CUTTING CHEESE
Year: 1886

page_text: I, ADAM WILSON, of 70 High Street, Dysart, in the County of Fife, Grocer and
Provision Merchant do hereby declare the nature of my invention for CUTTING
CHEESE and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The object of my invention is the cutting of large or small cheese, or pieces
thereof, by means of wire, in an effective manner, with the following simple
arrangements.
There is a slit or saw-draught, 18 inches long made in the top of the cheese
counter. Across the near end of this saw-draught, there is fixed a wooden rest
10 inches long at the base, 6 inches high, and 21 inches thick; in such a position
that the saw draught is exactly in the middle of it.
In the middle of the bottom part of the rest, there is a space cut out to admit
a grooved wheel, 3 inches in diameter and inch thick.
The axle on which the wheel revolves is fixed to the back of the rest, con-.
sequently the wheel is half out and half inside the rest.
There are three small holes in the wheel, about 4 inch from the centre, and the
groove is filled with the wire to cut the cheese.
The rest being 2 inches thick and the wheel 3 inches in diameter, there is a
vacancy of one inch between the front of the rest and the wheel, which vacancy
(to the depth of inch) is continued to the top of the rest.
There is a brass guide screwed on to the back of the rest, and extends 6 inches
above it, in a direct line with the saw-draught in the counter top.
On the under side of the counter top, at the furthur end of the saw-draught,
there is fixed a small brass pulley A, over which is led a piece of india-rubber
12 inches long, which is attached to a ring (fixed a little to either side of the saw-
draught) as far forward in the direction of the rest as it will admit without being
stretched. To the other end after being led over pulley A, there is attached a small
grooved wheel inch diameter, with a inch wheel at each side of it, all on one
axle as shewn B.
The wire is now unwound from the grooved wheel in the rest, and led through
the saw-draught; over the wheel B; up through the saw-draught, and attached to
a wooden handle; which is then placed in the guide. When this is accomplished,

page_text: there is a pin inserted into one of the three holes in the grooved wheel, which
coming against the back of the rest, keeps the wheel from turning.
When there is a large cheese to be cut, the handle is taken out of the guide;
the cheese laid across the saw-draught; the pin taken out of the hole in the wheel,
and the handle drawn, which causes the wheel to revolve and thus lengthen the
wire.
When there is sufficient wire unwound to allow it to be led over the cheese and
the handle to be placed in the guide, the pin is inserted into one of the holes, and
the handle being drawn, causes the wire to cut the cheese; and as the guide, saw-
draught, and wheel, are all in one line the cheese is cut perfectly straight.
When it is a small cheese or a small piece of cheese to be cut; a long wire being
unsuitable; the pin is taken out of the wheel, and the wire wound up till the
required length is obtained. As there are 3 holes in the wheel, and one turn of
the wheel represents fully 9 inches of wire, it can be lengthened or shortened in
3 inch lengths, so that it is suitable for cutting all sizes of cheese.
When the handle is drawn in order to cut the cheese, the wire being led over
the wheel B. causes it to come forward, which it does by running along the under
side of the counter top by means of the two outside wheels, while the strain of
the wire on the centre wheel, causes it to turn the opposite way; and the cheese
being against the front of the rest, the wire goes completely through it, and into
the vacancy in the middle of the rest.
When the cheese is cut and the handle liberated; the wheel B. being attached
to the india rubber led over the pulley A, instantly springs back to its former
position, and the wire being led over the wheel B. is taken back along with it.
The machine is thus again in a position for immediate use. When it is preferred
not to have the saw-draught in the counter top, the before described apparatus
can be fitted into a small case 11 inches deep, for placing on the top of the cheese
counter.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, what I claim is
The construction of Cheese Cutters having rest; with wheel inserted for the
lengthening or shortening of the wire to suit all sizes of cheese, and guide for
insuring the cheese being cut perfectly straight, as shewn on the accompanying
drawing and as hereinbefore described.