IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR
Year: 1884

page_text: .
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
I ALBERT FESCA of the firm of Alb Fesca & Co, manufacturer of 35 Chaussée
strasse, Berlin, Prussia, German Empire do hereby declare the nature of the said.
invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR AND IN
APPARATUS THEREFOR to be as follows:-
The methods hitherto practised in manufacturing plates or prisms from which
cube sugar is made consist substantially in filling sugar in a suitable condition
("Füllmasse") into a mould provided with partitions the whole being afterwards,
when the sugar has set, treated in centrifugal'apparatus (" geschleudert ") liquored
("gedeckt ") and then dried. It has also been tried to treat the material
(Füllmasse) separated by partitions directly & without moulds in the centrifugal
apparatus. The methods heretofore practised are however unsatisfactory.
Now according to this invention I employ a "liquoring while at rest" ("Vordecke
in der Rube") for which a paste or thick solution is made of sugar dust or fragments
and water or "liquor" ("Deck-Klärsel "). This paste or thick solution I shall
hereinafter term "thick liquor." The preliminary liquoring while at rest answers
a double purpose. It causes a gradual & natural liquoring with "hine liquor" of
the material deprived of syrup by "spinning in the centrifugal apparatus & also
provides a medium for the distribution of the fine liquor subsequently to be driven
through by "spinning." The latter is effected because the thick-liquor in drying
forms a porous spongy mass by parting with the liquid contained therein and in its
dry state the "thick liquor" absorbs "fine liquor" with avidity and in large
quantity; subsequently it gradually yields up the liquor so absorbed to the sugar
behind it.
Special moulds are preferably used. in, this process.
When the moulds are placed in the drum or basket of a centrifugal apparatus,
one space is formed for receiving the sugar to be liquored and another space for
receiving the "thick liquor for the preliminary liquoring. The latter space may be
at the centre of the basket.
The moulds for making prisms consist of a bottom plate having a smooth outer.
side and a zig-zag shaped inner side; there is also a top-plate of somewhat similar
construction, intermediary plates in sufficient number are also provided these are
zig-zag shaped and by laying any two plates together prismatic spaces are forined.

page_text: Each plate (top, bottom & intermediary plates) has lugs through which bolts can be
passed and a handle may be provided also with such luga To build up a mould a
bottom plate, a number of intermediary plates and a top plate and handle are all
threaded upon bolts & the whole fastened together either by screws wedges or
otherwise. To render the connections quite tight plates may be interposed
between the parts. For making tablets or plates the moulds are similar in
construction. Instead, however, of being zig-zag shaped they are dished out the
bottom of the space in each being narrower than the top so that the plate of sugar
may be readily removable. In this case the back of one plate forins the top or
cover for the next.
In all cases there is a space on the top of the mould for the reception of the
thick liquor.
In practising this invention the moulds are set up placed in the centrifugal
apparatus filled & "spun" to remove the syrup in the usual manner:
The moulds with their contents are now placed on a suitable base & the sugar
contained in the top-space (intended for the "thick-liquor ") is removed. The top
space may then also be divided by partitions and "thick liquor" poured in; when
this latter is "set" the moulds are once inore placed in the centrifigual apparatus.
The sugar is now "liquored" say by my well known liquoring apparatus (Fesca'she
Klärsel Deck Vorrichtung).
*
After the liquoring is completed the sugar is, as far as possible, dried by the
centrifugal apparatus and the moulds may then be taken to pieces.
1001

