A New or Improved Roller Grinding and Mixing Mill.
Year: 1896

page_text: TRUVIDIONAL DE MULTIOATIA
A New or Improved Roller Grinding and Mixing Mill.
We THOMAS TORRANCE and JOHN ROLAND TORRANCE of Bitton Foundry, Bitton,
in the County of Gloucester, Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to a new or improved roller mill, adaptable for grinding
white-lead, paints, inks, soaps, chocolate and all substances or materials of a like
consistency or density, and consists Firstly-of an improved method of mounting the
rollers at such an angle. that the weight of the upper rollers tend to keep these and
those below in contact with each other, thus materially reducing the strain upon their
respective spindles indispensable for adjustment when their axial centres are all in the
same horizontal plane as hitherto. Secondly-of an arrangement of differential gearing
for driving the whole series of rollers whereby each roller is rotated at a speed differing
from its neighbours. Thirdly-of an arrangement of grooved wheels or cams upon
certain or all of the rollers whereby a horizontal longitudinal motion as well as a
rotary motion is imparted thereto, the object of our said invention being, to provide
means for grinding and mixing materials or substances such as those named, more
quickly and effectively, without the absorption of corresponding additional power, as
compared with roller mills as hitherto made and used.
For the purposes of our invention we cast or otherwise produce of any suitable
metal or combination of metals, a frame or stand of any dimensions according to the
intended output of the machine, in each side of which a slot is formed parallel with
each other, and at any angle that may be found most suitable or convenient, and
within the said slots, or in suitable bearings sliding therein is journalled or borne the
spindle ends of the rollers employed, which may be any number according to the
capacity of the machine, but for the purposes of description we assume these to be
three. The said rollers may be of any suitable material, alike or differing from each
other, but we prefer to construct these of granite, or other material faced with granite,
and preferably but not imperatively all of the same cross sectional diameter, suitable
means being provided for adjustment that the faces of all or some of the rollers may
be in touch with, or at any desired distance from, that or those adjoining,
The said rollers may be rotated by any convenient or available power by the means
of suitable differential gearing, by which each roller would rotate at a speed differing
from, and in a direction opposite to that of its neighbour or neighbours, which provides
that a lengthy interval occurs between the meeting of any point in the circumference
of either roller and a corresponding point in the circumference of its neighbour or
neighbours, by which the life and even wear of the rollers would be materially extended,
and the material or substance being treated more perfectly and effectually ground and
mixed.
Upon the spindle of one, and preferably the upper roller, is keyed or otherwise fixed
a wheel or circular disc or cam, of such construction as to impart as oscillatory motion
to one or more pivotted levers, so connected to the remaining rollers as to impart a
slightly horizontal longitudinal motion to all of them simultaneously, but in a direction
opposite to, and alternating with each other, and these motions, in combination with the
different rates and direction of rotation previously mentioned, would further enhance

