IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE AND PREPARATION OF STARCH, AND IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN
Year: 1861

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Simmons Matthews, of Moore Cottage,
Bowling Green Street, Kennington Park, in the County of Surrey, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE AND PREPARATION OF
Sealed the 14th February 1862, and dated the 30th August 1861.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Simmons Matthews
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
30th August 1861.
I, JAMES SIMMONS MATTHEWS, of Moore Cottage, Bowling Green Street,
Kennington Park, in the County of Surrey, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE AND PREPARATION
OF STARCH, AND IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN," to be as follows, viz. :-
The object of my Invention is to manufacture and prepare starch of superior
quality and of greater utility and safety than has been hitherto manufactured,
both for the general use of manufacturers and others in dressing, stiffening,
and finishing their goods, and also specially adapted for family purposes; and
further, to render such starch in the manufacture and preparation thereof
incombustible in its use with all kinds of fabrics, even those of the finest
texture.
This Invention relates to the three following subjects, viz. :—
1st. To the manufacture and preparation of starch and starchy matters by a
new and economical process, herein-after briefly described.
1. From roots, cereals, and grain usually employed for such purposes, as
potatoes, arum corms, wheat, rice, oats, Indian corn, sago, and such like sub-
stances either in the whole or in the ground state. .

page_text: 2. From roots, cereals, and grain, lichens, and algæ not employed for such
purposes, as Jerusalem artichokes, beet, mangold wurzell, parsnips, carrots,
hyacinth and other bulbs, broad beans, haricots, lentils, chondrus crispus,
cetruria islandica, and such like.
2nd. To the mixing and combining of the different starches and starchy
matters produced from the foregoing substances in such proportions severally
as shall best suit the purposes for which the starch is intended to be used, and
for this purpose
arrange the different starches and starchy matters under
three heads.
1. Cereal starch, obtained from cereals, seeds, and grain whole or in meal,
and whether worked separately or in combination.
2. Root starch, obtained from roots, bulbs, & tubers separately or in com-
bination.
3. Viscous starch, obtained from lichens & algæ either separately or
combined.
And these I mix according to the quality, number of the starch intended,
in about the following proportions, viz. :-
No. 1 starch, for fine laundry purposes, as for the dressing and getting up of
lawns, lace, muslins, & gauze. I take cereal starch 100 parts, root starch 30
parts, viscous starch 10 parts, with 5 parts of perfumed wax, purified, and
with this mixture I incorporate about 70 parts of the alkaline composition
No. 1, herein-after mentioned. This starch is finished off either in powder or
in a semi-fluid state already for use.
But when finished in a semi-fluid state
I incorporate carbonic acid therewith.
No. 2 starch, for general laundry purposes. I take cereal starch 100 parts,
root starch 100 parts, viscous starch 10 parts, perfumed wax 5 parts, and then
incorporate with the whole about 75 parts of the alkaline composition No. 2.
No. 3 starch, for dressing, stiffening, and finishing manufacterers goods. I
take root starch 100 parts, cereal starch 20 parts, viscous starch strengthened
with borax 5 parts, and incorporate therewith about 30 parts of the alkaline
composition No. 3.
3rd. To the employment of a variable alkaline composition in the manufac-
ture and preparation of starch, and in the preparation of starch already
manufactured, which shall render it incombustible in its use with all kinds of
fabrics, even with those also of the finest and most delicate texture, such com-
position being varied to suit the use of the starch for which it is intended, viz. :—
Composition No. 1.-Mix bi-borate of soda pure 100 parts, sulphate of soda
75 parts, tungstate of soda 50 parts, and phosphate of soda 50 parts.
Composition No. 2.-Mix bi-borate of soda 100 parts, hydrochlorate of

page_text: ammonia 75 parts, phosphate of ammonia 75 parts, and sulphate of ammonia
50 parts.
Composition No. 3.-Mix borax 100 parts, sulphate of soda 75 parts, sul-
phate of ammonia 75 parts, and phosphate of ammonia 50 parts.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF PROCESS.
In giving a brief outline of my new and economical process for the manu-
facture and preparation of starch, as herein-before mentioned, I would say
that in its application to roots it consists of a continuous arrangement of
machinery or apparatus by which the roots are prepared, and consecutively
treated by washing, scraping, solving, pulping, expressing, precipitating, puri-
fying, and eventually to the drying, mixing, and finishing of the starch, and
comprehends,―
No. 1. The soaking vats for softening the earth adhering to the roots
which are worked into-
No. 2. The washing machine with concentric drums, furnished with an
arrangement of scrubbers, the whole revolving in running water, by which the
roots are thoroughly cleansed, from this the roots are run down a draining
frame into-
No. 3. The vertical scraping or shaving machine, in which a vertical
cylinder furnished with scrapers or knives revolving in a surrounding frame of
roots, by which they are scraped or shorn into thin slices, and run into―
No. 4. The solvent mill with internal framework, and with consecutive
divisions wherein the reduced roots are progressively subjected to a solvent
process, either by warm water, steam, acids, or alkalies, and from whence they
pass with a stream of water to-
No. 5. The pulping machine, which consists of a set of rollers, treating the
material received therein from coarse bruising to fine pulping, the pulp at the
same time working itself into the bags of―
No. 6. The expressing machine consisting of a long concave trough, in
which oscillates a convex roller which by its movements draws under it pro-
gressively the bags of pulp filled from the pulping machine; these bags are
also drawn under other rollers placed transversely, and eventually wound over
a receiver, from whence each bag is emptied of the fibrous or other substances
it contains, out of which the starch has been fully expressed in its course by
the action of the rollers, a current of clear water being at the same time
supplied thereby, and the starchy waters run off into-
No. 7. The deposit waggons, which by their construction allow the deposit
of the starch to be made of a uniform thickness, and to be stopped or

page_text: carried on to any required extent, and they can at any moment be con-
verted into a series of "improved runners," or otherwise, at pleasure, for
the purposes of cleansing, extra solving, purifying, (and when required at this
stage, mixing, colouring, and alkalizing), and partially drying the starch by
means of absorbent rollers, and thus fitting it for-
No. 8. The drying house, which is divided into several compartments sepa-
rated by shallow trays of fine wire gauze fitting into each other, so as to form
a perforated flooring to each compartment. These trays are filled with starch,
and the drying process is effected by the simultaneous operation of a vacuum
and warm dry air in alternate compartments. The starches are next sub-
jected to-
No. 9. The mixing and finishing mills, wherein the starches and other
ingredients, and the corresponding dry alkaline composition are thoroughly
mixed and incorporated with each other, reduced to powder, sifted, and run
into cannisters or other vessels ready for use, except when it is to be finished
off in a semi-fluid state, and in which case I incorporate carbonic acid there-
with.
In the application of my process to the manufacture of starch from cereals,
I commence with a "bruising machine," corresponding to the "scraping
machine" No. 3, and proceed throughout as in the case of roots, and in its
application to the manufacture of starch from flour & meal, I commence with
a " paste trough" corresponding to the "pulping machine" No. 5, and then
proceed throughout as before. The starch thus produced will possess the
following superior qualities, viz. :-
1st. A suitability of strength and quality to meet the several purposes for
which the starch is to be employed.
2nd. A greater durability of stiffening properties.
3rd. A smoother and more glossy surface; and,
4th. An incombustibility in all articles dressed therewith.
The above is a general and brief outline of my new and economical process
for the manufacture of starch, and in the preparation and finishing thereof for
the purposes therein mentioned, the full particulars of which I will give in my
Complete Specification; but I particularly wish it to be understood that I do
not bind myself to the exact details and quantities herein mentioned, but desire
to reserve to myself the benefit of experience during the time allowed for such
purpose.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said James Simmons Matthews in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 28th February 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
SIMMONS MATTHEWS, of Moore Cottage, Bowling Green Street, Kennington
Park, in the County of Surrey, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirtieth day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, in the twenty-fifth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
James Simmons Matthews, Her special licence that I, the said James
Simmons Matthews, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said James Simmons Matthews, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time
and at all times thereafter 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 THE MANUFACTURE AND PREPARATION OF STARCH, AND IN
THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN," upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said James Simmons Matthews, my executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Inven-
tion, 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 immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said James Simmons Matthews, do hereby
declare the nature of my said 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 :-
The object of my said Invention is to manufacture and prepare starch of
superior quality and of greater utility and safety than has been hitherto manu-
factured, both for the general use of manufacturers and others in dressing,
stiffening, and finishing their goods, and also specially adapted for family and
domestic purposes, and further, to render such starch, in the manufacture and
preparation thereof, entirely incombustible or non-inflammable in its use with
all kinds of fabrics, even those of the finest and most delicate texture.
And this Invention relates to the three following divisions of the above
object, and the mode of carrying it out, viz. :-

