IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CORKS, AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREFOR.
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Taylor Martin, of Liverpool, in the
County of Lancaster, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF CORKS, AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREFOR.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Taylor Martin
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition;
on the 2nd April 1874.
1, JOSEPH TAYLOR MARTIN, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CORKS, AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREFOR," to bo-
as follows:-
-
This Invention relates to the manufacture of corks of various sizes and
cork bungs from cork wood by imparting to the block of cork a simul
taneous horizontal and rotary motion across the edge of a fixed knife
blade, thereby insuring a perfectly circular and smooth cut.
An apparatus for the manufacture of corks constructed according to.
this: Invention consists of an oblong table of suitable dimensions, upon

page_text: which is mounted two upright guides, which carry a horizontal knife
blade capable of adjustment in its relative distance from the table.
Underneath the knife blade there is a slot or aperture cut in the table.
At each end of the table and on the top face thereof there are fitted in
suitable bearings two liorizontal circular shafts having spiral slots or
grooves cut on their circumference to the proportion of about one and a
half turns to the foot. To the inside end of each shaft there are fixed
or attached spindles or rods. which terminate in suitable chucks or
bighting plates. These shafts and spindles are so arranged that the
block of cork wood to be treated is gripped or held between the chucks
on the spindle ends. The horizontal shafts are held and slide in suitable
bearings on the face of the table. A rotary motion is imparted to the
shafts by means of a pin or stud passing through the bearings and taking
into the spiral slot or groove cut in the circumference of the shafts.
The outer ends of the shafts are made with lathe centres, into which
take spindles, which are respectively attached to two cross heads. Theso
cross leads may be worked by a horizontal shaft which passes under-
neath the table or on the upper face thereof. - This latter shaft is mado
in two pieces, each piece being attached to half a vertical handle, so that
when the two half handles are brought together they form one suitable
handle for working the apparatus. The half handles are fitted with an
intermediate spring, so that when the handle is grasped the spring is
compressed and the cross heads and their respective gear brought together.
Upon releasing the half handles they and their respective gear separate.
The cross head spindles and various parts are fitted with suitable adjusting
screws to lengthen or shorten the distance between the chucks of the
horizontal spindles holding the cork wood..
The action is by preference imparted to the apparatus by means of a
foot, lever, or treadle, which is arranged with a cord passing round
suitable pulleys connected with and attached to the cross heads at the
respective ends of the table. In some instances the apparatus may be
actuated solely by the semi-handles before mentioned.
The action of the apparatus may be thus stated:-The piece of cork
wood to be treated is fixed between the chucks on the horizontal spindles,"
and the horizontal knife blade adjusted to the diameter of the cork
required. The semi-handles are compressed, thus firmly grasping the
cork wood. A stroke is imparted to the apparatus by the foot lever or
handle, and the block of cork wood is caused to travel horizontally and.

page_text: simultaneously rotate along the edge of the поткопат
thereby forming a round cork with a perfectly smooth edge. Upon
releasing the semi-handles the cork drops by its own weight through the
aperture on the face of the table.
When it is required to cut taper corks the same can be accomplished
by adjusting the spindles and knife blade to suit the taper.
A mechanical knife-sharpening arrangement consisting of a suitable
stone or strop may be attached to the spindle, and caused to travel on
the face of the knife blade and in front of the cork wood, or any other
suitable sharpening arrangement may be resorted to.
A modification of an apparatus constructed according to this Invention™
consists in dispensing with the spiral slotted or grooved shafts, and in
lieu thereof using shafts or spindles, one of which has a straight slot or
groove cut on its surface, and the other being fitted with a guiding
pin. The spindles are supported and carried by bearings attached to
travelling guide blocks. The spindles terminate in suitable chucks or
bighting plates to grip the cork wood. The end of one spindle passes
through a barrel which carries two fast and two loose friction discs.
The loose discs are fitted with pius which take into the slot or groove in
thic shaft or spindle. Motion is given to the discs by means of chains or
straps from pulley's beneath the table. The discs are arranged, two fast
and.two loose, and so that they will cause the shaft to rotate whichever
way it is drawn. They are also fitted with an adjusting nut so arranged
that the friction of the discs can be adjusted to the hardness of the cork
wood under treatment. The other shaft, namely, the one fitted with tho
pin, slides in a rotating barrel, which has a straight groove or slot.to
receive the pin, and is of bore sufficient to allow of the chuck end of the
shaft being clevated or depressed for cutting taper corks. The barrel is
rotated by means of a toothed wheel which gears into a toothed wheel
on a horizontal shaft, which derives its motion from a toothed wheel
fitted to and rotating with the first mentioned barrel carrying the shaft
having the slotted groove. The horizontal sliding motion is imparted to
the guide blocks by means of chains or. bands passing over pulleys
underneath the table. The slide blocks and chucks are kept together
by means of an india-rubber or other spring and a rack and pawl. The
rotary motion to the friction dises is imparted by means of endless
chains or bands actuated by the pulleys below. The apparatus is worked'

page_text: by a handle, which imparts rotary motion to the pulleys below the
table: The cutting knife is elevated or depressed by means of a lever
and handle.. The rack holding the guide blocks and chucks together is
released or fastened by means of a treadle which actuates a pawl in
connexion with the rack.
The action of this. modified apparatus is that the knife cuts the cork
wood both on the forward and backward horizontal travel of the spindles
and chucks, also that when hard wood or knots is met with the friction
dises allow the spindles to slido without rotating, thus gradually cutting
through the hard obstacle.
Another modification of an apparatus constructed according to this
Invention consists is dispensing entirely with the rotating shafts, .as
before described, and their attendant gear, and in licu thereof fitting the
chucks on short shafts running in double bearings carried on the
respective guide blocks. One of these short shafts carries a pinion
which is worked by a wheel driven by a semi-handle in manner similar
to a ratchet brace; the other half handle is arranged in connexion with
the other guide block to bring the chucks carrying the cork wood
together and so grip the wood.
Rotary motion is given to the second chuck by means of a shaft
passing through the ratchet brace and semi-handles, and carrying a
wheel which drives a pinion in connexion with the second chuck. The
action is a downward motion giving rotation to the chucks, and at
the same time a horizontal travel is imparted to the handle by the
operator.
Play is allowed between the semi-handles for adjustment of size of
indandasuks to be aut
•
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Joseph Taylor Martin in the Great Seal Patent
; Office on the 1st October 1874.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOSEPH
TAYLOR MARTIN, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, send
greeting.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Second day of April, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the thirty-:
seventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Joseph Taylor Martin, Her special licence.
that I, the said Joseph Taylor Martin, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Joseph Taylor Martin, my executors,
administrators, and 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, tho
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF CORKS, AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREFOR," upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said Joseph Taylor Martin, my'
executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or
their, or one of their hands and seals, 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 to be filed in the Great Scal
Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the
date of the said Letters Patent.
}
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Joseph Taylor Martin, do hereby>
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :—
This Invention relates to the manufacture of corks of various sizes and
cork bungs from cork wood, by imparting to the block of cork a
simultaneous horizontal and rotary motion across the edge of a fixed-
knife blade, thereby insuring a perfectly circular and smooth cut.
An apparatus for the manufacture of corks constructed according to
this Invention may consist of an oblong table of suitable dimensions.
upon which is mounted two upright guides, which carry a horizontal.
knife blade capable of adjustment in its relative distance from the table..
Underneath the knife blade there is a slot or aperture cut in the table.
At each end of the table and on the top face thereof there are fitted in.
suitable bearings two horizontal circular shafts having spiral slots or
grooves cut on their circumference. To the inside end of each shaft
there are fixed or attached spindles or rods which terminate in suitable
chucks or bighting plates. These shafts and spindles are so arranged
1
1

page_text: that the block of cork wood to be treated is gripped or held between the
chucks on the spindle ends. The horizontal shafts are held and slide in
suitable bearings on the face of the table. A rotary motion is imparted
to the shafts by means of a pin or stud passing through the bearings and
taking into the spiral slot or groove cut in the circumference of the shafts.
The outer ends of the shafts are made with lathe centres into which¸
take spindles which are respectively attached to two cross heads. These
cross heads may be worked by a horizontal shaft which passes under-
neath the table or on the upper face thereof. This latter shaft is made
in two pieces, each piece being attached to half a vertical handle, so that
when the two half handles are brought together, they form one suitable.
handle for working the apparatus. The half handles are fitted with an
intermediate spring, so that when the handle is grasped the spring is
compressed and the cross heads and their respective gear brought
together. Upon releasing the half handles they and their respective
gcar separate. The cross head spindles and various parts are fitted with
suitable adjusting screws to lengthen or shorten the distance between.
the chucks of the horizontal spindles holding the cork wood.
The action may be imparted to the apparatus by means of a foot lever.
or treadle, which is arranged with a cord passing round suitable.pulleys
connected with and attached to the cross heads at the respective ends of
the table. In some instances the apparatus may be actuated solely by
the semi-handles before mentioned...
The action of the apparatus may be thus stated :-The piece of cork
wood to be treated is fixed between the chucks on the horizontal spindles,
and the horizontal knife blade adjusted to the diameter of the cork
required. The semi-handles are compressed thus firmly grasping the
cork wood. A stroke is imparted to the apparatus by the foot lever or
handle, and the block of cork wood is caused to travel horizontally and
simultaneously rotate along the edge of the horizontal knife blade,
thereby forming a round cork with a perfectly smooth edge. Upon
releasing the semi-handles the cork drops by its own weight through the
aperture on the face of the table.
When it is required to cut (taper corks the same can be accomplished
by adjusting the spindles and knife blade to suit the taper..
A mechanical knife sharpening arrangement consisting of a suitable
stone or strop may be attached to the spindle, and caused to travel on
the face of the knife blade and in front of the cork wood.

page_text: ".
A modification of an apparatus constructed according to this Inven-
tion consists in dispensing with the spiral slotted or grooved shafts, and
in lieu thereof using shafts or spindles one of which has a straight slot
or groove cut on its surface, the other being fitted with a guiding pin.
These spindles are supported and carried by bearings attached to:
travelling guide blocks. The spindles terminate in suitable chucks or
bighting plates to grip the cork wood. The end of one spindle passes;
through a barrel which carries two fast and two loose friction discs..
The barrel is fitted with a pin or key which takes into the slot or groove;
in the shaft or spindle, and thus imparts rotary motion to the shaft or
spindle. Motion is given to the discs by means of chains or straps from.
pulleys beneath the table. The discs are arranged, two fast and two
loose, and so that they will cause the hollow shaft or barrel to rotate.
They are also fitted with an adjusting nut so arranged that the friction
of the discs can be adjusted to the hardness of the cork wood under
treatment. The other shaft, namely, the one fitted with the pin slides
in a rotating barrel which has a straight groove or slot to receive the
pan, and is of bore sufficient to allow of the chuck end of the shaft being
elevated or depressed for cutting taper corks. The barrel is rotated by:
means of a toothed wheel which gears into a toothed wheel on a:
horizontal shaft, which derives its motion from a toothed wheel fitted to
and rotating with the first mentioned barrel carrying the shaft having.
the slotted groove. The horizontal sliding motion is imparted to the
guide blocks by means of chains. or bands passing over pulleys under-
neath the table or by a rack. and. quadrant, or otherwise. The slido
blocks and chucks are kept together by means of an india-rubber or
other spring, and a rack and pawl. The rotary motion to the friction;
discs is imparted by means of endless chains or bands actuated by the,
pulleys below. The apparatus is worked by a handle which imparts
rotary motion to the pulleys below the table. The cutting knife is
elevated or depressed by means of a lever and handle. The rack holding
the guide blocks and chucks together is released or fastened by means
of a treadle which actuates a pawl in connection with the rack.
The action of this modified apparatus is that the knife cuts the cork
wood both on the forward and backward horizontal travel of the spindles
and chucks; also that when hard wood or knots is met with the friction*
discs allow the spindles to slide without rotating, thus gradually cutting
through the hard obstacle.

page_text: Another modification of an apparatus constructed according to this
Invention consists in dispensing entirely with the rotating shafts, as
before described, and their attendant gear, and in lieu thereof fitting
the chucks on short shafts running in double bearings carried on the
respective guide blocks. One of these short shafts carries a pinion 5
which is worked by a wheel driven by a semi-handle, in manner similar:
to a ratchet brace; the other half handle is arranged in connexion with
the other guide block to bring the chucks carrying the cork wood
together, and so grip the wood.
Rotary motion is given to the second chuck by means of a shaft 1
passing through the ratchet brace and semi-handles, and carrying a wheel
which drives a pinion in connexion with the second chuck. The action
is a downward motion giving rotation to the chucks, and at the same
time a horizontal travel is imparted to the handle by the operator.
Play is allowed between the semi-handles for adjustment of size of 1
cork wood and corks to be cut.
The before-going being the nature, object, and purposes of this my
Invention, I will now proceed to describe more in detail how the same,
may be carried out into practical effect, and for that. purpose I have
hereunto attached a Sheet of Drawings marked with letters and figures 2
of reference corresponding with those in the following explanation that'
will enable any practical person to put my Invention into effect. The
Drawings show my Invention worked by a mechanical combination of
lever and eccentric and friction discs and toothed wheels, but it will be
obvious that the apparatus can be worked by an endless band or by 2
a travelling split handle, as described in the first part of this Specifi-
cation.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal elevation part in section of the working
gear of an apparatus constructed according to my Invention. Figure 2 3
is a longitudinal elevation of the working gear of an apparatus con-
structed according to my Invention, and represents the other side of
Figure 1. Figure 3 is a section supposed to be taken through A, B,
Figure 1, also showing the section through C, D, Figure 1. Figure 4 is
a section through E, F, Figure 1.
Figure 5 is an elevation of table and frame on which the various parts
shown in the other Figures are mounted.

page_text: Figures 9 and 10 show chuck for holding bungs.
Figure 11, guage for regulating the position of the cork wood squares.
Figure 12 shows arrangement of automatic lubricator.
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 12 are drawn to the scale of three inches to the
foot; Figure 5 is drawn to the scale of two inches to the foot; Figure 6
is half size; Figures 7 to 11 inclusive are full size.
:
Upon reference to the Drawings it will be seen that a is a table or
bench, upon which is mounted a fixed and at the same time adjustable
knife b. The knife is attached to a suitable bar which is carried in
the brackets ', . These brackets are provided with sliding blocks and
set screws ², which adjust vertically the position of the knife b. Tho
liorizontal position of the knife 6 and also its angle is adjusted by the
set screw b³, and crank lever 6' (Figure 2), the shaft 6, and the handle
lever . At each end of the table a, and on the top face thereof, there
are fitted two shafts c, d. The shaft c has a longitudinal groove c¹, and
passes through a barrel or hollow shaft c². This barrel or hollow shaft
is provided with a pin, which fits in the groove c¹ of the shaft c. The
hollow shaft c is carried by the brackets c³. Upon the hollow shaft c
there is keyed or otherwise attached a toothed wheel c' and two friction
discs c³ and c³, and running loose on the shafts there aro two pulleys c
and c with differential grades. The pulleys and e' drive the friction
discs cand c, and the hollow shaft c which imparts rotary motion to
the shaft c. The shaft & takes into a hollow barrel or shaft d¹, which is
carried in suitable bearings d². The hollow shaft d' is provided with a
double horizontal groove, as shown at d³, Figure 4. The shaft d has a
pin which slides in the groove d³. On the barrel & there is keyed a
toothed wheel d' of size and pitch similar to the wheel c. The shafts c
and d are further supported by the rest e, which slides and travels on
suitable guides f. The rest e has two brackets e¹, e². The bracket e¹ is
made to slide, and can be adjusted by the set screw, as will be under-
stood. The bracket e³ is made so that its vertical position can be altered:
by set screws e. The bracket e¹ is made horizontally adjustable to allow
for larger or smaller corks. The bracket is made vertically adjustable.
'
i
1

page_text: to allow for cutting taper or parallel corks, as will be understood, the
shaft & adjusting itself in the barrel d¹.
.
Horizontal travel is given to the rest e and the shafts c, d, by means
of the rack 9 which is actuated by the toothed quadrant worked by a
suitable handle and gear as will be herein-after described. Rotary
motion is imparted to the shaft d by means of the toothed wheels
c* and d* which gear into pinions i, ¹, which are connected by the
shaft as will be understood. The quadrant h is mounted upon a
hollow shaft ¹ upon which is also keyed a disc k. Round this disc
there passes an endless band which leads over the loose pulleys c' and c³,
and is carried by a leading wheel ' (see Figure 3). Upon the hollow
shaft there is keyed a lever l. Through the shaft h¹ there passes a
shaft m upon which shaft is keyed an eccentric m¹; this eccentric works
'a rocking lever n, as will be seen upon reference to Figure 2, and the
lever n has a return rod which imparts a rocking motion to the lever 1,
and thereby motion to the hollow shaft ¹ the quadrant and the pulleys
k, c', and c³, as will be understood upon reference. Motion is given to
the shaft m by the crank handle o which may be worked by hand, steam
power, or otherwise.
The ends of the shafts c and d are provided with suitable chucks
which may be of size to suit any cork or bung and may be made with
adjustable faces to suit taper corks or in one piece, as will be understood
(see also Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10).
The sliding bracket e¹ on the rest e is held in position by a spring,
which spring may be compressed by the lever et (Figures 3 and 5).
coming into contact with the stop e" (Figure 5) which is under controul
of the operator by means of the treadle e and the chain e.
. Upon the knife there is fitted an automatic sharpener, shown at
Figure 6, which consists of discs p, p³, by preference of Arkansas stone.
These discs are connected together by a suitable rod under the knife-and- €
attached by a sliding quadrant to the sliding rest e and arranged so that
they will allow for the adjustment of the kife b.
Figure 11 shows. an adjustable guage which may be placed at the
back of the table and form a guide for the operator in placing the cork
squares between the chucks.
i
Figure 12 is a lubricator arranged so that the sliding or travelling.
reste will at each stroke come in contact with the lever and thereby

page_text: depresses the needle lubricator s and places a drop of oil between the
sharpening discs. The spring t recovers the lubricator to its normal
position allowing the sharpener to pass clear of the needle..
In Figure 5 u is a hopper which may hold the squares of cork wood
to be cut; and in Figure 3 v shows a shoot in dotted lines for leading
the cut corks away.
The action of the apparatus may be thus described:-The operator
places the square of cork wood between the chucks and gives simultaneous
horizontal travel and rotary motion to the chucks by actuating the crank
handle o; he adjusts the knife in position requisite to take the shaving
of cork wood by the handle. lever 6º, and when the cork is finished ho
releases it from the chucks by operating the treadle e". The rotary
motion is imparted to the cork by the gear, shown at Figure 1, both on
its forward and backward travel. This is accomplished by the arrange-
ment of the friction discs and toothed gear, as will be understood.
. Having now fully described and ascertained the nature, object, and
purposes of this my Invention, and shown how the same may be put
into practical operation, I would have it understood that I do not confine
myself to any particular arrangement, position, or dimensions of parts as
shown in the Drawings, as the same may be varied without departing
from my Invention, but what I claim as my Invention and secured to
me by Letters Patent as aforesaid, is,
Firstly. The improvements in the manufacture of corks by imparting
to the cork wood a simultaneous horizontal travel and even and con-
tinuous rotary motion along the edge of an adjustable knife blade,
thereby enabling the cork to be cut with a shorter blade than is the
case with machines at present in use and insuring a clean cut without
burr, substantially as described.
Secondly. The apparatus for depressing and clevating the knife blade
for giving the operator a discretionary margin in the size cork he will
cut without removing the square from the chucks; thus if the cork
wood be sound a large cork can be cut, and if flaws are found in the
wood a smaller cork can be cut from the same square without removal
from the edge of the knife, substantially as set forth.
Thirdly. The friction apparatus, substantially as described, for imparting
rotary motion to the cork so that should knots or hard wood be met

page_text: with at one side of the square, which is frequently the case, the same
will slide along the knife without rotating until the obstacle is cut
through, when the cork resumes its normal rate of revolution:
Fourthly. The apparatus for elevating or depressing one spindle and
chuck, so that corks or bungs with an even taper may be cut, sub-
stantially as described.
Fifthly. The various apparatus and appliances described and shown
in the before-going Specification for carrying the manufacture of corks
according to this Invention into operation, substantially as herein-before
described and set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Taylor Martin, have here-
"
unto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-ninth day of September,
in the year of our Lord. One thousand eight hundred and
seventy-four.