US3090176A - Cigar wrapping machine and bander - Google Patents

Description

May 21, 1963 F. A. CRAIG ETAL 01cm WRAPPING MACHINE AND BANDER 11 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 6, 1960 INVENTORS.

FRANClS A/CRAIG NEAL R. PARLATORE ATT May 21, 1963 F. A. CRAIG ETAL CIGAR WRAPPING MACHINE AND BANDER ll Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 6. 1960 mam FRANCIS A. RAls NEAL R. PARLATORE ATTOR EY May 21, 1963 F. A. came EI'AL 3,090,176

CIGAR WRAPPING MACHINE AND BANDER Filed Sept. 6, 1960 11 Sheets-Sheet 3 FlGfa' INVENTORS. FRANCIS A.CRA|G NEAL R. PARLATORE May 21, 1963 F. A. CRAlG ETAL 3,090,176

CIGAR WRAPPING MACHINE AND BANDER Filed Sept. 6, 1960 11 SheetsSheet 5 FIG.5

IN VEN TORS.

FRANCIS A. CRAIG BY NEAL R. PARLATORE Arm/152 May 21, 1963 F. A. CRAIG ETAL CIGAR WRAPPING MACHINE AND BANDER Filed Sept. 6, 1960 11 Sheets-Sheet 6 IN VEN TORS. FRANCIS A. CRAIG BY NEAL R. PA-RLATORE May 21, 1963 F. A. CRAIG ETAL CIGAR WRAPPING MACHINE AND BANDER 11 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Sept. 6, 1960 INVENTORS FRANCIS A.ORAIG NEAL R. PARLATORE v w? Kw o? N? ATTORN Y May 21, 1963 F. A. CRAIG ETAL CIGAR WRAPPING MACHINE AND BANDER 11 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Sept. 6, 1960 FIG.9

INVENTORS. FRANCIS A.GRAIG NEAL R.PARLATORE BY 7% ATTO EY,

May 21, 1963 F. A. CRAIG ETAL 3,090,176

CIGAR WRAPPING MACHINE AND BANDER Filed Sept. 6, 1960 11 Sheets-Sheet 9 6. IO FIG. II 558 542 538 5'58 542 440 556 ,P 536 0 366 N 436 ML 442 C INVENTORS.

65 640 FRANCIS A.ORA|G NEAL R.PARLATORE May 21, 1963 F. A. CRAIG ETAL 3,090,176

CIGAR WRAPPING MACHINE AND BANDER Filed Sept. 6, 1960 11 Sheets-Sheet l0 INVENTORS, FRANCIS A. came E NEAL R.PARLATORE May 21, 1963 F. A. CRAIG ETAL 3,090,176

CIGAR WRAPPING MACHINE AND BANDER Filed Sept. 6, 1960 11 Sheets-Sheet 11 INVENTORS. FRANCIS A. CRAIG NEAL R. PARLATORE BY Ton 1.

. assure Patented May 21, 1963 3 $90,176 QlGAR WRAPPEWG MACI-HNE AND BANDER Francis A. Craig, Durham, N.C., and Neal R. Parlatore,

Laurelton, N.Y., assignors to International Cigar Machinery (30., a corporation of New Jersey Filed ept. 6, 1960, Ser. No. 54,2 16 Claims. (Cl. 53-133) The present invention relates to improvements in machines for enveloping cigars and in particular to improvements in a cigar over-wrapping and banding machine.

Generally, cigars are wrapped in transparent material such as cellophane which is heat sealed to form an en closed envelope and is provided with a .band having imprinted thereon indicia signifying the manufacturers name and contents of the cigar. When cellophane overwraps are thus employed, it has become desirable to provide a tear strip to facilitate its opening. The present invention is characterized by utilizing the cigar b and as a tear strip by adhering the band to the cellophane Wrapper and simultaneously feeding the band and cellophane for wrapping about cigars.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a high speed machine for applying a band to a length of cellophane and utilizing the same for over-wrapping a cigar.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel mechanism for applying the band directly to the cellophane over-wrap so that they may be simultaneously wrapped about the cigar. It being contemplated that paper and cellophane, and other types of handing material, may be used.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel mechanism for feeding the banding material and the cellophane wrapping material to the machine from substantially endless roll of webbing and for registering and positioning the same accurately with respect to each other and to the cigar around which it is to be wrapped.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a novel mechanism for applying the band to the cellophane so that it can act as a tear strip.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel mechanism for turning the ends of the cellophane over-wrap and for sealing the cellophane to form an enclosed envelope.

Other objects and features of the invention will appear as the description of the particular physical embodiment selected to illustrate the invention progresses. In the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification, like characters of references have been applied to corresponding parts throughout the several views which make up the drawings.

In the accompanying drawings:

H65. 1, 2 when joined at line AiA constitute a front elevation of the machine with FIG. 2 drawn at a slightly larger scale than FIG. 1,

FIGS. 3, 4 when joined at line B-B constitute a plan view of the machine with the upper structure omitted,

FIG. 5 is a sectional end elevation of the machine illustrating the band web feed, taken on line S S of FIG. 1,

FIG. 6 is also an end elevation of the machine illustrating the band web feed drive mechanism, taken on line 66 of FIG. 1,

PEG. 7 is a sectional side elevation of the machine illustrating the cigar wrapping turret as -well as the infeed and delivery end of the machine,

FIG. 8 is a detailed end elevation of the wrapper web cutting and slitting mechanism,

FIG. 9 is a partial front view taken on line of FIG. 5 illustrating the band holding, cutting and applying mechamsm,

FIGS. 10, 11 are end elevations illustrating the successive steps of a cigar together with a wrapper hlank being inserted in a pocket of the wrapping turret.

'FIGS. 12, 13, 14 are end elevations illustrating the successive steps of forming and sealing the longitudinal seam of a wrapped cigar in a pocket of the wrapping turret,

FIGS. 15, 16 are isometric views illustrating the end fold tuckers during tucking operation,

FIG. 17 is a side elevation illustrating the end fold creasing members in conjunction with the end fold tuckers prior to creasing operation.

FIG. 18 is an isometric end elevation illustrating the end fold creasing members during creasing operation,

FIG. 19 is a detailed plan view of one pair of tucker fingers and their actuating mechanism,

FIG. 20 is a side elevation of the same taken on line 2ll20 0f FIG. 19,

FIG. 21 is an isometric end elevation illustrating the end fold banding and sealing mechanism,

FIG. 22 is a partial side elevation illustrating the end sealing members during sealing operation,

FIG. 23 is a partial side elevation illustrating the end seal ironing mechanism,

FIG. 24 is an isometric view showing the wrapped cigar with the projecting end of the tear strip band,

FIG. 25 is a line diagram of the control circuit for the machine.

The reference to cigar bands in this description are to those which are usually termed cellophane hands. These are supplied in reels in an end to end relationship so that each individual band is continuous and requires successive cut-oil. The length of each band in general should be slightly longer than the width of the cellophane being used to overwrap the cigar so that one end of this band will extend beyond the edge of the overwrapping cellophane so that it may be used as a tear-shape. lit should not be construed that the apparatus described herein limits itself only to the use of such material. It could and can be adapted to bands in reel form fabricated from paper. Such adaptation would require only minor changes in the described apparatus.

The reference to the cellophane overwrapping in this description is to the usual material used for wrapping a cigar after it is completely fabricated. Such wrapping comes in a continuous reel requiring only that a predetermined length be cut therefrom to conform to the length of the cigar to be wrapped.

The present apparatus combines mechanism for feeding the banding material, the cellophane overwrap material, combining the both, and overwrapping the cigars into a finished product. In order to simplify this specification, therefore, the description of the apparatus and its operation will be taken in various stages.

Band Feed With reference first to FIGURES 1, 3, and 5, where the feeding to the band is more clearly shown, there will be seen a reel 10 of cellophane bands mounted on shaft 12 for free rotation, with end of the web 14 threaded downwardly between two feed rolls 16 and 18 and around a loop roll 20 held on arm 22 which is freely pivoted about a laterally extending stud 24-. The web is then passed Over an idler roller 26, a second pair of feed rolls 28 and 3D to scissor shears 32 held, on bracket 34, which are adapted to effect the successive cutoff of each individual band .36. Just prior to the cut-off of each band, the Web 14- is gripped by tongs 38 held on carriage 40. This carriage 40 is then adapted to move forward, bringing the cut-off band 36 underneath a moving web of cellophane wrapper 1%. A sealing unit 42 moves down clamping the band 36 and cellophane Wrapper web together against a platform 44 held on bracket 46. The

wrapper web 100 together with a band 36 is then indexed forward, as will be described later, to the wrapping station at turret T.

