CN114340413A - Apparatus and method for storing and supporting a smokable cannula - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for storing and supporting a smokable cannula, comprising: a body defining a chamber for storing a smokable cannula; and a cannula holder connected to the body for supporting the cannula in the fillable position, the cannula holder including a bore for removably receiving the cannula. The device may comprise two or more spaced apart apertures for receiving a cannula or cannulae. The cannula holder may be integrally formed with the body or detachably connected to the body such that the cannula holder is disposed outside or inside the chamber. The device may be a rigid material or a resilient material such as plastic, cardboard or paper.

Description

Apparatus and method for storing and supporting a smokable cannula

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application serial No. 62/862,003, filed on 14.6.2019, the disclosure and teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a suction cannula. More particularly, the present invention relates in various aspects to devices for storing and supporting a smokable cannula and related methods.

Background

Smoking articles (such as cigars, cigarettes, etc.) may be purchased in a fully preformed and filled state, or may be shaped and filled by an end user. For example, the smokable material may be wound using roll paper. These papers are typically dispensed and sold in individual packages that include an outer package, which is typically used to protect and sometimes preserve the roll of paper therein. The package typically holds the web in a substantially flat or folded shape. Alternatively, the smokable sleeve may be purchased in a pre-formed configuration, optionally containing a filter, and ready to be filled with a selected smokable material by the end user.

A device for supporting a smokable cannula has been described. For example, U.S. design patent No. D797370 shows the ornamental feature of "Combined shovel and Holder For rolled Paper or Cone drum (Combined shovel and Holder For Rolling Paper or Cone) For example. U.S. publication No. 2018/0055087 describes "a Protective shell And Method thereof That Facilitates The engagement Of Ground, Smokable Tobacco And Herbs With pre-tapered Smoking Wrappers By Gravity And Inertia Through The application Of Force And Motion (sanitary Case That facts interests The Joining Of group, Smokable Tobacco And Herbs With formed concrete Smoking ideas By slope And interior reasons Through Applied movements And Method Of The Same)".

Nevertheless, there remains a need for alternative devices that overcome or alleviate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art and/or provide a useful alternative.

Disclosure of Invention

According to one aspect, there is provided a device for storing and supporting a smokable cannula, the device comprising: a body defining a chamber for storing a cannula; and a cannula holder connected to the body for supporting the cannula in the fillable position.

Preferably, the cannula holder defines a bore for receiving the cannula. However, the cannula holder may alternatively define two or more spaced apart apertures for receiving a cannula. The two or more spaced apart holes may be of the same or different sizes. In any embodiment, the bore or bores may be cylindrical, conical, frustoconical or any other shape, and in embodiments having two or more spaced bores, the bores may be the same or different shapes. In any embodiment, the bore may extend partially or completely through the cannula holder. It is contemplated that the holes may each include one or more internal flaps (flaps) for engaging the cannula.

Preferably, the cannula holder is integrally formed with the body, but it is envisaged that the cannula holder may also be detachably connected to the body. The cannula holder may be disposed on the interior of the chamber or on the exterior of the chamber. In an embodiment, the cannula holder may be hingedly connected to the body and may be movable from inside the chamber to outside the chamber. The ferrule holder may include one or more flanges extending from one or more walls of the body, or from one or more edges of the same wall, and the ferrule holder may extend between two opposing edges of the walls of the body.

It is contemplated that the cannula holder may be configured to hold a plurality of cannulae. In any embodiment, it is contemplated that the sleeve may be conical or cylindrical in shape and made entirely or substantially of plastic, cardboard, or paper. In yet another embodiment, the device may further comprise a funnel for filling the cannula, and/or a packaging means. It is envisaged that the device may further comprise a chamber for storing smokable material, such as tobacco, prior to placement within the sleeve. The device may further comprise a chamber for storing the unrolled sleeve.

The body preferably comprises a lid for enclosing the chamber. The lid may enclose the chamber such that the chamber is slidable in and out of the lid. The lid may also be hinged to the wall of the body.

It is contemplated that the device may be rigid or resilient, and may be reusable or disposable.

The present invention also provides a method of filling a smokable cannula, the method comprising placing the cannula in a fillable position in a cannula holder of a device described herein, and introducing smokable material into the cannula.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating various aspects of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, and various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

Drawings

The invention will be further understood from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

1A-1B are perspective views of a smokable sleeve, showing a rolled cone and a rolled cone with a filter;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a body of the device described herein;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a body of the device described herein;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a body of the device described herein;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a body of the device described herein;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a body of the device described herein; and

fig. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a body of a device described herein.

Detailed Description

In some aspects, described herein are devices for supporting and storing a smokable cannula. Many end users prefer to roll their own smoking articles, such as cigars, cigarettes, etc. Paper or other sheet materials used as outer wrappers for smoking articles are typically made from leaves or pulp derived from a variety of sources, such as wood, rice, cellulose, flax, plant fibers, herbs, palm leaves, tobacco, paper, and combinations of the foregoing (collectively referred to herein as "wrapping paper"). The paper wrapper may be used to wrap tobacco for cigarettes, cigar tobacco, pipe tobacco, tobacco substitutes, and most any other similar smokable material. Typically, these papers are distributed and sold in individual packages that include an outer package for protecting and sometimes preserving the roll of paper therein. The package typically holds the web in a substantially flat or folded shape.

To roll a smoking article, an end user typically removes one or more wraps from their packaging, manipulates the one or more wraps, places a desired amount of smokable material in the one or more wraps, and rolls the one or more wraps into a tubular shape. The tubular shape is then sealed using an adhesive or moisture and allowed to dry to form a housing containing the smokable material. After drying, the smoking article may be smoked by the end user.

The paper wrapper may also be sold pre-rolled into a hollow cylinder/tube or cone or frustum of a cone (defined herein as a "smokable sleeve") to simplify the process of making the smoking article. Some pre-rolled sold smokable sleeves have a filter already attached to one end. The end user then fills the smokable sleeve with smokable material.

A problem associated with the use of pre-rolled smokable cannulas is that it is often difficult for an end user to hold the smokable cannula to fill it with the desired filler material. The user holds the cannula with one hand and tries to fill it with the other hand, or the user has a cone/tubing holder into which a cone can be placed. However, these cone cartridge holders are separate components and are therefore often difficult to occupy when needed. The devices described herein are capable of supporting one or more smokable cannulas in an easily fillable position while providing storage space for empty one or more smokable cannulas that have been filled or are waiting to be filled.

Described herein is a device that both stores smokable sleeves (such as pre-rolled cone or tube/cylinder, etc.) and supports the sleeves so that they can be easily filled with smokable material (such as tobacco, etc.). This combined functionality eliminates the need to have a separate cone cartridge holder and have the user carry it anywhere the user goes. Fig. 1 shows an exemplary conical, smokable sleeve 10 made from paper roll 12 and optionally including a filter 14.

Fig. 2 shows a device 100 for storing and supporting the smokable cannula 10 as described herein. The device comprises a body defining a chamber 102 for storing one or more cannulae 10. The chamber 102 is defined by a top wall 104, a bottom wall 106, and a side wall 108 of the body. A cannula holder 110 preferably extends from the sidewall 108 and defines an aperture 112 for supporting the cannula 10 in the fillable position. As shown in fig. 3, the aperture 112 may include one or more internal flaps 114, the internal flaps 114 being sufficiently flexible to better support the smokable cannula 10 and to prevent slippage or tilting of the smokable cannula 10 once the smokable cannula 10 is placed in the cannula holder 110.

Fig. 4 shows another embodiment of the device 100, wherein the ferrule holder 110 comprises a top ferrule holder portion 116 and a bottom ferrule holder portion 118, which are preferably spaced apart and extend from the sidewall 108. The bore 112 defined by the top sleeve retainer portion 116 is slightly larger than the bore 113 defined by the bottom sleeve retainer portion 118 to securely support the smokable sleeve 10, which smokable sleeve 10 has a smaller diameter at the smoking end than at the filling end. As shown in fig. 1, such a smokable cannula 10 is generally conical and is referred to as a "cone barrel". It will be appreciated that a tubular smokable cannula may be used with the cannula holder 110 of fig. 4, or the cannula holder of fig. 4 may be designed with the same sized apertures 112 and 113 in the top and bottom cannula holder portions 116 and 118 to specifically accommodate the tubular smokable cannula 10.

Fig. 5 shows another embodiment of an apparatus 100 similar to that shown in fig. 4. However, in this embodiment, the bottom cannula holder portion 118 does not define the aperture 113, but simply provides a support upon which the smokable cannula may rest. Bottom cannula holder portion 118 may be provided with a recessed area (depression) or depression (depression) rather than an aperture or flat surface that guides the smokable cannula 10 into place for filling as needed.

Fig. 6 shows another embodiment of the device 100, wherein the cannula holder 110 extends from the side wall 108, and in a preferred embodiment may have a height equal to the side wall 108, such that the cannula holder 110 extends from the edge of the top wall 104 to the edge of the bottom wall 106, and defines a channel 120 capable of supporting the smokable cannula 10. The ferrule holder 110 may alternatively extend substantially from one edge to the other, or extend a different distance between edges having a height less than the height of the sidewall 108. The passage 120 is shown as being frustoconical, however, it should be understood that it may be conical, cylindrical, or any other shape capable of supporting the smokable sleeve 10.

Fig. 7 shows the device 100 including a lid 122, the lid 122 enclosing the chamber 102 such that the chamber 102 can slide in and out of the lid 122. In this embodiment, the cannula holder 110 is disposed inside the chamber 102 such that once the chamber 102 is slid into the cap 122, the cannula holder 110 is hidden from view. It is contemplated that any of the cannula holder 110 of the foregoing embodiments may be disposed within the chamber 102, with or without the cap 122.

In some embodiments, the lid 122 enclosing the chamber 102 is operable to move between a closed position and an open position. In some embodiments, the lid 122 is slidably coupled to the chamber 102 such that the lid 122 slides between a closed position and an open position. In some embodiments where the lid 122 is slidably coupled to the chamber 102, the lid 122 may include a protruding stop that may prevent the lid from sliding off of the chamber 102. In other embodiments, the chamber 102 may include at least one stop operable to prevent the lid 122 from sliding off of the chamber 102.

In some embodiments, the cover 122 may include a window. The window may be constructed of a transparent or translucent material. In some embodiments, the window may allow a consumer to see the cannula holder 110 disposed in the chamber 102. In other embodiments, the window may allow a consumer to view the entire contents of the chamber 102 including the cannula holder 110. In some embodiments, the cover 122 may include a traction area that includes a traction material or traction design. The pull areas may facilitate movement of the cover 122 between the open and closed positions. For example, the traction area may facilitate the ability of a user to slide the cover 122 between the open and closed positions.

It should be understood that the cover 122 need not be configured to slide relative to the chamber 102, but rather the cover 122 may be folded open and closed from one end, or from the top, bottom, or sides, for example, so long as the cover 122 serves to enclose the chamber 102 and allow access to the smokable cannula 10 contained therein. In other words, the lid 122 may define a portion of the chamber 102 and may be flexibly connected (such as hinged, etc.) to allow opening and closing of the lid 122 relative to the chamber 102.

In some embodiments, the cannula holder 110 moves between a first position generally within the chamber 102 and a second position generally outside the chamber 102 when the cover 122 moves from the closed position to the open position. In some embodiments, the cannula holder 110 may be coupled to the cap 122.

It should be understood that the aperture 112 and/or the channel 120 may have any desired shape. Typically, these are configured to support a conventional cylindrical and/or conical smokable sleeve 10, however, the holes 112 and/or the channels 120 themselves need not be cylindrical or conical. For example, they may be trapezoidal or hexagonal. On the other hand, corresponding to the smokable sleeve 10 that may be provided in conjunction with the apparatus 100, the holes 112 and/or channels 120 may be sized to specifically fit the shape of the smokable sleeve 10 desired.

Similarly, any number of cannula holders 110 may be provided in a single device 100, for example, in any of the foregoing embodiments, several adjacent holes 112 and/or channels 120 may be provided, of the same or different sizes to support different shapes and size preferences of the smokable cannula 10. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of different cannula holders 110 may extend from different sides or sides of the device 100.

Likewise, the device 100 itself has been shown as rectangular in shape, as this shape generally fits into one or several of the smokable sleeves 10, which one or several smokable sleeves 10 may be conveniently stored for future use. However, the device 100 may take any suitable shape. For example, the device 100 shown in fig. 2-7 will store the smokable cannula 10 in a flat, side-by-side orientation, and thus, the top wall 104 and the bottom wall 106 are closely spaced and have a larger surface area than each of the side walls 108. Instead, the device 100 may store the smokable cannula 10 upright, and thus the top wall 104 and the bottom wall 106 will be spaced further apart. For example, the top and bottom walls 104, 106 may be circular and the cylindrical or conical/frustoconical device 100 may be formed from a single continuous sidewall 108. The device 100 may be formed in any suitable shape.

The device 100 described herein may include additional elements included in additional chambers or compartments of the device 100, or as elements of a kit. For example, the device 100 described herein may include a funnel that may help fill the cannula without spilling any of the fill material and/or a packaging tool that helps compress the fill material into the smokable cannula 10. The apparatus may additionally or alternatively include a chamber for storing an unrolled sleeve (such as flat roll paper or the like), and/or a chamber for storing smokable material to be used to fill the smokable sleeve 10. A grinder, and/or a shovel for picking up the filler material and placing it in the smokable sleeve 10 may further/alternatively be included. The lighter and/or match may be included in the device 100, or as part of a kit.

Methods of using the apparatus 100 are also described. Typically, the user removes the empty smokable sleeve 10 from the chamber 102 and places it in the sleeve holder 110 in the fillable position with the filling end face up and the smoking/filter end face down. The user scoops up some of the prepared smokable material (such as tobacco, etc.) and places it in the smokable sleeve 10. This may be facilitated by the use of a funnel and/or scoop and compression using a packaging tool as required. Typically, the ends of the smokable sleeve 10 are sealed, such as by twisting the sleeve material or the like, and the resulting smokable article is easy to use. The smokeable item may be immediately smoked or placed into the chamber 102 of the device 100 and stored for future use.

The devices described herein are said to have a "top" and a "bottom" and a "side" extending between the top and bottom. It will be understood that the top, bottom and sides are relative to the orientation of the device being held. However, for ease of understanding, these features of the device will be explained with respect to the orientation of the device for use with a cannula inserted into the cannula holder, with the open end of the cannula facing upward, ready to be filled with smokable material. This is the orientation shown in the drawings herein.

In understanding the scope of the present application, the articles "a," "an," "the," and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. Furthermore, the term "comprises/comprising" and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to be open ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words having similar meanings such as the terms, "including", "having" and their derivatives.

It should be understood that any aspect described as "comprising" certain components may also "consist of … … (const of)" or "consist essentially of … … (const indentialty of)" (or vice versa), wherein "consisting of … …" has a closed or limiting meaning, and "consisting essentially of … …" is meant to include the stated component but not other components, except for materials present as impurities, unavoidable materials present due to the method used to provide the component, and components added for purposes other than achieving the technical effect described herein.

It is to be understood that any element defined herein as being included may be explicitly excluded from the claimed invention by way of limitation or limitation in reverse, whether implicitly or explicitly defined herein. Moreover, all ranges given herein include the end of the range as well as any intermediate range points, whether or not explicitly stated.

Finally, terms of degree such as "substantially", "about" and "approximately" as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. These terms of degree should be construed as including a deviation of at least 5% of the modified term if this deviation would not negate the meaning of the word it modifies.

The above disclosure generally describes the present invention. Changes in form and substitution of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient. Although specific terms are employed herein, such terms are intended in a descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation.

All publications, patents and patent applications cited above are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Although preferred aspects of the present invention have been described in detail herein, those skilled in the art will appreciate that variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (15)

1. A device for storing and supporting a smokable cannula, the device comprising:

-a body defining a chamber for storing the smokable cannula; and

-a cannula holder connected to the body for supporting the cannula in a fillable position, the cannula holder comprising a bore for detachably receiving the cannula.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising two or more spaced apart apertures for receiving one cannula or for receiving a plurality of cannulae.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the two or more spaced apart holes are of the same size or of different sizes.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the cannula holder is integrally formed with the body.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the cannula holder is removably connected to the body.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the cannula holder is disposed outside of the chamber or inside the chamber.

7. The device of claim 4, wherein the cannula holder is hingedly connected to the body and the cannula holder is movable from inside the chamber to outside the chamber.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cannula holder further comprises:

one or more flanges extending from a wall of the body; and

one or more internal flaps for engaging the cannula.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the bore extends partially or completely through the cannula holder.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a cover for enclosing the chamber, the cover enclosing the chamber such that the chamber is removable from the cover.

11. The device of claim 1, further comprising one or more of a funnel for filling the cannula, a packaging tool, a chamber for storing smokable material, and a chamber for storing an unrolled cannula.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the bore is cylindrical, conical, or frustoconical.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is a rigid material or an elastomeric material.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the resilient material or the rigid material is one or more of plastic, cardboard, or paper.

15. A method of filling a smokable cannula, the method comprising placing the cannula in the cannula holder in a fillable position of the device of claim 1, and introducing a smokable material into the cannula.

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