US641188A

US641188A - Machine for counting and packing cigarettes.

Info

Publication number: US641188A
Application number: US64747697A
Authority: US
Inventors: Marcos Del Castillo
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1897-08-07
Filing date: 1897-08-07
Publication date: 1900-01-09
Anticipated expiration: 1917-01-09

Description

N0. 64!,l88. Patented Jan. 9, I900.

M. DEL CASTILLO.

MACHINE FOR COUNTING AND PACKING CIGABETTES.

(Application filed Aug. 7, 1897.) (No Model.) 9 Sheets-Sheet Wl'irmrsas: J/arco; del (Midi/0, [we/Z60 1/ r 2. flw [m ma Norms Pzrrhs no, mow-Limo WASHINGTUN, a, c.

No. 64|,l88. Pafented Ian. 9-,. I900).

M. DEL CASTILLO. MACHINE FOR COUNTING AND PACKING CIGARETTES. (Appiication filed Aug. 7, 1897.) (No Model.) 9 Sh'ets-Sheet 2.

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Patented Jan. 9, I900.

Sheds-Sheet 3.

M. DEL" CASTILLO.

MACHINE FOR COUNTING AND PACKING CIGARETTES.

(Application filed Aug. 7, 1897.) (No Model.)

No. 64|,i88. Paten 'ted Jan. 9; [900. m. DEL cAsTlLLo.

MACHINE FOR COUNTING AND PACKING CIGARETTE-IS.

(Application filed Aug, 7, 1897.) .(No Model.) 9 Sheets-8heet 4-v Patented Jan. 9, I900. M. DEL CASTILLO.

MACHINE FOR COUNTING AND PACKING CIGARETTES.

(No Model.)

(Application filed Aug. 7. 1897 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Jan. 9, I900; M. DEL CASTILLO. MACHINE FUR COUNTING AND PACKING CIGARETTES.

(Application filed Aug. 7, 1897.) (No Model.) 9 Sheets-Sheet 6,

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No..64|;l8 8. Patented ..lan. 9, i900. M. DEL CASTILLO. MACHINE FOR COUNTING AND PACKING CIGARETTES.

(Application filed Au 7, 1897.)

' (No Model.)

v 9 Sheets-Sheat 7.

mofdla fizueizzzw' uYa/zw de No. 64!,188. Patented Ian, 9, I900" M. DEL CASTILLO.

MACHINE 'FUR COUNTING AND PACKING CIGARETTES.

(Application filed Aug. 7, 1897.) I -9 Sheets-8heet B.

(No Model.)

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No. 64I,I88. I Patented Jan. 9, I900.

N M. DEL CASTILLO.

MACHINE FOR COUNTING AND PACKING CIGARETIES.

(Application filed Aug. 7, 1897.)

(No Model.)

9 Sheets-Sheet 9 I! i E game Ji /w; de (may jrweizhr lhvrrn rn rns ATEN'fr rerun.

MARCOS DEL CASTILLO, OF NEWV YORK, N. Y.

lVlACHlNE FORCOUNTING AND PACKING CIGARETTES.

SPECIFiOATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 641,188, dated Jame 9, 1900'.

Application filed A t 7,1897- Serial No. 647,476. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom, it may conceive:

.Be it known that I, Mnnoos DEL CASTILLO, a subject of the King of Spain, residing in New York, county and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Machines for Making Paper Wrappers for Cigarettes and for Packing Cigarettes Therein, (for which the following Letters Patent have been granted, viz: Spanish Patent No. 17,299, dated July 30, 1895, and Mexican Patent No. 879, dated July 16, 1896,) of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the drawings accompanying and forming a part of the same.

The present invention includes mechanism for forming from sheets of paper envelops or wrappers in which a given number of cigarettes can be packed and also mechanism by which a given number of cigarettes can be separated or counted out from a mass and placed or packed andsealed in a paper Wrap per ready for the market.

The invention consists in the combinations of the various devices by which the abovenamed results are attained, as well as subcombinations thereof, and certain details of I construction of the individual devices, as hereinafter more fully described, shown in the drawings, and recited in the claims.

The accompanying drawings illustrate an embodiment of the invention and for the sake of clearness show various parts of the mechanism detached from other parts.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view showing the relative location and arrangement of the principal parts of the machine. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the mechanism for making the paper wrappers. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section along the line 3 3 of Fig.2. Fig. 4c is the same as Fig. 3, except some of the parts are shown in different operative positions. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section along the line 5 5 of Fig. 2 and at right angles to the line 3 Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section along the line 6 6 of Fig. 2 looking in the di-' rection of the arrows. Fig. 7 'is an enlarged plan view of the mandrel and end-folders. Figs. 8 and 9 are end views of the wrapper and views of the end folding and sealing devices. Fig. 10 is a side elevation of some of the parts of Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of one of the side end-folders. Fig. 12 is a cross-section through the line 12 of Fig.

