Cigarette making machine

Abstract

A cigarette making machine comprising a base, a tobacco compaction mechanism disposed on the base, the tobacco compaction mechanism having a slideable plate with a compacting end and a linkage end, a force multiplying linkage connected to the linkage end of the slideable plate, and a force input member connected to the force multiplying linkage for driving the force multiplying linkage, a second compacting plate located opposite the slideable plate, a pin carrier support structure affixed to the base, and a slideable pin carrier slideably mounted to the pin carrier support structure, the slideable pin carrier having a pin with an acting end and a connecting end.

1 . A cigarette making machine comprising
 a base,   a tobacco compaction mechanism disposed on the base, the tobacco compaction mechanism having a slideable plate with a compacting end and a linkage end, a force multiplying linkage connected to the linkage end of the slideable plate, and a force input member connected to the force multiplying linkage for driving the force multiplying linkage,   a second compacting plate located opposite the slideable plate,   a pin carrier support structure affixed to the base, and   a slideable pin carrier slideably mounted to the pin carrier support structure, the slideable pin carrier having a pin with an acting end and a connecting end.   
     
     
         2 . The cigarette making machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the pin has a guide head. 
     
     
         3 . The cigarette making machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the pin is an injection pin with a central section disposed between the acting end and the connecting end, and wherein an outside diameter of the central section is less than an outside diameter of the acting end. 
     
     
         4 . The cigarette making machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising means for connecting the connecting end of the pin to the slideable pin carrier to provide two degrees of freedom to the pin. 
     
     
         5 . The cigarette making machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising a connector with a mounting end and a connecting end, wherein the connecting end of the pin comprises a ball, wherein the mounting end of the connector is affixed to the slideable pin carrier, and wherein the connecting end of the connector has a socket for receiving the ball on the connecting end of the pin. 
     
     
         6 . A cigarette making machine comprising
 a base,   a tobacco compaction mechanism disposed on the base and having a supporting frame with a first end, a second end, a linkage support disposed on the first end of the supporting frame, a slideable plate with a compacting end and a linkage end, a force multiplying linkage having a first force output member with a first end and a second end and a second force output member with a first end and a second end, the first end of the first force output member pivotably connected to the linkage support, the second end of the first force output member pivotably connected to the first end of the second force output member, and the second end of the second force output member pivotably connected to the linkage end of the slideable plate,   a pin carrier support structure affixed to the base,   a slideable pin carrier slideably mounted to the pin carrier support structure, the slideable pin carrier having a pin with an acting end and a connecting end, and   a force input member having a first end and a second end wherein the first end of the force input member is connected to the second end of the first force output member and to the first end of the second force output member.   
     
     
         7 . The cigarette making machine according to  claim 6 , wherein the pin is an injection pin with a central section disposed between the acting end and the connecting end, and wherein an outside diameter of the central section is less than an outside diameter of the acting end. 
     
     
         8 . The cigarette making machine according to  claim 6 , further comprising a connector with a mounting end and a connecting end, wherein the connecting end of the pin comprises a ball, wherein the mounting end of the connector is affixed to the slideable pin carrier, and wherein the connecting end of the connector has a socket for receiving the ball on the connecting end of the pin. 
     
     
         9 . The cigarette making machine according to  claim 6 , further comprising means for connecting the connecting end of the pin to the slideable pin carrier to provide two degrees of freedom to the pin. 
     
     
         10 . The cigarette making machine according to  claim 9 , wherein the means for connecting is a spring. 
     
     
         11 . The cigarette making machine according to  claim 6 , wherein the force input member is a collapsible member. 
     
     
         12 . The cigarette making machine according to  claim 11 , further comprising a force input member wheel having an arm, wherein the second end of the force input member is connected to the arm. 
     
     
         13 . The cigarette making machine according to  claim 6 , wherein the first force output member comprises a first link with a first end and a second end and a second link with a first end and a second end, wherein the second end of the first link and the first end of the second link are pivotably connected. 
     
     
         14 . The cigarette making machine according to  claim 6 , wherein the second force output member comprises a first link with a first end and a second end and a second link with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second link and the second end of the first link are pivotably connected. 
     
     
         15 . The cigarette making machine according to  claim 9 , wherein the pin is an injection pin with a central section disposed between the acting end and the connecting end, wherein an outside diameter of the central section is less than an outside diameter of the acting end. 
     
     
         16 . A method of making a cigarette comprising the steps of
 delivering an amount of tobacco to a tobacco compaction area,   compacting the tobacco with a slideable plate pivotably connected to a force multiplying linkage,   inserting a blank cigarette tube over a filling tube, and   injecting a plug of compacted tobacco into a filling tube with an injection pin affixed to a slideable pin carrier.   
     
     
         17 . The method of making a cigarette according to  claim 16 , wherein the compacting step further comprises moving the force multiplying linkage to an over center position and maintaining that position for a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
         18 . The method of making a cigarette according to  claim 16  wherein the inserting step comprises guiding the blank cigarette tube onto a filling tube with a guide head.