Apparatus for Inserting Tobacco Into a Cigarette Tube

Abstract

The invention concerns an apparatus for inserting tobacco into an empty cigarette tube. The apparatus comprises a sleeve ( 15 ) designed to be inserted into the empty cigarette tube ( 63 ); means for retaining the empty cigarette tube ( 63 ) in place; a fixed blade ( 19 ) and a movable blade ( 18 ) facing each other and defining a uniform cavity to receive the tobacco. The movable blade ( 18 ) is adapted to be moved towards the fixed blade ( 19 ) to compress and cut the tobacco so as to form a uniform tobacco rod. The apparatus further comprises a rod ( 7 ) adapted to be inserted into the cavity defined by the fixed ( 19 ) and movable ( 18 ) blades to push the tobacco rod into the empty cigarette tube ( 63 ).

1 . An apparatus for inserting tobacco into an empty cigarette tube, comprising:
 a casing ( 15 ) for inserting the empty cigarette tube ( 63 );   holding means for maintaining the empty cigarette tube ( 63 ) in place;   a fixed blade ( 19 ) and a movable blade ( 18 ) facing each other and defining a uniform cavity for receiving the tobacco, the movable blade ( 18 ) being adapted to approach the fixed blade ( 19 ) to compress and cut the tobacco in order to form an uniform tobacco rod; and   a rod ( 7 ) adapted to be inserted in the cavity defined by the fixed ( 19 ) and movable ( 18 ) blades to push the tobacco rod into the empty cigarette tube ( 63 ).   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to the  claim 1 , wherein the holding means include a tightening mechanism ( 1 ) for maintaining the cigarette tube ( 63 ) tight against the casing ( 15 ) until the tobacco rod is pushed into the tube of cigarette by the rod ( 7 ). 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the movable blade ( 18 ) is fixed to a slide ( 31 ) mounted on a guiding support ( 26 ), the movable blade ( 18 ) being operatively connected to a lever ( 16 ), so that a displacement of the lever ( 16 ) in a first direction approaches the movable blade ( 18 ) to the fixed blade ( 19 ) and a displacement of the lever ( 16 ) in a second direction moves away the movable blade ( 18 ) from the fixed blade ( 19 ). 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , further comprising an electric motor ( 5 ) operatively connected to the rod ( 7 ) for automatically pushing the rod ( 7 ) against the tobacco rod. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the engine ( 5 ) is connected to a first switch ( 35 ) for activating the engine ( 5 ), the switch ( 35 ) being activated by contact with the slide ( 31 ) when moving the lever ( 16 ) towards the first position. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to the  claim 1 , wherein the movable blade ( 18 ) has a cutting portion of straight shape. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to the  claim 6 , wherein the fixed blade ( 19 ) has a cutting portion of straight shape. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to the  claim 6 , wherein the fixed blade ( 19 ) has a cutting portion of concave shape. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to the  claim 6 , wherein the fixed blade ( 19 ) has a cutting portion of convex shape. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to the  claim 1 , wherein the knives ( 18 , 19 ) define a round cavity and the traction rod is square or round.