U.S. patent application number 14/624146 was filed with the patent office on 2015-08-20 for tobacco composite cigarette tube.
The applicant listed for this patent is Jeffery R. NOAH. Invention is credited to Jeffery R. NOAH.
Application Number | 20150230517 14/624146 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53796885 |
Filed Date | 2015-08-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150230517 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NOAH; Jeffery R. |
August 20, 2015 |
TOBACCO COMPOSITE CIGARETTE TUBE
Abstract
A cigarette blank comprising a tube having a first end and a
second end, wherein the tube is made of reconstituted leaf sheet,
and a filter disposed in the second end of the tube.
Inventors: |
NOAH; Jeffery R.; (Liberty
Township, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NOAH; Jeffery R. |
Liberty Township |
OH |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53796885 |
Appl. No.: |
14/624146 |
Filed: |
February 17, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61940365 |
Feb 14, 2014 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/70 ; 131/331;
131/77 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24C 5/02 20130101; A24C
5/465 20130101; A24D 1/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A24D 1/02 20060101
A24D001/02; A24C 5/02 20060101 A24C005/02; A24C 5/46 20060101
A24C005/46 |
Claims
1. A cigarette blank comprising a. a tube having a first end and a
second end, wherein the tube is made of reconstituted leaf sheet,
and b. a filter disposed in the second end of the tube.
2. The cigarette blank according to claim 1, wherein the
reconstituted leaf sheet contains at least 50% tobacco by
weight.
3. The cigarette blank according to claim 1, wherein the
reconstituted leaf sheet contains between 60% and 80% tobacco by
weight.
4. The cigarette blank according to claim 1, wherein the
reconstituted leaf sheet contains between 65% and 75% tobacco by
weight.
5. A method of making a cigarette comprising a. providing a
cigarette blank having a tube with a first end and a second end, a
filter disposed in the second end of the tube, wherein the tube is
made of reconstituted leaf sheet, b. providing a filling tube
having a first end, a second end, an inside diameter, and an
outside diameter, c. providing a pin sized to fit within said
filling tube, said pin having a first end and a second end, said
second end comprising a guide head, d. inserting said pin into said
filling tube so at least a portion of the guide head of said pin
extends beyond the second end of said filling tube, e. dispensing
the cigarette blank over said guide head and onto said filling
tube, and f. retracting said pin from said filling tube.
6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising ejecting a
cylinder of tobacco into the filling tube.
7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising ejecting a
completed cigarette from said filling tube.
8. A method of making a cigarette comprising the steps of
delivering an amount of tobacco to a tobacco compaction area,
compacting the tobacco, inserting a cigarette blank made of
reconstituted leaf sheet over a filling tube, and injecting a plug
of compacted tobacco into a filling tube with an injection pin
affixed to a slideable pin carrier.
9. The method of making a cigarette according to claim 8, wherein
the compacting step further comprises moving the force multiplying
linkage to an over center position and maintaining that position
for a predetermined period of time.
10. The method of making a cigarette according to claim 8 wherein
the inserting step comprises guiding the blank cigarette tube onto
a filling tube with a guide head.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
application 61/940,365, filed Feb. 14, 2014, the disclosure of
which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to a cigarette blank made
of reconstituted tobacco paper. The invention also relates to
methods of making cigarettes from tubes made of reconstituted
tobacco paper.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Cigarette blanks are empty cigarette tubes that a user
typically fills with tobacco to make a cigarette. Cigarette blanks
typically have a filter, a paper tube, and a tipping paper
surrounding the filter. The paper used to make cigarettes is
typically a wood based paper. Presented here is a cigarette blank
made with a filter, reconstituted tobacco sheet, and tipping
paper.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] This invention relates to a cigarette blank comprising a
tube having a first end and a second end, wherein the tube is made
of reconstituted leaf sheet, and a filter disposed in the second
end of the tube.
[0005] This invention also relates to a method of making a
cigarette comprising providing a cigarette blank having a tube with
a first end and a second end, a filter disposed in the second end
of the tube, wherein the tube is made of reconstituted leaf sheet,
providing a filling tube having a first end, a second end, an
inside diameter, and an outside diameter, providing a pin sized to
fit within said filling tube, said pin having a first end and a
second end, said second end comprising a guide head, inserting said
pin into said filling tube so at least a portion of the guide head
of said pin extends beyond the second end of said filling tube,
dispensing the cigarette blank over said guide head and onto said
filling tube, and retracting said pin from said filling tube.
[0006] This invention further relates to a method of making a
cigarette comprising the steps of delivering an amount of tobacco
to a tobacco compaction area, compacting the tobacco, inserting a
cigarette blank made of reconstituted leaf sheet over a filling
tube, and injecting a plug of compacted tobacco into a filling tube
with an injection pin affixed to a slideable pin carrier.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cigarette making machine
of the invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a side view of the tobacco conveying device of
FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a portion of the cigarette
making machine of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 3B is an enlarged perspective view of a force
multiplying linkage of the invention in the fully extended
position.
[0011] FIG. 3C is a top view of the force multiplying linkage of
FIG. 3B located against a center stop.
[0012] FIG. 3D is a side view of the force multiplying linkage of
FIG. 3B.
[0013] FIG. 3E is a top view of the force multiplying linkage of
FIG. 3B with a force input member retracting.
[0014] FIG. 3F is a top view of the force multiplying linkage of
FIG. 3B in a retracted position.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the cigarette making
machine of FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a pin mechanism of the
invention.
[0017] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a filling tube.
[0018] FIG. 6B is a side view of another filling tube.
[0019] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a guide head and pin.
[0020] FIG. 7B is a side view of another embodiment of the guide
head and pin.
[0021] FIG. 8A is a section view of a filling tube holding
drum.
[0022] FIG. 8B is a section view of a filling tube mounted in a
drum partially receiving a guide head.
[0023] FIG. 8C is a section view of a filling tube mounted in a
drum fully receiving a guide head.
[0024] FIG. 8D is a section view of a filling tube mounted in a
drum fully receiving a guide head showing further a blank cigarette
tube being loaded onto the filling tube.
[0025] FIG. 8E is a section view of a filling tube mounted in a
drum fully receiving a guide head showing further a blank cigarette
tube having been fully loaded on the filling tube.
[0026] FIG. 8F is a section view of an injection pin injecting a
tobacco plug into a filling tube having a blank cigarette tube
loaded onto it.
[0027] FIG. 8G is a section view of a completed cigarette being
ejected from a filling tube.
[0028] FIG. 9 is another partial perspective view of the cigarette
making machine of FIG. 1.
[0029] FIG. 10 is another partial perspective view of the cigarette
making machine of FIG. 1.
[0030] FIG. 11 is another perspective view of a pin mechanism.
[0031] FIG. 12 is another partial perspective view of a cigarette
making machine of the invention.
[0032] FIG. 13A is a section view of a collapsible force input
member of the invention.
[0033] FIG. 13B is a top view of a collapsible force input member
connected to an arm and to a force multiplying linkage.
[0034] FIG. 14 is a section view of a pin connector of the
invention.
[0035] FIG. 15A is a perspective view of a linkage support locking
device of the invention.
[0036] FIG. 15B is a detailed view of a U-shaped pivoting locking
portion showing a roller resting against the backside of a linkage
support.
[0037] FIG. 15C is a detailed view of one embodiment of a distal
end of the first leg of the U-shaped pivoting locking portion.
[0038] FIG. 15D is a detailed view of another embodiment of a
distal end of the first leg of the U-shaped pivoting locking
portion.
[0039] FIG. 15E is a side view of the linkage support locking
device of FIG. 15A.
[0040] FIG. 15F is a top view of the linkage support locking device
of FIG. 15A showing a roller offset from the backside of the
linkage support.
[0041] FIG. 16A is a perspective view of a spring-retained linkage
support system of the invention with the linkage in the center
position.
[0042] FIG. 16B is a top view of the spring-retained linkage
support system of FIG. 16A with a force input member and a linkage
in the retracted position.
[0043] FIG. 16C is a top view of the spring-retained linkage
support system of FIG. 16A with a force input member in the fully
extended position.
[0044] FIG. 16D is a top view of the spring-retained linkage
support system of FIG. 16A with a linkage in the center position on
the return stroke of a force input member.
[0045] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a reduced diameter shaft
injection pin of the invention.
[0046] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a cigarette blank made from
reconstituted tobacco sheet.
[0047] FIG. 19 is an end view of the cigarette blank made from
reconstituted tobacco sheet of FIG. 18.
[0048] FIG. 20 shows the process of making a cigarette blank from
reconstituted tobacco sheet.
[0049] FIG. 21 shows a further process of making a cigarette blank
from reconstituted tobacco sheet.
[0050] FIG. 22 shows a further process of making a cigarette blank
from reconstituted tobacco sheet.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0051] A cigarette making machine 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1. The
machine 10 includes a base 12, a tobacco compaction mechanism 100,
a tobacco conveying device 200, a force multiplying linkage 300, a
filling tube holder 400, a pin mechanism 600, and a blank cigarette
tube loader 700.
[0052] FIG. 2 illustrates the tobacco conveying device 200. The
device 200 generally has an input end 201, a receiving hopper 215,
a tobacco conveying zone 218, a first conveyor 202 having a top end
203 and a lower end 204, and a second conveyor 205 having a top end
206 and a lower end 207. The conveyors 202 and 205 are mounted
between a first side plate 217 and a second side plate (not shown).
Conveyor 202 has a conveyor belt 208, and conveyor 205 has a
conveyor belt 209. The conveyor belts 208 and 209 may have
styrations or fingers on them, allowing the moving belts to grip
the cut tobacco. The top end 203 of the first conveyor 202 and the
top end 206 of the second conveyor 205 communicate with the
receiving hopper 215. Typically, the conveyors 202 and 205 converge
on each other as they move in the direction of arrows 211 and 212,
respectively. At least one electric motor 220 may be used to drive
a gear 222 that drives the first conveyor 203 and the second
conveyor 205 (see FIGS. 1, 2).
[0053] FIG. 4 shows the tobacco compaction mechanism 100 disposed
on a base 12. The tobacco compaction mechanism has a force
transmitting member 304, which here is a slideable compacting plate
102, with a compacting end 104 and a linkage end 106. The
compacting end 104 may also have a compacting die 105. Opposite the
slideable compacting plate is a second compacting plate, also
referred to as a corresponding compacting plate 108, having a
compacting end 110. The corresponding compacting plate may be
slideable or it may be fixed. When the slideable compacting plate
102 is retracted as shown in FIG. 4, the compacting end 104 of the
slideable compacting plate 102, the compacting end 110 of the
corresponding compacting plate 108, and a plate 112 together form a
tobacco compaction area 114. When the slideable compacting plate is
moved in the direction of arrow 197 to its most distal position,
the compacting end 104 of the slideable compacting plate 102 mates
with the compacting end 110 of the corresponding compacting plate
108 to form a compacted tobacco cavity 118.
[0054] In operation, downwardly moving inner sides 213 and 214 of
conveyors 202 and 205, respectively, partially compress cut tobacco
and deliver it to the tobacco compaction area 114 (see FIG. 2). The
conveyors 202 and 205 run for a period of time to deliver an amount
of cut tobacco into the compaction area 114, and then stop. The
amount of tobacco that is delivered into the compaction area 114
may be within a predetermined range, with the exact amount being
established by the operator of the machine depending on individual
preferences, which may include, among other things, the operator's
preferred "draw" of the cigarette. Then, a force input member 340
drives the force multiplying linkage 300, which pushes the
slideable compacting plate 102 toward the corresponding compacting
plate 108, further compacting the tobacco in the compaction area
114 (see FIG. 3A). As the slideable compacting plate 102 moves
toward the corresponding compacting plate 108, a top edge 107 of
the slideable compacting plate 102 meets a cutting edge 264 of a
knife 263 (see FIG. 2). FIG. 2. The cut tobacco in the compaction
area 114 is then sheared from the cut tobacco in the tobacco
conveying zone 218, thereby forming a tobacco plug 265 in the
compacted tobacco cavity 118. Typically, the tobacco plug 265 is
smaller in diameter than an inside diameter of a filling tube and a
blank cigarette tube to allow for insertion of the tobacco plug
into the filling tube and the blank cigarette tube. In one
embodiment, a blank cigarette tube is a paper cigarette tube and
filter without tobacco.
[0055] The plate 112 may also be slideable to allow it to slide
away from the compaction area 114, thereby opening the bottom of
the compaction area. With a slideable plate 112 open, excess
tobacco located in the tobacco conveying zone 218 after a number of
cigarettes have been made may be discharged through the compaction
area 114 and into an excess tobacco receiving hopper (not shown)
located below the compaction area 114. A rod 122 connects the plate
112 to a solenoid 120, which may be used to slide the plate (see
FIGS. 1, 3A). Other mechanisms other than a solenoid, such as an
electrical linear actuator, a pneumatic cylinder, or a wheel with
an offset arm that drives a link, may also be used to slide the
plate 112.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 3A, the tobacco compaction mechanism 100
has a force multiplying linkage 300 that pushes the slideable
compacting plate 102 and is pivotably attached to a supporting
frame 302 by way of a first linkage support 322 and linkage
connector 322. The force multiplying linkage has a first end 305, a
second end 307, a first force output member 308 that has a first
end 310 and a second end 312, and a second force output member 314
that has a first end 316 and a second end 318. The first force
output member 308 and the second force output member 314 may each
have a corresponding force output member 330 and 332, respectively,
to form a double link mechanism. The supporting frame 302 has a
first end 301 and a second end 303. The first end 310 of the first
force output member 308 is pivotably connected to the first end 301
of the supporting frame 302 by way of a linkage support 320. One
method of connecting the first end 310 of the first force output
member 308 to the supporting frame 302 and the linkage support 320
is with a first linkage connector 322 having a linkage end 323 and
an acting end 325 (see FIG. 3B). Here the first linkage connector
322 is a connecting rod. A pin 324 passes through an eye in the
linkage end 323 of the first linkage connector 322 and a hole in
the first end 310 of the first force output member 308 to pivotably
connect the first linkage connector to the first force output
member. The acting end 325 of the first linkage connector 322 is
connected to the linkage support 320.
[0057] The second end 318 of the second force output member 314 is
pivotably connected to a slideable compacting plate 102. One method
of connecting the second end 318 of the second force output member
314 to the slideable compacting plate 102 is with a second linkage
connector 338 having a linkage end 339 and an acting end 345. Here
the second linkage connector is a connecting rod. A pin 334 passes
through an eye in the second linkage connector 338 and a hole in
the second end 318 of the second force output member 314 to
pivotably connect the second linkage connector to the second force
output member. The acting end 345 of the second linkage connector
338 is connected to the slideable compacting plate 102.
[0058] As shown in FIGS. 1, 3A, a first end 341 of the force input
member 340, the second end 312 of the first force output member
308, and the first end 316 of the second force output member 314
are pivotably connected by way of a pin 342 passing through an eye
in the force input member 340, a hole in the second end of the
first force output member, and a hole in the first end of the
second force output member. A second end 343 of the force input
member 340 is connected to an arm, described later. A center stop
350 limits the travel of the force input member in the direction
shown by arrow 352. The center stop may be adjustable by way of a
bolt 354 and nuts 356 and 358 that secure the center stop to a
center stop vertical support 360. The stop may also include a pad
362 for cushioning the first force output member and the second
force output member as they contact the center stop.
[0059] The force multiplying linkage 300 shown in FIG. 3A is in the
retracted position. As the force input member 340 moves in the
direction of arrow 352, the first end 310 of the first force output
member 308 pivots about the pin 324, and the second end 318 of the
second force output member 314 moves in the direction of arrow 197.
The second end 318 of the second force output member 314 moving in
the direction of arrow 197 also moves the slideable compacting
plate 102 in the same direction, compacting any tobacco in the
compaction area 114. When the pins 324, 342, and 334 become axially
aligned, the force multiplying linkage is in its fully extended
position. Thereafter, continued movement of the force input member
340 in the direction of arrow 352 will cause the pin 342 to go over
center, the second end 318 of the second force output member 314 to
retract slightly, and the force multiplying linkage 300 to contact
the center stop 350.
[0060] On the return stroke, the force input member 340 moves in
the direction of arrow 351, pulling the force multiplying linkage
300 away from the center stop 350. The second end 318 of the second
force output member 314 and the slideable plate 102 will move in
the direction of arrow 197 until the pin 342 comes to center and
becomes axially aligned with the pins 324 and 334. Continued
movement of the force input member 340 in the direction of arrow
351 will cause the second end 318 of the second force output member
314 to move toward the first end 310 of the first force output
member 308 in the direction of arrow 198, thereby retracting the
slideable compacting plate 102.
[0061] Typically, an injection pin (described later) passes through
the compacted tobacco cavity 118 when it pushes a tobacco plug 265
out of the compacted tobacco cavity 118 and into a filing tube. If
the injection pin is in the compacted tobacco cavity when the force
input member 340 starts its return stroke, then the injection pin
can become pinched between the slideable compacting plate 102 and
the corresponding compacting plate 108. Methods available to
prevent pinching the injection pin include modifying the size of
the injecting pin and preventing the slideable plate from moving in
the direction of arrow 197 when the force input member 340 is
retracting and moving the force multiplying linkage 300 from its
over-center position against the center stop 350 to the fully
extended position when the pins 324, 342, and 334 are axially
aligned.
[0062] FIG. 17 depicts a reduced diameter shaft injection pin 50
having an acting end 52, a connecting end 54, and a central section
56 disposed therebetween. The acting end 52 has an outside diameter
58 that is approximately the same as the tobacco plug 265 made in
the compacted tobacco cavity 118. The connecting end 54 has a ball
end 60 sized to fit into a socket, which is described later. The
central section 56 that connects the connecting end 54 to the
acting end 52 is a reduced diameter shaft that has an outside
diameter 57 that is less than the outside diameter 58 of the acting
end 52. The reduced diameter of the central section 56 prevents the
injection pin 50 from being pinched in the compacted tobacco cavity
118 during the return stroke of the force input member.
[0063] The operation of the reduced diameter shaft injection pin 50
and how it prevents pinching in the compacted tobacco cavity 118
will now be described. FIG. 8F shows the injection pin 50 loading a
tobacco plug 265 into a filling tube 450 having a blank cigarette
tube 425 disposed on it. The acting end 52 of the injection pin 50
has passed beyond the compacted tobacco cavity 118, formed in part
by the corresponding compacting plate 108, and into the filling
tube 450. After the acting end 52 has passed beyond the compacted
tobacco cavity 118, the force input member 340 typically begins its
return stroke, which causes the slideable compacting plate 102 to
move to its most distal position as the force multiplying linkage
returns to its fully extended position. If the central section 56
of the injection pin 50 was the same diameter as the acting end 52,
as is the case for injection pin 612 shown in FIG. 1, then the
injection pin would be pinched in the compacted tobacco cavity 118
between the slideable compacting plate 102 and the corresponding
compacting plate 108. The reduced diameter of the central section
56 of the injection pin 50 prevents the injection pin from being
pinched.
[0064] By the time the injection pin 50 retracts from the filling
tube and the acting end 52 reaches a forward end 124 of the
compacted tobacco cavity 118, the force input member 340 has
retracted the force multiplying linkage off of the center stop 350
and past its fully extended position, and is moving towards its
most retracted position. As such, the slideable compacting plate
102 has moved from its most distal position and continues to move
in the direction of arrow 198, FIG. 3A, thereby allowing enough
room for the acting end 52 to pass through the compacted tobacco
cavity 118 without being pinched.
[0065] Another way to prevent the slideable plate 102 from pinching
an injection pin is to prevent the slideable plate 102 from moving
in the direction of arrow 197 during the return stroke by use of a
split force output member.
[0066] As shown in FIG. 3B, a force multiplying linkage 306 can
have a second force output member 314 and a first force output
member 363 made from a first link 364 having a first end 366 and a
second end 368 and a second link 370 having a first end 372, a
second end 374, a first side 373, and a second side 375. The first
link 364 may have a lower corresponding link 365 and the second
link 370 may have a lower corresponding link 371. FIG. 3B shows the
first link 364 and the second link 370 in the fully extended
position. A pivotable connector 376 passing through a hole in the
first end 316 of the second force output member 314 and a hole in
the first end 366 of the first link 364 pivotably connects the
first end 366 of the first link 364 to the first end 318 of the
second force output member 314. The pivotable connector 376 also
pivotably connects the first end 341 of the force input member 340
to the force multiplying linkage. Here, the pivotable connector is
a bolt and a nut, but other pivotable connectors, such as pins, may
also be used.
[0067] The second end 368 of the first link 364 is pivotably
connected to the first end 372 of the second link 370 by a
pivotable connector 378. Here, the pivotable connector 378 is a
bolt, but another pivotable connector, such as a pin, may also be
used. The second end 374 of the second link 370 is pivotably
connected to the first linkage connector 322 by a pivotable
connector 382 passing through an eye in the linkage end 323 of the
first linkage connector 322 and through a hole in the second end
374 of the second link 370. The acting end 325 of the first linkage
connector 322 is connected to the linkage support 320. Here, the
pivotable connector 382 is a bolt, but another pivotable connector,
such as a pin, may also be used.
[0068] As shown in FIGS. 3B and 3D, a first stop 380 is affixed to
the second side 375 of the second link 370. Here, the first stop
380 is a stop pin that is affixed to the second link 370 and passes
through the second link 370. A portion 386 of the first stop 380
extends beyond a lower surface 384 of the second link 370. A second
stop pin 381 may be included in the lower corresponding link 371.
