IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR PULPING COFFEE
Year: 1857

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Affleck, Engineer, of Ceylon, at present'
residing in the City of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, for the In-`
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Affleck at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 30th*
January 1857.
I, THOMAS AFFLECK, Engineer, of Ceylon, at present residing in the City of
Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR PULPING
COFFEE," to be as follows:-
Firstly, my Invention consists in a. new combination. and arrangement. of
mechanism or apparatus for this purpose, obtained by placing the cylinder usually
employed, having a "grater" or toothed surface, with its axis. in a vertical,
position, which enables me, by duly proportioning the diameter of the cylinder,
to arrange around it any required number of operating surfaces or edges, com--
monly called "chops."
In this vertical arrangement of the cylinder a chamber is made, and one side,
or part of one side of this chamber is formed by a surface or edge corre-.
sponding to that in ordinary machines, termed the. "upper chop," so that.
the coffee cherries introduced into this chamber (with water in the usual
manner,) can only leave, it by passing between the surface or, edge of the.
chop and, the "grater" surface of the cylinder, which consequently, removes...

page_text: ત
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the pulpy matter covering the coffee berry. The coffee berry is prevented
from being carried forward by the "grater-surface of the cylinder by an edge
corresponding to that used in the ordinary machine called "the lower chop,"
which separates the berry from the pulpy matter. This pulpy matter passes
the lower chop, and then leaves the surface of the cylinder, dropping in
chamber formed at the back of the lower chop, from which it is conducted
away through suitable passages. The coffee berry drops from the separating
edge of the lower chop on to a sieve, which separates the berry from any pulpy
matter that occasionally drops with the cleaned berries, and also from coffee
cherries which have 'escaped the action of the cylinder.or have been imperfectly
acted upon by it. The cleaned berries pass through the sieve; those remain-
ing on its surface (along with any pulpy matter) are delivered from it, to be
again passed to a machine having its "chops" set closer to the "grater" surface
of the cylinder, or passed to one or more pairs of chops, which may be set at
various distances round the vertical cylinder, according to my Invention. The
substances delivered from the surface of the sieve are carried, to be again
passed through another set of chops, by an endless chain or band having
suitable buckets or carriers attached. The principle of action of my improved
machine is the same as that of ordinary machines, this part of my Invention
consisting only in the new arrangement and combination of the operating parts,
as herein-before described.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Thomas Affleck in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
29th July 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, TOMAS
AFFLECK, of Ceylon, at present residing in 'the City of Manchester, in thío
County of Lancaster, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing 'date the Thirtieth day of January, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, in the twentieth year of Her
reign, "aid, 'for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Thomas Affleck, Her especial licence that I, the shid Thomas Affleck,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as 'I, the said Thomas
Affleck, my 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

page_text: .
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY
OB APPARATUS FOR PULPING COFFEE," upon the condition (amongst others) that
I, the said Thomas Affleck, by an instrument, in writing under my hand
and seal, should particularly, describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, 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 Thomas Affleck, do hereby declare
the nature of my said. Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement (that is to say)
My Invention consists in a new combination and arrangement of mechanism
or apparatus for the purpose herein-before, mentioned, obtained by placing the
cylinder usually employed, having a grater or toothed surface, with its axis in
a vertical position, which enables me, by duly proportioning the diameter
of the cylinder, to arrange around it any required number of operating surfaces
or edges, commonly called "chops." In this vertical arrangement of the
cylinder a chamber is made, and one side or part of one side of this chamber is
formed by a surface or edge corresponding to that in ordinary machines,
termed the "upper-chop," so that the coffee cherries introduced into this chamber
(with water in the usual manner,), can only leave it by passing between
the surface or edge of the chop and the "grater" surface of the cylinder, which-
consequently removes the pulpy matter, covering the coffee berry. The coffee
berry is prevented from being carried forward by the "grater" surface of
the cylinder, by an edge corresponding to that used in the ordinary machine
called the "lower chop," which separates the berry from the pulpy matter;
This pulpy matter, passes the "lower chop" and then leaves the surface of the
cylinder, dropping in a chamber formed at the back of the lower chop, from
which it is conducted away through suitable passages. The coffee berry drops
from the separating edge of the lower. chop on to a sieve, which separates the
berry from any pulpy matter that occasionally drops with the cleaned berries,..
and also from coffee cherries which have escaped the action of the cylinder or
have been imperfectly acted upon by it. The cleaned berries pass through the
sieve; those remaining on its surface (along with any pulpy matter) are
delivered from it, to be again passed to a machine having its chops set closer
to the "grater" surface of the cylinder, or passed to one or more pairs of
chops, which may be set at various distances round the vertical cylinder,
according to my Invention. The substances delivered from the surface of the
:

page_text: :
sieve are carried, to be again passed through another set of chops, by an endless
chain or band having suitable buckets or carriers attached. The principle of
action of my improved machine is the same as that of ordinary machines, this
part of my Invention consisting only in the new arrangement and combination
of the operating parts, as herein-before described.
Fig. 1 and 2 on the annexed sheet of Drawings exhibit two views of a
machine constructed according to the first part of my Invention. Fig. 1 is a
vertical sectional elevation on the line 1-2, Fig. 2; and Fig. 2 is a plan
sectional view below the line '3-4, Fig. 1.
a and a', are tables or plates which are secured by bolts to four uprights a².
These parts constitute the framing of the machine; 6 is a cylinder or drum
having secured on its surface a copper plate perforated to form a "grater
surface."
This drum is of the ordinary construction of such as are employed
'for pulping coffee cherries. It is placed, as will be seen, with its axis (6') in
a vertical position, the lower end of it working in a footstep bearing fitted in
the bottom plate a¹, and the upper end in a bearing formied by a disc plate (a³),
which is secured in a hole formed in the upper plate (a), the hole being
rather larger in diameter than the drum b. This arrangement admits of the
drum being withdrawn from or replaced in its position without disturbing the
framing. It will be seen by reference to Fig. 2, that a number of duplicate
parts are arranged round the drum b. The number of these parts may be
increased by increasing the diameter of the drum, but four sets of chops are
only represented in this example.
Each set of parts form three chambers c, d, and e, which are of the form
shewn in Fig. 2, and extend between the upper and lower plate a and a¹.
The lower side of the chamber c is closed, but its upper end communicates
(a hole being made in the plate a) with a vessel above herein-after described,
commonly called a "hopper." The lower ends of the chambers d and e are
open (holes being made through the plate a'), so that all matters coming into
the chamber d may drop on to a sieve herein-after described, and all matters
left in the chamber e'may be conducted away by suitable pipes or passages.
The parts marked d¹ and d² correspond respectively' to the upper and lower
chop of ordinary machines. The lower chop (d) is adjusted so as to be as
close to the toothed or grater surface of the cylinder (6) as possible without
touching, and the upper chop (d') is fixed at a distance from the lower chop,
and the grater surface of the cylinder or drum (6) varying with the size of
the coffee cherries to be operated upon, suitable arrangements being provided
to obtain these adjustments. Fig. 3.and 4 are detached views shewing respec-
tively a view looking at the bottom side of the lower chop (d²), and "one"

page_text: looking on the outside edges of both chops. These views show the construc-
'tion, and the mode of fixing and adjusting the chops; ribs or flanges (a*) are
formed on the upper and lower table plates ȧ and a¹; the ends of the lower
chop rests against these ribs or flanges, and are secured to them'by set screws,
the holes through which the set screws pass being slotted to allow of adjust-
'ment to or from the surface of the cylinder. An angle piece is secured
'to the lower chop d by set screws; to this anglé piece the upper chop is
'secured by set screws also. This arrangement permits of the adjustment
'required by the upper chop, the holes in the angle piece (d) through which
the set screws pass being slotted in the direction, and to the extent required.
The parts c' and e', forming the sides of the chambers c and e, are fitted so as
to slide into grooves (a"), constituted by flanges formed on the upper and
lower plate (a and a¹), being sufficiently secured in their places by set screws
at the top and bottom as shewn. This arrangement allows of ready removal
to get at the chops, and permits the part forming the outside of the chamber c¹
to be easily fitted to any changes in the adjustment of the upper chop d¹. The
shaft f, giving motion to the vertical drum or cylinder b, is carried by suitable
pedestals, secured on the table plate a. The fast and loose driving
pullies are placed on the outside end of shaft f, and it geers with axis
(b) of the vertical drum or cylinder (b) by bevel wheels f3 and 63.
The horizontal shaft (f) also gives rotating motion by bevil wheels f³
and g to two vertical shafts (9), which have bearings in the upper
and lower plate a and a¹, these shafts being retained in their correct
vertical positions by suitable collars or shoulders formed on or secured
to them by set screws. Cranks (92) are fixed on the lower end of each of the
shafts g, the pin of each fitting into a hole formed in parts h', attached to
a sieve (h) of the ordinary construction. This sieve (h) is suspended on
four links (h2), the upper ends of which are hooked on to projections from the
upper table plate a, the lower ends being hooked on brackets (h³), secured on
and projecting from the sieve h. These arrangements permit of the proper
riddling motion being imparted to the sieve. A water-tight hopper or cistern k
is placed on the upper table plate (a). The sides of this hopper or cistern
descend below its bottom, and rest upon the top of the table (a), by this
means forming a cover and protection to the shafting and gearing. There are
four tubes () in this cistern, which rise a few inches above its bottom, and
also descend below. These tubes are placed vertically over the chambers c,
one tube communicating with each chamber. Coffee pulping machines are
generally placed in a room, having anotlier room or floor above, and 'in some
cases a cistern below. The coffee cherries are brought by suitable pipes from

page_text: the room above in the cistern or hopper (k) along with a stream of water;
this overflows the tubes (k), floats over the coffee cherries, which descend with
it into the chambers C; the cherries can only get out of this chamber by
passing between the upper chop d₁ and the grater surface of the cylinder (b),
which removes the pulpy matter; the berry dropping out of the chamber d
on to the sieve (h) below it, the pulpy matter being principally delivered into
the chamber e, from which it is carried away by the pipe having branches
under each of the chambers. It may be found advisable for the more effectual.
carrying away of the pulpy matter to convey a separate stream of water into
the upper end of each chamber e, and this may be done by tubes, similar to
those (¹) used for conveying the cherries and water to the chambers c, the
upper ends of such tubes being made with a grid or with perforations, so as
to pass water, but not cherries. The bottom, plate Al is perforated, especially.
about the footstep bearing of the drum :6), to prevent water accumulating
upon it. Perfectly pulped coffee cherries will pass through the sieve; those
imperfectly pulped together with some pulpy matter will remain on the surface
of the sieve (h), and will be delivered into a suitable receptacle, from which
they may be carried back to the hopper or cistern, so as to pass through one
or more sets of chops, placed closer to the surface of the drum or cylinder b
than those through which the cherries first passed.
This purpose is accomplished by an arrangement of mechanism; partly repre-
sented in Fig. 1 and 2. Two brackets (P) are secured to the frame of the
machine; between these brackets a suitable receptacle is fixed to receive
the matters from the surface of the sieve; these brackets also form the
bearings of a shaft m, having suitable pullies to carry two endless belts or
chains, the upper ends of which are carried by another similar shaft m and
pulleys, having also bearings in two brackets m³ secured to the framing of
the machine. These endless belts have suitable buckets or lifters by which
the matters are elevated from the receptacle to the hopper or cistern k, motion
being imparted to the endless belts, or chains by a strap or belt working on a
pulley on the end of the upper shaft m, and one on the end of a short shaft m 4,
in suitable bearings driven by a bevil wheel geering with the wheel on one of
the upright shafts 9.
In the Drawing, a trough m 5 is shewn, mounted on a shaft m³, having its
bearings in the brackets. This shaft has an oscillating motion imparted to it
by a cam m² on the shaft m', acting on a bowl fixed in the end of a lever m³,
baving its fulcrum m* on one of the brackets m³, the other end of this lever
being connected to an arm m³ on the shaft me, by a link n jointed to each,
the bowl being kept against the cam by a weight on the lever or arm m³.

page_text: The object of this arrangement is to cause the trough m³ to pass under each
lifter or bucket just before it begins to deliver, and then get out of the way
to allow it to pass. With this arrangement the endless chains or belts should
be made to geer positively with the pulleys round which they pass, and the
buckets or lifters should be fixed and arranged on the endless belt or chain, so
as to be at a distance apart, equal to the circumference of the pulleys on the
shaft m 1, or half that distance, the cam m in this case acting twice for each
revolution. This arrangement of endless belts or chains is only adopted when
it is desirable to get the machine in as little space as possible. When space is.
available, a simple endless chain, having a proper amount of inclination
ascending sufficiently above the cistern k, will answer every purpose; and
instead of the shafts m and m¹ being carried by brackets secured to the fram-
ing, they may in general be attached to the floors or ceilings of the room, in.
which the machine is placed.
The coffee berries passing through the sieve along with the water may be
received in a cistern having perforations in its bottom to drain the water away,
these arrangements being similar to those generally employed with the ordinary
machines.
I may here remark that the hopper or cistern (k) is partitioned off, so that
the matters delivered into it by the buckets or lifters are only allowed to pass
down the tubes , leading to the chambers (c) of the chops set apart for
re-operating upon these matters.
I have now particularly described the nature of my Invention, and the
modes of carrying the same into effect, but do not limit myself to the details
herein given, but claim as my Invention, so long as its peculiar features are
retained, the placing of the drum or cylinder of coffee-pulping machines,
baving a toothed or grater surface, with its axis in a vertical position, by
which arrangement a series of chops or operating edges may be arranged
round it.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Affleck, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Thirty-first day of March, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.
"
THOMAS AFFLECK. (LS.)