Improvements in the Method of Malting and Drying Grain, and in Machinery or Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Dec., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 9th Oct., 1890-Accepted, 15th Nov., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of Malting and Drying Grain, and in
Machinery or Apparatus therefor.
I JAMES SLEEMAN, of Taunton, in the County of Somerset, Maltster, do hereby
declare the nature of my said invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to effect further improvements in the method of
malting and drying grain, by means of improved appliances.
I construct a malting case, preferably of cylindrical or polygonal shape, such case
being covered with perforated sheet metal, woven wire, or other suitable material for
permitting the free passage of air.
This malting case is so mounted as to render it capable of being revolved by means
of pulleys, toothed wheels, or other ordinary gear; (in some cases very slowly and
continuously and in other cases at intervals as required).
The barrel or periphery of the case is so attached to the ends as to be capable of
being revolved while the ends are held firmly or vice versa; or the whole malting
case with the ends may be made to revolve together. The joints or grooves at
the ends, where the barrel joins the end covers, are so made and turned, that no
grain can pass into the same, so as to become crushed thereby.
From end to end of the malting case, at equal circumferential distances apart,
and extending nearly to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, I construct and fix
hollow shelves of perforated metal plates, or of woven wire supported on and fixed
to metal bars or other framework. These shelves may be circular, following and
parallel to the line of circumference of the case, or they may be made flat and
straight. Such shelves are firmly fixed to both ends or covers of the case, but
are not attached to the barrel or periphery between which and the edges of the
shelves there are open spaces.
Through one end of the malting case (being the end to which is attached an
air chamber, as hereinafter described) I make openings exactly corresponding to
the ends of the shelves before referred to, so that there may be clear air passages
from the air chamber through one end of the case, and through or between these
shelves to the other end of the case, which end is formed solid.
To the barrel or periphery of the malting case, and running continuously the
whole length of the cylinder, I fix at intervals narrow shelves or lifts, such lifts
may be either straight, curved, or cupshaped; but these lifts are so fitted as to be
capable of working clear of the ends of the case, when the periphery and the attached
shelves are being revolved. These narrow shelves may or may not be hollow and
perforated and may or may not be capable of receiving air from the air chamber.
To one end of the malting case l'attach an airtight chamber or reservoir which
communicates with the interior of the malting case through the end of the case, by
means of the hollow shelves attached to the ends, herein before referred to. This air
chamber is provided with 'slides or valves, which divide the chamber into sections
and provide means for stopping off the air from any of such sections, and the shelves
opening into the same.
Self-acting valves are also attached to the outermost shelves, which shut off the air
from these shelves, when, during the revolution of the whole case, these shelves are
carried above the level of the grain in the malting case, and open again when the
shelves are carried down.
This malting case I charge with grain or malt. For the proper aëration of such
malt 1 force air into the air-chamber, from whence it passes through the shelves into
he interior of the case, and is dispersed amongst the malt; or air may be drawn'
hrough these shelves from the malt.

page_text: When the malt or grain requires to be turned over or stirred, the ends of the case
with their attached shelves are firmly held, while the cylindrical portion of the case
(with its attached narrow shelves or lifts) is revolved. The lifts then carry the
malt or grain from the bottom to the top of the case, and drop it again in their
descent.
The ends with their shelves may also be revolved (with or without the barrel) for
the better displacement of the malt in the interior of the case.
I use blowers, fans, or other suitable appliances for forcing or exhausting air to or
from the malt in the case.
I also provide proper and adjustable openings for the cleansing of the air chamber
and the hollow shelves before referred to.
My invention may be used for either or all of the purposes usually effected in
washing, steeping, germinating, drying and roasting malt or grain.
The malting case hereinbefore described may be used in conjunction with the air-
tight room or chamber, and some or all of the malting cases described in my former
Specifications.
All air admitted to the airtight chamber and to the inalting case is first purified by
being filtered through a screen or screens composed of sheets of cotton wool fixed
between two lines of wire netting which cotton wool has been previously steeped in,
or powdered with disinfectants.
The air also is made humid, as required by the particular stages of the germinating
grain, and one method of effecting this purpose is the following:
The air is passed through an airtight box wherein are fixed sheets of felting or
other bibulous material, radiating from a common centre, which common centre is the
intaking aperture for air, these radiating sheets of felting communicate through con-
trollable apertures with water placed in another box or cistern fixed to and
communicating with the airtight box and so the sheets of felting become saturated
with moisture throughout their whole length. The degree of moisture is regulated by
the following means. At the communicating apertures between the airtight box and
the water cistern, each sheet of felting is fixed between two pieces of india rubber
which by means of screws can be closed on the sheet of felting at will, and so, more
or less water, or none at all, be allowed to pass up the felting.
The air being circulated over and around the surface of these sheets of felting takes
up the moisture from them and becomes saturated to the required extent.
The temperature also of the air and water admitted to the germinating grain is
regulated and controlled according to the requirements of the particular stages of the
germinating grain.
