Patent Publication Number: US-2013228187-A1

Title: Self-service cigarette rolling machine

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims benefit pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application 61/605,452 filed Mar. 1, 2012, and the disclosures of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to a machine that fills cigarette tubes with tobacco and, more particularly, to a fully automated self-service cigarette rolling machine. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In general, commercially manufactured cigarettes are seemingly simple objects consisting mainly of a tobacco blend, a filter and wrapping paper. Smoking articles, such as cigarettes, include a substantially cylindrically shaped structure and a portion or column of smokable material, such as shredded tobacco, surrounded by a wrapper or piece of paper, to form the cigarette. Typically, cigarettes and cigarette tubes may include a filter element located at one end of the cylindrical structure, whereby the opposite end may be an open end. The filter element may comprise a cellulose acetate-based filter. The outer cylindrical paper wrapping and the filter element together without any tobacco may often be referred to as a cigarette tube. 
     Various cigarette rolling machines may exist in the market that allows an operator to fill cigarette tubes with loose tobacco to make their own cigarettes. While the assembly of cigarettes may be straightforward, much focus may be given to the creation of each of the separate components, in particular the tobacco blend, which may contain over 600 ingredients, many of them flavoring for the tobacco. When rolling your own cigarettes, you have the ability to choose the brand of the cigarette tube and the brand of tobacco. 
     Various types of cigarette rolling machines have been around for a long time and there are many different types to choose from. In general, to operate most of the existing cigarette rolling machines an operator may place loose tobacco into a reservoir and then the operator, either manually or automatically, rolls and compresses the tobacco within the rolling paper. Cigarette rolling machines range from small to large scale machines. For example, cigarette rolling machines may be very compact in dimension so that it may be easily carried by a user person or the machines may be very large floor units that may take up at least several square feet of floor space, that are also heavy, easily over 220 lbs and up, and difficult to move. These large floor unit machines may also be driven by pneumatics, which may be noisy, bulky, heavy and expensive. In addition, pneumatic tools may often require a considerable amount of maintenance to keep them in proper working condition. 
     Some existing cigarette rolling machines may include a tabletop device that is hand crank operated. As the operator turns the hand crank clockwise the tobacco may be compressed and eventually injected into a cigarette tube affixed to a nozzle on the exterior housing of the device. These cigarette rolling machines may also be automated, whereby the cigarette tube may be filled by pushing a button. These existing cigarette rolling machines, however, may be inadequate and suffer from various drawbacks. For example, some of these machines may be dangerous, others may not adequately fill the cigarette tubes, or may do so loosely and irregularly, some may not fill the tubes with adequate speed, etc. 
     It may be desirable to provide for the manufacture of relatively small lots of cigarettes in an efficient and effective manner. It may also desirable that all of the cigarettes within each lot are of consistent quality, such that all of the cigarettes within a lot be substantially identical to one another in appearance, size, shape, weight and component materials, including the tobacco materials, all of which may increase the likelihood that there are similar smoking performance characteristics within each lot rolled. 
     SUMMARY 
     A self-service cigarette rolling machine is described herein. The machine may be modular and may roll a carton of cigarettes in approximately 8 to 10 minutes. To use, the operator may load tobacco into the hopper, whereby the tobacco is filled into tubes. Once filled, the completed cigarette may roll down and out of the machine. The modular components may be easily secured to and removed from the machine, which provides easy serviceability. Neither the operator nor the owner of the machine may ever need to open or get into any of the modules. Each of the modules may be easily serviced or replaced within a 24 hour period. The owner of the machine may pay a monthly maintenance fee to permit the owner to use the machine in their store or at their location. This fee may include costs associated with replacing returned modules for no additional fees. If the owner does not pay their monthly maintenance fee, the manufacturer may shut down the machine(s) and they will not operate. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Objects and advantages together with the operation of the invention may be better understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the following illustrations, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a self-service cigarette rolling machine. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the cigarette rolling machine of  FIG. 1  without a cover. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a partially exploded perspective view of the cigarette rolling machine of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of a side of an upper hopper module of the cigarette rolling machine of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of an opposite side of the upper hopper module of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a partially exploded perspective view of the upper hopper module of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of a lower hopper module of the cigarette rolling machine of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a partially exploded perspective view of the lower hopper module of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of a tube dispensing module of the cigarette rolling machine of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a perspective view of the tube dispensing module without a loading cassette 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a partially exploded perspective view of the tube dispensing module of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a perspective view of a tube filling module of the cigarette rolling machine of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 13  illustrates another perspective view of the tube filling module of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a detailed perspective view of a stripper plate of the tube filling module of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a top view of the tube filling module of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 16  illustrates a detailed top view of a nipple of the tube filling module of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a perspective view of an ejection module of the cigarette rolling machine of  FIG. 3  including a tube in a first position. 
         FIG. 18  illustrates a perspective view of the ejection module of the cigarette rolling machine of  FIG. 3  including a tube in a second position. 
         FIG. 19  illustrates a partially exploded perspective view of the ejection module of  FIG. 17 . 
         FIG. 20  illustrates another partially exploded perspective view of the ejection module of  FIG. 17 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional changes may be made without departing from the respective scope of the invention. As such, the following description is presented by way of illustration only and should not limit in any way the various alternatives and modifications that may be made to the illustrated embodiments and still be within the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, as used herein, the term “exemplary” is intended to mean serving as an illustration or example of something, and is not intended to indicate a preference. 
     A self-service cigarette rolling apparatus or machine  100  (the “machine  100 ”) is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . The self-service cigarette rolling machine  100  may be of any appropriate shape, size, type or configuration. The machine  100  may be utilized for any appropriate purpose. For example, the machine  100  may be utilized to roll a carton of cigarettes  118  in an efficient manner. In an exemplary embodiment, the machine  100  may roll at least a carton of cigarettes in approximately 8 to 10 minutes. 
     The self-service cigarette rolling machine  100  may be affordable, relatively simple to operate and may be used in any desired location. For example, the machine  100  may be a convenient desktop unit. The machine  100  may be placed on any appropriate surface, such as a counter or card table, as the machine  100  does not need to be physically attached or mounted in order to operate in a secure manner. 
     In use, the operator may insert his desired brand or type of cigarette tubes  114  and tobacco  116  into the machine  100 . The machine  100  may then operate to insert the tobacco  116  into the tubes  114  and thereby eject the completed rolled cigarette  118  product, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The cigarette rolling machine  100  may weigh approximately 75 lbs or less, such that the machine  100  may weigh as little as approximately 50 lbs. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , the machine  100  may include a base assembly  102 , a cover assembly  104  and a chute  110 . The base assembly  102  may be fabricated out of any appropriate number of components. The base assembly  102  may be utilized to secure and support the various components and modules of the machine  100 . The cover assembly  104  may be fabricated out of any appropriate number of panels, whereby the cover assembly  104  may house and contain therein the various components and modules of the machine  100 . 
     The chute  110  may be located on top of a portion of the cover  104 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . The chute  110  may be utilized to aid the filled cigarettes  118  slide out from the machine  100  and down away from the machine  100 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The chute  110  may include a directional peg or pin  112 . With reference to  FIG. 1 , the directional pin  112  may be located adjacent the top of the chute  110  and towards one of the sides of the chute  110 . The directional pin  112  may aid each of the filled cigarettes  118  in sliding down the chute in the same direction, such as filter end first, as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the machine  100  may further include a rolled cigarette tray  106  and a clean out tray  108 . The rolled cigarette tray  106  may neatly catch and organize each finished rolled cigarette  118  product as each cigarette  118  slides down the chute  110 . The rolled cigarette tray  106  may be of any appropriate shape, size, type or configuration, such as of a generally rectangular shape similar to that of a carton of cigarettes, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . The rolled cigarette tray  106  may be fabricated out of a plastic material and also be utilized with a lid (not shown) that may seal the rolled cigarette tray  106 , whereby the seal resulting from the lid on the tray  106  may extend the freshness of the rolled cigarettes. 
     With further reference to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the clean out tray  108  may be located on a side of the machine  100 . The clean out tray  108  may be inserted into a side of the cover  104  of the machine  100 , whereby the clean out tray  108  may catch stray tobacco  116  flakes during the filling process and/or catch discarded tubes  114 . The clean out tray  108  may then be easily removed during or after use of the machine  100  to discard the caught tobacco  116  or discarded tubes  114 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the machine  100  may be of a modular design. For example, the machine  100  may include at least one or more modules. The modular components may be of any appropriate shape, size, type or configuration. These modules may be easily secured to and removed from the machine  100 . For example, the modules may be secured and removed via any appropriate type of fasteners, such as pins, screws, nuts, bolts and the like. The heaviest module of the machine  100  may weigh no more than approximately 20-25 lbs. The machine  100  may include any number of modules or modular components. In an exemplary embodiment, the machine  100  may include six modular components, such as a processing module  120 , an upper hopper module  130 , a lower hopper module  150 , a tube dispensing module  182 , a tube filling module  200 , and an ejection module  220 . 
     The processing module  120  may include at least one processor or microprocessor  122 . The processor  122  may be programmed to control the operation of the machine  100 . The processor  122  may be of any appropriate type, such as a computer or dedicated controller. The processor  122  may control all of the various functions, components and modules of the machine  100  during operation of the machine  100 . 
     The processing module  120  may include at least one input device, such as a display screen  124 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . The display screen  124  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as of a rectangular or square shape. The display screen  124  may be of any appropriate type, such as an electronic visual display or a touch screen. For example, the display screen  124  may be a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen. In an exemplary embodiment, customized information may be shown on the display screen  124 , such as an owner&#39;s name and/or logo. Alternatively, the display screen  124  may show commercials or advertisements during use or while not in use. As an additional alternative, the display screen  124  may display a Quick Response (QR) code. The QR code may be read by the operator&#39;s smart phone or mobile device. The QR code may take the user to a website with coupons or other information related to the machine  100 , the store the machine  100  may be located at, and the like. 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , the processing module  120  may also include another input device, such as at least one push button  126 . For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the processing module  120  may include four push buttons  126 . The push buttons  126  may be located at any appropriate position on the machine  100 , such as beneath the display screen  124 . The machine  100  may be operated by push button  122 , a touch responsive display screen  124  or a combination of the two. In an exemplary embodiment, the machine  100  may operate via push button  126 . 
     The upper hopper module  130  may include a variety of components and be utilized to receive and sift the tobacco  116  down the upper hopper module  130  towards the lower hopper module  150 . As shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , the upper hopper module  130  may include a hopper chute  132  and at least one hopper panel  138 . The upper hopper module  130  may include any appropriate number of hopper panels  138 . In an exemplary embodiment, the upper hopper module  130  may include four hopper panels  138 , whereby the hopper panels  138  may generally form a substantially rectangular shaped enclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, one or more of the panels  138  may be of a translucent or clear material whereby the operator may see into the upper hopper module  130  to determine how much of the tobacco  116  has been used and/or how much of the tobacco  116  has yet to be used. The clear panel may permit the operator to monitor the progress of the machine  100  during use. 
     The hopper chute  132  may be of a generally rectangular funnel shape, whereby the hopper chute  132  may receive the tobacco  116  as it is initially poured into the upper hopper module  130 . The hopper chute  132  may be located adjacent to and abut with the hopper panels  138 . With further references to  FIGS. 4-6 , the hopper chute  132  may be covered by a hopper lid  134 . The hopper lid  134  may cover the hopper chute  132  to prevent any tobacco  116  from being lost. The hopper lid  134  may include an aperture  136 , whereby the aperture  136  may provide the operator with a way to access the hopper  132  and to open the lid  134 . 
     The rectangular shaped enclosure of the upper hopper module  130  may include at least one tobacco sifter  140 . The enclosure may include any appropriate number of sifters  140 , such as two sifters  140 . The sifters  140  may be of a generally cylindrical shape and may be generally located at a spaced distance apart from each other within the enclosure. The sifters  140  may include a plurality of outward projections or teeth  141  located around the outer surface of the sifters  140 . The teeth  141  may be located at spaced distances apart from one another and may extend radially outward along the outer surface of the sifters  140 . The teeth  141  may aid the tobacco  116  in being gradually sorted and sifted down into the lower hopper module  150 . 
     The upper hopper module  130  may also include a belt and pulley system  142 , such as a timing belt and timing belt pulley system, and a motor  148 , such as any appropriate type of drive motor. The motor  148  may operate to drive the belt and pulley system  142 , which may thereby rotate the sifters  140  to move the tobacco down through the upper hopper module  130  and into the lower hopper module  150 . The tobacco  116  may be specifically and gradually sifted down through the upper hopper module  130  at a specified rate due to the sifters  140 . This may be important because when compressing the tobacco  116  into the tubes  114 , the tobacco  116  may need to be at a certain level within the hopper modules  130 ,  150 . 
     The upper hopper module  130  may include at least one sensor. In an exemplary embodiment, the machine  100  may include two sensors in the hopper modules  130 ,  150 . The upper hopper module  130  may include a first sensor in the upper area of the hopper that may determine when the upper hopper module  130  is empty. The lower hopper module  150  may also include a sensor  162 . As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the sensor  162  may be located adjacent a bottom area of the lower hopper module  150  that may determine when the tobacco  116  has gone below a certain point. The sensor  162  may send a signal to the machine  100  that may in turn inform the operator, such as via the display screen  124 , that the tobacco  116  has been completely used or that the tobacco  116  is almost gone. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the lower hopper module  150  may include at least one belt  152  and at least one side mount  154 . The at least one belt  152  may be of any appropriate configuration, such as a dual roller belt. In an exemplary embodiment, the lower hopper module  150  may include two belts  152  and two side mounts  154 . The belts  152  may be generally vertically oriented with respect to the base  102  of the machine  100 . The side mounts  154  may be any appropriate type of configuration, such as of a generally triangular shape. The belts  152  may be located and secured between each of the side mounts  154 , whereby there may be a larger opening between the two belts  152  at the upper end of the lower hopper module  150  and a smaller opening between the two belts  152  and the lower end of the lower hopper module  150 . 
     The lower hopper module  150  may also include a motor  156  and at least one gear  158 , as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . The at least one gear  158  may be of any appropriate type of configuration, such as a spur gear. The motor  156  may be any appropriate type of motor, such as a gear motor. The motor  156  may operate the spur gears  158  which may thereby operate the belts  152 . The belts  152  may move and rotate from the top of the side mounts  154  towards the bottom of the side mounts  154  in a continuous motion. 
     The lower hopper module  150  may also include a guard  160 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 ,  7  and  8 . The guard  160  may generally be an angled bracket. The guard  160  may cover any opening between a front side of the upper hopper module  130  and a front side of the lower hopper module  150 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , whereby tobacco flakes may be prevented from escaping the machine  100  as the tobacco is being sifted down through the upper hopper module  130  into the lower hopper module  150 . The front sides of the hopper modules  130 ,  150  may be generally perpendicular to the side mounts  154  of the lower hopper module  150 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 9 and 11 , the tube dispensing module  170  may include a loading cartridge  172  and a receptacle housing  178 . The loading cartridge  172  may include a lid  174 , whereby the lid  174  may be rotatably secured to an end of the cartridge  172 . The loading cartridge  172  may be of a generally rectangular shaped box with one side being open. The lid  174  may cover the open side when in the closed position. The loading cartridge  172  may house the empty tubes  114  to be filled. The receptacle housing  178  may include two panels located generally parallel to one another and located at a spaced distance apart from one another. As shown in  FIG. 10 , the housing  178  may surround a floor or loading ramp  180  of a tube reservoir  184  located within the housing  178 . The housing  178  may receive the loading cartridge  172  of empty tubes  114 . 
     The tube dispensing module  170  may include a rotatable cam  176  and a knob  182 . The knob  182  may be rotated to operate the cam  176  to thereby lower and raise the loading ramp  180  of the tube reservoir  184 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . For example, the cam  176  may hold the lid  188  of the loading cartridge  184  in a closed position. The cam  176  may then rotate out of the way in order to allow the tubes  114  to fall into the loading position within a feed channel  192  of the tube dispensing module  170 . The feed channel  192  may be located at a front lower end of the loading ramp  180 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 11 , the tube dispensing module  170  may include a flipper  188 . The flipper  188  may include a plurality of slots or apertures  190 , as shown in  FIGS. 9-11 . The machine  100  may include an eccentric shaft  196  and a motor  198 , such as a DC gear motor. The motor  198  may operate the eccentric shaft  196 . The flipper  188  may be pivotally connected to the receptacle housing  178 , whereby the flipper  188  may be moved back and forth relative to the feed channel  192 . This back and forth movement may massage the tubes  114  down into the feed channel  192  to be filled with tobacco  116 . With further reference to  FIG. 11 , the tube dispensing module  170  may also include a fluffer  194 . The fluffer  194  may act to encourage the empty tubes  114  to move or slide down into the feed channel  192 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, when the loading ramp  180  of the tube reservoir  184  is first opened, a tool (not shown) with at least one projection may be inserted into at least one slot  190  of the flipper  188  in order to slowly lower the empty tubes  114  into the feed channel  192 . This may prevent the uneven distribution of tubes  114 . 
     The tube filling module  200  may include a base  202  and at least one motor  204 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 12 ,  13  and  15 . In an exemplary embodiment, the tube filling module  200  may include two motors  204 , such as DC motors. The motors  204  may control the filling functions of the machine  100 . The tube filling module  200  may also include at least one hopper bracket  212 . In an exemplary embodiment, the tube filling module  200  may include two hopper brackets  212 , as shown in  FIGS. 12 ,  13  and  15 . The hopper brackets  212  may be located on the base  202 , whereby the hopper brackets  212  may secure the side mounts  154  of the lower hopper module  150  onto the base  202 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 12-16 , the tube filling module  200  may include a nipple  206 . During operation, each empty tube  114  may be inserted onto the nipple  206  whereby the tobacco  116  may be loaded into or inserted into the tube  114 . Each tube  114  may be inserted onto the nipple  206  at an angle. The angle of entry onto the nipple  206  may be approximately 14 to approximately 18 degrees. In an exemplary embodiment, the empty tube  114  may be offset by approximately 16 degrees from the nipple  206 . 
     The tube filling module  200  may include a rod or plunger  208 , as may be seen in  FIGS. 12 and 15 . The plunger  208  may be inserted into the tube to push the tobacco  116  into the empty tube  114 . The plunger  208  may be electronically controlled by one or more of the motors  204 . In an exemplary embodiment, the plunger  208  may insert the tobacco  116  into the tube  114  and then pause there while still located within the tube  114 . This pause may allow for any expansion of the tobacco  116  within the tube  114 . After the pause, the plunger  208  may tap or pack the tobacco  116  into the tube  114  again, which may aid the tobacco  116  in remaining packed within the tube  114  and prevent any tobacco  116  from becoming loose or falling out. This double packing hit by the plunger  208  may be done electronically. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 14 and 16 , the ejection module  220  may include a stripper plate  210 . The stripper plate  210  may aid in ejecting the filled cigarette  118  off of the nipple  206 . The stripper plate  210  may push or extend outward from a side of the base  202  towards the end of the nipple  206 , thereby pushing or sliding the filled cigarette  118  off of the nipple  206 . Typically, in order to remove a cigarette, the cigarette may have had to be blown off via air that would often result in the cigarette being tossed all over the filling area, whereby the operator may have to search out each filled cigarette from the floor or area surrounding the filling machine. Utilizing the stripper plate  210  avoids this mess and keeps the filled cigarette  118  within the machine  100  environment. 
     The tubes  114  and their associated filters may be of various sizes. When using different sized tubes  114  and/or filter sizes, the machine  100  may need to utilize a different stroke for the plunger  208 . The machine  100  may electronically program or set up and adjust the plunger  208  to operate at the appropriate stroke to sufficiently fill the cigarette tube. Typically, this adjustment has been done manually rather than automatically. During operation, in an exemplary embodiment, the operator may input the particular filter size and/or type into the processor  122  via the display screen  124  and/or push buttons  126  to adjust for different filter and tube sizes. The processor  122  may then use those inputs to determine the corresponding plunger  208  stroke from a data store. The machine  100  may then insert the tobacco  116  into the tube  114  at a specified distance corresponding to the determined plunger  208  stroke. 
     If there is a tobacco jam in the machine  100 , the operator may only need to press one button  126  to clear the jam, resulting in automatic de-jamming. The machine  100  may automatically clear out the tobacco jam. Typically, jams resulting from tobacco may take hours to be cleared out. Here, if there is a jam in the tube filling module  200  or a plunger  208  jam, the operator may push a button  126  to clear the jam. Upon pushing the button  126 , the machine  100  may follow the following steps to clear the jam in the tube filling module  200 : reverse compressor to open; load tube; grip tube; run plunger; ungrip tube; strip tube; eject tube; close compressor; load tube; grip tube; run plunger; ungrip tube; strip tube; eject tube; close compressor; load tube; grip tube; run plunger; ungrip tube; strip tube; and eject tube. Upon pushing the button  126 , the machine  100  may follow the following steps to clear the plunger  208  jam: reverse plunger; open compressor; run plunger; ungrip tube; strip tube; eject tube; close compressor; open compressor; load tube; grip tube; run plunger; ungrip tube; strip tube; eject tube; close compressor; load tube; grip tube; run plunger; ungrip tube; strip tube; and eject tube. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the ejection module  220  may include a mounting plate  222 , a motor  224 , such as an electric motor, and a solenoid  226 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 17-20 . The motor  224  and solenoid  224  may drive a rack and pinion system  228 . The rack and pinion system  228  may include a rack  230  and a pinion or spur gear  234 . The rack and pinion system  228  may be located on the mounting plate  222  and may operate to rotate a rollover device  236 . The rollover device  236  may rotate about a rollover axis  232 , as shown in  FIGS. 17-20 . The rollover device  236  may include a groove  238  that may receive the tube  114 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 19 and 20 . The rollover device  236  may eject the filled cigarette  118  from the machine  100 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 17-20 , the ejection module  220  may also include a pusher  240 . The pusher  240  may be aligned with the groove  238  of the rollover device  236 . The pusher  240  may be driven by the motor  224 , whereby when the pusher  240  is extended into the groove  238 , as shown in  FIG. 18 , the pusher  240  may push the empty tube  114  onto the nipple  206  to be filled with tobacco. After the tube  114  is filled with tobacco, the cigarette  118  may be pushed back off of the nipple  206  via the stripper plate  210 , whereby the cigarette  118  may be located fully within the groove  238  of the rollover device  236 , as shown in  FIG. 17 . 
     The ejection module  220  may also include a sensor  242 , as shown in  FIGS. 17-20 , that may indicate that the empty tube  114  to be filled is out of position, such as if the tube  114  has dropped out of position or is not in the appropriate position to be filled with the tobacco  116 . When the tube  114  is not in the appropriate position to be filled, the machine  100  may discard or get rid of the tube  114  prior to the tube  114  being filled, whereby no tobacco  116  may be wasted on a bad tube  114 . This may result in additional cigarettes  118  being produced since no tobacco  116  is wasted. In addition, the machine  100  may count and keep track of how many tubes  114  have been used and how many cigarettes  118  have been made. This information may be shown on the display screen  124 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the operator may use the machine  100  to fill a carton of cigarettes  118 . The tubes  114  may be loaded into the loading cartridge  172 . The loading cartridge  172  may then be loaded into the receptacle  178  of the machine tube dispensing module  170 . The operator may then hit a start button  126  on the machine  100  to begin the automatic filling process. The machine  100  may then make sure that all of the components and modules are homed in to the correct starting positions before the filling process begins. 
     The display screen  124  may instruct the operator as to each of the next steps in the process of rolling the cigarettes  118 . The first step may be to load the tobacco  116  into the hopper chute  132  of the upper hopper module  130 . As the tobacco  116  moves within and down the upper hopper module  130  into the lower hopper module  150  and then into the tube filling module  200 , the tobacco may be plunged into the tube  114 . Once each tube  114  is filled, the completed cigarette  118  may roll down the chute  110  and out of the machine  100 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     As stated above, the chute  110  may include a directional peg or pin  112 . The directional pin  112  may direct the filled cigarettes  118  into a certain direction as each cigarette  118  exits the machine  100 . The pin  112  may always and consistently orient the cigarettes  118  into the tray in the same direction, such as with the filter end down. 
     As previously stated, the machine  100  may be used with a rolled cigarette tray  106 . The tray  106  may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as the general shape and size of a carton of cigarettes. The tray  106  may be fabricated out of any appropriate material, such as a plastic material that when used with a lid may keep the filled cigarettes  118  fresh since they will not dry out. The operator may manually slide the cigarette tray  106  back and forth in front of chute  110  in order to receive the rolled cigarettes  118  as they exit the machine  100 . 
     The cigarette tray  106  may allow the operator to avoid having to handle each of their rolled cigarettes  118  in order to package them neatly. In addition, the pin  112  may provide for a neat and organized rolled cigarette tray  106  for the operator. For example, the cigarettes  118  may all slide down the length of the chute with the filter end first, whereby the filled cigarettes  118  may all fall into the tray  106  filter end first. 
     The modular features and components of the machine  100  may lend themselves to easy serviceability. Neither the operator of the machine  100  nor the owner of the machine  100  may ever need to open or get into the processing module  120 . Moreover, each of the modules may be easily serviced or replaced within a  24  hour period. This is possible because the owner of the machine  100  does not need to call a service man or personally adjust anything in or on the machine  100 . The owner may easily send back the non-working module to the manufacturer to be replaced. 
     Alternatively, some owners may choose to stock up on extra modules in certain parts of the city, state or country, whereby the owner may easily swap out the non-working module for a new module. The owner may stock up on the various modules in case one needs to be replaced. This may prevent any downtime in having to wait for a replacement module to arrive. 
     The owner of the machine  100  may be required to pay a monthly maintenance fee to permit the owner to use the machine  100  in their store or at their location. In turn, each operator may be required to pay a rental fee to the owner or manufacturer of the machine  100  in order to use the machine  100 . This maintenance fee may include the costs associated with replacing returned modules for no additional fees. If the owner does not pay their monthly maintenance fee, the manufacturer may shut down the machine(s)  100  and they will not operate. Once the bill is paid, the machine(s)  100  will work for the desired amount of time. In an exemplary embodiment, upon payment of the maintenance fee, the machines  100  may operate for approximately 45 days. If no new code is inputted after the 45 day period, the machines  100  may stop working. 
     The machine  100  may be utilized with at least one security code. In an exemplary embodiment, the machine  100  may utilize dual security codes. For example, the first code may be used by the owner and the second code may be used by the manufacturer. The first code may permit the owner to determine the number of cartons of filled cigarettes that have been made within a certain amount of time, such as a day, week, or month, or since the machine  100  was last checked. The owner may then clear that tracked quantity and start the count over. The second code may permit the manufacturer to also determine the number of cartons filled. This second code provides the manufacturer an option to check and verify the numbers provided by the owner. Similar to the first code, this second code may also then be cleared. In addition, the act of clearing the amount tracked may date the screen, whereby the owner and manufacturer may track the last time the machine  100  quantities were checked and cleared. 
     Although the embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to the embodiments disclosed, but that the invention described herein is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the claims hereafter.