EP2266425B1 - Tobacco packaging for a cigarette self-production device, system comprising same and loading method for a cigarette self-production device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a system of a tobacco packaging and a cigarette self-production device and a loading method for such a device.

A particular application of the present invention is in the field of cigarette machines used by the consumer to make single or a plurality of individual cigarettes (in stock). Such table cigarette machines are more elaborate than simple known stuffing devices, allow to process a larger supply of tobacco and generally produce very high quality, self-made cigarettes.

From the WO 2007/093417 A1 a device is known which can be used as a cigarette self-production device and uses a tobacco packaging, which can be attached as a separate unit to the device, locking and unlocking mechanisms are described. In the WO 2007/093417 A1 breaks the Entriegelungsnase 432 only from when the tobacco is consumed in the drum. Another document describing a tobacco packaging system is EP 1911360 A2 where the seal seal is removed without the removal of another part.

Against this background, it is the object of the present invention to provide a system of a tobacco packaging and a cigarette self-production device, and a method, which facilitate handling, in particular in the assembly of the device with tobacco.

This object is achieved by a system of a tobacco packaging and a cigarette self-production device according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 12. The subclaims define preferred embodiments of the invention.

A tobacco package of the system according to the invention has a cup-shaped tobacco receptacle having on its opening side a removable seal closure, an adapter element for attaching the packaging to the cigarette self-production device and a release element for a safety lock of the cigarette self-production device. According to the present invention, at least one part of the unlocking element which can be separated from the tobacco packaging is connected to the seal closure for its removal.

Release members, which are at least partially detachable, are used to provide a security feature. Such unlocking elements are destroyed by the separation and make it possible to ensure that the device can only be operated with the correct, associated tobacco packaging, so as to prevent damage to the device and to minimize the risk of injury to end users, which could arise if non-external or already Once used packaging would be used. The present invention has now recognized that the process of separating the part of the unlocking element provided for this purpose can be combined with the opening of the seal closure, which simplifies handling in an elegant manner.

In other words, the separable part of the unlocking element, which is connected to the seal seal, according to the invention provided with the function of a handle or attack for the seal seal, and when removing this part can be opened or removed with the same movement and the seal seal. The handling of the tobacco packaging and the system is thereby simplified and made more user-friendly.

In a specific embodiment of the invention, the tobacco receptacle forms a cup with the opening side turned downwards, on which the attachment adapter element and the unlocking element are arranged. It can do that Attachment adapter element comprise a lower, protruding edge on the cup, in particular a guide flange, which can then be inserted into a corresponding counterpart on self-production device. This ensures the correct attachment of the tobacco packaging.

If the unlocking element is arranged on a lower edge side of the tobacco receptacle, it will be advantageous after mounting the tobacco receptacle on the device in a simple manner with there locking mechanisms engaged.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the seal seal has a removal-engaging portion, and the detachable portion of the unlocking member is connected to this removal-engaging portion, so that the seal seal can be removed by means of the detachable portion and at the proper location of the seal seal, as " Handle 'sits.

There is the possibility of providing the unlocking element with a latch-holding part connected to the tobacco receptacle and intended to remain there, which is arranged adjacent to the separable part. Such a two-part design of the unlocking is advantageous because it reflects the two separate functions, on the one hand unlocking and keeping open, on the other hand, the function of a handle for the seal seal. It is not significant whether the separable part of the unlocking element itself already has an unlocking function or is designed accordingly. Thus, it can fulfill both functions of the hold-open part, namely on the one hand the unlocking and on the other hand, the function of keeping open, while the detachable part does not contribute to this. On the other hand, and as described in the accompanying embodiment, the unlocking itself can take place through the separable part, while the remaining on the tobacco packaging hold-open part then ensures that the device remains unlocked.

The separable part of the unlocking element can only be connected to the tobacco receptacle via the seal seal. The integrity of the tobacco packaging is then produced in the unused state that the seal seal is firmly attached to the packaging and thus also the separable part remains there.

In another embodiment possibility, a predetermined breaking connection of the seal closure with the tobacco receptacle is additionally provided, and this may be advantageous in particular if the connection may not be rigid enough merely via the seal seal and more dimensional stability has to be ensured.

In one embodiment of the present tobacco packaging, the seal closure comprises a flexible peelable protective film; however, it is also possible to use any other closure technique, for example a rigid closure plate or covers that break when opened.

The system according to the invention has a tobacco packaging, as described above in various embodiments, and a cigarette self-production device, to which the tobacco packaging for supply or tobacco can be attached. It further comprises a safety latch which prevents actuation of the device if it is not unlocked by means of the unlocking element of the packaging.

The system may provide a slidable latch for the safety device which is biased in its home position to block a tobacco processing movement of the device and which, by its interaction with the unlocking element of the package, is displaced to a release position in which he allows a tobacco processing movement of the device.

A further possible embodiment of the system according to the invention provides that the safety lock is arranged at a position of the device, where it first passes when attaching the tobacco packaging from the separable part of the unlocking, and is unlocked in particular, after which they with a latch-holding part of the Entriegelungselements comes into engagement, which maintains the unlocking even after a separation of the separable part.

