IMPROVEMENTS IN TREATING MAIZE FOR THE OBTAINMENT OF FLOUR AND OTHER PRODUCTS, AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robertson Blair Robertson, of Glasgow, in the County of
Lanark, North Britain, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN TREATING
MAIZE FOR THE OBTAINMENT OF FLOUR AND OTHER PRODUCTS, AND IN
APPARATUS THEREFOR."
Sealed the 9th April 1878, and dated the 29th November 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robertson Blair Robertson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th November 1877
ROBERTSON BLAIR ROBERTSON, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North
Britain. "IMPROVEMENTS IN TREATING MAIZE FOR THE OBTAINMENT OF FLOUR
AND OTHER PRODUCTS, AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR.”
This Invention has for its object by treating maize by improved processes, to
effect a better or more complete separation of its constituents, so as to obtain flour
or starch and oil or fatty matter from it in a more advantageous manner than
heretofore.
In carrying out the Invention the grain is first crushed or broken by passing it
between rollers, millstones, or in any other convenient way, and the fragments or
crushed materials are then carefully sorted according to their sizes. The portions
in which the embryo or germ is found to be concentrated are then exposed to a
current of air, in such a manner as to separate the grains according to their specific
gravities.
The separated embryo or germ is treated for the obtainment of its oil or fatty
matter in apparatus of the kind commonly used for expressing oil from seeds, fruits,
or the like.
The perisperm from which the embryo has been separated, as herein-before
described, is converted into flour or starch in the ordinary way, and forms a com-
paratively larger yield than is obtained by the processes heretofore in use.
It will facilitate the subsequent processes if the shell or skin of the grain is first
removed, but this should not be done by a wet process.

page_text: When the broken grain has been sorted into sizes, each size may be passed
between rollers to assist the separation of the starchy constituents from the embryo
or germ.
One modification of improved apparatus for more or less completely effecting
the separation of the heavy perisperm from the light embryo or germ, consists of a
kind of tray, of a rhomboidal form in plan, and having its bottom placed at a slight
inclination to the horizontal. This tray is carried by springs, and has a recipro-
cating motion imparted. to it by a rotating crank or cam in a direction parallel to
what are herein-after termed its higher and lower ends. The sides are inclined in
plan so as to make angles of by preference sixty degrees of the circle with the
ends, and the tray is divided by vertical partitions parallel to the sides into as
many compartments as may be convenient. Along one side of each compartment
a series of vertical surfaces are formed so as to be alternately parallel to the ends
and sides, or inclined by preference at sixty degrees of the circle to the ends and
sides, and so as to constitute in plan a series of triangles. The number of these
triangles in each compartment may require to be varied to suit the conditions of
the materials treated, but there should be seven at least, and by preference fifteen or
sixteen. The materials to be operated on are fed into one of the triangles in cach
compartment, by preference about a third of the length of the compartment from
the higher end, and the lower side of this triangle or that parallel to the ends being
open the materials enter thence into the compartment. The reciprocating motion
of the tray causes the grain to strike against the various inclined surfaces, and a
separation between the heavier and lighter particles is thereby gradually effected,
the heavier particles being finally delivered at the lower end of each compartment
and the lighter particles at the higher end.
In a second modification of separating apparatus, which may be better adapted
for particular sizes of the broken grain, a sieve is employed having a jigging
motion, whilst a current of air is directed through or over it to carry off the embryo
or light portions.
In some cases the broken and sized grain may be treated for the separation of
the embryo or germ and perisperm by being put into water or a solution, which has
a specific gravity intermediate to those of the embryo and perisperm. The result is
that the perisperm sinks whilst the embryo rises to the surface, and can be skimmed
off or decanted. When this treatment is employed the embryo must be dried before
having the oil expressed from it.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Robertson Blair Robertson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
29th May 1878.
ROBERTSON BLAIR ROBERTSON, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North
Britain. "IMPROVEMENTS IN TREATING MAIZE FOR THE OBTAINMENT OF FLOUR
AND OTHER PRODUCTS, AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR.'
"
My said Invention has for its object by treating maize by improved processes,
to effect a better or more complete separation of its constituents so as to obtain
flour and other products from it in a more advantageous manner than heretofore.
In carrying out my Invention the grain is first crushed or broken by passing it
between rollers, or millstones, or in any convenient way, and the fragments or
crushed materials are then carefully sorted according to their various sizes. For
the purpose of thus sorting the crushed materials they are by preference passed
through a cylindrical riddle or separator, covered with wire in successive bands,
the meshes of which are of different graduated sizes. In practico nine or ten sizes
of mesh are found to answer the purpose of separating the crushed materials into
portions or quantities of different sizes, with the particles in each quantity of a
sufficiently uniform size.
In some cases a more complete separation of the embryo or germ and perisperm
may be obtained by repeating the crushing process upon one or more of the
separated sizes of partially crushed grain.
The sized portions in which the embryo or germ is found to be concentrated are,
according to one modification of this part of my combination of processes, then
subjected to a current of air in such a manner as to separate the grains or particles
according to their specific gravities. This treatment with the current of air may
be effected by means of suction or blast, but preferably the former, and in any
suitable machine of the kinds known as "aspirators," and such as are in common
use for cleaning wheat or removing light grains therefrom. This treatment may
be continued or repented if necessary until the materials are sufficiently pure, and
the separation of the embryo or germ from the perisperm made as complete as
practically possible or desirable.
According to a second and preferable modification I employ for the more or less
complete separation of the heavy perisperm from the light embryo or germ, per-
cussive apparatus of an improved kind, and comprising a slightly inclined tray
fitted with vertical surfaces which are inclined to each other in plan, the tray
having a horizontal jigging motion imparted to it so as to cause the grain fragments
to strike the vertical surfaces, whereby the desired separation is effected. The use
for similar purposes of vertical angular striking surfaces is not new nor claimed by
me; but this part of my Invention consists in constructing and combining or
arranging such parts in the improved manner, shown on the accompanying
Drawings and herein-after particularly described.
Figure 1 of the Drawings is a plan, and Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of the
percussive separating apparatus.
Figures 3 and 4 are a vertical section and elevation of a portion of the upper end
of the tray.
The tray 1, 2, 3, 4, is of a rhomboidal form in plan, and is placed at a slight
inclination to the horizontal, 1, 2, being its higher end and 3, 4, its lower end. This
tray is carried by tapered supports 5, firmly fixed in bearing blocks 6 at their
bottom ends, and made of suitable elastic wood capable of bending and springing
with the horizontal jigging motion of the tray. This horizontal jigging or reci-
procating motion is imparted to the tray in a direction parallel to its upper end 1, 2,
and lower end 3, 4, by a connecting rod 7 jointed to a lug or staple on its under
side, and actuated by a crank or eccentric pin 8 on a revolving shaft 9 driven in
any convenient manner, the pin 8 being by preference adjustable to admit of the
reciprocating stroke being lengthened or shortened if required. The sides 1, 4, and

page_text: 2, 3, of the tray are inclined in plan, so as whilst parallel to each other to make
angles of by preference sixty degrees of the circle with the ends 1, 2, and 3, 4, and
the upper surfaces of the tray is divided by vertical partitions 10, 11, parallel to
the sides 1, 4, and 2, 3, into as many compartments as may be convenient. A single
compartment would answer, as separate quantities of materials are operated on in
each compartment, but there is an obvious advantage in combining several com-
partments, as shown in the Drawings. Along one side of each compartment a
series of vertical surfaces 12, 13, are formed so as to be alternately parallel to the
ends 1, 2, and 3, 4, and inclined by preference at sixty degrees of the circle thereto
and to the sides 1, 4, and 2, 3, so as in plan to form a series of triangles. It is
essential for the object in view that the number of these triangles, which are all
alike, should in each compartment exceed nine, whilst it is in practice found best
to have about fifteen of them, as shown in the Drawing. The materials to be
operated on are fed into one of the triangles in each compartment, say, the fourth
or fifth one from the upper end, and the lower side of this triangle or that parallel
to the ends 1, 2, and 3, 4, is made open, so that the materials may enter theuce into
the compartment. A small feed hopper 14 is fitted to each of the entering triangles,
but in the Drawings two of the compartments are represented as without their feed
hoppers to show the more plainly the uninterrupted series of triangles. The reci
procating or jigging motion of the tray causes the grain to strike against the
various inclined surfaces, and a separation between the heavier and lighter particles
is thereby gradually effected, the heavier particles being finally delivered at the
lower end 3, 4, of each compartment, and the lighter particles at their higher end
1,2, any convenient vessels or bags being placed to receive the materials in each
casc. At the higher end 1, 2, of the tray the discharge of the materials is to some
extent checked by lateral boards or plates 15, 16, fixed parallel to the end, and a
slightly raised lip is also formed across the bottom of the opening or outlet from
cach compartment, which lip keeps back any heavy particles that may be acci-
dentally carried thus far, and with the lateral pieces 15, 16, insures a more perfect
separating action.
As the lighter particles fall from the upper end of the tray a current of air from
a fan is directed across them and removes the chaff or husky particles, leaving the
embryo or germ very free from other matters. The crushed and sized materials
are then ready for the subsequent treatment.
The separated embryo or germ is treated for the obtainment of its oil or fatty
matter in apparatus of the kind commonly used for expressing oil from seeds, fruits,
and the like.
The perisperm from which the embryo or germ has been separated, as herein-
before described, is converted into flour, starch, or other products in the ordinary
way, and a rich and comparatively larger yield of such products than by the pro-
cesses heretofore in use is obtained at an economical cost.
If the perisperm is used as a source of alcohol an increased yield of that product
is obtained in consequence of the starch matter being by the improved processes
rendered susceptible of more complete fermentation, whilst the quality of the spirit
is rendered better by the absence of constituents derived from the oil of the embryo
or germ.
Certain modifications of processes or apparatus besides those herein-before
described are described or referred to in my Provisional Specification relative hereto,
but I make no claim in respect of them as I do not now consider them to be of
sufficient novelty, utility, or advantage.
Having thus particularly described my said Invention, and the manner of per-
forming the same, I have to state that I do not restrict myself to the precise details
herein described or delineated, but that what I believe to be novel and original,
and claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited
Letters Patent is,―
1. The combination of processes for treating maize wherein, firstly, the grain is
crushed or broken; secondly, the crushed materials are separated into portions,

page_text: each consisting of particles or fragments of a nearly uniform size; thirdly, the sized
portions are separately treated by currents of air or by the percussive separator;
and, fourthly, the separated embryo or germ and the perisperm are treated respec-
tively for the obtainment of oil and for the manufacture of flour, starch, spirit, or
other products, substantially as herein-before described.
2. The improved percussive separator made with one or more compartments of a
rhomboidal form, and with a series of triangles along one side of each compartment,
the whole being arranged and combined substantially as and for the purposes
herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robertson Blair Robertson, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
Witness,
EDMUND HUNT,
Patent Agent,
Glasgow.

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robertson Blair Robertson, of Glasgow, in the County of
Lanark, North Britain, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN TREATING
MAIZE FOR THE OBTAINMENT OF FLOUR AND OTHER PRODUCTS AND IN
APPARATUS THEREFOR.'
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robertson Blair Robertson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th November 1877.
ROBERTSON BLAIR ROBERTSON, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North
Britain. "IMPROVEMENTS IN TREATING MAIZE FOR THE OBTAINMENT OF FLOUR
AND OTHER PRODUCTS, AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR.'
"
This Invention has for its object by treating maize by improved processes, to
effect a better or more complete separation of its constituents, so as to obtain flour
or starch and oil or fatty matter from it in a more advantageous manner than
heretofore.
•
In carrying out the Invention the grain is first crushed or broken by passing it
between rollers, millstones or in any other convenient way, and the fragments or
crushed materials are then carefully sorted according to their sizes. The portions
in which the embryo or germ is found to be concentrated are then exposed to a
current of air in such a manner as to separate the grains according to their specific
gravities.
The separated embryo or germ is treated for the obtainment of its oil or fatty
matter in apparatus of the kind commonly used for expressing oil from seeds fruits,
or the like.
The perisperm from which the embryo has been separated as herein-before
described is converted into flour or starch in the ordinary way, and forms a com-
paratively larger vield than is obtained by the processes heretofore in use.
It will facilitate the subsequent processes if the shell or skin of the grain is first
removed but this should not be done by a wet process.

page_text: When the broken grain has been sorted into sizes, each size may be passed
between rollers to assist the separation of the starchy constituents from the embryo
or germ.
