US2311011A

US2311011A - Cigar machine long-filler feed

Info

Publication number: US2311011A
Application number: US304299A
Authority: US
Inventors: Henry H Wheeler
Original assignee: International Cigar Machinery Co
Current assignee: International Cigar Machinery Co
Priority date: 1939-11-14
Filing date: 1939-11-14
Publication date: 1943-02-16
Anticipated expiration: 1960-02-16

Description

Feb. 16, 1943. H. H. WHEELER CIG'AR MACHINE LONG-FILLER FEED Filed NOV. 14, 1959 '7 Sheets-Sheet l E. @di EN EN QE ...E

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CIGAR MACHINE LONG-FILLER FEED Filed Nov. 14, i939 'r sheets-sheet 2 Feb. 16, 1943. H. H. WHEELER CIGAR MACHINE LONG-FILLER FEED Filed Nov. 14, 1939 LgLNVENTOR BY er? g/ ee/ef A ATTO Feb. 16, 1943.

H. H. WHEELER CIGAR MACHINE LONGEILLER FEED Filed Nov. l4, 1939 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 NNN NNN WNN NGN

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HWee/er ATTORNEY v H. H. WHEELER 2,311,011

CIGAR MACHINE LONGf'FILLER FEED vFiled Nov. 14, 1939 7 sheds-sheet s INVENTOR Feb. 16, 1943.

.... mw E l /If ATTORNEY Feb. 16,1943. H. H. WHEELER GIGAR MACHINE LONG-FILLER FEED Filed Nov. 14, 1939 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 H. H. WHEELER CIGAR MACHINE LONG-FILLER FEED Filed Nov. 14, 1959 '7 Sheets-Sheet '7 Feb. 16, 1943.

E@ Q E@ Patented Feb. 16, 1943l 2,311,011 A clem momma LONG-mma FEED Henry H. Wheeler, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to International Cigar Machinery Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application November 14, 1939, Serial No. 304,299

52 Claims.

This invention relates to cigar machines and more particularly to longflller feeds for cigar machines, its main object being to so device the parts which feed and manipulate the tobacco to produce a more uniform and homogeneous bunch charge than has heretofore been possible.

Another object of the invention is to simplify the machine by constructing it with as few moving parts as possible. Thus it has been possible to build the machine with 25% fewer parts than the standard cigar machine equipped with the cross feed. Y

A further object of the invention is to drive the filler feed belts which intermittently forward the leaves laid in the channel formed by the belts through a roller clutch which has fewer parts than the pawl-and-ratchet mechanism now forming e. part of the cross feed control and more accurately starts and stops the feeding of the filler stream. With a pawl-and-ratchet mechanism it will be evident that there will be lost motion occurring during the engagement of the ratchet with the pawl, and inaccuracies in starting and stopping inherent in its construction.

The ller stream is advanced by increments corresponding to the desired size of bunch length to be severed from the stream upon a lower corrugated cutter fastened to the adjacent end of a vertically movable platform. An upper corrugated cutter coacts with the lower cutter to sever successive bunch lengths with a zig-zag line of cut desirable for the provision of the proper amount of filler at the head and tuck ends of the bunch charges subsequently separated from the compacted bunch lengths. A movable compactor and the uppercorrugated cutter clamp the section of the stream adjacent the platform and compact it sufficiently to mat the filler and thereby prevent crumbling thereof, particularly at the pointed sections at the zig-zag line of cut. This enhances the uniformity of the bunch lengths and moreover prevents dropping of tobacco particles through the lower corrugated knife on the platform. f

A further object of the invention is to assemble and compact the severed bunch lengths in a vertical column from the top of which the bunch charges are separated for delivery to the bunch rolling mechanism. Thus the separated bunch charges may be transported rectilinearly and without disturbance to the bunch rolling mechanism while in the measuring pocket into which the column of tobacco is lifted and compacted prior to separation of the bunch charge. In prior constructions wherein the bunch charges are separated from the bottom of a vertical column, they are removed by slides which necessitate additional moving parts and disturb the charges.

Another object of the invention is to provide an oscillatory knife having a serrated cutting edge and formed of sheet metal with a thickness such that it will not disturb the horizontal laminations or layers of tobacco in the column while it is being advanced through it. In prior constructions there havev been provided separator plates supported vibratory knives on their forward edges, and the requisite greater thickness of the separator plate has disturbed the tobacco during the separation of a bunch charge. Moreover the tobacco wedges in the slot between the knife and the separator ,plate and further disturbs the laminations of the column. By advancing the knife lengthwise of the bunch lengths in the column for the separation of bunch charges as contemplated, the length of the machine may be shortened, which feature constitutes another object of the invention. Furthermore the knife closes the open bottom of the measuring pocket and serves to retain the separated bunch charge therein as the transfer is advanced across the knife, and the corrugated filler ends are not mutilated while cutting.

A further object of the invention is to support the surplus tobacco remaining in the column after a charge has been separated therefrom, until the next ascent of the platform with a bunch length whereby the surplus tobacco is elevated into the measuring pocket and re-compacted. The platform may be provided with slots admitting the members which serve to support the surplus tobacco during the descent of the platform, and said members may be supported on the carriage of the knife which separates the bunch charge, to reduce the number of moving parts.

Still another object is to provide an adjustable construction of the charge measuring pocket whereby the size of the charge may be conveniently and minutely varied with a single adjustment. To this end the pocket is equipped with v a yielding plate which is urged downwardly by a compression spring and pushed upwardly by the column during the compaction thereof. A plunger on the plate is seated against a crown knob threaded on the pocket and provided with axial grooves with any one of which may be engaged a spring wire to maintain the knob in the adjusted position thereof for stopping the inward movement of the plunger with the plate and thereby controlling the size of the'charge. The platform supporting the column is urged upwardly by s, tension spring connected thereto to compact the column to a predetermined density prepara. tory to the separation of a bunch charge.

To still further minimize the disturbance of the bunch charge, there may be provided a suction platform for raising a portion of the apron into contact with the open bottom of the measuring pocket for reception of the bunch charge, which is ejected by a spring-pressed plate within the measuring pocket, during the lowering of said portion of the apron. The platform may be perforated and connected to a source of suction to cause adherence of the apron thereto during its descent and thereby form a loop which is' advanced by the rolling pin to roll the charge upon itself while on the platform and then within a binder on the bunch rolling table, and the corresponding portion of the apron may likewise be perforated to permit the charge to be suctionally retained thereon.

