US2470766A

US2470766A - Cigar machine

Info

Publication number: US2470766A
Application number: US522701A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jean L Durning
Original assignee: International Cigar Machinery Co
Current assignee: International Cigar Machinery Co
Priority date: 1944-02-17
Filing date: 1944-02-17
Publication date: 1949-05-24
Anticipated expiration: 1966-05-24

Description

May 24, 1949.

Filed Feb. 17, 1944 J. P. BURNING 2,470,766

CIGAR MACHINE l1 Sheets-Sheet l FIG; IA

00 F'IGJ 9,4 fz J4 96,

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INVENTOR JAMES P. DURNINC,DECEA$ED BY'JEAN L. DURNING,EXECUTRIX ATTORNEY May 24, 1949.

Filed Feb. 17, 1944 CIGAR MACHINE 1i sheets-sheet 2 376 J6@ 360 F IG" 2 4/2 l" I 364 362 400 4/4 l 200 402 420 4/5 l 404 4f@D p j .39 204 20@ "l f 06 /52 30, ,495@ @f5 M a1, s i :66 if@ QZ Ii L -J Q 560 304 l 100 ji l 152 l 1294 ','I 200 4 466 504 'L @f 318, if? 540 I l Afr"- 322 559 `'==f` fn; :il I o 50 www a V365 562% U54 2629 M @H f@ 52 492 356 20a/ 4 440/ @-249 40/ u 496` n 504 i 4/,0 INVNTOR [3 JAMES P. DURNINGDECEASED BY JEAN L-DURNING, XECUTRIX BY M74 J. P. DURN|NG May 24, 1949.

CIGAR MACHINE l1 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 17, 1944 J. P. DURNING May 24, 1949.

CIGAR MACHINE Filed4 Feb. 17, 1944 1l Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR JAMES P. ouRmN G UECEASED BY JEAN L. OURNINQXECUTRIX BY W. W

ATTORNEY May 24, 1949; J. P. BURNING 2,470,766

l GIGAR MACHINE Filed Feb. 17, 1944 11 sheets-sheet 5 FIC-3.7

A /QZ 7 M )lf/5l) i@ m [ma l INVENTOR JAMES P. BURNING, DECEASED BY ,JEAN L. DURNING,EXECUTRIX ATTORNEY May 24, 1949 y J. P. BURNING 2,470,766

CIGAR MACHINE Filed Feb. 17, 1944 11 Sheets-Sheetl 6 p /25 J0 l FIG' 8/32 I 4%.@ 74

755 wat /012 [70v 1021 f: /75 a@ .Mf [72 [66 784i 92 ATTORNEY J. P. DURNING CIGAR MACHINE May 24, 1949.

11 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed Feb. 1'7, 1944 www www www www www www TTM: #www WW ull@ n @wwQi www %Nw\ u www www www www1 www www www @EWm uw L www HHM IVW www www H www www w N www w wm www www\ www www www w w www N .oi www www w%w m www n .www www www www www www www www ww m www MM www lwww Mm wNw av JEAN L. ounnmekxscumx BY M70 ATTORNEY May 24, 1949- J. P. BURNING 2,470,766

CIGAR MACHINE Filed Feb. 17, 1944 y 11 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR .muss P. ounmnspecusso ev JEAN L. ounmnqexscumx ATTORNEY FIC-M3 J. P. BURNING CIGAR MACHINE May 24, 1949.

Filed Feb. 17. 1944 FIG. 23

1l Sheets-Sheet 1l INVENTOR 'JAMES P. DURNING,DECEASED JEAN L. DURNING,EXECUTRIX BVMW A oRNEY Patented May 24, 1949 UNIT-JED P ft.

"Frio CIGAR MACHINE -Application February 1.7, 1944, Serial No. 522,701

22 Claims. l

Thisv invention relates; to cigar machines, more particularly to Acigar, machines-of the type Whereinbunch lengths severedfrom aA continuous layer of long ller tobacco fare superimposed tov form a vertical column andobunchgcharges are separated `from the column` and .transferred to 'bunch rolling position Heretofore cigar machines of this typeemployed anoscillatory cutf ter for separating the-bunch charge from 4the vertical column. In, the operation of cigar machines equipped-with .an oscillatory cutter for separating the; bunchcharge, the` knifelwas worn out in a short.time' and.A hadrto be replaced.

One of the main. objects of the invention is to.l employ a reciprocating knife which; has a cutting edge on itsforvvard end extending .diagonally thereof, for separatingbunch charges from the tobacco column` When thek knife is advanced horizcnfally through the column. The reciprocating knife of the vpresent invention will last considerably longer. It has beenv found -that When the knife ,has abutting `edge-extending diagonally of theV forward -endtl'lereofy at an approximate angle lof 45? or, greater, that, the bunch charge will be .separatedwithout vdisturbance of the column. With a cutting edge. extendingdiagonally of the-.knifeat .anang1e of. 30 it was found that the bunchcharge was pushed rearwardly during separationof-the charge by the knife. Accordingly; itis preferable to provide the knife with aV diagonal cutting edge at an angle in the neighborhood of 45 or greater.

Another objectof the invention isto simplify the operation of certain machines ofthe vertical column ytype which elevatedthe.verticalcolf umn intothe open bottom of a charge transfer and then separatedthe chargelling the transfer` from the column,` by anoscillating knife. this end the bunch lengthsare superimposedin a measuring chamber toform..a vertical column and Aa hollow charge transfer, is arrangedbelowthe chamber toreceive the lower end of the column. After. separation of the bunch charge filling the charge transfer from .the remainder of the column by the reciprocatingfknfe, the charge transfer is moved horizontally toladvance the separated charge upon abunoh rolling apron which is thenlovvered while the charge is ejected'` from the transfer and aloopis formed in the apron at one side of the4 charge.

Ylnconnection with the improved knife construction, it is noted that the beveled portion of v.the cutting knife is 0n 4the` sidev away from the charge transfer. .Dueto 4the-thinness `of the chargaithasbeen discovered there is notV QTO.

sufficient resilience orroom for further conn pression in they charge tocompensate for the thickness of the knife, so there is a tendency to pushv the .charge to .one side as Well as unduly compress the same. .On the other hand, the greater height of the column above the blade permitslcompensating for the thicknessof the knife on this sdesof the blade, Without: difculty. Thus the present arrangement eliminates an obscure but substantial, source of disturbance to the charge.

With tlieseland 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 ller feed exemplifying the invention;

Fig. l.A-is a sectional plan view of the same, taken on line lA lA of Fig. 1;

Fig. 2 is anend elevation of the cross feed portion of the ller feed, taken from line 2 2 of Fig. l, portionsof the frames supporting the ller feed channel beingbroken away to expose the feed belt driving mechanism;

Fig. Bis a sectional end elevation of the same, taken on line. 3 3 of` Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional plan Viewl of the cross feed taken on line t-A ofFig. l;

Fig. 5' is a partial plan view of the cross feed,

ypartly in section, illustrating the corrugated cutter and thelmeasuring plunger in detail;

Fig. 6 isa detailplan view of the measuring chamber;

Fig. 7 is aplan view on an enlarged scale of the novelcharge ,transfer and-the straight horizontal cutter;

Fig. 8 is a side elevation on an enlarged scale ofthe drive control mechanism for the cross feedfchanneltbelts, `taken on line 8 8 of Fig. 3;

Fig..9 is a-similar side elevation on an enlarged scale of the feed belt control mechanism illustrating the movements of said mechanism;

Fig. 10 `is an end elevation on an enlarged scale illustrating the measuring platform and its operating mechanism in detail;

Fig. 1l isa side elevation of the same as seen from line H l l lof-Fig. 10;

Fig. ,12 is a partial side elevation on an enlarged'sCaIe of the measuring platform .operating mechanism with parts broken away to disclose the eccentric locking device;

Fig. 13 is a side elevation of the lower portion of the cigar machine cross feed, illustrating the drive as well as the cams and levers actuating the various mechanisms in -said cross feed, taken on line |3-l 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 14 is a side elevation of the cam and levers actuating the measuring plunger and feed belts, taken on line lll-E4 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 'l5 is a side elevation of the cam and levers controlling the movements of the -corrugated cutter and charge guide plate, taken on line |5|5 oi' Fig. 13;

Fig. 16 is a side elevation of the cam and lever operating the measuring platform, taken on line iti of Fig. 13;

Fig. 1'1" is a side elevation of the cam and levers actuating the horizontal knife and charge transfer taken online ll--l'l of Fig. 13;

Figs. 18 and 20 are sectional side elevations of the feed channel and measuring chamber illustrating the feeding and compressing of the tobacco filler stream in the feed channel and the building up of the filler column;

Fig. 19 is a detail sectional view of the measuring chamber subsequent to the severance of a bunch length section from the leading end of the ller stream;

Fig. 21 is a sectional side elevation illustrating of said column and transferring said charge on to a rolling apron of a cigar bunch making machine.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 4, it may be noted that the stemmed leaf tobacco is placed by an operator in the filler feed channel of the cross feed, with their lengths extending lengthwise of the channel, to form a continuous layer or stream of tobacco of proper thickness. Said feed chanis formed by a horizontal feed belt 30 and two 1 hel

vertical feed belts

32 and 34. Said belts are intermittently driven from a drum 68 on a shaft 33 and pulleys 'i8 and 60 driven from shaft 36, the latter being supported in suitable bearings of a supporting frame 38 secured to a bed plate 48 mounted on the main frame 42 of the machine. On shaft 36 is fastened a ratchet 44 which is driven intermittently by a pair of pawls 45 (Figs. 3, 8 and 9) pivoted upon a stud 48 on the upper end of an oscillating arm 50 loosely mounted on shaft 36. Arm 50 is connected by an adjustable rod 52 to a cam lever 54 (Figs. 2, 13 and 14) carrying a cam roller 56 engaging with a cam track B of a cam 60 mounted on the main cam shaft 62 which is supported by suitable bearings of the main frame 42. Cam shaft 62 carries a gear 64 (Figs. 2 and 13) which is driven from the main drive of the cigar machine (not shown). Cam lever 54 is loosely mounted on a supporting shaft 65 mounted in the main frame 42.

The horizontal feed belt 30, which forms the bottom of the tobacco feed channel and is driven by the drum 68 secured to the intermittently rotating shaft 36, is led over several suitable idler pulleys and a guide pulley 'l0 (Fig. 1) which is supported by an adjustable bearing to take up slack and secure the proper tension of said belt. Guide pulley l0 and its adjusting means are supported by a suitable bracket I2 attached to a member 'I4 which is mounted on frame 38 and supports a plate 16 (Figs. 1, 3 and 4). The plate 'f5 is secured to bracket 'l2 and member 14 and supports the upper run of belt 30 and thereby assures a straight and even bottom on the feed channel. The inner runs of the

vertical feed belts

32 and 34 form the side Walls of said channel.

Belts

32 and 34, as previously mentioned, are driven by rollers f8 and 30, respectively (Figs. 3 and 4). Roller 78 is secured on the upper end of a vertical shaft 82 which carries on its lower end a bevel gear 84 (Fig. 3) meshing with a bevel gear 66 which is secured to the drum 60. Roller 60 is similarly mounted on a vertical shaft 88 to the lower end of which is attached a bevel gear t6 meshing with a bevel gear 92 secured to the intermittently rotating shaft 36. Each

vertical belt

32 and 34 runs over one of a pair ol' vertical rollers 94 (Fig. l).

Cover plates

96 and 98 are supported on the shafts of rollers 80, 04 and 18, S4, respectively, and the upper edges of

belts

32 and 34 are guided by downwardly extending flanges on

plates

96 and 98, respectively. As mentioned heretofore, the ller tobacco is placed in the filler feed channel to form a continuous layer or stream and the ller stream is advanced by the feed belts into an extension of the filler feed channel formed by two stationary side walls |00 wherein a corrugated cutter |02 severs a predetermined length from the leading end of the stream of nller tobacco. The construction of the walls |88 and the corrugated cutter |02 is hereinafter fully described.

This severed section of the tobacco stream should correspond to the length of cigar bunches to be produced, and not vary during the operation of the machine. To achieve this object, the feed belt drive mechanism shown in Figs. 8 and 9 is of a novel construction to eliminate all possible lost motion. In describing said drive mechanism, we may assume that one bunch length of the filler stream has been fed into the extension of the filler feed channel and oscillating arm has come to a rest against an adjustable stop screw |04, position I, Fig. 8. Stop screw |04 is threaded into a flange of the member 74 and is adjusted to a position at which its inner end will stop the oscillating arm 50 at the end of each forward stroke thereof, thereby taking up all possible back lash.

