IMPROVE- MENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CLEANING COFFEE, RICE, OR ANY SEED OR GRAIN HAVING AN OUTER HULL AND INNER PELLICLE
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Hooper Ropes, of Crown Court, Old Broad
Street, in the City of London, Merchant, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CLEANING COFFEE, RICE, OR ANY
SEED OR GRAIN HAVING AN OUTER HULL AND INNER PELLICLE."-A commu-
nication from abroad by William Maxwell Greene, of Tongoi, Chili,
South America, Merchant.
Sealed the 15th July 1862, and dated the 23rd January 1862.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Hooper Ropes
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 23rd January 1862.
I, WILLIAM HOOPER ROPES, of Crown Court, Old Broad Street, in the
City of London, Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CLEANING COFFEE, RICE,
OR ANY SEED OR GRAIN HAVING AN OUTER HULL, AND INNER PELLICLE," a commu-
nication from abroad by William Maxwell Greene, of Tongoi, Chili, South
America, Merchant, to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to certain peculiar constructions, arrangements, and
combinations of machinery, apparatus, or means for cleaning coffee, rice, or
other seeds or grains, and applies more especially to that class of machines
wherein the cleaning of the rice is effected by the attrition of the grains
against each other in a mortar or other suitable receiver.""

page_text: The nature of the present improvements consists, firstly, in the combination
with inclined blades attached to a vertical shaft, and rotating inside and near
the bottom of the vessel containing the grain to be cleaned, for the purpose
of agitating or imparting motion thereto of an S-shaped clearer placed
immediately beneath the rotating inclined blades, for the purpose of forcing
the grain outwards from the centre of the vessel towards its sides, and so
preventing the grain from packing or clogging between the inclined blades
and the bottom of the vessel. Also in adapting adjustable leaves to the upper
surfaces of the inclined blades, for the purpose of aiding the upward movement
of the grain in the containing vessel.
Secondly, in forming each of the inclined rotating blades with a steep
incline extending down to the bottom of the boss on which they are fixed, and
projecting tangentially therefrom, such lower portions of the blades being
narrower than the upper parts. The object of these lower tangential portions
of the blades is to clear the grain from the bottom of the mortar or vessel by
applying an outward pressure thereto towards the sides.
Thirdly, in the combination with a set of inclined revolving screw blades of
a raised step or projecting 'boss formed on a hinged flap or cover forming the
bottom of the mortar or vessel, and in close contact with the under 'side of the
boss of the inclined blades, the sides of such raised step or projecting boss
being curved or inclined outwards towards the sides of the vessel, for the
purpose of deflecting the grain from the centre of the vessel, and thereby
preventing it from packing or clogging beneath the rotating blades.
Fourthly, in forming the lower extremity of the hub or boss which carries
the stirrers or rotating blades of an expanded or bell-mouthed, or trumpet
'shape externally, for the purpose of more effectually directing the grain from
the centre towards the sides of the vessel or mortar.
Fifthly, in forming a series of tangential grooves in the bottom of the hub
or screw boss in a direction contrary to that of the rotation of such boss, for
the purpose of enabling a stream or streams of cold air to be introduced into
the centre of the mass of grain in the vessel or mortar.
Sixthly, in combining with suitable means for obtaining a circulation of cold
water round the rice vessel or mortar any suitable appliances for directing a
stream of cold air into and through the rice.
Seventhly, in the combination in rice-cleaning machines of the class herein-
before referred to of an elevator, a stirrer, and a cooler. The elevator
receiving the rice from the upper part of the mortar, and elevating and
discharging it into the cooler, which consists of a vessel provided with a
suitable stirrer, and kept cool by the circulation of cold water beneath it.