-5 of the holder-mand'rel, its plunger, and supgitudinal sections on the line 18 of Fig. 16,

showing the operative devices in different positions. Fig. 20 is a side elevation of the hopper and separating devices. Fig. 21 is a crosssection of the same on line 21 of Fig. 24:. Fig. 22 shows perspective views of compartmentpartitions and their bottom attachments. Fig. 23 is a side elevation looking into the ends of the compartments when open to receive cigarettes. Fig. 24 is a longitudinal section through the hopper, showing the compartments when closed and various operative devices. Fig. 25 is a longitudinal section on the lines 25 of Figs. 16 and 21. Fig. 26 is a perspective view of a removable piece with a pusher-opening leading to or from the compartments. Fig. 27 is a longitudinal sectional view on line 27 of Fig. 16 of the cigarelate-packing receptacle and devices for opcrating the same looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 28 is a view of the same when closed and in position to expel the cigarette. I Fig. 29 is a longitudinal section of the packing receptacle, the plunger, and the wrapper and its holder. Fig. 30 is a longitudinal section on the line 30 of Fig. 16, showing the packing-receptacle, the plunger, and the end wrapper folding and sealing devices. Fig. 3lis a cross-section on line 31 of Fig. 30, and Fig. 32 is a perspective view of the wrapper-holder.

The mechanism for forming the paper wrappers, as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 15, Sheets Ito V, inclusive, of the drawings, will be first described and then the mechanism for counting or separating the desired number of cigarettes from the mass and placing and sealing a e4i,iss'

them in the wrappers, as illustrated in Figs. 16 to 32, Sheets VI to IX.

. Mechanism for forming the wrappers.- Generally and briefly stated, the wrapperforming mechanism is so constructed and operated that it takes the upper sheet of a superposed series of paper sheets of the proper size to form a wrapper or receptacle in which the desired number of cigarettes can be packed and carries it overa mold located below a hollow mandrel or former, which latter is brought down upon the sheet to press it into the mold. Two opposite edges of the sheet are then folded over the mandrel, and paste or other adhesive material is applied to one of these edges, which is brought to overlap the opposite edge and sealed to it. Opposite sliding end-folders then operate upon one end of the partly-formed Wrapper, each folder making two end laps at a single movement, the other folders making the end top and bottom lap, which are at the proper time supplied with paste and sealed in place to complete the Wrapper for the reception of the cigarettes. The completed wrapper is then removed from the mandrel on which it has been formed by the action of a plunger passing through the mandrel and exerting its pressure upon the inside of the sealed end of the wrapper, this pressure being resisted to prevent disarrangement of the sealed folds by a sliding plate, which acts on the outside of the end of the wrapper and recedes as the wrapper and plunger advance.

By reference to the drawings, A represents a table which supports the operative devices.

B is the main shaft, driven by pulley O and carrying cams G, 0 (J and C to give the desired movements to certain devices, as hereinafter explained.

D is a counter-shaft, located under the table, driven from the shaft 13 by beveled gears D and D and carrying cams D D D D D D D and D for moving certain devices, as hereinafter explained.

Through an opening in the table A is the paper-supporting platform E, arranged to slide up and down in suitable ways, as e, and suitably connected in any well-known manner to the driving mechanism to be raised the thickness of a sheet of paper as often as the upper sheet of a series placed on the platform is removed. Above this platform are two pointed blades e, which are supported on uprights (2 which are preferably arranged to slide in ways arranged on the platform and operate to bring the points of the blades into the proper position to the rear edges of sheets of varying lengths. The blades are rigidly attached to weights c which loosely embrace the uprights e and are sufficiently heavy to cause the points of the blades to pierce several sheets of paper.

The sheets are transferred from the platform and under the mandrel G one by one by means of the frictional pressure of pusher F, which is preferably provided with contactforms to three sides of the mandrel.

ing projectionsfand is brought down upon the surface of the upper sheet of the series near the blades e before it commences its forward movement, as seen in Figs. 2 and 4:. The pusheris provided witha weightf to give the necessary pressure on the sheet and a tailpiece f which is hinged to a block f constructed and arranged to slide in ways f on the table A, the desired forward and backward movements being effected by its connection with cam O on shaft B through leverf attached to sliding blockf When the pusher F has reached the limit of its desired forward movement to transfer a paper sheet under the mandrel G, as seen in Fig. 3, it is raised up slightly from the sheet by the action of the lever j, which is provided with a small wheel f, over which the tailpiece f runs, and is connected at its other end with and operated by the cam O on shaft B and is thus held in this raised position tillit reaches the limit of the backward movement, when it descends upon the upper sheet of the series. The blades 6 operate to prevent the lower sheets from disarrangement due to the pressure which moves the top sheet over the series and frees it from the blades by cutting out short slits in its rear edge, a construction well known for feeding the upper sheet of a series.

As the main portion of the sheet is projected forward to a considerable distance to bring it under the mandrel G and over the mold H without any support, it is important to increase its rigidity to prevent its forward end from sagging, and this is effected by causing the sheet to pass over a passage-way or channel, which will raise its side edges and give it a curvilinear shape in cross-section and largely increase its stiffness. For this purpose the sheet is passed over a channel or way I, whose edges are higher than its central part, thus forming a concavity, and as the central portion of the sheet- X is pressed down upon the bed of the way as it is moved over it by the pusher F the tendency of its advanced end to sag when projected beyond its support is greatly diminished. This is an important feature whenever sheets of paper are to be advanced for a considerable distance without support throughout theirentire length, and though the pusher F bears near the rear of the sheet it operates to increase its rigidity sufficiently to accomplish the desired purpose. This construction is especially shown in Figs. 3 and 13, in which 2' are the raised edges of the channel or way. The rear edge of the way I is preferably inclined downward or provided with downwardinclined projections t" opposite the bearing parts of the pusher F.

' The mandrel G, over which the paper sheet is formed, and the mold H may be of any suitable material and of any desired shape in cross-section to conform to the desired shape of the wrappers. As shown in the drawings,

the mandrel is hexagonal, and the mold con- The mandrel is hollow and is movably supported over the mold H, preferably by fitting its rear end into an aperture in a block g, arranged to slideup and down above the mold in suitable ways g through the action of a cam- D on shaft D, to which it is connected in any operative way, as by lever 9 through tailpiece 9 which projects down through an opening in the table A. To enable mandrels of varying sizes to be used, mandrel-holders 9 provided with sockets and preferably cast from metal, may be secured by screws or otherwise to the sliding block g and into which the rear of the mandrels will fit. One of these holders can be readily removed and another for a mandrel of greater or less size be substituted, in which case the aperture through the block 9 should be of sufficient size to permit the entrance therein of the part of the largest socket which receives the end of the mandrel. To support the sheet and prevent it from becoming displaced or wrinkled as it is forced into the mold H by the action of the downward-sliding mandrel G, there is a central moving support J, whose upper surface is preferably slightly serrated or otherwise roughened. This support is held in its normal position, which is slightly below the mandrel G, when it is fully raised by a retractile sprlngj, one end of which is secured to a fixed point, while its opposite end is fastened to the tailpiece j of the support which projectsthrough the table and slides in ways 7' with the effect that when the sheet X is in place over the support, as seen in Fig. 3, and the mandrel is moved downward the sheet is clamped between the man drel and the support and is held in this position as both of these parts descend into the mold, the support coming'down flush with the bottom of the mold, as seen in Fig. 4.

As the sheet X is forced into the mold H its opposite side edges are thrown upward in position to be acted on by the side-folders, which are moved inward on either side of the mandrel and fold the edges of the sheet over and down upon the same. In the construction shown in the drawings one of the folders K, carrying the paste-reservoir It, is mounted upon a block 7r, arranged to slide back and forth in ways on the table A at the proper height, and is guided by a pin k projecting through a slot in the table. The paste-reservoir is mounted on top of and moves with the folder K, and its front wall k is provided with small perforations through which the desired quantity of paste can be forced, while its rearward-extended body part is provided with a piston whose slotted shaft embraces a stop 70 which limits the throw of the piston and is preferably adjustable by a stationary screw 7c, threaded through the stop, as shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4E. The purpose of this arrangement is to force the desired quantity of paste through the perforations in the front wall of the reservoir when it recedes from the mandrel and to keep the paste in a thor:

.place.

oughly-mixed working condition. The sidefolder L operates upon the opposite side of the mandrel to the folder K to fold the other edge of the paper sheet over and down into Preferably it consists of a small and long roller arranged to move forward in contact with the sheet to fold it over and down upon the mandrel and press its edge against the front perforated wall k of the reservoir 70 to supply it with paste and then as the reservoir recedes to fold and press this edge upon the opposite edge to form a sealed overlapped seam, as especially shown in Figs. 4 and 6. As shown in the drawings, the roller L is connected by a carrying-frame Z to skeleton slide Z, which is arranged to reciprocate in ways Z on the table A by means of its connection with cam 0 through lever L. The frame Z is pivoted in uprights P, which are attached to a piece Z which is hinged at Z to the slide Z and is provided with a tailpiece l, which acts, in conjunction with a fixed projection Z when the slide moves backward to tilt up the piece Z and the folder L, attached thereto, as shown in Fig. 6 by dotted lines, the hinged piece Z being attached to the slide Z by a spring 1*. By this construction the roller L as the slide Z moves backward is gradually lifted from the folded paper, and as the slide moves forward it is gradually lowered to come in contact with and fold over the edge of the next sheet. It is raised up to permit the edges of the sheet to rise up when the sheet is pressed down into the mold and to be out of the way of other operative parts, a slot 1 through the slide permitting the tailpiece Z to descend when forced. by the roller Z The roller L slightly continues its for-- ward movement as the paste-reservoir retires to press down the pasted edge and seal it in place. The side end-folders M now operate to form the folds or laps m and m. Each of these folders is provided with two working end faces, which operate to form two folds at the same forward movement, the folds 7% being first formed and then the folds m to overlap them. The construction of these folders is shown in detail in Figs. 7, 8, and 11, the last-named figure being a perspective view of the left-hand folder with its ends reversed from its working position to show more clearly the rounded construction thereof. It is seen that each of the folders M has two working faces m and m the former being arranged to come into contact with the wrapper before the latter and to make a lower lap 172, while the face "in begins to make the lap m before the lap on is fully completed. The working faces at and m as shown in the drawings, Figs. 8 and 11, are inclined in opposite directions to give the proper form and directions to their respective folds or laps,

and the rear corners of the faces are rounded to prevent them from tearing or crumpling the paper. The folders M are preferably adjustably secured to blocks an, arranged to slide back and forth in suitable Ways on the a c is' table A, and are connected to the driving mechanism in any suitable way to give the desired movement to the folders, as to cam D on counter-shaft D, through levers m m and m m The top end fold n of the wrapper is next turned down by the downward movement of a roller N, which at the same time applies the desired quantity of paste thereto to seal the bottom fold in place when it is folded up to overlap the other folds. The roller-N is connected to a paste-reservoirn, of any suitable construction, in any proper way to receive the desired supply of paste therefrom,and this reservoiris mounted upon avertically-sliding frame n, arranged in ways n and moved up and down by any suitable means, as by lever n operated by cam D on counter-shaft D, this construction being especially shown in Figs. 2, 3, 5, 8, 9,and 10 of the drawings. The last. or bottom end fold o of the wrapper is made by the folder 0, arranged to slide up and down in the guides 0 and is operated by cam D on countershaft D through a connecting-lever 0 this folder being connected to move upward close after the paste-roller N, as seen in Figs. 8 and 9, and to fold the lap 0 up over the other laps and seal it in place to complete the wrapper for the reception of cigarettes or other articles.

The mandrel G is provided with pusher or plunger P, which is arranged to reciprocate through the hollow mandrel and performs two functions-namely, first, to act as a stationary anvil or abutment to resist the pressure of the end-folders while they operate upon the end of. the wrapper, and for this purpose its advance end is brought flush with the' end of the mandrel and is held in that position until the folding is completed, and, second, to press or push against the end of the formed wrapper from the inside and push it off from the mandrel. The plunger P is attached to a block 19, arranged to slide in ways 19, the desired reciprocation being given by its connection with the cam D on counter-shaft D through lever 19 Its normal or stationary position is with its forward end flush or even with the end of the mandrel for the purpose pointed out above, and this is established by a groove 133, formed in the surface of the plunger, Whose head takes against a stop p fixed within the mandrel, so that when the head of the groove strikes against the stop the advance end of the plunger is brought and held flush with the end of the mandrel. After the wrapper has been completed by folding its end down upon the registered ends of the mandrel and the plunger the plunger is advanced sufficiently to carry the wrapper off from and beyond the mandrel, and as it returns to its normal position the formed wrapper of bag shape, open at one end and closed at the other, as seen in Fig. 15, is removed therefrom by bringing its rear end in contact with a stop, as 0 and can then be received and conveyed by any desired means to the other principal part of the machine to be filled with cigarettes or other similar articles.

As the mandrel G has an upward-and-downward movement, as hereinbefore explained, a corresponding movement of its plunger is provided, since it is desirable that the plunger should at all times be in place in the mandrel. To effect this, the plunger is adjustably connected to the sliding block 19 by means of a pin 19 working in a hole in the tail end of the plunger, which permits the plunger to be raised and lowered simultaneously with the mandrel and by the same means and to the same extent. Also as the mandrel is forced down into the mold H and the wrapper is clamped between the mandrel and the spring-controlled piece J of the mold it is important to release the wrapper before the plunger P operates against its sealed end to remove it from the mandrel, and this is accomplished by a Wedge shaped piece Q, arranged to move in Ways beneath the table and connected to the cam D on counter-shaft D through levers q and g to give the desired movement to the wedge to bring its inclined surface in contact with a small roller g fixed to the tail of the clamping-piece J, and force the same down and release the clamped wrapper.

In order to preserve the shape of the end of the wrapper, as the plunger P acts upon it to remove it from the mandrel a receding support R is arranged to move backward simultaneously with the advance of the plunger, this support being preferably elastically attached, as shown in the drawings, to a piece 0, arranged to slide back and forth in ways 1" by means of its connection with a properlyshaped cam D on counter-shaft D through lever W. The construction and arrangement of the parts are such that the support R is brought against the folded and sealed end of the Wrapper before the plunger P advances, and then it recedes as the plunger and wrapper advance, the support bearing against the outside of the wrapper end, while the head of the plunger exerts its force upon its inside, thus preventing any disarrangement of the wrapper-folds. The relative movements of the parts are such that when the plunger has reached the extent of its forward throw the support moves a little farther to release the wrapper and give it time to be discharged before the support returns to its normal position.

The wrappers as they are discharged from the plunger are in condition to be filled or packed with cigarettes, and for this purpose they may be conveyed to and brought into proper relation with the packing mechanism of the machine by any suitable means or devices. As shown in the drawings, Figs. 1, 16, and 17, an endless chain S, passing over wheels 8 s, is arranged to move beneath the discharge of the wrappers from the plunger P and receive and convey them to a point beneath the holder of the packing mechanism,

on which they are placed to receive the cigarettes. The chain S is preferably provided with a series of open-end receptacles 3, into which the wrappers drop'from the plunger P and which retain them in position during transportation. The chain may be moved by any suitable means, as by its connection with earn 1) on counter-shaft D through lever 8 attached to one end of a double crank 8 secured to shaft of wheels, the other end of the crank being provided with a pawl .9 working in a ratchet 5 which arrangement will give a step-by-step movement to the chain, so that it can be momentarily stopped when the wrappers are received thereupon and removed therefrom. As the chain is narrower than the length of the wrappers, the ends of the latter project beyond the width of the chain, and they can be easily removed therefrom and raised to the level of the holder on which they are to be placed by means of vertically moving carriers T, arranged to slide up and down in ways t, attached to the table of the machine and actuated by levers t, connected with cam t on counter-shaft U, which is driven from main shaft B by bevelgear connections. When the wrapper has been raised to register with its holder, it is pushed on to the holder Y by a pusher V, arranged to reciprocate in ways 2) and actuated by cam 011 shaft U through a connecting-lever t the pusher being provided with a thin projection c which takes under the rear end of the wrapper to prevent it from dropping. The foregoing constructions are shown in Figs. 16, 17, and 18 of the drawings.

lllechcmismfor counting out or separating from a. mass of cigarettes the desired number for a package and packing the same in the wrappers.-For the more ready understanding of this mechanism it is stated generally that its construction and operation are such that the cigarettes as they are discharged from a hopper or other receptacle in which they have been placed in mass are received in a series of narrow open-top compartments located below the hopper-discharge, which compartments can be widened by moving their thin partitions in one direction, so that the cigarettes will readily fall into them, but only one at a time into each compartment, and can be narrowed by moving the partitions in the opposite direction to bring the cigarettes in the contiguous compartments as close together as possible, so that a series of pushers projected into and along the bottoms of the compartments and through an opening or openings of prescribed size and shape in one side of casing covering the open ends of the compartments will be brought in contact with the ends of a prescribed number of cigarettes and will push them, through a similarshaped opening on the opposite side of the casing, into a receptacle in which the cigarettes are gathered or packed together by moving dies into substantially the shape they are to occupy in the completed package. The

gathered cigarettes are then pushed into a bag-shaped wrapper placed upon a funnelshaped expansible holder and the filled wrapper is conveyed to the proper end folding and sealing devices, by which the package is completed. By the means hereinafter more fully explained a predetermined number of cigarettesthe number desired for a single package-can be readily or quickly counted out or separated from a mass and when thus separated can be gathered and packed together into the shape which it is desired they shall occupy in the completed package and pushed into a bag-shaped wrapper, whose open end can then be properly folded and sealed.

Referring to the drawings, Figs. 16 to 32, Sheets VI to IX, U is a counter-shaft arranged below the table A and driven from main shaft B through the beveled-gear connection W and is provided with several cams for giving the desired movements to the operative parts of the mechanism.

The cigarettes to be packed are placed in a hopper 1, either by hand or are fed thereto by any suitable connection with a cigarette-making machine or other source of supply. The width of the hopper is slightly greater than the length of the cigarettes, and it is provided with an adjustable piece 2 near its bottom or discharge, which is arranged to be pressed against one end of the cigarettes and hold them in the hopper until the piece is moved away momentarily to permit a limited number of cigarettes to drop down. The construction and operation of the piece 2 are shown in Figs. 20 and 21, in which 3 are spring-hinges connecting the piece 2 to the wall of the hopper and holding it in its closed position against the ends of the cigarettes, while 4 is a compound lever operated by cam 5 to swing the piece 2 away from the cigarettes and permit them todrop down.

A series of narrow compartments 6, with open tops, is located beneath the hopper 1, the compartments being separated from each other by partitions 7, which are adjustable or capable of being moved relatively to each other to increase and decrease the width of the compartments. In the construction shown in the drawings, Figs. 21 to 25, the partitions 7 are adjusted or moved relatively to each other by fixing the partitions to bottom pieces, each of which is provided with projections and notches 8 and 9 of varying length and depth, and mounting them in a supporting frame 10, in which they are arranged to slide in ways 11 in one direction and then return; but each partition is moved to a greater or less extent than the one next to it, so that all the compartments will have a uniform width whether the partitions are in their open or closed positions. The frame 10 is provided on either side thereof with a notched piece 12, like stairs, for limiting the movement of the partitions whenthey are slid apart by the contact of the bottom projections 8 of each of the partitions with the upright part of its notch in the pieces 12, as shown in Fig. 23. The frame is also provided with a sliding stepped or notched pusher 13, arranged to reciprocate along the longitudinal center of the'frame 10 and having its notches arranged reversely to those of pieces 12, so that when the pusher is moved toward the left, as seen in Fig. 25, the notches will contact with the bottom projections 9 of the partitions to move them from the closed position shown in Fig. 24 to the open position shown in Figs. 23 and 25. Another pusher 14 is arranged opposite to the pusher 13 to come in contact with the bottom projection of the partition next the head of the pusher and by shoving the bottom pieces against each other to bring the partitions 7 from the open position as shown in Figs. 23 and 25 to the closed position as shown in Fig. 24. These pushers are operated by their connection with a reciprocating bar 15, located on suitable ways below the table and moved back and forth by a compound-lever connection 16 to cam 17 on shaft U. The connection of the pushers with the bar is easily made by projecting their bent ends 18 through slots in the table and arranging the ends of bar 15 to contact with the ends of the pushers, the ends of the bar being preferably provided with adjustingscrews 19. As it is desirable to hold the partitions 7 in their open position momentarily while the cigarettes are dropped into the compartments, a spring-catch 20 is arranged to take over the end of the pusher 13 after it has pushed the partitions apart to lock them until the movement of the bar 15 in the opposite direction raises the catch through the pin 21, mounting a cam-shaped piece 22 on the bar, at which time the head of the pusher 14 will be brought in contact with partition nearest thereto and will then be operated to close the partitions together.

The frame 10, carrying the compartments 6, is mounted to slide back and forth to a small extent on ways 23 in a casing 24, which forms end walls to the several compartments, and a slight reciprocating or shaking move ment is given to the frame 10 by its connection through lever 25 with a cam 25 for the purpose of enabling the cigarettes which have been dropped from the hopper to enter the compartments and fall to bottoms thereof. The walls of the casin g 24 are provided with apertures 26, one through each wall and opposite each other, the apertures being preferably made in pieces 27, which are removable from the casing, so-that other similar pieces having apertures of different sizes and shapes can be readily substituted, and these apertures are so made that their bottoms will be nearly on the sameplane with the bottoms of the compartments 6. The apertures are of a size to leave exposed or uncovered the ends of the number of cigarettes desired to be packed together to form a single package, and this number is separated from the superposed cigarettes by a series of pushers 28, arranged to enter one of the apertures and take against the exposed ends of the cigarettes and push them outof the compartments through the opposite aperture and into any proper receptacle. As shown in the drawings,the apertures 26 are of a size and shape to uncover the ends of eleven cigarettes, and the pushers 28 push them through and out of the compartments, and as they recede the superposed cigarettes fall into their places. It is seen that by these instrumentalities and by varying the size and shape of the apertures 26 and the number of the pushers 28 any predetermined number of cigarettes for a package or for other purposes can be readily separated or counted out from a mass. The desired reciprocating movement of the pushers 28 may be given by any means adapted thereforfor example, as shown in the drawings, by attaching them to a piece 29, arranged to slide in ways on the table A by a lever connection 30 with cam 31 on shaft U.

After the predetermined number of cigarettes for a package have been expelled from the compartments it is desirable to gather and press them together to bring them into substantially the shape they are to take in the final package. For this purpose the cigarettes can be pushed directly from the compartments into a receptacle 32, provided with dies 33, one or both of which are movable, by which they are gathered and pressed into the required shape for the package. This receptacle is preferably provided with a cover 34, arranged to be slightly opened before the cigarettes are introduced to facilitate their entrance between the dies and to be closed to bring the cigarettes to the proper package shape. The receptacle is also provided with the wrapperholder Y, before referred to, which is attached thereto to register with one end of the cigarettes when they are packed between the dies, and the receptacle and its holder have a reciprocating movement on ways on the table to bring them into register with a plunger 35 to force the cigarettes from the receptacle into the wrapper and to force the'filled wrapper from the holder to devices by which its open end is folded and sealed. This reciprocating movement is effected by any desirable connection with the driving mechanism, as by compound levers 36, operated' by cam 37 on shaft U, and this movement, in connection with a spring-operated catch 38 and a lifting-roller 39, raises the cover 34 when the receptacle is in the position shown in Fig. 27, which immediately closes when the receptacle moves away from such position, and also operates the moving die through a sliding slotted bar 40, so arranged that the head 41 of the slot will strike against a pin 42 slightly before the receptacle reaches the limit of the forward movement to close the dies to the desired extent, while the opposite head 43 of the slot as the receptacle moves back will strike against the pin to open the dies, the sliding bar preferably running under a springcontrolled roller 4 4c to keep it in position.

The holder Y, attached to receptacle to register with the dies when closed, is made slightly tapering to facilitate the introd uction of the bag-shaped wrappers thereon, and as this shape interferes with the close packing of the cigarettes in the wrapper it is desirable that the holder be made of easily expansible and elastic material, so that when the cigarettes are forced into it by the plunger 35 its contracted end will easily expand against the wall of the wrapper. To accomplish this result, the holder is preferably made of thin elastic metal, as brass or steel, divided by long slits y at its free end, or it may be formed of wires arranged lengthwise, forming a skeleton holder or frame having a normal tapered shape, but easily expanded by inter nal pressure.

When the receptacle 32 has been brought to register with the plunger 35, the latter, arranged to reciprocate in suitable ways on the table by its connection through lever 45 with cam 46 on shaft U, is advanced to push the packed cigarettes from between the dies into the holder Y, over which a bag-shaped wrapperX has been placed, and as the plunger advances the cigarettes are forced against the closed and sealed end of the wrapper to remove the package from the holder and push it onto a bed 47, where its open end is folded and sealed, the package being preferably held in position by spring-actuated piece 48, as shown in Figs. 30 and 31, which is connected by lever 49 with cam 50 on shaft B.

The devices for folding and sealing the open ends of the packages are substantially the same in their construction and operation as those heretofore described and shown in Figs. 7, S, 9, 10, and 11 of the drawings for folding and sealing one end of the Wrappers, and they are designated by the same letters and will not be further described.

After a package has been completed by folding and sealing its open end it remains on the bed 47 till the advance of the next package pushes it into the channel 51, along which it is advanced step by step by the pusher 52, which is operated by cam 53 on shaft B through connecting-lever 50 and acts directly upon each package as it is delivered to the channel to push it and the preceding packages forward.

It is believed that the operation of the machine as a whole will be readily understood from the full description hereinbefore given of the construction and operation of its several parts. Of course it is evident that the various operative parts are so timed by reason of their construction and connection with the driving mechanism that they will act to perform their required work in proper succession and during the proper times, so as not to interfere with each other.

What is claimed as new is- 1. In a mechanism in which flexible sheets are conveyed from one position to another while unsupported throughout a portion of their length, the combination, substantially as set forth, of a concave channel or way. means for pressing the sheet upon the bed of the channel to give it a curvilinear shape in cross-section, and means for conveying the sheet.

2. In a wrapper-forming mechanism, the combination, substantially as set forth, of a reciprocating pusher, 'as F, a vertically-reciprocating mandrel, as G, a mold, as H, and a concave channel, as I, whereby a paper sheet, as it is conveyed over the channel by the pusher, is curved and stiffened for projection under the mandrel and over the mold.

3. In a wrapper-forming mechanism, the combination, substantially as set forth, of a stationary mold, a vertically-reciprocating mandrel, means for feeding wrapper-sheets between the raised mandrel and the stationary mold, means for raising and lowering the mandrel and clamping the sheet as the mandrel descends into the mold, devices for folding the opposite side edges of the sheet over the mandrel, devices for supplying one edge of the sheet with paste and devices for pressing the pasted edge down to form an overlapped seam.

4. The combination, substantially as set forth, of a side-folder and paste-reservoir,connected together, means for moving the same to fold over one edge of a Wrapper-sheet and devices for bringing the opposite edge of the sheet in contact with the pastereservoir to supply it with paste and then to press it down to form an overlapped seam.

5. The combination, substantially as set forth, of a united reciprocating side-wrapper folder and a paste-reservoir, the latter being provided with perforations in its front face, a piston arranged to reciprocate in the reservoir, devices for limiting the movements of the piston, and means for bringing the opposite edge of the wrapper-sheet in contact with the front face of the combined paste-reservoir and wrapper-folder.

6. The combination, substantially as set forth, of the reservoir, 76, provided with per forations in its front, a piston, 75, a stop, an adjusting-screw, 766, and means for reciprocating the reservoir and piston.

7. In a wrapper-forming mechanism, the combination, substantially as set forth, of a reciprocating side-folder, as K, a paste-reservoir, as 75, mounted on the folder and provided with perforations in its front and means for delivering paste therefrom, and an opposite reciprocating side-folder, as L, whereby the opposite side edges of paper sheets are folded over and sealed in place.

8. In a mechanism for forming wrappers, the combination, substantially as set forth, of a mandrel and side end-folders, each provided IIS with two folding-surfaces, one in advance of the other, and arranged to reciprocate on opposite sides of a wrapper-sheet folded around the mandrel and each operating to make two folds or laps at each forward movement.

9. An end-folder for forming side laps or folds of a wrapper, provided with two foldingfaces arranged in different planes, whereby, when moved into contact with the end of the wrapper, two folds or laps will be formed at one advance movement of the folder, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

10. An end-wrapper folder, as M, provided with two folding-faces, as m and m the former arranged in advance of the latter and inclined in an opposite direction thereto, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

11. An end-wrapper folder, as M, provided with two folding-faces, as m m arranged in different planes and also provided with rounded inside surfaces or corners.

12. The combination, substantially as set forth, of a vertically-reciprocating paste-reservoir, as n, a roller, as N, attached to the reservoir and operating to fold down the top lap of a wrapper and apply paste thereto, and a vertically-reciprocating folder, as 0, constructed and arranged to move upward with the roller N to fold up the bottom lap and seal it in place.

13. In a cigarette-packing mechanism, the combination, substantially as set forth, of a hopper, a series of narrow compartments arranged beneath the hopper, devices for moving the compartment-partitions to increase or decrease the Width of the compartment-s, devices for exposing a limited number of cigarettes in the compartments and devices for expelling such limited number from the compartments.

14. In a cigarette-packing mechanism, the combination, substantially as set forth, of a hopper, devices for limiting the discharge of cigarettes therefrom, a series of narrow compartments located below the hopper, devices for giving a shaking movement to the compartments to facilitate the introduction of the cigarettes and means for expelling a predetermined number of cigarettes from the compartments.

15. The combination, in a hopper of a cigarette packing mechanism, of a movable piece, as 2, elastically attached to the wall of the hopper and arranged to press against the ends of the cigarettes and means for momentarily moving the piece away from the cigarettes to permit them to fall, substantially as set forth.

16. The combination, substantially as set forth, in a cigarette-packing mechanism, of a series of compartments having movable partitions with projecting bottom pieces, as 8 and 9, a frame on which the compartments are mounted, stepped or notched pieces, as 12, a stepped or notched pusher, as 13, to take against the central portion of the bottom pieces of the partitions and move them apart,

a pusher, as 14,'to move the partitions together, and means for operating the pushers.

17. The combination, substantially as set forth, in a cigarette-packing mechanism, of a series of compartments with movable partitions, devices for moving the partitions apart and locking them in that position, devices for giving a shaking movement to the compartments, devices for unlocking the partitions and devices for moving them nearer together, whereby the cigarettes will be readily introduced into the compartments and be brought closely together.

18. The combination, substantially as set forth, in a cigarette-packing mechanism, of a series of compartments, a casing arranged to cover the ends of the compartments and provided with removable pieces, as 27, arranged in the opposite sides of the casing each provided with an opening or aperture to expose a limited number of cigarettes.

19. The combination of a sliding bar, as 15, means for operating the same, a cam-shaped projection, as 22, on the bar, a catch, as 20, and a pin, as 21, on the catch, substantially as set forth, for the purpose of operating the pushers, 13 and 14, and locking and unlocking the partitions of the compartments.

20. The combination, substantially as set forth, in a cigarette-packing mechanism, of a receptacle, as 32, provided with a wrapperholder, as Y, packing-dies arranged in the receptacle, means for delivering a number of cigarettes for a package in the receptacle and between the dies, means for operating the dies to pack the cigarettes together and bring them to register with the wrapper and means for forcing the cigarettes into the wrapper.

21. The combination, substantially as set forth, in a cigarette-packing mechanism, of a series of compartments, means for feeding cigarettes thereto, means for removing therefrom a predetermined number of cigarettes, a movable receptacle, as 32, packing-dies, as 33, a wrapper-holder, as Y, a plunger, as 35, and means for moving the receptacle and holder to register with the plunger.

22. The combination, substantially as set forth, in a cigarette-packing mechanism, of a packing-receptacle, as 32, means for delivering thereto the desired number of cigarettes for a package, a wrapper-holder, dies operat ing to pack the cigarettes and bring them to register with the holder, a plunger operating to force the cigarettes into the wrapper and remove the filled wrapper from the holder.

23. A tapered expansible holder, as Y, for bag-shaped cigarette-wrappers, whereby the wrapper can be readily slipped onto the holder and when the cigarettes are forced into the holder it. will readily expand to fill the wrapper.

New York, N. Y., July 27, 1897.

MARCOS DEL CASTILLO. Witnesses:

ANTONIO ALTAMIRA, E. O. WATSON.