US3307559A - Method and apparatus for treating cigar fillers - Google Patents

Description

w. PALLACH 3,307,559 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING CIGAR FILLERS March 7, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 20, 1964 SOURCE OF LIQUID HEAT EXCHANEER conmzsson SUE T ION 6E NE RA TOR In vemar Wa/fer PM/at/r 19/19 Af/arvey March 7, 1967 W- FALLACH METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING CIGAR FILLERS Filed 00x20, 1964 4 Sheets-Shae 2 jm emor Wa/ferPa/lac/r 1 (villa March7, 1967 WPALLACH 3,307,559

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING CIGAR FILLERS Filed Oct. 20, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 3- Inventm M/a/fer Pal/00h his Afforne y METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING CIGAR FILLERS Filed Oct. 20, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig. 6

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United States Patent C METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING CIGAR FILLERS Walter Pallach, Hamhurg-Bergedorf, Germany, assrgnor to Hauni-Werke Korber dc Co. KG, Hamburg-Bergedorf, Germany Filed Oct. 20, 1964, Ser. No. 405,046

Claims priority, application Germany, Nov. 7, 1963,

21 Claims. (Cl. 131-20) The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for treating cigar fillers. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for treating the heads or tips of raw cigar fillers or bunches preparatory to a molding or shaping operation'during which the tips of raw fillers are rounded or similarly deformed to decrease in diameter toward the respective ends thereof. Still more particularly, the invention relates to improvements in a method and apparatus for wetting or moistening the tips of raw cigar fillers immediately after the tips are drilled or punctured to remove surplus tobacco.

In the production of cigars, one or both tips of a raw cigar filler are preferably drilled to remove surplus tobacco, and the thus drilled tips are then molded to form rounded or conical mouthpieces. Such surplus tobacco is removed for the purpose of insuring that the density of the mouthpiece does not exceed the density of the remainder of the filler because a comparatively hard mouthpiece would hinder the smoker in drawing smoke into his mouth and would cause difficulty in cutting or biting off a portion of the tip. As disclosed, for example, in Patent No. 3,205,899 to Hans-Peter Ackermann, the tips of raw cigar fillers may be drilledby rotary milling tools to provide the tips with conical recesses, and the material surrounding the recesses is thereupon compressed inwardly to form a rounded or conical mouthpiece. It was found that the milling or drilling operation can be carried out with greateraccura-cy and with greater ease if the tip of a filler contains very little moisture. However, the molding or compressing step is preferably carried out when the drilled or recessed tip contains a much higher percentage of moisture. Therefore, it is customary to wet or moisten the tips of cigar fillers subsequent to drilling and prior to the molding step.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide an improved method of rapidly wetting or moistening the tip of a freshly drilled raw cigar filler.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which may be used for carrying out the above outlined method and to construct the apparatus in such a way that the tip of a freshly drilled cigar filler need not change its position while it undergoes a wetting or moistening treatment. I

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel wetting device which may be used in an apparatus of the above outlined characteristics.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a combined drilling and moistening apparatus for cigar fillers and to construct the apparatus in such a way that it may be used in connection with cigar fillers of unit length or multiple unit length.

A concomitant object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for automatically wetting or moistening the tips of cigar fillers at the same rate at which the tips are being drilled in a modern high-speed cigar filler machine, and to provide the apparatus with means which insure predictable and rapid distribution of moisture in the mass of tobacco which forms the drilled tip.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method of simultaneously moistening both ends of cigar fillers of unit length or multiple unit length.

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A further object of the invention is to provide a method of the above outlined characteristics which may be resorted to in mass production of cigar fillers and according to which the liquid is distributed only in selected portions of a filler.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a method of wetting the tips of raw cigar fillers according to which each of a series of consecutively treated tips is moistened in exactly the same way as the preceding tips.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a very simple method of accurately distributing predetermined quantities of water or another suitable wetting liquid in drilled or recessed tips of cigars and similar rodshaped tobacco containing products.

Briefly stated, one basic feature of my invention resides in the provision of a method of moistening recessed tips of raw cigar fillers which comprises the step of contac.t ing the material of the tips with a pressurized liquid, for example, with a measured quantity of water. In accordance with a more specific feature of my invention, the moistening operation may be carried out by subjecting a body of liquid to pressure, subdividing the thus pressurized liquid into a plurality of individual streams, and directing the streams against the tip of a cigar filler.

In order to insure more rapid wetting with pressurized liquid, the liquid may be heated prior to or while subjected to pressure and is thereupon forced against the tip. Alternatively, the method may be carried out in such a way that a measured quantity of pressurized liquid is forced against a preheated tip or that the tip is preheated to be thereupon wetted with a measured quantity of preheated pressurized liquid.

The moistening step is preferably carried out while the recessed tip of the cigar filler is confined by extending through the open end of and into the interior of a liquidpermeable tubular receptacle in the form of a longitudinally reciprocabie sleeve. This sleeve is provided with at least one annulus of radial perforations and is surrounded by a housing defining an annular chamber which accommodates a measured quantity of liquid. The housing is connected with an air compressor or a similar pressure generator which forces the liquid from the chamber and through the perforations of the sleeve whereby the thus pressurized streamlets of liquid permeate the material of a tip which is received in the sleeve. The sleeve prevents undesirable deformation of the tip during drilling, during evacuation of surplus tobacco, and particularly during moistening. The annulus of radial perforations insures that the liquid is directed against the tip from many sides. Such tip is then ready for the molding operation which may be carried out in a conventional manner.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The improved appartus itself, however, both as to its construction and its mode of operation, together with additional features and advantages thereof, will be best understood upon perusal of the following detailed description of certain specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a section through a moistening apparatus which embodies one form of my invention, the apparatus being shown in starting position when its sleeve is ready to be shifted toward the adjacent tip of a raw cigar filler;

FIG. 2 is a similar section and illustrates the apparatus in an intermediate position when the tip of the cigar filler extends into and is being milled by the drilling device;

FIG. 3 illustrates the apparatus in a further position when the milling step is completed and the recessed tip of the cigar filler is ready to be wetted with a measured quantity of pressurized liquid;

FIG. 4 illustrates the apparatus of FIG. 1 in the position its parts assume during application of pressurized liquid against the material of the recessed tip;

FIG. illustrates a further stage in the operation of the apparatus of FIG. 1, the drill being shown in nearly fully retracted position and the sleeve being about to begin a return stroke back to the position of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic fragmentary front elevational View of a cigar filler machine which comprises two moistening apparatus of the type shown in FIG. 1 and a conveyor which advances raw cigar fillers past the two moistening apparatus; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary axial section through a modified sleeve which is provided with an electric heating device to preheat the tips of cigar fillers.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a machine for treating cigar bunches or fillers which comprises an elongated tubular receptacle in the form of a metallic sleeve having an outwardly diverging open end 3 adapted to permit insertion of the tip 1a forming part of a raw cigar filler 1. The internal diameter of the sleeve 2 is such that the tip 1a substantially seals the open end 3. In FIG. 1, the cigar filler 1 registers with the sleeve 2 so that the tip 1a may extend through the open end 3 in response to axial movement of the filler.

The sleeve 2 is provided with an annulus of radially extending perforations 4 which are preferably equidistant from each other and are located at such a distance from the open end 3 that their inner ends are automatically sealed when the tip in extends into the right-hand portion of the sleeve. This right-hand portion of the sleeve is surrounded by an annular liquid-receiving chamber 5a which is filled with a mass 5 of liquid-absorbent material, for example, a body of sponge rubber. The chamber 5a is defined by a composite housing including a-cupped portion 51) and a cover or lid 50. The cover 50 has a circular opening which registers with the open end 3. The interior of the cupped housing portion 5b accommodates a plate-like partition 5d which is formed with apertures 10, 11 communicating with the chamber 5a and with an annular compartment which is adjacent to the bottom wall of the cupped portion 5b.

The chamber 5a communicates with the discharge nipple 6a of a flexible supply conduit 6 which is provided with a suitable shutoff valve 8 and leads to a source 6b of water or another liquid used to moisten the tip 1a. In order to enhance the moistening action, the conduit 6 is caused to pass through a suitable heat exchanger 60 of any known design so that the liquid which is admitted into the chamber 5a and absorbed by the spongy material 5 will be preheated to desired temperature. The nipple 6a accommodates a one-way valve 7 which prevents return fiow of liquid from the chamber 5a in response to a rise in pressure which prevails in this chamber. In the illustrated embodiment, the one-way valve 7 comprises a ball which may be moved against an annular seat 7a provided in a valve block 6d which is integral with the nipple 6a. The nipple 6a is screwed or otherwise fixed in a radial bore of the cupped housing portion 51). This cupped portion 5b has another radial bore which receives the discharge end of a pressure conduit 12 containing a shutoff valve 13 and leading to an air compressor 12a or another suitable pressure generating device. It will be noted that the pressure conduit 12 communicates with the compartment 9 so that, when the valve 13 is open, the pressure prevailing in the compartment 9 is felt through the apertures 10, 11 and causes compression of the spongy material 5 (see the arrow 5') whereby liquid which was absorbed by the spongy material is subjected to pressure and is expelled through the perforations 4 to penetrate into the material of the tip 1a. The snugly fitted or confined tip 1a prevents escape of moisture through the open end 3 or toward the open left-hand end of the sleeve 2. Since the liquid is preheated in the heat exchanger 60, it will rapidly moisten the tip 1a so that the raw cigar filler 1 is then ready to be advanced to the molding station, not shown. It is assumed that the apparatus of FIG. 1 is reciprocable with reference to the filler 1, i.e., when the tip 111 is received in the sleeve 2, the cover 5c is moved to the broken-line position 50'.

The appartus of FIG. 1 further comprises a drilling or milling device including a spiral drill 14 whose shaft 14a is secured to a rotary chuck 15 driven by a motor 15a. The front end portion of the chuck 15 is rotatable in a tubular attachment 15b which is detachably secured to the left-hand portion of the sleeve 2 by one or more radial screws 150. The rear wall 15d of the attachment 15b is connected to the piston rod 15e of a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder (not shown) serving as a means for reciprocating the sleeve 2 with reference to the cigar filler 1. The cylinder is double-acting and will reciprocate the sleeve 2 in synchronism with the operation of the conveyor (not shown in FIG. 1) which is used to intermittently advance raw cigar fillers 1 past the moistening station of FIG. 1. The attachment 15b defines an internal space or suction chamber 16 which is connected to the intake end of a suction conduit 17 provided with a flap valve 18 and leading to a suction fan 17a or another suitable suction generating device. When the conical end portion of the drill 14 penetrates into the material of the tip 1a to remove surplus tobacco and to form the tip 1a. with a conical recess, the suction generator 17a withdraws such surplus tobacco through the conduit 17.

A very important function of the spongy material 5 is to insure that each tip 1a is wetted with a predetermined quantity of liquid. Excessive moistening of tips is undesirable for obvious reasons. introduced at elevated pressure, the possibility of excessive moistening is always present and the spongy material 5 constitutes a very simple safety device which insures that the chamber 5a will receive an accurately measured quantity of liquid before the valve 13 opens to allow entry of compressed air through the apertures 10, 11.

