US1572363A - Ice-cream cutter - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 9, 1926 REICHEL ET M I ICE CREAM GUTTER Filed April 5. 1922 2 sheets-'sheet 1 LTLXATLFIL: il.

Feb. 9 ,1926. I 1;572,36 3

, H. REICHEL ET AL ICE CREAM CUTTER Filed April 5. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2' IRI/6.727275 f 0 jezce] Zmm/ze.

Patente-d F eb. 9, 1926.

Unire stares .ement oFFicE.

HUGO REICHEL ANI) WILLIAM Il. NIES, GFYCHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ICE-CREAM CUTTER.

Application led April 5, 1922. Serial No. 549,788.

North Ashland Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful lin-v proveinent in Ice-Cream Cutters, of which the following; is a specification. `v

Cnr invention relates to an apparatus for cutting blocks of plastic material, and is particularly applicable to the separation of butter or ice cream into a large number of small blocks or squares. It has for one object to provide means for reducing; a large block of ice cream or similar plastic 1naterial, by one operation, into a large number of blocks of the proper size to pack and i sell. It has for a further object toprovide a machine of the type above described which shall be particularly adaptable for quick Figure 5 is a section lon the line 5 5 of Figure l.

Like parts are represented by like letters and numbers throughout the drawings.

A is a supporting' base of any suitable form, which is provided with a flat upper surface or surfaces A. Upwardly projectinfr from one side thereof are the supports n: n?, from which projects laterally a transverse element A3 spaced substantially above the surface A. but overhangingit, and terminating in a plurality of perpendicular bearingelements A4 which are faced with wood blocks A5 and are separated by the pockets fr having narrow vertical mouths A7.

At both ends of the base are the upwardly projecting,` supporting' posts B B providing CII vthe guide plates B4 Bt'.

the similar rectangular openings B2 to per? init the passage therethrough of the material to be cut. The upper inner surfaces are rabbeted as at B3 B3 to provide guide ways adapted to receive the ends C2 C3 of the knife supporting' element C4 which is provided with a central, vertically, projecting, reinforcing` rib C5. The knife supporting element C4 is retained in the guide ways by Projecting from the ends C2` C3 are the lugs D D to which are secured the racks VD2 D3, which are supported ion pinions D4 D5 keyed tothe driving shaft D6, which is rotatably inounted'in any suitable manner, as, for example` in the end posts B- B. The racks may be kept in position against the pinions, as, for example, by the overhanfrinplugs D9 D10. The pinions are actuated eithery through the gear D keyed to the shaft D, which may be connected Vwith any suitable power source not shown or by the manual crank D12 keyed to the end of the shaft.

The lower surface of C4r is broken by a series of flat bottom opening-s or slots Eone side, E of each of which is perpendicular and the other side E2 is inclined. Bolts ElV are screw-threaded to penetrate through the upper surface of C4 and into the slots,where they rotatably engage the wedge blocks E4,

which have inclined sides E5 in opposition to the inclined sides E2 of the slots, and vertical sides E6 in opposition to the vertical sides E of the slots, the blocks being of smaller width than the inside of theslots.

rlhe rotation of the bolts E3 serves to wedge the'blocks against the inclined sides of the slot and against the knife blades F, which are inserted into the slots between the` opposed vertical slot and block walls. rllhese knife elements each comprise an inclined cutting' or blade portion F and a. reark rounded portion F2, the lowerinost portion of the knife blade terminating` at a point spaced substantially above the surface A.

At the right end of the gang; knife, as

shown in sie". 2, is a descending, pin G,

which is adapted to engage al'ug G on a slide or stop G2 which is slidably mounted at the right end of the base, as shown inr Figs. 1 and 2. This stop or slide is slotted, as at C3, to engage a bolt G4, and is pron vided with yielding means G5 adapted to rey turn it to normal position when the gang knife has been withdrawn.

' without departing from the spirit ofy our invention. lVe wish, therefore that our; drawings be taken as m a sense diagram-y matic.

The use and operation of our .invention are as follows: l

Heretofore it has been the custom to sepaate large blocks of ice cream into smaller blocks by feeding the block forward into a cutting zone and cutting off slicesfrom it4 one by one-that is to say, for each `cut the block Awas fed forward to position forthe succeeding cut. The present apparatus' and process provide for the simultaneous severing of the block into a number of pieces, and the apparatuspermits of this process being carried on continuously, since tlie large blocks ofice cream are fed into the machine at one end and are removed from it at the other. This has been illust vated as a large-y ly manual process, but it isobvious that the bricks could be put on -a mechanical carrier and carried through the cutting zone by a step-by-step motion, the entire process thus being made mechanical and automatic.

le illustrate a cutter having a flat base, `on the flat upper surface of which may bey placed any suitable block or board on which is laid the large brick from which the smaller bricks are to be cut. It will be understood that in prevailing' practice ice cream is prepared in a large brick, possibly as much as twoY feet in length. This brick may beloosened from the forni in which it is frozen, as, for example, by heating the form with hot water, and the brick is then dropped upon a board or plate. This plate, with the brick in position thereon, is slid over the flat base of the machine, being inserted fromy the left, as shown in Fig. l, through the opening in the end wall. 'The brick is loose on the board, being kept iny position thereon simply by frictonal con-V tact. The stop at thev opposite end of the machine limits the forward motion'of the brick and when the brick is in position thereagainstfthe operator, who 4has manually linserted the board,` will push it no *farther ln inserting the board and brick he preferably sees that' the right side of the brick vlies close to the series of stops shown at, `the, lbottom of Figi. These stops, as shown in Fig. 3, clear the board, so the boardmay, if necessary, be shoved there- `knife elements just clearing the board.

, quently used.

under to position the brick, and the end stop Aalso clears this board; and when the brick is thus positioned the operator is ready to perform the cutting operation. r1`he gang knife is in position as shown at the top of Fig. l, and at the left of Fig. 3. The operator can either turn on the power, if he .is using a power-driven machine, or he can turn thel crank if he is using a manual machine, and the pinions connected thereto mesh with the racks which are connected to either end of the gang knife. The knife is thus drawn across the machine and against the brick, the lower edges of the various The knives are drawn all the way across through the brick and into the receiving hollows between and behind the stops at the opposite side of the machine, in order entirely to clear the path of the brick, for removal after the cutting.

A downwardly projecting stop or pin at the right end of the gang knife, as shown in Fig. ,1, engages an outwardly projecting member on the stop and withdraws it, thus further clearing the path for removal of the board and the cut4 brick, which may then be slid out of the machine at the opposite end. Any suitable means-foi' example, a springmay be provided for returning the end stop to position when the gang knives arewithdrawnto the opposite side of the machine inereadiness for the next cutting operation.

rlhe various elements of the gang Vknife are removable and adjustable by means of the wedge and nut shown in Fig. 5, the. opposed inclined sides of the wedge and pocket serving to clamp the knife between the opposite opposed straight sides when the bolt is rotated.

The simplicity and ease of use of this niachine renders it an yenormous improvement of the machines of the past, and over unguided manual methods which are so fre- The bricks are fed forward into the machine' and cut on the same board from which they are dropped fioin the slab moulds. The slab from which the bricks are cut is automatically registered in relation to the knives, since it is necessary simply to push the board forward until the slab contacts the end stop. The knives themselves will push the slab against the side stops although the operator will generally move the board and brick in proper relation thereto. All the careful registry of slab and cutting knives which is characteristic of earlier processes, is avoided and the slab may lie anywhere on the cutting board which of course, passes `freely` over the hanging side stop. The register stop disappears during the machine. A large number ot bricks may be cut at each stroke, although but 'tow moving parts are used, the most important ot' which are the shat't and the knife carrying;l slide. rl`he bricks may be cut without any n'ianual handling ot the slab or bricks. The knives are designed to give a shearing` cut, thus eliminating tearing` action when nuts and `truit are contacted. The knives are so mounted as to permit instant. removal or replacement. The cut is made through the slab in one direction and the cut slab is pushed 4forward out ot the way betere the return stroke. thns e-lin'iinating tearing' or shearing' ot the corners ot the bricks cut it'roiu the slab. Since there are no delicate parts ot' the machine, it cannot get ont ot order` and it is easily kept clean and sanitary, it can be cleaned by mere hose flushing.

