Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 24th June, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 15th Feb.. 1897-Accepted, 24th June, 1897
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent
Agents, 45 Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The main purpose of the cigar-making machine, forming the subject of this
invention, is to provide improved means for covering the inner portion or core of
each cigar with the outer leaf or coat which completes it; and the machine is
substantially characterized by twin cylinders which, when disengaged, or moved
apart, present perimetrical concave grooves, whereas when brought nearly into
contact, their grooves, in meeting, form spaces, interstices or channels the profile or -
sectional outline of which, in the axial plane or longitudinal direction, is identical
with that of the cigars to be made, the material for which is placed in the said
intermediate spaces. The two cylinders or rollers, by turning together, in the
same direction, with the cigar in course of formation between them, cause the
same to rotate about its own axis, it being enveloped in its outer cover or coat
as it dues so.
The two moulding rollers are rigidly secured onto two shafts, each passing
through its roller axially, or centrally, and receiving rotary motion from any
suitable driving gear or operating mechanism; and in order to prevent the cigar
from dropping or slipping through the aperture between the rollers, it is supported
by a small loose guide-roller revolving underneath the cigar so as to retain it in.
position. These devices, however, would not, by themselves, be capable of
preventing the cigar from being thrown out of its winding plane. The means
adopted to avoid this inconvenience might consist of a second guide-roller applied
to the cigar on the upper side; but it will be readily seen that such an arrangement
would interfere both with the insertion of the core, and with the proper guidance
of the outer leaf, while the core is being enveloped to complete the cigar.
The communicators have devised perfectly rational means for accomplishing this
purpose, enabling the drawbacks named to be entirely obviated and the upper
roller to be dispensed with, and consisting of an extremely simple arrangement. of
suitable devices, situated at both ends of the cigar-moulding rollers, in a line with
the axis of the cigar and adapted to grasp and hold the ends of the cigar, without,
however, interfering with its rotary motion.
The moulding rollers consist of two spools covered with suitable material and
being of an elongated hyperboloid shape in section, their peripheries being provided
with slight spiral grooves, the object of which is the better to grip the cigar and
constantly to tend to draw the material towards the cigar-end or point. The
rollers, thus constructed and fitted, are mounted upon the shafts or spindles, the
journals of which revolve in bearings, which, in the case of one of the shafts, are
adapted to slide horizontally in the frame. Each of the shafts or spindles passes
freely, at both ends of the moulding rollers, through a support or bracket. These

page_text: brackets, of which there are four,-are retained in place by rings or collars secured
to the spindles or shafts by set screws. The brackets are adjustably connected
together by a rod, secured to one of them and entering the other, so that they are
made stationary and prevented from revolving with the shafts and they carry the
guide roller and cigar-end retaining devices.
The guide-roller, which holds or supports the cigar from below, is, itself,
supported by means of its journals in small adjustable projections or cheeks, fitted
to the two brackets of each shaft, and enabling the said guide-roller to be at all
times adjusted conformably to the diameter of the cigar, which may vary to a
greater or less extent.
"
The front supports are recessed on their inner surfaces, the recesses forming
"halves of points or half-cones, so as to complete a hollow cone when brought
close together into the operative position. Within this cone is held the cigar-end
which emerges by this small distance the moulding rollers and revolves within the
said cone when the cigar is set in rotary motion by the moulding rollers.
The rear-supports carry three small rollers which enclose between them the rear
end of the cigar, which likewise emerges for a little distance from the moulding
rollers; one of these rollers being located immediately below the cigar, while the
two others are placed somewhat higher, so as to be practically above the cigar and
keep it down when the supports are brought close together into the operative
position; and one of the supports carrying the lower one of the small rollers and
one of the side-rollers and the opposite support the other side-roller.
It will thus be seen that the cigar, whilst turning on its own axis, owing to the
rotation of the moulding rollers, both in the same direction, is retained in position
at its extremities riz., at one end, between the small rollers and at the other, in the
hollow point or cone; and its position is rendered still more firm by the fact that
the axis of the cigar is depressed somewhat below the axial plane of the shafts.
The effect obtained from thus lowering the cigar-axis, below the axis of the shafts,
is, indeed, so considerable that the retaining devices at the ends might-for
retaining purposes-be almost dispensed with, were it not that they produce other
useful effects at the same time, serving, as they do, in the first place for shaping
and finishing the cigar-end; which operation is performed very readily with some
suitable cement, of which a small quantity is injected into the hollow cone by
means of a pump or syringe, pressed upon by the operative's finger. Besides, the
small rollers serve to hold the outer leaf in the first instance, when it is first
brought up to the core placed between the moulding rollers.
In addition to the parts described, the machine comprises a cutter or knife for
trimming the point of the cigar, another knife or cutter for cutting the cigar-end,
and coupling and releasing mechanism.
The trimming knife projects into a slot in the front supports or brackets and is
mounted upon an arm projecting from a sleeve passed revolvably over a fixed
cross-tie. A spring constantly attracts a roller of the arm against a disc having an
undulated periphery, and mounted upon the main driving shaft, thereby causing
the trimming knife or cutter to perform a vibratory motion, as the roller alternately
descends into the recessed portions and re-mounts to the tops of the raised parts of
the peripheral undulations of the disc; in performing which movements it properly
trims the tobacco-leaf applied to the point of the cigar just when it is about to be
fixed in its place with the adhesive substance.
The knife or cutter, which cuts the cigar-end, is mounted upon the arm of a
sleeve which is passed over the cross-piece, pivotted in the machine-frame, and
adapted to turn under the action of the releasing lever. A spring attached to the
sleeve serves to keep the knife, which is interposed between the cylinders and the
rear brackets, normally out of operation, the said knife only coming forward to
cut the cigar end when the operator raises the hand-lever for the purpose. The
position of this knife may be adjusted by means of a lever pivotted to the arm
and adapted to have its position adjusted by a set screw co-operating with a
repelling spring attached to one of the brackets. According to the situation of

page_text: the said lever, a second arm or tappet swings the knife round at an earlier or
later period, as the case may be, under the action of the releasing lever.
The effect of this lever is to move one of the moulding rollers away from the
other, while at the same time it serves to arrest the machine when the cigar is
completed. To this end, the cross-piece, which it causes to turn, is made to carry
cam levers terminating in inclined cams engaging with the shaft of one of the
rollers, near the ends of such shaft; this being the shaft which is arranged to
slide in its bearings in the machine frame; so that as the releasing lever is raised,
the cam levers, together with the cams force back the roller and the completed
cigar drops upon the metal plate or table arranged below the machine to
receive it.
At the same time as it performs this movement, the said cam levers swing round
a sheet metal square, which is normally attracted by a spring and closes in the
lower end of the space or passage wherein previously prepared cigar-cores are
horizontally superposed above the machine; with the result that the core which
is placed against the said square drops between the open moulding rollers; after
which the square closes the said passage again, and the moulding rollers move
close together and come to hold the core tightly between them when the operating
lever is once more depressed. The machine is by this lever thrown out of and
into gear, it being arranged to move a friction or other clutch, into or out of
engagement with the driving pulley mounted upon the driving shaft; in doing
which, it swings round, also, a bell-crank lever pivotted to the bracket of the
machine fraine, under the action of a cam-groove provided in an arm of the lever
wherein the end of the bell-crank lever engages.
The effect of the pulley being thrown out of engagement is to arrest the shaft,
which carries the intermediate pinion engaging with the two-gear-wheels mounted
upon the shafts of the moulding rollers.
