A Machine for Sifting and Sorting Tea or Grains, Combined with a Mesh Cleaning Apparatus.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Dec., 1895-Accepted, 28th Mar., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Machine for Sifting and Sorting Tea or Grains, Combined with a
Mesh Cleaning Apparatus.
GEORGE MURRAY COLLOM, Engineer and Tea Planter c/o W. P. Collom
3 Saltram Villas Laira (near Plymouth) Devonshire 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 :-
A machine for sifting and sorting tea or grains combined with a mesh
cleaning apparatus. The machine is composed of 2 angle iron frames (A. A)
3 x 3 measuring 8 ft. long on the top & 9 ft. at the base, standing 2 ft. high,
placed opposite each other & stayed together by stays (I. I.) 2 ft. apart: Between
these work (with a reciprocating motion) two long light steel frames (B1 & B2)
measuring 9 ft. long & 2 ft. wide which are the sifters, placed one above the
other-these being fitted with interchangeable sliding trays (R. R.) & sliding
between top & bottom angle irons (Q. Q.) the top trays being secured by catch (W)
& the lower one by the "catch" & "Congon" delivery shute (S. N) this working
on a hinge as it were, marked (S. Y.), these sifters working on 4 rocking levers
marked (G. G.) securely fastened to the angle frame (A. A.) in side at 4 points
upon pivots or bearings marked (K. K) upon which they work from the centre.
The upper sifter (B1) is secured to the levers (G. G.) by trunnion brackets (P. P.)
to the levers at the top-working in bushes (8.) & the lower sifter (B 2.) the same
way underneath, the latter being direct to the crank or eccentric (C.) with a
connecting rod (E.) & a 3" pitch or travel, receives a reciprocating motion-the
same motion being transmitted to the one above it; it will thus be seen that both
sifters are entirely independent as it were & work in opposite directions to each
other at 250 rev. per. min. or more. These sifters can be placed at any incline
from 1 to 10 inches, there being sets of holes in the back levers provided for this
purpose; so as the tea may be quickly discharged or delayed as the case may.
require. The upper sifter inclines towards the crank & the lower one from the
crank; these are fitted with 4 meshes of sizes (2 in each) marked (V.) fastened on
to wood frames (R.) which slide (in & out) between top & bottom angle irons,
& underneath these, running the whole length is an enamelled steel shute (H.)
with 4 divisions (2 in each) corresponding with the mesh above them, being
divided by partitions (M.) for instance, each sifter has 2 sizes in wire mesh i.e. the
top having Nos. 40 & 12, the lower one Nos. 10 & 8 & so are the divisions in the
shute (H.) underneath-at the end of which division, being a small discharge
"shute
at right angles marked (N.) for the delivery of the different classes of tea
sorted & operating as follows i.e. The bulk tea to be sorted is thrown in at the
back top end of the upper sifter on No. 40 mesh which takes out the dust, the
rest being shaken on to No. 12 mesh takes out the broken Pekoe, having now
done with the upper sifter, the tea is now deposited on to the sifter below thro' a
space" & "guide" marked (T.) falling on to No. 10 mesh, which takes out the
Pekoe, the remainder being shaken on to No. 8 mesh takes out the Pekoe Souchong,
the rest being coarse tea, is discharged at the back end of the machine as
Souchong or Congou from the discharge end "shute (S. N) which acts as a
locking shute" to the sliding trays (R.) this completes the operation. It will thus
be seen that 5 classes of tea (or less) can be sorted by the machine & automatically
delivered without any handling; it being thrown in at the top back cnd &
travelling down & out at the bottom back end.

page_text: "
"
The following is a description of the "mesh cleaning attachment" on the above
machine operating as follows:-(F. F.) are wrought iron brackets (2 on each side)
fixed to the framing of the machine (A. A.) these carry the whole cleaning
arrangement, the frame of which is composed of angle iron (1. E.) into which are
fixed a series of "battens Οι "cutters (transversely) (D.D.) (of wood or metal)
or any other suitable material placed vertically & 3 inches apart; (the travel of
the sifters) & 1 inches high, these remain stationary with their edges close up
under the wire mesh (C.C.) the whole arrangement being inside the sifting
frames (B1. & B2) these are controlled (being raised or lowered) by the
lever (G.) connecting the gearing (H. H.) & (J. J. J. J.) working the "cleaners
(D.) which slide up & down in their respective slots (M. M. M. M.) thus enabling
the operator to adjust the "cleaners" to any slope that may be put on the sifters-
at the same time being able to apply or throw out of gear the "cleaners" (D.)
simultaneously as desired.
"
Having now particularly described & ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, & in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
(1st.) Two sifters working one above the other upon 4 rocking levers, geared
in the centre & working in opposite directions to each other; thus counter-
balancing one another. This counterbalanced motion gives perfect & steady
working & total absence of jar on the framing one crank & one connecting rod
only being necessary. By this method any given number of sifters can be driven
(by placing more levers) with the connecting rod fixed to any position, either to
the sifter end or direct to the levers (G.) or 2 connecting rods-one each side
(yet serving the place of one) as the case may require.
66
(2nd.) Improved method of sliding interchangeable trays & locking apparatus
for same-combining a delivery "shute" & fastener to the trays.
(3rd.) A simple arrangement of "battens " or cutters" of any suitable material
(moveable or fixed) which can be adjusted to a nicety, enabling the operator to
instantly apply or release it at will & may be used either above or below the mesh.
(4th.) Being an open arrangement, no sticking" or "clogging" of the tea can
take place on it as it comes through the mesh, it is simply "nipped" off thus
releasing the other end above the mesh-to pass on into the class of the coarser
kind to which it belongs.
"E
Dated this 2nd day of December Eighteen hundred and ninety-five.