Improvements in Cigar Making Machines.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Mar., 1893-Accepted, 13th May, 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cigar Making Machines.
We ADOLPH CHARLES SCHUTZ, Manufacturer, of 193 Rodney Street, and
NICHOLAS HERMANN BORGFELDT, Machinist, of 221 Rodney Street, in the
City of Brooklyn, County of Kings and State of New York, United States of
America 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 improvements in apparatus for forming the fillers of
bunches for cigars, and for forming tapering long-filler cigars.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming part of this
Specification, wherein,
Figure 1 is a front elevation of our improved cigar bunching machine.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same partly in section, the line 2-2, Figure 1,
indicating the plane of section;
Figure 3 is a plan or top view of the same with part of the table broken
away;
Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical cross-section on the line 4-4, Figure 3 ;
Figure 5 is an enlarged section across the treadle ;
Figure 6 is an enlarged detail vertical section on the line 6--6, Figure 5,
showing the lower pivotal connection of the roller carrying frame.
Figure 7 is a similar vertical section on the line 7-7, Figure 8, showing tho
upper pivotal connection of said roller-carrying-frame; and
Figure 8 is a detail horizontal section on the line 8-8, Figure 7.
The object of this invention is to produce apparatus for conveniently forming
tapering long-filler cigar bunches, and the invention consists principally in an
improved device for forming the fillers of bunches for cigars and in the employment
in a cigar bunching apparatus of a rolling board having a convexed curved upper
surface, the curve extending from front to back of said rolling board so that the
surface of said rolling-board is lower in front and lower at the back than in the
middle. Said rolling board also is, when seen from above, of isosceles trapezoidal
form, and two parallel lines of which border the sides of the rolling-board, while
the two converging sides of said trapezoid constitute the front and back edges.
With this rolling-board we are enabled to employ a tapering roller which is adapted
when rolled over the surface of the board (in an apron of course) to keep its axis
always directed to the point of convergence of the front and back edges of the
rolling board, while at the same time said roller travels up and then down over the
curved surface of the rolling-board.
By having the roller during its rotation describe an arc of a circle of which the
point of convergence of the front and back edges of the table would be the centre,
we are enabled to roll the bunch of tobacco in the apron to the desired taper.
At the same time the roller is forced to move the bunch over the convex surface
of the rolling-board, whereby we gain the advantage that with a given length of
rolling-board we obtain a more thorough rolling of the bunch, or, in other words,
an actually increased rolling surface for the bunch.
The invention also consists in peculiar mechanism hereinafter described for
moving the roller, and in other details of improvement that will be hereinafter
more clearly pointed out.
That part of the device for forming the fillers of the bunches will first be
described.
This is shown in Figures 2 and 3.
The letter K indicates a platform or scale-pan, the same, if a scale platform,

page_text: being supported by a lever Z, which is pivoted at g in a stationary frame M. The
lever Z has, at the end opposite to that which carries the platform K, a screw
thread on which is carried a weight which weight on this screw-thread may be
adjusted so as to be nearer to or further away from the pivot 9; but instead of
adjusting this weight on a screw-thread formed on the lever it may be slid on said
lever, or may be otherwise adjustable thereon. Directly below the pivot q there
is suspended from the lever a threaded pins which carries a nut or nuts t. By
means of these nuts, when moved up or down, the centre of gravity may be
adjusted, so that the scale-pan in ascending and descending may move within
prescribed limits.
The platform K is by preference formed with a longitudinal cavity or
depression u into which the tobacco to be used in a filler can be conveniently
placed. But this cavity is not essential, and we do not limit ourselves thereto.
N is a stationary plate supported on a post or frame O and located so that the
scale-platform in descending will rest on it. This stationary plate N has on its
outer end, meaning the end which is furthest away from the scale-platform, an
upwardly extending and inwardly turned ledge v, whose edge w is shaped to conform
.generally to the configuration of the bunch to be produced. This is fully apparent
from Figure 3. The plate N is removably attached, by means of screws, or other-
wise, to its support O; or it may be in sections, if desired, so that for varying
sizes and shapes of cigars, other plates or sections of plates having lips or ledges v
with edges w shaped to conform to the new bunch to be produced, may be substituted
for one another.
The platform and other parts described may be supported on frame A, in any
convenient position, or may be otherwise supported.
In operation the attendant first places upon the scale-platform the tobacco
necessary for a cigar bunch filler, the descent of the platform indicating when the
quantity of tobacco necessary for a certain bunch has been thus deposited.
Thereupon the attendant draws the tobacco into the semi-tubular cavity formed
by the curved lip v and adjusts the different pieces of tobacco, while holding them
within said cavity, in accordance with the gauge or guide which is indicated by
the shape of the edge w as the width of the plate indicates the length of the
filter. Any tobacco which extends beyond the ends of the plate N can be
torn off by ripping them against and across the end of the lip v, and so placing
those ends as to make a perfect filler for a bunch. The filler having now been
shaped as described, is then drawn off sidewise, while being held by the fingers to
maintain its shape, and placed upon the binder to be wrapped on the apron E.
The plate N with its lip may be formed of metal or any other material.
The scale may be dispensed with.
"
The filler, packed and formed as described, when removed from under the lip w,
may be placed on the apron of the apparatus now to be described, to be "covered
or bunched," and rolled.
"
In the drawings the letter A represents the frame of our machine. The upper
part of this frame supports a table B, which at the sides and back is by preference
embraced by ledges a. At its front portion the table B is cut away to make room
for the rolling-board C; yet this rolling-board may, if desired, be secured upon
the surface of the table, in which case slots would be formed in the table alongside
of the rolling-board to make room for the roller-carrying-arms and their movement.
The rolling-board C is, as has already been stated, of isosceles trapezoidal form
when inspected from the top, as clearly appears from Figure 3, the converging sides
of said trapezoid being the front and back edges of said table, as shown. The said
rolling-board when looked at sideways, as in Figure 2, and in section as in Figure 4,
shows a convex surface, it being lower at the front and at the back, and highest in
the middle.
D is the roller for carrying the loop of the apron E, that contains the bunch to
be formed over the rolling-board. This roller D is hung in arms 6 of a roller-
carrying-frame F, which frame F is pivoted in the main supporting frame A.

page_text: An examination of Figure 1 will show that one leg d of the roller-carrying-
frame is longer than the other leg e of said frame, but the pivots f,g by which
these arms are respectively connected to the frame A stand inclined towards one
another, as very clearly appears from Figures 6 and 7, and so that a line drawn
from one pivot to the other, as the dotted line in Figure 1 indicates, will pass
through the axis of said two pivots; consequently the frame F when swung to
bring the roller D backwards and forwards over the surface of the rolling-board C
moves on the pivotal line which is not parallel with the surface of the table B,
but, on the contrary, is inclined to said surface. It is very clear, therefore, that
the roller-carrying-frame F swinging on the inclined line h describes an arc of a
circle of which the line h is the centre, and that consequently the roller D is moved
in the same arc of the circle.
Inasmuch, however, as the roller hangs in bearings in the roller-carrying-frame so
as to occupy a substantially horizontal position, which is at an angle to the inclined
pivotal line h, the narrow end of the roller which is nearest the pivot g moves on a
sharper arc than does the broader end of the roller, which is nearest the lower
pivot f
On the curvature thus produced by the swinging of the horizontally located
roller on the inclined pivotal line h, the convex surface of the rolling-board C is
constructed. Thus we have shown how a curvilinear motion is obtained for the
roller D by the vibration of the roller-carrying-frame F.
At the same time, however, the roller by frictional contact with the apron of the
rolling-board revolves on its own axis. It will be observed from Figure 3 that in
the initial position the roller is parallel with the inclined front edge of the rolling-
board, and being a tapering roller, it retains as it moves towards the back of the
rolling-board a direction which points to the line of convergence of the front and
back edges of said rolling-board. Thus, a tapering roller such as is shown, and
such as is used in this machine, will have a rotation around its own axis, a
displacement from one inclination to another inclination corresponding to the two
inclined edges of the rolling-board, and a curvilinear motion which depends upon
the inclination of the pivotal line h.
In Figure 1 of the drawing the highest pivot 9 is shown about midway between
the top and bottom of the frame A; but it is evident that the said pivot g may be
elevated more or less, in which case the line of inclination h will be correspondingly
varied and the difference between the curves described at the opposite ends of the
roller correspondingly modified.
Thus we are able to produce with the assistance of a proper apron E, which is
fastened at both ends, a bunch having the desired taper, and to roll this bunch
over an elongated surface of the convex rolling-board, until it may be received at
the back end of said rolling-board by a suitable bunch receiver G of ordinary
construction. The apron E is secured at its back end to the back end of the
rolling-board in any suitable manner, but its front end is fastened in a clamp H,
which at i is pivoted to the rolling-board, or an extension thereof, or to the table B,
or other part of the framing. This pivoted clamp H is provided underneath the
rolling-board with an inwardly or rearwardly projecting arm j having a step or
downward extension k, as shown in Figure 2. The roller-carrying-frame F is
provided with a frictional roller 1 or analogous projection which, when said frame F
is swung backwards, moves under the lower face of the arm; until it strikes the
step or set off k, when, the frame F continuing in its backward motion, said roller 1
lifts the arm j, and thereby moves the clamp H forward (i.e. outwards) thus
stretching the apron G and tightening it on the bunch, which at that time is
already enveloped by the apron and on the convex portion of the rolling-board.
Motion may be imparted to the frame F either by means of handles m, with which
it is provided, or by means of a treadle I, or by both handles and treadle.
The treadle I is shown pivoted to the frame A and connected by a link n with
the long leg d of the frame F. In swinging the treadle on its pivot it will by this
link n cause the long leg d of the roller-carrying-frame F to be swung, and thereby,

page_text: in fact, the whole frame to be swung. The connections between the link n and the
treadle and the leg d are by preference either or both slightly slotted, or the holes
for the connecting pins are slightly enlarged so as to avoid any strain which other-
wise would be caused by the horizontal vibrating treadle engaging with the roller-
frame that swings on the inclined line h. This enlargement is indicated by dotted
lines in Figure 5.
Although we have described the roller-board C as having the isosceles trapezoidal
form when examined from the top, it is nevertheless clear that if the parallel sides
of the trapezoid may be slightly curved, the same final result would be obtained,
and we therefore wish to have it understood that the expression " isosceles
trapezoidal form "when applied to this rolling-board would include the modification
just mentioned.
It is quite clear that a bunch o, Figure 2, when enveloped in the fold of the apron
by means of the advancing roller D, will find itself embraced in a tapering loop of
the apron, and will continue in said tapering loop until it is finally delivered
properly rolled in the bunch receiver G.
It is clear also that the apron E of this machine when inspected from above has
the isosceles trapezoidal form already specified as the form of the rolling-board, or
substantially the same, allowing, of course, for the difference in length between the
apron and the rolling-board.
The parts K, L, M, N, may sometimes be omitted; and the part N, with its
bend and edge w may sometimes be used without the rest of the apparatus
described.
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 cigar-bunching machine, the fixed plate D having curved lip 9, and edge,
said edge being shaped to conform generally to the configuration of the bunch to be
produced, as and for the purpose herein shown and described.
2. The combination of the rolling-board C having convex upper surface and
substantially isosceles trapezoidal form, with an apron E, and with a tapering
roller D, and means, substantially as described, for moving said roller, all as
specified.
3. The combination of the isosceles trapezoidal rolling-board C, having convex
upper surface, with the isosceles trapezoidal apron E, roller D, and means,
substantially as described, for moving said roller in the embrace of said apron, as
set forth.
4. The combination of the rolling-board C, roller D, means substantially as
described, for moving said roller, apron E, and clamp H engaging one end of said
apron, and with means, substantially as described, for moving said clamp backwards
during a portion of the advance of the roller and holding it stationary thereafter,
all as specified.
5. In a bunching machine, the roller-carrying-frame F combined with a
supporting frame A and inclined connecting pivots f g all arranged so that the
swinging line or centre of motion for the vibrating roller-frame F shall be
inclined to the plane of the axis of the roller, as and for the purpose specified.
6. The rolling-board C having convex upper surface, combined with a tapering
roller D, the roller-carrying-frame F, the main supporting frame A and the
connecting pivots f, y between the roller-carrying-frame F and the supporting
frame A, said connecting pivots being placed at different elevations, so that the
line h of motion of the roller-carrying-frame shall be inclined to the surface of the
rolling-board, as and for the purpose specified.
7. The combination of the rolling-board C, the rolling-apron E and the roller D
with the roller-carrying-frame F having projection 1, and with the pivoted clamp H
engaging one end of the apron, said clamp H having stepped projection j, all
arranged so that the roller frame when advanced shall cause the clamp H to be

page_text: moved in the opposite direction by the contact of the projection 1, with the stepped
projection of the clamp, as set forth.
Dated HIS 20TH uay
A. C. SCHUTZ,
N. H. BORGFELDT,
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.