CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR CUTTING CORKS AND BUNGS
Year: 1830

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
HOLMES BASS, of Hatton Garden, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman,
send greeting.
WHEREAS His late Majesty King George the Fourth, did by His Letter's
Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at Westminster,
the Third day of June, in the eleventh year of His reign, give and grant unto
me, the said John Holines Bass, His especial licence, that I, the said John
Holmes Bass, my executors, administrators, and assigns, and such others as
I, the said John Holmes Bass, my executors, admiors, or assigns, should at
any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times during
the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-
Tweed, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR CUTTING
CORKS AND BUNGS;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso, that
I, the said John Holmes Bass, shall cause a particular description of the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be inrolled within six calendar months next and immediately after tho
date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference
being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
John Holmes Bass, do hereby declare that my said Invention is described
and ascertained in manner following (that is to say):

page_text: One part of my improvements in machinery for cutting corks and bungs
consists in combining various parts of such machinery together, in the manner
represented in the four Sheets of Drawings hereunto annexed, and herein-
after particularly described, because, by virtue of that particular combination
of one with another, I have succeeded in making such machinery answer the
purpose of rounding out or cutting corks and bungs out of square pieces of
cork called quarters (or-squares), such-rounding being either into round or into
oval forms, as may be required.
At the conclusion of this my Specification I shall point out those parts of
niy said combination, to which I make no claim, when the same are detached
from my complete combination of machinery, and I shall also point out those
specific parts of the said combination which I do claim as part of my improve-
ments in machinery for cutting corks and bungs.
Sheet I. of the Drawings thereunto annexed is a front elevation of the
whole machine; Sheet II., a lateral elevation thereof; Sheet III., a horizontal
plan thereof; all drawn to a scale of four inches to a foot, or one-third of the
real size; and Sheet IV. contains detached parts, drawn of the real size.
The same letters of reference are used to designate the saine parts in all the
different Figures. The main, framing is made of cast-iron, and consists of two
vertical sides A, A, which are firmly united by a cross B at the back,. and by a
cross bridge C in front, and by a horizontal platform D near the upper part,
and also 'by another horizontal cross box X at the back of the frame near the
highest part thereof.
The machinery is put in motion by a treadle, which the workman who
attends the machine actuates with his foot in order to turn a crank and fly
wheel similar to that of a turning lathe. On the axis of the fly wheel a pulley
E is fixed, and by an endless band it turns a larger pulley F fixed on a
horizontal axis G, which extends all across the machine, and which carries
several wheels and camms or shapes; the curved circumferences or curved
faces of which camms act upon suitable levers and sliding bolts, in order to
communicate the necessary alternating motions to the different moving parts of
the machinery by which the corks and bungs are cut. Every time that the
horizontal axis. G makes one revolution it causes the said parts to go through
all the movements necessary for cutting one cork or bung; that is, for cutting
off from a square prism of cork all the superfluous angles and outside, so as to
leave the same of the proper tapering form for a cork or bung, the said super-
fluous cork so cut off being commonly in one entire piece (see Figure 1,
Sheet IV.) The said curved wheels or camms, and the machinery which they
actuate are as follows:-(K is the opening camm), (see its form, Sheet IV.),

page_text: the office of which is to open and separate the clamms f, f, or parts between
which the two ends of the square of cork are to be introduced, the camm K
allows.those clamms to collapse suddenly towards each other at the proper
instant by the action of a strong spring, in order to seize the square of cork by
its two ends and hold the same firmly whilst it is cut; after which the cann
Kopens and separates the clamms again to allow the finished cork to drop out,
and to prepare the clamms for receiving another square. The opening camm K
opérates upon a roller b at the end of an arm which is affixed to the lower
end of an upright sliding bolt when the prominent part of the camm K
comes round to the roller b, it lifts up the bolt d, and by means of two inclined
links e, e, (which are jointed to the top of that bolt, and also two upright
arms H, H, which I call the carrier arms) those arms are opened or separated
from each other by moving about the joints at their lower ends. The upper
ends of the arms H, H, carry the clamms f, f, which are to seize the two
opposite ends of the square of cork the instant that the prominent parts of the
camm K has passed by the roller b, and allowed the sliding bolt d to drop.
down by its own weight (aided by the action of a wire spring which is curled
around it) and also by the action of a strong carved spring V, whereby the
two opposite clamms f,f, are brought in contact with the two ends of the.
cork. The two clamms f, f (see also Figure in Sheet 4,) are small circular
chucks fixed on the extreme ends of two short horizontal spindles which aro
mounted in boxes 9, 9, (called heads,) and which are fixed by screws to the
upper ends of the carrier arms H, H. The flat faces of the circular chucks
are provided with sharp serrated teeth formed on the edges of small steel
blades, which radiate from the centres of the clamms, and which project out
from their flat faces in order to penetrate into the ends of the cork. The,
clamms are screwed fast on the extreme ends of their respective spindles 1, 1,
(see in Sheet IV.), but one with a right-handed and the other left-handed,
screw, in order that both claims may fasten themselves securely on their
spindles in working; each spindle 1 works in holes through the two sides 2, 24
of the box g, g, and that part of each spindle which is within the box, is cut
out in cavities to form a pinion of 8 teeth, which is turned round by an;
intermediate wheel 3 (of 32 or more teeth), contained within the box, and;
beneath that wheel is another pinion 4 of 10 leaves, cut on the middle part of
another short horizontal axis, which passes through the two sides 2, 2, of the
box, and the ends project out therefrom. A pulley I is fixed on the outer end
of one of those projecting ends, in order to turn it round by an endless band,
and also a row of serrated teeth is cut around the inside face of that pulley,
to receive a spring click which will hold the pulley from running back. The

