IMPROVED MACHINERY FOR CUTTING SOAP INTO SLABS, BARS, AND CAKES
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James White, of East Street, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVED MACHINERY FOR
CUTTING SOAP INTO SLABS, BARS, AND CAKES."-A communication.
Sealed the 18th December 1855, and dated the 31st August 1855.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James White at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 31st
August 1855.
I, JAMES WHITE, of East Street, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVED MACHINERY FOR
CUTTING SOAP INTO SLABS, BARS, AND CAKES," to be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is to facilitate the reduction of blocks of soap
into slabs, bars, and squares. For this purpose, the cutting wires, whether
vertical or horizontal, are held at tension by a spring or springs, which will
yield sufficiently at the commencement of the operation to permit of the wires
taking a bent or bowed line, and so entering the mass of soap to be cut at the
angles, and so gradually working their way into the mass as the tension on the
springs is increased. The table on which the soap rests while being cut, or
the block which presses it forward into contact with the cutting wires, must be
grooved, so as to present a curved surface to the wires, corresponding to the
bowed shape which they take while cutting through the soap.
The block of soap to be cut is brought under the action of the wires by
means of a suitably constructed truck, mounted on wheels or rollers, and it is

page_text: forced through a range of wires, which divide the block into slabs. The
divided mass then passes immediately under a range of wires, attached to a
horizontal frame, which has an up and down motion, and is kept at its highest
elevation by the contractile power of india-rubber bands or counterweights.
This frame of wire, when the soap is brought below it, is caused to descend by
means of racks and pinions, and effect the vertical cut. To complete the
severance of the soap into squares or cakes, it is then submitted to a second
machine, similarly provided with yielding cutting wires, and grooved drivers for
forcing the soap into contact with the wires.
In order to ensure the cutting of the pieces square and true, the set of
horizontal antifriction rollers which are intended to carry the soap to the first
set of wires are set a little aslant, for the purpose of keeping the material in
contact with a line of vertical guide rollers. When the soap has passed through
the first set of wires, it is delivered on to a second set of horizontal rollers, and
by means of an advancing grooved driver it is forced through a second set of
wires, standing at right angles to the first, and the cutting operation is com-
pleted. The forward traverse of the drivers in this machine is effected through
the medium of a shifting driving shaft, the pinions of which will actuate alter-
nately the sliding frames which carry the drivers.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said James White in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
29th February 1856.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
WHITE, of East Street, in the County of Middlesex, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirty-first day of August, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, in the nineteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said James White, Her special licence, that I, the said James White,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
James White, 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,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVED MACHINERY
FOR CUTTING SOAP INTO SLABS, BARS, AND CAKES," being a communication from
abroad, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said James White,

page_text: by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, 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
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the
date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said James White, do hereby declare
the nature of the 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 Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the
letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say) :-
The object of this Invention of improved machinery for cutting soap is to
facilitate the reduction of blocks of soap into slabs, bars, and squares or cakes.
For this purpose, the cutting wires, whether employed for cutting the block
of soap into slabs and bars, or into still smaller pieces, such as squares or cakes,
are arranged either vertically or horizontally, and are held at tension by a
spring or springs, which will yield sufficiently at the commencement of the
operation to permit of the wires taking a bent or bowed line when brought
into contact with the block of soap, so as to enter the mass to be cut at the
angles or corners, and from thence gradually to work their way into the mass
as the tension on the spring increases. The table on which the soap rests
while being cut, or the block which presses it forward into contact with the
cutting wires, must be grooved, so as to allow the cutting wires to enter therein
after passing through the block of soap. The bottom of these grooves present
a curved surface to the wires, corresponding to the bowed form they take
while cutting through the soap.
The block of soap to be cut is brought under the action of the wires by
means of a suitably constructed truck, mounted on wheels or rollers, and it is
forced through a range of wires, which divide the block into slabs. The
divided mass then passes immediately under another range of wires, attached
to a horizontal frame, which has an up and down motion communicated to it,
and is kept at its highest elevation by the contractile power of india-rubber
bands or counterweights. This frame of wire, when the soap is brought below
it, is caused to descend by means of racks and pinions, and effect the vertical
cut, by causing the horizontal wires to pass through the whole block, and enter
the grooves of the table. To complete the severance of the soap into squares
or cakes, it is then submitted to a second machine, similarly provided with
yielding cutting wires, and grooved drivers for forcing the soap into contact
with the wires. In order to ensure the cutting of the pieces square and true,
the set of horizontal antifriction rollers which are intended to carry the soap

page_text: to the first set of wires are set a little aslant, for the purpose of keeping the
material in contact with a line of vertical guide rollers.
If thought desirable, the first machine may be confined to cutting the block
of soap into slabs, which are to be subsequently reduced to bars and squares
or cakes in the second machine; but if bars are required, the soap may be
reduced to this form in one machine. In the second machine, where the soap
has passed through the first set of wires, it is delivered on to a second set of
horizontal rollers, and by means of an advancing grooved driver it is forced
through a second set of wires, standing at right angles to the first, and the
cutting operation is completed, the soap being by that time reduced to pieces
of the proper size for retailing. The forward traverse of the drivers in this
machine is effected through the medium of a shifting driving shaft, the
pinions of which will actuate alternately the sliding frames which carry the
drivers.
In order, however, that the Invention that has been communicated to me as
aforesaid may be clearly understood, I have shewn in the accompanying
Drawings various views of the machines whereby the object of the Invention
is effected.
1
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the first machine, whereby the block may be
cut into slabs and bars; Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same; Fig. 3 is a
top or plan view of the machine as seen from above; Fig. 4 is a longitudinal
vertical section, taken in the line x, x, on plan of Fig. 3.
a, b, c, d, d', is a suitable wooden frame; 6 (Fig. 3) is a pair of bars, forming
a track or guide way for a carriage or sliding table c, on which the block of
soap is placed. This carriage is scored at the top by grooves 1 in a transverse
direction, and so curved at bottom, as represented by dots at Fig. 2, as to sink
lower towards the sides of the carriage. These grooves are for the purpose of
allowing the looped wire to pass entirely through the block of soap, and the
curved form is to adapt the groove to the curved or bowed form of the wire.
d is a driver, curved in front to permit the passage of the wires k, which divide
the block of soap into slabs. This driver is propelled by means of racks e
(Figures 1 and 4) and pinions f, worked by means of a winch g (Fig. 3).
The bars h, to which the racks are attached, sliding within grooves in the sills v,
confine the driver to its direct course. i is a thong or band of india-rubber,
which, being attached near the back of the frame at 8, and passed round a
pulley j, (Fig. 3,) is secured to the driver, and effects its automatic retraction
after having performed its work; k (Figures 1 and 2) is a vertical range of
horizontal wires, stretched from the post d to the post d' of the frame by
means of straining pins l, and held to its proper graduated tension by a spring

page_text: m, slotted at 4 along its mid width, to permit the adjustment of distance
between the wires.
In Figures 1 and 3, k, l, m, constitute a similar horizontal arrangement
of cutting wires, stretched from the rail o to the rail o¹ of a gate o, o¹, confined
to a vertical motion by the posts 6 of the frame. This gate with its range
of wires is (when out of action) brought and held to its highest position by
means of thongs or bands ¹ and pulleys j¹ (Fig. 1), similar to those before
described. When it is desired to be brought into action, the gate is caused to
descend by the action of racks n and pinions w, constructed and worked
similarly to those before described.
The wires are held the desired distance apart by means of gauge plates,
such as that represented in Fig. 4, at m¹. These gauge plates are simply
strips of wood, notched, as represented, at the proper intervals. A single strip
may be used to serve several gauges. q, r, s, t, u, is an appliance I call the
loading truck. The platform r supports the block of soap in the same position
that it stands in the mould or frame. 8, 8, are two rack bars, of such distance
apart as to be capable of just straddling the frame, and can be run back and
fro by gearing; t, q, are castors or small wheels, to facilitate the movement of
the loading trucks. The operation is as follows:-The truck q, r, s, t, u, being
wheeled up to a block of soap from which the sides of the frame have been
removed, the rack bars are run back so as to pass on each side of the mould
bed, and the driver u being inserted in a pair of holes v¹ (Fig. 3), the motion
of the bars is then reversed, and the driver u pressing against the block pushes
it on to the platform r, and the loaded truck being then wheeled up to the
position indicated in Figures 2 and 3, the block by means of a similar action
of the driver is shifted to the carriages, which being driven forward with its
load, as before described, the latter is divided into slabs by the wires k, and
then, without being shifted, the entire tier of slabs is cut up into bars by the
descent of the gate o, o¹, p. The advantages of this arrangement are of a very
decided character. There is a saving of about ninety per cent. in the labor,
and the work is more neatly and squarely done, all handling, rubbing,
scratching, or bending of the bars or slabs being avoided, and so great is
the uniformity in the bars, that in the manufactory where the machine is
employed, it is thought to be no longer necessary to weigh the boxes, so
nearly do they coincide in weight.
Fig. 5 is a plan view, and Fig. 6 is a side elevation, of another arrangement
of machinery, but constructed on the same principle as that above described.
By means of the machine shewn in these Figures, the soap is cut up from
slabs into cakes or squares. When this machine is employed, it is only néces-

page_text: sary to cut the block into slabs in the first machine, as the second will reduce
it to bars previous to cutting it up into cakes or squares. The sills a of
the machine form guide ways for the driver b, c, which consists of a number
of battens b, capable of being fixed at any desired distance apart by suitable
screws, a pair of slots in the head c allowing of the screws being slid to and fro
for that purpose. This I call the barring driver, or apparatus for pushing the
slabs forward, in order that they may be cut into bars. b, c, d, e, is a similar
device, which I call the caking driver, as by means of this driver the soap is
pushed forward in a direction at right angles to the former direction, and
is still further divided or cut into cakes. The Drawing of this driver exhibits
more fully the details of construction of both; 6' being the battens; c', the
head; d, the screws; and e, the slots.
These battens are to be arranged at such distances apart as to allow of
the passage between them of the wires f and f¹ after they have successively
traversed the slabs. The bearing presented by the collective edges of the
battens must equal, or thereabouts, the collective end and side surface respec-
tively of the tier of three or more slabs to be operated upon.
By means of the winch 9 and reversible shaft h, in connection with the spur
gearing i or bevil gearing ¹, either driver may be advanced, and as soon as
the driving power is detached or thrown out of gear, weighted chains or
cords sp, or india-rubber thongs or bands, draw back the drivers to their first
position. is a range of rollers, in a horizontal position, but with their axes
slightly oblique with the frame; and flush with or in continuation of these is a
range of rollers k, which are square with the frame; I is a vertical range of
rollers; these several rollers have different uses: they facilitate by their revo-
lution the advance of the soap, carry off any crumbs which would otherwise
mar its surface, prevent the dragging and smearing of the soap, and the
obliquity of the rollers j continually tends to hold one end of the slabs against
the rollers I, and this insures the square cutting of the soap. The operation
of the machine is as follows:-
A slab of soap, or a tier of two, three, or more (according to circumstances
and the capacity of the machine,) being placed on the rollers j, in front of the
driver b, c, and with one edge bearing close against the vertical rollers 7, the
winch being moved into gear is rotated, and the slabs being pushed forward by
the driver b, c, are run between the wires f and on to the rollers k in front
of the driver b, c, which being then advanced by reason of the wheels ², ¹,
engaging with each other, pushes the bars through the wires f¹, from whence
they come in the form of cakes on to a platform destined to receive them,
or they may be deposited in boxes.

page_text: Having now described this Invention of "Improved Machinery for Cutting
Soap into Slabs, Bars, and Cakes," and the manner of carrying the same into
effect, I claim in conclusion,-
First, the construction and arrangement of parts herein shewn and de-
scribed, or any mere modification thereof, in which a series of wires for cutting
the soap are stretched or held in tension by means of springs, which by
yielding will admit of the said wires being curved or formed into a kind of bow
loop at the commencement of the cutting operation, the tension of the springs
being gradually increased until the wire has entered the block.
I also claim the employment of the grooved and curved carriage and curved
driver, or equivalent devices, and the stationary and vertical range of hori-
zontal wires and descending range of horizontal wires for the purpose of
slabbing and barring a block of soap, as above described.
I further claim the use of the notched gauge plates, and also the bed or.
carriage, scored transversely by grooves adapted to the bowed or curved form of
the wires, for the purpose explained, and also the construction, as described,
of sliding bars, driving slot, and carriage constituting the loading truck.
Secondly, I claim, in reference to the machine shewn in Figures 5 and 6,
the two vertical ranges of wires f and fat right angles to each other, in com-
bination with the arrangement (as described) of the rollers j, k, l, and the
drivers b, c, and b, c, moving at right angles to each other, for the purpose of
converting slabs of soap directly into cakes.
I further claim the driver, composed of battens b, slotted head c, and screws
d, or equivalent devices, for the purpose explained.
I also claim the use of the horizontal range of rollers j, having their axes
at a slight obliquity with the path of the driver, for the purpose explained,
and also the use of the reversible winch g, for the advancement of either table
alternately, as herein set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said James White, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, the Twenty-ninth day of February, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six.
Witness,
J. W. MOFFATT,
66, Chancery Lane.
JAMES WHITE. (L.S.)