US1115331A - Butter-cutter. - Google Patents

Description

0. r. NUTTER. BUTTER CUTTER.

APPLICATION FILED DBO. 31, 1913.

2. SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Patented. 0011.27, 1914.

Charles 1. Walker, by

a a 2 6 m Y a EEEEE E mummmmmm THE NORRIS PEYERS 5a.. PHOTO-LITNO., WASHINGTON, D. c.

v 141mm 0. P. NUTTER.

BUTTER CUTTER.

APPLICATION FILED DBO. a1, 1913.

Patented Oct. 27, 1914.

w2 SHIRTS-SHEET 2.

IVihwsscs:

UNITED S ATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES P. NUTTER, F MALDEN, MASSACHUSETTS.

BUTTER-CUTTER.

Application filed December 31, 1913.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, CHARLES P. NUTTER, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Malden, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Butter-Cutters, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to machines for cutting butter into small pieces for individual use, the principal object of the invention being to provide a machine of-this class particularly adapted for use in hotels, restaurants, and the like, although it is self-evident that the machine may be adapted for home use.

The invention consists of a receptacle having walls nonconductive of heat and provided with a plunger adapted to force a predetermined amount of butter through a discharge opening at one end, said ejected butter then being cut off by a pivoted knife normally closing the .opening and movable about its pivot by a handle which also controls the operation of the plunger.

The invention further consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts which will be fully under stood by reference to the description of the drawing and to the claims hereinafter given.

Of the drawings: Figure 1 represents a central vertical section of a machine embodying the principles of the present invention, the cutting plane being on line 11 on Fig. 2. Fig. 2 represents a plan of same, with the upper closure removed and showing in section the walls of the receptacle and a portion of the inner cover thereof. Fig. 3 represents an inverted plan of the same. Fig. 1 represents a horizontal section, looking upwardly, the cutting plane being on line -14= on Fig. 1. Fig. 5 represents a detail showing the scale on the receptacle, a portion of the upper closure, and the handle for operating the plunger. Fig. 6 repre-' sents an elevation of a portion of the threaded spindle of the plunger and its operating nut, showing in section the movable levercarrying plate and a portion of the inner cover. Fig. 7 represents a partial plan similar to Fig. 2, with the movable plate and operating lever in position to operate the plunger, and Fig. 8 represents a sectional detail showing the means for keeping moistened the operating edge of the knife or cutter,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 27, 1914:.

Serial No. 810,509.

the cutting plane being on line 88 on Fig. 3.

Similar characters designate like parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

In the drawings, 10 is a base supported by means of the legs 11 and having centrally disposed therein a discharge opening 12, the upper end of which has a flaring wall 13. Supported on the outer edge of the flaring wall 13 is a cylinder 141 and superimposed upon the base plate 10 is a larger cylinder 15. The space between the cylinders 14 and 15 is filled with ground cork 16 or some similar material which is nonconductive of heat. The cylinders 14.15 form the wall of a receptacle 17 in which is positioned a reciprocating plunger having a centrally threaded spindle 19. Between the upper ends of the cylinders let and 15 is interposed an annular member 20, to which is threaded a plurality of radial screws 21 having reduced ends 22 projecting into depressions in the periphery of the inner cover 23 of the re ceptacle 17. When the screws 21 are in the position indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings the inner cover 23 of the receptacle 17 is locked in place and cannot be moved either about the axis of the receptacle 17 or lengthwise thereof.

.Centrally disposed in the cover 23 and threaded to the spindle 19 is a flanged nut 2 1, the outer end of which has secured thereto a disk 25 having its periphery serrated or roughened as indicated at 26 in Fig. 6 of the drawings. Between the disk 25 and the outer face of the cover 23 is a plate 27 freely movable around the periphcry of the nut 2-4. This plate 27 is provided with the stud 28 forming a pivot for the lever 29 having an outwardly extending handle 30 secured thereto. The plate 27 is provided with a stop lug 31 limiting the movement of the lever 29 in one direction about its pivot 28. Secured to the upper face of the cover 23 is a plate 32 normally bearing against the opposite side of said lever It is obvious that if the handle 30 is moved in the direction of the arrow a on Fig. 2 of the drawings, the toe of the lever 29 bearing against the plate 32 will cause the plate 27 to be moved in the direc tion of said arrow about the axis of the nut 24:. The plate 27 is provided with a cam slot 33 in which is positioned a curved finger 3 1 secured to the upper end of an .oscillating shaft 35 the lower end of which has secured thereto the pivoted cutting knife 36, normally closing the discharge opening 1.2 in the bottom of the receptacle 17. It is obvious that when the handle 30 is moved in the direction of the arrow a, the cam slot 33 will act upon the finger 34: to move it into the position shown in Fig.

