Patent Publication Number: US-8522515-B2

Title: Method and apparatus for customizing cigarette packages

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     Aspects of the present invention are directed to smoking articles such as cigarettes and, more particularly, to an apparatus and associated method for customizing cigarette packages configured to contain as-formed cigarettes. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Popular smoking articles, such as cigarettes, have a substantially cylindrical rod shaped structure and include a charge, roll, or column of smokable material such as shredded tobacco (e.g., in cut filler form) surrounded by a paper wrapper thereby forming a so-called “smokable rod” or “tobacco rod.” Normally, a cigarette has a cylindrical filter element aligned in an end-to-end relationship with the tobacco rod. Typically, a filter element comprises cellulose acetate tow plasticized using triacetin, and the tow is circumscribed by a paper material known as “plug wrap.” A cigarette can incorporate a filter element having multiple segments, and one of those segments can comprise activated charcoal particles. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,537,186 to Veluz; PCT Publication No. WO 2006/064371 to Banerjea; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/226,932, filed Sep. 14, 2005, to Coleman III, et al; each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Typically, the filter element is attached to one end of the tobacco rod using a circumscribing wrapping material known as “tipping paper,” in order to provide a so-called “filtered cigarette.” It also has become desirable to perforate the tipping material and plug wrap, in order to provide dilution of drawn mainstream smoke with ambient air. Descriptions of cigarettes and the various components thereof are set forth  Tobacco Production, Chemistry and Technology , Davis et al. (Eds.) (1999). A cigarette is employed by a smoker by lighting one end thereof and burning the tobacco rod. The smoker then receives mainstream smoke into his/her mouth by drawing on the opposite end (e.g., the filter or mouth end) of the cigarette. 
     Various attempts to alter the visual attributes of cigarettes have been proposed. For example, there have been attempts to alter the color of the wrapping materials that provide the wrapping material of the tobacco rod (e.g., cigarettes marketed under the trade name “More” by R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company possess cigarette rod wrapping papers exhibiting a brown color) and tipping materials used to attach the tobacco rod to the filter element (e.g., tipping materials have been printed or otherwise formed so as to possess a “cork” appearance and/or to possess at least one circumscribing ring). In addition, there have been attempts to alter the general appearance of the filter elements of cigarettes. See, for example, the types of cigarette filter element formats, configurations and designs set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 3,596,663 to Schultz; U.S. Pat. No. 4,508,525 to Berger; U.S. Pat. No. 4,646,763 to Nichols; U.S. Pat. No. 4,655,736 to Keith; U.S. Pat. No. 4,726,385 to Chumney, Jr.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,809 to Pryor et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,025,814 to Raker; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/377,630, filed Mar. 16, 2006, to Crooks et al.; each of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     In any instance, as-formed cigarettes may be typically provided to a cigarette packaging device, where the as-formed cigarettes are loaded into a package or otherwise suitable container. In this regard, manufacturing and packaging of relatively small quantities, lots, or batches of finished cigarettes having consistent quality can be provided in an automated fashion. Representative cigarette packages are of the types that traditionally have been employed for the commercial distribution and sale of smoking articles, such as cigarettes. See also, for example, the types of cigarette package configurations and packaging materials set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,294,353 to Focke et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,534,463 to Bouchard; U.S. Pat. No. 4,715,497 to Focke et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,734 to Allen et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,139,140 to Burrows et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,729 to Wolfe; U.S. Pat. No. 5,938,018 to Keaveney et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,726,006 to Funderburk et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,736,261 to Thomas et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 7,325,382 to Nelson et al.; PCT WO 2005/113386 to Buse; UK Pat. Spec. 1,042,000; German Pat. App. DE 10238906 to Marx; and US Pat. Applic. Nos. 2004/0217023 to Fagg et al.; 2004/0256253 to Henson et al.; 2005/0150786 to Mitten et al.; 2006/0243611 to Wu; 2008/0093234 to Jones et al. and 2008/0099353 to Parsons et al. Such packaging may typically include indicia thereon for providing information related to the cigarette brand, manufacturer, etc. However, current cigarette packaging is typically pre-printed or otherwise printed during pre-sale production with such standard information, and thus opportunities to customize the packaging to suit the needs (e.g., advertising) of a particular seller, buyer, or other interested party may not be readily available. 
     In this regard, it would be desirable to provide a consumer with the ability to selectively customize a cigarette package to have a particular appearance and/or design features. That is, it would be desirable to allow a customer to alter a cigarette package in a manner such that the visual appearance of the cigarette package is in accordance with the customer&#39;s preferences. It also would be desirable to provide a cigarette package having one or more particular aspects that can be readily modified or otherwise customized in a selective manner. Thus, there exists a need for a system and method for selectively customizing cigarette packages. Such a solution should desirably involve minimal equipment, should be relatively simple and cost effective; should be portable, if necessary; should not require extensive set up and testing procedures; should facilitate maintenance thereof, and should provide ready access to the cigarette packages being processed thereby. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The above and other needs are met by aspects of the present invention which, in one instance, provides an apparatus for customizing a cigarette package, wherein the cigarette package is configured to receive a plurality of as-formed cigarettes therein. Such an apparatus comprises a feeder unit configured to feed one of a plurality of cigarette packages to a register position. An imprinting unit is configured to interact with the cigarette package in the register position so as to selectively imprint at least one of an alphanumeric character and a graphical character thereon. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method of customizing a cigarette package, wherein the cigarette package is configured to receive a plurality of as-formed cigarettes therein. Such a method comprises feeding one of a plurality of cigarette packages to a register position using a feeder unit. At least one of an alphanumeric character and a graphical character is then selectively imprinted on the cigarette package, in the register position, using an imprinting unit. 
     Aspects of the present invention thus address the needs identified above and provide significant advantages as further discussed herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a cigarette package capable of being customized in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 2 and 3  are perspective views of an apparatus for filling a cigarette package with manufactured as-formed cigarettes; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic of a cigarette package customization apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention, implementing a successive feed system and method; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic of a cigarette package customization apparatus according to an alternate aspect of the present invention, implementing an imprinting unit having a plurality of imprinting elements; and 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an example of at least one of an alphanumeric character and a graphical character imprinted on a cigarette package using a cigarette package customization apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all aspects of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these inventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the aspects set forth herein; rather, these aspects are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
     Cigarette rods may be manufactured using a cigarette making machine, such as a conventional automated cigarette rod making machine. Exemplary cigarette rod making machines are of the type commercially available from Molins PLC or Hauni-Werke Korber &amp; Co. KG. For example, cigarette rod making machines of the type known as MkX (commercially available from Molins PLC) or PROTOS (commercially available from Hauni-Werke Korber &amp; Co. KG) can be employed. A description of a PROTOS cigarette making machine is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 4,474,190 to Brand, at col. 5, line 48 through col. 8, line 3, which is incorporated herein by reference. Types of equipment suitable for the manufacture of cigarettes also are set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,203 to La Hue; U.S. Pat. No. 4,844,100 to Holznagel; U.S. Pat. No. 5,156,169 to Holmes et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,191,906 to Myracle, Jr. et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,647,878 to Blau et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,848,449 to Kitao et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,904,917 to Kitao et al.; and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2003/0145866 to Hartman; 2004/0129281 to Hancock et al.; 2005/0039764 to Barnes et al.; and 2005/0076929 to Fitzgerald et al.; each of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     The components and operation of conventional automated cigarette making machines will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art of cigarette making machinery design and operation. For example, descriptions of the components and operation of several types of chimneys, tobacco filler supply equipment, suction conveyor systems and garniture systems are set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 3,288,147 to Molins et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 3,915,176 to Heitmann et al; U.S. Pat. No. 4,291,713 to Frank; U.S. Pat. No. 4,574,816 to Rudszinat; U.S. Pat. No. 4,736,754 to Heitmann et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,878,506 to Pinck et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,665 to Heitmann; U.S. Pat. No. 5,012,823 to Keritsis et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 6,360,751 to Fagg et al.; and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0136419 to Muller; each of which is incorporated herein by reference. The automated cigarette making machines of the type set forth herein provide a formed continuous cigarette rod or smokable rod that can be subdivided into formed smokable rods of desired lengths. 
     Various types of cigarette components, including tobacco types, tobacco blends, top dressing and casing materials, blend packing densities and types of paper wrapping materials for tobacco rods, can be employed. See, for example, the various representative types of cigarette components, as well as the various cigarette designs, formats, configurations and characteristics, that are set forth in Johnson, Development of Cigarette Components to Meet Industry Needs, 52 nd  T.S.R.C. (September 1998); U.S. Pat. No. 5,101,839 to Jakob et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,159,944 to Arzonico et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,220,930 to Gentry and U.S. Pat. No. 6,779,530 to Kraker; U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2005/0016556 to Ashcraft et al. and 2005/0066986 to Nestor et al; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/375,700, filed Mar. 14, 2006, to Thomas et al. and U.S. patent Ser. No. 11/408,625, filed Apr. 21, 2006, to Oglesby; each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Most preferably, the entire smokable rod is composed of smokable material (e.g., tobacco cut filler) and a layer of circumscribing outer wrapping material. 
     Components for filter elements for filtered cigarettes typically are provided from filter rods that are produced using traditional types of rod-forming units, such as those available as KDF-2 and KDF-3E from Hauni-Werke Korber &amp; Co. KG. Typically, filter material, such as filter tow, is provided using a tow processing unit. An exemplary tow processing unit has been commercially available as E-60 supplied by Arjay Equipment Corp., Winston-Salem, N.C. Other exemplary tow processing units have been commercially available as AF-2, AF-3, and AF-4 from Hauni-Werke Korber &amp; Co. KG. In addition, representative manners and methods for operating a filter material supply units and filter-making units are set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,281,671 to Byrne; U.S. Pat. No. 4,862,905 to Green, Jr. et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,664 to Siems et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,285 to Rivers; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,074,170 to Lanier, Jr. et al. Other types of technologies for supplying filter materials to a filter rod-forming unit are set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,809 to Pryor et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,025,814 to Raker; which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     The filter material can vary, and can be any material of the type that can be employed for providing a tobacco smoke filter for cigarettes. Preferably a traditional cigarette filter material is used, such as cellulose acetate tow, gathered cellulose acetate web, polypropylene tow, gathered cellulose acetate web, gathered paper, strands of reconstituted tobacco, or the like. Especially preferred is filamentary tow such as cellulose acetate, polyolefins such as polypropylene, or the like. One filter material that can provide a suitable filter rod is cellulose acetate tow having 3 denier per filament and 40,000 total denier. As another example, cellulose acetate tow having 3 denier per filament and 35,000 total denier can provide a suitable filter rod. As another example, cellulose acetate tow having 8 denier per filament and 40,000 total denier can provide a suitable filter rod. For further examples, see the types of filter materials set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 3,424,172 to Neurath; U.S. Pat. No. 4,811,745 to Cohen et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,925,602 to Hill et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,277 to Takegawa et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,271,419 to Arzonico et al.; each of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     Normally a plasticizer such as triacetin is applied to the filamentary tow in traditional amounts using known techniques. Other suitable materials or additives used in connection with the construction of the filter element will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art of cigarette filter design and manufacture. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,285 to Rivers. 
     The plug wrap can vary. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,174,719 to Martin. Typically, the plug wrap is a porous or non-porous paper material. Suitable plug wrap materials are commercially available. Exemplary plug wrap papers ranging in porosity from about 1,100 CORESTA units to about 26,000 CORESTA units are available from Schweitzer-Maudit International as Porowrap 17-M1, 33-M1, 45-M1, 70-M9, 95-M9, 150-M4, 150-M9, 240M9S, 260-M4 and 260-M4T; and from Miquel-y-Costas as 22HP90 and 22HP150. Non-porous plug wrap materials typically exhibit porosities of less than about 40 CORESTA units, and often less than about 20 CORESTA units. Exemplary non-porous plug wrap papers are available from Olsany Facility (OP Paprina) of the Czech Republic as PW646; Wattenspapier of Austria as FY/33060; Miquel-y-Costas of Spain as 646; and Schweitzer-Mauduit International as MR650 and 180. Plug wrap paper can be coated, particularly on the surface that faces the filter material, with a layer of a film-forming material. Such a coating can be provided using a suitable polymeric film-forming agent (e.g., ethylcellulose, ethylcellulose mixed with calcium carbonate, nitrocellulose, nitrocellulose mixed with calcium carbonate, or a so-called lip release coating composition of the type commonly employed for cigarette manufacture). Alternatively, a plastic film (e.g., a polypropylene film) can be used as a plug wrap material. For example, non-porous polypropylene materials that are available as ZNA-20 and ZNA-25 from Treofan Germany GmbH &amp; Co. KG can be employed as plug wrap materials. 
     Manners and methods for applying adhesives to tipping materials during automated cigarette manufacture will be apparent to those skilled in the art of cigarette design and manufacture. For example, a filtered cigarette can be tipped with a first layer of tipping material in an essentially traditional manner using a Lab MAX tipping device that is available from Hauni-Werke Korber &amp; Co. KG, and that tipped cigarette can be collected and tipped again using that device (e.g., using the device in an essentially traditional manner, or in a suitably modified manner to provide a desired pattern of adhesive application) in order to provide a filtered cigarette possessing two layers of tipping material. 
     The tipping material that is used for any of the tipping material layers can vary. In certain preferred aspects, the material used to construct both tipping material layers has the characteristics and qualities commonly associated with cigarette tipping materials known in the art. As such, both layers can be constructed of the types of material conventionally used as tipping material in the manufacture of cigarettes. Typical tipping materials are papers exhibiting relatively high opacities. Representative tipping materials have TAPPI opacities of greater than about 81 percent, often in the range of about 84 percent to about 90 percent, and sometimes greater than about 90 percent. Typical tipping materials are printed with inks, typically nitrocellulose based, which can provide for a wide variety of appearances and “lip release” properties. Representative tipping papers materials have basis weights ranging from about 25 m/m 2  to about 60 g/m 2 , often about 30 g/m 2  to about 40 g/m 2 . Representative tipping papers are available as Tervakoski Reference Nos. 3121, 3124, TK 652, TK674, TK675, A360 and A362; and Schweitzer-Mauduit International Reference Nos. GSR270 and GSR265M2. See also, for example, the types of tipping materials, the methods for combining cigarette components using tipping materials, and techniques for wrapping various portions of cigarettes using tipping materials, that are set forth in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/377,630, filed Mar. 16, 2006, to Crooks et al. 
     Adhesives used to secure tipping materials to each other or to other filtered cigarette components can vary. Typical exemplary adhesive formulations that are used for application of tipping material to other cigarette components in commercial filtered cigarette manufacturing operations are water-based emulsions incorporating mixtures of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers and polyvinylacetate. Representative adhesives that are useful for applying tipping materials to cigarette components are available as Reference Nos. 32-2049 and 32-2124 from National Starch &amp; Adhesives Corp. See also, for example, Skeist, Handbook of Adhesives, 2 nd  Edition (1977); Schneberger, Adhesive in Manufacturing (1983); Gutcho, Adhesives Technology Developments Since 1979 (1983); Landrock, Adhesives Technology Handbook (1985); and Flick, Handbook of Adhesives Raw Materials, 2 nd  Edition (1989). 
     As-formed cigarettes may be loaded into an appropriately-sized cigarette packaging container. Representative types of cigarette packages suitable for use with the present invention include those of the types set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,294,353 to Focke et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,534,463 to Bouchard; U.S. Pat. No. 4,715,497 to Focke et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,734 to Allen et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,139,140 to Burrows et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,729 to Wolfe; U.S. Pat. No. 5,938,018 to Keaveney et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,726,006 to Funderburk et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,736,261 to Thomas et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 7,325,382 to Nelson et al.; PCT WO 2005/113386 to Buse; UK Pat. Spec. 1,042,000; German Pat. App. DE 10238906 to Marx; and US Pat. Applic. Nos. 2004/0217023 to Fagg et al.; 2004/0256253 to Henson et al.; 2005/0150786 to Mitten et al.; 2006/0243611 to Wu; 2008/0093234 to Jones et al. and 2008/0099353 to Parsons et al. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a representative cigarette package  1095  may include a cigarette receptacle portion  1098  for holding cigarettes  13 , and a cover portion  1102  associated therewith that is configured to close over the cigarette receptacle portion  1098  so as to maintain the cigarettes  13  within the package  1095 . A representative cigarette receptacle portion  1098  has an inner depth of about 4 mm to about 6 mm; a length of about 19 cm; and a width of about 9 cm. The cigarette receptacle portion  1098  may have outer dimensions of about 8.2 cm wide, about 8.9 cm long and about 18 mm high (such dimensions being measured when the package  1095  is in a closed or sealed configuration). The illustrated package embodiment  1095  is of the type that has been referred to as a “shoulder box.” The package  1095  is shown in an open position and is configured to contain twenty cigarettes. As illustrated, the cigarettes are aligned within the package in two rows of ten cigarettes, with one row positioned adjacent to the second row. The package  1095  preferably is manufactured from folded paperboard material, and can be of any type useful for the packaging of cigarettes. The package  1095  includes a generally rectilinear cover portion  1102  that opens with respect to the cigarette receptacle portion  1098  about a hinge  1090  that extends transversely across the engagement with the cigarette receptacle portion  1098 . The cigarettes are contained in the cigarette receptacle portion  1098  of the box  1095 . The cigarette receptacle portion  1098  may also hold a first foil flap  1192  and an opposing second foil flap  1194  that can cooperate to close over the cigarettes  13 , or that can be opened to expose the cigarettes (as shown). Representative types of shoulder box packages have been commercially available, and the selection thereof is a matter of choice. If desired, the shoulder box and associated wrapping materials can be embossed, printed with indicia, or the like, particularly during pre-sale production. If desired, the package of cigarettes can be wrapped in a plastic or other film (e.g., a clear polypropylene film). 