page_text: the life and even wear of the rollers, and the effectiveness and expedition of the grinding
and mixing process..
We may find it convenient to mount upon the frame of the machine a stationary
projection or arm, that by engagement with the before mention cam may impart a
like longitudinal motion to the top or upper roller.
A suitable hopper or trough is provided upon the said frame for the reception of the
material or substance to be treated, this being preferably in such a position as to feed
the said material or substance between the upper and the next lower roller, and may be
provided with suitable means for regulating the said feed, and may be for dividing or
subdividing the material or substance before or during the said feed.
In a suitable position upon the said frame and in frictional contact with the
downward travelling face of the lower or other roller we provide a receiver for the
material or substance having passed through the rollers, which may be removed there-
from and again deposited in the said trough or hopper for further treatment until such
grinding or mixing or both is perfected, and we may arrange, if necessary or desirable,
that the said receiver may have a to and fro motion in unison with, or in a direction
opposite to the roller with which it makes contact, and we may effect this by connecting
the said receiver to the lower or other of the before mentioned oscillating levers, or by
other suitable and convenient means.
Dated this 4th dore of June 1806
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
1 Broad Street Buildings, Liverpool Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicants.
A New or Improved Roller Grinding and Mixing Mill..
We, THOMAS TORRANCE and JOHN ROLAND TORRANCE of Bitton Foundry, Bitton
in the County of Gloucester, Engineers, 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:-
Our invention relates to improvements in roller mills as employed for grinding
white-lead, paints, inks, soaps, chocolate and the like, and consists principally of an
arrangement of differential gearing mounted upon the one ends of the spindles of
a set of rollers, by means of which each of the said rollers is rotated at a speed
differing from that of its neighbours, and of a sheave or wheel mounted upon the
opposite end of the spindle of one of the said rollers (preferably the upper or that
having the slowest rate of rotation) and having in its periphery an irregularly formed
groove, with which engages one end of a pivotted lever, the opposite end of which
engages in like manner with a regular grooved wheel or sheave upon the next roller
in the series, so that the irregular formation of the groove in the first named sheave
or wheel operates as a cam and imparts a rocking motion to the said lever, and a
horizontal sliding movement to the second roller, while the groove of the wheel or
sheave upon the latter, by engaging with one end of a second pivotted lever, imparts
a like rocking motion thereto, the opposite end of the said second lever engaging in
like manner with a regular grooved wheel upon the spindle of the next roller, and
imparts a like horizontal sliding movement thereto, or in mills where only three
rollers are employed the second end of the last named pivotted lever may impart a
horizontal sliding movement to a scraper or collector in contact with the third or
lower roller.
Our invention has for its object to effect the grinding or mixing or both of such
materials, more quickly and effectively than hitherto, and by reason of the point of
rubbing contact between one roller and the next being constantly changing, and only

page_text: again recurring after long intervals, the lives of the rollers are thereby materially
prolonged and the wear of their surfaces kept perfectly true and even.
In order that our invention and the manner of its use may be fully understood, we
have hereunto appended a sheet of drawings, in which we have assumed its application
to a three roller mill.
Fig. 1 is a front elevation while Fig. 2 is a side elevation of such a mill to which
our invention has been applied.
Fig. 3 is an enlarged diagrammatic view (partly in section) illustrating more
graphically the construction and manner of operation of the before mentioned groove!
wheels or sheaves and their connecting levers.
As previously stated, in the following description of our invention it is assume!
that the same is applied to a three roller mill, consisting of a frame or stand A, bolted
or otherwise connected together, the front face of which, B, is arranged at a suitable
angle, and has formed therein at either or both sides a slot or slots parallel with each
other, and within the said slots, or in suitable bearings sliding therein, is journelle !
or otherwise borne the spindle ends of the three rollers C, D and E employed. T:
said rollers are kept in close contact with each other partly by gravity and partly v
the aid of adjusting screws F, operated by handles or wheels G the said screws also
permitting a certain or any desired play between the rollers in the usual way. A
suitable hopper or receiver H is provided, into which the material to be ground or
mixed or both may be first deposited, this being preferably so arranged as to feed the
material to or upon the top roller C, or between this and the roller D as may be
desired.
The said rollers may be of any suitable hard material, alike or differing from each
other, but we prefer to construct these of granite, or of some other material faced with
granite, the said rollers being preferably, but not imperatively, all of the same cross
sectional diameter, or nearly so.
For the purposes of our invention we mount and fix upon the one ends of the
spindles of the said rollers, a set of differential toothed wheels J K and L, the latter
being the driving wheel, which receives motion from a toothed wheel M fixed upon
one end of a cross spindle N, carried by the frame A, upon the opposite end of which
is mounted and fixed a pulley, or fast and loose pulleys O, by which the same may
be rotated by any convenient or available power.
The teeth in the driving wheel L may be any number not divisible by the number
of teeth in the driven wheel K, while those in K are undivisible by the number in
the wheel J, and by this means we attain a different rate of speed for each roller.
Upon the opposite end of the spindle of one of the said rollers, preferably the upper
one (, (this being for preferance the one having the slowest rate of speed) we mount
and fix a wheel or sheave P, in the periphery of which is formed an irregular groove R,
and with the said groove engages one end of a lever S, fulcrummed at a upon a
bracket fixed upon the frame A, the opposite end of the said lever engaging in
like manner with a regular or parallel groove T, in a wheel or sheave V, mounted
and fixed upon the same end of the spindle of the roller D, from which it will be
understood that at each revolution of the roller C, a to and fro horizontal sliding
motion is imparted to the roller D. A second lever S₁ fulcrumed upon a bracket c
engages at one end with the groove in the wheel or sheave V, while its opposite
end is pivotally connected at d to one end of a sliding rod W, extending across, and
carried by the frame A, and upon this rod is fixed. a scraper or collector X, this
being so adjusted upon the said rod that its upper and wider edge or mouth is always
in rubbing contact with the surface of the roller E, and by means of the said
lever S a horizontal sliding movement is imparted to the scraper X, simultaneously
with, but in opposite directions to, that of the roller E, the second position of which
is shewn by dotted outline in Fig. 1.
From the foregoing it will be understood that by reason of the differential
gearing J, K and L and the consequent different rates of speed at which the
rollers C, D, E, are thereby rotated, the point of contact between each roller and its

page_text: neighbour or neighbours is constantly changing, and that a given part of one roller
can only come in contact with a given part of the next or adjoining roller at very
long intervals, and this rule also applies to the sliding contact between the centre
roller D, and the upper and lower rollers C and E, and the scraper or collector X,
with the latter, and by these means we attain a fair and even wear of all the rollers
thus preventing the formation of grooves, flat surfaces, or irregularities in the face of
these or the scraper or collector X.
It is obvious that the extent of the lateral motion of the roller D is dependent
upon the extent of the irregularity of the groove R, in the wheel or sheave P, and
that if the sides or walls of the said groove be undulatory, that a more intermittent
and more frequent sliding motion may be imparted to the roller D, and for this
purpose the said wheel, sheave, or cam P may be interchangeable.
It is also obvious that in mills having more than three rollers a sliding motion
may be imparted to more than one of these by mounting upon each a grooved wheel
or pulley such as V operated by levers such as S, fulcrummed upon intermediate
brackets such as b and c..
The material to be ground or mixed or both having been fed into the hopper or
receiver H would be led down the rollers and be collected by the scraper X, and
from this again collected and passed into the hopper until such grinding or mixing or
both is completed.
We are aware that a sliding motion has hitherto been imparted to one of a series
of rollers in a roller mill, by the means of a fixed or stationery finger engaging with
an irregular groove in a sheave or pulley moulded thereon, but while effecting such
lateral travel of the said roller, flats were worn thereon and its neighbour or
neighbours by reason of the roller always being moved longitudinally at the same
points of its circumference, and all the rollers travelling at the same rate of speed,
which objections are entirely avoided by our invention, which is the objects and
purposes of the same, therefore,
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is.
1st. In a roller mill of the type herein set forth, the employment of differential
gearing for rotating each roller at a different rate of speed to that of its
neighbour or neighbours, substantially as and for the purposes herein described
and shewn.
2nd. In a roller mill of the type herein set forth, the employment upon the spindle
of one of its rollers of a wheel or sheave having in its periphery an irregular groove,
with which engages one end of a fulcrumed lever, the opposite end of which
engages with the regular groove of a wheel or pulley fixed upon the next or following
roller, for imparting a horizontal sliding motion thereto, the said sliding motion
being conveyed to the next and following roller or rollers, and, or, to a scraper or
collector in contact with the face of the last or lower roller, by the means of other
regular grooved wheels or sheaves fixed upon the spindles of the said following
roller or rollers, or the sliding rod of the said scraper or collector and operated by an
intermediate fulcrumed lever or levers substantially as and for the purposes herein
set forth.
3rd. In a roller mill of the type herein set forth, the combination of differential
gearing such as J, K, L, for rotating the rollers of same at different rates of speed,
with a wheel or sheave such as P having an irregular groove such as R, mounted
upon the spindle of one of the said rollers, the said groove engaging one end of a
fulcrumed lever such as S, the opposite end of which engages with a regular
groove T, in a sheave or wheel V, mounted upon the next or following roller, the
groove of the said wheel V also engaging one end of a fulcrumed lever such as S',
the opposite end of which engages with a like grooved wheel upon the next or
following roller, or pivotally connected to one end of a sliding rod W, carrying a

page_text: scraper or collector such as X, in adjustable contact with the lower roller of the series,.
the whole connected, combined and operating substantially as herein 'described and
shewn, and for the purposes stated.
T
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
1 Broad Street Buildings, Liverpool Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicants.