Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Oct., 1895--Accepted, 16th Nov., 1895
We, JOSEPH DE LA MAR, of 217 West 115th Street, in the City of New York,
County and State of New York, U.S.A., Mechanical Engineer, and BERNARD
VAN LEER, of 136 Water Street, in the City of New York, County and State of
New York, U.S.A., Merchant, 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 :-
The objects of this invention are: First, to provide a cigar-bunching-machine of
a new and improved form, of simple an 1 cheap construction, which may be operated
by unskilled labor; second, to so construct such machine that right or left taper,
or straight bunches may be rolled thereon with ease, and without readjustment of
any of the parts; third, to make a machine in which the bunches whether straight
or taper, and although varying one from another in diameter, will all be of the
same consistency throughout; and fourth, to provide a machine of such form that
when used by unskilled labor in connection with a suitable cigar-shaper for shaping
the filling-tobacco before bunching all the bunches formed thereon will be of like
form as well as of like consistency throughout, whereby the necessity of compressing
the bunches in forming moulds after the same are made is obviated, and a bunch is
formed that when wrapped and finished into a cigar cannot be told from the
highest grade of hand-work; and to such ends this invention consists of a suitably
supported rolling-bed, a bunching-roller reciprocating over the same, a flexible
bunch-rolling-apron which is also preferably highly elastic as well as flexible,
means for tightening and stretching the bunch-rolling apron as the bunching-roller
is moved over the table in the operation of rolling, and means for slacking upon
the forward end of the apron so as to permit such end to travel rearward with the
bunching-roller upon the first movement of such roller as the bight is being closed,
all as more fully shown and described in the following Specification, of which the
accompanying drawings form a part, wherein similar letters and numerals of
reference designate like or equivalent parts wherever found throughout the several
views, and in which :-
Fig. 1, is a side view (partially in section on the line x-x of Fig. 4, looking in
the direction of the arrow) of this improved cigar-bunching-machine, showing the
position assumed by the various parts at the moment of the placing of the filler-
tobacco in position upen the binder-leaf and in the pocket of the bunch-rolling-
apron preparatory to rolling the same;
Fig. 2, is a similar view showing the position assumed by the working parts at
the moment of the closing of the pocket to form the bight of the bunch-rolling-
apron;
Fig. 3, is a like view showing the position assumed by the working parts when
the bight with the enclosed bunch has travelled nearly to the rear end of the
rolling-table and the finished bunch is about to be deposited in the bunch-catcher
upon the further movement of the bunching-roller; and
Fig. 4, is a top-plan view of such machine (the working parts being in the
position shown in Fig. 2, the pocket having just being closed to form the pocket) a
shaper for shaping the loose filler-tobacco being shown in position upon the table
of the machine;
Figs. 5 and 6 are views in detail of the apron-holders or clamps to which are
secured the ends of the bunch-rolling-apron; and

page_text: Fig. 7, is a view in detail of the spring which keeps the reciprocating frame
normally forced forward.
Referring to the drawings, in which V designates the front and W the rear of
the machine.
The reference letter A designates a suitable frame supporting a table B, C is the
rolling-table-frame supported by the table B, D is the rolling-table, E is the
bunch-rolling-apron, F is the bunching-roller, G is the reciprocating frame carrying
the bunching-roller F, H is the forward and I the rear vibrating apron-holder or
clamp to which the ends of the apron E are secured, K is the connecting rod which
forms an operative connection between such apron-holders or clamps H and I,
and L is the connecting-rod operatively connecting the clamp or holder I with the
reciprocating frame G. M is the shaft supporting the lower end of the frame G,
O is a shaper secured upon the table B in which the filler-tobacco is formed or
shaped into a loose cigar-shaped-bunch P preparatory to placing the same upon
the binder-leaf O and in the pocket R of the bunch-rolling-apron, which when
closed forms the bunch-rolling-bight R¹.
The table B is preferably of wood and provided with side and back-pieces 1
and 2, and the frame A upon which such table B is supported is preferably as
are the other parts of the device except the apron E formed of cast-iron or other
suitable metal.
Formed in and through the top of the table B at or near the center thereof as
shown, and secured in a suitable hole or perforation in the table B by means of
suitable screws 3, is the rolling-frame C, having a flange 4 at the rear end, and side
flanges 5 extending toward the front, and two short flanges 6 extending inward and
merging with two flanges or girders 7, so as to leave a guideway or slot 13 in and
through the frame from the front flanges 6 to the rear flange 4. The girders 7
extend two or three inches forward of the flanges 6, and curve upward rising
forward of such flanges to about double the height thereof as shown at 8, and the
end of the frame C being closed by an end flange 9 of the same height as the side
extensions 8, and the central portion of the girders are higher than the end
portions, and the top thereof is formed of the same curve as is the top of the
rolling-table D, and such girders are preferably provided on the inner side with
suitably inwardly extending studs or lugs 10, 11 and 12, the tops of which are
located the thickness of the curved plate forming the rolling-table D below the top
edges of the girders 7, so that such rolling-table D being of the same width as
the space between the girders 7, will when in position rest upon such studs or
lugs 10, 11 and 12, and the upper curved surface will be flush with the curved top
of such girders 7, as shown.
The box-like cavity bounded by the flanges 7 and 9, is covered by a cover 11, as
show, hinged or pivoted thereto whereby accesi, had to the holder or clamp H
to which is secured the end of the apron E.
Secured to a cross-har 15 are spring metal fingers 16 which serve as a bunch-
catcher to receive the finished bunch, and extending from girder to ginler just
forward of the cross-bar 15 and revolubly mounted in such ders is a roller 17,
over which passes the rear end of the bunch-rolling-apron E secured to the rear
holder or clamp I, beneath the rolling-table.
The front apron holder or clamp I to which is secured the forward end of the
bunch-rolling-apron E, shown in detail in Fig. 5, consists of a cross-bar 18, end
pieces 19, through which pass a rod or shaft 20 supported at the ends in lugs or
projections formed integral with the girders 7, so that the clamp or holder will
vibrate freely back and forth thereon, and such cross-bar 18 has studs or pins 22,
which extend outward so as to come into contact with the rearward curved edge
of the forward high portion 8 of the girders 7 and thus limit forward movement
of such clamp H.
The front end of the apron E is secured to the cross-her 18 by being clamped
thereto by bar 24 and screws 23, or in any other convenient manner.
The rear holder or clamp I ditters but little in form from tikler or clamp H,

page_text: consisting of a cross-bar 25 having side-pieces 26 connected together by a rod
or bar 27 having a downwardly depending lever 28, all preferably cast of one
piece of metal, and the rod or bar 27 being revolubly supported at the ends by
lugs 29 of the girders 7, by means of screw pivots, as shown in Fig. 6; and the
rear end of the apr mn E is secured to the clamp or holder I by clamping the same
between the cross-bar 25 and a bar 30 by suitable screws 31.
Pivotally secured to the forward holder or clamp H, by a pivot-bolt 32 secured
to one of the side pieces 19 thereof, is the connecting-rod K provided at its
rearward end with an elongated slot 33 through which passes a suitable pivot-bolt or
screw 34 by which such rod is connected with the rear holder or clamp I, preferably
by being screwed or otherwise firmly fastened to the inuer side of one of the side
pieces 26 thereof, in such manner as to permit of free movement of the bolt or
screw 34 along such slot 33.
The rolling-table E is preferably formed of a thin piece of metal having at
the forward end the downwardly depending front piece 35, and at the center
on the underside on each side, lugs 36 so spaced as to permit of the upper end
of the lugs 11 entering between them, whereby the table while easily removable
is held firmly against displacement when in position upon the rolling-table-
frame E.
The bunching-roller-frame G consists of a lower single central stud or upright
from which rise two side-pieces G¹ forming a bifurcation or fork, and such side-
pieces G extend up through the slots 13 to a short distance above the rolling-
table D, and are provided with suitable thumb-pieces 37. Revolubly supported at
the ends in suitable bearings in the upper ends of the side-pieces G₁ is the
bunching-roller F, which is located beneath the bunch-rolling-apron E as shown.
The lower end of the frame G, so as to permit of reciprocation of the bunching-
roller over the rolling-table D, by vibration of such frame is mounted upon a
shaft M supported at the ends in the frame A so as to be partially revoluble
therein; and such frame G is kept normally in the extreme forward at rest
position shown in Fig. 1, by a suitable spring 40 as shown in detail in Fig. 7.
The connecting-rod L is connected with the bunching-roller-frame G, by being
pivotally mounted upon a suitable pivot-bolt 41 secured thereto below the fork,
and such connecting-rod L is provided at its rearward end with an elongated
slot 42 through which passes a bolt 43 of such size as to slide easily along such
slot 42, and such bolt 43 is firmly secured to the lever 28. The pivot-bolt 41 is
preferably passed through an elongated slot 44, in the lower portion of the
frame G, and when the bolt 41 is moved from the position shown in the drawings
to the lower end of the slot 44 and there firmly secured in position by the tightening
of the nut thereon, the stretching power of the vibrating-holders upon the apron E
will be considerably diminished.
While an apion of non-elastic flexible material may be in some cases used in
our improved bunching-machine, we prefer to make such apron of the improved
form in which such apron is highly elastic throughout its entire width, and is
formed of a cloth or fabric woven partly of threads of elastic india-rubber and
partly of non-elastic threads of linen or similar material, such material being
usually that fabric used to form the elastic side or ankle pieces of the well known
form of shoes.
The operation of the device is as follows:-
:-
The parts being in the position shown in Fig. 1, a suitable quantity of loose
filler tobacco is roughly formed into the shape of the cigar-bunch desired to be
formed by the machine, either by forming the same in the shaper O, or in any
other desired manner, and the binder-leaf Q having been placed in position upon
the bunch-rolling-apron E with one end thereof resting in the pocket R of such
apron and the other extending rearward upon the apron, the loose bunch of filler-
tobacco so shaped
placed in the pocket R and upon the end of such binder-leaf,
as shown in Fig. 1. The operator standing during this operation at the front V
of the table B presses with his hand or thumb against one of the thumb-pieces 37

page_text: of the frame G, and forces such frame rearward into the position shown in said
Fig. 1, when the bunching-roller being carried rearward will pass over the forward
end of the rolling-table D so as to close the pocket R, and form the bight R¹ of
such apron, and during this first rearward movement of the bunching-roller, the
forward apron-holder or clamp H will be rocked rearward by the friction of the
apron E upon the bunching-roller into the position shown in Fig. 2, and this move-
ment of such holder or clamp H pushes rearward the connecting-rod K, until the
bolt 34 reaches the forward end of the slot 33 in such rod K, and at the same time
the rearward movement of the upper portion of the frame G has pushed back the
connecting-rod L until the lower end of the slot 42 comes against the bolt 43,
when all the parts will be in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 4. The rearward
movement of the frame G being continued, the connecting-rod L forces rearward
with it the lever 28, and this of course forces forward the upper end of the
pivoted rear apron-holder or clamp I of which the lever 28 is a part, and this
movement of such holder I draws the rear end of the apron E down over the
roller 17 in such manner as to draw tightly upon and stretch such apron in
front of the advancing bunching-roller and bight, and this same forward move-
ment of the upper portion of the holder I also carries forward the forward holder
or clamp H by the pressure exerted upon the connecting-rod K, and such move-
ment of the holder or clamp H draws upon its end of the apron E in such manner
as to tighten and stretch the same from that end at the same moment that the
holder or clamp I is drawing and stretching the same from the other, and as the
bight and bunching-roller travel rearward over the rolling-table the filler-tobacco
is rolled over and over in the bight and wrapped in the binder-leaf with a
gradually increasing pressure as the apron is tightened more and more by the
continued movement of the clamps or holders H and I as the frame G is pushed
farther and farther rearward, and this stretching of the apron by reason of its
high elasticity compels the same to conform to the shape of the filler-tobacco as
it was when placed in the bight when it was first closed, whereby a cigar bunch
equal in excellence to the best grade of hand-bunches will be quickly and easily
formed.
The position assumed by the various working parts of the machine at the moment,
or just before the moment, that the maximum of strain upon the apron E is reached,
is shown in Fig. 3, and the rearward movement of the frame G and the bunching-
oller carried thereby being continued a short distance beyond such point, the
finished bunch will be deposited in the bunch-catcher formed by the fingers 16 in
the manner well known in cigar-bunching machines of this class, and the moment
the frame ( is release from pressure the spring 40 will of course force the same
back into the position shown in Fig. 1.
By allowing the forward end of the bunch-rolling-apron to move rearward with
the bunching-roller upon the first rearward movement when the pocket is being
closed to form the bight as shown, we are enabled to use a pocket of such small
size as to cause the apron to be closed tight around the bunch or filler-tobacco the
instant such bight is formed by the closing of the pocket and this is in many ways
of great advantage, as otherwise the bight being loose when first closed, the drawing
upon the same in order to tighten the apron so as to draw the bight tightly around
the bunch will always to a greater or less degree disturb the shape of the filler-
tobacco, and will usually twist the same as well as the binder-leaf, and as when an
elastic apron is used, there is a tendency on the part of the machine to throw the
filler-tobacco from the pocket upon the first rearward movement of the bunching
roller to close the pocket, we overcome all these difficulties simply by allowing the
forward end of the apron to move rearward with the bunching-roller as the bight is
being closed.
While in the particular form of construction shown herein which we prefer, the
bunching-roller is carried by a vibrating frame G, and the rolling-table D is
consequently made curved in order to conform to the path of the bunching-roller,
in some cases the rolling-table may be made flat upon top, and the bunching-roller

page_text: may be mounted in a trame so as to reciproca In a straight or substantiany
straight line, and while we prefer the form of holders or clamps H and I vibrating
as shown, we do not limit ourselves thereto, or to any particular mechanism for
drawing upon the ends of the apron, nor to the manner of fastening such apron to
such holders or clamps, or to any particular construction, combination and arrange-
ment of any of the several parts of this improved cigar-bunching-machine, herein
set forth.
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. A cigar-bunching-machine wherein the bunch is enclosed in the binder-leaf by
being rolled over and over in the bight of an elastic-bunch-rolling-apron stretched
so as to conform to the shape of the filler-tobacco in the bight at all points
thereof.
2. In a cigar-bunching-machine, the combination with a reciprocating or
vibrating frame G, of a bunching-roller F carried by the frame, an elastic bunch-
rolling-apron E, and means for drawing upon one or both ends of the apron E a ter
the bight is closed so as to tighten and stretch the apron and cause the same to
conform to the shape of the filler-tobacco in the bight, substantially as shown and
described.
3. In a cigar-bunching machine, the combination with a reciprocating or vibrating
frame G, of a bunching-roller F carried by the frame, an elastic bunch-rolling-
apron E, means whereby the pocket is closed to form the bight without material
alteration of the size thereof, and means for drawing upon one or both ends of the
apron E after the bight is closed so as to tighten and stretch the apron and cause
the same to conform to the shape of the filler-tobacco in the bight, substantially as
shown and described.
4. In a cigar-bunching-machine, the combination with a rolling-table D, of a
reciprocating or vibrating frame G, a bunching-roller F carried by the frame, an
elastic bunch-rolling-apron E, a pivoted holder or clamp H secured to the forward
end of the apron and adapted to be rocked rearward during the closing of the porket
to form the bight by the friction of the apron E upon the bunching-roller F, a
clamp or holder I for the rear end of the apron, and means for actuating both of the
clamps or holders H and I after the bight is closed so as to draw upon both ends of the
apron and stretch the same so that it will conform to the shape of the filler tobacco,
in the bight, substantially as shown and described.
5. In a cigar-bunching-machine, the combination with a rolling-table D, of a
reciprocating or vibrating frame G, a bunching-roller F carried by the frame G,
an elastic bunch-rolling-apron E, a movable holder or clamp H for one end of the
apron and a movable holder or clamp I for the other end of the apron, and
mechanism forming an actuating connection between one or both of the clamps or
holders Hand I and the frame G, whereby the movement of the frame G
will actuate one or both of the clamps H and I, substantially as shown and
described.
6. In a cigar-bunching-machine, the combination with a rolling-table D, of a
bunching-roller F, a reciprocating or vibrating frame G, an elastic bunch-rolling-
apron E, and mechanism actuated by the movement of the frame G whereby the
elastic apron E is drawn upon and stretched and tightened from one or both ends
thereof, substantially as shown and described.
7. In a cigar-bunching-machine, the combination with a rolling-table D, of a
reciprocating or vibrating-frame G, a bunching-roller F carried by the frame G,
an elastic bunch-rolling-apron E, a pivoted holder or clamp H secured to the
forward end of the apron E, a pivoted holder or clamp I secured to the rear end of
the apron E, a connecting rod K having a slot 33 forming a sliding actuating
connection between the clamps H and I, and mechanism preferably consisting of a
rod L having a slut 42 by which the same is in sliding connection with the clamp I

page_text: forming an actuating connection between the frame G and the clamps or holders H
and I, the rod L being also preferably secured to the frame G by an adjustable
pivot-bolt 41, substantially as shown and described.
Dated this 8th day of October 1895.
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97 Newgate Street E.C., Agent for Applicants.