Patent Publication Number: US-2005121341-A1

Title: Cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same

Description:
PRIORITY DOCUMENTS  
      This application is a Continuation in Part (C-I-P) corresponding to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/680,807 filed on Oct. 6, 2003. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL BACKGROUND  
      The present invention generally relates to a system and a method for wrapping and packaging a cigar tobacco paper. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and a method for wrapping and packaging a cigar tobacco paper that may be opened by a user and filled with the tobacco of choice by the user. Further, the present invention relates to a system and a method for wrapping and packaging a cigar tobacco paper wherein the cigar tobacco paper stays moist during transport of the cigar tobacco paper to the user.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Throughout history, people have smoked and continue to smoke tobacco products. In recent history, the popularity of cigars has dramatically risen and therefore the public desire for specific aromas, scents and tastes of a cigar have changed along with the popularity. Many consumers of cigars have developed their own fancies to specific brands of cigars. Moreover, many consumers of cigars have developed their own fancies to specific tastes, smells and aroma of tobacco, yet still desire a quality cigar leaf or wrapper to use for the tobacco they wish to use. It is, of course, generally known for a consumer to wrap their own cigarettes. This method and system of developing and creating a particular cigarette is prior art. However, just recently has the market changed such that the creation of a cigar has become popular.  
      Typically, in the case of a consumer producing their own cigarettes, the consumer buys pre-made cigarette wrappers from a store, and also may buy pre-made filler tobacco of their choice, and would proceed to roll the cigarette wrappers around the tobacco filler of their choice. Further, the consumer may opt to insert a filter at one end of the cigarette, or in the alternative, the consumer may opt to delete the filter from the cigarette altogether. However, wrapping and/or creating a cigarette becomes laborious and time consuming. One of the biggest problems for a consumer that wraps his/her own cigarettes occurs because the cigarette wrapper is sold in packages wherein the wrapper is flat, and therefore difficult to roll over the tobacco filler.  
      Similarly, the art of making a cigar is similar in nature. A consumer may purchase a cigar tobacco paper and the tobacco filler of their own choice. The consumer will then take the tobacco filler and place the filler inside the tobacco wrapper and roll the wrapper over the filler to create their own cigar having a distinct flavor, aroma and/or taste.  
      However, limitations exist regarding the types of cigar wrapper that may be used and the time and effort that a user may have to exert in order to create a cigar having the aroma, taste and flavor that the user might desire. The present prior art illustrates a cigar wrapper that may be used by an end consumer that has a wrapper that is pre-wrapped and may be more easily filled with tobacco by the end user. The prior art cigar wrapper contains an element inside the cigar wrapper to keep the wrapper in a rolled state. However, the end user must remove the element from inside the cigar wrapper before use. Moreover, prior art references refer to drying the wrapper before the wrapper is packaged and shipped to an end user. The disadvantage to this drying process is that in order for the end user to create his/her own cigar, the wrapper must be moistened by the user to secure the wrapper about the tobacco filler.  
      Moreover, the problem exists wherein the cigar wrapper may not fully contain the flavor and aroma desired by the consumer if the wrapper is dried before packaging.  
      A need, therefore, exists for an improved system and method of packaging a cigar wrapper and/or cigar tobacco paper for shipment to an end user. More specifically, a need exists for a system and a method for transporting a flavored/unflavored cigar wrapper that may be kept moist until utilized by the end user.  
      Further, a need therefore exists for an improved system and method of packaging a cigar wrapper for shipment to an end user wherein the cigar wrapper is kept moist, and kept in a pre-rolled state during shipment, for easy use and creation of a finished cigar by a consumer.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention provides a system and a method for producing and packaging a cigar tobacco paper for use by a consumer to produce their own cigar. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and a method for packaging a cigar tobacco paper for an end user wherein the cigar tobacco paper is pre-rolled for easy use by the consumer and further wherein the tobacco paper is kept in a moistened state for easy securing of the tobacco filler inside the cigar tobacco paper.  
      To this end, in an embodiment of the present invention, a product for wrapping and packaging a cigar paper is provided. The product has a cigar tobacco paper wrapped around itself into a plurality of layers. The product also has a tubular means wherein said tubular means encloses the tobacco paper and further wherein said tubular means has a first end and a second end wherein the tubular means is tapered at at least one of said first end or of said second end.  
      In an embodiment, the product for wrapping and packaging a cigar tobacco paper has a container means for shipping the cigar tobacco paper wherein said container means may hold a plurality of cigar tobacco paper.  
      In an embodiment, the product for wrapping and packaging a cigar tobacco paper has a cigar tobacco paper wherein said cigar tobacco paper is a tobacco leaf.  
      In an embodiment, the product for wrapping and packaging a cigar tobacco paper has a cigar tobacco paper wherein said cigar tobacco paper is homogenized tobacco paper.  
      In an embodiment, the product for wrapping and packaging a cigar tobacco paper has a tubular means wherein said tubular means is aluminum foil.  
      In an embodiment, the product for wrapping and packaging a cigar tobacco paper has a tubular means wherein the tubular means is plastic.  
      In an embodiment, the product for wrapping and packaging a cigar tobacco paper has a tubular means wherein said tubular means has a first end and a second end wherein said tubular means is tapered at said first end.  
      In an embodiment, the product for wrapping and packaging a cigar tobacco paper has a tubular means wherein said tubular means has a plurality of pieces that are coupled together to form the tubular means  
      In an embodiment, the product for wrapping and packaging a cigar tobacco paper has a tubular means wherein said tubular means has a plurality of pieces that are coupled together to form the tubular means wherein said plurality of pieces each have a first side and a second side wherein said at least one of said first side or of said second side are tapered at their ends and further wherein said cigar tobacco paper is enclosed within said tubular means in a corresponding fashion and is tapered corresponding to the tapered tubular means.  
      In an embodiment, the product for wrapping and packaging a cigar tobacco paper has a container means for shipping the cigar tobacco paper to a consumer wherein said container means is comprised of plastic.  
      In an embodiment of the present invention, a method for packaging a cigar tobacco paper to be used by a consumer, the method comprising the steps of: providing a cigar tobacco paper to be used by the consumer to fill with tobacco filler; inserting an object on top of the cigar tobacco paper to hold the shape of the tobacco paper; and providing a tapered tubular means to enclose the tobacco paper.  
      In an embodiment, a method for packaging a cigar tobacco paper to be used by a consumer includes the step of: placing the object on top of the tobacco paper for wrapping.  
      In an embodiment, a method for packaging a cigar tobacco paper to be used by a consumer includes the step of: rolling the tobacco paper about the object to hold a shape.  
      In an embodiment, a method for packaging a cigar tobacco paper to be used by a consumer includes the step of: inserting the rolled cigar tobacco paper into the tapered tubular means.  
      In an embodiment, a method for packaging a cigar tobacco paper to be used by a consumer includes the step of: forming the tapered tubular means about the rolled cigar tobacco paper.  
      In an embodiment, a method for packaging a cigar tobacco paper to be used by a consumer includes the step of: including a tubular means wherein the tubular means encompasses the tobacco paper in a tapered form at its ends.  
      In an embodiment, a method for packaging a cigar tobacco paper to be used by a consumer includes the step of: providing a tubular means wherein the rolled tobacco paper is placed in a tubular means wherein said tubular means is tapered at its ends wherein said cigar tobacco paper is tapered to correspond to the shape of the inside wall of the tubular means.  
      In an embodiment, a method for packaging a cigar tobacco paper to be used by a consumer includes the step of: placing the rolled tobacco paper and tubular means in a container means wherein said container means is a watertight and airtight material.  
      In an embodiment, a method for packaging a cigar tobacco paper to be used by a consumer includes the step of: providing an access to unwrap the tobacco paper and tubular means upon opening by a consumer.  
      In an embodiment, a method for packaging a cigar tobacco paper to be used by a consumer includes the step of: shipping the tobacco paper and tubular means to a consumer to be filled with tobacco filler.  
      It is, therefore, an advantage of the present invention to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same.  
      Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same wherein the cigar tobacco paper is tobacco leaf.  
      Still another advantage of the present invention is to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same wherein the cigar tobacco paper is homogenized tobacco paper.  
      Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same wherein the tobacco paper may be any size.  
      Still another advantage of the present invention is to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same wherein the cigar tobacco paper may be filled by a consumer with the tobacco filler of his/her choice.  
      Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same wherein the cigar tobacco paper may be flavored.  
      Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same wherein the cigar tobacco paper may be unflavored.  
      Still another advantage of the present invention is to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same wherein the cigar tobacco paper may be packaged for easy use by the consumer.  
      An advantage of the present invention is to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same wherein a plurality of cigar tobacco paper may be packaged together for a consumer.  
      Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same wherein the cigar tobacco paper may be enclosed within a tube means.  
      Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same wherein the cigar tobacco paper is enclosed within a tubular means and the tubular means may be aluminum.  
      Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same wherein the cigar tobacco paper is enclosed within an tubular means and the tubular means may be plastic.  
      Still another advantage of the present invention is to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same wherein the cigar tobacco paper is enclosed within an tubular means and the tubular means may be any material that is watertight.  
      Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same wherein the tubular means may completely surround and cover the tobacco paper to hold in the moisture of the tobacco paper.  
      An advantage of the present invention is to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same wherein the tubular means may completely surround and cover the tobacco paper wherein the tubular means is tapered from the midpoint to a the end thereof.  
      Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same wherein a tubular means is provided to cover the cigar tobacco paper wherein said tubular means has a generally cylindrical shape at its midpoint and is tapered on one end.  
      Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same wherein a tubular means is provided to cover the cigar tobacco paper wherein said tubular means has a generally cylindrical shape at its midpoint and is tapered on both ends of the cigar tobacco paper.  
      Still another advantage of the present invention is to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same wherein the tubular means may completely surround and/or cover the tobacco paper to hold in the flavor of the tobacco paper.  
      Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same wherein the tubular means may allow the cigar tobacco paper to hold its shape during packaging.  
      Still another advantage of the present invention is to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same wherein the tubular means may allow the cigar tobacco paper to hold its shape during shipment to the customer.  
      Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same wherein the cigar tobacco paper is rolled into a shape and configured such that the cigar tobacco paper takes the shape of the inside wall of the tubular means.  
      Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same wherein the cigar paper is fully contained by a tubular means that may allow the cigar paper to hold the shape of the tubular means.  
      Still another advantage of the present invention is to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same wherein the tubular means may hold the cigar tobacco paper in a wrapped state during shipping to a consumer.  
      An advantage of the present invention is to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same wherein the tubular means is cylindrical at its midpoint and tapered at both ends.  
      Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same wherein the tubular means is metal.  
      Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same wherein the tubular means may be wood.  
      An advantage of the present invention is to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same wherein the tubular means may be any polyurethane container.  
      Still another advantage of the present invention is to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same wherein the tubular means may be any material that is watertight and/or airtight.  
      Still another advantage of the present invention is to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same wherein the container means may hold a plurality of enwrapped cigar tobacco paper.  
      Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same wherein the cigar tobacco paper may be easily unrolled by a consumer upon delivery of the product.  
      An advantage of the present invention is to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same wherein the cigar tobacco paper may be easily unrolled by the consumer and may be filled with the tobacco filler.  
      Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same wherein a consumer may fill the cigar tobacco paper with any filler of his/her choice.  
      Still another advantage of the present invention is to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same wherein the tubular means may be larger than the cigar tobacco paper.  
      Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same wherein the tubular means may wrap the entire portion of the cigar tobacco paper.  
      An advantage of the present invention is to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same wherein the cigar tobacco paper forms a plurality of layers when rolled and further wherein the tubular means encloses the plurality of layers when rolled.  
      Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same wherein the tubular means may be comprised of a plurality of parts to form the tubular means.  
      Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same wherein the tubular means may have two pieces that may fit together to form the tubular means.  
      Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same wherein the tubular means may have a first piece and a second piece wherein the first piece may fit into the second piece to form a closed tubular means.  
      Still another advantage of the present invention is to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same wherein the tubular means may have a first piece and a second piece wherein the first piece and the second piece are tapered at an outside end and wherein the first piece and the second piece may be combined to form the tubular means.  
      Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same wherein the tubular means may have a first piece and a second piece wherein the first piece may have a larger diameter than the second piece wherein the second piece may fit within a portion of the first piece.  
      Still another advantage of the present invention is to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same wherein the tubular means holds in the moisture of the cigar tobacco paper when wrapped.  
      Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a cigar tobacco paper and a method for packaging the same wherein the tubular means holds in the flavor of the cigar tobacco paper when wrapped.  
      These and other objects of the invention will become more clear when one reads the following specification, taken together with the drawings that are attached hereto. The scope of protection sought by the inventors may be gleaned from a fair reading of the Claims that conclude this specification.  
      Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments and from the drawings.  
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a cross sectional perspective view of the cigar tobacco paper and tubular means in an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the cigar tobacco paper after rolling in an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 3  is a top view of the cigar tobacco paper in a stage of rolling in an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 4  is another perspective view of the cigar tobacco paper in another stage of rolling in an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 5  is cross sectional perspective view of the cigar tobacco paper and tubular means after rolling is complete in an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 6  is a top view of the cigar tobacco paper completely enclosed within the tubular means after completion of the rolling of the cigar tobacco paper in an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 7  is a side view of the cigar tobacco paper completely enclosed within the tubular means after the cigar tobacco paper has been rolled in an embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
      Turning now to the drawings wherein elements are identified by numbers and like elements are identified by like numbers throughout the 7 figures, the invention is depicted in  FIG. 1  that shows a cigar tobacco paper  1  and a method for packaging the same. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the cigar tobacco paper  1  is wrapped into a plurality of layers  3  for transport to a consumer (not shown). As illustrated in the cross sectional perspective view of  FIG. 1 , a plurality of layers  3  may be formed when the cigar tobacco paper  1  is encased about the tubular means  7 .  
       FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of the cigar tobacco paper  1  and the tubular means  7  after the cigar tobacco paper  1  rolled has been rolled and inserted into the tubular means  7 . The cigar tobacco paper  1  may be rolled into a shape that would allow the end user (not shown) to easily insert the cigar tobacco paper  1  desired to create their own cigar. Once the cigar tobacco paper  1  is rolled into a desired shape, the cigar tobacco paper  1  may be inserted into a tubular means  7  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The tubular means  7  may have a plurality of portions including at least a first portion  9  and a second portion  11 . In a preferred embodiment, the first portion  9  may be larger in length than the second portion  11 . In another embodiment, the first portion  9  and the second portion  11  may be of equal length. Further, the first portion  9  may be larger than the second portion  11  in length. Moreover, the tubular means  7  may be composed of a singular piece (not shown) that encapsulates the cigar tobacco paper  1 . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tubular means  7  may be made of plastic. The tubular means  7  may be made of wood, metal, polyfibers, or any other material that would be suitable for transport of the cigar tobacco paper  1  to an end user (not shown).  
      The cigar tobacco paper  1  may be a tobacco leaf (not shown) or in the alternative, may be a homogenized tobacco paper  13 . The homogenized tobacco paper  13  may have a pasted strip  15  at one end of the tobacco paper as illustrated in  FIG. 3 .  
       FIG. 3  also illustrates an object  16  that may be used to form the shape of the cigar tobacco paper  1 . The object  16  may be placed onto the cigar tobacco paper  1  prior to rolling the cigar tobacco paper  1 . The tubular means  7  may be any material that may hold the cigar tobacco paper  1  in a desired shape after rolling. Moreover, the tubular means  7  may be any material that may hold in the moisture and/or the flavor of the cigar tobacco paper  1  after rolling is completed.  FIG. 3  illustrates the cigar tobacco paper  1  being wrapped about an object  16 . The tubular means  7  may be placed over the cigar tobacco paper  1  after the cigar tobacco paper has been rolled. The tubular means  7  may keep the cigar tobacco paper  1  in a wrapped form, maintaining in the moisture of the cigar tobacco paper  1  and maintaining the flavor of the cigar tobacco paper  1  for use by a consumer (not shown).  
       FIG. 4  further illustrates a perspective view of the cigar tobacco paper  1  after the initial rolling of the cigar tobacco paper  1  has been completed. The rolled cigar tobacco paper  1  may be placed inside a tubular means  7  for shipment to the consumer. The object  16  may be used to keep the form of the cigar tobacco paper  1  in a desired form during rolling. Alternatively, the object  16  may be omitted and the cigar tobacco paper  1  may be rolled into desired form without the object  16 .  
       FIG. 4  also illustrates a perspective view of the cigar tobacco paper  1  being formed in the tubular means  7 . The tubular means  7  may be formed about the cigar tobacco paper  1  after rolling. In another embodiment, the tubular means  7  may be formed before the rolling of the cigar tobacco paper  1  and the cigar tobacco paper  1  may be inserted into the tubular means  7  thereafter. In another embodiment, the cigar tobacco paper  1  may be rolled and the tubular means  7  formed to encompass the entire rolled cigar tobacco paper.  
       FIG. 5  further illustrates a perspective view of the completed rolling of the cigar tobacco paper  1  in combination with an tubular means  7 . After the cigar tobacco paper  1  has been completely rolled, the tubular means  7  may be used to keep the cigar tobacco paper  1  in a form suitable for shipment to the consumer (not shown). Further, the tubular means  7  may protect the cigar tobacco paper  1  during shipping to a customer and may help maintain the flavor and moisture of the cigar tobacco paper  1 . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tubular means  7  has a diameter larger than the diameter of the rolled cigar tobacco paper  1 . The tubular means  7  may be tapered at its ends such that the tubular means has a generally cylindrical form at its midpoint  17 , but may be tapered at its end  4  to close about the cigar tobacco paper  1  as illustrated in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 . The tubular means  7  may be tapered at its end  21  and be completely closed. The end of the tubular means  7  may have a first side  23  and a second side  25 . The first side  23  may be the inside portion of the tubular means  7 , closest to the cigar tobacco paper  1 . The second end  25  may extend away from the first end  23  and be used to hold the tubular means  7 .  
      The tubular means  7  may be tapered at its outside edge such that the cigar tobacco paper  1  contained within the tubular means  7  is also tapered in a corresponding nature with the tubular means  7 . The cigar tobacco paper  1  may be tapered to correspond to the inside wall of the tubular means as illustrated by  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 .  
      The tubular means  7  may contain a plurality of cigar tobacco paper  1  for use by a consumer in creating and producing their own cigar with a cigar filler tobacco. The container means (not shown) may be comprised of any material that is waterproof and/or airtight.  
      It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages.