An Improved Process for Compressing Fodder into Blocks.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 29th May, 1894-Accepted, 14th July, 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Process for Compressing Fodder into Blocks.
I, MARK KNIGHT WESTCOTT of Imperial Chambers, Collins Street Melbourne
in the Colony of Victoria, Corn Broker 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 :-
This invention consists of an improved process for compressing fodder, by which
I am enabled to considerably reduce its bulk and to form it into blocks which, whilst
occupying a minimum cubic space for shipment or storage purposes, will retain its
nutritive properties when stored away, and, furthermore, such blocks are protected
to a certain extent from dampness or the attacks of insects. These blocks, when
prepared according to my process do not require any ligature or envelope to keep
them intact as they will not expand.
The process may be described as follows:-
I take the fodder which it is desired to compress (say, for instance, chaff alone, or
chaff mixed with grain; or grain or other fodder either alone or conjointly), and
place it in a hopper from whence it may descend, in predetermined quantities, into
a press, preferably a hydraulic press, and whilst under pressure I clamp the block
together by metal plates and clips, and then release the strain from the press,
remove the block in its clamped frame and place it in a suitable heating chamber.
Here it is gradually heated to a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient time to
drive off all superfluous moisture and cause each particle of fodder to stick or set
permanently to its neighbour.
When the block has been thus treated it is removed from the heating chamber
and placed in a suitable store room, or building, where it gradually cools down to
the temperature of the outside air, when it is released from its clamped frame, and
stacked away or sent to market. The degree of pressure to be applied may vary
with the nature of the fodder to be treated, but I have found it practicable to
compress a ton of mixed oats and chaff within a compass of forty cubic feet. When
the fodder consists of a mixture of oats and chaff such as I have just described, I
have found that when subjected to a temperature of about 400 degrees Fahr. for
three hours the desired effect is accomplished; but, although I have found such
temperature for the time stated to be practicable and useful, it might be, varied
within reasonable limits; that is to say, the temperature might vary from 350° to
450° Fahr., and the time from two to four hours. When bran is used alone or in
combination with other fodder, I prefer to employ a lower temperature for the same.
period of heating.
I desire it to be distinctly understood that I do not confine myself to the
employment of any particular class of press, nor to the exact method of pressing
each block into the required size, nor to any particular clamp or frame for holding
such block, nor to any particular class of heating chamber; but my process
consists in-
First Pressing the fodder into blocks to reduce it to the necessary bulk.
Second Clamping the compressed block with clips in a frame before it is
released from pressure.
Third Heating the said blocks (whilst clamped in their frames) in a suitable
heating chamber, and
Fourth Cooling such block and releasing same from its clamped frame when
cooled.

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. My improved process for compressing fodder into blocks, consisting essentially
first in compressing such fodder into blocks, secondly in clamping said blocks in
frames while the blocks are under pressure, thirdly in heating and cooling such
clamped blocks, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore set forth.
Dated this Sixteenth day of April One thousand eight hundred and
ninety-four.
MARK KNIGHT WESTCOTT.
Wm. P. Thompson & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.