Improvements in and Apparatus for the Manufacture of Cakes, of Food for Cattle and the like.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Nov., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 23rd July, 1896-Accepted, 5th Sept., 1896.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION..
Improvements in and Apparatus for the Manufacture of Cakes, of
Food for Cattle and the like.
We, CESARE LUZATTO of No. 2 Via Ratti, Milan in the Kingdom of Italy
Engineer and EISENWERK (vorm. NAGEL AND KAEMP) A.G. a company
incorporated according to the laws of the Free City of Hamburg German Empire
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to the manufacture of food for cattle, such food being
made in the shape of cakes and composed chiefly of fibrous substances, and the
object of the invention is to improve both the process of manufacture of such
food and the apparatus to be employed in making cakes of this and similar kinds,
the cakes being of a composition, calculated to meet every requirement for the
successful feeding of cattle and being capable of resisting for a long time
destructive atmospheric influences.
The cakes produced in accordance with this invention are free from the drawbacks
attaching to all cakes for a similar purpose that have been hitherto introduced into
the market their characteristic merits in this respect being great density, and a
remarkable power for resisting putrefaction; and the fact that they may be
conveyed from place to place without breaking or crumbling, all of which
advantages are mainly the outcome of the novel method of manufacture, in the
performance of which the admixture of substanes likely to prove in any way
injurious to the cattle is carefully avoided.
The improved process mainly consists in mixing nutritious, or equivalent,
substances of a fibrous nature, such as hay, straw, or even brushwood, or the like,
with cereals, such as corn, wheat, buckwheat, bats, barley, maize rice and vetches,
which may be fine or coarse ground, as desired, small quantities of salt being
added to the mixture, if desired. The mixture, while undergoing a preparatory
compressing process, is submitted to the purifying action of steam, and then
pressed.
The proportions in which the fibrous substances and cereals should be mixed can
be determined after ascertaining, by analysis, the particular chemical composition
of each of the ingredients to be employed, the results of such observation being
aided by experience, and being dependent upon the species, or breed, age, and
weight of the cattle for which the food is intended, and also upon the work they
have to perform. For middle sized cart-horses, for example, kept at work
steadily all day, the following mixture has proved very satisfactory :—

page_text: The mixture of the ingredients before it can be made into cakes, is subjected to a
preliminary process of moderate compression within a steam bath, fresh steam being
brought into as close contact as possible with all parts of the mixture so as to render
it sufficiently mouldable for being in the most simple and direct manner made
into the shape of cakes by the compressing or moulding operation hereinafter
described.
The degree of pressure applied in the course of this compressing operation may be
varied according to the nature of the ingredients of which the cakes are composed
and the special purpose for which they are intended though the pressure exercised
in "the feeding" (or longitudinal) direction remains uniform, which effect may
be obtained by so constructing the mouth piece or channel through which the
ingredients are pressed that it is either reduced or enlarged in width by more or less
rapid degrees, in the course of the operation, say by providing it with a flexible
wall for the purpose.
Owing to the sharp compression to which the material is subjected it is made into
compact cakes occupying a space of only say 150 by 50 millimetres each and therefore
very convenient for transport. In addition to this the cakes thus obtained possess
great power of retaining their original properties for a long time as an instance of
which it may be stated that continued rain lasting 48 hours will fail to soak them
with moisture and to render them soft or flabby while after drying they will be
found to have retained their natural aroma or flavour, and will be eaten by the
cattle as readily as they would have been before being wetted. On the other hand
notwithstanding their density they can be broken up by hand with comparative
ease, and the animals to whom they are given can masticate them without difficulty.
In carrying out this invention a mixture of fibrous substances, and of ground,
or divided cereals (as above indicated) is subjected to moderate pressure in a
suitable chamber in which heat is at the same time caused to act upon the
ingredients. The heat may be applied by means of a steam jacket for example.
In addition to this external heating, the ingredients may undergo the action of
steam, the supply of which should be kept under strict control and the object of
which is to permeate and soften the said ingredients so as to render the mixture
sufficiently mouldable to ensure the delivery from the press of cakes of the desired
shape and consistency.
The steam is preferably admitted into the lower half of the charging inlet, or
hopper, or it may enter the space or chamber wherein the first compressing
operation takes place. As soon as admitted the steam should be caused to diffuse
as widely as possible in all directions which end may be done by means of an
annular mouthpiece or orifice. From the chamber in which the material is sub-
mitted to preparatory compression it is conveyed to the pressure-chamber or mould
proper which may be done by any convenient means such for example as a plunger
or die a conveyor screw, feeding rollers, or the like.
