IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR MAKING CIGARETTES
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert William Page of Cambridge Road Hammersmith
in the County of Middlesex for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES
FOR MAKING CIGARETTES"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert William Page at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th November 1883.
ROBERT WILLIAM PAGE of Cambridge Road Hammersmith in the County of
Middlesex "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR MAKING CIGARETTES"
My Invention has for its object an improved construction and arrangement of
Cigarette making machine in which rows of tobacco of any desired length and
prepared by hand in the same manner as for hand made Cigarettes are transferred
transversely at equal distances apart to a longitudinal band by which the tobacco
is conveyed to the mechanism for converting it into cigarettes such mechanisın.
which may be driven by any suitable power stopping automatically when the full
supply of tobacco is discontinued and starting again when the full supply is ready
for the machine
To this class of machine as hitherto usually constructed the tobacco is supplied in
a more or less compressed state in consequence of which the cigarettes when rolled
out are imperfectly formed being denser at one part than another so that when
lighted they burn unequally to the annoyance and loss of the smoker but by my
invention the tobacco being first carefully hand-picked and fed to the machine in a
loose state is gradually rolled out and compressed whilst rolling from a full volume
or density to that required to form a cigarette uniform throughout.
In carrying out my invention 1 employ a long table at each end of which is
mounted transversely a roller. Over these rollers passes an endless travelling band
extending the fult width of the table at each side of which outside the endless band
are raised sides formed with longitudinal slots or openings through which a series.
of shelves hinged or pivoted to the raised sides are capable of being swung inwards
into a transverse position over the endless travelling band. Each of these shelves
has on its inner side next the machine (when the shelf is in its longitudinal

page_text: position) a groove or channel composed of two metal plates pivoted at their ends and
so arranged that they may be opened (as hereafter described) for depositing the
tobacco (previously placed therein) in a transverse row on to the endless travelling
band. The shelves on one side of the table are arranged higher than those on the
other side so that they may be brought into the transverse position without
colliding with each other the metal plates composing the grooves or channels being
so constructed as to fold or lap over each other whereby wider plates may be used
which when opened will fall down as low as the channel plates of the lower
shelves. On the sides or framework of the machine opposite to the end of each
shelf when in the transverse position is placed a locking device by which the shelf
is held in position when swung over as described. Each locking device has a
crank lever held from moving on its axis by a bolt or pawl which is released
when the opposite or engaging shelf is swung over into the transverse position
when the bolt or pawl secures the shelf in that position. The several crank levers
of the locking devices on each side of the machine are pivoted to a rod the two rods
being extended backwards and connected at their ends to arms or levers on a
rocking shaft. When all the shelves are in a transverse position and the
respective crank levers of their locking devices thereby released the rods unless
held by another bolt or pawl hereafter described will be free to move and in so
doing will pull over the crank levers of the locking devices and cause projecting
pieces actuated by each lever to come in contact with arms projecting from the
plates forming the grooves or channels of the shelves in such a manner as to open
these plates and allow the tobacco lying in each groove or channel to fall out or be
deposited on to the endless travelling band, at the same time the crank levera
continuing to move will release the bolts or pawls holding the shelves which will
then be returned by a spring or weight to their normal outward and longitudinal
position. Or if desired the shelves may be made to slide over and across the
endless band in lieu of swinging as described.
In combination with the springs or counterweights to the shelves I may use a
plunger working in a cylindrical air chamber having a small opening for the
escape of the air by which means the too rapid action of the springs or weights will
be checked and the jar or concussion which would otherwise happen to the shelves
in swinging back to their norinal position thereby prevented, or in lieu of an air
chamber I may use a fly escapement as in musical boxes.
In front of the leading roller which actuates the endless travelling band is a
transverse hopper, having a concave bottom formed by two bent plates the hopper
being moved vertically in guides, one side of the hopper nearest the roller is hinged
at its lower edge its upper edge being free to swing over into contact with the
endless travelling band thus forming an inclined plane down which the rows of
loose tobacco may slide into the hopper. This inclined plane (when the hopper is
lowered) takes against a fixed upright bar or lug which brings it into the vertical
position The bent plates forming the bottom of the hopper have projecting pieces
at each end which on the lowering of the hopper strike against fixed studs which
cause the plates to swing over or upwards into the reverse position and so discharge
the contents of the hopper. If desired in lieu of the side of the hopper swinging
back to form an inclined plane with the endless travelling band as above described
I may have a fixed inclined plane fitted against the endless travelling band and
meeting the inclined side of the hopper at any suitable distance therefrom. Or
I may dispense entirely with the hopper and use a contrivance consisting of two
endless bands mounted respectively on an upper and lower roller and converging at
the lower rollers where they will be normally in contact. The two bands are
caused to travel in opposite directions at suitable speeds. On the backward
motion of the sliding frame after the transverse bar hereafter described has passed
the endless bands the bottom roller next the transverse bar is pulled away from
the other bottom roller. and the tobacco previously deposited between the converging
bands is rolled downwards by the latter and dropped through the opening into the
bag or receptacle hereafter described.
t

page_text: Underneath the hopper and in front of the same for its full length is a second
table which may be raised or lowered by adjusting screws and above this table is
placed a rolling band or web of silk or other suitable material for rolling and
compressing the tobacco into a cigarette. This band or web passes over the front
edge of the second table and is secured at its front end to the table by clamps (or
it may be secured to the rear end of the band.) or otherwise Its rear end passes
over a roller and is attached to a weight placed at some distance behind the hopper
the weight being raised for slackening the band or web by cain-shaped levers
which raise and lower the hopper (as hereafter described) and to which levers the
weight acts as a counterweight. The band or web is tightened again on the falling
of the weight the descent of the latter being regulated by stops suitably placed
according to the size required for the cigarette. By this arrangement a capacious
bag or receptacle is formed in the band or web for receiving the hand picked
tobacco deposited by the hopper (or endless bands as the case may be) as before
mentioned.
Underneath the band or web is placed a transverse bar (before named) which
may be formed of angle iron mounted on a sliding frame extending backwards in
the rear of the hopper (or endless bands) and attached to this frame are guide
blocks working in longitudinal guides formed in the sides or other convenient part
of the machine. On the lower edge of the transverse bar nearest the second table
is mounted a roller of very small diameter which may be made sufficiently rigid
for the full length of the transverse bar by dividing it into a series of short rollers
placed end to end, their journals rolling respectively in a thin steel collar mounted
on the bar between each short roller and the journal at one end of each roller if
desired may pass through the steel collar into a socket in the end of the adjacent
roller. Above this multiple small roller is mounted another transverse roller so
that by means of these two rollers the band or web is free to pass over or under
the transverse bar with a minimum amount of friction. The bag or receptacle in
the band or web for the loose tobacco being in front of the transverse bar is on the
forward motion of the latter closed and as the bar goes forward is tightened by the
weight suspended from the end of the band or web thus compressing and simul-
taneously rolling the tobacco as it is carried forward to the front end of the band
or web.
According to another method of slackening and tightening the band or web in
lieu of that previously described I may fasten the rear end of the band or web to
the upper roller or the transverse bar which roller by means of a rack and pinion
movement or other suitable means would revolve on the forward motion of the
transverse bar thereby winding the band or web round the roller so as to take up
the slack of the band or web and reduce the cigarette to the proper size. On the
backward motion of the transverse bar the roller would unwind the band or web
and by means of a transverse revolving brush mounted on vibrating arms or levera
pivoted to and in front of the transverse bar so as to come in contact with the
rolling band or web on the backward motion of the bar either by a spring or its
own weight the slack of the band or web would be brushed to the rear under the
hopper and a corresponding brush (or friction roller) being brought into contact at
the same time with that part of the band or web encircling the roller and brushing
that part of the band or web forward all the slack of the latter would be found
under the hopper where, falling by its own weight a bag would be formed in
which to deposit the tobacco. These brushes would also have the effect of keeping
the band or web free from any particles of tobacco or oily matter therefrom which
might otherwise adhere to the band or web. At the forward motion of the latter
the brushes would be elevated clear of the band or web by any suitable device. If
desired I may use these brushes in connexion with the arrangements previously
described for actuating the band or web.
