Improvements in Machines for Making Cigar-fillers or Bunches.
Year: 1889

page_text: DI BUITICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by JOHN ROBERT WILLIAMS, of 129, Oliver Street,
Newark, New Jersey, United States of America, Manufacturer.]
Improvements in Machines for Making Cigar-fillers or Bunches.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake and Co. Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex do hereby declare the nature
of the said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particu-
larly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to cigar bunching machines, and consists in the elements
hereinafter described, the object of the invention being the production of a machine
capable of being operated either by hand or steam power and upon which cigar
bunches of varying sizes may be rapidly and effectually rolled, preparatory to receiving
the ultimate wrapper for finishing the cigar.
Referring to the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a cigar bunching machine constructed according to
the invention.
Figures 2, 3 and 4 are face views of the operating cams secured on the driving
shaft of the machine and hereinafter referred to.
Figure 5 is a front elevation of the machine embodying the elements of the
invention.
Figure 6 is a rear elevation of the same.
Figure 7 an end view, partly in section, of the clutch on the right hand end,
looking at Figure 6, of the main driving shaft, the belt wheel being illustrated by
dotted lines.
Figure 8 is a rear plan view of said clutch mechanism, the same being partly in
section on the dotted line Y Y of Figure 7.
Figure 9 is a central vertical section of the machine, on the dotted line X" X¹¹¹ of
Figure 5.
Figure 10 is an enlarged central vertical section of the upper portion of said.
machine.
Figure 11 is a horizontal transverse section on the dotted line Z¹¹¹, Z¹¹¹ of
Figure 10.
Figure 12 is an end view of the shaft for regulating the depth of the pockets for
receiving the different charges of tobacco from the main hopper: this shaft being the
one illustrated in Figure 11.
Figure 13 is an enlarged front plan view of the upper portion of the machine.
Figure 14 is an end view of the charge box with the door at the bottom thereof in
closed position.
Figure 15 is a front plan view of same with said door illustrated as being open and
the conveying chute as being in its lower position.
Figure 16 is an end view of the charge box with its door and chute as represented
in Figure 15.
Figure 17 is an enlarged sectional view on the dotted line Y Y of Figure 9 looking
downward and illustrating the bed of the machine, and
Figure 18 is a vertical transverse section on the dotted line X*X* of Figure 17.
In the accompanying drawings A designates the bed plate or base of the machine,
said bed plate being supported upon legs B and carrying the elevated portion or
rolling table C which is of suitable length to permit the rolling of the bunch, and of
the proper width to support the rolling apron D. At the front end of the table is
provided the recess E having adjustable end pieces F whereby the length of said
recess may be adjusted at will in a well-known manner. Upon the front edge of the
table C is provided the plate G which projects slightly over the said recess E and has

page_text: its upper surface about on a level with the upper surface of the table C, the latter
being suitably recessed to receive the thickness of the said plate G. The D is
apron
secured at its rear end upon a rod H as shown more clearly in Figure 18 whence the
apron passes forward over the table C, reciprocating roller I and segment J, at the
front portion of which the said apron is fastened to the rod K. The segment J is
mounted upon the rod L and has a movement with the same. Upon the rod Lat
about its centre as illustrated in Figures 9, 17 and 18, is rigidly secured the upper
end of the arm M which is connected at its lower end to the front end of the con-
necting rod N, the rear end of the latter being pivoted in the lower end of the long
arm of the bell crank lever O, which is pivoted to the bracket P and carries in the end
of its short arm the friction wheel Q which bears against and is actuated by the cam R
secured upon the driving shaft S. The purpose of the cam R, bell crank lever O,
connecting rod N and arm M is to effect a forward and backward rotation of the
segment J during the operation of the machine, the object of this movement of the
segment J being to slacken or tighten the rolling apron D: when during the rotation of
the cam R the segment J is turned forward or outward to the front edge of the bed
plate A, which is the position illustrated in Figure 18, the apron D will be drawn
taut, and when the segment is turned rearward or toward the reciprocating roller I
the said apron will be slackened. The operation of the segment J with its connection
will be pointed out hereinafter. The reciprocating roller 1 is mounted upon the rod T,
illustrated in Figure 17, which carries at its ends pinion wheels as shown in Figure 1,
engaging the inverted racks V of well known form, the purpose of the racks and
pinions being to guide the rod T during the operation of the machine. Upon the
shaft T of the reciprocating roller I is mounted the vertical arms W, as illustrated in
Figure 5, which carry in their upper ends the supplemental shaft or rod X supporting
the small roller Y whose surface lightly impinges the surface of the apron D and
presses it with light pressure against the surface of the reciprocating roller I. The
object of the small roller Y is to cause the apron D to return to the front portion of
the bed plate A with the roller I after the bunch has been rolled from the rear end of
the table C. It has been found desirable to ensure the return to the front portion
of the bed plate of all that portion of the apron D which is usually slackened after the
bunch has left it, instead of leaving the loose portions of the belt at the rear end of
the table. The tendency of the roller I upon returning to the front portion of the
bed plate is to pass along under the apron D, but where the roller Y is made use of
sufficient friction is created to draw the apron with the roller I during its movement
to the front of the bed plate. Upon the bed plate A at the rear end of the table C is
provided a bunch receiver Z consisting of a pivoted frame to receive the bunch from
the apron after the same has been rolled in a well-known manner.
Upon the bed plate A is mounted the standards a b between which is supported
the hopper for containing the scrap tobacco to be used in the manufacture of
the bunches. The lower portion of the hopper c tapers inward and has an
opening dat its lower end-the surfaces around said opening being suitably
conformed to snugly fit the surfaces of the cylinder e as illustrated in Figure 9.
Within the hopper c is provided the transverso shafts f g respectively, the ends of
the shafts being mounted in the standards a, b as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6.
As indicated in Figure 9 the shaft f is provided with the series of radial arms h
which, during the partial rotation of the shaft operate to feed the scrap tobacco
downward. The shaft in the lower portion of the hopper c is illustrated more
clearly in Figure 10, where it will be seen that upon said shaft is secured a collar i
having recesses ; to receive the flexible radial strips or blades k extending from
one side of the lower end of the hopper to the other side thereof.
shaft has an intermittent rotary movement during the operation of the machine
and this movement is imparted to the collar i carrying the blades k which are
equi-distant from each other and operate to feed the tobacco in sufficient quantities
to the charge boxes or receptacles in the cylinder e as said boxes are brought in line with
the aperture d in the lower end of the hopper c. The shafts fg receive their movement
from the arm m during the reciprocating movement of the roller I: the upper end of
The

page_text: 24
purpose
the arm m is keyed on the shaft f and said arm carries the rack n which engages the
pinion o secured on the outer end of the shaft 9, and hence, during the movement of the
armı m with the roller I the shaft f is given a rocking movement in the hopper and
the shaft g is given a rotary movement, the shaft g rotating in one direction during
the movement of the roller I toward the rear of the machine and in an opposite
direction during the forward movement of said roller I. The cylinder e is a metal
casting provided with the recesses or receptacles 1 of sufficient dimensions to fit beneath
the aperture d in the hopper c and to receive the platens p which are shown more
clearly in Figures 10 and 11. The cylinder e is mounted upon the shaft q which has
bearings in the standards a b and carries at its centre the elongated pinion wheel r
engaging the racks & secured to or forming a part of the platens P the
of the
pinion wheel and racks being to render the platens adjustable in their recesses
according to the quantity of tobacco it is desired shall be fed downward to the rolling
apron for the bunches to be rolled. All of the racks s engage the pinion wheel R
and hence when said wheel is rotated with the shaft q a simultaneous motion will
be imparted to all of the platens p moving them outward or inward and hence
regulating the depth of the recesses beyond the platens. Upon one end of the
shaft is provided the index finger t resting against a plate u provided with
indicating marks or characters at its upper edge as illustrated in Figure 12, the
purpose of the index finger and indicating characters being to enable the attendant
to adjust the depth of the recesses without inconvenience, the index t denoting
upon the plate u the extent of the movement of the platens p during the turning
of the shaft q for the purpose of adjusting the depth of the recesses 1. The shaft
and cylinder e have an intermittent rotary movement said movement being secured
through the medium of the ratchet w mounted upon the end of the shaft q and
engaged by the pawl as indicated in Figures 1 and 5 during the reciprocating
movement of the arm m. The pawl is pivoted upon an army which is connected
with the shaft q and arm'n as indicated in Figures 1 and 5. During the movement
of the arm m with the roller I toward the rear of the machine the pawl
c slidos
over the ratchet wheel u without affecting it, but during the opposite movement
of the arm m and roller I to the front of the machine the pawl is drawn into
engagement with the ratchet w and causes said ratchet with the shaft
cylinder e to have a one-quarter revolution, this being sufficient to move one of
the recesses from beneath the hopper c and to bring another of said recesses 1 in line
with the aperture d in said hopper. The rear surfaces of the cylinder e is enclosed by
the plate
zas shown more clearly in Figures 9 and 10, said plate z being a rigid
fixture and snugly conforming to the surface of the cylinder e as illustrated in
Figure 10 and at the lower edge of the plate z is pivotally secured the door A' whose
object is to prevent the escape of the tobacco from the lower receptacle or recess
until such time as it may be desired to cause said charge of tobacco to move down the
chute B¹ to the pocket formed in the rolling apron. The door A' carries end pieces C¹
and on these end pieces are studs D' as illustrated more clearly in Figures 9, 10, 15
and 16 which rest upon the vertical edges E¹ of the casting Fi. The casting F' has
reciprocating movement on the inclined rods G₁ as will be hereinafter more fully
described and during this movement the vertical edges El are moved against the
studs D and either elevate or permit the depression of said studs with the door A¹
according to the configuration of the said edges E¹: the edges E' are provided with
the depression or cam surface I', as illustrated in Figures 14 and 16 and when the
studs D are in the lower portion of the depressed cam surface I the door A¹ will be of
its own weight opened, as illustrated in Figures 15 and 16: the studs D₁ move down
the depressed cam edge I¹ during the downward movement of the casting F': during
the upward movement of the casting F¹ however the studs D¹ are caused to ride up the
cam edge I closing the door A' as illustrated in Figure 14. Upon the front edges
of the ends C¹ carried by the door A' are hinged the blades J' which may be moved
to the angle desired and are so arranged that when the door A¹ is closed against the
lower receptacle they will project forward and that when the said door A' is opened
they will rest against the surfaces of the chute B' as illustrated in Figures 15 and 16
:
and

page_text: the purpose of the blades J' being to so direct the tobacco sliding down the chute B¹
from the lower charge recess that it will be properly distributed for a bunch of the
size and shape it is desired to produce. The chute B¹ is made from sheet metal and
secured by a set screw K¹ to the casting F as indicated in Figure 10 more clearly,
and has a reciprocating movement with the said casting: the lower end of the chute Bi
is provided with laterally adjustable wings L' as indicated in Figure 17, the lower
ends of the sides of said wings extending downward below the lower end of the chute,
as indicated in Figure 18, forming projecting arms M² for forming the pocket in the
apron to receive the charge of tobacco after sliding down the chute from the lower
recess the reciprocating movement of the casting F with the chute B¹ is created by
the cam N¹ secured on the driving shaft S through the medium of the intermediate
jointed arms 0' 0", Link Q¹, shaft Q1, rocking arm or lever P' and link R¹ (see
Figures 9 and 17) the latter being pivoted to the lower face of the said casting.
During the revolution of the driving shaft S the cam N', operating through the
rods 0, 0 and link Q1 effects a rocking movement of the shaft Q and arm or
lever P and causes the casting F' to move upward or downward on the inclined
rods G in Figure 6 the casting F is illustrated in its upward position, while in
Figures 9 and 10 the casting is in its lower position. The shaft T of the roller I is
given a reciprocating movement from the driving shift S through the intermediate
rods S and T, as illustrated more clearly in Figure 17, the said rods being pivotally
secured to each other and the front end of the rod T¹ being collared on the shaft T
while the rear end of the rod S¹ is pivotally secured to the frame of the machine and
carries the roller V1 which is engaged by the cam W₁ during the revolution of which
the aro S is given a rocking movement on its pivot and is caused through the arm T
to draw the shaft T with the roller I toward the rear of the bed plate or to return said
shaft T and roller 1 to the front portion of said bed plate.
From the foregoing description it will be observed that the roller I for rolling the
bunch is given its usual reciprocating movement from the driving shaft S through
the medium of the cam W and rods Si, T', and that during the reciprocating movement
of the roller I its shaft T actuates the vibratory rod m to impart a vibratory move-
ment to the feed shaft and blades a rotary movement to the shaft g with its radial
blades and an intermittent rotary movement to the cylinder e which carries the
separate charges of tobacco from the hopper c and delivers them upon the chute B¹.
It has also been pointed out herein before that the sliding movement of the chute B
and casting F is caused by the rotation of the cam N¹, operating through the
rods 0, 0, link Q, shaft Q arm or lever P₁ and link R¹, and that while the
casting F is in its upward position its sides E acting on the lugs D' retain the
door Ain a closed position against the lower recess of the cylinder e, said door A¹
being permitted to open upon the descent of the casting F₁, the lugs D sliding
down the incline or cam edge I' as shown in Figure 16, while the door A' is opening.
On the arm or lever P¹ is hung the bearing block P" which impinges the soft
roller and operates to steady the movement of the parts and prevents the rattling
or jarring of same during the operation of the machine. During the revolution of
the driving shaft S the cam R actuates through the bell crank lever O and rod N,
the arm M and segment J. When the roller I is at the front portion of the rolling
table Cand before the chute B' has descended to the position illustrated in Figures 9
and 18, the segment J is in its upward position or turned toward the roller I. The
slack of the apron D being, at that time, between the segment J and said roller. The
segment J is permitted to turn upward by the roller Q, shown in Figure 9, entering
the depression in the cam R. Upon the descent of the chute P' the segment J is
caused by the cam R to turn to the position illustrated in Figures 9 and 18 in order
that only sufficient slack in the apron may be left to form the pocket for the reception
of the charge of tobacco deposited by the chute B¹. A spring N see Figure 1,
retains the roller Q in contact with the cam R.
In the operation of the machine the scrap tobacco is placed in the hopper c and is
therein agitated and fed downward by means of the radial plates h and k connected
with the shafts, respectively while at the same time the cylinder e is being

page_text: rotated toward the rear of the machine. At each quarter revolution of the cylinder e
one of the receptacles or recesses is brought beneath the aperture d in the lower end
of the hopper c and receives a charge of tobacco sufficient for the filler of a cigar.
After the recess or receptacle / receives its charge of tobacco the cylinder e is given
another quarter revolution bringing the said receptacle against the plate z illustrated
in Figure 10, while another receptacle by the same movement is brought beneath the
aperture d in the hopper c to receive another charge of tobacco. At the next quarter
revolution of the cylinder e the receptacle first receiving the charge of tobacco is
brought over the door A¹, at which time the casting F¹ and chute B¹ descends forming
a pocket in the apron D and permitting the opening of the door A' when the tobacco
in the said recess or receptacle I will slide down the chute B¹, first striking the wings
or blades J¹ and finally entering the pocket in the apron D. The cam N' will then
cause the casting F1 and chute B₁ to ascend and close the door A' while the cam W'
will cause the shaft T and roller I to move rearward over the rolling table C, rolling
the bunch in the customary manner, the usual binder having first been placed upon
the apron prior to the descent of the chute B¹ and the charge of scrap tobacco.
During the movement of the roller I to the rear of the machine an additional charge
of tobacco will be fed into the receptacle or recess of the cylinder e coming beneath
the aperture d and a full receptacle or recess / will be moved against the closed door A¹
preparatory to depositing another charge of tobacco upon the chute B' at the next
descent of the latter. After the roller I has reached the rear edge of the rolling
table C, the finished bunch will be caught by the customary bunch receiver. The
cams R, M' and W₁ with the shaft S make one complete revolution during oach
complete movement of the roller I and shaft T from the front end of the rolling
table C to the rear end of the same and back again to its former position, and hence
with each rotation of the driving shaft S one complete bunch is formed. During the
operation of the machine the pocket in the apron depressed into the recess E, and
as the reciprocating roller I is started on its movement, as in the operation of rolling
a bunch, the projecting edge of the plate G allows the body of tobacco with the
adjacent portion of the pocket in the apron to sag under it, the effect of which is to
prevent the roller I while closing over the full pocket from throwing the loose tobacco
forward on to that portion of the binder not directly in the recess E. The plate G
with its projecting edge thus aids in confining the tobacco in the pocket formed in the
apron to receive it, and in checking the tendency of the tobacco from being projected
therefrom by the roller I when the latter is moving over the said pocket to roll the
bunch. The driving shaft S may be driven by either hand or steam power and in the
accompanying drawings I illustrate an application of devices by which steam power
may be conveniently utilized in operating the machine.
