AN IMPROVED MACHINE FOR CUTTING CORKS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Arthur Robert, of the Firm "Société Civile pour la
Fabrication Mécanique des Bouchons de Liège," Rue du Delta, No. 13, Paris,
Engineer, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED MACHINE FOR CUTTING CORKS,"
Scaled the 22nd September 1877, and dated the 17th May 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Arthur Robert at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th May 1877.
ARTHUR ROBERT, of the Firm "Société Civile pour la Fabrication Mécanique des
Bouchons de Liège," Rue du Delta, No. 13, Paris, Engineer. "AN IMPROVED
MACHINE FOR CUTTING CORKS."
The machine for cutting corks, which forms the subject of the present Inven-
tion, is characterized by the following points:-
The displacement of the piece of cork cut into cubes is effected automatically;
the cork is conducted between two jaws or holders fixed on a revolving spindle, and
is cut by a blade, which may be either continuous, like an endless band saw, or have
a reciprocating motion.
The relative position of the cutting blade with reference to the piece of cork varies
in proportion as the latter is cut; this variation is automatic; it is produced by the
movement of the machine itself.
The sharpening of the endless blade is effected automatically by means of a small
grindstone, which is brought against the blade at a suitable tiine.
The endless blade is, say, 1th of an inch thick, and may be considered an endless
band saw deprived of its teeth; this blade is mounted on two grooved pulleys, which
impart a continuous movement to it. The lower pulley is fixed on the driving shaft,
which is driven by belting or otherwise.
In order to increase the adhesion of the blade I place a band of india-rubber
between it and the pulley. To regulate the tension of the blade I arrange the upper
pulley on a support capable of sliding on a column fixed to the frame of the machine.
The tension is produced as required by a screw operated by a small hand wheel
taking its point of support on the column.
The tool carrying the piece of cork to be cut is composed of two striated jaws
mounted respectively on vertical spindles; the piece of cork is held tightly between

page_text: these jaws. The two spindles are rotated by the intermediation of two pulleys con-
nected together by a belt, and one of which is mounted on the driving shaft, and
the other on a lower intermediate shaft; this shaft carries a bevel wheel with sliding
clutch gearing, with a small pinion fixed on the lower jaw spindle; this motion is
transmitted to the upper jaw spindle by leather bands or cords passing over grooved
pulleys. To preserve the direction of the motion these bands are crossed and guided
by grooved rollers. The sliding clutch above referred to serves to momentarily stop
the rotation of the jaw spindles, because directly the cork is finished these spindles
remain motionless, so as to give the parts time to feed another square or piece of
cork between the jaws. A few words will make the action of this clutch clear. It
is composed of a socket fixed on the intermediate shaft above mentioned by means
of a key, so that it can slide longitudinally on the latter; this socket carries a small
cam, which meets at the proper time a small, roller fixed by an arm to one of the
supports of the said intermediate shaft. A coiled spring tends constantly to push
the socket against the bevil wheel above named, which is loose on its shaft. It will
be understood that the cam meeting the roller compels the socket to quit the bevel
wheel, and consequently the latter stops at once.
When the cork is finished it is obvious that the two jaw spindles should separate
to allow it to fall. For this purpose, while the lower spindle remains fixed, the
upper spindle receives a vertical movement, as herein-after described.
On a support at the upper part of the machine is fixed an oscillating lever, which
embraces at one end the upper jaw spindle, which has a square part at its upper
énd, so as to rise vertically; the other end of the said lever carries a wire rod con-
nected to another lever below, which gives it motion; this lever is fixed on a shaft
receiving a to-and-fro motion from a cam fixed on an upper intermediate shaft; this
latter is driven by bevel wheels, one of which is fixed on a vertical shaft, which
itself gets motion from the lower intermediate shaft, before described, by means of
bevel wheels. The oscillation of the lower lever above named gives a pull to the
wire rod, and consequently raises the upper jaw spindle; this latter is always brought
brought back to its normal position by a coiled spring. The square part of the
spindle is formed with several holes to allow of regulating the upper lever.
The edge of the blade is placed so as to be able to cut the material tangentially.
The pieces of cork are introduced by a funnel; it forms a box, and is composed of
iron bars fixed by angle pieces to supports, one of which serves as a guide to the
blade, and the other as a support to the upper jaw spindle.
The pieces of cork are made to advance between the jaws by a pusher; it is
actuated by a crank connected at one end to a plate fixed on the vertical shaft,
which drives the upper intermediate shaft before mentioned; the other end of the
crank is jointed to a slide formed in a piece with the pusher; this slide works
between the sides of a table. The plate has a sliding piece to allow of regulating
the length of travel of the pusher..
The mechanism for guiding the cork between the jaws. is composed of two arms
bent at a right angle and oscillating respectively on two axes; these latter are con-
nected by a double joint to a rigid bar sliding horizontally in the pedestals, which
serve as the supports for the table. The bar carries at its end a roller, which bears
against one of the side faces of the plate; this has a projecting part; a coiled spring
makes the roller of the bar always bear against the plate. The result is that when
the projecting part comes against the roller the bar recedes, and causes a slight oscil-
lation to be given to the axes of the two bent arms, and consequently these arms
open. Directly the projecting part frees the roller, the spring having been com-
pressed, forces the bar back to its original position. When the two arms are in their
first or closed position they hold and guide the piece of cork.
The table above named is at the level of the lower jaw. As this table would
interfere with the making of the cork, I have a small movable table which during
the operation is slighly below the jaw, so that the cork can turn freely. Directly'
the cork is finished, this small table rises to the level of the main table. The move-
iment of the small table is produced by the cam which has already been mentioned;

page_text: this cam acts on a rod which lifts the table. As soon as the cam has acted, a coiled,
spring draws back the rod to its original position; this movement is produced at the
same time as the clevation of the upper jaw spindle, as before explained, both being
worked by the same cam.
The cutting blade should approach the centre of the cork as the cutting proceeds,"
because the pieces of cork being cut square, the blades should at first only remove
the corners of the square, and then advance gradually. With this object I have
arranged a support capable of oscillating around a point or axis, and carrying two:
jaws, which embrace the blade. The said axis carries a lever connected by a wire
rod to another lever; this lever carries a roller, which bears against one of the side
faces of the plate before described; at one part of this face is a slight excentricity,
which causes the lever to move. By the impulse given to the latter the blade
advances slightly towards the centre of the cork. The travel of the blade is regu-
lated by the threading of the wire rod. A coiled spring always pulls back the roller
against the plate.
In order to make thicker corks it is only necessary to suitably regulate the posi-
tion of an abutment, which comes against one of the levers. The two jaws which
cinbrace the blade carry a guide roller.
I will now explain the automatic sharpening of the cutting blade. After a few
minutes' work the blade requires grinding or setting, and in order not to be obliged
to perform this operation by hand I have devised special mechanism, which I proceed
to explain.
A horizontal grindstone is placed on a forked lever, which, jointed to the frame of
the machine, has a horizontal movement. The grindstone carries a grooved pulley,
receiving rotary motion from a pulley fixed on an intermediate shaft. As the stone
should only rotate occasionally, I have designed the following mode of driving it-
The intermediate shaft just mentioned carries a pulley driven by friction by another
pulley covered with leather, this being in its turn driven by a pulley on the driving
shaft. The pulley which is covered with leather does not turn when it is not in
contact with the pulley on the driving shaft. In order to inove up or to separate
the leather covered pulley, the intermediate shaft carries a forked support which
embraces the said pulley, the contact of which with the pulley which it drives is
regulated by means of a screw. A transverse shaft carries a worm wheel driven by
an endless screw on the driving shaft; this transverse shaft also carries 2 cams
placed inversely. The first cam moves a lever by acting on a roller fixed on this
lever; one of its ends is jointed to the frame, and the other carries a fork which
takes hold of the forked support which embraces the leather covered pulley. A coiled
spring always tends to draw this pulley against the pulley which drives it.
When the flat part of the cam comes opposite the roller, the lever being dis-
engaged will be drawn by the coiled spring, and consequently the leather covered
pulley will be in contact with its driving pulley. The second cam produces the
forward or backward movement of the stone. A lever, also jointed at one of its
ends to the frame, carries a roller which runs on the cam; the other end is con-
nected to a chain, which, after passing over a roller above, is fixed to a forked lever.
When the flat part of this cam comes against the roller, the lever, being disengaged,
is submitted to the influence of a coiled spring, which constantly draws the lever
towards the blade. When the roller runs against the round part of the cam, the
stone is forced away. Thus, when the worm wheel has made one revolution, the
two cams will act on the stone. The time for sharpening can be regulated by emi-
ploying a larger or smaller wheel. A small stone, turning only by contact, removes
from the blade any unevenness which the large stone produces; it is always kept in
contact by a small coiled spring.
The putting the machine into gear is effected by means of a fork; this fork is
mounted on a transverse bar jointed at one end to a lever provided with a handle.
The cork is cut into cubical pieces, the side of which is equal to the length of the
corks to be made; these pieces are introduced by the attendant into the funnel, the
pusher drives before it the first piece, which is guided by the two bent arms before

page_text: described, and proceeds to position. The upper jaw descends, and the jaw spindles
begin to rotate together with the piece of cork. Owing to the automatic displace-
ment of the cutting blade, as herein-before explained, the piece of cork is rounded,
and a finished cork is produced. The cork being thus finished, the upper jaw is
raised, as well as the movable table (which has been below the main table for the
purpose already explained), the pusher advances with another piece of cork, which
causes the finished cork to fall, and the operation recommences. The finished cork
and the waste fall through separate pipes.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Arthur Robert in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 26th September
1877.
ARTHUR ROBERT, of the Firm "Société Civile pour la Fabrication Mécanique
des Bouchons de Liège," Rue du Delta, No. 13, Paris, Engineer. 'AN IMPROVED,
MACHINE FOR CUTTING CORKS."
The machine for cutting corks, which forms the subject of the present Invention,
is characterized by the following points :-
The displacement of the piece of cork cut into cubes is effected automatically;
the cork is conducted between two jaws or holders fixed on a revolving spindle,
and is cut by a blade, which may be either continuous, like an endless band saw,
or have a reciprocating motion.
The relative position of the cutting blade with reference to the piece of cork varies
in proportion as the latter is cut; this variation is automatic; it is produced by the
movement of the machine itself.
The sharpening of the endless blade is effected automatically by means of a small
grindstone, which is brought against the blade at a suitable time.
My improved machine is represented in several views in the annexed Drawings.
Figures 1 and 2 shew the arrangement of the cutting blade, and also the arrange-
ment and action of the different parts serving for cutting corks.
Figure 3 is an elevation, shewing the mechanism for automatically sharpening.
the blade.
Figure 4 is a horizontal section through the line X, Y, of Figure 1.
Figures 5, 6, and 7 are views shewing the different stages in the manufacture of
a cork, and will be explained when speaking of the action of the machine.
In the machine which I have shewn the cutter is an endless blade A, say, 1th
of an inch thick, which may be considered an endless band saw deprived of its
teeth; this blade is mounted on two grooved pulleys B, B', which impart a con-
tinuous movement to it. The lower pulley B' is fixed on the driving shaft C, which
is driven by belting or otherwise.
In order to increase the adhesion of the blade we place a band of india-rubber
between it and the pulley. To regulate the tension of the blade I arrange the pulley
B on a support a, capable of sliding on a column b, fixed to the frame of the machine.
The tension is produced as required by a screw operated by a small hand wheel
taking its point of support on the column b.
The tool carrying the piece of cork to be cut is composed of two striated jaws c, c',
mounted respectively on vertical spindles d, d'; the piece of cork is held tightly
between these jaws, as seen in Figure 5. The two spindles d, d, are rotated by the
intermediation of two pulleys D and E, connected together by a belt, and one of
which is mounted on the driving shaft, and the other on an intermediate shaft F;
this shaft carries a bevel wheel c, with sliding clutch gearing with a small pinion f
fixed on the spindle d; this motion is transmitted to the upper spindle by leather
bands or cords passing over grooved pulley g, g². To preserve the direction of the
motion these bands are crossed and guided by four grooved rollers held by supports

page_text: h, h. The sliding clutch above referred to serves to momentarily stop the rotation
of the spindles d, d, because directly the cork is finished these spindles remain
motionless, so as to give the parts time to feed another square or piece of cork
between the jaws. A few words will make the action of this clutch clear; it is
composed of a socket i, fixed on the shaft F by means of a key, so that it can slide
longitudinally on the latter; this socket carries a small can, which meets at the
proper time a small roller j, fixed by an arm to one of the supports of the shaft F. A
coiled spring tends constantly to push the socket against the wheel e, which is
loose on its shaft. It will be understood that the cain meeting the roller j compels the
socket i to quit the wheel 6, and consequently the latter stops at once.
When the cork is finished it is obvious that the two spindles d, d', should separate
to allow it to fall. For this purpose, while the lower spindle & remains fixed, the
upper spindle d' receives a vertical movement, as herein-after described.
On the support h³ is fixed an oscillating leverk, which embraces at one end the
spindle d', which has a square part at its upper end, so as to rise vertically; the
other end of the lever k carries a wire rod q connected to a lever l, which gives it
motion; this lever is fixed on a shaft m, receiving a to-and-fro motion from the
cam n fixed on an intermediate shaft G; this latter is driven by bevel wheels, one
of which is fixed on a vertical shaft H, which itself gets motion from the shaft F by
means of bevel wheels p. The oscillation of the lever gives a pull to the rod q,
and consequently raises the spindle d; this latter is always brought back to its
normal position by the coiled spring I. The square part of the spindle d' is formed
with several holes to allow of regulating the lever k.
It will be seen by Figure 2 that the edge of the blade is placed so as to be able
to cut the material tangentially.
Figure 2 shews a funnel J, by which the pieces of cork are introduced; it forms
a box, and is composed of 4 iron bars, fixed by angle pieces to supports K, K', one
of which, K, serves as a guide to the blade, and the other K¹ as a support to the
spindle d¹.
The pusher L (see Figures 2 and 4) makes the pieces of cork advance between
the jaws c, c; it is actuated by a crank o¹, connected at one end to a plate M fixed
on the shaft H; the other end of the crank o¹ is jointed to a slide formed in a piece
with the pusher L; this slide works between the sides of à table N. The plate M
has a sliding piece to allow of regulating the length of travel of the pusher.
The mechanism for guiding the cork between the jaws c, c', is composed of two
arms,, bent at a right angle and oscillating respectively on axes 8, 8¹; these
latter are connected (see Figure 4) by a double joint to a rigid bar t sliding
horizontally in the pedestals which serve as the supports for the table N. The bart
carries at its end a roller which bears against one of the side faces of the plate M;
this has a projecting part, as seen in Figure 4; a coiled spring makes the roller of
the bar t always bear against the plate. The result is that when the projecting
part comes against the roller the bar t recedes, and causes a slight oscillation to be
given to the two axes 8, 8¹, and consequently the arins r, r², occupy the position
shown in dotted lines. Directly the projecting part frees the roller, the spring
having been compressed, forces the bar t back to its original position. In Figure 4
the two arms 7, 7, are shown in their first position, that is to say, holding and
guiding the piece of cork.
It should be remarked that the table N is at the level of the lower jaw c. As this
table would interfere with the making of the cork, I have a small movable table u,
which during the operation is slightly below the jaw c, so that the cork can turn
freely. Directly the cork is finished, this small table rises to the level of the
table N. The movement of the table u is produced by the cam n, which has already
been mentioned; this can acts on a rod v, which lifts the table. As soon as the
cam n has acted a coiled spring draws back the rod v to its original position. This
movement is produced at the same time as the elevation of the spindle d¹, as both
are worked by the same cam.
The cutting blade should approach the contre of the cork as the cutting proceeds,

page_text: because the pieces of cork being cut square, the blade should at first only remove the
corners of the square, and then advance gradually. With this object I have arranged á
support O capable of oscillating around the point or axis x, and carrying two jaws,
which embrace the blade. The axis x carries a lever y, connected by a wire rod to
a lever P; this lever is jointed at, and carries a roller which bears against one of
the side faces of the plate M; at one part of this face is a slight excentricity,
which causes the lever P to move. By the impulse given to the latter the blade
advances slightly towards the centre of the cork. The travel of the blade is regulated
by the threading of the wire rod. A coiled spring Q always pulls back the roller
against the plate.
In order to make thicker corks it is only necessary to suitably regulate the
position of an abutment R, which comes against the lever y. The two jaws which
embrace the blade carry a guide roller S.
I will now explain the automatic sharpening of the cutting blade. After a few
minutes' work the blade requires grinding or setting, and in order not to be obliged
to perform this operation by hand I have devised special mechanism, which I proceed
to explain.
A horizontal grindstone T is placed on a forked lever U, which, jointed to the
frame of the machine, has a horizontal movement (see Figures 1, 2, and 4). The
grindstone carries a grooved pulley, receiving rotary motion from the pulley X
fixed on an intermediate shaft Y. As the stone should only rotate occasionally, I
have designed the following mode of driving it-The shaft Y carries a pulley Z
driven by friction by the pulley A' covered with leather, this being in its turn
driven by the pulley B' on the driving shaft C. In the position shewn in Figure 1.
the pulley A¹ does not turn, as it is not in contact with the pulley on the driving
shaft. In order to move up or separate the pulley A¹ the shaft Y carries a forked
support C, which embraces the pulley A¹, the contact of which with the pulley Z is
regulated by means of a screw; the transverse shaft D¹ carries a wheel E¹ driven
by an endless screw on the driving shaft; this shaft also carries two cams placed
inversely. The first F¹ moves a lever G¹ by acting on a roller fixed on this lever;
one of its ends is jointed to the frame, and the other carries a fork H', which takes
hold of the support C¹. A coiled spring always tends to draw the pulley A¹
against B¹.
It will be easily understood that when the flat part of the cam F¹ comes opposite
the roller, the lever being disengaged, will be drawn by the coiled spring, and con-
sequently the pulley A¹ will be in contact with B¹. The second cam 1¹ produces
the forward or backward movement of the stone. A lever J₁ also jointed at one of
its ends to the frame, carries a roller which runs on the cam I'; the other end is con-
nected to a chain K, which after passing over a roller L' above (see Figure 1) is
fixed to a forked lever U.
It will be understood that when the flat part of the cam 11 comes against the
roller, the lever J₁ being disengaged, is submitted to the influence of the coiled
spring M³, which constantly draws the lever U towards the blade. When the roller
runs against the round part of the cam the stone is forced away. Thus, when the;
wheel E has made one revolution, the two cams will act on the stone. The time
for sharpening can be regulating by employing a larger or smaller wheel. A small
stone R¹, turning only by contact, removes from the blade any unevenness which the
large stones produces; it is always kept in contact by a small coiled spring.
The putting of the machine into gear is effected by means of a fork N¹, repre-,
sented in Figures 3 and 4; this fork is mounted on a transverse bar O¹ jointed at
one end to a lever P', which itself oscillates on the support Q₁; this lever is provided
with a handle.
The cork is cut into cubical pieces, the side of which is equal to the length of the
corks to be inade; these pieces are introduced by the attendant into the funnel';
the pusher L drives before it the first piece, which is guided by the two arms r, ¹,
and proceeds to the position seen in Figure 5. The upper jaw c¹ descends, and the
spindles d, d', begin to rotate together with the piece of cork. Owing to the

page_text: automatic displacement of the cutting blade, as herein-before explained, the piece of
cork is rounded, and a finished cork is produced, as shewn in Figure 6. In these
two Figures it will be seen that the small table u has always been below the
table N. The cork being thus finished, the jaw c¹ is raised, as well as the movable
table u; the pusher L advances with another piece of cork, which causes the finished
cork to fall, and the operation recommences. The finished cork falls through the
pipe S, and the waste through T.
The speed of the machine is about 60 revolutions a minute.
Figure 8 shews superposed one upon the other the cam n, which gives the up-
and-down movement to the table u, and the plate A with the projecting parts,
which give motion to the pusher, and cause the automatic displacement of the
blade.
And having now described the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim, the improved machine for cutting
corks, constructed, arranged, and working substantially as herein-before described,
the essential features of such machine being,
1. The use of a flexible cutter formed of an endless or reciprocating blade, as
described.
2. The automatic displacement of the piece of cork previously cut into a cube,
and the automatic advance of this cube between two jaws fixed to spindles, which
are rotated so as to effect the cutting of the cork by the blade, as described.
3. The automatic variation of the blade as the cutting of the cork proceeds, as
described.
4. The automatic mode by which the sharpening of the blade is effected, as
described.
5. The general arrangement of the machine, as herein-before described and repre-
sented in the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Arthur Robert, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Nineteenth day of September, One thousand eight hundred and
seventy-seven
Seventy-seven
Witness,
JULES ARMENGAUD JEUNE,
Of Paris, No. 23, Boulevard de Strasbourg,
Civil Engineer.
A. ROBERT (L.S.)