About the middle of the lower half of the malting case where it would always be
covered with grain I fix a hollow tube. This tube runs right through the malting
case from end to end and through and beyond the air reservoir connected with the
malting case that end of this tube which comes through the air reservoir is open, but
the other end is sealed.
That portion of the tube which runs through the air reservoir is formed of
unperforated sheet metal and no communication is permitted between the interior of
this tube and the interior of the air reservoir, but the portion of the tube which runs
through the grain in the malting case is freely perforated (or this latter portion of the
tube may be formed of woven wire on a metal framework).
The open end of this tube I connect with another tube or passage formed of
unperforated sheet metal or other airtight material. This tube runs through the
wall of the airtight chamber in which the malting case is fixed and to this latter
tube, outside the airtight chamber, I attach an exhaust fan; this exhaust fan
draws off the gas and used up air away from the grain in the malting case. So
that pure air having been delivered in the interior of the malting case, amongst the
grain, by the shelves first herein referred to, such air passes through the grain and
aerates it; then the exhaust fan draws away from the frame and carries outside the
malting chamber the foul air and the gases generated by the germinating grain. The
said tubes and passages connected with the exhaust fan, are so constructed, however,

page_text: GEO.
DOWNING,
8, Quality Court, London, W.C., Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of Malting and Drying Grain, and in
Machinery or Apparatus therefor.
I, JAMES SLEEMAN, of Taunton, in the County of Somerset, Maltster, do hereby
declare the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
The object of my invention is to simplify and expedite the process of malting and
drying grain by means of improved machinery or apparatus; my present invention,
or some part or parts thereof being also applicable to, and capable of being used in
connection with, certain inventions having a similar object to the present invention,
and for which I have obtained Letters Patent No. 10,891, No. 11,84480,
and No. 19,28689, or in connection with some part or parts of some one or more of
such inventions.
I construct a malting case, preferably of cylindrical or polygonal shape, such case
being covered with perforated sheet metal, woven wire, or other suitable material for
permitting the free passage of air.
This malting case is so mounted as to render it capable of being revolved by means
of pulleys, toothed wheels, or other ordinary gear; (in some cases very slowly and
continuously and in other cases at intervals, as required).
The barrel or periphery of the case is so attached to the ends as to be capable of
being revolved with the outer portion of the ends while the inner portion of the ends
are held firmly, or vice versa; or the whole malting case, with the ends, may be made
to revolve together. The joints or grooves at the ends, where the barrel with the
outer riin of the ends joins the inner portion of the end covers, are so made and
turned, that no grain can pass into the same, so as to become crushed thereby.
From end to end of the malting case, at equal circumferential distances apart, and
extending nearly to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, I construct and fix hollow
shelves of perforated metal plates or of woven wire supported on and fixed to metal
bars or other framework. These shelves may be circular, following and parallel to
the line of circumference of the case, or they may be made flat and straight. Such
shelves are firmly fixed to the central portions of both ends or covers of the case, but
are not attached to the barrel or periphery, between which and the edges of the shelves
there are open spaces.
To both ends of the malting case I fix an air chamber or reservoir and through the
ends of the case opening out into the aforesaid air chambers or reservoirs. I make
openings exactly corresponding to the ends of the shelves before referred to, so that
there may be clear air passages from the air chambers through both ends of the case,
and through or between these shelves so that air may pass from either or both air
chambers or reservoirs into the hollow shelves and thence through the perforations
among the malt in the case or vice versa.
To the barrel or periphery of the malting case and the portion of the ends attached
thereto and running continuously the whole length of the cylinder, I fix at intervals
narrow shelves or lifts; such lifts may be either straight, curved, or cup shaped.
To both ends of the malting case I attach air tight chambers or reservoirs which
communicate with the interior of the malting case through the ends of the case, by
means of the hollow shelves attached to the ends, hereinbefore referred to. These.
air chambers are provided with slides or valves, which divide the chamber into
sections and provide means for stopping off the air from any of such sections, and
he shelves opening into the same.

page_text: Self acting valves are also attached to the outermost shelves, which shut off the air
from these shelves, when, during the revolution of the whole case, these shelves are
carried above the level of the grain in the malting case, and open again when the
shelves are carried down.
This malting case I charge with grain or malt. For the proper aĕration of such
malt I force air into the air chambers, from whence it passes through the shelves into
the interior of the case, and is dispersed amongst the malt, or air may be drawn
through these shelves from the malt.
When the malt or grain requires to be turned over or stirred, the ends of the case
with their attached shelves are firmly held, while the cylindrical portion of the case,
(with its attached narrow shelves or lifts) is revolved.
The lifts then carry the malt or grain from the bottom to the top of the case; and
drop it again in their descent.
The ends with their shelves may also be revolved (with or without the barrel) for
the better displacement of the malt in the interior of the case.
I use blowers, fans, or other suitable appliances for forcing or exhausting air to or
from the malt in the case.
'
I also provide proper and adjustable openings for the cleansing of the air chamber
and the hollow shelves before referred to.
My invention may be used for either or all of the purposes usually effected in
washing, steeping, germinating, drying and roasting malt or grain.
The malting case hereinbefore described may be used in conjunction with the air-
tight room or chamber, and some or all of the malting cases described in my said
former Patents.
And in order that my said invention may be particularly described and ascertained,
reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawing, in which my improved malting
case is shown in section.
a a is the malting case. bb is the periphery of the air case, two of which are
fitted, one at each end of the malting case. The periphery of the air case enters a
groove in the end of the malting case, so that the end air cases may remain stationary
while the malting case revolves. cc are hollow shelves of woven wire or analogous
material, running from end to end of the case, and opening out into the air chambers
at each end of the malting case by controllable openings. The passages from these
shelves to the air chambers may be closed at will. d d are iron supports which keep
the shelves firm and enable them to bear the strain and weight of the malt or grain.
The iron supports d d are fixed some to one side of the shelves and some to the other
side, so that air may pass freely along the hollow interiors of the shelves.
iron supports which are attached to both sides of the shelves and divide the air supply
in the hollow spaces of the shelves. Lifts are fitted to the inside of the periphery
of the case a, for lifting the malt, in a similar manner to those described in 19,28689.
ff are wheels which support the malting case a as it revolves, and g g are similar
wheels, supporting the end air cases.
.
e e are
All air admitted to the airtight chambers, and to the malting case, is first purified
by being filtered through a screen or screens, composed of sheets of cotton wool fixed
between two lines of wire netting, the cotton wool having been previously steeped in
or powdered with, disinfectants.
The air also is made humid (as required by the particular stages of the germinating
grain and one method of effecting this purpose is the following:-
The air is passed through an airtight box wherein are fixed sheets of felting (or
other bibulous material) radiating from a common centre, which common centre is
the intaking aperture for air.
These radiating sheets of felting communicate, through controllable apertures, with
water placed in another box or cistern fixed to and communicating with the airtight
box, whereby the sheets of felting become saturated with moisture throughout their
whole length. The degree of moisture is regulated by the following means.
At the
communicating apertures between the airtight box and the water cistern, each sheet
of felting is fixed between 2 pieces of india rubber which, by means of screws, can

page_text: be closed on the sheet of felting at will, and thus more or less water, or none at all,
is allowed to pass up the felting.
The air being circulated over and around the surface of these sheets of felting
takes up the moisture from them and becomes saturated to the required extent.
The temperature also of the air and water, admitted to the germinating grain, is
regulated and controlled according to the requirements of the particular stages of the
germinating grain.
About the middle of the lower half of the malting case, where it would always be
covered with grain, I fix a hollow tube. This tube runs right through the malting
case from end to end, and through and beyond the air reservoir connected with the
malting case, that end of this tube which comes through the air reservoir is open,
but the other end is sealed.
That portion of the tube which runs through the air reservoir, is formed of
unperforated sheet metal and no communication is permitted between the interior of
this tube and the interior of the air reservoir; but that portion of the tube which
runs through the grain in the malting case is freely perforated (or this latter portion
of the tube may be formed of woven wire on a metal framework).
The open end of this tube I connect with another tube or passage formed of
unperforated sheet metal or other airtight material. This tube runs through the
wall of the airtight chamber in which the malting case is fixed and to this latter tube,
outside the airtight chamber, I attach an exhaust fan; this exhaust fan draws off the gas
and used up air away from the grain in the malting case. So that pure air, having
been delivered in the interior of the malting case, amongst the grain, by the shelves
first herein referred to, such air passes through the grain and aërates it; then the
exhaust fan draws away from the grain and carries outside the malting chamber, the
foul air and the gases generated by the germinating grain. The said tubes and passages
connected with the exhaust fan, are so constructed however, that only such air is
drawn away by it, as has first passed through and aërated the germinating grain.
The metal bars or girders & supporting the perforated frame-work of the hollow
shelves c, for a little more than half the width of these shelves, are not attached to
both sides of the perforated shelves, so that for a little more than half the width of
these shelves there is free passage of air in the interior of the shelves, but the iron
girders or bars e, supporting the remaining portion of the shelves, are attached to both
sides of the perforated shelves, and these girders or bars e therefor divide the chambers
of the shelves into air sections.
Corresponding divisions, by slides or analogous means, divide the air chambers or
reservoirs into sections, so that air may be cut off from these portions of the
shelves, while passing freely through the other portions, supported by the girders or
bars d d.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is:-
1. The improvements in the method of malting and drying grain, and in machinery
or apparatus therefor, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by the
drawing.
2. In machinery or apparatus for malting and drying grain, the combination of a
malting case a and concentric air chambers at each end of the malting case; the
several cases being capable of simultaneous or independent rotation, and the malting
case being fitted with cellular shelves communicating with the end air chambers by
means of valved passages; and also with lifters; all severally operating substantially
as hereinbefore described and illustrated by the drawing.
Dated 9th October 1800
GEO. DOWNING,
8, Quality Court, London, W.C., Agent for Applicant.