Improvements in Cigar-bunching Machines.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Nov., 1890-Accepted, 3rd Jan., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cigar-bunching Machines.
We, FRANCIS ANTHONY SCHLEIFF Senior, Manufacturer, of 714, 2nd Avenue,
FRANCIS ANTHONY SCHLEIFF Junior, Machinist, of 1357, Avenue A, and PAUL EHMKE,
Machinist, of 244, E. 62nd Street, all in the City County and State of New York,
United States of America, 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 :-
Our invention relates to improvements in cigar bunching machines; and has for its
object to provide a machine capable of automatically bunching the tobacco fed thereto,
compress and roll the same in a binder, and deliver the completed article in condition
to receive the wrapper.
ડી.
The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of the several
parts, as will be hereinafter fully set forth and pointed out in the claims.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forining a part of this
Specification, in which similar figures and letters of reference indicato corresponding
parts in all the views.
Figure 1 is an elevation of one side of the machine ;
Figure 2 is a front view, and
Figure 3 is an elevation of the other side;
Figure 4 is a central vertical section through the machine;
Figure 5 is a plan view;
Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view through the forming head, illustrating the same
in the second position and just after having made a cut;
Figure 7 is a partial front elevation of the forming head enlarged, illustrating the
position of the spring-actuated gates thereof when in the first position;
Figure 8 is a central vertical section through the forming head, the rolling table
and rolling and delivery apron, illustrating the head in the third position, or as
depositing the bunch upon the apron ;
Figure 9 is a central vertical section through the forming head, and a side elevation
of the rolling board, illustrating the head as returned to its normal or first position
and the apron as contracting or compressing the bunch, this being the fourth position
assumed by the machine, the cam and elbow lever for operating the rolling table being
shown in dotted lines;
Figure 10 is a central vertical section through the front of the machine, illustrating
the fifth position, showing the bunch as being rolled in the binder and about to be
delivered;
Figure 11 is a side elevation of the rolling table and the rolling or delivery apron,
illustrating in positive lines the apron and bunching roller when the completed article
is delivered, and in dotted lines the position of the rolling table and apron immediately
after the article has been delivered and prior to forming the open pocket in the apron,
shown in Figure 1, the bunebing roller and a portion of the frame being in section
and broken away, and the cam and elbow lever for operating the rolling table being
shown in dotted lines;
Figure 12, is an enlarged sectional view of the feed mechanism;
Figure 13 is a partial plan view of one of the guides and standards in which the
bunching roller is journaled;
Figure 14 is a detail perspective view of the guides, stand and bunching roller;
Figure 15 is a detail view of the upper drive shaft, its crank arm, mutilated gear

page_text: Figure 16 is a perspective view of the former block.
15 is the bed of the machine which is flat, and supported by suitable legs or
standards 16 and 17 is a table which is horizontally secured upon the bed by
means of interposed studs, or their equivalents, which table extends nearly the length
of the bed.
At each end of the table 17, a roller 19 and 20, is respectively journaled, the forward
roller being journaled in a yoke frame 21, attached to the bed at the front, and the
rear roller in bearings held to slide upon the bed. These two rollers are adapted to
carry an endless apron 22, which passes over and beneath the table, as shown in
Figure 4, and the apron is stretched preferably by means of hooks 23, engaging with
the trunnions of one of the rollers and having threaded shanks extending through
off-sets upon the bed, upon which shanks thumb nuts are screwed.
The table 17 is provided with two laterally adjustable guides 24 and 25, one attached
to each side, which guides extend over the apron 22 out of contact therewith, reducing
the exposed surface of the apron and providing a channel in which the loose tobacco
to be manipulated is placed, as shown in Figure 5. The adjustment of the guide is
preferably effected by a screw 25°, as shown in Figure 5.
Above the table 17 a plate or board 26, is located, having a slight forward and
downward inclination and extending from a point at or near the centre of the table
to the forward end, or slightly beyond it as shown in Figure 4. This plate or board
is adjustably supported in its inclined position by side standards 27, secured to the bed
and brackets connecting the standards and plate or board.
Upon battens 28, attached to the plate 26, two metal arms 29, are fastened, one
located near each longitudinal side edge, as shown in Figure 5, which arms are bent
downward and beyond the table at their forward extremities, as shown in Figures 4
and 12, and upward and outward at their rear extremities, as is best illustrated in
Figure 4.
In the forward and rear ends of the arms 29, rollers 30 and 31, are respectively
journaled, the forward roller being slightly in advance of the corresponding lower
apron roller 19; and over the two rollers 30 and 31, an endless apron 32 is made to
travel, which apron passes both above and below the plate 26, whereby it contacts
with the tobacco carried forward by the lower apron and assists in the movement
thereof. As the two aprons are out of parallelism, the tobacco, as it is carried forward,
is gradually compressed. Anti-friction rollers 33 and 34, are made to contact with
the inner surface of the upper apron above the plate 26 and the inner surface of the
same at the rear of the said plate, as is illustrated in Figure 4.
The apron rollers 19 and 30, are respectively provided with gears 35 and 36 meshing
with each other. The gear 35, has pivoted thereon a spring-actuated dog 37, as shown
in Figure 12, adapted to engage with a ratchet wheel 38, provided with a hub 39,
which hub is loosely mounted upon the said upper roller 30.
In the yoke-frame 21 below the centre, a shaft 40, is journaled, upon which shaft an
angled lever 42, (see Figures 9 and 10) is secured by means of its collar 41. The
horizontal member A, of said lever, which projects forwardly from the shaft, as shown
in Figure 12, is connected with the under forward face of the hub 39 by a link or
chain 43, or equivalent device; and a spring 44, of any approved material, is secured
to said member A, and fastened at the other end to the hub 39, at or near the attach-
ment of the link or chain 43º.
It will be observed that if the vertical member B of the angled lever is pressed
inward and rearward, the hub 39, is revolved by the link or chain 43"; and the ratchet
bearing against the dog 37, will revolve upon the upper roller 30, which, in turn, will
communicate motion to the lower roller 19. When the angled lever returns to its
normal position, the spring, in drawing it back, will also revolve the ratchet and cause
it to again engage with the dog. It will be further observed, that according to the
length of the throw of the angled lever, more or less tobacco will be fed forward by the
aprons 22 and 32; therefore, in order to regulate the movement of the aprons, a set
screw 32, is passed through one of the arms 29, as shown in Figure 12, the head of

page_text: which is immediately beneath the horizontal member A, of the angled lever. By
raising the screw the feed is decreased, and hy lowering the screw a greater swing of
the lever is permitted and the feed is increased.
The angled lever 42, is acted upon at intervals by an upper drive shaft 43, (see
Figures 3 and 10) journaled in the yoke-frame 21, which shaft is provided with a
rearwardly-extending crank arm 44 attached thereto, preferably by a collar as shown in
Figures 2, 10 and 15. This crank arm, at a certain point in the revolution of the shaft,
engages the vertical member B of the angled lever 42, to move it for a purpose
hereinafter set forth.
'
At or near the centre of the upper drive shaft 43, a mutilated gear wheel 45, is
keyed or otherwise secured; and next thereto a segmental cam 46, is attached, as
shown in Figures 5 and 15, and in dotted lines in Figure 4. The cam is adapted to
throw rearward a bar 48, secured upon the shaft 40, for a purpose hereinafter
described.
Upon the forward portion of the bed, a block 49, is secured, having secured to its
upper face at each side of the centre a standard 50, provided with a rib upon its inner
face, the central under surface of the block being hollowed out or recessed, as
illustrated in Figure 2.
Upon the back of the arched block, a transverse projection or extension 51, is
produced; and upon said extension a knife 52, is rigidly secured, the upper face
whereof is practically flush with the corresponding surface of the lower table 17, as
shown in Figure 4; and the cutting edge of the knife is made to project over the
upper forward edge of the block, as is also shown in Figure 4.
A forming head D, is held to slide between the standards 50. This forming head
may be made in various ways, and is illustrated as comprising a body portion 53, (see
Figure 8) having secured to its inner side a downwardly-extending cutting blade 53",
adapted to pass in close contact with the fixed cutter or knife 52. To the outer face of
the cutting blade 53, or to the body portion 53, preferably the former, a former block 55,
is secured in any approved manner (as, for instance, by screws), which block extends
downward flush with the lower edge of the cutting blade, as shown clearly in
Figures 6 and 8. The former block is provided with a curved outer face, and to said
face is secured the former 56, consisting preferably of a piece of sheet metal corre-
sponding in shape to the curved face of the block and extending a distance below the
same, as shown in Figures 6. 8 and 16. The block may be separated from the body
portion 53 in order that it may be readily removed and another one of different shape
may be substituted when it is desired to change the shape of the cigar.
To the upper part of the body portion 53 of the forming head D, at or near the
centre, a toothed bar 57, (see Figure 4) is attached, the teeth of said bar being on its
inner face and meshing with the mutilated gear 45. To the toothed bar 57, one end
of a rope or chain 58, is secured, which ropo passes upward through an off-set upon
the yoke-frame 21, over a pulley 58, and has its outer end connected with the lever
bar 48, which is secured to the shaft 40.
In operation, as the upper drive shaft 43, revolves, the mutilated gear 45, engaging
with the toothed bar à7, forces the head D, downward; and upon the head assuming
its farthest downward position, the cam 46, acts upon the lever arm 48, throwing it
rearward and thereby again raising the head.
When the head D, has assumed its upper or normal position, the crank arm 44 of
the upper drive shaft 43, will have acted upon the angled lever 42, to set the carrying
aprons in motion, and sufficient tobacco will be forced in contact with the forming
plate 56 of the head to make a bunch capable of being wrapped in a binder. Upon
the next downward movement of the head, the tobacco contained therein is severed
from the bulk.
In order to retain the tobacco in the head until it is desired to deliver the same
therefrom, two gates 59 and 60 are hinged together, (see Figures 8 and 9) one of said
gates 9, being hinged to the frame beneath the fixed knife 52; and the said gates
are held normally, one beneath the head and in contact therewith, and the other against

page_text: the outer face of the head, by means of a spring 61, coiled around the hingeing spindle
or pintle of the gates, the ends of which spring bear upon the outer face of each gate,
as shown in Figures 6 and 7. Thus, a chamber inclosed upon three sides is formed in
the head. As the tobacco is always contained in the spices intervening the plate and
the fixed knife, we secure to the inner face of the frame in which the head slides, an
angled plate 61, which plate prevents the tobacco from being carried upward with the
head.
From the centre of the bed 5, at its forward end, spaced longitudinal guide-
ways 62, are projected upward, as shown in Figures 2 and 9, upon which a rolling
board 63, having a smooth upper face, is held to slide horizontally. Upon the
forward end of the bed, one extremity of a bunching apron 64, preferably of rubber,
is attached, the attachment being usually detachable. The other end of this bunching
apron is secured in any approved manner to the outer end of the rolling table 63;
and the said apron and table are ordinarily made of the same width. Upon the outer
end of the rolling table, hooks 65, or equivalent devices are secured to receive the
products of the machine.
A
The bed of the machine is preferably made to extend outward a short distance at
each side of the rolling table, as shown in Figure 5; and upon each extension of the
bed a slotted guide-way 66, is fastened in each of which guide-ways, illustrated in detail
in Figures 13 and 14, a vertical standard 67, is held to travel. In these standards 67, a
bunching roller 70, is journaled, around which the bunching apron 64, passes.
rectangular, horizontal skeleton frame 68, preferably gaided in suitable ways beneath
the bed, has its forward end connected to the journals of the rollers 70; and to the
rear end of said frame a weight 69, is attached by a suitable cord or chain, as shown
in Figures 1 and 3, whereby the frame is normally drawn such a distance rearward
that the standard 67 and roller 70, will be located near the forward end of the body
of the bed 15.
In the forward portion of the standard 16, of the machine, the lower drive shaft 71,
is journaled. This shaft is connected with the upper drive shaft 43 by a belt 72, the
belt being usually a chain belt passing over sprocket wheels secured to both drive
shafts, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.
Upon the lower drive shaft, a disk or solid wheel 73, is secured, having a cam
groove 74, produced in one face, the grooves being irregular at two opposite points d
and only, as shown in Figure 4. The rolling table is operated from this cain-faced
disk by an elbow lever 75. Fulcrumed upon a stud 75, projected from the standard,
as shown in Figures 1 and 2, one member of which lever is bifurcated to engage
with a pin secured in a recess in the rolling table 63, the other member being
provided with a friction roller adapted to travel in the cain groove 74, as illustrated
in Figure 4 and in dotted lines in Figures 9 and 11.
A crank
A spur wheel 76, secured upon the lower drive shaft 71, is provided with a pin 77,
projected from one side, capable of engaging at intervals with the arm 78 integral
with the skeleton frame 68, which is connected to the bunching roller, as previously
described. By this means the said roller is intermittently moved forward.
shaft 79, is usually journaled beneath the lower drive shaft, carrying a pinion 80.
which meshes with the spur wheel 76, the said crank shaft being usually driven by
a pedal 81 and connecting rod 82, but other power may be applied to the lower
drive shaft, if desired. The crank slinft 79, is provided at one end with a balance
wheel 83, adapted for engagement with a brake 84, fulcrumed upon the standards
of the machine, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, whereby the crank shaft can be
revolved in one direction only.
In operation, the first position is that illustrated in Figures 4 and 6, in which the
tobacco has been fed into the chamber of the head, the gates closing the said chamber
at the bottom and an open pocket 85, is formed in the rolling apron 64.
Before
the head is carried downward, a binder 86 (see Figure 8) is placed in the pocket,
and a portion thereof is made to rest upon the apron, which apron rests upon the
rolling table. As the upper drive shatt is manipulated, the head is carried downward

page_text: to deposit its contents in the shape of a bunch upon the binder in the pocket; as
the head passes down, the gates gradually approach a perpendicular position, until,
when the third position is reached, shown in Figure 8, they entirely uncover the
bottom of the head, and the tobacco is delivered into the pocket 85 of the apron upon
the binder therein. At this time, the cam acting upon the lever 48 raises the head,
and the gates close over it. As the head ascends, one member of the elbow lever 75,
enters the irregular portion d of the cam groove 74, and the rolling table is carried
inward until its inner edge just passes beneath the bunching roller 70, as illustrated
in Figure 9, whereby the loop is partially closed. At this moment, the elbow fever
in passing out of the angled part d of the cam groove, carries the rolling table back
again to its normal position, and at the same time the stui or pin 77, acting upon
the arm 78 of the frame 68, propels the said frame forward, so that the roller 70
travels with the rolling table to the normal position of said table, and the pocket in
the bunching apron is thereby contracted and the tobacco pressed.
When the rolling table has reached the limit of its movement it stops. The
roller, however, passes onward and outward over the table, the bunch being meanwhile
rolled in the hinder in the loop of the apron, as shown in Figure 10. When the
roller passes beyond the rolling table, a wrapped bunch is deposited upon the hooks 65,
or other receptacle placed there to receive it. As soon as the outward throw of the
roller 70, is completed, the frame 68, is released, and the weight 69, draws the roller
back to its normal position, as shown in dotted lines, Figure 11.
At this time, the elbow lever 75 of the bunching table enters the portion of the
cam groove, and the rolling table is carried outward again, as shown in Figure 1i,
tightening the apron; and as the elbow lever passes out of this portion of the
cam, the table is carried out again to its normal position, forming the loop or
pocket shown in Figures 4 and 6.
As soon as the head D, reaches its first position, the feeding devices are acted
upon by the upper shaft, and the tobacco is fed into the chamber of the head.
It will be understood that the shape of the forming plate 56 may be varied
according to the contour of the bunch or cigar to be made, as has been heretofore
stated.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is,
1. In a cigar bunching machine, the combination, with the frame thereof, and a
horizontal reciprocating rolling table having an unbroken face, of an apron secured
to the outer end of the table extending across the top thereof and having its opposite
end attached to the frame, and a reciprocating bunching roller located beneath the
apron and above the table, and reciprocating beyond the ends of the latter,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
2. In a cigar bunching machine, the combination, with the frame thereof, a
horizontal reciprocating table having an unbroken surface, an apron secured at one
end of the table and at its other end to the frame, and having a pocket formed
therein between the table and the frame; of a reciprocating bunching roller located
beneath the apron and above the table and having a movement beyond the ends of
the latter, and means, substantially as shown and described, for reciprocating the
table and bunching roller and returning the bunching roller after forming the bunch
and before the completed outward movement of the table, substantially as shown and
described.
3. In a cigar bunching machine, the combination, with a horizontally reciprocating
rolling table, a flexible apron secured to the outer end of the said table and to the
inachine frame, having an open pocket formed near the inner end of the table, and a
bunching roller located beneath the apron, of a vertically reciprocating forming head
held above the pocket and provided with a cutter, and a forming plate secured to
the head and extending below the same, and gates hinged to the machine frame and

page_text: adapted to close the bottom of the head, all combined for operation, substantially as
and for the purpose specified.
4. In a cigar bunching machine, the combination, with a horizontally reciprocating
rolling table, a Hexible apron secured to the said table and the machine frame, having
a transverse open pocket produced normally therein between the frame and the table,
and a bunching roller capable of horizontal reciprocation beneath the apron and over
the table, of a reciprocating forming head above the pocket and provided with a
cutter and a forming plate secured to and extending below the outer face of the
head, spring-pressed gates hinged to the machine frame and covering the bottom of
the forming head, and means, substantially as shown and described, for imparting a
stop movement to the bunching roller and table upon their outward movement, as
and for the purpose specified.
5. In a cigar bunching machine, the combination, with a reciprocating rolling table,
a flexible rolling apron secured to the said table and to the frame of the machine,
slackened to form a pocket between the machine frame and the table, a reciprocating
bunching roller contacting with the said apron, a vertically reciprocating forming
head for delivering the tobacco to the apron pocket in shape of a bunch, and endless
belts arranged at a right angle to the cutter head, and capable of feeding material
thereto, substantially as described.
6. In a cigar bunching machine, the combination, with a horizontally reciprocating
rolling table, a flexible rolling apron secured to the said table and the frame of the
machine, slackened to form a pocket between the machine frame and the table, and
a horizontally reciprocating bunching roller located between the apron and the opposed
face of the table, of a forming head adapted to vertically reciprocate over the apron
pocket, provided with a cutter and a forming plate, spring-actuated and connected
gates, one of which is adapted to cover the bottom of the head and the other for
contact with the forming plate, and endless belts arranged at a right angle to the
cutter head and capable of feeding material thereto, as set forth.
7. In a cigar bunching machine, the combination, with a horizontally reciprocating
rolling table, a flexible rolling apron secured to the said table and the frame of the
machine, slackened to form a pocket beyond one end of the table, and a horizontally
reciprocating bunching roller located beneath the apron and in contact therewith, of
a forming head held to vertically reciprocate over the apron pocket and provided
with a cutter and a forming plate, spring-actuated gates, one of which is adapted to
cover the bottom of the head and the other for contact with the outer face of the
forming plate, a lower carrying belt provided with adjustable guides arranged at a
right angle to the cutter head, an upper carrying belt immediately above and arranged
at a right angle to the lower belt, and means, substantially as described, for
manipulating the said belts, as and for the purpose specified.
8. In a cigar bunching machine, the combination, with a supporting frame, of a
sliding rolling table, an apron secured to the table and frame, a sliding frame, a
bunching roller mounted in the sliding frame under the apron, and means for
reciprocating the table and frame, substantially as described.
9. In a cigar bunching machine, the combination, with a supporting frame, of a
sliding rolling table, an apron secured to the frame and table, a sliding frame, a
bunching roller mounted in the sliding frame under the apron, means for moving the
table inward and then outward, and means for moving the sliding frame simul-
taneously with the table to the limit of its movement and then beyond the same,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
10. In a cigar bunching machine, the combination, of a reciprocating tobacco-
holding and forming head, a device for feeding the tobacco to the head, and a
tobacco-receiving compressing and rolling device below the head, substantially as
herein shown and described.
11. In a cigar bunching machine, the combination, of a vertically reciprocating
forming head provided with a cutter, a forming plate and gates at its lower end,
endless belts for feeding the tobacco to the said head, a reciprocating rolling table,

page_text: an apron secured to the table and to the supporting frame, and a reciprocating
bunching roller, substantially as herein shown and described.
Dated this 4th day of November 1890.
FRANCIS ANTHONY SCHLEIFF, SEN.
FRANCIS ANTHONY SCHLEIFF, JUN.
PAUL EHMKE.
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Patent Agents.