IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CIGARS, CIGARETTES, AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES
Year: 1852

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Juan Nepomuceno Adorno,of Golden Square,
in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CIGARS, CIGARETTES, AND
OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES,"
Sealed the 7th February 1853, and dated the 20th December 1852.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Juan Nepomuceno
Adorno at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition and Declaration, on the 20th December 1852, pur-
suant to the 9th Section of the Patent Law Amendment Act,
1852.
T, the said JUAN NEPOMUCENO ADORNO, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE
OF CIGARS, CIGARETTES. AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES" to be as
follows:-
My Invention of "Improvements in the Manufacture of Cigars,

page_text: Cigarettes, and other Similar Articles," relates first to an improved
method of manufacturing these articles from tobacco previously cut
up by any suitable machinery. In the ordinary process of manufac-
turing cigars, the workman first prepares any convenient number of
leaves of tobacco, of suitable size, to form the outer wrapper or
covering of the cigar; and in making up the cigar he takes the
smaller pieces of leaf, which are not applicable for the outside, and
forms with them the inside of the article. The first part of my
Invention consists in previously preparing the tobacco leaf to be
used to form the inside of the cigar, by cutting it up into shreds by
means of any machinery usually employed for cutting up or mauu-
facturing the ordinary kinds of smoking tobacco. The tobacco so
cut up or prepared may then be made up into cigars, eitlier by
hand or by machinery; but I prefer to manufacture the cigars by
means of the machinery hercafter described.
The second head of my Invention relates to improved tools or
instruments for cutting the tobacco leaves into the proper form
and size suitable for forming the outside wrapper or covering of
cigars.
The third head of my Invention relates to improved arrange-
ments or constructions of machinery for making up cigars, ciga-
rettes, or other similar articles. The construction and arrangement
of some of the parts will, of course, vary according to the peculiar
character and shape of the article intended to be produced.
In the accompanying Drawings I have shewn various views of
two machines; one of which is intended to produce cigars of any of
the ordinary kinds in which tobacco is rolled up or inclosed in a
leaf of tobacco, and the other machine is applicable for manufac-
turing cigarettes, or such articles as consist of tobacco enclosed in
a covering or wrapper of paper.
For the convenience of description, I will first explain the con-
struction of the machine for making cigars of various kinds. I will
ther proceed to describe the apparatus for cutting the outside
wrapper or covering; and afterwards, I will explain the con-
struction of the machine for manufacturing cigarettes.

page_text: Fig. 1., Sheet I, is a plan view of the cigar machine complete.
Fig. 2, is a longitudinal vertical section of the same. The several
detached Figures at (A), (B), and (C), Sheet II., represent, on an en-
larged scale, certain parts of the machine modified to suit the peculiar
shape or form of three different kinds of cigars; (viz.) at (A), Ma-
nillas; (B), Havannahs; (C), chercots, or cylindrical cigars; a, a, a, a,
is the fixed framework of the machine, which simply consists of any
convenient number of posts or uprights, which support a horizontal
table b, b. In the centre upright or post c, is inserted a vertical
shaft d, on which is mounted the horizontal circular travelling table
e, to which motion is communicated from any first mover, by the
pinion, which gears into a wheel y, fixed on the underside of the
table. On the upper end of the vertical shaft d, and above the
travelling table e, is fixed the stationary circular table h, h; and on
the underside of this table is fixed a circular rack i, i. On the
travelling table e, are fixed six or any other convenient number of
frames j, j, in which the cigars are made. These frames consist of
an arrangement or combination of rollers k, k, having pinions on
their inner ends. There is also a central shaft m, on which are two
pinions n, o, one of which gears into and is driven by the stationary
circular rack i, i, of the fixed table h, h; and the other pinion gears
into and drives the pinions and rollers k, k. The construction and
arrangement of this part of the machine will be best understood by
referring to the detached views at (A), (B), (C), Sheet II. The frames
jjj, of the travelling table e, are supplied with tobacco by girls or
other attendants; and, in order to give time to effect this ope.
ration, an alternative or periodical motion is communicated to
the table; that is, it is made to travel one sixth of a revolution,
then to stop for a space of time equal to the time occupied in tra-
velling one sixth of a revolution; then to go on again, and so on,
while the machine is in operation. This periodical motion is effected
by half of the driving pinion f, being made with teeth, and the
other half without teeth, as shewn in the plan view. The wheel g,
is also made with six portions of its circumference, toothed as at
1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, Fig. 1; the other six portions, as at 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2,

