Process and Apparatus for Making Cigar Fillers and Bunches.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Oct., 1892-Accepted, 10th Dec., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Process and Apparatus for Making Cigar Fillers and Bunches.
I, FREDRICK CHARLES MILLER residing at Newport, in the State of Kentucky,
and United States of America Manufacturer of Cigar Machinery do hereby
declare the nature of my invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
The object of my invention is to provide convenient mechanism for manufacturing
cigar bunches of long fillers, which are sized by an attendant and placed in
position for being operated on by the machine which forms them approximately to
the required shape and delivers them to a rolling apron upon which a suitable
binder is placed in position to receive the filler and to be wrapped thereon by the
rolling apron. The bunch thus formed is delivered to a bunch receiver from which
it is discharged into one of a series of matrices in a many chambered mould which
has a step-by-step movement to bring the matrices successively into position to
receive the bunches.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure I is a top or plan view of a machine illustrating the invention having a
rotary filler carrier with mould cavities approximating in form to cigar bunches.
Figure II is a side elevation of the same.
Figure III is a front view thereof.
Figure IV is a detail plan view of the supporting bed or table hereinafter
described.
Figure V is a detail vertical section of the revolving filler carrier and the fixed
bed over which it works.
Figure VI is a top or plan view of a machine of modified form, also embodying
my invention, constructed with a reciprocating filler carrier.
Figure VII is a side elevation of the same, partly in section.
Figure VIII is a top or plan view of another modification.
Figure IX is a side elevation of the same, partly in section.
Figure X is a top or plan view of another modification of the device shown in
Figure VI.
Figure XI is a side elevation of the same.
Figure XII is a top or plan view of another modification of the device shown in
Figure VI.
Figure XIII is a side elevation of the same.
Figure XIV is a top or plan view of another modification of a portion of a
machine embodying my invention.
Figure XV is an elevation of the same, partly in section.
My improved machine under its various modifications is constructed with a filler
carrier either movable or stationary, having one or more pockets approximately of
the shape of a cigar bunch, extending completely through it.
Also with a
supporting bed or table which is stationary when the filler carrier is movable or
vice versa, the object being to move one relatively to the other, and the supporting
bed is provided with a single aperture with which the pocket in the filler carrier is
made to register, (or the successive pockets when there are more than one) when
the pocketed filler carrier is moved over the bed or the bed beneath the filler
carrier, and so that the supporting bed forms a bottom for the pocket or pockets in
the carrier when not in register with the aperture in the bed.
In the form of machine represented in Figures I to V, inclusive the filler carrier A
is provided with a concentric series of pockets a and has an intermittent or step-by-
step rotary movement over a fixed bed B.

page_text: My invention is not limited to a specific form of operating mechanism nor
absolutely to a particular form of bunch rolling mechanism." The operating
mechanism here represented consists of a main operating shaft C, preferably driven
by a clutch pulley C¹ and carrying cam wheels G, H, I, J, K. The cam wheel G
imparts oscillating motion to a pair of levers E, E which are mounted upon a
common shaft e and one of which, E, engages with a cam groove g of suitable form
in the wheel G, as shown in Figure II. The upper ends of the levers E, E' carry
horizontal arms or links D; D, connected at their extremities by a cross bar Son
which is mounted a pawl s, held by a tension spring ¹ in engagement with a ratchet
wheel a beneath the rotating table or filler carrier A and fixed thereto. The
ratchet wheel a* has teeth equal in number to the pockets a in the carrier A so that
the oscillation of the levers E, E' will impart a step-by-step rotation to the said
table equal at each movement, to the distance between the pockets or apertures a
therein, so that each forward movement of the lever brings one of the pockets in the.
filler carrier in position for filling. The tension spring s permits the pawls to slip
easily over the backs of the teeth in the back stroke.
In order to secure an accurate and positive movement of the filler carrier, so that
at each stroke one of the pockets therein will be brought exactly over the discharge
aperture 6 in the fixed bed B a V-shaped brake-spring 3 is provided, supported by
the fixed bed or table B and bearing against the side of the rotary carrier A with
friction regulated by a screw 3ª, thus preventing any backward movement of the
carrier or any forward momentum to carry it beyond the point to which it is moved
by the positive action of the pawl s.
In operation a box 7, shown in dotted lines in Figure I is placed on one side of
the filler carrier A, in which box is placed the filler tobacco. An attendant gathers
and sizes the fillers and places them in the successive pockets a. Each stroke of the
b
levers E, E, rotates the carrier A so as to bring one of the filled pockets a over
the aperture in the bed and beneath a plunger F which now descends discharging
the filler and depositing it upon the binder, which is in proper position upon the
rolling apron 9.
The movement of the plunger F¹ is effected by the cam wheel H through the
medium of a bell-crank lever 31 link 32 and vertical slide 33 carrying an arm 34
on which said plunger F is mounted. The rolling apron 9 is supported by a
suitably formed table P and is attached at its ends to levers 74 and 91. The
lever 74 is actuated by the cam wheel I and the lever 91 by the rocking cam I';
these cam surfaces being so formed as to tighten and slacken the apron at the proper
times to form a bight or pocket to receive the filler and to permit the operation of
the intermediate rolling lever 42 which by means of a roller or bar on its extremity
carries the bight of the apron tightly over the filler and rolls it over the convex
surface of the table P wrapping the binder tightly around it and forming it into a
bunch. The finished bunch is then discharged at the edge of the rolling table in
customary manner. The rolling lever 42 is operated by a suitably formed cani
wheel J the levers 74 and 42, being held in contact with their cam wheels by tension
springs and respectively.
From the rolling apron the bunch is delivered to a bunch receiver L which is
preferably mounted on a vertical shaft L' rotated by a pinion by the operation
of a segment rack m, upon an arm m' which is fulcrumed at m² and has a stud m³
projecting into a suitably formed cam slot in the periphery of the cam wheel K,
the operation being to place the swinging bunch carrier under the discharging
edge of the apron table with proper movement to receive the bunch, and then to
carry it around into a position over one of the matrices of the mould N aud
directly beneath a second plunger F which is mounted by an arm 35 on the
same vertical slide 33 which carries the plunger F1, so that the simultaneous
movement of the two plungers F1 F2 deposits a fresh filler upon the rolling
apron and deposits the previous. filler now rolled into a bunch, in one of the matrices
of the mould N. The step-by-step movement of the mould N to present a new
matrix at each stroke is effected by a sliding table on which the moulds are

page_text: clamped, having rack teeth o at bottom engaged by a spring pawl Q operated by a
crank arm R, on the rock shaft e, or by other suitable means.
In the modification shown in Figures VI to XIII inclusive the machine is
constructed with a filler carrier A' having a single pocket a'. This filler carrier
receives a reciprocating rectilinear movement over a fixed bed B'. In the modifi-
cation shown in Figures XIV and XV a stationary filler carrier A' is employed
and a supporting bed or slide B¹ moving beneath it to alternately open and close
the bottom of the pocket a'. In Figures VI to XV inclusive only the filler forming
devices are shown. The rolling and bunch receiving devices may be constructed as
already described with reference to the other figures.
In Figures. VI and VII the top of the frame of the machine forms a stationary
bed 13 upon which the filler carrier A¹ is mounted in suitable guides and reciprocates
horizontally in time movements, to allow the operator to place the filler in a pocket a¹,
formed by piercing a slot through the carrier A¹. The dotted lines show the
position of the pocket when in position to be filled.
Motion is communicated to the carrier A' by means of a cam G' provided with
a suitably shaped slot in which travels a friction roller journalled upon the ends
of the lever E. D", D", represent links which are journalled to the filler carrier A¹.
In order that the pocket may be of easy access to the operator who fills the same,
the arm 34 carrying the plunger F is moved backward. This is accomplished
by hinging the arm 34, to the carrier A' by means of the vertical guide 36 and
link 37 so that when the carrier A' moves backward into the position shown in
dotted lines the arm 34 carrying the plunger F1 will likewise swing backward into
the position shown in dotted lines in rear of the filled pocket a, thereby allowing
easy access of the operator to the pocket. When the pocket has been filled the
movement of the cam G₁ brings the parts back into position shown in full lines
and the plunger F' is moved downward to pass the filler through the pocket by
the mechanism shown in the other figures, hereinbefore described.
It will be observed that the bed or top piece B' of the frame terminates slightly
in rear of the pocket a', so that when said pocket is brought forward into the
position shown in full lines the filler passes freely through the same; while the
bed serves to hold the filler until it has been brought in position to be acted on by
the plunger F.
In Figures VIII and IX the same parts are shown except that the arm 34
carrying the plunger F is stationary and the working parts of the cam G₁ are
reversed so that the filler carrier A¹ is moved forward into the position shown
in dotted lines in Figure VIII to be filled instead of being brought backward.
B' represents the bed on which the filler carrier A¹ travels, it extends forward
as shown by full lines in Figures VIII and IX and is provided with the slot b¹.
under the path of the plunger. The projecting end of the said bed B' holds the
filler in position until the carrier A' has been moved back over the slot, when it is
in position to be acted on by the plunger to carry the filler to the bunch rolling
mechanism, already described.
In Figures X and XI is shown a modification of the mechanism for moving the
filler carrier. Instead of employing links on the levers E¹ a segmental gear
wheel is employed which meshes with the segment pinion t on the beel of the
quadrant T. The periphery of the quadrant is armed with gear teeth which mesh
with the travelling rack teeth a" upon which rack the filler carrier a³ is rigidly
mounted. The sweep of the quadrant and rack bar is sufficient to move the filler
carrier back so that the filler pocket a³ is in the position shown in dotted lines in
In this case the
Figure X, and of easy access to the operator in the rear.
plunger arm 34 requires no swinging movement.
In the device shown in Figures XII and XIII the bed B' is provided with the
lateral extension 6; the filler carrier A¹ is journalled at the centre 4 upon the
supporting bracket B B represents a connecting rod hinged to the filler
carrier A and operated by the cam G¹ and levers E', so as to move it round into

page_text: the filling position shown in dotted lines in Figure XII. The other parts are
constructed and operated as before described.
In the device shown in Figures XIV and XV the bed B₁ is shown as
reciprocating while the filler pocket a¹ is stationary. The bed B' is reciprocated
by the cam G' arms E', and links D₁ in the same manner as shown in Figures VI
and VII, the connection being to the bed B¹ instead of to the carrier A', in
which the pocket al is combined. The guides are formed to support the travel
of the bed B and the plunger F is raised high enough to allow the operator to
fill the pocket a¹ under the plunger.
The operation in this case is as follows: The bed B₁ moves forward so as to
close the bottom of the pocket a¹ in the act of filling; then it is reciprocated back-
ward to allow the downward movement of the plunger F¹ to deliver the filler to the
bunch rolling device below.
These different forms of mechanism perform the same function, and either form
may be used according to the judgment of the builder; the essential feature being
to furnish a pocket which is closed at the bottom in the act of filling with an
intermittent movement to uncover the bottom and allow the plunger to carry the
filler down to the bunch rolling mechanism.
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. The process of making long filler cigar bunches, consisting first in placing the
tiller in an open bottom pocket in a suitable carrier, second, forcing the filler
through the open bottom of the pocket and delivering it on the rolling apron, third,
rolling the filler into the binder and thus completing the bunch, substantially as
specified.
2. A machine for forming cigar fillers and bunches constructed with a filler
receiver having one or more bottomless pockets, a bed furnishing a temporary
bottom to said pocket or pockets, said pocketed receiver and bed having inter-
mittent relative movement, a rolling apron and bunch receiving mechanism the
whole operating in time movements, substantially as herein set forth.
3. In a machine for forming long filler cigar bunches the combination of a
supporting bed or table and a filler receiver said parts having intermittent relative
movement to cover and uncover the pocket or pockets in the receiver, a bunch
rolling mechanisin, a bunch receiver and vertically moving plungers to deliver
the filler to the rolling mechanism and the finished bunch to the mould, sub-
stantially as described.
4. In a machine for making long filler cigar bunches the combination of a filler
receiver A having one or more exposed pockets F extending completely through
it, formed approximately to the shape of a cigar bunch, a bed beneath the rotary
carrier forming a bottom for the pockets thereof and having an aperture with
which the successive pockets are made to register by the relative movement of said
parts, a plunger for ejecting the successive fillers from the pockets of the receiver,
a bunch rolling mechanism beneath the filler receiver and connecting mechanism
imparting intermittent motion to the filler receiver and plunger in time movements
corresponding with the movement of the rolling mechanism substantially as described.
5. In a machine for making long filler cigar bunches, the combination of a
horizoutal filler receiver having one or more exposed pockets extending
completely through it, formed approximately to the shape of a cigar bunch, a bed
beneath the filler receiver forming a bottom for the pockets therein and having an
aperture with which the successive porkets register, a plunger for ejecting the
successive fillers from the pockets, a bunch rolling apron beneath the filler
receiver upon which the fillers are delivered, and cams levers and connections, sub-
stantially as described, whereby the filler receiver, the plunger and the rolling
mechanism are operated in corresponding time movements, as explained.
+.

page_text: 6. In a machine for making long filler cigar bunches the combination of the
horizontal filler receiver A having one or more exposed pockets extending
completely through it formed approximately to the shape of a cigar bunch, a bed
beneath the filler receiver forming a bottom for the pockets therein and having
an aperture with which the successive pockets register, a buuch rolling apron
beneath the filler receiver, a bunch receiver, two connected plungers and operating
connections for imparting reciprocating movement to the said plungers for
delivering the fillers to the rolling mechanism and the completed bunches to the
moulds; all substantially as described.
Dated this 1th day of October 1892.
FREDRICK CHARLES MILLER,
Inventor.
FREDRICK CHARLES MILLER,
Inventor.
Witnesses:
H. LEE BERDEN.
EDWARD N. FINK.
Harris & Mills,
23, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.