Abstract:
A smoking article and method of manufacture provides a sheet of smokable material having a plurality of edges. One or more score or cuts are made in the sheet that each extend a partial distance from a first said edge toward a second said edge, the score or cut separating large and small sections of the sheet. A hinge is defined by a portion of the sheet of smokable material that is next to a score or cut, said hinge joining the large section to the small section. A conically shaped form is provided for shaping the sheet. The form has an outer surface, a large diameter end, a small diameter end, and a cavity that extends to said small diameter end. Corrugations on the small section of the sheet enable the small section to be fitted into the cavity via the small diameter end. The hinge enables the sheet to fold when the small section occupies the cavity in an assembled position wherein the large section is wrapped around the form outer surface. In the assembled position, the corrugations enable the small section to gather together to define a filter.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/055,774, filed on 26 Sep. 2014, which application is hereby incorporated herein by reference and priority is hereby claimed. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable 
       REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
       [0003]    Not applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    The present invention relates to smoking articles such as cigars. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved cigar, cigar shell and method of making a cigar shell wherein a conically or frustoconically shape form defines a shape for the shell or cigar and wherein a specially configured sheet of material includes small and large sections connected by a hinge or tab and wherein the smaller section is folded or collapsed and inserted into a cavity of the form to provide a stop or filter when tobacco is added to the shell. 
         [0006]    2. General Background of the Invention 
         [0007]    Many cigar smokers prefer to use their own tobacco product as opposed to purchasing cigars that are already constructed and filled with tobacco. These users of fine, custom tobacco prefer to start with an empty shell which they prefer to purchase and then fill with their own custom tobacco filler material or other smokable material after the shell has been removed from its package. 
         [0008]    Patents have issued for cigar products or smokable products that begin with an empty shell that is packaged in an empty or less than filled condition, thus enabling a smoker to later add his or her custom tobacco filler. For example, the Sinclair U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,321,755; 6,357,448; 6,526,986; and 7,717,119, each hereby incorporated herein by reference disclose tobacco shells that are packaged empty of contents so that a user can add his or her custom tobacco or other fill material to the shell after opening the package. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention provides an improved smoking article and a method of making the improved smoking article. The article includes a sheet of smokable material having a plurality of edges. One or more score or cuts are provided in the sheet that each extend a partial distance from a first edge toward a second edge, the score or cut separating large and small sections of the sheet. A hinge is defined by a portion of the sheet of smokable material that is next to a score or cut or in between two of such scores or cuts. The hinge joins the large section to the small section. 
         [0010]    A conically shaped form has an outer surface, a large diameter end, a small diameter end, and a cavity that extends to said small diameter end. 
         [0011]    Corrugations on the small section of the sheet enable the small section of the sheet of material to be fitted into the cavity of the form via the small diameter end. 
         [0012]    The hinge enables the sheet to fold when the small section occupies the cavity in an assembled position and wherein the large section is wrapped around the form outer surface; and 
         [0013]    In the assembled position, the corrugations enable the small section to gather together to define a filter. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment, there are two scores or cuts and said hinge is in between the two scores or cuts. 
         [0015]    In one embodiment, there is one score or cut and said hinge is in between the score or cut and a said edge. 
         [0016]    In one embodiment, the large section is rectangular. 
         [0017]    In one embodiment, the small section is rectangular. 
         [0018]    In one embodiment, the form and sheet are packaged in the assembled position in a package. 
         [0019]    In one embodiment, the package is a bag. 
         [0020]    In one embodiment, the package is a tube. 
         [0021]    In one embodiment, the form and sheet are separable after they are in the assembled position. 
         [0022]    In one embodiment, the sheet is held in a conical shape with a fastener in said assembled position. 
         [0023]    In one embodiment, the fastener includes an adhesive. 
         [0024]    In one embodiment, the form cavity is an open ended bore. 
         [0025]    In one embodiment, a rod is contained within the bore. 
         [0026]    In one embodiment, the hinge is spaced equally between two of said edges. 
         [0027]    In one embodiment, the hinge is spaced closed to a first edge and farther from a second edge. 
         [0028]    In one embodiment, two of said edges define an acute angle. 
         [0029]    In one embodiment, an edge at said small diameter section has first and second positions that define an obtuse angle. 
