IMPROVE- MENT IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PULVERIZING GRAIN, ORES, MINERALS, AND OTHER FRANGIBLE SUBSTANCES, AND IN THE METHOD OF D Dr.
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Lewis Scudder Chichester, of Jersey City, in the State
of New Jersey, United States of America, for an Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENT IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PULVERIZING GRAIN, ORES,
MINERALS, AND OTHER FRANGIBLE SUBSTANCES, AND IN THE METHOD OF
D
Dr.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Lewis Scudder Chichester at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th June 1880.
LEWIS SCUDDER CHICHESTER, of Jersey City, in the State of New Jersey, United
States of America. "IMPROVEMENT IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS For
PULVERIZING GRAIN, ORES, MINERALS, AND OTHER FRANGIBLE SUBSTANCES,
AND IN THE METHOD OF PREPARING THE GRAIN FOR PULVERIZATION."
Before my Invention, a blast of air had been used for giving motion to particles
of sand for engraving glass, stone, and other substances, and in the grinding of
grain a current of air had been employed to aid the movement of the particles
between two mill stones, one of which revolved, and percussion had been used for
the pulverization of various substances, the same resulting from the action of
rapidly revolving arms or surfaces.
My Invention, as distinguished from pre-existing devices, relates to the method
of pulverizing frangible substances by imparting to the same a great velocity by an
issuing current of air under great pressure, and causing such frangible substances to
strike nearly at right angles against one or more surfaces with sufficient force to
sbatter the material into fragments of the required fineness.
By this method the atmosphere overcomes the inertia of the material and imparts
to it the required rapidity of motion so instantaneously that but little space is
required for the apparatus, and the velocity given is much greater than could be
employed in any revolving machine without the risk of the centrifugal force tearing
the machine to pieces.
The capacity of my machine is only limited to that of the engine and pump or
other mechanism for supplying sufficient air to maintain the necessary pressure and
the consequent velocity of the issuing jot of air.

page_text: There is little or no loss by friction in this apparatus, and the fine particles that
issue from the pulverizer with the air are received into a large chamber and
retained by numerous very fino screens.
In carrying out my improvement I prefer to introduce the grain or other frangible
material through a tube, around which is a chamber for compressed air, and an
annular nozzle for the jet of air to draw the material through the central pipe and
throw it with great violence against a target that is placed opposite to the issuing
jet, and around this target is a case that not only encloses the scattering fragments,
but it also presents a surface against which they are brought into forcible contact by
the rebound from the target, super-induced by the re-inforcing action of the current
of air as it passes around the edges of the target, so that at least two points of
impact are presented to the material to be pulverized.
A second chamber with compressed air and an annular nozzle will usually be
employed to direct the particles from the first reduction against a second target and
the interior of a second case, and thus secure the reduction of the grain or other
frangible material to the requisite fineness.
In all instances the current of atmosphere acting around the material to bo
pulverized imparts the required speed to obtain the maximum effect by the impact
upon the target, and the rebound of the shattered particles from the target causes
them to enter the current of atmosphere where it is travelling with the greatest
velocity; thereby the maximum velocity is imparted, and these particles are thrown
off by centrifugal action against the inside of the case as the air is compelled to pass
around the edges of the target, thus ensuring the most efficient action with the use
of the smallest quantity of atmosphere travelling at a speed that would not be safe
or practicable with solid revolving devices.
The aforesaid method of pulverizing is especially adapted to wheat and other
grains prepared by the following process so as to be dry and frangible.
The grain is first separated from straw, oats, cockle, and other impurities; next
the grain passes to any suitable moistening apparatus, and then to a huller, where
it is stripped of its woody covering, which removes all impurities, leaving each
berry clean and pure. The grain in its whole but hulled condition is treated in a
dessicator and purifier, which is a suitable vessel furnished with a proper cover, by
which the vessel can be made air tight, and so constructed that heat can be applied
to the grain placed therein. In this air tight vessel the grain is subjected to heat
sufficient to raise the temperature of the mass, and gradually sweat out the water
or sap to the surface of each berry, and with it all must or impurity is carried
away.
This water is about fifteen per cent. of the weight of the grain or about 25 or
30 gallons in one ton. When this process has been continued long enough a
vacuum is then produced in the containing vessel by means of an air pump, and all
moisture is converted into vapor and drawn off through the pump, leaving the
mass and each kernel of the mass thoroughly purified and dessicated, and, when
cold, ready for grinding or pulverizing.
Sometimes the grain is polished in a revolving polisher after it has been dried, so
as to rub off any particles of skin or hull that may adhere to it. Flour thus
produced contains all the nutritive properties of the wheat, and much more valuable
flour can be obtained from a given quantity of wheat or other grain than can be
made in the ordinary process of milling. Bread made from this flour will be a little
darker in colour, but it will be sweet and delicious. By this treatment in an air
tight vessel all impurities will sweat out from each grain without breaking up
the nicely balanced chemical combination or elements of the grain, and when the
vacuum is produced in the vessel the mass will be dessicated without injury, as the
température employed is far below boiling point. Flour made from the wheat so
treated will keep sweet and pure in any climate.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Lewis Scudder Chichester in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
28th December 1880.
LEWIS SCUDDER CHICHESTER, of Jersey City, in the State of New Jersey, United
States of America. "IMPROVEMENT IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR
PULVERIZING GRAIN, ORES, MINERALS, AND OTHER FRANGIBLE SUBSTANCES, AND
IN THE METHOD OF PREPARING THE GRAIN FOR PULVERIZATION."
Before my Invention, a blast of air had been used for giving motion to particles
of sand for engraving glass, stone, and other substances, and in the grinding of
grain a current of air had been employed to aid the movement of the particles
between two mill stones, one of which revolved, and percussion had been used for
the pulverization of various substances, the same resulting from the action of
rapidly revolving arms or surfaces.
My Invention, as distinguished from pre-existing devices, relates to the method
of pulverizing frangible substances by imparting to the same a great velocity by an
issuing current of air under great pressure, and causing such frangible substances to
strike nearly at right angles against one or more surfaces with sufficient force to
shatter the material into fragments of the required fineness.
By this method the atmosphere overcomes the inertia of the material, and imparts
to it the required rapidity of motion so instantaneously that but little space is
required for the apparatus, and the velocity given is much greater than could be
employed in any revolving machine without the risk of the centrifugal force tearing
the machine to picces. The capacity of my machine is only limited to that of the
engine and pump or other mechanism for supplying sufficient air to maintain the
necessary pressure, and the consequent velocity of the issuing jet of air.
Thero is little or no loss by friction in this apparatus, and the fine particles that
issue from the pulverizer with the air are received into a large chamber and
retained by numerous very fine screens.
In carrying out my improvement I prefer to introduce the grain or other frangible
material through a tube, around which is a chamber for compressed air, and a
nozzle for the jet of air to draw the material through the central pipe and throw it
with great violence against a target that is placed opposite to the issuing jet, and
around this target is a case that not only encloses the scattering fragments, but it
also presents a surface against which they are brought into forcible contact by the
rebound from the target, superinduced by the re-inforcing action of the current of
air as it passes around the edges of the target, so that at least two points of impact
are presented to the material to be pulverized.
A second chamber with compressed air and a nozzle will usually be employed to
direct the particles from the first reduction against a second target and the interior
of a second case, and thus secure the reduction of the grain or other frangible
material to the requisite fineness.
In all instances the current of atmosphere acting around the material to be
pulverized imparts the requisito speed to obtain the maximum effect by the impact
upon the target, and the rebound of the shattered particles from the target causes
them to enter the current of atmosphere where it is traveling with the greatest
velocity; thereby the maximum velocity is imparted, and those particles are thrown
off by centrifugal action against the inside of the case as the air is compelled to
pass around the edges of the target, thus ensuring the most efficient action with
the use of the smallest quantity of atmosphere traveling at a speed that would not
be safe or practicable with solid revolving devices.
In the Drawing I have represented in Fig. 1 a section of the apparatus with two
targets, and in Fig. 2 a face view of one of the targets, with the case in section at
the line m na

page_text: It is to be understood, however, that I do not limit myself to any particular
apparatus, but intend to use any device by which my method of pulverizing may
be carried out.
The chamber a is to be supplied with air from any suitable pump or compresser,
and it is preferable to maintain a pressure of four or five hundred pounds to the
square inch.
The tube b conveys the air to the branch pipes c, c¹, and chambers d, d', and
at e is a hopper with a pipe f, through which the grain or other frangible material
is conveyed into the apparatus.
The air under the high pressure issues from the orifice at g, and passing through
the tube imparts a maximum speed to the grain or other material, and throws the
same forcibly against the target & within the case . The mouth of the tubular
conveyor f adjacent to the jet orifice or mouth g is made long and narrow, and the
jet orifice or mouth g is of a corresponding shape, as shown more clearly in the
longitudinal section, Fig: 3, and cross section, Fig. 4, the latter section being taken
at the line ', x¹.
By this shape given to the end of the tubular conveyor and to the jet orifice the
grain or other material issues from the mouth of the tubular conveyor in a long
thin stream, and is acted upon by the air issuing under pressure from the jet orifice
upon opposite sides, hence all the particles of grain, ore, or other material are acted
upon by the air, and said particles receive a very rapid movement, and are thrown
with great uniformity against the target, hence, each grain, or particle of ore, or
other substance receives the same shattering effect from the impact against the
stationary target.
