US169834A - Improvement in cracker-machines - Google Patents

Description

2 Sheets-Sheet 1. J; PARR. I

HACKER-MACHINE. Y

Patented Nov. 9',A .1875" 2Sheets-Sheet2- J. PARE.

emana-MACHINE. No.169,834. Patented Nov. 9,1875.

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N PETERS vFHOTQ LITNOGRAPHER WASHINGTON D C l About midway UNITED STATES JOSEPH PARE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNORITO LYDIA ANN MGOOLLUM,

PATENT rtree.

EXEOUTRIX vOF THE ESTATE OF JOHN MGOOLLUM, DEOEASED.

IMPROVEMENT IN CRACKER-MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 169,834, dated November 9, r1875; application filed July l, 1875.

To all whom tt may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH PARE, of New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented certain Improvements in Cracker-Machines 5 and I do'hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description ofthe same, reference being had to thc accompanying drawing, which forms part of this specification.

l My invention consists, irst, in a novel combination and arrangement of devices whereby the bed-plate may be readily raised and low ered to accommodate it to cutters of different lengths, to compensate for wear of the cutters, or to regulate the pressure thereof 5 also, in a novel construction and arrangement of the crimping-roller, and of the lingers and connections, lwhereby insured, and, further, in a novel arrangement and combination of mechanism for operating the endless aprons, whereby their operation is simplified and their efficiency insured.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure lis a side view of a machine constructed according to my invention. Fig. 2 is a top view of the same. Fig. 3 is a view of the side opposite` to that shown in Fig.-l. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal vertical section. Fig. 5 is asectional View of the bed-plate and cutters, than shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a section of the same, transversely of the machine. 7 is a detail View of the cutter-frame.

AThe working parts .of the machine are arranged in a frame-work, A, which is of any suitable construction, and is provided with endless aprons A1 A2 A3 A4, arranged in the usual manner, for conveying the dough, the crackers, and the scrap through the machine. of the length of the machine the bed-plate is located, and immediately over it the cutter-frame is arranged in vertical ways, and provided with mechanism for imparting to it a vertical reciprocating motion. The bedplateB is arranged transversely of the machine, with each of its ends between two vertical ways or guides, consisting of lugs or ribs b, extending inward from the side pieces of the frame. Immediately under the bed-plate B is another. plate,vB2, of thesame size and shape,

their proper operation is on a larger scale' Fig.V

and arranged between the guides b. Between these two plates, near their ends, are two strips of rubber, a, which may lie in grooves` formed in the plates, to prevent their displacement. The thickness of lthe rubber strips is such as to separate the two plates very slightly, and only sufficient to impart a certain degree of elasticity to the bed-plate, and allow it to yield slightly under the pressure of the cutters. The two plates may be connected together by bolts, which may work freely in one of the plates, so as to allow it to rise` and fall independently of the other. Immediately under the plate B2 is a bar, C, at each end of which is a cross-head, GX. The upper surfaces of the cross-heads are horizontal, and parallel with the lower sideof the plate B2. The lower surfaces of the cross-heads are inclined from a horizontal line, and rest upon the upper surfaces of two projecting ribs or bars, D, extending inward from the side pieces of the frame A, one on each side. The lower surfaces ofthe ribs or bars D may be horizontal, and parallelwith the surfaces of the plates B B2; but their upper surfaces form inclined planes running in a contrary direction to the inclined lower surfaces of the cross-heads, so that when said cross-heads are in place on said inclined planes the'upper surface of the bed-plate is in a horizontali position. On two opposite edges of the plate B2, midway between its ends, are two perforated lugs, b2 b2, extending downward; and .on the bar O, midway of its length, and inline with the lugs b2,

is a screw-threaded lug or. nut, cx. A screw threaded rod, E, passes `through the lugs b2 and nut c", in said lugs, but is secured against longitudin'al motion by means of a milled head or knob, f, at one end, outside of one of the lugs, and a pin or collar and set-screw, or other suitable device, at the other end, outside of the other lug, while the screw-threaded portion engages with the nut cx.

By turning the screw E in one the bar C is drawn toward oneend of the machine, causing the cross-heads Gx to travel upward on the inclined planes D, and raise the bed-plate B to the desired height. By

and is arranged to revolve freely direction,

' one above another.

ters of different lengths, or to compensate for wear of the cutters, or to regulate the amount of pressure.

The bed-plate is usually so adjusted with relation to the cutter-frame that .the contact of the cutters with the bed-plate takes place just before they have reached the termination of their downward stroke, so that after the crackers are cut, the edges of the cutters remain a short time in contact with the bed before commencing their upward stroke, in

which case the elasticity imparted to the bed plate by the rubber strips a allows it to yield sufficiently to prevent injury to the cutters.

