AN IMPROVED BREAD-CUTTING MACHINE
Year: 1885

page_text: I, JAMES HARROWER of Preston Crescent, Inverkeithing, in the County of Fife,
North Britain, Engineer do hereby declare the nature of the said invention for
AN IMPROVED BREAD-CUTTING MACHINE to be as follows:-
This Invention, which relates to an improved bread-cutting machine, consists of
a rectangular box fixed longitudinally, in which is a revolving shaft. On one end
of this shaft is a disc with a hole therein of the requisite shape and size to allow a
loaf of bread to be passed to the interior of the machine. Within this part of the
machine there is also a slide with a door in it to admit the loaf passing to the other
side of the said door when the said door is lifted. So soon as the loaf has passed
beyond the said door, the door again falls and the weight of the slide causes the
door to press the loaf against the revolving cutter or slicer. On another part of
the said shaft is a pair of cams which operate a slide and a cross cutter for halving
each slice of bread so cut whilst a duct or shoot is provided for allowing the sliced
bread to fall into a receptacle below placed to receive it. The machine may also
be provided with a series of revolving jaws, which, as they are rotated, cause the
bread to be carried against a fixed, as distinguished from a revolving, cutter or the
fixed or revolving cutters may be operated combinedly in one and the same
machine.

page_text: An Improved Bread Cutting Machine.
I, JAMES HARROWER of Preston Crescent, Inverkeithing, in the County of Fife,
North Britain, Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my invention for AN
IMPROVED BREAD CUTTING MACHINE and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My Invention, which relates to an improved bread cutting machine, consists of a
rectangular box fixed longitudinally, in which is a revolving shaft. On one end
of this shaft is a disc with a hole therein of the requisite shape and size to allow a
loaf of bread to be passed to the interior of the machine. Within this part of the
machine there is also a slide with a door in it to admit the louf passing to the other
'side of the said door when the said door is lifted. So soon as the loaf has passed
beyond the said door, the door again falls and the weight of the slide causes the
door to press the loaf against the revolving cutter or slicer. On another part of
the said shaft is a pair of cams which operate a slide and a cross cutter for halving
each slice of bread so cut whilst a duct or shoot is provided for allowing the sliced
bread to fall into a receptacle below, placed to receive it. The machine may also
be provided with a series of revolving jaws, which, as they are rotated, cause the
bread to be carried against a fixed, as distinguished from a revolving cutter or
the fixed or revolving cutters may be operated combinedly in one and the same
machine.
In order that my said Invention may be properly understood and readily carried
into effect, I will now proceed to describe the drawings hereunto annexed.
Figures 1 and 2 (sheet 1) are respectively a side elevation and an end elevation
of a bread cutting machine constructed according to my present Invention when in
its operative position.
Figure 3 (sheet 2) is a longitudinal section of the same taken on the line A B
Figure 2.
Figure 4 (sheet 3) is a plan of the same with the cover removed and when in its
inoperative position and
Figure 5, is a similar view of the same with the upper part and its revolving
shaft removed.
Figure 6 is a longitudinal section of the same taken on the line C D Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a transverse section of the same taken on the line E F (Figure 4)
and drawn to a reduced scale.
Figures 8 to 18 (inclusive) on sheets 2 and 3 are views of detached portions of
the same all hereinafter more particularly described.
My Invention, which relates to an improved bread-cutting machine, consists of a
rectangular box or case which is preferably constructed in two parts a, and b, of
wood, sheet iron or other suitable material, the said two parts being fitted together
by means of the vertical bars c. The said box or case is closed in at its top side
by means of the cover d, which, for the convenience of getting at any particular
part of the machine is constructed in two, three or more parts. The box or case
of the machine is hinged at one end to the tray e, into which the cut bread is
discharged through the outlets f, and g, as hereinafter described. The machine,
3
1.

page_text: when in its working position, is supported by the frame h, in an oblique position
as represented at Figures 1, 2 and 3, the frame h, being hinged at i, so as to admit
of it being turned under the machine as represented at Figure 6, when not in use.
The longitudinal shaft j, is supported in bearings formed in or secured to the ends
of the box or case of the machine and in the bearings k, which are secured to the
transverse plates l, and n. On one end of the shaft j, the disc n, is secured, this
disc as represented more particularly in elevation at Figure 8, being formed with
the opening o, of size sufficient to admit of a loaf of bread being passed there-
through to the interior of the machine there to be cut into slices and if required
half slices in the manner hereinafter set forth. The longitudinal shaft j, also
carries upon it, the rotating cutter p, the grooved cams q, and r, and the rotating
jaws or arms 8. The rotating cutter p, which is represented in elevation at
Figure 9 of the annexed drawings, is constructed of thin steel plate mounted in
or upon a frame t, and provided with a boss u, and nut v, which boss is secured by
a key or otherwise to the shaft j. The cutter p, is formed with the opening w,
(Figure 9) the curved upper edges of which are sharpened and constitute the
cutting edges of the said cutter.
The groove of the cam q, engages with the bowl or anti-friction roller x,
(Figure 4) which is mounted upon a pin or its equivalent secured to that part of
the machine, which I prefer to term the "table" and which part is indicated at y,
on the annexed drawings. The table y, is supported at one side by the shaft j, along
which it is free to slide longitudinally in answer to the rotation of the cam q, and
at its opposite side the said table is supported and free to slide upon the bar z,
which is carried in the brackets a¹, (Figure 4) which brackets are secured to the
lower part b, of the box or case of the machine. The table y, is provided with the
transverse vertical plate 6', which is carried and free to slide longitudinally upon
the shaft j, and bar s, in a manner similar to that of the table y, but independently
of such table. The plate 61, is secured to the tubular shaft c¹, the interior of which
is screwed as indicated at Figure 6. The shaft c¹, is guided in the tubular shaft d',
which, at one end, is secured to the transverse guide plate e¹, this guide plate being
mounted and free to slide longitudinally upon the shaft j, and bar z, in a manner
similar to that hereinbefore described with reference to the table y, and plate b¹.
The shaft c', is retained within the tubular shaft d', by means of the screw f',
which, at its outer end, is provided with the milled head or hand wheel g¹, and by
the turning of which screw f', by this said wheel, increases or decreases the
distance of the plate b¹, from the extreme outer edge of the table y, and thereby,
as is hereinafter explained, increases or decreases the thickness of the slices of
bread cut by the cutter p. The collar h¹, is secured upon the shaft j, by the
screw ¹, or its equivalent and limits the distance of backward travel of the
plates b¹, and el, in order that the slice of bread already cut by the cutter p, and
resting on the table y, may, by the stoppage of the said plates and the continuance
of the travel of the table, and consequent withdrawal of the support of such table,
be allowed to fall by its own gravity to the lower part of the machine, where the
said slices of bread are dealt with in the manner hereinafter described. The
groove of the cam r, engages with the bowl or anti-friction roller 7, which is
mounted on a pin secured to the lever k¹, which lever is secured upon, and thereby
transmits its motion to the transverse shaft . This shaft l, which is represented
in front elevation at Figures 10 and 11 and in end elevation at Figure 12, is
supported in the bearings m¹, and n¹, the former of which is secured to the lower
part b, of the case of the machine and the latter of which is secured down upon
the case or store o¹, as shewn more particularly at Figure 5. The lever p', is also
secured to the shaft ", the lower part of the said lever being formed with the
curved projections q², extending outwards from the sides or edges thereof, and the
said lever is further provided with a bole into which the rod r¹, may be inserted,
or from which hole the said rod r², may be disengaged. The lever 8', is mounted
loosely upon the shaft , and is prevented from moving longitudinally thereon, by
the collar t, This lever &³, is formed with the transverse socket u¹ in which, the
".

page_text: .
rod r¹, is free to be turned and moved longitudinally to the extent provided for by
the pin w¹, which is secured in the rod 1, and which is caused to engage with,
either the slot x', or y¹. When the pin w¹, engages with the slot y¹, the end of the
rod, enters that hole which is herein before described as formed in the lever p¹,
and which thereupon causes the levers p¹, and s¹, to be operated as one, and when
the said pin w¹, engages with the slot x, the rod r1, being thereby disengaged from
the lever p¹, allows the lever 8', to remain at rest. The rod r¹, passes through a
curved slot (not represented upon the annexed drawings) in the lower part b, of
the machine box or case, and is provided at its end with the head 2', or its
equivalent which admits of its being moved from the outside of the machine into
its engaged or disengaged position. The lower part of the lever s¹, is slotted as
represented more particularly at Figure 12, and is provided with the block a³,
which is free to slide longitudinally in the said slot. Through the hole b³, in the
block a, the pin c³, is passed, this pin being secured in the two downwardly
projecting brackets d³, all as shewn more particularly at Figure 6. The brackets d³,
are secured to the underside of the plate e, which is supported and free to slide
longitudinally in grooves formed in the two side cheeks or gables f, and g², which
are secured transversely together by the rod h³, and by the bar is, and the gable f²,
of which, is secured to the case of the machine in any desired manner. The
plate e², is recessed at one edge to accommodate the lever 81, while at its opposite
edge the said plate e is bifurcated, and rigidly carries between its arms the
transverse blade or cutter j³.
It is obvious from the foregoing description of apparatus, that the blade or
cutter, is capable of being moved horizontally and the openings k³, are provided
in the vertical plates 13, to admit of the said blade or cutter passing therethrough.
The plate e, is formed with a hole through which the vertical pin m², is capable of
being slipped in the direction of its length. This pin m², is supported in the
socket n³, which is formed upon, and towards one end of the plate o³, the said
plate being ficurcated at its opposite end and supported and free to be moved
longitudinally in the guide grooves p², Figure 6. The plate o³, and its guides p²,
are represented at Figures 13 and 14 of the annexed drawings in elevations taken
in directions respectively at right angles to each other, and it is seen, with reference
more particularly to these Figures that the grooves p³, are formed in the sides of a
horizontal frame which forms the fourth and lower side of a second frame the two
vertical sides q³, of which, are united at their upper ends by the cross-bar 78. The
two transverse bars s³, are at a distance apart sufficient to admit the plates 1³,
(Figure 6) being passed there between, and below the bars &³, and the plate o³, the
shoot t², is provided, this being of such a size as allows it to pass down through the
opening g, Figure 6. The plate o³, and the shoot 2, and their directly connected
parts are capable of being raised or lowered by the screw v³, which is screwed into
the cross-barr³, and as represented more particularly at Figures 4 and 6, the said
screw v³, is supported by the bar w³, which, in its turn is supported by the upper
part a, of the machine box or case. This adjustment enables the slices of bread
which have been cut off from a loaf by the rotating cutter p, to be halved or
otherwise divided by the blade or cutter j³, at any required part. The box or case
of the machine is provided with a sliding door a³, which, on being raised, and when
the opening o, (Figure 8) in the disc n, is opposite to it, enables the operator to
place a loaf of bread into the chamber y'. In this chamber y', the door 2³, and the
frame a³, in which it is carried, are capable of moving longitudinally, and when
beneath the opening 63, in the roof the said chamber y³, the door 2, may be raised,
and the loaf of bread passed beneath it and up to the cutter p. The frame a³, as
represented more particularly at Figure 5, is connected through the arm c³, to the
weight d, which is capable of sliding longitudinally within the case e³, and if
required, the door ³, may be weighted with lead or otherwise.
In the operation of the machine, the slices of bread cut by the cutter p, and
resting on the edge of the table y, after the withdrawal of the said table in the
manner herein before described, fall down the shoot formed by and between the

page_text: plates 2, (Figure 6) and if the slices are desired to be left whole, the rod r¹, is
disengaged from the lever p¹, and the plate o³, drawn from above the shoot t*, when
the slices of bread fall direct off the table y, into the tray e, from which they may
be collected from time to time as required, and if necessary they may be placed in
the case or store o¹, herein before referred to, entrance being had to this store by
the sliding door s³. If the bread is desired to be delivered from the machine as
half or otherwise divided slices, the rod r, is engaged with the lever p¹, and the
whole slices of bread, falling from the table y, rest on the plate o³. This plate o³,
and the blade or cutter, then move horizontally in answer to the rotation of the
cam r, and the blade or cutter j³, being slightly in advance of the back edge of the
plate o, cuts through the slice of bread and the divided parts are free to fall over
the back edge of the plate o³, into the tray e.
>
When it is desired to instantaneously divide a portion of a loaf into several
slices, this may be effected by the cutters f³. These cutters are each constructed
of plate or sheet steel of the form indicated in side elevation at Figure 15 and the
recess g³, thereof is provided for the purpose of engaging with the pin or shaft h³
which secures it against rising at one end while the plate is, secures it against rising
at its opposite end. The transverse plate ³, is recessed at its top, edge so as to
prevent the cutters f, from moving sidewise and the said cutters are so recessed at k³,
as to fit over the transverse plate j³, when in their proper position and allow the
forked end 1, of the plate to engage with the screw m³, or its equivalent. The
jaws or arms 8, by which the bread is carried round and forced against the
cutters f³, are represented more particularly in side elevation at Figure 16, in end
elevation at Figure 17, and in plan at Figure 18 of the annexed drawings. These
jaws or arms 8, are held apart at a distance sufficient to admit of the cutters f³,
being passed between them and they are caused to rotate between the two side
walls or plates n³, and o³, in which they are supported. Through the plate o³, a
hole p³, is formed as represented on a reduced scale at Figure 7, so that the bread
may be fed into the machine, after the sliding door us, has been previously opened
for this purpose. In order to prevent the hand of the operator from being injured
against the cutters f³, the plate q³, is secured to the block of which the arms 8, form
part and is arranged to rotate outside the plate o³. The cut bread after leaving the
jaws or arms s, falls down through the outlet f, into the tray e.
It is to be understood that the machine herein before described may be operated
by hand, for which purpose the handle, is represented upon the annexed drawings,
or the said machine may be operated by power, in which case the shaft j, is pro-
vided with a band pulley or the equivalent thereof for connecting it with tho
motive power engine. It is further to be understood that when constructed to be
operated by hand a ratchet or other analogous device may be provided so as to
prevent the rotation of the shaft j, in any but the proper direction.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
First. The binging of a machine for cutting bread to a tray e, or its equivalent
and the means for supporting the said machine at an angle all substantially as and
for the purposes herein before set forth with reference to the annexed drawings.
Second. In a machine for cutting bread the longitudinal shaft j, disc n, rotating
cutter p, cam q, table y, collar h³, chamber y², door z³, and the weight d³, and their
attachments all substantially as and operating in the manner herein before set
forth with reference to the annexed drawings or the mechanical equivalents of all
or any of such parts.
Third. In a machine for cutting bread the means for regulating the thickness of
the bread to be cut consisting of the plate b¹, tubular shafts c¹, and d¹, guide
plate e¹, screw f¹, and the hand wheel gl, all substantially as and operating in the
manner hereinbefore set forth with reference to the annexed drawings or the
mechanical equivalents of all or any of such parts.

page_text: Fourth. In a machine for cutting bread, the means for halving or otherwise
dividing the slices of bread consisting of the cam r, levers k¹, p¹, and s¹, transverse,
shaft, rod, socket u¹, pins w¹, c³, and m³, slots x¹, and y', block a², plate e', blado
or cutter j³, plates 1, and o³, socket n³, guides p³, frame q², cross-bar 7³, bars 8³,
shoot t, screw v³, and bar w, and their attachments all substantially as and
operating in the manner hereinbefore set forth with reference to the annexed
drawings or the mechanical equivalents of all or any of the parts thereof.
Fifth. In a machine for cutting bread the cutter f³, plates i³, and ³, jaws or
arms 8, side walls or plates n³, and o³, and the plate q³, all substantially as and
operating in the manner hereinbefore set forth with reference to the annexed
drawings or the mechanical equivalents of all or any of the parts thereof.
1000
J. H. JOHNSON, DAY & JOHNSON,
Applicant's Agents.