Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1
Attorney file reference: 71 004 XV
Applicant: British American Tobacco (Germany) GmbH
Tobacco packet and system comprising tobacco packet and filling machine
The invention relates to a tobacco packet as well as a system comprising a
tobacco packet and a filling machine. Specifically, this invention relates to
the field
of self-produced smoking articles, also known as Make-Your-Own (MYO) smoking
articles (also referred to as MYO smoking articles hereafter). Such smoking
articles
are usually cigarettes or filter cigarettes. Such MYO smoking articles are
made by
the consumer himself, who takes a portion of what is usually loose tobacco by
hand, distributes it as homogeneously as possible in the housing compartment
of a
filling device (filling machine) and then converts it into a pre-prepared
filter
cigarette. The cigarettes produced as a result necessarily vary considerably
from
the quality of a factory cigarette; packing densities fluctuate and the
quantities of
tobacco across the cigarette length vary with each cigarette. In view of the
fact that
the tobacco has to be manually handled, it is also not made with the same
level of
hygiene and there is no avoiding the loss of tobacco crumbs.
Document DE 20 2005 012 273 U1 discloses an MYO filling device, on which a rim
is provided across the tobacco housing region, the purpose of which is to
prevent
tobacco crumbs from falling out.
Patent specification DE 34 15 391 Al discloses a tobacco pouch on which an aid
for rolling cigarettes is fitted. A filling machine is not used in this
instance.
Patent specification DE 33 12 433 Al discloses a device which is immersed in
the
tobacco supply when making a cigarette and takes out the tobacco itself.
A tobacco filling device with two supply containers which can be fitted on the
filling
device is known from patent specification DE 33 19 195 Al. One of the supply
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containers is a tobacco holder, which can be closed off with the aid of the
closed
bottom face of the filling device.
One objective of this invention is to propose a tobacco packet which ensures
that
tobacco can be transferred to a tobacco filling machine in the most efficient
manner
to enable high quality MYO smoking articles or cigarettes to be produced. The
system proposed by the invention also comprises a tobacco packet and a filling
machine and is designed for this purpose.
This objective is achieved on the basis of a tobacco packet as defined in
claim 1
and a system comprising a tobacco packet and filling machine as defined in
claim
23. The dependent claims define preferred embodiments of the invention.
The advantages of the solution proposed by the invention are obtained by
providing the adapter for fitting the tobacco packet on a complementary
adapter of
the tobacco filling opening or tobacco housing compartment of a filling
machine. In
other words, the invention enables a commercially sold, sealed tobacco packet
with tobacco contained in it to be directly connected to a filling machine
without the
need for further aids, and this is possible due to the fact that the adapter
is
provided. The tobacco can therefore be transferred to the filling machine in
portions and homogeneously distributed without coming into contact with the
hand,
thereby enabling a high quality smoking product to be produced under hygienic
conditions. Since the adapter may be provided in designs which are different
but
also match a specific filling machine, a number of design options are
conceivable
and the invention makes for simple and rapid manipulation with reproducible
results.
The tobacco packet may be made from a plastic or foil material, a cardboard
material or a coated cardboard material and may be of a quadratic or packet
shape. It may be rigid or flexible and is preferably a closed packet which can
be
supplied as a closed unit together with the adapter, and in this format is
practical to
sell and handle.
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In one embodiment, a peel-off closure may be provided on its tobacco
dispensing
opening, in particular a closure providing the packet with an air-tight seal,
which
ensures that the tobacco remains fresh. The closure may be provided in the
form
of a disposable closure or alternatively a closure which can be resealed.
Preferably, it essentially forms the closure of the packet on the side
incorporating
the tobacco dispensing opening. In a preferred embodiment, the closure has an
opening aid, in particular at least one of the following opening aids:
- a perforation;
- a grip portion which projects out from the tobacco dispensing opening or is
detachably attached to the packet;
- a means acting on an opening means of a filling machine.
Within the context of the invention, it is possible to design the closure so
that it can
be pulled off essentially parallel with the face of the tobacco dispensing
opening, in
particular by pulling the closure out of a guide on the tobacco dispensing
opening
or by severing it or tearing it off at its peripheral regions. In this
respect, it is of
practical advantage if the closure is designed so that it is not opened until
after the
tobacco packet has been fitted on the filling machine because in this case, it
can
be practically pulled out from the side. In one embodiment of the invention,
another
air-tight seal may be provided above the closure, in particular on the tobacco
dispensing opening, especially if a perforated closure is used. The seal may
also
extend across the entire packet and will reliably ensure that the tobacco
contained
in the tobacco packet remains fresh under all circumstances.
