EP3185704B1 - Appliance for producing cigarettes - Google Patents
Appliance for producing cigarettes Download PDFInfo
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- EP3185704B1 EP3185704B1 EP15759434.2A EP15759434A EP3185704B1 EP 3185704 B1 EP3185704 B1 EP 3185704B1 EP 15759434 A EP15759434 A EP 15759434A EP 3185704 B1 EP3185704 B1 EP 3185704B1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- tobacco
- compression
- chamber
- discharge opening
- cigarette
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- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24C—MACHINES FOR MAKING CIGARS OR CIGARETTES
- A24C5/00—Making cigarettes; Making tipping materials for, or attaching filters or mouthpieces to, cigars or cigarettes
- A24C5/02—Cigarette-filling machines
- A24C5/06—Cigarette-filling machines with pressing-chamber
Definitions
- the invention relates to the field of personal-use apparatus for the manufacture of cigarettes of the type using preformed paper tubes to fill with tobacco.
- the present apparatus makes it possible to reproducibly and simply control the density of tobacco introduced into such a tube.
- US2004 / 0099277 discloses an apparatus comprising a funnel filled with tobacco and provided with a retractable rod adapted to supply tobacco by reciprocating movements a hemicylindrical compression tank at the bottom of which is placed an elongated shovel-shaped transfer rod and in which the transferred tobacco rests.
- a hemi-cylindrical arch is closed over the compression reservoir to compact the tobacco on the transfer rod to form a cylindrical volume of diameter just below that of paper tubes ready to be filled with tobacco.
- the transfer rod is then moved with the tobacco cylinder that it supports and introduced into a paper tube.
- This device can be automated by the use of motors and a controller, which increases the price.
- a major defect of this apparatus is that the tobacco is not homogenized before being transferred to the compression tank and may include lumps which result in a cigarette having tobacco densities varying along the length of the tube.
- FR2716344 discloses another type of tobacco filling apparatus also comprising a funnel provided with a mixing cylinder comprising rods extending radially about an axis of rotation and allowing a certain homogenization of the tobacco before it reaches a compression tank located in the bottom of the funnel.
- a metering device may be interposed between the mixing wheel and the compression chamber to control the amount of tobacco falling into the compaction chamber. Once compacted, the tobacco is transferred to a tube using a transfer rod as described above.
- US6739343 describes a device similar to the preceding comprising a passage defined between a cylindrical chamber and a mixing cylinder rotatably mounted in said cylindrical chamber and provided with short rods extending radially from the cylinder to the inner wall of the cylindrical chamber. At the bottom of the cylindrical chamber is a reservoir of compaction similar to those discussed above. The defect of the latter two devices is that the mixing cylinders do not allow sufficient homogenization of the tobacco before transfer into a compression chamber.
- WO2007 / 093417 discloses an apparatus comprising a rotor accommodated in a stator.
- the rotor is formed by a cylindrical rotary chamber whose wall is provided with openings and the stator is a static cylindrical chamber comprising a single opening in the bottom thereof, having the same geometry as the openings of the rotary chamber.
- the rotating chamber is filled with tobacco and turning a tobacco mixture is performed.
- tobacco can fall by gravity into a compression chamber as described above.
- US3892245 discloses an apparatus comprising a cylindrical chamber provided with a rotary mixer composed of thin rods extending radially from the axis of rotation of the mixer along a side wall of the cylindrical chamber and once the peripheral wall is reached, forming a right angle and extending parallel to the peripheral wall.
- the bottom of the cylindrical chamber comprises an opening communicating with a metering chamber provided with a transfer rod.
- This apparatus does not include a compression chamber for compacting the tobacco accumulated on the transfer rod. Although the mixing of the tobacco is substantially better than in the previous apparatuses, it is not possible to reproducibly control the dosage of the paper tubes.
- the document CA 2 647 771 A1 describes another device for the production of cigarettes.
- each blade of the mixer is of substantially flexible reference. They may be made of an elastomeric material and / or having a thinner thickness than the rest of the blade.
- the height, d1 of the discharge opening is advantageously between 5 and 30 mm, preferably between 10 and 25 mm.
- the distal portion of the transfer rod is advantageously cylindrical with a diameter substantially equal to and less than D0 and the proximal portion of the transfer rod has a shovel-shaped length of between 5 and 10 cm.
- the transfer rod is thus able to slide in the cylindrical compression chamber between a filling position to which the proximal portion is laid over substantially the entire length of the cradle of the first jaw and a transfer position to which the proximal portion is placed on the cigarette tube support and the distal portion is in the cylindrical compaction chamber.
- the shovel-shaped proximal portion preferably has a trunk section geometry of diameter equal to that of the cylindrical distal portion, having an opening angle of 170 to 210 ° at the level where the proximal portion contacts the distal portion and a diameter slightly smaller than the inside diameter of a cigarette paper tube and a smaller opening angle than the free end of the proximal portion, preferably between 60 and 120 °.
- the first cradle stop defining the downstream lip of the discharge opening is defined as the free end of a flat wall parallel to the axis of revolution, X1, extending the semi-cylindrical cradle, preferably on a height of between 1 and 5 mm, in order to obtain a shearing effect with the first crown defining the upstream lip of the discharge opening, for cutting tobacco particles partially in the chamber of compression and partially in the mixing chamber during the displacement of the jaws to their compression position.
- the rotational speed, v M , of the mixer is for example between 1000 and 1500 rpm and the mixing time, t M , can be between 0.5 and 5 s.
- a cigarette manufacturing apparatus comprises a tobacco mixing unit (1), a metering and pressing unit (5) of said tobacco, and a tobacco transfer unit thus homogenized, metered and compressed into paper cigarette tubes.
- the tobacco mixing unit is essential to the effectiveness of the present apparatus, since it makes it possible to homogenise the tobacco before dosing it and compress it to introduce it into a cigarette paper tube. Indeed, a major defect of the apparatus of the prior art is that the homogenization of the tobacco is not sufficient and the filling of the cigarette paper tubes is not reproducible, because one can not avoid with such devices the formation of tobacco lumps or voids in the tube.
- the mixing chamber consists of a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall around an axis of revolution, X1, and two side walls closing the sides of the chamber.
- the mixing chamber comprises an inlet opening (not shown) for introducing tobacco into the chamber.
- the inlet opening may be in the peripheral wall or in one of the side walls. It is preferably provided with a closure valve for closing the inlet opening once the desired amount of tobacco has been introduced into the mixing chamber.
- the inlet opening may be equipped with an automatic or semi-automatic tobacco supply system.
- the mixing chamber (12) also comprises a discharge opening (3) located on the peripheral wall and extending substantially the entire width, L, of said wall.
- the discharge opening is in communication with the dosing and compression unit described below. Unlike prior art apparatuses described above, the discharge opening (3) is not at the lowest point of the metering / mixing chamber.
- This positioning of the discharge opening (3) is favorable for a transfer of the finest particles in the compression unit (5), made possible by the rotation and geometry of the mixer (12).
- the tobacco is not transferred to the compression chamber (5c) by gravity as is the case of the apparatuses of the prior art described above, but by the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the mixer (12).
- the mixer (12) of an apparatus comprises at least two blades. It can understand more, for example three or four blades as represented in the Figure 2 (c) & (D).
- the mixer (12) is rotatably mounted about the axis, X1, of revolution of the peripheral wall of the mixing chamber (2). It has a span, Db, equal to or slightly greater than the diameter, D, of the cylindrical peripheral wall of the mixing chamber (2).
- the span, Db, of the mixer may be slightly greater than the diameter of the mixing chamber (2) in the case where at least a portion of the blades, in particular the free end of the blades, is flexible, for example made in one piece. elastomeric material and / or having a finer section.
- each blade comprises at least one window (12f) allowing the passage of tobacco therethrough.
- the total area covered by the window (s) on one side of a blade preferably represents between 15 and 85% of the area of said blade face, preferably between 20 and 80%, more preferably between 25 and 80%, % and 75% of the area of said blade face.
- the window or windows of each blade are preferably separated from the free end of said blade by a distance, Df, of at least 5 mm, preferably at least 10 mm. This allows the free end of each blade to push the tobacco particles along the peripheral wall of the mixing chamber (2).
- the mixer is coupled to a motor (not shown in the Figures) for rotating the mixer (12) about its axis of rotation, X1, at a speed between 500 and 10000 rpm (revolutions per minute), preferably between 1000 and 1500 rpm.
- the mixer preferably rotates in the direction such that it first scans the upstream lip of the discharge opening defined by the second jaw (5b) before scanning the downstream lip defined by the first jaw (5a).
- the Compression Unit The Compression Unit
- the compression unit (5) is placed adjacent to the discharge opening (3) of the mixing chamber (2). It is the compression unit (5) which controls the extent (or height) of the discharge opening (3) in the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall.
- the compression unit (5) comprises a first jaw (5a) and a second jaw (5b) defining a volume between the two.
- the first jaw (5a) forms a hemicylindrical cradle and is defined by first and second cradle crests each extending parallel to the axis of revolution, X1, from one side wall to the other over a substantially lengthwise length. equal to the width, L, of the mixing chamber.
- a first stop cradle defines the downstream lip of the discharge opening (3).
- This first cradle stop is advantageously defined as the free end of a plane wall parallel to the axis of revolution, X1, extending the semi-cylindrical cradle, as shown in FIGS. Figures 3 & 4.
- the height of said planar wall of extension can typically be between 1 and 5 mm.
- This configuration has two advantages. First, it allows to contain a larger amount of tobacco before compression than in the case where the lip down the discharge opening would correspond to the end of the semicylindrical part of the cradle. Secondly, it provides a shearing effect with the first crown defining the upstream lip of the discharge opening, to cut tobacco particles partially in the compression chamber (5c) and partially in the mixing chamber when moving the jaws to their compression position.
- the second jaw (5b) forms a hemicylindrical vault defined by a first and a second arches extending each parallel to the axis of revolution, X1, from one side wall to the other over a length substantially equal to L.
- a first vault defines the upstream lip of the discharge opening (3) of the mixing chamber.
- the second vault extends to form a plane wall parallel to the axis of revolution, X1, and in contact with the second cradle stop, the first and second jaws (5a, 5b) are movable relative to each other.
- the other in a direction normal to the axis of revolution, X1, between a filling position, to which the upstream and downstream lips of the discharge opening (3) are separated from each other; a distance, d1, forming a compression chamber (5c) of substantially oval section (cf. Figures 3 (a) and 4 (a) & (b)), and a compression position to which the upstream and downstream lips of the discharge opening (3) are in contact with each other and the cradle and vault together form a cylindrical chamber of compression of diameter, D0 (cf. Figures 3 (b) and 4 (c) ).
- the height, d1, of the discharge opening may be between 5 and 30 mm, preferably between 10 and 25 mm.
- the height, d1 depends on the type of tobacco used, the density of tobacco in the desired cigarette, as well as the presence or absence of a blade (4) illustrated in FIG. Figure 4 and described below.
- the translation movement of the jaws (5a, 5b) thus makes it possible, on the one hand, to control the extent (or height) of the discharge opening (3) in the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall of the chamber of mixture (2) which makes it possible to control the quantity of tobacco transferred per unit of time in the compression unit (5) and, secondly, to compact the tobacco thus transferred in a cylinder which can be introduced into a tube (10) of cigarette paper.
- the diameter, D0, of the compression chamber (5c) formed by the two attached jaws is preferably of the order of 6 to 7 mm whereas the inside diameter of a tube Cigarette paper is usually about 8 mm.
- the apparatus comprises an elastically flexible blade (4) having first and second (4c) ends opposite to each other.
- the blade has a width substantially equal to the width of the discharge opening (3) and may be of metal such as preferably stainless steel, or rigid polymer, preferably fiber reinforced.
- the blade is cantilevered at its first end to the peripheral wall of the mixing chamber. Its second end (4c) is free, and the blade is placed so that it rests on the upstream lip of the opening (3) formed by the first arch edge of the second jaw (5b).
- the free end (4c) of the blade (4) partially penetrates in the compression chamber (5c) resting on the upstream lip of the discharge opening (3).
- the blade (4) can guide the tobacco pushed in front of the discharge opening (3) by the mixer (12) in the compression chamber, even if the mixer rotates at high speed.
- the free ends of the blades of the mixers are advantageously flexible.
- the Transfer Unit The Transfer Unit
- the transfer unit is used to transfer the metered and compacted tobacco present in the compression chamber (5c) to the inside of a cigarette paper tube.
- the transfer unit comprises a cigarette tube support (9) adapted to hold in place a cigarette paper tube (10) with its axis of revolution coaxial with the axis of revolution of the cylindrical compression chamber.
- the support (9) is preferably of substantially semicylindrical shape with a diameter slightly greater than the diameter, D0, of the cradle of the first jaw (5a) and extending it coaxially towards the outside of the compression chamber of a length equivalent to the length of a cigarette, of the order of ten cm.
- the carrier (9) may include means for holding the tube (10) in position when transferring the tobacco from the compression chamber to the interior of the cigarette paper tube. It may be a ring or an elastic strap or not enveloping the tube and retaining it on the cradle forming the support (9). It may also be a lid as shown in FIG. Figure 1 or more simply the support may comprise a stop wall at the end of the support remote from the chamber of compression, to prevent the tube from moving back during the transfer of tobacco (the position of such a barrier wall is preferably variable to accommodate tubes (10) of different lengths).
- the hemicylindrical ( or prismatic ) cradle of the support (9) may also include small holes and an air suction system holding the tube in position.
- a user can hold the cigarette paper tube in position on its support (9) with his finger during the tobacco transfer phase.
- the apparatus may be provided with a cigarette paper tube dispenser (10) that has a new tube as soon as a cigarette is removed from the holder.
- each tube can be arranged on the support (9) by hand.
- the outlet of the compression chamber (5c) is advantageously provided with an outgoing nose (9b), with a beveled cylindrical shape or a truncated conical shape of low height (on the order of 0.5-3 mm) and with a maximum maximum diameter or equal to the inner diameter of the cigarette paper tubes, for centering the tubes coaxially to the compression chamber.
- the outlet may be provided with a recess (9c) truncated conical shape of diameter greater than the outer diameter of a cigarette paper tube, also for centering the tubes coaxially to the compression chamber.
- a transfer rod (7) comprises a distal portion (7d) and a proximal portion (7p) and must be able to slide into the cylindrical compression chamber to push the tobacco in the compression chamber into a paper tube with cigarette placed on the support (9). At least a portion of the transfer rod (7) must have a section of maximum dimension smaller than the diameter, D0, of the compression chamber in the compression position. In a variant of the invention, the transfer rod (7) is simply a cylindrical rod of diameter very slightly smaller than D0.
- such a transfer rod is, in its filling position, outside the compression chamber, coaxial with the hemicylindrical cradle of the first jaw (5a), and having its proximal end (7p) adjacent to the end of the compression chamber opposite the support (9).
- the transfer rod (7) is slid into the compression chamber such as a piston in a cylinder. This causes the thrust of the tobacco present in the compression chamber along the cradle formed by the first jaw and by the support (9) on which is a cigarette paper tube with an open end adjacent and coaxial with the compression chamber. .
- the tobacco is thus transferred from the compression chamber to the inside of the cigarette paper tube.
- the distal portion (7d) of the transfer rod (7) is cylindrical with a diameter substantially equal to and less than D0.
- the proximal portion (7p) of the transfer rod (7) has a shovel shape of length between 5 and 10 cm.
- the transfer rod is translated along the axis of revolution of the cylindrical compression chamber towards the paper tube. cigarette.
- the proximal portion (7p) shaped shovel on which the tobacco is placed enters the tube (10) of cigarette paper. Once the bottom of the tube reached by the transfer rod, it is removed.
- This variant transfer rod (7) is advantageous because during its transfer the tobacco is not compressed in the axial direction of the tube (10) as it could happen with a rod acting as a piston described above, which could forming a void at the bottom of the paper tube and denser tobacco in the portion of the tube (10) closer to the compression chamber.
- the shovel-shaped proximal portion (7p) of the transfer rod (7) shown in FIG. Figure 5 preferably has a cylinder trunk geometry of diameter equal to that of the cylindrical distal portion (7d), having an opening angle of 170 to 210 ° at the level where the proximal portion (7p) contacts the distal portion (7d) , and a lower opening angle to the free end of the proximal portion (7p), preferably between 60 and 120 °.
- the proximal portion (7p) is preferably made of a material having a low coefficient of friction, such as a well polished metal or a polymer such as a polyolefin (for example polyethylene or polypropylene), POM or a fluorinated polymer such as PTFE .
- the thickness of the walls of the proximal part (7p) must of course be as thin as possible so that it can easily penetrate and come out of the cigarette paper tube, but at the same time it must be rigid enough not to bend during the transfer. tobacco in the cigarette paper tube.
- the rotational speed v M of the mixer (12) is preferably between 500 and 10000 rpm, preferably between 1000 and 1500 rpm, and time, t M, mixing is preferably between 0.5 and 5 s.
- the height, d1, of the discharge opening (3) is preferably between 5 and 30 mm, advantageously between 10 and 25 mm.
- the value of d1 corresponds to the distance separating the downstream and upstream lips of the first and second jaws (5a, 5b) (see FIG. Figure 3 ).
- the value of d1 corresponds to the distance between the downstream lip of the first jaw and the blade measured parallel to the direction of relative displacement between the first and second jaws.
- the apparatus for the manufacture of cigarettes of the present invention combines a simplicity of concept, which favorably influences the price of production, simplicity of use, and especially a reproducibility of the density of tobacco introduced into the paper tubes.
- the density of tobacco in the cigarette paper tubes according to the type of tobacco and the tastes of the user can easily be controlled by the time, t M , of filling and the height, d1, of the discharge opening ( 3). Once these parameters are determined, cigarettes of very constant quality can be easily manufactured.
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- Manufacturing Of Cigar And Cigarette Tobacco (AREA)
Description
L'invention se rapporte au domaine des appareils à usage personnel pour la fabrication de cigarettes du type utilisant des tubes en papier préformés à remplir de tabac. Le présent appareil permet de contrôler de manière reproductible et simple la densité de tabac introduite dans un tel tube.The invention relates to the field of personal-use apparatus for the manufacture of cigarettes of the type using preformed paper tubes to fill with tobacco. The present apparatus makes it possible to reproducibly and simply control the density of tobacco introduced into such a tube.
De nombreuses marques offrent à la vente des cigarettes prêtes à l'emploi. Beaucoup de fumeurs préfèrent cependant fabriquer leurs cigarettes eux-mêmes. Ils peuvent ainsi choisir le type de tabac et surtout la quantité -et donc la densité- de tabac contenue dans la cigarette. De nombreux appareils ont été proposés pour éviter au consommateur de rouler leurs cigarettes à la main, une opération relativement longue et laborieuse qui ne donne pas toujours des résultats satisfaisants et reproductibles et surtout nécessitant de mouiller avec de la salive le papier afin de le faire coller. Il existe donc sur le marché des tubes en papier préformés, vides et munis ou pas d'un filtre, qu'il suffit de remplir du tabac de son choix à la densité désirée. Plusieurs appareils existent permettant de remplir de tabac de tels tubes.Many brands offer ready-to-use cigarettes for sale. Many smokers, however, prefer to make their own cigarettes. They can thus choose the type of tobacco and especially the quantity - and therefore the density - of tobacco contained in the cigarette. Many devices have been proposed to avoid the consumer to roll their cigarettes by hand, a relatively long and laborious operation that does not always give satisfactory and reproducible results and especially requiring to wet with saliva the paper to make it stick . There is therefore on the market preformed paper tubes, empty and provided with or without a filter, that it is sufficient to fill the tobacco of his choice to the desired density. Several devices exist for filling such tubes with tobacco.
Par exemple
Malgré les appareils proposés sur le marché, aucun ne parvient à combiner une bonne homogénéisation du tabac, cassant les grumeaux, et permettant de contrôler le compactage et donc la densité de remplissage des tube de papier d'une manière reproductible. L'appareil de la présente invention résout toutes ces contraintes. L'appareil de la présente invention et ses nombreux avantages sont présentés dans les sections suivantes.Despite the devices available on the market, none manages to combine a good homogenization of tobacco, breaking the lumps, and to control the compaction and therefore the filling density of the paper tube in a reproducible manner. The apparatus of the present invention solves all these constraints. The apparatus of the present invention and its many advantages are presented in the following sections.
L'objet de la présente invention est défini dans les revendications indépendantes. Des variantes préférées sont définies dans les revendications dépendantes. En particulier, la présente invention concerne un appareil comprenant :
- (a) Une chambre de mélange apte à recevoir du tabac, à casser les agglomérats et ainsi homogénéiser le tabac et à l'acheminer dans une unité de dosage, ladite chambre de mélange étant pourvue d'une paroi périphérique sensiblement cylindrique autour d'un axe de révolution, X1, fermée par deux parois latérales sensiblement circulaires et parallèles entre elles et séparées l'une de l'autre par une distance, L, ladite chambre de mélange comprenant :
- (i) Une ouverture d'entrée permettant d'introduire du tabac dans la chambre,
- (ii) Un mélangeur comprenant au moins deux pales monté à rotation autour de l'axe de révolution, X1, chaque pale ayant une largeur, Lb, sensiblement égale à la largeur, L, de la chambre de mélange, et dont l'extrémité libre balaie la paroi périphérique, et comprenant au moins une fenêtre permettant le passage de tabac au travers de celle-ci,
- (iii) Une ouverture d'évacuation du tabac s'étendant parallèlement à l'axe de révolution, X1, sur pratiquement toute la largeur, L, de la paroi périphérique et donnant accès à une unité de dosage, ladite ouverture d'évacuation étant définie par une lèvre amont et une lèvre avale qui sont de préférence linéaires et parallèles l'une à l'autre,
- (b) Une unité de compression comprenant,
- (i) Une première mâchoire, formant un berceau hémicylindrique défini par une première et une deuxième arrêtes de berceau s'étendant chacune parallèlement à l'axe de révolution, X1, d'une paroi latérale à l'autre sur une longueur sensiblement égale à L, dans lequel la première arrête de berceau définit la lèvre avale de l'ouverture d'évacuation et la deuxième arrête de berceau se trouve à l'extérieur de la chambre de mélange, et
- (ii) Une deuxième mâchoire, formant une voûte hémicylindrique définie par une première et une deuxième arrête de voûte s'étendant chacune parallèlement à l'axe de révolution, X1, d'une paroi latérale à l'autre sur une longueur sensiblement égale à L, dans laquelle la première arrête de voûte définit la lèvre amont de l'ouverture d'évacuation et la deuxième arrête de voûte se prolonge pour former une paroi plane parallèle à l'axe de révolution, X1, et en contact avec la deuxième arrête de berceau,
- (iii) lesdites première et deuxième mâchoires étant déplaçables l'une par rapport à l'autre selon une direction normale à l'axe de révolution, X1, entre une position de remplissage, à laquelle les lèvres amont et avale de l'ouverture d'évacuation sont séparées l'une de l'autre par une hauteur, d1, et formant ainsi une chambre de compression (5c) de section sensiblement ovale, et une position de compression à laquelle les lèvres amont et avale de l'ouverture d'évacuation sont en contact l'une avec l'autre et les berceau et voûte forment ensemble une chambre cylindrique de compression de diamètre, D0, et
- (c) une unité de transfert du tabac dans un tube à cigarette, ladite unité de transfert comprenant,
- (i) Un support de tube à cigarette apte à maintenir en place un tube en papier à cigarette avec son axe de révolution coaxial à l'axe de révolution de la chambre cylindrique de compression, et
- (ii) Une tige de transfert comprenant une portion distale et une portion proximale ladite tige de transfert étant apte à glisser dans la chambre cylindrique de compression afin de pousser le tabac se trouvant dans la chambre de compression dans un tube en papier à cigarette posé sur le support.
- (a) a mixing chamber adapted to receive tobacco, to break the agglomerates and thus homogenize the tobacco and to convey it in a metering unit, said mixing chamber being provided with a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall around a axis of revolution, X1, closed by two substantially circular side walls and parallel to each other and separated from each other by a distance, L, said mixing chamber comprising:
- (i) an inlet opening for introducing tobacco into the chamber,
- (ii) A mixer comprising at least two blades rotatably mounted about the axis of revolution, X1, each blade having a width, Lb, substantially equal to the width, L, of the mixing chamber, and whose end free sweeps the peripheral wall, and comprising at least one window for the passage of tobacco through it,
- (iii) a tobacco outlet opening extending parallel to the axis of revolution, X1, over substantially the entire width, L, of the peripheral wall and giving access to a dosing unit, said discharge opening being defined by an upstream lip and a downstream lip which are preferably linear and parallel to each other,
- (b) a compression unit comprising,
- (i) A first jaw, forming a semi-cylindrical cradle defined by first and second cradle crests each extending parallel to the axis of revolution, X1, from one side wall to the other over a length substantially equal to L, wherein the first cradle stop defines the downstream lip of the discharge opening and the second cradle stop is outside the mixing chamber, and
- (ii) a second jaw, forming a hemicylindrical vault defined by a first and a second arches extending each parallel to the axis of revolution, X1, from one side wall to the other over a length substantially equal to L, wherein the first vault defines the upstream lip of the discharge opening and the second vault extends to form a flat wall parallel to the axis of revolution, X1, and in contact with the second end cradle,
- (iii) said first and second jaws being movable relative to each other in a direction normal to the axis of revolution, X1, between a filling position, to which the upstream and downstream lips of the opening of are separated from each other by a height, d1, and thus forming a compression chamber (5c) of substantially oval section, and a compression position to which the lips upstream and downstream of the opening of evacuation are in contact with each other and the cradle and vault together form a cylindrical compression chamber of diameter, D0, and
- (c) a tobacco transfer unit in a cigarette tube, said transfer unit comprising,
- (i) a cigarette tube holder adapted to hold in place a cigarette paper tube with its axis of revolution coaxial with the axis of revolution of the cylindrical compression chamber, and
- (ii) a transfer rod comprising a distal portion and a proximal portion, said transfer rod being able to slide into the cylindrical compression chamber to push the tobacco in the compression chamber into a cigarette paper tube placed on the support.
Dans une variante préférée, l'appareil est muni d'une lame élastiquement flexible comprenant une première et une deuxième extrémités opposées l'une à l'autre, et montée en porte à faux par sa première extrémité à la paroi périphérique de la chambre de mélange, de sorte que :
- en position de remplissage, sa deuxième extrémité pénètre partiellement dans la chambre de remplissage en s'appuyant sur la lèvre amont de l'ouverture d'évacuation et,
- en position de compression, son extrémité libre demeure dans la chambre de mélange s'appuyant sur la deuxième mâchoire fermant l'ouverture de remplissage.
- in the filling position, its second end partially penetrates into the filling chamber by relying on the upstream lip of the discharge opening and,
- in the compression position, its free end remains in the mixing chamber resting on the second jaw closing the filling opening.
L'extrémité libre de chaque pale du mélangeur est de référence sensiblement flexible. Elles peuvent être faites en un matériau élastomère et/ou ayant une épaisseur plus fine que le reste de la pale. En position de remplissage, la hauteur, d1, de l'ouverture d'évacuation est avantageusement comprise entre 5 et 30 mm, de préférence entre 10 et 25 mm.The free end of each blade of the mixer is of substantially flexible reference. They may be made of an elastomeric material and / or having a thinner thickness than the rest of the blade. In the filling position, the height, d1, of the discharge opening is advantageously between 5 and 30 mm, preferably between 10 and 25 mm.
La portion distale de la tige de transfert est avantageusement cylindrique de diamètre sensiblement égal et inférieur à D0 et la portion proximale de la tige de transfert a une forme de pelle de longueur comprise entre 5 et 10 cm. La tige de transfert est ainsi apte à glisser dans la chambre cylindrique de compression entre une position de remplissage à laquelle la portion proximale est posée sur pratiquement toute la longueur du berceau de la première mâchoire et une position de transfert à laquelle la partie proximale est posée sur le support de tube à cigarette et la partie distale est dans la chambre cylindrique de compaction. La portion proximale en forme de pelle a de préférence une géométrie de tronc de section de cylindre de diamètre égal à celui de la portion distale cylindrique, ayant un angle d'ouverture de 170 à 210° au niveau où la portion proximale contacte la portion distale, et un diamètre légèrement inférieur au diamètre intérieur d'un tube en papier à cigarette et un angle d'ouverture inférieur à l'extrémité libre de la portion proximale, de préférence compris entre 60 et 120°.The distal portion of the transfer rod is advantageously cylindrical with a diameter substantially equal to and less than D0 and the proximal portion of the transfer rod has a shovel-shaped length of between 5 and 10 cm. The transfer rod is thus able to slide in the cylindrical compression chamber between a filling position to which the proximal portion is laid over substantially the entire length of the cradle of the first jaw and a transfer position to which the proximal portion is placed on the cigarette tube support and the distal portion is in the cylindrical compaction chamber. The shovel-shaped proximal portion preferably has a trunk section geometry of diameter equal to that of the cylindrical distal portion, having an opening angle of 170 to 210 ° at the level where the proximal portion contacts the distal portion and a diameter slightly smaller than the inside diameter of a cigarette paper tube and a smaller opening angle than the free end of the proximal portion, preferably between 60 and 120 °.
Dans une variante préférée, la première arrête de berceau définissant la lèvre avale de l'ouverture d'évacuation est définie comme l'extrémité libre d'une paroi plane parallèle à l'axe de révolution, X1, prolongeant le berceau hémicylindrique, de préférence sur une hauteur comprise entre 1 et 5 mm, afin d'obtenir un effet de cisaillement avec la première arrête de voûte définissant la lèvre amont de l'ouverture d'évacuation, permettant de couper des particules de tabac se trouvant partiellement dans la chambre de compression et partiellement dans la chambre de mélange lors du déplacement des mâchoires vers leur position de compression.In a preferred variant, the first cradle stop defining the downstream lip of the discharge opening is defined as the free end of a flat wall parallel to the axis of revolution, X1, extending the semi-cylindrical cradle, preferably on a height of between 1 and 5 mm, in order to obtain a shearing effect with the first crown defining the upstream lip of the discharge opening, for cutting tobacco particles partially in the chamber of compression and partially in the mixing chamber during the displacement of the jaws to their compression position.
La présente invention concerne également un procédé de fabrication d'une cigarette comprenant les étapes suivantes :
- (a) Se procurer un appareil tel que défini plus haut ;
- (b) Remplir la chambre de mélange de tabac par l'ouverture d'entrée, puis refermer ladite ouverture d'entrée ;
- (c) Assurer que l'unité de compression soit en position de remplissage définissant une ouverture d'évacuation de hauteur, d1 et que la tige de transfert soit dans sa position de remplissage ;
- (d) Faire tourner le mélangeur pendant un temps de mélange, tM, à une vitesse de rotation, VM ;
- (e) Fermer l'ouverture d'évacuation en rapprochant la deuxième mâchoire de la première mâchoire (5a) jusqu'à ce que l'unité de compression soit en position de compression définissant une chambre de compression cylindrique ;
- (f) Disposer un tube en papier à cigarette sur le support avec une extrémité ouverte de celle-ci adjacente et coaxiale à la chambre de compression cylindrique ;
- (g) Pousser la tige de transfert le long de la chambre de compression afin de transférer le tabac s'y trouvant vers l'intérieur du tube en papier à cigarette, puis retirer la tige de transfert.
- (a) Obtain an apparatus as defined above;
- (b) filling the tobacco mixing chamber with the inlet opening and closing the inlet opening;
- (c) Ensure that the compression unit is in the filling position defining a height discharge opening, d1 and that the transfer rod is in its filling position;
- (d) rotating the mixer for a mixing time, t M , at a rotational speed, V M ;
- (e) closing the discharge opening by bringing the second jaw closer to the first jaw (5a) until the compression unit is in the compression position defining a cylindrical compression chamber;
- (f) arranging a cigarette paper tube on the support with an open end thereof adjacent and coaxial with the cylindrical compression chamber;
- (g) Push the transfer rod along the compression chamber to transfer the tobacco to the inside of the cigarette paper tube, and then remove the transfer rod.
La vitesse de rotation, vM, du mélangeur est par exemple comprise entre 1000 et 1500 rpm et le temps de mélange, tM, peut être compris entre 0.5 et 5 s.The rotational speed, v M , of the mixer is for example between 1000 and 1500 rpm and the mixing time, t M , can be between 0.5 and 5 s.
-
La
Fig. 1 représente une vue générale en transparence d'un appareil selon la présente invention.TheFig. 1 represents a general view in transparency of an apparatus according to the present invention. -
La
Fig. 2 représente des vues de mélangeurs comprenant des fenêtres d'un appareil selon la présente invention (a) en perspective et comprenant (b) deux, (c) trois et (d) quatre pales.TheFig. 2 represents views of mixers comprising windows of an apparatus according to the present invention (a) in perspective and comprising (b) two, (c) three and (d) four blades. -
La
Fig. 3 représente une vue de la chambre de compression (a) en position ouverte et (b) en position fermée de compression.TheFig. 3 represents a view of the compression chamber (a) in the open position and (b) in the closed compression position. -
La
Fig. 4 représente une vue d'une chambre de compression munie d'une lame élastique de dosage (a) en position ouverte, (b) en position de fermeture partielle et (c) en position de fermeture et compression des mâchoires.TheFig. 4 represents a view of a compression chamber provided with a resilient metering blade (a) in the open position, (b) in the partial closed position and (c) in the closed position and compression of the jaws. -
La
Fig. 5 représente une tige de transfert pour un appareil selon la présente invention.TheFig. 5 represents a transfer rod for an apparatus according to the present invention. -
La
Fig. 6 représente trois étapes de remplissage de l'unité de dosage et compression du tabac avec homogénéisation préalable du tabac par rotation des pales mélangeuses avec l'unité de compression (a) en position ouverte, (b) en cours de fermeture et (c) en position fermée, prêt à transférer le tabac dans un tube en papier.TheFig. 6 represents three steps of filling the tobacco dosage and compression unit with prior homogenisation of the tobacco by rotating the mixing blades with the compression unit (a) in the open position, (b) during closure and (c) in closed position, ready to transfer the tobacco into a paper tube. -
La
Fig. 7 illustre deux modes préférés d'alignement d'un tube en papier à cigarette posé sur son support co-axialement à la chambre de compression.TheFig. 7 illustrates two preferred modes of alignment of a cigarette paper tube placed on its support co-axially to the compression chamber.
Tel que représenté à la
L'unité de mélange de tabac est essentielle à l'efficacité du présent appareil, car elle permet d'homogénéiser le tabac avant de le doser et compresser pour l'introduire dans un tube en papier à cigarette. En effet, un grand défaut des appareils de l'art antérieur est que l'homogénéisation du tabac n'est pas suffisante et le remplissage des tubes en papier à cigarette n'est pas reproductible, car on ne peut éviter avec de tels appareils la formation de grumeaux de tabac ou au contraire de vides dans le tube.The tobacco mixing unit is essential to the effectiveness of the present apparatus, since it makes it possible to homogenise the tobacco before dosing it and compress it to introduce it into a cigarette paper tube. Indeed, a major defect of the apparatus of the prior art is that the homogenization of the tobacco is not sufficient and the filling of the cigarette paper tubes is not reproducible, because one can not avoid with such devices the formation of tobacco lumps or voids in the tube.
A la suite de nombreux essais, la meilleure homogénéisation du tabac a été obtenue par un mélangeur (12) comprenant au moins deux pales, monté à rotation dans une chambre de mélange (2) sensiblement cylindrique du type décrit dans
La chambre de mélange (12) comprend également une ouverture d'évacuation (3) située sur la paroi périphérique et s'étendant sur pratiquement toute la largeur, L, de ladite paroi. L'ouverture d'évacuation est en communication avec l'unité de dosage et compression décrite plus bas. Contrairement aux appareils de l'art antérieur décrits plus haut, l'ouverture d'évacuation (3) ne se trouve pas au point le plus bas de la chambre de dosage/mélange. En assimilant une vue latérale de la chambre de mélange telle que représentée à la
Tel que représenté à la
L'unité de compression (5) est placée adjacente à l'ouverture d'évacuation (3) de la chambre de mélange (2). C'est l'unité de compression (5) qui contrôle l'ampleur(ou hauteur) de l'ouverture d'évacuation (3) dans la direction circonférentielle de la paroi périphérique. Telle que représentée à la
La deuxième mâchoire (5b), forme une voûte hémicylindrique définie par une première et une deuxième arrête de voûte s'étendant chacune parallèlement à l'axe de révolution, X1, d'une paroi latérale à l'autre sur une longueur sensiblement égale à L. Une première arrête de voûte définit la lèvre amont de l'ouverture d'évacuation (3) de la chambre de mélange. La deuxième arrête de voûte se prolonge pour former une paroi plane parallèle à l'axe de révolution, X1, et en contact avec la deuxième arrête de berceau, Les première et deuxième mâchoires (5a, 5b) sont déplaçables l'une par rapport à l'autre selon une direction normale à l'axe de révolution, X1, entre une position de remplissage, à laquelle les lèvres amont et avale de l'ouverture d'évacuation (3) sont séparées l'une de l'autre d'une distance, d1, formant une chambre de compression (5c) de section sensiblement ovale (cf.
Dans une variante préférée illustrée aux
L'unité de transfert sert à transférer le tabac dosé et compacté présent dans la chambre de compression (5c) vers l'intérieur d'un tube en papier à cigarette. L'unité de transfert comprend un support (9) de tube à cigarette apte à maintenir en place un tube en papier à cigarette (10) avec son axe de révolution coaxial à l'axe de révolution de la chambre cylindrique de compression. Le support (9) est de préférence de forme sensiblement hémicylindrique de diamètre légèrement supérieur au diamètre, D0, du berceau de la première mâchoire (5a) et prolongeant celui-ci co-axialement vers l'extérieur de la chambre de compression d'une longueur équivalente à la longueur d'une cigarette, soit de l'ordre d'une dizaine de cm. Le support (9) peut comprendre des moyens pour maintenir le tube (10) en position lors du transfert du tabac de la chambre de compression vers l'intérieur du tube en papier à cigarette. Il peut s'agir d'un anneau ou d'une lanière élastique ou pas enveloppant le tube et le retenant sur le berceau formant le support (9). Il peut également s'agir d'un couvercle tel que représenté à la
Le transfert du tabac de la chambre de compression vers l'intérieur d'un tube en papier à cigarette se fait à l'aide d'une tige de transfert (7). Une tige de transfert (7) comprend une portion distale (7d) et une portion proximale (7p) et doit être apte à glisser dans la chambre cylindrique de compression afin de pousser le tabac se trouvant dans la chambre de compression dans un tube en papier à cigarette posé sur le support (9). Une portion au moins de la tige de transfert (7) doit avoir une section de dimension maximale inférieure au diamètre, D0, de la chambre de compression en position de compression. Dans une variante de l'invention, la tige de transfert (7) est simplement une tige cylindrique de diamètre très légèrement inférieur à D0. Lors de la phase de remplissage de la chambre de compression, une telle tige de transfert se trouve, dans sa position de remplissage, à l'extérieur de la chambre de compression, coaxiale avec le berceau hémicylindrique de la première mâchoire (5a), et ayant son extrémité proximale (7p) adjacente à l'extrémité de la chambre de compression opposée au support (9). Lorsque la chambre de compression est remplie de tabac et en position de compression, la tige de transfert (7) est glissée dans la chambre de compression tel un piston dans un cylindre. Ceci provoque la poussée du tabac présent dans la chambre de compression le long du berceau formé par la première mâchoire et par le support (9) sur lequel se trouve un tube en papier à cigarette avec une extrémité ouverte adjacente et coaxiale à la chambre de compression. Le tabac est donc ainsi transféré de la chambre de compression à l'intérieur du tube en papier à cigarette.The transfer of the tobacco from the compression chamber to the inside of a cigarette paper tube is carried out by means of a transfer rod (7). A transfer rod (7) comprises a distal portion (7d) and a proximal portion (7p) and must be able to slide into the cylindrical compression chamber to push the tobacco in the compression chamber into a paper tube with cigarette placed on the support (9). At least a portion of the transfer rod (7) must have a section of maximum dimension smaller than the diameter, D0, of the compression chamber in the compression position. In a variant of the invention, the transfer rod (7) is simply a cylindrical rod of diameter very slightly smaller than D0. During the filling phase of the compression chamber, such a transfer rod is, in its filling position, outside the compression chamber, coaxial with the hemicylindrical cradle of the first jaw (5a), and having its proximal end (7p) adjacent to the end of the compression chamber opposite the support (9). When the compression chamber is filled with tobacco and in the compression position, the transfer rod (7) is slid into the compression chamber such as a piston in a cylinder. This causes the thrust of the tobacco present in the compression chamber along the cradle formed by the first jaw and by the support (9) on which is a cigarette paper tube with an open end adjacent and coaxial with the compression chamber. . The tobacco is thus transferred from the compression chamber to the inside of the cigarette paper tube.
Dans une variante préférée représentée à la
L'utilisation d'un appareil selon la présente invention pour fabriquer une cigarette est très simple et comprend les étapes suivantes :
- (a) Remplir la chambre de mélange (3) de tabac par l'ouverture d'entrée, puis refermer ladite ouverture d'entrée ;
- (b) Assurer que l'unité de compression (5) soit en position de remplissage définissant une ouverture d'évacuation (3) de hauteur, d1 (cf.
Figure 6(a) ) et que la tige de transfert (7) soit dans sa position de remplissage ; - (c) Faire tourner le mélangeur (12) pendant un temps de mélange, tM, à une vitesse de rotation, vM ;
- (d) Fermer l'ouverture d'évacuation (3) en rapprochant la deuxième mâchoire (5b) de la première mâchoire (5a) jusqu'à ce que l'unité de compression soit en position de compression définissant une chambre de compression cylindrique (cf.
Figure 6(b) &(c)) ; - (e) Déposer un tube (10) en papier à cigarette sur le support (9) avec une extrémité ouverte de celle-ci adjacente et coaxiale à la chambre de compression cylindrique ;
- (f) Pousser la tige de transfert le long de la chambre de compression afin de transférer le tabac s'y trouvant vers l'intérieur du tube en papier à cigarette, puis retirer la tige de transfert.
- (a) filling the tobacco mixing chamber (3) with the inlet opening and closing the inlet opening;
- (b) Ensure that the compression unit (5) is in the filling position defining a discharge opening (3) of height, d1 (cf.
Figure 6 (a) ) and that the transfer rod (7) is in its filling position; - (c) rotating the mixer (12) for a mixing time, t M , at a rotational speed, v M ;
- (d) Close the discharge opening (3) by moving the second jaw (5b) closer to the first jaw (5a) until the compression unit is in the compression position defining a cylindrical compression chamber ( cf.
Figure 6 (b) &(vs)) ; - (e) depositing a cigarette paper tube (10) on the carrier (9) with an open end thereof adjacent and coaxial with the cylindrical compression chamber;
- (f) Push the transfer rod along the compression chamber to transfer the tobacco to the inside of the cigarette paper tube, and then remove the transfer rod.
Comme discuté plus haut, la vitesse de rotation, vM, du mélangeur (12) est de préférence comprise entre 500 et 10000 rpm, avantageusement entre 1000 et 1500 rpm et le temps, tM, de mélange est de préférence compris entre 0.5 et 5 s. La hauteur, d1, de l'ouverture d'évacuation (3) est de préférence comprise entre 5 et 30 mm, avantageusement entre 10 et 25 mm. En l'absence d'une lame élastique (4), la valeur de d1 correspond à la distance séparant les lèvres avale et amont des première et seconde mâchoires (5a, 5b) (voir
L'appareil pour la fabrication de cigarettes de la présente invention combine une simplicité de concept, ce qui en influence favorablement le prix de production, une simplicité d'utilisation, et surtout une reproductibilité de la densité de tabac introduite dans les tubes en papier à cigarette avec un degré d'homogénéisation inatteignable par les appareil de l'art antérieur discuté plus haut. La densité de tabac dans les tubes en papier à cigarette selon le type de tabac et les goûts de l'utilisateur peut facilement être contrôlée par le temps, tM, de remplissage et la hauteur, d1, de l'ouverture d'évacuation (3). Une fois ces paramètres déterminés, des cigarettes de qualité très constante peuvent être facilement fabriquées. Ces qualités combinées en font un appareil de fabrication de cigarettes idéal pour une utilisation domestiqueThe apparatus for the manufacture of cigarettes of the present invention combines a simplicity of concept, which favorably influences the price of production, simplicity of use, and especially a reproducibility of the density of tobacco introduced into the paper tubes. cigarette with a degree of homogenization unreachable by the apparatus of the prior art discussed above. The density of tobacco in the cigarette paper tubes according to the type of tobacco and the tastes of the user can easily be controlled by the time, t M , of filling and the height, d1, of the discharge opening ( 3). Once these parameters are determined, cigarettes of very constant quality can be easily manufactured. These combined qualities make it an ideal cigarette maker for home use
Le tableau ci-dessous liste les numéros de références utilisés dans les Figures.
Claims (10)
- Appliance for making cigarettes by filling paper cigarette tubes with tobacco, the said machine comprising:(a) a mixing chamber (2) able to accept tobacco, to break up clumps and thus homogenize the tobacco and convey it into a metering unit (5), the said mixing chamber being provided with a peripheral wall that is substantially cylindrical about an axis of revolution X1, closed by two substantially circular and mutually parallel lateral walls separated from one another by a distance L, the said mixing chamber comprising:(i) an inlet opening allowing tobacco to be introduced into the chamber,(ii) a mixer (12) comprising at least two paddles mounted to rotate about the axis of revolution X1, each paddle having a width Lb substantially equal to the width L of the mixing chamber, and the free end of which sweeps against the peripheral wall and comprising at least one opening (12f) allowing tobacco to pass through it,(iii) a tobacco discharge opening (3) extending parallel to the axis of revolution X1, over practically the entire width L of the peripheral wall and providing access to a metering unit, the said discharge opening being defined by an upstream lip and a downstream lip which are preferably linear and mutually parallel,(b) a compression unit (5) comprising:(i) a first jaw (5a) forming a semicylindrical cradle, defined by a first and a second cradle edges each running parallel to the axis of revolution X1, from one lateral wall to the other along a length substantially equal to L, in which the first cradle edge defines the downstream lip of the discharge opening and the second cradle edge lies outside the mixing chamber, and(ii) a second jaw (5b), forming a semicylindrical roof defined by a first and a second roof edge each running parallel to the axis of revolution X1, from one lateral wall to the other along a length substantially equal to L, in which the first roof edge defines the upstream lip of the discharge opening and the second roof edge is extended to form a flat wall parallel to the axis of revolution X1 and in contact with the second cradle edge,(iii) the said first and second jaws (5a, 5b) being movable relative to one another in a direction normal to the axis of revolution X1, between a filling position, in which the upstream and downstream lips of the discharge opening are separated from one another by a height d1 thus forming a compression chamber (5c) of substantially oval cross section, and a compression position in which the upstream and downstream lips of the discharge opening are in contact with one another and the cradle and roof together form a cylindrical compression chamber of diameter D0, and(c) a tobacco transfer unit for transferring the tobacco into a cigarette tube, the said transfer unit comprising,(i) a cigarette tube support (9) able to hold a cigarette-paper tube (10) in positon with its axis of revolution coaxial with the axis of revolution of the cylindrical compression chamber, and(ii) a transfer rod (7) comprising a distal portion (7d) and a proximal portion (7p), the said transfer rod being able to slide into the cylindrical compression chamber in order to push the tobacco that is in the compression chamber (5c) into a cigarette-paper tube placed on the support (9).
- Appliance according to Claim 1, equipped with an elastically flexible blade (4) comprising a first and a second end opposite one another, and mounted cantilever-fashion via its first end on the peripheral wall of the mixing chamber so that:• in the filling position, its second end partially penetrates the filling chamber, pressing against the upstream lip of the discharge opening (3), and• in the compression position, its free end remains in the mixing chamber (2) pressing against the second jaw (5b) closing the filling opening (3).
- Appliance according to Claim 1 or 2 in which the free end of each paddle of the mixer (12) is substantially flexible, it preferably being made from an elastomeric material and/or having a thickness that is more slender than the rest of the paddle.
- Appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, in which, in the filling position, the height d1 of the discharge opening is comprised between 5 and 30 mm, preferably between 10 and 25 mm.
- Appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the distal portion (7d) of the transfer rod (7) is cylindrical of diameter substantially equal to and lower than D0 and the proximal portion (7p) of the transfer rod (7) has the shape of a shovel of a length comprised between 5 and 10 cm, the said transfer rod being able to slide into the cylindrical compression chamber between a filling position in which the proximal portion is placed over practically the entire length of the cradle of the first jaw (5a) and a transfer position in which the proximal part is placed on the cigarette tube support and the distal part is in the cylindrical compaction chamber.
- Appliance according to the preceding claim, in which the shovel-shaped proximal portion (7p) of the transfer rod (7) has a geometry of a truncated cylinder of diameter equal to the one of the cylindrical distal portion (7d), having an aperture angle of 170° to 210° at the point at which the proximal portion (7p) contacts the distal portion (7d) and a smaller aperture angle at the free end of the proximal portion (7p), preferably comprised between 60 and 120°.
- Appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the first cradle edge defining the downstream lip of the discharge opening is defined as the free end of a flat wall parallel to the axis of revolution X1, extending the semicylindrical cradle, preferably over a height comprised between 1 and 5 mm, so as to obtain a shearing effect with the first roof edge defining the upstream lip of the discharge opening, so that tobacco particles which are partially in the compression chamber (5c) and partially in the mixing chamber can be cut as the jaws move into their compression position.
- Method for producing a cigarette comprising the following steps:(a) providing an appliance according to any one of the preceding claims;(b) filling the mixing chamber (3) with tobacco via the inlet opening, then closing the said inlet opening;(c) ensuring that the compression unit (5) is in the filling position defining a discharge opening (3) of height d1 and that the transfer rod (7) is in its filling position;(d) turning the mixer (12) for a mixing time tM, at a rotational speed vM;(e) closing the discharge opening (3) by bringing the second jaw (5b) closer to the first jaw (5a) until the compression unit is in the compression position defining a cylindrical compression chamber (5c);(f) arranging a cigarette-paper tube (10) on the support (9) with an open end of this tube adjacent to and coaxial with the cylindrical compression chamber;(g) pushing the transfer tube along the compression chamber so as to transfer the tobacco therein towards the inside of the cigarette-paper tube, then withdrawing the transfer rod.
- Method according to the preceding claim, in which the rotational speed vM of the mixer is comprised between 1000 and 1500 rpm.
- Method according to Claim 8 or 9, in which the mixing time tM is comprised between 0.5 and 5 s.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
BE2014/0647A BE1022188B1 (en) | 2014-08-28 | 2014-08-28 | APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CIGARETTES. |
PCT/EP2015/069651 WO2016030463A1 (en) | 2014-08-28 | 2015-08-27 | Appliance for producing cigarettes |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3185704A1 EP3185704A1 (en) | 2017-07-05 |
EP3185704B1 true EP3185704B1 (en) | 2018-06-13 |
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Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP15759434.2A Not-in-force EP3185704B1 (en) | 2014-08-28 | 2015-08-27 | Appliance for producing cigarettes |
Country Status (3)
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EP (1) | EP3185704B1 (en) |
BE (1) | BE1022188B1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2016030463A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE3605052A1 (en) * | 1986-02-18 | 1987-08-20 | Hauni Werke Koerber & Co Kg | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR FORMING PRE-COMPRESSED TOBACCO PORTIONS |
CA2647771A1 (en) * | 2008-12-23 | 2010-06-23 | Philippe Thiry | Cigarette making method and apparatus |
US20110011877A1 (en) * | 2009-07-15 | 2011-01-20 | Jacques Laplante | Cigarette blank dispensing apparatus |
WO2012051694A1 (en) * | 2010-10-19 | 2012-04-26 | Philippe Thiry | High speed cigarette manufacturing machine |
-
2014
- 2014-08-28 BE BE2014/0647A patent/BE1022188B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2015
- 2015-08-27 EP EP15759434.2A patent/EP3185704B1/en not_active Not-in-force
- 2015-08-27 WO PCT/EP2015/069651 patent/WO2016030463A1/en active Application Filing
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BE1022188B1 (en) | 2016-02-25 |
WO2016030463A1 (en) | 2016-03-03 |
EP3185704A1 (en) | 2017-07-05 |
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