Patent Publication Number: US-2020281251-A1

Title: Cigarette manufacturing machine

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/815,510, entitled CIGARETTE MANUFACTURING MACHINE and filed Mar. 8, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to cigarette manufacturing machines, and more particularly, to a machine for manufacturing a single cigarette at a time. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A cigarette manufacturing machine is a device used for manufacturing cigarettes. These machines require a user to place tobacco into a tobacco cavity and sleeve an empty cigarette tube onto a filling pipe. Subsequently, the user engages an actuator that causes the tobacco to be moved from the filling pipe and into the cigarette tube. 
     SUMMARY 
     An exemplary embodiment of a machine for manufacturing a cigarette includes a housing, a support frame disposed within the housing, a filling pipe at least partially disposed outside of the housing, a push plate at least partially disposed within the support frame, a first actuation assembly operatively connected to the push plate, a push spoon assembly, and a second actuation assembly operatively connected to the push spoon assembly. The support frame includes a tobacco cavity aligned with an opening of the housing, at least one protrusion, and a frame rail. Actuation of the first actuation assembly causes the push plate to move from a first position to a second position to push tobacco in the tobacco cavity into alignment with the filling pipe. The second position of the push plate is defined by engagement of the push plate with the at least one protrusion of the support frame. The push spoon assembly includes a sliding block attached to the frame rail and a push spoon extending into the tobacco cavity. Movement of the sliding block along the frame rail causes the push spoon to move within the tobacco cavity. The second actuation assembly causes the sliding block to move along the frame rail. 
     Another exemplary embodiment of a machine for manufacturing a cigarette includes a housing, a support frame disposed within the housing, a filling pipe at least partially disposed outside of the housing, a push plate at least partially disposed within the support frame, a first actuation assembly operatively connected to the push plate, a push spoon assembly, and a second actuation assembly operatively connected to the push spoon assembly. The support frame includes a tobacco cavity aligned with an opening of the housing, a channel disposed in a top surface of the support frame, and a frame rail. The first actuation assembly includes a handle and a shaft, in which the shaft is attached to the handle such that rotation of the handle causes the shaft to rotate. The push plate is operatively connected to the shaft such that rotation of the shaft causes the push plate to move from the first position to the second position to push tobacco in the tobacco cavity into alignment with the filling pipe. The shaft is disposed within the channel of the support frame. The push spoon assembly includes a sliding block attached to the frame rail and a push spoon extending into the tobacco cavity. Movement of the sliding block along the frame rail causes the push spoon to move within the tobacco cavity. The second actuation assembly causes the sliding block to move along the frame rail. 
     Another exemplary embodiment of a machine for manufacturing a cigarette includes a housing, a support frame disposed within the housing, a filling pipe at least partially disposed outside of the housing, a push plate at least partially disposed within the support frame, a first actuation assembly operatively connected to the push plate, a push spoon assembly, a second actuation assembly operatively connected to the push spoon assembly, and a plastic strip disposed in the support frame. The support frame includes a tobacco cavity aligned with an opening of the housing, a channel disposed in an interior of the support frame, and a frame rail. Actuation of the first actuation assembly causes the push plate to move from a first position to a second position to push tobacco in the tobacco cavity into alignment with the filling pipe. The push spoon assembly includes a sliding block attached to the frame rail and a push spoon extending into the tobacco cavity. Movement of the sliding block along the frame rail causes the push spoon to move within the tobacco cavity. The second actuation assembly causes the sliding block to move along the frame rail. The plastic strip is positioned such that a back side of the pushing spoon engages the plastic strip as the pushing spoon moves within the tobacco cavity. 
     Another exemplary embodiment of a machine for manufacturing a cigarette includes a housing, a support frame disposed within the housing, a filling pipe at least partially disposed outside of the housing, a push plate at least partially disposed within the support frame, a first actuation assembly operatively connected to the push plate, a push spoon assembly, and a second actuation assembly operatively connected to the push spoon assembly. The support frame includes a tobacco cavity and an exterior frame rail, in which the tobacco cavity is aligned with an opening of the housing. Actuation of the first actuation assembly causes the push plate to move from a first position to a second position to push tobacco in the tobacco cavity into alignment with the filling pipe. The push spoon assembly includes a sliding block attached to the frame rail and a push spoon extending into the tobacco cavity. The sliding block is connected to the push spoon by a connection element that extends through an elongated opening of the support frame. Movement of the sliding block along the frame rail causes the connection element to move within the elongated opening and the push spoon to move within the tobacco cavity. The second actuation assembly causes the sliding block to move along the frame rail. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a cigarette manufacturing machine; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a front perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a cigarette manufacturing machine; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded view of the cigarette manufacturing machine of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a center mechanism of the cigarette manufacturing machine of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an exploded view of the center mechanism of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a front perspective view of a support frame of the center mechanism of  FIG. 4  with an exemplary embodiment of a sliding block of a push spoon assembly connected to the support frame; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of the support frame of  FIG. 6  with the sliding block shown being disconnected from the support frame; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a rear perspective view of the support frame of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a top view of the support frame of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the support frame of  FIG. 6  taken along the lines  10 - 10  shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates an exploded view of the connection between an exemplary actuation assembly and an exemplary push plate of the center mechanism of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a partial exploded view of the center mechanism of  FIG. 2  showing a portion of an exemplary push spoon assembly and a plastic strip, in which the center mechanism has another exemplary embodiment of a support frame; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a rear perspective view of the center mechanism of  FIG. 4  with the exemplary support frame of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates another rear perspective view of the center mechanism of  FIG. 4  with the exemplary support frame of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a side view an exemplary embodiment of a plastic strip for the center mechanism of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 16  illustrates a partial exploded view of the cigarette manufacturing machine of  FIG. 2  showing the exemplary center mechanism of  FIG. 4 , an exemplary embodiment of a control panel, and an exemplary embodiment of a protection cover for the control panel; 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a partial exploded view of the exemplary protection cover of  FIG. 16  and an exemplary embodiment of a shielding strip for the cigarette manufacturing device of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 18  illustrates an exemplary engagement between the shielding strip of  FIG. 17  and an exemplary embodiment of a motor stop component of the control panel of  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a bottom perspective view of the center mechanism of  FIG. 4  with the shielding strip of  FIG. 17  and without the protection cover of  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a swing arm assembly of the cigarette manufacturing machine of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a bottom view of the swing arm assembly of  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 22  is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a paper buckling assembly of the cigarette manufacturing machine of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 23  is a bottom perspective view of the center mechanism of  FIG. 4  with the protection cover of  FIG. 16  and with the shielding strip of  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 24  illustrates a partial exploded view of another exemplary embodiment of a center mechanism that can be used with the cigarette manufacturing machine of  FIG. 2  showing another exemplary embodiment of a support frame, another exemplary embodiment of a push spoon, and another exemplary embodiment of a plastic strip; 
         FIG. 25  illustrates a perspective view of the center mechanism of  FIG. 24 ; and 
         FIG. 26  shows a side view of the plastic strip for the center mechanism of  FIG. 24 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The Detailed Description describes exemplary embodiments of the invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims in any way. Indeed, the invention is broader than and unlimited by the exemplary embodiments, and the terms used in the claims have their full ordinary meaning. Features and components of one exemplary embodiment may be incorporated into the other exemplary embodiments. Inventions within the scope of this application may include additional features, or may have less features, than those shown in the exemplary embodiments. 
     The exemplary cigarette manufacturing machines described herein include improvements over typical cigarette manufacturing machines. For example, the cigarette manufacturing machines described herein can include a push plate that engages one or more protrusions of a support frame to prevent the push plate from becoming displaced. In addition, the machines described herein can include a plastic strip that provides for a smooth movement of a push spoon through the tobacco cavity. The plastic strip can also be removable, which allows the plastic strip to be replaced after becoming worn. The cigarette manufacturing machines described herein can also have a frame rail for allowing movement of a sliding block on an exterior surface of the frame, which prevents tobacco in the interior of the frame from being deposited between the frame rail the sliding block during use of the machine. In addition, the cigarette manufacturing machines described herein may include a channel in a top surface of a support frame for receiving a shaft of an actuation assembly, which allows for easy and accurate placement of the shaft in the support frame. 
     The general inventive concepts of the present application will now be described by referencing the following exemplary embodiments. The description with reference to the following exemplary embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the claims in any way, and the terms used in the claims have their full ordinary meaning. In addition, any feature or combination of features from each of the embodiments can be used with features or combinations of features from other embodiments. In the embodiments discussed herein, the cigarette manufacturing machine is described as manufacturing a cigarette that includes tobacco. However, the cigarette manufacturing devices of the present application can be used to manufacture any other type of cigarette, such as, for example a cigarette containing a narcotic, herbs, or any other substance for smoking. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary embodiment of a cigarette manufacturing machine  100  includes a support frame  101 , a first actuation assembly  110   a , a second actuation assembly  110   b , a push plate  124 , a tobacco cavity  116 , a pushing spoon assembly  122 , and a filling pipe  157 . The support frame  101  can be constructed from any suitable material, such as, for example, any one or more of aluminum, plastic, any other suitable material, or any combination thereof, etc. The tobacco cavity  116  is configured to receive tobacco, and the filling pipe  157  is configured to engage a cigarette tube. In certain embodiments, the filling pipe  157  is at least partially disposed outside of the support frame  101  such that a user can place an empty cigarette tube onto the filling pipe. The machine  100  is configured to move tobacco from the tobacco cavity  116  and into the cigarette tube to create a cigarette. 
     After the user deposits tobacco into the tobacco cavity  116 , the user engages an actuation assembly  110   a  that causes the push plate  124  to push the tobacco to a desired position within the tobacco cavity (e.g., to a position that aligns with the pushing spoon  154  of the push spoon assembly). The actuation assembly  110   a  can take any suitable form that is capable of moving the pushing plate  124  to engage the tobacco within the tobacco cavity  116  and move the tobacco into a desired position, such as, for example, a variety of manual and electromechanical arrangements. In certain embodiments, the actuation assembly  110   a  can include a handle and a shaft, in which the shaft is attached to the handle such that rotation of the handle causes the shaft to rotate. In these embodiments, the push plate  124  is operatively connected to the shaft such that rotation of the shaft causes the push plate to move between various positions. In various embodiments, the machine  100  includes a channel  140  for housing the shaft of the actuation assembly  110   a  such that the shaft can rotate within the channel. The channel  140  can be disposed in a top surface of a frame of the machine  100  such that the shaft of the actuation assembly  110   a  can be easily inserted and positioned within the channel  140 . In certain embodiments, the actuation assembly  110   a  can take the form of the actuation assembly  536  described herein with reference to  FIGS. 2-23 . 
     The push plate  124  is configured to move from a first position (or starting position) to a second position by the actuation assembly  110   a , in which the tobacco is in the desired position within the tobacco cavity  116  when the push plate  124  is in the second position. In some embodiments, the support frame  101  includes one or more protrusions (not shown) positioned to prevent movement of the push plate  124  once the push plate is in the second position. That is, the protrusions are positioned such that the push plate  124  cannot move past the second position toward the tobacco cavity  116 . In certain embodiments, the machine  101  includes a positioning plate  125  that is positioned adjacent to the push plate  124  such that the positioning plate  125  engages the push plate if the push plate moves toward the positioning plate to prevent the push plate from being displaced during use of the device. The protrusions and/or positioning plate  125  may allow the push plate to move smoothly. The push plate  124  can be constructed from, for example, anyone or more of plastic (e.g., food grade plastic), aluminum, any other suitable material, or any combination thereof. A plastic push plate may allow for reduced friction within the device, resulting in reduced wear and reduced particle generation. In addition, a push plate  424  including food grade plastic may be advantageous due to its contact with the tobacco. 
     After the tobacco is positioned in a desired position within the tobacco cavity, the push spoon assembly  122  can be used to move the tobacco from the tobacco cavity, through the filling pipe  157 , and to the cigarette tube. The push spoon assembly  122  has a sliding block  152  and a push spoon  154 , in which the push spoon  154  is attached to the sliding block  152 . The sliding block  152  is attached to a frame rail (e.g., one or more grooves in the support frame  101  of the machine  100 ) such that the sliding block  152  can move along the frame rail, and the pushing spoon is at least partially disposed in the tobacco cavity  116  such that movement of the sliding block along the frame rail causes the pushing spoon  154  to move within the tobacco cavity  116 . In some embodiments, the frame rail is disposed on an external portion of a frame for the machine  100  such that the sliding block  152  is attached to the external portion of the frame, and the pushing spoon  154  is positioned in the tobacco cavity  116  in an interior of the frame. In these embodiments, the pushing spoon  154  can be connected to the sliding block by a connection member (not shown) that extends through an opening (not shown) in the support frame  101 . The exterior frame rail may prevent tobacco from being deposited in the grooves of the frame rail during use of the machine  100 . The push spoon  152  can have a first portion having a surface for engaging the tobacco, and a second portion that is sized and shaped to form the tobacco into a cylindrical shape (or any other desired shape) prior to being moved through the filling pipe  157 . 
     In certain embodiments, the machine  100  includes a plastic strip  132  that is positioned adjacent to the pushing spoon  154  in the tobacco cavity  116  such that the pushing spoon  154  engages the plastic strip  132  when the pushing spoon  154  moves through the tobacco cavity  116 . The plastic strip  132  can be sized and shaped to correspond to the shape of the pushing spoon  154  such that the pushing spoon can smoothly move against a bearing surface of the plastic strip  132 . The plastic strip  132  allows for a smooth movement of the pushing spoon  132  through the tobacco cavity  116 . The plastic strip  132  may allow for reduced friction within the device, resulting in reduced wear and reduced particle generation. Furthermore, the plastic strip  132  can be removable, which allows the plastic strip to be replaced after it becomes worn. The plastic strip  132  can include any suitable plastic material. In certain embodiments, the plastic strip  132  includes a lubricated plastic material (e.g., a self-lubricating plastic material). 
     The machine  100  includes a second actuation assembly  110   a  that is operatively connected to the sliding block  152  of the push spoon assembly  122 . The actuation assembly  110   b  can take any suitable form that is capable of moving the sliding block  152  along a frame rail of the frame  101  such that the pushing spoon  154  is moved to engage the tobacco within the tobacco cavity  116  and move the tobacco through the filling pipe  157 . For example, the actuation assembly  110   b  can take the form of a variety of manual and electromechanical arrangements. In certain embodiments, the actuation assembly  110   b  includes an electric motor that is operatively connected to the sliding block  152 , and activation of the electric motor causes the sliding block  152  to move along the frame rail. Any suitable type and number of components can be used to operatively connect the electric motor to the push spoon assembly  122 . For example, the swing arm assembly  530  described herein with reference to  FIGS. 2-23  can be used to operatively connect the electric motor to the push spoon assembly  122 . 
     In embodiments that include an electric motor, the electric motor can be in circuit communication with a control panel that is configured to activate and deactivate the motor during use of the machine  100 . In some embodiments, the second actuation assembly  110   b  can include an actuation member (e.g., a handle, a button, etc.) is configured to engage the control panel to activate and/or deactivate the motor. In other embodiments, the push plate  124  or the first actuation assembly  110   a  that is used to move the push plate  124  can be configured to engage the control panel to move the activate and/or deactivate the motor. That is, the push plate  124  or the first actuation assembly  110   a  can include one or more elements (e.g., protrusions) that are configured to engage the control panel during movement of the first actuation assembly  110   a  or the push plate  124 . For example, the actuation assembly  110   a  can take the form of the actuation assembly  536  described herein with reference to  FIGS. 2-23 . It should be understood, however, that any component described herein can include an element that is configured to engage with the control panel during use of the machine  100  to activate and/or deactivate the motor. 
     In various embodiments, the machine  100  includes an engagement member  169  that is configured to maintain the cigarette tube on the filling pipe  157  until the cigarette is manufactured. The engagement  169  is configured to be moved between an engaged position and disengaged position with the filling pipe  157 . For example, the engagement member  169  can be spring-loaded such that the engagement member  169  is in the engaged position when the spring is in a normally extended position, and compression of the spring causes the engagement member to move to the disengaged position. In certain embodiments, the machine  100  can include the paper buckling assembly  528  described herein with reference to  FIGS. 2-23 . 
