Improvements in Machinery for Making up Tobacco and other similar materials in Packets.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Dec., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 5th Aug., 1892-Accepted, 10th Sept., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery for Making up Tobacco and other
similar materials in Packets.
We, HENRY HERBERT WILLS, of the firm of Messrs. W. D. and H. O. Wills,
of Bristol and London, Tobacco Manufacturers, and WILLIAM ROSE, of Market
Street, Gainsborough, in the County of Lincoln, Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
:-
This invention relates to machines of the class described in the Specification
anuexed to Letters Patent granted to us and dated 12th September 1885 No. 10837
and has for its object the production of rectangular packets in place of the
cylindrical packets described in the said former Specification.
In the aforesaid Specification the paper is folded round the tobacco by rotating
the packet in the mould box but according to the present invention the paper is
folded round the contents of the packet by means of folding mechanism hereinafter
described it being obviously impossible to cause a rectangular packet to rotate in
the mould box or cavity in which the packet is formed.
With this object the paper is laid over the mould boxes which are carried by a
revolving wheel and the tobacco is introduced into the mould box by means of a
pusher plate and plunger as described in the said former Specification. The mould
box is of rectangular form corresponding to the shape of the packet to be produced.
The upper half of the forward side of the mould box is binged so as to be capable
of moving outwards and the ends of the box are formed by two end plates which
act upon blocks or a platform capable of receding to allow the paper to be pressed
down to the bottom of the box and serving to retain the paper in the correct
position. In order to cause the paper to enter the mould box without creasing, the
sides are prolonged by sections that are temporarily placed in position and form
extensions of the sides. The section at the rear side may be a fixture but the
section at the forward side is arranged to retire automatically after the paper
been pressed down so as to allow of the forward movement of the box when the
wheel makes the partial rotation which brings the package under the first folding
devices.
has
In order to fold the longitudinal edges of the paper over the contents of the
package the folding mechanism is constructed with a first folder which is actuated
by suitable mechanism so as to slide over the package and smooth down one side of
the paper and at the same time presses down the tobacco in the box. Another or
second folder is similarly arranged to press down the other side of the paper. Other
folding devices actuated by a suitable combination of cams and levers act in
succession upon the projecting ends of the paper and form the fold at the ends of
the packet.
The action of this mechanism is as follows:-A suitable quantity of tobacco being
placed in the hopper and a piece of paper or wrapper of the required size being
placed on the top of the mould box and pressed down into it by the action of the
two end plates acting in combination with the moveable platform hereinbefore
described the tobacco is pressed down by the plunger between the said end plates
and compressed into the shape of the package. The end plates and the plunger then
retire and the wheel describes a fraction of a revolution so as to bring the mould
box opposite to the first set of folding devices. At this stage of the operation the
two longitudinal bottom corners of the packet only are formed and the two sides
of the paper project vertically from the mould box to unequal extents.
Two end plungers then advance and compress the tobacco endwise and form
supports over which the paper is then folded by the action of the lateral

page_text: folders the angles of the said plungers serving to form the angular crease
or fold of the paper at the corners of the packet. The first lateral folder
then advances and presses down the shorter of the two projecting sides of the paper
and also presses the tobacco in the mould box after which it retires and this side of
the paper rises again towards its original position. The second folder then advances
and presses down the longer side of the paper after which the hinged side of the
mould box moves outwards and a third folder descends and presses down the over-
hanging edge of the paper into the space formed by the movement of the hinged
side of the mould box, the third folder then retires and the hinged side of the mould
box makes the inward motion after which the first folder advances a second time
and folds the short side of the paper over the first or longer side, the second folder
at the same time retires to its former position. The end plungers being withdrawn
the wheel then describes another fraction of a revolution which brings the package
in position to be operated on by the mechanism which forms the end folds.
This mechanism operates in a similar manner to the mechanism employed for
forming the end folds of the packets as described in the aforesaid Specification
No. 10837 but in order to crease the paper in forming the last wrap the folders
which turn in the two second wraps are provided with a flat surface at the end
against which the paper is pressed so as to form the crease which is required
to ensure the correct formation of the last or outer fold of the paper.
These improvements are more particularly applicable to apparatus for making up
packets of tobacco but they are obviously applicable to machinery for making up
packets of other similar materials such as tea or cocoa for example.
Dated this 29th day of December 1891.
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery for Making up Tobacco and other
similar materials in Packets.
We, HENRY HERBERT WILLS of the firm of Messrs. W. D. & H. O. Wills of
Bristol and London Tobacco Manufacturers and WILLIAM ROSE of Market
Street, Gainsborough in the County of Lincoln 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 :-
This invention has for its object to provide a machine for making rectangular
packets of tobacco or other material.
According to this invention the paper or material in which the tobacco or the
like is packed is folded round the contents of the packet by means of folding
mechanism hereinafter described.
The wrappers which we will refer to as papers although other material may be
used, are fed into position over mould boxes which are carried by a revolving wheel
and the tobacco or other material to be packed is introduced into the wrappers in
the mould boxes by means of a pusher plate and plunger as hereinafter described.
The mould boxes are each of rectangular form corresponding to the shape of the
packet to be produced. The upper half of either the forward side, or the rearward
side, of each mould box, is capable of moving outwards, and the ends of the box are
formed temporarily by removeable plates, which act upon blocks or platforms, capable
of receding to allow the paper to be pressed down to the bottom of the box, and
serve to retain the paper in the correct position. In order to cause the paper to
enter the mould box without creasing, bars are temporarily brought into position
opposite the ends of the mould box to form extensions of the sides thereof. The
extension for the rear side of cach mould box may be a fixture but the extension
for the forward side is moveable and arranged to retire automatically after the
:

page_text: paper has been pressed down so as to allow of the forward movement of the box
when the wheel makes the partial rotation which brings the package under the first
folding devices. Either the leading side or the rear side of each mould box is
hinged or made removable (the folding devices being arranged accordingly) so as to
permit of the folders acting properly on the wrappers as hereinafter described.
The longitudinal edges of the wrapper are folded over the tobacco or the like by
the consecutive actions of a series of folding instruments or folders the first of
which is actuated by suitable mechanism so as to smooth down one side or edge
of the wrapper and at the same time press the tobacco or the like in the mould
box. Another or second folder then similarly presses down the opposite side or
edge of the wrapper, after which other folding devices act in succession upon the
projecting ends of the wrapper and form the folds at the ends of the packet."
After the ends of the wrapper are folded a final pressure may be given to the
ends, if desired, so as to prevent the folds from opening out again. The mould
wheel then rotates so as to bring the finished packet into position to be ejected from
the mould box, another of the mould boxes being then in position to receive a
charge of tobacco or the like.
Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings are elevations of the two opposite sides of a
machine constructed according to this invention, Figure 1 being a view looking
from the end where the wrappers are fed into the machine, and Figure 2 being a view
of the end at which the material to be packed is supplied, parts of the mechanism
being removed for the purpose of shewing more clearly the folding mechanism.
Figures 3 and 4 are elevations of the two opposite ends of the machine and
Figure 5 is a plan.
Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9 are sectional elevations showing the folding mechanism in
the various stages of the operation in forming a packet.
Figure 10 is a partial end elevation of the mechanism for closing in the ends of
the packet.
Figure 11 is a plan of part of the machine showing the bars or blocks forming the
temporary extensions of the mould box and Figures 12, 13 and 14 are enlarged
views of one of the said bars.
Figures 15 and 16 are respectively an elevation and a plan of the mould wheel
containing the recesses or mould boxes in which the packets are formed.
Figure 17 shews in elevation the moveable portion of one side of a mould box.
Figure 18 is a plan of the same.
Figure 19 is an elevation of a mould box having the whole of one side moveable.
Figures 20, 21, 22 and 23 are elevations showing the various positions of the
folders whilst forming a packet, the wrapping being finished on that side of the
packet which is uppermost in the mould box.
Figures 24, 25 26 and 27 are elevations showing the various positions of
the folders when arranged so as to complete the wrapping at the rear side of the
packet.
Figure 28 is an elevation and partial section of the mechanism for folding the
ends of the packet.
Figure. 29 is an elevation at right angles to Figure 28.
Figure 30 shews one of the folders for forming the first fold at the ends of the
packet, detached.
Figures 31 and 32 are views of the folders for forming the two successive folds
at each end of the packet, and Figure 33 are views of one of the folders for forming
the final folds at the ends of the packet.
Figure 34 is a plan, Figure 35 an end view and Figure 36 a longitudinal
section of the wrapper feeding mechanism.
Figure 37 is a longitudinal section of the wrapper nipping device by which the
wrappers are fed onto the mould wheel.
Figure 38 is a side elevation and Figure 39 a plan of the levers and pressers for
placing the wrapper in position on a mould box. Figure 40 is an elevation at right
angles to Figure 38,

page_text: Figure 41 is a side elevation, Figure 42 a front view and Figure 43 a plan of a
circular plate arranged in proximity to the mould wheel for retaining the packets
in the mould box while being formed.
Figure 44 is a sectional elevation of the tobacco feeding mechanism.
The main shaft 1 of the machine by which motion is given to the various parts as
hereinafter described is mounted in bearings 2 in the main frame or standards 3 and
carries fast and loose driving pulleys 4 by which motion may be given to the
machine from any suitable prime mover. This shaft also carries the various cams
and gearing by which the motions hereinafter described are obtained.
The wrappers which may be of paper or other suitable material having been cut
to the requisite size are fed singly onto a trough 5. Figures 3, 34 and 36 along
which trough passes one portion of an endless chain 6 provided with attachments
or propellers 7 at suitable distances apart for the forward end or edge of a wrapper
to rest on one attachment while the rear end or edge of the same wrapper is engaged
by the next rearward attachment whilst the sides 8 of the trough serve as guides
against which the side edges of the wrappers bear while being carried into the
machine by the attachments 7. The endless chain 6 is carried on pitch wheels 9.
(one only of these pitch wheels being shewn) receiving motion by means of gearing 10
from the main shaft 1. The chain 6 receives a continuous motion and carries each
wrapper in succession into position to be gripped at their side edges between two
pairs of rollers or discs 11 and 12 which carry the wrapper forward into position
over a mould box in the mould wheel 13 to be engaged by a gripping device 14. 15
shewn clearly in Figures 6, 7, 8, 38, 39 and 40.
The wrapper is released from the grip of the discs 11 and 12 at the required
period by discs 12x on the spindle of the discs 12 acting on discs 11* on the spindle
of the discs 11 so as to raise and hold the discs 11 out of contact with the disc 12
until recesses 13* in the discs 12× come opposite to the disc 11x which recesses
allow the discs 11 to descend on to the discs 12 and remain in contact until
the wrapper is carried into position to be gripped by the gripping device 14. 15.
The mould wheel 13 is fast on a shaft 16 and is provided with any desired
number (six shewn in the drawing) of recesses or mould boxes 17 in which the
packets are formed.
On this shaft 16 is also keyed a plate 18 Figures 1, 3 and 5 having therein a
series of notches 19 corresponding in number to the number of mould boxes in the
mould wheel 13. With the notches 19 are caused to engage at the required periods
a roller 20 to retain the mould wheel stationary while a packet is being formed,
the said roller being carried on an arm or lever 21 mounted on a stud 22 on the
main frame 3. The lever or arm 21 has a tail piece 23 see Figure 3 on which a
friction bowl 24 on a cam 27 acts so as to raise the roller out of engagement with
a notch in the plate or disc 18 at the required periods.
When the roller 20 is raised out of engagement with the notched plate or disc
another friction bowl 26 carried on the cam 27 enters one of the said notches and
by the rotation of the cam 27 imparts to the mould wheel a motion of partial rota-
tion equal to the distance between two mould boxes.
The mould boxes 17 which may be square or of any other rectangular form each
consists of a bottom 28 and two sides 29 and 30 as is clearly shewn in Figures 15
and 16, one of the sides namely 30 being formed by a fixed part, extending to only
part of the depth of the mould, and a removable part 31, which when in position
completes the said side of the mould box; but if desired the whole of one side may
be removable as shown by Figure 19. This moveable side or part movable side
may be the forward side, as shewn in Figures 15, 20, 21, 22 and 23 or it may be
the rear side as shown in Figures 19, 24, 25, 26 and 27, according to the arrange-
ment of the folders. The wrapper gripping device 14. 15 is mounted on a spindle 32
the part 14 having an arm 33 carrying a friction bowl 34 which is acted upon by a
cam 35 on the main shaft 1. The part 15 of this gripping device is also provided
with an arm 36 carrying a friction bowl 37 acted on by a cam 38 ou the main
shaft,

page_text: The gripping face of the part 14 of the gripping device is normally held in position
level with the outer edge of the mould box and the part 15 is normally at a short
distance above it as shown in Figure 6.
The cams 35. 38 which operate the parts 14 and 15 are timed so that when a
wrapper is brought by the discs 11 and 12 into position over a mould box the
part 15 is caused to descend and grip the two opposite edges of the wrapper between
the parts 14 and 15 and then both parts are caused to descend and carry the
wrapper to the bottom of the mould box as shewn in Figure 7.
In order to prevent
the wrapper from creasing or tearing when entering the mould box the forward
side of the mould box when in position to receive the wrapper is temporarily
prolonged by projections 39 carried by rods 40. fitted to slide longitudinally in
sockets 41 (Figure 11) secured to the main frame 3. The rear side of the mould
box is also temporarily prolonged by projections 41* carried on the forward end or
extension of the trough 5 along which the wrappers travel. These rear side
extensions 41* are clearly shown in Figures 34, 36 and 37 and may be permanently
fixed in position, but the forward side extension 39 are arranged to retire auto-
matically after the paper has been pressed down into the mould box so as to allow
of the next forward movement of the mould wheel.
The charges of material, (which we will assume to be tobacco) to be enclosed
in the wrappers, after being weighed, are placed in buckets or conveyors 42 on an
endless band or chain 43 (see Figure 3) carried on pitch wheels 44 and driven by a
chain 45 and the gearing 10 which also operates the wrapper feeding device herein-
before referred to. The separate charges of tobacco are discharged from the
buckets 42 at suitable intervals into the hopper 46 the bottom 47 of which is move-
able and constitutes also a pusher plate for feeding the tobacco onto the wrappers
in the mould boxes. This moveable bottom 47 is carried on a frame 48 mounted
on a shaft 49 and is operated at the requisite periods by a cam 65 acting on a
friction bowl 65* carried on an arm 66* fast on the shaft 49. The tobacco on
leaving the buckets falls on to and rests on the top or upper surface of the moveable
bottom or pusher plate 47 as shewn in Figures 7 and 8 after which the said pusher
plate is moved outwards into the position shewn in Figure 6 thereby allowing the
tobacco to fall from the hopper on to a plate 49* below. The pusher plate 47 then
advances into the forward position shewn in Figure 7 and in its movement pushes
the tobacco towards a hinged plate 51 which at this stage is moved into the position
shewn in Figure 7 by an arm 52 on the frame 48 acting on a lever 53 fast on the
spindle or hinge pin of the plate 51 as shewn in Figure 9. A plunger 54 is then
caused to descend and force the tobacco through the aperture formed between the
edges of the plate 49* and the plate 51 into the wrapper in the mould box beneath.
This plunger 54 is carried by an arm or lever 56, mounted on a shaft 57 on which
shaft is also mounted an arm 58 see Figure 4 having at its outer end a curved
slot 59 to which is connected by a rod 60 another arm 61 mounted on a stud 62 on
the main frame 3.
The arm 61 carries a friction bowl 63 fitting a groove 64 in a face cam 65 on
the main shaft so that by the rotation of the cam 65 the plunger 54 receives its
rising and descending motions the extent of its downward movement being varied
as desired by adjusting the position of the end of the connecting rod 60 in the
curved slot 59 so as to cause the plunger to compress more or less as required the
tobacco in the mould box. When the plunger 54 is in its highest position a rotary
brush 55 is caused to operate on it so as to brush off any tobacco that may be
clinging to it. The brush 55 is carried in a frame 66 Figures 1, 4 and 5 which is
attached to the main frame and carries a spindle 67 joined to an arm 68 which
carries another frame 69 on which is mounted the spindle 70 carrying on one end
the rotary brush 55. On the other end of this spindle 70 is a pinion 71 in gear
with a wheel 72 (see Figure 4) driven from a wheel 74 on the main shaft 1 through
an intermediate gear wheel 73. The frame 69 is pivotted at 75 to the arm 68 so.
that the brush 55 may be raised or lowered as required by means of a set screw 76
to allow for wear. On the spindle 67 is an arm 77 provided with a roller 78

page_text: bearing against a face cam 79 fast on the main shaft I this cam 79 being so timed
as to give to the brush 55 a sideway motion into and out of contact with the
plunger 54 at the proper times. After the tobacco has been pressed in the mould
box by the plunger 54 the grippers 14. 15 separate and release the wrapper and
the mould wheel then makes a partial rotation bringing the next mould box into
position to receive the charge of tobacco the one previously charged being moved
into the next position in which position the charge of tobacco is pressed at the
ends by projections or plungers 80 carried by the spindles 40. These projections
or plungers are caused to advance and enter each end of the wrapper so as to
compress between them the tobacco end wise and serve also as supports over which
the wrapper is folded to form the creases or folds in the wrapper at the angles of
the packet. The plungers 80 are tapered or chamfered at their front ends to
facilitate their entrance into the wrapper and are moved forward and backward at
the proper times by double armed levers 81 centred at 82 to the main frame 3 and
acted upon by cams 83 fast on a shaft 84 which carries the discs 12 of the wrapper
gripping device herein before described.
While these plungers are in the forward position the wrapper is folded over them
by folders 85, 86, 87, 88 which operate in sequential order as indicated in Figures 6,
7, 8 and 9. The folders 85 are first raised from the position shewn in Figure 7
into the position as shewn in Figure 6 by the action of a cam 89 (Figures 2 and 4)
on the main shaft 1 acting on a friction bowl 89* on an arm 90x fast on a shaft 91*
carrying the said folders which folders lift the rear edge of the wrapper into the
position shewn in Figure 6 whereupon the second folder 86 which is actuated by the
cain 27 on the main shaft 1 operating on a friction bowl 27* on an arm 28* fast on the
spindle 29* on which the said folder is mounted. This folder engages the said raised
edge of the wrapper and presses it over and down on to the tobacco in the mould box
and over the plungers 80 as shewn in Figures 7 and 21. The movable portion 31 of
the leading side of the mould box is now moved outward by an arm 91 acting on an
inclined projection on the said moveable side and operated by a cam 92 on the
main shaft (see Figure 5) after which the folder 87 mounted on the shaft 87* is
caused to descend by a cam 88* on the shaft 84 acting on a lever 89* so as to fold
the overlapping edge 93 of the wrapper (see Figures 7 and 22) against the leading
side of the charge of tobacco in the mould box. The folder 87 then rises again so
as to admit of the moveable side 31 of the mould box being returned under the
action of a spring 94 to its normal position to complete the mould box. The move-
able side 31 in returning to its position, presses the portion 95 of the wrapper against
the part 93 as shewn in Figures 8, 9, 22 and 23, after which the folder 88 is, by a
cam 95* on the main shaft 1 acting on the lever 96*, caused (see Figure 9) to move
forward (the folder 86 having in the meantime been raised into the position shewn
in Figures 9 and 23) and fold or wipe the projecting end of the portion 95 of the
wrapper onto the top of the charge of tobacco in the mould box the charge being
thus enclosed on its four sides with the wrapper. The mould wheel 13 is now
caused to make a further partial rotation thereby bringing this partially formed
packet into position to have the ends folded, another of the mould boxes containing
a wrapper and charge of tobacco being brought into position to be operated on as
last described, whilst another of the mould boxes is also brought into position to
receive a wrapper and a charge of tobacco.
Partially surrounding the mould wheel 13 and in close proximity thereto is a
plate 96 Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9 which serves to retain the wrapper in its folded
position while the ends are being folded and to support the packet until it is ejected
from the mould box.
The fingers or folders by which the ends of the packet are turned in or folded
are shewn in Figures 28 and 29 and drawn to a larger scale in Figures 30, 31, 32
and 33.
On a stud or spindle 97 is secured a frame 98 (Figures 28 and 29) carrying
the two folders or fingers 99 which form the first fold 99* Figure 41 on each
end of the packet. These fingers 99 turn in bearings 100 in the said frame 98

page_text: and are geared together by toothed segments 101 so as to operate simultaneously.
On the spindle of one of these fingers is fixed an additional toothed segment 102
which may be formed in one with the segment 101. The frame 98 together
with the fingers 99 are capable of rocking with the spindle 97. The rocking
motion of the frame is effected by the cam 25 on the main shaft 1 acting on a
friction bowl 90 on an arm 103 fast on the spindle 97, the cam being suitably
timed to bring the fingers at the requisite time into the position shewn in Figure 6
to act on the projecting ends of the wrapper the fingers being all in their open
positions. The frame 98 being in the position shewn in Figure 6 a cam 104 on
the main shaft 1 acting on an arm 105 imparts through the said arm a motion of
partial rotation to a sleeve 106 on the shaft or stud 97 (see Figures 28 and 29) on
which sleeve is keyed a segmental rack 107 which gears with the curved rack 102
on the spindle of one of the fingers 99. A partial rotation is thus given to these
fingers 99 so as to make the first fold in each projecting end of the wrapper.
The edge 107* of each of the fingers 99 is in line with the axis on which the finger
turns.
An important feature of this invention consists in making the blades of the
fingers 99 concave as shewn in Figure 30 so that the sides or edges 108 of the blade
first come into contact with the wrapper and as the blade continues to close against.
the packet the portion of the wrapper between the edges 108 is free to bulge into
the concavity as represented by dotted lines at 109 Figure 30 whereby a neater
and more accurate fold is produced than can be depended upon with a flat finger
blade.
The next two folds 99** Figure 41 in each of the opposite ends of the wrapper
are simultaneously effected by fingers 110, 111, 112 and 113. These fingers are
fitted to turn in bearings in the frame 98 and are geared together in pairs by toothed
segments 114 (Figures 2 and 29) the spindle of one of each pair of these fingers
being provided with an additional toothed segment 115 by which the two pairs of
fingers are geared together. Fast on the stem or spindle of one of the fingers is an
arm 116 connected by a rod 117 to an arm 118 keyed on a sleeve 119 fitted to turn
on the sleeve 106 by which the fingers 99 are operated. On the sleeve 119 is also
keyed an arm 120 which is acted on by a cam 121 on the main shaft 1 and suitably
timed to cause these fingers to act immediately after the fingers 99 have made the
first folds at each end of the packet.
The faces of the fingers 110, 111, 112, 113 are concave as shewn at 122 sec
Figures 31 and 32 and the ends 123 are shaped as shewn in Figures 31 and 32
to fold the wrapper so as to form the final tab 124 as shewn in Figures 8
and 10.
The edge 125 of each finger is coincident or in line with the axis of the spindle
on which it turns.
The tabs 124 formed by the fingers last described are folded onto the ends of the
packet by two other fingers 126 mounted in bearings 127 in a frame 128
(Figures 28 & 29) secured to the main frames 3 as shewn in Figure 2.
On a stud 129 secured to this frame is mounted a segmental rack 130 and pro-
jecting from the boss of this rack is an arm 131 provided with a friction bowl 132
which is acted on by a cam 133 (Figure 1) on the main shaft 1 so as to impart to
the rack 130 partial rotation on the stud 129.
The rack 130 is in gear with a rack 134 on a boss keyed to the spindle of one of
the fingers 126 on which hoss is another rack 135* gearing with a similar rack 136*
fast on the spindle of the other finger 126 so that the two fingers 126 operate
together. The cam 133 is so timed that so soon as the folds 99** have been made
by the fingers 110, 111, 112 and 113 the segment 130 is caused to turn on the
stud 129 and impart through the gearing 134, 135*, 136* a motion of partial
rotation to both fingers 126 so as to fold the tabs 124 against the ends 123 of the
fingers 112, 113 thereby flattening and securing the shape of the tabs 121 as shewn
in Figures 8 and 10 after which the frame 98 carrying the fingers 112, 113 retire
to the position shewn in Figure 9 and the fingers 126 are then further rotated so as

page_text: to close the tabs 124 onto the ends of the packet. The packet is thus completed
and while the mould wheel is making the next partial rotation to bring the next
mould box containing a charge into position for packing, the fingers 126 open out
in readiness to operate thereon. The curved plate 96 which partially surrounds the
mould wheel has at each of its edges parallel to the ends of the packets and
extending inwards, flanges or lips 135 as shewn in Figures 6 and 7 the object of
which flanges is to prevent the last fold in the ends of the packet from opening out
while the mould wheel is making the next partial rotation which bring the com-
pleted packet into position to have the ends of the packet indented so as to prevent
the folds from opening out. The ends of the packet are indented by means of
two punchers or plungers 136 and 137 mounted on a spindle 138 capable of sliding
longitudinally in bearings on the frame 3 of the machine. The faces of these
plungers are of the size and shape of the indentation required. The plunger 136 is
fixed on the spindle but the plunger 137 is on a sleeve 137* free to slide along the
spindle. Both these plungers receive their respective motions from a compound
crank 139, on a spindle 140 mounted in a frame 141 secured to the main frames 3.
A sleeve 142 encloses the spindle 140 and carries two arms 143 and 144. The
arm 144 is connected by a rod 14 to a lever 146 on a shaft 146* and actuated by
the cam 65 on the main shaft 1 in which cam works a bowl 147* carried on a
lever 148* fast on the said shaft 146*. The compound crank 139 has projecting
therefrom a quadrant 148 having therein a slot 149 with which engages a stud 150
on the arm 143 and which projects through said quadrant for the purpose herein-
after described. A connecting rod 151 on one of the crank pins of the compound
crank connects the crank to the spindle 138. Another connecting rod 152 on the
other crank pin of the compound crank connects the said crank to the sleeve 137*.
These crank pins are directly opposite each other so that the connecting rod 145
being moved in the direction shewn by the arrow Figure 3 and the stud 150 being
secured by a nut in position in the quadrant 148 as shewn in Figure 5 the compound
crank will make a partial rotation causing the plunger 137 to be pushed outward
from the compound crank and the spindle 138 to be drawn in with the plunger 136
toward the crank, the packet in the mould box situated between the plungers being
thus indented by the front ends of the said plungers. The cam 65 Figure 2 will
then move the connecting rod 145 in the reverse direction and so through the com-
pound crank separate the plunger 136 and 137. The amount of compression exerted
by the plungers can be altered by adjusting the position of the stud 150 in the
quadrant 148.
The arm 143 on the sleeve 142 is extended and secured to one end of a stud 153-
the other end of the said stud 153 being connected to a lever or arm 154 which
causes an ejector 155 to push the completed packet out of the mould box. This
ejector though driven from the same scurce as the plungers 136 and 137 is not
affected by any alteration in the adjustment of the compression. The packets when
ejected from the mould boxes fall onto an endless band 156 by which they are
carried out of the machine.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is:-
1. In a machine for wrapping tobacco and similar articles in packets of rect-
angular form the combination with mould boxes or recesses in which the packets
are formed of means for feeding wrappers into position in the mould boxes to receive
the tobacco or the like and mechanism for feeding the tobacco or the like into and
pressing it in the mould boxes substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated
by the drawings.
2. In a machine for forming rectangular packets of tobacco or other materials
the combination with mould boxes in which the packets are formed and means
for feeding to the mould boxes the material to be packed, of a plunger for
pressing the material in the mould boxes, a rotary brush for cleaning the

page_text: plunger, and means for operating the said brush substantiany as nerembefore
described.
3. In a machine for forming rectangular packets of tobacco and other material
the combination with mould boxes in which the packets are formed, of an endless
band or chain carrying propellers or attachments by which the wrappers, in which
the material is to be enclosed, are traversed into position to be engaged by a
gripping device which propels the wrappers into position to receive the material to
be packed, substantially as herein before described.
4. In a machine for forming rectangular packets of tobacco or other materials,
the combination with mould boxes in which the puckets are formed, of an endless
band or chain carrying propellers or attachments for feeding the wrappers into the
machine, gripping discs 11 and 12 which receive the wrappers from the chain of
propellers, and convey them into position over the mould boxes, discs 11 and 12×
for releasing the wrappers from the gripping disc 11 and 12 the gripping
device 14. 15 which retain the wrappers in position over the mould boxes and press
them into the said mould boxes, and means for operating the wrapper feeding and
gripping devices substantially as herein before described.
5. In a machine for forming rectangular packets of tobacco or other materials a
wheel having recesses or mould boxes in the periphery each mould box having one
of its sides movable in combination with means for moving the said movable side or
part of side away from the mould box and returning it into position again substan-
tially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described:
6. In a machine for forming rectangular packets of tobacco or other materials
the combination with mould boxes in which the packets are formed of movable
plates or projections (39) for temporarily extending the front sides of the mould
boxes, the said temporary extensions serving to support the ends of the wrappers
while being pressed into the mould boxes substantially as hereinbefore described.
7. In a machine for forming rectangular packets of tobacco or other materials
movable bars blocks or plungers (80) for compressing the material endways in the
mould boxes, round which bars blocks or plungers the wrappers are pressed so as to
crease them to form the angles of the packets substantially as hereinbefore
described.
8. In a machine for forming rectangular packets of tobacco or other materials,
the combination with mould boxes in which the packets are formed, and plungers 80
which press the material endways in the mould boxes, of folding fingers 85, 86,
87 and 88 operated substantially as described so as to fold the wrappers round
the material in the mould boxes and round the plungers 80 substantially as
hereinbefore described.
