Improvements in and connected with Cigarette Making Machines.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Cigarette Making Machines.
We, W. D. & H. O. WILLS LIMITED, of Bedminster, in the City and County of
Bristol, and 53, 54 & 55, Holborn Viaduct, in the City of London, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention (which has been communicated to us from
abroad by The Bonsack Machine Company, of Lynchburg, Virginia, in the United
States of America,) to be as follows :-
This invention relates to cigarette machines in which a continuous or endwise
moving filler of "long cut" tobacco, is fed onto a longitudinally moving belt
and carried thereby through devices by which it is formed into a rod, which is
enclosed within a wrapper, the overlapping edges of which are secured together.
One object of this invention is to provide means for cutting the cigarette rod
thus formed into required lengths in a manner more efficient and rapid than
heretofore and this is done by so constructing and arranging the mechanism for
operating and controlling the knife that a higher speed and smoother action.
may be imparted thereto without undue friction to the rapidly reciprocating parts
of the mechanism.
In the manufacture of cigarettes by machines of the aforesaid kind, it has been
customary to arrange a chute at the delivery end of the machine into which the
completed cigarettes fall as they are severed from the cigarette rod. From this
chute the cigarettes drop promiscuously into a box, or other receptacle, the result
being that a number are so injured as to be unsaleable. Furthermore, there is
great loss of tobacco, which is shaken from the individual cigarette as it falls
from the cutter to the chute and thence to the box, or receptacle. Again, as
heretofore practiced. when the cigarettes are to be boxed, or put up into mer-
chantable packages, the attendant whose duty it is to collect the cigarettes from
the machine, often gathers them up from the box, or receptacle, with both hands,
and without care, so that many of the cigarettes are injured.
To overcome these objections, and at the same time facilitate the operation of
packing by laying the cigarettes in regular order, according to this invention, a
simple and positive device is provided for carrying the cigarettes from the cutting
mechanism to a collecting box of suitable size and construction, and systemati-
cally laying them therein in rows.
In a cigarette machine provided with arrangements according to this invention
the said arrangements are preferably wholly or partly secured to a plate at the
delivery end of the machine. Near each end of the plate is a bracket each
bracket extending from the same side of the plate and terminating in a bearing.
In these two bearings is mounted a cam shaft carrying a gear wheel and a cam
wheel keyed, or otherwise fixed thereto. At one side of the periphery of the said
cam wheel is a sprocket rim. Engaged with the aforesaid gear wheel is a gear
wheel on the main driving shaft of the cigarette machine, through the medium of
which shaff all the moveable parts of the arrangements according to this inven-
Li Q77

page_text: .
tion are driven. A driving chain passes around the sprocket rim downwardly to
and around a second sprocket wheel fixed to shaft mounted in bearings secured to
the main frame of the cigarette machine. By means of this shaft the rotary
knife is driven, as hereinafter described. The cam wheel has formed in it two
cam grooves, one on its periphery and one on the side opposite the sprocket rim.
Bolted to the plate between the brackets, and extending upwardly at an angle,
are two brackets, each having a bearing at its upper end and a socket at the
bottom near its attachment to the plate. A rod extends from one of the sockets
to the other, and is secured 'therein by bolts while through the bearings above a
shaft slides.
Mounted on the rod is a reciprocating frame having bearings on its lower edge
which slide on the said rod. The upper part of the frame is formed into sockets
through which passes the sliding shaft secured in the sockets by means of screws.
From one side of one of the bearings projects a stud on the end of which is a
roller in engagement with the cam groove in the periphery of the aforesaid cam
wheel. The rotation of the cam wheel will thus cause the frame to reciprocate
Bolted to the same
on the rod and the sliding shaft to slide in the bearings.
bearing opposite the stud is an arm carrying the holder for supporting the
cigarette rod while being cut. This arm curves backwardly and upwardly, and
ends in a socket which gives a support to the funnel and ledger plate held in the
socket by bolts, and which are perforated for the passage there through of the
cigarette rod. Fastened to the side of the said arm is a bracket the upper end of
which is formed into a socket for carrying the cigarette guide, the latter having a
perforation in line with that in the ledger plate. A bolt secures the cigarette
guide in its socket.
Pivoted on the aforesaid sliding shaft is a frame in the upper end of which a
cutter shaft rotates in bearings. The said shaft has secured to one end a flat disc
knife. The face of the circular knife next the ledger plate is flat, while the
The other end of the
opposite face is beveled to form a sharp cutting edge.
cutter shaft carries a pulley over which passes a belt for rotating the knife.
A block through which the cam shaft passes, and in which it turns, is placed
near the side groove of the cam wheel projecting partly within an axial opening
formed therein. A slide whose lower forked end straddles the block lies closely
to the cam wheel and has pivoted to it at an intermediate point a roller which
enters the side cam groove.
To the upper end of the forked slide is a fixed pin projecting over the cam
wheel and pivoted to an arm journalled on the aforesaid sliding shaft the pin
being sufficiently long to permit the arm to slide lengthwise thereon.
The said arm has a hub seated, as a bushing, in the bearing. As thus arranged
the arm can be rocked independently of the sliding shaft and the knife frame.
A screw having an eye on one end is pivoted to a pin on the arm about midway
of its length.
'
This screw passes freely through a hole in a lug projecting from the knife frame
and is secured thereto by means of two adjusting nuts on opposite sides of the
lug. The construction is such that the rotation of the cam wheel will, through
the side cam groove and roller cause the forked slide to reciprocate longitudinally
and rock the said arm and through the medium of the screw connection, the knife
frame, the knife being alternately advanced to sever a cigarette from the cigarette
rod, and drawn back to permit the said rod to be fed forward for a new cut.
The object of the screw connection between the arm and the knife frame is to
admit of the correct adjustment of the cutting edge of the knife with relation to
the cigarette rod, so that it will but just pass through the rod. This adjustment
is especially desirable, as the knife is gradually reduced in diameter by sharpening
and must therefore be moved nearer the cigarette rod as it is worn away.
The shaft driven by the aforesaid second sprocket wheel has secured to it a
pulley around which a belt passes up to a smaller pulley turning loosely on the
sliding shaft. Another pulley fixed to the said pulley and turning therewith but

page_text: of greater diameter, is connected by a belt to the small pulley on the knife shaft.
By this arrangement a rapid rotation is imparted to the knife. A tightener keeps
the belt taut, and prevents it from slipping on the pulleys.
Heretofore it has been customary to allow the individual cigarette to fall, after
being severed from the cigarette rod into a chute or spout, by which it was con-
veyed to a box, or other receptacle, placed upon the floor. This has been found
objectionable as a considerable proportion of the cigarettes have been rendered
unsaleable through being injured as they fell into the receptacle, and while being
removed therefrom for the purpose of packing.
To overcome this objection there is secured to the main frame of the cigarette
machine, a short distance below the delivery end of the cigarette guide, a col-
lecting device which extends rearwardly at a right angle to the main frame.
The collecting device consists of a frame bolted at one end to the cigarette
machine frame and to a bracket extending horizontally from the mechanism
carrying plate herein before referred to, the opposite end of the said frame being
supported by a leg.
The frame preferably consists of two sides united at the bottom and ends.
Bearings are formed on the sides in which turn pulleys carrying belts whereon
the cigarettes are conveyed from the cutting mechanism to boxes in which they
are collected and retained until removed for packing.
A yoke is pivoted to the said frame, and carries in bearings on its upper end a
shaft on which is mounted a flanged pulley adapted to revolve within the frame
at its inner end.
A second pulley is journalled in the frame and between the pulleys extends an
endless belt having projections or teeth on its outer surface, of a length equal to
the width of the belt, which is somewhat less than the length of a cigarette.
This belt may be termed an endless rack. A small flanged pulley is journalled
near the second pulleys around which passes a notched belt extending to a larger
pulley mounted in the frame near the outer end. The upper stretches of the end-
less rack and the notched belt are prevented from sagging under the weight of
the cigarettes, or when elongated by use, by projections formed on the frame.
The frame curves around the first or hinder pulley to a point near the cigarette
guide where it supports an inclined plate which is adjacent to the opening through
which the several cigarettes are ejected, and extends downwardly to the endless
rack. As the cigarettes pass out of the cigarette guide they fall a short distance
on to the inclined plate and roll thence upon the endless rack.
Fixed to the top of the frame above the second pulley is an emergency maga-
zine having a pivoted inclined bottom extending forwardly from the rear side of
the magazine for about one half of its width. An arm secured to the pivot of
the inclined bottom outside of the magazine, is connected to a spring which tends
to keep the inclined bottom at all times in its depressed position.
Through the bottom of the magazine passes the aforesaid endless rack on each
side of which within the magazine is a finger pivoted to the side wall thereof. The
forward end of each finger is connected by a rod passing up through guides on the
side of the magazine to a bar extending across its top. Springs surround the said
rods, and serve to normally keep the fingers depressed, with their upper surfaces
slightly below the base of the teeth of the endless rack. To raise the fingers any
suitable means may be used, but I have shewn a lever pivoted to a cross piece
from which projects a pin passing under a cross bar. When the lever is raised,
the cross bar is lifted, which through the rods elevates the ends of the fingers.
Two brackets screwed to the frame between the magazine and the inclined plate
support a rotary brush and two swinging plates.
Between the inclined plate and the magazine extend two vertically disposed
guide plates one on each side of the endless rack. These guide plates are secured
to the ends of the inclined plate at which points they are separated a distance
greater than the length of a cigarette, gradually converging toward the magazine
where they stand apart about equal to such length. This construction serves to

page_text: align the cigarettes after they have reached the endless rack, so that they will
certainly enter the magazine, and subsequently the collecting box.
The yoke which carries the first or hinder of the aforesaid pulleys and is pivoted
in the frame on the journal extends below the said journal where it is provided
with a lug through which a screw bolt passes and bears upon an extension of the
frame. By means of this bolt the proper tension of the endless rack can at all
times be maintained
Removably supported on the frame behind the magazine is the collecting box
which extends from the magazine backward as far as desired. It may be made
of any length by proportionately changing the length of the notched belt.
The internal width of the box is slightly greater than the length of a cigarette,
and its bottom is open except that a strip is provided on each side thereof, be-
tween which strips the notched belt travels.
An opening is formed in one end of the box near its bottom through which the
cigarettes are introduced by the endless rack and as each cigarette enters the box
its ends are first supported by the strips, on reaching which the teeth of the end-
less rack become disengaged from the cigarette. The cigarette being forced for-
ward by succeeding ones now reaches the endless notched belt, a layer being by
its means distributed along the length of the box. The cigarettes gradually
rising within the box, are spread evenly therein until it is filled. After a box
has been filled and removed a bottom having a tongue on each edge is slid between
the strips to assist in supporting the body of cigarettes, as, otherwise, those below
would be bent downward by the weight of the superimposed ones and rendered
unfit for sale.
A double collecting box may be used so arranged that, after one side has been
filled with cigarettes, it inay be turned end for end and the other side filled. To
support such a box, brackets are fastened to the frame the said brackets having a
shelf upon which the overhanging part of the box rests.
The moving parts of the collecting device are operated as follows: On the outer
end of the cam shaft is fixed a small sprocket pinion which drives a larger sprocket
wheel by means of a chain. A curved arm formed upon the plate supporting the
first described mechanism has a bearing at its outer end, in which is journalled
a shaft of the last named sprocket wheel. A small pinion on the opposite end of
the shaft is connected by à chain to a sprocket wheel on the shaft, which carries
the grooved pulley for driving the endless rack. On the same shaft is a grooved
pulley connected by a belt to a small pulley mounted on the shaft of a brush.
The shaft of the second or forward pulley around which the endless rack passes is
provided with a small sprocket which drives a chain encircling a larger sprocket
wheel upon the shaft of the notched belt pulley. By this arrangement the
notched belt is driven at a speed slower than that of the endless rack, this being
necessary to effect the proper distribution of the cigarettes within the collecting
box.
In the general operation of the mechanism according to this invention, a
cigarette rod is made in the usual manner and advances from the seam-closing
device to the cutting mechanism. As it passes through the funnel and ledger plate
which with the knife are secured to the reciprocating frame the latter, because of
the action of the peripheral groove in the eam wheel on the roller therein, moves
with increasing speed in the direction in which the cigarette rod is moving.
During this time the knife is thrown, by the side groove acting upon the roller
on the forked slide toward the cigarette rod in a direction at a right angle thereto
Just before the knife reaches the cigarette rod the reciprocating frame has at-
tained its maximum speed, which is that of the cigarette rod. The knife which is
rotating at a high velocity, continues to advance towards the cigarette rod and
passes through it.
As the rod and knife are moving laterally with common speed,
a sharp straight cut is made through the rod, severing a piece of suitable length
to form a cigarette. After having severed the rod the knife is drawn back; and,
as soon as its cutting edge has passed from in front of the rod the lateral move-

page_text: ment of the reciprocating frame, owing to the shape of the peripheral groove in
the cam wheel is decreased in speed until the frame is brought to a momentary
stop, after which it returns to the first position to begin its operation again.
The cigarettes thus cut from the rod, drop a short distance and fall on the in-
clined plate rolling thence onto the endless rack, on which they rest between the
teeth, the rack carrying them along under the swinging plates and the brush
which together serve to effectually straighten out all improperly disposed
cigarettes, and bring them between the teeth of the endless rack. The speed of
the endless rack is so timed with respect to that of the advancing cigarettes that
between every two or three cigarettes resting thereon there will be an unoccupied
space. As the endless rack advances, the cigarettes thereon are centered by the
aforesaid vertically disposed guide plates and pass through the magazine over the
fingers and under the inclined bottom to the collecting box, when they are trans-
ferred to the grooved strips passing thence to the notched belt which runs
through the collecting box. The notched surface of this belt is slightly higher
than the grooved strips and hence the cigarettes are carried the full length
thereof. The notches in the belt being of slight depth, the cigarettes are spread
over the whole length of the collecting box without undue force.
The
When a collecting box is full and ready to be replaced by another, (or in case
a double box is used to be reversed) the handle on the magazine is to be raised,
thereby lifting the points of the fingers about even with the lower edge of the
inclined bottom. This will cause the cigarettes to strike the said fingers, when
they will ride up out of the endless rack and collect in the magazine.
magazine is, therefore, an emergency receptacle to be called into requisition to
prevent clogging, or banking up, of the cigarettes during the removal, or change,
of the collecting box, or the temporary stopping of the cigarette machine during
the change.
As soon as the filled collecting box has been replaced by an empty one, or
reversed, the handle must be turned down and the fingers returned to their normal
position below the teeth of the endless rack thus permitting the cigarettes to pass
on, in the normal way, to the collecting box. The cigarettes which have accumu-
lated in the magazine now rest on the inclined bottom while the cigarettes in the
ordinary course of progression rest upon the endless rack. As soon as an empty
space (hereinbefore mentioned) between two of the teeth of the rack, reaches the
magazine one of the cigarettes therein drops into it. This action continues until
all of the cigarettes have fallen from the magazine and been carried to the col-
lecting box. By the use of the said magazine an operator is not hurried when
changing, or reversing, collecting boxes, sufficient time being allowed to insure
removal and replacement thereof before the magazine is filled.
If, while the operator is raising the handle, to prevent the passage of the
cigarettes to the collecting box, one of the cigarettes should be caught between the
fingers and the lower edge of the inclined bottom the said inclined bottom will
be raised by the cigarette which, still being between the two teeth of the endless
rack, will roll under the bottom and pass on to the collecting box, and the spring
or the arm will pull down the inclined bottom as soon as the cigarette has passed,
and prevent a second one from being carried thereunder. The pressure exerted
on the cigarette by this operation is slight and does not injure it in appearance or
value.

page_text: Improvements in and connected with Cigarette Making Machines.
We; W. D. & H. O. WILLS LIMITED, of Bedminster, in the City and County of
Bristol, and 53, 54 & 55, Holborn Viaduct, in the City of London, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention (which has been communicated to us from
abroad by The Bonsack Machine Company, of Lynchberg, Virginia, in the United
States of America,) and in what manner the same is to be performed to be par-
ticularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement; -
This invention relates to cigarette machines in which a continuous, or endwise
moving, filler of "long-cut" tobacco, is fed onto a longitudinally moving belt,
and carried thereby through devices by which, it is formed into a rod, which is
enclosed within a wrapper (preferably of paper) the overlapping edges of which are
secured together.
One object of this invention is to provide means for cutting the cigarette, 1od,
thus formed, into required lengths in a manner more efficient and rapid than
heretofore, and this is done by so constructing and arranging the mechanism for
operating, and controlling the knife, that a higher speed and smoother action
can be imparted thereto without undue friction to the rapidly reciprocating parts
of the mechanism.
In the manufacture of cigarettes by machines of the aforesaid kind, it has been
customary to arrange a chute at the delivery end of the machine into which chute
the completed cigarettes fall as they are severed from the cigaretie rod. From this
chute the cigarettes drop promiscuously into a box, or other receptacle, the result
being that a number are so injured as to be unsaleable. Furthermore, there is
great loss of tobacco, which is shaken from the individual cigarette as it falls
from the cutter to the chute, and thence to the box, or recoptacle. Again, as
heretofore practised, when the cigarettes are to be boxed, or put up into mer-
chantable packages, the attendant, whose duty it is to collect the cigarettes from
the machine, often gathers them up from the box, or receptacle, with both hands,
and without care, so that many of the cigarettes are injured.
To overcome these objections, and, by laying the cigarettes in regular order to
facilitate the operation of packing, a simple and positive device is provided accord-
ing to this invention for carrying the cigarettes from the cutting mechanism to
a collecting box, or receptacle, of suitable size and construction, and systemati-
cally laying them therein in rows.
We will fully describe the several features of this invention with reference to
the accompanying drawings, in which
Figure 1 is a plan of an arrangement according to this invention the arrange-
ment being secured in place on the delivery end of a cigarette machine, the col-
lecting box being removed. Figure 2 is an elevation of the same with the col-
lecting box in place. Figure 3 is a cross section, (drawn to a larger scale)
through the cutting mechanism and on the line 3-3 of Figures 1 & 4. Figure 4
is an elevation (also drawn to a larger scale) of the cutting mechanism viewed in
the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 3. Figure 5 is a longitudinal
section through the collecting mechanism. Figures 6 and 7 are cross sections
respectively, on the lines 6-6 and 7-7 of Figure 5.
Figure 8 is a section (drawn to a somewhat larger scale) through the magazine.
Figure 9 is a similar view shewing the parts in a different position. Figure 10
shews a detached detail.
Similar numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the respective figures.
To the main frame 1 of a cigarette machine, preferably of the Bonsack type,

page_text: and at the delivery end thereof, is bolted a plate 2 to which the various parts of
the mechanism constituting this invention are wholly, or partly secured. Near
each end of the plate 2 (and preferably cast therewith) is a bracket 3 (Figure 1),
each bracket 3 extending from the same side of the plate and terminating in a
bearing 4. In the two bearings so formed is mounted a cam shaft 5 carrying a
pinion 6, and a cam wheel 7, keyed, or otherwise, fixed, thereto (Figures 1 and 2).
At one side of the periphery of the cam wheel 7, is formed, or fixed thereto, a
sprocket rim 8. Engaged with the pinion 6 is a toothed wheel 9, on the main
driving shaft 10, (Figure 1), of the cigarette machine, through the medium of
which shaft all the moveable parts of the arrangements according to this inven-
tion are driven. A driving chain 11 passes around the sprocket rim 8 down-
wardly to, and around, a second sprocket wheel 12, (Figure 2), fixed to a
shaft 13 mounted in bearings secured to the main frame of the cigarette machine.
By means of the shaft 13 the rotary knife is driven, as hereinafter described.
"The cam wheel 7, has formed in it two cam grooves, one 14 on its periphery
(Figure 1), and one 15, on the side opposite the sprocket rim 8 (Figures 2 and 3).
Bolted to the plate 2, between the brackets 3. and extending upwardly at an
angle, are two brackets 16, 17 (Figure 4), each having a bearing, 18, at its upper
end, and a socket 19 at the bottom near its attachment to the plate 2. A rod 20
extends from one of the sockets 19 to the other, and is secured therein by the
screws 21 while through the bearings 18 a shaft 23 slides.
Mounted on the rod 20 is a reciprocating frame 24, having bearings 25, 26, on
its lower edge which slide on the rod 20. The upper part of the frame is formed
into sockets 27, through which passes the shaft 23 secured in the sockets by means
of screws 27, as seen in Figure 1. From one side of the bearing 25 projects a
stud 28 (Figure 3) on the end of which is a roller 29 in engagement with the
cam groove 14 in the periphery of the cam wheel 7. The rotation of the cam
wheel will thus cause the frame 24 to reciprocate on the rod 20, and the shaft 23
to slide in the bearings 18. Bolted to the bearing 25 opposite the stud 28 is
an arm 30 carrying the holder for supporting the cigarette rod while being cut.
This arm curves backwardly and upwardly, as shewn in Figure 3, and ends in a
socket 31, which gives a support to the funnel 32, and ledger plate 33, (held in
the socket by screws, as shewn,) which are perforated for the passage therethrough
of the cigarette rod. Fastened to the side of the arm 30 is a bracket 34, the
upper end of which is formed into a socket 35 in which the cigarette guide 36, is
secured by a screw the said guide having a perforation in line with that in the
ledger plate.
Pivoted on the shaft 23 by suitable bearings 37, 38, is a frame 39, (Figures 3
and 4) in the upper end of which a shaft 40 rotates in bearings. The shaft 40
carries on one end the flat disc knife 41 which is secured thereon by the hand
nut 42. The face of the circular knife next the ledger plate 33 is flat, while the
The other end of the
opposite face is bevelled to form a sharp cutting edge.
cutter shaft carries a pulley 43 over which passes a belt 44 for rotating the knife.
A block 45 (Figures 1 and 2), through which the cam shaft 5 passes, and in
which it turns, is placed near the side groove 15, of the cam wheel 7, projecting
partly within an axial opening formed therein. A slide 46 whose lower forked
end 47 (Figure 3) straddles the block 45 lies closely to the cam wheel 7, and has
pivoted to it, at an intermediate point, a roller 48, which enters the side cam
groove 15. To the upper end of the forked slide 46, is a fixed pin 49, projecting
over the cam wheel 7, and pivoted to an arm 50, journalled on the shaft 23, the
pin 49 being sufficiently long to permit the arm 50 to slide lengthwise thereon.
The arm 50 (Figure 10) has a hub 51, seated, as a bushing, in the hearing 37.
As thus arranged the arm 50 can be rocked independently of the shaft 23 and
the knife frame 39. A screw 52, having an eye on one end, is pivoted to a pin 53,
on the arm 50, about midway of its length. This screw passes freely through a
hole in a lug 54, projecting from the knife frame 39, and is secured thereto by
means of two adjusting nuts 55, 56, on opposite sides of the lug, as shewn in

page_text: Figure 3. The construction is such that the rotation of the cam wheel 7, will,
through the side cam groove 15, and roller 48, cause the forked slide 46, to reci-
procate longitudinally and rock the arm 50, and, through the medium of the
screw connection 52, the knife frame 39, the knife being alternately advanced to
sever a cigarette from the cigarette rod, and drawn back to permit the said rod
to be fed forward for a new cut.
The object of the screw connection between the arm 50 and the knife frame 39
is to admit of the correct adjustment of the cutting edge of the knife with rela-
tion to the cigarette rod, so that it will but just pass through the rod. This
adjustment is especially desirable, as the knife
by sharpening and must therefore be moved nearer the cigarette rod as it is worn
gradually reduced in diameter
away.
The shaft 13, driven by the sprocket wheel 12, has secured to it a pulley 57,
around which a belt 58, passes up to a smaller pulley 59, turning loosely on the
shaft 23 (Figure 2). A pulley 60, fixed to the pulley 59, and turning therewith,
but of greater diameter, is connected by the belt 44, to the small pulley 43, on
the knife shaft 40. By this arrangement a rapid rotation is imparted to the
knife. A tightener 61, keeps the belt 58 taut, and prevents it from slipping on
the pulleys.
Heretofore it has been customary to allow the individual cigarette to fall, after
being severed from the cigarette rod, into a chute, or spout, by which it was con-
veyed to a box, or other receptacle, placed upon the floor. This has been found
objectionable as a considerable proportion of the cigarettes have been rendered
unsaleable through being injured as they fell into the box, or receptacle, and
while being removed therefrom for the purpose of packing. To overcome this
objection there is secured to the main frame 1 of the cigarette machine, a short
distance below the delivery end of the cigarette guide 36, a collecting device
which extends rearwardly at a right angle to the main frame.
The collecting device is constructed or arranged as follows: A frame 63 is
bolted at one end to the cigarette machine frame 1, and to a bracket 64 extending
horizontally from the plate 2; its opposite end being supported by a leg 65, ex-
tending to the floor. The frame preferably consists of two sides united at the
bottom and ends. Bearings are formed on the sides in which turn pulleys carry-
ing belts whereon the cigarettes are conveyed from the cutting mechanism to
boxes, or receptacles, in which they are collected and retained until removed for
packing. A yoke 66, is pivoted, at 67, to the frame 63, and carries in bearings
on its upper end a shaft 68, on which is mounted a flanged pulley 69 adapted to
revolve within the frame 63 at its inner end, as represented in Figure 5.
second pulley 70 is journalled in the frame 63, and, between the pulleys 69 and
A
70, extends an endless belt 71, having projections, or teeth, 72, on its outer sur- 4
face, of a length equal to the width of the belt, which is somewhat less than the
length of a cigarette. This belt may be termed an endless rack. A small flanged
pulley 73, is journalled near the pulley 70, around which passes a notched belt 74
extending to a larger pulley 75 mounted in the frame near the outer end, as
seen in Figure 5. The upper stretches of the endless rack 71, and the notched 4
belt 74, are prevented from sagging under the weight of the cigarettes, or when
elongated by use, by projections 76, 77, formed on the frame 63. The frame 63
curves around the pulley 69, to a point near the cigarette guide 36, where it sup-
ports an inclined plate 78, which is adjacent to the opening through which the
several cigarettes are ejected, and extends downwardly to the endless rack 71. 5
As the cigarettes pass out of the cigarette guide 36, they fall a short distance onto
the inclined plate and roll thence onto the endless rack.
Fixed to the top of the frame 63, above the pulley 70. is an emergency maga-
zine 79, having a pivoted inclined bottom 80, extending forwardly from the rear
side of the magazine for about one-half of its width. An arm 81, (Figure 2) 55
secured to the pivot of the inclined bottom 80, outside of the magazine, is con-
nected to a spring 82, which tends to keep the inclined bottom at all times in its

page_text: depressed position. Through the bottom of the magazine passes the endless
rack 71, on each side of which within the magazine is a finger 83, pivoted to the
side wall thereof. The forward end of each finger is connected by a rod 84,
passing up through guides on the side of the magazine to a bar 85, extending
across its top. Springs 86, surround the rods 84, and serve to normally keep the
fingers 83 depressed, with their upper surfaces slightly below the base of the
teeth 72 of the endless rack 71. To raise the fingers any suitable means may be
used, but we have shewn a lever 87, pivoted to a cross piece 88, from which pro-
jects a pin 89, passing under the cross bar 85. When the lever is raised, the cross
bar is lifted, which, through the rods 84, elevates the ends of the fingers to the
position shewn by dotted lines in Figure 8.
Two brackets 90 screwed to the frame between the magazine and the inclined
plate 78 support a rotary brush 91, and two swinging plates 92, 93 (Figure 5).
Between the inclined plate 78, and the magazine 79, extend two vertically dis-
posed guide plates 94, one on each side of the endless rack 71. These guide
plates 94, are secured to the ends of the inclined plate 78, at which points they
are separated a distance greater than the length of a cigarette, gradually converg-
ing toward the magazine (Figure 1), where they stand apart about equal to such
length. This construction serves to align the cigarettes after they have reached
the endless rack 71, so that they will certainly enter the magazine, and subse-
quently the collecting box.
The yoke 66, (Figures 1 and 5), which carries the pulley 69, and is pivoted in
the frame 63, on the journal 67, extends below the said journal where it is pro-
vided with a lug 95, through which a screw bolt 96, passes and bears upon an
extension 97, of the frame 63. By turning the bolt 96, the proper tension of the
endless rack can at all times be maintained.
Removably supported on the frame 63, behind the magazine 79, is the collect-
ing box 98, which extends from the magazine backward as far as desired. It
may be made of any length by proportionately changing the length of the
notched belt 74. The internal width of the box 98 is slightly greater than the
length of a cigarette, and its bottom is open except that a strip 98", (Figure 6),
is provided on each side thereof, between which strips the notched belt 74, travels.
An opening 99, is formed in one end of the box near its bottom, through which
the cigarettes are introduced by the endless rack 71; and, as each cigarette enters
the box, its ends are first supported by the strips 98", on reaching which the teeth
of the endless rack 71 become disengaged from the cigarette. The cigarette being
forced forward by succeeding cigarettes now reaches the endless notched belt 74,
a layer being, by its means, distributed along the length of the box.
cigarettes gradually raising within the box, are spread evenly therein until it is
filled. After a box has been filled and removed a bottom, having a tongue on
each edge, is slid between the strips 98, to assist in supporting the body of
cigarettes, as, otherwise, those below would be bent downward by the weight of
the superimposed ones, and rendered unfit for sale.
The
We have shewn (see particularly Figure 6) a double collecting box so arranged
that, after one side has been filled with cigarettes, it may be turned, end for end,
and the other side filled. To support such a box, brackets 100 (Figure 7) are
fastened to the frame 63, the said brackets having a shelf 101, upon which the
overhanging part of the box rests.
The moving parts of the collecting device are operated as follows: On the outer
end of the cam shaft 5 is fixed a small sprocket pinion 102 (Figure 1), which
drives a larger sprocket wheel 103, by means of a chain 104. A curved arm 105,
formed, or fixed, upon the plate 2, has a bearing at its outer end, in which is
journalled the shaft 106, (Figure 2), of the sprocket wheel 103. A small
pinion 107, on the opposite end of the shaft 106, is connected, by a chain 108, to
a sprocket wheel 109, on the shaft 68, which carries the grooved pulley 69, for
driving the endless rack 71. On the same shaft 68, is a grooved pulley 110, con-
nected by a belt 111, to a small pulley 112, mounted on the shaft of the brush 91.

page_text: The shaft of the pulley 70, around which the endless rack passes, is provided
with a small sprocket wheel 113, which drives a chain 114, encircling a larger
sprocket wheel 115, upon the shaft of the notched belt pulley 73. By this
arrangement the notched belt 74 is driven at a speed slower than that of the
endless rack, this being necessary to effect the proper distribution of the cigarettes
within the collecting box.
In the general operation of the mechanism according to this invention, a
cigarette rod is made in the usual manner, and advances from the seam closing
device to the cutting mechanism. As it passes through the funnel 32, and ledger
plate 33, which, with the knife 41, are secured to the reciprocating frame 24, the
latter, because of the action of the peripheral groove 14, (in the cam wheel 7), on
the roller therein, moves with increasing speed in the direction in which the
cigarette rod is moving.
During this time the knife is thrown, (by the side groove 15, acting upon the
roller 48, on the forked slide 46) toward the cigarette rod in a direction at a right
angle thereto. Just before the knife reaches the cigarette rod the reciprocating
frame 24 has attained its maximum speed, which is that of the cigarette rod.
The knife, which is rotating at a high velocity, continues to advance towards the
cigarette rod and passes through it. As the rod and knife are moving laterally
with common speed, a sharp straight cut is made through the rod, severing a
piece of suitable length to form a cigarette. After having severed the rod the
knife is drawn back; and, as soon as its cutting edge has passed from in front of
the rod the lateral movement of the reciprocating frame, owing to the shape of
the peripheral groove 14, is decreased in speed until the frame is brought to a
momentary stop, after which it returns to the first position to begin its operation
again.
The cigarettes, thus cut from the rod, drop a short distance, and fall on the
inclined plate 78 rolling thence onto the endless rack 71, on which they rest
between the teeth 72, the rack carrying them along under the swinging plates 92, 93,
and the brush 91, which together serve to effectually straighten out all im-
properly disposed cigarettes, and bring them between the teeth of the endless
rack. The speed of the endless rack 71 is so timed with respect to that of the
advancing cigarettes that, between every two, or three, cigarettes resting thereon,
there will be an unoccupied space. As the endless rack 71 advances, the cigarettes
thereon are centered by the plates 94, and pass through the magazine 79, over
the fingers 83 and under the inclined bottom 80, to the collecting box 98, when
they are transferred to the grooved strips 98", passing thence to the notched
belt 74, which runs through the collecting box. The notched surface of this belt
is slightly higher than the strips 982, and hence the cigarettes are carried the full
length thereof. The notches in the belt 74 being of slight depth, the cigarettes
are spread over the whole length of the collecting box without undue force.
When a collecting box is full and ready to be replaced by another, (or, in case
a double box is used, to be reversed) the handle 87 on the magazine is to be
raised, thereby lifting the points of the fingers 83 about even with the lower edge
of the inclined bottom 80. This will cause the cigarettes to strike the said fingers,
when they will ride up out of the endless rack and collect in the magazine. The
magazine is, therefore, an emergency receptacle, to be called into requisition to
prevent clogging, or banking up, of the cigarettes during the removal, or change,
of the collecting box, or the temporary stopping of the cigarette machine during
the change.
As soon as the filled collecting box has been replaced by an empty one, or re-
versed, the handle 87, must be turned down and the fingers 83, returned to their
normal position below the teeth of the endless rack 71, thus permitting the
cigarettes to pass on in the normal way to the collecting box. The cigarettes
which have accumulated in the magazine now rest on the inclined bottom 80, while
the cigarettes in the ordinary course of progression rest upon the endless rack.
As soon as an empty space (hereinbefore mentioned) between two of the teeth

page_text: of the rack, reaches the magazine one of the cigarettes therein drops into it.
This action continues until all of the cigarettes have fallen from the magazine,
and been carried to the collecting box. By the use of the said magazine an
operator is not hurried when changing, or reversing, collecting boxes, sufficient
time being allowed to insure removal and replacement thereof before the magazine
is filled.
If, while the operator is raising the handle 87, to prevent the passage of the
cigarettes to the collecting box, one of the cigarettes should be caught between
the fingers 83 and the lower edge of the inclined bottom 80, as represented in
Figure 9, the said inclined bottom will be raised by the cigarette which, still
being between the two teeth of the endless rack, will roll under the bottom and
pass on to the collecting box, and the spring 82, or the arm 81, (Figure 2), will
pull down the inclined bottom 80, as soon as the cigarette has passed, and pre-
vent a second one from being carried thereunder. The pressure exerted on the
cigarette by this operation is slight, and does not injure it in appearance, or
value.
this
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:
1. In, or for, a cigarette machine, a mechanism for severing cigarettes from a
continuously moving cigarette rod, combined with a device for collecting, and
arranging, in an orderly manner, the severed cigarettes, the said device being
placed at the point at which the cigarettes are severed from the rod, substantially
as herein before described.
2. In, or for, a cigarette machine, the combination of mechanism for cutting
and delivering cigarettes, and means for positively conveying the severed
cigarettes away from the said mechanism at a speed greater than that at which
the cigarettes are delivered thereto, substantially as hereinbefore described.
3. In, or for, a cigarette machine, the combination of mechanism for cutting
and delivering cigarettes, means for conveying the cigarettes away from the said
mechanism, and delivering them into a box, or receptacle, and means for divert-
ing the flow of the cigarettes from their ordinary course of progression to the said
box, or receptacle, substantially as hereinbefore described."
4. In, or for, a cigarette machine, the combination of mechanism for cutting
and delivering cigarettes, means for conveying the cigarettes away from the said
mechanism, and conveying them into a box, or receptacle, means for diverting
the flow of the cigarettes in their passage to the said box, or receptacle, and a
magazine for holding the diverted cigarettes, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
5. In, or for, a cigarette machine, the combination of mechanism for cutting
and delivering cigarettes, means for conveying the cigarettes from the said
mechanism and delivering them into a box, or receptacle, means for diverting the
flow of the cigarettes in their passage to the said box, or receptacle, a magazine
for temporarily holding the diverted cigarettes, and means for returning the
cigarettes from the magazine to the conveyer, substantially as herein before
described.
6. In, or for, a cigarette machine, the combination of mechanism for cutting
and delivering cigarettes, an endless rack for conveying the cigarettes from the
delivering mechanism to a box, or receptacle, and an endless belt working within
the bottom of the said box, or receptacle, for distributing the cigarettes through-
out its entire length in an orderly manner, substantially as hereinbefore described.
7. In, or for, a cigarette machine, the combination of mechanism for cutting
and delivering cigarettes, an endless rack for conveying the cigarettes, from the
delivering mechanism to a box, or receptacle, and pivoted fingers adapted, when
raised, to deflect the cigarettes from the endless rack, substantially as herein-
before described.

page_text: 8. In, or for, a cigarette machine, the combination of mechanism for cutting
and delivering cigarettes, an endless rack for conveying the cigarettes from the
delivery mechanism to a box, or receptacle, a pivoted finger on each side of the
endless rack adapted, when raised, to deflect the cigarettes from the said rack, and
a magazine for collecting and holding the deflected cigarettes, substantially as
herein before described.
9. In, or for, a cigarette machine, the combination of mechanism for cutting
and delivering cigarettes, an endless rack having upwardly projecting teeth, for
conveying the cigarettes from the delivering mechanism to a box, or receptacle,
a magazine, through which the endless rach passes, fingers pivoted to the sides of
the magazine, and an inclined bottom also pivoted to the sides of the magazine,
substantially as herein before described.
10. In, or for, a cigarette machine, the combination of mechanism for cutting
and delivering cigarettes, an endless rack having upwardly projecting teeth
between which the cigarettes rest while being carried to a box, or receptacle,
fingers, adapted to engage the projecting ends of the cigarettes, and deflect them
from the endless rack, and a magazine for temporarily storing the deflected
cigarettes, substantially as herein before described.
11. In, or for, a cigarette machine, the combination of mechanism for cutting
and delivering the cigarettes and an endless rack having upwardly projecting
teeth between which the cigarettes rest, and means for moving the said endless
rack at a speed greater than that at which the delivery mechanism moves in feed-
ing them thereto, whereby spaces unoccupied by cigarettes are left between the
teeth of the rack, substantially as hereinbefore described.
12. In, or for, a cigarette machine, the combination for cutting and delivering
cigarettes, an endless rack having upwardly projecting teeth between which the
cigarettes rest, and means for moving the said endless rack at a speed greater
than that at which the delivering mechanism moves in feeding them thereto,
whereby spaces unoccupied by cigarettes are left between the teeth of the aforesaid
rack, a magazine through which the endless rack passes, means for deflecting the
cigarettes from the belt into the magazine, and means for forcing the cigarettes
from the magazine into the unoccupied spaces between the teeth of the endless
rack, substantially as herein before described.
13. In combination with the delivering mechanism of a cigarette machine, an
endless rack for carrying the cigarettes therefrom, a removable collecting box, or
receptacle, and an endless belt running within the collecting box, or receptacle,
for evenly distributing the cigarettes along the length of the box, or receptacle,
as they are delivered therein by the endless rack, substantially as hereinbeforc
described.
14. In, or for, combination with the delivering mechanism of a cigarette
machine, an endless rack for conveying the cigarettes, lying transversely thereon,
away from the said delivering mechanism, means for causing the cigarettes to
enter between the teeth of the rack, and converging plates for centering the
cigarettes on the endless rack, substantially as herein before described.
15. In, or for, combination with the delivering mechanism of a cigarette
machine, an endless rack for carrying the cigarettes from the said delivering
mechanism, means for causing the cigarettes to enter between the teeth of the
endless rack, a removeable collecting box, or receptacle, into which the endless
rack enters, and a distributing belt projecting within the collecting box or case,
substantially as hereinbefore described.
16. In, or for, combination with the delivering mechanism of a cigarette
machine, a plate 18, an endless toothed rack, a collecting box, or receptacle, into
which the cigarettes are deposited by the endless toothed rack, and means for dis-
tributing the cigarettes uniformly throughout the length of the box, or receptacle,
substantially as hereinbefore described.
17. In, or for, combination with the cutting mechanism of a cigarette machine,

page_text: a device for collecting and arranging, in regular order, the severed cigarettes,
which device consists of an endless rack, an endless belt, and a collecting box, or
receptacle, above the endless belt, and overlapping the endless rack, substantially
as hereinbefore described.
18. In a cutting mechanism for a cigarette machine, the combination of a reci-
procating frame, a vibrating knife-carrying frame pivoted thereto, a cigarette rod
support secured to the reciprocating frame, an arm pivoted to the reciprocating
frame, and an adjustable connection between the said arm, and the vibrating
knife-carrying frame, substantially as herein before described.
19. In a cutting mechanism for a cigarette machine, the combination of a reci-
procating frame, a cigarette rod support secured thereto, a vibrating knife-carry-
ing frame, and an arm (50), pivoted to the vibrating frame, an adjusting device
between the vibrating frame and the arm (50), and cams for operating the reci-
procating frame and the vibrating knife-carrying frame, substantially as herein-
before described.
arm
20. In a cutting mechanism for a cigarette machine, the combination of a
frame, adapted to reciprocate in a line parallel to the cigarette rod, a cigarette
rod support affixed to the said frame, a knife-carrying frame pivoted to the reci-
procating frame and arranged to vibrate across its line of movement, an
pivoted to the reciprocating frame, an adjustable connection between the said
arm and the knife frame, a slide pivoted to the said arm, and cams for operating
the reciprocating and vibrating frames, substantially as hereinbefore described.
21. In, or for, combination with the delivering mechanism of a cigarette
machine, an endless rack, and a collecting box or receptacle having an opening
in its bottom for the passage of the distributing belt, and an opening in its front
for the entrance of the endless rack and the cigarettes, substantially as herein-
before described.
22. A box or receptacle for temporarily holding cigarettes delivered thereto
from a cigarette machine, the said box, or receptacle, having an open front end for
the entrance of the cigarettes thereinto, and an open bottom, combined with a
grooved strip fixed to each side of the box, at its lower edge for the insertion of a
tongue board, substantially as herein before described.
Dated this 15th day of October 1898
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.