IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CAVENDISH,' 'NEGROHEAD,' AND OTHER TOBACCO
Year: 1865

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Davies, of Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, Tobacco Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CAVENDISH,' 'NEGROHEAD,' AND OTHER
TOBACCO."
Sealed the 4th July 1865, and dated the 9th January 1865.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Davies at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
9th January 1865.
I, WILLIAM DAVIES, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Tobacco
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF 'CAVENDISH,' 'NEGROHEAD,'
AND OTHER TOBACCO," to be as follows (that is to say) :-
This Invention consists in certain improvements in the machinery for
pressing tobacco, and for cutting the same for the purpose of converting
it into the manufactured tobacco known as "Cavendish," "Negrohead," and
other descriptions of "plug" tobacco. A machine constructed according to
this Invention may consist of, say, one, two, or more horizontal rollers,
cylinders, or drums mounted parallel to each other (when more than one is
used), and revolving in suitable bearings on a stationary frame. Immediately
above each of these lower rollers are mounted one, two, or any required

page_text: number of rollers of the desired width, which work in vertical sliding bearing
within the stationary frame, each of which bearing have connected thereto a
vertical link rod, the lower end of which is jointed to au horizontal weighted
lever, having their fulcrums on the inner end, and which levers are fitted on
their outer ends with sliding weights to regulate the pressure. The lower
rollers are driven by tooth, friction, or other suitable gear in the direction,
and the upper rollers are also driven in the same way, but in the opposite
direction to the lower rollers.* In connexion with these pressing rolls a
number of trays are used, which trays are formed with stout edges on the two
longitudinal sides, the sides and bottom of the ends being so tapered as to
enable them to readily enter between the pressing rollers when the same are
in motion. The tobacco to be pressed is evenly spread upon these trays or
troughs previous to being passed through between the rollers, when they are
passed between the upper and lower set of rollers, which gives the required
pressure. To convert the tobacco into a cake or slab the upper pressing
rollers are formed of such a width as to cover the space between the two
vertical edges of the trays. The bottom of these trays it is preferred to form
of stout sheet metal or other suitable material, and to form the longitudinal
sides in any suitable way, but by preference of angle iron riveted or otherwise
securely attached to the bottom, the lower limbs of the angle iron or other
material being turned outwards to insure strength, and to form a square or
nearly square side on the inside of the tray. When two or more sets of
rollers are used the trays are made sufficiently long to extend from one to the
other, and it is preferred to apply additional pressure to each set of rollers,
commencing from the first set. The pressed slabs of tobacco as delivered
from the rollers may be carried on to a stationary table, immediately over
which is fitted a "platten," having a vertical reciprocating motion applied
thereto by means of screw, cam, knuckle joint, lever, or their mechanical
equivalents. The face or under side of this "platten" is fitted with a number
of vertical knives placed parallel to each other at the required distance apart,
according to the length or width of the plugs to be formed; these knives
have fitted between them spring buffer plates for the purpose of forcing out
the tobacco as the knife "platten" ascends. The strips of tobacco are then
moved forward beneath a second "platten," fitted on its under side with knives
placed at a right angle to the knives on the first-described cutting "platten,"
and which latter "platten" is also provided with spring buffer plates for
relieving the tobacco from between the knives in the same way as in the first-
described "platten." By this modification the tobacco requires to be passed

page_text: under the two "plattens" to divide the same into the portions of the required
size, but if preferred a "platten" may be formed, the under side or face of
which is constructed with or carries a series of cutting dies of the required
form, and which within their cutting edges are fitted with spring buffer plates
to force out the divided portions of the tobacco, the cutting dies being of such
shape to give the required form to the plugs. The slabs of tobacco
may be either cut upon the trays upon which they are pressed, or removed
therefrom and placed on the table beneath the cutting "plattens." In some
cases it may be found desirable to form the upper surface of the trays, or the
stationary tables beneath the cutting "plattens," with a series of inclined
planes corresponding to the size of the "plugs" of tobacco required, and so
arranged as to allow the edges of the knives to pass down the vertical sides of
the inclined planes to insure a clean cut. For the purpose of dividing the
slabs of tobacco into portions in the way described a roller may be used in
place of the knives or cutting dies in combination with trays formed with
inclined planes as described, which roller is so formed on its periphery as to
coencide and take into the several indentations in the plate, so that when
pressed the edges of the raised portion of the roller and plate passing each
other cuts the tobacco into the required portions. The plates with inclined
planes may be dispensed with by forming the lower roller with a series of
inclined curves coenciding with the upper roller last described for dividing the
slabs of tobacco into the required portions, in which case the slabs having
been passed through the pressing rollers on the smooth bottom trays are
removed therefrom and passed through between the serated rollers, which
divide and press the same to the required form. Any letters or other device
may be engraved or formed in relief on any or all of the inclined planes or
curves to impart their impressions to the several plugs of tobacco.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters. Patent, filed
by the said William Davies, in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
8th July 1865.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
DAVIES, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Tobacco Manufacturer, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
5 Patent, bearing date the Ninth day of January, in the year of our Lord

page_text: One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, in the twenty-eighth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself. Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said William Davies, Her special licence that I, the said William Davies, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William
Davies, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during
the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF 'CAVENDISH,' 'NEGROHEAD," AND OTHER
TOBACCO," upon the condition (amongst others) that I. the said William
Davies, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under
my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe
and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after
the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Davies, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement (that is to say) :-
This, my said Invention, consists in certain improvements in the machinery
for pressing leaf tobacco and for cutting the same for the purpose of convert-
ing it into the manufactured tobacco known as "Cavendish," "Negrohead,"
and other descriptions of plug tobacco. A machine constructed according
to this my said Invention may consist of, say, one, two, or more horizontal
rollers, cylinders, or drums mounted parallel to each other (when more than
one is used), and revolving in suitable bearings or in a stationary frame.
Immediately above each of these lower rollers I mount one, two, or any
required number of rollers of the desired width, which work in vertical sliding
bearings within the stationary frame, each of which bearings have connected
thereto a vertical link rod, the lower end of which is jointed to an horizontal
weighted lever, having their fulcrums on the inner end, and which levers I fit
on their outer ends with sliding weights to regulate the pressure. The lower
rollers I drive by tooth friction or other suitable gear in the same direction,
and the upper rollers I also drive in the same way, but in the opposite direc-
tion to the lower rollers. In connexion with these pressing rolls I use a
number of trays, which trays I form with stout edges on the two longitudinal

page_text: sides, the ends of the bottoms being so tapered as to enable them to
readily enter between the pressing rollers when the same are in motion. The
tobacco to be pressed I spread evenly upon these trays or troughs previous
to passing it through between the rollers, when I pass them between the
upper and lower set of rollers, which gives the required pressure. A recipro-
cating motion may be given to the rollers, so that each portion of the
tobacco on the trays or troughs may be acted upon by the rollers several
times, when the pressure of the rollers may be increased or diminished, if
found desirable. To convert the tobacco into a cake or slab, the upper pressing
rollers I form of such a width as to cover the space between the two vertical edges
of the trays. The bottom of these trays I prefer to form of stout sheet metal
or other suitable material, and to form the longitudinal sides in any suitable
way, but by preference of angle iron riveted or otherwise securely attached
to the bottom, the lower limbs of the angle iron or other material being
turned outwards to insure strength, and to form a square or nearly square
side on the inside of the tray. In lieu of the troughs or trays. I sometimes
use a simple flat plate in connexion with rollers, the upper or lower of which
is deeply grooved and of sufficient width to receive the plate, and the reverse
roller turned up with projections or collars to coencide, so as to take into the
grooves in the reverse rollers, thus obviating the necessity of flanges or sides
upon the trays upon which the tobacco is laid. When I use two or more sets
of rollers, the trays I make sufficiently long to extend from one to the other,
and I prefer to apply additional pressure to each set of rollers, commencing
from the first set. The pressed slabs of tobacco as delivered from the rollers
may be carried on to a stationary table, immediately over which is fitted a
"platten," having a vertical reciprocating motion applied thereto, by means of
screw, cam, knuckle-joint, lever, or their mechanical equivalents. The face
or under side of this "platten," I fit with a number of vertical knives placed
parallel to each other at the required distance apart, according to the length
or width of the plugs to be formed; these knives have fitted between them
spring buffer plates for the purpose of forcing out the tobacco as the knife
65
platten" ascends. The strips of tobacco are then moved forward beneath
a second platten," fitted on its under side with knives placed at a
right angle to the knives on the first-described cutting "platten," and
which latter "platten "I also provide with spring buffer plates for relieving
the tobacco from between the knives in the same way as in the first de-
scribed "platten." By this modification the tobacco requires to be passed
under the two "plattens" to divide the same into the portions of the

page_text: required size, but if preferred, a "platten" may be formed the under side
or face of which is constructed with or carries a series of cutting dies of the
required form, and which within their cutting edges are fitted with spring
buffer plates to force out the divided portions of the tobacco, the cutting dies
being of such shape as to give the required form to the plugs. The slabs of
tobacco may be either cut upon the trays upon which they are pressed, or
removed therefrom and placed on the table beneath the cutting "plattens."
In some cases I find it desirable to form the upper surface of the trays or the
stationary tables beneath the cutting "plattens "with a series of inclined
planes corresponding to the size of the plugs of tobacco required, and so arranged
as to allow the edges of the knives to pass down the vertical sides of the inclined
planes to insure a clean cut. The apparatus may be actuated by hand, steam,
or other power.
That this my said Invention may be the more readily seen and understood,
I have hereunto annexed Drawings of so much of one modification of my
apparatus as will be necessary to illustrate the Invention, like letters and
figures marked thereon being used to denote similar parts.
Figure 1 is an external partial side elevation, showing the driving wheels
of the lower rollers; and Figure 2 an end elevation; and Figure 3 an external
elevation, showing the wheels of the upper rollers; Figure 4 is a partial
vertical section of the same, showing the position of the feed and receiving
tables. A, stationary framework; B, driving pulley, on the axle of which is
keyed C, the lower roller, and also D, a toothed wheel, which gears into E,
an intermediate wheel, which latter also gears into F, a second intermediate
wheel, which has its axle working in G, a link bearing, the upper end of which
has its axis on the end of the axle of H, the upper roller, upon which is keyed
I, the driving wheel of the upper roller, which is geared with F; K, spur
pinion, keyed on to the shaft of the pulley B, and which gears into L and M,
spur wheels on the axis of the lower rollers; N, wrought iron connecting bars
or links, the lower end of which is jointed to O, horizontal weighted levers
(shown broken off), which have their fulcrums at P for the purpose of
adjusting the pressure of the upper rollers on Q, the tobacco, in R, the trays,
sliding or rolling upon S, the work bench.
In order to produce a reciprocating motion I prefer to extend the axle of
the lower roller C sufficiently to receive two loose and two fast pulleys, and to
use an open and a cross strap working over a pulley on the first-motion
driving shaft. When it is desired to work the apparatus by hand a crank
bandle can be fitted into the driving pulley (B). The mode of operating

page_text: this machine is as follows:-The tobacco is evenly spread upon the trays; the
machine is then set in motion, when the tray with its tapered end is pushed up
to the first pair of rollers (when more than one pair is used), by which it is
drawn in and passes through between the second pair of rollers (when a second
pair is used), which it is preferred should be loaded with extra weight. In
most cases passing the tobacco once between the two pairs of rollers will be
found sufficient to give the required density, but, if desired, a reciprocating
motion can be given to the tray carrying the tobacco by the arrangement
herein-before described, by which it may be rolled as often as desired. After
the tobacco has been passed through the rollers it is then passed under the
knives on the lower surface of the horizontal vertical reciprocating "platten,"
by which it is divided into cakes of the size and form desired. The tobacco
can be cut upon the trays upon which it is pressed or rolled, or it can be
removed from the trays and placed on the table beneath the cutting knives or
dies, in which case it is preferred to use a bed or cutting plate constructed
with a series of inclined planes, as herein-before described.
Having now fully described and ascertained the nature of this my said In-
vention, and the best means I am acquainted with for carrying the same into
effect, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise
details, relative proportions, or dimensions herein-before described and set
forth, as it will be readily seen that the same may be considerably varied without
departing from the Invention; but what I claim is,―
First, the use of the trays with elevated edgrs, in combination with the
smooth rollers, for the pressing of tobacco, substantially in the manner herein-
before described and set forth.
Secondly, the use of a 'flat plate or plates in combination with a grooved
roller or rollers, and a roller or rollers which take into the recess of the
grooved roller or rollers, substantially in the manner and for the purposes
herein-before described and set forth.
Thirdly, the use of vertical reciprocating "plattens" which are fitted on
their under surface with a series of vertical knives or with die cutters,
substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein-before described and
set forth.
Fourthly, the application of spring buffer plates fitted between the cutting
knives or cutting edges of the dies on the under surface of the cutting
"platten," for the purpose of forcing out the tobacco from between the cutting
edges of the knives or dies upon the up stroke of the "platten," as herein-
before described and set forth.

page_text: Lastly, the general arrangement and combination of the various parts of the
apparatus, substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein-before
described and set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Davies, have hereunto set
hand and affixed my seal, this Seventh day of July, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.
my.
Witness,
WILLIAM WALKER,
of 44, Castle Street,
Liverpool.
WILLIAM (L.B.) DAVIES.