IMPROVE-. MENTS IN MACHINERY FOR CUTTING CORKS AND BUNGS
Year: 1838

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, NATHANIEL
JOHN LARKIN, of Wellington Street, Pentonville, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at West-
minster, the Twenty-third day of June, in the second year of Her reign, did,
for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Nathaniel John Larkin, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and
authority, that I, the said Nathaniel John Larkin, my exors, admors, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Nathaniel John Larkin, my exors,
admors, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from
time to time and at all times 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 "IMPROVE-.
MENTS IN MACHINERY FOR CUTTING CORKS AND BUNGS;" in which said Letters
Patent is contained a proviso, that I, the said Nathaniel John Larkin, shall
cause a particular description of the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be inrolled in Her 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 thereunto had, will more fully and at large
appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Nathaniel John Larkin, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention, and

page_text: the manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully described and
ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had to
the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked thereon,
that is to say-
There have been several combinations of machinery proposed for cutting
corks and bungs, for some of which Patents have been taken, but I believe
none of such machines have been successful, and it may be desirable to state
that although many of the mechanical parts employed by me are similar to
those used in machines heretofore constructed, they are in many cases so
differently combined and worked as to obtain advantages which previous com-
binations of such parts have not attained; hence, although I do not claim any
of the parts separately, which may have been used before for like purposes, I
do claim the improvements I have invented for adapting some of the parts,
and for newly combining other of the parts, as well as applying parts which
have not been before employed in cork-cutting machines.
The combination of mechanical parts into a machine which I shall first
describe is for shaping or cutting corks and bungs into the circular, figure
required; and the second machine which I shall describe is for the purpose of
finishing corks at their two ends. And in order to give the best information
in my power for carrying out my Invention I will now proceed to describe the
Drawings hereunto annexed.
Figure 1 is a front view of the machine for cutting corks and bungs; Figure 2
is a side view of the machine; Figure 3 is a plan of the machine; Figure 4
shows the under side of the frame, which carries the circular knife or cutter;
Figures 5 and 6 show side and front sections of Figure 4. In each of these
Figures the same letters are employed to indicate similar parts. a is the main
shaft or driving axle; b'is a drum affixed on the axle a, by means of which
rotatory motion is obtained to the shaft a from a steam engine or other power
by means of an endless strap or band, as is well understood. The main shaft
or axis a turns in suitable bearings carried by the side framings of the machine,
as is clearly shown in the Drawings, and the nature of the framing of the
machine will readily be traced on examining the Drawings. From the shaft
axis a the requisite movements are communicated to the other parts of the
machine by the aid of suitable wheelwork, as hereafter described. On the shaft or
axis a is affixed the cog wheel c, which takes into and drives the intermediate
cog wheel d, the axis of which wheel is affixed to and carried by the side framing

page_text: of the machine; there being a slot formed in such side framing.to allow of the
axis of the wheel d being moved, in order to adjust the wheel d to work 'cor-
rectly with the cog wheels c and e, as is clearly shewn in Figure 2 of the
Drawings; the cog wheele is affixed on the axis of which carries the circular
knife or cutter g.; this circular knife or cutter g is a circular plate of steel,
brought to a fine cutting edge at its outer circumference, and the circular
cutter is held between the two bosses or plates g', by which means the circular
cutter is stiffened and kept steady and correct in its action when at work.
The mode of affixing the knife g to the axis or shaft f, and of combining the
two parts of the shaft f together by screws, will readily be understood' by
examining Figure 1 of the Drawings. It is important here to remark, that in
using circular knives to cut corks and. bungs, that the speed of the cutting
edges should be approximated to that at which a cork cutter causes the' liand
knife which he uses, to pass through and lengthways of the cork which 'he is
cutting, for I believe that is has been the want of observing this rule which has
caused the failures heretofore experienced in the various attempts to cut corks
and bungs by the aid of rotatory circular knives or cutters; persons: heretofore
using rotatory cutters in machines having given such knives very high velo-
'cities. In some cases the speed of the cutting edge "has been such as to move
through a space of- some thousands of inches in cutting a single cork,
such as is used in ordinary wine bottles; by such using a circular revolving
knife, much unnecessary power has been exerted in keeping up such high
velocity, at the same time to the prejudice of the sharpness of the cutting
edge.
J
:
:
Now an important feature of my Invention is to give the cutting edge of a
'circular knife such a velocity that its cut shall be efficient with as little waste
of power as possible, and I have found that a circular knife, the cutting edge
of which has a speed equal to fifty inches, and even less; is quite sufficient for
obtaining a good and efficient cut in the act of shaping a cork, such as are
used for ordinary wine bottles, "and although the exceeding of that speed
would produce a proportionable loss of power, yet the same would not mate-
rially affect the well-working of a machine, so long as the speed of the cutting
edge in the act of shaping a single cork did not exceed two hundred inches.
My Invention, so far as it relates to the adaptation of a circular knife to the
cutting of corks and bungs, consists, in the giving such a relative velocity of
the cutting edge that it shall not exceed two hundred inches in the act of
cutting a single cork, as above-explained. The portions of cork-which are to
be cut by the circular knife 9 are placed on revolving holders, which revolving
holders are carried by a revolving axis, by means of which the various