page_text: First division. To the manufacture and preparation of starch and starchy
matters by a new and economical process, herein-after described.
1. From roots, cereals, and grain, commonly employed for such purposes,
as potatoes, arum corms, wheat, rice, oats, Indian corn, sago, and such like
substances, either in the whole or in the ground state.
2. From other roots, cereals, and grain, lichens and algæ, not employed for
such purposes, as Jerusalem artichokes, beet, mangold wurzell, parsnips,
carrots, hyacinth and other bulbs, broad beans, harricots, peas, lentils, Car-
ragheen moss, chondrus crispus, cetruria islandica, and such like.
Second division.-To the mixing and combining of the different starches
and starchy matters produced from the foregoing substances in such pro-
portions as shall best suit the purposes for which the starch is intended to be
used; and for this purpose I arrange the different starches and starchy matters
under three heads :-
1. Cereal starch, obtained from cereals, seeds, and grain, whole or in meal,
and whether worked separately or in combination.
2. Root starch, obtained from roots, tubers, and bulbs, separately or in
combination.
3. Viscous starch, obtained from lichens and algæ, either separately or
combined. And these starches I mix according to the quality of the starch
required, in or about the following proportions, viz. :-
No. 1 starch, for fine laundry purposes, as for the starching of lawns, lace,
muslins, and nets. I take of cereal starch, one hundred parts; root starch,
thirty parts; viscous starch, ten parts, with five parts of perfumed wax or
stearin purified, and with this mixture I incorporate about one hundred
and fifty parts of the incombustible composition marked No. 1, herein-after
described. This starch is finished off either in powder or in a semifluid state,
quite ready for use.
I take cereal starch, one
No. 2 starch, for general laundry purposes.
hundred parts; root starch, one hundred parts; viscous starch, ten parts;
perfumed wax or stearin, eight parts; and then incorporate with the whole
about two hundred and twenty parts of the incombustible composition No. 2.
No. 3 starch for manufacturers' use. I take root starch, one hundred
parts; cereal starch, twenty parts; viscous starch, five parts, strengthened
with borax; and with this I incorporate about one hundred and thirty parts
of the incombustible composition No. 3.
Third division. To the preparation and employment of a variable alkaline
or incombustible composition in the manufacture and preparation of the starch,
and in the mixing and preparation of starch or starches already manufactured,

page_text: which shall render it incombustible or non-inflammable in its use with all
kinds of fabrics, even those of the finest texture, such composition being varied
to suit the use of the starch for which it is intended, viz. :-
Composition No. 1.-I mix together, in a fine state, of the double salts of
the sulphates of zinc and ammonia or alumina, five hundred parts, and of the
chlorides of ammonium and zinc, or bariam, three hundred parts.
Composition No. 2.-I mix together, in a fine state, of the double salts of
the sulphates of zinc and ammonia or magnesia, five hundred parts, and of
the chlorides of barium and ammonium or calcium two hundred parts.
Composition No. 3.-I mix together, in a fine state, of the double salts of
the sulphates of zinc and ammonia, five hundred parts, and of the bi-borates
of ammonia and soda, with an excess of ammonia, two hundred parts.
DESCRIPTION OF PROCESS..
In describing my new and economical process for the manufacture and
preparation of starch, I would say that in its application to roots it consists
of a continuous arrangement of machinery or apparatus by which the roots
are prepared and consecutively treated by. washing, scraping, solving, pulping,
expressing, precipitating, and eventually to the drying, mixing, and. finishing
of the starch, and comprehends the following apparatus, viz. :—
The root stores and soaking vats.-The root stores consist of several com-
partments with open batten sides, surrounding or communicating with the
soaking vats; they are from four to six feet wide, about six feet deep, and of
any convenient length, with open batten bottoms raised a few inches from the
floor, and inclined towards a trap in the mouth of each, opening into the vat.
This arrangement of stores prevents the roots from heating, and preserves them.
The soaking vats consist of two or more vats of an oval form, about eight
feet long, five feet in greatest width, and from three to five feet deep,. with
inclined bottoms slightly curved, and communicating with each other by sluice
doors, through which the roots as they become sufficiently soaked can be run
from the first to the last or discharge vat, where the roots are kept in reserve
to supply the washing machine. Each vat is furnished with the necessary
supply and waste water pipes. The soaked roots are emptied from the dis-
charge vat by means of a set of rotatory scoops, which revolve upon an axis
fixed at the mouth of the vat, and discharge the roots into an inclined draining
shoot, suspended by hinges from the mouth of the vat, the other end resting
upon the head of the washing machine. The scoops are concave, and made
of open framework of strong wood or metal, about three feet long, and from

page_text: one to two feet wide, closed at the ends, and strengthened with a circular frame
of strong metal bands encompassing the whole.
The washing machine.-This consists of a drum or cylinder, revolving
horizontally upon a shaft, and containing a spiral chamber or channel winding
from the head of the machine downward, and lined throughout with an
arrangement of brushes or scrubbers. The roots enter by a feed flap at the
head, upon which rests one end of the draining shoot, and by the revolutions
of the machine in a suitable tank of running water the roots are thoroughly
washed and sufficiently skinned in their progress to the escape flap at the end
of the machine. The machine is made of open framework of wood or metal,
but sufficiently close to prevent the roots from falling through, the length
about twelve feet, and from four to five feet in diameter; the spiral chamber
from one to two feet wide, and from one to two feet deep, or such other
dimensions as the business may require. The scrubbers are made of any
suitable material and line in a diagonal direction the entire surface of
the spiral channel, through which the roots move. The washed roots are
received from the escape flap upon an incline frame hung upon hinges, either
at right angles or parallel to the axis of the machine, as may be most con-
venient, the other end of this frame resting upon the side ropes of an endless
band or chain carrying triangular baskets, which receive the roots from the
frame, and convey them up to the receiver of the scraping machine.
The vertical and horizontal scraping machines.-The first of these consists
of a well supported circular vessel, about eight feet high by eight feet wide
at the top, and diminishing to about three feet at the base, from which rises a
strong circular frame of the same diameter throughout as the base, and about
four feet high. This vertical frame or cage is made of metal bars, banded and
screwed together so as to suit any kind of roots. The bars are from a quarter
to half an inch thick, from one to two inches deep, and from one to four
inches apart, the whole terminating on the top with a closed conical dome,
through which the axis of the machine rises. Within this cage revolves the
scraping or shaving drum, consisting of a strongly-framed skeleton cylinder,
with grooved frames top and bottom, into which are screwed a number of long
narrow serrated scrapers, or, if preferred, of curved-edged knives, about three-
quarters of an inch apart, forming together the periphery of the cylinder, and
parallel to its axis, and of the same height as the cage, within which it freely
revolves without touching the bars, and in its revolutions scrapes or shaves the
roots which fill the outer vessel or receiver, and by their weight press them-
selves to the openings of the bars of the cage. The scrapings of the roots

page_text: fall into the chamber at the bottom of the machine, about two feet deep, out
of which they are removed by the sweepers in the chamber, worked by the
axis of the machine, and are discharged into the solvent mills, when that
process is required, by an incline shoot, or by a system of triangular buckets
and endless band and chain, as before described, only buckets are substituted
for baskets; or, where a vertical machine is inconvenient, the following. hori-
zontal machine is very effective, viz., a pair of borizontal rollers, revolving
concentrically upon parallel axes, made of wood and cased with metal surfaces,
with narrow serrated spiral flutings or angular ridges of about three-quarters
of an inch in the openings, the whole being enclosed in a suitable frame.
The rollers may be from two to three feet long, and from fifteen to twenty-
four inches in diameter. The roots are received in a hopper above the rollers,
the bottom of which is of the same length as the rollers, and terminating in a
double concave angular base immediately over the common centre of motion
of the two rollers, and parallel thereto. The double concave base of this
hopper is an open frame from a line immediately over the axis of each roller,
the base line of which is a strong metal bar running between the rollers, and
close to their surfaces without touching; and the opening is fitted with metal
bars placed close to the rollers, either vertically or parallel to the axis of
motion, and at such distances apart as not to allow the roots to fall through in
body upon the rollers. These rollers being set in motion by any convenient
power, act simultaneously upon the roots on each side of the double concave
mass, which by its own weight presses to the rollers, and the whole mass is
thus very rapidly rasped, and the raspings escape from the machine down an
A long
incline shoot into the solvent mills or into the pulping machine.
brush is placed under each roller to clear it of any adhering portions of the
roots.
The solvent mill.-This consists of a large circular vessel about nine feet
high by six feet in diameter, containing three separate compartments, each
three feet deep, communicating with each other at pleasure by slide traps at
the bottom of each compartment. A general axis rises from the base of the
mill, and carries a separate framework of vertical and horizontal arms in each
compartment, each of which works independently of the others upon its own
axis, moved by any driving gear. The material is first received into the top
compartment, where it is subjected, according to its requirements, to a pre-
liminary solvent process by warm water, warm air, gas, or steam, which acts
freely and equally upon the whole mass by means of the framework. The
mass is then worked into the second compartment, where a further process is
undergone, if required, with weak acids and alkalies, and from thence into the

page_text: third compartment, where, if needed, it can be further acted upon, or remain
in reserve for supplying the pulping machine.
The pulping machine consists of a suitable wooden box containing two or
three pairs of rollers, horizontal, three or four feet in length by about eighteen
inches in diameter; each pair is placed under the other, and move concen-
trically by means of a vertical shaft. The surfaces of each pair are set to
each other, so that the material passing between them may be gradually
reduced to the finest pulp. The material is received into a hopper placed
above the top pair with a sufficient supply of water, and in its passage between
the revolving rollers it is reduced to the finest state possible. From this the
pulp is conveyed by a shoot which terminates in a chamber with a circular
front, upon which moves a head laterally with two tubular shoots from two to
three feet long, set at an angle of about 70°, upon each of which a spring
frame works to receive and hold the pulp bags ready for filling with the
flowing pulp. These bags are made of any suitable material, about twelve
feet long and about three feet wide, with a strong cord fixed down each side,
and a flat band down the centre, and confining cords at the mouth.
The expressing machine.-This consists of a concave trough about fourteen
feet long and three or four feet in diameter, furnished with wire gauze
openings in the sides and bottom. In this trough oscillates, by any suitable
bearings, a roller about ten or twelve feet long and from two to three feet in
diameter, with spiral flutings on its surface, and which by its movements
draws under it progressively the bags of pulp as they become filled; the cords
on the sides of the bags passing through corresponding grooves in the sides of
the trough, the long ends being attached to a rack on the winding frame at
the end of the trough, over which the bags are wound as they come from under
the roller. By the oscillation of the roller the starch is fully expressed from
the pulp or paste as the bags move under the roller towards the winding
frame; a current of clear water is at the same time supplied, and the starch
liquor is run off by the starch channels into the deposit waggons, which
consist of a series of quadrangular tanks mounted on four wheels, and
numbered consecutively 1, 2, 3. They are about eight or ten feet long, four
feet wide and from three to four feet deep, by means of which the deposit of
the starch can be made of a uniform thickness, and can be stopped or carried
on to any required extent. The No. 1 waggons are the highest, and No. 3
the lowest. A decanting apparatus is placed across the front of each waggon,
consisting of metal frames sliding into each other, about three inches wide in
the opening, worked by a screw so as to draw off the surface water quietly at
any stage. The ends of the waggons are made to let down, and are furnished

