Abstract:
The invention concerns an apparatus for inserting tobacco into an empty cigarette tube. The apparatus comprises a sleeve ( 15 ) designed to be inserted into the empty cigarette tube ( 63 ); means for retaining the empty cigarette tube ( 63 ) in place; a fixed blade ( 19 ) and a movable blade ( 18 ) facing each other and defining a uniform cavity to receive the tobacco. The movable blade ( 18 ) is adapted to be moved towards the fixed blade ( 19 ) to compress and cut the tobacco so as to form a uniform tobacco rod. The apparatus further comprises a rod ( 7 ) adapted to be inserted into the cavity defined by the fixed ( 19 ) and movable ( 18 ) blades to push the tobacco rod into the empty cigarette tube ( 63 ).

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a National Entry Application of PCT application no PCT/CA2006/000488 filed on Mar. 31, 2006 which itself claims priority on Canadian patent application no. 2,502,150, filed on Mar. 31, 2005. All documents above are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to an improvement to an apparatus for inserting tobacco into one cigarette tube at a time. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Several apparatuses to roll a cigarette or to insert tobacco into an empty cigarette tube are known in the art. For example, the U.S. Pat. No. 4,534,367 (NEWSOME) discloses a portable apparatus which allows to insert tobacco into an empty cigarette tube using a rod that a user pushes manually. A chamber containing the tobacco is closed using doors which compress the tobacco a little before it is pushed into the cigarette tube. However, the tobacco is not compressed in a uniform way and the tobacco rod which is formed can deform the cigarette tube or even tear it. 
         [0004]    There is therefore a need in this field, for an apparatus used for inserting tobacco in a tube of cigarette in a relatively simple way without deforming or tearing it. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention relates to an apparatus for inserting tobacco in an empty cigarette tube, comprising: 
         [0006]    a casing for insertion of the empty cigarette tube; 
         [0007]    holding means for maintaining the empty cigarette tube in place; 
         [0008]    a fixed blade and a movable blade facing each other and defining a uniform cavity for receiving the tobacco, the movable blade being adapted to approach the fixed blade to compress and cut the tobacco in order to form an uniform tobacco rod; and 
         [0009]    a rod adapted to be inserted in the cavity defined by the fixed and movable blades to push the tobacco rod into the empty cigarette tube. 
         [0010]    The invention as well as its many advantages will be better understood by the following nonrestrictive description of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the appended figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an apparatus for inserting tobacco into a cigarette tube, without its lid, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 , with its lid, in an initial operating position, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 2 , in a final operating position, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 4 and 10  are side views of the apparatus in  FIG. 1 , in the operating positions corresponding respectively to  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
           [0015]      FIGS. 5 and 11  are front views of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 , in the operating positions corresponding respectively to  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
           [0016]      FIGS. 6 and 12  are rear views of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 , in the operating positions corresponding respectively to  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
           [0017]      FIGS. 7 and 13  are sectional views taken from line B-B shown in  FIGS. 4 and 10 . 
           [0018]      FIGS. 8 and 14  are partial views of the part identified by circle C shown in  FIGS. 7 and 13 . 
           [0019]      FIGS. 9 and 15  are partial views of the part identified by circle D shown in  FIGS. 4 and 10 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 16  is a partial and perspective view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 , in an initial operating position shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 17  is a front view of the part of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 16 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 18  is a side view of the part of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 16 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 19  is a sectional view taken from line B-B shown in  FIG. 16 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 20  is a partial view of the part identified by circle C shown in  FIG. 19 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 21  is a sectional view taken from line A-A shown in  FIG. 18 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 22  is a partial view of a position identified by circle D shown in  FIG. 21 . 
           [0027]      FIGS. 23 and 29  are partial and perspective views of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 , in the operating positions corresponding respectively to  FIGS. 2 and 3 ; 
           [0028]      FIGS. 24 and 30  are front view of the part of the apparatus shown in  FIGS. 23 and 29 . 
           [0029]      FIGS. 25 and 31  are perspective views of the part of the apparatus shown in  FIGS. 23 and 29 . 
           [0030]      FIGS. 26 and 32  are sectional views taken from line B-B shown in  FIGS. 28 and 34 . 
           [0031]      FIGS. 27 and 33  are partial top views of the part of the apparatus shown in  FIGS. 23 and 29 . 
           [0032]      FIGS. 28 and 34  are partial side views of the part of the apparatus shown in  FIGS. 27 and 33 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 35  is a general, perspective and exploded view of components, including the lid, of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0034]      FIGS. 36 and 39  are front views of the different pairs of knives that may be used in an apparatus according to the invention. 
           [0035]      FIGS. 40 to 44  are sectional views of the different types of alignments that may be used, with a slide in an apparatus according to the invention. 
           [0036]      FIGS. 45 and 46  are side views of two possible traction mechanisms of the rod used to push the tobacco. 
           [0037]      FIGS. 47 to 49  are side views of three driving mechanisms of the rod used to push the tobacco. 
           [0038]      FIGS. 50 and 51  are perspective views of an entirely manual apparatus, in its initial and final operating positions respectively, according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0039]      FIG. 52  is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 51 , but with the cigarette removed. 
           [0040]      FIGS. 53 and 54  are perspective views of the rear and front of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 50 , but without the lid. 
           [0041]      FIGS. 55 and 56  are side and front views of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 50 . 
           [0042]      FIGS. 57 and 58  are perspective front and rear views of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 51 , but without the lid. 
           [0043]      FIGS. 59 and 62  are rear perspective and partially exploded views of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 53 . 
           [0044]      FIGS. 60 and 61  are front perspective and partially exploded views of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 54 . 
       
    
    
     INDEX OF NUMBERS 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
               1 . Tightening segment of the tube; 
               2 . Lever to activate the slide mechanism; 
               3 . Electric connector; 
               4 . Load connector; 
               5 . DC engine with reduction gears; 
               6 . Electric switch; 
               7 . Tobacco pushing rod; 
               8 . Traction roller; 
               9 . Thumb screw; 
               10 . Thumb screw; 
               11 . Ball bearing; 
               12 . Engine support; 
               13 . 12 Volts AC adaptor; 
               14 . Pin; 
               15 . Casing for insertion of the cigarette tube; 
               16 . Moving handle of slide  31 ; 
               17 . Part used for the tightening adjustment of the tube; 
               18 . Movable blade for the cutting of the tobacco; 
               19 . Fixed blade for the cutting of the tobacco; 
               20 . Needle bearing; 
               21 . Pin supporting the lever; 
               22 . Support and rotation pin of handle  16 ; 
               23 . Thumb screw; 
               24 . Balls used for the alignment and displacement of slide  31 ; 
               25 . Support of the electric switches  6  and alignment of rod  7 ; 
               26 . Guiding support  31 ; 
               27 . Base for mechanical and electric components; 
               28 . Protection lid; 
               29 . 12 volts battery; 
               30 . Thumb screw; 
               31 . Slide; 
               32 . Stability cushions; 
               33 . Compression support; 
               34 . Plain washer; 
               35 . Switch with 6 poles; 
               36 . On/Off Switch; 
               37 . Tension spring; 
               38 . Compression support; 
               39 . Thumb screw; 
               40 . Thumb screw; 
               41 . Plain washer; 
               42 . Thumb screw; 
               43 . Plain washer; 
               44 . Thumb screw; 
               45 . Shoulder screw; 
               46 . Plain washer; 
               47 . Nut; 
               48 . Thumb screw; 
               63 . Cigarette tube. 
           
         
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0094]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown an apparatus for inserting tobacco in a cigarette tube, but without it&#39;s lid, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus is preferably of personal application and is semi-automatic. The apparatus comprises a base  27  for supporting modules, namely the mechanical and electrical components that principally govern its operation. The apparatus comprises a guiding support  26  which is used as support for the pin  22  of actuating arm  16  and guide for the slide  31  on which the tightening of the tube is built-in. The support of slide  26  is also used as a guide for the tobacco pushing rod  7 . Rod  7  may be of a square or round shape, rigid or flexible. 
         [0095]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , there is shown the apparatus equipped with a lid  28  and its storage reservoir used to receive a limited quantity of tobacco for the manufacture of some cigarettes, and being also used for electrical and mechanical safety. 
         [0096]      FIG. 4  shows the apparatus in an initial operating position, in which the actuating arm  16  is vertically oriented and where one introduces the empty cigarette tube on the casing  15 . It is also seen that rod  7 , which is used for pushing tobacco, is in a position of maximal extension directed towards the outside of the apparatus. 
         [0097]      FIG. 10  shows the apparatus in a final operating position, in which the actuating arm  16  is horizontally oriented and where the cigarette tube has been filled with tobacco. It is also seen that rod  7 , which is used to push the tobacco, was moved towards the interior of the apparatus and was used to fill the tube with tobacco thus forming the cigarette. 
       Displacement of the Slide on its Guiding Base 
       [0098]    Referring to  FIGS. 16 to 22 , there is shown the slide  31  and its guiding support  26 . Slide  31  is designed to easily fit into guiding support  26 . The latter is fixed at the base  27 , which provides a perfect parallel alignment. The displacement of slide  31  is carried out by a system of four balls  24 , which ensures a very smooth movement. The right angle grooves in the slide  31  are designed to receive the balls  24 . This same angle is repeated on guiding support  26  in order to also receive the balls  24  of the slide  31 , thus ensuring stability and movement of the slide  31  along an extremely precise path. In this way, the horizontal movement due to its parallelism and the fit of the balls  24  on its guiding support  26  ensures a stability that allows knives  18  and  19  to perfectly approach each other to cut the tobacco. Moreover, slide  31  is used as a base (bottom) for the insertion of the tobacco into its cavity, which is limited by knives  18  and  19  having an asymmetric radius. The tobacco moves with the slide  31 , which makes it new in its kind. This design makes its operation of great accuracy and its easy displacement unique. 
         [0099]    Referring to  FIGS. 40 to 44 , the is shown various types of alignments of the slide  31  that may be used.  FIG. 40  shows round grooves on the base.  FIG. 41  shows an example without balls with angled grooves.  FIG. 42  shows grooves that are round or beveled on the side of the slide.  FIG. 43  shows a ball or a needle bearing on each side of the slide.  FIG. 44  shows a sliding assembled on the slide. 
       Insertion of the Tobacco—Movement of the Knives 
       [0100]    Referring to  FIGS. 23 to 28 , there is shown that knives  18  and  19  are in an open position. The insertion of the tobacco between knives  18  and  19  is deposited manually. Knives  18  and  19  limit the filling cavity. Movable blade  18 , which is fixed on slide  31  is straight. The fixed angled blade  19  is screwed on its guiding support  26 . Blade  19  is designed for a better cutting of the tobacco. The tobacco bottom base rests on slide  31 , as better illustrated in  FIGS. 25 and 26 . The actuating arm  16  is in a vertical position. Its slide  31  is in a filling position. The movable blade  18  is moved away from the fixed blade  19 . These knives are of a radius and a suitable length for the manufacturing of regular to “king size” cigarettes. These knives by their angles are unique. 
         [0101]    Referring to  FIGS. 29 to 34 , one shows that knives  18  and  19  are in a closed position. The movable blade  18 , which is screwed on the slide  31 , approached blade  19  screwed on its guiding support in a compressed position. Actuating arm  16  was moved vertically thus activating slide  31 . Knives  18  and  19  being brought closer together have cut the tobacco and have given it by their radius a circular and uniform rod, as illustrated in  FIGS. 31 and 32 . The tobacco has been compressed and is ready for its injection into casing  15  to fill the tube. 
         [0102]    Referring to  FIGS. 23 to 34 , there is shown that slide  31  is used as the tobacco bottom base. It exceeds by its bottom the radius of blade  19 . It is used for the movable blade  18  to move towards the fixed blade  19 . Therefore, it is used for the displacement of the tobacco. This design largely facilitates the cutting and the formation of the tobacco rod. 
       Automated Mechanism 
       [0103]    Referring to  FIGS. 10 to 15 , there is shown a representation of rod  7  and its automated assembly. Before the insertion of the tobacco in the tube, the actuating arm  16  is lowered, the ridge of slide  31  touches and activates the polarity switches  35  “micro-switch” which provides the contact to activate the engine  5  and thereby also the roller  8  which drives the square rod  7  to push the tobacco into the tube. A switch “micro-switch”  6  will determine the travel stop of the push rod  7 . An extension spring  37  makes it possible to choose the necessary pressure of traction roller  8 . Roller  8  is mounted on the engine  5  which is screwed on its plate  12  fixed at the base  27 . This automated configuration is new and unique. This rod  7  of square form, is really different from other designs, because it does not enter the tube so as to fill it with tobacco. To compress the rod  7  on the traction roller  8  a ball bearing  11  is incorporated between two arms  33  and  38  made mobile by mounting the shoulder screw  45  screwed on base  12  of engine  5 . Thus, the ball bearing  11  may compress the rod  7  on traction roller  8 . The compression remains present no matter what the movement of the rod is. 
         [0104]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 9 , there is shown a representation of rod  7  and its assembly after the rise of the actuating arm  16  following the insertion of the tobacco into the tube. The ridge of slide  31  has released the polarity switch  35  “micro-switch” which changed the polarity of the engine  5 . Thereby, this returns the traction roller  8  and rod  7 . The latter returns to its initial position. One of the switches  6  “micro-switch” will determine its travel stop. The adjustment of pressure of the traction roller  8  remains the same as explained with reference to  FIGS. 10 to 15 . 
         [0105]    Referring to  FIGS. 45 and 46 , there is shown two possible mechanisms for driving the rod  7 .  FIG. 45  shows the use of a small fixed or movable roller for compressing the rod  7  and being juxtaposed to a larger fixed or movable roller for compressing the rod  7 .  FIG. 46  shows the use of two identical rollers of compression on rod  7 . 
         [0106]    Referring to  FIGS. 47 to 49 , there is shown three driving mechanisms that can be used to move rod  7  used for pushing tobacco.  FIG. 47  shows a rod  7  moving on an axis of a roller which is decentralized compared to its rotation.  FIG. 48  shows a rod  7  moving by movement of a rotation key.  FIG. 49  shows a rod  7  moving using an endless screw. 
       Tightening of the Tube 
       [0107]    Referring to  FIGS. 11 to 14 , there is shown a representation of the tightening mechanism  1  of the tube and its operation. There is shown that the actuating arm  16  is in a closed position so as to keep the tube on casing  15 . This position will remain closed throughout the filling of the tube. A piece made of flexible and compressible material  1  and a metallic piece  17  is used to adjust the pressure of the tube on casing  15 . These pieces are incorporated and fixed on the slide  31 . The tightening segment  1  allows to hold the tube on approximately half of the circumference of casing  15 . A screw  10  makes it possible to adjust the position of the segment on the tube. 
         [0108]    Referring to  FIGS. 5 to 8 , there is shown a representation of the tightening tube and its operation. The actuating arm  16  is in open position for the insertion of the tube on casing  15 . This position will remain open throughout the filling of the tobacco. Slide  31  is withdrawn and by doing so, release of the tightening segment and the metal piece  17  which is fixed directly on slide  31 . The choice of the form and dimensions of the tightening segment  1  may vary. 
       The Operation of the Apparatus and its Differences 
       [0109]    For the filling function of the tube, the system according to the present invention is very different from the other machines on the market. The majority of the others use a half round open rod, which enters the tube with the tobacco, which sometimes causes problems since there is often tobacco missing near the filter and their rod often enters too deeply into the tube, which causes the filter to separate from the paper and moreover the cigarette becomes oval because of the rod which enters the tube. 
         [0110]    The process according to the present invention is very different. According to a preferred embodiment of present invention, one employs a square rod  7 , which consists in pushing the tobacco being compressed by the two knives into the tube and the rod does not enter the tube. It only pushes the compressed tobacco until the tube is entirely filled and then the tube will remove itself. The filling action is done with ease and without manual effort for pushing the tobacco into the tube because this is accomplished automatically using an electric motor  5 . The power source of the 12 volt engine is either generated by a rechargeable battery or directly by a DC voltage transformer. 
         [0111]    Contrary to the other machines that need a certain manual force to push the tobacco into the tube, they must hold the machine with one hand and push the tobacco with the other hand, which is not always easy. Moreover, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, one uses two knives. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, one uses a fixed angled blade  19  and a movable right angle blade  18  mounted on its ball bearing slide. Actuating these two knives results in cutting the tobacco with ease, and to compress it into a tobacco rod which will be pushed thereafter by the rod into the tube. 
         [0112]    Referring to  FIGS. 36 to 39 , there is shown the various shapes of the pairs of knives at the cutting point of the tobacco which may be used in an apparatus according to the invention: right-right, right-angle, right-concave, right-convex. Of course, other shapes may be used depending on the applications. 
       ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION 
       [0113]    The apparatus shown on  FIG. 1  is personalized, semi-automatic and was drawn and designed to facilitate its function and its handling. Its lid  28  screwed to its base  27  covers all mechanisms and all electric functions, which makes the handling of this apparatus secure. Moreover, because of its shape, it may eventually be used for storing a certain quantity of tobacco in order to make a few cigarette tubes. 
         [0114]    Its actuating arm  16  being vertically displaceable towards the center of the machine ensures a very good stability. Its perpendicular movement with respect to it prevents the machine from moving during the cutting, the compression of the tobacco and the release of the actuating arm  16 . 
         [0115]    The slide allows an easy displacement and a perfect alignment on its three axes. 
         [0116]    This new blade concept is used to better cut the tobacco. These knives  18 , 19  when approaching each other also provide, by the movement of slide  31  used as a bottom base for the tobacco, a tobacco rod that is perfectly round and uniform. 
         [0117]    The tightening of the tube is new because the compression is maintained even after the fall of the cigarette and injection of the tobacco. It ensures a well filled, uniform and round tube. Tightening allows to firmly retain the tube on the casing preventing any paper tearing to be possible. 
         [0118]    The tobacco pushing rod does not insert itself into the tube during the filling. 
         [0119]    Its automated traction roller makes it possible to easily move rod  7  through knives  18  and  19  and casing  15  allowing the injection of the tobacco into the tube. This action whose inertia is within the machine, does not require any manual maintenance of the machine. This machine may be used safely and easily, not requiring any maintenance during filling, cutting, compression and injection of the tobacco into the tube. Moreover, it may be taken not matter where since a rechargeable battery ensures its autonomous automated operation. 
         [0120]    Its safety, its operating mode, its output and its ease makes for a distinctive machine. No adjustment is necessary for the filling of the tube for the sizes regular to “king size”. Moreover, this machine does not require any additional lubricant on the mechanical components. 
       Manual Apparatus 
       [0121]    Referring to  FIG. 50 to 62 , there is shown another model of apparatus similar to the first one shown in  FIG. 1 , but which is not provided with an engine  5  to move rod  7  automatically. Rod  7  must thus be pushed manually. 
         [0122]    Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of preferred embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise embodiments and that several modifications may be effected without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Moreover, the present application incorporates by reference all that is disclosed in the Canadian application number 2,502,150 (BAJOUET).