Improvements in Machinery for Compressing and Binding or Cording Tobacco.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Mar., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 8th D:c., 1894-Accepted, 9th Feb., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery for Compressing and Binding or
Cording Tobacco.
I, JAMES MCCREADIE ROBERTSON, of 46 Seville Place, Dublin, Ireland,
Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention has for its object improvements in machinery whereby the process
of compressing and binding or cording tobacco may be accomplished in a simpler,.
and more efficient and economical manner than hitherto so far as I am aware.
In carrying out my said invention, I propose to mount a carriage saddle
transversely on suitable framing. This carriage saddle is provided with a
revolving head pierced by a longitudinal aperture for the purpose presently described,
and carries also a loose deep flanged pulley on a journal or bearing formed round
the revolving head. Round this loose pulley the binding cord is coiled.
The carriage saddle is connected with a longitudinal screw spindle arranged in
the framing underneath, and which is capable of revolving in reverse directions by
means of open and cross belting acting alternately on a fast pulley mounted on its
end whereby a to and fro motion is imparted to the carriage saddle.
This spindle also through the agency of suitable spur gearing acts on the
revolving head causing same to rotate in one direction as the carriage saddle
moves forward, and in the reverse direction as the carriage saddle moves
backwards.
At one extremity of the framing on which the carriage saddle is mounted, is
arranged a fixed head, and at the opposite extremity a shifting head.
The action of my improved tobacco binding machinery is briefly as follows:-
The carriage saddle having been brought to its starting position, and the binding
cord coiled on the loose flanged pulley, the prepared stick or plug of tobacco is
passed through the central aperture in the revolving head, and fixed longitudinally
between the fixed head, and shifting head of the machine-the space between these
heads being adjusted by moving the shifting head to suit the length of the stick or
plug of tobacco. In this position the tobacco is held stationary during the process
of binding.
The free end of the binding cord is then passed through a suitable aperture in
the flange of the revolving head, and being fastened by staple or otherwise to the
tobacco plug, the machine is started whereupon the carriage saddle travels forward,
and the revolving head rotates carrying the binding cord from the loose pulley,
round and round the plug of tobacco in regular convolutions until the entire length
of tobacco is covered.
At this point the travelling saddle strikes a suitable lever, which in turn throws
the driving belt on to the loose pulley, and the machine stops, when the finished or
corded plug is removed.
The cross belt is now brought on to the fast pulley, whereupon the travelling
saddle is caused to return to its normal position, while meanwhile the revolving
head being temporarily coupled up to the loose cord pulley picks up from a bobbin
the necessary length of binding cord for the next operation.
A freshly prepared plug is now inserted as before when the process of cording as
describad is nonnated

page_text: For the purpose of regulating the tension of the binding cord, the pulley round
which it is coiled is provided with a clamping brake, which may be actuated by
weights or otherwise at pleasure:
To provide for the natural elongation of the plug while undergoing the process
of binding, the centre of the fixed head which carries one end of plug is backed
by a spiral spring, which yields with the expansion of the plug, and thus obviates
any tendency to clink or buckle.
It is obvious that according to my invention the coils may be wound round the
plug more or less closely by altering the pitch of the leading screw spindle, and it
is also obvious that various lengths and thickness of tobacco may be dealt with by
inserting bushes of different diameter in the revolving head.
Dated the 7th day of March 1894.
J. K. FAHIE & SON,
9, Westland Row, Dublin, Agents for Applicant.
Improvements in Machinery for Compressing and Binding or
Cording Tobacco.
I, JAMES MCCREADIE ROBERTSON, of 46 Seville Place, Dublin, Ireland,
Mechanical 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 :—
This invention has for its object improvements in machinery whereby the process
of compressing and binding or cording tobacco, may be accomplished in a simpler
and more efficient and economical manner than hitherto so far as I am aware.
In carrying out my said invention I propose to mount a carriage saddle
transversely on suitable framing. This carriage saddle is provided with a
revolving head pierced by a longitudinal aperture, and carries also a loose deep-
flanged pulley on a journal or bearing formed round the revolving head.
The carriage saddle is connected with a longitudinal screw spindle arranged in
the framing underneath, and which is capable of revolving in opposite directions by
means of open and cross belting acting alternately on a fast pulley mounted at the
end of the machine, whereby a to and fro motion is imparted to the carriage
. saddle.
This screw spindle, also, through the agency of suitable spur gearing acts on the
revolving head causing same to rotate in one direction as the carriage saddle
moves forward, and in the reverse direction as the carriage saddle moves
backwards.
And in order that my said invention may be more readily understood, I will
proceed to describe the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1, is a plan, and Fig. 2, a side elevation of my improved machinery;
Figs. 3 and 4, are elevation and side view of the revolving head; and
Figs. 5 and 6, elevation and side view of a guide-eye, or stay hereinaffér
described.
The drawings shew the plug of tobacco as having been partly acted uponi.
Similar reference letters and numerals indicate corresponding parts in the
several views.
A. indicates the frame of the machine; B. and B¹ the heads or standards which
constitute the bearings for the tobacco carrying spindles C and C¹, and the
pulleys 1, 2, and 3; the head or standard B. being fixed, while B is capable of
shifting for the purpose of accommodating the length of tobacco to be corded.
The pulleys 1 and 3 are loose to take an open and a crossed belt whereby the

page_text: rotation of pulley 2-which is fast-may be reversed by the shifting of the
respective belts by guide forks 4 and 5, carried on the shifting rods 6 and 7,
mounted on each side of the machine.
8, is the longitudinal screw spindle carried in suitable bearings, and operated by
spur gear 9 and 10. Over this screw spindle is mounted the carriage saddle 11
(Figs. 3 and 4) which carries the revolving head 12, the latter in turn carrying
the overhung deep-flanged loose pulley 13, on which the binding cord is coiled.
On the face of the revolving head is pivoted a guide pawl 14, grooved on its.
upper edge to facilitate the passage of the binding cord in transit from the loose
pulley 13, through the aperture 15 to the tobacco plug 16 as bereinafter
described.
The loose pulley is provided with an ordinary break band 17 for the purpose of
regulating the tension of the cord, and may be actuated by weights or otherwise.
In front of the revolving head, and on the same carriage saddle is erected an
eye-guide or stay D, (Figs. 5 and 6) consisting of two pieces 18 and 19 hinged
at 20, and secured by a clamping device at 21. At opposite extremities of the
diameter of the eye, and at right angles to its plane are mounted rollers 22, whose
peripheries are shaped to suit the section of circle which they occupy. The
vertical rods on which these rollers are carried are provided with spiral springs
operated by the thumb screws 25, whereby the pressure of the rollers upon the
corded plug may be regulated at pleasure. From the carriage saddle the bobbin 26
is suspended which carries the binding cord and from which it is transferred to the
loose pulley 13 as required.
The revolving head is coupled with the screw spindle by means of pinions 27. 28.
and 29; the latter being provided with a feather engaging the longitudinal slot
shewn in the screw, whereby a rotatory as well as longitudinal motion is imparted
to the pinion, which in turn communicates motion to the revolving head (the
pinion 27 being fast on same), while meantime the carriage saddle is moved
horizontally by the bracket 30, which is pierced and threaded to engage the screw.
Thus as the screw spindle revolves, a compound motion-rotatory and horizontal-
is communicated to the revolving head, and this compound motion may be reversed
at pleasure by the reversal of the screw spindle.
The action of my improved machinery is as follows:-
The carriage saddle having been brought to its starting position near the fixed
head B, the plug of tobacco to be bound is inserted through the revolving head,
and guide eye, or stay, and is secured at both ends by pressure against pins (or
by penetrating suitable sockets) provided on the free ends of spindles C and C¹.
In this position the plug is held stationary during the process of binding. The
free end of the binding cord (of which a sufficient quantity for binding each plug
is carried on the loose pulley 13) is now passed through aperture 15, and along the
edge of pawl 14, and fastened by staple or otherwise to the tobacco. The machine
is then started by the open belt on fast pulley 2, whereupon the screw spindle
carries forward the carriage saddle through the agency of bracket 30, and com-
municates rotatory motion by the pinions (27, 28, and 29) to the revolving head,
which in its revolutions round the plug, as indicated by the arrow (Fig. 3), pays
out the binding cord from the loose pulley, winding same in regular convolutions
until the tobacco is completely covered.
On arriving at the end of its travel, the carriage strikes an arm 31, attached to
rod 7, whereby the belt is shifted from fast pulley 2, to loose pulley 3, and the
machine stops when the corded plug is removed.
The cross belt is now shifted to fast pulley 2, whereupon the rotation of the
screw spindle is reversed, and the carriage saddle starts to its original position.
Before, however it completes the return journey it strikes the pivoted arm 32,
which shifts the cross belt and the machine stops, when a key 33, is inserted
through the face of the revolving head into a corresponding aperture in the loose
pulley, whereby the latter is temporarily keyed to the former, the object of this
union being, to cause the loose pulley to turn with the revolving head during the

page_text: remainder of the return journey, and automatically pick up from the supply
bobbin 26, sufficient cord for the next operation.
During the act of binding there is a natural tendency on the part of the plug to
elongate or expand, and to provide for this tendency, the spindles C and C¹ impinge
against spiral springs 34 and 35 (Fig. 1) which yield as the plug elongates or
expands, and thus buckling is obviated.
It is obvious that plugs of varying thickness may be readily corded by the
machinery herein described, the only adjustment necessary being the insertion of
bushes of the required diameter in the revolving head.
To counteract the pressure of the plug caused by the pull of the cord in the act
of binding, a roller 36 is fixed on the face of the revolving head.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I would have it
understood that what I claim is :-
First. In apparatus for compressing and binding tobacco, in which the plug or
stick is held stationary, the improved binding mechanism, consisting of a carriage
saddle 11, carrying a revolving head 12, and overhung loose pulley 13, the
revolving head being provided with a guide pawl 14, and aperture 15, all
arranged and operating in the manner substantially as herein specified.
Secoud. In apparatus for compressing and cording tobacco, the use and
application of an eye-guide, or stay D, in combination with the parts claimed in
Claim One, constructed, arranged and operating in the manner substantially as
described and illustrated.
Third. In apparatus for compressing and cording tobacco, the mechanism
consisting of the carriage saddle 11, and its component parts, and the eye-guide or
stay D, in combination with the screw spindle 8, and actuating spur gear, all
constructed, arranged and operating in the manner substantially as described.
Fourth. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the improved
machinery for compressing and binding or cording tobacco, substantially as herein
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated the 7th day of December 1894.
J. K. FAHIE & SON,
9, Westland Row, Dublin, Agents for Applicant.