page_text: adjacent ends of the two lower spindles 4, 4, are united by an universal
joint 5, with a sliding central cross 6, which ensures that both spindles 4, 4,
shall turn round together with equal motions, notwithstanding that they
advance and recede to and from each other by the alternate opening and
shutting of the carrier arms H, H, and consequently the two clamms f, f, at
the opposite ends of the cork will certainly be turned round with equal and
simultaneous motions, in order that both clamms may concur to turn the cork
round whilst it is cutting. As soon as the clamms f, f, have (by the collapsing
of the carrier arms H, H, as aforesaid) seized the opposite ends of the square
of cork between them, the clamms begin to recede backwards from the
workınan in order to carry the cork against the edge of the knife. For this
purpose the joints at the lower ends of the carrier arms H, H, are attached
to a short horizontal axis Z, about which the arms are moveable, and an
upright leg or lever which descends from that axis carries a roller k at the
foot or lower end of it to bear against the edge of a camm L, which I call the
carrier camni. The office of the camm L is to put the carriers backwards,
and carry the cork to the knife whenever the prominent parts of the said
camm.act upon the roller k, but when those prominent parts pass away from.
the roller k, the carriers are brought forwards again towards the workman by
the action of a strong spring b, which is fixed behind them. As soon as the
clammsf, f, have seized the square of cork as aforesaid, the camm L begins to
move the carriers backwards with a quick motion, in order to carry the square
of cork back towards the edge of the knife, but having brought the cork
nearly in 'contact with that edge, the said backward motion in continued by
the camm L with a very slow rate, in order that the knife may make its
entrance into the cork with a straight cut before the cork begins to turn round;
when that entrance-cut is made the carriers are held firmly, whilst the cork is
turned round and cut out by a circular part of the camm L acting on the roller
k, the carrier heads g, g, resting firmly all that time against two stiff spring
stops m. When the cutting of the cork is finished, a depression of the camm L
presents itself to the roller K, and permits the carriers to advance forwards
towards the workman by the action of their spring 1, which presses behind
them. They advance with a moderate rapidity until the carriers are opened
by their opening camm K, as aforesaid, in order to separate the clamms f, f.
and let fall the finished cork from between them, and by that time they will
have advanced forwards, near to the place where the workman has already
placed another square of cork ready for the clamms to seize it. A more rapid
depression of the camm L then presents itself to the roller K, and that
permits the carriers to advance. suddenly forwards by the spring 1, until their

page_text: clamms come exactly opposite to the ends of the: square of cork, (note, the
clamms are at that time separated from each other, so as not to touch those
ends,) and then the camm K allows the carriers to collapse, as aforesaid, to seize
the said square of cork, which being done, the camm L will have completed
its revolution, and will begin to put back the carriers as before. The
motion to turn the cork round whilst it is cutting is transmitted from a pulley
M, which is fitted loosely upon the axis G, and an endless band which passes
round that pulley is conducted up over suitable guide pullies 6 and 7, and
around the pulley I, in order to turn the same round, and by the wheelwork
within the boxes g, g, (viz', the lower pinions 4, the intermediate wheels 3, and
the pinions on the axis of the clamms f, f,) and the universal joint 5, both the
clamms f, f, are turned round together, and also the cork which is held
between them. Whenever the pulley M is turned round, which is done at the.
proper intervals by means of a ratchet wheel with fine teeth, which is fixed to
the pulley M, and whenever that pulley is pushed towards the camm N, the
teeth of its ratchet wheel are caught by a tooth projecting out from the
camm N, and as that camn revolves with the axis G, its tooth then carries the
pulley M round with it; but if the pulley M is slided along the axis G, away
from the camm N, until the said tooth quits the teeth of the ratchet wheel,
then the pulley will stand still, although the axis continues to turn round.
The pulley M is thus slided along the axis by a pendulous lever O, which is
suspended by its upper end on a fixed joint pin, and an opening in the middle
of its length clasps into a groove around the central boss of the pully M. At
the lower end of the lever O is a small roller to apply laterally against the
margin of the camm N by the action of a spring o, situated behind the lever
Whenever a prominent part of the margin of the camm N presents itself to
the roller of the lever O, that lever is forced back, and the pulley M with its
ratchet wheel is withdrawn from the tooth of the camm N, leaving the pulley
at liberty to stand still. As soon as the said prominent part of the margin of
the camm N has passed away from the roller of the lever O, the spring o sud-
denly slides the pulley M along the axis, and its ratchet wheel catching the.
said projecting tooth, the pulley is compelled to turn round along with the axis..
The pulley M is thus latched into gear, and begins to turn at the precise-
moment when, by the moving backwards of the cork against the edge of the
knife, as aforesaid, the entrance cut into the. cork is completed, and the
turning round of the cork is required to begin, in order to cut the same round.
After the cutting is finished and the carriers come forward; the prominent part
of the camm N comes round again, and by pushing, back the lever O, releases
the ratchet wheel so as to allow the pulley M. to stop. nearly at the same time

page_text: that the carriers are opened, to let go the finished cork. The knife p, by
which the corks or bungs are cut, is a thin flat blade of steel about 20 inches
long and four inches broad (when new). It is ground sharp and straight
with a bevel edge, and is held fast down by a clamp 10 (with the bevel of the
elge upwards) upon the upper surface of a moveable slider P which I call a
saddle, and which is fitted to slide along a strong bar Q that is placed at the
upper part of the back of the frame, being affixed to the upper ends of two
inclined guiding bolts R, R, which slide through sockets projecting out from
the frame, in order by so sliding to permit the bar Q to be raised or lowered.
The bar is united to the upper ends of the two bolts R, R, by flat palms
and screw bolts which pass through oblong holes, in order to admit of placing
one end of the bar Q as much higher than the other as will give the knife a
suitable inclination for cutting corks or bungs more or less tapering as may be
required, and the left hand. end of the bar Q being always the highest. The
weight of the bar Q and its guiding bolts R, R, is sustained by two screw
links S, S, which are jointed to a pair of levers S, S. The outer ends of those
levers are borne by inclined bolts 11, 11, which slide through fixed sockets,
and have rollers at their lever ends to bear on the circumferences of two small
camms 12, 12, which are fastened on the axis G near to its two ends. The adja-
cent ends of the two levers S, S, are united together by a joint pin put through
the end of one lever which is forked, and passing through a slit in the other
lever which is received in that fork, the end of the latter projects forwards and
carries a stud 14, which is received into a curved groove cut out in a quadrant
. or sector t, which is not a plane, but it is a portion of a very obtuse ronc,
fixed fast on one end of a horizontal axis 18, which is supported at both ends
by the frame, and a lever handle 15 is fixed on the extreme end of the axis 13
in front, to enable the workman to turn the axis round, together with the
quadrant t, and the curved groove therein being a portion of a spirial, it acts
on the stud 14 to raise or lower the ends of the two levers S, S, and they by
their screw links 8, s, raise or lower the bar Q, together with the knife, a
minute quantity, in order to adjust the height of the knife suitably for the size
of the cork it is required to cut. The sliding saddle P which carries the
knife is fitted to the bar 7 by means of two pieces 16 which are fitted
to the front angular edge of the bar Q, and also by two other pieces 17
'which are fitted in like manner to the angular edge at the back of the
bar Q; all the four pieces being fixed to the saddle P by screws so as
to be capable of adjustment, in order to make the saddle fit true and slide
freely along the bar Q from end to end thereof without shake. The saddle
'is moved along the bar. by two long chains v, v, which are fastened one

