IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR HUSKING AND CLEANING RICE OR OTHER GRAIN, AND FOR PULVERIZING AND MIXING MORTAR, CEMENT, OR OTHER MATERIALS."
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Fisher, of Mincing Lane, in the City of London,
for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR HUSKING AND
CLEANING RICE OR OTHER GRAIN, AND FOR PULVERIZING AND MIXING
MORTAR, CEMENT, OR OTHER MATERIALS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Fisher at the Office of
IMPROVEMENTS IN
the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th January 1880.
JOHN FISHER, of Mincing Lane, in the City of London.
APPARATUS FOR HUSKING AND CLEANING RICE OR OTHER GRAIN, AND FOR
PULVERIZING AND MIXING MORTAR, CEMENT, OR OTHER MATERIALS."
My Invention relates, firstly, to apparatus used for the purpose of husking or
cleaning rice or other grains, in which it is required that the rice should be agitated
and rubbed for the purpose of removing the husks and polishing the grain, but not
that it should be pulverized or broken. It has for its objects improved methods of
constructing, arranging, and actuating the apparatus so that it is more rapid and
effective in its operation than apparatus for the same purpose ordinarily heretofore
used.
I take a vessel of any suitable material, preferably cast iron, and of sufficient
size, circular in plan, and having sides sufficiently high to contain the required
quantity of rice or grain.
These sides and the bottom form, preferably, a continuous curve, the shape of
which may vary to suit varying circumstances, and the vessel is so arranged that it
can be made to revolve freely upon a suitable central axis below it. This axis is
arranged in a position inclined from the perpendicular, so that when a vessel is
made to revolve the rice or other grain which it contains continually falls to the
lower side. Above the vessel so arranged I fit a vertical spindle capable of rising
and falling vertically for a sufficient distance in suitable guides, and in such a
position that its lower end enters the rice or grain which collects, as above described,
at the lower part of the vessel.
The upper part of the vertical spindle described is connected by a connecting
link or other equivalent means to a crank or excentric upon a horizontal shaft fitted
in bearings, so that when the shaft is set in rapid revolution the lower end of the
spindle is made to rise and fall at any desired speed in the rice or grain. To the
lower end of the spindle, arranged as described, I fit or fix a ball or block, oval,

page_text: cylindrical, or of other suitable shape, of metal, wood, or other suitable material,
which is thus caused to work rapidly up and down in the rice or grain. I connect
the vessel, arranged as described, to the revolving shaft by means of toothed wheels
and endless screws, or by a ratchet wheel and pall, so that when the shaft is in
motion the vessel is caused to revolve slowly.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-The vessel being filled with a
sufficient quantity of rice or other grain, and the driving shaft being set in
revolution by steam or other convenient power, the vertical spindle with the ball
or block at its lower end rises and falls through the rice or grain, and cleanses and
polishes it by its friction, whilst, at the same time, as the vessel rotates the rice is
turned over continually, and a fresh part of it subjected to the friction. When it
has in this way become sufficiently cleaned and polished I remove it from the
vessel either by lifting it over the lower edge of the latter or through a moveable
door in the lower part of the vessel. A fresh charge of rice or grain is then
introduced into the vessel, and the process is repeated. As the ball or block
described does not touch the bottom of the vessel the rice or grain is not broken.
I prefer to line the interior of the vessel with a rough cement, such as emery,
sand, glass, or other abrasive powder mixed with plaster, glue, or other suitable
material, and I also coat the ball or block described with a similar mixture, and in
this way the friction, by which the cleaning and polishing of the rice or grain is
effected, is made considerably more effective. The vessel may be closed with a
moveable cover.
Instead of a ball or block, as described, at the lower end of the spindle any other
convenient form of apparatus, by which the mixing, and rubbing, and polishing of
the grain can be effected, may be used. For instance, the device may consist of
two or more vortical, straight, or curved arms arranged cylindrically or spherically,
or in any other convenient form.
Where the rice or grain is to be polished only I sometimes cover the ball or block
or other device with sheepskin, leather, or other soft material; and sometimes I
arrange springs of metal, india rubber, or other elastic material between the vertical
spindle and the block or ball.
Any number of the machines or apparatus described may be arranged in line,
and actuated by the same revolving shaft or by separate ones, or instead of a
revolving shaft and cranks or excentrics and connecting links the vertical spindlos
may be operated by any other convenient form of apparatus.
