Double roll peg feeder assembly for flaking mills

A peg feeder and method of feeding moist grain from a steam chamber to a grain flaking mill. The feeder includes an inlet flow divider baffle for separating the grain into two flow channels each of which includes an adjustable valve door for controlling flow. The two flow channels include secondary baffles for directing the moist grain to opposite sides of a pair of spaced feed rollers which are mounted so as to converge the flow of grain from the two channels at a central discharge outlet. Access to the interior of the peg feeder is provided by removable panels and underlying safety grates.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention is generally directed to a method and apparatus for feeding 
moist grain from a steam chest or chamber to a pair of opposed crushing 
rollers in a flaking mill and more particularly to a peg feeder which 
incorporates a pair of feed rollers which are spaced relative to one 
another and to which moist grain is conveyed in separate flow paths from 
the steam chamber. The two grain streams are combined by the feed rollers 
at a central discharge outlet such that the feed of grain from the peg 
feeder is directed to the nip between the crushing rollers of the 
underlying flaking mill. The trajectory of grain from one feed roll 
opposes the trajectory of grain from the opposite feed roll thereby 
causing the grain flow to be directed in a straight drop into the nip of 
the crushing rollers. The invention is further directed to safety devices 
for preventing accidental access to the feed rollers of the peg mill, but 
which allows for ready access for purposes of maintenance and cleaning. 
2. History of the Related Art 
Peg feeders are used between grain steam chests or chambers and flaking 
mills to feed moist steam treated grain, which has passed through the 
steam chamber, into crushing rollers of the flaking mill for purposes of 
making flaked grain, which is then used as an ingredient in cattle feed. 
Conventionally, peg feeders incorporate a single feed roller which is used 
to direct the grain passing from the steam chamber to a baffle element 
which directs the grain toward the crushing rollers associated with the 
flaking mill. 
In conventional peg feeders, as only a single roller is used, the grain 
flow is in a single direction with the grain passing along one side of the 
roller and being subsequently discharged on an opposite side toward a 
baffle which directs the moist grain to the crushing rollers of the 
flaking mill. This type of flow has caused problems with uniform volume or 
rate of flow and such irregularities in grain flow can interfere with the 
proper crushing of the grain as it passes through the crushing rollers of 
the flaking mill. In addition, the moist grain passing from the roller to 
the baffle can build up on the baffle and thus not flow directly to the 
nip or central area defined between the two crushing rollers. When this 
occurs, the moist grain is deposited offset from the nip resulting in 
reduced capacity and non-uniform crushing of the grain through the 
crushing rollers. 
In addition to the foregoing, it is frequently necessary to clean and 
maintenance the crushing rollers associated with a peg feeder. Often, 
panels are provided to allow access to the interior of a peg feeder. 
However, if a panel is removed while the peg feeder is operated, injury 
may result from the accidental placement of a hand or arm into the 
interior of the peg feeder. 
Some examples of prior art peg feeders are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,881,663 
to Brown, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,452 to Ballew et al. Examples of 
grinding mills which incorporate supplemental feed rollers are disclosed 
in U.S. Pat. No. 3,866,842 to Linzberger, U.S. Pat. No. 2,925,226 to 
Pretique, U.S. Pat. No. 2,656,121 to Tanner and U.S. Pat. No. 1,366,463 to 
Jones. 
In view of the foregoing, there remains a need to provide a peg feeder for 
use with flaking mills which will ensure a more uniform and directed flow 
of grain to the crushing rollers of the flaking mill often the grain is 
discharged from a steam chest or chamber to the peg feeder. Further, there 
remains a need to provide a safety access for cleaning and maintenancing 
of peg feeders utilized with flaking mills. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is directed to a peg feeder for use in providing a 
uniform and directed flow of moist grain from a steam chest or chamber to 
a flaking mill and to a method for providing such uniform flow which 
utilizes a pair of oppositely rotating and spaced feed rollers which are 
normally driven at the same speed towards each other. The peg feeder 
includes a feed inlet having a diverter baffle which divides the flow of 
moist grain from the steam chamber into two streams flowing in different 
directions and toward opposite sides of the spaced feed rollers. A pair of 
valve doors are provided adjacent the feed inlet and are moveable to 
control the flow of grain into the peg feeder, thus separating the grain 
in the stream chamber from the peg feeder. In a preferred embodiment, each 
valve door is mounted to a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder which is 
operable in response to operating conditions of the flaking mill to 
regulate the opening and closing of the valve doors and thereby control 
the feed of the moist grain from the steam chamber to the crushing rollers 
associated with the flaking mill. 
