US20110303230A1 - Cigarette making method and apparatus - Google Patents
Cigarette making method and apparatus Download PDFInfo
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- US20110303230A1 US20110303230A1 US13/138,026 US200913138026A US2011303230A1 US 20110303230 A1 US20110303230 A1 US 20110303230A1 US 200913138026 A US200913138026 A US 200913138026A US 2011303230 A1 US2011303230 A1 US 2011303230A1
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- tube
- tobacco
- cigarette
- transition
- plug
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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 present invention relates to a method and apparatus, and more particularly relates to a method of fabricating cigarettes and to an apparatus for producing cigarettes.
- an apparatus for manufacturing cigarettes comprising a hopper for receiving pre-cut tobacco, a compactor for compacting the pre-cut tobacco into a cylindrical tobacco plug, a first transfer mechanism for transferring the pre-cut tobacco from the hopper to the compactor; a transition section having at least one hollow cylindrical transition tube designed to receive an empty tobacco tube thereabout, a second transfer mechanism to transfer the tobacco plug to the hollow cylindrical transition tube, and a pushing mechanism to push the tobacco plug into the cigarette tube and thereby discharge the cigarette tube from the transition tube.
- a method of filling a tobacco tube with pre-cut tobacco to form a cigarette comprising the steps of compacting the tobacco to form a cylindrical plug, placing the cylindrical plug in a transition tube; placing a cigarette tube over the transition tube, and pushing on the cylindrical plug of tobacco while in the transition tube to thereby fill the cigarette tube with tobacco as the cigarette tube is discharged from the transition tube.
- a method of filling a cigarette tube with pre-cut tobacco comprising the steps of providing a transition tube having a cylindrical configuration with an external diameter slightly less than the internal diameter of a cigarette tube, inserting a guide tube within the transition tube to extend through the free end of the transition tube, placing an open end of the cigarette tube over the guide and over the transition tube, withdrawing the guide member while continuing to place the cigarette tube on the transition tube, and pushing a pre formed plug of tobacco into the transition tube and continuing to push until the cigarette tube is discharged from the transition tube with the pre cut tobacco therein.
- the present invention is directed to a market wherein a smoker may go into a store and purchase a supply of precut tobacco and preformed cigarette papers or tubes. The user would then be able to insert the tobacco and tubes into a machine which would produce a predefined number of cigarettes.
- the apparatus according to the present invention will preferably include means for supplying cigarette tubes to the apparatus. While a number of different storage devices may be utilized, a preferred embodiment will utilize canisters of a desired capacity which may then be inserted into the machine. Naturally, different numbers and types of tubes may be utilized depending upon the requirements of the user.
- the apparatus will also include an input hopper into which cut tobacco strands may be placed.
- the precut tobacco is hermetically stored in a suitable container.
- the tobacco hopper will have an input and an output with the tobacco preferably being transferred by a conveyor between the input and output.
- a combing or dethatching device is provided for helping in the separation of the tobacco strands.
- a suitable device may comprise a rotating shaft having teeth extending outwardly therefrom.
- a preferred arrangement utilizes two conveyors which may include a converging section.
- the conveyors advance in the same direction to move the tobacco between half molds wherein it is formed into a plug.
- the conveyors may each converge to a final discharge point.
- the conveyors are vertically aligned.
- the tobacco is preferably placed between two half molds, at least one of which is moveable and which are arranged to form a plug of tobacco in a cylindrical configuration.
- a tobacco tube is placed over a transition tube which is sized to have an exterior diameter which is substantially equal or slightly less than the inner diameter of the cigarette tube.
- a moveable guide is utilized and which moveable guide has a conical end which is substantially smaller than the diameter of the cigarette tube.
- the guide member may extend through the transition tube such that when a cigarette tube is to be placed on the transition tube, the guide will function to properly guide the cigarette tube and allows for out of round cigarette tubes to be utilized. Once the cigarette tube has started to be placed on the transition tube, the guide member is withdrawn until the cigarette is firmly abutted against the transition tube.
- the transition cylinder may have a tapered end to provide some guiding to the cigarette tube when it is placed thereon.
- the cigarette tubes are singulated from the canister and placed on a rotating turret which has a plurality of recesses on the exterior surface thereof. Each recess is sized to receive a single cigarette tube and the turret is advanced sequentially through a number of stations as will be described in greater detail hereinbelow.
- the turret can be eliminated as will be shown in the drawings.
- the apparatus will include suitable sensing means at every step of the operation to ensure that this particular operation is properly carried out. Also, one may incorporate means for adjusting both the length of the cigarette and the compactness of the tobacco plug.
- FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an apparatus according to the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the input hopper
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a storage device for the cigarette tubes
- FIG. 4 is a view of the cigarette tube storage device in an open position
- FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the transfer device for transferring tobacco from the input hopper to form a tobacco plug
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view thereof
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the turret for singulating and receiving the individual cigarette tubes.
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the device holding the cigarette tube when the tobacco is inserted therein.
- FIGS. 9 to 14 are perspective views of a slightly modified apparatus illustrating operation of the same.
- FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a modified embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 16 is a perspective of a further modified embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 17 is a side view, partially in section, of a guiding mechanism which can be incorporated in the present invention.
- FIGS. 18 A to 18 F illustrate the sequence for placing a cigarette tube on a transition tube and filling the same with tobacco.
- FIG. 1 a cigarette making apparatus which is generally designated by reference numeral 10 .
- Apparatus 10 includes an input hopper generally designated by reference numeral 12 , a compactor generally designated by reference numeral 14 , a cigarette tube storage container generally designated by reference numeral 16 , a tube separator generally designated by reference numeral 18 , a transfer device for inserting a cigarette plug into a cigarette tube generally designated by reference numeral 20 , and a discharge container generally designated by reference numeral 22 .
- Input hopper 12 has a main body 26 with an upper inlet 28 . Mounted at the bottom of main body 26 is a conveyor 30 . Mounted proximate to the outlet of input hopper 12 is a strand separator generally designated by reference numeral 32 and which comprises a shaft 34 having a plurality of pins or combs 36 extending outwardly therefrom. Shaft 34 is rotatably driven by an electric motor 38 .
- Compactor 14 as seen in FIGS. 1 , 5 and 6 , has first and second side walls 42 and 44 which enclose a first conveyor 46 and a second conveyor 48 .
- first conveyor 46 includes an upper converging section 50 following which the conveyors 46 and 48 may be parallel or have a slight converging configuration.
- An electric motor acts to drive first and second conveyors 46 and 48 .
- the conveyors are driven for a preset period of time.
- the conveyors would be designed to discharge a predetermined amount of tobacco which has been received from the input hopper. In other words, preferably the operations are incremental.
- Cigarette storage container 16 is illustrated in FIG. 4 and reference will now be had thereto.
- Container 16 has a pair of side walls 56 and 58 and it will be noted that side wall 56 has a greater height and also has a flange 60 extending outwardly from a peripheral edge thereof.
- End walls 62 and 64 define the rectangular configuration while a bottom wall 66 is secured to end wall 62 by means of a hinge 68 .
- a motor 70 to operate a piston 72 to move the body of the container with respect to bottom wall 66 .
- first half mold member 74 having a semi cylindrical recess 75 at the end thereof and which half mold 74 is driven by a motor 76 having a piston 78 associated therewith.
- a second mold 80 likewise has a semi cylindrical recess 81 and is moveable by means of motor 82 having piston 84 secured to half mold 80 .
- a cylinder 75 having a piston 79 is provided for reasons which will become apparent herein below.
- one of the molds 74 , 80 will have a cutting edge associated therewith to sever any tobacco strands extending beyond the mold recess.
- cigarette tube storage container 16 is positioned such that the container can be lifted while maintaining hinged bottom wall 66 in position such that cigarette tubes may be loaded onto a rotatably driven turret 88 which has recesses 90 formed therein.
- the recesses 90 are sized to receive a single cigarette tube.
- a cylinder 91 is provided to transfer the cigarette tubes.
- a rotating cam could be utilized to open the container sufficiently for a cigarette tube to be discharged.
- each transition cylinder 98 preferably has an end which is diagonally cut to ease insertion of the empty cigarette tube thereabout.
- turret 88 preferably has six stations or recesses for receiving the cigarette tubes.
- a cigarette tube 94 is loaded thereon and it is then advanced through two more stations before the tobacco is inserted in the tube.
- the tubes are unloaded while at a sixth station, a cleaning operation is carried out.
- the tube is transferred from the turret to the transition cylinder.
- a piston will push the tobacco plug into a transition cylinder 98 which has a cigarette tube thereabout.
- the cigarette tube is also filled with tobacco while a continuing push will cause the tube to retract from the transition cylinder. The filled cigarette is then discharged.
- a further station will verify that the tube has been fully fed; if not, it will be rejected at a subsequent station. It will be noted that after a predefined number of consecutive rejects, the machine will stop as the machine is probably missing either tobacco or tubes.
- transition cylinders 198 have a tapered end 199 . This arrangement ensures the easy placement of an empty tube thereon.
- a cigarette tube 94 is loaded on turret 88 .
- the turret 88 is advanced through one station where cigarette tube 94 is aligned with cylinder 91 .
- cylinder 91 is operative to move cigarette tube 94 on to transition cylinder 98 .
- transition cylinder 98 is shown in FIG. 11 .
- turret 88 is advanced.
- piston 77 of cylinder 75 is operative to push a tobacco plug 79 into a transition cylinder 98 .
- the motion is continued, as may be seen in FIG. 13 , to exert a force on the now filled cigarette tube, as a completed cigarette.
- the remaining stations of the turret may be used for cleaning of the same.
- an inspection may be conducted using sensors to determine that the cigarette tube is properly placed and that there is a full load of tobacco to insert therein.
- FIG. 15 Similar reference numerals have been utilized for similar components.
- the main difference between this embodiment and previous embodiments is in the use of a receiving member 22 ′ which allows the cigarette to enter therein from where it slides to a further container.
- transition tubes 98 in this embodiment have a tapered end to allow placement of the cigarette tubes thereon.
- a guide wheel 100 which has a plurality of conically shaped openings 102 formed therein.
- Guide wheel 100 is secured to base 96 by means of members 104 . It will be noted that there is a conical shaped opening 102 for each transition tube 98 .
- a guide tube 104 positioned at one of the stations and being sized to fit within transition cylinder 98 .
- guide member 104 is driven in the direction indicated by arrow 106 so as to enter a transition cylinder and pass therethrough as shown in FIG. 17B .
- Guide member 104 has a tapered end and when extended through transition cylinder 98 , acts as a guide for cigarette tube 94 to extend thereover and then onto transition tube 98 as shown in FIG. 17C . As the cigarette tube is placed about transition cylinder 98 , guide member 104 withdraws.
- drive systems utilized in the present invention may be any suitable including pneumatic, electric, hydraulic, or combinations thereof.
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- Manufacturing Of Cigar And Cigarette Tobacco (AREA)
- Manufacture Of Tobacco Products (AREA)
Abstract
A traditional do-it-yourself cigarette making machine operates at a relatively slow throughput There is provided a method and apparatus for rolling your own cigarettes wherein pre-cut tobacco of a desired humidity is molded in a mold (74, 80) to form a tobacco plug (79), subsequently the plug is advanced into a cylindrical shell (98), the empty cigarette tube (94) is then placed about the shell (98) and the cigarette tube is expelled leaving a complete cigarette The apparatus is ideally placed in a retail outlet where a person may go in and purchase the tobacco and cigarette tubes and insert them in an apparatus to roll the cigarettes.
Description
- The present invention relates to a method and apparatus, and more particularly relates to a method of fabricating cigarettes and to an apparatus for producing cigarettes.
- The manufacture of cigarettes is well known in the art and naturally, specialized equipment is utilized by large cigarette manufacturers. However, there also exists a niche of “roll your own” which is popular with some smokers as the separate purchase of the tobacco and cigarette tube is substantially cheaper than the purchase of pre-manufactured cigarettes.
- Smaller machines for filling prepared cigarette papers also known. With this type of machine, it is necessary to form a strand or plug which is inserted into the preformed paper cigarette paper shell or tube. The bulk tobacco has to be separated and then reformed into a continuous thin strand or skein in order to prevent the burning tobacco from crumbling when the cigarette is smoked.
- An example of a manual cigarette filling device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,509,887 in which the tobacco supply is first collected by hand and then the amount needed for one cigarette inserted in an elongated forming device. Subsequently, a contact pressure dish is pressed onto the preformed tobacco strand and the tobacco pressed together to form a rounded tobacco strand. By means of a manual lever device, the preformed tobacco strand is then pressed into a cigarette paper tube which is positioned on a mounting device and held by a contact pressure device. Other types of manual cigarette filling devices have also been known in the art and are generally directed to filling a single tobacco tube when required.
- There is also a market for cigarette smokers who do not wish to use a small do it yourself machine to roll their own cigarettes, but would rather have a machine which could roll cigarettes at a relatively fast throughput. Also, some cigarette smokers prefer to utilize a specific type of tobacco and tube while at the same time not wanting to revert to the traditional roll your own cigarettes.
- It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for smokers to have a roll your own cigarette which is of a commercial quality.
- It is a further object of the present invention to provided an apparatus which can throughput a high number of cigarettes and which may be utilized by a number of users.
- According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for manufacturing cigarettes, the apparatus comprising a hopper for receiving pre-cut tobacco, a compactor for compacting the pre-cut tobacco into a cylindrical tobacco plug, a first transfer mechanism for transferring the pre-cut tobacco from the hopper to the compactor; a transition section having at least one hollow cylindrical transition tube designed to receive an empty tobacco tube thereabout, a second transfer mechanism to transfer the tobacco plug to the hollow cylindrical transition tube, and a pushing mechanism to push the tobacco plug into the cigarette tube and thereby discharge the cigarette tube from the transition tube.
- According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of filling a tobacco tube with pre-cut tobacco to form a cigarette comprising the steps of compacting the tobacco to form a cylindrical plug, placing the cylindrical plug in a transition tube; placing a cigarette tube over the transition tube, and pushing on the cylindrical plug of tobacco while in the transition tube to thereby fill the cigarette tube with tobacco as the cigarette tube is discharged from the transition tube.
- According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of filling a cigarette tube with pre-cut tobacco, the method comprising the steps of providing a transition tube having a cylindrical configuration with an external diameter slightly less than the internal diameter of a cigarette tube, inserting a guide tube within the transition tube to extend through the free end of the transition tube, placing an open end of the cigarette tube over the guide and over the transition tube, withdrawing the guide member while continuing to place the cigarette tube on the transition tube, and pushing a pre formed plug of tobacco into the transition tube and continuing to push until the cigarette tube is discharged from the transition tube with the pre cut tobacco therein.
- The present invention is directed to a market wherein a smoker may go into a store and purchase a supply of precut tobacco and preformed cigarette papers or tubes. The user would then be able to insert the tobacco and tubes into a machine which would produce a predefined number of cigarettes.
- The apparatus according to the present invention will preferably include means for supplying cigarette tubes to the apparatus. While a number of different storage devices may be utilized, a preferred embodiment will utilize canisters of a desired capacity which may then be inserted into the machine. Naturally, different numbers and types of tubes may be utilized depending upon the requirements of the user.
- The apparatus will also include an input hopper into which cut tobacco strands may be placed. The precut tobacco is hermetically stored in a suitable container. As such, the tobacco hopper will have an input and an output with the tobacco preferably being transferred by a conveyor between the input and output. During the transfer, a combing or dethatching device is provided for helping in the separation of the tobacco strands. A suitable device may comprise a rotating shaft having teeth extending outwardly therefrom.
- The tobacco is then compacted and formed into a tobacco plug. Although there are many known ways of doing so, a preferred arrangement utilizes two conveyors which may include a converging section. The conveyors advance in the same direction to move the tobacco between half molds wherein it is formed into a plug. Alternatively, the conveyors may each converge to a final discharge point. Preferably, the conveyors are vertically aligned.
- From the conveyors, the tobacco is preferably placed between two half molds, at least one of which is moveable and which are arranged to form a plug of tobacco in a cylindrical configuration.
- Meanwhile, the arrangement for the tobacco tubes will involve singulating them and advancing them to a desired position. According to the preferred aspect of the present invention, a tobacco tube is placed over a transition tube which is sized to have an exterior diameter which is substantially equal or slightly less than the inner diameter of the cigarette tube.
- In one arrangement, a moveable guide is utilized and which moveable guide has a conical end which is substantially smaller than the diameter of the cigarette tube. The guide member may extend through the transition tube such that when a cigarette tube is to be placed on the transition tube, the guide will function to properly guide the cigarette tube and allows for out of round cigarette tubes to be utilized. Once the cigarette tube has started to be placed on the transition tube, the guide member is withdrawn until the cigarette is firmly abutted against the transition tube.
- As an alternative to the above, the transition cylinder may have a tapered end to provide some guiding to the cigarette tube when it is placed thereon.
- In one embodiment, the cigarette tubes are singulated from the canister and placed on a rotating turret which has a plurality of recesses on the exterior surface thereof. Each recess is sized to receive a single cigarette tube and the turret is advanced sequentially through a number of stations as will be described in greater detail hereinbelow. Alternatively, the turret can be eliminated as will be shown in the drawings.
- The apparatus will include suitable sensing means at every step of the operation to ensure that this particular operation is properly carried out. Also, one may incorporate means for adjusting both the length of the cigarette and the compactness of the tobacco plug.
- Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which:
-
FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an apparatus according to the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the input hopper; -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a storage device for the cigarette tubes; -
FIG. 4 is a view of the cigarette tube storage device in an open position; -
FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the transfer device for transferring tobacco from the input hopper to form a tobacco plug; -
FIG. 6 is a perspective view thereof; -
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the turret for singulating and receiving the individual cigarette tubes; and -
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the device holding the cigarette tube when the tobacco is inserted therein; and, -
FIGS. 9 to 14 are perspective views of a slightly modified apparatus illustrating operation of the same; -
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a modified embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 16 is a perspective of a further modified embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 17 is a side view, partially in section, of a guiding mechanism which can be incorporated in the present invention; and -
FIGS. 18 A to 18F illustrate the sequence for placing a cigarette tube on a transition tube and filling the same with tobacco. - Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters thereto, there is illustrated in
FIG. 1 a cigarette making apparatus which is generally designated byreference numeral 10.Apparatus 10 includes an input hopper generally designated byreference numeral 12, a compactor generally designated byreference numeral 14, a cigarette tube storage container generally designated byreference numeral 16, a tube separator generally designated byreference numeral 18, a transfer device for inserting a cigarette plug into a cigarette tube generally designated byreference numeral 20, and a discharge container generally designated byreference numeral 22. -
Input hopper 12, as may be best seen inFIG. 2 , has amain body 26 with anupper inlet 28. Mounted at the bottom ofmain body 26 is aconveyor 30. Mounted proximate to the outlet ofinput hopper 12 is a strand separator generally designated byreference numeral 32 and which comprises ashaft 34 having a plurality of pins or combs 36 extending outwardly therefrom.Shaft 34 is rotatably driven by anelectric motor 38. -
Compactor 14 as seen inFIGS. 1 , 5 and 6, has first andsecond side walls first conveyor 46 and asecond conveyor 48. As best seen inFIG. 5 ,first conveyor 46 includes an upper convergingsection 50 following which theconveyors second conveyors -
Cigarette storage container 16 is illustrated inFIG. 4 and reference will now be had thereto.Container 16 has a pair ofside walls side wall 56 has a greater height and also has aflange 60 extending outwardly from a peripheral edge thereof.End walls bottom wall 66 is secured to endwall 62 by means of ahinge 68. Associated withcontainer 16 is amotor 70 to operate apiston 72 to move the body of the container with respect tobottom wall 66. - The tobacco compaction occurs at the output of
conveyors half mold member 74 having a semicylindrical recess 75 at the end thereof and whichhalf mold 74 is driven by amotor 76 having apiston 78 associated therewith. - A
second mold 80 likewise has a semicylindrical recess 81 and is moveable by means ofmotor 82 havingpiston 84 secured tohalf mold 80. Acylinder 75 having apiston 79 is provided for reasons which will become apparent herein below. Preferably, one of themolds - As may be seen in
FIG. 1 , cigarettetube storage container 16 is positioned such that the container can be lifted while maintaining hingedbottom wall 66 in position such that cigarette tubes may be loaded onto a rotatably driventurret 88 which has recesses 90 formed therein. Therecesses 90 are sized to receive a single cigarette tube. Acylinder 91 is provided to transfer the cigarette tubes. Alternatively, a rotating cam could be utilized to open the container sufficiently for a cigarette tube to be discharged. - As may be seen in the drawings, there is provided a tube receiving device currently designated by reference numeral 24 in which has a base 96 with a plurality of
transition cylinders 98 extending therefrom. It will be noted that eachtransition cylinder 98 preferably has an end which is diagonally cut to ease insertion of the empty cigarette tube thereabout. - In operation,
turret 88 preferably has six stations or recesses for receiving the cigarette tubes. At a first station, acigarette tube 94 is loaded thereon and it is then advanced through two more stations before the tobacco is inserted in the tube. At a fifth station, the tubes are unloaded while at a sixth station, a cleaning operation is carried out. - At the tobacco station, the tube is transferred from the turret to the transition cylinder. A piston will push the tobacco plug into a
transition cylinder 98 which has a cigarette tube thereabout. The cigarette tube is also filled with tobacco while a continuing push will cause the tube to retract from the transition cylinder. The filled cigarette is then discharged. - A further station will verify that the tube has been fully fed; if not, it will be rejected at a subsequent station. It will be noted that after a predefined number of consecutive rejects, the machine will stop as the machine is probably missing either tobacco or tubes.
- In the embodiment of
FIGS. 9 to 14 , it will be noted that transition cylinders 198 have a tapered end 199. This arrangement ensures the easy placement of an empty tube thereon. - In operation, and as shown in
FIG. 9 , acigarette tube 94 is loaded onturret 88. Theturret 88 is advanced through one station wherecigarette tube 94 is aligned withcylinder 91. As shown inFIG. 10 ,cylinder 91 is operative to movecigarette tube 94 on to transitioncylinder 98. After being placed on thetransition cylinder 98 as is shown inFIG. 11 ,turret 88 is advanced. Subsequently, as may be seenFIG. 12 ,piston 77 ofcylinder 75 is operative to push atobacco plug 79 into atransition cylinder 98. The motion is continued, as may be seen inFIG. 13 , to exert a force on the now filled cigarette tube, as a completed cigarette. - The remaining stations of the turret may be used for cleaning of the same. As previously mentioned, after the cigarette tube has been placed on the transition cylinder, an inspection may be conducted using sensors to determine that the cigarette tube is properly placed and that there is a full load of tobacco to insert therein.
- In the embodiment of
FIG. 15 , similar reference numerals have been utilized for similar components. The main difference between this embodiment and previous embodiments is in the use of a receivingmember 22′ which allows the cigarette to enter therein from where it slides to a further container. - Turning to the embodiment of
FIG. 16 , the prime differences are the elimination of the turret and instead, the substitution of amember 93 having asingle recess 95 therein to receive an empty tobacco tube. Also, it will be noted thattransition tubes 98 in this embodiment have a tapered end to allow placement of the cigarette tubes thereon. - In the arrangement of
FIG. 17 , there is provided aguide wheel 100 which has a plurality of conically shapedopenings 102 formed therein.Guide wheel 100 is secured to base 96 by means ofmembers 104. It will be noted that there is a conical shapedopening 102 for eachtransition tube 98. - In the embodiment of
FIG. 18 , there is provided aguide tube 104 positioned at one of the stations and being sized to fit withintransition cylinder 98. As seen inFIG. 18A ,guide member 104 is driven in the direction indicated byarrow 106 so as to enter a transition cylinder and pass therethrough as shown inFIG. 17B .Guide member 104 has a tapered end and when extended throughtransition cylinder 98, acts as a guide forcigarette tube 94 to extend thereover and then ontotransition tube 98 as shown inFIG. 17C . As the cigarette tube is placed abouttransition cylinder 98,guide member 104 withdraws. - At the next location, the tobacco from
molds tobacco tube 94 bycylinder 86. Once thecigarette tube 94 has been filled with tobacco, continued movement ofrod 86 will cause the cigarette to be discharged. The arrangement ofFIG. 18 can be incorporated in any of the previous embodiments with the elimination of the turret. - It will be understood that the drive systems utilized in the present invention may be any suitable including pneumatic, electric, hydraulic, or combinations thereof.
Claims (16)
1. An apparatus for manufacturing cigarettes, the apparatus comprising:
a hopper (12) for receiving pre-cut tobacco;
a compactor (14) for compacting said pre-cut tobacco into a cylindrical tobacco plug (79);
a first transfer mechanism (46, 48) for transferring said pre-cut tobacco from said hopper to said compactor;
a transition section having at least one hollow cylindrical transition tube (98) designed to receive an empty tobacco tube (94) thereabout;
a second transfer mechanism (75) to transfer said tobacco plug to said hollow cylindrical transition tube; and
a pushing mechanism (91) to push said tobacco plug (79) into said cigarette tube (94) and thereby discharge said cigarette tube (94) from said transition tube.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said hopper (22) has a conveyor belt (30) to move said pre-cut tobacco to said first transfer device.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said hopper (22) further includes a dethatching device (32) for said pre-cut tobacco.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said dethatching device (32) comprises a rotating shaft (34) having fingers (36) extending outwardly therefrom.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first transfer mechanism comprises a pair of generally vertically oriented conveyor belts (46, 48).
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein at least one of said conveyor belts (46, 48) has an angled converging section with respect to the other of said conveyor belts.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said compactor comprises a pair of half molds (74, 80), at least one of said half molds (74) being moveable to thereby compact said pre-cut tobacco placed therebetween.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said transition section comprises a base (96) having a plurality of said hollow cylindrical transition tubes (98) extending outwardly therefrom.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein each of said transition cylinders (98) is tapered at an end remote from said base.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a rotatable turret (88) having a plurality of elongated recesses therein, each of said elongated recesses being sized to receive and retain a single cigarette tube (94).
11. The apparatus of claim 10 further including a cigarette tube dispenser (16) located adjacent said rotatable turret (88).
12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said tube dispenser has a hinged wall (56) and a cylinder (70) to move said hinged wall to permit dispensing of a single cigarette tube on said rotatable turret.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pushing mechanism to push said tobacco plug into said cigarette tube comprises a pneumatic cylinder (70).
14. A method of filling a tobacco tube (94) with pre-cut tobacco to form a cigarette comprising the steps of:
compacting said tobacco to form a cylindrical plug (79);
placing said cylindrical plug (79) in a transition tube (98);
placing a cigarette tube (94) over said transition tube (98); and
pushing on said cylindrical plug of tobacco (79) while in said transition tube to thereby fill said cigarette tube with tobacco as said cigarette tube is discharged from said transition tube.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of compacting said tobacco to form a cylindrical plug comprises the steps of placing said pre-cut tobacco between a pair of conveyor belts (46, 48), and transporting said pre-cut tobacco to a compacting mechanism comprised of two half molds (74, 80).
16. A method of filling a cigarette tube with pre-cut tobacco, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a transition tube (98) having a cylindrical configuration with an external diameter slightly less than the internal diameter of a cigarette tube (94);
inserting a guide tube within said transition tube to extend through the free end of the transition tube;
placing an open end of said cigarette tube (94) over said guide and over said transition tube, withdrawing said guide member while continuing to place said cigarette tube on said transition tube; and
pushing a pre formed plug (79) of tobacco into said transition tube and continuing to push until said cigarette tube is discharged from said transition tube with said pre-cut tobacco therein.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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CA2,647,771 | 2008-12-23 | ||
CA2647771A CA2647771A1 (en) | 2008-12-23 | 2008-12-23 | Cigarette making method and apparatus |
PCT/CA2009/000788 WO2010071971A1 (en) | 2008-12-23 | 2009-06-08 | Cigarette making method and apparatus |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20110303230A1 true US20110303230A1 (en) | 2011-12-15 |
Family
ID=42283106
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US13/138,026 Abandoned US20110303230A1 (en) | 2008-12-23 | 2009-06-08 | Cigarette making method and apparatus |
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Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20110303230A1 (en) |
EP (2) | EP2378902A4 (en) |
JP (1) | JP5564513B2 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2009329767A1 (en) |
BR (2) | BRPI0923633A2 (en) |
CA (2) | CA2647771A1 (en) |
MX (1) | MX2011006932A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2010071971A1 (en) |
Cited By (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US9232818B1 (en) | 2012-07-03 | 2016-01-12 | Mr. Sajid Munawar | User friendly cigarette manufacturing machine |
US9968126B2 (en) * | 2013-08-13 | 2018-05-15 | HSPT Golden Rainbow LLC | Cigarette manufacturing machines and methods |
WO2020047428A1 (en) * | 2018-08-30 | 2020-03-05 | Leadbeater Jack | Systems and methods for automated production of cigarettes |
US11064725B2 (en) | 2015-08-31 | 2021-07-20 | British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited | Material for use with apparatus for heating smokable material |
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US11659863B2 (en) | 2015-08-31 | 2023-05-30 | Nicoventures Trading Limited | Article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material |
US11672279B2 (en) | 2011-09-06 | 2023-06-13 | Nicoventures Trading Limited | Heating smokeable material |
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US20110265805A1 (en) * | 2010-04-28 | 2011-11-03 | Jacques Laplante | Cigarette filling machine tube sensing and positioning apparatus |
WO2012051694A1 (en) * | 2010-10-19 | 2012-04-26 | Philippe Thiry | High speed cigarette manufacturing machine |
DE102011009664B4 (en) * | 2011-01-28 | 2013-11-14 | British American Tobacco (Germany) Gmbh | Self-production of user-specific designed smoking article, especially cigarettes |
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BE1022188B1 (en) * | 2014-08-28 | 2016-02-25 | Atelier A. Neycken Sprl | APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CIGARETTES. |
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- 2009-06-08 MX MX2011006932A patent/MX2011006932A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2009-06-08 WO PCT/CA2009/000788 patent/WO2010071971A1/en active Application Filing
- 2009-06-08 AU AU2009329767A patent/AU2009329767A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2009-06-08 EP EP09833956.7A patent/EP2378902A4/en not_active Withdrawn
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Cited By (14)
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US11672279B2 (en) | 2011-09-06 | 2023-06-13 | Nicoventures Trading Limited | Heating smokeable material |
US9232818B1 (en) | 2012-07-03 | 2016-01-12 | Mr. Sajid Munawar | User friendly cigarette manufacturing machine |
US11241042B2 (en) * | 2012-09-25 | 2022-02-08 | Nicoventures Trading Limited | Heating smokeable material |
US9968126B2 (en) * | 2013-08-13 | 2018-05-15 | HSPT Golden Rainbow LLC | Cigarette manufacturing machines and methods |
US11064725B2 (en) | 2015-08-31 | 2021-07-20 | British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited | Material for use with apparatus for heating smokable material |
US11659863B2 (en) | 2015-08-31 | 2023-05-30 | Nicoventures Trading Limited | Article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material |
US11924930B2 (en) | 2015-08-31 | 2024-03-05 | Nicoventures Trading Limited | Article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material |
US11452313B2 (en) | 2015-10-30 | 2022-09-27 | Nicoventures Trading Limited | Apparatus for heating smokable material |
US11825870B2 (en) | 2015-10-30 | 2023-11-28 | Nicoventures Trading Limited | Article for use with apparatus for heating smokable material |
US11291238B2 (en) | 2018-08-30 | 2022-04-05 | Utektik, Inc. | Systems and methods for automated production of cigarettes |
WO2020047428A1 (en) * | 2018-08-30 | 2020-03-05 | Leadbeater Jack | Systems and methods for automated production of cigarettes |
US20210267263A1 (en) * | 2020-02-28 | 2021-09-02 | Yamen HAIDARI | Automatic cigarette injection machine and an operation method of the same |
US11576425B2 (en) | 2020-07-06 | 2023-02-14 | Sajid Munawar | Self-cleaning cigarette manufacturing machine |
CN113841923A (en) * | 2021-08-18 | 2021-12-28 | 安徽腾耀机电科技有限公司 | Tobacco processing strip forming device and using method thereof |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP2012513203A (en) | 2012-06-14 |
EP2378902A1 (en) | 2011-10-26 |
EP2457452B1 (en) | 2015-11-25 |
EP2457452A1 (en) | 2012-05-30 |
CA2647771A1 (en) | 2010-06-23 |
EP2378902A4 (en) | 2015-01-07 |
JP5564513B2 (en) | 2014-07-30 |
WO2010071971A1 (en) | 2010-07-01 |
BRPI0924179A2 (en) | 2019-09-24 |
MX2011006932A (en) | 2011-09-26 |
AU2009329767A1 (en) | 2011-08-18 |
CA2753593A1 (en) | 2010-07-01 |
BRPI0923633A2 (en) | 2015-07-21 |
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