US2378953A - Method of handling filler tobacco for cigar machines - Google Patents

Description

June 26, 1945. R. E. RUNDELL METHOD OF HANDLING FILLER TOBACCO FOR CIGAR MACHINES Filed Nov. 6, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet l RUPERT E.RUNDELL.

TTORNEY June' 26, 1945. RE. :RU N DELL 2,378,953

METHOD OF HANDLING FILLER'i'OBACCO FOR CIGAR MACHINES Filed Nov. 6, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR I I RUPERT E. RUN DELL June 26, 1945. 2,378,953.

METHOD OF HANDLING FILLER TOBACCO FOR CIGAR MACHINES R. E. RUNDELL Filed NQv. 6, 1943 4 E i i Q w N\ k m w NW ww w h m 99 w mfl {W} 1.n\-h\\\|\\\-\\\\Pnm|\P\. n n HG NFM INN IIIIMPIIIIFHII v Ewqww fin o JQN m %N RUPERT BRUNDELL I BWW ATTORNEY Patented June 26, 1945 l U ITED STATES 'PIATEN METHOD OF "2,378,953 r 1 HANDLING FILLER TOBACCO l T OFFICE .FOE CIGAR MACHINES Rupert E. Rundell, Rockville Centre, N. Y., assign- .or to International Cigar Machinery a corporation of New J ersey Company,

r Application November 6,1943,ScrialNo.509,1 59

zoclairns. o1.i31;149)

This invention relates to tobacco handling and preparation, and more particularly' to an im lowered to a predetermined point. After ,oonditioning the screens are removedto'a storage chamber where the strips are dumped indiscriminately into storage bins in pilesextending from the floor to the ceiling and kept in this condtion for several weeks. When the time comesto use the stored. tobacco, the piled up tobacco in the storage room is picked up by hand and placed on a table or belt for packing into cans to be transferred to the cigar making floor, It is evident that tobacco handled in this 'or any similar manner is subjected todirt and insanitary treatment, i

and may be broken up considerably. The tobacco reaches the, cigar maker, or machine in disorderly condition, and each leaf must be lifted from v the can and placed manually on a feed belt forbunch making purposes.

Processes of f the type described hereinabove have made automatic feedingof tobacco, such as longfiller, or mixtures of long and short filler, impracticable in the past because of the lack of a method which allows such handling of filler tobacco that uniform prearranged quantities can be made available for delivery to anfautomatic feed of a cigar machine. I

According to the present invention, cleaned,

stripped tobacco leaves or strips, leaf portions or broken up leaves may be laid automatically on screens or distributed thereon inlayers of desired thickness, width and length. so that from the outset there is a uniformity ofdistribution of tobacco which is carried over throughout theperformance of the process. Each screen with the requisite amount of tobacco laid orderly thereon may be stacked on a truck or other suitable conveying device, andspacers are utilized to separate one loaded screen fromanother so that air may pass through the screens, and in and around the tobacco to reduce the moisture content to the desired condition. 1 l

. Upon completion of conditioning the loaded screens are moved to a storage chamber or chainbers depending upon the quantity of: tobacco undergoing. preparation. The spacers are removed and the loaded screens are stacked one on top of another with each tobaccolayerstill undisturbed and in orderly formation thereon. Each layer of tobacco is separated only by the netting of a screernso that as apractical matter eachlayer may be considered to be in direct contactwith' the layer above and below during the storage or maturing period. This arrangement assuresvery satisfactory maturing or marriage of the tobacco, and also maintains it freefrom' dirt and foreign matter.

In the marrying process, a, term used in the trade, an attempt is'made to obtain uniformity throughout amass of tobacco being handled. The characteristics of tobacco vary greatly, for instance, some leaves are sweet, some bitter. The association of layers in the manner described makes possible an averaging of the characteristics toproduce uniformity. In this way a manufacturer can maintain substantial uniformity of a blend inproducing a particular brand of cigar, cigarillo or the like over a prolonged period of time.

The loaded screens remain undisturbedin the storage chamber from two t'othree weeks .or possibly longer.

riod, a plate or board of any suitable type is laid At the termination of that peupon the tobaccoof each screen. Each'assembly of plate, tobacco layer L, and screen is held firmly together and inverted and. the layer of tobacco is transferred undisturbed upon the plate. The screen is removed, returned for reuse and the transferred tobacco layer is supported on (the plate. This procedure is followed until a column of plates loaded with undisturbed layers of tobacco in substantially original orderly'condition and arrangement is formed, or until all the tobacco or a mass being prepared has beenhandled in alike manner. The net resultis that when a plurality of layer loaded plates is removed from, the storage chamber andtransferred to the cigar making floor, each layer has been subjected to a matur ing or marrying process by contact with adjacent layers during the storage period so thatin maturing, the chemical and physical processes involved during such storage "have caused the tobacco to become fmarried ortend to become uniformin aroma, taste and flavor. At the same time the tobacco has been continuously kept free,

fromany contamination because of dirt,mis-

upon a screen and readyfor automaticfecd to a.

provide an improved method of preparing and handling tobacco for automatic feeding to a cigar machine or other type of machine for manufacturing smoking articles.

It is a further object of my invention toprovide an improved method of forming layers at .fille tobacco suitable for manufacture into cig ars cigarillos or the like wherein each layer, from the time it is formed is maintained in undisturbed layer formation free of contamination or mishandling, and wherein the tobacco is allowedv to: mature in accordance with the requisites of filler tobacco as used inthe ciga-rrtrade.

It is a further objectgof my inventiorrto provid an improved method of handling cigar tobacco wherein stemmed" lea es'orwstripszare placed in orderly arrangement on screens. inlayers of uniform-Jthi'ckness; width. and length, moisture contntais. reduced to a predetermined point, the tobaccocstillciniorzderly layers stacked; oneon' the other is. matu'redffor a :period' oi time sufficient to allow marriage, orchemical and physical processes take effect during the storageper'iod to obtainv uniformity in. aroma, :fiaivor and; taste after which the layers are so handledas 'toall'ow the formation. of an assembly of layers tor automaticrieeding to cigar making instrumental-rues :It' is afurther Object of -myinvvention tosproyide an improved; method-of,- fornling. cigars, and. more especially ilong :filler cigars. in which, layers. of conditionedtobacco are prepared for automatic feeding'seriatim to a: cigarforming mechanism.

Itiis'a furtherrohiectjof my i-nventionto provide an, improved m thod of formingbl nded cigars and-m re esp cially'p eparingblends OfTIOD 'fi'Iz er or mixtures ofqlong, and short-filler or-shortfiller tobacco for automatic feeding to a cigar forming instrumentality.

My invention. also consists in the provision. of an wherein a succession of layers of tobacco are formed, conditioned.- and matured and during such treatment blending tobacco is distributed uniformlyon. each 'layer. 4

The invention is also characterized by the; provision of a-fnovel method-of blend-in -tobacco for formation into-smoking articles, such as cigars, by forming layers of filler; tobacco, and-distribi-iting in each layerin a zone bounded by at least one longitudinal edge, a limited quantity of blendin tobacco, so that each bunch-charge cut from; a layer will contain a substantially uniform quantity of blendin tobacco. v

The invention also consistsinthe formation of blended filler tobacco by making a layer of blended or -unblended filler tobacco or substantially uniform thickness and, regular width and thickness, and distributing a limited quantity of one or moresuperior blendingtobaccos in :a, zone bounded-by the major, axis ofthelayer and the long-itudinaledgeso that each bunch chargecut from: the layer of- ;blended; filler-tobacco wil-1- -contain a substantially uni-form- 'quantity of: the superior blending tobacco. located in a predetermined position with reference to "theismoking article ultimately produced.

The invention"also-consistsin the provisi'on'of a novel blended filler tobacco layer suitable in forming improved blended bunch charges wherein each charge has associated therewith a limited quantity of a superior blending tobacco at or near the end of the smoking article to be lighted.

My invention also consistsin the provision of a novel method for conditioning tobacco including the formation, of layers of tobacco wherein various types and sizes of tobacco forming the filler may be arrangedin layers of any desired width, thickness, length and arrangement and wherein the, layer formation and arrangementmaintained undisturbed during all subsequent handling, of tobacco from the time each layerisfo'rmed until delivered to a cigar machine,

during which time, one or more layers are subimproved method for blending tobacco 'jec'tedto a reduction in moisture content of the tobacco. and allowedto mature in orderly layer to layer contact for a time sufficient to allow naturalchei'nical and physical processes to take effect duringsuch storage: because of; the contact of: onelayer with anotherin order'to obtain uniformity in-thefinal product.. i

Myinvention also consists in-the provision of a novel method for conditioning tobacco including the formation-of layers of tobacco wherein various: types andsizes of tobacco forming-the filler may be arranged in. layer of; any desired, width, thickness length and; arrangement and where n thelayer formation. and; arrangement is maintained undisturbed during all subsequent handling oi? tobacco/from the time each layer is formed until delivered to a cigar machine, during wmcnume one or more layersare subjected to a reduction, in moisture content of the tobacco and allowed to. mature in. orderly layer to layer con..- tact for a time sufficient to. allow natural chemical Landphysical processes. tov take. effect during such storage, because of the contact of one layer With-another inorder to obtain; un'iformityin the finalqpisoduct, and, wherein each layer of tobacco isrfed autoomatieall-y into. a cigar or other smok suitable way-of. spr adin stemmedand clean d filler tobacco on screens and the stacking of the ame .on. trucks Figure 2 is a sectional side elevation of a suitable tobacco drying chamber illustrating the drying of-the filler tobacco while on the screens toreduce moisture-content; Figure .3. is a sectional. side elevation of a suitable tobacco storage chamber into which the stacked screens are deposited for a period: sufiicient. to allow maturing. or marriage of the stacked-contacting screen 'upported layers of er-tobacco; I- l Fli uredis an isometric viewillustrating a suitable-device for;- removal of an orderly and :undis. turbed layero-f. filler tobacco from a plate,'such as; a cardboard .onto'a .feed belt, and a device for cutting strips from the advancing end of the layer of tobacco on the feed belt and depositing the same ina channel or cross-feed of a cigar machine;

'Figure is a sectional end elevation of Figure 4 taken on line 5-5; and a Figure 6 is a sectional side elevation taken on line 6-6 ofFigure 5, illustrating an operating means of said device. l i "If desired, filler tobacco may be placed on screens by hand or any other suitable manner. According to a preferred form of my invention selected for purposes of illustration, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, stemmed and cleaned filler tobacco, such as leaves, may be spread in orderly fashion upon receiving surfaces such as screens Sor other suitable trays by means of a delivery device M of a filler stripping machine such as the type disclosed in my prior Patent No.

2,250,502, issued July 29; 1941.

Screens S preferably are made in the usual manner, and are provided with cord or other suitable netting of broad mesh, which acts as the tobacco receiving and supporting portion thereof. In the case of long filler, ormixtures of long and short filler in forming each layer L, the leaves or strips can be laid one on top of another across ascreen to any desired thickness, or strips can be laid with a plurality of leaves across each, transverse line, as shown in A in Figure 1, or a single stemmed leaf to a transverse line, as shown at P in Figure 4.

Obviously any desired tobacco arrangement as to width, length and thickness can be followed according to the requirements of a particular manufacturer in accordance with the size of stemmed leaf, or portion, and the amount of time considered desirable for drying. For convenience each layer L formed will besubstantially the same as to length, width and thickness. Each layer loaded screen S is placed on a screen or tray conveyor B and travelled beneath the delivery device M, referred to hereinabove. In order to effect rapid handling of the layer supporting screens S, a suitable conveyance, such asa truck, may be placed adjacent the end of the conveyor belt B and the screens S stacked thereon (as shown in Figure 1). Suitable frames or spacers C, which have dimension corresponding with the i frames of screens S, are placed between the frames of adjacent screens S in order to provide air spaces between each layer of leaves L on each screen S and assure passage of air through the screens andin and. around the tobacco thereon while in the drying or conditioning chamber D.

' The loaded screens S containing orderly, substantially uniform layers L of cleaned, stemmed tobacco and spacers C are stacked alternately one upon another on trucks T which can bewheeled through an entrance into a suitable drying chamber D (such as shown in Figure 2). The drying chamber D is provided with the customary inlets I for heated and dried air, and outlets O for fumes and moisture or wet air given off by the leaves as a result of the drying treatment. If it is desired to have a relativel large amount of tobacco undergoing treatment at theone time, it

v is preferred to place a plurality of loaded trucks .T in the drying chamber'D somewhat in the manner shown in Figure 2 so that after the tobacco closing the entrance andexit of the drying chainber. 1 Upon removal from the conditioning chamber D, the stacked screens S with theirconditioned tobacco layers L and screen separating spacers C are transferred into a storage chamber F which may beof the general type illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 3. This can consist of a room of the size necessary for the demands of any particular plant. If largequantities of tobacco are beinghandledit is preferred that this room be provided with an entrance 5 closed by any suitable type of door 6 and. an exit (not shown) through whichmatured tobacco may be removed anddelivered to the cigar making floor or departments when and as desired. In transferring the screen from the drying chamber D to the storage chamber F, the screens are taken off the trucks T and restacked. In restacking the spacers C are removed and the screens rearranged in such a manner that the filler tobacco constituting each layer L on a screen S remains undisturbed and in orderly fashion with the layers separated only by the netting of the screen. Since each screen is made up preferably of cord netting of broad'mesh,

such as described hereinabove, the arrangement is such that each layer of tobacco is substantially in direct contact with adjoining layers of tobacco forming a particular stack (as shown in Figure 3) except for the tobacco immediately adi be mixed with thetobacco on the screens. Preferably a large number of screens containing lay:

ers of tobacco will be stacked and stored in storage chamber F, and the screens will be so arranged that freshly conditioned tobacco can be placed in the storage chamber F at one end through entrance S Jand matured or married tobacco removed at the other end throughaisuitwell known in the art such that due to the close contact between each layer of tobacco, natural chemical and physical processes take efiect in and about and upon the tobacco with the result that substantially all the tobacco tends to take on a characteristic of uniformity insofar as aroma, flavor and taste are concerned. This has been recognized as a-particularly desirable condition from. the point of view of smoking articles such as cigars, because of the fact that tobacco varies considerably. While some leaves may have the ci ars, opiate or board, either rigid or flexible of any suitable material, such as heavy cardboard or wood, is taken from. a stack. in aiholder Rimmed upon a layer f leaves on the top screen 3. as at E in Figure 3. .The assembly of ateE, layer L and screen Sis lifted manua ly, held firmly t gether and inverted whereupon the layer of tobacco is transferred in undisturbed and orderly condition onto plate E. The screen S, is removed therefrom leaving the layerof tobacco L resting on the plate E. Screens S are returned to the layer formers for reuse. The plates or boards; E, each of whichnow supports an undisturbed layer of tobacco, preferably are formed into stacks of convenient height, placed on v a truck or other suitable conveyance (not shown) and transferred through the exit of chamber F to the cigar making floor where they' are delivered to the machines. Tobacco maybe fed manually from each plate, or if desired, one or more plates can be loaded into a suitable feeding device or magazine attached to a cigar machine. These magazines are equipped with means for stripping or dropping each layer of tobacco L from its plate support or board in substantially undisturbed and original orderly condition onto a feed conveyor which is operated in timed relation with the main feed of a cigar machine. i y I Asillustrated in Figures 4, 5 and 6, a suitable magazine-for holding a plate E and means for striping the layer of tobacco leaves L therefrom onto a feed belt (Ill may'consistof a slide I2 which Slide t2 preferably is constituted as a frame equipped with a pair of outwardly projecting side flanges l4 slidably supported by spaced L-shaped guide members It conveniently attached to the main frameof. a cigar machine (not shown). A To the lower portion of each guide member 16 is mounted a support bar i 8,. eachof which supports one side of the layer loaded board E'when placed in slide l2, while: the front edge of the board rests on a transverse plate 20 carried by slide [2. a ,Guide members l6 carry spacedshafts 22 and 23, shaft 22 mounting a pair of cable drums 24, and shaft 23 supporting idler pulleys 26. Around eachdrum 24 ,is wound an endless cable 28 looped about its respective idler pulley 26 with the lower lap thereof attached by means of a suitable fastener30 (Figure 5) to a corresponding side flange 14.0fslide I2. Thus by turning a hand crank 32 secured to drum shaft 22 the slide l2'can be moved back andforth in the. guide channel formed by members l6. Members 16 also have secured thereto adjacent drums:26,-a scraper plate 34 active in stripping the-layer of tobacco -leaves L from the board E as the latter is advanced with slide [2 the direction of arrow K by means of crank handleJ32 in the direction of the arrow "Y (Figure 4). 'A'pair of suitable lugs 36 fixed to the inner sides of slide l2 imparts forward motion of v the slide to board E so that it-moves on support-,

he board is shown in Fi ure. 5.. slide l2 reaches its most advanced; position, as indicated dotted l n s inFi ure ,1JhE.:IlQ 'QmDtYbQBJ-' pass s beyondthe ends of supp r n b rs l8 and drops by gravity upon a suitable chute 40, theend of which may be formed int a h pp r 42. constructed and arranged to receive one or mQle. empty boards which are stacked automatiflhlly as delivered down the chute 40. Aboard retain: ing door 44 normally held closed by means oi a latch 45, engaging a lug 4-1 on door 44 'may be opened in any suitable manner as manually, and a stackof emptyboards 'E can be transferred to a truck positioned to receive them. The stack, of boards is-then brought back to the storage cha ns ber F for further use-in the, manner described hereinabove; After each empty board has dropped out of slide I2, the latter is returned to board receiving position in the magazine I :by means of handle crank .32, and is then ready :to receive a new board containing a layer of conditioned and matured tobacco. r r

Feed-belt I 0 (Figures 4 and 5) maybe actuated automatically or manually. In the illustrated embodiment, belt l0 runs. over a manuallydriven roller 46 and an idler roller 48 mountedon ashaft 50 supported by suitable hearings in the cigar machine frame (not shown). The-drivingroller 46 may be mounted on a shaft 52 also mounted in suitable bearings (not shown); By turning the hand crank 54 fixed to shaftliz at the desired time, belt 1-0 is advanced to feed a tobacco layer L resting on the-belt at rightangles to the longitudinalaxis of the tobacco leaves 0n:the beltruntil a strip of the layer projects over the edge :of a suitable bridge 56, adjacent the cross feed of -the cigar machine which may be of the samegeneral type as disclosed in Bronander patent, No. 1,740,- 571, issued December 24, 1929. When a strip of tobacco of a length sufiicient to form a bunch charge has .been advanced beyond the limits of bridge '56 above the cross feed belt 60, a suitable knife 58, such as a hand cutter 58 is operated to cut: the protruding strip of tobacco layer which drops onto cross feed beltEil.

" In the embodiment selected for purposes of illustration, belt 6:0- runs over an idler roller 62 i advanced by'belt I0, serves the purpose of deter a mining-the amountof layer Lto be advanced per machine'cycle and limits the movement of the projecting'edge of the tobacco layers L when adva'nced by feed belt H]. Plate 10' constitutes a part of the guide channel formed together with the cross feed belt, and the bridge 56, the latter also serving as a ledge plate for cutter'58.

As mentioned hereinabove, the strip H of tobacco cut from the layer on feed belt I 0 drops upon the cross feed belt 60 whereupon the latter is'advanced a certain distance in the direction of thearrow N (shown in Figure 4), after which belt I-il is again advanced and another strip H cut from the layer L. It is preferred to so control the operation of conveyors I 0 and "fill'that each strip H drops onto the cross feed belt 60 and partly onto the strip of tobacco previously severed fromthe layer L.- By repeating this process a plurality of strips H are cut from the feed belt, allowed to overlap each othenandform a series of shingled'or overlapped lengthsoffiller tobacco with .the result that each charge cut cutter 12, the Havana retains substantiallyuits original position in the tuck forming endof the from the stream of shingled lengths H by corrugated cutter 12 will have a mixture of the tip of the tobacco leaves and other portions thereof. Provisions can be made to blend various types of tobacco in a layer Z prior to loading the magazine. In practice each layer of filler tobacco may consist of one or more types of tobacco so that each layer can be termed a, layer of blended tobacco. For example, two or more types of Pennsylvania tobacco may be used. It is customary in the trade to add some kind of blending tobacco after the maturing step so that an added flavor may be present in the smoking article ultimately produced. Such tobacco may be Havana, or Porto Rico or possibly some other variety havillgkllOWll characteristics and in a quantity considered desirable by a manufacturer in maintaining the standards of any particular brand. The point at which the blend is made can be determined by a manufacturer according to his own requirements. As shown in Figure 4, desired quantities of Havana or any other type of special blending tobacco can be associated with the main bulkof filler tobacco, as by laying upon or distributing the Havana upon the layer L, preferably at or near that portion which will. finally form the tuck or lighted end of a cigar. Each length H-cut from layer L and depositedupon belt 60, will have its portion of blending tobacco properly located in the stream of tobacco moving through the cross feed to the charge cutter. Obviously more or less blending tobacco may be distributed in a layer. Also, blending tobacco can be distributed along part or the entire length of any layer and not limited to the zone illustrated in Figure 4.

Each charge of predetermined length is cut from thecontinuous stream of shingled tobacco lengths H by means of corrugated cutter 62 as abovementioned. A charge G is then lowered by a suitable platform '14 and then pushed onto a suitable feeding table 16 or mechanism bymeans of a plunger 18. The manner in which blending tobacco is distributed among layers of tobacco 1 will be controlled to some extent by the relative arrangement of the leaves, leafy end portions thereof or portions alone. In general, however,

it ispreferred to distribute blending tobacco such as Havana on each layer L either before its trans-- fer from its supporting screen to a board E or Blending can be done facturer. The principal purpose is to so distribute Havana blending tobacco as unifgrmly as possible that substantially uniform quantities of Havana will be present in each cigar bunch charge formed. It is preferred to distribute the Havana on (the Pennsylvania tobacco in such a way that in each charge formed from the stream H (Figuree) of overlapped cut-off portions on belt 60, the Havanawill be located at or adjacent the 1portion which becomes the tuck end of a cigar. As indicated in Figure 4 the location of charge advancing to the cigar making instrue mentalities.

The invention above described may be varied machine, the steps which include forming orderly layers of stemmed leaves with the tips thereof extending generally'in the same direction and each layer approximately the same in length,

width and thickness, stacking said layers to forma column, including separating each of said layers forming said column, drying said stacked and separated layers, establishing substantial 0011-, tact relationship between said stacked layers of leaves and storing the same to allow natural chemical and physical processes to take effect during such storage, establishinga second columnar and separated relationship between said layers whilemaintaining the order and arrangement of each leaf of a layer substantially undisturbed, and then removing each of said layers of said column individually from said column.

the Havana is such that each portion thereof is a spaced substantially equidistant along the stream ll-Ilarldafter chargeshave been cut therefrom by 2. The method of preparing and processing tobacco for use in an automatic feed of a cigar making instrumentality which comprises forming orderly layers of filler tobacco leaves, each layer being substantially the same in length, width and thickness, stacking said layers to form a column of layers including separating each layer forming said column, drying the filler tobacco in said column to remove excess moisture, bringing said layers of said column into substantially contacting relationship and storing said contacting stantially the original layer formation and arrangement during said drying and storing.

3.In a method of preparing and processing filler tobacco for use in an automatic feed of a cigar machine, the steps which include forming orderly layers of filler tobacco, said layers being substantially the same in length, width and thickness, removing excess moisture from said tobacco of said layers while maintaining said layerformation substantially undisturbed, superimposing a plurality of layers of filler tobacco tion of said layers substantially the same as when originally formed during suchstorage.

4. In a method of processing and preparing filler-tobacco for use in anautomatic feed of a i machine for making smoking articles, the steps which include forming orderly layers of filler tobacco substantially uniform in size. and thickness, superimposing a plurality oflayers with the topof one layer in substantially contacting rela-..

tionship with the bottom of another, storing said superimposed layers for a period of time sufficient to allow maturing and averaging of the characteristics ofsaid tobacco whereby to obtain substantial uniformity in taste, aroma and flavor,

and mai ntaining the layer formation substan tial ly unchanged during the entire handling ofsaid layers. A

5. The method of preparing tobacco for formation into smoking articles comprising stemming' tobacco leaves, forming layers of stemmed leaves substantially uniform in lengthand width, stacking a plurality of said layers to form a column, and separating each layer as formed into saidstack, drying said stacked layers of leaves to remove excess moisture, rearranging said layers of said column to establishsubstantial leaf contact betweenthetops andbottoms of said layers, storing said rearranged column of layers for a period oftime suflicient to mature said tobacco and average the characteristics thereof, whereby to producesubstantial uniformity of said tobacco, especially with respect to'taste, aroma and flavor, and then feeding each layer individually to-a machine-for making smoking articles.

6. The method of preparing tobacco which comprises stemming tobacco leaves, forming layers of stemmedleaves of substantially uniform length and width, stacking a plurality of layers to form a column, separating each layer of said column, drying said stacked and separated layers to re-' duce the moisture content of said tobacco, rearranging said layers of said column andbringing the same into substantial" leaf contact, storing said column of substantially contacting layers of tobacco for a period of time sufficient to allow desirable chemical and physical changes whereby toobtain substantial uniformity in said tobacco being prepared, especially as to taste, aroma'and" flavor, invertingeach layer after such storage and again establishingseparated relationship between said layersof said'column, andfeeding each layer still in substantially the sameai'rangement when first'formed automatically to-a machine for making smokingarticles;

'7. The method of preparing tobacco which comprises stemming tobacco leaves, forming lay: ers of-steinmed leaves of substantially uniform length and width, stacking a plurality of layers to form acolumn, separating each layero'fsaid column, drying saidstacked and separated layers to reduce the moisture content of said: tobacco,

- rear-ranging said layer'sofsaid column an'd brin ing the sameinto-substantial leaf'contact, storingsaid column of substantiallycontacting layersof tobacco for a period oftime sufficient to-allowdesirable chemical and physical changes whereby to obtain substantial uniformity in said tobacco being prepared, especially as to taste; aroma and flavor,- and again establishing separated relationship between said layers of sai'd column upon termination of such storage, and-feeding each layer still in substantially the same arrangement when first formed automatically to a machine'for making smoking articles.

8'. The method of preparing tobacco forformation into smoking: articles which comprises forming layersof filler tobaccoof substantially uniform length and. width, stacking a plurality of layers to form a column, separating said-layers ofsaidcolumn, reducing the moisture content of said tobacco in said layers, establishing substantially contacting relationship between said layers of: tobacco, storingzsaid substantially contacting layers of tobacco for a time sufiicient to allow-desirable chemical and physical changes to beeff'ected in: said tobacco. whereby to mature the same and. impart substantial uniformityin charactor to said. tobaccobeingtreated, inverting said. storedtobacco: layersindividuallywhile maintaining the order and arrangement of each layer substantiallyundisturbed, again establishing separated relationship between said layers: as they are inverted, and reforming said layers into a columnar arrangement, and feeding each layer independently and successively for formation into smoking articles.

9. The method of preparing tobacco for formation into smoking articles which comprises disposing stemmed tobacco leaves'in orderly arrangement on foraminous leaf receiving members;

to formlayers of stemmed leavesof substantially uniform width and length, associating a plurality.- of said members containing layers of. stemmed; leaves in a vertical'columnar arrangement, separating each of said layers in said arrangement:

to allow passage of air relative-to said members" and layers, drying said layers to reduce the.moi's-- ture content, rearranging said members to allow the foraminous member supporting one layer to restupon the top of the layer therebeneath, star-1 ing said rearranged members to permit. permeation of the tobacco constituting each layer, placing a board member on top of each of said layers, inverting said layers with said board memberandi removing each foraminous member to leave each inverted layer disposed on said board member.

10. The method of preparing tobacco-for formation into smoking articles which comprises disposing filler tobacco in orderly layers arrangement on filler supporting screens, said 121378131367:

ing substantially uniform in length and width,

drying each layer to remove excess. moisture therefrom, arranging said screens in columnar formation with the tobacco on one screen substantially in engagement With the tobacco on all-1 other, maturing said tobacco while thus arranged for a period of time sufficient to average the char a'cteristics of the entire quantity of tobacco forming said layers, and then stripping each layer of tobacco in substantially its original condition as to length, width and thickness from its supporting screen for feeding to mechanism for making smoking articles. I

11, Steps in the method of processing tobacco which comprise forming layers of tobaccoonfo- ,raminous surfaces wherein each layer is substantially uniform with respect to length and width,- stacking said layer loaded surfaces, drying and. maturing said stacked layers, placing a-layer sup porting member on top of each layer supported: on said surfaces, separately invertingeachof said surfaces together with said. tobacco layer thereon and said member removing each surface following said inversion, and forming a stackof. layers.

with said layer covered members. a Y

12. In a method of processing tobaccolforpre- 1 paring the same for use in an automaticffeedof.

' age in orderto' obtain a cigar machine, the steps whichinclude forming, orderly layers of stemmed filler tobaccoleavea, said layers being approximately. the sameinrectilinear, extent and thickness, .stacking'saidilayers'i to form a column, separating eachlayer of said column from the one directly below and above,

aroma and taste.

13. Steps in the methodof preparingcigar filler tobacco which compriseassociating a pluralitypfi screens, each screen having thereon a layer of tobacco leaves in columnar arrangement, each screen being separated from the next by a spacer, drying said layers to reduce the moisture content of the tobacco leaves, removing said spacers and reassembling said screens with said layers of tobacco thereon, with the bottom tobacco of one layer engaging the top-tobacco of next, and storing said reassembled screens for a period of time sufficient to mature the tobacco and establish substantial uniformity in aroma and taste.

14. The method of blending tobacco which comprises forming a layer of tobaccojof substantially quadrilateral form in plan, depositing blending tobacco in uniform quantities upon said layer along a line substantially parallel with the length of said layer to form a composite layer of blended tobacco, and then cutting bunch charges from said composite blended layer of filler tobacco, feeding said composite layer edgewise, and cutting measured lengths therefrom at substantial right angles relative to saidmajor axi to form bunch lengths, each of said lengths having superimposed thereon a predetermined quantity of blending tobacco. l x

16. The method of blending tobacco and forming bunch charges therefrom which comprises forming alayer of tobacco of substantially quadrilateral form in plan, said layer having a major axis and a minoraxis, depositing blending tobacco in substantially uniform quantities on said layer between the major axis and the longitudinal edge of said layer, thereby forming a, composite blended layer of filler tobacco, feeding said composite layer edgewise, cutting measured lengths therefrom at substantial right angles relative to said major axis to form bunch lengths, each of said lengths having superimposed thereon a predetermined quantity of blending tobacco, advancing each cut length at right angles to the major axis of said layer, depositing each layer as out upon the length last out to form a shingled stream of cut lengths, and severing from said stream a bunch charge of blended tobacco.

17. The method of blending tobacco and-form- ,ing bunch charges therefrom which comprises forming a layer of tobacco of substantially quadlength has been deposited thereon to form a shingled stream of lengths with each quantity of blending tobacco spaced substantially equidistantly therealong, and severing bunch charges from said stream forformation' into a smoking article having said blending tobacco positioned therein at the tuck or lighted end.

18. The method of preparing and blending to- [bacco for use in an automatic feed of a cigar machine which comprises, forming layers of tobacco of substantially regular linear dimensions and substantially uniform thickness, depositing blending tobacco in uniform quantities on said layer along a line substantially parallel with the length of said layer to constitute each layer a composite of blended tobacc superimposing a plurality of layers in spaced relation, removing moisture from said layers, rearranging said layers by bringing the same into substantially contacting relationship and storing said substantially contacting layers fora period of time sufiicientto average the characteristicsof the tobaccos forming said layers, maintaining the layer formation substantially undisturbed during the handling thereof, feeding each layer edgewise to a cigar makin machine,

and cutting measured lengths therefrom for formation into bunch charges. l

19. The method of preparingand blending to bacco for use in an automatic feed'of a cigarmak ing machine which comprises associating a plurality of screens, in columnar arrangement, each screen loadedwith a layer of blended tobacco, drying said layers of blended tobacco to reduce the moisture content thereof, rearranging said screens to bring said layers of blended tobacco into closely associated relationship, storing said rearranged columnfor a period of time sufficient rilateral form in plan, said layer having a major axis and a min-or axis, depositing blending to bacco in substantially uniform quantities on said layer between the major axis and the longitudinal edge of said layer, thereby forming a composite blended layer of filler tobacco, feeding said composite layer edgewise, cutting measured lengths, therefrom at substantial right angles relative to said major axis to form bunch lengths, each of said lengths having superimposed thereon a predetermined quantity of blending tobacco, advanc to mature said tobacco and establishsubstantial uniformity of aroma, taste and flavor, transferring each layer of blended tobacco to a supporting, surface while maintaining the layer formation substantially undisturbed, feeding each layer edgewise, and cutting lengths of blended tobacco from said layer for delivery to said machine.

20. The method of preparing and blending tobacco for use in an automatic feed of a cigar making machine which comprises associating a plurality of screens, in columnar arrangement, each screen loaded with a layer of blended tobacco, drying said layers of blended tobacco to reduce the moisture content thereof, rearranging said screens to bring said layers of blended tobacco into closely associated relationship, storing said rearranged column for a period of time sufficient to mature said tobacco and establish substantial uniformity of aroma, taste and flavor,

transferring each layer of blended tobacco to a supporting surface while maintaining the layer formation substantially undisturbed,distributing a superior type of blending tobacco on said layer on said surface along a line substantially parallel with the length of said layer, feeding each layer edgewise, and cutting lengths of blended tobacco from said layer for delivery to said machine.

21. Steps in the method of blending tobacco for use in an automatic feed of a cigar machine comprising forming layers of blended tobacco, said layers being substantially uniform in length and width, drying said layers to remov excess moisture, and storin said dried layers to mature the tobacco in said layers and produc uniformity as to taste, aroma and flavor, distributing a special blending tobacco on each of said layers along a. line paralleling the length of each layer to form a composite blended layer, feeding each the tobacco in said layers and produce ;u-ni-iorm-' ity as to taste, aroma and flavor, distributing special blending tobacco on each of said layers alonga line paralleling the length of each layer to form a composite blended layer, feeding each composite blended layer edgewise to a cutter, and cutting lengths of measured width from said layer with each length having superimposed thereon a limited quantity of said special blending tobacco. o

23. Steps in the method of forming blended cigars which consist in depositing upon a layer of treated filler tobacco, said layer being of substantially quadrilateral forin in plan, a suitable quantity of a special blending tobacco, cutting measured lengths from said layer, each length having thereon a small quantity of said special blending tobacco, forming a slung-led streamof overlapped cut lengths with the special blending tobacco spaced uniformly therealong, cutting bunch lengths from said stream, and forming bunch charges from said bunch lengths wherein each charge contains said special blending to- 1 bacco in a predetermined position relative to the tuck or lighted end of the ultimate product.

24. Steps in the method of forming blended cigars which comprise distributing upon a layer of prepared filler tobacco a substantially uniform quantity of a special blending tobacco, said blending tobacco beingplacedon said layer along a line substantially parallel with the length of the layer and between the limits of the width of said layer,

cutting measured lengths from said layer at right angles to the longitudinal axis thereof, witheach of said, lengths having a small quantity of said special blending tobacco positioned betweenits ends, and forming a stream of overlapped lengths with the quantities of special'blending,

tobacco spaced substantially lequidistantly therealong. 1

r 25. A composite layer of filler tobacco-suitable for forming a plurality of measured lengths for layer contains a substantially uniform quantity of said blending tobacco located at a predeter minedposltion thereon. 26. The method of making cigarbunch charges which comprises forming a layer of filler tobacco of substantially quadrilateral form in plan with the major axes of each piece of filler tobacco extending generally at right angle to the major axis of said layer, feeding said'layer edgewise, cutting measured lengths from the advancing edge of said layer substantially ,at right angles to the major axis of saidlayer, displacing each length as'cut in a direction substantially at right angles to the path of movement of said layer, depositing each length as cut upon the displaced length last out to form a stream of shingled cut lengths, and severing bunch charge lengths from the-advancing end of said stream of shing'lcd lengths. l

- RUPERT E. RUN ELL.

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