US1563334A

US1563334A - Cigarette-machine automatic feed

Info

Publication number: US1563334A
Application number: US8727A
Authority: US
Inventors: Wilhelm B Bronander
Original assignee: AMF Inc
Current assignee: AMF Inc
Priority date: 1925-02-12
Filing date: 1925-02-12
Publication date: 1925-12-01
Anticipated expiration: 1942-12-01
Also published as: CH117158A; FR595625A; DE506804C; NL18761C; GB255132A

Description

Dec. 1

W. B. BRONANDER CIGARETTE MACHINE AUTOMATIC FEED Filed Feb. 12. 1925 lBY Patented Dec.;- 1., 192,5." i

UNITED- STATES PATENT- ounce..

. WILHELM B. BRONANDER, OF MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO A'MERIGAN MAGHINE a'roUNnnY COMPANY,

A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

f lcrenaar:rn-MACHINE AUTOMATIC FEED.

Application "led February To all whom it may concern.: Be it known that I, WILHELM B. BRONN- DER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Montclair, county of Essex', and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and use- Vful Improvement in a Cigarette-Machine Automatic Feed, of which the following is a specification. v

This invention relates to an improvement in automatic feed mechanisms for cigarette machines. Two types of such mechanisms are known. In the first, a mass of shredded tobacco is confined in a housing or hopper, and shreds are disentangled fro-m the mass and fed in a shower to a cigarette machine. At more or less irregular intervals tobacco is added to the mass by an attendant who serves a large number of machines. The disentangling and feeding of the shreds is effected automatically, but the ever-varying weight of the mass aects the action of the disentangling vand feeding mechanism and results in cigarettes which vary in density. To overcome this result, the second type of automaticfeed was produced.4 In the latter, the shreds are also disentangled from a mass in a housing and fed in a shower to a ciga- A rette' machine, but the' quantity of Itobacco in the mass, and consequently its weight, is maintained substantially constant by a hand feed mechanism which adds tobacco .to the mass as shreds are taken therefrom.- Mechanisms of this type will produce uniform `cigarettes, but at a higher cost than 'the earlier type, because they require an attendant for each'mechanism. VThe main' object of the present -invention is the production of an automatic feed mechanism 1n which that part of the mass of tobacco which is within the range of action of the disentangling and feeding mechanism is automatically maintained substantially constant in quantity and weight, so that uniform cigarettes will be produced at the low cost of the variable cigarettes produced by the use of the earliest type of automatic feed mechanism. With this and other 'objects not specifically mentioned in view, the invention consists in certain constructions and combinations which will be hereinafter fully described, and then specifically set forth in the claims hereunto ap ended.

n 'the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification and in which like characters of reference indicate the same 12, 1925. Serial No. 8,727.

or like parts, Fig. 1 is a plan view, partly in section, of a device constructed in accordance with the invention; and Fig. 2 is a central side elevation of the structure shown yin Fig. l.

In carrying the invention into effect, there is provided a housing lfor confining a mass of shredded cigarette tobacco, automatic mechanism for disentangling tobacco shreds from the mass' and feeding them in a con- 65 tinuous showerv to a cigarette machine, and automatic means for maintaining within the range of action of said mechanism a substantially constant part of said mass, in order to insure a uniform feed of the tobacco, and uniform cigarettes, at the lowest possible cost.l In the best constructions contemplated,

vall parts of said mechanism and said means,

which engage the tobacco, move continuously, to avoid the effects of inertia inV the to- 7 bacco mass, which, otherwise, would affect theuniform feed. This mechanism, and this means, maybe widely varied in construction within the scope o f the claims, for the particula'r structure selected to illustrate the invention is but one of many possible concrete embodiments of the same. 'Ilhe invention, therefore, is not to be restricted to the precise details of the structure shown and described.

Referring to the drawings, 3 indicates a housing or hopper for confining a mass of shredded cigarette tobacco to be fed to a cigarette machine and there made up into cigarettes. This housing is supported by a bracket 4 resting on the bed 5 of a cigarette machine in connection with which the present invention is used. The bed 5"\supports a feed trough 6 into which the tobacco is showered. The particular construction of the cigarette machine lies wholly outside the present invention, is well understood in the industry, and therefore needs no description herein.

Automatic mechanism for disentangling tobacco from a mass in the housing 3, and for feeding it to the cigarette machine, is provided. In the selected embodiment of the invention, this mechanism includesa carding belt 7 forming the bottom of the housing 3. It runs over

pulleys

8 and 9, -respectivel secured to'shafts `10 and 11, both of whic are suitably journaled in bearings in the side walls of the housing 3. The shaft 10 is driven by means of a pulley 12 fast there- 110 on, and this pulley is driven by means of a belt 13 which derives its motion from one of the shafts of the cigarette machine in connection with which the present invention is used. The shaft also carries a sprocket 14, and the shaft 11 carries a sprocket 15, and over these sprockets runs a chain 16 which serves to drive the pulley 9.

The upper or operating run of the carding belt 7 runs upwardly and forwardly, as clearly indicated in Fig. 2 Coacting with this carding belt is apacking-roll 17 fast on a shaft 18 journaled in bearings in the side walls of the housing 3. This packing-roll nas a smooth surface, and is rotated by means of a chain 19 overrunning a sprocket 20 on the shaft 10 and deriving its motion therefrom. This chain also overruns a sprocket 21 on the shaft 18, and a sprocket 22 on a shaft 23 the purpose of which will be presently explained. An idle sprocket 24 keeps the chain 19 in engagement with the sprocket 21. K

The packing-roll rotates in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 2, and the lowermost part of its perimeter just clears the forwardly inclined teeth of the carding belt 7. As the latter moves an entangled mass of tobacco shreds into the bight formed between its own surface and the perimeter of the packing-roll, some of the tobacco is pressed down on the teeth of the belt, and the excess is brushed back to be carried up over the roll with a part of the mass into the range of action of coacting parts of the disentangling and feeding mechanism.

For the purpose of keeping the mass of tobacco in the housing in motion, and for completing the proper packing of a sheet of tobacco shreds on the carding belt 7, there is provided a second carding belt 25 which overruns a pulley 26 carried by the shaft 23 before referred to, and a pulley 27 mounted on a shaft 28 jouinaled in bearings in the side walls of the housing 3. As before stated, the shaft 23 is driven by the chain 19. The shaft 28 is driven by a chain 29 engaging the sprockets on the

shafts

23 and 28. The teeth of the carding belt 25 are inclined backwardly with respect to its direction of movement, and the operating run of the belt is vertically upward, or at an obtuse angle to the direction of travel of the operating run of the belt 7. As tobacco is moved over the packing-roll 17 by the combined action of the belt 7 and the packingroll 17, it comes into contact with the upwardly moving operating run of the belt 25. The teeth of this belt just clear the teeth of the belt 7, and as the tee-th of the beltl 25 move rearwardly at the lowermost part of the pulley 26, they sweep back any excess of tobacco that may have been packed too tightly on the teeth of the belt 7 by the packing-roll17. Then, as they move upwardly on the operating run of the belt, they engage that part of the mass of tobacco in the housing which is within the range of action of the disentangling and feeding mechanism just described and move it-.upwardly by a semi-positive brushing action and pile it up along the lower part of the operating run of the belt 25.

For the purpose of insuring uniform action of the disentanglinfr and feeding mechanism as tobacco is withdrawn from the mass in the housing, there is provided automatic means for maintaining within the range of action of said mechanism a substantially constant part of said mass. In the selected structure, this means and this mechanism have an element in common, i. e., the second carding belt 25. The maintaining means also includes a tumbling device for removing from the range of action of the disentangling and feeding mechanism all tobacco in excess of a substantially constant part of said mass, and for returning it to'the mass beyond said range of action. This tumbling device includes a pair of circular heads 30 carried by a shaft 31, and connected by a series of slats 32. The shaft 31 carries a sprocket 33 which is driven by a chain 34 deriving its motion from a similar sprocket on the shaft 18 before referred to. The tumbling device limits the height to which the tobacco mass can Apile up along the belt 25, by constantly throwing back the tobacco brought up to it by said belt. tion, that part of the mass which is within the range of action of the disentangling and feeding mechanism is maintained substaiitially constant, although the mass as a whole dwindles. It will be understood of course that tobacco must be added to the mass from time to time.

As the sheet of tobacco is fed forward by the carding belt 7, it is brought withinv the range of action of a picker roll 35 of the usual type which is mounted on a shaft 36 journaled in bearings in the side walls of the housing 3. AThis shaft carries a pulley 37 which is driven by means of a belt deriving its motion from one of the shafts of the cigarette machine.

For the purpose of regulatin the quantity of tobacco disentangled an fed to the cigarette machine, without disturbing the speed of the parts of the disentangling and feeding mechanism, there is provided a movable wall 39 in the housing, by means of which its width may be varied, and operating means therefor. In the selected structure, this movable Wall cari'ies two screws 40 which project through one of the fixed walls of the housing?) and carry nuts 41 over which rims a chain 42 engaged by a crank-actuated sprocket 43. By operating this sprocket, the movable wall may be moved toward or away from the fixed wall llO through which the screws project, and thus vary the weight of the tobacco mass to vary the quantity fed to the cigarette machine.

In view of the foregoing, a detailed description of the operation of the machine is deemed unnecessary and .is omitted in the interest of brevity.

lVhat is claimed is:

l. The combination with a housing for confining a mass of cigarette tobacco, of automatic mechanism for disentangling tobacco from said mass and feeding it to a cigarette machine, and automatic means for maintaining within the range of action of said mechanism a substantially constant part of said mass.