9. In a machine for forming rectangular packets of tobacco or other materials
mould boxes each having a movable side or portion of a side to admit of the
wrapper being folded onto the partially formed packet in the mould box substan-
tially as herein before described.
10. In a machine for forming rectangular packets of tobacco or other materials
the combination with mould boxes in which the packets are formed, each mould
box having a moveable side or part side to admit of fingers acting to fold the
wrappers round the material in the mould boxes and means substantially as
described for placing in the mould boxes the wrappers in which the material is to
be enclosed, means for feeding the material into the mould boxes and fingers or
folders for folding the wrappers round the material contained in the mould boxes,
the whole being operated substantially as herein before described.
11. In a machine for forming rectangular packets of tobacco or other materials
the combination with means for feeding wrappers and the material to be enclosed
thereby, into mould boxes in which the packets are formed, and fingers or folders for
folding the wrappers round the material, of fingers 99, 110, 111, 112, 113, and 126
for folding the ends of the packets the said fingers being geared together as
described so as to fold both ends of a packet simultaneously and means for operating
the fingers substantially as hereinbefore described.
B

page_text: 12. In a machine for forming rectangular packets of tobacco and other materials
the fingers (99) which make the first fold in the ends of the packet having concaves
to admit of the wrappers bulging when making the folds substantially as herein-
before described.
13. In a machine for forming rectangular packets of tobacco or other materials
providing the fingers (110, 111, 112, 113) which make the second folds in the ends
of the packet with flat surface against which the tabs which form the last fold are
pressed and flattened by the fingers 126 before the said tabs are folded onto the
packet substantially as hereinbefore described.
14. The fingers 126 for folding the last tabs (formed by the fingers 110, 111,
112, 113) against the ends of the packet, and means for operating the said fingers
so as to cause them to first flatten the tabs against the fingers 110, 111, 112, 113
and afterwards to fold the said tabs against the ends of the packets substantially as
hereinbefore described.
15. In a machine for forming rectangular packets of tobacco or other material
the combination with a mould wheel containing mould boxes in which the packets
are formed of a plate (96) partially surrounding the mould wheel to retain the
packets in the mould boxes until they come into position to be ejected substantially
as hereinbefore described.
16. In a machine for forming rectangular packets of tobacco and other materials
the combination with a wheel having recesses or mould boxes in the periphery in
which the packets are formed, of a curved plate partially surrounding the mould
box wheel, and having flanges at the edges to retain the packets in the mould boxes
to prevent the end folds in the packet from becoming unfolded substantially as
hereinbefore described.
17. In a machine for forming rectangular packets of tobacco and other materials
the combination of a wheel (13) having recesses or mould boxes therein, in which
the packets are formed, an endless band or chain (6) carrying propellers (7) for
feeding into the machine the wrappers in which the material is to be enclosed,
gripping discs (11 and 12) for conveying the wrappers from the propellers into
position over the mould boxes, means for releasing at the required periods the
wrappers from the grip of the discs, a gripping device (14. 15) for pressing the
wrappers into the mould boxes, an endless chain of buckets (42) for conveying
the charges of material into a hopper (46) provided with a removable bottom or
sliding plate (47) which temporarily supports a charge of material and then pushes
it into a mould box, a plunger (54) for pressing the material down in the mould
boxes, bars or plates (39 and 41×) forming temporary extensions to the front and
rear sides of the mould boxes, while the wrappers and material are being pressed
therein, plungers (80) for compressing the material end wise in the mould boxes,
and for forming a temporary support round which the wrappers are folded to form
the creases at the angles of the packets, fingers or folders (85, 86, 87, 88) for
folding the wrappers round the material, curved plate (96) for retaining the packets
in the mould boxes, fingers or folders (99, 110, 111, 112, 113 and 126) for forming
the end folds in the wrappers and pressing them against the ends of the packets,
sides or flanges 135 on the curved plate 96 for the purpose of retaining the folds in
the ends of the packets, plungers or creasers (136, 137) for indenting the ends of
the packets for the purpose of securing the folds therein; an ejector 155 for
forcing the finished packets from the mould boxes, and means for imparting to the
several parts their necessary movements substantially as hereinbefore described.
Dated this 5th day of August 1892.
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
Agents.