Cigarette blank dispensing apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for dispensing cigarette blanks in a cigarette manufacturing machine. The apparatus comprises a base having an upper end, a lower end opposite the upper end, a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a shaker communicating with the base. The base also comprises a retainer for retaining at least one cigarette blank. Also disclosed is a method for separating and dispensing cigarette blanks.

1 . An apparatus for dispensing cigarette blanks in a cigarette manufacturing machine, comprising:
 a base having an upper end, a lower end opposite said upper end, a first side, and a second side opposite said first side,   a shaker communicating with said base, and   a cartridge for receiving a plurality of cigarette blanks, wherein said cartridge is mountable on said base and has a first end wall, a second end wall, sidewalls disposed between the end walls, a top, and a bottom pivotably mounted to the first end wall.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said shaker is located at said lower end of said base. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said shaker is a plate. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein said shaker is driven by an eccentric cam. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus is configured to hold a plurality of cigarette blanks. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus for dispensing cigarette blanks in a cigarette manufacturing machine, comprising:
 a base having an upper end, a lower end opposite said upper end, a first side, and a second side opposite said first side, wherein said base comprises a retainer for retaining at least one cigarette blank,   a shaker communicating with said base, and   
       a cartridge for receiving a plurality of cigarette blanks, wherein said cartridge is mountable on said base and has a first end wall, a second end wall, sidewalls disposed between the end walls, a top, and a bottom pivotably mounted to the first end wall. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein said retainer comprises a step. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein said shaker is located at said lower end of said base. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein said shaker is a plate. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein said shaker is driven by an eccentric cam. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein said cartridge is configured to receive a plurality of boxed cigarette blanks without having to remove the cigarette blanks from the box. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein said cartridge is mechanically openable, allowing cigarette blanks to be dispensed from said cartridge after mounting said cartridge on said base. 
     
     
         13 . A method for dispensing cigarette blanks in a cigarette manufacturing machine, comprising:
 providing a base comprising a retainer for retaining at least one cigarette blank, said base having an upper end, a lower end opposite said upper end, a first side, and a second side opposite said first side,   providing a shaker communicating with said base,   holding a plurality of cigarette blanks on said base,   shaking said cigarette blanks,   retaining with said retainer at least one cigarette blank, and   dispensing a cigarette blank to a loading area.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising,
 providing a cartridge for receiving a plurality of boxed cigarette blanks without having to remove the cigarette blanks from the box.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising,
 mechanically opening said cartridge for allowing the flow of cigarette blanks after mounting of said cartridge on said base.   
     
     
         16 . A method for dispensing cigarette blanks in a cigarette manufacturing machine, comprising:
 opening a cigarette blank holding cartridge,   setting a box of cigarette blanks into the cigarette blank holding cartridge,   closing the bottom of the cigarette blank holding cartridge, and   loading the cigarette blank holding cartridge into a cigarette blank separation device.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising the step of opening the bottom of the cigarette blank holding cartridge after loading the cartridge in the cigarette blank separation device. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising the step of separating a cigarette blank from a plurality of tubes in the cartridge.