SMOKING WRAPPER/FILTER COMBINATION

Abstract

An improved smoking wrapper/filter combination is provided. The smoking wrapper has an internal filter having an opening channel extending through the entire length of the filter which allows smoke to pass through the filter without obstruction while still providing stability to the smoking wrapper. In an embodiment, the filter is non-porous except for the opening channel. The smoking wrapper may be unbleached and chlorine free. In an embodiment, rice may be utilized in the formation of the smoking wrapper. FDA approved adhesives are used to secure the smoking wrapper to the filter. The smoking wrapper may be thinner than normal smoking wrappers (of cigarettes) and may be similar to rolling paper. In particular, in a preferred embodiment the smoking wrapper is 14 to 16 grams in weight.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] An improved smoking wrapper/filter combination is provided. The smoking wrapper has an internal filter having an opening channel extending through the entire length of the filter which allows smoke to pass through the filter without obstruction while still providing stability to the smoking wrapper. In an embodiment, the filter is non-porous except for the opening channel. The smoking wrapper may be unbleached and chlorine free. In an embodiment, rice may be utilized in the formation of the smoking wrapper. FDA approved adhesives are used to secure the smoking wrapper to the filter. The smoking wrapper may be thinner than normal smoking wrappers (of cigarettes) and may be similar to rolling paper. In particular, in a preferred embodiment the smoking wrapper is 14 to 16 grams in weight.

[0002] Over the years, attempts have been made to provide improved smoking products, such as improved cigarette papers. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 9,392,818 to Zitturi discloses a cigarette paper for self-extinguishing cigarettes. The cigarette paper comprises bands onto which a material reducing the diffusion capacity is applied, wherein a band comprises two band-like outer zones (18a, 18b) and a band-like central zone (20) therebetween. The said material is applied substantially over the entire surface up to the outer zones (18a, 18b) of the band (10). The aforementioned material is additionally applied to at least 70%, preferably at least 75% and/or at most 95%, preferably at most 90% of the surface of the central zone (20). The surface (22) to which the said material is applied is path-connected. The surface of the central zone (20), to which the said material is applied is likewise path-connected.

[0003] Further, U.S. Pat. No. 5,730,840 to Hampl discloses a method for improving the ash characteristics of a paper wrapper for a cigarette article and for improving the ash characteristics of the cigarette article itself. Specifically, it has been unexpectedly discovered that the ash characteristics of a paper wrapper are noticeably improved when a calcium carbonate filler having a median particle size of from about 0.15 microns to about 0.5 microns is incorporated into the paper. Paper wrappers made with the calcium carbonate particles of the present invention have superior ash characteristics in comparison to paper wrappers incorporating calcium carbonate particles of larger or smaller sizes. Further, the ash characteristics of the paper are improved without having to alter total filler levels in the paper.

[0004] Still further, U.S. Pat. No. 8,646,463 to Sherwood discloses cigarette and cigarette paper have a plurality of multilayer bands formed by printing a highly viscous aqueous film-forming composition. After heating the composition to lower its viscosity, the bands are applied to the cigarette paper by gravure printing the composition. The composition is quenched and gelatinized by contact with the cool cigarette paper reducing absorption of water by the paper and reducing wrinkling, cockling, and waviness. Multiple gravure printed layers may be used to form the bands.

[0005] However, these patents fail to describe a smoking wrapper/filter combination which utilizes thin rolling paper and allows for rolling paper to be used in connection with a filter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] An improved smoking wrapper/filter combination is provided. The smoking wrapper has an internal filter having an opening channel extending through the entire length of the filter which allows smoke to pass through the filter without obstruction while still providing stability to the smoking wrapper. In an embodiment, the filter is non-porous except for the opening channel. The smoking wrapper may be unbleached and chlorine free. In an embodiment, rice may be utilized in the formation of the smoking wrapper. FDA approved adhesives are used to secure the smoking wrapper to the filter. The smoking wrapper may be thinner than normal smoking wrappers (of cigarettes) and may be similar to rolling paper. In particular, in a preferred embodiment the smoking wrapper is 14 to 16 grams in weight.

[0007] An advantage of the present smoking wrapper/filter combination is that the present smoking wrapper may utilize a pre-rolled smoking wrapper.

[0008] Another advantage of the present smoking wrapper/filter combination is that the present smoking wrapper may be natural and unbleached.

[0009] Yet another advantage of the present smoking wrapper/filter combination is that the present smoking wrapper may be chlorine free.

[0010] Still another advantage of the present smoking wrapper/filter combination is that the present smoking wrapper may be made at least partially from rice.

[0011] And an advantage of the present smoking wrapper/filter combination is that the present smoking wrapper may be organic.

[0012] Another advantage of the present smoking wrapper/filter combination is that the present smoking wrapper may have a cellulose acetate filter.

[0013] In an embodiment, another advantage of the present smoking wrapper/filter combination is that the present smoking wrapper may be branded with a company trademark.

[0014] Yet another advantage of the present smoking wrapper/filter combination is that the present device may provide improved taste for smoking.

[0015] Still another advantage of the present smoking wrapper/filter combination is that the present device may have a filter which is solid (non-porous) and only supports the wrapper paper and does not allow smoke to pass through the filter except for through a main channel.

[0016] For a more complete understanding of the above listed features and advantages of the present smoking wrapper/filter combination reference should be made to the detailed description and the drawings. Further, additional features and advantages of the invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the detailed description of the preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the back of the smoking wrapper/filter combination.

[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the front of the smoking wrapper/filter combination.

[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the filter by itself.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] An improved smoking wrapper/filter combination is provided. The smoking wrapper has an internal filter having an opening channel extending through the entire length of the filter which allows smoke to pass through the filter without obstruction while still providing stability to the smoking wrapper. In an embodiment, the filter is non-porous except for the opening channel. The smoking wrapper may be unbleached and chlorine free. In an embodiment, rice may be utilized in the formation of the smoking wrapper. FDA approved adhesives are used to secure the smoking wrapper to the filter. The smoking wrapper may be thinner than normal smoking wrappers (of cigarettes) and may be similar to rolling paper. In particular, in a preferred embodiment the smoking wrapper is 14 to 16 grams in weight.

[0021] Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, in an embodiment, the smoking wrapper/filter combination 1 may have both wrapper paper 2 and a filter 100. The wrapper paper 2 may be generally thin and light weight. In the preferred embodiment, the wrapper paper 2 weighs approximately 14 to 16 grams. In an alternative second and third embodiment, the wrapping paper 2 may weight approximately 10 to 14 grams or 16 to 20 grams. In particular, the wrapper paper 2 may be substantially thinner than normal cigarette paper. The wrapper paper 2 may be generally cylindrical in shape having a generally hollow interior 3. The wrapper paper 2 may have a first end 4, a second end 5 and a cylindrical side 6. The wrapper paper 2 may have a length 20 similar to the length of a typical cigarette.

[0022] Referring now to FIG. 3, in an embodiment, the filter 100 may have a first end 101, a second end 102 and a generally cylindrical side 103. In an embodiment, the filter 100 may be a cellulose acetate filter which actually filters the smoke. In an alternative embodiment, the filter 100 is completely solid (non-porous) and does not allow any air/smoke to pass through the filter 100 (except as noted below). Instead, in this embodiment, the filter 100 only to supports the wrapper paper 2. In this embodiment, all the smoke passes through the opening 120 to the person and none is filtered through the filter itself.

[0023] The filter 100 may have a diameter 110 which is slightly less than a diameter 10 of the wrapper paper 2 such that the wrapper paper 2 snuggly fits around the filter 100. In an embodiment, the filter 100 may have an opening 120 creating an interior channel 125 which allows smoke to pass through the smoking wrapper/filter combination 1 unobstructed. In an embodiment, the opening 120 may be star-shaped as pictured in FIG. 3, circular, as pictured in FIG. 1 or any other suitable shape. In an embodiment, an FDA approved adhesive (not shown) may be utilized to permanently secure the filter 100 to the wrapper paper 2. Still further, the filter 100 may provide a buffer so that less wrapper paper 2 is burnt and, therein, the device 1 provides for improved taste during the smoking process.

[0024] Herbs or other flammable smokeable material 200 may be placed within or added to the generally hollow interior 3 of the wrapper paper 2. In particular, the herbs or smokeable material 200 may be added to the wrapper paper 2 by either the end consumer or, in an alternative, during the production process by a production company.

[0025] Although embodiments of the invention are shown and described therein, it should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages.

Claims

1) A smoking wrapper/filter combination comprising: a generally cylindrical wrapping paper wherein the generally cylindrical wrapping paper has a first end, a second end, a cylindrical side and a hollow interior; a generally cylindrical filter having a first end, a second, a generally cylindrical side and an interior channel extending from the first end of the generally cylindrical filter to the second end of the generally cylindrical filter; wherein the filter is located within the hollow interior of the smoking wrapper and located at either the first end or the second end of the cylindrical wrapping paper; and a central opening in the filter allowing for smoke to pass through.

2) The smoking wrapper/filter combination of claim 1 wherein the filter is no-porous except for the central opening.

3) The smoking wrapper/filter combination of claim 1 wherein the wrapping paper is made of rice paper.

4) The smoking wrapper/filter combination of claim 1 wherein the wrapping paper weighs 14-16 grams.

5) The smoking wrapper/filter combination of claim 1 wherein the wrapping paper is unbleached.

6) The smoking wrapping/filter combination of claim 1 wherein the filter is made of cellulose acetate.

7) The smoking wrapper/filter combination of claim 1 wherein the wrapping paper is chlorine free.