IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CUTTING SUGAR AND OTHER SUBSTANCES."
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Radcliffe, of Rotherham, in the County of
York, Grocer, and Thomas Vickers Favell, of the same Place, Gentleman,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR
CUTTING SUGAR AND OTHER SUBSTANCES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Radcliffe and Thomas
Vickers Favell at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
their Petition, on the 8th December 1855.
We, JOHN RADCLIFFE, of Rotherham, in the County of York, Grocer, and
THOMAS VICKERS FAVELL, of the same Place, Gentleman, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPA-
RATUS FOR CUTTING SUGAR AND OTHER SUBSTANCES " to be as follows:
This Invention relates to a peculiar construction and arrangement of cutting
apparatus applicable for cutting loaf sugar, roots, and other similar substances,
whereby a greater rapidity of cutting action is obtained, and a larger amount
of work effected, than in the cutting machines at present in use.
One of the main features in the Invention consists of certain improved forms
of cutters for cutting the sugar or other substance to be treated. According to
this Invention the cutting edges of the knives are made with serrations or
indentations on them, so as to form a series of points or teeth, which enter the
sugar or other substances, and "greatly facilitate the cutting thereof. The first
set of cutters consist simply of a blade with an indented cutting edge, and the
second set consists of a serrated edged blade bolted or screwed on to a
foundation plate, on which plate are also fitted another set of teeth or cutters

page_text: placed at right angles to the serrated blade, and arranged to come opposite
either the centres of the notches or indentations, or the centres of the teeth
forming the serrated edge of such cutter. The machine in which these cutters
are placed consists of a rectangular metal framing, in the sides of which are
fitted the bearings for the actuating shafts, one of which carries a fly wheel
and a winch handle for driving the machine. The top pair of cutters work
opposite each other in suitable horizontal guides, being actuated by a cam or
tappet motion from the main shaft. These cutters serve to cut a slice from
off the bottom of the loaf of sugar or other substances which is inserted into
the machine from above, the loaf, &c. being supported by a lever. The slice
'having been cut off, the pressure of the loaf or other substance forces it on to
a fixed serrated cross knife, which severs it into two parts, one part falling in
one direction and the other in another direction down two hoppers or con-
ductors, which convey the parts or pieces to the second set of cutters, which
work borizontally immediately below the mouths of the hoppers. These
Hatter cutters are similar to the second arrangement of cutters herein-before
described, and are carried by a vibrating frame which is actuated by levers
and cams and suitable gearing from the main shaft. The slides and vibrating
frame of each set of knives are fitted with antifriction pullies to ease their
movements. Immediately in front of the knives on the vibrating frame are
corresponding knives of a similar construction fixed to the main framing, and
between these fixed and moving knives the sugar or other substance is cut,
the small knives at right angles to the main blade severing the sugar or other
substance into small square lumps. Spring guard plates or shields are
employed for clearing the knives after each cut, and so prevent them from
becoming clogged or filled up. Two spring plates are fitted inside the hoppers
for the purpose of presenting the large pieces of sugar or other substance in a
proper manner to the cutters, which cut them into small lumps. By a slight
modification in the machinery the kuives herein-before described may be
worked by a treaddle in place of by a winch handle.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Radcliffe and Thomas Vickers Favell in the Great
Seal Patent Office on the 7th June 1856.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, JoпN
RADCLIFFE, of Rotherham, in the County of York, Grocer, and THOMAS
VICKERS FAVELL, of the same Place, Gentleman, send greeting.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most. Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eighth day of December, 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 us, the
said John Radcliffe and Thomas Vickers Favell, Her special license that we,
the said John Radcliffe and Thomas Vickers Favell, our executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as we, the said John Radcliffe and Thomas
Vickers Favel!, our exccutors, administrators, or 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CUTTING SUGAR AND OTHER SUBSTANCES," upon the
condition (amongst others) that we, the said John Radcliffe and Thomas
Vickers Favell, by an instrument in writing under our hands and seals, or
under the hand and seal of one of us, should particularly describe and ascer-
tain 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 we, the said John Radcliffe and Thomas Vickers
Favell, 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, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:-
Our said Invention relates to certain, peculiar constructions and arrange-
ments of cutting apparatus applicable for cutting loaf sugar, roots, and other
similar substances, whereby a greater rapidity. of cutting action is obtained,
and a larger amount of work effected, than by the cutting machines at present
in use.
One of the main features in the Invention consists of certain improved
forms of cutters for cutting the sugar or other substance to be operated upon.
According to this Invention the cutting edges of the knives are made with
serrations or indentations on them, so as to form a series of points or teeth,
5 which enter the sugar or other substances, and greatly facilitate the cutting
thereof. The first set of cutters consists simply of a blade with an indented
cutting edge, and the second set consists of a serrated edged.blade bolted or
screwed on to a foundation plate, on which plate are also fitted another set of
teeth or cutters placed at right angles to the serrated blade, and arranged to

page_text: come opposite either the centres of the notches or indentations, or the centres
of the teeth forming the serrated edge of such cutter. The machine in which
these cutters are placed consists of a rectangular metal, framing, in the sides
of which are fitted the bearings for the actuating shafts, one of which carries
a fly wheel and a winch handle for driving the machine. The top pair of
cutters work opposite each other in suitable horizontal guides, being actuated
by a cam or tappet motion from the main shaft. The top pair of cutters
serve to cut a slice from off the bottom of the loaf of sugar or other substance
which is inserted into the machine from above. The slice having been cut
off, the pressure of the loaf or other substance forces it on to a fixed indented
cross knife, which severs it into two parts, one part falling in one direction
and the other in another direction down two hoppers or conductors, which
convey the parts or pieces so cut to the second set of cutters, which work
horizontally immediately below the mouths of the hoppers. These latter
cutters are similar to the second set of cutters herein-before referred
to, and
are carried by a vibrating frame which is actuated by levers and cams and
suitable gearing from the main shaft. Immediately in front of the knives on
the vibrating frame are corresponding knives of a similar construction. fixed
to the main framing, and between these fixed and moving knives the sugar or
other substance is cut; the small knives at right angles to the main blade
severing the sugar or other substance into small square lumps. Spring guard
plates or shields are employed for clearing the knives after each cut, and.to
prevent them from becoming clogged or filled up. Two spring plates are
fitted inside the hoppers, for the purpose of presenting the large pieces of sugar
or other substance in a proper manner to the cutters, which cut. them into
small lumps. By a slight modification in the machinery the knives herein-
before described may be worked by a treadle in place of by a winch handle..
And in order that our said Invention may be fully understood, we shall now
proceed to describe the same, and for that purpose we shall refer to the
several Figures on the Sheets of Drawings hereunto annexed, the same letters
of reference indicating corresponding parts throughout all the Figures.
Figures 1 and 2 on Sheet 1 of our Drawings represent two opposite side
elevations of our improved cutting machine complete, with a loaf of sugar
therein under the process of being cut; Figure 3 is a plan of the machine
with the top or cover removed to shew the first set of knives; Figure 4 is a
plan of the under side of the same, shewing the arrangement of the second set
of knives; Figure 5 on Sheet 2 of the Drawings represents a longitudinal
vertical section of the machine taken through the centre thereof, and Figure 6
is a central transverse vertical section of the same. The rest of the Figures

page_text: A, A, are
are details, which we shall herein-after fully describe and refer to.
the main standards of the machine, united at the ends by the plates B, B,
which form one side of the two inclined hoppers C, C. On the top of the
framing is fitted the cover D, on which is formed the circular feeding mouth
up is inserted,
E, in which the loaf of sugar F or other substance to be cut
and steadied vertically by the adjusting screws G, G. The lower end or base
of the sugar loaf, supposing that to be the substance to be operated upon,
rests on the edge of the fixed horizontal vertical knife H, shewn in its place
in Figures 3, 5, and 6, and in enlarged detail side elevation and end view at
Figures 7 and 8. This knife is formed with a flange or lugs at its lower
edge, and is bolted on to the plate I, which forms the inner sides of the
hoppers C, C. The cutting edge of this knife is indented or formed into a
number of pointed teeth J, which enter freely into the sugar, and sever it with
greater certainty than could be effected by an ordinary plain or straight
cutting edge. K, K, are two knives screwed to the sliding frames or knife
holders L, L, which work horizontally to and from each other between the
dovetailed or bevilled guide rails M, M, or they. may run on, anti pullies, if
desired. One of these knives is shewn in detail plan and end elevation on an
enlarged scale at Figures 9 and 10. The cutting edge is also. indented or
formed with a number of pointed teeth thereon for the purpose herein-before
referred to, and the general contour of such cutting edge is slightly curved, in
order the more readily to embrace the loaf of sugar upon which they are
made to operate. The sliding or traversing motion, of these two knives is
obtained from the lever arms N, N, which are keyed on to the transverse
rocking shafts O, O. The upper ends of the arms N are slotted and work
over studs or pins P, P, in the inner sides. of the sliding frames, or knife
holders L, L, so that any rocking motion imparted to the arms N will com-
municate a rectilinear or reciprocating sliding. motion to the knives. These
knives in the Drawing are shewn as on the point of approaching each other,
to effect the cutting of a slice from off the bottom or base of the loaf. Their
onward or cutting motion is derived from the two levers or wipers Q, Q,
fitted with antifriction pulleys R, R, at their extremities. These wipers are
keyed or otherwise secured to the shafts S, S, which are geared together by
the spur wheels T, T, and one of which carries the large fly wheel U, fitted
5 with a winch handle V, by which the machine is driven. .W, W, are two
short arms attached to the rocking shafts O, O, herein-before referred to, and
acted upon by the wipers Q, Q, which revolve in the direction of the arrows
(Figure 2), and consequently, by striking the arms W, cause the rocking shafts
O to turn partially round, and thereby bring the two knives K, K, simul

page_text: taneously in contact with the two opposite sides of the sugar loaf. This has
the effect of cutting or severing a round slice from the bottom of the loaf, the
thickness of such slice being equal to the height at which the cutting edges
of the knives K are above the cutting edge of the fixed vertical knife H.
The slice having been then severed, the superincumbent weight of the loaf, by
pressing such slice upon the indented edge of the knife H, will cause the latter
to divide the slice transversely into two portions or halves; the one falling
into one hopper, and the other into its corresponding hopper. The knives
K, K, having effected their cent are drawn back again by the action of a stud
pin carrying an antifriction pulley X on the inner side of one of the spur
wheels T. The pulley X during its revolution with the spur wheel strikes
against the tail Y on the rod Z (which rod is connected at each extremity to
short lever arms a, a, on the ends of the rocking shafts), and thereby brings
the rod Z and slotted arms N, N, from the position shewn by red lines in
Figure 1 to the position indicated by the black lines, that is, with the knives
K, K, drawn back ready for another cut. The two halves of the slice just
cut have by this time arrived at the bottoms or mouths of their respective
hoppers, to be again subdivided or cut into small knobs or cubes of equal or
nearly equal size, suitable for ordinary use. This is effected by the peculiarly
constructed knives b, b, and c, c. The knives b, b, are fixed, being secured by
screws or otherwise to the end plates B, B, of the machine, whilst the corre-
sponding knives c, c, are carried by the rectangular frame or knife holder d,
to which they are attached.
Figure 11 is a detail front elevation on an enlarged scale, showing more
clearly the construction of the knifes b and c, both sets of knives being alike.
Figure 12 is a corresponding plan of the same; and Figure 13 is an end
elevation.
These knives b, b, and c, c, have each an indented horizontal cutting edge,
as shewn in Figure 12, in combination with a number of vertical cutters e, e,
(Figure 11) arranged along the under side of it, as shewn in Figures 4 and 5.
The details, Figures 11 and 13, are shewn as turned upside down, or with the
vertical cutters e on the upper, in place of the under side of the indented blade.
The vertical cutters e are pointed or wedge-shaped at the end, and with the
horizontal indented blade are secured to the back plate f, the whole constituting
the peculiarly formed cutter herein-before referred to, for subdividing the slices
of loaf sugar into nearly regular and equally sized lumps, the horizontal cutting
edge serving to cut off a strip from the slice, whilst the vertical cutters e
subdivide that strip crosswise or at right angles, to reduce it into small knobs
or pieces.

page_text: In the arrangement shewn in Figures 11, 12, and 18, it will be observed
that the vertical cutters e are situated opposite the centres of the indentations,
but in the modification shewn at Figures 14, 15, and 16, the vertical cutters are
situated opposite the points or apices of the teeth formed by the indentations;
but of the two modifications we prefer, however, that shewn in Figures 11, 12.
and 13. The traversing frame d, which carries the knives c, c, slides to and
fro along the rails g, g, and is guided in its course by the bevilled guide rails h, h.
'forming dovetailed slides for the flanges of the frame to work in. This frame
is actuated by the two slotted lever arms i, i, which are connected
pins inside the frame, and are keyed on to the rocking shaft k. The lever
arm is continued up above the rocking shaft on which it is keyed, and
formed upon it, as shewn in Figure 1.
has a double curved T piece
to studs or
This piece is pushed or driven first to one side and then to the other,
twice in each direction 'for every revolution of the main shaft, by the inti-.
friction rollers m, m, m²; and X, carried on the inner sides of the two spur
wheels T. The pulley or roller X is made longer than the pullies m, that is
to say, it stands out farther from the side of the spur wheel, so that it may be
able to reach the tail Y of the connecting rod Z, as well as operate.upon
the T piece of the lever i'. It will be obvious that as the rollers m, m, and m',
X, are carried round, they will alternately strike against the two arms of the
Tpiece, and thereby force the lower slotted ends of the levers i and ¹ first to
one side and then to the other, such movement having the effect of traversing the
frame d, which carries the knives c, c, to and fro along its slides. The slices
of sugar or other substance in the hoppers C, C', are presented in a suitable
position for being subdivided (that is, edgewise) by the plates n, n, which are
hinged inside the hoppers C at their upper ends 0, 0, to the end plates B, B, of
the machine, and their lower ends are forced outwards slightly by the blade
springs p, p, behind them. q, q, are two other small hinged plates, having
blade springs behind them, which tend to force them outwards, by which
means, when the slices slide down the inclined sides of the hoppers, they are
nipped slightly between the plates n and q, which act as fingers to present the
slices one at a time edgwise, or in a vertical position, as shewn by the dotted
lines in Figure 5, to the combined action of the knives b and c. In the hopper
C (Figure 5) the slice is represented as in the act of being cut or subdivided
into knobs or small pieces suitable for use. The knife c having reached the
fixed knife 6 whilst in the hopper C', the slice is shewn in its vertical position
resting with its lower edge on the clearing frame r, in readiness for the next
stroke of the knife frame d.
This clearing frame r is for the purpose of clearing the fixed cutter b, or

page_text: removing any pieces of sugar or other substance which may stick therein after
the cut has been accomplished. This frame is shewn detached in enlarged
detail front elevation, plan, and transverse section respectively at Figures 17, 18,
and 19. It consists simply of an open frame r, fitted with a number of vertical
teeth s, s, which stand up and project into the intervening spaces between the
vertical knives e, e, of the cutter b. t is a strong blade spring secured to the back
of the frame, and serving to keep it pushed outwards towards the cutting edge of
the cutters b. It slides to and fro along the fixed open frame u, and carries two
.projecting pins or feelers v, v, which protrude some distance through the front
of the fixed frame. This, arrangement will be clearly understood on referring
to the enlarged plan and, sectional details, Figures 20 and 21, shewing the
frame u all
fixed knife b,. clearing frame 1,, with its feelers v, and the fixed
open
in their proper places ready for, a cut. When the traversing knife frame or
holder d advances in either direction for the purpose of cutting, it comes in
contact with the ends of the feelers v, and forces back the clearing frame r,
as shewn at the bottom of the hopper C, (Figure 5,) and also in the enlarged
detail, Figure 22, of the two knives b and c in action, the clearing frame r being
shewn pushed back by the pressure of the knife frame d'upon the feelers. The cut
having been effected, the knife frame and knives c recede, and allow the strong
spring t to force. forward the clearer with, its teeth s, thereby removing any
sugar which may be sticking on the cutter b. The clearing of the moveable
cutter c is accomplished in its back stroke by causing it to work through an
indented opening or slot w (Figure 23), formed in the front of the fixed frame u,
the teeth x, x, of such slot projecting upwards between the intervening spaces
of the vertical cutters e, e, so that as the knife is drawn back, the fixed teeth
will effectually remove therefrom any sugar or other substance which may be
clogging it. The lumps of sugar fall as fast as they are cut through the open
frame u into any suitable receptacle beneath. Some idea may be formed of
the rapidity with which this machine accomplishes its work, when we state that
,,an ordinary.sized loaf of sugar can be easily cut up or reduced to small knobs
in the space of three or four minutes.
Figure 24. on. Sheet 1 of our Drawings is a sectional elevation of another
arrangement of hoppers and knife clearing mechanism. In this arrangement
the hinged plates n, n, and 9, 9, inside the hoppers are dispensed with, and the
,hinged feeding, mouths y, y, are substituted therefor. The same letters of refer-
ence, in this Figure indicate the same parts in the Figures previously referred
to. These, feeding mouths are made just wide enough to admit of the slices of
sugar or other substance passing freely through it edgwise. They are fixed
at each end to the spindles, which have a rocking motion imparted to them

page_text: by the slotted arm 1 fast on one end of the spindles. 2, 2, are levers working
on fixed centres at 3, 3, and having a stud at one end working in the slot of the
arms 2, whilst another pin in the opposite end works in a slot in the lever 4.
This lever is connected to the clearing plate 5, shewn in detail at Figure 25,
which plate turns on the centres or pivots 6. The back portion of the plate
is indented, so that when it is caused to make a quarter of 'a turn, as herein-
'before described, the teeth will enter between the vertical knives e, e, as shewn
in the hopper C, and remove any lumps of sugar or other substance that may
be left sticking in the fixed knife. This clearing plate remains in a horizontal
position, as shewn at the hopper C', previous to and during the cut, 'but after
the cut has been made it falls, and allows the sugar to drop, whilst at the same
time it clears the knife b, as herein-before described. The requisite movements
are imparted to these plates by the rod 7, which is connected at each end to
the levers 2, 2, and works in the slotted guides 8 formed on the side of the
traversing frame or knife holder d, as shewn in the detail-Fig. 26. These
guides slide freely along the rod 7 during the to and fro motion of-the-knife
frame d, but before either one or the other of the knives c, c, reaches the sugar
or other substance to be cut, the guides 8 strike against one or other of the two
collars 9, made adjustable on the rod 7, and push that rod forward, so as to
turn partially the levers 2, and thus bring one clearer into a horizontal position
ready for the immediate cut, and the other to a vertical position to clear the
fixed knife, and allow the cut sugar to fall down into a receptacle below. The
moveable knives c, c, are cleared in the manner herein-before described.
The motion is imparted to the knives c, c, in a manner precisely similar to that
herein-before described to the first arrangement. The back of each of the
feeding mouths y is extended upwards at 10, to prevent any small pieces of
sugar or other substance from entering behind, and thereby interfering with its
movements by jamming it up..
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, we would observe, in conclusion, that we do not confine or restrict
ourselves to the, precise details or arrangements which we have had occasion
to describe or refer to, as many variations may be made therefrom without
deviating from the principles or main features of our said Invention; but what
we consider, to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention
secured to us by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is,
First, the general construction and arrangements of machinery or apparatus
for cutting loaf sugar or other substances, as herein-before described.
F

page_text: Second, the application and use of indented cutters or knives for cutting
loaf sugar and other similar substances, as herein-before described..
Third, the peculiar constructions and arrangements of compound indented
cutters, having their cutting edges at right angles to each other, as described in
reference to the details, Figures 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 of our Drawings..
Fourth, the peculiar constructions and arrangements of apparatus or mecha-
nism for clearing the cutters or knives after each cut, to prevent them from
clogging.
Fifth, the system or mode of cutting loaf sugar or other similar, substances
by means of two horizontal knives in combination with a central transverse
fixed vertical knife, as herein-before described.
Sixth, the constructions and arrangements of mechanism for actuating the
knives of machinery for cutting loaf sugar or other similar substances, as
herein-before described.
Seventh, the peculiar constructions and arrangements of apparatus for
presenting the slices of sugar or other substances to be cut in a suitable
and proper position to be acted upon by the knives, as herein-before
described.
In witness whereof, we, the said John Radcliffe and Thomas Vickers
Favell, have hereunto set our hands and seals, the Fourth day of
June, One thousand eight hundred and-fifty-six.
JOHN RADCLIFFE. (L.S.)
THOS V. FAVELL. (L.S.)
Signed, sealed, and delivered (being first duly
stamped), by the said John Radcliffe and
Thomas Vickers Favell, in the presence of
MARY ANN LAYCOCK,
Spinster, Leeds.