         [0030]    In one embodiment, the filter includes some added tobacco material. The present invention provides a method of constructing a smokable article. The method includes providing a form having a frustoconical shape, a first smaller diameter end having an opening, a larger diameter end, and a cavity that extends to said smaller diameter opening. 
         [0031]    A sheet of smokable material having a plurality of edges is provided. 
         [0032]    The method includes forming a cut or score on the sheet of material that extends only a partial distance from one edge toward a second edge. 
         [0033]    The hinge is located at the second edge, positioned in between said cut or score and said second edge; 
         [0034]    The score or cut and hinge are placed in between a large section and a small section of said sheet. 
         [0035]    The small section is collapsed. The small section is then fitted into the cavity via the small diameter opening. 
         [0036]    The large section is wrapped about the form outer surface. 
         [0037]    The hinge bends at the smaller diameter end of the form. The combination of sheet of material and form (or the sheet of material alone is then packaged). 
         [0038]    In one embodiment, both the sheet of smokable material and the form are packaged. 
         [0039]    In one embodiment, the form and sheet of material are nested, wherein the sheet large section is wrapped around the form. 
         [0040]    In one embodiment, a connecting material holds the sheet in a wrapped, generally frustoconically shaped position. 
         [0041]    In one embodiment, there is an additional step of separating the form and the sheet. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0042]    For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein: 
           [0043]      FIG. 1  is a partial plan view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0044]      FIG. 2  is a partial plan of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0045]      FIG. 3  is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0046]      FIG. 4  is a partial perspective view of preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0047]      FIG. 5  is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0048]      FIG. 6  is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0049]      FIG. 7  is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0050]      FIG. 8  is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0051]      FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0052]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0053]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0054]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0055]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0056]      FIG. 14  is a plan view of a second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0057]      FIG. 15  is a partial perspective view of the second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0058]      FIG. 16  is a partial perspective view of the second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0059]      FIG. 17  is a partial perspective view of the second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0060]      FIG. 18  is a partial perspective view of second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0061]      FIG. 19  is a partial perspective view of the second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0062]      FIG. 20  is a plan view of a third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0063]      FIG. 21  is a partial perspective view of the third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0064]      FIG. 22  is a partial perspective view of the third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0065]      FIG. 23  is a partial perspective view of the third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0066]      FIG. 24  is a partial perspective view of the third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0067]      FIG. 25  is a partial perspective view of the third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0068]      FIG. 26  is a perspective view of the third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0069]      FIG. 27  is a perspective view of the third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0070]      FIG. 28  is a perspective view of the third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0071]      FIG. 29  is a partial plan view of a fourth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0072]      FIG. 30  is a partial perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0073]      FIG. 31  is a partial perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0074]      FIG. 32  is a partial perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0075]      FIG. 33  is a partial perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0076]      FIG. 34  is a partial perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0077]      FIG. 35  is a partial perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0078]      FIG. 36  is a partial perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0079]      FIG. 37  is a partial perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0080]      FIG. 38  is a partial plan view of an alternative embodiment to the fourth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0081]      FIG. 39  is a partial perspective view of an alternative embodiment to the fourth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0082]      FIG. 40  is a partial perspective view of an alternative embodiment to the fourth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0083]      FIG. 41  is a partial perspective view of an alternative embodiment to the