CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN CUTTING PAPER
Year: 1832

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, MATTHEW
Towgood, of Dartford, in the County of Kent, Paper. Maker, send greeting.
WHEREAS His present most Excellent Majesty King William the Fourth,
by His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Fifteenth day of March, in the second year of His reign,
did, for Himself, His heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Matthew Towgood, His especial licence, full power and authority, that I, the
said Matthew Towgood, my exors, admors, and assigns, or such others as
I, the said Matthew Towgood, my exors, admors, or assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times here-
after, during the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of
Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN CUTTING
PAPER;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I, the
said Matthew Towgood, shall cause a particular description of the nature of
my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, and
to cause the same to be inrolled in said Majesty's High Court of Chancery
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being there-
unto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Matthew Towgood, do hereby declare that my said Invention is described
and ascertained in manner following (that is to say) :-

page_text: My improvements in cutting paper are applicable to the cutting up of paper
which is made by paper making machinery, and which paper is usually
gathered upon reels as it comes out of the said machinery, and from which
reels it is afterwards cut off a large quantity at once by knives wrought by
the hands of men, in order to divide the paper into detached sheets. And
whereas that mode occasions some waste cuttings and is a laborious operation,
particularly when the paper making machinery is provided with drying
machinery in order to dry the paper before it is gathered on the reel, it
is desirable to cut the paper into detached sheets of the required size
as fast as it comes out of the paper making machinery, without waiting to
cut an accumulated quantity. And certain machinery has been used for that
purpose; but my improvements consist in a simpler mode than that hitherto
practised for advancing the paper forwards the proper length of an intended
sheet, and then keeping that paper motionless whilst it is cut off transversely
by a moveable knife blade acting against a fixed blade.
The two Sheets of Drawings hereunto annexed represent machinery which
operates according to my said improvements.
Sheet I. contains a lateral elevation, and Sheet II. an end elevation, both
drawn to the same scale, and the same letters and numbers of reference are
used in both Sheets to designate the same parts. A, A, is the side framing
which is placed in vertical planes at the end of a paper drying machine in
continuation of the usual vertical side framing thereof; and B, B, is an end
cross framing uniting the two side framings A, A, firmly together. D is a hori-
zontal axis extended across the width of the machinery, and sustained at each
end in suitable bearings supporting by the side framing A, A. The said
axis D is turned round with a continuous rotative motion by means of a long
conical drum E, which is fixed thereon, and an endless strap, which also passes
round a similar conical drum fixed upon any suitable revolving axis or shaft
in the paper drying machinery, the smallest ends of one of the conical drums
being opposite to the largest end of the other drum; wherefore, by applying
the said endless strap upon different parts of the length of the said two conical
drums, the axis D can be made to revolve in exact time, according to the size
of the sheets into which the paper is to be cut transversely, and also to the
rapidity wherewith the paper comes out of the drying machine, so that the
axis D will in all cases make one revolution in the time whilst the length of
the one intended sheet of paper is coming out from the drying machine. And
by shifting the strap a little along the said conical drums when necessary, the axis
D can be made to keep true time with the drying machinery. At one end of
the revolving axis D an adjustable crank a, b, is fixed, and a long connecting
rod 1, 2, is jointed to the crank pin 6 thereof, so as to be moved alternately.

page_text: backwards and forwards through a determinate space. The end 2 of the
said connecting rod is made heavy, and the under face (which is of con-
siderable breadth) is covered with strong leather or other suitable substance,
in order to apply to the circumference of a measuring wheel 3, which circum-
ference is fluted or cut into fine and sharp ratchet teeth, so that the leather
wherewith the under side of the heavy end 2 of the wooden connecting rod
1, 2, is covered will indent and hold in the said teeth firmly enough to turn
the wheel 3 round when the connecting rod 1, 2, is moved endways by the
crank a, b; for so long as the connecting rod 2 rests by its weight upon the
said teeth, and the heavy end 2 of the connecting rod 1, 2, is allowed thus
to rest upon the teeth at the circumference of the measuring wheel 3, all
the time that the crank pin b is describing its lowermost semicircle, the connect-
ing rod 1, 2, being then moving endways in a direction towards the measuring
wheel 3; and during all that time the measuring wheel 3 is turned round by
the contact of the leather at the under side of the end 2 of the connecting rod
with the teeth of the measuring wheel 8; but the moment that the connecting
rod 1, 2, has completed its excursion towards the measuring wheel 3, and
before it actually sets out to return (that is, at the moment when the crank
a, b, comes into a straight line with the length of the connecting rod 1, 2, then
the lifting motion which the crank pin 6 is then giving to the end 1 of con-
necting rod causes the heavy end 2 of the rod to quit contact with the teeth
of the measuring wheel 3 in consequence of the end 2 of the rod beyond the
part which touches the wheel coming to rest upon a bearing roller 4, which
is suitably placed for that purpose, being mounted on a centre pin, which is
fixed fast into the side framing, and stands out horizontally therefrom. And
during all the time that the crank pin b is describing its uppermost semicircle
and is drawing the connecting rod 1, 2, endways in a direction away from the
measuring wheel 8, the heavy end 2 of the connecting rod continues to rest
upon the circumference of the bearing roller 4 without touching the teeth of
the measuring wheel 3, until the moment when the connecting rod 1, 2, has
completed its course in that direction, and the crank a, b, is come into a
straight line with the connecting rod; the descending motion which the crank
pin 6 is then giving to the end 1 of the connecting rod 1, 2, will bring it
down with its under side in contact with the teeth of the measuring wheel 3,
the end 2 of the rod being by the same movement taken off from contact
with the bearing roller 4, wherefore the weight of the heavy end 2 of the rod
will rest on the circumference of the measuring wheel 3 with sufficient force
to cause the leather wherewith the under side of the heavy end 2 of the rod
is covered to be indented by the sharp ratchet teeth of the measuring wheel 3,
so as to hold in the said teeth and turn the said wheel round. The measuring

page_text: wheel 3 is fixed fast on the extreme end of a long horizontal axis d, d, which
is supported in bearings fixed to the framing, and a measuring cylinder G is
fixed on the axis d, d, between its bearings; the measuring wheel 3 and
measuring cylinder G with their axes d, d, turn round together very freely in
the bearings for the axes. The paper which is to be cut by the improvements
is passed over the upper part of the circumference of the measuring cylinder
G, and kept in contact therewith by a small bearing down roller g, which is
covered with cloth and placed above the measuring cylinder, resting by its
weight upon the paper in order to hold it so firmly on the measuring cylinder
that the paper will not fail to be drawn forwards by the motion of the
measuring cylinder whenever the same is moved by the action before described
of the crank a, b, and connecting rod 1, 2, and measuring wheel 3; (that is to
say,) whenever the crank pin b is pushing the connecting rod endways in a
direction towards the measuring wheel 3, for then the crank pin 6 being in in
its lowermost semicircle bears down the end 1 of the connecting rod 1, 2, so
that the heavy end 2 thereof rests upon the circumference of the measuring
wheel and holds in the teeth thereof, so as to turn the measuring wheel 3
round, and the measuring cylinder G turns with it, and draws forwards the
paper; but whenever the crank pin 6 is pulling the connecting rod 1, 2, in a
direction away from the measuring wheel 3, then the measuring cylinder
stands still and the paper also, because the crank pin 6 being then in its
uppermost semicircle, the heavy end 2 of the connecting rod is then borne by
the roller 4 so as not to touch the teeth of the measuring wheel 8; and to
prevent any risk of the measuring cylinder G being accidentally turned or
jogged backward by the pull of the paper when it ought to stand still, as above
mentioned, a quadruple click or pall 5 is applied to act in the ratchet teeth at
the lower side of the measuring wheel 3: it consists of four clicks placed close
together side by side, all four being mounted on one fixed centre pin in a small
bracket which is fixed to the framing. Those ends of the clicks 5 which apply to
the teeth of the measuring wheel 3 are cut of different lengths, so that one click
will hold after another in the teeth in order to subdivide the interval between the
teeth, which are a fine pitch not more than a quarter of an inch, and therefore
one or other of the clicks 5 will meet the teeth and arrest the motion of the
measuring wheel 3 the moment it begins to turn back and before it has allowed
the paper to retrograde sensibly. The other ends or tails of the clicks extend
far enough beyond their common centre pin to overweigh and bear up the
acting ends in contact with the teeth of the measuring wheel 3; and in
order to prevent the said clicks 5 from acting against the teeth of the measuring
wheel 3 when it is moving forwards, as above mentioned; and when they
would be useless, their long ends or tails are lifted up all four together by a