page_text: Eighthly, in the combination of one or more revolving scoops attached to
horizontal arms on the vertical stirrer shaft with an inner projecting flange on
the side of the mortar, for the purpose of delivering the rice to the elevator.
Ninthly, in making the mortar or rice-cleaning vessel with a removeable
bottom hinged to the lower rim or edge of the vessel, and provided with a
convenient catch, for the purpose of discharging the rice when required.
Tenthly, in the employment of two or more sets of screw or inclined
revolving blades on the same vertical shaft; or the use of a single. endless or
Archimedean screw or spiral extending along the whole of that portion of the
vertical shaft which is contained within the mortar or rice-cleaning vessel, and
the making such blades or spirals of glass, whereby wear and heating will be
considerably reduced.
Eleventhly, in making the mortar or rice-cleaning vessel either wholly or
partially of stone, whereby certain kinds of rice may be more readily and
effectually cleaned.
Lastly, in the combination with any of the arrangements herein-before
described under the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th heads of
the Invention, of a current or currents of air directed into and through the
rice, for the purpose of cooling the same.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Hooper Ropes in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 23rd July 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
HOOPER ROPES, of Crown Court, Old Broad Street, in the City of London,
Merchant, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-third day of January, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-fifth year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said William Hooper Ropes Her special license that I,
the said William Hooper Ropes, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said William Hooper Ropes, my
executors, administrators, or 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,

page_text: and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS
FOR CLEANING COFFEE, RICE, OR ANY SEED OR GRAIN HAVING AN OUTER HULL AND
INNER PELLICLE," a communication from abroad by William Maxwell Greene,
of Tongoi, Chili, South America, Merchant, upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said William Hooper Ropes, my executors or adminis
trators, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, or under the
hand and seal of one of them, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be per-
formed, 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 William Hooper Ropes; 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, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, and
to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
The said Invention relates to certain peculiar constructions, arrangements,
and combinations of machinery, apparatus, or means for cleaning coffee, rice,
or other seeds or grains, and applies more especially to that class of machines
wherein the cleaning of the grain is effected by the attrition of one kernel or
seed or grain against another in a mortar, or other suitable receiver or vessel.
These improvements consist, firstly, in the use of a spiral or inclined
bladed propeller or propellers on an Archimedean screw attached to a vertical
shaft, and rotating inside the vessel containing the grain or other substance to
be cleaned, for the purpose of agitating or imparting motion thereto, which
propeller or screw may be constructed of metal, glass, or other suitable
material, by which wear and heating may be considerably lessened.
Secondly, in the employment either separately or in combination with the
herein-before described apparatus of a raised step or projecting boss formed
on the bottom of the vessel containing the grain immediately beneath the
propeller or screw, or of an expanded bell-mouthed shaped boss attached to
the lower extremity of the vertical shaft, so as to be in close proximity to the
bottom of the vessel, or of an S shaped clearer attached to the bottom of the
shaft below the propeller or screw, and revolving with it, for the purpose of
preventing the collection or clogging of grain under the shaft or boss of the
propeller.
Thirdly, in the employment of one or more revolving scoops attached to a
horizontal arm or arms on the vertical shaft, for the purpose of facilitating
the movement of the grain towards the centre of the vessel, and for so

page_text: breaking up or agitating the upper surface of the mass of grain as to expose
it more effectually to the action of a current or currents of air blown down
thereon:
Fourthly, in making the mortar or rice-cleaning vessel either wholly or
partially of stone, and in constructing the same with a removable bottom
hinged to the lower rim or edge of the vessel, a convenient catch being
provided for the purpose of securing or releasing the same when required.
:
Lastly, in the application and use of a current or currents of air directed
on or through the mass of grain in the vessel, for the purpose of cooling and
facilitating the cleaning of the same by removing the dust therefrom, whether
such application be made separately or in combination with any or all of the
above described improvements.
And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood I shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose I shall
refer to the several Figures on the Sheet of Drawings hereunto annexed, the
same letters of reference indicating corresponding parts throughout all the
Figures.
Figure 1 of the Drawings represents a vertical section taken through the
centre of one arrangement and combination of apparatus as adapted for
cleaning rice or other grain requiring a similar mode of treatment; and
Figure 2 is a corresponding sectional plan of the same.
2
A is the cleaning vessel or "mortar," which may be of any convenient
shape, and composed of cast iron, or other metal if desired, but I propose to
construct it either wholly or partially of stone. This vessel is provided with a
hinged bottom B, which is retained in its closed position by a spring catch or
other convenient fastening C, on the release or disengagement of which the
bottom opens and allows the contents of the vessel to be rapidly discharged;
D, D, are a series of curved or inclined blades similar to the blades of a
"screw propeller" secured in any convenient manner to the lower end of the
vertical shaft E, which rotates in bearings F, F, and receives its motion by a
strap and driving pulley G, or by any other convenient mechanical con-
trivance. Immediately below the blades D, D, there is an expanded boss or
bell-mouth H, which is formed on the bottom of the vessel, and extends
nearly up to the bottom of the vertical shaft which revolves in close proximity
thereto. A horizontal arm I is keyed on to the vertical shaft, so as to rotate
just above the surface of the rice or grain, and the outer end of this arm is
provided with a curved scoop, shaped somewhat similar to the "turnfurrow"
of a plough, its object being as it travels round to level the surface of the rice
or grain. A blast of air is introduced into the surface of and partly through.

page_text: and into the rice or grain by the air pipe K, supplied with air. by a fan,
blower, or other suitable air-forcing apparatus, a stop cock L (Figure 3)
affording a ready means of regulating or of shutting off the blast entirely. In
using this apparatus, the coffee, rice, or other seeds, or grains to be operated
upon are fed into the vessel A, either direct or by the agency of a hopper and
feed spout M (Figure 3,) and when a sufficient quantity has been introduced
to fill the vessel up to the level of the rotatory scoop, the vertical shaft with
its blades or propellers is rotated in such a direction as to cause the contents
of the vessel to be propelled downwards in the centre of the vessel. As the
rice or grain descends it is diverted laterally at the bottom of the vessel, by
the expanded boss or bell mouth H, and directed towards the sides of the
vessel, which are curved for the purpose of facilitating the ascensional move-
ment of the grain at the sides. A constant movement of the grain is thus
maintained, such movement being downwards at the centre and upwards at
the sides of the vessel as shewn by the arrows, thereby causing a perfect
attrition of the grains or seeds against each other, which attrition or rubbing
produces the cleaning effect desired, the presence of the expanded boss or bell
mouth prevents the grain from lodging underneath the boss of the propelling
blades and clogging up the propeller. As the grain rises at the sides, and
sinks in the middle of the vessel, there is a tendency to form a hollow in the
centre of the surface of the grain, but, the rotation of the scoop effectually
prevents this action by scooping the extra grain at the sides of the vessel in
towards the centre, whilst at the same time it has the effect of stirring up or
agitating the grain at the surface, and consequently allows the blast of air to
mingle more freely therewith, and carry off the dust. or other refuse matter
therefrom, which, if permitted to remain, would infallibly impair the color of
the rice or grain. So soon as the charge is cleaned, the bottom of the vessel
is opened, when the contents is immediately discharged into a hopper N, (see
Figure 3,) or other suitable recepticle below to be succeeded by a fresh charge
after the bottom has been closed again.
Figures 3 and 4 represent in vertical and horizontal section a slightly
modified form of the apparatus. These Figures show the expanded boss or
bell mouth H, as formed on the boss of the propeller or attached separately
to the bottom of the vertical shaft itself, in lieu of being formed on the bottom
of the vessel as in Figures 1 and 2. This boss of course rotates with the
propeller and is extended downwards, so as to be in close proximity to the
bottom of the vessel. A slight alteration is shown also in the form of the
vessel A, the sides of which are curved near the bottom only being vertical
and parallel. towards the upper end of the vessel.

page_text: In Figures 5 and 6 a continuous or Archimedean screw D is substituted for
the inclined or curved propeller blades, such screw extending up the vertical
shaft to the level of the rice or grain in the vessel. In order to clear the
rice or grain from under the screw boss or bottom end of the vertical shaft,
an S shaped clearer H is shewn as a substitute for the stationary and rotatory
bell mouths or expanded bosses H, herein-before referred to, the object of the
S shaped clearer being precisely similar to the other two arrangements, and
may be used in any case in lieu thereof.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel, and
original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
1st, the general constructions, arrangements, and combinations of machinery.
or apparatus for cleaning coffee, rice, or any seed or grain having an outer
hull and inner pellicle, as herein-before described.
2nd, the application and use of rotatory, inclined, or curved blades, or
Archimedean screws, constructed and operated as herein-before described, and
for the purpose specified.
3rd, the peculiar appliances for preventing the accumulation or clogging of
the grain beneath the bottom of the vertical shaft or the boss which carries
the propellers, as herein-before described.
4th, the use of one or more revolving scoops rotating upon the surface of
the grain, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
5th, making the mortar or rice-cleaning vessel wholly or partially of stone.
6th, the application and use of a blast or blasts of air directed on or
through the body of the grain, for the purpose herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Hooper Ropes, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, the Twenty-third day of July, One thousand
eight hundred and sixty-two.