A Machine for Cutting or Snuffing the Stalks or Tops and Tails of Gooseberries or other analogous Fruit.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Aug., 1895-Accepted, 28th Sept., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Machine for Cutting or Snuffing the Stalks or Tops and Tails of
Gooseberries or other analogous Fruit.
I WILLIAM BRIERLEY of the Borough Brass Works Rochdale in the County
of Lancaster Confectioners Machinist 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. :-
My invention relates to a machine or apparatus for snuffing removing or cutting
the tops and tails or stalks of gooseberries preparatory to the preserving or
cooking process of such fruit which invention is in expeditious means for accom-
plishing this object as hitherto such fruit is generally prepared or dressed by hand
which necessarily occupies much time for the purpose of such dressing.
My object is to devise a machine in which large quantities of fruit may be
treated.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood I have referred to the
accompanying sheet of drawings in which like letters of reference indicate like
parts throughout the figures therein shewn.
Figure 1 is a front elevation of my invention.
Figure 2 is an end view of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a plan of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is an end view shewing the cutters or snuffing knives the driving
gearing being removed.
e
According to my construction my machine consists of a perforated cylinder a
mounted on a shaft c in a suitable frame b. On the said shaft is also mounted
driving pulley d and a toothed gear wheel which wheel e gears into corresponding
toothed wheels and g mounted on studs and i which latter wheels gear into
toothed wheels j and k respectively mounted on shafts and m on which latter
shafts cutters or knives n are secured or mounted which knives or cutters are
constructed lengthwise of the hollow barrel a and in close proximity and relatively
thereto and suitably so for a purpose hereafter referred to and as shewn in
Figures 2 and 4.
When motion is imparted to the shaft c by means of a strap on the pulley d
the barrel a is rotated also the cutters n are rotated by the agency of the gear
wheels before described the fruit to be treated having previously been placed
within the barrel along the shoot or ☐ which is admitted therein through suitable
openings situate at the end a¹ thereof which openings are protected or the contents
maintained within the barrels by suitable sliding covers or pieces.
During the movements or rotation of the barrel a the stalks of the fruit enter
through the perforations or opening a² and project beyond the outer surface of the
barrel a consequently the said stalks are cut of or snuffed by the cutters which are
caused to rotate or revolve on their axis at great veloceties in directions opposite
to the direction or motion of the barrel a, the stalks so cut off are then allowed to
drop into a box or suitable receptacle underneath the machine the fruit when
dressed may be withdrawn from the barrel through or along the shoot p.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
In a machine for cutting away or removing the stalks or tops and tails from

page_text: gooseberries or similar fruit in combination a rotating or revolving perforated
barrel a with a cutter or cutters n to which cutters motion shall be imparted
in direction or directions contrary or opposite to the motion of the barrel
substantially as and for the purposes herein fully set forth.
Dated this 31st day of July 1895.
J. H. BUTTERWORTH,
Agent for the Applicant.