Apparatus and methods for manufacturing cigarettes

A device for manufacturing cigarettes from pre-formed tobacco charges and pre-formed tubular wrapping portions, the device comprising:

• a hopper comprising a plurality of passageways for passage of pre-formed tobacco charges;
• a corresponding plurality of receptacles configured for receiving the pre-formed tobacco charges from each of the plurality of passageways, the receptacles comprising means for adjusting the shape of the pre-formed tobacco cartridge;
• a wrapper-holding cartridge configured to support a plurality of pre-formed tubular wrappers, each wrapper including a hollow region at one end configured for receiving a pre-formed tobacco charge;
• a support configured for positioning the wrapper-holding cartridge adjacent the receptacles such that at least a pre-determined number of the pre-formed tubular wrappers are aligned with and adjacent to a corresponding predetermined number of the receptacles;
• means for providing a controlled number of pre-formed tobacco charges to each receptacle;
• and
• an insertion mechanism configured for moving the pre-formed tobacco charges from the receptacles into the hollow region of each pre-formed tubular wrapper aligned adjacent thereto, the insertion mechanism comprising an actuation handle and at least one elongate member in mechanical communication with one of the receptacles.

A device for manufacturing cigarettes comprising:

• a tobacco delivery hopper, said hopper comprising a plurality of receptacles;
• the plurality of receptacles configured for receiving pre-formed charges of tobacco, the receptacles comprising means for adjusting the shape of the pre-formed tobacco cartridge;
• a plurality of slidable plunger rods, each rod positioned for sliding movement through each of the plurality of receptacles;
• and
• a wrapper-holding cartridge comprising a generally rectangular platform;
• said wrapper-holding cartridge configured to support a plurality of pre-formed tubular wrappers;
• the such that at least two of the tubular wrappers are positioned immediately adjacent an end of a corresponding receptacle, wherein, upon a simultaneous sliding movement of the plunger rods through the receptacles, pre-formed charges of tobacco from the receptacles are substantially simultaneously received into each of the two or more tubular wrappers from the corresponding receptacle.

A device for manufacturing cigarettes from tobacco filler and pre-formed tubular wrapping portions, the device comprising:

• a tobacco delivery hopper, said hopper comprising plurality of substantially parallel chambers open at top and bottom;
• a plurality of receptacles adjacent the plurality of substantially parallel chambers and configured to receive tobacco therefrom, the receptacles comprising means for adjusting the shape of the tobacco;
• a moveable wrapper-holding cartridge adjacent the plurality of receptacles, the wrapper-holding cartridge configured for supporting a plurality of pre-formed tubular wrapping portions, each of a predetermined number of the wrapping portions being aligned with one of the plurality of receptacles;
• and
• an insertion mechanism configured for moving tobacco from each receptacle into the hollow region of each of the predetermined number of the wrapping portions.