Cigarette closure device and method

Abstract

It is the object of the present invention to reduce the amount of labor that is required for distal closure of a cigarette or joint by providing a device and related method for folding and dimpling the distal tip of a joint through single actuation.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A cigarette distal tip closure device comprising:
 a cigarette positioning feature having a major axis,   said cigarette position feature being adapted to locate a cigarette in an axial direction and a radial direction;   a depression mechanism comprising a first shaped depressor having a first depression surface, a second shaped depressor having a second depression surface, and a dimpler having a dimpling surface, wherein said first depression surface, said second depression surface, and said dimpling surface are located at differing positions in the axial direction;   said depression surface being adapted to form an arcuate fold of paper upon an axial actuation of said depression surface toward said cigarette positioning feature;   said dimpling surface being adapted to depress said arcuate fold of paper toward said cigarette positioner   said cigarette positioning feature and said depression mechanism having a mechanical connection such that said depression mechanism is displaceable in the axial direction and substantially rigid in the radial direction with respect to the positioning feature.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said cigarette positioning feature and said depression mechanism mechanical connection is a slidable connection providing linear motion. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said cigarette positioning feature and said depression mechanism mechanical connection provides substantially axial motion during the formation of said arcuate fold and depression thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said depression surfaces are elastically displaceable in the outward radial direction. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein a leaf spring resists said elastic displacement of said depression surfaces. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4  wherein said cigarette positioner comprises a distal tip positioner ring. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein said cigarette positioning feature has a groove adapted for receipt of said depression surface during actuation, said groove being shaped and adapted to cause said depression surface to displace radially outward upon contact. 
     
     
         8 . A method for cigarette distal tip closure comprising:
 Inserting a cigarette into a cigarette positioning feature;   actuating a depression mechanism to begin axial translation of said depression mechanism toward the cigarette distal tip;   a first shaped depressor forms a first fold of excess paper at the cigarette distal tip;   retract first shaped depressor radially away from the cigarette;   a second shaped depressor forms a second fold of excess paper at the distal tip;   retract the second shaped depressor radially away from the cigarette;   and a dimpler depresses the center of the distal tip.