Machine for Hulling, Cleaning, and Polishing Rice and other Grain.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Apr., 1890-Accepted 28th Mar., 1891
Machine for Hulling, Cleaning, and Polishing Rice and other Grain.
I, SYDNEY PITT, of Sutton, in the County of Surrey, Gentleman, (a com-
munication to me from abroad by The Engelberg Huller Company, of Syracuse,
New York, United States of America,) 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 invention relates to machines for hulling, cleaning, and polishing rice and
other grain.
In the improved machine, a convex-edged hulling plate co-operates with a ribbed
cylinder to remove the hulls from the grain. The grain is fed through a hopper to
one end of the casing containing the hulling cylinder, and is discharged at the
opposite end. The hulling plate is made adjustable so that it may be set at any
desired angle, and is provided with scales to show the distance of the plate from
the cylinder. The hulls pass through the perforated bottom of the casing, below
the hulling cylinder, and fall into a chute by which they are conveyed to a suitable
receptacle. The grain passes from the huller through a separate chute to a polisher,
from which it passes through a spout.
In the accompanying drawings-
Figure 1 is a front elevation of the apparatus, with parts of the casing broken
away;
Figure 2 is a vertical, central section throughout the apparatus, on the line 2, 2,
of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a vertical, central section on an enlarged scale-on the line 3, 3, of
Figure 1, of the hulling apparatus;
Figure 4 is a plan view of the hulling apparatus, with the cover removed;
Figure 5 is a diagram showing the developed surface of the hulling cylinder;
Figure 6 is an end view of the hulling-cylinder;
Figure 7 is a plan view of the same;
Figure 8 is a detailed view showing in plan and in cross-section, the formation of
the perforated plate used below the hulling cylinder and around the polisher;
Figure 9 represents-on an enlarged scale-beaters or whippers used in the
polishing apparatus; showing particularly how these beaters may be cut from the
material without waste;
Figure 10 is a detailed view, showing the arrangement of the perforations or slots
in the plate below the hulling cylinder and around the polisher, in relation to the
axis of the hulling cylinder or polisher;
Figure 11 is a longitudinal, axial section of the huller, on the line 11, 11,
Figure 3, and
Figure 12 is a detailed view, in perspective, of the indicator plate.
of
That part of the apparatus nearest the spectator in Figure 1 is called the front
of the machine; the opposite side, the back. The end on which the hopper is
shown, is called the feed end; the opposite, the discharge end of the machine.
The casing is preferably made in sections A and H, divided on a line coincident
with the axis of the hulling cylinder, and inclined downward, from rear to front, at
an angle to the horizon of, say 45°, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The main body
or lower section A, of the casing, is preferably made in a single piece, and of cast,
metal, on each side of which are laterally projecting lags B, in which are formed,
the lower parts of the bearings of the shaft of the hulling cylinder. Downwardly
projecting flanges a¹, at each end of a longitudinal opening A¹, in this lower section,
are enlarged at their lower ends, and provided with laterally projecting flanges a

page_text: to support the ends of the perforated plate or, screen C, below the hulling
cylinder D.
''
The front and rear portions A and A3 of the lower section are formed with
downwardly projecting flanges a³, to which the longitudinal edges of the perforated
plate or screen C, are secured. Separate side pieces E, are secured to the lower
section A, by bolts b, extending through the flanges a¹, as shown in Figure 3. The
tops of the side pieces are inclined, as shown, from the front edges upwardly, and
on these inclined upper edges rest the laterally projecting bearing lugs. B.
The lower front portion of the casing is closed, and, at the upper end, is provided
with lugs c, near each end, through which project the adjusting screws F. The
upper part of the bottom of the casing is recessed to receive a hulling plate G,
which acts in conjunction with the hulling cylinder, as will be hereinafter more
fully described. Flanges d, are formed on the bottoms of the side pieces E, through
which pass bolts e, for securing the machine to the box or casing. H¹, of the
polisher.
'T
เ
The front and rear ends of the casing are shown as braced by a rib 6', passing
under the screen, but separated therefrom by an intervening space b², so as not to
obstruct this part of the screen. The rib b¹, is preferably made in one piece with
the other parts of the casing, and may be formed with a lug ta, to aid in supporting
the screen C. The back of the lower section A, is closed by a back plate or door J,
(Figure 2,) which may be readily removed, when desired. By this means the
underside of the screen may be readily reached for the purpose of cleaning it with
a wire brush, or other cleaning implement. The plate is provided with perforations,
preferably formed as shown in Figures 8 and 10. These perforations c¹, are made
in the form of oblong slots, gradually tapering or flaring from the inside of the
plate outwardly. The slots run transverse to the length of the casing, and are
arranged in parallel rows, each row overlapping and projecting between the slots of
each adjacent row. (See Figure 10.) By forming the slots in this way, and by
this arrangement, the hulls, cuticle, flakey matter, and other impurities are
effectively disconnected from the grains of rice, and separated therefrom.
This matter readily passes through the slots; which are not apt to clog or choke,
because their outer ends are larger than their inner ends, and any matter entering
the slots readily passes through them. The precise arrangement and formation of
the slots is of great importance in the improved machine; simple perforations
would not do the work so effectively.
The hulling cylinder D, is mounted on a shaft K, which has its bearings in the
lugs B, of the lower section of the casing A. These bearings are closed by caps B¹,
provided with oil cups B². On one end of the shaft K, is a driving pulley W₁,
and on the opposite end a pulley W, which is connected with the driving pulley W2,
of the polisher. Collars K¹, are interposed between the pulleys W and WI, and the
bearings B and B', of the shaft K, to prevent the shaft moving longitudinally. By
this arrangement the hulling-cylinder is maintained in a uniform position relatively
to the sides of the casing. The direction of revolution of the shafts, pulleys, etc.,
is indicated by the arrows.
It will be observed that the cylinder is much shorter than the interior of the
casing, to allow grain to pass between the ends and the latter. Washers L, of some
soft material-preferably leather-interposed between the ends of the cylinder and
the sides of the casing keep_the_rice_from-grinding-in-this-space. Ribs on the
cylinder co-operate with the hulling plate to remove the hulls; the arrangement
of these ribs is of the utmost importance to insure the effective working of the
machine. The best results are obtained by arranging the ribs as shown in Figure 5.
The cylinder is therein represented as provided with four central ribs 1, 2, 3, 4,
arranged at equal distances apart, and parallel with the axis of the cylinder. The
discharge ends of the ribs are all in line with each other. The ribs 1 and 3 are
equal in length, and the ribs 2 and are also equal in length to each other, but
shorter than the ribs 1 and 3. Four short ribs, 5, 6, 7, 8, project inwardly from the
discharge end of the cylinder, at an angle of about 45° with its axis, and enter

page_text: between the ribs 1, 2, 3, 4, their inner ends terminating close to, but before reaching
the ribs 1, 2, 3, 4, so as to leave ways or passages 9, 10, 11, 12. Passages x, are
also left between the short ribs and the long ribs.
All the ribs
On the feed end of the cylinder two ribs, only, 13 and 14, are used, but they are
somewhat longer than the ribs 5, 6, 7, 8. They project from the edge of the
cylinder at an angle of about 45° to its axis, their inner ends terminating before
reaching the ends of the ribs, 2 and 4, so as to leave ways or passages 15 and 16;
there are also passages y, between the ribs 13 and 1, and 14 and 3.
are preferably of the same width and thickness, the scale and relative proportion
being accurately shown in the drawings. The ribs are secured to the cylinder in
any desired way, preferably by ordinary screws, as indicated. The height of the
ribs above the surface of the cylinder is preferably one third of that of the space
between the cylinder and casing.
As the
The lower portion of the cylinder shown in Figure 5, is the feed end.
rice enters the apparatus it is taken hold of by the inclined ribs 13 and 14, and
started through the machine in a direction towards the delivery end of the apparatus,
The rice is turned over and
the cylinder revolving as indicated by the arrows.
over by the longitudinal ribs 1, 2, 3, 4, and presented continuously to the metallic
hulling plate G, and gradually carried to the discharge end, where it is taken up by
the short inclined ribs 5, 6, 7, 8, and rapidly fed upwardly and out.
The ways or
passages y, 15, 16, x, and 9, 10, 11, 12, enable the rice to move along the cylinder
with ease, no choking or clogging being possible.
The metallic hulling plate G, is different from the stone or block beretofore used
in this class of machines. Instead of having a large extent of surface, it is made
flat, and its front working edge is rounded or curved to present a convex edge to
the ribs.
It will be observed that the plate is somewhat longer than the hulling cylinder.
The headed ends of adjusting screws F, fit into sockets or recesses g¹ in the plate..
The heads of the screws are rounded and the narrow necks g2 are embraced by the
outer edges of the curved recesses. The recesses from these points are flared, as
shown in Figure 4, so that one side of the plate may be adjusted more than the
other, in order to give it the proper inclination without changing any of the parts.
It is desirable that the distance between the edge of the plate and the surface of the
hulling cylinder, at the feed end of the apparatus, should be greater than at the
delivery end, as the unhulled rice requires more space at this point. As the rice
approaches the delivery end of the apparatus, it is important that the plate and the
hulling cylinder should come closer together because the grains of rice become
smaller as they near the delivery end, and require closer work.
