Patent GB-606031-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to cutting and dividing machines, more particularly bread cutting machines
IPC: B26D1/52
Filed: 1946-01-08
Abstract: 606,031. Bread-cutting machines. LAMMEREN, W. P. VAN. Jan. 8, 1946, No. 719. [Class 5(i)] For bread and like slicing machines having a plurality of cutting-knives mounted for reciprocating motion on a common carrier member, the invention provides means for adjusting the spacing of the knives, which means comprises wedge-shaped members on a second carrier concentric with the first so mounted that rotation of the second carrier alters the position of the wedge-shaped members between the cutter bearings and by so doing changes their spacing. Reciprocating motion is given to the cutter-frames 5, 6 mounted in the rotatable framework 4 by eccentrics 7, 8 mounted on a shaft 2 which is journalled in a housing 1 and driven by an electric motor 3. The paralled cutters 9 are connected alternately to frames 5, 6 so that adjacent cutters more in opposite directions. The cutters'9 are mounted in annular bearings 10, slidable on support tubes 5a, 5b and 6a, 6b at opposite sides of the cutter-frames 5, 6. The construction of these support tubes is identical. The centre bearing 10<SP>1</SP> is rigidly connected to the stationary tube 5a within which is a concentric rotatable tube 12 carrying a plurality of slidable rings 13, the number of rings being one less than the number of bearings. Each ring 13 has a wedgeshaped thickening 13a extending half-way round it and in contact on both sides with lugs 10a projecting from the cutter bearings 10 through a longitudinal slot 11 in the tube 5a, the thickenings 13a being in opposite senses on the two sides of the central bearing 10'. The two outermost cutter bearings are connected by a tension spring 12a concentrically arranged inside the tube 12, and secured to diametrically disposed pins 15 extending through slots 15a, 15b in the tubes 12 and 5a respectively The slots 15b are longitudinal and the slots 15a have a helical form to allow for rotation of the tube 12. relative to tube 5a. Spline member 14 extending the length of the cutting zone engages in recesses in the rings 13 to prevent rotation of said rings with respect to tube 12. As the tube 12 is rotated, the bearings 10 are displaced in opposite directions on the two sides of the central bearing 10<SP>1</SP>. Those bearings which are forced out of the cutting zone and hence out of engagement with member 14 can rotate backwards with respect to the tube 5a and return to their initial position under the action of a tension spring 41 arranged in a peripheral recess 40 in the thickening 13a, one end being connected to the thickening 13a and the other having a sliding piece 42 extending into a groove 43 of the tube 5a. The wedge-shaped thickening bears in its initial position against a fillet 44 extending along the length of the tube 5a. Adjustment of the cutters necessitates adjustment of the fixed and resilient supports 16, 17 which hold the bread in position and between which the cutters pass. These supports 16, 17 are mounted on tubes 16a, 17a similar to the tube 5a described. Each of the inner tubes 12 carries at one end a worm-wheel 5c, 5d, 6c, 6d, 16c, 17c respectively. The wormwheels 5c and 5d mesh with worms 5e and 5f respectively, fixed on a common shaft 18 mounted for rotation on the cutter-frame 5. Similarly wheels 6c, 6d mesh with worms 6e, 6f on the common shaft 19 on frame 6 and worm-wheels 16c 17c mesh with worms 16d, 17d on the shaft 20 mounted for rotation in the housing 1 parallel to shafts 18, 19, which can slide in the framework 4. At the outer ends of the shafts 18, 19, 20 are arranged toothed wheels 23, 24, 27 respectively so that, when the cutters are in the lower extreme position, the wheels 23, 24 both mesh with a wheel 25 and wheels 24 and 27 both mesh with a wheel 28. Thus by turning a knob 26 on the wheel 25, the cutters 9 and supports 16, 17 are adjusted simultaneously.