Year: 1887

page_text: We, JOSEPH LIPMANN, of Breslau, Germany, ROBERT BIELSCHOWSKY, of Oels
Germany, and EDWARD BIELSCHOWSKY, of Breslau aforesaid, Manufacturers, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
This invention relates to machinery for cleaning and separating groats, "dust," and
other pulverulent or groat-like bodies.
Machines heretofore employed in the milling and similar industries for cleaning
and separating groats and like substances, the operation of which is based on the
employment of a current of air acting either exhaustively or percussively, are not
suited to treat that class of fine groats known under the name of "dust" having
almost floury or flour-like consistency. The differences in weight and size of the
individual particles of these groats or dust are so small that the exit current
created in such machines carries off to the dust chamber more good material than bad,
whilst at the same time the residue is inefficiently cleaned.
"
Machines based on the application of electricity or of loose draught-creating cloths
have been recently proposed for treating such "dust," but they have not effected the
object in view.
Now, in a machine constructed in accordance with this invention, the cleaning and
separation of the groats or "dust" is effected by means of sieves which are subjected
to the alternating action of an air suction or exhaust, and of compressed air, in such a
manner that the lightest particles are maintained in a state of suspension above the
sieves, and are, at suitable intervals of time, removed through lateral openings
(adapted to be closed by flaps) in a casing situated above the sieves, or through a dis-
charging hole provided in the sieves, in such a manner that these particles are unable
to find their way into the apparatus for supplying the air, or into the air chamber.
In such a machine, bellows or equivalent are used for producing compressed or
exhaust air; they are provided with flap or slide valves, which are arranged directly
above horizontal or slightly inclined sifting surfaces, in such a manner that the action.
of the air is transmitted directly to, and approximately over the whole extent of, the
11/1

page_text: sifting surfaces. Several bellows of equal or unequal dimensions may be arranged
side by side, or over one another, in such a manner that, according to one arrange-
ment, several bellows are operated simultaneously, whereby compressed and exhaust
air is produced alternately for the purpose of producing a dead point without air
current, or, according to another arrangement, the movement takes place at unequal
intervals and in opposite directions in such a manner that the compressed air of one
bellows is neutralized by the suction of the other bellows, and the latter is so strong
that it not only neutralizes the compressed air, but also exerts a suction through the
sifting surface, so as to produce an uninterrupted suction.
The flap or slide valves above referred to are arranged above and below the sifting
surfaces, or on the bellows themselves, which said valves may be connected with one
another and may be worked by a system of levers in such a manner as to convey or
supply air through the sieves, and so as to permit air under too high a pressure to
escape without hindrance..
According to another arrangement, the flap valves are arranged on the bellows or
on the sieves, and open and close automatically by the action of the compressed air or
of the suction. Side grooves are fixed to the frame carrying the sieves; they are
covered with frames on which cloth or other suitable fabric is stretched. The said
grooves are arranged so as automatically to convey the residue of the sieves to a
suitable discharge opening. In some cases a filter cloth is arranged over the sieves,
and moved with them, so as to prevent the residue from being carried off by the
suction.
In a machine constructed in accordance with this invention, the material to be
cleaned and separated is placed into a hopper provided with a feed roller by which it
is fed on to sieve surfaces held in a sieve frame, to which a reciprocating motion is
communicated by a crank shaft. This sieve frame is preferably provided with two
sieve-surfaces arranged one above the other, and it is divided into several com-
partments for example, it may be divided into four compartments.
:
Under each sieve compartment is situated a discharging funnel provided with
lateral openings adapted to be closed by means of flaps opening inwardly. In a fixed
framework above the sieve-surfaces of each division are provided corresponding frames
which are closed by means of moveable walls: for example, they may be in the shape
of suitably formed bellows. These bellows are about equal in length and breadth to
the size of the single sieve compartments; and openings adapted to be closed by
means of flaps (opening outwards) are arranged in the vertical walls of the said
frames, two sides of which are arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the
machine. The bellows are moved by means of cranks or other suitable mechanism,
up and down, or, or when the fixed surface of the bellows is not horizontal, they are
moved to and fro, the cranks or crank discs being capable of being driven by means
of belts and conical drums from a shaft which is carried in bearings suitably placed
in the framework of the machine.
