阅读说明：本技术 用于用切割植物材料填充管状套筒的装置和方法 (Device and method for filling tubular sleeves with cut plant material ) 是由 C.福卡斯特 O.泰勒 T.弗里斯 于 2019-05-31 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供了一种用于用切割植物材料填充管状套筒的装置(1100、5100、6100、7100、8100),该装置包括：料斗(5110、10110、4110)；出料口(1120、5120、6120、9120、12120)；螺旋钻(5130、6130、3130、14130),该螺旋钻被布置在该料斗(5110、10110、14110)与该出料口(1120、5120、6120、9120、12120)之间,使得该螺旋钻(5130、6130、13130、14130)的旋转使该料斗(5110、0110、14110)的内容物运送到该出料口(1120、5120、6120、9120、12120)中；以及驱动构件联接器(1140),该驱动构件联接器被配置为将该螺旋钻(5130、6130、3130、14130)可操作地联接到可拆卸的驱动构件(2200、3200、4200、6200、7200、8200),使得通过该驱动构件(2200、3200、4200、6200、7200、8200)来旋转该螺旋钻(5130、6130、13130、14130)。还提供了一种用于使用所述装置的方法。(There is provided an apparatus (1100, 5100, 6100, 7100, 8100) for filling a tubular sleeve with cut plant material, the apparatus comprising: hoppers (5110, 10110, 4110); a discharge port (1120, 5120, 6120, 9120, 12120); an auger (5130, 6130, 3130, 14130) arranged between the hopper (5110, 10110, 14110) and the spout (1120, 5120, 6120, 9120, 12120) such that rotation of the auger (5130, 6130, 13130, 14130) causes the contents of the hopper (5110, 0110, 14110) to be conveyed into the spout (1120, 5120, 6120, 9120, 12120); and a drive member coupler (1140) configured to operably couple the auger (5130, 6130, 3130, 14130) to a detachable drive member (2200, 3200, 4200, 6200, 7200, 8200) such that the auger (5130, 6130, 13130, 14130) is rotated by the drive member (2200, 3200, 4200, 6200, 7200, 8200). A method for using the apparatus is also provided.)

1. An apparatus (1100, 5100, 6100, 7100, 8100) for filling a tubular sleeve with cut plant material, the apparatus comprising:

a hopper (5110, 10110, 14110);

a discharge port (1120, 5120, 6120, 9120, 12120);

an auger (5130, 6130, 13130, 14130) disposed between the hopper (5110, 10110, 14110) and the spout (1120, 5120, 6120, 9120, 12120) such that rotation of the auger (5130, 6130, 13130, 14130) causes the contents of the hopper (5110, 10110, 14110) to be conveyed into the spout (1120, 5120, 6120, 9120, 12120); and

a drive member coupler (1140) configured to operably couple the auger (5130, 6130, 13130, 14130) to a detachable drive member (2200, 3200, 4200, 6200, 7200, 8200) such that the auger (5130, 6130, 13130, 14130) is rotated by the drive member (2200, 3200, 4200, 6200, 7200, 8200).

2. The device (1100, 5100, 6100) according to claim 1, further comprising the detachable drive member (2200, 6200), wherein the detachable drive member (2200, 6200) is a manual drive member (2200, 6200) comprising a handle (2210, 6210).

3. The device (1100, 5100, 6100) of claim 2, wherein the handle (2210, 6210) comprises a hinge configured to allow the handle to be folded up when not in use.

4. The device (1100, 5100, 7100, 8100) according to claim 1, further comprising the detachable drive member (3200, 4200, 7200, 8200), wherein the detachable drive member (3200, 4200, 7200, 8200) comprises one or both of a battery powered motor and a mains powered motor.

5. The device (1100, 5100, 6100, 7100, 8100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the drive member coupler (1140) comprises a driven shaft (1142, 5142, 6142, 14142) operatively coupled to the auger (5130, 6130, 13130, 14130) and configured to engage with a drive shaft (2242, 3242, 4242, 6242) of a drive member (2200, 3200, 4200) during use such that the drive shaft (2242, 3242, 4242, 6242) rotates the driven shaft (1142, 5142, 6142, 14142) and the auger (5130, 6130, 13130, 14130) rotates with the driven shaft (1142, 5142, 6142, 14142).

6. The device (1100, 5100, 6100, 7100, 8100) according to claim 5, wherein the driven shaft (1142, 5142, 6142, 14142) is keyed to the drive shaft (2242, 3242, 4242, 6242).

7. The device (1100, 5100, 6100, 7100, 8100) according to any preceding claim, wherein the drive member coupler (1140) comprises an outer surface having one or more recessed features (1141) and/or one or more protruding features (1142) configured to engage with corresponding features of a drive member (2200, 3200, 4200, 6200, 7200, 8200) to retain the drive member (2200, 3200, 4200, 6200, 7200, 8200) and the drive member coupler (1140) together with an interference fit during use.

8. The device (1100, 5100, 6100, 7100, 8100) according to any preceding claim, wherein the drive member coupler (1140) comprises a magnet (1141) configured to attract a corresponding magnet (2241, 3241, 4241, 6241) of a drive member (2200, 3200, 4200, 6200, 7200, 8200) to hold the drive member (2200, 3200, 4200, 6200, 7200, 8200) and the drive member coupler (1140) together during use.

9. The device (1100, 5100, 6100, 7100, 8100) according to any preceding claim, wherein the drive member coupling comprises a planetary gear train (6250) comprising a ring gear (6251) and a sun gear (6252) connected by a plurality of planet gears (6253).