On the rolling pin is fastened a plate which is swung downwardly from a horizontal position wherein it supports the charge in the measuring pocket as the latter is slid thereover on to the elevated portion of the apron, to a position wherein it holds the charge against the apron while the bunch charge is being rolled upon itself. In prior constructions this plate was loosely pivoted on the rolling pin and swung down upon the charge during the forward movement of the rolling pin over the rolling table, but in the present arrangement it isswung down upon the charge prior to the forward movement of the rolling pin by a shaft which is geared to a cam-actuated rack and coupled with one end of the rolling pin during the return of the latter to initial position as the plate is swung back prior to rolling of the rolled charge within the binder spread upon the portion of the apron extending over the table the rolling pin is turned back into position to be coupled with said shaft upon return to its initial position.

The filler feed belts, which are driven through the roller clutch, may be set into operation by a trip which is actuated by the plunger carrying the compressor platform. In this event the clutch, which is later disengaged when the filler stream has been advanced an increment corresponding to the desired bunch length, is thrown out of operation by a stationary stop which is adjustable to permit the feed belts to be advanced by various increments corresponding to the various desired lengths of bunch. In the event there is an excess of tobacco in the column the trip will not be operated and the clutch will remain ineffective, until the height of the column has diminished to the proper level. Accordingly other objects of the invention are to provide a novel clutch construction, which is more efficient and may be adjusted for various bunch lengths, and to provide for controlling the same from the compactor plunger.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification and in which like characters of reference indicate the same or like parts:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the improved long filler feed showing all the above mentioned working parts and their relation to one another;

Fig. 1a is a detail sectional view of a two-way valve controlling the suction system;

Fig. 1b is a detail plan view of sweeps for removing tobacco scraps collecting in the channels of the rolling table;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation on line 2-2 of Fig. l

with the tobacco feeding channel shown in section, showing the arrangement of the feed belts and their control mechanism. also the drive mechanism of the oscillating charge-cutting knife;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation on line 3-3 of Figs. 1 and 2, showing a cross section of the feed belt drive with the covers for the side feed belts removed;

Fig. 4 is an elevation on line 4-4 of Fig. 3, showing the operating clutch of the feed belts;

Fig. 5 is an end elevation on line 5-5 of Fig. 3. showing the clutch ratchet throw-out disk;

Fig. 6 is an end view on line 6-6 of Fig. 3, liogving the clutch ratchet locking and resetting Fig. 7 is a side view on line 1--1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is an end elevation on line 8-8 of Figs. l and 2, showing the corrugated length-cutter and the feed control device;

Fig. 9 is an elevation on line 9-9 of Fig. l. showing a side elevation of the charge compressor and charge cutting mechanism, and a sectional elevation of the transfer pocket;

Fig. 10 is a view on line 10-10 of Fig. 9, showing a sectional end elevation of the chargecompressing length-cutter;

Fig. 11 is an end elevation on line i I-l I of Fig. 9, showing an end View of the charge cutting mechanism;

Fig. 12 is a view on line |2-I2 of Fig. 1, showing a side elevation of the charge transfer and bunch rolling mechanism;

Fig. 12a is a detail view of the construction shown in Fig. 12;

Fig. 13 is an elevation on line i3-i3 of Fig. l2, showing an end elevation of the charge transfer and rolling mechanism;

Fig. 14 is an elevation on line 14--14 of Fig. 12, showing a cross section of the charge transfer suction platform;

Fig. 15 is a side elevation of parts contained in Figs. 2 and 9, showing a modification in the arrangement of the length-cutting knives, of the charge compressor, and of the transfer pocket;

Fig. 16 is a sectional end elevation of the charge compressor, on line lB--l 6 of Fig. l5;

Fig. 17 is a top view on line 11-11 of Fig. 15, showing the arrangement of the transfer pocket;

Fig. 18 is a detail side elevation of the adjustable bearing supports for the rolling pin; and

Fig. 19 is a sectional plan view thereof.

Referring to Figs. l, 2 and 3 of the drawings, the tobacco feed channel consists of a horizontal endless belt l5 running over pulleys IB, I1, Il and i9, and of two vertical endless belts 2li and 2i running over

pulleys

22, 23 and 24, 25, respectively. The horizontal pulley I6 is mounted on a shaft 26 which is adjustable by screws 21. The vertical pulleys 22 and 24 revolve on bolts 28 adjustable in slots 2 9. The pulley il is mounted on a shaft 30 and carries bevel gears 3| meshing with gears 32 on shafts 33 of pulleys 23 and 25 (Fig. 3). Shaft 30 is supported in bearings of a frame 34 attached to the bed 35 of the cigar machine and carries and has fastened thereon the housing 38 of a ratchet 31 having gear teeth 38 formed on its hub meshing with a rack 39 intermittently actuated by a rod 40 connected to a. cam lever (not shown). With ratchet 31 is associated a locking disk 4| having rollers 42, Figs. 4, 6 and '1, extending into the notches 43 of ratchet 31. Through a circular hole 44 in disk 4| passes the shank of an eccentric stud 45 whose head is free to turn in a. slot 46 of ratchet 31 (Fig. 3). The DOrtion of the stud 45 withinv the slot 45 is eccentric with respect to the shank of the stud. A lever 41 fastened to the shank of the stud is equipped with a. roller 48 on a stud 49 at its free end, a stop lug 41| at the other end of lever 41 being held in tension against the hub of disk 4I bya spring 52 anchored on a post 53 of disk 4I. In this position the roller 48 is at rest above a finger 50 carried by an arm 5|. tripped by the charge compressor, as will be hereinafter described, the finger 50 strikes the roller 48 causing the spring 52 to pull the same into the dotted position 48', thereby turning the eccentric stud 45 and moving its shank into dotted position 45. This movement of stud.45 displaces the disk 4I in the counterclockwise direction, thereby wedging the pins 42 into locking contact with the ratchet 31 and housing 35, so that the ratchet willdrive shaft 30 in the clockwise direction on the next downward stroke of rack 39. Near the end of that stroke, a nose 54 extending from lever 41, which is then in position 54', engages a pin 55 carried by a disk 56 adjustably attached by bolts passing through slots 51 thereof to frame 34 and set at the proper angular distance to terminate the advance of the tobacco layer T. As the rack then completes its stroke, the nose '54 in passing pin 55 turns the lever 41 back into its original position, disengaging the rollers 42 and resetting the disk 4I into nondriving position. A roller 58 carried by disk 4|, near the end of the upward stroke of rack.39 engages the raised nger 58, thereby pushing the lever I back into its neutral position. The ratchet locking disk 4I and the throw-out disk 56 are enclosed by a guard 5 9 attached to frame 34.

The inlet end of the feed channel has a guard 50, and the delivery end is provided with a top guide 5|which compacts the tobacco upon the belt I5 and thereby prevents telescoping of' adjoining sections of the tobacco stream thereon, and side guides 52 which aid in guiding the tobacco layer T on to the cutting platform. The vertical feed belts are protected by'covers 83, and a leaf-handling table B4 is provided at one side of the feed channel for the convenience of the operator.'

The cutting platform 65 forms the top of the compressor and bunch-length cutting unit shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10. The platform 65, which is provided with longitudinal slots 5B and car-V ries the corrugated knife 61, is mounted on the head 68 0f a plunger 69 floating in a slide 10,

the plunger and slide being connected by a tenf and cutting the charge.

The lower end of plunger 69 has a recess formlng an oil reservoir 16 closed by a plug 11 and fillable through a covered opening 18 in slide cover plate 12 upon removing cover screw 19 (Fig. Within the reservoir 18 there is a piston 80 suspended on a pin 8| in cover plate 12, this piston having a small bore 82 through which the oil is forced as the' plunger 69 is moved up and through which it must return on the down stroke of the plunger,` thereby providing a dash-pot effect cushioning the movement of the plunger relative to 10.

The tobacco layer T at each advance of the When the arm 5I is feed belts is forwarded on the cutting platform against a stationary slotted wall 83, Fig. 9.

By adjusting this wall and the angular position of the resetting pin 55 relative to the movement of nose 54 the desired size of bunch length may be obtained. The platform 55 is then raised by the rod 14, thus forcing the knife 81 against a stationary knife 84, Figs. 1, 2 and 8, held by an arm 85 attached to 'frame 34, and thereby cutting the bunch length advanced thereon from the tobacco layer T. Near the end of the upward stroke of the plunger 89, a screw 85 carried by a projection 81 on the same engages with a pin 88, (Figs. 1, 2 and 8), extending from a pawl 89 held by a spring 90 against a trip lever 9| which in turn is held in tension by a spring 92. 'I'he lever 9| is clamped to a shaft 93 to which is also xedly attached the arm 5I carrying the finger 50 which actuates the tobacco feed i Figs. 1, 4 and 8). Thus, when the lever 9| is tripped by the screw 85 against a stop screw 94, the shaft 93 turns the arm 5I and the finger 50 strikes the roller 48, thereby setting the rollers 42 of the feed clutch 31 into driving engagement so that tobacco is fedat the next cycle of the machine.

However, when the plunger 59 is prevented by a sufficient accumulation of tobacco on platform 65` from following the complete stroke of the slide 10, the motion of the plunger is terminated while the spring 1I stretches and the screw 86 will not engage the pin 88, so that in this case the feed clutch 31 remains inactive and no tobacco is fed during the next cycle.

Some distance above the stationary knife 84 is suspended the charge transfer pocket 95, Figs. l., 9 and 12, which is provided with slides 95 and 91 and has a yielding Wall 98 adjustable by means of nuts on suspension studs 99 and urged into its lowermost position by a compression spring seated in guide stud |00. The inward or upward movement of the Wall 98 is limited by a crown-knob IOI threaded on the boss of the pocket wherein the guide stud is mount` ed and engaging the upper end of said stud, whereby the thickness of the charge may be varied by turning said knob. This knob is kept from accidental turning by a spring wire |02 extending into its axial grooves. The slides 95 and 91 engage with stationary horizontal guide rails |03 and |04, the latter being made with a separate gib-rail |05 for convenience in assembling. The slide 91 is attached to one of the side plates (Figs. 9 and 12) of an endless chain I0-1 running over sprockets |08 and |09. The sprocket |08 is mounted on a shaft H0 supported in a pedestal III (Figs. 1 and 12) and carrying a gear II2 meshing with a rack ||3 connected by a link I I4 to a cam lever H5. The rack II3 is guided by pedestal SII and its cover II6, and is protected by a housing I I1 attached to the top of the pedestal. mounted on a shaft I|8 carried by a bracket II9 adjustable on rail |04 by a set screw |20.

In a plane immediately below the transfer pocket 95 is disposed a horizontal knife blade I2I (Figs. 1, 9 and 12) formed of sheet metal, preferably steel, of sufficient thinness to separate the charge in the pocket from the column without disturbing the laminations of the latter, and supported on a bracket |22 attached to the top of a vertical shaft |23. 'Ihis blade is provided with a scalloped or saw tooth cutting edge on its forward end and arranged to oscillate as it moves forward under the pocket lengthwise thereof to The sprocket |09 is sever the bunch charge therein from the top of the tobacco column raised by the cutting platform 85. The shaft |23, Figs. 1 9 and 11, is supported in bearings |24 -of a slide |25 held in grooves of a guide frame |26 by a gib-rail |21. n a stud |28 in slide |25 is plvoted a link |29 connected to a bell crank lever |30 turning on a stud |3| in the sub-frame |32 of the machine. This lever is actuated by a cam-operated rod |33 and produces the sliding motion of knife |2| whereby the latter is advanced forwardly through the tobacco column and then withdrawn after the pocket 95 has been moved thereover to charge delivery position.

The slide |25 at its forward end has a T-shaped vertical groove |59, Figs. 1 and 9, in which is slidable a holder |60 carrying a, row of horizontal fingers |6| below the knife blade |2|. This holder is equipped with a stud |62 supported in the slot of a horizontal rail |63 carried at the top end of a vertical plunger |64 slidable in a bracket |65 attached to base 35, and pivoted to a cam-operated rod |66. The fingers |6|, besides partaking of the horizontal motion of the oscillating knife |2I, thus also have a vertical motion controlled by a cam. The space between the cutting platform 65 and the transfer pocket 95 is enclosed by walls |61 and |68, Figs. 1 and 12, the front wall |61 being provided with a door |69, preferably made of transparent material and slidable by means of a knob Yso as to give access to this chamber when required for cleaning.

The operation of the mechanisms thus far described is as follows, see Fig. 9:

I. With the cutting platform 65 in its lower-` most position, the tobacco layer T is advanced onto the same by the feed belts across plate 255 whose inner end is cut away to fit the indentations of knife 61.

II. The cutting platform is raised into an intermediate position, thereby cutting off a bunch length from tobacco layer T thereon.

III. The fingers |6| are Withdrawn from their inner position |6| in which they support the surplus tobacco from the preceding cycle, to their outer position 6|", thereby dropping this surplus tobacco on top of the cut bunch length on the cutting platform, thus forming a tobacco column T on the same.

IV. Cutting platform 65 then completes its upward stroke, lifting column T into pocket 95 and compressing same and thereby raising plate 98 into its top position which limits the thicknessplunger 59 engages the pin 88 of the feed control,

'thereby setting the feed clutch into action for the next cycle.

V. Supporting ngers |5| move into up-position so as to register with the slots 55' in the raised cutting platform 85'.

VI. Oscillatingl knife blade |2| moves forward to sever charge T" in transfer pocket, the same movement also bringing the fingers |6| through the slots of wall 83 into position |6|"' within the slots 66'.

VII. Cutting platform 65 returns to down-position. leaving the surplus tobacco Ti on the interposed fingers |6|".

VIII. Fingers |6|"' with the surplus tobacco return to down-position |6|, ready to add this tobacco to the new charge on the next up-move of the cutting platform. If at any time the aocumulated tobacco column T' on the cutting platform is of sufficient magnitude to prevent the plunger 69 of the compressor from following the complete stroke of the slide 10, the contactscrew 86 will not lift the pin 88, and the tobacco feed will remain inactive during the next cycle, causing the platform 65 to start its ascent empty and to bring into pocket 95 only the surplus tobacco Ti left from the preceding cycle. While the compressor goes through its next cycle, the cut charge T" in the transfer pocket 95 is carried to the rolling table and deposited thereon for rolling within a binder into a cigar bunch B by the rolling apron.

On the base |12 (Figs. 12 and 13) are mounted pedestal .brackets |98 and |99 carrying the shaft 200 of a drum 20| in a notch of which one end of the rolling apron 202 is fastened, the other end being held by a clamp 203 to the outer end of rolling table |13. The shaft 200 carries a sprocket 204 which is intermittently driven by an endless chain 205. The pedestal |98 also has a bearing 206 in which is journaled a shaft 201 carrying at one end an arm 208 connected by a link 209 to lugs on the chamber 2|0 of a suction platform 2||, Figs. 12 and 14. The chamber 2| 0 is guided by a rod 2|2 fitting into the bore of a socket 2|3 extending from the base |12. Air is exhausted from the chamber 2|0 through a nipple 2|4 slidable in a socket 2| 5 leading to a duct 2| 6 in base |12, this duct communicating by a pipe 2|1 Fig. 13, attached to base 35, with a pipe 2|8 connected to the suction system of the machine which also exhausts the main chamber of base |12 through a pipe entering ,a hole 2|9, provided for this purpose. The platform 2|| and the rolling table |13 have waste-collecting channels 220 formed by side rails 22| and 22| a respectively (Figs. 1 and 14) attached to the same. On the other end of shaft 201 is mounted an arm 222 connected byva rod 223 to a cam lever 224.

The operation of the charge manipulating and rolling mechanism just described is as follows:

The charge T" is cut oil the. column T by the oscillating knife |2| and the pocket 95 is carried by the chain |01 into the dotted position T"i shown in Fig. l2, the charge being supported on the way by the rider plate |85, and at position Ti the charge is received by the rolling apron 202 on suction platform 2|! which has been raised into the dotted position 2| I by the arm 208 during the travel of pocket 95. As the platform 2|| then descends into the full line position, during which the perforated portion of the apron overlying it adheres thereon and forms a loop 202' in the rolling apron required for rolling the charge, the plate |85 is swung into position |85 by the rack |90, the plate thereby acting to hold down the charge while 'it is being rolled into the bunch charge T"I by the advance of the rolling pin |80 due to cam lever |83. While the plate |85 is being swung into position |85', the drum 20| is' turned forward .by the chain 20-5 to pass out a length of apron 202 sufficient for the loop 202'. In position |80 of the rolling pin, when thecharge T" has attained the bunch shape T", the drum 20| turns backward to tighten the apron around the same, and the crank |93' engages the roller |94. While the rolling pin |80 is moving into position |80', a binder B has been deposited upon the rolling apron 202 on the table |13 by the suction head of a binder transfer (not shown). As the rolling pin then moves into its extreme position 80",

the. charge T"-is rolled within the binder B thereby forming the bunch B which, after being tightened .by a final backward turn of the apron drum 20|, is ready for delivery into a bunch transfer to be carried to the bunch shaping and wrapping mechanisms of the cigar machine.

In Figs. 1`5 to 17, a modification in the arrangement of the bunch length cutters and of the charge-compressor is shown. Here, the upper corrugated knife 84, instead of being stationary, is attached to a reciprocable bar 225 actuated by a rod 226 from a properly timed cam lever. The bar 225 carries a bracket 221 from which issuspended a pressure foot 228 resting on the tobacco layer T under the pressure of a spring 229. To this pressure foot is hinged the top guide 230 which is suspended from thebracket 221. by a link 23|. As the upper knife 84 descends towards the lower knife 61, the guide 230 depresses the incoming tobacco layer T and the .foot 228 precompresses the same before entering the cutting platform 65. The latter is fastened on the plunger 232 which is moved up and down in bracket 13 by the rod 14 attached to cam lever 234 held in upward tension by a spring 235 attached to the base 35 of the machine. The plunger 232 on a suitable projection 233 carries the contact screw 81a which registers with pin 88 in pawl 89 of a control similar to that shown in Fig. 8 and similarly controls the action of the tobacco feed. The plunger has lugs 236 carrying set screws 231 which come to rest on a plate 238 attached to the base 35 and limit the movement of the compressor at the end of its stroke.

The cam lever 234, after raising the plunger a separate plate 239 having corrugations registering with those of the knife 84 is suspended on studs 240 from socket 24| provided on the pocket 95. The plate 239 is held in downward tension by a compression spring 242 and rests on the knife 84, except when the latter is in its lowermost position shown in Fig. 15, when the adjusting nuts on studs 240 hold it above the path of the oscillating charge-cutting knife |2| while the knife 84 has descended below knife |2| to its lowermost position limited by a stop screw 243 in frame 34. The plate 239 lits into the notches formed in the end of the incoming tobacco charge and thus prevents lateral shifting of the bunch charge layers during the cutting operation of the oscillating knife |2 A plate 244 attached to a recess in the top of arm 225 serves as a guide for the knife |2| when at its innermost position.

A plate 252 (Fig. 15) bridges the gap between the ller feeding belt and the platform, and its inner end is cut away to fit the ndentations of the knife 81 and conform to the shape of the cutting edge of the knife 84. Thus the latter as it descends clamps the filler stream on the plate 252, so that the tobacco will be rmly held at this point while the platform ascends and causes theknife 61 to engage with the knife 84 for severing a bunch length.

The tension of the spring 235 may be regulated by turning the screw eye connecting it to the cam lever 234 (Fig. 16), whereby the density of the bunch charge may be varied, but ordinarily Iafter the proper tension of the spring has been obtained it is not disturbed. With the form of construction shown in Figs. 15 and 16 there is no tendency for the compressor platform to be slammed against the column of tobacco following the cutting of a bunch charge and hence no dash-pot is needed.

In Fig. 1a there is shown a suitable form of two-way valve controlling the application of suction to the suction platform 2|| and the pockets 15 for carrying off dust and scrap. As shown, a T or valve housing 245 has a socket fitting a pipe 246 leading to a suction fan (not shown) and also has one -branch communicating with the pipe 2I8, which is connected to the pipe 2|1 leading to the suction chamber 2|0, and two other branches connected to the suction pockets 15. A valve plate 241 is pivotally mounted on a shaft 248 protruding from the valve housing and carrying an arm 248 connected by a rod 258 to a cam lever 25|. 'I'he valve plate is normally maintained in a position closing the branch connected to the pipe 2|8 by a tension spring 252 connected to the cam lever 25|, and the cam lever 25| is timed to swing the valve-plate into the dotted position and permit the suction to be applied to the suction platform 2|| at the proper time, the suction meanwhile being cut off from the pipes 15.

To prevent accumulation of tobacco in the channels 22| of the bunch rolling table, there may be provided sweeps 253 carried by the brackets |18 and |11 of the rolling pin (Fig. 1b) and extending downwardly within the side walls 22| and into the channels. As the sweeps move toward the delivery end of the table they carry particles of tobacco which may escape from the bunch charge and lodge in the channels into the chute 254 connected to the suction system of the machine.

It may be noted that with the illustrated construction of the charge former the charge-cutting knife is of such thinness that it minimizes the production of scrap and will be moved more easily through the laminations ofthe compressed column of tobacco than constructions employing a thicker separator plate behind the cutter. Such separator plates tend to unduly compress thev charge while separating it or tend to push .back the compressor with the portion of the tobacco column behind the separator plate. The illustrated construction also permits the separation of charges from a column compacted to a greater degree. Occasionally a tobacco leaf section would lodge in the space between the separator plate and the knife and be pushed ahead, further disturbing the laminations of the tobacco column. As mentioned herein, by moving the charge-cutting knife lengthwise of the assembled bunch lengths their corrugated ends will not be mutilated or broken off as when the knife moves transversely of bunch lengths.

As shown in Figs. 18 and 19 each of the -bearing supports |18 for the tnmnions of the rolling pin isA equipped with a bearing |18a which carries one of the trunnions and is provided with a' slot |18b through which passes a cap screw |18c threaded into the support |18 and fastening the bearing |18a thereto. Upon loosening the screws |18c the bearings |18a may be raised or lowered to tilt the rolling pinfrom a horizontal position wherein it is adapted to coact with a. straight table, to oppositely inclined positions' wherein they are adapted to coact with right or left hand curved rolling tables. Each of the bearings |18 has a stem`clamped in its respective bracket whereby the bracket may be turned to suit the various tilted positions of the rolling pin.

Following an adjustment of the trunnion bearing supports the shaft |81 should be raised 4or lowered to admit the flattened trunnion end |86 at the various adjusted positions thereof. For this purpose the pedestal |88 is equipped with a vertically adjustable bearing bracket |88a which carries the shaft |81 and is fastened to the pedestal |88 by a cap screw passing through an elongated slot permitting requisite vertical adjustment of the shaft upon loosening the cap screw.

What is claimed is:

1. In a cigar machine, the combination with a vertically movable platform, of means for intermittently advancing a continuous stream of tobacco on to said platform, cutters coacting to section of the filler stream advanced on to said platform, a measuring pocket overlying said platform, mechanism for raising said platform to elevate the severed tobacco section into said measuring pocket and thereby fill said pocket with a charge of tobacco and compact the same therein, and a device for separating the charge filling said pocket from the remainder of the compacted tobacco in the section.

2. In a cigar machine, the combination with a vertically movable platform, of means for intermittently advancing a continuous stream of tobacco on to said platform, cutters coacting to sever from the remainder of the filler stream the section of the filler stream advanced on to said platform, a measuring pocket overlying said platform, mechanism for raising said platform to elevate the severed tobacco section into said measuring pocket and thereby fill said pocket with a charge of tobacco and compact the same therein, a device separating the charge filling said pocket from the remainder of the compacted tobacco section, and members for supporting the surplus tobacco remaining after separation of said charge yduring the descent of said platform whereby it .1 may be recompacted in said measuring pocket sever from the remainder of the filler stream the during the next ascent of said platform.

3. In a cigar machine, the combination with a vertically movable platform, of means for intermittently advancing a continuous stream of tobacco on to said platform, cutters coacting to sever from the remainder of the filler stream the section of the filler stream advanced on to said platform, a measuring pocket overlying said platform, mechanism for raising said platform to elevate the severed tobacco section into said measuring pocket and thereby fill said pocket with a charge of tobacco and compact the same therein, a device separating the charge filling said pocket from the remainder of the compacted tobacco section, and members for supporting the surplus tobacco remaining after separation of said charge duringthe descent of said platform whereby it may lbe recornpacted in said measuring pocket during the next ascent of said platform, said platform having slots in its upper face. and. said members being movable into said slots to underlie the tobacco supported on said platform and sup` port the surplus tobacco during the descent of the platform.

4. In a cigar machine, the combination with a vertically movable platform, of means for intermittently advancing a continuous stream of tobacco on to said platform, a pair of cutters coacting to sever from the remainder of the filler stream the section of the ller stream advanced on to said platform, a measuring pocket overlying said platform, mechanism for raising said platform to elevate the severed tobacco section into said measuring pocket and thereby ll said pocket with a charge of tobacco and compact the same therein, a device separating the charge filling said pocket from the remainder of the compacted tobacco in said section, one of said cutters being fastened to said platform and movable therewith, and the other cutter being statlonary and disposed in a position above the platform to cause the tobacco section to be separated during the ascent of said platform.

5. In a cigar machine, the combination with a vertically movable platform.. of means for intermittently advancing a continuous stream of filler tobacco on to said platform, an upper cutter and a lower cutter coacting to sever from the remainder of the filler stream bunch lengths advanced on to said platform, said cutters having corrugated cutting edges forming indentations in the ends of the severed bunch lengths, a plate bridging the gap between said means and platform and having a corrugated configuration at its end adjacent the platform conforming to the configuration of the cutting edge of the upper cutter, said lower cutter being fastened to said platform and movable therewith and the upper cutter being movable downwardly to clamp the tobacco stream upon the corrugated end of said plate prior to the ascent of said platform and coact with said lower cutter in severing a bunch length during the ascent of said platform, and mechanism for raising said platform to cause severing of the bunch lengths and elevation thereof.

