A New or Improved Fruit Washing and Cleaning Machine.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Oct., 1896-Accepted, 16th Jan., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Fruit Washing and Cleaning Machine.
We, JAMES BUFFHAM, and WILLIAM JAMES RAE both of 153, Lancaster
Road, Notting Hill, London, Gentlemen, 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 :-
Our invention relates to a new or improved fruit washing and cleaning machine
and refers more particularly to a machine or device designed for cleaning and
washing dried fruits, such as currants, raisins, sultanas, and the like, although it
may also be employed for cleaning and washing other kinds of fruits for which
it is suitable. The object of this invention is to provide a machine or device of
extremely simple construction which, while being easily operated shall quickly and
thoroughly wash and clean the aforementioned varieties of fruits.
In order that our invention may be fully understood, we will now proceed to
describe same with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
Fig. 1 is a plan of our improved washing and cleaning machine or device, and
Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation of same.
In the drawings like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both
views.
Our improved fruit washing and cleaning machine consists of a suitably shaped
receptacle as shown comprising two parts or divisions a, b, while centrally above
the receptacle b is arranged a shaft or spindle c carried in bearings c, cl, and
furnished with a number of arms d, d, projecting from same at right angles, a
crank g designed to be fitted or furnished with any suitable handle is also provided
for the purpose of revolving the said shaft.
The receptacle a is furnished with an inlet pipe p by means of which a constant
supply of water may be sent through the machine while it is being operated, and
an opening closed by any suitable cap or plug g' is also provided to allow of the
receptacle a being cleaned out when required. The fore part of the machine or
device comprises a shoot or spouts for the discharge of the water which passes
through the machine and also of the cleaned fruit.
The operation of our improved machine or device is as follows:-
A constant stream of water is passed through the machine through the pipe p
while the fruit to be cleaned is passed into same at the top a' of the receptacle a,
the spindle c being meanwhile revolved.
The fruit drops to the bottom of the receptacle a from whence it is quickly
carried towards the receptacle b, the passage of the fruit through the machine
being momentarily retarded at each half revolution of the spindle c by its coming
into contact with the arms d, d, carried by the said spindle. It is thus held or
retained in the machine for a short time while it is thoroughly washed by the
stream of water passing through same, while the heavier impurities such as small
particles of stone, grit, or the like are separated from the fruit in the receptacle a,
and drop to the bottom and are retained therein. The fruit thus partially cleaned
passes on towards the receptacle 6 where it is thoroughly washed as aforesaid to be
eventually discharged through the shoots into any convenient receptacle having a
perforated bottom or sides so as to allow of the water escaping.
Where only a small quantity of fruit is to be washed or cleaned it may be passed
into the machine by hand, but where larger quantities of fruit are to be dealt with,

page_text: the said machine is preferably used in conjunction with any suitable feeding hopper
for supplying the fruit to same, at a uniform rate.
For the purpose of strengthening the bars d or for binding them more securely
together, two longitudinal plates f, f, may be suitably secured to same for this
purpose.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The new or improved fruit washing and cleaning machine, comprising the
receptacles a and b, and the shoots, in combination with spindle c, having arms d, d,
inlet pipe p, and cleaning plug or cap g', the whole arranged, constructed and
operated, substantially as herein described and shown, and for the purposes
specified.
2. The new or improved fruit washing and cleaning machine, substantially as
herein described and shown and for the purposes specified.
Dated this och 1
F. G. CASSELL
(Of Cassell & Co.),
22, Glasshouse Street, Regent Street, London, W.,
Agent for the Applicant.