The flaps above and below the sieves are connected by means of a suitable lever
mechanism with the crank mechanism above referred to, or with the bellows, in such
a manner that they are caused to open and shut alternately. When the bellows are
being extended, the flaps below the sieves open, so that air enters from below through
the meshes of the sieves, the light portions of the material under operation being
thereby caused to remain on the upper surface of the sieve. When the bellows con-
tract, the flaps below the sieves close, and the flaps in the framework of the bellows
above the sieves open, so that the air can escape laterally from the space above the
sieve surfaces. The air thus carries off the light bodies held in suspension at the
upper surface of material being sifted, and conveys them through the lateral openings
in the frame into side chambers arranged along the sieves, whereupon the light
particles fall into longitudinal grooves fixed alongside the sieve frame, which grooves
are arranged to convey the bran to a funnel situated at the end of the machine.
These side chambers are closed at the sides by means of metal sheets, and at the top
by frames over which is stretched cloth, so as to allow the air to escape outwards,
whilst the solid particles are retained.

page_text: In case the air should not be able to escape sufficiently freely through the opened
flaps in the frames of the bellows, other flaps are provided on the covers of the bellows,
which will open automatically, should the pressure become too great.
In order to avoid back draughts and eddies in the sifting compartments that are
served by the various bellows, and to supply the sifting compartments continuously
with material to be treated, flaps are arranged between the sifting compartments on
the sifting surfaces; these flaps are automatically shut or closed by the air compressed
by the contracting of the bellows.
Various modifications may be effected in the mode of operation of the machine by
lever putting mechanism for actuating the flaps entirely or partially out of operation.
By entirely closing, or putting out of operation, the flaps above the sieves, air can be
sucked by means of the flaps below the sieves, and conveyed over the whole sifting
surface to the discharging end at which a convenient spout is fixed.
On shutting the flaps, both above and below the sieves, vortex or eddy currents may
be produced by an irregular movement or unequal stroke of the bellows, by which
means the light portions of the material being sifted will be held in suspension until
these portions reach the discharge spout by the movement and in consequence of the
inclination of the sieve. By working only the first or the last bellows and by
mechanical movement of the flaps in the tops of the bellows, only a draught, or a
current of compressed air can be produced.
According to a modified construction of machine, the material to be cleaned or
separated passes through the hopper, and is distributed by a rake on to the double
sieves. Above these sieves are arranged two bellows one above the other, which are
operated as follows:-A shaft on the frame of the machine is driven from an eccentric
shaft (which is used for driving the double sieves); it drives, by means of two
chain wheels, two small shafts (also in bearings in the frame of the machine) with
chain wheels. Each of the small shafts has on each of its ends a crank disc with
connecting rod, and each pair of connecting rods of corresponding throw are fixed to
the bellows.
In order to guide the bellows, each is provided at each of its ends with a guiding
sleeve constructed to slide over a fixed guiding rod. By this device both bellows are
moved in opposite directions, so that they both exhaust alternately the sieves. They
draw their air through the adjustable flaps situated under the sieves, so that the light
particles are kept in suspension on the upper surface of the sieves, until they are
discharged through an outlet provided for them, whilst the heavier particles fall
through the sieves and are discharged through funnels placed below them.
To prevent the light particles from being drawn up and escaping during the
uninterrupted suction or exhaust, a filtering cloth is provided which covers the
sifting surface and partakes of the vibratory or reciprocatory movement of the sieve.
Both bellows exert an exhausting action only during the downward movement,
whilst the air is compressed by their upward movement. The upper bellows is there-
fore made so much larger than the lower bellows, that the former not only neutralizes
or counteracts the compressed air current of the latter, but even exerts a sucking action
through the sieves.
Two sets of slide valves are provided in the top covers, and they are connected
together by a system of levers and rods so as to control the communication between
the two bellows and the outlet for the compressed air in the upper bellows. This
lever mechanism obtains its movement by means of a cam and a lever provided with
weight in such a manner that one set of the slide valves will shut when the other
set opens, and vice versa.
The opening and shutting movements of these slide valves correspond with the
movement of the two bellows, so that the slide valves close suddenly when the bellows
on which they are situated rise and open when they contract.
The filter-cloth prevents the light particles from escaping through the slide valves
when open.
In order to produce an exact alternating action between bellows and slide valve,
the shaft on carrying the cams is rotated from the shaft on the frame of the

page_text: machine by means of a chain wheel at the same speed as the small shafts before
referred to.
This second mode of operating the machine, and its manifold possible modifications,
offer therefore a number of advantages as compared with known apparatus. If
required, the purifying process can be effected by either exhaust, or by compressed
air, or by both combined in equal or in unequal times. By employing a source of air
exactly coinciding in size and shape with the working surfaces of the sieves an effect
is produced which is uniform at all points, and which, as a result of the slight
increasing or decreasing speed of the air, is transmitted directly to the material to be
sifted. The actions of exhaust and of compressed air, following one upon the other,
neutralize the over pressure in both directions, whilst in the interval, there is a dead
point or resting point, at which there is no current, and which repeatedly taking place,
allows the residue from the sifting to be continuously discharged from the sieves
without the necessity for a dust chamber.
It is evident that this machine may be also advantageously employed for separating
and cleaning other pulverulent or groat-like bodies.
1007

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Machinery or Apparatus for Cleaning and Separating
Pulverulent or Granular Bodies.
We JOSEPH LIPMANN of Breslau, Germany, ROBERT BIELSCHOWSKY of Oels,
Germany and EDWARD BIELSCHOWSKY of Breslau aforesaid Manufacturers 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 relates to a machine for cleaning and separating groats, "dust" and
other pulverulent or groat-like bodies.
Machines heretofore employed in the milling and similar industries for cleaning
and separating groats and like substances, the operation of which is based on the
employment of a current of air acting either exhaustively or percussively, are not
suited to treat that class of fine groats known under the name of "dust" having
almost a floury or flourlike consistency. The differences in weight and size of the
individual particles of these groats or "dust" are so small that the exit current
created in such machines carries off to the dust chamber more good material than
bad, whilst at the same time the residue is inefficiently cleaned.
Machines based on the application of electricity or of loose draught-creating cloths
have been recently proposed for treating such "dust," but they have not effected the
object in view.
Now in a machine constructed in accordance with this invention the cleaning and
separation of the groats or "dust" is effected by means of sieves which are subjected
to the alternating action of an air suction or exhaust and of compressed air, in such
a manner that the lightest particles are maintained in a state of suspension above the
sieves and are, at suitable intervals of time, removed through lateral openings
(adapted to be closed by flaps) in a casing situated above the sieves, or through a
discharging hole provided in the sieves, in such a manner that these particles are
unable to find their way into the apparatus for supplying the air or into the air
chamber.
In such a machine bellows or equivalent are used for producing compressed or
exhaust air; they are provided with flap or slide valves which are arranged directly
above horizontal or slightly inclined sifting surfaces, in such a manner that the
action of the air is transmitted directly to, and approximately over the whole extent
of, the sifting surfaces.
Several bellows of equal or unequal dimensions may be arranged side by side, or
over one another, in such a manner that, according to one arrangement several
bellows are operated simultaneously whereby compressed and exhaust air is produced
alternately, for the purpose of producing a dead point without air current, or
according to another arrangement the movement takes place at unequal intervals and
in opposite directions in such a manner that the compressed air of one bellows is
neutralized by the suction of the other bellows and the latter is so strong that it not
only neutralizes the compressed air but also exerts a suction through the sifting
surface, so as to produce an uninterrupted suction.
The flap or slide valves above referred to are arranged above and below the sifting
surfaces, or on the bellows themselves, which said valves may be connected with one

page_text: another and may be worked by a system of levers, in such a manner as to convey or
supply air through the sieves and so as to permit air under too high a pressure to
escape without hindrance.
According to another arrangement the flap valves are arranged on the bellows or
on the sieves, and open and close automatically by the action of the compressed air or
of the suction.
Side grooves are fixed to the frame carrying the sieves, they are covered with
frames on which cloth or other suitable fabric is stretched. The said grooves are
arranged so as automatically to convey the residue of the sieves to a suitable
discharge opening.
In some cases a filter cloth is arranged over the sieves and moved with them, so as
to prevent the residue from being carried off by the suction.
Referring to the accompanying three sheets of drawings, Fig. 1 shews a machine
according to this invention in longitudinal section, Fig. 2 in cross section and Fig. 3
in plan. Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are similar views of a modified construction of machine.
