Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd May, 1890-Accepted, 28th June, 1890
Figure 4 is a vertical cross section of box D.
A is the frame of the machine, which carries a transverse drive shaft B having
on one end the customary fast and loose pulleys b. To the shaft B is firmly keyed,
by its hub c, the drum C. This drum is an open ended one, and has made in its
periphery the openings or slots c', which extend from each end of the drum to its
centre plane, and are arranged alternately or staggering from each side.
D are separate or independent boxes, having apertures or openings d in one wall
of which is seated the cutting knife E, said knife having slots e in its edge to receive
the securing screws e', whereby the knife may be set out or in to its necessary place.
These boxes D have flanges d' at their backs, and when said boxes are set into
the slots or openings c¹ of the drum from within, their outer faces conform to the
curvature of the periphery of the drum, and their inner flanges d' bear against the
inner surface of the drum, said boxes having a thickness equal to that of the drum's
periphery. In this position the knives E of the boxes project suitably beyond the
periphery of the drum. These boxes are fitted as above stated, to their seats, from
the inside, and are not screwed or in anyway firmly held to place, but are lightly
held, when the machine is at a state of rest, by means of the catch pins F entering
a bevelled socket in the outer end of the box, said pins being mounted in a ring G
let into the flanged ends of the drum, and controlled by the springs H. When the
boxes are placed in their seats the catch pins simply move back until opposite the
sockets d, when they spring forward into them and lightly hold the boxes so that
they will not drop out when the machine is at a state of rest.
I is the feed hopper of the machine, through the throat of which the drum rotates.
This hopper may extend around the periphery of the drum to a greater or less extent,
as may be desired, and said hopper may be divided by a partition or partitions i
into any number of separate compartments. The partitions, and also the lower wall
of the hopper, carry at their lower ends the counter knives J, which are secured
adjustably by bolts j and extend into more or less immediate proximity to the
periphery of the drum and the slightly projecting knives E of the boxes.
Within the drum are located the inclined discharge chutes K. These consist of
curved metal plates, having one top edge k horizontal, and the other top edge k¹at
an angle extending from the centre downwardly to the open ends of the drum. These
chutes are two in number, one on each side, their inner ends being about the centre
plane of the drum and their outer ends about flush with, or extending a little
beyond the open ends of the drum. These chutes are of course, stationary and

page_text: independent of the rotation of the drum. They are secured in place by brackets L,
having an angular shape, one end carrying the chute, and the other end being
bolted to the frame A. These brackets have also sockets, through which the shaft B
passes, and in which it rotates, so that being thus mounted about the axis of the
drum, tho chutes may turn about said axis to any position found best, by simply
shifting the position of the bolts securing the ends of the brackets to the frame,
and fitting them in fresh places.
The operation of the machine is as follows
The cane is placed in the hopper I in its several compartments. The lower ends
of the cane rest upon the periphery of the drum and slices are cut off by the rotary
knives E acting against the counter knives J. These slices drop through the
openings of the boxes D into the interior of the drum, and falling into the inclined
chutes K are by them directed outwardly to each end of the drum. The object in
dividing the hopper into several compartiments is to increase its capacity by increasing
the number of counter knives, and the places at which the cane is sliced, so that
each knife E at each revolution, makes as many cuts as there are counter knives to
act against.
The object in mounting the knives in the peculiar boxes described, and in seating
the boxes in the manner set forth, is to provide for the ready placing of the knives
with the least appreciable loss of time. The boxes are held to their seats, when the
machine is running, by centrifugal force, because the rate of revolution in these
machines is a very high one, and the boxes will be held firmly to their seats in the
drum by tending outwardly, their flanges d' preventing them from going too far.
When the machine is running very slowly, or is at a state of rest, the small spring
catch pins F hold the boxes in place lightly and prevent them from dropping out,
but they do not hold them to their seats when at work, as it is not the intention to
firmly secure said boxes, but to rely wholly upon the centrifugal force to keep them
in place. Thus mounting the boxes allows me to readily and quickly insert them
from inside the drum without having to fix any screws or bolts, the spring catch pins
acting automatically and not delaying the work.
The object in inclining one top edge of the discharge chutes is to allow any slices
which may drop upon said edge to work down the incline, while the other edge of
the chute being horizontal, provides for catching and confining the slices properly,
and the whole general inclination of the bottom of the chute provides for the
discharge of the slices by gravity.
As above stated, the chutes may be set at any position within the drum, found
best, by turning their securing brackets around the central shaft B which passes
through their sockets.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:-
First. In a cane slicing machine, the rotary drum, having the peripheral openings
or slots, in combination with the independent flanged boxes fitted freely within said
openings or slots, their flanges bearing against the inner surface of the drum, and
knives carried by said boxes, substantially as described.
Second. In a cane slicing machine, the rotary drum, having peripheral openings or
slots, in combination with the independent boxes. fitted freely to said openings or
slots, and having flanges bearing against the inner surface of the drum, and apertures
or openings in said boxes, and knives secured in said apertures or openings, sub-
stantially as described.
Third. In a cane slicing machine, the rotary drum having peripheral openings or
slots, in combination with the independent flanged boxes fitted freely to said openings
or slots, their flanges bearing against the inner wall of the drum, knives carried by
the boxes, and spring controlled catch pins carried by the drum and engaging the
boxes for lightly holding them in place, substantially as described.

page_text: Fourth. In a cane slicing machine, the rotary open ended drum and suitable knives
carried by its periphery, in combination with the fixed inclined discharge chutes
located within the drum, said chutes consisting of curved metal plates having one
top edge inclined and the other top edge horizontal, substantially as described.
Fifth. In a cane slicing machine, the rotary open ended drum, and knives carried
by its periphery, in combination with the inclined discharge chutes located within
the drum, and brackets carrying said plates, and movable about the axial line of the
drum, whereby the chutes may be moved to different positions within the drum,
substantially as described.
Sixth. In a cane slicing machine, the frame, the drive shaft carried thereby, and
the open ended drum mounted on the drive shaft and having peripheral knives, in
combination with the inclined discharge chutes located within the drum and the brackets
bolted to the frame and carrying the discharge chutes, said brackets having sockets
mounted upon the drive shaft, whereby the chutes may be turned to different positions
within the drum, substantially as described.
Seventh. In a cane slicing machine, the combination of the rotary drum having
peripheral knives, with the hopper under which the drum rotates, said hopper having
a partition or partitions dividing it into a number of compartments, and counter
knives at the base of the partitions and the end wall of the hopper, substantially as
described.
Eighth. A cane slicing machine consisting of the combination of the frame, the
drive shaft mounted in the frame, the open ended rotary drum mounted on the shaft
and having peripheral openings or slots, the independent flanged and apertured
boxes fitted freely to said sockets, the knives carried by said boxes, the compartment
hopper supported by the frame and having counter knives, and the fixed inclined
discharge chutes within the hopper and carried by the frame, all arranged and adapted
to operate substantially as described.
1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.