IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MALTING
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frank Wirth, of the Firm of Wirth and Company, Patent
Solicitors, at Frankfort-on-the-Maine, in the Empire of Germany, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR
MALTING." A communication from David Gruber, Brewer, of Koenigshoffen,
near Strassburg, in the Empire of Germany.
Sealed the 10th December 1878, and dated the 19th June 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frank Wirth at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th June 1878.
FRANK WIRTH, of the Firm of Wirth and Company, Patent Solicitors, at Frank-
fort-on-the-Main, in the Empire of Germany.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD
OF AND APPARATUS FOR MALTING." [A communication from David Gruber, Brewer,
of Koenigshoffen, near Strassburg, in the Empire of Germany.]
My Invention is very simple, and comprises the following apparatus, that is to
say, à cylinder of about six meters long and two meters wide, and which is provided
with a perforated false bottom, and fitted with rakes passing through the centre
from end to end. The whole is turned round mechanically, and requires but a small
amount of power to operate it. Below the said false bottom is situated an exhaust.
fan, which draws the air down through the apparatus.
i
The following is the method of working the said apparatus, that is to say :-
(1.) As much water is placed in the cylinder as-is required to soak the grain.
(2.) The barley or other grain to be germinated is then introduced.
(3.) The grains are then soaked.
(4) The soaking water is renewed from time to time, as in other processes.
(5.) After the grain has been sufficiently soaked the water is let off and the
ventilator put in motion, and the air in the room, which is to be well closed, is
drawn from the top to the bottom of the apparatus, and passed over a grating filled
with coke, which is kept wet with spring water; in this manner the air is always
moist, and the grain soon begins to germinate rapidly and equally; the cylinder has
•

page_text: to be turned once or twice some three or four times a day, in order to regulate the
germination. The rake contained in the cylinder being fixed to the same, turns
with it, and separates the grains with its teeth, thus preventing the same from
forming into cakes. This method can be worked at any time of the year with equal
success, and the malt is equally and rapidly germinated without any chemical com- 5
bustion or the like.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Frank Wirth in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 19th
December 1878.
FRANK WIRTH, of the Firm of Wirth and Company, Patent Solicitors, at Frank-
fort-on-the-Maine, in the Empire of Germany. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD
OF AND APPARATUS FOR MALTING." A. communication from David Gruber, Brewer,,
of Koenigshoffen, near Strassburg, in the Empire of Germany.
My Invention is very simple, and comprises the following apparatus, that is to
say, a cylinder of about six, metros long and two metres wide, and which is provided
with a perforated false bottom, and fitted with rakes passing through the contre
from end to end. The whole is turned round mechanically, and requires but a small
amount of power to operate it. Below the said false bottom is situated an exhaust
fan, which draws the air down through the apparatus.
'
The following is the method of working the said apparatus, that is to say:-
(1.) As much water is placed in the cylinder as is required to soak the grain.
(2.) The barley or other grain to be germinated is then introduced:
(3.) The grains are then soaked.
(4.) The soaking water is renewed from time to time, as in other processes.
(5.) After the grain has been sufficiently soaked the water is let off and the
ventilator put in motion, and the air in the room, which is to be well closed, is
drawn from the top to the bottom of the apparatus, and passed over a grating filled
with coke, which is kept wet with spring water; in this manner the air is always
moist, and the grain soon begins to germinate rapidly and equally; the cylinder has
to be turned once or twice some three or four times a day, in order to regulate the
germination. The rake contained in the cylinder being fixed to the same, turns
with. it, and soparates the grain with its teeth, thus preventing the same from
forming into cakes. This method can be worked at any time of the year with equal
success, and the malt is equally and rapidly germinated without any chemical com-
bustion or the like.
"
In the accompanying Drawing,-
Figure 1 represents a longitudinal elevation of my
Figure 2 is a plan.
Figure 3 is an end view.
Invention.

page_text: Figures. 6 and 7 represent a modification of my Invention in longitudinal and end
elevation.
Like letters denote the same parts throughout the Drawing.
a, a, are the germinating cylinders; b, b, the lateral ports for filling and emptying
the said cylinders; b' is the apparatus for opening and shutting the ports; C, C, are
perforated ports for aspiration, and for sampling the mass contained in the cylinder;
d is the mechanism for turning the cylinders, either by hand or other power; e is
the perforated false bottom; ff, are pipes connecting the exhaust fan and cylinders;
g. g, are water taps; h is the aspiration chamber; i, the exhaust fan; k, the coke
chamber; is the apparatus for keeping the coke wet; m, m, are pipes for the
soaking water; n is the collecting chamber for the soaking water; o is the connect-
ing joint for the air pipes; q is a valve for regulating the current of air; r is the
central rake stirring apparatus; 8, 8, are grain shields, grinding the grain when being
emptied out.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, I wish it understood that I claim, the malting apparatus, as above described,
and set forth in the accompanying Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said Frank Wirth, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fourteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord Ono
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
FRANK WIRTH, (L.S.)