Pre-Rolled Cone Extrusion Plate for Multi-Cigarette Closing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated cigarette machines are not suitable for producing marijuana cigarettes due to their stickiness and require expensive, single-operator devices that can only produce one cigarette at a time, lacking the ability to efficiently fill, pack, crimp, and extrude multiple marijuana cigarettes simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A pre-rolled cone filling, packing, and extruding apparatus with a plate having tapered holes, a packing and crimping device with thin rods, and a closing and extruding device with tubes, allowing for the simultaneous processing of multiple pre-rolled cones into finished cigarettes using a combination of gentle packing, crimping, and extrusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated cigarette machines are used to produce marijuana cigarettes, then production speed is improved, but the machines are not suitable due to the stickiness of marijuana
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the production process into multiple independent stations (filling, packing, crimping, extruding) arranged in a linear array, allowing simultaneous processing of multiple pre-rolled cones. Each station performs a specific function on individual cones, enabling mass production while accommodating marijuana's sticky properties through dedicated tooling at each station.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus integrates multiple functions (filling, packing, crimping, extruding) into a single multi-functional device that can process multiple pre-rolled cones simultaneously. This universal device handles both the filling of marijuana material and the finishing operations, eliminating the need for separate specialized machines.
2Ease of operation
If single-operator devices are used to produce marijuana cigarettes, then ease of operation is improved, but productivity is reduced as only one cigarette can be produced at a time
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges multiple production functions and multiple processing stations into a single integrated apparatus that can be operated by one person. The linear array of stations processes multiple pre-rolled cones simultaneously through filling, packing, crimping, and extruding operations, achieving both ease of operation and high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus enables continuous production by processing multiple pre-rolled cones in parallel through all production stages simultaneously. Rather than completing one cigarette at a time, the device maintains continuous useful action across multiple units, with each station working on different cones at the same time.
3Productivity
If expensive automated commercial machines are used, then productivity is improved, but cost is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus employs simple, inexpensive components such as disposable pre-rolled cones, basic mechanical tooling for filling and crimping, and a straightforward linear array structure. Rather than using complex expensive automated machinery, the device uses affordable elements that can be easily manufactured or replaced, achieving mass production at low cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses identical copies of pre-rolled cones as the base product, which are then processed through the same filling, packing, crimping, and extruding stations. This copying approach allows simultaneous processing of multiple units through the same tooling, achieving economies of scale without requiring complex customization for each cigarette.
4Productivity
If a device processes multiple pre-rolled cones simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but device complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the production process into distinct, simple stations (filling, packing, crimping, extruding) arranged in a linear array. Each station performs a single, well-defined function on the pre-rolled cones, reducing the complexity of individual components while achieving high overall productivity through parallel processing of multiple units.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables quick and efficient production of multiple marijuana cigarettes at a low cost, overcoming the limitations of existing machines by allowing for all steps to be performed simultaneously and effectively handling the stickiness of marijuana.
Implementation Method 1
The base is adapted for holding the plate sufficiently spaced from the catcher, such as a table surface. The sufficient space between the plate and the catcher allows each pre-rolled cone received by each tapered hole to be suspended above the catcher to allow for extruding of a finished cigarette.
Implementation Method 2
The packing and crimping device comprises a handle having at least one thin rod attached to the handle. The packing and crimping device is adapted to pack and crimp each pre-rolled cone within each tapered hole of the plate.
Implementation Method 3
The closing and extruding device comprises a handle having at least one tube having a concave tip attached to a shaft. Each tube is thicker than each thin rod of the packing and crimping device. The closing and extruding device is adapted to close each pre-rolled cone and extrude each finished cigarette from within a corresponding tapered hole of the plate.
Data Source
AI summary
A pre-rolled cone extruding apparatus adapted for finish closing and extruding pre-rolled cones having a smokable material therein as closed cigarettes onto a catcher. In one embodiment, an apparatus is comprised of a plate with a working surface, a rim portion, a plurality of tapered holes that hold pre-rolled cones, a base attached to the plate, and an extruding device to finish close and extrude closed cigarettes.