EP2621292A2 - Method and apparatus for a tobacco product including a stack in interleaved sheets having one removable portion leaving at least one adhesive tab - Google Patents

Abstract

A tobacco product including a packet of interleaved removable rolling sheets, comprising: (a) a plurality of interleaved sheets a spine; (b) a plurality of the sheets including a longitudinal perforation line on one side of the perforation line sheet having a main, and on the other side of the perforation line having a removable strip portion leaving at least one adhesive tab.

Description

FULL PATENT APPLICATION

Attorney Docket No. Al 1126US (98541.102) TITLE: METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A TOBACCO PRODUCT

INCLUDING A STACK IN INTERLEAVED SHEETS HAVING ONE REMOVABLE PORTION LEAVING AT LEAST ONE ADHESIVE

TAB

INVENTORS: Daniel S. Sinclair, Jr., a United States citizen, of Mandeville, Louisiana.

Nathaniel Bensimon, a French citizen, of Terrassa, Spain CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS:

This application is a non-provisional of United States Application serial number

61/386,667, filed September 27, 2010, priority of which application is hereby claimed, and such application is incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

REFERENCE TO A "MICROFICHE APPENDIX"

Not applicable

BACKGROUND

The variety, quality and size of ready-made cigars and/or cigarettes satisfy the majority of the public. However, a small segment of connoisseurs insist that nothing can compare with the taste and smell of custom-blended tobacco products. These knowledgeable individuals are very selective in the manner their tobacco products are rolled and in the grade of tobacco used. A still smaller segment of aficionados prefers to roll their own tobacco products. They buy tobacco leaves or cigar wrappings and use their preferred brand of crushed tobacco.

Some reports indicate that the roll-your-own tobacco market is flourishing. In some countries, the roll-your-own products now hold a substantial share of the tobacco market, and their consumers represent more than 10% of the smoking population. This maybe explained by the ability of a consumer to create a tailor-made product, as opposed to commercially available types of tobacco products.

Conventional rolling papers that are used to make self-rolled cigars and/or cigarettes can be made from a variety of materials such as cotton, hemp, and tobacco. Rolling papers typically have a pair of long edges and a pair of wide edges and are sold in packets of folded and interleaved oblong-shaped sheets. Rolling papers may be ungummed or gummed, that is, one marginal edge of one of the two sides of each sheet is provided with an adhesive, also known as a gumline, such as aremoistenable gum, for example acacia gum, to seal the cigarette after it has been rolled. Such papers can be described as self-sticking and are preferable to ungummed papers because they do not require considerable moistening with saliva or water to prevent the finished smoking article from unrolling while it is being smoked or to prevent pre-rolled cigarettes from unrolling when in storage.

Gummed rolling papers are frequently packaged in a manner where they are stacked in a predetermined number and packaged by a bound pad comparable to the 3M Post- it office paper note pads. However, applying gums and adhesives to rolling papers presents problems. When the gum or adhesive is applied, it seeps through the paper, contaminating the reverse side of the paper as well as adjacent sheets in the stack. This results in the sheets sticking together and hinders the removal of individual sheets from the pack. The prior art has solved this problem by applying a coating of film-forming substances comprised of synthetic polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol, ethylene vinyl acetate, cellulose derivatives, and extruded thermoplastics to prevent penetration of adhesive through the paper. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,104,431 which is incorporated herein by reference.

However, the prior art coatings are undesirable to some consumers because they change burn characteristics, accelerate combustion, and worsen product viability. Moreover, most consumers prefer smoking articles made with natural rolling papers that do not have added chemicals or coating additives, which can be hazardous.

Another problem with the prior art gummed rolling papers is that while rolling a smoking article, the tobacco frequently gets stuck on the adhesive strip. This ruins the adhesive strip and hence, the cigarette by making it impossible to get a tight seal. An additional problem is prior art gummed papers are not adjustable since you cannot pre-roll the cigarette and then wet the gumline as you would with a conventional paper.

Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for new and improved rolling papers that allow the option to the consumer of removing at least part of the adhesive portion.

There is also a need for a new and improved rolling paper where part of the gumline adhesive remains to allow ease of adhesion in the rolling process but which remaining gumline adhesive does not impact burn characteristics, accelerate combustion, and worsen product viability.

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

In one embodiment is provided an plurality of interleaved sheets with main and removable portions packaged for sale in a booklet where each sheet can be rolled with (or without the removable portion) to form a finished custom made tobacco product, and with the main portion having at least one adhesion tab for creating the custom cigar.

In one embodiment the main portion can have two spaced apart adhesion tabs.

In one embodiment the plurality of sheets can be flat and not interleaved.

In various embodiments the interleaved sheets are 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), paper, 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's Wort, Capillarius herba, Yerba Lenna Yesca, Calea Zacatechichi, Leonurus Sibericus Flowers, Wild Dagga Flowers, Klip Dagga Leaf, Damiana, Hookah, Hernia salicifolia, Kava Kava, Avena Sativa, scotch broom topps, Valarian, capillarius, herba, Wild clip dagga, Leonurus sibiricus, Kanna, Sinicuichi, and/or lactuca virosa.

In one embodiment each interleaved sheet includes binder and wrapper layers. In one embodiment each interleaved sheet includes plurality of material layers.

In one embodiment each interleaved sheet is comprised of homogenized tobacco paper.

In one embodiment the outer pre-rolled sheet is comprised of smokable materials .

In various embodiments the removable portion of an interleaved sheet includes adhesives or other means to affix.

In various embodiments the booklets of interleaved sheets as packaged for sale with various types of filler and/or blending between the types of filler included. In one embodiment different types of filler material can be chosen from any combination of the following types of filler material: smoking tobacco, pipe tobacco, different types of flavored tobacco, 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's Wort, Capillarius herba, Yerba Lenna Yesca, Calea Zacatechichi, Leonurus Sibericus Flowers, Wild Dagga Flowers, Klip Dagga Leaf, Damiana, Hookah, Hernia salicifolia, Kava Kava, Avena Sativa, scotch broom topps, Valarian, capillarius, herba, Wild clip dagga, Leonurus sibiricus, Kanna, Sinicuichi, and/or lactuca virosa.

In one embodiment is included a means in each of the plurality of sheets can be provided for separating the removable portion from the main portion which means is a longitudinal perforation line. In one embodiment the means is an irregularly shaped longitudinal perforation line. In one embodiment the irregularly shaped line is serrated. In other embodiments the shapes can be sinusoidal, saw toothed, stepped, trapezoidal, raked, shredded, plurality of semicircles, plurality of ellipses.

In one embodiment the means is a spirally shaped longitudinal perforation line along the longitudinal axis of the inner shell.

In various of the embodiments the means is an etched line.

In various of the embodiments the means of the outer wall of the inner shell for forming edges which can be moved apart to open, enlarge, and/or expose the inner volume is a stitching between the edges of the inner shell.

One embodiment provides various configurations of additional plurality of sheets. One embodiment includes a layered configuration of a plurality of sheets including a first sheet of homogenized tobacco paper, a second sheet of natural leaf, and a third sheet of homogenized tobacco paper. One embodiment includes a layered configuration of sheets including a first sheet of natural leaf, a second sheet of homogenized tobacco paper, and a third sheet of natural leaf. One embodiment includes a plurality of additional interleaved sheets numbering 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50. Various embodiments include possible ranges between any of the combinations of the above listed numbers. For example, between 3 and 20, 5 and 15, etc.

One embodiment additional pre-rolled includes sheets made of the same material, such as homogenized tobacco paper, natural leaf, rolling paper, and/or sheets of other smokable materials. One embodiment includes possible combinations of the different types of sheets of homogenized tobacco paper, natural leaf, rolling paper, and/or sheets of other smokable materials. One embodiment includes sheets comprised of different smokable materials chosen from any combination of the following types of materials: natural leaf, homogenized tobacco paper, pipe tobacco, different types of flavored tobacco, 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's Wort, Capillarius herba, Yerba Lenna Yesca, Calea Zacatechichi, Leonurus Sibericus Flowers, Wild Dagga Flowers, Klip Dagga Leaf, Damiana, Hookah, Hernia salicifolia, Kava Kava, Avena Sativa, scotch broom topps, Valarian, capillarius, herba, Wild clip dagga, Leonurus sibiricus, Kanna, Sinicuichi, and/or lactuca virosa.

One embodiment of the method enables an end user to make his or her own custom finished tobacco products with a selected, custom filler material/blend of filler material. The method preferably includes the use of a 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, pina colada, punch, purple, rum, strawberry/kiwi, vanilla, watermelon, wet cherry, and/or whiskey.

The flavors are preferably added to the form casings and/ or pre-rolled sheets with a liquid. 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 one embodiment is provided a stack of individually removable rolling sheets, the stack including a plurality of sheets stacked in a predetermined number, each of the sheets being of substantially the same shape and size with a top side and a bottom side, and the top side of each paper includes a removable portion, and an adhesive disposed on the removable portion which removable portion is removable from the rolling sheet, leaving the main portion with at least one adhesion tab having adhesive, and in another embodiment two spaced apart adhesion tabs..

In one embodiment is provided a plurality of interleaved rolling sheets, including a paper structure having four sides of a first width edge, a second width edge, a first height edge, and a second height edge, an adhesive disposed along a first width edge, and a removable portion disposed on the first width edge, leaving the main portion with at least one adhesion tab having adhesive, and in another embodiment two spaced apart adhesion tabs.

In various embodiments instructions can be provided with the packaging (or on the packaging) showing one or more of the steps of removing the removable strip, rolling the interleaved rolling sheet, filling the sheet with a consumer's custom tobacco filler material, closing the inner shell using at least one adhesion tab, and re-rolling the attached outer pre-rolled sheet about the inner shell to form a custom made cigar or cigarette.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals, and wherein:

Figure 1 A is a perspective view of one type of tobacco filler material.

Figure IB is a perspective view of another type of tobacco filler material.

Figure 2 A is a perspective view of one type of filter tip.

Figure 2B is a perspective view of one type of filter tip.

Figure 2C is a perspective view of one type of filter tip.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a booklet of smokable sheets containing a plurality of smokable interleaved sheets with a plurality of these sheets having a separable portion allowing the creation of a shaped side and/or removal of adhesive.

Figure 4 shows the booklet of Figure 3 in side view.

Figure 5 shows one of the sheets after it has been removed from the booklet. Figure 6 shows the removable portion of the sheet of Figure 5 after it has been removed from the sheet (which will cause the remaining portion to look like the tabbed sheet of Figure 7).

Figure 7 shows one of the sheets after it has been removed from the booklet, or one of the sheets shown in Figure 5 after the removable portion has been removed.

Figure 8 shows one of the sheets after it has been removed from the booklet.

Figure 9 shows one of the sheets after it has been removed from the booklet.

Figure 10 shows the removable portion of the sheet of Figure 9 after it has been removed from the sheet (which will cause the remaining portion to look like the tabbed sheet of Figure 11).

Figure 11 shows one of the sheets after it has been removed from the booklet, or one of the sheets shown in Figure 9 after the removable portion has been removed.

Figure 12 shows one of the sheets after it has been removed from the booklet. Figure 13 shows the removable portion of the sheet of Figure 12 after it has been removed from the sheet (which will cause the remaining portion to look like the tabbed sheet of Figure 14).

Figure 14 shows one of the sheets after it has been removed from the booklet, or one of the sheets shown in Figure 12 after the removable portion has been removed.

Figure 15 is a perspective view of the sheet of Figure 8.

Figure 16 is aperspective view of the sheet of Figure 14, with the step of adding a consumer's custom selected tobacco filler added to the main portion.

Figure 17 is aperspective view of the sheet of Figure 7, with a consumer's custom selected tobacco filler added to the main portion. Figure 18 is aperspective view of the sheet of Figure 7, with a consumer's custom selected tobacco filler to the main portion, and a tip from Figure 1 A added.

Figure 19 schematically shows the step of rolling a tobacco product (e.g., cigarette or cigar) with the added tobacco filler and tip.

Figure 20 schematically shows the continued step of rolling a tobacco product

(e.g., cigarette or cigar) with the added tobacco filler and tip.

Figure 21 schematically shows the continued step of rolling a tobacco product (e.g., cigarette or cigar) with the added tobacco filler and tip.

Figure 22 schematically shows the continued step of rolling a tobacco product (e.g., cigarette or cigar) with the added tobacco filler and tip, with the consumer wetting the glue or adhesive on one of the tabs for adhesion.

Figure 23 schematically shows the continued step of rolling a tobacco product (e.g., cigarette or cigar) with the added tobacco filler and tip, with one of the tabs adhering to the body to prevent unrolling of the sheet.

Figure 24 schematically shows the continued step of rolling a tobacco product

(e.g., cigarette or cigar) with the added tobacco filler and tip, with the consumer wetting the glue or adhesive on the second of the tabs for adhesion.

Figure 25 schematically shows the continued step of rolling a tobacco product (e.g., cigarette or cigar) where compaction of tobacco filler material is done in the rolled product.

Figure 26 shows the rolled tobacco product (e.g., cigarette or cigar) after the compaction step shown in Figure 25.

Figure 27 is a closeup view of the rolled tobacco product (e.g., cigarette or cigar) shown in Figure 26.

Figure 28 shows the continued step of removing the portion of the rolled tobacco product (e.g., cigarette or cigar) which has adhesive or glue and which could be burned and smoked if not removed.

Figure 29A is a close up view of the rolled tobacco product (e.g., cigarette or cigar) after the portion has been removed.

Figure 29B is a close up view of the removed portion of the rolled tobacco product (e.g., cigarette or cigar) .

Figure 30 shows a carton containing a rolled of a plurality of sheets which can be removed from the carton. The roll can contain one or more of the embodiments shown in this specification. The individual sheets can be separated from each other by a perforation lines. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AT LEAST ONE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

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. Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals.

Figures 3 and 4 are perspective views of a booklet 10 of interleaved smokable sheets containing a plurality of smokable interleaved sheets 100, 100', 100", etc. with a plurality of these sheets having a separable portion 300 allowing the creation of a shaped side and/or partial removal of adhesive.

Booklet of interleaved sheets 10 can comprise flap 20, casing 30, longitudinal opening 40, and interior volume 50. Interior volume 50 can hold the plurality of smokable interleaved sheets 100, 100', 100", etc.

Each interleaved sheet 100, 100', 100", etc. can be comprised of one or more layers of material such as a binder attached to a wrapper layer.

Each interleaved sheet 100, 100', 100", etc. 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), paper, 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's Wort, Capillarius herba, YerbaLenna Yesca, CaleaZacatechichi, Leonurus Sibericus Flowers, Wild Dagga Flowers, Klip Dagga Leaf, Damiana, Hookah, Hernia salicifolia, Kava Kava, Avena Sativa, scotch broom topps, Valarian, capillarius, herba, Wild clip dagga, Leonurus sibiricus, Kanna, Sinicuichi, and/or lactuca virosa.

Interleaving is well known in the art and can be seen in United States Patent numbers 4,775,358 to Jones for a "Machine For Making Paper Booklets"; 4,290,592 to Kastner for an "Apparatus For Paper Interleaving And Severing"; and 654,515 to Casterline for a "Paper Folding Machine". The disclosures in each of these patents are totally incorporated herein by reference.

Each sheet 100, 100', 100", etc. can be removed from longitudinal opening 40 by pulling on its first side 110. Pulling of first sheet 100 will cause first side 110' of second sheet 100' to show through longitudinal opening. 40. In this manner each of the sheets can be individually removed from casing 30.

Each interleaved sheet 100, 100', 100", etc. can include an intermediate moisture barrier 160 (such as cellophane, plastic, foil, wax paper, and/or other materials which can inhibit moisture loss). Also alternatively, although not shown an intermediate (and unattached) interleaved sheet can be placed between one or more interleaved sheets interleaved sheets 100, 100', 100", etc. to prevent the interleaved sheets from sticking to each other and to themselves. These intermediate interleaved sheets can be of the same construction as moisture barrier. The intermediate sheets would preferably be about the same size as sheets 100, 100', 100", etc. , but would not be connected to such sheets. These intermediate sheets would assist in the removal of sheets 100, 100', 100", etc. from about inner shell 15. Additionally, this intermediate sheet would inhibit moisture loss from booklet 10 through longitudinal opening 40. When making the custom cigar or cigarette, the intermediate sheet would be removed and discarded after sheet 100 was removed from booklet 10. In one embodiment, if an intermediate sheet is used, it should be removed from sheet 100 because this intermediate sheet is not smokable.

Figure 5 shows one of the sheets 100 after it has been removed from the booklet 10, which sheet 100 will have two tabs 112 and 114 after a removable portion 300 is removed leaving main portion 350. Arrows 1200 and 1210 schematically indicate the removal of removable portion 300 from main portion 350.

Figure 6 shows the removable portion 300 of the sheet 100 of Figure 5 after it 300 has been removed from the sheet 100 (which will cause the remaining portion 350 to look like the tabbed sheet 100 of Figure 7). Arrow 1230 schematically indicate the removal of removable portion 300 from main portion 350 and rotating removable portion 90 degrees in a clockwise rotation.

Figure 7 shows one of the sheets 100 after it has been removed from the booklet 10, or one of the sheets 100 shown in Figure 5 after the removable portion 300 has been removed.

Figure 8 shows one of the sheets 100 after it has been removed from the booklet 10 which sheet does not include a removable portion 300, but has two spaced apart areas of adhesive 152 and 154.

Figure 9 shows one of the sheets 100 after it 100 has been removed from the booklet 10, which sheet 100 will have a single tab 114 after a removable portion 300 is removed leaving main portion 350. Arrow 1230 schematically indicate the removal of removable portion 300 from main portion 350 and rotating removable portion 90 degrees in a counter-clockwise rotation.

Figure 10 shows the removable portion 300 of the sheet 100 of Figure 9 after it has been removed from the sheet 100 (leaving main portion 350).

Figure 11 shows the sheet 100 of Figure 9 where the removable portion 300 has been removed from the main portion 350. Figure 12 shows one of the sheets 100 after it has been removed from the booklet 10, which sheet 100 will have two tabs 112 and 114 after a removable portion 300 is removed leaving main portion 350. In this embodiment remaining portion 350 will have a plurality of serrated or saw toothed edges on side 110' between adhesive tabs 112 and 114 (as indicated by Figure 14). Arrows 1200 and 1210 schematically indicate the removal of removable portion 300 from main portion 350.

Figure 13 shows the removable portion 300 of the sheet 100 of Figure 12 after it 300 has been removed from the sheet 100 (which will cause the remaining portion 350 to look like the tabbed sheet 100 of Figure 14). Arrow 1230 schematically indicate the removal of removable portion 300 from main portion 350 and rotating removable portion 90 degrees in a clockwise rotation.

Figure 14 shows one of the sheets 100 after it has been removed from the booklet 10, or one of the sheets 100 shown in Figure 12 after the removable portion 300 has been removed.

Relative Sizes of Adhesive Tabs and Option to Have One or Two Tabs

Sheet 100 can include a longitudinal perforation portion 170 allowing removal of removable portion 300 from main portion 350. Longitudinal perforation line 170 can be substantially in a straight line or irregularly shaped. In one embodiment irregularly shaped perforations 170 can be serrated. In one embodiment longitudinal perforation line 170 can terminate in perforation lines 172 and 174, wherein wen removed adhesive tabs 112 and 114 can be created providing an adhesive tabbed sheet as substantially shown in Figure 7. Adhesive tabs 112 and 114 can respectively include adhesive 152 and 154. Before removal of removable portion 300 adhesive can be included along the length LT of sheet 100 (including adhesive 152, 150, and 154).

In one embodiment tab 112 can have a length LI , removable portion 300 can have a length L3, and tab 114 can have a length L2. In one embodiment LT = LI + L3 + L2. In this embodiment tab 112 is spaced apart from tab 114 by length L3.

In various embodiments LI can be equal to L2, and in other embodiments LI and L2 do not have to be equal.

In various embodiments LI can be 5, 6, 7, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 33, and 34 percent of LT. In various embodiments LI can be within a range of any to of the above referenced percentages of LT.

In various embodiments L2 can be 5, 6, 7, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 33, and 34 percent of LT. In various embodiments L2 can be within a range of any to of the above referenced percentages of LT. Sheet Construction

Sheet 100 can include a first face 200 and opposing second face 210. Sheet 100 can include first side 110, second side 120, third side 130, and fourth side 140. First side can have an adhesive 150 which can be cigar glue. In one embodiment perforations 170 should be small enough so that air flow will be minimized through the perforations, but large enough to allow a user to easily separate (removable portion 300 from body 350) if desired.

Figure 15 shows one of the sheets 100 after it has been removed from booklet 10. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of this sheet 100 shown in Figure 15.

In various embodiments each interleaved sheet 100, 100', 100", etc. can be separated into removable portion 300 and main portion 350 along a substantial portion (although not its entire length). In various embodiments inner shell 15 can be opened about 50, 55, 60, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, and/or 100 percent of its longitudinal length. In various embodiments ranges between any of the two above specified percentages can be used for opening the longitudinal length. In various embodiments the means for separating removable portion 300 and main portion 350 can stop at any of the above specified percentages or ranges of percentages. Opening only along a substantial portion of the along the length can assist some users (compared to opening the entire length) in rolling a finished cigar as the removable portion 300 can be used to hold down one end of the rolled main portion 350 (now filled with tobacco filler material) when making the final custom cigar or cigarette.

In alternative embodiments interleaved sheet 100, 100', 100", etc., instead of being perforated, longitudinal perforated portion 170 can be etched, or cut along the longitudinal length.. Etched or cut line 170 allows removable portion 300 to be easily removed by user who wishes to remove removable portion 300.

In another alternative embodiment, interleaved sheet 100, 100', 100", etc., instead of being perforated, longitudinal perforated portion 170 can be an area line of weakened strength where the area line can be easily separate when desired. Weakened area line can be formed by causing it to be of less thickness than the remaining portion of sheet 100. For example, where sheet 100 comprises a layer of binder and a layer of wrapper, weakened area line may be formed by removing the binder or removing the wrapper thereby making it weaker than the remaining part of sheet 100. Various other processes can be applied to weakened area line to make it weaker than the remainder of sheet 100~such as scarring, scratching, etching etc. Where stress is applied to weakened area line sheet 100 will separate along the longitudinal length of weakened area line and into portions 300 and 250.

In another alternative embodiment interleaved sheet 100, 100', 100", etc. have irregularly shaped perforations 170' along there longitudinal length. In other embodiments irregularly shaped perforations 70 can be spiral, sinusoidal, or other irregular shapes compared to a straight line along the longitudinal length of inner shell 15).

This option allows the consumer to decide whether or not to remove removable portion 300 before creating a custom rolled tobacco product 1000. In many cases a consumer desires to avoid the use of adhesives (such as cigar glue) from perceived harmful and/or disadvantageous concerns from such adhesives. In many cases consumers desire to have a specially shaped edge from which to assist in sealing the consumer's custom rolled tobacco product 1000.

Arrows 1200 and 1210 schematically indicate that removable portion 300 is separated from main portion 350 be pulling or tearing along perforation portion 170. Here, removable portion 300 can be removed by tearing away using plurality of perforations 170. Figure 4 shows sheet 100 where removable portion 300 has been separated from main portion 350.

Steps of Rolling A Cigar or Cigarette

Figures 16 through 29 schematically show the steps of rolling a cigar or cigarette using one or more of the sheet embodiments disclosed herein.

Figure 16 is a perspective view of the sheet 100 of Figure 14, with the step

(schematically indicated by arrow 1240) of adding a consumer ' s custom selected tobacco filler 1100 to the main portion 350. Removed portion 300 is not shown. Figure 1A is a perspective view of one type of tobacco filler material 1100. Figure IB is a perspective view of another type of tobacco filler material 1110. With this embodiment, the consumer has the option of blending his favorite types of rolling tobacco and/or tobacco filler.

Figure 17 is a perspective view of the sheet 100 of Figure 7, with a consumer's custom selected tobacco filler 1100 added to the main portion 350.

Figure 18 is a perspective view of the sheet 100 of Figure 7, with a consumer's custom selected tobacco filler 1100 added to the main portion 350, and a tip 1150 from Figure 2A added. Figures 2B and 2C show other types of filter tips which can be added. Tip 1150 in Figure 2C is of the same construction as conventionally available cigarette filter tips. Tip 1152 of Figure 2C is obtained from a cut portion of a conventional cigarette on the non-filter tip side. Tip 1154 of Figure 2B is a folded or spiral tip which can be used to stop tobacco filler material from falling out of the rolled finished tobacco product.

Figure 19 schematically shows the step of rolling a tobacco product (e.g., cigarette or cigar) with the added tobacco filler 1100 and tip 1150. Arrows 1260 and 1270 schematically indicate rolling of sheet 100 and adhesive tabs 112 and 114 can be seen (respectively with adhesive 152 and 154).

Figure 20 schematically shows the continued step of rolling a tobacco product (e.g., cigarette or cigar) with the added tobacco filler 1100 and tip 1150. Arrows 1260 and 1270 schematically indicate rolling of sheet 100 and adhesive tabs 112 and 114 can be seen (respectively with adhesive 152 and 154). Here, side 130 is being rolled under side 110'.

Figure 21 schematically shows the continued step of rolling a tobacco product (e.g., cigarette or cigar) with the added tobacco filler 1100 and tip 1150 (here the tobacco filler is being more tightly rolled compared to Figure 20). Adhesive tab 112 and tab 114 are sticking up waiting to be adhered.

Figure 22 schematically shows the step of activating adhesive 152 in tab 112 such as by wetting or licking. Adhesive tab 112 will be pushed against the body of the rolled tobacco product.

Figure 23 schematically shows the continued step of rolling a tobacco product (e.g., cigarette or cigar) with the added tobacco filler 1100 and tip 150, with one of the tabs 112 now adhering to the body to prevent unrolling of the sheet 100.

Figure 24 schematically shows the continued step of rolling a tobacco product (e.g., cigarette or cigar) with the added tobacco filler and tip, with the consumer wetting the glue or adhesive 154 on the second of the tabs 114 for adhesion.

Figure 25 schematically shows the continued step of rolling a tobacco product 1000 (e.g., cigarette or cigar) where compaction of tobacco filler material is done in the rolled product (arrows 1010 schematically indicate tapping of the rolled tobacco product to compact the tobacco filler 1100 in the bore.

Figures 26 and 27 show the rolled tobacco product 1000 (e.g., cigarette or cigar) after the compaction step shown in Figure 25. Adhesive tab 112 with adhesive 152 is over filter tip 1150. Adhesive tab 114 with adhesive 154 is on the opposite end of tobacco product 1000.

Figure 28 shows the continued step of preparing the finished rolled tobacco product 1000 - - i.e., removing the portion of the rolled tobacco product (e.g., cigarette or cigar) which has adhesive or glue and which could be burned and smoked if not removed. In this product this would include the area of the product 1000 where adhesive tab 114 and adhesive 154 is located. Arrows 702 and 704 schematically indicating the tearing off of this portion of the longitudinal length of tobacco product 1000.

Figure 29A is a close up view of the rolled tobacco product 1000 (e.g., cigarette or cigar) after the portion has been removed. Figure 29B is a close up view of the removed portion of the rolled tobacco product (e.g., cigarette or cigar) .

Figure 30 shows a carton containing a rolled of a plurality of sheets which can be removed from the carton. The roll can contain one or more of the embodiments shown in this specification. The individual sheets can be separated from each other by a perforation lines.

Figure 16 shows the step of adding a consumer's custom selected tobacco filler 1100 to the main portion 350. Figure 6 schematically shows the step of rolling a custom tobacco product 1000 with the added tobacco filler 1100 and the main portion 350. Figure 7 shows the rolled tobacco product 1000. Figure 8 shows a closeup view of the rolled tobacco product 1000.

Figure 9 shows an alterative sheet 2000 with a separable portion 2010 and main portion 2020 having substantially straight edges after being separated from each other.

In one embodiment plurality of interleaved sheets 400, can include one or more separating sheets 500. In one embodiment plurality of interleaved sheets 400 can include an identifier 600 which indicates to the consumer that the quantity of interleaved sheets 400 remaining in booklet are low and the consumer should purchase a new booklet to avoid running out of interleaved sheets 400.

In one embodiment flavoring can be applied to the sheets during the interleaving process.

Booklet 10 is preferably formed from a rigid or flexible material. In various embodiments booklet 10 can be comprised of one or more of the following materials or combinations of materials: filter material, cotton, paper, cardboard, wood, metal, tobacco, hemp, hemp paper, clove, mir, willow bark, dogwood cornus sp, red osier, pipsissewa, chimaphila, pyrola, kinnikinnik, arctostaphylos uva-ursi, camomile herbs , manzanita, shrubby arctostaphylos sp, madrone, arbutus menziesii, blackberry, rubus sp, scotch broom, cytisus, scoparius, cannabis, hemp THC-free, calamus, mullein, and/or verbascum thapsus. In one embodiment, booklet 10 can include two layers (inside and outside layers). The layers can be comprised of an aluminum/polymer/non-smokable outside layer and tobacco filler inside layer. Additionally, booklet 10 can include a perforated section with a gel interior to allow the gel to gain access to gel which gel can be used for moisturizing, flavoring, and/or scenting interleaved sheets 100, 100', 100", etc.

The adhesive may be from the group consisting of a natural gum, a sugar-based gum, a chemical gum, or combinations thereof. Examples of suitable adhesives include cellulose gum, animal gum, acacia gum, sugar gum, and combinations thereof. The weight of the adhesive may vary from 8 grams per square meter (gsm) to 110 gsm.

Each sheet 100 of paper in the stack may have a weight from 8 grams per square meter (gsm) to 110 gsm, such as from about 8 gsm to about 50 gsm, if it is normal bleached or unbleached paper. If homogenized tobacco sheets are used to make the rolling papers, then the paper weight may be from about 8 gsm to about 110 gsm.

The sheet 100 can have a length, also referred to as a height, having a first height edge 120, second height edge 140 and a width having a first width edge 110 and a second width edge 130. An adhesive 150 (also known as a gumline) can be deposited along the length of at least one of the first height edge 120.

The adhesive 150 may be disposed at a length (height) between about 1% and about 25% of the width of the sheet 100 along the first width edge 110 as shown in Figure 2. Alternatively, the adhesive layer may be disposed between about 1 mm and about 10 mm of the width edge 110. For example, the adhesive may be disposed at about 5 mm of the width of sheet 100 along the respective edges of a 54 mm height sheet. The respective adhesives are disposed proximal to the respective edges.

Removable portion 300 allows the consumer the option of using an ungummed main portion 350 as the rolling sheet. It is possible to use existing rolling paper production technology by modifying it to allow for the perforation line 170.

As part of the method, the tobacco products disclosed in this application can be sprayed with a liquid that preferably includes a flavoring. In various embodiments moisture can be added to the sheets.

Figure 30 shows an alternative embodiment with a rolling paper roll 3100 containing a plurality of perforated sheets 3105 which can be pulled out of a carton 3000 for the size desired by the consumer.

Figure 30 is a perspective view of a sheet 3105 of length "L" which has been removed from the carton 3000 and having removable portion 3300 on one side of the sheet 3105, but leaving at least one adhesive tab 3112 and/or 3114. Removable portion 3300 can have adhesive 3310. Removal of portion 3300 leaves main portion 3350 with two adhesive tabs 3112 (having adhesive 3312) and 3114 (having adhesive 3314).

In one embodiment kss sheets can be used. In one embodiment a glue or adhesive strip can be used with both tabs 112,152 and 114,154 being 1 centimeter in width.

REFERENCE NUMERAL LIST

REFERENCE NO. DESCRIPTION

10 booklet of interleaved sheets 20 flap

30 casing

40 longitudinal opening

50 interior volume

100 perforated sheet 110 first side

112 tab

114 tab

120 second side

130 third side

140 fourth side

150 adhesive

152 adhesive

154 adhesive

156 bottom edge of adhesive

170 perforation

172 perforation

174 perforation

180 shape

200 first face

210 second face

300 removable portion

350 main portion

400 plurality of interleaved sheets

500 separating sheet

600 identifier

700 removed portion

702 arrow

704 arrow

1000 rolled tobacco product

1010 longitudinal interior volume

1020 longitudinal length

1030 sealing location

1100 tobacco filler

1110 first tobacco filler

1120 second tobacco filler

1150 first filter

1152 second filter

1156 third filter

1200 arrow

1210 arrow

1220 arrow 1230 arrow

1240 arrow

1250 arrow

1260 arrow

1270 arrow

1280 arrow

2000 alternative sheet

2010 separable portion

2020 main portion

2030 perforation line

2050 adhesive

3000 container/ carton

3010 lid

3020 interior volume

3050 top of container

3100 roll of rolling paper sheets

3105 length of sheet

3180 perforation

3300 removable portion

3112 tab

3114 tab

3312 adhesive

3314 adhesive

3350 main portion

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.

Claims

IN THE CLAIMS:

1. A packet of interleaved removable rolling sheets, comprising:

(a) a plurality of interleaved sheets on a spine;

(b) a plurality of the sheets including a longitudinal perforation line on one side of the perforation line sheet having a main, and on the other side of the perforation line having a removable strip portion;

(c) the removable stip portion including an adhesive disposed thereon, wherein the remaining portion includes at least one tab having adhesive thereon.

2. The packet of interleaved removable rolling sheets of claim 1 , wherein the packet includes an opening extending along the length of the packet.

3. The packet of interleaved removable rolling sheets of claim 1 , wherein the perforation line is a straight line spanning from one end of the sheet to the other.

4. The packet of interleaved removable rolling sheets of claim 1 , wherein the perforation line is a saw tooth line spanning from one end of the sheet to the other.

5. The packet of interleaved removable rolling sheets of claim 1 , wherein the rolling sheets are comprised of bleached rolling paper, unbleached rolling paper, or combinations thereof.

6. The packet of interleaved removable rolling sheets of claim 1 , wherein the rolling papers are comprised of homogenized tobacco paper.

7. The packet of interleaved removable rolling sheets of claim 1 , wherein the rolling sheets have a weight from about 8 gsm to about 110 gsm.

8. The packet of interleaved removable rolling sheets of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive is selected from the group consisting of a chemical gum, a natural gum, a sugar-based gum, and combinations thereof.

9. A packet of interleaved removable rolling sheets, comprising:

(a) a plurality of interleaved sheets,

(b) each of the sheets is of substantially the same shape and size with a top side and a bottom side, and

(c) the top side of each paper includes a removable strip portion with an adhesive disposed on the removable strip, wherein the remaining paper includes an at least one tab with adhesive thereon.

10. The packet of interleaved removable rolling sheets of claim 9, wherein the packet includes an opening extending along the length of the packet.

11. The packet of interleaved removable rolling sheets of claim 9, wherein the perforation line is a straight line spanning from one end of the sheet to the other.

12. The packet of interleaved removable rolling sheets of claim 9, wherein the perforation line is a saw tooth line spanning from one end of the sheet to the other.

13. The packet of interleaved removable rolling sheets of claim 9, wherein the rolling sheets are comprised of bleached rolling paper, unbleached rolling paper, or combinations thereof.

14. The packet of interleaved removable rolling sheets of claim 9, wherein the rolling papers are comprised of homogenized tobacco paper.

15. The packet of interleaved removable rolling sheets of claim 9, wherein the rolling sheets have a weight from about 8 gsm to about 110 gsm.

16. The packet of interleaved removable rolling sheets of claim 9, wherein the adhesive is selected from the group consisting of a chemical gum, a natural gum, a sugar-based gum, and combinations thereof.

17. A packet of interleaved rolling sheets, comprising:

(a) a plurality of interleaved rolling sheets; each rolling sheet including a paper structure having four sides of a first width edge, a second width edge, a first height edge, and a second height edge;

(b) a removable strip disposed on the first width edge; and

(c) an adhesive disposed along the removable strip, wherein the remaining portion having at least one tab having adhesive thereon.

18. The packet of interleaved removable rolling sheets of claim 17, wherein the packet includes an opening extending along the length of the packet.

19. The packet of interleaved removable rolling sheets of claim 17, wherein the perforation line is a straight line spanning from one end of the sheet to the other.

20. The packet of interleaved removable rolling sheets of claim 17, wherein the perforation line is a saw tooth line spanning from one end of the sheet to the other.

21. The packet of interleaved removable rolling sheets of claim 17, wherein the rolling sheets are comprised of bleached rolling paper, unbleached rolling paper, or combinations thereof.

22. The packet of interleaved removable rolling sheets of claim 17, wherein the rolling papers are comprised of homogenized tobacco paper.

23. The packet of interleaved removable rolling sheets of claim 17, wherein the rolling sheets have a weight from about 8 gsm to about 110 gsm.

24. The packet of interleaved removable rolling sheets of claim 17, wherein the adhesive is selected from the group consisting of a chemical gum, a natural gum, a sugar-based gum, and combinations thereof.

25. The invention as substantially shown and described.