Roll or Twist.—Roll- or twist-tobacco is made by spinning the leaf into a rope, and then subjecting it to hot pressure. Until recently, the spinning was performed by hand, much after the manner of ordinary rope-making by hand. But this slow process is now superseded by a machine made by Robinson and Andrew, of Stockport; it is spoken of in very favourable terms by English manufacturers, and received a diploma of merit at the Philadelphia Exhibition. The machine consists of a combination of 3 rollers, whose surfaces are made of segments, to which lateral to-and-fro motions are given by cams attached to the stands on which the axles of the rollers rotate. The tobacco occupies the central space between the 3 rollers, and it is carried through the machine by the lateral to-and-fro motions given to the segments. The fillers and wrappers are laid on a table joined to the machine. The filler is placed in the cover, and they pass together between the rollers, whose action twists and compresses the tobacco into a roll; this is carried forward and wound on a bobbin, revolving in an open frame, and provided with a guide for equalizing the distribution of the tobacco.
Fig. 19.
Fig. 20.
Fig. 21.
The machine is shown in Figs. 19 (elevation), 20 (plan), and 21 (end view). The tobacco is laid on the table a, provided with a rib n, on which the sliding rest b is free to move to and fro; c d are the two lower segmental rollers, the axles of which revolve in stationary bearings; e is the top roller, the axle of which revolves in sliding bearings, fitting in the swing-frame f, and each acted upon by a spring o, pressing on a pin communicating with the bearing, and putting an elastic pressure on the tobacco.
Fig. 22.
