A New or Improved Construction of Machine for Compressing or Forming Tobacco Cakes or Plugs.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Feb., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 27th Oct., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 30th Nov., 1888
A New or Improved Construction of Machine for Compressing or
Forming Tobacco Cakes or Plugs.
I, JOHN MACDONALD, of 41 Watson Street, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Engineer do
hereby declare the nature of my invention to be as follows:-
My Invention has reference to and comprises a new or improved construction of
machine, or arrangement and combination of mechanism for compressing or forming
tobacco leaves into solid cakes or "plugs ;" and which will be more simple and less
expensive in construction and be susceptible of considerable modification in details,
and be more efficient in action by producing a greater quantity of the tobacco
cakes or plugs in the same time than the machines heretofore in use for this
purpose.
The nature and novelty of my invention consist all as follows:-Under one
arrangement of my new construction of machine, I mount a horizontal rectangular
sole or bed-plate or table on a vertical central standard or frame, which carries all the
mechanism and gearing of the machine. the table being planed to form a smooth
surface for the bottom plate of the compressing slides and box and having a vertical
ledge or short cheek round all its sides; but parts of the table may be formed with a
false or movable bottom for making up wear. At one end of the table, which I term
the front end, I mount three horizontal removable parallel plates or bars, one in the
centre to move or slide longitudinally, and the others on each side of it, to remain
stationary and act as guides. The central parallel bar which forms the front vertical
end of the compressing box, is traversed to and fro a short distance longitudinally on
the table under a strong bridge piece with horizontal under surface forming the top
of the compressing box, and bolted down on each side of the table. On the other or
rear side of these parallel removable bars and transverse bridge, is hinged or mounted
The tobacco leaves
to swivel on a transverse spindle, a folding down lid or cover.
are placed by hand in the pocket space between the bridge and this spindle, and the
lid is folded and held down to the bridge to cover them. Vertical check plates are
mounted longitudinally on each side of the hinged door, and part where the tobacco

page_text: is placed, stationary on the one side and preferably adjustable on the other, and these
plates carry in bush bearings the transverse spindle of the cover door. When an
adjustable or moving check plate is used on the one side, this is mounted on a
transverse horizontal slotted plate moving in slide guides, and actuated by an
eccentric mounted on a vertical spindle, which acts on a square headed cam working
in the slot in the horizontal plate carrying the movable vertical side cheek plate.
When the tobacco leaves are placed in the pocket and the swivelling lid folded down,
this sliding vertical side plate is moved into its forward position by turning the
vertical eccentric spindle by a hand lever below, and the hinged closing door is held
in its closed down position by the transverse sliding plate locking a projection on its
front end. A longitudinal horizontal plate and slide rest, which I term a pressing
ram is traversed within the compressing box behind and under the folding lid and
transverse bridge, so as in its forward notion to press up or compress the tobacco
leaves into the space between the front end of this horizontal plate or rain and the
back end of the removable central parallel bar. Adjustable horizontal screws are
fitted at the front end of the table to regulate the distance of travel of the central
parallel bar and front end of box and size of tobacco cake to be formed. In the
backward motion of the ram and the parallel removable central bar, the tobacco now
compressed into the form of a cake or plug is brought into the pocket underneath the
closing door by the motion of the front central bar and end of the box, and after the
closing door is swivelled round by moving it by a handle attached to it, the cake can
be removed out by hand. The back end of the ram is connected by a transverse pin
or stud to an angled traversing and oscillating link or links, which reciprocates it
to and fro to give it its forward and backward motion, the traversing and oscillating
angled link being attached at its other or back end to and actuated by a rocking or
vibrating lever and eccentric or eccentrics as will hereinafter be described. A short
transverse first-motion shaft is mounted at the back end of the machine having a belt
pulley mounted on its end, and rotated by a band passed over a pulley on any
adjacent prime-moving shaft of the works; or this shaft may be actuated by a crank
hand lever with fly wheel when driven by hand. A spur pinion is mounted on this
shaft which gears into and drives a large spur wheel mounted on a transverse
horizontal spindle at the extreme back end of the machine, where the table may be
made much narrower. This transverso spindle has an eccentric mounted on its inner
end which actuates the before mentioned reciprocating and rocking lever, or it might
bo two eccentrics and levers. To the forward end of this rocking eccentric lever is
attached the traversing and oscillating link or links for reciprocating the compressing
ram before mentioned as a toggle link arrangement when both the toggle lever and
links are raised to the horizontal position. When the moving ram is in action
reciprocating to and fro, the toggle links are in straight line and actuate
by the
full throw of the eccentric on the transverse spindle for compression. But when this
ram is ont of action the toggle links are moved down to rock or vibrate in an angled
position below the horizontal acting centre line, so that the transverse spindle and
eccentric may rotate, without reciprocating the ram. This raising and lowering of
the toggle links or levers is effected by attaching them by a link to a bell crank or
disc reversing lever mounted on a fulcrum below; and this bell-crank lever is shifted
to its up or down position by means of a hand reversing lover, and so tilts or puts the
toggle links into or out of position to reciprocate the traversing ram in the table
above. An angled lever is mounted at the end of the front moving central bar on
the horizontal table, and the other end of this lever is attached to a connecting rod
having its other end jointed to the bell-crank lever actuated by the hand reversing
lever. On the backward stroke of the ram, the angled lever brings the central front
traversing plate to its extreme backward position close up to the filling and delivery
box.
If the finished cake of tobacco should in any way stick to the back face of the
front plate and box, the moving forward of the hand reversing lever for an instant
would move forward this plate by an arm or "kicker" jointed to the angled lever
coming in contact with a projection on the front bar and moving forward the latter,
and so disengage the cake from it.

page_text: When the length of a cake or plug of tobacco is to be altered, the central removable
front sliding plate and the parallel stationary side guide plates, are taken out of the
machine, and other corresponding plates inserted to suit the length of cake or plug
desired to be formed. The thickness of cake can be varied as before stated by the
regulating screws at front end of machine, and the breadth of cake can be regulated
by adjusting the transverse bridge, and vertical depth of moving plates. "Whon
desired the central moving front bar can be formed of a or hollowed out shape
Uor
and made stationary, or moved into any fixed position by a bolt working in a slot in,
and adjusted from under, the bed frame, and this bar can be removed and a new one
inserted when the thickness of cake or plug is desired to be altered. The transverse
sliding cheek plate can be dispensed with, and the bridge made movable by eccentrics
and links at each side of the machine, and a transverse oscillating shaft below, the
shaft heing actuated by a strong lover at one side, so as to bring down the bridge
plate while the compression was effected, and raise it when the block was compressed
for the removal of the tobacco cake or plug upwards by a sliding block fitted up
through a slot in the lower bed-plate, and pushed up by wipers by the same motion
which raised the bridge.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or improved Construction of Machine for Compressing or
Forming Tobacco Cakes or Plugs.
I, JOHN MACDONALD, of 41 Watson Street, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of my invention, and in what manner the same is to be
perforined, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement in writing, reference being had to the accompanying Sheet of Drawings
and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:-
My Invention has reference to and comprises a new or improved construction of
machine, or arrangement and combination of mechanism, for compressing or forming
tobacco leaves into solid cakes or "plugs; " and which will be more complete and loss
expensive in construction and be susceptible of considerable modification in details,
and be more efficient in action by producing a greater quantity of the tobacco cakes
or plugs in the same time than the machines heretofore in use for this purpose.
And in order that my said invention and the manner of performing or carrying the
same into effect or practice may be properly understood, I have hereunto appended
an explanatory sheet of Drawings, in which the same reference letters are used to
indicate corresponding parts in all the Figures where shown. Figures 1 and 2 are
respectively a complete front side elevation, and a corresponding front end view, of
the upper part of one construction or general arrangement of the parts of a tobacco
cake or plug compressing machine as made in accordance with my invention or
improvements and Figure 3 is a plan corresponding to Figure 1. Figure 4 is a
longitudinal section of the machine, taken near the line 1---1 in Figures 2 and 3,
with the pressing plunger and its actuating parts in their inward position; whilst
Figure 5 is a corresponding section to Figure 4, but with the pressing plunger and
its actuating parts in their outward position.
Referring to these Drawings, the nature and novelty of my invention consist all as
follows: Under this arrangement of my new construction of machine, 1 mount a
horizontal rectangular sole or bed-plate or table frame A by the strong web and
flange A¹, on a vertical central standard or frame A³, bolted by a broad flange or
otherwise secured at to the floor, or other suitable foundation, and which carries all
the mechanism and gearing of the machine. The table A is planed level on the top
surface for securing the under surfaces of the slides B, B, and guide checks C, C
of the compressing box and plunger D D', in front of which the leaf tobacco is
inserted by hand to be compressed. The box has a vertical checked plate E a
its containing front pressure end, the depth and width the plug or block P has to
be compresso into. This front part of the table A is formed with a false o
movable bottom plate F, F', for making up wear and removing the plug P afte
being formed, as more particularly seen in Figures 4 and 5. Towards one end o
the table A. which I term the front end, I mount or screw the said two slotte
horizontal flanged plates C, C, the vertical inner sides of which form the box
for receiving the tobacco leaf, and between these 1 mount the horizonta! plunge

page_text: or compressing plate D screwed by a flange at d to the reciprocating slide
crosshead D' working in the slide guides B on the inner end of the table A. The
central parallel plate or plunger 1 which forms the front vertical end of the
compressing box is traversed to and fro some distance longitudinally on the table A,
under a strong lid or bridge plate C, hinged on a transverse spindle at C" through
slots c, in the side plates C. C, to shifting bearing brackets C screwed outside to
these plates CC, as seen particularly in Figures 1 and 2, and with planed under
surface to form the top of the compressing box, which is secured across its front edge
by a strong swivelling block G, swivelling on its end journals G¹ in bearing blocks H
at its outer ends to secure and release the front edge of this top plato C of the box
as will hereinafter be described. When the folding down lid or cover C³, is raised
on its spindle C by hand, as shown in Figure 5, the tobacco leaves are placed
in the pocket space between the front pressing bridge plate E, and this spindle
plate C, C, and the lid is folded and held down to the bridge plate E to cover
thom by the said oscillating block G, as shown in Figure 4. When the tobacco
leaves are thus placed in the pocket and the swivelling lid D2 folded and secured
down, by the block G over the pressure receiving block E, the pressing ram D, D¹,
is traversed within the compressing box behind and under the folding lid C, so as
in its forward motion to press up or compress the tobacco leaves into the space
between the front end of this ram D and the back end of the front pressure receiving
plate or bridge E over the vertical raising plate FF. The back traversing end
plate D of the ram D is connected by a transverse pin or stud D to the two toggle
or angling and traversing oscillating links or link D², and connecting rod D³,
which reciprocate it to and fro to give it its forward and backward motion direct,
by the eccentric secured on the cam shaft I carried in the long bearing eye Ali
on the back end of the upper frame A'. The eccentric I works in a bush I'
traversed in the large rectangular eye of the angling and reciprocating connecting
rod D³, this bearing block I being secured by pinching screws I and wedge piece I
in any desired position in the slide eye 1", 1", of the connecting rod 1³ to suit
the size and compression of the tobacco plug or block P' to be formed, as particularly
seen in Figure 4, the reciprocation to-and-fro being given direct by the eccentric 1.
The link connecting rod D is so jointed at D to the connecting rod D³ that it
can be angled downwards to give a greater traverse to the plunger D D', than can
be obtained by the direct reciprocation of the eccentric 1', as seen in Figure 5,
and effected by and through the duplex bell crank i, fulcrumed to a fixed stud
in the upper part of the frame A, having the adjustable arm of this bellcrank
connected by a pin and roller and slotted connection at to the connecting rod D³,
the other arm of the bellcrank being jointed at to a slotted connecting rod J,
sliding by a slot on the cam shaft I and actuated through the antifriction pulleys Ji
and cam keyed on the cam shaft 1, as seen particularly in Figures 3, 4 and 5,
and which angular or toggle link motion effected by the bellcrank i,, and connecting
rod and cam J, J, J2, gives the first and last outward motions to the plunger D DT,
while the great inner compressing motion is given to the tobacco D, by the full
through of the eccentric 1, when the toggle links D2, D3. are in their straight
position shown in Figure 4. This eccentric and cam shaft I is actuated by the
large spur wheel keyed on its back end, through a clutch pinion j mounted loose
on the first motion shaft a of the machine, which is carried in a long bearing boss at a¹
formed on the upper back part of the frame A' of the machine, and has a balt
pulley a mounted on it, so as to be rotated by a band all passed over it and a pulley
on any adjacent prime-moving shaft of the works not shown in the Drawings or
this shaft a might be actuated by a crank hand lever with fly-wheel when driven by
hand. The spur pinion j is actuated intermittently by the coupling, sliling on a
feather on the first motion shaft a, as it is thrown into action by the compound hand
lever fulcrmed on a bracket a nnd as taken out of action by the inclined
projection, screwed on opposite sides of the. wheel j, and which throws the
clutch out of action to stop the wheel j. j. when the eccentric I' and pressing
plunger DD' are in their inmost and outmost positions, as seen respectively in
:

page_text: Figures 4 and 5. That is, the inclined projection throws the lever j", and
clutch, out of gear, when the tobacco plug P, is compressed, by the short roller
and bell crank, and the attendant puts it into gear again by the handle, which
first takes the bell crank and roller out of action against the power of the spring j.
And again when the inclined projection comes round, it throws the clutch out of
gear, as before stated, and stops the motion of the driving pinion and wheel j, j¿
when the eccentric I and compressing plate D, D', are in their extreme outward
position, as indicated in Figure 5, so that the attendant can lift the lid C of the
pressing box C, C, to have the compressed plug of tobacco P removed, and fresh
tobacco leaf inserted. This last half turn of the wheel j and its shaft I also by
another outer positive acting grooved cam K, K' secured on the outer end of
the shaft I, actuates the reciprocating connecting rod k, so as to oscillate the
shaft L, and raise and release the before mentioned locking bar G, so that
the lid may be lifted as described, and at the same time automatically lift the
compressed block of tobacco P out of its recess, so that it can be removed by
and also, as will hereinafter be described. The shaft L is carried in bearings
in the front lower end of the deep webs All of the bed-frame A, and has
mounted on its two outer ends, two eccentrics working in blocks H1 connected
by screw bolts and nuts to the upper blocks H mounted on the outer
ends G¹, of the gripping block G, which holds down the front edge of the
lid of the tobacco box, and effects this when the shaft L is turned in the
direction of the arrow in Figure 1, to bring the eccentrics to their lowest
and locked position, as indicated in this Figure and in Figure 4, by the
cam K, K¹, pulling the connecting rod k in the direction of the arrow on it in
Figure 1. The connecting rod k is mounted by slots k¹,, at its opposite ends
on the outer ends of the shafts I and L respectively, and is reciprocated by a
small stud roller at working in the cam groove K' and causes a toothed rack k
working into a segmental toothed pinion to oscillate the eccentric shaft Land bring
down the locking bar G as described, and raise it when the connecting 1od k is
reciprocated in the opposite direction to the arrow on it, by the cam K, K', as seen
particularly in this raised position in Figure 5. The first reciprocatory motion of the
connecting rod by the cam K' in the opposite direction to the arrows on it, and the
eccentrics in Figure 1, raises these eccentries and the block H, H, and
locking bar G through the screw bolts ', and causes the circular neck G' of the
locking bar G to slide up the locking guide brackets g screwed at g' to the top
ends of the pressing plate E, and free the front edge of the lid of the tobacco
box, so that it can be lifted up by hand to the position shown in Figure 5, for
the removal of the compressed tobacco block or plug P. The last part of the
motion in oscillating the eccentric shaft L, in the direction of the arrows in
Figures 4 and 5, also raises the block plates F, F1, by the centre cam acting
on the under plate F¹, so as to push the compressed block of tobacco P, out of
its pressing box or plate E, so that it can be lifted by band out of the box after
the lid was lifted by hand, and then fall down to the position shown in
Figure 5, the plate Fresting on the adjusting pinching screws screwed up
through snugs on the lower edges of the flanges A" of the frame A A', the shaft
I and its driving wheel J being stopped in this position with the eccentrics up,
as seen in Figure 5, until the attendant puts in the fresh tobacco leaf to be com-
prossed, and lowered the bridge lid Cover it, which would then be automatically
locked along its front edge by the block G and eccentrics h, as soon as the
attendant put the coupling into gear with the pinion and wheel gearing j', j',
all as hereinbefore described, the last part of the haif revolution of the wheel
and its shaft I, by the cam J and eccentric l' pushing forward the presser D, D₁,
so as to compress the new tobocco leaf into a fresh block P, just before the pro-
jection, came round to put the gearing out of action again; leaving the several
parts in the position shown in Figure 4, to give the first stoppage of the wheels j, j
all as before described. Figure 6 shows a detached plan view of the pressure
sustaining plate E, of the compressing hox (, C, and which is secured in position

page_text: by the pinching screws at e to the table A in front of the removing block F, its
front edge pressing on the three strong projecting strips e¹, on the front top end
of the table A, so as to sustain the strain of the plunger D in pressing the hard
block of tobacco P against its inner edges and ends E¹. Instead of oscillating
the eccentric shaft L through a toothed pinion and rack on the connecting
rod this might be done by jointing the connecting rod & direct to a wiper or
crank keyed on the outer end of the shaft L. When different sizes of blocks of
