Improvements in Machines for Breaking Balls of Rolled Tea Leaf, and Sifting same.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 10th June, 1895
Complete Specification Left, 10th Mar., 1897-Accepted, 15th May, 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Breaking Balls of Rolled Tea Leaf,
and Sifting same.
I, NATHAN WILLIAM HORATIO SHARPE, of 26 Perth Road, Stroud Green,
London, N., Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The improvements constituting this invention are in connection with that class of
machine in which the rolled tea leaf which becomes formed into "balls" by the rolling,
is loosened or broken up, and the different sizes of leaf sifted out, and so separated.
The loosening or breaking up arrangements in such machines are revolving beaters
which strike the balls as they fall through from the feed hopper when they fall upon a
shaking sifter to sift out the different sized leaves. For expediting and improving
the finishing of the tea, I have found it advisable to cool the leaves as the balls are
broken up. This I effect preferably by making an opening on one side of the
casing within which the beaters revolve and connecting over such opening a blast
or volume fan, to cause a blast or current of air to meet the leaves as the balls
are broken up. My further improvements relate to the sifter. In machines as at
present constructed the sifter is so held that the plane of it cannot be altered while
in use. I have found in practice that it is most advisable to have the sifter so
held that the exit end can be raised or lowered at will while the machine is at
work. To enable this to be done I hold the sifter near the exit end with a lateral
journal bearing on each side which take into a sliding bearing made adjustable as
to position by a vertical screw, thereby enabling the plane of the sifter to be changed
in either direction by turning the screw in the necessary direction.
Dated this 10th day of June 1896.
FREDERIC PRINCE,
Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Breaking Balls of Rolled Tea Leaf,
and Sifting same.
I NATHAN WILLIAM HORATIO SHARPE, of 26 Perth Road, Stroud Green,
London, N., Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
The improvements constituting this invention are in connection with that class
of machine in which the rolled tea leaf which becomes formed into "balls" by
the rolling is loosened or broken up, and the different sizes of leaf sifted out, and
so separated. The loosening or breaking up arrangements in such machines are
revolving beaters which strike the balls as they fall through from the feed hopper
oit

page_text: when they fall upon a shaking sifter to sift out the different sized leaves. For
expediting and improving the finishing of the tea I have found it advisable to cool
the leaves as the balls are broken up. This I effect preferably by making an opening
on one side of the casing within which the beaters revolve and connecting over such
opening a blast or volume fan, to cause a blast or current of air to meet the leaves as
the balls are broken up. My further improvements relate to the sifter. In machines
as at present constructed the sifter is so held that the plane of it cannot be altered
while in use. I have found in practice that it is most advisable to have the sifter so
held that the exit end can be raised or lowered at will while the machine is at work.
To enable this to be done I hold the sifter near the exit end with a lateral journal
bearing on each side which take into a sliding bearing made adjustable as to position
by a vertical screw, thereby enabling the plane of the sifter to be changed in either
direction by turning the screw in the necessary direction.
To enable the invention to be fully understood reference should be had to the
accompanying drawings in which,
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of this kind of machine with my improvements
attached, and
Fig. 2 an end view.
A, illustrates the feed hopper, B, the usual casing within which are arranged the
beaters. On one side of the casing B, I make an opening, and fit in the same an air
fan C, which may be fixed upon the shaft that carries the beaters the two being
revolved together. D, is the sifter, supported at one end by an adjustable bracket
bearing E, by which the end can be raised or lowered to alter the angle of the sifter
as may be desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In apparatus for breaking balls of rolled tea with or without sifting means
attached, the provision of means for causing a blast of atmospheric air to be blown
against the balls as broken for the purpose of cooling the leaves.
2. In apparatus for breaking balls of rolled tea, the combination of a sifter having
the exit end held by adjustable bearing, to enable the angle of the sifter to be changed
while the apparatus is working, as described and illustrated by the accompanying
drawings.
Dated this 10th day of February 1897
FREDERIC PRINCE,
37 Cursitor Street, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for Applicant.