IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO FROM STALKS OR RIBS, AND IN THE MACHINERY EMPLOYED THEREFOR
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Thomas Tait, of Southwark, in the County of
Surrey, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO
FROM STALKS OR RIBS, AND IN THE MACHINERY EMPLOYED THEREFOR."
Sealed the 14th October 1876, and dated the 27th June 1876.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Robert Thomas Tait at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, on the 27th June 1876.
ROBERT THOMAS TAIT, of Southwark, in the County of Surrey. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO FROM STALKS OR RIBS, AND IN THE MACHINERY
EMPLOYED THEREFOR."
The object of this Invention is to utilize the stems or stalks and ribs of tobacco
leaves, for converting same into tobacco for smoking, all as herein-after described. *
The tobacco stalks or ribs are first made up into sheaves or bundles and assorted
according to their quality, that is to say, those which proceed for instance from
Havana tobacco should be separate from those proceeding from Philippine tobacco,
and so with other kinds of tobacco. The sheaves may conveniently be about 7
inches in circumference.
The quantity of material to be worked up in one day having been determined, it
should be moistened in a bath of liquid consisting of an extract of tobacco, or with
the vapor resulting from the boiling of the said liquid. This operation should be
conducted with great caution in order that the material may obtain exactly the
required degree of moisture.
The next operation is the cutting or chopping up the material into small pieces
which is conveniently done in a machine that is shown on the accompanying
Drawings. Figure 1 being a side elevation of same. Figure 2 a side elevation
of the opposite side but with the knife plate or disc left out. Figure 3 an end
elevation, and Figure 4 a plan. Figure 5 is a separate view of one of the knives or
cutters.

page_text: P, P, are the two cast-iron side frames firmly held together by bolts and plates as
shown; K is the driving shaft of the machine which is fitted with fast and loose
pulley M for transmission of power thereto by a belt, on the further or front end of
the shaft K is mounted a disc or plate L which is fitted with several knives or
cutters of a shape shown at Figure 5. The driving shaft K transmits motion by
means of a worm K¹ to a worm wheel N on a shaft A, which at one end is mounted
in an adjustable bearing as shown, and which by wheel gearing transmits motion to
two other shafts R and S, which latter have their bearings in strong lever brackets
Q having their fulcrum at the shaft A, their outer end being at the point B by a
connecting rod C at each end, connected to a point E on a lever D, which has its
fulcrum at F, and the other end of which carries a plate G, which can be loaded
to cause the required pressure for passing the tobacco through the machine. On the
shafts A, R, and S, are mounted rolls A, R¹, S¹, respectively. The shaft K also by
means of wheel gearing gives revolving motion to shafts T, U, V, on which are
mounted rolls T, U, V, respectively. An endless piece of strong canvas is passed
round the rolls T, U, V, and a small roller H as shown in dotted lines, and may
be tightened by adjusting the bearings of H which work in slots by means of the
screws H¹.
The action of the machine is as follows:-The sheaves being placed lengthwise
in the inclined box O on the top of the machine is gradually passed between the
rolls S¹, V¹, R¹, U, and A¹, T¹, and is pressed between them guided by the endless
canvas band, so that when the material arrives at the mouth or front of the
machine it forms a cake ready for the cutting, which is done by the knives on the
revolving disc L.
'
:
The material having been thus cut up is next put through a sieve for the
purpose of separating the longer pieces which may have escaped cutting to the
proper length; this is not indispensable but advisable in order to obtain a uniform
result. This residue is then returned to the machine to be worked over again.
The material is then sprinkled with a liquid consisting of extract of tobacco, and
then left for about an hour in order that the saturation may become perfect. The
tobacco is then spread out for drying, and after having become perfectly dry it is
pressed for packing, which may be done conveniently by passing it through rolls in
a machine, shewn by Figures 6 to 9, Figure 6 being an end elevation; Figure 7,
a back view; Figure 8 a longitudinal section; and Figure 9 a plan. A, A, are
the side frames held firmly together by the bolts A¹; G is the driving shaft with
fast and loose pulley F and fly-wheel. The shaft G transmits motion by means of
wheel gearing to the shafts C and H, which have their bearings in blocks fitting
in guides B. On the shafts C and H are mounted rolls C³, H³, respectively.
E, E, are knife scrapers which serve for clearing the rolls and are adjustable by
means of screws as shown. L is a shoot in which the material is put, and which
is provided with a cylinder and a slide well fitted against it. The slide obtains
a periodical movement, and regulates the quantity of material admitted into the
machine. M is a shoot for taking off the material which is pressed by being
passed from the shoot L through the rolls C, H, which by means of the screws D
are pressed against each other until the tobacco is perfectly soft to the hand. It is
then further prepared as required in the usual way.
The use of the aforesaid liquid has a double object, videlicet, to give the stalk
or rib the proper degree of moisture, and thus render it stronger or tougher, and
to impart to it colour and aroma.
And having thus fully described the nature of this Invention, I declare that I
claim,―
First. The utilization of stalks and ribs of tobacco leaves by treating them
substantially according to the process here described.
Second. The construction of cutting machine substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.

page_text: Third. The construction of pressing machine substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Thomas Tait, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-second day of June, in the year of our Lord One
-thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
ROBERT THOMAS TAIT. (LS)