Rotating Platform Filling Pre-formed Cigarette Wrappers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing custom cigarettes are inefficient and wasteful, as they often result in tears, creases, inconsistent filling, and significant filler material loss due to the design of prior art devices, which are not cost-effective for small-scale production and pose safety hazards.

Innovation Solution

A device featuring a rotating platform with rectangular recesses and a braking mechanism, combined with a containment system to prevent filler material loss, allows for simultaneous and consistent filling of pre-formed cigarette wrappers, minimizing waste and ensuring safety through controlled stopping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a plunger-type mechanism is used to pack filler material into pre-formed cigarette wrappers, then the filling process can be automated, but the plunger may catch on the wrapper tube and cause tears, creases, and wrinkles in the wrapper

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilling automationVSAvoidwrapper integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional plunger-type mechanical packing system with a vibration-based mechanism. The vibratory platform causes the filler material to settle and compact into the wrappers through vibration rather than direct mechanical pushing, eliminating the catching and tearing issues caused by plungers while maintaining automated filling capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs a vibratory platform that uses mechanical vibration to distribute and compact filler material into pre-formed cigarette wrappers. The vibration causes the filler to flow and settle evenly without the need for direct contact packing mechanisms that could damage the wrapper tubes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

2Productivity

If filler material is distributed centrifugally using a spinning platform, then multiple wrappers can be filled simultaneously, but filler material is strewn around the room and wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebatch filling capacityVSAvoidfiller material waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potentially harmful scattering of filler material into a beneficial controlled distribution process. By using controlled vibration rather than uncontrolled centrifugal force, the filler material is distributed evenly to wrappers while containing any excess within the device boundaries, transforming what would be waste into efficient material utilization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical parameters of the filling process by using controlled vibration frequency and amplitude instead of high-speed rotation. This parameter change allows filler material to be distributed effectively to multiple wrappers simultaneously while preventing the material from being ejected from the device and wasted

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If vibration or striking method is used to distribute filler material into pre-formed cigarette wrappers held in vertical configuration, then a plurality of wrappers can be filled simultaneously, but the apparatus becomes overtly cumbersome when scaled to accommodate larger numbers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimultaneous filling capacityVSAvoidapparatus size

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a vertical configuration of wrappers to a horizontal planar arrangement on a vibratory platform. This dimensional change allows multiple wrappers to be filled simultaneously in a compact two-dimensional space rather than requiring a vertically stacked arrangement, reducing overall device complexity and size while maintaining batch filling capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

The device enables efficient, consistent, and cost-effective production of custom cigarettes by reducing material waste and ensuring user safety, with the ability to handle larger quantities without becoming cumbersome, while maintaining product quality and reducing excess filler material usage.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentripetal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentUS10039314B2Centripetally assisted pre-formed cigarette wrapper filler

Publication Date: 2018.08.07 GREENE DAVID A

AI summary

A rotating platform has a peripheral wall to form a catch basin. A donut shaped wrapper housing can hold perhaps 50-100 cigarette wrappers facing inbound with a closed end projecting out an outer wall exit hole into the catch basin. Tobacco or any work material is dropped onto the center of the rotating platform which may be motor driven. Centripetal forces urge the work material into the wrappers. Empty wrapper channels feed the excess material into the catch basin. A lid prevents loss of work material.