A New or Improved Cigarette Machine.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Apr., 1.91-Accepted, 18th Apr.,
1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Cigarette Machine.
I, VALENTIN SYLVESTRE FOMBUENA, of No. 1, Calle de las Veneras, Madrid,
Spain, 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 :
My invention relates to a new or improved cigarette machine which is equally
suitable for manufacturing either gummed or ungummed cigarettes and containing
either long or square cut tobacco which are closed in at the two ends.
and
or
In order that my invention may be readily understood I shall proceed to describe
it by reference to the accompanying sheets of drawings.
Figure 1 is a plan of the lower parts of the machine, Figure 2 an elevation of
the left side Figure 3 an elevation of the right side and Figure 4 a front elevation.
The other figures refer to details.
The gradual manufacture of cigarettes is as follows :—To begin with the cut
tobacco is conducted out of a hopper into a measure in order to get at the exact
quantity required for one cigarette and this is subsequently pressed into a split
mould. In front of one of the two halves of the mould is already placed the
cigarette paper which is pushed forward by rollers and then cut to length by a
knife situated above the split mould. In addition to this a boat-shaped piece of
iron lies between the paper and the split mould having been pushed into its position
along the axis of the machine and which now performs a turning motion in such a
manner that the cigarette-paper which has previously been gummed along the
edge is wrapped round the tobacco inside of the split mould. Now commences the
operation of shutting the cigarette at both ends.
The boat-shaped iron piece is drawn back and the ends of the paper are pressed
in by means of four peculiarly shaped valves. Finally conical pestles are pressed
from both sides against the ends of the cigarette so that the pinched in ends are
not only pressed inward but are also thoroughly smoothened by the turning motion
of the pestles. This completes the cigarette which is then pushed out of the
mould by one of the pestles, whilst the other retreats before the cigarette. All the
mechanisms required for the working of the machine as described are set in motion
by the shaft A. Upon this shaft A are placed eight discs some having the shape
of a screw others that of rollers which provided with eccentric grooves and pro-
jecting cams bring about the necessary movements with the aid of connecting rods
levers and cog-wheel gearing Figures 1 and 2. The hopper V Figure 2 containing
the tobacco and having agitators is movable round a vertical axis capable of being
set in motion by means of bevelled cogwheels. The bottom of the hopper V
Figure 21 contains an opening C through which the tobacco falls into a second
opening E which serves as a measure. This opening is situated in the slide A
which the disc 4 Figures 1 and 11 causes to slide to and fro, by means of an
eccentric groove and the connecting rod W Figures 1 and 2 which is provided with <
a pin that works in the said groove. When the slide A makes its forward motion
the measured quantity of tobacco falls into the space o Figure 21 out of which after
the slide has been drawn back and commences to travel forward a second time, it
is pushed through the action of the piston T. This piston T is moved up and down
by the disc 5 Figures 1 and 12 and the eccentric groove-movement and the lever D
Figures 1 and 2. The up motion of the piston T places the tobacco before the
free end M of the slide A. Figure 21 that forms a hollow mould which latter pushes
the tobacco then towards the other hollow mould M. This (M) has in the
meantime advanced towards M in consequence of the motion imparted by the
.

page_text: lever P Figure 21 that is set in swinging motion by disc 3 Figures 1 and 10
through an eccentric groove lever PV and connecting rod B" Figure 2. The
hollow iron Figure 18 has already been pushed before this hollow mould in a
position parallel to its axis it is rigidly fixed at the head of the spindle Figure 19
and can be moved backward and forward together with the spindle by means of an
eccentric groove and the levers G₁ Figures 1 and 4. Moving freely inside this
spindle J is the spindle a Figures 1, 4 and 18 which remains behind when the hollow
iron advances until it is pushed forward (after the tobacco has been pressed into
the hollow mould and in order to prevent the tobacco from falling out at this end)
by the disc 8 through the lever S1 set in motion by means of an eccentric groove
and the levers G₁ and S. Lastly the cigarette-paper has already been placed
before the hollow mould M' and the hollow iron through the action of the
rollers F F Figure 22 which revolve by means of the cam on disc 5 Figure 12
and the lever d Figures 1 and 4. If now the hollow mould M' Figure 21 advances
towards the hollow mould M the knife e situated above M' will penetrate into the
cavity and so cut the paper above the mould the paper being held fast during
.cutting by the plate d. At the same time the lower edge of the paper is provided
with a strip of gum in this manner the flexible plate which passes over the
gumming cylinder covered with liquid glue (literally glue) moves upward through
a quarter of a circle presses the edge of the paper against the springy little plate e
and thereby causes a strip of gum (glue) to be deposited upon the paper. This
motion through 90° is initiated by disc 2 through the cam c and levers band m
Figures 2 and 4. Both halves of the mould M and M become now firmly pressed
against one another and the hollow iron between them commences to revolve thus
wrapping the cigarette paper round the tobacco inside of the split mould whilst the
gum ensures the fast adherence of the edge. This rotation of the hollow iron is
brought about by the rotation of the spindle J imparted to it by disc 6 Figures 1
and 13 by means of a double eccentrical groove the connecting rod E the toothed
section H and the little cogwheel N Figures 1 and 19. Now the hollow iron with-
draws itself whilst the spindle a is pressed against the tobacco in consequence of
the action of the mechanisms already described. The springy head in the end
of the axle Figures 16 and 19 has meanwhile arrived at the other end of the
cigarette and prevents the tobacco falling out the spindle a and head & Figure 19
now withdraw themselves. The to and fro motion of the head or what amounts
to the same thing of the axle I is governed by the disc 1 by means of a groove
cut into the circumference Figure 8 and 8A and the lever P Figures 1 and 2.
Shortly after the head and the spindle a Figure 19 have receded the valves a¹¹
swing through 90° against the protruding ends of the cigarette-paper and in this
manner close one half of the ends of the cigarette hereafter swing back whilst
the valves that occupy a position opposite to the former commence to swing
and complete the closing nu returning then to their former position. The swinging
of the valves ' ' Figures 19 20 22 through 90° is governed by the disc 3 by means
of its cam Figure 10 lever Q lever Q connecting rod 13 and the rods " ZU
Figure 2 whilst the swinging through 90° of the valves is regulated by disc +
by means of its cam L lever X, and the rods Figure 1. After the paper ends
are folled down and the valves drawn back head k, fixed to axle comes once more
into contact with the left end of the cigarette. Simultaneously the sliding frame K
on the right side, becomes shifted in such a manner that the spindle Fig. 19
takes up a position opposite the right end of the cigarette.
The shifting of the frame K is effected by disc 7 through an eccentrical groove,
and the connecting rod E¹ Figure 1 and 19.
Hereafter spindle J' is pushed forward axially and pressed against the end of
the cigarette through the action of disc 8 an eccentrical groove in the same the
lever and the lever g° Figures 1 and 20. The head of Jas well as head of I
are conical in form and provided with a screw shaped groove. The first effect of
the pressing of these heads is only a depression of the folded paper ends of the
cigarette but when they commence to revolve they smoothen all the wrinkles.

page_text: The turning motion of J¹ is imparted by the cog-wheel section H and the little
cogwheels N and N' Figure 19 whilst disc 2 effects the turning of head k fixed on I
by means of a groove-guided movement of lever B¹ cogwheel section B and little
cogwheel B Figure 2.
Now the cigarette is finished the axle recedes the axle J advances and pushes
the cigarette out of its mould into a receptacle provided at the side. Now that a
general description has been given of the mechanism and the manner in which its
several parts act and react upon one another a detailed description of the several
parts may follow. The hopper V Figure 2 is provided with the vertical axle a¹
carrying agitators arranged crosswise and can be rotated by means of bevelled cog
wheels. The side walls of the hopper carry concentrically arranged rings as shewn
dotted between which the tobacco is hacked small by the agitators. The bottom
of the hopper has an opening Figure 21. The distributing slide A Figure 21 is
so constructed that it serves at the same time as measure for the tobacco and as
hollow mould. The opening E intended for the measuring of the quantity of
tobacco required for one cigarette can be made larger or smaller according as more
or less tobacco is intended to be taken for the cigarette, by means of the movable
part A' and the adjusting screw #Figure 5. The front end M of the distributing
slide A. has a semicircular depression and serves as hollow mould. In order to be
able to adjust exactly the extent of the sliding movement, a cross head adjustable
by means of a screw is fixed at the end of the slide and flexibly connected with the
connecting rod W Figure 2. The cigarette-paper is wound upon the drum Y,
Figure 2 and is conducted over the rollers" and and between the rollers F and Fi
the latter being pressed against the former by means of the spring fo
The roller carries teeth round its circumference in which plays a pawl j
Figure 22 which is suitably set in motion by the lever d in order that the roller
may be so far rotated as to unwind the quantity of paper required for one cigarette.
The pawl is fixed upon a lever æ on the axle of F provided with a slot . so that
the head of the rod d can be shifted about in this slot and secured, in order that
the pawl may be able to impart a larger or smaller amount of rotation to the
roller as may be required. The knife e Figure 21 is pushed forward simultaneously
with the hollow mould M¹ and in penetrating into the opposite cavity cuts the
paper. During the last operation the plate d placed above the knife, and pushed
forward at the same time holds the paper fixed. This plate is provided in front
with teeth and exerts an elastic pressure by means of the spring". This plate
furthermore serves the purpose of drawing the paper after cutting out of the
opening wherein it may easily be retained in consequence of the wedging action
of the knife, and this object will always be achieved as the teeth have the necessary
adhesion to the paper. The plate can be tilted over upwards as shewn dotted
on so that access to the knife is secured when it becomes desirable to sharpen
the same.
The contrivance for gumming the paper consists of a vessel L shewn
in clevation in Figure 10A in section in Figure 10 and in plan in Figure 108 con-
taining the sticking substance the roller and the swinging lever S Figure 21
which latter is provided at the free end, with a springy plate g made of rubber or
some suitable material. This plate before the lever Sa commences its upward
notion takes up some sticking substance from the roller r carries the same upward
and communicates it to the inner lower edge of the paper by pressing the same
against the suspended plate e which is springy in consequence of the action of the
little steel spring s¹. Since plate e is fixed to the frame that supports mould M
and the knife e it has at this moment already been so far pushed forward that it is
not only within reach of the upward swinging plate g but itself exerts a pressure
upon the same. When the gumming plate y descends again in order to receive a
new quantity of sticking substance from roller this roller together with the
reservoir containing the gum is elevated into such a position that it comes into
contact with the springy gumming plate. The elevation of the gum holding
reservoir L is effected in this manner it receives a turning motion round the axle a
in consequence of the action of lever P4 Figure 22 which is moved by disc :4)

page_text: in
through its cam Land roller p! Figure 2. Through the same lever P the gumming
roller is also rotated a little by means of 'pawl "g and toothed circumference.U
Figure 22 in such a manner that the exposed portion of the roller is always
provided with a fresh.quantity of sticking solution. The springy plate / Figure 2b
serves to take away the excess of the sticking substance and to regulate the thick-
ness of the layer of the same. The closing up valves u. u and u¹¹ Figure 19
and 22, serve as stated to fold over the paper ends of the cigarette. Their shape
can clearly be seen specially in Figure 22. They protrude downward so as to be
actuated by the rods that bring about the 90° motion. In Figure 20
can be simultaneously scen all 4 valves viewed from above at the moment when they
are drawn back in order to allow the cigarette to be ejected by spindle J. The
hollow moulds M. M₁ Figure 21 are simple pieces formed as half cylinders of
which M' is pushed forward from the right hand side simultaneously with knife
and closing valves by means of a mechanism already described whilst M is fixed to
the end of the distributing slide A and advances together with the latter towards
the other half of the cylinder. The split mould is provided with a spring
order to avoid too great pressure when the two halves M and M¹ are brought
together. Figure 20 shows the hollow moulds in plan Figure 22 represents a view
at right angles to this and in proximity to hollow mould M' the spindle a which
can be inserted into the moulds together with the hollow iron his visible. The
spindles which serve to hold fast press in and smoothen the ends of the cigarette
are specially drawn in Figures 16 17 and 18. Spindle is the one that advances
from the left hand side, which performs there the holding fast of the cigarette the
pressing in and the smoothening of its end. Its head is attached by a helical
spring so as to be yielding to pressure and possesses a screw shaped grooved surface
as shown in the drawing. Spindles a and advance from the right hand side; the
former a serves to hold fast the cigarette in the beginning and has its position
inside of the hollow iron which performs the winding of the paper round the
cigarette and which is firmly fixed in the spindle so that it revolves together with
the same as before described. The other spindle performs the pressing in and
smoothening of the right hand end of the cigarette as well as the ejection of the
finished cigarette. The mechanism through which this spindle and the hollow iron
are set in motion has already been described its arrangements can clearly be seen
in Figures 19 and 20. Figure 19 represents the moment in which the spindles I
and hold the cigarette fast whilst the hollow iron is pushed between the hollow
moulds M M ready to turn the tobacco and to wind the paper round it. Figure 20
on the other hand represents the concluding portion of the operation spindle a (J)
and hollow iron are withdrawn and the frame K K carrying the spindles J and J
pushed sideways so that spindle J is brought before the hollow mould M M';
spindle on the left has already receded and spindle Jejects the finished cigarette
(which is not drawn) from the split mould M M'. In Figure 20 the spindle I is
for convenience of drawing shewn above the hollow mould M M but its position is
really along the axis of M M to the left as shewn in Figure 1.
The discs upon the principal shaft A. are separately drawn in Figures 8 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 and 154. The shape of the grooves which are provided upon the
side faces of others as well as the projecting cam pieces are clearly shown. The
connecting rods have to be so constructed that their length can be somewhat
adjusted, in order that the machine works with precision or when wear and tear
should make adjustment necessary.
In conclusion it remains to mention a simple
contrivance which serves to press back the little plate e after the cigarette-paper
that has been pressed against the same has been provided with a gummed edge.
This mechanisin consists of the projection S" situated at end of lever Pill Figures 21
and 22. This lever is set in motion by disc 4, through a button and a roller.
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

page_text: 1. A machine for the manufacture of cigarettes that are closed at both ends con-
sisting of a hopper V Figure 21 a slide A which by means of a cavity E which it
contains measures the quantity of tobacco required for a cigarette and presses the
same between a hollow mould M' and another hollow mould M which latter is
placed at the front of the slide A itself, a hollow iron which wraps the paper
round the tobacco, two closing valves 'u' which bend over half the ends of the
cigarette-paper, two closing valves u u Figure 20 which bend over the other half a
spindle a which holds fast the tobacco inside the hollow moulds on one side, a
spindle head which holds fast the tobacco on the other side, and which by
revolving presses in and smoothens the bent over cigarette-paper at this end a
spindle head, which does the work just named at the other end of the cigarette
and ejects the finished cigarette, a swinging plate y Figure 22 which passing over a
gumming roller communicates to the wrapping paper at one of its edges some
sticking material by pressing it against a small elastic plate e a knife e which cuts
the cigarette paper into suitable length by pressing the same into the cavity and
of mechanisms for setting these parts in motion consisting of dises 1 to 8 Figures 8
to 15 inclusive which are fastened to a principal shaft A2 and which are provided.
eccentric grooves and projecting cam pieces and levers and cog-wheel gearing.
2. In the machine protected under Claim 1 the slide A Figure 21 which receives
the tobacco into the cavity E and serves therefore as measure and which is besides
used as a stamp for pressing the tobacco into the mould inasmuch as the tobacco
when the slide A advances falls out of E into the cavity o out of which it is again
lifted by the piston T after the slide A. has receded whereafter the end of the slide
that has the shape of the hollow mould M carries the tobacco towards the other
hollow mould M when the slide advances the second time.
3. In the machine protected under Claim 1 the combination of the hollow mould M¹
Figure 21 with the knife e situated above it which advances simultaneously with
the mould M presses the paper into the cavity cuts the same to a convenient
length and on receding draws the paper which has been wedged into the cavity,
by the knife out of the same through the adhesion of its teeth and with the covering
plate d' that can be tilted over and with the little plate e that is kept elastic through
the spring Sand which serves as a support for the edge of the wrapping paper
during the operation of providing the same with sticking material.
4. In the machine protected under Claim 1 a contrivance for gumming consisting
of a reservoir L" Figures 10" 10" 10" containing the sticking material which can
be turned round on axle a Figure 22 and in which a drum is made to rotate in
the sticking solution without interruption whereby its surface remains always
covered with sticking material, but in such a manner that the thickness of the layer
of sticking substance can be regulated by means of a springy plate Figure 10*
and a swinging lever S Figure 21 which carries on its swinging end the gumming
plate that passes over the drum 2.
5. In the machine protected under Claim 1 the four closing valves uu uu³
Figures 19 and 22 of the shape distinctly visible in the drawing which in swinging
against the projecting paper ends close the same.
6. In the machine protected under Claim 1 the hollow iron Figure 18 having the
shape of half a hollow cylinder and which in turning round wraps the paper cover
round the tobacco of the cigarette inside the hollow moulds M M Figure 20.
7. In the machine protected under Claim 1 the spindles I. and a Figures 16 17
and 18 the heads of which serve for the holding fast of the cigarette the pressing
in and smoothening of the pinched over paper ends and for the ejection of the
finished cigarette.
Dated this 29th day of April 1890.
VALENTIN SYLVESTRE FOMBUENA,
Per J. G. L.