Improvements in Machines for Making Cigarettes.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Jan., 1896-Accepted, 14th Mar., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Making Cigarettes.
1, WILLIAM CYRUS BRIGGS, of Winston, in the County of Forsyth and
State of North Carolina, U.S.A., Mechanical Engineer, 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 what is known in the art as the "continuous filler"
class of cigarette machines, in which loose, fibrous tobacco is automatically fed
into the machine, formed into a continuous filler-rod, and enclosed in a continuous.
wrapper which is folded around the filler-rod, pasted and then sealed, forming a
continuous cigarette, and then cut into smokable lengths by automatic cutting-
mechanism.
My present invention contemplates the production of a continuous cigarette by
the performance of these operations in a simple and effective manner, by certain
novel combinations, constructions and organizations of instrumentalities which are
hereinafter particularly designated.
The best way now known to me of carrying out the objects of my invention is to
feed the tobacco to rollers or brushes, between which it is passed, and which
deliver it in regulated quantities directly upon the grooved flanged periphery of a
main carrying-wheel, which co-operates with another flanged carrying-wheel, the
two wheels being so organized as to cause their flanges gradually to converge from
the feed to the discharge end, so as to compress the tobacco laterally and cause it
to pass beneath a wheel or roller, the periphery of which is grooved corre-
spondingly with the main carrying-wheel so as to compress the tobacco into
circular shape, form it into a filler-rod of uniform dimensions, and deliver it upon
a paper-strip, which is carried by an endless belt through suitable folding or
wrapping mechanism to a suitable pasting and sealing device, and thence to the
cutting devices.
The accompanying drawings show so much mechanism embodying the improve-
ments herein claimed, as is necessary to illustrate my invention. Some of said
improvements, however, may be used without the others, and in machines differing
somewhat in their details of construction from that herein shown. Unless otherwise
indicated, the parts are supposed to be of usual approved construction.
My invention contemplates the adaptation of my improvements to the best
machines of the present day.
The feed-end of the machine I term the front, and the discharge-end, the rear;
that side of the machine on the right of one adjacent to, and facing the front
I term the right; the opposite side, the left. In this instance, the right side of
the machine is that on which the operator stands.
Fig. 1 is a plan or top view of the entire machine;
Fig. 2 is a left side view thereof, in elevation, or an elevation of that side
opposite the operator;
Fig. 3, a vertical, transverse section, on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, looking towards
the front or feed end of the machine, showing the tobacco feeding and carrying
mechanism;
Figs. 4,
5 and 6 are on an enlarged scale.
Fig. 4 is a plan or top view of the filler-forming and carrying-wheels, and a
portion of their driving-gearing;

page_text: represents a plan view, partly in horizontal section, through the feed sid
of the filler-carrying wheels, showing their relation at that point;
Fig. 6 represents a similar view in section through said wheels, and the com
pressing-wheel at the opposite or delivery side of the carrying-wheels, showing
their relation at this point, and the mode of insuring uniform speed between the
filler-carrying wheels;
Fig. 7 represents a similar detail view of the filler-carrying wheels, and a guard
or conductor adjacent thereto;
Fig. 8 represents a right-side elevation of the filler-forming, wrapping, pasting
and sealing mechanism, on that side of the machine next the operator;
Fig. 9 represents a transverse section through the devices for regulating the
tension upon the paper-wrapper-strip;
Fig. 10 shows the cutting-mechanism, partly in elevation and partly in vertical,
transverse section, on the line 10-10 of Fig. 2, looking towards the discharge-end
of the machine;
Fig. 11, a plan view of the cutter-actuating gears, and
Fig. 12, a detail view in section of the central bearings of the carrying-arms,
which support the entter-disk and the discharge-tube.
Arrows indicate the direction in which the various parts of the machine move.
The salient features will first be described, successively from the feed to the
discharge-end; then the actuating mechanism, and finally the operation.
The mechanism is shown as mounted on a main frame A, from the front end of
which extends a feed-supporting frame A', over which traverses a feed-apron B,
which terminates near a carding-cylinder or feed-roller C, rotating within a
casing C. A cylindrical brush or feed-roller D, rotating in contact with the
teeth of the carding cylinder, and at a higher rate of speed, discharges the tobacco
into a hopper E.
The
The tobacco falls through the open bottom of the hopper, upon the periphery of
the main carrying-wheel F, provided with a vertical flange, on the left-hand side
of its periphery and with a peripheral, semi-circular groove ', at or near the
junction of the flange with the rim of the wheel. A second carrying-wheel or
ring G, carries upon its inner or left-hand peripheral edge a vertical flange g.
periphery or rim of this last-mentioned wheel projects on one side in such manner
as to overlap or encircle the periphery of the main carrying-wheel F, the two
wheels being concentric, and revolve concentrically on coincident axes. Their
speed of rotation is made uniform by forming slots or recesses 2, in the wheel F,
which interlock with the spokes g', of the wheel or ring G. The wheels are
further locked together by means of lugs or studs f³, projecting from the wheel F,
and which abut against the spokes of the ring or wheel G. The interlocking
devices are detachable or separable and come into play only on the converging side
of the wheels, being disconnected by the divergence of the wheels at the feed-end,
this connection and disconnection being constantly repeated during the rotation of
the wheels, by which means the ring or wheel G is driven from the wheel F, and
their uniform rotation is secured. The axes of the flanged wheel F, and the
flanged ring or wheel G, are arranged in the same horizontal plane, but at a slight
angle to each other, so that the recess or trough formed by their flanges tapers
from the feed to the discharge side.
The shaft F', of the wheel F, is mounted in fixed bearings in the frame, its
inner end being rounded at, as shown in Fig. 3, and interlocking with the
correspondingly recessed end of the shaft G', of the wheel or ring G. The
opposite end of the shaft G', is connected by a ball-and-socket joint g, with a
screw-shaft g, supported in a bracket gl, ou the main frame, by which means the
wheel G, can be adjusted relatively to the wheel F.
A compressing-wheel H, provided with a semi-circular peripheral edge h, and
mounted in suitable bearings on the frame, runs between the flanges, g, of the
main carrying-wheel F and Hanged ring or wheel G, at or near their point of
closest approximation, on their discharge-side. The tobacco is compressed into a

page_text: cylindrical or rod-like form by means of the corresponding grooves in the carrying-
wheel F, and compressing-wheel H.
The front end of a guard-plate I, abuts against the flanges f and g, of the
filler-carrying wheels F and G, as shown in Fig. 7, while its protruding tongue i,
passes between said flanges and into the annular groove f, thus serving to
prevent the escape of any loose fibres of tobacco at that point. This guard
encircles the lower part of the compressing-wheel H, and extends to the point
where the carrying-belt J, and overlying paper-wrapper-strip k, carried thereby,
pass over a small roller j, to the wrapping-devices, thus serving as a guide or
conductor to deliver the formed filler upon the paper-wrapper-strip.
An endless belt J, passes around large flat-faced driving-wheel J¹, over a
guide-pulley J, through an adjustable guide J, around a small roller j, and
through the wrapping-devices. The roller j is mounted in a bracket j',
adjustable by means of a slot and set-screw, so as to regulate the tension of
the belt.
The paper-roll is mounted on a shaft K, and upon its periphery bears the lower
or outer end of a plate-spring K', which carries guide-pins A, on each side of the
paper-roll to maintain the spring in proper position. The upper or inner end of
the plate-spring K', is secured to a sleeve, turning on a fixed stud-axle K.
A spiral spring, is secured at one end to a sleeve 45, while the other end bears
against the plate-spring K. The tension of the spring is regulated by turning
the sleeve, upon the fixed stud-axle K, and locking it in position by a set-
screw The pressure of the plate-spring is thus regulated by the tension
on the spiral spring. The strip of paper k, traverses the plate-spring, which
acts as a guide therefor, while also acting as a pressure device upon the roll of
paper.
A doctor or scraper 7, mounted on a supporting-frame L, projects into the
groove of the compressing wheel H, to clear it of any adhering tobacco. Yielding
guide-rods, mounted on the frane L, on opposite sides of the roll H, bear upon
the paper-strip near its opposite edges, as it enters the wrapper-guide M, and
retain it in proper position.
Any preferred form of folding, wrapping and pasting devices may be employed.
The construction and operation of these parts being well understood, need not be
described in detail.
The completed cigarette is delivered by the belt into a flaring-mouthed discharge-
tube O, carried by a sleeve o, vertically adjustable upon an arm O¹, rocking
centrally in swivel-bearings o', on the frame.
The lower end of this rocking arm is connected eccentrically by a ball-and-
socket joint with a spur-gear 0%, which meshes with a corresponding gear P2, driven
by another spur-gear Q. This last-named spur-gear is connected with an upright
shaft Q, the lower end of which turns in a fork g', on the same supporting bracket
that carries the gears 12 and O2. This arrangement permits the shaft Q', to be
adjusted nearer to or farther from the gear P2, so as to admit of the use of
a gear of larger or smaller size than the gear Q, to vary the speed of the
cutters.
The cutting-disk P, is carried by a sleeve p, adjustable vertically upon an arm P',
rocking upon a pivot pl, and eccentrically connected at its lower end to the spur-
gear P, above mentioned.
The bearings o' and p', shown particularly in Fig. 12, are adjustable to vary the
throw of the arms O¹, and P. The frame A, it will be observed, is slotted at a,
and the trunnions a', of the bearings ol and p¹, fit into concentric sleeves which are
provided with the clamp collars a, a, that may be tightened and loosened to
permit of the adjustment of the bearings in the frame, while the bearings are
adjustable ou the rods Q' and P', by means of the set-screws a', as indicated in
Figs. 10 and 12.
It will thus be seen that the delivery-tube and cutting-disk are similarly
actuated, so as to cause both the cutter and the completed cigarette, as it passes

page_text: through the delivery-tube, to vibrate laterally relatively to the normal line of
movement of the cigarette, and thus insure a very quick action, with the minimum
of lateral movement. It will likewise be observed that both the cutter and delivery-
tube are caused to move simultaneously and quickly with the continuous cigarette,
while severing it, and that an even cut is insured.
The cutting devices may be covered, if desired, by a table R, mounted on
suitable supports, to protect the operator and afford a recept icle for tools. A
driving-belt S, encircles the pulley S', which is connected by a suitable clutch and
lever S, with a horizontal, longitudinal driving-shaft S, mounted in suitable
bearings in the main frame.
The carding-cylinder C, and brush 1), are driven from the driving-shaft by a
belt T, and the flanged filler-carrying wheels F and G, are driven from the driving-
shaft by a worm, meshing with a worm gear U, on the shaft F. The wheels F
and Gare preferably of large diameter (the larger one being say 36 inches in
diameter), so that they may be driven at a comparatively slow speed and yet
have a rapid peripheral movement.
The grooved compressing-wheel H, is driven by friction from the wheels F and G,
the flanges of the latter being in contact with the wheel H, as shown in Figs. 4 and 6.
The driving-wheel J, is driven by a worm v, on the driving-shaft, which meshes
with a worm-gear V, on the shaft of the wheel J. A worm-gear w, secured to
an upright shaft W, is actuated by a worm w, on the driving-shaft, and operates
mechanism which supplies paste to the paste-wheel N.
A plunger movable vertically in the paste-receptacle N', carries a rack,
ctuated by a gear on a shaft carrying a pulley w², rotated by a weight W'.
A bevel-gear q. on the driving-shaft, meshes with a corresponding gear 2, on
the vertical shaft Q', which carries a spur-gear Q. hereinbefore mentioned, for
actuating the delivery-tube and cutter-disk. The cutter-disk is rotated from the
driving-shaft by a flexible banda, encircling a pulley X, on the driving-shaft, and
a pulley X', on the cutter-shaft.
In operation, fibrous tobacco, in a loose, shredded condition, is fed by hand upon
the apron B, and carried to the carding cylinder C, which draws out the fibres
which are released therefrom by the more rapidly revolving brush D, and discharged
through the open bottom of the hopper E, on to the periphery of the main
carrying-wheel F, and between its flange f, and the corresponding flange g, of the
concentric carrying-wheel or ring G. The gradual approximation of the con-
verging flanges, and g, compresses the tobacco laterally, as the wheels rotate,
into the annular, semi-circular groove f, and under the grooved compressing-
wheel H, which compresses it into a cylindrical rod and discharges it over the
guide I, upon the paper-wrapper-strip, which moves lengthwise over the tension
spring-plate K.
The belt J, carries the wrapper and filler through the folding and wrapping
devices, during its passage through which paste is applied to one edge of the paper-
strip by the paste-wheel N, the pasted edge of the paper being folded down upon
the other edge and sealed so as to envelope the filler and form a continuous
cigarette. The belt then flattens out in passing over the large wheel J', and
the continuous cigarette passes through the longitudinally movable delivery-tube,
which also vibrates laterally across the normal line of travel of the continuous
cigarette.
The cutter-disk likewise has a similar longitudinal and also a lateral movement,
as before described, to sever the cigarette-rod at suitable intervals, into cigarettes
of smokable lengths.
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. A filler-forming device for cigarette machines, comprising two concentric
flanged wheels rotating in the same direction but at a slight angle to each other. so

page_text: as to compress laterally tobacco deposited between the flanges, in combination with
wrapper-applying devices and a conductor extending from the periphery of the
wheels beneath the compressed tobacco to the wrapper applying devices to arrest
the movement of the filler with the wheels and convey it to the wrapper applying
devices, substantially as hereinbefore set forth.
2. A filler-forming device for cigarette machines, comprising two concentric
flanged wheels working at a slight angle to each other, and provided with detachable
interlocking devices for driving one from the other at the same speed and in the
same direction, substantially as herein before set forth.
3. A filler-forming device for cigarette machines, comprising a flanged carrying
wheel rotating in a fixed position, and a second flanged ring or wheel concentric
with the other, and rotating on a shaft adjustable relatively to that of the
fixed wheel, and slightly inclined relatively thereto, substantially as hereinbefore
set forth.
4. A filler-forming device for cigarette machines, comprising a flanged carrying-
wheel rotating in a fixed position, a second flanged ring or wheel concentric wich
the other, and rotating on a shaft adjustable relatively to that of the fixed wheel,
and slightly inclined relatively thereto, and detachable interlocking devices to
drive one wheel from the other, substantially as hereinbefore set forth.
5. A filler-forming device for cigarette machines comprising a carrying wheel
provided with a flange and an annular groove in its periphery, a second flanged
wheel or ring concentric with the first and having its axis slightly inclined relatively
thereto and a compressing wheel grooved correspondingly with the grooved
carrying wheel and working between the flanges of both wheels with its groove
registering with the groove of the carrying wheel.
6. A filler-forming device for cigarette machines, comprising a flanged wheel
having an annular groove in its periphery adjacent to the flange, a second flanged
wheel concentric with the first and rotating on an axis slightly inclined relatively
thereto, mechanism for discharging tobacco in regulated quantities between the
flanges, a grooved compressing wheel to compress vertically into cylindrical rod-
like form the tobacco carried and laterally compressed by the flanged wheels, a
conductor beneath the compressed tobacco and below the compressing wheel,
extending from the flanged wheels beneath the compressing-wheel to the wrapper-
guide, a wrapper-guide, and a carrying-belt entering said guide below the
conductor, substantially as hereinbefore set forth.
7. A filler-forming device for cigarette machines, comprising a flanged, annularly
grooved carrying wheel, a second Hanged wheel concentric with the first
and rotating on an axis slightly inclined relatively thereto, mechanism for
discharging tobacco in regulated quantities between the flanges, a grooved
compressing wheel to compress vertically into cylindrical rod-like forin the tobacco
carried and laterally compressed by the flanged wheels, a conductor beneath the
compressed tobacco and below the compressing wheel, extending to the wrapper-
guide, a wrapper-guide, a carrying-belt entering said guide below the conductor, a
scraper for the compressing-wheel, and yielding guides to keep the paper wrapper
strip in position, substantially as herein before set forth.
8. The combination of two concentric flanged wheels rotating in the same
direction, but at a slight angle to each other so as to compress laterally tobacco
deposited between the flanges, feed rolls mounted above the flanged wheels and
rotating in a direction at right angles to the rotation of the said wheels, wrapper
applying devices arranged above the plane of the axes of the flanged wheels and a
conductor for conveying the filler froin the flanged wheels to the wrapper applying
devices.
9. The combination of two concentric flanged wheels, two separate shafts to
which the wheels are independently connected and one of which is arranged at an
angle to the other, means for driving the wheels in the same direction, means for
feeding tobacco thereto and wrapper applying devices to which the filler formed
by the wheels is delivered.

page_text: 10. A tension device for the paper roll of a cigarette machine, comprising a
stud-shaft fixed on the main frame, a sleeve thereon, a plate-spring fastened
to the sleeve at one end and bearing on the periphery of the paper roll at the
other, another sleeve on the stud-shaft, a spring connected with said sleeve.
and hearing on the plate-spring, and a lacking device connecting the shaft and
sleeve to vary the tension of the spring and thereby vary the tension on the
paper-roll.
11. A wrapper guide and tension device for a cigarette machine, comprising a
plate which the wrapper-strip traverses lengthwise and which is adjustably
secured at one end to the main frame and bears on the periphery of the paper
roll at the other end, and a spring for moving the plate towards the
paper roll.
12. The combination of the paper roll, the guide and tension plate which bears
on the periphery of the paper roll, guide pins secured to the plate on opposite sides
of the paper roll and an adjustable connection between the plate and the main
frame of the machine.
13. An automatic cigarette severing device comprising a delivery tube, a
centrally pivoted rocking arm on which it is mounted, a cutter, a centrally pivoted
rocking arm on which it is mounted, inter-meshing gears to one of which each arm
is eccentrically pivoted to impart a longitudinal movement to both the delivery
tube and cutter as well as a lateral vibration relatively to the normal line of travel
of the continuous cigarette, and means for driving the inter-meshing gears,
substantially as set forth.
14. An automatic cigarette severing device, comprising a delivery tube, a
centrally pivoted rocking arm on which it is mounted, a cutting disk, a centrally
pivoted rocking arm on which it is mounted, inter-meshing gears to one of which
each arm is eccentrically pivoted, to impart a longitudinal movement to both the
delivery tube and cutter as well as a lateral vibration relatively to the normal line
of travel of the continuous cigarette, a driving shaft, gearing connecting the
driving shaft with the inter-meshing gears and gearing connecting the driving
shaft with the cutter to rotate the latter, substantially as hereinbefore set
forth.
15. The combination of a delivery tube, a cutter, an arm on one end of which
the cutter is mounted, means connected with the opposite end of the arm
to vibrate it, a swivel bearing through which the arm extends, and means for
adjusting the bearing to vary the throw of the cutter, substantially as hereinbefore
set forth.
Dated this 18th day of December 1895
WILLIAM CYRUS BRIGGS.