Improvements in Cigar Bunching Machines.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Sept., 1889-Accepted, 19th Oct., 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cigar Bunching Machines.
I, JOHN W. COUGHTRY of No. 1 Main Street, Cigarville, County of Onondaga, and
State of New York, United States of America manufacturer, do hereby declare the
nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CIGAR BUNCHING MACHINES," 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 a machine for forming cigar bunches, and has for its object the
production of a simple and effective device into which the tobacco, previously prepared,
is inserted, and by which it is fed in desired quantities, automatically and con-
tinuously, to a forming device to which a binder is fed, whereupon the forming device
rolls the tobacco within the binder to this end it consists, essentially, in a suitable
hopper or other feeding receptacle provided with a charge gage connected to the
hopper, a revolving cut off for stopping the feed of the tobacco to the charge gage, an
oscillating receptacle for receiving the tobacco from the charge gage, and a plunger
for discharging the same upon a rocking table to which table binders or wrappers
are continuously fed, an apron upon said rocking table, revolved over bunching
rollers by the movement of the rocking table, thus rolling the tobacco within the
wrapper into a bunch of desired size; it furthermore consists in the detail construction
and arrangement of the parts, all as hereinafter more particularly pointed out in the
claims."
In specifying my invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in
which, like letters indicate corresponding parts in all the views.
Figure 1 shows a front elevation of my improved cigar machine illustrating the
general arrangement and construction of the parts.
Figure 2 is an end view, partly in section, with the hopper removed for the purpose
of illustrating the construction of the feeding mechanism.
Figures 3 and 4 are detached views, partly in section, with the feed mechanism
broken away for the purpose of illustrating the different positions of the forming and
rolling mechanism whereby the charge is hunched and the binder applied thereto.
Figures 5 and 6 are respectively detached sectional views of the hopper and feed
mechanism illustrating the construction and operation of the revolving side of the
hopper provided with stirrers or agitators and the cut off for cutting off the feed from
the charge gage, and also the exit from the charge gage, which allows the charge to
escape or fall into the forming and distributing mechanism.
Figure 7 is an enlarged view of the die or mold in which the bunch is rolled,
together with the means for rolling the charge and applying the binder; and also
illustrates the peculiar construction of the main table of the machine.
Figure 8 is a like view illustrating the position of the die or mold at the moment
the bunch with the binder applied thereto is discharged from the roling mechanism.
Figure 9 illustrates an enlarged detached view of the adjustable friction rollers by
means of which the shape of the bunch may be changed as desired.
Figure 10 is a detached top plan view of the rolling belt.
Figure 11 shows an end view of the plunger, which forces the charge through the
spreading and distributing tube into the die or mold; and
Figure 12 is a detached rear view of a portion of the standard of the machine
illustrating more fully the construction and arrangement of the links and cams for
transmitting motion to the different parts of the mechanism.
-A denotes the standard or column which supports the mechanism of my
improved cigar machine, and the same may be of any suitable form or material.
-B-is a bracket preferably secured to the top of the standard-A,-and
provided with forked bearings-1-1-in which the shaft-2-is journaled. To

page_text: con-
an extension of one of the bearings-, as best shown in Figure 1, I secure the
feed hopper or receptacle-H-The feed hopper or receptacle-H-is
structed of a cast frame-G-provided with the depending extension-G₁, and
a sheet metal receptacle having an inclined back or side-H, the sheet metal
portion being secured to the casting-G-so as to leave a smooth interior, and
the inclined side-H-terminating at the top of the downwardly extending
portion G The depending portion-G₁-of the casting-G-constitutes a
charge gage for the reception of the required charge used in forming a bunch and
is of suitable dimensions to contain sufficient tobacco for the desired purpose.
In order to make the same adjustable for bunches of different sizes, I provide a
sliding bottom-11-which is preferably formed as shown in Figures 2 and 6. This
bottom fits closely within the charge gage, and is retained at the desired point by
means of the set screw 9 which has a vertical movement in the slot-10-,thus
allowing the bottom to be moved in order to adjust the charge gage for the desired
charge. It will thus be seen upon reference to the drawings that in this example
of my invention, I have so constructed the hopper and gage as to form a combined
hopper and discharge gage which greatly simplifies the construction of these devices,
and at the same time increases the facility of operation, as will presently appear.
The casting-G-which forms the frame of my hopper is circular in form-as
best shown in Figure 2-and is provided with ears or lugs-B, which serve as
means for securing the hopper frame to the bracket-B-, and through which pass
the bolts 12.
The side of the hopper next to the casting is closed by means of a circular shaped
cover- -D-mounted on the shaft-2-so as to turn therewith when the machine
is operated. The object of thus forming or providing the hopper-H-with the
revolving side is for the purpose of feeding the tobacco from the hopper into the
charge gage, and at the same time to regulate the feed so as to discharge sufficient at
each revolution of the revolving side-D-to form the bunch. This result is
accomplished by providing the revolving side-D-of the hopper with a flange or
cut off F, which extends or projects from the side-D-at substantially right
angles therewith inward, and covering the openings at the top of the charge gage and
bottom of the hopper, when the said flange or cut off-F-is coincident therewith.
I also provide a cut out or slot-F-in the moving side-D-extending inward
from the periphery thereof at sufficient distance to coincide with the opening in the
charge gage, when the cut out or slot comes opposite thereto in the rotation of the
revolving side-D.
It will be observed that the cut off or flange-F-is so arranged in relation to
the cut out or slot-F, so that when the opening or throat between the hopper
and charge gage is closed by the flange-F-; the exit of the charge gage is opened
simultaneously by the slot or cut out--coinciding with the open side of the
charge gage, while at the same time it will also be noticed that when the moving side
is rotated it overlaps the hopper and the opening in the charge gage, thereby closing
the same.
To utilize the desired construction of the parts, it is necessary to time the rotation
of the side-Dof the hopper with the movements of the other parts of the machine
whereby the exit of the charge from the charge gage occurs when the distributing and
forming receptacles are in suitable position to receive the same, and this desirable
result is secure by the employment of cams and levers, as will be presently
explained.
The receptacle-M-is pivoted to a stud-e-projecting from the standard-A-,
as best shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, which said views illustrate the different
positions of the mechanism in the operation of my improved cigar machine. The
receptacle-M-is trough shaped, and is in its normal position as shown in
Figures 1, 2, when it is underneath the discharge opening in the charge gage of the
feed. Beneath the receptacle-M-is the tube-N-which guides the spreading
and distributing plunger-K-, which in turn is operated by the levers-I-J-,
the former being pivoted to the stud-e-projecting from the standard-A-of

page_text: the machine, while the latter is pivoted to the lever-I-, and the plunger-K-is
pivoted to the lever-J-at-k-. The lever-I-is rocked on its pivot-12-
by the connecting rod-i-, and the connecting rod-i-is connected to a link-13-
journalled on the shaft--61-, and provided at its point of union with the
link-13-, with a friction roller-contacting with a cam-f-pivoted upon
the shaft-8-as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4.
The movement of the spreading and distributing mechanism is controlled by the
cam-f-on the shaft-8-which turns in contact with the friction roller-f-,
Figures 1 and 2, and the lever-I-is restored to its normal position by means of
the spiral-S. The forming die or mold-E-consists of a recess formed in the
rocking table carried by the radial arm-C-pivoted on the shaft-b¹-, journaled
in bearings-b-b-Figure 1. The die E is covered by the apron-h-
which forms a pocket therein of a suitable form to receive and shape the bunch,
as the tobacco is forced from the tube-N-by the spreading and distributing
plunger-K-
The apron his clamped to the bed of the arm- C-and passes upward over
the bunching rollers_secured in adjustable bearings or levers-U-, which
are fastened to the table-T-by screws-v-, Figure 7; the other end of the
apron--is secured to the bracket-'-on the arm-(-by means of a set
screw, and it may be lengthened or shortened for the purpose of adjustment,
and to take up slack. The rollers---are properly spaced apart in order that
they may receive the bight of the apron between them, and roll the bunch.
It will be observed that the radial arm-C-oscillates on its pivot-0³-the
extremity of the shaft-6'-, and with this movement of the arm serves to roll the
bunch in the bight in the apron-h-between the bunching rollers-7-7-secured
to the table-T, thereby forming the bunch and applying the binder at the same
time to the bunch, the binder being fed in when the arm-C-commences its forward
movement, which is best shown in Figure 7 of the drawing. It will be observed that
as the radial arm-C-oscillates to the position shown in Figure 8, the binder is
rolled on to the bunch and the bunch-R--is thrown out of the bight in the apron
between the bunching rollers when the arm arrives at the end of its movement.
Motion is communicated to the arm-C-by means of a cam-g-mounted on one
end of the shaft-8-, said shaft being journalled in the bearings--d d of the
standard-A-, Figure 1, and provided with the driving pulley-P-, the
clutch-6-and shifting lever-3-pivoted to the stud-4-, at-5-.
The radial arm-0 is provided with an angularly extending arm-C-carrying
a friction roller-g¹- which turns in contact with the cam- and thereby
reduces the friction incident to the impingement of the parts; the radial arm-C-
is returned to its normal position by means of the spiral-S¹- as best shown in
Figures 1, 3, and 4. It will be observed that the spiral-S-is connected to the
radial arm-C, and also the lever arm-I-, and it serves the twofold office of
returning both the lever-I-and its connected parts to their normal position, as well
as the radial arm-
n-C-, the movement being consecutive and alternative, by reason
of the arrangement of the cams-g-f-, which will be readily understood upon
reference to Figure 2 of the drawing.
The shaft 2 is actuated by means of the link chain-S-and sprocket wheels
connected respectively to the clutch on the shaft of the prime wheel-P-and on the
shaft-2- The clutch illustrated in this example of my invention is what is termed,
a pin clutch, wherein the shifting lever-3-is held normally in contact with the
pins, by reason of the weight at its lower end, and motion from the pulley-B-is
not transmitted to the link chain until the shifter-3-is pushed off on its pivot-5-
which permits the pin to slip into engagement, thereby connecting the sprocket wheel
to the moving pulley-P-, and transmitting motion to the shaft-2-as well as to
the cams-g, putting the machine into operation, and the weight or shifter-3-
returns to its normal position so as to throw out the clutch at the right point to stop
the mechanism, without stopping the pulley-P-.
The tube-N-and the plunger-K-are of a width suitable to spread the tobacco

page_text: for the bunch lengthwise, and the end of the plunger-K-is formed, preferably, as
best shown in Figure 11, whereby the tobacco is spread to conform to the desired
shape of the bunch, and the tobacco is spread by the movement of the plunger which
forces it toward the exit of the tube where the gate-m-allows it to drop out into
the pocket of the apron-h-in the recess-E-, and the spring-n¹-serves to
return the gate-m-to its closed position. It will be observed that it is necessary
to have some means for closing the discharge end of the tube, while the tobacco
contained in the receptacle-M-is being spread, and distributed, and forced
downward to the exit by the plunger-K-, and the hinged gate-m-with the
spring-n¹ for restoring it to its closed position effectually accomplishes this desired
result.
In order to conform the bunch to the desired shape, I attach or secure the bunching
rollers - adjustably to the table-T-, as best shown in Figures 7, 8, and 9.
As best shown in Figures 7, 8, and 9, the rollers are held adjacent to the
bevel provided on the under side of the front of the table-T-, by means of their
boxes or journal bearings-U-in which the opposite extremities of the rollers are
mounted, by suitable spindles formed or provided on the rollers. The bearings-U-,
which are independent of each other are bent to conform to the contour of the under
side of the work table-T-, and are extended rearwardly a desirable distance and
provided at their rearward extremity with a screw--or other means for securing
the said rearward extremity to the work table. At a point between the rearward
roller, and the retaining screw-v-, the bearings-U-are provided with
an adjusting screw-V--, abutting against the under side of the bearings, and
screwing into the under side of the work table. It will be observed that, by screwing
the adjusting screw-V-into or out of its seat in the under side of the work
table-T, and by reason of the abutment of the head of the screws- -V, against
the under side of the bearings-U-, the size of the cigar bunch may be varied
accordingly as the rollers-7 are approximated to the line of motion of the
rocking table, or the bunch may be rolled tightly or loosely as desired. As these
bearings-U- -are independent of each other, and have separate retaining
screws, and adjusting screws-V-, it will be seen that one bearing may be
depressed below the other, tilting the bunching rollers--at the extremity
secured in said bearing-U-, thus rolling or forming the bunch large at one end,
and narrowing towards the other, which construction is very desirable in the
manufacture of cigars.
The apron is constructed with flanged ribs, Figure 10, near its
marginal edges, the said apron being of sufficient width to carry the bunches
lengthwise between the ribs - -. The object of providing the ridges or ribs --
is to cause the apron to readily conform to the movement of the radialarm-(-, and
keep the tobacco in proper position without spilling out while the binder is being
applied thereto.
The operation of my improved cigar machine will be readily understood from the
foregoing and upon reference to the drawings.
It will be noticed that the feed from the hopper is controlled by rotating the
shaft 2-which carries the moving side-D-, so as to bring the cut off-F-
over the opening into the charge gage-G', and at the same time opening the
exit of the charge gage so that the charge is dropped into the receptacle -M-.
The same movement of the side-D-of the hopper serves to give motion to the
stirrers, which cause the tobacco to feed freely into the charge gage, and during
the same movement of the side-D-, the spreading and distributing device, and the
rolling and forming device are actuated in turn, so that the charge is received in the
receptacle-M, and the tobacco spread, distributed and discharged into the pocket
in an apron which lies in the recess-E-, whereupon the bunching rollers in the
bight between the rollers apply the binder to the bunch, roll the bunch and its binder
in the bight between the rollers, and eject the same from the machine at the proper
time.
The operation of the machine is continuous, it being simply necessary to keep up

page_text: the feed by filling the receptacle from time to time. For the purpose of conveniently
applying the binder or feeding the same into the apron-h, I form the end of the
table-T with a bevel on the under side as best shown in Figure 7, and mount the
bunching rollers---immediately underneath the bevel so that the periphery of
the upper roller comes in close contact with the rocking table of the radial arm-C-,
when the movement of the loop or die recess-E-is started, and thereby the
binder T is accurately rotated on the bunch without difficulty. In order to slide
the binder into position readily without undue friction, I preferably line the top of
the table-T-immediately over the beveled inner end thereof with sheet metal, as
zinc or brass, which affords great ease in manipulating the binders.
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
1-The combination with a stationary hopper or receptacle for the tobacco having
an inclined side and a revolving vertical side; of a charge gage and a cut off between
the hopper and gage whereby the feed from the hopper into the charge gage is
automatically determined by the revolving side, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
2-The combination of a feed hopper secured rigidly to the frame of the machine
and having an inclined side; with a rigidly mounted charge gage connected therewith
and opening into the hopper, a revolving section carrying stirrers, forming one side
of the hopper and carrying a cut off for closing the opening between the hopper
and charge gage, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
3-The combination in a cigar machine of a feed hopper, a charge gage, a revolving
side extending over the charge gage, provided with a cut off and a slot located in
relation to each other, so that the cut off stops the feed from the hopper into the
charge gage, and the slot opens the charge gage to discharge its contents, substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
4-The combination in a cigar machine of a combined feed hopper and charge
gage the hopper having an inclined side flaring upward from the opening in the charge
gage, and a vertically arranged revolving side forming a moving side wall for both.
the hopper and charge gage, the aforesaid moving side having a projecting cut off
extended in line with the top of the charge gage, and a slot or cut out below the
cut off whereby the feed from the hopper into the charge gage may be cut off and
the gage simultaneously opened to remove the charge, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
5-In combination the hopper-H-having charge gage-G₁-, inclined side-H¹-,
vertically rotating side - D-having pins-p-, cut off-F-, slot-F-and the
shaft-2-for rotating the side-D-, all substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
6-The combination in a cigar machine of a hopper and charge gage, having a
revolving side provided with a cut off for the feed into the charge gage, and an exit
for the tobacco from the gage, an oscillating spreader tube-N-for receiving the
charge, a plunger for forcing it into a pocket in the apron, and means, substantially
as described, for rolling the charge into a bunch in the apron and applying the
binder, substantially as set forth.
7-The combination of the hopper provided with the charge gage, means, sub-
stantially as described, for cutting off the feed between the hopper and the gage, an
oscillating receptacle-M-,a discharge passage-N-connected to the receptacle-M-,
the plunger-K-operating through the discharging passage N-; with a forming
device for molding the charge into a bunch and applying the binder, all constructed
and operating substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
8 The combination of the receptacle-M-and tube-N-pivoted to the stan-
dard-A-, the tube-N-having the spring discharge gate-m, the plunger-K-
and operating levers-I-J-having suitable connections to transmit motion to the
plunger, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

page_text: 9 The combination with the table-T-, the independent journal bearings or
levers U secured at or near their rear extremities to the table-T-, with their
forward extremities free, the bunching rollers-spaced apart from each other,
and journalled at their opposite ends in the free extremities of said independent
journal bearings or levers-U-; of the rocking table having the recess-E-, an
apron--carried by the rocking table and passing over both of the bunching
rollers, and means for approximating either or both of the journal bearings
or levers-U-to the rocking table or changing the plane of the rollers, whereby
the shape and size of the bunch may be varied, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
1
10 The combination with the apron-h, the central portion of which is of
uniform thickness in cross section. and the edges of which are folded or re-enforced
with ribs———for preventing the tobacco from spilling, and the rocking table
carrying the apron--and having the recess-E-; of the bunching rollers-r
spaced apart from each other and arranged heneath the apron--, the independent
journal bearings or levers-U-mounted in which are the opposite extremities of the
rollers, and means for approximating either or both of the journal bearings
to the rocking table or changing the plane of the roller whereby the shape and size
of the bunch may be varied, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
11 The combination with the independent journal bearings or levers-U-,
bunching rollers--r-spaced apart from each other, and having their opposite
extremities journaled in said journal bearings or levers, the apron--passing over
the rollers -- the rocking table carrying the apron--and having the recess
-E-, and means for approximating either or both of the journal bearings to the
rocking table or changing the plane of the rollers, whereby the shape and size of the
bunch may be varied; of the clamp-0-, the bracket-h¹—, and the adjusting screw
- substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
12 The combination of the table-T-provided with the beveled inner edge, of
independent journall bearings or levers-U-, bunching rollers--located opposite
to the bevelled edge of the table, said rollers being spaced apart from each other and
journalled at their opposite extremities in said independent journal bearings or levers
-U, with the apron-h-passing over the bunching rollers, and the rocking table
carrying the belt-h-and having the recess -E-, and means, substantially as described,
for approximating either or both of the journal bearings to the rocking table or
changing the plane of the rollers, whereby the shape and size of the bunch may be
varied, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
JOHN W. COUGHTRY.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.