     The cigarettes may be packaged using, for example, the equipment and materials described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,325,382 to Nelson et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. That is, a cigarette packaging apparatus may be provided to insert the as-formed cigarettes into a cigarette packaging container such as, for example, the cigarette package  1095 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a schematic illustration of a representative package-filling device  1051  for filling the cigarette package  1095  with manufactured as-formed cigarettes. The apparatus  1051  includes a bottom frame  1054 . A representative bottom frame is about 27.5 cm wide and about 56 cm long. A representative base may be manufactured from any suitable material, but preferably is manufactured from aluminum. 
     The bottom frame  1054  supports an upper platform  1058 . The upper platform  1058  is suspended above the base by left and right side walls  1060 . In a representative embodiment, the clearance between the upper face of the bottom frame and the lower surface of the upper platform  1058  is about 3 cm. A representative upper platform may be manufactured from any suitable material, but preferably is manufactured from aluminum. 
     The upper platform  1058  includes an upwardly extending ejection rod-supporting cross-member  1064  that extends thereacross. Extending generally horizontally forward from the cross-member  1064  is a plurality of ejection rods  1067 . For the embodiment shown, the device includes twenty forwardly-extending ejection rods  1067 , each with a substantially circular cross-section. A representative ejection rod has a length of about 7.2 cm and a diameter of about 4 mm and is manufactured from steel. The package-filling device  1051  preferably is adapted such that in a region forward of the ejection rods  1067 , there a positioning platform region  1073  for a cartridge  38  filled with twenty cigarettes. It is highly preferred that the cigarettes within the cartridge are positioned on their sides (e.g., the longitudinal axis of each cigarette is parallel to, or substantially parallel to, the horizontal plane, and aligned with the longitudinal axis of the package-filling device  1051 ). The central portion of the positioning platform region  1073  includes a broad space open to the structures below, as is explained hereafter. 
     Below the front portion of the cartridge positioning platform region  1073  are an inwardly sloping left panel  1076  and an inwardly sloping right panel  1077  that define the sides of an open center region  1079 . Representative sloping panels are manufactured from sheets of highly polished stainless steel. A representative open center region is generally rectangular with a width of about 8 cm and a length of about 9 cm. 
     The upper face of the bottom frame  1054  includes a broad groove  1083 , channel, or other mechanism for providing for controlled movement of a carriage  1086  from the back of the base  1054  to the front of the device  1051 . A representative groove has a vertical depth of about 4 mm to about 6 mm, a width of about 9 cm, and a length such that the groove extends to within about 1 cm of the front end of the device. The arrangement of the carriage  1086  and groove  1083  preferably are such that the carriage  1086  is easily movable within the groove  1083 . Typically, selection of the respective shapes and dimensions of the carriage and the groove define the arrangement of the carriage in the groove. For example, the sides of the carriage and the sides of the groove may be designed so as to cooperate in a tongue-in-groove type of arrangement. The carriage  1086  includes an upwardly extending handle  1089 , such that the carriage  1086  can be moved back and forth. Within a recess  1093  in the upper face of the carriage is positioned the cigarette package  1095  in an open position. 
     In operation, the apparatus  1051  preferably is positioned firmly in place on a table, bench, counter, or the like. Alternatively, the apparatus can be permanently affixed to components of a work station. Optionally, a pre-cut inner package wrapping paper, foil/paper laminate or paper-lined foil  1192  is placed into the package  1095 . A typical foil sheet has a width that approximately the width of the inner portion of the package, and a length of about 16 cm. A forming block (not shown) having stamp face dimensions approximating those of the inner bottom face area of the package is used to push the foil into the box. 
     A backstop  1110  located at the front of the carriage  1086  assists in maintaining the package  1095  in place during operation of the apparatus  1051 . On the top face of the backstop  1110  is positioned a slot  1115 . The slot  1115  preferably is configured such that inner package wrapping paper or paper-lined foil (not shown) extending from the front bottom of the package  1095  can be fed into the slot  1115  in order that the foil is positioned out of the way when the cigarette package  1095  is filled with cigarettes. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the package-filling apparatus  1051  is shown with a cartridge  38  containing twenty cigarettes  13  appropriately positioned on the positioning region of the upper platform  1073 . The carriage  1086  has been moved forward, such that the package  1095  carried thereby is positioned below the open center region  1079  beneath the cartridge. The device  1051  is configured such that the cartridge  38  can be slid on the upper surface of the upper platform  1058  towards the rear of the device. When the cartridge is moved rearward, each ejection rod  1067  remains still such that each rod passes through the openings  550  in the front surface of the cartridge  38  and resists the cigarettes&#39; rearward motion by pushing against the rear face of each filter element of each respective cigarette. Effectively, as the cartridge  38  is moved rearward, each rod  1067  passes through the corresponding opening  550  in the front face of the cartridge  38 , hence pushing the cigarettes  13  out of the cartridge. As such, cigarettes can be removed from the cartridge without the necessity of turning the cartridge over to dump cigarettes therefrom or of tipping the cartridge upwards so that cigarettes fall therefrom. The cigarettes  13  that are pushed from the cartridge  38  and fall through the open center region  1079 . The cigarettes  13  consequently fall into, and fill, the open package  1095  that is positioned in the below the open center region  1079 . An operator can use his/her finger to align the cigarettes within the package, but preferably the cigarettes are aligned without being touched, or are moved into alignment within the package using a tool (e.g., a nylon probe) that will not mar the cigarettes. The handle  1089  then can be used to move the carriage  1086  rearwards in order to expose the package filled with cigarettes. The filled package can be removed from the carriage and closed. A new empty package then can be inserted into the carriage. Meanwhile, the empty cartridge can be moved forward and removed from the device. A new cartridge filled with cigarettes can be placed into the device. As such, the package filling process can be repeated. 
     For a representative device for filling a cigarette package with manufactured cigarettes described with reference to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , the device is configured to fill a package with twenty cigarettes. Suitable alterations to the apparatus and its components can be made to hold or transfer a greater or lesser number of cigarettes contained in a cartridge. For example, a package designed to contain ten cigarettes can be filled with the embodiment described with reference to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  by loading ten cigarettes into the cartridge and using the device to fill that package. 
     As mentioned previously, the cigarette package  1095 , such as, for example, a shoulder box, and associated wrapping materials can be embossed, printed with indicia, or the like, such as, for example indicia label  150  ( FIG. 6 ), during the original manufacturing process for indicating the manufacturer, brand, flavor etc. of the cigarettes to be contained in the cigarette package  1095 . However, such indicia may be typically pre-printed on the packaging and/or wrapping materials on the production line to indicate an as-formed condition, and customization thereof is not available on the production line. In other instances, the indicia may be imprinted on the packaging/wrapping on the production line, but such mechanisms (embossing, printing) used therefor are generally predetermined or otherwise set prior to production. As such, customization of the cigarette packages  1095  is typically not possible. 
     As such,  FIG. 4  illustrates an apparatus for customizing a cigarette package, according to one aspect of the present invention, the cigarette package customization apparatus being generally indicated by the numeral  100 . In one aspect, the apparatus  100  comprises a feeder unit  204  configured to feed a cigarette package  1095  to a register position  400 . One skilled in the art will recognize that may types of cigarette packages may be implemented in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, even though the “shoulder box” is provided for illustrative purposes only. An imprinting unit  500  is configured to interact with the cigarette package  1095  in the register position  400  so as to selectively imprint at least one of an alphanumeric character and a graphical character (collectively indicated as element  600  as shown, for example, in  FIG. 6 , and otherwise referred to herein as “character  600 ” for brevity) thereon. The feeder unit  204  and/or the imprinting unit  500  may be controlled by a computer device  700  (as shown, for example, in  FIG. 4 ) though, in some instances, each of the feeder unit  204  and the imprinting unit  500  may be controlled by a separate computer device. The imprinting unit  500  may be positioned along a production line for imprinting the as-formed cigarette packages  1095  before or after the cigarette package  1095  being filled with cigarettes by a cigarette packaging device. In other instances, the imprinting unit  500  may be remotely disposed from the production line such that the finished as-formed cigarette package  1095  is imprinted separately and offline therefrom. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the feeder unit  204  is configured to feed a cigarette package  1095  to a register position  400 . In some instances, the feeder unit  204  may be configured to select the cigarette package  1095  from a plurality of cigarette packages  1200 . The plurality of cigarette packages  1200  may be disposed, for example, in a hopper  220  operably engaged with the feeder unit  204 . The hopper  220  may be configured as a receptacle associated with the feeder unit  204 , into which the plurality of cigarette packages  1200  may be manually or automatically fed. In some instances, the feeder unit  204  may include a separator mechanism  208  configured to interact with the cigarette package  1095  in such a manner that the plurality of cigarette packages  1200  are released sequentially from the hopper  220  into the feeder device  204  and such that an individual cigarette package  1095  can be fed to the register position  400 . In one example, the plurality of cigarette packages  1200  may be vertically stacked in a vertically-extending hopper  220  oriented perpendicularly to the feeder device  204 . In such instances, each cigarette package  1095  may be fed in the desired orientation to the feeder unit  204 , which may comprise, for example, a conveyor device  206 . The separator mechanism  208  may be operably engaged with or otherwise secured to the conveyor device  206  so as to move therewith. A cigarette package  1095  may be positioned onto the conveyor device  206  in registration with the separator mechanism  208  such that the cigarette package  1095  may be advanced toward the registration position  400  and imprinting device  500 . One skilled in the art will appreciate, however, that the plurality of cigarette packages  1200  may be provided to the feeder device  204  in many different manners, either online or offline with respect to a cigarette making machine and/or a cigarette packaging machine, as required or otherwise desirable. As illustrated, each cigarette package  1095  advanced to the registration position  400  may have a cover portion  1102  disposed in a “face-up” orientation with respect to the conveyor device  206  such that the top cover  1102  can interact with the imprinting device  500  so as to allow the imprinting device  500  to form or provide the customized indicia thereon. One of ordinary skill in the art, however, will recognize that the cigarette receptacle portion  1098  may be disposed in a “face-up” orientation on the conveyor device  206  so as to be imprinted thereon. 
     Aspects of the feeder device  204 , according to the present invention, may also be configured to initially separate an individual cigarette package  1095  from the plurality of cigarette packages  1200  in a direction substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the conveyor device  206  (i.e., in association with the hopper  220 ). Once an individual cigarette package  1095  is separated from the plurality of cigarette packages  1200 , the individual cigarette package  1095  can then be fed by the feeder device  204  to the register position  400  in a suitable manner. For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the individual cigarette package  1095  may be fed longitudinally, along the longitudinal axis of the conveyor device  206 , to the register position  400  by the feeder device  204 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the example of a feeder device  204  for handling a plurality of cigarette packages  1200  such as, for example, about 10 in number, deposited in a hopper  220 , so as to feed one individual cigarette package  1095  at a time to the register position  400 . The feeder device  204  may be assembled to a base structure (not shown) made from any suitable rigid material, such as aluminum sheet plate, and the hopper  220  is secured to the base structure and/or conveyor device  206  in a suitable manner. Each cigarette package  1095  may be transported vertically downward through the hopper  220  under the influence of gravity. That is, as the cigarette package  1095  is received at an initial position  402  on the conveyor device  206  from a vertical direction and is then horizontally advanced toward the registration position  400  via interaction with the separator mechanism  208 , the cigarette package  1095  previously positioned thereabove descends onto the conveyor device  206  under the influence of gravity. 
     The conveyor device  206  is operably engaged with the hopper  220  such as, for instance, disposed beneath the hopper  220 . In some instances, the release of the cigarette packages  1200  can be indexed onto the conveyor device  206  under control of, for example, the computer device  700 . As a result, the interaction between the hopper  220  and the conveyor device  206  causes an individual cigarette package  1095  to be fed with respect to the separator mechanism  208  such that, as the conveyor device  206  continues to rotate when indexed, one of the cigarette packages  1095  is deposited onto the conveyor device  206 . 
     A motor may be operably engaged with the feeder device  204  to drive, for example, the conveyor device  206  and may also be controlled by the computer device  700 . When actuated by the computer device  700  (i.e., once an individual cigarette package  1095  is deposited from the hopper  220  onto the conveyor device  206 ), the motor causes the conveyor device  206  to advance. The separator mechanism  208  advances the cigarette package  1095  along the conveyor device  206  until the cigarette package  1095  reaches the register position  400 . The advancement of cigarette packages  1095  by the separator mechanism  208  may be determined in many different manners such as, for example, by a suitable optical-, contact-, or proximity-type limit switch, sensor, or detector operably engaged with the feeder device  204  and/or the computer device  700 . In some instances, the register position  400  may be defined past the advancement limit of the conveyor device  206  such that advancement of a subsequent cigarette package  1095  displaces the previously advanced cigarette package  1095 . In the register position  400 , at least a portion of the cigarette package  1095  is supported by a support member  1097  in a position adjacent to the conveyor device  206  such that the cigarette package  1095  is supported thereby while being imprinted by the imprinting device  500 . Once the cigarette package  1095  is imprinted by the imprinting device  500 , the conveyor device  206  continues to advance and deposits the imprinted cigarette package  1095  on, for example, a second conveyor device (not shown), which transports the imprinted cigarette package  1095  to an appropriate collection arrangement (not shown). In the alternative, the imprinted cigarette package  1095  may be transported by the conveyor device  206  directly to the collection arrangement. 
     The imprinting device  500  may be mounted to the feeder device  204  or, in another instance, the imprinting device  500  may be supported by a separate bracket (not shown). In any instance, the imprinting device  500  is appropriately supported with respect to the feeder device  204  to be capable of interacting with the cigarette package  1095  in the register position  400 . For example, each of the feeder device  204  and the imprinting device  500  may include complementary alignment elements (not shown) capable of operably engaging each other. Once engaged, the alignment elements are configured to align the imprinting unit  500  with the feeder unit  204  such that the imprinting unit  500  interacts with the cigarette package  1095  in the register position  400 . One skilled in the art will appreciate, however, that different arrangements may also be implemented to allow the imprinting device  500  to appropriately interact with the cigarette package  1095  in the register position  400 . For example, a pattern-recognition unit (not shown) may be implemented in conjunction with a movable or otherwise adjustable imprinting unit  500 , whereby such a pattern-recognition unit first locates the cigarette package  1095  and the imprinting site thereon, and then appropriately guides the imprinting unit  500  to interact with the cigarette package  1095  in the register position  400 . 
     Once aligned with the cigarette package  1095  in the register position  400 , the imprinting unit  500  may be further configured to interact with at least one of the cover portion  1102  and the cigarette receptacle portion  1098  of the cigarette package  1095 , so as to selectively imprint at least one of an alphanumeric character and a graphical character  600  thereon as shown, for example, in  FIG. 6 . The imprinting procedure can be selectively controlled so as to allow for customization and/or personalization of one or more cigarette packages  1095 . In some instances, the character  600  may be imprinted only on the cover portion  1102 , only on the cigarette receptacle portion  1098 , or on both cigarette package portions  1102 ,  1098 . As such, the imprinting unit  500  may include a single laser imprinting unit capable of being controlled by the computer device  700  to provide imprinting of the character  600  on the cigarette package  1095 . In other instances, however, the imprinting unit  500  may comprise a plurality of adjacent imprinting elements (i.e., laser imprinting units such as elements  500 A,  500 B,  500 C in  FIG. 5 ), wherein each imprinting element is substantially equidistantly-spaced from the surface of the cigarette package  1095  facing the imprinting units  500 A,  500 B,  500 C. The computer device  700 , in communication with and capable of controlling each imprinting element, may also be configured to selectively imprint a portion of the at least one of an alphanumeric character and a graphical character  600  on the cigarette package  1095 , by selectively implementing (i.e., individually, sequentially, or simultaneously) the plurality of imprinting elements. Further, in some instances, the feeder unit  204  and/or conveyor device  206  may have a cigarette package rotation device  1096  operably engaged therewith. In such instances, the cigarette package rotation device  1096  may be configured to rotate and/or flip a cigarette package  1095 , in the register position  400 , so as to facilitate, for example, printing of the character  600  by a single imprinting element on the opposing surface and/or sides of the cigarette package  1095 . 
     The at least one of an alphanumeric character and a graphical character  600  (or “character  600 ”) may be formed by the imprinting unit  500  in many different selective manners within the scope of aspects of the present invention. For example, the character  600  may comprise, for example, a company logo, alphabetic letters, words, numbers, symbols, graphics, or combinations thereof, to form, for instance, a name, a phone number, an email address, a website address, a short quote, a logo, one or more symbols, or combinations thereof (see, e.g.,  FIG. 6 ). In some instances, the character  600  may also be combined with various shading, contrasting, underlining, bordering, other special effects, or combinations thereof. In order to imprint the character  600  on the as-formed cigarette package  1095 , the imprinting device  500  is configured to be responsive to the computer device  700  such that the character  600  selected by a user and input into the computer device  700  wherein the character  600  is then selectively transferred to the cigarette package  1095 , when the cigarette package  1095  is in the register position  400 . In one instance, the imprinting device  500  may comprise a laser imprinting device such as, for example, a VersaLaser (VLS2.30 or Value Laser Series) Laser Marking System, or other suitable model and/or series of imprinting device. In one particular instance, the imprinting device  500  may employ a laser operating at approximately 300 watts. The computer device  700  operably engaged therewith may comprise, for example, a laser controller PC executing operating software, and communicating with the imprinting device  500  via an appropriate interface. 
     In basic operation, the plurality of cigarette packages  1200  is first loaded into the hopper  220  by manual loading or via a feeder line disposed so as to feed the plurality of cigarette packages  1200  into the hopper  220 . At the computer device  700 , the desired message (i.e., character string) is entered via the operating software, wherein the message may be represented by, for example, a text message and/or a monochrome bitmap image. The bitmap image may be generated on another computer device and then imported into the operating software, or the bitmap image may be created via the operating software itself. The message may then be aligned, formatted, and appropriately sized with respect to the portion of the cigarette package  1095  on which the message is to be imprinted. More particularly, the operating parameters for the laser head are entered via the operating software, controlling such parameters as mark speed in bits per millisecond and “Laser-On-CO 2 ” to vary the intensity of the laser burn on the cigarette package  1095  (which also varies the “depth” of the laser burn with respect to the paper material comprising the cigarette package  1095 ). Such parameters may be adjusted, for instance, depending on the various components of the cigarette package  1095  on which the character  600  is imprinted. 
     Once the message and operating parameters have been input into the computer device  700 , the parameters of the cigarette package are also entered via an operator interface executed on or otherwise associated with the computer device  700 , wherein such parameters may vary depending on, for example, the length and width of the cigarette package  1095 . The operator interface controls, for example, the operation of the feeder device  204 , previously discussed, for receiving a cigarette package  1095  from the hopper  220  and then feeding that cigarette package  1095  to the register position  400  for interaction with the imprinting device  500 . 
     In operation, the separator mechanism  208  maintains the cigarette package  1095  in the register position  400  while the cigarette package  1095  is imprinted by the imprinting device  500 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , after a first cigarette package  1095 A is imprinted, the computer device  700 , via the executed software, directs the feeder device  204  to feed a second cigarette package  1095 B to the register position  400 . In doing so, the second cigarette package  1095 B advanced by the separator mechanism  208  replaces the first cigarette package  1095 A in the register position  400  for imprinting thereon by the imprinting device  500 . The replaced imprinted cigarette package  1095 A may be collected, for example, by a collector device operably engaged with or otherwise disposed adjacent to the conveyor device  206 . This successive replacement process may be selectively continued for any number of cigarette packages  1095  from the hopper  220  or, in other instances, may be allowed to continue until the plurality of cigarette packages  1200  in the hopper  220  is depleted. In such instances, once the plurality of cigarette packages  1200  is depleted from the hopper  220  or otherwise from any feeder line, operation of the feeder device  204  and the imprinting device  500  is halted or placed in a stand-by mode, pending deposition of additional cigarette packages  1095  in the hopper  220 . In some instances, the apparatus  100  may include a counting device (not shown) configured to count, and provide an indicia of the count, of the total number of cigarette packages  1095  imprinted by the imprinting device  500 . 
     In some configurations, the apparatus  100  may be capable of imprinting, for example, about 20 cigarette packages per minute. However, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the apparatus  100  may be readily modified to provide faster or slower processing speeds by, for example, changing the advancement parameters of the feeder device  204 . In this regard, the character  600  imprinted on the cigarette package  1095  may be affected by various parameters associated with the operation of the apparatus  100 . For example, print resolution may be controlled by:
         a) Character width and height: For a single line of print, a character dimension of about 3 mm wide and about 4 mm high may be required. For two lines of print, a character dimension of about 1.5 mm wide and about 2.5 mm high may be required. For three lines of print, a character dimension of about 1.5 mm wide and about 2.0 mm high may be required.   b) Character font and weight: Representative fonts include 3-LS Arial, 2-LS Arial, Comic Sans MS, Times New Roman, or any other suitable font.   c) Character weight may be controlled by the use of the bold print selection. Adjustments may also be made in the laser power and laser beam duration settings, and such parameters may also affect the appearance of the printed character.       

     The number of characters  600  that may be included on each line of message may be controlled, for example, by:
         d) The dimension of the portion of the cigarette package  1095  being imprinted. For instance, the length or width of the cigarette package  1095  may be the limiting factor.   e) The particular font and character weight used for the customization. As the values of such parameters increase, the total number of characters  600  capable of being used decreases.       

     In any instance, the customized message may include any number of lines on the cigarette package  1095  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 6 ) imprinted thereon, as the cigarette package  1095  is stationarily maintained in register position  400  during the imprinting process, wherein the message may extend along the longitudinal axis of the cigarette package  1095 , perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis, or otherwise angularly with respect to the longitudinal axis. However, if the feeder device  204  is configured to rotate (or flip) the cigarette package  1095  during the imprinting process and/or if the imprinting device  500  is configured to imprint about the sides of the cigarette package  1095 , more lines may be imprinted. In any instance, one aspect involves determining appropriate imprinting parameters such that the character is of sufficient clarity so as to not appear “washed out” or faded after the imprinting process. Further, the characters  600  are generally imprinted on the cigarette package  1095  so as not to interfere (i.e., location-wise) with other labeling (e.g., label  150 ) pre-printed thereon or, alternatively, to be added at a later time. 
     In instances of cigarette packages  1095  already including a color indicia, the laser imprinting device  500  may be configured to partially “burn” the packaging material, or a layer of the packaging material (if the packaging material includes multiple layers), so as to imprint the selected character  600  with suitable contrast with respect to the packaging material, but without burning therethrough. The contrast provided by the interaction between the laser imprinting device  500  and the packaging material allows the character to be visible/legible and facilitates customization/personalization of the cigarette package  1095 . For example, interaction of the laser imprinting device  500  with a white packaging material may produce a brown-colored contrasting character  600 , while interaction with a “brown” packaging material may produce a white-colored contrasting character. In some instances, the operational parameters of the laser imprinting device  500  may also be varied, in cooperation with the packaging material, to provide a different contrasting color of the imprinted character  600 . 
     According to one aspect, implementing an imprinting device  500  as previously discussed herein, variations in particular parameters may cause the laser imprinting device  500  to either “burn” too lightly, such that an unsatisfactory character  600  is provided, or to “burn” too heavily, so as to burn through the wrapping material. Parameters such as “mark-speed” and “laser on CO 2 ” may be important in this regard. In one embodiment, the parameters of the laser imprinting device  500  may be selected so as to provide a balance, for example, between the depth/extent of the “burn” provided by the laser imprinting device, versus the contrast achieved with respect to the imprinted character  600 , but without affecting the structural integrity of the cigarette package  1095 . One skilled in the art will appreciate, however, that such parameters may change considerably depending on particular conditions encountered in any given cigarette package customization process. 
     One skilled in the art will further appreciate that the customization/personalization process discussed herein may occur in a number of different manners. For example, such customization/personalization may occur at the cigarette making plant, factory, or laboratory. That is, customized/personalized cigarette packages could be created onsite at the factory (i.e., cigarette packages are engaged with the apparatus  100 , which processes (imprints) the cigarette packages, which, at this point, may or may not include as-formed cigarettes, and then directs the imprinted cigarette packages to a collection device for collection and packaging) for promotions, special offers, and/or customized sales. In other instances, a portable apparatus  100  may allow such customization/personalization to be implemented in an aftermarket setting outside the factory or lab environment. For example, a portable apparatus  100  could be implemented at “brand” events. That is, previously-packaged cigarettes could be provided by a customer or retailer, wherein the cigarette packages are unwrapped (and, in some instances, emptied, such that the as-formed cigarettes therein may be separately customized by selectively imprinting an alphanumeric character and/or a graphical character thereon using a cigarette imprinting unit; see, e.g., U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0202540 to Carter et al. (for customized cigarette), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference) and loaded into the hopper of the apparatus  100 , and whereby the apparatus  100  is configured to process (imprint) the cigarette packages and, in instances where the cigarettes are separately customized, re-package the imprinted as-formed cigarettes within the cigarette package using a re-packaging unit (e.g., package-filling device  1051 ), wherein the imprinted cigarette packages may then be directed to a collection device for collection and rewrapping. Thus, in some embodiments, both the cigarette package and the cigarettes packaged therein may be customized/personalized. 
     In one alternative, the portable apparatus  100  could be implemented at cigarette stores (i.e., a retailer produces customized/personalized cigarette packages at the request of a customer at point-of-sale, wherein the cigarette packages are unwrapped and loaded into the hopper of the apparatus  100 , and whereby the apparatus  100  is configured to process (imprint) the cigarette packages and direct the imprinted cigarette packages to a collection device for collection and rewrapping/repackaging) so as to instantly provide customized/personalized cigarette packages for adult smokers. Such customization/personalization could be accomplished selectively (i.e., a chosen number of cigarette packages), in bulk (i.e., a batch of cigarette packages), or on a per pack or a per carton basis. In other instances, the apparatus  100  could be configured for selective operation by a consumer at a point-of-sale (i.e., the apparatus  100  could be provided in or as a “kiosk,” where the purchaser of cigarettes could choose to customize the cigarette package of a purchased pack on a self-serve basis). 
     In some instances, a cigarette making device may be incorporated within a tobacco specialty retail shop or store. That is, at least one such device may be on prominent display within the premises of a retail establishment specializing in high quality or premium tobacco products. Such a shop or store may have a name that corresponds to the brand name of tobacco products available for sale within that shop or store. For example, such a cigarette-making device can be employed to manufacture cigarettes for commercial sale in a tobacco retail outlet such as the establishment which operated as Marshall McGearty Tobacco Lounge at 1553 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, Ill. The shop or store preferably includes an inviting atmosphere, comfortable lounge areas or appropriate places to sit and enjoy the smoking of tobacco products, a high quality air handling or air conditioning system, and locations to purchase tobacco products. A customer within such a shop or store can talk with a tobacconist about the cigarettes that are manufactured in that retail establishment. The packaging, filter materials, cigarette paper materials, tobacco components (including the selection of tobacco types and grade, tobacco blends, and casing and top dressing components) can be high quality in terms of sensory properties and appearance. Locating a cigarette making device within such a shop or store allows the customer within such an establishment to experience the manufacture of cigarettes, and enjoy cigarettes that are freshly made in his/her presence. For example, that customer can smell the aroma of different tobaccos within the store, and can view the manufacture of cigarettes expressly for him/her. As one example, a customer may have chosen between tobacco blends such as those incorporated into Marshall McGearty brand styles identified as The Standard, Karmelita, Oriental Rose, Malawi Kings, Cutlass, Samsun Straights, Virginia, Four Corners, The Empress, The Earl, North Star, Aegean, and Muse. The selected blend(s) may then have been manufactured into cigarettes by Marshall McGearty Tobacco Artisans using the cigarette making device. In this environment, using multi-sensory inputs (e.g., sight, smell), the customer can make an informed decision on his/her selection of different tobaccos and/or tobacco blends to be loaded into a cigarette making device to manufacture cigarettes in his/her presence. Thus, embodiments of a cigarette package customization apparatus  100  according to the present invention may also be utilized in such a retail setting that provides a customer with an aesthetic experience and an individually selected product, such that the customer may also obtain customized packaging for the custom cigarettes selected thereby. In such instances, the customer may also be provided with customized as-formed cigarettes. Such customized as-formed cigarettes may be provided using an apparatus such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0202540 to Carter et al., incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     In any instance, cigarette packages imprinted according to embodiments of the present invention may also be randomly distributed, or be packaged in a carton with non-imprinted cigarette packages. For example, the imprinted cigarette package could be combined with other cigarette packages, which are not imprinted. In such a manner, the imprinted cigarette package may be used, for example, for purposes of a contest (i.e., the holder of a carton of cigarettes having an imprinted cigarette package therein may be the winner of a prize), or in any other manner where the presence of an imprinted cigarette package may distinguish the holder thereof. 
     Many modifications and other aspects of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description; and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications of the present invention can be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific aspects disclosed and that modifications and other aspects are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.