Improvements in Apparatus for Pressing or Packing Tobacco.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Sept., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 3rd June, 1898-Accepted, 3rd Sept., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Pressing or Packing Tobacco.
I, WILLIAM LEONARD DAVIES, of Canal Street Tobacco Factory, Canal Street,
Chester, in the County of Chester, Tobacco and Snuff Manufacturer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
:-
This invention has for its object an apparatus for pressing or packing tobacco
whereby the process may be more easily and quickly accomplished.
The apparatus hitherto most generally in use consisted of a frame of metal
divided into compartments into which plungers descended to compress the tobacco
placed therein. A roll of tobacco having been placed in each compartment and
a follower, the plunger descended and compressed the tobacco with the required
pressure. The plunger was then raised and another charge put in into each compart-
ment and this pressure was applied upon three successive layers of tobacco after
which the compressed tobacco was forced out with blows from a rammer.
By my present invention I provide a frame which is raised and lowered by
means of hydraulic power this frame being divided into compartments for the
charges of tobacco. Instead however of making the plunger movable and the
frame stationary, I prefer to reverse the arrangement and work the frame by
hydraulic power so that it shall rise and fall in such a manner that the tobacco
in the compartments shall be compressed by pressure against stationary blocks or
abutments. These blocks which are arranged to enter the compartments of the
frane when the press table is raised up to them are attached to the under side
of the top plate or roof of the press, these blocks aforesaid being a fixture and
the frame being lifted up to them on the table of the hydraulic ram. Rolls of
tobacco are put into each compartment and pressure applied by lifting the frame
up to blocks, the latter entering the compartments and compressing the tobacco
to the degree required. When this is effected, the frame is lowered, another charge
of tobacco inserted in each compartment, and the operation is repeated for each
charge, a follower being by preference inserted between each charge and at
each stroke of the press. Instead of the compressed rolls of tobacco being forced
out of the compartments with a rammer as hitherto and to avoid bruising the
tobacco, I provide a device which may be arranged in the following manner:-
Two blocks of about an equal depth with the frame are hinged on each of the
two edges of the table of the hydraulic ram. These during the operation of com-
Fression are turned down out of the way. When however the three layers of rolls
have successively been submitted to the required pressure these blocks are turned
up on their hinges so as to stand upon the table and between it and the frame,
the result being that the bottom of the frame is raised above the table, and the
compressed tobacco as it lies in the compartments has no support from below.
Upon the frame being again raised by the ram stationary blocks or abutments
at the top enter the compartments of the frame and force out the pressed tobacco
without in any way damaging or bruising it, this process being performed in a
more ready manner and in a less time than has previously been possible. In thus

page_text: describing my invention I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself
to the exact details set forth, as instead of the hinged blocks aforesaid any suit-
able device such as sliding bolts etcetera may be used for separating the table
from the frame and raising the latter above the table, so that the tobacco shall
have no support from below when the frame rises, thus causing the compressed 5
tobacco to be forced out of the compartments on to the table ready for removal.
Dated this 2nd day of September 1897.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Patent Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Apparatus for Pressing or Packing Tobacco.
I, WILLIAM LEONARD DAVIES, of Canal Street Tobacco Factory, Canal Street,
Chester, in the County of Chester, Tobacco and Snuff Manufacturer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
This invention has for its object an apparatus for pressing or packing tobacco
whereby the process may be more easily and quickly accomplished. The inven-
tion is designed more especially for pressing tobacco into blocks for cutting.
The apparatus hitherto most generally in use consisted of a frame of metal
divided into compartments into which plungers descended to compress the tobacco
placed therein. A roll of tobacco having been placed in each compartment and
a follower, the plunger descended and compressed the tobacco with the required
pressure. The plunger was then raised and another charge put in into each compart-
ment and this pressure was applied upon three successive layers of tobacco after
which the compressed tobacco was forced out with blows from a rammer.
By my present invention I provide a frame which is raised and lowered by
means of hydraulic power, this frame being divided into compartments for the
charges of tobacco. Instead however of making the plunger movable and the
frame stationary, I prefer to reverse the arrangement and work the frame by
hydraulic power so that it shall rise and fall in such a manner that the tobacco
in the compartments shall be compressed by pressure against stationary blocks or
abutments.
The invention will be understood from the following description, reference
being had to the accompanying drawings, in which-
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine with part of the frame A broken
away to show the compartments with charges of tobacco:
Figure 2 an end elevation of same:
Figure 3 a similar arrangement to Figure 2 but the parts being in other work-
ing positions to those shown in Figure 2.
In these A is the frame which is raised and lowered by means of hydraulic
power in cylinder B pressing up the ram C and its platform D. Frame A is
divided into compartments for the charges of tobacco, shown in Figure 1 at E.
Instead of making the plunger movable and the frame stationary as has hitherto
been the practice I preferably reverse the arrangement and work the frame up and
down by hydraulic power so that it shall rise and fall in such a manner that the
tobacco in the compartments shall be pressed by pressure against stationary blocks
or abutments shown in the drawings at F. These blocks F which are so placed
and sized as to enter the compartments of the frame with a close fit when the

page_text: press table is raised up to them, are attached to the under side of the top plate
of roof of the press G, these blocks F being a fixture and the frame A being
lifted up to them on the table D by the hydraulic ram. Rolls of tobacco being
put into each compartment the pressure is applied by lifting the frame up and
against the blocks, the latter entering the compartments and compressing the
tobacco to the required degree. When this is effected the frame is lowered,
another charge of tobacco inserted in each compartment, and the operation is
repeated with each charge, a follower or flat plate being by preference inserted
between each charge and at each stroke of the press. Instead of the pressed rolls
of tobacco being forced out of the compartments with a rammer as hitherto, and
to avoid bruising the blocks of tobacco I provide a device as follows:-
Two blocks H are hinged to pivots I on the platform of the hydraulic ram and
are connected by link J. One of them is also provided with a tail piece K which
will act as a handle or treadle. They are shown at their lowest point in Figure 2,
but raised up to their highest point in Figure 3, and they are pivoted and linked
together in such manner that when in the position shown in Figure 2 their upper
surfaces will be immediately under the edge plates of frame A.
During the
operation of charging frame A these blocks H are turned into the position shown
in Figure 2. When however a sufficient number of layers of rolls, preferably
three have successively been submitted to the required pressure two catches L are
placed in such position as to come under the end flanges M and hold the same
and prevent the frame from falling with the ram. The ram is now lowered the
blocks H placed in the position shown in Figure 3 and again raised up; these
force the frame A up against the blocks F which entering the frame as plungers
force out the blocks of tobacco and the followers without injury. The catches L
are now removed and the operation goes on as before. NN are sliding bearings
sliding on the polished pillars PP so as to enable the frame A to accurately
register with the blocks F.
In thus describing my invention it is obvious that the hanging catches L could
be replaced by any other catch which could be temporarily run under the frame-
work and be fixed as regards vertical motion of the framework. Also that any other
means for holding the frame A at its own height or thereabouts above the plat-
form D could be used in place of these hinged levers, as all that is required is to
increase the height to which the frame A can be lifted and to leave a space below
frame A on the platform D for the tobacco to fall out into. Furthermore it is
obvious that every part of this apparatus can be reversed, the blocks being below
and the hydraulic press above. In such case however means would be required
for clamping the frame A to the hydraulic press and it would therefore not be so
convenient as the arrangement I have set forth.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
--
1. The improvement in apparatus for pressing or packing tobacco, which con-
sists in reversing the usual arrangement, and moving the frame or press table
which is provided with compartments for the reception of the tobacco by
hydraulic power, so that it shall rise and fall in such a manner that the tobacco
in the compartments shall be compressed by pressure against stationary blocks or
abutments, these blocks being attached to the under side of the top plate or roof
of the press, and arranged to enter the compartments of the frame to compress
the tobacco when the press table is raised up to them, substantially as described.
2. In apparatus for pressing or packing tobacco, the combination of a hydraulic
press platform D, and guides P, with a guided frame A and stationary blocks F
fitting the compartments of frame A, substantially as described.
3. In apparatus for pressing or packing tobacco, the combination with the fixed
blocks F, of an hydraulic press, frame A mounted upon the table thereof, and a

page_text: catch L, the latter so arranged as to engage the frame A when raised and prevent
it from again falling when the press table of the hydraulic press descends, sub-
stantially as and for the purpose described.
4. In apparatus for pressing or packing tobacco in which there are stationary
blocks, and a compartmental frame (for holding the tobacco) mounted upon the
press table of a hydraulic ram, the arrangement for raising said frame above the
press table when required, so that the charge of tobacco contained therein shall
have no support from below, whereby if the press table be pressed up high enough,
the stationary blocks at the top will enter the frame and force out the pressed
tobacco without bruising it substantially as described.
5. The general combined arrangement and construction of parts forming my
improved apparatus for pressing or packing tobacco, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 1st day of June 1898.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Patent Agents, of Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham and London.