page_text: to each end of the saddle at the under side thereof, in the space between
the saddle and the bar Q, and they are conducted around two pulleys 19, 19,
which are mounted on pins fixed into the bar Q, and the ends of the
chains are fastened to the circumferences of two large pullies W., W, which
are mounted side by side on a fixed pin 20 at the back of the frame.
Other pullies 22, 22, of smaller size are fixed to the large pullies and
revolve on the same pin, a large pulley and a small one together; two other
chains w, w, are fastened to the circumferences of the smallpullies 22, 22,
and pass down to the extremity of a long lever Y, one of the chains being.
fastened directly to that extremity; but the other chain passes first under
a pulley 21, which is mounted on a fixed centre pin at the back of the
frame, and the chain rises up again in order to join to the end of the
lever Y. The lever Y is moveable about a fixed centre pin 23 at the front of
the frame, and at about one-third part of its length from that centre a pin
projects out from one side of it to carry a small steel roller, which rolls round
within a curved groove which is sunk into the flat face of the camm Z; the
form of that groove (see Sheet IV:) is such that when the camm Z-turns.
round it alternately raises and lowers, the lever Y, and the chains w, w, which
are connected to its extremity, turn the two small pullies 22, 22, their motions
being always in contrary directions, because one of the chains wis conducted
under the pulley 21; the large pallies W, W, which are fixed to the small
ones, partake, of their turning motions, and by the chains 'v, v, the large pulleys
draw the saddle P alternately backwards and forwards from one end of the
bar to the other with a steady motion, which motion is greater than the.
motion of the end of the lever Y in proportion as the diameters of the large
pullies exceed those of the small ones 22, 22. When the lever Y is pressed
down by the curvature of the groove in the revolving camm-Z, it draws the
saddle and the knife from right to left, and in so moving the knife cuts the-
cork; but when the lever Y is raised up by the curvature of the groove the
knife returns in the contrary direction (from left to right), during which motion
it does not cut. The square of cork which is to be cut is introduced between.
the clamms by the aid of an adjustable feeding apparatus, which enables the-
workman to place the square between the clamms so that they will seize it
truly by the centres of its square ends; and the same adjustment of the feeding
apparatus regulates the knife according to to the size of that particular square
of cork which is presented to the feeding apparatus, so that the machine will cut
out the largest-size of cork that the size of the square will admit of; for this.
purpose the workman takes the square of cork by the middle of its length
between his right finger and thumb, and choosing the opportunity when the

page_text: carriers begin to move backwards from him he places the cork upon a small
horizontal platform 24, with those sides of the cork uppermost and lowermost
which formed the outsides of the sheet of cork bark (and which are usually
blackened by burning) that end of the square of cork, which he intends to form
the largest end of the cork that is to be cut being towards his left hand, and be
pushes the square of cork backwards from him on the platform 24, until he feels
that it comes in contact with a small stop 25, which is suspended by a hinge
joint at its upper end from a small frame 76, affixed to the platform 24; the
stop. 25 being urged forwards by a spring behind it, but by coming in contact
with the fixed frame near to the joint of its hinge the said stop is brought to
rest at a proper position over the platform, to guide the workman in placing
the cork thereon, because the spring of the stop 25 is strong enough to resist
palpably when the cork is put back against the stop, and by the contact of the
cork with the stop 25 the workman is also directed in placing the length of
the cork square across the platform; it is laid with its length horizontal; and
also by placing the cork with its two ends overhanging the platform 24 equally
at each side thereof the workman knows that it will be properly situated to
be seized between the clamms when they come back open for that purpose,
as before described, but to ensure that the clamms shall so seize the cork
truly by the centres of its two ends, the platform 24 must be raised or lowered
a little with discretion, according to the size of the particular square of cork
which is laid upon it; for this purpose the platform 24 is borne by a slider 26,
which moves up and down upon a fixed piece 27, the length of which inclines
at an angle of 45 degrees to the horizon; the slider 26 is moved by a small
spiral quadrant 28, fixed on the horizontal axis 13 of the lever handle 15, and
when that handle is raised or lowered it moves the slider 26 a little up or
down along its inclined path, whereby the platform 24. with the cork upon it,
and the stop 25, which regulates the place of the cork upon the platform, is.
carried backwards at the same time that it is lowered, or it is advanced
forwards at the same time it is raised, although the platform continues to be
horizontal. The motion thus given to the platform and to the cork being
oblique and corresponding to the diagonal of the square end of the piece of
cork, the said piece of cork may be carried thereby unto the proper position,
to be where the clamms will seize it truly by the centres of its square. ends,
provided that it is desirable that it should be so seized. That circumstance is
left to the discretion of the workman, as herein-after set forth. The surface
of the platform 24 is a flexible fork of steel, across the two prongs of which
the square of cork is laid; but those prongs will yield downwards to pressure
if the workman is desirous to cut out the cork so as to leave a sufficiency

page_text: of spare cork at the underside of the square, to avoid any blackness or
other imperfection that there may be in the square at the lower side
thereof. And also in order to cut out the cork so as to avoid like imper-
fections that there may be at the upper part of the square, he must
apportion the size of the cork that is to be cut out accordingly, by altering.
the height of the knife, which he does by moving the handle 15 up or
down, whereby at the same time that he raises or lowers the platform 24
obliquely, as before described, he also sets the knife a corresponding quantity
lower or higher, because the quadrant 28 which raises or lowers the platform
on its inclined path, and the quadrant t which lowers or raises the knife (also
in an inclined direction corresponding to the direction of the sliding bolts
R, R.) are both fixed on the same axis 13, and must move together be the.
same handle 15. Note.-The motion thus given to the platform measuring
in a vertical direction (or in a horizontal direction will be the same thing), is
equal in extent to that of the motion of the edge of the knife in the inclined
direction of its sliding bolts R, R., but the said motions of the platform and of
the knife are in contrary directions, one being upwards when the other is
downwards. To guide the workman in the exercise of that discretion wherewith
he is to raise or lower the platform and set the knife by the handle 15,
according to the size of cork that can be cut out of each square, a small
index 29 cut out in thin plate is applied in contact with the left-hand end of
the square of cork (being that end which will be the largest and of the cork
that is to be cut out therefrom); the index 29 is not fixed but it is poised on a
fixed centre pin 30, supported by a slight flexible arm from the frame, and
the index has a tail 31 projecting out from it, with a long slit to admit a pin
47, which projects out from the inclined moveable slider of the platform 24,
and consequently when that slider is moved up or down on its inclined path a
contrary motion is given to that end of the index 29 which applies to the
square end of the cork, but the motion of the said end of the index is nearly
in the same inclined direction as that of the platform. There is a pointer 32
at that end of the index which applies to the cork pointing to the top hori-
zontal side of tlie, squarc end of the cork, and the relative positions of the cork
and of that pointer must be adjusted by moving the handl 15 so that it will
point to the same distance below the said top side of the square of cork that
the outline of the intended rounding out is required to pass below the same
top side. There is also another pointer 33 in the index, to point in like
manner to the front upright side of the square of cork, and indicate at what
distance therefrom the outline of the rounding cut will pass. Note.-
Although the pointer 33 is nearer to the fixed centre pin 30, on which the

page_text: whole index is poised than the other pointer 32, the said two pointers are dis-
posed on radii from that centre which have such differences of angular eleva-
tion as that the horizontal advance or retreat of the pointer 33 will be equal to
the vertical ascent or descent of the pointer 32, the extent of those horizontal
and vertical motions of 38 and 32 respectively being equal to the horizontal.
(or to the vertical) motion of the platform 24, and the square of cork
upon it.
Having now described the chief parts of my combination of machinery, I
shall proceed to explain the manner of using the same. The workman stands.
in front of the machine and turns the foot wheel continually round by the
treadle at such a rate that the axis G of the camms will make between 10
and 18 turns per minute.
The machinery will go through all the movements necessary for cutting one
cork every time that the camms makes one revolution, and those movements
will be performed the same whether a square of cork is presented to it or not.
Note. A stop 50 is screwed to the left-hand carrier head g to meet a piece of
cork or indian-rubber, covered with a plate of iron, which is fixed on the opposite
carrier head. The use of the stop 50 is to limit the collapsing of the carriers
when no cork has been introduced between the clammsf, f, when the workman
feeds the machinery regularly with squares of cork, it will cut one cork whilst
he is placing another square ready to be seized by the clamms. To feed the
machinery, the workman takes up a square of cork by the middle of its length,
between the finger and thumb of his right hand, and if he observers that
one end is better adapted (than the other) for making the larger end of the
intended cock, he brings that end towards his left hand, and holding the square
of cork horizontally, he takes the opportunity of the carrier arms H, H,
having moved backwards from him, to place the cork horizontally across the
platform 24, with its left-hand square end in contact with the index 29, one
of its black outsides being uppermost, and its farthest upright side being in
contact with the back spring stop 25. If he desires to cut out all the blackness
or other imperfection at the under side of the cork, he presses down the square
so as to sink the spring fork of the platform 24 a little (as before described),
and watching the instant when the cutting of the previous cork is completed,
he then raises or lowers the handle 15 so much as to bring the two pointers 32
and 33 of the index 29 to point so much within the top flat side of the square
end of the cork (and the front upright side thereof respectively) as he judges
proper to insure the cutting of the largest cork that the square of cork will
permit, (because the machinery must have been previously adjusted so that the
curved outline which the knife will cut will pass within the same distance from

page_text: the top of the square, and from the front upright side thereof, as the places at
which the pointers 32 and 33 stand respectively). The above adjustment can
be made almost instantaneously by an expert workman, with sufficient accuracy.
to place the square in the true intended position by the time that the carrier.
arms H, H, come forwards, by their camm L permitting their back spring 1 to
advance them, and their clamms f, f, being separated from each other by the
action of their opening camm K, which spreads the carrier arms H, H, suffi-.
ciently to allow their clamms f. f, to pass by each end of the square of cork,
and when they are come so forwards as to be opposite to those ends, the camm
K allows the roller 6 and the bolt d to drop suddenly, whereupon the spring
2 instantly collapses the carrier arms H, H, and the clamms f; f, seize
the two opposite ends of the cork, the teeth of the radiating steel blades
of the clamms penetrating into the cork to hold it firmly. This position of
the machinery is represented in the Drawings, and the action of the machinery.
setting out from that position, is as follows:-The camm L presenting an
elevation to the roller k, moves the clamms f, f, backwards, with the cork
between them, and the cork pushes against the hinge flap, by which the.back
stop 25 is suspended, and bending the spring that is behind the same, lifts up
the flap so much as is necessary to pass the cork under the stop 25 and its
supporting flap, which when the cork has so passed, returns by its spring to
its original position above the platform 24. The cork being thus carried away
backwards between the clamms f. f. (at first with a quick motion, but after-
wards with a slow motion,) is borne against the edge of the knife, which has just
before reached the right-hand end of its course and has just began to return by
the action of its grooved camm Z. The knife commences its entrance cut into
the cork in the manner represented at Figure 1 in Sheet IV., very near to
the upper part of the back side. The spring click of the ratchet teeth around
the pulley I prevents the square of cork from turning round backwards, by
the pressure of the edge of the knife cutting into it, and by the motion of the
carriers H, H, moving slowly backwards towards the knife; by the action of
the camm L acting in concert with the slow endway motion of the knife
(given by its grooved camm Z), the entrance cut is made into the cork
parrallel to the black outside of the square of cork, and that cut having pene-
trated nearly as far as the middle of that side, the camm L ceases to push back
the carriers any further, and at the same instant the border of tlie camin N
passing away from the roller at the lower end of the lever O, allows the
pulley M to latch suddenly into gear by its ratchet wheel and tooth, and then
that pulley beginning to turn round with the axis G, puts the pulley I in
motion by the endless band. The spring click then slipping over the slope of

page_text: the ratchet tooth of the pulley I, the said motion is transmitted by the wheel-
work within the heads g, g, to the clamms f, f, to turn the same round, and
the turning motion of both clamms being made equal and simultaneous by the
connection of the universal joint, as before stated, the cork is turned round by
both its ends, and the knife being all the time moving endways by the action
of the grooved camm Z (but with a rather quicker motion than it moved with
at first) its edge cuts all round the cork. The loose outside of the cork,
which is separated by such cutting round, turns up over the upper surface of
the knife as fast as it is cut, and passes on to a thin plate of tin, which forms
the bottom of a trough to receive the said outsides, and convey them over
beyond the back of the machine. Note.-A small wooden fluted roller is
placed across the entrance of that trough, the pivots at each end of it being
inserted into upright grooves, it rests by its weight upon the said loose
outside of cork without impeding the progress thereof over the knife, but that
roller dropping down after the loose outside has passed, will prevent the same
returning by accident out of the trough and getting back over the edge of the
knife. The turning motion of the clamms f, f, is continued so much after the
cutting round is finished that they make one turn and a quarter in order to
ensure a good finish to the cork, for if it should change its position in the
least between the clamms f, f, during the cutting round, the commencement
would be cut over again and made correct. When the clamms have completed
the turn and a quarter and the cork is completely cut, the carrier arms H, H,
begin to return and come forwards, by the depression of the camm L presenting
itself to the roller k and allowing the spring to push the carrier arms forward;
as they advance, the margin of the camm N comes round to the roller of the
lever O, and by pushing the same back, disengages the pulley M, which then
stands still and ceases to turn the clamms round; also the camm K lifts up
the roller and the bolt d, which by the inclined links e, e, opens the carrier
arms H, H, in spite of their spring U, and separates the clamms f, f, so that
they withdraw from the ends of the finished cork, but it usually remains
sticking on the projecting teeth of one of them until by the further advance
of the carriors, the finished cork is intercepted by the back of the flap, in
front, of which the back stop 25 is fixed, and that back being formed to a
rounded angle, it pushes off the cork which drops down upon an apron of
netting which is fixed to the carrier arms and spread out over the other parts
of the machinery. During the above operation of cutting one cork, the work-
man will have placed and adjusted another square of cork on the platform 25,
as before described, and when the carries H,. H, have, advanced so far as to
drop the finished cork from between the clamms, thoy come forward the

page_text: remainder of their course with a sudden motion, the clamms being then so widely
separated as to pass clear by the ends of the square of cork, and at the instant
when they come opposite thereto the camm K allows the roller 6 of the bolt &
to drop down suddenly by its own weight aided by the force of the spring
which is curled round it, and then the spring U instantly collapses the
carrier arms so as to seize the ends of the cork between the clamms, which
is the position of the parts represented in the Drawings, and after that,
all the motions are repeated as above described. Note.-The corks which
are cut by the above operation are finished, except that a thin slice may be
cut off from each end to remove the radial marks which are left in the two
ends by the projecting teeth of the blades of the clamms; that cutting may
be done by hand, in the manner commonly done by cork cutters. The clamms,
see Figure of them in Sheet IV., are each a circular piece of brass, fitted to
screw on the extreme end of the spindle 1 of their pinions, and having three or
four saw cuts across the flat circular face to form six or eight radii, and thoso
cuts are continued across the circular edge. A small steel blade is inserted into
each cut, the edges thereof which project out from the flat face being cut with
serrated teeth to penetrate into and hold the ends of the cork. The clamms
can be removed and different sizes screwed on to suit different sizes of corks,
or bungs ;- the clamms which are used should be only a little less in diameter
than the ends of the cork it is intended to cut, and the left-hand clamm which
is screwed on to its spindle with a left-hand screw, should be rather larger
than the right-hand camm which is screwed on to its spindle with a right-hand
The edge of the knife is kept sharp by means of four-small revolving
wheels of wood, 52, 52, 53, 53, which are mounted upon centre pins fixed at
the end of jointed arms, 54, 54, so that their circumferences apply to the edge
of the knife. Those wheels are turned round by small endless bands which
pass round pullies 55, 55, or fixed on a horizontal spindle at the back
of the machine, the said spindle being turned round by means of a pulley 56,
on one end of that spindle around which an endless band is conducted over
suitable guide pullies 57 from a pulley 58 on the axis G. The circumferences
of the two upper wheels 52, 52, are covered with a paste composed of crocus;
with about one-third of Turkey stone dust,. made into a paste with water and
glue, and applied on their circumferences which are occasionally smeared
with oil. The lower wheels 53, 58, are only wood surfaces kept smeared with
oil. The latter are placed beneath the edge of the knife so as to rise but very
little above the plane of the under side, but the upper wheels 52, 52, are set
to descend considerably below the plane of the under side of the knife, so that
they will act upon the edge with the same, bevil as that to which t is ground.
screw.

page_text: or rather more bevel. The upper and lower wheels 52 and 53 of each pair are
turned by the same endless band which passes round grooves on both of the
wheels and round the groove of their driving pulley 55, and that band returns
around a loose pulley-59, fitted on the axis by the side of the pulley 55; the
other pair of wheels 52 and 58 are turned in like manner by one band. A
ratchet wheel is applied to the pulley 55 which is fixed fast on the axis, and a
spring click is fastened to the pulley 56, which receives the band from tho
lower pulley 58 (56 being loose on the axis), to catch the teeth of the
ratchet 55, in order to turn the same round, together with its axis, whereby all
the four wheels 52, 52, 53, 53, are turned round, but if ever the machinery is
by accident turned backwards, the said click slips over the teeth of the ratchet
and the wheels are not turned; an extra piece 60 is screwed on to the saddle
at each end of the knife to prolong the edge at each end and sustain the
wheels 52, 52, when. the knife moves to the ends of its course. Note. The
stop 25 is fastened to the hinged flap which supports it by two flat arms which
clasp the lower part of the said flap and are fastened thereto by a screw
passing through slits in the arms to admit the stop to be set more forward
or backward as the case may require. The stop should be set so high above
the platform: as to come as nearly as may be. opposite to the centres of
the back sides of the squares of cork, and for this purpose the aforesaid
flap is made of two picces screwed together to allow the lower piece (to which
the stop is affixed) to be raised or lowered. Note.-When bungs or corks
larger than the ordinary bottle corks are to be cut, the spring fork of the
platform on which the cork is laid should be lowered by means of the screws
by which it is fixed to the oblique sliding piece. The axis of the carriers
should also be moved somewhat forward by moving the sockets by which the
ends of that axis are supported; and the knife is to be then proportionally
advanced forward over the edge of the saddle; larger clamms are also to be
screwed on the carrier treads, and a larger index 29 applied. When phial
corks are to be cut, the reverse of the above adjustinents may be made,
smaller treads or boxes with smaller pinions and clamms being screwed on the
top of the carrier arms; also an index 29 of suitable size being substituted;
but generally it will be sufficient advance the stop 25 on the hinged flap, and
to raise the spring fork of the platform between the descending leg 61 of the
feeder and the sliding piece to which it is attached; a flat piece of wood is
introduced, which being altogether removed or a thinner piece put in, the
aforesaid adjustments will be facilitated. For setting the knife to the proper
level, a square of cork of the smallest size which the clamms will allow of
should be placed centrically between them, and the said carriers should then

page_text: be brought near to the edge of the knife, when the knife may easily be set at
the proper height by adjusting the screwed links s, s, which support the bar Q;
when bungs are to be cut, the knife must be lowered at the right-hand, and
proportionally. raised at the left-hand end, by the said screwed links s, s. The
knife is about one-seventeenth of an inch thick; it rests upon two parallel
raised edges along the saddle P, which are truly in a plane, and the clamp
which is applied over. the knife is pressed down thereon by a screw; at each
end it bears on the knife by a prominent edge in the space over and between
the said two raised edges beneath. To advance the knife forwards in adjust-
ing it (before the clamp is screwed fast) the niggers 65, 65, are applied behind
each end of it, moving about centres, and impelled by thumb screws which
project out at each end. The several camms being of the form and dimen-
sions shewn in Sheet IV. The diameter of the pulley N, should be larger
than that of the pulley I, in the proportion of 48 to 22. The machinery as
hitherto described is adapted for circlar corks, but as it is desirable in certain
cases to tender the form of the cork of an oval or oblong circular form, I have
added certain parts and adjustments to the above machine for effecting this
purpose, which are as follows:-On each of the two extreme ends of the camm's
axis G are placed two cams 12, 12, not heretofore described, on the circum-
ference of which the rollers of the bolts 11 may be brought to act, the said bolts
having hitherto being considered as fixed by pins passing through them, and
also through their sockets. In this state the camms 12, 12, by being removed
somewhat along the axis are placed out of the way of the said rollers, but
when the machine is required to cut oval or oblong corks, the said camms are
slided along the axis G, till their edges act upon the rollers of the sliding
bolts 11, 11, and in this position the said camms are fixed by means of a set
screw, which attaches them firmly to the axis. The camins 12, 12, at the
extreme ends of the axis Gare formed in the following manner :-Let a, b, c, d,
(Figure 5, Sheet IV.) represent the shape of the oval cork to be cut, then the
lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, &c., will represent successively the deviations of that
oval form from an inscribed circle; divide the camm 12 into 48: equal radial
parts, and from that point in its circumference which is touched by the roller at
the instant that the cork begins to revolve against the knife set off forwards
22 equal parts out of the said 48 parts; then divide the same 22 parts into 5
equal parts, and on the first four parts (and from a circle drawn near the
circumference about the centre of the axis,) set off successively, and on
corresponding divisions, the lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, beginning at the point-a, or
part of the oval nearest the centre, so that the said four first divisions shall
truly represent (expended over a greater surface). the entire deviations made

page_text: by the said oval line from the said circle in performing a complete revolution;
the remaining fifth part must be a repetition of and precisely similar to the
first of the said four parts. A camm thus formed, will cause the knife to rise
and sink as the cutting of an oval cork requires. The other camm 12 is of
the same form, besides also bringing into action the camms 12, 12, of the form
aforesaid (with the rollers aforesaid) it is necessary for cutting the cork oval,
that the carrier camm L should have a rim or segment of an irregular form,
as seen at Fig. 2, Sheet 4, which rim or segment is removable by means of the
fixing screws, see the same Figure, and the said segment. must be substituted
by one of a circular form when round corks are intended to be cut. The said
segment for the oval corks is so formed into prominences and depressions as to
cause the lower face of the knife, when cutting an oval cork, to present (as
is necessary) a constant tangent to the curve of the said oval cork at every
point of its circumference. Note. As the connecting links s, s, diminish the
motion given to the ends of the levers S, S, from the sliding bolts 11, 11,
before it reaches the knife, it is necessary that tlie motion given to those bolts
by their camms should be increased accordingly.
Having now described the combination of machinery, and the mode of opera-
tion to cut corks or bungs therewith, I do hereby declare that one of my improve-
ments consits in the combining together of the parts herein-before described in
the (manner herein-before set forth) for the purpose of cutting corks and bungs
by the operation or series of operations herein-before described; and as to the
separate parts of the machinery so combined, I do not claim, as one of my im-
provements, the mounting of square pieces of cork between chucks or clamms so
as to be turned round about a centre line or axis of motion whilst the superfluous
outside of such cork is cut off by a circular or a straight knife. But I do
claim as other part of my improvements in machinery for cutting corks
and bungs, the adjustable feeding machinery, with index and pointers (herein-
before described) whereby the square pieces of cork are presented in order to
be seized between the clamms, between which they are to be mounted in order
to be turned round whilst the superfluous outside is cut off, that feeding
apparatus being adjustable at the discretion of the person who attends the
machinery, in order that he may suit it to each square piece of cork so as to
cut out the largest sized cork which that piece will make, the same motion
which adjusts the position in which the square piece of cork shall be presented
to be seized by the clamms, also adjusting the heighth of the knife, and
determining the size to which it will be cut. And I also claim, as other of
my improvements in machinery for cutting corks and bungs, the machinery
herein-before described, whereby the same are cut into oval forms; that effect

page_text: JOHN HOLMES (L.s.) BASS.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Third day of December, in the
year of our Lord 1830, the aforesaid John Holmes Bass came before our said
Lord the King in His Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification afore-
said, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form above
written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stampt according to the
tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Inrolled the Third day of December, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and thirty.