A Method of Treating Flour and the Product Obtained by such Treatment.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Aug., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 9th Mar., 1897-Accepted, 15th May, 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Method of Treating Flour and the Product Obtained by such
Treatment.
J, JOHN LOWTHER FLETCHER, of "Ellesmere," French Street, Sunbury-on-
Thames, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
The object of the present invention is to treat flour in such a manner as to
render it less liable to injury from insects, animals, external atmospheric influence,
or disease, and at the same time to cause it to occupy less cubic space than an
equal weight of ordinary loose flour.
In carrying my invention into effect, I compress the loose flour, by means of
hydraulic or other pressure, into suitable sized blocks; I preferably form the
blocks into a rectangular shape for convenience of storage, and I find that cubes
having sides measuring six inches are a very useful size.
A convenient method of compressing the flour is as follows. A strong metal
box capable of being readily taken to pieces, being square in section and nearly
twice as high and fitted with a square plunger or piston, is filled with flour and
pressure is applied to the piston or plunger, after which the box is opened and
the cube of compressed flour removed therefrom.
I have found that flour may thus be compressed into nearly half its original
bulk and, although the blocks are moderately hard, they are not very coherent,
so that they may be readily broken up for use.
It will be understood that blocks of compressed flour can be more easily
transported than flour in a loose state.
I have found that there is no difference observable in dough made from flour
treated according to the present invention either in quality, elasticity, or in the
amount or character of gluten yielded, or in the finished bread.
Dated this 17th day of August 1896.
HARRIS & MILLS,
23 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.
A Method of Treating Flour and the Product Obtained by such
Treatment.
I, JOHN LOWTHER FLETCHER, of "Ellesmere," French Street, Sunbury-on-
Thames, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, 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:
The object of the present invention is to treat flour in such a manner as to
render it less liable to injury from insects, animals, external atmospheric influence

page_text: or disease and at the same time to cause it to occupy less cubic space than an equal
weight of ordinary loose flour.
In carrying my invention into effect I compress the loose flour by means
of hydraulic or other pressure into suitable sized blocks, I preferably form the
blocks in a rectangular shape for convenience of storage and I find that cubes
having sides measuring 6 inches are a very useful size.
A convenient method of compressing the flour is as follows:- employ a strong
metal mould or box capable of being readily taken to pieces, of square internal
area and having a height equal to nearly double its width. In connection with
this box or mould I employ a square plunger or piston.
The box or mould is filled with loose dry flour and pressure is applied to the
piston or plunger after which the box is opened and the cube of compressed flour
removed therefrom. I have found that flour may thus be compressed into nearly
half its original bulk and although the blocks are moderately hard they are not so
coherent that they cannot be readily broken up for use.
It will be understood that blocks of compressed flour can be more easily
transported than flour in a loose state.
I have found that there is no difference observable in dough made from flour
treated according to the present invention either in quality, elasticity, amount or
character of gluten yielded or in the finished bread.
I have also found by experiments that blocks of compressed flour have much
better keeping qualities than ordinary loose flour. For instance a block of com-
pressed flour was left for some months during the winter in a new building where
it was subjected to the action of steam and moist heat. Notwithstanding these
adverse conditions there were no signs of decay, mustiness or mould growth in the
flour after several months. During the same period a bag of loose flour of the
same quality was kept in the same room and under the same conditions and
became an almost solid mass of green mould.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. As a new article of manufacture a block of flour reduced in bulk by
compression, whereby it. it endowed with better keeping qualities and occupies
less space than ordinary loose flour.
2. The manufacture of solid blocks of flour by compressing loose flour, sub-
stantially as herein described.
3. The method of treating flour by compression in a mould whereby it is
rendered less liable to injury from insects, animals, external atmospheric influence
or disease and at the same time it is caused to occupy less cubic space than an
equal weight of loose flour substantially as herein described.
Dated March 9th 1897.
HARRIS & MILLS,
23 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.