IMPROVEMENTS IN TREATING THE LEAVES OF THE TEA PLANT AND OTHER SIMILAR MATERIALS, AND IN MACHINERY AND APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED THEREFOR
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Benjamin Dickinson, of Hopetown, Darjeeling,.
India, Tea Planter, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN TREATING
THE LEAVES OF THE TEA PLANT AND OTHER SIMILAR MATERIALS, AND IN
MACHINERY AND APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED THEREFOR."
Sealed the 9th March 1869, and dated the 19th September 1868.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Benjamin Dickinson at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
19th September 1868.
I, BENJAMIN DICKINSON, of Hopetown, Darjeeling, India, Tea Planter,
lo hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
TREATING THE LEAVES OF THE TEA PLANT AND OTHER SIMILAR MATERIALS, AND IN
MACHINERY AND APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED THEREFOR," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the construction and employment of
machinery or apparatus for performing various operations which have
heretofore been done by hand in the treatment of the leaves of the tea
plant, and in the tea leaf for the market.

page_text: The leaves when fresh gathered contain juices in their structural
vessels, and which must be got rid of before they are available for the
after processes of tea manufacturing; this has heretofore been effected
by manual labour, the leaves being squeezed and rubbed at the same
time in the hollows of the hands.
5
The processes of twisting and curling up the leaves in the peculiar
manner common to the manufacture and required in the trade aro
performed by the workman rolling, gently rubbing, and at the same
time turning partially round the leaves contained in the hollowed palms
of his hands, and it requires great skill and some dexterity to produce 1
a first rate sample of manufactured tea uniform in character of curl.
For the purpose of effecting the first-mentioned operation, I place
the fresh gathered leaves containing the juices into a bag of horschair
or other suitably strong and porous material and nearly fill it.
For the purpose of rupturing the vessels of the leaves without 1
breaking or injuring the leaves, I place the bag or bags between a
pair of rollers under pressure and rotate one of the rollers, so that
when the bag has been passed through the rollers once or twice the
'whole of the juices are expressed from the vessels of the leaves.
Instead of a pair of rollers, a traversing table and a roller somewhat
like a mangle may be substituted.
For the purpose of rolling up and twisting the leaves 1 employ
either two operations performed by two kinds of machines, or the double
operation of rolling up each leaf (cigar like) and cross rolling or twisting
it into a crooked form may be effected in the same apparatus.
For rolling (cigar like) the leaves I cither employ an endless band
upon which the leaves are received and carried forward against and
under light and freely revolving rollers, which are capable of being
regulated or retarded in their motion, or instead thereof I may employ
two endless bands moving in contrary directions, but parallel to cach
other, the degree of contact being regulated.
For giving the leaves thus rolled up the necessary cross twist or curl
I employ the following apparatus or mechanical contrivance. I mount
a circular table upon a rising spindle, which may be elevated by the
foot of the operator upon a pedal whilst he can freely turn it around
on its axis or spindle. Several of these revolving tables may be used

page_text: together, each mounted or fitted on a frame with sufficient space between
to allow of the workman standing or sitting at each table. They are
so placed in relation to the under side of a revolving endless band, that
upon placing the rolled leaves upon a portion of the surface of the
circular table, whilst it is lowered and at rest, and then raising it so
as to bring the leaves gently in contact with the under face of the
endless belt, the table is partially turned by hand in the opposite
direction to that in which, through the motion of the belt the table would
be caused to turn; in this way a compound action and a twisting is
produced upon each leaf.
The rolling and a cross twisting or curling may be effected by the use
or employment of the following apparatus :-I mount two wide endless
bands or belts with their faces equidistant or parallel to each other,
but set at an angle to each other in the line of their longitudinal
motion, so that on the plan they present to a slight extent the figure
of a x. These belts or bands are caused to revolve in opposite directions
and at different speeds. The leaves to be rolled and twisted or curled
are fed on to the upper face of the lower belt, and are gradually carried
forward. Several rollers set at suitable angles to the direction of motion
of the band or belt over which they are mounted may be employed for
a like purpose.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Benjamin Dickinson in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 18th March 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, BENJAMIN
DICKINSON, of Hopetown, Darjeeling, India, Tea Planter, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Nineteenth day of September, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, in the thirty-
first year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Benjamin Dickinson, Her special licence
that I, the said Benjamin Dickinson, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Benjamin Dickinson, my exc-
cutors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the