In Figs. 1, 2 and 3 the material to be cleaned and separated is placed into a hopper c
provided with a feed roller d by which it is fed on to sieve-surfaces held in a sieve
frame to which a reciprocating motion is communicated by a crank shaft a.
This sieve frame is preferably provided with two sieve-surfaces e and arranged
one above the other, and it is divided into several compartments, for example it may be
divided into four compartments.
Under each sieve-compartment is situated a discharging funnel 9 provided with
lateral openings adapted to be closed by means of flaps opening inwardly. In a
fixed framework above the sieve surfaces of each division, are provided corresponding
frames which are closed by means of movable walls, for example they may be in the
shape of suitably formed bellows such as i or k.
These bellows are about equal in length and breadth to the size of the single sieve
compartments; and openings adapted to be closed by means of flaps p (opening out-
wards) are arranged in the vertical walls of the said frames two sides of which are
arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the machine. The bellows ik are moved
by means of cranks m m³ or other suitable mechanism up and down, or, when the fixed
surface of the bellows is not horizontal, they are moved to and fro, the cranks or crank
discs being capable of being driven by means of belts and conical drums I and o from
a shaft n which is carried in bearings suitably placed in the frame w of the machine.
The flaps & above and below the sieves are connected by means of a suitable lever
mechanisin Fig. 2 with the crank mechanism above referred to m m or with the
bellows, in such a manner that they are caused to open and shut alternately.
P
When the bellows are being extended, the flaps q below the sieves open, so that air
enters from below through the meshes of the sieves and e, the light portions of the
material under operation being thereby caused to remain on the upper surface of the
sieve. When the bellows contract, the flaps q below the sieves close, and the flaps p
in the framework of the bellows above the sieves, open, so that the air can escape
laterally from the space above the sieve-surfaces. The air thus carries off the light
bodies held in suspension at the upper surface of the material being sifted, and conveys
them through the lateral openings in the frame h into side chambers & arranged along
the sieves, whereupon the light particles fall into longitudinal grooves fixed along-
side the sieve frame b: which grooves are arranged to convey the bran to a funnel t
(Fig. 1) situated at the end of the machine.
These side chambers & are closed at the sides by means of metal sheets & (Fig. 3)
and at the top by frames over which is stretched cloth, so as to allow the air to
escape outwards, whilst the solid particles are retained.
In case the air should not be able to escape sufficiently freely through the opened
flaps p in the frames of the bellows, other flaps u are provided on the covers of the
bellows which will open automatically should the pressure become too great.
In order to avoid back draughts and eddies in the sifting compartments that are
served by the various bellows, and to supply the sifting compartiments continuously
with material to be treated, flaps e are arranged between the sifting compartments on

page_text: the sifting surfaces; these flaps v are automatically shut or closed by the air compressed
by the contraction of the bellows.
Various modifications may be effected in the mode of operation of the machine by
putting the lever mechanism for actuating the flaps p, q, entirely or partially out of
operation. By entirely closing, or putting out of operation the flaps p above the
sieves, air can be sucked by means of the flaps q below the sieves and conveyed over
the whole sifting surface to the discharging spout t.
On shutting the flaps p and above and below the sieves vortex or eddy currents
may be produced by an irregular movement or unequal stroke of the bellows, by which
means the light portions of the material being sifted will be held in suspension until
these portions reach the discharge spout t by the movement and in consequence of the
inclination of the sieve. By working only the first or the last bellows and by
mechanical movement of the flaps u in the tops of the bellows, only a draught, or a
current of compressed air can be produced.
According to a modified construction of machine shown in Figs. 4 to 6 the material
to be cleaned or separated passes through the hopper a and is distributed by a rake b
on to the double sieves e¹. Above these sieves are arranged two bellows ¹ k¹ one
above the other, which are operated as follows. A shaft g (Fig. 6) on the frame of
the machine, is driven from a shaft h¹ (which is used for driving the double sieves) ; it
operates by means of two chain wheels h, two small shafts 2 (also in bearings in the
frame of the machine) with chain wheels k³.
Each of the small shafts has on each of its ends a crank disc with connecting
rod m, and each pair of connecting rods of corresponding throw are fixed to the
bellows i¹, k¹.
In order to guide the bellows, each is provided at each of its ends with a guiding sleeve n
constructed to slide over a fixed guiding rod o. By this device both bellows are moved
in opposite directions, so that they both exhaust alternately the sieves el f¹. They
draw their air through the adjustable flaps p situated under the sieves, so that the light
particles are kept in suspension on the upper surface of the sieves, until they are
discharged through an outlet q provided for them, whilst the heavier particles fall
through the sieves and are discharged through funnels r placed below them.
To prevent the light particles from being drawn up and escaping during the
uninterrupted suction or exhaust, a filtering cloth S is provided which covers
the sifting surface and partakes of the vibratory or reciprocating movement of the
sieve.
Both bellows exert an exhausting action only during the downward movement,
whilst the air is compressed by their upward movement. The upper bellows i is
therefore made so much larger than the lower bellows that the former not only
neutralizes or counteracts the compressed air current of the latter but even exerts a
sucking action through the sieves.
Two sets of slide valves p¹ q¹ are provided in the top covers tu and they are
connected together by a system of levers and rods w so as to control the communi-
cation between the two bellows ¹¹ and the outlet for the compressed air.in the
upper bellows. This lever mechanism w obtains its movement by means of a cam x
and a lever provided with a weight y in such a manner that one set of the slide
valves p' will shut, when the other set q¹ open, and vice-versa.
The opening and shutting movements of these slide valves correspond with the
movement of the two bellows, so that the slide valves close suddenly when the bellows
on which they are situated, rise, and open when it contracts.
The filter cloth S prevents the light particles from escaping through the slide valves
when open.
In order to produce an exact alternating action between bellows and slide valve, the
shaft a carrying the cams x, is rotated from the shaft g on the frame of the
machine by means of a chain wheel z at the same speed as the small shafts i before
referred to.
This second mode of operating the machine, and its manifold possible modifications,
offer therefore a number of advantages as compared with known apparatus. If

page_text: required, the purifying process can be effected by either exhaust, or by compressed
air, or by both combined in equal or in unequal times. By employing a source of
air exactly coinciding in size and shape with the working surfaces of the sieves, an
effect is produced which is uniform at all points, and which, as a result of the slight
increasing or decreasing speed of the air, is transmitted directly to the material to be
sifted.
The actions of exhaust and of compressed air, following one upon the other,
neutralize the overpressure in both directions, whilst in the interval, there, is a dead
point or resting point, at which there is no current, and which repeatedly taking
place, allows the residue from the sifting to be continuously discharged from the sieves
without the necessity for a dust chamber.
It is evident that this machine may be also advantageously employed for separating
and cleaning other pulverulent or groat-like bodies.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we claim is :-
In a machine for cleaning and separating pulverulent or granular bodies according
to weight and size,
1. The use for producing exhaustion or compression of air of apparatus formed
like bellows and situated directly over the horizontal or slightly inclined sifting
surfaces, the said apparatus being provided with flaps or slide valves to control the
admission and emission of air, and being so arranged that the action of the air is
transmitted directly to and approximately over the whole extent of the sifting
surfaces, substantially as described.
2. Operating two or more bellows, disposed and acting as referred to in the previous
claim, in such a way that compressed and attenuated air are produced alternately for
the purpose of creating a dead point without air current substantially as described.
3. Operating two or more bellows, disposed and acting as referred to in claim 1,
at unequal intervals and in opposite directions, so that the compression of the air due
to one bellows is more than neutralized by the suction of the other bellows, whereby an
uninterrupted suction is kept up through the sifting surface substantially as described.
4. In combination with bellows disposed and acting as referred to in claim 1,
flaps or slide valves above and below the sifting surfaces, or on the bellows themselves,
with means for connecting them together and opening and closing them at the proper
moment substantially as described.
5. In combination with bellows disposed and acting as referred to in claim 1, side
grooves & covered with frames 83 on which cloth or other suitable fabric is stretched
and serving to automatically convey the residue of the sieves to the discharge
substantially as described.
6. The use of a filter cloth above the sieves and moving with them to prevent the
residue being carried off by the suction substantially as described.
7. We also claim the improved machine for cleaning and separating, constructed,
arranged and operating substantially as described with reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3,
and to Figs. 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings.
1
101
T 1
1000