From the foregoing description, the general operation of the machine will be
realised without any necessity for us to make a detailed statement regarding it
bere. Sufficient to say that the operating lever, having been raised, and the
moulding rollers moved apart, the cigar core drops out of the passage or chamber
during the interval of non-operation of the machine, which, for the time being,
is out of gear. Then, the lever is depressed and the monlding rollers thereby
brought close together and caused to grip the cigar body between them, it being
at the same time held between the retaining rollers and in the hollow cone,
and in this position the cigar is rotated by the action of the machine which,
by the same lever movement, has been thrown back into gear. Now, the operator
inserts the outer leaf, which is to form the covering or coat of the cigar,
between the retaining rollers, and such leaf is, in consequence, wound around the
whole of the cigar, which is at the same time neatly moulded, the tobacco being
evenly and uniformly laid and the outer surface of the cigar body being smoothed
down. The cigar-point is pasted and trimmed as described and, lastly, as the
mechanism is thrown out of gear again, the knife cuts the cigar end, and the cigar,
being completed, drops out of the machine below, while a fresh cigar-body or
core enters the machine in its turn, and so on.
It may here be pointed out, moreover, that the machine may, at will, turn to
the right or left, as required, which is a great convenience inasmuch as it
enables outer leaves for cigar-coverings, cut in opposite directions, to be utilised
in the same machine.

page_text: I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
45 Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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 main purpose of the cigar-making machine, forming the subject of this
invention, is to provide improved means for covering the inner portion or core of
each cigar with the outer leaf or coat which completes it; and the machine is
substantially characterized by twin rollers, having concave rolling surfaces, which
when the rollers are brought nearly into contact, enclose an area, the profile or
outline of which, in the plane of the axis of the rollers is identical with that of the
cigars to be made, the material for which is placed in the said intermediate area.
The two rollers, by turning together, in the same direction, with the cigar in course
of formation between them, cause the said cigar to rotate about its own axis, while
being enveloped in its outer cover or coat.
The two moulding rollers are rigidly secured on two shafts, each passing through
its roller axially, and receiving rotary motion from any suitable driving mechanism;
and in order to prevent the cigar from dropping or slipping through the aperture
between the rollers, it is supported by a small loose guide-roller revolving
underneath the cigar so as to retain it in position. These devices, however,
would not, by themselves be sufficient to prevent the cigar from being thrown
out of its winding position. A second guide-roller might be applied to the
cigar on the upper side to attain this end; but it will be readily seen that
such an arrangement would interfere both with the insertion of the core, and
with the proper guidance of the outer leaf, while the cure is being enveloped to
complete the cigar."
The communicators have devised perfectly rational means for accomplishing
this purpose, which allow the drawbacks named to be entirely obviated and the
upper roller to be dispensed with, consisting of an extremely simple arrange-
ment of parts, situated at both ends of the cigar-moulding rollers, in a line with
the axis of the cigar and adapted to hold the ends of the cigar in place, without,
however, interfering with its rotary motion.
The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings
in which a cigar-making machine constructed in accordance with this invention
is represented by way of example.
Figure 1 being a longitudinal section thereof;
Figure 2, a transverse section of the same on line 1-1.
Figure 3 another transverse section taken on the line 2-2;
Figure 4 a transverse section on the line 3-3;
Figure 5 is a further transverse section, on the line 4-4;
Figure 6 a sectional elevation ;-
Figure 7 a plan of the machine-and
Figure 8 a horizontal section along the axial lines of the cigar-forming or
moulding rollers, including the cigar-retaining devices.
The moulding rollers CC consist of two spools covered with suitable material
and of an elongated hyperboloid shape in section, their peripheries being provided
with shallow spiral grooves n the object of which is the better to grip the cigar
and constantly to tend to draw the material towards the cigar-end or point
(Figures 1, 7 and 8). The rollers, thus constructed and fitted, are mounted upon

page_text: the shafts or spindles A A, the journals of which revolve in bearings c, which, in
the case of one of the shafts are adapted to slide horizontally in the frame B.
Each of the shafts or spindles A A passes freely through a support or bracket S,
at both ends of the moulding rollers. These brackets, of which there are four,
are retained in place by rings or collars 6 secured to the spindles or shafts by set
screws v. The brackets S.are adjustably connected together by a rod t, secured to
one of them and entering the other, so that they are made stationary and prevented
from revolving with the shafts and they carry the guide roller G and the cigar-end
retaining devices.
The guide-roller G, which supports the cigar from below, is, itself supported by
means of its journals in small adjustable projections or cheeks p, fitted to the two
brackets S of each shaft A, as shown in Figures 1 to 5, the device allowing the
said guide-roller to be at all times adjusted conformably to the diameter of the
cigar, which may vary to a greater or less extent.
The front supports S are recessed on their inner surfaces, each recess forming a
half-cone, so that a complete hollow cone is formed when the supports are brought
close together into the operative position shown in Figure 8. This cone holds the
cigar-end which projects by this small distance beyond the moulding rollers and
revolves within the said cone when the cigar is set in rotary motion by the
moulding rollers C, C.
The rear-supports S carry three small rollers 9 9 9 which enclose between them
the rear end of the cigar, that likewise projects for a little distance from the
moulding rollers, as shown in Figures 6 and 8; one of these rollers being located
immediately below the cigar, while the two others are placed somewhat higher, so
as to be practically above the cigar and keep it down when the supports are
brought close together into the operative position; one of the supports S carrying
the lower of the small rollers g and one of the side-rollers, and the opposite
support carrying the other side-roller.
It will thus be seen that the cigar, whilst turning on its own axis, owing to the
rotation of the moulding rollers C, C, both in the same direction, is retained in
position at its extremities viz. at one end, between the small rollers g and at the
other, in the hollow point or cone; and its position is rendered still more firm by
causing the axis of the cigar to be depressed somewhat below the axial plane of the
shalts A A. The effect obtained from thus lowering the cigar-axis, below the axis
of the shafts, is, indeed so considerable that the retaining devices at the ends
might for retaining purposes-be almost dispensed with, were it not that they
produce other useful effects at the same time, serving, as they do, in the first place
for shaping and finishing the cigar-end; which operation is performed very readily
with some suitable cement, of which a small quantity is injected into the hollow
cone by means of a pump or syringe, such as 3, pressed upon by the finger of the
operative. Besides, the small rollers 9 serve to hold the outer leaf in the first
instance, when it is brought up to the core placed between the moulding rollers.
In addition to the parts described, the machine comprises a cutter or knife q
for trimming the point of the cigar, another knife or cutter Q for cutting the
cigar-end, and coupling and releasing mechanism.
The trimming knife q projects into a slot in the front supports or brackets and is
mounted upon an arm in projecting from a sleeve M mounted revolubly on a fixed
cross-tie F, Figures 1, 3 and 8. A spring R constantly attracts a roller m' on the
arm m against a disc D having an undulated periphery, and mounted upon the
main driving shaft A', thereby causing the trimining knife or cutter 9 to perform a
vibratory notion, as the roller m' alternately descends into the recessed portions
and re-mounts to the tops of the raised parts of the peripheral undulations of
the disc D; in performing which movements it properly trims the tobacco-leat
applied to the point of the cigar just when it is about to be fixed in its place with
the adhesive substance.
The knife or cutter Q, which cuts the cigar-end, is mounted upon the arin N of
a sleeve N' which is mounted on the shaft E', journalled in the machine-frame, aud

page_text: adapted to turn under the action of the releasing lever L. A spring R' attached
to the sleeve N serves to keep the knife Q, which is interposed between the
rollers C C, and the rear brackets S,-normally out of operation, the said knife
only coming forward to-cut the cigar end when the operator raises the hand-lever
for the purpose. The position of this knife may be adjusted by means of a lever!
pivotted to the arın N and adapted to have its position adjusted by a set screw V
co-operating with a repelling spring r attached to one of the brackets S (Figure 2).
According to the position of the said lever 1, a second arm or tappet N° Swings the
knife round at an earlier or later period, as the case may be, under the action of
the releasing lever L.
The action of this lever moves one of the moulding rollers C away from the
other, while at the same time it serves to arrest the motion of machine when the
cigar is completed. To this end, the cross shaft piece E', which the lever causes
to turn, is made to carry cam levers L' L' terminating in inclined cams i engaging
with the shaft A of one of the rollers, near the ends of such shaft; this being the
shaft which is arranged to slide in its bearings c in the machine frame; so that as
the releasing lever is raised, the cam levers L', L', together with the cams i force
back the roller and the completed cigar drops upon the metal plate T arranged
below the machine to receive it (Figures 4 and 5).
At the same time as it performs this movement, the said cam levers L' swing
round a sheet metal square e, which is normally attracted by a spring r, and closes
the lower end of the hopper or passage K wherein previously prepared cigar-cores
are horizontally superposed above the machine; with the result that the core
which is placed against the said square drops between the open moulding rollers;
after which the square e closes the said passage again, and the moulding rollers
move close together and hold the core tightly between them when the operating
lever L is once more depressed. The machine is by this lever thrown out of and
into gear, it being arranged to move a friction or other clutch, such as F, into or
out of engagement with the driving pulley P mounted upon the driving shaft A';
in doing which, it swings round a bell-crank lever L' pivotted to the bracket B' of
the machine frame, under the action of a can-groove provided in an arm L³ of the
lever L wherein the end of the bell-crank lever L engages.
The effect of the pulley P being thrown out of engagement is to arrest the
shaft A, which carries the intermediate pinion I engaging with the two gear-
wheels 11 mounted upon the shafts A A of the moulding rollers C, C.
From the foregoing description, the general operation of the machine will be
understood without a detailed statement regarding it. Suffice it say that, the
operating lever, having been raised, and the moulding rollers moved apart, the
cigar-core drops out of the passage or chamber during the interval of non-operation
of the machine,--which, for the time being, is out of gear. Then, the lever L is
depressed and the moulding rollers thereby brought close together and caused to
grip the cigar body between them,-it being at the same time held between the
retaining rollers 9 and in the hollow cone, in this position the cigar is rotated by
the action of the machine which, by the same lever-movement, has been thrown
back into gear. The operator next inserts the outer leaf, which is to form the
covering or coat of the cigar, between the retaining rollers g, g, and such leaf is, in
consequence, wound around the whole of the cigar, which is at the same time
neatly moulded, the tobacco being evenly and uniformly laid and the outer surface
of the cigar body being smoothed down. The cigar-point is pasted and trimmed
as described and, lastly, as the mechanism is thrown out of gear again, the
knife cuts the cigar end, and the cigar, being completed, drops out of th
machine below, while a fresh cigar-body or core enters the machine in its turn, and
so on.
It may here be pointed out, moreover, that the machine may, at will, turn to the
right or left, as required, which is a great convenience inasmuch as it enables
outer leaves for cigar-coverings, cut in opposite directions, to be utilised in the same
machine..

page_text: 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 correspondents, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A cigar-making machine characterized by the connection of two cigar-
forming or moulding rollers CC of elongated hyperboloid shape, forming in their
axial plane a space or interstice corresponding in shape to the cigar to be formed,
wherein such cigar is caused to rotate by the ribbed perimeters n of the two rollers,
both of which revolve in the same direction; in combination with a guide-roller G,
rotating freely below the said rollers, and whereon the cigar rests as it revolves.
2. In a cigar-making machine, constructed in accordance with the first claim,.
means for retaining the cigar at its extremities, which extend beyond the moulding
rollers CC; such means consisting, at one end, of a hollow cone formed by the
two halves of recessed brackets or supports S and at the other, of a series or set
of retaining rollers g 9 g mounted upon two similar brackets or supports, S; the
four brackets S being all carried by the shafts or spindle A A of the moulding
rollers.
3. The cigar-end retaining devices referred to in the second claim, so arranged
that the axis of the cigar is situated below the axial plane of the moulding
rollers C C, so as to cause the cigar to be more firmly held between the rollers-
during their rotation which tends to raise it.
4. The combination in a cigar-making machine, as characterized in the preceding
claims, of a passage K containing the cigar cores, with a view to their automatic-
conveyance into the machine.
5. The complete machine comprising means for moving the rollers farther apart
or closer together, mechanism for throwing the same into or out of gear, means of
operating the cutters or knives and means for fixing the cigar-point with adhesive-
material all substantially as hereinabove described and illustrated in the accom-
panying drawings.
Deted thin 15th don of Fohme 1907
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, W.C., Agents for the Applicant..