2. The combination with a housing' for confining a mass of cigarette tobacco, of au# tomatic mechanism for disentangling tobacco from said mass and feeding it to a cigarette machine, and automatic means for maintaining within the range of action of said mechanism 'a substantially constant part of said mass, said housing including a movable wall and operating means for varying the quantity of tobacco fed therefrom by said mechanism.

3. The combination with a housing for confining a mass of cigarette tobacco, of automatic mechanism for disentangling tobacco from said mass and feeding it to a cigare-tte machine, and automatic means for maintaining within the range of action of said mechanism a substantially constant part of said mass, said housing including a movable wall and crank-actuated means therefor, and fixed walls through one of which said crank-actuated means operates.

4. The combination with a housing for confining a massof cigarette tobacco, of automatic mechanism for disentangling t0- bacco from said mass and feeding it to a cigarette machine, and automatic means for maintaining within the range of action of said mechanism a substantially constant part of said mass, said housing including a movable 4wall and a pair of crank-actuated screws connected therewith, and fixed walls through one of which said screws operate.

5. The combination with a housing for confining a mass of cigarette tobacco, of automatic mechanism for disentangling tobacco from said mass and feeding it to a cigarette machine, and automatic means for' maintaining within the range of action of said mechanism a substantially constant part of said mass, all parts of said mechanism being operative continuously. v

6. The combination with a housing for confining a mass of cigarette tobacco, of automaticI mechanism for disentangling tobacco from said mass Aand feeding it to a cigarette machine, and automatic means formaintaining within the range of actionl of said mechanism a substantially constant part of said mass, all parts ofsaid mechanism which engage the tobacco being operative Within said housing. l

. 7. The combinatlon with a housing for confining a mass of cigarette tobacco, of automatic mechanism for disentangling tobacco from vsaid mass and feeding it to a cigarette machine, and automatic means for maintaining within the range of action of said mechanism a substantially constant part of said mass, all parts of said means being operative continuously. t

8. The combination with a housing for confining amass of cigarette tobacco, of automatic mechanism for disentangling tobacco from said mass and feeding it to a cigarette machine, and automatic means for maintaining within the range of action of said mechanism a substantially constant part of said mass, all parts of said means which engage the tobacco being operative within said housing.

9. rlhe combination with a housing for confining a mass of cigarette tobacco, of automatic mechanism for disentangling tobacco from said mass and feeding it to a cigarette machine, and automatic means for maintaining within the range of action of said mechanism a substantially constant part of said mass, said' mechanism including two carding belts the operating runs of which travel in obtusely-angular directions.

10. The combination with a housing for confining a mass of cigarette tobacco, of automatic mechanism for disentangling tobacco from said mass and feeding it'to a cigarette machine, and automatic means for maintaining. withinl the range of action of said mechanism a substantially constant part of said mass, said mechanism including two carding belts the operating run of one of which travels upwardly and forwardly and the operating run of the other of which travels vertically upward. K

11. The combination with a housing for confining a mass of cigarette tobacco, of au-` tomatic mechanism for disentangling to- .i

bacco from said mass and feeding it to a cigarette machine, and automatic means for maintaining within the range of action of said mechanism a substantially constant part of said mass, said mechanism including a forwarding carding belt, and ac'oacting,l smooth-surfaced packing-roll.

12. The combination with a housing for confining a mass of cigarette tobacco, of automatic mechanism for disentangling tobacco from said mass and feeding it to a cigarette machine, and automatic means for maintaining within the range of action of saidmechanism a substantially constant part of said mass, said mechanism including a forwarding carding belt, and a coacting member for packing tobacco on said belt.

13. The combination with av housing for confining a mass of cigarette tobacco, of automatic mechanism for disentan'gling tobaccofrom said mass and feeding it to a cigarette machine, and automatic means for maintaining Within the range of action of said mechanism a substantially constant part of said mass, said mechanism and said means having a traveling member common to both.

14. The combination with a housing for confining a mass of cigarette tobacco, of automatic mechanism for disentangling tobacco from said mass and feeding it to a cigarette machine, and automatic means for maintaining Within .the range of action of said mechanism a substantially constant part of said mass, said means including a belt forming a part of said mechanism.

15. The combination with a housing for confining a mass of cigarette tobacco, of automatic mechanism for disentangling tobacco from said mass and feeding it to a cigarette machine1 and automatic means for maintaining Within the range of action of said mechanism a substantially constant part of said mass, said means including a tumbling device for removing from the range of action of said mechanism all tobacco in excess of said substantially constant part of said mass.

16. The combination with a housing for 3 confining a mass of cigarette tobacco, of automatic mechanism for disentangling tobacco from said mass and feeding it to a cigarette machine, and automatic means for maintainingT Within the range of action of 3 said mechanism a substantially constant part of said mass, said means including a tumbling device comprising a pair of circular heads and a series of slats arranged about and connecting the perimeters of said heads. 4

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

WILHELM B. BRONANDER.