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
IN
I ALBERT FESCA of the firm of Albert Fesca & Co, Manufacturer, of 35 Chaussée
Strasse, Berlin, Prussia, German Empire do hereby declare the nature of this
invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR, AND
APPARATUS THEREFOR" and in what manner the same is to be performed, to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The methods hitherto known for the production of plates or prisms of sugar
from which cubes may subsequently be made consist essentially in filling the sugar
when in a suitable condition into a frame-like mould with partitions the whole
being, after the sugar has set, treated in the centrifugal apparatus ("geschleudert")
liquored or clayed ("gedeckt") and then dried-Attempts have also been made to
treat the plates or tablets of sugar, ("Füllmasse") separated by partitions directly
in the centrifugal apparatus and without moulds; it was however not possible to
obtain a uniform product by this method as by reason of the partitions which are
required to prevent adhesion of the plates or tablets with one another a uniform
penetration of the "liquor" or claying solution could not be attained in the same
degree as is the case for instance with whole blocks or loaves in which the continuity⚫
of the mass is not interrupted by foreign bodies.
To meet the above mentioned objections "liquoring while at rest" (" Vordecke
in der Ruhe) is resorted to and to this end a liquor paste or compound is employed
which is made from sugar-dust or fragments and water or claying liquor (Deck-
Klärsel). This paste or solution I shall hereinafter term "thick liquor."
The moulds used in accordance with this invention are provided with a special
compartment or space for the reception of the "thick liquor." The liquoring
with the thick liquor fulfils a double purpose-Firstly it serves as a gradual
and regular preliminary liquoring of the sugar freed from syrup by spinning
in the centrifugal apparatus which latter draws in the fluid from the "thick
liquor" with avidity. Moreover it affords a suitable medium for the distribution
of liquoring to be afterwards applied to the sugar in the centrifugal apparatus as
the "thick liquor" by the loss of the liquor abstracted therefrom by the sugar
when the latter receives its preliminary liquoring sets or solidifies into a firm
spongy and porous mass which by reason of these qualities is eminently suited for
rapidly taking up considerable quantities of the "claying liquor" ("Deck flussigkeit")
and gradually render the same to the mass of sugar behind it and to spread said
liquid uniformly over the mass.
To enable the prisms or tablets of sugar obtained by this process to be readily
and without damage removed from the mould I use moulds which consist of parts
held together by drawbolts or screw-bolts but which are easily taken apart. The
arrangement of these moulds as well as their use in the drum or basket of the
centrifugal machine are represented in the accompanying drawings in which,
Figures 1 and 2 show the drum or basket of the centrifugal apparatus in vertical
and horizontal section-The mould for producing prisms of sugar is shown in
Figures 3-8, whilst Figures 9 to 14 show a mould adapted for plates or tablets of
sugar.

page_text: Figures 6 and 14 show the moulds in that position which they assume during
liquoring while at rest; " the lower larger part of the mould Rand R' respectively
(see Figures 1 and 2) serves for receiving the sugar ("Füllmasse ") which extends
as far as the line v. v Figures 8 and 14 whilst the space M above forms the
compartment or space which in the preliminary liquoring is filled with "thick
liquor "These moulds are always set in the centrifugal apparatus with the liquor
compartment towards the centre.
The mould shown in Figures 3 to 8 and serving for the manufacture of prisms
of sugar consists of the central plates a of zigzag shape see Figure 3 (section on
line A B) and Figure 4 (section on line CD) and two ribbed end plates b. b
Figure 3 (cross section) and Figure 5 (view of the inside) which are all fitted with
holes corresponding with one another and serving to receive draw bolts or
screws -These bolts or screws serve to connect the plates in the manner shewn
in Figures 6 and 8 (section on E F) so that the plates a 6 and 61 enclose prismatic
spaces in which the sugar can 'set in prismatic rods-The strap or bridge piece d
held either by the nuts of the bolts cor by keys (Figures 6, 7 and 8) allows the
moulds to be readily handled-The middle plates a are provided with tongues t
the end plates b. b' moreover with walls or sides t¹ (Figures 5, 6 and 8) and the
parts and form when the mould is put together the liquor compartment M for
receiving the "thick liquor" as best seen in Figures 6 and 8. For packing the
grooves or interstices between the tongues t the sheets or plates e are employed
which are retained by clamps e¹ see Figures 2, 4, 8.
The moulds are put together or fitted by putting four bolts c through the holes
of the bottom plate b Figure 6 and next slipping centre plates over the bolts o
lastly the plate b is slipped on and the bridge piece d placed in position and then
the whole is fixed together by the nuts or keys belonging to the bolts.
The mould is next fixed horizontally on the base plate P and is then ready to
be filled-The mould is taken apart in the same manner but in reversed sequence.
The mould shown in Figures 9 to 14 and serving to make plates or tablets of
sugar is put together in a manner similar to that above described.
The central or middle plates g shown in Figure 0 in section on line KL, Figure 10
section on GH; and also the top plate f Figures 9, 11 and 13 are in the latter case
however U-shaped in transverse section whilst the bottom plate h Figures 9, 12
and 13 is a flat plate-Figure 13 shows the mould as fitted up and in front view ;
the separate parts form divisions which are somewhat wider at the top than at
the bottom as the sides of the plates are slightly inclined outwards and this forma-
tion allows the tablets of sugar to be readily removed from the mould-In this
form of apparatus also the centre plates are provided with tongues at the sides,
the top plate alone being provided with a top t' so that when the plates f. g. and h
are fitted together a coinpartment or space M is formed for the purpose already
referred to.
In filling the mould it is also placed as will be seen by the section on line NO
shown in Figure 14 upon a base plate P and the recesses between the tonguest are
packed with plates e whose position is fixed by clamps e¹.
From what has been stated it will be understood that the moulds differ from one
another principally by the difference in shape of the plates used in each but
that they are fitted together in the same manner and secured by drawbolts or
screws.
Nothing need be said about the "spinning" of the moulds containing the set
sugar; when the moulds have been as far as practicable deprived of syrup, they
are removed from the centrifugal' apparatus and the "liquoring" begins.
To this end the sugar contained in the moulds, which are again placed upon
their base P is removed as far as indicated by line v Figures 8 and 14; the
plates s are then inserted as set forth and are fastened. The space M is now filled
with "thick liquor" so as to effect the preliminary liquoring whilst at rest herein
above referred to,
.

page_text: After the "thick liquor" has yielded the greater part of the fluid contained in it
to the sugar which is to be "liquored" and has set sufficiently to allow the moulds
to be placed upright without allowing alteration in the shape of the set "thick
liquor," the moulds are put into the centrifugal apparatus for the purpose of
completing the liquoring."
In this part of the process I prefer to use my well known liquoring apparatus
("Fesca'sche Klärsel-Deckvorrichtung ") usually employed in loaf sugar manufac-
ture and shown in Figures 1 and 2 and which consiste substantially in a cylindrical
or conical basket or casing n with upper rim o lower rim p and vertical radial
partitions q which form the spaces r and this inner basket or casing is so placed
centrally in the centrifugal apparatus that the chambers or spaces with the
perforations in the walls are exactly opposite the moulds. As already mentioned
the moulds face with the space M, containing the solidified "thick liquor," towards
the liquoring-device.
The number of chambers will of course vary with the number of moulds to be
placed in the centrifugal apparatus.
Now for the purpose of illustrating in one figure the employment of both forms
of the mould, Figures 1 and 2 show at the left hand side a mould for prisms, at the
right hand side'a mould for tablets or plates; it is clear however that as a rule
moulds of the same kind only will be run together.
During the ultimate liquoring the liquid introduced at 8 will become equally -
distributed in the liquoring-device rotating with the drum, will fill the chambers
or spaces of the same and is then forced through the perforations in the walls or
sides n onto the set "thick liquor" contained in the compartments M. The
separating plates e now prove useful as the solidified" thick liquor" by reason of
its spongy nature greedily absorbs the "liquor" and so far softens or becomes pasty
that it will under the influence of centrifugal force exert hydrostatic pressure upon
the compartments of the mould. Under the effect of this pressure the plates e are
pressed more forcibly against the side of their respective compartments than was
the case previously with the clamps and this of course causes any gaps between
the tongues t all the more safely to be closed against all injurious escape of the
liquor.
The liquor absorbed by the "thick liquor" is gradually and steadily passed on to
the mass of sugar to be "liquored" slowly penetrates it and clears the same the
clearing being effected very uniformly.
This liquoring or clearing may be repeated several times at intervals and if both
the intervening intervals and the quantity of liquor used for each operation are
carefully determined it will be possible to saturate the." thick liquor" only to such
an extent that it will become only moderately soft and will take up only so much
of the liquor as the quantity of sugar behind it can take up under the influence of
centrifugal force.
It is obvious moreover that the possibility of any liquor escaping between the
tongues t is in this manner likewise reduced to a minimuin.
In this process, it will be seen, the thick liquor fulfils the function of an
intermediary medium inasmuch as it first, acting like a sponge, absorbs the liquor
admitted into the centrifugal apparatus by sudden rushes, and gradually and
slowly gives it up again to the sugar to be liquored and thus affords the advantage
of gradual and slow liquoring, which by the nature of the clearing or liquoring
process has a much better effect than if the liquor penetrates the mass of the sugar
in sudden rushes,
When the liquoring is finished the sugar is drained as far as may be by increasing
the centrifugal force and the moulds, being removed from the centrifugal apparatus
are then taken apart as above explained.
The shape adopted for the zigzag centre plates a and ribbed end plates 6 6¹
(Figure 3) for the purpose of making prisms of sugar, specially facilitates the speedy
taking apart of the mould without damage to the prisma.

page_text: The same is the case with the moulds for making, tablets as tlie sides of the mould
are (as shown in Figure 9) somewhat slanting thus facilitating the removal of the
tablet.
The moulds above described therefore offer most advantages in practising this
process but the framelike moulds with parting sheets or plates may be used if their
walls are so shaped that a compartment is formed for the reception of "thick
liquor."
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1. In the manufacture of sugar prisms suitable for manufacturing cubos of
sugar and also of sugar-tablets the employment of a preliminary liquoring while
at rest" by means of a pulp or paste of sugar setting into a spongy mass which mass
in the centrifugal apparatus serves as an advantageous intermediary for the liquor
or clearing solution.
2. For carrying the herein described process into practice moulds for sugar
which are provided with a compartment or space whereby the "liquoring while at
rest," by means of a pulp or paste of sugar, is rendered possible.
8.-Sugar moulds for making prisms, consisting of centre plates a, and ribbed
end plates bb' capable of being drawn together by bolts or screws upon which they
are slipped.
4. Sugar moulds for making tablets or plates having U shaped or similar centre
plates g, and endplates f, and a flat end plate hall capable of being drawn together
by screws or bolts,