improvements in method and Apparatus for Dessicating Vegetable and Animal Matter.
Year: 1885

page_text: improvements in method and Apparatus for Dessicating
Vegetable and Animal Matter.
I BENJAMIN LONGACRE RYDER of Chambersburg in the county of Franklin
and State of Pennsylvania in the United States of America gentleman do hereby.
declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN METHOD AND.
APPARATUS FOR DESSICATING VEGETABLE AND ANIMAL MATTER and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to an apparatus in which a current of air is heated and
directed through a flue inclined more or less from the horizontal, through which
flue a series of perforated or pervious trays bearing the material are passed
successively from end to end in such manner as to subject the material to a
diminishing temperature from the commencement toward the finish of the
operation.
The apparatus is also provided with a second flue underlying the first and
through which the trays containing the partially dried material may be returned
toward the front of the machine.
The apparatus may also be provided with a third flue at the top with gates for
closing the same and with apparatus by which the chamber or flue thus closed
may be supplied with sulphurous fumes for bleaching the fruit, to the end that it
may not be discolored by the subsequent treatment.
This top flue is not a necessary feature of the apparatus and may be omitted if
desired.
To the end that the apparatus, which is large and cumbrous, may be placed in
compact form for storage and transportation, it is constructed in sections designed
and united with special reference to their convenient separation.
In the accompanying drawings:
Fig. 1 represents a longitudinal vertical section of my apparatus with three
flues.
Fig. 2 a vertical cross section of the same on the line x-x.
Fig. 3 a perspective view of the apparatus the principal sections being separated
to show the manner in which they are constructed.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the trays.
- Fig. 5 is a section through one of the adjustable legs.

page_text: REFERRING TO THE DRAWINGS.
B represents a furnace or heater which may be of any appropriate form adapted
to burn wood or other fuel. The upper portion of the fire chamber is surrounded
by a jacket provided near its base with air openings or inlets which serve to direct
the inflowing air against the heated surface that it may be delivered at the top at
a high temperature.
A represents the body of the apparatus of a quadrangular form with three
longitudinal flues D E F one overlying the other as plainly represented in Figs. 1
and 2. This body is hinged at one end on top of the furnace as seen at a, and
sustained at the opposite ends by legs C pivoted thereto so that they may be varied
when required. Each leg is composed of two sections clasped together to slide one
upon the other and provided with notches and a locking spring e as represented
in Fig. 5 so that their length may be changed to vary the inclination of the body.
Each flue is provided at its end with horizontal doors or gates which admit of the
trays being introduced and removed.
The heated air from the furnace is delivered directly to the lower end of the
lower flue which remains after it has become filled with trays in constant com-
munication with the furnace. Openings are made at the lower end from the lower
to the middle flue, and from the latter to the top flue and sliding gates G. and H
provided by which these openings inay be wholly or partially closed at will. A slide
or door m is also provided for closing the upper end of the top flue when it is to
be used as a bleaching chamber. At their upper ends the flues communicate with
each other by openings, of comparatively small size so that the heated products
may pass directly upward to the outlet j'at the upper rear end. A pipe I extends
from the lower part of the upper flue downward to a point at the side of the
furnace where it terminates in an expanded mouth or hood located directly over a
plate or retort K one end of which is extended into the furnace so as to be constantly
heated. This plate is designed to receive the sulphur or other bleaching agent
which will be vaporized and conducted through the pipe I into the upper flue or
chamber. There is provided for the apparatus a large number of rectangular trays
or frames L constructed as represented in Fig. 4, or in any other suitable form, each
tray consisting of an external frame provided with a bottom of wire gauze,
perforated metal or wooden slats or otherwise constructed to admit of the heated
air passing freely through the same in a vertical direction in order to act upon the
fruit or other material thereon.
It is preferred to construct the trays as shown in Fig. 4, with downwardly
extending shoulders or ledges t on the underside and shoulders u¹ at the upper
side so that when stacked one upon another, they will interlock in such manner as
to prevent their displacement, while at the same time, air is permitted to flow
freely around and between them.
Each flue is provided along its side with shoulders, rails or ledges of any
appropriate character to sustain the edges of these trays in order that the air may
flow beneath them as well as over their upper surfaces. For the purpose of
advancing the trays through the middle flue toward its upper end I provide a
reciprocating bar N having at one end an upright shoulder or lip to engage the
tray placed above it, and having on its underside spur teeth to engage a pinion O
the shaft of which is extended through the side of the apparatus and provided
with an operating crank P at the outer end.
In the lower flue above the furnace I pivot a locking frame or detent & the upper
end of which stands normally above the rails or shoulders which sustain the trays
so as to bear against the end of the lowermost tray and prevent the same from
sliding downward accidentally over the furnace. By lifting the heel end of this
frame, which is close to the door, its upper end may be depressed. whereupon the
trays may be drawn forward for removal. The framework of the apparatus may
be constructed in any appropriate manner but when it is to be adapted for trans

page_text: portation I prefer to provide rectangular frame sections was shown in Fig. 3 with
grooves in their upper and lower edges to receive the side-boards x. Vertical
removable rods y or equivalent fastening devices will be provided as shown in the
drawings to bind the parts firmly together.
"In operating the apparatus if the fruit is to be first bleached, a fire is started in
the furnace, the gates H and m closed to isolate the upper flue from the remainder,
of the apparatus and sulphur introduced into the retort K. so that its fumes will
be caused to ascend into the flue or chamber. The fruit properly distributed upon
the trays,
then placed in the upper chamber and subjected to the bleaching fumes
for an appropriate length of time, after which the gates H and m are opened and
the fumes permitted to escape through the outlet 1. The trays are now removed
from the upper chamber preferably through the door at its lower end and introduced
into the lower end of the middle flue, two or three trays stacked one upon another
being commonly introduced at a time, and moved forward toward the upper, end
of the flue by turning the crank P which causes the bar or carrier to push them
ahead.
The bar is then retracted, a second tray or series of trays introduced and moved
forward and so on repeatedly, each tray serving to push ahead those which stand
in advance.
When the trays reach the upper rear end of the middle flue, they are removed
therefrom and if further treatment of the material is required, as is usually the
case, the trays are introduced into the upper end of the lower flue and advanced
step by step through the same towards its front. At the proper time, the operator
moving the frame q releases the foremost tray, and drawing the same forward over
the furnace removes it at once from the apparatus. When the gate G is open the
heated air passing the lower flue without circulating through the same to any
material extent passes at once into the middle flue where it flows over and under
and through the trays in such manner as to completely envelope the fruit therein
the humid air finally escaping in an upward direction at the rear end.
In the treatment of many kinds of materials the employment of two flues so
that the material may first be subjected to a maximum temperature and then
gradually moved away from the fire and subjected to a decreasing temperature,
and finally returned to the second flue toward the heater is found of great practical
benefit.
It will of course be understood that the reciprocating bar or carrier and the
tilting frames are mere matters of convenience and not essential features of the
apparatus.
It is also to be distinctly understood that the top flue or bleaching chambor may
be omitted, in which case the fruit will be inserted directly into the middle flue in
the first instance.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
.
1. In an apparatus for drying vegetable or animal matters, the combination of
an air heater, a body having two approximately horizontal flues in communication
with the heater, and a series of trays or carriers adapted to be passed through one
of said flues away from the heater and through the second flue toward the heater.
2. The combination of the heater, the body provided with two inclined flues
one overlying the other and both in communication with the heater at their lower
ends.
3. The hot-air heater in combination with the body having two inclined flues
provided with doors and one overlying the other and a gate or damper for
regulating communication between the upper flue and the furnace.
4. In a drying or dessicating apparatus, having an inclined flue, the reciprocating
bar or carrier and its operating devices for advancing the trays edgewise through
the flue.

page_text: 5. In a drying or dessicating apparatus, the furnace and the inclined flue
communicating therewith in combination with the rocking frame or detent 8.
6. In a drying or dessicating apparatus, the combination of a heater, three
overlying flues communicating with the heater gates or dampers whereby one flue
may be isolated from the others, and means substantially as described for supplying
said flue with bleaching fumes.
7. In a drying or dessicating apparatus, a body having overlying flues the same
constructed in horizontal separable sections substantially as described.
8. In a drying or dessicating apparatus the body consisting of the horizontal
grooved frames t the side boards u and the tie-rods w.
9. In combination with the stationary furnace or air heater, the body provided
with two or more flues, the hinged connection between the body and furnace and
the adjustable legs whereby the inclination of the body may be varied.
10. The hereindescribed method of drying animal and vegetable matters, con-
sisting in passing the same through heated currents of air with movements first
away from and subsequently toward the heating apparatus.