Improvements in Cigarette Machines.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Dec., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 6th Sept., 1898-Accepted, 6th Feb.,
1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cigarette Machines.
I, ROBERT LEGG, of City Engine Works, Eagle Wharf Road, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to the class of machines in which shredded tobacco is
formed into a continuous rod of filler" and is then 'covered with a continuous
paper envelope and finally cut into lengths as cigarettes.
Hitherto the formation of the continuous rod from the heckled or carded shreds
of tobacco has been effected in such machines in various ways none of which are
quite satisfactory.
The present invention effects an improvement in this respect and consists of
mechanism by which the shredded tobacco after undergoing the heckling or card-
ing operation is deposited in the exposed segment of a deep groove formed with
parallel sides in the periphery of a wheel rotating on a horizontal axle-the wheel
carries in the bottom of its groove an eccentric ring or hoop of larger diameter than
the wheel and which therefore does not coincide with the groove throughout its
circumference and is only in contact with the bottom of the groove at about the
middle of the feeding space but is kept in position by supplementary guide rollers.
The groove in the first named wheel approximates in breadth to the diameter of
the required cigarette and the depth of the groove in the direction of the radius
is sufficient to contain the segment of the eccentric hoop lying therein and also
as much loose tobacco as is when suitably compressed equal in cross section to
that of the required cigarette. The eccentric hoop revolves with and about the
wheel and upon its edge before it projects beyond the groove the tobacco is com-
pressed by a vertical wheel the edge of which works in the groove just in advance
of the feeding space.
.
The peripheries of both the eccentric hoop and the compressing wheel are curved
in section approximately to either a semicircle or a semi-ellipse according to the
form of cigarette required.
The eccentric hoop by its greater diameter than that of the grooved wheel and
consequent less curvature lifts the moulded rod of tobacco out of the groove and
passes it to the covering mechanism which is of the common type.
D
1
e of Dacamber 1897
I, ROBERT LEGG, of City Engine Works, Eagle Wharf Road, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer, 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 relates to the class of machines in which shredded tobacco is

page_text: formed into a continuous rod or "filler" and is then covered with a continuous
paper envelope and finally cut into lengths as cigarettes.
Hitherto the formation of the continuous rod from the heckled or carded shreds
of tobacco has been effected in such machines in various ways none of which are
quite satisfactory.
The present invention effects an improvement in this respect and consists of
mechanism by which the shredded tobacco after undergoing the heckling or card-
ing operation is deposited in the exposed segment of a deep groove formed with
parallel sides in the periphery of a wheel rotating on a horizontal axle-the wheel
carries in the bottom of its groove an eccentric ring or hoop of larger diameter than
the wheel and which therefore does not coincide with the groove throughout its
circumference and is only in contact with the bottom of the groove at about the
middle of the feeding space but is kept in position by supplementary guide rollers.
The groove in the first named wheel approximates in breadth to the diameter of
the required cigarette and the depth of the groove in the direction of the radius
is sufficient to contain the segment of the eccentric hoop lying therein and also
as much loose tobacco as is when suitably compressed equal in cross section to
that of the required cigarette. The eccentric hoop revolves with and about the
wheel and upon its edge before it projects beyond the groove the tobacco is com-
pressed by a vertical wheel the edge of which works in the groove just in advance
of the feeding space.
The peripheries of both the eccentric hoop and the compressing wheel are curved
in section approximately to either a semicircle or a semi-ellipse according to the
form of cigarette required.
The eccentric hoop by its greater diameter than that of the grooved wheel and
consequent less curvature lifts the moulded rod of tobacco out of the groove and
passes it to the covering mechanism which is of the common type.
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of so much of a cigarette machine as is necessary
to illustrate this invention. Figures 2 and 3 are sections on the lines 2-2 and 3-3
Figure 1 respectively.
A is the heckling or carding apparatus which may be of any ordinary con-
struction.
B is the deeply grooved wheel in which according to this invention the heckled
tobacco is received and compressed.
C is the loose eccentric hoop rotating with and in the groove of B.
DE are vertical compressing rollers in the groove on the hoop C.
FF are supplementary rollers receiving and carrying forward the rod of tobacco
as it debouches from the groove.
G is the position of the wrapping apparatus of an ordinary cigarette machine.
H is the bending roller over which the wrapping paper H' and its tape H2 is
passed to conduct the core of tobacco to the wrapping apparatus.
II are guiding wheels to the hoop C.
All the parts are driven by suitable gearing of the usual description which is
not shown.
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
The combination of the grooved wheel and the eccentric hoop of larger
diameter in the groove.
2. Apparatus substantially as described and shown in the drawings.