IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CUTTING CORK
Year: 1858

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Frederick Robinson, of Halifax, in the County
of York, Cork Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR CUTTING CORK."
Sealed the 30th September 1858, and dated the 1st April 1858.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Frederick
Robinson at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 1st April 1858.
I, THOMAS FREDERICK ROBINSON, of Halifax, in the County of York, Cork
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "Iм-
PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CUTTING CORK," to be as follows:-
The improvements have for their object adaptations by which the cutting of
cork is facilitated. For this purpose I employ a circular knife (which separately
is not new) affixed to an axis, to which rotary motion is given in any suitable
manner, and this axis is operated by screw thread, or other suitable means, in
such manner that during the operation of cutting a piece of cork into a cylin-
drical, conical, or other form, the knife carried thereby may progressively cut
from the outer surface gradually to the depth desired, thereby paring off the
outer surface from a larger to any desired smaller diameter, and by which also
the knife may be adapted to the cutting of cylinders or cones, or such like
forms of various diameters.
In the cutting of cylinders or cones, the "quarters" cut to form are held
between suitable holders or spindles, by which simply rotary motion is given
them, and I give the rotary motion to the holders or spindles at each end of

page_text: the cork; or the progressive cutting from the outer surface to the depth desired
during the action upon the cork may be effected by a similar motion to the
means for holding the cork so as progressively to carry the cork to the knife, in
place of the knife to the cork. Such progressive motion to carry the knife to
the cork or the cork to the knife may also be adapted when other than rotary
cutters are employed; the same result may also be attained by the cutter and
cork mutually moving towards each other whilst the cork is being cut. The
holders of the cork may also be placed upon a revolving or rotary apparatus or
circular carrier, and such holding means or apparatus in such case may also be
moved to or from the cutter during the progressive process of cutting the cork,
and yet be capable of being stationary whilst rotation is given to the parts
holding the cork to be cut.
In order to cut in lengths or strips, as also in "quarters" or squares, I
employ a rotary knife, the axis of which is carried by a travelling frame, by
which the knife whilst rotating is caused to travel past and cut through the cork,
and in order that the successive pieces as cut may be of like size, suitable
guides are used capable of adjustment, as required for different sizes.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Thomas Frederick Robinson in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 1st October 1858.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, J, THOMAS
FREDERICK ROBINSON, of Halifax, in the County of York, Cork Manufacturer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the First day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, in the twenty-first year of Her reign
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Thomas Frederick Robinson, Her special licence that I, the said Thomas
Frederick Robinson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said Thomas Frederick Robinson, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and
at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CUTTING CORK," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Thomas Frederick Robinson, my executors or admini-

page_text: strators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands
and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the
same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months
next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Thomas Frederick Robinson, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascortained in and by the
following statement thereof, that is to say:-
The improvements have for their object adaptations by which the cutting
of cork is facilitated. For this purpose I employ a circular knife (which
separately is not new) affixed to an axis to which rotary motion is given in
any suitable manner; and this axis is operated by screw thread or other
suitable means, in such manner, that during the operation of cutting a piece
of cork into a cylindrical, conical, or other form, the knife carried thereby
may progressively cut from the outer surface gradually to the depth desired,
thereby paring off the outer surface from a larger to any desired smaller
diameter, and by which also the knife may be adapted to the cutting of
cylinders, or cones, or such like forms of various diameters.
In the cutting of cylinders or cones, the "quarters" cut to form are held
between suitable holders or spindles, by which simply rotary motion is given
them, and I give the rotary motion to the holders or spindles at each end of
the cork; or the progressive cutting from the outer surface to the depth
desired during the action upon the cork may be effected by a similar motion
to the means for holding the cork, so as progressively to carry the cork to the
knife, in place of the knife to the cork. Such progressive motion to carry the
knife to the cork, or the cork to the knife, may also be adapted when other
than rotary cutters are employed, the same result may also be attained by the
.cutter and cork mutually moving towards each other whilst the cork is being
cut. The holders of the cork may also be placed upon a revolving or rotary
apparatus or circular carrier, and such holding means or apparatus in such
case may also be moved to or from the cutter during the progressive process
of cutting the cork, and yet be capable of being stationary whilst rotation is
given to the parts holding the cork to be cut.
In order to cut in lengths or strips as also in "quarters" or squares, I
employ a rotary knife the axis of which is carried by a travelling frame, by
which the knife whilst rotating is caused to travel past, and cut through the
cork; and in order that the successive pieces as cut may be of like size,
suitable guides are used capable of adjustment, as required for different sizes.

page_text: +
the Drawings auutat
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 shows a front view, Figure 2 a section, and Figure 3 an end view
of apparatus arranged to cut cork into a cylindrical figure. a, a, is the main
framing; b, the main axis, which receives motion by a strap or band from a
steam engine or other power, acting upon the drum or pulley ', affixed upon
that axis b; 62 is a loose pulley as is well understood; the axis b is supported
by, and so as to be capable of freely rotating in bearings carried by the
framing a, and it has affixed upon it a pinion 6, the teeth of which take into
the teeth of the wheel c affixel upon the axis c¹, to give motion thereto, and
upon this axis c¹ is also affixed the bevilled pinion c² which takes into and
gives motion to the bevilled pinion d, affixed upon the hollow axis or boss d',
which is supported by, yet so as to be capable of turning freely in the bearing
a carried by the main framing. Through this hollow axis d' passes the axis
e of the circular cutting knife e, and this axis is formed with a groove e², into
which passes a corresponding rib formed in the hollow axis d', by which,
whilst the axis e may slide vertically or in the direction of its length in the
hollow axis d', it is controlled to rotate with the hollow axis d', as that hollow
axis has rotary motion given to it. f is one of a series of pieces of cork
held in position whilst having rotary motion given to it, as hereafter explained,
in order to the cutter e progressively cutting from the outer surface of each
cork to the depth desired.
This progressive movement of the knife is, according to the arrangement
here shown, obtained in the following manner:-Upon the axis b is affixed,
the toothed wheel g, the teeth of which take into the teeth of the wheel g',
affixed upon the axis g², upon which is also affixed the bevilled pinion g³ which
takes into and gives motion to the bevilled pinion g', affixed upon the axis g",
upon the upper end of which is affixed the toothed wheel g', the teeth of which
take into the teeth of a wheel 98, affixed upon the boss or collar g'; and this
boss or collar is formed externally with a neck, which is held with a capability
of its freely revolving within the bearing a², carried by the main framing,
whilst internally it is formed with a thread or worm which takes into the
corresponding thread cut on the tube go which embraces the upper end of the
axis e between the shoulder e and the nuts e. The collar g¹0 is formed with
a groove 11 to receive a feather as projecting from the bearing a², to prevent
that collar from turning as raised and lowered by the screw 9°, by which, whilst

page_text: rotary motion will, by the means before explained, be given to the axis e, and
consequently to the cutter el; a descending motion or a motion in a direction
towards the corks will be given to the axis e, and consequently to the cutter
el by the rotation of the collar g, as given to it by the pinion g'.
After the axis has had endway motion given to it to the extent desired
for the cutting of a cork, the direction of such motion is reversed by the attend-
ant in the following manner:-Upon the axis g is affixed another bevelled
pinion 9, which, when brought into gear with the pinion g, causes the axis
93, and consequently the screw 9, to rotate in the reverse direction to cause
the axis e to move in the opposite direction; and movement in either direction
to the axis is obtained by the workman or attendant acting upon the lever
handle h, which turns upon an axis h, and at its other end is formed with a
fork to embrace the neck h² formed on the axis . I also find an advantage
in forming the pinion g, larger than the pinion g', as thereby I am enabled
to obtain a quicker back motion to the knife when it is not in operation for
cutting corks. The machine as shown is capable of holding ten pieces of cork
f to be cut into a cylindrical or conical figure; they are supported at distances
apart upon a cylindrical frame, each being held between two holders i, i, and
these holders i are supported in bearings ¹ carried by the frame j, and have
simultaneous rotary motion given to them when brought into contact with the
knife e', as I will now explain.
Upon the axis b is also affixed the drum or pulley k, which by means of
the strap or band ' gives motion to the drum or pulley affixed upon the
axis k, which turns in suitable bearings carried by the main framing, and bas
affixed upon it a toothed wheel ', which takes into a toothed wheel ³, affixed
upon the axis, upon which is also affixed an excentric k7, the rod k of
which is formed into a hooked end 9, to act as a clawker to take into the
notches 10 in the periphery of the wheel ", so as to move that wheel partly
round a distance equal to that between one notch and the next. The wheel
is affixed upon the axis 2, which turns in suitable bearings carried by the
main framing, and has affixed upon it the cylindrical frame j. During tho
cutting of each cork f, the rod rests upon the end of the rod k¹³, which is
kept raised to prevent the hooked end 9 of the rod from taking into the
notches 10 in the wheel , by the spring ¹s acting upon to force back the
lever handle 7, which is affixed upon the axis ko, upon which is also affixed
the lever 1, the forked end of which embraces the neck ", formed on the
rod to raise that rods, but upon the completion of each cork f, the
attendant pulls forward the handle ", and thereby allows the hooked end 9
of the rod to take into one of the notches 10 in the wheel k" to bring into

page_text: position a fresh piece of cork to be cut by the cutter e¹. Upon the axis ³ is
also affixed a pinion 7, which by means of the intermediate wheel gives
continuous rotary motion to the wheel, the teeth of which are in position to
actuate the gear of each cork in succession, as it is brought under the operation
of the cutter e¹; there being affixed upon each holder i a worm wheel
which is taken into by a screw wheel ³, and these screw wheels are each
affixed upon an axis &, upon which are also affixed bevilled pinions 2", and the
two of these pinions in connexion with each pair of holders i are operated
by the two bevelled pinions upon their axis i', upon which is also aflixed a
pinion, the teeth of which take into the teeth of the wheel, as they come
into the position for the cork held by the holders i to be cut. The axis of
one of the holders i for each cork is capable of sliding in its bearing, and is
acted upon to keep it against its cork by a spring 9, whilst for the admission
of a fresh cork it is drawn back by the workman acting upon the small lever
handle 10, and when a cork has been cut and it is desired to release it from
its holders in the revolution of the frame j, a cone 11 comes against the fixed
projection K, and then by that holder i being drawn back, the cork will fall
out.
In order to stop the traverse of the axis e beyond that required in either
direction, there are applied to the frame of the knife e¹ projections n, n'. The
projections n in the descending traverse of the axis e, are capable of acting
upon the arm n², projecting from the axis n³, from which projects another
arm n', which when either of the stops n acts upon the arm 12° pushes the
lever handle h out of the notch n³ in the plate nº, and the springs o, o, then
move that lever handle so as to release both the wheels g' and go from both
pinions g and g₁. And when in the ascending traverse of the axis e either of
the projections n' comes against the arm n affixed to the axis n, the lever
handle h will in like manner be pushed out of the notch n° in the plate nº, to
be taken into a central position by the springs o, 0. The lever handle is
placed in one or the other of the notches no, no, for the respective traverses by
the attendant.
In some cases I apply a length of cork between each pair of holders i
adapted to produce two corks as indicated by Figure 4. The length of cork
so formed will be cut into two by cutting across as indicated by the line 1, 1.
Sometimes in place of causing the knife to traverse towards the cork during
the cutting, I cause the cork to have a motion towards the cutter.
Figure 5 shows parts according to this adaptation, e being part of a circular
knife, rotary motion to the axis of which is given in manner such as already
described, or by other suitable means, and the other parts which are similar
to those already described are marked with the same letters of reference; but

page_text: in this ense the standards supporting the holders i are capable of being raised
or lowered by the screw p which passes through a nut p', and has affixed
upon it the bevilled pinion på, the teeth of which are taken into by the teeth
of the pinion paffixed to the axis p, upon which is affixed the handle p", to
be operated by the attendant. In some cases I employ the means of giving
motion to the cork towards the knife in combination with a traverse motion
to the knife.
Figure 6 shows a side view; Figure 7, an end view; and Figure 8, a plan of
apparatus according to my improvements, adapted to the cutting of cork in
lengths as also in quarters or squares. a, a, is the framing of the machine;
b represents a piece of cork in position to be cut; ca rotary disc knife affixed
to an axis c', supported in the frame d in such manner that the knife may, in
addition to a rotary motion with its axis, have a progressive motion to cut through
the cork and back again. Rotary motion is given to the knife by means of a
strap or band e, from a steam engine or other suitable power acting upon the
drum or pulley c², affixed on the axis c¹; c³ is a loose pulley as is well under-
stood. The progressive motion to and fro is given to the frame d by means
of the screw f, which is formed with necks by which it may simply rotate in
bearings a', a', of the frame a, whilst it is embraced by a nut with a female
screw formed therein affixed to the frame d, by which in the rotation of the
screw motion will be given to the frame d in one or the other direction,
according to the direction of motion imparted to the screw f, and these varia-
tions in the direction of motion 1 obtain in the following manner:-g is a
strap or band from a steam engine or other power which is capable of being
shifted to either of the pullies h, i, or j; h is a loose pulley. The pulley i is
affixed upon the hollow axis i, upon which is affixed the pinion 2, the teeth
of which take into the teeth of the toothed wheel f' affixed upon the axis of
the screw f, to give motion thereto in one direction. The pulley j is affixed
upon the axis, which passes through the axis i, and has affixed upon it the
pinion which by means of the intermediate wheel gives motion to the
toothed wheel f, also affixed upon the screw f, to give motion thereto
in the opposite direction. is a projection carried by the frame d, and in
position to act upon the adjustable stops 1, 1, upon the slide, which by its
fork effects the shifting of the strap from one to the other of the pullies į or j.
There is also a stud projecting from the slide capable of being acted upon
by the wedge-formed piece m upon the spring m³, to assist the fork in carrying
the strap over the loose pulley h. n, n', and o, o, are stops or guides against
which to rest the edge of the cork and adjust the length to be cut off, and
either of them is capable of being raised into position by the workman as ho
.

page_text: sees the cork to be best suited to one or the other length. The surfaces n, n',
are formed on the same bar, and either is brought into position by the foot of
the attendant acting upon the treddle n formed on the lever n³, which turns
upon an axis of motion n', and at its other end is by a link n³ connected to
the end of the bar having the surfaces n, n¹; and this bar with its surfaces
n, n', is caused to rise or fall the distance desired in parallel lines by means of
the links n, one end of each of which is connected by pin joint to the bar n,
whilst the other end of each is by like pin joints connected to projections from
the frame a; the surfaces o, o', are similarly operated by the treddle o³.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the means
which I adopt in carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood,
that I do not confine myself to the precise details shown and described, as
these may be varied; but what I do claim is the adaptation and combination
of mechanical parts, and the method of operating them substantially as
explained in respect of Figures 1, 2, 3, & 5.
Also I claim the adaptation and combination of mechanical parts and
method of operating them substantially as explained in respect of Figures
6, 7, & 8.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Frederick Robinson, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-ninth day of September, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight.
Witness,
THOMAS FREDERICK ROBINSON. .(LS.)
WH ROBINSON,
Halifax.