GB2304529A

GB2304529A - Applicator for filters for hand-rolled cigarettes.

Info

Publication number: GB2304529A
Application number: GB9517347A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Frankie Hope
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-08-24
Filing date: 1995-08-24
Publication date: 1997-03-26
Also published as: GB9517347D0

Abstract

The applicator comprises two main parts: a filter holder and an inserting mechanism. The applicator is simple to operate and operates in such a way that accommodates the idiosyncrasies of rollers of both "tight" and "loose" cigarettes.

Description

APPLICATOR FOR FILTERS FOR HAND-ROLLED CIGARETTES This invention relates to an applicator for filters for hand-rolled cigarettes.

The common method for rolling hand-rolled cigarettes is to distribute the tobacco evenly within the filter paper by repeated rolling by hand or by using a cigarette rolling machine. The smoker then inhales the cigarette smoke without the smoke passing through a filter. At present, the smoker of hand-rolled cigarettes inhales the cigarette smoke directly, and has no reasonable method to insert a filter inside his or her cigarette. For manufactured cigarettes it is accepted that the presence of a filter reduces the quantities of health-damaging substances that enter the lungs.

According to the present invention there is provided an applicator comprising two main parts: a cylindrical filter holder tapered at one end with a catchment device, and a removable inserting mechanism (see Figure 1 which shows a cutaway side view of the applicator).

A cutaway view of the filter holder of the applicator is shown in Figure 2; a cutaway view of the inserting mechanism is shown in Figure 3. The catchment device is incorporated in the filter holder in such a way that it can be retracted to allow free movement of the inserting device when the same is removed to allow the filter holder to be refilled with new filters. The tapered end of the filter holder has a short sharp edge on its inner surface running parallel to the direction of movement of the inserting mechanism.

The relative dimensions of the filter holder and the inserting mechanism are such that lateral movement of the inserting mechanism is controlled by a retractable catchment device on the inside of the filter holder, that is, lateral movement is possible through the application of reasonable pressure (by means of the thumb or any other digit) on the handle of the inserting mechanism, however, there is no freedom of lateral movement if no pressure is applied.

The mode of operation of the applicator is as follows: 1. The user of the applicator removes the inserting mechanism, by gently pulling its handle, and fills the tube with ready-made filters.

2. He or she replaces the inserting mechanism and inserts the tapered end of the tube inside the rolled cigarette. Note that rollers of"loose" cigarettes will not leave space for the filter since the pressure applied by the filter will be sufficient to move the tobacco within the paper so that the filter will be fixed in place within the end of the cigarette. Rollers of "tight" cigarettes will leave sufficient space for the filter at the end of the cigarette. The user of the applicator will learn the most convenient method of use from his or her personal experience.

3. He or she applies sufficient pressure to the end of the inserting mechanism to cause it to move a distance equivalent to the length of one ready-made filter. This causes one filter to move through the tapered end of tlie filter holder and be inserted inside the rolled cigarette, and the next "tooth" of the inserting mechanism to be retained ("locked in place") by the catchment device on the inside ofthe tube. During this movement, the filter moves over the short sharpened edge inside the tapered edge of the filter holder, thereby cutting a slit in the paper surrounding the filter and causing the filter to expand as it comes to rest inside the rolled cigarette.

Figure 4 shows the applicator in use.

Note that the applicator may use filters with a smaller diameter than those found in manufactured cigarettes. Additionally, the paper surrounding the filter may be thinner than that used in manufactured cigarettes to enable the cutting edge to split the paper with greater ease.

Claims

1. An applicator for filters for hand-rolled cigarettes comprising filter holder and an inserting mechanism.

2. An applicator for filters for hand-rolled cigarettes as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the filter holder of the applicator is fitted with a retractable catchment device.

3. An applicator for filters for hand-rolled cigarettes as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the movement of filters within the applicator is controlled by the application of reasonable pressure upon the inserting mechanism by the thumb or any other digit of the user of the applicator.

4. An applicator for filters for hand-rolled cigarettes as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the inserting mechanism of the applicator is fitted with "teeth" to control lateral movement of the inserting mechanism within the filter holder.

5. An applicator for filters for hand-rolled cigarettes as claimed in any preceding claim wherein one end of the filter holder of the applicator is tapered at one end.

6. An applicator for filters for hand-rolled cigarettes as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the tapered end of the filter holder of the applicator has a sharp edge that cuts a slit in the paper surrounding the filter when a filter is forced through the afore-mentioned tapered end.