A Machine for Uncapping the Cells of Honey Comb on one or both Sides.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Aug., 1886.
Complete Left, 7th June, 1887.
Complete Accepted, 19th July, 1887.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Machine for Uncapping the Cells of Honey Comb on one or
both Sides.
I JOHN HOOKER of 76 Tyrwhitt Road St. Johns in the County of Kent Gentleman
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
The object of this Invention is to provide a simple means of uncapping the cells
of Honey Comb that the honey may be extracted.
For this purpose I use two knives or cutters fixed in an oblique position parallel
to each other in a Machine.
In the ordinary way the Honey Comb is built in a wooden frame, but as to the
shape and size of the frame I seek no protection in this application the novelty of
my Patent commencing at this point and as hereinafter described.
This frame with the Honey Comb in it as taken from the hive is put into and
fastened in a second suitable frame so made as to be easily guided and passed between
the two fixed knives which knives are oblique, longitudinally and so fixed that the
edges only come in contact with the comb.
These knives are secured to hollow metal castings in such a way that if necessary
the castings can be filled with hot water which by conduction heats the knives.
By suitable screws the metal castings with knives attached are secured to the
Machine so that the knives are as before stated parallel and oblique the distance
between the knives being regulated by suitable screws, such distance being adjusted
to suit the thickness of the Honey comb upon which it is desired to operate.
The second frame containing the frame with honey comb is passed between the
knives being kept in position by suitable guides.
By this Machine the cells of the honey comb on both sides are entirely uncovered
ready for extraction.
Dated this 10th day of August 1886.
HARE & Co.,
Agents to the said Applicant.

page_text: i
.
A Machine for Uncapping the Cells of Honey Comb on one or
both Sides.
I JOHN HOOKER of 76 Tyrwhitt Road St. Johns in the County of Kent Gentleman
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 provide a simple means of uncapping the cells of
Honey comb in an expeditious manner that the honey may be extracted.
of
In the ordinary way the Honey comb is built in a wooden frame but as to the shape
and size of the frame I seek no protection in this application the novelty my Patent
commencing at this point and as hereinafter described.
This frame with the honey comb in it as taken from the hive is put into and fastened
in the second suitable frame so made that it can be easily guided and passed against
the cutting edge of a fixed knife or between fixed knives.
In the accompanying drawings I show how my invention is applied when one
fixed knife only is used in which case only one side of the honey comb is uncapped at
one time and also when two knives are used for uncapping both sides of the honey
comb at one time.
And first as to the method of applying my said invention when one knife only
is used.
The wooden frame as taken from the hive is fixed into a second suitable frame
(hereinafter referred to as the holding frame) and is secured in its place by thumb
screws or any other suitable method.
The holding frame has a groove upon its bottom edge and having been placed on a
ridge corresponding with the groove made on the stand is then passed against the
cutting edge of a knife fixed oblique longitudinally the upper portion being the first
to come into contact with the comb the whole face of which is then gradually
advanced to be operated by the knife and in so passing along the ridge the holding
frame is pressed by the hand of the operator so that its face slides along the fence
provided for the purpose as seen in the accompanying drawings.
The knife is secured by counter sunk bolts and nuts to a hollow metal casting in
such a way that the cutting edge of the knife only comes in contact with the honey
comb.
These bolts pass through slots made in the knives such slot giving a lateral move-
ment to the knife (when the bolts are slacked out) should it be necessary to make a
slight change in the position of the knife.
The casting is made hollow so that if necessary it can be filled by means of tap
screws with hot water, steam or by any other suitable method which by conduction
beats the knife

page_text: The hollow castings lastly referred to is part of the frame work of my said invention
being either cast solid with it if the frame work is iron or added to it by screws or
other methods of fastening if the frame work is of wood.
To secure the accurate parallel passage of the holding frame across the whole length
of the knife I make as before mentioned in such frame work a ridge at a distance
capable of regulation from the knife but parallel to it.
.
The frame work of my invention consists of a flat board or iron bed plate supported
if necessary by a longitudinal and transverse rib as shewn in the accompanying
drawing.
On this bed plate I place that portion of the frame which contains the hollow
castings and which has at either end an angle iron supported if necessary by a web.
In the foot of each angle iron I make a slot which slots are parallel to each other,
through which slots bolts are screwed into the board or bed plate. As will be seen
from the accompanying drawings these slots are arranged to give a varying position
to the angle irons with reference to the ridge and so to vary the distance between the
cutting edge of the knife and this ridge.
This purpose of my invention is to provide for the varying widths of the honey comb
according to the wooden frame used.
In the accompanying drawing identical parts are marked with identical letters of
reference.
In fig. 1 I shew the wooden frame as taken from the hive (a) the holding frame (b)
and the securing screws (c).:
In fig. 2 I shew an elevation of the frame work of my invention "
knife "d" the hollow casting."e" and the bolts and nuts "f."
g
.
" with the
Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of the holding frame with wooden frame in position
shewing groove "h" on bottom edge of holding frame.
Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of the framework with knife and holding frame as
passing against the knife; the top side of holding frame being pressed against the
fence.
Fig. 5. 6. are detailed drawings of the lower portion of frame work "g" of the
machine..
...
Fig. 7 is a section of the knife and hollow casting.
Fig. 8 is a detailed drawing of the binding screw and clip.
Fig. 9 is a plan of the top of the holding frame.
And 2ndly as to the method of applying my said invention when two or more
knives are used but for the sake of simplicity my subsequent description is when two
knives are being used for the purpose of uncapping both sides of the honey comb at
one operation.
To the frame works and fittings as already explained for uncapping one side of the
honey comb I now add on the other side of the ridge and opposite to the knife
already provided a second knife fitted as before in contact with the hollow casting
and which casting is also fixed on two angle irons made as already described with
supporting web and with parallel slots but without the guiding fence made on the
hollow casting of the other knife.
The position of the second knife is made to correspond with that used for uncapping
one side only viz. the edge of the knife is oblique longitudinally and parallel to the
ridge, and the upper edge of the knife comes first into operation and the edge of the
knife only comes in contact with the comb or honey.
The position of the slots as before explained gives me the opportunity of varying
the relative distance between the 2 knives.
In fig. 10 I shew a plan of my invention so fitted with 2 knives.
In fig. 11 I shew a sectional elevation of the holding frame with wooden frame in
position the frame having 2 knives.
Fig. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8 and 9 of the accompanying drawings are as applicable to the use
of my said invention with 2 knives as has already been explained as to one knife.
I claim for my said Invention that it can be fitted on to a stand made for the

page_text: purpose in which case a pan or other suitable receptacle would be placed underneath
to catch the uncappings from the machine or it may be fitted upon any ordinary
pan or tank or tub and if necessary secured by any simple form of fastening.
In the above description the method of applying my said Invention is when the
knife or knives are fixed and the frame containing the comb is movable.
I claim however under my said invention that it can also be applied when the knife
or knives are movable and the frame containing the honey comb is fixed.
n.'
68
"
"
In fig. 12, 13 and 14 I shew such an application of my Invention, where "k
the frame work holding the honey comb frame "1," and where the knife " m is
fastened in the movable holder 66
In the above description I have confined myself to the application of my said
Invention to one or two knives and to the general principles of novelty of my said
Invention leaving minor details to appear from the drawings.
I claim however in this application for a patent all such variations of my patent
and its details as can properly come within the scope of my said Invention.
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 :-
(1.) The construction and adaptation of a frame fitted with binding screws for
receiving the wooden frame containing the honey comb as hereinbefore described.
(2.) The construction and adaptation of one or more knives to be fitted in frame
which knives can operate upon the honey comb as herein before described.
(3.) The construction and adaptation of a frame work as hereinbefore described to
secure the knives to regulate their distance from each other and to regulate the
accurate parallel passage of the holding frame before referred to.
(4.) By all of such operations hereinbefore described the uncapping of the honey
comb at one or both sides.