IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR DECORTICATING RICE AND OTHER GRAIN
Year: 1866

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Edward Newton, of the Office for Patents,
66,Chancery Lane, in theCountyof Middlesex, MechanicalDraughtsman,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR DECORTICATING
RICE AND OTHER GRAIN."-A communication from abroad by Edmond
Théodore Ganneron, of Boulevard Beaumarchais, Paris, in the Empire of
France.
Sealed the 11th September 1866, and dated the 29th March 1866.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Edward Newton
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 29th March 1866.
I, HENRY EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex,Mechanical Draughtsman,do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR DECORTICATING
RICE AND OTHER GRAIN," to be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is to construct a strong, useful, and cheap
apparatus whereby the decorticating of rice and other grain may be carried on
efficiently.
The Invention consists in the employment of two cast metal side plates con-
nected together bycross pieces, and which constitute the frame of the machine.

page_text: In these side pieces are mounted two cylinders of different diameters placed
horizontally, and which are driven at different velocities. The larger of these
cylinders is made of metal, and is grooved helically or horizontally as desired.
The other is composed of a metallic core surrounded by caoutchouc, cor's, or
other supple or elastic substance. Each of the cylinders is mounted onaniron
shaft which carries at its extremities suitable toothed or other gearing for
transmitting motion to the cylinders at the required speed. These shafts are
mounted in bronze bearings which are adjustable so that their distance from
each other can be varied at pleasure. To this end the bearings of the
shaft of the large cylinder are fixed in the side plates, but those of the other
shaft are supported in a sort of groove or slot made in the frame, so that they
can be slightly moved forward or backward. Motion is given to this shaft by
means of a screw which passes through a bearing in one of the cross pieces
which connect the side plates. The end of this screw enters a socket attached
to a fork, which is jointed to the inner ends of two levers. These levers
move on a fulcrum pin, and their other ends press against a pin which
transmits the pressure to the moveable bearings.
This machine can be applied for decorticating any other grain besides rice,
and as a modification a metallic cylinder with a plane or grooved resisting
surface can be used instead of the elastic surface cylinder above mentioned.
The proportions of the two cylinders and the speed and relative diameters
of the gear wheels can be varied to a small'extent. At the ends of the shaft
of the grooved cylinder are fly wheels, one of which drives a rotary fan or
ventilator; and the other transmits motion to a circular shaker. Two or more
sets of working cylinders can be employed, motion being given to them by
means of an intermediate shaft and spur wheel. The grain to be decorticated
or operated upon is placed in an ordinary hopper fitted with an adjustable
slide to regulate the supply of grain to the working cylinders. On issuing
from the hopper the grain passes between the decorticating cylinders and falls
past an orifice, into which the husks are drawn by means of the ventilator.
The grain then falls on to another set of cylinders (if two sets are used) or on
to ashoot, whereby it is conducted to the shaker, from which it is collected in
boxes placed underneath. The grain will be collected of different sizes,
according to the size of the meshes of the shaker. The husks after being
drawn through the orifices are collected on the opposite side of the machine.
A valve fitted with a counterweight is placed at the top of the machine, in
order to regulate the draught from the ventilator.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Henry Edward Newton in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 29th September 1866.
:
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HENRY
EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-ninth day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, in the twenty-ninth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Henry Edward Newton, Her special licence that I, the said
Henry Edward Newton, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as I, the said Henry Edward Newton, my 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 APPARATUS FOR DECORTI-
CATING RICE AND OTHER GRAIN," being a communication to me from abroad by
Edmond Theodore Ganneron, of Boulevard Beaumarchais, Paris, upon the con-
dition (amongst others) that I, the said Henry Edward Newton, my executors
or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or
one of 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 I, the said Henry Edward Newton, do hereby
declare the nature of the 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 Drawing hereunto annexed,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):-
Many attempts have been made to obtain a process of decortication whereby
rice may be deprived of the husk or covering which remains on it after
the thrashing operation. The decorticating process is usually carried on in
the Colonies, and requires an apparatus of strong but simple construction, of
easy management, and not costly. The process most generally employed for
decorticating rice consists in submitting the rough rice to the action of beaters

page_text: or stampers, which detach or loosen the skin or husk, but are open to the
objection of breaking a large number of the grains of rice,and thus producing
considerable waste. Sometimes paddy or rough' rice is submitted to the
action of rubbing millstones of different forms, which somewhat reduce the
amount of waste but do not entirely obviate the objections above mentioned.
The improved apparatus which forms the subject of the present Invention
is one of great simplicity and strength, and admits of operating upon as large
a quantity of grain and producing very much less waste than any of the
apparatus heretofore used; so much is this the case that the sifting operation
to which the rice is usually subjected after the husk and skin has been
removed may generally be dispensed with when the improved apparatus is
employed. This sifting operation is for the purpose of separating the un-
broken rice and whole grains from those which have been broken in the
decorticating process, and for dividing the rice into large and small. With
the improved apparatus the quantity of small or broken rice produced is so
small as to be of no consequence, and all the product may therefore be sold
as perfect rice. The improved apparatus is moreover of such simple con-
struction that no derangement of the parts can take place. It is also so
arranged as to admit of easily and quickly removing and changing the
cylinders when they become worn and are no longer in a fit state for use.
In fact the peculiar arrangement of the parts admits of hulling, winnowing,
and sifting the grain as the decorticating process proceeds, thus obtaining
the desired product by a single "peration. By the improved apparatus
and process the rice may also be pearled' or polished as it comes from the
sieve, thereby giving it an improved appearance which greatly enhances it's
commercial value.
.
In the accompanying Drawing Fig. 1 represents an elevation of the
complete apparatus; Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken in the line A, B ;
Fig. 3 is a plan view; Fig. 4 is a horizontal section (taken in the line C, D,)
of the cast-iron framing which carries the cylinders; Fig. 5 is a section of an
apparatus with only one pair of cylinders; Fig. 6 is a vertical section of the
sifting apparatus; Fig. 7 is a longitudinal elevation of the same; Fig. 8 is a
plan view of the pearling or polishing apparatus; and Fig. 9 is a vertical
section of the pearling cylinder.
The apparatus as it is shewn in the Drawing is composed, first, of a hopper
or vessel above for holding the paddy or rough ice; second, of one or more
parts of like construction placed one above the other, consisting each of
a cast-iron framework supporting two cylinders which are driven at different
speeds; and between which passes the grain which issues from the hopper or

page_text: vessel above; third, of a fan blower or aspirating device for removing the
husks or skins of the grain the moment they are detached therefrom and
before they can enter between the pair of cylinders immediately below the
first; fourth, of a bolting, sifting, or separating cylinder enclosed within a
case for the purpose of dividing or separating the product into different lots
according to the quality or size of the grains which have been decorticated,
and consequently admitting of separating the grains which have been broken
in their passage through the apparatus.
At Figures 1, 2, and 3 is shewn an apparatus with two pairs of cylinders
and at Fig. 5 an apparatus with only one pair.
The hopper A, Figures 1, 2, and 3, presents this peculiarity, viz., that it
extends down to the upper part of the fluted cylinders, and a slide B, actuated
by a screw C,regulates the admission of the grain between the cylinders; this
hopper therefore acts itself as a distributor.
The essential part of the apparatus or that which constitutes the decorticator
properly so called, is the novel application or use shewn in Figures 1, 2, 3,
and 4 of two chambers 1), D', made of cast iron, and serving to support two
cylinders driven at different speeds. One of these cylinders E has a fluted
metallic surface, the other, F, is also made of metal, but is covered with
vulcanized india-rubber or cork, or made of some other yielding and elastic
substance. It will now be understood that the grain or rough rice coming
from the hopper above will in passing between these two cylinders be subjected
to a friction and rubbing operation, which will effectually remove the husk or
outer skin therefrom. Each of these cylinders is mounted on a shaft or
axle G or H, which carry at their ends toothed wheels I, J, whereby their
different motion and speeds are transmitted to them. These shafts are
mounted in brass bearings a, a, arranged in such a manner that their distance
apart may be regulated and adjusted as may be required so as to compensate
for the wear and tear of the cylinders. In order to effect this the bearings a
of the shaft G being fixed, the bearings a' of the shaft H are supported upon
a sliding piece b, thus allowing of an adjustment of an inch or two.
In the Drawing is shewu a very simple plan for regulating or adjusting the
distance apart of the two cylinders. For this purpose is employed an
adjusting screw c, which is actuated by a small hand wheel d. This screw
passes through a bearing e carried by one of the cross pieces fof the cast-iron
framing. The end of this screw enters a socket g provided with a fork h,
which embraces the ends of two levers i, i, connected together by means of a
pin. These two levers have a joint or fulcrum j, on or around which they
are capable of moving, and at their other end / they press against a piece l,

page_text: which transmits the pressure to the moveable bearings a¹ of the shaft H, and
thus causes the cylinder F to approach the cylinder E. This arrangement
has been adopted for its simplicity, but any other mechanical arrangement for
effecting the same object may if desired be employed in place thereof. The
cylinder E is shewn as provided with flutes arranged helically, but it is
evident that these flutes or grooves may if desired be made straight and
parallel with the axis of the cylinder; their size may also be varied according
to the nature of the rice or grain to be operated upon. This cylinder may be
made either in cast iron, in steel, or in any other suitable metal. In order
to secure the caoutchouc covering upon the metallic surface of the cylinder F,
the vulcanization of the rubber is effected after it has been placed on the
cylinder, so that the metallic surface should be slightly attacked by the action
of the sulphur, and the adherence of the rubber thereby effectually secured.
The caoutchouc may, however, as before mentioned be dispensed with, and
some other elastic or flexible substance, such as cork, leather, or even some
vegetable or metallic tissue, be used in its place. The machine may be
employed for decorticating other grains besides rice, and for such cases if
required, instead of the elastic cylinder above mentioned, a metallic cylinder
with a plain or grooved surface may be employed in place thereof. The pro-
portion of the grooved cylinder to the elastic surface cylinder may also vary
within certain limits, as may also the relative proportions of the gearing.
The two chambers D and D' are (as may be seen in the Drawing) connected
together in a fixed position by the two cross pieces f, and in order that the
husks may not lodge in the bearings small blocks of wood m, Fig. 2, are
arranged between the ends of the cylinders E and F and the sides of the
chambers D, D¹. By this means the grain is directed between the cylinders
without it being necessary to cause the side plates to bind or rub against the
ends of the cylinders. The shaft G carries at each of its ends a fly wheel M,
provided with winch handles for working the machine. One of these fly
wheels serves as a pulley for driving the fan, the other carries a pulley O of
small diameter for transmitting motion to the shaker or sieve. The form of
the chambers D, D', admits of arranging several, one above the other,
and of placing between each pair of cylinders an intermediate shaft K,
carrying at one of its ends a toothed wheel L for transmitting motion
to the decorticating cylinders placed below and above those which are
actuated by the cranks or winch handles. Two bolts n and n¹ serve
to connect and hold together the framings, which are placed one ou the
other as above mentioned. It should be understood that any con-
venient number of these sets of cylinders may be arranged one above the

page_text: other, and if desired an additional pair covered with caoutchouc or some
other flexible or elastic substance may be added for the purpose of removing
from the rice any pieces of skin that may still adhere thereto and to give to
the rice a polished and brilliant appearance, which will increase its commercial
value. When the husks are detached from the rice or grain the volume of
matters which is introduced between the cylinders becomes a compound mass
or mixture; it therefore becomes necessary to remove from the mass the husks
or skins immediately they are detached, so that they may not uselessly pass
between the cylinders below and tend to clog up and choke the machine. To
effect this removal of the husks an exhaust fan V is placed at the lower part
of the apparatus. The shaft p of this fan carries a pulley q, which is actuated
by a strap that passes round the fly wheel M. This fan is enclosed in a case
so arranged that its central part communicates with a closed space X placed
laterally to the apparatus.
Projecting flanges on the side plates of the chambers D, D', admit of
fixing thereon planks or boards s, which form a communication between
the space X and the under part of each pair of cylinders, so that the
husks when detached from the grain are drawn by the exhaust fan into
the space X, from whence they fall upon the case of the fan, which is made
conical at its upper part. As the husks cannot remain there they pass down
with the air to the case of the fun, which they enter at its central part, and
are drawn or carried forward by the blades of the fan which throw them out
of the apparatus through the opening Y, whilst the grain being heavier has
not been drawn forward by the current of air and falls upon an inclined plane
which conducts it to the sifting or separating apparatus. In order to regulate
the force of the current of air a valve Z, placed above the space X, allows the
external air to enter when the exhaust becomes too strong, and a portion of
the good grain may be carried forward with the husks by the force of the
current of air. This valve is itself regulated by a weight t, which is capable
of adjustment along the arm or baru. An inclined board y will prevent the
grain from being thrown out of the machine, and another board z will
prevent it from being drawn in with the husks by the action of the exhaust
fan. As has been already said the grain when relieved of its husks falls upon
an inclined plane v, which conducts it to the sifting or separating apparatus,
which is so placed or arranged that it can be actuated directly by the
decorticating apparatus. The strap a³ transmits motion to the pulley P fixed
upon the intermediate shaft Q, which by means of the bevel pinions Ractuates
the shaft w of the sifting or separating apparatus. The dimensions of these
pinions are so calculated that the shaft of the separating apparatus will make

page_text: about forty to fifty rotations per minute, a speed which is found convenient
in practice. The sifting apparatus is composed of a metallic cloth with
meshes of different dimensions, or of sheet metal pierced with holes of
different diameters, so that the grain or rice may be separated into lots of
different qualities and sizes of grains. Under the cylindrical sieve or sifter
is placed a wooden case divided into as many compartments as the metallic
cloth or perforated sheet metal has holes of different dimensions. Each
compartment thus constitutes a sort of drawer or receptacle U, which may
be so arranged as to put the rice into sacks or bags when it has once been
sifted or separated.
Fig. 5 represents another and more simple arrangement of apparatus
consisting of a single pair of cylinders which receive the grain from an upper
hopper a. After having passed between the two cylinders, which are driven
by a fly wheel B, the rice falls into a case, and in so falling is subjected to the
action of a blowing fan y, which drives off the busks or chaff through the
opening S, whilst the grain falls upon an inclined planee, which conductsitout
of the apparatus. In this more economical arrangement of apparatus, when
once the grain leaves the machine it may be sifted in an ordinary sifter if it be
considered advisable to do so.
Figures 6 and 7 represent the construction of sifting or separating
apparatus which may be employed for the purpose. It will be seen that
it is composed of a hopper to receive the grain, and of a cylinder covered
with metallic or wire cloth or perforated sheet metal placed in a sort of
wooden trough and mounted upon an axle, which may be actuated by the
hand. The whole is mounted on a wooden framing conveniently arranged so
that the grain may be easily collected and gathered up as it leaves the
apparatus.
Figures 8 and 9 represent the apparatus for pearling or polishing the
grains as they leave the sifting apparatus. It is composed of a sheet-iron
cylinder in which are mounted arms whereby the grains of rice are agitated
and rolled over and against each other so as to polish them. By means of
suitable gearing either the cylinder itself or the arms mounted therein may
be actuated, or, what is better still, both the cylinder and the arms may be
actuated but in opposite directions, so as to oblige the grains of rice to con-
tinually beat against and roll over each other as the apparatus rotates. By
this means a brilliant and polished appearance is given to the grains of rice,
and the value of the product is thereby increased.
All the apparatus is solidly and firmly mounted upon a rectangular wooden
framing supported on four feet, and a double crank communicates motion

page_text: on one side to the sheet-iron cylinder, and on the other to the arms which
agitate the rice in the apparatus. The cylinder is provided with a sheet-
iron door, whereby the rice is introduced into and removed from the
apparatus.
Having now described the Invention of improvements in apparatus for
decorticating rice and other grain, and having explained the manner of
carrying the same into effect as communicated to me by my foreign cor-
respondent, I claim as the Invention secured to me by Letters Patent as
aforesaid, the general construction and arrangement of parts herein shewn
and described, constituting a complete apparatus which receives the rough
rice at its upper part and allows the rice properly cleaned and classified
according to its size and quality to be collected at the lower part, as herein set
forth.
The features of novelty in the apparatus and Invention are,―
First, the use of the cylinders E, F, one of which is a fluted metallic
cylinder, and the other is covered with some suitable soft or flexible sub-
stance, such as caoutchouc, leather, &c., which cylinders rotate at different
speeds, and may be adjusted nearer to or further from each other as may be
required.
Second, so arranging and constructing the parts that any convenient number
of pairs of these cylinders may be placed one above the other.
Third, the use of an exhaust fan for removing the husks or chaff im-
mediately they are detached from the grains and after leaving each pair of
cylinders.
Fourth, the mode of distributing the grain by the hopper itself.
Fifth, the application of a sifting or separating cylinder as herein set
forth.
Sixth, the use and application of an apparatus for pearling or polishing the
rice, and thereby increasing its commercial value.
I claim the application of the apparatus above shewn and described for
decorticating all sorts of grain requiring such process as well as rice.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Edward Newton, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, the Twenty-sixth day of September, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.