page_text: 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
TREATING THE LEAVES OF THE TEA PLANT AND OTHER SIMILAR MATERIALS, AND IN
MACHINERY AND APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED THEREFOR," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Benjamin Dickinson, my executors or
alininistrators, 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 Benjamin Dickinson, do hereby
declare the nature of my said 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 relates to the construction and employment of
machinery or apparatus for performing or executing various operations
or processes which have heretofore been effected by hand, being used in
the treatment and preparation of the leaves of the tea plant for the
market.
The leaves of the tea plant when first gathered contain certain juices
in the vessels existing in their cellular structure, which juices must be
removed before the leaves are available for the after processes involved in
the manufacture of tea; this removal of the juices has heretofore been
effected by manual labour, the Icaves being squeezed and rubbed at the
same time in the hollows of the hands.
The processes of curling and twisting up the leaves in the peculiar
manner common to the manufacture of tea, and required in the trade, are
performed by the workman rolling, gently rubbing, and at the same
time turning or twisting partially round the leaves contained in the
hollowed palms of his hands, and it requires great skill and dexterity,
which alone can be attained by prolonged experience, to produce a first-
rate sample of manufactured tea uniform in character of curl.
For the purpose of effecting the first-mentioned operation I place the
fresh gathered leaves or leaves that have been withered but which yet
contain in their cells the natural juices in a bag made of hair or of some

page_text: other suitably strong and porous material, which bag I nearly fill with
such leaves.
For the purpose of rupturing the vessels of the leaves without
otherwise breaking or injuring the said leaves I place the bag or bags
containing them between a pair of rollers under pressure obtained by
means of levers and weights or springs or any other well known
mechanical means, and cause one or both of the rollers to rotate, so
that when the bag or bags has or have been passed through the rollers
once or twice, or as many times as may be found requisite, the whole or
a sufficient amount of the juices shall have been expressed from the
vessels of the leaves.
Instead of employing a pair of rollers for expressing the juices from
the leaves a traversing table and roller somewhat like an ordinary
mangle may be substituted.
For the purpose of rolling up and twisting the leaves I employ either
two operations performed by two kinds of machines, or the double
operation of rolling up cach leaf (cigar like) and cross rolling or twisting
it into a crooked form may be effected in one and the same apparatus.
For rolling (cigar like) the leaves I either employ an endless band,
upon which the leaves are received and carried forward against and
under light and freely revolving rollers, but which may be capable of
being regulated or retarded in their motion, or instead thereof I may
employ two endless bands moving in contrary directions, but parallel
to each other horizontally, the degree of contact being regulated as may
be required.
For giving the leaves thus rolled up the necessary cross twist or cur.
I employ the following apparatus or mechanical appliance:-I mount a
circular table upon a rising spindle, which may be elevated by the foot
of the operator acting upon a pedal or by any other well known method
whilst he can freely turn the said table round on its axis or spindle.
Several of these revolving tables may be used together, each mounted or
fitted in a frame with sufficient space between to allow of the workman
standing or sitting at cach table; they are so placed in relation to the
under side of a revolving endless band that upon placing the rolled
leaves upon a portion of the surface of the circular table whilst it is
lowered and at rest, and then raising it so as to bring the leaves into
gentle contact with the under surface of the revolving endless belt, the
table being partially turned by hand in the opposite direction, so that in

