Abstract:
A rolling paper and packaging combination that individually seals each rolling paper substrate within its own individual, moisture resistant compartment. The moisture resistant compartments are fabricated by bonding a first wrapper and a second wrapper along each longitudinal edge and each transverse edge. The wrappers are fabricated of a moisture impervious material. A series of rolling paper substrates can be spatially arranged along a length of the wrappers, wherein the wrappers would be transversely bonded between adjacent edges of adjacently located substrates. The intermediary bonds can be perforated to aid in separation of one compartment from the series of compartments. The individual packaging extends the useful life of packaged rolling papers, particularly for rolling papers fabricated of moisture sensitive materials such as homogenized paper, and the like.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This U.S. non-provisional patent application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/650,814, filed on May 23, 2012 by the same inventor, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present disclosure generally relates to the packaging of tobacco rolling substrates and, more particularly, to such a packaging construction wherein individual sheets of homogenized rolling substrate are provided individually packaged. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Substrates for rolling tobacco products and herbs are well known. Such substrates can be natural or manufactured. For example, it is known to use a raw tobacco leaf to roll your own cigar. Likewise, it is known to use manufactured tobacco rolling substrates for the same purpose. Smokers often use a variety of lingo to refer to tobacco rolling substrates, including “rolling paper,” “cigarette paper,” “cigar wraps,” “wraps” and the like. Generally speaking, these substrates are small sheets, rolls, or leaves of paper substrate that are packaged and sold for rolling smokable product into a cigarette form. Typically, the rolling process is accomplished either by hand or with the aid of a rolling apparatus. During the process of rolling a cigarette, an individual sheet of rolling paper may be filled with tobacco, herbs, cannabis, hash, cloves, damiana leaves, and other smokable product. 
         [0004]    Rolling paper is offered for those people who prefer to roll their own cigarette or cigar, where the person can customize the cigarette or cigar using any blend of smokable product rolled into any shape and size they prefer. 
         [0005]    Rolling papers are most commonly fabricated from wood pulp, hemp, flax, rice straw, tobacco, and the like. The common form factor of a single rolling paper is a long rectangle having a narrow strip of glue, gum or other adhesive all along one of the long edges. Depending upon the geographic region, rolling paper may or may not have gummed edges. Rolling papers made from tobacco usually do not have gummed edges; however, gummed edges can easily be added if required. Rolling paper constructed from tobacco is usually referred to as “homogenized paper,” “cigar wraps,” or simply “wraps.” 
         [0006]    Rolling papers are usually sold in lengths falling within a range of 70 mm to 110 mm, and various widths. Most manufacturers sell rolling paper using the designations of “1 (Single wide),” “1¼ sized,” “1½ sized” and “Doublewide (2 or 2.0).” However, within the industry, these designations have slightly different meanings, wherein the size references are not definitive but moreover a general size. Across the various brands of cigarette papers the actual widths of the papers using these designations vary greatly. For example, the 1¼ designation is used with papers having widths ranging from about 1.7 inches to 2 inches, and the 1½ designation is used with papers having widths ranging from around 2.4 to 3 inches. However the length of these papers is always 78 mm (+/−1 mm). It is noted that the 1¼ size is also referred to as “Spanish Size” or “French” rolling paper in some parts of the world. 
         [0007]    While a 1¼ sized paper is not exactly 25% larger than a 1 (single wide) paper, there is meaning to these size names. A better way to describe these accurately is that a 1¼ size is designed to roll a cigarette that contains about 25% more filler than a single wide paper. Similarly a 1½ sized paper is designed to roll a cigarette that contains about 50% more than a single wide paper. A 1¼ sized paper is larger than a 1 (single wide) paper and naturally a 1½ sized size paper is larger than a 1¼ sized paper, and a double wide is larger than a 1½ sized paper. 
         [0008]    King Size is another multi-meaning term. While a King Size cigarette is typically 84 mm long, a King Size rolling paper has a length of 100 mm or 110 mm. 
         [0009]    Rolling paper is commonly packaged in a configuration stacking a plurality of individual sheets and placing the stack within a dispensing box. Rolling paper is extremely sensitive to moisture. The current packaging configuration leaves the rolling paper susceptible to damage from moisture absorption. It is understood that the longer period of time the rolling paper is stored, the greater the likelihood of absorption of moisture, resulting in damaged and unusable product. 
         [0010]    Such damage may be exacerbated in a packaging configuration where the rolling papers are bound in a booklet formation, exposing the rolling papers to humidity in the environment. 
         [0011]    What is desired is a packaging that isolates the rolling paper from exposure to moisture, thus extending the shelf life of the packaged rolling paper. Furthermore, it would be highly desirable to provide individually packaged leaves of rolling substrate, wherein the individual packages are hermetically sealed in order to extend the useful shelf life of the product—particularly for rolling papers fabricated of homogenized paper or other moisture sensitive materials. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The basic inventive concept packages each sheet of rolling paper within an individual moisture barrier. 
         [0013]    A first aspect of the present invention provides a rolling paper packaging configuration comprising: 
         [0014]    a plurality of individual sheets of rolling paper, wherein the rolling paper substrate is characterized for use in rolling a smokeable product into a form of a cigarette; 
         [0015]    a first wrapper fabricated of a moisture impervious material bound by a first elongated edge and a second elongated edge, wherein the first elongated edge and the second elongated edge are parallel to one another; 
         [0016]    a second wrapper fabricated of a moisture impervious material bound by a first elongated edge and a second elongated edge, wherein the first elongated edge and the second elongated edge are parallel to one another; 
         [0017]    the plurality of individual sheets of rolling paper are spatially arranged between the first wrapper and the second wrapper; and 
         [0018]    the first elongated edge of the first wrapper and the first elongated edge of the second wrapper are hermetically sealed to one another; 
         [0019]    the second elongated edge of the first wrapper and the second elongated edge of the second wrapper are hermetically sealed to one another; 
         [0020]    the first wrapper and the second wrapper are hermetically sealed to one another along a transverse direction at each end thereof; and 
         [0021]    the first wrapper and the second wrapper are hermetically sealed to one another along a transverse direction between each pair of adjacently positioned rolling papers forming individual compartments for each individual rolling paper. 
         [0022]    A second aspect of the present invention incorporates a perforation along each transverse seal formed between each rolling paper substrate. 
         [0023]    In another aspect the rolling paper substrate is fabricated of paper, homogenized paper, homogenized tobacco-impregnated paper, homogenized tobacco, wood pulp, hemp, flax, rice straw, a tobacco leaf, esparto (in rare instances), and the like. 
         [0024]    In yet another aspect, at least one of the first wrapper and the second wrapper is fabricated of one of a translucent and transparent material. 
         [0025]    In yet another aspect, each of the individual compartments is sealed under a vacuum and void of moisture and air. 
         [0026]    In yet another aspect, the rolling paper further comprises a moisture activated gum applied in a form of a strip adjacent to one longitudinal edge of one surface of each rolling paper substrate. 
         [0027]    In yet another aspect, a smokeable product is placed upon the rolling paper and the rolling paper is rolled into a form of a cigarette. 
         [0028]    In another aspect, a contiguous series of individually packaged rolling papers may be mounted upon a rod to facilitate removal of a user-specified segment thereof. 
         [0029]    In another aspect, a relatively small contiguous series of individually packaged rolling papers can be carried within a portable pouch having a sealable opening along one side to facilitate removal of a user-selected quantity of packaged papers. 
         [0030]    In another aspect, a relatively small contiguous series of individually packaged rolling papers can be carried within a portable tube having removable end to facilitate easy insertion of the series of packaged rolling papers into the tube, and a slot provide through the tube housing to facilitate removal of a user-selected quantity of packaged papers. 
