GB390757A - Improvements in tea-leaf cutting apparatus applicable also to the operations of rolling and roll-breaking - Google Patents

Abstract

390,757. Cutting tea &c. BROWN & CO., Ltd., Chatham Street, Colombo, Ceylon.- (Assignees of Bryan, F. ; 200, West Parade, Lincoln.) Oct. 24, 1932, No. 29758. Convention date, Nov. 3, 1931. [Class 129.] A tea-cutting machine, which may be adapted for roll-breaking, comprises an eccentrically-arranged rotary knife, and a pressurefeed mechanism, the two being driven in opposite directions by bevel gearing. The knifeblade h is attached to a sleeve i which is rotated by gearing l through a driving shaft z supporting fast and loose pulleys m<1>. The same shaft drives a vertical spindle d, through gearing k, and a screw s which forces down tea from a hopper b through an annular space m traversed by the knife h. A bearing plate n, which may be spring-loaded, supports the tea for cutting. Cut leaves are ejected radially into a hopper p which guides them to a sieve q through which finely cut leaves are deposited into a trough r<1>. Larger cuttings pass over the sieve into a trough q<1> where they are collected and replaced in the hopper b. The cone r supporting the sieve q is supported on springs, and given a vibratory motion through the action of rollers t<1> and a rotary cam-track t. A loose flanged piece g prevents the escape of leaf when the screw s and extruding device c are forced upwards against a supporting spring e by the pressure of the feed under the screw vanes. The length of the cut may be varied by adjusting the position of the plate n in relation to the knife, by means of levers o pressing upon a ring-member o<2> which in turn controls the position of the plate n through the medium of bolts o<3>. Other means, such as a cam, may be used to adjust the plate n. The length of cut may be varied by changing the gearing to alter the relative speed between the feeding gear and the knife blade. The cutter may have several cutting edges, may be other than circular, and may be supported at different heights. For sharpening purposes the knife blade can be secured to a clamp x on the driving-shaft and rotated in contact with abrasive means. A scraper plate may be attached below the knife and revolve with it. For roll breaking purposes, the knife-blade is removed and replaced by a plain or corrugated disc which co-operates with a flanged part of a removable fitting which is substituted for the lower part v<1> of the feed hopper. A second disc may be used which is attached to the spindle d. Various parts of the machine are made of stainless steel or other non-corrodible material. Metallic foreign matter is removed from the tea entering the hopper b by electromagnetic means. The number of sifters may be varied.