EP1983851B1 - Apparatus for apportioning pourable foodstuffs or semi-luxury products - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a holder with a rotary drum (102) and a housing (114), which are moved in relation to one another and together and form a portioning arrangement such that foodstuffs or semi-luxury products are accommodated in the rotary drum. The rotary drum or the housing and the rotary drum have grips (116, 118) for actuating the device. The rotary drum accommodates a socket or a bolt, which holds a portion such that the rotary drum is formed in a foldable manner.

Description

The invention relates to a device for portioning pourable food or beverage, such as cut tobacco, coffee powder or tea, with a storage space for the food or beverage and a portioning.

A sotcheVorrichtung is from the DE 32 47 370 A1 known.

The invention is particularly concerned with the subject of the production of cigarettes from cut tobacco, especially fine cut, by the end user. The background is that industrially finished cigarettes are subject to higher taxation than cut tobacco and are therefore much more expensive. Cost-conscious smokers as end users are therefore anxious to make their own cigarettes from cut tobacco.

A device which makes it possible to enter loose cut tobacco in a sleeve, for example, from DE 32 47 370 A1 known. The device has a funnel-shaped reservoir. Below the reservoir a portioning chamber for the cut tobacco is provided. By means of a comb shaft having four circumferentially spaced rows of spaced, radially outwardly directed teeth, the cut tobacco is combed from the reservoir into the portioning chamber. In the portioning chamber, a spiral spring is arranged rotatably about its longitudinal axis. By rotating the coil spring about its longitudinal axis, the cut tobacco in the axial direction of the coil spring is first pressed from the portioning chamber into a funnel-shaped tube section tapering away from the portioning chamber and from there into a cylindrical tube section. As a result, the cut tobacco is formed into a tobacco rod. At an outlet end of the cylindrical tube section, the sleeve is attached and by further rotation of the coil spring, the front end of the tobacco rod pushed into the sleeve. Once the sleeve is completely filled with cut tobacco, it pushes down by further rotation of the coil spring and thereby further conveying the tobacco rod from the outlet end and drops after their complete filling. It can now be plugged and filled the next sleeve.

The aforementioned device is quite cumbersome to handle, especially since the tobacco must first be poured from a storage container in the funnel-shaped reservoir. The reservoir of the device is open so that the tobacco stored therein can dry out. Due to the axially successive arrangement of portioning chamber and the actual tobacco molding device from funnel-shaped and cylindrical pipe section, the device is very long. The device is therefore suitable only for the production of cigarettes by the end user at home, which must, for example, prefabricate the daily requirement and store separately.

document EP-A-1138214 discloses a device according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

On this basis, the invention is based on the problem to provide an easy-to-use and compact device for portioning of pourable food and beverages, which can also be used in a simple way "on the go".

This problem is solved by a device according to claim 1. The subclaims define preferred embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 1

ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung mit einer Drehtrommel und einem Gehäuse für die Drehtrommel;

Fig. 2 bis 4

mögliche Ausführungsformen von Portionsdosen;

Fig. 5

die Portionierung mit Hilfe einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung;

Fig.6

die Portionierung mit Hilfe einer etwas abgewandelten erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung;

Fig. 7

eine Ansicht für eine Drehtrommel und ein Gehäuse;

Fig. 8 bis 10

eine weitere Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung;

Fig. 11

eine Nahrungs- oder Genussmittel-Portionsverpackung für eine Ausführungsform gemäß den Figuren 8 bis 10;

Fig. 12 und 13

weitere Ausführungsformen für eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung;

Fig. 14 bis 16

eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung mit einer Pressbalkenverriegelung (Sicherungseinrichtung;

Fig. 17 bis 19

eine weitere Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung;

Fig. 20 bis 22

Ausführungsformen der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung mit einer alternativen Sicherungseinrichtung;

Fig. 23

ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel für eine Vorrichtung mit den Erfindungsmerkmalen in Seitenansicht;

Fig. 24

die Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 23 im Querschnitt in der Ebene II - II;

Fig. 25

ein Detail der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 23 und 24 aus der Schnittdarstellung gemäß Fig. 24;

Fig. 26

ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel für eine Vorrichtung mit den Erfindungsmerkmalen in Seitenansicht;

Fig. 27

die Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 26 im Querschnitt in der Ebene V - V in einer ersten Arbeitsstellung;

Fig. 28

die Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 26 im Querschnitt in der Ebene V - V in einer zweiten Arbeitsstellung;

Fig. 29

die Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 26 im Querschnitt in der Ebene V - V in einer dritten Arbeitsstellung;

Fig. 30

die Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 26 im Querschnitt in der Ebene V - V in einer vierten Arbeitsstellung;

Fig. 31

die Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 26 im Querschnitt in der Ebene V - V in einer fünften Arbeitsstellung;

Fig. 32

die Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 26 in Seitenansicht während ihrer Handhabung;

Fig. 33

die Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 26 in Draufsicht während ihrer Handhabung;

Fig. 34 und 35

eine Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung mit einem beutelartigen Aufnahmeteil für das Nahrungs- oder Genussmittel;

Fig. 36

eine alternative Trommelvariante;

Fig. 37 bis 39

eine Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung bei der eine Drehtrommel im Wesentlichen selbst die Portionsverpackung bildet;

Fig. 40 und 41

zwei Ausführungsformen als Abwandlung der Vorrichtungen gemäß den Figuren 8 bis 13;

Fig. 42 bis 46

eine weitere Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung, bei der das Nahrungs- oder Genussmittel in einen Pressbalken-Gegenstück eingekämmt wird;

Figuren 47 und 48

eine weitere Ausführungsform der Erfindung für eine Portionsverpackungs-Anbindung außerhalb des Gehäuses bzw. Gerätes;

Figuren 49 bis 51

eine Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung mit oben aufgesetzter Portionsverpackung;

Figur 52

eine weitere Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung;

Figur 53

eine Ausführungsvariante für die Portionsverpackung für eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung;

Figur 54

eine Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung mit einer rohrartigen Portionsverpackung; und

Figuren 55 und 56

zwei Ausführungsformen der Erfindung bei unterschiedlichen Fertigungsstufen.

The various advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following description of the various embodiments. Several such embodiments will be further explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention may include all of the features described herein individually and in any convenient combination. In the drawings show:

Fig. 1

An embodiment of a device according to the invention with a rotary drum and a housing for the rotary drum;

Fig. 2 to 4

possible embodiments of portion doses;

Fig. 5

the portioning with the aid of a device according to the invention;

Figure 6

the portioning with the aid of a slightly modified device according to the invention;

Fig. 7

a view for a rotary drum and a housing;

Fig. 8 to 10

a further embodiment of a device according to the invention;

Fig. 11

a food or beverage portion packaging for an embodiment according to the FIGS. 8 to 10 ;

FIGS. 12 and 13

further embodiments of a device according to the invention;

Fig. 14 to 16

a device according to the invention with a press beam lock (securing device;

17 to 19

a further embodiment of a device according to the invention;

FIGS. 20 to 22

Embodiments of the device according to the invention with an alternative securing device;

Fig. 23

a further embodiment of a device with the features of the invention in side view;

Fig. 24

the device according to Fig. 23 in cross-section in the plane II - II;

Fig. 25

a detail of the device according to FIGS. 23 and 24 from the sectional view according to Fig. 24 ;

Fig. 26

a further embodiment of a device with the features of the invention in side view;

Fig. 27

the device according to Fig. 26 in cross section in the plane V - V in a first working position;

Fig. 28

the device according to Fig. 26 in cross section in the plane V - V in a second working position;

Fig. 29

the device according to Fig. 26 in cross section in the plane V - V in a third working position;

Fig. 30

the device according to Fig. 26 in cross-section in the plane V - V in a fourth working position;

Fig. 31

the device according to Fig. 26 in cross section in the plane V - V in a fifth working position;

Fig. 32

the device according to Fig. 26 in side view during their handling;

Fig. 33

the device according to Fig. 26 in plan view during their handling;

FIGS. 34 and 35

an embodiment of the device according to the invention with a bag-like receiving part for the food or beverage;

Fig. 36

an alternative drum variant;

FIGS. 37 to 39

an embodiment of a device according to the invention in which a rotary drum essentially forms even the portion packaging;

FIGS. 40 and 41

two embodiments as a modification of the devices according to the FIGS. 8 to 13 ;

FIGS. 42 to 46

a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, in which the food or beverage is combed into a press beam counterpart;

FIGS. 47 and 48

a further embodiment of the invention for a portion packaging connection outside the housing or device;

FIGS. 49 to 51

an embodiment of the device according to the invention with top-mounted portion packaging;

FIG. 52

a further embodiment of a device according to the invention;

FIG. 53

a variant embodiment for the portion packaging for a device according to the invention;

FIG. 54

an embodiment of a device according to the invention with a tubular portion packaging; and

FIGS. 55 and 56

two embodiments of the invention at different stages of production.

A first embodiment of the invention is in FIG. 1 shown and designated by the reference numeral 100. It comprises a housing 114, a rotary drum 102 and a can 108. The embodiments described herein and hereinafter are devices for portioning cut tobacco for self-production of cigarettes. This is only an example to understand, of course, adjustments can be made, which allow the processing or portioning other pourable food or beverage.

The in the FIGS. 1 to 4 In view of the above, can 108 will also be referred to as tobacco portion or tobacco portion packaging. It comprises two covers 110, 112 and a wall 118, and has a substantially cylindrical shape. The covers 110, 112 may be made of a stronger material, preferably of plastic or solid optionally coated cardboard (moisture protection from the outside and moisture loss of the tobacco). The cylinder wall 118 is made of a flexible sheet material, paper material, or plastic skin which is preferably strong enough to maintain the package shape solely by its stability, even though multiple cans 108 are stacked on top of each other. On the other hand, the sealing foil 124 should be deformable so that it can be withdrawn together with the cylinder wall 118 and removed from the housing. Optionally, this can also be achieved by a suitable paper / foil or cardboard material (coating).

In the FIG. 1 Furthermore, a rotary drum can be seen, which is configured here hinged. The rotary drum bears the reference numeral 102 and it is intended to receive the can 108, in order to then be introduced into the housing 114 together with the can. It has oblong, here oblique recesses or through holes 132 which are accommodated on its periphery 104. It can be rotated in the housing 114 by means of a handle 116, 118 which is divided into two parts here. The lower part of the drum 102 is designated 106.

In FIG. 1 is also the portioning agent of the device according to the invention to see. It consists on the one hand of the through holes 132, on the other hand of a portioning chamber 134; the function of the scoop will be explained in detail later.

In order to portion the tobacco from the can 108, the cylinder wall 118 must be removed, ie withdrawn out of the device. For this purpose, it has perforations in the region of its end faces, ie at the edge 120, wherein the upper perforations in the FIG. 2 and in the FIG. 3 are indicated with the reference numeral 121. It can also simply be material weaknesses or predetermined breaking points. These perforations or Predetermined breaking points 121 can break when tightened on a tab of the cylinder wall, which in the Figures 2 and 3 the reference numeral 125 carries and can protrude from the housing 114 (slot 127 in FIG. 1 ) when the can 108 is inserted into the housing 114 together with the drum 102.

In principle, it is also possible to produce the connection between the material of the cylinder jacket 118 and the covers 110, 112 by gluing, welding or the like and to design it in such a way that under targeted load, in particular during a tensile load, this connection is disconnected. After pulling the tab, the tobacco is exposed in the rotary drum 102 in the housing 114 and can be portioned.

In the FIG. 4 It can also be seen that the lids 110, 112 may have special contours to suitably insert into the rotary drum 102 or housing 114. These contours 128 can also fulfill security functions which will be described in more detail later.

In the FIG. 5 is shown in three steps A, B and C as well as with detail enlargements how a quantity of tobacco is portioned with a device according to the invention.

