Improvements in Cigarette Machines.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 20th July, 1898-Accepted, 1st Oct, 1898
Improvements in Cigarette Machines.
I, THOMAS HAMILTON WEIR, of 5, Warrington Crescent, in the County of London,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (communicated to me by
Frank James Ludington, of Waterbury, U.S.A.) 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 cigarettes and is
especially applicable to the class of machines known as " continuous machines" and
it has for its objects to improve and simplify the construction of the various devices
respectively employed for moulding or forming the tobacco, gumming and wrapping
around it the paper, and to provide an improved means for cutting into suitable
lengths the continuous cigarette when formed by the devices aforesaid, and finally to
provide a means for stacking or assembling the cigarettes when cut off.
In order that the invention may be the better understood drawings have been
appended in which :-
Fig. 1 is a plan view of the machine.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, with parts removed.
Fig. 3 is a similar view looking toward the other side of the machine.
Fig. 4 is an end view partly in section, and with parts omitted.
Fig. 5 is a detailed view of that portion of the groove adjacent the discharge spout
of the tobacco-feeder.
Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section of the same.
Fig. 7 is an end view of the same.
Fig. 8 is a transverse section on line 8-8 of Fig. 6.
Fig. 9 is a transverse section on line 9-9 of Fig. 6.
Fig. 10 is a detail view of another portion of said groove.
Fig. 11 is a longitudinal section of the same.
Fig. 12 is a section on line 12-12 of Fig. 10.
Fig. 13 is a transverse section on line 13-13 of Fig. 11 looking in the direction of
the arrow.
Fig. 14 is a section on line 14-14 of Fig. 11, looking in the opposite direction.
Fig. 15 is a plan view showing a spring-finger and its support.
Fig. 16 is an elevation of said spring finger.
Fig. 17 is an end elevation, partly in section, of the pasting device.
Fig. 18 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same, partly in elevation and with
some parts omitted.
Fig. 19 is a view showing a plan of the bed-plate and the manner in which the
various moving parts are driven.
Fig. 20 is a detail view of a detached part.
Fig. 21 shows parts of the driving mechanism for the cutting device.
Fig. 22 is a plan view of the same.
Fig. 23 is a plan view of the cam-wheel or disc and attached parts.
Fig. 24 is a central section view of the same.
Fig. 25 is a sectional view of a bell-mouthed tube and a reciprocating block or
carriage therefor.

page_text: Fig.
Fig. 27 is a side elevation of what is shown in Fig. 26, with the bell-mouthed tube
omitted.
Fig. 28 is an end elevation of what is shown in Fig. 26, parts being in section.
Fig. 29 is a plan view of a stationary plate.
Fig. 30 is a plan view, partly in section, of a moving plate.
Fig. 31 is an end view partly in section, of the stacker.
Fig. 32 is a side view, partly in section, of the same.
Fig. 33 is a detail of a portion of said stacker.
Fig. 34 is a plan of a preferred form and arrangement of certain parts.
Fig. 35 is a section of the same.
Fig. 36 is an enlarged detail of a portion of the same.
Fig. 37 is an elevation and section of what is shown in Fig. 36.
Fig. 38 is a perspective view of a detached part.
Fig. 39 is a section on line 39-39-Fig. 36.
Fig. 40 is a section on line 40-40-Fig. 34.
Fig. 41 is a section through the folding device shown in Fig. 34, and
Fig. 42 is a section through another portion of said folding device.
A represents the main frame of the machine, having bolted thereto and extending
at right angles therefrom a supplemental frame A¹, in which is mounted a tobacco
feeding mechanism. This mechanism may be of any desired construction and forms
no part of this invention. Any device by which tobacco is well disintegrated and
separated and the tobacco fibres delivered therefrom in a constant and uniform
shower, may be employed.
Power for the feeding-device is furnished by a driving shaft A2, mounted in bear-
ings a a, in the main frame of the machine, the tobacco-carrying belt or apron A³ being
driven therefrom through beveled gearings a¹ worm gearing a² and sprocket
gearing a³ and the several picking and scattering rollers, mounted on shafts a, a, a7
and as and contained within the casing A being connected together, as shown in
Fig. 4, and driven from wheel a by chain a10.
The discharge spout A5 of the feeder is preferably provided with a rather long
and narrow outlet A located directly over a longitudinal groove in the bracket B;
this bracket is bolted to the main frame of the machine and extends in a direction
at right angles to the feeding-device. The groove b aforesaid, is a rather shallow,
wide-open, trough-like depression, somewhat longer than the outlet A. For a distance
about co-extensive with said outlet, the groove b is of uniform cross-section, but
beyond said outlet the side walls 61 thereof gradually converge toward the end of
the bracket B at which point the groove becomes an opening, the sides of which
are parallel or nearly parallel, and the bottom boundary thereof semi-circular.
Adjustably mounted in standards cc c, and projecting between the converging walls
of groove b is a series of compressor wheels or rollers C¹ C2 C3 of varying thickness,
the first being the thickest and mounted over the wide part of the groove, and the
last being the thinnest and located at the narrowest part thereof, and all provided
with peripheral grooves of relatively diminishing cross-section, as shown.
DD are two horizontal former-wheels, having semi-circular peripheral grooves
therein, and mounted in such manner that they rotate with their lower edges or
flanges in contact with each other, and with the central opening formed by the two
The upper
peripheral grooves in alignment with the groove in bracket B.
flanges d¹ d² of these wheels, however, are not in contact, the flanges being bevelled
off in opposite directions, as best shown in Fig. 12, to form at the point where said
flanges are nearest together a narrow opening approximately tangent to the circular
passage d between the wheels. Beyond the former-wheels, in brackets fixed to the
main frame, is a folding-tube E. This tube is in alignment with passage d and
completes a free passage from the beginning of groove b, through the former-wheels,
to the end of tube E, the several parts being located as near together as may be to
preserve the continuity of the passage.

page_text: g is an endless tape, or belt, of ordinary construction and material. Leaving the
driving pulley G, said tape passes over idle roller g¹ to an adjustable guiding
bracket which is for the purpose of centering the tape at this point. Thence the
tape passes around roller g³ through the sheet metal guide, or former g' by which the
edges of the tape are slightly curled or turned up, and then through the groove b
hugging the sides and bottom thereof and partaking of its trough-like shape. Passing
under wheels C¹ C² and C³ and over wheel C it gradually changes in shape from a
wide-open trough to a narrow trough with substantially parallel sides, and enters the
passage d, between the forner-wheels D D¹ thence through the folding-tube E. On
emerging therefrom, the tape assumes its flat shape and passes around roller g³ over
idle roller ge between roller g' and pulley G around said pulley for nearly three-
quarters of a turn, and then around roller gs and out over the path already described.
Roller g is carried by a pivotted arm g which is adapted to swing in an are
intersecting the periphery of the pulley G and under the influence of the travelling
belt g is caused to bind said belt or tape tightly against the periphery of pulley G to
prevent slip between the two. The roller g³ is also carried by a pivotted arm, which,
however, swings free of the pulley G. Its purpose is, with the aid of spring g¹º to
take up slack in tape g, due to stretching or other causes, and to assist roller g' in
preventing slip by exerting at all times a pull upon said tape in a direction tending
to bind the same tightly against the periphery of said pulley.
Now the function of the tape is to convey the wrapper strip, with its contained
charge of tobacco, through the shaping and moulding devices above referred to. The
wrapper f which is somewhat wider than the tape, is led from the reel F through
the guide f¹ by which it is properly adjusted with respect to roller g³ and tape g, and
then lying closely against the outer surface of said tape, with one edge overlapping
the same, it passes over roller g³ and through guide or former 94 and enters the
groove in trough-like shape, with one of its edges standing a little higher
than the other.
In order to prevent tobacco from getting beneath the underside of the paper, I
provide sheet metal flanges 62 under which the upturned edges of the paper and tape
are adapted to travel. These flanges are shown in section in Figs. 8 and 9, in
elevation and in plan in Figs. 5 and 6, but are omitted from the other figures for the
sake of clearness.
Passing under spout A6 from which tobacco is falling in a constant stream, the
paper-trough receives a rather bulky layer of loosely arranged tobacco fibres, which
are conveyed by said paper-trough to the first of the series of compressor-wheels C¹
and thereby compressed. The sides of the groove b, beginning to converge at this
point, compress the tobacco laterally and raise it slightly in height; but on reaching
wheel C2 it is again compressed, and so on through the series, the vertical wheels
co-acting with the converging walls of the groove to gradually reduce the tobacco
uniformly in all directions. The compressing wheels are each driven positively by
a belt or chain c¹ from a pulley or sprocket-wheel c2 mounted on the shaft of
pulley G, which shaft, by the way, is geared to the main shaft through bevelled
gearing 3 spur-wheel c and pinion c³. In practice, I find it advantageous to design
these transmitting parts in such manner as to rotate the compressing wheels at-a
speed in excess of that of tape g, one advantage being that the deposit thereon of the
gummy substance exuded by the fresh tobacco, and which has hitherto been a source
of annoyance in clogging up such wheels, is avoided.
Having passed the series of compressor-wheels, the tobacco rod, together with the
wrapper which now partly encloses the same, emerges from the groove b and enters
passage d between the former-wheels D. D¹. Here, one edge of the paper is
turned down closely over the tobacco-rod, while the other projects through the
narrow space between the upper flanges of said wheels; and in this position. the
wrapper and cigarette rod enter tube E, a slit being provided in the tube to
accommodate the upstanding edge of the paper. At a suitable point in said tube,
the upstanding edge of the paper wrapper is caused to pass in contact with the
periphery of a thin horizontal paste-wheel T5 to receive a supply of paste, after which

page_text: said upstanding edge is caused to overlap the inner edge of the wrapper, and the
cigarette rod is completed. This latter operation is due to the changing shape of
the walls of the tube R, but as the construction of this tube and its manner of
operation is common in machines of this character, no detailed explanation thereof is
deemed necessary, a preferred form of folder being shown in Figs. 34, 35, 41 and 42,
and hereinafter described.
I have shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 10, and 11 of the drawings but three compressor
wheels located above the bracket E with a single wheel mounted below the same,
and co-acting with the last of the upper series, or wheel C³ through an opening 6³
in the bottom of said bracket. It should be understood, however, that I
may use
a greater or less number of wheels, and may, if desired, provide others of the
series with co-acting wheels, or I may, and under certain conditions I shall prefer,
to interpose between the delivery spout A6 and the aforesaid vertical compressor-
wheels, a supplemental set, consisting of a pair of.horizontal grooved wheels, with a
.co-acting vertical grooved wheel projecting between the two, the several grooves
formning a complete circular opening and serving to give the loose tobacco charge
a quick initial compression before it is delivered to the compressors. In this case,
perhaps, only a single pair of such vertical compressors would be required, such, for
instance, as wheels C3 and C4 while that part of groove b, adjacent such supplemental
set of compressor wheels, would be formed in such manner as to enable the wrapper
to travel flat, and the wheels C5 C6 to lie closely over the same, whereby the whole
charge of loose tobacco might be directed through the space between said
wheels.
A stationary former, having a cylindrical opening therethrough, corresponding to
the opening d, might be substituted for the wheels D D¹; the wheels are preferable,
however, as they reduce friction at this point. Again, there may be times, such as
when a wide overlap in the wrapper is desired, that it will be found advantageous to
adopt the modified construction of former wheels shown in Fig. 40 in which the
overhanging upper flanges of such wheels are dispensed with, and the horizontal
adjustable tongue L carried by the bracket 1 substituted. The tongue preferably
extends from the last of the vertical compressor-wheels to the tube E or other wrapper
folding device, and is adapted to bear upon and preserve the shape of the tobacco-rod,
as it passes between these two points, the upstanding edges of the paper remaining
parallel until the aforesaid folding device is reached.
Figures 34 and 35 are plan and sectional views respectively, embodying the above-
smentioned modifications. The locations of spout A is indicated in dotted lines in
Fig. 34 and adjacent thereto is located a group of compressor wheels, consisting of a pair
of horizontal grooved wheels C5 C6 and a co-acting vertical grooved wheel C7 projecting
between the two, as best shown in Figure 37. The shaft of wheel C7 corresponds to
that of compressor wheel C¹, Figures 1, 2, 3, and is driven in the same manner, the
horizontal wheels C5 and C6 being geared to said shaft by V bevel gearing C10 and C.
If desired a roller C8 may be located between the spout A6 and said group of
(compressor-wheels, and also geared to said shaft.
Just beyond the wheels C³, C, and C', the sides of the groove b begin to converge,
and the bottom thereof becomes rounded and the wrapper-strip, which up to this
-point has been running flat, begins to turn up at the edges and assume a trough-like
shape. The tobacco which has been suddenly compressed by said wheels C5 C6 C7 is
permitted to swell as it emerges therefrom and is then conveyed between the
.converging walls 61 6¹ and under a curved plate C12 located between said walls. The
plate is tapered to correspond to the shape of the groove and is so set as to form in
conjunction with said converging walls 61 61 a passage of gradually diminishing
area, whereby the tobacco rod is re-compressed, as it passes through the same. The
wheels C3 and C when used, still further reduce the tobacco-rod and the
wheels D D¹ together with tongue L retain such size and shape as the rod passes
on to the folder, but I wish to reserve the right to omit these parts altogether, if
desired, and deliver the tobacco-rod directly to the folding device, as it leaves the
plate C. The folder E¹ consists merely of two-somewhat similar plates e²e located

page_text: one behind the other on opposite sides of the groove b and extending nearly
completely across the same, and being channelled on the under surfaces of those
portions thereof that lie directly over groove b in order to form a free cylindrical
passage for the tobacco-rod.
As the wrapper approaches the folder, one of the upstanding edges thereof strikes
against the curved end C4 of plate C² and is turned down over the tobacco-rod, while
the other edge, remaining vertical, projects through the narrow space between
plate C2 and wall b¹ and receives a supply of paste from wheel T5. Passing on to
plate C3 the said edge is turned down in a similar manner over the other edge, the
part 15 of the tape being forced away from the cigarette-ro z at this point by the
downwardly projecting edge C5 of the plate e as shown in Fig. 42.
Leaving the folder, the cigarette-rod passes under spring finger h, which presses
upon the pasted edges of the wrapper to fully set the joint, and the rod is then
directed to the cutting mechanism hereinafter described.
Referring to the pasting mechanism T is a cylinder containing a suitable paste,
and a piston therefor, carried on the end of the screw-threaded rod t¹. The rod is
surrounded by an internally-threaded sleeve or nut T2 which is mounted in a part of
the supporting frame T¹ and while free to rotate is held against longitudinal move-
ment by the collars T8 and T. The collar Ts is provided with an annular surface
having ratchet teeth 2, cut therein; and a pawl 3, carried by an arm 4, mounted
concentrically with the axis of the rod t¹ engages the same. A stud 5, carried by a
disk or crank 6 projects into a slot 7, in the outer end of said arm. The disk is
fixed to one end of a shaft 8, to which is attached, at the other end thereof, the
sprocket-wheel 9, and spur-wheel 10; a chain 11, connecting wheel 9, with the
sprocket-wheel 12 on the main shaft. It will be seen, therefore, that in the regular
operation of the machine, the nut T2 is caused to rotate step by step and the
piston t steadily advanced and the paste forced out; the discharge spout being
indicated at T3. To one side of the shaft 8 is a counter-shaft 13, also mounted in a
part of the frame T¹, and having a spur-wheel 14 at one end thereof engaging
wheel 10. The other end of said shaft is provided with a wheel or roller T4, having
a rather broad concave periphery, and located in such manner as to rotate in contact
with and cover the exit t2, of the spout 3, the surface of which at this point is shaped
to conform to the configuration of said wheel T4 T5 is a thin disk mounted on the
lower end of the vertical shaft 15, in the bracket 16, and adapted to rotate in contact
with, and at right angles to the wheel or roller T4; as well as in contact with the
upstanding edge of the paper-wrapper passing through folder E. The upper end
of said vertical shaft carries a horizontal pulley 17, and a swinging arm To upon
which are mounted the two vertically disposed guiding-sheaves or pulleys 18 and 19.
An endless belt 2, running from driving-pulley 22 on the main shaft, passes over
pulley 19, thence horizontally around pulley 17, over pulley 18, and back to
pulley 22.
The rubbing contact between roller T4, and spout T3, causes a film of paste to be
spread evenly over the surface of the periphery of said roller; and as the disk T5,
to which said paste is transferred, also rotates, but in a plane at right angles to
roller T, the paste is still more evenly distributed and smoothed out before being
applied to the cigarette-wrapper.
It will be noticed that the above described parts are all mounted upon a common
base or bed-plate herein before referred to, as frame T. A shank or spindle T7;
forming a depending portion of said frame, extends into the socket T8 fixed to the
main frame A¹, and rests upon the end of an adjusting screw 23. Thus by loosening
set screw 25, the whole above described organization may be turned bodily into
socket T and the disk T5 moved toward or from the folder E; or it may be raised
and lowered and maintained at any desired height therein by manipulating the
screw 23, and set-nut 24.
Located at the discharge end of the machine, and extending in a direc-
tion parallel with the main shaft A2 is a counter-shaft N mounted
bearing in the bracket N¹ and geared to the spur-wheel n on the main
.
on a

page_text: shaft, through idler n¹ and pinion n². The counter-shaft N also carries a
pulley n and a bevelled gear wheel n³ the latter meshing with a similar wheel n
on the vertically mounted shaft n7. The upper end of shaft n' is provided with a
detachable spur-wheel n8 by which a second vertical shaft n° carrying a cam-wheel V
is driven through v and pinion v¹. On table V1 just above the cam-wheel is fixed a
set of tracks or guides v2 v2 on which is mounted a sliding plate V2. A pin or stud
depending from said plate enters cam-groove v3. Another set of tracks or guides v4 v4
extending in a direction at right angles to that of the first mentioned set, is carried
by said plate V2 on the upper surface thereof, and upon these guides the knife-
carriage indicated by letter V³ is adapted to reciprocate; a pitman V connecting
The knife itself is a
said carriage with a crank-pin ve projecting from wheel V.
circular blade 10 carried on one end of a shaft 7 which is mounted in bearings v
on the carriage V³ and driven from pulley n by belt v8. From this construction, it
will be seen that the knife 10, in addition to its rotary motion, is given a peculiar
reciprocal motion; a regular longitudinal reciprocation resulting from the crank
connection between the shaft n³, and knife-carriage V³ and a quick lateral advance
and return resulting from the pin and cam connection between said shaft and
plate V¹
The shaft n rotates in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 22, and the crank pin in
moving from the position shown in said fig. to a position ninety degrees removed
therefrom, causes the knife-carriage to slide upon the plate V2 from left to right, while
said plate remains stationary owing to the fact that the cam groove and shaft n° are
concentric for a space of ninety degrees; but as the pin begins its movement through
the second ninety degrees, the eccentric part of the cam groove aforesaid comes into
play, and the movement of the knife-carriage from right to left, is accompanied by a
rather quick advance and return of the plate V2 in a lateral direction, imparting to
said knife-carriage a compound reciprocal movement. The movement of the knife-
carriage from left to right is in a straight line; it being unaccompanied by any
movement of the plate V2 so that a fixed point on any part of the knife or knife-
carriage describes a figure resembling the longitudinal half of an ellipse.
It is understood, of course, that do not limit myself to the special form of cam
shown. If desired, the orbit of the knife may be a complete ellipse; the shape of the
cam determining this. Also other means of connecting the shaft n³ with the carriage V³
might be employed, such, for instance, as that indicated in Fig. 43; and if desired,
the plate V instead of sliding on straight guides, might be carried on the ends of
pivoted or swinging arms, or levers and the knife carriage movably mounted there-
upon, substantially in a manner described, without departing from the spirit of my
invention.
W is a horizontal rod fixed in brackets won the side frame of the machine, and w
a reciprocating block carrying a bell-mouth tube w² and adapted to slide upon said
rod. The tube, as a matter of fact, is in two sections, separated at w³ the section w
being movable within its bearing 5 and held in abuttment with the other section by
springs w bearing against a pin w' projecting from section w through a slot w in
bearings w³.
-
The abutting face of section w is slightly bevelled on one side, as best shown in
Fig. 25, leaving a slight V-shaped opening between the two sections, and into this
opening the edge of the knife 10 projects. w10 is a shank or lug, carried by the
block and projecting into a recess w³ in the side of the knife-carriage V³ so that
the said block and its attached parts are caused to reciprocate longitudinally with
the knife-carriage; the recess ws being somewhat deeper than the length of the pin
to allow for the independent lateral movement of said carriage.
The stroke of the knife is just a trifle greater than the diameter of the bore of
the tube w² and when the carriage v³ is farthest from said tube, the knife projects
between the two sections thereof, but not far enough to obstruct the passage through
the same; so that the cigarette-rod after leaving the finger h may pass clear through
said tube.
The cut is made while the carriage V8 and tube w² are travelling in the
same direction with, and as nearly as may be in unison, with the cigarette-rod, so

page_text: that a clear square cut is ensured, and the advance of the cigarette-rod in no way
retarded.
The length of the severed sections is determined by the throw of the pitman vs
and the ratio of gearing between the main shaft and the shaft no and in order that
the length of said sections may be varied at will, and the speed of the cutting,
mechanism nicely adjusted relative to the speed of the cigarette-rod, I make both
pitman and the gearing aforesaid changeable. The crank pin is carried by a
bevelled edge block 8 held between the undercut sides of the retaining pieces $1
and 2 fastened to the cam-wheel V by screws 83. By loosening said screws the
blocks s may be adjusted to and from the centre of said wheel and the screws 8³ then
set down hard to hold them in place.
In making the other adjustment, spur-wheel 8 is removed, and a larger or smaller
one, as required, is substituted.. Referring to Fig. 22 it will be seen that the idler v
is mounted in an elongated slot v on the horizontal surface 12 of brackets N2 said
slot being laid out on the are of a circle, the radius of which is the centre of shaft n³.
This allows the idler v to be adjusted within the slot, to and from spur-wheel 18 in
order to make the proper engagement therewith, without disengaging the same
with pinion v5.
Figs. 31, 32, and 33, show in detail how the finished cigarettes, after emerging
from the tube 2 are automatically stacked in boxes. Y is an open chute located at
the discharge end of the machine, and adapted to receive the cigarettes as they fall
from the tube 22 and direct the same to a hopper y. The chute is supported at its
upper end by the bracket y¹ the lower end resting upon the edge of the said hopper.
The bottom of the hopper is formed by the upper surface of a rotating drum or
cylinder Y2 and the cigarettes entering said hopper fall upon the aforesaid cylinder
or drum in a horizontal position, and parallel with the axis of said drum. One wall y²
of the hopper is continued about half way around the drum or cylinder, forming
between itself and said drum, a curved chamber y³ communicating with the hopper
and being of such dimensions, that a cigarette in a horizontal position may pass
therethrough. The exit of the chamber y³, however, is somewhat contracted, as
shown at y slightly resisting the passage of the cigarette and causing them to pile
up within the chamber until a quantity has accumulated therein, of sufficient weight
to overcome the resistance and force the lowermost cigarette out. This operation is,
of course, assisted by the rotation of drum Y%.
The cigarettes are projected down the chute Y with considerable force, but this is
broken and dissipated in the hopper and chamber y³ and the cigarettes are delivered
from said chamber rapidly, but with very little force.
y is an endless belt or carrier travelling over rollers y6 ye and adapted to convey a
receiving box y7 under the chamber y³ to receive the falling cigarettes. The box
travels slowly and the cigarettes pile up therein between the end walls ys thereof,
and a depending apron y which is preferably an extension of the metallic wall of
chamber y; the end walls of the box being cut-away as shown in order that the box
may pass said apron. The belt y is of such length that two or more boxes, if desired,
may be passed thereon end to end.
The hopper y, chamber y³ and drun Y2 are supported in the frame Ys bolted to
bracket which is fixed to the main frame of the machine; the elongated
bracket 10 carrying the rollers y yo and forming a solid support for the box and
box-conveyor being also fixed to said bracket. The drum is driven by shaft yl
through bevelled gearing y12 said shaft being mounted in bearings y13 in frame Y³
and having a worm y¹ thereon, engaging worm-wheel y15 also mounted in said frame
and having a driving wheel ye on the shaft thereof. The shaft y is driven by a
chain or belt from a wheel y" and one of rollers y is connected by belt or chain
with said wheel 316.
'
The hopper y together with chamber y and apron y are preferably made in two
parts, as shown in Figs. 37 and 38, one of which parts being adjustable in a lateral
direction upon the supporting bracket y18 so that the length of the hopper and

page_text: chamber aforesaid may be regulated to correspond to the length of the severed sections
of the cigarette rod.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. In a cigarette machine, the combination of means whereby a continuous flat
wrapper strip is caused to travel in a horizontal plane, of means for feeding tobacco
in a loose state directly upon said wrapper, reducing and shaping means, whereby
the tobacco is molded into a compact rod upon said wrapper strip, and means sub-
stantially as described, whereby the edges of the wrapper strip are caused to turn
up and confine said tobacco-rod.
2. In a cigarette machine, the combination of ineans whereby a continuous wrapper
strip is caused to travel in a horizontal plane, a tobacco feeder so located as to feed
tobacco in a loose state directly upon said strip, a pair of horizontal grooved wheels,
and a vertical grooved wheel co-acting therewith, and adapted to mold the loose
tobacco into a compact tobacco rod, and means substantially as described, whereby
the edges of the tobacco strip are caused to turn up and confine said tobacco rod.
3. In a cigarette machine, the combination of ineans whereby a continuous flat
cigarette wrapper is caused to travel in a horizontal plane, of means for feeding
tobacco in a loose state directly upon said wrapper reducing and shaping wheels or
rollers for forming said tobacco into a compact rod upon said wrapper, means
substantially as described located beyond said wheels or rollers and adapted to cause
the edges of the wrapper to turn up and confine said tobacco-rod, and a pair of
co-acting vertical rollers adapted to still further reduce said confined tobacco.
4. In a cigarette machine, the combination of means whereby a continuous flat
cigarette wrapper is caused to travel in a horizontal plane, of means for feeding
tobacco in a loose state directly upon said wrapper means substantially as described,
whereby the tobacco is formed into a compact rod upon said wrapper, and the edges
of the wrapper then caused to turn up and embrace or confine said rod, a pasting
device substantially as described, adapted to supply paste to one of the upturned
edges of the wrapper, and a suitable folding mechanism, whereby said edges are
turned down and pasted together.
5. In a cigarette machine, the combination of a stationary groove or channel
located beneath the discharge spout of a suitable tobacco feeding device, a tape or
belt adapted to convey a wrapper strip through said groove or channel, said wrapper
strip being applied thereto in such manner as to receive the falling tobacco thereon
in a loose state, and means located along said channel and in the path of movement
of said tape or belt and wrapper for reducing and shaping the tobacco upon said
wrapper, substantially as described.
6. In a cigarette machine, the combination of a stationary groove or channel
varying in outline and area of cross section, and located beneath the discharge
spout of a suitable tobacco feeding device, a tape or belt adapted to convey a
wrapper strip through said groove or channel, said strip being applied thereto
in such manner as to receive the falling tobacco thereupon in a loose state, and
also adapted to conform to the configuration of the bottom and sides of said
groove or channel, and means located along said channel for reducing and shaping
the tobacco, substantially as described.
7. A cigarette machine, having a tobacco feeder and mechanism, whereby a
cigarette wrapper is caused to pass directly under the discharge spout thereof, in
combination with a pair of converging walls, between which the wrapper is adapted
to be drawn in trough-like shape after receiving the tobacco charge, whereby the
sides of said wrapper trough are caused to approach each other and exert a lateral
pressure upon the confined tobacco, substantially as described.
8. In a cigarette machine, the combination of a tobacco feeder, a stationary
groove or channel located under the discharge spout thereof, said groove or channel
being of uniform cross section for a distance co-extensive with said discharge spout,

page_text: and of gradually diminishing cross section for a suitable distance beyond said
spout, and means substantially as described, whereby a wrapper strip is caused to
pass through said groove or channel from end to end and conform to the
configuration of the bottom and sides thereof.
9. The combination of a stationary groove or channel, the walls of which converge
at or near one end thereof, a series of condensing and shaping wheels projecting into
said groove, and a flexible tape or belt adapted to travel through said groove or
channel from end to end, and carry a cigarette wrapper applied thereto in a position
to receive a charge of loose tobacco, substantially as described.
10. In a cigarette machine, the combination of a tobacco feeder, an elongated groove
or channel, located directly under the discharge spout thereof, said groove or channel
being of uniform cross section approximately co-extensive with said spout, and of
gradually diminishing cross section for a suitable distance beyond said spout, a group
of series of condensing and shaping wheels having grooved peripheries, located
beyond said spout, and projecting into said groove or channel, and an endless tape
or belt adapted to travel through said groove or channel from end to end and
conform to the configuration of said groove or channel, as and for the purposes
described.
11. In a cigarette machine, the combination of a main frame, a suitable tobacco
feeding device, mounted thereon and having an elongated discharge opening, a
horizontal bracket also fixed to said frame and having a groove or channel on the
upper surface thereof in alignment with said opening, the said groove or channel
being of uniform cross section for a distance approximately co-extensive with said
opening, and of gradually diminishing cross section for a suitable distance beyond
said opening, substantially as described.
12. In a cigarette machine, a belt driving pulley, an endless tape or belt, guides
or rollers over which said tape or belt travels in a horizontal plane,
groove or
channel located intermediate of said rollers, a suitable tobacco feeder also located
intermediate of said rollers and having an elongated discharge opening therein in
alignment with said groove or channel.
13. In a cigarette machine, a belt driving pulley, an endless tape or belt, guides
or rollers over which said tape or belt travels in a horizontal plane, a groove or
channel located intermediate of said rollers, the walls of said groove or channel being
longitudinally parallel for a certain part of their extent, and longitudinally converging
for the balance of their extent, a suitable tobacco feeder having an elongated
discharge opening therein, and so located above said groove or channel as to direct
a shower of loose tobacco between the parallel walls of said groove or channel,
substantially as described.
14. In cutting mechanism, for cigarette machines, the combination of a driving
shaft, and a driven shaft geared thereto through an idler, said idler being mounted
in an elongated slot, the radius of which is the centre of one of said shäfts.
15. In cutting mechanism for cigarette machines, the combination of a moving
plate or crank, a second plate or carriage carrying a suitable knife and adapted
to slide in guides or ways mounted upon said first named plate, means whereby
said first plate is caused to move to and from a fixed point, and means whereby
a distinct reciprocal movement is imparted to said second plate or carriage.
16. In a cigarette machine, the combination of a rotating shaft, a plate or frame
adapted to slide on fixed guides or ways, a second plate or carriage carrying a
suitable knife and adapted to slide in guides or ways carried by the first nained plate,
and mechanical connections between said rotating shaft and said sliding parts, whereby
the knife is given a compound reciprocal movement substantially as described:
17. In a cigarette machine, the combination of a reciprocating, block or carriage,
having a tube attached thereto through which a cigarette rod is adapted to travel, a
plate carrying a rotating knife, means for imparting a compound reciprocal movement
to said plate, whereby the knife is carried laterally toward the cigarette rod, as it moves
longitudinally in unison with the same, a recess in said plate, and a projection on said

page_text: block extending loosely within said recess, whereby movement of said plate in one
direction is imparted to said block, substantially as described.
18. The combination of a rotating cam-wheel, a plate or frame mounted in suitable
guides or ways, a connection between said cam-wheel and said plate, whereby
reciprocal motion is imparted to the latter, a second plate or carriage carrying a knife,
and mounted in guides or ways located upon the first named plate, and partaking of
the reciprocal movement thereof, and a connection between said cam-wheel and said
second plate or carriage, whereby a distinct reciprocal motion is imparted to the latter
at an angle to that of the first named plate or frame, substantially as described.
19. The combination of a rotating cam-wheel, a plate or frame sliding on suitable
guides or ways, a connection between said cam-wheel and said plate, a second plate or
carriage carrying a knife and sliding in guides or ways located upon the first named
plate, the two sets of guides or ways being at a suitable angle to each other, a
connection between said cam-wheel and said second plate or carriage, a reciprocating
tube through which a cigarette rod is adapted to pass, and a suitable coupling between
said tube and one of said sliding plates.
20. In a cigarette machine, the combination of a driving shaft carrying a removable
spur-wheel, a driven shaft carrying a pinion, an idler intermediate said shaft, and
mounted in an elongated slot, the radius of which is the centre of said pinion, a plate
or frame operatively connected with said shaft and adapted to partake of a forward
and backward movement, a second plate or carriage carrying a knife and adapted to
slide in guides or ways mounted upon the first named plate or frame, a crank-pin
carried by said driven shaft, a rod connecting said pin with said second named plate
or carriage, and means for adjusting the pin relative to the centre of said driven
shaft, substantially as described.
21. In a cigarette machine, the combination of a plate or frame, adapted to slide
on fixed guides or ways, and a second plate or carriage carrying a knife and adapted
to slide on guides or ways mounted upon the first named plate or frame, the two sets
of guides or ways, being at a suitable angle to each other, and means whereby
reciprocal motion is imparted to said sliding part, substantially as described.
22. The combination of a chute into which cigarettes are adapted to fall, a
travelling conveyor adapted to carry a receiving box for said cigarettes, and an inter-
mediate hopper or chamber affording an open but slightly restricted passage for said
cigarettes, substantially as described.
23. The combination of a chute into which cigarettes are adapted to fall, a
travelling conveyor adapted to carry a receiving box for said cigarettes, an inter-
mediate chamber.formed between the circumference, of a rotating drum, and a curved
wall partly surrounding the same, and means providing for a slight resistance to the
passage of cigarettes through said chamber, substantially as and for the purpose
described.
24. In a cigarette machine, a rotating drum, a curved wall partly surrounding the
same, and forming a chamber between said wall and drum, said chamber having a
contracted exit, and a depending apron, in combination with a receiving box, and
means whereby said box is carried under said chamber, substantially as and for the
purpose described.
25. In a cigarette machine, a rotating drum, a curved wall partly surrounding the
same and forming a curved chamber between said wall and the surface of said drum,
the said wall being turned in toward the drum at a suitable point to restrict the
passage of cigarettes through said chamber, a depending apron, a receiving box, and
means whereby said box is caused to pass under said chamber all as and for the
purposes set forth.
Dated
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