A New or Improved Soap Cutting Machine.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Apr., 1895-Accepted, 6th July, 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Soap Cutting Machine.
We, JACOB ADRIAN JACOBSEN, Carpenter of 32 Bethune Street, in the City
County and State of New York, and ALFRED MORTIMER MILES, Printer, of
West Hoboken, in the County of Hudson and State of New Jersey, United
States of America, 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 has reference to a machine for cutting a block of soap
successively first into slabs then into bars and lastly into cakes of the required
size so that a considerable saving in time and labour is obtained and the cutting
up of a block of soap into cakes greatly facilitated and expedited and the invention
consists in its general features of a soap cutting machine which comprises an
elevator for receiving the block of soap means for intermittently lifting the
elevator a horizontal reciprocating frame provided with two pivoted pushers and
a horizontal cutting wire at one end of the frame for cutting off a slab from the
block which slab is then moved by the first pusher with the frame and by the
next motion of the frame taken up by the second pusher and pushed through
stationary vertical cutting wires so as to be cut into bars. The bars thus obtained
are next placed in front of a laterally reciprocating pusher which forces the bars
through a second series of vertical cutting-wires arranged in a stationary frame at
right angles to the first set of vertical cutting-wires so as to cut the bars into
cakes the laterally reciprocating pusher being hinged to its frame so as to pass
over the bars that are fed forward by the next motion of the horizontally
reciprocating frame. The invention consists further of means for intermittently
lifting the elevator so that the block of soap is successively subjected to the action
of the cutting-wire for being cut into slabs said transmitting mechanism being
operated when the reciprocating frame has cleared entirely the block of soap.
The invention consists lastly of certain mechanisms by which motion is imparted
at the propertime to the different operative parts of our soap-cutting machine as
will be fully described hereinafter and finally pointed out in the claims.
And in order that our invention may be easily understood and readily carried
into practice we will proceed to fully describe same with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which :-
Fig. 1 represents a side-elevation of our soap-cutting machine.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same.
Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of one form of reversing mechanism
employed in our soap-cutting machine.
Fig. 3 is a plan view drawn on a larger scale and showing the mechanism for
transmitting motion from the driving shaft to the different operative parts of the
machine.
Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the left hand end of the machine.
Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse section on line 5-5 Fig. 2.
Fig. is a detail vertical transverse section on line 5° 5ª Fig. 2 seen in the
direction of the arrow Fig. 2, and
Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are detail vertical longitudinal sections drawn on a larger scale
of the longitudinally reciprocating frame by which the soap-block is cut into slabs
and the slabs then moved forward and passed through the first set of vertical
cutting-wires.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout.

page_text: Referring to the drawings:
A represents the supporting frame of our soap-cutting machine which is
provided at one end with upright and transversely braced standards A' on which
the elevator E by which the block of soap. is intermittently lifted is placed. At
the other end of the frame A is arranged at right angles thereto an auxiliary frame A'
on which are supported the bearings for the driving shaft S to which rotary
motion is imparted by suitable pulleys a straight belt and a cross belt from a
suitable counter shaft. On the main frame A is guided on suitable ways a
horizontal longitudinally reciprocating frame B which is provided with longi-
tudinal side rails and at its extreme right hand end with a stationary horizontal
cutting-wire 6 and above the same with a pusher B' pivoted to lugs on the side
rails of frame B. Near the middle portion of the frame B is arranged a second
pusher B2 which is pivoted to lugs 6 attached to the top of the side rails of the
frame B and which is provided with a hinged block B having slits in the body
The distance between the pushers B¹ B' is of such length that a slab
which is cut off from the block of soap by the horizontal cutting-wire of the
frame B can be readily placed in the space between the pushers. The standards A'
of the elevator frame support also rails B₁ on which the frame B is guided so
that the latter can be moved from one pair of standards to the other pair and
entirely over the block of soap supported on the elevator E.
of same.
About mid-way to the length of the main frame A is arranged a transverse
frame C which is provided with a number of vertical cutting-wires d said frame
being attached to a horizontal platform P which is supported on the main frame
directly below the frame B and which extends from a point near the supporting-
frame of the elevator to a point near the opposite end of the main-frame Bas
shown clearly in Fig. 2. From the transverse frame C extends along one side
rail of the main frame A a narrow rail C¹ which is bevelled at its opposite end
said rail serving as a guide rail for the slab of soap that is cut off from the block
by the horizontal wire b.
To the side of the platform P opposite to the rail C' are attached flat springs C*
which serve to press the slab towards the stationary guide-rail C' when the same
is moved forward by the pusher B₁ and pressed through the vertical cutting-wires
of the transverse frame C.
To the elevator E is imparted an intermittent motion so that the block of soap
which is placed on the same is raised for the required height above the horizontal
platform P of the main frame and thereby subjected to the action of the
horizontal cutting-wire b when the frame B is moved over the block of soap so
that a horizontal slab is cut off from the block. The required intermittent motion
is imparted to the elevator-platform E by means of rack bars e that are attached
to each corner of the elevator E and guided in ways ex of the standards A'. With
each rack-bar e meshes a pinion e' which are applied in pairs to two transverse
shalts which turn in bearings of the supporting frame A' as shown in Figs. 2
and 5 said shafts being turned simultaneously so that all the rack bars are raised
at the same time.
To the end of one of the shafts e is applied a ratchet wheel e' which is engaged
by a spring pawl e* the teeth of the ratchet wheel e' being proportioned in such a
manner that by the engagement of the pawl with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel
the exact height to which the elevator is to be lifted is controlled so that the slabs
of uniform thickness are cut from the block. Rotary motion is intermittently
transmitted to the transverse pinion-shafts by means of an endless sprocket
chain which passes over a sprocket wheel e of the same size of each shaft e
One of the shafts is further provided with a sprocket wheel e' to which rotary
motion is transmitted by a sprocket chain e8 and several intermediate sprocket
wheels and chains es elo et e¹s els and e¹ from a sprocket wheel els on the driving
shaft S. The driving shaft S also transmits motion by a pinion to a gear
wheel which is applied to an intermediate shaft f' that is supported in suitable
bearings below the platform P said auxiliary shaft 2 transmitting motion by

page_text: means of a pinion f³ to a gear wheel f' on a second intermediate shaft ƒ and
from said shaft f by means of a pinion f and gear wheel f' to a third inter-
mediate shaft which is likewise supported in hearings of the supporting frame A
to a longitudinal rack bar f' at the underside of the frame B as shown in Figs. 3
and 4.
The frame B is provided with a transverse piece B³ below the platform P
which piece is attached by bolts to the side rails of the frame B and to which
piece B is applied a longitudinal piece B' that carries the rack bar f' as shown
in Fig. 3. When the driving shaft S is rotated in one direction motion is
imparted by the intermediate transmitting gears to the rack bars and the frame B
in one direction while when the motion of the driving shaft S is reversed the
neck bar and frame B is moved in an opposite direction. The reversing of the
driving shaft S is accomplished at the proper time by any approved reversing
device one form of frictional reversing mechanism being shown in plan in Fig. 2
and in detail vertical longitudinal section in Fig. 2^.
To one end of the transverse piece B of the frame B is attached a block B'
which carries a horizontal tongue B8 which is tapered off at the ends and provided
at its underside with heel pieces and a curved channel 67 between the same as
shown in Figs. 1 and 3 said heel pieces serving to engage an anti-friction roller 6ª
at the end of a fulcrumed lever B° that engages by its opposite end the movable
member of a clutch B. The stationary member of the clutch B10 is attached to
the sprocket wheel e so that the sprocket wheel is at rest when the movable
member is out of gear with the stationary member of the clutch but which is
turned by the driving shaft as soon as the movable member is thrown into gear
with the stationary member of the clutch. This is accomplished by the heel
pieces of the tongue B8 when the frame B is moved forward over the platform as
the roller 6 of the lever B' passes first along the inner edge of the first heel-piece
then outwardly on the channel 6' and then along the outer edge of the second or
longer heel piece 68. When the tongue B is not in engagement with the lever B
the latter is pressed inwardly by the action of a helical spring which is inter-
posed between the outer end of the lever B and the upper end of a spring arm B
that is pivoted to one of the horizontal side-pieces of the frame A' as shown in
Figures 1, 2 and 4. By the pressure of the spring the opposite end of the
lever B holds the movable member of the clutch B10 out of gear with the stationary
member on the sprocket wheel e so that the latter is not turned by the driving-
shaft. When the tapering longer heel piece of the tongue B arrives at the end
of the lever B it engages the roller 6 and turns the lever on its fulcrum against
the tension of the spring 6 so that its opposite end moves the movable member of
the clutch into gear with the stationary member whereby the sprocket wheel e" is
turned and the elevator raised by the action of the intermediate sprocket chains
