IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CUTTING SEED POTATOES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Meek, of Great Lumley, in the County of
Durham, Innkeeper and Blacksmith, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS FOR CUTTING SEED POTATOES."
Sealed the 23rd November 1877, and dated the 11th June 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Meek at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th June 1877.
WILLIAM MEEK, of Great Lumley, in the County of Durham, Innkeeper and
Blacksmith. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CUTTING SEED POTATOES."
The object of the Invention is to facilitate the cutting of seed potatoes in parts
for the separation of the "sets."
The apparatus is formed of two main parts connected together by a hinge joint.
One of these parts is formed with holes through it of various sizes adapted to variety
in the sizes of the potatoes to be cut, and each hole is furnished with radial knives,
or a knife or knives placed in position adapted to the cutting desired, and in
number corresponding with the size of the potatoes or number of divisions to be
effected. The other main part is formed with a handle or other connection to
facilitate operating with it, and with projections adapted to press the potatoes
through the holes, and past the knives in the other part.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Meek in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 8th December
1877.
WILLIAM MEEK, of Great Lumley, in the County of Durham, Innkeeper and
Blacksmith. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CUTTING SEED POTATOES.'
The object of the Invention is to facilitate the cutting of seed potatoes in parts
for the separation of the "sets."
The apparatus is formed of two main parts connected together by a hinge joint.
One of these parts is formed with holes through it of various sizes adapted to variety
in the sizes of the potatoes to be cut, and each hole is furnished with radial knives,
or a knife or knives placed in position adapted to the cutting desired, and in
number corresponding with the size of the potatoes or number of divisions to be
effected. The other main part is formed with a handle or other connection to
facilitate operating with it, and with projections adapted to press the potatoes
through the holes, and past the knives in the other part.
But that the Invention may be the better understood, I will by the aid of the
accompanying Drawings proceed to describo means pursued by me in carrying the
same into effect.
Figure 1 shows by sectional side view, and Figure 2, a perspective view of appa-
ratus arranged according to my Invention; Figures 3ª, 3b, 40, 4b, and 40 show parts
thereof separately.
Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8 show by diagrams illustrations of the use of the Invention,
In each of these Figures the same letters are used to indicate corresponding
'parts.
-
a is the fixed or stationary part, supported on legs a². To this part a is connected
by hinge joints b' the part b, which by the handle b is capable of being raised at
one end whilst held by the hinges at the other. The part a is formed with
holes c, c, c, c, through it to receive the potatoes to be operated upon. These holes
may vary in number to the size of the apparatus, and the holes may vary in
size to the size of the potatoes to be operated upon, or other circumstances. Each
bole is furnished with radial knives, with their edges or cutting surfaces standing
upwards, as indicated by the radial lines d, d. The upper surface of each of the
holes c is surrounded by a bell-mouthed wall or projection at the better to. aid in
keeping the potatoes in position on the knives, or to prevent their being pushed off
them. The part b is formed with projections e, e, in positions corresponding with
the holes c, c, in the part a, and with recesses e¹ therein to admit of these
projections e passing down between the cutters to ensure the separation of the parts
of the potatoes. Figures 3 and 3b show a sectional view and an upper side view
of the part a, and Figures 4, 4b, and 40 represent a sectional view, an upper side
view, and an under side view of the part b.
As already stated the number and the size of the holes c, together with the
number of cutters to cach, will vary with the size of potatoes to be operated upon,.
or the number of divisions to be effected, and other circumstances. Thus, the four
diagrams, Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8 represent the same series of holes and their cutters,.
but with different arrangements or sizes of potatoes in the position for being
operated upon. In each case the potatoes under operation are represented by the
irregular lines f, whilst the eyes or sets are represented by the dots g thereon. Thus
in the diagram Figure 5 it will be seen that the size and position of the respective
potatoes are such that fourteen sets or eyes will be separated by one operation
in depressing the part b on the respective potatoes so as to force them past the
knives d.

page_text: In the diagram, Figure 6, it is supposed that there are none of the potatoes
under operation of a size suitable to fill the larger hole, and in that case two
of the radial knives of that hole may be employed to divide two small potatoes
as indicated, and then thirteen sets or eyes in the series will be obtained.
In a corresponding way may other variations be made, of which Figures 7 and 8
are simply illustrations.
Having thus described my Invention and means which I adopt in carrying the
same into effect, I would have it understood that I do not confine myself to the
precise arrangements of parts as shown and described, as the same may be varied
without departing from the peculiar character of my Invention, but what I do claim
is the arranging or combining apparatus for cutting seed potatoes, substantially as
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Meek, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Third day of December, in the year of our Lord One thousand
.
11 Landind and seventy-seven.
WILLIAM MEEK. (L.S.)