Shaker device for packing loose material and related methods

Abstract

a The present invention provides an improved shaker device for directing loose solid material (e.g., leafy material, such as tobacco) into a cylindrical or tapered receptacles (e.g., a cigar skin, collection tubes such as a tube flask, etc.). The shaker device offers significant advancements to filling such receptacles of varying length and width. The shaker device may include a housing, an oscillating or oscillating motor for automated shaking, and an easily removable cover to prevent loss of the loose material while the motor is on or if the device is tipped over. The shaker device may have a top plate with downward facing cone-shaped holes, each with a lower extension to direct loose material into the open ends of a plurality of receptacles, and receivers and/or additional plates to support the receptacles.

1 . A shaker device for depositing loose material into a receptacle, said shaker device comprising:
 a. a support post;   b. a base plate with at least one base passage for securing an end of a receptacle and a base support passage for mounting to said support post;   c. a top plate for receiving said loose material, said top plate comprising an opening for directing said loose material into said receptacle, and a top support passage for adjustably mounting to said support post;   d. an oscillating motor for shaking said loose material; and   e. a housing for supporting said support post and said oscillating motor.   
     
     
         2 . The shaker device of  claim 1 , further comprising an intermediate plate with an intermediate passage for securing a midpoint of said receptacle and an intermediate support passage for mounting to said support post. 
     
     
         3 . The shaker device of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one opening comprises a plurality of openings and said at least one base passage comprises a plurality of base passages. 
     
     
         4 . The shaker device of  claim 1 , wherein said top support passage comprises a ball bearing coupler. 
     
     
         3 . The shaker device of  claim 3 , wherein said base plate and said top plate are each operable to be removed and replaced with a replacement base plate and a replacement top plate, respectively. 
     
     
         6 . The shaker device of  claim 3 , wherein said at least one receptacle comprises a plurality of cigar skins. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The shaker device of  claim 1 , further comprising a screen for filtering said loose material, said screen being operable to be installed above said top plate. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The shaker device of  claim 1 , wherein said control interface comprises an oscillating dial with a plurality of speed settings for controlling a speed of said oscillating motor. 
     
     
         11 . The shaker device of  claim 1 , wherein said control interface comprises a digital interface for controlling the power, speed, and timing of said oscillating motor. 
     
     
         12 . The shaker device of  claim 1 , further comprising a power source for powering said oscillating motor. 
     
     
         13 . The shaker device of  claim 11 , wherein said power source comprises at least one of a commercially available battery, a rechargeable system battery, and a plug for a standard electrical outlet. 
     
     
         14 . A method for using the shaker device of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a. positioning said at least one receptacle in said at least one base passage;   b. positioning said top plate on said support post;   c. vertically adjusting said top plate to accommodate a length of said receptacle;   d. placing said loose material on said top plate; and   e. activating said oscillating motor.   
     
     
         15 . A method for using the shaker device of claim  5 , comprising:
 a. selecting said base plate or a replacement base plate with a plurality of base passages corresponding to an outer diameter of said at least one receptacle;   b. positioning said base plate or replacement base plate on said support post;   c. placing said receptacle into a base passage of said plurality of base passages;   d. selecting said top plate or a replacement top plate with a plurality of openings corresponding to said diameter of said receptacle;   e. positioning said top plate or replacement top plate on said support post;   f. vertically adjusting said top plate or replacement top plate to accommodate a length of said receptacle;   g. placing said loose material on said top plate or replacement top plate; and   h. activating said oscillating motor.   
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A shaker device for depositing loose material into a receptacle, said shaker device comprising:
 a. a base plate for supporting a lower end of at least one receptacle;   b. a top plate for receiving said loose material, said top plate comprising at least one receiver for securing said at least one receptacle and directing said loose material into said at least one receptacle;   c. a motor for shaking said loose material;   d. a control interface for controlling said motor; and   e. a housing for supporting said base plate, said top plate, and said motor.   
     
     
         21 . The shaker device of  claim 20 , wherein said housing comprises a lower housing and and an upper housing, said lower housing supporting said motor, and said control interface, and said upper housing containing said base plate and said top plate operable to receive said loose material. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The shaker device of  claim 21 , wherein said base plate defines a floor of said upper housing, and said upper housing comprises an open top. 
     
     
         24 . The shaker device of  claim 21 , wherein said upper housing is operable to removably attach to said lower housing. 
     
     
         25 . The shaker device of  claim 20 , wherein said at least one receiver comprises a funnel shaped passage operable to be inserted into said at least one receptacle, including a lower extending portion that is operable to sit within said at least one receptacle, wherein said funnel shaped passage directs loose material into said at at least one receptacle and is operable to hold an upper end of said at least one receptacle in place. 
     
     
         26 . The shaker device of  claim 20 , wherein said receiver comprises a plurality of receivers for engaging a plurality of receptacles. 
     
     
         27 . The shaker device of  claim 20 , wherein said motor comprises an oscillating motor. 
     
     
         28 . The shaker device of  claim 20 , further comprising a power source for powering said motor. 
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . (canceled)