IMPROVEMENTS IN CIGAR-MAKING MACHINES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
CIGAR-MAKING MACHINES." A communication from abroad by Frederic Haehnel,
of Paris, France.
Sealed the 5th November 1878, and dated the 23rd May 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville Clark at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd May 1878.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middle-
sex, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN CIGAR-MAKING MACHINES." [A communi-
cation from abroad by Frederic Haebnel, of Paris, France.]
This Invention relates to improvements in cigar-making machines, and con-
sists, first, in an arrangement of machine whereby the tobacco leaf can be readily
cut into cigar wrappers. In this machine the base plate upon which the cutter
knife acts is made of solid wood or any other suitable solid substance, by which
means the wrapper is enabled to be cut more smoothly and uniformly than can
otherwise be done.
The construction and operation of the Invention will be readily understood by
reference to the accompanying Drawings, Figure 1 of which shows a side view of
the machine with one of the uprights removed; Figure 2 is a plan.
A is the bed plate of the machine, which is seated on standards B, B. In the
lower section of these standards B, B, is journalled a shaft B¹, to which is secured
at its centre the foot treadle B. At one end of this shaft BI is also secured an
eccentric or cam arm b. At or about midway between the shaft B' and the bed
plate A is journalled in the standards B, B, another shaft C, to which is secured two
eccentrics or cam arms c, c'. The eccentric arm band the eccentric arm care con-
nected by a cord or belt b¹, and through this connection motion is imparted from tho
shaft B¹ to the shaft C.

page_text: In suitable uprights D,D, secured to the bed plate A, and on top of the same, is
pivoted the cutter arm E. The rear end of this cutter arm is connected with the
To the front of this cutter arm Ę is
treadle B by means of the cord or belt e.
secured the knife F, of the form clearly shown in Figure 2. H is the base plate,
upon which rests the tobacco leaf which is designed to be cut into a cigar wrapper
by the knife F. This base plate H is constructed of solid wood or other suitable
solid substance. This knife F is so constructed that its weight shall be sufficient to
cause it to fall, cutting the leaf clearly and smoothly.
In suitable uprights k, k, secured to the bed plate A, and in line with and in rear
of the cutter arm E, is pivoted vertically a short arm K. In the upper section of
this arm K is cut a notch ³. K' is a spring whose tension is constantly exerted to
press the upper section of the arm K forward, so that at the proper time its notch ²
shall hold the end of the cutter arm E. c² is a cord or belt which connects the lower
end of the arm K. and the eccentric arm c¹.
The operation is as follows:-The front end of the foot treadle B is depressed,
which through means of the cord e depresses the cutter arm E, raising the knife F
until its end is held by the notch of the arm K. The tobacco leaf for the
cigar wrapper is then smoothly and evenly spread upon the base plate H. The rear
of the foot treadle B is then depressed, which revolves the shaft B¹ with its eccentric
arm b. By means of the cord b¹ and the eccentric arm c the shaft C is caused to
revolve, which depresses the eccentric arm c', which being connected to the lower
end of the notched arın K draws it forward; this releases the end of the cutter arm
E from the notch, and the knife F being weighted falls, cutting the tobacco leaf
evenly and smoothly.
Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6 represent a modified arrangement of cutters or
knives employed for cutting out the cigar wrappers in this class of cigar-making
machines. In this case the base plate, which is formed of solid wood, india-rubber,
or other suitable material of a shape to conform to the contour of the wrapper, as
before, is made a little wider than the said wrapper so as to allow the cutter or
knife space enough to cut out the wrapper. A recessed knife or cutter holder is also
employed, in which the knife or cutter of the form of the wrapper is inserted and
firmly held in place by an inner detachable clamping piece.
Figure 3 is a plan of the cutter holder, cutter, and clamping piece; Figure 4 is a
vertical section on line x, x, Figure 3; Figure 5 is a plan of the bed plate; and
Figure 6, a side view of same.
A is the cutter or knife holder of the form of a wrapper, and is recessed
so as to receive the cutter or knife C. The cutter or knife C is held and
clamped by a clamping plate B, and firmly secured in place by screws c to the
lower piece A, and this is attached to a lever arm or any other suitable device, so
that it can be regularly operated up and down. The bed plate D is made a little
larger on all sides, so that the cutter or knife shall have space enough to cut out the
wrapper.
The object in giving the contour of the wrapper to the bed plate is that the axact
place from which the wrapper is to be cut from the wrapper leaf can be easily seen
and felt.
The object in making the knife or cutter detachable by the removal of the
clamping piece is that the cutter can be easily taken out for sharpening, repair, or
replacing; and by making it conform to the contour of the required wrapper there
is no waste of tobacco.
Figures 7 to 14 represent a machine in which the cigar is wrapped and finished.
Figure 7 is a front elevation of the machine; Figure 8, an end view; Figure 9, a
transverse section on line x, x, Figure 7; Figure 10, an enlarged section on line y, y,
Figure 7, of the pressure rollers; and Figure 11, an enlarged view of the rear end
of the upper part of the machine; Figure 12 (a, b, c,) represent face and side views
of the bunch holder; Figure 13, a detail view of the end of the bunch holder and
the vibrating knife; and Figure 14, a detail view of the loose roller and removablo
band.

page_text: A is the bed plate of the machine secured to standards B, B. In the lower part
of these standards, and toward the front part thereof, is journalled a shaft BI, to
which the treadle B and arm & are secured. On one section of the shaft B¹ is
attached a sleeve B³, and to this is attached the treadle B. About midway between
the shaft B and the bed plate A is journalled the main shaft C, provided with a
grooved pulley e at one end. At the other end this shaft is provided with a crank c¹;
to which a connecting rod or pitman c³ is attached, and through it motion is
imparted by the treadle B. In the upper part of the standards is journalled
another shaft C', provided with arms f¹, f. The arm f connects with the arm d by
a suitable cord.
To the top of the bed plate are secured two standards D, D¹, in the front part of
which is journalled a shaft g, upon which the loose pulley D³ revolves. Another
standard D³ is placed about midway between the outer standards, and to it one ond
of the lower part al of the bunch holder E is secured, while the other end is attached
to standard D. The upper part a² of the bunch holder is provided with a lip b¹,
which curves down over the tip end of the lower part a', permitting the wrapper
to pass through and on to the bunch. Said part a³ is secured to two swinging or
pivoted levers F, to which two arms F are attached, connected at their outer ends
by a small brace h. To one end of this brace a spring F on the brace F³ is
attached, by which the upper part a² of the bunch holder is forced to its seat. To
said brace is also attached a cord ¹, which connects with treadle B³, by which
the upper bunch holder is operated. To the inner end of the upper part a³
of the bunch holder is pivoted a bent arm G, to which is secured the curved
knife G¹.
The bent arm G is operated by suitable cogs or cams on the shaft G², which is
provided with a gear wheel p' on its outer end, and receives motion through another
gear p on the shaft K through a pulley K¹, operated by cord or belt K* and pulley e
on the crank shaft C. A suitable spring presses the bent arm G against the
cogs or cams on the shaft G
To one side of the standard D' is secured the regulator N, consisting of a guide or
holder m, in which the regulator head m¹ fits, which is adjusted by a screw m
engaging with a nut m³, by which the length of the cigar can be altered as desired.
A spring m³ gives a slight end pressure to the cigar.
A cylinder H open at one end contains the paste, and is arranged in rear of the
roller D2; it is provided with a suitable piston head operated by a screw H³ on the
piston rod, and by it the paste is forced through the pipe n against or on to the tip
of the cigar. The piston head is automatically fed forward by a ratchet o and pawl
o', which is operated by an arm of, to which a rod o' is attached, and is connected
to the arm f A spring o* on the stud o³ throws the pawl backward and in gear
with the ratchet. A counter ratchet of prevents the ratchet o from turning
backwards.
I is an endless narrow loose belt passing around the roller D² to and between the
pressure rollers K, K', following the inside of the upper part a² of the bunch holder
E, then over the loose shaft G, back through the lower part of the bunch holder,
and below the table L to the pulley D². A weighted roller may be employed, so as
to give a slight tension to the narrow belt I. The object of this belt is to keep the
bunch or cigar constantly revolving while being wrapped and finished.
Motion is imparted to the pressure rollers by suitable gearing p and p¹, p².
An adjusting gauge M is attached to the upper part a² of the bunch holder, by
which the endless belt I is regulated laterally, so as to keep the belt constantly at
the forward end of the bunch or cigar. There may be one or more of these gauges
employed, and they may be placed in any other suitable position.
On the loose roller D2 may be secured one or more removable rings or bands M'
of different sizes, and of rubber or any other suitable material which permits the
tightening of the loose belt I more or less on one side, thus permitting the cigars to
be more or less curved or bulged.
A suitable table L is detachably secured to the standard D', and extends at its
'

page_text: upper end to within a short distance of the mouth of the bunch holder; it is curved
around the inner end to conform to the rounded tip end of the lower part al of the
bunch holder, so as to permit the wrapper to be nicely curved for forming the tip of
the cigar.
Instead of the oscillating or vibrating knife a revolving curved knife may be
employed; and instead of the spring regulator for determining the length of the
cigar, one or more washers or other suitable devices may be employed.
The bunch
The operation is as follows:-The bunch being properly prepared, the foot treadle
B is depressed, which raises the upper part a² of the bunch holder E.
is then placed in the lower part a¹ of the bunch holder, resting on the narrow belt I,
and the upper part is lowered. The paste-holding cylinder having been properly
charged, motion is imparted to the shaft C by means of the foot treadle B' and the
this gear
wheel imparts
pitman to the gear wheel p through pulleys e and k¹;
inotion to the wheels p¹ and p², and thus to the shaft G2, and it by the cogs or cams
to the bent arm G and knife G. The gear wheel p at the same time imparts motion
to the wheel p, and it to the lower pressure roller K, and by the pinion 23 on the
opposite end of shaft k to the upper pressure roller K' by the wheel pt. The revo-
lution of the pressure rollers K, K¹, causes the endless narrow belt I to be moved
around in and to pass through the bunch holder E, and this causes the bunch to
revolve to be wrapped. The wrapper is spread out over the table L until it reaches
the rounded end of the same, when the knife cuts off the surplus tobacco. The heel
of the foot treadle B' is depressed at the proper time, which causes through the
intermediate mechanism the pawl o' to engage with the teeth of the ratchet wheel o,
turning the same; this by means of its screw threads on the piston rod H¹ forces
the piston head further into the paste-holding cylinder, and causes the paste to
pass out through the exit pipo n to the tip end of the cigar, which finishes the
operation. The upper part of the bunch holder is then again raised, and the
cigar removed.
The advantages of this machine are, that it is very simple in its construction;
easily and readily manipulated; it gives a very perfect, neat, and uniform finish to
the cigars, and they may be varied in shape as inay be desired; it can be operated
by foot, steam, or other motive power, and can be made of any suitable material.
A further very important advantage is that less wrapping material is required
than by hand, and unskilled labor can be employed in making the cigars.

page_text: :
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 22nd- November 1878.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middle-
sex, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN CIGAR-MAKING MACHINES." A communi-
cation from abroad by Frederic Haehnel, of Paris, France.
This Invention relates to improvements in cigar-making machines, and consists,
first, in an arrangement of machine for cutting out tobacco leaf to form cigar
wrappers. In this machine the bed upon which the tobacco leaf is laid for the cutter
knife to act upon it is made of a solid block of wood or any other suitable solid
substance with a perfectly flat surface, by which means the wrapper is cut more
smoothly and uniformly than can otherwise be done.
A notched arm is pivoted in suitable uprights at the rear of the machine, the
lower end of said arm being connected by suitable means to the treadle. The notch
in this arm is designed to hold the end of the cutter arm, and keep the knife raised
while the tobacco leaf is being fed to the machine.
The construction and operation of the machine will be readily understood by
reference to the accompanying Drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of tho
machine with one of the supporting standards removed; Figure 2 is a plan.
A is the bed plate of the machine, supported in standards B, B. In the lower part
of these standards B, B, a shaft B' is journalled. At one end of this shaft B' a crank.
arm b is fixed, and at the middle of the shaft the treadle B is secured. At or about
inidway between the shaft B¹ and the bed plate A another shaft C is journalled in
the standards B, B, to which shaft two crank armis c, c¹, are fixed. The arm band
the arm care connected by a cord or belt b¹, and through this connection motion is
imparted from the shaft BI to the shaft C.
The cutter arm E works on a pivot mounted in the top of suitable uprights D, D,.
secured to the bed plate A, and the tail end of this arm is connected with the
treadle B by means of the cord or belt c. F is the knife, of the form clearly shown
in Figure 2, secured to the front end of this cutter arm E. H is the bed upon which
rests the tobacco leaf to be cut into a cigar wrapper by the knife F. This bed H is
constructed of solid wood or other suitable solid substance. The knife F is so con-
structed that its weight shall be sufficient to cause it to fall, cutting the leaf cleanly
and smoothly.
A short lever K. is pivoted in uprights k, k, secured to the bed plate A, and the
lower end of the said lever is connected by a cord or belt c² with the arm c¹, so that
the said lever will always hang vertically in line with and in rear of the cutter
arm E. At the upper end of this lever K there is a notch ³, and at the back of the
lever there is a spring K¹, whose tension is constantly exerted to press the upper
end of the lever K. forward, so that at the proper time its notch k³ shall catch and
hold the tail end of the cutter arm E.
The operation is as follows:- The toc of the treadle B' is depressed, thereby
through the cord e oscillating the arm E raising the knife F until the tail end of
the arm E is held by the notch 2 of the lever K. The tobacco leaf for the cigar
wrapper is then smoothly and evenly spread upon the bed H. The heel of the
treadle is then depressed, which revolves the shaft B' with the crank arm b, thereby
through cord b¹ and arm c causing the shaft C to revolve and depress the arm c³,
which thereupon draws forward the lower end of the notched arm K; this releases
the end of the cutter arm E from the notch k³, and the knife F being weighted falls,
cutting the tobacco leaf evenly and smoothly.
Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6 represent a modified arrangement of cutting apparatus for
cutting out. the cigar wrappers. The bed, which is formed of solid wood, india-
rubber,. or other suitable material of a shape to conform to the contour of the
wrapper, as before, is made a little larger than the said wrapper, so as to allow the

page_text: cutter or knife space enough to cut out the wrapper. A recessed knife or cutter
holder is also employed, in which the knife or cutter of the form of the wrapper is
inserted, and firmly held in place by an inner detachable clamping piece.
Figure 3 is a plan of the cutter holder, cutter, and clamping piece; Figure 4 is a
vertical section on line V-V, Figure 3; Figure 5 is a plan of the bed; and Figure
6 is a side view of same.
A is the cutter or knife holder of the form of a wrapper, and recessed so as to
receive the cutter or knife C and a clamping blade B, by which the cutter or knife
C is held and clamped therein. The clamping piece B is firmly secured by screws c
to A, and this is attached to a lever arm or any other suitable device, so that it can
be regularly moved up and down. The bed D is made of a contour corresponding
to that of the wrappers, but a little larger on all sides, so that the cutter or knife
shall have space enough to cut out the wrapper.
The object in giving the contour of the wrapper to the bed is that the exact
place from which the wrapper is to be cut from the wrapper leaf can be readily
seen and felt.
The object in making the knife or cutter detachable by the removal of the
clamping piece is that the cutter can be easily taken out for sharpening, repair, or
replacing; and by making it conform to the contour of the required wrapper there
is no waste of tobacco.
Figures 7 to 14 represent a machine in which the cigar is wrapped and finished.
Figure 7 is a front elevation of the machine; Figure 8, an end view; Figure 9, a
transverse section on line x-x, Figure 7; Figure 10, an enlarged section on line
y-y, Figure 7, of the pressure rollers; and Figure 11, an enlarged view of the
rear end of the upper part of the machine; Figure 12 (a, b, c,) represents face and
side views of the bunch holder; Figure 13, a detail view of the end of the bunch
holder and the vibrating knife; and Figure 14, detail view of the loose roller and
removable band.
A is the bed plate of the machine secured to standards B, B. In the lower part
of these standards, and toward the front part thereof, is journalled a shaft B³, to
which the treadle B and arm d are secured. On one section of the shaft B' is
attached a sleeve B³, and to this is attached the treadle B. About midway between
the shaft B¹ and the bed plate A is journalled the main shaft C, provided with a
grooved pulley eat one end. At the other end this shaft is provided with a crank c¹,
to which a connecting rod c³ is attached, and through it motion is imparted by
the treadle B. In the upper part of the standards is journalled another shaft
C³, provided with arms ff. The arm f is connected with the arm & by a suitable
cord.
To the top of the bed plate are secured two standards D, D¹, in the front part of
which is journalled a shaft g, upon which the loose pulley D2 revolves. Another
standard D³ is placed about midway between the outer standards, and to it one end
of the lower part al of the bunch holder E is secured, while the other end is attached
to standard D¹. The upper part a² of the bunch holder is provided with a lip b¹,
which curves down over the tip end of the lower part a', permitting the wrapper
to pass through and on to the bunch. Said part a³ is secured to two swinging or
pivoted levers F, to which two arms F1 are attached, connected at their outer ends
by a small brace h. To one end of this brace a spring F on the brace F¹ is
attached, by which the upper part a² of the bunch holder is forced to its seat. To
said brace h is also attached a cord h¹, which connects with treadle B, by which
the upper bunch holder is operated. To the inner end of the upper part a*
of the bunch holder is pivoted a bent arm G, to which is secured the curved
knife G¹
The bent arm G is operated by suitable cogs or cams on the shaft G, which is
provided with a gear wheel p¹ on its outer end, and receives motion through another
gear p on the shaft K through a pulley K¹, operated. by cord or belt K2 and pulley e
on the crank shaft C. A suitable spring presses the bent arm G against the cogs
or cams on the shaft G².
l

page_text: To one side of the standard D¹ is secured the regulator N, consisting of a guido
or holder m, in which the regulator head m¹ fits, which is adjusted by a screw m²
engaging with a nut m³, by which the length of the cigar can be altered as desired.
A spring m gives a slight end pressure to the cigar.
A cylinder H open at one end contains the paste, and is arranged in rear of the
roller D; it is provided with a suitable piston head operated by a screw H³ on the
piston rod, and by it the paste is forced through the pipe n against or on to the tip
of the cigar. The piston head is automatically fed forward by a ratchet o and pawl
o, which is operated by an arm o², to which a cord o³ is attached, and is connected
to the arm f¹. A spring of on the stud o³ throws the pawl backward and in gear
with the ratchet. A counter ratchet of prevents the ratchet o from turning
backward.
I is an endless narrow loose belt passing around the roller D to and between the
pressure rollers K, K', following the inside of the upper part a² of the bunch holder
E, then over the loose shaft G2, back through the lower part of the bunch holder,
and below the table L to the pulley D. A weighted roller may be employed, so as
to give a slight tension to the belt I. The object of this belt is to keep the
bunch or cigar constantly revolving while being wrapped and finished.
Motion is imparted to the pressure rollers by suitable gearing p and p¹, p.
An adjusting gauge M is attached to the upper part a² of the bunch holder, by
which the endless belt I is regulated laterally, so as to keep the belt constantly at
the forward end of the bunch or cigar. There may be one or more of these gauges
employed, and they may be placed in any other suitable position.
On the loose roller D³ may be secured one or more removable rings or bands M¹
of different sizes, and of rubber or any other suitable material which permits the
tightening of the loose belt I more or less on one side, thus permitting the cigars to
be more or less curved or bulged.
A suitable table L is detachably secured to the standard D¹, and extends at its
upper end to within a short distance of the mouth of the bunch holder; it is curved
around the inner end to conform to the rounded tip end of the lower part a¹ of the
bunch holder, so as to permit the wrapper to be nicely curved for forming the tip of
the cigar.
Instead of the oscillating or vibrating knife a revolving curved knife may be
employed; and instead of the spring regulator for determining the length of the
cigar, one or more washers or other suitable devices may be employed.
The operation is as follows:-The bunch being properly prepared, the treadle Bª
depressed, which raises the upper part as of the bunch holder E. The bunch is
then placed in the lower part a¹ of the bunch holder, resting on the narrow belt I,
and the upper part is lowered. The paste-holding cylinder having been properly
charged, notion is imparted to the shaft C by means of the treadle B' and the
pitman to the gear wheel p through pulleys e and '; this gear wheel imparts
inotion to the wheels p' and 22, and thus to the shaft G², and it by the cogs or cams
to the bent arm G and knife G¹. The gear wheel p at the same time imparts motion
to the wheel p², and it to the lower pressure roller K, and by the pinion p³ on the
opposite end of shaft to the upper pressure roller K₁ by the wheel p*. The revo-
lution of the pressure rollers K, K¹, causes the endless narrow belt I to be moved
around in and to pass through the bunch holder E, and this causes the bunch to
revolve to be wrapped. The wrapper is spread out over the table L until it reaches
the rounded end of the same, when the knife cuts off the surplus tobacco. The heel
of the foot treadle B is depressed at the proper time, which causes through the
intermediate mechanism the pawl o' to engage with the teeth of the ratchet wheel o,
turning the same; this by means of its screw threads on the piston rod H forces
the piston head farther into the paste-holding cylinder, and causes the paste to
pass out through the exit pipe n to the tip end of the cigar, which finishes the
operation. The upper part a³ of the bunch holder is then again raised, and the
cigar removed.

page_text: The advantages of this machine are, that it is very simple in its construction;
easily and readily manipulated; it gives a very perfect, neat, and uniform finish
to the cigars, and they may be varied in shape as may be desired; it can be
operated by foot, steam, or other motive power, and can be made of any suitable
material.
A farther very important advantage is that less wrapping material is required
than by hand, and unskilled labor can be employed in making the cigars.
Having described the nature of the Invention and the manner of performing the
_same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected by the herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent is,—
'
1st. The use in a cigar machine of a solid bed having a flat surface, upon which
the tobacco leaf is cut out of exactly the desired size and shape to forin the cigar
wrapper, whereby a considerable economy of material is effected, as described.
2nd. The arrangement of bunch holder, in combination with a narrow endless
'belt, to enable cigars of different forms and sizes to be made, substantially as
specified.
3rd. The arrangement of paste-holding cylinder communicating with the small
end of the bunch holder for finishing the cigar, as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight."
AT T