fourth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0084]      FIG. 42  is a partial perspective view of an alternative embodiment to the fourth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0085]      FIG. 43  is a partial perspective view of an alternative embodiment to the fourth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0086]      FIG. 44  is a partial plan view of a fifth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0087]      FIG. 45  is a partial perspective view of the fifth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0088]      FIG. 46  is a partial perspective view of the fifth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0089]      FIG. 47  is a partial perspective view of the fifth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0090]      FIG. 48  is a partial plan view of an alternative embodiment to the fifth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0091]      FIG. 49  is a partial perspective view of an alternative embodiment to the fifth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0092]      FIG. 50  is a partial perspective view of an alternative embodiment to the fifth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0093]      FIG. 51  is a partial perspective view of an alternative embodiment to the fifth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0094]      FIG. 52  is a partial perspective view of an alternative embodiment to the fifth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0095]      FIG. 53  is a partial perspective view of an alternative embodiment to the fifth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0096]      FIG. 54  is a partial perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0097]      FIG. 55  is a partial perspective view of the sixth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0098]      FIG. 56  is a sectional view of the sixth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0099]      FIG. 57  is a perspective view of the sixth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0100]      FIG. 58  is a sectional view of the sixth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0101]      FIG. 59  is an exploded perspective view of the sixth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0102]      FIG. 60  is a perspective view of the sixth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0103]      FIG. 61  is a perspective view of the sixth r embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0104]      FIG. 62  is a perspective view of the sixth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0105]      FIG. 63  is a perspective view of the sixth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0106]      FIG. 64  is a perspective view of the sixth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0107]      FIG. 65  is a perspective view of the sixth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0108]      FIG. 66  is a perspective view of the sixth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0109]      FIG. 67  is a partial perspective view of a seventh another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0110]      FIG. 68  is a partial perspective view of the seventh embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0111]      FIG. 69  is a partial perspective view of the seventh embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0112]      FIG. 70  is a partial perspective view of the seventh embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0113]      FIG. 71  is a partial perspective view of the seventh embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0114]      FIG. 72  is a partial perspective view of the seventh embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0115]      FIG. 73  is a partial perspective view of the seventh embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0116]      FIG. 74  is a partial perspective view of the seventh embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0117]      FIG. 75  is a partial perspective view of the seventh embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0118]      FIG. 76  is a partial perspective view of an eighth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0119]      FIG. 77  is a partial perspective view of the eighth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0120]      FIG. 78  is a partial perspective view of the eighth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0121]      FIG. 79  is a partial perspective view of the eighth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0122]      FIG. 80  is a partial perspective view of the eighth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0123]      FIG. 81  is a partial perspective view of the eighth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0124]      FIG. 82  is a partial perspective view of the eighth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0125]      FIG. 83  is a partial perspective view of a ninth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0126]      FIG. 84  is a perspective view of the ninth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0127]      FIG. 85  is a perspective view of the ninth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention; 
           [0128]      FIG. 86  is a perspective view of the ninth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention; and 
           [0129]      FIG. 87  is a perspective view of the ninth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the method of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0130]      FIGS. 1-13  show the first embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated generally by the numeral  10 . Smoking article  10  utilizes a specially configured sheet of material  11  that can be seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In  FIG. 1 , the sheet of material  11  has a pair of opposed cuts, slots or scores  12 ,  13 . In between the cuts  12  and  13  can be seen a hinge or tab or bridge section  22 . The cuts  12 ,  13  and hinge  22  divide the sheet of material  11  into a larger section  14  and smaller section  18 . 
         [0131]    The larger section  14  has side edges  15  and  16  and an end edge  17 . The smaller section  18  has side edges  19 ,  20  and an end edge  21 . As part of the method of the present invention and in order to form the apparatus  10  of the present invention, corrugations or folds  23  are formed on smaller section  18  in between side edges  19  and  20 . These corrugations or folds can be seen in  FIGS. 2-5 . Each corrugation or fold can be characterized by troughs or grooves  24  and peaks or ridges  25  as seen in  FIG. 3 . In  FIG. 4 , the corrugations or folds enable the smaller section  18  to be collapsed so that the collapsed width  28  is smaller than the overall width  29  of the sheet of material  11 . 
         [0132]    In  FIG. 4 , the edges  26 ,  27  are those edges of larger sheet  14  that are next to the slots or cuts at  12 ,  13 . Each of the edges  26 ,  27  communicates with the hinge or bridge section or tab  22  as seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . In  FIG. 5 , the smaller section  18  has been fully collapsed and gathered into a cylindrical shape so that the smaller section  18  fits into the bore  32  of frustoconical form or mandrel  31 . Mandrel or form  31  can have an open ended bore  32  that communicates with end openings  53 ,  54 . Form or mandrel  31  has a smaller diameter opening  53  at end  51 . Form or mandrel  31  has a larger diameter opening  54  at end  54 . Smaller diameter end  51  has a circular rim  55 . As will be described more fully hereinafter, sheet  11  has hinge  22  that folds over rim  55  after smaller section  18  is inserted into bore  132  at smaller end opening  53 . In  FIG. 5 , arrows  30  schematically illustrate the insertion of the collapsed or gathered smaller section  18  of sheet  11  into the bore  32  of mandrel or form  31 . 
         [0133]    After the collapsed smaller section  18  is inserted into bore  32 , hinge or bridge section or tab  22  enables larger section  14  of sheet of material  11  to be folded so that it can be wrapped around the frustoconically shaped outer surface of form  31 . The hinge  22  thus bends around the smaller diameter end  51  of form  31 . This folding of the larger section  14  of sheet  11  about mandrel  31  can be seen in  FIG. 6 . In  FIG. 7 , sheet of material  11  is shown fully wrapped around mandrel  31  wherein smaller section  18  has been stored in bore  32  of mandrel  31  and larger section  14  has been wrapped around the frustoconically shaped outer surface of mandrel  31 . 
         [0134]    The combination of mandrel  31  and sheet of material  11  can be packaged by insertion into interior  36  of package or wrapper  33 . The package or wrapper  33  has a closed end portion  34  and an open end portion  35 . The mandrel  31  and sheet of material  11  is shown in  FIG. 7  in the wrapped configuration within the inserted open end  35  into interior  36 . A seal  37  would then be formed at open end  35  as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0135]    The package or wrapper  33  can be of flexible plastic material.  FIG. 9  illustrates that a tubular package  38  could be employed to house the combination of mandrel  31  and sheet of material  11  as shown. In  FIG. 9 , a rod  42  could be housed within bore  32  of mandrel  31 . The combination of mandrel  31 , sheet of material  11 , and rod  42  could then be housed in tubular package  38 . Tubular package  38  provides closed end  39  and open end  40 . Closure cap  41  enables a closure of the tubular package  38 . 
         [0136]    In  FIG. 10 , the apparatus  10  of the present invention enables a user or smoker  47  to insert his or her custom tobacco material or other smokable material  46  into hollow interior  36  of sheet  11  larger section  14  after the sheet of material  11  has been removed from its package or wrapper  33 ,  38  and then separated from mandrel  31 . The larger section  14  has a frustoconical shape with an opening at  44  in  FIG. 10  into which custom tobacco material or other smokable material  46  can be added, such as dispensed from package  45  as shown. 
         [0137]    In  FIG. 11 , a user  47  can use rod  42  to tamp or compress the smokable material  46  within larger section  14  of sheet  11 . In such a situation, the smaller section  18  forms a filter at  50  so that the tobacco or other fill material  46  does not exit the interior  43  of sheet  11  in  FIG. 11 . In  FIG. 12 , the open end  44  of sheet of material  11  is wrapped or twisted until it is closed to form a closure at  48 . 
         [0138]    In  FIG. 13 , the finished article  10  can be smoked by placing the filter end  49  in the user&#39;s mouth and by lighting the closure at  48 . A feature of the present invention is that the entire article  10  including the filter formed by small section  18  of sheet  11  can be smoked, as all of the article  10  of the first embodiment is of a smokable material. 
         [0139]    The second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 14-19 , designated generally by the numeral  60 . Whereas in the preferred embodiment of  FIGS. 1-13 , the scores or cuts  12 ,  13  are about equal in length, the sheet  61  in  FIGS. 14-19  has a longer cut or score  62  and a smaller cut or score  63 . Hinge or tab  64  is placed in between cuts  62 ,  63 . As with the preferred embodiment, a smaller section  65  has corrugations or folds that enable the smaller section  65  to be gathered or collapsed (see  FIGS. 16-18 ) for insertion into the smaller diameter opening  53  of form or mandrel  31  (see  FIG. 18 ). As with the preferred embodiment, a larger section  66  of sheet  61  is wrapped around mandrel  31  (see  FIGS. 18-19 ) to form a smokable shell that has a filter for enabling a user to place his or her custom tobacco material in the shell as with the preferred embodiment (see  FIGS. 7-13 ). The same packaging of  FIGS. 7-9  could be employed with the second embodiment  60  of  FIGS. 14-19 . 
         [0140]      FIGS. 20-28  show a third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, designated generally by the numeral  70 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 20-23 , instead of a pair of cuts or scores or slots, there is a single cut or slot or score  72  in sheet of material  71 . A hinge or bridge or section or tab at  73  is placed in between larger sections  74  and smaller section  75 . As with the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-19 , the smaller diameter section  75  can be corrugated or folded and then gathered or collapsed into a size and shape that will fit into smaller diameter opening  53  of form  31  as seen in  FIGS. 24-25 . The larger section  74  would then be wrapped around the form  31  as shown in  FIGS. 26-27 . As with the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-19 , hinge or bridge or section or tab  73  folds over circular rim  55  so that the larger section  74  of sheet  71  can wrap around the outer surface of form  31 . 
         [0141]      FIGS. 29-37  show a fourth embodiment that is somewhat similar to the embodiment of  FIGS. 20-28 . The difference between the embodiment of  FIGS. 29 - 37 and the embodiment of  FIGS. 22-28  is that one side  83  of sheet  77 , larger section  79  is angled relative to the other side edge  82  as seen in  FIG. 29 , and the side  83  has differing slopes for both portion  83 ′ relative to portion  83 ″. Embodiment of  FIGS. 29-37  thus provide a smokable article  76  having a sheet of material  77  and a single cut or slot or score  78 . The sheet of material  77  is thus divided into larger section  79  and smaller section  80  by cut or slot or score  78  and hinge or bridge or section or tab  81 . In addition to the side edges  82  and  83  that form an acute angle, there is an end edge  84  that is spaced away from cut or slot or score  78  and an end edge  85  that is next to the cut or slot or score  78 . As with the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-28 , the smaller section  80  can be collapsed, folded or gathered to fit into the smaller diameter opening  53  of form  31  as shown in  FIGS. 33 and 34 . The larger diameter section  79  then folds at hinge or bridge or section or tab  81  so that the larger section  79  can wrap around form  31  as shown in  FIGS. 35 and 36 . 
         [0142]      FIGS. 38-43  show an alternative embodiment to the fourth embodiment. The difference between the embodiment of  FIGS. 38 to 43  and the embodiment of  FIGS. 29-37  is that one side  83  of sheet  77  has a single slope. 
         [0143]      FIGS. 44-47  show a fifth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention that is similar to the embodiment of  FIGS. 29-37 . The embodiment of  FIGS. 44-47  provides an irregularly shaped sheet of material  86  having a cut or slot or score at  87  that divides the sheet of material  86  into a smaller section  88  and a larger section  89 . A hinge or bridge or section or tab at  90  extends between cut or slot or score  87  and edge  94 . There are a plurality of edges of sheet  86  including edges  91 ,  92 ,  93 ,  94 ,  95 ,  96  and  97 . The edges  91 ,  92  form an obtuse angle. The edges  93 ,  94  form an acute angle. The edges  94  and  95  can form an acute angle or a right angle. The edges  93 ,  95  can form an obtuse angle. The edges  93 ,  96  can form an acute angle. As with the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-43 , the smaller section  88  can be collapsed or gathered as shown in  FIGS. 45-47  for insertion into the smaller diameter opening  53  of form  31  as was shown in the embodiment of  FIGS. 29-37 . Larger section  89  would then be wrapped around a form  31  as was the case with the fourth embodiment of  FIGS. 29-37 . 
         [0144]      FIGS. 48-53  show an alternative embodiment to the fifth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention that shown in  FIGS. 44-47 . The embodiment of  FIGS. 48-53  provides a curve linearly shaped sheet of material  86 ′ having a curve linear cut or slot or score at  87 ′ that divides the sheet of material  86 ′ into a smaller section  88 ′ and a larger section  89 ′. A hinge or bridge or section or tab at  90 ′ extends between cut or slot or score  87 ′ and edge  94 ′. There are a plurality of edges of sheet  86 ′ including edges  91 ′,  92 ′,  93 ′,  94 ′,  95 ′,  96 ′ and  97 ′. The edges  96 ′,  97 ′ form an arc having a radius of curvature R  210  with center  200 . As with the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-37 , the smaller section  88 ′ can be collapsed or gathered as shown in  FIGS. 49-52  for insertion into the smaller diameter opening  53  of form  31  as was shown in the embodiment of  FIGS. 29-37 . Larger section  89 ′ would then be wrapped around a form  31  as was the case with the fourth embodiment of  FIGS. 29-37 . 
