AN IMPROVED MOULDING APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CIGARS
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Robert Lake at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th October 1877. A communi-
cation from abroad by Zenas Barnum Stearns, of Paris, France.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "AN IMPROVED MOULDING APPARATUS FOR THE
MANUFACTURE OF CIGARS." [A communication from abroad by Zenas Barnum
Stearns, of Paris, France.]
The moulding apparatus heretofore used in the manufacture of moulded cigars is
made of wood, and consists of two parts, in each of which is formed one-half of the
moulds or cavities in which the cigar "bunch" is formed, that is to say, the said
apparatus comprises a bottom part, in which are formed semicircular cavities or
moulds, whose sides extend up to the top surface of the said bottom part. The top
part has a series of projections or plungers, which also have a semicircular mould or
cavity, and whose sides are formed to enter and fit within the said cavities of the
bottom part, so that when the two parts of the apparatus are closed or pressed
together the cavities in the top and bottom parts of the apparatus form a circular
cavity or mould of the required shape and size of the cigar "bunch." It has however
been found in practice that the moulds formed as above described are very disadvan-
tageous in many respects. The edges of the top projections or plungers being neces-
sarily very fine or sharp, and being unprotected are very liable to break or split off,
thereby leaving an imperfect mould, whose action is very perceptible upon the cigars
made therein when the same are removed from the mould; and even when these
moulds are new and unimpaired they leave a ridge on the "bunch" at the line of junc-
tion between the top and bottom parts of the mould; therefore, after remaining in the
inoulds for the required time, the" bunches" have to be taken out and turned
partially round in the moulds, and again subjected to pressure therein, and this
turning of the cigar "bunches" involves as great or nearly as great an expenditure
of time and labor as the first insertion and pressure in the said moulds. Morcover
there is great difficulty in removing the "bunches" without injuring them from the
moulds when finished. These and other defects render these moulds very inefficient,
.

page_text: and prevent any very great rapidity and economy in the manufacture of the cigars,
and give to the same an appearance very different and inferior to that of a hand-
made cigar; but by my Invention these difficulties are entirely overcome, and the
objectionable features of the aforesaid apparatus are completely avoided.
The said Invention consists in the following peculiar construction of the said
apparatus, that is to say :-I construct the top and bottom parts of the apparatus
in which the two halves of the moulds, dies, or cavities are formed, of wood,
metal, or other suitable material; and instead of making the top part with a series
of plungers with sharp or fine edges to project within the sides of the lower
halves of the moulds, I form both the top and bottom halves of the moulds or dies
to meet each other; and I fit in each of the lower half moulds or dies a plunger
in which the semicircular cavity is formed; and these plungers are attached to
a longitudinal strip or bar that extends through the bottom of the apparatus, and
by means of the said strip or bar said plungers are operated. By adjusting this strip
or bar the said plungers may be raised or lowered within the moulds.
When the said apparatus is used the said strip or bar, and consequently the said
plungers attached thereto, are first forced down; the dies or cavities in the bottom
part are then filled with the material to form the "bunch;" then the top part
is placed on the said bottom part, its correct position thereon being ensured by the
usual pegs and holes or by other suitable means; then the said strip or bar and
plungers attached thereto are raised with the required pressure to compress and
properly shape the "bunch;" then the top part is removed and the plungers again
depressed. This last depression of the said plungers leaves the "bunches" merely
supported by the sides of the dies, from which they can be readily removed without
the slightest danger of injuring them.
With my improved apparatus constructed and operating as above described, no
perceptible crease will be formed on the sides of the bunch; therefore, the loss of
time and labor of turning the "bunches" in the dies may be entirely dispensed with,
and the cigars when finished will have an appearance equal or superior to that of a
hand-made cigar.
To prevent friction or "jamming" of the said plungers, I construct them slightly
taper or inclined from the bottom upward and outward.
I may provide the said apparatus with any desired or convenient number of
moulds.