Improvements in the Manufacture of Starch.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 6th June, 1894
Complete Specification Left, 5th Mar., 1895-Accepted, 13th Apr., 1895
Improvements in the Manufacture of Starch.
I, ROBERT WILSON, of Plantation Starch Works, Mair Street, Govan, in the
County of Lanark, North Britain, Starch Manufacturer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows, that is to say :-
My said invention relates to those operations in the manufacture of starch in
which water is separated from the starch and the starch is finally dried, and iny
object is to improve the process, to shorten the time and diminish the extent of
apparatus required, and to avoid contamination of the starch by dust or other
atmospheric impurities.
In carrying out my invention I employ a number of frames on which are distended
diaphragms of cloth or other suitable material or combination of materials, the
arrangement being such that when the frames are combined there are spaces between
pairs of the diaphragms to receive the liquid starch or mixture of starch and water,
such spaces alternating with other spaces into which passes the water filtering
through the diaphragms. The latter, or, as they may be termed, water spaces are
crossed by wooden bars or strips which support the diaphragmns against the pressure
of the starch; and the same water spaces are provided with bottom outlets for
draining off the water.
When being filled the starch spaces are connected by flexible or other suitable
tubes with a rhone or channel by which the liquid starch is led to the apparatus.
Each tube may he inserted in a pair of half-round cavities formed in each pair of
frames, being tightly held when the frames are bound together. A number of
frames are bound together by long bolts; and when the liquid starch has been
filled, the set of frames is left quiescent for several hours to allow the water to
drain off as much as it will do without the application of pressure or heat, or
until the starch has become sufficiently solidified for being stoved and thoroughly
dried. The long bolts are next withdrawn, and the supply tubes removed; and
then the frames of each pair are secured together with the cake of starch
between them; and each pair is placed separately in the drying stove.
Dated this Fifth day of June 1894.
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicant's Agent.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Starch.
I, ROBERT WILSON, of Plantation Starch Works, Mair Street, Govan, in-
the County of Lanark, North Britain, Starch Manufacturer, 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,
that is to say :-
My said invention relates to those operations in the manufacture of starch in:
which water is separated from the starch and the starch is finally dried, and my

page_text: object is to improve the process, to shorten the time and diminish the extent of
apparatus required, and to avoid contamination of the starch by dust or other
atmospheric impurities.
In carrying out my invention I employ a number of frames on which are distended
diaphragms of cloth or other suitable material and when a number of frames are
combined there are formed spaces for receiving the liquid starch alternating with
spaces for water filtering through the diaphragms, means being also provided for
filling the starch spaces, binding the frames together and draining off the water all
as hereinafter described.
And in order that my said invention and the manner of performing the same may
be properly understood I hereunto append a sheet of explanatory drawings to be
hereinafter referred to and showing my improvements.
Figure, 1, on the accompanying sheet of drawings is a side elevation of my.
improved apparatus, Figure 2-being-an-end elevation of same. Figure, 3, is a
plan, Figure, 4, a side elevation, and Figure, 5, a vertical section all drawn to
a larger scale than Figures, 1, and 2, showing a pair of my improved frames com-
bined together.
In these drawings the same reference letters are used to mark the same or
like parts wherever they are repeated.
I employ a number of frames, A, of wood or other suitable material and of any
convenient size on which are distended diaphragms, B, of cloth or other suitable
material or combination of materials, the arrangement being such that when the
frames, A, are combined as shown in Figure, 1, there are spaces, C, (Figure, 5)
between pairs of the diaphragms, B, to receive the liquid starch or mixture of
starch and water, such spaces alternating with other spaces, D, into which passes
the water filtering through the diaphragms, B. The latter, or as they may be
termed, water spaces, D, are crossed by wooden bars or strips, E, which support
the diaphragms, B, against the pressure of the starch; and the water spaces are.
provided with bottom outlets, F, for draining off the water. Each frame, A, is
provided with a small wheel, G, near the middle of each end, the wheels running
on rails, H, to facilitate the movement of the frames, A.
.
A number of the frames, A, are bound together by long bolts, N, which pass through
holes, P, in lugs formed on two metal end frames, Q, R, the ends of the bolts, N;
being screwed and fitted with nuts, S. When the frames, A, are in the position
shown in Figure, 1, ready for being filled the starch spaces, C, are connected by
flexible or other suitable tubes, J, with a rhone or channel, K, by which the liquid
starch is led to the apparatus and each tube, J, is inserted in a pair of half-round
cavities, L, formed in cach pair of frames, A.
When the liquid starch has been filled into the spaces, C, the set of frames is
left quiescent for several hours to allow the water to drain off as much as it will
do without the application of pressure or heat, or until the starch has become
sufficiently solidified for being stoved and thoroughly dried. The long bolts, N,
are next withdrawn, the end frames, Q, R, and the supply tubes, J, removed;
and then each pair of frames, A, held together by catches, M, with the cake of
starch between is placed separately in the drying stove, (not shown).
Instead of the pairs of frames remaining in the stove when once put in, until
completely dried, they may with advantage be taken out after being in a time;
and each pair of frames may be opened alternately on opposite sides to loosen the
filtering material from the starch which can then be easily done. The frames are
then to be returned to the stove for the drying to be completed, When the frames
are opened as described any discolored starch on the surfaces of the cakes can be
removed, and the filtering material may be changed if desirable.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting my improved apparatus

page_text: for use in the manufacture of starch substantially as hereinbefore described and as
shown in the accompanying drawings.
2. In the manufacture of starch the employment of frames on which are distended
diaphragms of cloth or other suitable material or combination of materials
arranged so that when the frames are combined there are spaces for receiving the
liquid starch alternating with spaces for water filtering through the diaphragms-
substantially as hereinbefore described.
Dated this Fourth day of March 1895.
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicant's Agent.