         [0145]      FIGS. 54-66  show a sixth embodiment of the apparatus the present invention designated generally by the numeral  100 . Smokable article  100  provides a filter element  101  that attaches to outer frustoconical sleeve  102 . Sleeve  102  has interior  103  that can be filled with a tobacco filler material. The sleeve  102  surrounds interior  103  and tobacco filler  104  in  FIGS. 54 and 55 . The filter element  101  has a closed end  106  and an annularrim  105  defining an open end into which the tobacco filler material  104  can be placed. Thus, the filter element  101  itself uses tobacco filler  104  as the filter media. 
         [0146]    The filter element  101  can be joined to a tobacco shell, cone, orsmokable material shell or cone  107  having hollow bore  108 . The tobacco shell  107  has larger diameter opening  109  opposite filter element  101 . A frustoconically shaped form  110  can be placed in the hollow bore  108  of shell  107  as seen in  FIG. 58 . 
         [0147]    As shown in  FIG. 59 , package  111  can be frustoconically shaped. The package  111  has interior  113  that can be closed using cap  112 . The interior  113  would be sized and shaped to contain the combination of shell  107  and form  110 . 
         [0148]    In  FIGS. 60-61 , a flexible plastic package or wrapper  114  is shown. The package or wrapper  114  has closed end  115  and open end  116  that would enable insertion of the combination of shell  107  and form  110  into interior  117 . A seal could be formed at  118  in order to encapsulate the combination of shell  107  and form  110  within interior  117  of package  114 . 
         [0149]    In  FIG. 62 , a cylindrically shaped package  120  is shown having interior  122 . The form  110  would be hollow to accept and contain rod  119 . The combination of shell  107 , form  110  and rod  119  would be stored within interior  122  of tubular package  120 . A closure cap  121  would enable closure of tubular package  120  after it contains shell  107 , form  110  and rod  119 .  FIGS. 63-65  illustrate assembly of shell  107  into a finished smokable article  100 . In  FIG. 63 , a user  47  inserts his or her custom tobacco filler  46  into shell  107 . The user  47  could dispense custom tobacco filler material from pouch  45  as shown in  FIG. 63 . 
         [0150]    In  FIGS. 64 and 65 , rod  119  is used to compress the custom tobacco filler material once added to cone or shell  107 . A user then closes the shell  107  at twisted portion or closed end  123  which is opposite filter element  101 . The user  47  then lights the closed end or twisted end  123  in order to smoke the article  100 , as shown in  FIG. 66 . The entire article  100  could be smoked including the filter element  101 . 
         [0151]      FIGS. 67-75  shows a seventh embodiment including a filter part  124  that can be formed from sheet  125 . Sheet  125  has first section  126  which can be rectangular and joined to second section  127  which can be rectangular. The second section  127  can be folded or formed into corrugations  128  as shown in  FIGS. 68 and 69 . The corrugations  128  can include peaks and valleys or ridges and troughs as shown in  FIGS. 68 and 69  and as described in relation to corrugations or folds of earlier embodiments (e.g. see  FIGS. 3-4 ). 
         [0152]    In  FIGS. 70-75 , the filter part  124  can be attached (for example, using glue or adhesive) to cone or shell  129 . The cone or shell  129  has a bore or interior  130 . In  FIGS. 74 and 75 , the cone or shell  129  is joined to the filter element  124  as shown using an adhesive at  132 . In  FIGS. 62 and 63 , the combination of cone or shell  129  and filter element  124  can be packaged in a wrapper or other package  131 . 
         [0153]      FIGS. 76-82  shows an eighth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated generally by the numeral  140 . Smokable article  140  includes a sheet of material  141  having a protrusion or tab  142 . Other than the tab  142 , the remaining portion of the sheet  141  can be rectangular, bordered by edges  146 ,  147 ,  148 ,  149 . A strip of adhesive or glue  143  can be provided on sheet  141 , extending to tab or protrusion  142  as shown in  FIGS. 76 and 77 . A frustoconically shaped form  144  can be used to shape the sheet of material  141  into a cone as shown in  FIGS. 77 and 78 . A user  47  then glues the tab or protrusion  142  to the sheet  141  using adhesive or glue  143  as shown in  FIG. 78  to provide a closed end at edge  146 . The conically shaped form  141  and its closed end at  142  could then be packaged in a wrapper or package  145  as shown in  FIG. 79 . 
         [0154]    A frustoconically shaped form  144  could be placed in the conically shaped sheet  141  as shown in  FIG. 80 . In  FIG. 82 , the combination of form  144  and sheet  141  could be packaged in a wrapper or package  145 . 
         [0155]      FIGS. 83-87  show a ninth embodiment of the present invention. In  FIGS. 83-87 , smokable article  150  includes a filter element  145  that can be joined to a cone shaped shell or shell  151 . The shell  151  has a hollow interior  152  that can receive the filter element  155  as well as a user&#39;s custom tobacco filler material. The shell  151  has larger diameter end  153  and smaller diameter end  154 . The filter element  155  can have a cylindrically shaped or frustoconically shaped outer wall  156 , and a hollow interior that is filled with a plurality of radially extending plates  157 . The plates  157  converge and meet at central joint portion  158 . A user can add his or her tobacco filler material to the cone  151  as shown in  FIG. 85 . The article  151  can be packaged in a package  160  as shown in  FIG. 86 . 
         [0156]      FIG. 87  illustrates that any shell  163  of any of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-87  can be packaged in a package or wrapper  162  and fitted with a mouthpiece  161 . 
         [0157]    The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 PARTS LIST: 
               
             
          
           
               
                 PART NUMBER 
                 DESCRIPTION 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 10 
                 smoking article 
               
               
                 11 
                 sheet of material 
               
               
                 12 
                 cut/slot/score 
               
               
                 13 
                 cut/slot/score 
               
               
                 14 
                 larger section 
               
               
                 15 
                 side edge 
               
               
                 16 
                 side edge 
               
               
                 17 
                 end edge 
               
               
                 18 
                 smaller section 
               
               
                 19 
                 side edge 
               
               
                 20 
                 side edge 
               
               
                 21 
                 end edge 
               
               
                 22 
                 hinge/bridge section/tab 
               
               
                 23 
                 corrugation/folds 
               
               
                 24 
                 trough/groove 
               
               
                 25 
                 peak/ridge 
               
               
                 26 
                 edge 
               
               
                 27 
                 edge 
               
               
                 28 
                 dimension 
               
               
                 29 
                 dimension 
               
               
                 30 
                 arrow 
               
               
                 31 
                 frustoconical form/mandrel 
               
               
                 32 
                 bore/open ended bore 
               
               
                 33 
                 package/wrapper 
               
               
                 34 
                 closed end 
               
               
                 35 
                 open end 
               
               
                 36 
                 interior 
               
               
                 37 
                 seal 
               
               
                 38 
                 tubular package 
               
               
                 39 
                 closed end 
               
               
                 40 
                 open end 
               
               
                 41 
                 closure cap 
               
               
                 42 
                 rod 
               
               
                 43 
                 hollow interior 
               
               
                 44 
                 opening/open end 
               
               
                 45 
                 pouch/container 
               
               
                 46 
                 smokable material 
               
               
                 47 
                 smoker 
               
               
                 48 
                 closure 
               
               
                 49 
                 filter end 
               
               
                 50 
                 filter 
               
               
                 51 
                 smaller diameter end 
               
               
                 52 
                 larger diameter end 
               
               
                 53 
                 smaller diameter opening 
               
               
                 54 
                 larger diameter opening 
               
               
                 55 
                 circular rim 
               
               
                 60 
                 smoking article 
               
               
                 61 
                 sheet of material 
               
               
                 62 
                 cut/score/slot 
               
               
                 63 
                 cut/score/slot 
               
               
                 64 
                 hinge/bridge/section/tab 
               
               
                 65 
                 smaller section 
               
               
                 66 
                 larger section 
               
               
                 70 
                 smokable article 
               
               
                 71 
                 sheet 
               
               
                 72 
                 cut/slot/score 
               
               
                 73 
                 hinge/bridge/section/tab 
               
               
                 74 
                 larger section 
               
               
                 75 
                 smaller section 
               
               
                 76 
                 smokable article 
               
               
                 77 
                 sheet of material 
               
               
                 78 
                 cut/slot/score 
               
               
                 79 
                 larger section 
               
               
                 80 
                 smaller section 
               
               
                 81 
                 hinge/bridge/section/tab 
               
               
                 82 
                 side edge 
               
               
                 83 
                 side edge 
               
               
                 84 
                 end edge 
               
               
                 85 
                 end edge 
               
               
                 86 
                 sheet of material 
               
               
