Improvements in Machines for Making Cigarettes.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Apr., 1898-Accepted, 17th Sept., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Making Cigarettes.
I, EZRA TORRENCE GILLILAND, Gentleman, a Citizen of the United States,
residing in Pelham Manor, in the County of Westchester, and State of New York,
United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to that class of cigarette machines, in the operation of
which a continuous rod of tobacco or filler is formed from a stream of the same,
around which rod is wrapped and secured a continuous wrapper-strip, forming a
continuous cigarette, which is cut up into equal sections forming the individual
cigarettes.
Among the principal objects of my invention are to simplify and improve the
means for supplying the continuous stream of filler to the carrier; to improve
the means for forming the stream of filler into the continuous rod; to improve the
means for transferring the formed filler or rod to the wrapping-strip, and tape, so
that the rod will not lose its form in the interval; to improve the filler-rod wrap-
ping and pasting mechanism; and to provide better means for severing the
continuous cigarette into individual cigarettes. By my invention, as a whole,
I have obtained a continuous cigarette machine, which has been found to be of
much simpler, stronger and more durable construction than those heretofore
employed in the art. The machine has also been found to make cigarettes of
better and more uniform quality than the other cigarette machines with which I
am familiar, and finally, to make almost twice as many cigarettes in a given time
as any other machine known to me.
In order that my invention may be fully understood I shall first describe in
detail the mode in which I have reduced my invention to practice, and then point
out its various novel features in the claims. I shall refer by numbers to the
accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, using like numbers
to indicate corresponding parts in the various figures.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the cigarette machine in which I have reduced
my invention to practice.
Figure 2 is a plan view of the same.
Figure 3 is an end elevation of the same, parts being omitted.
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional elevation of the same on the line 44, Figure 2.
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional elevation of the same on the line 5-5, Figure 2.
Figures 6, 7, 8. 9, 10 are detail views showing the construction of various
rolls employed in the mechanism for feeding the loose filler in a stream upon the
endless carrier.
Figure 11 is a sectional plan view of the mechanism for forming the stream of
filler upon the carrier into a continuous stick or rod, parts being shown broken
away.
Figure 12 is a detail sectional elevation of said mechanism on the line 12-12,
Figure 11.

page_text: Figure 13 is a detail sectional elevation on the line 13-13, Figure 11.
Figure 14 is a cross-sectional elevation on the line 14-14, Figure 11.
Figure 15 is a detail cross-sectional elevation on the line 15-15, Figure 11.
Figure 16 is a detail sectional plan view on the line 16-16, Figure 15.
Figure 17 is a sectional side elevation, showing part of the tape-driving pulley
and its associated parts.
Figure 18 is a plan view of the rod-forming, wrapping, and wrapper pasting
mechanism.
Figure 19 is an enlarged side elevation of the paste-applying mechanism.
Figure 20 is a side elevation of the paste-applying mechanism, the view being
taken from a direction at right angles to that of Figure 19.
Figure 21 is a sectional elevation of the paste-applying mechanism on the
line 21-21, Figure 18.
Figure 22 is a sectional-plan view of the paste-applying mechanism on the
line 22, Figure 19.
Figure 23 is a plan view of the paste-applying mechanism.
Figure 24 is a grossly enlarged detail view, illustrating the co-operation of the
pasting-wheel and its paste-applying cone.
Figures 25 and 26 are detail views of parts of the paste-applying mechanism,
hereafter fully described.
Figure 27 is an enlarged sectional side elevation of the mechanism for cutting
the continuous cigarette into individual cigarettes; on the line 27-27, Figure 29.
Figure 28 is a detail sectional view on the line 28-28, Figure 27.
Figure 29 is a cross-sectional elevation of the same.
Figure 30 illustrates a modified form of cutter and cutter-sharpener, which I
generally prefer to use.
Figure 31 is another view of said cutter and sharpener, partly in section.
Figures 32 and 33 are enlarged detail views of said cutter-sharpener.
Figure 34 is a detail sectional view of the means for adjusting the blade of
said cutter.
Fig. 35 is a plan view of the wrapper-folding and pasting trough.
Figure 36 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the same.
Figures 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, are cross-sectional views taken on the
lines 37-37, 38-38, 39-39, 40-40, 41-41, 42-42, 43-43, 44-44, 45-45,
respectively of Figure 35 showing the filler-rod, the wrapper-strip, and the
wrapping tape, in various steps of the wrapping and pasting operations.
Figures 46, 47, 48 and 49 are enlarged detail views of the cutter-adjusting
mechanism.
In the drawings, 1 denotes the frame of the machine, in bearings 2, 3, of which
I have mounted a main driving shaft 4, carrying a belt-pulley 5, by which the
shaft itself is driven.
To receive the supply of loose filler and carry it to the distributing rolls herein-
after described, any suitable means may be employed. I prefer, however, to
employ the means shown in the drawings, particularly in Figures 1-5, and
described as follows:
An endless belt-apron 5, of vulcanized fabric or similar material, is arranged at
a slight inclination from the horizontal plane to run from and around a roll 6
journaled in the outer end of a bracket-like extension 7 of the frame 1 to and
around a roll 8 journaled in the upper part of the frame 1, said rolls G and 8
having end flanges 9 of opposite sides of the belt-apron 5 to help the same from
shifting laterally on the rolls. Between the rolls 6 and 8 the upper part of the
belt-apron 5 runs over and is supported by a bed-plate 10 fixed on the bracket-
like extension 7, and above and along the sides of the belt-apron are fixed
marginal strips 11, to confine there between, the supply of loose tobacco or filler
which is spread by the operator in a layer of uniform density and thickness
the belt 5 as the same travels toward the roll 8. The bearings 12 of the outer
belt-apron roll 6 are mounted adjustably in the bracket-like extension 7, are
upon

page_text: connected with the end member 13 thereof by tension screws 14 and nuts 15,
so that by turning the nuts 15 the belt-apron, can be stretched or slackened as
may be required to place it under tension. The lower part of the belt-apron near
the roll 6 runs over and is supported by a loose roll 16 journaled adjustably in
bearings 17 fixed to the bracket-like extension 7, so that properly adjusting said
roll 16 the tension of the belt-apron can be further regulated as desired. The
belt-apron 5 is caused to travel by means of its inner roll 8, on one end of the
shaft 18 of which, is mounted loosely a worm-wheel 19, which can be locked to,
and unlocked from, said shaft 18 by means of a clutch 20. The worm-wheel 19 gears
with a worm 21 fixed on an inclined shaft 22, which is journaled to the frame 1
and has at its lower end a worm-wheel 23, gearing with a worm 24 on a shaft 25,
having a bevel gear-wheel 26 gearing with a bevel gear-wheel 27, on the main
driving-shaft 4, so that by this gearing the belt-apron 5 is operated by the main
driving-shaft 4, and can be stopped, without stopping the shaft 4, by unlocking
the clutch 20.
Over the inner roll 8 and end of the belt-apron 5 is mounted, adjustably in the
frame 1, a transverse roll 28 (shown in detail in Figure 6) having its surface
studded with hemi-spherical projections, and driven, by means of the spur-gears 29
and 30 connecting its shaft with the roll S, in the same direction as the motion of
the belt-apron 5, so as to compress and grip, without tearing, the loose filler on
the moving belt-apron 5, and cause it to be fed forward positively thereby, over
the short inclined bridge 31 to and between small superposed compression rolls 32
and 33. The rolls 32 and 33 are journaled in the frame 1 and are preferably
fluted longitudinally so as to firmly grip and feed forward the filler, and they are
driven by means of pinions 34, 35, and 36 gearing with a spur-wheel 37 on the
shaft 18.
To take the filler issuing from the described feeding rolls and deposit or distri-
bute it in a uniform continuous stream (as represented in Figure 11) upon the
belt-carrier 38, any suitable means may be used, but I employ, by preference, the
mechanism shown in the drawings and described as follows:
Closely to and in front of the small feeding rolls 32 and 33, is journaled in
bearings 39 adjustable toward and from the rolls 32 and 33, a picker-roll 40 (shown
in detail in Figure 6) having its surface studded with pins or teeth 41 arranged
spirally around the roll from end to end.
This picker-roll 40 is driven (in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 5)
by means of a belt-wheel 42 on its shaft 43 connected by a cross belt 44 with a
belt-wheel 45 on the before mentioned shaft 25, and, owing to its peculiarly
arranged pins or teeth 41, carries the filler emerging from the rolls 32 and 33
downward, and at the same time separates and distributes it laterally and longi-
tudinally. Aided by an inclined bridge 46, the filler thus distributed, is carried
by said picker-roll 40 to and between further distributing or evening rolls. 47
and 48, the teeth of each of which run between the teeth of the other and are
shown in detail in Figures 9 and 10 respectively. The distributing rolls 47 and 48
are driven (in the directions indicated by their arrows in Figure 5) by means of
a worm-wheel 49 on the shaft of the larger roll 47 gearing with a worm 50 on
the before mentioned shaft 22, and spur wheels 51 and 52 connecting the opposite
end of said roll 47 with the roll 48, the arrangement being such that the teeth of
the larger roll 47 will travel at a higher (peripheral) speed than the inter-running
teeth of the roll 48 and thus more effectually separate, even and distribute the
filler between the rolls. Below the distributing rolls 47 and 48 is journaled in
adjustable bearings 53 a stripping roll 54 (shown in detail in Figure 7), whose
surface is studded with pins or teeth 55, which run, in the direction indicated by
the arrow in Figure 5, between the teeth of both the distributing rolls 47 and 48
and carry the filler downward therefrom in a uniform and constant stream. The
stripping roll 54 is driven by means of a belt-wheel 56, on its shaft connected
by a crossed belt 57 with a belt-wheel 58 on the before mentioned driven-shaft 25,
and the stream of filler falls from said stripping roll between closely approximat-

page_text: ing confining walls 59 and 60, upon the before mentioned moving belt-carrier 38,
in a stream of uniform density and dimensions.
The belt-carrier 38 I employ is an highly tempered flexible steel belt, which
is extremely advantageous for the reason that it does not materially yield, stretch,
or change its shape or character under varying conditions. It runs from and
around a large belt-wheel 61, journaled in the frame 1 under the stripping
wheel 54, to and around another belt-wheel 62 journaled in the frame 1, and is
driven in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 2, by means of a bevel
gear-wheel 63 which is on the shaft of the belt-wheel 62, and engages a bevel
gear-wheel 64 on a shaft 65 carrying a worm-wheel 66, which gears with
worm 67 on the main driving-shaft 4.
a
To form the uniform stream of filler thus deposited upon the moving belt-
carrier 38 into a continuous stick or rod, I employ the mechanism. shown and here-
after described, but other suitable mechanism may be employed instead thereof.
The upper part of the belt-carrier 38 runs over and is sustained between its
belt-wheel 61 and the forming-wheels 69 and 70 by a longitudinal bed-plate 68
fixed on the main frame 1.
Along both sides of the belt-carrier 38 on the bed-plate 68 are fixed straight
ledges 72 and 73, which project inwardly over the edges of the belt-carrier and
confine the filler carried thereon laterally. Over the belt-carrier 38, where it
issues laterally from between the before mentioned confining walls 59 and 60,
is journaled in fixed bearings 74 a large belt-wheel 75 and, further along and over
the belt-carrier 38, is journaled in bearings 77 a smaller belt-wheel 76, whose
periphery turns in closer proximity to the belt-carrier 38 than the periphery of
the belt-wheel 75. Around the belt-wheels 75 and 76 is stretched a compressing
belt 78, whose lower strand runs with and over the belt-carrier 38, between the
side confining ledges 72 and 73, and converges in the vertical plane toward said
belt-carrier so as to carry the stream of filler forward with the belt-carrier and at
the same time compress it and reduce its thickness so as to pass beneath the
diverting disk 106 hereafter described. The compressing-belt 78 is driven in
the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 11, and at the same progressive speed
as the belt-carrier 38, by means of a bevel gear-wheel 79 on the shaft of the
larger compressing belt-wheel 75, engaging with a bevel gear-wheel 80 on the
before described inclined driven-shaft 22. To keep the compressing-belt 78
properly taut, a loose roll 81 is journaled over the upper strand of the belt in
bearings of a frame 82 pivoted to swing vertically on a standard 83, and an
adjusting screw 84 is mounted in the standard 83, to bear on the adjustable
frame 82, so that by properly adjusting said screw the belt 78 can be tautened to
any degree desired. The lower compressing strand of the belt 78 is supported
against the upward pressure of the filler by an inclined bed-plate 85 under and
along which the belt 78 travels.
A very important and advantageous feature of my invention is the arrangement
of the forming-wheels 69 and 70, with relation to the belt-carrier 38 and the
wrapping devices, as perhaps best shown in Figures 2, 11, 13 and 14. The form-
ing wheels 69 and 70 which are peripherally grooved in accordance with the
desired cross-section of the cigarette, circular, elliptical or otherwise, are mounted
tangentially to each other on the belt-carrier 38, so that their vertical axis will
be in a plane inclined at an angle of about 60° to the line of travel of the carrier-
belt, and their tangential point be on one edge of the belt-carrier 38. By this
arrangement, I am enabled to lead the forming-wheels 69 and 70 into the wrapping-
trough 107 and wrapping-tape 109, which are on a line perpendicular to the line of
the axes of the forming-wheels, with the shortest possible intervening opening or
space so that the formed and compressed filler will have little or no time to expand
and lose its form before it is confined by the wrapping-trough and tape.
The forming wheels 69 and 70 are fixed by means of spindles 88 on the upper
ends of vertical shafts 90 and 89 respectively, which are mounted to revolve in
sleeves 91 and 92 carried by bearing plates 93 and 94 and said bearing-plates are

page_text: mounted to slide toward and from each other in guide-ways 95 and 96, in the
frame 1, and are threaded to receive adjusting screws 97 and 98, by which therefore
the forming-wheels may be accurately adjusted toward and from each other, for
regulating the formation and compression of the filler thereby. The forming-
wheels 69 and 70 are rotated at the same speed and in the directions indicated by
the arrows in Figure 11, by means of geared spur-wheels 99 and 100 on their
shafts 90 and 89 and a spur-wheel 101 on the shaft 89 gearing with a spur-
wheel 102 on a shaft 103, which has a worm-wheel 104 gearing with a worm 105
on the before described main driving-shaft 4.. On the upper end of the said
vertical shaft 103 through the medium. of which the forming-wheels are driven,
I fix detachably a flat diverting disk 106 which closely covers the trough, formed
by the side ledges 72 and 73 and the bed-plate 68, in which the filler-carrier 38
runs, from the end of the compressing-belt 78 to the tangential or nearly meeting
point of the forming-wheels 69 and 70, and thus closely overlies part of said
forming-wheels, as best shown in Figure 11.
The shaft of the diverting disk 100, being to one side of the belt-carrier 38 and
equally distant from the end of the compressing-belt 78 and the tangential point
of the forming-wheels 69 and 70, said diverting. disk represses or downwardly
confines the filler previously compelled by the belt 78 to pass beneath it, and
its peripheral portion, at the point where the filler enters between the forming-
wheels 69 and 70, turns substantially at the same lateral inclination to the belt-
carrier as the line of passage between the forming-wheels, so as to materially aid
in diverting the filler at that point to said inclined line of passage and in pre-
venting a retardation or crowding of the filler at that point. The filler passing
between the grooved forming-wheels 69 and 70 is thus compressed and formed into
the desired cylindrical or elliptical shape as the case may be.
For wrapping the filler thus compressed and formed into the desired cross-
section by the forming-wheels 69 and 70, and pasting or securing the wrapper,
I prefer to employ the mechanism shown in the drawings, and described as
follows, although any other means suitable for the purpose may be employed.
On said laterally inclined line of movement of the formed filler, which is at
about an angle of 30° to the direction of movement of the belt-carrier 38, and
closely underlying said belt-carrier, is fixed on the frame 1 a trough 107, shown
in detail in Figures 35 and 45 inclusive, extending from a point in the rear of the
forming-wheels 69 and 70, to and between the bearing-plates 93 and 94 of the
forming-wheels 69 and 70 (as shown in Figure 14), and thence to a point over a
large tape-driving-wheel 108. Through the trough 107 from end to end, runs a
wrapping-tape 109, like that usually employed in continuous cigarette machines;
thence it runs over and around the said tape-driving-wheel 108, thence rearwardly
over a small guide-wheel 110 journaled in a fixed bearing 111, thence under and
around a wheel 112, journaled in a bearing 113, and thence into the rear end of
the trough 107 as before stated. The tape 109 is propelled in the direction
indicated by the arrow thereon in Figure 2, on the main shaft 4, through the
driving-wheel 108 which is geared thereto as shown. On the frame 1, back of the
rear tape-wheel 112, is journaled in a fixed standard bearing 114 a reel 115 on
which is placed the continuous wrapper-strip 116, usually of paper, and like that
generally employed for wrapping the continuous cigarette rod in machines of this
class. The wrapping-strip 116 is introduced with and over the endless tape 109
into the trough 107 and is thus carried forward with, and by the underlying
tape through the trough 107.
At the point marked 37-37 in Figure 35, where the tape and overlying wrapper-
strip substantially enter the trough 107, the trough is covered and forms simply
a flat slit, as shown in Figure 37, in which the tape and wrapper-strip lie flat.
From this point the thin slit gradually curves upward at the sides to the points
marked 38-38 and 39-39 in Figure 35, as shown in Figures 38 and 39 compel-
ling the tape and wrapper-strip to assume a like furrowed or "U" form.
about the point marked 39-39 in Figure 35, where the formed filler leaves the
At or

page_text: forming-wheels 69 and 70, the cover of the trough 107 is formed with a longi-
tudinal furrow 117, which sinks downward by a short incline until it joins the
slit or trough 107 and the tape and wrapper-strip travelling therein, so that the
formed filler propelled by and emerging from the forming-wheels 69 and 70 moves
and falls by gravity along the inclined furrow 117 upon the already furrowed
wrapper-strip 116 on the tape 109. At this point, substantially where
marked 40-40 in Figure 35 and as shown in Figure 40, the side edges of the
furrowed wrapper-strip and tape are still confined by downwardly opening
grooves 118. From this point, the trough 107 and the tape and wrapper-strip
contract and curve gradually around the filler-rod until at the point marked 41-41
in Figure 35, and as shown in Figure 41, the filler-rod is closely confined on
the sides and bottom by the wrapper-strip and on the top by the arched capping 119,
one edge of the wrapper-strip and tape being confined in an arched groove 120
and the other edge in a vertical groove 121. The filler-rod is thus at this point
closely confined on all sides in its final form. The distance between the forming-
wheels and this point is so short and the progressive movement of the filler so
rapid that with this construction practically no expansion or alteration in the form
of the filler-rod occurs from the time it leaves the forming-wheels until it is again
positively confined on all sides as described.
At the point marked 42-42 in Figure 35 and as shown in Figure 42, the form
of the trough changing as before gradually, the vertical groove 121 opens upward
through a depression 122 in the cover of the trough exposing the inside of the
edge portion of the wrapper-strip to the periphery of a paste-wheel 123 overlying
the depressed portion 122 of the trough-cover and turning on a vertical shaft 124.
The paste-wheel is rotated peripherally at the same rate of speed as the wrapper-
strip 116 travels, preferably by means hereafter described, and the narrow
periphery of the paste-wheel is coated with paste preferably in a manner hereafter
described, so that the edge portion of the wrapper-strip as it runs along the edge
of the paste-wheel 123 is itself coated with a very thin margin of paste.
At or about the point marked 43-43, in Figure 35, and as shown in Figure 43,
the trough, gradually changing its form, opens through a slot 125, at the side and
the edge of the capping 126 forms a separator or stripper, which strips the
tape 109 from off the down-turned or unpasted edge of the wrapper-strip 116. At
the same time the pasted edge of the wrapper-strip and the outlying
tape enter a groove 127, which as shown, in Figures 44 and 45, gradually curves
downward overlapping the other edge of the wrapper-strip until it joins the trough
proper forming a tube, and thereby presses the pasted edge of the wrapper-strip
upon the underlapping other edge and causes the two edges to adhere. The con-
tinuous cigarette is thus formed, and as it emerges from the forward end of the
trough 107, the endless tape is stripped therefrom, and runs downward around its
driving-wheel, while the continuous cigarette runs into a funnel-mouthed guide
tube 128 which leads to the cutting mechanism hereinafter described.
For driving the paste-wheel, and applying the paste properly thereto, any suit-
able means may be employed. I prefer, however, to employ the mechanism shown
in the drawings, and described as follows:
As best shown in Figures 18 to 26 inclusive, the paste-wheel 123 is driven at
the required speed in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 2, by means
of a worm-wheel 130 on its shaft 124 gearing with a worm 131 on the main
driving-shaft 4.
The paste-wheel and its shaft 124 together with the paste-wheel driving
mechanism and paste-applying mechanism, are mounted on a frame 132, which is
mounted to swing laterally to and from the wrapping and pasting trough 107,
upon stout hinges 133, so that the paste-wheel and its associated parts can be
swung outward when desired, away from the wrapper-strip, and simultaneously
disengaged from the driving-shaft 4, for the purpose of inspection or repairs, or
for any other reason.
When the paste mechanism is swung inward to apply the paste to the wrapper-

page_text: strip 116, as shown in the drawings, it is locked in such position by means of a
catch-bar 134, pivoted to the main frame 1 and having an adjustable head 135,
which is engaged with a forked projection 136 on the paste-frame 132 and screwed
up against such forked projection until the paste-frame and mechanism is secured
immovably in operating position. The paste is automatically deposited upon the
edge of the paste-wheel 123 as follows:
In the frame 132 is rigidly supported a vertical cylindrical paste-reservoir 137,
containing a plunger 138, which is fixed to the upper end of a plunger-rod 139,
threaded from end to end and fitted to screw lengthwise through. a worm-wheel 140,
as a nut.
The worm-wheel 140, is mounted to revolve between bearings 141, in an
inclined chamber 142 on the lower end of the paste-reservoir 137, and gears with a
worm 143 on a shaft 144 journaled in the paste frame 132. The threaded plunger-
rod 139 has a straight groove 145 extending from end to end, in which groove
normally rides a tongue 146, having a handled shank 147 mounted to slide in a
guide 148, so that the plunger-rod is normally prevented from turning while
permitted to travel longitudinally, and is caused by the rotation of the worm-
wheel 140, worm 143, and shaft 144 to rise with the plunger 138 in the paste-
reservoir and thus slowly force the paste, which is initially placed therein and may
be of the kind usually employed for this purpose, upward in the reservoir.
In the wall of the paste-reservoir 137, at its upper end is an opening 149,
through which the paste, under the pressure of the plunger, passes into a closed
chamber 150 in the middle of a chest 151 fixed on the paste-reservoir and having
a removable cover 152. In opposite end of the chest 151 are screwed stuffing
boxes 153 and 154, through which extends, and in which is fitted closely, but to
rotate, a long tube 155, whose opposite ends project from said stuffing boxes 153
and 154. In the tube 155 is fitted to rotate a spindle 156, whose ends likewise
project from the ends of the tube 155, and whose forward head is formed with an
inner cone 157 fitting closely the conical mouth 158 of the tube 155, and with an
outer cone 159 forming a continuation of the conical exterior 160 of the tube 155
and fitting and lying therewith along the periphery of the paste-
wheel 123. This specific arrangement of paste-cone and paste-wheel is shown
greatly enlarged in Figure 24, but the cone 159 may be truncated, instead of
pointed as shown and the periphery of the paste-wheel more or less rounded accord-
ing to the width of the margin of paste it is desired to apply to the paste-wheel
and wrapper-strip. Apertures 161 are formed through the tube 155 in the paste-
chamber 150, through which the paste gains access to the inner spindle 156, and
from these apertures to its conical head the spindle is formed with a thread or
worm 162, by which, as the spindle 156 is rotated within the tube 155, the paste is
fed forward within the tube 155, until it is ground and issues from between the
conical mouth 158 of the tube and the inner cone 157 of the spindle, and is thence
deposited by the rotated head and mouth in a narrow even strip or margin along
the rounded periphery of the rotating paste-wheel, by which it is transferred to
the wrapper-strip 116 as before described. The spindle 156 and the tube 155 may
be rotated in the same direction, the spindle more rapidly than the tube as before
stated, but they are here rotated in opposite directions as follows: On the rear
end of the tube 155 is a spur-wheel 163, and on the rear end of the spindle 156, a
smaller spur-wheel 164. The spur-wheel 163 gears with a spur-wheel 165 on a
horizontal shaft 166, and the spur-wheel 164 with a spur-wheel which in turn
gears with a spur-wheel 168 on the said shaft 166. The shaft 166 is journaled in
bearings 169 on the paste-frame 132 and has a bevel gear-wheel 170 engaging
with a bevel gear-wheel 171 on the before described vertical driven-shaft 124, by
which therefore the paste-spindle and tube are rotated as described.
Between suitable bearings on the spur-wheels 163 and 164 is interposed a con-
vex plate-spring 172, which tends to press said spur-wheels apart and therefore to
draw the inner paste-cone 157 into the conical mouth 158 of the paste-tube. To
oppose the pressure of the spring 172 and thus project the paste-cone 157 further from

page_text: the paste-tube 155, a hand-screw 173 is mounted to turn in a bracket 174 on the
paste frame against a bearing 175 on the rear end of the spindle 156, so that by
turning said screw 173, the fine opening between the mouth of the tube 155 and
the inner cone 157 of the spindle can be adjusted, and thus the flow of paste to the
paste-wheel regulated at will.
The bracket 174 carrying the flow-regulating screw 173, is mounted on a
pivot 176 screwed into the paste-frame, and is locked normally in position by a
stud 177 on said bracket entering a socket 178 in the paste-frame. By unscrewing
the pivot 176, the stud can be withdrawn from the socket 178, and the bracket
then swung aside on its pivot 176 to permit the spindle and tube to be withdrawn
from, or replaced in their stuffing boxes, for inspection, cleaning, repairs, or any
other purpose.
The shaft 144, by which the paste-plunger 139 is forced upward as before
described, is driven as follows: On said shaft 144 is fixed a friction clutch-
wheel 179, which is intermittently engaged and rotated by a clutch-pawl 180,
pivoted, and resting against a stop 181 on a vibrating lever 182. The lever 182
is pivoted on the shaft 144, and has on its upper end, a forked follower 183,
between the branches of which, plays an eccentric 184, on the before described
driven shaft 166, so that by the rotation of said shaft 166, the lever 182 is vibrated,
the friction clutch-wheel 179 rotated step by step, and the paste-plunger fed
slowly upward.
190
The pawl 180 is formed with a disengaging arm 185, which is connected by a
rod 186 with one end of a lever 187, which is pivoted to play vertically on a bear-
ing 188 on the paste-frame, and is also connected to a plunger-rod 189
which is guided vertically in the bearing 188, and has its lower end
rubber
carried by a
or other yielding
resting onl
bearing
a
diaphragm 191, or pressure head and closing the upper end of the paste-
reservoir 137. By this arrangement, if the pressure of the paste in the reservoir,
due to the ascending plunger 138, becomes excessive, the diaphragm 191 yields
upwardly, raises the plunger-rod 189, lever 187, and connecting-rod 186, and this
raises and disengages the pawl 180 from the friction clutch-wheel 179, so as to
temporarily arrest the movement of the paste-plunger 138, until the pressure of
the paste within the reservoir falling, permits the pawl 180 to again engage and
rotate the friction clutch-wheel 179. The pressure under which the paste is
supplied to the paste-wheel is thus automatically maintained uniform or sub-
stantially uniform.
On the top of the yielding diaphragm 191 bears a spring 192, which bears
upwardly against a bearing 193 formed on a sleeve 194, which surrounds the
· plunger-rod 189, screws vertically in the bearing 188 and has a wheel for turning
it, so that by adjusting said bearing 193, the resistance of the diaphragm 191 and
hence the pressure under which the paste is supplied can be regulated to any
degree desired.
On the lower end of the threaded paste-plunger rod 139, is fixed a hand-
wheel 196, so that by withdrawing the before described tongue 146 from the
groove in the plunger-rod 139, said plunger-rod can be screwed in the worm-
wheel 140 as a nut, independently of the automatic feeding mechanism, to lower
or elevate the plunger in the paste-reservoir, for filling or cleaning said reservoir
or for any other purpose. The diaphragm 191 is made removable from the top of
the reservoir for these same purposes, it being secured in place therein by a
bolted ring 197, and attached to and supported by a spider having arms 198,
which are stopped by said ring 197 to limit the depression of the diaphragm.
In Figure 25 I have shown in detail the mode in which the upper hinge
pivot 200 carrying the entire paste-frame and paste-wheel, is held in a screw-
socket 201, adjustable vertically in the main frame 1, so that by turning said
socket, the paste-wheel can be adjusted vertically to run accurately on the edge
of the wrapper-strip 116 as before described.

page_text: I have thus described the mechanism by which the continuous wrapper-
cigarette is formed and fed through the before mentioned guide-tube 128.
To sever this continuous cigarette into short sections of equal length, forming
the individual, marketable cigarettes, I employ, by preference, the novel cutting
mechanism shown and described as follows, although any other suitable means
might be employed for the purpose. The cutting mechanism shown in Figures 27,
28 and 29, in modified form in Figures 30-34, and indicated in part only in
Figures 1 and 2, consists primarily, of a revolving cutting-blade, revolving on an
axis inclined to the line of the continuous cigarette and whose sharpened edge is
of an expanding helical form, having a pitch equal to the length of the individual
sections or cigarettes, so that by its expansion from its axis across the continuous
cigarette, it will sever the same, and at the same time, owing to its spiral form
and pitch, it will have a progressive movement exactly equal to that of the con-
tinuous cigarette, and thus be stationary relatively to the length thereof, so as not
to interfere with or hinder the free movement of the continuous cigarette.
In Figures 27, 28 and 29, the helical expanding blade 202 is shown bolted to a
rigid spiral frame or body 203 fixed on the main driving shaft 4, and surrounded
by a circular guard 204, supported on the main frame 1. The most contracted
portion 205 of the edge of the blade 202 extends substantially to the nearer side
of the continuous cigarette 206, and the most expanded portion 207 of the edge
of the blade extends substantially to or slightly beyond the farther side of said
cigarette, while the pitch of said edge is, as before stated, exactly equal to the
desired length of the individual sections or cigarettes. Thus as the continuous
cigarette, suitably guided and supported, passes through the tube 128 across the
contracted edge of the blade 202, the helical blade revolving, expands and cuts
through the cigarette, while moving forward therewith, and the contracted edge
then again meets the next severing point of the cigarette and expanding, severs it
at that point. The motion of this cutter being a rotary one, and as it can be
perfectly balanced, almost any desired speed of rotation can be obtained without
undue vibration. As I can operate the cigarette-forming and wrapping mechanism
at a very high rate of speed, I am enable to produce perfect finished cigarettes at
double or treble the rate of any prior machines with which I am acquainted.
For supporting and guiding the continuous cigarette during the operation of the
cutting-blade 202, any suitable means may be employed. I prefer however to
employ the mechanism shown and described as follows
In bearings 208 and 209 supported on the frame 1, are journaled loose belt-
wheels 210 and 211 around which runs an endless flexible carrier 212, consisting
of pivoted links, each formed with a longitudinal trough 214, and a transverse
slo 215, the troughs opening outwardly and fitted to receive the continuous
cigarette and the successive slots 215 fitted to receive the edge of the cutting-
blade 202 and separated by intervals equal to the pitch of said blade. Thus as
the blade is revolved, it enters the successive slots 215 successively and propels
the carrier with its troughs 214 in the direction indicated by the arrow in
Figure 27, and at the same rate as the continuous cigarette. The moving con-
tinuous cigarette enters and rests (relatively) in the troughs 214, as the same align
themselves in front of the cigarette, and thus the blade 202, working through the
transverse slots 215, severs the continuous cigarette evenly and cleanly into the
desired sections or cigarettes, which then fall from the carrier into a suitable
receptacle.
To perfect and mantain the alignment of the carrier-troughs in front of the
continuous cigarette, I extend the pivots 216 of the carrier-links laterally and guide
them in a fixed longitudinal grooved rail 217.
In Figures 30 to 34, I have shown the expanding cutter-blade 218, of segmental
helical form, instead of the full circular form shown in Figures 27, 28, and 29,
the segmental blade 218 being supported at its ends adjustably on the cutter-
body 219 by means of radial adjusting screws and nuts 220, for adjusting its

page_text: expanding helical edge to a nicety. I have also shown the carrier-links formed
with transverse slots 221 independent of the severing slots 222 in which, the
blade rides, and the cutter-body with a helical edge or flange 223 apart from the
cutting edge, to engage with the slots 221 and propel the carrier.
This latter form of cutter-blade and carrier I now prefer to the form shown in
Figures 27, 28 and 29.
To keep the cutting-blade 218 automatically sharpened, and avoid the necessity
of stopping the machine for that purpose, I prefer to use the devices shown in
Figures 30 to 34 inclusive and described as follows; although any other means
suited to the purpose may be employed.
To the sides of two or more of the carrier-links 224, I attach blocks 225,
carrying longitudinally arranged cylindrical boxes 226, in which are fitted
plungers 227 carrying on their heads sharpening blocks 228, of emery, or other
suitable composition or substances, in positions to bear against, abrade, and sharpen
the edge of the cutter-blade 218 from opposite sides. Around the shank 229 of
each plunger 227, is coiled a spring 230, and said plunger passes through a seg-
mental slot 231 in, a handled cam-plate 232, pivoted to the rear of the block 225,
and has adjusting nuts 233, screwed on its end outside said cam-plate.
Thus when the cam-plate 232 is swung in the direction of the arrow shown in
Figure 32, the spring will be permitted to project the sharpening block 228 into
the path of the blade to sharpen the same, but when the cam-plate 232 is swung
to the reverse position, it will press rearward the nuts 233, and thus retract the
plunger and sharpening block out of the path of the blade.
Experience has shown that the continuous filler-rod or cigarette in its process
of formation will drag and fall back behind the various forming and propelling
mechanisms and thus not keep pace with the cutting mechanism, whereby the
cigarette sections will vary in length. This is troublesome particularly when the
continuous wrapper is stamped or supplied with mouth-piece material at intervals.
I have therefore provided mechanism, shown in Figures 46, 47, 48 and 49, for
retreating the rotary-cutter 218 relatively to its driving-shaft 4 when this retarda-
tion of the cigarette occurs, without stopping the machine, so that the continuous
cigarette will continue to be cut at the proper points. This so called cutter-
retreating mechanism consists of a sleeve 235 on which the cutter-body 219 is
fixed by a nut 236 and spline 237, and which sleeve is mounted to turn loosely
on the driving shaft 4, as well as in the bearing 3. On the other end of the
sleeve 235 is formed a double crown ratchet-wheel 236 1/2 having the ratchet
teeth 237 1/2 and 238 on its opposite edges staggered relatively to each other, as
best shown in the enlarged detail view, Figure 49. On the shaft 4 is fitted to
slide lengthwise, a sleeve 239, which however is compelled to rotate with the
shaft 4, by means of the connecting-spline 240 and groove 241, and to said sleeve
is rigidly attached on opposite sides longitudinal arms 242 having slots 243 through
which the toothed rim of the double ratchet-wheel 236 1/2 passes. In said
arms 242 on opposite sides of the slots 243 are formed what I shall call, fixed
pawl-teeth 244 and 245, to engage alternately the teeth 237 1/2 and 238 respec-
tively, of the ratchet-wheel 236 1/2. A handle-lever 246 is pivoted to the frame 1
and has pins riding in a peripheral groove 246 1/2 of the rotating sleeve 239, s0
that by rocking said lever in the direction of the length of the shaft 4, the
sleeve 239, and with it the teeth 244 and 245 can be reciprocated to bring either
the pawl-teeth 244 or 245 into locking engagement with the ratchet-wheel 236.
By this arrangement, which I call an escapement clutch," the cutter carrying
sleeve 235 is always clutched by one set of engaging ratchet and pawl-teeth to the
shaft 4, and the cutter thus rotated therewith. But when, as in the case before
mentioned, it is desired to retreat the cutter behind the shaft 4, by simply rocking
the lever 246 the required number of times lengthwise of the shaft 4, the pawl-
teeth 244 and 245 alternately engage the opposite ratchet-teeth 237 1/2 and 238,
which being staggered permit the ratchet-wheel 236 1/2 and attached cutter to fall

page_text: behind the pawl-carrying sleeve 239 and shaft 4, a number of teeth equal to the
number of strokes of the lever 246. This backward adjustment of the cutter is
best performed with the segmental cutter 218 when in operation, at the time
said cutter has completed its severance of the cigarette, and is thus out of engage-
ment therewith.
It will be noticed that the continuous cigarette is brought into the path of the
spiral cutter-blade in a line oblique to the axis of the shaft 4 and cutter, so that
the line of the cigarette will be substantially perpendicular to the inclined helical
edge of the cutter-blade, and the cigarette thus severed at exactly right angles
to its length.
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:-
1. In filler feeding and distributing mechanism for cigarette machines, the
combination, with filler-supply means and filler feeding-rolls, of a toothed picker-
roll facing the feed-rolls and distributing rolls having interrunning teeth, moving in
the same direction but at different peripheral speeds, to receive and even the filler
from the picker-roll.
2. In filler-feeding and distributing mechanism for cigarette machines, the
combination, with filler-supply means and filler feeding-rolls, of a toothed picker-
roll facing the feeding rolls, distributing-rolls having interrunning teeth moving
at different peripheral speeds to receive and even the filler from the picker-roll,
and a stripper-roll having teeth interrunning the teeth of both the distributing
rolls to take the filler therefrom and discharge it in a uniform stream.
3. In filler-forming mechanism for cigarette machines, the combination with a
belt-carrier to convey a stream of filler, and means for compressing and forming
said filler into a continuous rod, of a rod-wrapping trough leading obliquely from
the side of the belt-carrier to receive at a diminished distance the continuous rod
from the filler-forming means.
4. In filler-forming mechanism for cigarette machines, the combination, with a
belt-carrier to convey a stream of filler, and a rod-wrapping trough leading
obliquely from the side of the belt-carrier, of a pair of tangential grooved forming-
wheels arranged obliquely across the belt-carrier in a line transverse to the
wrapping-trough to discharge the formed filler at the side of the belt-carrier into
the wrapping-trough, and means for compressing and guiding the stream of filler
on the belt carrier to and between the forming-wheels.
5. In filler-forming mechanism for cigarette machines, the combination, with
a belt-carrier to convey a stream of filler, a rod-wrapping trough leading obliquely
from the side of the belt-carrier, a pair of tangential grooved forming-wheels
arranged obliquely across the belt-carrier to discharge the formed filler into the
wrapping-trough, and filler-confining means extending along the sides of the belt-
carrier to the forming wheels, of a revoluble repressing and diverting disk
covering the belt-carrier to the forming-wheels and journaled to move laterally
toward said wheels substantially in the oblique line of the wrapping-devices,
means for compressing and guiding the stream of filler on the belt-carrier beneath
said diverting-disk, and means for rotating the diverting-disk, at substantially
the same speed as the underlying filler and belt carrier.
6. In filler-forming and wrapping mechanism for cigarette machines, the com-
bination, with a belt-carrier to convey a stream of filler, and means for compressing
and forming said filler into a continuous rod and discharging said rod off the
belt-carrier, of a wrapping-trough extending underneath said belt-carrier both
rearwardly and forwardly from said rod-discharging point, said trough being
formed back of said rod-discharging point with a gradually deepening U-shaped
slit in which the wrapping tape and strip run, and whereby they are formed into a
furrow where they receive and thus confine the compressed filler-rod.

page_text: 7. In filler-forming and wrapping mechanism for cigarette machines, the com-
bination, with a pair of grooved forming-wheels and means for carrying,
compressing, and guiding a stream of filler there between, of a wrapping-trough
extending both rearwardly and forwardly beneath said forming-wheels, and formed
back of the exit of said wheels with a gradually deepening U-shaped slit in which
the wrapping-tape and strip run and whereby they are formed into a furrow where
they receive and thus confine the compressed and formed filler-rod.
8. In filler forming and wrapping mechanism for cigarette machines, the com-
bination, with the filler-forming means whereby a continuous filler-rod is formed
and discharged, of a wrapping-trough formed with a U-shaped slit in which the
wrapping-tape and strip run and whereby they are furrowed and an inclined furrow
leading from the discharge of the rod-forming means downward into the under-
running wrapping-tape and strip, and U-shaped slit.
9. In filler-wrapping and pasting mechanism for cigarette machines, a
wrapping-trough having a capped-furrow or tube in which the wrapping-tape and
strip containing the filler-rod run and are confined, a slot opening outwardly
through which one edge of the wrapper-strip runs and is exposed to the paste-
applying means, a lateral slot forming a curved stripper beyond the pasting slot,
from and by which stripper one edge of the wrapping-tape is gradually stripped
from the wrapper-strip, and a groove leading from the pasting-slot and arching
gradually down to the wrapper-strip, by which groove the pasted edge of the
wrapper-strip is gradually folded, lapped, and pasted over the inner edge of the
wrapper-strip.
10. The combination, with the paste-wheel, of a paste-tube having a mouth
revoluble on the periphery of the paste-wheel, a spindle having a head fitted and
revoluble in said mouth and also revoluble on the periphery of the paste-wheel,
means for supplying the paste under pressure into the paste-tube and between its
mouth and said spindle-head on to the paste-wheel, and means for rotating the
paste-tube and the spindle relatively therein.
11. The combination, with the paste-wheel, of a paste-tube having a conical
mouth revoluble on the paste-wheel, a spindle having an inner cone on its head
fitted and revoluble in said tube-mouth and on the paste-wheel, means for supply-
ing paste under pressure into the paste-tube, and means for rotating the tube
and the spindle relatively therein
12. The combination, with the paste-wheel, of a paste-tube having an end mouth
revoluble on the paste-wheel, a spindle having a paste-conveying worm fitted and
revoluble in said tube and a head fitted and revoluble in the mouth of said tube
and revoluble on the paste-wheel, means for supplying paste into said tube and
worm, and means for rotating the paste-tube and the spindle therein.
13. The combination with the paste-wheel, of a paste-tube having a mouth
revoluble on the paste-wheel, a spindle fitted to rotate and move lengthwise in said
tube and having a head fitted in the mouth of the tube and revoluble on the
paste-wheel, means for adjusting the spindle and its conical head axially in the
tube, means for rotating the tube and the spindle, and means for supplying paste
into the tube.
14. The combination, with the paste-wheel, the paste-frame, the paste-tube
bearing against the paste-wheel and revoluble and adjustable lengthwise in the
paste-frame, the spindle having a head closing the tube and bearing against the
paste-wheel and revoluble and adjustable lengthwise in the paste-tube, means for
rotating the tube and spindle, and means for supplying paste to the tube, of an
axially pressing spring between the bearings on the tube and spindle, and an
adjusting screw on the paste-frame to work against a bearing on the spindle for
adjusting the spindle and tube axially.
15. The combination, with a paste-plunger and reservoir, a paste-chest opening
therefrom, a paste-tube revoluble in the paste-chest and having paste admission
openings within the paste-chest, a spindle revoluble in the paste-tube, and a paste-

page_text: wheel, said tube having a mouth, and said spindle a mouth-closing head, revoluble
on the paste-wheel.
16. The combination, with the paste-reservoir having a paste-exit, a paste-forcing
plunger in the reservoir, and means for propelling the plunger, of a pressure-
head in the paste-reservoir, and connections between the pressure-head and the
plunger-propelling means, whereby an excessive movement of the pressure-head
disengages the plunger from its propelling means and reversely.
17. The combination, with the paste-reservoir having a paste-exit, a paste-
forcing plunger in the reservoir, and means for propelling the plunger including
a clutch-wheel and pawl, of a yielding pressure-head in the paste-reservoir, a
plunger rod bearing on the pressure-head, and connections between said dia-
phragm plunger-rod and said pawl whereby an excessive movement of the
pressure-head disengages the pawl from the plunger-propelling clutch-wheel and
reversely.
18. The combination, with the paste-reservoir having a paste-exit, a paste-
plunger in the reservoir, and means for propelling the paste-plunger, of a yielding
pressure-head in the reservoir, a spring reinforcing the pressure-head, means for
variously compressing said spring, and operating connections between said pressure-
head and the plunger-propelling means, whereby the movement of the
pressure-head governs the plunger-propeller means.
19. The combination, with the frame of the cigarette machine of a horizontally
swinging frame carrying the paste-wheel and paste-mechanism, and means for
locking and adjusting said swinging frame to the main frame, so that the paste-
wheel will run properly on the wrapper-strip.
20. The combination, with the paste-reservoir, and paste-plunger having a
spirally threaded and longitudinally grooved plunger-rod, of a disengagable tongue
entering said groove and preventing said plunger-rod from turning while per-
mitting it to advance longitudinally, a gear-wheel through which the plunger-rod
screws lengthwise, and connecting gears, and a hand-wheel on the plunger-rod
for turning it in said gear-wheel as a nut when the tongue is freed from the
groove in the plunger-rod.
21. A cutter for continuous cigarette machines, consisting of a revoluble radially.
expanding, helical blade.
22. A cutter for continuous cigarette machines, consisting of a revoluble, radially
expanding helical blade, arranged with its axis oblique to the line of the con-
tinuous cigarette and its helical cutting edge substantially perpendicular thereto,
23. The combination, with means for propelling, and guiding a continuous
cigarette lengthwise, of a revoluble, expanding, helical, cutter-blade of a pitch equal
to the length of the cigarette sections, and means for rotating the cutting-blade
across the path of the continuous cigarette so that it will sever the same while
moving lengthwise in unison therewith.
24 The combination, with a longitudinally moving guide for a continuous
cigarette having a transverse opening of a revoluble, expanding helical cutter-
blade, arranged to run transversely through said openings across the path of the
cigarette and simultaneously to advance with said guide and cigarette.
25. The combination, with an endless belt or chain, whose links have longi-
tudinal furrows to guide a continuous cigarette and transverse openings, of a
revoluble expanding helical cutter-blade arranged to run transversely through
said openings and simultaneously to advance with the endless belt or chain guide
and cigarette.
26. The combination, with the revoluble, expanding, helical cutter-blade, and
the carrier across which the blade runs and which also travels lengthwise with the
blade, of a blade-sharpener on said carrier to operate on said blade.
27. The combination, with the revoluble cutter and its driving-shaft, of an
escapement-clutch there between substantially as described, for adjusting the
cutter behind its driving-shaft.
28. The shaft-clutch device herein generically described as an escapement-

page_text: clutch and as consisting of a wheel fixed on one section, having two
relatively staggered rows of teeth, and teeth movable axially on, but rotating with
the other section to alternately engage the staggered teeth on said wheel.
Dated this 26th dox of April 1898.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.