Patent GB-299409-A (GB)
Title: Improvement in filler feed for scrap-bunch cigar machine
IPC: A24C1/02
Filed: 1927-07-26
Abstract: 299,409. Marks, E. C. R., (International Cigar Machinery Co.). July 26, 1927. Cigar-making machines.-Measured quantities of filler tobacco are delivered from a closed chamber 21 to a chianti-belt forming mechanism; trip-gearing is provided for stopping the feeding mechanism when the filler in the chamber reaches a predetermined density, while the severance and ejection of the contents from the chamber are effected through cams and linkwork. The motor-driven shaft 12 drives, through a chain 31, a sprocket 32 fastened to the housing 33 of an epicyclic gear connecting the abutting shafts 20, 28. Sun-pinions 35, 36 fast on the shafts 20, 28, mesh with planetary pinions 37, 38 on a shaft 39 which is supported in the housing 33 and cover 34. The shaft 28 is held stationary during the feeding operation by the engagement of a pawl 40 mounted on the shaft, with a ratchet 41 and motion is then transmitted to the shaft 20 from which by the bevel, chain and sprocket gearing shown to the left of Fig. 1 the compacting roller 47 and star. shaped feeding rollers 52 are rotated. From the shaft 20 motion is also given through the chain 58 and sprocket 57 to the feed belt 60 supporting the filler F. To prevent the filler from being carried round by the star wheels 52 they are arranged to project through a slotted plate 64. Knives 22-22 are periodically closed across the entrance to the chamber 21, on entering which the tobacco encounters a plate 65 forming the opposite end wall of the chamber and connected by a rod 66 and link 67 to a weighted lever 72. Guiderollers 83, 74, 76 are provided for the plate 65 and rod 66. The stroke of the plate 65 ceases when a trip-lock 90 mounted on the shaft 27 is released from a finger 92 on a lever 93 pivoted on the stud 69. The lever 93 falls, the screw 94 hits the pawl 40 away from the ratchet 41 and thereby releases the shaft 28. Owing to its smaller turning resistance the shaft 28 now transmits motion from the main shaft 12 instead of the more heavily geared shaft 20. To prevent the plate 65 from being returned by the weight 73 into the chamber 21 during the removal of the filler by a transversely moving plunger 87, a triple cam 98 is actuated so that its surface 99 presses a roller 102 to the right, Figs. 1, 3. The cam 98 is mounted on a rocking shaft 29 actuated from a cam 97 on the housing 33 through the medium of a lever 95 and roller 96. The side 100 of the cam 98 then slides under a roller 104 and raises the trip-lever 93, disengaging the hook 107 of the pawl 40 from the catch 108 and allowing the pawl to fall until checked by a pin 113 on the trip-lever but not so far as to engage the wheel 41. Simultaneously a latch 106 slides into a notch in the top surface of the pawl and maintains the trip-lever in the raised position during the return movement of the cam. When the cam arrives in its final or starting position the finger 101 on its rear surface lifts the latch 106, thereby allowing the trip finger 92 to engage the triplock 90, and lowering the pin 113 sufficiently to permit the pawl 40 to re-engage the ratchet 41. The shaft 28 is thereby stopped and the feeding means set into action for the next charge. Should the magazine be empty, or able to deliver only a part-charge, the cam 98 will automatically prevent the plate 65 from fouling the transverse plunger 87. The cutting off and removal mechanisms are actuated from cams 116, 117 on the shaft 12. Rollers 118, 120, levers 119, 121 and links 122, 130 transmit movement to a bell-crank lever 123 and three-armed lever 131. The bell-crank 123 is linked to the transverse plunger 87 working to and fro across the chamber 21, antifriction rollers 127, 128 being provided. The centre and right arms of the lever 131 are linked to oppositely-moving knife-holders 132, 135 carrying the knives 22, 22. To the holder 135 is attached an opening and closing device, for the side 89 through which the tobacco leaves the chamber 21. During the feeding operation the part 138 bears on the pin 139 and keeps the gate 89 firmly closed. As the knife moves the part 138 passes the pin 139, the parts 137 on the slide and 141 on the gate engage and the gate is tilted upwards into the fully open position.