Improvements in and relating to Machinery for Grinding and Sifting Corn and Grain of all kinds, also applicable for analogous purposes.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Sept., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 11th July, 1893-Accepted, 12th Sept., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Machinery for Grinding and
Sifting Corn and Grain of all kinds, also applicable for
analogous purposes.
I, EDWARD ARTHUR LANGLEY of 59, Alum Rock Road Saltley in the County
of Warwick Carver and Gilder, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
This invention has for its main object an improved method for grinding corn and
grain of all kinds and for all such purposes where grinding machinery or mills are
now used and whereby the various processes now necessary are dispensed with the
grinding being accomplished at one operation.
It consists firstly in attaching to existing machines a roller or cylinder composed
of blades or cutters, these being true sections of a cylinder & placed side by side
and touching each other thus forming a cylinder of equal parts, the blades or
cutters being formed and set in such a way as to be of a helical or screw shape,
these can be either vertical or horizontal, all the parts being connected form the
cylinder or roller.
The blades forming the cylinder are mounted on two wheels or pulleys carried
by a spindle which connects them, these are fitted with india rubber or other
suitable packing on part of their surfaces which lies between the surface of the
pulleys and the sections or blades of the cylinder.
Above the surface of the pulleys is a conical flange or other method which by
forcing one of the said pulleys towards the other presses the blades or cutters onto
the india rubber packing, by this means the blades or cutters of the cylinder always
find their true level, thereby insuring a perfectly parallel action and a perfectly
even surfaced cylinder or roller.
The cylinder or roller being so built and open at each end allows a current of air
to travel through it as well as between the said sections or blades thus keeping
them perfectly cool during the process of grinding.
The advantage of this combination is that by reason of the sections of metal
forming the cutters or blades being bevelled to a certain pitch produces
the flating of a cylinder without being fluted or ground, moreover the different.
sections being of equal size they can be taken asunder for sharpening purposes,
this further allows of the use of harder metal than has hitherto been used.
Instead of the india rubber packing a spiral spring or springs may be used which
runs along the spindle from one pulley to the other thus pressing against the metal
blades of the cylinder the pressure acting upon their whole length.
The two pulleys which carry the blades revolving on the spindle or shaft one is
fixed at the one end thereof and the other loose and keyed thereon, on the outside
of the loose pulley is a nut screwing on to the spindle of same in order to press the
pulley against the sections or blades and also against the fixed pulley, thereby
securing the blades by grasping them firmly and giving them a perfectly level
surface.
The blades are bevelled or cut out at their ends so as to fit-under a conical flange
ou the above pulleys thus giving them an automatic level.
Situated below the before named cylinder are a series of blades, these are
straight and bevelled varying in thickness of metal and pitch of bevel, these
blades are placed on a movable rest of a C shape which by means of three regula-
ting screws (two of which are connected by a chain or other suitable method)
enables the rest to be brought as near or as far from the cylinder as desired; these

page_text: rests are fitted with india rubber and the blades being placed thereon, are pressed
down by suitable clips which adjust the blades to a proper level.
By regulating the distance of the blades from the cylinder or by changing them
for others, of different bevels, grain of all kinds can be ground.
The invention further relates to a method of sharpening the blades, a grindstone
is fitted with holders at say an angle of 45 degrees which rise above the level of
the grinstone, the blades are held on the holders and pressed downward on same
by a flange wheel, in this way the blades are sharpened with ease and the bevel is
maintained, thereby preventing the blades from being ground unevenly.
My invention further relates to an arrangement of machine for sifting purposes
after the grain has been ground.
Beneath the above named grinding machinery and supported by suitable means
are holders or trays of half circular formation which are covered with silk or
suitable metallic or other substance, these are the sieves for sifting the ground
flour, they are caused to perform half rotations in rapid succession by means of a
pulley which is connected by a rod and crank or other method to the shaft carrying
the pulleys and cylinder of the grinding machine and may be actuated by the same
motive power, and by the rapid motion of these sieves the flour is distributed over
the same, and is perfectly cleansed from the bran.
The sifting apparatus can be used either alone or in conjunction with the grinding
machine.
The corn being poured into the receiver of the grinding machine falls onto the
lower graduated blades being distributed by a distributing wheel in connection with
the revolving cylinder, the corn is first reduced and then passes on to the other
blades where the bran is thoroughly separated from the flour, the flour is then
cleansed by the sifting apparatus above described.
By these improvements the various milling operations as at present performed on
several machines, can be confined to and performed by one machine and by one single
passage of grinding also the grinding surfaces by being greatly reduced and the
roller or cylinder ventilated the heating of the Hour during grinding is entirely
prevented.
Dated this 9th day of September AD 1892
EDWARD J. PAYNE & SON,
104, Colmore Row, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: and for all such purposes where grinding machinery or mills are now used &
whereby the various processes now necessary are dispensed with the grinding being
accomplished at one operation.
The first part of my invention relates to a roller mill: The mill or machinery is
built up as required and has a revolving cylinder or roller A. composed of blades
or cutters A' these being true sections of a cylinder and placed side by side and
touching each other, thus forming a cylinder of equal parts, the blades, cutters
or sections A being formed and set in such a way as to be of a helical or screw
shape.
These blades cutters or sections A' can be used horizontally or vertically, all the
parts being connected form the cylinder or roller A.
The blades or cutters A' forming the cylinder or roller A. are mounted on two
wheels or pulleys B. B or other suitable means carried by a spindle C which
connects them. These wheels or pulleys B. B' are flanged and are fitted with
india rubber or other suitable packing B on part of their surface which lies between
the surface of the pulleys B. B' and the blades, cutters or sections A' of the
cylinder A. Above the surface of the pulleys B. B₁ is a conical flange B3 or other
method may be employed which by forcing one of the said pulleys B. towards the
other B presses the blades cutters or sections A' on to india rubber packing B' the
compression of the india rubber packing pressing the blades A'on the conical flange B³.
By this means the blades, cutters or sections A¹ of the cylinder A: always find their
true level thereby insuring a perfectly parallel action and a perfectly even surfaced
cylinder or roller. The cylinder or roller A. being so built is open at each end
thus allowing a current of air to travel through it; as well as between the said blades,
cutters or sections A' by the fact that the sides of the cutters remaining rough
from casting they do not hermetically close against each other, and so allowing of
a current of air and thus keeping them perfectly cool during the process of grinding.
The advantage of this combination is that by reason of the sections of metal forming
the blades or cutters A being bevelled to a certain pitch A' the fluting of the
cylinder is produced without the same having to be fluted or cut for the purpose.
Moreover the different blades, cutters or sections A¹ being of equal size, they can
be taken asunder for sharpening purposes. This further allows of the use of harder
metal than has hitherto been the case. Instead of the india rubber packing B' a
spiral spring or springs may be used which runs along or around the spindle or
cylinder shaft C. from one pulley B. to the other B₁ thus pressing against the metal
The two
blades A of the cylinder A. the pressure acting upon their whole length.
pulleys B. B which carry the blades A' revolve with the spindle or shaft C. one is.
fixed on the one end thereof and the other loose and keyed thereon. On the outside
of the loose pulley B. is a nut D. screwing on to the spindle C. of same in order to
press the loose pulley B. against the blades, cutters or sections A' and also against
the fixed pulley B₁ thereby securing the blades or cutters A' by grasping them
firmly and giving them a perfectly level surface. The blades or cutters A¹ are
bevelled or cut at their ends A³ so as to fit under the conical flange B³ on the above
pulleys B. B thus giving them an automatic level.
It may here be stated that the blades, cutters or sections A¹ may be secured
together to form the cylinder A. by several other methods which may be found
suitable for the purpose.
A hopper or receiver R. for the grain is connected to the machine as shown, also
a distributing roller S. in connection with the revolving cylinder A. by an endless
band S'.
Situated below the before-named cylinder A. are a series or bed of blades E.
These are straight and bevelled on the one side and varying in thickness of metal
and pitch of bevel. These blades E. are placed on (or in) a moveable rest, bed or
nether G. of a C or other shape which by means of regulating screws F. F1 (two
or more of which are connected by a chain or chains G2 G3 or other suitable means)
enables the rest to be brought as near or as far from the cylinder A. as desired.
The rest bed or nether is fitted with india rubber E and the blades or cutters E.

page_text: .
being placed thereon are pressed up or down by suitable clips or other method
which adjusts the blades to a proper level. By regulating the distance of the
blades E. from the cylinder A. or by changing them for others of different bevels
or thicknesses, grains of all kinds can be ground.
It is important to notice that the blades cutters or sections A' forming the
cylinder or roller A may be attached to existing machines for instance such as those
of the Hungarian principle.
I will now describe the method of rest or holder I adopt for these blades E.
though let it be understood any suitable kind of holder may be used.
The blades E. which as stated are straight and bevelled are placed in the
moveable rest G. the shape of which is a long narrow box, at the bottom of which
and at each extremity, is a small plate of flat metal H. At each extremity of the
rest G. on the top thereof and also at each end, is a curved plate H' screwed on to
the rest, bed or nether the convex face downwards. The long narrow box shaped
bed or rest G. is open at each end. The blades E. are placed under the convex
plates Hand on the top of the rubber packing E' and plates H. By means of
the screws H2 the blades E. are pressed against the convex plates H¹ thereby
giving them a true concave surface, and the blades E. being bevelled they form a
fluted bed without having to be cut or fluted. This also allows of the use of harder
metal than has hitherto been used, and the blades can be readily taken asunder for
sharpening purposes. The blades E. by being perfectly straight, when so placed.
in the rest . are pressed by the screw H2 against the convex plates H they thus
always find their true level when the screws H2 are tightened, and by screwing
up the bolts H³ the blades are finally secured in their places.
The rest G. has on the front side two V shaped grooves G which fit on a shaft
or spindle I. The spindle I. rests at each end on two regulating screws F. which
are connected by a chain G2 which also connects a handwheel F³.
Each extremity of the shaft may be placed on a spring to allow the free passage
of any foreign bodies such as nails etc., without injury to the bed or roller.
By these means the front part of the bed can be made higher or lower. The
back part of the rest G. also each extremity rests on the two regulating screws Fi
which are connected by means of a chain G³ which also connects a hand wheel F³.
By means of which the back part of the rest hed or nether G. can be made higher
or lower when the same has been regulated to its proper position the hand wheel F.
is screwed up and the rest bed or nether G. is firmly secured in its place.
The loose bladed bed E. can be used in connection with any kind, and every
description of rollers now in use and one or more beds may be used in connection
with one cylinder or rolier as desired.
The second part of my invention relates to an arrangement of apparatus for
sifting purposes after the grain has been ground.
Beneath the above named grinding machinery and supported by leather bands J.
are holders or trays K. K K K K of half or part circular formation which are
covered with silk or suitable gauze or other substance. These are the sieves for
sifting the ground flour. The bands J. are fastened by suitable means on to four.
or more half wheels or pulleys as at J J two of these being keyed or otherwise
fastened on to a shaft L. and two on lower shaft L. By means of two small wheels
or pulleys M. M' which are connected by means of an endless band N. the rotations
of the cylinder shaft C. of the grinding machinery, is transmitted to the shaft L²
at the end of which is keyed on a crank O. the crank revolving with the said
shaft transmits an up and down motion to the larger crank O' which is keyed in the
centre of shaft 1. By means of the connecting rod P. the sitters K. KK²K³ K*
are caused to perform half or part rotations as well as motions horizontally in
rapid succession, and may be actuated by the same motive power as the grinding
machinery to which it may be connected. By the rapid motions of these sifters.
the flour is distributed over the same, and is perfectly cleansed or sifted from the
bran. The sifting apparatus can be used alone or in connection with the grinding
machine.

page_text: The novelty of these sifters is the exact mechanical imitation of a hand sieve,
by means of the differential diameters of the circles of which the part circular
sifters K. K K K³ K' are a portion of, thus causing them to travel sideways,
horizontally, when by the sudden tightening of the bands J. J the said
sifters K. K K K K are tipped up and down, the up and down motion causes the
ground produce to be distributed all over the surface of the sifters, and the sudden
stop of the horizontal motion gives a jerk which each time clears the silk or gauze
of the sifters thus prevents the choking of the same. The diameter of the circle
out of which the segment of circle K is produced is larger than K³ and so
diminishing gradually to sifter K. the lower sifters receive a sharper jerk; this is
specially devised as the silks or gauze becomes finer and finer towards the bottom
and a more energetic sifting action is therefore necessary as the produce becomes
finer. The whole of the sifters are suspended and in motion the same as when
using a hand sieve.
To regulate the jerks of the sifters a band J³ is rivetted on the band J' below
the sifter K passing over the half pulley 12 and being fastened with the same bolt
which connects the band J. on the pulley J2. By means of lengthening or shortening
the band the jerks are either augmented or diminished, thus distributing the
ground produce over the whole surface of the sifters when in motion.
Having described the construction of my improvements I will now proceed to
explain the action which is as follows:-
The corn is poured into the hopper or receiver R. of the grinding machine and is
then distributed by the distributing roller S. in connection with the revolving
cylinder A. by means of an endless band S' and falls outo the lower graduated
blades E. The corn is first reduced and ground and passed on to the smaller
blades, where the bran is thoroughly separated from the flour. The flour is then
cleansed or dressed by the sifting apparatus above described.
The bran leaves the sifter down the shoot T. the semolina or middlings down the
shoot U. and the flour down the shoot V.
By these improvements, the various operations as at present performed on several
machines, can be confined to and performed by one machine and by one single
passage of grinding, also by reason of the grinding surfaces being greatly reduced,
and the roller or cylinder ventilated, the heating of the flour during grinding is
entirely prevented.
The third part of my invention relates to a method of sharpening the blades ;
this arrangement is a necessary accessory to the grinding machinery.
A grindstone or emnery wheel (a) is fitted with stops on a holder (') at say an
an angle of 45 degrees at .. This holder (61) rests upon the tail end of the
A second
trough (2) in which the grindstone or emery wheel (a) revolves.
holder (e) is connected by screws (e) (e) to the holder (1) and (c) can be made to
slant towards the grindstone or emery wheel by untightening a bolt (d) and lifting
the holder (c) causing the same to turn on screws (e) (e¹). Thus the angle at
point X becomes more acute, and this alters the bevels of the blades being sharpened.
The blades are held down on to the surface of holder (c) by the crossholder (f)
the latter running in a groove (y) of handles (h) being pressed downwards by a
spring (a) running round the handles (). The blade is further pressed against
the stops () on holder (1) by a small roller () which is under the overlapping
flange () of crossholder (f) the crossholder (f) being pushed against the grindstone
or emery wheel (a) by a spring running along the pin (1). In order to bring the
grindstone or emery wheel (a) in contact with the blade (being ground) at point X
the screw (w) is slightly turned, thus causing the holding arrangement to advance
towards the grindstone or emery wheel.
The stop (b) being adjustable by the screw (w) causes the said stop to be level or
nearly so with the surface of the grindstone or emnery wheel (a) the blades being
ground off as much as the difference is between the level of stops (4) and grindstone
or emery wheel when once set it is impossible to grind the blade more in one place
than another.

page_text: Moreover, the blades requiring only stropping, being placed in the apparatus,
under flange (4) the action of the spring being automatic in holding the blade, it is
merely necessary to take hold of the blade and pull it quickly through from left to
right of the apparatus, when the bevel of the blade will be maintained and the
same will be ground perfectly even.
I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to the more precise arrange-
ment or arrangements of construction of the different parts herein set forth, as the
sane may be varied without departing from the main principle and general character
of this my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the
tion and in what manner the same is to be carried into
what I claim is :-
nature of my inven-
effect, I declare that
Firstly. In machinery for grinding and sifting corn and grain of all kinds the
loose blades, cutters or sections A' either alone or in combination and the special
formation and curvature of same, being true helical sections of a circular form as
seen in Figures 1. 2. and 6 and of which the cylinder or roller A. is composed, the
said blades or sections A' pointing to the centre of the cylinder A. on its own length,
the said blades or sections A¹ being mounted as shown and described or by other
suitable means substantially for the purpose and operating as herein more fully set
forth and illustrated.
Secondly. In machinery for grinding and sifting corn and grain of all kinds, the
loose straight bevelled blades. E alone or in combination and arranged horizontally
to form the fluted bed situated beneath the cylinder or roller A the said blades E
being held in position by the movable holder, rest, bed, or nether G. connected by
regulating screws, chains and hand wheels all substantially for the purpose as herein
more fully set forth described and illustrated.
Thirdly. In machinery for grinding and sifting corn and grain of all kinds the
movable holder, rest, bed, or nether G alone or in combination with the grinding
machinery, having V shaped grooves and plates of metal H and convex plates H' at
the ends of the said rest G also india rubber or other packing, tightening screws
and bolts for the purpose substantially as herein more fully set forth and described.
Fourthly. In machinery for grinding and sifting corn and grain of all kinds,
the special formation and arrangements of the sifting apparatus alone or in com-
bination with the grinding machinery, the said sifting apparatus being composed of
different diameters of a circle, thus forming part circular sifters shown by
letter K. K'K' K³ K' covered with silk or suitable metallic gauze or other substance,
the said sifters being supported by leather or other bands J. connected to half
wheels or pulleys JJ on shafts L. LL all arranged with their accessory parts
to produce the particular motion substantially for the purpose as herein more fully
set forth and described.
Fifthly. I claim the special construction and arrangement of apparatus for
sharpening the blades or cutters A¹ of the grinding machinery, the particular
stop (6) placed in position as shown and actuated by the screw (m) for the purpose
described the holder (c) upon which the blades or cutters A rest whilst being
ground, the raising of which holder (c) determines the pitch of bevel for the blade
substantially as herein set forth and illustrated.
Sixthly. I claim the general construction and arrangement of the various parts
or their equivalents constituting my improvements in machinery for grinding and
sifting corn and grain of all kinds in combination with the accessory parts forming
the said machinery and the special manner in which my said improvements are
carried into practical effect for the purpose substantially as herein more fully set
forth described and illustrated in Figures 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. and 6.
Deted this 10th dor of T..1.. 1002
EDWARD J. PAYNE & SON,
104, Colmore Row, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicant.