Method of and apparatus for counteracting the lack of balance of parts in a cutoff for cigarettes and the like

Abstract

Lack of balance of a crank mechanism, which reciprocates a ledger having one or more guides for one or more cigarette rods or filter rods each issuing from a maker and being subdivided into a row of cigarettes or filter mouthpieces, is at least partially counteracted by at least two counterpoises one of which orbits about the axis of the crank mechanism in a first direction and the other of which orbits, in a second direction counter to the first direction, about a second axis laterally offset relative to the axis of the crank mechanism. A third counterpoise can be mounted for orbital movement about the axis of the crank mechanism and, if utilized, is angularly offset relative to the first counterpoise. The prime mover for the crank mechanism orbits the first and (if provided) third counterpoises in the first direction, and (e.g., by way of a V-belt) the second counterpoise in the second direction. An orbiting knife reciprocates with the ledger and severs the rod or rods during movement with the ledger in the direction of forward movement of the rod or rods.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.