Improvements in Machines for Rolling Tobacco Leaf or Cut Tobacco into Cigars, Cigarettes, Tobacco Plugs, and other such Articles.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Mar., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 24th Dec., 1890-Accepted, 25th Mar., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Rolling Tobacco Leaf or Cut Tobacco
into Cigars, Cigarettes, Tobacco Plugs, and other such Articles.
I, JOHN EDWARD RICKARDS, of 106, New Street, Birmingham, in the County
of Warwick, Tobacco & Cigarette Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature
of my said invention to be as follows:-
My invention has for its object improvements in machines for making cigars,
cigarettes and other similar articles by which I enable the operators to make such
articles much more rapidly & efficiently than hithertofore while at the same less
experienced workers are required than when engaged in the manufacture of the same
by hand.
In carrying my invention into effect. I form the body or table of my machine of
metal, wood or other suitable material and of either circular, oval, oblong or part
circular oval or oblong section and mount the same in a suitable stand upon which it
may be either fixed or made to turn upon an axle as may be required by the
particular article to be manufactured and is made sufficiently wide to take either
one or several of such articles near the centre upon which the bed is mounted
1 pivot a revolving disc at each side of the bed which disc carries several spindles
which are mounted parallel to the surface of the table & by reason of the centres
of the bed & disc being different the spindles are made to travel eccentrically to
the circle of the table commencing at a certain distance therefrom & gradually
obtaining nearer proximity to it up to a certain point where the circle of the table
At one end of the
is cut away & allows the spindle to continue its circular course.
curved table I attach to the stand or bed of the machine a vulcanized linen or
other suitable band of a width suitable for the article to be made under which the
revolving spindles pass the band being left loose enough for a portion to be pressed
in between the revolving spindle and the table the other end being then secured to
the stand by any convenient adjustable arrangement.
The revolving discs may be mounted so as to revolve either by means of a handle
or by a treadle which is connected by a crank shaft with pulley & band to a square
pulley mounted upon the axle of the disc so that at each depression of the treadle
one spindle is made to pass over the surface of the table the next spindle being
then in position ready for the next stroke of the treadle or turn of the handle.
For making cigars the surface of the table and the revolving spindle is shaped to
the form of the cigar & the table is allowed to turn a certain distance so that the
cigar may not receive too much pressure while passing the narrowest portion
between the table & the spindle a pin being provided in the side of the table to
work in a slot in the stand of the machine to regulate the distance of the travel of
the table but for making cigarettes the table is made stationary by a pin in the
table at each end of the slot.
The tables are made interchangeable and for the manufacture of different sized
articles I mount the revolving spindles in slots formed in the discs so as to be adjust-
able or the spindles may be made interchangeable of different sizes to effect the
same purpose for use in making cigarettes I may provide at the end of the machine
where the paper & material is placed a hook or other suitable support upon which
I hang a strip of wood or other material. This strip is of the same width as the
paper & the thickness of the gum required on the paper and having been previously
pressed upon a gum pad & then upon the paper which adheres to it & becomes
gummed thereby it is hung upon the machine in such a position that the paper is
snatched from the strip & rolled in the band as the revolving spindle passes over the

page_text: The operation of forming cigarettes is as follows:-
The material is pressed down into the recess formed by the band between the
spindle and the table by means of a wooden knife or other suitable contrivance & the
paper is placed either on the end of the table or as before described as the spindle
travels over the table the material is rolled by the action of the band into the
form required commencing with a gentle pressure at the commencement & gradually
becoming more compressed as the spindle nears the table until they pass over the
nearest point after which by reason of the table being cut away they roll out into a
cage provided for their reception.
In the case of cigars the action is the same excepting the placing of the paper &
the continued pressure at the end which is not so much
& is obviated to
the required extent by the movement of the table before explained.
In the case of cigars a pointer is formed upon any convenient portion of the
stand or carriage for the purpose of finishing the point of the cigar after passing
through the machine & consists of a well of the shape of the end of the article to
be finished in which the end is revolved by the operation.
Dated this 24th day of March 1890.
GEORGE BARKER,
77, Colmore Row, Birmingham, Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Rolling Tobacco Leaf or Cut Tobacco
into Cigars, Cigarettes, Tobacco Plugs, and other such Articles.
1, Jons EDWARD RICKARDS, of 106, New Street, Birmingham, in the County
of Warwick, Tobacco and Cigarette Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of
my said invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention has for its object improvements in machines for making cigars,
cigarettes and other similar articles by which I enable the operators to make such
articles much more rapidly and efficiently than hithertofore while at the same time
less experienced workers are required than when engaged in the manufacture of the
same by hand.
In carrying my invention into effect I form the body or table of my machine of
metal, wood or other suitable material and of either circular oval oblong or part
circular oval or oblong section and mount the same in suitable stand upon which it
may be either fixed or made to turn upon an axle as may be required by the particular
article to be manufactured and is made sufficiently wide to take either one or several
of such articles near the centre upon which the bed is mounted parallel to the
surface of the table and by reason of the centres of the bed and disc being different
the spindles are made to travel eccentrically to the circle of the table commencing
at a certain distance therefrom and gradually obtaining nearer proximity to it up to
a certain point where the circle of the table is cut away & allows the spindle to con-
tinue its circular course. At one end of the curved table 1 attach to the stand or
bed of the machine a vulcanized linen or other suitable band of a width suitable
for the article to be made under which the revolving spindles pass the band being
left loose enough for a portion to be pressed in between the revolving spindle and
the table the other end being then secured to the stand by any convenient adjustable
arrangement.
The revolving discs may be mounted so as to revolve either by means of a handle
or by a treadle which is connected by a crank shaft with pulley and band to a square
pulley mounted upon the axle of the disc so that at each depression of the treadle
one spindle is made to pass over the surface of the table the next spindle being then
in position ready for the next stroke of the treadle or turn of the handle.
For making cigars the surface of the table and the revolving spindle is shaped to
the form of the cigar and the table is allowed to turn a certain distance so that the

page_text: cigar may not receive too much pressure while passing the narrowest portion
between the table and the spindle a pin being provided in the side of the table to
work in a slot in the stand of the machine to regulate the distance of the travel of
the table but for making cigarettes the table is made stationary by a pin in the
table at each end of the slot.
The tables are made interchangeable and for the manufacture of different
sized articles I mount the revolving spindles in slots formed in the discs so as to be
adjustable or the spindles may be made interchangeable of different sizes to effect the
same purpose for use in making cigarettes. I may provide at the end of the machine
where the paper and material is placed a hook or other suitable support upon
which hang a strip of wood or other material. This strip is of the same
width as the paper and the thickness of the gum required on
the paper
and having been previously pressed upon a gum pad and then upon the paper
which adheres to it and becomes gummed thereby it is hung upon the machine in
such a position that the paper is snatched from the strip and rolled in the band as
the revolving spindle passes over the table. The operation of forming cigarettes is
as follows:
The material is pressed down into the recess formed by the band between the
spindle and the table by means of a wooden knife or other suitable contrivance and
the paper is placed either on the end of the table or as before described as the
spindle travels over the table the material is rolled by the action of the band into
the form required commencing with a gentle pressure at the commencement and
gradually becoming more compressed as the spindle nears the table until they pass
over the nearest point after which by reason of the table being cut away they roll
out into a cage provided for their reception.
In the case of cigars the action is the same excepting the placing of the
paper and the continued pressure at the end which is not so much required
& is obviated to the required extent by the movement of the table before
described.
.
In the case of cigars a pointer is formed upon any convenient portion of the
stand or carriage for the purpose of finishing the point of the cigar after passing
through the machine and consists of a well for the shape of the end of the article
to be finished in which the end is revolved by the operator.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood and more easily carried
into practice I have appended hereunto two double-sized sheets of drawings
upon which I have fully illustrated my invention together with various modifications
thereto.
Figure 1, is a vertical longitudinal section through one of my machines.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of same.
Figure 3 is a plan of same.
Figure 4 is a horizontal section through the bed showing the pivots upon which
the bed turns.
Figure 5 is a side elevation of the machine showing one of the many ways of
operating the machine by treadle.
Figure 6 is a front elevation of Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a side elevation of one of my machines operated by a handle as herein-
after more fully described.
Figure 8 is a vertical longitudinal section through same.
Figure 9 is a plan of same.
Figures 10 & 11 are details of the handle arrangement.
Figure 12 shews one of the methods for securing the adjustable rollers or spindles
in position.
Figure 13 is a front elevation of a part of the table and a spindle in their relative
positions but detached from the machine.
I form the body or table A. of my machine of metal, wood, or other suitable
material and of either circular, oval, oblong or part circular, oval, or oblong section
')

page_text: C
L
and mount the same upon the pivots a' in the stand B in which it may be either
fixed or made to turn as will be hereafter described.
That portion of the curve of the table A. upon which the rolling is effected is struck
from the centre at or near a while the disc D³ revolves upon the centre a' by which
means the rotating spindles E which are mounted in the disc D³ are caused to take
the circular course shewn by the dotted line a thus gaining closer proximity to the
.table A until the point a³ is reached. The vulcanized linen or other band F is attached
at one end to the frame B at in any convenient manner so as to be adjustable and
at the other end at 2. Under this band F the spindles E rotate around the table A
and the band is left sufficiently loose to form the pocket into which the
material to be rolled is placed and as the disc D³ revolves in the direction of the
arrow the material is rolled until it reaches ³ thereby obtaining a more even com-
pression of the material Ethan if the centres and were the same.
At or
about the point a the wrapper or other cover which is to be rolled round the
material is placed upon the band F and it will be understood that if the material
was compressed after the wrapper or outer covering had been rolled or fastened
around it a looseness would be formed in the wrapper to obviate which the table is
made so as to turn upon its pivot a' a limited distance which movement is made to
occur when the article arrives at the point a³ and is regulated by pins as afterwards
described with regard to Figures 7, 8, and 9.
The disc D³ is provided with the sleeve which is keyed at the end to receive
a handle or any suitable pulley such as K which is so formed that by means of the
cranked shaft band J and handle H the disc D³ is revolved one half of the turn
which is sufficient to rotate one of the spindles E over the surface of the table A in
the direction of the arrow until the other spindle is in position ready for the next
stroke.
In addition to the disc D³ I may provide a second disc D' upon the other side of
the machine as shewn by Figures 7, 8 and 9 in which case pach end of the spindles E
would be mounted in a disc and for the purpose of revolving the discs, I may form
the toothed ring upon the disc D³ which toothed ring engages with the pinion S
which is mounted on the shaft s which shaft may be operated by the handle T as
afterwards described or may be formed as a continuous shaft for the purpose of
operating any number of similar machines which may be placed in a line and be
operated by manual or other motive power as may be desired.
One turn of the handle T thus causes the dises to take a half revolution and in
case of using a handle the shaft is notched at s² so that each turn the handle occupies
the position shown the notched part of the shaft falls into the slot 5 which is formed
in the bearing to receive it thus registering without trouble the exact position to
which the handle should be brought. The handle then requires to be slightly raised
before being again turned.
The bed may be moved at the required time in various ways one of which is
shown by Figures 7, 8 and 9 where the armn R is attached to the pivot of the bed
so as to move with the bed and this arm R carries the pin which is mounted upon
the spring so as to pass through the arm and project on the other side towards
the disc and is provided with the inclined end with which the inclined end of the
pin d' which is formed on the disc D³ engages as it revolves and thereby carries
the arm and bed forward with it until the arm R is stopped by the pin formed
upon the stand B when the pin is pressed in upon is spring sufficiently to allow
the pin 7 to pass, after which the arm and bed are brought back by a light weight
represented by W which is hung from the arm or inserted in one side of the bed
and bring the arm back against the pin which is fixed on the frame B. In the
case where one disc only is used the bed may be turned in the same way and for
fixing or regulating the movement of the bed a slot Figure 7 may be formed in
the stand B through which the pin is inserted to regulate the travel of the
table A an additional pin being inserted at a to fix the table when not required to
be movable.

page_text: For making cigars and other shaped articles the surface of the table A and the
revolving spindles E are made to correspond with the shape of the article required to
be made as illustrated by the example shewn in the table A and spindle E*
in Figure 13.
The tables are made to be interchangeable and for the manufacture of different
sized articles the spindles E are mounted in the slots d² in the discs D³ or their
equivalents with the lever de which is pivoted at d and shewn in Figure 12 may be
provided for firmly securing the spindle in the desired position by means of the
screw pin 10
For use in making cigarettes and other gummed articles I may provide the soft
wire supports M which may be adjusted being bent over to the required position to
receive the strip of wood or other material m' having the face m² of the same
width as the required width of the gum on the paper and which has been previously
pressed upon a gummed pad and then upon the paper N which adheres to it becoming
gummed thereby and being hung in the position shewn in Figure 1 so that the paper
is snatched off and rolled into the band as the revolving spindle passes over the
table. For making flat or oval cigarettes I fix the bed and reverse the motion of
the discs so that the roller in its return presses the article at the narrow point a³
Figures 1 and 8.
In working my machine by a treadle I may way the method herein described and
illustrated as I may operate the disc the requisite half circle by means of a friction
pulley or a pawl and ratchet arrangement as may be desired.
For finishing the pointed end of the cigars I provide the pointer P which may be
provided with springs or removable pad so as to lightly clip the point of the cigar
which is revolved therein to give a finish to the end.
The table A may be made sufficiently wide to take articles of any length or two
articles may be rolled end to end or the beds may be divided into sections and made
interchangeable of different widths, and the one disc at one end of the spindle E may
be made to slide along the spindle so as to shorten the length of the spindle and
The
grooves provided in the bed in which the disc of the spindle would travel.
beds may be divided into sections of varied widths so as to allow of various sections
being added to form the desired width and grooves may be provided in the sections
so that with various widths of bands the machines may be adjusted to make articles
of varied lengths.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. The improvements in machines for rolling tobacco leaf or cut tobacco
into cigars cigarettes tobacco plugs and other such articles consisting of the
spindle E mounted to work in combination with and from a different centre
to the movable table A substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth and
shewn upon the drawing.
2nd. The improvements in machines for making cigars cigarettes and other such
articles consisting of the table A made to move a limited distance substantially as
and for the purpose herein set forth and shewn.
3rd. In machines for making cigars and other such articles the mode of operating
the spindles substantially as herein set forth and shewn.
4th. In machines for making cigars and other such articles the shaped table A' in
combination with the shaped spindles E substantially as herein set forth and
shewn.
5th. In machines for making cigars and other such articles the pointer P sub-
stantially as herein set forth.
6th. The improvements in machines for making cigars, cigarettes and other
such articles consisting of the discs D³ and D₁ for carrying the spindles E
substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth and shewn.

page_text: 7th. In machines for making cigarettes and other such articles the mode of and
means for placing the paper upon the machine substantially as herein set forth and
shewn by Figure 1.
8th. In machines for making cigarettes and other such articles the bed or table
made interchangeable either in sections or with grooves substantially as and for the
purpose herein set forth.
9th. The improvements in machines for rolling tobacco leaf or cut tobacco into
cigars cigarettes, tobacco plugs and other such articles substantially as and for
the purpose herein set forth and illustrated upon the accompanying two sheets of
drawings.
Dated this 23rd December 1890.
GEORGE BARKER,
77, Colmore Row, Binningham, Agent for Applicant.