Öne modification of improved apparatus for more or less completely effecting
the separation of the heavy perisperm from the light embryo or gorm, consists of a
kind of tray of a rhomboidal form in plan and having its bottom placed at a slight
inclination to the horizontal. This tray is carried by springs and has a recipro-
cating motion imparted to it by a rotating crank or cam in a direction parallel to
what are herein-after termed its higher and lower ends. The sides are inclined, in
plan, so as to make angles of by preference sixty degrees of the circle with the
ends; and the tray is divided by vertical partitions parallel to the sides into as
many compartments as may be convenient. Along one side of each compartment
a series of vertical surfaces are formed so as to be alternately parallel to the ends
and sides, or inclined by preference at sixty degrees of the circle to the ends and
sides, and so as to constitute in plan a series of triangles. The number of these
triangles in each compartment may require to be varied to suit the conditions of
the materials treated, but there should be seven at least and by preference fifteen or
sixteen. The materials to be operated on are fed into one of the triangles in each
compartment by preference about a third of the length of the compartment from
the higher end, and the lower side of this triangle or that parallel to the ends being
open the materials enter thence into the compartment. The reciprocating motion
of the tray causes the grain to strike against the various inclined surfaces, and a
separation between the heavier and lighter particles is thereby gradually effected,
the heavier particles being finally delivered at the lower end of each compartment
and the lighter particles at the higher end.
In a second modification of separating apparatus which may be better adapted
for particular sizes of the broken gram, a sieve is employed having a jigging
motion whilst a current of air is directed through or over it to carry off the embryo
or light portions.
In some cases the broken and sized grain, may be treated for the separation of
the embryo or germ and perisperm by being put into water or a solution which has
a specific gravity intermediate to those of the embryo and perisperm. The result is
that the perisperm sinks whilst the embryo rises to the surface and can be skimmed
off or decanted. When this treatment is employed the embryo must be dried before
having the oil expressed from it.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Robertson Blair Robertson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
29th May 1878.
ROBERTSON BLAIR ROBERTSON, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North
Britain. * IMPROVEMENTS IN TREATING MAIZE FOR THE OBTAINMENT OF FLOUR
AND OTHER PRODUCTS AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR."
My said Invention has for its object, by treating maize by improved processes,
to effect a better or more complete separation of its constituents so as to obtain
flour and other products from it in a more advantageous manner than heretofore.
In carrying out my Invention the grain is first crushed or broken by passing it
between rollers or millstones or in any convenient way and the fragments_or
crushed materials are then carefully sorted according to their various sizes. For
the purpose of thus sorting the crushed materials they are by preference, passed
through a cylindrical riddle or separator covered with wire in successive bands
the meshes of which are of different graduated sizes. In practice nine or ten sizes
of mesh are found to answer the purpose of separating the crushed materials into
portions or quantities of different sizes, with the particles in each quantity of a
sufficiently uniform size.
In some cases a more complete separation of the embryo or germ and perisperm
may be obtained by repeating the crushing process upon one or more of the
separated sizes of partially crushed grain.
The sized portions in which the embryo or germ is found to be concentrated are
according to one modification of this part of my combination of processes, then
subjected to a current of air in such a manner as to separate the grains or particles
according to their specific gravities. This treatment with the current of air may
be effected by means of suction or blast but preferably the former and in any
suitable machine of the kinds known as " aspirators "and such as are in common
use for cleaning wheat or removing light grains therefrom. This treatment may
be continued or repeated if necessary until the materials are sufficiently pure, and
the separation of the embryo or gem from the perisperm made as complete as
practically possible or desirable.
According to a second and preferable modification I employ for the more or less
complete separation of the heavy perisperm from the light embryo or germ, per-
cussive apparatus of an improved kind and comprising a slightly inclined tray,
fitted with vertical surfaces which are inclined to each other in plan, the tray
having a horizontal jigging motion imparted to it so as to cause the grain fragments
to strike the vertical surfaces, whereby the desired separation is effected. The uso
for similar purposes of vertical angular striking surfaces is not new no claimed by
me, but this part of my Invention consists in constructing and combining or
arranging such parts in the improved manner shown on the accompanying
Drawings and herein-after particularly described.
Figure 1 of the Drawings is a plan and Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of the
percussive separating apparatus.
Figures 3 and 4, are a vertical section and elevation of a portion of the upper end
of the tray.