page_text: with waterproof aprons inside. A flexible shoot conveys the starch liquor
from the expressing machine into a No. 1 waggon, which, when sufficiently
filled, is replaced by another, No. 1, and the liquor therein is well stirred
up, and then allowed to stand undisturbed for a few minutes, till all the
grit and some of the heavy starch is deposited, when the liquor, which now
contains the best starch, is decanted off into a No. 2 waggon to deposit; a
sufficient quantity of clear water is now run upon the residue, the whole is
then stirred up, and immediately run into a No. 3 waggon. When the
liquor in No. 2 has deposited rather more than three-fourths of its starch, and
just before the slimes begin to sink, the surface water is run off also into the
No. 3, and well stirred up with the former liquor, which is now allowed to
deposit the whole of its starch; the water is then run off into suitable vessels
for other use, and the starch worked up for inferior purposes. The best starch
in No. 2 is now ready for drying or other mode of finishing.
The absorbing machine.-This consists of a frame containing three or four
pairs of rollers placed under each other, as in a pulping machine. These
rollers are about four feet long and about eighteen inches in diameter; they
have a double periphery or drum. The outer drum or external surface of
each roller is made of strong metal coarsely perforated and covered with
sponge, with an outer case of strong fine netting; the inner drum may be of
solid metal, or perforated. The space between the drums is also filled with
sponge, which receives the moisture from the starch through the perforations,
and when saturated can be replaced by a dry bed. The surfaces of the top
pair of rollers are further apart than those of the others, diminishing to the
bottom pair, which almost touch each other. The starch is supplied from the
No. 2 waggon by the apron into a hopper, whose narrow base opens imme-
diately over the common centre of motion of the rollers, and extends about
two-thirds of their length, by which the starch is distributed to the surfaces of
the rollers as it falls from the hopper. The rollers, having a concentric
motion press the starch between their surfaces as they receive it from the
hopper, and pass it down by conducting hoppers through the other pairs of
rollers, until it is conveyed by a shoot into a suitable basin ready for making
up, or to be further dried and powdered. A set of brushes is placed under
each pair of rollers to displace any starch adhering thereto.
5 The drying house. This consists of a rectangular air-tight building, about
twelve feet long by eight or nine feet wide, and from twelve to sixteen feet
high, or such other form and dimensions as may be suitable to the place and
extent of business. This house is to be divided in its height into three or
more air-tight rooms, each of which is divided, when in use, into five, seven, or

page_text: nine compartments, separated by shallow trays of fine wire gauze bottoms,
fitting into each other so as to form a perforated flooring to each compartment;
the trays are lined with sponge, and have a sponge covering on the top. When
all the trays belonging to one room are filled with starch and placed in their
grooves, the door to that room is closed, and each alternate compartment is
then filled with warm dry air to a suitable temperature by means of a con-
ductor to each of such compartments communicating with a condensing pump
supplied from a warm air chamber. A tube connected with an exhausting
pump is introduced into each alternate compartment between the warm air
ones, by which a partial vacuum is maintained in each of these compartments;
the damp air is by this means withdrawn therefrom, and the warm dry air in
the adjoining compartments above and beneath is pressed through the inter-
vening starch in order to fill up the centre vacuum, but as this warm dry air
presses upon and through the starch, it drives the moisture through to the
vacuum compartment, whence it is at once withdrawn by the action of the
pump. Thus by the combined actions of the warm air chamber and the
exhausting pump a drying process is continually carried on till the starch is
sufficiently dry, when it is removed to suitable binns.
The mixing and finishing mills.-These consist of, first, a mixing frame
about twelve feet long, three and a half feet wide, and one foot six inches deep,
the bottom of which is furnished with a pair of endless chains and a series of
friction rollers, over which moves an endless flooring of leather cloth, india-
rubber, or other flexible material, to carry forward the starch to supply the
mills. Into this frame are placed, in their proper proportions, and in a
stratified position, the different starches, the incombustible composition, and
the other necessary ingredients. Across the mouth of this frame revolves a
dividing apparatus, consisting of about eight knives or blades three and a half
feet long, and about eight or ten inches deep, radiating from an axis, and
which in their revolutions cut the stratified bed of starch, as it is brought
under their action, into equal portions, which fall down the shoot into
the mills.
Secondly. The grinding mills.-These consist of a set of three mills
arranged vertically, with.the necessary sieves. They are composed of metal
framed drums properly grooved with conical tops about one foot deep and
eighteen inches in diameter, revolving vertically on one common axis in metal
cylinders. The surfaces of the revolving drums are set at different distances
from the surfaces of the cylinders, which can be regulated by means of a rack,
and the distances vary in each mill, diminishing from the top by a slight
curve in the lower part of the cylinder, bringing it closer to the drum. The

