AT13104U1 - CIGARETTING MACHINE AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF - Google Patents

Abstract

The disclosure relates to cigarette packing machines with improved safety and user ergonomics. A disclosed model of a cigarette tamping machine (100) with compression chamber (140) consists of a faceted handle (160) which projects from the top (112) of the cigarette tamping machine and partially encloses the pivot axis of the actuating lever (150). The facet handle (160) is configured so that a user can apply an opposing rotational movement to the cigarette tamping machine to prevent the cigarette tamping machine from slipping on the surface when the operating lever (150) is operated. The faceted handle (160) consists of a multi-faceted knob (161) and a semicircular socket (164) located between knob (162) and top (112), one axis of the knob (162) being substantially the pivot axis of the actuating lever (150). The semicircular socket (164) may extend in a circle around the end of a pin (200) and a nut (154) connecting one end of the operating lever (150) to the pin (200) or partially enclosing it.

Description

Austrian Patent Office AT13 104U1 2013-06-15

description

I. FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to pocket cigar stoppers having a compression chamber, which is particularly concerned with improved pocket cigarette stoppers having a compression chamber and methods of using the same.

II. BACKGROUND

Taschenzigarettenstopfer with press chambers are well known. U.S. U.S. Patent No. 2,731,971, to Kästner for a " cigarette tamping machine " published January 24, 1956, discloses a domestic use cigarette tamping machine in which a certain amount of loose tobacco corresponding to a cigarette is compacted and then inserted into a cigarette by means of a pestle prefabricated cigarette tube is pressed. During the pressing of the portion of tobacco, the prefabricated empty cigarette tube is held at the end of a receiving neck of the cigarette tamping machine. Once the compressed tobacco has been completely pressed into the prefabricated cigarette tube, the cigarette is released from the cigarette tamping machine so that it can be smoked immediately or stored for later use.

U.S. Pat. U.S. Patent No. 3,127,900 to Kästner for a " cigarette machine " published April 7, 1964; U.S. Patent No. 4,411,278 to Kästner for a " Cigarette Tamping Machine " published October 25, 1983, and U.S. Pat. U.S. Patent No. 6,557,560 to Kästner for a " cigarette tamping machine " Patent No. 2,731,971. For example, U.S. Pat. U.S. Patent No. 3,127,900 discloses modifications to the above-described cigarette tamping machine which is adapted to produce cigarettes with prefabricated cigarette tubes with filters. U.S. U.S. Patent No. 4,411,278 describes a cigarette tamping machine of the same general type as discussed above, but incorporates a new manufacturing process that can significantly reduce the cost of production of previous devices. All the aforementioned patents have expired. Although the aforementioned patents contain various useful improvements for press chambered machines which have achieved considerable commercial success, these machines still have unsolved problems.

III. SUMMARY

The new invention relates to cigarette stuffing machines with improved safety and improved user ergonomics. One of the disclosed butt packing machines includes a facet handle for improved safety and ergonomics. The facet handle protrudes upward from the top of the cigarette tamping machine and partially encloses the pivot axis of the operating lever. With the aid of the facet handle, the user can perform an opposing rotational movement to prevent the machine from slipping or rotating on a surface upon actuation of the operating lever. The facet handle consists of a knob with several facets, on a semicircular base, which lies between knob and top. An axis of the knob may correspond to the pivot axis of the actuating lever. The semicircular base extends in a circle around or partially surrounds the end of a pin (200) and a nut connecting one end of the actuating lever to the pin (200). On the other hand, methods for using an improved cigarette tamping machine are disclosed.

IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows a prior art representation of a Taschenzi garettenstopfers with pressing chamber.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of an improved Taschenzigarettenstop fers with pressing chamber according to a representation described. 1/14

Austrian Patent Office AT13104U1 2013-06-15 [0007] FIG. 3 shows an example method for the application of the illustration from FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the illustration from FIG. 2.

5-8 shows a front view, a side view, a rear view and a Ge genseitenansicht the illustration of FIG. 2.

Fig. 9 shows a bottom view of the illustration of Fig. 2, are shown in the partially innenlie ing parts.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 taken along line 300-300 of FIG

Fig. 5.

V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The use of existing cigarette tamping machines occasionally causes injury to the user of the machine, in particular to users who are not familiar with the operation of the machine, the operating instructions or safety instructions are not fully read or disregard the warnings given therein. With reference to FIG. 1, wherein the use of a machine as shown in FIG. In the cigarette stuffing machine (10), there are two possible hazards to the user during use: After the grouting chamber (12) in which the grouting member (14) moves is filled with a certain amount of tobacco , the user grips the ejection lever (16), which is aligned to the basic position, with one hand. The user can then place his other hand on the machine (10) and thus apply downward pressure to prevent the machine (10) from slipping clockwise on a surface as the ejector lever (16) rotates. As shown, some users improperly place their hand on a corner of the machine (10) near the compression chamber (12) and the receiving nozzle (18) through which a teaspoon (not shown) projects. In the hand position shown, the user can pinch himself by the crimping part (14) and / or suffer a cut wound by the pressing spoon. Therefore, cigarette butting machines with press chamber with warnings such. For example, stickers or stickers on the machine and instructions for training and warning inexperienced users about the proper operation of the machine are sold or otherwise provided.

Although warnings generally contribute to a reduction in injury to users, the warnings have resulted in many users improperly operating the machines resulting in broken or otherwise malfunctioning machines. Some users tend to operate the machine with excessive caution after learning the warnings. For example, users may operate the machine with only one hand on the eject lever (16). These overly cautious operators may turn the lever (16) clockwise while depressing the lever (16) to prevent the machine (10) from rotating clockwise on a surface during rotation of the ejector lever (16) slip. Even if the application of downward pressure on the lever (16) prevents the machine (10) from slipping, this leads to undesirable additional wear of the machine parts (eg rotary axle, axle bearings, linkage, etc.), the levers (FIG. 16) with the compression part (14) connect. Many manufacturers of cigarette stuffing machines offer a free warranty on repair / replacement of damaged machines to the user, resulting in lost revenue. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a machine that offers improved ergonomics, improved user safety and less opportunity for improper operation.

In the present case, examples of cigarette tamping machines with a press chamber are disclosed which eliminate at least these deficiencies.

[0015] FIGS. 2-8 show an improved cigarette tamping machine (100) with a pressing chamber, in which a portion of tobacco for a single cigarette is compressed in a grouting chamber and then inserted into a prefabricated cigarette sleeve made of paper by means of a pin (200). 14 Austrian Patent Office AT13104U1 2013-06-15 presses. The cigarette tamping machine (100) has a rectangular shaped housing with an upper part (110) and a lower part (130). The upper and lower portions (110, 130) may be of any suitable material, such as metal, plastic, etc. The upper portion (110) includes a generally planar top surface (112) and front, back, right, and left sides (FIGS. 114, 116, 118, 120) going down and vertical from the top (112). The lower part (130) also includes front, back, right and left sides (132, 134, 136, 138) as viewed from the front, back, right and left sides (114, 116, 118, 120), respectively. go down and diagonally outward. Thus, the top (112) and sides (114-120) of the top (110) and sides (132-138) of the bottom (130) define an internal cavity for receiving movable components (eg, linkages, Cam, operating arm, pin, etc.) of the cigarette tamping machine (100). The components of the cigarette tamping machine (100) are well known (see, for example, the patents discussed above) and therefore will not be discussed in further detail herein for the sake of brevity. As shown, the lower portion (130) may include a bottom portion (102) that may be removably connected to the lower end of the lower portion 130 to allow access to the moveable components for ease of cleaning, maintenance, repair, etc. The bottom portion (102) may be made of any suitable material, but preferably the bottom portion (102) should be made of non-slip material such as rubber or the like to facilitate movement (eg, slippage) of the cigarette tamping machine (100) on a surface during use Reduce.

As further shown in Figs. 2-4, the top (112) has an opening (142), which in turn defines an opening to the compression chamber (not shown), in which a Ver-pressing member (144) moves and a compressed certain amount of tobacco, which is located in the Verpresskammer (140). The cigarette tamping machine (100) has on the left side (120) of the upper part (110) near the front side (114) a receiving port (146) which communicates with the compression chamber (140). In addition, there is a clamping part (148) in the vicinity of the nozzle (146). As is known, a compressed, generally cylindrical portion of tobacco from the compression chamber (140) by a pin (Fig. 9, 230) by means of the receiving nozzle (146) is moved into a cigarette tube made of paper, which rests on the nozzle (146) , Clamping member (148) holds the prefabricated cigarette paper sleeve on the neck (146) during tobacco feeding together with the neck (146). As shown, the cigarette tamping machine (100) on the upper side (112) further has an operating lever (150) and a facet handle (160). The operating lever (150) can be rotated to an angle of approximately 180 degrees in a plane at the top (112) to drive the internal components that inter alia connect the operating lever (150) to the crimping portion (144).

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the operating lever (150) may be arcuate (ie, rotated or rotated about a pivot axis) from a startup setting (ie, rearward and rightward) as indicated by a dashed line in FIG labeled " S " into a compression setting (i.e., to the right and slightly projecting forward) indicated by a solid line labeled " C " and then moved to a press-in setting (i.e., forward and slightly left) indicated by a dashed line labeled " " is pictured. When the operating lever (150) is in the start setting " S " is located, the crimping member (144) is fully retracted (i.e., moved rearwardly) to allow loading of the crimping chamber (140) with tobacco. When the operating lever (150) is rotated from the start setting S to the compression setting C, the squeezing member (144) moves forward (i.e., toward the front side (114)) to densify the tobacco in the squeezing chamber (140). When the actuating lever (150) is moved further into the compression setting I from the compression setting C, the crimping member (144) remains stationary and a pin (not shown) moves leftward through the crimping chamber (140) and the receiving stub (146) to press the compressed tobacco into the paper cigarette tube located on the neck (146). By the movement of the actuating lever (150) from the press-in position I in the opposite direction (ie counterclockwise), the pin (200) is pulled back into the inner cavity, so that the finished cigarette can be taken from the nozzle (146), and the crimping part (144) is moved backwards to make the cigarette tamping machine (100) ready to make another cigarette.

It is quite possible that the cigarette tamping machine (100) may inadvertently move on a surface during rotation of the operating lever (150) despite the presence of the optional anti-slip (eg, rubber) bottom member (102). Therefore, the facet handle (160) is provided to allow the operator to grasp the facet handle (160) as shown in FIG. 2 and apply counter pressure to the cigarette tamping machine (100) to prevent rotational movement of the cigarette tamping machine (100) during cigarette manufacturing or to decrease, without damaging the cigarette tamping machine (100) (eg, the axle bearing (152) of Fig. 5, the internal components, etc.), which happens when pressure is applied to the operating lever (150) would be exercised. In addition, the facet handle (160) is on the top (112) to provide better ergonomics to the operator of the cigarette tamping machine (100). In addition, the cigarette tamping machine (100) can be conveniently carried and transported by means of the facet handle (160).

To improve the ergonomics, the position of the facet handle (160) substantially coincides with the pivot axis of the actuating lever (150). However, the facet handle (160) could also be used outside the pivot axis. While the pivot axis and the facet handle (160) are in the left rear corner in the described illustrations, the pivot axis and facet handle (160) could be located elsewhere as required by internal mechanics or other product design considerations. The example facet handle (160) is typically circular and has multiple facets (161) around the handle (160). As a user's fingers and thumb easily conform to the respective facets 161, the facets 161 increase the ability of a user to grasp or grasp the handle 160, and thus, over the handle 160. As shown in FIG. opposite pressure on the cigarette tamping machine (100) exercise. For example, without the facets (161), the handle (160) may more easily rotate or slip in the user's hand. In addition, the facets (161) reduce fatigue of the hand, wrist, or arm during use of the cigarette tamping machine (100).

In the illustration shown, the facet handle (160) includes a knob (162) in which a plurality of facets (161) are disposed on an outer surface or edge of the knob (162) and a semicircular socket (164). In the best case, six facets (161) are present so that thumb, forefinger, etc., the knob (162) naturally, easily and firmly grip. As shown, the semicircular pedestal (164) may lie between knob (162) and top (112). In other words, the facet handle (160) may be integral with the top (112). Alternatively, the facet handle (160) (including knob (162) and semicircular socket (164)) may be secured to the top (112), for example, with adhesive, welds, screws, bolts, dowels, and the like. In some models, the facet handle (160) may be removable. An example of how a detachable facet handle (160) can be mounted will be described below in conjunction with FIG. The axis of the facet handle (160) substantially corresponds to the pivot axis of the actuating lever (150). The pivot axis of the operating lever (150) corresponds to the pin (200) (Figure 9) to which the operating lever (150) is coupled via a nut (154) and a bearing (152) (Figure 5). As shown, the semicircular socket (164) extends in a circle around part of the pivot axis (ie, the nut (154), the bearing (152), the end of the pin (200) to which the operating lever (150) is coupled, and one end of the operating lever (150)). The semicircular base (164) includes an opening (166) through which the operating lever (150) protrudes and can be rotated about the pivot axis. While the facet handle (160) shown has a smooth or polished metallic finish, other coatings and / or surface treatments (eg, brushed, padded, etc.) may be used to further enhance the grip of the facet handle (160) , 4/14 Austrian Patent Office AT13104U1 2013-06-15

In addition, the facet handle (160) may be rubberized and / or include rubber members. For example, the knob (162) could be provided with a rubberized coating and the facets (161) could have rubberized appliqués or inserts, and / or on the outer surface of the knob (162) with the facets (161) could be one or more rubber bands. be embedded and / or appropriate tapes.

Turning now to Fig. 9, a plan view of the inner cavity of the cigarette tamping machine (100), partially showing the internal components. As shown, an arm (210) is pivotally connected at one end to the pin (200) which is connected to the actuating lever (150) at the distal end at the top (112). A connector (220) is pivotally connected at one end to the second end of the arm (210) distal from the pin (200). A second end of the connector (220) is pivotally connected to the pin (230). When the operating lever (150) is rotated from the compression setting (Fig. 2, labeled C) into the press-in setting (Fig. 2, labeled I), the arm (210) and connector (220) form a hinge and move the pin (Fig. 230) through the grouting chamber (140) and the receiving stub (146) to fill a cigarette sleeve of paper resting on the stub (146) with compressed tobacco. As is known from various conventional cigarette stuffing machines having a compression chamber (e.g., the machine shown in Figure 1), a sleeve retention lever (240) is spring loaded and coupled to the clamping member (148) to form a cigarette sleeve of paper on the receiving socket (146). while holding tobacco in the sleeve. Moreover, the sleeve retention lever (240) (or a part coupled thereto) provides a barrier in conventional machines to prevent over-rotation of the operating lever (150) (ie, movement of the operating lever (150) beyond the press-in adjustment I) could cause connector (220) to over-push the pin (230) into the paper tube, as such over-rotation could, for example, result in damage to a filter end of the sleeve. In an illustration of the cigarette tamping machine (100), to avoid over-rotation of the operating lever (150) (ie, movement of the operating lever (150) beyond the press-in adjustment I), the bracket (182) on the front (114) is between the right and left Side (120, 118) arranged so that the head (186) of the holder (182) forms a fixed stop for the actuating lever (150), instead of the sleeve holding lever (240). As shown in Fig. 9, this means that the head (186) is inboard to intercept the second end of connector (220) as shown. In this way, the head (186) intercepts the second end of connector (220) and thereby prevents the arm (210) from contacting the sleeve retention lever (240) due to contact between the arm (210), connector (220), and sleeve retention levers (240) could potentially cause the paper cigarette tube to be prematurely released from the spigot (146), or the arm (210), connector (220) and lever (240) to be connected, resulting in improper operation and / or damage to the paper cigarette case can lead internal components.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the cigarette tamping machine with the pressing chamber (100) of Fig. 2 taken along the line 300-300 of Fig. 5. In the cross section of Fig. 10, only a portion of the cigarette tamping machine (100) is shown. As shown in Figure 10, the semicircular socket (164) may include a flange (305) having a series of slots (310) (e.g., two as shown). Flange (305) has a bottom surface (not shown) which is intended to be flush with the top surface (112) when a facet knob (160) with semi-circular base (164) and flange (305) is attached to the cigarette tamping machine (100) ,

As shown in Fig. 10, by the shape or size of the one end of the slots (310), it is possible to guide a head (315) secured to trunnions (310) through the slot and shape or size of the other end substantially correspond to the pin (310). To firmly attach a facet knob (160) including flange (305) to the cigarette tamping machine (100), the lengths of the portions of the pin (310) between the top (112) and the outsides of the heads (315) are the same as the thickness of flange (305 ). The pins can be attached to the upper side (112) or other internal parts of the cigarettes by any means, such as, for example, a nut, a threaded screw, a rivet, a weld, an adhesive, etc. (US Patent Nos. 4/147). 100). A facet knob (160) including flange (305) may be attached to the cigarette tamping machine (100) by aligning one end of the slots (310) with the heads (315) and then turning the facet knob (160) such that the Snap pins (310) into the other end of the slots (310) to secure the facet knob (160) to the cigarette tamping machine (100). Ideally, the first and second ends of the slots (310) should be oriented so that actuation of the actuating lever (150) to produce a cigarette does not separate the facet knob (160) from the cigarette tamping machine (100). In other words, rotation of the operating lever (160), when counterrotating rotational movement is applied to the facet knob (160) to make a cigarette, causes the counter pressure to occur in the same direction as the facet knob (160) is rotated about the facet knob (160) to be attached to the cigarette tamping machine (100).

Although not shown, the cigarette stuffing machine (100) may include an adjustable volume grout chamber (144), such as in U.S. Pat. Patent Application No. 11 / 401,126 entitled " Cigarette Tamping Machine " described on 10 April 2006.

In addition, a method for using the improved cigarette tamping machine with pressing chamber (100) is presented. First, the cigarette tamping machine (100) should be made operational by the user to receive a portion of tobacco by, for example, rotating the operating lever (150) to be in the starting position S. At the receiving socket (146) a paper cigarette tube and in the compression chamber (140) a portion of tobacco is placed. The operator places one hand (eg, his right hand) on the operating lever (150) and the other hand (eg, his left hand) on the facet handle (160). By holding the facet handle (160) with the second hand, the user can rotate his hand on the handle (150) so that his thumb and his fingers align with one or more of the facets (161). The operator can apply opposing pressure (eg, in a horizontal plane counterclockwise) to the facet handle (160) while rotating with his other hand the actuating lever (150) (eg clockwise in a horizontal plane). Upon rotation of the operating lever (150), the user may intermittently or continuously apply the opposing pressure to the facet handle (160) to prevent the cigarette tamping machine (100) from slipping until the paper cigarette tube is filled with tobacco and the cigarette is ready.

All references, including publications, patent applications and patents set forth herein are hereby incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and expressly stated to become incorporated herein by reference, and as if each reference were fully set forth herein.

Although certain models of apparatus, makes and methods are disclosed in this document, the scope of this utility model is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this utility model applies to all apparatuses, products and methods which reasonably fall within the scope of the claims of this utility model. 6/14

Claims (6)

Austrian Patent Office AT13104U1 2013-06-15 Claims 1. A cigarette tamping machine comprising: (i) a housing having a top (112) with an opening (142); (ii) an operating lever (150) for rotation about a pivot axis at the top (112); (iii) a compression chamber (140) within the housing, the compression chamber (140) communicating with the opening; (iv) a compression member (144) located in the compression chamber (140) and engaging the actuating lever (150); coupled, wherein the pressing member (144) moves in accordance with the movement of the actuating lever (150) from an open start position, so that loose tobacco can be scattered in the Verpresskammer (140), to a closed position to the tobacco in the Verpresskammer (140 ), (v) a receiving socket (146) on the housing proximate the opening (142), the receiving socket communicating with the grouting chamber (140), and (vi) a facet handle (160) on the housing Top (112) partially comprising the pivot axis. A cigarette tamping machine according to claim 1, wherein the facet handle (160) on the left rear portion of the top (112) is characterized by (i) a circular knob (162) having a plurality of facets (161) clearly demarcated thereon, one axis of the knob (162) or the facet handle (160) substantially corresponds to the pivot axis, (ii) a semicircular pedestal (164) interposed between knob (162) and top (112) and a flange (305) having a clearly defined slot (310 ) to couple the facet handle (160) to the top surface (112) via a pin (200) protruding from the top surface (112), the pin (200) having a head (315) at one end and Dimensions of one end of the slot (310) substantially correspond to the head (315) and the dimensions of the other end of the slot (310) substantially correspond to the pin (200) and (iii) an aperture (142) through which the operating lever (150 protruding, which is about the pivot axis dre hen can. A cigarette filling machine according to claim 2, characterized in that (i) the pivot axis includes a pin (200) having one end extending through the top (112), (ii) a nut (154) and a bearing (152). for coupling one end of the operating lever (150) to the end of the pin (200), (iii) the semicircular socket (164) is shaped to be circular about the nut (154), the bearing (152), the End of the pin (200) and the end of the actuating lever (150) extends and partially encloses, and (iv) the semicircular base (164) has an opening (142) through which the actuating lever (150) protrudes and about the pivot axis can turn. 4. A cigarette tamping machine according to claim 2, wherein the slots (310) are configured such that the locking with the pins (310) with head (315) takes place in a counter to the movement of the actuating lever (150) rotational movement. A method of manufacturing a cigarette with a cigarette tamping machine according to any one of claims 1-4, comprising the steps of: (i) preparing the cigarette tamping machine to receive tobacco by transferring the operating lever (150) to the position S, causing the operating lever ( 150) coupled compressing part (144) is fully retracted and thus the compression chamber (140) releases, so that loose tobacco can be scattered into the compression chamber (140); (ii) depositing the tobacco in the grouting chamber (140); (iii) depositing a cigarette tube of paper on the receiving stub (146); 7/14 Austrian Patent Office AT13104U1 2013-06-15 (iv) gripping the operating lever (150) with the first hand; (v) gripping the facet handle (160) with the second hand; (vi) The movement of the operating lever (150) in the direction of the position I causes the pressing member (144) is moved forward, so that the tobacco in the compression chamber (140) is compressed; and (vii) applying counterrotating rotary motion to the second hand facet handle (160) to prevent rotation of the cigarette tamping machine while the actuating lever (150) is being moved. For this 6 sheets drawings 8/14