Improved Device for Cutting Hollow Gelatine Articles.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Feb., 1895-Accepted, 4th May, 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Device for Cutting Hollow Gelatine Articles.
We, Dr. Max KLETT and Dr. RUDOLF SPEIDEL both of Langfuhr near
Danzig, in the Empire of Germany, Apothecaries, do hereby declare the nature
of our 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 a device for cutting off one or both ends of gelatine
tubes, capsules or other like hollow articles and thus supersedes the somewhat
tedious and less effective operation of cutting by hand with the aid of shears, as
hitherto customary. According to this invention, the gelatine capsules etc. to be
cut are first placed on a rotary mandrel or spindle provided with one or more
annular grooves where the article is to be cut; special means are also provided for
causing such article to participate in the movements of said spindle on which it is
placed for being cut by one or more adjustable knives mounted on a slide.
Referring to the accompanying drawings:-
Fig. 1 is a front view and
Fig. 2 a plan view of the device for cutting both ends of the hollow gelatine
articles.
Fig. 3 is a side view of the cutter.
Figs. 4 and 5 are end and side views respectively of the device arranged for
cutting off one end only of articles closed at one end.
Fig. 6 is a plan view of Fig. 5.
A spindle 6, whose length and diameter is regulated according to the size of the
article to be cut and in whose end may be screwed the extension or holder c, is
screwed into the end of the spindle a which can be rotated by any suitable device.
The holder e is provided with aunular grooves c¹, c², c³ whose distance apart is
regulated according to the article to be cut.
To make a capsule or the like closed at one end rotate with its holder c, the end
of the latter is provided with a cap d having points or pins which penetrate the
closed end of the article slided or pushed on to the holder e either by hand or
in any other suitable manner; such article is thus caused to rotate with the
holder c.
The adjustable knives e, e', secured to a block mounted on slide g of support h,
are arranged so as to correspond to the length of the article to be cut or the
grooves c, c, c3 in the holder c. These knives are advanced towards the spindle by
moving the slide g through the medium of a handle connected to the lever i and
turning on pivot j; the forked end of lever i thus engages with a bolt of the
slide, while a spring secured to its other end automatically returns the knives to
their original position after the article has been cut. The article together with
the piece cut off is now removed from the holder c either by hand or in any other
uitable manner.
•
When the open end of a gelatine tube or capsule closed at the other end is to be
cut, the holder c (Figs. 4-6) is screwed into the end of the spindle b. The form
of the free end of this holder e corresponds to that of the closed end of the article
to be cut and is preferably covered with indiarubber m or the like. In this instance.
only one knife e is required (Fig. 6).
To make the article rotate with the spindle, pressure is-exerted on the free end
of the holder c by means of a disc n preferably made of wood and about the size of*
he palm of the hand. The inner face of this disc n is provided with a conical

page_text: shell o covered with a layer of indiarubber p, and which may be made to rotate on
the bolt 9. When the disc n, therefore, is pressed against the end of the spindle,
the gelatine article held between the indiarubber layers m and p is thus caused to
rotate with the holder c', the part o also participating in the movement.
and
If the article to be cut is rather long or somewhat larger in diameter than the
spindle, it is preferable to attach a rod (Figs. 5 & 6) to the knife-block
provide same with forks for carrying indiarubber rollers s, which, when the
slide g is advanced, come in contact with the article before the knife reaches
same and press such article both from underneath and above against the rotating
spindle.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
:-
1. A device for cutting off one or both ends of gelatine tubes, capsules or the
like hollow articles, consisting of a spindle, carrying a holder (c, c) provided
with annular grooves and on which the article to be cut is placed, and of
adjustable knives mounted on a slide (g), substantially as described and shown in the
drawing.
2. In combination with the device for cutting hollow gelatine articles as
described in Claim 1, a cap (d) provided with points or spikes (d) which penetrate
the closed end of the article to be cut, substantially as described and shown in the
drawing.
3. In combination with the device for cutting off the ends of gelatine articles,
a disc (n) having rotable shell (o) covered with indiarubber or the like, and
a forked rod carrying rollers (s), substantially as described and shown in the
drawing.
Dated this 25th day of February 1895.
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicants.