Machine for Branding or Marking Cigars.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 20th May, 1897-Accepted, 17th July, 1897
Machine for Branding or Marking Cigars.
1, NAPOLEON DU BRUL, of 165-169 East Pearl Street, Cincinnati, in the County
of Hamilton and State of Ohio, United States of America, Manufacturer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My invention relates to a machine which will receive cigars and pass them
successively to a branding or equivalent marking device, and then deliver said
cigars from the machine.
The primary object of my said invention is to produce a machine of simple
durable and efficient construction which will act with accuracy in performing
its several functions.
Another object is to employ a single cylinder having peripheral pockets which
will select the cigars one at a time from the point at which they are presented
to the machine, then pass them successively to the branding device and afford
rigid support for them as the brand is applied and finally deliver them from the
machine.
Another object is to provide the machine with a brake or retarding device which
will prevent racing beyond the point to which it is positively moved.
Another object of my said invention is to provide means for justifying the
position of each pocket with its contained cigar beneath the branding device, so
that the brand will be applied at the proper point to insure a full imprint, and
void breaking the wrapper by striking sidewise.
Another object is to provide means for accurately adjusting the branding device
vertically, and thereby repeating at will the branding pressure.
A further object is to provide a laterally adjustable chute by which the cigars
are presented to the cylinder, which chute is adapted by its lateral adjustment
to deliver cigars of different sizes and shapes, upon the cylinder in such a position
that each will receive the imprint at the desired point.
I accomplish the several objects of my invention in the manner and by the
means substantially as hereinafter described, and my invention consists in such
noel features as are hereinafter defined by the claims.
In the accompanying drawings:
Figure is an elevation of the right hand end of a branding machine constructed
in accordance with my present invention.
Figure 2 is a similar view of the opposite end, the lower parts of the frame being
broken away.
Figure 3 is a front elevation, the lateral adjustability of the feed chute being
indicated by dotted lines.
Figure 4 is a rear elevation.
Figures 5 to 9 illustrate the construction of the branding device, Figure 5 being
a bottom view, Figure 6 a vertical axial section, Figure 7 a section on line 7,
7 Figure 6, Figure 8 a section on line 8, 8 Figure 5, and Figure 9 a section on
line 9 Q Figure 5.

page_text: Figure 10 is a horizontal section through parts of machine, the plane of section
being indicated by the line 10, 10, Figures 2 and 4.
Any suitable support may be employed for my improved machine. For purpose
of illustrating, I have shown a common form of frame 1. For the sake of stability
and to afford good mounting for the parts, I prefer to surmount this frame by a
metallic plate or table 2, upon which may be secured the ordinary cigar maker's
table 3.
4 represents a cylinder projecting through the plate 2 and table 3, or other
equivalent part, and formed with peripheral pockets 5 of size and shape suitable
to receive and hold cigars which may be fed to said cylinder by means of an
inclined chute 6 suitably mounted on the table. The chute 6 is preferably mounted
to slide laterally on the table and provided with a clamp 7 whose set screw 7* may
be employed to lock it at any adjustment. Owing to the many shapes and lengths
of cigars, this is very desirable, for it is desirable to press the brand at or above
the thickest part of the cigar to get a complete impression.
10 is the branding device carried by a plunger 9 which reciprocates in a direction
radial to the cylinder. The branding device is constructed of a cylindrical body 10°
and tapering end 11 which may be fitted with a nut 12 to secure it adjustable in
the slotted end of plunger 9 and which tapered end 11 will receive a tube to supply
a heating agent. Said end is also perforated at 13 to admit air and the cylindrical
body forms a mixing chamber from which the mixed gas and air escape through
aperatures 14, on opposite sides of the branding form 15. Said form is made up
of removable type 16 from which may be composed any distinguishing mark to
be applied to the cigars and said type are dovetailed to fit in the undercut groove 17
of the branding device, where they are confined at either end by blanks 18. Said
blank may be held by a binding-screw 19 which impinges on the bottom of the
groove and binds said blank in the undercut groove, as shown at the inner end,
or they may be constructed like the outer retaining blank 18 with an opening
in which fits an expanding screw 19" adapted to be turned by a key 19b, and
screwed into the blank to expand it into binding contact with the walls of the slot.
The branding device may carry a shield or hood 20.
I provide for adjustment of the branding device to a nicety, by means of a
screw 8 having shouldered bearing in an open seat 9" on the plunger 9, and screw-
threaded in the cylindrical body 10 or other convenient portion of the branding
device, as shown in Figures 5 and 6.
21, 22 represent two hangers depending from the plate 2, and affording bearing
for the shaft 23 of cylinder 4.
Hanger 21 has a projection 24 which carries a spring or shoe 25, secured to said
projection at 26 and carrying at its opposite end a friction facing 25 which is
adapted to be pressed against the inner face of the rim of cylinder 4; said
cylinder is thereby prevented from racing or moving by its own momentum further
than it may be positively moved at any time.
A ratchet wheel 27 fixed on cylinder 4 is engaged by a spring-pressed pawl 28
on a lever 29 which is fulcrumed at 30 and connected by pitmen 31 with a cam 32
on a power-shaft 33. Said shaft 33 may be rotated by any suitable means such
as band wheel 4, or by pedals 35 having connection 36 with crank-bend 37 in
said power-shaft, and when so rotated each revolution causes the cam 32 to raise
lever 29 and move ratchet wheel 27 a distance sufficient to move a pocket 5 in
cylinder 4, squarely beneath the branding device.
A step-by-step feeding movement of the cylinder is thereby accomplished.
For simplicity of construction, the hanger 22 is made to serve the additional
purpose of affording a bearing for plunger 9, and for this purpose said plunger
is made dovetailed in cross section and the hanger is provided with an under-cut
channel 38, as shown in Figure 10. But other equivalent means may be adopted
to afford sliding connection between these parts. Said channel 38 has a bearing
plate 38 adjustable by screws 38 to take up wear of the parts.

page_text: Vertical reciprocation is imparted to plunger 9 by means of the lever 29, the
outer end of which is connected to said plunger by a link 39 and wrist pin 40.
It will be observed that the branding device is raised as the cylinder is fed
forward the movement of one being completed slightly in advance of the other.
As the cylinder 4 comes to rest, the slight remaining motion of the plunger is
employed to advantage to bring a justifying stop 41, carried on the lower end of
the plunger, into a pocket of the cylinder. This stop corresponds substantially
in size and shape to the pockets, and it insures the arrest of the cylinder just at
the proper point. The brake 25 may be adjusted at will to prevent movement of
the cylinder out of reach of the justifying stop, and it is only necessary for the
stop to strike within the driving rib between two pockets when it will accurately
center the cigar in the diametrically opposite pocket accurately beneath the
branding form.
A machine constructed as above described is simple and durable in construction,
necessarily accurate in its work whether running slowly or fast, and is conveniently
adjusted to suit different styles of cigars. The cylinder affords a holder and con-
veyer for the cigars, which is under control of a brake and a rectifying or justifying
stop. I do not however confine myself to the precise details of these parts.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. A cigar-branding device comprising a single cylinder having integral
peripheral pockets which receive and convey cigars to be branded, a suitable
branding device, and means for operating the parts substantially in the manner
explained and for the purpose set forth.
2. A cigar-branding device comprising a conveyer having pockets for receiving
and holding cigars, means for branding the cigars, and a brake for retarding
the conveyer, substantially as set forth.
3. A cigar-branding device comprising a cylinder formed with peripheral
pockets, means for imparting an intermittent progressive movement to said
cylinder, and a brake shoe bearing upon the inner face of the rim of said cylinder,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
4 In a cigar-branding machine the combination of the table, a hanger de-
pending from said table, a cylinder of substantially the character described sup-
ported in said hanger, and a projection on said hanger carrying a brake shoe
working on the inner face of said cylinder's rim, substantially as and for the
purpose explained.
5. In a cigar-branding device, the combination of the conveying cylinder, and
means for moving the same substantially as described, an arm projecting within
the cylinder, a spring brake shoe secured to said arm and bearing against the inner
face of the cylinder, and means for adjusting said spring brake shoe, as and for
the purpose set forth.
1
6. In a cigar-branding machine, the combination of the conveyer cylinder, means
for operating said conveyer cylinder, a brake for retarding said cylinder, and a
justifying stop for correcting the position of the cylinder, substantially as
explained.
7. In a cigar-branding machine, the combination of a suitable branding device,
means for conveying the cigars to said branding device, and a justifying stop for
insuring the accuracy of the position of the means which conveys the cigars to
the branding device, substantially as explained.
8. In a branding machine, the combination of the reciprocating branding
device, the cylinder having peripheral pockets which receive and convey the cigars
to said branding device, and a justifying stop formed to fit in one of said pockets
and to fix the cylinder accurately in position, as explained.
9. In a cigar-branding machine, the combination of a cylinder having peripheral
pockets, a branding device, a plunger carrying said branding device, and a

page_text: .
justifying stop moved by said plunger into one of the puckets of the cylinder, as
the branding device is raised whereby the cylinder is fixed in proper position
previous to the descent of the branding device, substantially as explained.
10. In a cigar-branding device the combination of a suitable conveyer for the
cigars, formed with pockets, a branding device, a reciprocating plunger upon
which said branding device is carried, a guide in which said plunger works, and
a justifying stop projecting from the lower end of said plunger and adapted to be
moved thereby into one of the pockets to correct the position of the conveyer, as
explained.
11. In a cigar-branding machine, the combination of a cylinder having
peripheral pockets, a reciprocating plunger working diametrically across one end
of said cylinder and carrying at its respective ends a branding device and a
justfying stop which are moved alternately into said pockets to correct the position
of the cylinder and to brand the cigar, a lever fulcrumed upon the machine and
having connections with said plunger, and a power-shaft having connection for
oscillating said lever, as explained.
12. In a cigar-branding machine, the combination of the cylinder having
peripheral pockets and being provided with a ratchet wheel, the plunger mounted
in a suitable guide and provided with a branding device adapted to be pressed
upon cigars in the pockets of the cylinder, a lever suitably fulcrumed upon the
machine and having connection with the plunger, a pawl carried by said lever
and engaging the ratchet on the cylinder, a power shaft, and connection between
said power-shaft and the lever whereby the latter is oscillated, substantially as
herein set forth.
13. In a cigar-branding machine, the combination of a suitable conveyer for
the cigars, a branding device beneath which the cigars are moved by said con-
veyer, a plunger for moving said branding device to and from the cigars, and a
guide for said plunger provided with an adjustable bearing plate and means for
adjusting said bearing plate against the side of the plunger to compensate for
wear of the parts and to retain the plunger in accurate position, substantially as
explained.
14. In a cigar-branding device, the combination of the plunger, a branding
device mounted upon said plunger by means which permits it to move vertically
and an adjusting screw for moving the branding device upon said plunger which
screw has a fixed bearing in one of said parts and a threaded bearing in the other
of said parts, substantially as herein explained.
Dated this 24th day of inmil 1807