Patent ID: 7537013

Claim:
A device for loading a cartridge with pre-formed hollow tubular wrapping portions for cigarette manufacture, the device comprising: an upper reservoir configured for receiving and containing a plurality of tubular wrapping portions; a hopper including a plurality of parallel downwardly extending passageways configured for passage of the tubular wrapper portions from the upper reservoir to a grooved tray below the hopper, the tray configured for supporting individual tubular wrapping portions each disposed in one of a first number plurality of parallel grooves; an unattached wrapper-transport cartridge having a second number plurality of parallel grooves that is a whole number multiple of the first plural number; a structure configured for supporting the unattached wrapper-transport cartridge in a position longitudinally aligning the tray grooves with cartridge grooves such that at least a portion of the cartridge grooves can be loaded with tubular wrapping portions; and a hand-actuated mechanism for longitudinally moving the tubular wrapping portions from the tray grooves to the cartridge grooves.