US2378921A - Filler tobacco feed - Google Patents

Description

June 26, 1945. F. c. GLADECK FILLER TOBACGO FEED Filed April 1; 1942 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORV FREDERICK C.GLADECK I v l ATTORNEY lllll 1 mlmw June 26, 1945. F. c. GLADECK FILLER TOBACCO FEED Filed April 1, 1942 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 .IN\'IDENTOR :fR'EDEB'CK C.GLADECK 7 June 26, 1945. F. c. GLADECK 'FILLER TOBACCO FEED Fild April 1, 1942 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR FREDERICK C. GLADECK W ATTORNEY June 26, 1945. F. c. GLADECK FILLER TOBACCO FEED ATTORNEY F. C. GLADECK FILLER TOBACCO FEED June26, 1945.

Filed April 1, 1942 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Inventor FREDERICK c GLADECK June 26, 1945.

F. C. GLADE-CK FILLEfi TOBACCO FEED 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed April 1, 1942 I'NVENTOR FREDERICK C.GLADECK ATTORNEY June 26, 1945. F. CfGLADECK 2 FILLER I'OBACGO FEED Filed A r'ii 1, 1942 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR FREDERICK C. GLA DECK Mun Patented June 26, 1945 I FILLER TOBACCO FEED! Frederick C. Gladeck, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to International Cigar Machinery Company, a

corporation of New Jersey Application April 1, 1942, Serial No. 437,250

22 Claims.

This invention relates to cigar machines, more particularly to long filler tobacco feeds.

One of the main objects of the invention is to provide a filler feed wherein the tobacco leaves may be laid in a single layer upon a traveling surface which deposits them in an overlapping shingled relationship upon a conveyor whichadvances the stream so formed to a bunchcutter.

ing belts and knife mechanism, taken alongline 4-4 of Fig. 1; e t e Fig. is a partial plan view of a modified automatic long filler tobacco feed;

Thus the somewhat laborious manual operation of building up a shingled layer of long filler tobacco upon the cross-feed belt of the type of cigar machine shown in the Bronander Patent No. 1,740,571, may be dispensed with.

A further object is to advance the layer of tobacco leaves upon the conveyor while it is traveling through a channel-shaped member whereby the leaves are curled uponthemselves. Thus a stream of filler tobacco consisting of curled-up tobacco leaves assembled in overlapping shingled relationship upon the conveyor will be produced and from this stream cigar bunches having a superior draft to those formed by the, type of machine shown in the above mentioned Bronander patent will be produced.

Still another objectof the invention is to compress the tobacco stream as it emerges from the conveyor in order to give it suflicient body topermit the charges separated therefrom to be transferred to binder applying position without disintegration. In case the tobacco leaves are curled up upon themselves on the conveyor as mentioned above,'this is of particular advantage as the curled nature of the separated bunch charges will be retained during transfer tobinder applying position. In one form of construction exemplified in the present disclosure for obtaining this compression of the tobacco stream, which is an alternative embodiment, a tapered forming member is employed to produce the requisite compression of the tobacco stream. Withthese and other objects not specifically mentioned in view, the invention consists in the particular combinations,construction and features hereinafterfully described. i I

In the accompanying drawings which form "a part of this specification:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the automatic long' filler tobacco feed, the knife mechanism being omitted fromthis view;

Fig. 2 is aside elevation of the improved tobaccofeed; M

Fig. 3 is a partial end elevation of the tobacco feed showingdriving means from line 3-3 of I Fig. 5A is a detail sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on the line 5A 5A ofFig. 6;; a

Fig. 6 is a side view of Fig. 5; e t Fig. 7 is an end view of the charge transfer mechanism taken from line 1'l of Fig. 6; and Fig. 8 is afragm'entary plan view on an enlarged scale of the charge transfer shown in Fig. 7.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2,3 and 4, the preferred form of automatic long filler tobacco feed consists of pedestals I0, and 12 mounted on the bed ofthe cigar machine, a bracket l4 being attached to and overhanging said pedestals and SHPDOItr ing a portion of the driving means which will be presently described. upright frame l5.

having legs l6 and I1 fastened to the top of bracket l4isprovided with a vertical slide-way l8 wherein is slidably mounted (Fig. 1) the holder I9 which supports the corrugated cutter2fl. On

the brackets 22 fastenedto the backs of the legs l6 and I! are mounted'rollers 23a and 2311 which guide and support the compressing belt 24' which extends between the legs I6 and I! of frame [5.

The filler tobacco, which is preferably stemmed leaf tobacco, is'progressively placed on the intermittentlydriven horizontal belt 26, by the oper ator with the lengths of the tobacco leaves, exg, tending transversely of the belt in a manner to completely cover the belt. The upper run of belt 26, which is supported by a plate 21, (Fig. 4), ad-

/ vances the tobacco under the lower run ofa belt 28 which tends to flatten the leaves and also aids in conveying the same into the portion of the feed belt 32 which runs through and is thereby, folded upwardly withina channel 30 (Fig. 4

within theU-shapedforming block 34.

Belt 32 travels in a transverse direction to belt 26 and is intermittently driven. The belt 32 de rives intermittent motion from a shaft 36, Figs.

1, 2 and 3, which is carried by the pedestals I0 and I2, shaft36 being provided with a sprocket I I 38 driven by a chain 40 running over a sprocket Fig. '4 is asectionaI view showing the forward- (not shown) mounted on, a continuously driven shaft of the cigar machinef A crank arm 42 fastened to the end of shaft 36 protruding from pedestal I0 is provided with a stud 44 engaging in an elongated slot 46 of a link 48, the latter being connected to an arm 50 loosely mounted on a shaft 52 supported by pedestal ID and,

bracket 73 (Fig. 2). The upper end of arm 50 is provided with a stud 54 suporting a pawl 56 engaging a ratchet wheel 58 fastened on shaft 52, whereby the latter is driven during the counter-clockwise movement of the pawl when the stud 44 engages the outer end of slot 46 while moving in a countereclockwise direction. Thus the belt 32, which is driven from shaft 52 as will be presently described, is intermittently driven during the counter-clockwise movement of the pawl; the;latter movement being: limited when the pawl engages a stop pin 60 (Fig. 3). A stop screw 62 mounted on the link 48 is engaged by the stud to return the pawl to initial po.-..

sition, and the lost motion of the stud44. inthe be varied to permit adjustment. of: the feeding stroke of the pawl. An adjustable screw 64 is. secured in a strap 66 suspended from themachine to limit the travel of pawl 56 in the rearward direction.

'I he turning of shaft 52 imparts motion to a. bevelgear'68 in mesh with a bevel gear 'I0 mounted on a verticalshaft l2 whichis supported by the bracket 13": The upper end-of shaft '12 passes through a hole in a boss formed on the inner end of the depressed cross; webfM of the'bracket I4 (Figs. 1 and 2) and; the portion of this shaft below web I4 is equippedwith a bevel gear I5 in mesh with a bevel gear I6- mountedon a horizontal shaft 18- supported in; bracket I4, the shaft I8 also carrying a spur gear 80 in mesh with a spur gear 82- mounted on a shaft 84 supported by bracket I4. Shaft is provided with a. drum 86 drivingthe belt32 which runs over idler pulleys 88 and 90, whose spindles; are removably mounted in recesses formed in the vertical walls. 95

connecting, the top of bracket I4 to the depressed web 1-4; andpulleys l; 96, 98and99; The project; ingends of the shaft of the pulley 99 aresupported in notches ofthe bracket I00 fastened to the uter ide 01 rac e "san h n f h o e 90- may betapered as shown inFig. 1. The belt- 327.extends betweenthe legs I6 and" I1 of frame iga dl up err n h recix 'r mh le 3 to; the legs Ida-r d IT is. supported by; a plate 0:! astene o he of bra ke The gear 82 masse hr hj 1 M1 h t of e rack t; li nd shesw thdid ives est mom edlo a s aft; 10 ioi rnaledi n he e 6 1 .1 t me rame a h t a ha in I04 driving the compressing. belt 24': which 0 Y. run oyer theidler, pulleys 23c, 23b'and' 23c. The ends. of theshaft hf. roller 2-30 are removably mounted in notches in lugs. I0 5- projecting from thefrdnt'of the legs'JG and I-I and retainedthere inby plates I 06 fastened to the lugs" I05. The endcf'the shaft of the roller 23a are also remov ably mounted in recesses in the brackets 22- and securedtherein by lai es "16a,

The shaft 36, .ig's. 1 and; 3; is provided with a sprocket I01 drivinga chain Nil-running. over a' sprccketl I0 mounted on: a shaft I I2-supported by pedestals I0 and I2, The; end of shaft 2 is provided with a crank arm l I4-having a stud II6 engaging in an elongated slot I I 8; of fa link I20,

i' t er,be i sw i pteqt an r I e t on a shaft I24fsupportedbyaib racket 1'26, fa

' tened tojthetop ofbra ck et I4-, as seen; in Fig. 1". The outer end-of arm I2 2 i s equipped with a stud suppcrun a, pawl; 130' engagin a ratchet wh l32"loosellf"mpunted on shaft I24. A gear I3 which is cure tothe ratchet; w eel I32 (Fig. 3 s engaged by a'c p screw, I35fth readed a gear I36 which is in mesh with a gear I38 (Figs. 1, 3 and 4), thereby driving the belts 26 and 28. The gear I36 is mounted on a shaft I40 supported by lugs I42 extending from member 34, said shaft also carrying a pulley I44 driving the'belt 26 which runs over an idler pulley I46. Gear I38 is mounted on a shaft I48 supported by lugs I50 extending from a guide bracket I52 secured to member 34, this shaft carrying a pulley I54 driv-' ingthe belt 28 running over an idle! pulley I56 mounted on a stationary shaft I58. I

When the stud II6 engages the outer endof slot. I.I.8. while traveling in a counter-clockwise direction, the pawl I30 drives the ratchet I32.

Whilethe stud I I6-travels inwardly from the out- I enendof the slot II8 the pawl I30 remains stationary, the further driving movement of pawl I30 being limited by stop I60. This is the position of the pawl I30 shown in Fig. 3, the stud II6 moving toward the stop screw I62 on link I20 to engage said screw to return; the arm I22. with the pawlI30 to initial position. At the same timethe stud 44 engages the outer end qf slot46 to drive the pawl 56 forwardly and; thereby ad- Vance the belt 32. While the pawl I30; is drivingthe ratchet forwardly in, a counter-clockwise direction, the belts 26 and 28' will' be driven, but the driving thereof is interrupted when the pawl engages a stop pin I60. By adjusting stopscrew I6 2 onlink I20 the lost motion of thestud; I116; in the slot I I8 may be varied, and thus the pawl' I3 0 will be returned to a different initial ppsitionand its feeding stroke will be varied, An adjustable screw IE4 is secured in the tail I616- of 'arrn I22 sprocket' I70, Fig.3, mounted on shaft III2 drives a chain I12 running oyera sprocket If|-4 mounted on a sleeve I16 turning on theshafft I58, A cam I185. Figs. 1 and 4, mounted'on sleeve I16,

engages a cam roller I80-carried by a.- cam lever I82 mounted on a pivot I84 supportedlin the.

bracket I86 which also supports shaft I58; the bracket I86 being supported by a suitableportion of the frame of the machine, not shown. The

other end of cam lever I82 supports one endcfa, link I88 connected to the projecting lug I90 ofj'a n.

slide I92 operating in a slideway I04 provide bracket: I86. A knife I96 carried by slide I82 116. guided in a slot I98 of member I52 is provided: to

I sever the filler tobacco overlying the' ledgerfiliate 200' secured to member 34. The severing; opera;- tion' is accomplishedwhen the high portion 202 of the cam engages the cam roller I which happens at a time when the belts 25;, 28,1and' 32' are not in motion. Atension spring 204' 'anchored to bracket use is provided to hold cam roller. my

in engagement with the cam I18;

The operation of fifi edi.

Theoperator places the. filler tobacco upon belt 26' to the lengths of the filler leaves extending transe versely of the beltand the filler tobacco wilibe advanced" towards the channel 30 when. motion is imparted to the belts 20'and 20. It will be understood that when belts 26 and 28 receive motion, the driving of belt" 32, which runs iifi channel 30 will be interrupted, Thus the filler tobacco will be advanced over the ledger plajze 200. The belts 26 and 2.8 may be advanced sufli cientl'y upon. appropriate adjustment of the stop 'scr'ew I62 on link I20 (Fig. 3)'to cause the lead ingendof the layer of filler tobacco passing'ovei the filler feed will now be form a continuouslayer, preferably with ever, the stop screw I62 may be adjusted to diminish the extent the belts are advanced, so

I .that the leading end of the layer will not be curled upon itself but will merely assume the contour of the bottom of the channel portion 30-of saidbelt.

Preferably the leaves are overlapped on the belt 26, as shown in Fig. 1, so that the curling ofthe leading end of the layer L in channel 30 will be assured. When the drive of belts 26 and 28 is stopped and .before the travel of belt 32 is resumed, the knife I96 by means of its cam is actuated to sever the filler tobacco overhanging the ledger plate 200. .The knife having accomplished its duty then returns to its up-position and motion will be imparted to belt 32 to advance the column of filler tobacco. in the channel 30 a distance corresponding to the length required fortone cigar. bunch, and-said belt will again be stopped. I At this time the belts 26 and 28 will again be driven and the additional section of filler tobacco so advanced will partially overlap the previously severed tobacco section deposited onbelt 32. The belts 26 and 28 are madecomparatively wide so that they can supply tobacco to channel 3!! a number of times before the section of the column of tobaccowithin said channel advances'beyond their range. It will be seen that a continuous column or-layer of filler to bacco is thus builtup in a layer by layer fashion, or shingled relationship, resulting in a more even distribution of the tobacco and thereby eliminating the possibilities of a hollow portion forming in the column. I

As thebelt 32 emerges from the former block 34, Fig. 1, it spreads outward as it passes beyond pulley 88 and returns to a flat or outspread condition, and this shape i retained until it runs over pulley 98 whereupon the belt is again folded upwardly within the former block. The opening ofbelt 32 permits the tobacco column to spread out, and in being advanced under the belt 24 it is compressed to give it suflicient density to be advanced over the ledgerplate 260a withoutdisturbance, such as telescoping, into position for severance of a bunch length by the corrugated cutter 20, The corrugated cutter 2B which is of well known construction as shown in the patent to Bronander 1,740,571, descends and severs a bunchlengthhaving notched or pigtail ends, and

the column of tobacco in the bunohlength may be sufficient for one cigar bunch, the severed length then being transferred to a bunch rolling apron for application of a binder thereto.

In the modified'form of automatic filler tobacco feed disclosed in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, the operator places the filler tobacco upon belt 26a, and the same is co'nveyed'between belts 26a and 28a to the belt 32a in the same manner as heretofore described. The driving of belts 26a, 28a, and 32a is also controlled in the same manner as previously described, and the belt 32a passes through a hollow-former block 3411 which similarly folds the belt 32a to form a channel into larger than at its outlet end 2I2, Fig. 5, this tapering of member .2I0 causing the tobacco to be pressed togetherinto the form of a somewhat cylindrically shaped column." Since the member 2 I0 is open at its bottom, the tobacco column will be carried through it on the belt 32a and thereby gradually compacted to a breadth narrow enough to enter the pocket 2| 4 hereinafter described.

The upper. run of the belt 32a is guided under the member 2I0 by rollers 88a and 99a. The ends of the shafts of rollers 88a andella may be removably mounted inindentations Slain the vertical walls 95a connecting the top of the bracket Mo to a cross webl la similar to the cross web 14 shown in Figs; 1 and 2. The ends of the shaft of roller 99a are supported in notches of bracket Illfla fastened to the front of the bracket Ma. The portionof the upper run of belt32a be- Ma and provided with a gear 82a.driven from a gear 80a on a shaft 18a carrying a bevel gear 'IGadriven from a bevel gear 15a on a vertical shaft 12a which is supported in a bracketfma and passes upwardly into a holein cross web Ma. The bevel gear 10a on the lower end of shaft 12a is driven from the bevelgear 68a on shaft 52a. Sincethe construction of 'this gear train for driving the drum 86a is similar to that for driving the drum 86 in Figs. 1-4, and the construction of the pawl-and-ratchet-mechanisms for driving the shaft 52a and the pulleys I42a andlifla of the belts 26a and 28a, isthe same as that shown in Fig. 3, further description thereof is deemed unnecessary. However it "will be noted that the sections of tobacco advanced into the former 34d by the belts 26a and 28a will be severed by a: knife (not shown) actuated by mechanism controlled from a cam (not shown) mounted on a sleeve (not shown) supported on shaft I58aand similar to that shown in Fig. 4.

The tobacco column on leaving belt 32a passes over a ledger plate 2I3 and enters into a U- shaped pocket 2I4, Figs. 7 and 8, the portion of the tobacco column behind the pocket being severedby a suitable corrugated cutter 2H5 which descends and thus severs the bunch-length charge from the remainder of the tobacco column. i

bars 218 having spacers 220 which rest on the bracket I411. The pocket 2I4 is slidably'fitted within a U-shaped guide 222 which is supported which theleading end of the tobacco layer is advanced from- between.belts 26a and 28a and then severed. As the belt 32a emerges from the former block 34a, Fig. 5, it spreads outwardly in the same manner as heretofore related, but in this arrangement the tobacco column entersinto a forming member 2Ill of U-shaped cross-section supported from the bracket I4awhich is carried by the pedestals Illa and IZa in the same by a holder 224 attached to bracket Ma as shown in Fig. 5. The pocket 2I4is attached to a rod 226 which at its lower end carries a'pin 2'28 engaging in a slot 230 of a cam lever 232 loosely mounted on a shaft 234 fastened in a boss 236, Fig. 6, carried by frame I 2a. The opposite end of cam lever 232 is provided with a cam roller 238 engaging in a track 240 of a cam 242 fastened on a shaft 244. Shaft 244 corresponds to the shaft 36 shown in Fig. 2, the only difference A rod 246. Fig. 7, is provided toopen the transfor fingers 248 and 250, rod. being operated v by a cam lever 252 mounted. on a pivot stud 254 carried by an arm 256 fastened to'and suspended from shaft, 234. The lever 252: is provided. with acam' roller 258 which engages the periphery of cam. 242.- The cam 2A2 provided with a high portion 26d adapted. to engageroller: 258, thus actuating cam lever 252 and causing rod 246. to move upward and: engage a log 2.62 extending from finger 24 8 and thereby'swinging the fingers from their closed to open position in readiness to receive the charge C.

With the charge C lodged in pocket 2-H, the rod 246 is raised and swings the fingers Mfi and 250 to their open position-as shown in dotted lines,

whereupon the cam actuated rod 226 is raised to elevate the pocket 21:andrtherebyi bringing the charge C into the space between said transfer fingers. The pocket 2 retains this position and rod 24.6 is returned. to'its lowerpposition as roller 258' rides off cam surface 2.60. A compression spring 264 located on. and abutting against a collar on the lower portion: of rod 246' tends to hold said rod in engagement with cam lever 252- and thereby holds cam'roller .258 in engagement with cam 242. The descent. of r d 246 permits the transfer fingers 248 and 250 to return to their closed position as will be presently described, and grip the charge C. The-fingers are provided with prongs 265 which in closing pass through the slots 266-, which are provided in the sides of pocket.- 2 l4, and thereby grasp the charge.

The

pocket then. descends, permitting the transfer to carry the charge C to the bunch rolling-apron for application of a bunch to the charge.

The guide 222 is provided with spaced ribs 268.

fitting into the slots 26.5 of pocket. 2-14, said ribs beingshaped to conform with the shape of the ends are provided with intermeshing gear seg- -l 'ments. 210 which serve to open and close the finger 250 simultaneously with finger 248. .As. previously related the red 2461 serves toopen the fingers, and when said rod descends, a tension spring 212 stretched across the fingers willcause the same to return to their closed position.- A stop screw 214 carried by finger 250 is provided to engage the finger 2&8 and prevent unnecessary squeezing of the charge. The fingers 248 and 2.50 are carried by an arm 216 which is part of a suitable charge transfer which may be suitably operated to transfer the charge 0 to the bunch rolling apron. for rolling in a binder to form a'bunch.

What is claimed is: l

1. In a. cigar machine, the combination withv a conveyor adapted to advance a continuous stream of long filler tobacco, of mechanism for separating tobacco sections from one. end of a layer of tobacco leaves. whose lengths. extend transversely of the-length of said layer and assembling the separated sections in shingled relationship upon said conveyor toform a continuous stream of tobacco leaves thereon whose lengths extend lengthwise of the conveyor, and mechanism for separating from the leading end of said stream lengths of filler tobacco whose lengths-correspond to the desired length of bunch charge and transferring the separated lengths to a predetermined position.

2. In a cigar machine, the combination with; a

tion,=an'd means for driving saidi conveyor, said means. being adjustable to advance saidstreamby various increments corresponding to various desiredlengthsoi bunch charges.

3'. In a cigar machine, the vcombinationwith a conveyor adapted to advance a continuous stream of'tobacco intermittently, of mechanism for-sop! arati'ng tobacco sections from one end of a. continuous layer of tobacco leaves: and. assembling the separated sections upon said conveyortolform a continuous stream of tobacco thereon. with the lengths of the leaves extending lengthwise of the conveyor, a corrugated cutter for separating a bunch length having notched ends from the leading end of the. stream during; an interval while 'thestrea-m'is not being advanced, and; a device for transferring 'the'severed bunchlength to a predetermined position. 4.- In a cigar machine, the combination an endless conveyor adaptedto feed a continuousstream of. filler tobacco, oi mechanism'for advancing a layer of fillertobacco to advance a section thereof on to said conveyor, and a device ior subsequently separating the secti'onof said layer so advanced on tothe conveyor, said mechanism and device being. operated in prop erly timed relation to the movement of said con-'- through which said conveyor passes, mechanism for advancing a layer of filler tobacco transversely of said conveyor into the channelof said member, whereby the leading end' of said layer is curled upon itself within said channel and ad vancedupon the conveyor; anda device-for sever ing the section of said layer constituting the:

; buried end thereof, said mechanism and device being operated in properly timed. relationship to the movement of. said-conveyor to assemble the severed sections on the conveyor-t "f:orm a continuous' stream of filler tobacco thereon. I

6. In a cigar machine, the combination with aconveyor adapted to-feeda continuous stream of filler tobacco, of a channel-shaped member through whichsaid conveyor passes, mechanism for advancing a layer of filler tobacco-transverse- 1y of said eonveyor into the channel'of said member, whereby the leading end: of said layeris curled. upon itself within said channel and ad vanced upon. the conveyor, a device. for severing the section of said layer constituting the curled end thereof, said mechanism and device.

being operated in properly timed relationship to means for driving said conveyor in properly timed versely of said conveyor into the channel of said relationship to said mechanism to cause overlapping of aid severed sections inshingled relation ship onsaid conveyor.

7; In a cigar machine, the combination with a conveyor adapted to feed a continuous stream of 5 filler "tobacco, of a channel-shaped member through which said conveyor passes, mechanism for advancing a layer of filler tobacco transverse ly of said conveyor into the channel of said member," whereby the leading end of said layer is 1 curled upon itself withinsaid channel and advanced upon the conveyor, a device for severing the section of said layer constituting the curled end thereof, said mechanism and device being 0-perated in properly timed relationship to the move- 1 ment of said conveyor to assemble the severed sections on the conveyor to form acontinuous stream :of filler tobacco thereon, and means for separating bunch lengths from the leading end of said stream. V l a 8. In acigar machine, the combination with a conveyor adapted to feed a continuous stream offiller tobacco, of a channel-shaped member throughwhich said conveyor passes, mechanism for advancing a layer offiller tobacco transoperated in properly timed relationship to the movement ofsaid conveyor to assemble the severed sectionson the conveyor-to form a continuous stream oftfiller tobacco thereon, means for driving said conveyor inproperly timed relationship to said mechanism to cause overlapping of saidseveredsections in shingledlrelationship on said conveyor, and devices for separating bunch lengths from the leading end of said stream.

9. In a cigarmachine filler feed, thecombination with a traveling apron for feedinga broad thinzlayer'of long filler tobacco, offcross feed conveyor means travelingtransversely of said apron l adjacent one edge thereof; in positionto receive 4 filler tobacco delivered from said apron .-means for. periodically severin a tobacco section from the delivery edge of said broad thin layer along a line parallel with the direction of movement;

of said cross feed conveyor, at a distance behind 6?;

said delivery edge approximately th thickness of a bunch, to successively assemble the severed sections on said cross feed conveyor in overlapping shingled relationship to form a stream of approximately bunch cross-section, and means cooperating with said cross feed conveyor to cut charges at a distance from the leading end of said stream. of approximately the length of a bunch. 10. In a cigar machine, the combination with a conveyor for feeding a continuous stream of filler tobacco, of mechanism for depositing filler tobacco leaves upon said conveyor with the lengths thereof extending lengthwise of the conveyor to form thereon a continuous stream of tobacco whose breadth is approximately the thickness of a bunch charge, and a device for separating bunch length charges from the forward endof said stream, said mechanism operating to deposit the filler tobacco in overlapped shingled relationship on said conveyor, mean for adjusting said mechanism to vary the rate at which the filler tobacco is deposited on the conveyor, and drive means for said conveyonsaid drive means operating to advance the conveyor by increments corresponding to the desired length of charge to 7 a flexible endless conveyor belt, of mechanism for depositing filler tobacco upon said belt, a"

member for maintaining said belt in upwardly folded relationship about thefiller tobacco deposited thereon, means for compacting the filler tobacco as it emerges from the upwardly folded portion of said belt, and devices for separating bunch lengths from the filler tobacco compacted by said mean and transferringthe same to a predetermined position.-*-

12. The combination with a conveyor, of

means for assembling curled rolls of long filler tobacco in overlapping relationship-upon said conveyor to form a continuousstream of tobacco thereon, a hollow member having a tapering opening arranged to admit said stream as it is advanced by said conveyor and thereby compress the same; and a knife forseparating bunch length charges from said stream, and mechaa predetermined position;

13. In a cigar machine, the combination with 5;nisni for transferring the separated charges to a conveyor, of mechanism for depositing long filler tobacco upon said conveyor with the ilengths of the tobacco leaves extending lengthwise of said conveyor to formacontinuous stream oftobacco thereon, a membenarranged to separate tobacco sections from the forward end of said stream, means for advancing said conveyor by increments corresponding to the desired Iengthof bunch charge, whereby Sectionshaving; a length corresponding to the desired length of bunch charge will be separated from thefor ward end of the stream, a bunch'transfer having opposed fingers adapted to admit a separated bunch length 'therebetween and grip the same, and; a device 1 forftransferring each separated bunch length individuallyfto a position between said transferfingersto be gripped by the latter.

"14. In a cigar machine filler feed, the combinatiomwith a, traveling apron for feeding a broad continuous layer L or [long filler tobacco leavesarranged withlengths of the filler extending transversely of, the; apron, of a fconveyor traveling transversely of said apron adjacent oneend thereof inposition to receive filler tobacco delivered, from'said apron and then advance the same with the lengthspf the filler tobacco leaves extending lengthwise of said conveyor into position for severance of bunch lengths therefrom, and means for advancing said conveyor by increments corresponding to the desired bunch lengths to be severed from the filler tobacco on said conveyor.

15. The combination with aconveyor adapted to feed filler tobacco, of a channel-shaped member through which said conveyor passes, and mechanism for advancing a layer of filler tobacco transversely of said conveyor into the channel of said member whereby the filler tobacco is curled upon itself within said member be separated by said device, and said device into form a. second tobacco roll. and separating the roll so. formed. from the stream and. then 17., The method comprising advv ring a: broad thin layer of lon filler tobacccr wherein the lengths -f th filler tobacco; extend transversely of. said layer, on to a conveyor moving- 11 1 1115? verselv or said layen: separating sections, trons the forward edgeor seidielyer to term a con tinuous stream. of tobacco on said convey r with the lengths of the filler tobacco, extending. lengthwise of the co veyon. and p r tin buneh len thsircrn, the forward; endoi sold stream. at a distance fr m: the forward end of. said. stream correspond ng; to the desired length otibunch char e '18. In a ci ar machine, the: combination with an endless convey adapted to feed a 2911- tinnous stream of filler toboecn, of. mechanism for advancin a aye or fill r tobacco to advance-a. section thereof on to said. conveyo and a device for subsequently separating, the section or said layer so advanced on to he e vevor, said. mechani m. and device elne op rated properly t med relation to the movement of. said conveyor to advance. said layer and,

separatethe sections thereot advanced on said conveyor to term a continuous stream oi filler tobacco on. the latter, and means for driving said conveyor in pr perly tim d relationship to said mechanism t ca e.- overlopping; of said. sections in shineled relationship upon said conveyor.

19. In a cigar machine-the combination with an endless conveyor adapted tofeed a com tinucus streamer filler tobacco, of mechanism roradvancin a layer oi filler tobacco to ad vance-;a.fsection thereof on to said. onveyor. and. a device for separating the section of. sai l yer so advanced on to the conveyon said mechanism and device being operated in properly timed relotion to t e movement or said conveyor to advance said; layer and s parate the sections t er of advanced on said-conveyor to form a continuous stream or fillert accoon the latter,-

and a devioe'for separating rrom'tne forward end of; said stream lengths OI filler tobacco whose lengths: correspond to the desired ength of bunch charge and transferring them to a predetermined position.

ne'renai fo feeding a layer of. fil er tobacco transvers ly r said conveyor. on to the st c-r to advance. a

section of said ayer on to said convevons .de-H

vice for subsequently separating the; section or sai layer so advan ed upon the conveyo said mechanism and device; being operated. prop r y tim d relati nsh p toa van e. said layer and separate the sections thereot advanced on i, said conveyor to format-continuous stream of filler tobaeceon; said conveyor,

21. In i cigar machine the combination with an, endless onveyo adapted to feede con tinnous, streamer filler toheccwo me hanism for ieedine a ayer of filler tobacco transversely of saidecnvey r on o the, latter to advance c, section. or said l yer on, to seid'eonvevorlje doeeriv timed relationship-ate adv nce sa d lay r and separate the sections thereof ad anced on; said conveyor to form a continnousistreem c fillertobacco on said conveyor, and means for driving; said conveyor in properly timed elation:

shi to said mechanism to cause ov rlapp n of.

said sections in sningled relationship on." saidconveyor. t

22. In a cigar machine, the combination with a conveyor for i'ntermittently feeding a dim:

tinuous, stream of filler tobacco, of mechanism for depositing filler tobacco leaves upon said conveyor with the lengths thereof extendins lengthwise of the conveyor to. 'formthereon a continuous stream of tobacco whose "breadth is approximately the thickness of a bunch charge,

and a device 'for separating bunch length charges from the forwardend of said stream' during intervals while the s aid stream is' not being fed; said mechanismv operating to deposit the filler tobacco in overlapped shingledreld tions-hip on said conveyor, and" means for trans ferring the separated bunch length charges individually to a predetermined position, said device including a cutter'arranged at a distance from the forward end of said stream correspond ing to the desired length of the charges.

FREDERICK c. GLADECK;

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