DUAL-PURPOSE GLASS CONTAINER FOR STORING AND SMOKING GROUND PLANT MATTER

The device includes a single piece of glass configured into smokable plant matter chamber, venturi structure and smoke chamber along with a sealing cap with at least one fin and a lower plug portion. The smoke chamber includes an orifice by which the user draws the smoke after combustion of the smokable plant matter in the smokable plant matter chamber that acts as a bowl for holding smokable plant matter during combustion. A cap is provided to close and seal the smokable plant matter chamber after it is filled with ground smokable plant matter and to pack and seal the ground smokable plant matter in a desire amount of compression. If the user does not consume all of the ground smokable plant matter during use, the cap can be re-inserted, and the user can store and transport the remainder of the ground smokable plant matter for subsequent use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the manufacture of smoking products. The present invention is applicable to all industries that utilize herbal material, including but not limited to tobacco, spices, and ground smokable plant matter.

As a means for consuming such materials, people have adopted the practice of smoking, wherein the material is burned to produce inhalable smoke. Humans have created a variety of devices to facilitate smoking, such as pipes or hookahs, but many prefer the convenience of carrying the ground smokable plant matter in the same device as the device they use for smoking the plant matter. Currently, to achieve the convenience of carrying the ground smokable plant matter in the same device that will be used to smoke the ground smokable plant matter, one must purchase the ground smokable plant matter and device separately and thereafter must manually fill and cap the device. The user must pre-measure and weigh the ground smokable plant matter prior to filling the device in order to determine how much ground smokable plant matter is packed in the device.

There have been attempts in the prior art to address the foregoing known problems in the industry. For example, there have been attempts to sell pre-filled smoking devices but they inadequately store the smokable plant matter and/or the smoking device itself is too large or cumbersome to use.

For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for an effective smoking device that can not only be used for smoking the smokable plant matter but also to store the smokable plant matter during transport and sale.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The dual-purpose glass container used for storing and smoking ground smokable plant matter of the present invention is specially configured and manufactured to a specific size and shape which are critical to its use, ergonomics, compatibility with common child-resistant packaging and mass production with very tight tolerances to ensure a large number of units can be filled at one time using a specially designed filling system and capping system to ensure each unit holds, packs and stores a specific amount of ground smokable plant matter. As a result, the device of the present invention allows businesses to efficiently fill and cap large quantities at a time and in turn sell the prefilled units with a specific amount of ground smokable plant matter. This permits the user to purchase a pre-filled glass container that can be immediately used as a smoking device, namely a pipe.

The device of the present invention consists of a single piece of glass configured into three distinct sections and a sealing cap. The dual-purpose glass container used for storing and smoking ground smokable plant matter includes a smokable plant matter chamber and a smoke chamber connected by a venturi. The smoke chamber includes an orifice by which the user draws the smoke. The smokable plant matter chamber, which also acts as a bowl for holding smokable plant matter during combustion and smoking, has an open end. A cap is provided to close the smokable plant matter chamber after it is filled with ground smokable plant matter and to pack and seal the ground smokable plant matter.

In accordance with the present invention, a large number of the dual-purpose glass containers used for storing and smoking ground plant matter can be filled with ground smokable plant matter using a specially designed filling system configured to work exclusively with the rolled outer edge of the present invention. After filling, caps are inserted using a capping system configured to work exclusively with the rolled outer edge of the present invention. The caps pack and seal the ground smokable plant matter, which facilitate the sale, transit, storage, and re-use by the consumer.

When a user desires to smoke the ground smokable plant matter, the cap is removed, and the ground smokable plant matter is exposed and then combusted using a flame while air is drawn through the orifice on the opposing side. If the user does not consume all of the ground smokable plant matter during that use, the cap can be re-inserted, and the user can store and transport the remainder of the ground smokable plant matter for subsequent use.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a smoking devices that is pre-filled with an amount of smokable plant matter.

There is a further object of the present invention to provide a dual-purpose smoking device that can store the smokable plant matter when the device is not being used to smoke the smokable plant matter, such as during transport, storage and display for sale.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the device and methods disclosed herein. One or more examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the devices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments and that the scope of the present invention is defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the features of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. Further, in the present disclosure, like-numbered components of the embodiments generally have similar features, and thus within a particular embodiment each feature of each like-numbered component is not necessarily fully elaborated upon. Additionally, to the extent that linear or circular dimensions are used in the description of the disclosed systems, devices, and methods, such dimensions are not intended to limit the types of shapes that can be used in conjunction with such systems, devices, and methods. A person skilled in the art will recognize that an equivalent to such linear and circular dimensions can easily be determined for any geometric shape. Further, to the extent that directional terms like proximal, distal, top, bottom, up, or down are used, they are not intended to limit the systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein. A person skilled in the art will recognize that these terms are merely relative to the system and device being discussed and are not universal.

The dual-purpose glass container10of the present invention is used for storing and smoking ground plant matter is specially configured and manufactured to a specific size and shape such that it can be mass produced with very tight tolerances to ensure a large number of units can be filled at one time using a specially designed filling system and capping system to ensure each unit holds, packs and stores a specific amount of ground smokable plant matter22. As a result, the device10of the present invention allows businesses, such a manufacturers, to efficiently fill and cap large quantities at a time and in turn sell the prefilled units with a specific amount of ground smokable plant matter22.

Turning first toFIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention includes a main body12in the form of a single piece of preferably rigid material, such as glass, and a frictional sealing cap14. A close-up cross-sectional view of the smokable plant matter chamber16and venturi portion18of the device10is shown inFIG. 3while an end view of the smokable plant matter chamber16is shown inFIG. 4. A close-up cross-section view of the smoke chamber20and inhalation orifice24of the device is shown inFIG. 5while and end view of the orifice24of the device10is shown inFIG. 6.

InFIGS. 7-10, the different components and sections of the device of the present invention can be clearly seen. The device is configured into three distinct sections, namely, a smoke chamber, a venturi portion and a smokable plant matter chamber. The first section of the device is a topmost smokable plant matter chamber. This smokable plant matter chamber is preferably manufactured: (a) to a specific size such that it preferably holds between 0.10 and 0.55 grams of smokable plant matter; (b) with a specific size rolled outer edge with a slight taper; and (c) with an inner lip. The rolled outer edge and inner lip are essential to the effectiveness of the sealing cap and the use of proprietary filling and capping systems, as will be described in detail below.

As best seen inFIG. 7and close-up onFIGS. 3 and 4, the second section of the dual-purpose glass container of the present invention is a venturi structure. This venturi structure18is configured to a specific diameter such that ground smokable plant matter22will not pass through and provides for an optimal draw of smoke.

As also seen generally inFIG. 7and close-up inFIGS. 5 and 6, the third section of the dual-purpose glass container10of the present invention is the bottom chamber20, also referred to as the smoke chamber. The smoke chamber20is configured using a back wall26that includes a small orifice port24. The back wall26is configured to trap particulate so that when a user draws on the smoke chamber20via the orifice port24, an optimal amount of smoke without any particulate is achieved. In addition, the configuration of the small orifice24and backwall26also help to contain residual smoke28not ingested by a user during an initial inhalation. As illustrated inFIG. 15, this entrapment of residual smoke18allows a user to go back for a second inhalation so that no smoke is wasted.

The cap14is used to compress or pack the ground smokable plant matter22to the optimal density and to create a seal that keeps the ground plant matter dry, fresh, and secure, as generally shown inFIG. 10. Multi-stage compression of smokable plant matter22within the smokable plant matter chamber16is shown inFIGS. 12A-Band13A-C, as discussed in detail below.

The rolled outer edge is a critical component for child resistant cap designs. The rolled outer edge28also acts as a hold or carry point while moving through the manufacturing process, as can be seen inFIG. 16, where the rolled outer edge28enables a device10to be hung from a fork-like support30. This enables the open smokable plant matter chamber16to be positioned on top so the subsequent loading of smokable plant matter22therein can be easily carried out with the assistance of gravity.

Also, as inFIG. 11, the rolled outer edge28serves as a spacing element between the dual-purpose glass containers10when organized into a matrix used in the filling, storing, and shipping processes, such as when multiple container devices10are loaded into a storage box (not shown). Further, the rolled outer edge28also prevents the dual-purpose glass containers10from rolling in a straight path, thereby reducing the chance that the dual-purpose glass containers will unintentionally roll and fall off an elevated surface.

As shown inFIGS. 12A-Band13A-C, the inner lip32of the device of the present invention enables for multi-stage sealing installation of the cap14into the smokable plant matter chamber16of the device10. The multi-stage sealing cap14allows for varying levels of compression of plant matter22thereby providing greater flexibility as to the amount of plant matter22to be stored and packed in the chamber16. More specifically, the cap14is provided with a number of spaced apart, preferably circumferential flexible fins34and a lower plug portion36.

FIGS. 12A-Bshows a two-stage compression installation of the cap14with a single fin34and the lower plug portion36. InFIG. 12A, the cap14is first depressed downwardly so the lower plug36first clears the inner lip32to start the compression of the smokable plant matter22while the peripheral edge36aof the lower plug36contacts the inner wall of the smokable plant matter chamber16. Then, inFIG. 12B, the cap14is pressed further downwardly so the fin34now clears downwardly past the inner lip32in order for the outer periphery of the fin34to now contact the inner surface of the smokable plant matter chamber16thereby providing a second level of compression of the smokable plant matter22while the cap14is frictionally retained in place.

InFIGS. 13A-C, a three-stage compression installation of the cap14with two fins34and the lower plug portion36. InFIG. 13A, the cap14is first depressed downwardly so the lower plug36first clears the inner lip32to start the compression of the smokable plant matter22while the peripheral edge36aof the lower plug36contacts the inner wall of the smokable plant matter chamber16. Then, inFIG. 13B, the cap14is pressed further downwardly so the lower (first) fin34now clears downwardly past the inner lip32in order for the outer periphery of the lower (first) fin34to now contact the inner surface of the smokable plant matter chamber16thereby providing a second level of compression of the smokable plant matter22while the cap14is frictionally retained in place. As inFIG. 13C, the cap14is pressed even further downwardly so the upper (second) fin34now contacts the inner surface of the smokable plant matter chamber16thereby providing third level of compression of the smokable plant matter22while the cap14is still remaining in frictional engagement with the inner wall of the smokable plant matter chamber16. Therefore, the inner lip32provides a bead-like structure that can ride over the fins34and rest in between fins34or between a fin34and the lower plug portion36for indexed-like control of the compression of the smokable plant matter22within the smokable plant matter chamber16. It should be noted that it is possible for provide more than two fins34may be provided on the cap14for further control of the compression of the smokable plant matter22. Also, the size and shape of the inner lip32and the number, spacing and size of the fin34or fins34may be modified to suit the desired compression capabilities of the device10of the present invention.

In addition, the inner lip32is also a critical component for child resistant multi-action cap designs. The inner lip32creates a slight tapered area leading to the smokable plant matter chamber16, making the filling process more efficient and consistent while reducing waste.

As shown inFIG. 14, the rolled outer edge28and inner lip32are essential components for docking the dual-purpose glass container10with a heat/ignition source, generally referred to as40, for combusting and then smoking of the smokable plant matter22. The smokable plant matter chamber16is configured to fit over a heating/ignition element of a heat source40in an example type of heater40shown inFIG. 14. The rolled edge28,32of the dual-purpose glass container10fits inside the attachment and sealing seat38of the heat/ignition source40, thereby creating a seal and holding in place the dual-purpose glass container12and heat source40. This allows the heating element to remain sheathed but still contacting and/or able to vaporize the ground plant matter22within the smokable plant matter chamber16.

Therefore, the present invention provides a glass container12with a cap14that can be used for transporting, storing and smoking ground plant matter22and that can be manufactured to specific dimensions in mass. The device10enables a consistent manufacture and fill each container with a specific amount of material22and to materially reduce waste. Moreover, the present invention provides branding opportunities by affixing custom labels to the exterior of the device10. Moreover, the device10of the present invention facilitates the use of a portion of the ground smokable plant matter22by permitting the container to be re-capped to contain the remaining portion of the smokable plant matter22for use at another time. The present invention10enables the smokable plant matter22to be compressed/packed in the container10to the optimal density for use and storage. The container device10of the present invention provides the perfect draw of smoke while preventing particulate to pass through to the user.

The main body12of the device10of the present invention is preferably made of glass but may be any other material that is suitable for safely containing smokable plant matter22and for exposure to heat during a smoking operation. The cap14is preferably made of molded plastic but may be made of any other material that is capable of the desired sealing and compression operations. The entire device10of the present invention may be configured in any dimensions but various dimensions are preferred to provide a desired smokable plant matter chamber16storage size and smoke chamber size for suitable smoking characteristics and for overall size for desired portability. As one example, the entire device10, including the cap14, may be 91.75 mm long and 15.5 mm in diameter. The main body portion12may be 80.0 mm long. The inner diameter of the venturi structure18may be 2.0 mm while the intake orifice24is 3.75 mm in diameter. The smoke chamber20may be 49.5 mm long and the smokable plant matter chamber16may be 21.0 mm long. The longitudinal distance of the venturi structure18may be 9.0 mm long. The inner diameter of the smoke chamber20and the smokable plant matter chamber16may be 11.0 mm in diameter. The walls of the main body12are preferably 1.8 mm thick.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. All such modifications and changes are intended to be covered by the appended claims.