Improvements in Apparatus for Drying Coffee or other Berries, Grain, or other like Materials.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Mar., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 13th June, 1891-Accepted, 18th July, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Drying Coffee or other Berries,
Grain, or other like Materials.
I, FERDINAND ARENS, of 1001 Caixa, Rio de Janeiro, in the Republic of
Brazil, Merchant and Manufacturer, to hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to apparatus for drying coffee or other berries or grain, or
other like materials wherein the drying is effected in a revolving cylinder wherein
it is subjected to the action of hot air.
One of the objects of my invention is to provide a cylinder which will receive
and dry a large charge of material a very large surface of which charge is caused
to be in contact with the current of hot air as the material falls in constant showers or
streams therethrough at the same time the movement produced in the charge
thoroughly mixing it. There is moreover a large surface of the inaterial in contact
with the outer air without forming large openings in the mass of material through
which the hot air can pass without having exercised a drying effect on the material.
The cylinder according to this invention is constituted by two principal parts viz.
an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder with an annular space between them. Flat
rings are situated transversely of this space being secured for instance by angle
or Tirons constituting in effect a framework for the cylinders and dividing the said
space into longitudinal chambers. The outer part of the said space, that is the
circumference of the outer cylinder, is partly or entirely composed of perforated or
reticulated material which may be in annular bands or pieces secured to annular
supporting pieces extending round the outer cylinder. The inner cylinder has a
number of openings in its periphery, preferably transverse to the axial line, although
they may be formed in a helical or other direction which will permit the material
under treatment to pass out as hereinafter described. The extent of passage through
the said openings in the inner cylinder can be regulated by shutters encircling the
cylinder or otherwise arranged so as to be capable of being moved longitudinally
by means of rods, levers, screws or the like so as to more or less obstruct the passage
way through the said openings. On the ends of the cylinder are doors which can
be opened and shut easily to give access to the chambers. At one end of the
cylinder is the hot air inlet, the other end of the said cylinder being covered by a
perforated or reticulated plate. The whole cylinder can be provided with runners,
bearings and gearing by means of which the rotation of the cylinder is effected.
The material is introduced through a central spout at one end of the cylinder
such spout having a baffle plate in proximity to its outlet to discharge the incoming
material close to the inlet end of cylinder-the first annular opening being made
wide enough to ensure the material as it leaves the hopper spout being delivered
into the longitudinal chambers of the outer cylinder and thus secure the distribution
of the material to be dried in manner following.
The material falling into the chambers of the outer cylinder is carried up by the
revolving action of the cylinder. When in the ascendant movement, as the material
passes the horizontal line of the centre of the cylinder or a little sooner, material
begins to fall from the longitudinal chambers of the outer cylinder in showers
through the series of annular openings into the inner cylinder. These showers
increase in proportion to the amount of material ascending, and as the openings
extend all round the inner cylinder there will be formed walls of continuously
falling material which the hot air will strike and penetrate very efficiently. Only
a proportion (say half) of the ascending material should fall through the openings
to form showers at each revolution, the remaining half or part covering the inner.

page_text: cylinder and having a turning movement thereon. There is a communication of
the outer air with the material through the perforated or reticulated sheets or the
like which form the cover of outer cylinder. The material in the spaces between
the two cylinders practically exposed directly to the free air represents an enormous
surface from which the vapours can pass off without forming large openings in the
mass of material past which the hot air could escape without being utilized whilst
the great evaporating surface presented will prevent cooking of the material. By
opening and closing the shutters which regulate the openings in the inner cylinder,
çan regulate the quantity of material which shall fall in showers through the
inner cylinder at each revolution. In cases where but little power is available for
driving the cylinder any necessary quantity of material can be kept in the chambers
of the space between the cylinders so that the weight of the material is counter-
balanced and the cylinder in consequence turns easily. In case it be desired to
allow soine hot air to escape through the top of the cylinder, the material can be
allowed to fall in greater showers so that the exterior of the inner cylinder
will not be covered by much of the material. By allowing hot air to escape
through the top of the cylinder, I can reduce the temperature of the air inside
cylinder and give more free passage to the saturated air. if necessary to prevent
cooking of the material.