Referring to Figures, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 17 a denotes the belt wheel mounted upon the
shaft carrying the pinion wheel c¹ which meshes with the spur gear wheel d loosely
mounted upon the end of the driving shaft S. Upon the shaft S adjacent to the
gear wheel d' is provided the box el containing the sliding bar f¹ which has a spring
tension toward the gear wheel d' and is adapted at the proper time to enter the
recess indicated by dotted lines in Figure 8 and to cause the rotation of the shaft S
with the gear wheel d' the box e¹ and bar f¹ operating as a clutch of well-known
form and construction for connecting the geir wheel d¹ and shaft S₁ when it is desired
that the latter shall he rotated from the band wheel a¹. In the use of the clutch
mechanism illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, I employ the pitman rod h¹ connecting the
treadle with the pivoted bar having a narrow upper edge adapted when in the
position illustrated in Figures 7 and 9 to withdraw the bar f¹ from engagement with
the gear wheel d¹. The normal position of the bar 1 is that illustrated in Figures 7
and 8 and while in this position the band wheel a¹ and gear wheels b₁, d may rotate
without affecting the driving shaft S. When however, the operator has placed a
binder on the apron D the pressure of the foot on the treadle i will operate to with-
draw the arm from immediate contact with the bar f¹ and the spring tension of the
latter will cause it to engage the recess gl when the movement of the band wheel a¹
will be communicated to the driving shaft S. The pressure of the foot is retained

page_text: upon the treadle until the roller I and shaft T complete their movement to the rear
of the rolling table C and back again to their normal position, which is that illustrated
in Figures 9 and 18, whereupon the pressure on the treadle will be released and the
bar will disengage the bar f" from the gear wheel and the shaft S will remain at
rest until the operator has placed another binder on the apron D and the chute B¹ has
formed the pocket and deposited the tobacco for an additional bunch, when the foot
will be again pressed against the treadle and communication established between the
band wheel a and the shaft S. After the bunch has been rolled from the rear end of
the table C it is taken by the operator and placed in the usual mould board m sustained
by the standard n and box e¹ in a well-known manner.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondent, I declare that what 1 claim is :—
First. In a cigar bunching machine the inclined chute secured to a casting or
frame, inclined guide rods for controlling the movement of the chute, and mechanisin
for moving the said chute and frame on the said rods, combined with a rolling
table, apron and reciprocating roller, the elevated hopper for scrap tobacco and
feed mechanism; substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Second. In a cigar bunching machine the chute having adjustable wings at its
lower end and connected with the frame or casting, the inclined guide rods for
said frame and mechanism substantially as described for imparting an inclined
sliding movement to the chute, combined with the rolling table, apron reciprocating
roller and hopper for scrap tobacco; substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Third. The rolling table having at its front end a recess and plate G combined with
the reciprocating roller and the chute secured to a frame and having an inclined
sliding movement, the lower end of the chute having adjustable wings L' and
projections M at opposite sides extending below the chute, substantially as and
for the purposes set forth.
Fourth. In a cigar bunching machine the rotary cylinder e containing the recesses 1,
the confining plate z for said cylinder, and the hinged door A' which when open
operates as a chute for the tobacco. Combined with the chute B' for conveying
the charges of tobacco measured in said recesses to the rolling table, the elevated
hopper for containing the tobacco in bulk and mechanism for rotating the said cylinder
and for opening and closing said door, substantially as shown and described.
Fifth. In a cigar bunching machine the cylinder e containing recesses the
platens p having racks s, pinion r meshing with said racks, shaft q, confining plate z,
and door A', combined with the chute for conveying the tobacco from said recesses
to the rolling table an elevated hopper for the tobacco in bulk, and mechanism
for rotating the said cylinder and for opening and closing said door, substantially
as set forth.
Sixth. In a cigar bunching machine the cylinder e containing recesses and platens p
the confining plate z and door A' combined with the sliding chute and frame connected
therewith, the sides of said frame formning cams for opening and closing the door A¹,
and an elevated hopper for feeding charges of tobacco to said recesses substantially as
set forth.
Seventh. In a cigar bunching machine the cylinder e containing recesses the
platens p having racks s pinion r, shaft 9 having index finger t and index plate u
combined with the confining plate z door A¹ the chute for conveying the charges of
tobacco to the rolling apron, and the elevated hopper for feeding the tobacco to said
recesses, substantially as set forth.
Eighth. In a cigar bunching machine the elevated hopper for the tobacco n bulk,
a charge receptacle below said hopper a door connected with said receptacle to confine
or permit the escape of the charges of tobacco therefrom, mechanism substantially as
described for opening and closing said door, and the bunch rolling mechanism,
combined with the chute leading from the charge receptacle to the rolling mechanism,
and the blades, J¹, J' secured at the upper end of the chute, said blades constituting

page_text: walls to direct or distribute the charges of tobacco on said chute, substantially as, and
for the purposes specified.
Ninth. In a cigar bunching machine, the elevated hopper having a reduced lower
end, combined with the horizontal shaft 9 in said lower end and having the collar i
provided with the recesses j and radial blades k of flexible material, the receptacle
below said hopper for measuring the charges of tobacco and having a hinged door A¹,
mechanism substantially as described for operating said door, and a chute for conveying
the charges of tobacco from said receptacle to the rolling mechanism substantially
as set forth.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.