EP2046152B1 - System for self-assembly of cigarettes - Google Patents

Abstract

A system for self-assembly of cigarettes includes a stuffing device (50) and a tobacco package (1). The tobacco package (1) has a first end side (2) and a second end side (3), and comprises on both end sides (2, 3) a cover that protrudes for the distance. The tobacco package (1) is filled with tobacco (6). The stuffing device (50) comprises a pressing chamber (54) having a longitudinal direction, into which the tobacco (6) can be filled via a longitudinal filling opening (56), the tobacco being able to be formed into a tobacco strand by means of a pressing bar (58) that can be moved laterally to the longitudinal direction of the pressing chamber (54), and a pushing device (62) that can be transferred from the pressing chamber (54) into a cigarette paper wrap disposed in front of the pressing chamber (54) by means of a sliding device (62) that can be moved in a longitudinal direction of the pressing chamber (54). The tobacco package (1) is inserted with its second end side (3) in front such that the second end side (3) of the tobacco package (1) is disposed above the filling opening (56) of the pressing chamber (54).

Description

The invention relates to a system for self-production of cigarettes with a stuffing device and a tobacco pack and a corresponding stuffing device and a corresponding tobacco pack.

The easiest way to make a cigarette by the equipment used is to "turn" a cigarette by means of loose tobacco, a piece of cigarette paper that is glued along a longitudinal seam after forming a cigarette string, and optionally a filter. Even when using simple tools, this type of self-production of cigarettes is cumbersome for the consumer and leads to contamination of the environment by tobacco crumbs.

In order to facilitate the making of cigarettes, numerous devices have been devised over time. A recent example of such a device discloses the US 2004/0099277 A1 , In this case, loose tobacco is poured into a funnel-like storage magazine, measured, compressed in a compression chamber and conveyed into a prefabricated cigarette paper tube. Although this device is in principle comfortable, but expensive, and works with loose tobacco, which is associated with the risk of contamination.

In the EP 0 584 805 B1 a device for the self-production of a cigarette is described in which pre-portioned smoking tobacco is used. Each provided for a cigarette Tabäkportionen either each have a sheath, where they are adjacent to each other connected to a Stabgurt together to form a block, or they are surrounded by a common enclosure to form a block. These wraps are made of highly porous material that can be smoked. In the device, such a block is inserted with a longitudinal side first in a magazine which is arranged above the filling opening of a pressing chamber. By pressing on the block, the respective lowest tobacco portion is conveyed into the pressing chamber where, after separation from the remaining block, it is shaped into a tobacco rod by means of a separating knife from a transversely movable pressing bar. This tobacco rod is then pushed out of the pressing chamber by means of a pushing device and into a cigarette paper sleeve arranged in front of the pressing chamber. It is disadvantageous that the porous wrapping material also cut through by the separating knife also gets into the cigarette paper tube. Furthermore, the wrapping material is so loose that it also comes with not very appropriate use also easy to soiling.

A similarly designed device for self-production of cigarettes is from the US 2,731,971 , of the US 3,127,900 and the US 4,411,278 known. However, loose tobacco is poured directly into the filling opening of the pressing chamber. The cutting knife is rigidly connected to the pressing beam, but precedes this. When the user pivots an operating lever which is connected via a mechanism to the pressing beam and the separating element as well as to the pushing device, the separating element separates excess tobacco and closes the pressing chamber at the top, while the pressing bar subsequently compresses the tobacco and the tobacco rod thus formed is finally transferred from the shifter into a plugged onto a neck connection in front of the pressing chamber cigarette paper tube. According to US 4,411,278 the sliding device is designed as an elongated tongue. In this device, in turn, the risk of contamination is disadvantageous, and it is cumbersome to fill the loose tobacco for each individual cigarette.

For example from the EP 0 178 605 B1 and the DE 39 14 669 C2 are devices and methods for self-production of cigarettes described in which the tobacco intended for smoking is pre-portioned in the form of tobacco cartridges. The tobacco is surrounded by a non-smokable strand casing. To make a cigarette, the tobacco is transferred from the tobacco cartridge into a cigarette paper tube, leaving the strand casing of the tobacco cartridge. The DE 101 29 260 C1 shows a handy stuffing device, with the aid of which the tobacco can be transferred from such a tobacco cartridge into a cigarette paper tube. In these prior art systems, the waste due to the strand casings of the individual tobacco cartridges is disadvantageous.

It is an object of the invention to provide a way for self-production of cigarettes, the user-friendly is not or not significantly leads to contamination by tobacco crumbs and the least possible waste.

This object is achieved by a system for the self-production of cigarettes with the features of claim 1. The claim 30 relates to a stuffing device for such a system and the claim 32 a tobacco pack for such a system. Advantageous embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

The inventive system for self-production of cigarettes has a stuffing device and a tobacco pack. The tobacco pack has a first end side and a second end side and is provided at the first end side with a removable, pre-removed first cover and at the (opposite) second end side with a removable second cover provided for removal. The tobacco pack is filled with tobacco, preferably fine-cut tobacco.

Fine-cut tobacco is defined in Section 2 (4) of the German Tobacco Tax Act of 21 December 1992 (BGBl. I p. 2150), last amended by the Ordinance of 10 July 2006 (BGBl. I p 1473): "Smoking tobacco is a fine cut if more than 25 per cent of the weight of the tobacco parts are less than 1 mm long or wide. '

The stuffing device has a pressing chamber with a longitudinal direction into which tobacco can be introduced via a longitudinally aligned filling opening. The tobacco can be shaped into a tobacco rod by means of a pressing bar movable transversely to the longitudinal direction of the pressing chamber and can be transferred from the pressing chamber into a cigarette paper tube arranged in front of the pressing chamber by means of a sliding device movable in the longitudinal direction of the pressing chamber. Furthermore, a holder is provided, into which a Tobacco pack of the aforementioned type with its second end side can be used ahead. In the inserted state, the second end side of the tobacco pack is arranged above the filling opening of the pressing chamber.

The stuffing device of the system according to the invention is constructed similar to that in the EP 0 584 805 B1 , of the US 2,731,971 , of the US 3,127,900 and the US 4,411,278 described devices. However, no loose tobacco is used and no tobacco pre-portioned with the aid of porous casings, but the tobacco is supplied in tobacco packs, preferably of parallelepipedic basic shape, which on two end faces, ie on the first end side and on the second end side, easy to open.

One way of using virtually no tobacco crumbs scattered in the environment is for the user to first open a tobacco pack on the second end side and then insert it into the holder such that the opened second end side of the tobacco pack is above the fill port of the crimping chamber to come to rest. In this case, the user can keep the stuffing device tilted, so that the tobacco pack is aligned substantially horizontally and loses no tobacco on the open second end side. When the stuffing device is again in its erected position of use, the user can open the first end side of the tobacco pack. Now loose tobacco is located above the filling opening of the pressing chamber. The user can press on the tobacco over the open first end side and thus advance tobacco into the compression chamber. With the tobacco contained in the tobacco pack, a number of cigarettes can be successively produced by operating the stuffing device. Finally, the tobacco pack is empty and can be removed from the holder.

With the system according to the invention, the tobacco is provided without unnecessary portioning material in a tobacco pack, which also serves as a magazine for the stuffing device. A decontamination of the tobacco associated with soiling by tobacco crumbs is not required. With the help of the stuffing device can be made with the tobacco of a tobacco pack in a simple and efficient way, a larger number of cigarettes. The inventive system for self-production of cigarettes is so user-friendly, clean and produces little waste.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the stuffing device comprises a movable separating element, preferably a separating knife, which is arranged at the filling opening of the pressing chamber and is adapted to cut through the filler opening urging tobacco upon movement, preferably a sliding movement, and optionally thereafter the filling opening close. Preferably, the movements of the separating element and the press beam are coupled. The stuffing device may comprise a movable actuating element, preferably a pivoting lever, which is operatively connected to the separating element, the pressing beam and the pushing device via an actuating mechanism. During an actuation movement, the separating element severes the tobacco which penetrates through the filling opening, the pressing bar forms the tobacco located in the pressing chamber into a tobacco rod, and the pushing device transfers the tobacco rod into a cigarette paper tube arranged in front of the pressing chamber. In the stuffing devices according to EP 0 584 805 B1 . US 2,731,971 . US 3,127,900 and US 4,411,278 The tobacco rod is shaped in a comparable manner and transferred to a cigarette paper tube. With the help of the actuator, the user can operate the stuffing device easily, reliably and quickly.

The cigarettenpapierhülse is preferably attachable to an arranged on the stuffing before the press chamber neck nozzle. Furthermore, a clamping or holding device can be provided, with which the cigarette paper tube is attached to the attachment piece.

It is possible to design the pushing device of the stuffing device as a piston, with which the finished shaped tobacco rod is pushed out of the pressing chamber. However, this can lead to a further and undesirable compression, combined with increased frictional forces. A preferred alternative is therefore a sliding device with a trough-shaped tongue, which is arranged opposite to the pressing beam and which preferably extends over the length of the pressing chamber. The tongue thus has a concave shape facing the tobacco, which can be supplemented by the preferably also concave-shaped pressing bar to form a substantially circular shape when the pressing bar is completely moved towards the tongue. When the tongue is advanced, it takes the tobacco with it, without additionally compressing it. The tongue may be serrated at its edge. Such tongues are known in stuffing devices.

In particularly preferred embodiments of the invention, the stuffing device has a slide which can be inserted into the tobacco pack via the first end side of a tobacco pack inserted into the holder. The slider is adapted to advance the tobacco in the tobacco pack, for example by having its surface adjacent to the tobacco slightly smaller than the cross-sectional area of the tobacco pack. In principle, it is possible that the user advances the tobacco with a provisional tool in the direction of the pressing chamber. However, this activity is greatly facilitated by a slider provided with the stuffing device.

