IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR, AND IN CUTTING AND RASPING VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES
Year: 1850

page_text: TO ALL TO HOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, PHILIP
NIND, of Leicester Square, Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Nineteenth day of
December, One thousand eight hundred and fifty, in fourteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Philip Nind, my exors, adñiors, and assigns, Her éspecial licence,
full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Philip Nind, my
exors, admors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Philip Nind, my
exors, admors, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from
time to time and at all times during the term of years therein expressed,
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England,
Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and in the Islands of Guernsey,
Jersey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and in all Her said Majesty's Colonies and
Plantations abroad, my Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
SUGAR, AND IN CUTTING AND RASPING VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES," communicated
from abroad; in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I, the
said Philip Nind, shall cause a particular description of the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, by an instrument
in writing under my hand and seal, to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High
Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately after
the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same,
reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Philip Nind, do hereby declare that the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, are fully described and ascertained
in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings
hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked thereon, that is to
say:
I will first proceed to describe the improvements in the manufacture of
sugar, supposing beetroot to be used. I operate on a quantity of beetroot,
say about ten thousand pounds, which will take about eight hours to complete
the process. The beetroot having been washed and thoroughly cleaned is cut
into slices, and about one thousand pounds of it then allowed to fall into the
first of eight vessels, D, into which there has been previously introduced
water impregnated with sulphurous acid gas, which is obtained from the
furnace (40) by burning therein pyrites or sulphur, as is well understood, and
is forced in by the pump (42) through the pipes (23) 7) 9) 11), and 13,
there being similar pipes to the other four vessels D not shewn in the Drawing.
The vessels D are covered over with their covers E. After having filled the
channels (49) (around those vessels) with water, which serve as water joints,
the ends of the pipes (7) 9) 11), (13), are formed into a circle and
are perforated with numerous holes to distribute the gas in the vessel D.
The water is to be saturated with the sulphurous gas which comes over
with carbonic acid gas, maintained at about 40° of centergrade. The gas
in passing from the furnace (40) is to be caused to pass through an
extensive series of tubes subjected to water at the exterior surfaces, so as to
cool down the gas to a degree that shall enable it to bring the water in the
vessel D to about 40° of centugrade. The beetroot is allowed to remain for
an hour in this vessel D, then a communication is to be opened with the
second vessel D, into which has also been previously introduced one thousand
pounds of cut beetroot; fresh water from the pipe (5) is then to be introduced
by a shoot into the upper part of the first vessel D, at the upper part of which
there is a frame of wood, having fixed thereto a surface of fine wire-cloth, by
which the incoming water from the pipe (5) will be divided, and will force the
liquor previously therein into the upper part of the second vessel (D). The
water in the first vessel D is to be impregnated as before. The liquor in the
second vessel D is to be allowed to remain therein about an hour, during
which time the third vessel D is to have a similar quantity of beetroot intro-
duced; the cock which shuts off the communication of these vessels (the
second and third vessel D) is to be opened and fresh water is again to be
introduced into the top of the first vessel D, which will force the liquor

page_text: previously therein into the second, and that which is in the second one will be
forced into the third; the water thus run into the first vessel is to be
impregnated. This process will have to be repeated until the liquor first
displaced from the first vessel D has passed through the eight vessels D, when
the first vessel D will have to be opened and a fresh charge introduced. The
vessel D, which has thus far been the second of the series, becomes now for
the time being the first of the series of eight vessels D, and therefore the
fresh water will next be run into what has heretofore been the second vessel
D, and the water will be impregnated therein till this second vessel D requires
to have its charge withdrawn, and so on with the other vessels D in succession.
The liquor, having passed through the eight vessels, isto, be filtered and then
taken to the evaporating apparatus. The liquor is removed to the evaporating
apparatus F by the tube (14); rotatory motion is given to the serpentine tube
into which is to be introduced steam, which is the means of evaporation I
prefer. And I do not confine myself thereto, nor do I claim the same. The
ventilator or fan K is kept in motion, the gas pump 42 forces gas through the
pipe (22) into the evaporating vessel F, that portion of the pipe (22) which
is within the vessel F being perforated with numerous small holes. The
evaporation and clarification now takes place by aid of the gas which is
generated during this part of the process by throwing into the fire of the
furnace 40 sulphate of ammonia to obtain alkaline gas or vapour, the effect of
the introduction of which is to coagulate the albumen, which will be pre-
cipitated with the foreign matters, amongst others the pectin, one of the most
difficult to remove, and which will be effected by the alkali. Whilst this
clarification is going on the evaporation should be promoted as quickly as
possible, and it will be powerfully increased by the gas and hot air which will
be caused to pass through the liquid. The evaporation I prefer to carry on at
about 65° to 70° of centergrade, and the liquor should be concentrated to about
30 degrees Beaume's. When the concentration has arrived at this point, the
steam and the gas cocks are to be closed, and about fifty per cent, by measure
of cold water is to be introduced into the apparatus through the pipe (5), and
the serpentine heating worm turned for about five minutes in order to mix the
whole mass thoroughly together. The whole is then to be allowed to run
into a filter M, having suitable filtering material therein through the
cock (24) or (255 and the syrup having passed through the filter, will run
through the pipe (28) into the reservoir N. When the whole of the ten
thousand pounds of beetroot has been thus operated upon, the apparatus F is
to be washed with boiling water, and the filtered syrup is to be pumped from
the reservoir N by the pump P into the reservoir Q, from thence it will be