and sprocket wheels on the pinion shafts and rack bars of the elevator so that the
block of soap is lifted for the required thickness of the slab to be cut off. The
movable member of clutch B10 remains in gear as long as the roller &* is held in
engagement with the edge of the longitudinal piece 18 of the tongue B³. When
the roller 6 arrives at the opposite end of the heel piece 68 the lever B° is shifted
again by the action of the spring 6 the clutch members are thrown out of gear
the motion of the transmitting mechanism and elevator is interrupted and the block
of soap prevented from being raised further so as to be ready for the action of the
horizontal cutting-wire b. This takes place when the frame B has moved the slab
of soap cut during the outward motion of the frame over the platform P and
through the series of vertical cutting-wires d. During the outward motion of the
frame B the cutting-wire b passes again through the raised block of soap and cuts
off another slab which is engaged by the first pusher B¹ that drops into vertical
position when it arrives at the end of the slab so as to take the slab along. The
block B of the second pusher B2 drops at the same time into vertical position back
of the slab before cut off so that on reversal of the motion of the driving shaft by
the reversing mechanism the reciprocating frame B is moved in forward direction

page_text: apd its pushers B and B carry both slabs of soap forward the foremost slab being
pressed by the block B through the vertical cutting-wires while the rear slab is
moved over the block of soap onto the right hand end of the platform P as shown
in Fig. 8. The edge of the platform P is beveled as shown in Figs. 6,' 7 and 8 sc
that the slab is readily transferred to the same from the block of soap. While the
foremost slab is forced by the pusher block B³ through the cutting-wires d it is
steadied and guided by the siderail C¹ and flat springs C. The pusher block B
moves the slab entirely beyond the cutting-wires which is accomplished by the
slits b' in the same into which the cutting wires enter so that the slab is cut for its
entire length into bars of soap. The tongue Ba throws the clutch B10 into gear so
that the block of soap on the elevator is again raised while simultaneously the
motion of the driving shaft and frame B is reversed and thereby the cutting-wire b
moved again through the block so as to cut off another slab while the pushers B
and B₁ pass over the slab on the platform and over the slab just being cut off from
the block as shown in Fig. 6. When the frame B arrives at its outermost position
the pushers B and B drop respectively into vertical position as shown in Fig. 7.
The motion of the frame B being now reversed the slab on the platform and the
slab just cut off are moved forward by the pushers B' and B' so that one is forced
through the vertical cutting-wires d and the other moved onto the platform P as
shown in Fig. 6.
During the forward motion of the pushers B' B¹ they abut against stop-pins 6x 6x
which are attached to the side rails of the frame B immediately back of the
pushers B B' as shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8.
At the end of the platform and located opposite to the transverse frame A' and
beyond the transverse cutting frame C is arranged a transversely reciprocating
pusher bar D which is hinged to a frame D which is guided on ways D" of the
auxiliary frame A' said frame D' being provided with a transverse piece D³ having
a stationary screw-nut S₁ which is engaged by a screw-threaded portion of the
driving shaft S as shown in Fig. 2. When the bars of soap are pushed on to the
end of the platform P so as to be in front of the pusher bar D the latter is moved
across the platform by the action of the threaded portion of the driving shaft S on
the screw nut S¹. The bars are thereby moved through a second series of vertical
cutting-wires o̟ which are supported in a longitudinal frame G that is arranged
parallel with the pusher bar. D at the opposite side of the platform P so that the
bars are cut up into a number of cakes which are moved on to a slightly
inclined platform P' and then to a suitable conveyor or on to drying racks on
which the cakes are separated and then conducted to the drying-room..
As soon as the bars are cut up into cakes by the cutting wires g the motion
of the driving shaft S is reversed by the action of the transverse piece D of
the frame D on one of the two pins D arranged on a shifting-rod D' so that
the latter is shifted in the direction of the motion of the frame D' whereby a
forked lever D' which is fulcrumed to the rod D is also shifted in the same
direction. Lever D moves a sliding sleeve D' which is placed loosely on the
shaft S and produces thereby by the connecting parts the tightening of one of
the driving pulleys Ds ou the shaft S and the loosening of the other so that
the belt on the former pulley transmits motion to the driving shaft and reverses the
motion of the same while simultaneously the transmitting action of the cross belt
and loose pulley on the driving shaft is discontinued in the same manner as in
other well-known constructions of reversing mechanisms.
During the return motion of the reciprocating frame D' which is produced by
the reversal of the motion of the driving shaft the hinged pusher bar D: passes
over the rounded off end of a spring piece G' that is attached at its opposite end
to a block G that extends transversely across the platform P at the end of the
same. During the forward motion of the pusher bar D the latter lifts by its
projecting end g' the curved outer end of the spring piece G as shown in Fig. 5
and sufficiently to clear the same. During the return motion of the pusher bar D
over the spring rail G₁ the pusher bar is lifted so as to pass above the bars that

page_text: are moved onto the end of the platform P by the next forward motion of the
reciprocating frame B. When the frame D₁ arrives at the end of its return
motion the pusher bar D clears the recessed end g of the transverse block G and
drops again into vertical position so as to be in a position to push the next set of
bars transversely across the platform and through the vertical cutting-wires g by
the next forward motion of the pusher bar D which is accomplished by the action
of the transverse piece D³ on the second pin D³ on the shifting rod D' whereby
the reversing mechanism is again actuated and the motion of the driving shaft
reversed.
A stop is attached to the side rail of the frame D¹ and adapted to pass
along an inclined portion 6" of the spring arm B" which is pivoted to the frame A*
said stop raising the spring arm until it has passed the inclined portion and arrives
at the straight end of the arm B". The raising of the spring arm B" exerts a
tension on the spring 6" so that the anti-friction roller 6 of the fulcrumed clutch
operating lever B is moved along the channel 6' between the check pieces 68 of
the tongue B ou the frame B so as to secure the reliable engagement of the roller
by the rear heel piece and consequently the reliable working of the clutch at the
proper time so as to produce the raising of the elevator. When the motion of the
driving shaft is reversed the stop 6 liberates during the forward motion of
the slide frame D' the arm B" so that the spring 6" is pressed. on. the end of the
fulcrumed lever and holds the movable clutch member in ungeared position whereby
during the return motion of the frame B the tongue B and its heel piece 68 can
clear the roller bº.
The operation of the different parts of our soap-cutting machine was described
in connection with the description of the same so that only a brief additional
description is required.
Before starting the machine the elevator platform E is returned to its lowermost
position by raising the pawls of the pinion shafts of the elevator and permitting.
the downward motion of the platform by gravity. When the platform has arrived
at its lowermost point the block of soap is transferred on to the same from the truck
by which it is moved to the cutting machine. When the block is placed in position
on the elevator E the driving shaft is started and the block raised to a sufficient
height above the platform P so that by the outward motion of the reciprocating
frame B the horizontal cutting-wire b passes through the block while the pusher B
passes over the slab cut off by the wire b. When the end of the reciprocating
frame B arrives at the opposite side of the block the pivoted pusher B₁ drops into
vertical position as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6 and in full lines in Fig. 7.
The slab is then in a position so as to be moved by the forward motion of the
reciprocating frame B on to the platform P as shown in Fig. 8. During the next
outward motion of the frame B the pusher B* with its hinged pusher block B
passes over the slab thus cut off while simultaneously the horizontal cutting-wire
passes through the block which has been raised in the meantime for the thickness
of a slab and cuts off the next slab the pusher B₁ passing again over the slab until
it arrives at the end of the same and dropping into vertical position back of the
same. Simultaneously the pusher B' with its pusher block B3 drops likewise.to
the rear of the first slab so that by the forward motion of the reciprocating frame B
both slabs are moved forward one towards the end of the platform P and the other
from the block on to the platform P as shown in Figs. 7 and 8.
The first slab is pressed by the forward motion of the frame B through the
vertical cutting-wires d so as to be cut into bars which are moved over the
platform P into the path of the pusher bar D which moves the bars transversely
over the platform and forces them through the cutting-wires 9 which are arranged
longitudinally alongside of the platform P so as to be cut into cakes which are
moved onto the platform P¹ and then conducted from the same on to a suitable
conveyor and by the same to the drying chamber. The clutch mechanism by
which the elevator is intermittently raised as well as the mechanism for changing the
motion of the driving shaft are operated at the proper time so as to produce the

page_text: lifting of the block of soap before the forward motion of the reciprocating frame B
commences. The motion of the reciprocating pusher bar D and its frame D' is so
timed that it moves across the platform P when the bars are in front of the pusher
har and back again over the spring rail G¹ of the side block G³ so as to pass over
the next set of bars when the direction of motion of the driving shaft is changed by
the reversing mechanism. When the elevator is raised sufficiently so that the
block is cut up entirely into slabs the elevator is returned into its lowermost
position so as to receive the next block of soap upon which the machine is again
operated in the same manner as before described so that the block is cut up into
horizontal slabs the slabs into longitudinal bars and the bars into cakes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The combination with an intermittently lifted block-carrying elevator of a
longitudinally reciprocating frame provided with a horizontal cutting-wire at the
outer end of the same and two pivoted pushers supported at different points of the
same a horizontal platform for receiving the slabs cut off from the block and a
stationary frame provided with vertical cutting-wires arranged transversely to the
platform substantially as set forth.
2. The combination with an intermittently operated block carrying elevator of a
longitudinally reciprocating frame having a horizontal cutting-wire at one end a
pivoted pusher above said wire and a second pusher near the opposite end of the
frame a series of vertical cutting-wires arranged transversely across the platform a
transversely reciprocating pusher bar arranged at one side of the end of the
platform and a second series of vertical cutting-wires arranged parallel with the
pusher-bar at the opposite side of the end of the platform substantially as
set forth.
3. The combination of a block carrying elevator vertically guided rack-bars
attached to the same pinions engaging said rack bars a series of sprocket wheels
and chains for transmitting rotary motion to the pinion shafts a horizontal recipro-
cating frame provided with a horizontal cutting-wire at its outer end and with
pivoted pushers a driving shaft a clutch on the driving shaft and means applied to
the reciprocating frame and adapted to throw the clutch in or out of gear so as to
transmit motion to the elevator and stop the motion of the same substantially as
set forth.
4. The combination of a horizontal platform having longitudinal guide rails a
reciprocating frame guided on the same means for imparting reciprocating motion
to said frame a transverse frame extending across the platform and provided with
vertical cutting-wires two pushers pivoted at different points of the reciprocating
frame and a pusher block hinged to the pusher nearest to the transverse cutting
frame said pusher block being provided with slits so as to pass over the vertical
cutting wires and permit the slab to be removed entirely beyond the same sub-
stantially as set forth.
5. The combination of a horizontal platform guide rails at both sides of same a
reciprocating frame provided with a horizontal cutting-wire and pushers for moving
the slabs over the platform a transverse frame extending across the platform and
provided with vertical cutting-wires a stationary guide rail extending from said
transverse frame along one of the side guide rails of the reciprocating frame and
flat springs attached to the opposite side of the platform and adapted to press the
slab against the stationary rail while the same is forced through the vertical
cutting-wires substantially as set forth.
6. The combination of a horizontal platform a transversely guided frame means
for moving the frame transversely over said platform a pusher har hinged to the
end of the transverse reciprocating frame a stationary frame arranged at the
opposite side of the platform and provided with a series of vertical cutting-wires a
grooved transverse block rail arrauged at the end of the platform and a spring rail

page_text: attached to the top of the block and having a rounded off outer end adapted to
engage the pusher bar and lift the same during its return motion so as to pass over
the bars of soap on the platform substantially as set forth.
7. The combination of a horizontal supporting platform having longitudinal
guide rails a reciprocating frame guided on the same and provided with a horizontal
cutting-wire at the end and pivoted pushers a rack bar attached to the reciprocating
frame below the platform a driving shaft a reversing mechanism for said shaft and
intermediate gearing between the driving shaft and the rack bar for imparting
reciprocating motion to the same substantially as set forth.
8. The combination of a block carrying elevator vertical rack bars attached to
said elevator pinions engaging said rack bars a pawl and ratchet wheel mechanism
applied to one of the pinion shafts so as to control accurately the lifting motion of
the elevator a driving shaft a clutch on said shaft and intermediate transmitting
mechanism between the clutch and the pinion shaft for imparting an intermittent
lifting motion to the elevator substantially as set forth.
9. The combination of a block carrying elevator a horizontal platform a recipro-
cating frame having a horizontal cutting-wire and pushers for moving the cut off
slabs over the platform a driving shaft a clutch on said driving shaft a tongue
attached to the reciprocating frame below the platform a fulcrumed and spring-
pressed lever engaging the movable member of the clutch and transmitting
mechanism between the clutch and the elevator for intermittently raising the same
said clutch being thrown in or out of gear by said tongue so as to start or stop the
raising mechanism of the elevator substantially as set forth.
Dated this 9th day of April 1895
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.