IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF MACHINERY FOR CUTTING CORKS
Year: 1874

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Richard Thornton at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 16th
February 1874.
I, RICHARD THORNTON, of South Shields, in the County of Durham,
Ale and Porter Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF MACHINERY FOR CUTTING
CORKS," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in the construction of machinery whereby the
operation of cutting corks for stopping bottles or other purposes is
performed in a simpler and more effectual manner than by the means
hitherto employed. For this purpose a suitable knife or cutter is
mounted on a table or carriage, which travels upon two grooved bars or
rails mounted longitudinally on a suitable frame, one side of which frame
is capable of being raised or depressed for the purpose herein-after
mentioned.
The piece of cork to be cut is held between two metallic discs or
clamps, one of which is attached to a rod mounted in suitable bearings
on the moveable side of the frame at the side of the travelling table or
carriage, and capable of being rotated as herein-after mentioned, and

page_text: the other to a rod also mounted in bearings on the moveable side of the
frame and capable of a sliding or longitudinal motion, so as to admit of
being brought closer to or removed farther from the first mentioned disc
in order to secure or release the cork as required. When it is desired to
cut the cork the table or carriage carrying the knife or cutter is moved
forward so as to bring the edge of the latter to bear upon the cork. The
table or carriage has a V piece attached to its under side, which as the
table is pushed forward runs along and gives a rotary motion to a
spirally grooved or twisted bar, mounted in suitable bearings on the
frame between the grooved bars or rails. This twisted bar has a wheel
fixed at one end thereof, and which is connected by a band or other
suitable means to another wheel carried by the rod attached to the first
mentioned disc for holding the cork, thus giving the latter a rotary
motion, whilst the table carrying the knife is moving forwards, and
thereby producing a perfectly round cork. The sliding disc is actuated
by means of a lever working upon a pivot fixed on the moveable side of
the frame, and which lever is kept in position by means of a spiral or
other suitable spring. When the cork has been cut the table is moved
backwards, and a catch fixed thereon comes in contact with the lever
and draws back the sliding rod with its disc, and releases the cut cork.
Should it be desired to cut a cork of smaller diameter than usual, the
moveable side of the frame is raised by means of a suitable lever which
works in a slotted bar, having pins or stoppers to keep it at any desired
height, according to the size of the cork required.
When it is desired to produce tapered corks the grooved bars or rails
are raised at one end by means of a screw, so as to place the table
carrying the knife in a slanting position.
For the purpose of lubricating the knife a small wheel covered with
leather or other absorbent material and kept saturated with oil is fixeḍ
on the frame underneath the knife, which as it is moved forward comes
in contact therewith.