An Improved Apparatus for Effecting the Washing, Swelling, and Germination of Grain.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Apr., 1894-Accepted, 13th Oct.,
1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Apparatus for Effecting the Washing, Swelling, and
Germination of Grain.
I, OTTO HENTSCHEL, of 118 Grossbardauerstrasse, Grimma, in Saxony,
German Empire, Manufacturing Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The subject of this invention is an improved apparatus for effecting the washing,
swelling and germination of grain and consists essentially of a drum of corrugated
sheet metal and an adjustable agitating apparatus, through which circulates water,
steam or air according to the object to be attained.
In order that my invention may be the better understood I now proceed to
describe the same reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the
letters and figures marked thereon.
Figure 1 is a vertical section through the axis of the apparatus.
Figure 2 is a vertical section normal to the axis, of one mode of construction,
and
Figures 3 and 4 are vertical sections, normal to the axis, of two further modes
of construction of this apparatus.
The essential part of this invention consists in a drum M of corrugated sheet
metal, carried in a hollow axle and adapted to be slowly rotated by suitable
gearing. This drum M is designed for the reception of the material to be washed
and is provided with suitable devices for discharging.
An agitating apparatus R' R' is provided within this drum, consisting of two
tubes perforated like sieves and which are of fish-bellied shape. These tubes are
placed parallel to the axis of the apparatus and are disposed diametrically, in such
a manner that one tube is nearly at the lowest part of the grain in the drum while
the other is above the surface of the grain and nearly parallel with it. Each of
these hollow tubes R¹ R2 is connected to hollow bearing pins Z' 7' respectively
situated free to rotate in the ends of the drum, so that water may be forced through
the lower agitating tube R2, as required, and discharged by suction through the
upper tube or vice versa. During the process of malting or germination, air is
introduced and exhausted in a similar manner.
It may be easily seen that for the purpose of producing a greater effect, three,
four or more horizontal stirring arms R' and R' may be added. Fig. 4 shows by
way of example an arrangement in which two parallel stirring arms R' and R
are arranged.
The drum M is usually rotated by suitable means while the agitating tubes
remain at rest, so that a relative motion is produced, but the agitating tubes may
receive a jigging or rotary motion by suitable meaus.
If the agitating tubes are to remain at rest during the operation, they may be
fixed in position by means of the crank K, shown in Figures 1 and 2. This
position is of particular importance while the drum is filled or emptied.
The advantage of the corrugated shell of the drum is that the grain therein is
loosened within its own bulk and cannot slide along the inner walls of the drum.
This effect is farther assisted by the agitating tubes R' and R².
Motion is as a rule communicated by ordinary transmitting devices, but it may
conveniently be obtained by the apparatus shown in Figure 3, which is automatic.
A double rocking lever H carries at one end a shovel like vessel or pan G, while
the other end carries a counterweight W. If the vessel G is filled with water, the
lever H will be lowered towards this side, that is to say so far until the vessel

page_text: strikes the ground and the water is allowed to run out. Then the counterweight W
predominates again and raises the empty vessel. During this movement a tap or
valve is opened which allows water to run into the vessel and the same operation is
repeated. To that part of the lever H which carries the vessel G is attached a
ratchet pawl s p acting on a ratchet wheel S. The rotation of the ratchet wheel
by the pawl is transmitted to the drum by suitable cog wheel or frictional gearing.
The waste water discharged from the drum may be used for filling the vessel G.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
ist. In apparatus for effecting the washing swelling and germination of grain a
corrugated shell for the purpose of loosening the bulk of the material to be treated
and to prevent the same from sliding along the inner wall of the drum substantially
as described.
2nd. In the apparatus claimed in Claim 1 the construction of agitating apparatus
consisting of the agitating tubes R' R², adapted to have water, air, or steam and
forced therethrough, and a hollow bearing pin through which the fluid is discharged
by suction or otherwise in order to ensure the continuous circulation of the water,
air or steam through the grain, substantially as described.
3rd. In the apparatus claimed in Claim 1 a device for producing rotary motion
consisting of a rocking lever carrying on one end a counter weight W and on the
other a shovel like vessel or pan G, which is alternately filled and emptied, and a
ratchet pawl and wheel transmitting such oscillating motion to the drum as a rotary
motion by means of suitable cog wheel or frictional gearing substantially as
described.
Dated this 19th day of April 1894.
FELL & WILDING,
Agents for the Applicant.