Patent Publication Number: US-11382353-B1

Title: Insert system including flavor releasing mechanism held within a polymer holder

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to smokable pre-rolls, including smokable pre-rolls with embedded flavor releasing mechanisms. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A new phenomenon is happening within the smokables industry wherein consumers purchase cigars, remove the tobacco leaves from within the cigars (while leaving the outer tobacco leaf shells and mouthpieces), and subsequently fill the hollow cigars with his/her own smokable materials (e.g., cannabis). 
     Another phenomenon involving the inclusion of flavor releasing mechanisms within a smokable insert also is becoming very popular. In many cases, the flavor releasing mechanisms include small spheres filled with a flavoring substance (also known as “click balls”) that are designed to be squeezed by the user to effectively explode and release the flavoring. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for an insert system including one or more flavor releasing mechanisms that may be used for these types of smokables to maximize the smoking experience. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  show aspects of a smokable cone (prior art); 
         FIG. 2  shows aspects of an insert system according to exemplary embodiments hereof; 
         FIG. 3  shows an exploded view of the insert system of  FIG. 2  according to exemplary embodiments hereof; 
         FIGS. 4-5  show aspects of a flavor mechanism holding structure according to exemplary embodiments hereof; and 
         FIG. 6  shows an insert system coupled with a one or more leaves to form a blunt according to exemplary embodiments hereof. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     For the purposes of this specification, the terms below will mean the following. 
     Cigarette generally refers to a smokable comprising a thin cylinder of finely cut tobacco, cannabis, other types of leaves, flowers, herbs, and/or other smokable materials, rolled in a suitable paper or leaf for smoking. A cigarette may or may not include a mouthpiece (e.g., an insert, a filter, etc.). 
     Cigar generally refers to a cylinder of tobacco rolled in tobacco leaves for smoking. A cigar may or may not include a mouthpiece (e.g., an insert). 
     Blunt generally refers to a cigar that has been hollowed out and filled with other types of smokable materials (e.g., cannabis). A blunt may typically include a mouthpiece, such as the insert system described herein, however, this may not be necessary. 
     Cone generally refers to a conical- or frustum-shaped cigarette (or “joint”) wherein the shape flares from a smaller diameter proximal base to a larger diameter distal tip (see  FIG. 1 ). Cones may typically comprise paper, hemp, palm leaves, tobacco leaves, rice, cotton, cellulose, glycerin, and/or other suitable materials. 
     Pre-roll generally refers to a cigarette or cone that has been formed prior to its sale and is therefore consumer-ready (i.e., a consumer is not required to fill or otherwise form the smokable). 
     Empty cone refers to an empty cone into which a consumer may place smokable materials (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, etc.) to form a smokable cone. 
     Insert generally refers to a mouthpiece or tip coupled with a cone, blunt or cigarette (see  FIG. 1 ) that acts to support the proximal end of the smokable (e.g., the end that is pressed against one&#39;s lips for smoking). An insert may include a “crutch” formed of thick paper, glass or other materials, a filter (e.g., a cotton filter), other types of inserts, and any combinations thereof. Inserts may be used with cigarettes, blunts, cones (pre-rolled, empty, etc.), rolling papers, and other types of smokable items. 
     In general, and according to exemplary embodiments hereof, an insert system  10  including a flavor releasing mechanism held within a compressible polymer holder disposed between two filter elements is provided. The insert system  10  may be used as a mouthpiece with any type of suitable smokable, including, but not limited to, a blunt, a cigar, a cigarette, a cone, a pre-roll, an empty cone, any other type of smokable, and any combinations thereof. The insert system  10  may be squeezed to activate the flavor releasing mechanism to release flavor into the smoke passing through the insert system  10  to enhance the smoking experience. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the insert system  10  is configured with one or more Cordia palm leaves and formed as a blunt. 
     In one exemplary embodiment hereof as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the insert system  10  includes a filter assembly  100  including one or more filter elements  102 , a flavor mechanism  200 , a flavor mechanism holding structure  300 , and an outer shell structure  400 .  FIG. 2  shows a schematic of the insert system  10  and  FIG. 3  shows an exploded view of the same. In general, the flavor mechanism  200  is held within the flavor mechanism holding structure  300 , a first filter element  102  abuts the flavor mechanism holding structure  300  on a first end, a second filter element  104  abuts the flavor mechanism holding structure  300  on a second end, and the first filter element  102 , the flavor mechanism holding structure  300  including the flavor mechanism  200  held therein, and the second filter element  102  are held together within the outer shell structure  400 . The insert system  10  also may include other elements to fulfill its functionalities as described herein. 
     Filter Assembly  100   
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the filter assembly  100  includes one or more filter elements  102 , with each filter element  102  including a first end  104 , a second end  106  and a filter body  108  with side walls  110  extending from the first end  104  to the second end  106 . In some embodiments, the filter body  108  is generally cylindrical with a generally circular cross-section. However, it is understood that the filter body  108  may include other shapes (e.g., frustum shaped), with other shaped cross sections (e.g., oval) and any combinations thereof. 
     In some embodiments, the filter body  108  comprises a filter material  112 . In some embodiments, the filter material  112  comprises one or more plant materials, such as, but not limited to, husk material, leaf material, stalk material, stem material, seed material, vegetable material, fruit material, other types of plant material(s), and any combinations thereof. 
     In some embodiments, the filter material  112  includes corn husk material. The corn husk material may be bunched together and generally aligned to extend between the filter element&#39;s first end  104  and second end  106 . In this way, the corn husk material may allow smoke to pass through the filter element body  108  from the first end  104  to the second end  106  (and vice versa) while acting as a filter to the smoke. 
     In some embodiments, the filter element&#39;s side walls  110  may comprise a suitable wrapping material. In this case, the side walls  110  also may comprise corn husk material generally wrapped around or otherwise surrounding the filter material  112  (e.g., the bunched corn husk material) and holding it in its intended form (e.g., generally cylindrical) as shown. The side walls  110  also may comprise any suitable wrapping material such as paper, cardboard, plastic, leaves, any other type of suitable material, and any combinations thereof. It also is contemplated that the filter material  112  (e.g., the corn husk material) is simply bunched together to form the side walls  110  directly from the filter material  112  and the filter body  108  may not necessarily be wrapped. 
     Flavor Mechanism  200   
     In some embodiments as shown in  FIG. 3 , the flavor mechanism  200  includes any type of solid, liquid, or gas (and any combinations thereof) that may release one or more flavors when activated. The mechanisms  200  may be designed to be activated by heat (e.g., during smoking), by pressure (e.g., may be squeezed, pricked, or otherwise exploded, etc.), by other activation techniques, and by any combinations thereof. 
     In some embodiments as shown in  FIG. 3 , the flavor mechanisms  200  include one or more flavor balls  202  (also referred to as click balls) comprising a crushable spherical container with a flavoring substance inside. The click balls  202  may be adapted to generally burst (or otherwise open) when squeezed thereby releasing the flavoring substance. In this way, a user may squeeze a click ball  202  embedded within the insert system  10  when a flavoring is desired during the smoking experience. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the width or diameter D 1  of the flavor mechanism  200  (e.g., the diameter of a flavor ball  202 ) is about 2 mm-5 mm, but other widths or diameters D 1  also may be used. 
     While the flavor balls  202  described herein are described primarily as spherically shaped, it is understood that the flavor balls  202  may be formed as an ovoid, a cuboid, a cylinder, tubular, pill-shaped, as any other suitable shape, and as any combinations thereof. It is understood that any other type(s) and/or shapes of flavor mechanisms  200  may be used with the insert system  10 , and that the scope of the insert system  10  is not limited in any way by the type of flavor mechanism(s)  200  used. 
     Flavor Mechanism Holding Structure  300   
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the flavor mechanism holding structure  300  (also referred to as simply the holding structure  300 ) includes a holder element  302  adapted to receive and generally surround and hold the flavor mechanism  200 . 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , the holder element  302  includes a generally tubular structure including a first end  304 , a second end  306  and a holder body  308  with side walls  310  extending from the first end  304  to the second end  306 . Being generally tubular, the holder body  308  includes a hollow inner passageway  312  extending from its first end  304  to its second end  306 . In some embodiments, the holder body  308  and the inner passageway  312  include generally circular cross-sections. However, it is understood that the holder body  308  may include other shapes (e.g., frustum shaped), with other shaped cross sections (e.g., oval) and any combinations thereof. It also is understood that the inner passageway  312  may include other shapes (e.g., may be frustum shaped) and that the cross section of the inner passageway  312  may be circular, cuboid, ovoid, polygonal, include other shapes and any combination thereof. 
     In some embodiments, the holder body  308  comprises a compressible material. In some embodiments, the holder body  308  is compressible so that the holder body  308  may be squeezed using normal human strength to deflect the side walls  310  inward. This deflection may in turn compress a flavor mechanism  200  held within the holder body  308  so that the flavor mechanism  200  may burst or otherwise open and release flavor as described in other sections. 
     In some embodiments, the holder body  308  comprises a polymer. In some embodiments, the holder body  308  includes silicone (e.g., preferably food grade silicone). In other embodiments, the holder body  308  comprises rubber, plastic, other types of polymers, paper, cotton, a gelatinous substance (e.g., gelatin or other gelatinous substances), foam, webbing, other compressible materials, and any combinations thereof. 
     In some embodiments, the holder body  308  may be solid, porous, and any combinations thereof. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the holder body  308  is designed to receive and secure a flavor mechanism  200  within its structure, e.g., within its hollow inner passageway  312 .  FIG. 4  shows a schematic of the holding structure  300  including a flavor mechanism  200  and  FIG. 5  shows a side view of the same. In some embodiments, the width or diameter D 2  of the inner passageway  310  preferably matches the width or diameter D 1  of the flavor mechanism  200  (see  FIG. 2 ). In this way, the flavor mechanism  200  may be held within the holder body  308  (within the inner passageway  312 ) by friction between the flavor mechanism  200  and the inner side walls of the inner passageway  312 . 
     In some embodiments, the width or diameter D 2  of the inner passageway  312  may be chosen to be slightly less than the width or diameter D 1  of the flavor mechanism  200 . In this way, the inner passageway  312  may expand upon receiving the flavor mechanism  200  (the holder body  308  comprising a compressible material) to accommodate the mechanism&#39;s  200 &#39;s slightly wider width D 1 . Given this, the flavor mechanism  200  may be held within the holder body  308  (within the inner passageway  312 ) by friction between the flavor mechanism  200  and the inner side walls of the inner passageway  312 , the friction being increased by the compressive force applied to the flavor mechanism  200  by the expanded inner passageway  312 . 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 4-5 , the flavor mechanism  200  is located within the inner passageway  312  between the first end  304  and the second end  306 , and preferably about midway between the first end  304  and the second end  306 . In some embodiments, the height H 1  of the holding structure  300  is greater than the diameter D 1  of the flavor mechanism  200  so that a first gap G 1  exists between the first end  304  and the flavor mechanism  200 , and a second gap G 2  exists between the second end  306  and the flavor mechanism  200 . In this way, as shown in  FIG. 2 , with a filter element  102  abutted the first end  304  and/or the second end  306  of the holder body  308 , the filter elements  102  do not come into physical contact with the flavor mechanism  200  (due to the gaps G 1 , G 2  separating the filter elements  102  from the flavor mechanism  200  as shown in  FIG. 5 ). In other words, the flavor mechanism  200  fits entirely within the inner passageway  310 . 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the overall diameter of the holder body  308  is equal to the diameter D 2  of the inner passageway  310  plus twice the width W 1  of the holder body&#39;s side walls  310 . As will be described in other sections, it may be preferable that the diameter of the holder body  308  generally match the diameter D 3  of the filter element  102  (see  FIG. 3 ) so that the parts all fit snug within the outer shell structure  400  as described in other sections. Given this, the width W 1  of the holder body&#39;s side walls  310  should preferably be chosen so that the diameter D 2  of the inner passageway  310  plus twice the width W 1  of the holder body&#39;s side walls  310  generally equals the diameter D 3  of a filter element  102  (see  FIG. 3 ) plus or minus any uncertainty amount due to manufacturing tolerances. 
     Outer Shell Structure  400   
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the outer shell structure  400  (also referred to as simply the shell  400 ) includes a shell element  402  adapted to receive and generally surround and hold the filter elements  102  and the flavor mechanism holder body  308  (including a flavor mechanism  200 ) to form the insert system  10 . 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 2-3 , the outer shell structure  400  includes a generally tubular structure including a first end  404 , a second end  406  and a shell body  408  with side walls  410  extending from the first end  404  to the second end  406 . Being generally tubular, the shell body  408  includes a hollow inner passageway  412  extending from its first end  404  to its second end  406 . In some embodiments, the shell body  408  and the inner passageway  412  include generally circular cross-sections. However, it is understood that the shell body  408  may include other shapes (e.g., frustum shaped), with other shaped cross sections (e.g., oval) and any combinations thereof. It also is understood that the inner passageway  412  may include other shapes (e.g., may be frustum shaped) and that the cross section of the inner passageway  412  may be circular, cuboid, ovoid, polygonal, include other shapes and any combination thereof. 
     In general, as shown in  FIGS. 2-3 , the shell element  402  is adapted to receive and securely hold a first filter element  102 , a holder body  308  (including at least one flavor mechanism  200 ), and a second filter element  102  with the longitudinal axis of each of the first filter element  102 , the holder body  308 , and the second filter element  102  generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the shell element  402  as shown (all vertical and centered along each element as shown in  FIG. 2 ). However, it also is contemplated that the longitudinal axis of the holder body  308  may be aligned perpendicular or at other offset angles with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shell element  402  and the filter elements  102 . 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the inner passageway  412  includes a diameter D 4 . It may be preferable that the diameter D 4  be chosen to generally match the diameter D 2  of the first and second filter elements  102 , as well as the diameter of the holder body  308 . In this way, the first and second elements  102  and the holder body  308  may be inserted into the shell element&#39;s inner passageway  412  and be held snugly therein. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 2, 3, and 5 , the height of the shell element  402  generally matches the height of the first filter element  102  plus the height of the holder body  308  H 1  plus the height of the second filter element  102  so that the first and second filter elements  102  and the holder body  308  may be entirely received into the shell element&#39;s inner passageway  412 . 
     In some embodiments, the shell element  402  comprises cardboard, paper, a polymer (e.g., silicone), rubber, plastic, leaves, other suitable materials, and any combinations thereof. It is preferable that the shell element  402  comprise a material that when its sidewalls  410  are squeezed using normal human strength, the walls  410  of the shell element  402  may deflect inward. This deflection may in turn compress the holder body  308  and the flavor mechanism  200  held therein so that the flavor mechanism  200  may burst or otherwise open and release flavor as described in other sections. 
     In some embodiments, an outer surface of the shell element&#39;s sidewalls  410  may include colorings, graphics, text, indicia including instructional information, etc. 
     In some embodiments, once the insert system  10  has been formed as described above or otherwise, it may be used as a tip, a mouthpiece, a crutch, a filter, as any type of base for a blunt, cigar, pre-roll, cone, empty cone, cigarette, other type of smokable, and for any combinations thereof as known in the art or otherwise. For example, in some embodiments, the insert system  10  may be provided to manufacturers of blunts, pre-roll cones and/or cigarettes, of empty cones, etc. to be coupled to these types of products and then sold to consumers. In another example, the insert system  10  may be coupled with a blunt, pre-roll cone and/or cigarette, and/or to an empty cone during its manufacturing and made for sale to consumers as the combination. In another example, the insert system  10  may be sold directly to consumers such that the consumers themselves may couple the insert system  10  with a leaf or rolling paper to form a cigarette, a cone, an empty cone, a cigar, a blunt, or other type of smokable item. It is understood that the examples described above are meant for demonstration and are non-limiting. 
       FIG. 6  shows the insert system  10  coupled with one or more leaves (e.g., Cordia leaves) to form a blunt. 
     It is understood that any details and/or aspects of any embodiments described herein may be combined with any details and/or aspects of any other embodiments in any way to form additional embodiment(s) all of which are within the scope of the filter system  10 . 
     Where a process is described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the process may operate without any user intervention. In another embodiment, the process includes some human intervention (e.g., a step is performed by or with the assistance of a human). 
     As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “at least some” means “one or more,” and includes the case of only one. Thus, e.g., the phrase “at least some ABCs” means “one or more ABCs”, and includes the case of only one ABC. 
     As used herein, including in the claims, term “at least one” should be understood as meaning “one or more”, and therefore includes both embodiments that include one or multiple components. Furthermore, dependent claims that refer to independent claims that describe features with “at least one” have the same meaning, both when the feature is referred to as “the” and “the at least one”. 
     As used in this description, the term “portion” means some or all. So, for example, “A portion of X” may include some of “X” or all of “X”. In the context of a conversation, the term “portion” means some or all of the conversation. 
     As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “using” means “using at least,” and is not exclusive. Thus, e.g., the phrase “using X” means “using at least X.” Unless specifically stated by use of the word “only”, the phrase “using X” does not mean “using only X.” 
     As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “based on” means “based in part on” or “based, at least in part, on,” and is not exclusive. Thus, e.g., the phrase “based on factor X” means “based in part on factor X” or “based, at least in part, on factor X.” Unless specifically stated by use of the word “only”, the phrase “based on X” does not mean “based only on X.” 
     In general, as used herein, including in the claims, unless the word “only” is specifically used in a phrase, it should not be read into that phrase. 
     As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “distinct” means “at least partially distinct.” Unless specifically stated, distinct does not mean fully distinct. Thus, e.g., the phrase, “X is distinct from Y” means that “X is at least partially distinct from Y,” and does not mean that “X is fully distinct from Y.” Thus, as used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “X is distinct from Y” means that X differs from Y in at least some way. 
     It should be appreciated that the words “first,” “second,” and so on, in the description and claims, are used to distinguish or identify, and not to show a serial or numerical limitation. Similarly, letter labels (e.g., “(A)”, “(B)”, “(C)”, and so on, or “(a)”, “(b)”, and so on) and/or numbers (e.g., “(i)”, “(ii)”, and so on) are used to assist in readability and to help distinguish and/or identify, and are not intended to be otherwise limiting or to impose or imply any serial or numerical limitations or orderings. Similarly, words such as “particular,” “specific,” “certain,” and “given,” in the description and claims, if used, are to distinguish or identify, and are not intended to be otherwise limiting. 
     As used herein, including in the claims, the terms “multiple” and “plurality” mean “two or more,” and include the case of “two.” Thus, e.g., the phrase “multiple ABCs,” means “two or more ABCs,” and includes “two ABCs.” Similarly, e.g., the phrase “multiple PQRs,” means “two or more PQRs,” and includes “two PQRs.” 
     The present invention also covers the exact terms, features, values and ranges, etc. in case these terms, features, values and ranges etc. are used in conjunction with terms such as about, around, generally, substantially, essentially, at least etc. (i.e., “about 3” or “approximately 3” shall also cover exactly 3 or “substantially constant” shall also cover exactly constant). 
     As used herein, including in the claims, singular forms of terms are to be construed as also including the plural form and vice versa, unless the context indicates otherwise. Thus, it should be noted that as used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     Throughout the description and claims, the terms “comprise”, “including”, “having”, and “contain” and their variations should be understood as meaning “including but not limited to”, and are not intended to exclude other components unless specifically so stated. 
     It will be appreciated that variations to the embodiments of the invention can be made while still falling within the scope of the invention. Alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose can replace features disclosed in the specification, unless stated otherwise. Thus, unless stated otherwise, each feature disclosed represents one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. 
     The present invention also covers the exact terms, features, values and ranges, etc. in case these terms, features, values and ranges etc. are used in conjunction with terms such as about, around, generally, substantially, essentially, at least etc. (i.e., “about 3” shall also cover exactly 3 or “substantially constant” shall also cover exactly constant). 
     Use of exemplary language, such as “for instance”, “such as”, “for example” (“e.g.,”) and the like, is merely intended to better illustrate the invention and does not indicate a limitation on the scope of the invention unless specifically so claimed. 
     While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.