U.S. patent application number 16/368590 was filed with the patent office on 2020-10-01 for preformed herbal cartridge.
The applicant listed for this patent is Shanhong WANG, Charles Wong. Invention is credited to Shanhong WANG, Charles Wong.
Application Number | 20200305497 16/368590 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004024127 |
Filed Date | 2020-10-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200305497 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WANG; Shanhong ; et
al. |
October 1, 2020 |
Preformed Herbal Cartridge
Abstract
A preformed cartridge includes a tube. The tube has a length and
diameter. The length is greater than the diameter. A plant
component is sized to fit within the tube. The plant component is
formed from a hardened slurry. The plant component is securely
lodged within the tube. The plant component is a plant slurry
injected into the tube while wet or can be a plant slurry
pre-hardened in a mold before mounting inside the herb tube. The
plant component further includes a heater insertion opening and a
flow channel. The heater insertion opening is in communication with
a flow channel. The flow channel extends along the length of the
tube, and the heater insertion opening is parallel to the flow
channel.
Inventors: |
WANG; Shanhong; (Shenzhen,
CN) ; Wong; Charles; (Shanghai, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
WANG; Shanhong
Wong; Charles |
Shenzhen
Shanghai |
|
CN
CN |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004024127 |
Appl. No.: |
16/368590 |
Filed: |
March 28, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24B 15/10 20130101;
A24B 3/14 20130101; A24D 1/18 20130101; A24B 13/00 20130101; A24D
1/14 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A24B 15/10 20060101
A24B015/10; A24B 3/14 20060101 A24B003/14; A24B 13/00 20060101
A24B013/00; A24D 1/14 20060101 A24D001/14; A24D 1/18 20060101
A24D001/18 |
Claims
1. A preformed herbal cartridge comprising: a tube, wherein the
tube is configured with a length and diameter, wherein the length
is greater than the diameter; a plant component sized to fit within
the tube, wherein the plant component is formed from a hardened
slurry, and wherein the plant component is securely lodged within
the tube.
2. The preformed cartridge of claim 1, wherein the plant component
is a plant slurry injected into the tube while wet.
3. The preformed cartridge of claim 1, wherein the plant component
is a plant slurry pre-hardened in a mold before mounting inside the
herb tube.
4. The preformed cartridge of claim 1, wherein the plant component
further includes a heater insertion opening and a flow channel,
wherein the heater insertion opening is in communication with a
flow channel, wherein the flow channel extends along the length of
the tube, and wherein the heater insertion opening is parallel to
the flow channel.
5. The preformed cartridge of claim 1, wherein the plant component
is formed from a sheet shape.
6. The preformed cartridge of claim 1, wherein the plant component
is in the form of a solid powder or granules, and wherein the plant
component is formed by being sprayed onto an inside surface of the
tube.
7. The preformed cartridge of claim 1, wherein the tube is sealed
with a frangible cover.
8. The preformed cartridge of claim 1, wherein the lining mesh is
mounted within said tube to prevent detachment of said herb
component.
9. The preformed cartridge of claim 1, wherein the cartridge
includes a cooling baffle, a filter assembly, or a perfuming
component.
10. The preformed cartridge of claim 1, wherein the cooling
assembly comprises a cooling baffle, wherein the cooling baffle
includes an inside spiral and an outside spiral.
11. The preformed cartridge of claim 1 wherein the plant component
includes ground herb, ground hemp, flavoring, herb extract, and
cellulose.
12. A preformed cartridge comprising: a tube, wherein the tube is
configured with a length and diameter, wherein the length is
greater than the diameter; a plant component sized to fit within
the tube, wherein the plant component is formed from a hardened
slurry, and wherein the plant component is securely lodged within
the tube; wherein the plant component is a plant slurry injected
into the tube while wet, or wherein the plant component is a plant
slurry pre-hardened in a mold before mounting inside the herb tube;
wherein the plant component further includes a heater insertion
opening and a flow channel, wherein the heater insertion opening is
in communication with a flow channel, wherein the flow channel
extends along the length of the tube, and wherein the heater
insertion opening is parallel to the flow channel, wherein the
cartridge includes a cooling baffle, a filter assembly, or a
perfuming component.
