IMPROVEMENTS IN MA- CHINERY FOR CUTTING CORKS AND BUNGS
Year: 1866

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Corey MoFarland, of the "Small Arms Factory,"
Small Heath, Birmingham, and No. 101, Gower Street, in the County
of Middlesex, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MA-
CHINERY FOR CUTTING CORKS AND BUNGS."-A communication from abroad
by Charles Harris, of Springfield, Massachusetts, United States of
America.
Sealed the 17th August 1866, and dated the 4th June 1866.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Corey M°Farland at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
4th June 1866.
I, COREY MCFARLAND, of the "Small Arms Factory," Small Heath,
Birmingham, and No. 101, Gower Street, in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MACHINERY FOR CUTTING CORKS AND BUNGS," a communication, to be as
follows:-
The said improvements consist chiefly, first, in the mechanism for raising
the table carrying the material from which the corks or bungs are cut at the
proper time to meet the cutters as they descend to their work.
Second, in the mode of connecting the cutting tools to the revolving
spindle of the machine, whereby they are pressed firmly down to their work

page_text: and will yet adapt themselves to cut any required shape or cork or Dung,
whether parallel or conical.
Third, in the means for guiding the cutting tools to cut the corks and
bungs either parallel or conical as required.
Fourth, in the means for holding the corks or bungs on the table while
being cut, and for releasing them from the cutters when the operation is
finished.
Fifth, in the means for starting and stopping the mechanism which depresses
the cutting tools.
Sixth, in the general arrangement and combination of parts to perform the
several operations required in cutting the various shaped corks and bungs.
The framing of the machine is firmly secured to a strong upright column
which also supports a table, upon which is placed the stock or material from
which the corks or bungs are cut. This table is fixed upon the top of a
vertical rod fitted to slide freely up and down in guides attached to the
upright column. The lower end of the said rod is provided with a toothed
rack which takes into a toothed sector. This sector vibrates upon a fulcrum
pin fitted to work in a socket in the lower guide and carrying a quadrant
pulley at its lower end. A chain or rope connects the quadrant pulley with a
treddle below, and by depressing this treddle the table is elevated. The
distance to which the said table is raised or lowered is regulated by check
nuts fixed on a screw extending from the lower end of the table rod and
working through an arm fixed on the column. A vertical revolving shaft is
supported in suitablo bearings attached to the upright column. This shaft is
made hollow to admit the end of a spindle or rod, which extends upward and
is attached to the end of a sliding bar by a connection or joint, which allows the
spindle or rod to revolve freely while being moved up or down by the said bar.
The top end of this bar extends upward into a socket formed or fixed on the
top of the framing and is kept up by a spiral spring fitted in the said socket.
The hollow shaft is provided with slots or guideways, through which a pin
passes to connect the end of the spindle or rod with the collar fitted to slide on
the outside of the said shaft. The cutters, which are straight pieces of steel
with sharp cutting edges, are fitted in grooves formed in a cutter head attached
to the end of the revolving shaft. The said grooves are formed either parallel
with the centre of the shaft or at any required angle thereto, according to the
desired shape of the corks or bungs. The upper ends of the cutters are
connected to the sliding collar by jointed links, which allow the said tools to
adapt themselves freely to the grooves in the cutter bead.
Instead of using
these links the tools may be connected to the sliding collar by pius resting in

page_text: slots formed laterally in jaws formed in the said collar. A centre pin is fitted
up into the centre of the cutter head, its lower end being preferably made
somewhat concave with a smooth edge. When a cork or bung is being cut
this centre pin is pressed down thercon and holds it firmly till the operation is
finished and the table lowered, when by the force of its spring it removes the
cork or bung from between the cutters. The vertical shaft is provided with a
driving pulley, over which a strap or band is passed by which the said shaft is
driven. A horizontal shaft is fitted to work in suitable bearings fixed on the
top of the framing. One end of this shaft carries a cam, by which the sliding
bar is pressed downward to force the cutters down to their work, the said bar
being provided with a friction roller for the cam to act upon. This roller
turns upon a stud fixed in a slot formed in the bar, and the length of stroke
of the said bar is regulated by adjusting the stud in the said slot. The
horizontal shaft carries a driving pulley which runs loose thereon, except
when in contact with a friction clutch keyed fast upon the said shinft. The
said pulley is formed with a long boss or sleeve, by which it is supported in a
bearing fixed on the framing, and through which the horizontal shaft passes.
The said shaft also carries an adjustable dog or catch fitted to drop into a
notch formed in an adjustable dise or plate fixed on one of the shaft bearings,
or to a portion of the framing. The said shaft is fitted to slide endwise in its
bearings to throw the friction clutch in and out of contact with the driving
pulley, the said clutch being kept away from the pulley by a spring, which
rests against the end of the bearing and presses against a circular plate fitted.
on the end of the shaft. The treddle. at the foot of the column is connected
by a rod to a lever fixed on a short spindle working in suitable bearings at
the top of the framing and carrying a bent finger at its other end. This
connecting rod is made in two portions united by a screw coupling, and its
length can thereby be adjusted at pleasure. When the treddle is depressed
to raise the table and bring the stock or material up to meet the cutters, the
bent finger is caused to press forward a block fitted to slide in a bracket fixed
on the framing just under the rear end of the horizontal shaft. This block
carries a pawl, and when forced forward this pawl presses against the surface
of the circular plate, which has a notch or recess on its periphery. The shaft
is by this means pressed forward and causes the friction clutch to bear against
the driving pulley. The shaft is thereby caused to revolve till the notch in
the circular plate comes opposite the pawl, when the latter is forced partially
into the said notch by a spring, also carried by the sliding block, and pressing
against the back of the pawl. The shaft is thus relieved from the pressure of
the pawl, but cannot fly back to release the friction clutch till its further

page_text: revolution has brought the dog or catch fixed on the shaft opposite the notch
in the fixed disc or plate. When this takes place the shaft being relieved
from all forward pressure is drawn back, and being thus released from the
driving pulley will no longer revolve. The notch in the plate on the end of
the shaft is so formed and arranged that its advancing side now acts as a cam
and presses down the pawl; the sliding block is at the same time released
from the pressure of the bent finger, which is drawn back when the treddle is
released; the pawl and sliding block are also forced back by a spiral spring
at the front end of the latter, the pawl being pressed up over the face of the
notched plate by a flat spring below. By releasing the treddle the table is
allowed to fall till the upper check nut comes in contact with the arm fixed on
the column, and the table will rest upon the said arm while the stock or
material is adjusted for another cork to be cut. The treddle is then depressed
again and the several operations of the machine are repeated.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Corey McFarland in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
4th December 1866.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, COREY
MCFARLAND, of the "Small Arms Factory," Small Heath, Birmingham,
and No. 101, Gower Street, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fourth day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, in the twenty-ninth year of Ier
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Corey McFarland, Her special licence that I, the said Corey McFarland,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
Corey McFarland, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any
timo agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after during the term therein expressed, should and lawfuliy might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN MACHINERY FOR CUTTING CORKS AND BUNGS," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Corey McFarland, my executors or administrators,
by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and
seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Inven-

page_text: tion, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same
to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next
and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Corey M Farland, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the accompanying Sheet of Drawings
forming part of this Specification :-
The said improvements consist, first, in the mechanism for raising the table
of the machine at the proper time to meet the cutters as they descend to their
work.
Second, in the mode of connecting the cutting tools to the revolving spindle
of the machine, whereby the said cutters while being pressed firmly down to
their work can yet be made by means of suitable opening devices to adapt
themselves to cut corks .or bungs, either parallel or taper, to any required
angle.
·
Third, in the means for guiding the said cutting tools to cut the corks and
bungs either parallel or taper as required.
Fourth, in the means for holding the corks or bungs on the table of the
machine while they are being cut, and for releasing them from the cutters
when the operation is finished.
Fifth, in the means for starting and stopping the mechanism which depresses
the cutting tools.
Sixth, in the general arrangement and combination of parts to perform the
several operations required for cutting the various shaped corks.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a front elevation of a machine for cutting corks and bungs
constructed according to these improvements; Figure 2 is a side elevation of
the said machine; Figures 3 and 4 represent detached portions of the same;
Figure 5 represents one of the cutting tools employed in the said machine for
forming corks; Figures 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 illustrate the arrangement of the
said cutters and their guiding devices; Figure 11 represents a cutting tool of
modified shape, more especially designed for cutting bungs; Figures 12, 13,
14, 15, and 16, illustrate the arrangement of these cutters and their guiding
devices. Like letters refer to the same parts in each of the Figures.
The framing A of the machine is firmly secured to a strong upright
column B, which also supports the adjustable table C. This table is fixed
upon the top of a vertical rod C, which is fitted to slide freely up and down

page_text: in the guides D, D', attache to the upright column B. The table C carries
a sliding plate E provided with two adjustable jaws a, a', which hold the stock
or material during the operation of cutting the corks and bungs. The inner
jaw a is secured to the plate E by the set screws b, and is thereby adjusted to
the width of the said stock or material. The cam lever F pivottel at c to the
plate E is provided to adjust the jaw a', which is drawn back when the said
lever is released by springs or weights. The lower end of the rad C¹ is pro-
vided with a toothed rack G which takes into a toothed sector II. This sector
I, which is fitted to work freely in
The other end of the pin I carries
is secured upon one end of the fulcrum pin
the socket e formed in the lower guide D'.
the quadrant pulley J; the latter is connected by the chain K or by a rope
with the treddle L. The rise and fall of the table C is regulated by the check
nuts C to suit any required thickness of corks or bungs, the said nuts being
fitted on the screw C³ and arranged to come in contact with the arm D
through which the said screw slide:. A vertical revolving shaft M is supported
in bearings N, N1, which are securely attached to the frame A; the bearing N
is by preference provided with a washer of leather or other similar soft
substance for the end of the said shaft to bear against, the said washer b.ing
adjusted when required by the screw N. The shaft M is made hollow or
tubular to admit the lower end of a spindle or rod O; the latter extends
upwards and fits into the socket d formed in the lower end of the sliding bar
P; a cap or collar e' is screwel on the end of the sail socket and fits under
the collar formed on the spindle O. This method of connecting the sliding
bar P to the spindle O allows the latter to turn freely with the shaft M, while
sliding up and down with the said bar. The upper end of the sliding bar P
passes through a socket Q formed or fixed upon the framing A. The
extremity of the said bar is furnished with a collar or button P¹, which forms
an abutment for a spiral spring R whose other end rests on the bush h fitted
into the bottom of the socket Q. The lower end of the spindle or rod O is
provided with a pin i which passes through the slots or guide ways formed
in the shaft M, and connects the said spindle with the collar S, the said collar
being fitted to slide on the outside of the shaft M. These slots are made long
enough to allow the spindle or rod O sufficient vertical motion inside the
hollow shaft M to force the cutters properly through the material or stock
from which the corks or bungs are to be cut.
The cutters T are formed of steel with sharp cutting edges, substantially as
represented in Figures 5 and 11. These cutters are fitted into grooves k
formed in the cutter head U, which is attached to the lower end of the
revolving shaft M; these grooves may be either parallel with the axis of the

page_text: said shaft or inclined at any desire.l angle thereto as represented in Figures 9,
10, 15, and 16, according to the desired shape of the corks or bungs to be
formed by the said cutters. The upper ends of the latter are connected to the
sliding collar S by jointed links V, which allow the said cutters when forced
downward to their work to adapt themselves freely to the grooves & in thè
cutter head U; instead of these links pins may be employed to support the
cutters T, the slidiig collar S being formed with jaws provided with lateral
slots in which the said pins rest. A pin W is fitted into a socket W¹ formed
in the centre of the cutter head U to hold the corks or bungs firmly down as
they become detached from the stock; this holding device ensures each cork
or bung being cut sharply and smoothly out, and prevents the tearing of its
lower edges by its being dragged round with the cutting tools. The lower
end of the centre pin W which presses upon the work is preferably made
somewhat convex, its edges being smooth as shown in Figures 7 and 9. A
spring X placed in the socket W' is arranged to press against the collar / on
the centre pin W and force the said pin outward to remove the corks or
bungs when they are finished. A horizontal shaft Y is fitted to work in
bearings m, n, formed or fixed on the top of the framing A; one end of the
shaft Y carries a cam Z by which the sliding bar P is operated to force the
cutters T down to their work, the said bar being provided with a friction
roller o for the cam Z to act upon. The said roller turns upon a stud or
in p, which is secured in a slot q formed in the bar P, and the stroke of the
said bar is regulated by adjusting the stud p up or down in the said slut. Tbe
horizontal shaft Y carries a driving pulley r which runs loose thereon except
when in contact with a friction clutch s, which is keyed fast upon the said
shaft. The pulley is formed with a long sleeve or boss r, which turns in
the bearing m; the shaft Y passes through this pulley and sleeve. The said
shaft also carries an adjustable dog or catch t which is provided with lock
nuts t, and extends to the periphery of an adjustable disc or plate u fixed on
the side of the bearing n, or to a portion of the framing A, the catch t being
fitted to drop into a notch u¹ form.ed in the said plate. The disc or plate u is
shewn detached in Figure 4. The shaft Y is fitted to slide endwise in its
bearings to throw the friction clutch s in and out of contact with the driving
pulley r. The end of the shaft Y is provided with a spring v which exerts its
pressure upon the circular plate w (shown detached in Figure 3) fixel on the
end of the said shaft and forces it towards the rear of the machine; the clutch s
being fast upon the shaft Y is thereby drawn away from the pulley r.
The treddle L at the foot of the column B is connected by a rod to a
lever y fixed on a short spindle whose other end carries a Lent finger 2'.

page_text: The said spindle is fitted to turn in the boss or bearing A' fixed or formed on
the rear of the top of the framing A. This connecting rod x is made in two
portions which are united by a screw coupling al, and the length of the said
rod can be thereby regulated as required. The bent finger ¹ is arranged
with its end in contact with a block B which is fitted to slide in a bracket B
fixed on the framing A just under the rear end of the horizontal shaft Y.
The said block carries a pawl B which is fitted to take into a notch or
recess w¹ in the circular plate w, into which it is forced by the spring ¹; this
notch is so formed that when the machine is in motion its advancing side acts
as a cam to press down the pawl B'; the said pawl is pressed upward by the
flat spring c. The spiral spring d¹ forces the block B and pawl B' back
when the said block is released from the pressure of the finger. The cam Z
carries on its boss or sleeve Z' a second cam E¹ which acts upon the rod Fi
and thereby operates the bent lever G'; the said lever is pivotted upon the
adjustable pin ' fitted in the dovetail groove l' formed in a projecting
portion of the column B. The lever G' carries the pawl J which takes into
the rack K' fixed on the sliding plate E and moves the said plate a certain
distance endwise at each stroke of the machine; this distance depends upon
the size of the corks or bungs to be cut, and is regulated by using racks with
teeth of different pitch and by changing the cam E', or by constructing the
latter with an adjustable nose piece by which its throw can be varied. The
travel of the sliding plate may be also regulated by adjusting the pin II' end-
wise in the lever G and dovetail groove I, the said lever being provided with
a longitudinal slot for that purpose. The vertical shaft M is provided with
the driving pulley L, over which a strap or band is passed, which also passes
over the guide pulleys M'.
The operation of the machine is as follows:-The pulleys L' and on the
vertical and horizontal shafts M and Y are caused to revolve at the required
velocity by driving belts or bands which connect the said pulleys with a steam
engine or other motive power. The pulley L' by means of the shaft M.
imparts the required rotary motion to the cutters T and devices for holding
and guiding the same. The stock or material from which the corks or bungs
are to be cut is placed between the jaws a, a', of the sliding plate E carried by
the table C, the said jaws being properly adjusted under the centre of the
cutters T, and the stock being firmly gripped by pressing up the jaw a¹ with
the cam lever E. The treddle L is then depressed by the foot of the operator,
and by means of the chain K, quadrant J, toothed sector 1, and rack G,
raises the table C. The same operation of the treddle L by means of the
connecting rod and lever y forces the horizontal shaft Y forward in its

page_text: bearings, and thereby brings the friction clutch into contact with the driving
pulley r, which being in motion causes the shaft Y to revolvo with it; the
cam Z is thus caused to act upon the friction roller p carried by the sliding
bar P and force the said bar and the spindle O downward; the said spindle
being connected to the sliding collar S, to which the cutters T are attached,
the latter are forced down to their work and cut rapidly through the stock,
forming a cork or bung whose shape coincides with the angle of the grooves k.
The shaft Y revolves till the notch to in the circular plate w comes opposito
the pawl B', when the latter is forced partially into the said notch by the
spring ; the shaft Y is thus released from the pressure of the pawl B*, but
cannot fly back to release the friction clutch s till its further revolution has
brought the dog or catch topposite the notch u¹ in the disc or plate u; when
this takes place the shaft Y being relieved from the forward pressure is drawn
back, and being released from the driving pulley r will no longer revolve.
The notch w in the circular plate w now acts as a cam and presses down the
pawl B. The sliding block B is at the same time released from the pressure
of the bent finger, which is drawn back when the treddle L is released.
The pawl B and sliding block B are also forced back by the spiral spring d³,
the said pawl being pressed up over the face of the notched plate w by the
flat spring c¹.
The cam E' for operating the feed motion is so arranged with regard to the
other parts of the mechanism as to move the sliding plate E the required
distance endwise on the top of the table C as the cutters T are raised. The
stock being firmly held between the jaws of the said plate is tbus quickly and
accurately adjusted, and the corks or bungs are cut therefrom with great
rapidity and with the greatest economy of the stock or material. When a
strip or slab of cork or other material is used up the treddle L is released, and
the table C is allowed to fall till the upper check nut C³ rests on the armı D³;
the said table being thus supported the jaw a¹ is released from the cam lever
F, and allows the waste portion of the stock to be removed from the jaws a, a¹,
and a fresh strip or portion to be inserted between the said jaws. The table
C is then again raised by means of the treddle L, the said stock is firmly
gripped between the jaws a, a', by means of the cam lever F, and the several
operations of the machine are repeated.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, as communicated to mo by
my foreign correspondent, and shown how the same may be conveniently and
advantageously carried into practice, I claim,-
First, the table C, treddlo L, chain K, quadrant J, sector II, rack G, rod x,
lever y, finger bar, sliding block B, pawl B', notched plate w, shaft Y,

page_text: clutch s, and pulley r, combined, arranged, and operating for the purpose.l and
substantially in the manner set forth.
Second, collar S and links V for supporting the cutting tools T, combined
and operating substantially in the manner set forth.
Third, constructing the cutter head U with the grooves k for guiding the
cutters T, substantially in the manner set forth.
Fourth, providing the cutter head U with the centre pin W, constructed
and operating substantially in the manner set forth.
Fifth, the treddle L, rod x, lever y, finger, sliding block B³, pawl B*,
notched plate w, shaft Y, spring v, catch t, disc u, clutch 8, pulley r, and cam, 1
combined, arranged, and operating substantially in the manner set forth.
Sixth, a machine for cutting corks and bungs with parts constructed,
combined, arranged, and operating substantially in the manner set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Corey McFarland, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-ninth day of November, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.
COREY MCFARLAND. (L.S.)