CIGARETTE MANUFACTURING MACHINE

Abstract

A machine for manufacturing a cigarette includes a housing, a support frame disposed within the housing, a filling pipe at least partially disposed outside of the housing, a push plate at least partially disposed within the support frame, a first actuation assembly operatively connected to the push plate, a push spoon assembly, and a second actuation assembly operatively connected to the push spoon assembly. The support frame includes a tobacco cavity aligned with an opening of the housing, at least one protrusion, and a frame rail. Actuation of the first actuation assembly causes the push plate to move from a first position to a second position to push tobacco in the tobacco cavity into alignment with the filling pipe. The second position of the push plate is defined by engagement of the push plate with the at least one protrusion of the support frame. The push spoon assembly includes a sliding block attached to the frame rail and a push spoon extending into the tobacco cavity. Movement of the sliding block along the frame rail causes the push spoon to move within the tobacco cavity. The second actuation assembly causes the sliding block to move along the frame rail.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/815,510, entitled CIGARETTE MANUFACTURING MACHINE and filed Mar. 8, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to cigarette manufacturing machines, and more particularly, to a machine for manufacturing a single cigarette at a time.

BACKGROUND

A cigarette manufacturing machine is a device used for manufacturing cigarettes. These machines require a user to place tobacco into a tobacco cavity and sleeve an empty cigarette tube onto a filling pipe. Subsequently, the user engages an actuator that causes the tobacco to be moved from the filling pipe and into the cigarette tube.

SUMMARY

An exemplary embodiment of a machine for manufacturing a cigarette includes a housing, a support frame disposed within the housing, a filling pipe at least partially disposed outside of the housing, a push plate at least partially disposed within the support frame, a first actuation assembly operatively connected to the push plate, a push spoon assembly, and a second actuation assembly operatively connected to the push spoon assembly. The support frame includes a tobacco cavity aligned with an opening of the housing, at least one protrusion, and a frame rail. Actuation of the first actuation assembly causes the push plate to move from a first position to a second position to push tobacco in the tobacco cavity into alignment with the filling pipe. The second position of the push plate is defined by engagement of the push plate with the at least one protrusion of the support frame. The push spoon assembly includes a sliding block attached to the frame rail and a push spoon extending into the tobacco cavity. Movement of the sliding block along the frame rail causes the push spoon to move within the tobacco cavity. The second actuation assembly causes the sliding block to move along the frame rail.

Another exemplary embodiment of a machine for manufacturing a cigarette includes a housing, a support frame disposed within the housing, a filling pipe at least partially disposed outside of the housing, a push plate at least partially disposed within the support frame, a first actuation assembly operatively connected to the push plate, a push spoon assembly, and a second actuation assembly operatively connected to the push spoon assembly. The support frame includes a tobacco cavity aligned with an opening of the housing, a channel disposed in a top surface of the support frame, and a frame rail. The first actuation assembly includes a handle and a shaft, in which the shaft is attached to the handle such that rotation of the handle causes the shaft to rotate. The push plate is operatively connected to the shaft such that rotation of the shaft causes the push plate to move from the first position to the second position to push tobacco in the tobacco cavity into alignment with the filling pipe. The shaft is disposed within the channel of the support frame. The push spoon assembly includes a sliding block attached to the frame rail and a push spoon extending into the tobacco cavity. Movement of the sliding block along the frame rail causes the push spoon to move within the tobacco cavity. The second actuation assembly causes the sliding block to move along the frame rail.

Another exemplary embodiment of a machine for manufacturing a cigarette includes a housing, a support frame disposed within the housing, a filling pipe at least partially disposed outside of the housing, a push plate at least partially disposed within the support frame, a first actuation assembly operatively connected to the push plate, a push spoon assembly, a second actuation assembly operatively connected to the push spoon assembly, and a plastic strip disposed in the support frame. The support frame includes a tobacco cavity aligned with an opening of the housing, a channel disposed in an interior of the support frame, and a frame rail. Actuation of the first actuation assembly causes the push plate to move from a first position to a second position to push tobacco in the tobacco cavity into alignment with the filling pipe. The push spoon assembly includes a sliding block attached to the frame rail and a push spoon extending into the tobacco cavity. Movement of the sliding block along the frame rail causes the push spoon to move within the tobacco cavity. The second actuation assembly causes the sliding block to move along the frame rail. The plastic strip is positioned such that a back side of the pushing spoon engages the plastic strip as the pushing spoon moves within the tobacco cavity.

Another exemplary embodiment of a machine for manufacturing a cigarette includes a housing, a support frame disposed within the housing, a filling pipe at least partially disposed outside of the housing, a push plate at least partially disposed within the support frame, a first actuation assembly operatively connected to the push plate, a push spoon assembly, and a second actuation assembly operatively connected to the push spoon assembly. The support frame includes a tobacco cavity and an exterior frame rail, in which the tobacco cavity is aligned with an opening of the housing. Actuation of the first actuation assembly causes the push plate to move from a first position to a second position to push tobacco in the tobacco cavity into alignment with the filling pipe. The push spoon assembly includes a sliding block attached to the frame rail and a push spoon extending into the tobacco cavity. The sliding block is connected to the push spoon by a connection element that extends through an elongated opening of the support frame. Movement of the sliding block along the frame rail causes the connection element to move within the elongated opening and the push spoon to move within the tobacco cavity. The second actuation assembly causes the sliding block to move along the frame rail.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a cigarette manufacturing machine;

FIG. 2 illustrates a front perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a cigarette manufacturing machine;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the cigarette manufacturing machine of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a center mechanism of the cigarette manufacturing machine of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of the center mechanism of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 illustrates a front perspective view of a support frame of the center mechanism of FIG. 4 with an exemplary embodiment of a sliding block of a push spoon assembly connected to the support frame;

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the support frame of FIG. 6 with the sliding block shown being disconnected from the support frame;

FIG. 8 illustrates a rear perspective view of the support frame of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of the support frame of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the support frame of FIG. 6 taken along the lines 10-10 shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 illustrates an exploded view of the connection between an exemplary actuation assembly and an exemplary push plate of the center mechanism of FIG. 4;

FIG. 12 illustrates a partial exploded view of the center mechanism of FIG. 2 showing a portion of an exemplary push spoon assembly and a plastic strip, in which the center mechanism has another exemplary embodiment of a support frame;