page_text: being made plain. It will now be understood that, upon communi-
cating motion to the pinion f, which always rotates at an uniform
speed, the toothed part thereof will gear into one of the toothed
parts of the wheel g, and will consequently cause the table e, to
travel round one sixth of a revolution; but when the plain part
of the pinion f, comes to the plain part of the wheel g, then the table
will stop, although the pinion continues to rotate; and while this
is the case, the attendants must supply the frames j, j, with tobacco.
Then when the toothed part of the pinion f, again comes round, it
will gear into a second toothed part of the wheel y, and by that
means drive it and the table e, another sixth of a revolution, and so
on continually, as long as the pinion f, is made to rotate. It will now
be evident that, whenever the travelling table e, is in motion, the
stationary rack i, i, on the fixed table, will act upon the pinion of
the frames j, j, and thereby cause all the rollers h, k, to rotate in the
same direction, and, consequently, when any tobacco is placed in
the space between the rollers k, k, it will be rolled up in an opposite
direction. Upon referring to the detached views in Sheet II., the
construction of the frames j, j, and the arrangement and operation
of the rollers will be more clearly seen. Five or six rollers k, k, may
be employed, as shewn in the Drawings; and these rollers are divided
into two sets; one set, consisting of three rollers, is mounted in the
fixed or lower part of the frame j, and the remaining rollers are
mounted in the upper part of the frame", which is hinged, as shewn
at Figures, 3, 31, and 32; so that the upper set of rollers may be
lifted up out of the way, as shewn in the figures.
For the purpose
of lifting up the upper set of rollers, the moveable or hinged part of
the frame j*, is provided with a handle 7, at the lower end of which
is made a hole, into which enters a pin, or stud *, on the fixed
part j, of the frame, for the purpose of holding the two parts of the
frame together when in operation.
The operations of the machine are as follows:-An attendant
first by means of the handle l, lifts up the upper set of rollers k, of
the frame j, while the latter is stationary, and places in the space
between the rollers /, k, the proper quantity of tobacco; after which

page_text: the upper sets of rollers are, by means of the handle, brought down
again, and the two sets of rollers locked together; then the table e,
will begin moving, and by this means cause the rollers k, k, to
rotate and roll up the tobacco. Then when the table stops, a second
attendant will again open the framej, and introduce a leaf of tobacco
to form the inner wrapper; after which the table e, again travels
forward, and envelopes the tobacco in the wrapper. Upon the table
again stopping, the frame j, is opened a third time, and a leaf to
form the outer wrapper, is introduced diagonally; and after this
has been wrapped round the cigar, the latter will be finished, and
may be removed from the frame j, by a fourth attendant, who may
cut the end of the cigar so as to make them all of the same length.
If it is required to form a point to the cigar in the machine, the end
of the leaf must be gummed, or furnished with some adhesive com-
position; and, if great neatness is required, another attendant, who
will receive the cigar, may finish the point by hand. The machine
can be actuated either as above described, or by any other suitable
gearing, or by a steam engine, or by hand labour, as shewn in
Figures 1, and 2, Sheet I.
It will be necessary to cut the outer wrapper for the cigars of a
proper form and size, so as to finish the cigar with neatness. For
this purpose, I employ, in the first place, a simple cutting instru-
ment, such as is shewn in Figures 6, and 7, Sheet II. Fig. 6, is a
plan view, and Fig. 7, an elevation, of this instrument, which consists
of a handle m, with a square screw n, secured at right angles
thereto. On this screw n, are mounted two arms or carriers o, o,
which are each provided with a circular knife or cutting instrument
P, P, which is mounted on a stud or centre, fixed in the arms or
carriers. These arms or carriers may be secured at any point
along the screw », by means of nuts q, q; so that they may be fixed
at any distance apart, according to the required width of the outer
wrapper of the cigar. To use this instrument, it is only necessary
to place the leaf of tobacco on a board, and run the knives along it,
a suitable pressure being given by the hand to cut through the leaf.
By this means a strip of tobacco of the requisite width, will be

page_text: produced, and when a sufficient number, say two hundred or three
hundred, have been cut, one of the ends thereof (and which is
intended to form the point of the cigar) is cut to the form required
by means of a cutting instrument shewn at Fig. 8, which, at a
single blow given by a hammer or any other mechanism, will cut
through all the leaves, and make the ends of the required form. It
will, of course, be understood that, if required, paper may be
employed to form either the outer or inner wrapper of the cigar,
instead of a leaf of tobacco, producing cigarettes or "Puruelos,'
which last article I claim as a new manufacture; which consists in
a cigarette with a mouth tube, and entirely enclosed in tobacco leaf.
Figures 3, 31, and 32, Sheet II,, shew the different rollers to form
some of the varieties of Havannahs, Manillas, cheroots, cigarettes,
and "Puruelos."
The machine for making cigarettes is shewn at Sheet III.; Fig. 9,
is a longitudinal vertical section thereof; Fig. 10, is a plan view,
and Fig. 11, is an end elevation of the machine.
The tobacco properly cut is, as is usual in making cigarettes,
wrapped up in paper, which is supplied to the machine from a long
length, as at a, a. This long length of paper passes from the box or
receptacle b, b, below between two guides c,c, and from thence in front
of a longitudinal hole d, made at the lower end of a hopper B, in which
is placed the tobacco to form the inside of the cigarette. A cylinder
A, provided with a number of grooves or slots e, e, e, is mounted in
the framework in such a manner that the grooves e, e, may, in
succession, be brought opposite the longitudinal hole d, of the
hopper, so as to receive the requisite supply of tobacco. At the
lower end of the hopper B, is placed a sliding bar or punch to
which a reciprocating motion is communicated in the manner here-
after explained, for the purpose of pushing forward through the
hole d, a suitable quantity of tobacco into one of the grooves
of the cylinder A. In so doing, a portion of the length of paper
is likewise forced into the groove, and upon the cylinder A, being
caused to rotate, another of the grooves e, is brought opposite
the hole d, of the hopper, and is, in its turn, filled with tobacco,