page_text: loop like a stirrup in miniature, which surrounds them and is suspended by
a cord 6 which passes over a pulley 7, and extends to an excentric circle 8
fixed on the axis D behind the crank a, b, in such a position that the excentric
8. will draw the cord 6 and stirrup so as to lift up the tails of the clicks 5
and detach them from the teeth of the measuring wheel 3 when the crank
pin is describing its lowermost semicircle; but the excentric 8 lets the cord 6
and stirrup down so as to set the clicks 5 at liberty a very little before the
measuring wheel 3 concludes its motion, in order that they may catch in the
ratchet teeth of the wheel and be ready to prevent any retrograde motion
thereof which might otherwise be produced by accident. The paper descends
from the measuring cylinder. G nearly in a verticle plane, and passes between
the fixed and the moveable blade H, I, by which it is to be cut off transversely
in order to divide it into detached' sheets of paper. The said blades are
straight thin rulers made of steel plate, such as saws are made of; and those
blades are fastened along the edges of two strong wooden rulers by carpenter's
screws, viz., one such steel blade is fixed alone the under edge of the upper-
most fixed ruler H so as to project a little forwards from under the front edge
thereof; and the said wooden ruler H of the fixed blade is fixed firmly by
screws beneath the lowermost horizontal cross rail of the cross framing B, B,
the straight cutting edge of the fixed steel blades being horizontal and parallel
to the axis of the measuring cylinder G, and being situated very nearly
beneath the circumference thereof, so that the paper in descending in a vertical
plane from the circumference of the measuring cylinder G will pass down
very near to the said cutting edge and a little before the same. The moveable
steel blade is fixed in a similar manner upon the moveable wooden ruler I,
but at the upper side thereof, so as to project a little backwards over the back
edge thereof towards the edge of. the fixed blade, the two steel blades being
applied in close contact with each other, (that is to say,) the edge of the
moveable blade is borne upwards beneath the edge of the fixed blade in
order that they may be qualified to cut the paper which has been introduced
between the said edges when they are open or separated by forcing the straight
cutting edge of the moveable blade against the paper, so as to pass under the
straight cutting edge of the fixed blade which is at the opposite side of the
paper. The two cutting edges form an acute angle with each other, because
the moveable blade is not parallel to the fixed blade, although horizontal.
The moveable blade I is suspended by two pendulous links I, 1, from fixed
centre pins m, m, at the upper part of the framing, so as to be freely at
liberty to swing backwards and forwards about the centre pins m, m; and the
penduluous links 1, 1, been adjustable in length, the lower blade can be raised
up until its cutting edge comes correctly in contact with that of the fixed

page_text: blade. The moveable blade I is attached to links 1, 1, by centre pins or pivots
fixed into each end of its wooden ruler I, around which pivots the whole
moveable blade I can tilt in order that the surface of the moveable steel
blade may exactly preserve its proper horizontal plane when it moves back-
wards and forwards. The said pivots are not immediately beneath the cutting
edge, but a little before the same, and the pivots being fixed in slits can be
set more or less before, in order that the resistance which the cutting of the
paper makes may occasion the cutting edge of the moveable blade to bear up
beneath the cutting edge of the fixed blade into very close contact there with.
Note, the cutting edges of the two blades never entirely quit contact with each
other at the end which is marked w, Sheet II., even when the moveable
blade is fully opened to admit the paper between the two edges, because of
the obliquity of the edge of the moveable blade to that of the fixed blade H.
When the moveable blade I is fully opened from the fixed blade H, the ends
of its ruler I rest against fixed stops n, o, which are placed suitably for its
obliquity. And the ruler I is drawn forwards against the stops n, o, by the
action of two weights K, K, suspended from cords which pass over pullies
L, L, and are fastened to the ends of the wooden ruler I, and in that situation
the moveable blade rests all the time that the measuring cylinder 3 and the
paper is moving, leaving a sufficient opening between the cutting edge of the
moveable blade and that of the fixed blade to admit the paper to descend
between them, although, as before mentioned, the two edges continue in contact
at their extreme ends w of each blade, for they are opened to a considerable
distance apart at the opposite ends. As soon as the motion of the measuring
cylinder 3 ceases, and the paper ceases to be advanced or moved forwards
by it, the moveable blade I is forcibly drawn towards the fixed blade in order
to cut off and separate the paper transversely. This motion is given to the
moveable blade I by means of two cat-gut cords M, M, one fastened to each
end, and which are conducted over suitable leading pullies N, N, whereby the
two cords are brought together at one side of the machine, and are spliced
into one cord O, which is extended to a crank pin P which is fixed fast into
a pulley Q; and that pulley is fixed on the extreme end of the axis D, at the
other end of which the crank a, b, is fixed as before mentioned; therefore the
crank pin travels round in a circular orbit, and it is so placed in the pulley Q
in respect to the position of the crank a, b, on the axis D, that the cord O will
begin to be drawn by it, and will begin to pull the moveable blade backwards
to cut the paper at the proper time when the measuring cylinder ceases to
move and to advance the paper forwards. As the crank pin P goes round it
allows the cord O to return, and then the moveable blade I opens again from
the fixed blade by the action of its weights K, K, in order to admit the paper

page_text: between them again. And note, in order that the paper may be held steadily
against the edge of the fixed blade H whilst the moveable blade I is making
its cut, a moveable holding ruler R is applied with its back edge opposite to
the front edge of the fixed wooden ruler H of the fixed blade. The said holding
ruler R is suspended by wire links in a very similar manner to the suspension
of the moveable blade I, and the holding ruler R is drawn backwards, in
contact with the fixed ruler H by the action of weights P suspended from
cords which are conducted over suitable leading pulleys, and fastened to each
end of the holding ruler R. There are also similar cords and leading pullies
applied in front of the same holding ruler R, but they are attached to the
balance weights K, K, of the moveable blade I, which are heavier and are
sufficient to overbalance the other weights P, in order to draw forwards the
holding ruler R, and remove its edge from contact with the ruler H of
the fixed blade, and to open a space between them, in order to receive the
paper when it is again to be advanced forwards by the action of the measuring
cylinder 3, as before stated. As soon as the motion of the measuring cylin-
der 3 and of the paper ceases, and the moveable blade I begins to be drawn
backwards towards the paper in order to proceed to cut the same, its weights
K, K, are raised up, and thereby they release the holding ruler R from their
action, leaving it to the influence of its own weights P, which carry it back-
wards against the front edge of the fixed ruler H in order to hold the paper
against the same, so as to steady it whilst it is cut by the moveable blade I.
The holding ruler R is thus closed up in order to hold the paper an instant
before the moveable blade begins to make its cut; and therefore the paper
is certain to be held firm during the action of cutting it. After the cut is
finished and the moveable blade I is allowed to come forwards and separate
and open from the fixed blade by the action of its weights K, K, their
descent also draws forwards the holding ruler R, so as to separate and open
it from the fixed ruler H, leaving the paper at liberty to be advanced forwards
between the open cutting edges of the blade by the motion of the measuring
cylinder 3, as before described. Note, the crank a, b, is made with two
sockets in the part which is fixed to the extremity of the axis D; and the
cramp pin is fixed into a sliding bar which is filled through those two sockets
so as to be capable of sliding through them, and it can be fastened therein by
clamping screws z, z. By this means the crank pin can be set out at any
required distance from the centre of the axis D in order to give a greater or
lesser extent of motion to the connecting rod 1, 2, suitable for the lengths into
which the paper is required to be cut.
The machinery herein-before described, and which is represented in the

page_text: Drawings, is only for cutting off the paper transversely, in order to divide it into
lengths; but whereas it is usually required also to cut or slit the paper longi-
gitudinally in order to divide it into one, two, or more breadths, the same may
be done in the method usually practised by one, two, or more revolving circular
knives or cutters acting against the paper at the part where it wraps on the
measuring cylinder 3, so as to cut and slit the paper longitudinally, or else at the
part where the paper wraps on an additional roller, which is provided for the
purpose of sustaining the paper whilst it is undergoing the cutting action of such
circular knives or cutters. In either case the paper must be so cut or slit longi-
tudinally before it arrives at the blades for cutting it off transversely in order to
separate it into detached sheets. It is unnecessary to describe the said mode of
cutting longitudinally more minutely, because the same is well known and com-
monly practised in other machinery for cutting paper. Note, a small and light
moveable roller, called a dancing roller, must be applied to rest by its weight
upon the paper just before it comes upon the measuring cylinder 3, but after
it comes from the drying machine. The weight of the dancing roller Z bends
the paper down into a deep loop in the interval, whilst the measuring cylinder 3
is motionless; but the dancing roller Z rises up and allows that loop to shorten
when the cylinder is drawing forwards the paper, because the drying machine
gives out the paper regularly without intermission or interruption, although the
measuring cylinder 3 only draws forwards and advances that paper at intervals
and then leaves it at rest. The loop into which the paper is bended down by the
weight of the dancing roller Z contains a sufficient length of paper to accom-
mmodate between the constant furnishing of the paper by the drying machine,
and the interrupted carrying forwards of that paper by the measuring cylinder 3.
The dancing roller Z is mounted on pivots at its ends, on which it can turn
very freely; and those pivots are mounted in sockets at the ends of arms or
links X, which play freely about fixed centres of motion, so as to allow the
roller Z to ascend and descend freely, according as the draft of the paper
requires; but the said links X keep the roller Z parallel to itself and square
across the paper. The structure and operation of the said dancing roller Z
is well known, as it is commonly used in paper machinery, so as to require no
further explanation. Note, is not essential that the said machinery for cutting
paper should be applied immediately to the paper making machinery, for the
paper made thereby may be gathered around rollers or reels in a dried state;
and those rollers or reels may be transferred to a machine for cutting very.
similar to that herein-before described, whereby the said paper may be drawn
off the rollers or reels and cut up into detached sheets of any required size.
And in this case two, three, or more such rollers or reels may be put into the

page_text: said machinery for cutting, and the several papers from them all may be
introduced between the blades in order that they may cut as many thicknesses
at once.
Having now described the complete machinery which operates according to
my said improvements, I, the said Matthew Towgood, do hereby declare that
my said improvements consist in the manner herein-before described of moving
the measuring wheel 3 by means of the connecting rod 1, 2, which is covered
with leather or other suitable substance, to apply to and bear on the ratchet
teeth at the circumference of the measuring wheel, so as to turn the same
and the measuring cylinder round when the connecting rod 1, 2, is pushed
endways by its crank in one direction; and the application of the bearing
roller 4 in the manner herein-before described, in order that it may take up
the end of the connecting rod from off the teeth of the measuring wheel out
of contact therewith when the connecting rod is pulled in the opposite
direction by its crank. Also in the mode herein-before described of applying
several clicks or palls 5 to prevent any retrograde motion of the measuring
wheel 3 when it ought to stand still; and the mode herein-before described
of taking the said compound pall or click 5 out of action whilst the measuring
cylinder 3 is moving. And note, I do not make claim to any of the parts
marked in the Drawings with letters of the alphabet for reference in the
foregoing description.
In witness whereof, I, the said Matthew Towgood, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of September, in the year of our
(L.B.)
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Fourteenth day of September,
in the year of our Lord 1832, the aforesaid Matthew Towgood came before
our said Lord the King in His Chancery and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
0 above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to
the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Inrolled the Fifteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord One