IMPROVE- MENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CUTTING PAPER. PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1857

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Moses Clark, of Saint Mary Cray, in the County of
Kent. Engineer, and George Bertram. of Edinburgh, in the County
of Mid-Lothian, North Britain, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CUTTING PAPER.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Moses Clark and George
Bertram at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their
Petition, on the 23rd July 1857.
We. MOSES CLARK, of Saint Mary Cray, in the County of Kent, Engineer,
and GEORGE BERTRAM, of Edinburgh, in the County of Mid-Lothian North
Britain, Engineer. do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CUTTING PAPEP." to be as
follows:-
This Invention relates to an arrangement of apparatus for cutting paper
from the continuous web, as it is brought from the paper-making machine,
into lengths of the proper dimensions for sheets of the determined size
required. whereby such lengths are accurately and uniformly measured off for
cutting, through the agency of very simple mechanical details. As the endless
or continuous web of paper is conducted into the machine, it is passed through
or between a set of circular disc cutters, by which it is severed longitudinally
in the usual way. After leaving these cutters the longitudinally severed sheet
passes onwards beneath a pendant roller, which runs loosely in end bearings
[Price 8d.]

page_text: in the free ends of a pair of levers set on fixed stud centres. one on each of
the line of the paper. This roller thus carried rests with all its weight added
to that of the levers upon the paper, as the latter flows on in a continuous
stream beneath it through the machine. From this point the paper passes
to and over a pair of parallel horizontal rollers. between which there works a
clamping or nipping detaining arrangement. This clamping holder consists of
a narrow horizontal table set between the rollers, with its upper surface level
with the tops of the rollers. so as to form a fixed table in the direct line of the
paper as it passes over the rollers. Over this table is a vertically reciprocating
clamp piece, actuated by a double lever arrangement from beneath. The
clamp piece has at each end a socket stud, which studs are entered into the
slotted heads of a pair of vertical connecting rods, one on each side of the line
of paper, which rods are adjustable as to length by connecting nut arrange-
ments, so as to regulate the lift and set of the clamp piece. The lower ends
of these vertical rods are jointed upon the two back ends of a pair of parallel
double ended levers, set on fixed centres in the lower part of the machine.
These levers derive a reciprocating motion from a pair of eccentrics carried by
a horizontal shaft running in bearings near the bottom of the framing at the
front end of the machine. The rods of these eccentrics are respectively
jointed to the front ends of the pair of levers, which front ends also have
jointed to them a pair of vertical rods, working a second clamp piece over a
second fixed clamping table like that already described. Thus the eccentrics
actuate both clamping movements in reverse order, one clamp piece being
down whilst the other is up, so as alternately to hold and let go the line of
paper. This second or forward clamping arrangement works between another
pair of rollers, as in the first instance; but the roller to the front side is of
larger diameter than the others, and a small upper pressing roller rests upon
it so as to nip the paper between the two, and draw it through the
machine. As the paper emerges from this last pair of rollers it is severed
transversely as required, by a vertically acting cutting arrangement worked in
any convenient manner, and the lengths of paper so cross cut are delivered
upon an endless discharging apron or traversing cloth conveying the sheets
away for use. Between the two clamping movements there is arranged a
pair of parallel double-ended measuring levers, the back ends of which have
eyes to receive the end studs of a loosely running roller. working on the upper
side of the line of paper like the pendant roller already described. These
levers are set on fixed stud centres, and their opposite ends are fitted with
adjustable screw and nut arrangements, whereby they are jointed to the upper
ends of a pair of connecting rods, which have their lower ends jointed to

page_text: slotted crank or disc movements, actuated by the bottom shaft carrying the
pair of eccentrics, and which shaft is driven through the intervention of a
duplex reversed cone drum movement, for the purpose of accurately adjusting
the rate of revolution. The action then of the machine is this:-As the main
shaft revolves the two clamping arrangements detain the line of paper alter-
nately, and as the front and positively driven roller is caused to descend upon
the paper, it presses down the latter to the precise extent required to be
measured for the transverse cut off, and the front clamp piece descends to hold
the paper, whilst the back one releases it and allows it to be drawn through
from behind. This measured-off portion is then drawn forward as the front
clamp rises. and the length is severed when the front clamp again comes
down. Whilst the front clamp is holding the paper the back one lets it pass
freely, and when the back clamp detains the paper to allow of the proper
action at the front, the slack of the paper which is still being fed into the
machine is taken up by the pendant roller at the back. Thus the pendant
roller and directly driven one act alternately, the latter measuring off the
lengths of paper whilst the former takes up the slack due to the cessation of
motion at the front.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Moses Clark and George Bertram in the Great Seal
Patent Office of the 23rd January 1858.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, MOSES
CLARK, of Saint Mary Cray, in the County of Kent, and GEORGE BERTRAM, of
Edinburgh, in the County of Mid-Lothian, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-third day of July, in the year of our Lord Onc
thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, in the twenty-first year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successor, give and grant unto us, the said
Moses Clark and George Bertram, Her special license that we, the said
Moses Clark and George Bertram, our executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as we, the said Moses Clark and George Bertram, our
executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and
no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
therein expressed, should and lawfully 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 OR

page_text: APPARATUS FOR CUTTING PAPER," upon the condition (amongst others) that we,
the said Moses Clark and George Bertram, by an instrument in writing
under our hands and scals, or under the hand and seal of us. should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and
in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same. Lo 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 we, the said Moses Clark and George Bertram,
do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:-
Our said Invention relates to an arrangement of apparatus for cutting paper
from the continuous web, as it is brought from the paper-making machine,
into lengths of the proper dimensions for sheets of the determined size
required, whereby such lengths are accurately and uniformly measured off for
cutting, through the agency of very simple mechanical details. As the endless
or continuous web of paper is conducted into the machine, it is passed through
or between a set of circular disc cutters, by which it is severed longitudinally
in the usual way. After leaving these cutters the longitudinally severed sheet
passes onwards beneath a pendant roller, which runs loosely in end bearings
in the free ends of a pair of levers set on fixed stud centres, one on each side
of the line of the paper. This roller thus carried rests with all its weight
added to that of the levers upon the paper, as the latter flows on in a con-
tinuous stream beneath it through the machine. From this point the paper
passes to and over a pair of parallel horizontal rollers, between which there
works a clamping or nipping detaining arrangement. This clamping holder
consists of a narrow horizontal table set between the rollers, with its upper
surface level with the tops of the rollers, so as to form a fixed table in the
direct line of the paper as it passes over the rollers. Over this table is a
vertically reciprocating clamp piece, actuated by a double lever arrangement
from beneath. The clamp piece has at each end a socket stud, which studs
are entered into the slotted heads of a pair of vertical connecting rods, one
on each side of the line of paper, which rods are adjustable as to lengths by
connecting nut arrangements. so as to regulate the lift and set of the clamp
piece. The lower ends of these vertical rods are jointed upon the two back
ends of a pair of parallel double-ended levers set on fixed centres in the lower
part of the machine. These levers drive a reciprocatory motion from a pair
of eccentrics, carried by a horizontal shaft running in bearings near the bottom

page_text: of the framing at the front end of the machine.
The rods of these eccentrics
are respectively jointed to the front ends of the pair of levers, which front
ends also have jointed to them a pair of vertical rods, working a second clamp
piece over a second fixed clamping table like that already described.
Thus
the eccentrics actuate both clamping movements in reverse order, one clamp
piece being down whilst the other is up, so as alternately to hold and let go
the line of paper.
This second or forward clamping arrangement works
between another pair of rollers, as in the first instance; but the roller to the
front side is of larger diameter than the others, and a small upper pressing
roller rests upon it, so as to nip the paper between the two and draw it
through the machine. As the paper emerges from this last pair of rollers it
is severed transversely as required by a vertically acting cutting arrangment,
worked in any convenient manner, and the lengths of paper so cross-cut are
delivered upon an endless discharging apron or traversing cloth, conveying the
sheets away for use. Between the two clamping movements there is arranged
à pair of parallel double-ended measuring levers, the back ends of which have
eyes to receive the end studs of a loosely running roller, working on the upper
side of the line of paper, like the pendant roller already described. These
levers are set on fixed stud centres, and their opposite ends are fitted with
adjustable screw and nut arrangements, whereby they are jointed to the upper
ends of a pair of connecting rods, which have their lower ends jointed to
slotted crank or disc movements, actuated by the bottom shaft carrying the
pair of eccentrics, and which shaft is driven through the intervention of a
duplex reserved cone drum movement, for the purpose of accurately adjusting
the rate of revolution. The action then of the machine is this:-As the main
shaft revolves, the two clamping arrangements detain the line of paper alter-
nately; and as the front and positively driven roller is caused to descend upon
the paper, it presses down the latter to the precise extent required to be
measured for the transverse cut off, and the front clamp piece descends to hold
the paper, whilst the back one releases it and allows it to be drawn through
from behind. This measured off portion is then drawn forward as the front
clamp rises, and the length is severed when the front clamp again comes
down. Whilst the front clamp is holding the paper the back one lets it pass
freely; and when the back clamp detains the paper to allow of the proper
action at the front, the slack of paper, which is still being fed into the
machine, is taken up by the pendant roller at the back; thus the pendant
roller and the directly driven one act alternately, the latter measuring off the
lengths of paper, whilst the former takes up the slack due to the cessation of
motion at the front.

page_text: And in order that our said Invention may be properly understood, we shall
now proceed to describe the several illustrative Figures upon the explanatory
Sheet of Drawings which we have hereunto appended for the purpose of
showing certain modifications under which our improvements may be judi-
ciously carried out in practice.
Figure is a side view or longitudinal elevation of one modification or
arrangement of our machinery or apparatus for cutting paper; Figure 2 is
end elevation corresponding to the right-hand end of Figure 1. and looking
upon the transverse knives or severing blades for cutting the web of paper at
right angles to its length; Figure 3 is a plan of the machinery corresponding
10 Figures 1 and 2; Figures 4, 5, and 6 are elevations of detached parts of
the machinery to show the arrangement of certain movements more distinctly
than can be done in the preceding Figures. The framing of the machine
consists of a pair of rectangular open-sided cast-iron standards A. united by
means of malleable iron transverse tie rods. At one end of the machine the
standards A are carried upwards above the other parts, and are connected by
a horizontal stay B, to which one of the transverse cutting blades is attached.
as will be herein-after described. Motion is communicated to the various
moving parts of the machine from the shaft C. which is carried in brackets
cast on the lower part of the standards A. The shaft C is driven by means
of an endless belt which passes round the fast and loose pulley D, and is
primarily driven by a steam engine or other suitable prime mover. Or the
shaft C may be driven by an endless belt actuated from a suitable part of
the paper-making machine itself. Upon the other extremity of the shaft C
is keyed a pulley E, round which is carried a belt F. which gives motion to
the pulley G on the spindle of the roller H. To the spindle of the roller H
is keyed the spur wheel I. which is in gear with an intermediate wheel J,
carried upon a stud fixed to the upper rail of the framing A. The wheel J
gears with a spur pinion K, fast to the shaft L, of the lower series of circular
cutters M; by means of the wheel J the direction of motion of the cutters M
is made to accord with that of the roller H. The circular cutters M consist
of a ring of steel fitted upon an internal boss of iron, which slides to and fro
upon the shaft L. This part of the mechanism is shown in section in the
detached detail view. Figure 6. The projecting part of the steel ring of each
cutter is bevilled internally so as to form a cutting edge. which operates
against the edge of a corresponding circular cutter, in this instance arranged
above it. The bearings of the shaft N, which carries the upper series of
cutters O, are fitted in the slotted brackets P, which are cast on or bolted to
the upper edges of the standards A, so that the cutters O may be accurately

page_text: adjusted to the lower series M. Ench of the cutters O consists of a concave
ring of steel ground to a concave form, the sharp edge of which is kept in
contact with the bevilled edge of its revolving fellow cutter M. The concave
steel rings of the cutters O are attached by screws or other suitable fastenings
to their respective bosses, which are made to slide on the shaft N. Both
series of cutters M and O are secured to their shafts L and N by means of
keys or pincling screws, so that they may be set at any required distance
asunder according to the desired width of the longitudinal strips or sheets of
paper. In the slots of the brackets P are carried the bearings of an adjust-
able presser roller Q. which is so adjusted that its pressure upon the roller H
carries the uncut web of paper R onwards to the circular cutters M and O.
The uncut paper may be conveyed direct from the paper-making machine to
the cutting machine. or it may be drawn off from rollers arranged for the
purpose at the end of the machine. As the web of paper R passes between
the circular cuiters M and O it is divided into longitudinal lengths. which
are indicated by the central blue parallel lines in the plan, Figure 3.
The
lengths of paper pass over the roller S, the spindle of which is carried in
bearings fitted on the upper edges of the standards A. From the roller S
the lengths of paper pass under the tension roll T: this roll is carried by a
pair of oscillating arms U, which have their bearings in the
brackets V, cast
exerts a certain
on or bolted to the framing A. The weight of the roll T
amount of tension upon the web of paper, and takes up the slackened portion
during the intervals that the onward passage of the paper is stayed. From
the roll T the paper passes over the two parallel rollers W. These rollers
have their bearings in brackets arranged in a manner similar to those of the
roller S. Between the two rollers W is fixed a horizontal presser board X.
upon which the presser Y is caused to descend at regular intervals: the
presser board X'is supported upon horizontal battens of wood fixed between
the slotted guides Z. The presser Y is a rectangular-formed piece of wood,
the under surface of which may be covered with cloth or other soft yielding
material, so that sufficient pressure may be exerted upon the paper without
injury thereto. The spindles at each end of the presser Y traverse vertically
in the slots of the guides Z. which are cast on or bolted to the upper
edges of the standards A; to these spindles are keyed the adjustable rods a.
The rods a may be lengthened or shortened by the adjusting nuts b. by means
of which the pressure of the presser Y upon the surface of the paper is
regulated as required. The lower extremity of each of the rods a is con-
nected to one extremity of a lever c, each of which is keyed upon a shaft d
extending between the standards A. The other extremity of one of the

page_text: lovers c is connected by a link e to the arm j, the other end of which is
carried. by a stud fixed to the inner side of the standard A. To the free end
of the arm., where it is attached to the link e, there is an antifriction roller,
which traverses in an eccentrically shaped groove formed in the face of a
disc g. The disc is fast to the shaft h, and its rotatory motion, which is
derived from the shaft h, communicates a reciprocatory movement to the
levers c and rods a. whereby the presser Y is caused to descend and stop the
onward motion of the paper at regular intervals. The rising and falling
action imparted to the link e, by means of the eccentric form of the groove in
the disc g. is shown in the front view. Figure 5, where the roller of the
arm is travelling over the circle of the smaller radins. and the presser Y
is supposed to be lifted from the paper. As the disc g rotates with the
motion of the shaft h, the antifriction roller on the lower end of the
link e rises over the circle of larger radius. shown at the lower part of
the disc g. in Figure 5; this rise causes the ends of the levers c. to which
the rods are jointed. to descend, and bring down the presser Y upon
the presser board X. Besides the presser Y. the lever c also actuates by
means of the rods ia presser k: these rods are fitted with adjusting nuts j,
similar to those herein-before described. The presser descends upon a
presser board 1, fitted between a pair of parallel rollers m, in all respects
similar to the arrangement of the rollers W. presser board X, and presser Y.
herein-before described. The pressers Y and however act alternately, as
they are connected to the opposite ends of the levers c. so that when onc
presser is holding down the paper, the other is raised, and allowing it to pass
over its neighbouring rollers, and vice versa. Motion is given to the shaft h,
to which the disc is fast, by means of the conical drum n this drum is
driven by an endless band o, which passes round another conical drum p on
the shaft C. The shaft also gives motion to the foremost of the rollers m.
To one end of the shaft is keyed a pulley q, round which is passed an endless
belt r; this belt passes over a pulley s, fast to the spindle of the front roller m.
above the foremost roller m is fitted a small presser roller t, the spindle of
which slides in slotted guides projecting above the pedestal bearings of the
foremost roller m. The paper is measured in pieces or sheets of a corre-
sponding size by means of a mechanical arrangement connected with the
shaft. To one end of this shaft is keyed a crank arm u, the crank pin of
which works in a slot in the crank arm. so that the length of its radius may
be altered as required. To the crank pin is coupled the connecting rod v, the
upper end of which is secured by a cotter to a stud w, which is made with an
internal screw, so as to traverse to and fro upon the screw z, which is fitted in

page_text: the slot of the lever y: by means of the screw the length of the reciprocatory
traverse of the lever y may be varied. so as to measure different lengths of
paper according to the size of the sheets required. The lever y is centred
upon a shaft z, which is carried in brackets cast on or bolted to the standards A
this shaft z extends across the machine, and at its other end carries an arm
corresponding to the backward half of the lever . In the free end of each
of these arms is an eye, in which is carried the spindle of a roller I: this roller
rests upon the surface of the paper. and serves to carry it downwards when
the front end of the lever is raised. and thereby measures the predetermined
length, but this will be again referred to when describing the action of the
transverse cutting arrangement. This part of the machinery is actuated by a
cam 2. fast to the shaft h; this cam acts upon a lever 3. which oscillates
upon a stud fixed to the inside of the standard A: this portion of the arrange-
ment is indicated in dotted lines in Figure 1. but is clearly shown in the
detached detail view. Figure 6. To the other end of the lever 3 is attached
a connecting rod 4. the upper end of which is secured to the bell-crank
lever 5; this lever oscillates upon a stud fixed to a bracket projecting from the
framing. The upper end of the bell-crank lever 5 is connected by the link 6
to the moveable knife 7. which is attached by the links 8 to the transverse
stay B. As the cam 2 rotates with the shaft h, it depresses one end of the
lever 3, which lifts the rod 4 and the lower arm of the bell-crank lever 5; the
effect of this motion is to draw the upper end of the lever 5 outwards, and
thereby depress the knife 7, which being suspended in an angular position is
drawn downwards, and acts with a scissor-like action against a fixed blade 9.
Both the cutting blades 7 and 9 are blades of steel. formed of one or more
pieces of metal, and having edges bevilled off similar to the blades of a pair of
shears. The fixed blade 9 is bolted or otherwise secured to a horizontal
bracket piece or platform extending from side to side of the machine.
Between the edge of the fixed blade 9 and the foremost roller m. is a table
or platform 10 over which the paper passes as it issues from between the
rollers m and . The operation of measuring the paper commences when the
roller is at the highest point of its traverse; in this position the front
presser is down and holding the paper, and as the roller 1 descends, the
paper is drawn over the rollers W. the weight of the roller 1 lifting the tension
roll T, and taking up the portion which it has previously depressed. During
the time the roller 1 is descending, and the fore part of the paper is held by
the presser k. the operation of cutting the paper transversely is effected by
When the roller 1 has
the action of the knife 7 against the blade 9.
descended to the lowest portion of its traverse, the front presser is raised,

page_text: and simultaneously therewith the back presser Y is depressed by the rotation
of the disc g. As the paper continues to be fed into the machine by the
rotation of the roller H, the tension roll T descends, carrying down the paper
as it passes into the machine. Meanwhile the measuring roller is raised by
the rotatory movement of the crank arm. and the measured portion of paper
is passed onwards by the rotation of the rollers' m and 1. The presser & is
again depressed. the measured portion is cut off, whilst the measuring operation
is again effected as before described. the slack of the paper being taken up by
the tension roll T. whilst the measured part is being carried forward between
the cutting blades. The arrangement of the transverse cutting mechanism may.
by means of a simple modification, be so arranged as to cut the paper at longer
intervals than that herein-before described. One mode of effecting this
variation in the size of the cut sheets of paper, is to throw the cam 2 out of
action with the lever 3, during two, three, or more revolutions of the shaft h.
On the boss of the cam 2 is a clutch or coupling 19; by means of a lever, the
forked ends of which take into the clutch, the cam 2 is made to slide laterally
on a feather upon the shaft h. To a stud fixed to the framing A is a spur
wheel 20, shown in red lines in Figure 5. this wheel gears with a pinion on
the shaft h. On the face of the wheel 20 is a scroll or groove, in which the
free end of the actuating lever works: this groove is so arranged that the lever
pushes the cam 2 beyond the lever 3 during two revolutions of the shaft h.
and it brings it into action at every third or other rotation. In Figure 5. the
wheel 20 is shown twice the size of the pinion on the shaft h. but the action of
the cutting mechanism may be varied by substituting different sized wheels
according to the size of the sheets to be cut. The severed sheets of paper
fall from the knives on to an endless apron 11. which travels upon two
rollers 12 and 13, the spindles of these rollers are carried in brackets cast on
or bolted to the framing A. The roller 12 derives its motion from the shaft h,
on the extremity of which is a pulley 15. round which is passed the endless
belt 14 this belt gives motion to a pulley fast to the spindle of the roller 12.
by which the endless apron 11 is carried round. Working inside the apron 11
is another roller 16, which is arranged for tightening the apron as required:
the spindle of this roller is carried in lugs 17. which are carried upon studs
that slide up and down in a slot made in an angular stay 18. fitted at each
side of the framing A. The studs have a thread cut upon them, to which is
fitted a thumb-screw. so that the roller 16 can be moved up or down the slots
in the stays 18, and in this manner any degree of tension may be given to the
apron 11.

page_text: quantities of paper may be measured and cut into sheets with great accuracy,
rapidity, and economy.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of our
said Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or
carried into effect, we may observe, in conclusion, that we do not confine or"
restrict ourselves to the precise details or arrangements which we have had
occasion to describe or refer to, as many variations may be made therefrom
without deviating from the principles or main features of our Invention; but
what we consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention
secured to us by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent. is,-
First, the general arrangement and construction of machinery or apparatus
for cutting paper into measured lengths, as herein-before described.
Second, the system or mode of measuring paper by means of a lever
arrangement, as shown at y. in Figure of our Drawings, and its connected
parts. as herein-before described, or any mere modification thereof.
Third, the mechanical arrangements for holding. measuring, and cutting
paper, and the mode of taking up the slackened portion as fast as the paper is
passed into the machine. as herein-before described.
Fourth. the system or mode of alternately measuring the paper. and passing
it onwards to the cutting apparatus whilst the measuring roller is being raised.
as herein-before described.
Fifth, the combination of a vibrating measuring lever with a circular disc
cutter, for severing measured lengths of paper.
Sixth, the application and use in paper-cutting machines of a vibrating
measuring lever arrangement. in combination with a pendant lever move-
ment for taking up the slack, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I. the said George Bertram, on behalf of the said
Moses Clark and of myself, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this
Twenty-first day of January. One thousand eight hundred and fifty-
GEO. BERTRAM. (L.S.)