13. A method of preparing a preformed cartridge including the steps
of: forming a cartridge tube with a predetermined diameter and
length; forming a plant component from a plant slurry, wherein the
plant slurry has a binder; injecting the plant slurry into the herb
tube, wherein the binder maintains the structural integrity of the
plant component and binds the plant component to the herb tube,
wherein the plant component has a plant component upper end and a
plant component lower end.
14. The method of preparing a preformed cartridge according to
claim 13, further including the step of forming a heater insertion
opening and a flow channel.
15. The method of preparing a preformed cartridge according to
claim 13, further including the step of sealing the plant component
lower end with a frangible cover.
16. The method of preparing a preformed cartridge according to
claim 13, further including the step of installing a lining mesh to
the plant component upper end.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is in the field of cartridges in
particular to a preformed herbal cartridge and a preparation method
thereof.
DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART
[0002] A variety of different preformed herbal cartridge products
have been created for electronic use. At present, most of the
common preformed herbal cartridges on the market are preformed
herbal cartridge products in which herb sheets are rolled into
strips with cartridge paper. The diameter of preformed herbal
cartridges is relatively uniform. Most preformed herbal cartridges
currently on the market are herb sheets are rolled into strips by
cartridge paper, with the diameter relatively uniform. However, the
production of preformed herbal cartridges traditionally used
cigarette manufacturing equipment such as multi-component cigarette
makers. At the same time, there is a problem that the cigarette
paper is relatively soft, the support is poor, the herb is easily
taken out from the other port of the nozzle, and the internal herb
is unevenly distributed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a
preformed herbal cartridge and a preparation method thereof, so as
to solve the problem that the existing cigarette manufacturing
methods is not good for preformed herbal cartridges. The herb is
easily released from the other port of the nozzle, and the internal
herb is unevenly distributed. To achieve the object, the present
invention provides a preformed cartridge comprising a tube and a
plant component assembly. The tube is used to preset the shape and
size of the cartridges. After the components are uniformly mixed,
the forming component is filled in the herb tube and the plant
component in the herb tube is not easily detached. The plant
component is combined with the herb tube to form a finished
cartridge product.
[0004] The tube presets the diameter and length of the cartridge.
The plant component is in the form of a herb slurry, and the plant
component is poured into the herb pipe. The plant component is in
the form of a herb slurry, and the plant component is introduced
into a mold and molded into the herb pipe. A heating body insertion
opening and an air flow channel are reserved in the herb pipe. The
heating body insertion opening is for inserting a heating body into
the herb pipe, and the air flow channel is used for airflow into
and out of the herb pipe. The heating body insertion opening is in
communication with the air flow channel or the hot body insertion
opening and the air flow channel are disposed in parallel. The
plant component is in the form of a sheet into which the plant
component is encased. The plant component is in the form of a solid
powder or granules sprayed onto the herb tube or filled in the herb
tube. The tube can be sealed using a material such as a frangible
sticker or other gas permeable structural member. A lining mesh is
installed in the tube to prevent the plant component from being
detached. Plant slurry is created by grinding or chopping herbs and
mixing them with a liquid or gel binder such as glycerin.
[0005] The cartridge may also have a filter component or a
perfuming component. The cooling assembly can be in the shape of a
spiral. The outer wall of the tube can be printed with different
colors or patterns. The herb ingredient component may include one
or more of herb, flavor, herb extract, herb extract, cellulose, and
other plant ground products or powders. A method of making
preformed cartridges includes the steps of pre-forming a herb pipe.
The herb tube is for presetting the shape and size of the
cartridge. Providing a plant component for loading the plant
component into the herb tube. The plant component is uniformly
mixed to form a component filled in the herb tube and the plant
component in the herb tube is not easily detached. The plant
component is combined with the herb tube to form a finished
cartridge product.