In the method of assembling a cigarette self-fabricating device with tobacco of the present invention, a tobacco package as described above in various embodiments may be used, thereby removing the seal from the tobacco package after attaching the package to the cigarette self-fabricator and unlocking the security interlock in that it is removed together with at least one part of the unlocking element, with which it is connected, being separable from the tobacco packaging.

The system according to the invention and the method according to the invention naturally have the same advantages as described above with reference to the tobacco packaging.

Figur 1 bis 3

eine Ausführungsform einer Tabakverpackung des erfindungsgemäßen Systems; und

Figuren 4 und 5

das Einsetzen einer Tabakverpackung des erfindungsgemäßen Systems in eine Aufnahmevorrichtung eines Zigaretten-Selbstverfertigungsgeräts des erfindungsgemäßen Systems mit Entriegelungsfunktion.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to a preferred embodiment. It may include all of the features described herein individually and in any convenient combination and, in particular, may be viewed as using a described tobacco package with a cigarette self-fabricator or tobacco loading method, as each described herein. It should also be noted that although the present description is directed to tobacco processing in tobacco manufacturing, the basic features of the invention are also applicable to processing equipment for other pourable food and beverage. In the accompanying drawings show:

Figure 1 to 3

an embodiment of a tobacco packaging of the system according to the invention; and

FIGS. 4 and 5

the insertion of a tobacco packaging of the system according to the invention into a receiving device of a cigarette self-production device of the system according to the invention with unlocking function.

The in the FIGS. 1 to 3 tobacco packaging 1 shown in various views has the shape of an inverted cup, which has rounded, rectangular corners and converges slightly towards the top. The packaging in FIG. 1 diagonally from above, in FIG. 2 from the side and in FIG. 3 seen obliquely from below is intended to be placed on top of a cigarette self-fabricator, and for this reason its opening side is at the bottom. Together with the somewhat converging training this optimal and complete spreading of the tobacco is guaranteed. The tobacco is in the tobacco intake 2, which is also referred to as "cup" hereinafter. The cup 2 has at its lower end an outwardly projecting flange 3, and this flange 3 surrounds the cup 2 below on three sides, ie it is not present on the front and open, so that the tobacco packaging 1 with the flange 3 in a appropriate leadership can be inserted on the tobacco self-production device. The two lateral sections of the flange 3 supported the firm connection between the tobacco packaging and the device.

At the front of the cup 2 has in the region of its opening a reinforced flange portion 4, to which an upright at right angles projecting latch-holding part 5 followed, whose function will be explained later. Through the gap 65 ( FIG. 2 ) separated from the hold-open part 5, is the removable part 6 of the unlocking 5, 6, said wedge-shaped removable part can also be referred to as unlocking part 6 and converges towards the front pointed. Its rear end is as high as the hold-open part 5.
In the FIG. 3 can still be seen how the tobacco packaging 1 is closed on the bottom, namely with the help of a sealing film, the total with the Reference numeral 7 has been provided. Actually, the lower opening of the tobacco receptacle 2 is closed by the first part 8A of the sealing film 7, which has been glued to the lower edges of the flange 3 or fixed by heat treatment so that it by means of its folded, forward leading portion 8B of the Can be peeled or peeled off opening. Thus, when the sealing film 7 at the 8B is pulled in the direction of the arrow at the front at the engaging portion indicated by the reference numeral 9, the actual closure member 8A is peeled off from the underside of the flange and the tobacco present in the cup 2 can fall out and into the cigarette manufacturing apparatus to there to be processed.

Especially in the FIG. 3 It can also be seen that the sealing film 7 extends with its engagement section 9 both under the hold-open part 5 and under the unlocking part 6 of the unlocking element 5, 6. The unlocking element is thus connected to the sealing foil 7, in particular also its unlocking part 6.

The unlocking 6 can only be connected via the sealing film 7 at all with the remaining tobacco packaging, but you can also provide predetermined breaking joints in FIG. 1 to see and have been identified by the reference numeral 21. Such connections 21 maintain the shape and orientation of the unlocking part 6 well in the unused condition.

In the FIGS. 4 and 5 It can now be seen how such a tobacco packaging 1 can interact with a cigarette self-production device. The cigarette self-fabricating device is not fully illustrated here because only its unlocking mechanism is relevant to the present description and should be discussed. It bears the reference numeral 10 as a whole and comprises a housing 11 and a rotary drum 12 which can rotate about the axis 20, wherein the tobacco is circulated in the rotary drum and prepared for portioning.

The rotary drum 12 has a co-rotating with it approach 13, in which a (in FIG. 5 dashed lines shown) engagement groove 18 for a latch 14 is present. In the FIG. 4 the apparatus is shown in a state in which the rotation of the drum 12 is prevented by the engagement of the bolt; in FIG. 5 the bolt is shifted upwards, so that the rotation is possible.

The latch 14 is slidably disposed in a recess 17 of the housing, and it has a latch body 15 which has a through hole 16. Either by gravity or by spring force, the bolt is basically to its locking position ( FIG. 4 ) biased or hired. The entire security lock has in the FIG. 4 the reference numeral 19 is obtained.

The state before the insertion of a belonging to the device 10 tobacco packaging 2 is in FIG. 4 shown and does not allow operation of the device or commissioning because of the lock by the bolt 14. To put the device into operation, the cup 2 is pushed on top of the device; in the FIGS. 4 and 5 in the direction from left to right. In this case, the wedge-shaped unlocking part 6 pushes to the right in the passage opening 16 of the locking body 15, and due to the oblique upper edge of the bolt 14 is raised. The cup 2 is then further moved so long to the right in the Sicherheitsverrieglung 19 until it is stopped by the stop 22 and the hold-open part 5 comes to rest in the through hole 16. In this state, the latch 14 remains up and open, and the commissioning of the device, ie the rotation of the rotary drum 12 is possible.

Based on the state of FIG. 5 can now be solved, the sealing film 7, on which the unlocking part 6, that is, the detachable part of the unlocking element 5, 6 is fixed. When the part 6 is bent downwards (arrow), the predetermined breaking point 21 (or both predetermined breaking points 21) breaks first, and then the part 6 can be easily gripped by hand in order to pull the sealing foil 7 to the right in the direction of the arrow and thus away from the peel off the lower opening. Of the Tobacco may then fall into the rotary drum 12 and be processed. The separable part 6 thus represents both an unlocking element as well as a good attack for the opening of the sealing film and thus combines in a synergetic manner several functions in itself, which optimizes the handling of the system.

Claims (12)

1. A system, comprising:

   a) a tobacco packaging (1) for a personal cigarette manufacturing device, comprising:

   - a cup-shaped tobacco receptacle (2) which comprises a removable seal (7) on its opening side;

   - an adaptor element (3) for attaching the packaging to the personal cigarette manufacturing device; and

   - an unlatching element (5, 6) for a security latching on the personal cigarette manufacturing device, wherein at least one part (6) of the unlatching element which is embodied such that it can be detached from the tobacco packaging (1) is connected to the seal (7), in order to remove it; and

   b) a personal cigarette manufacturing device (10) to which the tobacco packaging (1) can be attached in order to supply the personal cigarette manufacturing device with tobacco, and which comprises a security latching (19) which prevents the device from being operated if it is not unlatched by means of the unlatching element (5, 6) of the packaging (1).
2. The system according to claim 1, characterised in that the security device comprises a latch (14) which can be shifted and is set in its initial position such that it blocks a tobacco processing movement of the device (10), and is shifted by an interaction with the unlatching element (5, 6) of the packaging (1), into a release position in which it allows a tobacco processing movement of the device (10).
3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the security latching is arranged at a point on the device at which, when the tobacco packaging (1) is attached, the security latching is initially passed by the detachable part (6) of the unlatching element (5, 6), and in particular thereby unlatched, after which it passes into engagement with a part (5) of the unlatching element (5, 6) for holding the latch open, which maintains the unlatching even after the detachable part (6) has been detached.
4. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the tobacco receptacle (2) forms a cup with its opening side turned downwards, on which - -the adaptor-element (3) and the unlatching element (5, 6) are arranged.
5. The system according to claim 4, characterised in that the adaptor element (3) comprises a lower projecting edge on the cup, in particular a guiding flange.
6. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the unlatching element (5, 6) is arranged on a lower edge side of the tobacco receptacle.
7. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the seal (7) comprises a removal grip portion (9), and the detachable part (6) of the unlatching element (5, 6) is connected to the removal grip portion (9), such that the seal (7) can be removed with the aid of the detachable and/or detached part (6).
8. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the unlatching element (5, 6) comprises a part (5) for holding the latch open which is connected to the tobacco receptacle (2), where it is designed to remain, and arranged adjacent to the detachable part (6).
9. The system according to any one of claims 7 or 8, characterised in that the detachable part (6) of the unlatching element is only connected to the tobacco receptacle (2) via the seal (7).
10. The system according to any one of claims 7 or 8, characterised in that the detachable part (6) of the unlatching element is connected to the tobacco receptacle (2) via the seal (7) and a break-off connection.
11. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the seal (7) comprises a flexible protective foil (7) which can be drawn off.
12. A method for supplying a personal cigarette manufacturing device with tobacco from a tobacco packaging (1) comprising a cup-shaped tobacco receptacle (2) which comprises a removable seal (7) on its opening side, an adaptor element (3) for attaching the packaging to the personal cigarette manufacturing device and an unlatching element (5, 6) for a security latching on the personal cigarette manufacturing device, wherein once the packaging has been attached to the personal cigarette manufacturing device and the security latching has been unlatched, the seal (7) is removed from the tobacco packaging (2) by being removed together with at least one part (6) of the unlatching element which can be detached from the tobacco packaging and which the seal is connected to.

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