6. In a cigar machine, the combination with a vertically.movable,platform, of means for intermittently advancing a continuous stream of tobacco on to said platform, an upper and a lower cutter coacting to sever from the remainder of the stream a bunch length advanced on to said platform and having corrugated cutting edges forming indentations in the ends of the severed bunch lengths, a measuring pocket overlying said platform, mechanism for raising said platform to elevate the severed bunch'length into said measuring pocket and thereby illl said pocket with a charge of tobacco and compact the same therein, and a device separating the charge illling said pocket from the remainder of the compacted tobacco in said bunch length, said measuring pocket having vla plate provided with a configuration interiltting the indenations in the underlying end of the charge in said pocket to prevent shifting thereof during the cutting of said charge.

7. In a cigar machine, the combination with a vertically movable platform, of means for intermittently advancing a continuous stream of tobacco .on to said platform, cutters coacting to sever from the remainder of the filler stream the section of the filler stream advanced on to said platform, a measuring pocket overlying said platform, mechanism for raising said platform to elevate the severed tobacco section into said measuring pocket and thereby fill said pocket with a charge of tobacco and compact the same therein, and a device separating the charge lling said pocket from the remainder of the compacted tobacco section, said measuring pocket having a yielding plate adapted to eject the separated charge and an adjustable stop for-limiting the yielding movement of said plate, and said mechanism for elevating the 'platform being yieldable to compact the tobacco to a predetermined density.

8. In a cigar machine, the combination with a vertically movable platform adapted toelevate a severed tobacco portion, of means for intermittently advancing a continuous stream of tobacco on to said platform, a downwardly moving cutter adapted to sever the portion of the ller stream advanced on to said platform, a measuring pocket overlying said platform to admit the tobacco portion severedv by saidr cutter and elevated by said platform, and a compactor connected to said cutter for compressing the tobacco stream at a portion in front of said platform.

9. In a cigar machine, the combination with a vertically movable platform, of means for intermittently advancing a continuous stream of tobacco on to said platform, cutters coacting to sever from the remainder of the ller stream the portion of the filler stream advanced on to said platform, an abutment overlying said platform, mechanism for raising said platform to elevate and compact the severed tobacco portion against said abutment, a device for separating a bunch charge from the compacted tobacco portion, and members for supporting the surplus tobacco remaining after separation of said charge during the descent of said platform whereby it may be recompacted during the next ascent of said platform.

yhorizontal oscillatory knife adapted to be moved horizontally through a vertical column of tobacco confined within said members and separate a charge from the top of said column, and mechanism for actuating said knife.

12. The combination with a vertically movable platform, of means for intermittently advancing a continuous stream of tobacco on to said platform, a cutter acting to sever from the remainder of the filler stream the portion of the filler stream advanced on to said platform, mechanism for elevating the platform with the tobacco portion severed by said cutter thereon, and a compactor actuated by said cutter for compressing the tobacco stream at a portion in front of said platform.

13. The combination with a rolling apron having a perforated charge receiving portion, a movable perforated platform underlying said apron `and having a suction chamber communicating through the perforations of said platform with the perforations of the charge receiving apron portion to suctionally retain a bunch charge depositcd thereon, and mechanism for elevating said platform with the overlying apron portion to receive a charge and then lowering said platform with the charge and the portion of the rolling apron adhering thereto to form a loop in the apron.

14. 'Ihe combination with a cigar bunch charge transfer having an open bottom, of a rolling apron having a charge receiving portion, mechanism for moving said charge transfer into position, to deposit a bunch charge upon the charge receiving portion of vsaid apron, a movable perforated platform underlying said apron and having a suction -chamber communicating through the perforatlons of said platform with the bottom of said charge receiving apron portion, mechanism for elevating said platform to raise the charge receiving apron portion into position to engage the open bottom of said charge transfer to receive the charge from said transfer and then lowering said platform with the charge and the portion of the rolling apron adhering thereto to form a loop in the apron, and a rolling pin movable to and fro across said platform to carry said loop forwardly thereover and -rol1 the charge upon itself.

15. In a cigar machine, the combination with a vertically movable platform, of means for intermittently advancing a continuous stream of tobacco on to said platform, cutters coacting to sever from the remainder of the filler stream the portion of the ller stream advanced on to said platform, a measuring pocket overlying said platform, mechanism for raising said platform to elevate the tobacco portion severed by said cutters into said measuring pocket and thereby fill said pocket with a charge and compact the same therein, a horizontal knife for separating the charge filling said pocket from the remainder of the compacted tobacco portion, and means for moving said measuring pocket with the charge rectilinearly.

16. In a cigar machine, the combination with a vertically movable platform, of means for intermittently advancing a continuous stream of tobacco on to said platform, cutters coacting to sever from the remainder` of the filler stream the portion of the filler stream advanced on to said platform, a measuring pocket overlying said platform, mechanism for raising said platform tol elevate the tobacco portion severed by said cutters into said measuring pocket and thereby ill said pocket with a char-ge and compact the same therein, a horizontal knife for separating the charge filling said pocket from the remainder of the compacted tobacco portion, and means for moving said measuring pocket with the charge rectilinearly across the upper face of said knife whereby the charge is retained in said pocket by the knife while being removed from the said tobacco portion.

17. The combination with a bunch rolling table, a bunch rolling apron extending across said table and arranged to receive a bunch charge at one portion thereof and receive a binder at another portion thereof, a rolling pin movable to and fro to cause said rolling pin to roll the bunch charge upon itself and then roll it within said binder to form a bunch, a plate supported on said pin and projecting forwardly thereof, and mechanism for positively swinging said plate downwardly to press upon the charge while it is being rolled upon itself and then swinging said plate upwardly while it is being rolled within the binder.

18. In a cigar machine, the combination with a vertically movable platform, of means for intermittently advancing a continuous stream of tobacco on toV said platform, cutters co-acting to sever from the remainder of the filler stream the section of the filler stream advanced on to said platform, a measuring pocket overlying said platform, mechanism for raising said platform to elevate the tobacco section severed by said ,l

cutters into said measuring pocket and thereby fill said pocket with a charge and compact the same therein and subsequently lowering the platform to return it to initial position, a horizontal knife, means for moving said knife to and fro across said tobacco section for separating the charge filling 'said pocket from the remainder of the compacted tobacco in said tobacco section, and members for supporting the surplus tobacco remaining after separation of said charge during the descent of said platform whereby it may be recompacted in said measuring pocket during the next ascent of said platform, said platform being provided with slots in its upper face, and said members being supported by said means for moving the knife, for movement into said slots during the movement of the knife through 1 9. The combination with a vertically movable platform adapted to support a tobacco section, of means for intermittently raising said platform to elevate the tobacco section and subsequently lowering the platform to return it to initial position, said platform having slots in its upper face, members movable into said slots for supporting the tobacco section elevated on said platform, during the descent of the latter, and mechanism for intermittently moving said members into said slots.

20. The combination with a vertically movable platform adapted to support a tobacco section. of means for intermittently raising said platform to elevatethe tobacco section and subsequently lowering the platform to initial position, said platform having slots in its upper face, members movable into said slots for supporting the tobacco on said platform during the descent of the latter, and mechanism for intermittently moving said members into said slots while the K platform is elevated and then lowering the memthe tobacco section whereby the surplus tobacco will be supported by said members during the descent of said platform.

bers with the tobacco supported thereon and finally retracting the members. l

21. 'I'he combination with a vertical measuring pocket, of a platform adapted to elevate a tobacco section into said pocket and compact the same therein, a vertically movable plunger supporting said platform, a vertically movable slide, mechanism for raising and lowering said slide, and a tension spring connecting said slide to said plunger whereby the tobacco section is elevated by 4 said platform into said pocket and compacted therein to a predetermined density.

22. The combination with a vertical measuring pocket, of a platform adapted to elevate a tobacco section into said pocket and compact the same therein, a vertically movable plunger supporting said platform, a vertically movable slide, mechanism for raising and lowering said slide, a spring connecting said slide to said plunger whereby the tobacco section is elevated by said platform into said pocket and compacted therein to a predetermined density, an oil reservoir in the lower end of said plunger, and a perforated piston mounted in said reservoir and connected to said slide whereby oil is forced through said piston during movement of said slide relative to said plunger.

23. The combination with a slide, of means for longitudinally reciprocating said slide, a horizontal vibratory knife mounted on a vertical axis on said slide, a shaft extending longitudinally of said slide, a crank mounted on said shaft and connected to said knife for imparting vibratory movement thereto, a counter shaft mounted externally of said slide and connected to and ,driving the shaft on which said crank is mounted, and a cam-actuated clutch on said counter shaft for intermittently driving the same.

24. The combination with a vertical bunch charge measuring pocket having an open bottom through which a tobacco charge may be inserted, an endless chain connected to said pocket. and means for driving said chain to transfer said pocket with the inserted charge to delivery position.

25. The combination with a bunch rollin apron having a loop therein and adapted to support a bunch charge, of supporting members movable along said apron, a rolling pin having trunnions mounted in said members and adapted to roll the bunch charge upon itself within said loop, a plate mounted on said trunnions, a shaft adapted to be coupled with one of said trunnions, and means for turning said shaft to swing said plate downwardly into a position projecting forwardly of the rolling pin to hold the charge down upon the apron while rolling it upon itself.

26. The combination with a bunch rolling table having waste collecting channels, of members projecting into said channels, mechanism for traversing said members along said channels to remove tobacco particles therefrom, and a chute arranged to receive the tobacco particles from said members.

27. The combination with means for assembling tobacco sections to form a vertical column, of a horizontal knife arranged to separate a charge from the top of said column, and means for moving said knife through said column to separate a charge from the top of said column.

28. The combination with a vertical measuring pocket having an open bottom, of means for elevating a vertical column of tobacco into said pocket to compact the same, a horizontal knife for separating the charge filling said pocket from the remainder of the compactedtobacco in said column, said knife having an area coextensive with the open bottom of said pocket, means for moving said pocket with the separated charge to a delivery position, and means for moving said knife through said column to separate the charge in said pocket and close the open bottom thereof while the charge is being advanced to delivery position.

29. In a cigar machine, the combination with a vertically movable platform, of means for intermittently advancing a continuous stream of tobacco on to said platform, cutters coacting to sever from the remainder of the filler stream the section of thev filler stream advanced on to said platform, an abutment overlying said platform, mechanism for raising said platform to elevate and compact the severed section against said abutment, a device for separating a bunch charge from the remainder of the. compacted tobacco section, said means being controlled by said mechanism and incapacitated therefrom when there is suiiicient surplus tobaco remaining to form additional charges, and members for supporting the surplus tobacco remaining after separation of said charge during the next ascent of said platform.

30. The combination with a measuring pocket. of a movable member adapted to advance a tobacco section in to said pocket and compact the same therein, said pocket being provided with a yielding abutment adapted to be displaced inwardly in the pocket and to eject the inserted of means for intermittently raising said platform to elevate the tobacco section and subsequently lowering the platform to return it to initial position, said platform having slots in its upper face, and members adapted to enter said slots for supporting the tobacco section on said platform during the descent of the latter.

33. In a cigar machine, a column forming receptacle for holding cigar filler tobacco in a vertical column, and means for periodically adding increments of tobacco to the bottom of a. column of tobacco in said receptacle, said means including a plurality of relatively movable elements each adapted to support said column, mechensm for separating said elements While one of the elements supports the column, means for introducing an increment of tobacco into the space below the last mentioned column supporting element and above the other element, and mechanism for withdrawing said one element and supporting the combined column and increment on the other of said elements.y

34. In a cigar machine, a column forming re- I ceptacle for confining tobacco in a vertical coltobacco and an adjustable. stop arranged to engage said abutment when it is displaced inwardly for limiting the inward yielding movement of said abutment, and yielding means for actuating said member whereby the tobacco is compacted to a predetermined density against said abutment.

31. The combination with a vertical measuring pocket, of a vertically movable platform adapted to elevate a tobacco section into said pocket and column away from each other.

and compact the same therein, said pocket being provided with a yielding plate disposed to engage the inserted portion of the tobacco section, and yielding means for elevating said platform whereby the tobacco is compacted to a predetermined density.

32. The combination with a vertically movable platform adapted to support a tobacco section,

umn, mechanism for periodically adding. increments of tobacco to the bottom of a column of tobacco in said receptacle, and means for separating measured bunch charges from the upper end of said column, said mechanism including a member having a horizontal face arranged to engage and support the bottom of the column, and means for actuating said member to elevate the column into position for separation of a bunch charge from its upper end.

35. In a cigar machine, a column forming receptacle for confining tobacco in a vertical column, mechanism for periodically adding increments of tobacco to the bottom of a column of tobacco in said receptacle, means for separating a measured bunch charge from the upper end of said column; said means including a measuring element having a flat horizontal surface arranged to overlie said column, devices exerting a predetermined pressure upwardly from the bottom of said column, and charge separating mechanism for separating a predetermined vol` ume from the upper end of said column while under said pressure.

' 36. In a cigar machine, spaced vertical walls for holding a vertical column of tobacco, mechanism including a presser for exerting a predetermined pressure on one end of a vertical column of tobacco held by said walls, measuring mechanism for measuring and yseparating a charge of tobacco from the other end of said column whileunder said pressure, spacing means for periodically relatively moving said presser and column of tobacco away from one another to provide a space between them, and a tobacco feed for feeding an increment of tobacco into said space after relative movement of said presser 37. In a. cigar machine, spaced vertical walls for holding a vertical column of tobacco, mechanism including a presser for exerting a predetermined pressure on one end of a vertical column of tobacco held by said walls, measuring mechanism for measuring and separating a charge of tobacco from the other end of said column while under said pressure, spacing means for periodically relatively moving said presser and column of tobacco away from one another to provide a space between them, and a tobacco feedjfor feeding an increment of tobacco into said space after relative movement of said presser and column away from each other, said spacing means including a column holder movable relative to said presser to hold the end of the column adjacent said presser after relative movement of said presser and column away from each other.

38. In a cigar machine, spaced vertical walls for holding a vertical column of tobacco, mechanism including a presser for exerting a predetennined pressure on one end of a vertical column of tobacco held by said walls. measuring mechanism for measuring and separating a charge of tobacco fromthe other end of said column while under said pressure, spacing means for periodically relatively movingl said presser and column of tobacco away from one another to provide a space between them, and a tobacco feed for feeding an increment of tobacco into f cause said knife to move into said column and said space after relative movement of said.

presser and column away from each other and means for withdrawing said spacing means from between the column and the presser after the increment has been fed into said space.

39. In a cigar machine, the combination with a bunch rolling apron, a vertically movable platform adapted to elevate said apron to chargereceiving position, the top of said platform being perforated and the platform being equipped with a. suction chamber communicating with said perforations, and means for intermittently applying suction to said chamber.

40. The combination with a measuring pocket arranged to admit a column of bunch lengths having corrugated ends, of means for advancing a column of bunch lengths having corrugated ends into said pocket and compacting the same therein, a knife separating the charge filling said pocket from the remainder of the compacted column, and a plate within said measuring pocket having a configuration fitting the indentations in one end of the charge filling said pocket to prevent shifting thereof during cutting of said tobacco layer.

41. The combination with a member for simultaneously elevating a tobacco section and compacting the same to a predetermined density, of means for separating a. bunch charge from the rtop of a tobacco section elevated by said member while it is compacted by said member, and a device for supporting the surplus tobacco remaining in said section after separation of the bunch charge, until the next section has been elevated by said member whereby the surplus tobacco will be compacted by the section elevated by said member.

42. In a cigar machine, the combination with vmeans for assembling tobacco sections in a. vertical column and compacting the column to a predetermined density, of mechanism for separating bunch charges from the top of a vertical column of tobacco sections assembled by said means and transferring them horizontally to bunch rolling position.

43. The combination with mechanism for compacting a column of laminated layers of long filler tobacco, a knife of suiiicient thinness to separate a bunch charge from a column of laminated layers of long filler tobacco compacted by said mechanism without substantially disturbing the laminations thereof, mechanism,

for supporting and vibrating said knife about an axis disposed externally of said column, and means for moving said mechanism to advance the vibrating knife through the compacted column to separate a bunch charge therefrom.

44. The combination with a knife adapted to then withdraw therefrom, and mechanism for oscillating said knife while it enters said column and interrupting the oscillation of said knife.

45. In a cigar machine, a filler feeding channel for advancing a continuous layer of tobacco, means for compacting the continuous layer of tobacco advanced in said channel,said means having a vertically movable cutter plate, a mov'- able support forming a continuation of said channel, a knife mounted on said support, means for moving said support vertically upward to cause said knife to sever bunch lengths of tobacco from said layer of tobacco, said several means being constructed and arranged to constitute mechanism for forming a bunch length of tobacco upon said support, and mechanism for separating a bunch charge of tobacco from a bunch length formed on said support.

46. The combination with a filler feeding channel for advancing a continuous layer of tobacco, and means for compacting the continuous layer of tobacco advanced in said channel, of a knife constructed and arranged to bear against the top face of said layer, a vertically movable support arranged to engage the opposite face of said stream, a cutter located on said support, means to raise said support and cause said cutter to sever bunch lengths of tobacco from said stream, and means to transfer each bunch, so formed, as a unit for further operations in the fabrication of cigars, successively, said knife and cutter having interfltting corrugated cutting edges coacting with each other to sever a bunch length having pig-tails on its ends during the ascent of said support.

47. In a cigar machine, the combination with mechanism for confining a plurality of layers of long filler tobacco cut to bunch lengths in a vertical column, of means for feeding long filler tobacco layer by layer into the range of action of said confining means, means for severing bunch charges from a. vertical column of a plurality of tobacco layers of long filler bunch lengths confined by said mechanism, including a reciprocating support and a knife mounted thereon, means for moving said knife at right angles to the vertical axis of said column to cut said charges therefrom while maintaining the arrangement of said layers undisturbed, and means for oscillating said knife in its plane of movement during the charge cutting operation thereof to separate a charge from the column and reduce the cutting of tobacco to a minimum.

48. The combination with a yieldngly mounted movable abutment, of an adjustable member arranged to engage said abutment as it yields for limiting the yielding movement thereof, and a yielding device for advancing a column of tobacco vertically against said abutment to compact the tobacco in said column to a predetermined density, the yielding compacting force of said device being adjustable.

49. The combination with a yieldingly mounted-movable abutment, of an adjustable member arranged to engage said abutment as it yields for limiting the yielding movement thereof, a yielding device for advancing a column of tobacco vertically against said abutment to com- Pact the tobacco in said column to a predetermined density, the yielding compacting force of said device being adjustable, and a knife for separating a bunch charge from the remainder of the column of tobacco compacted between said abutment and device.

50. The combination with a charge measuring pocket having a yielding abutment movable inwardly into the pocket and a member arranged to engage said abutment as it is moved inwardly and limit its inward movement, said member being adjustable to vary the extent to which the abutment may be displaced inwardly into the pocket and thereby vary the capacity of the pocket, a yielding device for advancing a column of tobacco into said pocket and against said abut.. ment to displace the latter inwardly into the pocket, the yielding compacting force of said device being adjustable, a knife for separating a bunch charge in said pocket from the compacted column of tobacco, and mechanism for transferring said pocket with the separated bunch charge therein to delivery position.

51. In a cigar machine, the combination with a ller tobacco feeding channel and means for compacting said tobacco therein to form a continuous layer of substantially uniform density, of

Va floating compressing member, a support forming a continuation of said channel and acting in opposition to said member, mechanism for forming a laminated vertical column of tobacco cut to bunch lengths between said member and said support, including means tending to impart the desired density to said column, and a cutter for separating bunch charges from said column of tobacco. y

52. In a cigar machine, the combination with a tobacco feeding channel and means for ccmpacting said tobacco therein to form a continuous layer of substantially uniform density, of a oating yieldably mounted compressing member, and a vertically movable support forming a horizontal continuation of said channel and acting in opposition to said member and coacting therewith to compact the tobacco.

HENRY H. WHEELER.