İM- PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS ADAPTED TO BE EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF FRUIT SALTS,' PARTLY APPLICABLE IN THE DRYING OF OTHER MATTERS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Nicholson Fleming, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, in tho
County of Northumberland, Doctor of Medicine, for the Invention of "İM-
PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS ADAPTED TO BE EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURE
OF FRUIT SALTS,' PARTLY APPLICABLE IN THE DRYING OF OTHER MATTERS."
Sealed the 22nd February 1878, and dated the 15th November 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Nicholson Fleming at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th November 1877.
JOHN NICHOLSON FLEMING, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, in the County of Northum-
berland, Doctor of Medicine. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS ADAPTED TO BE
EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF FRUIT SALTS,' PARTLY APPLICABLE IN THE
DRYING OF OTHER MATTERS."
My Invention relates to the manufacture of articles termed fruit salts," and con-
sists of apparatus for treating the matters employed in such manufacture. The said
matters are introduced into a mixing drum or cylinder, which is formed with inlet
and discharge openings, which are provided with suitable doors or shutters. A
shaft is fitted to revolve within the said cylinder, and is furnished with arms of a
prismoidal or other suitable form. A charge of the said matters is introduced into
the said cylinder, and when sufficiently stirred and incorporated is discharged
through an opening into a hopper arranged below the said cylinder.
A travelling apron constitutes the bottom of the said hopper, and the said matters
are received upon the said apron, and are gradually carried out of the hopper
through a side opening, which is provided with a regulating slide or shutter. The
said matters thus carried forwards are discharged from the end of the apron into the
feeding hopper of a pair of crushing rollers.
The said rollers are formed of steel, cast iron, chilled irou, or other suitable
material, and are smooth, or grooved, or partly smooth and partly grooved.

page_text: The two rollers are driven at different surface speeds in the same direction or in
opposite directions, as found to be most suitable. The matters, after the treatment
by the said rollers, fall into an inclined trough-like sieve having a semi-cylindrical
bottom..
A brush, or brush roller, or brushing appliance mounted on or fixed to a shaft, is
caused to revolve or to vibrate in the said sieve so as to brush the finer particles
through the meshes of the sieve.
The matters which will not pass through the said meshes travel down the sieve,
and are discharged from the lower end thereof. The matters passing through the
sieve are received by the first of a series of comparatively short-inclined travelling
aprons, which are arranged within a drying chamber. The said inclined aprons
overlap each other, and are so arranged with relation to each other as that the
higher end of one apron discharges on to the lower end of the next apron in the
same horizontal row.
Two, three, or more aprons may be arranged in one horizontal row, and two,
three, or more horizontal rows may be arranged within the chamber. The last apron
in the upper row discharges on to the lower end of the end apron in the next hori-
zontal row lower down.
The frequent changing of the matters from one apron to another facilitates
and expedites the drying operation, and tends to prevent agglomeration of the
matters.
The stove is heated by steam, or bot-water pipes, or of heated surfaces, or by
means of currents of heated air.
The arrangement may also be employed in the drying of other matters than those
herein indicated.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Nicholson Fleming in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
13th May 1878.
JOHN NICHOLSON FLEMING, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, in the County of Northum-
berland, Doctor of Medicine. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS ADAPTED TO BE
EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF FRUIT SALTS,' PARTLY APPLICABLE IN THE
DRYING OF OTHER MATTERS."
My Invention relates to the manufacture of articles termed fruit salts, and con-
sists of apparatus for treating the matters employed in such manufacture. The
said matters are introduced into a mixing drum or cylinder, which is formed with
inlet and discharge openings, which are provided with suitable doors or shutters.
A shaft is fitted to revolve within the said cylinder, and is furnished with arms of a
prismoidal or other suitable form. A charge of the said matters is introduced intó
the said cylinder, and when sufficiently stirred and incorporated is discharged
through an opening into a hopper arranged below the said cylinder.
A travelling apron constitutes the bottom of the said hopper, and the said matters
are received upon the said apron and are gradually carried out of the hopper through
a side opening, which is provided with a regulating slide or shutter. The said
matters thus carried forwards are discharged from the end of the apron into the
feeding hopper of a pair of crushing rollers.
The two rollers are driven at different surface speeds in the same direction, or in
opposite directions, as found to be most suitable.
The matters, after the treatment by the said rollers, fall into an inclined trough-
like sieve, having a semi-cylindrical bottom.
A brush, or brush roller, or brushing appliance mounted on or fixed to a shaft, is
caused to revolve or to vibrate in the said sieve so as to brush the finer particles
through the meshes of the sieve.
The matters passing through the sieve are received by the first of a series of
comparatively short inclined travelling aprons, which are arranged within a drying
chamber. The said inclined aprons overlap each other, and are so arranged with
relation to each other as that the higher end of one apron discharges on to the lower
end of the next apron in the the same horizontal row.
The last apron in the upper row discharges on to the lower end of the end apron
in the next horizontal row lower down.
The stove is heated by steam or hot-water pipes, or of heated surfaces, or by
means of currents of heated air.
And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood two Sheets of
Drawings marked with letters of reference have been attached hereto.
Referring to the said Drawings, Sheet 1, drawn to a scale of about one inch to
the foot, represents a vertical elevation partly in section of the complete apparatus,
wherein A is the mixer; B is the hopper; C is the set of crushing rollers; D is the
sieve; and E is the drying apparatus.
In Sheet 2 Fig. 1 represents a vertical section of the mixer taken at right angles
to the section in Sheet 1; and Fig. 2 represents a plan of the crushing rollers and
of a portion of the hopper. In the said mixer A is a cylinder or drum, which in
the example is formed of wood lags a bolted or secured to cast metal ends b. A
boss upon each of the said ends is bored to fit upon a shaft c which is fitted to
revolve in bearings in the standards d. A spur wheel e is fixed upon the said shaft,
and a second spur wheel fis fixed upon one of the ends b. A driving shaft g is
fitted to revolve in bearings, and is driven by means of suitable strap pulleys.
Upon this shaft two pinions are mounted, one pinion gearing with an intermediate-
wheel which gears with the wheel e, as indicated by the dotted lines, the other

page_text: pinion gearing with the wheel f. Each pinion is formed as a clutch, the sleeve part
of the clutch being fitted to slide upon the shaft upon a fast key in the ordinary
manner. Each clutch. can be disengaged by means of a hand lever h. When both
of the clutches are engaged the shaft C will be caused to revolve, and at the
same time the drum A will revolve, but at a slower speed and in the contrary
direction.
The part of the shaft C extending between the ends bis square in section,
and upon this part are fixed arms i, i. These arms are prismoidal in form, and
are each cast or formed in two parts which are bolted together so as to grip
the shaft, but this construction may be varied. The drum is formed with a long
opening which is provided with a hinged door, which when shut is secured by
means of a sliding bolt, or by any other suitable means. In the example the mixer A
is situated on a floor above the hopper B. The said hopper consists of a rectangular
frame. B which is secured to standards k. An endless apron F is mounted upon
two chain rollers l, l'.
The construction of the said apron is illustrated by Figs. 3 and 4, in Sheet 2.
Two endless chains formed of links m are mounted upon the two chain rollers. The
said links are perforated to receive the ends of cross bars n, upon which are fixed
flaps of sheet metal o. The free end of each flap rests upon the next flap, at the
point of attachment to the cross bar, the series of flaps thus forming a surface
capable of holding any matters which it may receive. The said surface con-
stitutes the bottom of the hopper. The front of the hopper is provided with a
sliding shutter p which can be adjusted to be nearer to or farther from the apron.
A revolving motion is imparted to the roller by suitable gearing whereby the
apron is caused to travel in the direction indicated by the arrow. The crushing
rollers Care formed of steel, cast iron, chilled iron, or other suitable material, and
are turned to a cylindrical. form, or are grooved, or partly smooth and partly
grooved. The axles of the rollers revolve in suitable plummer blocks or bearings
fixed to strong frames q which rest upon beams, as indicated, or are otherwise suit-
ably sustained.
A spur pinion on the driving shaft gears with a wheel on the roller c' and
imparts to it a revolving motion in the direction indicated. The two rollers are
connected together by spur wheels having the proportions of about two to one, so
that the roller c² is also caused to revolve in the direction indicated, but at a slower
speed than the roller c¹.
The arrangement of gearing may be varied, as considered or found to be most
suitable, as, for example, the roller c² may revolve in the same direction as the
roller c¹, but at a much slower speed, or both rollers may revolve in the directions
indicated in the Drawings and at the same speed, or the relative speeds may
differ from the speeds herein indicated; also, more than two rollers may be
combined together so as to act in concert. Below the rollers is arranged the
sieve D having a semicircular bottom. This sieve is formed with a suitable
framework covered with wire gauze or other suitable material. Within the said
sieve a shaft is fitted to revolve, and on this shaft are fixed discs, to which are
attached brushes, which extend from one end of the sieve to the other.
Any suitable arrangement of brushes attached to the revolving shaft may be
employed, or the shaft may be caused to rock or vibrate, if preferred. The sieve is
by preference inclined from one end to the other, so that any matters not passing
through the meshes may gradually travel towards the lower end and be discharged
into a suitable receptacle or be returned by means of a "Jacob's ladder" to the
crushing rollers. Below the sieve is the drying apparatus E, consisting of a
rectangular chamber formed of "tee" or angle iron framing, covered or lined with
sheet iron, or other metal plates, or otherwise suitably formed. Within this chamber
are arranged a series of nine endless travelling aprons G. Each apron is mounted
upon two chain barrels s, 8, and is formed as herein-before indicated when referring
to Figs. 3 and 4. One of the axles of one of the chain barrels of each apron passes

page_text: through the wall of the chamber, and is connected by means of spur, bevil, or other
suitable gearing with a suitable arrangement of driving and connecting shafts
whereby all the aprons are caused to travel in unison in the directions indicated by
the arrows.
It has not been considered necessary to illustrate the arrangement of gearing
employed, as the chain barrels may receive motion from any suitable arrangement
of vertical or cross shafts, or be driven by straps or pitch chains, or be otherwise.
caused to revolve in unison. Angle irons u, u, are fixed to extend across the
chambers in such positions as that the hinged flaps which constitute the surface of
each apron shall be drawn over the said angle irons in succession, as indicated in
the case of one of the aprons, the said angle irons or any other suitable parts substituted
therefor acting as scrapers to remove any matters which might adhere to the sur-
faces of the said flaps.
The chamber E is heated by means of steam or hot water pipes, or of flues, or of
heated surfaces, or by means of currents of heated air admitted, or forced or drawn
into the chamber, or by any suitable means. The number of aprons in the series
may be varied.
The operation of the apparatus may be described as follows:-A charge of the
matters is introduced into the mixing drum A, and the door thereof is closed. The
drum and the inner shaft are then set in motion, and are kept in motion until it is
considered that the mixing is completed. The movement of the drum or of both
parts is then arrested and the door is opened. The drum is then again set in motion
so as to cause the matters to be discharged through the open door into the hopper B,
from whence they are gradually fed forwards by the apron F and delivered to the
crushing rollers C. The rate of delivery to the said rollers is regulated by raising
or lowering the shutter p.
The matters received by the rollers are crushed, the rollers having a triturating
action by reason of the difference in the surface velocity of the two rollers. The
crushed and triturated matters fall into the sieve D, which separates any particles
which have not been sufficiently crushed. The finely-divided matters passing
through the sieve fall through an opening into the chamber E and on to the first of
the series of aprons. The matters are carried forwards and discharged from one
apron on to another, the last apron in one row discharging on to the first apron in a
lower row the matters travelling in the direction indicated by the arrows until they
are finally discharged into the space w, whence they may be raked out or removed
at intervals, or be removed continuously by means of a "creeper" or worm, or of a
travelling apron. The chamber E and the arrangement of apparatus, or a modifi-
cation of the same, may be employed in the drying of other matters than those
herein indicated.
The frequent changing of the matters from one apron to another facilitates and
expedites the drying operation and tends to prevent agglomeration of the matters.
In the example the ceiling of the chamber is formed by wooden panels v, v, which
fit between the tee iron cross beams, and can be lifted out when it is necessary to
obtain access to the interior of the chamber; but, if preferred, access may be had
through a doorway closed with a door in any suitable manner.
Having now fully set forth and indicated the nature of my said Invention and
the manner in which I carry the same into practical effect, I would have it to be
understood that I claim,-
First. The combination and arrangement of parts, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth and indicated.
Secondly. The mixer, formed, arranged, and acting, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth and indicated..
Thirdly. The hopper, with travelling bottom, for the indicated purpose.
Fourthly. The crushing rollers, for-the-indicated-purpose.-
Fifthly. The sieve with brushes, for the indicated purpose.

page_text: And, lastly. The drying chamber and endless aprons, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth and indicated..
In witness whereof, I, the said John Nicholson Fleming, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Ninth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
JOHN NICHOLSON FLEMING. (L.S.)