IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING SUBSTANCES BY MEANS OF SIEVES, AND IN THE MODE OF Operating Parts of the SAME
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Pieter Van Gelder, of Liverpool, in the County of
Lancastor, for the Invention of " IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR
SEPARATING SUBSTANCES BY MEANS OF SIEVES, AND IN THE MODE OF
Operating Parts of the SAME.”
aled the 17th December 1878, and dated the 21st June 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Pieter Van Gelder at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st June 1878.
" IMPROVE-
PIETER VAN GELDER, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster.
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING SUBSTANCES BY MEANS OF SIEVES, AND
IN THE MODE OF OPERATING PARTS OF THE SAME."
It has been remarked that hand sieves are much less apt to choke than those
worked by machinery; it is to give machine worked sieves the same immunity
that this my Invention is designed.
In my machine as I now arrange it, I construct my hopper with a back curved
round till it becomes nearly or quite horizontal after passing under the regulating
feed slide.
In front of the slide is the feed apparatus, usually a fluted feed roller with flutes
like buckets, capable of carrying round the material to be sieved and throwing it
against a sloping or curved plate in front, down which it falls through a slit on to
an inclined plane on the movable frame of the sieve. The feed is thus regulated,
and the material to be sieved sliding down the inclined plane gets to be perfectly
flat instead of being on end.
At the lower end of the inclined plane the material falls into a hollow unperforated
portion of the upper sieve. This sieve slopes downward to the other end, and is
shaken on the principle hereafter described. Under the sieve and moving with it is
another sieve (and below that, if necessary, another).

page_text: Below the sieves is a tray with a spout from it at the bottom to lead away the
small stuff that has passed both sieves.
If there are, as I prefer, only two sieves (and the tray) in a set, the upper siove
discharges its contents, the larger materials, into a spout leading away; the lower
sievo empties its contents, the grain or proper sized materials, by another spout into
the top sieve of a similar sot of sieves below, sloping in the reverse direction and
similarly shaken.
There can be two, three, or more sets of sieves so as to separate different kinds of
grain or sizes of materials, and if desirable exhaust or other fans can be used at the
points where the material falls from a spout to carry off the lighter materials.
The mode of actuating the sieves is peculiar, each frame supporting a set of sieves
and tray (and in the top instance the inclined plane also), is supported at each end
by a bracket and bearing in which works a vertical crank of a crank shaft, the two
crank shafts working at the same speed, the cranks on the two crank shafts being
arranged equidistant in angular measurement, so that the motions performed by the
shafts may be as uniform as possible.
The results are that every part of the sieves has an equal circular movement,
and the materials sieved have no tendency to mount one on another and to pitch
narrow end first into the meshes, thus stopping them up, but every particle has a
tendency to be in its largest side, and be moved sideways till it falls through the
meshes or (being too big) passes away over the lower end.
The inclined plane, sieves, and tray can be suspended in the frames in any
desirable manner; but it is best to so arrange them that their height at one or both
ends can be adjusted.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Pieter Van Gelder in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 21st
December 1878.
"IMPROVE-
PIETER VAN GELDER, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster.
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING SUBSTANCES BY MEANS OF SIEVES, AND
IN THE MODE OF OPERATING PARTS OF THE SAME.'
"
Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation; Fig. 2, end elevation of apparatus as arranged for
purifying wheat.
It has been remarkod that hand. sieves are much less apt to choke than those
worked by machinery; it is to give machine worked sieves the same immunity that
this iny Invention is designed.
In my machine, as I now arrange, I construct my hopper A, Fig. 1, with a back
curved round until it becomes nearly or quite horizontal after passing under the
regulating feed slide B.
In front of the slide is the feed apparatus, usually a fluted feed roller C. with
flutes like buckets, capable of carrying round the material to be sieved and throwing
it against a sloping or curved plate D in front, down which it falls through a slit :
on to an inclined plane E on the moving frame F of the sieve. The feed is thus:
regulated, and the material to be sieved sliding down the inclined plane E,
gets to lie perfectly flat instead of being on end.
At the lower end of the inclined plane the material falls into a hollow unperforated.
portion of the upper sieve G. This sieve slopes downward to the other end,:
and is shaken on the principle hereafter described. Under the sieve and moving,
with it is another sieve H (and below that, if necessary, another).
Below the sieves is a tray I with a spout i from it at bottom to lead away tho.
small stuff that has passed both sieves.
If there are, as I prefer, only two sieves (and the tray) in a set, the upper sieve
discharges its contents, the larger materials, into a spout j leading away, the lower:
sieve Hempties its contents, the grain or proper sized materials, by another spout /:
on to an inclined surface, zinc with cloth pasted on it preferred, another sievo and.
tray return the remaining materials into the top sieve G¹ of a socond set of sieves
below, sloping in the reverse direction, and a similar motion imparted.
There can be two, three, or more sets of sieves so as to separate different kinds of
grain or sizes of materials; and if desirable exhaust or other fans can be used at the
points where the material falls from a spout to carry off the lighter materials, as.
shown by the arrows.
The arrangement of exhaust fan and winnowing I prefer for general grain
purposes, and as shown in Drawing from an actual apparatus, is as follows:-
A fan K, two feet in diameter, and running at six hundred revolutions a minute,
draws the light particles off as the grain falls from the various spouts and ledges
at places marked k, and in order to give sufficient opportunity for the air to act
upon the light matters I place under each spout a series of ledges L, L, open on
both front and back, and cause the grain to fall from one to another amid a current
of air.
The mode of actuating the sieves is peculiar, each frame supporting a set of sieves,
and tray (and the inclined planes also), is supported at each end by a bracket and
bearing M, in which works a vertical crank N of a crank shaft, the two crank shafts
working at the same speed, the cranks on the two crank shafts being arranged
equidistant in angular measurement, that is, one hundred and eighty degrees apart
for two sets, so that the motions performed by the shafts may be as uniform as
possible.
The stroke of the cranks is proportioned to the size of material sieved. For barley
I use 1 inch stroke and three hundred revolutions; for wheat, 1 inch stroke and
four hundred revolutions; for middlings, inch stroke and five hundred revolutions;
:

page_text: in the case of minerals and other substances the quantities vary as to size and
specific weight.
The results are that every part of the sieves has an equal circular movement, and
the materials sieved have no tendency to mount one on another and to pitch narrow
end first into the meshes, thus stopping them up, but every particle has a tendency
to be on its largest side and be moved sideways till it falls through the meshes or
(being too big) passes away over the lower end.
The inclined plane, sieves, and tray can be suspended in the frames in any
desirable manner, but it is best to so arrange them that their height at one or both
ends can be adjusted. This adjustment is seen at P, P, in the Drawinge; there are
various modes of doing it, but perhaps the best consists in supporting the sieves on
lugs on the frames by screws and thumb nuts; any mechanic can arrange them to
be raised and lowered by any other of the numerous well-known modes of raising a
thing while supported in a frame.
Sometimes in large machines I support the sieve frames on the ends of additional
pivots supported loosely in footsteps or ball-joint sockets.
Having now described my Invention, and the best mode known to me of carrying
it into effect, I wish it to be understood that I do not claim as my Invention the
system of superimposed sieves, nor yet the mere shaking of those sieves in a hori-
zontal direction or by the aid of a single crank working one portion more than
another, but that what I believe to be new, and desire to protect under the herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent is,--
First. The mode described of operating sieving apparatus by means of two
equal cranks or their mechanical equivalent, so that every portion of the sieve shall
receive an equal horizontal or nearly horizontal circular motion for the purposes
described.
Second. The inclined or horizontal platform moving by means of two equal
cranks or their mechanical equivalent, so that every portion of the platform shall
receive an equal horizontal or nearly horizontal circular motion.
Third. The manufacture of the herein-described apparatus for separating
substances for the purposes described, no claim being made for any single part taken
separately, but only when combined with other parts substantially as herein
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Pieter Van Gelder; have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
Witness,
JOHN O. O'BRIEN,
Clerk to W. P. Thompson & Co.,
British and International Patent Agents,
6, Lord Street,
Liverpool, and
323, Holborn,
London
P. V. GELDER (L.S.)

page_text: IN
LETTERS PATENT to Pieter Van Gelder, of Liverpool, in the County of
Tancaster, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS APPARATUS FOR
SEPARATING SUBSTANCES BY MEANS OF SIEVES, AND IN THE MODE OF
OPERATING PARTS OF THE SAME.
Sealed the 17th December 1878, and dated the 21st June 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Pieter Van Gelder at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st June 1878.
" IMPROVE-
PIETER VAN GELDER of Liverpool in the County of Lancaster.
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING SUBSTANOES BY MEANS OF SIEVES AND
IN THE MODE OF OPERATING PARTS OF THE SAME.'
23
It has been reinarked that hand sieves are much less apt to choke than those
worked by machinery it is to give machine worked sieves the same immunity
that this my Invention is designed.
In my machine as I now arrange I construct my hopper with a back curved
round till it becomes nearly or quite horizontal after passing under the regulating
feed slide.
In front of the slide is the feed apparatus, usually a fluted feed roller with flutes
liko buckets capable of carrying round the material to be sieved and throwing it
against a sloping or curved plate in front, down which it falls through a slit on to
an inclined plane on the movable frame of the sieve. The feed is thus regulated
and the material to be sieved sliding down the inclined plane gets to lie perfectly
flat instead of being on end.
At the lower end of the inclined plane the material falls into a hollow unperforated
portion of the upper sieve. This sieve slopes downward to the other end and is
shaken on the principle hereafter described. Under the sieve and moving with it is
another sieve (and below that if necessary another).

page_text: Below the sieves is a tray with a spout from it at the bottom to lead away the
small stuff that has passed both sieves.
If there are as I prefer only two sieves (and the tray) in a set the upper sieve
discharges its contents the larger materials into a spout leading away, the lower
sieve empties its contents,-the grain or proper sized materials-by another spout into
the top sieve of a similar set of sieves below sloping in the reverse direction and
similarly shaken.
There can be two three or more sets of sieves so as to separate different kinds of
grain or sizes of materials, and if desirable exhaust or other fans can be used at the
points where the material falls from a spout to carry off the lighter materials.
The mode of actuating the sieves is peculiar each frame supporting a set of sieves
and tray (and in the top instance the inclined plane also) is supported at each end
by a bracket and bearing in which works a vertical crank of a crank shaft. The two
crank shafts working at the same speed. The cranks on the two crank shafts being
arranged equidistant in angular measurment so that the motions performed by the
shafts may be as uniformn as possible.
The results aro that every part of the sieves has an equal circular movement
and the materials sieved have no tendency to mount one on another and to pitch
narrow end first into the meshes thus stopping them up but every particle bas a
tendency to be on its largest siile, and he moved sideways till it falls through the
meshes or (being to big) passes away over the lower end.
The inclined plane sieves and tray can be suspended in the frames in any
desirable manner but it is best to so arrange them that their height at one or both
ends can be adjusted.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Peter Van Gelder in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 21st
December 1878.
PIETER VAN GELDER of Liverpool in the County of Lancaster.
"IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING SUBSTANOES BY MEANS OF SIEVES AND
IN THE MODE OF OPERATING PARTS OF THE SAME."
Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation, Fig. 2 end elevation of apparatus as arranged for
purifying wheat.
It has been remarked that hand sieves are much less apt to choke than those
worked by machinery, it is to give machine worked sieves the same immunity that
this my Invention is designed.
In my machine as I now arrange I construct my hopper A Fig. 1 with a back
curved round until it becomes nearly or quite horizontal after passing under the
regulating feed slide B.
In front of the slide is the feed apparatus usually a fluted feed rollor ✪ with

page_text: flutes like buckets capable of carrying round the material to be sieved and throwing
it against a sloping or curved plate D in front down which it fulls through a slit d,
on to an inclinod plane E on the moving frame F of the sieve. The feed is thus
regulated and the material to be sieved sliding down the inclined plane E
gets to lie porfectly flat instead of being on end.
At the lower end of the inclined plane the material falls into a hollow uuperforated
portion of the upper sieve G. This sieve slopes downward to the other end
and is shaken on the principle hereafter described. Under the sieve and moving
with it is another sieve H (and below that if necessary another).
Below the sieves is a tray I with a spout from it at bottom to lead away the
small stuff that has passed both sieves.
If there are as I prefer only two sieves (and the tray) in a set the sieve
upper
discharges its contents the larger materials into a spout leading away the lower
sieve H empties its contents the grain or proper sized materials by another spout h
on to an inclined surface zinc with cloth pasted on it preferred another sievo and
tray return the remaining materials into the top sieve G¹ of a second set of sieves
below sloping in the reverse direction and a similar motion imparted.
There can be two three or more sets of sieves so as to separate different kinds of
grain or sizes of materials and if desirable exhaust or other fans can be used at the
points where the material falls from a spout to carry off the lighter materials as
shown by the arrows.
The arrangement of exhaust fan and winnowing I prefer for general grain
purposes and
as shown in Drawing from an actual apparatus is as follows
A fan K two feel in diameter and running at six hundred revolutions a minute
draws the light particles off as the grain falls from tho various spouts and lodges
and places marked and in order to give sufficient opportunity for the air to act
upon the light matters I place under each spout a series of ledges L L open on
both front and back and cause the grain to fall from one to another admit a current
of air.
The mode of actuating the sieves is peculiar ench frame supporting a set of sieves
and tray (and the inclined planes also) is supported at each end by a bracket and
bearing M in which works a vertical crank N of a crank shaft. The two crank shafts
working at the same speed. The cranks on the two crank shafts being arranged
equidistant in angular measurement that is when only two sets are used as in the
arrangement sheien in the drawings one hundred and eighty degrees apart for two sets
so that the motions porformed by the shafts may be as uniform as possible.
arrangement is essential to the success of the apparatus since unless the sets of sieves are
arranged so that their motions are balanced the vibration of the apparatus would be so
violent as to render it useless and I therefore make no claim to any arrangement except
the sets of sieves are arranged so that their motions balance as above described.
This
The stroke of the cranks is proportioned to the size of material sieved for barley
I use 1 inch stroke and three hundred revolutions for wheat 1 inch stroke and
four hundred revolutions for middlings inch stroke and five hundred revolutions.
In the case of minerals and other substances the quantities vary as to size and
specific weight.
The results are that every part of the sieves has an equal circular movement and
the materials sieved have no tendency to mount one on another and to pitch narrow
end first into the meshes thus stopping them up but every particle has a tendency
to be on its largest side and be moved sideways till it falls through the meshes or
(being too big) passes away over the lower end.
The inclined plane sieves and tray can be suspended in the frames in any
desirable manner but it is best to so arrange them that their height at one or both
ends can he adjusted. This adjustment is seen at P. P. in the Drawings there are
various modes of doing it but perhaps the best consists in supporting the sieves on
Ings on the frames by screws and thumb nuts; any mechanic can arrange them to
be raised and lowered by any other of the numerous well-known modes of raising a
thing while supported in a frame.

page_text: Sometimes in large machines 1 support the sieve frames on the ends of additional
pivots supported loosely in footsteps or ball-joint sockets.
Having now described my Invention and the best mode known to me of carrying
it into effect I wish it to be understood that I do not claim as my Invention the
system of superimposed sieves nor yet the mere shaking of those sieves in a hori-
zontal direction or by the aid of a single crank working one portion moro than
another nor do I claim the operation of a single sieve with equal cranks, since this is
impracticable except the mode of operating with two or more balanced sets of sieves be
adopted but that what I believe to be new and desire to protect under the hereinbefore
in part recited Letters Patent is :—
First. The mode described of operating sieving apparatus by means of two
equal cranks or their mechanical equivalent so that every portion of the sieve shall
receive an equal borizontal or nearly horizontal circular motion for the purposes
described when applied to apparatus of the kind hereinbefore described, but subject to
the disclaiming notes.
Second. The inclined or horizontal platform moving by means of two equal
cranks or their mechanical equivalent so that evory portion of the platform shall
receive an equal horizontal or nearly horizontal circular motion, when applied to
apparatus of the kind hereinbefore described but subject to the disclaiming notes.
Third. The manufacture of herein-described apparatus for separating substances
for the purposes described no claim being made for any single part taken separately
but only when combined with other parts substantially as herein specified and subject
to the disclaiming notes.
In witness whereof I the said Pieter Van Gelder have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Nineteenth day of December in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
Witness.
JOHN O. O'BRIEN
Clerk to W. P. Thompson & Co.
British and International Patent Agents
6 Tord Street
Liverpool and
323 Holborn
London
P. V. GELDER. (L.S.)