IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN THE D
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Andrew Jackson Reynolds and Asa Quincy Reynolds,
both of Chicago, in the State of Illinois, in the United States of America, but
at present of 23, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, for an
Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN THE
D
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Andrew Jackson Reynolds
and Asa Quincy Reynolds at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on
the 19th July 1881.
ANDREW JACKSON REYNOLDS and ASA QUINCY REYNOLDS, both of Chicago,
in the State of Illinois, in the United States of America, but at present of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
23, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex.
MEANS OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN THE GERMINATION OF GRAIN AND SEED
FOR MALTING PURPOSES."
The Invention has for its object a novel apparatus for the continuous and
uniform germination of grain and seed by means of which a great economy of time
and labour is obtained, and whilst the cleaning of the different floors can be
effected every day, and the malting operation can be carried on during the summer
as well as during the winter.
The apparatus consists of a circular casing, central cylindrical column, and a
number of floors made preferably of galvanized or enamelled metal plates forming
sections of a circle, and being pivotted at both ends between two concentric rims
or hoops for the purpose of enabling them to be inclined by means of a key applied
to a suitable pivot.
Several of the plates may be provided with similar pivots and connected with
each other at their lower parts, that these plates may be all inclined at the same
time by applying the key to only one of them, so as to discharge the contents
thereof. Other means of discharging the contents of each floor may however be
emplowed

page_text: The two rims or hoops are directly supported by rollers fixed to the casing and
to the central cylindrical column, and they are revolved by means of a handle
fixed to one of the rollers. Gearing may give at the same time motion to a
rotating bar provided with stirring teeth or to any other stirring device, or this
stirring device may consist of simple stationary toothed bars, which produce the
equalization of the malt or grain during the revolving of the floors. The grain or
seed after having been properly steeped is charged into the apparatus through a
hopper, and discharged at certain intervals entirely or partially on to the lower
floors.
In order to prevent the grain from getting hot, the apparatus is surmounted by
a, revolving or other ventilator, and a stove or suitable fire place in which a fire is
maintained from time to time. This stove is connected with the central cylindrical
column which is hollow and perforated above each second floor, whereas the casing
is perforated above the other floors, so that the draft created by the fire forces the
outer air to pass through the perforations or openings of the casing into the
apparatus, and then through the grain or seed into the hollow column, whereby
each layer of malt is separately traversed by a fresh current of air which cools the
malt uniformly.
Instead of this arrangement the stove may be connected with the apparatus, and
the central column or shaft provided with branch pipes, partially perforated, and
the draft may be augmented or increased by means of a fan communicating with
the lower part of the column.
Humidity may be imparted to the grain by introducing damp air into the
apparatus by means of the fan, which is produced by having it travel over a large
surface of water; or water in the form of a fine rain may be directly sprinkled over
the grain, and distributed by the current of air which is forced to pass through the
grain.
In order to allow the air to pass through the malt, the floors may be perforated;
however, for the purpose of keeping the floor pure I prefer to make them of plain
galvanized or enamelled sheet iron, and to keep apart their overlapping edges by
means of projections, perferably in the shape of comb teeth, so that the air will
readily pass through the longitudinal openings so obtained.
The central column is provided with any required number of dampers or their
equivalent in order to regulate the draft, and the openings in the casing may be
closed in a similar manner for the same purpose, or for the purpose of shutting of
the external air. The two edges or rims of the floors are protected or covered by
metallic bands in order to prevent the grain or seed from falling between the
joints and thereby_becoming-crushed.--The-edges-or-rims may however-be-made.
deep enough for this purpose. When the grain or seed arrives at the lowest floors
and its germination is terminated, it is discharged into a truck partially or entirely
through a hopper or carriage or other receptacle introduced into the lower part of
the apparatus.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Andrew Jackson Reynolds and Asa Quincy Reynolds in the Great
Seal Patent Office on the 19th January 1882.
ANDREW JACKSON REYNOLDS and ASA QUINCY REYNOLDS, both of Chicago,
in the State of Illinois, in the United States of America, but at present of
23, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MEANS OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN. THE GERMINATION OF GRAIN AND SEED
FOR MALTING PURPOSES."
The Invention has for its object a novel apparatus for the continuous and.
uniform germination of grain and seed, by means of which a great economy of
time and labour is obtained, and whilst the cleaning of the different floors can be
effected every day and the malting operation can be carried on during the summer
as well as during the winter.
The apparatus consists of a circular casing, central cylindrical column, and a
number of floors,. made preferably of, galvanized enamelled metal plates, forming
sections of a circle, and being pivotted at both ends between two concentric rims
or hoops for the purpose of enabling them to be inclined by means of a key applied
to a suitable pivot.
Several of the plates provided with similar pivots may be connected with each
other at their lower parts, so that these plates may be all inclined at the same
time by applying the key to only one of them, so as to discharge the contents
thereof. Other means of discharging the contents of each floor may, however, be
employed.
The two rims or hoops are directly supported by rollers fixed to the casing and
the central cylindrical column, and they are revolved by means of a handle fixed
to one of the rollers. Gearing may give at the same time motion to a rotating bar
provided with stirring .teeth or to any other stirring device, or this stirring device
may consist of simple stationary toothed bars which produce the equalization of
the malt or grain during the revolving of the floors.
The grain or seed after having been properly steeped is charged into the
apparatus through a hopper and discharged at certain intervals entirely or partially
onto the lower floors.
In order to prevent the grain from getting hot, the apparatus is surmounted by
a revolving or other ventilator and a stove or suitable fire place in which, a fire is
maintained from time to time. This stove is connected with the central cylindrical
column, which is hollow and perforated above each second floor, whereas the casing
is perforated above the other floors, so that the draft created by the fire forces the
outer. air to pass through the perforations or openings of the casing into the
apparatus and then through the grain or seed into the hollow column, whereby
each layer of malt is separately traversed by a fresh current of air which cools the
malt uniformly. Instead of this arrangement the stove may be connected with the
apparatus and the central column or shaft provided with branch pipes, partially
perforated, and the draft may be augmented or increased by means of a fan
communicating with the lower part of the column.
Humidity may be imparted to the grain by introducing damp air into the
apparatus by means of the fan, which is produced by having it travel over. a
large surface of water; or water in form of a fine rain may be directly sprinkled
over the grain, and distributed by the current of air which is forced to pass through
the grain.
In order to allow the air to pass through the malt the floors may be perforated;
however, for the purpose of keeping the floors pure, we prefer to make them of

page_text: plain galvanized or enamelled sheet iron, and to keep apart their overlapping edges
by means of projections, preferably in the shape of comb teeth, so that the air will
readily pass through the longitudinal openings so obtained.
The central column is provided with any required number of dampers, or their
equivalent, in order to regulate the draft, and the openings in the casing may be
closed in a similar manner for the same purpose or for the purpose of shutting off
the external-air.
The two edges or rims of the floors are protected or covered by metallic bands
in order to prevent the grain or seed from falling between the joints and thereby
becoming crushed. The edges or rims may, however, be made deep enough for this
purpose.
When the grain or seed arrives at the lowest floor, and its germination is
terminated, it is discharged partially or entirely through a hopper into a
truck, carriage, or other receptacle introduced into the lower part of the
apparatus.
And in order that our said Invention may be more clearly understood and readily
carried into effect we will proceed, aided by the accompanying Drawings, more
fully to describe the same.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a vertical section, and Figure 2 is a horizontal section of apparatus
constructed according to our Invention; Figure 3 is an edge view, and Figure 4 is
a plan of a portion of one of the floors drawn to a larger scale than Figures 1
and 2 and Figure 5 is a vertical section of a slight modification of the
apparatus; corresponding parts in all the Figures are marked with similar letters
of reference.
The apparatus is constructed with a circular casing A, central cylindrical
column B, and a number of floors C, made preferably of galvanized or enamelled
metal plates a, forming sections of a circle and being pivotted at both ends a¹, a²,
between two concentric rims or hoops b, b¹, for the purpose of enabling them to be
inclined by means of a key applied to one of the pivots a', which is specially formed
for such purpose.
Several of the plates a provided with such pivots a' may be connected with each
other at their lower parts by means of eyes d and connecting bars or links e, as
shown at Figures 3 and 4, so that all the plates in a connected series may be
inclined at the same time by applying the key to the pivot a¹ and turning one of
them so as to discharge the contents thereof. Other means of discharging the
contents of each floor may however be employed.
The two rims or hoops b,b; of each-floor-are-directly supported-by-rollers D, D¹,.
fixed to the casing and to the central cylindrical column B, and they, and
consequently the floors, are revolved by means of a handle G fixed or applied to
one of the rollers D.
Gearing may be used to give motion at the same time to a rotating bar (not
shown) provided with stirring teeth, or to any other stirring device, or the stirring
device may consist, as shown, of simple stationary toothed bars F which produce
the equalization of the malt or grain during the revolving of the floors.
The grain or seed after having been properly steeped is charged into the
apparatus through a hopper H and discharged at certain intervals entirely or
partially on to the lower floors.
In order to prevent the grain from getting hot, the apparatus is surmounted by
a revolving or other ventilator I and a stove or suitable fire place J, in which a
fire is maintained from time to time. This stove is connected with the central
cylindrical column B, as shown, which is hollow and perforated at B' above each
second floor, whereas the casing A is perforated at A¹ above the other floors, so
that the draft created by the fire forces the outer air to pass through the perfora-
tions or openings A' of the casing into the apparatus, and then through the grain

page_text: or seed, and through the openings B into the hollow column B; whereby cachi
layer of malt is separately traversed by a fresh current of air which cools the malt
uniformly.
Instead of this arrangement the stove may, as shown at Figure 5, be connected
with the body of the apparatus, and the central column or shaft B provided with
branch pipes K, partially perforated, and the draft may be augmented or. increased
by means of a fan X communicating with the lower part of the column B. This
fan is shown applied to both modifications..
Humidity may be imparted to the grain by introducing. damp air into the
apparatus by means of the fan, which can be produced by causing the air forced
into the apparatus to travel over an extended surface of water, as shown in the
Drawings at Y, which represents an apparatus provided with a number of trays
or shelves, and supplied with water from a pipe Y¹, which after traversing to and
fro along the shelves or trays escapes by a pipe or tap Y². The air forced into the
apparatus by the fan X is caused to pass through the apparatus Y, and thereby to
take up a quantity of moisture; or water in the form of a fine rain may be directly
sprinkled over the grain and distributed by the current of air which is forced to
pass through the grain. Instead however of connecting the fan with the lower
part of the hollow cylindrical column B, and forcing air through it, the fan may
be connected to the top of the apparatus, and be employed for exhausting the air
therefrom.
In order to allow the air to pass through the malt the floors may be perforated;
however for the purpose of keeping the floors pure and sweet, we prefer to make
them of plain galvanized or enamelled sheet iron, and to keep apart the over-
lapping edges of the different sections thereof by means of projections preferably
in the form of comb teeth, so that the air will readily pass through the longitudinal
openings so obtained.
The central cylindrical column B is provided with any required number of
dampers or their equivalents, in order to regulate the draft, and the openings in
the casing A may be capable of being closed in a similar manner for the same
purpose, or for the purpose of shutting off the external air.
The two edges or rims of the floors are protected or covered by metallic bands N,
as shown, applied to the top floor in Figure 5, or the edges or rims may be made
deep enough for this purpose, as shown generally in the Drawings, in order to
prevent the grain or seed from falling between the joints and thereby becoming
crushed.
When the grain or seed arrives at the lowest floor, and its germination is
terminated, it is discharged partially or entirely through a hopper into a truck,
carriage, or other receptacle introduced into the lower part of the apparatus, as
shown.
As a further modification of the apparatus the floors may be stationary, in which
case the rakes or stirrers will be caused to travel around the same; or the various
floors may be fixed to the central hollow cylindrical column or shaft B, and all of
them rotated at once by giving rotary motion to the said column or shaft.
Suitable openings will be provided in the casing to enable the progress of the
work to be examined from time to time.
Having thus described the nature of our said Invention, and the mode in which
we carry the same into effect, we would have it understood that what we claim
is,―
First. An apparatus for the continuous germination of grain and seed constructed
with a number of sectional floors of any suitable material, having the sections
thereof separated for the passage of the air placed above each other, and
moveable on rollers carried by the casing and by the central part of the apparatus,
substantially as herein shown and described.
Second. The peculiar construction of malting floor, composed of plates preferably
of galvanized or enamelled sheet iron, forming sections of a circle pivotted
between two concentric rings or hoops, and connected together in series at their

page_text: lower parts by means of projections and bars or rods, so that two or more of such
sectional plates can be discharged at a time by turning one of them, substantially
as herein shown and described.
Third. The combination of a circular moveable floor with a stirring apparatus or
toothed bars which may be stationary or rotated, substantially as herein shown and
described.
Fourth. The combination with the apparatus of a stove or fire place for the
purpose of producing a current of air through the malt, and to maintain it at its
normal temperature.
Fifth. The mode of producing a uniform current of air through the malt or
grain by the alternate perforation of the casing and of the central column between
two floors, and by connecting the central hollow cylindrical column with a stove
or with a fan, or with both, substantially as berein shown and described.
Sixth. The mode of distributing the air in the apparatus by means of a hollow
central column, the lower part of which is in connection with a fan, and by means
of perforated branch pipes fixed to said columns, substantially as herein shown
and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Asa Quincy Reynolds, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this. Eighteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
A. Q. REYNOLDS. (L.S.)