IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CUTTING PAPER
Year: 1881

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edmund Edwards at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd November 1881.. A communi-
cation from abroad by Henri Gamichon, of Paris, in the Republic of France.
EDMUND EDWARDS, of the Firm of Edwards and Co., Patent Agents and
Engineers, of 40, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CUTTING
PAPER." [A communication from abroad by Henri Gamichon, of Paris, in the
Republic of France.]
This Invention has for its objects improved methods of constructing and
arranging machinery or apparatus to be used for cutting into pieces of any desired
lengths continuous rolls of paper.
The machine constructed according to this Invention consists of two vertical end
frames of iron, wood, or other suitable material, held together at any desired
distance apart by a sufficient number of transverse stays.
At a convenient height is arranged a transverse axis turning in bearings in the
frames, and having fixed upon its ends two horizontal levers, one of which is
provided with a handle.
To these levers are jointed the lower ends of two vertical connecting links,
the upper ends of which are jointed to the ends of a transverse moveable plate or
bar guided by vertical rods or guides, and carrying a horizontal toothed cutting
knife and also two pinching bars, one in front of and one behind the toothed
cutting knife, to which they are parallel.
These pinching bars are carried by vertical guides, the upper ends of which are
pressed down by a spring or springs attached to the transverse plate or bar, and
the pinching bars, which are preferably curved in transverse section, fit when forced
down upon two corresponding transverse rods or bars attached to the frames of the
machine. Between the two last described rods or bars are also arranged two
transverse bars attached to the frames of the machine, and between which the
transverse toothed cutting knife passes and is guided in its descent.
The levers upon the transverse axis first described or the said axis itself have
also fixed or formed upon them arms projecting backward to which are attached
spiral springs, the lower ends of which are attached to the frames so that the
cutting knife and pinching bars are always raised until depressed by the handle.

page_text: In the upper part of the back of the frames are also formed or attached a
sufficient number of bearings in which is supported and revolves a bar which
carries the roll of paper to be cut into pieces, and upon this bar are fitted two
moveable cones, the points of which enter the opening in the middle of the roll so
as to centre it truly upon the bar, the cones being fixed by screws when adjusted.
At one end of the bar is fixed a handle by which it, together with the roll of
paper, can be turned when desired for the purpose of feeding the paper forward
under the cutting knife; and in order that the paper may be guided forward in its
proper position a thin curved plate is arranged between the frames, its upper edge
being pressed lightly up against the lower side of the roll of paper by one or more
spiral springs by means of levers connected to the lower edge of the curved
plate, and turning in centres formed upon or attached to the frames of the
machines.
A moveable and adjustable graduated stop is so arranged in front of the machine
that it can be drawn out and fixed in a position corresponding to the length of the
sheets into which the roll of paper is to be cut.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-The roll of paper being properly
centred and supported in its bearings the handle upon its axis is turned and the
paper unrolled until a sufficient length is passed under the cutting knife, being
guided by the curved plate until it meets the stop which has been adjusted in the
desired position. The handle upon the transverse axis is then brought down and
the transverse moveable plate or bar descends until the pinching bars hold the
paper firmly down upon the corresponding transverse bars beneath them. The
toothed cutting knife continues to descend between the bars which guide it, the
spring or springs allowing the pinching bars to remain in their position, holding
the paper with increasing pressure as the knife descends, and the paper is cut
through in the proper place. The handle is then raised and the knife and pinching
bars ascend, when the cut paper may be removed and a fresh length unrolled, the
process being repeated as often as desired.
The machine may be driven by hand, steam, or other suitable power. It works
very rapidly and more quickly than machines for the same purposo as ordinarily
heretofore constructed and used, and with no waste of the paper by tearing or
otherwise, and little wear and tear of the parts of the machine, whilst it is simple,
cheap, and easily worked, and is suitable for cutting paper of any size or shape.