From the opposite ends of the slides, rods, k, pass to loose arms, l, on the shaft at the opposite end of the machine, and the arms, l, carry pawls, l´, that engage ratchet-wheels, m, fixed on the shaft, so that the shaft, h, being revolved, the slides, with plates, e f, are reciprocated, and at the backward movement of the cutter the pawls engage the ratchet-wheels, and belts, b, are moved a distance equal to the movement of the knife.
The jelly-box, n, is fixed to side bars, A, by brackets at its ends, as shown in Fig. 18, and is placed above the cutter and the plate, e, so that when the plate, f, is drawn out from beneath the box the plate, e, takes its place for holding up the block of jelly.
In operation the block of jelly is placed in box n, resting on plate e. A frame provided with netting—such as is used for drying glue—is placed on belts, b, beneath the box, and the shaft, h, being rotated by power, the cutter moves forward and cuts a slice from the jelly. The plate, f, at the same time moving away, the slice passes upon the frame, and the return movement taking place, plate f is carried beneath the jelly-block, and the belts being at the same time moved, the frame is carried forward in position for receiving the next slice apart from the first one. In this manner, as slice after slice is cut, they are spread on the frame, and the frames, when filled, are carried to the end of the machine for removal. The plate, f, is adjustable, so as to vary the thickness of the slices cut.
The box may be divided into cells of any size desired, so that each movement of the knife will cut a slice from the bottom of each cell, and the box extending the full width of the drying frames, all the slices cut at once will be properly spread.
In order to keep the plates, e f, moist, so as to prevent the glue-jelly from sticking thereto, there are fitted at the sides of the jelly-box, n, open-bottomed boxes, o, containing fibrous material soaked with water, which, resting on plates, e f, keeps their surfaces moist.
The machine saves the troublesome and expensive work of spreading the jelly by hand, as has been heretofore practiced.
The knife is to be attached to plate, e, in any suitable manner, and the surface of plate, f, may be corrugated, so as to slide on the jelly more readily.
Fig. 19.
