Improved Apparatus for Withering Tea, and for various Drying Purposes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Jan, 1897
Complete Specification Left, 18th Oct., 1897-Accepted, 19th Jan., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Apparatus for Withering Tea, and for various Drying
Purposes.
I, EDWARD ROBINSON, of 4, Castelnau Gardens, Barnes, S.W., in the County of
Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The main object of this invention is to economise labour and space in spreading
out such cominodities as require to be thinly distributed over large surfaces and
exposed for withering, drying, oxidising, or the like purposes.
Instead of the usual flat-floors, trays, shelves, etc., placed one above another, I
support my trays, or spreading surfaces in an inclined position, frequently at au
angle of from 40° to 50°. The aim being to have them as nearly vertical as
circumstances will admit. Horizontal wires, or other suitable fixtures are put across
the trays to check the tendency of the material under treatment to slide downwards.
The trays or frames are placed at equal distances apart, leaving a clear open space
between each for air to pass. Thus vapour can freely escape from the whole surface
As is the case when trays
without passing through the material under treatment.
are placed one above another in a flat position.
For dealing with some substances the trays or frames are held in their right
position by means of stationary supports somewhat resembling a toast-rack, and
trays of a convenient size can be slid, or dropped, into these supports-Rows of trays
one above another may, if desired, be placed on the same plane of inclination, or
otherwise as preferred, any suitable means of support however may be employed
which admits of the free & easy removal and replacing of the frames or trays used
in the operation.
A somewhat different arrangement is adopted, for example, in the case of
withering tea, & in the treatment of such substances as will admit of being handled
in the manner to be described. In this case the trays or frames are secured at the
bottom by means of staples, loops, or other ordinary hinge-like attachments,
allowing them to swing over from side to side, reclining one upon another when
allowed to fall down. These swinging trays are controlled by means of cords, or
small chains fastened to the side opposite to the hinges and passed over a continuous
roller, or windlass, carried over-head, and working, by preference, at right-angles. to
the swing of the trays. The cords or chains being rightly adjusted in length and
kept in position by rings or guides attach each tray to the winding arrangement―
Thus a series of trays or frames extending the length of a building are simultaneously
raised or lowered by means of a suitable worm, or other gearing worked. with, a
handle at one end of the winding roller.
In working the system, for example, in the case of withering tea, the whole series
of trays would be made to recline faces downwards, the suspending cords being
slacked out to their full length. On commencing to spread the leaf, the first tray
would be swung over, thus putting it face upwards, and the leaf would be spread
upon it. Each of the whole series would in turn be dealt with in the same way, all
being fitted whilst lying open and almost flat upon the floor. The row of trays being

page_text: thus spread with leaf, a few turns of the handle will gently wind them all up at
once, holding them suspended at any desired angle of inclination, and at equal distances
apart. The withering process being finished, a few more turns of the handle raises
the series to the perpendicular, and the lead of the cords allowing the trays to pass
over the centre with a little jerk, the contents of some one to two hundred trays is at
once made to droop down into a place provided beneath, and the trays are ready to
be fitted again.
Trays arranged and worked after the manner just indicated are suitable not only
for the spreading of tea leaf and such granular commodities as can be thrown
from the trays into a space beneath, as before described, but fibrous materials,
wool cotton, etc., glutinous substances, fish, and a great variety of commodities can
be conveniently dried on swinging trays of this kind, simply picking off the
inaterials when dry, and turning over the trays one after another for the purpose.
The trays or frames however, previously mentioned and which are not fixed on
hinges can be used when preferred.
My arrangements for obtaining an uniform distribution of wind are as follows:-
Under the rows of trays, which are elevated a little above the floor, I place air
distributing pipes at suitable distances apart and supported a few inches from the
floor. Along the bottom of the air pipe I arrange a series of tapering nozzles
pointing downward-Under the centres of these nozzles I fix a triangular board with
its apex continued under the centre of the series of orifices. A fan, drawing air
from one of my patent steam heaters, or other suitable source of heat, blows the
wind into the distributing pipes, whose nozzles, as described, are so proportioned as
to discharge the wind equally along the whole length of the pipe. Such wind
rushing from all the orifices impinges upon the apex of the V-shaped board, and is
dispersed on both sides of the pipe alike. The blast of wind rising upwards through
the series of inclined trays, uniformly and effectively withers tea leaf, or dries the
materials under treatment.
This 10th day of Ion 1907
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Apparatus for Withering Tea, and for various Drying
Purposes.
I, EDWARD ROBINSON, of 133, Castelnau Gardens, Barnes, S.W., in the County
of Surrey, Engineer, 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 :-
The main object of this invention is to economise labour & space in spreading
out such commodities as require to be thinly distributed over large surfaces &
exposed for drying, withering, oxidising, or the like purposes.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming part of this specifi-
cation, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the
figures.
Fig. I is an end view of swinging wire trays.
Fig. II is a broken side elevation of the same.
Fig. III is a broken plan of the same.
Fig. IV is an end view of portable wire trays.
Fig. V is a broken side elevation of the alternative arrangement shown in Fig. IV.
Instead of the usual flat floors, trays, shelves, or the like, placed generally one
above another, I support my trays or spreading surfaces in an inclined position,

page_text: frequently at an angle of from forty to fifty degrees, d Fig. II. the aim being to have
them as nearly vertical as circumstances will admit. The trays or frames dare
placed at equal distances apart leaving a clear open space between each, for air to
pass freely. Thus vapour can escape froin both sides of the tray without passing
through the material under treatment, as is the case when trays are put one above
another in a flat position.
For dealing with some substances, such for example as glue, fish, or the like, the
trays, or frames may be held in their required position by means of slanting sup-
ports somewhat like a toast-rack, & trays of any convenient size may be slid, or
dropped into these supports f Fig. V. Rows of such trays, one above another may if
desired be placed in the same plane of inclination, as shown in Figs. IV & V. Any
suitable means of support may be employed which admits of the free & easy removal
& replacing of the trays used in the operation.
A somewhat different arrangement is adopted for example in the case of withering
tea leaf, drying wool, or the like. In this arrangement the trays or frames d are
secured at one side by means of staples, or hinge-like attachments Fig. I allowing
them to swing over from side to side reclining upon one another when allowed to fall
down, like the leaves of an open book. These swinging trays d seen in a perpen-
dicular position in Fig. I., held at an angle in Fig. II, & reclining in opposite
directions in Fig.III-are controlled by means of cords, or ropes g fastened to the tray
on the side opposite the hinges Figs. I & II. & passed over a continuous roller, or
windlass e carried over-head, & working by preference at right angles to the swing of
the trays. These cords, or ropes y being rightly adjusted in length & kept in posi-
tion by ineans of small pulleys, or suitable guides not shown attach the trays to the
winding roller e, as shown. Thus a series of trays continuing the length of a building
if required, is simultaneously raised or lowered by means of a worm wheel or other
suitable gearing, worked with a chain wheel / or handle, at one, or both ends of the
winding roller, as shown at h in the drawings.
In working the system, for example in the case of withering tea leaf, a whole
row or series of trays would be made to recline faces downwards, the suspending cords
being let out to their full length. On commencing to spread the leaf the first tray
of the series would be swung over by hand, thus putting it face upwards for the leaf
to be spread. Each tray of the series would be treated in like manner, all being
loaded whilst lying open & at rest upon the floor. The row of trays having been thus
spread with leaf a few turns of the windlass e raise them all up at once, & they
can be left suspended at any desired angle of inclination, & all held at equal distances
apart, so that air can pass freely between them Figs. II & V. When the withering
or drying process is finished a few more turns at the windlass e raise the whole
series of trays to a perpendicular position, & the material under treatment falls down
upon the floor beneath, where a sheet may be spread if desired, for such material
to fall upon.
I make this sheet of a size to fit the space under the row of trays, &
attach one end of it to a roller carried upon bearings, & worked with small cogged
wheels, if necessary, & a handle. On winding in the sheet the material dropped
from the trays is all delivered at one end of the series, & may be made to fall through
an opening in the floor, or otherwise removed as desired. This arrangement of the
collecting sheet is not shown in the drawings, but will be sufficiently understood
from this description. It is obvious however that instead of dropping the material
under treatment from the trays as before described, such material could be picked
off the trays by hand, by simply turning over each tray separately as in the case of
spreading before explained. Thus a great variety of commodities may be
conveniently treated by means of swinging trays of this discription.
The portable trays Figs. IV & V, & which are not fixed on hinges can be used when
preferred. The feature common to both, it will be seen is, the setting of trays, or
frames at an angle as upright as possible, thus securing a vastly increased area of
spreading space in the same building, or enclosure, combined with much improved
conditions of drying, the vapour rising freely upwards through the open spaces
between the trays, mainly as hereinbefore discribed.

page_text: My arrangements for obtaining an uniform distribution of heated air are as
follows:-
Under the rows of trays & which are elevated a little above the floor, I place air
distributing pipes c. Along the bottom of the air pipe is a series of tapering nozzles i,
pointing downwards. Under the centres of these nozzles is fixed a triangular board j,
with its apex continued along the centres of all the air discharging orifices Figs. I
& IV. A fan b drawing hot air from one of my patent steam heaters a A.D. 1892
Jan. 23 No. 1385 or other suitable source of heated air, blows the wind into the
distributing tube c whose nozzles as specified, are so proportioned as to discharge
the wind equally along the whole length of the pipe. Thus wind rushing from all
the orifices impinges upon the apex of the triangular board & is dispersed on both
sides of the pipe alike as indicated by the arrows shown Figs. I & IV. Rising
upwards through the series of inclined trays the blast of wind uniformly & effectively
withers tea leaf, or dries the materials under treatment.
Having now particularly discribed & ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion & in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. The swinging trays d hinged or pivoted to a position, so that they can be turned
over somewhat like the leaves of a book. Such trays being raised up, suspended, or
turned over by means of ropes or cords g wound upon a roller, or windlass e or other
mechanical arrangement suitable for raising & controlling simultaneously numbers of
trays or frames at once, substantially as discribed & shown in the drawings.
2. The portable trays or frames held in an angular position by means of fixed
supports admitting of such trays being readily placed in or removed from their
angular position in the series, substantially as shown & discribed.
3. The air distributing system consisting of a main pipe or pipes c arranged near
the floor or lower part of a chamber, or enclosure & under the trays or frames d
herein before discribed, having nozzles or orifices i discharging wind upon deflecting
boards or plates; to equalize the dispersion of the wind-mainly as discribed &
illustrated.
4. In combination with the foregoing arrangements of trays, sheets worked on
rollers for collecting & bringing in tea leaf, or other material under treatment,
substantially as herein before explained.