IM- PROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR DRESSING OR CLEANSING AND SEPARATING GRAIN AND SEEDS
Year: 1858

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Hislop, junior, of Preston-Pans, in the
County of Haddington, North Britain, Farmer, for the Invention of "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR DRESSING OR CLEANSING AND
SEPARATING GRAIN AND SEEDS."
Sealed the 13th July. 1858, and dated the 13th May 1858.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Hislop at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 13th.
May 1858.
I, ROBERT HISLOP, junior, of Preston-Pans, in the County of Haddington,
North Britain, Farmer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS POR DRESSING OR CLEANSING AND
SEPARATING GRAIN AND SEEDS," to be as follows, that is to say:-
This Invention relates to an arrangement of apparatus whereby wheat and
other grain and seeds may be most effectively dressed and cleansed or separated
into different qualities, in an economical manner. The apparatus consists of
a horizontal cylindrical screen of perforated metal or wirework, into one end
Within this
of which the grain or seeds are primarily fed for being dressed.
screen there is an archimedean screw or screw traverser, which is caused to
revolve independently of the screen by separate gearing. This screen is
made with fine interstices or perforations at the end where the grain or seeds
are supplied, and the interstices increase in coarseness all along to the other

page_text: end. Beneath the screen are four or more receivers, into which the screened
matters fall into the first, the dust, mustard seed, and other matters fall, the
second receives the worthless grain. The two last receivers respectively receive
the gray and good grain, whilst the stones and large foreign bodies pass out at
the open end of the screen. As the grain leaves the screen it is received into
two separate conductors, each fitted with an adjustable weighted valve, so
hinged or fitted in the conductor that it spreads and regulates the downward
feed or supply of the grain. The two last receivers are so disposed that all
the good grain from both of the last compartments of the screen is deposited
in one receiver, whilst all the grey or inferior matters from both compartments
are delivered into the other receiver. As the grain falls from these two last
compartments, it is met by an air blast from a fan or other blower, which blast
acts in concert with two endless cloth or screw traversers beneath. These are
so arranged that, whilst the good grain from one compartment falls directly
into its receiver, the good grain from the other compartment is traversed off into
the same receiver; and similarly the grey from both compartments is delivered
into one receiver by the same general action.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Robert IIislop in the Great Seal Patent Office, on the 12th
November 1858.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ROBERT
IIISLOP, junior, of Preston-Pans, in the County of Haddington, North Britain,
Farmer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Iler most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, in the twenty-first year of Her
reign, did, for Llerself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Robert Hislop, junior, Iler special license that I, the said Robert Hislop,
junior, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as 1, the
said Robert Hislop, junior, my executors, administrators, or assigns, should
at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR DRESSING OR CLEANSING AND SEPARATING GRAIN
AND SEEDS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Robert

page_text: Hislop, junior, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and
in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed
in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and imme-
diately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Robert Hislop, junior, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, and to the
letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:
My said Invention relates to an arrangement of apparatus, whereby wheat
and other grain and seeds may be most effectively dressed and cleansed or
separated into different qualities in an economical manner.
The apparatus
consists of a horizontal cylindrical sereen of perforated metal or wirework, into
one end of which the grain or seeds are primarily fel for being dressed.
Within this screen there is an archimedian serew or screw traverser, which is
caused to revolve independently of the screen by separate gearing. The een
is made with fine interstices or perforations at the end where the grain or seeds
are supplied, and the interstices increase in coarseness all along to the other
end. Beneath the screen are four or more receivers into which the screened
matters fall. Into the first, the dust, mustard seed, and other matters fall;
the second receives the worthless grain; the two last receivers respectively
receive the grey and good grain, whilst the stones and large foreign bodies pass
out at the open end of the screen. As the grain leaves the screen it is
received into two separate conductors, each fitted with an adjustable weighted
valve, so hinged or fitted in the conductor that it spreads and regulates the
downward feed or supply of the grain. The two last receivers are so disposed
that all the good grain from both of the last compartments of the screen is
deposited in one receiver, whilst all the grey or inferior matters from both
compartments are delivered into the other receiver. As the grain falls from
these two last compartments, it is met by au air blast from a fan or other blower,
which blast acts in concert with two endless cloths or screw traversers beneath.
These are so arranged, that whilst the good grain from one compartment falls
directly into its receiver, the good grain from the other compartment is
traversed off into the same receiver, and similarly, the grey from both com-
partments is delivered into one receiver by the same general action.
And in order that my said Iuvention may be properly understood, I shall
now proceed to describe the several Figures on the explanatory Sheet of
Drawings, which I have hereunto appended for the purpose of showing certain

page_text: modifications under which my improvements may be judiciously carried out in
.practice.
Referring to the Figures on my illustrative Drawing, Figure 1 is a front
view or elevation of one arrangement of my improved machinery or apparatus
for dressing or cleansing and separating grain and seeds. In this Figure a
portion of the front casing is shown broken away, to exhibit the internal
arrangement of this modification; Figure 2 is an end view of the machine
corresponding to the right-hand side of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an end elevation
of the opposite or left-hand side of the apparatus; Figure 4 is a plan of the
machine partially in transverse section; Figure 5 is a vertical section taken
through the right-hand or fanner end of the apparatus; and Figure 6 is a
corresponding section, but taken to the left of the fanner. In this modification
the framing A of the machine consists of end and central standards of cast
iron, connected by horizontal tie rods. The main working parts of the
machine are enclosed by the wooden casing B, the upper part of which is
fitted with lids or covers C, that are hinged to the batten D, this batten
extends across the machine, and is fast to the ends of the casing. The grain
or sced is supplied to the machine by the elevator E, the upper portion only
of, which is shown in the Figures of the accompanying Drawing. The grain
or seed is carried up from the reservoir of a thrashing machine, or other
receptacle by the buckets F, and deposited in the hopper or shoot G, the
lower end of this hopper opens into the conical duct H, which serves to enclose
a portion of the main horizontal shaft I. This shaft is carried in pedestal
bearings, which are bolted to the upper ledge of the end standards A, the
outwardly projecting ends of the shaft serving to carry the driving pulleys.
Motion is communicated to the shaft I by means of the endless belt J, or by
a bandle fitted thereto, the upper portion of which is shown broken away in
Figures 1, 3, and 4 of my Drawing; this belt is driven by a steam engine or
other prime mover, and actuates the pulley K, which is fast to the left-hand
extremity of the shaft I. A wooden drum L is fitted to the shaft I, which
extends along the greater portion of the shaft within the casing B. To the
periphery of the druin L is secured the helix M, which is formed of sheet iron
or other suitable material, and extends from one end of the drum L to the
other. The drum and its helix is enclosed from end to end by a covering of
wire cloth N. This covering is of different degrees of fineness according to
the kind of grain or seed to be dressed. The cloth having the smallest meshes
being made to encompass the left-hand extremity of the screw, the coarser
qualities of cloth are then put on in succession, the coarsest of all being at the
right hand extremity of the cylinder. The feeding end of the wire cylinder

page_text: has fastened to it the sheet iron cone O, the apex of which is cut off, the
open part encircling the duct H, so that the cylinder may rotate freely round
the stationary duet, and at the same time prevent the escape of the descending
grain. The grain or seed as it falls from the buckets of the elevator E,
descends into the conical end O of the cylinder N; the rotation of the cylinder
causing it to be carried onwards towards the other extremity as it follows the
convolutions of the helix M. During the rotation of the cylinder the grain is
subjected to the sifting or separating action of the wire cloth, and consequently
the dust, small extraneous seeds, and other foreign matters sufficiently small,
pass through the interstices of the finest part of the wire cloth. The space below
the cylinder N is divided into four or other number of compartments by means
of partitions which extend from the casing B; these compartments form so
many hoppers, each of which terminates in a lateral shoot, to which a sack
or other receptacle may be attached. The waste matters separated by the
first division of the wire cloth fall into the compartment P, which is separated
from the others by the partition Q and terminates in the shoot R, the passage
of which may be closed by the metal slide S. A sack or other convenient
receptacle is attached by means of the hooks T to the shoot R; in this
receptacle the sifted matters collect as they descend the shoot; the second
compartment which communicates with the shoot U, receives the worthless
grain and other comparatively waste matters, which fall into a sack or other
receptacle, as before described. As the grain or seed is carried onwards by
the screw traverser N, the smaller sized seeds pass through the meshes of the
medium quality of wire cloth, whilst the largest seeds are carried onwards
until they pass through the interstices of the coarser wire cloth towards the
right-hand extremity of the cylinder N. The lighter grain or seeds, which
are technically denominated "grey size," are ultimately received into the third
compartment below the cylinder and escape from thence by the shoot V. The
fourth compartment is the receiver for the best quality of grain, which is
conveyed therefrom by the shoot W into the sack or other receiver placed
beneath. The partitions which separate these several .compartments are
shown in dotted lines in Figure 1 on my Drawings, and they are figured 1 to 4
on the casing or external woodwork B; prior, however, to the grain reaching
the several receivers it is subjected to the action of a current or blast of air as
a test of gravity, in order to separate more effectually than can be done by the
sifting or sizing action of a screen the inferior grain or sceds from the good.
In dressing or cleansing machinery arranged according to my improvements
the current of air is impelled by means of a fanner across the machine, or in
a direction at right angles to the length of the sifting or sizing cylinder. The

page_text: The strength or
circular casing X which encloses the fanner Y projects outwards froin the
front of the machine, the lower part of this casing X forming a tunnel Z,
Figure 5, which extends in a direction parallel with the stream of falling
grain. The fauner Y is in this modification made with five blades or vanes,
and its shaft a is carried in pedestal bearings, which are bolted to the brackets
b that are cast on the standards of the framing A. The fanner shaft a has
fast to its outer extremity a pulley c, which derives its motion from the
endless belt d, this belt being driven by the belt wheel e on the extremity
of the shaft I. From the cylinder N the grain falls into the hopper f, as
shown in the vertical section, Figure 5, on my Drawing; the inclined surfaces
of this hopper or receiver conduct the grain to the mouth of the tunnel Z,
where it meets the stream of air. The grain as it descends from the
wire cloth cylinder N is caused to fall in a thin stream by means of the flap g,
which extends along the hopper f above the mouth of the tunnel Z. The air
which is impelled through the tunnel Z enters by the air ports h, and is regu-
lated as regards quantity by the adjustable metal plates i, which may be opened
more or less and retained in that position by the screws j.
velocity of the stream of air is so regulated that whilst it is strong enough to
carry the small and light grain onwards, it does not interfere with the descent
of the heavier grains. The hopper f, into which the two qualities of grain fall,
is divided into two compartments by a partition; the compartment nearest the
feeding end of the cylinder receives the smaller or "grey size" grain, some of
which may be of good weight; the second compartment receives the larger
grain, a portion of which, though of full size, may be light. The grain which
has passed through the "grey size" of wire cloth escapes from the hopper f
and descends in a thin stream through the current of air which is issuing
from the mouth of the tunnel Z. By the action of the current of air the light
grain or seeds are blown onwards, and fall upon the inclined plane k, from
whence they descend to the aperture 1, which communicates with the third or
grey size" compartment beneath. The heavy grain or seeds which are not
affected by the current of air fall into the trough in which the screw m is
arranged, the rotatory movement of which carries the grain or seeds to the
opening n; which leads to the fourth compartment that is appropriated to the
good grain or seeds. The grain or seeds which have passed through the wire
cloth of the larger mesh fall in a thin stream, as herein-before described, and
are acted upon by the current of air flowing from the mouth of the tunnel Z.
The heavy grain falls on to the inclined plane o; and, from thence passes down
to the opening n to the fourth compartment. The light grain or seeds which
are separated from the "good" by the action of the current of air are carried
6.

page_text: onwards, and fall into the trough in which the screw is fitted; the motion of
this screw conveys the light grain or seeds to the opening 1, from whence they
fall into the third compartment. There are two adjustable guards and 1,
which are hinged to the troughs in which the screws me and p work, these
guards are for the purpose of regulating the quantity of light grain to be
taken from each size, as may be deemed necessary. The spindle s of the
serew.m is carried in bearings, which are bolted to the cross rails of the
standards A; the spindle has fast to its inner extremity a pulley t, which is
driven by means of the endless belt u; this belt derives its motion from a
pulley v, keyed to the inner extremity of the spindle w. This spindle is
arranged parallel to the spindle s, and is carried in corresponding bearings; it
actuates the screw p, and is driven by the endless belt æ, which is passed
round a pulley on the shaft I, and the pulley y on the outer extremity of the
spindle w. Any stones or other matters that are too large to pass through
the cylinder N are carried onwards by the screw, and discharged into the
shoot at the right-hand end of the machine. The lower end of the shoot
is furnished with a sliding door 5, to close the aperture when necessary, and
there are hooks at the sides of the shoot, to which a sack is hung to receive
any matters that may be discharged through it. The interstices of the wire
cloth N are kept from being clogged up by means of a wire brush 6, which
extends the whole length of the cylinder; to the back of this brush are jointed
the adjusting screws 7, which pass through the hinged cap pieces fitted on the
batten D. By means of the handles 8, which are fast to the upper extremities
of the screws 7, the brush 6 may be set at any required angle, so as to bear
with greater or less force upon the cylinder, and in this manner keep the
meshes clear of obstruction. With these several improvements all kinds of
grain or seeds may be dressed or cleansed with little expenditure of power and
very superior effect.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, I may observe in conclusion that I do not confine or restrict
myself to the precise details or arrangements which I have had occasion to
describe or refer to, as many variations may be made therefrom without
deviating from the principles or main features of my Invention; but what I
consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention
secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is,-
First, the system or mode of dressing or cleansing and separating grain and
seeds by the agency of machinery or apparatus, wherein a current of air is

page_text: directed at right angles to or laterally as regards the axis of a rotatory
screen.
Second, the system or mode of dressing or cleansing and separating grain
and seeds, wherein a reverse action of the traversing screws is employed for
assorting the different weights of grain.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Hislop, junior, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Tenth day of November, One thousand eight
hundred and fifty-eight.
ROBERT HISLOP, JUN. (L.S.)