Improvements in Cigar-making Machines.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Feb., 1897-Accepted, 13th Mar., 1897
Improvements in Cigar-making Machines.
A communication by LA SOCIÉTÉ ANONYME POUR L'EXPLOITATION DES
MACHINES A FABRIQUER LES CIGARES EUREKA FRANÇAISE, BREVETS
CH. J. LACOSTE, of 5, Boulevard Botanique, Brussels, in the Kingdom of
Belgium, Manufacturers.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of The Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool and 6, Bank Street,
Manchester, both in the County of Lancaster, 118 New Street, Birmingham
in the County of Warwick, and 322, High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement :-
The machine for making cigars which forms the object of the present invention
is characterised by the combination of its essential parts in such a way as to
faithfully imitate in its action as a whole the action of the hand in rolling the filler
in the wrapper.
The said essential parts of the machine are characterised by the arrangement of
a pair of jaws on each side of a fixed base or support, said jaws havnig an
alternately ascending and descending movement simultaneously with an alternately
opening and closing movement, one pair being open whilst the other is closed.
On the cigar being placed freely on the fixed base, it is seized alternately by
the two pairs of jaws at the moment of closing, which thus impart to it a
continuous rotary movement, thereby rolling on the wrapper which has been
inserted between the cigar and one of the jaws.
The improved machine working in accordance with this principle will now be
described in detail, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, the
working of the two jaws at the sides of the base or support on which the cigar
is placed, being shown in Figures 1 to 5.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the arrangement, one jaw being removed.
Figure 2 a similar view showing both jaws.
Figure 3 a transverse section of the jaws closed;
Figure 4 a transverse section of the jaws open;
Figure 5 a horizontal section of the jaws closed and
Figure 6 a similar section of the jaws open;
Figure 7 is a side elevation of a machine constructed according to the principle
of this invention;
Figure 8 a plan view of same;
Figure 9 a transverse section of the machine, showing one pair of jaws closed
and the other pair open;
Figure 10 a similar section showing all the jaws in an open position;
Figure 11 a section showing in elevation the mechanism for cutting the end of
the cigar and the mechanism for simultaneously stopping the machine.
Figures 12 and 13 are views in elevation of the device for forming the point of
the cigar; and
Figure 14 is a view of the same in position on the machine.
The jaws M, as shown in all the figures, are always formed with a curve

page_text: corresponding to the profile which it is desired to give to the cigar C which is
placed loosely on the base or support F. The base or support F is fitted at its
ends in a frame K having a stirrup shape and arranged below a table T.
In order to maintain the cigar in continuous rotation recourse is had to the
co-operation of two pairs of jaws, the active or internal faces of each one of which
must come alternately in contact with the perimeter of the cigar, and this contact
must be produced for each pair on the same line, that is to say, the side of the
cigar. The two pairs of jaws must therefore be capable of replacing each other
alternately in order to successively effect the same movements. To obtain this
alternate substitution, the jaws are constructed each in the form of a comb, and
arranged two on each side of the cigar support F in such a way that the teeth of
the one penetrate freely into the interstices between the teeth of the other and
thus come in contact with the cigar at alternate points along the surfaces of
contact, as shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9, so that the cigar is always gripped
between one or other pair of jaws during the whole period of wrapping.
In order that each pair of jaws M may work independently of the other, that is
to say, without interfering with the respective movements of each other, the teeth
of one pair are formed straight whilst the teeth of the other pair are formed of an
L-shape to admit of the jaw carriers of this latter pair being bent outwardly so as
not to interfere with the cycle of movement of the other pair, the jaw carriers of
which are bent inward, and for this reason one pair, i.e. the internal pair will be
bereinafter called M³, M' and the other pair, i.e. the external pair be called M², M*.
The teeth of each pair are removably mounted in their jaw carriers P1 P2 P3 P4,
by having eyes O formed at their lower extremities by means of which they are
fitted on rods D mounted in brackets or cheeks B at the extremities of the jaw
carriers and bearing nuts E whereby the teeth may be pressed and fixed in their
places, which is determined by the thickness of the eyelets O. The result of this
arrangement is such that with a similar action of the jaws they may be readily
adjusted for any desired size of cigar, seeing that it is sufficient to employ on the
rods D a larger or smaller number of teeth at suitable distances apart.