For the slider numerous embodiments are conceivable. In one embodiment, the slider has a relatively high weight so that it automatically presses on the tobacco. Marker marks on the slider may be convenient to read the remaining amount of tobacco contained in the tobacco pack. In a useful embodiment, the pusher includes a tobacco pack receiving space and is insertable into the stuffer, preferably designed as a deployable and removable drawer. In such an embodiment, the user may always carry a tobacco pack in the stuffer.

It was explained above how the user can insert a tobacco pack into the holder without spilling tobacco from the already opened second end side of the tobacco pack by tilting the stuffing device. This is uncomfortable especially with heavy stuffing devices. Therefore, in an advantageous embodiment, the holder is pivotally mounted on the stuffing device and pivotable from a horizontal loading position into the use state. If the holder is lying, the user can introduce the tobacco pack even when the second end side open, without causing tobacco crumbs emerge from the tobacco pack to any appreciable extent. Once the tobacco pack is inserted, the user pivots the holder in the use state, in which the second end side of the tobacco pack is arranged above the filling opening of the pressing chamber. If the stuffing device has a closure device, for example a closure slide which is movable from a closed state to an open state and covers the second end side of a tobacco pack inserted into the holder when closed, it can also move during the pivoting of the holder from the loading position into the use state do not leak tobacco.

The holder preferably has a shaft into which a tobacco pack with its second end side can be used in advance. In this case, the shaft preferably has a height that is less than the length of a tobacco pack inserted into the shaft, so that you can easily touch the tobacco pack during insertion into the holder and when removing.

As already mentioned, the tobacco pack preferably has a cuboid basic shape. This includes deviations from an exact parallelepiped shape, e.g. Designs with rounded edges or corners.

The thickness of the tobacco pack is matched in preferred embodiments of the invention to the width of the filling opening at the stuffing device. In this terminology, the thickness of the tobacco pack extends transversely to the longitudinal direction of the press chamber when the tobacco pack is inserted into the holder. The width dimension of the tobacco pack then runs in the longitudinal direction of the pressing chamber and the length dimension in the direction of the height of the holder. The width dimension of the filling opening runs transversely to the longitudinal direction of the pressing chamber. Preferably, the thickness of the tobacco pack is 1.0 to 1.5 times the width of the filler opening. If the thickness of the tobacco pack is not or not much larger than the width of the filling opening, there is no congestion over the filling opening when transferring the tobacco from the tobacco pack into the pressing chamber, resulting in undesirable compaction of the tobacco, increased friction and Problems could occur when transferring the tobacco into the bale chamber. Preferably, the thickness of the tobacco pack is only slightly larger than the width of the filling opening, wherein a narrow projection on the filling opening serves as a stop for the tobacco pack.

The filling opening of the stuffing device preferably has a width that matches the diameter of a stuffed cigarette is comparable. If the filler opening were too wide, the tobacco would be compressed too much during the movement of the press beam. The tobacco pack has therefore in the illustrated preferred embodiment, a thickness which is significantly less than the thickness of a conventional cigarette pack. Therefore, two tobacco packages can be provided with a common outer packaging, which has approximately the dimensions of a conventional cigarette pack and, for example, has a hinged lid. In such an outer packaging can be stored, for example, after removing the two tobacco packs later, the homemade cigarettes.

The tobacco pack may be made of conventional packing materials such as cardboard, cardboard, plastic or metal (e.g., aluminum, especially in sheet form). Composite materials are also conceivable. A friction-inhibiting coating on the inside of the tobacco pack is advantageous in order to be able to more easily transfer the tobacco into the pressing chamber. The same effect is achieved when already the base material of the tobacco pack has a low adhesive or sliding friction with respect to tobacco. In order to keep the tobacco fresh, the tobacco pack preferably has on its inside a diffusion-inhibiting coating, in particular if the base material of the tobacco pack is open-pored. In this case, a friction-inhibiting and a diffusion-inhibiting coating may be identical, e.g. when coated with polyethylene.

There are numerous ways to prepare the tobacco pack so that the first cover and the second cover on the first end side and the second end side can be removed, preferably easily removed. As a rule (but not necessarily), the two end sides are the narrow sides of a cuboid basic shape.

Thus, in the tobacco pack, the first cover and / or the second cover may be connected via predetermined tear points with sides of the tobacco pack located between the first end side and the second end side. The predetermined tear points preferably have at least one perforation line.

In another possibility, the tobacco pack has a base body, which preferably contains cardboard. This base body is open at the first end side and / or at the second end side, wherein a foil insert inserted into the base body is provided as first cover or second cover. The foil insert preferably has aluminum. Mixed forms in which the one end side is provided with the explained perforation lines and the other end side with a foil insert are also conceivable.

As a first cover or as a second cover can also serve an outer packaging when the tobacco pack has a base body which is open on the first end side and / or on the second end side. The above-described outer packaging for receiving two flat tobacco packs can be additionally provided in such a configuration.

The tobacco in the tobacco pack may be pre-portioned, e.g. in that the tobacco in the tobacco pack is shaped into a block which has a desired weak point parallel to the second end side between every two portions, preferably a notch. Such a pre-portioning facilitates the separation of a respective portion of tobacco after it has been introduced through the filling opening in the pressing chamber.

The tobacco in the tobacco pack is preferably fine-cut tobacco. If the tobacco is short-fibred, it is easier to move from the tobacco pack into the bale chamber. It points the tobacco preferably has a fiber length of less than 2 mm, preferably at a level of more than 20% by weight.

Figur 1

eine schematische Ansicht des Prinzips des erfindungs- gemäßen Systems zur Selbstverfertigung von Cigaretten,

Figur 2

eine dreidimensionale Ansicht einer ersten Ausführungs- form einer Tabakpackung für das erfindungsgemäße Sys- tem,

Figur 3

eine dreidimensionale Ansicht einer zweiten Ausfüh- rungsform einer Tabakpackung für das erfindungsgemäße System,

Figur 4

eine dreidimensionale Ansicht einer dritten Ausfüh- rungsform einer Tabakpackung für das erfindungsgemäße System,

Figur 5

eine dreidimensionale Ansicht einer Doppelpackung, die zwei Tabakpackungen für das erfindungsgemäße System enthält,

Figur 6

einen schematischen Teilquerschnitt durch eine Ausfüh- rungsform einer Stopfvorrichtung für das erfindungsge- mäße System zur Selbstverfertigung von Cigaretten mit einer eingesetzten Tabakpackung, und zwar in Teil (a) vor dem Formen eines Cigarettenstrangs und in Teil (b) nach dem Formen des Cigarettenstrangs, und

Figur 7

eine schematische Teildraufsicht auf die Stopfvorrich- tung gemäß Figur 6 mit Darstellung von in verschiedenen Ebenen angeordneten Teilen, und zwar in Teil (a) vor dem Formen eines Cigarettenstrangs und in Teil (b) nach dem Formen und Transferieren des Cigarettenstrangs in eine Cigarettenpapierhülse.

In the following the invention will be further explained by means of exemplary embodiments. The drawings show in

FIG. 1

a schematic view of the principle of the inventive system for the self-production of cigarettes,

FIG. 2

3 shows a three-dimensional view of a first embodiment of a tobacco pack for the system according to the invention,

FIG. 3

3 shows a three-dimensional view of a second embodiment of a tobacco pack for the system according to the invention,

FIG. 4

3 shows a three-dimensional view of a third embodiment of a tobacco pack for the system according to the invention,

FIG. 5

a three-dimensional view of a double pack containing two tobacco packs for the system according to the invention,

FIG. 6

a schematic partial cross-section through an embodiment of a stuffing device for the inventive system for self-production of cigarettes with a tobacco pack inserted, in part (a) before forming a Cigarettenstrangs and in part (b) after the molding of Cigarettenstrangs, and

FIG. 7

a schematic partial plan view of the stuffing according to FIG. 6 showing parts arranged in different planes, in part (a) above molding a cigarette stick and in part (b) after forming and transferring the cigarette stick into a cigarette paper tube.

In FIG. 1 is the principle of operation of the system for self-production of cigarettes illustrated by a schematic representation.

A cuboid tobacco pack 1 with a first end side 2 and a second end side 3 and located between the two end sides 2, 3 pages 4 is filled with tobacco 6, preferably with fine-cut tobacco. This tobacco pack 1 serves on the one hand for storing the tobacco 6, on the other hand, but also as a magazine for a stuffing device.

In order to use the tobacco pack 1 with the stuffing device explained in more detail below, it is carefully inserted into a holder of the stuffing device after removing its second end side 3, so that no tobacco 6 falls out of the tobacco pack 1, and then the first end side 2 removed. With the help of a slide 8, which is a component of the stuffing device, the tobacco 6 can now be pushed out of the tobacco pack 1 via the second end side 3, into a pressing chamber of the stuffing device, to form a tobacco rod therefrom and transfer it into a cigarette paper tube ,

This process can be repeated until the slider 8 has arrived at the second end side 3 of the tobacco pack 1 and the tobacco pack 1 is empty.

In FIG. 2 an embodiment of a tobacco pack 10 is shown, which is closed on all sides made of cardboard. The tobacco pack 10 is cuboid and has two end faces, the first end side 12 and the second end side 13, and four The first end side 12 serves as a first cover 16 and the second end side 13 as a second cover 17. The first cover 16 is above a perforation line 18 and the second cover 17 is connected via a perforation line 19 with the other pages 14 connected. The two covers 16 and 17 can be easily removed because of the perforation lines 18 and 19 so as to open the tobacco pack 10 at the first end side 12 and at the second end side 13. In order to facilitate the removal of the first cover 16 and the second cover 17, pull tabs may be provided on the first cover 16 and the second cover 17, respectively, or the perforation lines 18, 19 may have indentations, notches or points of attack to facilitate initial tearing facilitate (in FIG. 2 not shown).

