Improvements in Automatic Delivery Machines.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Sept., 1899-Accepted, 9th Dec., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Automatic Delivery Machines.
We, MONTAGUE HERBERT CHURCHILL SHANN, Engineer, of 29, Hogarth Road,
Earl's Court, London, and FRANK MIHILL JOHNSON, Gentleman, of 95, High
Holborn, in the City of London, 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:―
This invention relates to improvements in automatic delivery machines for
delivering a lighted cigarette, cigar, or the like, some of such improvements
however being applicable to automatic delivery machines generally.
The machine comprises a hopper divided into vertical compartments, con-
taining the store of cigarettes or cigars; means to move the hopper forward as
one compartment is emptied and place the next compartment over a delivery
spout, through which one cigarette or cigar at a time is deposited on a plate in
front of a movable block; means to move the block forward to push the cigar-
ette or cigar into position between a mouthpiece or opening (connected with a
suction device) and an electric lighting device; means to advance the lighting
device so as to bring it in contact with one end of the cigarette or cigar and
push the other end into the mouth piece or against the opening and at the same
time render the lighting device incandescent; means to operate the suction
device to draw air through and light the cigarette or cigar; means to withdraw
the lighting device and if necessary advance a pusher which frees the cigarette
or cigar from the mouth piece and places it in position for delivery from the
apparatus and means for placing the block in position behind the delivery
spout. The lighted cigarette or cigar is expelled from the apparatus by. the
forward movement of the block placing another in position for the next opera-
tion of the apparatus.
The apparatus is operated electrically and each step of the cycle of opera-
tions actuates the switch which controls a succeeding step; the cycle is started
by releasing a catch which locks the mechanism.
The machine is primarily intended for use as a coin-freed machine, in which
case the locking catch or pawl is released by a lever depressed by the intro-
duction into the machine of a coin of specified value, but the machine may be
adapted to be set in operation by other means.
The invention may be best described with reference to the accompanying
drawings which illustrate a convenient coin freed form of apparatus constructed
according to this invention for lighting and delivering a cigarette.
In the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 is a plan, and
Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 are front, rear, left-side and right-side elevations
respectively of the complete apparatus, without its enclosing case.
Figures 6 and 7 are sections on line 6-6 of Figure 8 showing different posi-
tions of the delivery block.
יד
0
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M. J
1

page_text: Figure 9 is a detail showing the coin lever and connected mechanism.
Figures 10 and 11 are detail views of the igniting device.
Figures 12 and 13 are detail views of a switch, and
Figure 14 shows diagrammatically the method of coupling up the various
electrical circuits.
Like letters indicate like parts in all figures.
The apparatus is arranged on a bed plate A having two vertical frame
plates A A2, between which the hopper B is carried on side pieces B' working
in horizontal guides A3 formed in or attached to the plates A¹ A². The hopper
is constructed with four sides without top or bottom, and is divided into
vertical compartments 132, in this case eight in number, each compartment
being of a width and length to easily contain one cigarette placed horizontally,
and of a height to take any convenient number placed one above the other,
say 16 as in the example shown. Extending rearwardly from the back side of
the hopper is a rack B toothed on its under side.
The floor of the hopper is formed by an independent plate 13, placed so as
to close all except the front compartment of the hopper when the latter is in
its rearmost position as shown in Figures 1 and 8, and beneath this front com-
partment and forming a continuation of the same is a delivery spout B*,
through which the cigarettes fall on to a plate C. Conveniently the bottom
plate B³ and spout B are formed of a single casting and held in position by
being screwed to a vertical cross piece A5 secured between the frame plates A¹ A²,
on to which cross piece the plate C is likewise fixed. The plate C ends in
front in an inclined portion C, leading to the opening in the case through
which the lighted cigarette is delivered from the apparatus; the plate C is also
provided with a slot C2 (Figs. 6 and 7) for a purpose hereinafter explained.
Arranged to reciprocate back and forth on the plate C filling up the space
between that block and the end of the delivery spout B, is a delivery block D.
When in its forward position, as shown in Figures 6 and 8. the block closes the
bottom of the spout B4; when drawn back, as shown in Figure 7 it uncovers
the spout allowing a cigarette to fall on the plate C.
