IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY AND APPARATUS FOR CUTTING, CHOPPING, OR BREAKING TOBACCO, PAPER, AND OTHER LIKE MATERIALS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY AND APPARATUS FOR CUTTING, CHOPPING, OR
BREAKING TOBACCO, PAPER, AND OTHER LIKE MATERIALS." A communication
from abroad by Eugène Durand, of Paris, France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd February 1878.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY AND APPARATUS
FOR CUTTING, CHOPPING, OR BREAKING TOBACCO, PAPER, AND OTHER LIKE
MATERIALS." [A communication from abroad by Eugène Durand, of Paris, France.]
This Invention relates to a machine for cutting or chopping tobacco leaf to make
what is known as "picadura," such as is used in Spain, Havana, and in South
America, also for cutting or chopping up herbs or medicinal plants designed to be
used in the manufacture of chemical cigarettes or to be prepared for distilling
purposes. The said machine is also applicable for cutting up roots, seaweed, rags,
and other like materials. It is also applicable for cutting paper into bands of any
length and width for making endless rolls, or in certain cases curled paper (colored
or white) to be used for wrapping up fancy or artistic objects; or commoner paper,
such as newspapers, may be operated upon and curled to make it applicable for
wrapping up objects of less value than such as those above mentioned.
The distinguishing feature of the said machine consists in the employment of two
grooved or channelled cylinders geared lightly together, and which on being rotated
act like roller shears. These cylinders may be each constructed of one single piece,
or of separate parts, and I may construct them of discs placed in juxtaposition,
which discs may be tempered or untempered. The discs may be in two parts like
two springs known as Belleville" springs, so as to allow of providing for the
effects of wear.
"

page_text: I combine with the said cylinders any suitable devices or apparatus for feeding
the machine with the material to be cut, for separating the same after it has been
cut, and for collecting together the product obtained; for example, when " picadura"
is to be manufactured, the leaves of tobacco may be directly subjected to the action of
the said cylinders, or they may be first cut into threads or pieces of greater or lesser
dimensions by means of a chopping or ordinary knife, which may be a part of the
machine or separate therefrom.
The said cylinders may be provided with scrapers or combs to clean them, and
to detach from their channels or grooves the cut tobacco or other material.
When using the said machine for cutting paper into bands, the said scrapers
or combs are removed, and are replaced by two plates of metal which are lightly
traversed, one by one of the cylinders, and the other by the other cylinder in such
a manner as to permit the cutting, and to prevent the bands from getting into the
channels or grooves of the said cylinders. The paper is wound round a reel as soon
as it comes from the said cutting cylinders.
In operating upon paper for wrapping purposes, the scrapers or combs are allowed
to remain, and they cause the paper to be more or less curled according to whether
they are more or less inclined. The cut paper may be allowed to escape directly
from the cylinders, or it may be caused to pass into a pipe covered with a bag or
sack forming a sheath in such a manner as to receive the paper within it. The
paper in passing the pipe cannot escape therefrom except by pushing the sack
as it advances, at the same time becoming compressed in the said bag or sack. The
latter does not leave the said pipe until it is full.
In order more fully to explain the said Invention, I refer to the accompanying
Drawings, which shew two arrangements for carrying the same into effect, these
two arrangements being represented only as specimens of the manner in which
I propose to carry the said Invention into practice.
Figures 1, 2, and 3 represent a side elevation, an end view, and a plan of a
machine constructed according to my said Invention, and designed for cutting
or chopping up tobacco, and for cutting paper into narrow curled bands to serve
for wrapping purposes.
Figures 4, 5, and 6 represent on an enlarged scale a transverse section on the
line 1, 2, Figure 6, a longitudinal view on the line 3, 4, Figure 6, and a plan of the
pair of grooved or channelled cutting cylinders, and of the scrapers or combs, which
serve to detach the chopped tobacco from their grooves or channels, or to effect
the curling of the narrow bands of paper.
Similar letters of reference refer to the same parts throughout these Figures.
a, a, represent the grooved or channelled cylinders gearing lightly together, as
shewn in Figures 4 and 6; they are keyed upon the shafts b, b, which turn in
bearings forming part of the frame w of the machine; c, d, are fast and loose
pulleys mounted on the shaft of one of the two cylinders to transmit a rotary
movement by means of a strap from any suitable motor. The two cylinders control
each other, and revolve in contrary directions or at varying speeds by means of the
toothed wheels e, e, keyed on the shafts b, b; f is a hopper in which the tobacco
in the leaf or in threads or pieces is placed.
Instead of this hopper I may employ other means for feeding the machine, such,
for instance, as an endless apron or chain devices, or other similar apparatus.
In employing an endless apron, the line passing over the axes of the cylinders
may be vertical instead of horizontal, that is to say, the cylinders may be superposed
as in the case of a rolling mill. g, g, are scrapers or combs provided to clean the
cylinders, and to detach from their grooves or channels the chopped tobacco, and
also to curl the paper; h is a sieve placed under the cylinders to sift the chopped
tobacco. The fine tobacco which passes through the sieve is carried by the incline
plane i into a receptacle ad hoc, while the larger portions to be subjected again to the
action of the cylinders are conducted by the inclined plane j into another receptacle.
The said sieve is vibrated by means of a cam k keyed upon one of the shafts of the
cylinders, and by means of the combination of the connecting rods and levers 1, L

page_text: Figures 7, 8, and 9 represent a front view, a side elevation, and a plan of the
said machine as arranged for cutting paper into smooth bands of various widths
for other purposes than for wrapping, such, for instance, as bands of paper for use
with the apparatus known as "Morse's telegraphic apparatus.
Figures 10 and 11 represent on an enlarged scale a transverse section on the line
5, 6, and a horizontal section on the line 7, 8, of the pair of grooved or channelled
cutting cylinders, and of the metal plates which prevent the bands from getting
into the grooves or channels of the said cylinders.
In all these Figures the same letters of reference refer to the same parts.
a, a, are the grooved or channelled cylinders keyed on the shafts b, b, turning
in bearings forming part of the frame w of the machine; c, d, are fast and loose
pulleys mounted on the shaft of one of these cylinders; e, e, are toothed wheels
transmitting the motion of one cylinder to the other; m is a reel or roll of paper
to be delivered in bands; n, n, are reels to receive the paper after being cut; o, o,
are shafts on which the reels n are keyed; and are pulleys and cords for
transmitting a rotary movement from one of the shafts b to the shafts o; 8, 8, are
unfolding plates for the paper, preventing it from penetrating to the bottom of the
grooves or channels of the cylinders.
In commencing the operation, the end of each of the bands is to be fastened to
one of the reels n corresponding to it.
The sharpening or setting of the said grooved or channelled cylinders used in
either of the arrangements herein-before described is effected by means of a tool t,
which crushes the material, as shewn in Figure 12, if the projecting parts formed
by the channelling are flat, or by means of a tool u, which presses or turns down
the material if the projecting parts are V shaped, as shewn at Figure 13.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
20th August 1878.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY AND APPARATUS
FOR CUTTING, CHOPPING, OR BREAKING TOBACCO, PAPER, AND OTHER LIKE
MATERIALS." A communication from abroad by Eugène Durand, of Paris, France.
This Invention relates to a machine for cutting or chopping tobacco leaf to make
what is known as "picadura," such as is used in Spain, Havana, and South America;
also for cutting or chopping herbs or medicinal plants to be used in the manufacture
of chemical cigarettes, or to be prepared for distilling purposes. The said machine
is also applicable for cutting roots, seaweed, rags, and other like materials. It is
also applicable for cutting paper into bands of any length and width for making
endless rolls, or in certain cases curled paper (colored or white) to be used for
wrapping or packing fancy or artistic objects, or for cutting commoner kinds of
paper, such as newspapers, to make the same applicable for wrapping up objects of
comparatively little value.
The distinguishing feature of the said machine consists in the employment of
two grooved or channelled cylinders geared lightly together, and which, on being
rotated, act like roller shears. These cylinders may be each constructed of one
single piece or of separate parts, and I may construct them of discs placed in juxta-
position, and either tempered or untempered. The said discs may be in two parts,
like the springs known as "Belleville" springs, to allow or compensate for the
"
effects of wear.
I combine with the said cylinders any suitable devices or apparatus for
feeding the machine with the material to be cut, for separating the same after
it has been cut, and for collecting together the product obtained; for example, when
picadura" is to be manufactured, the leaves of tobacco may be directly subjected
to the action of the said cylinders, or they may be first cut into threads or pieces of
greater or lesser dimensions by means of a chopping or ordinary knife, which may
be a part of the machine or separate therefrom.
The said cylinders may be provided with scrapers or combs to clean them, and
to detach from their channels or grooves the cut tobacco or other material.
When this machine is to be used for cutting paper into bands the said scrapers
or combs are removed, and are replaced by two plates of metal, which are lightly a
traversed, one, by one of the cylinders, and the other by the other cylinder in such
a manner as to permit the cutting, and keep the bands from getting into the
channels or grooves of the said cylinders. The paper is wound round a reel as soon
as it comes from the said cutting cylinders.
In operating upon paper for wrapping or packing purposes the scrapers or combs 4
are allowed to remain, and they cause the paper to be more or less curled, according
as their inclination is more or less. The cut paper may be allowed to escape
directly from the cylinders, or may be caused to pass into a pipe covered with a
bag or sack forming a sheath in such a manner as to receive the paper within it.
The paper in passing the pipe cannot escape therefrom, except by pushing the sack 4
as it enters, at the same time becoming compressed in the said bag or sack. The
latter does not leave the said pipe until it is full.
To more fully explain the said Invention, I will now refer to the accompanying
Drawings, which shew (as examples only) two arrangements for carrying the same
into effect.
Figures 1, 2, and 3 represent a side elevation, an end view, and a plan of a
machine constructed according to my said Invention, and designed for cutting or
chopping tobacco, and for cutting paper into narrow curled bands for wrapping
purposes,
5

page_text: Figures 4, 5, and 6 represent on an enlarged scale a transverse section on the
line 1, 2, a longitudinal view on the line 3-4, and a plan of the pair of grooved or
channelled cutting cylinders, and of the scrapers or combs which serve to detach
the chopped tobacco from their grooves or channels, or to effect the curling of the
narrow bands of paper.
Similar letters of reference refer to the same parts throughout these Figures.
a, a, represent the grooved or channelled cylinders gearing lightly together, as
shewn in Figures 4 and 6; they are keyed upon the shafts b, b, which turn in bearings
forming part of the frame w of the machine; c, d, are fast and loose pulleys mounted
on the shaft of one of the two cylinders to transmit a rotary movement by means
of a strap from any suitable motor. The two cylinders control each other, and
revolve in contrary directions or at varying speeds by means of the toothed wheels
e, e, keyed on the shafts b, b; f is a hopper in which the tobacco in the leaf or in
threads or pieces is placed.
Instead of this hopper I may employ other means for feeding the machine, such,
for instance, as an endless apron or chain devices, or other similar apparatus.
In employing an endless apron the line passing over the axes of the cylinders
may be vertical instead of horizontal, that is to say, the cylinders may be super-
posed, as in the case of a rolling mill. 9, 9, are scrapers or combs provided to
clean the cylinders, and to detach from their grooves or channels the chopped
tobacco, also to curl the paper; is a sieve placed under the said cylinders to sift
the chopped tobacco. The fine tobacco which passes through this sieve is carried
by the inclined plane i into a suitable receptacle, while the larger portions to be
subjected again to the action of the cylinders are conducted by the inclined plane j
into another receptacle. The said sieve is vibrated by means of a cam k keyed
upon one of the shafts of the cylinders, and by means of the combination of the
connecting rods and levers l, l.
Figures 7, 8, and 9 represent a front view, a side elevation, and a plan of the
said machine as arranged for cutting paper into smooth bands of various widths for
other purposes than wrapping, such, for instance, as bands of paper for use with
the apparatus known as Morse's " telegraphic apparatus.
Figures 10 and 11 represent on an enlarged scale a transverse section on the
line 5, 6, and a horizontal section on the line 7-8, of the pair of grooved or chan-
nelled cutting cylinders, and of the metal plates which prevent the bands from
getting into the grooves or channels of the said cylinders.
In all these Figures the same letters of reference refer to the same parts.
a, a, are the grooves or channelled cylinders keyed on the shafts b, b, turning in
bearings forming part of the frame w of the machine; c, d, are fast and loose
pulleys mounted on the shaft of one of these cylinders; e, e, are toothed wheels for
transmitting the notion of one cylinder to the other; m is a reel or roll of paper
to be delivered in bands; n, n, are reels to receive the paper after it has been cut;
o, o, are shafts on which the reels n are keyed; p and rare pulleys and cords for
transmitting a rotary movement from one of the shafts b to the shafts o; 8, 8, are
unfolding plates for keeping the paper from the bottom of the grooves or channels
of the cylinders.
In commencing to work the machine the end of each of the bands is to be
fastened to one of the reels n corresponding with the same.
The sharpening or setting of the said grooved or channelled cylinders used in
either of the arrangements of mechanism herein-before described is effected by
means of a tool t, which crushes the material, as shewn in Figure 12, if the
projecting parts formed by the channelling are flat, or by means of a tool u¹ which
presses or turns down the material if the projecting parts are V shaped, as shewn
in Figure 13.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim, in a machine for cutting, chopping, or breaking tobacco, paper, and

page_text: other like materials, the employment of two similarly grooved or channelled
cylinders geared together, and which, when in operation act as roller shears, the
said cylinders being each constructed in one piece, or made up of tempered or
untempered discs placed side by side, or otherwise formed of separate parts, as above
set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of August, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
UTH
TT
W. RODT. LAKE. (LS)