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US 7,325,382 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for loading finished cigarettes into package
AssigneeR. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
InventorsJohn Larkin Nelson, Vernon Brent Barnes, Timothy Frederick Thomas
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device and method for loading cigarettes from a cartridge into a package. The device provides for transferring cigarettes from a cartridge supporting them to a package.
Claims14
A device for loading finished cigarettes into a package, the device comprising:
- (a) a base including a position configured for holding an open cigarette package;
- (b) a platform located above the base and adapted for supporting a cartridge containing finished cigarettes;
- (c) a passageway extending below the platform, the passageway providing means for passage of cigarettes from the cartridge and into the open cigarette package;
- and
- (d) means for removal of cigarettes from the cartridge including means for moving the cartridge relative to the platform such that cigarettes within the cartridge are pushed from the cartridge and into the downwardly extending passageway.
2 more elements
A method for loading cigarettes into a package, the method comprising:
- providing a base including a movable carriage adapted to hold an open cigarette package, and placing a cigarette package in the carriage;
- providing a cartridge support mounted above the base, the cartridge support including a region that is open to the base and including a series of parallel ejection rods extending toward the open region;
- introducing a cartridge that is supporting cigarettes onto the cartridge support;
- moving the carriage such that the cigarette package is below the open region;
- and
- moving the cartridge, the series of ejection rods, or both relative to the base such that the ejection rods contact the cigarettes supported on the cartridge such that the cigarettes are pushed off the cartridge, travel down through the open region, and into the cigarette package.
3 more elements
A device for transferring cigarettes from a cartridge to a package, comprising:
- a support surface for a cigarette-carrying cartridge;
- a plurality of horizontally-extending rods configured for allowing movement of the cartridge, but resisting movement of cigarettes on the cartridge when the cigarette-carrying cartridge is placed on the support surface and moved toward the rods;
- at least one sloped surface positioned below the support surface;
- a package-holding surface that is positionable directly beneath the at least one sloped surface;
- the at least one sloped surface configured to direct the cigarettes to the package-holding surface.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.