         [0031]    These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0032]    The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, where like numerals denote like elements and in which: 
           [0033]      FIG. 1  presents an isometric view of an exemplary rolling paper substrate; 
           [0034]      FIG. 2  presents a top plan view of the rolling paper substrate originally introduced in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 3  presents an exploded isometric view of an exemplary individual rolling paper packaging configuration shown in a pre-sealed configuration; 
           [0036]      FIG. 4  presents an isometric view of the individual rolling paper packaging configuration shown in a sealed configuration; 
           [0037]      FIG. 5  presents a top plan view of the individual rolling paper packaging configuration of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 6  presents a sectioned elevation view of the individual rolling paper packaging configuration, the section being taken along section line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 7  presents an isometric view of a plurality of individually wrapped rolling paper substrates being inserted into a rolling paper carton; 
           [0040]      FIG. 8  presents an isometric view illustrating a typical cigarette or cigar rolling process using the rolling paper substrate originally introduced in  FIG. 1   
           [0041]      FIG. 9  presents a roll of a series of individually wrapped rolling paper substrates mounted for dispensing one or more packaged substrates; 
           [0042]      FIG. 10  presents a user-sized quantity of packaged substrate in the form of a roll carried in a portable pouch by the user, wherein the user can remove one or more packaged papers through a zip lock type opening in the pouch; and 
           [0043]      FIG. 11  presents a portable cylindrical tube for carrying a user-sized quantity of packaged substrate in the form of a roll, which enables the user to dispense a desired quantity of packaged papers through a slot-type opening provided longitudinally through the tube. 
       
    
    
       [0044]    Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views of the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0045]    The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
         [0046]    An exemplary individual tobacco rolling substrate or paper  100  is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The rolling paper  100  includes a moisture activated gum strip  130  applied to at least one surface of a common rolling paper substrate  110 . The rolling paper substrate  110  is fabricated of a paper, homogenized paper, homogenized tobacco-impregnated paper, homogenized tobacco, wood pulp, hemp, flax, rice straw, a tobacco leaf, esparto (in rare instances), and the like. The application described herein is particularly directed towards a tobacco rolling substrate  110  that is fabricated of a homogenized paper. The homogenized substrate  110  can be defined as a planar sheet of flexible, combustible material having a smokable substance-receiving surface  112  located on a first side and an exterior rolled surface  114  located on a second, opposite side; the surfaces bound by a continuous peripheral edge defined by a first longitudinal rolling paper edge  120 , a second longitudinal rolling paper edge  122 , a first lateral rolling paper edge  124  and a second lateral rolling paper edge  126 . The two longitudinal rolling paper edges  120 ,  122  define a longitudinal dimension  116  of the rolling paper substrate  110  and are preferably parallel to one another. The two transverse rolling paper edges  124 ,  126  define a transverse dimension  118  of the rolling paper substrate  110  and are also preferably parallel to one another. The two longitudinal rolling paper edges  120 ,  122  are preferably perpendicular to the two transverse rolling paper edges  124 ,  126 . 
         [0047]    In the exemplary embodiment, a moisture activated gum strip  130  is disposed upon a portion of the smokeable substance receiving surface  112 . In the embodiment presented in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the moisture activated gum strip  130  covers a strip of the smokeable substance receiving surface  112  adjacent to the first longitudinal rolling paper edge  120 . The moisture activated gum strip  130  is well known in the industry. The moisture activated gum strip  130  can be flavor-free and/or scent-free to minimize any adverse effects of the gum composition on the smoking experience. Alternatively, the moisture activated gum strip  130  can be enhanced by adding a flavoring and/or scent thereto to enhance the smoking experience. 
         [0048]    The rolling paper substrate  110  is sized to meet the common, standard rolling paper dimensions. The exemplary rolling paper substrate  110  is dimensionally referenced by the longitudinal dimension  116  (length) and transverse dimension  118  (width). The common form factor of a single rolling paper is a long rectangle having a narrow strip of glue or gum (moisture activated gum strip  130 ) along one of the long edges. Rolling papers are offered in standard lengths between 70 mm through 110 mm and a range of widths. The width of the rolling papers is commonly referenced using the designations of 1 (Single wide), 1¼ size, 1 1/2 size and “Doublewide” (2 or 2.0). The 1¼ designation generally refers to papers having widths ranging from about 1.7 inches to 2 inches. The 1½ designation generally refers to papers having widths ranging from around 2.4 to 3 inches. The typical length of rolling papers is 78 mm, with a tolerance of +/−1 mm. 
         [0049]    It is noted that the rolling paper substrate  110  may be flavored to enhance the smoking experience. 
         [0050]    Each rolling paper  100  is individually packaged, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3-6 , with an alternative packaging being illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The packaging bonds a first wrapper  210  and a second wrapper  220  together in a manner forming an individually-packaged series of rolling papers  200  comprising a series of individual rolling paper packages  230 , which are moisture-resistant containers for carrying each rolling paper  100  individually. A plurality of rolling papers  100  are equally spaced along a second wrapper  220 . A first wrapper  210  is placed covering the distributed rolling papers  100 . The first and second wrappers,  210  and  220  respectively, are bonded together along each mating elongated edge  212 ,  222  forming longitudinal sealed edges  232 ,  234 . The first wrapper  210  and second wrapper  220  are preferably fabricated of a moisture impervious material. The first wrapper  210  and second wrapper  220  are bonded together along each mating transverse edge  214 ,  224  forming transverse sealed edges  236 ,  238 . The first wrapper  210  and second wrapper  220  are bonded together between adjacently positioned pairs of rolling papers  100  forming a perforated sealed edge  239 . The two bonded elongated edges  232 ,  234  in combination with any pair of adjacent bonded transverse edges  236 ,  238 ,  239  define each sealed packaging interior  240 . Each perforated sealed edge  239  is preferably comprises a perforation, scoring, and the like to assist the user in separating a formed sealed packaging interior  240  from an adjacent formed sealed packaging interior  240 . Each of the bonded edges provides hermetical seals creating a moisture barrier between the environment and each individually wrapped rolling paper  100 . Any known seal forming process can be employed to create the desired sealed bonds between the first wrapper  210  and the second wrapper  220 . The wrappers  210 ,  220  can be fabricated of any suitable, moisture impervious material. At least one of the wrappers  210 ,  220  can be fabricated of a translucent of transparent material. At least one of the wrappers  210 ,  220  can be fabricated of a metallic material, a foil material, a plastic material, a Mylar material, an aluminum material, and the like. 
         [0051]    The bonding process can be accomplished using any suitable process respective to the material selected for the wrappers  210 ,  220 . This can include thermal bonding, ultrasonic bonding, application of an adhesive or other bonding agent, and the like. 
         [0052]    The bonding process can additionally include a vacuum process to remove air and moisture from the sealed packaging interior  240 , wherein each sealed packaging interior  240  is sealed under a vacuum and void of moisture and air. Removal of air and moisture from the sealed packaging interior  240  can enhance the shelf life of the rolling paper  100 . 
         [0053]    The individually packaged series of rolling papers  200  can be arranged in any of a variety of configurations for distribution and sales. One optional configuration would be an accordion configuration, where each of the series of individual rolling paper packages  230  would be folded upon each adjacent individual rolling paper package  230  for distribution. A second optional configuration would be a rolled configuration, where the series of individual rolling paper packages  230  would be rolled for distribution. The entire series of individual rolling paper packages  230  can be sold as a single item or a desired quantity of individual rolling paper packages  230  can be separated from the series of individual rolling paper packages  230  and sold per individual package. 
         [0054]    It is understood that the packaging can be accomplished using a single wrapper  210 ,  220  folding along a longitudinal axis, replicating the effect of two wrappers  210 ,  220 . 
         [0055]    The individual rolling paper package  230  can be packaged in a continuous linear series as presented in  FIGS. 4 and 5  or singulated and packaged as presented in  FIG. 7 . A plurality of individual rolling paper packages  230  can be stacked and inserted into a rolling paper carton  300 . The rolling paper carton  300  can be fabricated in any form factor. The exemplary rolling paper carton  300  includes a pair of horizontal carton walls  310  and a pair of vertical carton walls  312  forming a rectangular shaped package. The rectangular shaped package defines a carton interior volume  320  for receiving and storing goods; in the exemplary embodiment, a plurality of individual rolling paper packages  230 . The rectangular shaped package includes a carton opening  314  providing a passageway for insertion of a plurality of individual rolling paper packages  230  into the carton interior volume  320 . It is understood that the rolling paper carton  300  can include a closure (not shown) for retaining the plurality of individual rolling paper packages  230  therein. 
         [0056]    An exemplary process of rolling a smokeable product  150  within the rolling paper  100  is illustrated in  FIG. 8 . The smokeable product  150  can be any smokeable product, including tobacco, cannabis (where legally consumable), hash, cloves, damiana, and any other legally consumable smokeable product in the respective region. The process initiates by preferably placing the rolling paper  100  upon a horizontal surface, orienting the smokeable substance receiving surface  112  facing upward. A volume of smokeable product  150  is placed spanning across the smokeable substance receiving surface  112  in a transverse direction adjacent to the second longitudinal rolling paper edge  122 . Once the smokeable product  150  is disbursed across the smokeable substance receiving surface  112 , the rolling paper substrate  110  is rolled, entrapping the volume of smokeable product  150  therein. At some point in the process moisture is applied to the moisture activated gum strip  130 , activating the bonding agent. The rolling process continues until the moisture activated gum strip  130  bonds with the roll. Once complete, the rolled cigarette awaits ignition and inhalation. When desired, the user would ignite a distal end of the rolled cigarette and subsequently inhale fumes from the burning rolled cigarette. The user would periodically inhale the fumes emanating from the burning rolled cigarette until the cigarette is significantly depleted. 
         [0057]    Referring now particularly to  FIG. 9 , and shown generally as reference numeral  400 , in an optional implementation of the present invention, the product can be provided in a rolled-up configuration  200  of a contiguous length of the individual packages  230 , each package containing a rolling paper substrate  100 . The roll  200  of contiguous individual packages can be mounted upon a rod  402  for easy dispensing of a user-selected quantity of the contiguous individual packages. Optionally, the rod  402  may be mounted to the interior of a dispenser housing  404 . The housing  404  may have an opening  408  provided extending through a housing side  406 . Optionally, the housing may have a serrated edge  410  tearing off the user-selected segment from the roll  200 . Alternatively, the user can tear off a selected segment of packages along perforations  239  separating adjacent packages  230 . This dispensing configuration would be beneficial for use selling the product of the present invention, for example, at the check-out area of a brick-and-mortar merchant location. 
         [0058]    Referring now particularly to  FIG. 10 , and shown generally as reference numeral  500 , in an optional implementation of the present invention, a relatively shorter length, or segment, of a contiguous series of packages  230 , each containing an individual rolling paper  100 , may be provided in a smaller-sized rolled-up configuration  250  carried upon one&#39;s person in a flexible pouch  502 . Preferably, the pouch  502  has a releasably sealable longitudinal edge  504  that, when unsealed, creates an opening  506  through which a person carrying the pouch can selectively dispense and tear off one or more packages  230  each containing a sheet of rolling substrate  100 . 
         [0059]    Referring now particularly to  FIG. 11 , and as shown generally as reference numeral  600 , in an optional implementation of the present invention, a relatively shorter length, or segment, of a contiguous series of packages  230 , each containing an individual rolling paper  100 , may be provided in a smaller-sized rolled-up configuration (such as shown as  250  in  FIG. 10 ) carried upon one&#39;s person in a cylindrical tube  602 . Preferably, the tube  602  has a removable end cap  604 , or similar closure that, when unsealed, creates an opening for inserting the roll  250  therein. Preferably, a longitudinal opening or slot  606  extending through tube wall is provided to enable a person carrying the tube to selectively dispense and tear off one or more packages  230  each containing a sheet of rolling substrate  100 . 
         [0060]    The individually wrapped rolling paper packages  230  provide significant advantages over conventional packaging. One such advantage is that the individual substrate sheets  100  are fabricated of a homogenized paper. Another advantage is the increase of useable product life between packaging and use (i.e., shelf life). The user can open one individual rolling paper package  230  without exposing the balance of the rolling papers  100  to moisture. The packaging enables a variety of sales or distribution options, where the individual rolling paper package  230  can be sold individually, at a quantity requested by the consumer, in predetermined quantities, and the like. The individual rolling paper packages  230  can be sold singulated or in a continuous series of packages. Another advantage is that the packaging construction, which lends itself to the easy formation of rolled up series of packages, can be easily carried by an individual, in a pouch, tube or other portable dispensing structure for ease of use. 
         [0061]    Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalence.