Improvements in Machines for Separating Middlings, Flour, and the like.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Aug., 1892-Accepted, 1st. Oct., 1892
COMPLETE
SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Separating Middlings, Flour, and
the like.
I, HANS BITTINGER, of Regensburg in the Kingdom of Bavaria, German
Empire, Manager 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 a machine for separating middlings and flour in which
the matter to be separated is placed on horizontal sieves subjected to a continuous
vibrating motion, and in which oscillating covers are employed for driving the
middlings or the flour through the meshes of the sieves and transporting it towards
the delivery channels. My invention consists in constructing the said covers in
such a manner that they will oscillate automatically during the operation of the
machine. My invention also consists in providing elastic joints for the rods by
means of which the frame containing the sieves is suspended, or on which it is
supported, whereby all shocks are avoided.
My invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of my improved middlings and flour
separator.
Fig. 2 a cross-sectional elevation of the same.
Fig. 3 a plan of the same.
Fig. 4 a cross-sectional elevation showing three superposed sieves with their
oscillating covers.
Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional elevation showing a modification in which the cover is
made of an elastic material.
Fig. 6 is a similar view of a modification in which the cover is suspended by
means of springs.
Figs. 7 and 7 illustrate the construction of the elastic joints.
Figs. 8 & 8 show modifications of these constructions.
Similar letters denote similar parts throughout the several views.
In carrying my invention into effect, 1 construct the machine of a frame F
which is supported in its center by a crauk C and suspended by means of rods R.
The manner of securing the frame F is however inmaterial, provided it does
not impede the vibrating motion of the frame, as described hereinafter; I may
also employ uprights and cranks, or equivalent means, for supporting the frame F
at its corners, instead of suspending it by means of the rods R. Within the
frame FI arrange the separating channels H, the bottom of which is constituted
by sieves V, and which are either straight, or broken (as shown) or curved; these
channels are covered in their whole length, excepting a short portion at the end,
by covers of a suitable material, such as cloth or leather, which are secured.
longitudinally to the frame F in such a manner that they are inclined transversely.
These covers are capable of oscillating in an about vertical direction, and are
provided with appropriate fittings (for instance thin laths, or spirally wound wire)
affixed to the same, so that their center of gravity is either above or below the
point at which they are secured to the walls of the channel. Between the
channels H there is located a longitudinal central channel H', both communicating.
with one another by means of openings K. A is the feed channel of the machine
and B B¹ are the chutes through which the middlings and finer flour are delivered
according to their specific weight. P is a pulley wheel for rotating the shaft S on
which the crank C is mounted.

page_text: The rods R by means of which the frame is suspended are provided with
elastic joints, as shown in Figs. 7, 7, 8 & 84. In Fig. 7 the end of the rod R is
provided with a collar D held between two rings I of rubber or any other clastic
material located inside a casing G., In Fig. 7 the collar D is held in place by
two spiral springs N enclosed within the casing G. In Fig. 8 the end of rod R is
secured to an elastic plate L. In Fig. 84 the end of rod R is fastened to an
undulated elastic plate E. Any of these joints may be employed,, or several of
the forms of construction shown may be used conjointly.
The operation of my improved machine is as follows:
The shaft S is rotated by means of the pulley P, and the crank C imparts a
horizontal vibrating motion to the frame F, each point of the latter describing a
small circle the radius of which is equal to the length of the crank C, as will be
seen by reference to the arrows marked in Fig. 3. The middlings or flour to be
separated are entered through the feed-channel A and fall on the ends of the
sieves V. There they are constantly agitated by the vibration of the frame F, the
lighter and coarser parts of inferior quality rising to the surface. The vibration
of the frame is however not sufficient for transporting the material to the delivery
chutes; this is effected by the oscillating covers O, which operate in the following
manner:
When the frame F moves from the right to the left, as indicated in Fig. 4, the
portions of the covers O on the left of the central channel H¹ will be raised by
centrifugal force so as to present a convex upper surface, as shown. In con-
sequence thereof, a compression of air will take place below the sieves V and a
partial vacuum above the same, so that all lighter particles will be kept suspended
above the sieves; the finer particles constituting flour of superior quality will
however pass through the meshes of the sieves V and glide on the upper surface of
the covers on to the openings K and into the channel H', which is formed with
an inclined bottom so as to deliver the flour through the chute B. On the right
of the central channel H the reverse will be the case, that is to say, the covers 'O,
under the influence of the air pressing the same inwards, will assume the shape
shown in Fig. 4, presenting a concave upper surface. Consequently, a partial
vacuum will be created below the sieves V, and the air compressed above the same.
Thereby the air will be forced through the sieves V from above to below, pre-
venting an obstruction of the meshes and at the same time cooling and ventilating
the material. It will be obvious that after half a revolution of shaft S the
frame F will move from the left to the right, and the covers O will move vertically,
the positions on the left and right side of the channel H' being interchanged. "It
will be understood that an oscillating motion of the covers O will thus be obtained.
The materials lying on the sieves V will alternately be pressed against the same
and released, whereby they will be carried towards the delivery-end of the frame F.
In order to facilitate the transportation of this lighter and coarser material, the
covers may be fitted with a rough fabric, or corrugated on their lower side. It
will be further understood that the oscillation of the covers will produce con-
tinuously oscillating vertical air-waves, so that a continuous and easy separation of
flour and the middlings is obtained. The latter, having travelled from one end
of the sieves V to the other, fall into channels leading them to the chute B¹ where
they are delivered.
The object and the operation of the elastic joints by which the rods R are
suspended and connected to the frame F will be obvious without further explana-
tion. By this construction I avoid all shocks and obtain an easy and uniform
motion of the frame F, without having to lubricate the joints.
I will now describe the modifications illustrated by Figs. 5 & 6. In Fig. 5.
the cover is made of a stiff elastic material such as sheet iron and the like.
In Fig. 6 I have shown a cover O made of a stiff non-elastic material and kept
in a somewhat elevated position by means of a spring J. The operation of these
covers is the same as before described.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A machine for separating middlings, flour and the like, comprising a frame
containing horizontal sieves, means for vibrating said frame in a horizontal plane,
rods, provided with elastic joints, for holding the frame, covers above the sieves
adapted to oscillate automatically up and down, and means for delivering the
particles driven through the meshes of the sieves and those remaining on the
same through separate chutes, for the purposes set forth.
2. In a machine of the kind described: The frame F, having longitudinal
superposed side channels H, central channel H¹, openings K affording a communi-
cation between both, sieves V, and covers O above the same, said covers being
fastened longitudinally to the frame F and inclined transversally to the same,
substantially as described, for the purpose specified.
3. In a machine of the kind described: The rods R provided at their ends
with collars D, held between two buffers of an elastic material arranged within
a casing G, for the purpose set forth.
4. In a machine of the kind described: The rods R, provided at their ends
with collars D, held between two rings of an elastic material arranged within a
casing G, substantially as and for the purpose described.
5. In a machine of the kind described: The rods R, provided at their ends
with collars D, held between two rubber-rings 1, arranged within a casing G,
substantially as described, for the purpose specified.
Dated this 27th day of August 1892.
HANS BITTINGER,
By Geo. Thos. Hyde,
4, Moorfields, Fore Street, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.