Improvements in Cigar Rolling Machines.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Jan., 1899-Accepted, 18th Mar., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cigar Rolling Machines.
I, CLARENCE BENJAMIN SCHULTZ, of 64, Wilmersdorferstrasse, Charlottenburg,
Berlin, Germany, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to improvements in cigar rolling machines, in particular
to the driving mechanism of the wrapping shapers.
Heretofore the manipulators in machines for rolling cigar bunches into their
wrappers were actuated by rods moved either by gears or by eccentric movements,
the manipulators proper being provided with suitably arranged slots engaging the
rods. The wear and tear of these combinations impaired the alignment of the
wrapping shapers in their relative position to each other and to the stationary
tip shaper to such an extent that machines provided with such contrivances were
virtually of no commercial value. However with my invention permanent align-
ment is insured by avoiding friction and therefore wear of the controlling parts.
In the accompanying drawing the mechanism is applied to the type of longitu-
dinal wrapping shapers. Fig. 1 is the elevation of a pair of wrapping shapers
adapted to the present mechanism. Figs. 2 and 3 show the principal positions of
the moving elements and Fig. 4 illustrates more fully crankshaft h.
In Figs. 1, 2 and 3 a b c and d are four shapers, each of which constitutes about
one fifth of a mould of a cigar z divided longitudinally. Each two shapers, those
diametrically opposite each other, are assembled on shafts g by arms e o and bush-
ings and can be opened and closed like a pair of nippers. Below the bushings
extend arms r s which carry pins m n. Around the bushings are wound springs f,
which tend to close the shapers and which keep the latter at the proper distance
apart by pressing arms rs on to rods i thus limiting the stroke. Shaft I and
rod are connected with the frame of the machine so as to swing on the axis of
the cigar without changing their relative position. These rocking motions are
caused by double cranked driving shaft h, which suitably sustained by the frame
of the machine, is linked to rods i by connecting rods 1: the cranks are opposite
to each other and by this arrangement crankshaft h rocks the two pairs of wrapping
shapers in opposite directions.
When arms rs are brought up to the rods i the shapers hold the cigar bunch.
For opening the wrapping shapers connecting rods 7 are provided with levers pq,
which are arranged so as to press against pins m n when crank & moves through
the lower half of the circle.--see shapers a and b in Fig. 3. As soon as the crank
has entered the upper half of the circle lever leave pins mn and springs f
bring up arms rs to the rods i closing the shapers upon the cigar bunch, see
shapers c and d in Fig. 3.
Fig. 2 shows the machine at the moment when the one pair of wrapping
shapers a lets go the cigar bunch, while the other pair cd takes hold. In
Fig. 3 the pair of shapers abis pressed open by levers 7 of connecting rod Z
against spring f. The other paired is holding and turning the bunch,

page_text: Following up the motions of the mechanism it will readily be seen that the
wrapping shapers are alternately opened, closed and rocked by the present mechan-
ism so as to shape and turn the cigar bunch properly for applying the wrapper to
the latter.
Thus it appears, that while the wrapping shapers are holding and turning the
cigar bunch, that is during the time when the cigar bunch must be held exactly
in line with the tip shaper in order to do good work, the parts controlling the
alignment are completely at rest and not influenced at all by the moving parts of the
machine.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
A device for operating wrapping shapers in cigar rolling machines consisting
of a double cranked shaft h oscillating in opposite directions by connecting rods 7,
which are attached to rods i, two pairs of shapers mounted on shafts g, and open-
ing at the proper time the shapers by levers 7, carried by connecting rods and
pressing against pins m n fixed to lower arms rs of the shapers, while springs f
tend to close the shapers to a certain point governed by lower arms rs and rods i.
Dated this 16th day of January 1899.
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for 'the Applicant.