicular, and runs a short distance;
[0021] FIG. 4A is an illustration of one method that may be used to
produce the product;
[0022] FIG. 4B shows a compression operation according to the
current design including a formation to compress material to a set
amount dictated by shapes of the compression elements;
[0023] FIGS. 5A-C illustrates a "swivel open" design for holding
the product;
[0024] FIGS. 6A-C are a "coffin door" design for holding the leafy
organic material;
[0025] FIGS. 7A-7C represent a "pop off cap" design for holding the
product;
[0026] FIGS. 8A-8C are a "folding body" design for conceptual
depiction of devices designed to house the product;
[0027] FIGS. 9A and 9B are one embodiment of a dual hinge device
produced in accordance with the present teachings including a
conical product profile;
[0028] FIG. 10 illustrates loading the product or pod, conical in
shape, into the dual hinge representation of FIGS. 9A and 9B;
and
[0029] FIG. 11 illustrates loading the cone nug/pod and its
inclusion in a chamber.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] In this document, the words "embodiment," "variant," and
similar expressions are used to refer to particular apparatus,
process, or article of manufacture, and not necessarily to the same
apparatus, process, or article of manufacture. Thus, "one
embodiment" (or a similar expression) used in one place or context
can refer to a particular apparatus, process, or article of
manufacture; the same or a similar expression in a different place
can refer to a different apparatus, process, or article of
manufacture. The expression "alternative embodiment" and similar
phrases are used to indicate one of a number of different possible
embodiments. The number of possible embodiments is not necessarily
limited to two or any other quantity.
[0031] The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an
example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or variant
described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed
as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or variants.
All of the embodiments and variants described in this description
are exemplary embodiments and variants provided to enable persons
skilled in the art to make or use the invention, and not to limit
the scope of legal protection afforded the invention, which is
defined by the claims and their equivalents.
[0032] The present design comprises paper wrapped to produce a
truncated, open-ended cone that tapers inward at one end wherein a
filter is placed inside a portion of the truncated, open-ended cone
at the narrow end (or base), and the volume inside of the tapered,
truncated cylinder beyond the crutch or filter is occupied by
compressed leafy organic material. The compressed leafy organic
material may be ground, cut, or in its whole form, and the
compression rate of this leafy organic material may vary from 10%
to 200%. As used herein, the term "crutch" is sometimes employed
and is synonymous with the term "filter" or "tip" and none of these
terms are intended to be limiting in any way.
[0033] Further, the present design provides a non-cylindrical, but
instead conical, shaped end product which may in certain instances
comprise a filter. The conical shaped element is technically a
frustum, i.e. a truncated cone, with its narrower part going toward
the user's mouth in one embodiment and its wider part, or base,
positioned away from the user's mouth when smoking or vaping.
According to the components illustrated herein, such a frustum or
conical shape may prevent the device from separating from or
pulling out of, or away from, the other components of a vaping
device. Hence the conical shape of the present design is beneficial
and novel, particularly when used with a device such as a vaping
device.
[0034] While discussed herein primarily with respect to organic
leafy materials, it is to be understood that the present product
may be produced by compressing tobacco, herbs, cannabis, or other
organic materials, including the non-leafy plant parts of these
materials, such as flowers and/or buds from the cannabis plant,
which are suitable for smoking or inhalation upon being heated.
[0035] FIG. 1 illustrates a conceptual overview of a first
embodiment of the product. From FIG. 1, there is provided a hollow,
open-ended, and truncated cone made of paper 101, a filter 102, and
compressed leafy organic material 103. The resultant product may be
termed a "nug" and may be employed in vaping. The shape of the cone
including paper 101, filter 102, and material 103 provides a cone
or frustum that can be used or locked into a device as disclosed
herein, i.e. the shape of the nug facilitates packing and
processing described herein as well as use of the smoking or vaping
product.
[0036] An alternative embodiment of the product in FIG. 1 may be
produced by compressing leafy organic material prior to applying or
wrapping paper to or around the compressed leafy organic material.
Paper may be used to cover all or only part of the compressed leafy
organic material. Solid gels or other coatings may be used in place
of paper to surround the compressed leafy organic material.
However, in all instances, a conical or frustum shape is provided
and employed.
[0037] Another alternative embodiment of the product in FIG. 1 may
be produced by compressing a mixture of leafy organic material and
oils, waxes, flavorings, or other additives.
[0038] A modified embodiment of the product FIG. 1 may include the
addition of RFID technology at the crutch or filter of the product
to track and communicate with the device to ensure quality control
or to collect usage information for a user.
[0039] FIG. 2 illustrates a conceptual overview of a modified
embodiment of the product. From FIG. 2, there is provided a hollow,
open-ended, and truncated cone or frustum made of paper 201, a
filter 202, compressed leafy organic material 203, and a groove or
channel 204 running the length of the compressed leafy organic
material. The groove or channel 204 may be bored into or carved out
of the compressed leafy organic material or created along the edges
of the leafy organic material, or the leafy organic material may be
compressed within a mold that results in a groove or channel being
formed in the frustum upon compression.
[0040] Compressed leafy organic material may include one or more
grooves or channels. These grooves or channels may be used to
improve the fit of the product within a smoking or inhalation
device, to improve airflow around the product while it is being
smoked or inhaled, or to create space for positioning a heating
mechanism near the product. The conical or frustum shape also keeps
the product from disengaging from an attached smoking or vaping
device. In short, the groove provides beneficial attributes for fit
within other devices or in the general use of the product.
[0041] FIG. 3 is an illustration of an alternative embodiment of
FIG. 2. FIG. 3 shows a hollow, open-ended, and truncated cone or
frustum made of paper 301, a filter 302, compressed leafy organic
material 303, and an L-shaped groove or channel 304 running
partially along the side of the compressed leafy organic material.
The L-shaped groove 304 includes an indentation running 90 degrees
from a first channel for a short distance. The angle produced by
the groove or channel in the compressed leafy organic material may
enable the product to be positioned and "locked" into a smoking or
heating device, and the conical or frustum shape inhibits the
product from pulling out of, falling out of, or otherwise
disengaging from the smoking or heating device. A groove or channel
in the product may include any formation or path that further
facilitates this locking feature.
[0042] FIG. 4A illustrates a device and method for making the
product described herein. The design includes first placing a
hollow, truncated paper cone wrapped around a filter into a lower
plug or buck 404 molded to accommodate the insertion of the hollow,
truncated paper cone and filter 403. In one instance, the paper
cone and filter assembly 403 may be provided together and
collectively inserted in the lower buck 404, while alternately the
paper cone may be provided in the lower buck 404 and the filter
inserted in the paper cone already positioned in the lower buck
404. A user or entity may grind tobacco, cannabis, herbs, and/or
other leafy organic materials, producing ground material 402. The
user or another entity may place ground material 402 into the
truncated paper cone through its broader, open end. A top plug or
buck 401 having the positive shape of the lower buck 404 (absent
the intended shape and volume of the compressed material) may then
be placed inside the negative space of the lower plug or buck 404.
A machine or person or mechanical arrangement may apply pressure to
top plug 401, lower plug 404, or both to compress the ground
material 402.
[0043] The end product may alternatively be produced by first
placing leafy organic material into a lower plug or buck 404,
compressing the material using a top plug or buck 401, and then
wrapping, coating, or encasing the compressed leafy organic
material in paper or a suitable alternative in the desired conical
or frustum shape.
[0044] While the use of lower buck 404 and top buck 401 provide one
method of creating the product, the product may be created through
any means in which pressure is applied to ground leafy organic
material to compress the material into a desired shape. An entity
or device may compress leafy organic material into a truncated
cone, a non-truncated cone shape, a pyramid shape, a truncated
pyramid shape, or any other acceptable shape, including a shape
that tapers to have at least one narrow end.
[0045] From FIG. 4A, top buck 401 has the positive shape of the
lower buck minus the space for the compression of ground material
402. In general, ground material 402 includes tobacco, cannabis, or
herbs or other leafy organic material ground down to a desired size
and density for pack and vapability benefits. Paper cone and filter
assembly 403 includes a filter, either wrapped in a covering such
as paper or other material or formed separately and joined by means
such as gluing or other known binding method. The top buck 401
serves to compress the product in the covering or paper such as to
neither damage the product nor the paper but compress it into a
viable product. In one aspect, as discussed above, a groove or
formation may be provided in the nug, comprising the material,
filter, and covering, in conical or frustum shape, to allow for
positioning within the arrangement of FIG. 4A or as a result of
compression. Hollow core of lower buck 404 supports the
covering/filter/material components and assembly during either
filling of the covering with the material and/or during compression
of the material. Opening 405 is provided to receive the covering,
filter, and product and is sized to allow for compression of
product, and possibly the covering, to produce a smokable item.
Product may be provided in the conical opening shown above opening
405.
[0046] FIG. 4B illustrates compression according to the present
design between a lower buck 404 and an upper buck 401. FIG. 4B
shows the forming of the lower buck 404 and upper buck 401, where
upper buck 401 is formed and sized to press down and compress leafy
organic material 402 within the covering, such as conical or
frustum shaped paper cone 403 including in some embodiments a
filter. The lower buck 404 is sized to accommodate these items and
the entire arrangement compresses the product to form a viable and
smokable item. Note that the covering, i.e. paper element, may
cover the filter or may be joined to the filter in some manner, and
the purpose of upper buck 401 and lower buck 404 is to compress the
product, i.e. the organic leafy material, inside the covering,
producing a viable smokable item.
[0047] FIGS. 5A-11 show a number of arrangements designed to house
the conical or frustum shaped product so that the product may be
heated within the device, with minimal risk of dislodging, and then
smoked or inhaled by a user. The device in FIG. 5A comprises a
tapered front end and a tapered back end wherein the front and back
ends swivel apart to expose a chamber wherein the conical shaped
product, or "nug," may be placed. The tapered back end of the
device keeps the conical shaped product in place and also keeps the
product from falling out of the device, and an aperture in the back
end at the bottom or narrow end of the chamber results in the
filter or crutch of the product being exposed so that a user may
inhale directly from the filter or crutch of the product. FIG. 5A
thus shows a "swivel open" embodiment with a heat stake lever 501,
rear swivel out body 502, and cone filter 503, with device front
504. FIG. 5B is an alternate view of the device including a view
with the heat stake engaged at point 505. FIG. 5C shows nug loading
at point 511, with the front of the device shown at point 512, a
hinge at point 513, and a rear swivel out at point 514. This
embodiment may be considered the "swivel open" design.
[0048] This particular device is designed to include a heat stake,
or heating element, that is positioned inside of a channel through
the central axis of the product and may heat the product, without
combustion, from inside the channel. While the product may include
a channel through its central axis that accommodates a central
heating element, the product may alternatively be produced for
different devices. Such different devices may include alternatives
to a central heating element, such as heat stakes or other devices
designed to heat the product from its exterior. The product may be
produced with or without a central channel, as well as with or
without other grooves or channels to accommodate the type and
placement of various heating elements. The same is true for the
other embodiments including heat stakes shown below in that they
may be provided with or without a central channel and in certain
cases including products or devices heating from the exterior.
[0049] The device in FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C comprises a tapered front
end and a tapered back end, in order to accept the conical or
frustum shape nug described, wherein the back ends is divided along
its longest axis so that a part of the back end may be opened or
detached similarly to the lid of a coffin to expose a chamber. The
conical shaped product may be placed in the chamber before closing
or replacing the detached part of the back end. The tapered back
end of the device keeps the product in place and keeps the product
from falling out of the device. An aperture in the back end at the
bottom or narrow end of the chamber results in the filter or crutch
of the product being exposed so that a user may inhale directly
from the filter or crutch of the product. FIG. 6A shows heat stake
lever 601, rear housing 602, device front 603, cone filter 604, and
door hinge 605. heat stake lever 702, rear housing 703, and cone
filter 704. FIG. 6B is an alternate view showing the heat stake
engaged at point 606. FIG. 6C is a further view showing the "coffin
door" type opening, with front 611, nug loading indicated at point
612, and the open door indicated at point 613. This embodiment may
be considered the "coffin door" design.
[0050] The device in FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C again comprises a tapered
front end and a tapered back end to accommodate the conical nug
wherein the front and back ends pull apart along a central axis to
expose a chamber that receives the product. Again, the tapered back
end of the device keeps the conical shaped product in place and
from falling out of the device, and an aperture in the back end at
the bottom or narrow end of the chamber results in the filter or
crutch of the product being exposed so that a user may inhale
directly from the filter or crutch of the product. FIG. 7A includes
device front 701, rear cap housing 702, and cone filter 703, while
FIG. 7C illustrates a front portion 711, a nug loading portion 712,
and a rear housing cap 713. This embodiment may be considered the
"pop off cap" design.
[0051] The device in FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C has the conical/frustum
tapered front end and a tapered back end wherein the front and back
ends are hinged and may fold apart to expose a chamber wherein the
conical/frustum product may be placed. Once again, this shape, i.e.
the conical, tapered back end of the device keeps, the conical
product in place and from falling out of the device. An aperture in
the back end, at the bottom or narrow end of the chamber, results
in the filter or crutch of the product being exposed so that a user
may inhale directly from the filter or crutch of the product
without fear of the product dislodging due to its conical shape.
FIG. 8A includes device front 801, heat stake lever 802, rear
housing 803, and cone filter 804. FIG. 8B shows hinge 805 and the
heat stake engaged at point 806. FIG. 8C shows nug loading at point
811, with front 812 and hinge 813 as well as rear housing 814.
[0052] FIGS. 9A and 9B represent a dual-hinge embodiment of a
device produced in accordance with the present teachings including
a conical product profile. FIG. 9A includes a device front 901, a
rear housing 902 to open one side of the loading chamber, a hinge
903, and a cone filter or crutch 904. FIG. 9B takes a cross section
of rear housing 903 and shows hinge 952 and cone pod 951 inside the
dual-hinge device with a staged heated chamber.
[0053] FIG. 10 shows the loading of a conical or frustum pod into a
dual-hinge device as shown in FIG. 9. From FIG. 10, there is
provided a button/lever 1001 to open the pod chamber, a first hinge
1002, a second hinge 1003, and a pod 1004 to load into the
device.
[0054] FIG. 11 illustrates loading the cone nug or pod with
material 1101, paper cone 1102, and base crutch or filter 1103.
Also shown is rear housing 1104 and heated plate 1105, with the
cone nug or pod loaded in the chamber.
[0055] Thus according to the present design and as illustrated
herein, a cone can be provided including a filter and packed with
product such as a leafy organic material, with the cone including
in some cases a heat stake and/or a groove, and the resultant
packed cone so formed may be provided within a pipe for smoking or
vaping. The resultant shape of the device placed in, for example, a
vaporizer, is conical, and a conical shape is unique and provides
advantages over previously available forms. The conical or frustum
shape of the nug, including the conical paper cone and/or filter,
results in a product used or usable in a device including a conical
or frustum shaped receptacle wherein the product cannot be easily
dislodged from the device.
[0056] Thus, according to one aspect of the present design, there
is provided a product comprising compressed leafy organic material,
paper, and a filter or crutch. The product is configured so that
leafy organic material that has been compressed into a truncated
cone shape or frustum shape and abuts a filter or a crutch at its
narrow end. Paper surrounds or wraps both the compressed leafy
organic material and the filter to hold them together. The paper
aligns with the filter or crutch at the base or narrow end of the
product and the broad end of the compressed leafy organic
material.
[0057] According to a further aspect of the present design, there
is provided a product, comprising compressed leafy organic
material, paper, and a filter or crutch. The product is configured
so that leafy organic material that has been compressed into a
pyramid shape, truncated pyramid shape, cone shape, or any other
shape that tapers to have at least one narrow end that abuts a
filter or a crutch at its narrow end. Paper surrounds or wraps both
the compressed leafy organic material and the filter to hold them
together. The paper aligns with the filter or crutch at the base or
narrow end of the product and the broad end of the compressed leafy
organic material.
[0058] According to another aspect of the present design, there is
provided a product, comprising compressed leafy organic material, a
coating, and a filter or crutch. The product is configured so that
leafy organic material that has been compressed into a pyramid
shape, truncated pyramid shape, cone shape, truncated cone shape,
or any other shape that tapers to have at least one narrow end that
abuts a filter or a crutch at its narrow end. A coating may
surround the compressed leafy organic material, the filter, or
both.
[0059] According to another aspect of the present design, there is
provided a product, comprising compressed leafy organic material,
paper or coating, and a filter or crutch. The product is configured
so that leafy organic material that has been compressed into a
pyramid shape, truncated pyramid shape, cone shape, truncated cone
shape, or any other shape that tapers to have at least one narrow
end. One or more channels or grooves may be bored into or carved
out of the compressed leafy organic material or created along the
edges of the leafy organic material.
[0060] According to another aspect of the present design, there is
provided a product, comprising compressed leafy organic material,
paper or coating, and a filter or crutch. The product is configured
so that leafy organic material that has been compressed into a
pyramid shape, truncated pyramid shape, cone shape, truncated cone
shape, or any other shape that tapers to have at least one narrow
end that abuts a filter or crutch at its narrow end. The filter or
crutch may contain RFID technology to track and communicate with
the device to ensure quality control or to collect user habit
information.
[0061] In one embodiment, there is provided an apparatus,
comprising organic leafy material, a covering wrapped into a
tapered cylinder around a filter, the covering configured to
maintain the organic leafy material, a lower compression element
configured to receive the covering wrapped into the covering around
the filter and the organic leafy material, and an upper compression
element configured to compress the organic leafy material in the
within the covering positioned in the lower compression element
using pressure.
[0062] An alternate embodiment includes an apparatus comprising
organic leafy material, a filter positioned adjacent the organic
leafy material, and a covering configured to maintain the organic
leafy material and the filter, wherein the apparatus is physically
altered to fit within a compression device.
[0063] What has been described above includes examples of one or
more embodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe every
conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes
of describing the aforementioned embodiments, but one of ordinary
skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and
permutations of various embodiments are possible. Accordingly, the
described embodiments are intended to embrace all such alterations,
modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope
of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term
"includes" is used in either the detailed description or the
claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar
to the term "comprising" as "comprising" is interpreted when
employed as a transitional word in a claim.
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