Improvements in Machines for Cutting and Pulping Roots and other Vegetable Substances.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 17th July, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 17th Apr., 1891-Accepted, 30th May, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Cutting and Pulping Roots and
other Vegetable Substances.
I, SAMUEL EDWARDS of Ladywell, Eccles, in the County of Lancaster,
Agricultural Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention to be as
follows:-
The object of this invention is to more effectually cut up the roots (or other
vegetables) placed in the machine; also to prevent any uncut portion from passing
away with that which is cut, and to reduce the power required to drive the
machine.
The invention refers more particularly to the cutters or knives themselves, and to
a special form or construction of guard, and in carrying out my invention as applied
to a turnip cutting machine, such as those known as Gardner's barrel machinc, for
cutting finger pieces" for sheep, I may premise that the cutters or knives
commonly used are made from a piece of parallel steel, a short portion being bent
at a right angle, and sharpened on the edge.
"
I propose to make this short or upper part of the cutter, by preference of a pointed,
or projecting angular form upon its cutting edge, and the incline of each side of
about forty-five degrees or thereabouts, for the purpose of forming two edges that
will have a shearing action upon the turnip, or other vegetable substance, but I may
in some cases form the inclined cutting edges in the reverse position, being hollowed
like the letter V, or I may vary the form to a convex or a concave segmental edge,
with the object of producing a shearing cut, instead of a chopping cut.
To accomplish the second part of my invention, in preventing the "last piece
of a cut up turnip, for example, which is usually of some undesirable shape, from
passing uncut into the basket or other receiver containing the cut material, I
construct a guard, placed under and passing partly round the outside of the cutting
barrel, the space between it and the barrel gradually increasing in the direction of
rotation, to prevent the accumulation of "last pieces" clogging between the two
parts, and to enable such last pieces to be carried round by the rotation of the
barrel into the hopper again, or forced through the cutters..
Although I have described my invention in connection with a " barrel" machine,
cutters of my improved construction may be adapted to the "disc" machines, and
any machine fitted with them requires much less power to drive it, than when fitted
with cutters of the ordinary construction.
ROBT. F. DRURY, Fel. Inst. P.A.,
Bauk Buildings, George Street, Sheffield, Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Cutting and Pulping Roots and
other Vegetable Substances.
1, SAMUEL EDWARDS of Ladywell, Eccles, in the County of Lancaster
Agricultural Engineer, 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 :-
The object of this invention is to enable the machine to more effectually cut up
the roots, or other vegetables placed in it for that purpose, also to prevent uncut
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page_text: ;
improve such machines.
In the annexed sheet of drawings, I have illustrated my improvements; where
letters of reference are repeated, they refer to similar parts, in any of the figures.
Fig. 1, is an elevation of a machine, part of the outer frame being removed
and various unessential details being omitted.
.
Fig. 2, the guide plate.
Figs. 3. 4. 5. 6, improved cutters.
This invention refers more particularly to the cutters or knives used in this class
of machine, and to the construction or arrangement of the guard which encircles
the lower half of the cutter barrel, and its auxiliary parts.
In carrying out my invention as applied to a turnip cutting machine, such as that
illustrated in Fig. 1, of the drawings annexed, for cutting turnips into finger pieces
for sheep (or with the addition of slicing blades for cattle food) the arrangement of
which is well known to the trade, I propose to avoid the trouble which occurs in this
class of machines of the usual construction, caused by the "last piece" of a cut up
turnip, and which is usually of some undesirable shape for sheep food, passing
uncut through the machine into the basket or other receiver-or becoming wedged
between the barrel A, and the encircling framework and thus retarding the action
of the machine.
This I do by constructing a guard B, passing partly round the underside of the
cutting barrel A, and being attached to, or forming part of the frame or body of
the machine and arranged eccentrically with respect to the barrel A, so that the
space C, between it and the barrel increases in width from the cutting point D, that
is in the direction of rotation. This arrangement prevents the "last piece" from
clogging, and the revolving cutters catch it and carry it round to the uncut or
partly cut up turnips and again forward to the cutting point D.
These machines have an inclined plate E, to deflect or cause the turnips to turn
to the cutting side of the barrel, and as usually constructed and held rigidly
between grooves, or projecting top and bottom ribs, it would be impossible or nearly
so for the beforementioned "last pieces" to pass the plate without lifting the plate
bodily out of its position, and endangering the edge of the cutters. In order to
meet this difficulty I construct the guide plate E, with gudgeons or end pins upon
which it can turn, or swivel in suitable bearings G and G2 formed in the body H,
or hopper H¹. If the machine is for cutting finger pieces only, one bearing
only at G, is necessary, but if the machine is also constructed for slicing, it
would require two as shown. To retain the guide plate E, in the proper inclined
position, projections, or stops I, are formed against which the plate rests, but
which do not prevent the plate being easily turned upwards upon its axles F, by
the action of the "last pieces" when carried round by the revolving barrel.
To improve the cutting qualities of the knives or cutters, I make the top or
short side J, of the cutter to project beyond the longer side K, (through which the
bolt hole is made see Figs. 3 and 4,) and I construct the cutting edge L, of a
segmental form, either convex as Fig. 4, or concave as Fig. 6, but preferably
convex, or as Fig. 5, I wish it to be understood that I do not claim a pointed
cutting edge, as such a shape is likely to be easily damaged by bending or
breaking.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is or may be carried into practice, I
declare that what I claim is
:-
1. In rotary machines for cutting and pulping turnips and other like roots, or
vegetables; the guard B, arranged eccentrically to the barrel, in combination
with a swivelling guide plate E, substantially as hereinbefore described and
illustrated.
2. In a rotary machine as described in the Provisional Specification for cutting and
pulping turnips and the like, a guide plate E, suspended by projecting end pins

page_text: in suitable bearings in the body or hopper of the machine resting upon stops,
but capable of being turned upwards substantially as hereinbefore described and
shown.
3. Cutters or knives, for cutting or pulping machines (such as before described,)
having the cutting edge upon the short or top side, projecting beyond the long
side, the said cutting edge being of a convex or concave configuration, as
hereinbefore described, and illustrated in Figs. 3. 4. 5. 6. of the drawings.
Dated the 13th day of dni 1901
ROBT. F. DRURY, Fel. Inst. P.A.,
Bank Buildings, George Street, Sheffield, Agent for Applicant.