lVhile this machine has been described particularly in connection with preparing' bricks ot ice cream tor consumption trom the large blocks in which it 4is frozen, it is obvious that this device may beF nsed tor cutting` a variety of relatively plastic suhstances, such as butter, clay and the like, and we do not limit ourselves to any partienlar use.

lVe claim:

l. A machine for cutting masses ot plastic material, comprising' a inarterial-supportino' base, a materill-engaging element aligned along' one side thereof, a plurality ot cutting' elen'ients andrneans tor diawimgl them horizontally `across said base and into said material-engaging element and out ci line with the material cut, said element be* ing recessed to receive said cutting;` elements, a terminal stop adapted to engage the material to be cut and means for withdrawingiv said stop in unison with the civittino; excursion vot the cutting elements.

2. A machine for cutting masses of plastic material, coniprisingil a material-supporting' base, .a material-engagingil element aligned along' one side thereot, a plurality oi cutting elements and means ior drawing` them across said base and into said n'iaterialengaging element, said element being recessed to a depth suiicient to admit the entire length of said cutting elements, a. terminal stop adapted to engage the material to be cut and means tor withdrawing it in unison with the cutting' excursion ot' the cutting' elements.

3. A machine 'tor cutting;` masses ot plastic material, comprising' a materialsnpporting' base, a material-engaging element aligned along' one side thereof, a plnrality ot cutting elements and means tor dra-wing them across said base and into said ma termi-engaging element, said element being recessed to receive said cutting' elements, a terminal stop adapted to engagey the material to be cut and means `for withdrawing it in unison with the cutting' excursion ot the cuttingv elements, con'iprising` a. pin in connection witlrsaid cutting' elements and a lug` on the terminal stop adapted to be engaged thereby.

t. A machine for cutting masses ot plas tic material, comprising a material-supporting base, a materialengaging element aligned along one side thereof,V a plurality ci cntting elements and means `for drawing them across said base and into said materialengaging element, said element being recessed to a depth sulticient to admit the entire length oit sarid cutting' elements, a ter-v minal stop adapted to engage the material to be ont and means for withdrawing" it in unison with thecuttingj excursion ot the cutting elements. comprising a pin in connection with said cutting' elements and a lug on the terminal stop adapted to be engaged 'there' by.

5. A machine for cutting' masses yof plastic material, comprising a material-supporting' base, a material-engaging element aligned alone one side thereof, a plurality of cuttingl elements and means for drawing'y them across said base and into said materialengaging element, said element being recessed to receive said cutting elements, a terminal stop adapted to 'engage the ma terial to be cnt ano moans tor withdrawing it in unison `with the cnttingr eacnrsionoif the cutting elen'ients, comprisingiav pin in connection with said cutting'. elements and a lng' on thefterminal stoprv adapted to be engaged thereby, and automatic n'ieans l'tor re turning' the terminalstop to position `when the cntting elements are withdrawn.

6. A machine tor cutting` masses ot plas tic material, comprising" a material-sup@ portino' base, a material-engaging' element alignedalong' one side thereof, a plurality' of cutting' elements and means 'for drawing` them across said base and into said material-engaging' element, said element being' recessed to a depth sniiicient vto admit the entire length ot said cutting' elements, a terminal stopI adapted to `engage the material to be cnt and means for withdrawing '1t in unison with the cutting' excursion of the cutting'elements, con'iprising a pin in connection with said cutting' elements and a lun' on the terminal stop adapted to be engaged thereby, and automatic means tor retnrnino' the terminal stog to position` when the cn ving' elements are withdrawn.

