IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR ROLLING TEA LEAVES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Crichton Kinmond, of Leamington, in the County of
Warwick, Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY
OR APPARATUS FOR ROLLING TEA LEAVES."
Sealed the 29th December 1876, and dated the 31st October 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Crichton Kinmond at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st October 1876.
JAMES CRICHTON KINMOND, of Leamington, in the County of Warwick, Manu-
facturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR ROLLING TEA
LEAVES."
This Invention relates to certain improvements in machinery or apparatus for
rolling tea leaves, and the Invention has for its principal objects the constructing,
arranging, and combining the component parts of the apparatus, so that the
pressure of the rolling surfaces or plates may be adjusted or adapted to suit
different varieties or qualities of tea leaves so as to allow of each variety or quality
being expeditiously and properly rolled, and so that an increasing pressure may be
given to the leaves while they are being rolled, and so that the tea leaves may be
fed and emptied from between the rolling surfaces or plates without the necessity
there has been hitherto of stopping the motion of the machine or apparatus.
The machine or apparatus is constructed with a suitable framing in the shape of
a triangle when viewed downwardly. The sides of this framing are provided both
exteriorly and interiorly with plummer blocks or bearings. The tea leaves aro
rolled between superposed horizontal plates, the inner surfaces of which are hollowed
to a depth of three or four inches and corrugated or fluted to prevent the tea leaves
from slipping while being rolled. The under one of these rolling plates is mounted
upon three cranks arranged at equal distances apart, the shafts carrying which are
carried by the plummer blocks on the exterior of the framing, and one of which
shafts has revolving motion imparted to it by bevil gearing from a driving shaft
carried also by exterior plummer blocks, and provided with fast and loose pullies.
This rolling plate thus receives a horizontal rotatory motion, but has no circular
motion around its own axis, neither has it a vertical or rising and falling motion.
The upper rolling plate depends or is hung or suspended from three cranks
(arranged at equal distances apart, and connected by a triangular frame or con-
necting rod), the shafts carrying which are carried. by the plummer blocks on the
ש...

page_text: interior of the framing, and to one of which shafts revolving motion is imparted by
spur and bevil gearing from the driving shaft through an intermediate shaft
carried by exterior plummer blocks. The shafts of these latter cranks are carried
above their uppermost plummer blacks, and are at their tops connected to the
extremities of a frame composed of three arms radiating from a cominon centre.
Connected to this centre, and stretching over one angle or corner of the framing of
the apparatus is a lever, which has its fulcrum on a bar stretched across this angle.
At this corner of the framing a quick threaded screw (carried thereby) passes
through or engages with the projecting part of the lever, the extremity of which is
further provided with an adjustable weight and a quick threaded screw or toothed
wheel and ratchet, by which the weight can be the more easily actuated either by
hand or made self-acting in conjunction with the machine.
With these arrangements the suspended upper rolling plate may be raised, to
allow of the tea leaves being fed between it and the lower rolling plate, and lowered
to effect the rolling of the tea leaves, and to adjust its pressure, which may be
constant or varying thereon as required. The upper or adjustable rolling plate is
at all times encircled by a loose iron ring which rests loosely on the lower rolling
plate, and which confines and prevents the escape of the tea leaves while being
rolled. The cranks actuating the upper rolling plate are arranged opposite to those
actuating the lower rolling plate so that though motion in the same direction is
imparted to them all they impart motion to their respective rolling plates in
contrary directions; the plates thus receive the horizontal rotatory opposing
motions which effects the desired rolling of the tea leaves.
The second object of the Invention is attained by the adaptation of funnels,
hoppers, or their equivalents to the framing and upper rolling plate, which will
allow in all positions of the latter of the tea leaves being fed between the rolling
plates, and by the adaptation of a hinged door or its equivalent to the bottom of
the under rolling plate and suitable other means, such as a pulley, chain, and bolt,
or their equivalents, for lowering, raising, and securing the said door; the door
being lowered when required to empty the rolled tea leaves from between the
rolling plates, and raised and secured when fresh tea leaves to be rolled are fed
between the rolling plates; both the feeding and the emptying of the tea leaves being
effected without necessitating the stopping of the machinery.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said James Crichton Kinmond in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 25th
April 1877.
JAMES CRICHTON KINMOND, of Leamington, in the County of Warwick, Manu-
facturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR ROLLING TEA
LEAVES."
This Invention relates to certain improvements in machinery or apparatus for
rolling tea leaves, and it has for its principal objects the constructing, arranging,
and combining the various component parts of such apparatus, so that the pressure
of the rolling surfaces may be. under complete control, and adjusted and adapted to
suit different varieties or qualities of tea leaves so as to allow of each variety or
quality being expeditiously and properly rolled, and so that an increasing pressure
may be given to the leaves (after they have been worked pliable, and therefore
rendered not liable to break) while they are being rolled to perfect the twist; and
so that the tea leaves may be expeditiously fed and emptied or discharged from
between the rolling surfaces without the necessity there has been hitherto of
stopping the working of the machine or apparatus.
The improved machine or apparatus is illustrated on the accompanying Sheet of
Drawings in Figures 1 to 6, which are drawn to a scale of one inch and a half to

page_text: the foot, and of which Figure 1 represents a side elevation, Figure 2 a plan view,
and Figures 3 to 6 parts in detail.
The machine is constructed with a suitable angle iron framework 1 in the shape.
of a triangle when viewed downwardly (see Figure 2), the sides of which are
provided both exteriorly and interiorly with plummer blocks or bearings 2, 3. The
rolling of the leaves is effected between superposed horizontal tables or plates 4, 5,
the inner or opposite faces of which are hollowed or recessed as at 6, 7 (see
Figures 3 and 4, which respectively represent a central cross section and an under
plan view), to a depth of three or four inches, these hollows or recesses being cor-
rugated or fluted as at 8 to aid in effecting the rolling and prevent the leaves from
slipping while being rolled. The under plate 4 is mounted upon three strong
cranks arranged at equal distances apart in the form of an equilateral triangle,
the shafts 10, 11, carrying which are carried by the exterior plummer blocks 2;
the shaft 10 has revolving motion imparted to it by bevil gearing 12 from a driving
shaft 13, carried also by exterior plummer blocks 14, and provided with fast and
loose pullies 15, 16. The plate 4 has thus imparted to it a horizontal circular
traversing motion, but it has no rotating motion around its own axis, neither has it
a vertical or rising and falling motion. The upper plate 5 depends or is hung or
suspended from three strong cranks 17, arranged at equal distances apart, and
connected by an equilateral triangular frame 18, the shafts 19, 20, carrying which
are carried by the interior plummer blocks 3; the shaft 19 has revolving motion
imparted to it by spur and bevil gearing 21, 22, from the shaft 13 through an
intermediate shaft 23, carried by exterior plummer blocks 24.
The application of rolling tables or plates constructed as and having the motions
above and herein described constitutes a distinguishing and important feature of
this Invention.
The shafts 19, 20, are carried above their uppermost plummer blocks 3 so as to
allow of a vertical sliding motion, and in the modification represented in Figures 5
and 6, which are respectively a side view and plan view, are at their tops con-
nected to the extremities of a frame 25 composed of three arms radiating from a
common centre. Or in lieu of the frame 25 in the modification, represented in
Figures 1 and 2, I employ a connecting rod 26, with balls 27, 28, at its ends, the
lower ball 27 working in a socket 29, attached centrally to the plate 5. Connected
in one modification, represented in Figures 5 and 6, to the centre of the radiated
frame 25, or in the modification represented in Figures 1 and 2, formed as a socket
48 for the upper ball 28 of the connecting rod 26, and stretching over one angle or
corner of the framing 1, is a lever 30 which is fulcrumed on a bar 31 stretched
across this angle, and passes through a guide standard 49. At this corner of the
framing a quick threaded screw may be carried and be passed through or engage
with the projecting part of the lever, but I prefer, as being easier of working, to use
a small winch 32, and connect it by a chain 33 with the projecting part of the
lever 30. In either case the extremity of the lever is further provided with an
adjustable weight 34 and a quick-threaded screw 35 (or a toothed wheel and
ratchet carried by lugs 36, and by which the weight 34 can be the more easily
actuated.
With these arrangements the suspended rolling plate 5 may be raised to allow of
the tea leaves being fed between it and the plate 4, and lowered to effect the
rolling of the tea leaves, and to adjust its pressure, which may be constant or
varying thereon as required. The suspended adjustable rolling plate 5 is at all times
encircled by a loose iron hoop or ring 37, which rests loosely on the lower plate 4,
and confines and prevents the escape of the tea leaves from the hollows or recesses
6, 7, while being rolled. The cranks 17 actuating the plate 5 are arranged opposite
to the cranks 9, actuating the plate 4 (see Figures 1 and 2), so that though motion
is imparted in the same direction to them all they impart motion to their respective
rolling plates in contrary directions; the plates thus receive horizontal rotatory
opposing motions, the double action of which effects expeditiously and without

page_text: breakage the desired rolling of the tea leaves in a much superior manner than has
been hitherto attained.
I attain the last-mentioned object of the Invention by the use of funnels or
hoppers 38, 44, or their equivalents, the former being fixed to the framing 1 and
the latter carried by the plate 5, and which will allow in all positions of the latter
of the tea leaves being fed between the plates 4 and 5, and by adapting a hinged or
sliding door 39, Figure 3, or its equivalent to the bottom of the plate 4 and suitable
other means, such as a pulley 40, chain 41, and bolt 42, or their equivalents, for
lowering, raising, and securing the door 39, which is lowered when required to dis-
charge the rolled tea leaves from between the plates 4, 5, and raised and secured by
the bolt 42 when fresh tea leaves to be rolled are fed through the hoppers 38 and 44
and hole 43, Figure 4, in the plate 5, to between the plates 4, 5, both the feeding.
and the discharging of the tea leaves, which can be done in about two minutes,
being effected without necessitating the stopping of the machine, whereby a saving
of about three minutes out of every ten is effected, which is equivalent to the
machine doing nearly one-third more work.
The method of working the improved machine is as follows:-After the machine
has been started the winch handle 32 is turned, and the weight 34 is moved by
rotating the screw 35 by its handle to the outer end of the lever 30 so as to depress
the same to the position shown in Figure 1, and raise its inner end, and conse-
quently the table or plate 5 ; about two "maunds" of tea leaves are then fed through
the hoppers 38 and 44 and hole 43 in the plate 5, into the recess 6 of the plate 4,
after which the plate 5 is lowered by loosening the catch 45 of the winch 32, the
plate falling of its own weight on to the tea leaves, the rolling of which will im-
mediately commence. If the leaves are in good condition the pressure of the
plate 5 thereon should be increased in about two minutes by moving the counter-
balance weight 34 inwards of the lever 30, that is towards the framing 1, after
which and until the leaves are rolled they may be subjected to the maximum
pressure of the plate 5. When the leaves are old and hard this increasing of the
pressure should be prolonged to from about six to ten minutes by moving the
weight 34 slowly so as to give the leaves time to get worked pliable under the
lighter pressure, which will enable a greater terminal pressure to be given to perfect
the twist without causing any breakage; this facility for increasing the pressure of
the upper rolling plate while the machine is working, and which may be effected by
various obvious modifications of the means described herein as being employed will
be found of the greatest importance with hard leaves.
The most desirable pressure which should be given to any particular variety of
leaves may be readily obtained by varying or regulating the number of cheese
weights 46, Figure 1, carried by the chain 33. The pressure of the plate 5 may
also be increased by lessening the number of cheese weights 46 and decrease by
adding to their number, but so long as the same quality of leaves is being rolled
these cheese weights do not require to be altered.
Should a variable pressure not be wanted while the leaves are being rolled the
adjustable weight 34 should always remain against the inner lug 36. After the
leaves have been rolled the bolt 42 carried by brackets 47, Figure 3, depending
from the plate 4, is withdrawn, and the rolled leaves fall out into a sieve placed
thereunder to receive them; the hatch or door 39 is then again closed by the chain
41 and secured by the bolt 42, and the plate 5 is raised by turning the winch
handle 32, when fresh tea leaves are fed into the hopper 38, the same processes
above fully described being continuously repeated. The machine being kept
continually working will efficiently roll about one hundred "maunds" of tea
leaves per day of ten hours.
The tables or rolling plates may be made of pine faced with hard wood, of which
the projecting corrugations may also be made. The framework is made of malleable
iron, and the bearings are provided with brass linings.
From the foregoing description it will be seen that all chains and springs which

page_text: have been used in former machines of this class, and which are very liable to wear
rapidly and get out of working order, have been done away with.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and objects of my
said Invention, together with the manner in which I carry the same into practical
effect, I would remark, in conclusion, that I claim as my Invention the above-
described general construction, arrangement, and combination of the various com-
ponent parts of tea rolling machines or apparatus, substantially as described and as
illustrated on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings. And especially I claim the
use, in combination in tea rolling machines, of superposed horizontal double acting
rolling tables or plates hollowed or recessed centrally, and corrugated in such
recesses, the lower one of which has a circular traversing motion, but no vertical
motion, and is firmly supported, and the upper one of which has also a circular
traversing motion, but opposed to that of the lower plate, and is capable of vertical
motion for the purposes specified, and of having its pressure on the tea leaves
varied and adjusted as required during the working of the machine, and without
necessitating its stopping, and is suspended from above, substantially in the
manner herein described. And further, the use, in combination therewith, of
funnels, hoppers, and sliding or hinged doors, or their equivalents, for feeding and
discharging the tea leaves to and from between the rolling surfaces without neces-
sitating the stopping of the machine. And also the special means described, and
modifications thereof, of raising and lowering and controlling the pressure of the
upper rolling plate upon the tea leaves.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Crichton Kinmond, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of December, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
Witness,
BRISTOW HUNT,
Solicitor and Patent Agent,
5, Serle Street,
Lincoln's Inn.
JAMES C. KINMOND. (L.S.)