Patent Publication Number: US-11653693-B1

Title: Method and apparatus for storage of bulk smokable cones

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable 
     REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
     Not applicable 
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for constructing finished smoking products wherein a storage container holding multiple stacks of nested conical smoking shells for storage in a nested configuration without damage for future use in fabricating multiple custom smokable products. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many smokers prefer to use their own smokable filler product as opposed to purchasing ready to smoking products that are already constructed and filled with a manufacturer&#39;s selection of smokable filler. These users of fine, custom smokable fillers prefer to purchase an empty preformed conical smoking shell, and then fill it with their own custom smokable filler. 
     The process of consumers making their own custom finished smoking product from pre-formed blanks typically employs an outer shell which can be conical or frusto-conical shaped. The conical smoking shells are then filled with a smokable material such as a custom smokable filler. These conical smoking shells typically have thin walls (e.g., rice paper) which can bend, wrinkle, or otherwise become damaged when stored in a nested condition. The bending, wrinkling, or other damage to the thin walls reduces desirability to consumers. 
     There is a need for a storage system for storing multiple nested conical smoking shells that minimizes or eliminates damage to the conical smoking shell during storage and before use. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     In various embodiments is provided a conical smoking shell storage apparatus that employs a specially configured container having a top panel, one or more side panels, an interior, and a plurality of frustoconically shaped inserts supported in a generally vertical condition. 
     In various embodiments, each conically smoking shell is generally conically shaped and further comprising nesting one shell inside another shell. In various embodiments, the conically smoking shells stored while nested one inside another. 
     In various embodiments, each conical smoking shell has a tapered shape. 
     In various embodiments, the conical smoking shell storage apparatus includes a container that is a box having multiple flat sides. 
     In various embodiments, the frustoconically shaped inserts are generally vertically positioned. 
     In various embodiments, a plurality of conical smoking shells are provided, each conical smoking shell sized and shaped to removably fit in a nested condition in a respective frustoconically shaped insert. 
     In various embodiments the frustoconically shaped inserts can be pliable and deformable material, such as paper, plastic, metal and the like, that is capable of retaining a frustoconical shape when supporting multiple nested smokable conical shells. In various embodiments the stiffness of the frustoconically shaped inserts can be greater than the stiffness of the sidewalls of the multiple nested smokable conical shells. In various embodiments the multiple nested conical smoking shells can each include a filter tip contained in the interior of their respective conical smoking shell, and the filter tip has a stiffness which is greater than the stiffness of the sidewall of the conical smoking shell. In various embodiments the stiffness of the frustoconically shaped inserts is greater than the stiffness of the sidewalls of the multiple nested smokable conical shells but less than the stiffness of the filter tip. 
     In various embodiments the conical smokable shells can be comprised of smokable materials chosen from any combination of the following materials: natural leaf, homogenized tobacco paper, pipe tobacco, different types of flavored tobacco, cellulose (clear, opaque, or colored), bleached or non-bleached paper, cigarette paper, rice paper, herbal materials, tea leaves, kanna, blue lotus, salvia, salvia eivinorm, wild dagga, kratom, herbal non-tobacco, Celandine Poppy, Mugwort, Purple Lavender Flowers, Coltsfoot Leaf, Ginger root, California Poppy, Sinicuichi, St. John&#39;s Wort, Capillarius herba, Yerba Lenna Yesca, Calea Zacatechichi, Leonurus Sibericus Flowers, Wild Dagga Flowers, Klip Dagga Leaf, Damiana, Hookah, hemp, Hemia salicifolia, Kava Kava, Avena Sativa, scotch broom topps, Valarian, capillarius, herba, Wild clip dagga, Leonurus sibiricus, Kanna, Sinicuichi, chocolate, herbal components, and/or lactuca virosa. 
     In various embodiments the conical smoking shell, frustoconically shaped inserts, filter tips, and/or smokable filler can include liquid for moisturizing, and also preferably includes flavoring and/or scenting. The liquid can be, in whole or in part, water, alcohol, solvent, oil, propylene glycol, ethyl alcohol, glycerin, benzyl alcohol as examples. The liquid can be flavored and/or scented with items such as for example apple, apple martini, berries, blueberry, champagne, chocolate, coco/vanilla, cognac, cosmo, gin, grape, honey, lychee, mango, menthol, mint choco, peach, piña colada, punch, purple, rum, strawberry/kiwi, vanilla, watermelon, wet cherry, and/or whiskey. This flavored liquid is typically applied at levels of between about 0.01 to 45% by weight, and preferably between about 0.1% to 10% by weight. This flavored liquid is typically applied to the at least one pre-rolled sheet with a carrier liquid such as ethyl alcohol, propylene glycol, water or the like. Glycerin and invert sugar can also be used as a carrier. Some humectants can also be used, however, little or no humectants can be used. In general terms, the flavors can be provided by botanical extracts, essential oils, or artificial flavor chemicals, any one of which or a combination thereof mixed with a carrying solvent such as propylene glycol, ethyl alcohol, glycerin, benzyl alcohol, or other alcohol, for example. Other flavors can include cocoa, licorice, coffee, vanilla or other botanical extracts. Essentials oils can be used such as wine essence, cognac oil, rose oil, mate or other oils. In various embodiments terpene flavors can be used. In various embodiments other flavors can be non-characteristic flavors which include but are not limited to classic, blue, and Amersterdam. 
     While certain novel features of this invention shown and described below are pointed out in the annexed claims, the invention is not intended to be limited to the details specified, since a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art will understand that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. No feature of the invention is critical or essential unless it is expressly stated as being “critical” or “essential.” 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       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: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of conical smoking shell by itself which can be constructed by conventional methods. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of the conical smoking shell of  FIG.  1    showing a filter tip. 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view showing a various conical smoking shells supported in a container in a nested condition. 
         FIG.  4    is a sectional view of a stack of nested conically smoking shells supported in the container of  FIG.  3   , and taken along the lines  4 - 4  insert and illustrating wrinkling or damage to the sidewalls of the nested conical smoking shells. 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of a frustoconically shaped insert or support. 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view showing the specially configured container of  FIG.  4    having a plurality of frustoconically shaped inserts or supports which themselves are supported in a generally vertical condition. 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective view showing the specially configured container of  FIG.  6    now with: (i) some of the frustoconical shaped inserts or supports having no conical smoking shells, (ii) other of the frustoconical shaped inserts or supports having single conical smoking shells, and (iii) still others of the frustoconical shaped inserts supports having a plurality of nested conical smoking shells. 
         FIGS.  8  and  9    are sectional views of  FIG.  7    taken along the lines  8 - 8  and schematically illustrating a frustoconical shaped insert or support supporting a nested stack of a plurality of conical smoking shells without any wrinkling or damage to any of the sidewalls in the smoking shells. 
         FIG.  10    is a perspective view showing a fully closed specially configured container having a top panel, one or more side panels, an interior, and a plurality of frustoconically shaped inserts or supports supported in a generally vertical condition, with: (i) some of the frustoconical shaped inserts or supports having no conical smoking shells, (ii) other of the frustoconical shaped inserts or supports having single conical smoking shells, and (iii) still others of the frustoconical shaped inserts supports having a plurality of nested conical smoking shells. 
         FIG.  11    is perspective view of a second frustoconically shaped insert or support which can be used as an upper support for each individual stack of a plurality of nested conical smoking shells. 
         FIG.  12    is a perspective view show ng a fully closed container having a top panel, one or more side panels, an interior, and a plurality of frustoconically shaped inserts or supports supported in a generally vertical condition, with: (i) some of the frustoconical shaped inserts or supports having no conical smoking shells, (ii) other of the frustoconical shaped inserts or supports having single conical smoking shells, and (iii) still others of the frustoconical shaped inserts supports having a plurality of nested conical smoking shells along with an upper frustoconical insert or support. 
         FIG.  13    is a sectional view of  FIG.  12    taken along the lines  13 - 13  and schematically illustrating two stacks of a plurality of nested conical smokable shells with lower and upper frustoconical shaped inserts or supports on opposing ends of the stacks of plurality of nested conical smoking shells and without any wrinkling or damage to any of the sidewalls in the smoking shells. 
         FIG.  14    is a sectional view of a stack of a large plurality of nested conical smokable shells with lower and upper frustoconical shaped inserts or supports on opposing ends of the stack of nested conical smoking shells where the lower and upper shaped inserts or supports are completely longitudinally spaced apart from each other and where there is no wrinkling or damage to any of the sidewalls in the smoking shells. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Conical Smoking Shell and Damage 
       FIG.  1    is a perspective view of conical smoking shell  100  by itself which can be constructed by conventional methods.  FIG.  2    is a perspective view of the conical smoking shell  100  showing a filter tip  180 . Conical smoking shell  100  can include first end  110 , second end  120 , outer surface  140 , and filter tip  180 . At first end  110  can be first opening  150 . At second end  120  can be second opening  160 . First opening  150  can be larger than second opening  160  giving first conical smoking shell  100  its conical shape. Between first end  110  and second end  120  is interior portion  114 . 
       FIG.  3    is a perspective view showing various conical smoking shells  101 ,  1001 , and  1101  supported in a container  200 . Sidewall  102  of outer surface  140  of conical smoking shells  100  is weak and can wrinkle/deflect/tear when nested with one or more other conical smoking shells Outer surface  140  of sidewall  102  of conical smoking shell  101 ,  1001  can wrinkle/deflect/tear if not directly supported.  FIG.  4    is a sectional view of a stack of nested conical smoking shells  101 ,  1001  supported in the container  200  and illustrating wrinkling or damage  1090  to the conical smoking shells  101 ,  1001  (see e.g.,  FIG.  4   ). Additionally, the top of the stack of nested conical smoking shells (cone  1000  in  FIG.  4   ) can become damaged by vertical movement of the stack of nested cones while being held such as by contacting an upper portion of a closed storage container  200  (see e.g., top  260  in  FIG.  10    and wrinkled/folded/damaged portion  1092  in  FIG.  4    of top conical smoking shell  1000 ). 
     Opposed Frustoconically Shaped Inserts or Supports and Storage Container 
       FIG.  5    is a perspective view of a first frustoconically shaped insert or support  400 . Frustoconically shaped insert  400  has a top  410 , bottom  420 , sidewall  430 , interior  416 , and longitudinal centerline  408 . Frustoconically shaped insert  400  can be pliable and deformable material, such as paper, plastic, metal and the like, that is capable of retaining a frustoconical shape when supporting multiple nested conical smoking shells. 
     In various embodiments the stiffness of frustoconically shaped insert  400  can be greater than the stiffness of the sidewalls  102  of the multiple nested smokable conical shells  100 . In various embodiments the multiple nested conical smoking shells  100  can each include a filter tip  180  contained in the interior of their respective conical smoking shell  100 , and the filter tip  180  has a stiffness which is greater than the stiffness of the sidewall  102  of the conical smoking shell  100 . In various embodiments the stiffness of the frustoconically shaped inserts  400  can be greater than the stiffness of the sidewalls  102  of the multiple nested smokable conical smoking shells  100  but less than the stiffness of the filter tips  180 . 
     Preferably outer sidewall  416  of frustoconically shaped insert  400  closely conforms to sidewall  102  of conical smoking shell  100  which provides support to sidewall  102  and prevents wrinkling, bending, or other damage. 
       FIG.  11    is perspective view of an upper frustoconically shaped insert or support  500  which can be used as an upper support for each individual stack of a plurality of nested conical smoking shells. Upper frustoconically shaped insert or support  500  has a top  510 , bottom  520 , sidewall  530 , and longitudinal centerline  508 . Upper frustoconically shaped insert or support  500  can be pliable and deformable material, such as paper, plastic, metal and the like, that is capable of retaining a frustoconical shape when at least partially inserted in the interior of a conical smoking shell (e.g., conical smoking shell  100 ,  1000 ,  1100 , etc.). 
     In various embodiments the stiffness of upper frustoconically shaped insert or support  500  can be greater than the stiffness of the sidewalls of the multiple nested smokable conical shells which are nested below insert or support  500 . In various embodiments the stiffness of the upper frustoconically shaped insert or support  500  can be greater than the stiffness of the sidewalls of the multiple nested smokable conical smoking shells which are nested below insert or support  500 , but less than the stiffness of the filter tips  180  of these conical shells. In various embodiments the stiffness of upper frustoconically shaped insert or support  500  can be less than the stiffness of lower frustoconically shaped insert or support  400 , but greater than the stiffness of the sidewalls of the multiple nested smokable conical smoking shells which are nested between upper  500  and lower  400  inserts or supports. 
     Preferably outer sidewall  530  of upper frustoconically shaped insert or support  500  closely conforms to the interior of the conical smoking shell that it is at least partially inserted in the interior of (e.g., the upper most conical smoking shell  100 ,  1000 ,  1100 , etc.) and thereby provides support and resists wrinkling, bending, or other damage to the conical smoking shell. 
     Storage Container With Only Lower Frustoconically Shaped Insert or Support 
       FIGS.  6  through  10    schematically show storage container  200  with a plurality of lower frustoconically shaped inserts or supports  400  (e.g., pluralities  402  and  403 ), in combination with storage container  200 , providing support to the sidewalls  102  of conical smoking shells  100  to be held in a generally vertical orientation. Each frustoconically shaped insert  400 , in combination with storage container  200 , can provide support to the sidewalls of a set of nested conical smoking shells  103  to be held in a generally vertical orientation. A plurality of frustoconically shaped inserts  401 , in combination with storage container  200 , can provide support to the sidewalls of a plurality of sets of nested conical smoking shells  103  to be held in a generally vertical orientation 
       FIG.  6    is a partial cutout view of a specially configured container  200  having a top panel  202 , one or more side panels  220 , an interior  230 , a lower panel  300 , and a plurality of frustoconically shaped inserts  401  supported in a generally vertical condition, where the inserts  400  are each ready to accept a plurality of conical smoking shells (e.g.,  100 ). 
     A plurality of frustoconically shaped inserts  400  can be supported by storage container  200  via respective openings  210 / 310  and in turn respectively support one or more nested conical smoking shells  100 ,  1000 ,  1100 , etc. As best shown in  FIGS.  7  through  9   , outer surface  140  of lowermost conical smoking shell  100  contacts directly inner sidewall  416  of frustoconically shaped insert  400 , and inner insert sidewall  416  supports and protects from damage sidewall  102  of conical smoking shell  100 . Outer surface  140  of next lowermost conical smoking shell  1000  contacts directly sidewall  416  of lowermost conical smoking shell  100  which in turn is in direct contact with inner sidewall  416  of frustoconically shaped insert  400 . Outer surface  140  of second next lowermost conical smoking shell  1100  contacts directly the sidewall of conical smoking shell  1000 , which in turn is in direct contact with conical smoking shell  100 , which conical smoking shell  100  is in turn is in direct contact with inner sidewall  416  of lower frustoconically shaped insert or support  400 . This pattern can be repeated for each of set of nested conical smoking shells supported by a respective frustoconically shaped insert  400 . In such manner lower frustoconically shaped insert or support  400  can protect nested conical smoking shells  100 ,  1000 ,  1100 , etc. from wrinkling, folding, bending, or damage  1090  when stored in storage apparatus  200 . 
     Top panel  202  of storage container  200  includes a plurality of upper openings  210 . Lower panel  300  includes a plurality of lower openings  310  which respectively align with the plurality of upper openings  210 . Preferably, plurality of upper openings  210  are larger than plurality of lower openings  310  whose respective relative opening sizes (see  211  and  311  in  FIG.  9   ) are preferably determined based on both: (i) the slope of sidewall  430  of lower frustoconically shaped support  400  and (ii) the distance/spacing  254  between top panel  202  and lower panel  300  for a tight or snug fit for each lower frustoconically shaped insert  400  with both of its respective upper opening  210  and lower opening  310 . In such manner each lower frustoconically shaped insert  400  can be held in a generally vertical position without substantial horizontal play between the lower frustoconically shaped insert  400  and storage container  200 . Furthermore, preferably each longitudinal centerline  408  of the plurality of lower frustoconically shaped inserts  400  can be held generally parallel to the other longitudinal centerlines  408  of the plurality of lower frustoconically shaped inserts  400  (schematically shown in  FIG.  6   ). Keeping parallel the various longitudinal center lines  408  of adjacent lower frustoconically shaped supports  400  increases the number of conical smoking shells  100  that nested together in each of the lower frustoconical shaped insert  400  without substantial damaging side contact (and possibly bending/wrinkling/damaging) other sets of nested conical smoking shells  100  located in immediately adjacent lower frustoconical shaped inserts  400 . Additionally, keeping parallel the various longitudinal centerlines  408  of adjacent lower frustoconically shaped inserts  400  allows said supports  400  to be “packed” closer together without substantial side to side contact (and possibly bending/wrinkling/damaging) other sets of nested conical smoking shells  100  located in immediately adjacent lower frustoconical shaped inserts  400 . Preferably, the plurality of lower frustoconical shaped inserts  400  are inserted into respective upper openings  210  without permanently affixing said supports  400  to storage container  200 . That way the plurality of lower frustoconical shaped inserts  400  can be selectively removed from storage container  200  (which lower insert or support  400  removal would also removes the plurality of conical smoking shells  100  that are nested in the selected lower frustoconical shaped insert  400 ). In such manner a stack of nested plurality of conical smoking shells  100  can be held by the selected lower frustoconically shaped insert  400  without damaging any of the conical smoking shells  100  in the nested stack. Alternatively, in various embodiments one or more of the lower frustoconical support inserts  400  can be permanently attached or affixed to the top  202  of storage container  200  (in which embodiments interior shelf  300  can be omitted). In various embodiments one or more of the lower frustoconical support inserts  400  can be formed as a single unit with the top  202  of storage container  200  (e.g., inserts  400  and top  202  of storage container  200  can be combined in a pre-formed tray). 
     As schematically shown in  FIG.  6   , in various embodiments the plurality of adjacent frustoconically shaped inserts or supports  400  are “packed” so closely that each lower frustoconically shaped insert or support in the plurality is in contact with at least one other lower frustoconically shaped insert or support in the plurality of frustoconically shaped inserts or supports  400 . In various embodiments the plurality of adjacent lower frustoconically shaped inserts  400  are “packed” so closely that each lower frustoconically shaped insert or support in the plurality is in contact with at least two other lower frustoconically shaped inserts or supports in the plurality of lower frustoconically shaped inserts or supports  400 . In various embodiments the plurality of adjacent lower frustoconically shaped inserts or supports  400  are “packed” so closely that each lower frustoconically shaped insert or support in the plurality is in contact with at least three other lower frustoconically shaped inserts or supports in the plurality of lower frustoconically shaped inserts or supports  400 . In various embodiments the plurality of adjacent lower frustoconically shaped inserts or supports  400  are “packed” so closely that each lower frustoconically shaped insert or support in the plurality is in contact with at least four other lower frustoconically shaped inserts or supports in the plurality of lower frustoconically shaped inserts or supports  400 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  6  through  9   , each lower frustoconically shaped insert or support  400  can extend above top  202  of storage container  200 , through its respective upper opening  210 , into interior  230 , and through its respective lower opening  310  of interior shelf or panel  300 . As shown in  FIGS.  8  and  9    bottom or second end  420  of lower frustoconically shaped insert or support  400  is preferably in contact with bottom  204  of storage container  200  so that bottom  204  aids in the support (beyond the support to lower frustoconically shaped insert or support  400  provided by top  202  and interior or shelf  300 ). Alternatively, one or more bottom or second end  420  of lower frustoconically shaped insert  400  can be spaced apart (not shown) from bottom  204  of storage container  200  so that support to frustoconically shaped insert  400  is provided by top  202  and interior or shelf  300  where bottom or second  420  is located between bottom  204  and interior or shelf  300 . Such spacing apart provides the benefit of allowing some vertical movement of bottom  204  (e.g., bottom  204  may be flexible)without such movement of the bottom  204  causing a vertical movement of any of the lower frustoconically shaped inserts or supports  400  and the conical smoking shells nested in any said lower frustoconically shaped inserts or supports  400 . 
     Lower frustoconically shaped insert or support  400  has a strong sidewall  416  which resists deformation and will protect from wrinkling or bending a conical smoking shell  100  placed inside insert  400 . This can be contrasted to  FIG.  4    showing a plurality of nested conical smoking shells  100  being supported without a frustoconically shaped insert  400  and illustrating lower wrinkling or damage  1090  to the conical smoking shells  100 . 
       FIG.  7    is a perspective view showing a fully closed container  200  having a top panel  260 , one or more side panels  220 , an interior  270 , and a plurality of lower frustoconically shaped inserts or supports  400  supported in a generally vertical condition, with: (i) some of the lower frustoconical shaped inserts or supports  400  having no conical smoking shells  100 ,  1000 ,  1100 , etc., (ii) other of the lower frustoconical shaped inserts or supports  400  having single conical smoking shells  100 , and (iii) still others of the lower frustoconical shaped inserts supports  400  having a plurality of nested conical smoking shells (e.g., shells  100 ,  1000 ,  1100 , etc.). 
       FIGS.  8  and  9    are sectional views of  FIG.  7    taken along the lines  8 - 8  and schematically illustrating a lower frustoconical shaped insert  400  supporting a plurality of nested conical smoking shells  101 ,  1001 , and  1101  without any lower wrinkling, bending, folding, or damage  1090  to any of the sidewalls in the smoking shells. However, some upper wrinkling, bending, folding, or damage  1192  is noted to the uppermost nested conical smoking shell or cone  1100  in this stack of nested conical smoking shells. Such uppermost damage can be caused by longitudinal movement of the entire stack of the stack of plurality of nested conical smoking shells. Although lower frustoconical insert of support  400  protects against lower wrinkling, bending, folding, or damage, it will not protect against uppermost wrinkling, bending, folding, or damage which may occur if part or all of the stack moves longitudinally away from bottom  204  of container  200  and contacts the upper enclosure of the container. 
       FIG.  10    is a perspective view showing a fully encased specially configured container  200  having a top panel  202 , one or more side panels  220 , and a plurality of lower frustoconically shaped inserts or supports  400  supported in a generally vertical condition, with some of these lower frustoconically shaped inserts supporting one or more conical smoking shells in a nested condition (e.g.,  101 ,  1001 , and  1101 ). To fully encase container  200  cover  250  with plurality of walls  270  and top  260  can be slid over container  200  such that plurality of conical smoking shells  100  are contained in the interior  255  of cover  250 . In various embodiments cover  250  can have an open bottom and be slid on top of container  200 . In various embodiments top  260  can be a lid which can be opened (e.g., removable cap or a hinged lid). 
     In various embodiments container  200  can be of various different shapes such cubes, cuboids, prisms, pyramids, platonic solids, torus, cone, cylinder, and sphere. 
     Storage Container with Opposed Lower and Upper Frusto-Conically Shaped Insert or Supports for Stacks of Pluralities of Nested Conical Smoking Shells 
       FIG.  11    is perspective view of an upper frustoconically shaped insert or support  500  which can be used as an upper support for each individual stack of a plurality of nested conical smoking shells (e.g., stacks  600  and  600 ′ in  FIGS.  12  and  13   ). 
     Upper frustoconically shaped insert or support  500  has a top  510 , bottom  520 , sidewall  530 , and longitudinal centerline  508 . Upper frustoconically shaped insert or support  500  can be pliable and deformable material, such as paper, plastic, metal and the like, that is capable of retaining a frustoconical shape when at least partially inserted in the interior of a conical smoking shell (e.g., conical smoking shell  100 ,  1000 ,  1100 , etc.). 
       FIG.  12    is a perspective view showing a fully closed container  200  having a top panel  260 , one or more side panels  220 , an interior  270 , and a plurality of first frustoconically shaped inserts or supports  400  supported in a generally vertical condition, with: (i) some of the first frustoconical shaped inserts or supports  400  having no conical smoking shells  100 ,  1000 ,  1100 , etc., (ii) other of the first frustoconical shaped inserts or supports  400  having single conical smoking shells  100 , and (iii) still others of the first frustoconical shaped inserts supports  400  having a plurality of nested conical smoking shells (e.g., shells  100 ,  1000 ,  1100 , etc.) along with an upper frustoconical insert or support  500 . 
       FIG.  13    is a sectional view of  FIG.  12    taken along the lines  13 - 13  and schematically illustrating two example stacks of a plurality of nested conical smokable shells (e.g., shells  100 ,  1000 ,  1100 , etc.) each having lower  400  and upper  500  frustoconical shaped inserts or supports on opposing ends of the stacks of plurality of nested conical smoking shells and without any wrinkling or damage to any of the sidewalls in the smoking shells. 
     The plurality of conical smoking shells can experience much movement, jerking, and/or hitting during storage which can cause individual stacks of pluralities of nested conical smoking shells to differentially move longitudinally and/or laterally in the stored state. With the use of opposed lower  400  and upper  500  frustoconically shaped inserts or supports, both ends of the individual stacks of pluralities of nested conical smoking shells can be protected. 
     If an individual nested stack  600 ,  600 ′, etc. moves longitudinally away from bottom  204  of container  200  (schematically indicated by arrow  590  in  FIG.  13   ) the respective upper frustoconically shaped insert or support  500  will also move in said direction of arrow  590  and first contact any resistance to further movement (e.g., when contacting top  260  of container). The stiffness of the respective upper frustoconically shaped insert or support  500  will protect from wrinkling, bending, folding, or damage the particular conical smoking shell (e.g., shell  1000 ) in which insert or support  500  is located. 
     On the other hand, if an individual stack moves laterally inside container (schematically indicated by arrows  591  and  592  in  FIG.  13   ) the respective upper frustoconically shaped insert or support  500  will also move in said direction and first contact any resistance to further movement (e.g., when contacting a side panel  262  of closed container  200  or another upper frustoconically shaped insert or support  500 ′). This assumes that the height(s) of each upper frustoconically shaped insert or support  500  and  500 ′ are roughly the same relative to each other. The stiffness of the respective upper frustoconically shaped insert or support  500  will protect from wrinkling, bending, folding, or damage the particular conical smoking shell (e.g., shell  1000 ) in which insert or support  500  is nested in. In the instance of contacting a second upper frustoconically shaped insert or support  500 ′ both inserts or supports  500  and  500 ′ will respectively protect their respective conical smoking shell from wrinkling, bending, folding, or damage (e.g., insert or support  500  protecting shell  1000  and insert or support  500 ′ protecting shell  1000 ′). 
       FIG.  14    is a sectional view of a stack  600  of a large plurality of nested conical smokable shells with lower  400  and upper  500  frustoconical shaped inserts or supports on opposing ends of the stack  600  of nested conical smoking shells where the lower  400  and upper  500  shaped inserts or supports are completely longitudinally spaced apart from each other and where there is no wrinkling or damage to any of the sidewalls in the smoking shells. 
     In various embodiments one or more stacks  600  of a plurality of nested conical smoking shells can at least have at least 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 nested conical smoking shells in each stack  600 . In various embodiments the number of nested conical smoking shells in each nested stack  600  can fall within a range of any two of the above referenced/specified number of nested conical smoking shells. 
     In various embodiments one or more stacks  600  of a plurality of nested conical smoking shells can have enough nested conical smoking shells  100 ,  1000 ,  1100 ,  1200 ,  1210 ,  1220 ,  1230 ,  1240  etc. that the lower  400  and upper  500  frustoconical shaped inserts or supports on opposing ends of the stack  600  are spaced where the lower end  520  of the respective upper  500  frustoconical shaped insert or support is higher than the upper end  410  of the respective lower frustoconical shaped insert or support  400 . In such a case, the respective upper  500  frustoconically shaped insert or support for the stack  600  would be considered completely longitudinally spaced apart its respective lower  400  frustoconically shaped insert or support for the stack  600 .  FIG.  14    shows a plurality of nested conical smoking shells  100 ,  1000 ,  1100 ,  1200 ,  1210 ,  1220 ,  1230 ,  1240  etc. causing the lower  400  and upper  500  frustoconical shaped inserts or supports to be completely longitudinally spaced apart. 
     For purposes of simplicity  FIGS.  12  and  13    do not show enough nested conical smoking shells  100 ,  1000 ,  1100 , etc. in a stack such that the respective upper frustoconically shaped insert or support  500  is completely longitudinally spaced apart from the lower frustoconically shaped insert or support  400  for the stack  600 . However (with the example shown in  FIG.  14   ), for any stack  600  of nested conical smoking shells, adding additional nested conical smoking shells to stack  600  shown in  FIGS.  12  and  13    will incrementally increase the separation of upper  500  and lower  400  frustoconically shaped inserts or supports for the respective stack  600  and eventually the upper frustoconically shaped insert or support  500  will be completely longitudinally spaced apart from the lower frustoconically shaped insert or support  400  for the stack  600 . Furthermore, where enough additional nested conical smoking shells are be added to the stack  600  then one or more intermediate nested conical smoking shells  620  will themselves be completely longitudinally spaced apart from both upper  500  and lower  400  frustoconically shaped inserts or supports. The one or more nested conical smoking shells  610  that are themselves spaced apart from both the completely longitudinally spaced apart upper  500  and lower  400  frustoconically shaped inserts or supports will be called intermediate nested conical smoking shell(s)  620 . 
     In  FIG.  14    conical smoking shells  1220  and  1230  are shown as being completely longitudinally spaced apart from upper  500  and lower  400  frustoconically shaped inserts or supports In various embodiments a plurality of intermediate nested conical smoking shells  620  can be in a stack  600 . Area  620  shows some intermediate nested conical smoking shells (in this case conical smoking shells  1220  and  1230 ). In various embodiments a plurality of stacks  600 ,  600 ′,  600 ″, etc. can each respectively have a plurality of intermediate nested conical smoking shells  620 . In various embodiments there are at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 intermediate nested conical smoking shells  620  in one or more of the stacks  600 . In various embodiments the number of intermediate nested conical smoking shells  620  can fall within a range of any two of the above referenced/specified number of intermediate nested conical smoking shells. In various embodiments a plurality of stacks  600 ,  600 ′,  600 ″, etc. can each respectively have a plurality of intermediate nested conical smoking shells  620 . In various embodiments there are at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 intermediate nested conical smoking shells  620  in one or more of the stacks  600 . In various embodiments the number of intermediate nested conical smoking shells  620  can fall within a range of any two of the above referenced/specified number of intermediate nested conical smoking shells. 
     It has been surprisingly found that each conical smoking shell in a nested stack of conical smoking shells  600 , including but not limited to the full set of intermediate nested conical smoking shell(s)  620 , can be protected from wrinkling, bending, folding, or damage by the combination of the upper  500  and lower  400  frustoconically shaped insert or supports even where the frustoconically shaped insert or supports are completely longitudinally spaced apart upper  500  and lower  400  frustoconically shaped insert or supports. 
     In various embodiments storage container  200  can include a plurality of nested stacks  600  of conical smoking shells which each stack  600  includes intermediate nested conical smoking shell(s)  620 . In various embodiments have a plurality of intermediate nested conical smoking shells  620 . In various embodiments there are at least 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 nested stacks of conical smoking shells which each include intermediate nested conical smoking shells  620 . In various embodiments the number of nested stacks of conical smoking shells  600  can fall within a range of any two of the above referenced/specified number of nested stacks of conical smoking shells  620 . In various embodiments the plurality of nested stacks of conical smoking shells  600  can be in a grid or array pattern in storage container  200 . 
     The following is a list of reference numerals: 
     
       
         
           
               
            
               
                   
               
               
                 TABLE OF REFERENCE NUMERALS: 
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                 REFERENCE NUMBER 
                 DESCRIPTION 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                 10 
                 storage apparatus 
               
               
                 100 
                 conical smoking shell 
               
               
                 101 
                 plurality of conical smoking shells 
               
               
                 102 
                 sidewall 
               
               
                 103 
                 set of nested conical smoking shells 
               
               
                 105 
                 height 
               
               
                 106 
                 distance 
               
               
                 107 
                 distance 
               
               
                 110 
                 first end 
               
               
                 114 
                 interior 
               
               
                 120 
                 second end 
               
               
                 130 
                 inner surface 
               
               
                 140 
                 outer surface 
               
               
                 150 
                 first opening 
               
               
                 160 
                 second opening 
               
               
                 180 
                 filter 
               
               
                 182 
                 first end of filter 
               
               
                 184 
                 second end of filter 
               
               
                 190 
                 damaged/wrinkled area 
               
               
                 196 
                 arrow 
               
               
                 200 
                 storage container 
               
               
                 202 
                 top of storage container 
               
               
                 204 
                 bottom of storage container 
               
               
                 210 
                 plurality of openings in top of storage 
               
               
                   
                 container 
               
               
                 211 
                 dimension 
               
               
                 220 
                 walls or side panels 
               
               
                 230 
                 interior 
               
               
                 250 
                 cover 
               
               
                 252 
                 distance 
               
               
                 254 
                 distance 
               
               
                 260 
                 top panel or openable top 
               
               
                 262 
                 side panel 
               
               
                 270 
                 upper interior of closed storage 
               
               
                   
                 container 
               
               
                 300 
                 interior shelf of storage container 
               
               
                 310 
                 plurality of openings in interior shelf 
               
               
                 311 
                 dimension 
               
               
                 400 
                 frustoconical support insert 
               
               
                 401 
                 plurality of frustoconical support 
               
               
                   
                 inserts 
               
               
                 402 
                 plurality of frustoconical support 
               
               
                   
                 inserts 
               
               
                 403 
                 plurality of frustoconical support 
               
               
                   
                 inserts 
               
               
                 405 
                 height 
               
               
                 408 
                 longitudinal centerline 
               
               
                 410 
                 top of frustoconical support insert 
               
               
                 414 
                 interior 
               
               
                 416 
                 inner sidewall 
               
               
                 420 
                 bottom of frustoconical support insert 
               
               
                 430 
                 sidewall of frustoconical support 
               
               
                   
                 insert 
               
               
                 440 
                 thickness 
               
               
                 500 
                 upper frustoconical support insert 
               
               
                 501 
                 plurality of upper frustoconical 
               
               
                   
                 support inserts 
               
               
                 502 
                 plurality of frustoconical support 
               
               
                   
                 inserts 
               
               
                 503 
                 plurality of frustoconical support 
               
               
                   
                 inserts 
               
               
                 505 
                 height 
               
               
                 508 
                 longitudinal centerline 
               
               
                 510 
                 top of frustoconical support insert 
               
               
                 511 
                 gap 
               
               
                 514 
                 interior 
               
               
                 516 
                 inner sidewall 
               
               
                 520 
                 bottom of frustoconical support insert 
               
               
                 530 
                 sidewall of frustoconical support 
               
               
                   
                 insert 
               
               
                 540 
                 thickness 
               
               
                 590 
                 arrow 
               
               
                 591 
                 arrow 
               
               
                 592 
                 arrow 
               
               
                 600 
                 stack of nested smokable conical 
               
               
                   
                 shells 
               
               
                 610 
                 one or more nested conical smoking 
               
               
                   
                 shells 
               
               
                 620 
                 one of more intermediate nested 
               
               
                   
                 conical smoking shells 
               
               
                 1000 
                 conical smoking shell 
               
               
                 1001 
                 plurality of conical smoking shells 
               
               
                 1002 
                 sidewall 
               
               
                 1005 
                 height 
               
               
                 1010 
                 first end 
               
               
                 1014 
                 interior 
               
               
                 1020 
                 second end 
               
               
                 1030 
                 inner surface 
               
               
                 1040 
                 outer surface 
               
               
                 1050 
                 first opening 
               
               
                 1060 
                 second opening 
               
               
                 1080 
                 filter 
               
               
                 1082 
                 first end of filter 
               
               
                 1084 
                 second end of filter 
               
               
                 1090 
                 wrinkling, bending, or damage 
               
               
                 1092 
                 wrinkling, bending, or damage 
               
               
                 1100 
                 conical smoking shell 
               
               
                 1101 
                 plurality of conical smoking shells 
               
               
                 1102 
                 sidewall 
               
               
                 1105 
                 height 
               
               
                 1110 
                 first end 
               
               
                 1114 
                 interior 
               
               
                 1120 
                 second end 
               
               
                 1130 
                 inner surface 
               
               
                 1140 
                 outer surface 
               
               
                 1150 
                 first opening 
               
               
                 1160 
                 second opening 
               
               
                 1180 
                 filter 
               
               
                 1182 
                 first end of filter 
               
               
                 1184 
                 second end of filter 
               
               
                 1192 
                 wrinkling, bending, or damage 
               
               
                 1200 
                 conical smoking shell 
               
               
                 1202 
                 first end 
               
               
                 1204 
                 second end 
               
               
                 1210 
                 conical smoking shell 
               
               
                 1212 
                 first end 
               
               
                 1214 
                 second end 
               
               
                 1220 
                 conical smoking shell 
               
               
                 1222 
                 first end 
               
               
                 1224 
                 second end 
               
               
                 1230 
                 conical smoking shell 
               
               
                 1232 
                 first end 
               
               
                 1234 
                 second end 
               
               
                 1240 
                 conical smoking shell 
               
               
                 1242 
                 first end 
               
               
                 1244 
                 second end 
               
               
                 1250 
                 conical smoking shell 
               
               
                 1252 
                 first end 
               
               
                 1254 
                 second end 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     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. 
     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.