PACKING PLANT MATTER IN PRE-ROLLS TO MAKE SMOKABLE PRODUCT

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application gains priority from provisional patent applications US 63/353,599 filed 19 June 2022 and US 63/399,783 filed 22 August 2022, both which are included by reference as if fully set-forth herein.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention, in some embodiments, relates to the field of manufacture and, more particularly but not exclusively, to methods and devices for packing plant matter (such as from Cannabis plants) in pre-rolls such as cones to make smokable products such as joints.

It is known to inhale materials that are volatilized from plant matter, such as phytocannabinoids volatilized from parts of plants of genus Cannabis (e.g., Cannabis sativa, hemp).

One method of volatilization comprises packing particulate plant matter into a prerolled cone (henceforth cone) to make a joint 10 (see Figure 1) and then smoking the joint by burning a distal end 12 thereof and through a proximal end 14 thereof orally inhaling combustion products together with materials such as phytocannabinoids volatilized from the plant matter.

In the art of Cannabis smoking and as used herein, one type of pre-roll is a cone 16, a thin-walled container made of flammable material (typically paper or similar material) including a conical distal portion 18 and a proximal portion 20 that in some instances is cylindrical (not depicted) and in some instances conical (as depicted in Figure 1). Conical distal portion 18 is filled with particulate plant matter 22 and distal end 12 is closed (e.g., by folding or twisting as depicted in Figure 1) to prevent plant matter 22 from falling out from distal end 12. When present, proximal portion 20 often contains a filter 24 which allows a user to hold joint 10 while distal end 12 is burning and prevents plant matter 22 from falling out through proximal end 14 but allows passage therethrough of combustion products and volatilized materials to be orally inhaled. Pre-rolls such as cones are provided in many different sizes. In Figure 1 is depicted an about 109 mm long pre-roll of which about 12 mm of distal end 12 is twisted shut so that joint 10 is about 97 mm long. The diameter of proximal end 14 is about 6 mm, the length of filter 24 is about 26 mm, the diameter of joint 10 at the filter 24 / vegetable matter 22 interface is about 7.5 mm and the diameter of the original untwisted distal end of cone 16 is 13 mm (indicated in dashed lines in Figure 1).

It would be useful to have methods and devices for packing particulate plant matter in cones to make joints.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Some embodiments of the invention herein relate to methods and devices for packing particulate plant matter in pre-rolls, for example, packing particulate plant matter from Cannabis plants in cones to make joints.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the teachings herein, there is provided a method of packing particulate plant matter in an open-ended pre-roll to make a smokable product, comprising: a. providing an open-ended pre-roll having walls defining an inner volume, a closed proximal end, an open distal end and a longitudinal axis passing therebetween; b. placing the pre-roll inside a volume of a pre-roll holder so that the open distal end of the pre-roll is oriented upwards; and c. subsequent to 'b', filling the inner volume of the pre-roll through the open distal end with particulate plant matter over a period of time, and during the period of time, repeatedly tamping particulate plant matter contained inside the inner volume of the pre-roll with a tamper, thereby making a smokable product.

In some embodiments at least 50% by weight of the particulate plant matter is from a member of genus Cannabis.

In some embodiments the particulate plant matter comprises smokable buds from a member of genus Cannabis.

In some embodiments, the pre-roll is selected from the group consisting of a tube and a cone.

In some embodiments, the period of time is not less than about 0.5 second and not more than about 10 seconds.

In some embodiments, the tamping is effected by a tamper which is actively moved downwards by application of a force by a mechanism to tamp the particulate plant matter that is contained inside the inner volume of the pre-roll. In some embodiments, the tamping is effected by a tamper which is allowed to drop downwards due to gravity to tamp the particulate plant matter that is contained inside the inner volume of the pre-roll.

In some embodiments, the tamping is repeated at a rate of not less than about 1 tamp / 4 seconds and not more than about 20 tamps / second.

In some embodiments, the maximal force applied by the tamper to a surface of plant matter during each individual tamp is within 10% of a target tamping force.

In some embodiments, the target tamping force is not less than 0.2 mN / mm ² and not more than 20 mN / mm ² .

In some embodiments, an average maximal force applied by the tamper to a surface of plant matter during each individual tamp during a filling of a the pre-roll is not less than 0.2 mN / mm ² and not more than 20 mN / mm ² .

In some embodiments, the tamper is a solid elongated object having a distal tip and a tamper axis, the distal tip entering the inner volume of the pre-roll through the open distal end of the pre-roll with a repeated tamping motion.

In some embodiments, the tamping motion is parallel to the tamper axis and within 5° of parallel with the longitudinal axis of the pre-roll.

In some embodiments, the filling is performed by directing particulate plant matter out of a distal end of a filling conduit through the open distal end of the pre-roll into the inner volume of the pre-roll, the distal end of the filling conduit having walls with an outer dimension and an inner dimension.

In some embodiments, during the period of time, the distal end of the filling conduit is not inside the inner volume of the pre-roll.

In some embodiments, during the period of time, the distal end of the filling conduit is located inside the inner volume of the pre-roll.

In some embodiments, during the tamping the tamper passes out through the distal end of the filling conduit and through the open distal end of the pre-roll.

In some embodiments, the tamper comprises: a narrow stem colinear with the tamper axis and a wide tamper head at a distal end of the stem, wherein a distal tip of the tamper head is the distal tip of the tamper; and the stem having dimensions such that a clearance between the stem and the inner dimension of the distal end of the filling conduit is at least about 1.5 mm on all sides; wherein an increase of narrow outer dimensions of the stem to wide outer dimensions of the tamper head is continuous.

In some embodiments, the outer dimensions of the tamper head are greater than about 2 mm smaller than the inner diameter of the filling conduit so that the clearance between the tamper head and the filling conduit when the tamper head is inside the filling conduit is not greater than about 1 mm.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the teachings herein, there is also provided a device for filling pre-rolls, comprising: at least one pre-roll holder including a volume, the volume configured to hold a preroll with an open distal end thereof oriented upwards; a filling/tamper station configured to fill an inner volume of a pre-roll held in a preroll holder that is located at the filling/tamper station with particulate plant matter dispensed through a filling conduit of the filling/tamper station through the open distal end of the pre-roll over a period of time, and during which period of time further repeatedly tamping particulate plant matter contained inside the inner volume of the pre-roll with a tamper; a fine-filling station comprising a weighing scale configured to determine a weight of a pre-roll with particulate plant matter therein held in a pre-roll holder that is located at the fine-filling station, the fine-filling station configured to optionally add particulate plant matter to a pre-roll held in a pre-roll holder that is located at the fine- filling station through the open distal end of the pre-roll over a second period of time with reference to a weight of a pre-roll as determined by the weighing scale; and a holder conveyer functionally-associated with the pre-roll holder configured to convey a pre-roll held in a pre-roll holder from the filling/tamper station (after the period of time for the filling with particulate plant matter with the repeated/tamping) to the fine-filling station (for adding of additional particulate plant matter).

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the teachings herein, there is also provided a device useful for the separation of aggregates of particulate plant matter into separate particles comprising: a. a housing defining an inner volume with an upper chamber having a narrow neck defined by neck walls at the bottom thereof; b. positioned inside the neck, a rotatable scraper plate having an axis, an upper surface, a lower surface, a periphery, a thickness and holes, the holes providing fluid communication between the upper surface and the lower surface, wherein a clearance between the periphery of the scraper plate and the neck walls is not more than about 4 mm; and c. a rotatable shelf positioned below the scraper plate, the rotatable shelf coaxial with the scraper plate and having an upper surface perpendicular to the axis of the scraper plate; wherein the dimensions of the rotatable shelf perpendicular to the axis are such that particles falling from the upper surface of the scraper plate through the holes fall onto the upper surface of the rotatable shelf, further comprising a mechanism for simultaneously rotating both the scraper plate and the rotatable shelf around the axis.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the teachings herein, there is also provided a filler / tamper device suitable for filling a container with particulate vegetable matter, comprising: a hopper with a lower filling conduit having a conduit end; an elongated tamper having a tamper axis and a tamper tip; a mechanism for moving the tamper substantially parallel with the tamper axis upwards to an upper position and downwards to a lower position in a tamping motion, wherein when the tamper is in the lower position: the tamper passes through the hopper, through the conduit and through the conduit end so that the tamper tip is outside of the conduit end, and a clearance between the tamper and the conduit end is sufficient to allow the passage of particulate vegetable matter from the hopper past the tamper and through the filling conduit.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the teachings herein, there is also provided a pre-roll holder for holding a pre-roll of specified shape and dimensions open distal end up, allowing filling of the pre-roll, comprising: a central carrier having a vertical axis, the central carrier defining an inner volume shaped and dimensioned to hold at least a portion of a pre-roll of specified shape and dimensions so that when the pre-roll is seated in the inner volume, walls of the inner volume intimately contact and support walls of the portion of the pre-roll; encircling at least a portion of the central carrier, a holder ring, wherein the central carrier and the holder ring are slidingly associated one with the other, thereby having at least two states, a lower state and an upper state: in the lower state, the central carrier physically touching the holder ring so that the holder ring prevents the central carrier from tilting more than ±5° axially and/or moving more than 2 mm in a direction perpendicular to the vertical axis; in the upper state, the central carrier devoid of any physical contact with the holder ring, allowing the determination of the weight of the central carrier and contents of the inner volume without interference by the holder ring; wherein transition from the lower state to the upper state is effected by applying an upwards vertical force to the central carrier, so that the central carrier slides upwards relative to the holder ring.

Aspects and embodiments of the invention are described in the specification hereinbelow and in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Some embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference to the accompanying figures. The description, together with the figures, makes apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art how some embodiments of the invention may be practiced. The figures are for the purpose of illustrative discussion and no attempt is made to show structural details of an embodiment in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention. For the sake of clarity, some objects depicted in the figures are not to scale.

In the Figures:

Figure 1 (prior art) schematically depicts a joint with a closed distal end, ready to be smoked;

Figure 2 is schematic depiction of an embodiment of a pre-roll packing device useful for packing particulate plant matter in pre-rolls viewed from the side;

Figure 3 A is a schematic depiction of an embodiments of a pre-roll holder in the lower state;

Figure 3B is a schematic depiction of an embodiments of a pre-roll holder together with a surface of a weighing scale in side cross section in the upper state; Figures 4A and 4B are schematic depiction of an embodiment of a fine-filling device together with a pre-roll holder in side cross section (Figure 4A) and in vertical cross section (Fogure 4B);

Figure 5A is a schematic depiction of an embodiment of filler/tamper device together with a pre-roll holder in side cross section;

Figure 5B is a schematic depiction of the tamper head of the filler/tamper device of Figure 5 A in a plane perpendicular to the tamper axis;

Figure 5C is a schematic depiction of the tamper head of the filler/tamper device of Figure 5 A in a plane that includes the tamper axis;

Figure 6 is a schematic depiction of an embodiment of a tamper head of a filler/tamper device according to the teachings herein in a plane that includes the tamper axis;

Figures 7A-7C schematically depict different stages of filling a pre-roll using a device of Figures 5A and 5B; and

Figures 8A, 8B and 8C are schematic depictions of embodiments of a filler/tamper device according to the teachings herein in side cross section.

DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Some embodiments of the invention herein relate to methods and devices for packing particulate plant matter in pre-rolls, for example, packing particulate plant matter from Cannabis plants in cones to make joints.

The principles, uses and implementations of the teachings of the invention may be better understood with reference to the accompanying description and figures. Upon perusal of the description and figures present herein, one skilled in the art is able to implement the teachings of the invention without undue effort or experimentation. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components and/or methods set forth herein. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. The phraseology and terminology employed herein are for descriptive purpose and should not be regarded as limiting. The teachings herein will be discussed in detail with reference to a preferred, but nonlimiting, embodiment, the packing of particulate plant matter from a Cannabis plant into a pre-roll which is a cone to make a joint.

A user interested in preparing a joint including particulate plant matter often elects, for convenience, to use a pre-roll purchased from a commercial supplier, such as pre-rolled cones commercially available under the tradename RAW® from HBI International, Phoenix, Arizona, USA. The user either receives particulate plant matter or comminuates received plant matter to make particulate plant matter, e.g., using a herb grinder (e.g., an iRainy kitchen spice grinder), fingernails, or scissors. The user then packs the cone with the particulate plant matter.

In some instances, the user manually fills the cone by simply pouring the particulate plant matter into the open distal end of the cone, manually pressing downwards, and then closing the distal end.

Alternatively, the user places a funnel (often called a cone loader) into the distal end of the cone, pours the particulate plant matter into the cone through the funnel, then tamps the particulate plant matter in the cone using a poker tool. Cone loader / poker kits are commercially available, e.g., under the RAW® brandname.

There exist packing devices for automatically packing cones with material plant matter to prepare joints on a commercial scale. Joints made using known packing devices have a great variance in the amount of plant matter therein. Such variance is unacceptable from regulatory, consumer-protection and pharmacological standpoints, especially when a joint is designated for medicinal use.

Further, the density of plant matter packed in joints made using known packing devices is heterogeneous. Such heterogeneous density may lead to weak points where the joint can break while being smoked. Such heterogeneous density may also lead to uneven burning of the plant matter so that a lit joint may extinguish while being smoked and/or lead to uneven burning temperature so that there is great variance in how materials in the plant matter are volatilized, leading to an inconsistent pharmacological effect during smoking of a single joint or when two different joints are smoked. It is important to note that these are not challenges when making tobacco cigarettes as these do not include particulate plant matter but instead homogeneous strips of cut tobacco leaves that are interwoven and overlap inside the cigarette wall. As a result, the density of tobacco of a correctly-rolled cigarette is homogeneous. The Inventors have identified that at least one reason that known packing devices fail to properly pack pre-rolls with particulate plant matter from Cannabis relates to the heterogeneity of the individual Cannabis particles which are typically made from a combination of leaves, stems, flowers and buds: these are of different size, moisture content, oil content, shape and composition. Further, there is a great deal of heterogeneity in different batches of particulate plant matter due to multiple reasons including: the strain of Cannabis, where the Cannabis grew, when it was harvested as wells as factors determined by the manufacturer of the particulate Cannabis such as moisture content and particle size. Further, particles of plant matter from Cannabis, especially Cannabis buds, are very sticky and tend to aggregate very quickly.

There is a need for methods and devices for packing pre-rolls such as cones with particulate plant matter such as from Cannabis to prepare smokable products such as joints. Preferably, the methods and devices are suited for or are configurable to account for variation in the characteristics of different batches of the particulate plant matter and/or to provide a precise designated amount of plant matter in a prepared smokable product and / or to pack the plant matter homogeneously and/ or to pack the plant matter at a desired density.

Herein are disclosed methods and devices for packing particulate plant matter in prerolls such as cones to make smokable products such as joints that, in some embodiments, have one or more advantages compared to known methods and devices for making such smokable products. Disclosed are also joints made according to the method of the teachings herein or using a device according to the teachings herein.

Method of packing plant matter in a pre-roll such as a cone

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the teachings herein, there is provided a method of packing particulate plant matter in an open-ended pre-roll to make a smokable product, comprising: a. providing an open-ended pre-roll having walls defining an inner volume, a closed proximal end, an open distal end and a longitudinal axis passing therebetween; b. placing the pre-roll inside a volume of a pre-roll holder so that the open distal end of the pre-roll is oriented upwards; and c. subsequent to 'b', filling the inner volume of the pre-roll through the open distal end thereof with particulate plant matter over a period of time, and during which period of time further repeatedly tamping particulate plant matter contained inside the inner volume of the pre-roll with a tamper, thereby making a smokable product.

Target weight and amount of plant matter

The smokable product that is made is filled with an amount of particulate plant matter. It is preferred that the amount of particulate plant matter be as close as possible to a predetermined target amount. For example, a typical 109 mm long cone such as depicted in Figure 1 having a 26 mm long filter is typically filled with about 1 gram of Cannabis so as to have an about 8-12 mm empty distal end to allow folding or twisting closed.

Typically, subsequent to making a smokable product, the resulting smokable product is weighed to ensure that the amount of particulate plant matter in the product is within a predetermined variance of the target amount. Products that are too light or too heavy are rejected, taken apart and the particulate plant matter is recovered for repacking. To reduce unnecessary work and to increase the output rate by reducing the rejection rate, it is preferred that the filling of the pre-roll be performed in a manner that decreases the proportion of rejected smokable products. At the same time, the filling of each individual pre-roll is preferably quick so that the rate of producing not-rejected smokable products is high.

Type of plant matter and pre-roll

The method may be implemented to pack any suitable particulate plant matter in any suitable pre-roll. As used herein, the term "particulate plant matter" refers to any part of a plant (e.g., stems, flowers, buds, leaves and roots) in particle form that is suitable for smoking when packed in a pre-roll. As used herein, the term "plant matter" is synonomous with the terms "vegetable matter" and "vegetable material".

In some embodiments, at least 50% by weight of the particulate plant matter is from a member of genus Cannabis, e.g., Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, Cannabis ruderalis and hemp. In some embodiments, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80% and even at least 90% by weight of the particulate plant matter is from a member of genus Cannabis. In some embodiments, the particulate plant matter comprises smokable buds from a member of genus Cannabis. A characteristic of Cannabis buds is that, due to the high oil content, the individual particles tend to stick together to form aggregates, also called lumps and chunks. In some embodiments, the pre-roll is a pre-roll selected from the group consisting of a tube (a cylindrical pre-roll) and a cone (a conical pre-roll, e.g., pre-roll 16 depicted in Figure 1. In some embodiments, the pre-roll comprises a filter that closes the proximal end, e.g., filter 24 depicted in Figure 1. Alternatively, in some embodiments the pre-roll is devoid of a filter. As is known to a person having ordinary skill in the art, pre-rolls can be made in any suitable size and are commercially-available in many suitable sizes. The teachings herein may be adapted to any suitable size of pre-roll without inventive effort. Such adapting may include the specific dimensions and configuration of the pre-roll holder and the tamper.

The method will be described with reference to a pre-roll-packing device 26 depicted in Figure 2. Device 26 includes pre-roll holders 28 that are successively conveyed by a conveyor belt 30 to a cone-loading station 32, a filling / tamping station 34, a fine-filling station 36, an end-closing station 38 and then back to cone-loading station 32. Activation and coordination of the operation of the different stations and conveyor belt 30 in response to operator instructions and results of measurements received from sensors is performed by a controller 39. Typically, a controller 39 is a general-purpose or custom computer that is software, firmware and/or hardware configured to control the various stations as known in the art.

Placing the pre-roll in a pre-roll holder

In some embodiments, the method comprises placing the pre-roll inside a volume of a pre-roll holder so that the open distal end is oriented upwards. In the art, it is known to dispense an individual pre-roll such as a pre-roll (e.g., a cone) from a box, magazine or similar component into a pre-roll holder.

Typically, a pre-roll holder is a block of material such as metal and/or plastic having an empty volume defined by walls that match the outer dimensions of the specific pre-roll that is to be packed with the plant matter. When a suitable pre-roll is completely held inside the volume of a pre-roll holder, the walls or the pre-roll are in intimate contact with and supported by the walls of the empty volume of the pre-roll holder. Typically, a distal portion of the pre-roll (e.g., about 12 mm) protrudes from the top of the pre-roll holder, allowing closing of the distal end and easier extraction of the pre-roll from the pre-roll holder if needed.

In Figure 2, at cone-loading station 32, conical pre-rolls held in a magazine 40 are individually placed inside a volume of a pre-roll holder 28 so that an open distal end of a pre- roll is oriented upwards. Subsequently, a puff of air is directed from an air nozzle 41 to push the pre-roll deeper into the volume. The holder conveyer of device 26, a conveyer belt 30, subsequently conveys the pre-roll holder with the pre-roll from cone-loading station 32 towards filling/tamping station 34.

Position of the pre-roll in the pre-roll holder

If completely seated inside the volume so that the outer walls of the pre-roll make intimate contact with the walls of the volume, the distal end of the pre-roll protrudes by an amount, e.g., about 12 mm from the top of the pre-roll holder.

Despite the use of a puff of air, in practice due to the light weight of pre-rolls, the lack of adhesion (and possibly even electrostatic repulsion) between a pre-roll and the walls of the volume of the pre-roll holder, a pre-roll is not completely seated inside the volume of the preroll holder. As a result, when a pre-roll holder is transported from a cone-loading station to a filling/tamping station, the pre-roll protrudes by a substantial amount, up to about 25 mm.

For example, a typical cone is 109 mm long where the proximal end includes a 26 mm long filter (24 in Figure 1) and when fully seated inside the volume of a typical pre-roll holder for implementing the teachings herein, protrudes by about 12 mm from the top of the pre-roll holder. Subsequent to being placed inside a typical embodiment of a pre-roll holder used in implementing the teachings herein, the pre-roll protrudes by about 20-25 mm, that is to say, about 8 to 13 mm more than if fully seated.

Pre-filling

In some embodiments, such as when using a device 26, an empty pre-roll inside a preroll holder is conveyed to a filling/tamping station, even if the pre-roll protrudes from the preroll holder. The pre-roll is filled for the first time with plant matter at the filling/tamping station.

In some alternative non-depicted embodiments, prior to arriving at the filling/tamping station, a pre-roll is filled with some particulate plant matter, typically not more than 20% of a target amount, not more than 15%, and even not more than 10% of a target amount.

Filling/Tamping plant matter in a pre-roll

In some embodiments, the method comprises filling a pre-roll held in a pre-roll holder through the open distal end with particulate plant matter over a period of time to fill the inner volume of the pre-roll with plant matter. During the period of time where the pre-roll is filled, the method further comprises repeatedly tamping particulate plant matter contained inside the inner volume of the pre-roll with a tamper.

In Figure 2, at filling/tamping station 34, particulate plant matter is directed through a filling conduit 42 into the open distal end of a cone held inside pre-roll holder 28 with concurrent repeated tamping of plant matter inside the cone with a tamper 44.

Period of time

The period of time is any suitable period of time. Since the device works serially, each filling conduit fills and tamps only one pre-roll at a time, it is preferred that the period of time be as short as possible so that the production capacity (number of smokable products per unit time) be as high as possible. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the period of time is not less than about 0.5 seconds and not more than about 20 seconds.

In preferred embodiments the period of time is not less than about 1 second and even not less than about 2 seconds. Alternatively or additionally, in some preferred embodiments the period of time is not more than about 15 seconds, not more than about 12 seconds and even not more than about 9 seconds. In some particularly preferred embodiments, the period of time is between about 4 seconds and about 6 seconds.

Intial filling without tamping

In an initial relatively-short part of the period of time, the initial filling and tamping leads to the pre-roll being pushed down into the volume of the pre-roll holder to be fully- seated therein so that the walls of the volume of the pre-roll holder are intimate contact with and support the walls of the pre-roll, in some embodiments preventing tearing, creasing or folding of the pre-roll. In some embodiments, in an initial part of the period of time, the filling of the pre-roll is performed without the tamping. In some embodiments, the duration of the initial part of the period of time is not more than 2 seconds, not more than 1.5 second and even not more than 1 second, but is at least 0.1 second. In such embodiments, the pre-roll is more seated and even fully-seated inside the volume of the pre-roll holder prior to any tamping. Number of tamps and rate of tamping

The number of individual tamps that occur over the period of time is any suitable number of tamps. In some embodiments, the number of individual tamps is not less than 4 and not more than 20, that is to say, at a rate of between about 1 tamp / 4 seconds and about 20 tamps / second.

That said, in some preferred embodiments the number of individual tamps that are done over the period of time is not less than 5 tamps and even more preferably not less than 6 tamps. Additionally or alternatively, in some preferred embodiments the number of individual tamps that are done over the period of time is not more than 15 tamps and even not more than 12 tamps.

In some particularly preferred embodiments, the number of tamps is not less than 6 tamps and not more than 11 tamps over a period of time between about 5 seconds and about 6 seconds, i.e., at a rate of between about 1 tamp / second and about 2 tamps / second. In some preliminary studies, the inventor found that such tamping provided a joint that was homogeneously packed with hemp buds, the joint burning evenly and being physically robust. Specifically, a joint made from a 109 mm long cone as described above and filled with 1 gram hemp buds was held just distal of the filter and a 63 gram weight suspended at the distal end of the joint. The joint bent but, when the weight was removed, sprang back to its original straight shape.

Tamping Mechanism

The tamping of particulate plant matter contained inside the inner volume of a pre-roll with a tamper is effected using any suitable component of combination of components.

In some embodiments, the tamping is effected by a tamper which is actively moved downwards by application of a force by a mechanism to tamp the particulate plant matter contained inside said inner volume of the pre-roll.

In some embodiments, the tamping is effected by a tamper which is allowed to drop downwards due to gravity to tamp the particulate plant matter contained inside the inner volume of the pre-roll.

Tamping force

During each individual tamp, the tamper applies a force to the surface of the plant matter inside the pre-roll. The tamper applies any suitable force. In some embodiments, the method is implemented with a target tamping force. Since the plant matter inside a pre-roll is compressible, as used herein the target tamping force refers to the maximal force applied by the tamper to the surface of the plant matter during an individual tamp.

In preferred embodiments, the maximal force applied by the tamper to the surface of plant matter during each individual tamp is substantially constant (that is to say, substantially the same for each tamp), that is to say, within 10%, within 5% and even within 2% of a target tamping force. It is challenging to apply a substantially constant target force to the collapsible surface of particulate plant matter with a changing stroke (as the pre-roll is filled, the surface of the plant matter rises). The Inventor has discovered that one particularly suitable component for applying an accurate pre-determined force to the collapsible particulate plant matter despite the changing stroke is a double-acting pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder.

The target tamping force is any suitable target tamping force. In some embodiments, the target tamping force applied to the surface of plant matter inside the pre-roll by the tamper during each tamp is not less than about 0.04 N/mm ² (e.g., a 1 N force applied by a tamper having a surface area of about 28 mm ² , e.g. having a 6 mm diameter) and not more than about 1 N/mm ² (e.g., a 28 N force applied by a tamper having a surface area of about 28 mm ² ). In some preferred such embodiments, the target tamping force applied to the surface of plant matter inside the pre-roll is not less than about 0.07 N/mm ² (e.g., a 2 N force applied by a tamper having a surface area of 28 mm ² ), not less than about 0.11 N/mm ² (e.g., a 3 N force applied by a tamper having a surface area of 28 mm ² ), and even not less than about 0.21 N/mm ² (e.g., a 6 N force applied by a tamper having a surface area of 28 mm ² ). Additionally or alternatively, in some preferred such embodiments, the target tamping force applied to the surface of plant matter inside the pre-roll is not more than about 0.89 N/mm ² (e.g., a 25 N force applied by a tamper having a surface area of 28 mm ² ), not more than about 0.71 N/mm ² (e.g., a 20 N force applied by a tamper having a surface area of 28 mm ² ), not more than about 0.54 N/mm ² (e.g., a 15 N force applied by a tamper having a surface area of 28 mm ² ), and even not more than about 0.36 N/mm ² (e.g., a 10 N force applied by a tamper having a surface area of 28 mm ² ).

In some alternative embodiments, the maximal force applied by the tamper to the surface of plant matter being tamped in each individual tamp can vary. In some such embodiments, the average maximal force applied by the tamper to the surface of the plant matter being tamped during filling of a pre-roll is not less than about 0.04 N/mm ² and not more than about 1 N/mm ² . In some preferred such embodiments, the average maximal tamping force applied to the surface of plant matter inside the pre-roll is not less than about 0.07 N/mm ² , not less than about 0.11 N/mm ² , and even not less than about 0.21 N/mm ² . Additionally or alternatively, in some preferred such embodiments, the average maximal tamping force applied to the surface of plant matter inside the pre-roll is not more than about 0.89 N/mm ² , not more than about 0.71 N/mm ² , not more than about 0.54 N/mm ² , and even not more than about 0.36 N/mm ² .

Tamper

The tamper is a solid object functionally associated with a mechanism that moves the tamper appropriately to implement the required tamping.

Typically, the tamper is a solid elongated object having a distal tip and a tamper axis, the distal tip entering the inner volume of the pre-roll in through the open distal end of the pre-roll with a repeated tamping motion. In some embodiments, during the period of time, the distal tip of the tamper moves inside the inner volume of the pre-roll in a tamping motion but remains therein. In some embodiments, the distal tip of the tamper is removed from the inner volume of the pre-roll during the period of time. For example, in some such embodiments, the tamper alternatingly moves to contact the surface of the plant matter in the pre-roll thereby tamping the plant matter and moves out of the inner volume of the pre-roll.

The direction of the tamping motion is any suitable direction. In some embodiments, the direction of the tamping motion is constant. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the direction of the tamping motion changes during the period of time. In some embodiments, the tamping motion is within 4°, 3°, 2°, within 1° of parallel and even parallel with the tamping axis of the tamper. Additionally, in some embodiments the tamping motion is within 5° of parallel with the longitudinal axis of the pre-roll, and in some embodiments within 4°, 3°, 2° and even within 1° of parallel with the longitudinal axis of the pre-roll.

Preferably, the tamper is stiff, that is to say, does not substantially bend during the tamping of the plant matter. Accordingly, in some preferred embodiments, the tamper has a bending stiffness such that during the tamping of plant matter in the inner volume of the preroll, the tamper bends by not more than 1 mm perpendicular to the tamper axis.

In some embodiments, during the period of time the tamper does not rotate around the tamper axis. In some alternative embodiments, during the period of time the tamper is allowed to rotate and/or is rotated around the tamper axis. The shape of the distal tip in a plane perpendicular to the tamper axis is any suitable shape, preferably a shape without vertices such as a circle or an oval. In preferred embodiments, the shape of the distal tip in a plane perpendicular to the tamper axis is a circle.

The shape of the cross-section of the distal tip in a plane that includes the tamper axis is any suitable shape including concave, convex and flat. In some preferred embodiments, the shape of the cross-section of the distal tip in a plane that includes the tamper axis is flat, having a planar surface with a surface area of not less than about 7 mm ² . In some such embodiments, the plane defined by the flat distal tip is within 20°, within 10° and even within 5° of perpendicular to the tamper axis. The distal tip is preferably smooth, having surface variations of not more than 0.1 mm and more preferably not more than 0.05 mm.

The surface area of a planar distal tip perpendicular to the tamper axis is any suitable surface area. In preferred embodiments, the surface area is not less than about 7 mm ² (equivalent to a round planar distal tip having a 3 mm diameter) and not more than about 80 mm ² (equivalent to a round planar distal tip having a 10 mm diameter). Such a range of sizes is sufficiently large to compact plant matter during a tamp rather than to penetrate thereinto and also sufficiently small so as to be able to enter an open distal end of a typical pre-roll. The exact surface area for a packing a specific-sized cylindrical pre-roll is typically determined to be such that the tamper has between about 1 and about 2 mm clearance on all sides of the pre-roll (i.e., having a diameter that is between about 2 mm and about 4 mm smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical pre-roll). The exact surface area for a packing a specific-sized conical pre-roll is typically determined to be such that the tamper has an at least 1 mm clearance on all sides of the pre-roll when the tamper has entered to 75% of the total length of the conical portion of the pre-roll, see Figure 3. In some embodiments, the surface area for packing a specific-sized conical pre-roll is determined by the size of the tamper which is selected such that the distal tip can descend to contact the upper (distal) surface of a filter.

Filling conduit

As noted above, in some embodiments the method comprises filling an inner volume of a pre-roll through an open distal end of the pre-roll with particulate plant matter. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the filling is performed by directing the particulate plant matter out of a distal end of a filling conduit (such as the spout of a funnel) through the open distal end of the pre-roll into the inner volume of the pre-roll, the distal end of the filling conduit having walls with an outer dimension and an inner dimension. When the distal end of the filling conduit is circular, the outer dimension is the outer diameter of the distal end of the filling conduit and the inner dimension is the inner diameter of the distal end of the filling conduit.

In Figure 2, at filling/tamping station 34, particulate plant matter is directed through a filling conduit 42 into the open distal end of a cone held inside pre-roll holder 28.

The dimensions of the filling conduit are any suitable dimensions and are typically determined by the size of the open distal end of the pre-roll to be filled. Typically, a filling conduit with a circular distal end has an outer diameter of between about 8 mm and about 12 mm and an inner diameter of between about 7 mm and about 11 mm.

Location of filling conduit during fdling/tamping

As discussed above, in some embodiments the distal end of a pre-roll such as a cone is not fully seated inside the volume of a pre-roll holder when first arriving at a filling/tamping station and therefore can substantially protrude therefrom. Even when fully seated inside the volume of a pre-roll holder, in some embodiments during the filling/tamping the distal end of the pre-roll protrudes from the pre-roll holder.

In some embodiments, during the period of time, the distal end of the filling conduit is not inside the inner volume of the pre-roll. For example, in some such embodiments, the distal end of the filling conduit is at a fixed height above the pre-roll holder, the fixed height sufficient so that the distal end of the filling conduit does not contact the pre-roll during practice of the method.

In some alternative embodiments, during the period of time, the distal end of the filling conduit is located inside the inner volume of the pre-roll. For example, in some such embodiments, the device used in implementing is configured so that the distance between the distal end of the filling conduit and the pre-roll holder is changeable. In some such embodiments, when the pre-roll and filling conduit are brought into position for the filling/tamping, the distance is sufficiently large so that filling conduit does not contact the pre-roll. After the positioning, the distance between the pre-roll and filling conduit is reduced so that the distal end of the filling conduit is located inside the inner volume of the pre-roll during at least some of the filling/tamping. In some such embodiments, the device used for implementing the method raises the pre-roll and pre-roll holder while the filling conduit remains at a fixed height. Alternatively, in some such embodiments, the device used for implementing the method lowers the filling conduit while the pre-roll and pre-roll holder remain at a fixed height. Alternatively, in some such embodiments, the device used for implementing the method lowers the filling conduit while raising the pre-roll and the pre-roll holder.

In some instances, the pre-roll held inside a pre-roll holder is not coaxial with the preroll holder. In such instances, when the filling conduit and the distal end of the pre-roll are brought together, the filling conduit and/or the tamper can crush the distal end of the pre-roll, preventing filling of the pre-roll. To help reduce the incidence of such an occurence, in some embodiments a filling conduit is surrounded by a centering ring which distal end protrudes beyond the distal end of the filling conduit (typically by between about 1 mm and about 4 mm), which has an internal diameter larger than the external diameter of the pre-roll (typically by between about 1 mm and about 6 mm) and which has an inwardly sloping internal wall. When the filling conduit and a pre-roll are brought together, the distal end of the pre-roll is first encircled by the centering ring. If the pre-roll is off-center, the inwardly sloping internal wall contacts the distal end of the pre-roll and applies a force that causes the pre-roll to be coaxial with the volume of the pre-roll holder.

In some instances, the distal end of the pre-roll held inside a pre-roll holder is not perfectly round but is inwardly bent. In such instances, when the filling conduit and the distal end of the pre-roll are brought together, the filling conduit and/or the tamper can crush the distal end of the pre-roll, preventing filling of the pre-roll. To help reduce the incidence of such an occurence, in some embodiments, the outer surface of a filling conduit is tapered that is to say has a small outer diameter at the tip (typically having a diameter that is between about 1.5 mm and about 3 mm smaller than the inner diameter of the pre-roll to be filled) and a larger outer diameter distant from the tip (typically having a diameter that is at least between about 1 mm and about 2 mm smaller than the inner diamter of the pre-roll to be filled). When the filling conduit and a pre-roll are brought together, the smaller-diameter distal tip of the filling conduit enters the distal end. If the pre-roll is off-center and/or the distal end thereof is bent, as the distal tip enters the pre-roll, the outer walls of the filling conduit outwardly move the walls.

Relative position and dimensions of the tamper and the filling conduit

The relative position of the tamper and the filling conduit during the tamping is any suitable relative position. In preferred embodiments, during the tamping the tamper passes through the filling conduit, out through the distal end of the filling conduit and through the open distal end of the pre-roll. In such embodiments, part of the bore of the filling conduit through which plant matter passes is blocked by the tamper. In order to allow the free passage of plant matter such as from Cannabis it has been found that preferably the clearance between the portion of the tamper that passes through the filling conduit and the filling conduit inner walls is not less than about 1.5 mm on all sides, more preferably not less than about 2 mm on all sides. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the tamper comprises: a narrow stem colinear with the tamper axis and a wide tamper head at a distal end of the stem, wherein a distal tip of the tamper head is the distal tip of the tamper; and the stem having dimensions such that a clearance between the stem and the inner dimension of the distal end of the filling conduit is at least about 1.5 mm on all sides; wherein an increase of narrow outer dimensions of the stem to wide outer dimensions of the tamper head is continuous. By continuous is meant that the change in the dimensions does not include any discontinuity that such as steps, jumps or ledges . In such a way, plant matter flowing through the distal end of the filling conduit past the narrow tamper stem also flows past the wide head into the pre-roll without any plant matter settling on a discontinuity.

In some embodiments, the outer dimensions of the tamper head are greater than about 2 mm smaller than the inner diameter of the filling conduit so that the clearance between the tamper head and the filling conduit when the tamper head is inside the filling conduit is not greater than about 1 mm. In some preferred embodiments, the outer dimensions of the tamper head are greater than about 1 mm smaller than the inner diameter of the filling conduit so that the clearance between the tamper head and the filling conduit when the tamper head is inside the filling conduit is not greater than about 0.5 mm. In some such embodiments, the tamper head and filling conduit are configured as a valve with the tamper head functioning as a valve plug and the rim of the distal end of the filling conduit functioning as a valve seat: when the tamper is in a sufficiently elevated position, the tamper head rests against the rim of the distal end of the filling conduit, thereby blocking the flow of plant matter through the filling conduit.

To ensure the desired rigidity of the tamper stem even when very thin, it is preferred that the tamper stem be a tungsten rod due to the high rigidity of tungsten. In some embodiments, the tamper head is also of tungsten and, in some preferred embodiments the tamper is a monolithic piece of tungsten where the stem and head are integrally formed. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the tamper head is of a different material than tungsten and the head is connected with the stem in any suitable fashion, for example, the distal end of the stem including screw threads and the head including a matching threaded bore. It has been found that it is possible to make a suitable tamper stem from tungsten having even smaller dimensions than 4 mm, for example, a diameter of less than 3 mm and even less than 2 mm, for example, in some embodiments about 1.9 mm, about 1.8 mm, about 1.7 mm and even about 1.6 mm. Such small dimensions of the stem provide sufficiently substantial clearance and therefore unobstructed flow of plant matter through the filling conduit, even small-dimensioned filling conduits. For example, a typical filling conduit having a round cross section and an inner diameter of about 7 mm together with a tamper stem having a round cross section with a diameter of 1.2 mm provides a clearance of about 1.9 mm. For example, a typical filling conduit having a round cross section and an inner diameter of about 8 mm together with a tamper stem having a round cross section with a diameter of 1.6 mm provides a clearance of about 3.2 mm. For example, a typical filling conduit having a round cross section and an inner diameter of about 9 mm together with a tamper stem having a round cross section with a diameter of 1.6 mm provides a clearance of about 3.7 mm.

Target amount and fine filling

As noted above, it is desirable to file a pre-roll with an amount of plant matter that is as close as possible to a target amount.

It has been found that to consistently achieve a desired target amount with little variance and therefore relatively little rejected smokable products, it is advantageous to perform filling in at least two stages.

The first of two stages is the filling / tamping stage as described above, especially with tamping / filling device as described herein, where the aim is to fill the pre-roll with between 80% and 100% of the target amount of plant matter.

The second of two stages is a fine-filling stage that is subsequent to the filling / tamping stage fills the pre-roll with the balance of the required vegetable material while monitoring the weight of the pre-roll.

In Figure 2, after filling a cone at filling/tamping station 34, conveyer belt 30 conveys a pre-roll holder 28 with the cone to fine-filling station 36. In fine-filling station 36, the cone is weighed and, if required, additional plant matter is added to a cone in a pre-roll holder 28 from a fine-filling dispenser 46 while monitoring the amount added with a weighing scale 48. In some embodiments, the method further comprises: during the period of time in 'c', filling the pre-roll with the plant matter to between 80% and 100% of a desired target amount of plant matter in the smokable product.

Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the method further comprises subsequent to 'd' : while monitoring the weight of the pre-roll with plant matter therein, adding additional plant matter into the pre-roll through the open distal end over a second period of time.

In some such embodiments, the adding of additional plant matter over the second period of time is such that the pre-roll is filled to within about 0.05 gram of the desired amount of plant matter in the smokable product and, in some embodiments, even within about 0.03 gram and even within about 0.02 grams of the desired amount of plant matter.

In some embodiments, the second period of time is not less than about 0.01 seconds and not more than about 5 seconds.

Closing the distal end of a pre-roll

Some smokable products such as joints are typically provided with a closed distal end. The close distal end provides a neat and esthetic appearance to the joint and prevents the loss of plant matter from the confines of the pre-roll, especially during subsequent handling, e.g., placing multiple joints in a single box or carton, transport of boxes or cartons of joints to points of sale.

Accordingly, in some preferred embodiments, the method further comprises subsequent to 'c' (or to 'd', if present): e. closing the open distal end. Closing is performed in any suitable manner, manually or automatically, for example, folding, twisting and/or tying the walls of the unfilled distal portion of the pre-roll or placing a plug inside the unfilled distal portion of the pre-roll. Devices for closing the open distal end of a pre-roll are well- known in the art.

In some embodiments of the method, the open distal end of the pre-roll is not closed. It has been found that in some embodiments, due to the dense packing caused by tamping according to the teachings herein, the particulate plant matter does not readily exit the confines of the pre-roll. Such embodiments are particularly useful where the method is implemented at a point-of-sale, e.g., Dutch coffee shops.

In Figure 2, the distal end of filled pre-rolls is closed at end-closing station 38. Device for packing plant matter in a pre-roll such as a cone

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the teachings herein, there is also provided a device for filling pre-rolls, the device comprising: at least one pre-roll holde including a volume, the volume configured to hold a preroll with an open distal end thereof oriented upwards; a filling/tamper station configured to fill an inner volume of a pre-roll held in a preroll holder that is located at the filling/tamper station with particulate plant matter dispensed through a filling conduit of the filling/tamper station through the open distal end of the pre-roll over a period of time, and during which period of time further repeatedly tamping particulate plant matter contained inside the inner volume of the pre-roll with a tamper; a fine-filling station comprising a weighing scale configured to determine a weight of a pre-roll with particulate plant matter therein held in a pre-roll holder that is located at the fine-filling station, the fine-filling station configured to optionally add particulate plant matter to a pre-roll held in a pre-roll holder that is located at the fine- filling station through the open distal end of the pre-roll over a second period of time with reference to a weight of a pre-roll as determined by the weighing scale; and a holder conveyer functionally-associated with the pre-roll holder configured to convey a pre-roll held in the pre-roll holder from the filling/tamper station (after the period of time for the filling with particulate plant matter with tamping) to the fine- filling station (for the optional adding of particulate plant matter).

An exemplary embodiment of the device according to the teachings herein is device 26 depicted in Figure 2.

In some embodiments, the device further comprises a controller (e.g., a general- purpose or custom computer that is software, hardware and/or firmware configured) and/or sensors to regulate and coordinate the operation of the device components such as the filling/tamper station, the fine-filling station and the holder conveyer, such as controller 39 in Figure 2.

The holder conveyer is any suitable component or combination of components functional to convey a pre-roll held in a pre-roll holder between the various stations of the device. Exemplary suitable components include a conveyer belt (as depicted for device 26) or a carousel. In some embodiments, the device comprises a number greater than one of pre-roll holders functionally-associated with the holder conveyer, in some embodiments the number being at least two, at least four and even at least ten.

In some embodiments, the device is configured to concurrently: fill with particulate plant matter a first pre-roll held in a first pre-roll holder at the filling/tamper station; and fill with particulate plant matter a second pre-roll held in a second pre-roll holder at the fine- filling station.

In some embodiments, the device further comprises: a pre-roll loading station, configured to place a pre-roll inside an empty volume of a pre-roll holder that is located at the pre-roll-loading station so that the open distal of the pre-roll end is oriented upwards; and the holder conveyer is configured to convey a pre-roll holder from the pre-roll loading station to the filling/tamping station subsequent to the placing of a pre-roll in the pre-roll holder. In some embodiments, the holder conveyer is configured to convey a pre-roll holder with preroll from the pre-roll loading station to at least one intermediate station prior to conveying the pre-roll holder to the filling/tamping station. In some embodiments, the pre-roll loading station is configured to direct a puff of air at a pre-roll that is at least partially in the volume of the pre-roll holder subsequent to the placing of the pre-roll in the pre-roll holder, the puff of air to assist in placing the pre-roll in the volume. In some embodiments, the cone-loading station is configured to place pre-rolls that are partially-filled with particulate plant matter inside an empty volume of the pre-roll holder, in some such embodiments, pre-rolls that are filled with up to about 20%, or up to about 15% or up to about 10% of a target weight of plant matter which the final product is to contain. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments the cone-loading station is configured to partially fill a pre-roll with particulate plant matter subsequent to placing the pre-roll inside the empty volume of a pre-roll holder.

In some embodiments, the device further comprises a pre-filling station (as an intermediate station mentioned above) configured to partially fill a pre-roll held in a pre-roll holder; wherein the holder conveyer is configured to convey a pre-roll holder from the coneloading station to the pre-filling station for the partial filling subsequent to placing a pre-roll and, subsequent to the partial filling at the pre-filling station,, to convey a pre-roll holder to the filling/tamping stating. In some embodiments, the holder conveyer is configured to convey a pre-roll holder with pre-roll from the pre-roll-loading station to at least one intermediate station prior to conveying the pre-roll holder to the pre-filling station and/or to convey a pre-roll holder with pre-roll from the pre-filling station to at least one intermediate station prior to conveying the pre-roll holder to the filling/tamping station.

As noted above, in some embodiments a device according to the teachings herein comprises a filling/tamper station configured to fill an inner volume of a pre-roll held in a pre-roll holder that is located at the filling/tamper station with particulate plant matter dispensed through a filling conduit of the filling/tamper station through the open distal end of the pre-roll over a period of time, and during which period of time further repeatedly tamping particulate plant matter contained inside the inner volume of the pre-roll with a tamper. Any suitable device or combination of devices may be used in implementing such as filling/tamper station. In some preferred embodiments, a filler / tamper device suitable for filling a container with particulate vegetable matter as described herein constitutes or is a component of a filling/tamper station.

The filling/tamper station is configuredin any suitable way to move the tamper in a tamping motion.

In some embodiments, the filling/tamper station comprises a mechanism that is configured to move the tamper in a tamping motion which configuration includes configuration to apply a force to actively move the tamper downwards from an upper position to a lower position thereby tamping particulate plant matter contained inside an inner volume of a pre-roll. Such an embodiment or a component of such an embodiments is depicted in Figure 5A, Figures 7A-7C and Figures 8A-8C.

In some embodiments, the filling/tamper station comprises a mechanism that is configured to move the tamper in a tamping motion which configuration includes configuration to allow the tamper to drop downwards from an upper position to a lower position due to gravity, thereby tamping particulate plant matter contained inside an inner volume of a pre-roll.

The rate of tamping at the filling/tamper station is any suitable rate. In some embodiments, the filling/tamper station is configured to tamp particulate plant matter present inside a pre-roll held in a pre-roll holder through an open distal end of the pre-roll with the tamper at a rate of between about 1 tamp / 4 seconds and about 20 tamps / second, and in some preferred embodiments between about 1 tamp / second and about 2 tamps / second.

The tamping force is any suitable tamping force. In some embodiments, the filling/tamper station is configured to tamp particulate plant matter inside a pre-roll by applying a force to the surface of the particulate plant matter, the applied force within 10%, within 5% and even within 2% of a target tamping force. The target tamping force is any suitable target tamping force, in some embodiments being not less than about 0.04 N/mm ² (e.g., a 1 N force applied by a tamper having a surface area of about 28 mm ² , e.g. having a 6 mm diameter) and not more than about 1 N/mm ² (e.g., a 28 N force applied by a tamper having a surface area of about 28 mm ² ).

The tamper has any suitable configuration. In some embodiments, the tamper is a solid elongated object having a distal tip and a tamper axis, configured so that during the tamping the distal tip enters the inner volume of a pre-roll through the open distal end thereof.

In some embodiments, the filling/tamping station is configured so that the tamping is performed with a repeated tamping motion of the tamper, the tamping motion being within 5° of parallel to the tamper axis and in some embodiments within 4°, 3°, 2° and even within 1° of parallel with the tamper axis.

In some embodiments, the tamper has a bending stiffness such that during tamping of plant matter in a pre-roll, the tamper bends by not more than 1 mm perpendicular to the tamper axis.

In some embodiments, the filling/tamping station is configured so that during filling of a pre-roll the filling conduit is not inside the inner volume of the pre-roll that is being filled.

In some embodiments the filling/tamping station configured so that during filling of a pre-roll, the filling conduit is located inside the inner volume of the pre-roll.

In some embodiments, the filling/tamper station is configured so that during the tamping, the tamper passes through the filling conduit and out through a distal end of the filling conduit. In some such embodiments, the clearance between the portion of the tamper that passes through the filling conduit and inner walls of the filling conduit is not less than about 1.5 mm on all sides, and in some embodiments not less than about 2 mm on all sides.

In some embodiments, the tamper comprises: a narrow stem colinear with the tamper axis and a wider tamper head at a distal end of the stem, wherein a distal tip of the tamper head is the distal tip of the tamper; and the stem has dimensions such that a clearance between the stem and inner dimensions of a distal end of the filling conduit is not less than about 1.5 mm on all sides (and in some embodiments not less than about 2 mm on all sides), wherein an increase of narrow outer dimensions of the stem to wider outer dimensions of the tamper head is continuous (as discussed hereinbelow with reference to the filler/tamper device according to the teachings herein). In some embodiments, the outer dimensions of the tamper head are greater than about 2 mm smaller than the inner diameter of the filling conduit so that the clearance between the tamper head and the filling conduit when the tamper head is inside the filling conduit is not greater than about 1 mm.

As noted above, a device according to the teachings herein comprises a fine-filling station comprising a weighing scale configured to determine a weight of a pre-roll with particulate plant matter therein held in a pre-roll holder that is located at the fine-filling station, the fine-filling station configured to optionally add particulate plant matter to a preroll held in a pre-roll holder that is located at the fine-filling station through the open distal end of the pre-roll over a second period of time with reference to a weight of a pre-roll as determined by the weighing scale. Any suitable device or combination of devices can be used in implementing such a fine-filling station. In some preferred embodiments, a device useful for the separation of aggregates of particulate plant matter into separate particles according to the teachings herein constitutes or is a component of a fine-filling station.

The second period of time is any suitable period of time, in some embodiments being not less than about 0.01 seconds and not more than about 5 seconds. In preferred embodiments, the period of time and the second period of time are of the same duration.

In some embodiments, the weighing scale is configured to repeatedly determine a weight of a pre-roll held in a pre-roll holder at the fine-filling station during the second period of time, in some embodiments at least twice, at least four times and even at least 6 times. In some embodiments, the weighing scale is configured to repeatedly determine a weight of a pre-roll held in a pre-roll holder at the fine-filling station at a rate greater than 1/sec and even at a rate greater than 2/sec.

In some embodiments, the fine-filling station is configured to optionally add additional plant matter over the second period of time so that a pre-roll is filled to within about 0.05 gram, within about 0.03 grams and even within about 0.02 grams of a desired amount of plant matter, e.g., a target amount.

In some embodiments, the device further comprises: an end-closing station configured to close an open distal end of a pre-roll held in a pre-roll holder located at the end-closing station; and the holder conveyer is configured to convey a pre-roll held in a pre-roll holder from the fine-filling station to the end closing station. In some embodiments, the holder conveyer is configured to convey a pre-roll holder with pre-roll from the fine-filling station to an intermediate station prior to conveying the pre-roll holder to the end-closing station. Additional features and details of the device are as described herein, mutatis mutandis, for the method according to the teachings herein which, for the sake of brevity, are not repeated.

Fine-filling and pre-roll holder

As discussed above, in some embodiments of the teachings herein after initially filling a pre-roll with plant matter while tamping plant matter therein, the method further comprises a fine-filling stage which includes: while monitoring the weight of the pre-roll with plant matter therein, adding additional plant matter into the pre-roll through the open distal end over a second period of time. A challenge of the fine-filling is to dispense the plant matter at a relatively constant rate and to be able to stop the filling as quickly as possible so as to reduce the number of pre-rolls that are rejected as being over-filled. Most preferably, the duration of the fine-filling of a pre-roll is the same or less than the duration of the filling / tamping, allowing the two types of filling to occur serially for the same pre-roll and simultaneously for two different pre-rolls, for example, using a conveyor belt or the like, as depicted for device 26 in Figure 2.

Any suitable device or combinations of devices may be used for such fine-filling while monitoring the weight of the pre-roll with plant matter therein. Some particulate plant matter such as cannabis buds have a relatively high oil content. As a result, the individual particles typically clump together to form aggregates, making it very challenging to continuously dispense a metered amount of such plant matter using conventional devices. In preferred embodiments, such fine-filling is performed with a pre-roll holder according to the teachings herein and/or a device useful for the separation of aggregates of particulate plant matter into separate particles according to the teachings herein.

Pre-roll holder

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the teachings herein, there is also provided a pre-roll holder for holding a pre-roll of specified shape and dimensions open distal end up allowing filling of the pre-roll, comprising: a central carrier having a vertical axis, the central carrier defining an inner volume shaped and dimensioned to hold at least a portion of a pre-roll of specified shape and dimensions so that when the pre-roll is seated in the inner volume, walls of the inner volume intimately contact and support walls of the portion of the pre-roll; encircling at least a portion of the central carrier, a holder ring, wherein the central carrier and the holder ring are slidingly associated one with the other, thereby having at least two states, a lower state and an upper state: in the lower state, the central carrier physically touching the holder ring so that the holder ring prevents the central carrier from tilting more than ±5° axially and/or moving more than 2 mm in a direction perpendicular to the vertical axis; in the upper state, the central carrier devoid of any physical contact with the holder ring, allowing the determination of the weight of the central carrier and contents of the inner volume without interference by the holder ring; wherein transition from the lower state to the upper state is effected by applying an upwards vertical force to the central carrier, so that the central carrier slides upwards relative to the holder ring.

In Figures 3A and 3B, an exemplary embodiment of a pre-roll holder 28 is schematically depicted in side cross section attached to components of a conveyer belt 30, so that pre-roll holder 28 can be conveyed from station to station by conveyer belt 30. In Figure 3 A, pre-roll holder 28 is depicted in a lower state. In Figure 3 A, pre-roll holder 28 is depicted in an upper state resting on a surface 50 of a weighing scale 48.

Pre-roll holder 28 comprises a central carrier 52 that defines the inner volume of preroll holder 28. In pre-roll holder 28, central carrier 52 is made of a monolithic block of aluminum but, in other embodiments, is made from any other suitable material.

