IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR BREAKING COTTON SEED TO FACILITATE THE SEPARATION OF THE KERNEL FROM THE HUSK
Year: 1870

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Rose and Robert Emerson Gibson, of
Earlestown, in the County of Lancaster, Oil Seed Crushers and
Paper Makers, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY
FOR BREAKING COTTON SEED TO FACILITATE THE SEPARATION OF THE KERNEL
FROM THE HUSK."
Sealed the 17th March 1871, and dated the 21st September 1870.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Rose and
Robert Emerson Gibson at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents, with their Petition, on the 21st September 1870.
We, THOMAS ROSE and ROBERT EMERSON GIBSON, of Earlestown,
in the County of Lancaster, Oil Seed Crushers and Paper Makers, do
IMPROVEMENTS IN
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"
MACHINERY FOR BREAKING COTTON SEED TO FACILITATE THE SEPARATION OF THE
KERNEL FROM THE HUSK," to be as follows:-
The first part of our Invention relates to certain improvements in
the formation and construction of the surfaces of cylinders used for the

page_text: purpose of breaking cotton seed in order to separate the kernal from the
husk, and consists :--
A. In so constructing the surface of the breaking cylinders that it
is covered with a series of small pyramids or cones arranged in lines
parallel with each other, but diagonal to the axis of the cylinder.
B. In constructing the breaking cylinder of a number of circular saws
so secured on the shaft, with or without washers between them that they
stand alternately tooth and space.
C. In constructing the surfaces of the breaking cylinders by inserting
steel teeth or pins into suitable holes formed upon the surface of a metal
cylinder, and afterwards casting around such metal cylinder a coating of
soft fusible metal, in thickness nearly but not quite equal to the length
of the said teeth or pins, the points of which will therefore project beyond
the surface of the soft fusible metal.
The second part of our Invention relates to certain combinations of
breaking cylinders embodying the improvements or some of them
herein-before described under the first part of our Invention with other
mechanical parts, and consists :-
1. In using in combination for the purpose of breaking cotton seed,
two breaking cylinders constructed as to their surfaces upon one or other a
or combinations of the plans described in the above first part of our
Invention, and causing them to rotate upon their axes in the same
direction as to their adjacent surfaces but at different surface velocities.
2. In using for the purpose of breaking cotton seed the breaking
cylinder constructed as to its surface upon one or other of the plans a
described in the first part of our Invention, and causing the same
to rotate upon its axis in near contact with a second cylinder grooved
or fluted only upon its surface, such second cylinder being caused to
rotate as to its surface adjacent to the breaking cylinder in the same
direction, but at a less surface velocity than it.
3. In using for the purpose of breaking cotton seed one breaking
cylinder constructed as to its surface upon one or other of the plans
described under the above first part of our Invention, and causing the
same to rotate upon its axis in near contact with a portion of one half
the surface of a disc, which is caused to revolve upon an axis at right
angles to the axis of the breaking cylinder; and as to the portion of
the surface in near contact with the breaking cylinder in the same

page_text: direction with it but at a less surface velocity. That portion of the
surface of the said disc which in its rotation comes into near contact
with the breaking cylinder may be constructed either with plain grooves
or flutes, or with a roughened or toothed surface, similar in construction
to that herein-before described under the first part of our Invention,
for the construction of the surfaces of breaking cylinders.
4. In using for the purpose of breaking cotton seed, one breaking
cylinder constructed as to its surface upon one or other of the plans
described in the above first part of our Invention, and causing it to
rotate upon its axis in near surface contact with a fixed plate or breast,
such plate or breast being constructed as to its surface either with plain
grooves or flutes, or with a roughened or toothed surface similar in con-
struction to that herein-before described under the first part of our
Invention for the construction of the surfaces of breaking cylinders.
In the arrangements described under the first, second, and third heads
of this second part of our Invention the seed may be supplied to the
surface of the breaking rolls or roll by suitable hoppers with feed regu-
lators, as is well understood, but when we employ that modification of
our Invention last herein described under the fourth head of the second
part of our Invention, that is to say, one breaking cylinder working in
contact with a fixed plate or breast we use with it a special apparatus
for forcing the cotton seed into contact with the breaking cylinder.
And we find a convenient apparatus for the purpose to consist of a tube
or pipe, in diameter equal or nearly equal to the length of the breaking
cylinder, upon and terminating in near contact with it. Inside this
tube we cause a helical screw to revolve and we compel the cotton seed
to pass to the breaking cylinder at the required speed. The combination
of this forced feed with a breaking cylinder working in near contact
with a fixed plate or breast forms the fifth head of this second part of
our Invention.
Having now described our Invention so far as it relates to breaking
the cotton seed and husk, we may remark that when cotton seed has
been broken down as aforesaid, the kernel will evidently separate from
the husk by suitable sifting machinery.
When the surfaces of any of the cylinders described under the first
part of our Invention become worn, we reverse them in their bearings
and we find that by so doing we provide a more efficient breaking
surface.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Thomas Rose and Robert Emerson Gibson in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 21st March 1871.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, THOMAS
ROSE and ROBERT EMERSON GIBSON, of Earlestown, in the County of
Lancaster, Oil Seed Crushers and Paper Makers, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-first day of Semptember, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy in the
thirty-fourth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto us, the said Thomas Rose and Robert
Emerson Gibson, Her special license that we, the said Thomas Rose
and Robert Emerson Gibson, our executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as we, the said Thomas Rose and Robert Emerson
Gibson, our executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR BREAKING COTTON SEED TO FACILITATE THE
SEPARATION OF THE KERNEL FROM THE HUSK," upon the condition (amongst
others) that we, the said Thomas Rose and Robert Emerson Gibson,
our executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under our
or their, or one of our or their hands and seals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed
in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said Thomas Rose and Robert Emerson
Gibson, do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement, reference being had
to the accompanying Sheet of illustrative Drawings and to the letters
and figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
The first part of our Invention relates to certain improvements in the
formation and construction of the surfaces of cylinders used for the

page_text: purpose of breaking cotton seed in order to separate the kernel from
the husk, and consists,-
:
A. In so constructing the surface of the breaking cylinder that it
is covered with a series of small pyramids or cones arranged in lines
parallel with each other but diagonal to the axis of the cylinder.
Fig. 1 shews a side elevation of a breaking cylinder constructed in
accordance with this part of our Invention. A denotes a drum or
cylinder the entire circumference of which is covered with segments b,
three only of which are shewn in Fig. 1; Figure 2 shews a portion of
one of these segments drawn to an enlarged scale, the surface projections
being of a pyramidal form. The said projections may be conical as
above mentioned. It will be obvious that the projections might be cut
or formed upon the circumference of the breaking cylinder itself. In
practice we prefer to use the segments 6 bolted to the drum or
cylinder A.
(B). In constructing the breaking cylinder of a number of circular
saws so secured on the shaft with or without washers between them that
they stand alternately tooth and space.
Fig. 3 shews an end elevation, and Fig. 4 a plan of two cylinders
constructed in accordance with one modification under this part of our
Invention, washers being placed between the saws; c, c, denote the
shafts; d, toothed discs or saws; e, washers; f, binding bolts; Figs. 5
and 6 shew portions of saws and washers drawn to an enlarged scale
and marked with the same letters.
In Fig. 6 the saws and discs upon the cylinders are shewn so arranged
in relation to each other that the toothed edges of the saws of one
cylinder stand opposite to the washers in the other cylinder. This is the
modification preferred in practice.
With some kinds of cotton seed we so arrange the teeth of the saws
of one cylinder that they stand between and overlap the teeth of the
saws of the other cylinder. In arranging the teeth of the adjacent saws
upon the same cylinder we prefer so to place them that they stand to
each other tooth and
space.
In that modification of this head of our Invention in which we
altogether omit the washers between the saws, we simply so arrange
them that the teeth of the adjacent saws upon the same cylinder stand
to each other tooth and space.

