An Improved Machine or "Purifier" for Sorting, Classifying, and Purifying Middlings, Semolina, and other Matters and Substances, and for Precipitating and Collecting the Light Material and Dust.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 27th June, 1888
Complete Specification Left, 7th Mar., 1889
Complete Specification Accepted, 18th May, 1889
An Improved Machine or "Purifier" for Sorting, Classifying, and
Purifying Middlings, Semolina, and other Matters and Substances,
and for Precipitating and Collecting the Light Material and
Dust.
1, GEORGE FREDERICK THOMPSON of 16 Cicoly Street Liverpool, E. in the County
of Lancaster, Milling Engineer and Mill Architect do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to certain improvements in Machines for Sorting Classifying
and Purifying Middlings, Semolina and other matters and substances, capable of being
so sorted, classified or Purified by a current or currents of air, for the purpose of
separating or dividing the said material or substance into various grades according to
their specific gravity or size, and for the precipitation and collection of the light
material and dust withdrawn by the said air current or currents, and has for its object
the better concentration of the said currents of air upon the material under treatment,
enabling currents of air of different iniensities to be set up and to act upon the
material at various stages of its treatment, and for the more positive or effectual
removal of the finer or lighter portions of the material which it is desirable to
eliminate from the heavier or more valuable part thereof, by gradually contracting, or
training, to their outlets, the several currents of air for the prevention of eddies, and
for increasing the density of same and imparting thereto greater floatative or
sustaining power to carry off the light material and substances withdrawn thereby ;
also for the precipitation and collection of the light matters and substances so with-
drawn, by means of a Precipitating Chamber combined, and formed in one, with the
said Machine, for the purpose of rendering the machine self-contained and indipendent
of Stive Rooms or other dust collectors or air filters.
The leading features of my said Invention are (1) the design, arrangement and
construction of the Sieve (upon which the material under treatment is spread) and
that part of the machine immediately above the Sieve, which I make in four, six,
eight or more separate compartments, the Sieve also being divided by one longi-
tudinal, and one, two, three or more transverse partitions of any convenient height,

page_text: corresponding with the divisions above as aforesaid. All the compartments abovo the
Sievo are tapered or gradually narrowed inwards towards the top, for the purpose of
gradually training the rising air currents therein to the openings through which they
are withdrawn. Each compartment is provided with a regulating Slide for controlling
the draught. (2) All the said compartments are in communication with a largo contral
chamber in the top part of the machine formed between the two rows of tapered
compartments, and this chamber is in communication with a Dust Precipitating
Climber constructed upon and constituting part of the machine, said chamber being
provided with a number of trays or floors, the dust-laden air admitted thereto being
slightly throttled, and regulated by adjustable valves to each tray, for the purpose of
dividing and equally distributing the body of air into all the spaces between the said
trays. The said chamber is kept continually exhausted by means of a powerful
Exhaust Fan or other means of withdrawing the said air. The air thus admitted to
the chamber is thereby rarefied or attenuated and by thus destroying its sustaining
power the precipitation of the dust is effected.
The dust so precipitated and deposited in the said chamber is continuously collected
and withdrawn therefrom by means of scrapers upon the several trays actuated by
endless chains or bands.
(4) Vibratory motion is imparted to the Sieve by an eccentric shaft and two
connecting Rods of ordinary construction, but the said rods are connected to the
Sieve in such manner as to absorb to a certain extent the "jar" or secondary
vibration consequent upon the high speed at which the said Sieve is "joggled."
Upon the sides of the sieve I place thrust plates having projecting lugs through
which the ends of the connecting rods pass, and upon each side of the said lugs 1
place a washer of hard rubber or other suitable elastic material, the ends of the said
rods being provided with lock-nuts for the purpose of adjusting the length of same
and for compressing the elastic washers to any desired degree.
(4) The interstices of the Sieve are kept clear by a travelling Brush which, instead
of being carried by an endless chain in a longitudinal direction, is caused to travel to
& fro across the machine and brushes the Sieve in each direction, this is effected by
attaching the Brush to two endless chains which are put in motion by a link carried
by another endless chain shorter in length than those actuating the Brush.
Immediately over the Sieve and running through all the compartments in each line
I may place two, three, or more longitudinal Troughs of V. U. or other suitable
section, constructed of wood, mill-board, tin or other suitable material, attached to and
caused to joggle with the Sieve, for the purpose of intercepting and catching any
heavy substances which might otherwise fall back upon the Sieve; or I may place
one large trough of V. U, or other section in each longitudinal line of compartments
and carried independent of the Sieve, the material accumulating thoroin being
removed by croopers.
I do not confine myself to the precise method of actuating the Brush, I may so
modify it as to impart an oscillating motion resembling brushing by hand,
Dated this 26th day of June 1888.

page_text: An Improved Machine or "Purifier" for Sorting, Classifying, and
Purifying Middlings, Semolina, and other Matters and Substances,
and for Precipitating and Collecting the Light Material and
Dust.
I, GEORGE FREDERICK THOMPSON of 29 Newstead Road Liverpool in the County
of Lancaster, Milling Engineer and Mill Architect 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 rolates to certain improvements in Machines for sorting, classifying
and purifying Middlings, Semolina and other matters and substances capable of being
so sorted or classified by sieving and purified by a current or currents of air, drawn
upwards through the said middlings or other material, for the purpose of separating
and eliminating thereby the lighter matters, and for the separation from the said air
current or currents, and precipitation and collection of the said light material and dust
so eliminated and withdrawn, by expansion and attonuation or rarefaction of the said
air employed.
The object of my said invention is to provide means for the better concentration of
the said current or currents of air upon the material under treatment, and to enable
currents of air of different intensities to be set up and to act upon the said material
upon the Sieve at various stages of its progress and to enable the more positive or
effectual separation and removal of the finer or lighter particles which it is desirable
to eliminate from the heavier or more valuable part thereof, by gradually contracting
and intensifying the said rising current or currents of air immediately after passing
through the Sieve, for the purpose of increasing the speed and density of same,
preventing eddying and imparting thereto greater momentum and sustaining power to
carry up the particles of light material etc. withdrawn thereby, and so enable effective
purification to be accomplished with a comparatively "mild" draught; and by causing
the said air to expand suddenly after passing upwards through tapered or gradually
contracted passages to release the said particles of light matter etc. which then deposit
in troughs or other recepticle provided to receive the same; also for the separation
from the said air of any lighter matter or dust still floating therein by further
expansion attenuation or rarefaction of same and by so impairing or destroying its
sustaining power, effect the precipitation of the said light matter or dust previously
held in suspension thereby, also for the collection of the light matters and dust so
precipitated.
The improvements embodied in my said invention are, the formation, arrangement
and construction of a number or series of compartments, divisions or funnels,
immediately above and over the whole surface of the Sieve, through which the air
employed is drawn, each division, compartment or funnel being gradually contracted
or tapered towards the top, and (1) each being provided with a slide or other valve
placed in the orifice at the top, or (2) two, four or more smaller tapered compartments
or divisions being arranged in groups within or below larger tapered compartments

page_text: or divisions, and the larger compartments only being provided with valves, for the
purpose of regulating and adjusting the flow or intensity of the current of air rising
therein, induced by a fan or other means employed for the purpose; the aforesaid
tapered compartments or divisions, open into, or are in communication at their upper
end with a central longitudinal V-shaped chamber, which communicates with another
chamber formed above it, the latter being continuously exhausted by a fan or other
means for withdrawing the air therefrom, the admission and passage of the air thereto
from the aforesaid V-shaped chamber is regulated or throttled by a valve or valves for
the purpose of enabling a partial vacuum, by attenuation of the air, to be set up therein,
for effecting the precipitation of the dust and other mattor carried thereto by the said
air.
Figs. 1 and 2 upon the sheet of Drawings appended horeunto are sectional olevation
and cross section respectively of my said improved unchine, in which A is the sieve.
which divide into sections corresponding with the largo or primary tapered
compartments B, by one longitudinal and one, two, three, four or more transverse
partitions, leaving spaces beneath the same for the passage of the material. B. B. are
the larger or primary tapered compartments or divisions, provided with valves E. B.
at their upper ends, and communicating with the central elmmber D. C. C. are
smaller or secondary tapered compartments grouped within the larger tapered
compartments, formed by V-shaped troughs F, placed in each large compartment and
part of the spaces between samo and the sides of the large tapered compartiments being
filled up by V-shaped blocks or divisions G.
The said V-shaped troughs are connected together longitudinally by sinall passages
provided between the said large tapered compartments which allows of the dust etc.
accumulating in the said troughs being scraped or conveyed to one end by the endless
chains or bands H provided for the purpose. The dnst etc. accumulating in the
central chamber is also removed by similar means. I is the Brush for keeping open
the interstices of the Sieve which I cause to travel to and fro in a transverse direction
by attaching the same to two endless chains or hands J passing from side to side.
carried and actuated by the wheels or pulleys J and J' fixed upon the shaft J. The
chain or band upon the wheel J is drawn to and fro by means of a link K
connecting it with another endless chain passing from side to side carried and
netunted by the wheel K and which runs continuously in one direction: wheel and
chain K are actuated by an endless chain or band driven by a wheel or pulley upon
the worm shaft W. Lis the shaft which imparts vibratory motion to the sieve A by
means of two connecting rods which are attached to the sievo in such manner as to
prevent or absorb to a great extent the "jar" or secondary vibration consequent upon
the high speed at which the siove is joggled. Upon each side of the sieve 1. attach
"thrust plates" having projecting lugs through which the ends of the said connecting
rods pass, the said rods being provided with two pairs of lock-nuts one at each side of
the said lugs, botweon which and the said locknuts I place washers of hard rubber or
other elastic material, or short spiral springs, which form an elastic connection between
the said connecting rods and the sieve. I is the precipitating chamber for arresting
and collecting the dust, and is provided with trays and M² and endless chain
creepers N, which draw the dust to one end where it is delivered through suitable
spouts.
This chamber (which is an application of my Dust Precipitating Apparatus, Patent
No. 2700 Feb. 28 1888) is continuously exhausted by a fan as shewn, or by being
connected by suitable conduits to a fan or other exhauster placed elsewhero. The
air admitted to the said chamber being regulated or throttled by the valves O so as
to set up a partial vacuum therein. Fig. 3 represents a modification of my said
invention, in which a series of tapered compartments, divisions or funnels are formed
immediately above and over the whole surface of the sieve, by three V-shaped
troughs F, aud two inclined sides C' attached together by V-shaped blocks or
divisions placed between them at intervals, forming a species of deep grid having:
tapered apertures and which is free to rise and fall, and is balanced by woights
attached to cords or chains passing over pullies. The said tapered compartments or