As for the adapter on the tobacco packet proposed by the invention, it may
essentially comprise the edge of the tobacco dispensing opening, or may
essentially comprise the edge of the tobacco dispensing opening except for the
region from which the closure can be removed, or may essentially comprise the
edge of the tobacco dispensing opening at discrete retaining points or
retaining
lines. The key thing is that the adapter affords a perfect hold and permits a
correct
disposition of the tobacco packet.
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The adapter may be a connecting component of a releasable connection and one
of the following connecting components may be used in particular:
- a sliding guide component;
- a web, which can be accommodated in a track or a groove;
- a track or groove which is able to accommodate a web;
- a catch means;
- a releasable adhesive means;
- a tilting catch closure.
Said web may also be profiled, for example may have a T-shaped contour, in
which case the track would naturally be designed accordingly and complement
it.
In order to guarantee the correct disposition of the adapter on a filling
machine in
terms of position, the adapter is preferably provided with a positioning aid,
in
particular a positioning-engaging component, such as a meshing contact, a stop
or
a joint or a hinge component. Other options are to provide the adapter with an
acting means or contour for acting on a displacement mechanism, which will be
explained in more detail below.
In one special embodiment, the adapter forms a part of the packet, in
particular an
integral part of the packet, especially a part of a compact packet which folds
open.
This being the case, the fold-out part may be the rest of a packet side of the
packet
which can be cut open and lies above the tobacco dispensing opening. This
design
is of particular advantage because the packet can initially be kept very
compact for
retail purposes and the adapter is not formed until the time of use.
The adapter and closure may also be a unit, in particular an integral unit,
for
example if the adapter constitutes a part of the closure or can be formed from
a
part of the closure, in which case a part left behind after opening the
closure may
be used as the adapter.
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In another embodiment of the tobacco packet proposed by the invention, a
feeder
element is provided on it or in it in order to push the tobacco forward in the
direction of the tobacco dispensing opening, and the feeder element may extend
round the rear part of the tobacco remote from the tobacco dispensing opening
and
for example may be designed as a slide which can be taken hold of from outside
the packet, for example. In another possible embodiment, the feeder element
has a
flat web element which extends at least partially round the tobacco and a
gripping
tab on the tobacco dispensing opening or in the region of the tobacco
dispensing
opening projecting out from the packet. By pulling on the gripping tab, the
tobacco
is conveyed to the dispensing opening, and markings may be provided on the web
element indicating the quantity of tobacco which has been removed or is still
left,
so that the user advantageously knows how many more cigarettes he can still
make.
The tobacco packet-filling machine system proposed by the invention comprises
a
tobacco packet based on one of the different embodiments described above, as
well as a cigarette filling machine, which has a complementary co-operating
adapter piece for the adapter of the tobacco packet on the tobacco filling
opening
or the tobacco housing compartment.
For the purpose of the invention, the tobacco packet described above is a
product
which can be sold separately and its adapter enables it to be fitted on a
complementary filling machine and thus already offers optimised features
during
use. In conjunction with the cigarette filling machine described, the
invention offers
further advantages and the system as a whole naturally also offers the same
advantages as those described above in connection with the tobacco packet.
In a preferred embodiment, the adapter complementary part engages the adapter
so that an essentially closed connection is established between the tobacco
packet
and the tobacco filling opening or the tobacco housing compartment, preventing
any tobacco from falling out.
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The process of opening the closure can also be optimised by an appropriate
design if the adapter complementary part is provided with a blade mechanism
for
the closure of the packet, in which case the blade mechanism opens or pulls
off the
closure or renders it removable specifically when the adapter and adapter
complementary part are connected. Embodiments of the invention are designed so
that the adapter complementary part has a complementary co-operating part for
the following elements of the packet:
- the sliding guide component;
- the web, which can be accommodated in a track or a groove;
- the track or groove, which is able to accommodate a web;
- the catch means;
- the releasable adhesive means;
- the positioning aid;
- the tilting catch closure.
As mentioned above, in a preferred embodiment, the adapter has a acting means
or contour for acting on a displacement mechanism. In a complementary
arrangement, the filling machine or the adapter complementary part may have a
displacement mechanism, which can be moved into engagement with this acting
means or this contour of the adapter in order to position the tobacco packet
on the
filling machine. This positioning can be achieved due to the fact that the
packet is
placed on the filling machine by means of the adapter and transferred by the
displacement mechanism to its final position from which the tobacco is
dispensed.
Generally speaking, the tobacco packet may be placed over the tobacco filling
opening by means of the adapter and the adapter complementary part so that the
tobacco is able to drop into the tobacco compartment of the filling machine
under
the effect of gravitational force. However, the tobacco packet can also be
placed
on the tobacco filling opening in a different position, for example at the
side, in
which case the feeder element mentioned above may be used as a means of
conveying the tobacco towards the dispensing opening. In principle, an
arrangement mounted from underneath would also be possible.
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In terms of shape, the adapter and the adapter complementary part are
preferably
designed so that only one adapter shape fits one adapter complementary part
shape and establishes an active connection. This results in an optimum fit
between
packet and filling machine enabling optimum smoking articles to be produced.
As for the tobacco used, which is accommodated in a packet proposed by the
invention, there is a practical distinction between two groups of application
concepts, although the invention is not limited to these. These two groups are
packets and systems for loose tobacco on the one hand and packets and systems
for tobacco units, which will be referred to as tobacco blocks hereafter, on
the other
hand.
The loose tobacco to which this application relates should be construed as
meaning tobacco with which a packet container has been loosely filled and
which
has not been compacted due to compression under its own weight, either before
or
after the packaging process.
A tobacco block, on the other hand, specifically has a homogeneous tobacco
density which is higher than the loosely packed density of loose tobacco but
is not
significantly different from that of the finished cigarette, and in particular
the
tobacco density of the tobacco block is no higher than twice that of the
finished
cigarette and no lower than half that of the finished cigarette. The tobacco
block
used is one with a tobacco density which is close to that of the finished
cigarette.
The tobacco block is advantageously of a height and width corresponding to the
dimensions of the finished cigarette, i.e. the height of the tobacco block
corresponds to the diameter, and the width of the tobacco block corresponds to
the
length of the tobacco stick of the finished cigarette. Given that the tobacco
density
of the tobacco block and the finished cigarette are virtually identical, the
corresponding dimensions are also therefore virtually identical. However, if
the
tobacco density of the tobacco block lies above or below that of the finished
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cigarette, this is compensated by the corresponding adaptations of the height
or
width of the tobacco block to enable a cigarette of high quality to be
produced. The
length of the tobacco block corresponds to the number of portions of the multi-
portion tobacco quantity in the tobacco block. By preference, the length is
selected
so that the tobacco portions contained in the tobacco block constitute a whole
number. In particular, the number of tobacco portions should be greater than
5.
The tobacco block has a homogeneous tobacco density, which preferably does not
assume any predefined structure. In particular, there are no stick-shaped pre-
prepared portions. However, it would be conceivable for the tobacco block to
predefine perforations in the tobacco at the corresponding parts of the length
of the
tobacco block, without the tobacco block being sub-divided. Such perforations
may
be made by various methods. In particular, it would be conceivable to use
blades,
cutting discs or a water-jet cutting process. The purpose of these
perforations is to
facilitate the separation of a tobacco portion from the rest of the tobacco
block.
By preference, the tobacco block should hold together on the basis of inherent
forces. In the case of tobacco cuts with long fibres, this is achieved quite
simply on
the basis of the length of the fibres. In the case of tobacco cuts with short
fibres,
this can be achieved by adapting the casing materials. If necessary, the
surface of
the tobacco block may also be treated accordingly, in particular sprayed.
The invention will be described in more detail below on the basis of different
embodiments and with reference to the appended drawings. It may incorporate
all
the features described herein, both individually and in any practical
combination,
and may also be defined as a method or a use. Of the drawings:
Figure 1 illustrates a tobacco packet-filling machine system in an embodiment
designed for loose tobacco;
Figure 2 shows an example of an embodiment for a tobacco packet, which
may be used in particular with the system defined in claim 1;
Figure 3 shows a detail of the adapter which can be formed from the packet
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illustrated in Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a longitudinal section through a tobacco packet as its closure is
being pulled off;
Figure 5 shows another embodiment of a system proposed by the invention
for loose tobacco;
Figure 6 shows various views of a tobacco packet as illustrated in Figure 5;
Figure 7 illustrates the various steps involved in preparing loose tobacco
with
a system such as illustrated in Figure 5;
Figure 8 illustrates another embodiment of a tobacco packet proposed by the
invention;
Figure 9 illustrates an air-tight or vacuum pack;
Figure 10 illustrates an improved version of the embodiment illustrated in
Figure 8;
Figure 11 illustrates an improved version of the embodiment illustrated in
Figure 10;
Figure 12 illustrates an embodiment of a system proposed by the invention for
use with a tobacco block;
Figure 13 shows alternative designs for the packet with different tobacco
feeder elements and adapters;
Figure 14 shows another embodiment of the tobacco packet illustrated in
Figure 12;
Figure 15 illustrates a tobacco packet with a plastic-foil sleeve serving as
an
outer seal;
Figure 16 illustrates another embodiment of the system proposed by the
invention with a displacement mechanism for the tobacco packet;
Figure 17 shows details of the tobacco packet illustrated in Figure 16;
Figure 18 illustrates another deign of a tobacco packet proposed by the
invention in the form of a flow pack;
Figure 19 illustrates another design of a tobacco packet proposed by the
invention in the form of a blister pack;
Figure 20 shows details of the packet illustrated in Figure 19;
Figure 21 illustrates an improved version of the tobacco packet shown in
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Figure 19;
Figure 22 illustrates a system proposed by the invention with an inserted
tobacco packet and associated views in section for the respective
operating steps;
Figure 23 illustrates how a blister pack is used in a system proposed by the
invention ;
Figure 24 illustrates a system proposed by the invention in which the severing
and transfer unit of the filling machine can be displaced; and
Figure 25 illustrates a system proposed by the invention in which a tobacco
portion is severed and shaped in separate operations.
Examples of embodiments preferably designed for use with loose tobacco.
Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment based on a first example for a system with
loose tobacco. Figure 1 a schematically illustrates a filling machine 1; only
the part
of the guide 5 which constitutes an adapter on the filling machine is of
importance
as far as the invention is concerned. Illustrated in front of it is a tobacco
packet 3.
Shown in the filling machine 1 is the guide 5, which is disposed directly
above a
tobacco filling opening or the tobacco housing compartment 9. The tobacco
packet
3 is provided with a guide complementary piece 7 on its bottom face, which
forms
an adapter on the tobacco packet. The guide 5 and guide complementary piece 7
are designed so that they fit one another exactly. In this embodiment, both
are cut
in a converging pattern. When the tobacco packet 3 is pushed into the filling
machine 1 in the direction indicated by the arrow, it assumes the desired
position
above the tobacco filling space (tobacco housing compartment 9) precisely as
it
reaches the end position, as illustrated in 1 b. Disposed on the bottom face
of the
tobacco packet 3 is a peel-off closure 11, which seals the contents off from
the
ambient environment. In order to render the tobacco in the tobacco packet 3
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accessible for use in the filling machine 1, the peel-off closure 11 is
removed, as
illustrated in Figure 1 c.
Figure 2 illustrates an example of an embodiment of the tobacco packet 3 from
Figure 1 in detail. Specifically illustrated is an option whereby the guide
complementary piece 7 is designed so that the tobacco packet 3 as a whole is
of a
basic quadratic shape, which is practical in terms of transporting such
tobacco
packets.
To provide a clearer illustration, the bottom face from Figure 1 is now shown
at the
top. Provided on a narrow face is a fold-out portion 13, which can be folded
out and
serves as a gripping portion or gripping tab, enabling a protective strip 15
to be
pulled off. As a result, two fold-out tabs 17a and 17b may be seen, which can
be
folded out and which, together with the thickness of the tobacco packet 3,
constitute the guide complementary piece 7 for the guide 5. The peel-off
closure 11
may be seen underneath the fold-out tabs 17a and 17b.
Figure 3 provides an even more detailed illustration in three steps a-c of how
the
fold-out tabs 17 a and b are made ready by pulling off the protective strip
15, which
causes the perforations to break open.
Figure 4 shows a longitudinal section through the tobacco packet 3 and
illustrates
in steps a-d how the peel-off closure 11 is removed from the tobacco packet 3
and
the loose tobacco 19 thus released from the tobacco packet 3.
Amongst other things, the tobacco packet 3 based on this embodiment may be
made from both a plastic or foil material and cardboard. However, other
materials
would also be conceivable within the meaning of the invention, e.g. coated
cardboard, for example of the type used for drinks packaging.
Figure 5 provides a total of five diagrams (a-e) illustrating another
embodiment of
the invention for loose tobacco. The tobacco packet 3 is illustrated above a
filling
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machine 1. The tobacco packet 3 has not actually been pushed into the filling
machine 1 but has merely been placed above a guide 5. The adapter connection
in
this embodiment is based on a tilting axis 21. Accordingly, the bottom face of
the
tobacco packet 3 is provided with a guide complementary piece 7 to permit the
tilting action about the tilting axis 21. As illustrated in Figure 5 b,
specifically
showing a detail on a larger scale, the tobacco packet 3 can be tilted
downwards
and is preferably retained in a bottom end position due to an automatically
snap-
fitting closure mechanism 23 (latched closure). A similar closure mechanism is
provided on the co-operating face of the tobacco packet 3. In Figure 5c, the
tobacco packet 3 has been tilted further downwards and blades sever the seal
27
of the tobacco packet 3 due to the tilting movement. This can be seen even
more
clearly in Figure 5d, which is a diagram in section rotated by 90 . Figure 5e
illustrates how the seal 27 is pulled out and the loose tobacco thus released.
Figure 6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the tobacco packet 3 from
Figure
5. The tobacco packet 3 is preferably made with a plastic body in which the
complementary pieces 29 for the closure mechanism 23 are already provided. The
seal 27 may be seen on the bottom face in Figure 6b, which can be cut by the
blades 25 along what are indicated as broken lines (Figure 5d) and then pulled
off.
Figure 7 shows individual diagrams (a-d) illustrating an example of how the
loose
tobacco 19 can be subsequently prepared in the case of this embodiment. The
same applies to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1-4.
The tobacco packet 3 connected to the filling machine 1 (diagram 7a) has
already
been opened and is ready to dispense the loose tobacco 19. When the slide 31
is
operated, a tobacco housing compartment 9 is released, so that the state
illustrated in diagram 7b is assumed. The loose tobacco 19 drops, essentially
conveyed by its own weight, into the tobacco housing compartment 9 and fills
it in
the region underneath the tobacco packet 3. When the slide 31 is operated
again
by pushing it back in, the loose tobacco 19 is pushed in the dispensing
direction
and thus compacted (diagram 7c). Tobacco fibres disposed on the boundary
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between the tobacco housing compartment 9 and the tobacco packet 3 are cut off
by the slide 31. In order to facilitate this operation, specially designed
edges or
blades may be provided on the slide or/and on the housing of the tobacco
housing
compartment 9. The final density of the tobacco is assumed when the slide 31
is
back in its initial position. The tobacco stick is then formed and can be
transferred
to the cigarette sleeve, which is illustrated in diagram 7d, by known means
such as
a spoon-shaped slide.
The dimensions of the tobacco packet, in particular its width and length,
define the
cross-section in which loose tobacco drops into the tobacco housing
compartment
9. The height of the tobacco housing compartment 9 defines the third dimension
and hence the volume of loose tobacco per cigarette. By preference, the height
of
the tobacco housing compartment 9 is approximately the same as the diameter of
the finished cigarette. The length of the tobacco housing compartment 9, like
the
length of the tobacco packet 3, is advantageously more or less the same length
as
the finished tobacco stick of the cigarette. Accordingly, the width of the
tobacco
packet ultimately defines the quantity of loose tobacco 19 which drops into
the
tobacco housing compartment 9. The width may be adapted to suit the properties
of the loose tobacco 19, in particular the loose density with which it is
packaged, so
that the finished smoking articles are produced with the matching filling
density.
Figure 8 illustrates another embodiment of the invention. In this instance,
the
tobacco packet 3 is fitted on or pushed onto the filling machine 1. To this
end, the
tobacco packet 3 has a U-shaped peripheral edge serving as a guide
complementary piece 7, which co-operates with a guide 5 on the filling machine
1.
In the simplest variant illustrated here, the guide and guide complementary
piece
have no other profiling and instead are provided in the form of a web.
However, it
will be immediately apparent to the skilled person that the guide may be a T-
shaped or dovetail-shaped guide and may also be extended and improved to
include many other complementary shapes. A peel-off closure 11 is provided in
the
region of the U-shaped guide in order to seal the tobacco packet 3 and can be
pulled off in order to open the tobacco packet 3.
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The tobacco packet 3 illustrated in Figure 8 is a plastic cap of quadratic
shape.
However, it would also be conceivable to use a vacuum pack, such as
illustrated in
diagrams a-d of Figure 9, for example. In this embodiment, the guide
complementary piece 7 has T-shaped profiling. In order to preserve the vacuum
in
the tobacco packet 3, it is of practical advantage to provide an additional
seal 27
above the peel-off closure 11 since it would otherwise not be possible to
maintain a
vacuum due to the perforations 33.
Figures lOa-c illustrate an improved version of the embodiment from Figure 8.
In
particular, the peel-off closure 11 has been replaced by a slide-off closure
35. This
closure has a lug 37 which wedges against the edge of the guide 5 when fitted
on
the cigarette filling machine and (as is clearly visible from the partial
section shown
in Figure 11) is retained when pushed on so that the tobacco packet 3 opens
and
releases the loose tobacco 19.
Figure 11 shows four steps a-d involved in using an improved version of the
embodiment from Figure 10. In this embodiment, the lug 37 is not mounted right
at
the foremost edge of the push-off closure 35 but further inwards. The filling
device
is also provided with a spur 39, which pierces the slide-off closure 35 when
the
tobacco packet 3 is placed on the guide 5 of the filling machine 1 and slides
it off
as the tobacco packet is slid further along. The tobacco packet is preferably
designed so that there is room to accommodate the closure 35 once slid open.
Examples of preferred embodiments for use with compacted tobacco blocks.
Some of the examples described above in connection with the use of loose
tobacco can be directly applied by the skilled person to the use of tobacco
blocks.
However, if opting for embodiments of the invention in which the tobacco is
dispensed not from the top but from the side, for example, it is no longer
possible
CA 02603588 2007-09-21
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to rely on its being conveyed by force of gravity. In such cases, it is more
practical
to use tobacco blocks, although some of the embodiments can be adapted by the
skilled person for use with loose tobacco.
Figure 12 shows a partial diagram a illustrating one of various possible
embodiments of the invention. A filling machine 1 has a guide 5 suitable for
accommodating the tobacco packet 3 by means of the guide complementary piece
7. By means of a gripping tab 41, a tobacco block 43 can be pushed out of the
tobacco packet 3. The tobacco block 43 thus arrives in the pressing chamber of
a
conventional filling machine and is severed from the rest of the tobacco block
by
the filling machine cover 45 and formed into the tobacco stick. The tobacco
stick is
again transferred with conventional means such as spoons (not illustrated).
Diagram b of Figure 12b illustrates one possible design of the tobacco packet
3.
Mounted on the narrow face is the guide complementary piece 7, to which a pull-
off
closure 11 for closing the tobacco packet 3 is attached. Figure 12c
illustrates how
the gripping tab 41 functions. Having pulled off the closure 11, the consumer
takes
hold of it (it is illustrated slightly longer than it really as). However, the
gripping tab
41 extends into the interior of the tobacco packet 3 in the form of a web-type
feeder
element and extends round the rear end of the tobacco block 43 in the form of
a U-
shaped fold in this embodiment. When the consumer pulls on the gripping tab
41,
the tobacco block 43 is pulled out of the tobacco packet 3. As may be readily
seen
from this diagram, the guide complementary piece 7 in this instance is an
asymmetrical guide, which means that the tobacco packet 3 can be pushed into
the guide 5 in one way only. This approach is preferred because it ensures
that the
consumer is also able to operate the gripping tab 41 after insertion in the
guide 5 of
the filling machine 1.
The material of the gripping tab 41 and also the entire web-type feeder
element
may be made from both plastic and cardboard or a stiffer paper.
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Diagrams a and b of Figure 13 illustrate alternative designs of the guide
complementary piece 7. However, the skilled person will be able to conceive of
numerous other shapes which may be used in the context of the invention. As
may
also be seen from Figure 13 a, the gripping tab may be guided through an
orifice
47 in one possible embodiment. It would also be conceivable to provide
markings
49 on the web element of the gripping tab, displaying the consumption of the
tobacco block and the remaining quantity by means of symbols or by legible
text.
Figure 14 illustrates an improved version of the tobacco packet 3 from Figures
12
to 13, although a guide complementary piece is omitted from the diagram
because
any one of the types described above may be used. The essence of the improved
feature resides in the fact that the gripping tab has been replaced by a slide
51
which can be operated through an orifice 47 in the tobacco packet. In partial
diagram 14 a, the slide is designed so that it extends round the tobacco block
43 at
the rear end in a U-shape. When the slide 51 is slid towards the open end of
the
tobacco packet 3, the tobacco block 43 is also conveyed towards the open end.
However, it would also be conceivable, as illustrated in Figure 14 b, for the
slide to
be designed so that an elastic slide tab 53 on the rear face of the packet is
deflected and supports the tobacco block 43 from the rear end. When the slide
51
is pushed back away from the open end of the tobacco packet 3, the deflection
of
the slide tab 53 conveys the tobacco block towards the open end.
Markings 49 are provided in the orifice 47 in both part-drawings 14a and 14b,
which display the consumption of the tobacco. By preference, the distances
between the markings correspond to a multiple based on a whole number
representing the tobacco quantity for a cigarette, in particular exactly one
cigarette.
In a preferred embodiment, the slide 51 latches in the markings 49 and thus
mechanically and perceptibly defines for the consumer the quantity needed for
one
cigarette.
The described tobacco packets 3 illustrated in Figures 12-14 may also be made
from different materials: plastic, cardboard, coated cardboard, etc.
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Another special design is illustrated in Figures 15a and 15b. In this
instance, the
tobacco packet 3 is provided with a plastic-foil sleeve. The sleeve is welded
at both
ends as indicated by reference 55. Aids may be provided at the end to be
opened
(e.g. notches or tear-off tapes), or, as illustrated, a symbol indicating that
the
tobacco packet 3 must be cut open. The tobacco packet 3 is provided with guide
complementary pieces 7, which are welded on in particular and in this instance
provided in a T-shape. The tobacco block 43 can again be conveyed by a
gripping
tab 41.
Figure 16 shows partial diagrams a-d illustrating another embodiment of the
invention. A tobacco packet 3 is inserted in the guide 5 of the filling
machine 1 by
means of the guide complementary piece 7. In this instance, the tobacco packet
essentially constitutes a frame 59 around the tobacco block 43 in the
deployment
state. In this case, the guide complementary piece is a corrugated web on both
sides of the frame. The tobacco block 43 in the frame-type tobacco packet is
moved by a feeder wheel 57. A piece is severed from the tobacco block by means
of the filling machine cover 45 and transferred into the pressing chamber of a
conventional filling machine, in which the tobacco stick is formed and
transferred
by conventional means, e.g. a spoon, into the cigarette sleeve. The corrugated
web of the guide complementary piece 7 is preferably designed so that a
mechanical ratcheting can be perceived in co-operation with the feeder wheel
57,
which corresponds to the feed movement for the quantity of tobacco needed for
a
cigarette. In addition to this preferred design of the guide complementary
piece 7,
the effect of conveying and defining portions may also be achieved on the
basis of
notches, perforated strips, webs, beads, etc..
Figures 17a and 17b illustrate the tobacco packet 3 proposed by the invention
in
even more detail. Disposed around the tobacco block is a frame part 59 with
the
guide complementary piece 7. Disposed on the top face is a foil serving as a
pull-
off closure 11. Disposed on the bottom face of this embodiment is a fleece 61
which can also be smoked, which completes the tobacco packet 3 and also
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supports the tobacco block 43 at the bottom. Before the tobacco packet 3 is
inserted in the guide 5 of the filling machine 1, the foil of the top pull-off
closure 11
is removed. When the filling machine top part is closed, a piece of the
tobacco
block 43 and a piece of the smokable fleece 61 are transferred into the
tobacco
pressing chamber. If this is not desirable for reasons of taste, it is also
possible to
replace the smokable fleece 61 with a foil which can also be pulled off. It is
then
merely necessary to provide an appropriate support surface on the filling
machine,
because once the foil has been pulled off, there is no longer anything to
provide
the supporting effect.
Views a and b of Figure 18 show another design of the tobacco packet 3, which
is
similar to that illustrated in Figure 15. In this instance, the guide
complementary
pieces 7 are not illustrated because an explanation will be given of the body
of the
tobacco packet only. The tobacco packet 3 in this case is designed as a flow
pack.
The tobacco packet may be opened by means of a pull-off closure 11. As a
result,
the consumer can take hold of a gripping tab 41 and pull the tobacco block 43
out
of the tobacco packet 3. As with the embodiments described above, guide
complementary pieces 7 of various designs may be attached to the packet
(adhered, welded, etc.).
Diagrams a and b of Figure 19 illustrate another design of the tobacco packet
3
proposed by the invention. The tobacco packet 3 in this instance is a blister
pack.
The parts making up the packet are illustrated: the blister 63 with the guide
complementary pieces 7, an air-tight closure foil 65 and a perforated insert
paper
67 with gripping tab 41 attached to it disposed in between.
The way the elements of the tobacco packet 3 from Figure 19 operate is more
clearly illustrated in Figure 20. A tobacco block 43 is placed in the blister
63. At the
bottom face, the blister is sealed by the air-tight closure foil 65. The
tobacco block
43 is surrounded by the perforated insert paper 67 and the gripping tab 41 in
a U-
shaped arrangement. The air-tight closure foil 65 may be opened at one end,
thereby making it possible to take hold of the front end of the gripping tab
41
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(diagram a). When the gripping tab 41 is pulled, perforations of the
perforated
insert paper 67 are broken open and the tobacco block 43 is conveyed to the
open
end (diagrams b and c). The perforations of the perforated insert paper 67 are
preferably designed so that with every perforation broken open, a conveyor
path is
released which corresponds to the quantity of tobacco needed for one
cigarette.
Figure 21 illustrates another improved version of the tobacco packet from
Figure
19. In this instance, the blister 63 is provided with a perforation 69 which
can be
broken open to enable the gripping tab 41 to be held. In this case, however,
it is of
advantage to provide a seal 71 over the perforation in order to preserve the
tobacco block 43 in a sealed atmosphere until it is used.
In Figures 12-15, the tobacco packets 3 are fitted on the side of the filling
device 1
in a similar manner in each case. One possible, preferred embodiment of the
operating and the structure of the filling device 1 will be explained again
below. To
this end, diagrams a to f of Figure 22 each show a three-dimensional
illustration of
the filling device and alongside it a section along the longest axis of the
tobacco
block 43 and transversely to the tobacco stick to be prepared (a-d) and
parallel
with the filling direction (e-f). The guide complementary piece has been
omitted
from these drawings.
Figure 22 a illustrates the inserted tobacco packet 3. By pulling on the
gripping tab
41, the tobacco block 43 is pushed forwards and a portion is defined by a stop
on
the housing of the filling device 1, for example (Figure 22b). When the
filling
machine cover 45 is folded shut, the tobacco quantity forming the defined
portion is
severed from the tobacco block 43 and formed into a tobacco stick. (Figures
22c+d). Finally, a filter cigarette sleeve 73 is placed in position (Figure 22
e) and
the formed tobacco stick is transferred into the filter cigarette sleeve by
means of a
known slide mechanism (Figure 22f).
Figures 23a-c illustrate a filling device 1 proposed by the invention for use
with a
blister pack. The opened tobacco packet 3 is inserted by means of the guide
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complementary pieces 7 in the guide 5 of the filling machine 1 and pushed into
the
operating position. Precisely with this type of packaging, it is possible and
of
practical advantage to provide an additional closure lock 75, which positions
the
tobacco packet 3 in the filling machine. The rest of the procedure takes place
in a
manner essentially known per se and as described in connection with Figure 22.
All the filling devices described so far have been of the type where the
tobacco
block is moved towards the transfer system. Within the context of the
invention,
however, it is also possible that the tobacco block is not moved again once it
has
been inserted in the filling device and instead, it is the severing and
transfer unit
which slides respectively by the distance corresponding to a tobacco portion.
This
mechanism is schematically illustrated in Figure 24, where the individual
steps are
illustrated in diagrams a-c. Here again, the guide complementary pieces 7 have
been omitted from these drawings.
Finally, within the context of the invention, it is also possible to use a
filling device 1
which enables the tobacco portion to be severed and the shaping procedure to
be
performed in two steps and by separate parts of the device. This is
illustrated in
Figures 25 a to f in various stages and in a perspective view together with
the
associated view in section. A cutting wheel 77 severs a tobacco portion from
the
tobacco block 43 and it is not transferred to the pressing chamber and formed
into
a stick until the filling machine cover has been opened.
List of reference numbers
1: Filling machine
3: Tobacco packet
5: Guide
7: Guide complementary piece
9: Tobacco housing compartment
11: Pull-off closure
13: Fold-out portion
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15: Protective strip
17a and b: fold-out tabs
19: Loose tobacco
21: Tilting axis
23: Closure mechanism
25: Blade
27: Seal
29: Complementary pieces
31: Slide
33: Perforations
35: Slide-off closure
37: Lug
39: Spur
41: Gripping tab
43: Tobacco block
45: Filling machine cover
47: Orifice
49: Markings
51: Slide
53: Elastic slide tab
55: Weld seams
57: Feeder wheel
59: Frame
61: Smokable fleece
63: Blister
65: Air-tight closure foil
67: Perforated insert paper
69: Perforation
71: Seal
73: Filter cigarette sleeve
75: Closure lock
77: Cutting wheel
CA 02603588 2007-09-21