The tray 1, 2, 3, 4, is of a rhomboidal form in plan, and is placed at a slight
inclination to the horizontal 1, 2, being its higher end, and 3, 4. its lower end. This
tray is carried by tapered supports, 5, firmly fixed in bearing blocks, 6, at their
bottom ends, and made of suitable elastic wood capable of bending and springing
with the horizontal jigging motion of the tray. This horizontal jigging or reci-
procating motion is imparted to the tray in a direction parallel to its upper end 1, 2,
and lower end 3, 4, by a connecting rod, 7, jointed to a lug or staple on its under
side, and actuated by a crank or eccentric, pin 8, on a revolving shaft 9, driven in
any convenient manner, the pin 8 being by preference adjustable to admit of the
reciprocating stroke being lengthened or shortened if required. The sides 1, 4, and

page_text: 2, 3, of the tray are inclined in plan so as whilst parallel to each other to make
angles of by preference sixty degrees of the circle with the ends 1, 2, and 3, 4, and
the upper surface of the tray is divided by vertical partitions 10, 11, parallel to
the sides, 1, 4, and 2, 3, into as many compartments as may be convenient. A single
compartment would answer, as separate quantities of materials are operated on in
each compartment but there is an obvious advantage in combining several com-
partments, as shown in the Drawings. Along one side of each compartment a
series of vertical surfaces, 12, 13, are formed so as to be alternately parallel to the
ends 1, 2, and 3, 4, and inclined by preference at sixty degrees of the circle thereto
and to the sides 1, 4, and 2, 3, so as in plan to form a series of triangles. It is
essential for the object in view that the number of these triangles, which are all
alike, should in cach compartment exceed nine, whilst it is in practice found best
to have about fifteen of them, as shown in the Diawing. The materials to be
operated on are fed into one of the triangles in each compartment, say the forth
or fifth one from the upper end, and the lower side of this triangle or that parallel
to the ends 1, 2, and 3, 4, is made open, so that the materials may enter thence into
the compartment. A small feed hopper, 14, is fitted to each of the entering triangles,
but in the Drawings two of the compartiments are represented as without thoir feed
hoppers to show the more plainly the uninterrupted series of triangles. The reci-
procating or jigging motion of the tray causes the grain to strike against the
various inclined surfaces, and a separation between the heavier and lighter particles
is thereby gradually effected, the heavier particles being finally delivered, at the
lower end, 3, 4, of each compartment, and the lighter particles at their higher end
1, 2, any convenient vessels or bags being placed to receive the materials in each
case. At the higher end 1, 2, of the tray the discharge of the materials is to some
extent checked by lateral boards or plates, 15, 16, fixed parallel to the end, and a
slightly raised lip is also formed across the bottom of the opening or outlet from
each compartment which lip keeps back any heavy particles, that may be acci-
dentally carried thus far, and with the lateral pieces 15, 16, insures a more perfect
separating action.
As the lighter particles fall from the upper end of the tray a current of air from
a fan is directed across them and removes the chaff or husky particles leaving the
embryo or germ very free from other matters. The crushed and sized materiais
are then roady for the subsequent treatment.
The separated embryo or germ is treated for the obtainment of its oils or fatty
matter in apparatus of the kind commonly used for expressing oil from seeds fruits
and the like.
The perisperm from which the embryo or germ has been separated as herein-
before described is converted into flour, starch, or other products in the ordinary
way, and a rich and comparatively larger vield of such products than by the pro-
cesses heretofore in use is obtained at an economical cost.
If the porisporm is used as a source of alcohol an increased yield of that product
is obtained in consequence of the starch matter being by the improved processes
rendered susceptible of more complete fermentation, whilst the quality of the spirit
is rendered better by the absence of constituents derived from the oil of the embryo
or germ.
Certain modifications of processes or apparatus besides those herein-before
described are described or referred to in my Provisional Specification relative hereto
but I make no claim in respect of them as I do not now consider them to be of
sufficient novelty, utility, or advantage.
Having thus particularly described my said Invention, and the manner of per-
forming the same I have to state that I do not restrict myself to the precise details
herein described or delineated but that what I believe to be novel and original
and claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited
Letters Patent is :-
1. The combination of processes for treating maize wherein, firstly, the grain is
crushed or broken; secondly, the crushed materials are separated into portions

page_text: each consisting of particles or fragments of a nearly uniform size; thirdly, the sized
portions are separately treated by currents of air, or by the percussive separator;
and fourthly, the separated embryo or germ and the perisperm are treated respec-
tively for the obtainment of oil and for the manufacture of flour, starch, spirit, or
other products substantially as herein-before described.
2. The improved percussive separator made with one or more compartments of a
rhomboidal form and with a series of triangles along one side of each compartment
the whole being arranged and combined substantially as and for the purposes
herein-before described.
In witness whereof I the said Robertson Blair Robertson, have hereunto sot
my hand and seal this Twenty-Seventh day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
Witness,
EDMUND HUNT,
Patent Agent.
Glasgow.-
R. BLAIR ROBERTSON. (L.S.)