At the in FIG. 3 illustrated embodiment of a tobacco pack, which is here denoted by 20 and in turn is cuboid, are the first end side 22 and the second end side 23 of the formed from the four sides 24 body of the tobacco pack 20 open. In the exemplary embodiment, this base body is made of cardboard. As the first cover 26 and as a second cover 27 are foil inserts, as indicated by the dashed lines, which are made in the embodiment of aluminum. In order to open the tobacco pack 20 at the first end side 22 and the second end side 23, the first cover 26 and the second cover 27 may be pulled out of the base body formed by the four sides 24.

In the FIG. 4 Shown embodiment of a tobacco pack 30 is also cuboid and has a first end side 32, a second end side 33 and one of the four intermediate sides 34 formed base body. This main body is open at the first end side 32 and at the second end side 33. As a cover for the end faces 32, 33 is an outer packaging or sheath 36, which consists in the embodiment of a thin, transparent film. In order to remove the wrapper, a tear strip 37 is provided, which divides the wrapper 36 into an upper part 38 and a lower part 39. In this way, the upper part 38 of the enclosure 36 forms the cover of the first end side 32, while the lower part 39 serves as a cover of the second end side 33.

After tearing open the envelope 36 with the help of the tear strip 37, the lower part 39 of the envelope 36 can be removed very easily so that the tobacco packet 30 with the second end side 33 can be inserted into a holder of a tamping device, without leaving tobacco crumbs the tobacco pack 30 escape. Thereafter, the upper part 38 of the enclosure 36 can be pulled upwards.

Mixed forms of the embodiments according to the FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are also conceivable, for example, a tobacco pack, wherein the first cover is made of cardboard and can be removed via a perforation, while the second cover consists of an inserted foil insert. Furthermore, in the embodiments according to the FIGS. 2 and 3 an additional outer wrap or wrapper may be present, similar to the wrapper 36 of FIG FIG. 4 ,

Cardboard or paperboard, but also other materials such as plastic or metals (eg aluminum foil) as well as composite materials can be used as material for the tobacco pack or the body of the tobacco pack. Advantageously, a coating of the inner sides, which reduces the friction between the packing material and the tobacco, for example a coating with polyethylene or polypropylene. In the embodiments according to the FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 Such a coating is provided on the inner sides of the sides 14, 24 and 34. Such a coating can also have diffusion-inhibiting properties to maintain the tobacco moisture in the package. Alternatively, an additional diffusion-inhibiting coating comes into consideration.

The system for self-production of cigarettes works particularly well when (see FIG. 1 ) exiting at the second end side 3 of the tobacco pack 1 tobacco 6 does not jam during filling in a stuffing device. Therefore, preferably the dimensions of the second end side 3 of the tobacco pack 1 are substantially adapted to the dimensions of the filling opening of the stuffing device. Since the width of this filling opening is preferably slightly larger than the diameter of a cigarette, while the length of the filling opening substantially coincides with the length of the tobacco rod in a cigarette, the second end side 3 of the tobacco pack 1 thus has substantially the length of a cigarette or tobacco rod a cigarette, while its width (thickness of the tobacco pack 1) is slightly larger than a cigarette diameter. The tobacco pack 1 is therefore relatively narrow in preferred embodiments, ie it has a small thickness.

In FIG. 5 a double pack 40 is shown, which has an outer packaging 42 made of cardboard with a hinged lid 44 and contains two tobacco packs 46 and 47. These tobacco packs 46 and 47 are constructed, as previously explained, and designed, for example, like the tobacco packs 10, 20 or 30. Since the tobacco packs 46 and 47 are thin or narrow, the overpack 42 can accommodate two such tobacco packs and has dimensions that substantially match those of a conventional cigarette pack. The outer package 42 may be used after removing the first tobacco pack 46 and the second tobacco pack 47 eg for storing the cigarettes made with the system for self-production of cigarettes.

The following is based on the FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrates how one embodiment of the stuffing device of the system functions and cooperates with a tobacco pack of the type described.

In FIG. 6 FIG. 7 shows a schematic partial cross section of the stuffing device labeled 50 along the line VI-VI of FIG. In the Stopfvorrichtung 50 a tobacco pack 1 is inserted.

The stuffing device 50 has a base 52 in which a pressing chamber 54 is formed as a cavity. The pressing chamber 54 is aligned in a longitudinal direction L, see FIG. 7 , In its upper region, the pressing chamber 54 is accessible via a filling opening 56, which extends in the embodiment over the entire length of the pressing chamber 54 and is slightly wider than the diameter of a conventional cigarette.

On one side (in FIG. 6 left), the pressing chamber 54 is bounded by a pressing beam 58 with a concave surface 59. The pressing beam 58 is slidably mounted transversely to the longitudinal direction L, as in FIG. 6 (a) indicated by the arrow.

At the top of the press bar 58, a separating knife 60 is arranged with a cutting edge 61, in the embodiment firmly mounted on the pressing bar 58. The cutting blade 60 extends as well as the pressing beam 58 over the entire length of the pressing chamber 54. In the embodiment, the pressing bar 58 made of plastic and the separating blade 60 made of steel. Depending on the choice of material but also a one-piece design of press beams and separating knife is conceivable.

Opposite the pressing beam 58, a tongue 62 is arranged, which is shaped like a channel and has a concave surface 63. The tongue 62 is mounted longitudinally displaceable and on a stamp 64, which forms the rear end of the pressing chamber 54 when the tongue 62 is fully retracted, see Figure 7 (a). The tongue 62 also extends the full length of the compression chamber 54. In the embodiment, it has some prongs near its front end.

As the FIG. 7 shows, in front of the pressing chamber 54 an attachment piece 66 is arranged, which is slightly bevelled in the embodiment. Next to it is a clamp 68, which springs against the neck piece 66.

At the top of the base 52, a holder 70 is disposed above the filling opening 56. The holder 70 forms a slot 72, in which the tobacco pack 1 can be used with its second end 3 before. The shaft 72 is slightly wider than the filling opening 56, so that at its lower end at the edge of the filling opening 56, a projection 74 is formed. The projection 74 serves as a lower stop for the tobacco pack 1. The length of the holder 70, measured in the longitudinal direction L, in the exemplary embodiment is about as large as the length of the pressing chamber 54.

The holder 70 can be pivoted in the embodiment with respect to the base 52. For this purpose, located in the lower region of the holder 70 on one side two joints 76, while on the opposite side a latch 78 is provided to the holder 70 in the in FIG. 6 shown erected state (state of use) to lock. After releasing the latch 78, the holder 70 can be pivoted about 90 ° to the base 52. This is useful to save 50 when transporting the stuffing device.

In order to produce cigarettes with the stuffing device 50 and the tobacco contained in the tobacco pack 1, first the cover on the second end side 3 of the tobacco pack 1 away. The second end 3 should not be held down so that no tobacco crumbs escape. Subsequently, the tobacco pack 1 is inserted into the shaft 72 with its second end face 3 ahead and advanced to the projection 74. In the exemplary embodiment, the height of the holder 70 is less than the length of the tobacco pack 1, so that the tobacco pack 1 protrudes at the upper end of the shaft 72 and can be easily removed later again.

Optionally, the user can slightly tilt the light stuffing device 50 in the embodiment when inserting the tobacco pack 1, so that no tobacco falls out on the second end side 3. After the tobacco pack 1 is aligned as in FIG. 6 shown, the cover on the first end side 2 can be removed without risk of contamination.

With the help of the slide 8, which is adapted in the embodiment of the cross section of the tobacco pack 1, the tobacco 6 can be pushed down until it enters through the filling opening 56 in the pressing chamber 54 and there reaches to the bottom. This condition is in FIG. 6 (a) shown.

When he wants to make a cigarette 80, the user first puts a cigarette paper sleeve 82 with a filter 84 on the neck piece 66. In this case, the cigarette paper sleeve 82 is secured by the clamp 68.

Next, the user operates the operating mechanism of the stuffing device 50, which is not shown in detail in the figures. This causes the first pressing bar 58 is advanced in the arrow direction. The mitbewegte separating knife 60 cuts through the tobacco 6 along the line 86, so that the entered into the pressing chamber 54 tobacco is guided by the pressing bar 58 against the tongue 62. In this case, a tobacco rod 88 is formed by the concave surfaces 59 and 63, whose diameter corresponds to that of a cigarette. In the illustration according to FIG. 6 (b) the pressing bar 58 has reached its end position. The tobacco rod 88 is fully formed, wherein the tobacco may be slightly compressed compared to the tobacco 6 in the tobacco pack 1.

Thereafter, automatically effected by the operating mechanism in the stuffing device 50, the punch 64 and the tongue 62 attached thereto are advanced in the longitudinal direction L, that is, as shown in FIG FIG. 7 to the right. The tongue 62 carries the tobacco rod 88 and transports it through a passage in the base 52 at the front end of the pressing chamber 54 and the neck nozzle 66 in the cigarette paper tube 82. In this process, the front end of the tobacco rod 88 already reaches the filter 84 before the movement of the tongue 62 is completed, so that in the remaining movement of the tongue 62, the cigarette paper sleeve 82 detaches from the attachment piece 66. In FIG. 7 (b) a state is shown just before the self-made cigarette 80 is removed from the nozzle 66.

After the cigarette 80 is completed, the movement of the operating mechanism in the stuffing device 50 is reversed. In this case, the tongue 62 completely retracts into the pressing chamber 54, and the pressing bar 58 moves in the illustration according to FIG. 6 until it stops to the left, so that again in FIG. 6 (a) shown initial state is reached. The user can now use the slider 8 again press tobacco 6 in the pressing chamber 54 to make another cigarette.

As the actuating mechanism of the stuffing device 50 is constructed in detail, is not shown in the figures. However, a person skilled in the art will be able to design such a mechanism by means of the described sequence of movements. A comparable construction is in the U.S. Patents 2,731,971 . 3,127,900 and 4,411,278 disclosed. In this case, a pivot lever is used as the actuating element. With a single pivoting movement, the user can relocate the press beam and then advance the tongue.

In order to check whether a given sample of fine-cut tobacco is short-fibered in the sense that a proportion of more than 20% by weight has a fiber length of less than 2 mm, the following sieving method can be used:

A sample of approx. 40 g of fine-cut tobacco is sifted (at the usual level for fine-cut tobacco) with a set of five superimposed sieves, which meet the following specifications in top-to-bottom order: sizing according to ISO 3310-2 with nominal sizes 31, 5 mm, 13, 2 mm and 4.0 mm and mesh screens according to ISO 3310-1 with nominal sizes of 2.0 mm and 1.0 mm. The conclusion forms in the lowest position a shallow shell, which receives the sieves one above the other and inserted into each other. As a sieve used in the example, the product "KS 1000" Retsch, set to agitation (speed) of 90 divisions and a period of 3 minutes. Immediately after sieving, the fractions remaining on the sieves and the fraction on the lower shell are weighed. In order to obtain better statistics, sieving can be carried out e.g. with five samples and determine the mean percentage distribution on the individual sieve fractions. The fraction with a fiber length of less than 2 mm results from the fractions on the bottom sieve and on the bottom shell, based on the sum of all fractions.

Claims (24)

1. A system for self-assembly of cigarettes, comprising a stuffing device (50) and a tobacco pack (1; 10; 20; 30),

   - wherein the tobacco pack (1; 10; 20; 30) has a first end side (2; 12; 22; 32) and a second end side (3; 13; 23; 33) and is provided, on the first end side (2; 12; 22; 32), with a removable first covering (16; 26; 38), which is designed for removal, and, on the second end side (3; 13; 23; 33), with a removable second covering (17; 27; 39), which is designed for removal, and wherein the tobacco pack (1; 10; 20; 30) is filled with tobacco (6), preferably fine-cut tobacco, and

   - wherein the stuffing device (50) comprises

   - a pressing chamber (54) with a longitudinal direction (L), into which tobacco (6) can be introduced via a longitudinally oriented introduction opening (56), which tobacco, by means of a pressing bar (58) which is moveable transversely to the longitudinal direction (L) of the pressing chamber (54), being formable into a tobacco strand (88) and, by means of a pushing-action mechanism (62, 64) which is moveable in the longitudinal direction (L) of the pressing chamber (54), being transferrable out of the pressing chamber (54) into a cigarette-paper tube (82) arranged downstream of the pressing chamber (54), and

   - a holder (70) into which a tobacco pack (1; 10; 20; 30) can be inserted with its second end side (3; 13; 23; 33) in front, wherein, in the inserted state, the second end side (3; 13; 23; 33) of the tobacco pack (1; 10; 20; 30) is arranged above the introduction opening (56) of the pressing chamber (54).
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the stuffing device (50) comprises a moveable cutting element (60), preferably a cutting blade (60), which is arranged at the introduction opening (56) of the pressing chamber (54) and is adapted to sever tobacco (6) penetrating through the introduction opening (56) upon movement, preferably a displacement movement, and optionally to close the introduction opening (56) thereafter.
3. The system as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that, in the stuffing device (50), the movements of the cutting element (60) and of the pressing bar (58) are coupled, wherein preferably the stuffing device (50) comprises a moveable actuating element, preferably a pivoting lever, which is operatively connected, via an actuating mechanism, to the cutting element (60), the pressing bar (58) and the pushing-action mechanism (62, 64) and is designed in order that, upon an actuating movement, with the cutting element (60) it can sever tobacco (6) penetrating through the introduction opening (56), with the pressing bar (58) it can form the tobacco (6) located in the pressing chamber (54) into a tobacco strand (88), and with the pushing-action mechanism (62, 64) it can transfer the tobacco strand (88) into a cigarette-paper tube (82) arranged downstream of the pressing chamber (54).
4. The system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cigarette-paper tube (82) can be plugged onto an attachment neck (66) arranged on the stuffing device (50) downstream of the pressing chamber (54).
5. The system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, in the stuffing device (50), the pushing-action mechanism (62, 64) has a tongue (62) which is arranged opposite the pressing bar (58), is formed in a channel-like manner and extends preferably over the length of the pressing chamber (54).
6. The system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the stuffing device (50) comprises a slider (8) which, via the first end side (2; 12; 22; 32) of a tobacco pack (1; 10; 20; 30) inserted into the holder (70), can be pushed into the tobacco pack (1; 10; 20; 30) and is designed for advancing the tobacco (6) in the tobacco pack (1; 10; 20; 30), wherein preferably the slider (8) is configured as a weight.
7. The system as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the slider (8) can be inserted into the stuffing device and has an accommodating space for a tobacco pack (1; 10; 20; 30), wherein the slider (8) is preferably configured as a drawer which can be inserted into the stuffing device and can be removed from the stuffing device.
8. The system as claimed in claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the slider (8) is provided with markings by means of which, when the slider (8) is pushed into a tobacco pack (1; 10; 20; 30), it is possible to read off the residual quantity of tobacco (6) contained in the tobacco pack (1; 10; 20; 30).
9. The system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the holder (70) is mounted in a pivotable manner on the stuffing device (50) and can be pivoted from a horizontal loading position into the use state, in which the second end side (3; 13; 23; 33) of a tobacco pack (1; 10; 20; 30) inserted into the holder (70) is arranged above the introduction opening (56) of the pressing chamber (54).
10. The system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the stuffing device has a closure mechanism, preferably a closure slider, which can be moved from a closed state into an open state and, in the closed state, covers the second end side (3; 13; 23; 33) of a tobacco pack (1; 10; 20; 30) inserted into the holder.
11. The system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the holder (70) has a shaft (72) into which a tobacco pack (1; 10; 20; 30) can be inserted with its second end side (3; 13; 23; 33) in front, wherein preferably the height of the shaft (72) is less than the length of a tobacco pack (1; 10; 20; 30) inserted into the shaft.
12. The system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the tobacco pack (1; 10; 20; 30) has a cuboidal basic shape.
13. The system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, in the tobacco pack (1; 10), the first covering (16) and/or the second covering (17) are/is connected via predetermined tearing points (18, 19) to sides (14) of the tobacco pack (1; 10) which are located between the first end side (12) and the second end side (13), wherein preferably, in the tobacco pack (1; 10), the predetermined tearing points (18, 19) comprise at least one perforation line (18, 19).
14. The system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the tobacco pack (1; 20) has a basic body (24), which preferably contains cardboard, which is open on the first end side (22) and/or on the second end side (23), wherein the first covering (26) and/or second covering (27) are/is provided as a foil-material insert which is pushed into the basic body (24) and preferably comprises aluminum.
15. The system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the tobacco pack (1; 10; 20; 30) comprises a friction-reducing coating on its inside.
16. The system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the tobacco pack (1; 10; 20; 30) comprises a diffusion-reducing coating on its inside.
17. The system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the tobacco pack (1; 10; 20; 30) comprises an outer packaging (36; 42).
18. The system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the tobacco pack (1; 30) comprises a basic body (34), which is open on the first end side (32) and/or on the second end side (33), and an outer packaging (36), which serves as the first covering (38) and/or as the second covering (39).
19. The system as claimed in claim 17 or 18, characterized in that, in the tobacco pack (1; 10; 20; 30), the outer packaging (42) is designed for storing cigarettes (80) made using the system, wherein preferably, in the tobacco pack (1; 10; 20; 30), the outer packaging (42) has a hinge lid (44).
20. The system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the tobacco in the tobacco pack (1; 10; 20; 30) is pre-divided, wherein preferably the tobacco in the tobacco pack (1; 10; 20; 30) is formed into a block which, parallel to the second end side (3; 13; 23; 33), between two portions in each case, has a predetermined weakening point, preferably notching.
21. The system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the tobacco in the tobacco pack (1; 10; 20; 30) has short fibers and preferably, in a proportion of more than 20% by weight, has a fiber length of less than 2 mm.
22. The system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the thickness of the tobacco pack (1; 10; 20; 30) is 1 to 1.5 times the width of the introduction opening (56) in the stuffing device (50), wherein preferably the thickness of the tobacco pack (1; 10; 20; 30) is slightly greater than the width of the introduction opening (56) and the tobacco pack (1; 10; 20; 30), when inserted into the holder (70), butts against a protrusion (74) over the introduction opening (56), wherein preferably two tobacco packs (1; 10; 20; 30; 46, 47) have common outer packaging (42).
23. A tobacco pack for a system for self-assembly of cigarettes, wherein the tobacco pack (1; 10; 20; 30) has a first end side (2; 12; 22; 32) and a second end side (3; 13; 23; 33) and is provided, on the first end side (2; 12; 22; 32), with a removable first covering (16; 26; 38), which is designed for removal, and, on the second end side (3; 13; 23; 33), with a removable second covering (17; 27; 39), which is designed for removal, and wherein the tobacco pack (1; 10; 20; 30) is filled with tobacco (6), preferably fine-cut tobacco.
24. The tobacco pack as claimed in claim 23, characterized by the features of the tobacco pack (1; 10; 20; 30) of a system as claimed in anyone of claims 12 to 21.

Images