page_text: revolving holders are successively brought into position to have-the-pieces of
cork which they carry out by the circular knife g, and the revolving holder,
which for the time being is in a position to have the cork cut, has rotatory
motion communicated to it, in order to bring the surface of the piece of cork
up to the edge of the knife g, to be properly shaped by the cutting edge of the
knife g. On the axis a is affixed the cog wheel h, which takes into and drives
.the cog wheel (on the axis j). To the wheel is affixed the cog wheel k,
which takes into and drives the cog wheel l, affixed on the axle m. Hence, it
will be seen that motion is communicated from the shaft or axis a to the
axis m by means of the train of wheels h, i, k, l, as will be readily traced on
examining the various Figures of the Drawing. On the axis m is affixed a
bevelled tooth wheel n, which takes into and drives the bevelled tooth wheel o,
which is on the upright axis p, the lower bearing of that axis being supported
by the horizontal plate or portion of the framing q, the upper end of the axis p
moving on the point or end of a set screw at r. On. the axis p is affixed a cog
wheels, which takes into and drives the cog wheel t of the revolving cork
holder v, which for the time being may happen to be held in a position for
having the piece of cork cut by the circular knife g. w is an upright axis,
the
'the lower bearing of which is supported and carried by the plate q at w¹,
upper end of the axis w moving on the end of a set screw w², which is passed
through the top framing of the machines. The upright axis w has a cog
wheel affixed on the lower end thereof, which receives motion at' proper
intervals by the toothed segment y, which is affixed on the axis p. Hence,
when the revolving cork holder v, which for the time being has been acted
on by the wheels, and has thereby been caused to revolve somewhat more
than a complete revolution, the toothed segmenty will come into gear, and
drive the wheel x, a distance equal to bringing up the next revolving cork
holder, when the toothed segment y will pass out of and away from the wheel x,
and leave that wheel, together with the axle w, stationary, till, by the revolution
of the axis p, the toothed segment y comes again into gear with the wheel x.
The axis w carries six revolving cork holders v, though that number may be
varied; each of the cork holders consist of two axes; the lower axes v¹ (which
may be called the driving axis of the cork holder, as the wheel t is affixed
thereon) is carried by suitable bearings in the plates w³, w, affixed on the
axis w, as is clearly shewn in the Drawing. The upper surface of the.axis v',
on which the cork to 'be cut is placed, is made with sharp projecting radial
teeth, in order that when the upper axis of the revolving holder v² is pressed
on to the cork, that it may be held securely between the teeth of the surfaces of
the axis v1, v2, the holding of such surfaces depending on the radial sharp teeth

page_text: formed on those surfaces between which the cork is placed; and the front or
face of each tooth which approaches the cutting edge of the knife g is vertical
to the surface of the holder. The back of each tooth is inclining to tho
next tooth, each tooth being of some length, and sharp on the upper edge.
The upper axes are carried by the plates w, we, affixed on the axis w, there
being suitable openings and bearings in those plates, as shewn in the Drawing,
which are properly arranged to allow of the axis v² being raised and lowered,
and of turning freely in the bearings carried by the plates w, w, in order to
the pieces of cork being placed between and removed from the holding surfaces
vi, v3, of the revolving cork holders. On each of the axes is coiled a spring,
which has a constant tendency to press the axes v downwards, as is clearly
shewn in the Drawings. z, z, are forked springs, which embrace the upper
ends of the axes ; they also having a tendency to force the axis v² downwards,
but they are also made the means of lifting the axes v³ to release the corks. A
is an inclined plane carried by the upper framing of the machine, up which the
springs move, in order to release the corks from the cork holders, and also to
retain the upper spindles v² in a raised position for a time, in order to allow a
fresh piece of cork to be placed in the cork holders. B is a plate under which
the heads or upper ends of the spindles v² pass, and are retained during the time
that a cork is being cut; this plate has a set screw to regulate the same, as is
shown at Figure 1 in the Drawings. The machine is arranged for cutting
corks such as are used in ordinary wine bottles, and it will be evident that the
speed of the axis f and the axis m in respect to each other may be varied,
and I prefer, if alteration be made, that the knife should revolve slower rather
than faster than that to which it is now set. In respect to the revolution of
the cork holders, a workman will readily make a machine therefrom suitable
for cutting bungs, the only alteration necessary being the dimensions of the
parts. I have thus far spoken of the machine, particularly in respect to the
axis w, as if it were at all times in a condition to be moved round; but such is
not the case, there being two catches used to retain the axis w in a stationary
position, so long as the operation of cutting by the circular knife g is
being performed; C is a catch, which enters notches formed in the plate w',
On the axis p is
there being a notch formed opposite each cork holder.
affixed a cam D that portion thereof which is concentric with the axis p; bears
against the catch C (which moves upon an axis at C¹), and retains it in the
notch which is opposite to it; but so soon as the cutting of the cork is complete
and it is required to drive forward the axis w, the cam is so formed as to allow
of the catch C being drawn out of the notch by means of the inclined surface E
(which is affixed to the axis p), coming against a protecting stud affixed on the

page_text: catch C, and in order--to prevent the axis w being moved otherwise than by
the toothed 'segment y, there is a spring catch G, which enters into other
notches formed in the under plate w', such notches being formed of two
inclined surfaces, which will prevent the axis w turning round when relieved
from the catch C, unless considerable force be applied, such as the coming into
gear of the toothed segment y with the wheel a; thus it will be seen that the
axis w will at proper intervals have motion communicated to it by the action
of the machine itself, in order to bring up a fresh piece of cork to be cut, in
place of having such motion communicated to that axis by hand, as was the
practise of former machines having a similar axis n, and revolving cork holders
carried thereby, as herein described; and further it will be seen that the upper
axes v² will by the working of the machine be raised off the corks' when they
have been cut, and allow them to be removed from the holders when they come
against the projection or finger F, see Figure 3,' which is sufficient for that
purpose, and the parts of the cork-holders, will be retained sufficiently apart, in
order to allow of fresh pieces of cork-being placed into the holders, and by the
working of tlie machine the upper axes ³ will be caused to approach the lower
axis v¹, and hold the pieces of cork between them; in place of these movements
being performed by the hand of the person attending the machine, as was the
practice when similar cork holders were used, the knife g is capable of
adjustment, in order to cause it to cut correctly, notwithstanding its decreasing
diameter by wear, and also to enable it to cut different sized corks in the same
machine. The mode of adjusting the knife g will readily be understood by ex-
amining the various Figures of the Drawings, particularly Figures 4, 5, and 6;
the bearings of the axis f. are affixed on the upper surface or plate G¹, as is shown
in the Drawing; this plate G is supported on two parallel guide bars H; affixed
from front to back of the machine, there being a quadrangular frame I on such
guide bars H, capable of moving freely from front to back of the machine by
means of a screw J; K, K, are two guide rods, affixed in the frame I, such guide
bars or rods K being affixed at right angles to the guide rods H, H; L, L, are
snugs or straps by which the plate G' is attached to (yet free to move along) the
guide bars or rods K! by means of the screw M; hence when it is desired to set
the cutting edge of the knife 'g up to or away from the cork, this opération
may be effected with great nicety by the screw J, and when it is desired. to
increase or decrease the diameter of the cork cut by the Knife g, the knife g
may be moved laterally with great nicety by the screw M. from or to the cork
holders, all which will readily be understood by a careful examination of the
Drawings. In cutting corks by hand, it is well known that the cork cutter
often sharpens his knife, and it is important that in using a circular revolving

page_text: knife the same should be kept constantly sharpened at one portion of 'it's edge
whilst another portion of the edge is performing its duty of cutting corks or
bungs, and thus prevent the necessity of stopping the working of the machine,
so far as its operation of cutting corks during the time the knife is being
sharpened; and further; it is important in the well cutting of cork that the
edge of the knife should be lubricated with oil for other suitable material.
N,N,care two short bars of hardened steel, one on each side of the knife g,
against which the edge of the knife'g constantly rubs; 0; 0; are two fine files,
one. on each side of the knife "g,such files being carried by two springs O!, '0',
which have a constant tendency to bear the files O against the sides of the edge
of the knife g. By these means any wirery edge produced on the knife g will
be removed by the surfaces N, and the edge.will constantly be sharpened by
the files O, or in place of filés, Turkey or other proper' sharpening stone may
be used;P; P are two pieces of wood, one on each side of the edge of the
knife-g, such pieces of wood being borne up against the knife .by: the springs
Pl. On the surfaces of those pièces of wood the person áttending the machine
occasionally puts a small quantity of sweet oil or other suitable material
Twill now proceed to describe the machine. for finishing: the ends of: corks.
Figure 7 is an elevation, partly in section," of a machine constructed according
to this part of my Invention, and Figure 8 is a plan of such machine is the
main shaft or axis, which has two circular knives b, b, affixed thereon by screw
and nuts, as is shewn in the Drawing; these knives are capable of being set
further apart or nearer to each other by such screw and nuts, in order to cut the
length of cork required. The axis a turns a suitable bearings on the upper
part of the framing of the machine, as is shown in the Drawings. On the axis
a is affixed the drum c, by which slow rotary motion is communicated to the
axis a by a strap from a steam engine or other power; and it should be:stated
that the circular knives 6 may have suitable apparatus for sharpening and
lubricating their edges, in like manner to what has been above described. 1
have not, however, shewn the same in this Drawing, in order to prevent com-
plexity. On the axis a is affixed the cog wheel d, which takes into and drives
the cog wheel e, which is affixed on the intermediate shaft or axis. f; the
bearings of such axis being capable of "adjustment: in: slots formed in
the side frame of the machine, as is shown at Figure 7.. On the axis
f is affixed the cog wheel.g, which takes into and drives the cog wheel h
affixed on the axis i, which turns in suitable bearings carried by the side
framings, of the machine. On the axis is affixed the cog wheel j, which
takes into and drives the pinion affixed on the axis l, and on the axis / are
affixed the wheels,m, the teeth of which wheels m are so formed as to receive

page_text: a cork between each two teeth, as is shown at Figures 7 and 8; n is an
inclined trough or shoot, down which the corks roll, and are received by the
wheels m, which carry the corks up to the knives b, and holds them up thereto
whilst the cut is being effected. A boy stands at the end of the machine, and
having a quantity of corks in the trough o, he puts them between the guide
plates p, which, together with the sides of the trough or shoot n, should be
capable of movement to and from each other, in order to ensure the corks
coming correctly to the knives b, to have their two ends cut off, and when cut
off the corks will be carried round between the two knives b, and be forced
from between those knives by the projecting plate 9, as is shown in the
Drawing.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I would have it understood that I make no claim to any
of the parts separately, nor to the combination of the parts, other than as here-
after particularly pointed out, and some of the parts as well as to the combi-
nations of parts may be varied without departing from my Invention, so long
as the general features and principle be retained; and it is not essentially
.necessary that all the improvements hereafter claimed should be used in the
same machine. But what I claim as my Invention is,―
First, the mode of adapting the speed of a circular rotatory cutter g, as
above described.
Secondly, I claim the giving motion to the axis wat suitable intervals, by
the working of the machine, and of retaining the axis w from moving at other
times.
Thirdly, I claim the raising and lowering of the upper axis v of the cork
holders by the working of the machine, as above described.
Fourthly, I claim the mode of mounting and adjusting the knife g, as above
.described.
Fifthly, I claim the application of suitable sharpening instruments to circular
knives used in cutting corks or bungs during the time that the knife is
working to cut corks or bungs, and also applying lubricating matters to such
knife g..
Sixthly, I claim the mode of cutting off the ends of corks as described in
respect to Figures 7 and 8.
And, lastly, I claim the radial teeth on the surfaces of the axes v¹, v³.
In witness whereof, I, the said Nathaniel John Larkin, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of December, One
thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight.
NATHANIEL JOHN (L.S.) LARKIN.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twenty-second day of December,
in the year of our Lord 1838, the aforesaid Nathaniel John Larkin came
before our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the
Specification aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified,
in form above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped
according to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Inrolled the Twenty-second day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight.