Patent GB-411424-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to the manufacture of cigarettes
IPC: A24C5/47
Filed: 1932-09-05
Abstract: 411,424. Cigarette-making machines. WIX, A., 338, Goswell Road, and EDWARDS, W. M., 1, Kempsford Gardens, Earls Court, both in London. Sept. 5, 1932, Nos. 24758/32, 12321/33, and 12322/33. [Class 130.] In making cigarettes in which a cavity is provided, for the reception of a filter tip or mouthpiece, by extracting a part of the tobacco filling, the extraction is effected mechanically in one or more stages, the tobacco being removed in tufts without substantial disturbance, disintegration or breakage of the strands thereof. The machine comprises a cylinder 11 rotatable step by step and slidable axially on a fixed shaft 12 between successive steps, and a main driving shaft 54 which rotates a shaft 51 directly and a cam shaft 41 through bevel gears 55 and a worm gear 56. A cam 50 on the shaft 41 reciprocates a slide in a hopper to feed cigarettes in succession into channels 11<a> in the cylinder 11. Each channel 11<a> merges into tubular portion 11<e> and the cigarette is thrust thereinto by a fixed stop 19 when the cylinder is reciprocated on the shaft 12 by links 13 and crank arm 14, the cylinder having previously been rotated one step by the engagement of rollers 11<c> on the cylinder 11 by jaws 15<a> on a rod 16 reciprocated by a cam 17 on the shaft 51, to bring the channel opposite a detachable inclined plate 20<a> on a fixed ring member 20. The tubular holders 11<e> are slotted for the reception of presser plates 22 formed with curved faces to avoid damaging the cigarettes. Each plate is pivoted to an arm 22<a> fixed to a block 22b having a pin engaging in a fixed cam 23 which draws the plate down into contact with the cigarette. While it is thus held, the cylinder forces the cigarette on to barbed needles 25, 26 one pair, 26, of which is moved inwards by a supporting slide 27, reciprocated by a cam 28 on the shaft 41, to grip the tobacco in the end of the cigarette. On the outward movement of the cylinder 11 the tobacco is withdrawn as a tuft from the mouthpiece end of the cigarette and a plate 29 is reciprocated between the needles 25, 26 to remove the tuft therefrom. Two sets of needles &c. may be employed to remove the tobacco in two stages. On the next axial movement of the cylinder, a butterfly cutter 31, rapidly rotated through gears 32 .. 36, pulleys 37, 38 and a belt 39 by the shaft 51, enters the cigarette to face up the end of the tobacco and any loose portions are removed by an air blast or suction through a pipe 43 at the next stage of rotation. A prepared mouthpiece or filter tip is deposited from the former 45 on a scoop 44 which enters the cigarette, a pawl &c. 44<a> passing through a slot in. the scoop to prevent its withdrawal therewith. Accurate positioning of the mouthpiece is ensured at the next stage by a fixed abutment 47 and thereafter, a plunger 48 provided with a tongue to engage in a slot 11<i> in the channel 11<a> ejects the cigarette from the cylinder. Alternatively, the cylinder 11 may rotate but not slide, the operating devices being arranged to move into and out of engagement with it.