A New or improved Machine for Making Cigarettes.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Dec., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 8th Sept., 1899-Accepted, 2nd Dec., 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New or improved Machine for Making Cigarettes.
I, GEORGE FREDERICK ZIMMER, of 82, Mark Lane, in the City of London, Con-
sulting Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to the method of making cigarettes by compressing the
tobacco between two suitably formed dies and then passing it into
paper tubes.
This method is unsatisfactory in existing machines in as much as the com-
pressed tobacco is pushed from between the dies into the tube and is thereby
compressed endwise more or less, this defect is more apparent when moist tobacco
is used.
The primary object therefore of this invention is to pass the tobacco from
between the dies into the tubes without in any measure compressing it in the
direction of the length of the cigarette which object I accomplish by means of
a pair of grippers or forceps which hold the compressed roll of tobacco circum-
ferentially only.
Another important object of this invention is to prevent the return of the
tobacco from the interior of the paper tube by positive mechanism when the
grippers or forceps are withdrawn therefrom.
Another object of this invention is to so interlock the various parts that each
one can only move in its proper turn.
Now according to this invention I make the bed on which the tobacco is worked
into a roll or plug a segment of a cylinder and thereon I secure one die which I
call the fixed die. The other die which I call the moving die I attach adjustably
to a rocking frame pivotted to the frame of the machine at the centre of the
cylindrical bed which last is swept by the moving die when the rocking frame is
actuated.
The moving die is actuated by means of a handle and cam made integrally or
secured together and hinged to oscillate on the rocking frame. The cam opposes
an S shaped face to a roller free to rotate on a spindle secured in two uprights
raised at the back of the frame. When the dies are apart the handle lies back
and the concave portion of the face of the cam bears on the roller. As the handle
is drawn forward the rocking frame and moving die are moved towards the fixed
die and the cam is at the same time raised until its convex surface bears on the
roller and holds the dies in the closed position while the tobacco is passed from
between them into the paper tube.
The paper tube for the reception of the compressed tobacco is placed on a
nozzle which is secured to the machine in such a position that the tobacco is
ejected through it and pivotted to the frame is a vibrating piece which I call the
clip which holds the paper tube on the nozzle by a spring or weight released by
the forward motion of the rocking frame above mentioned.
To the rocking frame are pivotted at that side of the machine where the tobacco
is ejected two pieces the upper of which I call the stop and the lower the trigger.
The latter is so formed that when lifted, the dies being closed, it releases the
paper tube by pushing the clip away from the nozzle, and it carries an adjustable

page_text: striking-piece such as a screw tapped into it, adapted to be raised by a suitable
inclined surface on the end of the sliding bar which is described below as moving
the grippers to and fro. The stop is a counter-weighted lever having a finger
adapted to pass between the two grippers and a catch adapted to engage in a suit-
able notch in the clip as the inclined surface gradually raises the adjustable
striking piece, this last first releases the paper tube by means of the trigger
which moves with it, and then actuates the stop so as to push the finger thereon
between the two grippers where it is locked by the engagement of the catch
above mentioned with the notch in the clip, and remains locked until the grippers
are replaced between the dies and the rocking arm thrown back. The stop thus
prevents the return of the tobacco with the grippers when they are withdrawn
from the tube.
The grippers or forceps which convey the tobacco from between the dies into
the paper tubes are made as thin as is consistent with due strength and are
adapted to lie against their respective dies to which they form in effect movable faces.
The grippers are separated one from another and when the dies are apart one
gripper lies against the fixed die and the other against the moving die..
That gripper which rests against the fixed die is secured by a downwardly
projecting plate attached to or formed integrally with it to a sliding bar which
may be reciprocated by a hand lever or other suitable means, and works to and
fro in a cavity traversing the cylindrical segment parallel to its axis and commu-
nicating with its surface through a slot which lies immediately in front of the
toe of the fixed die.
The above mentioned downwardly projecting plate is slotted to receive, when
the dies are brought together, a projection or leg formed on a corresponding
plate on the other gripper. The interlocking of the two grippers thus provided
ensures them moving together when, the dies being closed the sliding rod is
reciprocated. When the dies are apart the gripper of the moving die is held
at one end by a suitable spring against a suitable projection from the rocking
frame. Suitable stops are provided to limit the travel of the grippers.
The lever actuating the sliding bar above mentioned also actuates a locking
bar provided with a stop which when the dies are open abuts against the side
of a sector attached to the S cam.
It is only when the dies are closed that the sector clears this stop and allows
the sliding bar and grippers to be actuated for the ejection of tobacco, when they
are so actuated the stop passes under the sector and prevents the dies being re-
opened until the grippers are again withdrawn from the nozzle.
Instead of the locking bar mentioned above I may use a sector secured to or
made integrally with the lever which actuates the sliding bar and I may form
on such sector or attach thereto the stop above described as carried on the locking
bar.
I may also construct the machine in such a manner the the same handle which
closes the dies may be further drawn over and caused to also actuate the sliding
bar and grippers by means of a helical cam or spur-gear or a chain or cord. In
this case I prolong by the addition of a circular segment, the convex part of
the compressing cam so that the further movement of the handle neither produces
nor allows of any movement of the fixed die.
I may also actuate the above described mechanism by treadle or by power.
Instead of placing the paper tubes to be fitted on the outside of a nozzle I may
place them within a short bell mouthed tubular receptacle shouldered at the
inner end to stop the travel of the paper tube and pierced with an opening through
which a suitable part of the clip enters to nip the paper against one of the
grippers.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Machine for Making Cigarettes.
I, GEORGE FREDERICK ZIMMER, of 82, Mark Lane, in the City of London, Con-
sulting 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 relates to the method of making cigarettes by compressing the
tobacco between two suitably formed dies and then passing it into paper tubes.
This method is unsatisfactory in existing machines inasmuch as the compressed
tobacco is pushed from between the dies into the tube and is thereby compressed
endwise more or less, this defect being more apparent when moist tobacco is used.
The primary object therefore of this invention is to pass the tobacco from
between the dies into the tubes without in any measure compressing it in the
direction of the length of the cigarette which object I accomplish by means of
a pair of grippers or forceps which hold the compressed roll of tobacco circum-
ferentially only.
Another important object of this invention is to prevent the return of the
tobacco from the interior of the paper tube by positive mechanism when the
grippers or forceps are withdrawn therefrom.
Another object of this invention is to, so interlock the various parts that each
one can only move in its proper turn.
And in order that my said invention may be fully understood I will proceed
to explain the same with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-
Fig. 1 represents end view of a machine for making cigarettes constructed
according to this invention with the mechanism for holding and releasing the
paper tubes removed.
Fig. 2 is plan of same.
Fig. 3 shews end view of a complete machine for making cigarettes constructed
according to this invention.
Fig. 4 shews opposite end of the same machine.
Fig. 5 is plan of same.
Fig. 6 is front view of same.
Fig. shews bar for actuating grippers.
Fig. 8 is loose gripper.
Fig. 9 is gripper which is attached to the bar shewn by Fig. 6.
The same letters denote the same parts in all the figures.
Now according to this invention I make the bed on which the tobacco is
worked into a roll or plug in the form of a segment of a cylinder and thereon I
secure one die 2 which I call the fixed die. The other die which I call the
moving die I attach adjustably to a rocking frame 4 pivotted to the frame or
bed plate 5 of the machine at the centre of the cylindrical bed 1 which last is
swept by the moving die when the rocking frame is moved backwards and
forwards.
The moving die 3 is actuated by means of a handle 6 and cam 7 made integrally
or secured together and hinged to the rocking frame 4 so as to oscillate thereon.
The cam 7 opposes an S shaped face to a roller 8 free to rotate on a spindle 9
secured in two uprights 10 and 11 raised at the back of the frame. When the
dies are apart the handle 6 lies back and the concave portion of the face of the
cam bears on the roller.
As the handle 6 is drawn forward the rocking frame 4 and moving die 3 are
moved towards the fixed die 2 and the cam is at the same time raised until its
convex surface bears on the rollers and holds the dies in the closed position while
the tobacco is passed from between them into the paper tube,

page_text: The paper tube for the reception of the compressed tobacco is placed on a
nozzle 12 which is secured to the machine in such a position that the tobacco is
ejected from the dies through it, and pivoited to the frame or bed is a vibrating
piece 13 which I call the clip which holds the paper tube on the nozzle 12 by
means of a spring or weight the said clip being caused to hold the tube on the
nozzle by the forward motion of the rocking frame above mentioned.
To the rocking frame are pivotted at that side of the machine where the
tobacco is ejected two pieces the upper of which I call the stop 14 and the lower
the trigger 15.
The latter is so formed that when lifted after the dies are closed it releases
the paper tube by pushing the clip 13 away from the nozzle 12. The trigger also
carries an adjustable striking piece 16 such as a screw tapped into it which is
adapted to be raised by an inclined surface on the end of a sliding bar 17 here-
inafter described which moves the grippers to and fro. The stop 14 is a counter-
weighted lever having a finger 18 adapted to pass between the two prippers and
also a catch 19 adapted to engage with a suitable notch in the clip as the
inclined surface gradually raises the adjustable striking piece 16.
The movement of the striking piece 16 first releases the paper tube by means
of the trigger 15 which moves with it, and then actuates the stop 14 so as to
push the finger thereon between the two grippers where it is locked by the engage-
ment of the catch above mentioned with the notch in the clip and remains locked
until the grippers are replaced between the dies and the rocking frame thrown
back.
The stop thus prevents the return of the tobacco with the grippers when they
are withdrawn from the paper tube.
The grippers or forceps which convey the tobacco from between the dies into
the paper tubes are made as thin as is consistent with due strength and are
adapted to lie against their respective dies to which they form in effect movable
faces.
The grippers are separated one from another and when the dies are apart one
gripper 21 lies against the fixed die and the other against the moving die. The
gripper 21 which rests against the fixed die is secured by a downwardly project-
ing plate 22 attached to or formed integrally with it to a sliding bar 17 which
may be reciprocated by a hand lever 20 or other suitable means and works to and
fro in a cavity 23 traversing the cylindrical segment 1 parallel to its axis and
communicating with its surface through a slot 24 which lies immediately in front
of the fixed die 2.
The above downwardly projecting plate is slotted to receive, when the dies are
brought together a projection or leg 25 formed on the other gripper 27. The in-
terlocking of the two grippers thus provided ensures them moving together when,
the dies being closed, the sliding bar 17 is reciprocated.
When the dies are apart the gripper 27 of the moving die is held at one end
by a suitable spring 28 against a suitable projection 29 from the rocking
frame 4.
Suitable stops are provided to limit the travel of the grippers.
The lever 20 actuating the sliding bar above mentioned also actuates a locking
bar 290 provided with a stop 26 which when the dies are open abuts against
the side of a sector 30 attached to the S cam 7.
It is only when the dies are closed that the sector clears this stop and allows
the sliding bar and grippers to be actuated for the ejection of tobacco, when they
are so actuated the stop passes under the sector and prevents the dies being
reopened until the grippers are again withdrawn from the nozzle 12.
The action of the machine is as follows
The dies being open and the sliding bar actuating the grippers being at the
extremity of its travel to the right the tobacco is placed between the dies and
worked into a plug or other convenient mass, a paper tube is placed on the nozzle
and held there by the clip, the dies are then closed and the sliding bar moved

page_text: to the left which causes the grippers to convey the tobacco plug into the tube,
As soon as the tube is filled the motion of the sliding bar causes the inclined
portion thereof to raise the trigger and release the tube from the nozzle, the tube
then moves forward with the grippers until nearly clear of the nozzle when the
trigger raises the tail of the stop lever causing the catch thereon to engage with
the clip holding it clear of the nozzle and at the same time the finger is inserted
between the grippers behind the paper tube.
On moving the sliding bar to the right and withdrawing the grippers from the
tube the tobacco is retained in the latter when the dies are separated the catch
is disengaged from the clip.
Instead of the locking bar herein before mentioned I may use a sector secured
to or made integral with the lever which actuates the sliding bar and I may form
on such sector or attach thereto the stop herein before described as carried on the
locking bar.
I may also construct the machine in such a manner that the same handle which
closes the dies may be further drawn over and caused to also actuate the sliding
bar and grippers by means of a helical cam or spur gear or a chain or cord.
In this case I prolong by the addition of a circular segment the convex part
of the compressing cam so that the further movement of the handle neither pro-
duces nor allows of any movement of the fixed die.
I may also actuate the above described mechanism by treadle or by power.
Instead of placing the paper tubes to be filled on the outside of a nozzle I may
place them within a short bell mouthed tubular receptacle shouldered at the
inner end to stop the travel of the paper tube and also pierced with an opening
through which a suitable part of the clip enters to nip the paper against one of
the grippers.
According to a modification of my invention I dispense with the S cam 7
and roller S and attach the handle 6 by which the moving die is caused to approach
or recede from the fixed die to the rocking frame 4 direct and I attach also to the
rocking frame and to the cylindrical segment 1 at the side thereof opposite to
the nozzle on which the paper tube is placed a stop piece 31 which prevents the
rocking frame 4 from being moved too far backwards when the dies are separated.
I also form a slot 32 in the sliding bar 17 which engages with a feather key
in the bracket supporting the end of the said sliding bar to prevent the said bar
from rotating and I secure a pin 34 in the said bar which engages with a slot 35
in the lever by which the said bar is reciprocated.
To prevent the dies from being opened until the grippers are withdrawn from
the nozzle I form a slot or groove 36 across the underside of the sliding bar 17
which slot is just wide enough to allow the stop piece 31 limiting the travel of
the rocking frame to pass through it when the grippers are withdrawn from the
nozzle and the sliding bar is at the extremity of its travel to the right.
At any other position of the sliding bar the stop piece 31 comes in contact with
the said bar immediately any attempt is made to separate the dies.
This arrangement also prevents the sliding bar 17 from being moved when the
dies are separated.
In some cases the levers or handles for opening and closing the dies and for
actuating the sliding bar may be so arranged that one operative may open and
close the dies place the paper tubes on the nozzle and actuate the sliding bar
while a second operative works the tobacco and places it between the dies.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:
1. In a machine for making cigarettes the combination of a segmental cylin
drical bed having the fixed die attached thereto with a rocking frame oscillated
by a suitable handle to which frame is secured the moving die and grippers or
forceps for conveying the tobacco into a paper tube one of the grippers.or forceps
being secured to a suitable sliding bar actuated by a lever or handle the other

page_text: gripper or forceps being supported by a bracket attached to the rocking frame
and moving to and fro therewith and having a projecting piece adapted to engage
with a slot in the gripper or forceps secured to the sliding bar all substantially
as specified and for the purpose stated.
2. In a machine for making cigarettes the means for holding the paper tubes
on the nozzle consisting of a weighted lever clip which is caused to hold the
paper tube on the nozzle by the action of closing the dies and caused to release
the said tube by the movement of the sliding bar actuating the grippers the move-
ment of the said bar being transmitted to the paper clip by means of a trigger
all substantially as herein before specified.
3. In a machine for making cigarettes the combination with a rocking frame
carrying the moving die of a trigger and stop lever pivotted to the rocking frame
a weighted clip lever to hold the paper tube on the nozzle a catch on the stop lever
to hold the clip clear of the nozzle when the tube is filled a finger to enter between
the grippers when the filled paper tube is removed from the nozzle to prevent the
tobacco from being withdrawn from the filled tube along with the grippers and a
means whereby the said clip is caused to hold the paper tube on the nozzle while
the tobacco is placed therein and caused to release the said tube when filled all
substantially as herein before specified.
4. In a machine for making cigarettes the stop lever having a catch thereon
to hold the clip clear of the nozzle when the paper tube is filled and a finger to
enter between the grippers behind the filled tube in combination with a trigger
and an inclined plane on the sliding bar all substantially as herein before specified.
5. In a machine for making cigarettes the construction and use of two indepen-
dent grippers or forceps of approximately semicircular section one of which is
attached to a sliding bar and is provided with a slot the other gripper being
held in contact with the moving die by means of a spring and being provided
with a projection to engage with the slot in the first named gripper to enable
the said grippers to be moved together all substantially as specified.
6. In a machine for making cigarettes the cylindrical segmental bed having
the fixed die secured thereto and having a slot therein in front of the said die and
a cavity communicating with the said slot to receive the sliding bar for the
purpose stated.
7. In a machine for making cigarettes the combination of a cylindrical seg
mental bed having the fixed die attached thereto a rocking frame carrying the
moving die pivotted to the said bed or frame of the machine an S shaped cam
hinged to the rocking frame a handle secured to the said cam a roller rotating
on a spindle at the back of the machine a nozzle to receive the paper tube to be
filled with tobacco a clip to hold the tube on the nozzle grippers to place the
tobacco in the tube a stop to prevent the tobacco from being drawn out of the
tube along with the grippers a catch to hold the clip clear of the nozzle a trigger
actuating the clip catch and stop a sliding bar reciprocated by a lever to move
the grippers to and fro and having an inclined plane at one end to raise the
trigger and a locking device to prevent the dies from being separated until the
grippers are withdrawn and the sliding bar from being moved while the dies
are separated all substantially as herein before specified.
8. In a machine for making cigarettes the locking devices as hereinbefore
specified.
9. The modifications of the apparatus substantially as hereinbefore specified.
10. Machines for making cigarettes constructed as shewn by the accompanying
drawings.
Dated this Eighth day of Sontember 1899.
T. E. HALFORD,
82, Mark Lane, E.C., Agent for Applicant.