Abstract:
Provided are materials for making a hand rolled smoking article having a novel sheet. The sheet can include a rectangular portion and an irregular shaped portion. The sheet can be manufactured from tobacco leaf or foil, homogenized tobacco paper, or conventionally available rolling paper. The sheet can be filled with a filler material and rolled to form a cigar or cigarette.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/139,432, filed May 27, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference, which application claimed priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/575,473, filed May 28, 2004, which is also incorporated herein by reference. Priority of all of the above applications is hereby claimed. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable 
     REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
     Not applicable 
     BACKGROUND 
     Smoking articles with tube-shaped sleeves are generally known as cigars, cigarillos and cigarettes. Cigars generally consist of a tobacco filler material, a surrounding wrapper holding the tobacco filler material together and an exterior cover or wrapper. Generally, machined-manufacture cigars and cigarette are distinguished from hand rolled. Machine manufactured are generally referred to as cigarillos and short cigars and can be produced continuously as strands and cut to length. Cigarettes generally consist of fine tobacco cuttings in a tube-shaped paper sleeve. 
     Apart from machine manufactured cigarettes, cigarette tobaccos and cigarette papers are available for the smoker to roll his own cigarettes by hand and in some cases with the aid of simple assisting devices. By this means the smoker rolls a portion of the cigarette tobacco in a rectangular cigarette paper and then glues the paper along its lengthwise edge. For such products a long-standing and important question is whether the self-rolled cigarettes provide the individual with smoking pleasure comparable to the ready-made cigarettes in packages and also do they offer considerable price value? 
     Generally, “hand rolled” items are produced using individual rolling sheets and filler material. Conventionally, rolling sheets or cigarette rolling papers are made from thin, tissue-like paper having a rectangular shape with sides of between one and four inches in length, and usually between 2.5 to 3.5 inches in length. Rolling sheets can also be made from tobacco leaves and/or homogenized tobacco paper. 
     When using such conventionally shaped cigarette rolling paper to make or roll a cigarette by hand, the paper is first folded, bent or held in somewhat of a V-shape or U-shape with one of the sides of the “V” or “U” being longer than the other. An amount of smoking filler material, such as tobacco or the like, is distributed substantially over the entire length of the rolling paper in the bottom of the V- or U-shaped pouch formed by the rolling paper. The longer portion of the rolling paper, being free of any of the smoking material, is then bent or rolled over the portion of the rolling paper covered with the tobacco and is rolled over upon itself to form a substantially cylindrical shape. The longer end of the rolling paper is wrapped around itself as far as possible and overlaps an underlying layer to form part of the wall of the cylinder. 
     The rolling process, when performed by hand, requires a keen eye, a steady hand, and a high degree of finger digital dexterity, since the rolling paper is not very large compared to a human hand and fingers, because the particles of smoking filler materials tend to roll or slide off the small rolling paper, and because the rolling paper itself is very thin and easily ripped or torn. A critical step of rolling a cigar or cigarette by hand is using fingers to both form the “V” or “U” shaped pouch for the smoking material, and to roll the longer portion of the rolling paper around itself. During the process of rolling the longer portion of the paper around itself, the user depends on the trapped smoking material to provide the generally cylindrical shape to guide placement of the longer portion around itself to produce a generally cylindrical cigarette. 
     Oftentimes, however, the use of smoking filler material to guide placement of the longer portion around itself does not aid in producing a cylinder due to either poor distribution of smoking material along the V- or U-shaped pouch, causing the longer portion to be rolled too tight or too loose around itself, with respect to the majority portion of the smoking material, or due simply to the user&#39;s inability to correctly manipulate or spiral the cigarette rolling paper around itself between their fingers. The result of either of these situations can be an unsmokable cigar or cigarette or one that falls apart or is torn. 
     Cigarettes and cigars that are rolled using conventional rolling sheets generally do not permit complete use of the smoking material disposed within because the cigarette and cigar can only be smoked until the lit end approaches the user&#39;s fingers or lips during holding or smoking, the cigarette must be dispensed, and at which time a user&#39;s fingers or lips may be burned. 
     It is, therefore, desirable that a rolling sheet be constructed in a manner that assists the user in rolling a cigarette or cigar by hand. It is desirable that the cigarette rolling paper be constructed in a manner that prevents smoking material from being drawn from the cigarette into a smoker&#39;s mouth. It is also desirable that the cigarette rolling paper be constructed in a manner that permits the entire smoking material to be smoked without the risk of burned fingers or burned lips. It is further desirable that the cigarette rolling paper be constructed from conventional materials using conventional techniques. 
     The present invention relates to prepared materials for an article for smoking which is hand rolled by the smoker and includes a sleeve section rolled into a tube-shaped sleeve and a filler made of tobacco. 
     The following U.S. Patents are incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Pat. No. 6,526,986. 
     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 SUMMARY 
     The apparatus of the present invention solves the problems confronted in the art in a simple and straightforward manner. What is provided in one embodiment is a new sheet for hand rolling cigars and cigarettes. Provided in another embodiment is a method of making a hand rolled cigar or cigarette. 
     In one embodiment disclosed is a sheet having a substantially rectangular base for receiving a smoking filler material and an irregular shaped wrapper section for wrapping about the rectangular part. The length of the base portion can determine the length of the cigar or cigarette created by hand rolling the sheet. 
     In various embodiments different shaped wrapper portions are disclosed. 
     Smokers can more easily hand roll custom cigars and cigarettes without the finger dexterity demanded by prior systems. Custom rolled cigar and cigarette stability can be achieved through an irregularly shaped portion of the rolling sheet. This prevents the intake of “false air” and guarantees smooth burning during smoking of the custom rolled cigar or cigarette. 
     The invention additionally makes possible the individual, pure tobacco smoking of self rolled smoking articles. From combinations of tobacco types dictated for the sleeve section and for the filler, the smoker selects and varies the desired aroma and obtains the sought after repeatability better than through mixing various types of tobacco in the filler alone. If desired a simple assisting device can also be employed (similar to those used with cigarette rolling); however, the rolling is accomplished free hand without more, that is, without support. 
     The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. 
    
    
     
       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  shows a sheet having an irregularly shaped portion. 
         FIG. 2  shows the sheet of  FIG. 1  partially rolled. 
         FIG. 3  shows a finished smoking article prepared from the sheet of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  shows an alternative embodiment for a sheet. 
         FIG. 5  shows the sheet of  FIG. 4  showing a section being removed. 
         FIG. 6  shows an alternative embodiment for a sheet. 
         FIG. 7  shows the sheet of  FIG. 6  partially rolled. 
         FIG. 8  shows a sheet having a plurality of cut corners. 
         FIG. 9  shows a sheet having one cut corner. 
         FIG. 10  shows an alternative embodiment for a sheet. 
         FIGS. 11 through 15  illustrate various alternative embodiments for sheets. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a sheet with a gripping point wrapped around a mandrel and in a package. 
         FIGS. 17 through 18  illustrate an alternative embodiment where a sheet is rolled on a mandrel and packaged for sale in an unfilled condition. 
         FIG. 19  illustrates an alternative embodiment where finished smoking article is rolled in a tapered fashion. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Detailed descriptions of one or more preferred embodiments are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in any appropriate system, structure or manner. 
     The procedure of“hand rolling” a smoking article  10  is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Sheet  20  can comprise sides  22 ,  24 ,  26 , and  28 . Sheet  20  can includes a rectangular portion  30  (sides  26  and  28 ) and an irregular shaped portion  40  (side  24  and portion  42 ). 
     Angle  80  is preferably an acute angle; angle  80  preferably ranges between 15 and 75 degrees, more preferably between 25 and 60 degrees, and most preferably between 30 and 45 degrees. 
     The person custom rolling his cigar can spread smoking filler material  50 , such as tobacco filler material, on rectangular portion  30 . Then he begins to roll filler material  50  on rectangular portion  30  into a cylindrical form that can be accomplished freehand between the fingers of both hands. With continued rolling irregular shaped portion  40  also overlies filler material  50  placed in rectangular portion  30 . Through such process sheet  20  can rolled into a tube shaped cigar or cigarette smoking article  10 . 
     When finished the area adjacent to side  22  in rolled article  10  forms mouthpiece end of article  10 . Smoking article  10  can be held together without mechanical fasteners or adhesives by users gripping point  43 . However, adhesives or mechanical fasteners can be used if desired. End  90  can be used to light smoking article  10 . Irregularly shaped portion  40  can provide stability during rolling and during smoking. 
     The overall length  60  of smoking article  10  will generally be equal to length  35  of rectangular portion  30 . Width  36  of rectangular portion  30  can generally correspond to the circumference  70  of smoking article  10 . However, circumference  70  can vary with rolling according to the amounts of filler and its density. For example, rectangular portion  30  can be rolled onto itself during the above described rolling process. 
     Generally, it is preferred that a length  35  of approximately 60-100 mm and a width  36  of approximately 25-35 or 40 mm is found to produce smoking article  10 . 
     In an alternative embodiment rolling of smoking filler material  50  simultaneously with a filter tip  85  (not illustrated) can be performed. 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate an alternative embodiment showing sheet  120  formed from a rectangular sheet. Sheet  120  can include perforated line  125 . Perforated line  125  allows the user the option of converting sheet  120  into a sheet having an irregularly shaped portion by removing section  122 . Section  122  can be removed by tearing or cutting such as by a scissors. Perforated line  125  can also be a non-perforated line wherein the user would most likely be required to cut sheet  120  to create irregularly shaped portion  140  by removing section  122 . Sheet  120  can be rolled in the same manner as described above for sheet  20  to form smoking article  110 . 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate another alternative embodiment showing sheet  220 . In this embodiment irregularly shaped portion  240  can be trapezoidal in shape. Rectangular portion  230  can include cut corners  231  and  232  which can facilitate rolling of smoking article  210 . Cut corners  231  and  232  can also facilitate proper placement of smoking filler material  50 . Sheet  220  can be rolled in the same manner as described above for sheet  20  to form smoking article  210 . 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate alternative embodiments for sheet  20  having one or two cut corners.  FIG. 8  shows two cut corners  31  and  32  which were cut at an approximately angle of 45 degrees. The angles of cut can vary from each other.  FIG. 9  shows a single cut corner which was cut at an approximate angle of 30 degrees. Cut  31  tends to force the user to place smoking filler material spaced from side  22  of sheet  20 . Accordingly, when rolled smoking filler material  50  will be spaced away from mouthpiece  100  of smoking article  20 . As with other embodiments cuts  31  and  32  can be optionally included in sheet  10  through lines or perforated lines. 
       FIG. 10  shows an alternative embodiment for sheet  420  which can be used to make two sheets for creating two smoking articles  10 . Sheet  420  can comprise perforated line  43  which can split sheet  420  into sheets  440  and  450  each having irregularly shaped portions. 
       FIGS. 11 through 15  show various alternative embodiments for sheets  520 ,  520 ,  720 ,  820 ,  920  having irregularly shaped portions. As illustrated above such sheets can be preformed or created by the user from perforations or lines. As illustrated above such sheets can have one or more cuts on the rectangular portions. 
       FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a sheet  20  with a gripping point  43  wrapped around a mandrel  14  and in a package  12 . 
       FIGS. 17 through 18  illustrate an alternative embodiment where sheet  20  is rolled on a mandrel  14  and packaged in packaging  12  for sale in an unfilled condition. When packaged smoking filler material  50  can be omitted or used to partially fill the interior bore  15  of mandrel  14 . Sheet  20  and mandrel  14  are removed from packaging  12 . Sheet  20  is unrolled from mandrel  14  in the direction of arrow  16 . When unrolled sheet  20  will tend to have a memory tending to cause sheet  20  to roll back in the direction of arrow  18 . Smoking filler material  50  is added and sheet  20  is rolled in the direction of arrow  18  to form a smoking article  10 . The memory in sheet  20  will assist the user in rolling sheet  20 . 
       FIG. 19  illustrates an alternative embodiment where finished smoking article  10  is rolled in a tapered fashion. Any of the various embodiments for sheet  20  can be used to create the tapered rolled smoking article  10 . A tapered smoking article  10  has the advantage of decreasing the amount of smoking filler material  50  burned when as article  10  is burned in the direction of arrow  19 . Such decreasing volume of smoking filler material tends to even the flavor of the filler material as residue from earlier burned filler material is deposited in the unburned filler material as the article is burned in the direction of arrow  19 . 
     The following is a list of reference numerals: 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 LIST FOR REFERENCE NUMERALS 
               
             
          
           
               
                 (Reference No.) 
                 (Description) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 10 
                 smoking article 
               
               
                 12 
                 package 
               
               
                 14 
                 mandrel 
               
               
                 15 
                 bore 
               
               
                 16 
                 arrow 
               
               
                 18 
                 arrow 
               
               
                 19 
                 arrow 
               
               
                 20 
                 sheet 
               
               
                 22 
                 side 
               
               
                 24 
                 side 
               
               
                 26 
                 side 
               
               
                 28 
                 side 
               
               
                 30 
                 rectangular portion 
               
               
                 31 
                 corner 
               
               
                 32 
                 corner 
               
               
                 35 
                 length 
               
               
                 36 
                 width 
               
               
                 40 
                 irregularly shaped portion 
               
               
                 43 
                 gripping point 
               
               
                 50 
                 filler material 
               
               
                 60 
                 length 
               
               
                 70 
                 circumference 
               
               
                 80 
                 angle 
               
               
                 85 
                 tip 
               
               
                 90 
                 end 
               
               
                 100 
                 mouth end 
               
               
                 110 
                 smoking article 
               
               
                 120 
                 sheet 
               
               
                 121 
                 arrow 
               
               
                 122 
                 section 
               
               
                 124 
                 perforations 
               
               
                 125 
                 line 
               
               
                 126 
                 side 
               
               
                 130 
                 rectangular portion 
               
               
                 140 
                 irregularly shaped portion 
               
               
                 170 
                 line 
               
               
                 180 
                 angle 
               
               
                 210 
                 smoking article 
               
               
                 220 
                 sheet 
               
               
                 230 
                 rectangular portion 
               
               
                 231 
                 corner 
               
               
                 232 
                 corner 
               
               
                 240 
                 irregularly shaped portion 
               
               
                 243 
                 tab 
               
               
                 270 
                 line 
               
               
                 320 
                 sheet 
               
               
                 420 
                 sheet 
               
               
                 430 
                 line 
               
               
                 440 
                 sheet 
               
               
                 450 
                 sheet 
               
               
                 520 
                 sheet 
               
               
                 620 
                 sheet 
               
               
                 720 
                 sheet 
               
               
                 820 
                 sheet 
               
               
                 920 
                 sheet 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     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. 
     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention set forth in the appended claims. 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.