Improvements in Machines for Cutting and Pulping Turnips and other Roots.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Jan., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 24th Oct:, 1896-Accepted, 12th Dec., 1896.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Cutting and Pulping Turnips and
other Roots.
I SAMUEL EDWARDS of Ladywell, Eccles, in the County of Lancaster,
Agricultural Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention to be as
follows:-
The object of my invention is to facilitate the feeding of turnips and other
vegetable substances to the cutters of such machines and to prevent choking in
the hopper.
I propose to accomplish this object in a simple manner by intermittently and
automatically lifting and agitating the contents of the hopper, a movement which
also tends to push the contents towards the cutters.
The invention is applicable to both "barrel" and "disc" machines.
In the class known as "Gardner's" barrel machines, I utilize the guide plate
situated above the barrel for this purpose.
This plate is suspended upon short pins or axes which project from each end of
its top edge, and rest in bearings either upon the body or upon the hopper, and
constructed so that it can be readily removed therefrom.
Abutments are provided against which the plate rests when at its lowest point,.
but it is free to be turned upwards upon its axis.
It is provided with downwardly projecting lugs at its bottom edge which rest
upon and travel along the periphery of the barrel at each end as it revolves.
The barrel is usually made with two parts of its surface of smaller diameter,
and thus when it is revolving the lugs upon the plate before described alternately
drop upon the lower surface, and are suddenly raised upon the higher surface,
twice in each revolution.
This upward movement of the inclined plate raises the turnips or the like which
rest upon or against it, alters their position and prevents choking.
In applying my invention of an agitator to a disc machine, I arrange the lower.
part of the hopper so that I am able to place upon the disc spindle which passes
through or under that part, a double cam agitator of such configuration that it
will not cut or damage the roots but will raise or agitate them and cause them to
move towards the disc cutters.
The agitator consists (for example) of a short socket provided with four cams
or wings, two at each end, and each pair projecting on opposite sides of the boss.
I prefer to make each cam tapering in form towards the centre of the boss,
which tends to move the roots forward as well as to raise them when the agitator
revolves with the disc shaft.
Deted the 22nd den of los
1906
ROBT. F. DRURY, C.P.A.,
Bank Buildings, George Street, Sheffield, Agent for Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Cutting and Pulping Turnips and
other Roots.
I, SAMUEL EDWARDS of Ladywell, Eccles, in the County of Lancaster
Agricultural Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same has to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
The object of my invention is to facilitate the regular feeding of the turnips, or
other like roots to the cutters of cutting and pulping machines and to prevent
choking in the hopper.
I accomplish this object in an effective and simple manner by an intermittent
lifting or agitating action imparted to the contents of the hopper, such movement
also tending to push the roots towards the cutters.
In the annexed sheets of drawings I have illustrated my invention as applied to
both barrel and disc machines.
Fig. 1, is an elevation of the upper part of a barrel machine, with the front
removed to show the interior.
Fig. 2, is a front view of the agitating plate and a portion of the barrel.
Fig. 3, elevation of upper part of disc machine with front removed to show disc
and agitator.
Fig. 4, plan of disc and agitator.
Fig. 5, enlarged views of agitator.
In applying my invention to a barrel machine I utilize the guide plate A, to act
as agitator, it being conveniently situated above the barrel B, within the hopper
space.
This plate is suspended upon short axes C, which project from each end of its
top edge see Figure 2, and which rest in slotted bearings D, formed in the body
of machine and open at the top so that the plate may be readily taken out when
required.
The bottom edge of the plate is provided with two projections or feet E, which
travel along a path formed upon the periphery of the barrel at each end.
Abutments or stops F, preferably of wood, are situated at each side upon which
the plate A, rests when at its lowest point, but it is free to be turned upwards upon
its axes C.
The barrel may be broadly described as having two different diameters which
form steps upon its surface, the smaller diameter is between the cutters G, and
the point H, and between these points I fix a narrow cam piece I, npon each
outside edge of the barrel, indicated in Fig. 2. Thus when the barrel is revolving,
the plate rest by gravity with its feet upon the path and in travelling over the
cam pieces I, is raised from its lowest to its highest position twice in each
revolution.
This movement of the plate A, raises and lowers the turnips or other roots which
rest upon or against it, alters their position and prevents choking.
In the application of this agitating movement to a disc machine as illustrated on
Sheet 2, of the drawings, I arrange the lower part of the hopper J, so that I am
enabled to place upon the spindle K, of the disc L, a sleeve M, provided with a
number of cams N. These cams are arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the
sleeve, and taper towards the disc, causing the roots to move forward to the
cutters O, as well as raising them and preventing them wedging in the hopper.
To secure the sleeve upon the spindle so that it can be readily removed,
dispense with the usual keys or screws and construct it with a clutch P, at the

page_text: Fig. 4, I have-
Fig. 5, clearly
front end, to engage with corresponding teeth Q, upon the disc; in
shown the sleeve drawn back from the disc to exhibit the teeth Q.
shows the construction of the sleeve, and the position of the cams.
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 :-
1. In "barrel" machines for cutting and pulping roots, a pivotted guide plate
or agitator worked by the direct action of the revolving barrel, as herein before
described and shown."
2. In "disc" machines for cutting and pulping roots, a sleeve M, placed upon.
the disc spindle, and provided with a series of cams N, for the purpose specified,.
constructed and arranged as herein before described and shown.
Dated the 20th day of October 1896.
ROBT. F. DRURY, C.P.A.,
Bank Buildings, George Street, Sheffield, Agent for Applicant.