Some inventions quietly blend into the background of everyday products. Others, like [US11395509B1], prompt a closer look for how they reimagine a common experience.
Recently, the patent has surfaced in discussions surrounding Aidemar Group Inc. and Highwaymen Supply and Packaging LLC, underscoring growing interest in flavor-enhanced smoking accessories. Rather than dissect the legal details, we’re exploring the technological core: a smokable cone insert designed to house flavor-releasing mechanisms such as “click balls,” offering users a customizable smoking experience.
In this article, we’ll use the Global Patent Search (GPS) platform to trace patents that share architectural or functional similarities with US11395509B1. Whether you work in product innovation, compliance, or simply follow consumer product IP trends, this analysis uncovers how flavor-delivery systems are evolving across the smoking accessory landscape.
Understanding Patent US11395509B1
US11395509B1 describes an insert used in smokable products, such as pre-rolled cones or cigarettes, that is engineered to securely hold flavor-releasing mechanisms, typically small, crushable “click balls.” The insert is designed to be part of the mouthpiece and includes a folded, accordion-like cavity to contain the flavor capsules. When activated by the user, these capsules release flavor during smoking, enhancing the experience.
Its four key features are
#1. Accordion-fold cavity: A folded structure formed via vertical fold lines, creating a compartment to securely hold one or more flavor capsules.
#2. Flavor activation mechanism: Integrates crushable “click balls” that release flavor when squeezed during use.
#3. Standalone or pre-installed insert: Can be sold separately for hand-rolled use or pre-integrated into commercial smokables.
#4. Wraparound design: A portion of the material wraps around the folded cavity to form a secure, tubular mouthpiece.
This patent introduces a novel way to incorporate user-activated flavor enhancements into smokable products. Its design allows flexibility in manufacturing while improving flavor delivery and structural stability, making it relevant for product innovation in the tobacco and cannabis accessory markets.
Similar Patents As US11395509B1
To explore the innovation landscape surrounding US11395509B1, we analyzed it using the Global Patent Search tool. Below is a quick glimpse of the GPS tool in action:
Source: Global Patent Search
This surfaced a range of patents featuring overlapping concepts in user-customized flavor delivery within smokable products. Below is an example that illustrates how insert-based flavor mechanisms have evolved in consumer smoking accessories:
#1. US20190223492A1
This US patent US20190223492A1, published in 2019, outlines a system using a conical smokable tube embedded with multiple flavor inserts. The tube can be formed from rolling papers, natural leaf, or other smokable materials and optionally includes a mouthpiece or filter. Users apply pressure to trigger the release of flavors, and a kit with an insertion tool allows for further customization.
What this patent introduces to the landscape?
- Multi-insert flavor system – Accommodates multiple flavor capsules for enhanced personalization.
- User-activated release – Flavor is released by applying force—providing real-time control over taste during use.
- Tool-assisted assembly – Includes an insertion mechanism to simplify user interaction.
- Custom fill material – Enables consumers to pair flavors with their choice of tobacco or herbal contents.
How it connects to US11395509B1?
Both patents focus on embedding flavor capsules within a smokable product’s structure to enrich the user experience. Specifically, they:
- Enable user-controlled flavor release through physical interaction.
- Utilize modular inserts designed to be housed inside a smoking article.
- Emphasize consumer customization of both flavor and filler content.
Why this matters?
US20190223492A1 highlights a parallel approach to modular flavor enhancement in smokables, reinforcing a broader trend toward user-driven personalization in the industry. It offers context for understanding how US11395509B1 contributes to the evolution of smokable product design.
#2. US20170172200A1
This US patent US20170172200A1, published in 2017, outlines a method for enhancing tobacco products using a flavor additive accessory. The system centers on a flavor delivery insert that can be associated with either the product itself or its packaging. The insert can release flavor through various mechanisms, including rupturing capsules, diffusion, or reacting to user conditions such as airflow or temperature.
What this patent introduces to the landscape?
- Flavor delivery insert system – Designed to integrate with smokable products or their packaging.
- Multi-mode release options – Supports flavor dispersion via capsule rupture, diffusion, or aerosol integration.
- Passive and active activation – Flavor can be released with or without user intervention.
- Payload incorporation – Mechanisms ensure flavor becomes part of the smokable or its environment.
How it connects to US11395509B1?
Both patents focus on enhancing smoking experiences through modular flavor delivery systems. They share these attributes:
- Utilize capsules containing flavor payloads for in-product customization.
- Enable controlled release of flavors during use.
- Emphasize adaptability, allowing integration into various smokable product formats.
Why this matters?
US20170172200A1 demonstrates broader versatility in how flavor can be introduced into smokable items. It complements the structural innovation of US11395509B1 by highlighting different activation methods and user experiences, offering a comprehensive look at the evolving flavor accessory market.
#3. US20210204593A1
This US patent US20210204593A1, published in 2021, outlines a smoking article featuring a downstream mouthpiece that houses a cavity filled with flavor beads. These beads, situated in a filter portion of the mouthpiece, release flavor into the mainstream aerosol as the user inhales. The system supports various types of flavor agents and bead compositions, allowing flexible sensory customization.
What this patent introduces to the landscape?
- Integrated mouthpiece cavity – A built-in cavity in the filter holds the flavor addition components.
- Multi-bead flavor system – Uses multiple flavor beads for enhanced or layered sensory profiles.
- Aerosol-enhancing ingredients – Supports incorporation of traditional and novel additives into the smoking experience.
- Flexible flavor formulations – Compatible with tobacco and non-tobacco flavors, gels, and encapsulated agents.
How it connects to US11395509B1?
Both patents focus on integrating flavor mechanisms directly into the mouthpiece of a smokable item. They share these features:
- Employ flavor beads or capsules embedded in a structural component of the smoking article.
- Leverage modular, inhalation-activated flavor release.
- Support customizable flavor experiences through varied material combinations.
Why this matters?
US20210204593A1 illustrates how mouthpiece design can play a critical role in user-controlled flavor delivery. Like US11395509B1, it highlights innovation in embedded flavor systems, contributing to the growing trend of customizable, sensory-rich smoking products.
#4. JP2017501732A
This Japanese patent JP2017501732A, published in 2017, describes a dual additive delivery system within smoking articles. It discusses the incorporation of two or more capsules or microcapsules, each containing a liquid flavor additive, into the smoking article using standard insertion techniques. These flavor beads may be embedded within filters or tobacco rods to enable sequential or sustained release.
What this patent introduces to the landscape?
- Dual additive capsule system – Supports multiple flavor agents for staged or combination release.
- Microcapsule integration – Utilizes small-scale capsules embedded directly into smoking articles.
- Sustained release formulation – Enables longer-lasting flavor dispersion during smoking.
- Standard insertion compatibility – Designed to work with conventional manufacturing and insertion tools.
How it connects to US11395509B1?
Both patents explore how flavor delivery systems can be embedded into smokable components. They share key concepts:
- Use of capsule-based flavor delivery systems built into the product.
- Emphasis on multi-capsule configurations for enhanced sensory customization.
- Applicability to existing filter or rod insertion techniques, simplifying adoption.
Why this matters?
JP2017501732A contributes to the evolution of dual-flavor and sustained-release designs in smoking products. It complements the modular insert approach of US11395509B1 by highlighting similar goals through microencapsulation and flexible delivery timing.
#5. GB2490730A
This UK patent GB2490730A, published in 2012, details an additive release assembly built into a smoking filter. The design features an encapsulated additive system that requires deliberate user interaction, such as squeezing or breaking, to trigger flavor release. The encapsulation ensures the additive is only released into the smoking article when the user initiates it.
What this patent introduces to the landscape?
- User-triggered release system – Requires intentional action to activate the flavor component.
- Encapsulation mechanism – Encases additives to prevent premature release.
- On-demand flavor activation – Empowers the smoker to control timing and presence of flavor.
- Integrated filter assembly – Built directly into the smoking filter for seamless use.
How it connects to US11395509B1?
Both patents emphasize user-activated flavor delivery within the structure of a smokable item. Their similarities include:
- Use of encapsulated additives that require manual interaction to release.
- Focus on precise flavor control initiated by the user.
- Integration into filter or mouthpiece design, ensuring ease of use.
Why this matters?
GB2490730A reinforces the concept of deliberate flavor activation, aligning closely with the insert-based control seen in US11395509B1. It supports the broader movement toward personalization and control in flavor-enhanced smoking accessories.
How to Find Related Patents Using Global Patent Search?
Understanding the broader innovation landscape around a patent can be crucial for product development, competitive research, or identifying overlapping technologies. The Global Patent Search (GPS) tool simplifies this process by helping users trace technically similar inventions across jurisdictions and timeframes. Here’s how it works:
1. Enter the patent number into GPS: The tool automatically converts the patent number into a natural language AI-based query, which power users can further edit to include description or technical phrasing relevant to their goals.
2. Explore conceptual snippets: GPS presents detailed snippets, highlighting where features from the target patent appear in other filings.
3. Identify related inventions: The tool surfaces patents with similar architecture, control systems, or functional goals, helping users discover earlier designs or alternative approaches to the same technical problem.
4. Compare features without legal interpretation: Users can align system-level concepts side by side to understand technical overlaps without relying on legal claims.
5. Streamline research across fields: Whether exploring consumer products, filtration systems, or additive mechanisms, GPS enables a faster and more informed understanding of technological ecosystems.
With these capabilities, Global Patent Search empowers professionals to explore innovation pathways and uncover meaningful connections across the patent landscape with confidence and without guesswork.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. The related patent references mentioned are preliminary results from the Global Patent Search (GPS) tool and do not guarantee legal significance. For a comprehensive related patent analysis, we recommend conducting a detailed search using GPS or consulting a patent attorney.
