Cigarette blank loading apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for loading a cigarette blank onto a filling tube. The apparatus comprises a filling tube having a first end, a second end, an inside diameter, an outside diameter, and a pin sized to fit within the filling tube. The pin has a first end and a second end comprising a guide head. When the filling tube receives the second end of the pin, at least a portion of the guide head of the pin extends beyond the second end of the filling tube for guiding the cigarette blank on said filling tube. Also disclosed is a method for loading a cigarette blank onto a filling tube.

1 . An apparatus for loading a cigarette blank onto a filling tube, said apparatus comprising:
 a filling tube having a first end, a second end, an inside diameter, and an outside diameter, and   a pin sized to fit within said filling tube, said pin having a first end and a second end, said second end comprising a guide head,   wherein when said filling tube receives said second end of said pin, at least a portion of the guide head of the pin extends beyond the second end of the filling tube for guiding a cigarette blank onto the filling tube.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said guide head is collapsible to a diameter at least as small as the inside diameter of said filling tube. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the diameter of said guide head is greater than the inside diameter of said filling tube when said guide head is in a relaxed state. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the diameter of said guide head is equal to or greater than the outside diameter of said filling tube when said guide head is in a relaxed state. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said guide head comprises a plurality of longitudinal slots. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said pin comprises a shaft sized to fit within said filling tube and a detachable guide head mounted to said shaft. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said guide head has a substantially conical shape. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said second end of said filling tube is tapered. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for loading a cigarette blank onto a filling tube, said apparatus comprising:
 a filling tube holder capable of holding a plurality of filling tubes,   a plurality of filling tubes mounted to said filling tube holder, each filling tube having a first end, a second end, an inside diameter, and an outside diameter, and   at least one pin sized to fit within said filling tubes, said at least one pin having a first end and a second end, said second end comprising a guide head,   wherein when each said filling tube receives said second end of said pin, at least a portion of the guide head of said pin extends beyond the second end of said filling tube for guiding a cigarette blank onto the filling tube.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein said tube holder is a drum. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein said drum is rotatable. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein said guide head of said pin is collapsible to a diameter at least as small as the inside diameter of said filling tube. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the diameter of said guide head of the pin is greater than the inside diameter of the filling tube when said guide head is in a relaxed state. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the diameter of said guide head of said pin is equal to or greater than the outside diameter of said tube when said guide head is in a relaxed state. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein said guide head comprises a plurality of longitudinal slots. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein said pin comprises a shaft having a maximum cross measurement no greater than said inside diameter of said tube, and a detachable guide head mounted to said shaft. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein said guide head has a substantially conical shape. 
     
     
         18 . A method of locating a cigarette blank on a filling tube for receiving tobacco, comprising:
 providing a filling tube having a first end, a second end, an inside diameter, and an outside diameter,   providing a pin sized to fit within said filling tube, said pin having a first end and a second end, said second end comprising a guide head,   inserting said pin into said filling tube so at least a portion of the guide head of said pin extends beyond the second end of said filling tube,   dispensing a cigarette blank over said guide head and onto said filling tube, and   retracting said pin from said filling tube.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , further comprising ejecting a cylinder of tobacco into said filling tube. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , further comprising ejecting a completed cigarette from said filling tube. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein said method produces cigarettes at a rate of at least 25 cigarettes per minute and with at least 95% of the cigarette blanks being made into completed cigarettes.