page_text: C. In constructing the surfaces of the breaking cylinders by inserting
steel teeth or pins into suitable holes formed upon the surface of a
metal cylinder and afterwards casting around such metal cylinder a
coating of soft fusible metal in thickness nearly but not quite equal to
the length of the said teeth or pins, the points of which will therefore
project beyond the surface of the soft fusible metal.
The second part of our Invention relates to certain combinations of
breaking cylinders embodying the improvements or some of them herein-
before described under the first part of our Invention with other
mechanical parts and consists,—
1. In using, in combination, for the purpose of breaking cotton seed,
two breaking cylinders constructed as to their surfaces upon one or other
or combinations of the plans described in the above first part of our
Invention, and causing them to rotate upon their axes in the same
direction as to their adjacent surfaces, but at different surface velocities.
2. In using for the purpose of breaking cotton seed one breaking
cylinder, constructed as to its surface upon one or other of the plans
described in the above first part of our Invention, and causing the same
to rotate upon its axis in near contact with a second cylinder grooved or
fluted only upon its surface, such second cylinder being caused to rotate
as to its surface adjacent to the breaking cylinder in the same direction,
but at a less surface velocity than it.
Fig. 7 is a side elevation; and Fig. 8 a plan of so much of a machine
constructed under this part of our Invention as is necessary to shew how
the combinations 1 and 2 of the above second part may be carried into
effect.
g denotes the framing; h, h¹, the axes of the cylinders; i worm wheel
fixed on h, and gearing with worm j, by which the motion of cylinder k
is controlled. Cylinder A is driven by suitable gearing; the axis h¹ being
carried in the movable bearing the position of which is limited by the
stop m on one side, and the weighted lever n on the other. The object
in view in fitting the axis h¹ of cylinder A in a movable bearing is, to
provide against accidents due to the presence of extraneous substances
passing between the rolls with the cotton seed. It is essential to the
efficient working of the machine as here shewn that the surface velocity
of one cylinder should be greatly in excess of the surface velocity of the
other cylinder. In practice we find it convenient to give A a surface

page_text: velocity of 1,000 feet a minute, and k a surface velocity of from 200 to 250
fcet a minute. When the one cylinder is fluted we prefer rectangular
flutings, and from four to seven to the inch.
3. In using for the purpose of breaking cotton seed one breaking
cylinder constructed as to its surface upon one or other of the plans
described under the above first part of our Invention, and causing the
same to rotate upon its axis in near contact with a portion of one-half
the surface of a disc which is caused to revolve upon an axis at right
angles to the axis of the breaking cylinder, and as to the portion of the
surface in near contact with the breaking cylinder in the same direction
with it, but at a less surface velocity. That portion of the surface of the
said disc which in its rotation comes into near contact with the breaking
cylinder may be constructed either with plain grooves or flutes or with a
roughened or toothed surface, similar in construction to that herein-before
described under the first part of our Invention for the construction of the
surfaces of breaking cylinders.
Fig. 9 shews a plan of a cylinder and disc arranged in accordance with
this part of our Invention. A is the breaking cylinder; o disc secured
on the shaft p. The relation of the surface speed of the breaking cylinder
to that of the disc should be about the same as in the machine
represented by Figs. 7 and 8.
4. In using for the purpose of breaking cotton seed one breaking
cylinder constructed as to its surface upon one or other of the plans
described in the above first part of our Invention, and causing it to rotate
upon its axis in near surface contact with a fixed plate or breast, such
plate or breast being constructed as to its surface either with plain
grooves or flutes, or with a roughened or toothed surface similar in con-
struction to that herein-before described under the first part of our
Invention for the construction of the surfaces of breaking cylinders.
In the arrangements described under the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, heads of
this second part of our Invention the seed may be supplied to the surface
of the breaking rolls or roll by suitable hoppers with feed regulators, as
is well understood, but when we employ that modification of our Inven-
tion last herein described under the 4th head of the second part of our
Invention, that is to say,-
,-one breaking cylinder working in contact
with a fixed plate or breast we use with it a special apparatus for forcing
the cotton seed into contact with the breaking cylinder, and we find a
convenient apparatus for the purpose to consist of a tube or pipe, in

page_text: :
diameter equal or nearly equal to the length of the breaking cylinder
terminating in near contact with it. Inside this tube we cause a helical
screw to revolve, and we thus compel the cotton seed to pass to the
breaking cylinder at the required speed. The combination of this forced
feed with a breaking cylinder working in near contact with a fixed plate
or breast forms the fifth head of this second part of our Invention.
Fig. 10 is an end elevation of a breaking cylinder A working in con-
nection with a breast plate q; is a hopper from which the seed falls
upon a helical screw revolving in that portion 81 of the tube 8.
helical screw is driven by the pulley t.
The
Having now described our Invention as far as it relates to breaking
the cotton seed and husk, we may remark that when cotton seed has
been broken down as aforesaid the kernel will readily separate from the
husk by suitable sifting machinery.
When the surfaces of any of the cylinders described under the first
part of our Invention become worn we reverse them in their bearings,
and we find that by so doing we provide a more efficient breaking
surface.
Having now described the nature of our said Invention and particu-
larized the same we claim, the machinery for breaking cotton seed to
facilitate the separation of the kernel from the husk, substantially as
herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Rose, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of March, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.
In the presence of,
J. T. KING,
Patent Agent,
Liverpool.
THOMAS ROSE. (L.s.)