Apparatus and methods for manufacturing cigarettes
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A cigarette manufacturing apparatus, comprising:
- a hopper for containing loose tobacco filler;
a plurality of receptacles beneath the hopper, each receptacle adapted to receive a portion of the tobacco filler;
a cartridge adapted to support a plurality of pre-formed tubular wrappers, each wrapper having a hollow region at one end for receiving the tobacco filler, the cartridge adapted to be placed adjacent the plurality of receptacles such that each of a pre-determined number of the wrappers is aligned with one of the plurality of receptacles; and
a means for delivering the portion of the tobacco filler from the plurality of receptacles into the hollow region of each of the pre-determined number of the wrappers.
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for manufacturing small quantities of cigarettes in a substantially simultaneous fashion while maintaining consistent quality between the cigarettes. The apparatus provides for arranging loose tobacco into tobacco charges and simultaneously inserting the charges into pre-formed tubular cigarette wrappers.
79 Citations
51 Claims
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1. A cigarette manufacturing apparatus, comprising:
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a hopper for containing loose tobacco filler;
a plurality of receptacles beneath the hopper, each receptacle adapted to receive a portion of the tobacco filler;
a cartridge adapted to support a plurality of pre-formed tubular wrappers, each wrapper having a hollow region at one end for receiving the tobacco filler, the cartridge adapted to be placed adjacent the plurality of receptacles such that each of a pre-determined number of the wrappers is aligned with one of the plurality of receptacles; and
a means for delivering the portion of the tobacco filler from the plurality of receptacles into the hollow region of each of the pre-determined number of the wrappers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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11. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the number of receptacles is at least two.
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27. A cigarette manufacturing apparatus, comprising:
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a hopper for containing loose tobacco filler, the hopper comprising four walls in the form of a rectangle, an open top, and a bottom;
a plurality of receptacles beneath the hopper, each receptacle comprising a plurality of V-shaped wells in the bottom of the hopper and adapted to receive a portion of the tobacco filler;
a removable cartridge comprising a plurality of parallel surface grooves, each groove configured to support one of a plurality of pre-formed tubular wrappers, each wrapper having a hollow region at one end for receiving the tobacco filler, the cartridge adapted to be placed and movably maintained adjacent the plurality of receptacles such that each of a pre-determined number of the wrappers is aligned with one of the plurality of receptacles;
a delivery passageway connected to each of the plurality of receptacles for guiding delivery of the portion of the tobacco filler from the receptacles into the wrappers; and
a plurality of auger conveyors, each auger conveyor capable of spiral movement, extending from one of the receptacles into one of the pre-determined number of the wrappers, and adapted for delivering the portion of the tobacco filler from one of the receptacles into the hollow region of one of the pre-determined number of the wrappers. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method for manufacturing cigarettes, comprising:
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introducing at least one loose tobacco filler into a hopper;
providing a plurality of receptacles beneath the hopper, each receptacle adapted to receive a portion of the tobacco filler;
providing a cartridge supporting a plurality of pre-formed tubular wrappers, each wrapper having a hollow region at one end for receiving the portion of the tobacco filler;
positioning the cartridge relative to the receptacles such that a pre-determined number of the wrappers is aligned with and adjacent to one of the plurality of receptacles;
delivering the portion of the tobacco filler from the plurality of receptacles into the hollow region of each of the pre-determined number of the wrappers. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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Specification