Improvements in or relating to the Sampling of Grain, Minerals, Fluids, and the like.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd May, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Feb., 1894-Accepted, 31st Mar., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to the Sampling of Grain, Minerals,
Fluids, and the like.
I, THOMAS CLARKSON, of Fairholme, Egmont Road, Sutton, Surrey, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-.
This invention is designed to procure reliable samples from granular and other
materials such as grain, coffee berries pulverized minerals and other materials, as
well as fluid substances.
In carrying out the invention I prefer to proceed as follows;-
Upon a vertical spindle I carry a revolving hopper with an annular opening at
the bottom the size of which may be controlled in any convenient manner say by
means of a circular and preferably conical cap or valve the position of which may
be adjusted by a screw and nut or other suitable means. From the hopper the
material to be sampled falls in an annular stream into the receptacle provided for
it and it is from this stream that the sample is to be taken. This may be effected
by means of one or more scoops or shoots projected into the path of the annular
stream and being preferably inclined downwards the material which they intercept
falls down the shoots into sample boxes or receptacles.
Usually a known proportion of the grain will be intercepted and the whole of
the sampling may be effected at the one operation the required quantity say for
example 10 per cent. being taken at once; where however it is desired to take a
sample of a sample this may be done by providing the apparatus in series placing
two or more upon the same or separate shafts but so arranged that the material
sampled by the first apparatus is delivered to the second or subsequent apparatus.
each of which again samples it. Thus in the first apparatus the sampling scoops
or equivalent may be made of such size that they will take say one-half of the
total amount of grain passing; this will be delivered to the next following apparatus
which will again halve or divide the stream by which perhaps 25 per cent. of the
whole will be obtained or this may be again divided and so on.
prefer that the sampling shoots should be made adjustable so that each shoot
may be adjusted to intercept more or less of the stream as required and if preferred
a scale and index may be arranged in connection with each shoot or all the shoots,
so that they can be accurately set to the required position.
If desired shoots of different capacities may be used in connection with the
one apparatus.
Dated this 3rd May 1893
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to the Sampling of Grain, Minerals,
Fluids, and the like.
I, THOMAS CLARkson, of Fairholme, Egmont Road, Sutton, Surrey, Engineer,
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:―
This invention is designed to procure reliable samples from granular and other

page_text: materials such as grain, coffee berries, pulverized minerals and other materials, as
well as liquid substances.
Upon a vertical axis is a revolving hopper with an annular opening at the bottom
the size of which may be controlled in any convenient manner say by means of a
circular and preferably conical cap or valve the position of which may be adjusted
by a screw and nut or other suitable means. From the hopper the material to be
sampled falls in an annular stream into the receptacle provided for it, and it is.
from this stream that the sample is to be taken. This may be effected by means
of one or more scoops or shoots projected into the path of the annular stream
and being preferably inclined downwards the material which they intercept falls
down the shoots into sample boxes or receptacles.
Usually a known proportion of the grain will be intercepted and the whole of
the sampling may be effected at the one operation, the required quantity, say for
example 10 per cent., being taken at once; where however it is desired to take a
sample of a sample this may be done by providing the apparatus in series placing
two or more upon the same or separate shafts, but so arranged that the material
sampled by the first apparatus is delivered to the second, or subsequent apparatus,
each of which again sainples it. Thus in the first apparatus the sampling scoops
or equivalent may be made of such size that they will take say one-half of the
total amount of grain passing; this will be delivered to the next following apparatus,
which will again halve or divide the stream by which perhaps 25 per cent. of the
whole will be obtained or this may be again divided and so on.
The sampling shoots may be made adjustable so that each shoot may be adjusted
to intercept more or less of the stream as required, and a scale and index may be
arranged in connection with each shoot or all the shoots, so that they can be
accurately set to the required position.
If desired, shoots of different capacities may be used in connection with the
one apparatus.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a complete machine constructed according to this
invention,
Figure 2 being a vertical section of part of Figure 1 upon line 22 of the
plan, Figure 4.
.
Figure 3 is also a vertical section of a portion of Figure 1 upon line 3 3 of
Figure 4.
Figure 4 is a plan of the second part of the apparatus shown in Figure 1, which
receives the material from the hopper.
.
Figure 5 is a detail of one of the receiving shoots.
Figure 6 is a vertical section of an apparatus mainly similar to that shown in
Figure 1 but possessing modifications.
Figures 7 and 8 show an apparatus similar in its operation to Figure 1 but
slightly modified in its details.
Figure 9 is a vertical section of an apparatus similar to that shown in Figure 1
but modified so as to select six samples instead of, as in Figure 1, only two.
Figure 10 is a section upon line 10 10 of Figure 9, and
Figure 11 is a perspective view of a portion of Figure 9, partly broken away.
Figure 12 is a view showing an arrangement of adjustable sampling shoot.
Figure 13 is a central vertical section of a further modified form of the machine
constructed according to this invention,
Figures 14 and 15 being plans of respectively the adjustable portion and the non-
adjustable and stationary portion.
Figure 16 is a diagram illustrating one manner of combining several machines,
and
Figure 17 is a diagram indicating what is meant by the term "true segment
hereinafter employed.
Like letters represent like parts throughout the drawings.
"
A is the hopper which may be of any suitable shape and construction preferably

page_text: funnel-shaped as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and adapted to be revolved by hand
or power in Figure 1 it is shown driven by a belt, while in Figures 6, 8 and 13,
it is shown capable of being driven either by hand or power. To facilitate the
rotation of the hopper A it is provided with a flange A¹ in which is a groove A²
adapted to rest on a ring of balls A supported upon a ring B carried by the
standards B or other suitable part of the framing of the apparatus. B is provided
with a groove B' in which the balls A³ rest.
The hopper A shown in Figures 1 and 2 is provided with a toothed ring A' with
which gears the bevel wheel C carried upon the shaft C' passing through a suitable
bearing in one of the standards B1 and carrying the fast and loose pulleys C
around which passes the belt C³ for driving as will be well understood. The
material which for convenience I will denominate as grain, passes from the
hopper A by the central bottom opening A' falling upon the conical valve or
plug D whose apex is in the axial line of the hopper A, D being adapted to be
moved nearer to or farther from the orifice A' in any convenient manner, say by
means of the wing-nut D' Figure 2. The spindle D2 of the valve D may either
screw into a hole bored vertically through the bridge piece E₁ of the lower hopper
or receptacle E in which case it can be locked by the nut D¹, or it may fit loosely
in the hole in the bridge piece E', being prevented from falling through by the
nut D¹. For some materials the parts of the apparatus such as the plug D or
the sampling shoots F may be loose and adapted merely to fit into suitable
openings in the apparatus; in other cases these parts must be properly secured
to the machine but as they may at any time require to be adjusted or exchanged
for others, it is desirable that the fastenings should be readily undone and secured
again and I have therefore shown wing-nuts in place of ordinary nuts for fastening
the shoots F.
In the receptacle E and with their inner ends projecting into the path of the
annular stream of grain escaping by the orifice A and over the plug D are one or
more sampling shoots F whose construction and position will be well understood by
reference to Figures 1, 3, 4, 5 and 13. If desired these shoots may be inserted by
the inside of the receptacle E and merely fit suitable openings in the wall of E
with a flange to keep them from falling through; for liquids however this plan
would not be suitable and it would be necessary to secure the shoots F with a tight
joint to the receptacle E by bolts and nuts as indicated in Figures 1 and 3. The
upper ends F1 of the shoots F as is clearly shown in Figures I and 3 project into
the path of the annular stream of grain falling over the plug D and intercept a
greater or less proportion of it according to the number of the shoots or their size
shape or position. The shoots deliver the grain they receive into suitable
receptacles say for example the boxes G, Figures 1 and 7, or the sampling
bottles G shown in Figure 9. In Figures 1 and 7 one of the boxes is shown in
dotted lines only, so as not to interfere with the part of the apparatus behind
the box.
:
The bridge pieces El are shown with a pointed or thin edge upwards in all
cases so as to prevent lodgment of grain on top of these parts and to interfere
as little as possible with the stream of grain. This feature is carried out generally
throughout the machine, sloping faces being used, so that no lodginent of material
may take place and the machine may be used for sampling different materials
without necessitating cleaning.
The description already given will serve substantially for the modification shown
in Figure 6, but in this case the toothed ring A' and bevel wheel C and the fast
and loose pulleys C2 are dispensed with and friction driving gear and a hand
wheel C' are shown in their place the latter having however a groove C³ in which
a cord or round belt can be run if desired for driving the machine by power. The
raising and lowering of the plug D is in this case effected by the lever H pivotted
at H' upon the receptacle E so that when its outer end is depressed its inner end is
raised carrying with it the spindle D' (which need not be screwed) of the valve D.
The bulk of the grain passing through this machine escapes by the orifice E' of

page_text: the receptacle E, but while in Figure 1 this orifice is placed in the vertical axial
line of the apparatus, in Figure 6 it is carried out at the side; in both cases a pipe
or directing shoot E³ is employed to carry the grain away.
In Figure 6 I have also illustrated an arrangement of the ball-bearing differing
from that shown in Figures 1 and 2 in so far as, in this last described example, the
groove B2 is formed in the inner surface of the ring B and the groove A³ partly in
the hopper A and partly in a ring A preferably screwed upon the outside of A
and prevented from unscrewing therefrom by a screw A² or other convenient
means.
The selecting shoots F are not shown in Figure 6 these being obscured by the
bridge E, but they are substantially the same as in Figure 3.
In Figure 7 the operation of the machine is substantially the same as in
Figure 6, the chief difference relating to the shape of some of the parts while
different means are shown for revolving the hopper A. The hopper A is sub-
stantially the same as before but it is provided with a vertical spindle I carrying
on its lower end the plug D; the spindle H is secured in the hopper A by the
bridge piece A through which it passes as shown in Figure 8, and to which it may
be pinned or otherwise suitably secured. The spindle I carries a handle J by
which the hopper can be turned or the grooved pulley I¹ may be employed for
this purpose.
The spindle I is supported at its upper end by the bearing K¹
of the arm K carried upon the standard B' the pivotted cap K³ being adapted
to be moved by its handle K³ out of the way when it is desired to remove the
spindle I and hopper A. At its lower end the spindle I is supported upon the
point L' carried in the bracket L to flanges L of which the receptacle E is
bolted or rivetted as shown in Figure 7. The channel or shoot E carries the
grain from the bottom of the receptacle E (which in this view is shown square
with tapered walls) in the same manner as before described with reference to
Figure 6 while the samples are taken by the sampling shoots F as before
described.
The construction and operation of the apparatus shown in Figures 9, 10 and 11,
is substantially the same as that previously described but the receptacle E is
shown provided with six of the sampling shoots F each of which would deliver into
its proper receptacle G; or if desired each shoot may, as already explained,
deliver into another sampling machine where re-sampling is required. A greater
or less number than six of the shoots F may be employed. As shown in Figure 11
the shoots F in this case are slightly different in their construction although
their operation is the same as before. In this case a central conical backing
or support M' is carried upon the central standard M which is hollowed to
receive the vertical spindle I which carries the hopper A and plug D as previously
described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. The plug D is shown screwing on to
the lower portion of the spindle I to facilitate the adjustment, a pin M² being
shown in Figure 11 to prevent the plug being screwed too high up and thus unduly
closing the orifice A'. The spindle I is shown in Figure 9 dotted inside the
standard M which may conveniently though not necessarily be swelled out or
enlarged at M and a hole M bored to meet the central hole in which the spindle 1
works. The object of the hole M is to facilitate the cleaning out of any grit from
the bottom of the bearing.
Upon the conical support M' are placed the folded pieces of metal F2 with their
apices or joints at the top, the channels between the plates F2 forming the shoots F
already described. Naturally if desired the whole of the parts M M and F' may
.be cast in one piece.
In Figure 12 I have illustrated one manner in which I may make the sampling
shoots adjustable. This consists in forming upon the said shoots F one or more
lugs F which are pivotted on a pin 18 supported in lugs E projecting from the
outer surface of the receptacle E. One of these lugs E4 may carry a fixed
pointer E adapted to indicate on a scale F on the side of each sampling shoot F
the positions into which it must be moved so as to obtain the samples bearing

page_text: different proportions to the bulk of material passed through the apparatus. The
pivot F of each of the adjustable sampling shoots F may conveniently be in the
form of a screw by tightening which the shoot may be held in any desired
position.
It will readily be seen that as the sampling shoot F is made to project more or
less into the receptacle E the sample intercepted by it will bear a larger or smaller
proportion to the bulk of material passed through E.
In Figure 13 I have represented a machine which may be readily adjusted for
taking samples bearing either of two definite proportions to the bulk. The upper
part of this machine may be of substantially the same construction as that shown
in Figure 6, the only appreciable difference indicated in the drawing being a slight
modification in the shape of the hopper A, which, in this example, may conveniently
be formed of copper, and in the arrangement of the ball-bearing supporting the
hopper, for, whereas in Figure 6 the ring A is shown screwed to the hopper A
and the groove A² is formed partly in the hopper and partly in said ring and
groove B wholly in B, in Figure 13 the groove A is formed wholly in the hopper A
or in direct connection therewith, and the ring, in this example marked B³, is
screwed into B and the groove B is formed partly in B and partly in B³ this being
practically the reverse of the arrangement shown in Figure 6.
The lower hopper or receptacle E shown in Figure 13 comprises two parts E' E'
the upper part E adjustable in relation to the lower part E about the axis of the
machine; or the same result may be obtained by the lower part E³ being adjustable
and the part E stationary. The part E' is provided with two sample-delivering
shoots F, Figures 13, and 15, a bulk-delivering shoot E' and an upwardly-projecting
pintle E upon which the upper part E' is pivotted.
The outer wall of the part E is conical and is connected to the central boss E'
by arms E which form the boundaries of the adjustable mouths F³ Fe of the
sampling shoots F, and also of the openings F' through which the bulk, minus the
samples, passes, said samples passing through whichever of the mouths F5 F' are
at the time over the shoots. The material passing through the mouths F' or F°
which are not over F mixes with the bulk in descending through E. The arms E
are of preferably triangular section their bases being of such width that when the
mouths For F are brought into coincidence with the shoots F they will overlap
the radial walls or side of said shoots this also being the case with the annular
walls or surfaces as shown in Figure 13 so as not to provide any ridges upon
which the material, passed through the machine, could lodge. The boss E' is
bored out centrally to fit the pintle E and is externally screw-threaded so as to
receive the cone D.
At the outer-side of E* are provided two recesses E' and to the outside of E
is secured a spring catch E10 which is adapted to engage with one or other of the
recesses E according to whether the mouths For F° are in operative position.
In Figure 13 one of the recesses E and the spring catch E are shown as if, in
the same vertical plane as the shoots F but a more symmetrical arrangement
and one to which I give preference is that shown in Figure 15 where the recesses E
are at a different part of the circumference from the shoots F.
The lower part E' in Figure 13 is for convenience shown in a vertical plane at
right angles to its true position.
The distance apart of the ridges or apices of the arms E defines the relative
quantity of material which passes between them, thus if the ridges pertaining to
each mouth F include an angle of 18 degrees the quantity of material passing
through said mouth will represent 5 per cent. of the bulk passed through the
machine and if the ridges pertaining to each mouth Fe include an angle of
36 degrees then the quantity of material passing through it will represent 10 per cent.
of the whole; therefore when it is necessary to take 5 per cent. samples the
mouths F are brought over F and when 10 per cent. samples are required the
mouths F are brought over F.

page_text: It will be obvious that the last described apparatus is capable of various
modifications a few examples of which are here given viz. ;-
1. The diametrically opposite adjustable mouths For F° may be of unequal
capacity so that two samples representing different percentages of the bulk may
be simultaneously obtained.
2. Instead of only two shoots F being used more than that number may be
employed and the part E may be provided with two or more sets of diametrically
opposite adjustable mouths those of each being of either equal or unequal capacity
or both so that several samples, each, if desired, bearing a different proportion to
the bulk, may be simultaneously obtained.
3. The part E' may have only one shoot F and the part E' a number of
adjustable mouths of varying capacity so that samples bearing different proportions
to the bulk may be taken at different times by the same machine.
In Figure 16 are diagrammatically illustrated several of these machines arranged
upon or around the same vertical axis; each of these machines delivering, as
already described in Figure 1, to one or more other machines arranged
concentrically or otherwise around said vertical axis as may be most convenient.
The bulk of the grain would travel downwards in the direction of the axis while
the samples would be delivered to the supplementary machines.
Although, for the reason hereinafter.set forth, I prefer to use sampling shoots
whose inlet ends or mouths are bounded on two sides by lines radiating from the
centre of the annular stream of material passing through the machine, I nevertheless
may use, even if with less satisfactory results, sampling shoots having mouths of
..other than "true segmental" forin or in other words shoots with mouths bounded
by other than the before mentioned radiating or radial lines.
The sampling shoot mouth may be of segmental form and yet be fitted in the
sampling apparatus so that its two straight sides will not radiate from the centre
of the annular stream and therefore will not cut out from said stream what I
herein term a "true segment" that is one bounded on two sides by the before
mentioned radial lines. For example when the shoot F shown diagrammatically in
Figure 17 occupies the position in which it is represented in full lines, its sides F
radiate from the centre F of the falling annular stream X of which it will then
intercept a "true segment," but supposing this shoot F to be moved inwards or
outwards from that position, say outwards to the position in which it is indicated
in dotted lines in the same figure then the sample or portion intercepted will not
constitute a "true segment " of the falling stream because the two sides F of the
shoot mouth will not then radiate from the centre of the falling stream X.
66
When the shoot F shown in Figure 12 is adjusted to the position in which the
sides of its month radiate from the centre of the "falling stream "it will intercept
a true segment" or correct sample of said stream, when however it is turned on
its pivot Finwards or outwards from that position the segment intercepted by it
will not constitute a true segment" and will therefore represent a sample of only
approximate correctness, which may however be sufficiently accurate for general
requirements.
My object in intercepting a "true segment " of the falling stream is to secure
a fair average sample that is to say one representing in the same proportion all the
particles or ingredients making up the bulk. This will be more readily understood
when it is explained that according to the nature of the material the stream may
be denser or composed of smaller or heavier particles at say the inner side than at
the outer side and consequently unless the mouth of the intercepting shoot be
truly segmental" to the stream the sample obtained therefrom will contain
either too small or too large a proportion of the denser or larger particles,
though the sample regarded generally might bear the desired proportion to the bulk.
When, therefore, in accordance with this invention I desire ;-
86
1. To obtain absolutely reliable and uniform samples, I intercept a
segment of a falling and preferably rotating annular stream.
::
"true

page_text: 2. To obtain samples of only approximate reliability and uniformity I intercept
a. portion of a falling annular stream which does not represent a "true segment
thereof.
A. machine constructed in the manner before described may be used with the most
satisfactory results in conjunction with a comparatively small weighing machine for
ascertaining the weight of large quantities of material, which could not otherwise
be ascertained without weighing in a comparatively large weighing machine.
For such a purpose the whole of the bulk is passed through the sampling machine
and a certain known proportion say 5 per cent. of the bulk is intercepted by the
shoots, F. The weight of this 5 per cent. is then ascertained and the result.
multiplied by twenty which will give the weight of the entire bulk.
If desired I may make the mouths of the shoots F each adjustable in respect to
its area of opening so as to enable it to intercept any desired proportion of the
bulk. A convenient means for effecting this would be to make one of the arms E³
a fixture and the other one at the opposite side of the mouth adjustable about the
vertical axis of the machine as by means of set screws, a micrometer screw, worm
gearing or equivalent so that, no matter to what position it was adjusted, it would.
always radiate from the centre of the falling annular stream and would thus in
conjunction with the other or fixed arm E³ cut out from said stream a "true
segment " which may be of larger or smaller proportion according to its position of
adjustment.
The inner surface of the hopper A may be smooth as indicated in the drawings
or it may be grooved, corrugated, or otherwise formed so as to give it a better hold on
the material passed through the machine and thereby facilitate the rotation of said
material.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-.
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I.
claim is;-
1. Obtaining a sample by forming the material to be sampled into an annular
stream and intercepting a portion thereof.
2. Obtaining a sample by intercepting portions of a revolving annular stream of
the material to be sampled.
3. Obtaining a sample by intercepting a "true segment" of an annular stream of
the material to be sampled.
4. In a sampling apparatus the employment for intercepting a certain proportion
of an annular stream of a shoot the sides of whose mouth radiate from the centre
of the stream.
5. In a sampling apparatus the combination with mechanism for producing a.
revolving annular stream of the material to be sampled of sampling shoots projected
into the path of the said stream substantially as described.
6. In a sampling apparatus the combination with a revolving hopper such as A
plug or valve such as D producing a revolving annular stream of the material to be
sampled and a receiving vessel such as E of sampling shoots such as F projecting into
the path of the annular stream for the purpose of obtaining the samples substantially
as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
7. In a sampling apparatus the combination with a revolving hopper such as A
having a flange such as A¹ provided with a ball-race A² of a standard or framing
having a ring such as B and ball-race B for the purpose of providing a ball-bearing
for the said hopper substantially as described and illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of
the accompanying drawings.
8. In a sampling apparatus the combination with a revolving hopper such as A
having an axial discharge orifice A³ and a receiving vessel such as E also having
an axial discharge orifice E2 whereby the bulk of the material to be sampled is
discharged in the axial line of the apparatus of one or more sampling shoots
discharging the samples outside the said axial line substantially as described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

page_text: 9. The combination in a sampling apparatus of the sampling mechanism a main
discharge channel sampling discharge channels and receptacles for receiving the
samples the whole comprised in or forming a self-contained apparatus substantially
as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
10. A sampling machine adapted to divide up into separate samples the whole of
the material supplied to it substantially as described.
11. In a sampling apparatus the combination with a revolving hopper such
as A and plug or valve D of a receiving vessel such as E having its interior
divided up into a series of sampling channels intercepting the path of the revolving
annular stream of the material to be sampled substantially as described and
illustrated in Figures 9 10 and 11 of the accompanying drawings.
12. In a sampling apparatus the combination with a receptacle of a shoot which
may be made to project more or less into it according as the sample desired to be
obtained is to bear a larger or smaller proportion to the bulk.
13. In a sampling apparatus the combination with a receptacle of an adjustable
shoot index and scale.
14. A complete sampling apparatus consisting of the combination of several
machines one or more adapted to take samples from the bulk and the others to take
samples of the samples only without touching the bulk of the material substantially
as described with reference to Figure 16 of the accompanying drawings.
15. In a sampling apparatus the combination with one or more stationary
sampling shoots of two or more adjustable or interchangeable shoot-mouths
applicable thereto substantially as and for the purpose described.
16. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete sampling
apparatus substantially as described and illustrated in Figure 1 of the accompanying
drawings.
17. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete sampling
apparatus substantially as described and illustrated in Figure 6 of the accompanying
drawings.
18. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete sampling
apparatus substantially as described and illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 of the
accompanying drawings.
19. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete sampling
apparatus substantially as described and illustrated in Figure 9 of the accompanying
drawings.
20. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete sampling
apparatus substantially as described and illustrated in Figure 13 of the accom-
panying drawings.
Dated this Second day of February 1894