Tube Filling Device and Method

Abstract

Improved methods of transferring a portion of smokable material from a casing into a smokable tube include displacing the casing and the portion of smokable material into the tube by specified amounts and at least partially withdrawing the casing from the tube, while holding the portion in the tube. A device for carrying out the methods includes a tube receiving area for receiving a smokable tube to be filled, portion displacement means for displacing the portion relative to the casing, and casing displacement means for engaging and displacing the casing.

1 . A tube filling device for transferring a portion of smokable material from a casing to a smokable tube comprising:
 a tube receiving area for receiving a smokable tube to be filled;   portion displacement means for displacing the portion relative to the casing; and   casing displacement means for engaging and displacing the casing.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the casing displacement means and the portion displacement means are movable relative to one another. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the casing displacement means are movable relative to the tube receiving area. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the casing displacement means and the portion displacement means are movable relative to one another and relative to the tube receiving area. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the casing displacement means comprises casing engagement means. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein the casing engagement means comprises clamping means. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the tube receiving area comprises tube engagement means for engaging the tube. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 7 , wherein the tube engagement means comprises clamping means and/or an end stop. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the casing displacement means is driven by a first drive mechanism and the portion displacement means is driven by a second drive mechanism, such that the casing displacement means and the portion displacement means are configured to be driven independently of the other. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the portion displacement means is arranged to actuate casing engagement means of the casing displacement means. 
     
     
         11 . A tube filling device for transferring a portion of smokable material from a casing to a smokable tube comprising:
 a tube receiving area for receiving a smokable tube to be filled;   a shaft for displacing the portion relative to the casing; and   a casing displacement clamp having first and second members for engaging and displacing the casing.   
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein the casing displacement clamp and the shaft are movable relative to one another. 
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein the casing displacement clamp is movable relative to the tube receiving area. 
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein the casing displacement clamp and the shaft are movable relative to one another and relative to the tube receiving area. 
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein the first member is configured to pass inside the casing or an adaptor connected to the casing, and the second member is configured to engage an outside of the casing or the adaptor connected to the casing. 
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 15 , wherein the first member and the second member are configured to be moved towards and away from one another. 
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein the second member is biased towards the first member by a spring. 
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein the shaft has a first part having a first lateral dimension, a second part having a second lateral dimension smaller than the first lateral dimension, and a transition part therebetween, and wherein the second member has a follower member biased against the shaft such that movement of the shaft along its axis causes the second member to move toward and away from the shaft and the first member. 
     
     
         19 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein the tube receiving area comprises a clamp and/or an end stop. 
     
     
         20 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein the casing displacement clamp is driven by a first drive mechanism and the shaft is driven by a second drive mechanism, such that the casing displacement clamp and the shaft are configured to be driven independently of the other.