IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR MANUFACTURING CIGARETTES
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Henry Beck, of 139, Cannon Street, in the
City of London, Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR MANUFACTURING CIGARETTES." A com-
munication from abroad by Eugène Ferdinand Leblond; Machinist, of Paris,
in the Republic of France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Henry Beck at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th January 1882.
WILLIAM HENRY BECK of 139 Cannon Street, in the City of London, Consulting
Engineer and Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR MANUFACTURING
CIGARETTES." [A communication from abroad by Eugène Ferdinand Leblond,
Machinist, of Paris, in the Republic of France.]
This Invention comprises several improvements the most important of which
consists in the suppression of the moulds for forming the paper tubes.
In the accompanying Sheet of Drawings Figure 1-shows a transverse section
of the parts for forming and expelling the paper tubes. Figure 2 a longitudinal
section of the spindle or mandril for forming the paper tube. Figure 3 a section
on line 1-2 of Figure 2. Figures 4, 5, and 6 respectively an elevation, an end.
view, and a plan of the table which receives the manufactured tubes. Figures 7
and 8 the tube pincer for holding the tube during the ramming thereof, and
Figure 9 a section through the longitudinal axis of the tobacco distributor.
The improvements relate to the parts and groups of parts which accom-
plish the operations of feeding forward and cutting off the paper; of presenting
the cut paper and forming the tube; of taking the tube off the spindle; of removing
the tube; of distributing the tobacco; of gripping the tube, and finally of ramming
the same.
All operations, the methodical succession of which produces the manu-
factured cigarette, gummed and closed at one or both ends, or not closed at either
end, as may be preferred.
1. Feeding Forward and Cutting off the Paper. The paper stored on a reel is
brought forward intermittently by means of two rollers placed one over the other

page_text: the upper one d of which is seen in Figure 1, and is set in motion by the com-
bination of a pinion and a rack, the latter receiving a to and fro motion by means
of a connecting rod, and only actuating the pinion when moving in one direction.
The paper thus measured as to length is cut off by a knife which is raised and
lowered at the required times by a connecting rod.
Instead of two rollers placed one over the other, two sectors may be employed,
or two rollers, one of which receives the intermittent motion from partially toothed
gearing.
2. Presentation of the Cut Paper to the Spindle, and Formation of the Paper
Tube. The paper delivered by the rollers is placed on a board, the forward move-
ment of which presents the said paper to the spindle, the board then retires, and
receives another cut piece of paper.
The spindle or mandril comprises the cylindrical part of large diameter, and
the front part f¹ of small diameter, both made of one piece and hollow for the
reception of a solid rod f' furnished with a pallet or feather f³, this pallet works
in a longitudinal groove in the part f¹, and serves to nip or grip the edge of the
sheet of paper presented to it by the above mentioned moveable board against one
of the edges of the said groove.
The pallet f³ is constantly forced to press against the edge of the groove in f¹ by
a spring placed between a plate f° fixed on the spindle fƒ and another plate fio
fixed on the rod f. When the paper is about to be presented to the spindle, a
stop prevents the rotation of the plate f10, whilst the plate fº continues to turn;
the pallet becoming stationary the paper enters the groove in f¹: The stop is then
withdrawn from 10 and immediately the pallet f³ is forced by the spring f* to
grip the paper which being held by the board is rolled tightly round f¹.
The gumming is effected as usual by the gummer fx ; but in order to render it
certain a plate g moved at the proper time is caused to press upon the gummed
edge.
Whilst the tube thus manufactured is on the spindle its end, which has been
formed beyond f' is closed by special mechanism.
3. Taking the Formed Tube off the Spindle.-The tube being formed and closed
as above described the spindle is at rest, an indiarubber wheel h then oscillates
with its bearing so as to come against the tube. This wheel is turned rapidly
by means of the pinion h¹ h³, the latter one receiving its motion from the cam
shaft.
Instead of driving by gearing h¹h the wheel h may be moved by a cord or strap.
In any case this wheel causes the manufactured tube to slide off the spindle and
throws it on to the table hereafter described.
Instead of the indiarubber wheel h a part may be arranged to press at the proper
time against the formed tube, and then being caused to take a rectilinear movement
by the action of a cam, it forces the tube off the spindle.