10. The device (1100, 5100, 6100, 7100, 8100) of claim 9 having a sun to planet to ring gear ratio of 7:29: 65.

11. The device (1100, 5100, 6100, 7100, 8100) according to any preceding claim, wherein the auger is a counter-clockwise auger (5130, 6130, 13130, 14130).

12. The device (1100, 5100, 6100, 7100, 8100) according to any preceding claim, wherein the auger is a hollow auger (5130, 6130, 13130, 14130).

13. The device (1100, 5100, 6100, 7100, 8100) according to any preceding claim, wherein the auger (5130, 6130, 13130, 14130) has a circular cross-section.

14. The apparatus (1100, 5100, 6100, 7100, 8100) according to any preceding claim, wherein the hopper (5110, 10110, 14110) comprises a flap (1111, 5111, 6111, 10111) configured to reversibly close the hopper (5110, 10110, 14110).

15. An apparatus (1100, 5100, 6100, 7100, 8100) according to any preceding claim wherein the hopper (5110, 10110, 14110) comprises a top plate arranged to be vertically above the auger (5130, 6130, 13130, 14130) in use.

16. The apparatus (1100, 5100, 6100, 7100, 8100) of claim 15, wherein the top plate is arcuate.

17. The apparatus (1100, 5100, 6100, 7100, 8100) of any preceding claim, wherein at least a portion of the hopper (5110, 10110, 14110) is transparent or translucent such that the contents of the hopper (5110, 10110, 14110) are externally visible.

18. The apparatus (1100, 5100, 6100, 7100, 8100) according to any preceding claim, further comprising a sliding agitator (11150) configured to agitate the contents of the hopper (5110, 10110, 14110).

19. The apparatus (1100, 5100, 6100, 7100, 8100) of claim 18, wherein the sliding agitator (11150) comprises a track (11152) and a post (11151) descending from the track (11152), the post (11151) having a flange (11153) configured to slide along the track (11152).

20. The apparatus (1100, 5100, 6100, 7100, 8100) of claim 19, wherein the stem (11151) comprises a distal bulbous portion (11155) configured to extend into the hopper (5110, 10110, 14110).

21. The device (1100, 5100, 6100, 7100, 8100) according to any one of claims 19 or 20, wherein the post comprises a grip portion (11154) rising from the flange (11153), the grip portion configured to be slid along the track (11152) by hand.

22. The device (1100, 5100, 6100, 7100, 8100) according to any preceding claim, further comprising a spring-loaded hammer (5160, 9160) configured to grip a tubular sleeve onto the spout (1120, 5120, 6120, 9120, 12120).

23. The device (1100, 5100, 6100, 7100, 8100) according to claim 22, wherein the spring-loaded hammer is a forked spring hammer (5160, 9160).

24. The device (1100, 5100, 6100, 7100, 8100) of claim 23, wherein the forked spring hammer (5160, 9160) is formed of plastic configured to flex within a range of elasticity of material deformation thereof.

25. The device (1100, 5100, 6100, 7100, 8100) of claim 24, wherein the plastic is acetyl or nylon.

26. The device (1100, 5100, 6100, 7100, 8100) of any of claims 23 to 25, wherein the forked spring hammer (5160, 9160) comprises a spring arm (9161) that is 0.5mm to 1.0mm thick.

27. The device (1100, 5100, 6100, 7100, 8100) of claim 26, wherein the spring arm (9161) is 0.7mm thick.

28. The device (1100, 5100, 6100, 7100, 8100) according to any preceding claim, further comprising a gripping member configured to grip a tubular sleeve onto the discharge orifice (1120, 5120, 6120, 9120, 12120), wherein the gripping member is configured such that the grip can be adjusted to provide different fill weights.

29. Device (1100, 5100, 6100, 7100, 8100) according to claim 28 when depending directly or indirectly on claim 22, wherein the clamping member comprises:

the spring-loaded hammer (5160, 9160); and

a manually rotatable collar (5170, 6170, 9170) having an internal cam profile configured to be followed by the spring-loaded hammer (5160, 9160) to adjust, in use, the grip provided by the spring-loaded hammer (5160, 9160).

30. The device (1100, 5100, 6100, 7100, 8100) of claim 29, wherein the cam profile is a spline tangent to the spring-loaded hammer (5160, 9160) at least three points, one of which is a neutral point of the spring-loaded hammer (5160, 9160).

31. The device (1100, 5100, 6100, 7100, 8100) according to any preceding claim, further comprising a spout housing (5180, 9180) arranged to surround the spout (1120, 5120, 6120, 9120, 12120) in a spaced relationship such that a tubular sleeve can be fitted onto the spout (1120, 5120, 6120, 9120, 12120) between the spout (1120, 5120, 6120, 9120, 12120) and the spout housing (5180, 9180).

32. The device (1100, 5100, 6100, 7100, 8100) according to any preceding claim, wherein the auger (5130, 6130, 13130, 14130) is operably coupled to the drive member coupler (1140) via a stem portion (5131, 6131) that is configured to rotate with the auger (5130, 6130, 13130, 14130), the stem portion (5131, 6131) extending into the hopper (5110, 10110, 14110) and presenting a substantially smooth outer surface to an interior of the hopper (5110, 10110, 14110) that is configured to slide through cut plant material without trapping the cut plant material.

33. The apparatus (1100, 5100, 6100, 7100, 8100) according to any preceding claim, further comprising a guard (14190) configured to prevent tobacco from exiting the hopper (5110, 10110, 14110) through the drive member coupler (1140).

34. The apparatus (1100, 5100, 6100, 7100, 8100) of claim 33, wherein:

the auger (5130, 6130, 13130, 14130) is operably coupled to the drive member coupler (1140) through an axial aperture in the back wall of the hopper (5110, 10110, 14110); and is

The guard (14190) includes a backstop (5191, 6191, 14191) configured to be inserted into the aperture from the drive member coupler side and having a rim extending radially outward beyond an edge of the aperture.

35. The device (1100, 5100, 6100, 7100, 8100) according to any one of claims 33 or 34 when dependent directly or indirectly on claim 5, wherein:

the auger (5130, 6130, 13130, 14130) is operably coupled to the driven shaft (1142, 5142, 6142, 14142) through an axial aperture in the rear wall of the hopper (5110, 10110, 14110); and is

The guard (14190) includes a baffle (5192, 6192, 14192) configured to rotate with the driven shaft (1142, 5142, 6142, 14142), the baffle (5192, 6192, 14192) extending radially outward beyond an edge of the orifice.

36. The apparatus (1100, 5100, 6100, 7100, 8100) according to claim 35 when dependent on claim 34, wherein:

the backstop (5191, 6191, 14191) is located between the hopper (5110, 10110, 14110) and the baffle (5192, 6192, 14192); and is

The flap (5192, 6192, 14192) extends radially outward beyond the edge of the rear half (5191, 6191, 14191).

37. The device (1100, 5100, 6100, 7100, 8100) according to any preceding claim, wherein the spout (1120, 5120, 6120, 9120, 12120) has a length of between 20mm and 40mm, preferably a length of 30 mm.

38. The device (1100, 5100, 6100, 7100, 8100) according to any preceding claim, wherein the spout (1120, 5120, 6120, 9120, 12120) has a diameter of between 5mm and 10mm, preferably a diameter of 7 mm.

39. A method (15000) of filling a tubular sleeve with cut plant material using a device (1100, 5100, 6100, 7100, 8100) according to any preceding claim, the method comprising:

1.a) introducing (15010) cut plant material into the hopper (5110, 10110, 14110);

1, b) fitting (15020) an empty tubular sleeve onto the discharge orifice (1120, 5120, 6120, 9120, 12120);

1, c) fitting (15030) a drive member (2200, 3200, 4200, 6200, 7200, 8200) to the drive member coupler (1140); and

2. after all steps 1.a) to c) are completed, the drive means (2200, 3200, 4200, 6200, 7200, 8200) is caused (15040) to rotate the auger (5130, 6130, 13130, 14130).

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to consumer filled smoking articles. For example, the devices and methods disclosed herein may be used by a smoker to fill a tobacco tube with tobacco.

More particularly, one aspect relates to an apparatus for filling a tubular sleeve with cut plant material. Yet another aspect relates to a method of filling a tubular sleeve with cut plant material.

Background

Some smokers choose to make smoking articles themselves from paper that they have filled with tobacco and rolled up, or from tubes that they have filled with tobacco. Other elements, such as filters and fragrances, may also be incorporated. Various devices are known for assisting this type of production, including power supply devices for power cords used in homes that use augers to convey tobacco into tubular sleeves. However, such household auger fillers are typically too large to be easily transported, require a power line output to be available for powering, and require operation on a flat surface. What is needed is a device that provides a fill assist to a user in a wider range of environments.

Disclosure of Invention

According to a first aspect, there is provided an apparatus for filling a tubular sleeve with cut plant material, the apparatus comprising: a hopper; a discharge port; an auger disposed between the hopper and the spout such that rotation of the auger conveys contents of the hopper into the spout; and a drive member coupler configured to operably couple the auger to a removable drive member such that the auger is rotated by the drive member.

The device may further comprise said removable drive member. The detachable drive member may be, for example, a manual drive member including or operated by a handle.

The handle may include a hinge configured to allow the handle to be folded when not in use.

The device may further comprise the removable drive member. The detachable drive member may include one or both of a battery powered motor and a power cord powered motor. The removable drive member may include a motor configured to be powered through a power cord connection when available or otherwise powered by a battery.

The drive member coupler includes a driven shaft operably coupled to the auger and configured to engage a drive shaft of a drive member during use such that the drive shaft rotates the driven shaft and the auger rotates with the driven shaft.

The driven shaft may be keyed to the drive shaft.

The drive member may include an outer surface having one or more recessed features and/or one or more protruding features configured to engage with corresponding features of the drive member to hold the drive member and the drive member coupler together with an interference fit during use.

The drive member coupler may comprise a magnet configured to attract a corresponding magnet of a drive member to hold the drive member and the drive member coupler together during use. The magnet included in the drive member coupler may be a recessed feature configured to receive a corresponding magnet of the drive member with an interference fit during use.

The drive member coupling may comprise a planetary gear train comprising a ring gear and a sun gear connected by a plurality of planet gears. The device may have three planet gears. The sun to planet to ring gear ratio of the device may be 7:29:65

The auger may be a counter-clockwise auger. The auger may be a hollow auger. The auger may have a circular cross-section.

The hopper may include a flip cover configured to reversibly close the hopper.

The hopper may comprise a top plate arranged, in use, to be located vertically above the auger. The top plate may be arched.

At least a portion of the hopper may be transparent or translucent so that the contents of the hopper can be seen externally.

The apparatus may further comprise a sliding agitator configured to agitate the contents of the hopper. The sliding agitator may include a track and a post descending from the track, the post having a flange configured to slide along the track. The stem may include a distal bulbous portion configured to extend into the hopper. The stem may include a grip portion rising from the flange, the grip portion configured to slide along the track by hand.

The device may further comprise a spring-loaded hammer configured to grip the tubular sleeve onto the spout. The spring loaded hammer may be a forked spring hammer. The forked spring hammer may be formed of plastic configured to flex within an elastic range of material deformation thereof. The plastic may be acetyl or nylon. The forked spring hammer may include a spring arm 0.5mm to 1.0mm thick. The spring arm may be 0.7mm thick.

The device may further comprise a clamping member configured to grip the tubular sleeve onto the spout, wherein said clamping member is configured such that the grip can be adjusted to provide different fill weights.

The clamping member may include: the spring-loaded hammer; and a manually rotatable collar having an internal cam profile configured to be followed by the spring-loaded hammer to adjust, in use, the grip provided by the spring-loaded hammer. The cam profile may be a spline tangent to the spring-loaded hammer at least three points, one of which is the neutral point of the spring-loaded hammer.

The device may further comprise a spout housing arranged to surround the spout in spaced relation such that a tubular sleeve can be fitted onto the spout between the spout and the spout housing.

The auger may be operably coupled to the drive member coupler via a stem portion configured to rotate with the auger, the stem portion extending into the hopper and presenting a substantially smooth outer surface to an interior of the hopper, the outer surface configured to slide through cut plant material without trapping the cut plant material.

The device may further comprise a guard configured to prevent tobacco from exiting the hopper through the drive member coupler.

The auger may be operably coupled to the drive member coupler through an axial aperture in the rear wall of the hopper; and the guard may include a backstop configured to be inserted into the aperture from the drive member coupler side and having a rim extending radially outward beyond an edge of the aperture.

The auger may be operably coupled to the driven shaft through an axial aperture in the rear wall of the hopper; and the shield may include a baffle configured to rotate with the driven shaft, the baffle extending radially outward beyond an edge of the aperture.

The backstop may be located between the hopper and the baffle; and the flap may extend radially outwardly beyond the edge of the rear half.

The spout may have a length of between 20mm and 40mm, preferably a length of 30 mm. The spout may have a diameter of between 5mm and 10mm, preferably a diameter of 7 mm.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a method of filling a tubular sleeve with cut plant material using the apparatus of the first aspect, the method comprising:

1.a) introducing cut plant material into a hopper;

1, b) fitting an empty tubular sleeve onto the discharge opening;

1, c) fitting a drive member to a drive member coupler; and

2. after all steps 1.a) to c) are completed, the drive member is caused to rotate the auger.

Drawings

Aspects of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1A shows an example apparatus without any drive members;

FIG. 1B shows in detail the coupler end of the device of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example manual drive member;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example battery-powered drive member;

FIG. 4 shows an example power cord powered drive member;

FIG. 5 illustrates components of an example apparatus;

fig. 6A shows an example manual auger filler with the handle folded inward;

fig. 6B shows the example manual auger filler of fig. 6A with the handle folded outwardly;

fig. 6C shows components of a manual drive member of the example manual auger filler of fig. 6A and 6B;

fig. 6D is an axial cross-section through the example manual auger filler of fig. 6A and 6B;

FIG. 6E is an example planetary gear train that may be used in the example manual auger filler of FIGS. 6A and 6B;

FIG. 6F illustrates components of the example planetary gear train of FIG. 6E;

fig. 7A shows an example battery-powered auger filler;

FIG. 7B shows in detail the charging port of the example battery-powered auger filler of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8 shows an example power cord powered auger filler;

FIG. 9A illustrates an example outlet end piece;

FIG. 9B illustrates an example forked spring hammer;

FIG. 9C illustrates an internal cam profile of an example adjustable collar;

FIG. 10 illustrates an example hopper and associated housing;

11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, and 11E illustrate example flip profiles;

FIG. 11F illustrates an example sliding mixer;

FIG. 12 shows an example spout;

FIG. 13A shows an example auger;

FIG. 13B is an axial cross-section through the example auger of FIG. 13A;

FIG. 14A illustrates components of an example shield;

FIG. 14B is an axial cross-section through the example guard of FIG. 14A;

FIG. 15 is a flow chart of an example method.

Detailed Description

The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the system, and is provided in the context of a particular application. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

The terms "top," "bottom," "side," "front," "back," "forward," "rearward," and other terms describing the orientation of features are not intended to be limiting, and are included merely when used to facilitate describing the relative positions of such features within the context of the drawings. The features may be provided in other orientations, in use or during storage.

Auger fillers for smoking articles are provided in a modular fashion suitable for connection to a plurality of different kinds of drive means. A manual drive member, for example in the form of a rotatable handle, may be attached to form a portable filler. A battery powered electric motor may be attached to form an alternative portable filler. The filler device may also be connected to a mains-powered electric motor for use in the home or other base location of the user.

Fig. 1A shows an example of such a modular auger filler device 1100 without any driving means. Fig. 1A shows a perspective view of the device 1100 from the outfeed end, where the outfeed 1120 is visible, onto which a tobacco pipe or the like can be fitted for filling. Tobacco and/or other filler material may be loaded by opening flap 1111. Alternatively, the hopper enclosed by the flip 1111 may be left open without the flip. However, providing a flip cover reduces the chance of losing filler material during use, thereby making the use of the device less messy. It also allows the device to act as a tobacco reservoir which can, for example, contain sufficient filler material to make a day's smoking articles for one user, so that they need only carry the device, portable drive means and sufficient tubing with them each day to make the smoking articles themselves as and when required.

Fig. 1B shows the end of the device 1100 opposite the discharge port end, which includes a drive member coupler 1140. Drive member coupler 1140 is configured to operably connect an auger (not shown) within device 1100 to a drive member. In the example shown in fig. 1B, the drive member coupler 1140 includes two recessed magnets 1141 and a driven shaft 1142. The driven shaft 1142 rotates freely with the auger relative to the body of the device 1100.

Fig. 2-4 illustrate an example manual drive member 2200, a battery powered drive member 3200, and a power cord powered drive member 4200, respectively, each configured to drive the example auger filler device 1100 of fig. 1A and 1B.

Each of the drive members 2200, 3200, 4200 shown in fig. 2-4 includes a protruding magnet 2241, 3241, 4241 corresponding to the recessed magnet 1141 of the device 1100. In this way, protruding magnets 2241, 3241, 4241 of drive members 2200, 3200, 4200 may fit into recesses of recessed magnets 1141 such that drive members 2200, 3200, 4200 are retained to device 1100 with an interference fit. The polarity of the magnets 1141, 2241, 3241, 4241 is arranged to attract the drive members 2200, 3200, 4200 to the device 1100, thereby increasing the strength of the connection therebetween. The strength of magnets 1141, 2241, 3241, 4241 may be configured such that the connection may be broken by hand, but strong enough to hold the weight of the bearing device 1100 or drive member 2200, 3200, 4200 (as long as the other is supported). This connection strength is particularly advantageous for manual drive member 2200 and battery drive member 3200 because they are portable and can be used in the absence of any support surface. In alternative examples, the connection may be formed using only an interference fit, using only magnets, and/or in some other manner, such as using a clamping mechanism.

Each of the drive members 2200, 3200, 4200 shown in fig. 2-4 further comprises a drive shaft 2242, 3242, 4242 configured to engage with the driven shaft 1142 of the apparatus 1100 such that they rotate together. The drive shafts 2242, 3242, 4242 may be keyed to the driven shaft 1142 (as shown), splined thereto, or configured to engage the driven shaft in some other manner.

Drive shaft 2242 of manual drive member 2200 of fig. 2 is rotated by means of handle 2210. In this example, handle 2210 is a folding handle, allowing actuating member 2200 to remain compact, as shown in fig. 2, for easy portability when not in use.

The drive shaft 3242 of the battery powered drive member 3200 of fig. 3 is rotated by means of a battery powered electric motor (not shown) which is switched on and off using the button 3210.

The drive shaft 4242 of the power-line powered drive member 4200 of fig. 4 is rotated by means of a power-line powered electric motor (not shown) that is turned on and off using the buttons 4210 and 4211. One of the buttons 4210 and 4211 may be an on button and the other an off button. Alternatively, each of the buttons 4210 and 4211 may be an on/off button, similar to the button 3210 of the battery-powered drive member 3200 of fig. 3, but operable to actuate the drive member 4200 at different speeds. For example, the high speed button 4210 may be actuated initially to fill a large portion of the tube, and then the low speed button 4211 may be actuated to complete the filling to a desired level more accurately. As another alternative, one button 4210 may be a small tube button that triggers a short power burst to fill a small tube, while the other button 4211 may be a large tube button that triggers a longer power burst to fill a large tube.

The mains powered drive member 4200 of fig. 4 further comprises a rest 4260 configured to support the device 1100 in use. The mains powered drive member 4200 has a flat base so that it can be easily stored in a base location and used on a support surface such as a table, for example, when a user wishes to fill many tubes in a single stage. In contrast, manual drive member 2200 of fig. 2 and battery powered drive member 3200 of fig. 3 are substantially barrel shaped for portability, allowing them to be comfortably carried in a user's pocket or to easily slide in and out of a handbag.

Fig. 5 shows components of an example device 5100, such as device 1100 of fig. 1. The discharge outlet 5120, flip cap 5111, and driven shaft 5142 are all shown and are similar to the corresponding components shown in fig. 1 discussed above. A flip cap 5111 is used to provide and prevent access to a hopper 5110 into which tobacco or other cut plant material can be loaded. The auger 5130 extends through the hopper 5110 and into the discharge port 5120 to convey the hopper contents into and through the discharge port 5120. The auger 5130 has a stem portion 5131, the function of which will be described below with respect to fig. 6D.

The spout housing 5180 is also disposed generally coaxially around the spout 5120 so that a tobacco tube or the like can be axially guided onto the spout and held there for filling, the spout housing 5180 serving to prevent the tube from becoming tilted relative to the central axis of the spout 5120 and thus becoming unevenly filled.

The rotatable collar 5170 is disposed substantially coaxially about the spout housing 5180. The collar 5170 cooperates with the forked spring hammers 5160 to allow a user to adjust the fill weight provided by the device 5100 to its smoking articles in a manner that will be described in more detail below with respect to fig. 9A-9C.

Turning to the drive member coupler end of the device 5100, a backstop 5191 and a flapper bushing 5192 are provided to separate the driven shaft 5142 from the hopper 5110 to prevent backflow of hopper contents into the drive mechanism in a manner that will be described in greater detail below with respect to fig. 14A and 14B.

Finally, the body housing portion 5112 fits together around other components to hold them together in a compact manner for ease of portability, but the collar 5170, auger 5130, backstop 5191, flapper bushing 5192, and follower shaft 5142 rotate freely relative to the body housing 5112. The flap 5111 is positioned to provide and prevent access to an opening in the body housing 5112 above the open top of the hopper 5110 when in use.

Fig. 6A and 6B illustrate an example manual auger filler including a device 6100 similar to device 1100 of fig. 1A and 1B coupled to a manual drive member 6200 similar to manual drive member 2200 of fig. 2. Fig. 6A is a perspective view from the outfeed end showing outfeed 6120, collar 6170, flip 6111 and handle 6210, which is folded inward for storage. Fig. 6B is a perspective view from the handle end, where the handle 6210 is shown folded outwardly for use. Operation of the obturator is achieved by fitting the tube to be fitted to the discharge port 6120 and rotating the handle 6210.

Fig. 6C shows components of the manual drive member 6200 of fig. 6A and 6B. A gear system is used to double the rotation input via the handle 6210, thereby reducing user effort. The handle 6210 is operatively connected to the ring gear 6251 of the planetary gear system such that the ring gear 6251 rotates with the handle 6210. The ring gear 6251 meshes with a plurality of planet gears 6253 (in this example, three planet gears 6253) supported by a carrier 6254, which in turn mesh with the sun gear 3252. The sun gear 6252 is operatively connected to the drive shaft 6242 such that the drive shaft 6242 rotates with the sun gear 6252, e.g., the sun gear 6252 may be keyed to the drive shaft 6242. Also visible in fig. 6C are two protruding magnets 6241, which are similar to the protruding magnets 2241 described above with respect to fig. 2.

Fig. 6D is a vertical axial cross section of the auger filler shown in fig. 6A and 6B with the handle folded inwardly as in fig. 6A. Fig. 6D shows, in addition to the discharge port 6120, collar 6170, flip cap 6111, handle 6210, ring gear 6251, planetary gear 6253, sun gear 3252, and drive shaft 6242, a driven shaft 6142, forked spring hammer 6160, body housing 6112, backstop 6191, and baffle bushing 6192. In this example, the gears are all provided in the drive member 6200, but in other examples some or all of the gears may be provided in the apparatus 6100.

A helical auger 6130 is also shown in fig. 6D, extending from a substantially smooth stem portion 6131 that is rotated by a driven shaft 6142. The trunk portion 6131 passes from the driven shaft 6142 through a hole in the rear wall of the hopper 6110 and into the hopper 6110 to some extent. This means that the auger 6130 does not extend all the way to the rear of the hopper 6110, thus reducing the chance that filler material trapped in the turns of the auger 6130 will be carried back out of the hopper 6110 into the gear system in the event that the handle is rotated in the wrong direction, thereby reducing the risk of the filler material jamming the gear system.

Fig. 6E shows the ring gear 6251, planet gears 6253 and sun gear 6252 meshing to form a planetary gear system 6250. In this example, the sun to planet to ring gear ratio is 7:29:65, providing the 9.3:1 advantage. Thus, a single 360 ° rotation of the handle 6210 and the ring gear 6251 connected thereto will drive the sun gear 6252 and the auger connected thereto for nine complete rotations, thereby providing the filling device 1100 of the present invention with extremely high filling efficiency.

Fig. 6F shows the components of the planetary gear system 6250: a ring gear 6251, a planet gear 6253, a sun gear 6252, and a planet carrier 6254.

Fig. 7A shows an example battery-powered auger filler including a device 7100 similar to the device 1100 of fig. 1A and 1B coupled to a battery-powered drive member 7200 similar to the battery-powered drive member 3200 of fig. 3. The battery may be, for example, lithium ion. The battery may for example power the brush disc motor. Fig. 7B is a detail of the rear of the battery powered drive member 7200, showing a charging port 7270 that may be coupled to a charging cable 7300. For example, a micro USB cable may be used. Alternatively, the battery powered drive member 7200 may be configured with access to its batteries to remove and replace them when depleted.

Fig. 8 shows an example power cord powered auger filler including a device 8100 similar to device 1100 of fig. 1A and 1B coupled to a power cord powered drive member 8200 connected to a power cord power device via a power cord cable 8300.

Fig. 9A shows components found toward the outfeed end of a device (such as device 1100 of fig. 1A and 1B). A spout 9120 is shown, along with a spout housing 9180, a forked spring hammer 9160, and a collar 9170. Hinge holes 9162, 9182 are provided in the forked spring hammer 9160 and the spout housing 9180, respectively, so that they can be connected to each other via a spring-loaded hinge with a helical coil spring (not shown) disposed therebetween, one end surface of which is seated in a recess 9163 of the forked spring hammer 9160.

Fig. 9B is a vertical cross-section through a cantilevered forked spring hammer 9160, showing the thickness t of its spring arm 9161, which may be, for example, 0.5mm to 1.0mm, e.g., 0.7 mm. The spring arms 9161 may be formed, for example, from a plastic (e.g., acetyl or nylon) configured to flex within a range of elasticity of its material deformation to avoid permanent deformation when the collar 9170 is rotated (as will be described below with respect to fig. 9C) and subsequent tightening adjustments are required.

Returning to fig. 9A, a forked spring hammer 9160 is arranged to be pivotable about a pivot 9162 into a collar 9170 to apply a retention force to the spout 9120 and the filled cigarette paper tube during the filling operation. This holding pressure from the forked spring hammer 9160 and more particularly the spherical pressing head 9164 at the free end of the spring arm 9161 prevents such paper tube from sliding away from the discharge orifice 9120 during filling, thereby making it unnecessary for the user to permanently hold the paper tube during the filling operation. Further, the fork spring hammer 9160 pressure may be manually adjusted by a user via an internal cam profile of the collar 9170 on which the distal end portion 9165 of the fork spring hammer 9160 opposite its pivot 9162 rests and is able to slide as the collar rotates, as will now be described with respect to fig. 9C.

Fig. 9C illustrates an internal cam profile of the collar 9170 configured to be followed by the forked spring hammers 9160 to adjust the grip provided by the forked spring hammers 9160. Rotating the collar 9170 180 ° transitions the pronged spring hammer 9160 from a neutral zero position for inserting the tube, in which the spherical head 9164 does not contact the spout 9120 and the fill tube can slide freely around the spout, increasing the grip level to a maximum grip level, whereby the spherical head 9164 of the hammer presses the tube onto the spout 9120 in a secure hold. The auger is then rotated by the drive member to begin introducing tobacco into the tube. Once the tobacco has been filled to be flush with the end of the spout, the tube begins to exit axially from the spout and continues to exit the spout until completely full, at which time it drops off the end for receipt by the user. The tighter the forked spring hammer 9160 grips on the tube, the slower the tube is moved away and thus the denser the fill, and the higher the total fill weight achieved in the smoking article; thus, rotation of the collar 9170 can change the fill weight setting of the apparatus 9100.

The apparatus 9100 may be provided with indicia to indicate to the user a predetermined fill weight, but they may select a fill weight that is intermediate those of the indicia, if desired. Such indicia may be visible, such as drawn graduations, and/or may provide tactile feedback to the user, such as in the case of bubbles or other raised or recessed features. Alternatively or additionally, the device may be configured to emit a click as the collar rotates past each of the indicia to provide audible and/or tactile feedback to the user.

The first fixed indicium may be centrally disposed, for example, on the top of the body housing of the apparatus 9100, toward an edge adjacent the collar 9170, and the second and third fixed indicia may be disposed about an edge that is, for example, 90 ° from and directly opposite the first fixed indicium. The pointer 9171 may be disposed on a collar 9170, as shown in fig. 9A. When pointer 9171 is aligned with the first fixed mark, point P of the cam profile₀Is uppermost and the forked spring hammer 9160 is in its neutral position so that a tube can be easily inserted between the spout 9120 and the spout housing 9180. Point P when the collar 9170 is rotated such that the pointer 9171 is aligned with the second fixed marking₁Is highest and the forked spring hammer 9160 is held in a predetermined neutral position, which will result in a first predetermined fill weight, e.g., about 0.4 g. Point P when the collar 9170 is rotated such that the pointer 9171 is aligned with the third fixed marking₂Is highest and the forked spring hammer 9160 is held in a maximum tensioned position, which will result in a maximum fill weight, e.g., about 0.6 g.

The internal cam profile of the collar 9170 is at point P₀、P₁And P₂At a tangent to the forked spring hammer, from point P₀Outer diameter D of₀Passing through point P₁Middle diameter D of₁Proceed to point P₂Inner diameter D of₂. Difference D between intermediate diameter and inner diameter₁-D₂May be, for example, 0.5 mm.

Other designs of spring-loaded hammers besides fork spring hammers may be used with a manually rotatable collar having an internal cam profile to provide fill weight adjustment in other example devices in a similar manner. For example, instead of the forked spring hammers 9161, foam, plastic or rubber blocks may be provided. However, if a forked spring arm 9161 is used, the lower friction between the tube and the forked spring arm 9161 than between the tube and such a block does reduce the risk of tube tearing. The tendency of the blocks to tear the tube can be reduced by providing the blocks with a convex profile. If a block is used, rubber and plastic provide a more durable solution than foam, thereby increasing the life of the device.

Fig. 10 shows a hopper of how a device, such as device 1100 of fig. 1A and 1B, may be housed.

The hopper 10110 has a generally v-shaped internal profile to convey the filler material downwardly towards an auger located towards the bottom of the hopper 10110.

The hopper 10110 is disposed between the first body housing portion 10112a and the second body housing portion 10112 b. The body housing portions 10112a, 10112b include passages arranged to receive various other components so that these components are properly positioned relative to one another.

Each of the body housing portions 10112a, 10112b has an upper cutout portion such that when they are brought together around the hopper 10110, an opening is provided above the hopper 10110. The opening may be covered by a flap 10111, which is attached to the first housing part 10112a via a hinge 10113.

The lid 10111 has a grip portion 10114 which, when the lid 10111 is closed, presses against a recess 10115 in the second housing portion 10115, so that a space is provided between the grip portion 10114 and the recess 10115 into which a user can hook his fingers to open the lid 10111.

The flip 10111 arches into a tunnel cavity to provide space for the material to circulate and self-agitate, resulting in uniform filling. Alternatively, a flat flap could be provided instead of the concave flap 10111, or with an angled profile to convey the filler material down towards the auger. The angled flip profile initially provides increased flow consistency but tends to cause the filler material to concentrate, which can cause clogging requiring manual agitation for cleaning. This is demonstrated by the test results shown in table 1 using a manual drive such as shown in fig. 6A and 6B, produced by filling the hopper to level with tobacco, attaching the flip to be tested and then turning the handle 100 times.

TABLE 1

One or both of the flip cover 10111 and/or the body housing portions 10112a, 10112b may be at least partially transparent or translucent so that a user may see the contents of the hopper 10110. This allows it to monitor whether the hopper 10110 needs refilling and see if the auger mechanism has become jammed.

If the filler material comprises excessively large particles, such as particularly long tobacco filaments, clogging of the auger mechanism may result. FIG. 11F illustrates an example sliding agitator 11150 that may be added to the body housing of the example apparatus described above to allow a user to agitate and/or cut the hopper contents to clear the mechanism without having to open the flip cover. If a manual drive such as that shown in fig. 6A and 6B is used, such a slider block may be used, for example, for every 50 to 60 rotations of the handle. The sliding beater 11150 includes a vertically flanged post 11151 and a horizontal track 11152 that is disposed generally parallel to the auger, but both are offset horizontally and vertically upward from the auger. The flange 11153 of the flanged post 11151 is configured to sit on the track 11152 with the post hanging downward so as to extend into the hopper so that the contents of the hopper can be agitated by sliding the flanged end of the flanged post 11151 along a track 11152 that is generally parallel to the auger. The flanged end of the flanged post 11151 may be provided with an upward projection 11154 to act as a handle for a user to grasp or push. The distal end of flanged post 11151 may be provided with a bulbous portion 11155 that is larger than the body piece of the post to hook the hopper contents onto the post 11151 as it slides along track 11152, thereby increasing the chance that the hopper contents will be dispersed by the action of agitator 11150.

Fig. 12 shows an example spout 12120 having a length l, a diameter d, and a leading edge that is angled at θ relative to the axis of the spout. θ may be, for example, 55 °.

The longer the spout, the greater the packing density and the more uniform the distribution of the packing material in the packed tube. This is demonstrated by the test results shown in table 2.

TABLE 2

It has been found that a spout length of 30mm to 40mm allows the tube to fill along its entire length. However, the shorter the spout, the more compact the device and therefore more easily portable. To achieve a proper balance between these considerations, l may be, for example, 30 mm.

The narrower the spout, the easier it is to fit the tube to the spout. However, the wider the spout, the higher the achievable fill weight. This is demonstrated by the test results shown in table 3 filling 8mm diameter tubes.

TABLE 3

d may be, for example, 7mm to achieve a proper balance between ease of fitting the usual tube sizes to the discharge ports and fill weights.

Fig. 13A and 13B illustrate an example auger 13130 that may be used in any of the example devices described above. The auger may be a hollow auger, as shown in the side view of fig. 13A, having a circular cross-section as shown in the axial cross-section of fig. 13B. The hollow auger may for example be made of metal. The auger may have a counter-clockwise design. When coupled to the example manual drive member described above with respect to fig. 6A-6F, this is beneficial for right-handed users, as the tube may then be filled by turning the handle clockwise.

An auger with a central rod may be used instead of a hollow auger. This reduces the risk of jamming but has been found to be less effective, requiring a greater number of revolutions to carry the same weight of filler material.

An auger having a square cross-section may be used instead of an auger having a circular cross-section. A square section auger empties the hopper more efficiently by cutting through the filler material captured therein, but tends to clog more easily within the discharge opening. Small chips of filler material may also easily fall out of the open end of the filled tube.

Further, alternative auger designs include drill-bit type augers and cup-shaped archimedes screw-type augers. However, the circular cross-section hollow auger 13130 of fig. 13A and 13B has been found to be more effective than either of these.

Fig. 14A and 14B illustrate an example guard 14190 to prevent filler material, such as tobacco, from passing back through a hopper of a device, such as those described above, for example, in the event that the auger is rotated in the wrong direction. Fig. 14A shows the components of the guard 14190: backstop 14191 and flap 14192. In this example, the baffles 14192 are formed as part of the driven shaft 14142, but they may also be provided separately.

Figure 14B is a close-up view of these components shown in vertical axial cross-section through a device (such as device 6100 of figure 6D). The backstop 14191 is inserted into an aperture in the back wall of the hopper 14110 through which the auger 14130 is coupled to the driven shaft 14142. The backstop 14191 has a rim that extends outwardly beyond the edge of the aperture to prevent the escape of hopper contents from the aperture through the interface between the hopper 14110 and the backstop 14191. Baffle 14192 is located behind backstop 14191. The flap 14192 extends even further radially outward than the backstop 14191. Thus, any hopper contents that escape through the interface between the hopper 14110 and backstop 14191 or through the interface between the auger 14130 and backstop 14191 are prevented from advancing rearwardly. The only possible path for the filler material to travel from the hopper 14110 out of the rear end of the device is indicated by the dashed line, with the first line of defense provided by the backstop 14191 and the second line provided by the baffle 14192, making it extremely unlikely that any such filler material will be carried. Alternative guards may use only the backstop or only the baffle.

Fig. 15 is a flow chart illustrating a method 15000 of filling a tubular sleeve with cut plant material, such as tobacco, using an apparatus, such as any of the example apparatuses described above. At step 15010, cut plant material is introduced into the hopper. At step 15020, an empty tubular sleeve is fitted over the spout. At step 15030, a drive member is operably coupled to the drive member coupler. After all of steps 15010, 15020 and 15030, which may be performed in any order, are completed, at step 15040, the drive means is enabled to rotate the auger.

Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the embodiments disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only.

Further, where the present application lists method or process steps in a particular order, it may be convenient or impossible in some circumstances to alter the order in which certain steps are performed, and it is intended that certain steps of the method or process claims claimed herein be interpreted as being in a particular order unless such order specificity is explicitly recited in the claims. That is, the operations/steps may be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and embodiments may include more or less operations/steps than those disclosed herein. It is further contemplated that certain operations/steps may be performed or performed before, concurrently with, or after another operation in accordance with the described embodiments.