The perforated or reticulated coverings of the outer. cylinder can be fixed in
place by being held together by clips or fingers so that the said coverings can easily
be taken off and cleaned.
By means of doors at the end of the outer cylinder the inner sides of the spaces
between the inner and outer. cylinders can be brushed or cleansed from adhering,
material if any should adhere.
In order to prevent escape of hot air through the upper part of the cylinder I
apply a baffle plate or plates which can be lowered or raised so as to allow more
or less hot air to pass as desired. By preference I suspend these plates to encircle
the upper half of the external cylinder, and at just a sufficient distance therefrom
to permit the cylinder to clear them when revolving.
I may give to the cylinder an inclination so that the material will pass through.
it slowly, but I may produce this result by other means for instance for making the
plates in propellor form which will cause the material to travel longitudinally
through the cylinder.
The perforated sheets or mats on the end of the cylinder. opposite. to the entrance
of hot air, are arranged in such a way that they can, whilst the machine is at work
be taken off and turned and any husks or the like adhering to it can be blown away
or otherwise removed.
The said sheets or mats may for instance be made in segments which are received
at their outer parts in a groove in the cylinder frame their inner end. being secured
by clips or fingers turned over them when in place or the segments may be. hinged.
or pivotted so as to be capable of being opened upon the hinges or pivots.
To discharge the coffee or other matter from the delivery end of the longitudinal
chambers a short portion of the periphery is fitted with doors (one to each section.)
capable of ready adjustment to give a slow continuous discharge, and yet so designed
that an intermittent delivery can be conveniently carried out if the conditions of
working in certain cases require the adoption of this. course.
In order to expedite and equalize the drying effect so as to submit all the material
to practically the same temperature throughout the process. I may cause the material
to pass quickly through the drying cylinder and then convey. it onto. a. travelling.
band or carrier whereon it is exposed to the air to allow vapour. to. be dispelled.. it
then being again passed into andi through the cylinder and then again.onto.the.band
or carrier and so on as many times as may. be necessary. I may, give, the band. or
carrier a jogging or vibratory motion. The foregoing arrangement may be. in. a
heated room and the draught of the hot air from the furnace. which heats, this.room.
niay be caused to take any direction required by. having: outlets at various, places
in its upper part or ceiling, which-outlets can be closed and opened as required so as

page_text: to cause the currents of air to pass to those of them which are opened and therefore
to take any desired course or be diffused through the room as desired. These
outlets may be in the form of tubes projecting into a room above the room before
described and the floor of the upper room may be used for preliminary drying of
the material which may be discharged through an opening in this floor onto the
aforesaid band or carrier.
Dated this 24th day of March 1891
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Drying Coffee or other Berries,.
Grain, or other like Materials.
I FERDINAND ARENS of 1001 Caixa Rio de Janeiro in the Republic of Brazil
Merchant and Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to apparatus for drying coffee or other berries or grain or
other like materials the drying being effected in a revolving cylinder wherein the
materials are subjected to the action of hot air.
One of the objects of my invention is to provide a cylinder which will receive
a large charge of material and cause a very large surface of the charge to come
into contact with a current of hot air the material being caused to fall in constant
showers or streams as it passes through the cylinder thereby also thoroughly
mixing it. A large surface of the material is also in contact with the outer air
without forming large openings in the mass of material.
In order to expedite the process and equalize the drying effect so as to submit all
the material to practically the same temperature throughout the process I may
cause the material to pass quickly through the drying cylinder and then convey it
onto a travelling band or carrier whereon it is exposed to the air to allow vapour
to be dispelled, it then being again passed into and through the cylinder and then
again onto the band or carrier and so on as many times as may be necessary. I may
give the band or carrier a jogging or vibratory motion.
I will describe my invention with reference to the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 of which is a longitudinal section of a drying cylinder constructed
according to my invention and
Figure 2 is a partial end elevation and partial transverse section of the same.
Figure 3 represents in vertical section a building fitted with my improved drying
apparatus arranged according to my invention, and the remaining figures are
modifications which will be hereinafter referred to.
The drying cylinder according to my invention consists of two principal parts
namely an inner cylinder A and an outer cylinder B. Instead of these parts A
and B being cylindrical either or both of them may be of other suitable shape in cross
section such as polygonal. The cylinders A and B have a space C between them and
are connected together by longitudinal plates D secured to rings or hoops E and F
by angle or Tirons d constituting in effect a framework for the cylinders and
dividing the space C into longitudinal chambers. The outer part of the said space
that is the circumference of the outer cylinder is partly or entirely composed of
perforated or reticulated material (such as for example perforated plates wire-
work or cloth) which may be in annular bands or pieces secured to the rings or
supporting pieces E. The rings or hoops F constituting the periphery of the inner
cylinder are arranged at a short distance apart so as to form openings a in its
periphery, preferably transverse to the axial line, although they may be formed in
a helical or other direction which will permit material under treatment to pass
therethrough as hereinafter described. The extent of passage through the

page_text: openings a (and consequently the amount of material which will pass through
them) can be regulated as required by shutters G in each compartment of the
annular space C. These shutters can be operated in any convenient way. As
shewn in Figures 1 and 2 they are attached to bars capable of being moved
longitudinally which movement may be effected by means of spindles or rods d²
working in nuts e on one end of the cylinder and provided with handles ƒ for
convenience of operating them from outside the cylinder for the purpose of more
or less obstructing the passage way through the openings a.
.
Instead of the sliding shutters hereinbefore described for governing the passage
of the material through the openings a shutters arranged to move towards and from
the surface of the cylinder may be provided as shewn in Figure 1. The
shutters are carried on a rod or bar G2 connected to arms G³ capable of turning
on centres and operated by a rod g² connected to arms G made in one with or
rigidly connected to the arms G³ so that by moving the rod 2 longitudinally the
shutters G may be adjusted in position at any desired distance from the surface of
the cylinder and may be fixed in its adjusted position by the nut e.
In cases where the openings a extend in a longitudinal direction in the cylinder
the shutters G as shewn in Figure 18 may be hinged to the edges of the openings
and be opened and closed by means of lever arms f attached to the hinge pins or
rods carrying the shutters. Or these longitudinal openings may be opened and
closed by sliding shutters if desired.
On one end of the cylinder are doors H which can be readily opened and
closed to give access to the chambers in the space C. Hot air is admitted to
the inner cylinder A by the passage I which receives the tube from the hot air
apparatus.
The opposite end of the outer cylinder is covered by a perforated or reticulated
plate (or plates) k. The compound cylinder is arranged so that it can be rotated
which is conveniently effected by supporting it on pulleys and causing it to rotate
thereon by means of pinions L gearing with spur teeth M on both ends of the
cylinder.
h
The material to be dried is introduced by a spout through a central passage or
opening N in one end of the outer cylinder B opposite which opening is a battle
plate i to conduct the incoming material close to the inlet end of the cylinder-the
first annular opening a in the inner cylinder being made wide enough to ensure the
material as it leaves the spout being delivered into the longitudinal chambers of
the outer cylinder and thus secure the distribution of the material to be dried. The
material falling into the chambers of the outer cylinder is by the rotation thereof
carried up, and in the ascendant movement the material falls from the longitudinal
chambers of the outer cylinder in showers through the series of annular openings a
into the inner cylinder A. These showers increase in proportion to the amount of
material ascending and as the openings a extend all round the inner cylinder there
will be formed walls of continuously falling material which the hot air admitted
at I will strike and penetrate very efficiently. Only a portion (say about one
half) of the ascending material should fall through the openings a to form showers
at each revolution. This can be regulated by adjusting the shutters G the
remaining portion of the material in the chambers having a turning movement so
that the whole of the material remaining in the space between the two cylinders is
practically exposed directly to the free air and presents a very large surface from
which the vapours can pass off through the perforated or reticulated cover of the
outer cylinder B, without forming large openings in the mass of material through
which hot air could escape without being utilized, whilst the great evaporating
surface presented will prevent any damage to the material operated upon. By
opening and closing the shutters G which regulate the size of the openings a in
the inner cylinder I can as before stated regulate the quantity of material which
shall fall in showers through the inner cylinder at each revolution and in cases
where but little power is available for driving the cylinder any necessary quantity
of material can be kept in the chambers of the space C between the cylinders so

page_text: that the weight of the material is counterbalanced and the cylinder in consequence
turns easily. If it be desired to allow some of the hot air to escape transversely
through the cylinder the material can be allowed to fall in greater showers so that
the exterior of the inner cylinder will not be covered by much of the material. By
allowing hot air to escape transversely through the cylinder I can reduce the
temperature of the air inside the cylinder and give more free passage to the saturated
air if necessary to prevent injury to the material.
The plates D which divide the annular space between the cylinders into separate
compartments may bave passages or perforations therein near the inner cylinder as
shewn in Figure 1C through which perforations the material passes in showers from
one compartment to another so as to cover any openings in the inner cylinder that
might be otherwise exposed and thus prevent hot air escaping without acting on the
material.
The perforated or reticulated coverings of the outer cylinder may consist of
plates wire work or cloth fixed in place and held in position by clips or fingers
or other convenient means so that the said coverings can easily be taken off and
cleaned.
By means of the doors H at one end of the outer cylinder the inner sides of the
chambers between the inner and outer cylinders can be brushed or cleansed from
adhering material.
In order to prevent or govern the escape of hot air through the upper part of
the cylinder I provide a baffle plate (or plates) as shewn at P Figure 3 which can
be adjusted in position nearer to or further from the outer cylinder so as to allow
more or less hot air to pass as desired. By preference I form this plate (or these
plates) so as to encircle the upper half of the external cylinder and suspend it or
them at just a sufficient distance therefrom as to permit the cylinder to clear them
when revolving.
If desired the whole surface of the outer cylinder may be enclosed in a case
provided with suitable shutters or doors to govern as required the escape of the
saturated hot air, and if desired I may connect to the cover or casing a tube or
passage communicating with an exhausting apparatus by means of which the
moistened hot air can be drawn from the material.
I may give to the cylinder an inclination so that the material will pass through
it slowly or I may produce this result by other means for instance by arranging the
plates D in a slightly helical direction so as to cause the material to travel longitu-
dinally through the cylinder.
The perforated or reticulated sheets or plates & forming the end of the cylinder
opposite that at which the hot air is admitted are capable of being readily removed or
turned whilst the machine is at work for the purpose of clearing them from husks
or other adhering matter, the said sheets or plates being preferably made in
segments as shown at k Figure 2 which are received at their outer edges in a
groove in the cylinder frame their inner ends being secured by clips or fingers b³
turned over them when in place, or the segments may be hinged or pivotted so as
to be capable of being opened upon the hinges or pivots.
The coffee or other material treated is discharged from the delivery end of the
longitudinal chambers in the space C through openings m fitted with sliding doors n
(one to each chamber) capable of ready adjustment to give either a continuous
discharge or an intermittent delivery as required according to the conditions of
working or the material being dried.
The compound cylinder hereinbefore described is preferably fitted to work in a
heated room as shewn in Figure 3, the draught of the hot air admitted to the
cylinder being supplied by means of the fan S from the furnace R which as also the
heat radiated from the whole drying apparatus heats this room.
The material to be dried may be passed through the drying cylinder several
times if desired, for which purpose there is provided at the delivery end of the
cylinder a well p into which the material falls as it leaves the cylinder and from

page_text: which it is raised by an elevator U and discharged onto a trough or carrier V which
conducts it into another trough or into other troughs V2 leading to the spout h
hereinhefore referred to which communicates with the interior of the cylinder. The
troughs V V are suspended on hangers e and are connected by rods to crank
discs W rotated by any convenient means so as to impart to the troughs V V³ a
shaking or jogging motion whereby the material passing thereover is more
thoroughly exposed to the air, and vapour is permitted to escape more freely from
the material before it again enters the drying cylinder. At various places in the
upper part or ceiling of the room containing the drying apparatus outlets X are
provided either or any of which may be closed and opened as required so as to
cause the currents of air to pass to those of them which are opened and therefore
to take any desired course or be diffused through the room as desired by which
means I can equalize more or less the temperature of air beneath the ceiling of the
lower room and above the floor of the room above and get the material preliminarily
equally dried on that floor.
These outlets may be in the form of tubes as shewn projecting into a room
above the room containing the drying apparatus and provided with caps or covers.
The floor of the upper room may be used as already stated for preliminarily
drying the material so that (especially with coffee) the material may be passed into
the cylinder to some extent surface dried. The material may be discharged
through an opening in this floor on to the aforesaid trough V and be conducted
thereby to the drying cylinder as hereinbefore described.
In cases where there may not be sufficient draught produced by the unassisted
rising of the hot air I use exhausters or fans on the upper or lower floor (or both)
which will cause the moist air to pass from the lower to the upper room or expel the
moistened air from the building.
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.
First In apparatus for drying coffee grain or other material or substances a
compound cylinder (or the equivalent as hereinbefore explained) consisting of two
cylinders arranged one within the other the inner cylinder having openings in its
periphery through which the material is caused to fall in showers substantially as
and for the purpose herein before described.
Second In apparatus for drying coffee grain or other material or substances a
compound cylinder (or the equivalent as hereinbefore explained) consisting of two
cylinders arranged one within the other and with a space between them the inner
cylinder having openings therein provided with adjustable doors covers or the like
substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described.
Third In apparatus for drying coffee grain or other material or substances
two cylinders (or their equivalents as herein before explained) with a space between
them divided by partitions into compartments or chambers each chamber being
provided with adjustable doors covers or closure to cover more or less as required
openings in the inner cylinder to regulate the passage of material to and from the
chambers and the inner cylinder, whether or not the partitions between the
chambers be provided with perforations or passages for the material from one
chamber to another, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described.
Fourth In apparatus for drying coffee grain or other material or substances
two cylinders (or their equivalents as herein before explained) with a space between
them and passages through the periphery of the inner cylinder either transverse or
at an angle to or parallel with the axis of rotation of the cylinder and discharge
passages in the periphery of the outer cylinder closeable by adjustable covers
whereby the discharge of the material may be regulated as required substantially
as hereinbefore described.
Fifth The combination with the subject matter of either of the preceding

page_text: claiming clauses of means for forcing hot air into the inner cylinder to act on the
material as it passes through the cylinder substantially as and for the purpose here-
inbefore described.
Sixth In apparatus for drying coffee grain or other material or substances the
combination with drying cylinder or the like constructed as herein before described.
of mechanism for passing the material several times through the drying cylinder
and for exposing the material to the air in its passage to the cylinder on carriers to
which a travelling or jogging or vibratory motion is given substantially as and for
the purpose hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 3 of the accompanying
drawings.
Seventh-The combination with the subject matter of the last preceding
claiming clause of a furnace or other apparatus for heating the air employed for
drying the material or substances and openings in the ceiling or upper part of the
room containing the drying apparatus the said openings being provided with lids
or covers for closing any one or more of the openings whereby the air in the room
may be diffused or caused to take any desired course whereby the heat radiated by
the drying apparatus may be utilized for preliminarily drying the material on a
floor of the room over the drying apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore described
with reference to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings with or without the use
of exhausters or fans as hereinbefore explained.
Eighth The combination of parts constituting the improved apparatus for drving
coffee grain or other substances or material substantially as hereinbefore described
and illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.
Ninth The general combination and arrangement of parts constituting apparatus
for drying coffee grain or other substances or material substantially as hereinbefore
described and illustrated in Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated the 13th day of June 1891
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
Agents.