Improvements in Knives Employed in Machines for Cutting Turnips and other Roots.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Feb.. 1888
Complete Specification Left, 13th Aug., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 19th Oct., 1888
Improvements in Knives Employed in Machines for Cutting Turnips
and other Roots.
1, WILLIAM HENRY TIPTON, of 33 Church Street, Wellington in the County of
Salop, artificial manure agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The knives hitherto or usually employed for the purpose stated in the title are each
formed with one part of its blade at right angles to the other part. When applied to
a machine one part of the blade is sot, in relation to a revolving frame by which it is
carried and operated, so as to cut off slices of the turnips or other roots to a thickness
depending, approximately, on the distance which such part of the blade is set above or
out from a part of the frame, aforesaid, upon or against which the turnips or other
roots to be cut rest previously to the operation of the blade thereon. The cutting edge
of this part of the knife has heretofore been made straight, that is at right angles, or
approximately so, to the direction in which it moves, so that the whole or a consider-
able length thereof commences to cut or bear against a turnip or other root at one and
the same moment. The resistance thus occasioned not only throws considerable work
upon the machine, but the turnips or other roots are frequently caused to roll upon
the blade instead of standing up to the cut, and thus the efficiency of the nucline
is considerably impaired, and an unnecessary degree of pulping results from the
imperfect action of the knives, with the consequent loss of juice in the cut roots.
Now, the chief object of this invention is to avoid the inconveniences abovo
stated, as resulting from the employment of knives of the ordinary construction,
and for this purpose the cutting edge of the part of a blade for slicing the turnips
or other roots as described, instead of being made straight in the manner described,
is slanted (or it may be curved) in a backward direction from the point of the
connection of such edge with the edge of the other part of the blade, and thus a
sharp point is formed at the junction of the edges of the two blades which readily

page_text: enters within the substance of a turnip or other root, and thus prevents it from
rolling under the action of the cutter, and the cutting or slicing is then completed
gradually on account of the inclined direction of the cutting edge.
By employing the improved knife above described the efficiency of the machine
is considerably increased and less power is required to operate it, and the turnips
or other roots are much more cleanly cut, and less pulping action results and in con-
sequence a much larger proportion of the juices is retained in the cut roots than when
knives of the ordinary description are employed.
It is not essential that the slicing edge of the knife be formed slanting in one line,
as it may be formed as a diamond pointed cutter, if desired, the edgo slanting back on
each side from the centre; and, when a single slanting edge is employed, it
desired, be formed slanting forward from the junction aforesaid of the cutting edges
so as to form a sharp point at the outer end of the slicing edge.
Doll 1
13
1000
may, if

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Knives Employed in Machines for Cutting Turnips
and other Roots.
1 WILLIAM HENRY TIPTON, of 33, Church Street, Wellington in the County of
Salop, Artificial Manure Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The knives hitherto or usually employed for the purpose stated in the title aro each
formed with one part of its blade at right angles to the other part.
When applied to a machine one part of the blade is set, in relation to a revolving
frame by which it is carried and operated, so as to cut off slices of the turnips or
other roots to a thickness depending approximately on the distance which such part of
the blade is set above or out from a part of the frame, aforesaid, upon or against
which the turnips or other roots to be cut rest previously to the operation of the
blade thereon. The cutting edge of this part of the knife has heretofore been made
straight, that is at right angles, or approximately so, to the direction in which it
moves, so that the whole or a considerable length thereof commences to cut or
hear against a turnip or other root at one and the same moment. The resistance
thus occasioned not only throws considerable work upon the machine, but the turnips
or other roots are frequently caused to roll upon the blade instead of standing up
to the cut, and thus the efficiency of the machine is considerably impaired, and an
unnecessary degree of pulping results from the imperfect action of the knives with the
consequent loss of juice in the cut roots.
Now the object of this invention is to avoid the inconveniences above stated, as
resulting from the employment of knives of the ordinary construction, and for this
purpose the cutting edge of the part of a blade for slicing the turnips or other roots
as described, instead of being made straight in the manner described, is slanted (or
it may be curved) in a backward direction from the point of the connection of such
edge marked 6 in each figure with the edge of the other part of the blade and thus
a sharp point marked a in each figure is formed at the junction of the edges of
the two blades which readily enters within the substance of a turnip or other root,
and thus prevents it from rolling under the action of the cutter, and the cutting or
slicing is then completed gradually on account of the inclined direction of the cutting
edge, marked b.
By employing the improved knife above described the efficiency of the machine is
considerably increased and less power is required to operate it, and the turnips or
other roots are much more cleanly cut, and less pulping action results and in con-
sequence a much larger proportion of the juices is retained in the cut roots than when
knives of the ordinary description are employed.
It is not essential that the slicing edge marked b of the knife be formed slanting
in one line, as it may be formed as a diamond pointed cutter, if desired, the edge

page_text: slanting back on each side from the centre; and when a single slanting edge is
employed, it may, if desired, be formed slanting forward from the junction afore-
said of the cutting edges so as to form a sharp point at the outer end of the slicing
edge.
Figure 1 represents a front view of the knife with nut and bolt for attachment to
bracket in barrel. The dotted line merely shows the outline of barrel. The point a
and the cutting edge bare the same as in figure 1. Sheet 1. Figure 2 is a back view
of the knife. Figure 3 is the same as figure 1 in Sheet 1. The dotted lines have no
connection with the present knife and are only put in for the purpose of showing the
form of the knife as used heretofore.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is
I. That by using the improved knives as before described the rolling of the Turnips
or other roots when in the machine for the purpose of being cut or sliced is obviated
or checked and the cutting of the Turnips or other roots commences as soon as the
machine is put in motion.
II. That in consequence of the rolling of the Turnips when in the machine for
the purpose of being cut or sliced being obviated or checked an unnecessary degree
of pulping is avoided and the juice instead of being lost is preserved in the cut or sliced
portions of the Turnips or other roots.
11. That owing to the action of the improved knives cutting or slicing the Turnips
or other roots in an inclined direction much less power is required to operate the
machine as the cutting or slicing is completed gradually and with loss resistance than
when knives of the ordinary description are employed and in consequence the wear
and tear of the cutting or slicing edgos are more evenly distributed and the wear
therefore of the knives is proportionately longer and the Turnips or other roots are
cut or sliced more cleanly and thereby the efficiency of the machine is considerably
increase:l.

page_text: This Specification was, upon the 8th day of March 1890, Amended under
Sections 18 to 21 of the Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks Act, 1883.
[The Amendments are shown in erased and italic type.]
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Knives Employed in Machines for Cutting Turnips
and other Roots.
1, WILLIAM HENRY TIPTON, of 33 Church Street, Wellington in the County of
Salop, artificial manuro agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
:-
The knives hitherto or usually employed for the purpose stated in the title are each
formed with one part of its blade at right angles to the other part. When applied to
a machine one part of the blade is set, in relation to a revolving frame by which it is
carried and operated, so as to cut off slices of the turnips or other roots to a thickness
depending, approximately, on the distance which such part of the blade is set above or
out from a part of the frame, aforesaid, upon or against which the turnips or other
roots to be cut rest previously to the operation of the blade thereon. The cutting edge
of this part of the knife has heretofore been made straight, that is at right angles, or
approximately so, to the direction in which it moves, so that the whole or a consider-
able length thereof commences to cut or bear against a turnip or other root at one and
the same moment. The resistance thus occasioned not only throws considerable work
upon the machine, but the turnips or other roots are frequently caused to roll upon
the blade instead of standing up to the cut, and thus the efficiency of the machine
is considerably impaired, and an unnecessary degree of palping results from the
imperfect action of the knives, with the consequent loss of juice in the cut roots.
Now, the chief object of this invention is to avoid the inconveniences above
stated, as resulting from the employment of knives of the ordinary construction,
and for this purpose the cutting edge of the part of a blade for slicing the turnips
or other roots as described, instead of being made straight in the manner described,
is slanted (or it may be curved) in a backward direction from the point of the
connection of such edge with the edge of the other part of the blade, and thus a
sharp point is formed at the junction of the edges of the two blades which readily

page_text: enters within the substance of a turnip or other root, and thus prevents it from
rolling under the action of the cutter, and the cutting or slicing is then completed
gradually on account of the inclined direction of the cutting edge.
By employing the improved knife above described the efficiency of the machine
is considerably increased and less power is required to operate it, and the turnips
or other roots are much more cleanly cut, and less pulping action results and in con-
sequence a much larger proportion of the juices is retained in the cut roots than when
knives of the ordinary description are employed.
if
It is not essential that the slicing edge of the knife be formed slanting in one linc,
as it may be formed as a diamond pointed cutter, if desired, the edge slanting back on
each side from the centre; and, when a single slanting edge is employed, it may,
desired, be formed slanting forward from the junction aforesaid of the cutting edges
so as to form a sharp point at the outer end of the slicing edge.
Dated this 8th day of February 1888

page_text: and other Roots.
I WILLIAM HENRY TIPTON, of 33, Church Street, Wellington in the County of
Salop, Artificial Manure Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:
The knives hitherto or usually employed for the purpose stated in the title are each
formed with one part of its blade at right angles to the other part.
When applied to a machine one part of the blade is set, in relation to a revolving
frame by which it is carried and operated, so as to cut off slices of the turnips or
other roots to a thickness depending approximately on the distance which such part of
the blado is set above or out from a part of the frame, aforesaid, upon or against
which the turnips or other roots to be cut rest previously to the operation of the
blade thereon. The cutting edge of this part of the knife has heretofore usually been
made straight, that is at right angles, or approximately so, to the direction in which it
moves, so that the whole or a considerable length thereof commences to cut or
bear against a turnip or other root at one and the same moment. The resistanco
thus occasioned not only throws considerable work upon the machine, but the turnips
or other roots are frequently caused to roll upon the blade instead of standing up
to the cut, and thus the efficiency of the machine is considerably impaired, and an
unnecessary degree of pulping results from the imperfect action of the knives with the
consequent loss of juice in the cut roots.
The part of the blade which is parallel, or approximately so, to the surface of the
frame by which it is carried is usually narrow in a direction along the cutting edge
thereof so that the part thereof which projects sideways from the radial portion by which
the knife is fixed in place is not liable to be readily sprung down by the weight of the
roots thereupon, and thus several of such knives are used for a single machine. There is,
however, some liability of the forward corner of the parallel part which is away from
the radial part being sprung out of shape and so not efficiently performing its work.
Now the object of this invention is to avoid the inconveniences above stated, as
resulting from the employment of knives of the ordinary construction, and for this
purpose the cutting edge of the part of a blade for slicing the turnips or other roots
as described, that is of the part which is parallel, or approximately so, with the surface
of the revolving frame, instead of being made straight or at right angles to the direction
of its movement in the manner described, is slanted (or it may be curved) in a
backward direction from the point of the connection of such edge marked b in each
figure with the edge of the other part of the blade and thus a sharp point marked-a-in
each-figure is formed at the junction of the edges of the two blades which readily
enters within the substance of a turnip or other root, and thus prevents it from
rolling under the action of the cutter, and the cutting or slicing is then completed
gradually on account of the inclined direction of, the cutting edge, marked-br

page_text: The cutting point is thus well supported by the radial portion of the knife, and is not
liable to be sprung or bent down as it would be if formed on a wide knife at a considerable
distance from the point of support, and the forward corner also of the parallel part which
is away from the radial part, is better supported, owing to the obtuse angle formed
between the inclined cutting edge and the side of the knife, than when such corner is formed
as a right angle as in the ordinary knives.
By employing the improved knife above described the efficiency of the machine is
considerably increased and loss power is required to operate it, and the turnips or
other roots are much more cleanly cut, and less pulping action results and in con-
sequence a much larger proportion of the juices is retained in the cut roots than when
knives of the ordinary description are employed.
It is not essential that the slicing edge marked-6 of the knife be formed slanting
in one line, as it may be formed as a diamond pointed cutter, if desired, (providing
that the point is not too far away from the supporting part of the knife) the edge
slanting back on each side from the centre; and when a single slanting edge is
employed, it may, if desired, he formed slanting forward from the junction ufore-
snid of the cutting edges so-ns to form a sharp point at the outer end of the slicing
edge.
The form of knife in which the edge slants back from its junction with the cutting edge
of the vertical portion is, however, much preferred.
The invention will now be readily understood on reference to the accompanying
drawings, of which figure 1 shews a barrel (such as ordinarily forms the revolving knife
frame of a machine for slicing turnips) with a set of knives, constructed according to this
invention, fixed in place thereon; figure 2 is a section taken on line × × of figure 1
shewing a set of knives fixed in place on one side and the seatings or beds for a corre
sponding set of knives on the other side, it being usual to fix a set of knives on each side
so that two sets of cuts are effected by one revolution of the barrel, as will be well under-
stood; figure 3 is a view corresponding to figure 1, but with the radial portions of the
• knives shewn in section and the portions at right angles thereto omitted; figure 4 is a
plan of a knife for the left-hand side of the barrel, that is for the side on which the
section is taken in figure 1, the knives on the opposite side being of course the opposite
hand, as in the case of the ordinary knives; figure 5 is a side elevation of figure 4
. looking towards the edge thereof which is the lower on the drawing; figure 6 is a front
edge view of the knife; and figure 7 is a back edge view thereof.
The
The radial portion a (that is the portion which is fixed radially to the axis of the
barrel, though its sides need not of course be radial, or inclined to one another as shewn)
is fixed to the barrel in the usual manner of fixing such knives, that is by means of a bolt
passing through the hole b in the knife and through a corresponding hole in a flange
(such as c, figure 3) formed therefor inwards from the surface of the barrel.
cutting edge of the part e of the knife which is formed at right angles, or approximately
so, to the radial part a thereof is slanted back, as shewn, from the point g where the two
cutting edges meet. Only the portion h of the forward edge of the radial part of the
knife, that is the portion thereof which projects, when the knife is fixed above the sunk
surface i of the barrel, needs (as in the case of the ordinary knives) to be formed as a
cutting edge. The knives of each set are fixed in relation to one another, preferably as
shewn by figure 1 (though the whole set may of course be fixed, if desired, in one
diagonal line across the width of the barrel) and when so fixed one of the knives, namely
the knife k figure 1, has its pointed side immediately behind the pointed side of the knife l.
In such case the knives k and 1 may be fixed against the usual web n (shewn by broken
lines figure 3) both on the same side thereof and preferably within a recess sunk in the
face of the web to receive them, just in the manner in which the corresponding knives of
the usual construction are commonly flaed. No cutting edge need, of course, be formed
on the radial portion of the knife k. The usual openings q through the circumference of
the barrel, for the passage of the slices as they are cut off, are formed at their forward
ends to the shape, preferably, of the forward edges d of the knives, instead of being
formed square across as when the ordinary knives are used, and the edges of the holes
come, preferably, immediately under (or approximately so) such edges of the knives.

page_text: The opening for the middle knife k should project forwards from the inclined cutting
edge about half an inch. It is not necessary in any case, and especially in the case of a
machine for slicing roots for sheep, to make the openings of an inclined shape at the front,
as they may be formed square, if desired; and machines fitted with the old form of knife
may have their knives replaced with knives constructed according to this invention, without
altering the openings. In such case the cutting point is, preferably, immediately over the
forward edge of the opening.
Figure 8 is a plan, corresponding to figure 4, of a knife constructed according to this
invention, with a diamond point_s. This point is formed by carrying forward in an
inclined direction a cutting edge d' from the point g, that is from the top of the cutting
edge of the radial part a of the knife, and carrying backwards a cutting edged there-
from also in an inclined direction, as shewn. It is preferred to form the point s
somewhat near to the point g¹, as shewn, so that it may not be readily sprung or bent
down.
While it is desirable that the points g s be quite sharp they may be somewhat rounded,
and the knives he still suerior in use to the ordinaru knives.
SHEET 2.
Figure 1 represents a front view of the knife with nut and bolt for attachment to
bracket in barrel. The dotted line merely shows the outline of barrel. The point a
and the cutting edge b are the same as in figure 1. Sheet 1. Figure 2 is a back view
of the knife. Figure 3 is the same as figure 1 in Sheet 1. The dotted lines have no
connection with the present knife and are only put in for the purpose of showing the
form of the knife as used heretofore.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
I. That by using the improved knives as before described the rolling of the Turnips
or other roots when in the machine for the purpose of being cut or sliced is obviated
or checked and the entting of the Turnips or other roots-commences as soon as the
machine is put in motion.
II. That in consequence of the rolling of the Turnips when in the machine for
the purpose of being out or sliced being obviated or checked an unnecessary degree
of pulping is avoided and the juice instead of being lost is preserved in the cut or sliced
portions of the Turnips or other-roots.
HI. That owing to the action of the improved knives cutting or slicing the Turnips
or other roots in an inclined direction much less power is required to operate-the
machine as the cutting or slicing is completed gradually and with less resistance than
when knives of the ordinary description are employed and in consequence the wear
and tear of the cutting or slicing edges are more evenly distributed and the wear
therefore of the knives is proportionately longer and the Turnips or other roots are
ent or sliced more cleanly and thereby the efficiency of the machine is considerably
increased
1. A knife, for employment in a machine for cutting turnips or other roots, having a
sharp (or approximately sharp) point at an end or intermediately between the ends of a
cutting edge along a portion which is parallel, or approximately so, to the surface of the
frame, when the knife is fixed thereto, said point being formed by inclining (or curving)
such edge and being well supported by a part fixed vertically, or approximately so, to the
frame, substantially as described.

page_text: 2. A knife, for employment in a machine for cutting turnips or other roots, formed
with a portion which is fixed to the recolving frame and when so fixed is vertical, or
approximately so, to the surface of the frame and with a portion which is parallel, or
approximately so, to the surface of such frame and which is narrow across in a direction
at right angles to its morement, as in the knives usually employed for the purpose, so as
to be well supported across its width by the vertical portion of the knife, the cutting edge
of such parallel portion being inclined or curved backwards from a point or part thereof
which stands forivards and is usually the first to strike into the ront, substantially as
described.
3. A knife, for employment in a machine for cutting turnips or other roots, formed
with a portion which is fired direct to the revolving frame and when so fixed is vertical,
or approximately so, to the surface of the frame, and with a portion which when the knife
is fixed is parallel, or approximately so, with the surface of the frame, and of which
latter portion the cutting edge is inclined or curred backwards from the forward edge of
the vertical portion, substantially as described.
4. In a knife, for employment in a machine for cutting turnips.or other roots, which
is formed with a portion which is fixed direct to the revolving frame and when so fixed is
vertical, or approximately so, to the surface of the frame, and with a portion which when
the knife is fixed is parallel, or approximately so, with the surface of the frame, a cutting
edge formed on the front of the vertical portion in combination with a cutting edge along
the front of the other portion, such latter cutting edge being inclined or curved backwards
from the top of the cutting edge of the vertical portion, so as to leave a sharp (or
approximately sharp) point as seen on plan at the meeting of the two edges well supported
by the vertical portion of the knife, substantially. as described.
5. A knife, for employment in a machine for cutting turnips or other roots, having a
cutting edge on the part a for fixture direct to the revolving frame, and inclined cutting
edges d'd on the part e (which is in a plane at right angles or approximately so, to
the part a) forming a sharp (or approximately sharp) point s, substantially as
described.
•
6. The improved knives, for employment in a machine for cutting turnips or other
roots, substantially as herein described and shewn by the drawings herewith for the
purpose set forth.