Improvements in Mechanism for Making Cigars, Oigarettes, and Cheroots.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 13th June, 1890
Complete Specification Left. 11th Mar., 1891-Accepted, 30th May, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Mechanism for Making Cigars, Oigarettes, and
Cheroots.
I, ARTHUR COVENTRY, Managing Director of the firm Smith & Coventry
Limited, of Gresley Iron Works, Salford, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster,
Engineer and Tool Maker, do hereby declare the nature of the said invention to
be as follows:-
For making cheroots which are of conical form, or cigarettes of the same form,
five or more conical rollers are used, arranged in suitable bearings with their axes
about parallel to each other four of which rollers (if five are employed) are in
stationary bearings, and they are arranged to form a cavity between them within
which the tobacco leaf is placed, the peripherics of the rollers nearly touching each
other.
Above the cavity formed by the four rollers there is a fifth conical roller in
bearings in a hinged frame which can be lifted to allow the tobacco leaf to be
placed in the cavity and the cheroot to be removed therefrom when rolled.
The four lower conical rollers have each spur teeth cut in their ends (or a spur
pinion placed on their axes) at the same end of each roller to gear with a pinion on
a shaft in suitable bearings one pinion gearing with each pair of the two lower
rollers, and a third pinion in suitable bearings on the said hinged frame gearing
with the teeth on the cone roller carried by it.
Each of the three pinion shafts has a spur wheel secured upon it to gear with a.
wheel on a shaft (equidistant from the axis of each of the three pinions) in suitable
bearings, that gears with each wheel upon the pinion shafts so that all are driven
from this centre wheel and the rollers are rotated in the same direction.
For making cigars which in their external form, taper towards each end, five or
more pairs of conical rollers are used, each pair of rollers are end to end, but the
axes of each pair of rollers are at an angle to each other.
These pairs of rollers are in other respects arranged the same as for cheroots.
The ends of each pair of cone rollers that come together are carried upon a frame
having wedge shaped projections upon each side of which stationary pivots are
formed to enter holes in the ends and axis of the pair of rollers, the ends of which
come together or the pivots may be formed in cavities upon the ends of the rollers
which pivots enter holes in the said wedge-shaped projections.
The pairs of rollers have teeth formed at the ends which come together and a
broad spur pinion on a shaft in suitable bearings is made to gear with the teeth
upon each pair of rollers, and one pinion with two pairs of rollers which in
other respects are geared and arranged as described in reference to the cheroot
machine.
In some cases the pairs of conical rollers, the ends of which come together may
have bevel teeth on their ends to gear with each other or they may be connected by
a universal coupling.
In this case each pair of rollers are or may be driven as in the cheroot
machine.
Where two cone rollers and a cylindrical roller are desired, the cylindrical roller
coming between the two cone rollers and end to end thus forming sets of three
rollers, they may be arranged and driven as above explained.
Cylindrical rollers are or may also be arranged and geared and driven as above
explained, in reference to the cheroot machine.
In some cases, the ends of rollers coming together, are or may be carried in a
bearing grasping the exterior peripheries of the rollers near the ends coming

page_text: together, the bearing being cut away where it would be in the way of the adjoining
rollers, or would come into the cavity for tobacco leaf.
Or antifriction rollers may be used to support the peripheries of the rollers where
they come end to end.
Or the rollers may be hollow and arranged to rotate on a stationary shaft or
axis.
Dated this Twelfth day of June 1890.
PETER J. LIVSEY,
Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Mechanism for Making Oigars, Cigarettes, and
Cheroots.
I, ARTHUR COVENTRY, Managing Director of the firm Smith & Coventry
Limited, of Gresley Iron Works, Salford, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster,
Engineer and Tool Maker, 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 :-
For making cheroots, which are of conical form, or cigarettes of the same form,
five or more conical rollers are used, (six by preference) arranged in suitable
bearings with their axes inclined to each other, four of which rollers are in
stationary bearings, and they are arranged to form a cavity between them within
which the tobacco leaf is placed, the peripheries of the rollers nearly touching each
other.
Above the cavity formed by the four rollers there is by preference, a fifth and
sixth conical roller in bearings in a hinged frame which can be lifted to allow the
tobacco leaf to be placed in the cavity, and the cheroot to be removed therefrom
when rolled.
The four lower conical rollers have each spur teeth cut in their ends (or a spur
pinion placed on their axes) at the same end of each roller to gear with a pinion on
a shaft in suitable bearings one pinion gearing with each pair of the two lower
rollers, and a third pinion in suitable bearings on the said hinged frame gearing
with the teeth on the cone rollers carried by it.
Each of the three pinion shafts has a spur wheel secured upon it to gear with a
wheel on a shaft (equidistant from the axis of each of the three pinions) in suitable
bearings, that gears with each wheel upon the pinion shafts, so that all are driven
from this centre wheel and the rollers are rotated in the same direction.
For making cigars which in their external form, taper towards each end, five or
more, six by preference, pairs of conical rollers are used, each pair of rollers
are end to end, but the axes of each pair of rollers are at an angle to each other.
These pairs of rollers are in other respects arranged the same as for cheroots.
The ends of each pair of cone rollers that come together, are carried upon a frame
having wedge shaped projections upon each side of which, stationary pivots are
formed to enter holes in the ends and axis of the pair of rollers, the ends of which
come together, or the pivots may be formed in cavities upon the ends of the rollers,
which pivots enter holes in the said wedge shaped projections.
The pairs of rollers have teeth formed at the ends which come together and a
"broad spur pinion or two separate spur pinions on a shaft in suitable bearings is
made to gear with the teeth upon each pair of rollers, and one pinion with two
pairs of rollers, which in other respects are geared and arranged as described in
reference to the cheroot machine.
In some cases the pairs of conical rollers, the ends of which come together may
have bevel teeth on their ends to gear with each other or they may be connected by
a universal coupling.

page_text: In this case each pair' of rollers are or may be driven as in the cheroot
machine.
Where two cone rollers and a cylindrical roller are desired, the cylindrical roller
coming between the two cone rollers and end to end, thus forming sets of three
rollers, they may be arranged and driven as above explained.
Cylindrical rollers are or may also be arranged and geared and driven as above
explained in reference to the cheroot machine.
In some cases, the ends of rollers coming together, are or may be carried in a
bearing grasping the exterior peripheries of the rollers near the ends coming
together, the bearing being cut away where it would be in the way of the adjoining
rollers, or would come into the cavity for the tobacco leaf.
Or antifriction rollers may be used to support the peripheries of the rollers where
they come end to end.
Or the rollers may be hollow and arranged to rotate on a stationary shaft or
axis.
Fig. 1 is a front elevation partly in section of a machine for rolling tobacco leaf
into the form of cigars which are largest in diameter at or about the middle, and
taper towards each end.
Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the machine, parts shown in section on a line C-D
Fig. 1, the parts represented being those on the left of the line C-D. Fig. 1.
The gearing and the driving mechanism on the right of a line C-D Fig. 1,
are omitted, but the pitch lines of some of the wheels are shown in the figure.
Fig. 3 is a cross sectional elevation on the line A-B Fig. 1 looking from the
driving end of the machine towards the left side of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a top or plan view of the machine, the hinged frame, driving mechanism
and other parts being omitted, and parts of two pairs of conical rollers are shown
in section.
Fig. 5 is a top or plan view of the hinged frame detached.
Fig. 6. shows a method of gearing a pair of cone rollers together.
Fig. 7. is a side elevation, Fig. 8. an edge sectional elevation (the section
through E-F Figs. 7 and 9) and Fig. 9. a plan of the bracket carrying the bearings,
between the four pairs of lower rollers.
Fig. 10. is a side elevation, and
Fig. 11. an edge view of the bracket carrying the bearings between the two upper
pairs of rollers.
Fig. 12. is a section through one of the parts forming the bearings for the upper
and lower rollers.
Fig. 13. is a diagram in the plane passing through the axes of two sets of three
rollers, two cone rollers and one cylindrical roller forming a set, such sets of rollers
being used when rolling cigars of cylindrical form in or about the middle and
tapering towards the two ends.
