US1154913A

US1154913A - Machine for pressing and finishing plug-tobacco.

Info

Publication number: US1154913A
Application number: US81000714A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert B Dula
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1914-01-02
Filing date: 1914-01-02
Publication date: 1915-09-28
Anticipated expiration: 1932-09-28

Description

MACHINE FOR PRESSING AND FINISHING PLUG TOBACCO.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 2,1914.

1,154,913. Patented Sept. 28, 1915.

8 SHEETS-SHEET I.

55 J7 l 'zgl.

OLUMBXA PMNDURAPH C0,, WASHINGTON. D. c.

R. B. DULA.

MACHINE FOR PR ESSING AND FINISHING PLUG TOBACCO.

' APPLICATION FILED JAN.2, I914. v 1,154 913. PatentedSept. 28, 1915.

8 SHEETS-SHEE'I 2.

54: 0 nvewboz fiwnmv $51 75 (lift/me 5 MW L%,,M %MAM #51 COLUMBIA PLANOURAPM (0.. WASHINUTON, n. c.

' R. B. DULA. MACHINE FOR PRESSING AND FINISHING PLUG TOBACCO.

Patented Sept. 28, 1915.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 3 APPLICATION FILED JAN. 2. 1914. 1,154,913.

COLUMBIA PLANDGRAPH CO WASHl NmN, D. C-

R. B. DULA. MACHINE FOR PRESSING AND FINISHING PLUG TOBACCO.

- APPLICATION FILED JAN. 2. I914. 1,154,913.

8 SHEETSSHEET 4 Patented Sept. 28, 1915.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH c0.. WASHINGTON. D. c.

, R. B. DULA.

MACHINE FOR PRESSING AND FINISHING PLUG TOBACCO.

APPLICATION EILED JAN.2. 1914.

1,154,913. Patented Sept. 28, 1915.

8 SHEETSSHEET 5.

I I I y' 106 107 D/LWgWeo: awe/Mex WW4. pa mi COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH CO..WASHINOTON. D4 c.

R. B. DULA.

MACHINE FOR PRESSING AND FINISHING PLUG TOBACCO.

APPLICATION FILED IAN.2. 1914.

1 1 54,9 1 3 Patented Sept. 28, 1915.

8 SHEETSSHEET 6 COLUMBIA PLANDGRAPH co., WASHINGTON, D. c.

R. B. DULA. MACHINE FOR PRESSING AND FINISHING PLUG TOBACCO. APPLICATION FILED 1AN.2, 1914.

1 1 54,9 1 3 Patented Sept. 28, 1915.

8 SHEETSSHEET 7.

COLUMBIA PLANOQEAPN CO. WASHINGTON. D

R. B. DULA.

MACHINE FOR PRESSING AND FINISHING PLUG TOBACCO.

Z l i 0 00 0 0 W M 9 d 2 i I 9 W m w I W M flaw P I, M M Z 7 .0 Z w m 00 4 fl JW H Mw 4 ow vw & MP 0 00 f M J 8 M 5 Z Z 2 m w a 2 M w d 8 1 OM To all whom it may Camera:

c A i transferee in nonnn'nn. bum er mam-cows, new roman;

Madame-spa,lanssnraia rm sm'm PLUG-TOBACCO.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. as, 11915.,

lit lest-idsiiieaaanaary 2, 1914 Serial no. 8'10j007.

Be it known thatI, ROBERT. B. DULA, a

citizen of the United States, residing-at, Tarrytown, in the/county I of Westchest'er and State of New York, have invented new.

and useful Improvements 7 in Machines for Pressingand Finishing Plug Tobacco, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to machines for pressing andfinishingplug tobacco, andha's for its object to provide acoinpletely organizedmachine for automatically feeding into pressing molds or frames partly formed" plugsof tobacco, and a separ'atihgplate be i tween each plug, pressing each plugas it enters the molda'nd, after predetermined number have beenfed into mold; holdsaid plugs under compression:between' top and:

bottom pressing plates alsoautomatically fed to the mold in proper time; r'einov1n*g,in' succession the filledm'ol'ds' fromtheg fillmgposition and placing them on aslowly moving conveyerthat transports them from the machine and back a gain, thetime "consumed" in making the cycle over the conveyer being suiiiciently long for the compressed plugs to set ej ecting the pli'i'gs separating plates and cssing plates by si'iita-bleautomatic discharging mechanism that pushthem from the molds ontoatemp'orary supper-weepsrating the plugs from the platesas they-are removed from the support; and delivering said plugs to a conveyer which carries them to packing position or wherever desired, the plates passingseparately from thema'chme into position to he gathered and returnedto their respectivehoppers and finally; trans-= fer-ring the empty molds fromtlie-diseliarge 1 ing mechanism back again to thefillingf mechanism, the en tire series of operations; being carried out in order Witliout manual assistance Another object of the invention-ism-pie vide a pressing mold or frame of novel construction into which havesbeen fed ,a-predetermined number of plugs'and separating plates therebetween, and a pressing plate above and below the plugs, which pressing plates form a temporary top andbottom forsaid mold, and after the plugs have been pressed individually and collectively; to an tomatically lock said presSingplateS' on the compressed plugs and hold tli'e'I n thus u'ntll fully set. i

A; further object of the invention is to provide a pressing means that will give each plug an individual maximum compression when fed into the mold and'the same pressure to all the previously pressed plugs in saidhm'old asit is being filled, automatic means being, provided to insure the maximum pressure and prevent any increase thereof. 7

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel transporting and transferring means for moving the pressed'molds whiletheplugsare setting; means for separatmg the plates from the plugs and delivering.

the same figure. j Fig. 4: is a front elevation of: the machine-partly in section. Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional View on the line 5--5 Fig: 3. Fig. 6 isa sectional View in a plane parallel to planeof section of Fig. 2 illus trating only some special parts of the invention. Fig. 7 is an enlarged plan View partly in-se'etion showing the plug hopper, separating plate hopper, and means for feedin'gplugs-and plates tothe plunger.

Fig. 8 a central vertical section view of' the same parts; Flg. 9 1s an enlarged vert1- calsectional'view of the mold box or frame.

Fig. 10' is an elevationof: one side of the same. Fig. 11 is a top-plan view of the mold-box,

Inthedrawings 20 indicates the support-- 'ing frame as whole, including standards 21 that rise-from the floor and support a horizontalta-ble22, above which'the standards rise, as-at 23, 24, to a suitable height and at thetop are-provided with bearings 25 for a crank shaft 26, the purpose of Whi'ehwill be described later.

For simplifying thedescription, that side of the machine" in Fig. 1 at the bottom of the sheet willbe called the front, the oppo site side the rear, theside on the right'the right" hand side, and the side on the left theleft hand side.

Above the table 22 and parallel therewith is asIrelfQT sustained by brackets that project i'fi'W'aimllyffom the standard extensions- 24,-upon which shelf 1s secured a "hopper 28 for the material A to be pressed'in the" present instance bars of plug tobacco partly compressed; another hopper 29 containing the metal separating plates B that are inserted between the plugs, and athird hopper 30 for holding the pressing plates 0 that are. placed at the top and bottom of a stack of plugs and between which they are pressed.

The material or plug hopper 28 is mounted in vertical position on the shelf 27 a short distance from its front edge, and extends as high as desired, being open both at the top for the insertion of plugs to be pressed and finished, and at the bottom through which they are ejected one at a time. Behind the hopper 28 and spaced therefrom is the hopper 29 for the separating plates preferably of less height than V the hopper 28 and open at top and bottom for insertion and ejection of the plates.

Between the

hoppers

28, 29, is a vertically reciprocating pressing plunger 31 secured on the lower end of a piston rod 32 provided with a piston 33 on its upper end that may travel in a cylinder 34. On op posite .sides of the cylinder are vertical sliding bars 35 secured on the bottom of A to be pushed between its under side and the shelf27. Directly under the plunger the cylinder and movable in'guides 36 on the

standard extensions

23, 24. Pivotally connected to the cylinder 34 are .two connecting rods 37'that extend upward to a crank 38 on the shaft 26, the rotation of which reciprocates the cylinder, that is, it raises and lowers the cylinder, piston and pressing plunger. F astened on the shelf 22' between the

hoppers

28, 29 but offset therefrom'is the pressing plate hopper 30 and like the other hoppers is open at the top and bottom.

When the plunger 31 is in its highest position, there is sufficient room for a plug is an opening 39 in the shelf 27 of thesize of the plug through which opening the plugs A, separating plates B and pressing plates C are pushed by the plunger into pressing molds or frames 40 when fed thereover by means now tobe described.

On the shelf 27 in front of the hopper 28 is a horizontally reciprocating pusher 41 movable in slides 42 and adapted to travel beneath the hopper toward the opening 39,

The pusher at its rear'end is as wide as the plugs A are long and about as high as a partly compressed plug is thick, to engage plugs singly and push them accurately to the opening 39 and beneath the plunger. The forward end of the pusher is connected to a lever 43 on a rock shaft 44 journaled in bearings above the shelf 27, said shaft being rocked by a connecting rod 45 pivoted V at one end to anarm 46 on said rock shaft and at its other endito an arm 47 ,on a

second rock shaft-48 'to which motion is of the pusher of sufficient, width in the direction ofmovement to support all the plugs in the hopper above the bottom one until. the withdrawal of the pusher, whereupon they descend to place another plug in posi:

tion to be ejected.

At the bottom of the hopper 29 containing the separating plates 13 are two rocking plates 54, see Fig. 7, that support the plates 13, pivoted intermediate their ends to the front and rear walls respectively ,of said hoppervto swing in horizontal planes. These plates 54 are substantially as long as the separatingplates B, their inner edges at each end projecting toward the hopper in the form of

blades

55, 56 that alternately swing beneath the separating plates in said hopper as the plates 54 are rocked. ,.The blades 56 which area little higher than the blades 55 are on opposite ends' of the plates 54 so that when said plates, consite corners of the separating plates and the blades 55 away therefrom. The latter blades between operations extend under the hopper and sustain the separating plates at two diagonally opposite corners, the other corners being unsupported. When the blades 55 which are a little lower than the bottom plate, swing inwardly, the stack ofplates descend until they rest on said blades. After a short interval, the horizontal plates 54 are moved in the opposite direction, withdrawing the blades 55 from beneath the stack and thrusting the blades 56, which have knife edges, between the bottom plate and the plate next above, releasing the bottom plate which thereupon drops upon horizontal supporting rails 58 beneath the hopper inposition to be carried to the opening 39, as more clearly shown in Fig. 8.

The blades are rocked by a cam 59, Figs.

3 and 5 fixed on the shaft 50, that actuates a rod 60 connected to one arm of an elbow lever '61, from the other arm of which a link 62 extends to one of the rocking plates In guides 63 on the shelf 27 beneath the hopper 29 is mounted a slide 64 that pro-. jects a short distance above the supporting rails 58 and travels to and from the opening '39 in said shelf, the forward edge of which slide engages the separating plate been fed from the hopper 28. The slide'is "feed a pressure plate from the hopper 30 on the rails and feedsit to the opening 39 simultaneously with the plug A and just above the same, thesup'porting rails 58 being at the proper height to maintain the plate above the plug. The slide is op erated by a lever on the same shaft 48 with the level-52, connected by a linked with an arm 67 on a shaft 68 from 'which a 'second arm G9 depends, the free 'end of' which is connected to the slidehc. 4 The plugs A are'guidedto the opening 39 and centered thereover by spring fingers are fed to the mold or frame, and after the last plug and plate have been pushed therein, a pressing plate C in each" instance must be placed in the mold, tliese lplates constituting respectively, the bottoin and top of the mold 40 as more clearlyshownin Fig. i

9. To. do this the pressure 'plate'hopper 30 is secured on the shelf 27 (at the left hand end of the opening 39, and intothefbottom' of said hopper a slide 72 projects tliat engages the lowest pressure plate and pushes it above the opening 39 through wlnch'it drops into the mold or frame 40. The reciprocation of the slide 72 is timed to feed a plate 0 into themold before and after a predetermined number of plugs have reciprocated by an arm 73, see rigsib and 6, connected thereto, hired on ashort shaft Tet rocking in bearings on the standards 21' below the table 22, said shaft havingtaerea on a second arm 75-held againsta cam TG bya spring 77 connected to thearm 73 and to the frame. The cam 76 is formed with two depressionsZS, 79, of such shape and soy spaced from each other that as thecam rotates, the depressions will be brought in succession opposite the end of arm 7 5 which will drop' into said depressions under the tension of spring 77 and each time permit the arm 7 3 to operate the slidequicldyand The pressing molds or frameseO, asshow'n in detail in Figs. 9,10, and ll, are strong rectangular box like containers having I a cross sectional area equal to the lengthand, width of the finished plug and aflheight to contain any desired number ofplugs, in thepresent embodiment, the pressing molds are designed to hold tenfplugs. have parallel frontand rear sides 80, parallel ends 81, and are open from top a to bottom.

Other spring fingers 71 the plunger and the pressure plate. be understood that'the plugs'in the hopper These I molds Each end 80has forwardly and reari-vardly PIOJBCtlDg'fel) '82 that give the mold a firm I tails of the latches 83, Si at each end of each side overlap and are joined by'a pin and slot connection 86 so as to operate in unison, and are normally held away from the sides by springs 87 that keep the hooked ends 88, 89 of the latches respectivelybe- .neath the mold and within the slots 85. The feet 82 project below the bottom of the mold and stand on the table 22, the space between the feet when the mold is in place below the opening 39 in the shelf 27 being filled by an elevated block 90 as high as the bottom of the nioldupon which the lower pressure plate C in the mold bears. Grooves 91 are made in the block for; the lower lathes83 to pass into. The latches 83, 8st hold theplugs in the mold-under continuous pressure by means of their hooked ends 3 which engage over the edges of the upper and lower pressure plates C. i I

A mold, such as described, is placed by hand, or automatically by means hereinafter described, beneath the opening v39,-'Whereupon a pressing plate C is fed from the hopper 3'0 and falls through said opening to the bottom of the mold and istheresupported on the block 90; Plugs A. of tobacco and separating plates B are then fed 1' successively into the mold untilthe predeterinin'ed number of plugs and separating plates have entered therein. A second pressure plate is then fed into the mold andwthe stack of plugs, separating plates and pres sure plates are held under pressure between the upper and lower latch hooks 88, 89.

' As'each plug and plate is fed over the opening 39, the plunger 31 descends, pushing the plug and plate to the bottom of the mold-and compressing said plug between It is to 28 have'been only partly pressed while substantlally aslong and as Wide as the finished T plug," they are thicker and less compact,

hence a finishing pressure or pressures is necessary before they are ready for the unarket. The'plunger 31,as heretofore de scribed, is on the lower end of a piston rod 32 the upper end of which carries a piston that may travel in a cylinder 34-, said parts being reciprocated by the crank 38 more clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4., The piston t der compression between said piston and the head of the cylinder. A guiding rod 93 extends from the piston longitudinally of the cylinder, through head, where its end is threaded and fitted with nuts 95 that serve as stops to limit the downward nioyement ofthe piston. At the top of the cylinder is a check valve 96, see Fig. 3, that admits air into the cylinder during'the downward movement ofthe piston,

and a regulating valve 97 thatcan be adjusted to permit the escape of air from the cylinder during the upward movement of the piston when the pressure in said cylinder tends to exceed a determined point. The

plunger 31 onv its downward movement to plug, the movement of the plunger in unison with the cylinder is arrested, the latter however continues its descent, but the piston and plunger move only as the plug yieldsto pressure.

. the cylinder compressing the air therein and increasing the pressure won the plugs until the predetermined pressure is reached,

whereupon the relief valve 97 is forced open 7 and excess pressure permitted to escape.v

The pressure on the plugs thereafter re-.

mains constant during the; continuance of the downward throw of the crank 38. It will be seen, therefore, that as each plugand separating plate are fed into the mold, the

plug receives a preliminary pressure to.

partly compress it. The plunger 31' continues to reciprocate, pushing a-plug and a separating plate with each downward stroke into the mold and. compressing the plugs; This continues untilthe mold has received its full complement of plugs, where- ,upon' the movement of the plunger is stopped, the filled mold removed and an.

empty one inserted in its place. Each-plug entering the mold'engages the inclined edges 98 of the hooked ends 89 of "the upper latches '84 and push the latches outward,

stripsg99 on the plunger holding them outward until the'plunger withdraws from the mold.

With the last plug and separating sheet, thetop pressure plate enters the mold and the three are pushed down until the-latter platepasses the hooked ends 89 before the.

reliefvalve 97 opens and the plunger stops.

The plates C are of sufficient thickness to be rigidso that they will not bulge greatly under pressure. This imparts to all theplugs of the pack within the mold a final pressure whichis maintained for a sufficiently long period to enable the plugs to set, so that \ihenreinoved from the mold the plugs will be of equalthickness, which is rendered posthe spring and out. through a stuffing box 94 in the cylinder The piston isthus pushed up in siblebecause each plug contains the same quantity of tobacco, and the length and width of'each being the same, each plug will be subjected to the same continuous final pressure. The two ends of the plunger have each a notch 100 therein which, when the plunger stops after the last plug is pressed, are opposite the hookedends 89 and. into which said hooked ends enter, permitting them and the hooked ends of the-lower latches 83 to engage the edges of the upper and lower pressure pansion of the plugs. l

The separating plates are made of metal and have smooth surfaces which contact with the plugs, and owing to the continuous pressure sustained by the plugs and plates and prevent explatesfor such along time, the sides of the v plugs when removed from the molds will be smooth and highlyfinished. The separating plates may have on one orbcth sides one or more characters in relief, as the trademark, a name or the like that is impressed in the plug while under pressure, also ribs equally spaced may be formed across the plates toimpress transverse grooves in the plugs forindicating lines of division. thereon. These relief charactersand ribs are not necessary. however, and perfectly smooth plates maybe used if desired.

-- After the top and bottom pressureplates havebeen secured by the latches, the molds may be removed by hand and stored for a suficient length of time for the plugs to set, and then opened and the plugs andplates removed manuallybut in an organized automatic machine herein illustrated and described, suitable means are provided for automatically removing the molds from the. filling position onto a conveying mechanism that transportsthem slowly from the machine and backagain to a discharging mechanism that ejects the plugs and plates from the mold, separates the plugs and plates and delivers them where desired, and returns the molds to beagain filled, the time required 1 for the complete cycle of movement being sufficiently long for the plugs to thoroughly A set. The automatic means for transporting the molds from the filling to the discharge position will now be described. 7 r

Extending crosswise of the machine below the table 29 from about the center toward the left side isashaft 101, seeFigs. 1, 2, 3, and 6, A second shaftlOQ, in. line with shaft j 101,. extends to the, right side. A miter gear-103 on shaft 101 drives an inter' .mediate miter gear lO-i that meshes with-a similar gear 105 on the shaft 102 and turns it in a direction opposite that of shaft 101. Secured on each shaft isa belt pulley or drum around which pass conveyer belts 106,

eon ey r lt 106 itrmels from the machine and bel .1 toward the ma hine, and may be supp r e on a erie of ro lers, a how o by her ean On these t o be s th fi ed molds are car e re r slow y by an int rmittent mo em n f om the machine and back again to be emptied, the time require to t satire ycl being a out two hours, h s m e ng nec ssary o he sca p e se p ugs to se s as n t to ense hen as $9 01 pressu ef re eivin e d f t o tgo hg belt 1 16 nd the discharge end of n m ng belt 11 re a sho di tan e i s at o t e fill ng: esit on f t molds 40, which, ,afterbeing Elled ,are ,placed pon the l a d oth r 1261119VQ1 f om he l 0. y th toiletr es means- Oil the right and le tside o t l ne of travel t the tg ng molds tw h r Zontal ba s 1 1 m u t to tec peoeat in u ta e s pno ts nd ea h rectified Q11 it upper side with two paw-ls 113, 11% spaced apart and motmted ,on pivots. The free ends v0t the pawls on each gbar project toward those at he ba and are snfl i nt y long to engage and move the 'ino-lds as the bars tra t tel nearwardly, bait yield on the greturn movement ,of the bars it they -.contact with a mold. Similar butshorter reciprocats ba 5: 1 a d spose on oppos t sides of the incoming belt 10ft; these bars hon'emer have each only pawl 117 to memove the filled molds 'tnom the belt and carry them to discharge position.

Momement is given the

bars

111, 112, 115, 116 by a

cam

118, 3, fised on a shaft {119 upon which the cam 76 turns freely. This cam operates a bar 120 carrying a roller 121 on one ,end hearing against the cam, t he other .end of said bar being )pivoted to the free end of ,a short arm 122 fastened on a cross shaft 123 near the {Boost o-f the ,ma chine. Two upright arms 1%, 125 ,spinned on, the sha-ifit 123 are connected by pin and slot joints to the outer sides of the reci-lh ocating bars 112, 116. Rocking freely on the shaft 110 near the center of {the machine are two other

upright arms

126, 127 that are connected [to the bars 111,115 by similar pin e slo Jo n A n 8 ex e ds th each ,

arm

126, 127 forwardly, each link being attached to an arm 129 rfaston Ithe'shatt 123.

As the cam 118 rotates-in ,the direction ,of the arrow, the depression therein. will be brought opposite ,the roller {L21 heneupon a spring 130 drawing the bar 120 forward, will, (through the (connections, ,descrihed, wing th ea ns 2 1 2 26, 1127' in th same direction ,and move the ,igeciprocating bars 111. 112, 11-5, ,116 into thepositionindid y d t d in s s Ed e 8 en s, whereupon the ,pangls 11,7 -age ,behind a .mold ,on .the Q011181,l;);6l,l3 and {it f ai lt .be tl ta t e 2 lltr eld an r t mold t th l tesdet s Th cam 118 then draws the bar 120 rearwardly, moving the reciprocating bars in the same direction, causing the pawls113 to engage and vmore the filled mold from beneath the opening 39 onto the belt 106, and the 'pawls 114: to bring an empty mold to filling position. The empty molds are transferred from the discharging mechanism into position to be engaged by the pawls ll lby m ch nism Whi h Will be hereinafter set forth. a

After the filled mold has been placed on the co-nreyer belt 106, the latter is moved a short distance and then stops, the distance moved being substantially the length from front to rear of the foot pieces 82 on the bottom of the mold. The means for moving 1 the belts will be described later.

VlVith ,each intermittent movement of the belt 1% a mold is discharged from its rear end onto a platform 131 against a stop rail 1:35 on the ,end of the same across Which platform t-he mold is transferred to a point {in line with belt 107 Where through the longitudinal reciprocation of horizontal bars 132 bearing pawls 133 similar to the bars and pawls at the other-end of the belt and connected thereto by rods 131-, ainold is gnored onto rear end of belt 107 simultalleously with the removal of one from its tonward lend. Each mold as itis removed gli'igotn the belt 107 is carried by the pawls 5117 against a rib 1 36 on the front of the table 22 whichstops the mold-over a discharge opening 137 in the table, see Fig. 2. Above the opening and morable yertically to and from the same is an ejecting plunger 13S auran ed to enter the mold, strike the n- ,olined edges to release the latches, and then -,p 1sh its contents through the discharge opening. The plunger 138 s al -fixed onthe.

@lQWQr endot' a slide bar 139 movable in a guide 140 fastened on the standard 2% and actuated by an arm 1&1 having a pm and slot connection at its free end -W1tl1 said silde -;ba,r. 'illhe arm l-lrl is part of a lever having ,a short ar n 14-3, and is mounted on .a rock- .sha ft 142 extending across the machine near the ,upper end of the

standards

22, 23. To this ,secon diar n M13 is 'pivotalltattached a ,cam ,actnated bar 14 -1 extending downward to mid onei-ated by a c m l os y mo n ed ,on'the shaft 119. The cam nox esintcr- ,n ittent'l v and ejects at each movement, a pressed and rlllllglled plug and a separating ,plate which fall -,through=the open ng 13? upon a shelf 146 that projects a ,shor tdis- ,ta nce beyond the opening 137 totv 21rd an adjacent inclined chute 147 directed down ward to a transverse delierery ybeltlltl leading eater from th mach e o t ha 138 ifast ned on th tar Plunger 1 {for wiping out the ,mold sigijiultaneously avith' tli-e ejection of the plugs theregfirom.

, fieloir and inst behind a h at cha ne 149 projecting down from the discharge opening 137 is'an ejector plate 150 that pushes the plugs from the shelf onto the chute 147. -The plate 150 is fastened on a strip 151 having a depending vertical'portion 152 at its right side to which is connected an arm 153 on a short shaft 154 near the. floor that is rocked by means of a cam 155 fast onthe shaft .50 actuating a cam bar "156 connected to a second arm 157 on the shaft 154.

It is desirable that the separating plates B be otherwise disposed of than discharging them on the delivery belt with the finished plugs and, therefore, one or more electro magnets 158' are fixed above the path of movement of the ejected plugs and separating plates on the'upper side of the plugs. The poles of the magnets are close to the passing plates and attract said plates,which .are preferably made of tinned iron, and

hold them while the plugs continue toward the belt 148. As soon as the plugs pass and the ejector returns to position, the electric circuit through the magnets is broken, permitting the plates to drop in front of the shelf and fall into a tapering channel 159 by which they are guided to a collector160 below the conveyer belt 148. Should a separating plate adhere to the bottom of a plug from any cause and lie between the plug and the shelf, a second electro1nagnet or series of magnets 161 below the shelf are provided to hold said plate. The magnets 161 are mounted on a pivot 162 to swing from an inclined position below the shelf 146 into position where the faces of their poles will be in a plane with the top of the shelf and thus serve as supports for the ejected plugs. The magnets are swung into line with the shelf at each forward movement of the ejector 150 by a cam 163 on the forward edge of the vertical portion'152 of the strip 151 fastened on the ejector. This cam acts on an 7 arm 164 projecting from the magnet pivot a forward direction from the front'of the machine, but having an inclination laterally, as in Fig. 4.- The plates are pushed against 7 a sliding block 166 in the trough as they fall from the channel by apusher 167 that is moved back and forth byan arm 168 on the rock shaft 154 connected by a link 169 with a sliding stem on the pusher. The two magopened and closed by the movement of the swinging magnets 161, or in any other suitable and well known manner.

The transfer mechanism for shifting the molds 40 from one conveyer belt to the other at the front and rear ends of said belts comprise two transversely reciprocating horizontal bars, see Fig. 1, one 170 at the front of the table 22 and the other 171 in rear of the platform 131, both bars being above the plane of. the conveyer belts. These reciprocating transfer bars 170, 171 each move in suitable supports and have racks 172, 173, respectively, on their under sides with which gear

wheels

174, 175 engage. Fixed to the respective gear wheels are '

pinions

176, 177 rotated by vertically

movable racks

178, 179. V The rack 178 is operated by an arm 180 projectingforwardly from a sleeve 181 turning loosely on the shaft 123, said arm having a slot'on its free end with which a pin on the rack bar 178 engages. An arm 182 similar to arm 180 moves the rear rack bar 179. An arm 183 projects downward from the loose sleeve 181 and is connected by a rod 184 to an upwardly projecting arm 185 fixed on the arm 182. By this means the two vertical rack bars 178, 179, are moved in unison, as also are the two

transfer bars

170, 171, the latter bars however move in opposite directions,

this result being obtained by engaging the vertical rack bars with opposite sides of the

pinions

176, 177. A cam 186 operates the

arms

180, 182 through acam bar 187 on which is. a roller within the cam slot. said bar being connected to an arm 188 projecting from the sleeve 181;

' A finger 189 is fastened on the transfer bar 170 and extends rearwardly over the .table 22 in position to engage the right end wardly causing the gear wheels 174, to V rotate and the transfer bars to reciprocate in opposite directions. whereupon the

fin gers

189, 190 will each carry a mold across the machine, and leave it in line with a conveyer belt, the finger 189 moving to the left with an empty mold toward the belt 106,

into and out of a mold during the packing operation may at times cause a displacement of such mold unless means are provided to lilriven by a gear wheel wheel 210 and turning with said shaft are hold it stationary. One such means is shown in Figs. 1 and 4 of the ,di'ra-wings and comprises a

pairof arms

191, 192; pivoted below the table22 at 193, 194 and. X tending up through openings rt-hereinonthe right and left ends ofthe filling position of the mold. forked as at195 'to engage the ends of a mold and hold it against dis ilacement, and are swung into engagement by a: cam 190 on the shaft 11.9;actuatingin one direction, a bell crank lever 19'? one arm of which is connected by link 198 to anarm 199 pro-, jecting from each forkedarm 191 192. A spring 200 disengages the forked arms from the mold and holds the bell crank lever against the cam. I a The mechanisms hereinabove described are given lIlOtlQlltlllOllgll a-pr1mary,dr1ving shaft 201 extending across the machine in rear of standards 21 and below theltable 22 from anyconvenient source of power, in the embodiment shown, an electric motor 202 is provided, see Figs 1 and 6, onthe shaft of which is a worm 203 driving a worm gear fixed on the shaft 201,,on which shaft is alsoa broad faced pinion 205 in continuous engagement witha spur gear 206 fast on asleeye 207 free both to rotate drives a similar gear. 230 below the same and at, right angles thereto, this second gear 'Ine'shing with a third gear wheel 281011 a longitudinal'shaft 232 that extends toward the front of the machine where a gear wheel thereon drives a gear wheel-234 on the and slide on the shaft 50. The ends ofthe sleeve 207are each made with a clutch face, one of which couples with the complementary clutch face on a collar 208 fasten the shaft when moved to the left, or with a like face on a sleeve 209 free to irotate onith-e shaft and provided with a spuri' gear wheel 210. Fixed on the shaft50, see Figs. 2 and are the

cams

49, 59, and l55,the driving pinion 211 of? a step by step or Geneva movement, a small pinion'2l2, a sprocket wheel 213 and a spiral gear wheel 214, The sprocket wheel"213 drivesfa chain 2l5-that extends upward andcpasses over a sprocket wheel 210 on the crank shaft '26 to drive the same. The pinion 212 meshes with a large spur gear 217 to which is secured a pinion 218 bothof which are loose on the shaft 119, said pinion driringanother largef gear wheel 219 fixed on the shaft 101. This shaft 101 and shaft 102 carryirespectively the pulleys or drums 220, 22.1. around which the

conreyer belts

106,, 107 pass and by which they are driven, The shaft 119is from thegear cams 11S and 186; The"

other cams

145, 76 and fl96and the large intermittently movable wheel of the Geneva; movement are loose on said shaft and move in unison with said wheel 223 when the smaller wheel or pinion 21]. rotates. I

The several mechanisms operated by and through the cams and gears fast on the shaft 50 are put in motion whenever the clutch on the sleeve 207 is in. engagement The upper ends of the levers are ni sms'include the entire machine except the mold transferring means at opposite, ends of the conveyor belts 106; 107, which means is Qperatedonly when the sliding sleeve 207 which time allthe other mechanisms are/[at restigand remain inactive until the clutch that-revolves in proper time a worm wheel 2251ofna stub shaft on one side of which heel-is a cam 226 with a peripheryof suitable shape and proportions against which i an arm 227 is held by aspring 228.

A shifting: lever 229 securedaon'the pivot of the arm227 has a forkedupper'end that embraces the, sleeve 20.7. and engages a slot therein. Theworm wheel 225 and cam226 make'one complete revolution with each-operation of themachine, the scam being so timed that it moves.;,the shifting lever 229 r'to coupleup the transfer mechanism for operationafterv the plunger 31 has filled one mold and the plunger-138 emptied another. The spiral gear wheel'214 on the shaft 50 shaft ofone of the pulleys or drums over Which the finished plug conveyor belt 148 passes.

In the operation of the machine, let it be assumed that the

hoppers

28, 29 and 30 are filled respectively-with plugs A- to be pressed, separating plates B, and pressure plates C, and an empty mold 40in position below. the opening 39 and locked in place by the arms 191, The motor being started, the shaft201 rotates continuously, the pinion205 thereon driving the gear wheel 206 Jon the loosesleeve 207. The clutch. on said the slide 72 to push a pressure plate C from the .liopper 30 over the opening 39 that it may fall into the bottom of the mold 40.

The cam 59now actuates the bar 60 through which the plates 54, below the hopper 279, are operated to drop a separating plate B upon the rails 58. The pusher 41 and the slide. 64 are immediately advanced by the with the fixed sleeve 208, These,.mechaengages the sleeve209 to rotate the shaft 119 and the cams 118,186 fixed thereon, at

loo

' 31. By this time the crank 37, driven by the sprocket wheel 213 and'chain 215, has brought theplunger 31 downward topush saidjplug and plate into the mold 40 against the pressure plate C in the bottom thereof.

I The crankin its downward movement carries the cylinder 3 1, piston 33 and plunger together until the plunger has forced the plug to the bottom of the mold against the plateandbegins to exert'pressure thereon,

- whereupon the plunger and piston are halted in their movement'but the cylinder continues. Halting of the plunger forces the piston up the cylinder, compressing the air and spring 92 within the cylinder until a predetermined air pressure has been reached, whereupon the relief'valve 97 opens and the pressure on the plug remains constant through the remainder of the stroke. Upon the return movement of the crank these parts are elevated; the plunger leaves the mold and the piston is moved to the bottom of the cylinder by the spring 92, air entering the cylinder above the piston through the check valve 96. With'each rotation of the shaft '50 a plug and a separating plate are 'fed'into' the mold and pressed by the plunger 31 until the full complement of plugs ten in 7 number, have been placed therein. With each rotation of the shaft to feed a plug and a separating plate,..to themold, .the pinion 211 makes one revolution and turns the Wheel 223 of the Geneva movement one step carrying the cams 14:5, 76 and 196 with it, as described. Just before the last step has been made, the cam 76 .will have been brou ht into such position that the depression 9 therein will aline with the lever which being drawn into said depression by driven by worm 224:, and cam 226 fixed to I worm wheel actuating the shifting lever 229. This movement couples the gear wheel 206 to the sleeve 209 and disengages all the mechanism heretofore moved through the collar 208. Rotation of the sleeve 209 revolves the shaft 119 through the

gears

210, 222 and the

cams

118 and 186 fixed thereon, the former cam operating the mechanism described to move the longitudinal reciprocating bars 111, 112 to the dotted'position causes the fingers 113 thereon to withdraw the filled mold from beneath the opening 39 and place it upon the conveyor from heneath the opening 39 andplace it upon the conveyer belt 106. By the same movementv of the bars 111, 112, the fingers .1151 move an empty mold into position beneath the opening 39, these to be filled and in turn 'placedupon a conveyer belt. mold has been placed upon the belt 106 the After each latter is moved a short distance, just far enough for another mold tobe moved thereonto. Themoldsare filled and pushed upon the belt, and when the latter is filled the most advanced mold on the belt is pushed by the moving belt upon the platform 131 with every movement of said belt. Each mold after passing onto the platform must be transferred to the belt 107 before another movement ofbelt 106. Just before each forward movement of the bars'lll, 112,

115, 116, the forward transfer bar 170 is moved to the left to carry an empty mold from the discharge mechanism into position to'be engaged by the pawls 1'14, and the rear transfer bar 171 novesi simultaneously to the right to carry a mold from the belt 106 into position in front of pawls 133 back of the rear end of belt 107 to be pushed onto said belt. The conveyer belt 106 travels slowly rearwardly with the filled molds thereon, and these molds are transferred, one at a time, to the belt 107 and brought back to the machine by said belt. At each forward movement of the

longitudinally rebars

115, 116 only operate, the pawls 117 thereon push a filled mold above the discharge o'p'en'ing 137 and beneath the plunger 138. Simultaneously with the movement of the

bars

115, 116, the rear bars 132 advance with their pawls 133 to place a mold'on the rear end of belt 107. The bars all'move rearwardly at the same time, the

" bars 111, 112only being active, their pawls 113, 114C carrying respectively a filled mold to the belt 106 and an empty mold to filling position below the opening 39. The cam 1415 that operates the dischar e plunger 138 being secured on the intermittently moving wheel 223, the plunger is moved at eachimpulse only far enough to discharge one plug and separating plate, the friction of the plugs on the side of the mold preventing the others falling. Each plug and separating plate. falls upon the shelf 146 from which they are carried by the pusher .150 between the electro-magnets 158, 161, which remove the plate from the plug and permit thelatter to be deposited on the conveyer belt 148. Upon the return of the pusher 150. the circuit through the magnets is broken and the separating plates drop into the channel 159 and from thence pass into the trough 165 of the collcctor160. The pressure plates C may also fall into the collector 160.

I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the various specific mechanisms, herein shown and described for imparting movements to the different parts of the machine asobviously other mechanisms may be substituted for those shown, without departing from thespirit of the invention, the showing here being simply by way of example.

lVha-t I claim is v 1. In a plug tobacco pressing and finishing machineda moldbox,,means for feeding plugs and separating finishing plates thereinto, to form a pack of plugs, means for feedingin pressure plates so as to abut the end plugs of the pack, means for compressing the plugs in the mold box after a pre determined number of plugs have been deposited therein, and means for latching said pressure plates to maintain thecompression of said pack.

2. In a plug tobacco pressing and finishing machine, a movable mold box open at both ends, means for feeding plugs into said box and for feeding a pair of end pressure plates into the box so asto form a pack of plugs between said pressure plates in said box, means for compressing the plugs in the mold box after a predetermined num ber of plugs have been fed thereinto, and means for latching the said plates in the mold box respectively at the opposite ends of the mold box to maintain the plugs under conmression. V I

3. In a plug tobacco pressing and linislr ing machine, a hopper having a receiving point for receiving plugs, and having a discharge outlet for the plugs to be pressed, a

mold box movable beneath said hopper, means for feeding plugs from the hopper into the mold box, a plunger having yielding means, and reciprocating means for imparting pressure through said yielding means to saidfplunger for compressing the plugs in the mold box after a number of plugs have been deposited therein, said yielding means permitting said recipro eating means to continue its downward movement in each stroke after the plunger has been stopped by the tobacco within the mold.

4. In a plug tobacco pressing and finishing machine, a. hopper fOlII'ECQlLVlIlg plugs to be pressed, a plurality of movable moldboxes, means for moving the mold-boxes successively beneath the hopper, means for feeding plugs into the "said mold-boxes, means for compressing the plugs in the mold-boxes in succession after, a predetermined number of plugs have been'fed thereinto, and means carried by each mold-box? for maintaining the plugs therein undercompression. 7 V

5. In a plug tobacco pressing and finishing machine, a hopper for receiving the plugs to be pressed, a hopper for contain- 7 ing separating plates tobe placedbetween said plugs, a plurality of movable mold boxes, means for feeding plugs and separating plates to the mold-boxes successively, meansfor compressing the plugs in each mold box after a predetermined number of plugs and plates have been fed thereinto, means carried by each mold-box for main? taining the plugs under compression, and means for removing the mold boxes successively' away from said hopper.

6. In a plug tobacco pressing and finish ing machine, a mold box, means for-successively andsimultaneously feeding a plug and a separating finishing plate into the mold box, a plunger having yielding means,

' and reciprocating means for applying pres,

sure through said yielding means to said plunger to press each plug upon entering the mold box, said yielding means permits ting said reciprocating means to continue its downward movement after the down ward movement of the plunger is stopped by the'tobacco. I 1 y l 7. In a plug tobacco pressing and finishing machine, a mold box, meansfor successively feeding a plug and a separating finishing plate into the mold box, a plunger.

the mold-box, means for feeding a pressing plate into said moldbox before and after a predetermined number of plugs have been fed thereinto, and means for'pressing each plug upon entering the mold-box against the pack of plugs and simultaneously compressing the pack of plugs. p

In a plug tobacco'pressing and finishing machine, a moldbox, means for feeding plugs and separating finishing plates thereinto to forma pack within the moldbox, means for feeding a pressing plate into said mold-box before and after a predetermined number of plugs have been fed thereinto, means for' pressing each plug" upon entering the mold-box against the pack of plugs and simultaneously compress ing. the pack of plugs, and means formaintaining the pressure on said plugs.

10. In plug tobacco pressing and finish ing machine, a 1 hopper for plugs to be pressech'a plunger, .a mold-box movable beneath said plunger, automatic means for feeding plugs singly from the hopper beneath the plunger, and means for operating said plunger to apply an adjustable maximum pressure to each plug upon entering the box.

In a plug tobacco pressing and finishing machine, a hopper for plugs to be pressed, a hopper for separating plates to be placed between said plugs,a plunger, a 'mold-box 'movable beneath said plunger,

means for simultaneously feeding plugs and plates singly from said hoppers beneath the plunger, and: means for operating said plungertoapply an adjustable maximum pressure to each plug upon entering the box, and at the same timeto the previously pressed plugs therein. I

12. In a plug tobacco pressing andfinishing machine, a hopp er for plugs to be pressed, a plunger, amold-box movable bee neath said plunger, means for feeding plugs,

singly from the hopperbeneath the plunger, means for operating said plunger to apply an adjustable maximum pressure to "each plug upon entering the box, and to the previously pressed plugs therein, and automatic means on the mold-box for holding said plugs under compression.

13. In a plugtobacco pressing and finishmg machine, a hopper for plugs. to be pressed, a hopper forcontaining separating finishing plates, a plunger, a mold-box movable beneath said plunger, means; forlfeeding-plugs and plates singly from said hopper beneath said plunger, means for operat ingsaid plunger to apply a maximum press sure simultaneously to each plug upon entering the mold box and to the previously pressedplugs therein, and automatic means on the mold box for maintaining said plugs under compression.

p 14. In a plug tobaccopressing andfinishing machine, a hopper for plugs to be pressed, a hopper for. separating finishing plates, a hop'per for pressure plates, a plunger, a mold-box movable beneath said plun ger, means for simultaneously feeding a predetermined numberof plugs and separating plates singly from their hoppers into the mold-box, means for feeding a pressure plate into the mold-box before and after the predetermined number of plugs have'been fed 'thereinto, means for operating said plunger to apply a maximum pressure to each of said plugs. upon entering 'thef box andto the prev1ously pressed plugs therein, and automatic means on the mold-box for locking said pressure plates against movement to maintain said plugs under compression. ,1

15. In a. plug tobacco pressing and finishing machine, a mold-box, means for feeding a predetermined number of plugs singly thereinto,'. means for applying pressure to each plug upon, entering said 'mold-box,

means for maintaining said plugs under,

pressure Within said mold-box after the same has been filled, and automatic means for removing a filled mold-box and inserting in its place one to be filled.

determined number ofplugs and plates beneath said plunger one of each simultaneousl means for operating said plunger to push a plug and a plate intothe' mold-box and apply pressure to each plug as it enters said box and to the previously pressed plugs therein, and means to maintain said plugs.

under pressure in the mold-box.

18. In a plug tobacco pressing and finish ing machine, a mold-box, means for feeding predetermined number of plugs singly thereinto, means for discharging said plugs fiOBl the mold-box and transporting 'means' for carrying the mold'box'from the filling means to the d scharging means. 7 j

19, In a plugtobacco presslng and finishing machine, a pluralitv of mold-boxes,

means for feeding a predetermined number of plugssingly intoeach mold-box to fill the same, means for discharging said plugs from one of the mold-boxes coincidently with the "filling of another of the mold-boxes, transporting means for carrying the mold boxes from the filling means to the discharging means, and means for returning the empty mold-box to the filling position.

20. In a plug tobacco pressing and finishing machine, a mold-box, means for feeding a predetermined number, of plugs singly thereto, means for feeding a separating finishing plate above each plug simultaneously Withthe feeding of said plug, means for applvingpressure to each plug upon entering said mold-box, means for mamtaining said plugs under pressure, automatic means for removing a filled mold-box and inserting in its place a box to be filled and means for separating the plates from the plugs after they are discharged from the mold-box.

21. In a plug tobacco pressing and finishing mach-inc, amold-box, means for feeding a predetermined number of plugs singly theremto','nieans for feeding a separating finishing plate above each plug simultane plates from the, plugs, after they are dis for transferring the mold. boxes from the. outgoing to the incoming conveyer, andmeans for transporting the empty mold boxes into filling position. .l

23. In a plug tobacco pressing and finishing machine, a mold-box, means for feeding a predetermined number of plugs singly thereinto, means for discharging said plugs from the mold box, conveying means for slowly transporting mold boxes from the filling position to the discharge position, the

' time length saidconveying means being suflicient for the compressed plugs to set,

and means tor returning the empty lmold,

boxes to filling position In a )lu tobacco aressiii and finishing machine, a, mold box, means for individually feeding plugs alternating with finishing plates into said mold box, a yielding plunger and means for actuating the same to descend after each plug is inserted and yieldingly press each plug, and all the plugs in the mold box after a predetermined numberof plugs and plates have been deposited therein. u I t a 25. In a plug tobacco pressing and finishing machine,,a movable mold-box, means for feeding plugs ithereinto, means for compressing the plugs in the moldbox after a predetermined number of plugshave been fed theii'ei-nto, means for advancing the mold box full. of plugs forwardfrom the plug receiving position, and meansfor maintainingthe plugs under COHLPY$$lOIl in the mold-box. i I I y y y Y 26*.[In a plug? tobacco pressing and finishi-ng'machine, a hopper for receiving plugs to be pressed, it mold-box movable beneath said hopper, means for feeding plugs from the hopper in position to be deposited in the mold-box, means for supporting the plugs above the mold box, and means for compressing. the'plugs in the mold box after a predetermined number ,of plugs have been deposited therein. I

27. In a plug tobacco pressing and finishingmachine, a hopper for receivingplugs to be pressed, a mold-box movable beneath said hopper, means for feeding plugs from the hopper in position to be deposited in the mold-box, means for supporting the plugs above the mold box, and a yieldlng plunger forcompressing'the' plugs in the mold -box after a predetermined number of plugshave been deposited thereinf 28.111 a plug tobacco pressing and finish-1 ing machine, ahopper for receiving plugs to beipressed, ahopper for containing separat ingplates to be placed between said plugs, a mold-box, separate, means for feeding plugs and separating platesto the mold-box,

means for compressing the plugs in the mold-box after a predetermined number of plugs and plates have been fed thereinto, and means for maintaining the plugs under compression- I 29. In a plug tobacco pressing and inishing, machine, a mold-box, means for successively feeding individual plugs and separating finishing plates into the mold box, and reciprocating plunger having a spring, and means for imparting pressure to said plunger through said spring to force said plunger down toapply a preliminary pressure to each plug upon entering the mold box, said spring permitting the continued compressing. movement of said last named means after'the downward movement of said plunger is stopped by the tobacco.

30. In a plug tobacco pressing and fin vishing machine, a mold-box having open ends, means for successively feeding in'di-, vidual plugs and separate finishing plates thereinto, means for feeding a pressing plate into the bottom and top of the moldbox before and after a predetermined num+ her of plugs have been fed thereinto, and means for applying pressure to each plug upon entering the mold-box.

31. In a plug tobacco pressing and finishing machine, a mold-box having open ends, means for simultaneously feeding plugs and separating finishing plates thereinto, means for feeding a pressing plate into the bottom and top of said mold-box beforc'a-nd after a predetermined number of plugshave been fed therein, means for applying pressure to each plug upon entering plugs within said box, means carried by the mold-box formaintaini'ng the pressure on said plugs, and means fol-guiding the mold-box away after it is filled.

i In a plug tobacco pressing and finish ing machine, a hopper itor plugs to. be

.pressed, a yielding plunger, a mold-box mold-box.

" porting the plugs above the mold box, and

movable beneath said phmger, automatic meansrfor feeding plugs singly from the hopper beneath the plungenand means for operating said" plunger to apply an adjustable maximum pressure to each plug upon entering the box.

Ina plug tobacco pressing and'fi'nishing machine, a hopper forplugs to be,

pressed, a hopper for separating plates to be placed between said plugs, a'yielding plunger, '1 mold-box movable beneath said plunger, 'means for simultaneously"feeding plugs and plates singly from said hopper beneath, the plunger, means for supporting the plugs and plates in position above the mold box, and: means for operating said plungerv to apply an adjustable maximum pressure to each plug upon entermg the 3% Ina plug tobacco pressing and-finishing ,machine, a hopper for plugs to be pressed, a plunger, a mold-box movable beneath said plunger, means for feeding plugs singly from the hopper beneath the plunger, automatic means for temporarily supmeans forop rating said plunger to apply an adju'stablemaximum' pressure to each plug upon entering the mold box.

. plugs and separating plates from their hoppers into the mold-box, means for feeding a pressure plate into the top and bott'omfof the moldbox before and after the, predetermined number of plugs have been fed thereinto, means for operating said plunger to 'ap'ply a maximumpressureto" each of said plugs upon entering'themold box and to the previously pressed plugs therein, and

automatic means on the mold-box for looking said pressure plates against movement to maintain saidplugs under compression. 7. 36. In a plug tobacco pressing and finishing machine, a mold-box, means for feeding a predetermined number of plugs sinthereinto, means" for maintaining the plugs under compression for a predetermined period, .means for discharging said plugs from'the mold-box, and transporting" meansfor carrying thempld-boX from the the filling means to thedischarging means.

37. In a'plug tobacco pressing and finishing means, a mold-box, means for feeding a predetermined number of plugs thereinto, means for discharging said plugs from the mold-box, transporting means for carrying the mold boxes from the feeding means to the discharging means, and'means for re-' turning the empty mold-boxes to the filling position. i I r 38. In a plug tobacco pressing and finishing machine, a mold-box, means for feeding a predetermined number of plugs there into, means for discharging said plugs from the mold box, conveyingineans 'movable in one direction for transporting the filled mold boxes from the fillingmeans, other conveying means movable in an opposite direction for transporting said mold-boxes to the discharging means, means. for transporting the mold boxesfrom the outgoing to V the incoming conveyor, and means for transporting the empty mold boxes into filling position. 7 39. In a plug tobacco pressing and finishing machine, a mold box, means for individually and successively feeding a predetermined number of plugs into the mold box, meansforfeeding a separating finishing'plate simultaneously with each plug, a plunger, a spring associatedwith said plunger, and means for applying pressure through said spring to said plunger for. yieldingly compressing each plug as fed into said mold box, said spring permitting the continued compressing movement of said 7 last named means after the downward movement of said plunger is stopped bythe to; bacco. i I r 40; Ina plug tobacco pressing and finishing. machine, a plurality of mold-boxes, means for feeding a predetermined number of plugs successively thereinto, 'means for feeding a separating finishing plate simul-' taneously with each plug,'means for com pressing eachplug as fed into themold box being filled and all the plugs after the predetermined number have been fed thereinto, means carried by each moldbox for maintaining the plugs under compression and means for guiding away the mold-boxes after being filled. a

41. In a plug tobacco pressing and finishing machine, a moldbox, means for feed- 7 ing plugs to be pressed into said mold box,

automatic means for actuating said feeding means to cause a predetermmednumber of plugsto be fedsuccessively, a plunger, a

, spring associated therewith, and means for reciprocating said plunger and applying pressure to said plunger through said spring to press each plug after entering the mold said plunger is stopped by the tobacco.