Improvements in Machines Tobacco Leaves to form and Cigarettes for Manipulating and Cutting Wrappers or Binders for Cigars
Year: 1884

page_text: Improvements in Machines
Tobacco Leaves to form
and Cigarettes
for Manipulating and Cutting
Wrappers or Binders for Cigars
I ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK of the firm of A. M. and Wm. Clark of
53 Chancery Lane in the County of Middlesex Fellow of the Institute of Patent
Agents. do hereby declare the nature of the said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINES FOR MANIPULATING AND CUTTING TOBACCO LEAVES TO FORM WRAPPERS
OR BINDERS FOR CIGARS AND CIGARETTES" 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 a machine for cutting out and laying tobacco leaves
one upon the other, so as to prepare them for the cutting out of wrappers and
binders, which are used in the manufacture of cigars and cigarettes; also for cutting
such wrappers or binders from the leaves and arranging them in piles or heaps to
avoid undue handling.
The invention consists first in placing around, or otherwise combining with a
perforated suction plate which has the form of a wrapper or binder a cutting blade,
so that the wrapper or binder, while the leaf is held by suction or air pressure to
said plate, may be cut out of the lenf.
The invention also consists in combining with the continuous cutting blade,
which has the general outline of a cigar wrapper, an inner cutter for making a
curved incision into the head of the wrapper, thereby improving its condition.
The invention further consists in a new construction of moveable suction-box,
by means of which the wrapper or binder is not only fed to the place of deposit,
but also detached from the suction apparatus when the place of deposit has been
reached. The invention also consists in an automatic clamp attachment to the
suction-box, by which that portion of the leaf which is not cut out to constitute.
part of the wrapper, binder or the like, is held in contact with the moving suction-
box and brought into convenient position to be replaced upon the latter to cut out
another wrapper, binder or the like &o.
The invention also consists in a new mechanism for automatically arresting the
movement of the machine as soon as the suction box is brought home to receive a
new leaf upon its perforated face.

page_text: The invention finally consists in further details of improvement that are herein-
after more fully described.
Figure 1 is a top view, partly in section, of the suction die used in this improved
machine for cutting cigar wrappers. Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of
the same. Figure 3 is a vertical cross section of the same on the line kk, figure 1,
looking in the direction of the arrow 1, figure 1. Figure 4 is a side elevation of
the improved machine for cutting and piling cigar wrappers and the like. Figure 5
is a vertical section of the moveable suction box, the line c, c, figure 4, indicating
the plane of section. Figure 6 is a plan or top view of the machine. Figure 7 is
an enlarged top view of the clutch mechanism which is used in said machine.
Figure 8 is a vertical transverse section on the line ck figure 6. Figure 9 is a
detailed perspective view of the leaf holding attachment used on said machine.
Figure 10 a side view, partly in section on a reduced scale, of the clutch mechanism.
Figures 11 and 12 are vertical cross sections of modified forms of suction dies and
cutters, which are illustrated in figures 1, 2, and 3. Figure 13 is a top view of a
modified form of the improved machine. Figure 14 a vertical cross section of the
same, on the line xx, figure 13. Figure 15 a vertical section of a modification of
one of the parts thereof.
It must be understood in order to appreciate the importance of this Invention,
that the leaves of the tobacco plant, from which wrappers, hinders &. are cut (and
here I might as well say that when I speak of the use of the invention for preparing
the leaf for cutting wrappers, I wish to have the binders included in the same
description) have the veins running in diagonal directions, somewhat as indicated
by dotted lines in figure 13 of the drawing, and that especially in cutting out
wrappers it is essential that the head of the wrapper, which is the crook-shaped
end thereof, should be between the veins of the leaf, and that no vein should run
through the head of the wrapper. It follows that in holding the leaf under the
cutter for obtaining a wrapper it must be so held as to cut the head of the wrapper
into proper shape; so also as to avoid bringing all perforated or faulty portions of
the leaf under the knife, and nevertheless, care should be taken not to waste any of
the leaf, but reserve what is left for use in making other wrappers from it.
It is, therefore, inasmuch as wrappers particularly are made of the most costly
tobacco, a question of importance in the manufacture of large numbers of cigars,
that the greatest economy should be exercised in dividing the leaves properly for
the making of the wrappers.
If the wrappers were all cut out by hand, the trouble would be that if they are
not of the precise form required, the cigars turned out would vary one from the
other, in size, weight &; if each leaf were cut separately by a cutter having the
shape of the wrapper, the labor would be very great, as the wrapper must also be
held in a distended form.
By the present invention the leaf is carefully placed upon a suction table, which
has the form of the wrapper, in such a way that that portion of the leaf which is
to be cut out will lie on the table. Suction is then applied and the table may then
be moved to deposit that leaf in a particular position, upon another table, and
afterwards, the same suction table is made to deposit upon the first leaf another
and upon that another, and so on, always placing the part intended to be cut out
for the wrapper precisely above the corresponding part of the leaf next below, and
Bo on, so that afterwards, when the knife having the outline of the wrapper is
brought down upon the entire pile of leaves, it will cut from them at one stroke
the very portions that were placed upon the suction table, leaving the remaining
portions to be used in cutting out other wrappers, or for such uses to which they
may be best adapted. But the leaf may also be cut while held by suction on the
suction table, as hereinafter described.
In the drawing, with special reference to figures 1, 2, and 3, A represents a
continuous endless cutting-blade of the form of a cigar wrapper. B is a perforated.
diaphragm or plate, which is placed into the blade A slightly below the cutting
edge of the same.

page_text: One manner of securing the plate B is by posts a a, which rests on cross-bars b, b,
that extend crosswise through the lower part of the space bounded by said cutting
blade. But the plate B may be secured in place by solder or other means.
At the angle d which is formed in the blade A for producing the offset for the
head of the wrapper, is secured to the blade A an additional curved blade C, which
extends into the space bounded by the continuous blade A, and serves to make a
curvilinear incision into the head of the wrapper, permitting it to be coiled more
readily and thoroughly around the point of the cigar.
In use, the apparatus shown can be placed on a table D, or other support, over
a pipe E, through which air can be drawn by a suitable fan or pump or suction
device of ordinary kind
Whenever a leaf is placed on the apparatus, suction is caused to take place and
the leaf thereby drawn against the plate B, thereby avoiding wrinkles in the
wrapper. While the leaf is thus held by suction a roller is pressed over the leaf,
pressing it against the cutting edges of the blades A and C, which are all cutting
on the same plane, thereby cutting out a wrapper.
Instead of a roller a mallet
may be tapped upon the leaf so as to cause the blades to cut out the wrapper.
When the cutting has been completed, suction is stopped, whereupon the finished
wrapper can be readily taken off. It is evident that the apparatus will also be
fully operative when the extra blade C is omitted.
When I describe the blade A as endless, I mean practically endless; there may
be a non-cutting portion at the tail-end of the blade, as it is not always essential
that the leaf at that place should be cut.
Instead of setting the plate B into the blade A as shown in figures 1 and 3, it
may be used as a separate perforated suction plate or block, as in figures 11 and 12,
in which case the continuous blade A can be forced down upon or rolled over the
wrapper, which is being held by suction on the face of the perforated plate or
block B.
In figures 4 to 10 of the accompanying drawing the letter A 2 represents a
platform or table, which is supported on a suitable framework B2, which in turn
supports the devices with which the wrapper, binder or the like is to be brought
into absolute contact.
In the framing B2 are the bearings of a shaft C2, on which is hung the
pulley D 2, to which rotary motion, in the direction of the arrow 2 that is shown
in figure 4, is constantly imparted by a belt from a suitable steam engine, or by
other means. The movement of the pulley can be imparted to the shaft C by the
clutch mechanism hereinafter described, or by other means.
The table A supports a block, or platform E', a horizontal tube F and a box-
like structure G, of which the upper end provided with a knife-edge, as indicated
in figure 4. The horizontal pipe F is midway between the parts E³ and G, and
connects by a tube H with suitable apparatus for creating air suction. Around the
horizontal tube F is swivelled the hub of a transverse tube I, the outer end of
which is formed into a box or enlargement J, which, when directly above the
block or platform E, as in figure 4, has its perforated face plate a³ at its upper side,
see figures 5 and 8, but which can be swung, together with the pipe I, so that it
will bear on the structure G in which case said perforated face plate a' will be at
the bottom of the enlargement J.
The bottom of the box-like structure G is movable; it is indicated at 6 2 in
figure 4, and shown to be connected by a stem with a lever 6. Now the object
of this machine can be re-stated to be the placing of a piece of tobacco on the
perforated top plate a³, when the same is in the position shown in figure 4, and
holding it on said perforated top plate by suction, the bringing it over to the box-
like structure G, while under the influence of suction, with such force, however,
that the wrapper will be cut out of the piece of tobacco-leaf by the knife-edge of
the structure G and left within the said structure until a sufficient number of such
wrappers have been cut out as to substantially fill the box-like structure G, when,
by lowering the free end of the lever the whole pile of wrappers, all properly

page_text: shaped and flattened out, can be raised and removed from the box G for use in the
manufacture of cigars.
When I say wrappers in the above clause, I desire it to be understood that any
other form into which tobacco, or analogous matter, may be cut, will be equivalent,
so far as the employment of the machine is concerned, to a cigar wrapper.
In order to effectuate the operation of the machine as thus outlined in the
foregoing statement, it is necessary that the leaf carrier J should receive recipro-
cating, rotary motion, that is to say, should be thrown over upon the box G and
immediately back upon the platform E. It is likewise necessary that provision
be made for detaching the wrapper from the carrier J as soon as it arrives on the
structure Gas otherwise, the wrapper might be taken back on the return stroke
of the carrier J. It is likewise desirable that that part of the tobacco leaf which is
not cut ont by the knife edge of the box G should remain on the carrier J, and not
on the box G.
I will first describe how the reciprocating rotary motion is imparted to the
wrapper carrier J. The ends of two chains or bands, fand f2, are fastened to the
hub of the swivelled tube I, or to discs or enlargements thereon, as indicated in
figure 4. These chains pass through apertures in the table A 2, and have their
lower ends respectively attached to levers L and M, that are pivoted at g to the
framing B 2 of the machine. When the shaft C is itself revolved in the direction
of the arrow 2, a crank or stud h, which it carries, will first be brought against an
arm of the lever L, and swing said lever L on the pivot g so as to draw the chain f
downwards and revolve the hub of the tube I, so as to carry the tube over to the
The stud h now
other side and bring the wrapper carrier J upon the box G.
strikes the lever M, and thereby draws on the chain f2, so as to swing the tube I
and wrapper carrier back into the position shown in figure 4.
It is essential that the wrapper carrier J should remain stationary as long as
the attendant may desire, when it is in the position shown in figure 4, because
greater or less time is consumed by the proper handling and application of different
leaves of tobacco. Hence it is essential also that the aut matic motion of the
machine should be arrested as soon as the wrapper carrier J arrives over the
platform E 2. To this end the automatic clutch arrangement, which I shall now
describe, has been devised.
The shaft C carries a sliding clutch N, which by a spring j is liable to be thrown
against the serrated or toothed hub of the wheel D 2, but is kept away therefrom
by a projection on a swinging plate m which projection bears against a tooth n
that extends from the clutch N.
Figure 10 is a side view of this apparatus, looking at it in the direction of the
arrow.
When the attendant wants to set the machine in motion, he depresses a treadle O,
which connects by a rod o with an elbow lever p, that is hung in an arm of the
frame B 2. The elbow lever p at its upper end connects by a pin q (see Figures 7
and 10) which projects from the horse-shoe shaped plate m, with the latter, said
horse-shoe shaped plate m being pivoted by the pins rr to a bracket 8 of the
frame B 2. When the attendant depresses the treadle O the lever p is swung so as
to cause the plate m to turn on its pivots and carry the projection 7 away from and
out of contact with the tooth n, and thereby the spring is liberated, allowing the
clutch N to engage with the wheel D³, hence causing the shaft C 2 to be turned.
But as the shaft C2 completes its one revolution the tooth n arrives in contact
with the inclined face or edge of the projection and is thereby, together with the
clutch gradually forced back into the position which is shown in figure 10, thus
automatically disengaging the shaft C2 from the moving mechanisin at the end of
one revolution of said shaft. Of course, it is essential to this that the attendant
should let go the treadle O as soon as he has started the rotation of the shalt C 2,
and before the first revolution of said shaft is completed, as otherwise, the revolving
tooth n would not find the projection in its way.

page_text: I will now describe the enlargement J or suction-box, at the end of the revolving
in
pipe I, which suction-box has also been denominated the "wrapper carrier
this Specification. The face plate a² of this suction-box or wrapper carrier, is
perforated so as to hold the wrapper properly stretched and in contact with the
said wrapper carrier; but outside of the series of perforations there is a sufficient
unperforated portion of said face plate to allow the cutting edge of the box-shaped
receiver G to make a clean cut through the leaf of tobacco, or other substance,
which is presented to it by the carrier J. The face plate a², as is indicated in
figures 5 and 8, is really made in two parts, a fixed part, which is the face plate
proper, and a movable part t, which is to disengage the wrapper from the carrier J
at the proper time. This movable part t may also be perforated, as shown in
figure 5, to assist in holding the wrapper by suction and is connected with pins u,
which are headed at their inner ends, as shown in figure 5, for the purpose of
allowing vertical play to said plate t. When the wrapper brought down upon
the box G and cut out by the cutting edge of the latter, the plate t by its weight
drops upon the detached wrapper and throws it off the body of the face plate a²,
depositing it on the bottom b' of the box G, or on the pile of wrappers thereon
contained, and separating it from the influence of the suction, which at this stage
may still be created within the carrier J.
I deem this movable plate t important, as compared with an outside detaching
Bleeve, which might embrace the wrapper carrier J, for the reason that the plate t
will bodily detach from the suction carrier that part which is embraced by the
cutting edge of the box-shaped receiver G.
That part of the leaf of tobacco which is not cut out is to adhere to the carrier J:
To this end said carrier has pivoted to it at v see figure 8, a spring clamp P, which
clamp, by the spring w is normally thrown against the side of the wrapper carrier J,
80 83 to clasp the overhanging part of the leaf of tobacco against the side of said
carrier.
When the carrier J is above the platform E³, the arm x³, projecting from the
clamp Penters between the parts E and J, as in figure 5, and causes the clamp P
to be swung away from the carrier J, so that the attendant may now take off that
leaf and place it in a new position over the face plate a², or replace it by another.
As soon as this has been done, and the machine started by the depression of the
treadle O, the clamp P will at once be thrown against the side of the wrapper
carrier so as to tightly hold the overhanging part of the wrapper to said carrier
during both movements of the same.
The attendant can control the suction apparatus by means of the treadle R,
which connects by a rod y with a slide or valve in the pipe H, a spring tending
to raise said slide or valve and to shut off the suction apparatus, while the
depression of the treadle R will open said valve and allow the suction to be utilized
within the suction-box J.
The knife-blade, instead of being formed on the box G, may as well be attached
to the face plate a², the same as shown in figures 1, 2 and 3. The operation in
that case will remain substantially the same as that already described.
In figures 13 and 14 the letter A³ represents the suction table, which is a box-
shaped structure, having one plate a² or cover, full of little holes. The box or
table A³ is hollow, and attached by a hollow arm b³ to a tubular sleeve d³ which
sleeve en braces a hollow supporting shaft B³. This hollow supporting shaft is in
communication with a suction pump of suitable kind, and has an opening e³, which
at certain times may communicate with the hollow arm b and the interior of
the box A'.
The box A³, at least that part of it which has the perforations, has the form of a
cigar wrapper, as indicated in figure 13, and when in the dotted position which is
indicated in figure 14, so that its perforated plate a' will be on top, is in position
for use; for now the tobacco leaf is placed upon it in such way as to make the
part intended for the wrapper just cover the perforated plate a³, and thereupon the
sleeve d³ is turned, and with it the hollow arm b³ and the table A³, and brought

page_text: from the position shown by dotted lines in figure 14 into the position which is
shown by full lines in figure 14.
While the box A is travelling from one of these positions to the other, the
aperture e in the hollow shaft B³ will, part of the time communicate with the
inner space of the arm 63, and will cause the suction that is created by the pump
in the pipe B to draw the leaf of tobacco tightly against the plate a' and hold it
there until the position shown by full lines in figure 14 is nearly attained,
whereupon communication with the aperture e³ will be interrupted as shown, and
the effect of suction no longer felt by the leaf. The leaf is deposited either upon a
fixed table D³ or preferably upon a separate table E³, that rests on springs f³, so
that afterwards, when other leaves are placed upon the first, they may all be just
vertically above each other, the table E³ by preference yielding sufficiently to allow
the suction table A' always to reach the position shown in figure 14 by full lines,
at the time the leaf is detached from it.
In order to turn the sleeve and its attachments, suitable means may be
employed. Thus, I have shown a pulley g' to be mounted upon said sleeve, and a
cord ³ to pass around it to a treadle ³, a suitable spring (figure 13) cr weight
(figure 14) tending to hold the parts normally in such a position that the perforated
plate a will be face upwards. Then, when the treadle is depressed, as in
figure 14, the cord h³ will be pulled and the pulley g' revolved, and the suction
table thereby carried into the position which is shown by full lines in figure 14.
Figure 14 shows the treadle i³ depressed as stated, and the weight k raised. When
the treadle is now let go, the suction table will be carried around again to its
normal position, so as to have the perforated plate facing upwards.
If desired, the table E³, which receives the leaf to be cut, may have a knife ³ of
the form of the wrapper attached to it, as indicated in figure 15, so that the leuf
immediately upon being deposited on said table E will be cut automatically, and
the finished wrapper may then be taken off by an attendant while the suction table
is on its way back to receive a new leaf, and so forth. In this case, however, the
table having this projecting knife, would not rest on cushions f³, but would have
to be rigidly held in position.
In order to prevent any possible suction which would be caused by the ultimate
contact of the perforated plate a' with the leaf deposited upon the table E³ from
causing the suction table to lift that leaf again off the table E³ on its return motion
to the normal position, I have provided the suction table with a sliding sleeve F³,
which surrounds it, and is capable of independent vertical play, being guided by
suitable guide pins m³, that project from the table A³ through slots in the sleeve F³,
or, instead of this sleeve Fs being in one piece, as indicated in figure 13, separate
vertical slides may be attached at suitable parts of the circumference of the suction
table A. The lower end of this sleeve F, or its equivalent, will rest on the leaf
that is being deposited on the table E³ by the suction table and will remain
thereon for a little while after the suction table has been lifted off again on its
return motion, and will thus hold the leaf down on the table E' and prevent it
from following the suction table during its return motion.
It is quite clear that the tobacco leaf, while being carried by this suction table
will be distended and evenly deposited, under pressure, on the table E³, and that,
when a pile of leaves is thus deposited, they are all fairly distended, all properly
placed with reference to the cutting out of one wrapper from each of them and all
placed in the best possible condition for use as cigar wrappers.
Instead of banging the suction table A³ on the hollow shaft B³, it may be hung
on a solid shaft, and connected by a flexible hose or otherwise with the air pump.
Such an arrangement is clearly equivalent to the particular device shown for
causing air suction in the hollow travelling table A³.
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 continuous cutting blade A combined with the perforated plate B and

page_text: with the suction pipe E, substantially as described, for creating suction, in the
space boundel by the blade A, and plate B, as and for the purpose specified.
2nd The wrapper shaped cutter A, having the curved inner cutter C, substantially
as herein shown and described.
3rd The perforated suction plate or block B in combination with the separate
continuous cutting blade A, substantially as and for the purpose herein shown and
described.
4th The combination of the suction-box J, having perforated face plate, with the
pipe I, receiver G, cutting edge, and with mechanism substantially as described for
imparting to said suction-box J reciprocating rotary motion, so that it may be
utilized as a wrapper carrier, as set forth.
5th The combination of the suction-box J with the pipe I, and mechanism
substantially as described for moving the same, with the box-shaped receiver G,
having upper cutting edge, and with the moveable bottom 63, substantially as
specified.
6th The combination of the moveable bottom 6 with the rod ď² and lever 6 and
box-shaped receiver G, having upper cutting edge, substantially as specified.
7th The moveable suction-box J combined with the spring clamp P for operation
substantially as herein shown and described.
8th The moveable suction-box J, having perforated face plate a³ in combination
with the movable portion t of said face plate, for disengaging from the suction-box
the part cut out thereon, as specified.
9th The combination of the movable suction-box J and means substantially as
described for moving it, with the perforated face plate a², movable portion t, of said
face plate, and with a cutter, which adapted to cut the leaf of tobacco, placed
against the face plate a* as specified.
10th The combination of the shaft C and its spur h with the levers L, M,
chains ff, swiveled tube I, and suction box J thereon, substantially as and for
the purpose specified.
11 The combination of the treadle O and its rod o and elbow lever p with the
swinging plate m, having inclined projection and with the sliding clutch N on
shaft C, said clutch having projecting tooth n, substantially as described, for the
purpose of automatically arresting the motion of the shaft at the end of every
revolution.
12th The combination of the hollow table A³, having perforated suction plate a³,
with the hollow arm bs, hollow supporting shaft B³ having aperture e³, and with
means for revolving the hollow table A and its appurtenances around said hollow
shaft, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
13th The combination of the hollow suction table A³ with mechanism sub-
stantially as described for moving it, with the sliding sleeve F³ and receiving table,
substantially as described.
14th The table E³ resting on the spring f³ in combination with the hollow suction
table As, having perforated plate a³, and with means substantially as described for
inoving said table A³, ns specified.
15th The table E³ in combination with the hollow suction table A³, having
perforated face plate a³, and with mechanism for moving said suction table, and
with the cutter substantially as described.