Apparatus and Methods for Packing of Cigarettes

Abstract

A method involves placing a cigarette starter cone in a cavity of a holding fixture carried on a carriage at a first station, moving the carriage to a second station, loading a quantity of content into the cone at the second station by a content loading mechanism, moving the carriage to a third station, packing the loaded content in the cigarette starter cone at the third station by a packing mechanism flowing pressurized gas infused with terpene oil or vapor, moving the carriage to a fourth station, exposing the open end of the cigarette starter cone at the fourth station, clamping an exposed portion of the paper cone at the open end by a twister mechanism, activating the twister mechanism, rotating the twister mechanism at least one full turn, twisting the open end closed, and releasing the paper cone, and opening the holding fixture, releasing the packed and twisted-closed cigarette.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of co-pending application Ser. No. 16 / 869,116 filed May 7, 2020. All disclosure of the parent application is incorporated at least by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention is in the field of process and packing equipment and pertains particularly to methods and apparatus for automated content loading and density packing of a cigarette cone and twisting the paper end of the packed cigarette cone.2. Discussion of the State of the Art[0003]In the art of automated machines, many consumer machines have been provided over the years to give the consumer convenience and a more streamlined or organized process relative to their consumption or service habits or traditions. For example, automated machines for making coffee may vary from stove top pots, to desktop brewing stations, to coffee press devices, and so on. In a sub-field of tobacco r...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a method and system for assembling a finished cigarette. The method involves placing a pre-existing cigarette starter cone in a holding fixture, adding content to the starter cone, packing the content in the starter cone, and twisting the open end closed. The system includes a carriage that carries the holding fixture and a mechanism for dispensing and loading the starter cone, as well as a packing mechanism and a twisting mechanism. The system allows for efficient assembly of cigarettes and ensures consistent quality.

Problems solved by technology

However, rolling by hand does not compress the contents sufficiently to forgo closing the cigarette ends by some manner such as a manual twisting, which often includes the user depositing saliva on the twisted portion to help it retain form.

One challenge with rolling content using a paper wrap or packing content into a paper form is determining the correct amount and weight of content and being able to gather and present the measured content in a repeatable and economic manner.

Too little content may cause a loose wrap or loose pack that is hard to keep lit while too much content may cause content density that is too high and may compromise quality and may even damage the paper form.

Another challenge with packing content relates to the humidity of the content.

However, moist content may stick to paper and upset uniform content loading into a paper cone for example.

If the content is dryer it may load better when packing content but may leak out if the paper end of the cigarette is not closed or twisted.

Images