4. Removal of the Formed Tubes.-The tubes, on leaving the spindle, by the
action of the wheel or brush h, fall on to two parallel inclined rods or shafts m
and n, both furnished with two rows of pegs equally spaced and making between
them an angle of about 90°.
The shafts m and n receive intermittent rotary motions which cause the vertical
pegs i to take a horizontal position, and the horizontal ones j to take a vertical
position. It will now be understood that supposing the pegs i to have held the
tube thrown out, when the shafts m and n make a partial rotation these pegs
abandon the tube and it rolls down as far as the next set of pegs j; and so on for
each tube manufactured down to the last pegs ix where the tube thus transported
is presented exactly opposite the tube pincer (Figures 7 and 8).
Instead of two peg shafts m n a larger number such as three or four for example
may be employed, and they may be covered with a table pierced with slots for
the pegs to pass through; they may be replaced by an endless band or simply by
two endless wires armed with equidistant pegs; or other known traversing
mechanism may be employed.

page_text: 5. Distribution of the Tobacco.-The box q on which the distributor mechanism
is placed, is pierced with a hole k for guiding the ramming rod. Corresponding to
this hole is fixed a straight edger, the edge of which is hollowed out in the form of
a half circle, and the straight edge r¹ having a rectilinear alternating movement has
its edge hollowed out similarly to the edge of the straight edge r, and the two
hollows when brought together form a complete circle in which is confined and
compressed the tobacco which is brought by a slide from the endless band t.
Before the straight edger advances towards to compress the tobacco, a com-
pressor 8 is lowered and is placed over the edge of r; but as this compressor is
submitted to the elastic action of the spring s¹, it gradually rises in proportion as
the plate advances.
6 and 7. Gripping and Ramming the Tube.-The tube T brought opposite the
rammer kas already explained, is pushed (Figures 7 and 8) by a lever until its
open end enters the funnel x which guides it on to a conical nozzle x¹. At that
moment the jams p p¹ of the pincer close again in order to squeeze the tube forcibly
on the nozzle x¹. The rammer then pushes the compressed tobacco from between
and into the tube.
The pincer then opens and the manufactured cigarette is taken away mechanically
to be closed at the other end if required, or to be stored in the ordinary or other
suitable way.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Henry Beck in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
14th July 1882.
WILLIAM HENRY BECK of 139 Cannon Street in the City of London Consulting
Engineer and Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR MANUFACTURING
CIGARETTES."
In the improvements forming the subject of the present Invention the moulds for
forming the paper tubes are suppressed and the improvements comprise various
novel combinations and arrangements which relate especially to the feeding forward
of the paper, the formation of the tube, the transference of the manufactured tubes
to the ramming parts, the distribution and ramming of the tobacco, the storing of
the cigarettes and so forth.
By suppressing the tube moulds the greater part of the inconveniences of the
machines now in use are avoided, the movements of the spindle are simplified; the
formed tubes are left as long as is required for drying the gum or paste, and by a
system of opposed funnels combined with the gripping pincer, the ramming is
effected very speedily and certainly.
Machines constructed with these improvements produce a greater number of
cigarettes in a given time than the ordinary machines, the cigarettes are better
finished and much more regular, and such a machine will make fine cigarettes with
either open or closed ends.
In the accompanying Sheet of Drawings.
Figures 1 and 2 show respectively an elevation and a plan of the principal parts
of a machine with these improvements applied thereto.
Figure 3 is a partial elevation of the parts which are concerned in the formation
of the tube.
Figure 4 is a transverse section on line 1-2 of Figure 3.
Figures 5, 6 and 7 represent in detail the forming spindle for the paper tubes.
Figure 8 is an end view of the movement for transferring the tubes.
Figures 9 and 10 show the mechanism for distributing and compressing the
tobacco.
Figures 11 and 12 show the novel tube pincer and Figure 13 the back elevation
of the storing movement for the cigarettes.
For greater clearness in the description I divide the manufacture of a cigarette
into eight principal operations namely.
1° The feeding forward and cutting off the paper.
2° The presentation of the cut paper to the spindle and the formation of the
tube round the spindle.
3° The taking of the tube off the spindle.
4° The removal or transference of the formed tubes.
5° The distribution and compression of the tobacco.
6° The gripping of the tube for filling it with tobacco.
