In some embodiments, a system includes a pod assembly, a dispensing assembly, a filling assembly, a spinning assembly, a twisting assembly, an unloading assembly, and an electronic control unit. The dispensing assembly can dispense a set of cones into the pod assembly, each cone having a first end and a second end, the first end being a pre-closed end. The filling assembly can fill each cone in the pod assembly with filler material. The spinning assembly can spin the pod assembly such that the filler material within each cone is compressed. The twisting assembly can twist the second end of each cone such that the second end is closed. The unloading assembly can remove each cone from the pod assembly and transfer each cone to another location separate from the pod assembly.

In some embodiments, a system includes a pod assembly, a dispensing assembly, a filling assembly, a spinning assembly, a twisting assembly, an unloading assembly, and an electronic control unit. The dispensing assembly can dispense a set of cones into the pod assembly, each cone having a first end and a second end, the first end being a pre-closed end. The filling assembly can fill each cone in the pod assembly with filler material. The spinning assembly can spin the pod assembly such that the filler material within each cone is compressed. The twisting assembly can twist the second end of each cone such that the second end is closed. The unloading assembly can remove each cone from the pod assembly and transfer each cone to another location separate from the pod assembly.

A cigarette rolling machine formed of a frame pivotably supporting a drum for rotation about a drum axis. The drum circumference forms hopper channel and a spaced apart removal channel parallel to the axis. A forming roller is pivotably mounted adjacent to and spaced from the surface of the drum. An idler roller is also pivotably supported on the frame for rotation parallel to the drum axis. An elongate belt forms a loop extending about the forming and idler roller. The belt has two ends attached to spaced apart sides of the removal channel. A tensioner roller is pivotably supported for rotation parallel to the drum axis. A belt tension adjuster cooperates with the tensioner roller and the frame to releasably affix the axis of the tensioner roller at a plurality of positions relative to the belt in order to vary the diameter of a cigarette to be formed.

A cone filling apparatus for production of smoking articles includes: (a) a cone pallet including a plurality of cavities, each cavity for holding a respective cone; (b) a delivery chute having a load end for receiving a smokeable product from a source and an unload end downstream of the load end for unloading the smokeable product from the chute; and (c) a dosing tray disposed above the pallet. The dosing tray includes a plurality of transfer sleeves. Each sleeve has an upper sleeve end for receiving smokeable product unloaded from the unload end of the chute, and a lower sleeve end for dispensing the smokeable product into a cone held in a respective cavity aligned beneath the lower sleeve end.

Apparatuses and methods are provided for filling and packing herb receptacles with herb material. For example, a method of filling and packing herb receptacles is provided which includes supporting the herb receptacles in space on a vibrating platform with the aid of a support structure having a plurality of holding apertures; dosing herb material into the herb receptacles; repositioning the vibrating platform from a loading configuration to a packing configuration to lift the herb receptacles with the herb material relative to the support structure; and packing the herb receptacles with the herb material with the vibrating platform in the packing configuration.

A pre-roll packing device includes a tube receiving structure with a plurality of receiving tubes and a removable lid, such that a plurality of pre-rolled tubes can be inserted into the tube receiving structure, such that the smoking material can be dispensed onto an upper surface of the tube receiving structure, such that a user can place the removable lid atop the tube receiving structure, such that the pre-roll packing device creates a vertical movement of parts of the pre-roll packing device, such that the plurality of pre-rolled tubes are uniformly filled and packed with the smoking material.

A compact cigarette manufacturing machine comprises a housing, a filling pipe, a loading element, a presser, and a push spoon. The housing encloses a material chamber having a bottom surface and an open end for receiving cut tobacco or other materials. The filling pipe is disposed on the housing to define a filling tip, and extends into a filling cavity in communication with the material chamber through an opening of the bottom surface of the material chamber. The loading element is assembled with the housing and is operable to load the materials into the filling cavity through the opening of the bottom surface of the material chamber. The presser is assembled with the housing and is operable to press the materials loaded in the filling cavity. A push spoon slidably disposed inside the filling cavity is operable to deliver the materials in the filling cavity into a cigarette tube loaded on the filling tip.

The present invention relates to a device and method for rolling a paper tube around ground material to form a cigarette. In an embodiment of the present invention, the device comprises an openable chamber configured to receive ground material, the chamber having a first end and a second end; a rolling assembly disposed within the chamber, the rolling assembly receiving paper and forming a paper tube around the ground material, the rolling assembly having a first end and a second; and a first gear assembly at the first chamber end and communicatively connected the first end of the rolling assembly, and a second gear assembly at the second chamber end and communicatively connected to the second end of the rolling assembly, the first and second gear activating the rolling assembly when rotated to roll the paper around the ground material forming a cigarette.

A pre-roll packing device includes a tube receiving structure with a plurality of receiving tubes and a removable lid, such that a plurality of pre-rolled tubes can be inserted into the tube receiving structure, such that the smoking material can be dispensed onto an upper surface of the tube receiving structure, such that a user can place the removable lid atop the tube receiving structure, such that the pre-roll packing device creates a vertical movement of parts of the pre-roll packing device, such that the plurality of pre-rolled tubes are uniformly filled and packed with the smoking material.

Grinding apparatus for grinding substances, such as tobacco. In certain embodiments, grinding apparatus with a plurality of receptacles which can be selectively filled with a ground product, such as tobacco. In still other embodiments, a grinding apparatus with a cone lifting mechanism, vibration inducing mechanism and/or with a selector capability or mechanism for selecting one or more of a plurality of receptacles, or storage area(s), for delivery of a ground product.