Device for filling a cigarette tube with a metered amount of tobacco

Inactive Publication Date: 2008-10-30
MOSER LARRY E +1
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]In some embodiments, means are provided for assessing whether a sufficient quantity of tobacco has been metered into the compression chamber, and if not, furt

Problems solved by technology

However, none of these devices are believed suitable to service the “roll your own” cigarette market, as they each suffer various drawbacks: some machines are dangerous; others do not adequately fill the cigarette tubes, or do so loosely and irregularly; some do not fill tubes with adequate speed, etc.
Probably the major drawback to the prior art machines in the cigarette tube filling art is that such machines lack the ability to fill tubes with a precise quantity of tobacco, packed to a uniform and adequate density that allows for an even burn on a consistent basis.
Although such devices can generally adequately compress and inject tobacco into waiting tubes, they depend on the user of the machine to judge when the compression chamber has been packed with a sufficient amount of tobacco.
The machine thus has no means to automate, or meter, a proper amount of tobacco for eventual injection inside of the tubes.
Moreover, such devices generally lack means to deal with different cuts of cigarette tobacco, such as shag cut or bulk cut, or tobaccos of various moisture contents, etc.
The result is generally the formation of cigarettes which are uneven or incomplete in their density, and / or which may not burn properly or fall apart when burned, which cigarette smokers generally find undesirable.

Method used

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  • Device for filling a cigarette tube with a metered amount of tobacco
  • Device for filling a cigarette tube with a metered amount of tobacco
  • Device for filling a cigarette tube with a metered amount of tobacco

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

first embodiment

I. First Embodiment

[0029]Referring to FIGS. 1A-1D, a first embodiment of a partially-automated device 10 for filling cigarette tubes 70 with a measured or metered amount of tobacco 76 is illustrated. In this first embodiment, the metering of the tobacco is automated, while compression and injection are manual, as will be explained in further detail later.

[0030]The disclosed device 10 is illustrated in a front elevational view in FIG. 1A and in a side elevational view in FIG. 1B. In FIG. 1C, the disclosed device is illustrated in a side cross-sectional view. In FIG. 1D, the disclosed device 10 is illustrated in a plan view in broken cross-section. The disclosed device 10 is depicted in a basic form to show the gross anatomy of the device. However, it may be aesthetically designed or altered by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0031]The disclosed device 10 includes a body 11, a hopper unit 20, a metering unit 30, a compressing unit 80, a cigarette tube magazine 130, an injecting unit ...

second embodiment

II. Second Embodiment

[0068]FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate second embodiments of a device 200 for filling cigarette tubes which are fully manual. More specifically, and in contrast to the first embodiment, the metering process in these second embodiments are performed manually by the user. For convenience, the same element numerals are in this second embodiment to represent substantially similar components disclosed with respect to the first embodiment with discussion of such similar components omitted for brevity.

[0069]In FIG. 5A, the disclosed device 200 is partially exposed in a side view to reveal internal details. The disclosed device 200 includes a manually-operable metering unit for metering amounts of tobacco 76. The metering unit 230 includes guide surfaces 232 and 234, a metering plate 240, a handle 246, and a stop 248. As before, the metering plate 240 is movable between the guide surfaces 232 and 234. The metering plate 240 has a serrated and beveled end 242 movable in relation t...

third embodiment

III. Third Embodiment

[0074]FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate a third embodiment of a device 300 for filling cigarette tubes which is fully automated. Again, the same element numerals are used for substantially similar structures referenced earlier, which are not repeated here.

[0075]Device 300 includes a compression motor 310, a metering motor 350, an injection motor 370, and a control unit 360. Automated metering is substantially similar to that described with respect to the automated metering unit of the first embodiment, which is not reiterated here.

[0076]The components of the compression mechanism are also largely similar to those disclosed with respect to the first embodiment, except that the crank arm 112 has been replaced by compression motor 310 and a gearbox, which are not shown which are similar to those described previously, and which include a first gear shaft 312, a drive belt 314, and a second gear shaft 316. The motor and gearbox rotate the first gear shaft 312, which rotates the...

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PUM

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Abstract

A device that can be designed and used manually, partially automatically or fully automatically for packing a cigarette tube with a metered, precise amount of tobacco that leads to a consistent filling of the tube to an even and complete density such that the burning rate and continuity are consistently the same, regardless of the cut of tobacco being used, and independent of operator control variables.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates generally to a device for filling cigarette tubes with tobacco, and more particularly to a fully manual, partially[0003]2. Description of the Relevant Prior Art[0004]automated, or fully automated device for filling cigarette tubes with metered amounts of tobacco.[0005]Cigarette tubes generally comprise a paper cylinder having an open end and a filter end. Various machines exist in the market for allowing a user to fill such tubes with loose tobacco to make their own cigarettes.[0006]An example of a prior art cigarette tube filing machine is the Supermatic II device distributed by Jack Gee's Sales (see http: / / wwwjackgee.com / supermatic_ii.htm). Composition of the internal portions of this device can be found at the following websites: wwwjackgee.com / parts.htm and www.ryomagazine.com / july2001 / -injectors.htm. This tabletop device is hand crank operated and includes an open rectangular compressi...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): A24B7/14
CPCA24C5/42
InventorMOSER, LARRY E.DAILY, ROBERT J.
OwnerMOSER LARRY E