7° The ramming or filling of the tobacco into the tube and
8° The storage of the cigarettes.
I will now proceed to explain these various operations by describing the
mechanical constructions which relate to them and which are all placed on a table
or base plate a.
1° Feeding Forward and Cutting off the Paper-The endless paper p is delivered
by a reel to the feeding devices in front of which it receives at equal distances the
imprints of a stamp 6 which it meets on its way.

page_text: The feeding devices (Figures 1 and 2) consist of two rollers d between which
the paper is pressed. These rollers are placed one over the other so that their
axes of rotation are in the same vertical plane. The lower roller receives inter-
mittent partial rotary movements always in one direction and of the same
amplitude, by means of a pinion c loose on its axis, and a rack c' which drives the
pinion and is moved up and down by a connecting rod c² in connection with a cam.
To the pinion c is fixed the plate c which carries a pawl c³ and a spring acting
on the tail of the pawl; the latter drives the ratchet wheel of two teeth c6 keyed
on the shaft of the lower roller.
When the rack c¹ rises it turns the rollers d by means of the parts c c c³ ³ and
c. When it descends the rollers d pressed sufficiently one against the other
remain stationary, and the parts c, c, c³ and co turn backwards. By these arrange-
ments the length of paper drawn forward at each elevation of the rack is rigourously
the same.
The cutting off of the paper is effected by means of a knife E actuated by a
connecting rod which receives its movement from a cam placed on the main
shaft A.
The rollers & may be rotated intermittently in an equally regular way by means
of partially toothed gearing placed on the driving shaft and turning an inter-
mediate wheel which engages with gearing keyed on the shafts of one of the
rollers d.
Or the intermediate wheel may be suppressed and the partially toothed gearing
so arranged as to drive the gearing of the feed roller direct.
The feed rollers for the paper are of uncovered metal or they may be of metal
covered with leather, cloth or indiarubber.
2° Presentation of the Cut Paper to the Spindle and Formation of the Paper
Tube. The paper p, cut as above described, is left on a board e furnished with
lips or flanges which maintain the sheet exactly in place by its two sides. This
board advances towards the spindle in order to present to it the said sheet of paper,
and then retires to receive the sheet next cut off. This rectilinear alternating
movement is given by the bell crank lever e¹ the horizontal arm of which is acted
upon by the cam e² of the main shaft A.
This main shaft A turns in two bearings A' A² bolted on the table or base
plate a and is driven by the combination of gearing A³ and the wheel D¹ keyed on
the shaft D which also receives the flywheel, and the pulleys for the driving
strap.
At the end opposite to that at which motion is transmitted to it, the shaft A
receives a wheel A partially toothed the object of which is to drive intermittently
a pinion f keyed on the spindle f placed parallel to the shaft A but above it in a
part of the bearing A¹.
:
The spindle or mandril, see Figures 5, 6 and 7, comprises the cylindrical part f
of large diameter, and the part fl of smaller diameter, both made hollow for the
reception axially of a solid rod få fitted easily into the end f¹. This end is
grooved lengthwise to allow of the play in it of a pallet or feather f³ with which
the rod f is furnished longitudinally, and which serves to nip or grip the edge
of the sheet of paper against one of the sides of the groove of the part f¹ in order
to wind the said sheet of paper round the said part f1.
The pallet f³ is constantly pressed against the side of the groove in the spindle f¹
by a spiral spring f* placed between two plates f and f10 fixed the one on the
spindle f the other on the rod f³ (Figures 5 and 6); this spring is fastened to the
said plates.
At the proper moment, a part of larger diameter fe placed on the side of the
wheel A5 (Figures 1 and 2) comes so as to form an obstacle to an abutment f¹
fixed on the face of the pinion in such a manner as to impress a slight movement
of rotation to the spindle in order to release the pallet f³ and to let the edge of the
paper escape. The paper thus liberated, the gumming or pasting takes place by
the usual known arrangements, or by means of a roller which turns slowly in the

page_text: reservoir of gum or paste and against which rubs the escaped edge of paper which
forms the overlapping of the tube.
A plate g (Figures 1. 2. 3 and 4) urged by a rod g₁ which lowers it at the proper
time, rests with all its weight on the gummed part of the paper and thus assures
the solidity of the tube.
The manufactured tube may be either closed or not. When it is to be closed a
bent lever u receives from the cam e² by the medium of the rods u¹ and u²
a movement which causes it to press on the end of the spindle while the latter
makes its rotation for rolling up and gumming. The paper which extends a little
beyond the end of the spindle is thus folded over, twisted and closed. The lever u
is afterwards raised to allow of the expulsion or removal of the tube from off the
spindle.
3° Taking the Manufactured Tube off the Spindle.
The tube gummed, and closed at one end is slipped off the spindle by means of
a small toothed disc of indiarubber or a brush h which is applied for that purpose
to the spindle by means of the oscillating bearing in which it is mounted and is
removed from the said spindle when the tube has been slipped off.
The disc or brush h is constantly rotated by means of the bevil pinions h¹ and h
and the friction of two discs h³ h the latter h' being keyed on the driving shaft A
and the other h³ fixed on the axis of the pinion h².
Instead of this means of transmitting motion a cord or strap may be used going
from a pulley on the shaft A to another small pulley on the axis of the disc or
brush h.
Instead of the disc or brush h a cam may be placed on the shaft A so arranged
as to effect a rectilinear displacement of a contact piece (applied at the
proper time
to the tube) which displacement of the contact piece effects the sliding off of the
tube.
4° Removal or Transference of the Manufactured Tube.-On leaving the spindle
the tube falls on to two parallel shafts m m³ arranged in the same inclined plane
the inclination of which is dependant upon the respective positions of the spindle f
and the ramming pincer. The shafts m m¹ (Figures 1, 3, 8 and 13) are both
furnished with pegs or pins equally spaced, and arranged alternately in two rows
which form between them an angle of 90 degrees.
The shafts m m' receive alternate partial rotary motions which cause each row
of pegs to assume alternately vertical and horizontal positions, so that the tube
falling from the spindle on to the shafts m m¹ descends as far as the first pair of
pegs ii, the shafts m m' then effect a quarter of a revolution these pegs i i
become horizontal, the tube descends afresh until it strikes against the second pair
of pegs jj.
The shafts m m³ then return; the pegs jj in passing into the horizontal position
leave the tube free to roll down to the next pair of pegs and so on to the bottom
of the shafts m m' where the tube takes its place in cavities corresponding exactly to
the ramming pincer, which is in line, as in the known machines, with the parts for
distributing and ramming the tobacco. The shafts m m¹ move in opposite direc-
tions a rocking lever m² oscillating at m³ receives its motion from a connecting
rod in connection with a cam on the shaft A; it drives directly a crank m² of the
shaft m and by a connecting rod me another rocking lever m7 jointed to the crank
m³ of the shaft m.
The shafts m m³ may be actuated by gearing through pinions keyed on the
shafts which pinions may be operated by one or two racks according to whether
the said shafts are to be moved in the same or in opposite directions.
For the shafts m m' may be substituted an endless apron or simply two parallel
endless chains furnished with pegs and endued with a continuous or intermittent
movement of translation or instead of endless chains two endless metallic wires
may be employed. In fact any suitable arrangement may be employed which is
susceptible of conducting the paper tubes regularly, from the moment when they
leave the spindle on which they have been formed, until they are in a position to

page_text: be taken and held by a pincer which holds them firmly during the whole time the
tobacco is being rammed into them.
5° Distribution of the Tobacco.-The tobacco may be distributed in the manner
heretofore customary, but the following method of moulding is preferable.
In the block q fixed to the table a is left a hole in which works the rammer k.
Corresponding with this hole and between the checks q' q' of the block q is placed
the mould which is to form the plug of tobacco which the rammer k is to push into
the paper tube. This mould is composed of two straight edges or rules
(reglettes) the adjacent edges of which are hollowed out into a half circle.
These edges which come together are of indiarubber as is also the end of the
rammer k.
The straight edge r is fixed, the other r¹ has a rectilinear alternating movement.
The tobacco spread on an endless band Tis pushed progressively over the straight
edger then the distributor t which has a complex series of movements, approaches
the fixed bottom w is lowered on to the straight edge r returns on itself pushing
forward a strip of tobacco; and as at that moment the straight edge r¹ is at a
distance from the straight edge r and the rammer k withdrawn backwards, this
tobacco falls between r and r¹. The straight edge r approaches the other one "
compressing the tobacco; a cover 11 raises gradually the distributing slide t against.
the spring thus preventing the escape of the imprisoned tobacco from the straight
edger. When the latter has come in contact with the straight edger the rammer k
is put in motion and the distributing part ₺ is raised to recommence its series of
movements being operated for that purpose by the levers t2t placed on each
side of the bearing q and taking their movements from the shaft D.
6° and 7° Gripping and Ramming the Paper Tube.—When the tube has descended
the inclined plane formed by the peg shafts m m' and has arrived in front of the
rammer kit is pushed from right to left by a lever v (Figure 2) its left hand end
taking into the funnel x (Figures 11 and 12). This funnel guides the tube on
to the slightly conical nozzle x' which forms a continuation of the ramming
hole x².
The jaws p p' of the pincer then close together and hold the end of the tube
firmly. At that moment the rammer acts and pushes the tobacco from between r
and into the tube and then retires.
The pincer opens, and the manufactured cigarette falls into a channel z (Figures 2
and 13).
8° Storing of the Cigarettes. The cigarettes by falling successively into the
channel z drive one another mutually forward so that each comes in its turn to
enter a case y as shewn in Figure 13, and by the action of a slide z¹ to which the
requisite alternating rectilinear movement is given, is caused to mount up a small
inclined plane y which is followed by a declivity y¹ the object of which is to faci-
litate the storage at first and afterwards to act as a buttress for heaping up the
cigarettes against the opposite partition yº.
The arrangements, forms, materials, and dimensions of the parts may be varied
without departing from the nature of the Invention and if required suitable
mechanism may be added to close the cigarettes at one or both ends.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention and the manner in
which the same is to or may be carried into effect I would have it understood that
what I claim as the Invention to be secured by the within in part recited Letters
Patent is ;-
First. The combination of the pinion c, rack c¹, pawl c³, and ratchet co, as illus-
trated in Figures 1 and 2 of the Drawings, or the arrangements of sectors or of
toothed and partially toothed wheels for the purpose of effecting the feeding forward
of the paper as hereinbefore described.
Second. The employment of the board or table e to which is imparted a to and
fro motion, for the purpose of presenting the cut paper to the spindle ƒ as herein-
before described and illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the Drawings.
Third. The novel construction of spindle or mandril consisting of the parts ƒ. ƒ¹. ƒ³.

page_text: as illustrated in Figures 5. 6 and 7 of the Drawings for forming the paper tube
and the arrangement of a rising and falling plate g for effecting and facilitating
the gumming or pasting of the same as illustrated in Figures 1. 2. 3 and 4 of the
Drawings, the gun or paste being deposited by the ordinary known means or by
means of a roller turning in the reservoir of gum or paste, as hereinbefore
described.
Fourth The employment of an indiarubber disc roller or brush has illustrated
in Figures 1. 2. 3 and 4 of the Drawings or of a contact piece suitably actuated for
the purpose of taking the manufactured tube off the spindle or mandril as herein-
before described.
Fifth The employment of the inclined partially rotating shafts m m¹ furnished
with pegs or pins which receive, conduct, and distribute regularly the manufactured
tubes from the forming spindle to the ramming or filling mechanism as hereinbefore
described and illustrated in Figures 2, 3, 8 and 13 of the Drawings.
Sixth The combination of a funnel x with a nozzle of opposite taper x¹ and a
pincer p p for holding the tube during the ramming or filling as herein before
described and illustrated in Figures 2. 11 and 12 of the Drawings.
Seventh The construction of the mould for the plug of tobacco, consisting of
the straight edges either made of indiarubber or of other material covered with
indiarubber at the parts which come in contact with the tobacco; of a rammer k
with an indiarubber end, and of a slide t with an elastic bottom or sole t' as herein-
before described and illustrated in Figures 2, 9 and 10 of the Drawings.
Eighth The device for storing the finished cigarettes consisting of a horizontally
working slide z¹ combined with the inclined plane y¹ of the storing case y as herein-
before described and illustrated in Figure 13 of the Drawings.
In witness whereof I, the said William Henry Beck have hereunto set my hand
and seal this Thirteenth day of July in the year of our Lord, One thousand
eight hundred and eighty two,
W. H. BECK. (L.S.)