DK2871981T3 - Device for stopping cigarettes - Google Patents

Description

Description [0001] The invention relates to a device for stuffing prefabricated cigarette tubes, comprising a housing, a tobacco chamber, a tobacco rest associated therewith, a movable press bar for shaping the tobacco placed in the tobacco chamber into a line, a counter bearing associated with the tobacco rest for one end of the tobacco line, and a slide, which can be displaced relative to the housing in order to fill the cigarette tube with the tobacco line, [0002] A device of this type is known from DE 41 10 830 C1.

[0003] In order to be able to adapt the length of the tobacco chamber in this device to different filling-space lengths of cigarette tubes, the counter bearing is designed as a part that is adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the tobacco rest for which at least two locking positions are provided that correspond to the number of different lengths of the cigarette tubes to be stuffed.

[0004] An additional, generic device is known from DE 20 2008 012 816 U1.

[0005] In this, the tobacco rest is displaceably mounted by a distance in the displacement direction of the slide relative to the counter bearing that approximately corresponds to the length difference of the different fill-space lengths. As a result, it is no longer necessary to design the counter bearing as adjustable and able to be locked in specific positions. By the arrangement of the tobacco rest in the displacement direction of the slide, the former slides itself into a position that corresponds to the length for supplying the tobacco if a force acts in the displacement direction that exceeds the frictional contact of the tobacco rest in the housing. This is generally the case if the filter of a filter tube comes into contact with the end of the tobacco rest facing away from the counter bearing.

[0006] In order to be able to adapt the length of the press bar in this embodiment to the filling-space length of the cigarette tube used in each case, the press bar has a stationary part and an optional, supplementary movable part for the press bar.

[0007] US 2004/0200485 A1 discloses an additional, generic device.

[0008] For adapting the length of the tobacco chamber to the different filling-space lengths of cigarette tubes, an insertable insert is optionally provided in the tobacco chamber on the counter bearing-side end. This is dimensioned so that, when installed in the tobacco chamber, it not only adjusts the length of the tobacco chamber to the filling-space length of the cigarette tube, but the insert also forms a stop for the slide wall that carries a spout for holding the cigarette tube, so that the maximum displacement motion is adapted to the given filling-space length of the cigarette tube.

[0009] An additional device for stuffing prefabricated cigarette tubes is known from WO 97/20476 A1. It comprises a housing and a slide for filing the cigarette tubes with the tobacco line that can be displaced relative to the housing. The housing has a stop associated with the ejection slide of the configuration that can move the ejection slide back to different extents for filling a tobacco compression chamber with tobacco.

[0010] The disadvantage of these previously known devices is that they are expensive to manufacture and/or are difficult to adapt to different filling-space lengths of cigarette tubes.

[0011] It is therefore the object of the present invention to create an improved device for stuffing prefabricated cigarette tubes.

[0012] In the device according to the invention, a stop is provided that can be optionally attached to the slide that, when mounted, shortens the displacement path by a specified length relative to the housing. By attaching the stop, the displacement path is shortened by about the length at which the length of the filling space of a first cigarette tube is differentiated from the longer filling space of a different cigarette tube. In particular, the cigarette tube having the shorter filling-space length can be a tube having a filter element lengthened and/or increased by an activated carbon region, in order to reduce the amount of hazardous substances inhaled while smoking a cigarette comprising a prefabricated filter tube.

[0013] Because the stop can be optionally attached to the slide, it can easily be mounted or unmounted, since the slide is easily accessible, as opposed to the tobacco receiving chamber, for example, and offers a significantly larger installation space so that the stop can be designed substantially larger and thus more easily operable than, for example, a stop that can be installed in the tobacco receiving chamber.

[0014] The counter bearing is then designed in such a manner that it projects into the tobacco chamber by the same length when the stop is positioned. In this manner, it is achieved that the length of the tobacco receiving chamber is adjusted to the filling-space length of the cigarette tube having the shorter filling space in a manner corresponding to the displacement path.

[0015] Advantageously, a spout having a free, preferably beveled end is preferably provided on an end region of the slide the outer diameter of which roughly corresponds to the inner diameter of a cigarette tube. For filling the tube, this is first pushed onto the spout, preferably by pressing down a lid provided on the slide, on which the press bar is provided, held stationary and then pulled over the tobacco rest by a retraction of the slide, wherein the tobacco line located on it is displaced into the filling space of the cigarette-paper tube.

[0016] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the stop is designed as a separate component of an effective length, which can optionally be mounted to a wall of the slide away from the spout. This separate component can, for example, be accompanied by a retail unit for the device according to the invention and be mounted to the latter by the user in a simple manner, if he should wish to fill cigarette tubes having a shorter filling-space length using the device.

