Improvements in Tea Leaf Rolling Machines.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Oct., 1896
Complete Specification Loft 6th July 1907
Accented
7th A
1007
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tea Leaf Rolling Machines.
I, SAMUEL CLELAND DAVIDSON of Sirocco Engineering Works, Belfast, Ireland,.
Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
This invention relates to tea leaf rolling machines and has reference more par-
ticularly to the rolling machines described in the Specifications of previous Letters
Patent of the present inventor and dated severally 4th November 1895 No. 20805
and 27th April 1896 No. 8834 (and which Specifications for brevity of description
are hereinafter referred to as the previous Specifications). but the improvements
are also applicable in part to other types of Tea Leaf Rolling Machines.
The objects of the invention are to effect a still better circulation of the
individual leaves throughout the mass of leaf in the leaf receptacle, during the
operation of rolling, with also a better aeration and cooling of the leaf than is
accomplished in the apparatus described in the previous Specifications and to effect
the delivery of the rolled leaf from the leaf receptacle when the discharge door
thereof is opened, so as to prevent any of it falling in below the rolling table, and
also to automatically sweep along off the outer surface of the rolling table any of
the leaf and juice which escapes through the clearance space between it and the
lower rim of the leaf receptacle, and wipe such leaf and juice off the table at one
place, where it may be collected in any suitable receiver, whereby the trouble and
danger of doing this by hand as heretofore is entirely avoided, and at same time
the rolling table is continuously kept clear of any accumulation of such leaf and
juice; and further to reduce the friction of the bearing between the lower points
of the pins supporting the rolling table, and of the crank shaft in connection there-
with upon the footsteps on which they rest at the bottom of the oil bath bearings
in which they work, by the introduction between the said points and the footstep
bearings of a specially constructed washer, whereby a continuous lubrication over
the entire surface of both is accomplished.
Part of the present invention consists in the application in the centre of the well
or dished cavity in the centre of the rolling table as described in the previous
Specifications; of preferably a conical shaped projection whereby when the rolling
table is in motion the upward movement of the leaf in the centre part of the leaf
receptacle from bottom to top thereof and its return again down the sides are more
rapidly effected than in the machines described in the previous Specifications, and
the leaf thereby more quickly and evenly rolled, while at the same time its aeration
and cooling are more thoroughly accomplished.
Another part of the present invention .consists in the employment in front of the
discharge door from the leaf receptacle, as described in the previous Specifications,
of a stationary apron shelf attached to the framework of the machine, and so
adjusted that when the said discharge door is closed, the inner edge of the apron'
shelf projects under, but only so far as the inner face of the lower edge of 'said
discharge door between which and the upper surface of the apron shelf there is
just sufficient clearance to allow the door to open freely over it, and its lower sur-
face should be similarly clear of the upper surface of the rolling table, but in

page_text: practical use the sagging of the apron shelf usually causes it to touch or bear
slightly on the rolling table. The front or outer edge of the apron shelf should
extend clear of the extreme throw of the rolling table, and its two sides are
supported by the framework of the machine so as to form a kind of a trough into
which when the door of the leaf receptacle is opened, the leaf is discharged by the
movement of the rolling table from whence it can be conveniently drawn over the
outer edge into a truck or basket placed below the same.
Another part of the present invention consists in forming the
outer lower edge of the leaf receptacle above the rolling table with
projections like ratchet teeth at preferably about 6 or 8 inches
apart, whereby the leaf and juice which more or less escape and exude
from the mass of leaf in the leaf receptacle, through the clearance space between
its lower edge and the upper surface of the rolling table, get swept along round the
Enner edges of the raised rim enclosing the outer edge of the rolling table, from
the resress point that misses touching the side of the stationary apron shelf oa
one side to a similar point on the opposite side of the apron shelf; consequently
not only the escaped leaf but also the juice are at each revolution of the table moved
forward from one projecting ratchet or projection to another, and thereby
eventually discharged over the front edge of the rolling table. The leaf and juice
can thus both be collected at this one place in a bucket and returned when con-
venient into the leaf receptacle, or otherwise dealt with as considered desirable,
and by which arrangement the outer surface of the rolling table is kept automati-
cally swept free of whatever leaf and juice may escape out of the leaf receptacle
during the operation of rolling.
Another improvement consists in the introduction between the points of the pins
supporting the rolling table and the footstep surface supporting the pins, and also
between the lower points of the crank shafts in connection therewith, of an anti-
friction metal washer, with a hole in the centre of it, and grooves leading therefrom
to the outer edge of same, and across the face of its periphery so as to com-
municate with a circumferential groove around the centre of the outer face of the
washer, as a connection of all the grooves on both sides of the washer, whereby a
perfect circulation of the oil into the centre hole of the washer, and thence back.
t is outer edge through the grooves on the top and bottom faces takes place;
consequently as the lower faces of the said pins or crank shafts revolve over the
surfaces of the said washers, their entire surface is continuously passing over the
oil in the grooves of the washer, and at the same time a centrifugal outflow of the
oil is caused at the periphery of the washers and as the grooves on the bottom side
of same are connected as above described with those on the top side, the outflowing
oil is replaced by an inflowing current through the bottom grooves of the washer
to the central hole therein; and if from any reason it should be easier for the
washers to revolve along with the points of the pins or crank shafts, instead of
remaining stationary on top of the footstep bearings supporting them, the cir-
culation then takes place in the reverse direction, the inflowing oil to the central
hole of the washer being through the grooves on its upper surface, and the out-
flowing oil through the grooves in its lower face.
The framework of the machine is strengthened by stays or binding bars between
the standards thereof; these bars in conjunction with the platform and apron shelf
in front of the discharging floor, also serve advantageously as guards round, the
gearing and moving parts of the machine to prevent accidents to the attendants
working same.
The above described cone-shaped projection in the centre of the well or dished
cavity of the rolling table and the ratchet-like projections around the outer lower
edge of the leaf receptacle are applicable to other types of tea leaf rolling machines.
nihan 1000
J. C. MEWBURN & ELLIS,
55 and 56 Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents,

page_text: I, SAMUEL CLELAND DAVIDSON of Sirocco Engineering Works, Belfast, Ireland,
Merchant, 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 relates to tea leaf rolling machines and has reference more particu-
larly to the Rolling machines described in the Specifications of previous Letters
Patent of the present inventor and dated severally 4th November 1895, No. 20805,
and 27th April 1896, No. 8834 (and which Specifications for brevity of description
are hereinafter referred to as the previous specifications) but the improvements are
also applicable in part to other types of Tea leaf rolling machines.
The objects of the invention are to effect a still better circulation of the
individual leaves throughout the mass of leaf in the leaf receptacle, during the
operation of rolling, with also a better aeration and cooling of the leaf than is
accomplished in the apparatus described in the previous specifications, and to effect
the delivery of the rolled leaf from the leaf receptacle when the discharge door
thereof is opened, so as to prevent any of it falling in below the rolling table, and
also to automatically sweep along off the outer surface of the rolling table any of the
leaf and juice which escapes through the clearance space between it and the lower
rim of the leaf receptacle, and wipe such leaf and juice off the table at one place,
where it may be collected in any suitable receiver, whereby the trouble and danger
of doing this by hand, as heretofore, is entirely avoided, and at same time the
rolling table is continuously kept clear of any accumulation of such leaf and juice:
and, further, to reduce the friction of the bearing between the lower points of the
pins supporting the rolling table, and of the crank shaft in connection therewith
upon the footsteps on which they rest at the bottom of the oil bath bearings in
which they work, by the introduction between the said points and the footstep
bearings of a specially constructed washer, whereby a continuous lubrication over
the entire surface of both is accomplished.
Part of the present invention consists in the application in the centre of the well
or dished cavity in the centre of the rolling table, as described in the previous
specifications, of preferably a cone shaped projection whereby when the rolling
table is in motion the upward movement of the leaf in the centre part of the leaf
receptacle from bottom to top thereof, and its return again down the sides, are
more rapidly effected than in the machines described in the previous specifications,
and the leaf thereby more quickly and evenly rolled, while at the same time its
aeration and cooling are more thoroughly accomplished.
Another part of the present invention consists in the employment in front of the
discharge door from the leaf receptacle as described in the previous specifications,
of a stationary apron shelf attached to the framework of the machine, and so
adjusted that when the said discharge door is closed, the inner end of the apron
shelf projects under, but only so far as the inner face of, the lower edge of said
discharge door, between which and the upper surface of the apron shelf there is
just sufficient clearance to allow the door to open freely over it, and its lower sur-
face should be similarly clear of the upper surface of the rolling table, but in
practical use the sagging of the apron shelf usually causes it to touch or bear
slightly on the rolling table. The front or outer edge of the apron
shelf should extend clear of the extreme throw of the rolling table, and its
two sides are supported by the framework of the machine so as to form a kind of
trough, into which, when the door of the leaf receptacle is opened, the leaf is dis-

page_text: charged by the movement of the rolling table, from whence it can be conveniently
drawn over the outer edge into a truck or basket placed below the same.
Another part of the present invention consists in forming the outer lower edge
of the leaf receptacle above the rolling table, with projections like ratchet teeth at
preferably about 6 or 8 inches apart, whereby the leaf and juice which more or less
escape and exude from the mass of leaf in the leaf receptacle, through the clearance
space between its lower edge and the upper surface of the rolling table, get swept
along round the inner edges of the raised rim enclosing the outer edge of the
rolling table, from the nearest point that misses touching the side of the stationary
apron shelf on one side to a similar point on the opposite side of the apron shelf:
consequently not only the escaped leaf but also the juice are at each revolution of
the table moved forward from one projecting ratchet or projection to another, and
thereby eventually discharged over the front edge of the rolling table. The leaf
and juice can thus both be collected at this one place in a bucket, and returned when.
convenient into the leaf receptacle, or otherwise dealt with as considered desirable,
and by which arrangement the outer surface of the rolling table is kept automati-
cally swept free of whatever leaf and juice may escape out of the leaf receptacle
during the operation of rolling.
Another improvement consists in the introduction, between the points. of the pins
supporting the rolling table and the footstep surface supporting the pins, and also.
between the lower points of the crank, shafts in connection therewith, of an anti-
friction metal washer, with a hole in the centre of it, and grooves leading therefrom
to the outer edge of same, and across the face of its periphery, so as to communicate
with a circumferential groove around the centre of the outer face of the washer, as.
a, connection of all the grooves on both sides of the washer, whereby a perfect.
circulation of the oil into the centre hole of the washer, and thence back to its
outer edge through the grooves on the top and bottom. faces, takes place: con-
sequently as the lower faces of the said pins or crank shafts revolve over the
surfaces of the said washers, their entire surface is continuously passing over the
oil in the grooves of the washer, and at same time a centrifugal outflow of the oil
is caused at the periphery of the washers, and as the grooves on the bottom side of
same are connected as above described with those on the top side, the outflowing
oil is replaced by an inflowing current through the bottom grooves of the washer
to the central hole therein and if from any reason it should be easier for the
washers to revolve along with the points of the pins, or crank shatts, instead of
remaining stationary on top of the footstep bearings supporting them, the circula-
tion then takes place in the reverse direction, the inflowing oil to the central hole
of the washer being through the grooves on its upper surface, and the outflowing
oil through the grooves in its lower face.
The framework of the machine is strengthened by stays or binding bars between
the standards thereof these bars, in conjunction with the platform and apron shelf
in front of the discharging door, also serve advantageously as guards round the
gearing and moving parts of the machine, to prevent accidents to the attendants
working same.
The above described cone shaped projection in the centre of the well or dished
cavity of the rolling table, and the ratchet-like projections around the outer lower
edge of the leaf receptacle are applicable to other types of tea leaf rolling machines.
The accompanying drawings represent a tea-leaf rolling machine in which the
present improvements are embodied.
Figure 1 is a front elevation, Figure 2 a side elevation and Figure 3 a plan of
the machine. Figure 4 is a sectional elevation on the line aa of Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a sectional plan on the line b b of Figure 1.
AA are the standards or columns which support the machine, and which are
provided with brackets B B which carry the three-armed frame C and the
bearings D D of the driving shaft E. F is a bevel pinion gearing with the driving
crank wheel G one arm of which is provided with a bearing H for the crank pin J
driving the rolling table K, which is further supported by the pins J J bearing in

page_text: cranks L L carried upon the frame C. The standards A A also carry the platform
or table P which supports the leaf receptacle with the ploughs U attached to the
interior sides of the leaf receptacle, all of which parts are similar to those described
in the previous specifications.
In the centre of the dished portion of the rolling table K is the hereinbefore
described conical projection M which may be made as an integral part of the well,
as shewn, or formed separately and bolted down to the bottom of the well, as may
he preferred: a rim or flange N is carried round the curved portion of the periphery
of the table. Qis the discharge door of the leaf receptacle O which swings open
over the apron shelf R, which is between the under edge of the door Q and the
upper surface of the rolling table K. The apron shelf It is rigidly suspended from
the ends S S of the platform 1. T T are the ratchet-like projections upon the outer
lower edge of the leaf receptacle 0. T T are the ratchet-like projections along the
left hand side of the shelf R, and which move the escaped leaf and juice at each
full reciprocatory, movement of the table along and around its outer surface from
the point T on Figure 5 to the point T at the opposite end of the table, where it
is wiped off by the ratchet projections T on the left side of apron shelf R. V Vare
the stays between the standards A. In Figure 4 V indicates the anti-friction
washers.
Figures 6 and 7 are respectively an elevation and a plan on a larger scale of the
improved anti-friction washer V in which W is the hole through the centre of the
washer and X and X' the grooves across each surface at right angles to each other.
Y is the circumferential groove having leads Z Z from each of the cross
grooves X X' into same.
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. In Tea leaf rolling machines the employment in the centre of a well or dished
cavity in the lower or rolling table, of a cone-shaped or other suitable upward projec-
tion which, when The rolling table is in motion, operates on the leaf being rolled in
the upper or leaf receptacle so as to cause the individual leaves of the mass therein to
more rapidly change position throughout the same, and accelerate their movement
upwards from bottom to top in the central part thereof, and return down the sides,
whereby a more even rolling, aeration, and cooling of the leaf is effected, all
substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described and represented in the
accompanying drawings.
2. In Tea leaf rolling machines in which the upper or leaf receptacle is
stationary, and provided with a door for discharging the leaf through the side
thereof, the employment in front of said door, and hetween its lower edge and the
upper surface of the under or rolling table of a stationary apron shelf over which
the said door can freely swing, so that the discharged leaf from the leaf receptacle.
may be received thereon as a stationary surface, from which it may be more con-
veniently drawn into any suitable receiver, all substantially as and for the purposes
herein before described and represented in the accompanying drawings.
3. In Tea leaf rolling machines the employment around the outer lower edge
of a stationary or a movable leaf receptacle, and almost touching the upper surface
of the under or rolling table, of projections thereon, at suitable distances apart to
act like ratchet-teeth in moving along any leaf and juice which may escape from
the leaf receptacle on to the outer surface of the rolling table, to a suitable point
for delivery of same off the under rolling table, all substantially as and for the
purposes bereinbefore described and represented in the accompanying drawings.
4. In Tea leaf rolling machines having oil-tight foot-step bushes in which the
pins and crank shafts supporting and driving the rolling table, revolve, the employ
inent in the said bushes of anti-friction washers between the lower points of said
pins or crank shafts and the bottom of said bushes, constructed with a hole in the
centre and radiating grooves therefrom to the periphery, on both sides of said

page_text: washers, which grooves are led into and connected by a circumferential groove
formed around the outer face of the periphery of the washers, all substantially as
and for the purposes hereinbefore described and represented in the accompanying
drawings.
5. The combination of parts constituting an improved tea-leaf rolling machine
constructed and working substantially as hereinbefore described and represented
in the accompanying drawings.
T1
1007
J. C. MEWBURN & ELLIS,
55 and 56 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Chartered Patent Agents.