IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR USE IN CLEANING, DRESSING, OR REMOVING EXTRANEOUS MAT- TERS FROM COTTON AND OTHER SEEDS, AND GRAIN
Year: 1876

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Henry Baker and William
Francis at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th December
1876.
THOMAS HENRY BAKER, of No. 5, Penny Fields, West India Road, Poplar, En-
gineer, and WILLIAM FRANCIS, of No. 1, Dora Street, Rhodeswell Road, Limehouse,
Morchant, both in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS OR
APPARATUS FOR USE IN CLEANING, DRESSING, OR REMOVING EXTRANEOUS MAT-
TERS FROM COTTON AND OTHER SEEDS, AND GRAIN."
These improvements have for their object the efficient, rapid, and economical
clearing of cotton and other seeds or grain from their covering of fibre or other
matter adhering thereto desired to be removed, and when desired the further
dressing or polishing of the seeds or grain. For this purpose the cotton or other
seed or grain is dried as much as is requisite by any suitable known process.
Having thoroughly evaporated the moisture contained in the fibre or other
covering of the seed or grain, and imparted such an amount of warmth as may be
required to the seeds or grain, they are then passed from the drying chamber by a
shoot or other suitable means to another chamber or compartment containing an
endless trough or continuous channel of semicircular or other suitable section, sup-
ported by suitable framework, mounted upon cnsters, rollers, or other means
adapted to facilitate its traverse or revolution upon a platform or table. This
trough or channel is provided with an opening or openings at requisite distances
apart, provided with tap or valve, or taps or valves, or other means of regulation
for the letting off of the liquid therein as may be desired. These openings should
be protected by wire gauze or other strainers. This trough or channel has motion
imparted to it by shafts and pinions, or other driving means, from a central or other
shaft or shafts; the same shaft or shafts may also give motion to the other parts of
the machinery employed.
At intervals, by the side of the trough or channel, are provided stationary frames
or supports, formed with bearings for the axes of stirrers which are capable of re-
volving, so that the loops or arms of one stirrer in revolving interspace with those
of another or others, and the stirrers by their movement keep the seed in motion
and separate it thoroughly in its horizontal passage in the trough or channel.
In front of these stirrers or at other suitable part is provided a spiked or
tooth drum, capable of revolution, and thereby to aid in the separation of the seeds
Pains 1

page_text: in a vertical direction so as to loosen and render them more open and accessible for
subsequent treatment.
Between one and the next stirring apparatus we provide a pipe or tube, perforated
with holes, for the supply from a reservoir or other suitable source of an acid or
alkali, diluted to the requisite extent with water and adapted to readily destroy or
remove the fibre or other extraneous matter from the seeds, and this solution is de-
livered upon the seeds in fine jets, film, or spray. Another pipe of larger diameter
is provided for the copious supply of water to immediately arrest the chemical
action of the solution when the desired destruction or removal of the fibre or other
matter has been affected, and to prevent injurious action upon the seed themselves.
This part of the process should be watched with vigilence in order that the action
of the destructive solution may be arrested at the proper time.
The action of the acid or other solution being arrested, the apparatus is again set
in motion for, say ten minutes, in order to the completion of the cleansing; a
twisted or curved scoop is then brought into action, by means of which the seeds or
grain are removed from the revolving trough or channel, and are placed in a suit-
able receptacle, from which, by the well known "cup and band lift," or other
means, they are scattered or spread upon the drying floors to be again subjected
to the drying action of a dry air or other blast or heat for the removal of the
moisture acquired.
When desired the seed is removed from the drying floor and passed down a
cylinder or drum of reticulate, open, or wire work, the diameter of which is reduced
or tapered to one end, supported with capability of revolution by suitable gearing
applied to its axis or otherwise, and having an internal core or shaft of wood or
other suitable material, covered with goat skin or other material adapted, in the
revolution of the drum or cylinder, in the reverse direction thereto, to effect a strong
polishing action on the contained seeds or grain.
In the treatment of grain and other seeds the employment of the acid or alkaline
solution may be omitted, and other suitable cleansing liquid employed.