Improvements in Machines for the Manufacture of Cigars.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Sept., 1887.
Specification Accepted, 7th Oct., 1887.
[Communicated from abroad by JOHN R. WILLIAMS, of Newark, New Jersey,
United States of America, Manufacturer.]
Improvements in Machines for the Manufacture of Cigars.
I HENRY HARRIS LAKE of the firm of Haseltine Lake & Co. Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings in the County of Middlesex do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to improvements in machines for making cigars and par-
ticularly to apparatus for forming the "bunch" in the outline of a cigar preparatory
to receiving the ultimate wrapper.
The particular nature of the invention and of the construction of the apparatus by
which it is carried into effect, will be understood from the detailed description herein-
after presented, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine, the legs of the table supporting it being
omitted and a part of the mechanism being in section.
Figure 2 is a front elevation of the same.
Figure 3 is a central vertical longitudinal section through the rolling mechanism.
Figure 4 is a top view of the front end of the rolling table, the apron and sliding
plate hereinafter referred to, being omitted.
Figure 5 is a top view of the said sliding plate which rests upon the front end of the
rolling table, beneath the apron.
Figure 6 is a face view of the under side of the plunger for pressing the filler
tobacco into the matrix.
Figure 7 is a bottom view of the matrix.
Figure 8 is a front elevation of said matrix.
Figure 9 is a vertical section of same on the dotted line a, b of Figure 8.
Figure 10 is a side elevation of the table, illustrating merely the devices for
supporting the usual wooden mould into which the bunches are placed as they are
aken from the rolling apron during the use of the machine and
Figure 11 is a detached front elevation of the lower end of the chute which conveys
D1195

page_text: the filler tobacco from the hopper to the matrix, the said view being intended to
illustrate the wings shown partially by dotted lines, at the opposite edges of the lower
end of said chute, whereby the latter may be widened to suit the varying sizes of
matrices, as hereinafter pointed out.
In the drawings A designates the bed plate of the machine, which bed plate will be
of suitable size to permit the convenient operation of the rolling mechanism and is
supported upon legs of ordinary construction, not shown, upon the bed plate A, which
will preferably be of cast metal, is the raised portion B forming an elevated rolling
table, upon which is arranged the apron C, the ends of the latter being secured
between the ends of said table and the rods D, as shown in Figure 3. In the front
portion of the table B is formed the mould E of suitable size to receive the tobacco
for a single bunch. This mould E extends entirely across the table B and is provided
at its ends with the adjustable plates F, which close the ends of the mould and are
provided at their lower edges with the inwardly extending slotted plates G which fit
in a groove in the base of the mould, and are retained by means of screws H passing
downward through their slots. The ends F and plates G are integral with each other
and are adapted by reason of the screws H and the slots I to be moved toward each
other when it is desired to vary the size of the bunch. The position of the ends F in
the mould E will be governed by the length of the bunch sought to be produced, and
their use enables me in one machine without material loss of time to form bunches of
a length suitable for the character of cigar to be manufactured.
Between the mould E and the front end of the table is placed upon the latter the
plate J (see Figures 3 and 5) which carries upon its opposite side edges the rollers K
and is slotted, as at L, to receive the screws M, which act as guides for the plate J
during its movement toward and from the mould E, while the machine is in use.
Upon the under side of the plate J is provided the depending flange N (see Figure 3)
against which spiral springs O act, creating a tension on said plate toward the mould E.
The springs O any desired number being employed, are of usual form and are
supported upon pins, as shown. The edge of the plate J adjacent to the mould E is
fashioned to conform to the outline of a cigar, see Figure 5. The apron C is loose
upon the upper surface of the table B and passes over the mould E and the roller P
(see Figures 2 and 3) whose surface conforms to the outline of a cigar and is placed
between hubs Q upon the rod R which extends from one side of the bed plate A to the
other, and is provided with the hand roller S by which it may be operated. The ends
of the rod R rest upon the vertical sides V of the bed-plate A and are provided with
pinion wheels T engaging the toothed racks W which together with the said pinion
wheels ensure a uniform motion in the opposite ends of the rod R during the process
of rolling the bunch. The rod R with the roller F, hand roller S and pinion wheels T,
are not claimed herein, since they are the same in construction and effect as the like
elements shown in Letters Patent of the United States No. 358,907, issued to me on
the 7th day of December 1886.
