Improvements in or relating to Purifiers, Separators, and Graders, or the like.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Nov., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 28th Aug., 1894-Accepted, 29th Sept., 1894
TRUVIDIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Purifiers, Separators, and Graders,
or the like.
A communication by DAVID J. DAVIDSON, ABRAHAM S. MARTIN, and STEPHEN
G. MARTIN, all of Port Huron, in the County of St. Clair and State of
Michigan, United States of America.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E. of The Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6 Bank Street, Manchester,
both in the County of Lancaster and 323 High Holborn in the County of
Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention has for its object a purifier, separator and grader to purify and
grade any kind of grain, seed, flour middlings, or any other commodity that requires
purifying or grading or separating.
More particularly the invention is designed to provide a vertical or perpendicular
purifier, separator and grader, acting by gravity, in combination with a continuous
air current, whereby the dust and other impurities, as well as the desired grades of
grain or other commodities are separated, collected and deposited each by themselves
in the most efficient and satisfactory manner.
To these ends, the invention consists of the construction, combination and
arrangement of appliances and devices hereinafter specified.
The desirability of an economical, convenient and simple and efficient machine of
this character is well understood; and it is the purpose of the present invention to
provide these desirable features in a purifier, separator and grader in a superior
and novel manner.
In carrying out the invention-
A leading feature thereof is the provision of a system of communicating air trunks
forming in reality one continuous air trunk or tube. These air trunks or tubes may
be of any desirable form or size. For example, they may be four by ten inches
in cross section, although they may be constructed of any desired or required
dimensions. The invention also comprises an enclosing case, forming a closed
interior air chamber, a hopper through which the stock is fed into one of the air
trunks, preferably at the top thereof, and a valve to control the feed of the stock
into the air trunk. This valve may be conveniently located a little below the base
of the hopper, in the upper end of the air trunk. It is preferred that this valve
should be automatic in its operation. To this end, said valve may be provided with
a weighted arm. As so constructed, the weight upon said arm may readily be
adjusted so as to effectually control the feed of the stock as may be desired. The
invention is not limited, however, to an automatic valve of this particular description,
nor indeed is it limited to an automatic valve at all in this connection, as any
suitable means may be employed to control the feed from the hopper into the air
trunk. A suitable fan communicates with the interior of the air chamber and also
with one of the said air trunks, and preferably at the top thereof. Within one of
the air trunks is arranged a series of breakers arranged to throw the stock into the
middle of the tube or trunk, to decrease the velocity of the stock as it descends, and
to keep the stock as much as possible in the centre of the air trunk, so that it will

page_text: be influenced to the highest degree by the air current within said trunk. This air
trunk communicates with the interior air chamber.
The air, with the various impurities or other ingredients conveyed thereby, is
drawn through said air trunk and discharged into an interior chamber through an
orifice. The heavier stock, which is not drawn into the interior chamber through
the orifice, and from which various impurities or lighter products have been
eliminated by the air current, drops by its own gravity to the base of an air
trunk, from which it is discharged in any desired manner, as through an opening
which is preferably controlled by a flap valve, adapted to be closed either by
weight or air suction within, when not pressed outward by the weight of the stock
within said air trunk. The said opening may, however, be controlled in any suitable
manner.
This
Beneath the orifice, within the air chamber, is located a cant board extending
downward at an angle. Above the orifice may be an inclined board, supporting
at its lower end a diaphragm extending downward toward the corresponding cant
board. This diaphragm may be constructed of any suitable material, such as
flannel, cloth, wire, silk, or any other suitable porous, fibrous or analogous substance,
which may be stretched upon the frame, or the diaphragm may be made of wood,
if desired. The employment of the inclined board is optional, as the diaphragm
might extend up and be attached to, the upper portion of the machine.
diaphragm may be stationary or adjustable, and may be hinged to the support.
By this means, the diaphragm may be moved nearer to or farther from the inlet
orifice, and widen or contract the passage between it and the cant board there-
beneath. The diaphragm may be adjusted, however, in any desired manner, or
by any desired means. A rod may be extended from the adjacent trunk and
engaged with the diaphragm, a thumb nut enabling the operator to adjust the
position of the diaphragm.