[0006] The tube 11 determines the diameter and length of the
cartridge. Preferably, the plant component 12 is made using a herb
slurry that is poured or injected into the tube 11. Alternatively,
the plant component 11 is made using a herb slurry introduced into
a mold which is then dried in the mold and then inserted into the
herb tube. Thus, the herb slurry can be introduced into the tube 11
before or after drying.
[0007] Preferably, a heater insertion opening 13 and a flow channel
14 are formed on the plant component 12. The heater insertion
opening 13 is preferably a cylindrical opening to receive a
cylindrical heater needle. The heater needle heats to heat the
plant component 12. The plant component 12 can be is formed of a
rolled sheet and encased in the herb tube.
[0008] Optionally, the plant component 12 also made as a solid
powder or granules that is sprayed on the inner wall of the herb
tube or filled in the herb tube. Alternatively, an end of the tube
11 can be sealed using a material such as a frangible sticker or
other gas permeable structural member. The frangible sticker can be
a fragile sheet of adhesive paper in the shape of an endcap.
Optionally, a lining mesh is installed in the tube to prevent the
plant component from being detached.
[0009] A preformed cartridge includes a tube. The tube has a length
and diameter. The length is greater than the diameter. A plant
component is sized to fit within the tube. The plant component is
formed from a hardened slurry. The plant component is securely
lodged within the tube. The plant component is a plant slurry
injected into the tube while wet or can be a plant slurry
pre-hardened in a mold before mounting inside the herb tube. The
plant component further includes a heater insertion opening and a
flow channel. The heater insertion opening is in communication with
a flow channel. The flow channel extends along the length of the
tube, and the heater insertion opening is parallel to the flow
channel.
[0010] The plant component is formed from a sheet shape. The plant
component is in the form of a solid powder or granules, and the
plant component is formed by being sprayed onto an inside surface
of the tube. The tube is sealed with a frangible cover. The lining
mesh is mounted within the tube to prevent detachment of the herb
component. The cartridge includes a cooling baffle, a filter
assembly, or a perfuming component. The cooling assembly has a
cooling baffle, and the cooling baffle includes an inside spiral
and an outside spiral. The plant component includes ground herb,
ground hemp, flavoring, herb extract, and cellulose.
[0011] A preformed cartridge has a tube. The tube is configured
with a length and diameter. The length is greater than the
diameter. A plant component is sized to fit within the tube. The
plant component is formed from a hardened slurry, and the plant
component is securely lodged within the tube. The plant component
is a plant slurry injected into the tube while wet, or the plant
component is a plant slurry pre-hardened in a mold before mounting
inside the herb tube. The plant component further includes a heater
insertion opening and a flow channel. The heater insertion opening
is in communication with a flow channel. The flow channel extends
along the length of the tube, and the heater insertion opening is
parallel to the flow channel. The cartridge includes a cooling
baffle, a filter assembly, or a perfuming component.
[0012] A preformed cartridge can be made by the steps of: forming a
cartridge tube with a predetermined diameter and length; and
forming a plant component from a plant slurry. The plant slurry has
a binder. The plant slurry is injected into the herb tube. The
binder maintains the structural integrity of the plant component
and binds the plant component to the herb tube. The plant component
has a plant component upper end and a plant component lower
end.
[0013] The next step is forming a heater insertion opening and a
flow channel. Preferably there is a step of sealing the plant
component lower end with a frangible cover. There can also be a
step of installing a lining mesh to the plant component upper
end.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view of a preformed
cartridge branch according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a schematic structural view of a preformed
cartridge branch with a heating body insertion opening and an air
flow passage according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a schematic structural view of a prefabricated
cartridge branch provided with a cooling assembly according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a schematic structural view of the preformed
cartridge support provided with a frangible sticker, a lining mesh,
and a perfuming assembly according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a schematic flow chart of a method for preparing
the preformed cartridge branch according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0019] The following call out list of elements can be a useful
guide for in referencing the element numbers of the drawings.
[0020] 11 tube [0021] 12 plant component [0022] 13 heater insertion
opening [0023] 14 flow channel [0024] 15 cooling baffle [0025] 16
perfuming component [0026] 17 lining mesh [0027] 18 frangible cover
[0028] 21 heater insert opening beveled surface [0029] 22 flow
channel edge wall [0030] 23 flow channel connection [0031] 24 flow
channel right sidewall [0032] 25 flow channel left sidewall [0033]
26 flow channel corner [0034] 27 point component inside corner
[0035] 31 cooling baffle outside edge [0036] 32 cooling baffle
opening [0037] 33 outside spiral [0038] 34 inside spiral [0039] 35
spiral struts [0040] 36 plant component lower end [0041] 37 plant
component upper end [0042] 38 airstream [0043] 41 first fold [0044]
42 second fold [0045] 43 third fold [0046] 44 perfuming component
lower edge [0047] 45 lining mesh opening [0048] 46 frangible cover
flap [0049] S1 first step [0050] S2 second step [0051] S3 third
step
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0052] The present invention provides a preformed cartridge having
a formed herb tube 11 and a plant component 12. The herb tube 11 is
a paper tube that defines the shape and size of the cartridge. The
paper can be card paper or hemp paper. The plant component 12 is
uniformly mixed and interference fit and packed into the herb tube
so that it is not easily detached. The plant component is combined
with the herb tube to form a finished cartridge product. The plant
component is more uniformly mixed. The distribution in the herb
tube is uniform and without detachment risk so that the
manufacturing process is no longer limited by the cost and space of
large-scale specialized equipment. The present invention allows
manufacturing of preformed cartridges of different shapes and
sizes, and can be applied to the production of multiple varieties
and small batches.
[0053] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a pre-formed cartridge
according to an embodiment of the present invention. The preformed
cartridge includes: a formed herb tube 11 and a plant component 12
with an airflow 38 traveling upward. The herb tube 11 is used to
preset the shape and size of the preformed cartridge. The plant
component 12 is evenly distributed in the herb tube 11 and the herb
at the inner wall of the herb tube 11. The component assembly 12 is
in close contact with the inner wall of the pipe, and the plant
component 12 is combined with the tube 11 to form a finished
cartridge. Preferably, the shape of the herb tube 11 is
cylindrical, but is not limited to this shape. The herb tube 11
defines the diameter and length of the preformed cartridge. The
diameters and lengths of the herb tube 11 in a batch or lot can all
be different, with some longer or shorter, and some with greater or
smaller diameter. Uniformity of the herb tube 11 is not required in
this production method because the slurry can be injected into a
variety of different tube sizes. The slurry can be formed by finely
chopping plant material and mixing the plant material with a
binder. Thus, the diameter and length of the tube 11 can be
arbitrary, which is mainly determined according to actual needs.
Preferably, the diameter of the herb tube 11 may range from 5.8 mm
to 7.9 mm. For example, the diameter of the herb tube may be 5.8
mm, 7.2 mm, 7.7 mm, 7.8 mm or 7.9 mm. Preferably, the length of the
herb tube may range from 40 mm to 80 mm; for example, the diameter
of the herb tube may be 45 mm, 50 mm or 60 mm. Preferably, the
length of the herb tube is between 30 mm to 80 mm. Different colors
or patterns may be printed on the outer wall of the herb tube 11 to
diversify the appearance of the cartridge so that the cartridges
have different physical dimension as well as different outward
appearance to make it look like all of the cartridges are unique
and custom hand made.
[0054] The plant component 12 may include one or more of herb,
hemp, flavor, herb extract, herb extract, cellulose, and other
plant ground powders. A binder can be introduced with the slurry to
keep the plant component 12 in cohesive physical structure. The
plant component 12 receives a frangible cover 18.
[0055] The preformed cartridge can be used in low temperature
non-combustion electronic cartridges, which is in the form of a
herb slurry. Further, a method of loading the plant component 12 in
the form of a herb slurry into the herb tube includes, but is not
limited to, merely injecting the herb slurry directly into the herb
tube or introducing the plant component into a mold. After molding,
it is loaded into the herb pipe. Specifically, if the herb slurry
is directly poured into the herb pipe, since the herb slurry is wet
before pouring, and the herb tube is dry, the herb slurry is poured
into the herb tube to be combined with the two, and a quick drying
is required. The herb tube and the plant component form a finished
cartridge product to prevent liquid of the herb slurry from
penetrating the herb tube and affecting the appearance of the
product. For example, the plant component in the tube can be dried
by air drying or baking so that the plant component will adhere to
the tube during the drying process. The plant component can include
a herb slurry that can be molded before being loaded into the tube
11. After the herb slurry is introduced into the mold, it is dried,
and then the dried plant component is put into the herb pipe. The
plant component can then be adhered to the tube 11 with a food
grade adhesive.
[0056] As seen in FIG. 2, a heating body insertion opening 13 and a
gas flow channel 14 for inserting a heating body into the herb tube
11 are also formed as hollows within the plant component 12. The
air flow passage 14 is for the ingress and egress of airflow in the
plant component 12 during combustion. Specifically, the cartridge
is required to be heated to transpire the smoke, and the heating
body insertion opening 13 is used to adapt the heating element in
the smoking article, and the air flow passage 14 is to provide
airflow and oxygen. Further, depending on the shape of the heating
body, the shape of the inserted heating body insertion opening 13
may be different, and may be a circular shape, or a long strip
shape or the like. Similarly, the air flow passage 14 may have a
herringbone shape, a cross shape, or a star shape.
[0057] The heating body insertion opening may be in communication
with the air flow channel or the heating body insertion opening may
be provided with a spacer layer in the middle of the air flow
channel, and the two are disposed in parallel. The plant component
poured into the herb tube is tightly combined with the herb pipe,
and is dried to form a cartridge. Since the cartridge can be
directly ignited for smoking in the field of cartridges, it is
preferable not to omit the heating body insertion opening so as to
provide improved airflow and combustion.
[0058] The plant component can be formed as a solid powder or
granules that are sprayed onto or filled within the tube 11.
Specifically, the plant component 12 can be sprayed onto the inner
wall of the herb tube 11, and the plant component 12 can be adhered
to the inner wall of the herb tube. Thereafter, the herb tube 11
and the plant component 12 are dried to form a finished cartridge
product.
[0059] The heater insertion opening 13 is preferably cylindrically
formed by a cylindrical rod shaped mold that extends into the plant
component 12 when the plant component 12 is in wet slurry form. The
flow channel 14 is formed to connect to the heater insertion
opening 13 also when the plant component 12 is in wet slurry form.
The flow channel 14 may be formed as three vanes, each including a
flow channel edge wall 22 generally parallel to an external surface
of the tube 11. Each vane shaped flow channel 14 extends radially
from the heater insertion opening 13 and connects at a flow channel
connection 23. The flow channel connection 23 may have a flow
channel corner 26 formed at an interface between the heater insert
opening 13 and the flow channel 14. The flow channel edge wall 22
may form a plant component inside corner 27 with either a flow
channel right side wall 24 or a flow channel left sidewall 25. The
flow channel right sidewall 24 is preferably parallel to the flow
channel left sidewall 25. The heater insert opening 13 may include
a heater insert opening beveled surface 24 that circumscribes the
heater insert opening 13. The plant component 12 can thus be
consumed beginning from the hollow portion formed by the flow
channels 14.
[0060] As seen in FIG. 3, the cooling baffle 15 may include a
cooling baffle outside edge 31 that engages in inside surface of
the tube 11. The cooling baffle 15 has a cooling baffle opening 32
2 allow airflow through the cooling baffle. A plurality of spiral
baffles can comprise the cooling baffle including an inside spiral
34 and an outside spiral 33. The inside spiral 34 can be connected
to the outside spiral 33 at spiral struts 35. The spiral struts 35
can be vertically formed to connect the components of the cooling
baffle. The cooling baffle 15 can be formed as a plastic injection
molded member and may have an opening for receiving the perfuming
component 16.
[0061] The plant component 12 generally has a plant component upper
end 37 that may have a lining mesh 17, and the plant component 12
may also have a plant component lower end 36 that receives a
frangible cover 18. The lining mesh 17 can be formed as a filter
assembly for filtering the airstream stream of smoke.
[0062] As seen in FIG. 4, the plant component 12 has solid powder
or granules of a certain gas permeability, and may be a fluffy
structure at an interface where the tube 11 and the plant component
12 are combined. The frangible cover 18 can be formed as a fragile
sticker and can be pasted to the plant component lower end 36. The
seal of the fragile sticker 18 is preferably moisture resistant
with sufficient structural integrity to retain particles of the
plant component 12 from dislodging before use. When used, the
smoking device can pierce the fragile sticker. The fragile sticker
may include a frangible cover flap 46 that extends along a length
of the tube 11.
[0063] The inner lining mesh 17 can be a porous material with gas
permeability, structural support, and high temperature resistance
to prevent the detachment of solid particles without affecting the
gas permeability of the cartridge. The lining mesh 17 can be a
fabric or sponge for example, including lining mesh openings 45.
The scented component 16 is optionally installed, and the scented
component 6 can be a folded scented paper for enhancing the aroma
of the smoke and enriching the body and flavor of the smoke. The
folded paper can have the shape of an M including a first fold 41,
a sevenfold 42, and a third fold 43. The perfume in component lower
edge 44 can abut the lining mesh opening 45, or be separated by a
gap from the lining mesh opening 45.
[0064] A perfume component 16 can be inserted into the tube 11. The
perfume component can be made of card stock with an exposed surface
area for transferring scent such as from essential oils, vape oils
and the like to the airstream 38. The perfume component 16 can act
as a filter if made from porous material and disposed in the herb
pipe. As seen in FIG. 3, the shape of the cooling assembly can be a
spiral. During smoking the extracted flue gas is relatively hot and
the cooling component can be used to cool the flue gas before
inhalation. The spiral cooling component can increase the flue gas
flow distance for better cooling. The filter assembly may be a
sponge type porous filter to filter harmful substances such as tar.
The perfume component can be a folded flavored paper. The flavored
paper can be used to enhance the aroma of the smoke and enrich the
body and aroma of the smoke.
[0065] The method of making present invention includes three main
steps as seen in FIG. 5:
[0066] Step S1: forming a herb tube or pipe; the herb tube is used
to preset the shape and size of the cartridge;
[0067] Step S2: providing a plant component, the plant component is
loaded into the herb pipe; the plant component is uniformly mixed
to form a component filled in the herb tube and the plant component
in the herb tube is not easily separated;
[0068] Step S3: combining the plant component with the herb tube to
form a finished cartridge product.
[0069] The first step includes defining the size of the cartridge
by selecting the tube which includes defining a diameter and a
length of the cartridge. Preferably, a herb ingredient component
can be made into a herb slurry, and the herb ingredient component
can be loaded into the herb tube. The plant slurry can be made
using a binder and plant component such as herb to make a herb
slurry.
[0070] The second step is loading the plant component into the tube
which can be by injection, or by mold forming and insertion. The
plant component can be formed as a solid powder or granule, sprayed
or filled in the herb tube, so that the tube and the plant
component are bonded together. Finishing steps may include external
appearance, insertion of the filter or cooling baffle and external
cosmetic ornamentation.
[0071] The key feature of the present invention is to use a herb
slurry with preformed airflow passages. Also, the plant component
upper end 37 having a lining mesh 17 with small lining mesh
openings 45 is an improvement for retaining the plant component 12.
Also, the M shaped folded paper perfume component 16 provides an
additional filtering and material retention capability.
* * * * *