page_text: divisions are divided into groups, corresponding with the number of large tapered
compartments or divisions formed above them, by partitions of flexible material P. as
shewn, for the purpose of enabling the said grid to be raised up to allow of the sieve
being viewed, also to enable it to Le set in various positions in relation to the sieve.
The air in rising through the said tapered apertures suddenly expands after passing
same, releasing the majority of the dust and other matter, which falls into the said
troughs and is scraped to one end of the machine by endless chain creepers, or
removed by other means.
I do not confine myself precisely to the proportions and details of construction
and operation as herein set forth in carrying my said invention into effect, I may
slightly modify some of the features of same as I may find necessary to adapt the
machine to varying circumstances and conditions.
I may make
my said machine with the larger tapered compartments or divisions
only, and without the secondary or smaller tapered compartments or divisions placed
within or below the same, when the latter are not required by the nature of the
material to be treated.
I may impart vibratory motion to the "Grid," or group of troughs and divisions
forming the detatched series of small tapered compartments or funnels, arranged to
rise and fall as set forth in Fig. 3, for the purpose of propelling the dust accumu-
lating therein to one end, instead of using ondless chain or other creepers for that
purpose.
Nor do I confine myself strictly to the use of three V-shaped troughs as shown in
the modification, Fig. 3, of my said invention, I may use less or more, and with a
corresponding decrease or increase of the number of V-shaped divisions forming the
aforesaid tapered apertures, according to the size of the machine.
Nor do I confine myself strictly to the use of flexible material in forming the said
partitions shewn in Fig. 3, I may make them of wood or other material and hinge
them to allow of the raising up of the said “Grid.”
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. In a machine or "Purifier" for sorting, classifying and purifying middlings,
semolina etc. etc. the general arrangement, formation and construction of a number
of tapered compartments, divisions or funnels immediately above and over the whole
surface of the sieve for the purposes stated, substantially as herein set forth and
described.
2. In a machine or "Purifier" for sorting classifying and purifying middlings
etc. etc., the arrangement formation and construction of four, six, eight, ten or
more tapered compartments, divisions or funnels immediately above the sieve, in
combination, and connected, with a central V-shaped chamber, and each being provided
with a slide or other valve E in the position shewn and for the purpose stated,
substantially as herein set forth and described.
3. In a machine or "Purifier" for sorting classifying and purifying middlings
etc. etc., the arrangement, formation and construction of two, four or more smaller
or secondary tapered compartments, divisions or funnels within and attached to the
aforsaid four, six, eight, ten or more tapered compartments in the manner shewn and
for the purposes stated, substantially as herein set forth and described.
4. In a machine or "Purifier" for sorting classifying and purifying middlings
etc. etc. the arrangement, formation and construction of the detached and movable
Grid," or set of smaller tapered compartments, divisions or funnels, placed im-
mediately over the sieve and the method of dividing the same into groups either by
flexible or other partitions, and the method of raising and lowering the same for the
purposes stated, substantially as herein set forth and described.
5. In a machine or "Purifier" for sorting, classifying and purifying middlings
etc. the method of causing the brush to travel to and fro across the sieve and the
mechanism employed for the purpose, substantially as herein set forth and described.

page_text: 6. In a machine or "Purifier" for sorting, classifying and purifying middlings
etc. etc., the formation and arrangement of the central V-shaped chamber between,
and in combination with, tho aforesaid large tapered compartments substantially as
hercin set forth and described.
7. In a machine or "Purifier" for sorting classifying and purifying middlings
etc., the method of attaching the connecting rods to the siovo for the purpose of
absorbing the "jar" of the vibration by employing rubber washers or other elastic
medium between the nuts and the lugs on the thrust-plates, substantially as herein set
forth and described.
8. In a machine or "Purifier" for sorting classifying and purifying middlings
etc. etc., the arrangement and combination of the dust precipitating chamber M, for
the purpose stated, substantially as horein set forth and described.
9. In a machine or " Purifior" for sorting classifying and purifying middlings
etc. etc., the general arrangement and combination of parts constituting my improved
machine, and each and all of the foregoing paris claimed, individually and collec-
tively, severally and combined, substantially as herein set forth and described.
Dated this 6th day of March 1889.