[0017] In particular, by using the device according to the invention, in an especially easy manner, it is also possible to make this appropriate for filling three different cigarette tubes that differ in their filling-space lengths if two optionally mountable stops that differ in their lengths are provided with the retail unit. Accordingly, an ability to fill four different cigarette tubes is also possible by supplying three different stops, for five different cigarette tubes using four stops, etc.

[0018] The counter bearing—particularly preferably—is formed from an insert provided in the tobacco receiving space, the length of which corresponds to at least the effective length of the longest stop provided. “Effective length” is to be understood as the length, by which the displacement path of the slide is shortened by activating or attaching the longest stop. To reduce the shortening of the displacement path, the insert, the cross section of which corresponds to the cross section of a tobacco line produced using the device, then protrudes into the tobacco receiving chamber if the slide is delimited by the stop in its final position, in which the tobacco receiving chamber is filled with tobacco during use of the device.

[0019] An exemplary embodiment of the device according to this invention for stuffing prefabricated cigarette tubes is illustrated in the drawings. Shown are: fig. 1 a perspective view of this exemplary embodiment obliquely from above with closed lid and mounted stop, that is, for filling of cigarette tubes having shortened filling-space length, wherein obscured lines are depicted by partially broken lines; fig. 2 the same embodiment as in fig. 1 in the same perspective, however with opened lid and stop not attached, that is, for filling of cigarette tubes having larger filling-space lengths, wherein a cigarette tube pushed onto the spout is indicated by broken lines; fig. 3 the same embodiment of the device according to the invention in perspective view, obliquely from behind (view III in fig. 1); fig. 4 The exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 3 in a view from below; fig. 5 detail IV in fig. 4 in an enlarged detailed view; fig. 6 the same view as in fig. 5, however with stop removed; fig. 7 a view according to fig. 1, however with a fully opened lid and almost fully retracted slide, as well as fig. 8 a perspective partial representation with cigarette tubes indicated during the filling process of the latter.

[0020] The exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention, indicated as a whole in the drawing as 100, comprises a housing 1 having a base part 2 into which lateral recessed grips 3, 4 are incorporated.

[0021] Base part 2 is made from plastic.

[0022] In base part 2 of housing 1, a slide 8 is guided in a straight line between its interior side walls 5, 6 and its base wall 7 in displacement direction S. For fixing slide 8 perpendicularly to base wall 7, slide 8 comprises projections 9 on the two sides that extend into complementary grooves 10 in side walls 5, 6.

[0023] On the end illustrated to the right in fig. 1, subsequently indicated as the front end, a spout 11 is provided on slide 8, the outer diameter of which is adapted to the inner diameter of a prefabricated cigarette tube Z in such a manner that the latter can be pushed onto spout 11 without a lot of play. For facilitating the pushing process, the free end of spout 11 is laterally beveled.

[0024] Spout 11 is integrally formed on a mounting plate 12 at its end region facing away from the laterally beveled free end. For mounting spout 11 to the slide, grooves 14 are incorporated into its front wall 13, into which the mounting plate 12 can be pushed by its lateral edges from above.

[0025] On the rear end of housing 1 illustrated on the left in figs. 1 and 2, a lid 15 is pivotably connected to slide 8 running around a horizontal axis X perpendicular to the displacement direction S.

[0026] The slide has a recess 16 extending in displacement direction S that forms a tobacco chamber 17 and extends fully through slide 8 in vertical direction V.

[0027] The floor of tobacco chamber 17 forms a trough-shaped tobacco rest 18 that is located laterally near the side walls of recess 16 and its lateral edges are covered by longitudinal projections 19 of tobacco chamber 17 in order to thereby prevent tobacco from penetrating between the lateral edges of the tobacco rest and the walls of recess 16.

[0028] Tobacco rest 18 is made from a dimensionally stable material such as metal and is attached at the base in the rear region extending out of tobacco chamber 17 to a socket arranged on base wall 7. Between the underside of tobacco rest 18 and base wall 7 there is enough play that tobacco rest 18 can extend unhindered towards the rear through spout 11 when slide 8 is displaced (as fig. 7, in particular, shows).

[0029] When lid 15 is closed, there is a press bar 21 integrally formed on the lower side 20, the downward facing side 22 of which, when closed, is designed as a hollow having approximately the same radius as tobacco rest 18. Press bar 21 is additionally positioned so that, together with the side walls, it seals recess 16 at the top under tobacco rest 18 in such a manner that the tobacco chamber has a circular form in cross section.

[0030] At the front end region in the closed state of the lid, there is arranged on lid 15 a handhold 23 that can be displaced towards the rear against an elastic force. It has two projections 24 that engage into complementary recesses 25 of slide 8 when the handholds are displaced toward the rear against the elastic force. The lid is locked against folding open about axis X by the engagement of projections 24 into recess 25.

[0031] For stuffing a prefabricated cigarette tube Z with tobacco, tobacco chamber 17 is loosely filled with tobacco when lid 15 is open. Next, the open end of a prefabricated cigarette housing Z is pushed onto spout 11 and lid 15 is closed by pivoting around axis X. Cigarette housing Z is held in its position on spout 11 by a pressing block 26 provided on the front region of lid 15 pressing the tube material over a portion of the circumference against spout 11. In the closed position of lid 15, this is locked into recesses 25 by activation of handhold 23 and engagement of projections 24. Next, lid 15 together with slide 8 is displaced towards the rear, wherein cigarette tube Z is pulled over tobacco rest 18 and the tobacco is held by a counter bearing 27 that forms the rear end of tobacco chamber 18 and cigarette tube Z is thus drawn over the tobacco line located in tobacco chamber 17.

[0032] In order to be able to also fill cigarette tubes Z having different filling-space lengths, the maximum displacement path of slide 8 can be altered relative to base part 2 of housing 1. To do this, a stop 29 is provided that can be optionally mounted on a wall 28 that lies opposite wall 13, which supports spout 11 (see, in particular, fig. 5 and 6.

[0033] Stop 29 can be pushed from the open underside of slide 8 to wall 28. To do this, the stop is designed having a cross section something like a flattened “Q” in the vertical direction. Between its foot 31 and its head 32 are located slots 33 that point away from each other, the width of which is designed slightly smaller than the thickness of wall 28. A recess 34 is incorporated centrally in wall 28 that is slightly wider than the width of bridge 35, which connects foot 31 to head 32. In its mounted position (fig. 5), stop 29 is held via a press fit based on the engagement of wall 28 into slots 33 on the two sides of recess 34.

[0034] When mounted, insert 29 reduces the maximum displacement path of slide 8 in displacement direction S relative to base part 2 to the effective length D, which corresponds to the distance between the upper side of foot 31 and of head 32.

[0035] In order for the length of tobacco chamber 17 to be shortened to the corresponding dimensions, counter bearing 27 has a length L that corresponds to effective length D of stop 29 (see fig. 6 and 7). To do this, counter bearing 27 is formed by an insert 36, made of plastic, for example, the cross section of which approximately corresponds to the cross section of the tobacco line to be introduced into the tube.

[0036] Insert 36 is positioned relative to rear wall 37 of base part 2 in such a manner that the counter bearing surface 38 facing spout 11 is aligned with the end face-side rear wall 39 in recess 16 if stop 29 is not mounted and the slide is located in its extreme front position.

[0037] If stop 29 is mounted, counter bearing surface 38 accordingly extends into recess 16 to effective length D of the stop and shortens tobacco chamber 17 accordingly.

List of reference characters; [0038] 100 Device 1 Housing 2 Base part 3, 4 Recessed grips 5, 6 Interior side walls 7 Base wall 8 Slide 9 Projection 10 Grooves 11 Spout 12 Mounting plate 13 Wall 14 Grooves 15 Lid 16 Recess 17 Tobacco chamber 18 Tobacco rest 19 Longitudinal projections 20 Lower side 21 Press bar 22 Side 23 Handhold 24 Projections 25 Recesses 26 Pressing block 27 Counter bearing 28 Wall 29 Stop 30 Underside 31 Foot 32 Head 33 Slots 34 Recess 35 Bridge 36 Insert 37 Rear wall 38 Abutment surface 39 End face D Length L Length S Displacement direction V Vertical direction X Pivotal axis Z Cigarette tube

Claims (6)

Device (100) for stopping prefabricated cigarette lighters (Z) with a housing (1), a tobacco chamber (17), a tobacco support (18), a movable pressing rod (21) for forming it in the tobacco chamber (17) inlaid tobacco for a string, a remuneration (27) assigned to the tobacco chamber (18) for one end of the tobacco string and a slider (8) which can be displaced relative to the housing (1) for filling the cigarette lighter (Z) with the tobacco string, characterized in that a stop (29) is provided which can optionally be placed on the slider (8) and, in the disposed state, shortens the displacement path relative to the housing (1) by a length (D) and that the consideration (27) is designed so that, when disposed abutment (29), it projects into the tobacco chamber (17) of length (D). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that on the slider (8) is provided a tulle (11) with a free, preferably chamfered end, the outside diameter of which corresponds approximately to the inside diameter of a cigarette lighter (Z). Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the stop (29) is designed as a separate component with an effective length (D), which can optionally be attached to a wall (28) located by the slider (11) of the slider ( 8). Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a plurality of stops (29) are provided which can be optionally actuated or optionally mounted on the slider (8) and which differ from each other in their operation. length (D). Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the remuneration (27) is formed by an insert (36) whose length at least corresponds to the effective length (D) of the largest stop (29) provided. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the cross-section of the insert (36) forming the remuneration (27) corresponds approximately to the cross-section of tobacco string which can be produced with the device.