Improvements in Machines for Cleaning Knives, Forks, Spoons, and the like.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Oct., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Aug., 1898-Accepted, 29th Oct., 1898
Improvements in Machines for Cleaning Knives, Forks, Spoons,
and the like.
I, WILLIAM HERRIS WRIGHT, of 524, Ashton Old Road, Openshaw, Manchester,
in the County of Lancaster, Foreman Pattern Maker, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in connection with cleaning machines
for knives, forks etc., the object being to make the machines handier and more
efficient in use than has hitherto been the case.
My invention is applicable to the rotary disc class of machines as well as to
the roller machines and in so far as the first named class is concerned consists
principally in the application thereto, or combination therewith, of a pair of
rollers, discs, brushes or the like of a suitable shape or construction and driven
in a convenient manner and capable of being used for cleaning forks, spoons or
the like. In the second class of machines I employ in addition to the ordinary
knife cleaning rollers, a pair or pairs of suitably arranged rollers, discs or the
like for cleaning forks, spoons and similar utensils. In both classes of machine
I also introduce certain detail improvements which will be hereinafter referred to.
In carrying out my invention more particularly with reference to the rotary
disc type of machine I fix to the outer casing thereof in a suitable position, a
bracket arranged to support two short shafts or the like which carry at one end
pulleys or chain wheels round which a band or chain may be passed to effect
their rotation the said band or chain being also passed round a third pulley or
wheel carried on the central or driving shaft of the machine and which is rotated
in the usual way by a winch handle. The outer portions of the short shafts
are arranged to carry rollers or discs each of which by a simple catch arrangement
can be held securely to the shafts whilst cleaning is going on but which can
nevertheless be easily removed from them in exchange for others, when required.
The rollers are preferably made of felt or some such soft material. This
material is made up of thin discs which are connected together endwise in such a
way as to allow the portions nearest the periphery to have a little lateral play
when in use and thus to accomodate themselves to the different shapes of the
utensils being cleaned.
When the thin discs are assembled and secured in position on their respective
shafts or bushes they may form true cylinders or one roller or brush may be
concave and the other convex or of other suitable contour. In any case, however,
the thin discs are so made and arranged, in addition that spiral or helical grooves
5 are formed on their periphery. This construction enables them to exercise a more
efficient cleaning action on spoons or forks placed between the rollers.
The shaft carrying one of the rollers is arranged to be adjustable so that
utensils of different thicknesses and forms. can be passed between the rollers, whilst
an adjustable guide pulley is also provided to keep the driving band or chain
10 at the proper tension. The chain wheel on the central or driving shaft is also

page_text: so arranged that it can be disconnected from the shaft by the withdrawal of a
pin, catch or the like when it is only desired to run the knife cleaning portion
of the machine.
In order that finely powdered emery or some such cleaning medium may be
readily applied to the rollers I arrange beneath the bottom roller a trough to
contain it. This trough is pivoted in such a way that by lifting one end of it,
the emery is brought in contact with the bottom roller or brush and carried
upwards to the top roller or brush and after a sufficient quantity has been dis-
tributed the trough is let fall to its normal position.
The discs, felt rollers or brushes referred to, and also the pivoted emery trough
are applicable to knife cleaning machines characterized by the use of rollers in
place of discs for cleaning the knives.
WILLIAM H. TAYLOR,
Swan Chambers, 69, Market Street, Manchester,
Agent for the Applicant.
Improvements in Machines for Cleaning Knives, Forks, Spoons,
and the like,
I, WILLIAM HERRIS WRIGHT, of 524, Ashton Old Road, Openshaw, Manchester,
in the County of Lancaster, Foreman Pattern Maker, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particu-
larly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to improvements in connection with cleaning machines
for knives, forks, etc., the object being to make the machines handier and more
efficient in use than heretofore.
My invention is applicable to the rotary disc class of machines as well as to
the roller machines and in so far as the first named class is concerned consists
principally in the application thereto, or combination therewith, of a pair of
rollers, discs, brushes or the like of a suitable shape or construction and driven
in a convenient manner and capable of being used for cleaning forks, spoons or
the like. In the second class of machines I employ in addition to the ordinary
knife cleaning rollers, a pair or pairs of suitably arranged rollers, discs or the
like for cleaning forks, spoons and similar utensils. In both classes of machine
I also introduce certain detail improvements which will hereinafter referred to.
In carrying out my invention more particularly with reference to the rotary
disc type of machine I fix to the outer casing thereof in a suitable position, a
bracket arranged to support two short shafts or the like which carry at one end
pulleys or chain wheels around which a band or chain may be passed to effect
their rotation, the said band or chain being also passed round a third pulley or
wheel carried on the central or driving shaft of the machine, which is rotated
in the usual way by a winch handle. The outer portions of the short shafts
are arranged to carry rollers or discs each of which by a simple catch arrangement
can be held securely to the shafts while cleaning is going on.
but which can
nevertheless be easily removed from them in exchange for others, when required.
The rollers are preferably, made of felt or some such soft material. This
material is made up of thin discs which are connected together endwise in such a
way as to allow the portions nearest the periphery, to have a little lateral play
when in use and thus to accommodate themselves to the different shapes of the
utensils being cleaned.

page_text: When the thin discs are assembled and secured in position on their respective
shafts or bushes they may form true cylinders, or one roller or brush may be
concave and the other convex, or of other suitable contour. In any case, however,
the thin discs are so made and arranged, in addition that spiral or helical grooves
are formed on their periphery. This construction enables them to exercise a more
efficient cleaning action on spoons or forks placed between the rollers.
The shaft carrying one of the rollers is arranged to be adjustable so that
utensils of different thicknesses and forms can be passed between the rollers, whilst
an adjustable guide pulley is also provided to keep the driving band or chain
at the proper tension. The chain wheel on the central or driving shaft, is also
so arranged that it can be dis-connected. from the shaft by the withdrawal of a
pin, catch or the like when it is only desired to run the knife cleaning portion
of the machine.
In order that finely powdered emery or other cleaning medium may be readily
applied to the rollers I arrange beneath the bottom roller a trough to contain it.
This trough is pivoted in such a way that by lifting one end of it the powder is
brought in contact with the bottom roller or brush and carried upwards to the
top roller or brush and after a sufficient quantity has been distributed the trough
is let fall to its normal position.
I
The discs, felt rollers or brushes referred to, and also the pivoted trough are
applicable to knife cleaning machines characterised by the use of rollers in place
of discs for cleaning the knives.
And in order that my said invention may be more readily understood and
carried into practical effect I have hereunto annexed three sheets of drawings
and will now proceed to describe the same with the assistance of the various
figures and letters of reference marked thereon.
Fig. 1 illustrates the application of my invention (in elevation) to a rotary disc
type of knife cleaning machine, and Fig. 2 a plan. Figs. 3, 4 and 5 illustrate
on a larger scale the fittings employed with such type of machine. Fig. 6
represents the application of my invention to a roller knife cleaning machine.
In carrying out my invention more particularly with reference to the said
rotary disc type of machine, I fix by screws or other suitable means upon the
outer casing (A) in any suitable position, or, by preference in the position shewn
in Fig. 1, a bracket (B), extending beyond the edge or periphery of the casing,
and carrying directly or indirectly a pair of shafts (C), (C¹). Upon each of such
shafts which are round and capable of revolving in their supporting collars (D¹)
at one end and square at the other end, I mount a (by preference) special make
or construction of cleaning buff (D) (see Figs. 2 or 5), the distance between the
to fit thereon with their peripheries
shafts being such as to allow the "buffs
in touching contact.
upon the shaft
Upon each shaft I also mount a pulley or chain-wheel (E) and
of axle (F) of the knife cleaning machine I mount a third chain wheel (G), and
around said wheels I pass an endless pitch-chain (H).
29
The wheel (G) is loose upon its shaft, but has a hole in its side into which a
pin or stud (I) mounted in a disc or lug (J) (keyed to shaft (F) is capable of
sliding, and thus of locking the wheel to the shaft, and causing it to turn there-
with, or, by sliding out of said hole, of unlocking the wheel and allowing it to
remain idle whilst the knife cleaner only is used.
Motion being imparted to the wheels (E) by the chain (H) the "buffs" are
caused to rotate. Beneath the said buffs is a trough (L) hinged to the bracket (B)
by pin (L) and provided with snug (L2) which abuts against a similar snug (L)
on the bracket, and by which it is held in a horizontal position as shewn more
clearly in Fig. 3.
In such trough finely powdered emery or like cleaning medium is placed, and
when the front edge of the trough is slightly lifted up it causes the lower buff (D)
to come in contact with the emery or powder and become coated therewith, and
consequently when a fork or like object is placed between the buffs and the buffs

page_text: are rotated they impart the powder to the fork and readily and effectively clean
such fork.
To maintain the tension of the chain I provide a pulley or bobbin (M) upon the
arm (N) pivoted to the bracket (B). To allow for spoons or other irregular objects
to be cleaned I use the form of buffs shewn in Fig. 5, one convex and with a
rounded end adapted to clean the hollow of a spoon, and the other concave.
The buffs are of special make, being composed of discs of felt or other spongy
material pasted or otherwise secured together as shewn in Fig. 4, and fitted with
a leather or like disc at each end, fixed by means of a set of long wire tacks or
built upon a hollow sleeve or core to fit the shafts (C) (C¹).
The outer surface or periphery of each buff before or after being made up is
scored or cut in spiral lines or grooves as shewn in Figs. 2 and 4, which in con-
junction with the pressure by which the discs are held together give the buff a
peculiar double screw like appearance, and thus produce a unique and most effec-
tive cleaning surface.
To allow for the different shapes or thicknesses of utensils to be cleaned the
shaft of the upper buff is carried by a link (0), pivoted on a bolt (C) which
passes through the part (P) and when the buffs are in the required position, is
held tight by a wing nut (Q).
As applied to roller machines I extend each shaft beyond the frame, and fit
them with buffs, or I apply the bracket (B), or its equivalent, to the frame to gear
up the shafts (C) and (C¹) by spur or chain gearing to the shaft of the upper or
lower roller of the machine, as shewn in Fig.6.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declaro that what
I claim is:-
1: In a disc or roller knife cleaning machine, the combination of a bracket
fitted to the outside casing, carrying two shafts with buffs, brushes or the like
fitted thereon, adjustable or otherwise, and driven by chain and chain-wheels from
axis of knife cleaner with means to couple or uncouple the same, as set forth.
2: In cleaning buffs, the use and combination of discs of felt or like spongy
material, arranged side by side, and scored or cut with spiral or screw-like grooves,
as set forth.
3: In combination, the use of rotary buffs, brushes or cleaning rollers, and a
hinged trough for holding cleaning material, as set forth.
T1
001
1
1000
WILLIAM HERRIS WRIGHT.
By J. G. Wilson & Co.,
Agents, 55, Market Street, Manchester.