Patent Publication Number: US-11375744-B2

Title: Cone loading device and method therefor

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present application relates generally to the technical field of tobacco and herbal smoking articles, and more specifically, to, the technical field of a device to load and form a user determined number of smoking articles using preformed conical paper wrappers. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Hand rolling smoking articles, such as cigarettes and the like, is a well-known practice. In one process, rolling paper may be formed into a cone and used to scoop up small amounts of ground smokable tobacco and/or herbs. The maker of the smoking article may then hold the open end of the cone upward allowing the small amount to fall into the cone. This process continues until a desired amount of ground smokable tobacco and/or herbs is held within the cone. The maker may use a rod or similar, object to compact the ground smokable tobacco and/or herbs into the cone. This process is repeated until the cone is filled and compacted with the desired amount of ground smokable tobacco and/or herbs. The open end of the cone is then sealed forming the smoking article. 
     Unfortunately, rolling individual smoking articles is time consuming. Further, rolling individual smoking articles may cause inconsistency in the smoking articles. This may be due to the smoking articles being unevenly filled and/or compacted with the ground smokable tobacco and/or herbs. Unevenly filling and/or compacting the ground smokable tobacco and/or herbs may adversely affect burn rates and temperatures of the smoking articles. That, in turn, can adversely affect the smoke flavors and result in the generation of unwanted combustion byproducts during the material burn. 
     Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a system and method that overcomes the above. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with one embodiment, a device for loading and forming smoking articles is disclosed. The device for loading and forming smoking articles has a body section. A first socket is formed in a top area of the body section. A second socket is formed in a bottom area of the body section. A plurality of channels is formed in a bottom area of the first socket. The channels extend through the body section into the second socket. The channels are formed around a perimeter of the first socket and each configured to hold a smoking article. A tube is formed in a center area of the first socket. A plate has a plurality of openings. The plate is rotatable within the first socket to allow one to align, a desired number of the plurality of openings with corresponding channels of the plurality of channels. A pin opening is formed in a center area of the plate. The pin opening is aligned with the tube when the plate is inserted into the first socket. A pin member is insertable into the pin opening and the tube. The pin member secures the plate in position. A cap is insertable into the first socket when loading the smoking articles and into the second socket to push the smoking articles out of the channels when loaded 
     In accordance with one embodiment, a device for loading and forming smoking articles is disclosed. The device for loading and forming smoking articles has a body section. A first socket is formed in a top area of the body section. A second socket is formed in a bottom area of the body section. A plurality of channels is formed in a bottom area of the first socket. The channels extend through the body section into the second socket. The channels are formed around a perimeter of the first socket and each configured to hold a smoking article. A tube is formed in a center area of the first socket A plate having a plurality of openings is rotatable within the first socket to allow one to align a selected number of the plurality of openings with corresponding channels of the plurality of channels allowing a desired number of the smoking articles to be loaded. The plate is removable allowing all of the plurality of channels to be filled with the smoking articles to be loaded. A pin opening is formed in a center area of the plate. The pin opening is aligned with the tube when the plate is inserted into the first socket. A pin member is removably insertable into the pin opening and the tube. The pin member secures the plate in position when inserted into the pin opening and the tube and compacts tobacco into the smoking articles when removed from the pin opening and the tube. A cap is insertable into the first socket, when loading the smoking articles and into the second socket to push the smoking articles out of the channels when loaded. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present application is further detailed with respect to the following drawings. These figures are not intended to limit the scope of the present application but rather illustrate certain attributes thereof. The same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
         FIG. 1  is an elevated perspective view of an exemplary cone loading and forming device in accordance with one aspect of the present application; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary cone loading and forming device in accordance with one aspect of the present application; 
         FIG. 3  is an elevated perspective view of an exemplary cone loading and forming device with the lid removed in accordance with one aspect of the present application; 
         FIG. 4  is an elevated perspective view of an exemplary cone loading and forming device with the lid and pin removed, in accordance with one aspect of the present application; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary cone loading and forming device in accordance with one aspect of the present application; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of an exemplary plate of the cone loading and forming device in accordance with one aspect of the present application; and 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of an exemplary plate of the cone loading and forming device in accordance with one aspect of the present application. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLICATION 
     The description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the disclosure and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present disclosure can be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the disclosure in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and sequences can be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. 
