US2337544A - Filler charge transfer for cigar machines - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 28, 1943. s. CLAUSEN 2,337,544

' FILLER CHARGE TRANSFER FOR CIGAR MACHINES Filed May 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR SIGURD CLAUSEN Dec. 28, 1943. s. CLAUSEN KILLER CHARGE TRANSFER FOR CIGAR MKCHINES Filed may '7, 1941 2 SheejLs- Sheet 2 INVENTOR Patented Dec. 28, 1943 FILLER CHARGE TRANSFER FOR CIGAR MACHINES Sigurd Clausen, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to International Cigar Machinery Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application May 7, 1941, Serial No. 392,233

' 10 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in cigar machines, more particularly to the bunch charge transfer and bunch rolling apron thereof.

Heretofore in the type of machine shown in the co-pending application of H. H. Wheeler, Serial No. 304,299, filed November 14, 1939, on which Patent 2,311,011 issued February 16, 1943, the bunch charge was deposited from the charge transfer upon a portion of the bunch-rolling apron which was raised into contact with the charge transfer and then lowered preparatory to rolling of the charge within the binder, by a suction platform to which the portion of the apron carrying the charge adhered. During the relatively sudden descent of the suction platform the charge was disturbed, as it was not held down after it left the charge transfer; and this tended to impair its uniformity, particularly at the fishtails on its head and tuck ends. Accordingly, one of the objects of the invention is to hold the charge against the apron until it has descended to its lowermost position to prevent disturbance of the charge.

In the machine shown in the said patent the suction platform or box underlying the apron operates to draw it down and form a loop in which the charge is rolled. However, it has been found that occasionally the apron would peel off the outer side of the platform, since it would not be held with sufficient force at this point, and

would extend more or less diagonally and further disturb the charge. Moreover the slackening of the apron during the descent of the platform would occasionally cause the apron to sag between the rolling pin and the drum by which the apron is tightened and slackened, as the adhesion of the apron to the suction platform would occasionally be insuflicient to pull the apron along the edge of the platform while the latter descends to its lowermost position; and thus the sagging of the apron at the portion mentioned would thereby cause the portion extendingto the suction platform to assume a more or less diagonally extending position.

With the construction shown in the co-pending application of H. Wheeler, Serial No. 387,808, filed April 10, 1941, although the ejector of the charge transfer descends with the platform to its lowermost position, the slackening of the apron during the descent of the chargetransfer permits theapron to sag between the rolling pin and the drum by which it is tightened and slackened. Thus the sagging portion ofthe apron together with the very rapid ascending movement of the charge transfer, which tends to ICU suck up the deposited charge, will tend to peel the apron off the platform and disturb the charge upon the platform. Moreover with new aprons, which have sufficient stiffness to belly out in front of the rolling pin until they have been in service for a considerable period of time, the apron will not be drawn smoothly over the rolling pin during the descent of the charge transfer and will have to be drawn snugly over the rolling pin by the inner end of the plate mounted on the ends of the latter when the plate is swung over into position to hold the charge upon the apron during the advance of the rolling pin for rolling the charge. Accordingly, still another object of the invention is to provide a positively actuated member for depressing the apron to take up the slack therein and form a loop therein during the ejection of the charge.

In the construction shown in said co-pending application, Serial No. 387,808, filed April 10, 1941, there was provided cam-actuated mechanism for positively depressing the plunger to eject the charge from the transfer upon the rolling apron; but the plunger was returned to its initial position within the charge transfer by compression springs engaging abutments on members carried by the plunger and projecting upwardly through the top of the charge transfer. These springs returned the plunger to its initial position while the charge transfer was returning to charge-receiving position, wherefore the charge deposited upon the apron was disturbed, as the speed of the ascent of the plunger was so great that tobacco was sucked up from the charge deposited on the apron. Accordingly in pursuance of the object stated above, of holding the charge upon the apron during the descent of the latter, there is provided positively actuated mechanism for returning the plunger to its initial position prior to the movement of the charge transfer back to charge-receiving position; and the same constitutes still another object of the invention. Thus the plunger may be returned to initial position less suddenly and without tending to suck up the deposited charge. Since the charge transfer shown in said application, Serial No. 387,808, begins its return movement while the plunger begins moving to its initial position within the transfer, the deposited charge was further disturbed.

Moreover in the construction shown in said application, Serial No. 387,808, tobacco occasionally was wedged in back of the springpressed plunger, which descends to below the bottom of the charge transfer wherein it was mounted, and interfered with the return of the plunger to its retracted position within the charge transfer. It is a further object of the invention to provide the charge transfer with a plunger which will prevent the entrance of tobacco behind the plunger, and for this purpose the plunger may be provided with flanges which extend into the pocket of the charge transfer to prevent entrance of tobacco particles therein.

With these and other objects not specifically mentioned in view, the invention consists in certain constructions and combinations hereinafter fully described and set forth in the appended claims.

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 side elevation of a portion of a cigar machine showing the improved charge transfer and bunch rolling mechanism; i

Fig. 2 is an end View taken from line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view on line 33 of Fig. 2, showing the arrangement of the improved transfer pocket; I

Fig. 4 is a plan view showing the long filler feed, the corrugated cutter, the charge cutting platform and charge separating means; and

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view of the crownknob on the charge transfer.

Referring to Fig. 4, the leaf tobacco is placed in a feed channel formed by the horizontal endless belt lll and the two vertical endless belts H and I2, to form a layer or stream L of the proper thickness. These belts may be driven and controlled in the same manner as disclosed in Patent 2,311,011 referred to above, to advance the layer of tobacco L between a set of stationary side guides (not shown) and under a horizontally extending leaf guide plate (not shown) hinged on acompactor plate l3 which precompresses the filler tobacco vertically, before it advances on to the cutting platform M. The construction of the side guides, guide plate. compactor plate I3 and platform [4 may be similar to that shown in the above mentioned patent.

. The platform M, which is provided with longitudinal slots l5 and carries the corrugated knife I6, is mounted on the head ll of a plunger it supported in a slide l9 (Fig. 1). As shown in the above-mentioned application, slide l9 receives vertical reciprocatory motion from a suit able cam operated rod (not shown) of the machine. The tobacco layer L is forwarded in each cycle by the feed belts H, l2 and I3 over the cutting platform I4 toward an adjustably mounted slotted wall 2B3, Fig. 4, by increments corresponding to the desired bunch length. Side walls l9a extending at either side of the platform 14 from the compactor plate [3 to the wall 20, confine the tobacco layer on the platform. The platform 14 is then raised, thus forcing the knife l5 fastened on the inner end of the platform against a knife 2| carried by an arm 22, and thereby cutting the section advanced upon the platform from the remainder of the tobacco layer L. The

arm 22 which as in the above mentioned application supports the compactor plate I3 and is linked to" the guide plate, is actuated by a rod (not shown) from a properly timed cam lever to first raise and then lower the knife 2l to clamp the tail endof the tobacco section shortly before the .side walls 26 of the pocket at all times, thereby preventing tobacco from working up the sides of the plunger and jamming it. The side walls 26 are suspended from a cover 21 having an extension 28 (Fig. 2) at one end of which is fastened a slide 29 engaging with a stationary horizontal guide rail 3!) equipped with a separate gib-rail 3| for convenience in assembling. The side walls may terminate short of the rail 35 as shown in Fig. 2 to leave a space therebetween. The opposite end of cover 27 supports a slide 32 engaging a stationary guide rail 33 which is part of a bracket 36. The slide 29 is attached to a link 35 extending upwardly from an endless chain 38 running over sprockets 31 and 38. The sprocket 31 is mounted on a stud 39 carried by a bracket it! clamped to rail Sll and adjustable thereon by a set screw 11 l. Sprocket 38 is mounted on a shaft 42 supported by a pedestal (not shown) and carries a gear 33 meshing with a rack M which receives up-and-down motion from a suitable cam actuated lever (not shown) of the machine.

With the pocket 23 in charge receiving positionas shown in dotted lines (Fig. 1) the platform id is raised to its upper position, lifting the severed bunch length into said pocket and against the plunger 24, and compressing the same, thereby raising the plunger into its upper position which corresponds to the thickness of the charge required for a cigar bunch. The plunger 24! is attached to the lower end of a rod 45 sliding in a hub Q6 of cover 27, the upper end M of rod 45 being smaller in diameter and providing a shoulder it which is adapted, when the rod 45 is lifted, to engage the inner face of the crownknob 49 whereby the plunger Ed is stopped in its upper position corresponding to the desired thickness of the charge. The knob 49 is threaded on to the threaded boss 59 of cover 2'! and by turningthe knob 49 the point at which the upward movement of plunger 23 will be stopped can be varied to produce different thicknesses of charges to suit small or large cigar bunches. The knob 49 is kept from accidental turning by means of a spring wire 5! snapped into one of its grooves.

With the transfer pocket loaded, a horizontal oscillating knife blade 52 (Figs. 1 and 4), which may be supported and actuated in the same manner as described in the heretofore mentioned Patent 2,311,011, moves forward to sever the charge deposited in the pocket. Supporting fingers 53 move through the slots in platform 28 to their inner position within the slots l5 in the cutting platform M which is now at raised position. The platform Hi then returns to its down position leaving the surplus'cut filler tobacco on the interposed fingers 53, as shown in Fig. 1, and the uppercorrugated knife 2! returns to its upper position preparatory to the repetition of the cycle set forth I above. When the platform again ascends with a cut filler section the fingers 53 are withdrawn from the position in which they supported the surplus tobacco from the previous cycle to their outer position, as shown in Fig. 4, thereby leaving this surplus tobacco on top of the newly cut section being advanced by the platform.

The measured charge lodged in the charge transfer 23 is then slid across the plate 52a to a position adjacent the rolling table 54 of the machine by the movement of the chain 35, as shown in Fig. 1. At this latter position the charge is deposited on the rolling apron 55 which has been raised to its upper position by the suction box or lifter platform 56. The platform 55 is connected by a flexible hose 56a to a suitable source of suction (not shown) whereby suction is applied to the upper face of the platform to suctionally hold the overlying portion of the apron 55 thereon. Since the construction of the apron and rollin table is similar to that shown in the above mentioned application, further description thereof is deemed unnecessary except to note that one end of the apron is fastened to the remote end of the table and the other apron end is secured to the drum 55a which is suitably operated as shown in said application to slacken the apron sufficiently to permit the formation of a loop therein during the ejection of the bunch charge.

In order to prevent peeling off of the apron along the outer side of its supporting platform 56 to which it is suctionally held during the downward movement of the platform when the charge is ejected thereon by the plunggr, 24, and to depress the apron to take up the slack therein an apron pocket former 51 is associated with the plunger actuating means to form a pocket in the apron as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, adjacent the rear side of the platform 55. It will be understood that the applicat on of suction to the latter may be dispensed with if desired. Member 51 is secured to a bracket 58 sliding on a vertical rod 59 supported in the cover 21, said bracket having a track adapted to engage a roller 6| carried by an arm 62 fastened on a shaft 63 in bracket 34 when the charge transfer is at delivery position. On shaft 63 is also supported an arm 64 carrying one end of a link 65 connected to a cam lever 66, Fig. 2, which is fulcrumed on a stud 6! supported by a bracket 68 attached in a suitable manner to the frame of the machine. The lever 66 is equipped with a cam roller 69 engaging in a track 70 of a cam H mounted on the main cam shaft of the machine.

When arm 52 descends it causes bracket 58 to also move downwardly, and in so doing the plate 51 will form a pocket in the apron 55. An arm 12 extending from bracket 58 and having an open end slot 73 slides over rod 4-1 until it engages the nut 74 on the rod, thereby causing the plunger 24 to expel the tobacco charge from the pocket on to the apron 55; and as the plunger descends, the platform 56 by means of a cam operated arm 55 is also lowered to its dotted position, as shown in Fig. 1. The arm 62 is then operated to return the plunger 24 and plate 5'! to their upper position. Arm F2 in ascending engages the nut 16 on rod 41, the nut 16 being properly adjusted to cause the base of the plunger to be returned into alignment with the lower edges of the side walls 26. The tension spring ll, which is connected to the collar 18 on rod 59 and the stud 19 on plate 51, normally maintains the latter at an elevated position with the arm 12 in engagement with the collar 15.

The expelled charge on the rolling apron 55 is now ready to be rolled into a cigar bunch by the action of rolling pin which is suitably supported and actuated as shown in the abovementioned patent to swing the plate 52a, which I is pivoted on the ends of the rolling pin over upon the charge deposited upon the apron where it remains during the forward movement of the rolling pin and is later returned to its initial position.

The plunger 24, Figs. 2 and 3, is provided with corrugated extensions 8| corresponding to the corrugated configuration of the knife 2| and intergaging similarly shaped cut-outs 82 in a plate 83 and thereby holding the fishtail ends of the charge in orderly fashion when delivered to the pocket and also when expelled on to the apron 55. The plate 83 is suspended on rods 84, which are slidably mounted in the cover 21, and is urged downwardly by compression springs 85 which are coiled about the rods and act to keep plate 83 in a position aligned with the plunger 24, except when raised by the knife 2| as the latter ascends prior to its descent into position to clamp the filler stream on the knife G6 on platform M.

The transfer pocket, as it returns to its charge receiving position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, moves the track 60 in bracket 58 off the roller 6|, carried by arm 62. The arm dwells in the same position until the pocket has received a charge and again advanced to the track 60 into engagement with the roller. To facilitate easy entering of the roller the track 60 is provided with a bell shaped mouth 83a.

What is claimed is:

1. In a cigar machine, the combination with a bunch rolling apron, of a charge transfer provided with a pocket having an open bottom through which a bunch charge may be inserted, means for moving said transfer horizontally to and fro from charge-receiving position to chargedelivery position, said transfer being provided with an ejector within said pocket adapted to eject the charge therefrom, means for moving said apron upwardly into contact with the bottom of said transfer and lowering the apron during the ejection of the charge, and mechanism for displacing said ejector downwardly through said pocket to eject the charge at the chargedelivery position of said transfer and hold the charge against the apron while the latter descends into its initial position, said mechanism including a movable member adapted to engage said ejector and positively return it into said pocket.

2. In a cigar machine, the combination with a bunch rolling apron, of a charge transfer movable into position to deposit a bunch charge on said apron, means for moving said apron upwardly into contact with said transfer and lowering the apron with the charge deposited thereon, a member arranged to engage and displace said apron downwardly at one side of said means during the descent thereof and mechanism for actuating said member to displace said apron downwardly a greater distance than the distance the apron is lowered by said means and thereby form a loop in said apron at one side of said means.

3. In a cigar machine, the combination with a bunch rolling apron, of a charge transfer movable into position to deliver a bunch charge on said apron, means for lowering the apron, a member arranged to engage and displace said apron at one side of said means during the descent thereof to form a pocket in the apron to admit a charge from said transfer, and an ejector for expellin the charge from said transfer into said pocket.

4. A bunch charge transfer having a pocket provided with spaced side walls and a plunger disposed between said walls and having flanges snugly fitting the inner faces of said side walls, mechanism supporting said plunger for yielding movement inwardly between said walls to permit insertion of a bunch charge into said pockets and means for displacing said plunger outwardly from between said side walls to eject an inserted bunch charge, the depth of said flanges being sufficient to remain in continuous engagement with the inner faces of said side walls during the outward displacement of said plunger.

5. A bunch charge transfer having a pocket provided with spaced side Walls and a, plunger slidably mounted between said walls and having flanges snugly fitting the inner faces of said side walls, mechanism supporting said plunger for yielding movement inwardly between said walls to permit insertion of a bunch charge into said pocket, means for limiting the inward movement of said plunger, said means being adjustable to admit bunch charges of various thicknesses in said pocket, and means for displacing said plunger outwardly from between said side walls to eject an inserted bunch charge, the depth of said flanges being suflicient to remain in continuous engagement with the inner faces of said side walls during the outward displacement of said plunger.

6. A bunch charge transfer having a pocket adapted to admit a bunch charge, a plunger within said pocket, an abutment on said plunger, a member slidably mounted on sa d pocket and adapted to engage said abutment during its downward stroke and thereby displace said plunger from the pocket to eject the charge from between said walls, a stop mounted on said plunger in position to be engaged by said member during its return stroke and thereby draw the plunger back into the pocket following the ejection of a bunch charge.

'7. In a cigar bunch rolling mechanism including a bunch rolling table, a bunch rolling apron, and a bunch rolling pin adapted to roll a charge Within a loop of said apron; the combination with a charge transfer adapted to deposit a charge on the rolling apron, of a device for moving said transfer into a position engaging said apron to deposit the charge upon the apron, a member adapted to displace the aprondownwardly at a portion intermediate the charge and the bunch rolling pin to form a loop therein behind the deposited charge, and means for actuating said member to form a loop in the apron and then retract said member while the rolling pin rolls the charge within the loop formed in said apron.

8. In a cigar machine, the combination with a bunch charge transfer having a pocket adapted to receive a bunch charge, and a plunger slidably mounted within said pocket and having a portion projecting from the pocket, said transfer being movable from charge-receiving position to charge-delivery position, of a movable member engaging the projecting portion of said plunger, and mechanism for actuating said member at the delivery position of said transfer to displace the plunger out of said pocket to eject the charge from the transfer, said member operating to return the plunger to a position within the pocket prior to the movement of the transfer back to charge-receiving position.

9. In a cigar machine, the combination with a, charge transfer provided with a pocket having an open bottom through which a bunch charge may be inserted, said transfer being movable horizontally to and fro from charge-receiving to charge-delivery position, a member underlying the open bottom of said pocket as the charge transfer moves from receiving to delivery position, and a plunger slidably mounted within said pocket and yieldable inwardly in said pocket to permit insertion of a bunch charge into said pocket, said plunger having a portion projecting from said pocket, a member slidably mounted on said transfer and engaging the projecting portion of said plunger, and yielding means urging said member into position to maintain said plunger normally in a position aligned with the bottom of said pocket.

10. In a c gar machine, the combination with a bunch rolling apron, of a bunch rolling pin adapted to roll a bunch charge within a loop of said apron, means for moving said apron upwardly into position to receive a bunch charge, said means including a device underlying and engaging the port on of said apron on which the charge is to be deposited and movable upwardly to raise the overlying portion of said apron into position to receive a bunch charge, and a member adapted to engage and displace said apron downwardly at one side of said means sufliciently below said device to take up any slack in said apron while the charge receiving portion of the apron is maintained in its upper position by said device.

SIGURD CLAUSEN.

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