IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REMOVING THE BRAN OR OUTER SKIN FROM WHEAT AND OTHER GRAIN
Year: 1863

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Steele and William Mason, both of Leeds, in
the County of York, Corn Factors, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS FOR REMOVING THE BRAN OR OUTER SKIN FROM WHEAT AND
OTHER GRAIN."
Sealed the 12th December 1863, and dated the 16th June 1863.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Steele and William
Mason at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition,
on the 16th June 1863.
We, JOSEPH STEELE and WILLIAM MASON, both of Leeds, in the County of
York, Corn Factors, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REMOVING THE BRAN OR OUTER SKIN. FROM
WHEAT AND OTHER GRAIN," to be as follows:-
Our Invention has reference to an improved mechanical arrangement
whereby the bran, or outer skin of wheat or other grain may be removed.
We effect this by several methods. Firstly, we place a parallel cylinder of
wrought or cast iron, or other suitable material, on standards or suitable frame-
work, by preference in an inclined position, to facilitate the delivery of wheat
or other grain from the apparatus when the operation of removing the bran
or outer skin shall have been performed. This cylinder contains grooves or

page_text: flutes on its inner surface running from end to end thereof, not parallel to the
axis by which the cylinder is supported, but having a diagonal or cycloidal
direction on the axis above named, and within the cylinder (the ends of which
are closed with the exception of holes required for the admission and emission
of wheat or other grain). We place a suitable framework carrying beaters of
wood or iron, and parallel to the axis of the cylinder, the axis is rotated
by means of suitable gearing, and also the cylinder; the wheat or other grain
having been previously moistened by means of steam or water in the ordinary
manner is allowed to enter at the higher end of the cylinder, and the contact of
the same against the above-named grooves or flutes by pressure of the beaters
(which revolve freely with the cylinder) removes or partially removes the
bran or other skin, the process being repeated as often as may be desirable,
the twist of the grooves or flutes in the cylinder, together with the inclination
of the same and the rotary motion of the beaters and of the cylinder, causing
the wheat or other grain to emerge at the end opposite to that from which it
entered. The bran or outer skin may be withdrawn from the cylinder by the
methods in common use, viz., by exhaustion or by blast.
We may here remark that in each of the under-mentioned methods for
effecting the operation of decortication the axis placed on the centre of the
cylinder, together with the beaters and beater frames and the cylinders, are
caused to rotate by means of suitable gearing.
:
The second plan by which we propose to effect the decorticating process is
as follows: Within a conical cylinder having grooves or flutes on its inner
surface, and arranged on framework as in the first method, we place beaters
similar to those previously described, and parallel to the axis; but each beater
having its ends somewhat bent or curved in opposite directions, the end of
each beater placed at the egress or larger end of the cylinder being so curved
as to retard the progress of the wheat or other grain, in order more thoroughly
to remove the bran or outer skin, whilst the opposite end of the beater is
curved in the contrary direction, so as to feed the cylinder with wheat or
other grain.
:
By our third plan we propose to form on the interior surface of the cylinder
(conical or parallel) having grooves or flutes conical or parallel to the axis, a
projection half an inch, more or less, forming a gradual screw from the
entrance to the discharge. The beaters, similar to those before described, are
parallel to the axis where parallel cylinders are used, or arranged conically
where conical cylinders are used.
Our fourth plan consists in affixing to the periphery of the beater frame

page_text: projections of iron or other suitable material in the form of a screw, and
working almost in juxtaposition to the grooved surface of a cylinder, conical
or parallel, the said grooves being parallel to and in the same direction as the
axis. Or, if preferred, a continuous screw may be wrapped round the.
periphery of the beater frame."
Our fifth plan consists of a hollow segmental cylinder, parallel or conical,
having its segments lined with stone, while the interstices between the
segments are fitted with wire gauze or perforated zine, properly adjusted to
the inner surface of the cylinder. With this arrangement of cylinder we use
a beater frame covered with tanned sheep skin having the wool on.
·
The various plans above enumerated refer to machines working in a
horizontal or slightly inclined position, but for a vertical decorticator we propose
to form rings or flanches, placed at suitable intervals apart throughout the
length of a groove or fluted parallel cylinder, thus forming a series of
chambers within the cylinder, the beaters being cut to suit the said chambers.
Communication from one to another for passage of the wheat or grain being
formed by one or more notches cut in them, the too swift descent of the wheat
or other grain being prevented by so arranging the holes or notches in any
two contiguous rings or flanges that they do not fall opposite each other
Or the too speedy delivery may be prevented by forming the beaters in a
reversed spiral form. We propose to place a fan at the top of the per-
pendicular decorticator to separate the bran from the wheat.
The operation of decorticating having been in great measure performed by
any of the above-mentioned. processes, the wheat or other grain is now
subjected to a drying process. To effect this we place a series of horizontal
troughs, of suitable length, parallel to and in connection with one another over
an oven or stove of ordinary construction. Each trough contains a hollow
perforated shaft, carrying a hollow cylinder closed at the ends. On the
outer surface of the cylinder we place a series of blades extending from
end to end in the form of a screw. Notches are also cut in the cylinder,
by preference in a direction similar to that of the screw, and the spaces
formed are covered with wire gauze or perforated zinc. The wheat or other
grain having been supplied to the first trough of the series, is propelled to
the extreme end of the said trough by means of the blades before named, at
the same time hot air is supplied to the hollow perforated axis, also before
named, and filling the hollow cylinder on the axis is emitted through the wire
gauze placed on the periphery of the same, and permeates through the wheat
or other grain, the troughs being connected one with another; the grain

page_text: passes through the series, and at the termination is thoroughly dry. A fan is
now applied in the ordinary manner to separate such bran as may remain
from the grain, the said fan, as also the axes carrying the screw blades, being
actuated by suitable gearing.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Joseph Steele and William Mason in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 16th December 1863.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE. PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, JOSEPH
STEELE and WILLIAM MASON, both of Leeds, in the County of York, Corn
Factors, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Sixteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, in the twenty-sixth year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto us, the said Joseph Steele and William Mason, Her special licence.that
we, the said Joseph Steele and William Mason, our executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as we, the said Joseph Steele and William Mason,
our 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 APPARATUS FOR REMOVING
THE BRAN OR OUTER SKIN FROM WHEAT AND OTHER GRAIN," upon the condition
(amongst others) that we, the said Joseph Steele and William Mason, our
executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under our, or their,
or one of their hands and seals, 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 we, the said Joseph Steele and William Mason, do
hereby declare the nature of our 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 Sheet of Drawings here-
unto, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say) :-

page_text: Our Invention has reference to an improved mechanical arrangement
whereby the bran or outer skin of wheat or other grain may be removed.
We effect this by several methods. Firstly, we place a parallel cylinder of
wrought or cast iron, or other suitable material, on standards or suitable frame-
work, by preference in an inclined position to facilitate the delivery of wheat
or other grain from the apparatus when the operation of removing the bran or
outer skin shall have been performed. This cylinder shall contain grooves or
flutes on its inner surface running from end to end thercof, not parallel to the
axis by which the cylinder is supported, but having a diagonal or cycloidal
direction. On the axis above named and within the cylinder (the ends of
which are closed, with the exception of holes required for the admission
and emission of wheat or other grain) we place a suitable framework
carrying beaters of wood or iron, and parallel to the axis of the cylinder,
causing the axis to rotate by means of suitable gearing, and if deemed requisite
also the cylinder; the wheat or other grain having been previously moistened
by means of steam or water in the ordinary manner, is allowed to enter at the
higher end of the cylinder, and the contact of the same against the afore-
named grooves or flutes by pressure of the beaters (which revolve freely within
the cylinder) removes or partially removes the bran or outer skin, the process
being repeated as often as may be desirable; the twist of the grooves or
flutes in the cylinder, together with the inclination of the same and the rotary
motion of the beaters, and where deemed necessary of the cylinder, causing
the wheat or other grain to emerge at the opposite end to that at which it
entered. The bran or outer skin may be withdrawn from the cylinder by the
methods in common use, viz., by exbaustion or by blasts. We may here
remark that in each of the under-mentioned methods for effecting the operation
of decortication the axis placed in the centre of the cylinder, together with.
the beaters and beater frames, and when necessary the cylinders, are caused to
rotate by means of suitable gearing.
The second plan by which we propose to effect the decorticating process.is.
as follows-Within a conical cylinder having grooves or flutes on its inner
surface, and arranged on framework, as in the first method, we place beaters
similar to those previously described and parallel to the cylinders, but each.
beater having its ends somewhat bent or curved in opposite directions when.
the grain requires it, that end of each beater placed at the egress or larger
end of the cylinder being so curved as to retard the progress of the wheat or
other grain in order more thoroughly to remove the bran or outer skin,, whilst
the opposite end of the beater is curved in the contrary direction, so as to feed

page_text: the cylinder with wheat or other grain, or, if desired, only the egress or retarding
curve may be used.
By our third plan we propose to form on the interior surface of a cylinder
(conical or parallel), having grooves or flutes conical or parallel to the axis, a
projection balf an inch more or less, forming a gradual screw from the entrance
to the discharge. The beaters, similar to those before described, are parallel
to the axis where parallel cylinders are used, or arranged conically where
conical cylinders are used.
.:
:
Our fourth plan consists in affixing to the periphery of the beater frame
projections of iron or other suitable material in the form of a screw, and
working almost in juxtaposition to the grooved surface of a cylinder, conical
or parallel; the said grooves being parallel to and in the same direction as the
axis; or, if prefered, a continuous screw may be wrapped round the periphery
of the beater frame:"
Our fifth plan consists of a hollow segmental cylinder, parallel or conical,
having its segments lined with stone, whilst the interstices between the seg-
ments are fitted with wire gauze or perforated zinc properly adjusted to the inner
surface of the cylinder. With this arrangement of cylinder we use a beater
frame, covered with tanned sheep skin having the wool on. The various plans
above enumerated refer to machines working in a horizontal or slightly inclined
position; but for, a vertical decorticator we propose to form rings or flanches
placed at suitable intervals apart throughout the length of a grooved or fluted
parallel cylinder, thus forming a series of chambers within the cylinder, the
beaters being cut to suit the said chambers. Communication from one to
another for passage of the wheat or grain being formed by one or more
notches cut in them, the too swift descent of the wheat or other grain
being prévented by so arranging the holes or notches in any two contiguous
rings or flanges that they do not fall opposite each other; or the too
speedy delivery may be prevented by forming the beaters in a reversed
'spiral form.
We propose to place a fan at the top of the perpendicular decorticator to
separate the bran from the wheat. The operation of decortication having
been in great measure performed by any of the above-enumerated processes, the
wheat or other grain is now subjected to a drying process. To effect this we
place a series of horizontal troughs of suitable length, parallel to and in con-
nection with one another, over an oven or stove of ordinary construction.
Each trough contains a hollow perforated shaft carrying a hollow cylinder
closed at the ends. On the outer surface of the cylinder we place a series of

page_text: blades extending from end to end in the form of a screw. Notches also are
cut in the cylinder by preference in a direction similar to that of the screw,
and the spaces are covered with wire gauze or perforated zine. The wheat or
orther grain having been supplied to the first trough of the series, is propelled
to the extreme end of the said trough by means of the blades before named, at
the same time hot air is supplied to the hollow perforated axis also before
named, and filling the hollow cylinder on the axis is emitted through the wire
gauze placed on the periphery of the same and permeates through the wheat
or other grain. The troughs being connected. one with another the grain
passes through the series, and at the termination is thoroughly dry. A fan is
now applied in the ordinary manner to separate such bran as may remain from
the grain, the said fan, as also the axes carrying the screw blades, being
actuated by suitable gearing.
But in order that our Invention may be more fully understood, reference is
made to the accompanying Drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 (Sheet 1) is a vertical section of the cylinder used in our first method
of decorticating grain, so arranged that the cylinder a, a, revolves, oné. end
being supported by the cylindrical cap b (which is provided with an aperture
c for the delivery of the grain), and also on friction rollers w, w (Fig. 10,
Sheet 2), similar rollers also supporting the other end, together with the shaft
d, having the shaft e on which the beater frame is fixed revolving within and
independent of it. The grain is admitted to the cylinder by means of the hole f
in the hopper flanch, and that in the cylinder cover f'. The two shafts d and
e, as well as cylinder a, a, may be actuated by gearing, as shown in plan view,
Fig. 2.
The lines x, x, indicate the diagonal grooves or flutes before named.
Fig. 3 is a transverse section of cylinder shewing the beater frame g, as well
as beaters h, h, together with the grooves within the cylinder. Fig. 4 repre-
sents a section of the conical cylinder used in our second plan, together with
an elevation of the beaters and beater frames. Both ends of the beater 1, l,
are shewn curved in opposite directions, though that at the egress end alonc
may be curved if desired, or when the nature of the grain requires both ends
may be straight. The grain may be delivered at the hole i, whilst admission
is given by a convenient aperture in the extreme end. Fig. 5 represents a
section of cylinder used in our third plan, having projections m, m, in the form
of a screw and straight grooves. The beaters and frames shewn in Fig. 6,
when divested of the screw n, are applicable to this cylinder. The same

page_text: remarks used in reference to admission and delivery of grain in our second
plan apply to this case. Fig. 6 represents a beater frame similar to that
described in our fourth plan, and applicable to cylinders such as Fig. 1.
Fig. 7 represents a transverse section of a hollow segmental cylinder described
in our fifth plan having strips of wire gauze or perforated zinc o, o, placed
between segments of stone. The beater shewn in Fig 6, minus the screw, and
covered with sheep skin having the wool on, may be applied to this. Fig. 8
shows the vertical decorticator in section, with straight grooves, and having
rims or flanges p, p, to prevent the too speedy descent of the wheat or grain,
provided with notches q, q. Fig. 9 represents beaters in the form of a screw,
intended to be used when the flanges Fig. 8 are dispensed with. The grain
is admitted to the vertical decorticator at the upper end, being delivered at
the lower end, where the bran may be removed by means of a blast, or other
convenient and well known methods.
Sheet 2, Fig. 10, is an end elevation of a decorticator r, r, in position,
showing the same in connection with the drying troughs s, s, by means of the
shoots t, t, the said troughs being supported by the framework u, u, on top of
stove v, v. Fig. 11' is a side view of a decorticator showing the cylinder resting
on the friction rollers w, w, as well as in the cap b; also the requisite gearing
for actuating the cylinder is shewn, as well as side elevation of stones
and troughs, the shafts within the latter being actuated in the ordinary
manner.
Figs. 12 and 13 show plan and section of the drying apparatus placed
on the stove, showing the hollow perforated axes having cylinders closed
at the end, and furnished with curved blades, and gauze or zine covered
apertures.
The axes as before explained are filled with hot air from the stove, and
filling the cylinders permeate through the wheat by means of gauze covered
apertures, whilst the curved blades expose the grain to the atmosphere, per-
mitting the steam generated to escape, at the same time traversing it from end
to end. The grain having passed through the series of troughs will be dried,
and any remaining bran, may be removed by means of a fan in the ordinary
manner. In some cases the wheat is sufficiently dry to enable us to dispense
with the drying apparatus altogether.
Having now described the nature of our Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, we would have it understood that what we claim
as and of our Invention is,-
First, the use of cylinders having diagonal or cycloidal grooves or flutes,

page_text: conical cylinders with straight grooves, grooved cylinders with internal pro-
jections or flanches, or cylinders composed of stone segments, and having gauze
or perforated zinc interstices similar to those described.
Secondly. Straight beaters, having one or both ends curved.
Thirdly. Beater frames having curved projections on their peripheries.
Fourthly. Beater frames covered with sheep skin, having the wool on.
Lastly. The use of a hollow perforated axis, as well as cylinder blades and
gauze covered holes, similar to those described. At the same time we do
not confine ourselves to the precise mechanical details shewn.
In witness whereof, we, the said Joseph Steele and William Mason,
have hereunto set our hand and seals, this Fourteenth day of
December, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and sixty-three.
JOSEPH STEELE. (L.S.)
W. MASON.
(L.S.)