CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OR METHOD OF PREPARING, CLEANING, DRYING, AND OTHERWISE TREATING WHEAT, PULSE, SEEDS, AND OTHER GRAIN
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Hutchinson, of Tyldesley, in the
County of Lancaster, Corn Miller, for the Invention of "CERTAIN
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OR METHOD OF PREPARING, CLEANING,
DRYING, AND OTHERWISE TREATING WHEAT, PULSE, SEEDS, AND OTHER
GRAIN."
Sealed the 9th March 1858, and dated the 6th January 1853.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Hutchinson,
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 6th January 1853.
I, EDWARD HUTCHINSON, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OR METHOD OF PRE-
PARING, CLEANING, DRYING, AND OTHERWISE TREATING WHEAT, PULSE, SEEDS,
AND OTHER GRAIN," to be as follows:-
The usual method of cleaning grain, &c., is to wash it thoroughly or
repeatedly with water, until the dirt or extraneous matter be entirely
detached, and then taken from it or separated by screening or other
convenient manner. Instead of which, I propose to use steam for the
same purpose, which I find by experience to be much more effectual
and advantageous than water. My modus operandi of cleaning grain,

page_text: &c., by steam, is to put it in a cylinder made of woven or other wire
sufficiently fine to prevent it falling through the meshes. I fix the said
cylinder on bearings, so as to revolve on its axes, in an enclosed box or
trough, into which I admit the steam by pipes or other convenient con-
trivance, so that the steam entering the said box or trongh surrounds
the cylinder, and enters it through the meshes of the wire; thus pene-
trating the grain, &c., in the cylinder, and during its revolution softens
both the grain and the dirt or extraneous matter, which is necessary to
be effected before grinding or using, and which I then separate by
screening or other contrivance. I propose to effect this by a continuous
operation, by putting in the grain or seed at one end of the cylinder and
taking it and the refuse or extraneous matter out at the other end with-
out shutting off the steam or stopping the general operation.
I desire it to be distinctly understood that this is merely an outline
description of my Invention, which I will more fully explain in my
complete Specification.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent
filed by the said Edward Hutchinson in the Great Seal Patent
Office, on the 4th July 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
EDWARD HUTCHINSON, of Tyldesley, in the County of Lancaster, Corn
Miller, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent, bearing date the Sixth day of January, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in the sixteenth
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Edward Hutchinson, Her especial license that
I, the said Edward Hutchinson, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said Edward Hutchinson, my executors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel.

page_text: Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MODE OR METHOD OF PREPARING, CLEANING, DRYING, AND OTHERWISE
TREATING WHEAT, PULSE, SEEDS, AND OTHER GRAIN," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Edward Hutchinson, by an instru-
ment in writing under my hand and seal, should particularly describe
and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Edward Hutchinson, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement (that is to say):
Instead of the usual method of cleaning grain by washing it repeatedly
with water until the dirt or extraneous matter is entirely detached from
it, I use steam for the same purpose, which I find by experience to be
much more effectual and advantageous than water.
My nodus operandi of cleaning grain, &c., by steam, is to put it in a
cylinder or cylinders made of woven or other wire sufficiently fine to
prevent the grain falling through the meshes or interstices. I fix the
said cylinder or cylinders on bearings, so as to revolve on its or their
axes, in an enclosed or steam-tight box or trough, into which I admit
the steam by pipes or other convenient contrivance, so that the steam
entering the said box or trough surrounds the cylinder or cylinders, and
enters through the meshes or interstices of the wire, and thus during
the revolutions of the cylinder or cylinders penetrates the grain, and
softens it so that the dirt or extraneous matter becomes loosened from
the grain, which I then effectually separate by screening or other
similar contrivance. I effect this steaming process by a continuous
operation, by putting in the grain or seed at one end of the cylinder or
cylinders, and allowing it and the dirt or extraneous matter to pass out
at the other end without shutting off the steam or stopping the general
operations. This method or modus operandi will be more clearly under-
stood by reference to the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, in which the
same letters of reference are used to represent similar parts when
different views or diagrams arę shewn; but although I have in the said

page_text: Sheet of Drawings shewn a method of using steam for the purposes
aforesaid, I desire it to be distinctly understood that I do not claim the
exclusive use of the said machinery, except in connection or combination
with the use of steam for the purposes aforesaid. Neither do I confine
myself to the use of the said machinery as described in the accompa-
nying Sheet of Drawings, as I know steam may be used in various ways
for the said purposes.
Fig. 1, is a front elevation of a machine or apparatus shewing three
cylinders inside a steam box or trough. Figs, 2, and 3, end' views of
A, represents the feeder for
the same, and Figure 4, a plan thereof.
the cylinders; B, the steam box or chest containing the cylinders; C, a
cylinder shewing the wire covering; D, a cylinder without the wire
covering, to shew the worm; E, a cylinder without the wire covering,
to shew the shaft; F, the steam pipe; G, the spur gearing and box pulley
to drive the cylinder or cylinders.
Having thus fully described the nature and particulars of my said
Invention, I desire it to be distinctly understood that I clain as 'new,
and which to the best of my knowledge and belief has not been hitherto
used within this realm,
The use of steam for preparing and cleaning wheat, pulse, seeds, and
other grain.
In witness whereof, I, the said. Edward Hutchinson, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Second day of July One thousand
eight hundred and fifty-three.
EDWARD HUTCHINSON. (L.S.)
Signed, sealed, and delivered by the
within-named Edward Hutchinson
in the presence of
E. J. HUGHES,
Patent Agent,
Manchester.;

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