page_text: and so on, in succession, as long as paper is supplied. The grooves
e, e, are provided with moveable bars, which form the bottoms of the
grooves, and may be moved up and down in the grooves, when
required, as will be presently described. The tobacco in the hopper
will, in general, fall from its own gravity into the hole d; but, to
ensure a regularity of supply, I have adapted to the interior of the
hopper a vibrating shaker or stirrer g, which will push the tobacco
into the hole d. Upon the cylinder A, continuing to rotate, the
paper will be brought under the two india rubber binding rollers
i, h, between which works a knife i; and when this knife is brought
down onto the paper, it will cut off a length from the same, and
leave the cigarette in the grooves of the cylinder. The tobacco is
then pressed tightly into the grooves c, e, by means of the punch j,
and the effect of this operation is to cause the two sides of the paper
to stand up ready to be folded over. This folding operation is com-
menced by the arm k, which has a vibrating motion communicated
to it, and to the lower end of which is attached a steel plate, which
constitutes the folder. The arm k, is attached to the upper end
of the lever c, to which a vibrating motion is communicated by
the excentric m, as seen best in Fig. 9. As the cylinder A, rotates,
the folder arm k, is drawn back, and upon going forward again, it
folds over one side of the paper, while a segmental plate n,folds over
the other side, and thus completes the folding. The cigarette is
theu carried forward until it arrives opposite to a groove in
the cylinder C, when the bar which forms the bottom of the
groove e, is pushed forward, and forces the cigarette out of the
groove in the cylinder A, to a corresponding groove in the cy-
linder C. It will, of course, be understood that these cylinders
move simultaneously; and when the cigarette has been trans-
ferred from A, to C, it will be carried down against the segmental
piece p, which will prevent the cigarettes from falling out of the
grooves. The ends of the cigarettes are partly formed by the
vibrating arms or fingers 9, which are actuated by the bar o, and
are completed by two wedge formed pieces r, r, which fold over the
projecting ends of the paper. The cigarettes, by the continued

page_text: course,
rotation of the cylinder C, are brought past the upper end of the
segmental plate p, and having arrived there, they are pushed out
of the grooves by the narrow bars which form the bottom of the
grooves, as in the former instance in the cylinder A. It will, of
be understood that all these motions connected with the
cylinder must take place while the cylinders A, and C, are at rest.
The motions for pushing out the cigarettes, or for transferring them
from one cylinder to the other, also for filling the cigarettes with
tobacco from the hopper, and for working the arms or fingers 2, I,
to fold the ends, as well as for working the knife which cuts the
paper, are all derived from the excentric s, by means of the arms,
levers, and connecting rods t, t, t, as will be clearly seen upon
referring to the figures. On the same shaft as the excentrics, is
mounted a pinion or wheel a, shewn by dots in Fig. 9. This wheel
x, gears into a wheel u, on the main driving shaft (sec Fig. 11).
This wheel u, is provided with teeth on only one half of its circum-
ference; so that it can only actuate the cams, while the teeth of
the wheel v, are in gear with the pinion or wheel x. All the
working parts just described are therefore brought into operation
once for every rotation of the shaft. The cylinders A, and C,
also receives their motion from the main driving shaft u, by means
of a wheel w, on the main shaft u, as seen in Fig. 11. This wheel w
is provided with teeth on one half of its periphery. The teeth of
the wheel w, gear into the wheel y, on the shaft of the excentric m;
and on this shaft is mounted a tappet yl, which upon every rotation
of the cam shaft, acts upon one of the teeth of the wheel, on the
axle of the cylinder C (as shewn in Fig. 9). This wheel and
cylinder are prevented by the locking lever ¹, from rotating more
than one tooth at a time; and therefore for every revolution of the
main driving shaft u, the cylinders A, and C, make one twentieth of
a revolution, so as to bring every one of the grooves e, e, in turn,
opposite to the punch f, to receive its supply of paper and tobacco.
I claim as new and as of my Invention,―
First, making cigars, of any shape and size, of tobacco previously

page_text: cut up or prepared as above described; and also cigarettes or
"Puruelos," as before described.
Second, the apparatus above shewn and described for cutting
leaves of tobacco to form the wrapper or outer covering of cigars
or "Puruelos."
Third, the arrangement or construction of machinery herein de-
scribed and shewn at Sheets I., and II., or any modification thereof,
for making cigars, cigarettes, and "Puruelos."
Fourth, the machine shewn in Sheet III., or any modification
thereof, for making cigarettes.
In witness whereof, I, the said Juan Nepomuceno Adorno, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of
December, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and fifty-two.
J. N. ADORNO. (L.s.)