IMPROVED MEANS OF AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING SIZES
Year: 1882

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Whitfield Harland at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th December 1882. .
JOHN WHITFIELD HARLAND of 5 Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
"IMPROVED MEANS OF AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING SIZES
"}
My Invention relates to improved means of and apparatus for manufacturing
vegetable sizes used in textile manufactures and for other purposes.
It consists in the application and use of Cassawa roots, yams, cocos, and the
horse chestnut, any or all of which may be found to contain a sufficient proportion
of gluten as substitutes for potatoe starch or flour ordinarily used for the
manufacture of vegetable sizes or substitutes for gum paste or size.
In carrying out my Invention the cassawa roots or other substances named are
first macerated and the gluten precipitated and dried. The gluten or starch is
then mixed with the chemical ingredients usually employed (according to the
purpose to which the product is to be applied) by a specially constructed machine.
or apparatus which consists of a shallow circular revolving tub or pan composed
principally of wood combined with iron (or other suitable material) and mounted'
on and secured to a crown bevil wheel through the centre of which passes a fixed
central pivot pin or axis firmly secured to a strong foundation plate, the crown
bevil wheel being caused to revolve by a bevil pinion actuated by any suitable
motive power. To the internal circumference of the tub or pan are attached at
equal distances apart, four (more or less) sets of arms or beaters (of iron or other
material) inclining upwards and curved horizontally or "scythe" fashion towards the
central pivot or axis to which are secured above the top of the central boss of the
tub or pan three (more or less) sets of arms or beaters similar to those before
described. Projecting downwards from the lowest series of the latter arms or
beaters are iron or other metal strips or pieces similar to the teeth of a rake which
engage with corresponding strips, projecting upwards from the bottom of the tub or
pan into the spaces between the upper strips or pieces-By this arrangement of
three fixed and four rotating sets of arms combined with the rakes as the tub
or pan revolves each set in turn is engaged by another set opposite to it and as
only two sets can possibly be engaged at one time a regular succession of blows are

page_text: given and the resistance offered to the motive power is equable throughout whilst
the mixing and kneading of the gluten and other ingredients are rapidly and
uniformily performed. Provision is made for ensuring the necessary rigidity to the
arms or beaters and for preventing undue strain on the central pivot or axis.
If desired the tub or pan may be driven in the reverse direction. It may also
be disconnected from its driving gear at will and by means of a combination of
levers arranged to support the tub or pan similar to those used in weighbridges,
the contents of the tub or pan and additions thereto may be accurately, and rapidly
weighed without removal the tub or pan becoming temporarily the scale of the
weighing machine.
This machine may also be used for kneading clay or the dough of bread, and in
some cases the arms or beaters attached to the central pivot or axis may be tubular
and formed with small holes or jets through which steam, water, or other
ingredients, liquid or gaseous may be introduced into the tub or pan.