After peeling off the film 118 or an additional film 124 (FIG. FIG. 3 ) freely located in the rotary drum 102 amount of tobacco 136 is mixed by the rotation of the drum 102 in the housing 114, and it can partially fall through the through holes 132 down into the portioning space 134. The passage openings 132 are preferably elongate or helical and arranged over the entire or part of the circumference. This leads to a shearing off of longer tobacco fibers. In the enlargements of the illustration A and B is visible how the portioning space 134 fills with tobacco, and especially in the enlargement of the part B is visible how a shearing can take place. The separated portion of tobacco portion has been designated by the reference numeral 140. The tobacco portion 140 in the portioning space 134 may be compressed by a pressing bar 130 until it comes to lie in the circularly displayed strand forming chamber 138 as a tobacco rod, when the pressing bar 130 in the direction of arrow 142 (FIG. FIG. 5C ) is moved to the right. The portioning and compression thus takes place in the foot of the housing and ends with the formation of a tobacco rod from the separated tobacco portion portion 140th

An alternative embodiment is in FIG. 6 shown. The illustrated device also comprises the housing 114 and the rotary drum 102, but between the portioning space in which the separated tobacco portion is compressed by the pressing bar 130 to the strand here is a Vorportionierungskammer provided, the reference numeral 144 carries. As from the continuous representations of the FIG. 6 As can be seen, the drum 102 is first rotated while the pressing bar 130 is closed until a portion of tobacco portion in the pre-portioning chamber 144 and rests on top of the front of the press bar 130. When the pre-portioning chamber 144 is well filled, the platen 130 may be retracted according to arrow 146 and the portion falls into the actual main portioning or compression chamber (compression slot). If, according to the arrow 142, the pressing bar 130 is then displaced to the right again in the direction of the strand formation chamber, the strand formation can take place as previously described.

An oblique view of a cut rotary drum is in the FIG. 7 shown, wherein also individual parts of the housing 114 are visible, namely the Portionierungskammer 134 and the pressing beam 130. The drum 102 with the end face 117 and the handle 119 serves to transport the tobacco to the portioning chamber 134. The handle 119 is thus provided to the drum and, depending on the tobacco used, it is conceivable that several revolutions, one revolution or only partial revolutions are necessary to fill the portioning chamber 134 with tobacco for a cigarette, whereby the tobacco passes through the through-openings 132.

However, as already indicated, the drum also serves to shave off excessively long tobacco fibers, and for this purpose the slots for the passage of tobacco are designed in the shape of a blade, in particular at the outer edges, where they are directed toward the portioning chamber 134. Depending on the material of the drum, it is useful to attach additional struts 115 to the drum to provide mechanical stability increase and control tobacco distribution better. These are arranged over the diameter or preferably spirally, whereby not always the same position of the portioning chamber remains covered. Furthermore, it is possible to provide means that facilitate tobacco transport, thus acting as a driver, for example, inwardly projecting ribs or struts.

Another inventive device concept is first based on the FIGS. 8 to 11 explained. In this concept, the portioning and the compression of the food or beverage in the drum takes place.

Also in FIG. 8 Various stages of portioning are described, in steps A through E. The apparatus itself is designated 150 and has the housing 152 and the drum 154 rotatable therein. The drum has on its inner circumference inwardly projecting struts 156th

In the drum 154, a tobacco portion is used, for example, in FIG. 11 is shown. It in turn has covers, one of which bears the reference numeral 182 and in the middle of the lid 182 has a centering projection 184 for centering the tobacco portion in the housing 152. On the outer wall 180 is in turn a tab 160 which - see Figure 8A - Can be pulled up through a slot in the housing 152. When the outer wall 180 is withdrawn, the tobacco portion 158 comes to lie in the interior of the rotary drum 154 and falls, as can be seen at the portion 162, even the drum slightly downwards.

After removal of the outer wall 180, the portioning is carried out by the rotation of the drum 154, wherein the tobacco comes to lie below the mold piece 168. The corresponding effect is from the FIGS. 8B to 8E as well as from the Figures 9 and 10 visible, and especially the FIG. 10 shows a portion of the drum interior, designated 178, serving as a portioning space. When the housing 152 is now pushed down in its lower guide (not labeled), a press beam 164, 166 can be pushed upwardly through the opening 170 relative thereto, thereby forcing an amount of tobacco into the fitting 168, with its concave face 172 ( Figure 8D ). When the drum has reached the bottom, the strand 174 between the Formed piece 168 and the concave end face 172 of the press beam 166 and it can be pushed out, for example in a cigarette tube. Of course, it is also possible to produce the relative movement between the housing and the pressing beam in another way, for example by a fixed housing and a movable pressing beam. Such embodiments are in the Figures 12 and 13 shown. In FIG. 12 a pressing bar 199 is slidably mounted in the housing 192, in which the drum 194 is located with the inner struts 196. The beam 199 may be slid sideways onto the molding 198 to form the strand in the device 190. Similarly, the device 200 of FIG FIG. 13 with the drum 204, the struts 206, the housing 202, the pedestal 203, the counterpart 208 and the pressing beam 209. Here, the pressing beam 209 is slid obliquely from below onto the counterpart 208 to form the strand.

The passage openings for the pressing beam are arranged in the housings and also in the drums, in the latter distributed around the circumference. In the embodiment according to FIG. 8 is the implementation of the press bar at two opposite, defined positions possible in the FIG. 13 Four positions are possible. An opening in the drum is indicated by the reference numeral 205 only by way of example. The tobacco serving package ( FIG. 11 ) has a recess 186 so that it can be inserted into the drum and around the fitting around in the housing.

An embodiment of the invention with a different packaging for the food or beverage, especially the cut tobacco, is in the FIGS. 17 to 19 presented.

The in the FIGS. 14 to 16 illustrated safety device, has the function to ensure that only when inserting the proper food or semi-luxury packaging, the device can be operated so as to prevent damage to the device and to reduce the risk of injury to the end user with the device open. Like from the FIG. 14 As can be seen, a latch 214 is housed in the housing, which - see also the magnification in the FIG. 15 - Is pressed with a spring 216 in the drawing to the right. In this state, the arm 218 is on the recess 224 of the bolt 214 also pressed to the right, and this also applies to the perpendicular thereto extending arm, which has at its end the locking body 220, which prevents the actuation of the press bar 219. Will now be like in FIG. 16 shown, the associated drum with the associated box inserted into the device or into the housing, press contour projections 222 (for example, correspond to the contours 128 in FIG. 4 ) the latch on the recess 224 against the spring pressure to the left, and the movement of the press bar 219 is released. With the associated can 226 so the device can be operated properly.

In the devices discussed so far, the drum and the housing, and in particular also the tobacco can or the tobacco portion, form the receiving parts or the receptacle of the device. In the embodiment of the FIGS. 17 to 19 only part of the tobacco sachet is used for this purpose when considering the device in a functional condition. The parts of the device are in FIG. 17 shown, as an example of a connection of the portion packaging outside the device. The portion package 230 has a container 234 (can) and a lid 232. The lid 232 has the projections 252 and 253 on. The associated housing has been provided with the reference numeral 240, and it again takes on a drum 248, but on its front side two recesses 236 and 238 shows. In these recesses, the lid 232 can be inserted with its projections 252, 253. After insertion, it can be rotated so that the projections 252, 253 behind the front panel 242 of the drum 248 in the housing (as in a swivel seat) are performed.

The use of this device is as follows: The container 234 is separated from the lid 232, and the tobacco is transferred to the drum 242. Thereafter, the lid 232 is inserted from the front by fitting the projections 252, 253 in the recesses 236, 238 and locked by rotation. The interior of the drum 248 is now completed and the device can be used. As a backup and to prevent the device is operated with other lids or other tobacco portions, which could cause damage, inside, behind the front panel of the drum 248 a locking lug 244 is provided, as shown in FIG. 19 evident. The projection 252, upon insertion and rotation of the lid, release the locking pin 244, which locks the drum by spring bias, thus rendering the device usable. This securing device is designed by the configuration of the locking pin 244 and a corresponding configuration of the projection 252 so that the pin 244 only dissolves when the lid has been inserted correctly. When the tobacco is consumed in the interior of the drum, the lid is removed again, and thereby breaks the projection 252. The contour of the lid is thus designed so that the user the lid only in the original position (position of Figure 19A ), and in this position of origin the locking element 244 locks the drum and the device housing together again. It is important to restore the original position because the pre-portioning chamber 256 is closed here, so that no tobacco can enter during the filling process.

A connection of the packaging (can) for the food or beverage portion (tobacco portion) within the device and a further security option is in the FIGS. 20 to 22 demonstrated. The FIG. 20 shows on the left a can 260 with a lid 262 and the opposite lid 264 and the removable wall 266. On the lid 262 a latch 268 is mounted, and from the right-hand illustration it can be seen that this latch in the housing 270 when the can 260 in the drum 272 is arranged centrally comes to rest. This is also the two representations of FIG. 21 can be seen, where right in the housing 270, a recess 274 can be seen, in which the locking lug 268 can engage.

How best of all FIG. 22 it can be seen, the recess 274 has a shoulder behind which it increases, and behind this shoulder, the front latching part of the centering projection 268 engage. The projection 268 has at the front a slightly larger truncated cone, so that it engages behind the shoulder in the recess 274. The locked state is in the right representation of FIG. 22 and ensures that the device operates smoothly and that no other packaging cans are used with the device which could damage them. When the drum is empty, it becomes removed, and when removing the projection travels at its front part and can be removed through the recess 274.

The in the FIGS. 23 to 33 illustrated container of another embodiment of the invention comprise a can 20 and a detachably connectable to the can 20 cover 21, which in the present embodiment form two receiving parts of the receptacle of the device. The can 20 is filled with tobacco 22, specifically with tobacco 22 in fine section. The tobacco 22 is in the Fig. 24 . 25 and 27 indicated by a honeycomb structure.

• Bei dem Ausführungsbeispiel gemäß Fig. 23 bis 25 ist ein Abschnitt 23 vom eigentlichen Vorratsraum 24 für den Tabak 22 durch eine Wandung 25 abgeteilt. Die Wandung 25 bildet in ihrem mittleren Bereich einen Trichter 26 und seitlich unterhalb des Trichters 26 eine Portionierkammer 27. Am Übergangsbereich zwischen Trichter 26 und Portionierkammer 27 befindet sich eine Kammwalze 28 mit vier äquidistant am Umfang verteilten Kämmen 29. Durch Drehen der Kammwalze 28 um ihre Längsachse wird der Tabak 22 aus dem Trichter 26 heraus in die Portionierkammer 27 gekämmt und hierdurch die Portionierkammer 27 befüllt. Dabei wird der Tabak 22 innerhalb der Portionierkammer 27 auch leicht komprimiert.

Within the can 20, a device for forming a tobacco rod from the Schnitttabak 22 is arranged, which is actuated by a mechanism in the cover 21. These differ in the embodiments shown:

• In the embodiment according to FIGS. 23 to 25 a section 23 is separated from the actual storage space 24 for the tobacco 22 by a wall 25. The wall 25 forms in its central region a funnel 26 and laterally below the funnel 26 a Portionierkammer 27. At the transition region between the funnel 26 and Portionierkammer 27 is a comb roller 28 with four equidistantly distributed on the circumference of combs 29. By turning the cam roller 28 to their Longitudinal axis of the tobacco 22 is combed out of the hopper 26 in the portioning chamber 27 and thereby the portioning chamber 27 is filled. The tobacco 22 is also slightly compressed within the portioning chamber 27.

To actuate the comb roller 28 has the same on its cover-side end face a pinion 30. The pinion 30 meshes with an intermediate 31, which in turn meshes with a gear 32. On the inside of the lid 21, a circular arc-section-shaped rack 33 is arranged, which in turn meshes with the gear 32. By turning the lid 21 relative to the box 20, the rack 33 rotates the gear 32, which transmits this rotational movement via the intermediate gear 31 to the pinion 30. Furthermore, a nub roller 34 is arranged below the gear 32, which protrudes partially into the hopper 26. The nub roller 34 rotates as shown in FIG Fig. 24 and 25 in counterclockwise direction and thus counter to the nachrieselnden tobacco 22. By the circumferentially distributed nubs on the nub roller 34 of the cut tobacco 22 within the hopper 26 and thus ultimately loosened within the storage space 24 and can trickle well into the hopper 26.

After the portioning chamber 27 is completely filled by combing cut tobacco 22 by the comb roller 28, which is ensured by a suitable transmission ratio between pinion 30, idler gear 31 and gear 32, the foremost tooth 35 of the rack 33 comes into engagement with a pinion segment 36th On the underside of the pinion segment 36, an integrally formed on the pinion segment 36 shell portion 37 is arranged. The jacket section 37 extends over the entire height of the portioning chamber 27 and bears with its outside against the portion of the wall 25 assigned to the portioning chamber 27. As soon as the rack 24 engages the pinion segment 26, the pinion segment 36 rotates, and the shell section 37 with it, as shown Fig. 24 and 25 in a clockwise direction, wherein a pointing to the hopper 26 opening 38 of the portioning chamber 27 is closed. The seen in the closing direction of the front edge of the skirt portion 37 is a cutting edge 39 is arranged, which cuts off 38 protruding tobacco 22 when closing the opening.

The cigarette rod is now completely formed within the portioning chamber 27. In this position, an opening in the lid 21 comes into coincidence with the Portionierkammer 27. A further opening is located in the bottom 40 of the can in registration with the Portionierkammer 27. The tobacco rod can now be ejected into a cigarette tube, as this later with reference to the embodiment according to FIGS. 26 to 33 is explained in more detail.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 26 to 33 is on the jacket of the box 20, a first wedge portion 41 is arranged and connected to the box 20. A second wedge portion 42 is connected to the lid 21, but also protrudes into the can 20 over the entire length. The walls 24 of the wedge portions 41 and 42 facing the storage space 24 together form a filling funnel for the cut tobacco 22. The wedge portions 41, 42 are designed so that they taper away from one another, so that the walls 25 facing the storage chamber 24 bear against the casing Can 20 run.

Between the wedge portions 41, 42 a portioning chamber 43 is formed. The mutually facing ends of the wedge portions 41, 42 each form a half-shell 44, 45, whose diameter corresponds to the diameter of the tobacco rod to be formed. On the side facing the storage space 24 side of the lid associated with the wedge portion 42, a spring element 46 is arranged. This in turn extends over the entire length of the box 20. It abuts with its rear end 47 against the jacket of the box 20 and is at the opposite end in the radial direction of the box folded outwards, resulting in a in the portioning chamber 43 reaching into the slider 48th results. As in Fig. 27 can be seen, the spring element 46 on its side facing away from the end 47 on an actuating tongue 49, which cooperates with a ramp 50 (see also Fig. 33 ). The actuating tongue 49 and the ramp 50 are arranged only in the region of the cover 21, wherein the ramp 50 is non-rotatably connected to the can 20.

The distance between the half-shell 44 and the slider 48 and thus between the two half-shells 44 and 45 can be adjusted by the user by one of the two wedge portions 41 or 42, in the present case the wedge 20 associated wedge portion 41, is moved. At a smaller distance, a smaller amount of tobacco trickles into the portioning chamber 43, so that the tobacco 20 is pressed less during molding of the tobacco rod. By this measure, so the pressure of the tobacco can be adjusted depending on the wishes of the user. To set the distance between the half-shells 44, 45 serve latching marks 57 on the box 20 associated wedge portion 41, which cooperate with a latching nose 58 which is associated with the cover 21 associated wedge portion 42.

Fig. 27 shows the starting position for forming a cigarette rod. The can 20 is located as in Fig. 22 and 33 recognizable, with its lateral surface on a table 51 or the like. The portioning chamber 43 is arranged as far down as possible on the table 51, so that the cut tobacco 24 trickles into the portioning chamber 43 between the half-shell 44 and the slide 48 ( Fig. 27 ). Now, the cover in the illustration according to Fig. 27 to 31 and 33 rotated clockwise relative to the box 20. The wedge portion 42 associated with the lid 21 thereby moves toward the other wedge portion 41. Once the operating tongue 49 in Engagement with the ramp 50 comes, the spring element 46 is pushed upward, away from the wedge portion 42, as this in Fig. 29 is indicated. As a result, the slider 48 slides out of the portioning chamber 43 and the tobacco 22 can enter the space between slide 48 and half-shell 45. The lid 21 is further rotated, whereby a web 52 of the cover 21 associated wedge portion 42 comes into contact with the storage space 24 facing the wall 25 of the other wedge portion 41. The front end of the web 52 is again formed as a cutting edge 53 and cuts off protruding Schnitttabak. The portioning chamber 43 is now closed against the storage space 24. The lid 21 is further rotated until it stops, until only the in Fig. 9 recognizable, circular cylindrical space remains and the tobacco rod is fully formed. Now or earlier, a tobacco tube 54 is placed on a suitable receptacle and the tobacco rod is pushed by a pin 55 into the sleeve 54.

The sleeve 45 is assigned in the present case the bottom 40 of the can 21 and the slider 55 the lid 21. Of course, a reverse arrangement is possible. The latter has the advantage that the opening in the cover 21 with the receptacle for the sleeve 54 at the same time by a flag or the like at the upper edge region of the box 20 at fully turned back cover ( Fig. 27 ) can be closed, while the bottom-side opening is closed by the pin 55. As a result, an air access into the can 20 is prevented at the same time while the device is not in use. This provides a freshness closure for the stored in the can 20 tobacco 22. Also, the slider 48 may advantageously serve as a closure member, since it is an appropriate exchange air exchange between the space between the slider 48 and the half-shell 45 on the one hand and the half-shell 44 and the slider 48 and thus the storage space 24 on the other hand prevents.

The expulsion of the tobacco rod in the sleeve 54 is carried out in the manner described above, as already indicated, also in the embodiment according to FIGS. 23 to 26 , While the device is not in use, the pin 55 can be stored in the inserted state within the portioning chamber 27 and 43, respectively. But it may also be provided a separate chamber 56, as in Fig. 24 and 26 indicated. Additionally or alternatively, in the Unused area also sleeves 54 are kept. It is also possible to reserve part of the storage space 24 for storage of sleeves 54.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the filling of cigarette tubes 54 with tobacco 22. Rather, with the device according to the invention, all pourable food and beverage can be portioned and possibly formed into any shape and possibly even pressed. The shape of the molded or pressed products is not limited to a circular cylindrical cross section. Rather, any shapes are possible. Examples of applications for the invention outside the cigarette sector are, for example, the portioning of coffee or tea. For example, coffee pods or the like can be filled with ground coffee. Especially with coffee or tea, it is particularly advantageous that during handling only a very small exchange of air between the environment and the storage space 24 takes place, since coffee or tea known to age by oxygen access and lose flavor. A variant of the embodiments according to the FIGS. 17 to 19 is in the FIGS. 34 and 35 shown. Here, the tobacco sachet 281 does not consist of a lid and a container but of a lid 282 and a bag 280 with a converging bag end 284. In the right-hand illustration of FIG. 34 For example, the tobacco sachet 281 is shown in two parts, and is intended to be received in a device such as that described in U.S. Pat FIG. 35 is shown. In the FIG. 35 the housing has the reference numeral 286 and it has a recess 288 in the rear housing wall. The tobacco sachet is used according to this embodiment in the housing 286 with the drum 287 therein, wherein the converging bag end 284 is guided in the recess 288 of the rear housing wall. The lid 282 is locked in rotation in the drum 287, releasing a locking element again (see FIG. 19 ). The bag can be removed altogether from the recess 288 from the housing. By tightening at the bag end 284, the connection between the bag 280 and the lid 282 dissolves, so that the tobacco lying inside the drum 287 is released into the drum. Advantageously, in this process, the device can be placed vertically to make better use of gravity when spreading the tobacco. The resulting hole in the device can be closed with a lid.

When the tobacco is consumed in the interior, the lid can be removed again, and thereby in turn breaks off the locking lug, and the safety device operates as described by the FIG. 19 has been described.

The FIG. 36 shows an alternative embodiment of a drum 290 with differently shaped through openings 292 for the internal food or beverage. In this case, the drum 290 rotatable by the handle 294 preferably has prism-shaped recesses 292, and this configuration makes possible an even more oblique arrangement of the obliquely running edge pieces, which is advantageous in the bending of long tobacco fibers.

In the FIGS. 37 to 39 an embodiment of the device according to the invention is shown in which the tobacco sachet packaging is formed substantially by the drum. The tobacco sachet 300 has a drum portion 302, a lid 306 and a foil 304 with a tab 318, and is intended for insertion into the housing 314, which again has a lock 308, as already described with reference to FIGS FIGS. 14 to 16 has been described, namely a lock for the pressing beam 310. The drum packaging is thus carried out at least three parts, and it is, as in the two left representations of Figure 38 is inserted into the housing 314. In this case, the locking element 308 is released, as has already been described above. When inserting the package 300 in the housing 314, a locking pin 316 locks in the contour projection 312 in a recess 320. The package 300 is thus centered in the device and can be rotated. The film 304 can now be pulled off through an opening in the housing on the tab 318. In the present embodiment, a portion of the package 300, namely the portion 322 (FIG. FIG. 37 ) out of the housing 314, so that this part is suitable as a handle for rotating the drum 302.

The contour of the housing is configured at 312 such that the user can not use another packaging structure not provided for the system, thus avoiding damage (due to incorrect assembly) and poor results in tobacco portioning.

When the tobacco is exhausted, the package 300 is withdrawn with the detent pin 316 tearing off.

The Figures 40 and 41 show two modifications of the devices according to the FIGS. 8 to 13 , Again, the tobacco is pressed by a pressing bar in a fitting to form the strand. Shown in the devices 330 and 340, respectively, the housings 332, 342, the drum 334, 344, mixing struts 338, 348, a transfer strut 346 and the tobacco portion 336. The embodiments each have attachments 339, 349 on the shaped pieces 335, 345, which improve the flow of tobacco during drum rotation. In the embodiment according to FIG. 40 the attachment 339 is designed symmetrically, so that the drum can rotate in both directions and push the tobacco well under the counterpart 335. The embodiment according to FIG. 41 is "one-sided"; When the drum is rotated in the direction of the arrow, the tobacco can be brought well from the bottom in front of the counterpart 345. Both embodiments have on the articles in front of the area of the counterpart cutting edges, which are each marked 337 and 347. These cutting edges serve to shear off long tobacco fibers, so that the transfer of the tobacco, respectively by the pressing bars 333, 343, can take place smoothly.

Another device according to the present invention is in the FIGS. 42 to 46 to see, with the figures represent the sequence of use in this order. The apparatus 350 again comprises a housing 352 with drum 354 and inner transport struts 356 which move the tobacco into the compression zone 357. The tobacco is designated by the reference numeral 360 and the drum rotates in the manner as it is the first time in FIG. 43 is shown. The tobacco is guided from below over a plateau 362 to enter the compression zone 357, where it runs against the stop 359 of the compression molding 358. Like that FIGS. 44 to 46 can then be seen, in a further drum rotation in the arrow direction more and more tobacco is introduced into the compression zone 357 until there sufficient tobacco has accumulated and the housing 352 can be moved down on the pressing bar 364 so as to form the strand 366. The strand can then be transferred again by means of a slider in a sleeve, which sits for example on a spout. Of course it is also possible in this example, instead of the Enclosure shift additional or only the displacement of the press bar 364 provide.

In the FIG. 47 For a further embodiment according to the invention, a portion package in two variants 370, 380 is shown. In the two-part variant, the package has a container 374, at the upper edge projections 376 are arranged, as well as a top sealing seal 372. The container can be made of an aroma-tight cardboard packaging, in particular wound, or be provided as injection or deep-drawing cup. The seal 372 is for example a stamped aluminum, plastic or paper foil.

The three-part embodiment variant 380 has a container 384, a flange 386, on which in turn projections are arranged, and also a seal 382. For the container 384 and the seal 382, the above-mentioned materials can be used; the flange is for example an injection molding element or a stamped cardboard element.

In the right-hand illustration of the FIG. 47 It can be seen how the sachet 370 is attached to the housing 400 of the device, and details thereof are in a state just prior to mounting in FIG FIG. 48 to see. There are also the openings 402 and 404 in the drum front panel recognizable, in which the projections 376 and 374 can be used when the sachet 370 is attached to the device.

The operating procedure here is the following: The seal 372 or 382 is released from the container 374, 384 and the container is inserted with the introduction of the projections 376 and 374 in the opening 402, 404. The container 370 is then locked by rotation, and thereby in turn releases a locking element, which has fixed housing and drum against each other at this time. This will allow rotation of the drum. The locking element and its opening by the projection 376 function in the manner as already with reference to the FIG. 19 has been described, and therefore, this description is hereby referred to only with reference. The portion from the container is transferred by tilting or tilting the device into the drum.

If the portion is consumed in the interior, the container is removed again and thereby breaks a locking tab on the projection 376, so that here again a safeguard against improper filling or operation of the device is provided. The comments on FIG. 19 apply accordingly.

The FIGS. 49 to 51 show an embodiment of the device according to the invention with top-mounted portion packaging. The sachet again has a container 412 which has a bent guide flange 416 at its lower portion and which can be closed with a seal 418 from below. The container may be an aroma-tight cardboard packaging, in particular folded and / or glued, or an injection or thermoforming cup. The seal is again possibly a stamped aluminum, plastic or paper foil. Again, according to the in FIG. 47 shown construction a three-piece portion packaging conceivable. It is also possible to provide a portion packaging, in which the lid or another element serves as a "key". All the principles that have been exemplified in the lateral packaging application are also conceivable for a connection from above.

Right in FIG. 49 the device according to the invention can be seen in the assembled state, wherein the container 412 is applied to the top of the housing 410, which is closed at its front side by the wall 414.

The FIG. 50 now shows details of the connection with respect to the housing 410, in which an upper opening 424 is formed, through which one can see the drum 422. The upper opening 424 has a guide receptacle 420 into which the guide flange 416 can be inserted. Thus, the container 412 comes to lie on the housing 410 by being pushed in, with the front portion of the seal 418 protruding and being able to be withdrawn forward so that the contents of the portion package can fall into the housing 410 and drum 422, respectively.

Also in this embodiment, a fuse or locking can be provided, which protects against improper use serves. Details are the FIG. 51 can be seen, the sequence according to the representations A, B, C and D takes place. Figures A and B show the container 412 prior to being pushed onto the housing 410, and in the detail enlargement of the illustration B, it can be seen how a spring 428 is provided in an over-grip 426, with the spring 428 pushing down a latch 430, which engages in a recess of the drum 422 and itself has a passage 429.

The illustrations B, C and D it can be seen that at the rear of the container 412 a Entriegelungsnase 432 is arranged, which enters the gap under the handle 426 and thereby pushes the locking member 430 against the spring tension upwards, so that the rotation of Drum is released. The locking element 430 then comes to rest in the upper recess 433 of the release lug 432.

After removing the seal 418, the content of the portion packaging (the container 412) falls through the recesses in the drum 422. It is also conceivable that the drum 422 must be opened for this process by a kind of lid, this can for example be made in two parts be. The container 412 remains on the housing 410 throughout the portioning process, and when the tobacco in the drum is depleted, the container is removed again. The unlocking nose 432 breaks off. Improper reuse of the container 412 is thus prevented.

The FIG. 52 shows the device 440, which is a slightly modified. Variant of the device 340 from the FIG. 41 is. In the housing 442 drives a punch 443 to introduce tobacco from the portioning portion 446 in the fitting 447. For this purpose, the drum 445 is rotated in the direction of the arrow, and it transported by their inner struts the tobacco in the area 446. On the fitting 447 an attachment 448 is applied, which is here wing-like designed and makes with its lower tip the department of tobacco, the is continued by the pursuit. In its upper area, the wing 448, which is concave here, facing the drum inner wall, forms a dashed area 444, which creates a type of storage chamber. In this pantry already pre-transported tobacco will be located, which has been pushed beyond the area 446, and the Tobacco from the storage chamber 444 may partially fall back into the area 446 to be used there again for strand formation with the pressing bar 443. This arrangement ensures a more even portioning.
The FIG. 53 shows a variant for the portion packaging in a device according to the invention with a housing 460 and a drum 459. Left is the packaging used visible, right an exploded view. The device 450 has the upper lid 452, which has a recess which is indicated by the arrow 453. The food or beverage portion or cut tobacco is packaged in a container 457, the lower end 458 of which can pass through a slot 451 at the bottom of the case bottom. In the region of the recess 453, a key element 456 comes to lie, which is connected via two predetermined breaking points, an upper breaking point 454 and a lower breaking point 455. The container is a so-called "flowpack" and the key element may be an injection molded or cardboard element.

In use, the upper portion of the container 457 is first inserted into the lid 452. After the lid and the container 457 are mutually fixed, they are put together in the drum 459 in the housing 460, and thereby protrudes the lower end of the packaging 458 out of the housing through the slot 451. The key element 456 engages with the drum 459 and releases there a locking element, which may be configured similar to that in the FIG. 19 is shown in more detail. The rotation of the drum 459 becomes possible. The removal of the lower end of the packaging 458, the content is released into the drum 459, and thereby ruptures the upper predetermined breaking point 455. The entire flowpack container 457 can now be removed from the device (pulled down).

The key element 456 further remains between the drum / housing and the lid and connects them together. After the portion is consumed in the interior, the lid 452 is removed from the device. The key element 456 thereby tears off at the lower predetermined breaking point 455. The locking element can engage again, and the device can be used properly only with another, suitably designed portion packaging.

The FIG. 54 shows a variant of the device according to the invention with a tubular portion packaging 470, the certain similarities with the variants of FIGS. 17 to 19 and may also have corresponding features. The process is explained by the diagrams A, B and C in this order.

The portion, in particular tobacco portion, 471 is housed in the tubular container 470, which is closed on the right side in the representation A by the seal 474; on the left side through the cover 472. This tube can then be attached as shown in B to the drum 478 in the housing 476, wherein the diameter of the drum 476 corresponds to the diameter of the tube 470. After peeling off the seal 474, the tobacco 471 can be pushed into the interior of the drum 478 by pushing the cover 472 forwards through the pipe 470 in the pipe, as viewed to the right. When the tobacco 471, as shown in the illustration C, is brought into the interior of the drum, the lid 472 can close the device and in turn serve as a key element (see locking the FIG. 19 ).

The Figures 55 and 56 show two further embodiments of the device according to the invention, wherein respective manufacturing stages are shown in each case in sequence with the representations A to D. The embodiments are in principle similar, only the tobacco transport takes place in different ways. The devices each comprise the housings 481, 491, with a rotating outer drum 482, 492 and a fixed inner drum 483, 493. A cross-section 480, 490 serves to transfer the tobacco 487, 497 during the strand formation.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 55 Inside the outer drum 482, radially projecting cutting bars 486 are disposed between cutting openings 484, and portioning chambers 488 are formed between these cutting bars.

As further to the representations B, C and D of FIG. 55 can be seen, the tobacco falls through the cutting openings 484 and is transported by the cutter bar 486 in the rotation in the arrow direction. There are individual portions, and when a portion has reached area 485 at transfer cross-section 480, it may be transitioned to strand formation (eg, by a die, not shown).

In the device according to the FIG. 56 the process is similar except that here a single concave cutting projection 496 passes around the fixed inner drum 493 and, as seen in Figures B and C, "collects" tobacco which is forced through the openings 494 falls. When the cutting protrusion 496 has arrived below the region 495 in front of the transfer section 490, it has collected enough tobacco and this tobacco can then be re-stranded.

Claims (15)

1. A device for portioning free-flowing foodstuffs or natural stimulants, for example cut tobacco, coffee powder or tea, with a receptacle for the foodstuffs or natural stimulant and a portioning system, wherein:

   - the receptacle comprises at least two accommodating parts (422, 410) which cooperate and can be moved relative to each other, and which together constitute the portioning system, wherein the foodstuffs or natural stimulant can be accommodated in one accommodating part (422); and

   - one (422) or both or several of the accommodating parts is/are assigned a means for operating the portioning system,

   characterised by

   - a portion packaging (412) which can be attached on top of the device and from which the foodstuffs or natural stimulant fall into an accommodating part (422) for portioning.
2. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that the means for operating the portioning device is assigned to the accommodating part (422) in which the foodstuffs or natural stimulant are accommodated.
3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the operating means is a means for moving the accommodating parts (422, 410) relative to each other, in particular for moving one of the accommodating parts relative to another, stationary accommodating part.
4. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the receptacle or accommodating parts comprise(s) a rotating drum (422) in which a portion of the foodstuffs or natural stimulant can be accommodated, and a housing (410) for the rotating drum (422).
5. The device according to claim 4, characterised in that the rotating drum (422) has orifices on its circumference for portion amounts, in particular elongated orifices which extend along the circumference, specifically orifices which are in particular elongated and extend longitudinally and obliquely.
6. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the portion packaging has a container (412) which is closed from below by a removable seal (418).
7. The device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterised in that the portion packaging (412) has a guide flange (416) which can be inserted into a guide receptacle (420) on a top opening (424) of the housing (410).
8. The device according to claim 6 and 7, characterised in that the seal (418) has a portion which projects outwards after the portion packaging (412) has been inserted and via which it can be pulled off, such that the contents of the portion packaging (412) can drop into the housing (410) or drum (422).
9. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the housing (114) has a portioning chamber (134) in its bottom region for portion amounts which have passed through the orifices (132).
10. The device according to claim 9, characterised in that the outer edges of the orifices (132) together with the top edges of the portioning chamber (134) form a trimming mechanism for the portion amounts entering the portioning chamber.
11. The device according to claim 9 or 10, characterised in that the portioning chamber (134) forms a shaping wall at one end and is open towards a guide channel for a pressing head (130) at the other end, wherein the pressing head (130) in turn forms a shaping wall at its end face which forms a strand-forming chamber (138) together with the shaping wall of the portioning chamber when the pressing head is inserted.
12. The device according to claim 11, characterised in that a slide is provided, by means of which the shaped strand can be pushed out of the strand-forming chamber (138), in particular into a tube fitted on a grommet which is provided on the end of the strand-forming chamber facing away from the slide.
13. The device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterised in that a preliminary portioning chamber (144) for the portion amounts passing through the orifices (132) is provided in front of the portioning chamber (134), wherein the top face of the pressing head (130) in particular forms the bottom boundary of the preliminary portioning chamber (144).
14. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that elements of the accommodating parts, in particular at least two co-operating elements, form a securing device which prevents the portioning device from being operated if the elements or accommodating parts are not disposed in a predefined position with respect to each other.
15. The device according to claim 14 in combination with claims 7 and 8, characterised in that the securing device fixes the housing (410) and the drum (422) relative to each other and is released by inserting the portion packaging (412).

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