page_text: removed by parts into the apparatus F, in which it is to be reduced to proof,
and is then run into the vessel R, where it is crystallized, as is well under-
stood, when it may be subjected to the action of a centrifugal apparatus.
The one I prefer for this purpose is the improved one shewn at S, and the
syrups which fall from the apparatus S are conveyed by the pipe (37) into
the reservoir T, and again taken up by the pump and again heated in the
apparatus F.
•
(69) is a
In the Drawing at (42) I have shewn particular description of pump
which I prefer to use for forcing gas. (66) is a thin copper disc or dia-
phram, which serves as a piston to the pump: (67) 67) are two iron discs
which are connected to the disc (66). 68) is the rod of pump.
stuffing box. (70) is the crank to which the piston rod is affixed.
metallic uprights for supporting the bent rod (70). The raw sugar thus
obtained may y be sold, or it may be bleached by passing it a second time through
the centrifugal apparatus, having diluted it with a small quantity of water;
or the same may be crystalized and made into moulds into the ordinary
manner.
(71) are
In the foregoing description I have spoken of manufacturing sugar from
beetroot; but the same improvements will be applicable when manufacturing
sugar from the cane. The only changes requisite will be to cut the canes
into small slices or to rasp it, and to raise the temperature of the water in
which the canes are macerated to about 80 to 85 degrees of centergrade.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.-No. 1.
This Drawing shows the general arrangement of the machine and apparatus
used as above explained. D are the macerating vessels. E are the covers
of these tubs. F, shows the apparatus with its cover for clarifying and eva-
porating. H is the passage through which the water is supplied to the
boiler I. J is the passage from the apparatus F to the ventilator. K is the
ventilator or fan. M, M, are filters. N, the reservoir for the filtered syrup.
O is a reservoir from whence the pump is supplied. P, the pump which
raises syrup in the reservoir. Q, the reservoir of the syrups to be evaporated.
R is the reservoir where the crystallization takes place. S, shows the centri-
fugal apparatus which is employed by me for cleaning the sugar. T is the
reservoir for the molasses. U is the pump by which the water is raised into
the reservoir W from the well or pit V. X is the horse mill; or the machines
may be driven by other power. (5), pipe from the reservoir W to supply the
apparatus. 7, 9, 11, and 13, are the pipes through which gas is to be supplied
to the vessels D. 8, 10, and 12, are the pipes by which there is a communi-

page_text: cation between the vessels D.
passes to the apparatus F.
into the serpentine tube.
(14) is the pipe through which the liquor
(15), the pipe through which steam passes
(16), the pipe for the escape of the steam.
(17) shows the communication between the serpentine tubes and the double
bottom (18) which surrounds the apparatus F. (19) is a pipe through
which the water and steam returns. (20) is the pulley of the ventilator.
(21), the wheel which communicates the movement to the ventilator. (22) is
a pipe for supplying gas to the apparatus F. (23) is a pipe attached to the
pump (42, through which the gas passes to the apparatus F, and to the
vessels D. (24) is a cock by which the syrup is drawn into the filter M.
(25), a cock for the same to the second filter M. (26) 26), are the
bent pipes from the filters. (27) are the troughs or channels into which the
filtered syrup flows to the pipe (28), which conducts the filtered syrup into the
reservoir N. (29) is a cock which shuts off the communication of the
reservoir N and the reservoir O. (30 is the beam of the pumps P and U:
(31) is the connecting rod which communicates the movement from the shaft
(50) to the beam of the pump (30). (32) is the neck of the shaft. (33) is
the pipe which carries the syrup from the reservoir Q to the apparatus F.
(34) is the pipe which conducts the syrup when reduced to proof from the
apparatus F into the reservoir R.. (35) is the pulley of the centrifugal
apparatus. (36), a band wheel by which movement is given to this appa-
ratus. (37) is the pipe through which the molasses passes from the
centrifugal apparatus into the reservoir T. (38) is a pipe communicating with
the reservoir O from the pump P. (39) is a pipe which conveys the water
from the pump U to the reservoir W. (40) is the furnace where the gases
are generated. (41), the pipe through which the gases pass to the pump (42).
(43) is the pulley of the pump. (44), a band wheel by which moveinent
is communicated to the pump. (45), a bevilled wheel, and (46) a pinion
which works into the wheel (45), and communicates movement to the shaft (50).
(47) is a pipe through which the smoke from the furnaces (40) passes to the
chimney (48). (49) shows the hydraulic closing of the covers of the vessels D:
(50) shows the main shaft which runs the whole length of the buildings.
(51) is the bydraulic closing of the apparatus F, and (52) is a water joint to
close the junction of the passage J. (60) is the pulley of the apparatus F
on the shaft 50.
I will now describe the Drawings No. 2, which shows another improved
arrangement of apparatus for extracting the juice from the cane in the
manufacture of sugar.
Figure 1 shows a side view of the apparatus, and Figure 2 a plan; Figure 3
a section of, and Figure 4 a portion of, the screw employed; and Figure 5

page_text: shows the wheel which communicates motion to the apparatus. A are the
vessels in which the screws turn, the nature of which is clearly shown in the
Drawing. The screws are made with open frames, clothed with wire cloth,
as shewn at Figure 4. B is the framing of the apparatus. C is the double
bottom to the vessels A. D are the screws, by the rotation of which the
pieces of cane are moved in the vessels A in succession from one division or
vessel to the other. E, E, are cocks by which a communication is established
between the vessel A. F is the framing. G is an arrangement of wheelwork
to give motion to the shafts of the screws. His a pinion which communicates
the motion to one of the wheels G. I, I, are conical pulleys. J, a band or
strap. L, a guide for the strap. M is a hopper, into which the slices of the
cane are placed. t is a small tube through which steam is passed into the
double bottoms of the vessels. V shews the place where the cane, after
having been carried through the series of vessels A in which the screws work,
is delivered. Water is allowed to flow into the apparatus at E', and coming
in contact with the cane in its progress, becomes saturated with the saccharine
The water flowing through the vessels A, is kept to about 80° to 90°
of centergrade, and the liquor thus obtained is to be evaporated and treated
as above described; but I have not found that the alkaline gas is required.
matter.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING No. 8.
I will now describe some improvements in arranging centrifugal apparatus
to be used in the manufacture of sugar, which consists of arranging the outer
reticulate covering to the cylinder or drum employed with wire cloth or
material in such manner that it may be readily renroved with the sugar and
another substituted in place thereof.
Figure 1 is a section, and Figure 2 an end view. (A) shows the drum or
cylinder, on the circumference of which is applied metallic cloth. (B) is the
axis of the drum. D are the two ends, composed of rods, which are capable of
being drawn apart, so as to allow of the recticulate covering F to be removed
with the sugar.
M is the metal framing, carrying the cylinder or drum.
The rods (D) are fixed to two circular rings carried by spokes or arms, the
naves or bosses of which slide on the axis, as is indicated by the red lines.
On the inner surfaces of the rods (D) is coiled stout wires, and the same are
bound by wire to such rods, the rods being about half an inch apart. The
frames of rods (D) when in their places are retained by pins G. The reti-
culate outer cover, which is in the form of a sheet, is bent around the frame A,
the edges resting on the outer edges of the ends or fixed covers of the
drum or cylinder A, and middle of the wire cloth rests against the fixed
central disc, by which the wire cloth will be readily made to assume a

page_text: cylindrical form, the ends of the wire cloth being caused to overlap. The end
frames of rods D are then slided towards each other till they nearly come
together. The sugar is to be filled or run in an opening where the ends of
the wire cloth overlap, and then the frames of rods D are to be slided together
and retained in their places by the pins G. The two parts of the cover J
are to be folded together, and motion is to be given to the drum, and when
the fluid has been driven off, the end frames of rods D are to be moved back
and the reticulate cover removed with the sugar thereon, and a fresh reticulate
cover is to be applied and filled with sugar, as above explained. I prefer that
the machine should be supported on vulcanized india rubber, as shewn
at A, placed in suitable troughs or recesses of wood, as shown at N, O.
Another improved arrangement of centrifugal machines to be employed in
the manufacture of sugar is shown in Drawing No. 4. A, front view; B, plan;
C, side view of the centrifugal machine. H, details of the ground bearing.
The frame a, b, a', 6', of the centrifugal machine is formed by connecting the
two iron plates a, a', and the two iron columns b, b', by means of four eyes
c, c¹, c", c¹¹, connected by cross bars firmly with the upper part a of the frame,
and by four bands, strings, chains, or bars e, e¹, ell, e, annexed to the eyes
c, c', c, c, the frame a, b, a', b', is freely suspended on the two springs f,f¹.
The four connecting bands, strings, chains, or bars e, e', e", el, are inclined
to the horizontal in the angle, as shown. The springs f, f', are fixed in their
middle to any retaining point on the beam z. Thus the frame a, b, a', 6', is
freely suspended in the air, and is moveable in all its points, with elastic
resistance. The centrifugal drum T is connected to the upright shaft g, and
this shaft moves in two bearings h, i. The shaft g is made in three parts,
as shewn. The upper bearing i is a box with a hoop in its middle, enclosed or
surrounded by india rubber, which gives to the hoop an elastic resistance.
The ground bearing h, fixed by screws to a', is shown in detail in two side
views at H. It consists of the box K, the india-rubber ring G, plate w, and
the oil reservoir L connecting with the box K. The ring of india rubber
(vulcanized) G gives at all sides an elastic resistance. The under oil
reservoir is formed by the plate w, connected with screws, and two metal
rings, firstly, to the bottom of the box K; secondly, to the under border of
the box K. The upper oil reservoir L is a metal vessel closely joined to the
upper border of the box K. This box K is perforated at m, m', in order to
join the oil reservoirs L, 7. By this construction the lower bearing of the
upright shaft g moves well in oil. S is the stationary gathering cover which
surrounds the centrifugal drum T and carries off the fluid. These are of the
ordinary construction. n is a break disc fixed on the shaft g; o, o¹, two break

page_text: levers with wooden cheeks. The levers 0, 0, are brought to or from cach
other by means of the winch p. The cheeks of the levers are brought against
the break disk n by the screw, and thus stop the apparatus in a few move
ments. The upright shaft q, with the bearings q', q", is for the purpose of
receiving motion from any driving power by band or strap, and to transfer it
to the upright shaft g. To transfer this motion I construct an elastic coupling
to allow for variations of the positions of the parts. The construction of this
elastic coupling is as follows:-A cross piece r is connected with the under
end of the shaft q. A similar cross piece t, with bolts u, u, on its upper side,
is connected with the upper end of the shaft g; the two bolts or projec-
tions s and u connected together by the india-rubber tube or spring v, and the
two bolts sand u by the india-rubber tube or spring v¹. In this manner a
transmission of the motion is effected from the shaft q (which moves in fixed
bearings) to the shaft g, the bearings of which are moveable by the elastic
tubes for strings v, v¹. The gearing of the machine is constructed of two
plane or friction discs P, P¹, the one turning towards the right hand, the other
towards the left, both driving by pressure or friction on the disc W, which
slides on a tongue on the shaft q. The novelties of this apparatus are the
frame a, b, a, b, with the india-rubber springs z, z¹, and its connection with
the four end points of the two springs f,f; also the elastic lower bearing h,
as explained; and also the coupling the upright shafts g, g, by the elastic tubes
or springs v, v¹.
I will now describe Drawing No. 5, which shews a machine for cutting
sugar canes. Figure 1 is a plan; Figure 2, a side view; and Figure 3 a
front view. The canes are put into the trough A, and they are forced up to
the rollers by hand. The roller B is clothed with vulcanized india rubber.
The roller C has affixed thereon a series of radial blades of the form shewn by
the end view, Figure 4, which shows the parts on a larger scale than the
other Figures. D is a fly wheel. As the ends of the cane are fed up to the
rollers they are cut off in short lengths. And in order further to reduce such
short lengths I subject them to an ordinary machine, such as is used for.
rasping dye woods. I do not, however, claim such rasping machine, the
improvements in rasping consisting in first cutting up the cane into short
lengths, and then rasping the same.
In witness whereof, I, the said Philip Nind, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Nineteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-one.
PHILIP (L.S.) NIND.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Nineteenth day of June, in the
year of our Lord 1851, the aforesaid Phillip Nind came before our said Lady
the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification aforesaid,
and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form above written.
And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of the
Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Nineteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-one.