Along a vertical axis 54 of pre-roll holder 28, central carrier 52 comprises four regions each having a different outer dimension. In pre-roll holder 28, central carrier 52 has a circular cross section perpendicular to vertical axis 54 so that each one of the four regions has a different diameter but in other embodiments some or all of the cross sections perpendicular to the vertical axis are not circular.

The uppermost region is a wide support region 52a followed by a narrower sliding region 52b, followed by an even narrower neck region 52c, followed by a wider base region 52d. The transition between support region 52a and sliding region 52b is stepped defining a supporting face 56, while the transitions between sliding region 52b and neck region 52c and between neck region 52c and base region 52d are sloped (in pre-roll holder 28 being truncated-conical transitions) defining truncated-conical surfaces 57.

Encircling and attached to base region 52d is a base ring 58 of plastic (e.g., Delrin®, a polyoxymethylene). In pre-roll holder 28, base ring 58 is circular but in other such embodiments, the shape of a base ring is any suitable shape, e.g., hexagonal, square, rectangular. Base ring 58 allows central carrier 52 to rest on surface 50 of weighing scale 48 when in the upper state without fear that central carrier 52 will tip over.

Slidingly encircling sliding region 52b is a pre-roll holder ring 60 of plastic (e.g., Delrin®). Pre-roll holder ring 60 is reversibly (and in some alternative embodiments, permanently) attached to components of conveyer belt 30. In pre-roll holder 28, pre-roll holder ring 60 is circular but in other such embodiments, the shape of a pre-roll holder ring is any suitable shape, e.g., hexagonal, square, rectangular.

In a situation when pre-roll holder 28 is in the lower state not in proximity of weighing scale 48 (Figure 3A), sliding region 52b is encircled by pre-roll holder ring 60 and in intimate contact therewith, with supporting face 56 resting on a matching upper surface 60a of pre-roll holder ring 60. As a result, pre-roll holder 28 cannot substantially move and vertical axis 54 of pre-roll holder 28 is oriented as determined by the orientation of pre-roll holder ring 60.

When pre-roll holder 28 is at a fine-filling station such as fine-filling station 36 of device 26 in Figure 2, surface 50 of weighing scale is moved upwards to lift base ring 58 and central carrier 52 together upwards relative to pre-roll holder ring 60 to the upper state so that supporting face 56 no longer rests on upper surface 60a of pre-roll holder ring 60 (Figure 3B). Weighing scale 48 is then activated to determine the combined weight of pre-roll 16, plant matter packed therein, central carrier 52 and base ring 58. The tare weight (the sum of the weight of central carrier 52 and the weight of base ring 58) is determined previously and recorded, for example, in a controller 39. Since it is known which pre-roll holder 28 is present at the fine-filling station and the tare weight is known, the actual net weight of preroll 16 and the plant matter therein is known as long as central carrier 52 and base ring 58 are supported by surface 50 of weighing scale 48.

Fine-filling dispenser 46 of fine-filling station 36 is activated to fill pre-roll 16. For the duration of the filling of a pre-roll 16 held in a pre-roll-holder 28 at a fine-filling station such as 36, base ring 58 and central carrier 52 rest on surface 50 of weighing scale 48, allowing the continuous, intermittent or periodic determination of the weight of pre-roll 16 and vegetable matter therein. The determined weight is reported (either as the net weight or the gross weight in which case the controller can calculate the net weight if needed) to a controller functional to control the fine-filling dispenser, such as a controller 39. When the net weight reaches a certain threshold value, the controller stops the fine filling of pre-roll 16. Since even if a fine-filling dispenser is stopped immediately, there is almost always an amount of vegetable matter in-flight in the space between the fine-filling dispenser and the pre-roll, which in-flight matter takes a finite time to drop into and settle into the pre-roll, the threshold value of the net weight is preferably lower than the target value for the weight of the final product (the fully filled pre-roll). The threshold net weight is generally determined from an experimentally-determined typical weight of the in-flight vegetable matter. After a pre-determined period of time that is sufficient to allow all of the in-flight vegetable matter to settleinto the pre-roll, weighing scale 48 determines the final net weight of the now-filled preroll. If the final net weight is acceptable, that filled pre-roll undergoes futher processing, e.g., closing the distal end at an end-rolling station such as 38 and/or packaging for sale. If the determined weight is not-acceptable (e.g., the filled pre-roll is under-filled or over-filled), the filled pre-roll is rejected and processed in a suitable way, for instance, the vegetable matter is recovered.

Additional features and details of the pre-roll holder are as described herein, mutatis mutandis, for the method and/or device according to the teachings herein which, for the sake of brevity, are not repeated.

Device suitable for separation of aggregates of vegetable matter

Some embodiments of the teachings herein comprise a fine-filling station. At a fine- filling station, a fine-filling dispenser optionally adds plant matter to a pre-roll while the weight of the pre-roll is monitored. When the actual net weight of the pre-roll together with vegetable matter therein is sufficiently close to a desired target weight, the addition of plant material is stopped. As is clear to a person having ordinary skill in the art, it is preferred that the fine-filling dispenser dispense particulate plant matter at a substantially constant rate, in small increments and that it is desirable such dispensing can be stopped quickly when a threshold net weight is achieved. Further, as discussed above, it is desirable to minimize the amount of in-flight vegetable matter so that the threshold net weight which identification leads to stopping of dispensing by the fine-filling dispenser is as close as possible to the target weight of the end product so as to reduce the number of rejected pre-rolls. These requirements are challenging to meet when dispensing some types of particulate plant matter, especially oily and sticky particulate plant matter such as a plant matter comprising or consisting of cannabis buds where the relatively small particles tend to stick together forming aggregates. Any suitable device or combination of devices may be used for implementing a fine- filling dispenser and a fine-filling station in accordance with the teachings herein.

Herein is disclosed a device suitable for the separation of aggregates of particulate plant matter into separate particles, that is particularly suitable for the separation of aggregates of cannabis buds into separate particles and, in some embodiments, is also suitable for dispensing the separated particles into a pre-roll An exemplary embodiment of such a device, device 62, is schematically depicted in side cross section in Figure 4A and in vertical cross section in Figure 4B. Also depicted in Figure 4A is a pre-roll holder 28 holding a preroll 16 in side cross section and resting on a surface 50 of a weighing scale 48. As is seen in Figure 4A, surface 50 of weighing scale 48 lifts and supports base ring 58 and central carrier 52 of pre-roll holder 28 upwards relative to pre-roll holder ring 60 to an upper state allowing weighing scale 48 to determine the weight of pre-roll 16 and vegetable matter therein.

Depending on the embodiments, such a device may be useful as a component of a fine-filling station, as a component of a fine-filling dispenser and even as a fine-filling dispenser as described herein. In some embodiments, such a device allows filling a pre-roll with particulate plant matter with increments of less than about 0.1 grams, less than about 0.07 grams, less than about 0.05 grams, less than about 0.03 grams and even less than about 0.02 grams.

Thus, according to an aspect of some embodiments of the teachings herein, there is provided a device 62 useful for the separation of aggregates of particulate plant matter into separate particles, comprising: a. a housing 64 defining an inner volume 66 with an upper chamber 66a having a narrow neck 66b defined by neck walls 68 at the bottom thereof; b. positioned inside neck 66b is a rotatable scraper plate 70 (also called an upper plate) having an axis 70a, an upper surface 70b, a lower surface 70c, a periphery 70d, a thickness and holes 70e (in some instances also called perforations), holes 70e providing fluid communication between upper surface 70b and lower surface 70c, wherein a clearance between periphery 70d of scraper plate 70 and neck walls 68 is not more than about 4 mm; and c. a rotatable shelf 72 (also called a lower plate) positioned below scraper plate 70, rotatable shelf 72 coaxial with scraper plate 70 and having an upper surface 72a perpendicular to axis 70a of scraper plate 70; wherein the dimensions of rotatable shelf 72 perpendicular to axis 70a are such that particles falling from upper surface 70b of scraper plate 70 through holes 70e fall onto upper surface 72a of rotatable shelf 72, further comprising a mechanism for simultaneously rotating both scraper plate 70 and rotatable shelf 72 around axis 70a.

The device is suitable for the separation of aggregates of any suitable particulate plant matter into separate particles. In preferred embodiments, the device is suitable for separation of aggregates of plant matter comprising or even consisting of Cannabis buds.

In some embodiments of the device, a housing 64 of the device further comprises a lower chamber 66c (in some instances called a funnel chamber) in which rotatable shelf 72 is located, lower chamber 66c being in fluid communication with upper chamber 66a through neck 66b. At least at the lower part thereof, walls 74 of lower chamber 66c slope inwards so as to constitute a funnel which terminates at a dispensing conduit 76.

During operation of the device, the rotation mechanism is activated so that scraper plate 70 and rotatable shelf 72 rotate around axis 70a. Vegetable matter such as vegetable matter that comprises or consists of Cannabis buds that is located inside inner volume 66 falls by the force of gravity to rest on upper surface 70b of scraper plate 70. Due to the oil content of the vegetable matter such as vegetable matter comprising or consisting of Cannabis buds, the vegetable matter is found inside the inner volume as aggregates that cannot fall through the holes of the scraper plate. As a result of the rotation of scraper plate 70, the edges of holes 70e pass across the surface of aggregates of vegetable material in inner volume 66. The edges of holes 70e engage individual particles of vegetable matter in the aggregates, to dislodge such particles from the aggregates. Dislodged particles of vegetable matter fall through holes 70e to rest on upper surface 72a of rotatable shelf 72. Since rotatable shelf 72 is rotating, the particles are flung radially-outwards off of rotatable shelf 72 into lower chamber 66b. The particles hit walls 74 of lower chamber 66b and, by the force of gravity, fall downwards through dispensing conduit 76 (in some instances called a spout) into the distal end of pre-roll 16. Embodiments of such a device have been found to allow addition of cannabis buds in increments as low as about 0.02 grams.

As noted above, when a pre-roll 16 is identified to be filled with sufficient vegetable matter so that a threshold weight is measured by weighing scale 48, the rotation mechanism is stopped. Vegetable matter that is already in-flight or that is on upper surface 72a of rotatable shelf 72 and has sufficient momentum to be flung off of rotatable shelf 72 quickly falls through dispensing conduit 76 into pre-roll 16. Vegetable matter that is resting on upper surface 72a and has insufficient momentum, stays resting on upper surface 72a. Since holes 70e no longer pass across the face of aggregates of vegetable matter in upper chamber 66a, the vegetable matter particles stay stuck one to the other and do not fall through holes 70e although, presumably, in some instances, some minor amount of vegetable matter falls through holes 70e to rest on upper surface 72a.

Introduction of vegetable matter

In some embodiments, vegetable matter is introduced into the upper chamber at a substantially constant rate that is similar to the rate of dispensing of vegetable matter through the dispensing conduit.

In some embodiments, the amount of vegetable matter that is contained inside the upper chamber is monitored and, when the amount is less than a predetermined amount, additional vegetable material is added so that the amount is greater than the predetermined amount.

Device 62 depicted is Figures 4A and 4B is configured for both such options comprising a plant matter feeder 78 which is functionally associated with a vegetable matter reservoir (not depicted) and a mechanism (not depicted) for transferring vegetable matter from the reservoir into upper volume 66a through plant matter feeder 78. Device 62 further includes a level sensor 80 (e.g., an ultrasonic short range rangefinder from Maxbotix® (Fort Mill, SC, USA)) configured to determine the level of vegetable matter found in upper chamber 66a and to report the level to a controller.

In some embodiments, the controller does not use input from level sensor 80 to determine when to dispense vegetable matter into upper chamber 66a but rather activates the mechanism continuously, periodically or intermittently to dispense vegetable matter at a rate that is similar to the rate of dispensing of vegetable matter through plant matter feeder 76, e.g., based on an estimated rate, based on input from other sensors, and/or based on the number of pre-rolls that are filled.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the controller continuously or periodically receives a measure of the height of vegetable matter in upper chamber 66a from level sensor 80 and, if the level is less than a predetermined level thereby indicating that there is an insufficient amount of vegetable matter in upper chamber 66a, the controller activates the mechanism to transfer vegetable matter from the reservoir to upper chamber 66a through plant matter feeder 76.

Rotation mechanism

A device according to the teachings herein comprises a mechanism for simultaneously rotating both the scraper plate 70 and the rotatable shelf 72 around the scraper plate axis. As discussed above, when the mechanism is activated so that the scraper plate and the rotatable shelf rotate, vegetable matter is dispensed as particles from the upper chamber to rest on the upper surface of the rotatable shelf. When the mechanism is deactivated so that the scraper plate and the rotatable shelf do not rotate, vegetable matter is not dispensed.

Any suitable component or combination of components may be used as a mechanism for such rotation may be used.

In device 62 depicted in Figures 4, the rotation mechanism comprises a shaft 82 (in some instances, also called an axle) which proximal end is functionally associated with an electrical motor 84 and to which distal end are fixedly attached scraper plate 70 and rotatable shelf 72 so that scraper plate 70 and rotatable shelf 72 are coaxial with shaft 82. In device 62, shaft 82 is a 5 mm diameter stainless steel rod.

In device 62, activation of motor 84 is controlled by a controller (not depicted). In some embodiments of the teachings herein, such as described above, such a controller is configured to receive the measurements of the weight of a pre-roll and vegetable matter from weighing scale such as 48 and to activate the rotation mechanism to dispense particles of vegetable matter and to deactivate the rotation mechanism to stop dispensing particles of vegetable matter.

A rotation mechanism of such a device is configured to rotate the scraper plate and the rotatable shelf at any suitable rate. In some embodiments, a rotation mechanism is configured to rotate the scraper plate and rotatable shelf at a rate of between about 50 rpm and about 200 rpm, more typically between about 80 rpm and about 180 rpm or even between about 80 rpm and 150 rpm. In some embodiments, the rotation mechanism is configured to allow selection of the rate of rotation, for example, using a controller. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the rotation mechanism is configured to rotate the scraper plate and the rotatable shelf at a fixed rate when activated. In some embodiments, such as in device 62 depicted in Figures 4, the rotation mechanism is configured to rotate the scraper plate and rotatable shelf at the same rate in the same direction. In some alternative embodiments, the rotation mechanism is configured to rotate the scraper plate and rotatable shelf at different rates and/or different directions. For example, in some non-depicted embodiments, the rotation mechanism of the device comprises a planetary gearset where the scraper plate is functionally associated with the slow-rotating ring-gear and the rotatable shelf is functionally-associated with the fast-rotating sun gear. As a result, the scraping of the vegetable matter is slow and gentle while the flinging of vegetable matter from the upper surface of the rotatable shelf is efficient due to the high speed of rotation.

In device 62, when activated, motor 84 rotates shaft 82, scraper plate 70 and rotatable shelf 72 at a fixed rate of about 100 rpm.

Neck and scraper plate

As noted above, the housing of a device comprises a narrow neck at the bottom of the upper chamber and positioned inside the neck is a scraper plate having an axis, an upper surface, a lower surface, a periphery, a thickness and holes, the holes providing fluid communication between the upper surface and the lower surface. The clearance between the periphery of the scraper plate and the neck walls is not more than about 4 mm.

The clearance between the scraper plate and the neck walls is any suitable clearance that is not more than about 4 mm, preferably smaller: such a small clearance prevents the passage of vegetable matter through the neck to the lower chamber via the space between the periphery of the scraper plate and the walls of the neck. In some embodiments the clearance is not more than about 2 mm.

The shape of the neck (in the plane perpendicular to the axis of the scraper plate) is any suitable shape. For simplicity of manufacture, in some embodiments, the shape of the neck is circular, as depicted in Figure 4B.

The height of the neck (the dimension parallel to the axis of the scraper plate) is any suitable height. In some embodiments, the height is not more than about 1 cm. In some embodiments the height is less than 1 mm: in some such embodiments, the neck can be considered no more than a transition between the upper chamber and the lower chamber.

The shape of the scraper plate (in the plane perpendicular to the axis of the scraper plate) is any suitable shape that fits inside the neck, including oval, star shape, serrated and the like, as long as such a shape does not interfere with rotation of the scraper plate and prevents substantial passage of vegetable matter from the upper chamber through the neck when the scraper plate is not rotating. For simplicity of manufacture, in some embodiments, the shape of the scraper plate is circular as depicted in Figure 4B.

The scraper plate is of any suitable thickness, typically being relatively thin, in some embodiments not less than about 0.2 mm and not more than about 1 cm. In some embodiments, the scraper is less than about 3 mm, less than about 2 mm and even less than about 1 mm thick, but more than about 0.5 mm thick. In some preferred embodiments, the scraper plate is between about 0.8 mm and about 1.1 mm thick and even about between about 0.8 mm and about 1 mm thick. In device 62, scraper plate 70 is 1 mm thick.

The scraper plate is of any suitable size. In some embodiments the scraper plate has a surface area of not less than about 177 mm ² (equivalent to the surface area of a 15 mm diameter circle) and of not less than about 710 mm ² (equivalent to the surface area of a 30 mm diameter circle). In device 62, scraper plate 70 is a 25 mm diameter circle having a surface area of 491 mm ² .

The scraper plate includes at least one hole. As the scraper plate rotates, an edge of a hole passes along the surface of an aggregate of vegetable matter in the upper chamber and dislodges some of the vegetable matter in the aggregate, preferably individual particles thereof such as individual particles of Cannabis buds, which dislodged vegetable matter falls through the hole onto the upper surface of the rotatable shelf.

In some embodiments, the upper surface of the scraper plate is flat. In such embodiments, it is preferred that the edges of the at least one hole at the upper surface not be rounded but rather discontinuous, e.g., the angle between the plane of the upper surface and a line parallel to the hole inner wall being 90°. It is currently believed that such a discontinuous hole edge can efficiently dislodge vegetable matter particles from an aggregate. In some embodiments, the upper surface is not flat but includes upwardly-extending elements that allow for more efficient dislodging of vegetable matter, for example, upwardly-extending elements as found in cheese graters, nutmeg graters, zesters and garlic graters.

The number of holes in the scraper plate is any suitable number of holes. In some embodiments the number of holes is not less than three and not more than eight, and in some preferred embodiments, not more than six holes. The holes are typically arranged in a symmetrical fashion in scraper plate. In device 62, scraper plate 70 has six holes 70e arranged in a hexagon. The shape of the holes in the scraper plate is any suitable shape. In some embodiments, all of the holes have the same shape. In some embodiments, at least one hole has a shape different from the shape of at least one other hole. In device 62, all six holes 70e of scraper plate 70 are circular.

The size of the holes in the scraper plate is any suitable size. In some embodiments, all of the holes have the same size. In some embodiments, at least one hole has a size different from the size of at least one other hole. In some embodiments, the holes are more than about 7 mm ² (equivalent to a 3 mm diameter circle) and less than about about 50 mm ² (equivalent to a 8 mm diameter circle and even less than about 39 mm ² (equivalent to a 7 mm diameter circle). In device 62, all six holes 70e of scraper plate 70 are circles with a diameter of 4 mm and having an area of about 12.6 mm ² .

Rotatable shelf

The device comprises a rotatable shelf positioned below the scraper plate and preferably coaxial therewith, the rotatable shelf having an upper surface perpendicular to the axis of the scraper plate. The separation between the lower surface of the scraper plate and the upper surface of the rotatable shelf is any suitable separation, typically at least about 4 mm and not more than about 15 mm, more preferably not more than about 10 mm and even not more than about 8 mm, for example, between about 5 mm and about 7 mm. In device 62, the separation between lower surface 70c of scraper plate 70 and upper surface 72a of rotatable shelf 72 is 6 mm.

The shape of the rotatable shelf in the plane perpendicular to the axis is any suitable shape. In preferred embodiments, the shape of the rotatable shape is a circle as this is easy to manufacture. In device 62, rotatable shelf 72 is circular.

The dimensions of the rotatable shelf perpendicular to the axis are any suitable dimensions such that particles falling from the scraper plate through the holes fall onto the upper surface of the rotatable shelf.

In some preferred embodiments, the rotatable shelf is larger than the neck as this ensures that any vegetable matter, even vegetable matter that falls down between the neck walls and the periphery of the scraper plate, lands on the upper surface of the rotatable shelf. A disadvantage of such embodiments is that maintenance and assembly is difficult as the housing must be separated into a part that comprises the neck and another part that comprises the lower chamber to perform maintenance on the rotatable shelf. In alternative preferred embodiments, the rotatable shelf is sufficiently small to pass through the neck, allowing removal of the rotatable shelf through the neck for maintenance. In some such embodiments, the rotatable shelf is at least the size of the scraper plate. In device 62, rotatable shelf 72 has the same diameter as scraper plate 70.

The thickness of the rotatable shelf is any suitable thickness. Typically, the rotatable shelf is relatively thin, e.g., not more than 2 mm, so as to have a relatively low moment of inertia so that stopping rotation of rotatable shelf is relatively easy. In device 62, rotatable shelf 72 is 1.5 mm thick.

The lower surface of the rotatable shelf is any suitable lower surface. In some embodiments, the lower surface includes features such as ribs that increase the stiffness of rotatable shelf to prevent warping which may reduce the efficiency of flinging vegetable matter off of the rotatable shelf.

The upper surface of the rotatable shelf is any suitable upper surface. In preferred embodiments, the upper surface of the rotatable shelf is smooth, being devoid of protuberance or features that potentially prevent vegetable matter from being flung from the rotatable shelf.

In some embodiments, the upper surface of the rotatable shelf is such that the center is higher than the periphery. Such embodiments may have the disadvantage that vegetable matter that falls onto the upper surface when the rotatable shelf is not rotating may roll of off the upper surface at unexpected and unpredictable times.

In some embodiments, the upper surface of the rotatable shelf is such that the periphery is higher than at least some parts that are closer to the center (e.g., bowl-shaped or inwardly- conical). Such embodiments may have the disadvantage that vegetable matter on the upper surface may not be flung off immediately when the rotatable shelf is rotating or that some vegetable matter may be retained on the upper surface, forming a sticky and unhygenic mass.

In preferred embodiments the upper surface is flat, defining a plane perpendicular to the axis. In device 62, upper surface 72a of rotatable shelf 72 is flat and defines a plane perpendicular to axis 70a.

Lower chamber

The lower chamber is of any suitable shape and size. Typically, the lower chamber has a larger-dimension upper-portion in which the rotatable shelf is located and at least some of the walls of the lower chamber slope inwardly downwards to a smaller-dimension lower- portion which terminates with a dispenser spout, as depicted for device 62 in Figures 4. The inwardly downwards slope constitutes a funnel. In device 62, the inner diameter of dispenser 76 at the distal end tip thereof is 6 mm.

The separation between the periphery of the rotatable shelf to the nearest wall of the lower chamber is any suitable separation, which suitable separation is a separation sufficiently large so that particles of vegetable matter that are flung from the upper surface of the rotatable shelf can fall downwards past the rotatable shelf, typically at least 2 mm.

All things being equal, it is preferred that the inwards slope be as steep as possible to reduce the chance of vegetable material adhering to the walls of the lower chamber. At the same time, it is also preferred that the height (axial dimension) of the lower chamber be relatively small so that the amount of vegetable matter that is in flight when the rotation of the rotatable shelf is stopped is relatively small. In typical embodiments, the slope is not less than 45° and not more than 70°.

Upper chamber

The upper chamber is of any suitable shape and size. In some embodiments, the dimensions of the upper chamber are the same as that of the neck. Alternatively, in some embodiments (such as device 62 depicted in Figures 4) at least a portion of the upper chamber has larger dimensions than of the neck. In some preferred embodiments, at least a portion of the upper chamber is inwardly sloped towards the neck, constituting a funnel, as in device 62.

Material

The various components of a fine-filling device of the teachings herien are made of any suitable material or combination of materials. In some embodiments, at least some of the components are made of a metal such as stainless steel, aluminum or aluminum alloys. Stainless steel is generally preferred as being more resistant to wear than aluminum.

Additional features and details of the device suitable for separation of aggregates of vegetable matter are as described herein, mutatis mutandis, for the method and/or device according to the teachings herein which, for the sake of brevity, are not repeated. Filler / Tamper Device

As discussed above, in some embodiments of the teachings herein the inner volume of a pre-roll is filled with particulate plant matter over a period of time during which period of time, particulate plant matter contained inside the inner volume of the pre-roll is repeatedly tamped with a tamper.

Any suitable device or combinations of devices may be used for such filling/tamping, for example, a series of alternating filling stations / tamping stations: at each filling station some particulate plant matter is placed inside a pre-roll after which the pre-roll is moved to a tamping station for tamping.

In preferred embodiments, such filling/tamping is performed with a filler/tamper device according to the teachings herein. According to an aspect of some embodiments of the teachings herein there is provided a filler / tamper device suitable for filling a container with particulate vegetable matter, comprising: a hopper with a lower filling conduit having a conduit end; an elongated tamper having a tamper axis and a tamper tip; a mechanism for moving the tamper substantially parallel with the tamper axis upwards to an upper position and downwards to a lower position in a tamping motion, wherein when the tamper is in the lower position: the tamper passes through the hopper and through the conduit and the conduit end so that the tamper tip is outside of the conduit end, and a clearance between the tamper and the conduit end is sufficient to allow the passage of particulate vegetable matter from the hopper past the tamper and through the filling conduit.

In some embodiments, the device is configured for filling a container that is a pre-roll. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments the device is suitable for filling a container that is not a pre-roll.

Embodiments of the device are configured to fill a container with any suitable vegetable matter. In some embodiments, a device is configured to fill a container with vegetable matter comprising or even consisting of Cannabis buds.

In Figures 5A,5B and 5C, an exemplary embodiment of the filler/tamper device according to the teachings herein, filler/tamper device 86, is schematically depicted in sidecross section together with a pre-roll holder 28 holding a pre-roll 16 in side cross section. It is seen that pre-roll holder 28 is in a lower state where sliding region 52b of of central carrier 52 of pre-roll holder 28 is completely encircled by pre-roll holder ring 60 and in intimate contact therewith, with supporting face 56 resting on a matching surface 60a of pre-roll holder ring 60. As a result, pre-roll holder 28 cannot substantially move and the orientation of the axis of pre-roll holder 28 is oriented as determined by the orientation of pre-roll holder ring 60 which is perpendicular to the gravity vector and colinear with an axis 88 of a tamper 44 of filler/tamper device 86.

Filler/tamper device 86 comprises the components required to implement embodiments of the method according to the teachings herein as described above, including a hopper 90 with a lower filling conduit 42 having a conduit end 92, an elongated tamper 44 with tamper axis 88 and a tamper tip 94, a mechanism 96 for moving tamper 44 substantially parallel (specifically, in the case of device 86 coaxially) with tamper axis 88 upwards to an upper position and downwards to a lower position in a tamping motion.

For use of device 86, vegetable matter is introduced into hopper 90 through plant matter feeder 78. In some embodiments, vegetable matter is introduced into hopper 90 at a substantially constant rate that is similar to the rate of dispensing of vegetable matter through filling conduit 42. In some embodiments, the amount of vegetable matter that is contained inside hopper 90 is monitored and, when the amount is less than a predetermined amount, additional vegetable material is added so that the amount is greater than the predetermined amount. When a container such as a pre-roll 16 is properly positioned underneath conduit end 92, mechanism 96 is activated to move tamper 44 upwards and downwards in a tamping motion. When moved downwards, tamper tip 94 contacts a surface of vegetable matter inside the container, tamping the vegetable material. When moved upwards, additional vegetable matter falls past tamper tip 94 onto the surface of the vegetable material already contained inside the container.

In Figure 5A, tamper 44 is depicted where tamper 44 passes through hopper 90 and through conduit end 92 so that tamper tip 94 is outside of conduit end 92. In the depicted position, a clearance 98 between tamper stem 44a and conduit end 92 is 3 mm, sufficient to allow the passage of particulate vegetable matter such as Cannabis buds from hopper 90 and through filling conduit 42 past tamper 44. As is described below, the particulate vegetable matter that passages through filling conduit 42 enters pre-roll 16 while mechanism 96 concurrently moves tamper 44 in a tamping motion to tamp vegetable matter that is found inside pre-roll 16. Filling Conduit

A filler/tamper device includes a hopper with a lower filling conduit having a distal end. During use, particulate vegetable matter that is introduced into the hopper moves past the tamper and through the distal end of the filling conduit into a container such as a pre-roll. The filling conduit of a filler/tamper device is any suitable filling conduit which distal end has walls with any suitable outer dimension and any suitable inner dimension. When the distal end is circular, the outer dimension is the outer diameter of the distal end and the inner dimension is the inner diameter of the distal end. The dimensions of the distal end of the filling conduit are any suitable dimensions and are typically determined by the size of the open distal end of the container such as a pre-roll to be filled. Typically, a filling conduit with a circular distal end has an outer diameter of between about 8 mm and about 12 mm and an inner diameter of between about 7 mm and about 11 mm, more preferably an inner diameter of between about 8 mm and about 11 mm, for example, between about 8 mm and about 10 mm such as about 9 mm inner diameter.

Shape of the conduit end

In some embodiments, the outer walls of the filling conduit are parallel-walled so that the filling conduit is a tube.

In some alternative embodiments, the outer walls of the filling conduit taper from a broader proximal portion to a narrower distal end. In device 86, the outer walls of filling conduit 42 taper, having a 12 mm outer diameter proximal portion which narrows to an 8 mm outer diameter at conduit end 92.

Elevation mechanism

Hereinabove was discussed that, in some embodiments, there is a need to change the vertical distance between the filling conduit and a container such as a pre-roll that is to be filled.

For example, in some embodiments it is desirable that during the actual filling/tamping of a container such as a pre-roll, the conduit end is located inside the volume of the container that is being filled. (It is important to note that, in some embodiments, no part of the filling conduit is located inside the volume of a container that is being filled during the actual filling/tamping.) For example, in some embodiments, the container to be filled, such as a pre-roll, may protrude from the container-holder (e.g., pre-roll holder). In such embodiments, if the filling conduit end is at a fixed position relative to the container-holder, it is possible or unavoidable that when a container-holder with container is brought in position to be filled by the filler/tamper device, the conduit end and the container will collide. In order to prevent such collision, in some embodiments, a filler/tamper device is functionally- associated with or comprises an elevation mechanism configured for changing the distance between the conduit end and a container such as a pre-roll that is to be filled.

In some embodiments, a device comprising a filler/tamper device such as device 26 depicted in Figure 2 is configured to first convey a container to be filled underneath the conduit end (e.g., using a holder conveyer such as a conveyer belt 30) and subsequently to lift the container upwards relative to the filling conduit for filling/tamping and, when the filling/tamping is complete, to lower the container downwards.

Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, a device comprising a filler/tamper device such as device 26 depicted in Figure 2 or a filler/tamper device according to the teachings herein such as device 86 depicted in Figures 5 comprises an elevation mechanism that allows changing the distance between the conduit end and a container to be filled, i.e., raising and lowering the conduit end and/or raising/lowering the container to be filled so as to change the distance. For example, device 86 depicted in Figures 5 comprises an elevation mechanism 104 (for example, a screw lift, a belt lift, a hydraulic lift, a pneumatic lift) that allows raising and lowering of filling conduit 42 relative to pre-roll holder 28. When filler/tamper device 86 is a component of device 26, filler/tamper device 86 is maintained in an upper position, allowing conveyer belt 30 to convey a container such as a pre-roll to be filled to a position underneath conduit end 92 without interference. When the container is properly positioned underneath conduit end 92, elevation mechanism 104 lowers filler/tamper device 86 to a desired position suitable for filling/tamping.

An additional advantage of some embodiments having an elevation mechanism where the outer walls of the filling conduit taper from a broader proximal portion to a narrower conduit end is that a misshapen or bent open distal end of a container to be filled is forced back into a correct shape by the conduit end as it enters the distal end of the container when the container and conduit end are brought together, e.g., by an elevation mechanism.

In some embodiments, a filler/tamper device further comprises a centering ring that surrounds the filling conduit, the centering ring dimensioned and positioned to assist in ensuring that a misplaced container such as a pre-roll is not crushed when the filling conduit and the container are brought together, e.g., by an elevation mechanism. In some embodimente, the centering ring surrounds the filling conduit and comprises: a ring-shaped distal end that protrudes beyond the conduit end (typically by between about 1 mm and about 4 mm); at the distal end of the centering ring has an internal diameter larger than the external diameter of the container to be filled (typically by between about 1 mm and about 6 mm); and an inwardly sloping internal wall having a larger dimension at the distal end of the centering ring and a smaller dimension closer to the base of the filling conduit.

In device 86 depicted in Figures 5, filling conduit 42 is surrounded by a centering ring 106 which comprises a ring-shaped distal end 108 that protrudes beyond conduit end 92; at distal end 108, an internal diameter 110 larger than the external diameter of a pre-roll 16 to be filled; and an inwardly-sloping internal wall 112 having a larger dimension at distal end 108 and a smaller dimension closer to the base of filling conduit 42.

A filler/tamper device having a centering ring is used together with an elevation mechanism. This use is discussed with reference to filler/tamper device 86 depicted in Figures 5 as a component of device 26 depicted in Figure 2. Elevation mechanism 104 maintains conduit end 92 at a raised position while conveyer belt 30 conveys a container to be filled to underneath conduit end 92. Elevation mechanism 104 is then used to reduce the distance between conduit end 92 and the distal end of the container to be filled. If the container is properly seated and centered inside the volume of the container holder, centering ring 106 does not contact the container. On the other hand, if the container such as a pre-roll is not seated inside the volume of the container holder but instead protrudes therefrom, ringshaped distal end 108 initially surrounds the distal end of the container without contact, until a portion of the distal end of the container contacts inwardly-sloping internal wall 112 of centering ring 106. The force applied by inwardly-sloping internal wall 112 on the distal end of the container as the container and conduit end 92 are brought together by elevation mechanism 104 forces the container to be centered and properly seated in the volume of the container holder.

Tamping mechanism

A filler/tamper device includes a mechanism for moving the tamper substantially parallel (and preferably substantially coaxially) with the tamper axis upwards to an upper position and downwards to a lower position in a tamping motion. In some embodiments, the mechanism is configured so that moving of the tamper in a tamping motion includes configuration that allows the tamper to drop downwards from an upper position to a lower position due to gravity.

In some embodiments, the mechanism is configured so that moving of the tamper in a tamping motion includes configuration to apply a force to actively move the tamper downwards from an upper position to a lower position . Such an embodiment is device 86 depicted in Figures 5, where tamper 44 is functionally associated with a mechanism 96, a double-acting hydraulic cylinder, which is configured to move tamper 44 up (to an upper position) and down (to a lower position) coaxially with tamper axis 88, which is also coaxially with vertical axis 54 of pre-roll holder 28 and the axis of pre-roll 16 held therein.

During use, when the mechanism moves the tamper upwards to an upper position and downwards to a lower position. When moving downwards to a lower position, the distal tamper tip contacts the surface of plant matter found inside the pre-roll to tamp the plant matter. When moving upwwards to an upper position, the tamper tip moves away from the surface of the plant matter, allowing additional plant matter that falls from the filling conduit into the pre-roll to move below the tamper tip. In some embodiments, the mechanism is configured so that during the tamping of a given individual pre-roll the upper position of the tamper is such that the distal tip is located outside (above) of the pre-roll. In some alternative embodiments, the mechanism is configured so that during the tamping of a given individual pre-roll the upper position is such that the distal tip is located inside of the pre-roll.

The mechanism is configured to move the tamper at any suitable rate, that is to say, any suitable number of tamps per unit time. In some embodiments, the mechanism is configured to move the tamper at a rate of between about 1 tamp / 4 seconds and about 20 tamps / second. In some preferred embodiments, the mechanism is configured to move the tamper at a rate of at least about 1 tamp / 2 seconds and even at least 1 tamp / second. In some preferred embodiments, the mechanism is configured to move the tamper at a rate of not faster than about 10 tamp / second and even not faster than about 5 tamp / second. In some particularly preferred embodiments, the mechanism is configured to move the tamper at a rate of between about 1 tamp/second and between about 4 tamps/ a second, or even between about 1 tamp/second and about 2 tamps/second. In some particularly preferred embodiments, over a filling period of between about 4 seconds and about 5 seconds, the mechanism is configured to move the tamper so as to tamp not less than about 8 times and not more than about 16 times, for example 12 times The mechanism is configured so that during each individual tamp, the tamper applies any suitable force to the surface of the plant matter inside the pre-roll.

In embodiments where the tamper drops downwards from an upper position to a lower position due to gravity, the magnitude of the tamping force applied to the surface of the plant matter is dependent, inter alia, on the weight of the tamper and the height from which the tamper is released to drop downwards.

In some embodiments, the mechanism is configured so that the maximal force applied by the tamper to the surface of plant matter during each individual tamp is substantially the same, that is to say, within 10%, within 5% and even within 2% of a target tamping force. In some such embodiments, the mechanism comprises a double-acting pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder.

The target tamping force is any suitable target tamping force. In some embodiments, the mechanism is configured so that the target tamping force applied to the surface of plant matter inside a pre-roll by the tamper during each tamp is not less than about 0.04 N/mm ² and not more than about 1 N/mm ² . In some preferred such embodiments, the mechanism is configured so that the target tamping force applied to the surface of plant matter inside a preroll is not less than about 0.07 N/mm ² , not less than about 0.11 N/mm ² , and even not less than about 0.21 N/mm ² . Additionally or alternatively, in some preferred such embodiments, the mechanism is configured so that the target tamping force applied to the surface of plant matter inside a pre-roll is not more than about 0.89 N/mm ² , not more than about 0.71 N/mm ² , not more than about 0.54 N/mm ² , and even not more than about 0.36 N/mm ² .

In some alternative embodiments, the mechanism is configured so that the maximal force applied by the tamper to the surface of plant matter being tamped in each individual tamp can vary. In some such embodiments, the mechanism is configured so that the average maximal force applied by the tamper to the surface of the plant matter being tamped during filling of a pre-roll is not less than about 0.04 N/mm ² and not more than about 1 N/mm ² . In some preferred such embodiments, the mechanism is configured so that the average maximal tamping force applied to the surface of plant matter inside a pre-roll is not less than about 0.07 N/mm ² , not less than about 0.11 N/mm ² , and even not less than about 0.21 N/mm ² . Additionally or alternatively, in some preferred such embodiments, the mechanism is configured so that the average maximal tamping force applied to the surface of plant matter inside a pre-roll is not more than about 0.89 N/mm ² , not more than about 0.71 N/mm ² , not more than about 0.54 N/mm ² , and even not more than about 0.36 N/mm ² . The mechanism is configured for moving the tamper substantially parallel with the tamper axis and, more preferably, substantially coaxially with the tamper axis. In some embodiments, the mechanism is configured so that the direction of the tamping motion is constant. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the direction of the tamping motion changes during use, for example, each downwards motion is substantially parallel or substantially coaxisl with the tamper axis but is not necessarily the same direction as a previous downward motion. In some embodiments the term "substantially parallel" means that the mechanism is configured so that the tamping motion is within 4°, 3°, 2°, within 1° of parallel and even parallel with the tamper axis. In some embodiments the term "substantially coaxial" means that the mechanism is configured so that the tamping motion is within 4°, 3°, 2°, within 1° of coaxial and even coaxial with the tamper axis.

In some embodiments, the mechanism is configured to fixedly hold the tamper so that the tamper does not rotate around the tamper axis. In some alternative embodiments, the mechanism is configured to allow the tamper to rotate around the tamper axis. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments the mechanism is configured to actively rotate the tamper around the tamper axis.

Tamper

A filler/tamper device includes an elongated tamper having a tamper axis and a tamper tip.

Preferably, the tamper is stiff, that is to say, does not substantially bend during the tamping of the plant matter. Accordingly, in some preferred embodiments, the tamper has a bending stiffness such that during the tamping of plant matter in the inner volume of the preroll, the tamper bends by not more than 1 mm in a direction perpendicular to the tamper axis, and more preferably by not more than 0.5 mm in a direction perpendicular to the tamper axis.

As noted above, it is preferred that the portion of the tamper that is located inside the filling conduit during filling of a pre-roll with plant matter be narrow to ensure sufficient clearance to allow the vegetable matter to pass. As noted above, a typical inner diameter of a filling conduit is between about 7 mm and about 11 mm while sufficient clearance is preferably is not less than about 1.5 mm on all sides, more preferably not less than about 2 mm on all sides, and even more preferably not less than about 2.5 mm on all sides. As a result, in preferred embodiments, the portion of the tamper that passes through the filling conduit during tamping is typically not more than 8 mm and more preferably not more than 7 mm for a filling conduit having an inner diameter of about 11 mm, and typically not more than about 4 mm and more preferably not more than about 3 mm for a filling conduit having an inner diameter of about 7 mm. In some embodiments, at least part of the tamper is made of tungsten or similarly stiff material to provide sufficient stiffness under the recited tamping forces with relatively small dimensions that ensure sufficient clearance. It has been found that it is possible to make a tamper from tungsten having even smaller dimensions than about 4 mm, for example, a diameter of less than about 3 mm and even less than about 2 mm.

The shape of the cross-section of the tamper tip in a plane that includes the tamper axis is any suitable shape including concave, convex and flat. In some preferred embodiments, the shape of the cross-section of the tamper tip in a plane that includes the tamper axis is flat. In some such embodiments, the plane defined by the flat distal tip is within 20°, within 10°, within 5° and even within 3° of perpendicular to the tamper axis. The tamper tip is preferably smooth, having surface variations of not more than 0.1 mm and more preferably not more than 0.05 mm. In Figures 5A and 5C, tamper tip 94 of device 86 is seen in a plane that includes tamper axis 88: it is seen that the cross section of tamper tip 94 is flat and perpendicular to tamper axis 88.

The shape of the tamper tip in a plane perpendicular to the tamper axis is any suitable shape, preferably a shape without vertices such as a circle or an oval. In preferred embodiments, the shape of the tamper tip in a plane perpendicular to the tamper axis is a circle. In Figure 5B, tamper tip 94 of device 86 is depicted in a plane perpendicular to tamper axis 88 showing the circular shape of tamper tip 94.

The surface area of a distal tamper tip perpendicular to the tamper axis is any suitable surface area. In preferred embodiments, the surface area is not less than about 7 mm ² and not more than about 80 mm ² . Such a range of sizes is sufficiently large to compact plant matter during a tamp rather than to penetrate thereinto and also sufficiently small so as to be able to enter an open distal end of a typical container such as a pre-roll. The exact surface area for the packing of a specific-sized cylindrical container such as a cylindrical pre-roll is typically determined to be such that the tamper has between about 1 mm and about 2 mm clearance on all sides of the container (i.e., having a diameter that is between about 2 mm and about 4 mm smaller than the inner diameter of the container). The exact surface area for the packing of a specific-sized conical container such as conical pre-roll is typically determined to be such that the distal tamper tip has at least a 1 mm clearance on all sides of the pre-roll or container when the tamper tip has entered to 75% of the total length of the conical portion of the pre- roll, see Figure 3. In some embodiments, the surface area for packing a specific-sized conical pre-roll is determined by the size of the tamper which is selected such that the distal tip can descend to contact the upper (distal) surface of a filter.

The relative position of the tamper and the filling conduit during the tamping is any suitable relative position. As noted above, when the tamper is in a lower position contacting the surface of the vegetable matter for the tamping, the tamper (passes through the conduit and the conduit end so that the tamper tip is outside of the conduit end and the clearance between the tamper and the conduit end is sufficient to allow the passage of particulate vegetable matter from the hopper past the tamper and through the filling conduit.

As noted above, in order to allow free passage of particulate plant matter through a filling conduit it has been found that preferably the clearance between the portion of the tamper that passes through the filling conduit and the filling conduit inner walls is not less than about 1.5 mm, more preferably not less than about 2 mm and even more preferably not less than about 2.5 mm. If the surface area of the tamper tip perpendicular to the tamper axis is too small, the portion of the vegetable matter that is being tamped will be too small and/or the tamper tip will penetrate into the vegetable matter rather than tamping. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the tamper comprises: a narrow stem colinear with the tamper axis and a wider tamper head at a distal end of the stem, wherein a distal tip of the tamper head is the tamper tip; and the stem having dimensions such that a clearance between the stem and the inner dimension of the conduit end is at least about 1.5 mm on all sides; wherein an increase of the narrow dimensions of the stem to the wider dimensions of the tamper head is continuous. By continuous is meant that the change in the dimensions does not include any discontinuity such as steps, jumps or ledges. In device 86 depicted in Figures 5A and 5C, tamper 44 comprises a narrow stem 44a colinear with tamper axis 88, and a wider tamper head 44b at the distal end of stem 44a where the distal tip of tamper head 44b is tamper tip 94. It is seen that the increase of dimensions from stem 44a to tamper head 44b is a continuous ogive shape.

In such embodiments, when the tamper is in the lower position, the narrow stem is positioned inside the conduit end, providing maximum clearance for the passage of vegetable matter past the stem and through the conduit end into a container. The wider tamper head is at some distance, preferably at least 1 mm from the conduit end. In such a way, plant matter falling through the conduit end past the tamper stem also flows past the continuous outer- surface of the wide head into the pre-roll without any plant matter settling on a discontinuity of the tamper head.

In some such embodiments, the greatest outer dimensions of the tamper head are greater than about 2 mm smaller than the inner diameter of the filling conduit so that the clearance between the tamper head and the filling conduit when the tamper head is inside the filling conduit is not greater than about 1 mm. In some preferred embodiments, the outer dimensions of the tamper head are greater than about 1 mm smaller than the inner diameter of the filling conduit so that the clearance between the tamper head and the filling conduit when the tamper head is inside the filling conduit is not greater than about 0.5 mm. In some such embodiments, the tamper head and filling conduit are configured as a valve with the tamper head functioning as a valve plug and the rim of the distal end of the filling conduit functioning as a valve seat: when the tamper is in a sufficiently elevated position, the tamper head rests against the rim of the distal end of the filling conduit, thereby blocking the flow of plant matter through the filling conduit. Preferably the tamper head is configured to be able to pass through the filling conduit.

As discussed above, to ensure the desired rigidity of the tamper stem even when very thin, it is preferred that the tamper stem be a tungsten rod due to the high rigidity of tungsten. In some embodiments, the tamper head is also of tungsten and, in some preferred embodiments the tamper is a monolithic piece of tungsten where the stem and head are integrally formed. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the tamper head is of a different material than tungsten and the head is connected with the tungsten stem in any suitable fashion, for example, the distal end of the stem including screw threads and the head including a matching threaded bore. It has been found that it is possible to make a suitable tamper stem from tungsten having even smaller dimensions than 4 mm, for example, a diameter of less than 3 mm and even less than 2 mm. Such small dimensions of the stem provide substantial clearance and therefore unobstructed flow of plant matter through the filling conduit, even small-dimensioned filling conduits.

In device 86, tamper 44 as depicted in greater detail in Figure 5C is a monolithic piece of tungsten with a 1.6 mm diameter round stem 44a and a tamper head 44b that is 9 mm long (dimension 44c, in the dimension parallel to tamper axis 88). In a plane that includes tamper axis 88, tamper tip 94 is flat, smooth and perpendicular to tamper axis 88. In a plane perpendicular to tamper axis 88, tamper tip 94 is circular (Figure 5B), has a diameter of 6 mm (dimension 44d in Figure 5C) and a surface area of about 28.3 mm ² . In device 86, filling conduit 42 has an inner diameter of 8 mm. Since tamper head 44b has an outer diameter of 6 mm, when tamper head 44b is inside filling conduit 42, the clearance on all sides is about 1 mm, sufficiently small to prevent the passage of practically any particulate plant matter.

In Figure 6 is depicted an alternative emboidment of a tamper, tamper 99 comprising a monolithic piece of tungsten with a 1.6 mm diameter tamper stem 99a and a tamper head 99b that is 6 mm long (dimension 99c, parallel to tamper axis 88), In a plane that includes tamper axis 88, tamper tip 94 is flat, smooth and perpendicular to tamper axis 88 and in a plane perpendicular to tamper axis 88, tamper tip 94 is circular. In a plane that includes tamper axis 88, tamper head 99b has a continuously straight outer surface devoid of a discontinuity. An advantage of such a straight surface compared to the curved ogive surface of tamper 44 depicted in Figure 5C is that the dimension of the straight outer surface of tamper head 99b in a plane that includes tamper axis 88 is smaller than the dimension of the ogive outer surface so that a particle travelling along the outer surface contacts less surface. The broadest diameter of tamper head 99b is 6 mm (dimension 99d in Figure 6). In a plane that includes axis 88, the distal end of tamper head 99b has a rounded periphery 99e having a circular curvature with a 1 mm radius 99f so that a distal tip 94 of tamper 99 is a circle with a diameter of 4 mm (99g) and a surface area of about 12.6 mm ² .

Use of a filling / tamping device

An embodiment of the use of a filling / tamping device such as device 86 is described with references to Figures 7A, 7B and 7C.

In Figure 7A, device 86 is in a standby mode: tamper 44 is raised by tamping mechanism 96 to be located inside hopper 90 and clear of conduit 42 and distal end 92 of conduit 44 is in an upper position so that a pre-roll 16 held in a pre-roll holder 28 is conveyed to a position below conduit 44 without fear of collision with any component of device 86. In Figure 7A, pre-roll 16 is depicted protruding from pre-roll holder 28, slightly off-axis and a distal end thereof is slightly crushed.

In Figure 7B, elevation mechanism 104 is activated to reduce the distance between pre-roll 16 and distal end 92 of conduit 44, in device 86 by lowering conduit 44 to a fully- lowered position. During the descent of conduit 44, internal wall 112 of centering ring 106 contacts the distal end of pre-roll 16, thereby applying a force to properly seat pre-roll 16 inside the inner volume of pre-roll holder 28 so that pre-roll 16 is coaxial with conduit 42. Conduit 42 is inside the distal end of pre-roll 16 so that the distal tip of conduit 42 is 4 mm (typically about 3 mm to about 4mm) below the distal end of pre-roll 16. Internal wall 112 of centering ring 106 contacts the distal end of pre-roll 16, thereby forming a barrier to escape of vegetable matter from the confines of pre-roll 16. During the descent of conduit 42, the tapered shape of conduit 92 at least partially straightened the crushed portion of pre-roll 16.

In Figure 7C, tamping mechanism 96 lowered tamper 44 through conduit 42 so that tamper head 44b is clear of conduit 42 so as not to interfere with the flow of vegetable matter through conduit 46.

Subsequently to the depicted in Figure 7C, plant matter feeder 114 is activated to feed particulate plant matter comprising or consisting of Cannabis buds into hopper 90 for a period of 5 seconds. Given a target amount of particulate plant matter that is desired to be in the final product (typically between 0.5 g and 1.0 g), feeder 114 is calibrated so that over the period of 5 seconds between about 80% and 100% of the target amount is dispensed by feeder 114 into hopper 90 at least 98% of the time. The particulate plant matter that is feed into hopper 90 drops through hopper 90, through conduit 42 and past stem 44a of tamper 44, flows around tamper head 44b and falls to the sides and underneath distal tip 94 of tamper 44. Concurrently, tamping mechanism 96 is activated to move tamper 44 up and down in a tamping motion at a rate of 2 tamps / second so that over the 5 second period of time, distal tip 94 of tamper 44 contacts the surface of plant matter found inside pre-roll 16 twelve times at approximately t = 0.6, 1.0, 1.4, 1.8, 2.2, 2.6, 3.0, 3.4, 3.8, 4.2, 4.6, and 5.0 seconds. During the entire 5 seconds, tamper head 44b remains inside the volume of the pre-roll. In some preferred embodiments, the controller of device 86 is set so that the extent of descent of distal tip 94 is roughly the expected height of plant matter, in pre-roll 16. When descending to contact the upper surface of the plant matter, distal tip 94 tamps the upper surface of the plant matter thereby compressing the plant matter into a relatively dense and homogeneous mass of plant matter. When ascending, the shape of tamper head 44b allows additional plant matter to fall past tamper head 44b to rest on the upper surface of plant matter. Any plant matter incidentally lifted up by the upwards motion of tamper 44, remains confined to the inside of tamper 44 by inner wall 112 of centering ring 106.

After the 5 second period of time when there is a 98% chance that pre-roll 16 has been filled with between about 80% and 100% plant matter, tamping mechanism 96 raises tamper 44 and elevation mechanism 104 raises conduit 42 so that device 86 is back in the standby mode depicted in Figure 7A.

In some embodiments, a filler/tamper device comprises a centering ring and a conduit with tapering outer walls as depicted in Figures 5 and 7.

In some alternative embodiments, a device comprises a filling conduit with tapering outer walls but is devoid of a centering ring, see device 116 depicted in Figure 8A.

In some alternative embodiments, a device comprisese a centering ring and a nontapering cylindrical cross section filling conduit, see device 118 depicted in Figure 8B.

In some alternative embodiments, a device is devoid of a centering ring and has a nontapering cylindrical cross section filling conduit, see device 120 depicted in Figure 8C.

In the filler/tamper device 86 depicted in Figures 5 and 7, hopper 90 has a volume with a distinct upper funnel-shaped portion and a distinct lower tubular portion. It has been found that in some embodiments, such a configuration may be less ideal and, in some embodiments, it is preferable that the slope of the funnel-shaped portion be as steep as possible to ensure that any vegetable matter can easily slide downwards, which means that all things being equal, it is desirable that the upper latera; dimension of the volume of the hopper be relatively small and/or that a lower tubular portion of the volume, if it exists, should be as short as possible. Comparing the volume of hopper 90 of device 116 in Figure 8A to hopper 90 of device 86 in Figures 5, it is seen that the former has no tubular portion, allowing for much steeper hopper walls. Similarly, in hoppers 90 of device 118 in Figure 8B and of device 120 in Figure 8C, the walls are continuously sloped and the only tubular volume is the volume of tubular filling conduits 42.

Additional features and details of the filler/tamper device are as described herein, mutatis mutandis, for the method and/or device according to the teachings herein which, for the sake of brevity, are not repeated.

Joint

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the teachings herein, there is also provided a joint made according to a method according to the teachings herein or using a device according to the teachings herein. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. In case of conflict, the specification, including definitions, takes precedence.

As used herein, the terms “comprising”, “including”, "having" and grammatical variants thereof are to be taken as specifying the stated features, integers, steps or components but do not preclude the addition of one or more additional features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

As used herein, the indefinite articles "a" and "an" mean "at least one" or "one or more" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, when a numerical value is preceded by the term "about", the term "about" is intended to indicate +/-10%.

As used herein, a phrase in the form “A and/or B” means a selection from the group consisting of (A), (B) or (A and B). As used herein, a phrase in the form “at least one of A, B and C” means a selection from the group consisting of (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C) or (A and B and C).

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub combination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the invention.

Section headings are used herein to ease understanding of the specification and should not be construed as necessarily limiting.