Where it is desired that the process described shall be continuous I sometimes
supply the rice or grain to the vessel in the following manner :-I arrange a
vertical partition, attached to any suitable fixed support, across the revolving
vessel and near the vertical spindle with its attachment as described. This
partition is made to fit the interior of the vessel as closely as convenient, and on
one side of it, next the higher part of the vessel, I introduce the rice or grain, and
at the centre of its lower edge I make a small opening of little height, through
which the rice can pass into the other division of the vessel under the moving
vertical spindle.
at a lower level than
partition allows the
over it into a vessel
The rice or grain may
The lower edge or lip of the revolving vessel being
that of the rice or grain on the other side of the
grain when sufficiently rubbed and polished to pass
or discharging spout, by which it can be conveyed away.
be fed into the higher side of the revolving vessel through a pipe provided with an
adjustable valve or regulator, so that the supply can be varied as required,
and the time during which the grain is subject to the process of rubbing and
polishing is in this way determined. I prefer to coat the sides of the partition
with abrasive cement; or, instead of the partition described, I sometimes introduce
the rice or grain into the vessel through a fixed pipe, the lower end of which opens
below the vertical spindle. Or the rice or grain may be introduced through the
central spindle or axis upon which the vessel revolves, such spindle or axis being
made hollow for the purpose.

page_text: Where it is desired that the spindle, with its appendage, as described, shall
work up and down with very great rapidity, I prefer to attach its upper part
to the lower end of a piston rod having a piston working in a vertical cylinder
of suitable size arranged above. I make this cylinder so that the piston can
be made to vibrate up and down with great rapidity by the pressure of steam,
compressed air, or other elastic fluid admitted to it either by means of a valve
actuated by the piston in any of the ordinary methods well known and
practised, or by means of ports or passages in the piston and cylinder without a
valve. In this form of arrangement I prefer that the piston carrying the spindle
with its polishing appliance should be made to revolve upon its axis between each
stroke by means of a moveable spirally twisted bar entering a corresponding nut
in the upper end of the piston, the bar being capable of turning upon its axis in one
direction but not in the other direction. In this way the rubbing action upon the
rice or grain is increased.
The cylinder may be made capable of being raised or lowered vertically in
guides as desired, its position being regulated by hand by a lever or a screw
and nut. In apparatus of the arrangement described, in which the vertical
spindle is actuated by a piston, the vessel may be made to revolve by means of a
separate steam engine or other convenient power, or by means of an endless
screw and worm wheel actuated by a ratchet wheel driven by a pall connected to
the piston rod, a continuation of which may pass through the upper end of the
cylinder for this purpose.
Where it is desired that the material in the vessel shall be broken and pulverized
instead of being cleaned and polished only I arrange the device at the lower end of
the vertical spindle in the form of a hammer head or pestle, and I adjust the
vertical stroke of the spindle so that its blows can strike against the vessel as the
latter revolves. In this way the material, such as cement, mortar, seeds, or other
substances are broken, pulverized, and ground, as well as being mixed and rubbed
only.
The rice or grain may be withdrawn from the vessel when required by means of
a pipe made to dip into the rice or grain when desired. This pipe is connected to
a revolving fan or other exhausting apparatus by which the air can be withdrawn
from it to a sufficient extent, and the rice or grain is thus carried or sucked up the
pipe and delivered to any convenient place.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Fisher in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 28th July 1880.
JOHN FISHER, of Mincing Lane, in the City of London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR HUSKING AND CLEANING RICE OR OTHER GRAIN, AND FOR
PULVERIZING AND MIXING MORTAR, CEMENT, OR OTHER MATERIALS."
This Invention relates, firstly, to apparatus used for the purpose of husking or
cleaning rice or other grain, in which it is required that the rice should be agitated
and rubbed in order to remove the husks, and to polish the grain, but not that it
should be pulverized or broken. It has for its objects improved methods of con-
structing, arranging, and actuating the apparatus so that it is more rapid and
effective in its operation than apparatus for such purpose as heretofore used. In
order that the objects of my Invention should be successfully accomplished, it is
necessary that certain considerations should be observed. Thus, it is important that
the operation of removing the husks from the rice or grain should be accomplished
rapidly, in order that a large quantity may be treated in a given time, as otherwise the
cost of applying machinery to the purpose would render such application impracti-
cable. Secondly. The removal of the husk must be complete, and as it is of a very
tough and adherent nature, this necessitates the use of considerable and continuous
friction, not only of the rice or "paddy" against the parts of the apparatus, but
also of the individual grains between themselves. Again, after the husk has been
removed from the grain, as in the case of rice or coffee, it is necessary in order that
the result may be perfect, that the separate grains should be rubbed and polished
together in order to impart to them a brilliancy of surface, without which they
cannot command the highest price in the markets, and finally that the per centage
of breakage of the grain during the operations should not be too great.