The first pair of feed rolls 16 and 18 are driven through an electro-magnetic clutch 50 mounted on rotating shaft 52 which is connected to the central source of power, as will be explained later herein. Clutch 50 is normally energized and it continuously rotates sprocket gear 54 which, in turn, through chain 56, rotates. sprocket 58 to which roll 16 is connected. Another sprocket 69 to which roll 18 is connected simultaneously engages sprocket 58 and rotates with it. The purpose of feeding the web through feed rolls 16 and 18 is to provide for the maintenance of constant tension on the web between this point and feed rolls 28 and 30 which are themselves driven through a second electromagnetic clutch 62 mounted on shaft 52 in a similar manner to the way feed rolls 16 and 18 are driven; that is, through a sprocket 64, chain 66, and sprocket pairs 68 and 70. However, the amount of torque transmitted by clutch 62 is varied by a potentiometer (shown only in the schematic circuit diagram) and is reduced substantially for reasons which will be described more fully later on.

Maintaining constant tension between two sets of feed rolls materially assists in accurate registration. The first set of feed rolls 16 and 18 unwind the web from the supply reel until the loop roll arm 22 reaches its lowest position; just prior to reaching that position the stud 72 on which roll 20 is mounted and which extends outwardly therefrom will interfere with the tentacle 74 of a limit switch 76. Limit switch 76 is electrically connected to electro-magnetic clutch 50 so that interference with the switch will de-energize the clutch and stop the rotation of the first pair of feed rolls 16 and 18, halting the movement of the web 14 from roll 10. Meanwhile, the feed rolls 28 and 30 continue to feed the band to the cutting scissors since their drive mechanisms continue their normal operation. Once clutch 50 is disengaged, the feed rolls 16 and 18 act asa brake, and the feed rolls 28 and 30 continuing to feed the web will cause the loop roll 20 and arm 22 to rise until the extension 72 interferes with the tentacle 78 of a second limit switch 80. Limit switch 80, when interfered with, re-energizes magnetic clutch 50 to which it is also electrically connected and the feed rolls 16 and 18 resume feeding the web 14. The first pair of feed rolls 16 and 18 are adapted to feed out approximately A; to A of an inch more web than the length of an individual band 36 per cycle while the second pair of the feed rolls 28 and 30, since they must feed the cutting scissors, feed only the length of a band 36. It is this continual overfeed of feed rolls 16 and 18 which allows the loop roll 20 and 22 to drop, causing interference with limit switch 72 and prevents and overdrawing of web 14 from roll 10.

The second pair of feed rolls 28 and 20 are driven by clutch 62 as described previously. While the relative peripheral speed of the two sets of rolls 16 and 18 and 26 and 30 will remain constant since they are chain driven, the shaft speed on which the two clutches 50 and 62 are mounted may be varied. Variable pitch pulley 82 mounted on clutch shaft 52, in connection with clutch 62, variable pitch pulley 84 on cam shaft 86, and belt link-age 88, is provided for this purpose. The rate of feed for rolls 28 and 30 are such that these two rolls will feed out the length of a band 36 in 270-300 degrees of cam shaft 86 rotation. This rate of feed may be adjusted for differences in size of hands by adjusting the variable pitch pulleys.

The feeding of web 14 by rolls 28 and 30 is controlled by photo-diode sensing mechanism 90 which senses and obtains cut-otf and registration information. The photodiode 90 contains a light source and an optical system which casts a beam of light upon a photo-electric sensitive diode. A description of this type of apparatus is believed unnecessary in the present case. In the present apparatus, a signal is obtained by passing from the opaqueness of the written material of a hand 36 to the transparency between bands which, as will he observed, are in end to end relationship on the web 14. Since the bands 36 are predominantly covered by printed material, only the spaces between successive bands are positively transparent. noid 92 which when it is energized, as it normally is, causes a plunger 94 to extend outward and press upon rod 96 pivoted about stud 98. Rod 96 acts as a braking means for rolls 28 and 30 and is adapted to engage and disengage with a circular ratchet 102 keyed to shaft 104 on which sprocket 68 and roll 30 are mounted. When the solenoid 92 is energized, the plunger 94 pivots rod 96, disengaging pawl 106 from ratchet 102. When a signal is obtained from the photo-diode (when transparency appears) solenoid 92 is deenergized, releasing plunger 94. Spring 108 immediately pivots rod 96 and pawl 106 engages the ratchet 102. This results in an instantaneous braking of the rolls 28 and 34 It will now be realized that the torque reduction on magnetic clutch 62 was for the purpose of limiting the torque on ratchet 102 which had to be overcome by the braking action of pawl 186. Since the torque of clutch 62 may be varied by manipulation of the potentiometer, adjustment between it and the brake 102, 106, can easily be effected to obtain the most accurate and effective registration. It will also be noted that the plunger 94 is released by deactivating the solenoid 92 and that a spring 108 is used to trip the rod 96. The reason for this is to overcome any error that might exist through wave form differences or non-constant responses in a solenoid acting in an opposite manner.

Should it be desired to employ bands not of the cellophane type, i.e., paper or tin-foil, the photo-diode sensing system could be easily adapted to become one which senses reflective or printed indicia. Thus, the present apparatus is generally adapted to such use.

As previously stated, the feed rolls 28 and 30 feed out the length of band at approximately 270-300 degrees ro tation of cam shaft 86 and that registration of the web 14 is picked up by photo-diode 90 in this length of time. This registration occurs just prior to the time that scissors 32 would close, cutting oil the band. Scissors mechanism is clearly shown in FIGS. 5 and 9 and comprises an upper blade 110 and a lower blade 112. The upper blade 110 is keyed to stud 114 on which is also keyed a sprocket gear 116. The lower blade 112 is freely mounted on the stud 114 and has a U-shaped member 118 depending from its hub. The bight of the U-shaped member engages within it a pin 120 extending laterally from sprocket gear 116. A gear sector 122 pivotally mounted on bracket 124 engages with the gear 116. Extending from sector 122 are rod links 126, 128 and 130, the end of which is connected to an L-shaped arm 132 pivoted about shaft 134. The lower arm of the L-shaped memher 132 has a cam follower 134 engaging cam 136, which is keyed to shaft 86. The cam 136 has a track shaped so that during its rotation it actuates L-shaped member 132, raising rods 126, 128 and 130, moving sector 122. It will be observed that the movement of sector 122 actu ates both scissor blades 110 and 112. The scissor mechanism 32 is timed from the cam shaft 86 to synchronize with the feeding of the band Web 14 and causes the blades 110 and 112 to cut the leading band 36 immediately after the brake is applied the cam 136 continues to rotate, after severing the forward band, the blades 110 and 112 are caused to open to allow for the subsequent feeding of the web. Approximately 10 degrees of rotation of cam shaft 86, after the opening of the blades, a timing switch 138 shown in FIG. 2 (and described later) is an independent cam operated timing mechanism and acts to energize the solenoid 92 which thereupon releases the brake by extending plunger 94 into the engagement The photo-diode 90 is connected to sole-y to feed rolls 28 and 30. As

opened. Switch 138 is with rod 96, allowing the feed rolls 28 and 31) to turn, driving the succeeding band ahead until such succeeding band again comes into register and the cycle is repeated. The independent switch means is necessary in the present case to bypass the photo-diode since the diode cannot be automatically reset because the web is stationary.

Just prior to the closing of blades 11% and 112, the tongs 38 which are carried on carriage 4t grip the leading edge of the band 14. The carriage 4G is mounted by means of rolls 1411 on track 142. To the carriage is connected an elongated rod 144 by means of a swivel joint 146. Rod 144 is connected at its other end to an arm 148 which has a slotted portion 150 engaging a second swivel joint 152. The arm 148 is keyed to a shaft 154 (FIG. which also has keyed to it, at approximately 90 degrees from arm 148, a second arm 156. At the end of arm 156 is a cam follower 158 engaging a cam 160 keyed to and rotating with shaft 86. The cam 160' has a track, shaped so as to cause arm 143 to move rod 144 in a horizontal reciprocatory motion. The tongs 36' comprising upper and lower gripper members 162 and 164 (FIG. 3) respectively, of which only the lower member 164 moves, is mounted about screw 166; gripper member 164 being pivotally mounted. The lower memher 164 has an angular extension 168 on which there is mounted a roller 170 which rides on bar 172 rockably mounted along a horizontal shaft 174. Bar 172 has connected to it a rod 176 which through appropriate linkages is connected to rod 178. The end of rod 178 is connected to L-s-haped member 1851 having cam follower 182 which rides on cam 184. Cam 184 has a track, shaped so that when the tongs 32 are carried on their carriage 49 to a position most adjacent to the cutting blades, the bar 172 is caused to oscillate or rock and close the grippers 162 and 164. When the carriage 41) has moved rod 142 to its extended position, the bar 172 is caused again to oscillate or rock in an opposite manner so as to open the grippers 162 and 164. The movement of the carriage 4th is timed so that the tongs grip the leading edge of the band 14 just prior to the closing of the blades and, upon the opening of the blades, advances the band underneath the sealing unit 42 and underneath the cigar wrapper cellophane The sealing unit 42, that is the heating surface which is used to tack the cut-off band 36 to the over-wrapping cellophane 1%, consists of a block 186 containing a resistance heater, the bottom of the block 186 which bears against the cellophane has two bands, each band approximately wide by /2 long. This block 136 is supported on lever 188 and is pivoted through a bell crank 1%, suitable rod linkage 18 2, bell crank 194 and rod linkage 1%, from a cam 193 keyed to and rotating with shaft 86. Bell crank 1% is biased by spring 191 to keep cam follower 1 3 engaged with cam 198. Thus when the cut-off band 36 is in position, the block 136 is brought down, clamping the cellophane 1% to the band 36 against the supporting plate 4-4 below it and by means of the heat transferred effects the tack between the band and the cellophane. The length of time that the contact is held is approximately 180 degrees of cam shaft 86 travel. Temperature control of the block, and thus of the transfer, is maintained by a thermistor unit in a conventional manner.

When the heater block 136 is raised, the overwrap cellophane 1th) is indexed forward, as will be more fully described, carrying the cut-off band 36 with it. The length of forward travel of the cellophane wrapper web is that length which is used for overwrapping the cigar, and as this is moved forward, the band feed cycle begins again by re-energization of solenoid 92 through timing cam operated switch 138.

This apparatus does not limit itself to applying the bard to the inside of the cellophane only, whether the band is cellophane or paper. If it were desired to apply the band on the exterior of the overwrapping cellophane,

then the threading of the overwrapping cellophane would be reversed in such a fashion that such an application could be made. Other modifications will easily be seen.

Web Feed The cellophane wrapper web 1411 mentioned heretofore is pulled from a reel 2% (FIG. 1) over a loop roller 292 and a pair of idler rollers 2154 and 206 by means of a pair of intermittently rotating feed rollers 208 and 211) working in conjunction with a pair of reciprocating gripper feed fingers 212 (FIG. 4) which pull a predetermined length of wrapper web beneath the wrapper turret T and over a cigar waiting at the cigar injecting station to be inserted into one of the pockets of said wrapper turret T. The loop roller 202 mentioned above is pivotally supported at the free end of an arm 214 mounted on a shaft 216 (FIG. 1) supported by a suitable bearing in the feed supporting bracket 218 secured to the main frame 220 of the machine. The idler roller 204 is pivotally supported by a stud 222 held by bracket 218 and idler roller 206 is pivotally supported by a stud 224 held by a lug 226 projecting from bracket 45. To shaft 216 which carries the loop roller supporting arm 214 is mounted another arm 228 (FIG. 1) to the free end of which is pivotally attached the lower end of a bar or link 230 while the upper end of the latter is provided with a slot 232 which in turn loosely engages with a stud 234 held by and projecting from the free end of an arm 236. The arm 236 is mounted on a shaft 238 to which is secured another arm 240, the free end of which, by means of a link 242, is adjustably connected to the free end of a brakeshoe lever 244 pivotally mounted on a horizontal shaft 246 rotatably supported by a suitable bearing in the bracket 213. The brakeshoe lever 244 at its upper end carries an arcuately shaped brakeshoe 248 which engages with a brake drum 250 which is rotatably supported by a horizontal shaft 252 held by bracket 218. The brake drum 250 is integral with and a part of a suitable reel support member 254 which rotatably supports the cellophane reel 2%.

The brake arrangement just mentioned is employed for the purpose of overfeeding the cellophane web and keeping a desired tension on the same at all times. It is self-evident that when the web loop L (FIG. 1) which engages with the floating roller 2022 becomes too large, the arm 214 carrying said roller 262, will move in a downward direction turning its support shaft 216 in an anti-clockwise direction. Since arm 223 is'also mounted on shaft 216, an anti-clockwise rotation of the latter causes an upward motion of arm 22% which through link 23% arm 236, arm 240, link 242 and brakeshoe lever 244, effects a braking action of the brakeshoe 246 against the brake drum 256. A braking action against the drum 250, of course, results in an arrest of the cellophane reel 2th) and no cellophane web can be pulled off the same until the major portion of web contained in the loop L is used up and the floating roller support arm 214 is lifted during this process. A lifting of arm 214, of course, causes a lowering of arm 228 which in turn through the above-mentioned connections, effects a release of the brakeshoe 248 from drum 250 thus permitting the cellophane reel 260 to rotate again and supply the needed web material.

The web feed rollers 2198 and 2'10 mentioned above are rotatably supported by means of shafts 256 and 25%, respectively. The upper feed noller 211i is loosely mounted on the shaft 258 which in turn at both ends is supported in suitable vertical slots 26% of a pair of bearing brackets 262 secured to the main frame of the machine. A pair of compression springs 264 confined in the vertical slots 260 of the bearing brackets 262 engaging with the ends of the shaft 258 are employed for the purpose of keeping the upper feed roller 211 in constant engagement with the lower feed roller 26% during feeding operation. The shaft 256 to which the lower feed roller 268 is secured is rotatably supported in suitable bearings of the bracket 262 and carries a gear 266 (FIG. 3) which engages with said shaft 256 by means of a conventional one-way clutch (not shown) so that said shaft, and consequently feed roller 238, can only be rotated in a clockwise direction. To one end of the feed roller drive shaft 256 is also mounted a conventional Warner electric brake 268- (FIG. 3), the function of which will be described hereinafter. The gear 266 engages with a horizontally reciprocating gear rack 270 which by means of a connecting rod 272 is connected to the free end of an activating arm 274 mounted on a shaft 276 (FIGS. 1 and 3) rotatably supported by a switch bearing bracket 278 secured to the frame of the machine. To shaft 276 is also keyed another arm 280, the free end of which by means of a connecting rod 282, is connected to the free end of a cam lever 284 carrying a cam roller 286 engaging with a cam track 288 of a cam 290 mounted on shaft 292. The cam lever 284 is loosely mounted on a horizontal shaft 294 supported by a switch bearing bracket 296 secured to the bedplate 298 of'the machine (FIG. 1). The shaft 292 which carries the cam 290 is continuously rotated by means of a gear 300 secured thereto. Gear 300 in turn is driven by and meshes with a gear 302 mounted on the main drive shaft 304 of the machine. Shaft 304 is rotatably supported in suitable bearings of the main frame 220 of the machine. To shaft 304 is also mounted a sprocket 306 (FIG. 2) which through a chain 308 is continuously driven from a suitable source of power (not shown).

