IMPROVEMENTS IN GRAIN GERMINATING FLOORS OR CHAMBERS
Year: 1885

page_text: I JOHN TRAVELL GOUGH, of Buckingham Malster do hereby declare the nature
of the said invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN GRAIN GERMINATING FLOORS OR
CHAMBERS to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to an improved apparatus or bin for the germination of
grain whereby the labor is reduced, injury to the grain avoided, the grain can be
more effectually exposed to fresh air, and other advantages obtained as hereafter
described.
The apparatus consists of a building or bin divided into a series of superposed
hopper shaped compartments each provided with an opening at bottom closed by a
slide or valve to enable the contents to be discharged to the next compartment in
series below. The sides or walls of the biu and the inclined divisions forming
these hopper like compartments are constructed of suitable framework covered
with perforated sheet metal or wire cloth to afford a free circulation of air which
may be increased by means of a forced draught if desired. By the division of the
bin into superposed compartments the transfer of the grain from one compartment
to another is easily effected and in falling from one chamber to another it becomes
well mixed and turned the grain is relieved of the pressure of its own weight and
sufficient space is allowed for the increase of bulk consequent on germination.
With the bin is combined an elevator for raising the grain to the top of the bin
whereby the grain after being let down from chamber to chamber throughout the
bin may be returned from the lower to the uppermost compartment in order to
repeat the operation, this moving or turning of the whole being effected by
drawing out a small portion say one tenth, to ensure the whole being properly
turned, whereby much time and labor are saved.
If desired to sprinkle the grain after removing it from the steeping cistern a
drain may be provided beneath the bin to carry off the water or a watertight bin
might be provided and for the purpose of sprinkling the grain.

page_text: I, JOHN TRAVELL GOUGH of Buckingham, Malster 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 :-
My Invention relates to an improved apparatus, or bin, for the germination of
grain which has been previously steeped whereby the labor is reduced, injury to
the grain avoided, the grain can be more effectually exposed to fresh air, and other
advantages obtained as hereafter described.
The apparatus consists of a chamber, or bin, of considerable height, and of little
width in one direction, divided into a series of superposed hopper-shaped compart-
ments, the sides or walls of the bin (and if desired the inclined sides of the hoppers
also) being constructed of perforated sheet-metal, or wire cloth to afford a free
circulation of air which may be increased by means of a forced draught, if desired;
By the division of the bin into superposed compartments, each containing only a
small quantity of the grain under treatment at one time, the grain is relieved of
the pressure of its own weight, and sufficient space is allowed for the increase of
bulk consequent on germination The transfer of the grain from one compartment
to another being effected by gravity (suitable means being provided for controlling
its flow) involves little labor, and in falling from one chamber to another it becomes
well mixed and turned.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming part of this
specification wherein Figures 1. and 2. are vertical sections in planes at right
angles to one another, and Figure 3. is a plan of one of my improved germinating
bins.
.
In practice, it would generally be preferred to juxtapose a number of these bins
with their longer sides opposite each other and separated by spaces for the
circulation of air, which spaces may be more or less enclosed by valves for
regulating the temperature, the outermost bins of the series being protected, or
enclosed if necessary by curtains Each bin is constructed of a suitable frame-
work (not shown) supporting perforated sheet-metal or wire-cloth constituting the
walls a a of the bin; The framework also supports the pairs of inclines bb (which
would also, by preference, be composed of sheet-metal, or wire cloth) by which the
bin is divided into a series of superposed hopper-like compartments, these inclines
standing partially across the bin as shown. In the lower mouth of each of these
hoppers there would, preferably, be placed a valve c adjustable from outside the
bin for the purpose of regulating the descent of the grain. The lowermost com-
partment leads into a spout d in which there may be placed a shaft provided with
arms for the purpose of preventing choking of the spout. This spout & discharges
into a hopper, or shoot, e which may, or may not, be common to any number of
the bins, and whence the grain, which has been let down from compartment to
compartment throughout the bin, may be taken by an elevator, and returned to
the uppermost compartment of the bin, in order to undergo a repetition of the
operation. If necessary, a forced current of air may be caused to traverse the bin
in the direction of its least width for the purpose of reducing the temperature of
d

page_text: the grain, and carrying off the heat generated and to this end a fan, or blower,
may be combined with the bin, or juxtaposed series of bins, the draught being
directed and controlled by suitable means which need not be described. If it be
desired to sprinkle the grain whilst in process of germination in the bin, a drain
would be provided beneath for carrying off the surplus water.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
A grain germinating apparatus, consisting of a bin or chamber having perforated
or reticulated walls and divided into series of superposed hopper-like compartiments,
and wherein the grain is allowed to fall from the several compartments to the next
in series below, substantially as described and illustrated in the drawings.
Dated this Sun day of February 1880.
J. T. GOUGH.
By A. M. & W Clark, Agents.