7 of the drawings, thereby moving the out 7 ting knife 36 out of 'alinement with the discharge opening 12. The outer end of the cutting knife 36 is curved to fit the curved plate 37 secured to the under face of the base 10 by means of the screws 38, said grooved plate 37 retaining the cutting knife in contact with the under face of said base 10. When the movable plate 27 has been moved into the position indicated in Fig. 7 of the drawings, the spring plate 39 secured to the lever 29 will engage the serrations 26 in the periphery of the disk 25 and the continuation of the movement of the handle 30 will cause a rotation of the nut 2-1: which being immovable endwise and threaded to the spindle 19 will lower the plunger 18 a predetermined distance. The distance the plunger is to be moved may be readily regulated by means of the stop member 10 secured in position by means of the screws 11 threaded to the holes 12 in the in the direction of the arrow a, its movement is continued until the movable plate 27 comes into contact with the stop member 40 and then a given quantity of the butter or other material in the receptacle 17 has been forced through the discharge opening 12. The handle 30 is then moved in the opposite direction and when the toe 13 of the plate 27 comes into engagement with the end of the finger 3 1-, this finger 34: will be returned to its normal position in the cam slot 33, at the same time moving the oscillating shaft 35 about its axis and causing the cutting knife 36 to sever the projecting material. To facilitate the severing of the material it is preferable to keep the cutting edge of the knife 36 dampened at all times, and for this purpose a hollow member 14: is provided, said member being yieldingly held against the under face of the base 10 and'the cutting edge of the knife 36 by means of the spring member 45 secured to the under face of the base 10.

This hollow member 14; is preferably triangular in shape, as indicated in. Fig. 8 of the drawings, with one angle thereof immediately beneath the edge of the discharge opening 12. When the knife 36 passes through the butter or other material the cutting edge of the knife will come into contact with this angular portion of the member 4 1. The butter will be separated from said knife, passing down the inclined inner face 46 of said member. The member 14, which is removable, is provided with a closing plug 47 and when the machine is in use this member 44 is filled with water and closed by said plug. The member 1 1 is preferably made of wood or some similar material through which the water may gradually percolate and keep the knife edge moistened and ready for use at all times.

To the under face of the plunger 18 is secured a diametral blade 18, the edges of which conform to the inclinations of the flaring wall 13. The end of the spindle 19 opposite to the plunger 18 is provided with some means, such as the squared end 19, for turning the same within the nut 24:. When the plunger 18 has reached its lowest position and it is desired to clean out the receptacle preparatory to putting in a fresh supply of butter or other material, the plunger may be rotated with the edges of the blade 48 in contact with the flaring wall 13, this being accomplished by means of a wrench applied to the squared end 49. This will scrape the material from the wall 13 so that all old material will be completely removed preparatorry to the insertion in the receptacle of the fresh supply. The plunger is then moved into its upper position with its upper face in contact with the 'lower face of the inner cover 23. inner cover 23. \Vhen the lever 30 is moved 'While in use the upper end of the threaded spindle 19 is protected by means of a tubular closure 50 having an apron 51 fitting over the upper end of the cylinder 15 as indicated clearly in Fig. 1 of the drawings. This apron 51 is provided with a slot 52 through which extends the handle 30. It is obvious, therefore, that every time the handle 30 is moved in either direction about the .aXis of the spindle 19 the closure 50-51 will .be turned therewith. This apron 51 is provided with an index 53 and immediately ;below the edge of the apron is a scale 54 iwhich is adapted to coact with the index 53 to indicate the number of small pieces being 'cut from a pound of material when the hanfdle is moved into a predetermined position. For instance, if, when the handle is moved against the stop 40, the index 53 registers with the 30 line of the scale 5i, it would be fclearly shown that at each operation of the ;handle 30, 1/30th of a pound of material is being severed from the material within the receptacle. When new butter or other material is to be inserted within the receptacle 17, it is necessary to remove the closure 5051 and then turn the screws 21 sufficiently to disengage the reduced ends 22 :thereof from the cover 23 so that said cover with its nut 2d and operating mechanism :may be removed intact.

Along the cutting edge of the knife 36 and projecting beyond the outer face thereof is a rib 55, one face of which is in alinementwith the cutting edge of said knife. The purpose of this rib 55 isto make a clearance between the severed portion of the material and that from which it is severed so that the two parts will not adhere as would be the case if a straight blade were used. This is an important feature of the invention. v

While the projecting member 48 serves to clean out the receptacle, it also serves another purpose, inasmuch as it projects into the mass of butter and holds the spindle 19 from turning about its axis during the rotation of the nut 24. This is of considerable importance as without it the plunger 18 would be liable to slip over the upper surface of the butter and permit the spindle 19 and nut 24 to turn together, in which case either no material would be forced through the discharge opening or uneven amounts would be discharged which would be very objectionable. I

By means of the filling material 16, which is non-conductive of heat, the butter is kept cool under ordinary conditions. When the machine is in operation, the knife 36 is normally positioned beneath the discharge opening 12 and closes the same, preventingthe discharge of any portion of the butter until the handle 30 is operated. When this handle is operated the knife 36 is first moved out of alinement with the opening 12 and then the plunger 18 is moved downwardly a required distance, forcing a predetermined amount of any portion of the butter until the handle 30 is operated. When this handle is operated the knife 36 is first moved out of alinement with the opening 12 and then the plunger 18 is moved downwardly a required distance, forcing a predetermined amount of butter or other material through the discharge opening, after which the knife passes through this projecting mass and severs it from the butter remaining within the recep tacle. The butter thus severed will drop onto any butter plate or other receptacle placed beneath the discharge opening 12, thus dispensing with all necessity for hand ling the butter to be served.

While the machine is particularly adapted for use in hotels and restaurants, it is quite obvious that it may be equally well adapted for home use ormany other purposes.

It is believed that the operation and many advantages of this machine will be fully apparent from the foregoing description.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a receptacle having a dis charge opening in one end; a plunger therein provided with a centrally extending threaded member; a pivoted knife normally closing said discharge opening; a nut for said threaded member; and means for moving said knife horizontally about its pivot v out of alinement with said discharge opening, then operating said nut to move said plunger a given distance, and then returning said knife to its normal position.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a receptacle having a dis charge opening in one end; a plunger in said receptacle provided with a threaded spindle; a revoluble nut thereon immovable endwise; means for rotating said nut; a diametricalblade extending from the operating face of said plunger; and means for rotating said threaded spindle in said nut.

3. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a receptacle having a dis charge opening in one end; a reciprocating plunger therein; a pivoted knife normally closing said discharge opening; means for moving said knife horizontally about its pivot; and stationary means for moistening the cutting edge of said knife during each oscillation of said knife.

4:. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a receptacle having a discharge opening in one end; a reciprocating plunger therein; a pivoted knife normally closing said discharge opening; means for moving said knife in a horizontal plane about its pivot; and a hollow member normally in contact with the edge of said knife and adapted to contain liquid and through the walls of which the liquid is adapted to percolate and moisten said knife.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a receptacle having a discharge opening in one end; a reciprocating plunger therein; a pivoted knife normally closing said discharge opening; means for moving said knife about its pivot; and a hollow member normally held in yielding contact with the edge of said knife and adapted to contain liquid and through the walls of which the liquid is adapted to percolate and moisten said knife.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a receptacle having double walls and a discharge opening at one end; a filling between said walls nonconductive of heat; a plunger in said receptacle provided with a threaded spindle; a cover for said receptacle; a revoluble nut mounted. therein threaded to said spindle and immovable endwise; means for rotating said nut and thereby moving said plunger; and a pivoted knife normally closing said discharge opening and adapted to be moved in a horizontal plane out of alinement therewith during the operation of said plunger, and then sever the material forced through said opening.

7. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a receptacle having a discharge opening at one end; a reciprocating plunger in said receptacle; a pivoted knife normally closing said opening; a cover for said receptacle; a flanged nut centrally disposed in said cover; a disk secured to said nut; a movable plate surrounding said nut between said disk and cover; a member pivoted to said plate adapted to coact with said disk to rotate said nut; and a spindle secured to said plunger and threaded to said nut.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a receptacle having a discharge opening at one end; a reciprocating plunger in said receptacle; a pivoted knife normally closing said opening; a cover for said. receptacle; a flanged nut centrally disposed in said cover; a disk secured to said nut; a movable plate surrounding said nut between said disk and cover; a lever pivoted to said plate and provided with a spring member adapted to coact with said disk to rotate said nut; and a spindle secured to said plunger and threaded to said nut.

9. In a machine of the class described the combination of a receptacle having a discharge opening at one end; a pivoted knife normally closing said, opening; a cover for said receptacle; a plunger in said receptacle having a threaded spindle extending through said cover; a nut therefor revoluble in said cover but immovable endwise; a plate movable about said nut provided with a stop lug; a lever pivoted to said plate; a serrated disk secured to said nut and revoluble therewith; a yielding member secured to said lever adapted to engage the serrations on said disk; and a stop member secured to said cover and normally engaging said lever.

10. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a receptacle having a discharge opening at one end; a pivoted knife normally closing said opening; a cover for said receptacle; a plunger in said receptacle having a threaded spindle extending through said cover; a nuttherefor revoluble in said cover but immovable endwise; a plate movable about said. nut provided with a stop lug and having a cam slot in its outer edge; a lever pivoted to said plate; a serrated disk secured to said nut and revoluble therewith; a yielding member secured to said lever adapted to engage the serrations on said disk; a stop member secured to said cover and normally engaging said lever; an oscillating shaft forming the pivot for said knife; and a curved finger secured thereto normally positioned in said slot.

11. In a machine of the class described,v

the combination of a receptacle having a discharge opening at one end; a pivoted knife normally closing said opening; a cover for said receptacle; a plunger in said receptacle having a threaded spindle extending through said cover; a nut therefor revoluble in said cover but immovable endwise; a plate movable about said nut provided with a stop lug; a lever pivoted to said plate; a serrated disk secured to said nut and revoluble therewith; a yielding member secured to said lever adapted to engage the serratlons on said disk; a stop member secured lever; an oscillating shaft forming the pivot for said knife; a curved finger secured thereto normally positioned in said slot; and an adjustablestop secured to said cover adapted to limit the movement of said plate about the axis of said nut.

12. In a machineof the class described, the combination of a receptacle having a discharge opening at one end; a pivoted knife normally closing said opening; a cover for said receptacle; a plunger in said receptacle having a threaded spindle extending through said cover; a nut therefor revoluble in said cover but immovable endwise; a plate movable about said nut provided with a stop lug; a lever pivoted to said plate;

joluble therewith; a yielding member secured to said lever adapted to engage the serra- 10I1S on said disk; a stop member secured to said cover and normally engaging said lever; an oscillating shaft forming the pivot for said knife; a curved finger secured thereto normally positioned in said slot;.an adjustable stop secured to said cover adapted to limit the movement of said plate about the axis of said nut; and a tubular memspindle and provided with an apron fitted over said receptacle and having a slot therein through which said lever extends.

13. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a receptacle having a discharge opening at one end; a pivoted knife normally closing said opening; a cover for said receptacle; a plunger in said receptacle having a threaded spindle extending through said cover; a nut therefor revoluble in said cover but immovable endwise; a plate movable about said nut provided with a stop lug; a lever pivoted to said plate; a serrated disk secured to said nut and revoluble therewith; a yielding member secured to said lever adapted to engage the serrations on said disk; a stop member secured to said cover and normally engaging said lever; an oscillating shaft forming the pivot for said knife; a curved finger secured thereto normally positioned in said slot; an adjustable stop secured to said cover adapted to limit the movement of said plate about the axis of said nut; and a tubular member adapted to protect the upper end of said spindle and provided with an apron fitted over said receptacle and having a slot therein through which said lever extends, said apron having an index adapted to coact with a scale on the periphery of said cylinder to indicate the amount of material to be forced from said discharge opening,

14. In a machine of the class described,

a serrated disk secured to said nut and rev to said cover and normally engaging said ber adapted to protect the upper end of said a receptacle having a discharge opening at one end; a plunger therein provided With a threaded spindle; a revoluble nut thereon immovable endWise; a movable knife normally closing the discharge opening; an operating handle; and mechanism controlled by said handle for moving said knife out of alinement With said opening, then rotating said nut to force the plunger toward said opening and then returning said knife to its normal position and during said return movement cutting ofi' a part of the material forced through the opening.

15. In a machine of the class described, a receptacle having a discharge opening at one end; a plunger in said receptacle adapted to force material through said opening; and a movable knife adapted to sever the material provided with a rib along its cutting edge projecting beyond the outer face thereof.

16. In a machine of the class described, a receptacle having a discharge opening at one end; a plunger in said receptacle adapted to force material through said opening; and a movable knife adapted to sever the material provided With a rib along its cutting edge projecting beyond the outer face thereof, and having an inclined face in alinement With said cutting edge.

17. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a receptacle having a discharge opening in one end; a plunger in said receptacle provided With a threaded spindle; a revoluble nut thereon immovable endivise; means for rotating said nut; means extending downwardly from the operating face of said plunger into the material and adapted to prevent the rotation of the plunger during the'rotation of said nut; and

means for rotating said threaded spindle in said nut.

Signed by me at a Post Ofiice Sq., Boston, Mass, this 27th day of December, 1913.

CHARLES P. NUTTER. Witnesses:

WALTER E. LoMBARD, NATHAN O. LOMBARD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

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