Device and Method for Filling Tubular Sleeves with Cut Vegetal Material

Abstract

A device for filling tubular sleeves with cut vegetal material includes a hopper; a nozzle; an auger arranged between the hopper and the nozzle such that rotation of the auger results in transportation of contents of the hopper into the nozzle; and a drive means coupler configured to operatively couple the auger to a detachable drive means such that the auger is rotated by the drive means. A method for use of the device is also provided.

1 . A device for filling tubular sleeves with cut vegetal material, the device comprising:
 a hopper;   a nozzle;   an auger arranged between the hopper and the nozzle such that rotation of the auger results in transportation of contents of the hopper into the nozzle; and   a drive means coupler configured to operatively couple the auger to a detachable drive means such that the auger is rotated by the detachable drive means.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a detachable drive means, wherein the detachable drive means is a manual drive means comprising a handle. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the handle comprises a hinge configured to allow the handle to be folded away when not in use. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a detachable drive means, wherein the detachable drive means comprises one or both of a battery-powered motor and a mains-powered motor. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the drive means coupler comprises a driven shaft operatively coupled to the auger and configured to engage with a drive shaft of a drive means during use such that the drive shaft rotates the driven shaft and the auger rotates with the driven shaft. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the driven shaft is keyed for connection to the drive shaft. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the drive means coupler comprises an external surface having one or more recessed features and/or one or more protruding features configured to engage with corresponding features of a drive means to hold the drive means and the drive means coupler together in an interference fit during use. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the drive means coupler comprises a magnet configured to attract a corresponding magnet of a drive means to hold the drive means and drive means coupler together during use. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the drive means coupler comprises a planetary gear train comprising a ring gear and a sun gear connected by a plurality of planet gears. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , having a sun:planet:ring tooth ratio of 7:29:65. 
     
     
         11 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the hopper comprises a lid configured to reversibly close the hopper. 
     
     
         15 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a sliding agitator configured to agitate contents of the hopper. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the sliding agitator comprises a track and a spar descending from the track, the spar having a flange configured to slide along the track. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein the spar comprises a distal bulb portion configured to extend into the hopper. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein the spar comprises a grip portion ascending from the flange, configured to be slid along the track by hand. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a sprung hammer. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the sprung hammer is a wishbone spring hammer formed of plastic configured to flex within an elastic range of material deformation of the plastic. 
     
     
         24 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising clamp means configured to grip a tubular sleeve onto the nozzle, wherein said clamp means are configured such that the grip can be adjusted to provide different fill weights. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein the clamp means comprise:
 a sprung hammer configured to grip a tubular sleeve onto the nozzle; and   a manually rotatable collar having an internal cam profile configured to be followed by the sprung hammer to, in use, adjust the grip provided by the sprung hammer.   
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein the cam profile is a spline tangential to the sprung hammer at least three points, one of the at least three points being a neutral point of the sprung hammer. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a nozzle housing arranged in spaced relation surrounding the nozzle such that a tubular sleeve can be fitted onto the nozzle between the nozzle and the nozzle housing. 
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the auger is operatively coupled to the drive means coupler via a trunk portion configured to rotate with the auger, the trunk portion extending into the hopper and presenting a substantially smooth outer surface, configured to slide past cut vegetal material without trapping the cut vegetal material, to an interior of the hopper. 
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a guard configured to prevent tobacco egress out of the hopper through the drive means coupler. 
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 33 , wherein:
 the auger is operably coupled to the drive means coupler through an axial aperture in a back wall of the hopper; and   the guard comprises a backstop configured to plug into said axial aperture from a side nearer to the drive means coupler and having a rim extending radially out beyond edges of said axial aperture.   
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 34 , wherein:
 the drive means coupler comprises a driven shaft operatively coupled to the auger and configured to engage with a drive shaft of a drive means during use such that the drive shaft rotates the driven shaft and the auger rotates with the driven shaft;   the auger is operably coupled to the driven shaft through an axial aperture in a back wall of the hopper; and   the guard comprises a baffle configured to rotate with the driven shaft, the baffle extending radially out beyond edges of said axial aperture.   
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 34 , wherein:
 the drive means coupler comprises a driven shaft operatively coupled to the auger and configured to engage with a drive shaft of a drive means during use such that the drive shaft rotates the driven shaft and the auger rotates with the driven shaft;   the auger is operably coupled to the driven shaft through the axial aperture in the back wall of the hopper;   the guard comprises a baffle configured to rotate with the driven shaft, the baffle extending radially out beyond edges of said axial aperture;   the backstop is located between the hopper and the baffle; and   the baffle extends radially out beyond the rim of the backstop.   
     
     
         37 - 39 . (canceled)