Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 18th June, 1887
Complete Left, 18th Apr., 1888
Complete Accepted, 18th May, 1888
vegetables.
We, THOMAS BLETCHER, of 58 Treherne Road Brixton in the County of Surrey,
Engineer and ERNEST EDWARD STREAT, of 118 Wood Street, Cheapside, in the City
of London, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of our said invention to be as
follows:-
The object of our invention is to manufacture an improved description of apparatus
for paring scraping and coring fruit and vegetables.
Our invention consists of a frame fitted with a horizontal shaft, carrying at one end
a bevel pinion, and at the other end a toothed wheel. This shaft is driven by a bevel
wheel, mounted on the frame, the bevel driving wheel being in gear with the bevel
pinion. The bevel driving wheel is fitted to a short axle, which is turned by a suitable
handle, or other means. The axle of the bevel driving wheel is fitted with a three-
prong carrier upon which the potato, or other article to be operated upon, is placed.
The toothed wheel at the other end of the horizontal shaft drives a pinion fitted to a short
axle. This axle carries a sleeve in which a ball bearing or other equivalent device for
forming what is known as an universal joint, is fitted. This joint actuates a rotating
cutter shaft, mounted on a movable arm, the shaft carrying a cutter at its outer end.
This arm and cutter axle is made to vary its position both vertically and horizontally,
the cutter being made to accommodate its position to the diameter and other dimensions
of the articles under operation. This cutter consists of a disc having curved teeth or
a milled edge, or other suitable cutting or scraping edge, for separating more or less
of the skin, peel, or other external covering of the fruit or vegetable rotating upon the
prongs, and in contact therewith.
We do not confine ourselves to the use of a rotary cutter. In some cases we
disconnect the small pinion on the short shaft and lock the short shaft by a thumb
screw or other suitable device, and then, removing the rotary cutter, we fix in its place
a small knife which travels over the surface of the fruit without revolving.
The main shaft is fitted with a worm, which works in a worm-wheel fitted
transversely thereto. This worn-wheel actuates a shaft which carries another worm

page_text: working in and actuating a curved rack.
This curved rack controls the cutter,
as to its horizontal position; while a suitable spring controls the cutter as to its
vertical height.
A coiled spring is fitted to the movable arm, carrying the rotating cutter
shaft; which spring presses the moveable arm towards the main shaft and bevel
gear.
One end of the main shaft is fitted with an auxiliary rotating cutter, for clearing off
anything that may have escaped the action of the main operative cutter; and one end
of the universal joint axle is fitted with a small rotating cutter for removing the eyes
from potatoes, and apples and similar objects and operations.
The driving axle is made tubular, and a rod passes through the same, having a disc
at each end. The inner disc is pushed toward the driving wheel when an apple or
other article is placed on the fork. When the article has been pared or scraped the
outer disc is pressed inwards with the finger, and the inner disc immediately
throws the article off the fork, without the necessity of touching the same with the
fingers.
A curved guide is provided, to guide the cutter shaft, and prevent it from coming
in contact with the fork which carries the article to be pared.
The operation is as follows:-The most suitable cutter or scraper is fitted upon the
cutter axle. The cutter is placed at its starting point near the driving wheel. The
article to be pared or scraped is then placed on the fork. The handle is then rotated;
whereupon the cutter travels over the surface of the article, cutting to any depth
required, as regulated by the aforesaid vertically acting spring. The cutter axle is
carried outwards by the action of the worms and racks; and when it has reached the
outer end of the article under operation, it rises, and is thereby automatically released
from the worm, by the lifting of a stop provided for the purpose, and immediately
returns to its initial position, ready for the next operation.
The case or box in which the apparatus is mounted, is made to open and close, for
portability, and is also made, so that, when open and being used the debris is retained
therein, and prevented from scattering about, and the pared articles are also retained
therein, ready for removal.
It is obvious that various modifications may be made in the details of our invention;
and that it may be used to entirely reduce any article to a state of pulp, if desired
after having removed the peel. It may also be used in scarifying or scraping oranges
or other fruit for making marmalade.

page_text: and Vegetables.
We, THOMAS BLETCHER, of 58 Treherne Road, Brixton, in the County of Surrey,
Engineer, and ERNEST EDWARD STREAT, of 118 Wood Street, Cheapside, in the City
of London, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of our said invention and
in what manner the same is to he performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The object of our invention is to manufacture an improved description of apparatus
for paring, scraping, and coring fruit and vegetables.
And in order that our said invention may be particularly described and ascertained,
reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings, in which similar letters of
reference indicate corresponding parts.
Figs. 1, 7 and 10 are elevations, and Figs. 2, 8 and 11, are plan views, shewing
slight modifications in detail, and the remainder of the Figures are explanatory of
details.
Referring to Figs. 1 to 6, a is the frame, b is the horizontal shaft, working in
bearings a c is a bevel pinion fitted to the shaft b, which is driven by the bevel
wheel d. The bevel wheel is fitted to a tubular axle e, mounted in bearings ff. The
axle e is fitted with a handle g, whereby it is actuated. h is a toothed wheel fitted to
the shaft b, gearing into the toothed wheel i fitted to a short axle, mounted in the
bearing a². The axle driven by the wheel i carries a short sleeve k. is the cutter
axle or shaft, united to and driven by k, the joint being what is known as a cup and
ball joint. The cutter shaft is fitted with various kinds of cutters, m being one kind
of cutter made use of. A front view of this form of cutter is shewn in Fig. 4.
The cutter bar is guided in the vertical slotted guide n, in which it can rise and
fall. The guide n is carried by a vibrating arm o, pivotted to the pin p. The arm o
is fitted with a bracket o', also pivotted to the pin p. The spring o², surrounding the
pin p, constantly presses the arm o towards the shaft a, and the spring o³, bolted to
the arm o at o, constantly presses the cutter shaft towards the upper part of the
slotted guide n.
The bracket o¹ carries another bracket ³ hinged at r¹. This bracket is fitted so as
to act in combination with the toothed rack 2 carried by the arm r, pivotted to the arm oº,
formed in one with the arm o. The bracket 3 is formed with a horizontal hook
under which the cutter shaft is engaged, and whereby it is held down, while in
operation.
s is a curved guide bolted to the frame, under the bearing a¹. The vertical and
horizontal positions of this guide are shewn in Figs. 1 and 2, and a separate view of
the same is shewn in Fig. 6. This guide s prevents the cutter m coming in contact
with the fork u. t is a push button attached to a spindle t¹, which passes through the

page_text: tubular axle e; a button 2 is fitted to the other end of the spindle t u is a three-
pronged carrier for carrying the article to be pared, and the spindle t' is used to push
it off the carrier after the paring is finished. vis an auxiliary rotary cutter fitted to
the end of the shaft b, which is used for cleaning off any thing that may have escaped
the action of the cutter m.
A face view of the cutter v is shewn in Fig. 5. v v₁ are open spaces in the disc v,
and are sharp cutting edges. w is a small rotary cutter, fitted to the axle of the
wheel i, for removing the eyes and cores from potatoes and apples, and similar objects
and operations.
The shaft is fitted with a worm 1, which gears into a worm wheel x, the axle
of which is fitted with another worm y, which gears into the toothed sector or
rack 2.
-
The operation of paring, scraping, or reducing fruit or vegetables, is as follows:-
The most suitable cutter or scraper is fitted to the end of the cutter shaft. The
cutter is placed at its starting point, near the driving wheel. The article to be
pared, scraped, or reduced, is then placed on the carrier u, the cutter m being
pressed down and inwards towards the wheel d. The pressure of the spring o
keeps the cutter m in contact with the article, and, as the handle g is rotated the
cutter travels all over the surface of the article, cutting away the peel. The worm b¹,
worm wheel x, worm y, and rack, together operate so as to carry the cutter shaft i
and cutter m, outwards, away from the wheel d. When the cutter arrives at the
outer part of the article under operation (such as an apple) it suddenly rises by
means of the spring o³ and lifts the arm 3 and rack from the operation of the
worm y. The spring of then returns the arm o with the cutter m to its original
position ready for the next operation.
The fruit or other article is removed from the carrier by pressing inwards the
spindlet and disc t².
Fig. 3 is a transverse elevation of Figs. 1 and 2, partly in section, which will
be readily understood from the drawing and letters of reference.
In the modification shewn in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, the handle is substituted for
the arms and (shewn in Figs. 1, 2 and 3). The rack 2 is lifted out of gear
by hand, by simply lifting the handle, fitted to the rack 2; and, by means of
the same handle, the arm o and carrier m are returned to their original position,
for a fresh operation.
Fig. 9 is a transverse elevation, partly in section, of Figs. 7 and 8.
In the modification shewn in Figs. 10, 11 and 12, the apparatus is shewn still
further simplified. The worm and rack gears are dispensed with, and the control
of the arm and cutter m is effected by means of the handle, pivotted to the
frame a at, and carrying the curved slotted lever 8, operating the arm o by
means of the pin o° fitted to the arm o'.
Fig. 12 is a transverse elevation of Figs. 10 and 11, partly in section.
The case or box, in which the apparatus is mounted, is usually made to open
and close, for portability, and is also made so that, when open and being used,
the debris is retained therein, and prevented from scattering about, and the pared
articles are also retained therein ready for removal.
It is obvious that various modifications may be made in the details of our
invention, and that the apparatus may be used to entirely reduce any article to
shreds, or to a state of pulp, if desired, after having removed the peel. The
invention may also be used in scarifying or scraping oranges or other fruit for
making marmalade.
We do not confine ourselves to the use of any particular form of cutter m, as
the same may be very much varied.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The method of and means and appliances for paring, scraping and coring

page_text: fruit and vegetables, substantially as herein before described and shewn on the
drawings.
2. In apparatus for paring, scraping and coring fruit and vegetables, the appli-
cation and use of the adjustable revolving cutter shaft l, fitted with any suitable
cutter, scraper, or other suitable tool, mounted arranged and operating substantially
as herein before described and shewn on the drawings.
3. The general construction, combination, and arrangements of the several and
respective parts, together constituting our invention of an improved apparatus for
paring, scraping, and coring fruit and vegetables, substantially as herein before
described and shewn on the drawings.
GEO. DOWNING,
Agent for Applicants.