page_text: which by its contact with the belt it would be caused to rotate, a
compound action is produced which causes a twisting of each leaf
somewhat similar to that at present performed by hand.
The rolling and cross twisting or curling may also be effected by the
employment of the following apparatus:-I mount two wide endless
bands or belts with their faces nearly equidistant from or parallel to each
other, but set at an angle to each other in the line of their longitudinal
motion, so that on the plan they present to a slight extent the figure of
ax; these bolts or bands are caused to revolve in opposite directions
and at different speeds. The leaves to be rolled and twisted or curled
are fed on to the upper face of the lower belt, and are gradually carried
forward until they come in contact with the lower surface of the top
belt, when they are subjected to a compound rolling and curling motion
in consequence of the variation in speed and direction of the two belts.
Instead of revolving tables working against the under side of the belt
as herein-before described a horizontal table running the whole or part
of the length of the strap may be employed, this table being caused to
move backwards and forwards in a direction at right angles to the
motion of the strap, thus effecting a somewhat similar compound
motion, which is necessary to impart. the proper twist or curl to the
leaves. Several rollers set at suitable angles to the direction of the
motion of the band or belt over which they are mounted may be
employed for a like purpose.
The Drawings hereunto annexed show some of the modes or manners
in which I prefer to construct the apparatus in accordance with my
Invention, and how such apparatus is used or employed, as also how my
improvements are to be performed and carried into effect, similar letters
referring to corresponding parts in the different views of the various
mechanical arrangements.
'
Figures 1 and 2, Sheet 1, represent an arrangement of apparatus
for performing the preliminary process of treatment for expressing the
juices from the fresh gathered leaves of the tea plants, Figure 1 showing
a front elevation, and Figure 2 a side clevation of the said apparatus.
A and B are the rollers between which I cause the bag or bags of tea
leaves to be passed; the top roller A revolves freely in its bearings,
which are fitted to the side frames in such a manner that they can slide
vertically, and of which one is seen at c, Figure 2. B, the lower roller,
revolves upon a spindle carried in two half bearings fitted to the side

page_text: frames, of which one is shewn at c', Figure 2. Upon the spindle which
carries the roller B is firmly keyed or otherwise securely fixed a spur or
cogged wheel d, with which and upon the same axis revolves the
roller B. e represents a small spur or cogged wheel or pinion gearing
with the larger spur wheel d; the pinion e is fixed upon an axis or
spindle revolving in bearings in the framing, of which one is shown
at m, Figure 2. Upon the same spindle or axis is fixed a crank or winch
handle, by means of which the workman is enabled to cause the
pinion e to revolve and transmit motion to the larger spur wheel d and
the roller B. The whole machine or apparatus is carried or supported
upon two suitable standards or frames g, g, which contain the various
bearings c, c', m, m. h is one of two levers used for applying a down-
ward pressure to the upper roller A; the levers h are jointed to the
frames 9, 9, by gudgeons, of which one is shown at n, Figure 2. Upon
the end of each lever h is placed or suspended a weight i, which causes a
pressure to be transmitted to the roller A through the link o, p, which
is attached to the lever by a pin at o, and to the bearing c of the
roller A by a pin at p; these levers h are retained in position laterally
by being confined in the slots at the top of the frames g, g, shown at
k, k, Figure 1. shows the bag of fresh gathered tea leaves partly
passed through the rollers A, B.
Instead of employing the weights i and levers h in order to produce a
pressure upon the roller A spiral or other springs or any other well-
known' mechanical equivalent means may be substituted.
Figures 3, 4, and 5, Sheet 1, show respectively side and end elevations.
and a plan of one of the before-mentioned methods for rolling and.
twisting or curling tea leaves. Similar letters in different Figures refer.
to corresponding parts of the apparatus.
A & A are two rollers fixed upon spindles d and d, which are:
supported in bearings carried in the plummer block g, g. Upon the
rollers A, A', is stretched the endless band B, upon which the leaves are
intended to be placed to undergo the process of rolling; in the band B
there may be made, at uniform distances and near each margin as shewn
in Figures 4 and 5, Sheet 1, apertures or perforation 8, 8, 8, &c., which
take on to pin's properly disposed on the peripheries of the rollers A, A',
and thus keep the endless belt straight and laterally in its right
position. c, c, c, &c. are small rollers, which revolve freely upon the
band B in the bearings f, f, S, &c., which carry their gudgeons or

page_text: spindles e, e, e, &c., &c. Upon the axis or spindle d', which carries the
roller A', is securely keyed or otherwise firmly fixed a spur or cogged
wheel o, which gears into a smaller cogged wheel or pinion p carried on
and fixed to the axis g, which revolves in bearings ". Upon the said
axis g is fixed a crank handle or winch h, which is operated by a work-
man, who thereby causes the pinion p to revolve and transmit motion to
the roller A', and thence to the endless band or belt B, upon which are
placed the tea leaves to be rolled, such leaves being thus carried forward
and brought under the action of the rollers c, c, c, &c., by which means
the twist is imparted to them, and they are subsequently discharged over
the roller A at the other extremity of the apparatus. The endless belt B
may be driven by animal or steam power by fitting a strap pulley to the
spindle g and connecting it by means of a belt or strap to the driving
power. I, I, I, represents three of the circular tables by means of which
I give or impart a lateral twist or curl to the leaves after they have
undergone the rolling up process; I' is shewn elevated so as to bring the
leaves into gentle contact with the lower surface of the endless belt B,
so that a revolving motion being imparted at the same time by hand to
the table I' the proper curl or twist may be given to each leaf upon the
table as described. The table is elevated from a position similar to that
shown at I, I, by the operator passing with his foot upon the pedal k,
which oscillating or vibrating upon the gudgeon or pin raises the
spindle j, and with it the table I. The tables I, I, I, arc capable of
revolving freely upon their spindles j, j, j, and are supported and guided
by the framing n, n, n, n. In sonic cases these tables may be caused to
revolve by means of a grooved pulley, over which runs a cord connected
with the driving power, the belt thereby imparting a continuous rotary
motion instead of the tables being revolved by hand. The rollers A, A',
which carry the endless belt or band B and also the driving pinion p are
supported by suitable framing m, m, m, m.
Figure 6, Sheet 1, represents a circular revolving table for imparting
the twist or curl to the leaves; it is in every respect similar to those
already described in Figures 3, 4, and 5, except that instead of being
permanently fixed to the framing carrying the endless belt or band it is
constructed as shown upon an independent framing n, n, n.
Figures 1, 2, and 3, Sheet 2, represent respectively a side clevation, a
plan, and an end elevation of another mechanical arrangement of
apparatus by which I perform upon the leaves the compound actions of

page_text: longitudinal and transverse curling within the same machine, and
thereby superseding the use of revolving circular table working beneath
the revolving band, as herein-before described.
A, A', are rollers carrying the main endless belt or band B, upon
which are placed the leaves intended to be subjected to the operation of
the apparatus. The rollers are fixed on spindles h, h, which revolve in
bearings supported on plummer blocks i, i, which plummer blocks are
attached to the framing m, m. Upon the spindle / is fixed a spur or
cogged wheel gearing into a pinion g, on the axis of which is fastened
a crank handle or winch 1, which winch being operated by a workman
revolves, and its motion transmitted through the pinion g and spur
wheel to the roller A' and endless belt B. c, c', show two rollers
carrying an endless belt or band D, which is placed above and in the
place at an angle to the main belt B; the rollers C, C', are supported
upon spindles or axes k, k, revolving in bearings supported in plummer.
blocks o, o, fixed on framing n, n, which is placed at an angle to the
framing m, m. Upon the spindle of the roller A¹ is fixed a grooved
pulley e, and upon the spindle of the roller C is fixed a grooved
pulley d', and motion is transmitted from the pulley e to the pulley d'
by means of a band (or other suitable appliance) as shown at e, d, and in
such manner that the roller C¹ shall revolve in the opposite directio
that in which the pulley e is revolving, and consequently the belt D is
caused to travel in an opposite direction to the belt or band B, thus
giving at once a rolling and twisting action on the leaves placed upon
the main belt B, the degree of contact between which and the belt D is
adjustable. A similar twisting and curling motion may be obtained by
causing both belts B and D to travel in the same direction but at
different speeds. This arrangement may, if preferred, be driven by
animal or steam power in a similar manner to that before described in
Figures 3, 4, and 5, Sheet 1.
Figures 4 and 5, Sheet 2, represent a modification of the apparatus.
and another method of imparting the requisite curl or twist to the
leaves. The apparatus hercin shewn is similar to that illustrated in
Figures 3, 4, and 5, Sheet 1, except in the arrangements or mechanical
appliances acting in concert with the under surface of the endless belt
or band (the top. rollers may in some cases be dispensed with), which
are as hereunder described. Upon the main driving spindle A, B, is
fixed a bevel spur wheel, which gears with another bevel spur wheel d,

page_text: through which and the spur or cogged gearing e motion is imparted
to a revolving longitudinal shaft e¹, e¹. The longitudinal shaft e¹, e',
carries eccentrics (or other equivalent mechanical contrivances) f, f,
which in revolving impart transverse horizontal motion through con-
necting rods g, g, and k to the transversing table i, which is supported
upon rollers h, h, so situated as to keep the table a proper distance
from the under side of the belt. Raised strips or ledges may be
placed around the ends and sides of the table i to prevent the tea
leaves from falling off. When the leaves are placed on this table and
the apparatus set in motion a compound action is produced by the
longitudinal motion of the under side of the belt, and the transverse
motion of the traversing table whereby the curl or twist is imparted
to the leaves. Such leaves being placed only on a small portion of
the table's surface at a time, and the movement of the belt together
with that of the transverse motion of the table causing the leaves to
change their position from time to time during the process of curling
or twisting.
Having now described my Invention of "Improvements in Treating
the Leaves of the Tea Plant and other similar Materials, and in
Machinery and Apparatus to be employed therefor," I wish it to be
understood that what I claim is,―
First. The improvements in treating the leaves of the tea plant and
other similar materials, and in the machinery and apparatus to be
employed for that purpose, as herein described and set forth.
Second. The mode or method herein described of treating the fresh
plucked leaves of the tea plant for the purpose of rupturing the vessels
and discharging the moisture therefrom without destroying the leaf.
Third. The use or employment of revolving belts or bands in
conjunction with rollers, as herein described, for the purpose of rolling
up the leaves of the tea plant and other similar materials in manner
described and illustrated in Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings.
Fourth. The use or employment of a revolving band or belt in
combination with a revolving table or tables, as herein-described and
as illustrated in Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings, for the purpose
of twisting or curling leaves, as herein-before set forth.
Fifth. The use or employment of two revolving belts or bands
mounted and working together, as herein described and illustrated in
.

page_text: Figures 1, 2, and 3, Sheet 2, for the purpose of rolling up and curling or
twisting leaves in manner described.
Sixth. The mechanical contrivance or apparatus illustrated by
Figures 4 and 5, Sheet 2, of the accompanying Drawings, either in
conjunction with the before-mentioned apparatus for rolling or
separately, whem employed for the purpose of treating the leaves of
plants, as herein-before described.
In witness wheroof, I, the said Benjamin Dickinson, have hercunto
set my hand and scal, this Twenty-second day of October, in tho
year of our Lord Oue thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight.
Witness,
W. FREDERIC ROGERS,
19, Salisbury St.,
Strand.
BENJAMIN DICKINSON. (L.S.)