The target is by preferenco slightly convex.
The air is deflected from such target and passes around the edges thereof, and the
shattered material rebounding through the current of air is propelled by the action
of the air and the centrifugal force against the interior of the case l, and strikes
upon the same along the portions marked i, i, and is again shattered, and rebounds,
and is carried on through the tube m, and the additional supply of air at the
chamber issuing from the orifice g¹ gives a fresh impetus to the frangible
particles to break the same against the second target k¹ and case l³.
More than two of these targets, cases, and air jets may be used if desired.
The aforesaid method of pulverizing is especially adapted to wheat and other
grains prepared by the following process, so as to be dry and frangible. The grain :
is first separated from straw, oats, cockle, and other impurities. Next, the grain
passes to any suitable moistening apparatus and then to a huller, where it is stripped
of its woody covering, which removes all impurities, leaving cach berry clean and
pure. The grain in its whole but hulled condition is treated in a dessiccator and
purifier, which is a suitable vessel furnished with a proper cover, by which the
vessel can be made air tight, and so constructed that heat can be applied to the
grain placed therein. In this air tight vessel the grain is subjected to heat
sufficient to raise the temperature of the mass and gradually sweat out the water
or sap to the surface of each berry, and with it all must or impurity is carried
away. This water is about fifteen per cent. of the weight of the grain, or about
twenty. five.or thirty gallons in one ton. When this process has been continued
long enough a vacuum is then produced in the containing vessel by means of an air
pump, and all moisture is converted into vapor and drawn off through the pump,
leaving the mass and each kernel of the mass thoroughly purified and dessiccated,
and, when cold, ready for grinding and pulverizing. Sometimes the grain is polished
in a revolving polisher after it has been dried, so as to rub off any particles of skin
or bull that may adhere to it. Flour thus produced contains all the nutritive
properties of the wheat, and much more valuable flour can be obtained from a given
quantity of wheat or other grain than can be made in the ordinary process of
milling. Bread made from this flour will be a little darker in color, but it will
be sweet and delicious. By this treatment in an, air tight vessel all impurities will
swent out from each grain without breaking up the nicely balanced chemical

page_text: combination or elements of the grain, and when the vacuum is produced in the
vessel the mass will be dessiccated without injury, as the temperature employed is
far below boiling point. Flour made from the wheat so treated will keep sweet
and pure in any climate.
I claim as my Invention,-
First. The method of pulverizing frangible substances, consisting in imparting to
such substances a high velocity of movement by atmospheric air under pressure,
and causing them to strike forcibly and at right angles, or nearly so, against
one or more rigid surfaces so as to be broken by the impact, substantially as set
forth.
Second. The combination in an apparatus for pulverizing of a chamber for
containing atmospheric air under a high pressure, an orifice for an issuing jet of
such air, means for feeding the substance to bo reduced, and a target or stationary
surface against which the frangible substance is hurled with the velocity necessary
to shatter the samo into fragments of the required size, substantially as set forth.
Third. The combination in a pulverizing apparatus of a tube, through which the
frangible material is supplied, a surrounding chamber and orifice for air under a
high pressure, a target or surface against which the frangible material is forcibly
hurled, and a case surrounding such targot, substantially as set forth.
Fourth. In a pulverizing apparatus in which an issuing current of air hurls the
frangible material forcibly against a target or stationary surface, a case around such
target to confine the air and cause the same to re-impart the required velocity to
the particles that have been shattered against the target as they rebound through
such current, and throw such material forcibly against the interior of the case,
substantially as set forth.
Fifth. In an apparatus for shattering grain or other frangible substances, the
tubular conveyor having at the end an orifice that is long and narrow, in combi-
nation with a chamber for containing air under a high pressure, and a jet mouth for
the issuing current of air adjacent to the end of the tubular conveyor, and a
stationary target, substantially as set forth, whereby all the particles of matter to
be pulverized receive the same or nearly the same velocity, as set forth.
Sixth. The process herein specified of preparing wheat and other cereals, consisting
in hulling the grain in a moist condition, heating the grain to a temperature
sufficient to expell the moisture, applying a vacuum to thoroughly dry the grain,
and then grinding or pulverizing such grain, substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Lewis Scudder Chichester, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this 3rd day of December, A.D. 1880.
LEWIS S. CHICHESTER, (LS.)
Witnesses,
CHAS. H. SMITH, 140, Nassau St., New York,
Z. STAIB, 140, Nassau St., New York.