Improvements in Machines for Dividing Dough and like Plastic..
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Sept., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 10th June, 1899-Accepted, 13th Sept., 1899.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Dividing Dough and like Plastic.
Material.
We, CHARLES EDWARD POINTON and JOHN EDWARD POINTON, Engineers, both
of Wrekin Road, Wellington, in the County of Salop, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
'
This invention relates to the manner in which we construct and arrange
machines for dividing dough and like plastic material into a number of portions
of uniform. weight for bread making and other purposes, our objects being
to ensure the accurate and regular working of such machines, to enable them
to be readily adjusted to the required weight of the divided portions of dough,
and to be safely and conveniently cleaned and inspected.
In the construction of a dough dividing machine in accordance with our
invention we arrange the reciprocating ram beneath the hopper into which the
mass of dough is placed, the reciprocation of the ram being effected by the com-
bined action of a weighted lever pivotted between the side frames of the
machine and a cam mounted on the main shaft. A spur wheel on the main
shaft is arranged to gear with a pinion on an intermediate shaft, and a spur
wheel on the said intermediate shaft gears with a pinion attached to a fly wheel
having its periphery formed to receive the driving band. The web between
the rim and the boss of the fly wheel is preferably made of a solid disc form
in order to serve as a guard for the gearing which is arranged between the
wheel and the adjacent side frame of the machine. The combined driving fly
wheel and gearing guard with its pinion secured to it runs loosely upon the end
of one of the shafts or upon a pin fitted to the frame. We employ but the
one set of gearing between the driving fly wheel and the main shaft.
weight for the ram operating lever is arranged at the back end of the machine
and is connected with the free end of the lever by a pair of chains passing over
two pairs of guide pulleys fixed to shafts or spindles which revolve in suitable
bearings. The upper pair of guide pulleys are guarded by a curved plate bolted
to the machine framing which is thereby made more rigid.
The
We provide for the adjustment necessary to permit of the division of the
mass of dough into portions of such weight as may be required, by connecting
the rods of the plungers within the division chambers to a cross-head which is
provided with a rear extension from its central boss.
The extended portion passes through a screwed gland or bush carried by the
central boss of a two arm bracket bolted to and projecting from the division
box within which the division chambers are formed, such division box being
reciprocated by side rods operated by cams mounted on an upper shaft which is

page_text: The outer extremity
of the rear extension from the cross-head is provided with a fixed flange or
collar whilst at the inner end we arrange an adjustable collar or nut having
handle like extensions. On the reciprocation of the two arm bracket with the
division box to which is attached the cross-head with its attached rods and plungers
has the necessary movement imparted to it, for the purpose of carrying the
separated portions of dough clear of the cutting-off knife, by the contact of
the central boss of the two arm bracket with the fixed and adjustable collars
respectively. As the outer collar is fixed the inner faces of the plungers
attached to cross-head are always brought back to the proper position for the
operation of the rising and falling scraper by which the divided portions of the
dough are separated from the plungers, but as the inner collar or nut is adjust-
able the length of the stroke of the plungers can be varied, thereby varying the
dimensions of the actual division spaces into which the dough is forced by the
action of the main ram. By this method of adjustment of the plungers no
corresponding variation of the position of the scraper is required. We arrange
a spring stop or buffer at each side of the machine for the purpose of prevent-
ing the premature movement of the plungers on the instroke of the division
box; by thus arranging that the plungers shall be carried back only such
distance as is determined by the adjustment hereinbefore described, we can
ensure uniformity in the weight of the divided portions of the dough.
rotated by gearing from the main shaft of the machine.
To permit of the ready withdrawal and subsequent supporting of the plungers
for cleaning purposes, we employ a pair of supporting bars or rails telescoping
or fitting into the sides of the top box or having ends suitably shaped for hook-
ing on to the rear of the machine or main top box in such positions that the
cross-head with the attached plungers can be drawn out on to the bars or rails
and be supported thereby during cleaning. The bars or rails can be readily
unhooked or folded or telescoped out of the way while they are not required
during the working of the machine.
We provide for the raising and lowering of the main ram and the supporting
of the same for cleaning purposes by mounting on the pin to which one end
of the lever connecting links are attached, a lever, having its fulcrum upon
the opposite ends of the links or on the upper end of the ram operating lever
to which they are attached. The arm of the lever extending outwardly from
the fulcrum is made detachable in order that it may be readily removed when
the machine is in service. By depressing the outer end of the lever the ram
can be readily raised, after disconnection of the hopper, and by securing a chain
or hook depending from the free end of the lever the ram can be maintained
at its elevated position during the operation of cleaning.
We obtain the rising and falling motion of the cutting off knife by means of
a single cam arranged between the side plates or frames of the machine on its
upper shaft, on which also are mounted the cams for the reciprocation of the
division box herein before described. The said single cam works upon the end
of a lever secured to a pivot shaft arranged between the side frames and on
which a pair of other levers are mounted whose outer ends are attached to the
cutting-off knife.
For the convenient and accurate machining and fitting of the main top box
casting, and in order to secure its permanently retaining its accuracy we dis-
pose a pair of arched cross-stays between the projections at its delivery or
front end, such stays preferably forming a part of the casting itself. The arched
cross-stays are so curved and attached to the parallel guide bars of top box
as to readily permit of access for the planing or machining of the inner parts
and guiding surfaces of the casting and to allow the division plungers as well
as the adjustment box and supports to pass and clear them whilst maintaining the
rigidity of the structure.
We counterbalance all our cams by counter weights cast or fixed on to them
opposite their centre of gravity and we cast or bolt the cams direct to the spur

page_text: wheels which operate them instead of fixing each separately to their shafts or
axles.
Dated this 12th day of September 1898.
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C. &
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicants.
Improvements in Machines for Dividing Dough and like Plastic
Material.
We, CHARLES EDWARD POINTON and JOHN EDWARD POINTON, Engineers, both
of Wrekin Road, Wellington, in the County of Salop, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:--
This invention relates to the manner in which we construct and arrange
machines for dividing dough and like plastic material into a number of portions
of uniform weight for bread making and other purposes, our object's being
to ensure the accurate and regular working of such machines, to enable them
to be readily adjusted to the required weight of the divided portions of dough,
and to be safely and conveniently cleaned and inspected.
In the five accompanying sheets of explanatory drawings to be hereinafter
referred to:―
:
Figure 1 is a side elevation with one of the side frames removed and with
part in section, and Figure 2 a plan, illustrating a dough dividing machine
constructed in accordance with our invention.
Figure 3 is a side elevation of the complete machine.
Figure 4 is a sectional end view of the machine.
Figure 5 is a sectional plan to a larger scale of the means of adjusting the
machine to the required weight of the portions into which the dough is to be
divided whilst Figure 6 is a similar view showing the parts in the different
position of adjustment.
Figure 7 is an elevation showing the means for raising and supporting the
main ram for cleaning purposes.
Figure 8 is an end view showing the arched cross stays at the front end of the
machine.
The same reference letters in the different views indicate the same parts:
In the construction of a dough dividing machine in accordance with our
invention, we arrange the reciprocating ram A beneath the hopper B into which
an unweighed mass of dough is fed. The reciprocation of the ram A is
effected by the combined action of the weight C and the cam D on the lever E
pivotted at E¹, the upper end of such lever being connected with the ram by
the links FF. The instroke of the ram A, or its movement in the direction of
the arrow 1 at Figure 1, is produced by the descent of the weight C which is
arranged at the back end of the machine and is connected by chains as C¹, passing
over guide pulleys, with the lower end of the lever E. The upper guide pulleys C³
and Cs are keyed or otherwise secured to their supporting shaft or spindle which
revolves in bearings formed in the ends of a strong stretcher or cross-stay G
fixed to and rigidly connecting and staying the side frames of the machine;
such stretcher or cross-stay also forms a guard for the upper pair of pulleys C³
and Ꭴ. The out-stroke of the ram, or its movement in the direction opposite

page_text: to that indicated by the arrow 1 at Figure 1, is produced by the action of the
revolving cam D on the roller which revolves on a pin or axle fixed to the
lever E. The length of the in-stroke of the ram under the action of the falling
weight C (by which action the density or pressure at which the dough is divided
or actually weighed is kept constant) will vary with the volume of the portion
of dough which is separated from the mass in the hopper B during such in-
stroke by the knife H fixed to the division box N, and with the resistance or
consistency of such dough. But under the action of the cam D the ram will
be always brought back to its outermost position, or the position in which it
is shown at Figure 1, and during such return movement the weight C will be
raised in readiness for effecting, by its subsequent descent, the next in-stroke of
the ram A.
The whole of the moving parts of the machine are driven by gearing from the
fly wheel J which is revolved by belting from a counter-shaft arranged in any
convenient position. Instead of arms or spokes a web of a solid disc form is
substituted in order that it shall serve as a guard for the gearing arranged
between the wheel and the adjacent side frame of the machine. The driving fly
wheel J and the small toothed wheel or pinion K connected to it, are mounted.
loosely upon the projecting end of the shaft L, on the central part of which is
keyed or secured the cam 1 herein before described. The pinion K engages
or gears with the toothed wheel M¹ on the shaft M whilst the pinion or small
toothed wheel M² on the same shaft engages or gears with the toothed wheel L'on
the shaft L and the said shaft L is thus set in motion.
The reciprocation of the division box N (which is divided into chambers for
the reception of the dough carried forward by the in-stroke of the ram A), is
effected by the action of the cams N1 N2 on the shaft N³, the said cams
being in connection with one end of the side bars or rods N, N³, whilst the
opposite ends of such bars are secured adjustably to side projections from the
box N. The rising and falling motion of the cutting off knife O (by which the
dough in the division chambers of the box N is separated from the dough in the
main top box A¹), is effected or produced by the action of the single cam P on one
end of the lever P, the said cam P being fixed between the side frames of the
machine on the shaft N³. The lever P is fixed to the pivot shaft P2 and to
such shaft we also fix the arms or levers P3 P4 having their outer ends con-
nected with the cutting off knife O. The shaft N3 is revolved by the toothed
wheel L on the shaft L gearing with the idle or intermediate wheel L³, the
said wheel L being also in gear or engagement with the toothed wheel L' on
the shaft N³.
'
We arrange for the adjustment necessary to permit of the division of the dough
into portions of such weight as may be required, by connecting the rods Q₁ of
the plungers as Q, with which cach division chamber of the box N is pro-
vided, to a cross-head Q2 having an extension rod Q3 secured to it as shown more
clearly in the enlarged detail views at Figures 5 and 6. Such extension rod Q³
passes through the bush or sleeve Q which screws into the central boss of the
two arm brackets RR¹ bolted to and projecting from the division box N. The
head of the externally screwed bush or sleeve Q is provided with projections
or handles Q by which its position within the internally screwed central boss
attached to the brackets RR¹ can be readily adjusted; the bush or sleeve is
retained at its adjusted position by the lock nut Q6, which is also provided with
handles. At the outer extremity of the extension rod Q³ we fix a flange or
collar Q. On the reciprocation of the two arm brackets RR with the division
box N to which they are attached (by the action of the cams N1 N2 and the side
rods N N as hereinbefore described), the cross-head Q and its attached rods Q'
and plungers Q have the necessary reciprocating movement imparted to them,
for the purpose of carrying the divided portions of dough into position for dis-
charge (such position being shown by dotted lines at Figure 1), by the contact
of the central boss of the two arm brackets RR with the outer collar Q in

page_text: the one direction, and by the contact of the adjustable bush or sleeve Q with
the body of the cross-head Q2 the travel of which is limited by stops Q8 fitted
in the guides A² and A3 in the other direction. As the outer collar Q is fixed
to the rod Q3 the inner faces of the plungers Q attached to the cross-head Q
are always brought back (whatever depth the division chambers are adjusted
to) far enough to permit of the elevation of the scraper S by which the divided
portions of dough are separated and their falling clear from the plungers
assured; but as the bush or sleeve Q is adjustable, the length of the stroke of
the plungers Q can be varied, thereby varying the depths of the division spaces
in the box N available for the reception of the dough brought forward by the
action of the ram A. By this method of adjustment of the plungers to suit
the required weight of the dough portions no corresponding variation of the
position of the scraper S is necessary. As it is shown at Figure 5 the adjust-
able bush or sleeve Q4 is screwed to its full extent within the central boss of
the brackets RR' and in such a position the division chambers are gauged or
set to the maximum depths. But by unscrewing the bush or sleeve from the
central boss of the brackets RR¹ the plungers Q are forced a corresponding
distance within their chambers in the division box N and the contact with the
cross-head Q will be made earlier in the return stroke or movement of the
division box N to which the brackets R R are attached, and thus the stroke of
the plungers within the division chambers will be shortened and thus limit the
space available for the reception of the dough. As shown at Figure 6 the
bush or sleeve Q is screwed to its full extent in the opposite direction to that
shown at Figure 5.
The rising and falling motion of the scraper S is imparted by the levers S¹
and S2 mounted on the rocking or pivot shaft S3, the rocking motion of the said
shaft S3, being obtained by the action of the cam S* (secured to the shaft L) on
the lever S which is mounted on the shaft S³.
We arrange spring stops or buffers as T and T2 on the sides of the machine
for the purpose of preventing belated movement of the plungers Q, and their
cross-head Q, on the in-stroke or return stroke of the division box N (such
movement being in the direction indicated by the arrow 2 at Figure 1).
the use of such spring buffers (which are compressed when the plungers are
By
inoved inwards on the contact of the adjustable bush Q with the cross-head Q²)
the plungers are carried to their proper end position within the division spaces
of the box as is determined by the adjustment herein before described, and thus
we can ensure uniformity in the weight of the divided portions of the dough.
To permit of the ready withdrawal and subsequent supporting of the
plungers and their rods Q and cross head Q, we employ a pair of supporting
bars or rails which as U U may be detachable, having suitably shaped ends for
hooking on to the end of the machine as shown, in such positions that on
detaching the pins or bolts R2 R3 on the brackets R R₁ and the stops Q8 in the
guide A2 A3 the plungers, rods, and cross-head can be drawn out on the said
bars or rails UU and be supported thereby during cleaning and inspection.
The bars or rails can be readily unhooked and removed from the machine or they
may be made so as to telescope, hinge, or otherwise be placed out of position.
We provide for the raising and lowering of the main ram A and for the
supporting of the same for cleaning and inspection purposes by connecting a
lever a to the ram pin a¹, as shown in the detail view at Figure 7, such lever a
having its fulcrum upon the upper end of the ram operating lever E. The arm
or outer end of the lever a may be detachable in order that it may be removed
if desired when the machine is in service. By depressing the outer end a² of
the lever the ram A can be readily raised as shown in dotted lines, and by
securing the chain a³ depending from the extremity of a to the hook aª, on
he guard G, the ram can be maintained at its elevated position during the
operation of cleaning.
For the convenient and accurate machining and fitting of the cross-head and

page_text: The
division box guides A3 A3 (which are cast in one piece with the main top box A¹),
and to ensure that they shall be sufficiently rigid to permanently retain the
accuracy of alignment or fitting, we dispose a pair of arched cross-stays as A⚫ A5
between the guides as shown at Figures 1 and 2, and also at the end view
at Figure 8, such stays preferably forming a part of the casting itself.
stays are so curved and disposed in relation to the guides A2 A3 as to permit of
ready access for the planing or machining of the inner parts and guiding sur-
faces of the casting, and to allow the plungers Q and also the division box N
and brackets RR¹ to be passed in or out clear of the stays.
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. In machines for dividing dough and like plastic material into portions of
uniform weight, the construction and arrangement of parts ensuring the
accurate and regular working, handiness, and durability of the machines, per-
mitting of ready adjustment to the weight of the portions into which it is
required to divide the material, and enabling the working parts to be safely
and conveniently cleaned and inspected, substantially as described.
2. In machines for dividing dough and like plastic material into portions of
uniform weight, the operation of the whole of the moving parts by gearing
driven from a revolving fly wheel J such fly wheel being so constructed and
arranged as to serve as a driving pulley and gearing guard, substantially as
described.
3. In machines for dividing dough and like plastic material into portions of
uniform weight, the adjustment of the stroke of the plungers as Q in the
chambers of the division box N in such a manner as to ensure that whatever
may be the length of stroke the inner faces of the plungers shall always be
returned to a position in alignment with the scraper S, substantially as described.
4. In machines for dividing dough and like plastic material into portions of
uniform weight, the combination with the reciprocating cross-head Q2 to which
the plunger rods Q' are attached, of the spring buffers T1 and T2, substantially
as described.
5. In machines for dividing dough and like plastic material into portions of
uniform weight, means for enabling the plungers as Q with their rods Q and
cross-head Q to be withdrawn and supported away from the guides A2 A3 for
the purpose of cleaning and inspection, substantially as described.
6. In machines for dividing dough and like plastic material into portions of
uniform weight, means for raising and supporting the main ram A for cleaning
and inspection purposes, substantially as described.
7. In machines for dividing dough and like plastic material into portions of
uniform weight, the use of arched cross-stays as A4 A5 between the cross-head
and division box guides as A2 A3, and the construction and arrangement of
the outer end of the said guides A2 A3 to permit of more convenient and accurate
planing or machining and fitting of the casting and to ensure sufficient rigidity
to maintain its accuracy of alignment and fitting, substantially as described.
8. An improved dough dividing machine constructed and arranged sub-
stantially as and for the purposes described and as illustrated in the accompany-
ing drawings.
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, 25, Cross Street, Manchester,
Agents for the Applicants.