FIG. 13 illustrates a rear perspective view of the center mechanism of FIG. 4 with the exemplary support frame of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 illustrates another rear perspective view of the center mechanism of FIG. 4 with the exemplary support frame of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 illustrates a side view an exemplary embodiment of a plastic strip for the center mechanism of FIG. 4;

FIG. 16 illustrates a partial exploded view of the cigarette manufacturing machine of FIG. 2 showing the exemplary center mechanism of FIG. 4, an exemplary embodiment of a control panel, and an exemplary embodiment of a protection cover for the control panel;

FIG. 17 illustrates a partial exploded view of the exemplary protection cover of FIG. 16 and an exemplary embodiment of a shielding strip for the cigarette manufacturing device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 18 illustrates an exemplary engagement between the shielding strip of FIG. 17 and an exemplary embodiment of a motor stop component of the control panel of FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is a bottom perspective view of the center mechanism of FIG. 4 with the shielding strip of FIG. 17 and without the protection cover of FIG. 16;

FIG. 20 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a swing arm assembly of the cigarette manufacturing machine of FIG. 2;

FIG. 21 is a bottom view of the swing arm assembly of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a paper buckling assembly of the cigarette manufacturing machine of FIG. 2;

FIG. 23 is a bottom perspective view of the center mechanism of FIG. 4 with the protection cover of FIG. 16 and with the shielding strip of FIG. 17;

FIG. 24 illustrates a partial exploded view of another exemplary embodiment of a center mechanism that can be used with the cigarette manufacturing machine of FIG. 2 showing another exemplary embodiment of a support frame, another exemplary embodiment of a push spoon, and another exemplary embodiment of a plastic strip;

FIG. 25 illustrates a perspective view of the center mechanism of FIG. 24; and

FIG. 26 shows a side view of the plastic strip for the center mechanism of FIG. 24.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The Detailed Description describes exemplary embodiments of the invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims in any way. Indeed, the invention is broader than and unlimited by the exemplary embodiments, and the terms used in the claims have their full ordinary meaning. Features and components of one exemplary embodiment may be incorporated into the other exemplary embodiments. Inventions within the scope of this application may include additional features, or may have less features, than those shown in the exemplary embodiments.

The exemplary cigarette manufacturing machines described herein include improvements over typical cigarette manufacturing machines. For example, the cigarette manufacturing machines described herein can include a push plate that engages one or more protrusions of a support frame to prevent the push plate from becoming displaced. In addition, the machines described herein can include a plastic strip that provides for a smooth movement of a push spoon through the tobacco cavity. The plastic strip can also be removable, which allows the plastic strip to be replaced after becoming worn. The cigarette manufacturing machines described herein can also have a frame rail for allowing movement of a sliding block on an exterior surface of the frame, which prevents tobacco in the interior of the frame from being deposited between the frame rail the sliding block during use of the machine. In addition, the cigarette manufacturing machines described herein may include a channel in a top surface of a support frame for receiving a shaft of an actuation assembly, which allows for easy and accurate placement of the shaft in the support frame.

The general inventive concepts of the present application will now be described by referencing the following exemplary embodiments. The description with reference to the following exemplary embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the claims in any way, and the terms used in the claims have their full ordinary meaning. In addition, any feature or combination of features from each of the embodiments can be used with features or combinations of features from other embodiments. In the embodiments discussed herein, the cigarette manufacturing machine is described as manufacturing a cigarette that includes tobacco. However, the cigarette manufacturing devices of the present application can be used to manufacture any other type of cigarette, such as, for example a cigarette containing a narcotic, herbs, or any other substance for smoking.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a cigarette manufacturing machine 100 includes a support frame 101, a first actuation assembly 110a, a second actuation assembly 110b, a push plate 124, a tobacco cavity 116, a pushing spoon assembly 122, and a filling pipe 157. The support frame 101 can be constructed from any suitable material, such as, for example, any one or more of aluminum, plastic, any other suitable material, or any combination thereof, etc. The tobacco cavity 116 is configured to receive tobacco, and the filling pipe 157 is configured to engage a cigarette tube. In certain embodiments, the filling pipe 157 is at least partially disposed outside of the support frame 101 such that a user can place an empty cigarette tube onto the filling pipe. The machine 100 is configured to move tobacco from the tobacco cavity 116 and into the cigarette tube to create a cigarette.

After the user deposits tobacco into the tobacco cavity 116, the user engages an actuation assembly 110a that causes the push plate 124 to push the tobacco to a desired position within the tobacco cavity (e.g., to a position that aligns with the pushing spoon 154 of the push spoon assembly). The actuation assembly 110a can take any suitable form that is capable of moving the pushing plate 124 to engage the tobacco within the tobacco cavity 116 and move the tobacco into a desired position, such as, for example, a variety of manual and electromechanical arrangements. In certain embodiments, the actuation assembly 110a can include a handle and a shaft, in which the shaft is attached to the handle such that rotation of the handle causes the shaft to rotate. In these embodiments, the push plate 124 is operatively connected to the shaft such that rotation of the shaft causes the push plate to move between various positions. In various embodiments, the machine 100 includes a channel 140 for housing the shaft of the actuation assembly 110a such that the shaft can rotate within the channel. The channel 140 can be disposed in a top surface of a frame of the machine 100 such that the shaft of the actuation assembly 110a can be easily inserted and positioned within the channel 140. In certain embodiments, the actuation assembly 110a can take the form of the actuation assembly 536 described herein with reference to FIGS. 2-23.

The push plate 124 is configured to move from a first position (or starting position) to a second position by the actuation assembly 110a, in which the tobacco is in the desired position within the tobacco cavity 116 when the push plate 124 is in the second position. In some embodiments, the support frame 101 includes one or more protrusions (not shown) positioned to prevent movement of the push plate 124 once the push plate is in the second position. That is, the protrusions are positioned such that the push plate 124 cannot move past the second position toward the tobacco cavity 116. In certain embodiments, the machine 101 includes a positioning plate 125 that is positioned adjacent to the push plate 124 such that the positioning plate 125 engages the push plate if the push plate moves toward the positioning plate to prevent the push plate from being displaced during use of the device. The protrusions and/or positioning plate 125 may allow the push plate to move smoothly. The push plate 124 can be constructed from, for example, anyone or more of plastic (e.g., food grade plastic), aluminum, any other suitable material, or any combination thereof. A plastic push plate may allow for reduced friction within the device, resulting in reduced wear and reduced particle generation. In addition, a push plate 424 including food grade plastic may be advantageous due to its contact with the tobacco.

After the tobacco is positioned in a desired position within the tobacco cavity, the push spoon assembly 122 can be used to move the tobacco from the tobacco cavity, through the filling pipe 157, and to the cigarette tube. The push spoon assembly 122 has a sliding block 152 and a push spoon 154, in which the push spoon 154 is attached to the sliding block 152. The sliding block 152 is attached to a frame rail (e.g., one or more grooves in the support frame 101 of the machine 100) such that the sliding block 152 can move along the frame rail, and the pushing spoon is at least partially disposed in the tobacco cavity 116 such that movement of the sliding block along the frame rail causes the pushing spoon 154 to move within the tobacco cavity 116. In some embodiments, the frame rail is disposed on an external portion of a frame for the machine 100 such that the sliding block 152 is attached to the external portion of the frame, and the pushing spoon 154 is positioned in the tobacco cavity 116 in an interior of the frame. In these embodiments, the pushing spoon 154 can be connected to the sliding block by a connection member (not shown) that extends through an opening (not shown) in the support frame 101. The exterior frame rail may prevent tobacco from being deposited in the grooves of the frame rail during use of the machine 100. The push spoon 152 can have a first portion having a surface for engaging the tobacco, and a second portion that is sized and shaped to form the tobacco into a cylindrical shape (or any other desired shape) prior to being moved through the filling pipe 157.

In certain embodiments, the machine 100 includes a plastic strip 132 that is positioned adjacent to the pushing spoon 154 in the tobacco cavity 116 such that the pushing spoon 154 engages the plastic strip 132 when the pushing spoon 154 moves through the tobacco cavity 116. The plastic strip 132 can be sized and shaped to correspond to the shape of the pushing spoon 154 such that the pushing spoon can smoothly move against a bearing surface of the plastic strip 132. The plastic strip 132 allows for a smooth movement of the pushing spoon 132 through the tobacco cavity 116. The plastic strip 132 may allow for reduced friction within the device, resulting in reduced wear and reduced particle generation. Furthermore, the plastic strip 132 can be removable, which allows the plastic strip to be replaced after it becomes worn. The plastic strip 132 can include any suitable plastic material. In certain embodiments, the plastic strip 132 includes a lubricated plastic material (e.g., a self-lubricating plastic material).

The machine 100 includes a second actuation assembly 110a that is operatively connected to the sliding block 152 of the push spoon assembly 122. The actuation assembly 110b can take any suitable form that is capable of moving the sliding block 152 along a frame rail of the frame 101 such that the pushing spoon 154 is moved to engage the tobacco within the tobacco cavity 116 and move the tobacco through the filling pipe 157. For example, the actuation assembly 110b can take the form of a variety of manual and electromechanical arrangements. In certain embodiments, the actuation assembly 110b includes an electric motor that is operatively connected to the sliding block 152, and activation of the electric motor causes the sliding block 152 to move along the frame rail. Any suitable type and number of components can be used to operatively connect the electric motor to the push spoon assembly 122. For example, the swing arm assembly 530 described herein with reference to FIGS. 2-23 can be used to operatively connect the electric motor to the push spoon assembly 122.

In embodiments that include an electric motor, the electric motor can be in circuit communication with a control panel that is configured to activate and deactivate the motor during use of the machine 100. In some embodiments, the second actuation assembly 110b can include an actuation member (e.g., a handle, a button, etc.) is configured to engage the control panel to activate and/or deactivate the motor. In other embodiments, the push plate 124 or the first actuation assembly 110a that is used to move the push plate 124 can be configured to engage the control panel to move the activate and/or deactivate the motor. That is, the push plate 124 or the first actuation assembly 110a can include one or more elements (e.g., protrusions) that are configured to engage the control panel during movement of the first actuation assembly 110a or the push plate 124. For example, the actuation assembly 110a can take the form of the actuation assembly 536 described herein with reference to FIGS. 2-23. It should be understood, however, that any component described herein can include an element that is configured to engage with the control panel during use of the machine 100 to activate and/or deactivate the motor.

In various embodiments, the machine 100 includes an engagement member 169 that is configured to maintain the cigarette tube on the filling pipe 157 until the cigarette is manufactured. The engagement 169 is configured to be moved between an engaged position and disengaged position with the filling pipe 157. For example, the engagement member 169 can be spring-loaded such that the engagement member 169 is in the engaged position when the spring is in a normally extended position, and compression of the spring causes the engagement member to move to the disengaged position. In certain embodiments, the machine 100 can include the paper buckling assembly 528 described herein with reference to FIGS. 2-23.

FIGS. 2-23 illustrate exemplary embodiments of a cigarette manufacturing machine 200 (which are more specific embodiments of the machine 100 shown in FIG. 1). Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the machine 200 includes a base 202, a center mechanism 204, a main cover 206, and a lid 208. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 202, the main cover 206, and the lid 208 form the housing 201 of the device 200. The housing 201, however, can include any suitable number of components that are capable of housing the center mechanism 204 and positioning the center mechanism 204 to manufacture a cigarette. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the center mechanism 204 is disposed within the base 202, and the main cover 106 is configured to be removably attached to the base 202 such that the center mechanism can be disposed between the main cover 206 and the base 202 when the main cover is attached to the base.

The main cover 206 has a tobacco input opening 214 that aligns with a tobacco cavity 216 of the center mechanism 204 such that a user can deposit tobacco into the tobacco cavity 216 through the input opening 214. In certain embodiments, the main cover 206 includes a feeding portion 218 having a downward incline toward the input opening 214 such that a user can place the tobacco in the feeding portion and gravity causes the tobacco to move toward and through the input opening 214 and into the tobacco cavity 216. In some embodiments, the housing 201 can include a lid 208 that is pivotally attached to the main cover 206 such that the lid can be moved between an open position (in which the feeding portion 218 and inlet opening 214 are uncovered) and a closed position (in which the feeding portion 218 and inlet opening 214 are covered). The main cover 206 can attach to the base 202 by any suitable connection, such as, for example, a snap-fit connection, a friction fit connection, a tongue and groove connection, fasteners (e.g., screws), or any other suitable connection. The housing 201 can be constructed from any suitable material, such as, for example, any one or more of aluminum, plastic, any other suitable material, or any combination thereof, etc.

When the center mechanism 204 is disposed between the main cover 206 and the base 202, an actuation member 210 of an actuation assembly 536 (FIG. 5) of the center mechanism 204 extends through an opening 212 of the main cover 106 such that a user can engage the actuator 210 to create a cigarette. That is, a user inserts tobacco into the input opening 214 such that the tobacco moves into the tobacco cavity 216 of the center mechanism 204, and the user engages the actuation member 210 to cause the center mechanism 204 to move the tobacco into a cigarette tube and create a cigarette. The center mechanism 204 will be described in more detail below.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, an exemplary embodiment of the center mechanism 204 includes a support frame 420, a plastic strip 432, a push spoon assembly 522, a push plate 424, an actuation assembly 536, a motor 426, a paper buckling assembly 528, and a swing arm assembly 530. While the various components described above are described as forming the center mechanism 204, it should be understood that these components are not limited to being formed into a single mechanism, but rather can be multiple mechanisms that interact with each other, and can be configured to connect to and/or be disposed within the housing 201 by an suitable means.

Referring to FIGS. 4-10, the support frame 420 includes the tobacco cavity 216, an opening 634 for receiving the push plate 424, an opening 638 for receiving the motor 426, a channel 640 for receiving a shaft 542 of the actuation assembly 536, an opening 644 for connecting a motor shaft 546 of the motor 426 to the swing arm assembly 530, a channel 848 for receiving the plastic strip 432, a channel 449 for receiving the push spoon 554, an opening 650 for connecting a sliding block 552 of the push spoon assembly 522 to a push spoon 554 of the push spoon assembly, and an opening (not shown) for receiving the paper buckling assembly 528. In addition, the support frame 420 includes protrusions 856 that extend into the opening 634, in which the protrusions are positioned and configured to engage the push plate 424 during use of the device to prevent further movement of a push plate 424 toward the tobacco cavity 216. Referring to FIG. 10, in certain embodiments, the tobacco cavity 216 has sloped cut edges 1015 that allow the tobacco to enter the tobacco shred cavity smoothly. Referring to FIGS. 8-10, the support frame 420 also has a frame rail 879 including one or more grooves 860 for receiving the sliding block 552 of the push spoon assembly 522 such that the sliding block can move along the frame rail.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 22, the paper buckling assembly 528 includes a positioning seat 551, a pivoting arm 555, a filling pipe 557, and a cigarette tube retaining assembly 2259. The positioning seat 551 includes an opening 2261 for receiving the filling pipe 557, a projection 2253 for connecting to the pivoting arm 555 such that the pivoting arm 555 can pivot about the projection 2253, and a cavity 2263 for housing the retaining assembly 2259. The opening 2261 is in communication with the tobacco cavity 216 of the support frame 420 when the paper buckling assembly 528 is connected to the support frame. In the illustrated embodiment, the positioning seat 551 has apertures 2217 that are configured to receive fasteners for connecting the positioning seat to the support frame 420. Referring to FIGS. 19 and 22-23, in the illustrated embodiment, the positioning seat 551 is attached to the support frame 420 such that the cavity 2263 is facing outward from the support frame. The filling pipe 557 is attached to the opening 2261 of the positioning seat 551 such that an empty cigarette tube can be placed on the filling pipe and be in communication with the tobacco cavity 216. The filling pipe 557 extends through the housing 201 of the machine 200 such that a user can place the an empty cigarette tube onto the filling pipe.

Referring again to FIGS. 5 and 22, the retaining assembly 2259 includes a spring 2265, a spring housing 2267, and an engagement member 2269. The spring 2265 is disposed within the spring housing 2267, and the spring housing 2267 is disposed in the cavity 2263 of the positioning seat 551 such that an opening 2271 of the spring housing 2267 is aligned with an opening 2273 of the positioning seat 551. The engagement member 2269 extends through the openings 2271, 2273 of the spring housing 2267 and the positioning seat 551, respectively, and the engagement member 2269 is attached to the spring 2265 such that compression and expansion of the spring 2267 causes movement of the engagement member 2269. The pivoting arm 555 is operatively connected to the spring 2265 such that, when the pivoting arm 555 is in a first position, the spring is in its normally expanded position, and when the pivoting arm 555 is in a second position, the spring is in a compressed position. When the spring 2265 is in its normally expanded position, the engagement member 2269 engages the filling pipe 557 such that the engagement member 2269 maintains a cigarette tube on the filling pipe. When the spring 2265 is moved to a compressed position, the engagement member 2269 is released from the filling pipe 557, which allows the cigarette tube (or manufactured cigarette) to be removed from the filling pipe. As described in more detail below, during use of the machine 200, the swing arm assembly 530 engages the pivoting arm 555 of the buckling assembly 528 to release engagement of the engagement member 2269 from the manufactured cigarette such that the manufactured cigarette can be removed from the filling pipe 557.

Referring to FIG. 11, the actuation assembly 536 includes an actuation member 210, a shaft 542 fixedly attached to the actuation member, and one or more connection members 1158 fixed to the shaft. The actuation member 210 includes a handle that has an extended portion 1166 that is fixedly attached to a base member 1168, in which the base member 1168 is rotatably attached to the support frame 420. A user engages the extended portion 1166 of the actuation member to cause the base member 1168 and, consequently, the shaft 542 to rotate. While the actuation member is shown as being a handle, it should be understood that the actuation member 210 can take any suitable form that causes the shaft 542 to rotate. The shaft 542 is disposed within the channel 640 (FIGS. 6-10) of the support frame 420 such that the shaft 542 can rotate within the channel 640. In certain embodiments, the actuation assembly 536 includes one or more sleeves 1162 that are mounted onto the shaft 542 and sized to fit in the channel 640 of the support frame 420. The sleeves 1162 and the shaft 542 are clamped within the channel 640 such that the sleeves and, consequently, the shaft 542 can rotate within the channel 640. The sleeves 1162 enable the shaft 542 to rotate smoothly within the channel 640. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening of the channel 640 faces the upper surface of the support frame 420, which allows for a user to easily mount the shaft 542 of the actuation assembly 536 into the channel in an accurate position.

The one or more connection members 1158 are configured to pivotally attach to the push plate 424. In the illustrated embodiment, the push plate 424 is attached to the connection members 1158 by a connection rod 1164. That is, the push plate 424 has one or more openings (not shown) that receive the rod 1164 such that the push plate 424 is disposed on the rod 1164, and the ends 1165 of the rod are configured to attach to the connection members 1158 of the actuation assembly 536. The connection rod 1164 can attach to the connection members 1158 by any suitable means, such as, for example, a snap-fit connection, a friction-fit connection, or any other suitable connection. Rotation of the shaft 542 causes the push plate 424 to move within the opening 634 (FIGS. 6-10) of the support frame 420 to push tobacco to a desired position within the tobacco cavity 216. As the push plate 424 moves past the sloped cut edges 1015 (FIG. 10) of the tobacco cavity 216 to move the tobacco to the desired position within the tobacco cavity, the engagement between the push plate 424 and the sloped cut edges 1015 causes the tobacco extending above the push plate to be neatly cut such that cut tobacco is positioned within the tobacco cavity. Referring to FIGS. 11 and 17, in certain embodiments, at least one of the connection members 1158 of the actuation assembly 536 include a protruding portion 1180 that is positioned and configured to engage the control panel 1684 (FIG. 16) to start the motor 426 of the machine. The engagement between the connection member 1158 and the control panel 1684 will be described in more detail below.

Referring to FIGS. 8-9 and 11, in some embodiments, the push plate 424 has one or more protrusions 1182 that are positioned to engage with the protrusions 856 (FIGS. 8 and 9) of the support frame 420 to prevent further movement of the push plate 424. That is, after the push plate 424 pushes the tobacco into the desired position within the tobacco cavity 216, the protrusions 1182 of the push plate 424 will engage the protrusions 856 of the support frame 420 to prevent further movement of the push plate. The engagement between the protrusions of the push plate 424 and the support frame 420 allows for a uniform movement of the push plate 424 within the opening 634 of the support frame. Referring to FIG. 5, in certain embodiments the machine 100 includes a positioning frame 525 that is disposed within the support frame 420 in a position adjacent to the push plate 424 such that the positioning frame 525 is positioned and configured to prevent the push plate 424 from being displaced within the support frame 420. The push plate 424 can be constructed from, for example, any one or more of plastic (e.g., food grade plastic), aluminum, any other suitable material, or any combination thereof. A plastic push plate may allow for reduced friction within the device, resulting in reduced wear and reduced particle generation. In addition, a push plate 424 including food grade plastic may be advantageous due to its contact with the tobacco. The engagement of the protrusions of the push plate 424 and the support frame 420, alone or in combination with the positioning frame 545, may allow for a more uniform or less erratic movement of the push plate as compared to typical cigarette manufacturing machines that include an eccentric shaft attached to an actuation member, in which the eccentric shaft causes movement of the push plate.

Referring to FIGS. 4-5 and 12-15, in certain embodiments, the machine 200 includes a plastic strip 432 that is at least partially disposed within the tobacco cavity 216 of the support frame 420. The plastic strip 432 can be fixedly attached to the support frame 420 (e.g., by an adhesive), be removably attached to the support frame, or be integral to the support frame. In the illustrated embodiment, the support frame 420 includes a channel 848 that is configured to receive the plastic strip 432 such that the plastic strip can be inserted into and removed from the channel. Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, in the illustrated embodiment, the plastic strip 432 has a concave shape, and the shape of the channel 848 corresponds to the concave shape of the plastic strip. The concave shape of the plastic strip 432 allows for tobacco that is inserted into the tobacco cavity 216 of the support frame 420 to take a cylindrical form, which corresponds to the desired shape of the cigarette that is being manufactured. In other embodiments, however, the shape of the plastic strip 432 and the channel 848 can take any suitable form that allows the tobacco to be sized and shaped to manufacture a cigarette. The plastic strip 432 can include any suitable plastic material. In certain embodiments, the plastic strip 432 includes a lubricated plastic material (e.g., a self-lubricating plastic material).

Referring to FIGS. 5-7 and 12, the push spoon assembly 522 includes sliding block 552 and a push spoon 554. The push spoon 554 is configured to move through the support frame to engage tobacco in the tobacco cavity 216. In the illustrated embodiment, the push spoon 554 has a first portion 1268, a second portion 1270, and a connection element 772. The connection element 772 is configured to connect the push spoon 554 to the sliding block 552 such that movement of the sliding block causes the push spoon to move. In certain embodiments, the push spoon 554 is disposed within the support frame 420 and the sliding block 552 is disposed outside of the support frame, and the connection element 772 extends through an elongated opening 650 of the support frame to connect the pushing spoon 554 to the sliding block 552. Referring to FIG. 7, in the illustrated embodiment the connection element 772 has an opening 774 that aligns with an opening 676 of the sliding block 552 such that a fastener (not shown) can be inserted through the aligned openings 774, 676 to connect the pushing spoon 554 to the sliding block 552.

The first portion 1268 includes an engagement surface 1274 that corresponds to the shape of the tobacco cavity and is configured for engaging tobacco within the tobacco cavity and moving the tobacco into cigarette tube. The second portion 1270 can have a convex outer shape that corresponds to the concave shape of the plastic strip 432 (such that the pushing spoon 554 can be easily moved along the plastic strip) and to the inner surface of the cigarette tube (such that the pushing spoon 554 can be inserted into the cigarette tube to move tobacco into the cigarette tube). In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the second portion 1270 is disposed within the tobacco cavity 216 of the support frame 420, when the pushing spoon is in its normal position, such that the inner shape of the second portion causes the tobacco pushed into the tobacco cavity 216 to take a cylindrical form. The pushing spoon 554 is configured to slide against the plastic strip 432 during use of the machine such that the engagement surface 1274 moves the tobacco from the tobacco cavity 216 and into cigarette tube, and the pushing spoon 554 slides back against the plastic strip 432 as the pushing spoon 554 moves back to its normal position. In certain embodiments, the plastic strip 432 includes an elongated opening 533 that aligns with the elongated opening 650 of the support frame 420 such that the pushing spoon 554 and the sliding block 552 can be connected. The plastic strip 432 may allow for a smooth movement of the pushing spoon 554 through the tobacco cavity 216 as compared to the metal material of the typical cigarette manufacturing machine. In addition, the plastic strip 432 has better wear resistance than the metal material of the typical cigarette manufacturing machine. Furthermore, the plastic strip 432 can be removable, which allows the plastic strip to be replaced after it becomes worn.

Referring to FIGS. 5-10, in certain embodiments, the sliding block 552 is connected to a frame rail 879 of the support frame 420 that is external to the support frame. In other embodiments, the frame rail can be internal to the support frame such that the sliding block 552 is disposed within the interior of the support frame. In the illustrated embodiment, the external frame rail 879 includes two grooves 860 with opening facing away from each other, and the sliding block 552 is a dovetail joint that has one or more projections 778 (FIG. 7) that are configured to interlock with the corresponding grooves 860 (FIGS. 8-10) of the support frame 420 such that the sliding block 552 can be moved along the frame rail 879 of the support frame. The grooves 860 of the support frame 420 are facing an outward direction such that the sliding block 552 extends over the support frame 420 when attached thereto. That is, the sliding block 552 is a female connection member and the frame rail 879 is a male connection member. Referring to FIGS. 12-14, in alternative embodiments, and the sliding block 552 can be a dovetail joint that has one or more outward projection, and the external frame rail 879 can include two grooves 860 with openings facing toward each other such that the support frame 420 extends over the projections of the sliding block when attached thereto. That is, the sliding block 552 is a male connection member and the frame rail 879 is a female connection member. The external frame rail 879 for the sliding block 552 may effectively prevent tobacco from entering the grooves of the support rail.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 16-18, machine 200 includes a motor 426 and a swing arm assembly 530. The motor 426 has a motor shaft 546 that is operatively connected to the swing arm assembly 530 (as discussed in more detail below), and the swing arm assembly is operatively connected to the push spoon assembly 522 (as discussed in more detail below). Activation of the motor 426 causes rotation of the motor shaft 546, which causes the swing arm assembly 530 to move from a normal position to a second position. The movement of the swing arm assembly 530 from the normal position to a second position causes the sliding block 552 of the pushing spoon assembly 522 to move from a normal position to a second position, and the movement of the sliding block 552 from the normal position to the second position causes the pushing spoon 554 to engage tobacco in the tobacco cavity 216 to move the tobacco into a cigarette tube.

Referring to FIGS. 16-21 and 23, the machine 100 includes the center mechanism 204, a control panel 1684, and a protection cover 1685 for the control panel. The control panel 1684 is mounted to the base 202 of the machine, and the protection cover 1685 is disposed over the control panel 1684 to provide protection to the control panel. In certain embodiments, the machine includes a shielding strip 1686 that is rotatably connected to the protection cover 1685 and positioned to engage the control panel 1684. In the illustrated embodiment, the shielding strip 1686 includes a connection element 1783 attaches to the protection cover 1685 such that the shielding strip can rotate about the connection element 1783. The connection element 1783 can take any suitable form, such as, for example, a torsion spring. A portion of the shielding strip 1686 also extends through an opening 1687 of the protection cover 1685. The center mechanism 204 is configured to connect to the protection cover 1685 such that the portion shielding strip 1686 extending through the opening 1687 is positioned to engage the swing arm assembly 530 of the center mechanism.

The control panel 1684 includes a motor start component 1688 and a motor stop component 1689. Referring to FIGS. 11 and 16-17, the motor start component 1688 is activated by the protrusion 1180 of the connection member 1158 on the shaft 542 of actuation assembly 536. That is, actuation of the actuation member 210 causes the shaft 542 and connection members 1158 to rotate, which causes the protrusion 1180 of the connection member 1158 to move through the opening 1781 of the protection cover 1685 and engage the motor start component 1688. Referring to FIGS. 16-18, the motor stop component is activated by a shielding strip bulge 1790 of the shielding strip 1786. That is, movement of the swing arm assembly 530 (caused by the motor 426) causes the shielding strip 1684 to rotate about the connection element 1783 such that the shielding strip bulge 1790 engages the motor stop component 1689. In alternative embodiments, one or more actuation members (e.g., handles, buttons, etc.) can be used to start and/or stop the motor.

Referring to FIGS. 19-21 and 23, the swing arm assembly 530 includes a base member 1991, a first connection element 2092, and a second connection element 1993. Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, the base 1991 includes an elongated opening 2075, a support frame connection element 1994, a first protrusion 2095, and a second protrusion 2196. The support frame connection element 1994 is for pivotally connecting the base 1991 of the swing arm assembly 530 to the support frame 420 and can take any suitable form for pivotally connecting the swing arm assembly to the support frame 420. The first protrusion 2095 is positioned to engage the paper buckling assembly 528 to release the manufactured cigarette from the paper buckling assembly (as described in more detail below). The second protrusion 2196 is positioned to engage the shielding strip 1786 to cause the shielding strip to activate the motor stop component 1689 of the control panel 1684 and stop the motor 426 (as described in more detail below).

The first connection element 2092 is for attaching the base member 1991 to the shaft 546 of the motor 426. In the illustrated embodiment, the first connection element 2092 includes an elongated member 2098 and an eccentric member 1997 fixed to the elongated member. The elongated member 2098 has an opening 2099 for attaching to the shaft 546 of the motor 426 such that movement of the motor shaft causes the elongated member 2098 to move. The eccentric member 1997 is fixed to the elongated member 2098 and configured to attach the first connection element 2092 to the base member 1991. That is, the eccentric member 1997 extends through the elongated opening 2075 such that at least a portion of the eccentric member 1997 is disposed in a first side of the base member 1991 and the elongated member 2098 is disposed on a second side of the base member 1991. The eccentric member 1997 is configured to move along the elongated opening 2075 of the base member 1991. In particular, activation of the motor 426 causes the elongated member 2098 and, consequently, the eccentric member 1997 of the connection element 2092 to move relative to the elongated opening 2075 of the base member 1991. This movement of the first connection element 2092 causes the base member 1991 to pivot relative to the support frame 420 about the support frame connection element 1994.

The second connection element 1993 is for attaching the base member 1991 to the sliding block 552 of the pushing spoon assembly 522. In the illustrated embodiment, the second connection element 1993 includes an elongated member 2077 having an opening 2081, in which the elongated member 2077 is pivotally attached to the base 1991. The opening 2081 is configured to attach to a connection element 683 (FIGS. 6-7) the sliding block 552 (FIGS. 5-7) such that movement of the base member 1991 and, consequently, the second connection member 1993 causes the sliding block 552 to move along frame rail 879.

Referring to FIGS. 2-23, the machine 100 is used by placing tobacco into the tobacco cavity and an empty cigarette tube onto the filling pipe 557 of the paper buckling assembly 528. Subsequently, a user engages the actuation member 210, which causes the push plate 424 to move through the opening 634 of the support frame 420 and engage the tobacco within the tobacco cavity 216. The push plate 424 pushes the tobacco into a desired position within the tobacco cavity 216 in which the tobacco is packed in a cylindrical position against the second portion 1270 of the pushing spoon 554. The push plate 424 is prevented from moving further into the tobacco cavity 216 when the protrusion 1182 of the push plate 424 engages the protrusions 856 of the support frame 420. As the push plate 424 moves through the opening 634 of the support frame 420, the protrusion 1180 of the connection member 1158 of the shaft 542 of the actuation assembly 536 moves through the opening 1781 of the protection cover 1685 and engages the motor start component 1688 of the control panel 1684 to start the motor 424.

Activation of the motor 424 causes the motor shaft 546 to rotate, which causes the first connection member 2098 of the swing arm assembly 530 to move within the elongated opening 2075 of the base member 1991 of the swing arm assembly 530. The movement of the connection member 2098 within the elongated opening 2075 causes the base member 1991 to pivot relative to the support frame 420 and about the connection point between the support frame connection element 1994 and the support frame, which causes the second connection element 2077 of the swing arm assembly 530 and, consequently, the sliding block 552 of the push spoon assembly 522 to move from a first position to a second position. The sliding block 552 moves along the frame rail 879 of the support frame 420, which causes the pushing spoon 554 to move the tobacco within the tobacco cavity through the opening 2261 of the paper buckling assembly 528 and into cigarette tube that is placed over the filling pipe 557 of the paper buckling assembly 528. The engagement member 2269 of the paper buckling assembly 528 maintains the cigarette tube on the filling pipe 557 as the cigarette tube is being filled with tobacco.

After the swing arm assembly 530 pivots to move the pushing spoon 554 and tobacco into the cigarette tube, the protrusion 2095 on the base 1991 of the swing arm assembly 530 engages the pivoting plate 555 of the paper buckling assembly 528 to cause the spring 2265 of the paper buckling assembly to compress and the engagement member 2269 to disengage the filling pipe 557 of the paper buckling assembly such that the manufactured cigarette is released from the machine 200. Subsequently, the pushing spoon assembly 522 is retracted to its normal position, which causes the swing arm assembly 530 to move back to its normal position. The pushing spoon assembly 522 can be retracted by any suitable means, such as, for example, the pushing spoon assembly 522 can be spring-loaded. As the swing arm assembly 530 moves back to its normal position, the protrusion 2196 on the base 1991 of the swing arm assembly engages the shielding strip 1686, which causes the shielding strip to pivot about the connection element 1783 and the shielding strip bulge 1790 to engage the motor stop component 1689 to deactivate the motor 424. After the motor 424 is deactivated, the machine 200 is arranged to manufacture another cigarette.

FIGS. 24-26 illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a center mechanism 2404 for the cigarette manufacturing machines described herein. The center mechanism 2404 includes a support frame 2420, a push plate 2424, a pushing spoon 2454, and a plastic strip 2432. The support frame 2420 includes a tobacco cavity 2416 for receiving tobacco, and the tobacco cavity 2416 also includes one or more teeth 2415 for cutting the tobacco. The support frame 2420 also includes a channel 2448 for receiving the plastic strip 2432 such that the plastic strip 2432 is disposed within the tobacco cavity 2416. The pushing spoon 2454 has a first portion 2468 and a second portion 2470, in which the second portion 2470 is disposed within the tobacco cavity 2416 such that tobacco can be compressed against the second portion 2470 by the pushing plate 2424, and in which the first portion 2468 has an engagement surface 2474 for engaging the tobacco in the tobacco cavity to move the tobacco to an empty cigarette tube. The plastic strip 2432 allows for a smooth movement of the pushing spoon 2454 through the tobacco cavity 2416. In the illustrated embodiment, the pushing plate has an arc shaped edge 2421 such that movement of the pushing plate into the tobacco cavity 2416 causes the tobacco to become compressed between the arc shaped edge 2421 and the arc-shaped second portion 2470 of the pushing spoon 2454 such that the tobacco has a cylindrical shape. The pushing plate 2424 and the pushing spoon 2454 can be moved by any means described with regards to all of the embodiments described herein.

While various inventive aspects, concepts and features of the inventions may be described and illustrated herein as embodied in combination with exemplary embodiments, these various aspects, concepts and features may be used in many alternative embodiments, either individually or in various combinations and sub-combinations thereof. Unless expressly excluded herein, all such combinations and sub-combinations are intended to be within the scope of the present inventions. Still further, while various alternative embodiments as to the various aspects, concepts and features of the inventions—such as alternative materials, structures, configurations, methods, devices and components, alternatives as to form, fit and function, and so on—may be described herein, such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whether presently known or later developed. Those skilled in the art may readily adopt one or more of the inventive aspects, concepts or features into additional embodiments and uses within the scope of the present inventions even if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein.

Additionally, even though some features, concepts or aspects of the inventions may be described herein as being a preferred arrangement or method, such description is not intended to suggest that such feature is required or necessary unless expressly so stated. Still further, exemplary or representative values and ranges may be included to assist in understanding the present disclosure; however, such values and ranges are not to be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to be critical values or ranges only if so expressly stated. Moreover, while various aspects, features and concepts may be expressly identified herein as being inventive or forming part of an invention, such identification is not intended to be exclusive, but rather there may be inventive aspects, concepts and features that are fully described herein without being expressly identified as such or as part of a specific invention. Descriptions of exemplary methods or processes are not limited to inclusion of all steps as being required in all cases, nor is the order that the steps are presented to be construed as required or necessary unless expressly so stated.

Claims

1. A machine for manufacturing a cigarette, the machine comprising:

a housing;

a support frame disposed within the housing, the support frame comprising a tobacco cavity aligned with an opening in the housing, at least one protrusion, and a frame rail;

a filling pipe at least partially disposed outside of the housing, wherein the filling pipe is in communication with the tobacco cavity and configured to engage an empty cigarette tube;

a push plate at least partially disposed within the support frame;

a first actuation assembly operatively connected to the push plate, wherein actuation of the first actuation assembly causes the push plate to move from a first position to a second position to push tobacco in the tobacco cavity into alignment with the filling pipe, the second position being defined by engagement of the push plate with the at least one protrusion of the support frame;

a push spoon assembly comprising a sliding block attached to the frame rail and a push spoon extending into the tobacco cavity, wherein movement of the sliding block along the frame rail causes the push spoon to move within the tobacco cavity; and

a second actuation assembly operatively connected to the sliding block of the push spoon assembly for moving the sliding block along the frame rail.

2. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the push plate comprises a plastic material.

3. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the at least one protrusion comprises a first protrusion and a second protrusion, and wherein the second position of the push plate is defined by engagement of the push plate with the first protrusion and the second protrusion.

4. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the second actuation assembly comprises an electric motor, and wherein the second actuation assembly further comprises a swing arm assembly that is operatively connected to the electric motor and the sliding block.

5. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the first actuation assembly comprises a handle and a shaft, wherein the shaft is in a channel disposed in a top surface of the support frame, wherein the shaft is attached to the handle such that rotation of the handle causes the shaft to rotate, and wherein the push plate is operatively connected to the shaft such that rotation of the shaft causes the push plate to move from the first position to the second position.

6. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the frame rail is disposed on an exterior surface of the support frame.

7. The machine according to claim 1, further comprising a plastic strip disposed in an interior channel of the support frame, wherein the plastic strip is positioned such that a back side of the pushing spoon engages the plastic strip as the pushing spoon moves within the tobacco cavity.

8. A machine for manufacturing a cigarette, the machine comprising:

a housing;

a support frame disposed within the housing, the support frame comprising a tobacco cavity aligned with an opening in the housing, a channel disposed in an interior of the support frame, and a frame rail;

a filling pipe at least partially disposed outside of the housing, wherein the filling pipe is in communication with the tobacco cavity and configured to engage an empty cigarette tube;

a push plate at least partially disposed within the support frame;

a first actuation assembly operatively connected to the push plate, wherein actuation of the first actuation assembly causes the push plate to move from a first position to a second position to push tobacco in the tobacco cavity into alignment with the filling pipe;

a push spoon assembly comprising a sliding block attached to the frame rail and a push spoon extending into the tobacco cavity, wherein movement of the sliding block along the frame rail causes the push spoon to move within the tobacco cavity;

a second actuation assembly operatively connected to the sliding block of the push spoon assembly for moving the sliding block along the frame rail; and

a plastic strip disposed in the channel of the support frame, wherein the plastic strip is positioned such that a back side of the pushing spoon engages the plastic strip as the pushing spoon moves within the tobacco cavity.

9. The machine according to claim 8, wherein the push plate comprises a plastic material.

10. The machine according to claim 8, wherein the support frame further comprises at least one protrusion, and wherein the second position of the push plate is defined by engagement of the push plate with the at least one protrusion.

11. The machine according to claim 8, wherein the second actuation assembly comprises an electric motor, and wherein the second actuation assembly further comprises a swing arm assembly that is operatively connected to the electric motor and the sliding block.

12. The machine according to claim 8, wherein the first actuation assembly comprises a handle and a shaft, wherein is in a channel disposed in a top surface of the support frame, wherein the shaft is attached to the handle such that rotation of the handle causes the shaft to rotate, and wherein the push plate is operatively connected to the shaft such that rotation of the shaft causes the push plate to move from the first position to the second position.

13. The machine according to claim 8, wherein the frame rail is disposed on an exterior surface of the support frame.

14. The machine according to claim 8, wherein the plastic strip comprises a self-lubricating plastic material.

15. The machine according to claim 8, wherein the plastic strip has a concave shape.

16. A machine for manufacturing a cigarette, the machine comprising:

a housing;

a support frame disposed within the housing, the support frame comprising a tobacco cavity and an exterior frame rail, wherein the tobacco cavity is aligned with an opening in the housing;

a filling pipe at least partially disposed outside of the housing, wherein the filling pipe is in communication with the tobacco cavity and configured to engage an empty cigarette tube;

a push plate at least partially disposed within the support frame;

a first actuation assembly operatively connected to the push plate, wherein actuation of the first actuation assembly causes the push plate to move from a first position to a second position to push tobacco in the tobacco cavity into alignment with the filling pipe;

a push spoon assembly comprising a sliding block attached to the exterior frame rail and a push spoon extending into the tobacco cavity, wherein the sliding block is connected to the push spoon by a connection element that extends through an elongated opening of the support frame, wherein movement of the sliding block along the exterior frame rail causes the connection element to move within the elongated opening and the push spoon to move within the tobacco cavity; and

a second actuation assembly operatively connected to the sliding block of the push spoon assembly for moving the sliding block along the frame rail.

17. The machine according to claim 16, wherein the support frame further comprises at least one protrusion, and wherein the second position of the push plate is defined by engagement of the push plate with the at least one protrusion.

18. The machine according to claim 16, wherein the second actuation assembly comprises an electric motor, and wherein the second actuation assembly further comprises a swing arm assembly that is operatively connected to the electric motor and the sliding block.

19. The machine according to claim 16, wherein the first actuation assembly comprises a handle and a shaft, wherein the shaft is in a channel disposed in a top surface of the support frame, wherein the shaft is attached to the handle such that rotation of the handle causes the shaft to rotate, and wherein the push plate is operatively connected to the shaft such that rotation of the shaft causes the push plate to move from the first position to the second position.

20. The machine according to claim 16, further comprising a plastic strip disposed in an interior channel of the support frame, wherein the plastic strip is positioned such that a back side of the pushing spoon engages the plastic strip as the pushing spoon moves within the tobacco cavity, wherein the plastic strip comprises an elongated opening that aligns with the elongated opening of the support frame when the plastic strip is disposed in the interior channel of the support frame, and wherein the connection element of the extends through the elongated opening of both the support frame and the plastic strip to attach the sliding block to the pushing spoon.