Patent GB-190008083-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Cigarette Machines.
Filed: 1900-05-01
Granted: 1900-07-21
Abstract: 8083. United Cigarette Machine Co., [Ludington, F. J.]. May 1. Cigarette-making machines.-Relates to cigarette-making machines in which sheets of paper or other suitable material are formed into cylinders or shells of definite dimensions, and then filled with tobacco, which has been pressed or moulded into sticks or columns of the required size, the formation of the shells and the moulding of the tobacco sticks being carried on in the same machine simultaneously. Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the machine, showing the manner in which the several parts are actuated from a shaft A<1> under the bed-plate. A stack of papers is supported in a hopper D, and the sheets are removed therefrom one by one by means of perforated hollow spindles f, four of which are carried by a disc F<1>, to which a step - bystep motion is imparted by ratchet mechanism. The support d<1> having been removed from under the papers by the action of a cam, they are temporarily supported by one of the spindles f, and these spindles are whirled upon their axes, first in one direction and then in the other, by pinions f<2> gearing with a spur-wheel G. Motion is also imparted to the disc F<1>, and at the beginning of this movement the uppermost spindle, which is then in connection with a vacuum chamber, withdraws the bottom sheet of paper and rolls it upon itself. A pasting-blade wipes the edge of the sheet just before the cigarette shell is complete. While the spindle is still under the stack the support d' is returned. As the disc F<1> rotates. the spindles are successively brought under the stack, and each withdraws a sheet and rolls it into a shell. The shell remains on its spindle for three quarters of a revolution, and is then stripped off by a device consisting of a spring clip to which a combined lateral and longitudinal motion is imparted by means of a bar furnished with pins moving in inclined slots in a second bar actuated by a link H<5> and rocking arm H<6>. On leaving its spindle the shell is forced into one of a series of holes formed in the periphery of an intermittently-rotating drum N<2>, in which it remains long enough for the paste to dry. It then comes opposite a longitudinal finger carried by a shaft L, which is thereupon moved to the right so as to force the shell through one of a series of tubes on a carrier I<5> mounted on an intermittently-rotated shaft I. The shell is now in the filling position, with its forward end on the nose of the filler. Meanwhile tobacco has been fed through a hopper B, containing feed and picker rolls, to the table C of the pressing or moulding device. When sufficient material for a cigarette has accumulated, it is squeezed into a compact stick. The shaft L now moves to the left, and by means of a finger which it carries forces the stick into the paper shell. The shell is held on to the nose of the filler by means of a spring clamp, the jaws of which are caused to close by the removal of a cone or wedge from between them. As the shaft L approaches the end of its movement, the filled shell is moved backwards until the ends project equally on either side of the carrier I<5>. The carrier is next given a quarter turn, whereby the cigarette is carried round to the shears K and trimmed. The next quarter turn brings the cigarette opposite the shoot S, into which it is discharged by another finger on the shaft L. When mouthpieces are to be provided, the finger which ejects the shells from the drum N<2> is made capable of rotation during a certain period while the shaft L is at rest. The strip of paper is first inserted into the bifurcated end of the finger, and then severed by a suitable die. On rotation of the finger the strip is rolled up ready for insertion into the shell when the finger advances.