A New or Improved Method of and Apparatus for Mixing and Sifting Dry Powders or similar Ingredients.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Feb., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 20th Nov., 1890-Accepted, 24th Jan., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Method of and Apparatus for Mixing and
Sifting Dry Powders or similar Ingredients.
I, JOHN PRATT MUTCH of 359 Hornsey, Road, Holloway, in the County of Middlesex,
Chymist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to that class of sieve generally used in the sifting of dry
powders, but with a mechanical combination of mixing and sifting at one and the
same time, whereby great saving of time and labour combined with cleanliness and
economy is afforded.
The machine is constructed in the following manner;
It consists of three separate circular cylinders or compartments which are fitted
perpendicularly one into another in the following order :-The first or lower cylinder
or receiver has fitted within it the second cylinder which contains the sieve, the third
cylinder containing a series of brushes and machinery hereinafter described, with a
closely fitting lid or cover over the top.
In the centre of the third cylinder an upright revolving shaft is placed, supported
at the top and bottom by two or more cross-arms, the said shaft being fitted into sockets
at either end which securely hold the shaft in position during the operation of the
brushes. The brushes are operated from the top of the shaft by the action of two
bevelled toothed wheels, which said wheels are caused to rotate by the action of a
horizontal rod or bar passed through the side of the third cylinder at the operators right
hand, a handle or similar contrivance being fastened thereto. The said brushes (say
eight or more according to the size of machine required) being suitably attached to
the lower set of cross-arms at the opposite end to the said bevelled toothed wheels, in
such a manner as to maintain the continual motion of the powder and at the same time
to ensure perfect and speedy admixture.
The said brushes are or may be constructed of bristle, fibre, wire or other suitable
material, but by preference 1 employ bristle brushes as being the most durable, more
easily cleaned and less liable to become clogged or damaged.
The sieve upon which the brushes perform their circular motion is composed of
brass wire gauze, but it will be understood that the sieve may be made of fine iron
wire, perforated zinc, cyprus, hair, fibrous or other like material.
The three separate cylinders or compartments before mentioned, may be constructed
of block tin, copper, zinc, wood or other suitable material and each cylinder may be
removed for cleaning or other purposes, at the will or pleasure of the operator.
Dated this 21st day of February 1890.
J. P. MUTCH,
Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Method of and Apparatus for Mixing and
Sifting Dry Powders or similar Ingredients.
I JOHN PRATT MUTCH of 359 Hornsey Road, Holloway in the County of Middlesex,
Chymist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My invention relates to that class of sieve generally used in the sifting of dry
powders but with a mechanical combination of mixing and sifting at one and the
same time, whereby great saving of time and labour combined with cleanliness and
economy is afforded.

page_text: The machine is constructed in the following manner reference being had to the
accompanying sheets of drawings and to the letters and figures marked thereon.
Figure 1 (Sheet 1) of the drawings represents an external view of the apparatus
and consists of three separate circular cylinders or compartments which are fitted
perpendicularly one into another in the following order, namely
:-
The first or lower cylinder or receiver A has fitted within it a second cylinder B,
which contains the sieve (not shown).
The third cylinder C contains a series of brushes shown in Figures 2 and 3
(Sheet 2) and hereinafter referred to, with a closely fitting lid or cover a over the top
attached to which is an ordinary funnel or hopper b.
In the centre of the third cylinder C, Figure 2, an upright or revolving shaft c is
placed supported at the top by two or more cross arms & Figure 3 (Sheet 2) to one of
which is attached a bracket D Figure 2 (Sheet 2) passing from the said arm to the
centre shaft (Fig, 2). The said shaft e (Fig. 2) being fitted into a socket e,
Figure 2. at the lower end thereof, which socket e is fixed to the bottom of the
sieve F (Fig. 2) on cross bars or suitable attachment, which coupled with the
bracket (Fig. 2) and collar gas shown (which said collar is fixed on the upright
shaft directly under bracket D) securely holds the shaft in position thereby
preventing the upright shaft from rising during the operation of the brushes f
Figure 3.
The brushes are operated upon from the top of the shaft c Figure 2, by the action
of two bevelled tooth wheels G shewn in section in Figure 2, which said wheels G
Figure 2, are caused to rotate by the action of a horizontal shaft, rod or bar h Fig. 2,
being passed through the third cylinder C, at the operators right-hand. A handle or
similar contrivance E, shewn in Figures 1, 2 and 3, being fastened thereto, which said
handle upon being turned immediately sets the apparatus in motion.
The said brushes f, Figures 2 and 3 (say 8 or more in number according to size
of machine required) being suitably attached to the lower side of four or more
cross arms f¹ (Figs. 2 and 3) under the said bevelled tooth wheels G (Fig. 2) in
such a manner as to maintain the continual motion of the powder in the following
manner :-
The handle E is turned and so causes the brushes (which are placed at a suitable
angle say of 45 degrees) to revolve, and there being a set of two or more brushes
fixed on each of the said cross arms f the powder is directly agitated when brought
into contact with same, and at the same time by the act of the said brushes following
closely one upon another not a single particle of the powder or other like material
is passed over and the machine thus ensures perfect and speedy admixture.
The before mentioned cross arms are attached to the upright revolving shaft c
by means of a thumb screw or other suitable appliance.
The brushes shown in Figures 2 and 3 respectively are or may be constructed
of bristle fibre, wire, or other suitable material, but by preference I employ bristle
brushes as being the most durable, more easily cleaned and less liable to become
clogged or damaged.
The sieve F, Figure 2, shown in section, upon which the brushes perform their
circular motion is composed of brass wire gauze but it will be understood that the
said sieve may be made of fine iron wire, perforated zinc, cyprus, hair, fibrous or
other like material.
The three separate cylinders A. B. and C respectively (Figure 1) before referred to
may be constructed of block tin, copper, zine, wood or other like material and each
cylinder may be removed for cleaning or other purposes at the will or pleasure of
the operator.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I would have it understood
that I do not lay claim to any special feature of the apparatus so far as the shape
and general construction is concerned, except in regard to the cylinders aforesaid
being placed one into another so as to ensure cleanliness and economy as herein before

page_text: stated, but what I do claim as novel and original is
The peculiar arrangement of the brushes so placed at an angle (say of 45 degrees)
and the general operation of the same on the sieve by means of which the powder
or other similar ingredients are operated upon, in the manner and by the means
substantially as herein before described.
DL: 10th day of Novemba 1900
J. P. MUTCH
Applicant.