Gulf & Western Corporation

Consolidated Cigar Corporation

Frederick D Godfrey, Jr

Robert I Sinclair

John J Fedro

D Bernard Higgins

A device for supplying a succession of die cut tobacco blanks with a given profile to a web of a coiled type, storage bobbin. This device comprises a set of die cut stations each including a cutting die blade with an upstanding cutting edge matching the profile of the proposed blank and vacuum means surrounding the edge of the blade for capturing a tobacco sheet material on the stations in a position overlying the cutting edge. The stations are moved along an endless, preselected cutting path which intersects a cutting means at a first position in the path of movement of the stations so that a tobacco leaf can be cut from a manually placed tobacco sheet captured on the movable station. After passing the cutting means, which includes two rolls generally fixed in the direction of movement of the station, the station continues in the same endless path to a transfer position at which position the cut profile is released from the cutting station and is transferred to an awaiting web of a coiled type storage bobbin.

Apparatus and method of producing a succession of die cut tobacco blanks

Method and apparatus are provided for manufacturing a filtered large cigar which includes the steps of simultaneously introducing onto the rolling table of a cigar rolling machine preformed cigar filters and a charge of tobacco filler material for spiral wrapping within a sheet of cigar binder material which has simultaneously been introduced onto the rolling table. A reinforcement strip including layers of reinforcing tape and a nonflammable foil is also introduced onto the rolling table. In this manner, during the subsequent rolling operation, the reinforcement strip becomes circumferentially wrapped about and bonded to the binder over the interface between the filter and filter material. Depending on the relative placement on the table of the reinforcement strip and binder, the reinforcement strip will be positioned either over or under the binder. Upon completion of the rolling operation, first transport means are provided for transporting the rolled bunch to locator means for tightly locating the filter against the filler charge where second transport means pick up and transport the located bunch to crimping means where the bunch is crimped. Third transport means then pick up and transport the crimped and located bunch to conventional wrapping means where it is wrapped in either a natural leaf or a manufactured cigar wrapper.

Method and apparatus for manufacturing filter cigar

This invention provides coated tobacco product having a hydrophobic coating on at least one surface thereof, the coating comprising a cellulose propionate having an acetyl content of less than about 6% by weight, a hydroxyl content of at least 1.5% by weight, and a content of acyl groups of more than about 3 carbon atoms of less than about 10% by weight. The coating preferably comprises a mixture of the aforesaid cellulose propionate with a glyceride having the general formula: ##STR1## wherein preferably one of the R groups is a group selected from the group consisting of acetyl and propionyl, at least another R residue group represents an acyl containing at least about 12 carbon atoms, any remaining R group is hydrogen. The coating composition is applied, e.g. to a reconstituted tobacco product, as a clear solution in a volatile solvent. The volatile solvents which are suitable include alcohol-water mixtures, esters, and anhydrous alcohol-ester mixtures. If desired, a cross-linking agent may be present to increase the water-resistance of the resulting hydrophobic film.

Hydrophobic coating for tobacco sheet material

Methods and apparatus are taught for decorating sheet material such as, for example, cigar wrappers. The apparatus includes feeder means for drawing the sheet material toward and around a center cylinder; decorating means for imparting a predetermined pattern on the sheet material; coloring means for coloring the sheet material and drawing and rewind means for drawing the sheet material from the center sheet guide means. An alternate embodiment teaches methods and apparatus for use with at least two layers of sheet material such as, for example, cigar wrapper sheet material, one of such layers being decorated and colored and then laminated to the other layer.

Apparatus for decorating sheet material

A cigar wrapper is provided having opposed surfaces and a predetermined thickness, said wrapper having a vein-like pattern embossed through the thickness thereof resulting in a raised, vein-like pattern formed on one of the surfaces and a complimentary depressed vein-like pattern formed on the opposite surface. The one surface of the wrapper is treated with colorants to simulate a natural tobacco leaf, and the depressed vein-like pattern on the opposite surface is filled with a filler material. In a preferred embodiment, a second sheet of manufactured cigar wrapper material is laminated in juxtaposition to the opposite surface of the decorated sheet.

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Maplewood, NJ, United States of America

Frederick D Godfrey, Jr