The reciprocating gear rack 270 mentioned above is slidably supported by two pairs of horizontal rollers 310 and 312, and two pairs of vertical rollers 314 and 316. Rollers 310 and 314 are pivotally mounted on a bracket 318 (FIGS. 1 and 3) while rollers 312 and 316 are pivotally mounted on a suitable bracket 320 (FIGS. 2 and 4). Both brackets 318 and 320 are suitably secured to the frame work of the machine. To the rear end of the gear rack 270 is secured a lug 322 (FIG. 4) to which is pinned the front end of a horizontal shaft on rod 324 while the rear end of the same is slidably supported by a self-aligning bearing 326 of a bearing bracket 328- suitably secured to the frame work of the machine. To the front portion of the shaft 324 is also secured the stationary upper jaw 330 of the gripper feed fingers 212, while the lower jaw 332 of said fingers is loosely mounted on shaft 324 adjacent the upper jaw 33!), as illustrated in FIG. 4. To shaft 324 is also mounted a collar 334 to which is secured one end of a torsion spring 336 which surrounds said shaft, while the other end of said torsion spring is anchored to the lower jaw 332 of the gripper fingers 212. The torsion spring 336 is employed for the purpose of keeping the jaws 330 and 332 of gripper fingers 212 closed during web feeding action. The opening of said jaws is effected by a roller 338 which is pivotally mounted on the hub of the lower jaw 332 and engages with a horizontally mounted vertical oscillating bar 340 which at each end is secured to a lug 342 and 344, respectively, (FIG. 4). Lug 344 is secured to a horizontal shaft 346 rotatably supported by a suitable bearing in bracket 328 while lug 342 is secured to a shaft 348 rotatably supported in a suitable bearing of bracket 320. To shaft 346 is also secured a lever 350 (FIGS. 2, 4, and 7) the free end of which by means of a link 352 is connected to an arm 354 which is pivotally mounted on a stud shaft 356 held by the frame work of the machine. From the hub of arm 354 extends a cam lever 358 which at its free end carries a cam roller 360 engaging with a cam 362 mounted on the main drive shaft 304. It is self evident that the cam 362 through lever 358, arm 354, link 352, lever 350, shaft 346 and lug 344, the bar or rail 324 causes a raising and lowering of the bar 340. Since the roller 338 which engages with said bar is carried by the hub of the lower jaw 332 and the torsion spring 336 keeps said roller in constant engagement with said bar, a raising and lowering of the same effects an opening or closing, respectively, of the lower jaw 332 with respect to the upper '8 stationary jaw 330. A suitable tension spring 364 (FIG. 7) acting upon arm 354 is employed to keep cam roller 360 in constant contact with cam 362. The feeding of the wrapper web is accomplished during the clockwise swing of the oscillating arm 274 which through connecting rod 272 causes a forward movement of gear rack 270 which in turn through gear 266 results in a clockwise rotation of the lower feed roller 208 and, since at this time the web 100 is engaged by the upper and lower feed roller 208 and 210, respectively, a feeding of the wrapper web 100 is effected. At this time the leading edge of said Wrapper web is engaged by the gripper fingers 212 and since the latter are carried by the rod or shaft 324 which, as mentioned heretofore, is connected to the end of gear rack 276', a forward movement of said gear rack 270 also results in a forward movement of said shaft 324 and consequently of the gripper fingers 212. Thus, the wrapper web 100 is fed by the feed rollers 208 and 210 and at the same time pulled and guided by the gripper fingers 212. As soon as a predetermined length of web has been fed over the cigar injector guide channel 366, a web clamping pad 368 suspended from the free end of an arm 370 descends adjacent to the leading end of said web and clamps the same to a suitable table plate 372. As soon as the wrapper web 100 is clamped to said table plate, a scissor-like cutting device 374 (FIGS. 4 and 8) is activated and cuts a wrapper blank of predetermined length from the leading end of the wrapper web 100. The web clamping arm 370 is adjustably mounted on a bell crank lever 376 (FIG. 8) which is provided with a cam lever 378 carrying a cam roller 380 which engages with a suitable cam 382 mounted on the main drive shaft 304. The scissor-like cutting device mentioned above consists of two cutting blades 384 and 386 which are pivotally supported by a horizontal shaft 388 rotatably supported by a suitable bearing by projecting from the table plate 372. Cutting blade 384 is provided with an activating lug 390 while blade 386 is provided with an activating lug 392. Lug 390 at its free end is provided with a suitable slot which engages with a pin 394. Lug 392 at its free end has also a suitable slot which engages with a pm 396. Both pins 394 and 396 project horizontally from a disc 398 (FIG. 8) which is mounted on the end of a horizontal shaft 400 which is rotatably supported in suitable bearmg lugs projecting from the table plate 372 and the web feed table 402. The horizontal shaft 490' is oscillated or rocked by means of a lever 404 which is secured to said shaft and the free end of which through a connecting rod 406 is connected to the free end of a cam lever 408. Cam lever 408 is pivotally supported by scissor-like cutting device 374 and thus effect a closmg and cutting action of the upper and lower cutting blades of the same. A properly mounted and connected torsion spring 416 (FIG. 4) acting upon said cutting blades keeps the latter normally apart and in open position. To the horizontal shaft 400 is mounted another arm 418 which at its free end carries a roller 420 which engages with the bottom edge of a lever 422 pivotally mounted on a shaft 424 held by a slitter mechanism supporting bracket 426. Lever 422 is provided with an extension 425 which projects in the opposite direction of lever 422 (FIG. 8) and which at its free end loosely connects with the lower end of a vertical stud 428. Stud 428 slidingly projects through a hole in bracket 426 as well as through a hole in the web feed table 432 and carries at its upper portion a knife supporting plate 430 to each of the two side edges of which is adjustably secured a downwardly projecting and pointed slitting knife 432. Surrounding the upper portion of stud 428 and confined between the bottom side of the knife supporting plate 430, and the top of the bracket 426, is a compression spring 434 which is employed for the purpose of keeping the knife supporting plate 430 and consequently the vertical slitting knives 432 in raised position. However, when the shaft 400 is rotated clockwise during cutting action, as described above, the roller carrying arm 418 secured to said shaft rotates clockwise also and raises or lifts the lever 422. A raising of lever 422, of course, effects a downward movement of its extension 425 and, since extension 425 is coupled to the vertical stud 428 by means of a pin 429, said vertical stud is pulled downward and with it, of course, the knife supporting plate 430 and the downwardly pointed knives 432, causing the slitting of the cellophane wrapper web 100 along one side edge and adjacent each side of the band 36 which is sealed to and carried by said Web 1nd.

As mentioned heretofore a predetermined length of wrapper web 100 with an adhered band 36 is fed over the cigar injector channel 366 and cut from the rest of the web in the manner described above. As soon as the web 106 comes to rest on the top of the cigar injector channel and about the same time said web is clamped on the feed table '372, by clamping pad 363 on arm 370, a pair of inverted L-shaped fingers 436 (FIG. 7) ascend and clamp the leading end of said web 100 onto the top edges of the cigar injector channel 366 before the cutting of a predetermined length of web takes place (FIG. so that after cutting the wrapper blank is in the desired position to engage with a cigar C, which is then elevated by a plurality of vertical plungers 438 which push a cigar C up through the injector channel 366 where it engages with the severed wrapper blank and cigar, and wrapper blank is further elevated and inserted into an open and waiting pocket P of the cigar machine folding turret illustrated in FIG. 7. During the elevation of the cigar and the wrapper blank, the L-shaped retainer fingers 4336 move upward with the same and remain in contact with said cigar and blank until the latter is inserted into said pocket of the turret T. The bottom plunger 44%? of the pocket P also engages with the cellophane wrapper blank and the cigar as the latter enters the pocket P. The injector channel 3&6 consists of two angle bars 442 and 444 suitably supported by and mounted transversely on a table plate 446 supported by the main frame of the machine. The inverted L-shaped blank retaining members 436 are pivotally mounted between collars on a horizontal shaft 443 which projects from and is secured to the free end of an arm 45% (FIGS. 4 and 7) pivotally supported by a suitable stud 452 held by the main frame of the machine. Each L-shaped member 436 is provided with a downwardly projecting extension 454, the lower end of each of which pivotally engages with a horizontal shaft 456 carried by and projecting from the free end of an arm 458 pivotally supported by a horizontal shaft 460 held in suitable bearings by the main frame of the machine. From the hub of the arm .58 extends a cam lever 462 which carries a cam roller 464 engaging with a suitable cam 466 mounted on the main drive shaft 304. The extensions 454 of the L-shaped clamping members 436 being connected to the two parallel arms 450 and 458 assure that the horizontal legs of member 436 remain exactly horizontal when moving upward with the wrapper blank and cigar as described above. The vertical plungers 438 which lift the cigar from a feed table 468 and inserts the same together with the wrapper blank into the turret pocket are pivotally supported at their bottom end by means of a horizontal shaft 470 (FIGS. 2 and 7) carried by the free end of an arm 472 pivotally mounted on the shaft 46%. The hub of arm 472 is provided with a lug 474 (FIG. 7) to the free end of which is hooked one end of a tension spring 47 6 while the other end of the latter is suitably anchored to the frame of the machine. Tension spring 476 is provided for the purpose of keeping lug 474 of arm 472 in yieldable engagement with an adjustable stud 478 carried by a lug 48h projecting from the hub of a cam lever 482 which carries a cam roller 484 engaging with a cam 436 (FIG. 2) which through the aforementioned connections imparts vertical reciprocating motion to the plungers 438. In order to keep the latter in perfect upright position at all times, said plungers 433 are pivotally connected to another horizontal shaft 483 carried by an arm 49% which is rotatably supported by a shaft 492 supported by suitable bearings in the main frame of the machine. if it is desirable that the plungers 438 should have a firmer grip on the cigars they elevate, each plunger 43%- may be provided with a suitable duct 494 (FIG. 7) which by means of a flexible tube 4-96 may be connected to a suitable air valve 498 which through a link 509 may be activated by an arm 5&2 rotatably supported by the shaft 492. From the hub of arm 5&2 may extend a cam lever 504- which carries a cam roller 5% engaging with a suitable cam (not shown) which imparts oscillating motion to the suction valve which in turn permits intermittent suction to reach ducts 494 of the vertical plungers 438. Valve 498, of course, by means of a suitable tube (not shown) may be connected to a suitable source of suction (not shown).

After a predetermined length of wrapper web is fed over the cigar injector channel 366 and clamped thereto and cut in the manner described above, the web feed and gripper fingers 212 open up and release the leading end of the wrapper blank so that the latter, together with the cigar, can be elevated by the vertical plungers 438 into a waiting pocket P of the wrapper turret T as mentioned above. The opening of the web gripper fingers 212, of course, is accomplished through the rocking, or in this case, raising of the rail 340 which, as described heretofore, effects the lowering or opening of the lower jam 332 of the gripper fingers 212. Due to the anti-clockwise swing of arm 274 the gripper fingers return open to their original position, after which said fingers 212 close again and again and grip the leading end of the wrapper Web To facilitate the gripping of the leading end of said wrapper web the table plate 372 is provided with a suitable cut out 503 (FIG. 4).

The cigars C to be wrapped are conveyed from a suitable hopper or feeding station (not shown) by means of a pair of parallel horizontal conveyor chains Sit) (FIGS. 2, 4 and 7) which are continuously driven by means of a pair of sprockets 512 mounted on a shaft 514 which in turn is driven by a suitable sprocket (not shown) through a chain 516 and a sprocket 518 (FIG. 2) mounted on the shaft 292. From the feed conveyor chains 5-10 the cigars are pushed intermittently through the injector channel into the turret pocket as described above. Feed table 468, of course, is provided with suitable cut-outs 520 (FIG. 4) to accommodate the vertically reciprocating plungers 438.

The wrapping machine turret T is of the type Well known in the art, carrying a plurality of pockets P about its periphery and mounted on a horizontal shaft 522 (FIGS. 2 and 7). The latter is rotated intermittently by means of a geneva wheel 524 mounted thereon and driven by a suitable roller 526 carried by a crank pin 528 (FIG. 2) secured to a gear 53% rotatably supported by a stud shaft 532 secured to and projecting from a leg of the main frame of the machine. Gear 531 meshes with and is driven from a gear 534 mounted on the main drive shaft 304 of the machine.

Each pocket P of the turret T consists of a pair of hinged side walls or jaws 536 each of which by means of a pair of pins 533 is pivotally attached to the body 540 of the turret T. The lower legs of each pair of jaws 536 engage with each other in tooth-like fashion and one of them carries a cam roller 542. The cam roller 542 of each pair of jaws 536 of each pocket P engages with a cam 544 which is loosely and rotatably supported by the shaft 522. Integral with cam 544 is an arm 546, the free end of which carries a cam roller 548 which engages with a cam 550 mounted on a shaft 552. The shaft 552 is driven continuously by means of a suitable sprocket 554 mounted thereto and which in turn through a chain 556 (FIG. 2) is driven by a sprocket 558 mounted on shaft 292. Suitable tension springs 560 placed between the outer walls of adjacent pockets assure that the cam roller 542 of each set of jaws of each pocket always remains in engagement with the cam 544. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the jaws 536 remain in closed position as long as their respective cam roller 542 is in engagement with the lower portion of cam 544, but as soon as the cam roller rolls onto the high portion of said cam, the jaws of the respective pocket opens. Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the jaws of each pocket, when arising empty at the cigar injecting or loading station, are open to receive a cigar as mentioned heretofore, but as soon as a cigar, together with a wrapper blank, is inserted, the cam 544 is slightly rotated in an anti-clockwise direction so that the cam roller 542 of this pocket rolls from the high portion of cam 544 onto its low portion and thus closes the jaws of this pocket before the turret is indexed. The jaws remain closed while the turret is intermittently rotated past the various folding and sealing stations and open again only when arriving at the discharge or delivery station where the finished enveloped cigar is ejected onto a delivery conveyor 56211- lustrated in FIG. 7.

When the cigar with its wrapper blank is about to be inserted in a pocket at the injecting station, as shown in FIG. 10, the jaws 536 of said pocket P are open but close quickly after insertion by the vertical plungers 438. After being pushed into the pocket, the Wrapper blank covers three sides of the cigar, namely, the two sides and the top thereof, thus forming a U-shaped envelope with the two sides of the wrapper blank projecting straight down and out of the pocket P as shown in FIG. 11. The first downwardly projecting side flap is folded over the bottom of the cigar by means of a reciprocating folder plate 564 as shown in FIG. 12.

Folder plate 564 is secured to a suitably shaped member 566 which is pivotally supported and suspended from two arms 568 and 570. The latter is pivotally supported by a stud shaft 572 held by a suitable frame member while arm 568 is pivotally supported by the shaft 522. To member 522, by means of a pin 574, is also pivotally connected the free end of an actuator arm 576 loosely supported by the shaft 460. Integral with and extending from the hub of arm 576 is a cam lever 5-78 carrying a cam roller 580 engaging with a suitable cam 582 mounted on the main drive shaft 304.

After the first side flap is folded over the bottom of the cigar by the folder plate 564, the latter remains in its forward position until the cigar carrying pocket is advanced towards the next station during which time the second downwardly projecting side flap contacts an arced stationary folder plate 584 which folds said second flap over the already folded one as illustrated in FIG. 13 of the drawings. The arced folder plate 584 is mounted adjacent the periphery of the turret and, by means of bracket 587, secured to a shaft 586 (-FIG. 7) held by the main frame of the machine.

When the cigar carrying pocket arrives at the second station, the thus folded bottom or lengthwise seam of the envelope around the cigar is contacted by an electrically heated sealer bar 588 which seals said seam as illustrated in FIG. 14-. The sealer bar 588 is adjustably secured to a suitable bracket 590 mounted on shaft 586. Adjacent each side of the turret at the next or third station is located an end fold pleating and an end fold creasing device. The end fold pleating device illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20 consists of a pair of pleating fingers 592, each of which is secured to one end of a suitably shaped arm plate 594, while the other end of each arm plate by means of a link 596 is pivotally connected to a stud 598 carried by a horizontally reciprocating bar 600 slidably supported by suitable brackets 602 (FIG. 1) secured to the frame structure of the machine. Both arm plates 594, at their center portion, are pivotally mounted in scissor-like fashion to a stud shaft 604 projecting from and carried by a horizontally reciprocating bar 606 also slidably supported by the aforementioned bracket 602. The bar 600 by means of a projecting stud 608 engages with the forked free end of a cam lever 610 pivotally mounted on a stud 612 held by a suitable bracket 614 secured to the frame work of the machine (FIG. 1). Cam lever 610 carries a cam roller 616 engaging with a cam track 618 of a drum cam 620 mounted on the shaft 522. The bar 606, by means of a projecting stud 622, engages with the forked free end of a cam lever 624 pivotally mounted on a stud 626 held by bracket 614. Cam lever 624 carries a cam roller 628 engaging with a track 630 of the drum cam 620. It is self-evident that the proper relative horizontal motion between bars 600 and 606 effects an opening and closing of the pleating fingers 592 as well as an approach towards and a withdrawal from the end folds from the cigar envelope. Therefore, when the cigar carrying pocket P of the turret arrives at station three, the open pleating fingers 592 engages with the open end of the cigar envelope (FIG. 15) and then close to effect a pleat at each end of the envelope as illustrated in FIG. 16. In order to avoid disturbing the thus created pleat during the following creasing operation, the pleating fingers 592 remain in engagement with the pleat while a top and bottom creasing plate 632 and 634, respectively, engage with the end of the envelope and crease the pleat to form a flat tab-like end closure as illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18. The plate 632 is mounted on a pair of spaced arms 636 mounted on a shaft 638 while plate 634 is mounted on a pair of spaced arms 640 mounted on a shaft 642. On shafts 638 and 642 is mounted a gear 644 and 646, respectively, both gears meshing with each other. From the hub of gear 646 extends an arm which through a suitable link is connected to the free end of a cam lever carrying a cam roller engaging with a suitable track in drum cam 620. It is self-evident that an oscillation of said gears 644 and 646, imparted by said cam, cause the creasing plates 632 and 634 on arms 636 and 640, respectively, to move towards or away from the end fold of the envelope carried by the pocket P of the turret.

The creasing plates 632 and 634 first engage tightly with the pleated end of the envelope, but open slightly when the turret starts indexing and moves the cigar carrying pocket P from station three to station four where the pleated and creased ends of the envelope engage with end fold and sealing devices illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 2 2. In order to prevent the pleated and creased ends of the envelope to open up while being carried by the turret from station three to station four, the creased and pleated ends are guided by the slightly open creasing plates 632 and 634 in an arced guide and fold retainer channel 648 consisting of a pair of guide plates 650 and 652 secured by means of suitable rods 654 (FIG. 18) to the frame of the machine.

The end fold and sealing devices located at each side of the turret T at station four consist of an upper and lower folding member 656 and 658, respectively. The lower member 658 is secured to a block 660 which by means of a pin 662r is pivotally mounted on one end of a pair of spaced arms 664 while the other ends of the latter are secured to a shaft 666 rotatably supported by a bearing lug 668 projecting from a suitable bracket 670 (FIG. 2) secured to the main frame of the machine. To shaft 666 is mounted another arm 671, the lower free end of which is pivotally connected to an oscillating cam lever 672. Cam lever 672 is pivotally supported by a stationary stud shaft 673 and carries a cam roller 674 engaging with a suitable cam track 675 in the drum cam 620. It is self-evident that a rocking motion of the cam lever 672 through arm 671 will result in an oscillating motion of shaft 666 which in turn through arms 664 causes an up or down movement of the folding member carrying block 660. Since it is desirable to keep the folding member 658, during this up and down motion, in vertical position, the block 666 is also pivotally connected to one end of a link 676 while the other end of the latter pivotally engages with a stationary pin 6 77 held by the lug 66%, thus forming a parallel linkage with the arm 664.

The upper folding member 656, by means of a pin 678, is pivotally mounted to a pair of spaced arms 67? which are integral with an upwardly projecting lug 680' which is pivotally supported by a stationary pin 681 held by the bracket 676. The free ends of arms 679, by means of a link 682, are pivotally connected to one leg of a bell crank lever 683 pivotally supported by a stud 684 held by the bracket 670. The other leg of bell crank lever 633 carries an adjustable stud 685 which loosely engages with the top edge of the arm 664 as shown in FIG. 2. It is self-evident that the raising of arms 664, as described heretofore, causes the bell crank lever 683 to swing or rotate in such a manner as to effect, through link 682 and arm 679, an engagement of the upper folding member 656 with the raised lower folding member 658 and thus squeezing and sealing the end fold between said folding members as illustrated in FIG. 22. A tension spring 686 connecting the two opposed upper folding members 656, one of which is located at each side of the turret, (FIG. 2) is provided to assure the required pressure necessary for sealing. Another tension spring 687 confined between each bracket 670 and the top edge of the lug 680 of each arm 679 is employed for the purpose of effecting a disengagement of the upper folding member 656 from the lower folding member 658 when the latter is lowered again after folding and sealing operation. Each upper and lower folding member 656 and 658, respectively, carry a suitable heating element 688 to effect proper sealing of the folded ends of the envelope.

After folding and sealing operation, the upper and lower folding members disengage from the folded ends of the envelope and the turret is indexed again to move said envelope from station four to station five with the sealed end fold standing up at right angles with respect to the longitudinal axis of the envelope. At station five, the upstanding end folds of the envelope are engaged by suitably shaped reciprocating ironing members 6'39 (FIG. 23) which press the upstanding end folds smoothly onto the body of the envelope or package as illustrated in FIG. 23. Since the ends folds contain sufiicient heat from the pretvious sealing operation, no additional heat application is necessary at this point to obtain satisfactory results. Each ironing member 689 is mounted on an adjustable rod 6% which is carried by and projects from a suitable lug 691 (FIG. 7) suitably secured to a reciprocating horizontal bar 692 slidably supported by suitable bearing brackets secured to the frame structure of the machine. Horizontal bar 692 is reciprocated by means of the oscillating cam lever 67 2, the free end of which is connected to said bar by a stud 6% (FIG. 2).

After completion of the ironing operation, the turret T is indexed again and the enveloped cigar or finished package F is carried to station six where the latter is ejected from the pocket P of the turret onto suitable cleats 694 carried by a pair of conveyor chains 695 which push the enveloped cigars F onto a suitable delivery table 696 (FIG. 7).

The ejection of the enveloped cigar F is accomplished by means of a spring 697 acting against the bottom plunger 440 of the cigar carrying pocket P at station six where the jaws 536 of said pocket are opened by means of the rocking cam 544 described heretofore. The opening of jaws 536, of course, effects the release of the envcloped cigar and the spring actuated bottom plunger 4-46 acts as means for ejecting said enveloped cigar from the pocket P of the turret and onto the cleats 6% of the delivery conveyor. The conveyor chains 6% are driven by means of a pair of sprockets 698 mounted on the continuously driven shaft 522 and are supported by a pair of suitably mounted idler sprockets 639 (FIG. 7).

The completed overwrapped cigar F is shown in FIG. 24. It will be observed that the band 36 protrudes slightly from within the envelope to provide an easily grasped tear tape. The nicks N which are clearly visible adjacent the sides of the band 36, will facilitate the tearing of the envelope. It will also be observed that the end folds E are flat against the body of the cellophane envelope. Thus, there is formed a tight hermetically sealed envelope.

Control and Operation The operation and control of the machine will now be described. In this description reference will primarily be made to FIG. 25 which is a circuit diagram of the electrical components, although reference will also be made to the other figures which show the physical apparatus.

The machine is powered in a conventional manner by a one-half horse power, three-phase, motor 766 connected to two-twenty line voltage. The motor is linked to a gear reducing means (not shown) which drives chain 368 (FIG. 2) and the mechanical action of the apparatus as previously described. A step down transformer 701 is. provided to supply voltage for the operation of the electrical controls, as Well as push button switches 702 and starter mechanism 763 for operating the motor.

Cigar feeding-J m continued operation of the machine, it is necessary, of course, to supply the apparatus with a continuous flow of cigars. The cigars are fed to the machine in the conventional manner from a hopper (not shown) to chain conveyor 510 (FIGS. 4 and 7). The chain conveyor is formed in two parts; the first being driven at a slow speed; the second at an accelerated speed in order to separate the cigars from each other as they are fed from the hopper to the injection chamber 366 at the entrance of the turret T. In view of the fact that the hopper and the means for transferring the cigars from the hopper are well known in the art, no description of them is made here, except insofar as is necessary for an explanation of the operation of the present apparatus.

Since a hopper generally contains a plurality of rows of cigars stacked upon each other, pusher means are provided to push the bottom row on to the conveyor. The pushing of a single row of cigars may be accomplished by actuation of a single revolution clutch operating the pusher means, which must, of course, be timed to the operation of the machine. The single revolution clutch or other means for pushing the cigar can be actuated by the passage of cigars along the conveyor 51.6 under a limit switch (not shown) which is thereby actuated to control a solenoid which operates a pawl or latch engaging with the clutch. Upon energization of the solenoid, the pawl or latch would release the clutch for a single cycle and permit it to drive the cigar pusher means feeding a row of cigars. In order for the clutch to make only one revolution, the latch or pawl must fall back into its holding position before the single cycle has been made. This imposes a condition of de-energizing solenoid before that time.

Specifically, a suitable electrical system is shown in FIG. 25 wherein the limit switch 768 is that which would be normally mounted above the conveyor 51%) and which would control a solenoid 710* operating the pawl or latch. When the last cigar of a row passes under switch 768, it will close. The relay contact 712a is normally closed so that the coil of relay 714 becomes energized. The normally open contact 714a, which is in series 710, closes and the solenoid 710 of course energizes, thus engagmg the clutch. When the pusher mechanism has passed part way through its cycle, some member or part of the mechanism actuates the limit switch 716 in a momentary Contact. The coil of relay 712 is energized, setting up a holding circuit in parallel with limit switch 716 through the normally closed contact 714b, the normally open contact 712b (which has been closed by the energizing of coil 712) and the normally closed contact 7181). This then opens the normally closed contact 712a in the circult of coil 714. The coil of relay 714 then deenerglzes and the normally open contact 71411 re-opens and the solenoid 710 de-energizes, returning the latch or pawl to its normal position for disengagement of the clutch. All of this, of course, occurs in one cycle.

Since one cycle has been completed, one row of cigars has been fed to the conveyor, at which time the first cigar in the row engages limit switch 708 which of course opens contact 708, as noted. Simultaneously it closes contact 708a. Contact 708a is in the circuit of relay 718 and this relay becomes energized, opening the normally closed contact 7181) in the holding circuit of relay 712. Relay 712 being de-energized, contact 712a, normally closed, opens. By this time, however, the normally closed contact 708 is open so that relay 714 cannot become energized until the last cigar of the row has passed underneath the switch 708.

If it is desired to feed out a single row of cigars gtzghe start of operations, a manual push button switch passed under switch 708.

If it is desired to out 01f feeding of cigars from the hopper entirely during operations, a manual push button switch 722 is provided. When switch 722 is opened, relay 714 is prevented from energizing, preventing the operation of the entire circuit.

Control of cigar elevator mechanism.-The cigars are carried by the conveyor 510 to the wrapping station and to the entrance of a waiting turret pocket, formed by the injector channel 366. At the injector channel 366 is mounted a switch 730 (FIG. 7) which is designed to sense the presence of a cigar in position to be wrapped and to control the operation of the cigar elevating mechanism and the wrapper feed mechanism. This is a safety and operational feature designed to prevent operation of the machine if no cigar is present to be wrapped.

The time available for the admission of a cigar to the .turret is controlled by a timing cam switch 732 mounted on shaft 734 which is rotated by chain 735 connected to shaft 304 by suitable sprocket means (FIG. 2). As will be observed in the circuit diagram, switch 732 when closed energizes coil relay 736 which then opens the normally closed contact 736a de-energizing the solenoid 73S. Solenoid 738, as seen in FIG. 7 operates, only when energized, to move latch 740 into engagement with arm 472 preventing the upward movement of the arm :and the elevation of the plungers 438 into the turret pocket. During that portion of the cycle of timing cam switch 732, when it is closed, solenoid 738 will not act to prevent the upward movement of the plungers 438.

During a portion of the cycle of switch 732, corresponding to the time when the turret has indexed properly to permit the elevation of cigar, the switch 732 opens de-energizing relay 736, causing contact 736!) to close. If a cigar has been properly fed to the injection chamber 366, it will close switch 730, re-energize relay 736, open contact 736a, and de-energize the solenoid 738, keeping open latch 740 to allow the plungers 438 to ele- 'va-te the cigar. If a cigar has not reached the entrance .to the injection chamber, switch 732 remains open during its period of cycling, as -does switch 730, thereby 16' *keeping relay 736 de-energized. Upon de-energization of relay 736, contact 736a resumes its closed position, energizing solenoid 738 which causes the latch 740 to prevent operation of the plungers 438.

A manual switch 742 is provided to shut off the elevator feed when in open position. It simulates the lack of a cigar at the entrance to the turret pocket 366.

Control of wrapper feed.The intermittent movement of the cellophane web is controlled by timing cam operated switch 267 mounted on shaft 734. During its cycle, switch 267 opens, energizing brake assembly 268 (mentioned previously) permitting the clutch of brake assembly 268 to drive the rollers 208 and 210, as well as the gripper finger mechanism 330 and 332. The cycling of switch 267 is of course timed to co-operate with the other apparatus.

When there is no cigar at the entrance to the injector channel 366, it is desired to eliminate the feeding of cellophane. This is accomplished in a two-fold manner; by preventing the gripping fingers 330 and 332 from closing at the end of the cellophane web 100, and by disengaging the roller drive feed means 208 and 210.

To the oscillating or rocking cam 340 (previously mentioned) which effects the opening or closing, respectively, of the lower jaw 332 of the cellophane web gripping means, is a hook-like extension 750. Mounted to pivot about a shaft or stud 752 is an arm 754, at one end of which is hook-like member 756, having a shape corresponding with that of hook 750. The arm 714 is normally biased by spring means 758 so that the hooks do not engage. The other end of arm 754 is connected by means of rod 760 to the plunger 762 of solenoid 764. The solenoid 764 is normally deenergized so that the spring 758 can act to pull the plunger 762 outward and keep the hooks disengaged. Mounted on shaft 752 and keyed to the movement of arm 754 is a second arm 766. To arm 766 is connected an elongated arm 768, which at its extremity is connected to a bell crank 770 (FIG. 1). Bell crank 770 is pivoted about stud 772 and has a projection 774 underlying the shaft 258 of upper roller drive 210 which is normally biased by spring 264 into engagement with lower roller 208. Upon actuation of the solenoid 764, the plunger 762 withdraws, pulling with it arm 754 and arm 766, causing hooks 750 and 756 to engage and projection 774 to raise roller 210 out of engagement with the lower roller 208. Thus, the feeding of cellophane is present.

The action of solenoid 764 is controlled by limit switch 730 which it will be recalled senses the presence of a cigar at the injection chamber 366. This will be observed by reference to FIG. 25.

When a cigar enters the injection chamber 366, it will actuate switch 730, which in this case opens the contact 730a. Connected in series with switch 730a is a timing cam operated switch 776 which is mounted on shaft 734 in a similar manner to the other switch shown therein. Switch 776 cycles so that it is closed during the period when the turret is indexed to receive a cigar. However, since switch 730a is opened, coil relay 778 to which it is connected, will not energize, keeping the contact 778a open and the solenoid deenergized. Therefore, the cellophane will continue to feed.

If a cigar does not enter the injection chamber 366, the contact on switch 730:: will remain closed and then upon the timed closing of switch 776, relay 778 will be energized and will form a holding circuit of its own through normally opened 77% and switch 780. Solenoid 764 will thereby be energized since contact 778a closes. The energization of solenoid 764 will, of course, cause the hooks 750 and 756 to engage and the rollers 210 and 208 to disengage.

Some time subsequent to this, switch 780, which is also a timing cam operated switch mounted on shaft 734 (FIG. 2) opens, breaking the holding circuit on relay 778, permitting control to revert to switch 730. If at that time 17 a cigar has entered the iniection chamber 366, switch 739 will of course be opened and the cellophane will continue feeding. In the event no cigar has reached chamber 366, the operation of switches 776 and 780 will be repeated.

If it is desired to discontinue the feed of cellophane, While the machine is operating, a manual switch 782 is provided. Switch 782 is in parallel with switch 730. This, of course, simulates the absence of the cigar.

Control of band feed As discussed earlier, a magnetic clutch 50 is used to drive feed rolls 16 and 18 (FIG. to unwind the bands from the reel and to obtain constant tension on the band web 14 to the primary feed rolls 28 and 30. Between the two sets of rolls, there is, of course, the idler loop roll 20 which moves freely between a pair of switches 76 and 89, respectively, which control the operation of clutch 59. The electrical controls can be seen in FIG. 50 where like reference numbers are used to describe these components.

When idler loop roll 24 because of the lack of feed of the unwind rolls 16 and 18 at the outset of operation or other-wise, reaches its uppermost position, it interferes with switch 80 closing it and momentary contact is made energizing the coil of relay 736, setting up a holding circuit through normally open contact 73611 (whiclh closes) in parallel with switch 89. This occurs because switch 76 which is in series with contact 736a is normally closed. The energization of relay 736 also closes contact 78612 which is in series with magnetic clutch 50, engaging it, causing the unwind rolls 16 and 18 to feed the band web from the roll. As the band web feeds, the loop roll 26 drops until such time as it interferes with limit switch 76. Limit switch 76, being normally closed, will thereupon open breaking the holding circuit, deenergizing relay 7 36, and opending contact 736.) in series with the clutch 50. Thereupon, clutch Sil disengages and the rolls 16 and 718 stop.

The primary feed rolls 2S and 3%) are set to feed the bands continuously to the cutting station as some predetermined speed, determined, of course, by the length of the band to suit the cycle of the machine. Rolls 23 and 36 are driven by clutch 62 which receives its power through rectifier 788 which is of course pre-set. A variable potentiometer 79il is provided to vary the torque of clutch 62 as discussed at length previously.

if it is desired to stop hte feeding of the band entirely, a manual switch 792 is provided which opens the circuit of clutch 62. Rolls 16 and 13 will automatically stop as soon as loop roller 26 interferes with clutch 76.

If no cigar is fed to the injection chamber 366, it is, of course, desirable to stop the cutting action of the scissors, as well as necessary to stop the band feed simultaneously with the cellophane feed. It will be recalled that if no cigar is fed to the injection chamber 366, the coil of relay 778 becomes energized. Upon energization of relay 778, its contact 773a, which is set to be closed when relay 778 is not energized, opens. This contact 778a is in series with a relay 794 so that when it opens, relay 794 becomes de-energized, causing a contact 794a in series with a solenoid 796 (FIG. 5) to close. The solenoid 796 which controls a latch arm 798 (FIG. 5) energizes when contact 794a is closed, pulling latch arm 798 into engagement with latch hook 86% mounted on the end of pivoting L-shaped arm 132. This prevents the band scissors 32 from operating at its correct time and thus prevents any shipping of the leading edge of the band should the web 14 come to rest partially in the cutting station when the apparatus is stopped for any reason.

Relay 79- is also connected through its contact 7941) with solenoid 92 (FIG. 6) which controls the brake mechanism for rolls 28 and 39. When relay 794 is deenergized, as happens when no cigar is in the injection 18 chamber 366, contact 794b, which is normally open, remains open and solenoid 92 de-energizes and brake pawl 106 engages ratchet 102 and rolls '28 and 30 are halted. If a cigar is at the injection chamber 366, itwill be obvious that relay 7% will be energized and solenoid 2 will withhold the application of the braking means.

Further, the actuation of manual switch 7 82, simulating the absence of a cigar at the injection chamber 366 and which shuts off the feeding of cigars and cellophane web will have the same efiect on the band web feed, since the coil of relay 778 will be energized, thereby holding open the normally closed contact 7780 in series with relay 794 with the previously described sequences following.

Band registrati0n.The registration of individual bands for cutting has 'been previously described. It is accomplished briefly by circuit means comprising a photodiode 9t and solenoid 92 (FIG. 5). The photo-diode unit is self-contained and senses the admission of light when the band passes through it. A suitable photo-diode unit containing control circuitry and sensing head is manufactured by the Delta Engineering Corp. of Melrose, Massachusetts. Upon the admission of light, a relay 802 becomes de-energized and will remain de-energized. Relay 802 has one of its contacts in series with solenoid 92 and thus solenoid Q2 becomes itself de-energized, actuating the brake mechanism as described. After the band has been cut, the timing cam operated switch 138 mounted on shaft 734 opens and the photo-diode unit re-cycles, closing reilay 6&2, allowing the next band to feed.

If it is desired to turn the rolls 28 and 36 by hand, a manual switch 792a is provided in series with timing cam operated switch 138 which, of course, is in the same circuit as relay 862. Switch 792a is a part of previously mentioned switch 792 and acts in conjunction with it to overcome the brake torque action of solenoid 92 and the resistance of magnetic clutch 62 when hand feeding is desired.

Thermistor c0ntr0l.--The circuitry for the control of the various thermistors or heating elements are not shown since such elements and their method of use are well known in the art. In the present apparatus, it has been found suitable to use a package supplied by Fenwal, Inc., Newark, New Jersey, called, Thermistor :Multo Control System. The sensing elements of this unit are thermistors or diodes. One thermistor is used for the control of each of the following; for the heater used for the sealing of the long seam of the cellophane, for the four heaters used for the sealing of the end folds, and for the heater used for the tacking of the band to the cellophane web.

The sensing elements themselves are extremely small and extremely rugged and are located adjacent to the heating elements. The control sub-units, one for each of the probes or thermistors, are located in the control box. Power or energy for each of these control sub-units is supplied from one power pack. Each sub-unit consists essentially of a triode vacuum tube and a relay. The complete sub-unit can be removed in any given case. In series with the power pack is a manual switch which if opened allows no power to come to the power pack, making all the thermistor control units inoperative. So long as the units are inoperative, the individual relay contactor for the heater units will remain open and no heat will be generated. The closing of the switch of course will cause the heaters to become heated to their controlling temperature.

In conjunction with each of the heating units may be a pilot light which will be illuminated at any time power is being supplied to the heater unit. If in any given case, the light remains on for an extended period of time, it can be indicative of failure of a heater or cartridge unit.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, and those made apparent from the preceding description, are efiiciently attained. As various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the

Claims (1)

1. APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING CIGARS OR SIMILAR ARTICLES IN INDIVIDUAL WRAPPERS HAVING A BAND APPLIED THERETO COMPRISING A SOURCE OF SUPPLY OF CONTINUOUS WRAPPER WEB, MEANS FOR INTERMITTENTLY FEEDING SAID WRAPPER WEB IN HORIZONTAL POSITION, A SOURCE OF SUPPLY OF CONTINUOUS BAND WEB, SAID BAND WEB BEING FORMED OF A SUBSTANTIALLY ENDLESS SUCCESSION OF RECURRING BAND PATTERNS IN END TO END RELATIONSHIP, MEANS FOR FEEDING SAID BAND WEB INTERMITTENTLY IN TIMED RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FEEDING OF SAID WRAPPER WEB, SAID BAND WEB BEING FED IN HORIZONTAL POSITION ALONG A LINE OF TRAVEL TRANSVERSE TO SAID WRAPPER WEB AND IN UNDERLYING RELATIONSHIP THEREWITH, MEANS FOR SEVERING THE LEADING BAND OF SAID BAND WEB, MEANS FOR MAINTAINING SAID SEVERED BAND IN HORIZONTAL POSITION AND FOR POSITIONING SAID SEVERED BAND TRANSVERSELY BENEATH SAID WRAPPER WEB AND SUBSTANTIALLY CO-EXTENSIVE WITH THE WIDTH THEREOF, MEANS FOR ADHERING SAID BAND TO SAID WRAPPER WEB, SAID WRAPPER WEB FEEDING MEANS BEING THEREUPON ADAPTED TO FEED A PREDETERMINED LENGTH OF HORIZONTAL WRAPPER WEB WITH A BAND THEREON TO A WRAPPING STATION, MEANS FOR SEVERING SAID PREDETERMINED LENGTH FROM THE LEADING EDGE OF SAID WRAPPER WEB, MEANS FOR SUPPLYING AN INDIVIDUAL CIGAR BENEATH SAID HORIZONTAL SEVERED WRAPPER, AND MEANS FOR FOLDING THE MARGINS OF SAID SEVERED WRAPPER INTO OVERLYING RELATIONSHIP WITH EACH OTHER TO ENVELOPE SAID CIGAR DELIVERED THERETO.

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