It will be seen that the board prevents the passage of the air, with whatever
substance is carried thereby, directly upward from the inlet passage and compels
its passage through or under the diaphragm. It being remembered that the air
chamber communicates with the interior of the fan case, and that there is a constant.
current toward the fan within the chamber, it will be observed that a portion of
the air passing through the orifice passes through said diaphragm, thereby
diminishing the force of that portion of the air that passes underneath the
diaphragm. This diminution of air pressure underneath the diaphragm permits
of a separation at this point, the heavier portion of the stock, passing through the
orifice, being deposited upon the cant board, from which it passes into a pocket or
air chamber, and then into a duct located at the lower end of said cant board, and
dead air chamber, from which the separated deposit is discharged through the case
of the machine, the discharge being controlled by a suitable valve or valves,
preferably by flap valves, adapted to be closed by the air suction when the weight
of the air within the duct is not sufficient to open the valve. While a portion of
the air is permitted to pass through the diaphragm, said diaphragm will effectually
screen the commodity passed therethrough. It is evident that a portion of the
stock, especially the lighter impurities or portions thereof, will be carried, still, by
the air current, further into the chamber, namely, all that portion of the stock not
deposited by its gravity upon the cant board.
At the base of this cant board rises a second cant board, surmounted by a wall
or partition rising toward the upper end of the air chamber, and allowing the passage
of the interior air current thereover. From the front of the wall projects a second
diaphragm, constructed similarly to the first diaphragm, or otherwise, to serve a
similar purpose.
This second diaphragm contracts the air passage between its
lower edge and the first diaphragm, and aids to diminish the force of the air current
between the diaphragms, thereby materially assisting the process of separation, at
this portion of the device, and the consequent deposit of the heavier substances
upon the cant boards. The air current, laden with certain portions of the stock,
is carried upward in front of the cant board, passing through the diaphragms and

page_text: therebetween, and over the upper end after the wall. Below a certain point, the
air in the chamber is practically undisturbed, there being thus formed a dead air
chamber at the lower ends of the cant boards, which permits a readier separation
of the heavier products at this point. In the rear of the wall and preferably
rising thereabove is another diaphragm. This diaphragm is so located as to form
a contracted passage between it and the wall. It will be observed that the porous
or fibrous construction of the last-named diaphragm allows a certain portion of the
air current to pass therethrough, thereby diminishing the force of the air current
which passes thereunder. Below this diaphragm is located another cant board,
extending preferably from the base of the wall to another discharge duct. An
additional cant board rises from the base of the board to the interior wall of the
trunk, forming another dead air chamber. It will be perceived that, by means of
the diaphragm, another separation of the stock will be effected at its base, the
heavier portion of the stock carried in the air current at this point dropping on
the cant board and being carried into the dead air chamber. Above one cant
board is located still another diaphragm, which may be engaged upon the adjacent
wall of the air trunk. This diaphragm forms a contracted passage between it and
the other diaphragm, aiding the process of separation at this part of the machine,
and the deposit of the heavier substances carried in the air currents into the duct.
The air, laden with whatever portions of the stock or impurities which may still
be carried thereby, is then passed into the fan, and is thence discharged into the
trunk, the current in which leads downward and into the second trunk. At each
side of the fan, air ducts or boxes may be located, said boxes leading into the
interior of the fan case and into the chamber.
At the upper end of the air trunk, a slide or valve is located, of any suitable
construction, thereby regulating the air current passed into said air trunk.