The pressure chamber, or mould proper immediately adjoins the preliminary
compressing device and it may be either a single or a double acting plunger press
and should be adapted for continuous operation and its delivery channel, or orifice
should be so constructed that by means of a yielding adjustable cover-plate or lid,
its sectional area can be varied, in the course of each operation or when required
so as to suit the particular nature or purpose of the material to be moulded, both
the chamber wherein the final compression takes place, and that in which the
mixture of ingredients undergoes preparatory pressure, being, if desired, provided
with steam jackets.
The novel press just described enables cakes of sufficient weight and density, and
generally of a satisfactory quality to be produced by merely controlling the
quantities of steam supplied according to requirements by submitting the material
to more or less powerful preliminary pressure and by regulating as required, the
sectional area of the pressure chamber.
A preliminary compressing operation which is still better regulated and more
effective than that above described may be performed by means of a stamp, or

page_text: plunger and an endless screw, or the like, arranged in connection with the feeding
channel or charging hopper; and made to act upon the mixture of ingredients
prior to its entering the moulding press proper. The successive strokes of the
stamp or plunger of such preliminary pressing device should be so timed as to
correspond with those of the plunger of the moulding press proper, iú such a
mannor, that while the plunger of the moulding press proper is performing its
useful or effective forward stroke, the auxiliary plunger, belonging to the pre-
liminary press may remain stationary and form part of the sides of the said
moulding press proper. When the plunger of the moulding press proper recedes
the auxiliary plunger moving in an upward direction leaves a sufficient space to
enable fresh material to enter below the auxiliary plunger which space the
receding plunger of the moulding press gradually leaves free and the said auxiliary
plunger, in descending, will perform the preparatory compressing operation, and,
whilst it is temporarily arrested on reaching the lowest point of its downward
stroke, it will again form a stationary wall and for the time being, close in the
main pressure chamber.
This preparatory compression, which is calculated effectually to promote the
main compressing, or moulding, process, may, itself be further assisted, if desired,
by the feeding or charging, arrangement, provided the operation of such arrange-
ment involves a moderate forcing action.
In order to ensure the proper relative operation of the said main and auxiliary.
plungers, suitable gear wheels are interposed between the respective shafts, while
the step by step motion of the auxiliary plunger may be derived from a uniformly
revolving reversing shaft, acting through the medium of a push rod, which, upon
being raised by an eccentric or cam, and soon after passing the upper dead point is
released by a peg or toe provided for the purpose, and freely descends as far as the
lower dead point, at which it remains stationary until after the pin or pivot of the
cam is once more thrown into gear.
The novel method of preparatory compression, hereinabove described, enables
the main press, or mould proper, to be supplied with cakes that have been already
roughly pressed into shape, so that no portion of the material to be moulded
into cakes is afforded a chance of escaping sideways throughout the whole of
this gradual compressing process; the auxiliary or "preliminary" plunger closing
the inlet orifice until every particle of the material, required to form a cake,
has been safely brought within the stationary walls of the pressure chamber.
Dated this 16th day of November 1895.
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
47 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and Apparatus for the Manufacture of Cakes of
Food for Cattle and the like.
We CESARE LUZATTO of 2 Via Ratti Milan in the Kingdom of Italy Engineer
and EISENWERK (vorm. NAGEL & KAEMP) A.G. a company incorporated
according to the laws of the Free City of Hamburg German Empire, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what mauner the same is to be
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention relates to the manufacture of food for cattle and the like such
food being made in the shape of cakes and composed cliiefly of fibrous substances;
and the object of this invention is to improve both the process of manufacture of
such fond, and the apparatus to be employed in making cakes of this and similar
kinds of food; the cakes being of a composition calculated to meet every require-.

page_text: ment for the successful feeding of cattle and the like and being capable of resisting,
for a long time, destructive atmospheric influences.
The cakes produced in accordance with this invention are free from the draw-
backs attaching to all cakes for a similar purpose that have been hitherto introduced
into the market, their characteristic merits in this respect being great density, and
a remarkable power for resisting putrefaction; and the fact that they may be
conveyed from place to place without breaking, or crumbling, all of which
advantages are mainly the outcome of the novel method of manufacture, in the
performance of which the admixture of substances likely to prove in any way
injurious to the cattle is carefully avoided.
The improved process mainly consists in mixing nutritious, or equivalent,
substances of a fibrous nature, such as hay, straw, or even brushwood, or the like
with cereals, such as corn, wheat, buckwheat, oats, barley, maize, rice, and vetches,
which may be fine, or coarse, ground, as desired, small quantities of salt being
added to the mixture, if desired. The mixture, while undergoing a preparatory
compressing process is submitted to the purifying action of steam and is then
pressed.
The proportions in which the fibrous substances and cereals should be mixed,
can be determined after ascertaining by analysis the particular chemical composition
of each of the ingredients to be employed; the results of such observation being
aided by experience, and being dependent upon the species, or breed, age, and
weight, of the cattle or the like for which the food is intended, and also upon the
work they have to perform. For middle-sized cart-horses, for example, kept at
work steadily all day, the following mixture has proved very satisfactory
:-
wheat meal
"
bran
"
"
322
"
"
"
»
25
وو
"
"
2
"
"
"
„rye, coarsely granulated-
maize coarsely granulated.
the consumption of cakes prepared in accordance with this recipe having been at
the rate of 11 kilogrammes per 24 hours.
The mixture of the ingredients before it can be made into cakes is subjected to
a preliminary process of moderate compression within a steam bath, fresh steam
being brought into as close contact as possible with all parts of the mixture so as
to render it sufficiently mouldable for being in the most simple and direct manner
made into the shape of cakes, by the compressing, or moulding, operation herein-
after described.
The degree of pressure applied in the course of this compressing operation may
be varied according to the nature of the ingredients of which the cakes are
composed and the special purpose for which they are intended, though the pressure
exercised in the "feeding" (or longitudinal) direction remains uniform; which
effect may be obtained by so constructing the mouthpiece or channel, through
which the ingredients are pressed, that it is either reduced, or enlarged, in width
by more, or less, rapid degrees, in the course of the operation; say, by providing it
with a flexible wall for the purpose.
Owing to the sharp compression, to which the material is subjected, it is made
into compact cakes, occupying a space of only, say 150 by 50 millimetres each, and
therefore very convenient for transport. In addition to this, the cakes thus
obtained possess great power of retaining their original properties for a long time,
as an instance of which it may be stated that continued rain, lasting 48 hours, will
fail to soak them, with moisture,,aud to render them soft, or flabby, while after
drying, they will be found to have retained their natural aroma, or flavour, and will

page_text: be eaten by the cattle or the like as readily as they would have been before being
wetted. On the other hand notwithstanding their density they can be broken up
by band with comparative ease, and the animals to whom they are given can
masticate them without difficulty.
On the annexed sheets of drawings,
Figure 1 shews in elevation, partly in section a machine or press for carrying
out this invention.
Figure 2 is a vertical section of the mouth piece of the press proper the said
section being taken on line y of Figure 1.
Figures 3, 4 and 5 represent in sections taken at right angles to the section
shewn in Figure 2, different forms of the mouth piece, which are obtained by means
of a yielding adjustable plate, or upper wall of said piece.
Figure 6 is an elevation, partly in section of a modification of the press proper
with a device for the preparatory compression which we consider is better regulated
and more effective than that shewn in Figure 1.
As illustrated by Figure 1 the mixture to be compressed, consisting essentially
of fibrous substances and of ground or divided cereals (as above indicated) is
introduced by any suitable or well known means into a suitable channel or
chamber A in which heat is caused to act upon the ingredients. This heat may be
applied by a steam jacket b for example. The mixture sags down in the chamber A
by its own weight and in addition to the external henting, it may undergo the direct
action of steam, the supply of which should be kept under strict control, and the
object of which is, to permeate, and soften, the said 'ingredients, so as to render the
mixture sufficiently mouldable to ensure the delivery from the press of cakes of
the desired shape and consistency.
The steam is preferably admitted into the lower half of the charging inlet, or
hopper, or it may enter the space, or chamber, wherein the first compressing
operation takes place. As soon as admitted, the steam should be caused to diffuse
as widely as possible in all directions, which end may be obtained by an annular
mouth piece c or other suitable orifice, the entrance of steam from the jacket 6 to
the said orifice c being regulated by means of a valve arranged at the end of a
screw threaded spindle c'. From the chamber A in which the material is to be
submitted to the preparatory compression the said material is conveyed to the
pressure chamber, or mould proper, which may be done by any convenient means
such for example, as a plunger or die da conveyer screw (as shewn in Figure 6)
feeding rollers, or the like.
Where a die d is employed, as illustrated in Figure 1 we prefer to impart motion
to it by an oscillating lever p, having a pin o at its end engaging with a slot d' in
the rod of the dic. Thus the downward movement of die d is rendered
independent of that of the lever arm p and within certain limits, a free fall of the
die is secured.
The pressure chamber g, or mould proper, immediately adjoins the hereinbefore
described preliminary compressing device and it may be a single, or a double acting
plunger press, the plunger, or plungers of which receives or receive a recipro-
cating motion by means of the crank J₁ of a crank shaft J, a sliding piece f¹ being
held in and guided by the frame L of the machine or apparatus, and having guides
for the crank pillow-block J to slide in vertically. The said piece f¹ is caused to
reciprocate with the plunger (or plungers) fastened thereon and by means of a
slot q imparts its motion to the pin q' of the lever arm p formed with or secured
to the lever p.
This
press is adapted for continuous operation, and its delivery channel, or
orifice g¹ is so constructed, that, by means of a yielding adjustable cover plate, or
lid, h arranged to turn upon the pivot K, its sectional area can be varied' by means
of screw-clamps m and when required both the chamber 9, 9 wherein the final'
compression takes place (as well as that (A) in which the mixture of ingredients
undergoes preparatory pressure) is provided with a steam jacket b, to suit the
particular nature, or purpose, of the material to be moulded.

page_text: In Figures 1, 3, 4 and 5 the yielding cover-plate his represented in four different.
positions produced by suitably adjusting the screw-clamps m; but it is evident,
that by the same means other forms of the longitudinal section of the mouth-piece g¹
can also be obtained.
a door i
In order to avoid any obstruction in the chamber A, there is arranged
in the side wall thereof, through which the mixture to be treated can be stirred if
required.
Assuming the machine to be in working state, the piston. or plunger pushes that'
part of the mixture situated in front of it into the orifice g; and on moving backward,
the piston allows the material above it to enter the free space in front of the said
piston and on the said piston moving forward again, it pushes a further quantity of
the mixture into the orifice 9 so that in this way the first part of the material is
forwarded, and compressed repeatedly by the new part necting it. The degree of
reduction of the sectional area of the mouth-piece g' controls the degree of compression
of the inaterial, and the described mode of adjusting the said area renders it possible
for example first to compress the material, and then to allow it to expand towards
the end of the mouth-piece as may be desired with regard to the condition of the
product required.
Thus by controlling the quantities of steam supplied and by submitting the
material to more or less powerful preliminary pressure, and by regulating as
required, the sectional area of the pressure chamber or mouth piece gl cakes of
the required weight and density, and generally of a satisfactory quality. can be
produced.
A preliminary compressing operation which we consider is better regulated and
more effective than that hereinbefore described, may be obtained by means of the
modified form of the apparatus shewn in Figure 6. Here, instead of a die, such
as d in Figure 1, which conveys the mixture of ingredients to the moulding pressure
chamber ga stamp or plunger D is provided and an endless, or conveyor, screw B¹,
or the like, is arranged in the space B in connection with the charging hopper, or
feeding channel, A, and these act upon the mixture of ingredients prior to its
entering the moulding press proper f, g.
The successive strokes of the stamp or plunger D, are so timed as to correspond
with those of the plunger or piston f of the moulding press proper, in such a manner,
that whilst the plunger f is performing its effective, forward stroke, from point 1
to 2 the stamp or plunger D remains stationary and forms part of the sides of the
moulding press proper. When the plunger moves from point 2 to 3 and from 3
back to 4, the auxiliary plunger D, moving in an upward direction leaves a sufficient
space to enable fresh material, forwarded by the screw B, to enter below the stamp
or plunger D, and the receding plunger of the moulding press gradually leaves
free the space it occupied and the said stamp or plunger D, in descending, will
perform the preparatory compressing operation, and, whilst it is temporarily
arrested, on reaching the lowest point of its downward stroke, it will again form a
stationary wall of the main pressure chamber g.
The preparatory compression, effected by the plunger D, which is calculated
effectually to promote the main compressing or moulding process, may itself be
further assisted, if desired, by the feeding, or charging device, B', in the casing B,
the said casing communicating at its larger end with the feeding channel A
and at its smaller end with the casing containing the stamp or plunger D, so
that a moderate forcing action is obtained by pressure against the stamp or
plunger D.
In order to ensure the proper relative operation of the plungers fand D, suitable
gear wheels t t t are interposed between the respective shafts J, and w, the former
being the driving shaft, and the step-by-step motion of the stamp or plunger D, is
derived from the uniformly revolving shaft w, acting through the medium of a
push-rod S, which is raised by the pin F of an eccentric or cam H and soon after,
passing the upper dead point, is released by a peg or toe n striking against the hub
of the cam H, and then freely descends toward the lower dead point (2") at which

page_text: it remains stationary until after the pin F, on the cam H is once more thrown into
gear with the recess provided near the lower end of the rod S which rod S is pivoted
to a working beam G the fulcrum of which is at G. A connecting rod E, connects
the said beam G to the plunger D, this latter therefore partaking of the step-by-step
motion imparted to the push-rod 8, that is to say, the plunger D, after being raised
falls freely from its uppermost position shown in dotted lines into its lowest position.
shown in full lines.
The stamp or plunger D remains in the said lowest position until the plunger f
on moving forward, has passed the point 2. This being done, the stamp or
plunger D, is by the pio F turning through the points 3, 4, moved upward so far
that, while the main piston f reciprocates from the point 2 to the point 3 and back.
to the point 4, the orifice of the conical casing B is being opened for the entrance
of the mixture conveyed by the screw B¹. The pin F of the cam passes the
point 4" and by its further rotation, the said pin F carries the rod S with it until:
the peg n thereof has advanced toward the shaft w or the hub of the cam H fixed.
on this shaft. The rod S being thus arrested, the pin F rotating with the cam H.
in the direction toward the point 1 leaves the recess of said rod S and the latter
by means of a roll r on the rod S rests upon the periphery of the cam H and for
the time the concentric part of the cam is turning under roll r. The cam having
passed the roll loses is support and the plunger D falls freely. Soon after this
the pin Foccupies the position 12, which corresponds to point 1 of the plunger f
and the latter propels the cake, preparatorily compressed by the plunger D, towards
the orifice of the main press. On the plunger farriving at the point 2, the pin F
has reached the position 2" and here enters again the recess of the rod S and effects
a fresh stroke of the plunger D.
T
A pulley M mounted on the shaft w imparts motion to the pulley N, and bevel.
wheels OO and so transmits motion to the axis of the conveying screw B¹.
The novel method of preparatory compression hereinabove described, enables the
main press, or mould proper, to be supplied with cakes that have been already
roughly pressed into shape, so that no portion of the material to be moulded into
cakes is left a chance of escaping sideways during the whole of this gradual
compressing process, the auxiliary, or "preliminary" plunger closing the inlet orifice
until every particle of the material, required to form a cake, has been safely brought.
within the stationary walls of the pressure chamber.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The improved process of manufacturing food for cattle and the like, which
consists in mixing substances of a fibrous nature with finely, or coarsely, ground
cercals, heating the mixture, subjecting the same, in the presence of steam, to a
preliminary compression, fresh steam being brought into as close contact as possible
with all parts of the mixture, and subsequently moulding the said mixture into
cakes, substantially as herein before described.
2. In a machine or apparatus for the manufacture of cakes of food for cattle
or the like according to the preceding claiming clause; the combination of a
preliminary press, having a plunger or die d, and adjoining the feeding channel A,
fitted with an annular mouth-piece c and a steam jacket b, with a pressure
chamber, or mould-press, g the cover plate h, of which is adjustable, substantially
as herein before described and illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying
drawings.
3. A modification of the described machine, distinguished by a conveyer
serew B¹ the casing of which immediately adjoining the hopper A and the
preliminary press, whose plunger D is arranged so, as to fall freely from its
uppermost position and, to form in its lowest position a wall of the mould press g
substantially as described with reference to Figure 6. of the accompanying
drawings.

page_text: 4. In the modified form of machine shewn in Figure 6, a mechanism for
operating the plunger D consisting of a cam H rotating with the shaft w, a
pivot, or pin, F of the said cam alternately engaging and disengaging with a
recess of the rod S which is provided with a peg, or toe, n, and connected to the
plunger D by means of a beam G, and rod, or link E, for the purpose of
alternately lifting the plunger by means of the pin F engaging with the said
recess of the rod S, and alternately causing the plunger to fall freely by means of
the peg n of the rod S, being arrested, substantially as herein before described and
illustrated in Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 22nd day of July 1896.
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
47 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.