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.

Machine and method for producing a substantially cylindrical article, which comprises a tubular body, a container element, arranged in the area of one end of the tubular element, a heat generating element, partially housed inside the container element, and loose material for generating flavour; in use, the loose material is inserted into the container element, vertically oriented, and the heat generating element is partially inserted into the container element by being moved downwards, so as to obtain a combined element; subsequently, the combined element is at least partially inserted into the tubular body.

Machine and method for producing a substantially cylindrical article, which comprises a tubular body, a container element, arranged in the area of one end of the tubular element, a heat generating element, partially housed inside the container element, and loose material for generating flavour; in use, the loose material is inserted into the container element, vertically oriented, and the heat generating element is partially inserted into the container element by being moved downwards, so as to obtain a combined element; subsequently, the combined element is at least partially inserted into the tubular body.

An automatic cigarette-making machine includes a material bin for receiving and selectively dispensing a loose combustible substance suitable to be received and packed within a hollow tube to form a cigarette. A tube bin receives and selectively dispenses hollow tubes. A tube transporting carriage selectively receives a tube from the tube bin and selectively transports a tube between positions at the tube bin and filling station. Filling apparatus selectively moves the combustible substance from the material bin into a tube at the filling station. A pressure sensor is movably positionable proximate to a tube being filled at the filling station to measure or monitor pressure of the combustible substance within the tube while it is being filled. A user interface allows a user to select a desired packing density or pressure within the tube while it is being filled and/or the number of cigarettes to be automatically produced.

An automatic cigarette-making machine includes a material bin for receiving and selectively dispensing a loose combustible substance suitable to be received and packed within a hollow tube to form a cigarette. A tube bin receives and selectively dispenses hollow tubes. A tube transporting carriage selectively receives a tube from the tube bin and selectively transports a tube between positions at the tube bin and filling station. Filling apparatus selectively moves the combustible substance from the material bin into a tube at the filling station. A pressure sensor is movably positionable proximate to a tube being filled at the filling station to measure or monitor pressure of the combustible substance within the tube while it is being filled. A user interface allows a user to select a desired packing density or pressure within the tube while it is being filled and/or the number of cigarettes to be automatically produced.

A plant material loader has a hopper, a hopper tray, a transfer tamper assembly, a transfer tray, a product retainer tray, product tubes and a loader tamper assembly. The hopper is configured to receive plant material. The hopper tray receives the plant material from the hopper. The hopper tray has hopper tray openings. The hopper tray has a hopper tray motion from a hopper position where the hopper tray is below the hopper to a transfer position where the hopper tray is away from the hopper and at a transfer tamper assembly. The transfer tamper assembly has transfer tamper rods and a transfer tray. The transfer tamper rods push the plant material from the hopper tray to the transfer tray.

The present application is directed to an apparatus for inserting objects into a filter rod. The apparatus can include: a first conduit adapted to convey a plurality of the objects in series; a first escapement having a first inlet and a first outlet connected by a first channel, wherein the first inlet is connected to the first conduit; a first singulation drum having an outer periphery defining a first row of first pockets adapted to hold the objects, wherein the first singulation drum is adapted to rotate about a first axis to successively move the first pockets into registry with the first outlet; and at least one first source of air that conveys the objects from the first inlet to the first outlet, and successively into the first pockets of the first singulation drum. Other details and methods of inserting objects into a filter rod are also discussed.

The present application is directed to an apparatus for inserting objects into a filter rod. The apparatus can include: a first conduit adapted to convey a plurality of the objects in series; a first escapement having a first inlet and a first outlet connected by a first channel, wherein the first inlet is connected to the first conduit; a first singulation drum having an outer periphery defining a first row of first pockets adapted to hold the objects, wherein the first singulation drum is adapted to rotate about a first axis to successively move the first pockets into registry with the first outlet; and at least one first source of air that conveys the objects from the first inlet to the first outlet, and successively into the first pockets of the first singulation drum. Other details and methods of inserting objects into a filter rod are also discussed.

A rotating platform has a peripheral wall to form a catch basin. A donut shaped wrapper housing can hold perhaps 50-100 cigarette wrappers facing inbound with a closed end projecting out an outer wall exit hole into the catch basin. Tobacco or any work material is dropped onto the center of the rotating platform which may be motor driven. Centripetal forces urge the work material into the wrappers. Empty wrapper channels feed the excess material into the catch basin. A lid prevents loss of work material.

A rotating platform has a peripheral wall to form a catch basin. A donut shaped wrapper housing can hold perhaps 50-100 cigarette wrappers facing inbound with a closed end projecting out an outer wall exit hole into the catch basin. Tobacco or any work material is dropped onto the center of the rotating platform which may be motor driven. Centripetal forces urge the work material into the wrappers. Empty wrapper channels feed the excess material into the catch basin. A lid prevents loss of work material.