SELF-SERVICE CIGARETTE ROLLING MACHINE

Abstract

A self-service cigarette rolling apparatus is described herein. The machine may be modular and can roll a carton of cigarettes in 8 to 10 minutes. To use, an operator loads tobacco into a hopper, whereby the tobacco is filled into tubes. Once filled, completed cigarettes roll down and out of the machine. The modular components are easily secured to and removed from the machine, which provides easy serviceability. Neither the operator nor the owner of the machine ever needs to open or get into any of the modules. Each module is easily serviced or replaced within a 24 hour period. The machine owner pays a monthly maintenance fee to permit the owner to use the machine in their store. This fee includes costs associated with replacing modules. If the owner does not pay their monthly maintenance fee, the manufacturer can shut down the machine so it will not operate.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application 61/605,452 filed Mar. 1, 2012, and the disclosures of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a machine that fills cigarette tubes with tobacco and, more particularly, to a fully automated self-service cigarette rolling machine.

BACKGROUND

In general, commercially manufactured cigarettes are seemingly simple objects consisting mainly of a tobacco blend, a filter and wrapping paper. Smoking articles, such as cigarettes, include a substantially cylindrically shaped structure and a portion or column of smokable material, such as shredded tobacco, surrounded by a wrapper or piece of paper, to form the cigarette. Typically, cigarettes and cigarette tubes may include a filter element located at one end of the cylindrical structure, whereby the opposite end may be an open end. The filter element may comprise a cellulose acetate-based filter. The outer cylindrical paper wrapping and the filter element together without any tobacco may often be referred to as a cigarette tube.

Various cigarette rolling machines may exist in the market that allows an operator to fill cigarette tubes with loose tobacco to make their own cigarettes. While the assembly of cigarettes may be straightforward, much focus may be given to the creation of each of the separate components, in particular the tobacco blend, which may contain over 600 ingredients, many of them flavoring for the tobacco. When rolling your own cigarettes, you have the ability to choose the brand of the cigarette tube and the brand of tobacco.

Various types of cigarette rolling machines have been around for a long time and there are many different types to choose from. In general, to operate most of the existing cigarette rolling machines an operator may place loose tobacco into a reservoir and then the operator, either manually or automatically, rolls and compresses the tobacco within the rolling paper. Cigarette rolling machines range from small to large scale machines. For example, cigarette rolling machines may be very compact in dimension so that it may be easily carried by a user person or the machines may be very large floor units that may take up at least several square feet of floor space, that are also heavy, easily over 220 lbs and up, and difficult to move. These large floor unit machines may also be driven by pneumatics, which may be noisy, bulky, heavy and expensive. In addition, pneumatic tools may often require a considerable amount of maintenance to keep them in proper working condition.

Some existing cigarette rolling machines may include a tabletop device that is hand crank operated. As the operator turns the hand crank clockwise the tobacco may be compressed and eventually injected into a cigarette tube affixed to a nozzle on the exterior housing of the device. These cigarette rolling machines may also be automated, whereby the cigarette tube may be filled by pushing a button. These existing cigarette rolling machines, however, may be inadequate and suffer from various drawbacks. For example, some of these machines may be dangerous, others may not adequately fill the cigarette tubes, or may do so loosely and irregularly, some may not fill the tubes with adequate speed, etc.

It may be desirable to provide for the manufacture of relatively small lots of cigarettes in an efficient and effective manner. It may also desirable that all of the cigarettes within each lot are of consistent quality, such that all of the cigarettes within a lot be substantially identical to one another in appearance, size, shape, weight and component materials, including the tobacco materials, all of which may increase the likelihood that there are similar smoking performance characteristics within each lot rolled.

SUMMARY

A self-service cigarette rolling machine is described herein. The machine may be modular and may roll a carton of cigarettes in approximately 8 to 10 minutes. To use, the operator may load tobacco into the hopper, whereby the tobacco is filled into tubes. Once filled, the completed cigarette may roll down and out of the machine. The modular components may be easily secured to and removed from the machine, which provides easy serviceability. Neither the operator nor the owner of the machine may ever need to open or get into any of the modules. Each of the modules may be easily serviced or replaced within a 24 hour period. The owner of the machine may pay a monthly maintenance fee to permit the owner to use the machine in their store or at their location. This fee may include costs associated with replacing returned modules for no additional fees. If the owner does not pay their monthly maintenance fee, the manufacturer may shut down the machine(s) and they will not operate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Objects and advantages together with the operation of the invention may be better understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the following illustrations, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a self-service cigarette rolling machine.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the cigarette rolling machine of FIG. 1 without a cover.

FIG. 3 illustrates a partially exploded perspective view of the cigarette rolling machine of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a side of an upper hopper module of the cigarette rolling machine of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an opposite side of the upper hopper module of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates a partially exploded perspective view of the upper hopper module of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a lower hopper module of the cigarette rolling machine of FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 illustrates a partially exploded perspective view of the lower hopper module of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a tube dispensing module of the cigarette rolling machine of FIG. 3.

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of the tube dispensing module without a loading cassette

FIG. 11 illustrates a partially exploded perspective view of the tube dispensing module of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of a tube filling module of the cigarette rolling machine of FIG. 3.

FIG. 13 illustrates another perspective view of the tube filling module of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 illustrates a detailed perspective view of a stripper plate of the tube filling module of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 illustrates a top view of the tube filling module of FIG. 12.

FIG. 16 illustrates a detailed top view of a nipple of the tube filling module of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 illustrates a perspective view of an ejection module of the cigarette rolling machine of FIG. 3 including a tube in a first position.

FIG. 18 illustrates a perspective view of the ejection module of the cigarette rolling machine of FIG. 3 including a tube in a second position.

FIG. 19 illustrates a partially exploded perspective view of the ejection module of FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 illustrates another partially exploded perspective view of the ejection module of FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional changes may be made without departing from the respective scope of the invention. As such, the following description is presented by way of illustration only and should not limit in any way the various alternatives and modifications that may be made to the illustrated embodiments and still be within the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, as used herein, the term “exemplary” is intended to mean serving as an illustration or example of something, and is not intended to indicate a preference.

A self-service cigarette rolling apparatus or machine 100 (the “machine 100”) is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. The self-service cigarette rolling machine 100 may be of any appropriate shape, size, type or configuration. The machine 100 may be utilized for any appropriate purpose. For example, the machine 100 may be utilized to roll a carton of cigarettes 118 in an efficient manner. In an exemplary embodiment, the machine 100 may roll at least a carton of cigarettes in approximately 8 to 10 minutes.

The self-service cigarette rolling machine 100 may be affordable, relatively simple to operate and may be used in any desired location. For example, the machine 100 may be a convenient desktop unit. The machine 100 may be placed on any appropriate surface, such as a counter or card table, as the machine 100 does not need to be physically attached or mounted in order to operate in a secure manner.

In use, the operator may insert his desired brand or type of cigarette tubes 114 and tobacco 116 into the machine 100. The machine 100 may then operate to insert the tobacco 116 into the tubes 114 and thereby eject the completed rolled cigarette 118 product, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The cigarette rolling machine 100 may weigh approximately 75 lbs or less, such that the machine 100 may weigh as little as approximately 50 lbs.

With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the machine 100 may include a base assembly 102, a cover assembly 104 and a chute 110. The base assembly 102 may be fabricated out of any appropriate number of components. The base assembly 102 may be utilized to secure and support the various components and modules of the machine 100. The cover assembly 104 may be fabricated out of any appropriate number of panels, whereby the cover assembly 104 may house and contain therein the various components and modules of the machine 100.

The chute 110 may be located on top of a portion of the cover 104, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The chute 110 may be utilized to aid the filled cigarettes 118 slide out from the machine 100 and down away from the machine 100, as shown in FIG. 1. The chute 110 may include a directional peg or pin 112. With reference to FIG. 1, the directional pin 112 may be located adjacent the top of the chute 110 and towards one of the sides of the chute 110. The directional pin 112 may aid each of the filled cigarettes 118 in sliding down the chute in the same direction, such as filter end first, as shown in FIG. 1.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the machine 100 may further include a rolled cigarette tray 106 and a clean out tray 108. The rolled cigarette tray 106 may neatly catch and organize each finished rolled cigarette 118 product as each cigarette 118 slides down the chute 110. The rolled cigarette tray 106 may be of any appropriate shape, size, type or configuration, such as of a generally rectangular shape similar to that of a carton of cigarettes, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The rolled cigarette tray 106 may be fabricated out of a plastic material and also be utilized with a lid (not shown) that may seal the rolled cigarette tray 106, whereby the seal resulting from the lid on the tray 106 may extend the freshness of the rolled cigarettes.

With further reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, the clean out tray 108 may be located on a side of the machine 100. The clean out tray 108 may be inserted into a side of the cover 104 of the machine 100, whereby the clean out tray 108 may catch stray tobacco 116 flakes during the filling process and/or catch discarded tubes 114. The clean out tray 108 may then be easily removed during or after use of the machine 100 to discard the caught tobacco 116 or discarded tubes 114.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the machine 100 may be of a modular design. For example, the machine 100 may include at least one or more modules. The modular components may be of any appropriate shape, size, type or configuration. These modules may be easily secured to and removed from the machine 100. For example, the modules may be secured and removed via any appropriate type of fasteners, such as pins, screws, nuts, bolts and the like. The heaviest module of the machine 100 may weigh no more than approximately 20-25 lbs. The machine 100 may include any number of modules or modular components. In an exemplary embodiment, the machine 100 may include six modular components, such as a processing module 120, an upper hopper module 130, a lower hopper module 150, a tube dispensing module 182, a tube filling module 200, and an ejection module 220.

The processing module 120 may include at least one processor or microprocessor 122. The processor 122 may be programmed to control the operation of the machine 100. The processor 122 may be of any appropriate type, such as a computer or dedicated controller. The processor 122 may control all of the various functions, components and modules of the machine 100 during operation of the machine 100.

The processing module 120 may include at least one input device, such as a display screen 124, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. The display screen 124 may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as of a rectangular or square shape. The display screen 124 may be of any appropriate type, such as an electronic visual display or a touch screen. For example, the display screen 124 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen. In an exemplary embodiment, customized information may be shown on the display screen 124, such as an owner's name and/or logo. Alternatively, the display screen 124 may show commercials or advertisements during use or while not in use. As an additional alternative, the display screen 124 may display a Quick Response (QR) code. The QR code may be read by the operator's smart phone or mobile device. The QR code may take the user to a website with coupons or other information related to the machine 100, the store the machine 100 may be located at, and the like.

With reference to FIG. 3, the processing module 120 may also include another input device, such as at least one push button 126. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the processing module 120 may include four push buttons 126. The push buttons 126 may be located at any appropriate position on the machine 100, such as beneath the display screen 124. The machine 100 may be operated by push button 122, a touch responsive display screen 124 or a combination of the two. In an exemplary embodiment, the machine 100 may operate via push button 126.

The upper hopper module 130 may include a variety of components and be utilized to receive and sift the tobacco 116 down the upper hopper module 130 towards the lower hopper module 150. As shown in FIGS. 4-6, the upper hopper module 130 may include a hopper chute 132 and at least one hopper panel 138. The upper hopper module 130 may include any appropriate number of hopper panels 138. In an exemplary embodiment, the upper hopper module 130 may include four hopper panels 138, whereby the hopper panels 138 may generally form a substantially rectangular shaped enclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, one or more of the panels 138 may be of a translucent or clear material whereby the operator may see into the upper hopper module 130 to determine how much of the tobacco 116 has been used and/or how much of the tobacco 116 has yet to be used. The clear panel may permit the operator to monitor the progress of the machine 100 during use.

The hopper chute 132 may be of a generally rectangular funnel shape, whereby the hopper chute 132 may receive the tobacco 116 as it is initially poured into the upper hopper module 130. The hopper chute 132 may be located adjacent to and abut with the hopper panels 138. With further references to FIGS. 4-6, the hopper chute 132 may be covered by a hopper lid 134. The hopper lid 134 may cover the hopper chute 132 to prevent any tobacco 116 from being lost. The hopper lid 134 may include an aperture 136, whereby the aperture 136 may provide the operator with a way to access the hopper 132 and to open the lid 134.

The rectangular shaped enclosure of the upper hopper module 130 may include at least one tobacco sifter 140. The enclosure may include any appropriate number of sifters 140, such as two sifters 140. The sifters 140 may be of a generally cylindrical shape and may be generally located at a spaced distance apart from each other within the enclosure. The sifters 140 may include a plurality of outward projections or teeth 141 located around the outer surface of the sifters 140. The teeth 141 may be located at spaced distances apart from one another and may extend radially outward along the outer surface of the sifters 140. The teeth 141 may aid the tobacco 116 in being gradually sorted and sifted down into the lower hopper module 150.

The upper hopper module 130 may also include a belt and pulley system 142, such as a timing belt and timing belt pulley system, and a motor 148, such as any appropriate type of drive motor. The motor 148 may operate to drive the belt and pulley system 142, which may thereby rotate the sifters 140 to move the tobacco down through the upper hopper module 130 and into the lower hopper module 150. The tobacco 116 may be specifically and gradually sifted down through the upper hopper module 130 at a specified rate due to the sifters 140. This may be important because when compressing the tobacco 116 into the tubes 114, the tobacco 116 may need to be at a certain level within the hopper modules 130, 150.

The upper hopper module 130 may include at least one sensor. In an exemplary embodiment, the machine 100 may include two sensors in the hopper modules 130, 150. The upper hopper module 130 may include a first sensor in the upper area of the hopper that may determine when the upper hopper module 130 is empty. The lower hopper module 150 may also include a sensor 162. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the sensor 162 may be located adjacent a bottom area of the lower hopper module 150 that may determine when the tobacco 116 has gone below a certain point. The sensor 162 may send a signal to the machine 100 that may in turn inform the operator, such as via the display screen 124, that the tobacco 116 has been completely used or that the tobacco 116 is almost gone.

With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the lower hopper module 150 may include at least one belt 152 and at least one side mount 154. The at least one belt 152 may be of any appropriate configuration, such as a dual roller belt. In an exemplary embodiment, the lower hopper module 150 may include two belts 152 and two side mounts 154. The belts 152 may be generally vertically oriented with respect to the base 102 of the machine 100. The side mounts 154 may be any appropriate type of configuration, such as of a generally triangular shape. The belts 152 may be located and secured between each of the side mounts 154, whereby there may be a larger opening between the two belts 152 at the upper end of the lower hopper module 150 and a smaller opening between the two belts 152 and the lower end of the lower hopper module 150.

The lower hopper module 150 may also include a motor 156 and at least one gear 158, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The at least one gear 158 may be of any appropriate type of configuration, such as a spur gear. The motor 156 may be any appropriate type of motor, such as a gear motor. The motor 156 may operate the spur gears 158 which may thereby operate the belts 152. The belts 152 may move and rotate from the top of the side mounts 154 towards the bottom of the side mounts 154 in a continuous motion.

The lower hopper module 150 may also include a guard 160, as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 7 and 8. The guard 160 may generally be an angled bracket. The guard 160 may cover any opening between a front side of the upper hopper module 130 and a front side of the lower hopper module 150, as shown in FIG. 2, whereby tobacco flakes may be prevented from escaping the machine 100 as the tobacco is being sifted down through the upper hopper module 130 into the lower hopper module 150. The front sides of the hopper modules 130, 150 may be generally perpendicular to the side mounts 154 of the lower hopper module 150.

With reference to FIGS. 9 and 11, the tube dispensing module 170 may include a loading cartridge 172 and a receptacle housing 178. The loading cartridge 172 may include a lid 174, whereby the lid 174 may be rotatably secured to an end of the cartridge 172. The loading cartridge 172 may be of a generally rectangular shaped box with one side being open. The lid 174 may cover the open side when in the closed position. The loading cartridge 172 may house the empty tubes 114 to be filled. The receptacle housing 178 may include two panels located generally parallel to one another and located at a spaced distance apart from one another. As shown in FIG. 10, the housing 178 may surround a floor or loading ramp 180 of a tube reservoir 184 located within the housing 178. The housing 178 may receive the loading cartridge 172 of empty tubes 114.

The tube dispensing module 170 may include a rotatable cam 176 and a knob 182. The knob 182 may be rotated to operate the cam 176 to thereby lower and raise the loading ramp 180 of the tube reservoir 184, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11. For example, the cam 176 may hold the lid 188 of the loading cartridge 184 in a closed position. The cam 176 may then rotate out of the way in order to allow the tubes 114 to fall into the loading position within a feed channel 192 of the tube dispensing module 170. The feed channel 192 may be located at a front lower end of the loading ramp 180, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11.

With reference to FIG. 11, the tube dispensing module 170 may include a flipper 188. The flipper 188 may include a plurality of slots or apertures 190, as shown in FIGS. 9-11. The machine 100 may include an eccentric shaft 196 and a motor 198, such as a DC gear motor. The motor 198 may operate the eccentric shaft 196. The flipper 188 may be pivotally connected to the receptacle housing 178, whereby the flipper 188 may be moved back and forth relative to the feed channel 192. This back and forth movement may massage the tubes 114 down into the feed channel 192 to be filled with tobacco 116. With further reference to FIG. 11, the tube dispensing module 170 may also include a fluffer 194. The fluffer 194 may act to encourage the empty tubes 114 to move or slide down into the feed channel 192.

In an exemplary embodiment, when the loading ramp 180 of the tube reservoir 184 is first opened, a tool (not shown) with at least one projection may be inserted into at least one slot 190 of the flipper 188 in order to slowly lower the empty tubes 114 into the feed channel 192. This may prevent the uneven distribution of tubes 114.

The tube filling module 200 may include a base 202 and at least one motor 204, as illustrated in FIGS. 12, 13 and 15. In an exemplary embodiment, the tube filling module 200 may include two motors 204, such as DC motors. The motors 204 may control the filling functions of the machine 100. The tube filling module 200 may also include at least one hopper bracket 212. In an exemplary embodiment, the tube filling module 200 may include two hopper brackets 212, as shown in FIGS. 12, 13 and 15. The hopper brackets 212 may be located on the base 202, whereby the hopper brackets 212 may secure the side mounts 154 of the lower hopper module 150 onto the base 202.

In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 12-16, the tube filling module 200 may include a nipple 206. During operation, each empty tube 114 may be inserted onto the nipple 206 whereby the tobacco 116 may be loaded into or inserted into the tube 114. Each tube 114 may be inserted onto the nipple 206 at an angle. The angle of entry onto the nipple 206 may be approximately 14 to approximately 18 degrees. In an exemplary embodiment, the empty tube 114 may be offset by approximately 16 degrees from the nipple 206.

The tube filling module 200 may include a rod or plunger 208, as may be seen in FIGS. 12 and 15. The plunger 208 may be inserted into the tube to push the tobacco 116 into the empty tube 114. The plunger 208 may be electronically controlled by one or more of the motors 204. In an exemplary embodiment, the plunger 208 may insert the tobacco 116 into the tube 114 and then pause there while still located within the tube 114. This pause may allow for any expansion of the tobacco 116 within the tube 114. After the pause, the plunger 208 may tap or pack the tobacco 116 into the tube 114 again, which may aid the tobacco 116 in remaining packed within the tube 114 and prevent any tobacco 116 from becoming loose or falling out. This double packing hit by the plunger 208 may be done electronically.

With reference to FIGS. 14 and 16, the ejection module 220 may include a stripper plate 210. The stripper plate 210 may aid in ejecting the filled cigarette 118 off of the nipple 206. The stripper plate 210 may push or extend outward from a side of the base 202 towards the end of the nipple 206, thereby pushing or sliding the filled cigarette 118 off of the nipple 206. Typically, in order to remove a cigarette, the cigarette may have had to be blown off via air that would often result in the cigarette being tossed all over the filling area, whereby the operator may have to search out each filled cigarette from the floor or area surrounding the filling machine. Utilizing the stripper plate 210 avoids this mess and keeps the filled cigarette 118 within the machine 100 environment.

The tubes 114 and their associated filters may be of various sizes. When using different sized tubes 114 and/or filter sizes, the machine 100 may need to utilize a different stroke for the plunger 208. The machine 100 may electronically program or set up and adjust the plunger 208 to operate at the appropriate stroke to sufficiently fill the cigarette tube. Typically, this adjustment has been done manually rather than automatically. During operation, in an exemplary embodiment, the operator may input the particular filter size and/or type into the processor 122 via the display screen 124 and/or push buttons 126 to adjust for different filter and tube sizes. The processor 122 may then use those inputs to determine the corresponding plunger 208 stroke from a data store. The machine 100 may then insert the tobacco 116 into the tube 114 at a specified distance corresponding to the determined plunger 208 stroke.

If there is a tobacco jam in the machine 100, the operator may only need to press one button 126 to clear the jam, resulting in automatic de-jamming. The machine 100 may automatically clear out the tobacco jam. Typically, jams resulting from tobacco may take hours to be cleared out. Here, if there is a jam in the tube filling module 200 or a plunger 208 jam, the operator may push a button 126 to clear the jam. Upon pushing the button 126, the machine 100 may follow the following steps to clear the jam in the tube filling module 200: reverse compressor to open; load tube; grip tube; run plunger; ungrip tube; strip tube; eject tube; close compressor; load tube; grip tube; run plunger; ungrip tube; strip tube; eject tube; close compressor; load tube; grip tube; run plunger; ungrip tube; strip tube; and eject tube. Upon pushing the button 126, the machine 100 may follow the following steps to clear the plunger 208 jam: reverse plunger; open compressor; run plunger; ungrip tube; strip tube; eject tube; close compressor; open compressor; load tube; grip tube; run plunger; ungrip tube; strip tube; eject tube; close compressor; load tube; grip tube; run plunger; ungrip tube; strip tube; and eject tube.

In an exemplary embodiment, the ejection module 220 may include a mounting plate 222, a motor 224, such as an electric motor, and a solenoid 226, as illustrated in FIGS. 17-20. The motor 224 and solenoid 224 may drive a rack and pinion system 228. The rack and pinion system 228 may include a rack 230 and a pinion or spur gear 234. The rack and pinion system 228 may be located on the mounting plate 222 and may operate to rotate a rollover device 236. The rollover device 236 may rotate about a rollover axis 232, as shown in FIGS. 17-20. The rollover device 236 may include a groove 238 that may receive the tube 114, as illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20. The rollover device 236 may eject the filled cigarette 118 from the machine 100.

With reference to FIGS. 17-20, the ejection module 220 may also include a pusher 240. The pusher 240 may be aligned with the groove 238 of the rollover device 236. The pusher 240 may be driven by the motor 224, whereby when the pusher 240 is extended into the groove 238, as shown in FIG. 18, the pusher 240 may push the empty tube 114 onto the nipple 206 to be filled with tobacco. After the tube 114 is filled with tobacco, the cigarette 118 may be pushed back off of the nipple 206 via the stripper plate 210, whereby the cigarette 118 may be located fully within the groove 238 of the rollover device 236, as shown in FIG. 17.

The ejection module 220 may also include a sensor 242, as shown in FIGS. 17-20, that may indicate that the empty tube 114 to be filled is out of position, such as if the tube 114 has dropped out of position or is not in the appropriate position to be filled with the tobacco 116. When the tube 114 is not in the appropriate position to be filled, the machine 100 may discard or get rid of the tube 114 prior to the tube 114 being filled, whereby no tobacco 116 may be wasted on a bad tube 114. This may result in additional cigarettes 118 being produced since no tobacco 116 is wasted. In addition, the machine 100 may count and keep track of how many tubes 114 have been used and how many cigarettes 118 have been made. This information may be shown on the display screen 124.

In an exemplary embodiment, the operator may use the machine 100 to fill a carton of cigarettes 118. The tubes 114 may be loaded into the loading cartridge 172. The loading cartridge 172 may then be loaded into the receptacle 178 of the machine tube dispensing module 170. The operator may then hit a start button 126 on the machine 100 to begin the automatic filling process. The machine 100 may then make sure that all of the components and modules are homed in to the correct starting positions before the filling process begins.

The display screen 124 may instruct the operator as to each of the next steps in the process of rolling the cigarettes 118. The first step may be to load the tobacco 116 into the hopper chute 132 of the upper hopper module 130. As the tobacco 116 moves within and down the upper hopper module 130 into the lower hopper module 150 and then into the tube filling module 200, the tobacco may be plunged into the tube 114. Once each tube 114 is filled, the completed cigarette 118 may roll down the chute 110 and out of the machine 100, as shown in FIG. 1.

As stated above, the chute 110 may include a directional peg or pin 112. The directional pin 112 may direct the filled cigarettes 118 into a certain direction as each cigarette 118 exits the machine 100. The pin 112 may always and consistently orient the cigarettes 118 into the tray in the same direction, such as with the filter end down.

As previously stated, the machine 100 may be used with a rolled cigarette tray 106. The tray 106 may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as the general shape and size of a carton of cigarettes. The tray 106 may be fabricated out of any appropriate material, such as a plastic material that when used with a lid may keep the filled cigarettes 118 fresh since they will not dry out. The operator may manually slide the cigarette tray 106 back and forth in front of chute 110 in order to receive the rolled cigarettes 118 as they exit the machine 100.

The cigarette tray 106 may allow the operator to avoid having to handle each of their rolled cigarettes 118 in order to package them neatly. In addition, the pin 112 may provide for a neat and organized rolled cigarette tray 106 for the operator. For example, the cigarettes 118 may all slide down the length of the chute with the filter end first, whereby the filled cigarettes 118 may all fall into the tray 106 filter end first.

The modular features and components of the machine 100 may lend themselves to easy serviceability. Neither the operator of the machine 100 nor the owner of the machine 100 may ever need to open or get into the processing module 120. Moreover, each of the modules may be easily serviced or replaced within a 24 hour period. This is possible because the owner of the machine 100 does not need to call a service man or personally adjust anything in or on the machine 100. The owner may easily send back the non-working module to the manufacturer to be replaced.

Alternatively, some owners may choose to stock up on extra modules in certain parts of the city, state or country, whereby the owner may easily swap out the non-working module for a new module. The owner may stock up on the various modules in case one needs to be replaced. This may prevent any downtime in having to wait for a replacement module to arrive.

The owner of the machine 100 may be required to pay a monthly maintenance fee to permit the owner to use the machine 100 in their store or at their location. In turn, each operator may be required to pay a rental fee to the owner or manufacturer of the machine 100 in order to use the machine 100. This maintenance fee may include the costs associated with replacing returned modules for no additional fees. If the owner does not pay their monthly maintenance fee, the manufacturer may shut down the machine(s) 100 and they will not operate. Once the bill is paid, the machine(s) 100 will work for the desired amount of time. In an exemplary embodiment, upon payment of the maintenance fee, the machines 100 may operate for approximately 45 days. If no new code is inputted after the 45 day period, the machines 100 may stop working.

The machine 100 may be utilized with at least one security code. In an exemplary embodiment, the machine 100 may utilize dual security codes. For example, the first code may be used by the owner and the second code may be used by the manufacturer. The first code may permit the owner to determine the number of cartons of filled cigarettes that have been made within a certain amount of time, such as a day, week, or month, or since the machine 100 was last checked. The owner may then clear that tracked quantity and start the count over. The second code may permit the manufacturer to also determine the number of cartons filled. This second code provides the manufacturer an option to check and verify the numbers provided by the owner. Similar to the first code, this second code may also then be cleared. In addition, the act of clearing the amount tracked may date the screen, whereby the owner and manufacturer may track the last time the machine 100 quantities were checked and cleared.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to the embodiments disclosed, but that the invention described herein is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the claims hereafter.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising:

a plurality of modules comprising: at least one processing module associated with the apparatus, wherein the at least one processing module comprises at least one input device, and wherein the at least one processing module is operative to control the plurality of modules of the apparatus; an upper hopper module associated with the at least one processing module, wherein the upper hopper module is configured to receive tobacco; a tube dispensing module associated with the at least one processing module, wherein the tube dispensing module is configured to dispense tubes; and a tube filling module associated with the at least one processing module, wherein the tube filling module comprises a nipple and a plunger, and wherein the tube filling module is operative to insert tobacco into the tubes;

wherein the tube filling module is configured to move tobacco received from the upper hopper module into a plurality of tubes received from the tube dispensing module; and

wherein each module is configured to be independently removable from the apparatus without the disassembly of any other module.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a lower hopper module located adjacent to the upper hopper module, wherein the lower hopper module is operative to sift tobacco received from the upper hopper module into a plurality of tubes received from the tube dispensing module.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the nipple is configured to be inserted within the tube at an angle.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the angle of entry of the tube onto the nipple is approximately 14 degrees to approximately 18 degrees.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the plunger is operative to be inserted into the nipple and the tube to push the tobacco into the tube.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising an ejection module associated with the at least one processing module, wherein the ejection module is located adjacent to the tube dispensing module, and wherein the ejection module comprises a stripper plate.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the stripper plate is configured to push the cigarette off of the nipple.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the ejection module further comprises a sensor in operative connection with the at least one processing module.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the sensor of the ejection module is operative to indicate that a tube is out of position within the tube filling module.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the at least one processing module is operative to keep track of how many tubes have been used and how many cigarettes have been made.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the at least one processing module further comprises a display screen.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a chute located adjacent to the ejection module, wherein the chute is configured to permit cigarettes to slide out from the ejection module.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the chute comprises a pin, wherein the pin is operative to direct the cigarettes into a particular direction as each cigarette exists the ejection module.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the at least one input device is a touch screen.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the apparatus weighs less than approximately 75 pounds.

16. Apparatus comprising:

at least one component that is operative to move tobacco into a plurality of tubes to produce a plurality of cigarettes;

at least one input device; and

at least one processor in operative connection with the at least one component and the at least one input device;

wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause the at least one component to operate to produce cigarettes during a predetermined time period responsive at least in part to a manual input received through the at least one input device of at least one code;

wherein the at least one processor is operative to not cause the at least one component to operate to produce cigarettes after the predetermined time period has elapsed until after the at least one processor receives a manual input through the at least one input device of at least one additional code that is different than the at least one previously manually inputted code that enabled the at least one component to previously operate to produce cigarettes; and

wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause the at least one component to operate again to produce cigarettes during a predetermined time period responsive at least in part to the manual input received through the at least one input device of the at least one additional code.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the at least one processor is operative to determine whether each manually inputted at least one code is valid to cause further operation of the at least one component to operate to produce cigarettes without previously receiving the at least one code through manual operation of the at least one input device.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the at least one processor is operative to determine the number of cartons of filled cigarettes that have been made within a certain amount of time.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the at least one processor is operative to determine the number of cartons of filled cigarettes that have been made since the at least one code was last entered.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the at least one processor is operative to determine the number of cartons of filled cigarettes that have been made since the at least one additional code was last entered.