page_text: first or upper mill is supplied with the material direct from the mixing frame,
which passes from this, in a reduced state, to the second mill, placed about
one foot below, through a conical bag or cloth funnel, by which it is not only
reduced to a finer state but becomes more fully mixed. From this it passes in
a similar manner to the third mill, in which it is finely powdered, and passes
therefrom through sieves, which completes the starch for use.
REFERENCE TO DRAWINGS.
A full description of the apparatus being given in the Specification it is only
necessary here to refer to their names in the Drawings.
Fig. A, the first soaking vat, into which the root stores empty their contents;
B, the discharge vat; B1, the rotatory scoops; C, the washing machine;
C1, section of the same, showing spiral channel; D, endless bands and baskets;
E, vertical scraping machine and receiver; E1, scraping drum in cage;
E 2, sweepers in bottom chambers; E 3, horizontal scraping machine and
hopper; F, solvent mill; G, pulping machine; G1, pulp bag on tubular shoot;
H, trough of expressing machine; J, expressing roller; J 1, frame carrying
oscillating roller; K, winding frame for bags; L, deposit waggon; L1, ditto,
with apron emptying starch; M, decanting apparatus; N, absorbing rollers;
O, bin for starch; P, drying house; P1, ends of conductors and tubes to warm
air and vacuum compartments; P2, floorings of shallow trays; Q, mixing
frame with dividing apparatus; R, finishing mills.
In the application of my process to the manufacture of starch from cereals, I
commence with an ordinary bruising mill corresponding to the scraping
machine, and proceed throughout as in the case of roots; and in its appli-
cation to the manufacture of starch from flour and meal, I begin with an
ordinary paste trough corresponding to the pulping machine, and proceed
throughout as before. But in the manufacture of viscous starch I reduce the
substances entirely by thoroughly steeping them in hot water, and in some
cases with weak acids or alkalis, then filtering through fine silk sieves, and
kneading the gelatinous mass thoroughly with as much dry starch as will
make a stiff dough or paste, which is to be rolled out into thin cakes, then
dried and ground.
The starch produced by the foregoing process will possess the following
superior qualities, viz., first, a suitability of strength and quality to meet the
several purposes for which the starch is to be used; second, a greater
durability of stiffening properties; third, a smoother and more glassy surface;
fourth, a degree of incorruptibility, preventing the decomposition, vegetation,

page_text: and decay of the starch; and fifth, an incombustibility, entirely preventing all
fabrics dressed with it from inflaming.
Having thus described and explained the object and nature of my Invention,
and the manner in which the same is to be performed, I would wish it to be
understood that I do not confine myself to the exact proportions, quantities,
and dimensions herein mentioned, as they may be necessarily varied under
different circumstances; but what I claim under the herein-before in part
recited Royal Letters Patent are the following, viz. :-
First, the use of the roots, cereals, and grain, lichens, and algæ, mentioned
in the second head of the first division hereof, for the purposes therein and
after referred to.
Second, the machines or apparatus which are particularly set forth and
described herein, for the purposes for which the same are intended to
be used.
Third, the mixing and combining of the different starches, starchy matters,
and other ingredients, as mentioned in the second division herein.
Fourth, the use and application of the double and combined salts in the
three incombustible compositions mentioned in the third division herein,
whether the same be employed in combination with starch or other stiffening
ingredients, or used separately as a solution or solutions for the purpose of
rendering various fabrics incombustible or non-inflammable.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Simmons Matthews, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-eighth day of February, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.
JAMES SIMMONS MATTHEWS. (L.S.)