''.ln a machine tor cutting plastic ma"V terialsa supporting" base, a material-engaging' clementl along' one side thereof, a gang' knife, the matcrisi-engaging' element beine,I slotted 'to receive the blades of the gang' knife, and means :tor ldrawing the gang knife across the base and into the material engaging"element comprising' a drive shaft, pinions thereon, and racks-attached to the gang knife and in engagement with the pinions.

8. In a machine for cutting plastic materials, a supporting base, a material-engaging element along one side thereof, a gang knife, the material-engaging element being slotted to receive the blades of the knife, and means for ldrawing the gang knife across the base and into the materialengaging element comprising a drive shaft, pinions thereon, and racks attached to the gang knife and in engagement with the pinions, and a terminal stop adapted to engage the material and means forwithdrawing it in unison with the gang knife.

9. In a gang knife foi` cutting` ice cream, a slotted body element, said slots having vertical sides on one side and inclined sides on theopposite side, wedge blocks adapted to fit in said slots, each block having a vertical side in opposition to the vertical side ofthe slot and an inclined side in opposition to the inclined side of the slot, knife elements adapted to be inserted between the opposed vertical sides', and means for drawing said wedge blocks into said slots to clamp said knives in position.

10. In a gang knife for cutting ice cream, a slotted body element, said slots `having vertical sides on one side and inclined sides on the opposite side, wedge blocks adapted to fit in said slots, each block having a vertical side in opposition to the vertical side of the slot and an inclined side in opposition to the inclined side of the slot, knife elements adapted to be inserted between the opposed vertical sides, and means for drawing said wedge blocks into said slots to clamp said knives in position comprising rotatable elements in screw-threaded relation with said blocks.

ll. A machine forcutting masses of plastic material, comprising a supporting base, a stop along one side thereof, a stepk across theend thereof, a plurality of cutting elements adapted to be drawn horizontally across said base, and through said side Vstop and out of line with the plastic material, and

`means for withdrawing said end stop in (Sti response to the movement of said cutting elements.

l2. A machine for cutting masses of plastic material, comprising a supporting base, a stop along one side thereof, a stop across the end thereof, a plurality of cutting elements adapted to be drawn across said base,A and means for withdrawing saidend stop in response tothe movement of Vsaid cutting elements, the bottoms of said stops being spaced substantially7 above the supporting base. p

13. An ice cream cutting machine adapted to receive and cutl a slab of ice cream mounted upon a movable support, comprising` a substantially plane surfaced base, a substantially vertical, slab engaging stop along one side of said base, a plurality of spaced blades mounted above said base and means for drawing them in unison across said base, through said slab and through said stop,

said stop being spaced substantially above' means for drawing them in unison across said base, through said slab and through said stop, said stop being spaced substantially above the upper surface of the sup-` porting base, said blades terminating at a distance above the base slightly greater than the thickness of the movable slab support, a terminal stop and means for withdrawing it in response to movement of the blades.

l5. An ice cream cutting machine comprising a fixed supporting base, a supporting element adapted to be positioned thereupon, a cream engaging stop along one side of said supporting base, a plurality of downwardly projecting,spaced blades positioned above-'the fixed supporting base and adapted to clear the movable supporting base, and means for drawing them in unison through the ice cream, the stop being slotted to permit their passage therethrough.

lG. An ice cream cutting machine comprisinga supporting base, a cream engaging stop along one side thereof, a plurality of downwardly projecting spaced blades positioned above the supporting base, and means for drawing them 'in unison through the ice cream, the stop being slotted to permit their passage therethrough, said knives tei'- inii'iating at a point substantially above the base of said machine.

17. An ice cream rcutting machine comprising a fixed supporting base, a support- Vingelement adapted to be positioned thereupon, a cream engaging stop along one side of said supporting base, a plurality of downwardly projecting, spaced blades posi- -ioned above the fixed supporting base and adapted to clear the movable supporting base, and means for drawing them in unison through the ice cream, the stop being slotted to permit their passage therethrough, the height of the stop above the .fixed base being sufficientto permit the movable base to beV inserted therebeneath. n

Signed at Chicago, Illinois, this lst day of April, 1922. i

r. HUGO REICI-IEL.

IVILLIAM L. NIES.

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