An outer angle theta is defined by the first link and the second
link. When the first link 364 and the second link 370 are in the
fully extended position, a lower portion 386 of the first stop 380
rests against the second end 368 of the first link 364 at a stop
point 388, thereby limiting the angle theta. Typically the angle
theta is limited to between 150 and 210 degrees, more typically
between 160 and 200 degrees, more typically between 170 and 190
degrees, more typically between 175 and 185 degrees, and most
typically between 178 and 183 degrees. FIG. 3B shows an angle theta
that is approximately 180 degrees.
[0069] A first travel limiter 392 is positioned adjacent the center
stop 350 and stops the pivoting travel of the second link 370 about
the pivotable connector 382 and the first linkage connector 322.
The pivoting travel is stopped when a front end 393 of the first
travel limiter 392 contacts the first side 373 at the front end 372
of the second link 370 at an approximate location 371 while the
force input member 340 is moved in the direction of arrow 394.
Typically, the first travel limiter stops the pivoting travel of
the second link 370 about the pivotable connector 382 when the
pivotable connectors 376, 378, and 382 are aligned, resulting in
the first end 366 of the first link 364 and the second link 370
being at their fully extended position, creating an angle theta of
180 degrees. But the first travel limiter may stop the pivoting of
the second link at other positions also.
[0070] FIG. 3C shows that as the force input member continues to
move in the direction of arrow 394 after the second link 370 has
been stopped by the first travel limiter 392, the angle theta
between the first link 364 and the second link 370 is reduced.
Here, the angle theta becomes less than 180 degrees. Additionally,
an angle phi that was 180 degrees when the second force output
member 314, the first link 364 and the second link 370 were in
there fully extended positions, becomes less than 180 degrees as
shown in FIG. 3C. With the angles theta and phi less than 180
degrees, the first link 364, second link 370 and second force
output member 314 are not at their fully extended positions and the
slideable compacting plate 102 has refracted from its most distal
position.
[0071] When the force input member 340 retracts, the first link 364
and the second link 370 remain pivoted at an angle theta of less
than 180 degrees. And because they are free to pivot inwardly more,
the angle theta may be further reduced. As such, the first force
output member 308, the first link 364, and the second link 370 do
not return to their fully extended position during the return
stroke of the force input member 340. Thus, the slideable
compacting plate 102 does not move to its most distal position
during the return stroke of the force input member 340, thereby
preventing it from binding an injection pin in the compacted
tobacco cavity 118.
[0072] FIG. 3E shows that during the return stroke of the force
input member, the second link 370 encounters a second travel
limiter 396, which limits the pivoting travel of the second end 374
of the second link 370 on the pivot 382. As a face 397 of the
second travel limiter 396 interacts with the second side 375 of the
second link 370, the pivoting travel is stopped. As the force input
member continues to retract in the direction of arrow 398, the
first link 364 rotates in the direction of arrow 395 until the
lower portion 386 of the first stop 380 rests against the second
end 368 of the first link 364 at a stop point 388. The force input
member is then typically in a fully retracted position as shown in
FIG. 3F.
[0073] Instead of the first force output member having a first and
second link to prevent the slideable plate 102 from moving in the
direction of arrow 197 during the return stroke of the force input
member 340, the second force output member 314 may have a first and
second link operating in a manner similar to the first and second
link of the first force output member. Additionally, both the first
force output member and the second force output member may each
have a first and second link to prevent the slideable plate 102
from moving in the direction of arrow 197 during the return stroke
of the force input member 340.
[0074] FIGS. 15A through 15F show another way that the first force
output member 308 and the second force output member 314 may be
configured to prevent the slideable plate 102 from moving in the
direction of arrow 197 during the return stroke of the force input
member 340. A linkage support locking device 150 having a U-shaped
pivoting locking portion 154 with an end section 164 is pivotably
mounted to the supporting frame 302 by way of a supporting flange
152 with a pivot pin 156.
[0075] The U-shaped pivoting locking portion 154 has a first leg
160 and a second leg 162 that straddle the first force output
member 308 and a linkage support 166. The first leg 160 is adjacent
to a first side 328 of the force multiplying linkage and the second
leg 162 is adjacent to a second side 326 of the force multiplying
linkage. The linkage support 166 has an upper end 168 that is
connected to the first force output member 308 by way of the first
linkage connector 322 and a lower end 170 that is hingeably
connected to the supporting frame by hinge 158. A distal end 174 of
the first leg 160 has a hook 176 that locks about a pin 178 mounted
in the supporting frame 302 and a roller 180 that is coplanar with
the corresponding link 330 and interacts with the first side 328 of
the force multiplying linkage (see FIGS. 15A, 15B). One embodiment
of a hook 176 is shown by portion 183 and has a pin receiving
portion 182 for receiving the pin 178 and an inclined portion 184
(see FIG. 15C). The pin receiving portion 182 may be semicircular
with a knob 186 for holding the pin 178. Another embodiment of the
hook is shown by portion 175 in FIG. 15D. Here, the hook has an
inclined portion 179, a knob or transition point 181, and a pin
receiving portion 177.
[0076] Referring back to FIG. 15A, a distal end 187 of the second
leg 162 has a roller 188 that is coplanar with the corresponding
link 330 and interacts with the second side 326 of the force
multiplying linkage. The end section 164 of the U-shaped pivoting
locking member 154 has a roller 190 that interacts with the linkage
support 166.
[0077] When the force input member 340 is in a fully retracted
position, the second side 326 of the force multiplying linkage
rests against the roller 188, and the pin 178 is located in the pin
receiving portion 182. The roller 190 interacts against a backside
192 of the linkage support 166, preventing the linkage support 166
from moving in the direction of arrow 194.
[0078] As the force input member 340 moves in the direction of
arrow 394, the first force output member 308 and the second force
output member 314 push the slideable compacting plate 102 in the
direction of arrow 197 and arrive in their fully extended position
where the pins 376, 334, and 382 are aligned and the pin 376, the
second end 312 of the first force output member 308, and the first
end 316 of the second force output member 314 are in the center
position. The fully extended position of the first force output
member 308 and the second force output member 314 also correspond
to the slideable compacting plate 102 being at its most distal
position, thereby fully compacting the tobacco in the compacted
tobacco cavity 118.
[0079] As the force input member 340 continues to move in the
direction of arrow 394, the pin 376, the second end 312 of the
first force output member 308, and the first end 316 of the second
force output member 314 move over center towards the center stop
350. As the pin 376, second end 312, and first end 316 move over
center, a first side 328 of the force multiplying linkage 300
contacts the roller 180. Also, once the pin 376, second end 312,
and first end 316 move over center, they pull the slideable
compacting plate in the direction of arrow 198 away from its most
distal position. Continued motion of the force input member 340 in
the direction of arrow 394 causes the first side 328 of the force
multiplying linkage 300 to push against the roller 180, pivoting
the U-shaped pivoting locking portion 154 about the pivot 156, and
disengaging the pin 178 from the pin receiving portion 182. As the
U-shaped pivoting locking portion 154 pivots in the direction of
arrow 193, the roller 190 moves away from backside 192 of the
linkage support 166. The linkage support 166 is then free to pivot
about the hinge 158 and move in the direction of arrow 194.
[0080] FIG. 15F shows the U-shaped pivoting locking portion 154
pivoted about the pivot 156 in the direction of arrow 194. Also
shown is pin receiving portion 182 having moved away from the pin
178 and the roller 190 having moved away from the backside 192 of
the linkage support 166, thereby allowing the linkage support to
pivot in the direction of arrow 194. A gap 191 can then be observed
between the linkage support 166 and the supporting frame 302.
[0081] As the force input member 340 moves in the direction of
arrow 398 on the return stroke, the pivoting action of the linkage
support 166 in the direction of arrow 194 allows the slideable
compacting plate 102 to maintain its current position rather than
returning to its most distal position when the first force input
member 308 and the second force input member 314 are in their most
extended positions. Thus, pivoting action of the linkage support
166 prevents the slideable plate from pinching the injection
pin.
[0082] As the force input member 340 continues retracting in the
direction of arrow 398, the second side 326 contacts the roller
188. Continued motion of the force input member 340 in the
direction of arrow 398 causes the second side 326 of the
corresponding force output member 330 to push the roller 188, and
thus the distal end 187 of the second leg, in the direction of
arrow 398. The U-shaped pivoting locking portion 154 then pivots
about pivot 156 in the direction of arrow 199, causing the roller
190 to push the linkage support 166 in the direction of arrow 195
as it moves back against the backside 192 of the linkage support
166. When the force input member 340 reaches its retracted
position, the pin 178 rests in the pin receiving portion 182 and
the roller 190 rests against the backside 192 of the linkage
support 166, preventing it from moving in the direction of arrow
194 during the next forward stroke of the force input member.
[0083] FIG. 16A shows another type of mechanism that may be used to
prevent the slideable compacting plate 102 from pinching an
injection pin in the compacted tobacco cavity 118 on the return
stroke of the force input member 340. A spring-retained linkage
support system 270 has a hinged linkage support 272 with a linkage
end 274 and a hinged end 276. The hinged end 276 is pivotably
connected to the supporting frame 302 by a hinge 292. A spring
holder 268 has a rod 278 having a distal end 286 with a spring
retainer 280 and an opposite end that passes through a hole 282 in
the hinged linkage support 272 and is affixed to the supporting
frame 302. Here, the rod is threaded into the supporting frame 302,
but other methods of affixing the rod to the supporting frame, such
as welding, may also be used. The spring retainer 280 biases a
spring 284 against the hinged linkage support 272.
[0084] The spring retainer 280 has a nut 288 and a washer 290. The
pressure the spring exerts on the hinged linkage support 272 may be
adjusted by way of threading the nut 288 in or out on the threaded
distal end 286 of the rod 278.
[0085] In FIG. 16B, the force input member 340 is shown in a fully
retracted position. In the fully retracted position, the distance
between a reference point 344 and a front edge 349 of the slideable
compacting plate 102 is shown as 346. As the force input member 340
moves in the direction of arrow 394, the first force output member
308 and the second force output member 314 push the slideable
compacting plate 104 in the direction of arrow 197 and arrive in
their fully extended position where the pins 376, 334, and 382 are
aligned and the pin 376, the second end 312 of the first force
output member 308, and the first end 316 of the second force output
member 314 are in the center position (see FIG. 16A). The fully
extended position of the first force output member 308 and the
second force output member 314 also correspond to the slideable
compacting plate 102 being at its most distal position with a
distance 336 being greater than the distance 346, thereby
compacting the tobacco into a tobacco plug. The spring 284 exerts
sufficient pressure on the hinged linkage support 272 to compact
the tobacco in the compacted tobacco cavity 118 before the hinged
linkage support 272 pivots away from the supporting frame in the
direction of arrow 242.
[0086] As the force input member 340 continues to move in the
direction of arrow 394, the pin 376, the second end 312 of the
first force output member 308, and the first end 316 of the second
force output member 314 move over center towards the center stop
350. As shown in FIG. 16C, once the pin 376, second end 312, and
first end 316 move over center, they pull the slideable compacting
plate in the direction of arrow 198 away from its most distal
position, resulting in a distance 348 being less than the distance
336. The pin 376, the second end 312 of the first force output
member 308, and the first end 316 of the second force output member
314 then rest against the center stop 350.
[0087] FIG. 16D shows the fully extended position of the force
multiplying linkage when the force input member 340 is on its
return stroke. Concurrently, an injection pin 612 has moved into
the compacted tobacco cavity 118 to inject a tobacco plug into a
filling tube (not shown). As the force multiplying mechanism moves
to the fully extended position, the slideable compacting plate 102
moves against the injection pin 612. When the slideable compacting
plate 102 hits the injection pin 612, spring 284 compresses to
allow the hinged linkage support 272 to pivot away from the
supporting frame 302 on the hinge 292 so that the slideable
compacting plate 102 does not bind the injection pin in the
compacted tobacco cavity. A gap 294 shows that the hinged linkage
support 272 has pivoted away from the supporting frame 302.
Typically a distance 347 is less than the distance 336 by an amount
equal to a gap 294 between the supporting frame 302 and the hinged
linkage support 272. As the force input member 340 continues to
move in the direction of arrow 398, the slideable compacting plate
102 pulls away from the injection pin 612 and the spring biases the
hinged linkage support 272 against the supporting frame 302.
[0088] FIG. 1 shows a pin mechanism 600 affixed to the base 12. As
shown in FIG. 5, the pin mechanism 600 has a pin carrier support
structure 602 having slide receivers 605 and 606 and slides 607 and
609. Slides 607 and 609 are affixed to a vertical portion 611 of
the pin carrier support structure 602. A slideable pin carrier 604
having slide receivers 620 and 622 and slides 608 and 610 is
slideably mounted to the pin carrier support structure 602 by way
of slides 608 and 610 passing through slide receivers 605 and 606
and slides 607 and 609 passing through slide receivers 620 and
622.
[0089] Arm 626 connects a drive pin 624 to a pin 628 that is offset
a distance from the center of a wheel 630 by arm 625. As the wheel
630 rotates, the rotational motion is converted to a linear motion
by arm 626, thereby driving the slideable pin carrier 604 back and
forth as shown by double arrow 632.
[0090] The slideable pin carrier 604 has a plurality of pins,
including an injection pin 612, a guide pin 614 having a guide head
615, an ejection pin 616, and a cleaning pin 618. The slideable pin
carrier may have more or less pins, depending on the needs of the
tobacco making machine. Typically, during operation, the injection
pin 612 is aligned with the compacted tobacco cavity 118.
[0091] The pins typically slide through the filling tubes, and as
they do so they may rub against the sides of the filling tubes if
they are too rigid. One way to reduce friction between the pins and
the filling tubes is to allow the pins to pivot on the slideable
pin carrier. One apparatus utilizes a ball and socket joint to
allow the pins to pivot. FIG. 14 shows a connector 654 having a
mounting end 656 and a connecting end 658. The connecting end 658
includes a nut 666, a locknut 667, a male-threaded portion 657 for
receiving the nut 666, and a first semicircular portion 662. The
nut 666 has female threads 668 and a second semicircular portion
664. The first semicircular portion 662 and the second semicircular
portion 664 define a socket 672 in the connecting end. The mounting
end 656 contains female threads 659 for receiving a bolt 674 which
affixes the connector 654 to the slideable pin carrier 604. Other
methods of affixing the mounting end 656 of the connector 654 to
the pin carrier may also be used.
[0092] FIG. 14 shows a representative pin 650 having an acting end
655 and a connecting end 652. Depending on the configuration of the
acting end of the pin, the pin may be a guide pin 614, an injection
pin 612, a cleaning pin 618, an ejection pin 610, or any other type
of pin. Here, the connecting end is a ball sized to fit in the
socket 672. The ball and socket design allows the pin two degrees
of freedom, as represented by the y and z axis of 676.
Alternatively, other means of connecting the connecting end of the
pin to the slideable pin carrier may also be used to provide two
degrees of freedom to the pin. For example, instead of the
connecting end of the pin 650 having the ball and the connecting
end of the connector having a socket, the connecting end 652 of the
pin may have a socket and the connecting end of the connector may
have a ball. Also, other methods of connecting a pin to the pin
carrier, such as a spring, may also be used to provide two or more
degrees of freedom to the pin.
[0093] FIG. 6A illustrates a filling tube 450 having a first end
451, a second end 452, an inside diameter 453, and an outside
diameter 454. Other shapes of tubes may be used as filling tubes,
including square or octagonal shaped tubes. The first end 451 of
the filling tube may have a shoulder 455 for securing the filling
tube 450 to a filling tube holder (not shown). Alternatively, a
filling tube may be secured to a filling tube holder (not shown) by
other means, such as press fit, welded, or threaded connections.
FIG. 6B shows an embodiment of the filling tube 459 without a
shoulder that may be press fit or welded to a filling tube holder
(not shown). The first end 451, may have a taper 458 from the first
end 451 outside diameter 456 to the inside diameter 453 for
receiving a guide head 470.
[0094] FIG. 7A illustrates an embodiment of a guide head 470. The
guide head 470 has a distal end 471 and a proximal end 472 and is
sized to fit within the inside diameter 453 of the filling tube
450. The proximal end 472 of the guide head 470 has fastening means
473 for attaching the guide head 470 to a pin 474 having a
complimentary fastening means 475. The fastening means 474 and 475
can be a threaded connection, a press fit, or other methods known
to those of ordinary skill in the art. Additionally, the guide head
470 and the pin 474 may be fabricated from a single piece of
material. The distal end 471 of the guide head 470 has a
substantially conical head 476. A largest diameter 477 of the
conical head 476 is typically equal to or greater than the outer
diameter 454 of the filling tube 450. Therefore, the conical head
476 is collapsible to enable it to pass through the filling tube
450 and exit out the second end 452 of the filling tube 450.
[0095] Various means may be used to provide a collapsible guide
head. In the embodiment 470 shown in FIG. 7A, a plurality
longitudinal slots 465 are cut from a tip 478 of the conical head
476 to a slot termination location 467. The slots typically
terminate at a radius 466 to reduce stresses that the slots may
induce into the guide head material and thereby prevent self
propagation of the slots toward the proximal end 472 of the guide
head 470. The guide head 470 may be made from a variety of
materials, including plastics and metals. Typically, one may use a
hardened steel, such as 01 steel hardened to 58-60 Rockwell C, for
the guide head. Other means, such as a flexible rubber guide head,
a polymer guide head, or an inflatable guide head may be used to
produce a collapsible guide head.
[0096] FIG. 7B illustrates an embodiment of a pin 462 with guide
head 463 in which the outside diameters of the pin 462 and the
guide head 463 are equal to or less then the inside diameter 453 of
the filling tube 450. In this embodiment, the guide head 463 does
not need to collapse to pass through the filling tube 450.
[0097] FIG. 8A shows a filling tube holder 400 comprising a drum
401 having a first end 402 and a second end 403. The first end 402
of the drum 401 has a plurality of holes 404 and 405 for receiving
a plurality of filling tubes 450. Other holes (not shown) for
receiving filling tubes may also be disposed on the first end 402
of the drum 401.
[0098] This description describes filling tube 450 and the features
in the drum 401 associated with filling tube 450. Other filling
tubes mounted in the drum will typically be mounted in a similar
manner, and the drum typically will have similar features for each
of the other filling tubes. One method of attaching a filling tube
450 to a drum 401 is a clamping device 408 for clamping against the
shoulder 455 on the first end 451 of the filling tube 450.
Alternatively, other means for attaching the filling tubes to a
filling tube holder may be used. For example, the filling tubes and
the plurality of holes in the holder for receiving the filling
tubes may be threaded. Also, the filling tubes may be threaded to
receive a nut after passing through a hole in the drum.
Additionally, other methods instead of a drum may be used for
holding a plurality of tubes, for instance, the filling tubes may
be mounted on a plate or on a belt.
[0099] Axially aligned with the filling tube hole 404 is a conical
directing hole 411 having a proximal end 412 and a distal end 413.
The distal end 413 of the cone shaped hole defines the larger
diameter of the cone, and the diameter of the proximal end of the
cone shaped hole is slightly larger than the outside diameter of a
blank cigarette tube (discussed later).
[0100] FIG. 8B is a partial section view of the drum 401 having the
filling tube 450 into which the guide head 470, typically attached
to a pin (not shown), is passing. As the conical head 476 of the
guide head 470 passes into the first end 451 of the filling tube
450, the filling tube 450 squeezes the guide head 470, thereby
collapsing guide head 470 and allowing the largest diameter 477 of
the guide head 470 to be less than the inside diameter 453 of the
filling tube 450.
[0101] FIG. 8C is a partial section view of the drum 401 having the
filling tube 450 through which the conical head 476 of the guide
head 470, typically attached to a pin (not shown), has passed. The
conical head 476, having passed through the second end 452 of the
filling tube 450, can be observed in its relaxed state with the
large diameter 477 of the guide head 470 now equal to or greater
than the outside diameter 454 of the filling tube 450.
[0102] FIG. 8D illustrates a blank cigarette tube 425 being loaded
onto the filling tube 450. The conical head 476 extends beyond the
filling tube 450. The blank cigarette tube loader 700 (described
later) induces a force on a filter end 426 of a blank cigarette
tube 425, causing the blank cigarette tube 425 to move toward the
conical head 476 of the guide head 470. In this illustration, an
open end 427 of the blank cigarette tube 425 has been damaged,
resulting in the normal circular shape of the end of the blank
cigarette tube 425 becoming oblong. As the blank cigarette tube 425
moves toward the guide head 470, the proximal end 412 of the
conical hole 411 in the drum 401 will operate to return the
oblonged open end 427 of the blank cigarette tube 425 to a more
circular shape. The blank cigarette tube 425 continues through the
conical hole 411, over the conical head 476, and then onto the
filling tube 450.
[0103] FIG. 8E is similar to FIG. 8D, with the exception that the
blank cigarette tube 425 has been fully inserted on the filling
tube 450. Thereafter, the guide head 470 is removed from the
filling tube 450 by withdrawing it out through the first end 451 of
the filling tube 450. The filling tube 450 and blank cigarette tube
425 are then ready to receive the tobacco plug 265 prepared by the
previously discussed tobacco compaction mechanism 100.
[0104] FIG. 8G illustrates an ejection pin 616 ejecting a completed
cigarette tube 430, having been filled with a tobacco plug 265,
from the filling tube 450.
[0105] As shown in FIG. 12, the drum is driven and timed with a
Geneva drive. Other types of driving and timing mechanisms may also
be used. The Geneva drive translates the continuous rotary motion
of a drum drive shaft 750 into intermittent rotary motion. The drum
has a plurality of drum plates 752 with semicircular cutouts 754
and a slot 756 between each plate. A drive wheel 758 has a roller
760 with a diameter corresponding to the width of the slots 756 and
a semicircular plate 762 with dimensions corresponding to the
semicircular cutouts of the drum plates. As the drive wheel
rotates, the roller 760 enters slot 756, thereby rotating the drum
forward. As the drive wheel continues to rotate, the roller exits
the slot, and a leading edge 761 of the semicircular plate 762
engages in the semicircular cutout 754, holding the drum in
position until the pin engages the next slot and the process is
repeated.
[0106] Referring now to FIG. 9, in operation, a motor 502 drives a
gear reducer 504. An output shaft 506 from the gear reducer 504 has
a first beveled gear 508 and a force input member wheel 510 mounted
to it. As shown in FIG. 13B, the wheel 510 has a center 513 and a
force input member arm 515 having a pin 511 that is offset a
distance from the center of the wheel. The second end 343 of the
force input member 340 is pivotable connected to the arm 515 by pin
511. The force input member 340 has a dwell mechanism that allows
the force multiplying linkage to be at an over center position
against the center stop 350 for a predetermined period of time
during continued rotation of the wheel 510. One method of
incorporating dwell is using a spring loaded force input member
340.
[0107] FIG. 13A shows a force input member 340 that is collapsible
to allow a dwell time for the force multiplying linkage. The force
input member 340 includes a first portion 552 with a receiving
section 554 that slideably receives a second portion 556. A spring
558 is disposed between a first retainer 560 that is attached to
the first portion 552 and a second retainer 562 that is attached to
the second portion 556. The second portion 556 has a slot 564
having a first end 566 and a second end 568 sized to receive a pin
570 that is attached to the first portion 552. The force input
member 340 shown in FIG. 13A is in the collapsed position, as
indicated by the pin 570 resting against the first end 566 of the
slot 564. When the force input member 340 is in the extended
position, the pin 570 will rest against the second end 568 of the
slot 564.
[0108] FIG. 13B shows the second end 343 of the force input member
340 connected to a pin 511 of the wheel 510 and the first end 341
of the force input arm 340 connected to the force multiplying
linkage 300. As the wheel 510 rotates in the direction of arrow
576, the force input arm 340 is typically in the extended position
until the pin 511 reaches a location 572. When the pin reaches the
location 572, the force multiplying linkage hits the center stop
350, which prevents further travel of the force multiplying linkage
in the direction of arrow 394. As the wheel 510 continues to
rotate, the spring 558 is compressed. The force input arm 340 is in
a compressed position, as shown in FIG. 13A, when the pin reaches a
location 573. The spring remains compressed until the pin 511 of
the wheel 510 reaches a location 574, by which time the force input
member 340 has returned to its extended position. The collapsible
force input member 340 allows the force multiplying linkage to
remain, or dwell, in its position against the center stop 350 as
the pin 511 moves from location 572 to location 574.
[0109] Referring to FIGS. 9 through 11, the first beveled gear 508
drives a second beveled gear 512 that is attached to a shaft 514.
The shaft 514 passes through shaft support 516 and has a third
beveled gear 518 affixed to it opposite the second beveled gear
512. The third beveled gear 518 mates with a fourth beveled gear
520 that is mounted on a shaft 522. The shaft 522 passes through
shaft support 526 and has a fifth beveled gear 524 affixed to
it.
[0110] A sixth beveled gear 527 (not shown) meshes with the fifth
beveled gear 524 and is affixed to one end of a shaft 528. A
seventh beveled gear 529 is affixed to the shaft 528 opposite the
beveled gear 527. An eighth beveled gear 530 meshes with the
seventh beveled gear 529 and is affixed to a shaft 531 that passes
through the pin carrier support 602 and has a wheel 630 with an arm
625 affixed to it opposite the sixth beveled gear 530. The arm 625
is connected to the slideable pin carrier 604 by an arm 626. The
shaft 750 that drives the drive plate 758 of the Geneva drive
mechanism has a beveled gear (not shown) also interacting with the
sixth beveled gear 527.
[0111] Typically, one rotation of the output shaft 506 will result
in one cigarette being made. Because, the output shaft typically
rotates a full revolution without stopping and some mechanisms
require dwell time in certain positions, various timing and dwell
mechanisms may be used.
[0112] The cigarette making machine may also be manually driven by
turning a hand wheel 550. A shaft 578 passes through support 580
and connects the hand wheel 550 to a beveled gear 582. Instead of
using the motor 502 to drive the cigarette making machine, an
operator may use the hand wheel 550 to drive the beveled gear 582,
which in turn operates the cigarette making machine.
[0113] Other methods may also be used to drive the cigarette making
machine. For example, instead of the multiple beveled gears, one
motor may be used to drive the wheel 510 that operates the force
input member 340 to drive the force multiplying linkage 300, one
motor may be used to drive the wheel 630 that drives the slideable
pin carrier, and one motor may be used to drive the driven wheel of
the Geneva gear, which drives the drum 401. When multiple motors
are used instead of a single motor with beveled gears to drive and
time the various operations, a timing mechanism is used to
synchronize the motors. The timing mechanism may be components on a
PCB, a PLC, or other various sensors or timers. Also, linear
actuators may be used in place of at least some of the motors. For
example, a linear actuator may be used in place of the wheel 510
and the force input member 340 to drive the force multiplying
linkage and a linear actuator may be used in place of the wheel 630
and arm 626 to drive the slideable pin carrier. When linear
actuators are used, a timing mechanism such as timers, components
on a PCB, a PLC, or other various sensors or timers may be used to
synchronize the linear actuators.
[0114] FIG. 12 shows the cigarette making machine having a blank
cigarette tube loader 700. The blank cigarette tube loader 700 has
a slideable body 702 comprising a body 704 with a handle 706 and a
pusher 708. A blank cigarette tube loader base 710 carries a guide
712 on which the body 704 slides. A spring 714 operates against a
stop 716 affixed to the blank cigarette tube loader base 710. A
trough 726 is sized to receive a blank cigarette tube 425.
[0115] To operate the blank cigarette tube loader, a user places a
blank cigarette tube 425 into the trough 726. Then, by pushing the
handle 706 in the direction of arrow 728, the pusher 708 pushes the
blank cigarette tube 425 onto the filling tube 450. The spring 714
assists the user in returning the handle 706 to the start position
after loading a blank cigarette tube onto a filling tube.
[0116] An arm 718 having a cigarette stop 720 may also be affixed
to the blank cigarette tube loader base 710. The cigarette stop
prevents a blank cigarette tube 425 from being pushed off of the
filling tube 450 when it is being loaded with a tobacco plug by the
injection pin 612. The stop 720 may also be adjustable. For
example, the stop 720 has a bolt 722 secured with a lock-nut 724
and passing through a threaded hole in the arm 718. The cigarette
stop may be mounted to structures other than the arm 718 and still
perform the same function.
[0117] To operate the cigarette making machine, a user pushes a
button to cause the motor 502 to drive the slideable pin carrier
604 in the direction of arrow 619 (see FIG. 1) to a forward
position shown so that the guide head 615, which guides the blank
cigarette tube 425 onto the filling tube 450, of the guide pin 614
passes through the filling tube 450 as shown in FIGS. 8C and 8D.
The user then inserts a blank cigarette tube 425 located at a
station 414 (see FIG. 12) over a filling tube 450 mounted to a drum
using the blank cigarette tube loader 700. Alternatively, the user
could insert the blank cigarette tube 425 over the filling tube 450
manually without using the blank cigarette tube loader.
[0118] The user then presses a start button to begin a cigarette
making cycle. First, slideable pin carrier 604 retracts in the
direction of arrow 621 (see FIG. 1) and the tobacco conveying
device 200 conveys a predetermined amount of tobacco to the
compaction area 114. The rotating output shaft 506 drives the wheel
510, causing the force input member 340 to drive the force
multiplying mechanism 300. The force multiplying mechanism 300
slides the slideable compacting plate 102 in the direction of 197,
causing the compacting end 104 to compact the tobacco in the
compaction area 114 into a compacted tobacco plug 265 in the
compacted tobacco cavity 118.
[0119] While the tobacco compaction mechanism 100 is compacting the
tobacco, the Geneva drive mechanism rotates the drum 401 to move
the filling tube with the previously loaded blank cigarette tube to
station 416 where it is axially aligned with the compacted tobacco
plug 265 located in the compacted tobacco cavity 118 (see FIG.
12).
[0120] Referring also to FIG. 1, the slideable pin carrier 604 then
moves forward in the direction of arrow 619, causing the injection
pin 612, which is axially aligned with the compacted tobacco cavity
118, to inject the tobacco plug 265 into the filling tube 450.
Because the injection pin 612 and the guide pin 614 with the guide
head 615 are both attached to the slideable pin carrier 604, the
guide head passes through the filling tube located at station 414
at the same time the injection pin 612 injects the tobacco plug
265. The motor then pauses to allow the user to load another blank
cigarette tube onto the adjacent filling tube.
[0121] The user again pushes the start button after loading a blank
cigarette tube onto the filling tube located at station 414. The
cycle of retracting the slideable pin carrier 604, conveying and
compacting the tobacco, and injecting the tobacco then begins
again. During this cycle, filling tube having the first loaded tube
moves to location 418.
[0122] The machine pauses again to allow a user to load another
blank cigarette tube onto a filling tube at location 414. Pressing
the start button, another cycle is run. During this cycle, the
first loaded tube moves to station 420 and a completed cigarette is
ejected by the ejection pin 616 when the slideable pin carrier 604
moves in the direction of arrow 619. Alternatively, another cycle
could be completed and the cigarette could be ejected at station
422.
[0123] During each cycle, the cleaning pin 617 is pushed through
and cleans the filling tube located at station 424 when the
slideable pin carrier 604 moves in the direction of arrow 619.
Thus, the filling tube is cleaned before it moves forward to
station 414, where it is loaded with a blank cigarette tube. While
a typical blank cigarette tube is made from a wood based paper, the
blank cigarette tube may be made from reconstituted tobacco leaf
sheet.
[0124] A cigarette blank 10 made with reconstituted leaf sheet is
shown in FIG. 18. The cigarette blank 10 has a filter end 12 having
a filter 14 and a fillable end 16. At least the fillable end is
made from reconstituted leaf sheet 18 and is hollow for receiving
tobacco or other smokable material. Tipping paper 13 surrounds the
reconstituted tobacco paper at the filter end 12. The tipping paper
protects the reconstituted leaf sheet from degradation from saliva
while a user is smoking a cigarette and is typically designed not
to stick to a smoker's lips. FIG. 19 shows an end view of the
filter end of the cigarette blank 10 of FIG. 18 showing the filter
14, reconstituted leaf sheet 18, and tipping paper 13.
[0125] Traditional cigarette tubes are made from thin-tissue like
paper based on wood products. With reconstituted leaf sheet, the
user is provided a more tobacco like smoke product because the user
is not burning wood when smoking the cigarette.
[0126] The reconstituted leaf sheet is typically made from tobacco
fines, tobacco stems, and tobacco particles that are collected at
any stage of tobacco processing that are processed and formed into
a sheet product. The reconstituted leaf sheet typically contains
between about 50% and 99% tobacco, more typically between about 60%
and 80% tobacco, more typically between about 65% and 75% tobacco,
and most typically about 67% tobacco with the balance being binders
and fillers. While not limiting the scope or properties of
reconstituted leaf sheet, one example of reconstituted leaf sheet
has the following properties:
TABLE-US-00001 Property Units Minimum Target Maximum Bone Dry Basis
g/m.sup.2 42.6 43.3 44.0 Weight Porosity CORESTA 10.0 25.0 40.0 MD
Tensile g/in 1,600 2,050 Moisture % 9.3 10.5 11.7 Filler % 15.0
18.0 21.0 Tobacco Content % 67.0
[0127] Typically, one specification for cigarette tubes
manufactured from reconstituted leaf sheet are as follows:
TABLE-US-00002 Feature Specification Tolerance (+/-) Tube Diameter
8.1 mm 0.5 mm Tube Circumference 25.44 mm 0.25 mm Tube Length 84 mm
1.0 mm Tube Weight 300 mg 10 mg Filter Length 20 mm 1.0 mm Filter
Pdrop @120 mm 1 g 300 mm/H.sub.2O 15 mm/H.sub.2O Filter Weight 895
mg 10 mg Filter Tow (Denier) 3.4 0.3 g/9000 m Total Denier per
filament 31,000 1800 g/9000 m Filter Ventilation None Filter
Density 126 mg/cc 10 mg/cc Filter PZ 60 mg/100 m 2% Tobacco Wrapper
Size 28 mm .times. 84 mm 1.0 mm Long Tobacco Wrapper CU 25 CU 15 CU
Tobacco Wrapper weight 43.3 g/m.sup.2 0.7 g/m.sup.2 Tipping Paper
Size 28 mm .times. 24 mm 1.0 mm Tipping Paper Permeability 0 CU 0
CU
[0128] A typical king sized cigarette, described above, is 84 mm
long. Other larger and smaller cigarettes may also be make using
reconstituted leaf sheet, including a 100 mm tube, which typically
has an overall length of 100 mm and is made with a filter 25 mm
long.times.8.1 mm diameter tipping paper 30 mm long.times.28 mm
diameter, and reconstituted leaf sheet 100 mm long.times.28 mm
diameter.
[0129] The reconstituted leaf sheet cigarette blanks are typically
made on a cigarette tube machine. One example of such a machine is
described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,693,313. Typical materials used to
make a cigarette tube of reconstituted leaf sheet are reconstituted
leaf sheet, tipping paper, and a filter.
[0130] FIG. 20 shows a method of making a tobacco blank with
reconstituted leaf sheet. Reconstituted leaf sheet 30 is fed from a
roll into a cigarette blank making machine. A filter 32, which is
twice the length of a filter typically found on a cigarette, is
glued to the reconstituted leaf sheet at a filter location 36 on
the reconstituted leaf sheet. The distance between the filter
locations 36 is typically twice the length Glue is applied to the
inside upper edge 34 of the reconstituted leaf sheet. The inside
upper edge 34 is folded over an opposite edge 38 and glued to the
opposite edge 38. Tipping paper 44 is glued around the paper
holding the filter 32 at the filter location 36.
[0131] As shown in FIG. 21, a tube 42 containing filters 32
continues to a cutting operation shown in FIG. 22. In the cutting
operation, the tube is severed between the filters and the filters
are severed in half to produce cigarette blanks 46.
[0132] While the present invention has been illustrated by the
description of embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have
been described in considerable detail, it is not intended to
restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to
such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will be
readily apparent to those skilled in the art. The invention is
therefore not limited to the specific details, representative
apparatus and method, and illustrated examples shown and described.
Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without
departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.
* * * * *