The top or cover of the apparatus may be of any suitable kind, adapted to neatly
enclose the hulling cylinder. The central part m, of the cover is recessed internally
to accommodate the hulling cylinder and the front and rear portions m¹, m², rest
upon the front and rear portions A2, A3, of the lower section or body portion A.
The under side of the part m¹, is formed to closely fit the plate G, and the adjasting-
screws F, and yet permit of their ready adjustment.
The front portion of the lower section A, is recessed at f, to accommodate the
adjusting screws. To each of the adjusting-screws, at its outer end, is secured a
plate F, which extends up and over the front portion of the cover H, and at.its
front end under a guide strap f¹. These plates are marked with a scale to.indicate
clearly the exact position of the plate within the casing. Any movement of the
screws, which correspondingly moves the hulling plate, will coincidently move
the plate F1, so that the exact position of either end of the plate, relatively to the
hulling cylinder, is indicated. The scale may be made to show. in inches and
fractions of an inch the exact distance of the hulling plate from the hulling
cylinder.
The hopper N, is connected to the feed opening n, in auy suitable way, over the
end of the hulling cylinder A; a slide N¹, regulates the size of the opening. The
discharge opening O, is formed in the upper part of the cover H, at the opposite

page_text: end of the apparatus. This opening is provided with an adjustable slide 0¹, so
that the size of the opening may be varied to regulate the discharge of the rice
and the pressure within the casing. Guard-plates 02, on each side of the discharge
opening 0, and extending upwardly therefrom, prevent the rice from being
scattered.
An opening C, is formed in the concave plate or screen C, at the discharge-end
of the machine, and is closed by a gate C, which moves in guides formed in the
downwardly projecting lugs C2, of the lower section A%, of the casing A; set-
screw C³, holds the gate firmly in position.
This is an important feature in the practical operation of the machine, because,
should the driving belts slip, or any other parts of the driving-apparatus give way,
the machine would, but for this opening, become clogged or choked, and, in restarting
the machine, the rice would be ground and broken. In operating the machine,
should the driving-gear slip or give way, before again starting, the feed of rice is
shut off by the slide N¹, of the hopper, and the gate C¹, is opened, and the grain
allowed to run out, so as to relieve the cylinder and allow it to start free.
A chute T, leads from the casing beneath the perforated plate C, of the huller,
into the box or casing H¹, and delivers the hulls, cuticle, etc., which are ground to
a fine meal, into the bottom of the box. The meal thus produced is a useful article,
and may be used as feed for animals. It is not a waste product, and should be cared for.
The hulling-apparatus is mounted on 8 box or casing H¹, which contains the
apparatus for cleaning and polishing the rice after it leaves the huller. A box or
casing Q, is attached to the guard-plates 02, and a chute Q, leads from this casing
to an opening Q1, in the perforated casing R, surrounding the polisher S.
The rice enters the perforated casing R, and, after being treated in the polisher,
is carried through a discharge-spout U, to suitable receptacles. The dust, meal,
and other fine particles whipped out by the polisher and blown through the
casing R, may be collected with the meal passing down the chute T, or
separated therefrom.
may be
The box or casing H¹, is shown in dotted lines as divided; the chute T, extending
to the bottom of the box, and an opening 8, being provided in the bottom of the
box, through which the meal from the huller may be passed to a receptacle below.
An opening s¹, is also shown, through which the finer meal whipped out by the
polisher may be delivered in suitable receptacles below.
The polisher is formed of a cylindrical skeleton framework V, mounted on a shaft V¹,
having bearings V2, in the sides of the box. These bearings are preferably formed
in plates V³, removably secured to the box by bolts V4. The sides of the skeleton
frame are separated from the inner sides of the casing so that the rice will not be
ground or broken between them.
It is found by experience, that if the polisher is not thus arranged, the whole
effect of the apparatus is harmed, because a large portion of the rice will be ground
or broken.
As shown in the drawings, the frame is composed of eight ribs v, secured to the
sides, and to these ribs are secured bands of leather S¹, which are cut in the form'
shown in Figure 9, to form fingers S2, which are light and flexible, and which act
as whips on the grain as it passes through the cylinder.
As shown in Figure 9, the strips are cut from sheets of leather without waste of
material. They may be secured to the frame in any suitable way, but preferably
as shown in the drawings, and, as the cylindrical frame revolves, the rice is taken
-up-by-the-fingers, and carried-along through the apparatus, the dust and fine meal
being forced through the perforated casing by the whips, and the currents of air
induced thereby.
The apparatus thus organized takes the rough rice, removes the hulls, cuticle,
and flakey matter, separates it from the good rice, takes the good rice and relieves it
from any remaining impurities, gives it a fine polish and delivers it to separate
receptacles, ready for use, while the hulls or meal are delivered in convenient
condition for sale as feed,

page_text: The rice, after it passes through the apparatus, is substantially of one grade, needs
no separation, and is perfectly clean.
The improved apparatus has been described as designed for hulling, cleaning,
and polishing rice, but it is obvious that the machine may be used for cleaning other
kinds of grain. The improved cleaning apparatus has been used for hulling coffee
with remarkably good results, it being only necessary to give the hulling-plate a
wider range of adjustment, or rather make the distance between the working edge
of the bulling-plate and the surface of the hulling cylinder somewhat larger to
accommodate the coffee berries, which are larger than the grains of rice.
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. The combination substantially as herein before set forth, of the hulling-
cylinder, the short, inclined feed-ribs thereon, and the separate, equidistant,
longitudinal ribs, parallel with the axis of the cylinder, with their feed ends lying
alternately opposite the ends of the feed-ribs, and between them, leaving spaces
between the feed and longitudinal ribs, through which the rice may pass.
2. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of the hulling-
cylinder; its short, inclined feed-ribs; the separate, equidistant, longitudinal,
parallel, central ribs, and the discharge-ribs, inclined in a direction reverse to that
of the feed-ribs.
3. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of the hulling-
cylinder; its inclined feed-ribs; the separate, equidistant, longitudinal, parallel,
central ribs of unequal extent at the feed-end, and terminating alternately opposite
to, and between the feed-ribs, and the discharge-ribs projecting between the
corresponding ends of the longitudinal ribs.
4. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of the casing; the
screen in the lower part of the casing; the ribbed hulling-cylinder, and the convex-
edged, flat, rigid, hard-metal hulling-plate co-operating therewith.
5. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the casing; the
screen in the lower part of the casing; the ribbed hulling-cylinder, and the bulling-
plate, the working edge of which is inclined towards the cylinder from the feed to
the discharge-end, to compensate the gradually diminishing bulk of the rice, as the
hulling progresses.
6. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of the casing; the
feed-opening in the top thereof; the hulling-plate; the bulling-cylinder revolving
upwardly on the side next the plate, to throw the rice upwardly against the plate
and a discharge-opening above the plate.
7. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of the casing, having
a discharge-opening in its top; the hulling cylinder revolving therein; the inclined
ribs on the cylinder, beneath. the discharge-opening; the straight; parallel ribs,
extending from the discharge-opening to a feed-opening in the casing; the inclined
ribs beneath the feed-opening, and the hulling-plate, extending, in the casing, from
one end of the cylinder to the other.
8. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of the casing, having
feed and discharge-openings in its top; the hulling cylinder; its inclined feed-ribs;
oppositely-inclined discharge-ribs, which lift the grain from the casing, and the
straight, parallel ribs on the cylinder, between the inclined ribs at each end.
9. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of the casing; the
hulling-cylinder; the hulling-plate; its adjusting-screws, and the indicator-plates
connected therewith, to determine the relation of the cylinder and plate, without
opening the casing.
10. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of the casing; the
hulling-cylinder; its ribs, and the screen having a smooth and even interior surface,
and having also rows of straight, parallel, overlapping slots, transverse to the axis

page_text: of the cylinder, and flaring outwardly, to facilitate the escape of matter passing
through said screen.
11. The combination, substantially us herein before set forth, of the hulling-
cylinder; the lower section of the casing; the screen; the discharge-opening
therein, and its gate, to permit of the removal of the rice, when the machine is
stopped, when full, without removing the casing.
12. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of the lower section
of the casing inclined upwardly from front to rear; the screen secured therein; the
hulling-cylinder revolving in the screen, and the removable back-plate or side of
the casing, which affords access to the screen, &c.
13. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the lower section
of the casing; downwardly projecting flanges at each side thereof; lateral flanges;
the screen secured thereto, and inclined side-pieces secured to the downwardly
projecting flanges.
14. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of the lower section
of the casing having a central, longitudinal opening; downwardly projecting flanges
at each end thereof; flanges projecting laterally therefrom; the screen secured to
said flanges; the central rib extending under said screen, and the top or cover
provided with a central recess for the hulling-cylinder.
15. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the hopper; the,
hulling-cylinder; its casing provided with a feed-opening communicating with the
hopper; the screen in the lower portion of the casing; the hull-discharge opening
in the lower part of the screen-casing; the box below the screen; a chute connecting
the opening in the screen-casing with the box; a rice discharge opening in the casing
of the huller; the polisher; a chute leading from the rice discharge-opening in the
casing to the polisher, and a discharge-spout leading from the polisher.
Dated this 31st day of March 1890.