Year: 1886

page_text: I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of the firm of A. M. and Wm. Olark, of
53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Fellow of the Institute of Patent
Agents, do hereby declare the nature of this Invention (a communication to me from
abroad by Oscar Hammerstein of 203, East 115th Street, in the city, county, and
State of New York, United States of America) and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained-in and by the
following statement :—
This Invention relates to a new machine for stripping Tobacco, that is, cutting
the central stem out of each leaf of tobacco, and for booking the same. One
object of the Invention is that the machine, in addition to cutting out the stems
nicely and rapidly, shall also place the stripped leaves one upon another in proper
manner. This object is accomplished by means of a rotating drum which operates
in combination with one or more endless bands that are held under tension, and
with the stripping mechanism proper, in such manner that the two halves of each
leaf, after the stripping has been performed, will be placed upon the outer periphery
of the drum beneath the endless band, and that, as the machine operates upon the
successive leaves, their respective halves will be piled one upon another around the
said drum all as hereinafter more fully described The booking contrivance can be
used without the stripping mechanisın.
The Invention consists in the combination of one or more endless weighted
bands with a drum, and with mechanism for imparting intermittent rotary motion
to said drum. I desire it to be understood that I am aware that it is not new to
combine a drum merely with an endless weighted band for pressing substances, but
in all the devices heretofore known to me, the dram was given a continuous rotary
motion, and was therefore not adapted to booking tobacco, that is to say, to piling
one leaf upon another. Hence, the reference to intermittent motion of the drum,
characterizes one peculiarity of this Invention.
The Invention also consists in other details of improvement, such as mechanism
for automatically arresting the rotation of the drum, starting it again, mechanism
for allowing the booked tobacco to be taken from the machine, and other features,
which will be hereinafter more fully specified.

page_text: In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1. is a side elevation of the "Improved
Tobacco Stripping and Booking Machine." Figure 2. is a vertical cross-section of
the machine taken on the plane of the line cc Figure 4. Figure 3. is a similar
section on the line kk Figure 4. Figure 4. is a front elevation of the machine.
Figure 5. is a longitudinal, central, section of the two drums that carry the stripped
tobacco. Figure 6. is a sectional view of the shafts that carry the saws and flanges
near the same. Figure 7 is a top view of the same. Figures 8 and 10 are side
views of the clutch mechanism used on the machine. Figure 9 is a top view of the
same. Figure 11 is a side elevation of a modification of the machine, and figure 12
is a rear elevation of the same. Figure 13 is a side elevation of a modification of
the improved machine for stripping and booking tobacco. Figure 14 is a plan or
top view of the same. Figure 15 is a vertical central longitudinal section of the
same, and figure 16 a similar section of a modification thereof. Figures 17 and 18
are diagrams which illustrate the operation of the parts.
In the accompanying drawings the letter A represents the frame of the improved
machine which frame is by preference of the form outlined in figures 1. 2. and 3.
In this frame are the bearings of a horizontal shaft B which shaft is immovable
and which carries 4 (more or less,) stationary rings C around which are placed two
druma D D as appears more clearly from figure 5 of the drawing. The rings C
being stationary, the drums D are intended to rotate around said rings, and these
drums have on their inner peripheries suitable annular rails a that fit around the
peripheries of the rings C and that are flanged to prevent longitudinal displacement
of each drum on its supporting set of rings O. Each drum D contains in its
interior, an internal toothed ring b, or teeth may be formed on one of the annular
rails a as in figure 5. Into these 2 toothed rings bb mesh the teeth of pinions & d
that are mounted upon a driving shaft E which driving shaft has its bearings
likewise in the frame A. of the machine and causes the drums to rotate whenever
such rotation is desired, and to stop whenever its own motion is arrested. To the
upper part of the frame A is hinged at e an upper frame or lid F which can be let
down into the position shewn by full lines in figures 1. 2 and 3, or turned up into
the position shewn by dotted lines in figure 3. G is an endless belt or band made
of india-rubber, or of any other suitable analogous substance, there being one such
band for each of the drums D, each band being about as wide as the drum is long
and adapted to encircle the drum in the manner shown in Figure 3. that is to say,
the endless band which is represented by a heavy black line in Figure 3. passes
from roller H over rollers hgf (that have their bearings in the frame A) and
around the drum D (excepting that portion which is between the rollers f and m)
thence over rollers m and that are hung in a movable frame J, thence to j and i
that are supported in the lid F, and finally downwards, forming a loop in its
lowermost part in which the weighted roller H is hung. This weighted roller has
for its object to keep the band G tight and at the same time to allow it to yield to
the leaves of tobacco that accumulate between the drum D and the roller. Thus,
in Figure 3, a great many leaves of tobacco are shown at I, to be interposed
between the drum and the band, while in Figure 2 no leaf of tobacco is shown
between the drum and the band. It follows, therefore, that in Figure 3 the
weighted roller H is raised higher than it is in Figure 2.
So far as the booking of the tobacco in the machine is concerned, the intention
is to place leaf upon leaf on each drum D and to keep the pile of leaves compressed
by the outer band G. How this can readily be accomplished will be understood
by reference to Figure 3. In this Figure the drum D is not represented in the
position of rest, but in the position in which it is after having been turned in the
direction of the arrow 1 a short distance from the position of rest. Several leaves
of tobacco are already held on the drum beneath the band G, as represented at I
in Figure 3 and a new leaf shown at I' is being taken along by the drum as the
same revolves in the direction of the arrow 1, the drum crowding the point of the
new leaf I against the point of a leaf I already booked, the ends of both leaves
being between the drum and the band, that is, that portion which extends from

page_text: the roller f around the drum. It will be readily seen that as the drum continues
to revolve in the direction of the arrow 1 the new leaf I will be taken along and
placed upon the pile of leaves I, and introduced at the same time between the drum
and the outer band G, the weight H holding the band tight against the tobacco.
Hence, this machine does not coil the leaves of tobacco in a continuous convolution
around the drum or roller, as has been done in previous machines, but it books the
tobacco by placing leaf upon leaf on the drum and holding the whole pile of leaves
under pressure of the band G.. The register of the leaves is obtained by the
automatic stopping of the rotation of the drum at the end of each revolution or
other unit of motion. After the proper number of leaves of tobacco have been
piled upon the drum, as in Figure 3, they can be readily removed by simply
turning up the hinged lid F into the position shown by dotted lines, thereby lifting
the upper part of the band off the leaves and disclosing them ready for convenient
removal.
Of course, it is perfectly evident that as the drum is revolved in the direction of
the arrow 1 the endless band G which partly embraces such drum, will, by
frictional contact therewith, be carried around at the same rate of speed, the
sundry arrows in Figure 3 of the drawing showing the direction in which the band
rotates whenever the drum is turned in the direction of the arrow 1. The rollers /
and m (which, as has been stated, are in part embraced by the band G) have their
bearings not directly in the cover F but in a frame J which is movable on the
cover so that both rollers 7 and m may be crowded away from the drum D.
Thus in Figure 3 of the drawing it is shown that said rollers are crowded off the
drum D by the six thicknesses of leaf I which lie on said drum. The more tobacco
there is booked upon said drum the further will the rollers and m be crowded
away from the drum, the movable frame J permitting this motion. Meanwhile
the weight H by holding the band G under tension serves to crowd the rollers l m
as near to to the drum as possible, that is to say, as near as the intermediate leaves
of tobacco will permit. Hence, the leaves of tobacco are always held on the drum
under pressure of the band, and yet the machine is, by virtue of these movable
rollers m sufficiently flexible to be adapted to receive a suitable number of leaves
between the drum and the band. In the drawing, the movable frame J'is
represented to be provided with projecting end lugs n which are guided in slots o
that are formed in ears p of the cover F so that the outward motion of the
rollers &m and their frame J will be in the direction permitted, and to the extent
allowed by the said slots o. Whenever the cover is to be lifted into the dotted
position shown in Figure 3 it is grasped by means of a rod r which connects with
the ears p and serves as a handle for moving said cover.
Having now.described the general principles of the booking mechanism of the
improved machine, I will proceed to describe the means of feeding the leaves of
tobacco into the machine, and of stripping the same. But I desire it to be
understood that although this machine is represented as a stripping machine and
a booking machine combined, nevertheless the features of the booking mechanism
may be employed independently of the stripping mechanism. This stripping
mechanism consists of two rotary saws L L which are mounted upon a shaft M
that has its bearings in the frame A. Rotary motion is imparted to the shaft M
by a separate belt a' and pulley 62 or other suitable mechanism. The two
saws L. L. are placed as shown in Figure 4 between the two drums D D and as
far apart from one another as is necessary to produce the portion that is to be cut
out of the leaf. The leaf 1ª may be fed to the machine over a small platform N
(shown by dotted lines in Figure 3) which is affixed to the front portion of the
frame A slightly above the level of the roller f and directly in front of said roller.
The motion of the band G when the machine is in operation together with the
motion of the drum D will, after the point or end of the leaf shall have been
introduced properly between said drum and band cause the leaf to be grasped by
them and moved along in the direction of the arrow 1 which is represented in
Figure 3. From an arm a which is attached to a cross bar t.of the frame A is

page_text: .
suspended (as appears from Figure 2) a hanging rod O which is between the two
saws L L in front of their shaft M and which reaches down below said saws, all
as shown in Figure 2. The object of this rod is to prevent the vein of tobacco,
which is cut out of the leaf by the two saws, from becoming entangled with the
shaft M, the said rod O guiding the vein downwardly and causing it to be
discharged at the lower front portion of the machine. By "front portion" is
meant that part of the machine in which are contained the rollers f and m.
Instead of this rod O a loose ring on the shaft M. between the saws may be used.
For the purpose of preventing this vein from being displaced laterally, the two
saws L L are placed between two discs u which are mounted on a shaft P that is
hung in the frame A beneath the shaft M. The shaft P is revolved by a band ď²
which connects it with the shaft E. The discs u which straddle the saws L (as is
more clearly shown in Figures 2. 6 and 7) guide the sides of the cut-out vein, so
as to prevent the latter from being displaced laterally, and, together with the
suspended rod O force the vein that is cut from the leaf to drop downwardly.
The saws L L enter with their front portions into grooves that aro formed in the
roller as shown in Figure 7 so that the leaf I2 as it feeds over roller f will meet
the saws while it is still on the roller. The weighted roller H is connected by a
chain w with an arm a on the cover F, so that whenever said cover F is swung
back on its pivot e as shown by dotted lines in Figure 3 the roller H will be lifted
and the band G made slack to a sufficient extent to prevent it from interfering with
the raising of the cover.
.
It remains to show how the intermittent rotary motion of the drums D is
ensured. I have already stated that these drums are revolved by the toothed
connection with the driving shaft E. This driving shaft carries a driving pulley Y
upon which runs a belt or other mechanism for turning it. But this driving
pulley is loose on the shaft E and is connected therewith so as to impart rotary
motion by means of a clutch R. When this clutch is thrown out of gear, as in
Figure 10, the shaft E will not be revolved. When it is thrown in gear (as in
Figures 8 and 9) the shaft E will be revolved. To throw the clutch in gear and
start the rotation of the drums, the machine is provided with a treadle S that
connects by a rod z with a disc e which disc is hung in the frane A and which
connects by an arm f' with a forked lever T, that straddles the clutch R engaging
therewith where said clutch is grooved for the purpose. When the treadle is
depressed the rod Z is raised and the disc e turned from the position which is
shown in Figure 10 in the direction of the arrow 2 into the position which
is shown in Figure 8. By this motion of the disc, the arm f³ is pushed along so
as to move the forked lever T and carry the clutch against the pulley, the contact
faces of clutch and pulley being toothed in the ordinary manner. A spring g²
connects the frame A with the disc e³ its point of connection with the disc being
such that in order to carry the disc from the position shown in Figure 10 to the
position shown in Figure 8 this point must pass between the centre of the disc and
the point where the other end of the spring is fixed, and when all three are in a
straight line the spring will be most compressed. Hence, when the treadle has
succeeded in turning the disc e³ so far as to bring the point of connection of disc
and spring past the line of the centre of the disc and the other end of the spring,
the spring will take up the rest of the work and, in expanding, carry the disc
further, into the position shown in Figure 8. When, after this, the shaft E is
turned, and with it the drums D, to the proper oxtent, the clutch is again moved
out of gear, and thereby the farther motion of the shaft E arrested by a
projection h which is formed on one of the drums D as shown in Figures 5
and 8. This projection at the proper time will strike an ear which is formed on
the disc e and lifting this ear will turn the disc back into the position shown in
Figure 10 the spring g' again assisting in completing the last part of this backward
movement of the disc. Thus, the rotation of the drum is automatically arrested
at the very point where the leaves of tobacco already booked will be ready
to receive in proper position a new leaf of tobacco sto be booked. Only one

page_text: projection on the drum D is represented in the drawing, but it is clear that
instead of making a complete revolution of the drum and then stopping the
machine the mechanism can also be proportioned so that the machine can be
stopped after every half revolution, or third of a revolution, of said drum in which
case a corresponding number of projections will be provided. In order to
prevent the bands G from becoming displaced laterally as the leaves I accumulato
on the drums D, grooved guides W are affixed to the frame A as shown. There
are at least two such guides to each band G one for each edge of such band.
Instead of saws L L other cutters of well known description may be used.
The modification shown in Figures 11 and 12 has for its object to speed the
operation of the machine after it has ceased stripping, but while it continues to
move in booking the stripped tobacco. The operation of the machine must be
necessarily slow while stripping, in order not to tear the leaves of tobacco that are
being grasped between the moving drum and apron but after the stripping has
been completed and the separated parts of the leaf completely received between
the drum and apron the motion can safely be speeded, and the Invention therefore
seeks so to construct the machine that it can be worked more rapidly after the
stripping has been finished than while the stripping is going on. This part of the
Invention consists in combining the movable clutch R, which is controlled auto-
matically by a projection h³ on the drum, with certain gear wheels on the main
driving shaft, and with a clutch on the latter shaft which, when moved by the
operator, will increase the speed of the machine. The devices shown in Figures 11
and 12 are the same as those heretofore described The difference consists in
mounting upon the clutch R two toothed wheels a b³, the latter being much
larger than the former, and in engaging both these wheels with toothed wheels c³
and d³ respectively that are hung loosely upon the driving shaft e³ to which rotary
motion is imparted by a belt passing over a pulley ƒ³ or by other suitable means.
The toothed wheel is smaller than the toothed wheel c³ as shown in Figure 12
Between the two wheels c³ and d³ is a movable clutch g³ on the shaft o
which clutch connects, by a lever h³, rod is, elbow ³, and rod k³, with a
treadle m³. Normally, the treadle m³ is, by a.suitable spring n³, held in such
position as to lock the smaller wheel d³ by the clutch g³ as in Figure 2. In this
position of parts, the small wheel d³ meshing into the teeth of the large wheel b³
drives the latter slowly, and causes the shaft to be revolved slowly. As soon as
the treadle S is depressed it throws the clutch R into engagement with the shaft E.
The moment this slow motion begins, the leaf of tobacco is to be inserted for
stripping and as soon as the end of the leaf has left the hands of the operator, he
puts his foot on the treadle m³ and moves the clutch g³ so as to bring it against
the wheel c. This motion of the clutch g³ will bring the toothed wheels c³ and a³
into action to turn the shaft E more rapidly until, by the projection h³ on the
drum D, the disc e³ is turned so as to carry the clutch R entirely out of gear,
stop the machine.
and
Thus, I have succeeded in providing a machine which has an intermittently
movable drum with means for varying its speed at will between the automatic
arrests of motion which are caused by the projection on the drum.
Although I speak in this specification, of treadles S and m³, it is clear that
instead of treadles hand levers or other devices may be used to properly move the
clutch g³ and the disc e³ when the operator desires to move either one of these. It
is also clear that with this Invention the machine can be run altogether slowly or
altogether fast when desired instead of being run first slowly and then fast as
described.
A modification of the Invention is shewn in figures 13 to 18 inclusive. In these
figures the letter A represents the frame of the machine. B is the driving shaft
revolved by suitable means, and carrying a crank pin a which, passing through
the slut of a lever C, oscillates the same. This lever C connects by links b with
a vertical table or plate D which is guided in a slot or groove d of the frame A.
As is shewn in figure 15, this plate or table D is in an upright position and

page_text: the slot or groove d is vertical. By oscillating the lever the plate or table D
will be alternately raised into the position shewn in figure 13 and lowered into
that shewn in figure 15. E and F are two endless belts which are passed over
rollers ef and g h respectively that have their bearings in a sliding frame G. This
sliding frame is, by the gudgeons of the rollers eh or, if desired, by separate pins,
guided in slotted extensions i and j of the frame A, so that it can be moved nearer
to or farther away from the table or plate D. When the table or plate D is raised
as in figure 13, its larger part will face the apron F, but when it is lowered as in
figure 15, its larger part will face the apron E. Springs 1 connect with the
frame G, so as to draw the aprons into contact with the plate D and allow them to
yield or be moved farther away from said plate whenever leaves of tobacco are
interposed between said aprons and said plate. In lugs m that project from the
frame extension, are the bearings of a shaft H upon which are mounted the
stripping saws or cutters I. These saws or cutters, as appears from figure 15,
approach the pintles of the rollers f g and enter between the two aprons which are
on each pair of said rollers. That is to say, there are two aprons E on each pair of
rollers ef and two aprons F on each pair of rollers g h The centre of the shaft H
is about in line with the slight open space between the aprons E and F. A small
table or platform n is, by preferenco affixed to the outer side of the frame G for
the insertion of the leaf to be stripped and booked. Rotary motion is imparted to
the shaft H by suitable means.
The operation of the machine constructed as described is substantially as
follows-When a leaf is introduced between the two rollers fg, the plate D is
in its upper position as in figures 13 and 17. The plate D now descends, and the
lower apron E by frictional contact moves with it, so that the leaf is finally held
between the lower apron and the lowered plate D as in figures 15 and 18. The
plate D is now moved upwards, and as it bears by spring pressure against the leaf
end lower apron, the leaf moves up with it and the aprons move in the same
direction, until finally the plate D is again in the raised position, the leaf facing it
as in figure 17. When now a new leaf is inserted and the plate D moved down
again, the old leaves will move down with D and the new leaf will be booked or
placed against the face of the old leaves between the same and the lower apron
Afterwards the leaves move up again with D and so forth. The peculiarity of the
process lies in the fact, which should not be lost sight of, that the aprons E F are
turned only by frictional contact with the plate D and not by positive motion
imparted to them, and that therefore the leaves move up and down with the
reciprocating plate D. Instead of making the plate D absolutely straight and with
it the guiding grooves or slots d, the plate D may be of curvilinear form as in
figuro 16, and with it the slot or groove d. In every other respect, the operation
will remain as heretofore described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is;-
4
1. The combination, in a machine for booking tobacco, of the drum D, endless
band G, weight H, and mechanism substantially as herein described for imparting 4
intermittent rotary motion to said drum and band as specified.
2. The combination of the frame A with the hinged cover F, rollers f, g, i, and m,
movable frame J, drum D and weighted. band G as specified.
3. The combination of the frame A with the hinged cover F, having arm x,
chain w, weight H, drum D, and endless band G, substantially as, and for the 5
purpose, specified.
4. The combination of the two drums D D with the saws L L placed between
them, and with the weighted endless band G put around them substantially as
herein shown and described.
5. The combination of the saws LL with the drums D D, endless bands GG 5
and discs u between which said saws are placed as set forth.

page_text: 6. The combination of the saws L L with the discs uu and suspended rod O,
substantially as and for the purpose herein shown and described.
7. The combination of the saws LL, discs u, rod O, drum D, and endless band G,
substantially as, and for the purpose, specified.
8. The movable frame J, carrying the rollers l, m in combination with the
cover F, endless band G and drum D as specified.
9. The combination of the drum D having projection h³, with the disc e³, having
ear and arm f', spring g³, clutch-lever T, and clutch R, substantially as, and for
the purpose, herein shown and described.
10. In a machine for booking tobacco the combination of the drum D with the
endless band G, yielding support for said band, tension device H, and mechanism
substantially as described for moving said drum and said band simultaneously and
in the same direction and to the same extent, as specified.
11. The grooved guides W W combined with the frame A, endless elastic band G,
drum D and weight H, substantially as herein shown and described.
12. The combination of cutters L L with the drum D, endless band G weight H,
and mechanism substantially as described for imparting intermittent rotary motion
to said drum as set forth.
13. The combination of the intermittently revolving drum D, with an inter-
mittently revolving band G, for booking and registering leaves of tobacco,
substantially as herein shown and described.
14. The combination of the drum D and its actuating shaft E, with the movable
clutch R on said shaft, and with the toothed wheels a³ and 63 on said clutch,
toothed wheels c and d³ on the driving shaft, and clutch g³ all arranged to permit
the driving shaft to move the drum with greater, or less, speed as desired.
15. The combination of the shaft E, clutch R, lever T, link f, disc e³, projection h²,
and drum D, rod Z and treadle S, with the toothed wheels a³ and b³ on the clutch R,
loose toothed wheels cd on the driving shaft and movable clutch g³ on said
driving shaft, and with means substantially as described for moving said last
mentioned clutch when desired, all as specified.
16. The yielding frame G carrying the aprons E E and F F, and the stripping
blades I. I in combination with the slotted frame A springs and reciprocating
plate D substantially as and for the purpose herein shewn and described.
17. The combination of the shaft B and means for revolving it with the crank-
pin a, lever C, links b, sliding plate D, sliding frame G, springs, rollers efgh
aprons E F shaft H and stripping plates I, and means substantially as described for
revolving the shaft H all as specified.