Fig. 14. shows how two sets of three rollers are geared together.
Fig. 15. is a diagram in end elevation of six sets of three rollers.
a, is the bed or base plate of the machine hereinafter called the bed.
On the bed, two stands or brackets a', and a², are secured, the end view of one
of these brackets a', is shown in Fig. 2, and of the other a², in Fig. 3.
There are six pairs of conical rollers some of which are marked b, b³, b³, 1º, 6º, 17,
b, bx, and b, and the pivot bearings of the small ends of the four pairs of the
lower rollers (those indicated by dotted circles in Fig. 3 marked 61, 63, 65, and 67,
are carried in parts, and c', which are or may be secured to the stands a², and a¹,
respectively.
The large ends of each of the cone rollers are by preference bored out to receive
a pivot ba, which is secured therein, and these holes are enlarged as shown in Fig. 4,
to admit the exterior of a projection d', in a hole, in which the pivot 6 of each
roller works (see Fig. 4).
The bracket d, upon which the projections d', for the bearings for the four pairs¨

page_text: of lower rollers are formed, is shown by Figs. 7, 8 and 9, and by Fig. 12, and this
stand is secured to the bed a.
The large ends of the conical rollers have spur teeth cut in them at an angle (see
Fig. 4) and the teeth of each adjoining two pairs of cone rollers gear with a spur
pinion or pinions e', on a shaft e, (see Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 6).
The two shafts e, for the lower two pairs of cone rollers 61, 63, 63, and 67, Fig. 3
have their inner ends in bearings in brackets a³, secured to the bed (see Figs. 1, 3
and 4) and their outer ends in bearings in the bracket a', (see Figs. 1 and 2.)
The rollers b, and b', and 66, and b, and bx, and 11, each form pairs.
The two pairs of upper conical rollers b, and ", in Fig. 3 (one pair 6x, and 1,
being shown in Fig. 1) have their small end pivot bearings in parts c³, and e, formed
on or attached to the ends of a hinged frame f, and the pivots in the large ends of
the rollers are carried upon a bracket d, shown by Figs. 10 and 11, which bracket
is secured to the hinged frame (see Figs. 1, 5 and 3).
:
This hinged frame f, (see Figs. 2, 3 and 5) can turn upon a shaft or axis f', the
ends of which are carried by the stands a' and a².
This shaft, passes through a helical spring f, one end of which is secured in a
hole in the side at the left end of the hinged frame f, the other end of the spring is
secured in a collar 3, which can be rotated upon the shaft f' to put torsion upon
the spring and then be secured to the shaft.
The shaft f, is prevented from revolving by a pin f', passing through a hole in
it and the bearing for it in one stand a², (see Fig. 5).
By the arrangement described, the frame f, can turn upon the shaft", and the
elastic torsion put in the helical spring 2, causes it to lift the hinged frame f, when
released from the position in which it is shown in Figs. 2 and 3 to one which permits
tobacco to be placed in the cavity formed between the four pairs of lower conical
rollers.
The shaft for driving the two pairs of the upper conical rollers 6, to 6", Fig. 3,
6, and 1, Fig. 1, has its bearings at its inner end in a bracket f, secured to the
hinged frame, and its bearing at its outer end in the right hand end of the hinged
frame (see Figs. 1 and 2).
The hinged frame has a projection f, backwards and when the frame is in the
position shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 the upper end of a lever g, on a fulcrum stud g¹,
in the bed comes under the projection fe, and prevents the hinged frame from
lifting, while the rollers are operating.
This lever
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is shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and in dotted line in Fig. 1.
There is a notch in the upper end of the lever g, forming a step and it is this
step which comes under the projection, but that part 2, of the end of the lever g,
above the step surface extends upwards on one side of the projection f, and thus
prevents the lever g, from being pushed too far under it.
The side of the lever g, is acted upon by the head of a pin h, sliding in a hole in a
bracket at, secured to the bed (see Figs. 1, 2 and 4).
The head of the pin h, forms a should er for one end of a helical spring h¹, to act
against the other end of the spring abutting against the end of the hole in the
bracket a', through a small hole in which the tail end or small part of the pin h,
slides.
The head end of the pin h, is constantly pressed by the helical spring ', against
the edge of the lever g, to force its upper end against the side, and the step or
notch on its end under the projection f, when allowed to operate.
When the lever is drawn back clear of the projection f6, the hinged frame f, is
lifted by the spring', as before explained.
Upon the outer end of each of the three shafts e, there is a spur wheel e³, and
each of these gears with a central spur wheel i, (see Figs. 1 and 2).
This wheel, is secured upon the boss of a one half of a toothed clutch, which
rotates upon a shaft or axis, having its bearings in two stands or brackets a³,
and a', secured to the bed (see Fig. 1 one bracket a, being also shown in Fig. 4).

page_text: The other half of the toothed clutch is formed upon one side of the boss part
of a V grooved pulley, which rotates upon the shaft, the grooved pulley having
a long boss from one side of it, that has its bearing in the stand a.
Upon the long boss there is a helical spring, that at one end abuts against the
stand, and at the other end against a grooved collar, secured upon the outer
end of the long boss from the pulley, as shown in Fig. 1.
The groove in the collar, is for the forked end of a lever, having its fulcrum
secured on a short shaft, having its bearing on the bed (see Figs. 1 and 4).
The lower end of this clutch fork lever i, extends downward sufficiently to be
conveniently acted upon by the knee of the operator when sitting in front of the
machine.
When the lower end of the clutch lever, is pressed outwards against the action
of the spring, the clutch box 3, is slided into gear with the other half, and is
held in gear as long as the rolling action upon the tobacco is required, and when the
lever is released the spring, forces the clutches out of gear and stops the rolling
action.
Upon the back end of the short shaft, a lever g³, is secured to the upper end of
which one end of a rod or bar g, is jointed (see Figs. 1 and 4) the other end of this
rod passes freely endways and vertically through a slot in the lever g, (see Fig. 3).
Near the end of the rod y', in its lower edge there is a notch and the hook thus
formed in the end of the rod will come against one side of the lever when moved
endways to a sufficient extent in one direction.
9,
On the lower edge of the rod g', there is also an inclined notch formed that rests
upon a pin 9, (see Figs. 1, 2 and 4) projecting from the bracket a*.
When the lever 7, and other parts are in the position shown in Fig. 1, the pin g³,
acting upon the incline upon the rod g', has caused its end to be lifted, and has thus
released its hook notch from the latching lever g, which is thus free to be acted
upon by the sliding pin h, and spring, and when the hinged frame f, is turned
down into the operating position, the lever g, (as before stated) moves and locks it
in that position.
When the clutch lever, is moved to put the clutches in gear the end of the
rod g', is slided forward through the slot in the locking lever g, and the hook upon
the rod then catches upon the lever g, so that when the clutch lever , is released
the spring, has force enough to draw back the locking lever g, against the
resistance of the spring h, and this movement in the rod y', goes on until the locking
lever is released from the projection f, then by the continued movement of the
rod 9, the action of the pin g, upon the incline on the rod, lifts that end of it and
releases its hook end from the lever g, before the rod g, arrives at its extreme
backward movement, and this leaves the upper end g², of the locking lever g,
against the side of the projection f, ready for the step upon its end, to be forced
under the projection fe, by the spring h', when the hinged frame f, is shut down
again.
In using the machine for making cigars, the operator places the required quantity
of tobacco for one cigar in the cavity formed between the four pairs of lower conical
rollers, closes down the hinged frame f, presses the clutches, and 3, into gear by the
knee acting on the lever 7, and rolls and thus consolidates the tobacco to the extent
required, then stops the rolling when the hinged frame f, lifts and the operator
then enters a leaf of tobacco which is to form the outer cover of the cigar and
closes down the hinged frame again and rolls it upon the consolidated tobacco, the
hinged frame is then lifted again, and the cigar is removed and finished by hand.
It will be understood that for making cheroots, only one set of six conical rollers
are required, the other set being dispensed with, such rollers are or may be arranged
in other respects the same as the machine hereinbefore explained for making
cigars.
For making cigars which are cylindrical near the middle part and coned at the
two ends, six sets of rollers are used cach set formed by one cylindrical roller ³,

page_text: (Fig. 13) between two conical rollers which are arranged and driven as illustrated
by the diagrams Figs. 13, 14 and 15.
Fig. 14 shows how each set of rollers are driven by two spur pinions e¹, upon the
same shaft e, which come between and drive two sets of three rollers as shown in
Fig. 15, where the dotted circles, 6, 5, 6, and 61, may represent the toothed
parts of the three rollers forming a set, and the dotted circles 2, the pinions that
gear with them. In other respects sets of three rollers indicated in Figs. 13
and 14 are arranged and combined and worked as hereinbefore described in
reference to Figs. 1 to 12 of the drawings.
I have stated that the conical rollers are or may be driven by spur toothed
wheels, but instead of toothed spur pinions gearing with teeth upon the large ends
of the conical rollers friction pulleys are or may be used, the peripheries of the
pulleys coming between two pairs and against the peripheries of the large ends of
the conical rollers.
Either one double friction pulley acting for two pairs of rollers or two separate
friction pulleys upon each shaft e, may be used, and the bearings of these
shafts e, are or may be arranged to move slightly and so as to be pressed by
any suitable spring for each shaft towards and against the peripheries of the
conical rollers near their large ends. The action of the tobacco when being
rolled will be to force the conical rollers outwards against the friction pulleys
and if there is slight play in the bearings of the conical rollers, this will in
sone cases be sufficient without the springs, though the springs may, if desired,
be used as well.
If desired, and preferred, there may be also an antifriction pulley or bowl free
in suitable bearings in a bracket on the bed, and arranged to come between the
two lower conical rollers and help to sustain any outward pressure that may
come upon them when rolling the tobacco; and two similar anti-friction bowls
or pulleys are or may be arranged in brackets on the bed or carried upon the
hinged frame f; to come one on each side of the two upper conical rollers of a
set of six, and between them and the next adjoining rollers below then.
Friction pulleys may also be used for driving sets of rollers formed by two conical
rollers and one cylindrical roller as explained in reference to Figs. 13, 14 and 15.
In some cases one friction pulley is or may be arranged to come between and
drive two cylindrical rollers, and each end of the latter are or may be connected
with the large end of one of the conical rollers forming the set by say two driving
pins in the axis of one roller working freely in corresponding holes in the axis of the
other roller, or any other suitable means acting upon the principle of a
<< universal
coupling" may be employed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is.
1. The combination and arrangement of six conical rollers for making cheroots
and like forms of tobacco, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore
described by reference to the drawings.
2. The combination and arrangement of conical rollers in pairs six pairs by
preference, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described and
illustrated by Figs. 1 to 12 inclusive of the drawings.
3. The combination of a series of rollers, six sets by preference in which there
is one cylindrical to two conical rollers forming one set, substantially as and for
the purpose herein before described and illustrated by Figs. 13, 14 and 15.
4. The combination of the upper sets of rollers in a hinged frame, which is
held down, and lifted automatically by the action of the stopping and starting
lever, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described by reference
to Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive of the drawings.
5. The driving of the conical rollers by spur toothed pinions which gear with

page_text: spur teeth cut at
a corresponding angle upon the large ends of the conical
rollers, or upon wheels cut at the same angle to correspond with spur driving
pinions upon the axes of rollers for making cheroots substantially as and for
the purpose herein before described and illustrated by the drawings, and also the
driving of the conical rollers by friction pulleys substantially as hereinbefore
described.
6. The combination and arrangement of mechanism substantially as and for the
purpose hereinbefore described and illustrated by Figs. 1 to 12 inclusive of the
drawings.
7. The combination and arrangement of mechanism substantially as and for the
purpose hereinbefore described and illustrated by Figs. 1 to 12 inclusive of the
drawings, when modified as described by reference to Figs. 13, 14 and 15 of
the drawings, and also as hereinbefore described and illustrated by Figs. 1 to 12
inclusive of the drawings when modified for making cheroots or like forms of tobacco
as hereinbefore described.
Dated this Ninth day of March 1801
PETER J. LIVSEY,
Agent.