This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/750,663, filed January 28, 2025; which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present invention relates generally to the field of cannabis production, and more particularly to methods and systems for loading pre-roll cones and tubes into pre-roll packing machines.

Merchants will frequently individually load pre-rolled cones and tubes into pre-roll packing machines by hand in order to prepare rolled cones or tube for sale.

However, such manual processes are often time consuming and are impractical in the mass production of filled tubes or cones for cannabis sales and consumption.

As such, considering the foregoing, it may be appreciated that there continues to be a need for novel and improved devices and methods for loading pre-rolled cones and tubes into pre-roll packing machines.

The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the present invention, wherein in aspects of this invention, enhancements are provided to the existing model of packing of processed cannabis material into pre-rolled tubes.

In an aspect, a pre-roll loading system can include:

1. a) a pre-roll loading cartridge, which can include:
   1. i. a mounting structure; and
   2. ii. a plurality of empty pre-rolled cones;
   such that each empty pre-rolled cone is slidably mounted in the mounting structure;
2. b) a pre-roll pushing device, which can include:
   1. i. a mounting plate;
   2. ii. a plurality of cone pusher rods; and
   3. iii. a handle;
   • such that an upper end of each cone pusher rod is connected to a bottom surface of the mounting plate;
   • such that the handle can be connected to a top surface of the mounting plate; and
3. c) a pre-roll packing device, which can include:
   1. i. a cone receiving structure, which can include:
      1. 1. a plurality of receiving tubes, which each protrude vertically through the cone receiving structure, such that an upper opening of each receiving tube is exposed on the upper surface of the cone receiving structure;

• such that each empty pre-rolled cone of the pre-roll loading cartridge is vertically aligned with a corresponding receiving tube of the cone receiving structure, when the pre-roll loading cartridge is mounted on a top of the pre-roll packing device; and
• such that each cone pusher rod of the pre-roll pushing device is vertically aligned with a corresponding empty pre-rolled cone and the corresponding receiving tube, when the pre-roll loading cartridge is mounted on a top of the pre-roll packing device and the pre-roll pushing device is pushed into the pre-roll loading cartridge, such that the plurality of empty pre-rolled cones is pushed into the cone receiving structure of the pre-roll packing device, whereby the pre-roll packing device can be configured to pack the empty pre-rolled cones with a smoking material.

In another aspect, a pre-roll loading system can include:

1. a) a pre-roll loading assembly, which can include;
   1. i. a pre-roll loading stack; which can include
      1. 1. a stacked plurality of pre-roll loading cartridges, which are stacked vertically; and
      2. 2. a stack mounting base, such that the plurality of pre-roll loading cartridges is mounted on a top of the stack mounting base; and
   2. ii. a stack container, which is configured to store the pre-roll loading stack; and
2. b) a pre-roll pushing device;

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodiments of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

• FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a pre-roll loading system prior to use, according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 1B is a front view of a pre-roll loading system prior to use, according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 1C is a front view of a pre-roll loading system during use, showing a pre-roll loading cartridge mounted on a pre-roll packing machine, according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 1D is a front view of a pre-roll loading system during use, showing a pre-roll loading cartridge mounted on a pre-roll packing machine with a pre-roll pusher device inserted into the pre-roll loading cartridge, according to an embodiment of the invention
• FIG. 1E is a front view of a pre-roll loading system during use, showing the pre-roll loading cartridge and pre-roll pusher device removed from the pre-roll packing machine, such that empty pre-rolled cones are inserted into the pre-roll packing machine, according to an embodiment of the invention
• FIG. 1F is a perspective view of a pre-roll loading system after use, according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pre-roll loading system, according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a pre-roll loading assembly with a pre-roll loading stack removed from a pre-roll stack container, according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a pre-roll stack container, according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a partially disassembled pre-roll loading stack of a pre-roll loading system, according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a partially disassembled pre-roll loading stack of a pre-roll loading system, according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 4C is a top view of a pre-roll loading stack of a pre-roll loading system, according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 4D is a perspective cross-sectional view of a pre-roll loading stack of a pre-roll loading system taken along section line 4D-4D of FIG. 4C, according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 4E is a left side cross-sectional view of a pre-roll loading stack of a pre-roll loading system taken along section line 4D-4D of FIG. 4C, according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 4F is a perspective cross-sectional view of a pre-roll loading stack of a pre-roll loading system taken along section line 4F-4F of FIG. 4C, according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 5A is a top perspective view of a pre-roll loading cartridge of a pre-roll loading stack, according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 5B is a bottom perspective view of a pre-roll loading cartridge of a pre-roll loading stack, according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 5C is a left side view of a pre-roll loading cartridge of a pre-roll loading stack, according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 5D is a front view of a pre-roll loading cartridge of a pre-roll loading stack, according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 5E is a top view of a pre-roll loading cartridge of a pre-roll loading stack, according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 5F is a bottom view of a pre-roll loading cartridge of a pre-roll loading stack, according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 5G is a top view of a pre-roll loading cartridge of a pre-roll loading stack, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 5H is a bottom view of a pre-roll loading cartridge of a pre-roll loading stack, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 6A is a top exploded perspective view of a pre-roll loading cartridge of a pre-roll loading stack, according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 6B is a bottom exploded perspective view of a pre-roll loading cartridge of a pre-roll loading stack, according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 7A is a top view of a mounting structure of a pre-roll loading cartridge, according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 7B is a bottom view of a mounting structure of a pre-roll loading cartridge, according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 7C is a top exploded perspective view of a mounting structure of a pre-roll loading cartridge, according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 7D is a bottom exploded perspective view of a mounting structure of a pre-roll loading cartridge, according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 8 is a top view of a pre-cut flat cardboard piece configured for folding into a mounting structure of a pre-roll loading cartridge, according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 9A is a bottom perspective view of a pre-roll pusher device of a pre-roll loading system, according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 9B is a left side view of a pre-roll pusher device of a pre-roll loading system, according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 9C is a front view of a pre-roll pusher device of a pre-roll loading system, according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 9D is a top view of a pre-roll pusher device of a pre-roll loading system, according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 9E is a bottom view of a pre-roll pusher device of a pre-roll loading system, according to an embodiment of the invention.

Before describing the invention in detail, it should be observed that the present invention resides primarily in a novel and non-obvious combination of elements and process steps. So as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will readily be apparent to those skilled in the art, certain conventional elements and steps have been presented with lesser detail, while the drawings and specification describe in greater detail other elements and steps pertinent to understanding the invention.

The following embodiments are not intended to define limits as to the structure or method of the invention, but only to provide exemplary constructions. The embodiments are permissive rather than mandatory and illustrative rather than exhaustive.

In the following, we describe the structure of an embodiment of a pre-roll loading system 100 with reference to FIG. 1A, in such manner that like reference numerals refer to like components throughout; a convention that we shall employ for the remainder of this specification.

In an embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1F, a pre-roll loading system 100 for loading pre-rolled cones 116 into a pre-roll packing device 190 can include:

1. a) a pre-roll loading cartridge 110, which can include:
   1. i. a mounting structure 112; and
   2. ii. a plurality 114 of empty pre-rolled cones 116;
   such that each empty pre-rolled cone 116 is slidably mounted in the mounting structure 112;
2. b) a pre-roll pushing device 180, which can include:
   1. i. a mounting plate 182;
   2. ii. a plurality 184 of cone pusher rods 186; and
   3. iii. a handle 188;
   • such that an upper end of each cone pusher rod 186 is perpendicularly connected to a bottom surface of the mounting plate 182;
   • such that the handle 188 can be connected to a top surface of the mounting plate 182; and
3. c) the pre-roll packing device 190, which can include:
   1. i. a cone receiving structure 192, which can include:
      1. 1. a plurality of receiving tubes 194, which each project vertically through the cone receiving structure 192, such that an upper opening of each receiving tube 194 is exposed on the upper surface of the cone receiving structure 192;

• such that each empty pre-rolled cone 116 of the pre-roll loading cartridge 110 can be configured to be vertically aligned 152 with a corresponding receiving tube 194 of the cone receiving structure 192, when the pre-roll loading cartridge 110 is mounted on a top of the pre-roll packing device 190, as shown in FIG. 1C; and
• such that each cone pusher rod 186 of the pre-roll pushing device 180 can be configured to be vertically aligned 154 with a corresponding empty pre-rolled cone 116 and the corresponding receiving tube 194, when the pre-roll loading cartridge 110 is mounted on the top of the pre-roll packing device 190 and the pre-roll pushing device 180 is pushed into the pre-roll loading cartridge 110, as shown in FIG. 1D, such that the plurality 114 of empty pre-rolled cones 116 is pushed into the cone receiving structure 192 of the pre-roll packing device 190, whereby the pre-roll packing device 190 can be configured to pack the empty pre-rolled cones 116 with a smoking material 198, which can for example be an herb material, including ground/shredded/cut tobacco or a ground/shredded/cut cannabis material.

In a related embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4E, 5A-5F, 6A-6B, and 7A-7D, the mounting structure 112 of the pre-roll loading cartridge 110 can include:

1. a) an upper receiving plate 512, which comprises:
   1. i. a plurality of upper cone receiving apertures 514;
2. b) a lower receiving plate 532, which comprises:
   1. i. a plurality of lower cone receiving apertures 534; and
3. c) a plurality of side walls 521, 522, 523, 524, 525, 526, which are vertically connected to form a peripheral sidewall 520;

• such that upper portions of the side walls 521, 522, 523, 524, 525, 526 can be connected to an outer periphery of the upper receiving plate 512; and
• such that an outer periphery of the lower receiving plate 532 can be connected along an inner side of the peripheral sidewall 520, below the upper receiving plate 512;
• such that each upper cone receiving aperture 514 is vertically aligned 456 with a corresponding lower cone receiving aperture 534 such that the upper cone receiving aperture 514 and the corresponding lower cone receiving apertures 534 are configured to receive a corresponding empty pre-rolled cone 116.

In a further related embodiment, the peripheral sidewall 520 of the plurality of side walls 521, 522, 523, 524, 525, 526 can include a plurality of slits 142, and the lower receiving plate 532 can include a plurality of tabs 544, such that each tab 544 can be configured to slide into a corresponding slit 142, to connect the lower receiving plate 832 to the peripheral sidewall 520 of the side walls 521, 522, 523, 524, 525, 526.

In yet a further related embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4E, 5A-5F, 6A-6B, and 7A-7D, the mounting structure 112 of the pre-roll loading cartridge 110 can include:

1. a) a bottom plate 146, 546, which comprises:
   1. i. a bottom central aperture 547, 548;

• wherein an outer periphery of the bottom plate 146, 546 can be connected along an inner side of the peripheral sidewall 520, 530, below the upper receiving plate 512 and the lower receiving plate 532;
• such that the bottom central aperture 547, 548 of the bottom plate 146, 546 can be configured to enable the plurality 114 of empty pre-rolled cones 116 to project through the bottom central aperture 547, 548;
• wherein the bottom central aperture 547, 548 of the bottom plate 146, 546 can be configured to accept a top portion of the pre-roll packing device 190, such that the top portion of the pre-roll packing device 190 projects through the bottom central aperture 547, 548 and contacts with the lower receiving plate 532 when the pre-roll loading cartridge 110 is mounted on a top of the pre-roll packing device 190, as shown in FIG. 1C.

In a related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the mounting structure 802 can be folded from a flat pre-cut piece, which can for example be made of cardboard or heavy paper, such that the mounting structure 802 of the pre-roll loading cartridge 110, can include:

1. a) an upper receiving plate 812, which comprises:
   1. i. a plurality of upper cone receiving apertures 814;
2. b) a lower receiving plate 832, which comprises:
   1. i. a plurality of lower cone receiving apertures 834; and
3. c) a plurality of side walls 821, 822, 823, 824, 825, 826, which can be vertically connected when folded to form a peripheral sidewall;

• such that upper portions of the side walls 821, 822, 823, 824, 825, 826 can be connected to the upper receiving plate 812; and
• such that the lower receiving plate 832 can be connected to the plurality of side walls 821, 822, 823, 824, 825, 826 below the upper receiving plate 812.

In a further related embodiment, the plurality of side walls 821, 822, 823, 824, 825, 826 can include slits 842, and the lower receiving plate 832 can include tabs 844, such that the tabs 844 slide into the slits 842, to connect the lower receiving plate 832 to the side walls 821, 822, 823, 824, 825, 826.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1F, 2, 3A, and 4A-4F, a pre-roll loading system 200 can include:

1. a) a pre-roll loading assembly 205, which can include:
   1. i. a pre-roll loading stack 210, which can include:
      1. 1. a stacked plurality 212 of pre-roll loading cartridges 110, which are stacked vertically, as shown in FIG. 3A, with each pre-roll loading cartridge 110 stacked consecutively on a top of a lower pre-roll loading cartridges 110 (or the stack mounting base 320);
      2. 2. wherein each pre-roll loading cartridge 110 comprises a plurality of empty pre-rolled cones 116; and
      3. 3. a stack mounting base 320, such that the plurality of pre-roll loading cartridges 110 is mounted on a top of the stack mounting base 320; and
   2. ii. a stack container 230, which comprises:
      1. 1. a top opening 232;
      2. 2. front, rear, left, and right sides; and
      3. 3. a bottom (shown in FIG. 3B);
      wherein the stack container 230 is configured to store the pre-roll loading stack 210, such that the pre-roll loading stack 210 is configured to be positionable inside the stack container 230 via the top opening 232; and
2. b) a pre-roll pushing device 180;

• such that a selected pre-roll loading cartridge 110 can be retrieved from (i.e., is retrievable and can be selected and taken out from) a top of the pre-roll loading cartridges 110 in the stack container 230 (via the top opening 232) for use to load a pre-roll packing device 190 with the empty pre-rolled cones 116 from the selected pre-roll loading cartridge 110;
• such that each empty pre-rolled cone 116 of the selected pre-roll loading cartridge 110 can be configured to be vertically aligned 152 with a corresponding receiving tube 194 of the cone receiving structure 192, when the selected pre-roll loading cartridge 110 is mounted on a top of the pre-roll packing device 190, as shown in FIG. 1C; and
• such that each cone pusher rod 186 of the selected pre-roll pushing device 180 can be configured to be vertically aligned 154 with a corresponding empty pre-rolled cone 116 and the corresponding receiving tube 194, when the selected pre-roll loading cartridge 110 is mounted on the top of the pre-roll packing device 190 and the pre-roll pushing device 180 is pushed into the selected pre-roll loading cartridge 110, as shown in FIG. 1D, such that the plurality 114 of empty pre-rolled cones 116 is pushed into the cone receiving structure 192 of the pre-roll packing device 190, whereby the pre-roll packing device 190 can be configured to pack the empty pre-rolled cones 116 with a smoking material 198.

In a related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, the stack container 230, 330 can be configured with at least one side slit 332 or a plurality of side slits 332, 334, positioned in a top of at least one (or several) of the front, rear, left, and right sides, to enable easy removal of pre-roll loading cartridges 110 from a top of the stacked plurality 212 of pre-roll loading cartridges 110.

In another related embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4D-4F, 5A, 5C-5D, each pre-roll loading cartridge 110 in the stacked plurality 212 of pre-roll loading cartridges 110 can be configured such that:

1. a) upper portions of the plurality 114 of empty pre-rolled cones 116 protrude vertically above (i.e., project vertically above) the mounting structure 112, as shown in FIGS. 5C-5D; and
2. b) lower portions of the plurality 114 of empty pre-rolled cones 116 protrude vertically below (i.e., project vertically below) the mounting structure 112, as shown in FIGS. 5C-5D;

In a further related embodiment, the stack mounting base 320 can be configured with a sufficient height 458, such that lower portions of each pre-rolled cone 116 of a lower-most pre-roll loading cartridge 110, 415 are protected inside the stack mounting base 320 with a clearance 459 between lower tips of each pre-rolled cone 116 of a lower-most pre-roll loading cartridge 110 and a bottom of the stack mounting base 320.

In various related embodiments, parts of the pre-roll loading system 200 can be:

1. a) Folded from heavy paper or cardboard;
2. b) injection molded or 3D-printed in a plastic material, such as Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), High-density polyethylene (HDPE), Polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), or other suitable thermoplastic polymers;
3. c) made from a sheet metal alloy, including stainless steel sheet material and high strength sheet alloys;
4. d) made from composite materials, including glass fiber, carbon fiber, and composites thereof; and/or
5. e) combinations of these.

In a related embodiment, a pre-roll packing device 190, as shown in FIGS. 1A - 1F, for packing a plurality of empty pre-rolled cones 116 with a smoking material 198, which can for example be an herb material, including ground/shredded/cut tobacco or a ground/shredded/cut cannabis material, such that the pre-roll packing device 190 can include:

1. a) a cone receiving structure 192, as shown in FIG. 1A;

• wherein the plurality of empty pre-rolled cones 116, can be inserted into the cone receiving structure 192, such that each empty pre-rolled cone 116 in the plurality of empty pre-rolled cones 116 is disposed in a vertical orientation with an upper opening of the pre-rolled cones 116 facing upward;
• such that the smoking material 198 can be dispensed onto an upper surface of the cone receiving structure 192, such that the cone receiving structure 192 is configured to enable the smoking material 198 to fall into the upper openings of the empty pre-rolled cones 116, when the smoking material 198 is dispensed onto an upper surface of the cone receiving structure 192, as shown in FIG. 1F;
• such that the pre-roll packing device 190 can be configured to create a vibration and/or cyclical movement, such that the smoking material 198 falls into the upper openings of the empty pre-rolled cones 116, such that the plurality of empty pre-rolled cones 116 can be uniformly filled and packed with the smoking material 198.

In various related embodiments, the pre-roll loading cartridge 110 and the pre-roll pushing device 180 can be adapted to match different manufacturer make and models of the pre-roll packing device 190, such that the pre-roll loading cartridge 110 and the pre-roll pushing device 180 are adapted to match a shape and cone layout of the cone receiving structure 192 of the pre-roll packing device 190. The pre-roll loading cartridge 110 can for example be adapted with a hexagonal shape to fit a hexagonal cone receiving structure 192 with 169 receiving apertures, as shown herein; or the pre-roll loading cartridge 510 can for example, as shown in FIGS. 5G-5H, be adapted with a quadratic shape to fit a hexagonal cone receiving structure 192 with 169 receiving apertures. Alternatively, the pre-roll loading cartridge can, in an alternative example embodiment, be adapted with a quadratic shape to fit a quadratic cone receiving structure with 100 receiving apertures laid out in a 10 by 10 grid.

Here has thus been described a multitude of embodiments of the pre-roll loading system 100, 200, the pre-roll loading cartridge 110, 510, and methods related thereto, which can be employed in numerous modes of usage.

The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention, which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Many such alternative configurations are readily apparent, and should be considered fully included in this specification and the claims appended hereto. Accordingly, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, the invention is not limited to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and thus, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.