The block is reciprocated by means of an electro-magnet. .comprising a
central core D¹ and two coils D2 D3. This magnet is supported on the frame
plate A as shown in Figure 8. From the end of the core 11 extends a rod D
connected by an arm D5 with a rod De extending rearwardly from the back
of the delivery block D.
On the rod D are two arms D7 D³, arranged to alternately engage a pin D
placed on an arm on the switch S3, and oscillate the latter causing it to make
or break contact.
All the switches employed in the apparatus are preferably similar in construc-
tion. and one description will suffice for all. Referring to Figures 12 and 13,
of which Figure 12 is a side view of Figure 13 a plan. S8 is a cvlinder of non-
conducting material, rotatably secured to a bracket or part of the frame of
the machine by a spindle S. Let into the periphery of the cylinder are the
contact pieces for connecting up the circuits. In the example shown in the
figures the switch is adapted to operate two circuits, and two contact pieces
S10 S1 are shown, one $10 making contact with a circuit terminal of well known
type. Fixed to one end of the cylinder S8 is an arm $12 carrying a pin. by
which the switch is operated. sav by two pins on a reciprocating rod as above
described. In order to make rapid contact the arm is provided with a spring S13
so arranged that when once the pin on the arm has been carried by the operating
pins over the centre on either side, the spring rapidly completes the movement.
Stop pins S14 S15 are provided, adapted to engage with blocks S16 S17 respec-
tively, to limit the turning movement of the switch. These switches may be
.constructed to operate one two or more circuits as required.
The wires forming the electrical circuits are not shown in the Figures 1 to 13.
The arrangement of these wires with their respective switches will be described

page_text: in connection with Fig. 14 after the general description of the apparatus has
been completed.
On the end of rod D6 is a pawl D10, held by a spring D" in contact with a
ratchet wheel E', so that the latter is partially rotated by each forward recipro-
cation of the block D. The ratchet wheel E forms part of a gear mechanism E
operating the hopper rack B³ in such a manner that on the completion of a
determined number of reciprocations of the block D, equal to the number of
cigarettes held in one compartment (in this case 16) the hopper is moved for-
ward a distance equal to the width of one of its compartments thus bring-
ing a fresh compartment over the delivery spout. Preferably this gear
is constructed as shown in the figures with the well-known Geneva stop move-
ment but any convenient arrangement of gear may be employed.
By this means as each compartment is emptied a full compartment is placed
in position to deliver its contents until all the compartments of the, hopper
are exhausted.
and
Each cigarette as it falls from the spout on to the plate C is carried forward
by the block D and placed in position between a mouth piece and combined
pusher and igniter to be hereafter described.
こ
In order to prevent the cigarette on issuing from the spout from rolling. for-
ward, two retaining devices are provided. One is formed as part of the block D,
and consists of an arm D 12 projecting from the top of one end of the block
with a depending spring catch D³ to engage the cigarette. The other is a
swinging catch 114 fixed on a bent arm D depending from a rocker shaft D16
carried in bearings in the frame plates A¹ A2; a balance weight D" holds the
catch normally projecting through the slot in the plate C before described
but so as to be capable of yielding to slight pressure.
Referring now to the left hand side of the machine (Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4)
extending at right angles from the upper part of the frame plate A are two
parallel brackets A6 A7; on A are fixed switches S1, S2, S³.
,
Carried in bearings in the brackets A6 A7 is a horizontal rocker shaft F¹, on
the back end of which is fixed a segmental arm F2, carrying a weight F by a
link F3. The weight F is the core of an electro-magnet and is arranged to
fall by gravity and to be raised when a current is sent through its exciting
coil F. On the segment F2 are two pins F5 F6 arranged to engage pins F7 18
to operate the switch S7. Desirably the segmental arm is provided with a
counterpoise F.
Fixed on the front end of the rocker shaft F1 is an arm G, provided on its
upper end with a notch G¹, with which a pawl G2 is normally held in engage-
ment by a spring G³. Pivotted on the lower end of the arm G is a catch. G*,
having a curved notch G5 which when the machine is at rest engages a pin G6
on the operative arm of the switch S. The catch is held in engagement with
the pin by a spring G7, a stop G8 (Fig. 9) limiting its upward movement when
released from the pin.
Pivotted in bearings in a bracket arm A8, secured on the frame bracket A6,
is a lever H, a coin hopper H is pivotted on the end of its long arm and a
balance weight H2 provided on the shorter arm.
The coin hopper is preferably open at the bottom so that a coin or other
piece of metal introduced into the machine of less than a certain diameter
will fall through without depressing the lever. A pin H³ is arranged on the
lever to engage the pawl G³. A hooked arm H4 is secured on to and extends
beyond the coin hopper
On placing a coin of arranged weight and size within the hopper the lever H
is depressed and takes the position shown in chain lines in Fig. 9, the pin H³
striking the pawl G2 and releasing it against the tension of its spring from
the notch G. The weight F is now free to fall and rocks the shaft F which
then carries the lower end of the lever G towards the left; and the latter, by
means of the catch G4 draws the arm of the switch S¹ with it. As soon as the

page_text: switch arm passes a plumb line dropped from the centre on which it rotates
its spring S3 comes into action and carries it ahead of the lever G until
arrested by its stop $14. The pin G is then free to leave the notch in the
catch G since owing to the different centres on which the lever and the switch
arm respectively rotate the catch is carried below the pin and disengaged
therefrom as they progress towards the left.
On reaching the position shown in chain lines in Fig. 9 the lever His
arrested and the coin-hopper tilted, ejecting the coin, by the hooked arm H
engaging a stop H5; the lever now returns to the position shown in full lines
in Fig. 9 and in Fig. 2, and releases the pawl G2, but the lever G being still
in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 9 the pawl rests on the curved
surface G of the lever without engaging the notch. To return the lever G
to its first position the coil F has to be put in circuit and magnetise its core,
the weight F, and thus raise the same, rocking the shaft F1 and lever G so
that the pawl re-engages in the notch G¹.
The movement given to the switch S¹, as above described, puts in circuit
one coil J2 of an electro-magnet comprising a central core J and two coils J J
This magnet is supported on the frame plate A¹, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4.
The core J is carried on a rod J3, extending beyond the magnet on both sides,
one end being held in a bearing in the frame plate A2. Running parallel with
the rod J3, to which it is connected by an arm J is a second rod J, provided
with three arms J, J7, J8. By placing the coil 32 in circuit, the magnet core,
with the rods J3 J5, is moved towards the right and the arm J6 engages the
pin G6 of the switch S and returns it to the first position as shown in Fig. 2,
thereby putting the coil J2 out of circuit.
At the same time the arm J7 engages the pin J9 of a switch S2 secured on the
frame A. The arm JS is placed on the opposite side of the pin 3, so that on
the return of the rod J³ towards the left, on the coil J¹ being put in circuit, the
switch is returned to its first position.
Held on the bracket plate A above the switch S2 is a switch S5. This switch
is operated by the switch S2 by means of a toothed segment $18, formed on an
extension of the arm which carries the pin J, engaging with a similar seg-
ment S19 formed on the arm of the switch S³.
Fixed on the rod JB, adjacent to the coil J, is a pusher K, which also carries
the igniter for the cigarette. This is shown detached in side view in Figure 10
and in plan in Fig. 11. It consists of a block K of non-conducting material,
secured on to the rod J3 by a set screw K². An arm 3 is fixed on one side of
the block K', its free end is covered with asbestos, porcelain or other insulating
non-combustible material forming a flat plate, substantially the size of the
end of a cigarette, supporting a coil preferably of platinum forming an elec-
trical resistance piece K. The ends of the coil are connected to two copper
strips K5 K6 secured on the block K¹.
Secured on the frame plate A¹ immediately in front of the pusher K is a
block of insulating material carrying two contact strips KS K³, adapted to
engage the strips K³ Ko respectively when the pusher K is moved towards the
right. The strips K8 K are provided with the usual terminals to receive the
wires of the igniter circuit.
Formed on or secured to the frame plate A2 so as to face the resistance piece
of the pusher K is a mouth piece L, having a side opening L', connected by
a flexible tube or in other convenient manner with a suction device, and a
gland L2 in which works the cigarette ejector M.
The ejector M is operated by an electro-magnet carried on the frame plate A2
comprising a central core M' and two coils M2 M³, by means of a rod M4 and
arm M5. The ejector is likewise provided with two dependent arms M6 M7 to
engage the pin M8 of the switch Sc.
The suction device before referred to consists of a cylinder N, fastened to
the bed plate A of the machine, and with an opening N¹ in its lower portion

page_text: connected by a flexible tube N3 with the mouth piece L. The cylinder is pro-
vided with a piston N³ and piston-rod N, the latter being secured on to the
core N of an electro-magnet; No is the energising coil. The piston is raised
by the action of the magnet, sucking in air through the mouth piece L; the
piston falls by gravity and the air contained by the cylinder may be again
blown out through the mouth-piece, the piston being timed to fall when the
mouthpiece is empty.
A vertical rod N³, arranged parallel with the piston rod is connected with
the latter by an arm №8 so to reciprocate with the pump piston. It is pro-
vided with two short arms N9 N0 which engage the upper and under side
respectively of the pin N" of a switch S, so as to turn the latter in two direc-
tions. The switch S is carried on a vertical standard A.
Extending upwards from over the coin hopper to about the centre of the
machine is a conduit P forming the communication between the coin hopper
and the orifice in the case through which the coin for operating the machine is
introduced.
In order to prevent attempts to operate the machine when the hopper has
been exhausted, a standard 0 fixed to the front of the hopper is provided,
carrying a plate or shutter O, adapted to pass between the conduit P and the
orifice in the case and close the opening when the hopper is in its most forward
position, that is when the rearmost compartment has been emptied.
It is evident that, depending on the position of the hopper relatively to the
coin opening in the casing, the plate or shutter may in some cases be fixed
directly on the hopper or on a horizontal or other standard instead of a vertical
one. Or the plate or shutter might be secured on the conduit P or on the
casing and merely operated by the hopper or its standard.
Instead of the mouth piece such as L described above into which the end of
the cigarette is inserted, the suction device may end in a flat plate with an
opening slightly smaller than the cross section of the cigarette, the latter being
held against the plate over the opening whilst lighting is taking place. In
this case the ejector M and its operative mechanism may be dispensed with.
The main leads for the electric current are placed on the base plate of the
machine is shown at y Figure 1.
A convenient method of connecting up the electrical circuits to obtain due
correlation and sequence in the operation of the various mechanisms is shown
diagrammatically in Figure 14, the supply leads being full and the return
leads in chain lines.
and y are the main leads coupled respectively to the positive and negative
poles of the sourse of electricity.
The pusher magnet coil J³ is connected to the main leads by wires a y¹ the
switch S being placed in the circuit. This switch is closed by the lever G on
its release by the lowering of the bar H under the action of the coin. The
closing of the circuit ay moves the igniter arm towards the right, opening
the switch S¹ and closing the switch $2 and its circuit 22, which operates the
draw back coil D3 of the magnet of the positioning block D. One contact
plate of the triple switch S3 is also placed in this circuit.
The drawing back of the positioning block D operates the switch S³ so as
to open the circuit and close the circuit ay This circuit starts from
the supply lead, through the second contact piece of the switch S3 to the
magnet coil N6 of the pump, raising the piston and producing suction through
the cigarette. The circuit is completed by the return lead y³ and one contact
piece of the triple switch S. The raising the pump operates the triple
switch S to open the circuit 3 y³, close another circuit and also to bring
its third contact piece to connect the wires of a fifth circuit 5 y³.
The circuit like the circuit ³ ³ starts from the supply lead of the
circuit., passes to the coil J of the igniter arm, thence to the switch S and
the main lead y. The closing of circuit a draws back the igniter arm.
い

page_text: This operates the switch S2 and opens the circuity and its dependent cir-
cuits, as y³.
The circuit ay operates the ejector M to expel the cigarette from the mouth
piece. The supply lead staris from the main lead to the switch S and thence
to the ejector coil A2, the return lead runs to the switch S thence to the third
contact piece of the switch St thence to the switch S7 and the main lead The
switch is geared with the switch in such a manner that its contact piece
closes the circuit when the switch S is moved to open the circuit and
opens it when the circuit 2 y² is closed.
Y:
The movement of the ejector to expel the cigarette operates the switch S to
open the circuity and close another circuity. The supply lead of this
circuit runs from the main lead to the switch S thence to the magnet coil F*
of the starter weight F; the return lead joins the return lead of circuit yu
before it reaches the switch $7.
The switch S7 has three contact pieces. The weight F thus lifted by its
magnet operates the switch S to open the circuit and causes its other two
contact pieces to close two circuits ay and as ys.
The supply lead of the circuit starts from the supply lead of circuit 6 y
and goes to the coil M³ of the mouth piece ejector, its return lead y being
carried to the switch S7 and main lead y. The closing of this circuit draws
back the mouth piece ejector which resets the switch S, opening the wires 20
and closing the wires 5.
The circuit 8 y8 starts from the supply lead to the switch S7 and thence
to the coil D2 of the positioning block D, the return lead reaching the main
lead y through the switch $3. This circuit by magnetising the coil D² drives
the positioning block forward, expelling the lighted cigarette from the machine
and leaving a fresh cigarette in position for lighting.
As stated above directly the starting weight F is raised the circuit energising
its magnet is opened, by this time however the lever H has been freed from
the coin and is in position for the pawl G² to engage the weight catch G¹ and
retain it in its raised position.
The igniter resistance piece K is supplied by an independent circuit direct
from the source of electricity to the terminals on the block K and is not
shown in the diagram.
When the machine is at rest the various mechanisms are in the positions
shown in Figs. 1 to 6 and 8, the positioning block D being in the forward
position best seen in Fig. 6, with a cigarette lying in front of it between the
igniter K and mouth piece L.
On the arranged coin, say a penny, being placed in the hopper H¹, the
lever H is depressed, its pin H3 strikes against the pawl G2 and releases it from
the lever notch G', allowing the weight F to fall by gravity and through the
rocking connections F1 F2 F3 to move the lever G towards the left thus start-
ing the cycle of operations by turning the switch S¹ and closing the circuit
which energizes the magnet J to move towards the right. This movement of
the magnet places the combined pusher and igniter K into the position shown
in Figure 7, pushing the cigarette into the mouth piece L and placing the
resistance piece or igniter K in connection with the contact strips K8 K9 of
its electric circuit and rendering it incandescent. The positioning block D
is now drawn back, uncovering the end of the slot B and permitting a second
cigarette to fall on the plate C: and the piston of the pump N is raised, draw-
ing air through the cigarette and lighting it.
The pusher igniter is drawn back to its first position as shown in dotted
lines in Fig. 7, breaking the circuit of the electric resistance piece K. The
ejector M is moved to the left, pushing the cigarette clear of the mouth-piece,
and the block D is again advanced. The unlighted cigarette in front of the
block D is thus pushed against the lighted cigarette which rolls down the
inclined plate C¹ and is delivered through an opening in the casing, the un-

page_text: lighted cigarette remaining in position on the plate C ready for a fresh opera-
tion of the machine.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that
what we claim is:-
1. In an automatic delivery machine the combination with a movable hopper
having vertical compartments and a stationary floor which leaves at least one
compartment uncovered of a block such as D, means to reciprocate the block
and to advance the hopper the width of one compartment on the completion
of a determined number of reciprocations of the block substantially as
described.
2. In an automatic delivery machine the combination with a cigarette or the
like of a suction device a pusher provided with an electric resistance piece and
means to move the pusher and apply the cigarette or the like to the suction
device render the resistance piece incandescent and operate the suction device.
3. In an automatic delivery machine the combination with a cigarette or
the like of a suction device à mouth piece an ejector and a pusher provided
with an electric resistance piece respectively such as N NLM_K_K' all
arranged and operating substantially as described.
4. In an automatic machine for delivering a lighted cigarette or the like a
combined pusher and igniter such as K K substantially as described or illus-
trated in Figures 10 and 11 of the accompanying drawings.
5. In an automatic machine for delivering a lighted cigarette or the like a
hopper a movable block such as D an igniter and a suction device all combined
and operating substantially as described.
6. In an automatic delivery machine and in combination a lever such
as H H³ pawl such as G2 lever such as G G¹ rocking mechanism such as F1 F2 F3
and an electro magnet such as F F all arranged and operating substantially
as described.
1
7. In an automatic delivery machine a rocking catch such as D14 arranged
and operating substantially as described.
8. The complete automatic delivery machine substantially as described or as
ilustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 18th dow of Sentember 1899
M. H. C. SHANN.
FRANK M. JOHNSON.
Boult, Wade & Kilburn,
Agents for the Applicant.