Improvements in Machines for Making Cigarettes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Moy, 1897--Accepted,. 14th Aug., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Making Cigarettes.
We, EDWARD THOMAS POLLARD, Engineer, and THE LUDINGTON CIGARETTE MACHINE
COMPANY LIMITED, Manufacturers, both of 10 and 11 Stonecutter Street, Farringdon
Street, London, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:-
This invention more especially relates to that class of Cigarette Machines in which
fibrous or shreded tobacco, in a flocculent or loose condition is fed into the machine,
combed or drawn out in an even layer or mass with its fibres parallel and delivered to
mechanism which forms it into a continuous filler, encloses the said filler in a gummed
or pasted and printed wrapper and cuts the continuous cigarette thus formed into
suitable lengths for smoking.
The object of this invention is to provide a machine which shall perform the
operations above mentioned efficiently and rapidly, which end is obtained by employing
the improved devices to be hereinafter described and set forth.
The machine consists essentially of a casing or hopper carried by suitable framework
within which endless aprons laying one above the other and moving in the same
direction, but with the lower one projecting beyond the upper, drawing and combing
rolls which take the loose fibrous tobacco fed upon the first apron therefrom, partially
comb out its fibres and deliver it to the other apron from which it is taken by similar
rolls and discharged through the mouth of the casing or hopper laterally upon an
endless. filler carrying belt, moving longitudinally across and close to the lower side
of the delivery or discharge roll, which throws the tobacco upon the belt transversely
to its line of movement, the motion of the belt subsequently turning the fibres
parallel with the said line of movement to present them properly to the filler forming
devices.
A pressing belt is provided moving at the same speed and in the same direction as
the carrying belt and a suitable distance above it, the distance between the two being
reduced at a certain period of its travel so as to cause the said pressing belt to press
vertically upon the filler. The belts above referred to are preferably flat in cross
section and composed of flexible but resilient material, such as steel for instance, and
are hoop shaped or ovoid in outline each being positively and directly driven by
friction rollers in contact with the upper and under surfaces, which are preferably
covered with some elastic material such as rubber or gutta-percha. Suitable guides
are also provided for the bands. The upper belt travels in a guide-groove in the
casing just above the mouth or discharge opening and passes under a 'movable
guide which causes a deflection downwards of the belt upon the filler carried by the
lower belt.
The guide being movable allows the top belt to be removed should any choking or
other obstruction occur at that point. The wrapper for the filler passes from a reel
mounted upon a vertical axis through the printing mechanism, and is presented to
the filler with its edges. one above the other instead of flat-wise as usual,

page_text: Paste is applied to the inner upper edge of the paper while passing through the
folder. A folder turns over and presses the gummed edge of the paper thereby
completing the Cigarette ready for finally cutting into lengths. These operations are
performed by means of a flexible belt of any suitable material which passes through
the folder with the paper.
The cutting apparatus consists of a rotary disc or knife secured to a spindle and in
suitable bearings and arranged so that the said knife may be advanced and withdrawn
whilst the cutter is revolving.
In order that this invention may be the better understood the accompanying
drawings have been appended in which :-
Fig. 1. is a front elevational view of a machine.
Fig. 2. is a plan.
Fig. 3. is an end view to an enlarged scale.
Fig. 4. is a sectional view of the mechanism for combing the tobacco.
Fig. 5. is a detailed view of a part of the mechanism above referred to.
Fig. 6. is a detailed view showing the arrangement of the teeth upon the rolls.
Fig. 7. is a section showing more clearly and to a larger scale the method employed
for building up the rolls.
Fig. 8. is a plan of the cutting mechanism with the parts operating the same.
Fig. 9. is a side elevation of Fig. 8.
-
Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are respectively a front elevational view, a back view, and a
section of the guide for the filler during the operation of cutting the same.
Fig. 13. is a plan to an enlarged scale showing the gummer with the mechanism
for operating the same.
f
Fig. 14. is a side elevation of the folder.
Fig. 15 is a plan of the same.
Figs. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 are sections to a larger scale of the filler upon the
lines A B. C D. E F G H I J K L
3
Fig. 22. is a plan of the printing mechanism.
Fig. 23. is a side elevation of the same, and
Fig. 24. is a view of part of the printing mechanism.
The tobacco feeding mechanism is shown mounted upon the frame 1. which may be
attached to or form part of the frame 2. of the machine. Loose fibrous tobacco is
spread as usual by hand upon the upper endless apron 3. Fig. 4. which is carried by
suitable rollers 4. 5. and moving inwards toward the front of the machine. A second
or lower apron 6. carried by rollers 7, 8, extends forward beyond the upper one and
moves in the same direction but at a faster speed to prevent the tobacco accumulating
thereon.
A combing roll 9. revolving over the inner end of the upper apron 3. combs the
tobacco therefrom over a bridge 10. while a drawing roll 11 takes the tobacco from
the combing roll and throws it upon the second apron 6.
A second roll 12 combs the tobacco on this apron over a bridge 13. upon a discharge
roll 14. which throws the tobacco upon the endless carrying belt 15.
The aprons
of the tobacco.
and 6 are provided with suitable side guards to prevent lateral escape
The rolls 9, 11, 12, 14 are likewise provided with side-guards and with a removable
cover or shield 16.
The side guards and cover constitute a hopper in which the aprons and rolls are
enclosed.
The rolls 9, 11, 12, 14 are provided with suitable teeth which are preferably of the
form shown at 17. Fig. 6. The rolls as well as the apron all rotate in the same
direction but the relative speeds are varied as found most effective.
The carrying belt 15, hereinbefore referred to is preferably composed of elastic
flexible or resilient material such as steel and may be of any suitable width.
The belt is flat in section but of ovoid contour or outline circumferentially and
travels in a substantially vertical path parallel with and slightly to one side of the
discharge roll 14 which throws the tobacco laterally thereon through an opening 18

page_text: in the outer side of the hopper at or near its bottom. This belt runs between
driving rollers 19, preferably covered with some resilient material such as rubber or
gutta-percha.
An upper endless belt 21 similar in construction and operation to that just described,
is arranged to run directly over it in the same vertical plane being actuated by
driving rollers 22. The inner edge of this belt runs in a guide way 24. in the casing
just over the discharge mouth 18, see Fig. 4. which guide causes the belt to run
directly over and parallel with the lower one 15. aud parallel with the face of the
discharge roll 14. After passing beyond this roll the belt is deflected slightly
downward by a curved guide 25, around which it runs see Fig. 1. so as to compress
the tobacco between it and the lower belt 15, the motion of which belts it should be
observed, reverse the direction of the fibres of the tobacco, as they are fed thereon
with the length of the fibres crosswise to the belts.
The guide 25. is pivotted as shewn in dotted lines Fig. 1. which allows the same to
be removed when desired.
The paper strip forming the wrapper is carried by an arm 26, omitted in
Figs. 1 and 3 but shown in plan view Fig. 2. in which view the printing mechanismi
is also shown.
This paper passes from the reel containing same to the printing mechanism which
will be hereinafter more fully described with reference to Figs. 22, 23 and 24, and
after leaving the said printing mechanism it is led over the guide pulley 27 where it
is brought into contact with the belt or band 28 and with it passes in front of the
mouth of the tobacco hopper pressing against the edges of the upper and lower
belts 21, 15, and projecting below the lower belt 15.
The tobacco is carried forward until it comes into contact with the grooved edge of
the wheel 29. which compresses the tobacco and with it the paper and belt into the
folder 30. shown more clearly in Figs. 14 to 21 referring to which it will be seen that
the said folder has at its inner end a radial slot 31. with which the belt aforesaid
engages and assumes an approximately semicircular form. Continuing its movement
it is caused by the alteration in the shape of the slot 31. to assume a form similar to
that indicated in Fig. 20, a plate 32 retaining the tobacco. Upon its further
movement the shape is again altered as shown in Fig. 19, the plate 32 still being
used to keep the tobacco in place until it reaches that part of the folder shown in the
section Fig. 18. when the edge of the paper comes into contact with the rotating
disc 33 which conveys the gum or the like from the reservoir to the edge of the
paper. The continued movement of the band 28 carries the paper and with it the
tobacco still further and the channel contracting until it assumes the form shewn in
Fig. 17. folds the paper over leaving the gummed edge exposed and ready for the
final operation which is performed when the band reaches the part of the folder
illustrated in Fig. 16. To further ensure the proper adhesion of the gummed
edge, a guide or presser 34-comes into contact with the then continuous length of
cigarette.
The cigarette is still further advanced until it comes into the funnel shaped mouth
of the guide 35. shown more clearly in Figs. 2, 8, 9 and in detail in Figs. 10, 11, 12,
where it comes under the action of the knife 36 by which it is cut off into lengths
for use.
The band 28 beforementioned is driven by the wheel 37 which may be provided
upon its periphery with a continuous covering of some resilient material or may have
a series of plugs of the same inserted therein and receives its motion from the chain
wheel 38 upon the spindle 39 operated from the main shaft 40 of the machine by
the wheels 41, 42, one of which 42 is attached to the spindle 39 whilst the other
is secured to the shaft 43 which is operated by means of the bevel wheels 44, 45.
The chain 46 also imparts motion to the wheel 47, the spindle 48 operating the
feed of the guinming apparatus, see Figs. 2 and 13. The band 28 also passes round
the guide pulley 49 which as will be seen on reference to the drawings is mounted
upon an arm 50 to which is attached one end of a spring 51 to keep the band always
stretched,

page_text: Referring to the gumming apparatus which consists of a container 52 within which
is a piston operated by the screwed spindle 53 which passes through a hole having a
corresponding screw thread to that upon the spindle and which is moved by
the arm 54 carrying the pawl 55 which engages with the toothed wheel 56 upon the
spindle 53. The necessary reciprocating motion is imparted to the arm 54 by the
dise 55 which has a pin 56 thereon engaging with a slot in the arm 54, motion
being imparted thereto by the means before described in connection with the chain 46:
The container 52 is provided with a funnel shaped mouth which is slotted to receive
the disc 33 which conveys the gum to the paper when the same is passing through
the folder as already described.
The gumming disc 33 is mounted upon a spindle 57 which is inclined downwards
vertically towards the mouth of the gum container and is operated by the belt 58
which receives its motion from the pulley 59 upon the shaft of one of the combing
rollers, guide pulleys 60, 61 being provided to lead the belt therefrom to the
spindle 57.
Referring to the cutting mechanism shewn to an enlarged scale in Figs. 8 and 9
and which is so arranged as to cause the said knife to move when cutting at a speed
proportionate with that of the continuous cigarette. The cutter being independently
rotated may revolve at any speed desired. The arrangement of the cutting mechanism
is such that the cutter severs the continuous cigarette while moving coincidently
with it, being caused by cranks to alternately intersect and recede from the path of
the continuous cigarette. The guide however, is caused to move laterally towards
the cutter as the latter approaches it, thus insuring a quicker and cleaner cut and
enables the cutter to do its work with shorter lateral reciprocation than would
otherwise be necessary.
In order to attain the above objects, the cutter 36. is mounted upon a spindle 62
carried by bearings 63, 64 which are connected to the cranks 65, 66, by the
pins 67, 68. The spindle 62 receives its motion from the main shaft 40 to which is
secured a pulley 69 and the cranks 65, 66, are operated by the toothed wheels 70, 71,
in gear with the wheel 72 shewn dotted in Figs. 8 and 9 upon the vertical spindle 74
which receives its motion from the main shaft 40 by means of the bevel wheels 75,76.
See Fig. 1.
The underside of the cranks are furnished with bosses or collars engaging with
slots formed in the ends of the lever 77. This lever has at one end a slot 78 parallel
to the line of the spindle 62 and has a radial slot 79 formed at the other and has in
addition an arm 80 shown by dotted lines Fig. 8. which carries the guide 35.
A lever 81 pivotted at one end to the forward bearing 64 of the spindle and at the
other to the slotted lever 77 imparts movement to the said lever 77 and with it the
guide 35 upon which, as above stated, the said guide is mounted. The guide 35 as
shown is provided with a spring 82 acting upon the central portion thereof 83 to
allow of any necessary movement when the knife is in operation.
Referring to Figs. 22, 23 and 24 in which is shown the printing mechanism 82 is a
hollow disc having a portion of its circumference removed as shown at 83. This disc
revolves in contact with a small roller 84 carried by the arm 85 pivotted upon the
spindle of the disc 82.
This roller 84 is for a period in contact with a roller 85* which revolves in an
inkwell 86. The motion of the said roller 85 is intermittent and effected by means
of a pin 87 upon the underside of the disc 82 which comes into contact with the
toothed wheel 88 upon the spindle 89 of the roller 85 as shewn more clearly in
Fig. 24.
A spring attached to the arm brings the roller 84 into contact with the inking
roller 85 when opposite the open portion 83. of the disc 82. In contact with the
dise 82 is another roller 90 which as shewn is cut at an angle to the vertical axis of
the said roller and may be covered with rubber or the like. The object of the roller
being cut as described is to allow the same to rise and fall during its rotation which
is effected by the pin 91 coming into contact with the under edge of the said roller as
shown in Fig. 23. The vertical movement of the roller distributes the ink which

page_text: upon the movement of the disc 82 is conveyed to the smaller roller 92 which is in
contact with the printing roller 93. A roller 94 over which the paper passes is placed
so as to bring the paper into contact with the printing roller and is covered with
rubber or the like to prevent injury to the type upon the printing roller 93.
The movement of the various parts above enumerated is effected by means of a.
wheel 95 attached to the vertical spindle 96, the object of which spindle in connection
with the other parts of the machine will be hereinafter more fully dealt with. This
wheel 95 is in gear with a second wheel 97 upon the spindle of the type roller
carried by a suitable frame shown in dotted lines Fig. 23. A second wheel 99 upon
the same spindle gears with a wheel 100 which may run loose upon the spindle of
the roller 92. The wheel 100 imparts motion to the larger wheel 100* attached to
the spindle of the disc 82.
Referring now to the main driving shaft 40 and the various wheels and mechanism
operated thereby, suitable fast and loose pulleys 102, 103 are mounted thereon as
shown in the front elevation Figs. 1 and 3, a third pulley 104 secured by any suitable
means to the shaft imparts motion by means of the belt 105 to a pulley 106 upon the
end of the spindle of the upper roller 11. This spindle also carries a worm 107 in
gear with a suitable wheel 108 upon the sbaft 109 carried on the frame 1. The
opposite end of the roller 11 carries a small pulley 59 the object of which is, as
herein before stated, to impart movement to the gumming disc. At the outer end of
the spindle of the roller 11 is mounted a pulley 110 over which passes the belt 111 to
a pulley 112 upon the spindle of the lower roller 14. The shaft 109 operates, by
means of a suitable bevel wheel 113, a wheel 114, attached to the roller 7 which
operates the apron 6. The wheel 114 is in gear with another wheel 115 upon the
end of the shaft of the roller 12.
At the opposite end of the shaft of the roller 12 is a chain wheel 115 which imparts
motion to the chain 117 which in its turn rotates the chain wheel 118 upon the end
of the shaft of the roller 9. To the outer end of the spindle of the roller 9. is secured
a wheel 119 which engages with and operates a wheel 120 upon the spindle of the
roll 4.
Upon the shaft 40. is mounted a bevel wheel 120 engaging with a similar wheel 121
upon a vertical shaft 96, having at its upper end a second wheel 122 gearing
with a wheel 123. This last wheel attached to the rollers in contact with the
underside of the band 21, a gear wheel 124 upon the opposite end of the spindle
gearing with and operating a similar wheel upon the spindle of the upper rollers
carried by the columns 125, 126. 127 is a bevel wheel attached to the shaft 40 and
gearing with a similar wheel 128 upon a vertical shaft 129 which is carried by suitable
bearings upon the frame 2 of the machine. This shaft has at its upper end a bevel
wheel 130 which gears with a similar wheel upon the spindle carried by the bracket 131
which supports the friction rollers driving the lower or carrying band 15.
It is obvious that the various parts herein enumerated and the means and methods
of operating the same may be varied or their equivalents substituted without
prejudicing the action or efficiency of the machine.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that
what we claim is :-
1. In a machine for making Cigarettes the feeding device for the loose tobacco
consisting of a series of rollers actuated and operating, substantially as set forth and
illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
2. In a machine for making Cigarettes the use of a device for forming the filler of
the Cigarette consisting of two flexible belts of metal or other suitable material,
substantially as herein set forth and shewn by the accompanying drawings.
3. In a machine for making Cigarettes the use of a folding device for enclosing
the filler within the paper constructed substantially as herein set forth and shewn by
the accompanying drawings.
4. In a machine for making Cigarettes the gumming device with the mechanism

page_text: connected therewith for applying the gum or the like to the paper substantially as
herein set forth and shewn by the accompanying drawings.
5. In a machine for making cigarettes the mechanism. herein described for cutting
such cigarette into convenient lengths for smoking constructed and operated as
shown by the accompanying drawings.
6. The combination of parts forming a Cigarette Machine constructed, arranged
and operated as herein set forth and as shown by the accompanying drawings.
1
1009
J. E. EVANS-JACKSON & CO.,
Agents for the Applicants..