The jaws thus arranged may co-operate in two different orders, that is to say,
first the external pair M³ M' and then the internal pair M¹ M³ may be caused to
act on the cigar alternately or they may be caused to act in such a way that first
one jaw of the external pair and one jaw of the internal pair act together, and
then the other jaws of the external and internal pairs and so on alternately,
thus first M M and then M' M³ and so on alternately, and it is this latter
order which is preferred in the present example, because in this case opposing
teeth do not touch the cigar along the saine circles and there is therefore
a tendency to shape.it towards the point and to consequently ensure a better hold
than if the opposing teeth touched on the same circles as would be the case with
the first arrangement mentioned.
The ascending and descending movement as well as the opening and closing of
the jaws is effected by the co-operation of four eccentrics X with four spiral
springs R¹ R2 R3 R4 and an intermediate sleeve I. The four eccentric rods B,
which rigidly connect the jaw carriers P1 P2 P3 P4 to the straps of the eccentric X,
rock or oscillate against said sleeve.
The eccentrics X are keyed on the driving shaft A in positions corresponding to
those of the jaws. A driving pulley N is keyed on the shaft A and the sleeve I is
fitted loosely over a fixed shaft A'. At the points of contact with the sleeve I
the eccentric rods B are provided in suitable recesses with small steel regulating
plates p, which are adjustable by means of screws b, and serve to determine the
correct position of the jaws as regards one another and as regards the sleeve I.
Antagonistic springs R' R' so connect the jaws or the eccentric rods B in any
-suitable manner to the frame (in the present example to a stirrup G.) that said
rods are always drawn towards a closed position. The result of this action of
the springs is such that the rods B of all the jaws remain always in contact with
the sleeve I, and oscillating on the sleeve separate and approach the jaws according

page_text: to the positions of the eccentrics regulated by keying with a view to the desired
alternate action.
The cigar resting between the jaws on the support F projects to a slight extent
beyond this latter at its two extremities. The point of the cigar rests in a semi-
conical recess formed in a block c in which the point revolves freely, and the other
end of the cigar rests in a semi-circular recess formed in two small vertical sheet
metal brackets tt, Figures 8 and 11, fixed at a short distance apart on a projection
of the cigar support.
A knife Y is adapted to enter between the two brackets t and is intended to
cut the end of the finished cigar. The cigar being supported at each side of the
knife has no tendency to tilt up when being cut and the cutting is much cleaner
seeing that it is exercised on the projecting end.
The lowering of the knife Y causes at the same time a stopping of the
machine and a simultaneous opening of all the jaws by the following
arrangement :-
The knife is fixed on a lever L keyed on a rock shaft A' together with a
cam Qof suitable form.
In the path of the cam Q is situated the head Q¹ of a lever L' keyed on a rock
shaft A. The bottom end Q2 of this lever bears laterally against the point V of
a small cylinder guided freely in a socket S of the frame K, and which at its
opposite end is provided with a point V₁ adapted at a given moment to disengage
a clutch arın Z pivotted in a slot formed in the driving shaft A and pressed
by a spring R° normally against the driving pulley N which is loose on the
shaft A.
The clutch arm Z has a tooth or projection adapted to engage the shoulder n
of an inclined plane formed on the face of the pulley N whereby the shaft A is
compelled to rotate with the pulley N until the clutch arm is disengaged by the
point V¹.
A lever L' having one end provided with a notch 22 is pivotted on the frame
with its other end engaged in a slot formed in a headed pin W guided vertically in
the table T and with its notched end resting on a pin of the lever L'.
Assuming the pulley N to be engaged with the clutch arm Z and consequently
the machine to be in movement, if the lever L with the knife X for cutting the end
of the cigar be lowered at the desired moment, the cam Q will encounter the
head Q of the lever L', which lever will oscillate in such a way that its lower
end Q, advancing over the point V, will push in the latter and cause the other
point V₁ to project at the other side into the path of the clutch arm Z which is
rotating with the shaft A, so that said clutch arm is pushed back compressing the
spring Ro and withdrawing the clutch tooth out of engagement with the shoulder n
of the pulley. The pulley N continues to revolve loosely, but the machine is
stopped and all the parts. are retained in this position by the lever L2, which by its
own weight causes its notch 12 to engage the pin l, as indicated in the dotted
position shown in Figure 11. At the same time the lever L' in oscillating has
turned into a transverse positiou a double cam H keyed on the shaft A³, which cam
in this position separates the rods B of the jaws, so that all the jaws are open as
shown in Figure 10, thus entirely liberating the cigar C, which is then raised and
replaced by a fresh filler.
In order to set the machine again in action, the lever L with the knife and the
cam Q is raised, and the pin W is lowered by pressing its head or button so that
the end Q2 of the lever no longer presses on the point V. The spring R° then
returns the clutch arm Z, so that its clutch tooth is again in engagement with the
shoulder n of the pulley and the latter again revolves the shaft A.
In order to enable the machine to be stopped at any desired moment without
causing the knife lever to act, a lever L3 bearing a pin is pivotted at its lower
end on the frame, in such a way that, by drawing it towards the lever L³, its
will engage and move the latter, which then produces the disengagement
pin

page_text: as hereinbefore described.
pin W.
The restarting is effected by depressing the push
In Figures 12, 13 and 14 there is shown a socket or cup J, formed with a conical
interior and mounted on a shaft journalled in two standards or supports. J', which
shaft carries a grooved pulley J2, by means of which the shaft and thereby the cup
may be set in rotation by means of a cord coming from any similar pulley. This
cup or socket is placed on the table T by the side of the wrapping mechanism and
serves to finish the point of the cigar, which is already provided with a little gum,
the cigar point being smoothed to the greatest perfection by being simply inserted
in the revolving cup for a moment.
The working may be easily summed up as follows:-
The machine being stationary and the jaws open, as shown in Figure 10, a filler
is placed on the cigar support, and then after starting the machine the extremity of
a wrapper is held between the filler and the jaw situated on the side towards
which the cigar revolves, until the wrapper covers the cigar up to the point,
at which moment a little gum is inserted in the semi-conical recess in which the
cigar point revolves, the knife is then dropped, and the end of the cigar is cut off,
throwing the wrapping mechanism out of action, but not the cup J, which continues
to revolve and in which the point of the cigar is then inserted and finished, being
Ismoothed as hereinbefore described.
Having now particularly described and 'ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A cigar-making machine, characterised by a fixed base or support (F) on
which the filler is placed, and by lateral jaws (M) having alternately ascending and
descending and opening and closing movements adapted to work the cigar as if by
hand, substantially as herein before set forth.
2. In a cigar-making machine such as described, forming the wrapping mechanism
for rotating the cigar of two pairs of jaws (M1 M2 M3 M4) constructed each in the
form of a comb thus allowing of the jaws of one pair being fitted into the jaws of
the other pair, in such a way that one jaw of each pair or both jaws of one pair are
open and out of action when the other jaws are closed and in action, whereby
the cigar is maintained in continuous rotation, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
3. In a cigar-making machine such as described, the arrangement of two
brackets (t), slightly apart to allow of a knife passing between them and recessed
to receive and support the end of the cigar with the object of avoiding any crooked
cutting of the end of the cigar, substantially as hereinbefore described.
4. In a cigar-making machine such as described, the arrangement on the machine
table of a socket or cup with a conical interior adapted to be maintained in constant
rotation, and having for its object the finishing of the point of the cigar by. the
simple insertion of the said point in the said socket or cup, substantially as
hereinbefore described.
5. The general construction and combination of parts taken as a whole, forming
the improved cigar-making machine, substantially as herein before described and
illustrated.
Dated this 5th day of Februare 1807
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents.