DEVICE FOR PERFORMING HAND ROLLING OF A CIGARETTE FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of hand rolled cigarettes. More specifically, the present invention relates to a device for performing hand rolling of a cigarette by a user.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are many smokers who prefer to hand roll their own cigarettes using cigarette tobacco and paper available for purchase. Sometimes, however, the desired quality of cigarette cannot be achieved since the paper may be rolled in an uneven or insufficiently tight manner.
The present invention solves this problem by providing a convenient device that enables fast and facile self-rolling of a cigarette by a smoker. Following hand rolling of the cigarette, the device is used as a mouthpiece for the cigarette.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for performing hand rolling of a cigarette comprising a tubular shaped element having a groove extending at least a portion of the length of the tubular element. The groove is designed for receiving a section of a piece of cigarette paper containing filling such that upon insertion into the groove, the cigarette paper can be rolled around said element so as to form a smoking cigarette.
According to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the tubular shaped element is formed from rigid material. Preferably, the rigid material comprises hard plastic or aluminum or rigid paper (such as cardboard).
Further according to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the tubular shaped element is hollow.
Additionally according to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the tubular shaped element has a cross section having the shape of a circle. According to other%preferred embodiments of the present invention, the tubular shaped element has a cross section having the shape of an ellipse. According to yet other preferred embodiments of the present invention, the tubular shaped element has a cross sectional diameter that increases along the length of said element.
Moreover according to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the tubular shaped element is filled with a filtering material.
Further according to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the tubular shaped element has at least one supporting member affixed therein.
Still further according to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the tubular shaped element comprises one substantially closed end, wherein said closed end has at least one inhalation opening therein, for allowing inhalation from the cigarette.
Additionally according to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the closed end has three inhalation openings.
Moreover according to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the tubular element is adapted for being opened and closed by the user.
Further according to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the tubular element comprises least one clipping element for facilitating closing thereof. Preferably, said one clipping element is positioned on said closed end of the tubular element. Alternatively, there are two clipping elements positioned along the longitudinal groove of the tubular element.
Still further according to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the tubular element is substantially filled with a filling material. Preferably, the filling material is plastic or any suitable polymeric material.
Preferably, the tubular shaped element comprises one substantially closed end, wherein said closed end has at least one inhalation opening therein, for allowing inhalation from the cigarette, and wherein the tubular element has at least one passageway extending therethrough from the inhalation opening through the filling material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention is now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a device for performing hand rolling of a cigarette, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Figures 2A, 2B, and 2C illustrate three preferred embodiments for the general shape of a device for performing hand rolling of a cigarette.
Figures 3A and 3B illustrate steps in a process for rolling a cigarette using the device of Figure 1.
Figures 4A, and 4B illustrate isometric and cross-sectional views, respectively, of a first preferred embodiment for the inner construction of the device of Figure 1.
Figures 5A, and 5B illustrate isometric and cross-sectional views, respectively, of a second preferred embodiment for the inner construction of the device of Figure 1.
Figures 6A, and 6B illustrate isometric and cross-sectional views, respectively, of a third preferred embodiment for the inner construction of the device of Figure 1.
Figure 7A illustrates an isometric view of a fourth preferred embodiment for the inner construction of the device of Figure 1. Figure 7B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the device of Figure 7 A, with a piece of cigarette paper inserted therein.
Figures 8a and 8b illustrate isometric views of a fifth preferred embodiment for the device of the present invention. In Figure 8 a, the device is shown in an open configuration. In Figure 8b, the device is shown in an almost-closed configuration.
Figure 9 illustrates an isometric view of a sixth preferred embodiment for the device of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
It is appreciated that the detailed description herein provided is intended only to illustrate certain preferred embodiments of the present invention. It is in no way meant to limit the scope of the invention, as set out in the claims.
Referring to Figure 1, a device for performing hand rolling of a cigarette includes a tubular element (10) having a longitudinal groove (20) extending the length thereof. In other embodiments, the groove extends only a portion of the length of the tubular element.
Referring to Figure 2 A, the tubular element (10) may have a circular cross-section. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 2B, the tubular element (10) may have an elliptical cross-section. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional diameter of the tubular element (10) changes across the length of the element, as shown in Figure 2C.
Reference will now be made Figures 3A and 3B, and to a method for using the device of Figure 1 for hand rolling a cigarette. The end of a piece of cigarette paper (35) containing tobacco filler (15) is inserted by a user into the groove (20) of the
tubular element (10) (the filler is positioned on the paper displaced from the tubular element). Preferably, the paper is inserted so as to contact the inner side of the tubular element (10) opposite from the groove (20). Once inserted, the user turns the device, preferably in the direction of arrow (a) until the paper (35) becomes completely wound around the tubular element (10) with the tobacco filler (15) inside, as depicted in Figure 3B.
In some embodiments, the tubular element (10) contains a filter (19) in its interior portion, as illustrated in Figures 4 A and 4B. The filter (19) may be of any appropriate material known in the art. In other embodiments, the interior of the tubular element contains supporting members that provide structural support and rigidity for the tubular element. Preferably, the supporting members extend the entire length of the tubular element. In the embodiment shown in Figures 5A and 5B, two supporting members (17) are positioned parallel to one another. In other embodiments, shown in Figures 6A and 6B, a "T" shaped supporting member (18) is positioned in combination with a secondary supporting member (13). The space in between the secondary supporting member (13) and the "T" shaped supporting member (18) allows for the passage therethrough of a cigarette paper. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 7A and 7B, the supporting member (25) has a slot (11) for enabling the passage therethrough of a cigarette paper (35), as shown in Figure 7B. It is appreciated that the tubular element may also contain both supporting members and a filter, though this particular embodiment is not illustrated. Furthermore, other supporting members are possible aside from those illustrated.
Reference is now made to Figure 8a and Figure 8b. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the tubular element (10) is adapted for being opened and closed by the user, as shown in Figures 8a and 8b, respectively. Preferably, the tubular
element (10) is formed from a first side (50) and a second side (55), that are hingedly connected to one another. Furthermore, the tubular element (10) is equipped with a clipping element having a female part (16b) and male part (16a) that clip into one another. Additionally, the tubular element (10) preferably has one substantially closed end (70), comprising three inhalation openings (27), for allowing inhalation from the cigarette.
The preferred embodiment in Figure 9 is similar to that of Figures 8a and 8b, except that there are two clipping elements, each with a male portion (16a) and a female portion (16b), positioned on opposite sides of the groove (20) of the tubular element.
It is appreciated that in certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, the tubular element is filled with a filling material, for example, plastic. In preferred embodiments wherein the tubular element is adapted for opening and closing (Figures 8a, 8b, and 9), each half of the tubular element is preferably filled with an appropriate material. It is appreciated that in those preferred embodiments that include inhalation openings, when the tubular element is filled with a plastic material, a passageway extends through the length of the tubular element, through the plastic material, (from each inhalation opening) for enabling inhalation from the cigarette.