A smoking article provides one or more sheets of material that can be rolled to a tube or shell or tube-like shape and then packaged in an unfilled or partially filled condition, one end portion of the tube or shell or tube-like shape being at least partially closed. In one embodiment, multiple sheets are rolled layers that can optionally be wrapped around a form casing (or pre-rolled inside) and then packaged with one end closed or partially closed. In another embodiment, a rod that assists in loading tobacco into the shell cavity is provided. In one embodiment, the plug takes the form of a mouthpiece.

A smoking article provides one or more sheets of material that can be rolled to a tube or shell or tube-like shape and then packaged in an unfilled or partially filled condition, one end portion of the tube or shell or tube-like shape being at least partially closed. In one embodiment, multiple sheets are rolled layers that can optionally be wrapped around a form casing (or pre-rolled inside) and then packaged with one end closed or partially closed. In another embodiment, a rod that assists in loading tobacco into the shell cavity is provided. In one embodiment, the plug takes the form of a mouthpiece.

Packing tools and systems and methods for using a packing tool to hand-make smoking products are disclosed. In some embodiments, the packing tool may include an elongate body having a first tamping end and a second tamping end opposite the first tamping end, and a handle attached to, or formed with, the elongate body. The handle may be disposed between the first and second tamping ends. The first tamping end may have a first width sized to fit within a filter end of a smoking product. The second tamping end may have a second width sized to fit within an ignition end of a smoking product. The packing tool may additionally include a single row of troughs configured to distribute material of a smoking product, a set of ruler markings proximate the first tamping end, and a paper curling portion disposed between the handle portion and second tamping end.

Packing tools and systems and methods for using a packing tool to hand-make smoking products are disclosed. In some embodiments, the packing tool may include an elongate body having a first tamping end and a second tamping end opposite the first tamping end, and a handle attached to, or formed with, the elongate body. The handle may be disposed between the first and second tamping ends. The first tamping end may have a first width sized to fit within a filter end of a smoking product. The second tamping end may have a second width sized to fit within an ignition end of a smoking product. The packing tool may additionally include a single row of troughs configured to distribute material of a smoking product, a set of ruler markings proximate the first tamping end, and a paper curling portion disposed between the handle portion and second tamping end.

This invention concerns a tube filling apparatus (10). The apparatus includes a base (40) and a filling assembly (20) mountable on the base (40). The filling assembly (20) has a number of tube receiving recesses wherein tubes may, in use, be received. The apparatus (10) further includes a vibration plate (32) which is locatable between the base (40) and the filling assembly (20). In use, the tubes rest on the vibration plate (32) when they are located in the recesses. The apparatus (10) may also include transducer such as a speaker which is connected to the vibration plate (32) for, in use, vibrating the vibration plate (32), which is capable of moving independently from the filling assembly (20). This invention also concerns a method of filling tubes.

This invention concerns a tube filling apparatus (10). The apparatus includes a base (40) and a filling assembly (20) mountable on the base (40). The filling assembly (20) has a number of tube receiving recesses wherein tubes may, in use, be received. The apparatus (10) further includes a vibration plate (32) which is locatable between the base (40) and the filling assembly (20). In use, the tubes rest on the vibration plate (32) when they are located in the recesses. The apparatus (10) may also include transducer such as a speaker which is connected to the vibration plate (32) for, in use, vibrating the vibration plate (32), which is capable of moving independently from the filling assembly (20). This invention also concerns a method of filling tubes.

A device includes a u-shaped receptacle comprising a base wall and two sidewalls that extend off of the base wall. The two sidewalls are generally parallel to each other and parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the u-shaped receptacle. The device also includes a packing block disposable between the two sidewalls. The base wall, the two sidewalls, and the packing block together bound therebetween a variable size region for receiving a material. The packing block is movable along the central longitudinal axis between the two sidewalls relative to the base wall. Movement of the packing block adjusts a size of the variable size region. A method is also disclosed.

A device includes a u-shaped receptacle comprising a base wall and two sidewalls that extend off of the base wall. The two sidewalls are generally parallel to each other and parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the u-shaped receptacle. The device also includes a packing block disposable between the two sidewalls. The base wall, the two sidewalls, and the packing block together bound therebetween a variable size region for receiving a material. The packing block is movable along the central longitudinal axis between the two sidewalls relative to the base wall. Movement of the packing block adjusts a size of the variable size region. A method is also disclosed.

An apparatus for preparing organic material and loading the organic material into a cone comprises a cylindrical body, a grinder assembly, a cone holder, and a funnel. The cylindrical body includes top and bottom openings. The grinder assembly is removably attached to the top opening of the cylindrical body and is configured to grind the organic material. The grinder assembly includes a hole for the ground organic material to pass through. The cone holder extends into the bottom opening of the main cylindrical body and is releasably secured thereto. The cone holder includes an aperture for receiving the cone. The funnel comprises a wide portion for receiving the ground material that passes through the hole of the grinder assembly and a narrow portion that extends into an end opening of the cone when the cone is held by the cone holder in the cylindrical body.

An apparatus for preparing organic material and loading the organic material into a cone comprises a cylindrical body, a grinder assembly, a cone holder, and a funnel. The cylindrical body includes top and bottom openings. The grinder assembly is removably attached to the top opening of the cylindrical body and is configured to grind the organic material. The grinder assembly includes a hole for the ground organic material to pass through. The cone holder extends into the bottom opening of the main cylindrical body and is releasably secured thereto. The cone holder includes an aperture for receiving the cone. The funnel comprises a wide portion for receiving the ground material that passes through the hole of the grinder assembly and a narrow portion that extends into an end opening of the cone when the cone is held by the cone holder in the cylindrical body.