981,635. Cigar-making machines. K. KÍRBER. May 15, 1962 [June 24, 1961], No. 18546/62. Addition to 916,042. Heading A2C. A device for manipulating a cigar bunch severed from a continuous cigar rod, where tobacco is removed from the ends thereof as claimed in the Parent Specification and the ends are then compressed together, including conveyers provided with holder for the cigar bunches, in characterized in that one grooved conveyer is associated with at least one drilling unit coincident with its grooves and operating coaxially with the bunch, and a following grooved conveyer is associated with at least one presser unit operating transversely of the axis of the bunch. As shown a magazine 3 (Fig. 1) feeds double length bunches 4 to grooves 1 in a drilling conveyer 2 where the ends of the bunches are drilled. The drilled bunches are then transferred by a drum 9 to grooves 10 in a presser conveyer 11 where the ends of the bunches are pressed and shaped, the bunches being then transferred to a conveyer 17 by a drum 16. Drilling and pressing units are associated with each end of the grooves of the conveyers 1 and 11 and rotate therewith. The conveyer 1 consists of discs 28 (Fig. 3) mounted on a drive shaft 22. Also mounted on the shaft 22 are hub bodies 24 each of which has two flanges 26, 27 which carry a sleeve 42 in which is rotatably mounted a spindle 6 having a drill 48 mounted thereon. The spindle is driven by means of a pinion 37 and gears 38 and 41, the gear 38 being rotatable on a stationary flanged bearing sleeve 23. The sleeve 23 carries a disc 29 provided with an endless cam groove 31 in which runs a roller 32 connected to a member 43 attached to the sleever 42. Movement of the roller 32 in the groove 31 effects reciprocation of the drill, rotary movement of the sleeve 42 being prevented by a roller 45 which runs in a slot 46 between the flanges 26, 27. The member 29 is provided with a second engless cam groove 35 in which runs a roller 36 connected to the ends of a pair of adjustable rods 53, the other ends of which are connected to the free ends of a pair of coacting clamp members 7, pivoted on a pin 51 on the hub body 24. Rotation of the clamps 7 is prevented by a roller 56 which runs in a radial slot 57 in the body 24. The cams 31 and 35 are so shaped that the bunch is clamped during the drilling operation. The conveyer 11 (Fig. 4) comprises discs 60, the grooves 10 being arranged in the periphery of a ring 61 attached to each disc 60. Each disc 60 carries a U-shaped bearing block 72 in which rods 76, 77, fastened to a cross member 75, are slidably mounted. Attached to the rods 76, 77 is a presser plunger 14 reciprocation of which is effected by a roller 82 attached to the cross member 75 which runs in an endless cam groove in a disc 99 supported by a bearing in the machine frame. A pair of presser jaws 13 are mounted on supporting levers 63, 64 which are pivoted to a pin 62 fastened to the disc 60 and are operated by means of adjustable rods 65, the ends of which are attached respectively to the ends of the levers 63, 64 and to a shaft 67 which carries a roller 69 running in an endless cam groove 68 in a ring 100 fixed to the disc 99. Rotation of the jaw levers 63, 64 is prevented by a roller 71 on the shaft 67 which runs in a radial slot in the disc 60. The bunch 4 is supported during pressing on a rail 15 attached to radially slidable rods 91, 92 fixed to a cross member 90. The member 90 is provided with a roller 97 which runs in an endless cam groove 96 provided in a ring 101 attached to the disc 99. Attached to the cross member 75 is a lug 83 having projections 84, 85 which, during the latter part of their upward movement, embrace the jaw 13. The arrangement is such that the end of the bunch is squeezed between the jaws 13 and then the presser plunger 14 and support rail 15 are raised to complete pressing. Surplus tobacco 80 is then removed by a cutter 79. The plunger 14 and rail 15 lowered to return the bunch to its groove 10, the initial movement of plunger 14, and consequent lowering of the projections 84, 85, allowing the jaws 13 to open.