In order therefore to render the application of machinery effective for the purposes
described, it is necessary that the apparatus, by the friction of which the husks are
removed, should work with great rapidity and with considerable friction against
the grain, that it should not pound or triturate the latter too much so as to cause
its breakage, and that the grain should be kept in constant motion, so that a fresh
part of its bulk is continually submitted to the action of the cleansing apparatus,
whilst its separate component units are constantly in frictional contact with each
other. On the other hand, where hard substances, such as auriferous quartz or
other mineral ores, are to be triturated or reduced to a fine powder, it is necessary
that whilst the action of the remainder of the apparatus continues the same, that
of the rapidly working cleansing devices should have a stamping or pounding action
upon the material.
This
Taking first my novel apparatus as applied to the husking and cleaning of rice,
coffee, or other grain, I take a bowl or dish shaped vessel of any suitable material,
preferably cast iron, and of sufficient size, circular in plan, and having its sides
sufficiently high to contain the required quantity of rice or other substance.
vessel is arranged so that it can revolve upon a suitable central axis below it which
is arranged in a position inclined from the perpendicular, so that when the vessel is
made to revolve, the rice which it contains, falls over continually to the lower
side.
Above the vessel so arranged I fit a vertical spindle capable of rising and falling
for a sufficient distance in suitable guides, and in such a position that its lower end
enters the rice or grain which continually collects, as already described, at the lower
part of the vessel. To the lower end of the spindle, operating as described, I fit or
fix a ball or block, oval, cylindrical, or of other suitable shape, of metal, wood, or
other suitable material, which is thus caused to work rapidly up and down in the
rice or grain, whilst the vessel is at the same time made to rotate at the proper

page_text: speed upon its inclined axis. The upper end of the spindle is connected to a piston
rod, having a piston working in a vertical cylinder of suitable size arranged above.
I make this cylinder so that the piston can be made to vibrate up and down with
great rapidity by the pressure of steam, compressed air, or other elastic fluid
admitted to it, either by means of a valve actuated by the piston in any of the
ordinary methods well understood and practised, or by means of ports or passages
in the cylinder and piston without a valve.
a
In the accompanying Drawings Figure 1 is a front view, and Figure 2
vertical section of a machine constructed and arranged in the way and for the
purpose described.
a is the inclined vessel, revolving in the bearing b, and
supported by the roller c. The frame d carries the cylinder e, the piston rod of
which has attached to its lower end the ball or block g, which dips into the rice
or grain in the vessel a. The vessel a is shown made to rotate by a ratchet wheel
actuated by means of the piston by a pall and levers, and driving the bevilled
toothed wheels Z. An elastic stop or buffer is shown at m to prevent the block g
from descending too low. The action of the apparatus is as follows:-
The vessel a being filled with a sufficient quantity of rice or other grain, and the
piston with the vertical spindle fand ball or block g being set in motion by steam
or other convenient driving fluid, the vertical spindle f with the ball or block g
rises and falls with great rapidity through the rice or grain, and cleanses and
polishes it by its friction, whilst at the same time, as the vessel a rotates, the rice
is turned over continually, and a fresh part of its bulk subjected to the friction.
When it has in this way become sufficiently cleaned and polished, I remove it from
the vessel, either by lifting it over the lower edge of the latter, or through a move-
able door in the lower part of the vessel, as shewn at n. A fresh charge of rice or
grain is then introduced, and the process is repeated. As the ball or block g
does not touch the vessel a the rice or grain is not broken. I prefer to line
the interior of the vessel with a rough cement, such as emery, sand, glass, or other
abrasive powder mixed with plaster, glue, or other suitable material, and the
ball or block may also be coated with a similar composition, and in this way
the friction against the rice or grain is made more effective. Or instead of
the composition described a soft material, such as sheepskin, may be used for
polishing. The vessel may be closed with a moveable cover, and I sometimes
arrange above the edge of the vessel a screen of perforated metal or wire gauze,
cylindrical or of other convenient shape, which revolves with the vessel and through
which the dust and meal separated from the rice or grain is discharged. Instead
of the ball or block, as described and shewn at the bottom end of the spindle, any
other convenient form of appliance may be used by which the mixing, and rubbing,
and polishing of the grain can be effected.
For instance, the device may consist of two or more vertical, straight, or curved
arms arranged cylindrically, spherically, or in any other convenient form.