       FIGS. 2-23  illustrate exemplary embodiments of a cigarette manufacturing machine  200  (which are more specific embodiments of the machine  100  shown in  FIG. 1 ). Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the machine  200  includes a base  202 , a center mechanism  204 , a main cover  206 , and a lid  208 . In the illustrated embodiment, the base  202 , the main cover  206 , and the lid  208  form the housing  201  of the device  200 . The housing  201 , however, can include any suitable number of components that are capable of housing the center mechanism  204  and positioning the center mechanism  204  to manufacture a cigarette. Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the center mechanism  204  is disposed within the base  202 , and the main cover  106  is configured to be removably attached to the base  202  such that the center mechanism can be disposed between the main cover  206  and the base  202  when the main cover is attached to the base. 
     The main cover  206  has a tobacco input opening  214  that aligns with a tobacco cavity  216  of the center mechanism  204  such that a user can deposit tobacco into the tobacco cavity  216  through the input opening  214 . In certain embodiments, the main cover  206  includes a feeding portion  218  having a downward incline toward the input opening  214  such that a user can place the tobacco in the feeding portion and gravity causes the tobacco to move toward and through the input opening  214  and into the tobacco cavity  216 . In some embodiments, the housing  201  can include a lid  208  that is pivotally attached to the main cover  206  such that the lid can be moved between an open position (in which the feeding portion  218  and inlet opening  214  are uncovered) and a closed position (in which the feeding portion  218  and inlet opening  214  are covered). The main cover  206  can attach to the base  202  by any suitable connection, such as, for example, a snap-fit connection, a friction fit connection, a tongue and groove connection, fasteners (e.g., screws), or any other suitable connection. The housing  201  can be constructed from any suitable material, such as, for example, any one or more of aluminum, plastic, any other suitable material, or any combination thereof, etc. 
     When the center mechanism  204  is disposed between the main cover  206  and the base  202 , an actuation member  210  of an actuation assembly  536  ( FIG. 5 ) of the center mechanism  204  extends through an opening  212  of the main cover  106  such that a user can engage the actuator  210  to create a cigarette. That is, a user inserts tobacco into the input opening  214  such that the tobacco moves into the tobacco cavity  216  of the center mechanism  204 , and the user engages the actuation member  210  to cause the center mechanism  204  to move the tobacco into a cigarette tube and create a cigarette. The center mechanism  204  will be described in more detail below. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , an exemplary embodiment of the center mechanism  204  includes a support frame  420 , a plastic strip  432 , a push spoon assembly  522 , a push plate  424 , an actuation assembly  536 , a motor  426 , a paper buckling assembly  528 , and a swing arm assembly  530 . While the various components described above are described as forming the center mechanism  204 , it should be understood that these components are not limited to being formed into a single mechanism, but rather can be multiple mechanisms that interact with each other, and can be configured to connect to and/or be disposed within the housing  201  by an suitable means. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4-10 , the support frame  420  includes the tobacco cavity  216 , an opening  634  for receiving the push plate  424 , an opening  638  for receiving the motor  426 , a channel  640  for receiving a shaft  542  of the actuation assembly  536 , an opening  644  for connecting a motor shaft  546  of the motor  426  to the swing arm assembly  530 , a channel  848  for receiving the plastic strip  432 , a channel  449  for receiving the push spoon  554 , an opening  650  for connecting a sliding block  552  of the push spoon assembly  522  to a push spoon  554  of the push spoon assembly, and an opening (not shown) for receiving the paper buckling assembly  528 . In addition, the support frame  420  includes protrusions  856  that extend into the opening  634 , in which the protrusions are positioned and configured to engage the push plate  424  during use of the device to prevent further movement of a push plate  424  toward the tobacco cavity  216 . Referring to  FIG. 10 , in certain embodiments, the tobacco cavity  216  has sloped cut edges  1015  that allow the tobacco to enter the tobacco shred cavity smoothly. Referring to  FIGS. 8-10 , the support frame  420  also has a frame rail  879  including one or more grooves  860  for receiving the sliding block  552  of the push spoon assembly  522  such that the sliding block can move along the frame rail. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 22 , the paper buckling assembly  528  includes a positioning seat  551 , a pivoting arm  555 , a filling pipe  557 , and a cigarette tube retaining assembly  2259 . The positioning seat  551  includes an opening  2261  for receiving the filling pipe  557 , a projection  2253  for connecting to the pivoting arm  555  such that the pivoting arm  555  can pivot about the projection  2253 , and a cavity  2263  for housing the retaining assembly  2259 . The opening  2261  is in communication with the tobacco cavity  216  of the support frame  420  when the paper buckling assembly  528  is connected to the support frame. In the illustrated embodiment, the positioning seat  551  has apertures  2217  that are configured to receive fasteners for connecting the positioning seat to the support frame  420 . Referring to  FIGS. 19 and 22-23 , in the illustrated embodiment, the positioning seat  551  is attached to the support frame  420  such that the cavity  2263  is facing outward from the support frame. The filling pipe  557  is attached to the opening  2261  of the positioning seat  551  such that an empty cigarette tube can be placed on the filling pipe and be in communication with the tobacco cavity  216 . The filling pipe  557  extends through the housing  201  of the machine  200  such that a user can place the an empty cigarette tube onto the filling pipe. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 5 and 22 , the retaining assembly  2259  includes a spring  2265 , a spring housing  2267 , and an engagement member  2269 . The spring  2265  is disposed within the spring housing  2267 , and the spring housing  2267  is disposed in the cavity  2263  of the positioning seat  551  such that an opening  2271  of the spring housing  2267  is aligned with an opening  2273  of the positioning seat  551 . The engagement member  2269  extends through the openings  2271 ,  2273  of the spring housing  2267  and the positioning seat  551 , respectively, and the engagement member  2269  is attached to the spring  2265  such that compression and expansion of the spring  2267  causes movement of the engagement member  2269 . The pivoting arm  555  is operatively connected to the spring  2265  such that, when the pivoting arm  555  is in a first position, the spring is in its normally expanded position, and when the pivoting arm  555  is in a second position, the spring is in a compressed position. When the spring  2265  is in its normally expanded position, the engagement member  2269  engages the filling pipe  557  such that the engagement member  2269  maintains a cigarette tube on the filling pipe. When the spring  2265  is moved to a compressed position, the engagement member  2269  is released from the filling pipe  557 , which allows the cigarette tube (or manufactured cigarette) to be removed from the filling pipe. As described in more detail below, during use of the machine  200 , the swing arm assembly  530  engages the pivoting arm  555  of the buckling assembly  528  to release engagement of the engagement member  2269  from the manufactured cigarette such that the manufactured cigarette can be removed from the filling pipe  557 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , the actuation assembly  536  includes an actuation member  210 , a shaft  542  fixedly attached to the actuation member, and one or more connection members  1158  fixed to the shaft. The actuation member  210  includes a handle that has an extended portion  1166  that is fixedly attached to a base member  1168 , in which the base member  1168  is rotatably attached to the support frame  420 . A user engages the extended portion  1166  of the actuation member to cause the base member  1168  and, consequently, the shaft  542  to rotate. While the actuation member is shown as being a handle, it should be understood that the actuation member  210  can take any suitable form that causes the shaft  542  to rotate. The shaft  542  is disposed within the channel  640  ( FIGS. 6-10 ) of the support frame  420  such that the shaft  542  can rotate within the channel  640 . In certain embodiments, the actuation assembly  536  includes one or more sleeves  1162  that are mounted onto the shaft  542  and sized to fit in the channel  640  of the support frame  420 . The sleeves  1162  and the shaft  542  are clamped within the channel  640  such that the sleeves and, consequently, the shaft  542  can rotate within the channel  640 . The sleeves  1162  enable the shaft  542  to rotate smoothly within the channel  640 . In the illustrated embodiment, the opening of the channel  640  faces the upper surface of the support frame  420 , which allows for a user to easily mount the shaft  542  of the actuation assembly  536  into the channel in an accurate position. 
     The one or more connection members  1158  are configured to pivotally attach to the push plate  424 . In the illustrated embodiment, the push plate  424  is attached to the connection members  1158  by a connection rod  1164 . That is, the push plate  424  has one or more openings (not shown) that receive the rod  1164  such that the push plate  424  is disposed on the rod  1164 , and the ends  1165  of the rod are configured to attach to the connection members  1158  of the actuation assembly  536 . The connection rod  1164  can attach to the connection members  1158  by any suitable means, such as, for example, a snap-fit connection, a friction-fit connection, or any other suitable connection. Rotation of the shaft  542  causes the push plate  424  to move within the opening  634  ( FIGS. 6-10 ) of the support frame  420  to push tobacco to a desired position within the tobacco cavity  216 . As the push plate  424  moves past the sloped cut edges  1015  ( FIG. 10 ) of the tobacco cavity  216  to move the tobacco to the desired position within the tobacco cavity, the engagement between the push plate  424  and the sloped cut edges  1015  causes the tobacco extending above the push plate to be neatly cut such that cut tobacco is positioned within the tobacco cavity. Referring to  FIGS. 11 and 17 , in certain embodiments, at least one of the connection members  1158  of the actuation assembly  536  include a protruding portion  1180  that is positioned and configured to engage the control panel  1684  ( FIG. 16 ) to start the motor  426  of the machine. The engagement between the connection member  1158  and the control panel  1684  will be described in more detail below. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8-9 and 11 , in some embodiments, the push plate  424  has one or more protrusions  1182  that are positioned to engage with the protrusions  856  ( FIGS. 8 and 9 ) of the support frame  420  to prevent further movement of the push plate  424 . That is, after the push plate  424  pushes the tobacco into the desired position within the tobacco cavity  216 , the protrusions  1182  of the push plate  424  will engage the protrusions  856  of the support frame  420  to prevent further movement of the push plate. The engagement between the protrusions of the push plate  424  and the support frame  420  allows for a uniform movement of the push plate  424  within the opening  634  of the support frame. Referring to  FIG. 5 , in certain embodiments the machine  100  includes a positioning frame  525  that is disposed within the support frame  420  in a position adjacent to the push plate  424  such that the positioning frame  525  is positioned and configured to prevent the push plate  424  from being displaced within the support frame  420 . The push plate  424  can be constructed from, for example, any one or more of plastic (e.g., food grade plastic), aluminum, any other suitable material, or any combination thereof. A plastic push plate may allow for reduced friction within the device, resulting in reduced wear and reduced particle generation. In addition, a push plate  424  including food grade plastic may be advantageous due to its contact with the tobacco. The engagement of the protrusions of the push plate  424  and the support frame  420 , alone or in combination with the positioning frame  545 , may allow for a more uniform or less erratic movement of the push plate as compared to typical cigarette manufacturing machines that include an eccentric shaft attached to an actuation member, in which the eccentric shaft causes movement of the push plate. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4-5 and 12-15 , in certain embodiments, the machine  200  includes a plastic strip  432  that is at least partially disposed within the tobacco cavity  216  of the support frame  420 . The plastic strip  432  can be fixedly attached to the support frame  420  (e.g., by an adhesive), be removably attached to the support frame, or be integral to the support frame. In the illustrated embodiment, the support frame  420  includes a channel  848  that is configured to receive the plastic strip  432  such that the plastic strip can be inserted into and removed from the channel. Referring to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , in the illustrated embodiment, the plastic strip  432  has a concave shape, and the shape of the channel  848  corresponds to the concave shape of the plastic strip. The concave shape of the plastic strip  432  allows for tobacco that is inserted into the tobacco cavity  216  of the support frame  420  to take a cylindrical form, which corresponds to the desired shape of the cigarette that is being manufactured. In other embodiments, however, the shape of the plastic strip  432  and the channel  848  can take any suitable form that allows the tobacco to be sized and shaped to manufacture a cigarette. The plastic strip  432  can include any suitable plastic material. In certain embodiments, the plastic strip  432  includes a lubricated plastic material (e.g., a self-lubricating plastic material). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5-7 and 12 , the push spoon assembly  522  includes sliding block  552  and a push spoon  554 . The push spoon  554  is configured to move through the support frame to engage tobacco in the tobacco cavity  216 . In the illustrated embodiment, the push spoon  554  has a first portion  1268 , a second portion  1270 , and a connection element  772 . The connection element  772  is configured to connect the push spoon  554  to the sliding block  552  such that movement of the sliding block causes the push spoon to move. In certain embodiments, the push spoon  554  is disposed within the support frame  420  and the sliding block  552  is disposed outside of the support frame, and the connection element  772  extends through an elongated opening  650  of the support frame to connect the pushing spoon  554  to the sliding block  552 . Referring to  FIG. 7 , in the illustrated embodiment the connection element  772  has an opening  774  that aligns with an opening  676  of the sliding block  552  such that a fastener (not shown) can be inserted through the aligned openings  774 ,  676  to connect the pushing spoon  554  to the sliding block  552 . 
     The first portion  1268  includes an engagement surface  1274  that corresponds to the shape of the tobacco cavity and is configured for engaging tobacco within the tobacco cavity and moving the tobacco into cigarette tube. The second portion  1270  can have a convex outer shape that corresponds to the concave shape of the plastic strip  432  (such that the pushing spoon  554  can be easily moved along the plastic strip) and to the inner surface of the cigarette tube (such that the pushing spoon  554  can be inserted into the cigarette tube to move tobacco into the cigarette tube). In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the second portion  1270  is disposed within the tobacco cavity  216  of the support frame  420 , when the pushing spoon is in its normal position, such that the inner shape of the second portion causes the tobacco pushed into the tobacco cavity  216  to take a cylindrical form. The pushing spoon  554  is configured to slide against the plastic strip  432  during use of the machine such that the engagement surface  1274  moves the tobacco from the tobacco cavity  216  and into cigarette tube, and the pushing spoon  554  slides back against the plastic strip  432  as the pushing spoon  554  moves back to its normal position. In certain embodiments, the plastic strip  432  includes an elongated opening  533  that aligns with the elongated opening  650  of the support frame  420  such that the pushing spoon  554  and the sliding block  552  can be connected. The plastic strip  432  may allow for a smooth movement of the pushing spoon  554  through the tobacco cavity  216  as compared to the metal material of the typical cigarette manufacturing machine. In addition, the plastic strip  432  has better wear resistance than the metal material of the typical cigarette manufacturing machine. Furthermore, the plastic strip  432  can be removable, which allows the plastic strip to be replaced after it becomes worn. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5-10 , in certain embodiments, the sliding block  552  is connected to a frame rail  879  of the support frame  420  that is external to the support frame. In other embodiments, the frame rail can be internal to the support frame such that the sliding block  552  is disposed within the interior of the support frame. In the illustrated embodiment, the external frame rail  879  includes two grooves  860  with opening facing away from each other, and the sliding block  552  is a dovetail joint that has one or more projections  778  ( FIG. 7 ) that are configured to interlock with the corresponding grooves  860  ( FIGS. 8-10 ) of the support frame  420  such that the sliding block  552  can be moved along the frame rail  879  of the support frame. The grooves  860  of the support frame  420  are facing an outward direction such that the sliding block  552  extends over the support frame  420  when attached thereto. That is, the sliding block  552  is a female connection member and the frame rail  879  is a male connection member. Referring to  FIGS. 12-14 , in alternative embodiments, and the sliding block  552  can be a dovetail joint that has one or more outward projection, and the external frame rail  879  can include two grooves  860  with openings facing toward each other such that the support frame  420  extends over the projections of the sliding block when attached thereto. That is, the sliding block  552  is a male connection member and the frame rail  879  is a female connection member. The external frame rail  879  for the sliding block  552  may effectively prevent tobacco from entering the grooves of the support rail. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 16-18 , machine  200  includes a motor  426  and a swing arm assembly  530 . The motor  426  has a motor shaft  546  that is operatively connected to the swing arm assembly  530  (as discussed in more detail below), and the swing arm assembly is operatively connected to the push spoon assembly  522  (as discussed in more detail below). Activation of the motor  426  causes rotation of the motor shaft  546 , which causes the swing arm assembly  530  to move from a normal position to a second position. The movement of the swing arm assembly  530  from the normal position to a second position causes the sliding block  552  of the pushing spoon assembly  522  to move from a normal position to a second position, and the movement of the sliding block  552  from the normal position to the second position causes the pushing spoon  554  to engage tobacco in the tobacco cavity  216  to move the tobacco into a cigarette tube. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 16-21 and 23 , the machine  100  includes the center mechanism  204 , a control panel  1684 , and a protection cover  1685  for the control panel. The control panel  1684  is mounted to the base  202  of the machine, and the protection cover  1685  is disposed over the control panel  1684  to provide protection to the control panel. In certain embodiments, the machine includes a shielding strip  1686  that is rotatably connected to the protection cover  1685  and positioned to engage the control panel  1684 . In the illustrated embodiment, the shielding strip  1686  includes a connection element  1783  attaches to the protection cover  1685  such that the shielding strip can rotate about the connection element  1783 . The connection element  1783  can take any suitable form, such as, for example, a torsion spring. A portion of the shielding strip  1686  also extends through an opening  1687  of the protection cover  1685 . The center mechanism  204  is configured to connect to the protection cover  1685  such that the portion shielding strip  1686  extending through the opening  1687  is positioned to engage the swing arm assembly  530  of the center mechanism. 
     The control panel  1684  includes a motor start component  1688  and a motor stop component  1689 . Referring to  FIGS. 11 and 16-17 , the motor start component  1688  is activated by the protrusion  1180  of the connection member  1158  on the shaft  542  of actuation assembly  536 . That is, actuation of the actuation member  210  causes the shaft  542  and connection members  1158  to rotate, which causes the protrusion  1180  of the connection member  1158  to move through the opening  1781  of the protection cover  1685  and engage the motor start component  1688 . Referring to  FIGS. 16-18 , the motor stop component is activated by a shielding strip bulge  1790  of the shielding strip  1786 . That is, movement of the swing arm assembly  530  (caused by the motor  426 ) causes the shielding strip  1684  to rotate about the connection element  1783  such that the shielding strip bulge  1790  engages the motor stop component  1689 . In alternative embodiments, one or more actuation members (e.g., handles, buttons, etc.) can be used to start and/or stop the motor. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 19-21 and 23 , the swing arm assembly  530  includes a base member  1991 , a first connection element  2092 , and a second connection element  1993 . Referring to  FIGS. 20 and 21 , the base  1991  includes an elongated opening  2075 , a support frame connection element  1994 , a first protrusion  2095 , and a second protrusion  2196 . The support frame connection element  1994  is for pivotally connecting the base  1991  of the swing arm assembly  530  to the support frame  420  and can take any suitable form for pivotally connecting the swing arm assembly to the support frame  420 . The first protrusion  2095  is positioned to engage the paper buckling assembly  528  to release the manufactured cigarette from the paper buckling assembly (as described in more detail below). The second protrusion  2196  is positioned to engage the shielding strip  1786  to cause the shielding strip to activate the motor stop component  1689  of the control panel  1684  and stop the motor  426  (as described in more detail below). 
     The first connection element  2092  is for attaching the base member  1991  to the shaft  546  of the motor  426 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first connection element  2092  includes an elongated member  2098  and an eccentric member  1997  fixed to the elongated member. The elongated member  2098  has an opening  2099  for attaching to the shaft  546  of the motor  426  such that movement of the motor shaft causes the elongated member  2098  to move. The eccentric member  1997  is fixed to the elongated member  2098  and configured to attach the first connection element  2092  to the base member  1991 . That is, the eccentric member  1997  extends through the elongated opening  2075  such that at least a portion of the eccentric member  1997  is disposed in a first side of the base member  1991  and the elongated member  2098  is disposed on a second side of the base member  1991 . The eccentric member  1997  is configured to move along the elongated opening  2075  of the base member  1991 . In particular, activation of the motor  426  causes the elongated member  2098  and, consequently, the eccentric member  1997  of the connection element  2092  to move relative to the elongated opening  2075  of the base member  1991 . This movement of the first connection element  2092  causes the base member  1991  to pivot relative to the support frame  420  about the support frame connection element  1994 . 
     The second connection element  1993  is for attaching the base member  1991  to the sliding block  552  of the pushing spoon assembly  522 . In the illustrated embodiment, the second connection element  1993  includes an elongated member  2077  having an opening  2081 , in which the elongated member  2077  is pivotally attached to the base  1991 . The opening  2081  is configured to attach to a connection element  683  ( FIGS. 6-7 ) the sliding block  552  ( FIGS. 5-7 ) such that movement of the base member  1991  and, consequently, the second connection member  1993  causes the sliding block  552  to move along frame rail  879 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2-23 , the machine  100  is used by placing tobacco into the tobacco cavity and an empty cigarette tube onto the filling pipe  557  of the paper buckling assembly  528 . Subsequently, a user engages the actuation member  210 , which causes the push plate  424  to move through the opening  634  of the support frame  420  and engage the tobacco within the tobacco cavity  216 . The push plate  424  pushes the tobacco into a desired position within the tobacco cavity  216  in which the tobacco is packed in a cylindrical position against the second portion  1270  of the pushing spoon  554 . The push plate  424  is prevented from moving further into the tobacco cavity  216  when the protrusion  1182  of the push plate  424  engages the protrusions  856  of the support frame  420 . As the push plate  424  moves through the opening  634  of the support frame  420 , the protrusion  1180  of the connection member  1158  of the shaft  542  of the actuation assembly  536  moves through the opening  1781  of the protection cover  1685  and engages the motor start component  1688  of the control panel  1684  to start the motor  424 . 
     Activation of the motor  424  causes the motor shaft  546  to rotate, which causes the first connection member  2098  of the swing arm assembly  530  to move within the elongated opening  2075  of the base member  1991  of the swing arm assembly  530 . The movement of the connection member  2098  within the elongated opening  2075  causes the base member  1991  to pivot relative to the support frame  420  and about the connection point between the support frame connection element  1994  and the support frame, which causes the second connection element  2077  of the swing arm assembly  530  and, consequently, the sliding block  552  of the push spoon assembly  522  to move from a first position to a second position. The sliding block  552  moves along the frame rail  879  of the support frame  420 , which causes the pushing spoon  554  to move the tobacco within the tobacco cavity through the opening  2261  of the paper buckling assembly  528  and into cigarette tube that is placed over the filling pipe  557  of the paper buckling assembly  528 . The engagement member  2269  of the paper buckling assembly  528  maintains the cigarette tube on the filling pipe  557  as the cigarette tube is being filled with tobacco. 
     After the swing arm assembly  530  pivots to move the pushing spoon  554  and tobacco into the cigarette tube, the protrusion  2095  on the base  1991  of the swing arm assembly  530  engages the pivoting plate  555  of the paper buckling assembly  528  to cause the spring  2265  of the paper buckling assembly to compress and the engagement member  2269  to disengage the filling pipe  557  of the paper buckling assembly such that the manufactured cigarette is released from the machine  200 . Subsequently, the pushing spoon assembly  522  is retracted to its normal position, which causes the swing arm assembly  530  to move back to its normal position. The pushing spoon assembly  522  can be retracted by any suitable means, such as, for example, the pushing spoon assembly  522  can be spring-loaded. As the swing arm assembly  530  moves back to its normal position, the protrusion  2196  on the base  1991  of the swing arm assembly engages the shielding strip  1686 , which causes the shielding strip to pivot about the connection element  1783  and the shielding strip bulge  1790  to engage the motor stop component  1689  to deactivate the motor  424 . After the motor  424  is deactivated, the machine  200  is arranged to manufacture another cigarette. 
       FIGS. 24-26  illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a center mechanism  2404  for the cigarette manufacturing machines described herein. The center mechanism  2404  includes a support frame  2420 , a push plate  2424 , a pushing spoon  2454 , and a plastic strip  2432 . The support frame  2420  includes a tobacco cavity  2416  for receiving tobacco, and the tobacco cavity  2416  also includes one or more teeth  2415  for cutting the tobacco. The support frame  2420  also includes a channel  2448  for receiving the plastic strip  2432  such that the plastic strip  2432  is disposed within the tobacco cavity  2416 . The pushing spoon  2454  has a first portion  2468  and a second portion  2470 , in which the second portion  2470  is disposed within the tobacco cavity  2416  such that tobacco can be compressed against the second portion  2470  by the pushing plate  2424 , and in which the first portion  2468  has an engagement surface  2474  for engaging the tobacco in the tobacco cavity to move the tobacco to an empty cigarette tube. The plastic strip  2432  allows for a smooth movement of the pushing spoon  2454  through the tobacco cavity  2416 . In the illustrated embodiment, the pushing plate has an arc shaped edge  2421  such that movement of the pushing plate into the tobacco cavity  2416  causes the tobacco to become compressed between the arc shaped edge  2421  and the arc-shaped second portion  2470  of the pushing spoon  2454  such that the tobacco has a cylindrical shape. The pushing plate  2424  and the pushing spoon  2454  can be moved by any means described with regards to all of the embodiments described herein. 
     While various inventive aspects, concepts and features of the inventions may be described and illustrated herein as embodied in combination with exemplary embodiments, these various aspects, concepts and features may be used in many alternative embodiments, either individually or in various combinations and sub-combinations thereof. Unless expressly excluded herein, all such combinations and sub-combinations are intended to be within the scope of the present inventions. Still further, while various alternative embodiments as to the various aspects, concepts and features of the inventions—such as alternative materials, structures, configurations, methods, devices and components, alternatives as to form, fit and function, and so on—may be described herein, such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whether presently known or later developed. Those skilled in the art may readily adopt one or more of the inventive aspects, concepts or features into additional embodiments and uses within the scope of the present inventions even if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein. 
     Additionally, even though some features, concepts or aspects of the inventions may be described herein as being a preferred arrangement or method, such description is not intended to suggest that such feature is required or necessary unless expressly so stated. Still further, exemplary or representative values and ranges may be included to assist in understanding the present disclosure; however, such values and ranges are not to be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to be critical values or ranges only if so expressly stated. Moreover, while various aspects, features and concepts may be expressly identified herein as being inventive or forming part of an invention, such identification is not intended to be exclusive, but rather there may be inventive aspects, concepts and features that are fully described herein without being expressly identified as such or as part of a specific invention. Descriptions of exemplary methods or processes are not limited to inclusion of all steps as being required in all cases, nor is the order that the steps are presented to be construed as required or necessary unless expressly so stated.