The return stroke of arm 50 in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 8, as well as its forward stroke, is produced by the action of cam lever 54 upon connecting rod 52, as previously described. Shortly after starting on their return stroke with arm 50 the pawls 46 are lifted off the ratchet 44, at the dotted position II thereof shown in Fig. 9, and remain locked in this position while being carried by arm 50 to its rearmost position IlI shown in Fig. 9. The pawls 46 are interconnected at the ends thereof which are in front of pivot 48, by a pin |06 secured in a hole in one pawl and projecting into a slightly larger hole |08 in the other pawl. To the end of pin |06 projecting from hole |08 is attached one end of a tension spring ||0 (Fig. 8). The other end of said spring is anchored to a stud |2 attached to arm 50. Thus the pawls 46 are held in engagement with ratchet 44 when arm 50 begins its rearward stroke. During the rearward stroke of the arm 50, the lifting of said pawls occurs when 'amores V5., theI `iiattenedt-portion' 4 '..ofz azpin' I lwsecured inf'the pawliin-.fwhichithe-pin1|061is also fastened, contactsLand-'frides upona roller ||8.which projects. into zthe.rpatlrofrsaidiattened portion l |4. Roller `||81is pivoted toa` stud .|'.|.9-1on one end of a-double leveri |120? looselyzmounted on astud |22.; held inone side walluofsupporting member 14;V -To..:the;;iotherend'ot-double lever lfm-is attaehedlatension'fspring .|24 anchored to the same. sider.wallof;member' .14. From the latter alsozprotrudes a.:"stp pin'.|1152 againstwhich the free end-of:v double lever .|is-normallyA heldv by the. tension, spring v| 24; *'-Whi-le.' pawls 46 are being liftedffrom ratchet' 44,` when theattened portion |a| 4:0f. .pinlfridesover. the roller H8, a projection-.|28 on an extension |28- of'the pawl carrying pin H6. engagesl underneath a shoulder 30.1of avlock lug`f|32 and-therebyholds the pawls in lifted' position,.sothat` said pawls. do not slide upon :or have any Contact* whatsoever with the nowistationary ratchet during their return stroke withf armi 50; Therefore less wear on the teeth of theratchet and the pawls, which can cause improper or delayed engagement during the feeding action, and a`l much quieter operation of the'rnachine is obtained. Lock lug |32 is pivoted tola stud |34 'on' arm 58. A compression spring I 36.*seated in a rdepression inthe outer end of arm Ellikeeps lug v |32-'a-nd-projection |26 in constant engagement'vin either'locked or unlocked posi-` of thepawls with the ratchet is prevented at this point-byv a-stationary control cam l|40 upon Whose-periphery1 |42 the-flattened portion |4 ofpin ||6vprojecting fromone of the pawls 46 rides while arm swings forwardly from its rearmostpositionyas indicated by the arrow in Fig: 9. Therefore paw1s46 cannot engage with ratchet 44 and impart motion to the same until the `flattened portion |'4 lriding on the periphery |42 of cam\|40v has reached'the end of said cam and-are thenpulled'downwardly by tension spring ||f0. Itisthe"distance'ffromthe point where the pawls drop-intoY engagement with-ratchet 44 to the point where the arm `58 contacts the stop screw |04', which determines the amount of feed, i. e.; thelengthof tobacco filler forwarded by the channel belts., -32 and 34. In order to produce-l uniform cigar'bunches it isof utmost importance'that'the length of each filler charge be uniform and even at al1 times. For this reason a slot |46 is provided at the yend of cam |40 and a hardened" finger '|44' is--pivotally mounted in said slot with its outer corner |48` protruding from the edge of said cam, thus assuring a sharp drop when the flattened portion 4 of pin ||6 rides over nger-I44. To minimize lost motion due to' slippage of the pawls when* dropping on ratchet 44; one pawl is a `distance of 1/2 tooth shorter than` the other, giving theassurance that in any case one of the pawls willl fall immediately into engagementwith acorresponding tooth of the ratchet 44. It may be' noted that'the provision of a Vsharp andsolidpoint at the 4edge of the stationary cam |40 instead-of the finger |44 wouldl cause'r considerable damagein case lock is employed to.I hold.` fingen :|44 in vits operativev also to permit'the filler feed to be accurately set.

to advance the exact. length of illerf.` tobacco requiredfor thecigar'bunchthe. stationary cam |40is equipped with a scale and pivotally mounted-- on shaft 36'. An `indicator nger |556 (FigsgY 8 and 9) is mounted. on supporting frame 38, `and cam .|48 may be .moved tothe desi-red, posi-tion upon loosening loch screw |58 which is threaded into said'cam and passes through a slot |60 -in frame 38. Thus the fingerv |58- willdesignate Ion. the scale on cam |40fthe lengtho ller which isv being fed in each cycle.

The. release and stopscrew-ISB (Figs. 8 and 9) which trips lock lug |32"at'the rearmostvpositionof arm 58 is vsecured' inthe' huleA of a control member |82 loosely mounted on` r11/.stud '|64 (Figs. 3, 8 and 9) heldv by=frame 38. Member |62 is furthermoreL equippedA witha resetter finger |68, a stop luglland'aflockflug |10. To the latter is attached aflock-plate |12 which` is held in engagement with alockiarm 1`|14-at 1 tached to a stud-|18 loosely supportedl by a bushing |16 held-byframe 38. On thestud |18 is also secured a-controlarmd (Figs. 1 and 113) to which is pivoted a control `link |82; the operation -of which will be described` later on. Every time link-|82 movesin'an upward direction it will causecontrol armv |380 and lock arm |14fto move upward also, y'thereby eiTectingV a disengagement of thev latter fromlock plate |12. The engagement of-arm |14 with lock plate |12 normally holds the release and stop screw |38 in an ineffective position, as'shown in Fig. 8. Disengagementofarm |14- from plate- |12 however, permits a tension spring`|84 connecting resetter ringer` |66 and stud |18, to swing member |62-and-bring lscrew |38 into the path of the oncoming lock lug |32 on arm 50. Astop pin |86 held byl frame38engages the stop lug |68 and thereby-limitsqthe extent `to which the member `|62I willv be displacedv by spring |84. The arm: 50; when reaching its rearmost position, then presses the free end'of lock lug |32 against-said stop screw |38 and the release of the liftedpawls46 is effected,` as previously described. Afterthe` feeding of each length of filler, the release or stop screw |38 is returned to its ineffective position by a resetter arm |88 which projects from'the hub of arm A5U' and oscillates with the latter. On its free end, arm |88 carries a stop screw |90 Vwhich during ther forward stroke' of arms 50 'and'|88, engages with the free end ofthe resetter fingerv |66 and moves the same upward',r therebyv producing an upward movement'of lock lug'f |10 and its. platek |12. A tension spring |92 (Figs. l and3) connected to control arm acts to vmaintain lock arm |14 in its downward position to'reengage the lock plate |12 when the finger |66 is disengaged by stop screw |90.

Asmentioned heretofore, the tobacco ,filler-1 stream" F is "advancedf ir-1termittentlyv intothe.

extension'of the filler feed channel for sever- |94, guided in al dove-tailed channel 196 (Fig.

1A) of a pedestal 200 secured to the cross feed supporting member 14. Vertical slide 194 is actuated through a link 202 by an arm 204 loosely mounted on a stud 266 held by pedestal 200. Arm 204 is oscillated through an adjustable connecting rod 208 by a cam lever 210 carrying a cam roller 212 engaging with a track 214 of cam 216 (Figs. 2, 13 and 15) mounted on the main cam shaft 62. Cam lever 210 is loosely mounted on a supporting shaft 218 held by the main frame 42. On a stud 220 on arm 204 by which connecting rod 208 is pivoted to said arm, is also pivotally mounted one end of a link 222 (Figs. 1A and 3). The other end of said link is pivoted to a stud 22d (Fig. 18) to which are also pivoted

links

226 and 228, the latter forming a toggle which is actuated by link 222. Link 226 is pivoted to a stud 2530 held by a stationary lug 232 of a bracket 2311 of pedestal 200. Link 228 is pivoted to a stud 236 held by a collar 238 adjustably secured to a vertical shaft 246 slidably mounted in suitable bearing lugs of bracket 234 and pedestal 201) (Figs. 1A and 18).

To the lower end of said vertical shaft 240 is attached a horizontal compressor foot 242 which extends along the filler feed channel. To foot 242 is secured a vertical guide shaft 244 projecting through a guide hub 2de of the pedestal 201). To compressor foot 242 is furthermore hinged an extension plate 248, the free end of which is connected by a link 250 to a pressure arm 252 pivoted to a stud 254 held by a pair of suitable lugs 256 projecting from pedestal 200. Extension plate 243 is actuated an-d controlled by a member 258, the lower end of which is pivoted to a bracket 260 mounted on compressor foot 242. The upper portion of member 258 protrudes through the pressure arm 252 and is equipped with a bottom washer 262 threaded thereon and a loose top washer 264 which is held in Contact with arm 252 by a compression spring 266. The tension of spring 266 may be adjusted by a pair of lock nuts 268 on the upper threaded portion of member 258. The purpose of the compressor foot 242 and its extension plate 222 is to .intermittently compress the tobacco stream in the ller feed channel and hold the tobacco leaves firm and flat while a bunch length or charge is cut oif by the corrugated cutter 102. The timing is such that when the cutter 102 is moved downward by slide 194- in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 18, the compressor foot 242, which through vertical shaft 220 and the disclosed toggle arrangement and link 222 is connected to the slide operating arm 204, also moves downward and the tobacco stream underneath said compressor foot and its hinged extension is pressed fiat and held rmly in position during the cutting action of the corrugated cutter 102 (Fig. 20). 'The combined length of the compressor foot and extension is at least twice the length of the length of the charge cut olf from the filler ystream so that the filler stream, while being advanced into the extension of the filler feed channel formed by side guides 100 to be cut oi by the cutter, is compressed twice. Therefore the leading end of the filler stream will not 'be disrupted, as by telescoping, when advanced on to` a charge supporting plate 210 which forms channel. The cutting of the charge from the filler stream by the corrugated cutter is effected by the coaction thereof with a stationary correspondingly corrugated cutter or ledger plate 212 having indentations 213 (Fig. 3) and forming a bridge between the horizontal feed .belt 30 and the horizontal charge supporting plate 210. Ledger plate 212 is mounted on a bridge bracket 214 attached to the end of the cross feed supporting member 14. In order to assure that all ller tobacco placed by the operator into the feeding channel formed by

belts

30, 32 and 34 is properly guided underneath the compressor foot 242 and its hinged extension 248, a pair of guide brackets 216 are provided, which are fastened to

plates

96 and 98, respectively, and together with said hinged extension 248 when it is in its upper position, form a funnel which smoothly directs any projecting piece of the advancing tobacco stream underneath the compressor foot 242 without causing obstructions or clogging.

As the corrugated cutter 102 descends during the cutting operation, the charge supporting plate 216 is quickly withdrawn. The cutter then severs the charge C from the ller stream and said charge drops into a stationary measuring chamber M (Fig. 6) consisting of a pair of side walls 218 and 2156 underlying the walls 10D, and one end wall 232, which has a corrugated inner face provided with indentations 283 (Fig. 6) and a straight end wall 284. The latter is supported on a lug 236 (Figs. 1, 4 and 6) of a stationary bearing bracket 288 attached to a bracket 290 (Fig. l) secured to bed plate 40. The corrugated end wall 282 is supported as shown in Figs. 18 and 2O on a ledge of bridge bracket 21ll, mentioned heretofore. The corrugated face of end wall 282 conforms to the corrugation of the ledger plate 212 and serves the purpose of maintaining alignment of the corrugated ends of the cut charge and preventing their disturbance while being deposited into measuring chamber M, and holds said corrugated ends during the cutting operation of the horizontal ller knife.

To withdraw the charge supporting plate 210 from the position it occupies in the space between the top of the measuring chamber M and the side walls and the space between the bottom of the stationary ledger plate 212 and end wall 282, it is actuated from an arm 292 (Figs. 1 and 2) which, through a link 294 is connected to a lug 296 of plate 216. On a stationary guide rod 298 secured in and projecting from a suitable hub on side wall 218 of the measuring chamber M, is slidably mounted the lug 296 to which plate 216 is fastened, thus guiding the charge supporting plate 210 in its horizontal reciprocating motion. Arm 292 is pivoted to a stud 300 held by a suitable bearing lug of pedestal 200 (Figs. 1 and 2). From the hub of arm 292 projects an operating lever 302 which is connected by means of an adjustable rod 304 to a cam lever 306 (Figs. 1, 2, 13 and 15) carrying a cam roller 308 engaging with a cam track 310 of the cam 216. Cam lever 306 is loosely mounted on the supporting shaft 66.

Underneath and exactly in line with the above mentioned measuring chamber M is located a horizontally movable charge transfer T (Fig. '1) consisting of two side Walls 312, an end wall 314, secured to walls 312 and another end wall formed on a lug 316 to which said side walls are securedl anonce jported byia horizontal shaft32ll held'by thebearing. bracket288-mentioned heretofore. The wall `3M at the other'endrofthewcharge transfer T is Vslidablyi-.supported ;in:a .groove32l of the cross feed Supporting member 74 fby a 'bottom guide rail 322 `along.:which `it slides into-ua `channel rformedby -a fsidafguide rail .324, top yguide rail 32B yand .-rail.322. A lug 328 onf'theffbottom fof vrsleeve `318 (Figs. :1, 2 and 4) is connected by'al .link'33llfto an loscillating arm 332 loosely mounted y.on:.a shaft 334.'(Figs. 2 and` 13) supported by -a pair of `suitable bearing brackets 336 -attached tothe end of bed plate 40.- An actuating lever 338 on the hub offarrn 332 -is connected 4by .an

ad-justablemod-.Sli to a camlever y3312 carrying Vaicam roller .344,:engag-ing with atrack M13-of aicam 348 (Fig. 17) mounted `on the main cam shaft' 62., Cam -lever 342 .is looselymounted on the supporting shaft 2id. Lug 313 .of sleeve38 isprovided with anadjustable stop screw 353 which .engages the vstationary bearing bracket 28B..when the -chargetransfer T is in. its rearmost position (Figul) for they-purpose of properly aligning said charge transfer with the measuring chamber M. While the corrugated cutter |32 .descends to .cut .a.charge,..ameasuring plunger `352 Yalso moves (downwardly but. trails slightly `behind said descending cutter until the latter .has-severed theeharge `AC.from=the ller stream 'F.(Figs. 18.and.19). Thacutter then dwells in thepositionat which ithas completedthe .severingof thebharge (Fig. 19) While the measuring plunger continues descending towardthe tobacco vcolumn D, which. represents .an accumulation .of

several charges. While the corrugated cutterand measuring plungerv are descending together, a measuring; platform 354, which closes the .bottom opening of. theV charge transfer iT but is slightly .smaller than said opening .to have a slidingfit therein, ascen'ds .into said-.charge transfer .and

'measuring chamber M and the charge transfer "T' as illustrated in, Figs. 20and 24. After the measuring plunger has `cometo rest .with the compacted ycolumn D'between the latter andthe measuring platform"354,-a metal-knife .or cutting plate 356,'whose'cuttingedge `353a (Figs4 and 7) may -eXtend diagonally thereof. 4at any suitable angl-e such 'as 45 orV greater, entersthe space 351 (Figs. 18 'and 20)v between the bottom of the measuringchamber andthe-'top ofthe charge Y"transfer and-*cuts a bunch charge B froml the `compacted. tobacco column D (Figs. Zland Asuitable thiclfmess of knife' 356 Ahas -beenfound `to be alf of an inch. The at horizontal surfaces lformed on-the upperedges-offthe walls' 3l2, 3M, vand .3 I B ofthe .charge transferT serve .as a ledger -plate for knife 356 during Athe severance of bunch Vcharge B.- The` height orfthicliness of the bunch charge is determined .by the. vertical :distance between.- the-.measuring platforma y:and the knife 353.;` TheV spacing. gofltheplatform from* the .knife may lbe regulated-,tto correspond with-the desired thickness of the rbunchxcharge..

column D, themeasuring platform 354 again descends and stops'at a position aligned with the bottom of the charge transfer T and the top of 'a stationary bridge plate :353, as illustrated in Figs. 22 and 26, whereby the compression of the charge is relieved. Plate 358has a slot in which the platform has a-siiding fit and moves upwardly into the measuring chamber. The charge B is then moved by said transfer inthe direction of the arrow in Fig. 26, across the bridge plate 358 and on to the rolling apron 353 (Fig. 27) of the bunch rolling mechanism of the cigar machine. It may be noted that the diagonal arrangement of the cutting edgeof theknife 356 is such that in severing the bunch charge the knife moves forwardly to a `position overlyingy the path of the charge transfer as the latter is -advanced on to the rolling apron, as shown in Fig. 27, so that the foremost cornerof -its cutting edge will rest on the rear side of ,thecharge ltransfer and thereby prevent iieXing of' the' knife lwhich might `interfere with the return movement of the vcharge transfer.

Charge B is ejected from the charge transfer -Tby a vertically reciprocable-ejector 33E (Figs.

2,14 and 27) -whichiepresses the charge. against the portion of the apron-overlying platform 332 vwhile the latter is loweredztogether with apron 359, to a Iposition aligned-.fwith .the rolling 'table 364 of ythe bunch rolling mechanism of the machine, this position being illustrated in dotted .lines in Fig. 27.

A loop or pocket former 363, which-is Connected to and*v descends Lwith the ejector 360, is `employed v-for the l.purpose 01E-:stretching the apron smoothly over the platform :362 fand forming a loopat one side thereof in themanner shown'in dotted lines in Fig. 27. The ejectorf36|l and loop former366 then ascend androllingfpinn333 advances in the direction of .the arrow shown in Fig. 27 and rolls the fcharge B uponritself and then Wit-hin a'binder to form a cigar bunch inthe customary manner. As soon as plunger 360-and-1oop former'333 have 'reached their uppermost position, the charge transfer T returnsiintthe-direction of the arrow `to its original position, aligned--again with the stationary measuring1 chamber M. Thereupon the horizontal knifev 356 withdraws toa position wherein its foremost corner is between the rear walls 1 of the measuring' chamber and `charge ltransfer, and the remaining portion of the tobacco column. in measuring chamber-M-drops'into the charge transfer now positioned lbelow the chamber. While 4the charge transfer T is moving its charge B .on tolthe rolling apron 359, the charge supporting plate I 213 moves in again, covering the measuring chamber LMv and ready to .support the advancingend of the tobacco filler stream from which anew charge is to be-'cut and be deposited on the vtop of the tobaccocolumn D in the measuring chamber after withdrawal of plate 21E).

The stationary side walls lull ofv the-filler feed channel extension are provided at each fend with `suitable flanges. The/flanges at one endthereof are attached to the cross feed'supporting member 'I3 while the flangeswat the other end are secured to a supporting bar-,313 fastened to the lug v236 of .the measuring chamber M. The .freeend of the compressor fo0t 2ll2l is cut out to yprovide corrugations 3'12 whichfconform to the shape of cutter |32. Thus the iillerstreamF iscompressed and held down adjacent the. cutting .edge of the cutter l2and thecorrugationsv 312 also act as a scraper for any particles of tobacco which might cling to the cutter M32 while it is ascending. One end of the measuring plunger 352 is provided with corrugations 314 (Fig. 5) which ft the corrugations of cutter |22 and lit into the corrugations of end wall 222 of the measuring chamber M, whereby not only the center portion of the tobacco column D but one of its corrugated ends as well are compacted by the measuring plunger.

The measuring plunger 352 is attached to the lower end of a vertical shaft 316 (Figs. 1 and 2), slidably supported by means of a pair of suitable bearing brackets 31B and 386, both of which are rigidly attached to the pedestal 266. Shaft 316 is reciprocated by an oscillating forked lever 352 carrying a pair of rollers 364 engaging with a collar loosely mounted on shaft 316. To the latter is adjustably clamped a lug 368 against which the collar 336 is held by a Compression spring 363 seated against a collar 332 fastened to shaft 316. In order to prevent turning of the measuring plunger 352, it is provided with a vertical guide rod 335 projecting from said plunger and engagir with a guide sleeve 352 held by a suitable lug extending from bracket 316. The lever 332 is fastened on a horizontal shaft 406 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) supported by suitable bearings in pedestal 266. Shaft 466 carries a rocker arm 432 which is connected by an adjustable rod 464 to a cam lever 466 (Figs. 2, 13 `and 14), having the shape of a bell crank and carrying a cam roller 463 engaging with a cam track 4l@ of the cam 63 on cam shaft 52. Cam lever 446 is loosely mounted on the supporting shaft 66. The downward movement of the measuring plunger 352 is effected by the downward motion of the oscillating arm 322 which, by means of rollers 364 depresses the collar 366 and through spring 336 and collar 332, imparts downward motion to shaft 316. The tobacco column D in the measuring chamber M offers resistance to the descending measuring plunger, but arm 332 continues its downward stroke for a short distance, thereby compressing spring 336 and causing collar 336 to move away from lug 336. is exerted through compression spring 336 and collar 342 to effect compaction of the tobacco column D in the measuring chamber M and charge transfer T.

In order to effectively control the height of the tobacco column D in the measuring chamber M, which normally consists of several charges, the lug 386 mounted on shaft 316 carries an adjust able trip screw 4|2 which normally, during the downward movement of shaft 316 and plunger 352, engages the free end 4|4 of a double lever 4|6 pivoted to a stud 448 held by pedestal 266. The other end 426 of double lever 4|6 is connected with the feed belt control link |82. Therefore, when trip screw 4|2 contacts end 4|4 of lever 4|6 and presses the same downward, the other end 426 of said lever moves upward and through link |82 causes an upward motion of contro-l arm |86 and lock arm |14. Since, as previously described, the upward movement of the latter permits the stop screw |33 to move into the path of lug |32 and effect a release of the lifted pawls 46, the feed belt drive control is tripped and a new charge is fed in the following cycle of the machine. It will be noted that the control arm |86 and lock arm |14 are moved downwardly by spring |62 when the trip screw 4|2 moves away from the lever 4|6, to permit arm |14 to reengage lock plate |12, when the latter is returned In this manner sufficient pressure to its initial position by engagement of stop screw |36 With arm |66. In case the tobacco column D in the measuring chamber M is too high, that is too much tobacco has accumulated in said chamber, the measuring plunger cannot enter Very far into said chamber and plunger 352 and shaft 316 come to rest before trip screw 4I2 could contact end 4| 4 of double lever 4|6, thus no tripping can take place and control arm |86 and lock arm |14 remain in their position and no release of pawls 46 is effected. Thus the pawls remain lifted through the following cycle. Therefore the feeding action of the

feed belts

36, 32 and 34 is interrupted and no charge is fed during the following cycle of the machine.

The mechanism for regulating the position of the measuring platform 354 (Figs. 2, 10, 11 and 12) to control the amount of tobacco in the bunch charge B cut by the horizontal knife 356 from the bottom of the tobacco column, will now be described. For this purpose platform 354 is mounted on a vertical shaft 422 slidably supported in a suitable bearing bracket 424 attached to the slide supporting bracket 266. The lower end of shaft 422 is threaded and provided with an adjusting nut 426 and lock nut 428, respectively. On the lower portion of shaft 422 above nut 426 is loosely mounted a lug 436 on whose free end is pivoted a lifter arm 432 which is loosely mounted on an eccentric portion 434 of a shaft 436 supported by a bearing bracket 438 and a bearing plate 440, the latter being attached to the former. Bracket 438 is rigidly secured to the lower side of bed plate 46. Shaft 435 carries a gear 442 engaging with a gear segment 444 having a split hub secured by clamp screw 446 to a horizontal shaft 448 supported by bearing plate 446 and a bearing lug 450 fastened to bracket 436. Gear segment 444 is provided with an extension lug 452 which is connected by an adjustable rod 454 to a cam lever 456 (Figs. 2, 13 and 16) carrying a roller 458 engaging with a track 456 of a cam 462 mounted on the main cam shaft 62. Cam lever 456 is loosely mounted on the supporting shaft 66. The upper half of shaft 422 is of slightly greater diameter and provided with a threaded portion 464 (Fig. l0) on which is threaded an adjusting member 466 equipped with a fluted portion 468. With the flutes of said portion 468 engages a spring nger 416 which is held by a lug 412 adjustably clamped to the upper portion of shaft 422. On the lower half of the latter is loosely mounted a sleeve 414 which rests on lug 436 and is vertically guided and slidably supported by a bushing 416 (Fig. l0). Bushing 416 is held in a suitable bearing flange 41S mounted in and protruding through a suitable opening in bed plate 40. The lifting of the measuring platform 354 is effected by cam lever 456 which through rod 454 acts upon the gear segment 444, swinging the same in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 10, to rotate gear 442 on shaft 436. The arc of movement of gear segment 444 is sufficient to turn

gear

442, 180. This causes the eccentric 434 also to move 180, thereby raising the lifter arm 432 which has a collar loosely mounted on eccentric 434 of shaft 436. The lifting of arm 432 causes the lug 436 to slide upward on the vertical shaft 422. Since sleeve 414 rests on lug 436 it is also moved upward and slides on shaft 422 until the upper end of said sleeve contacts the lower end of the adjusting member 466. Since the latter is threaded to shaft 422, the entire shaft and the platform 354 secured thereon is 12mm-zee :raised: The employment ofl agearfsegment, gear .an'd'eccentric toaccomplish .thismovement has the great .advantage .of reducing any -possible wear upon the .lifting .mechanismy and .in case such wearshould appear =it would have'no material effect 'upon the setting and movement ofthe measuring platform. 354. Another. advantage by .using this construction lies in the great stability and rigidness which .is of supremeimportance since due tothe compressing action-o1-` table-354'I upon the .tobacco column,.considerable pressure isforced upon: said: mechanism.: The settingzof the measuring'platform, i. e., the distance v.the same is raised, .which kin .turn determines fthe thickness'of the cut bunchcharge, .is accomplished by turning the adjustinglmember .i456 clockwise or antifclockwise. This adjustment decreasesor increasesthe `gap .between fthe lower end of saidmemberand the upper .end of. `sleeve 414, thus causing an earlier and longer upward movement of shaft 422 and platform 354 or a later and shorter movement of the same. An earlier and longer upward movement of shaft 422 raisesplatform 354 to a higher position within the charge transfer Tresulting in a cutting of a 'thinnerbunch Charge from the tobacco column D, and alater and shorter upward movement of shaft `422 would result in a thicker charge. The .-downward movement of the measuring table 354 and shaft .422 is checked'by'a pair of stop screws f f 48!) which VareA arranged to Contact the lower side of said measuring table while sleeve 414 continues moving downwardly and away from member 466 during the downward movement of lug 43ll'resulting from the downward movement of .arm 432. By adjusting the screws 48! alignment of the upper face of table 354 with the upper face of the stationary bridge plate 358 at the end of the downward movement of arm 432 may be obtained. Plate 358-is supported by a suitable lug 482 projecting from the lbearing bracket 424. Stop screws 48E] are held by 4a pair of lugs 434 also formed on said bearing bracket.

The knife 356, which cuts the charge B from the tobacco column D, is adjustably mounted on a horizontal slide 485 (Figs. l and 2), which is supported and guided by a dove-tailed channel 488 (Fig. 1) in the upper portion of the bracket 295. The slide 426 is connected by ar. adjustable connecting rod 496 to one arm 422 of a bell crank loosely mounted on the horizontal shaft Y334 (Figs. 2 and 13). 'lTne other arm 494 of this bell crank is connected by an adjustable rod 495 to a cam lever 458 carrying a roller 532) engaging with a cam track 552 provided in cam 348 (Fig. 17). Cam .lever 458 is loosely mounted on the shaft 56. In .order to limit the expansion of the compacted tobacco column D in the measuring chamber M after the knife 355 has cut a charge B from the bottom and measuring plunger 352 has started to move upwardto release the compressionpf said column D, the portion of the slide 48B in which the knife 356 is secured is equipped with a'number of retainer fingers 554 which travel with the horizontally reciprocating .knife and enter the measuring chamber M 352 starts to move upwardtandreleases said'col-` "umn, the' latter .cannotexpand-afurther than-iingers 5114":(Figs. 22 vand 26),wthuspreventingvany possibleinterference of'thetobacco column with ,the inoomingfchargesupporting1plate 21rwhich, as soon as plunger'352 passes, moves inthe .directionofthearrow in Fig. 26 and closes the top of the measuring fchamber'M.(Fig. 27), readylto receive and'. support a new bunch length.

`liijector '36@ 'whichejectsthe'charge B from Arm 5H] is fasteneditoa The rolling courseiare actuated and drivenfrom the same What is Aclaimed is:

1. Insa cigarmachine thecombinationwith mechanism .for superimposing' bunch' lengths frof long .filler tobacco'lto form a vertical. columnl of 'laminated cigar "bunch lengths wherein the ll'er 'tobacco' is Iarranged horizontally, of 'means' :for

compactingsaiditobaccocolumn vertically. a horizontal iknifefhaving a vcutting edge'fon itsfforward end extending diagonally thereof, a reciprocable support movable horizontally towardwand away 'from said column, .saidkhifehaving Vits rear en'd' fastened to lsaid support land proj ectingt forwardly ffrom 'said-f support inv a'horizontalplane .'spacedfrom one end' of the tobacco'column a-dis- `#tance considerably less than the horizontal width .and lengthtof `said vcolumn and. to traverse said column 'of 'tobaccovwhen saidsupport iis moved toward the column and .therebyseparate a thin vbunch charge-fromsaid one end of the compactlbed :tobacco columinthe cutting edge vof said'knife :being beveled'and'extending diagonally 'thereof at an angle:offapproximatelye degrees or more and the .beveled Yside of'said cutting edgefbeing on'the side -of the `knifewhich is out ofl contact "with said bunch charge.v

2. In :a'iciga'r machine, the combination'w'ith means for superimposing bunch lengths -offlong fllertobaccolin -a vertical columnwherein the .iiller tobacco is arranged horizontally and compactingVv said column vertically, said means including a"measuring.chamber `into the upper end 'of .zwhic'hi'the bunch lengths are inserted'by said means, ahollowcharge transfer underlying the Llower lend ofK saidrchamberl and adapted to'admit the lower vend of the ltobacco column; areciprocable support movable horizontally toward 'and -'away-fromy saidr column, a horizontal `knife having Lits nrear vend fastened 'to 'said support and gabeveled cutting edge on its forward end VeX- .tendingdiagonallythereof at an angle ci approximately 4'de'grees .or greater, the beveledside of said .cutting edge being on the side of the knife .which :is--remote-.from the vcharge .transf er and .means-for `moving-said support `toward the -column-"tocausezthe forward end of v4therlniife lto enter betweenthe charge transferv and measuring chamberA and thereby separate a bunch ,charge-.from vthe lower end 'of Athe'colummfand .anfmember for supporting thelowerfendof said :column-at fafpredetermined level in `said vcharge transferzandins a horizontalv plane spacedfrom the plane of said-'knife a distance cmisiderably .zless .thanthe horizontal width andlength of .said

column whereby a thin bunch charge will be separated from the column by said knife.

3. In a cigar machine, the combination with means for superimposing bunch lengths in a vertical column and compacting said column vertically, said means including a measuring chamber into the upper end of which the bunch lengths are inserted by said means, a hollow charge transfer underlying the lower end of said chamber and adapted to admit the lower end of the tobacco column, a reciprocable support movable horizontally toward and away from said column, a horizontal knife having its rear end fastened to said support and a cutting edge on its forward end extending diagonally thereof, means for moving said support toward the column to cause the forward end of the knife to enter between the charge transfer and measuring chamber and thereby separate a bunch charge from the lower end of the column, and means for moving said charge transfer horizontally to a predetermined position at which the charge is ejected and returning said transfer to initial position while the column is supported by said knife, the means for moving the knife support operating to advance the cutting edge of said knife into a position wherein it overlies the charge transfer at the charge-ejecting position whereby said transfer may be returned to initial position without interference with said knife.

4. In a cigar machine, the combination with means for separating bunch lengths from a continuous layer of ller tobacco and superimposing them to form a vertical column of bunch lengths, of a hollow charge transfer arranged to admit the lower end of said column, a member movable upwardly into said charge transfer to support the lower end of said column, a device for separating the portion of said column within said charge transfer from the remainder of the column, mechanism for moving the charge transfer horizontally with the separated charge therein to advance the same to a predetermined position and means for withdrawing said member from said charge transfer before the latter is moved horizontally toward said predetermined position.

5. In a cigar machine, the combination with means for separating bunch lengths from a continuous layer of filler tobacco and superimposing them to form a vertical column of bunch lengths, of a hollow charge transfer arranged to admit the lower end of said column, a device for separating the portion of said column within said charge transfer from the remainder of the column, and I mechanism for moving the charge transfer horizontally with the separated charge therein to advance the same to a predetermined position, said device including a support movable horizontally toward and away from said column, a horizontal knife having a cutting edge extending diagonally across the forward edge thereof at an angle of approximately 45 degrees, the rear end of said knife being fastened to said support and the knife projecting forwardly from said support to separate the portion of the column lling the charge transfer from the remainder of the column when said support is moved toward the column, and means for moving said support to advance said knife across the upper face of said charge transfer to a position wherein its foremost corner overlies the charge transfer when the latter is in said predetermined position.

6. In a cigar machine, the combination with a vertical measuring chamber adapted to confine a vertical column of superposed bunch lengths, of a charge supporting member overlying the top of said chamber, means for intermittently feeding a continuous layer of long filler tobacco to advance its leading end upon said charge supporting member, a stationary ledger plate disposed adjacent said charge supporting member, a vertically movable knife supported above said ledger plate and coacting therewith to sever a bunch length from the leading end of the layer of ller advanced upon said charge supporting member, and mechanism for moving said knife downwardly to coact with said ledger plate and sever bunch lengths from said tobacco layer, and withdraw said charge supporting member to permit the severed bunch lengths to drop into the measuring chamber and thereby form a vertical column of superposed bunch lengths.

7. In a cigar machine, the combination with a vertical. measuring chamber adapted to conne a vertical column of superposed bunch lengths, of a charge supporting piate covering the top of said chamber, means for intermittently feeding a continuous layer of long flller tobacco to advance leadinq end upon said charge supporting plate, stationary ledger plate disposed adjacent said ch, ge supporting plate, a vertically movable ne supported above said ledger plate and coactith to sever a bunch length from the d of the layer of filler advanced upon rge supporting plate, mechanism for movid knife downwardly to coact with said ledgand sever bunch lengths from said tobacco layer, and withdraw said charge supporting i "e to permit the severed bunch lengths to drop into the measuring chamber and thereby form a vertical column of superposed`bunch lengths, a i ollow char-ge transfer underlying said measur- U 'ig chamber and adapted to admit the lower end f said vertical tobacco column therein, a vertin ovable measuring platform normally ocsupport said tobacco column, and a vertically movable member adapted to engage the top of said tobacco column when said charge supporting plate is withdrawn and compact the column against said measuring platform.

8. ln a cigar machine, the combination with a vertical measuring chamber adapted to confine a vertical column of superposed bunch lengths, of a charge supporting plate covering the top of said chamber, means for intermittently feeding a continuous layer of long filler tobacco to advance its leading end upon said charge supporting plate, a stationary ledger plate disposed adjacent said supporting plate, a vertically movable knife supported above said ledger plate and coacting therewith to sever a bunch length from the leading end of the layer of filler advanced upon said charge supporting plate, mechanism for moving said knife downwardly to coact with said ledger plate and sever bunch lengths from said tobacco layer, and withdraw said charge supporting plate to permit the severed bunch lengths to drop into the measuring chamber and thereby form a vertical column of superposed bunch lengths, a hollow charge transfer underlying said measuring chamber and adapted to admit the lower end of said vertical tobacco column therea vertically movable measuring platform normally occupying a position within said charge transfer to support said tobacco column, a vertically movable member adapted to engage the top of saidtobacco'column-when saiclchargesupporting plate is withdrawn and compact vthe column against :said :measuring `platform, a device for separating a bunch chargefrom rthe portion of fsadrcolumn llingzsaidfc'harge transfer while'the :column is compacted between saidtplatform and imember, means for elowering said platform with -theseparated 'bunch charge toaposition wherein ithe top Tof `the platform is. alignedwith thebottom fof-.the transfer,and means for movingthetransfer horizontally 'with fthe sep arated bunch charge charge supporting plate, .a vertically movable knife 'supported'above saidledger plate'and coact- `ing therewith rtofseverfa Abunch length .from the lleading er1-dof the layer :of filler advanced upon 'saidfchargesupportingplate,'mechanism for mov- .ing said knife 'downwardly to coact with said'ledger plate and sever bunch lengths from said tolbaccolayer,andwithdraw said charge supporting :platetopermit the lsevered'bunch lengths to drop intothe measuring chamber and'thereby vform a vertical'col-umn of superposedbunch lengths, a

kdevice supporting 7the lower Vend of the tobacco rcolumn formed'in said chamber, a vertically mov- Aable-member adaptedto engage the top fof said lcolumn afterthefcharge supporting plate-is withfdrawn'and compact the column against said dervice, and means lyielding'ly connected to said A:member for moving it againstthe top of thelcolumn, land mechanism --control'led by the position .fof sai'd member for interrupting the operation-of "the means for feeding thelayer of'ller tobacco `in .the-eventof an oversupply of tobacco in said column.

l0. `In a-c'igar machine, the combination with Ymeans for superimpo'sing bunch'lengths of filler tobacco to form a vertical column of bunch lengths, a Ahollow-charge transfer arranged to 4admitthe lowerfend of said column therein, a

vertically movable-measuring platform normally loccupying a position within said transfer to'support 'the column, a vertically movable member adapted to-engage `the top of said column and compact it Yagainst said measuring platform, a horizontal knife, a device for moving -said knife V.horizontally across the top of said transfer to separate the portion ofthe compacted column Vvsf-ithin fsai'dptransfer Vfrom the remainder ofthe 4c'zolumn and mechanism for lowering said platform aftertheseparation by said knife of the portion 'ofthe column-in sai'dftransfer to relieve :the compression cfsaid separated column portion.

ll. 'In a cigar machine, the combination with .means-for superimposing bunch lengths of filler tobacco to' `form a vertical column of bunch lengths, a hollow charge transfer arranged to admit the lower end of said column therein, a vertically 'movable -measuring platform normally occupying aposition'within -sz-iid'transfer to support the column, a vertically movable member adapted to engage 'the top of said .column and compact itagainst said-measuring platform, a horizontalknifaa device .for moving said knife ihorizontally vacross the .top .ofsaid transfer to .18 separate the .portion ofthe `compacted column within said "transfer from `the remainder of the column, means for vlowering said platform with the vseparated charge toa position wherein the top lof the platform is aligned With the bottom fof `the transfer, and mechanism for moving the transfer horizontally with the separated bunch charge to a predetermined position after thefplatform :has :been lowered.

i2. In a cigar machine, the combination :with

means for superimposing bunch lengths of filler tobacco to forma vertical column of bunch lengths, a hollow charge transfer arranged to .admit the lower Vend of said column therein, a

vertically movable measuring platform normally occupying a position'within'said transfer to support the column, a vertically movable member adapted to engage the top of said column and compact `it against said measuring platform, -a

horizontal knife, a device for moving said knife `horizontally across the top of said transfer nto separate the portion of the compacted column within said 'transfer from the remainder of the column, Vmechanism 'for moving said platform upwardly 4prior tothe operation of saidknife by said device, to raise said column to a position wherein a bunch charge vof Fpredetermined thickness will be severed from the lower end ofthe column by saidknife, and means for'moving said member downwardly, `while said platform is raised, to compact saidrcolumn, saidmechanism being adjustable tovary the upper position of said -platform and thereby regulate the size-of bunch charge separated from-said column vby said knife.

13. vIn a cigar machine, the combination Vwith means for superimposingbunch lengths of filler tobacco to rform -a vertical column of bunch lengths, a hollow .charge `transfer arranged `to admit the lower endof said column therein, a

vertically movable vmeasuring platform normally yoccupying a position withinsaid transfer to sup- `port 'the column,'a vertically movable member adapted-to engage thetop of said column'and compact it against said -measuring platform, :a

-horizontal knife, a device for moving said knife horizontally `across the vtop -of said .transfer -to separate the `portieri of the `compacted col-umn within said transfer from the remainder Vof the column, mechanism for moving said platform upwardly, means for movin-g said member downwardly, whilesaid platform is raisedytocomp'a-ct said column, said mechanism being adjustable to .varyathe up-per position of said -platform and thereby-regulatethe sizeof kbunch charge separated-from-said-column bysaid knife, said mechlanism'including a shaft rigidly connected tofsaid platform, a sleeve wherein said shaft is slidably mounted means for raising and loweringsaid sleeve-and anabutment on said shaft adapted t-o beengaged by said ysleeveduring the upward movement of the latter to elevate the platform toa predeterminedposition within the transfer, said abutment beingvertically adjustable on said -shaftto varytheposition to which the platform fis' elevated.

lfi. In a cigar machinefthe combination with means for .separating bunch lengths from a .continuous ,layer offiller' tobacco `and superimpo'sing them to form a vertical column of bunch lengths, ofahollow chargetransfer having'an open bottom and arranged to `admit the lower end of said colurnnfa deviceforseparating the portion of said-columnwithin said charge transfer from the remainder of the column, a. rolling apron having