Improvements in Apparatus for Separating Light from Heavy Grain, and for the Purification of Grain Middlings or Semolina
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Oct., 1894-Accepted, 17th Nov., 1894
COMPLETE DIEUITIVATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Separating Light from Heavy Grain,
and for the Purification of Grain Middlings or Semolina.
I, JOSEPH THORNTON of Ordsall Iron Works, Retford, in the County of Notts,
Millwright, 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 :-
My invention relates to improvements in apparatus for separating light from
heavy grain, and for the purification of grain middlings or semolina by the action
of air currents in the manufacture of flour, and has for objects
To provide means for regulating the quantity of light material or dust carried
off by the wind pressure produced by the action of the fan or air-exhauster ;-to
increase the capacity and output of the sifting apparatus ;-to provide means for;
the more distinct and independent adjustment of the air currents to each separate
section of the sifting surface, with mechanism for operating the same while the
apparatus is in motion;-and to ensure greater economy in working and increased
efficiency in results as compared with apparatus hitherto employed for similar
purposes.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood reference is had to the
accompanying drawings upon which :--
Figure 1 represents a longitudinal section of a grain separating and purifying
apparatus constructed according to my invention, Figure 2 being a
section of the same, and
transverse
Figure 3 is a section through one of the valves, drawn to an enlarged scale.
In carrying out my invention I arrange immediately over a vibrating or
oscillating frame A covered with a continuous apron of silk or other suitable
perforated material. B, a horizontal table C, having one or more openings D
formed therein transversely or longitudinally. Preferably one narrow opening is
formed extending the entire length of the silk or other sieving surface B, and over
the centre thereof as shewn on Figures 2 and 3. This opening D is fitted with
suitable valves E closing from above and capable of separate adjustment so as to
regulate the quantity of air passing through them and through the particular
section of sieving surface immediately below them. The horizontal table C is
divided into two or more sectious, preferably into the same number of sections as
the sieving surface B, so as to form a separate and independent valve E to each
section for the purpose of regulating the quantity of air passing through into the
chamber above.
The
These valves E may be of the section shewn, or any other suitable form may be
given to them, and they are preferably operated by means of separate cams F,
actuating pivotted levers G arranged immediately beneath the same.
cams F may be secured upon suitable spindles H one end of each spindle
extending outwards towards the side of the frame of the machine so as to permit
of its being turned by hand from without for the purpose of adjusting the position
of each valve during the working of the machine.
It will be seen that by this arrangement not only can the valves be adjusted
during the working of the machine, but also that the sieve can be made of a width
practically equal to that of the machine, whilst owing to the conical form given to
the table C a uniform suction is obtained over the entire width of the sieve B, and
that the air currents are independently controlled over each separate section of the
sieving surface.
I do not confine myself to the precise details of construction described and

page_text: shewn in the foregoing but to the general arrangement of parts of the apparatus
herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings, and I may arrange
for the table to be set at an incline instead of being horizontal.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :
1. In a machine for separating light from heavy grain, and for the purification
of grain middlings and semolina, the combination of adjustable valves with a fixed
or vibrating table, for the purpose of regulating the passage of the air substan-
tially as described.
2. In a machine for separating light from heavy grain, and for the purification
of grain middlings or semolina, the arrangement for regulating the position of
the valves during the working of the machine from outside, as and for the purposes
described.
3. Apparatus for separating light from heavy grain, and for the purification of
grain middlings or semolina, constructed, combined, and arranged as described and
illustrated.
Dated
18th day of October 1894.
For the Applicant,
GEDGE & FEENY,
Agents.