IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR HEATING AND DRYING WHEAT, GRAIN, AND MIDDLINGS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Hartley Preston, of Kirkby Stephen, in the
A
County of Westmoreland, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR HEATING AND DRYING WHEAT, GRAIN, AND MIDDLINGS."
communication from abroad by Edward Hempstead Gratiot, of Platteville, in
the State of Wisconsin, United States, Gentleman.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Hartley Preston at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th May 1878.
THOMAS HARTLEY PRESTON, of Kirkby Stephen, in the County of Westmore-
land, Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR HEATING AND DRYING
WHEAT, GRAIN, AND MIDDLINGS." (A communication from abroad by Edward
Hempstead Gratiot, of Platteville, in the State of Wisconsin, United States,
Gentleman.)
This Invention consists in the combination of apparatus comprising an inner and
an outer heating cylinder or chamber, both cylinders or chambers having corrugated
sides or walls, and a passage or passages for the grain to descend, while exposed to
the heat, and become turned over or mixed during its descent along the corrugated
passages so as to secure the most effectual action of the heat on the grain as
required.
The top of the inner heating cylinder or chamber is surmounted or closed by a
conical cover, so that the grain introduced into a hopper may be directed to the
corrugated passages between the two heating cylinders or chambers, the grain falling
on to the apex of the said conical cover, and thence down its conical sides to the
said passages.
Both cylinders or chambers are fitted with pipes for admitting hot air or steam
thereinto at the upper part, and with exhaust pipes at the lower part thereof, both
supply pipes and exhaust pipes being furnished with suitable stop-cocks,

page_text: The heating cylinders or chambers are constructed so as to terminate at the
bottom in a funnel-shaped chamber with a central outlet for the grain, whence it
can escape and pass to the grinding apparatus if required.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Lotters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Hartley Preston in the Great Soal Patent Office on the
8th November 1878.
THOMAS HARTLEY PRESTON, of Kirkby Stephen, in the County of Westmore-
land, Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR HEATING AND DRYING
WHEAT, GRAIN, AND MIDDLINGS." (A. communication from abroad by Edward
Hempstead Gratiot, of Platteville, in the State of Wisconsin, United States, 1
Gentleman.
This Invention of "Improvements in Apparatus for Heating and Drying Wheat,
Grain, and Middlings" consists in the combination of apparatus comprising an
inner and an outer heating cylinder or chamber, both cylinders or chambers having
corrugated sides or walls, and a passage or passages for the grain to descend while
exposed to the heat, and become turned over or mixed during its descent along the
corrugated passages so as to secure the most effectual action of the heat on the grain
as required.
The top of the inner heating cylinder or chamber is surmounted or closed by a
conical cover, so that the grain introduced into a hopper may be directed to the
corrugated passages between the two heating cylinders or chambers, the grain
falling on to the apex of the said conical cover, and thence down its conical sides to
the said passages.
Both cylinders or chambers are fitted with pipes for admitting hot air or steam
thereinto at the upper part, and with exhaust pipes at the lower part thereof, both
supply pipes and exhaust pipes being furnished with suitable stop-cocks.
The heating cylinders or chambers are constructed so as to terminate at the
bottom in a funnel-shaped chamber with a central outlet for the grain, whence it
can escape and pass to the grinding apparatus if required.
Having thus stated the nature of the said Invention, I will proceed to describe
more particularly in what manner the same is to be performed by the aid of the
accompanying Drawings, in which is represented the apparatus above referred to.

page_text: having corrugated sides; C, the outer heating cylinder or chamber, also for steam
or hot air, and having corrugated sides, and being suitably closed at top and bottom
so as to be steam-tight; D is the outer shell of the cylinder or chamber.
E represents a space for the passage of grain or middlings between the cylinders
or chambers B and C; F is the inner corrugated wall or side of the heating
cylinder or chamber, and H, the corrugated walls or sides of the inner cylinder or
chamber B.
At I are shewn guiding strips to serve as mixers for grain or middlings, and
which may be used or not, as desired.
J is the conical cover of the heating cylinder or chamber B, by means of which
cover the grain or middlings is directed to the corrugated passages between tho
outer and inner heating cylinders or chambers C.
K is the steam or hot air pipe for supplying heat to the apparatus, such heat
being regulated as required by stop-cocks.
L is an auxiliary or branch pipe for conducting steam or hot air into the cylinder
or chamber B, and M is a similar pipe for conducting steam or hot water into the
cylinder or chamber C.
At N is the exhaust pipe of the cylinder or chamber B, and O is a similar pipe
for the cylinder or chamber C.
P represents the central outlet for the grain or middlings at the bottom of the
funnel-shaped termination of the cylinders or chambers B and C.
The several stop-cocks are shown at Q, Q.
The grain or middlings required to be heated and dried is fed into the hopper A,
and is directed by the conical cover J to the space E, between the two heating
cylinders or chambers B and C, and the guiding strips or mixers I, I, from which
part the grain becomes heated by radiation.
As the grain or middlings passes down the space E it is interrupted in its passage
by the corrugated sides of the cylinders or chambers B and C, and the mixers I, I,
and is thereby turned over and more thoroughly exposed to the action of the heat
than it otherwise would be.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I hereby declare that what I claim as of the said Invention
communicated to me from abroad as aforesaid is, the combination of parts composing
the apparatus described, whereby grain or middlings fed into the apparatus is turned
over and mixed during its passage or descent through the same while exposed to the.
action of heat admitted to the heating cylinders or chambers, and thereby becomes
heated, dried, and toughened, in the manner herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Hartley Preston, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, the Fifth day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
MITAS DICTION