Before reaching the extremity of the second table the rod of tobacco is enclosed
by a strip of paper fed transversely from a reel across the second table on the upper
side of the band or web the forward motion of the transverse bar rolling it round

page_text: the tobacco. Immediately beneath the front part of the second table is mounted
a steel or other band moving in a transverse direction and carried by rollers. To
this band is fixed a finger clip which being opened and closed by cam-shaped
projections as it is carried along by the steel band seizes the extreme end of the
long roll of cigarette paper which it carries across the machine. In front of the
steel band is a transverse shaft having at each end a projecting finger faced with
India-rubber, the fingers falling by the action of a weight or spring and holding
down the strip of paper. The clip as it passes along first raises the fingers by
means of a wedge shaped projection on the clip the fingers being held in that
position by means of a tumbler bolt and spring which is again released by the clip
on its reaching the other side of the machine when the fingers will fall or close on
to the paper the clip at the same time being caused to open and release it. The
paper before being brought by the clip over the second table comes in contact with
the periphery of a narrow pasting roller by which a small strip of paste or other
suitable adhesive substance is placed on the outer edge of the paper, or if preferred
in lieu of the paste roller I may use a cylindrical or other shaped chamber
containing paste which being pressed upon by a weighted plunger causes it to
exude through a minute opening the edge of the paper being brought in contact
with the opening.
At each end of the transverse bar is mounted a revolving and fixed knife (or
two revolving knives) which on the forward motion of the transverse bar pass
under and above the paper thus severing it from the roll and also cutting off the
superfluous paper at the other end In front of and slightly below the second table
is a rocking shaft mounted transversely and carrying an inclined plane down
which the long cigarette rolls but is stopped from rolling off by a semicircular
plate pivoted to the inclined plane and kept in position above it by a counterweight.
Above the inclined plane at its forward edge is a second transverse shaft having
circular knives for cutting the cigarettes into suitable lengths. The inclined plane
being rocked upwards brings the cigarette against the revolving knives which pass
through slits in the inclined plane. On the downward motion of the latter the
balance-weight on the semicircular plate coming against a stop tilts the said plate
and the cut cigarette fall off into a box.
Transversely to the machine just behind the hopper (or endless bands) is a shaft
having at each end a crank which by means of a connecting rod communicates a
reciprocating motion to the sliding frame the other parts of the machine being
driven by gearing from the same shaft which is in turn driven by a counter-
shaft and pinion combined with a fast and loose pulley the stopping and starting
of the machine being effected automatically by gearing as hereafter more particularly
noted.
The hopper is actuated in its vertical guides by means of a roller at each side of
the sliding frame, the two rollers coming against or riding over the convex surface
of pivoted cam shaped levers connected by rods with the hopper. On the
backward movement of the sliding frame the rollers depress the cam shaped levers
so as to lower the hopper, which is again raised by a counterweight (or spring) on
the forward motion of the sliding frame this counterweight also regulating the
tension on the band or web as before described.
In working this machine the tobacco being first picked out by hand and placed
in the grooves or channels of the shelves the latter are swung into the transverse
position when the grooves or channels are opened and deposit their contents on to
the endless travelling band which moves forward and delivers the row of tobacco
into the hopper (or between the converging bands as the case may be). After the
transverse bar has moved backwards the hopper descends and deposits the tobacco
into the bag or receptacle formed in the band or web on the second table and the
hopper immediately ascends to receive another row of tobacco. As the transverse
bar moves forward the row of tobacco in the bag or receptacle is also rolled forward
over the second table and compressed as it proceeds by the action of the band or
web until formed into a long cigarette of uniform density throughout. The

page_text: transverse bar then moves back again and whilst so doing the clip carrying the
paper traverses and places the latter on the table.
When all the rows of tobacco deposited by the shelves are used up a bolt
which holds the rods actuating the locking gear levers is released but if all the
shelves are not by this time in position the machine is caused to stop automatically
as I shall now proceed to describe.
The longitudinal rods coupled to the levers of the locking devices and actuating
the grooves or channels of the shelves for depositing the tobacco on to the endless
travelling band are not free to move until each shelf is swung over and locked in
the transverse position this being done by the attendants after the tobacco has
been placed in the grooves or channels. Each rod is actuated by a powerful
spring or counterbalance weight which is wound up or brought into play by a
lever connected to the rod and depressed by a pin on a wheel which is geared to
make one revolution during the time one complete series of rows of tobacco is
delivered to the machine. After this lever is depressed it is held in position or
locked by a spring or tumbler-bolt. When all is ready for depositing the full number
of rows of tobacco on to the endless travelling band a cam shaped projection on
the wheel last named releases the spring or tumbler bolt from the lever holding
the rods which are then pulled back by the spring and so open the grooves or.
channels and deposit the tobacco on to the endless travelling band.
To stop the machine I use a fast and loose pulley driven by a belt from the
motive power which belt is shifted by a fork attached to one end of a rocking
shaft and pulled on to the loose pulley by means of a spring or counterweight of
less tension or power than that moving the rods. Attached to the rocking shaft
is a lever connected by a chain or slotted rod to the lever holding the rods against
their spring or weight. This rocking shaft lever when the belt is on the fast
pulley is held in that position by a spring bolt or tumbler and at the moment or
immediately after the rod spring is released by the cam projection on the wheel
as before described another cam on the same wheel releases the rocking shaft
lever and should all the shelves not be in position the weaker belt fork spring is
free to act and draws the belt on to the loose pulley being permitted to do so by
the slack of the chain or slot in the rod connecting the levers and thereby stopping
the machine. Should the shelves however be in position the slack or slot is taken
up by the force of the rod spring or weight and the rocking shaft spring of the
belt. fork is not free to act. When the machine has been stopped it may be started
again as soon as all the shelves are in position when all the locking devices being
released the rod spring or weight overcomes the belt fork spring and shifts the
belt on to the fast pulley.
If desired I may use retarding power in connexion with these springs or weights
similar to that described for the shelves

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent and of
an Order of the Lord Chancellor filed by the said Robert William Page in
the Patent Office on the 14th June 1884.
ROBERT WILLIAM PAGE of Cambridge Road Hammersmith in the County of
Middlesex "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR MAKING CIGARETTES"
My invention has for its object an improved construction and arrangement of
cigarette making machine in which rows of tobacco of any desired length and
prepared by hand in the same manner as for hand made cigarettes are transferred
transversely at equal distances apart to a longitudinal band by which the tobacco
is conveyed to a mechanism for converting it into cigarettes such mechanism which
may be driven by any suitable power stopping automatically when the full supply
of tobacco is discontinued and starting again when the full supply of tobacco is
ready for the machine.
To this class of machine as hitherto usually constructed the tobacco is supplied
in a more or less compressed state in consequence of which the cigarettes when
rolled out are imperfectly formed being denser at one part than another so that
when lighted they burn unequally to the annoyance and loss of the smoker but
by my invention the tobacco being first carefully hand picked and fed to the
machine in a loose state is gradually rolled cut and compressed whilst rolling from
a full volume or density to that required to form a cigarette uniform throughout.
And in order that my said invention may be well understood I shall now
proceed particularly to describe the same and for that purpose shall refer to the
accompanying sheets of drawings like letters of reference indicating corresponding
parts in all the figures.
Figure 1 is a plan and Figure 2 a side sectional elevation on line 1. 2. in figure 1
of the rear portion (detached) of my improved cigarette making machine.-Figure 3
a plan of the front portion of the machine. Fig 4 a side elevation thereof-
Figure 5 a section on line 3. 4. in figure 3 and Figures 6 to 10 detached detail
views of parts of figures 1 and 2.
In carrying out my invention I employ a long table A at each end of which is
mounted transversely a roller B (and B¹) Over these rollers B B¹ passes an endless
travelling band C extending to nearly the full width of the table A at each side
of which outside the endless band C are raised sides D formed with longitudinal
slots or openings E through which a series of shelves F F¹ hinged or pivoted at a
to the raised sides D are capable of being swung inwards into a transverse position
(as shewn in figure 1.) over the endless travelling band C. Each of these shelves
F. F. has on one side a groove or channel G composed of two metal plates b. c
pivoted at their ends and so arranged that they may be opened (as hereafter more
particularly described) for depositing the tobacco (previously placed therein) in a
transverse row on to the endless travelling band C. The shelves F on one side of
the table A are arranged higher than the shelves F¹ on the other side so that they
may be brought into the transverse position without colliding with each other the
metal plates b. c composing the grooves or channels G being so constructed as to
fold or lap over each other whereby wider plates may be used which when opened
will fall down as low as the channel plates b. c of the lower shelves F¹-On the
sides D or framework of the machine opposite the end of each shelf F, F when in
the transverse position (figure. 1.) is placed a locking device H by which the shelf
For F is held in position when swung over as described. The shelves F. with
their locking devices H are shown more particularly in the detail detached views
figures 6 to 10. Each locking device H has a crank lever d to which is coupled

page_text: by a loosely fitting clutch F' the camshaped piece F having a counterweight F. The
crank lever d is held from moving on its axis e by a bolt or pawlf which projects
from a rocking arm F7. as shewn in figure 6 and is released from the depression
in the cam F when the opposite or engaging shelf F or F' is swung over into the
transverse position when the cam FS will be swung over by its counterweight F
(as far as the clutch F will permit) under the bolt or pawlf and thereby secures
the shelf F in that position (as shown in figures 7 & 8). The several crank levers d
of the locking devices H on each side of the machine are pivoted to a rod I the
two rods I being extended backwards and connected at their ends to arms or
levers J on a rocking shaft K.-When all the shelves F and F¹ are in a transverse
position and the respective crank levers d of their locking devices H thereby
released the rods I unless held by another bolt or pawl h (figure 5) will be free to
move and in so doing will pull over the crank levers d of the locking devices H
and cause projecting pieces i on the cams Fs actuated by each lever d to come in
contact with arms & projecting from the plates b. c forming the grooves or channels G
of the shelves F in such a manner as to open the plates b. c (as in figure 9) and
allow the tobacco lying in each groove or channel G to fall out and be deposited on
to the endless travelling band C at the same time the crank levers d continuing
to move will release the bolts or pawls (as shewn in figure 10) holding the
shelves F which will then be returned by springs (or weights) to their normal
outward and longitudinal position. Or in lieu of the bolt or pawlh in combination
with the pin G³ and cam shaped projection I³ (figure 5) I may use a cam wheel
acting upon a lever F' for holding and releasing the rods I of the locking
devices H.
Or if desired the shelves F may be made to slide over fixed supports A³ (see
figure 2a) extending across and beyond the machine on either side whereby the
shelves F F are brought over or across the endless band C in lieu of swinging as
described. the channels G in such case being operated by suitable mechanism or
by hand.
In combination with the springs (or weights) ; to the shelves F F¹ I may use a
plunger m working in a cylindrical air chamber n having a small opening for the
escape of the air by which means the too rapid action of the springs (or weights) j
will be checked and the jar or concussion which would otherwise happen to the
shelves F. F¹. in swinging back to their normal position thereby prevented.
In front of the leading roller B which actuates the travelling band C is a
transverse hopper L (figures 3 and 5) having a concave bottom L' formed by two
bent plates o. p pivoted on their radiating centres at each end the hopper L being
moved vertically in guides M.-One side of the hopper L nearest the roller B is
hinged at its lower edge to the ends of the hopper L its upper edge being free to
swing over into contact with the endless travelling band O and thus form an
inclined plane down which the rows of loose tobacco may slide into the hopper L.-
This inclined plane (when the hopper L is lowered) takes against a fixed upright
bar or lug q which brings it into a vertical position. Each of the bent plates o. p
forming the bottom of the hopper L þas a projecting piece at one end which is
connected to an upper lever 8 which on the lowering of the hopper L strikes
against a fixed stud t thereby causing the plates o. p to swing over or upwards
into the reverse position (figure 5a) and so discharge the contents of the hopper L
on to a band or web hereafter described.-If desired in lieu of the side of the
hopper L swinging back to form an inclined plane with the endless band C as above
described I may have a fixed incline plane u as shewn by dotted lines in figure 5.
Underneath the hopper L and in front of the same for its full length is a second
table N which may be raised or lowered by adjusting screws and above this
table N is placed a rolling band or web O of silk or other suitable material for
rolling and compressing the tobacco into a cigarette. This band or web O passes
over the front edge of the second table N and is secured at its front end to the latter
by clamps wor otherwise.-Its rear end passes over a roller P and is attached to a
weight placed at some distance behind the hopper L the weight Q being raised'

page_text: for slackening the band or web O by cam shaped levers R which are depressed on
the contact therewith of rollers 7. mounted on the sliding frame T-The band or
web O is tightened again on the falling of the weight Q the descent of the latter
being regulated (or not) by stops a suitably placed according to the size required
for the cigarette. By this arrangement the hopper L as it descends is enabled to
push down the slack portion of the band or web O and so form a capacious bag or
receptacle y in the band or web O for receiving the hand picked tobacco deposited
by the hopper L as before mentioned.
Underneath the band or web O is placed a transverse bar S which may be
formed of angle iron mounted on a sliding frame T extending backwards in the
rear of the hopper L and attached to this frame T are guide blocks U working in
longitudinal guides U₁ formed in the sides or other convenient part of the machine.
On the lower edge of the transverse bar S nearest the second table N is mounted
a roller z of very small diameter which may be made sufficiently rigid for the full
length of the transverse bar S by dividing it into a series of short rollers 21 placed
end to end (shewn in detail figure 3a) their journals rolling respectively in a thin
steel collar a mounted on the bar S between each short roller and the journal
at one end of each roller 2 if desired may pass through the steel collar a¹ into a
socket in the end of the adjacent roller-Above this multiple small roller z¹. is
mounted another transverse roller b¹ so that by means of these two rollers 2¹ and b¹
the band or web O is free to pass over or under the transverse bar S with a
minimum amount of friction.-The bag or receptacle y in the band or web O for
the loose tobacco being in front of the transverse bar S is on the forward motion
of the latter closed and as the bar S goes forward is tightened by the weight Q (as
the rollers 7 are leaving the levers R) suspended from the end of the band or
web thus compressing and simultaneously rolling the tobacco as it is carried
forward to the front edge of the band or web O.
Before reaching the extremity of the second table N the rod of tobacco is
enclosed by a strip of paper c¹ (as shewn in figure 3) fed transversely from a
reel dacross the second table N on to the upper side of the band or web O the
forward motion of the transverse bar S rolling it round the tobacco. Immediately
beneath the front part of the second table N is mounted a steel or other band or
chain e moving in a transverse direction (as shewn by the arrow in figure 3) and
carried by rollers f'. To this band or chain e¹ is fixed a finger clip g¹ which being
opened and closed by cam shaped projections h¹ as it is carried along by the steel
band or chain e¹ seizes the extreme end of the long roll of cigarette paper c¹ which
it carries across the machine-In front of the steel band or chain e¹ is a transverse
shaft having at each end a projecting finger j¹ faced with India rubber the
fingers falling by the action of a weight or spring and holding down the strip
of paper c'. The clip g' as it passes along first raises the fingers j' by means of a
wedged shaped projection (figure 3) on the clip g¹ the fingers j¹ being held in that
position by means of a tumbler bolt or catch m¹ which is again released or pushed
away from the fingers j¹ by the clip g¹ on the latter reaching the other side of the
machine when the fingers will fall or close on to the paper c¹ the clip g¹ at the
same time being caused to open by the cam hand release the paper c¹ which before
being brought by the clip g¹ over the second table N comes in contact with the
periphery of a pasting roller n¹ by which a small strip of paste or other suitable
adhesive substance is placed on the outer edge of the paper c¹. The pasting roller n¹
is driven by a band from a larger roller o which is driven by the paper c. Or if
preferred in lieu of the pasting roller n¹. I may use a cylindrical or other shaped
chamber p¹ containing paste which being pressed upon by a weighted or screwed
down plunger g¹ causes it to exude through a minute opening in a pipe 7 the edge
of the paper c¹ being brought in contact with the opening-Or if desired the
pasting roller n¹ may be combined with the weighted or screwed down plunger q¹
as shewn in figures 3 and 4.
At each end of the transverse bar S are mounted two revolving knives 5. 6.
which on the forward motion of the transverse. bar S pass under and above the

page_text: paper c¹ thus severing it from the reel d' and also cutting off the superfluous paper
at the other end.-In front of and slightly below the second table N is a rocking
shaft s' mounted transversely and carrying an inclined plane t' down which the
long cigarette rolls but is stopped from rolling off by a semicircular plate u' pivoted
to the inclined plate t' above which at its forward edge is a second transverse
shaft having circular knives w¹ for cutting the cigarettes into suitable lengths.
The inclined plane t¹ being rocked upwards by means of a cam 13 on the shaft B
which cam raises and lowers the jointed arms 8. 9. 10 the cigarette is brought
against the revolving knives w which pass through slits in the inclined plane t.
On the downward motion of the latter a projection y' on the semicircular plate u¹
coming against a stop tilts the said plate u and the cut cigarette falls off into a
box A¹.
Transversely to the machine just behind the hopper L is a shaft B2 having at
each end a crank or wheel C¹ which by means of a connecting rod D' communicates
a reciprocating motion to the sliding frame T the other parts of the machine
(except the spur and bevil gearing a². a³. seen in figure 3 for feeding the paper cl
and driving the knives w¹) being driven by gearing from the same shaft B³ which
is in turn driven by a counter-shaft E¹ and pinion F combined with a fast and
loose pulley G. G². the stopping and starting of the machine being effected
automatically by any suitable gearing.-Or if preferred the entire machine may be
driven by hand. The hopper L is actuated in its vertical guides M by means of a
roller H at one side of the sliding frame T this roller being mounted on a shaft a
in the frame T and coming against or riding over the convex surface of a pivoted
cam shaped lever I connected by levers K₁ and rods L2 with the hopper L-On
the backward movement of the sliding frame T the roller H' depresses the cam
shaped lever I so as to lower the hopper L on to the slack of the band or web O
as before described the hopper L being again raised by a spring M¹ on the forward.
motion of the sliding frame T. In working this machine the tobacco being first
picked out by hand and placed in the grooves or channels G of the shelves For F¹
the latter are swung into the transverse position as shewn in figures 1 and 2 when
the grooves or channels G are opened as previously described and deposit their
contents on to the endless travelling baud Ĉ which moves forward and delivers the
rows of tobacco successively into the hopper L. After the transverse bar S has
moved backwards the hopper L descends and forming the bag or receptacle y in the
band or web O deposits the tobacco and immediately ascends to receive another
row of tobacco-As the transverse bar S moves forward the row of tobacco in the
bag or receptacle y is also rolled forward over the second table N and compressed
as it proceeds by the band or web O acted upon by the weight Q until formed
into a long rod of tobacco of uniform density throughout when continuing to move
forward it is enclosed by the strip of paper c¹ which is held down on the band or
web O by the fingers the rod of tobacco being finally delivered over the front
edge of the table N on to the inclined plane t¹. The transverse bar S then moves
back again and before returning to the front edge of the second table N the clip gl
carrying the paper c' traverses and places the latter on the table N above the band
or web o where it is again held by the fingers j' ready for another rod of tobacco.
When all the rows of tobacco deposited by the shelves For F¹ are used up the
bolt h or cam wheel which holds the rods I actuating the locking gear levers d is
released and the grooves or channels G (the shelves F. F. being all in the transverse
position) are thereby again opened and deposit fresh rows of tobacco on to the
endless band C.
These longitudinal rods I coupled to the levers d of the locking devices H and
actuating the grooves or channels G of the shelves F or F' for depositing the
tobacco on to the endless travelling band C are not free to move until each
shelf F. F. is swung over and locked in the transverse position as in figure 2 this
being done by the attendants after the tobacco has been placed in the grooves or
channels G, Each rod I is actuated by a powerful spring or counterbalance
weight E' (figures 1 and 2) which is wound up or brought into play by a lever F

page_text: (figure 5) connected to the rod I and depressed by a pin on a wheel H³ which is
geared to make one revolution during the time one complete series of rows of
tobacco is delivered to the machine-After the lever F³ is depressed it is held in
position or locked by the spring or tumbler bolt h. When all is ready for depositing
the full number of rows of tobacco on to the endless travelling band C a cam
shaped projection I on the wheel H* releases the spring or tumbler bolt h from
the lever F³ holding the rods I which are then pulled back by the spring or counter-
weight E and so open the grooves or channels G and deposit the tobacco on to the
endless travelling band C.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
invention and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect I would observe in conclusion that what I consider novel and original
and therefore claim as my invention is :-
1.-In machines for making cigarettes the construction and arrangement of
shelves or supports with their grooves or channels in combination (or not) with
locking and releasing devices for depositing rows of hand picked tobacco trans-
versely on to an endless travelling band substantially as herein before described
and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
2. The construction and arrangement of hopper for receiving and conveying the
tobacco from the endless travelling band and depositing it into a bag or depression
formed by the descending hopper in a rolling band or web substantially as herein-
before described and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
3. The construction and arrangement of reciprocating transverse bar and frame
in combination with the rolling band or web and with a weight suspended from
the band or web for rolling and compressing the rows of tobacco deposited by the
hopper substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by the accompanying
drawings.
4. The combination and arrangement of paper feeding and pasting mechanism
whereby the strip of paper pasted on one edge is fed transversely to the direction
in which the roll of tobacco is delivered substantially as herein before described
and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
5. Actuating the pasting roller by the paper strip substantially as hereinbefore
described and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
6. The general construction, combination and arrangement of mechanism con-
stituting my improved machine for making cigarettes substantially as and for the
purposes hereinbefore described and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
In witness whereof I the said Robert William Page have hereunto set my hand
and seal this Thirteenth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and eighty four.
Witness
EDWARD W FURRELL Mem. Inst. M.E.
Patent Agent
124 Chancery Lane.
London E C.
ROD". W PAGE (LS.)