AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR MASHING AND PREPARING MAIZE, RICE, AND OTHER RAW GRAIN (FOR MASHING WITH MALT IN BREWING.
Year: 1881

page_text: "
LETTERS PATENT to William Henry Apthorpe, of Cambridge, Brewer, for
an Invention of AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR MASHING AND PREPARING
MAIZE, RICE, AND OTHER RAW GRAIN (FOR MASHING WITH MALT IN
BREWING.")
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Henry Apthorpe
"
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th October 1881.
WILLIAM HENRY APTHORPE, of Cambridge, Brewer. AN IMPROVED APPARATUS
FOR MASHING AND PREPARING MAIZE, RICE, AND OTHER RAW GRAIN (FOR
MASHING WITH MALT IN BREWING.")
My Invention relates to an improved apparatus for mashing and preparing
maize, rice, and other raw grain for mashing with malt in brewing, and consists of
a vat, tub, or like receptacle, in which is stepped a vertical shaft carrying radial
arms, rakes, or tines which are caused to revolve, and to act on the grain under
treatment in the vat.
This vertical shaft is supported at its upper end in a suitable bearing, and it is
provided with a pulley over which a belt is passed for the purpose of communicating
motion thereto and to the tines, rakes, or arms; but the shaft may be driven by
other suitable means.
The vat, tub, or like receptacle may be steam jacketed if desired.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Henry Apthorpe in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
27th April 1882.
"AN IMPROVED APPARATUS
WILLIAM HENRY APTHORPE, of Cambridge, Brewer.
FOR MASHING AND PREPARING MAIZE, RICE, AND OTHER RAW GRAIN (FOR
MASHING WITH MALT IN BREWING.")
My Invention relates to an improved apparatus for mashing and preparing
maize, rice, and other raw grain preparatory to mashing with malt in the ordinary
way in the mash tun, and for converting the starch of raw grain and rendering it
readily and immediately soluble in the mash.
My improved apparatus consists of a vat, tub, or like receptacle, in which is
fitted a rotating vertical shaft carrying radial arms, rakes, or tines, and a steam
coil which revolve with the shaft and act on the grain to be treated, as hereinafter
described. This vertical shaft is supported at its upper end in a bearing, and is
driven by a suitable gearing for the purpose of communicating motion to the arms,
rakes, or tines and the coil.
The vat or tub may be steam jacketed if desired to assist the more ready
mashing of the grain. The vat or tub is closed at top.
And in order that my Invention may be more readily understood and easily
carried into effect, I proceed to describe the same with reference to the accom-
panying Drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
A is the vat or tub (shewn in vertical section) which is closed at top
by the cover a; B is a vertical shaft passing through the vat or tub, and held in
place in any suitable manner. This shaft carries radial arms, rakes, or tines C,
and a steam coil D for respectively stirring and uniformly heating the contents of
the vat or tub. The shaft B is made hollow for a portion of its length, as shewn,
and is provided with a stop for diverting the current of steam into the worm or
coil D; the steam is admitted at b, and after passing down the shaft B and
traversing the coil D escapes through the outlet b*.
This steam coil may however be dispensed with, and the vat or tub steam
jacketed, or the contents of the vat or tub may be heated by the introduction of a
jet of free steam.
The steam coil when employed may be either a fixed or a revolving one.
G is a scraper to prevent "balling;" it is fixed to and carried by the vertical
shaft B; it is set at an angle of 45°.
The mash is drawn off through the pipe H. y
The shaft B with its arms, rakes, or tines C, steam coil or worm D and scraper G
can be driven by any suitable gearing. In one arrangement this consists, as
shewn, of a bevil wheel C keyed on the shaft B, and gearing into a pinion C¹
mounted on a counter shaft C, on the other end of which shaft a fast and loose
pulley are mounted. The counter shaft C is carried in plummer blocks C³, C³
fixed to a support C on the top of the vat or tub. In another arrangement
the shaft may be provided with a pulley, over which a driving belt or strap is
passed.
By means of the apparatus herein described a successful mash is performed
without the slightest gelatinization, and a perfect freedom of mash guaranteed
with from 25 to 35 per cent, of raw grain.

page_text: Having now described the nature of my Invention, and in what manner the
same may be performed, I declare that I claim,―
The apparatus, having its parts arranged, combined, and operating substantially
as herein described and as shewn in the Drawings, for the purposes set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Henry Apthorpe, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this 25th day of April, in the year 1882.