     The present disclosure relates to a device to load and form smoking articles using preformed conical paper wrappers. The device allows a user to select the number of smoking articles to form. Once the preformed conical paper wrappers are filled with a desired ground smokable tobacco and/or herbs (hereinafter tobacco), a cap device may be used to push the preformed conical paper wrappers out of the device. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-5  a device  10  for loading preformed conical paper wrappers  12  with tobacco may be seen. The device  10  may be formed of a body section  14 . a plate  16 , a pin member  18  and a cap  20 . 
     The body section  14  may take on different geometric configurations. In accordance with the present embodiment, the body section  14  may be cylindrical in shape. However, this is shown as an example and should not be seen in a limiting manner. 
     A first socket  22  may be formed in a top area  14 A of the body section  14 . In the present embodiment, the first socket  22  may be cylindrical in form. The first socket  22  may be configured to have a radius less than that of the body section  14  thereby forming a ledge  24  around the top area  14 A of the body, section  14 . The first socket  22  may be configured to allow the cap  20  to be inserted therein. The first socket  22  may be formed of a depth to allow the cap  20  to be inserted therein as may be disclosed below. 
     A second socket  26  may be formed in a bottom area  14 B of the body section  14 . In the present embodiment, the second socket  26  may be cylindrical in form. The second socket  26  may be configured to have a radius less than that of the body section  14  thereby forming a ledge  28  around the bottom area  14 B of the body section  14 . The second socket  26  may be formed of a depth to allow the cap  20  to be inserted therein as may be disclosed below. In accordance with the embodiment shown, the first socket  22  may be formed having a depth greater than the second socket  26 . 
     A plurality of channels  30  may be located at a bottom area  22 A of the first socket  22  and extend through the body section  14  to a bottom area  26 A of the second socket  26 . In the present embodiment, the channels  30  may be conical in shape. Each channel  30  may be configured to hold one preformed conical paper wrapper  12  therein with a closed bottom section  12 A of the preformed conical paper wrapper  12  extending out of the channel  30  and into the second socket  26 . 
     A tube  32  may be located at a bottom area  22 A of the first socket  22  and extend through a portion of the body section  14 . The tube  32  may be located in the center of the bottom area  22 A of the first socket  22 . In the present embodiment, the tube  32  maybe cylindrical or slightly conical in shape. The tube  32  may be of a length to allow the pin member  18  to be inserted and held therein. The tube  32  may have threading  34  formed in a top area  28 A of an interior the tube  32 . The threading  34  may be used to secure the pin member  18  within the tube  3248 . 
     A plurality of bumps  36  may be formed around a perimeter of the tube  32  along the bottom area  22 A of the first socket  22 . In accordance with one embodiment, the bumps  36  may be equally spaced around the perimeter of the tube  32 . 
     The plate  16  may be sized to fit within the first socket  22 . The plate  16  may have a diameter approximately the same as a diameter of the first socket  22 . The plate  16  may be used to select a number of preformed conical paper wrappers  12  to load with tobacco. This may be done by rotating the plate  16  to expose one or more of the channels  30 . 
     The plate  16  may have a plurality of openings  38  formed through a top surface  16 A of the plate  16 . in the present embodiment, three openings  38  may be seen. However, this is shown as one example. The openings  38  may be located around a perimeter of the plate  16 . The openings  38  may be used to select a number of preformed conical paper wrapper  12  to load with tobacco. The plate  16  may be rotated to align one or more of the openings  38  with a corresponding channel of the plurality of channels  30 . This may allow the user to selected the number preformed conical paper wrappers  12  to load with tobacco, Thus, in the present embodiment, the user may rotate the plate  16  to align 1, 2 or 3 of the openings  38  with a corresponding channel of the plurality of channels  30 . If the user wishes to load more than 3 preformed conical paper wrappers  12 , the user may remove the plate  16  and, expose all of the plurality of channels  30  to load preformed conical paper wrappers  12  with tobacco. 
     The plate  16  may have a pin opening  40  formed through a center area of the plate  16 . When the plate  16  is positioned within the first socket  22 , the pin opening  40  may be aligned with the tube  32 . The pin member  18  may then be inserted through the pin opening  40  into the aligned tube  32  allowing the plate  16  to rotate about pin member  18 . 
     One or more tabs  42  may be formed on and extend up from the top surface  16 A of the plate  16 . The tabs  42  may be used to aid the user in rotating the plate  16  within the first socket  22 . The tabs  42  may also be used to aid the user in removing the plate  16  from the first socket  22 . 
     Located on a bottom surface of the plate  16  may be a plurality of indentations  44 . The indentations  44  may be formed around a perimeter of the pin opening  40 . The indentations  44  may fit within corresponding bumps  36  to align and hold the plate  16  in position where one or more of the plurality of openings  38  align with a corresponding channel of the plurality of channels  30 . 
     For example, rotating the plate  16  in a first position, the indentations  44  fit within corresponding bumps  36  so that only one of the plurality of openings  38  may align with a corresponding channel of the plurality of channels  30 . The other openings  38  may be blocked/covered by the bottom area  22 A of the first socket  22 . This may prevent tobacco from entering any of the other of the plurality of channels  3046  not aligned with the one opening  38 . Rotating the plate  16  in a second position, the indentations  44  fit within corresponding bumps  36  so that two of the plurality of openings  38  may align with two corresponding channels of the plurality of channels  30 . The other opening  38  may be blocked/covered. This may prevent tobacco from entering any of the plurality of channels  30  not aligned with the two openings  38 . Rotating the plate  16  in a third position, the indentations  44  fit within corresponding bumps  36  so that all three of the plurality of openings  38  may align with corresponding channels of the plurality of channels  30 . The other channels  30  not aligned with the three openings  38  may be blocked. This may prevent tobacco from entering any of the plurality of channels  30  not aligned with the three openings  24 . 
     The pin member  18  may be used for multiple purposes. As stated above, the pin member  18  may be inserted through the pin opening  40  into the aligned tube  32  allowing the plate  16  to rotate about pin member  18 . The pin member  18  may also be used to lock the plate  16  down and prevent the plate  16  from moving as will be described below. The pin member  18  may further be used as, a poker to compact the tobacco in the conical paper wrapper  12 . The pin member  18  may need to be removed from the pin opening  40  and the tube  32  in order to use the pin member  18  as a poker as may be described below. 
     The pin member  18  may be formed of a head  18 A. The head  18 A may be of a size larger Hiatt the pin opening  40 . This may prevent the pin member  18  from falling through the pin opening  40  and completely into the aligned tube  32 . A shaft  18 B may extend down from the head  18 A. The shaft  18 B may be configured to slide within, the aligned tube  32 . In accordance with one embodiment, the shaft  18 B may be cylindrical or slightly conical in shape. 
     Threading  18 C may be formed on the shaft  18 B. The threading  18 C may be formed in an upper region of the shaft  18 B. When the pin member  18  is inserted through the pin opening  40  into the aligned tube  32 , the pin member  18  may be rotated in a first direction so that the threading  18 C may engage the threading  34  formed in the top area of the interior the tube  32 . Continued rotation of the pin member  18  may cause the head ISA of the pin member  18  to press down against the plate  16  to lock the plate  16  down and prevent the plate  16  from moving. The pin member  18  may be rotated in a second direction so that the threading  18 C may disengage the threading  34  formed in the top area of the interior the tube  32  thereby allowing one to rotate the plate  16  and/or remove the pin member  18  from the pin opening  40  and the aligned tube  32 . 
     The cap  20  may be used for multiple purposes. The cap  20  may be used to seal the first socket  22  and to prevent tobacco placed in the first socket  22  from escaping. The cap  20  may also be used to push the preformed conical paper wrappers  12  out from the plurality of channels  30 . By inserting the cap  20  into the second socket  30 , the cap  20  may push the portion of the preformed conical paper wrappers  12  extending into the second socket  30  up thereby pushing an upper part of the preformed conical paper wrappers  1 . 2  out of the plurality of channels  30 . 
     The cap  20  may have a head section  20 A. A stopper  208  may extend down from the head section  20 A. The stopper  208  may be configured to have the same diameter as the first socket  22  and the second socket  26 . This may allow the cap to be inserted into first socket  22  or the second socket  26  and held therein. In accordance with one embodiment, the stopper  20 B may be cylindrical in shape. 
     In operation, a user may loosen the pin member  18  by rotating the pin member  18  in a loosening direction. The user may then rotate the plate.  16  to select the number of preformed conical paper wrappers  12  to load. In the present embodiment, the user may rotate the plate  16  so that 1, 2, or 3 openings may align with a corresponding channel of the plurality of channels  30 . If the user desires to load all of the plurality of channels  30  with preformed conical paper wrappers the user may rotate the pin member  18  in the loosening direction to disengage the threading  18 C from the threading  34  formed in the top area of the interior of the tube  32 . The user may then remove the pin, member  18  from the pin opening  40  and the tube  32 . With the pin member  18  removed, the user may remove the plate  16  to expose all of the plurality of channels  30 . It should be noted if the pin member  18  is removed in order to remove the plate  16 , the pin member  18  should be placed back into the tube  28  thereby preventing any debris from entering into the tube  28  prior to loading any of the preformed conical paper wrappers  12  with tobacco. 
     Once the user has selected the number of preformed conical paper wrappers  12  to form, the user may rotate the pin member  18  in a tightening direction to lock the plate  16  in position if the plate  16  has not been removed. The user ay insert the preformed conical paper wrappers  12  to load into all the exposed channels  30 . Tobacco may then be placed into the first socket  22 . The amount of tobacco placed in the first socket  22  should be sufficient to fill the number of conical paper wrappers  12  placed into the exposed channels  30 . 
     Once the tobacco is placed in the first socket  22 , the cap  20  may be placed in the first socket  22 . The cap  20  may be positioned in the, first socket  22  such that the stopper  20 B may be inserted into the first socket  22  thereby preventing tobacco from exiting the first socket  22 . With the cap  20  inserted into the first socket  22 , the user may pick-up the device  10  and bang a bottom surface of the device  10  against a hard surface. The hard surface may be a table top, the floor or similar surfaces. When banging the bottom surface of the device  10  against the hard surface, the user may want to hold the cap  20  to ensure that the cap  20  does not fly out of the first socket  22 . The banging of the device  10  may aid in settling the tobacco into a bottom section of each of the conical paper wrappers  12  placed into the exposed channels  30 . 
     The user may then remove the cap  20 . The cap  20  may then be inserted into the second socket  26 . By placing the stopper  20 B of the cap  20  into the second socket  26 , the stopper  20 B may push the portion of the preformed conical paper wrappers  12  extending into the second socket  26  up thereby pushing an upper part of the preformed conical paper wrappers  12  out of the channels  30 . The user may then remove the pin member  18  to compact the tobacco into the preformed conical paper wrappers  12 . The open end of the preformed conical paper wrappers  12  is then sealed forming the smoking article. 
     The foregoing description is illustrative of particular embodiments of the application, but is not meant to be a limitation upon the practice thereof. The following claims, including all equivalents thereof, are intended to define the scope of the application.