A counting apparatus may be connected to the machine so that the number of
strokes may be indicated, and after a certain number of such strokes a bell may be
sounded or other signal given and the machine stopped, so that the grain may be
operated upon neither too much nor too little.
Any number of the machines may be arranged in line or otherwise, and actuated
simultaneously or separately. Where it is desired that the process described shall
be continuous I sometimes supply the rice, or grain, or other material to the vessel
in the following manner:-I arrange a vertical partition attached to any suitable
fixed support across the revolving vessel, and near the vertical spindle with its
attachment. This partition fits the interior of the vessel as closely as convenient,
and on one side of it, next to the higher part of the vessel, I introduce the rice or
grain, and at the centre of its lower edge I make a small opening, through which
the rice or grain can pass into the other division of the vessel under the moving
vertical spindle. The rice or grain when sufficiently cleaned and polished is
discharged over the lower edge of the revolving vessel, whilst a fresh supply enters

page_text: through the opening in the partition (which is preferably provided with an
adjustable door or valve).
The rice or grain may be fed into the higher side of the revolving vessel through
a pipe provided with an adjustable regulating valve. I prefer to coat the sides of
the partition with an abrasive composition similar to that already described.
Or, instead of the partition described, I sometimes introduce the rice or grain
into the vessel through a fixed pipe, the lower end of which opens below the vertical
spindle; or it may be introduced through the central spindle or axis of the vessel,
which is made hollow for the purpose. I prefer that the piston carrying the spindle
with its polishing appliance should be made to revolve upon its axis at each stroke
by means of a moveable helically twisted bar entering a corresponding nut in the
upper end of the piston, and regulated by a ratchet wheel and pall, or in other
convenient way. By this means the rubbing action upon the rice or grain is
increased. The cylinder may be made capable of being raised or lowered vertically
in guides, its position being regulated by hand by a lever or a screw and nut. In
apparatus of the kind last described the vessel may be made to revolve by means
of a separate steam engine or other convenient power, or by means of an endless
screw and worm wheel, or bevilled toothed wheels actuated by a ratchet wheel and
pall connected to the piston rod, or by an endless chain or belt actuated in a
similar way.
Instead of connecting the vertical bar rigidly to the ball, or block, or other
appliance described I sometimes connect them with the interposition of india rubber,
leather, or other elastic material. The apparatus may be constructed and arranged
so that two or more vertical bars with their appliances, as described, work in the
revolving vessel at the same time, and instead of a cylinder and piston actuated as
described the upper part of the vertical spindle described may be connected by a
connecting link or other equivalent means to a crank or excentric upon a horizontal
shaft revolving rapidly in bearings, so that when the shaft is set in revolution the
lower end of the spindle is made to rise and fall at any desired speed in the rice or
grain.
Figure 3 is an illustration of a smaller apparatus to be worked by manual power.
a is the vessel revolving upon the inclined axis b. The lever c oscillates upon the
support d and carries upon its outer end the beater e of metal, stone, or other
suitable material, by the rise and fall of which the rice or other material in the
vessel a is treated as desired.
The vessel a is made to revolve by means of the ratchet wheel, pall, and levers
and rods connected to the lever c, and driving the roller
which supports the
vessel a (which roller may be provided with teeth).
Figure 5 is an illustration partly in section of a machine applied to cleaning rice
or grain, in which the vessel is shewn made to revolve by means of a separate
engine. a is the vessel lined with abrasive cement turning upon the inclined
centre 6 and resting upon the friction roller c, which is made to revolve by means
of a tangent toothed wheel upon its axis, actuated by an endless screw n which is
itself driven by a separate engine p supported upon the frame d of the machine.
r is a wheel by which the height of the cylinder e can be regulated as desired.
Where the apparatus is to be used for cutting or chopping substances, such as meat,
instead of triturating and polishing, the vessel may be of wood or lined with wood,
and chopping knives or other instruments adapted to the purpose desired may be
attached to the lower end of the vertical spindle, the length of which is so pro-
portioned that the blades strike the vessel at each blow. Where my improved
machinery or apparatus is to be used for crushing and pulverizing hard materials,
such as quartz, I make a revolving vessel of sufficient strength, and I sometimes
arrange within it moveable adjustable anvil plates or blocks of iron or steel, which
can readily be replaced when worn away. The revolving vessel in such cases may
be supplied with mercury and with water continuously or at intervals, the material
being discharged when sufficiently pulverized either by being thrown or flashed

page_text: over the edge of the vessel or of a central discharge pipe, or by being dashed
through wire gauze or perforated plates of suitable material arranged above the
revolving vessel, as already described.
Figure 4 shows a section of a machine arranged in the way and for the purpose
described. a is the revolving vessel supported in the inclined bearing 6. The
cylinder c is carried on the frame d, and its piston rod e passes through the guide f,
and has attached to its lower end the stamp or triturating device g.
The piston rode with its attachments is made to rotate at each stroke (as
indicated by the ratchet wheel h), and is shewn fitted with an india rubber stop or
buffer i by which it is prevented from descending too low. The levers, ratchet
wheel, and pall, and tangent toothed wheel and screw k, by which the vessel a is
made to revolve are shewn actuated by collars upon the piston rod e at b, but the
vessel may be made to revolve by means of any of the other methods already
described.
The part of the bottom c upon which the hammer or stamp head strikes is made
very strong. The central inclined bearing b is shewn hollow, and with an
adjustable pipe m in order that the triturated quartz or other material may be
discharged through it, together with the water which overflows from the vessel.
In such case I prefer to make the side of the vessel solid, as shewn broken off at n,
or it may be provided with wire gauze through which the powdered material is
dashed, as shewn at o; or a moveable ring may be fixed round the outer edge of
the vessel, the crushed or broken material escaping through a space left between
the lower edge of the ring and the bottom of the vessel.
Sometimes I arrange one or more fixed brushes or cleansing appliances which
clean the revolving wire gauze or plates as the latter pass round and press against
them. Figure 6 is in illustration, partly in section, of a machine applied to crushing
mineral. a is the vessel turning upon the hollow inclined centre b and resting upon
the friction roller c, actuated as in the arrangement shewn in Figure 5. g is the
stamp head, and m is an adjustable pipe through which the triturated material
escapes, and is discharged through the lateral opening m.
In the different arrange-
ments of apparatus described, the rising and falling spindle may be in an inclined
position instead of vertical.
The revolving vessel may be lined, and the cleaning appliance covered with
leather or other material, such as india rubber, kamptulicon, or wood, to suit the
different circumstances and the different materials to which it is to be applied. I
prefer to arrange the revolving vessel and the cleaning appliances or stamp heads
and hammers so that they can readily be removed and others substituted for them.
My apparatus may be arranged so that two or more revolving vessels are used, the
material treated being partly operated upon in the first vessel, whence it passes to
the next, and so on until the operations are finally completed. The quartz or other
material may be fed as required into the revolving vessel by hand, or by means of
an endless chain of buckets actuated by the machine itself, or by other power; or,
sometimes I arrange a hopper which is kept supplied with the quartz or other
material reduced to pieces of a suitable size, and having an adjustable opening or
regulator below. Under this opening I arrange a horizontal endless belt, of metal
links or other suitable material passing round rollers and made to travel forward
at any desired speed, so that the quartz or other material which falls upon it from
the hopper is conveyed to any convenient point where it is delivered into the
revolving vessel.
Having now described my Invention, and the manner in which it is to be per-
formed, I claim,- .
First. The vessel revolving on an inclined axis in combination with a vertical
bar rising and falling above the lower part of the vessel, and having its lower end
provided with a device for husking and cleaning rice or other grain by friction,
substantially as described and shewn.
Second. The application of a piston actuated in a cylinder by means of steam or

page_text: compressed air for the purpose of operating such vertical bar and cleaning device,
substantially as described and shewn.
Third. In combination with the rotating vessel and rising and falling vertical
bar, the methods of causing the vertical bar and cleansing device described to rotate
in the rice or grain at each stroke.
Fourth. The combination of the vessel revolving upon an inclined axis with a
beating and cleaning device attached to the end of a vibrating lever actuated by
manual labour for the purpose of husking and cleaning rice and grain, or pul-
verizing hard substances, substantially as described and shewn.
Fifth. The methods of causing the vessel to revolve upon the inclined axis whilst
the rice or grain is being operated on, substantially as described and shewn.
Sixth. The combination of a vessel revolving upon an inclined axis with one or
more hammers or stamp heads actuated directly by steam or compressed air for the
purpose of pulverizing quartz or other mineral substances, or breaking and mixing
cement, mortar, or other materials, substantially as described and shewn.
Seventh. The method of applying circular screens of gauze or perforated plates
to the revolving inclined vessels, substantially as and for the several purposes
.described and shewn.
Eighth. The combination with the inclined vessel of a hollow adjustable spindle
upon which it revolves, and through which the quartz or other material is discharged
when sufficiently pulverized.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Fisher, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this 27th day of July, in the year of our Lord 1880.