IMPROVEMENTS IN KNIFE-CLEANING MACHINES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Henry Ellis, of No. 42, Hart Street, Bloomsbury,
in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN KNIFE-CLEANING MACHINES."
caled the 29th September 1877, and dated the 19th July 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Henry Ellis at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th July 1877.
GEORGE HENRY ELLIS, of No. 42, Hart Street, Bloomsbury, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer. IMPROVEMENTS IN KNIFE-CLEANING MACHINES."
"
The object of my Invention is to render the construction of knife-cleaning
machines more simple than heretofore, not only with a view to economy in price,
but also that the working or wearing parts may be easily cleaned and replaced
when worn without the aid of a skilled mechanic.
For this purpose I provide a suitable metal or other stand made in the form of a
circular chamber, open at the top, and having feet underneath to rest upon a table..
In the centre of this stand, at the bottom, is a hole or socket for the purpose of
receiving a short vertical shaft or spindle. I provide two circular plates or discs
baving suitable cleaning surfaces, which are attached to this shaft and made to
rotate therewith.
The bottom disc is keyed upon or otherwise fixed to the shaft, but the upper one
is made moveable so as readily to be put on or taken off. At the top of the shaft
is a thumbscrew or other similar contrivance for the purpose of tightening the discs
together.
A hole is provided in the side of the circular chamber or stand, through which
the knives are inserted, and such hole is fitted with a suitable rest for the knife
handles, which, by preference, is lined with lead to prevent damage to the backs of
knives.
The upper disc is fitted with a suitable handle or knob for the purpose of
actuating the disces.
The cleaning surfaces fitted to the discs are arranged as follows:-I provide
circular pieces of woollen, hair, or other felt of a suitable size, which are coated on

page_text: one side with pitch or any bituminous or other similar cement in the same manner
as pitch plaisters, and they are attached by slightly heating the pitch or cement and
then firmly pressing them upon the discs. By similar means the old or worn
cleaning surfaces can be removed and fresh ones put in their places.
In using the machine the thumbscrew is released and the upper disc is removed
to admit of knife powder being put upon the cleaning surfaces, after which the
upper disc is put again in its place, and with one hand the "operator" causes the
discs to rotate, and with the other he passes the knives between the cleaning
surfaces.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George Henry Ellis in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 18th
January 1878.
GEORGE HENRY ELLIS, of No. 42, Hart Street, Bloomsbury, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN KNIFE-CLEANING MACHINES."
The object of my Invention is to render the construction of knife-cleaning
machines more simple than heretofore, not only with a view to economy in price,
but also that the working or wearing parts may be easily cleaned and replaced
when worn without the aid of a skilled mechanic.
For this purpose I provide a suitable metal or other stand made in the form of a
circular chamber, open at the top, and having feet underneath to rest upon a table.
In the centre of this stand, at the bottom, is a short vertical shaft or spindle for
receiving a sleeve or socket. I provide two circular plates or discs having suitable
cleaning surfaces, as herein-after described, which are attached to the said sleeve or
socket and made to rotate therewith. Either or both of the said discs may be
made of suitable flexible material, such as steel.
The bottom disc is keyed upon or otherwise fixed to the sleeve or socket, but the
upper one is made moveable, so as readily to be put on or taken off. At the top of
the shaft is a thumb nut or other similar contrivance for the purpose of tightening
the discs together.
A hole is provided in the side of the circular chamber or stand, through which
the knives are inserted, and such hole is fitted with a suitable rest for the knife
handles, which, by preference, is lined with lead to prevent damage to the backs of
knives.
The upper disc is fitted with a suitable handle or knob for the purpose of
actuating the discs.
The cleaning surfaces fitted to the discs are arranged as follows:-I provide
circular pieces of woollen, hair, or other felt of a suitable size, which are coated on
one side with pitch or any bituminous or other similar cement in the same manner
as pitch plaisters, and they are attached by slightly heating the pitch or cement
and then firmly pressing them upon the discs. By similar means the old or worn
cleaning surfaces can be removed and fresh ones put in their places.
But to make my Invention better understood I will proceed to describe the same
by reference to the accompanying Drawing, in which Figure 1 is a plan & Figure 2
an elevation of my improved knife-cleaning machine; Figure 3, section on line A, B,
of Figure 1.
Similar letters in all the Figures represent similar parts.

page_text: a, a, is the stand forming a circular chamber, open at the top, and provided with
feet b, b, b; c is the vertical shaft or spindle in the centre of the bottom of the
stand a; d, the sleeve or socket revolving on the same; e is the bottom disc keyed
to the sleeve or socket d, the said socket being held on the shaft c by the screw l;
f is the upper disc which fits over the sleeve or socket d, and is held by means of
the key g, fitting in a corresponding slot in the upper disc f; either or both of these
discs may, if desired, be made of thin sheet steel or other flexible material, so as to
somewhat adapt themselves to the surfaces of the knife blades; h is the handle
fixed to the upper disc f; i, screw nut screwing on the sleeve or socket for tightening
and holding the discs together. By this arrangement it will be seen that if the
handle h be turned the two discs e and f and the sleeve or socket d will be revolved
together on the vertical shaft or spindle c, while, by merely unscrewing the nut i,
the upper disc f can be easily removed from the machine, and also by removing the
screw the sleeve or socket d and disc e can also be removed. jis the hole in the
stand a through which the knives are inserted; k and k¹ are the woollen, hair, felt,
or other cleaning surfaces attached to the discs e and f in the manner herein-before
described.
In using the machine the thumb nut i is released and the upper disc f is removed
to admit of knife powder being put upon the cleaning surfaces k, k', after which
the upper disc is put again in its place, and with one hand the "operator," by
turning the handle h, causes the discs to rotate, and with the other hand he passes
the knives through the hole j and between the cleaning surfaces.
Having thus described my said Invention and the best means with which I am
acquainted for carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be understood that I do
not confine myself to the precise details herein laid down and shown in the accom-
panying Drawing, as these may be varied without departing from the peculiar
character of the Invention; but what I claim is,―
Firstly. The general arrangement and construction of knife-cleaning machines,
substantially as herein-before described, and represented in the accompanying
Drawing.
Secondly. The method of arranging and actuating the cleaning discs which
provides for the ready withdrawal of the upper disc, substantially as and for the
purposes herein-before described, and represented in the accompanying Drawing.
Thirdly. The employment of cleaning surfaces formed of felt applied by means
of a bituminous or other similar cement, substantially as and for the purposes
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Henry Ellis, have hereto set my hand
and seal, this Eighteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand
icht hundred and coventy-eight
GEORGE HENRY ELLIS. (L.S.)