IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPERTAINING TO ROLLER MILIS FOR THE DISINTEGRATION, GRINDING OR REDUCTION OF GRAIN AND OTHER SUBSTANCES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Phillips Thompson of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors 6, Lord Street Liverpool in the County of Lancaster
and of 323 High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer
for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPERTAINING TO ROLLER
MILIS FOR THE DISINTEGRATION, GRINDING OR REDUCTION OF GRAIN AND
OTHER SUBSTANCES " A communication from abroad by William
Dickson Gray of Milwaukee in the County of Milwaukee and State of
Wisconsin one of the United States of America
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Phillips Thompson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th December 1881.
WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON of the Agency for Foreign Patent Solicitors
6 Lord Street Liverpool in the County of Lancaster and of 323 High Holborn
in the County of Middlesex Civil Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPER-
TAINING TO ROLLER MILLS FOR THE DISINTEGRATION GRINDING OR REDUCTION
OF GRAIN AND OTHER SUBSTANCES "-A communication from abroad by William
Dickson Gray of Milwaukee in the County of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin
one of the United States of America
The first object of this Invention is to feed the material to be ground uniformly
and with certainty to the rolls and to this end consists in combining with the
usual feed roll in the bottom of the hopper a second roll located immediately above
the same The second roll is preferably driven in the opposite direction from the
lower roll and is provided with longitudinal blades or ribs which are preferably
straight and unbroken but which may be given a slight spiral curvature and
broken at intervals. The second and upper roll which constitutes the main feature
of improvement in the feeding mechanism, serves to sustain in a great measure the
weight of the superincumbent mass of material and to loosen and agitate the same
[Price Gl

page_text: and deliver it to the main feed roll in such condition that the latter will feed it
steadily and uniformly to the grinding rolls or other grinding mechanism The
feed rolls may be connected with and driven from any moving part of the mill or
any other source. It is preferred to gear the two feed rolls together at their outer
ends and give them nearly equal speeds.
The second feature of the Invention has as its object the production of a roller
grinding mill which may be adjusted at will to act with a cutting or with a
crushing effect upon the material submitted to it. Two classes of roller mills are
known in the art One class acts upon the grain or other material with a cutting
or shearing action effecting a sharp clean division of the grains or particles. The
other class acts simply with a squeezing or crushing action subjecting the granules
simply to pressure between the roll surfaces By my improvement a single mill is
rendered convertible so that it may be caused to cut or to crush as the character of
the grain or other material or the nature of the product demanded may require.
To this end the Invention consists in providing a driving mechanism by which
either one of two rolls may be driven faster than its companion at will and in so
dressing the rolls that when one is driven the faster the ribs will act with
sharpened edges forward and that when the other rolls is driven the faster the ribs
will act with rounded or inclined sides forward.
It is preferred to construct the ribs each with an upright face and a sharp outer
edgo on one side and a rounded or inclined face on the other sido but the form may
be modified to any extent desired provided the action changes from cutting to
crushing and vice versa upon reversing the relative speeds of the respective rolls.
The best results are secured when the grinding rolls are driven by means of belts
but in special cases gearing may be employed if preferred. Any suitable arrange-
ment such as shifting or interchangeable belts or pulleys may be adopted to effect
the changes in the relative speeds of the rolls. The Drawings illustrate two
arrangements of belts and pulleys but it is to be understood that the Invention
includes any equivalent driving mechanism. In the accompanying Drawings
Fig 1 represents a vertical cross section through the hopper of this mill shewing
the feeding devices and the dress of the grinding rolls Fig: 2 a central section of
the same on the line x Figs : 3 and 4 views illustrating an arrangement of driving
belts and pulleys which may be used with a singlo pair of rolls the figures
illustrating the belts in the two positions in which they may be used. Figs: 5 and 6
are views illustrating a system of belts and pulleys adapted for double mills
containing two pairs of grinding rolls. Referring to Figs: 1 and 2 A represents the
usual feed hopper and B the ordinary feed roll revolving in the bottom of the
hopper and serving to feed the material therefrom through the side opening a to
the grinding rolls CD which are located beneath as is customary D represents the
supplemental feed roll mounted in the hopper immediately above and parallel with
the roll B-As shown in the Drawing the upper feed roll is provided with a
number of longitudinal blades or ribs trending slightly in a spiral direction The
outer ends of the two feed rolls are provided with pinions b. c. gearing into each
other as shown so that the two rolls revolve in opposite directions
Referring now to the grinding rolls it will be seen that each rolls has a series of
longitudinal ribs or teeth and that each rib has on one side an abrupt or
substantially radial face terminating at the periphery in a sharp edge and
has on the other side an outwardly rounded or inclined face so that each rib will
act with a cutting or a crushing action according as one or the other of its faces is
brought into operation The two rolls are constructed and arranged with the cutting
edges of their respective ribs faced in opposite directions as shewn in Fig: 1. It
will be seen that if the C be driven faster than roll 1 the cutting edges of the rolls
will operate upon the material passing between them and that if on the contrary
the roll D be given the faster motion the erasing faces of the rolls will act upon the
material-The dress may be modified to any extent desired provided the teeth
change their action as described upon a change in the speeds of the rolls.
Passing now to the driving devices represented in Figs: 3 and 4 that the

page_text: rolls CD are each provided at one end with a large driving pulley E and
a small driving pulley F and that motion is imparted to said pulleys by
belts C and H from a long driving pulley I When it is required to have
the mill operate with a cutting action the belts are arranged as in Fig: 3 but
when a crushing action is required the belts are shifted to the positions represented
in Fig 4. Under the arrangement shewn in Fig: 3 the more rapid motion
is imparted to the roll C but under the adjustment shown in Fig: 4 the roll D is
driven at the faster speed
Referring to the arrangement of driving mechanism shown in Figs: 5 and 6
C. D. and C D represent the two pair of grinding rolls each roll being provided
with a single driving pulley at one end. K represents a driving pulley
from which motion is ordinarily imparted to the mill L represents an
intermediate pulley or drum mounted upon an axis concentric with the
smaller pulley J. When the more rapid motion is to be given to the rolls
CCl a driving belt M is passed from the driving pulley K upward over the pulleys
of the rolls CC' and thence downward between them around the large pulley
imparting a rapid motion to the rolls C C¹ The rolls D D' are driven at
the same time by belts N passed from their pulleys to the small pulley J.
the latter being made of sufficient length to receive the two belts. These
belts impart to the rolls D D' a comparatively slow speed When the rapid
motion is to be imparted to the rolls D D₁ the belt ML is shifted from the pulleys of
rolls C C to the pulleys of rolls D D' and the belts N shifted to the pulleys of
rolls C C as plainly shown in Fig: 6. The parts will of course will be so
proportioned and arranged as to permit the ready transposition of the parts.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Phillips Thompson in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 9th June 1882.
WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON of the Agency for Foreign Patent Solicitors,
6 Lord Street Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster and of 323 High Holborn
in the County of Middlesex Civil Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPER-
TAINING TO ROLLER MILLS FOR THE DISINTEGRATION GRINDING OR REDUCTION
OF GRAIN AND OTHER SUBSTANCES A communication from abroad by William
Dickson Gray of Milwaukee in the County of Milwaukeo and State of Wisconsin
one of the United States of America.
"
The first object of my Invention is to feed the material to be ground uniformly
and with certainty to the rolls and to this end consists in combining with the usual
feed roll in the bottom of the hopper, a second roll located immediately above the
same. The second roll is preferably driven in the opposito direction from the lower
roll, and is provided with longitudinal blades or ribs which are preferably straight
and unbroken but which may be given a slight spiral curvature and broken at
intervals. The second and upper roll which constitutes the main feature of
improvement in the feeding mechanism, serves to sustain in a great measure the
weight of the superincumbent mass of material and to loosen and agitate the same,
and deliver it to the main feed roll in such condition that the latter will feed it
steadily and uniformly to the grinding rolls, or other grinding mechanism. The
feed rolls may be connected with and driven from any moving part of the mill or
any other source. It is preferred to gear the two feed rolls together at their outer
ends and give them nearly equal speeds.
The second feature of the Invention has as its object the production of a roller
grinding mill which may be adjusted at will to act with a cutting or with a crushing
effect upon the material submitted to it. Two classes of roller mills are known in
the art. One class acts upon the grain or other material with a cutting or shearing
action effecting a sharp clean division of the grains or particles. The other class
acts simply with a squeezing or crushing action subjecting the granules simply to
pressure between the roll surfaces. By my improvement a single mill is rendered
convertible, so that it may be caused to cut or to crush as the character of the grain
or other material or the nature of the product demanded may require. To this end
the Invention consists in providing a driving mechanism by which either one of two
rolls may be driven faster than its companion at will, and in so dressing the rolls
that when one is driven the faster the ribs will act with sharpened edges forward,
and that when the other roll is driven the faster the ribs will act with rounded or
iuclined sides forward.
It is preferred to construct the ribs each with an upright face, and a sharp outer
edge on one side and a rounded or inclined face on the other side but the form may
be modified to any extent desired provided the action changes from cutting to
crushing and vice versa upon reversing the relative speeds of the respective rolls.
The best results are secured when the grinding rolls are driven by means of belts
but in special cases gearing may be employed if preferred. Any suitable arrange-
ment such as shifting or interchangeable belts or pulleys may be adopted to effect
the changes in the relative speeds of the rolls. The Drawings illustrate two
arrangements of belts and pulleys but it is be understood that the Invention
includes any equivalent changeable driving mechanism
In the accompanying Drawings
Fig. 1 represents a vertical cross section through the hopper of my mill showing
the feeding devices, and the dress of the grinding rolls.
Fig 2n contral section of the same on the line m

page_text: Figs. 3 and 4 views illustrating an arrangement of driving belts and pulleys
which may be used with a single pair of rolls, the Figures illustrating the belts in
the two positions in which they may be used.
Figs. 5 and 6 are views illustrating a system of belts and pulleys adapted for
double mills containing two pairs of grinding rolls.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 A represents the usual feed hopper and B the
ordinary feed roll revolving in the bottom of the hopper and serving to feed the
material therefrom through the side opening a to the grinding rolls C, D, which are
located beneath as is customary. D represents my supplemental feed roll mounted
in the hopper immediately above and parallel with the roll B. As shown in the
Drawing the upper feed roll is provided with a number of longitudinal blades or
ribs trending slightly in a spiral direction. The outer ends of the two feed rolls are
provided with pinions bc gearing into cach other as shown, so that the two rolls
revolve in opposite directions.
Referring now to the grinding rolls it will be seen that each roll has a series of
longitudinal ribs or teeth, and that each rib has on one side an abrupt or sub-
stantially radial face terininating at the periphery in a sharp edge and has on the
other side an outwardly rounded or inclined face; so that each rib will act with a
cutting or a crushing action according as one or other of its faces is brought into
operation.
The two rolls are constructed and arranged with the cutting edges of their
respective ribs faced in opposito directions as shown in Fig. 1. It will be seen
that if the C be driven faster than roll D the cutting edges of the rolls will
operate upon the material passing between them and that if on the contrary the
roll D be given the faster motion the crushing faces of the rolls will act upon the
material. The dress may be modified to any extent desired provided the teeth
change their action as described upon a change in the speed of the rolls.
Passing now to the driving devices represented in Figs. 3 and 4 that the rolls
C, D, are each provided at one end with; a large driving pulley E and a sinall
driving pulley F, and that motion is imparted to said pulleys by belts G and H
from a long driving pulley I. When it is required to have the mill operate with a
cutting action the belts are arranged as in Fig. 3 but when a crushing action is
required the belts are shifted to the positions represented in Fig. 4 Under the
arrangement shown in Fig. 3 the more rapid motion is imparted to the roll C but
under the adjustment shown in Fig. 4 the roll D is driven at the faster speed.
Referring to the arrangement of driving mechanism shown in Figs. 5 and 6
CD and C D' represent the two pair of grinding rolls each roll being provided
with a single driving pulley at one end. K represents a driving pulley from
which motion is ordinarily imparted to the mill. L represents an intermediate
pulley or drum mounted upon an axis concentric with the smaller pulley J. ·
When the more rapid motion is to be given to the rolls C, C¹ a driving belt M is
passed from the driving pulley K upward over the pulleys of the rolls C C¹ and
thence downward between them around the large pulley imparting a rapid motion
to the rolls C C' The rolls D D' are driven at the same time by belts N passed
from their pulleys to the small pulley J the latter being made of sufficient length
to receive the two belts. These belts impart to the rolls D, D', a comparatively
slow speed. When the rapid motion is to be imparted to the rolls D D' the
belt M, is shifted from the pulleys of rolls C, C', to the pulleys of rolls D D'
and the belt N shifted to the pulleys of rolls C, C, as plainly shown in Fig. 6
The parts will of course be so proportioned and arranged as to permit the ready
transposition of the parts.
Having now described the Invention exactly as communicated to me what I
claim under the Letters Patent is
1st In combination with a grinding mill a feed mechanism consisting of a
hopper, a feed roll at its mouth, and a second feed roll mounted immediately above
the first and provided with blades or teeth.
2nd The combination of the hopper, the lower feed roll and the upper feed roll

page_text: provided with blades or teeth and arranged to revolve in the opposite direction
from that in which the lower roll is turned.
3rd In combination with a hopper two feed rolls arranged; one immediately
above the other
4th In combination with a hopper two feed rolls one having a smooth, and the
other a ribbed or toothed surface substantially as described and shown
5th Two cooperating grinding rolls dressed substantially as described in com-
bination with an adjustable or convertible driving mechanism whereby either roll
may be driven faster than the other at will.
6th Two cooperating grinding rolls each having ribs abrupt on one side and
inclined on the other in combination with a driving mechanism adjustable at will
to drive either roll desired faster than the other.
7th The combination of rolls dressed substantially as described driving pulleys
and shiftable driving belts substantially as described whereby the speed of the
rolls may be varied as set forth to cause a cutting or a grinding action as
required.
In witness whereof the said I William Phillips Thompson have hereunto set
my hand and seal this Seventh day of June in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty two.