US3646942A

US3646942A - Cigarette machine and method of manufacturing cigarettes

Info

Publication number: US3646942A
Application number: US15037A
Authority: US
Inventors: Clarence M Asbill; Frederic H Heidelberg
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-02-27
Filing date: 1970-02-27
Publication date: 1972-03-07
Anticipated expiration: 1989-03-07

Abstract

A cigarette machine and a method of manufacturing cigarettes suitable for home use, comprises the use of a pipe having an inlet for the passage of shredded tobacco from a bin to an outlet end of the pipe. A ram is disposed for reciprocation in the pipe to pump the tobacco from the inlet to the outlet end. A larger pipe surrounds the outlet end of the first pipe and overlaps it, forming with it an annular space for receiving an elongated strip of cigarette paper curled transversely in the shape of a tube. Means are provided for sealing the longitudinal ends of the paper tube in the space. The tube receives shredded tobacco as it is pumped through the outlet end of the first pipe and is moved forward by the deposit of successive amounts of tobacco in the tube. The resulting tobacco-filled tube emerges from the second pipe continuously and a portion of any length can be cut off, such as that corresponding to a regular, a king size, or a super king size cigarette.

Description

United States Patent Asbill et al. 1 Mar. 7, 1972 [54] CIGARETTE MACHINE AND METHOD 3,033,211 5/1962 Godfrey ..l31/23 A X OF MANUFACTURING CIGARETTES FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS [72] ggfigz gifig 'i g gf t f' j g' 885,485 12/1961 Great Britain 131/60 [73] Assignee: said Frederic H. Heidelberg by said Primary Examiner-Samuel Koren Clarence M. Asbill Assistant Examiner-J. F. Pitrelli Filed. Feb 27 1970 Att0mey-John G. Mills, Ill

[21] Appl. No.: 15,037 ABSTRACT A cigarette machine and a method of manufacturing 52 us. c1. ..l3l/65, 131/66 A, 131/69, cigarettes Suilab1e for home use, comprises the use of a P t" 131/75 havmg an mlet for the passage of shredded tobacco from a b1n [51 int. Cl. ..A24c 05/18, A24c 05/24, A240 05/28 9 outlet 9 of the p p A ram is disposed for reciproca- [58] Field 01 Search ..13l/64 A, 66 A, 65, 69, 73, the P 1 the tobacco from the Inlet to the e en arger p1pe surroun s e on e en 0 e irs p1pe 13 /75 4 1t dAl dth Ill Cl fill f! and overlaps it, forming with it an annular space for receiving 5 R f C-ted an elongated strip of cigarette paper curled transversely in the I 6] e "em I shape of a tube. Means are provided for sealing the longitu- UNITED STATES PATENTS dinal ends of the paper tube in the space. The tube receives shredded tobacco as it is pumped through the outlet end of the 2,351,410 6/1944 D1 [311]]! ..l3l/84 A first pipe and is moved forward by the deposit of Successive 3,170,467 2/1965 Glacomo et A UX/ amounts of tobacco in the tube. The resulting tobacco-filled 3951789 1/1 889 Lumley "131/65 tube emerges from the second pipe continuously and a portion 1,703,089 2/1929 Alland ..l3l/65 f any |ength can b cut ff, h a that corresponding to a l regular, a king size, or a super king size cigarette. 1 e

927,196 7/1909 21 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHAR nan SHEET 1 OF 4 INVENTORS CLARENCE M. ASBILL mm mm FREDERIG H. HEIDELBERG ATTORNEY PAIENTEDIMR 7 I972- 3,646,942

SHEEI 3 [1F 4 FIG. I0. I

2 INVENTORS 5s 49 CLARENCE M. ASBILL FREDERIC H. HEIDELBERG W W i\\\\\\ ATTORNEY mtmfim 7:912 3.646.942

SHEET l- UF 4 FIG. l4.

INVENTORS CLARENCE M. ASBILL FREDERIC H. HEIDELBERG CIGARETTE MACHINE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING CIGARETTES This invention relates to cigarettes and it is more particularly concerned with a device and a method for manufacturing cigarettes.

An object of the invention is the provision of a device and method for manufacturing cigarettes in the home to overcome the high cost of commercial cigarettes.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a simple device which may be operated manually for economically manufacturing cigarettes.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a device and method which is capable of manufacturing cigarettes of different lengths from the simple raw materials of cigarette paper and tobacco.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of such a device which automatically controls the density of the tobacco in each cigarette.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a cigarette machine which manufactures cigarettes continuously rather than intermittently and which automatically forms a continuous paper sheath to contain the shredded cigarette tobacco.

A further object is the provision of a device and method for manufacturing cigarettes which do not require the preliminary formation of a rope of tobacco.

In recent years, the annual consumption of cigarettes in the United States has, generally, increased numerically but the quantity of tobacco used in producing these cigarettes has decreased. One reason for this is the use of filters at the ends of cigarettes; another is the fact that the diameters of cigarettes have been made smaller. A further reason is the fact that less desirable portions of the tobacco plant, such as stems, are processed for admixture with ordinary tobacco leaf material All these affect the amount of tobacco used in cigarettes to the detriment of the tobacco farmer. This situation, coupled with the ever increasing retail prices of cigarettes, means that the consumer receives an inferior quality of cigarette at a much higher price.

As a means for obviating this problem, the present invention enables a person to manufacture continuously his own cigarettes from fresh quality tobacco of his own choosing, in any of various lengths and of uniform density at a fraction of the price or commercial cigarettes. Prior types of cigarette machines for home use require tedious and time consuming operations, and moreover, it is not possible thereby to control discretely the density of the tobacco in the cigarettes. The present invention obviates these difficulties.

These and still further objects, advantages and features of the invention will appear more fully from the following description considered together with the accompanying drawing which illustrates an embodiment of the invention.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the embodiment, partly broken away.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view along the line 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2 with the mechanism in retracted position.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 with the mechanism in protracted position.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view ofa portion of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view along the line 7-7 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view along the line 8-8 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view along the line 99 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view along the line l010 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view along the line 11-11 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view along the line 12-12 of FIG. 5 on a larger scale.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 8.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a fragmentary portion of a modified embodiment of the invention, partly broken away.

The method of this invention, generally, comprises continuously forming from a strip of cigarette paper a longitudinal tube of indefinite length. Marginal areas of thetube, as it is formed, are progressively secured together by an adhesive. The tube as it is formed is filled with shredded cigarette tobacco under a selected pressure while the paper tube is restrained radially against rupture.

The paper tube is released from radial restraint after it is filled with the cigarette tobacco. Portions of the filled tube are then cut off corresponding to the desired length of the cigarettes.

Referring with more particularity to the drawing in which like numerals designate like parts, the embodiment illustrated comprises a longitudinal frame structure 21. At one end of the frame structure, there is mounted an outer pipe 22 and inner pipe 23 part way inside the outer pipe 22. The

pipes

22 and 23 are secured by brackets 24 and 25 to the frame structure.

The inner pipe 23 has an opening 26 on top for the passage of shredded tobacco 27 from a bin 28 through a hopper 29 directly connected to the opening 26. A ram 30 is mounted for reciprocation in the inner pipe 23 at the end of a hollow tube 31. The inner end 32 of the ram 30 passes the opening 26 on each stroke. The outer end of the tube 31 is connected to a bar 34 which is slidably mounted on a stationary guide 35 secured to the frame 21 and a bracket 33. By these means reciprocation of the bar 34 on the rod 35 causes shredded tobacco falling from the bin 28 to pass through the hopper 29 and the opening 26 to enter the inner pipe 23 and be advanced toward the outer end of the pipe 23 by the ram 30. Another guide rod 37 extends from the bracket 33 part way into the hollow tube 31.

A bobbin 38 of cigarette paper 38A is rotatably mounted on a shaft 39 of a bracket 40. A longitudinal area of the roll of paper is coated with a gummed surface 41-of a conventional dried adhesive which, when moistened, becomes tacky and adhesive.

The outer end of the paper 38A is threaded through a guide member 42 which shapes the paper transversely in the general form of a channel. From this guide member 42 the paper then proceeds to enter the space 43 between the inner pipe 23 and the outer pipe 22 exiting from the outer end of the outer pipe 22 as a complete tube. As the paper 38A enters space 43 it is forced to its full cylindrical shape corresponding to the space 43 with overlapping longitudinal area. Just prior to entering the space 43, the gummed surface 41 is moistened by a wick 44 on a finger 45 extending from a water basin 46 from which water 47 is drawn by capillary action.

The wick is normally held out of contact with the paper by means of a bracket 48 of spring material integral with the finger 45 secured to the frame 21 and biased outwardly. On actuation of the ram 30, a rack 49 contacts a lever 50 and actuates a link 51, connected to the bracket 48, inwardly against the biasing action.

A semicylindrical shield 52 is secured to the inner pipe 23 between the bracket 48 and the path of the cigarette paper to prevent excess water from dripping on the cigarette paper.

On the interior of the bin 28, there is rotatably mounted an agitator 53 on a vertical shaft 54. The shaft extends through the bottom 55 of the bin and it is joumaled to the frame structure 21. It is provided with a pinion gear 56. The gear 56 is meshed with the rack 49 connected to the bar 34, whereby as the ram 30 is reciprocated, the agitator 53 is oscillated concomitantly to keep the shredded tobacco in the bin moving into the opening 26.

Adjacent the outer end of the outer pipe 22 a reciprocating cutter which comprises a bar 57 having

slots

58 and 59 is slidably mounted on the end of the frame 21 by means of

pins

60 and 61 passing through the

slots

58 and 59. A knife blade 62 having a diagonal cutting edge 63 facing the outer end of the pipe 22 is secured to the bar 57. A hand grip 64 is also provided on the bar 57 to facilitate its manual movement.

When it is desired to sever a cigarette, the bar 57 is simply moved to engage the cutting edge 63 with the tobacco filled tube.

To measure the length of the cigarette to be cut off, a gauge is mounted on the pipe 22 and it comprises a ring 65 slidably mounted on the pipe. One end of a wire or rod 66 is secured to the ring 65 and the other end of the wire extends outwardly beyond the outlet end of the pipe 22. Gauge markings 67 are delineated on the outer surface of pipe 22 adjacent the ring 65 and stops 68 and 69 are provided to limit the movement of the ring on the pipe. A portion 70 of the wire 66 is bent outwardly to avoid contact with the knife blade 62 within the limits of the movement of the ring between the

stops

68 and 69. The gauge is simply used by placing the ring at a desired position before a given length of cigarette is severed. When the end of the tobacco filled paper tube emerges from the outer end of the pipe 23, flush with the outer end of the wire 66, the machine is stopped and the bar 57 is actuated to bring the cutting edge 63 across the path of the tobacco filled paper tube at the end of the pipe 22.

The final density of the shredded tobacco in the paper tube will be a function of the longitudinal displacement of the paper tube relative to the quantity of tobacco pumped into the tube on each stroke of the ram. If the displacement is relatively large, the density will be less; if the displacement is relatively small, the density will be greater. Such displacement is controlled by a brake applied to the paper. The paper 38A is passed around a roller 71. A brake shoe in the form of a piece of chamois 72 is positioned to apply frictional pressure against the paper on the roller 71. The chamois is normally spaced from the roller and it is secured to the upper end of a vertical resilient arm 73, the lower end of which is secured to the frame 21. A vertical bracket 74 is secured to the frame 21 in front of the arm 73 and it is provided with an abutment screw 75 for contacting the arm and moving it against its resilient action toward the roller 71. By these means, variable pressure may be applied on the paper passing over the roller 71 which will affect its longitudinal displacement in relation to the quantity of shredded tobacco pumped into the paper tube. Greater pressure will produce a cigarette of greater tobacco density; less pressure will produce a cigarette of less tobacco density.

To increase the range of possible densities, control of the density should be concentrated, as much as possible, at the brake shoe and friction should be reduced at all other places. For this purpose, the inside and outside surfaces 76 and 77, of the inner pipe and the inside surface 78 of the outer pipe 22 is coated with an antifriction material, such as Teflon.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 14 is an alternative and preferred means of applying moisture to the dry adhesive area of the cigarette paper. Instead of the resilient bracket 48, a vertical shaft 79 is rotatably mounted in a housing 80 secured by screws 81 or by other means to the frame structure. To the upper end of the shaft 79 one end of an arm 82 is secured for rotation with the shaft. On the other end of the arm 82 a wick 83 is secured by clamps 84. The wick extends from a reservoir (not shown) similar to that illustrated in FIG. 8.

A coil spring 85 is conventionally mounted about the shaft 79 in the housing 80 to bias the rotation of the shaft clockwise as viewed in FIG. 14.

Another arm 86 is secured to the shaft .79 below and parallel to the arm 82 and its outer end is pivotally connected to the link 51.

By these means, the outer end of the wick 83 is swept into its operative position in a more positive manner under the lip formed by the folding longitudinal area of the cigarette paper just prior to its contact with the opposite longitudinal area for sealing, thereby assuring contact of the wick with the adhesive area and proper adhesion with the opposite side of the tube.

Alternatively, wet glue or paste may be applied directly to a longitudinal edge of untreated cigarette paper by conventional means to obtain a result similar to that described above with pregummed paper.

What is claimed:

1, A cigarette machine comprising a first longitudinal pipe means having an inlet opening between its ends for admitting shredded tobacco to its interior from its exterior, a ram disposed for reciprocation in said pipe for pumping shredded tobacco entering the pipe through said inlet opening out through one end of the pipe, said end of the pipe being characterized as the outlet end, a second pipe coaxially surrounding and overlapping said outlet end in radial spaced relation, thereby providing an annular space between the pipes, means for intermittingly feeding a longitudinal strip of cigarette paper in the form of a roll, means for rotatively mounting the roll, means for guiding the outer end of the strip from the roll into said annular space so as to cause the paper strip to curl transversely and assume the shape of a tube with overlapping longitudinal marginal areas, means for braking the movement of the paper strip from the roll to the annular space, means for sealing said overlapping areas entering said space, whereby as shredded tobacco is pumped through the outlet end of the first pipe it becomes confined within the said tube and frictionally engages it to cause the tube to move a corresponding distance through the second pipe, and means for cutting off a length of the resulting tobacco filled tube passing from the second pipe.

2. A cigarette machine as defined by claim 1 and a bin for holding a quantity of shredded tobacco, said bin having an outlet in direct communication with the inlet opening of the first pipe.

3. A cigarette machine as defined by claim 2, an agitator in said bin, and means for moving said agitator concomitently with reciprocation of the ram.

4. A cigarette machine comprising a first longitudinal pipe means having an inlet opening between its ends for admitting shredded tobacco to its interior from its exterior, a ram disposed for reciprocation in said pipe for pumping shredded tobacco entering the pipe through said inlet opening out through one end of the pipe, said end of the pipe being characterized as the outlet end, a second pipe coaxially surrounding and overlapping said outlet end in radial spaced relation, thereby providing an annular space between the pipes, means for intermittingly feeding a longitudinal strip of cigarette paper in the form of a roll, means for rotatably mounting the roll, a guide means in the form of a member over which the strip passes for guiding the outer end of the strip from the roll to the annular space so as to cause the paper strip to curl transversely and assume the shape of a tube with overlapping longitudinal marginal areas, a brake shoe disposed for adjustably pressing the strip against member, means for sealing said overlapping areas entering said space, whereby as shredded tobacco is pumped through the outlet end of the first pipe it becomes confined within the said tube and frictionally engages it to cause the tube to move a corresponding distance through the second pipe, and means for cutting off a length of the resulting tobacco filled tube passing from the second pipe.

5. A cigarette machine as defined by claim 4 in which the member is a roller.

6. A cigarette machine as defined by claim 1 in which one longitudinal marginal area of the cigarette paper is gummed with a dried adhesive to contact a corresponding marginal area of the cigarette paper and means for moistening the gummed area before it contacts the said corresponding marginal area.

7. A cigarette machine as defined by claim 6 in which the means for moistening the gummed area comprises a finger, a wick carried by said finger, a water reservoir, and said wick extending into the reservoir.

8. A cigarette machine comprising a first longitudinal pipe means having an inlet opening between its ends for admitting shredded tobacco to its interior from its exterior, a ram disposed for reciprocation in said pipe for pumping shredded tobacco entering the pipe through said inlet opening out through one end of the pipe, said end ofthe pipe being charac terized as the outlet end, a second pipe coaxially surrounding and overlapping said outlet end in radial spaced relation, thereby providing an annular space between the pipes, means for intermittingly feeding a longitudinal strip of cigarette paper into said annular space so as to cause the paper strip to curl transversely and assume the shape of a tube with overlapping longitudinal marginal areas, one longitudinal marginal area of the cigarette paper being gummed with a dried adhesive to contact a corresponding marginal area of the cigarette paper, means for moistening the gummed area including a finger, a water reservoir, a wick carried by said finger and extending into said reservoir, the wick carrying finger being movable in and out of contact with the gummed marginal area, means for moving the wick carrying finger to contact the gummed area on each pump stroke of the ram whereby as shredded tobacco is pumped through the outlet end of the first pipe it becomes confined within the said tube and frictionally engages it to cause the tube to move a corresponding distance through the second pipe, and means for cutting off a length of the resulting tobacco filled tube passing from the second pipe.

9. A cigarette machine as defined by claim 8 in which the means for moving the wick carrying finger comprises a spring for biasing the finger out of contact with the gummed marginal area, and means movable with the ram for actuating said finger toward the gummed area against the biasing action of the spring.

10. A cigarette machine as defined by claim 9 in which the means for moving the wick carrying finger comprises an arm connected to the finger, a lever connected to the finger, the biasing action of the spring being effected through said lever and arm, a push rod connected to the ram for actuating the lever on each stroke of the arm against the action of the spring.

ll. A cigarette machine as defined by claim 9 in which the wick carrying finger is mounted for reciprocation relative to the gummed area.

12. A cigarette machine as defined by claim 9 in which the wick carrying finger is rotatably mounted to contact the gummed area.

13. A cigarette machine as defined by claim 1 in which the surfaces of contact of the first and second pipes are coated with Teflon to minimize friction.

14. The method of manufacturing cigarettes comprising continuously shaping a strip of cigarette paper taken from a roll into a longitudinal tube of indefinite length, progressively securing the longitudinal marginal areas of the tube adhesively, filling the tube with shredded cigarette tobacco under selected pressure while restraining the paper tube radially against rupture and longitudinally restraining with an adjustable means the paper tube to control the compactness of the tobacco within the tube, releasing the paper tube from the radial restraint after it is filled with the cigarette tobacco and then cutting off portions of the filled tube corresponding to cal! the desired length of cigarettes.

15. The method as defined by claim 14 in which the pressure with which the tube is filled with shredded cigarette tobacco is intermittent and axial.

16. A cigarette machine as defined by claim 1 and a gauge for measuring the length of a cigarette to be cut from the tobacco filled tube.

17. A cigarette machine as defined by claim 1 in which the cutting off means comprises a member having a cutting edge mounted for movement across the path of the tube.

18. A cigarette machine as defined by claim 1 in which the cutting edge is diagonally disposed relative to the axis of the tube and is mounted for reciprocation across the path of the tube.

19. A cigarette machine comprising a first longitudinal pipe means having an inlet opening between its ends for admitting shredded tobacco to its interior from its exterior, a ram disposed for reciprocation in said pipe for pumping shredded tobacco entering the pipe through said inlet opening out through one end of the pipe, said end of the pipe being characterized as the outlet end, a second pipe coaxially surrounding and overlapping said outlet end in radial spaced relation, thereby providing an annular space between the pipes, means for intermittingly feeding a longitudinal strip of cigarette paper into said annular space so as to cause the paper strip to curl transver sely and assume the shape of a tube with overlapping longitudinal marginal areas, means for sealing said overlapping areas entering said space, whereby as shredded tobacco is pumped through the outlet end of the first pipe it becomes confined within the said tube and frictionally engages it to cause the tube to move a corresponding distance through the second pipe, gauge means for measuring the length of a cigarette to be cut from the tobacco filled tube, said gauge means including a member slidable longitudinally on the second pipe, a wire or rod secured to the slidable member, said wire or rod extending outwardly beyond the outer end of the second pipe, and means for cutting off the length of the resulting tobacco filled tube passing from the second pipe.

20. A cigarette machine as defined by claim 19 in which a portion of the wire or rod is radially offset adjacent the outer end of the second pipe.

21. A cigarette machine as defined by claim 19 and index markings on the second pipe adjacent the slidable member to gauge the length of the rod or wire extending beyond the end of the second pipe.

Claims

1. A cigarette machine comprising a first longitudinal pipe means having an inlet opening between its ends for admitting shredded tobacco to its interior from its exterior, a ram disposed for reciprocation in said pipe for pumping shredded tobacco entering the pipe through said inlet opening out through one end of the pipe, said end of the pipe being characterized as the outlet end, a second pipe coaxially surrounding and overlapping said outlet end in radial spaced relation, thereby providing an annular space between the pipes, means for intermittingly feeding a longitudinal strip of cigarette paper in the form of a roll, means for rotatively mounting the roll, means for guiding the outer end of the strip from the roll into said annular space so as to cause the paper strip to curl transversely and assume the shape of a tube with overlapping longitudinal marginal areas, means for braking the movement of the paper strip from the roll to the annular space, means for sealing said overlapping areas entering said space, whereby as shredded tobacco is pumped through the outlet end of the first pipe it becomes confined within the said tube and frictionally engages it to cause the tube to move a corresponding distance through the second pipe, and means for cutting off a length of the resulting tobacco filled tube passing from the second pipe.

5. A cigarette machine as defined by claim 4 in which the member is a roller.

8. A cigarette machine comprising a first longitudinal pipe means having an inlet opening between its ends for admitting shredded tobacco to its interior from its exterior, a ram disposed for reciprocation in said pipe for pumping shredded tobacco entering the pipe through said inlet opening out through one end of the pipe, said end of the pipe being characterized as the outlet end, a second pipe coaxially surrounding and overlapping said outlet end in radial spaced relation, thereby providing an annular space between the pipes, means for intermittingly feeding a longitudinal strip of cigarette paper into said annular space so as to cause the paper strip to curl transversely and assume the shape of a tube with overlapping longitudinal marginal areas, one longitudinal marginal area of the cigarette paper being gummed with a dried adhesive to contact a corresponding marginal area of the cigarette paper, means for moistening the gummed area including a finger, a water reservoir, a wick carried by said finger and extending into said reservoir, the wick carrying finger being movable in and out of contact with the gummed marginal area, means for moving the wick carrying finger to contact the gummed area on each pump stroke of the ram whereby as shredded tobacco is pumped through the outlet end of the first pipe it becomes confined within the said tube and frictionally engages it to cause the tube to move a corresponding distance through the second pipe, and means for cutting off a length of the resulting tobacco filled tube passing from the second pipe.

11. A cigarette machine as defined by claim 9 in which the wick carrying finger is mounted for reciprocation relative to the gummed area.

14. The method of manufacturing cigarettes comprising continuously shaping a strip of cigarette paper taken from a roll into a longitudinal tube of indefinite length, progressively securing the longitudinal marginal areas of the tube adhesively, filling the tube with shredded cigarette tobacco under selected pressure while restraining the paper tube radially against rupture and longitudinally restraining with an adjustable means the paper tube to control the compactness of the tobacco within the tube, releasing the paper tube from the radial restraint after it is filled with the cigarette tobacco and then cutting off portions of the filled tube corresponding to the desired length of cigarettes.

19. A cigarette machine comprising a first longitudinal pipe means having an inlet opening between its ends for admitting shredded tobacco to its interior from its exterior, a ram disposed for reciprocation in said pipe for pumping shredded tobacco entering the pipe through said inlet opening out through one end of the pipe, said end of the pipe being characterized as the outlet end, a second pipe coaxially surrounding and overlapping said outlet end in radial spaced relation, thereby providing an annular space between the pipes, means for intermittingly feeding a longitudinal strip of cigarette paper into said annular space so as to cause the paper strip to curl transversely and assume the shape of a tube with overlapping longitudinal marginal areas, means for sealing said overlapping areas entering said space, whereby as shredded tobacco is pumped through the outlet end of the first pipe it becomes confined within the said tube and frictionally engages it to cause the tube to move a corresponding distance through the second pipe, gauge means for measuring the length of a cigarette to be cut from the tobacco filled tube, said gauge means including a member slidable longitudinally on the second pipe, a wire or rod secured to the slidable member, said wire or rod extending outwardly beyond the outer end of the second pipe, and means for cutting off the length of the resulting tobacco filled tube passing from the second pipe.