At the base of the air trunk, cant boards or inclined walls may be located,
converging toward their lower ends and leading into a discharge duct. Between
the walls, depends from the upper inner surface of the trunk another diaphragm of
analogous construction to those hereinbefore described, through which a portion of
the air current passes, the remainder of the air current passing thereunder, by
which means still another separation is caused at this point. At the lower ends
of the walls is formed another dead air chamber or pocket. This construction
and arrangement cause the heavier matter in the air current at this portion of
the device to be deposited upon the cant boards or walls, from which it passes
into the discharge duct. This discharge duct, like the former discharge ducts
mentioned, is provided with any suitable controlling valve or valves, the valves
being closed by the air current, or they may be controlled by a counterweight,
when the weight of stock within the corresponding ducts is not sufficient to force
the valve or valves open. These various ducts or discharge conduits may be
provided with an interior valve. By this construction it may be seen that the
pressure of the stock will open the valves, permitting the stock to pass into that
portion of the corresponding ducts between the interior valves and the valves
on the outer ends of said ducts. By this construction, either the interior valve
or the outer valve in each duct will naturally close and prevent the inlet of air
to any particular extent into the machine at these points, by the operation of outer
air pressure.
A first separation and deposit are thus made in the base of the air trunk. A
second separation and deposit are made and discharged through one duct. Third
and fourth separations and deposits are made through other ducts. Additional
separations and deposits may be readily provided for by simply extending the
interior construction of the inachine and adding additional cant boards with their
corresponding diaphragms and discharge ducts, so that any desired number of
separations may be made, within the scope of this invention. These additional
cant boards and diaphragms may be either located laterally to those herein
described, carrying the fan laterally to correspond, or they may be added above
those. Thus the increased separating devices may be added either vertically or

page_text: laterally, as may be desired. It will be seen that the case of the machine, with
the construction of the ducts above described, practically makes the interior of
the machine air tight. It will be perceived that, within the air trunks and
within the chamber, is a continuous air current produced by the fan, the current
in the first trunk passing through the orifice, thence downward between the
diaphragm and the cant board, thence upward between two other diaphragms,
thence still upward over the wall, thence downward between the wall and
diaphragm, and between the latter diaphragm and the underlying cant board,
thence upward between the two diaphragms into the fan. The receiving air trunk
may be contracted in its dimensions, if desired, so as to increase the force of the
air currents therein. The various separations are made by the dropping of the
stock by its own gravity at the various separation points, on account of
the diminution of air pressure at such points, as before described. By this
means, the stock is purified, separated and graded in the most efficient manner, the
various separations being collected and discharged by themselves. It will thus be
seen that the machine takes care of its own dust, all the dust being discharged with
other impurities, or the dust can be collected by itself. It is preferred to locate
a glass in the side of the case, so as to readily watch the operations going on
within the chamber, and to see if any adjustment of the parts is required. It is
also preferred to locate panes of glass on the front of the air trunk to permit the
watching of the operations going on within the said air trunk.
At the various discharge ducts will thus be collected the first, second, third and
fourth products or grades.
By this construction, it is impossible for the machine to choke up. The valves
controlling the various discharges of products work by the air current and by
the weight of the stock within the ducts. The three air trunks form a con-
tinuous air belt from the upper end of the third air trunk downward through
the second trunk, thence upward through the first trunk, from whence the air
passes into the interior chamber and back into the fan. The air within the machine,
by the means before described, is thus continually being cleansed and redirected in
its course, round and round in the machine.
It will be observed that this machine dispenses with all the ordinary forms of
dust collectors heretofore generally employed in other purifying, separating and
grading machines, with dust balloons, with the customary silk screens, and with the
other various features connected with a sieve purifier. Furthermore, all gearings
and pulleys heretofore commonly employed in sieve or air belt or any other existing
purifying or grading machine, are dispensed with, the only power required being
that to rotate the fan. The discharge ducts may have any desired pitch.
The air chambers below the cunt boards might be omitted, if preferred, the
adjacent portions of the air trunks being led up directly underneath said cant
boards. The invention contemplates either a single or multiple air chamber. It
will be seen that a machine of this character so constructed is of superior efficiency
to those heretofore constructed, as a purifier, separator and grader of any kind of
grain, seed, middlings, flour or any other commodity that requires purifying, or
separating, or grading, while, at the same time, its construction and operation are
simple and economical.
Dated this 27th day of November 1893.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in or relating to Purifiers, Separators, and Graders,
or the like.
A communication by DAVID J. DAVIDSON, ABRAHAM S. MARTIN, and STEPHEN
G. MARTIN, all of Port Huron, in the County of St. Clair and State of
Michigan, United States of America.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of The Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street,
Manchester, both in the County of Lancaster and 323 High Holborn in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention has for its object a purifier, separator, and grader to purify and
grade any kind of grain, seed, flour middlings, or any other commodity that
requires purifying, or grading, or separating.
More particularly the invention is designed to provide a vertical or perpendicular
purifier, separator and grader, acting by gravity, in combination with a continuous
air current, whereby the dust and other impurities, as well as the desired grades
of grain or other commodities are separated, collected and deposited each by
themselves in the most efficient and satisfactory manner.
To these ends the invention consists of the construction, combination and
arrangement of appliances and devices hereinafter specified and claimed and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which
Figure 1 is a view of the interior mechanism in perspective, the case of the
machine being removed, but showing the discharge ducts and their valv s;
Figure 2 is a side elevation; and
Figure 3 is a horizontal section on the line 3-3, Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a vertical section through a portion of the trunk A¹ and the
cant-boards and diaphragm connected therewith.
The desirability of an economical, convenient and simple and efficient machine of
this character is well understood; and it is the purpose of the present invention to
provide these desirable features in a purifier, separator and grader in a superior
and novel manner.
The invention is carried out as follows:-
A leading feature thereof is the provision of a system of communicating air
trunks, three being shown in the drawings A, A' A³, forming in reality one
continuous air trunk or tube. These air trunks or tubes may be of any desirable
form or size. For example, they may be four by ten inches in cross section,
although they may be constructed of any desired or required dimensions. The
invention also comprises an enclosing case B, forming a closed interior air.
chamber C. D is a hopper through which the stock is fed into one of the air
trunks, as the trunk A, preferably at the top thereof. D₁ is a valve to control the
feed of the stock into the air trunk. This valve may be conveniently located a
little below the base of the hopper, in the upper end of the air trunk A, as shown
in Figure 2. It is preferred that this valve should be automatic in its operation.
To this end, said valve may be provided with a weighted arm D³. As so con-
structed, the weight upon said arm may readily be adjusted so as to effectually
control the feed of the stock as may be desired. The invention is not limited
however to an automatic valve of this particular description, nor indeed is it
limited to an automatic valve at all in this connection, as any suitable means may
be employed to control the feed from the hopper into the air trunk. E is any
suitable fan communicating with the interior of the air chamber, C, and also with
one of the said air trunks, as the air trunk A', and preferably at the top thereof,

page_text: (as shown in Figure 1). Within the air trunk A is arranged a series of breakers a,
arranged to throw the stock into the middle of the tube or trunk, to decrease the
velocity of the stock as it descends, and to keep the stock as much as possible in
the centre of the air trunk, so that it will be influenced to the highest degree by
the air current within said trunk. The air trunk A communicates with the interior
air chamber C, as through an inlet orifice a'.
The air, with the various impurities or other ingredients conveyed thereby, is
drawn through said air trunk and discharged into the interior chamber C, through
the orifice a. The heavier stock, which is not drawn into the interior chamber
through the orifice a' and from which various impurities or lighter products have
been eliminated by the air current, drops by its own gravity to the base of air
trunk, A, from which it is discharged in any desired manner, as through a suitable
opening a². The opening a² is preferably controlled by a flap valve a³, adapted to
be closed either by weight or air suction within when not pressed outward by
the weight of the stock within said air trunk. The said opening may however
be controlled in any suitable manner.
Beneath the orifice a¹, within the air chamber, C, is located a cant board F,
extending downward at an angle. Above the orifice a', is shown in Figure 2, an
inclined board G supporting at its lower end a diaphragm G' extending downward
toward the corresponding cant board F. This diaphragm G¹ may be constructed
of any suitable material such as flannel, cloth, wire, silk or any other suitable
porous, fibrous or analogous substance, which may be stretched upon the frame g
or the diaphragm may be made of wood, if desired. The employment of the inclined
board G is optional as the diaphragm might extend up and be attached to the
upper portion of the machine. This diaphragm may be stationary or adjustable.
As shown it is hinged at g' to the support G. By this means the diaphragm may
be moved nearer to or farther from the inlet orifice a', and widen or contract the
passage between it and the cant board F therebeneath. The diaphragm may be
adjusted, however, in any desired manner or by any desired means. As shown a'
rod g is extended from the adjacent trunk A and engaged with the diaphragm, a
thumb nut enabling the operator to adjust the position of the diaphragm.
It will be seen that the board G prevents the passage of the air, with whatever
substance is carried thereby, directly upward from the inlet passage and compels
its passage through or under the diaphragm. It being remembered that the air
chamber communicates with the interior of the fan case, as indicated by the
arrows in Figure 1, and that there is a constant current toward the fan within
the chamber C, it will be observed that a portion of the air passing through
the orifice a¹ passes through said diaphragm, thereby diminishing the force of
that portion of the air that passes underneath the diaphragm. This diminution
of air pressure underneath the diaphragm permits of a separation at this point, the
heavier portion of the stock, passing through the orifice a', being deposited upon
the cant board F, from which it passes into a pocket or air chamber g³, shown
below the dotted line x-x, and then into a duct F¹ located at the lower end of the
cant board, and dead air chamber from which the separated deposit is discharged
through the case of the machine, the discharge being controlled by a suitable valve
or valves, preferably by flap valves, and f¹, adapted to be closed by the air
suction when the weight of the air within the duct F¹ is not sufficient to open the
valve. While a portion of the air is permitted to pass through the diaphragm G¹,
said diaphragm will effectually screen the commodity passed therethrough. It is
evident that a portion of the stock, especially the lighter impurities or portions
thereof, will be carried, still, by the air current further into the chamber C,
namely all that portion of the stock not deposited by its gravity upon the cant
board F.
At the base of the cant board Frises another cant board F2 surmounted by a
wall or partition F³ rising toward the upper end of the air chamber C, and
allowing the passage of the interior air current thereover. From the front of the
wall F projects a second diaphragm G³, constructed similarly to the diaphragm G',

page_text: or otherwise, to serve a similar purpose. This diaphragm G' contracts the air
passage between its lower edge and the diaphragm G', and aids to diminish the
force of the air current between the diaphragms, thereby materially assisting the
process of separation, at this portion of the device, and the consequent deposit of
the beavier substances upon the cant boards F and F. The air current laden with
certain portions of the stock is still carried upward in front of the cant board F
after passing through the diaphragms G' and 'G' and therebetween, and over the
upper end after wall F. Below a certain point, comparatively indicated by the
dotted line the air in chamber C is practically undisturbed, there being thus
formed a dead air chamber at the lower ends of the cant boards F and F which
permits a readier separation of the heavier products at this point. In the rear of
the wall F and preferably rising thereabove is another diaphragm G³, which may
be similarly constructed to the diaphragm C¹, or of any desired construction. This
diaphragm G is so located as to form a contracted passage between it and the
wall F. It will be observed that the porous or fibrous construction of the
diaphragm Gallows a certain portion of the air current to pass therethrough,
thereby diminishing the force of the air current which passes thereunder. Below
this diaphragm G³ is located another cant board F4 extending preferably from the
base of the wall F3 to another discharge duct F. An additional cant board rises
from the base of the board F to the interior wall of the trunk A', as shown at Fº,
forming another dead air chamber 9, as beneath the dotted line y-y. It will be
perceived that by means of the diaphragm G3 another separation of the stock will
be effected at its base, the heavier portion of the stock carried in the air current at
this point dropping on the cant board F and being carried into the dead air
chamber g. Above the cant board F' is located still another diaphragm G', of
analogous construction to that of the diaphragm G', which may be engaged upon
the adjacent wall of the air trunk A². This diaphragm forms a contracted passage
between it and the other diaphragm G³, aiding the process of separation at this
part of the machine, and the deposit of the heavier substances carried in the air
currents into the duct F5. The air laden with whatever portions of the stock or
impurities which may still be carried thereby is then passed into the fan as
indicated by the arrows in the fan, and is thence discharged into the trunk A³, the
current in which leads downward and into the trunk A. At each side of the fan
air ducts or boxes may be located, said boxes leading into the interior of the fan
case and into the chamber C.
At the upper end of the air trunk A² a slide or valve M¹ is located of any
suitable construction thereby to regulate the air current passed into said air trunk.
At the base of the air trunk A', cant boards or inclined walls P and P' may be
located, converging toward their lower ends and leading into a discharge duct F.
Between the walls P P depends from the upper inner surface of the trunk A'
another diaphragm g of analogous construction to those hereinbefore described,
through which a portion of the air current passes, the remainder of the air current
passing thereunder, by which means still another separation is caused at this point.
At the lower ends of the walls P, P¹ is formed another dead air chamber or
pocket E as below the dotted line t―t. This construction and arrangement cause
the heavier matter in the air current at this portion of the device to be deposited
upon the cant boards or walls P P¹, from which it passes into the discharge
duct F. This discharge duct, like the former discharge ducts mentioned is
provided with any suitable controlling valve or valves. The valves being closed
by the air current, or they may be controlled, by a counterweight, when the
weight of stock within the corresponding ducts is not sufficient to force the valve
or valves open.
These various ducts or discharge conduits may be provided with
an interior valve, as shown for example in dotted lines F-5. By this construction
it may be seen that the pressure of the stock will open the valves f³, permitting
the stock to pass into that portion of the corresponding ducts between the interior
valves and the valves fl on the outer ends of the said ducts. By this construction,
either the interior valve or the outer valve in each duct will naturally close and

page_text: prevent the inlet of air to any particular extent into the machine at these points, by
the operation of outer air pressure.
In the construction shown in Figure 1, it will be seen that a first separation and
deposit is thus made in the base of the air trunk A. A second separation and
deposit is made and discharged through the duct F', a third separation and deposit
is made through the duct F5 and a fourth separation and deposit is made and
discharged through the duct F. Additional separations and deposits may be
readily provided for by simply extending the interior construction of the machine
and adding additional cant boards with their corresponding diaphragms and
discharge ducts so that any desired number of separations may be made, within the
scope of the invention. These additional cant boards and diaphragms may be
either located laterally to those shown in the drawing, carrying the fan laterally to
correspond, or they may be added above those shown. Thus the increased
separating devices may be added either vertically or laterally as may be desired.
It will be seen that the case of the machine, with the construction of the ducts
above described, practically makes the interior of the machine airtight. It will
be perceived that within the air trunks, A2, A', A, and within the chamber C is a
continuous air current produced by the fan, the current in the trunk A passing
through the orifice a¹, thence downward between the diaphragms G' and the cant
board F, thence upward between the diaphragm G¹ and G, thence still upward
over the wall F3, thence downward between the wall F and diaphragm G and
between the latter diaphragm and the underlying cant board F, thence upward
between the diaphragms G³ and G₁ into the fan, the course of the current being
indicated by the arrows. The first left hand air trunk A may be contracted in its
dimensions if desired so as to increase the force of the air currents therein. The
various separations are made by the dropping of the stock by its own gravity at
the various separation points, on account of the diminution of air pressure at such
points, as above described. By this means the stock is purified, separated and
graded in the most efficient manner, the various separations being collected and
discharged by themselves. It will thus be seen that the machine takes care of its
own dust, all the dust being discharged with other impurities, or the dust can be
collected by itself. It is preferred to locate a glass in the side of the case B so
as to readily watch the operations going on within the chamber C, and to see if
any adjustment of parts is required. It is also preferred to locate panes of glass
on the front of the air trunk A, as shown at ' and ' to permit the watching of
the operations going on within the said air trunk.
+
At the various discharge ducts will thus be collected the first, second, third and
fourth products or grades.
By this construction it is impossible for the machine to choke up. The valves
controlling the various discharges of products work by the air current and by the
weight of the stock within the ducts. The air trunks A A' A' form a continuous
air belt from the upper end of the air trunk A downward through the trunk A',
thence upward through the trunk A from whence the air passes into the interior of
chamber C and back into the fan. The air within the machine, by the means
above described, is thus continually being cleansed and redirected in its course,
round and round in the machine.
It will be observed that this machine dispenses with all the ordinary forms of
dust collectors heretofore generally employed in other purifying, separating and
grading machines, with dust balloons, with the customary silk screens, and with the
other various features connected with a sieve purifier. Furthermore all gearings
and pulleys heretofore commonly employed in sieve or air belt or any other existing
purifying or grading machine are dispensed with, the only power required being
that to rotate the fan E. The discharge ducts may have any desired pitch.
The air chambers Q Q' below the cant boards F and F might be omitted if
preferred, the adjacent portions of the air trunks being led up directly underneath
said cant boards. The invention contemplates either a single or multiple air
chamber. It will be seen that a machine of this character so constructed is of

page_text: superior efficiency to those heretofore constructed, as a purifier, separator and
grader of any kind of grain, seed, middlings, flour or any other commodity, that
requires purifying, or separating or grading, while at the same time its construction
and operation are simple and economical.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is :-
. 1. A vertical or perpendicular purifier, separator, and grader arranged and
provided with means to effect a continuous air current therein, the desired
separations of the stock supplied thereto being effected by gravity in connection
with said air current, substantially as set forth.
2. A vertical or perpendicular purifier, separator and grader provided with a
vertical air trunk to receive the stock and means for effecting an air current in said
air trunk, substantially as set forth.
3. A vertical or perpendicular purifier, separator, and grader provided with
vertical communicating air trunks into one of which the stock is fed, and means to
provide an air current in said air trunks, substantially as set forth.
4. A vertical or perpendicular purifier, separator, and grader constructed with a
vertical air trunk, a fan to effect an air current therein and means to diminish the
force of the air current, and thereby cause a separation of the stock, substantially
as set forth.
5. In a purifier, separator and grader, the combination of a fan, an interior air
chamber communicating with the interior of the fan case, a feeding device, and a
continuous air passage leading from the fan to said feeding device and communicating
with said interior air chamber, substantially as set forth.
6. In a purifier, separator and grader, the combination of a fan, an interior air
chamber communicating with the interior of the fan case, a feeding device, and a
continuous air passage leading from the fan downward underneath the air chamber,
and upward to the feeding device and communicating with said air chamber,
substantially as set forth.
7. In a purifier, separator, and grader, the combination of multiple communi-
cating air trunks, an interior air chamber communicating therewith, and a fan
to produce an air current through said air trunks and chamber, substantially as
set forth.
8. In a purifier, separator, and grader, the combination of an interior air
chamber, a fan, a continuous air passage leading from the fan case, and com-
municating with said air chamber, and a feeding device communicating with the
air trunk, provided with a valve to control the passage of stock into the air trunk,
substantially as set forth.
9. In a purifier, separator, and grader, an interior air chamber, a fan, a feeding
device, a continuous air passage leading from the fan to said feeding device and
communicating with said air chamber, and an automatic valve to control the feed
of the stock into said air passage, substantially as set forth.
10. In a purifier, separator and grader, an interior air chamber, a fan, a feeding
device, a continuous air passage leading from the fan to the feeding device and
communicating with said air chamber, said air passage beneath the feeding device
provided with breakers to throw the stock into the centre of the air passage,
substantially as set forth.
11. In a purifier, separator and grader, the combination of an interior air
chamber, and multiple communicating air trunks forming a continuous air
passage, said air trunks provided with discharge ducts or outlets, substantially as
set forth.
12. In a purifier, separator and grader, the combination of an interior air
chamber, vertical or perpendicular air trunks A A2, an air trunk A¹ connecting
the air trunks A A, a feeding device communicating with the trunk A, and a
fan having its case communicating with the air trunk, A' and with the interior
B

page_text: air chamber, the trunk A communicating with the air chamber, substantially as
set forth.
13. In a purifier, separator and grader, the combination of a fan, an interior air
chamber communicating with the interior of the fan case, a continuous air passage
leading from said fan case, and communicating with said chamber, a series of
separating devices located within said air chamber, and means of discharging the
products separated within said air chamber, substantially as set forth.
14. In a purifier, separator, and grader, the combination with the air
trunks A A', A' of a feeding device communicating with the upper end of
the trunk A and a fan having the interior of its case communicating with the upper
end of the trunk A', the trunk A provided with a discharge opening at its base,
substantially as set forth.
15. In a purifier, separator and grader, the combination of an interior air
chamber, air trunks A A A², communicating one with the other, the fan having its
case communicating with the interior chamber and with the trunk A, the
trunks A A¹ provided with discharge ducts or outlets, substantially as set forth.
16. In a purifier, separator and grader, the combination of an interior air
chamber, air trunks, A, A1, A2, a fan to produce an air current through said air
trunks and air chamber, and a valve located within the trunk A2 to control the
air current, substantially as set forth.
17. In a purifier, separator and grader, the combination of a fan, an interior air
chamber communicating with the fan, a feeding device, a continuous air passage
leading from the fan to the feeding device and communicating with the interior
chamber below the feeding device, an interior cant-board within the air chamber
below the inlet orifice, a diaphragm supported above the cant board and forming a
passage therebetween, and a discharge duct or outlet located at the base of said
cant-board, and means to control the discharge through said outlet, substantially as
set forth.
18. In a purifier, separator and grader, the combination of a case forming an
interior air chamber, a fan having its case communicating with said chamber,
a feeding device, and a continuous air passage leading from the fan to the feeding
device, and communicating there below with the interior air chamber, a series of
cant boards located within the air chamber provided with corresponding diaphragms
thereabove, said cant-boards and diaphragms arranged substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
19. In a purifier, separator and grader, the combination of a case forming an
interior air chamber, air trunks communicating one with another and with, the
interior chamber, a feeding device communicating with the air trunks, a fan
communicating with the air trunks and with the interior chamber, the interior
chamber provided with cant boards F, F2, and discharge duct F¹ at the base of
said cant boards, and diaphragms G', G, supported above said cant boards,
substantially as set forth.
20. In a purifier, separator and grader, the combination of a case forming an
interior air chamber, air trunks communicating one with another and with the
interior chamber, a feeding device communicating with the air trunks, a fan
communicating with the air trunks and with the interior chamber, the interior
chamber provided with cant boards F F, and discharge duct F' at the base of said
cant-boards, diaphragms G1, G2 supported above said cant boards, a division
wall F3 at the upper end of the cant board F, additional cant-boards F, F
provided with a discharge outlet at their base, and diaphragms G³, G located
above the cant-boards F, F, substantially as set forth.
21. In a purifier, separator and grader, the combination of an enclosing case
forming an interior air chamber, vertical air trunks A A', an air trunk A' connecting
the lower ends of the trunks A1, A3, discharge outlets leading from said latter air
trunks, and separating diaphragms and cant boards located within the air chamber
and provided with corresponding discharge outlets, the air trunk A communicating
with the interior chamber adjacent to one of said diaphragms, and a fan to

page_text: produce a continuous air current within the air trunks and air chamber, substantially
as set forth.
22. In a purifier, separator, and grader, the combination of an interior air
chamber, communicating air trunks A A¹, A³, a fan to produce an air current
through said air trunks and air chamber, the trunk A₁ provided with cant-
boards F F, an intervening diaphragm, and a discharge outlet, substantially as
set forth.
23. In a purifier, separator and grader, an air chamber into which stock is
admitted, a fan to produce a current of air therethrough, and means to diminish the
force of the air current at a desired point within said air chamber to effect a gravity
separation of the stock, substantially as set forth.
24. In a purifier, separator and grader, an air chamber, an air belt communicating
therewith, a fan to produce an air current through said air belt and air chamber,
and means to diminish the force of the air current at desired points, and thereby
effect a gravity separation of the stock, substantially as set forth.
25. In a purifier, separator and grader an air chamber, an air belt communicating
therewith, a fan to produce an air current through said air belt and air chamber,
means to diminish the force of the air current at desired points and thereby effect a
gravity separation of the stock, and devices to collect and discharge desired grades
or separations of the stock, substantially as set forth.
26. In a purifier, separator and grader, the combination of an air trunk, an air
chamber communicating therewith, and a fan to provide an air current through said
air trunk and chamber, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 27th day of August 1894.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents.