IMPROVEMENTS IN TREATING OR PURIFYING WHEAT AND OTHER GRAIN
Year: 1854

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Whiteside, of Egremont, near Birkenhead,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN TREATING OR PURIFYING WHEAT
AND OTHER GRAIN."
Sealed the 23rd June 1854, and dated the 12th April 1854.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Whiteside at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 12th
April 1854.
I, ROBERT WHITESIDE, of Egremont, near Birkenhead, do hereby declare
the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN TREATING OR PURIFYING
WHEAT AND OTHER GRAIN" to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object means of purifying wheat or other grain by
the purifying properties of chlorine and charcoal. The manner of applying
the above-mentioned purifiers may be varied. When using chlorine, it is
conveniently done by first washing the impure grain, when necessary, and then
mixing with it the chloride of lime, and in using charcoal the impure grain is
mixed with charcoal. These matters are allowed to remain together for a
time, and they are then separated by washing, or by machinery ordinarily used
for separating foreign matters from grain. The wheat or grain, when it has
been moistened for the process, is then kiln-dried, and is ready for use in the
ordinary manner.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Robert Whiteside in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 6th October 1854.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ROBERT
WHITESIDE, of Egremont, near Birkenhead, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twelfth day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, in the seventeenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Robert Whiteside, Her special licence that I, the said Robert Whiteside,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Robert
Whiteside, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN TREATING OR
PURIFYING WHEAT AND OTHER GRAIN," upon the condition (amongst others) that.
I, the said Robert Whiteside, by an instrument in writing under my hand
and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause
the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Robert Whiteside, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement
thereof (that is to say):-
This Invention has for its object means of purifying wheat or other grain
by the purifying properties of chlorine and charcoal. The manner of applying
the above-mentioned purifiers may be varied. When using chlorine, it is
conveniently done by first washing the impure grain, when necessary, and then
mixing with it the chloride of lime; and in using charcoal, the impure grain is
mixed with charcoal. These matters are allowed to remain together for a
time, and they are then separated by washing, or by machinery ordinarily used
for separating foreign matters from grain. The wheat or grain, when it has
been moistened for the process, is then kiln-dried, and is ready for use in the
ordinary manner.
Having thus stated the nature of my said Invention, I will proceed to describe
the manner of performing the same. I first well wash the wheat or grain in

page_text: water for about half an hour; I then steep the wheat or grain in water, in
which is dissolved fresh chloride of lime, using at the rate of about four pounds
of the chloride to two hundred and eighty pounds of wheat or grain, the
chloride being dissolved in as much water as will cover the wheat or grain,
and I allow the same to steep for about four to six hours; the solution is then
run off, and the wheat or grain is to be well washed with water, and then dried
and stoved. This second wash water I use for preparing the fresh solution of
chloride of lime, and the steeping solution, after having been used as above
described, may be used in place of the first wash water. I do not claim the
washing and drying or stoving of wheat or grain, but only the employment
of chloride of lime in the purifying of wheat and grain by washing and
steeping.
When I employ charcoal for the purpose of purifying wheat or grain, I use
it in the state of powder, and I prefer peat charcoal, but do not confine myself
thereto. I mix the impure wheat or grain intimately with about half its bulk
of such powdered charcoal, by stirring or shaking them together, and I allow
them to stand till the degree of purification desired has been accomplished;
this varies, and can only be judged of by taking away samples from time to
time after some days, and thereby ascertaining the degree of purification.
When the grain or wheat has been purified by the charcoal it is to be separated,
which may be done in the ordinary manner of separating foreign dust or
matters from wheat or grain, as is well understood.
I would remark, that when purifying barley and oats according to my
Invention, they should be first deprived of their husks.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I would have it understood that what I claim is, the
application of chlorine and charcoal for purifying wheat and grain, as herein
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Whiteside, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.
Witness,
THOMAS PATON.
ROBERT WHITESIDE. (L.S.)