Abstract:
A cigarette tobacco filler device includes a cigarette tobacco loader for loading tobacco leaves into a tobacco receiving cavity, wherein the cigarette tobacco loader includes a loader body and a loader arrangement. The loader body has a loading cavity and a loading opening aligned with the tobacco receiving cavity. The loader arrangement includes a loading pusher movably supported by the loader body to move between first and second positions, and a loader handle pivotally coupled at the loader body with a rotational drive module to move the loading pusher between said first and second positions. At the first position, a loading gap is formed between the pusher end of the loading pusher and the loading opening for receiving the tobacco leaves within the loading gap. At the second position, the pusher end of the loading pusher is driven for pushing the tobacco leaves within the loading gap into the tobacco receiving cavity.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to and is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Non-provisional application Ser. No. 13/374,219 filed Dec. 15, 2011, titled “CIGARETTE TOBACCO FILLER DEVICE” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. This application is also related to the subject matter disclosed in U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/209,953 filed Mar. 9, 2009, titled “CIGARETTE TUBE INJECTOR”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/584,110 filed Aug. 31, 2009, titled “CRANK TYPE AUTOMATIC CIGARETTE TUBE INJECTOR”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/507,774 filed Jul. 26, 2012, titled “CRANK TYPE AUTOMATIC CIGARETTE TUBE INJECTOR” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/224,036 filed Mar. 24, 2014, titled “CIGARETTE TOBACCO FILLER DEVICE” which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention is related to drive modules for use with a cigarette tobacco filling devices. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates to a cigarette making machine, and more particular to a cigarette tobacco filler device, which is easy to operate by pivotally moving down an operation handle to actuate the plunger for filling the tobacco into the cigarette tube. 
         [0004]    The cigarettes consumed by people are normally manufactured by factories and are sold in market. A cigarette is a paper wrapped tube stuffed with finely cut tobacco leaves. Generally, the tobacco leaves are cured and processed with additives. There are many tastes and brands of cigarettes people can select because of the different types of tobacco leaves, different cure processes and additives. However, some people still wish to fill and smoke their own tobacco cigarettes. 
         [0005]    For those people wishing to fill and smoke their own tobacco cigarettes, they have to prepare their cigarettes by rolling the paper to wrap their cut tobacco leaves inside. Doing this by hand requires a lot of time and it is also difficult to stuff tobacco leaves with a uniform and proper compactness. If the tobacco leaves are wrapped too compressed, the cigarettes can be difficult to smoke; if the tobacco leaves are wrapped too loose, it can be easy to drop the tobacco leaves and thereby extinguish the lit cigarette. 
         [0006]    Currently there are machines can help people to make cigarettes with their own tobacco, but there are some problems that plague these machines. 
         [0007]    For example, a manual crank type machine can be operated manually by filling the tobacco leaves into the crank nozzle such that when the crank nozzle is inserted into the cigarette paper tube, the tobacco leaves loaded therein. The advantage of the manual crank-type machine is that the tobacco leaves will not be shred when the tobacco leaves are loaded in the cigarette paper tube. However, one of the drawbacks of the manual crank-type machine is that the injection is not automatic. The user has to use both hands to provide force. Another drawback is that the tobacco leaves cannot be evenly loaded within the cigarette paper tube such that compactness of the resulting cigarette is not uniform. 
         [0008]    Some machines are driven by electric power. The tobacco leaves are injected automatically. But the problem is the size of this kind of machine is large. Particularly, the length of this kind of machine has to be more two times the length of a standard cigarette. For example, such an automatic machine generally has a chamber to contain tobacco, which can be injected into the cigarette paper tube. In order to fulfill the cigarette paper tube, the volume of the chamber is the same or little larger than the cigarette paper tube, and the length of the chamber is the same or a little longer than the length of the cigarette paper tube. At one end of the chamber is a nozzle which is inserted into one open end of the cigarette paper tube. At the other end of the chamber is a piston to inject the tobacco inside the chamber into the paper tube through the nozzle. The piston is driven by a driving shaft, for example, a worm shaft. Because the piston will slide through the chamber from one end to another to push the tobacco leaves into the cigarette paper tube, the driving shaft at least has to be the same length as the length of the chamber. When the tobacco leaves are loaded into the chamber, the driving shaft has to stay outside the chamber and align with the chamber longitudinally. Considering the driving mechanism, the total length of this machine must be longer than the length of the driving shaft plus the length of the chamber which is at least two times of the length of a standard cigarette. 
         [0009]    Another type of automatic machine incorporates with a spiral nozzle for delivering the tobacco leaves into a cigarette paper tube. However, when the spiral nozzle is rotated for delivering the tobacco leaves, the tobacco leaves can be shredded into small pieces within the cigarette paper tube. Therefore, when the cigarette is lit, the cigarette ash cannot be held properly while smoking and will fall unexpectedly, causing a messy and potentially dangerous situation. 
         [0010]    A conventional cigarette machine generally comprises an injection device received in a casing and a manually actuation device for actuating the injection device. The injection device comprises a plunger being actuated by the actuation device for filling a predetermined amount of tobacco into an empty cigarette tube. 
         [0011]    There is therefore a need for methods, devices and systems that allows users to easily, simply and effectively insert tobacco into a cigarette paper tube with an automatic drive mechanism. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0012]    Provided herein are embodiments of cigarette tobacco filler devices, that are easy to operate by pivotally moving down an operation handle in an ergonomically actuating manner to actuate the plunger for filling tobacco into a cigarette tube. 
         [0013]    Another advantage of the invention is to provide cigarette tobacco filler devices, wherein the pivotally downward movement of the operation handle will ensure the device is stable on a loading surface to prevent any unwanted movement of the device during operation. 
         [0014]    Another advantage of the invention is to provide cigarette tobacco filler devices, wherein the pivotally downward movement of an operation handle will transmit a rotatable force to drive a power shaft and rotational drive shaft module to effectively actuate the enclosing window and the plunger. In other words, the enclosing window and the plunger are actuated by the power shaft to effectively transmit the rotatable force to the enclosing window and the plunger. 
         [0015]    Another advantage of the invention is to provide cigarette tobacco filler devices, wherein an operation handle provides triple-action actuation of an enclosing window, a plunger, and release of a cigarette tube in one single downward movement. 
         [0016]    Another advantage of the invention is to provide cigarette tobacco filler devices, wherein a power shaft is made of rigid material and is strong enough to transmit the rotatable force to actuate an enclosing window and a plunger. 
         [0017]    Another advantage of the invention is to provide cigarette tobacco filler devices, wherein an operation handle can be unlocked to freely rotate with respect to a power shaft such that a plunger and an enclosing window will not be actuated by the operation handle when the devices are not intentionally used. 
         [0018]    Another advantage of the invention is to provide cigarette tobacco filler devices, wherein a tobacco receiving cavity can be closed by an enclosing window when the devices are not in use so as to prevent dust or other particles being accumulated in a tobacco receiving cavity. 
         [0019]    Another advantage of the invention is to provide cigarette tobacco filler devices, wherein an enclosing window is stably moved between an opened position and a closed position by an even transverse force, which is transmitted from the rotatable force of a power shaft. 
         [0020]    Another advantage of the invention is to provide cigarette tobacco filler devices, which do not involve complicated mechanical structures or expensive components so as to minimize manufacturing costs. 
         [0021]    Another advantage of the invention is to provide cigarette tobacco filler devices, wherein no expensive or complicated structure is required to employ in the present invention in order to achieve the above mentioned objects. Therefore, embodiments described herein are successful in providing an economic and efficient solution for providing a stable configuration and easy operation of cigarette tobacco filler devices. 
         [0022]    Other systems, devices, methods, features, objectives and advantages of the subject matter described herein will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional devices, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the subject matter described herein, and be protected by the accompanying claims. In no way should the features of the example embodiments be construed as limiting the appended claims, absent express recitation of those features in the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0023]    The details of the subject matter set forth herein, both as to its structure and operation, may be apparent by study of the accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the subject matter. Moreover, all illustrations are intended to convey concepts, where relative sizes, shapes and other detailed attributes may be illustrated schematically rather than literally or precisely. 
           [0024]    Illustrated in the accompanying drawing(s) is at least one of the best mode embodiments of the present invention. In such drawing(s): 
           [0025]      FIG. 1  is an example embodiment of a perspective view of a conventional cigarette making machine, illustrating a rotatable handle being rotated above the top side of a casing, thereby extending a plunger. 
           [0026]      FIGS. 2A to 2C  illustrate an example embodiment of an operation of the conventional cigarette making machine from a cutaway top view. 
           [0027]      FIG. 3A  is an example embodiment of a perspective view of a cigarette tobacco filler device, illustrating the operation handle at an initial position for being pivotally and downwardly moved for actuation. 
           [0028]      FIG. 3B  is an example embodiment of a perspective view of a cigarette tobacco filler device, illustrating the operation handle at a second position for being pivotally and downwardly moved for actuation of the enclosing window. 
           [0029]      FIG. 3C  is an example embodiment of a perspective view of a cigarette tobacco filler device, illustrating the operation handle at a third position for being pivotally and downwardly moved for completing the tobacco insertion actuation. 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  is an example embodiment of an exploded perspective view of a cigarette tobacco filler device. 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  is an example embodiment of a perspective view of a cigarette tobacco filler device, illustrating a normal first position of the device. 
           [0032]      FIG. 6  is an example embodiment of a perspective view of a cigarette tobacco filler device, illustrating a second position of the device to close a tobacco receiving cavity. 
           [0033]      FIG. 7  is an example embodiment of a perspective view of a cigarette tobacco filler device, illustrating a third position of the device to actuate a plunger. 
           [0034]      FIG. 8  is an example embodiment of a rotational drive module in a distal facing exploded view. 
           [0035]      FIG. 9  is an example embodiment of an assembled rotational drive module in a first state from a distal facing perspective view. 
           [0036]      FIG. 10  is an example embodiment of an assembled rotational drive module in a first state from a side view. 
           [0037]      FIG. 11  is an example embodiment of an assembled rotational drive module in a second state from a distal facing perspective view. 
           [0038]      FIG. 12  is an example embodiment of an assembled rotational drive module in a second state from a side view. 
           [0039]      FIG. 13  is an example embodiment of an assembled rotational drive module in a first state from a proximal facing side view. 
           [0040]      FIG. 14  is an example embodiment of an assembled rotational drive module in a second state from a slightly distal facing perspective view. 
           [0041]      FIG. 15  is an example embodiment of an assembled rotational drive module in a second state from a proximal facing side view. 
           [0042]      FIG. 16  is an example embodiment of an assembled rotational drive module in a first state from a slightly distal facing perspective view. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0043]    Before the present subject matter is described in detail, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments described, as such may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present disclosure will be limited only by the appended claims. 
         [0044]    A conventional cigarette machine generally comprises an injection device received in a casing and a manually actuation device for actuating the injection device. The injection device comprises a plunger being actuated by the actuation device for filling a predetermined amount of tobacco into an empty cigarette tube. 
         [0045]      FIG. 1  is an example embodiment of a perspective view of a conventional cigarette making machine  100 , illustrating a rotatable handle  12 A being rotated above the top side of a casing  10 A, thereby extending a plunger  11 A. 
         [0046]      FIGS. 2A to 2C  illustrate an example embodiment of an operation of the conventional cigarette making machine  100 , from a cutaway top view. As shown in the example embodiment, cigarette making machine  100  includes an opening of a tobacco receiving chamber or cavity  11 B for receiving a sufficient amount of tobacco to fill a cigarette casing provided on a top side of casing  10 A. Casing  10 A can enclose internal components of an injection device, wherein when a plunger  11 A is actuated, it pushes tobacco contained in tobacco receiving chamber  11 B into an open end of a cigarette tube. In particular, window  18 A can be provided at the top side of casing  10 A and can be actuated, for instance by cranking handle  12 A, whereby the actuation device closes the tobacco receiving chamber  11 B. Window  18 A can have a sharp cutting edge arranged in such a manner that when window  18 A is moved to close tobacco receiving chamber  11 B, the cutting edge of window  18 A is moved and can cut any excessive amount of tobacco out of or otherwise away from tobacco receiving chamber  11 B so as to retain a sufficient amount of tobacco therein, to fill a single cigarette tube. 
         [0047]    The actuation device can include a number of mechanically coupled components, including rotatable handle  12 A, which can be rotatably coupled on a top side of the casing  10 A. The actuation device can also include an actuation link between rotatable handle  12 A and plunger  11 A, as shown in  FIG. 2A . Rotatable handle  12 A is rotated above the top side of casing  10 A about a central point in a single plane in two directions, in order to provide dual action operation, as shown in  FIG. 1 . In other Words, rotatable handle  12 A is rotated to actuate window  18 A for closing tobacco receiving chamber  11 B first and then serves to actuate plunger  11 A to pushing the tobacco into the cigarette tube. The actuation device can also include a cam  13 A driven by the rotatable handle  12 A, a window link connected between cam  13 A and window  18 A, and a plunger link connected between cam  13 A and plunger  11 A. The window link can include a transverse link  14 A and a plurality of longitudinal links  15 A. The plunger link can include a plunger actuation arm  16 A connected to plunger  11 A. 
         [0048]    Rotatable handle  12 A can be manually rotated by a user, resulting in a corresponding rotary movement in an axle and integrally attached cam  13 A, wherein the rotary movement of cam  13 A urges transverse link  14 A to move. The longitudinal links  15 A can be rotatably pivoted at one end to the transverse link  14 A to actuate window  18 A for closing the tobacco receiving chamber, as shown in  FIG. 2B . 
         [0049]    Once window  18 A is actuated to close tobacco receiving chamber  11 B, the rotatable handle  12 A can be further rotated in order to actuate the plunger actuation arm  16 A. The rotatable movement of the plunger actuation arm  16 A can be transmitted to move plunger  11 A in a linear movement. A compression spring  17 A can be coupled to plunger actuation arm  16 A to pull plunger actuation arm  16 A back to its original position, so as to move plunger  11 A back in a linear movement. 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIGS. 3A-3C  and  FIGS. 4-7 , a cigarette tobacco filler device according to an example embodiment is illustrated, wherein the cigarette tobacco filler device, which is arranged for filling a predetermined amount of tobacco into an empty cigarette tube, include a casing  10 , an injection unit  20  and a plunger actuation unit  30 . 
         [0051]    Casing  10  can have a tobacco receiving cavity  11  provided at a top side of casing  10  for receiving tobacco, and an outlet  12  provided at a front side of casing  10  for holding a cigarette tube in position, wherein outlet  12  is in communication with the tobacco receiving cavity  11 . Outlet  12  can have a tubular structure having a circumferential size slightly smaller than the circumferential size such that the outlet  12  is adapted for inserting into the opening end of the cigarette tube to hold the cigarette tube in position. Casing  10  can further have a sloping platform  13  provided at the top side of casing  10  to align with the top opening of tobacco receiving cavity  11 , wherein sloping platform  13  is downwardly extended to tobacco receiving cavity  11  such that a user is able to brush tobacco at sloping platform  13  into tobacco receiving cavity  11 . Casing  10  further includes a handle bar  14  spacedly extended above the top side of casing  10  and extended between the front and rear sides of casing  10  for carrying purpose. 
         [0052]    Casing  10  can further have or enclose an interior cavity for receiving injection unit  20  and plunger actuation unit  30 , such that a bottom panel  15  can be coupled at the bottom side of casing  10  to enclose the interior cavity. 
         [0053]    Injection unit  20  can comprise a plunger  21  movably supported in casing  10  at a position that a front pushing end  211  of plunger  21  is moved forward through tobacco receiving cavity  11  to outlet  12  for delivering or otherwise pushing the tobacco into the cigarette tube. Accordingly, plunger  21  can have an elongated structure and be slid or otherwise moved in casing  10  in a longitudinal direction within casing  10 . In particular, plunger  21  can be coaxially aligned with outlet  12 , such that when the plunger  21  is moved forward in a linear manner, front pushing end  211  of plunger  21  will push the tobacco contained within tobacco receiving cavity  11  into the cigarette tube through outlet  12 . 
         [0054]    Injection unit  20  can further include a linear guiding channel  22  longitudinally formed within casing  10  to guide the longitudinal movement of plunger  21 . Accordingly, injection unit  20  can include two elongated plunger guiding arms  23  defining the sides of guiding channel  22  therebetween, wherein plunger  21  is slidably coupled between plunger guiding arms  23  along guiding channel  22  to ensure plunger  21  is being moved longitudinally, without angular deviation. 
         [0055]    Plunger actuation unit  30  can include a power shaft  31  rotatably supported in casing  10  to couple with plunger  21  and an operation handle  32  pivotally extended above the top side of the casing  10 , wherein when operation handle  32  can be pivotally moved down toward the top side of casing  10 , such that power shaft  31  is driven to rotate. Accordingly, power shaft  31  can provide a rotatable power to actuate plunger  21  for inserting tobacco contained within tobacco receiving cavity  11  into the cigarette tube through outlet  12 . When operation handle  32  is pivotally moved up and away from the top side of casing  10 , power shaft  31  can be driven to rotate in an opposite direction, wherein plunger  21  can move backward in a linear manner so as to move back to its original position. 
         [0056]    Power shaft  31  can be the main power transmitting element for transmitting the rotatable power from the operation handle  32 . One end of the power shaft  31  can be coupled with the bottom end of operation handle  32  such that when the upper end of operation handle  32  is pivotally moved down toward the top side of casing  10 , power shaft  31  can be driven to rotate for generating the rotatable power. Accordingly, plunger  21  and power shaft  31  are spacedly supported within casing  10  and are extended parallel to each other. 
         [0057]    In various embodiments, a user is able to apply a downward force at operation handle  32  to drive operation handle  32 , thereby pivotally moving it down toward the top side of casing  10 . The pivotally downward movement of operation handle  32  allows the user to easily operate operation handle  32  in an ergonomically actuating manner for completing the filling of tobacco into the cigarette tube. In other words, the pivotally downward movement of operation handle  32  is designed to optimize how the force applied by the user and to enhance the overall device performance. 
         [0058]    By applying the downward force, casing  10  will be stably rested on a surface, such as a table surface, so as to prevent any unwanted movement of casing  10  during the operation of the cigarette tobacco filler device. In some embodiments, operation handle  32  is coupled at a rear side of casing  10  to maximize the distance between operation handle  32  and outlet  12  for easy operation. 
         [0059]    According to some embodiments, the plunger actuation unit  30  further comprises a gear unit  33  driven by the power shaft  31  and an actuation arm  34  for actuating the plunger  21 . The actuation arm  34  has a pivot end operatively coupled with the gear unit  33  and a driving end operatively coupled with the plunger  21  in such a manner that when the power shaft  31  is driven to rotate, the actuation arm  34  is pivotally moved to longitudinally move the plunger  21  forward for pushing the tobacco to the outlet  12 . 
         [0060]    As shown in  FIGS. 4-7 , the actuation arm  34  comprises a first arm member  341  pivotally coupled with the gear unit  33  and a second arm member  342  pivotally coupled at the rear end of the plunger  21 , wherein the first and second arm members  341 ,  342  are pivotally coupled with each other in an end-to-end manner. Accordingly, the pivot end of the actuation arm  34  is defined at the first arm member  341  to pivotally couple with the gear unit  33  while the driving end of the actuation arm  34  is defined at the second arm member  342  to couple at the rear end of the plunger  21 . 
         [0061]    Therefore, when the first arm member  341  is pivotally moved to the front side of the casing  10 , the second arm member  342  is driven to longitudinally move the plunger  21  forward. When the first arm member  341  is pivotally moved back to the rear side of the casing  10 , the second arm member  342  is driven to longitudinally move the plunger  21  backward. 
         [0062]    The gear unit  33  is arranged to transmit the rotatable power from the power shaft  31  to a pivotal movement of the actuation arm  34 . In particular, the gear unit  33  comprises a first gear  331  coaxially coupled at the power shaft  31  and a second gear  332  which is coupled at the pivot end of the actuation arm  34  and is operatively engaged with the first gear  331 . In particular, the second gear  332  will also transmit the direction of the rotatable power from the first gear  331  to the actuation arm  34 . 
         [0063]    The first gear  331  has a teething edge portion and a non-teething edge portion provided at the circumferential edge of the first gear  331 . The second gear  332  has a teeth edge portion to selectively engage with the teething edge portion and the non-teething edge portion of the first gear  331  when the first gear  331  is rotated. 
         [0064]    Accordingly, when the first gear  331  is rotated at a position that the non-teething edge portion of the first gear  331  is engaged with the second gear  332 , the second gear  332  is idle such that the actuation arm  34  is remained at a motionless manner. When the first gear  331  is rotated at a position that the teething edge portion of the first gear  331  is engaged with the second gear  332 , the second gear  332  is driven to rotate to pivotally move the actuation arm  34  so as to longitudinally move the plunger  21  forward. 
         [0065]    It is worth mentioning that the non-teething edge portion of the first gear  331  is initially engaged with the second gear  332 . When the operation handle  32  is pivotally moved downward, the teething edge portion of the first gear  331  will then be engaged with the second gear  332 . Therefore, the second gear  332  will be in an idle position at the first pivotal moving path of the operation handle  32 . In addition, the curvature length of the teething edge portion of the first gear  331  is long enough to driven the plunger  21  to longitudinally move by the actuation arm  34  for inserting the tobacco into the cigarette tube. 
         [0066]    As shown in  FIGS. 3-7 , the plunger actuation unit  30  further comprises a resilient element  35  coupled at the actuation arm  34  for applying an urging force thereagainst so as to longitudinally move the plunger  21  backward. Accordingly, the resilient element  35  comprises a coil spring for urging the actuation arm  34 . In particular, the coil spring of the resilient element  35  has a coil portion coaxially coupled at the pivot end of the actuation arm  34  and two spring arms spacedly extended from the coil portion to bias against an inner wall of the casing  10  and the actuation arm  34  respectively. Accordingly, the respective spring arm of the resilient element  35  is coupled at the actuation arm  34  between the pivot end and the driving end. In particular, the respective spring arm of the resilient element  35  is coupled at the first arm member  341 . It is worth mentioning that the coil spring has a spring property to move the actuation arm  34  is a pivotally movable manner. Therefore, the fatigue life of the coil spring incorporating with the actuation arm will be substantially prolonged to extend the service life span of the resilient element  35 . 
         [0067]    According to the preferred embodiment, the cigarette tobacco filler device further comprises an enclosing window  40  movably coupled at the casing  10  to enclose the tobacco receiving cavity  11  thereof. Accordingly, the enclosing window  40  has a planar structure and is transversely moved to close the tobacco receiving cavity  11 . In particular, the enclosing window  40  is movably coupled at the interior of the top side of the casing  10  such that when the top opening of the tobacco receiving cavity  11  is closed by the enclosing window  40 , the tobacco receiving cavity  11  will house a predetermined amount of the tobacco in order to insert the tobacco into the cigarette tube. It is worth mentioning that the tobacco receiving cavity  11  is normally closed by the enclosing window  40  to prevent the dust and particles entering into the tobacco receiving cavity  11  when the cigarette tobacco filler device is not in use, as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0068]    The cigarette tobacco filler device further comprises a window actuation unit  50  operatively coupled between the enclosing window  40  and the power shaft  31 , wherein when the power shaft  31  is rotated, the enclosing window  40  is moved by the window actuation unit  50  to enclose the tobacco receiving cavity  11  before the plunger  21  is moved. 
         [0069]    In particular, the window actuation unit  50  is actuated by the power shaft  31  when the non-teething edge portion of the first gear  331  is initially engaged with the second gear  332 . Therefore, the enclosing window  40  is actuated to close the tobacco receiving cavity  11  before the actuation of the plunger  21 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . In other words, the operation handle  32  provides dual actions to actuate both the enclosing window  40  and the plunger  21  subsequently in one single pivotally moving down movement. In other words, at the first pivotal moving path of the operation handle  32 , i.e. the non-teething edge portion of the first gear  331  is initially engaged with the second gear  332 , the enclosing window  40  is actuated to close the tobacco receiving cavity  11 . At the second pivotal moving path of the operation handle  32 , i.e. the teething edge portion of the first gear  331  is then engaged with the second gear  332 , the plunger  21  is actuated to insert the tobacco into the cigarette tube. It is worth mentioning that the first and second pivotal moving paths of the operation handle  32  are continuous movement of the operation handle  32  to pivotally and downwardly move the operation handle  32  toward the top side of the casing  10 . 
         [0070]    Accordingly, the window actuation unit  50  comprises two swinging members  51  spacedly coupled with the power shaft  31  and a guiding panel  52  being driven to transversely shift by the swinging members  51 . 
         [0071]    The swinging members  51  are identical and are securely coupled at the power shaft  31 , wherein the swinging members  51  are rotatably swung when the power shaft  31  is rotated. The guiding panel  52  has a first edge movably coupled between the swinging members  51  and an opposed second edge pivotally coupled with the enclosing window  40  in such a manner that when the power shaft  31  is rotated, the swinging members  51  are rotated to transversely shift the guiding panel  52  so as to transversely move the enclosing window  40  for closing the tobacco receiving cavity  11 . 
         [0072]    In particular, each of the swinging members  51  has an arc-shaped guiding slot  511  that the first edge of the guiding panel  52  is engaged between the guiding slots  511  of the swinging members  51 , such that when the swinging members  51  are driven to swing, the first edge of the guiding panel  52  is guided to slide therealong. In other words, when the swinging members  51  are driven to rotate by the power shaft  31 , the first edge of the guiding panel  52  is guided to slide along the guiding slots  511  to transversely shift the guiding panel  52 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the first edge of the guiding panel  52  is engaged with the guiding slots  511  of the swinging members  51  via an elongated swing shaft. In addition, the guiding panel  52  is transversely shifted that when the first edge of the guiding panel  52  is moved downwardly along the guiding slots  511 , the second edge of the guiding panel  52  is transversely moved toward the closing direction of the enclosing window  40 . When the first edge of the guiding panel  52  is moved upwardly along the guiding slots  511 , the second edge of the guiding panel  52  is transversely moved toward the opening direction of the enclosing window  40 . 
         [0073]    In various embodiments, one or more components of actuation unit  50 , such as guiding slots  511  and swinging members  51  can be complemented, supplemented or replaced with other functional drive modules. In many embodiments these drive modules can be rotational drive modules, such as the rotational drive modules shown in the various example embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 8-16  and described herein. 
         [0074]    The enclosing window  40  has a pivot edge pivotally coupled with the second edge of the guiding panel  52  via a hinge structure such that when the guiding panel  52  is transversely shifted, the enclosing window  40  is pushed to close the tobacco receiving cavity  11 . The enclosing window  40  further has an opposed sharp cutting edge arranged in such a manner that when the enclosing window  40  is transversely moved to close the tobacco receiving cavity  11 , the cutting edge is stably moved for cutting excessive amount of the tobacco out of the tobacco receiving cavity  11 , so as to retain a predetermined amount of the tobacco in the tobacco receiving cavity  11 . It is worth mentioning that the swinging members  51  are concurrently swung about the power shaft  31  to generate an even pushing force toward the guiding panel  52 . Therefore, the pushing force from the guiding panel  52  is evenly applied at the pivot edge of the enclosing window  40 , such that the enclosing window  40  can be smoothly moved in a well balancing manner. 
         [0075]    The cigarette tobacco filler device further comprises a cigarette tube hold-and-release unit  60  for holding the cigarette tube at the outlet  12  and for releasing the cigarette tube from the outlet  12  after the tobacco is filled in the cigarette tube. Accordingly, the cigarette tube hold-and-release unit  60  comprises a tube holding member  61  movably biasing against the outlet  12  for holding the cigarette tube thereat, wherein the tube holding member  61 , which is a spring-loaded member, has a holding face for applying a spring holding force at the outer surface of the outlet  12  so as to hold the cigarette tube in position. In particular, the tube holding member  61  is coupled with the enclosing window  40 , wherein when the enclosing window  40  is at the opened position, the tube holding member  61  is moved away from the outlet  12  to define a gap between the holding face of the tube holding member  61  and the outer surface of the outlet  12  for the cigarette tube coupling with the outlet  12 . When the enclosing window  40  is moved to its closed position, the tube holding member  61  is moved towards until the holding face of the tube holding member  61  is biased against the outer surface of the outlet  12  so as to hold the cigarette tube in position. In other words, the operation handle  32  not only actuates the enclosing window  40  but also actuates the tube holding member  61  at the same time. 
         [0076]    The cigarette tube hold-and-release unit  60  further comprises a tube releasing arm  62  which is pivotally supported in the casing  10  and is actuated by the actuation arm  34 . The tube releasing arm  62  has a releasing end engaging with the tube holding member  61  and an opposed control end arranged in such a manner that after the actuation arm  34  is moved to actuate the plunger  21  for inserting the tobacco into the cigarette tube, the control end of the tube releasing arm  62  is actuated by the actuation arm  34 . Therefore, the releasing end of the tube releasing arm  62  is pivotally moved to move the tube holding member  61  away from the outlet  12  for releasing the cigarette tube from the outlet  12 . It is worth mentioning that when the front pushing end  211  of the plunger  21  is moved out of the outlet  12  for inserting the tobacco into the cigarette tube, the tube holding member  61  is moved away from the outlet  12  at the same time. Therefore, the plunger  21  will also push the cigarette tube to detach from the outlet  12  after the tobacco is filled in the cigarette tube. 
         [0077]    It is worth mentioning that the operation handle  32  further provides triple actions to actuate all the enclosing window  40 , the plunger  21 , and the cigarette tube hold-and-release unit  60  subsequently in one single pivotally moving down movement. As it is mentioned above, the first pivotal moving path of the operation handle  32  is to actuate the enclosing window  40  is actuated to close the tobacco receiving cavity  11 . The second pivotal moving path of the operation handle  32  is to actuate the plunger  21  is actuated to insert the tobacco into the cigarette tube. The operation handle  32  further provides a third pivotal moving path to actuate the cigarette tube hold-and-release unit  60  to release the cigarette tube from the outlet  12 . It is worth mentioning that the first, second, and third pivotal moving paths of the operation handle  32  are continuous movement of the operation handle  32  to pivotally and downwardly move the operation handle  32  toward the top side of the casing  10 . 
         [0078]    According to the preferred embodiment, the plunger actuation unit  30  further comprises a releasable joint  36  for releasing an engagement between the operation handle  32  and the power shaft  31 . Accordingly, all the actuations are powered by the rotation of the power shaft  31 . Once the power shaft  31  is in an idle state, all the components cannot be moved correspondingly. The releasable joint  36  is configured as safety device to ensure all the components are at the idle state when the cigarette tobacco filler device is not intentionally used. 
         [0079]    The releasable joint  36  comprises a lock sleeve  361  coupled between the operation handle  32  and the power shaft  31  and a releasable lock  362  releasably engaged with the lock sleeve  361  to lock up the operation handle  32  with the power shaft  31 . Therefore, when the releasable lock  362  is engaged with the lock sleeve  361 , the operation handle  32  can be moved to drive the power shaft  31  to rotate. Likewise, when the releasable lock  362  is disengaged with the lock sleeve  361 , the operation handle  32  is freely moved to idle the power shaft  31 . It is worth mentioning that when releasable lock  362  is disengaged with the lock sleeve  361 , the operation handle  32  will not be totally detached from the power shaft  31 . In particular, the operation handle  32  will only be freely rotated without driving the power shaft  31  to rotate. Therefore, when the device is not in use, the tobacco receiving cavity  11  can be enclosed by moving the operation handle  32  to close the tobacco receiving cavity  11  by the enclosing window  40  and by locking the operation handle  32  at the position to retain the enclosing window  40  at the closed position so as to prevent dust or other particles being accumulated in the tobacco receiving cavity  11 . 
         [0080]    It is worth mentioning that the releasable joint  36  can incorporate with a magnetic alignment unit to align the actuation position of the operation handle  32  with respect to the power shaft  31 . In other words, when the releasable lock  362  is re-engaged with the lock sleeve  361 , an angular position of the operation handle  32  can be automatically aligned with the power shaft  31  via the magnetic alignment unit before the operation handle  32  is secured to the power shaft  31 . 
         [0081]    In order to operate the cigarette tobacco filler device of the present invention, the user is able to pivotally move the operation handle  32  upward from the top side of the casing  10  in order to move the enclosing window  40  for opening up the tobacco receiving cavity  11 , as shown in  FIG. 3A . At the same time, the tube holding member  61  is moved away from the outlet  12  for the cigarette tube coupling with the outlet  12 . Then, the user is able to fill the tobacco into the tobacco receiving cavity  11 . When the user ergonomically applies the downward force at the operation handle  32  to pivotally move the operation handle down toward the top side of the casing  10 , as shown in  FIG. 3B , the enclosing window  40  will be initially actuated to close the tobacco receiving cavity  11  while the tube holding member  61  is moved to the outlet  12  for holding the cigarette tube in position. It is worth mentioning that excessive amount of tobacco will be cut by the cutting edge of the enclosing window  40  to prevent excessive amount of tobacco being inserted into the cigarette tube. Accordingly, the user is able to hold at the handle bar  14  to keep the casing  10  in stable for easily applying the downward force at the operation handle  32 . When user keeps applying the downward force at the operation handle  32  to pivotally move the operation handle down to the top side of the casing  10 , as shown in  FIG. 3C , the plunger  21  is actuated to insert the tobacco into the cigarette tube. It is worth mentioning that during the tobacco inserting operation, the enclosing window  40  is remained at the closed position. Once the operation handle  32  cannot be further moved downwardly, i.e. the tobacco inserting operation is completed, the cigarette tube hold-and-release unit  60  is actuated to release the cigarette tube from the outlet  12 . Accordingly, the user only requires a single downward action to pivotally drop down the operation handle  32  in order to hold the cigarette tube in position, to close the tobacco receiving cavity  11 , to fill the tobacco into the cigarette tube, and to release the filled cigarette tube from the outlet  12 . 
         [0082]    Alternative embodiments of the invention can include rotational drive modules which provide different benefits, such as simplified construction, fewer moving parts and cost savings. Example embodiments are shown and described herein with respect to  FIGS. 8-16  and their orientation, couplings and replacement options with respect to various components in cigarette tobacco filler devices, such as those shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C  and  FIGS. 4-7 , are described. 
         [0083]      FIG. 8  is an example embodiment of a rotational drive module  802  in a distal facing exploded view  800 . In the example embodiment shown major components of drive module  802  can include: a drive shaft  810  having one or more shaft pins  870 , a switch disk  860 , one or more detents  830 , a drive disk  850 , a cylinder  840  and a secondary shaft  820 . This listing is ordered as they will be described throughout the application and as they are coupled from a distal end to a proximal end of drive module  802 . Generally speaking, switch disk  860 , drive disk  850  and cylinder  840  are each cylindrically shaped and each have an exterior, circumferential surface and a proximal and distal surface. Orientation of the components of drive module  802  with respect to each other will now be described with respect to the exploded view  800 . 
         [0084]    In the example embodiment, drive shaft  810  can be coupled to an actuation handle of the device (e.g. See  32  of  FIGS. 3A-3C  and  FIGS. 4-7 ) at a distal end. In some embodiments, intermediate shafts can be coupled between drive shaft  810  and actuation handles. Drive shaft  810  can include a proximal section having smaller dimensions circumferentially, such that a ridge  812  is formed with a proximal face that is substantially perpendicular with the circumferential surfaces of drive shaft  810 . A proximal end of drive shaft  810  rotationally couples with a distal end of a secondary shaft  820 . In various embodiments, this coupling can occur with a male portion of either component extending into a complementary female portion of the other component. When coupled, they can lock into place with respect to each other in some orientations such that rotational movement of components of drive module  802  is possible but most proximal or distal movements are prevented. 
         [0085]    Switch disk  860  can include a central hole  864  that is sized complementary to drive shaft  810  to allow for rotation of switch disk  860  around a central axis of drive shaft  810  after being slidably coupled together. Hole  864  also includes one or more notches for coupling with coupling with one or more shaft pins  870  of drive shaft  810 . Ridge  812  of drive shaft  810  abuts a distal surface of switch disk  860  when coupled, thus preventing further distal movement of switch disk  860 . One or more tracks  862  are provided on a proximal surface of switch disk  860  such that they allow for slidable or rollable movement of the one or more detents  830 . As shown, tracks  862  can have a semi-circular profile, while detents  830  can be spherically shaped. Tracks  862  can trace a semi-circular arc along the proximal surface of switch disk  860 , with a constant radius from a central axis of switch disk  860 . 
         [0086]    Drive disk  850  can include a central hole  854  that is sized complementary to drive shaft  810  to allow for rotation of drive disk  850  around a central axis of drive shaft  810  after being slidably coupled together. A distal surface of drive disk  850  abuts and has a similarly sized shape and profile to the proximal surface of switch disk  860  when coupled. Drive disk  850  also includes one or more cylindrically shaped holes  852 . In general, holes  852  have uniform circumferences and extend between the distal and proximal surfaces of drive disk  850 . Holes  852  have diameters similar to those of detents  830 , such that detents  830  can be housed within holes  852  upon assembly of drive module  802 . 
         [0087]    Cylinder  840  can include a central hole  844  that is sized complementary to drive shaft  810  to allow for rotation of cylinder  840  around a central axis of drive shaft  810  after being slidably coupled together. A distal surface of cylinder  840  abuts and has a similarly sized shape and profile to the proximal surface of drive disk  850  when coupled. Dimples  842  in the distal surface of cylinder  840  can be shaped in a semi-sphere such that they can engage detents  830  in some orientations of an assembled drive module  802 . A proximal surface of cylinder  840  can engage a ridge  822  of secondary shaft  820  that is perpendicular with a circumferential surface of secondary shaft  820 . Secondary shaft  820  can be coupled with a guiding panel (e.g. see  52  of  FIG. 4 ) 
         [0088]    Operation of an assembled drive module will now be described with respect to  FIGS. 9-16 . With respect to the example embodiments shown in  FIGS. 9-16 , some general rules with respect to the components during operation are as follows: switch disk can be held stationary to the main housing and allows drive shaft to rotate freely through it. Switch disks cannot rotate. Drive disks can be permanently attached or otherwise coupled to drive shafts by shaft pins of the drive shaft and can always rotate along with drive shafts. Cylinders can be removably coupled to secondary shafts. Cylinders can only rotate based on internal states of drive modules based on orientation of detents. 
         [0089]      FIG. 9  is an example embodiment of an assembled rotational drive module  802  in a first state from a distal facing perspective view  900 . In the first state, detents  830  are located in the holes of drive disk  850  and are not oriented adjacent to tracks  862  of switch disk  860 . When a user causes rotation of drive shaft  810 , which is permanently coupled with drive disk  850  by shaft pins  870 , they rotate around the central axis of drive module  802 , as indicated by the movement arrow. Since detents  830  are housed within the stationary holes  852  of drive disk  850 , the rotation of drive disk  850  causes detents to rotate with respect to the proximal surface of switch disk  860 , which can force detents  830  to engage dimples  842  of cylinder  840  in the first state. Cylinder  840 , permanently coupled to secondary shaft  820  can then rotate based on this engagement with drive shaft  810  and drive disk  850  at the same rate of rotation. 
         [0090]      FIG. 10  is an example embodiment of an assembled drive module  802  in a first state from a side view  1000 . Side view  1000  shows detents  830  having orientation with and engagement of dimples  842  during the first state. 
         [0091]      FIG. 11  is an example embodiment of an assembled rotational drive module  802  in a second state from a distal facing perspective view  1100 . In the second state, detents  830  are located in the holes of drive disk  850  and are oriented adjacent to tracks  862  of switch disk  860 . When a user causes rotation of drive shaft  810  and drive disk  850  in this orientation, tracks  862  of switch disk  860  provide relief for detents  830  to disengage dimples  842  of cylinder  840  and move into tracks  862 . Since cylinder  840  is no longer engaged with the rotational movement of drive shaft  810  and switch disk  860  in the second state, they cease rotation. 
         [0092]      FIG. 12  is an example embodiment of an assembled rotational drive module  802  in a second state from a side view  1200 . 
         [0093]      FIG. 13  is an example embodiment of an assembled drive module  802  in a first state from a proximal facing side view  1300 . 
         [0094]      FIG. 14  is an example embodiment of an assembled rotational drive module  802  in a second state from a slightly distal facing perspective view  1400 . 
         [0095]      FIG. 15  is an example embodiment of an assembled rotational drive module  802  in a second state from a proximal facing side view  1500 . 
         [0096]      FIG. 16  is an example embodiment of an assembled rotational drive module  802  in a first state from a slightly distal facing perspective view  1600 . 
         [0097]    As would be understood in the art, in various embodiments, components of rotational drive modules can be arranged and oriented differently than those depicted in  FIGS. 8-16 , while providing similar functionality and effectiveness. In some example embodiments, cylinder  840 , drive disk  850  and switch disk  860  could be mirrored about detents  830 , as an inflection of the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 8-16 , while maintaining their radii perpendicular to the central axis of drive shaft  810 . 
         [0098]    Also, in various embodiments, different elements of rotational drive modules can be fixed or otherwise held in a static position with respect to the overall machine, device or apparatus while others can be movable. In some such embodiments, drive disk  850  and detents  830  can be held in a fixed or otherwise stationary position, while switch disk  860  can be permanently fixed or otherwise coupled to drive shaft  810 . 
         [0099]    As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
         [0100]    The publications discussed herein are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the present disclosure is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior disclosure. Further, the dates of publication provided may be different from the actual publication dates which may need to be independently confirmed. Additionally, all publications discussed herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
         [0101]    It should be noted that all features, elements, components, functions, and steps described with respect to any embodiment provided herein are intended to be freely combinable and substitutable with those from any other embodiment. If a certain feature, element, component, function, or step is described with respect to only one embodiment, then it should be understood that that feature, element, component, function, or step can be used with every other embodiment described herein unless explicitly stated otherwise. This paragraph therefore serves as antecedent basis and written support for the introduction of claims, at any time, that combine features, elements, components, functions, and steps from different embodiments, or that substitute features, elements, components, functions, and steps from one embodiment with those of another, even if the following description does not explicitly state, in a particular instance, that such combinations or substitutions are possible. It is explicitly acknowledged that express recitation of every possible combination and substitution is overly burdensome, especially given that the permissibility of each and every such combination and substitution will be readily recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0102]    In many instances entities are described herein as being coupled to other entities. It should be understood that the terms “coupled” and “connected” (or any of their forms) are used interchangeably herein and, in both cases, are generic to the direct coupling of two entities (without any non-negligible (e.g., parasitic) intervening entities) and the indirect coupling of two entities (with one or more non-negligible intervening entities). Where entities are shown as being directly coupled together, or described as coupled together without description of any intervening entity, it should be understood that those entities can be indirectly coupled together as well unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
         [0103]    While the embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific examples thereof have been shown in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that these embodiments are not to be limited to the particular form disclosed, but to the contrary, these embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit of the disclosure. Furthermore, any features, functions, steps, or elements of the embodiments may be recited in or added to the claims, as well as negative limitations that define the inventive scope of the claims by features, functions, steps, or elements that are not within that scope.