IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MIXING TEA AND GRANULAR SUBSTANCES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Thompson, of Clare Hall, Raheny, in the County
of Dublin, Ireland, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR
MIXING TEA AND GRANULAR SUBSTANCES."
Sealed the 24th July 1877, and dated the 17th May 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Thompson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th May 1877.
WILLIAM THOMPSON, of Clare Hall, Raheny, in the County of Dublin, Ireland.'
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MIXING TEA AND GRANULAR SUBSTANCES."
My Invention has reference to an apparatus for nixing tea and granular substances,
for which Letters Patent were granted to me on the 17th July 1866, No. 1861, and
which consisted mainly of a cylindrical drum in which were a number of sieves
mounted radially on a central rotating shaft, so that the tea or other substance to be
mixed being introduced into the drum through a door in its periphery, each sieve in
rotating raised up a quantity of the tea or other substance, which then fell through
its meshes on to the next sieve below.
According to one of my present improvements I provide in addition to the said
radial sieves other sieves extending across from an intermediate point in the
length of one radial sieve to a corresponding point of the next sieve, such additional
sieves forming as it were a polygon round the axle at some distance from the
surface of the drum. Spaces are left between the ends of the polygonal sieves and
the radial sieves, so that as they rotate the tea or other substance will enter through
such spaces and be carried up both by the radial and the polygonal sieves, the latter
greatly assisting the mixing operation.
In order to facilitate the removal of the tea or other substance after it has been
mixed the said polygonal sieves are supported on metal rods, one end of which is
hinged to the one radial sieve while the other end is fastened by a catch or pin to
the other radial sieve, so that on releasing the last named ends of the rods the
polygonal sieves fall down against the radial sieves.

page_text: The radial sieves may also be arranged to be capable of turning back on hinges
for the same object instead of being fixed as heretofore. For the above purpose I
also introduce through the aperture in the drum a board or solid division held in
grooves against the face of the radial sieve next the outlet, so that on turning
the drum into position for the removal of the tea or other substance this latter
cannot fall through the sieve so covered, and its removal from the drum is thus
greatly facilitated.
Instead of causing the tea or other substance to fall from the drum into a box or
drawer below, whence it is removed by hand for filling the boxes, canisters, or
receptacles, as described in my former Patent, I according to my present improve-
ments dispense with the said box or drawer, and in place thereof fit against the
outlet opening of the drum a frame, to which is attached a flexible shoot or tube of
canvas or other suitable material of any desired length, so that the tea or other
substance passing out of the drum can be led through such shoot direct to the boxes,
canisters, or receptacles to be filled.
For the purpose of facilitating the introduction of the tea or other substance
into the mixing machine I construct the framing of the machine with a platform
raised somewhat above the top of the drum, and in an opening in this platform I fix
a shoot of canvas or other flexible material, the lower loose end of which is placed
inside the aperture of the drum when the tea or other substance is to be introduced.
A tea cutting machine or "mill" of any known construction may be fixed on the
said platform, so that when the tea requires to be "milled" or cut before mixing,
it may be caused to pass directly from the mill through the shoot into the mixing
drum:
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Thompson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 7th
November 1877.
WILLIAM THOMPSON, of Clare Hall, Raheny, in the County of Dublin, Ireland.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MIXING TEA AND GRANULAR SUBSTANCES."
My Invention has reference to an apparatus for mixing tea and granular substances,
for which Letters Patent were granted to me on the 17th July 1866, No. 1861, and
which consisted mainly of a cylindrical drum in which were a number of sieves
mounted radially on a central rotating shaft, so that the tea or other substance to be
mixed being introduced into the drum through a door in its periphery, each sieve in
rotating raised up a quantity of the tea or other substance, which then fell through
its meshes on to the next sieve below.
According to one of my present improvements I provide in addition to the said
radial sieves other sieves extending across from an intermediate point in the length
of one radial sieve to a corresponding point of the next sieve, such additional sieves
forming as it were a polygon round the axle at some distance from the surface of
the drum. Spaces are left between the ends of the polygonal sieves and the radial
sieves, so that as they rotate the tea or other substance will enter through such
spaces and be carried up both by the radial and the polygonal sieves, the latter greatly
assisting the mixing operation.
In order to facilitate the removal of the tea or other substance after it has been
mixed, the said polygonal sieves are supported on metal rods, one end of which is
hinged to the one radial sieve while the other end is fastened by a catch or pin to
the other radial sieve, so that on releasing the last named ends of the rods the
polygonal sieves fall down against the radial sieves.
The radial sieves may also be arranged to be capable of turning back on hinges
for the same object instead of being fixed as heretofore. For the above purpose I

page_text: also introduce through the aperture in the drumi a board or solid division held in
grooves against the face of the radial sieve next the outlet, so that on turning the
drum into position for the removal of the tea or other substance this latter cannot
fall through the sieve so covered, and its removal from the drum is thus greatly
facilitated.
Instead of causing the tea or other substance to fall from the drum into a box or
drawer below, whence it is removed by hand for filling the boxes, canisters, or
receptacles, as described in my former Patent, I according to my present improve-
ments dispense with the said box or drawer, and in place thereof fit against the
outlet opening of the drum a frame, to which is attached a flexible shoot or tube of
canvas or other suitable material of any desired length, so that the tea or other
substance passing out of the drum can be led through such shoot direct to the boxes,
canisters, or receptacles to be filled.
For the purpose of facilitating the introduction of the tea or other substance into
the mixing machine, I construct the framing of the machine with a platform raised
somewhat above the top of the drun, and in an opening in this platform I fix a
shoot of canvas or other flexible material, the lower loose end of which is placed
inside the aperture of the drum when the toa or other substance is to be introduced.
A tea cutting machine or "mill" of any known construction may be fixed on the
said platform, so that when the ten requires to be "milled" or cut before mixing,
it may be caused to pass directly from the mill through the shoot into the mixing
drum.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 represents a longitudinal, and Fig. 2 a transverse section of improved
apparatus according to my Invention for mixing tea or granular substance.
A is the cylindrical drum on the shaft B driven by a pulley C, or otherwise; D is
a framing which supports the bearings of the shaft B, and also a platform P above
the apparatus, on which may be placed a tea mill if required. The drum A has in
its periphery an opening E, which can be closed by a sliding cover, for which, when
the druin is in the position shewn in the Figures, a slide F forming the mouth-piece
of a flexible bag tube may be substituted. Within the drum are fixed the radial
sieves G, which may be slid in along grooves in the sides of the drum, as described
in my former Specification above referred to, or which may be mounted on hinge
pins g, as shewn in the Figures, and held in position by pins or catches H. On
withdrawing one of the catches H the sieve will fold down on its joint g, as indicated
by the dotted lines G. Between the radial sieves G are mounted other sieves K in
positions corresponding to the sides of a polygon, leaving spaces between them and
the radial sieves G.
It is convenient to mount the sieves K on hinge pins, so that on withdrawing
the pin at either end of a sieve it can fold down into the position indicated by the
dotted lines K. Adjoining one of the sieves G next the outlet opening E, I provide
grooves into which a board L can be slid when it is desired to discharge the contents
of the drum, the said board by covering this sieve causing all the tea to be collected
in the lowest compartment when the drum is turned to the position shewn in
Fig. 1.
In the platform P is provided an opening fitted with a flexible or bag tube M,
through which the drum is charged on its being turned so as to bring the opening E
immediately under it.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I hereby declare that I make no general claim to tea mixing
apparatus of the kind herein described, in so far as it corresponds with that described
in my former Specification above referred to, but I claim as improvements in such
apparatus,
First. The additional sieves K arranged as the sides of a polygon between the
radial sieves G.

page_text: Second. Mounting the sieves G and K on hinge joints, so that they can be folded
back.
Third. The flexible tubes at M and F respectively, for charging and discharging
the drum, and the use of the sliding board L, all substantially as herein described
with reference to the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Thompson, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
WILLIAM THOMPSON. (L.S.)