tobacco P, have to be compressed in the box C, C, C, and E, E¹, a plunger D
of the proper thickness and width is bolted at d to the reciprocating block D',
and a plate E of the same thickness and width is bolted to the bed-plate A under
the gripping bar G, with the slotted guide brackets g, g', over it, the long screw
bolts and nuts, allowing the bearing blocks H, H, to be raised to the desired
thickness or height of the new presser D and plate E. A new lid D3, of the same
width as the presser D would be fitted over this between the side plates or checks C,
of the pressing box, and the cheeks C, C, would be shifted in on their slotted
supporting flanges to suit the narrower top plate D and deeper pressing block D,
and be screwed up on the tube A; and the fulcrumed brackets (3 of the lid
spindle (, would be shifted on its slots to suit the greater height or depth of
the new pressing block, and he secured by its screw pins at to the outside of
the flanged plates_C. And a different removing block of the proper width
of the new plate E, and pressing block D, would be bolted at F to the moving
guide block F moved by the cam f, and regulated to the desired lowest position
level with the bed-plate A by the pinching serows f¹. The thickness of the
finished compressed cake up against the gap E¹ in the plate E, can be regulated
by the screws 13 and block I, for shortening or lengthening the connecting rod D³
at the eccentric shaft I, of the machine.
Although the bed A of the machine has been shown and described as formed
and placed horizontally, it is to be understood that it can be placed vertically or
lie at a considerable angle, and be equally convenient for the attendants filling in
the tobacco leaf within the compressing box under its folding lid ; and although
eccentrics and h, have been shown and described as used on the shafts I and L
for actuating the plunger D D', and the locking pressure bar G respectively, cranks
or cams might be used as equivalents for these eccentrics I and ; and instead of the
compound and lever, and inclined planes j, j³, on the wheel J, other quick
stopping and starting mechanical motions may be used, either on the first or second
motion shafts, or such as those used on the rotating shafts of die stamping and cutting
reciprocating machines.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of
invention and in what manner the same is to he performed, 1 declare that what
my said
I claim is :-
First. The construction, or general arrangement and combination of the parts of a
machine for compressing or forming tobacco leaves into solid cakes or plugs,
substantially as herein described, in reference to and shown in the accompanying
Drawings.
Second. In a machine for compressing or forming tobacco leaves into solid cakes or
plugs, the construction and use of a pressing reciprocating ram or plunger traversed
within the leaf feeding-in and plug-compressing box by the action of a differential
engthening and shortening toggle link connecting rod and mechanism actuated from
n intermittent rotating shaft, to form or compress the tobacco leaves into cakes or
lugs in its forward motion, substantially as herein described in reference to and shown
a the accompanying Drawings.
Third. In a machine for compressing or forming tobacco leaves into solid cakes or
lugs, the arrangement and combination of toggle links for giving the first and then
nal powerful compression to the plunger, and tobacco, by two mechanical motions
om one common intermittent rotating eccentric or cam shaft, substantially as herein
escribed in reference to and shown in the accompanying Drawings.

page_text: Fourth. In a machine for compressing or forming tobacco leaves into solid cakes or
plugs, the arrangement and combination of a compressing plunger and box with loose
top bridge secured over its front edge by a reciprocating cross bar made adjustable to
suit the depth of the tobacco box and plug desired, and automatically actuated by an
eccentric or cam shaft, substantially as herein described in reference to and shown in the
accompanying Drawings.
Fifth. In a machine for compressing or forming tobacco leaves into solid cakes or
plugs, the combination of an oscillating shaft L, with eccentrics and cam funder_or
behind the bed plate A, for locking the bridge door and removing the pressed cake,
all substantially as herein described, in reference to and shown in the accompanying
Drawings.
Sixth. In a machine for compressing or forming tobacco leaves into solid cakes or
plugs, the arrangement of interchangeable sizes of compressing plunger D, and
removing plunger F, pressure plate E, and lid C to suit various sizes of tobacco cakes
or plugs to be formed, all substantially as herein described, in reference to and shown
in the accompanying Drawings.