Patent GB-190216286-A (GB)
Title: Improved Machine for Cutting Crackers from a Sheet of Dough.
Inventor: COPLAND ALEXANDER WILLIAM
Filed: 1902-07-22
Granted: 1902-10-09
Abstract: 16,286. Copland, A. W. July 22. Moulding biscuits.-Relates to machinery for cutting crackers from sheets of dough. One form of machine is shown in vertical section in Fig. 4, and the cutting-cylinder in longitudinal section in Fig. 5. An endless feeding-apron 9 passes over a roll 2, under the cutting-cylinder 18, over a crossbar 10, and sharply down and over a roll 8, and an endless delivery-apron 13 passes over a cross-bar 14 and rolls 12. The roll 2 is journalled in horizontally-sliding bearings 3, and adjusted by means of screws 4, a cross-shaft 5, and a hand-wheel 7. The cross-bars 10, 14 are adjustable vertically by means of bolt-and-slot connections 11, 16 respectively, and the cross-bar 14 is also pivoted and adjusted to and from the cross-bar 10 by means of set-screws 17. Cracker compartments 19, of desired outline, are formed on the cutting- cylinder by bevelled cutting-edges, and embossing-type &c. may be provided as usual. The shell 30 of the cylinder has an accurate cylindrical bore open at one end, a flange 31 and gudgeon 32 being secured on the closed end. A series of longitudinal air passages 34 in the shell are provided with ports 35 disposed to the rear of the longitudinal cutting- ribs, and an annular flange 36 at the open end of the shell is provided with ports 37 forming inlets to the passages 34. A valve box 38 is disposed between the flange 36 and the side frame of the machine, and urged against the flange by springs, and has a supply pipe 39 for compressed air. Segmental ports in the valve box are swept over in succession by the ports 37, so that compressed air is supplied intermittently to the ports 35 to release the crackers. Means are also provided for positively stripping the crackers from the cylinder, and comprise an endless apron running on a shaft 54 and the rear edge of a frame, and adjusted and kept in tension by means of the frame and a frame 55 journalled on the shaft 54 and connected to the former frame by sliding studs and springs. The scrap from between the crackers is disposed of as follows :-The bore of the shell 30 is filled with a stationary core 42, a loose segment 43 of which has a slight radial movement, and is pressed against the shell by springs 44. Ports lead radially outwards through the shell into the scrap spaces 45, aud sweep over segmental grooves 48 extending longitudinally in the segment and opening into a longitudinal passage 47 connected with a suction pipe 50, and the scrap is thus carried upwards on the cyhnder. The ports next sweep over a slot communicating with another longitudinal passage connected to a compressed air pipe 53, and the scrap is thus ejected, and may be received in a trough &c. Side-scrap stripping-fingers 21 are carried by a sbaft 20 adjustable by means of setscrews 23, which are carried by plates 24 pivoted to the framing. Brushes 28 for cleaning the cylinder are mounted in a frame 27, which is mounted adjustably in arms 26 of a rock-shaft 25. A modified construction of machine is shown in Fig. 14. The feeding-apron 9 takes a sharp rearward turn over the cross-bar 61, and continued apron contact with the cutting-cylinder is provided by a supplemental apron 63 making sharp turns over a cross-bar 62. A perforated suction stripping- roll 64 runs in contact with the cutting-cylinder, and receives the crackers, which are carried away by a series of cords 67 to the delivery apron 13. The shell of the cutting-cylinder has radial cylinders with air-actuated pistons 69 for assisting in the discharge of the crackers. Scrap is discharged by compressed air, as previously described.