Blank cigarette tube locating and holding apparatus

Abstract

A blank cigarette tube holding apparatus comprising a ring having an outer edge, a flange having an outer side and an inner side, whereas the inner side of the flange is affixed to the outer edge of the ring, and a flexible blank cigarette tube locator having a base and a flap, whereas the base is attached to the outer edge of the ring. Also disclosed is a method for locating and holding a blank cigarette tube comprising loading a blank cigarette tube over a filling tube, locating the blank cigarette tube on the filling tube with a flexible blank cigarette tube locator, and holding the blank cigarette tube on the filling tube by way of friction between the blank cigarette tube and a flexible blank cigarette tube holder.

1 . A blank cigarette tube holding apparatus comprising:
 a ring having an outer edge,   a flange having an outer side and an inner side, whereas the inner side of the flange is affixed to the outer edge of the ring, and   a flexible blank cigarette tube locator having a base and a flap, whereas the base is attached to the outer edge of the ring.   
     
     
         2 . The blank cigarette tube holding apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a flexible blank cigarette tube holder affixed to the outer side of the flange. 
     
     
         3 . The blank cigarette tube holding apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible cigarette tube locator is made from a material from the group consisting of natural rubber or silicone rubber. 
     
     
         4 . The blank cigarette tube holding apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the flexible cigarette tube locator is made from a material from the group consisting of natural rubber or silicone rubber. 
     
     
         5 . The blank cigarette tube holding apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the flexible blank cigarette tube holder is made from foam rubber. 
     
     
         6 . The blank cigarette tube holding apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the flap of the flexible blank cigarette tube locator and the base of the flexible blank cigarette tube locator create an angle theta that is greater than 90 degrees. 
     
     
         7 . A method for locating and holding a blank cigarette tube comprising:
 a) loading a blank cigarette tube over a filling tube,   b) locating the blank cigarette tube on the filling tube with a flexible blank cigarette tube locator, and   c) holding the blank cigarette tube on the filling tube by way of friction between the blank cigarette tube and a flexible blank cigarette tube holder.   
     
     
         8 . The method for locating and holding a blank cigarette tube according to  claim 7 , further comprising the step of injecting a tobacco plug into the filling tube. 
     
     
         9 . The method for locating and holding a blank cigarette tube according to  claim 8 , further comprising the step of ejecting a completed cigarette from the filling tube. 
     
     
         10 . The method for locating and holding a blank cigarette tube according to  claim 7 , wherein the locating step comprises sliding the blank cigarette tube on the filling tube with a flap of the flexible blank cigarette tube locator. 
     
     
         11 . A method of making a cigarette comprising:
 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,   locating and holding the blank cigarette tube on the filling tube with a blank cigarette tube locating and holding apparatus, and   injecting a plug of compacted tobacco into a filling tube with an injection pin affixed to a slideable pin carrier.   
     
     
         12 . The method of making a cigarette according to  claim 11 , 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. 
     
     
         13 . The method of making a cigarette according to  claim 11 , wherein the inserting step comprises guiding the blank cigarette tube onto a filling tube with a guide head. 
     
     
         14 . The method of making a cigarette according to  claim 11 , wherein the locating step comprises sliding the blank cigarette tube on the filling tube with a flap of a flexible blank cigarette tube locator. 
     
     
         15 . The method of making a cigarette according to  claim 14 , further comprising the step of ejecting a completed cigarette from the filling tube.