In a patent granted to John McCollum,

` dated Maren 28,1852, No. 8,828, and reissued May 31, 1859,.N0. 780, the bea-tifa@ is described as being rendered elastic, so as to enable it to yield under the pressure of the cutters, by means of spiral springs under the bedplate attached to lugs on theframc of the machine.

In my invention the same result is accomplishedV with equal efficiency, and in a more simple manner, by means of the rubber. If

lan unyielding bed-plate is desired,'however,

the rubber may be replaced by wood, iron, or other hard substance.

rl1he cutter-frame is constructed of three plates, G1 G2 G3, arranged in parallel planes The lower plate, G1, is provided at its ends, on the lower side, with projections g1, about equal to the thickness of the dough from which the crackers are to be cut. The middle plate, G2, is connected to the lower pla-te by means of spiral springs g2, placed between said plates, near their edges or corners. The upper plate, G3, is connected with the lower and middle plates by means of posts or bolts g3which pass freely through 'holes in the middle plate, and have their ends rigidly attached to the lower and upper plates by riveting or by screw-threads and nuts, so that the middle plate is free to rise and fall between the upper and lower ones. rllie cutters consist of hollow tubes h, of cylindrical or other form, according to the shape to be given to the crackers. rllhese cutters are open at both ends, and their upper ends are provided with lugs or. anges, by. means of which they are attached to the middle plate, G2, by

screws, rivets, or bolts, so that they may be removed and. replaced when desired. rlheir lower ends or cutting-edges work freely in l holes in the lower plate, G1, and when at rest they are about iiush with the lower surface of said plate. yThe cutters are provided with clearers, consisting of pistons or plungersp, which work freely in the cutters and in holes in the middle plate, and are secured to the upper plate by nuts engaging with scre\v.

Each clearer is prothreads formed on them. vided with two nuts, one of which is placed above the upper plate, and the other below it, by which means the clearers are adjusted to the proper positions with relation to the lower plate a-nd the cutters, and by which means, also, the distance between the middle and upper plates, and the consequent pressure of the springs g2, is regulated.

rEhe cutter-frame thus constructed is arranged and operated in the machineas follows: On the upper side of the middle plate G2, at or near its ends, are two sockets, I I, corresponding in form with threads on the lower ends of two bolts, J J, which 'pass through a cross-head, H, and are provided with nuts j at their upper ends. The sockets are open toward one edge of the plate, and the cutter-frame is placed in position on the cross-beam by moving it laterally, so as to cause the heads of the bolts to slip into the sockets, and is then secured by tightening the nuts j. By this arrangement the cutter-frame.

is readily removed and replaced when desired.

The cross-head H is arranged to work in 'vertical ways or guides in two standards, K K, and has a vertical reciprocating motion imparted to it by means of eccentric rods k'k, driven by eccentrics l on the main shaft L. As said main shaft revolves the cutter-frame descends upon the dough and cuts the crack-V ers, and as the revolution of the shaft continues the cutter-frame rises and allows the dough to be fed forward to receive another cut. As the cutter-frame descends the projections g1 on the lower plate G1 strike the bed-plate B on either side of the apron A2, and arrest the downward motion of said plate. The middle plate G2 continues its downward motion, depressing the cutters h, until the eccentric rods k reach and pass the lowest point in the revolution of the main shaft, whereupon the middle plate G2 rises until the cutting-edges of the cutters h are ush with the surface ofthe plate G1, and then the entire cutter-frame rises until it reaches its highest position. As the cutter-frame rises the clearers i expel the crackers from the cutters, and leave them, with the scrap, on the apron A2, which conveys them away and feeds up the fresh dough with an intermittent motion as usual in cracker-machines of a similar character.

For operating the endless aprons with the usual intermittent motion, I employ mechanism arranged as follows: On the main shaft L, or the fly-wheel L2, attached thereto, is an adjustablecrank or wrist pin, Z2, which is connected by a rod, L3, with an arm, m1, on one end of a rock-shaft, M, arranged transversely of the machine. At the other end of this rockshaft are two arms, m2 m3, ranged at any desired angle with relation to each other and to the arm m1. The arm m2 is connected by a rod mx2 with an arm, a1, which works loosely on a shaft, N, and carries a pawl, n2, is rigidly attached to the end of said shaft N. The arm n1 is connected by a rod, n2, with an arm, o1, which works loosely on a shaft, O, and carries a pawl, 02, engaging with a ratchet, o2, which is rigidly attached to the end of the shaft O. The arm m3 of the rock-shaftM is connected by a rod, mxs, with one end of a double arm, p1, which works loosely on a shaft, P, and carries a pawl, p2, engaging with a ratchet, p2, which is rigidly attached to the end of the shaft P. The other end of the arm p1 is connected by a rod, p, with an arm, g1, which works loosely on a shaft, Q, and carries a pawl, g2, engaging with a ratchet, g3, which is rigidly attached to the end of the shaft Q.

By this arrangement and combination of mechanism the rock-shaft M receives motion through its arm m1 from the main shaft, and

transmits it through its arm m2 to the shafts N and O, and through its arm m3 to the shafts P and Q, so that as the main shaft revolves an intermittent rotary motion is imparted simultaneously to the four shafts N 0 P Q.

By arranging and combining the parts in the manner described, I obviate the necessity for the use of long crank-pins, such as have heretofore been used in machines of a similar character, and I -accomplish the same result in a more simple manner.

rllhe apron A2 passes around a roller, N', on the shaft N, and a smaller roller, NX, arranged nearly over the shaft O. The apron A1 passes around a roller, O2, on the shaft O, and another roller, OX, near the opposite end of -the machine. The apron A3 passes around a roller, P3, on the shaft P, and another roller, PX, near the delivery end ofthe machine. The apron A4 passes around a roller, Q4, on the shaft Q, and another roller, the apron A2.

As the four shafts N O P Q are rotated, as before described, the f'our aprons A1 A2 A3 A4 receive the desired intermittent motion, and feed the dough to the cutters, and then convey the crackers and the scrap to their respective receptacles.

For operating the pressure-rolls at the feed end of the machine I employ mechanism arranged as follows:

On the main shaft L is a meshing into a stud-gear, B2, which, in turn, drives a gear, R2, in the same direction as the main shaft. The gear R3 is attached to one end of a shaft, S, on the other end of which, at the opposite side of the machine, is a bevelgear, s1, meshing into another bevel-gear, s2, at the lower end of a shaft, S", which carries, at its upper end, a bevel-gear, s2. The bevelgear-wheel, R1,

gear s3 meshes 'into a bevel-gear, t, on one-end which may be arofthe shaft of the lower engaging with a ratchet, a3, which.

under the roller Z, and is Q X, arranged over` lumps or double thicknesses of pressure-roll T, which roll drives the upper roll T2 by means of gear; ing at the opposite ends.

The dough is fed into the machine over the feed-board U, and passes between the rollers T2 in the usual manner. It is then turned downwardand passed under the crimping-roll W, which is located between the roller 02 and the lower dough-roller T, and is arranged in adjustable bearings, so that its pressure against the dough-roller may be regulated. The dough passes between the dough-rollers and under the crimping-roll, as indicated by the arrow Ux in Fig. '4.

If desired, an ordinary crimping-roll, W2, may be used near the bed-plate, in the usual manner.

The brush V, for removing the superfluous flour from the dough, may be driven by a band, c, from a pulley on one of the doughrollers.

The fingers Y2 are arranged, in the usual manner, near the delivery end of the machine. The fingers Y, for separating the crackers from the scrap, are arranged loosely upon a shaft, y, the ends of which are provided with bearings in boxes y', which rest upon a plate, y", over which the apron A2 passes with the crackers and scrap. The boXes y are connected, by pivoted links 21, with the roller QX, which is connected, by links e2, with a bar, z3, having its ends arranged in adjustable bearings in the frame A. The linger-shaft y is connected, by pivoted links zx, with a roller, Z, which lies on the apron A4, immediately over the roller QX and bar z3.

Y As the scrap and crackers are carried along by the lapron A2, after leaving the bed-plate and cutters, the fingers Y1 separate the crackers from the scrap. The crackers are carried by the apron A2 under the apron A4,`and deposited on the apron A3. rlhe scrap is passed carried by the apron A4 to a suitable receptacle.

The weight of the roller Z on the scrap exerts a sufficient amount of pressure to insure its adherence to the apron, and prevent it from being pulled or held back by theaction of the fingers in expelling the crackers.

The flexible arrangement and connection of' the boxes y', the finger-shaft, and the roller Z enables each part to yield, independently of the others, to any obstruction which may be presented by the accidental introduction of dough, and to automatically resume the being relieved of' such obstruction;

What l claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. The combination of the bed-plate B and bed-supporting plate B2, provided-with the interposed strips a a., the inclined planes UX D, bar (l, and screw E, for raising and lowering the bed-plate, substantially as described.

2. The combination of the main shaft L, gearing R1 R2 R3, shafts S Sx, and bevel-gearproper position after 4 ing s1, s2, s3, and t, for driving the rolls T T2, shaft y by independent'links or rods z", which the Whole arranged as herein shown and deallow its ends to rise independently of each scribed. other substantially as described.

3. The arrangement of the crimping-roll Win adjustable bearings between the dough- JOSEPH PARE. roller T and apron-roller O2, as shown and de- Witnesses: scribed, for the purpose specied. MICHAELRYAN,

4. The scrap-fell Z, attached to the nger- FRED. HAYNES.

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