The feed rollers of the present invention include a plurality of tines or 
rods which extend outwardly therefrom for purposes of preventing 
compaction and build-up of moist grain within the peg feeder. Secondary 
baffles within the peg feeder form a trough adjacent to and beneath each 
of the feed rollers with the two troughs converging toward one another to 
a common discharge outlet. The discharge outlet of the peg feeder is 
oriented so as to be in direct alignment with the nip between the crushing 
rollers of the underlying flaking mill. 
Utilizing the method and apparatus of the present invention, the flow of 
moist grain is first controlled and initially diverted into two separate 
streams at the inlet to the peg feeder. The split streams of moist grain 
are directed to opposite sides of the feed rollers. The feed rollers 
rotate toward one another and the tines of each roller force the two 
divergent streams of moist grain toward one another such that the two 
streams converge and merge to a single stream at the common discharge 
outlet. At the outlet, the merged stream free falls by gravity between the 
crushing rolls of the flaking mill. The discharge outlet is oriented so as 
to ensure that the combined flow of grain from the peg feeder is directed 
centrally of the nip between the crushing rollers, thus preventing the 
possible passage of grain about the crushing rollers without passing 
through the nip point of the crushing rollers. 
The present invention further provides at least one removable panel which 
allows access to the interior of the peg feeder for purposes of cleaning 
and maintenancing the feed rollers and valve doors. Underlying each 
removable panel is a separate rigid grate which is secured by removable 
fasteners. Each grate includes spaced bars which prevent the inadvertent 
or accidental extension of an individual's hand therethrough and into the 
area of the feed rollers without first consciously removing the fasteners 
which secure the grate to the housing of the peg feeder. Therefore, the 
structure of the present invention increases safety and prevents 
inadvertent accidents. 
It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a peg feeder 
for use in conveying moist grain from a steam chest or chamber to a 
flaking mill wherein the flow is divided at the inlet of the peg feeder 
and thereafter recombined by converging two divergent flow streams of 
grain at an area of discharge from the peg feeder to thereby provide a 
more uniform and free flow of grain from the peg feeder to the nip area of 
crushing rolls associated with the flaking mill. 
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a peg feeder for 
use with a flaking mill which incorporates two spaced feed rollers, each 
receiving a separate flow of moist grain from a steam chest or chamber 
such that tines associated with the feed rollers will create a more 
uniform flow and wherein the point of convergence of the two flow streams 
is such as to redirect the flow streams by gravity to the nip of crushing 
rollers of the flaking mill and wherein caking or compaction of the moist 
grain is prevented within the feeder. 
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a peg feeder for a 
flaking mill which incorporates a pair of spaced valve doors or panels for 
controlling flow of split streams of moist grain toward a pair of spaced 
rollers which function to loosen and redirect the streams of material 
toward one another and which valve doors are operative to control the rate 
of grain flow to the flaking mill. 
It is yet a further object of the present invention to prevent unsafe and 
unauthorized access to the area of the feed rollers of the peg feeder by 
providing security grates beneath one or more removable panels associated 
with the peg feeder.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
With continued reference to the drawing figures, the peg feeder 10 of the 
present invention is shown as being mounted between a conventional grain 
steam chamber 12 and a flaking mill 14. The peg feeder is utilized to 
provide a continuous unobstructed flow of moist grain to the nip 15 
between two crushing rolls 16 and 17 which are mounted within the flaking 
mill as illustrated in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 1, the two crushing 
rollers 16 and 17 are driven in counter-rotating motion by a motor 18 
which drives a chain 19 about a pair of sprockets 20 and 21 which are 
connected to the primary shaft of each of the rollers 16 and 17, 
respectively. The drive mechanism and the rollers shown are for 
illustration only and the flaking mill may be of any design and 
construction. Likewise, the steam chamber 12 may be of any design or 
construction. 
The peg feeder 10 includes an outer housing 25 defined by inclined side 
walls 26 and 27 and substantially closed end walls 28 and 29. To provide 
access to the interior of the peg feeder and the components mounted 
therein, openings 30 and 31 are provided in the side walls 26 and 27, 
respectively. The openings are normally closed by covers or panels 32 and 
33, each having a pair of handles 34 and 35, 36 and 37, respectively, 
extending therefrom. Each cover is secured by several fasteners, such as 
bolts 40, in covering relationship with respect to the openings 30 and 31. 
To ensure safety and to prevent accidental injury to an individual's hand 
or arm when the components of the feeder are operative, each opening 30 
and 31 is further covered by a safety grate 38 and 39, respectively. Each 
grate includes a plurality of generally parallel safety bars which are 
spaced to prevent extension of an individual's hand therethrough. By 
removal of suitable fasteners, the safety grates 38 and 39 can be removed 
to allow access to the interior of the peg feeder for purposes of cleaning 
and maintenance. 
The peg feeder 10 includes an inlet end 42 having a flange 43 which mates 
with a flange 44 on the lower portion of the steam chamber 12. Suitable 
fasteners are utilized to secure the flanges in sealed relationship. 
Spaced inwardly of the inlet end 42 is a generally inverted V-shaped 
deflector baffle 46 which extends the entire depth of the peg feeder 
housing. The deflector baffle is positioned so as to create two equal flow 
paths or channels on opposite sides thereof and toward the side walls 26 
and 27 of the housing 25. The flow of moist grain coming from the steam 
chamber 12 is controlled by a pair of valve doors 50 and 52 which are 
hingedly mounted at 47 and 48, respectively, to the side walls 26 and 27 
of the housing. The valve doors are controlled by actuation of pneumatic 
or hydraulic cylinders 54 and 55 which are mounted exteriorly of the 
housing 25 such as by brackets 56 and 57, respectively. The piston rod 58 
of cylinder 54 is pivotally connected to a link arm 60 which is pivotally 
connected at its other end to the valve door 50 whereas piston rod 62 of 
piston 55 is connected through a link arm 64 to the valve door 52. By 
appropriate control of the pistons 54 and 55, the degree of opening of the 
valve doors 50 and 52 are adjusted. Generally, both valve doors will be 
operated to provide the same flow rate therethrough from a fully closed 
position, as shown in FIG. 3, to a fully opened position, as shown in FIG. 
6. Although not shown in the drawing figures, manually operable levers may 
be utilized in place of the cylinders 54 and 55. It is preferred that the 
valve doors operate automatically and in controlled relationship with the 
operation of the flaking mill 14. In this respect, appropriate controls 
are provided such that when the flaking mill starts, the valve doors will 
open simultaneously to allow a split stream flow of moist grain to be 
introduced toward the crushing rollers of the flaking mill through the peg 
feeder. When the flaking mill is shut down, the valve doors will 
automatically close to shutoff the flow of grain to the flaking mill. 
The flow of moist grain entering into the peg feeder through the valve 
doors is further directed by a pair of somewhat elongated U-shaped baffle 
members 65 and 66 which extend the full depth of the housing 25. Each of 
the baffles 65 and 66 defines a generally concave trough portion 67 and 
68, respectively, and a generally vertical innermost portion 69 and 70 
which define therebetween a flow or discharge exit 72 from the peg feeder. 
As specifically shown in FIG. 6, the discharge 72 is directly aligned 
above the nip area 15 defined between the crushing rollers 16 and 17 of 
the flaking mill 14 when the peg feeder is mounted thereto. 
To ensure a uniform flow and to properly direct the flow of moist grain 
from the peg feeder to the nip area of the crushing rollers of the flaking 
mill, the present invention utilizes a pair of feed rollers 75 and 76 
which are mounted intermediate the deflector baffle 46 and the troughs 67 
and 68 defined by the baffles 65 and 66. Feed roller 75 includes a central 
hollow cylindrical shaft 77 which extends the depth of the housing 25. At 
each end of the cylinder 77 stub shafts 78 and 79 extend through support 
bearings 80 and 81, respectively. Stub shaft 79 further extends outwardly 
through a drive sprocket 82. Feed roller 76 includes a central hollow 
cylindrical shaft 84 which extends the depth of the housing 25 and which 
is mounted by stub shafts 85 and 86, see FIG. 5, to support bearings 87 
and 88. Stub shaft 86 further extends outwardly and is connected to a 
drive sprocket 89. 
Each of the feed rollers includes a plurality of rods or tines 90 which are 
mounted through aligned openings therethrough such as to form a helical 
pattern of the tines projecting outwardly on opposite sides of the shafts, 
as is shown in FIG. 5. Other types of mounting arrangements and spacings 
may be utilized for the tines and be in keeping with the teachings of the 
present invention. The tines act as feeding fingers for not only urging 
moist grain toward the discharge area 72 of the peg feeder, but also to 
break-up the moist grain so that the flow of the material is more constant 
and uniform and such that material does not become packed or compacted 
within the peg feeder. 
The feed rollers 75 and 76 are driven in opposite directions, as is shown 
by the arrows in FIG. 6, so as to direct the moist grain flowing in the 
split flow paths or channels F1 and F2 toward the discharge 72. The 
rollers are driven in synchronization with respect to one another and, in 
this respect, a drive motor 94 is mounted exteriorly of the housing 25 and 
includes a drive sprocket 95 over which extends a drive chain 96. The 
drive chain engages the drive sprockets 82 and 89 associated with the feed 
rollers 75 and 76. 
In the use of the peg feeder of the present invention, the feeder is 
mounted intermediate the lower portion of a steam chamber 12 and above an 
inlet end 98 of a flaking mill 14. Before the flaking mill is operated, 
the valve doors 50 and 52 are closed as shown in FIG. 3. Moist grain 
coming from the steam chamber is prevented from passing into the peg 
feeder. Upon operation of the crushing rolls 16 and 17 of the flaking 
mill, the motor 94, which drives the feed rollers 75 and 76, will be 
activated causing the rotors to rotate in opposite directions as shown in 
drawing FIG. 6. Thereafter, the cylinders 54 and 55 will operate to move 
the valve doors 50 and 52 to an open position, such as shown in FIG. 6, 
causing two flow paths or grain streams F1 and F2 to be directed to the 
respective feed rollers 75 and 76. As the feed rollers rotate, the tines 
90 extending therefrom will loosen and mix as well as feed the two grain 
streams toward one another so that the streams merge and fall by gravity 
directly through the discharge opening 72 between the baffles 65 and 66 
such that the merged stream of grain enters the nip 15 between the 
crushing rollers 16 and 17 of the flaking mill. 
Should maintenance or cleaning of the interior of the peg mill be required, 
the outer panels or covers 32 and 33 are removed by lifting the panels 
from the side walls 26 and 27 of the housing 25. The safety grates 38 and 
39 will prevent accidental injury to operators. The grates must be removed 
in order to allow access to the working interior of the peg feeder. 
Further, although not shown in the drawing figures, an appropriate 
electrical switch may be connected to each of the grates 38 and 39 such 
that if the grates are displaced, the motor 94 for driving the feed 
rollers 75 and 76 will be automatically deactivated thereby preventing 
possible accident and injury. 
The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has 
been presented to illustrate the principles of the invention and not to 
limit the invention to the particular embodiment illustrated. It is 
intended that the scope of the invention be defined by all of the 
embodiments encompassed within the following claims and their equivalents.