Referring now to FIG. 6,'a single file of raw cigar fillers 1 is advanced intermittently by a conveyor in the form of a drum 20 driven by a shaft 21 and having a plurality of equidistant axially parallel peripheral pockets or holders 22. The reference character A indicates an apparatus which corresponds to the one shown in FIG. 1, and the character B indicates a second apparatus which is mirror symmetrical to the appartus A. The two apparatus are operated in a predetermined sequence regulated by a control unit 23 whose exact construction forms no part of the present invention. When a cigar filler 1 moves to a position shown at the top of FIG; 6, its tips 1a, laa are respectively aligned with the sleeves 2 of the apparatus A and B whereupon the sleeves are moved toward each other to receive the corresponding tips. The sleeves are moved during the intervals between intermittent movements of the drum 20. The fillers 1 shown in FIG. 6 may be of unit length or double unit length, depending upon whether the ultimate product is to be provided with a mouthpiece at one or both of its ends. Thus, and assuming that the fillers 1 shown in FIG. 6 are of double unit length, they will be provided with two mouthpieces and are ultimately subdivided to yield pairs of cigars each having a mouthpiece at one end.

I will now describe the operation of the appartus A with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. The operation of the apparatus B is identical.

Referring to FIG. 1, the apparatus A is shown in starting position when the drum 20 has moved the tip 1a of the cigar filler 1 in registry with the sleeve 2. The piston rod 15c is retracted so that the cover 5c is spaced Since the liquid is from the tip 1a. The control unit 23 has opened the valve 8 so that the supply conduit 6 delivers preheated liquid through the valve block 6d and through the oneway valve 7 into the chamber 5a where the liquid is absorbed by the spongy mass 5. The mass 5 can absorb a predetermined quantity of liquid and presents uncontrolled escape of such liquid through the perforations 4 and/or through the apertures 10, 11. The flap valve 18 is open and the valve 13 in the pressure conduit 12 is closed. Since the flap valve 18 is open, the suction generator draws air entering through a vent 16a. provided in the attachment 15b. The motor 15a is in operation and rotates the drill 14.

In the next step, the sleeve 2, together with all of the parts which are attached thereto, begins to move in a direction to the right to take the position shown in FIG. 2. Such movement is eiTected by the piston rod 152. The drill 14 also moves in a direction to the right in response to expulsion of a second piston rod 15 whose cylinder is controlled by the unit 23 of FIG. 6. The forward movement of the drill 14 is terminated when the chuck 15 reaches the axial position shown in FIG. 3. As the drill 14 advances toward the raw cigar filler 1, its conical end portion penetrates into the tip 1a and provides it with a conical recess 1a indicated in FIG. 3. Surplus tobacco which is removed by the drill 14 is sucked up by the conduit 17.

In the next step, the piston rod 15 begins to withdraw the drill 14 in a direction to the left, see FIG. 4, and the control unit 23 opens the valve 13 to admit compressed air into the compartment 9. Such compressed air penetrates through the apertures 10, 11 and compresses the spongy material 5 (arrow 5 in FIG. 1) whereby the liquid forms a series of streams which flow through the perforations 4 and into contact with the material of the recessed tip 1a. As the pressure in the chamber 5a rises, the ball of the valve 7 moves against the seat 7a and prevents return flow of liquid through the supply conduit 6. As shown in FIG. 4, the flap valve 18 is moved to sealing position (18) as soon as the drilling or milling operation is completed so that the suction generator 17a cannot interfere with the operation of the compressor 12a.

Once the compressed air expels a measured quantity of liquid which flows through the perforations 4 and wets the material of the recessed tip 1a, the control unit 23 closes the valve 13 and causes the piston rod 15e to perform a return stroke so that the sleeve 2 begins to move from the position shown in FIG. 5 back to the position of FIG. 1. In FIG. 5, the drill 14 is nearly fully retracted. The return movement of the sleeve 2 begins only at the time when the valve 13 closes to make sure that the recessed tip 1a is held against uncontrolled deformation in response to pressure of compressed air entering the chamber 5a through the apertures 10, 11. The streams of preheated liquid rapidly moisten the recessed tip and condition the cigar filler for the next treatment, i.e., for the molding operation which follows at a station located past the apparatus A. As soon as the sleeve 2 returns to the position of FIG. 1, the control unit 23 opens the valves 8 and 18 to insure that the interior of the sleeve is maintained at a pressure which is lower than atmospheric pressure and that the spongy material 5 may absorb a measured quantity of liquid. The drum 20 is then rotated by a step to advance the tips 111, laa of the next filler 1 in registry with the apparatus A and B.

The valve 8 is invariably closed at the time the sleeve 2 is moved back to the position of FIG. 1 to make sure that the liquid cannot enter the interior of the sleeve before the latter accommodates a tip. This is important because a tip can be drilled with greater accuracy if it is dry, i.e., the drilling or milling step should be performed on a tip which contains a small percentage of moisture. In other words, the valve 8 is closed during Withdrawal of the sleeve and the valve 13 is open only' 6. during that phase of the operation when the sleeve aecommodates a recessed tip.

Referring finally to FIG. 7, there is shown a sleeve 102 having an outwardly diverging open end 103 and several annuli of equidistant radial perforations 104. This sleeve is heated by a heating coil 1060 which is led through a helical channel in the wall of the sleeve. The coil 106c is connected in circuit with a source of electrical energy, not shown. That portion of the sleeve 102 which is to receive the tip of a raw cigar filler is provided with annular fins 102a serving to heat the liquid which is accommodated in the chamber (not shown) surrounding the sleeve 102 and corresponding to the chamber 50 of FIG. 1. Thus, the heating means for the sleeve 102 simultaneously serves to preheat the liquid which is to be admitted through the perforations 104. In other words, the heating coil 106c will heat the sleeve 102 to directly heat the tip of a cigar filler, and the fins 102a will heat the liquid so that the preheated tip is wetted with preheated liquid to insure that the distribution of liquid in the material of the tip is completed very rapidly, i.e., the intervals between consecutive advances of the conveyor which moves the fillers past the moistening station will be very short.

Of course, the sleeve 102 may be used as a substitute for the sleeve 2 in FIG. 1. The fins 102a are then omitted because the liquid will be preheated by the heat exchanger 60.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features which fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic and specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A method of moistening the tips of cigar fillers, comprising the steps of drilling bores into the tips; confining the thus drilled tips; and directing against the thus confined tips a pressurized liquid while preventing contact between such liquid and the remainder of the respective fillers.

2. A method of rapidly moistening the tips of cigar fillers, comprising the steps of subjecting a body of liquid to pressure; subdividing the thus pressurized body intoa plurality of individual streams; drilling bores into the tips of cigar fillers; confining the th-us drilled tips; and directing the streams of pressurized liquid against the thus con-fined tips.

3. A method of moistening recessed tips of raw cigar fillers, comprising the steps of subjecting a body of liquid to pressure; dividing the thus pressurized body into a plurality of individual pressurized streams; confining a recessed tip; and directing the pressurized streams against the exterior of the thus confined tip. e

4. A method of moistening the tips of cigar fillers, comprising the steps of heating a body of liquid; subjecting the thus heated body of liquid to pressure; and moistening tips with the thus heated and pressurized liquid so as to simultaneously heat and wet said tips by said heated pressurized liquid.

-5. A method of moistening the tips of cigar fillers, comprising the steps of heating only the tip of a cigar filler; and wetting the thus heated tip with a pressurized liquid while said tip is in heated condition.

6. A method of moistening the tips of cigar fillers, comprising the steps of heating a body of liquid; heating the tip of a cigar filler; subjecting the liquid to pressure; and wetting the thus heated tip with the heated and pressurized liquid while said tip is in heated condition.

7. An apparatus for moistening the tips of cigar fillers,

comprising a tubular receptacle adapted to accommodate the tip of a cigar filler; a source of liquid; means for applying pressure to the liquid; and means for directing the thus pressurized liquid at unchanging pressure against the tip while the tip is accommodated in said receptacle.

8. An apparatus for moistening the tips of cigar fillers, comprising a tubular receptacle having an open end to permit insertion of a tip therethrough, said receptacle further having a plurality of circumferentially distributed perforations disposed at such a distance from said open end that a tip extending into said receptacle is adjacent to the inner ends of said perforations; a housing surrounding said receptacle and defining an annular liquid-receiving chamber communicating with said' perforations; and means for applying pressure to the liquid in said chamber so that the thus pressurized liquid passes through said perforations and wets a tip which is received in said receptacle.

9. An apparatus for moistening the tips of raw cigar fillers, comprising a sleeve having an open end adapted to permit insertion of a tip so that the thus inserted tip is snugly received in said sleeve and substantially seals said open end thereof, said sleeve further having at least one annulus of perforations located at such a distance from said open end that the tip of a cigar filler which is inserted through said open end closes the inner ends of such perforations; a housing defining a liquid-receiving chamber surrounding a portion of said sleeve and communicating with said perforations; and a compressor operatively connected with said housing to apply pressure to the liquid in said chamber and to force such pressurized liquid through said perforations whereby the liquid forms a series of individual streams which wet a tip in said sleeve.

10. An apparatus for moistening the tips of raw cigar fillers, comprising a sleeve having an open end adapted to permit insertion of a tip so that the thus inserted tip is snugly received in said sleeve and substantially seals said open end thereof, said sleeve further having at least one annulus of perforations located at such a distance from said open end that the tip of a cigar filler which is inserted through said open end closes the inner ends of such perforations; a housing defining a chamber surrounding a portion of said sleeve and communicating with said perforations; a source of liquid; valved conduit means connecting said housing with said source for intermittently filling said chamber with liquid; and a compressor operatively connected with said housing to intermittently apply pressure to the liquid in said chamber and to force such pressurized liquid through said perforations whereby the liquid forms a series of individual streams which impringe against the material of a tip in said sleeve.

11. An apparatus for moistening the tips of raw cigar fillers, comprising a sleeve having an open end adapted to pemit insertion of a tip so that the thus inserted tip is snugly received in said sleeve and substantially seals said open end thereof, said sleeve further having a plurality of perforations located at such a distance from said open end that the tip of a cigar filler which is inserted through said open end closes the inner ends of such perforations; a housing defining a chamber surrounding a portion of said sleeve and communicating with said perforations; a mass of liquid-absorbent spongy material in said chamber; a source of liquid; conduit means connecting said source with said housing for admitting predetermined quantities of liquid into said chamber whereby the liquid is absorbed by said spongy material; and pressure generating means operatively connected with said housing for intermittently compressing said spongy material to expel the liquid at elevated pressure through said perforations and against the material of the tip in said sleeve.

12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 11, further comprising one-way valve means provided in said conduit means for preventing return flow of liquid in response to compression of said spongy material.

' 13. An apparatus for moistening the tips of raw cigar fillers, comprising a sleeve having an outwardly diverging open end adapted to permit insertion of a tip so that the thus inserted tip is snugly received in said sleeve and substantially seals said outwardly diverging open end thereof, said sleeve further having a plurality of perforations located at such a distance from said open end that the tip of a cigar filler which is inserted through said open end closes the inner ends of such perforations; a housing defining a chamber surrounding a portion of said sleeve and communicating with said perforations; a mass of liquid-absorbent spongy material in said chamber; a source of liquid; conduit means connecting said source with said housing for admitting predetermined quantities of liquid into said chamber whereby the liquid is absorbed by said spongy material; and pressure generating means operatively connected with said housing for intermittently compressing said spongy material to expel the liquid at elevated pressure th ough said perforations and against the material of the tip in said sleeve.

14. An apparatus for moistening the tips of cigar fillers comprising a longitudinally reciprocable permeable sleeve having an open end; means for reciprocating said sleeve so that said open end may receive the tip of a cigar filler which is aligned with said sleeve; a housing defining a liquid-receiving chamber surrounding said sleeve; and means for applying pressure to the liquid in said chamber so that the liquid penetrates through said sleeve and rapidly wets the tip of a cigar filler which extends through said open end.

15. An apparatus for treating the tips of cigar fillers, comprising a tubular receptacle having a first open end adapted to permit insertion of a tip therethrough and a second open end, said receptacle further having a plurality of circumferentially distributed perforations disposed at such a distance from said first open end that a tip extending into said receptacle is adjacent to the inner ends of such perforations; a housing surrounding said receptacle and defining a liquid-receiving chamber communicating with said perforations; a rotary drill normally extending into said second open end; means for reciprocating said drill with reference to said receptacle so that the drill removes surplus tobacco and forms a recess in the tip of a cigar filler which extends into said receptacle; and means for applying pressure to the liquid in said chamber to expel such liquid through said perforations and against the material of the recessed tip.

16. An apparatus as set forth in claim 15, further comprising means for reciprocating said receptacle with reference to said drill and conveyor means for intermittently advancing raw cigar fillers in registry with said receptacle so that the receptacle may be moved toward the momentarily aligned filler to receive the tip preparatory to drilling and subsquent moistening.

17. An apparatus as set forth in claim 16, further comprising control means for reciprocating said receptacle and said drill in a predetermined sequence and for applying pressure to the liquid in said chamber subsequent to completion of a drilling operation and while the recessed tip is still accommodated in said receptacle.

18. An apparatus as set forth in claim 16, further comprising a suction generator, conduit means connecting said suction generator with the second end of said receptacle, valve means for normally closing said conduit means, and control means for opening said valve means on penetration of said drill into the material of a tip which is received in said receptacle so that the material which is removed by the drill is evacuated through said conduit means.

19. A method of simultaneously treating both tips of a raw cigar filler, comprising the steps of simultaneously removing tobacco from both tips to form in such tips substantially conical recesses; confining the thus recessed tips; and thereupon simultaneously wetting the material liquid While the tips remain confined.

20. A method of simultaneously treating both tips of each of a series of intermittently advancing consecutive raw cigar fillers, comprising the steps of simultaneously drilling both tips of consecutive fillers to remove tobacco during the intervals between intermittent advances of the fillers; confining the thus drilled tips; and immediately wetting both freshly drilled tips with measured quantities of pressurized liquid While such tips remain confined.

21. A method of simultaneously treating both tips of raw cigar filler, comprising the steps of simultaneously removing tobacco from both tips to form in such tips substantially conical recesses; confining the thus treated tips; evacuating the thus removed tobacco by a current of suction air; heating a liquid to an elevated temperature; subjecting the thus heated liquid to pressure; and thereupon simultaneously Wetting the material of both tips with 10 measured quantities of the thus pressurized and heated liquid While said tips remain confined.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 217,990 7/1879 Clark 131133 239,780 4/1881 Hill et a1. 131133 X 2,104,293 1/ 1938 Caraballo et a1. 2,277,686 3/1942 Blount 131254 2,337,028 12/1943 Clausen 131138 3,205,899 9/1965 Ackermann 13179 X FOREIGN PATENTS 506,084 8/1930 Germany. 916,042 1/ 1963 Great Britain.

SAMUEL KOREN, Primary Examiner.

H. P. DEELEY, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A METHOD OF MOISTENING THE TIPS OF CIGAR FILLERS, COMPRISING THE STEPS OF DRILLING BORES INTO THE TIPS; CONFINING THE THUS DRILLED TIPS; AND DIRECTING AGAINST THE THUS CONFINED TIPS A PRESSURIZED LIQUID WHILE PREVENTING CONTACT BETWEEN SUCH LIQUID AND THE REMAINDER OF THE RESPECTIVE FILLERS.

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