                 87 
                 cut/score/slot 
               
               
                 88 
                 smaller section 
               
               
                 89 
                 larger section 
               
               
                 90 
                 hinge/bridge/section/tab 
               
               
                 91 
                 edge 
               
               
                 92 
                 edge 
               
               
                 93 
                 edge 
               
               
                 94 
                 edge 
               
               
                 95 
                 edge 
               
               
                 96 
                 edge 
               
               
                 97 
                 edge 
               
               
                 100 
                 smokable article 
               
               
                 101 
                 filter element 
               
               
                 102 
                 outer frusto-conical sleeve 
               
               
                 103 
                 interior 
               
               
                 104 
                 tobacco filler 
               
               
                 105 
                 annular rim 
               
               
                 106 
                 closed end 
               
               
                 107 
                 tobacco shell/smokable material cone 
               
               
                 108 
                 hollow bore 
               
               
                 109 
                 larger diameter opening 
               
               
                 110 
                 frustoconical form 
               
               
                 111 
                 frustoconical tube 
               
               
                 112 
                 cap/closure 
               
               
                 113 
                 interior 
               
               
                 114 
                 package/wrapper 
               
               
                 115 
                 closed end 
               
               
                 116 
                 open end 
               
               
                 117 
                 interior 
               
               
                 118 
                 seal 
               
               
                 119 
                 rod 
               
               
                 120 
                 tubular package 
               
               
                 121 
                 cap/closure 
               
               
                 122 
                 hollow interior 
               
               
                 123 
                 closed end/twisted end 
               
               
                 124 
                 filter part 
               
               
                 125 
                 sheet 
               
               
                 126 
                 first section 
               
               
                 127 
                 second section 
               
               
                 128 
                 corrugation/fold 
               
               
                 129 
                 cone/shell 
               
               
                 130 
                 bore/interior 
               
               
                 131 
                 package 
               
               
                 132 
                 adhesive 
               
               
                 140 
                 smokable article 
               
               
                 141 
                 sheet of material 
               
               
                 142 
                 tab/protrusion 
               
               
                 143 
                 glue/adhesive strip 
               
               
                 144 
                 form 
               
               
                 145 
                 package 
               
               
                 146 
                 edge 
               
               
                 147 
                 edge 
               
               
                 148 
                 edge 
               
               
                 149 
                 edge 
               
               
                 150 
                 smokable article 
               
               
                 151 
                 cone shaped shell/shell 
               
               
                 152 
                 hollow interior 
               
               
                 153 
                 larger diameter end 
               
               
                 154 
                 smaller diameter end 
               
               
                 155 
                 filter element 
               
               
                 156 
                 wall 
               
               
                 157 
                 radially extending plate 
               
               
                 158 
                 central joint portion 
               
               
                 159 
                 tobacco filler 
               
               
                 160 
                 package 
               
               
                 161 
                 mouthpiece 
               
               
                 162 
                 package 
               
               
                 163 
                 shell 
               
               
                 200 
                 center 
               
               
                 210 
                 curvature 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0158]    All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise. 
         [0159]    The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.