Upon the rear end of the table is journalled in lugs X the rod Y, upon which is
keyed the casting Z, which constitutes a hinged section extending over the table B
toward the front end of the machine and terminating at its front portion with the
cam bars d, which extend downward one on each side of the table B in front of the
mould E as indicated in Figures 1, 2 and 3. The casting or hinged section Z has at
its rear end integral therewith, the lug e shown in Figures 1 and 2, into which is
screwed the rod f extending at an angle upwardly and rearwardly from a vertical
line centre through the rod Y and carrying the counterbalance weight g. Upon the
upper side of the hinged section Z is secured the standard h of ordinary form which
supports upon its upper end the inclined chute i hereinafter referred to. Upon the
front edge of the hinged section Z (at which point there is a transverse bar j) is
secured, by means of an angle plate k and screws, the matrix l, which is open at
its top and bottom, and is in the outline of a cigar; the upper edge of the matrix
having an outwardly flaring edge or rim m, immediately below the lower end of the
chute i, as indicated in Figures 1 and 3. The matrix is composed of two

page_text: suitably fashioned plates n, o placed together and there secured by screws
passing through lugs p cast with them, as shown more clearly in Figures 7 and 8.
The matrix is employed in connection with the plunger 9, a bottom view of
which may be seen in Figure 6, and which is secured upon the lower ends of the
rods r,r (see Figure 2) which pass upward through apertures in the bridges s and
carry upon their upper end the cross bar t, the ends of which contain apertures and
are adapted to have a vertical movement upon the rods u secured at their ends at
opposite sides of the table B, suitable coiled springs wo being placed upon said
rods r, r, between the table B and the cross bar, to give said bar and the plunger a
tension upward to the position illustrated in Figure 2. The lower ends of the bridge,
which is a simple strip of metal, are secured to the hinged section Z. The lower
surface of the plunger is concave to conform as nearly as may be, to the outline of
a cigar. Upon the hinged section Z is also provided at opposite sides the standards.c
which extend upward upon opposite sides of the chute i, and serve to sustain it against
lateral vibration, the standards being cast with the hinged section. To the upper end
of the chute i is secured the plate y, which is given a curved upper surface and
operates as a cam, as hereinafter described; and at the lower end of the chute are pro-
vided the hinged side wings,, see Figures 1, 2 and 11, the sides of which form
the sides of that portion of the chute, while their lower portions, shown by dotted
lines in Figure 11, extend beneath the floor of the chute, and are slotted to receive
guide pins, as shown.. The wings,, may be moved outward to widen the lower
end of the chute to fit the size of the matrix 1, which will vary according to the
character of the cigar to be produced.
Upon the left hand of the rod Y is rigidly affixed the crank arm A¹, which extends
upward, and has pivoted to it the rear end of the draw rod B', shown by dotted lines
in Figure 3, the front end of the said rod being pivoted to the rocking plate C¹, also
indicated by dotted lines and which is secured upon the red D' mounted in suitable
bearings. Upon the upper surface of the rocking plate ( is secured one end of the
chain E which passes downward over the rear end of said plate and is connected at
its lower end with an ordinary foot treadle, not shown; this treadle, the rocking
plate C, draw rod B', and crank arm A' being the same as the like devices illustrated
in my Letters Patent aforesaid, bearing date December 7th 1886. In the operation
of these last named elements the foot of the attendant is pressed upon the treadle
thereby causing the plate to turn rearward on its rod D and forcing the rod B¹
and crank arm A¹ rearward, the movement of the crank operating to rotate the
shaft Y and to cause the hinged casting or section Z to turn upward. During this
movement the weight g operates to counter-balance the weight of the section Z, and
the elements which it carried, and thus facilitates the free movement of the section.
Upon the foot being released from the treadle, the weight of the front part of the
section Z, which is slightly in excess of that of the counter-balance g, causes the
return of said section to its former position, the movement of the rod Z, crank A¹
rod B' and plate C being thereby reversed.
Upon the rear edge of the bed-plate A and at opposite sides of the table B are
secured the standards F1 which support the hopper G in which the filler tobacco is
placed. The upper portion of the hopper G will preferably be made of sheet metal,
while its lower portion H' is of cast metal and secured to the upper portion by
suitable lips 1, of ordinary construction. In the front of the cast metal portion of the
hopper is provided the hinged door J', which may be opened, should it be necessary
at any time, to inspect the contents of the hopper G₁ at its lower end. The lower
end of the hopper has an aperture denoted in Figure 2 by dotted lines K¹ and rests
upon the plate L' which closes the lower end of the hopper with the exception of said
aperture. Upon the lower side, and at one end of the plate L' is pivoted the valve
plate M' as shown in Figure 2; this plate being adapted to be moved back and forth
on its pivot below the aperture K', for the purpose of either opening or closing the
To the rear edge of the outer end of the plate M¹ is attached the chain N'
shown more clearly in Figure 1, which passes over the roller 0¹, and connects at its
same.

page_text: lower end with the upper end of the rod f. Upon the front edge of the outer end of
the valve plate M' is provided the spring P', which operates as a tension to close the
plate over the aperture K' when it is not desired that the tobacco shall fall through
the same.
When the hinged section Z is turned upward by means of the foot treadle
hereinbefore referred to, the movement of the rod f operates through the chain N¹ to
move the plate M¹ from the aperture K', permitting thereby the escape of the tobacco.
but when the hinged section Z is returned to its position over the table B, the force
exerted by the rod f is released, and the spring Pf again closes the plate M¹ over the
aperture K. In order to facilitate the return of the hinged section Z to its position
over the table B, although not usually required, I have provided a tension spring Q
which operates to overcome the effect of the counter-balance 9 and start the hinged
section Z toward its position upon the table.
Below the plate L' and in line with the aperture K' is firmly secured the box R' as
shown in Figures 1 and 2, said box having a hinged bottom S₁ adapted to open
downward and, also, vertical partitions T indicated by dotted lines in Figure 2, the
partitions being secured upon the inner ends of the adjusting screws V₁ adapted to be
operated from the ends of the box R¹. The box is adapted to hold enough filler
tobacco for a single "bunch" and as this quantity varies with the character of cigar
to be produced the partitions T' are provided in order that by their adjustment the
capacity of the box between them may be increased or diminished at will. Upon the
rear end of the bottom S¹ of the box is provided the upwardly and rearwardly
extending plate W₁ carrying upon its end the weight X', which operates to keep the
door S¹ closed except when said weight is elevated by contact with the cam plate y.
When the hinged section Z is turned upward upon the rod Y, the plate y being rigid
with the chute i, will turn downward and be relieved from contact with the weight X',
which being heavier than the door S¹ will move downward and thereby cause the
door to close against the box R¹. The relation of the chute i and the box R' is such
that when the door S¹ is open, its lower end will rest against the front surface of said
chute, as illustrated in Figure 1.
Within the hopper G₁ is provided the horizontal shafts a" and 6" provided with
agitator pins e indicated by dotted lines in Figure 1, which operate during the use
of the machine to prevent the loose tobacco from packing in the lower end of the
hopper. Upon the right hand end of the shaft a" is applied the gear wheel d" and
also the upper end of the rod el which carries the pawl" in contact with the teeth
of the said wheel d¹¹ and is connected at its lower end with the rear end of the draw
rod gl, the front end of the latter being collared upon the horizontal rod R. Upon
the right hand standard F¹ is secured upon a short shaft the intermediate pinion
wheel which gears with the wheel d", and with the pinion secured upon the end
of the shaft 6, the purpose of the wheel 1, being to communicate the motion of the
wheel d" to the pinion and the shaft 61. The motion of the rod R during the
operation of rolling the bunches actuates through the rods and e, the pawlf" to
impart an intermittent rotary movement to the wheel and through it to the
shafts a" and 6, whereby said shafts are caused to feed the tobacco downward to
the aperture K¹.
The position of the section Z and roller P being that illustrated in the drawings,
the aperture K¹ will be closed and the door S¹ open, as shown, and the operation of
forming the bunches may be proceeded with by first moving the shaft R toward the
rear of the machine for the purpose of elevating the hinged section Z, closing of the
door S¹ upon the under surface of the charge box R¹ and drawing the valve plate M'
from the aperture K³, through which at this time a sufficient quantity of the tobacco
will fall between the partitions T¹ for a single bunch. Upon the return of the rod R
and roller P to their position illustrated in the drawings, a "binder" lettered in
Figure 3 will be placed upon the apron C, its front edge resting over the rear side of
the mould E, and the hinged section Z will return to its position upon the table B
and the valve plate M' close over the aperture K₁, the lower end of the matrix !
entering the mould E and camplate y elevating the weight X¹ and opening the door S¹,

page_text: thereby permitting the tobacco which was in the box R¹ to fall upon the chute i
down which it will slide into the matrix and rest upon that portion of the apron C
and binder over the mould E; the tobacco thus loosely filling the matrix will
thereupon be pressed into the mould with the apron and edge of the binder, as shown
in Figure 3, by means of the plunger q, the cross-bar serving as a handle, the
tobacco during this process being compacted and given substantially the form of the
cigar to be produced.
The hinged section Z will now be raised by the foot treadle, as before, thus freeing
its cam arms d from contact with the rollers K on the plate J and permitting the
springs O to move said plate over the front edge of the mould E whereby the apron C
is folded over the tobacco, whereupon the rod Ŕ and roller P will be moved rearward.
rolling the bunch and causing it to fall over the rear end of the table E, when it will
be picked up by the attendant and placed in the wooden mould board hereinafter
referred to. The second elevation of the hinged section Z just above mentioned
causes another charge of tobacco to enter the box R¹ which charge, after the rod R
has been returned to the front of the machine, another binder placed on the apron C
and the hinged section Z lowered, will fall down the chute into the matrix and be
pressed into the mould and then rolled to form a finished bunch, as in the previous
instance, this operation being repeated as rapidly and frequently as may be desired.
At each upward movement of the hinged section Z to the box R¹ receives a charge
of tobacco and a finished bunch rolls from the rear end of the table B, and at each
downward movement of said section the charge falls from the box and, sliding down
the chute i enters the matrix and rests upon the apron C and edge of the binder
over the mould E, preparatory to being acted on by the plunger. At each downward
movement of the section Z the advance cam arms d acting upon the roller K, move
the plate J from over the mould E as to allow the lower edges of the matrix / to
enter the same.
It is advantageous in the manufacture of cigars to give the bunch while being
formed and rolled an outline corresponding in size and shape with the cigar to be
produced, and with this end in view the surfaces of the sides of the matrix, the bottom
of the plunger therefore and the edge of the plate J have been given the form of a
finished cigar; this formation also aids in the uniform distribution of the filler
tobacco. In the manufacture of a very cheap cigar it may not be necessary to
observe the details of form in the matrix, plunger and plate above referred to, but
when said directions are followed, important advantages in the character of the result
will ensue.
If it should be preferred under any circumstances to feed the filler
tobacco by hand, the hopper and possibly the chute and matrix could be omitted and
only a part of the invention used. I recommend, however, that the matrix be
employed in connection with some suitable mechanism for elevating it from the table
at the proper time.
Upon the left hand edge of the table is provided the triangular shaped box and
also the standard K" in the upper end of which is dropped the reduced end of the
horizontal arm m¹¹ (see Figures 2 and 10); the purpose of the box j and arm m
is to support the ordinary wooden mould board shown by dotted lines in Figure 10,
for the purpose of enabling the attendant to introduce the bunches into the same as
they are formed. After one of the wooden mould boards has been filled with bunches,
it will be removed and another substituted in its place. The box j is secured upon a
pivot m which permits it to be turned over the edge of the machine when desired,
and the standard K" is pivotally secured at its lower end in order that it may be
folded downward upon the bed plate A when desired, the object of thus securing the
box and standard 4" being to permit the said parts to be folded out of the way
when it is desired to pack the machine for shipment; the horizontal bar m¹¹ may be
removed from its standard " by simply lifting it therefrom.
Upon the underside of the bed plate A may be arranged a sliding drawer, as
shown in Figure 2, if desired, to hold the binders necessary for the bunches to be
rolled.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :-
First. In a cigar bunching machine the rolling table having the mould, the apron
resting on said table, and the reciprocating roller, combined with the hinged section,
the matrix, plunger and chute carried by said section, an elevated hopper and
suitable mechanism for elevating the said section; substantially as set forth.
Second. In a cigar bunching machine the table, the apron resting on said table, the
reciprocating roller, and the mould in said table, combined with the hinged section
carrying the matrix and plunger, the latter being connected with vertical rods and
having a spring tension upward, and suitable mechanism for raising the matrix ;
substantially as set forth.
Third. In a cigar bunching machine the table having the mould, the apron resting
on said table, and the reciprocating roller, combined with the hinged section, the
matrix on the front end of said section and adapted when depressed to enter said
mould, the counterbalance on the rear end of same, a plunger for the matrix, and
suitable mechanism for raising said section; substantially set forth.
Fourth. In a cigar bunching machine the table, apron and reciprocating roller,
combined with the mould in said table, the sliding plate between said mould and end
of the table and having a tension toward said mould, the hinged section whose front
portion when depressed comes into contact with said plate, the matrix on the front end
of said section, a plunger for the matrix, and suitable mechanism for raising said
section substantially as set forth.
Fifth. In a cigar bunching machine the table, apron, mould and reciprocating
roller, combined with the sliding plate J having rollers K and springs O, the hinged
section having cam arms d, the matrix on the front end of said section, the plunger
for said matrix, and suitable mechanism for raising the section; substantially as
set forth.
Sixth. In a cigar bunching machine the table having the mould, the apron and the
reciprocating roller, combined with an elevated hopper, the matrix and plunger, a chute
leading from said hopper to said matrix, the hinged section, and suitable mechanism
for raising the matrix from the apron, the lower end of the chute having wings at
opposite sides capable of lateral adjustment; substantially as set forth.
Dated this 6th day of Sentember 1887