Improvements in Apparatus for Bolting or Dressing Flour or the like.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Dec., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 25th Jan., 1893-Accepted, 2nd Dec., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Bolting or Dressing Flour or
the like.
A communication by WILLIAM DICKSON GRAY, of Milwaukee, in the County of
Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, United States of America, Engineer.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool and Bank Street,
Manchester, both in the County of Lancaster and 323 High Holborn in the County
of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
This invention relates to machines intended more particularly for separating fine
flour from the coarser grain products, and the objects of the invention are mainly to
secure a thorough and efficient separation of the flour with the least possible
agitation and breakage of the bran and other coarser matters, and to increase the
capacity of the machine in proportion to its size by bringing into constant action
substantially the entire surface of the bolting-cloth.
To this end, with a cylindrical reel arranged in a horizontal or slightly inclined
position, and having a continuous surface of bolting-cloth, is combined a series of
lifting blades or buckets which serve to carry the material upward on the upgoing
side of the reel, and permit it to flow backward over the bolting-cloth; and a series
of independently and rapidly revolving blades whereby a portion of the material
lifted by the buckets is caught and thrown upward against the upper surface of the
bolting-cloth, and against the cloth on the downgoing side, so that by the conjoint
action of the lifting buckets, and the revolving blades the material to be separated
may be delivered over substantially the entire inner surface of the reel, thus
bringing into action the whole, or substantially the whole, surface of the bolting-
cloth.
Mr. Gray believes himself to be the first to combine, with a bolting-reel, means
for lifting and spreading the material over the upgoing side and means for directing
a portion of the material against the overlying cloth at the top and against the
cloth on the downgoing side, and it will be manifest to the skilled mechanic, after
consideration of this Specification, that the form and arrangement of the parts may
be variously modified without essentially changing the mode of action or passing
beyond the limits of the present invention.
In carrying the invention into effect :-
The reel is made of cylindrical form, and clothed throughout its length with
bolting-cloth or other appropriate pervious material, the construction being such
that the bolting-cloth presents, on the interior, a smooth uninterrupted cylindrical
surface. The frame of the reel may be constructed in any manner adapted to
sustain the cloth as described, but, in the preferred construction, two skeleton
circular spiders are mounted to turn loosely on opposite ends of the shaft, and
connected by longitudinal bolts which are passed therethrough and secured firmly
thereto by nuts. The rods sustain, at suitable intervals, blocks or brackets, which
support in turn the surrounding hoops, by which the bolting-cloth is given internal
support. The bolting-cloth is nailed or otherwise fixed at its ends to wooden
hoops carried by the spiders, the former at the head and the latter at the tail.
The blocks serve also the additional purpose of sustaining the longitudinal blades
or buckets, bolted thereto for the purpose of elevating the material under treatment
on the upgoing side of the reel. These buckets are preferably made of sheet
metal of a sectional form, but they may be made of wood or other suitable material
and varied in sectional form at will, provided only they are adapted to lift the

page_text: material on the upgoing side of the reel, and to deliver the same in part to the
spreading blades hereinafter described.
The blades are adjusted in such a manner as to leave a space of one inch, more or
less, between their outer edges and the inner surface of the bolting-cloth throughout
their entire length, so that the mass of material which is carried upward by the
blades may flow backward past their upper edges and thence downward over the
ascending surface of the cloth.
The inner edges of the blades are preferably bent upward, in order to give them
greater carrying capacity, so that they may take a portion of the material above
the centre of the reel, and there deliver it to the spreading-blades.
The rotary spreader consists of a series of longitudinal blades or bars, fixed to
the periphery of sustaining spiders, which are secured or otherwise fixed firmly to
the central shaft so as to be rotated thereby. These blades are preferably
extended throughout the length of the reel, or substantially so, and are arranged so
that, in cross section, their outer faces stand in approximately tangential relations
to the supporting spiders. By means of gearing hereinafter described in detail,
the spreader is revolved at a much higher rate of speed than the reel proper, so that
the material carried above the centre by the upgoing buckets of the reel and
poured over their inner edges toward the centre, is received or acted upon by the
blades and thrown outward thereby against the inner surface of the bolting-cloth at
the top, and on the outgoing side. In practice, it is found that, in a reel of thirty-
two inches diameter, good results are obtained by giving the reel a speed of from
nineteen to twenty revolutions per minute and the beater a speed of two hundred
revolutions, the beater being provided with ten blades. When the parts are
proportioned and driven as above described, it is found that it is possible to obtain
a constant delivery of the material against substantially the entire inner surface of
the bolting-cloth, and this with a smooth and easy action and without that violent
agitation of the material which occurs in what are commonly known as centrifugal
separators. The differential motions may be imparted to the reel and the spreader
by mechanism of any suitable character such as will suggest itself to the skilled
mechanic, but a simple and practical arrangement is recommended, in which the
main driving pulley is fixed on one end of the shaft, and motion imparted directly
thereto and to the spreader carried thereby. At the opposite end the shaft has
fixed upon it a pinion engaging a gear-wheel turning on a stud shaft. This gear
carries on its side a pinion, which in turn engages a large gear, fixed to the tail
spider of the reel, whereby the reel is caused to revolve on the shaft at a much
lower speed than the spreader. The train of gearing is mounted within the chest,
and is covered or enclosed by a casing provided with a suitable gland or stuffing-
box around the hub of the spider to prevent the flour and dust from gaining access
to the gearing.
For the purpose of feeding the material for treatment into the machine, the main
frame is provided at the head with a stationary hopper or feed spout, the lower end
of which delivers through the spider into the head end of the reel.
For the purpose of preventing the entrance of dough balls or other coarse
impurities, there is fixed within the head of the reel, so as to revolve therewith, a
conical screen, through which the fine material passes in its course from the hopper
'to the bolting surface, as in machines heretofore constructed by Mr. Gray. As
now constructed, this screen contains, as a feature of novelty, the inner closed end
constructed of sheet metal, its outer annular portion fitting the inner end of the
screen, while its central portion extends in the form of a conical hub towards the
head of the machine, for the purpose of limiting the volume of air passing into
the head of the reel. A series of blades is extended from the hub portion outward
to the cloth or screening surface. These blades assist in effecting the uniform
distribution and delivery of the ingoing material. The coarse matters accumulating
in the conical screen may be discharged through an opening closed by a movable
'door or slide. The spider forming the head of the reel is preferably constructed
with its outer annular portion closed to prevent the admission of air, and with an

page_text: annular flange projected into a circular groove in the head of the frame to produce. -
a tight joint. This spider serves also to sustain and carry the conical screen, which
may be fastened thereto in any suitable manner. The tail spider is constructed
with a series of arms, the outer ends of which are turned off and adapted to receive
and support an encircling hoop or band, which is movable in the direction of the
length of the reel, and which gives support to the hoop carrying the tail end of the
bolting-cloth.
Bolts provided with lock-nuts are tapped through ears on the hoop and seated
against the arms of the spider, so that, when they are turned in the proper direction,
they will force the hoop tailward, and thus stretch the bolting-cloth longitudinally.
The external hoop thus mounted for adjustment on the spider constitutes a very::
simple and efficient device for establishing and maintaining the requisite tension of
the cloth.
It is proposed to provide the machine at the base with gathering boards,
conveyors and return-boards, by which to effect a proper gradation and delivery of
the bolted material. These parts form no part of the present invention, and bear
no special relation thereto, and need not therefore be described herein.
While a reel of true cylindrical form has been described, it is to be understood
that reels of slightly tapered or conical form, to facilitate the delivery of the
material end wise without. inclining the axis, will fall within the scope of this
invention, conical and cylindrical reels being well known equivalents in the present
state of the art. The reel may be provided with a uniform bolting-cloth from.end
to end, or with cloth graded in fineness from one end to the other, as commonly
practised in the art, according to the character of the material to be treated and
the extent to which it is to be separated or graded.
While the best results are obtained by rotating the spreader-blades in the same
direction as the reel, but at a higher speed, it will be manifest that the blades,..
suitably inclined, may be revolved in the opposite direction to throw the material
elevated by the lifting blades or buckets against the cloth at the top and on the
downgoing side.
D
قيمة
1
L November 1802
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Bolting or Dressing Flour or
the like.
A communication by WILLIAM DICKSON Gray, of Milwaukee, in the County...
of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, United States of America, Engineer.
I, WILLIAM Phillips ThompSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for
Foreign Patent. Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6 Bank Street,
Manchester both in the County of Lancaster, and 323 High Holborn, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, 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 :-
This invention relates to machines intended more particularly for separating fine:
flour from the coarser grain products and the objects of the invention are mainly
to secure a thorough and efficient separation of the flour with the least possible...
agitation and breakage of the bran and other coarser matters and to increase the
capacity of the machine in proportion to its size by bringing into constant action
substantially the entire surface of the bolting-cloth.
To this end, with a cylindrical reel arranged in a horizontal or slightly inclined
position, and having a continuous surface of bolting-cloth is combined a series of
lifting blades or buckets which serve to carry the material upward on the upgoing
side of the reel, and permit it to flow backward over the bolting-cloth; and a

page_text: series of independently and rapidly revolving blades whereby a portion of the
material lifted by the buckets is caught and thrown upward against the upper
surface of the bolting-cloth and against the cloth on the downgoing side, so that
by the conjoint action of the lifting buckets, and the revolving blades, the material
to be separated may be delivered over substantially the entire inner surface of the
reel, thus bringing into action the whole, or substantially the whole, surface of the
bolting-cloth.
Mr. Gray believes himself to be the first to combine with a bolting-reel, means
for lifting and spreading the material over the upgoing side and means for
directing a portion of the material against the overlying cloth at the top and
against the cloth on the downgoing side, and it will be manifest to the skilled
mechanic, after consideration of this Specification, that the form and arrangement
of the parts may be variously modified without essentially changing the mode of
action or passing beyond the limits of the present invention.
In the accompanying drawings is represented a construction which has been
found well adapted for practical use. In these―
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine;
Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical section through the centre of the machine on
line 2-2 of Figures 3, 4 and 5;
Figures 3 and 4 are respectively elevations of the head and tail ends of the
machine;
Figure 5 is a vertical cross section on the line 5-5 of Figures 1 and 2 ;
Figure 6 is a vertical cross-section on the line 6-6 of Figures 1 and 2;
Figures 7 and 8 are respectively an axial section and an end view of the parallel
screen in the head of the reel ;
Figures 9 and 10 are respectively a cross-section and an end view of the head
spider;
Figures 11 and 12 are similar views of the tail spider.
Referring to the drawings
A, represents a rigid main-frame or casing which may be of any construction
adapted to sustain and enclose the operative parts hereinafter described. B is the
cylindrical reel sustained preferably in a slightly inclined position by the
longitudinal shaft C, the ends of which are mounted in fixed bearings in the main-
frame as usual.
In carrying the invention into effect :-
The reel is made of cylindrical form, and clothed throughout its length with
bolting-cloth or other appropriate pervious material b, the construction being such
that the bolting-cloth presents on the interior a smooth uninterrupted cylindrical
surface. The frame of the reel may be constructed in any manner adapted to
sustain the cloth as described, but in the preferred construction represented in the
drawing c c represent two skeleton circular spiders mounted to turn loosely on
opposite ends of the shaft, and connected by longitudinal bolts e² which are passed
therethrough and secured firmly thereto by nuts c³. The rods c² sustain at suitable
intervals, blocks or brackets c³, which support in turn the surrounding hoops c', by
which the bolting-cloth is given internal support. The bolting-cloth is nailed or
otherwise fixed at its ends to wooden hoops c and c', carried by the spiders, the
former at the head and the latter at the tail. The blocks 8 serve also the
additional purpose of sustaining the longitudinal blades or buckets E, bolted
thereto for the purpose of elevating the material under treatment on the upgoing
side of the reel. These buckets are preferably made of sheet metal of a sectional 5
form, shown in Figure 5, but they may be made of wood or other suitable material,
and varied in sectional form at will, provided only they are adapted to lift the
material on the upgoing side of the reel, and to deliver the same in part to the
spreading blades hereinafter described.
The blades are adjusted in such manner as to leave a space of one inch, more or 5
less, between their outer edges, and the inner surface of the bolting-cloth throughout
their entire length, so that the mass of material which is carried upward by the

page_text: blades may flow backward past their upper edges and thence downward over the
ascending surface of the cloth.
The inner edges of the blades are preferably bent upward as shown, in order to
give them greater carrying capacity, so that they may take a portion of the
material above the centre of the reel, and there deliver it to the spreading-blades.
F represents a rotary spreader consisting of a series of longitudinal blades or
barsffixed to the periphery of sustaining spiders f¹ which are secured or otherwise
fixed firmly to the central shaft so as to be rotated thereby. These blades are
preferably extended throughout the length of the reel, or substantially so, and are
arranged so that in cross section their outer faces stand in approximately tangential
relations to the supporting spiders. By means of gearing hereinafter described in
detail, the spreader F is revolved at a much higher rate of speed than the reel
proper, so that the material carried above the centre by the upgoing buckets of the
reel and poured over their inner edges toward the centre, is received or acted upon
by the blades and thrown outward thereby against the inner surface of the
bolting cloth at the top, and on the outgoing side. In practice it is found that in
a reel of thirty two inches diameter good results are obtained by giving the reel
a speed of from nineteen to twenty revolutions per minute, and the beater a speed
of two hundred revolutions, the beater being provided with ten blades. When the
parts are proportioned and driven as above described, it is found that it is possible
to obtain a constant delivery of the material against substantially the entire inner
surface of the bolting-cloth, and this with a smooth and easy action, and without
that violent agitation of the material which occurs in what are commonly known as
centrifugal separators. The differential motions may be imparted to the reel and
the spreader by mechanism of any suitable character such as will suggest itself to
the skilled mechanic, but a simple and practical arrangement is recommended in
Figures 2, and 6 in which G represents the main driving pulley fixed on one end
of the shaft C and imparting motion directly thereto, and to the spreader carried
thereby. At the opposite end the shaft C has fixed upon it a pinion H engaging a
gear wheel I turning on a stud shaft J Fig. 6. This gear I carries on its side a
pinion K which in turn engages a large gear L fixed to the tail spider of the reel
whereby the reel is caused to revolve on the shaft C at a much lower speed than
the spreader. The train of gearing is mounted within the chest, and is covered or
enclosed by a casing L' provided with a suitable gland or stuffing box around
the hub of the spider to prevent the flour and dust from gaining access to the
gearing.
For the purpose of feeding the material for treatment into the machine, the
main-frame is provided at the head with a stationary hopper or feed spout M,
the lower end of which delivers through the spider into the head end of the reel.
For the purpose of preventing the entrance of dough balls or other coarse
impurities, there is fixed within the head of the reel so as to revolve therewith a
conical screen N through which the fine material passes in its course from the
hopper to the bolting surface, as in machines heretofore constructed by Mr. Gray.
As now constructed this screen contains as a feature of novelty, the inner closed
end constructed of sheet metal, its outer annular portion fitting the inner end of
the screen N, while its central portion extends in the form of a conical hub toward
the head of the machine for the purpose of limiting the volume of air passing
into the head of the reel. A series of blades o are extended from the hub portion
outward to the cloth or screening surface, as shown in detail in Figures 7 and 8.
These blades assist in effecting the uniform distribution and delivery of the ingoing
material. The coarse matters accumulating in the conical screen N may be
discharged through an opening P closed by a movable door or slide. The spider c
forming the head of the reel is preferably constructed, as shown in detail in
Figures 9 and 10, with its outer annular portion closed to prevent the admission of
air and with an annular flange co projected into a circular groove in the head of the
frame to produce a tight joint. This spider c serves also to sustain and carry the
conical screen N which may be fastened thereto in any suitable manner. The tail

page_text: spider c¹ is constructed, as shown in detail in Figures 11 and 12, with a series of
arms the outer ends of which are turned off and adapted to receive and support an
encircling hoop or band c¹² which is movable in the direction of the length of the
reel, and which gives support to the hoop c² carrying the tail end of the bolting-
cloth.
Bolts provided with lock-nuts, are tapped through ears on the hoop c¹² and
seated against the arms of the spider c so that when they are turned in the proper
direction, they will force the hoop e¹2 tailward, and thus stretch the bolting-cloth
longitudinally. The external hoop thus mounted for adjustment on the spider,
constitutes a very simple and efficient device for establishing and maintaining the
requisite tension of the cloth.
It is proposed to provide the machine, as shown, at the base with gathering
boards, conveyors and return-boards by which to effect a proper gradation and
delivery of the bolted material. These parts, as shown in the drawings, form no
part of the present invention claimed herein, and bear no special relation thereto,
and need not therefore be described herein.
While a reel of true cylindrical form has been described, it is to be understood
that reels of slightly tapered or conical form to facilitate the delivery of the
material, end wise without inclining the axis, will fall within the scope of this
invention, conical and cylindrical reels being well known equivalents in the present
state of the art. The reel may be provided with a uniform bolting-cloth from end
to end, or with cloth graded in fineness from one end to the other, as commonly
practised in the art, according to the character of the material to be treated, and
the extent to which it is to be separated or graded.
While the best results are obtained by rotating the spreader-blades in the same
direction as the reel, but at a higher speed, it will be manifest that the blades,
suitably inclined, may be revolved in the opposite direction to throw the material
elevated by the lifting blades or buckets against the cloth at the top and on the
downgoing side.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is-
1. The combination substantially as described of the rotary reel, lifting buckets
therein and an independently revolving spreader adapted to receive the material
from the lifting buckets and deliver the same outward against the bolting surface.
2. The combination of the cylindrical reel, the internal lifting-buckets connected
thereto and separated at their outer edges from the bolting surface, the internal.
spreader provided with longitudinal blades to receive the material from the lifting
buckets, and mechanism for rotating the spreader and the reel, the former at a
higher speed than the latter.
3. The cylindrical reel, the longitudinal lifting-buckets E, attached to and
carried by the reel, their outer edges separated from the bolting cloth and their
inner edges upturned, in combination with the internal spreader having the longi-
tudinal blades with their faces in approximately tangential positions, and mechanism
for revolving the spreader at a speed. greater than that of the reel.
4. In a flour bolt, a central shaft, the spiders fixed thereon, and the spreaders
carried by the spiders, in combination with the reel spiders mounted to turn
loosely on the shaft, the rods connecting the reel spiders, the bolting-cloth, the
lifter-blades carried by the reel between the bolting-cloth and the spreaders and
differential gear for communicating a slow motion from the shaft to the reel..
5. In a bolting reel, the combination of a head spider, the bolting-cloth connected
therewith, the tail spider, its longitudinally movable encircling hoop having the tail
end of the bolting-cloth connected therewith, and adjusting screws whereby the
hoop may be adjusted axially in relation to its supporting spider.
6. In a bolting reel, the head and tail spiders, and the longitudinal rods
connecting them, in combination with the cylindrical bolting-cloth connected with

page_text: one spider, the longitudinal movable hoop sustained by the other spider and
connected with the bolting-cloth, said hoop having lugs to embrace the rods and
prevent its rotation, and adjusting screws for moving the hoop in an axial direction
in relation to its sustaining spider.
7. In a flour bolt, and in connection with the external casing, the reel having its
head spider provided with the annular flange clo, as and for the purpose described.
8. In a flour bolt, the external casing provided with the feed hopper, in com-
bination with the internal reel, the conical screen fixed in the head of the reel
to receive material from the hopper, and the plate O, substantially as described,
closing the central and inner portions of the conical screen to limit the admission
of air.
9. In combination with the reel, and a hopper feeding into its head, the rotary
screen located in the head of the reel and provided with internal blades, substantially
as described.
10. In combination with the external case, the central driving-shaft, the reel
mounted to turn loosely thereon, the differential gear connecting the shaft and reel
within the casing, and the housing L, enclosing said gearing.
Dated this 24th day of January 1893.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.