Patent GB-518199-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to apparatus for use in the manufacture of cigar bunches and cigars
IPC: A24C3/00
Filed: 1938-08-19
Abstract: 518,199. Cigar-making machines. INTERNATIONAL CIGAR' MACHINERY CO. Aug. 19, 1938, No. 24426. Convention date, Jan. 5. [Class 130] Either a short or a long filler bunch-making portion may be operatively associated with a wrapping machine portion. Both bunch making portions deliver to the same point from which transference is effected by mechanism on the wrapping-machine portion. The main cam-shaft 41 is driven from an electric motor 28 through a clutch 29 and shaft 57, all mounted within the frame of the wrapping machine portion. A sun pinion 62, Fig. 4, on the shaft 57 drives planetary gearing of which the planet-carrier is secured to a hollow shaft 55. The drive is transmitted to the main cam-shaft 41 through worm-and-wheel-gearing when the outer ring or hub of the planetary gearing is held by an expandable ring 69 controlled by a solenoid 75. The shaft 55 is coupled to a shaft 52 and thence to a manual operating device and to the long filler bunch making machine driving mechanism. An inner shaft 56 is directly connected to shaft 57 and drives the short filler bunch gearing. The wrapping mechanism may be of the grouped roller type associated with tuck needle and other usual ancillaries, all actuated from the camshaft 41. The leaf-supporting cutting-bed, Fig. 18, is of the duplex type. An intermittently rotatable turret 115 carries two die holders with cutting dies 315 and alternately raised transfer heads 128. Internal suction is applied alternately to the heads 128 and perforated shells 15 under the control of valve and throttle mechanism dependent on the lever 110. The heads are raised by engagement of their stems 313 with the crooked upper end of a rod 127 connected to an actuating lever 125. Cutting is effected by the reciprocation of rollers 16, Fig. 1, supported on a carriage 100 actuated through sprocket and chain, toothed gearing and a rack 97 from the shaft 41. The adjacent faces of the gears 98, 349 are connected by a yielding plunger constituting. a safety device if the rollers 16 encounter an obstruction, such as the operator's hand. Cut wrappers are transferred by a suction carrier 17 to the wrapping.mechanism 14 and thence to a re-rolling drum 25 from which after knurling and trimming the cigar is discharged to a cradle for collection. Transference of the bunches to and from the wrapping mechanism is effected by grippers depending from arms 11, 23, Fig. 11, and maintained in a vertical position by enclosed gearing. Racks 140, 149 effect the movementsof the arms and associated gearing. Short bunches are turned through 90‹ in their passage to the wrapping mechanism but the long bunches remain parallel to their initial position. If the gripper fails to lift a bunch, a pivoted lever 150 remains tilted, and the end fouls a projection from vertical rod 154 through which a switch is closed and a solenoid energised to prevent lifting of the head 128 and consequent wrapper transference to the carrier 17. In the short bunch machine portion, Fig. 9, measured charges are rolled within binders in the loop of an apron 230, and transferred by hand to shaping pockets in a turret 137. At the uppermost position they are seized by the grippers depending from the arms 11 and carried to the wrapping mechanism. The turret is driven in exact synchronism with the wrapping mechanism, both from the cam-shaft 41, but the remaining mechanism of the short bunch machine portion are driven at varying speed from the shaft 56 through a clutch 207 similar to the expanding clutch 29. By means of a foot-pedal 362 the operator may thus maintain an adequate reserve of bunches for the turret pockets. The long filler-bunch making machine is driven entirely from the shaft 56, its main shaft being arranged to replace the shaft 204 when the coupling 205 is removed. Fillers are measured, rolled and delivered to bunch cutting and wrapping mechanism similar to that which prepares the final wrapping, transfer to the latter being effected by the arms 11 as before except that no turning movement is involved. The electrical circuits of the associated machines are fully described by reference to Fig. 8, and include starting switch mechanism 30 housed in the pedestal 92, a jogging switch 35 associated with the solenoid 75 for giving step-by-step action during assembly or adjustment, time-switches for allowing completion of a particular cycle of operations, and switches for permitting stopping of the wrapping portion due to shortage of bunches for the turret 137 or to obviate danger to the operator.