IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER MILLS FOR GRINDING REDUCING AND MIXING VARIOUS SUBSTANCES
Year: 1885

page_text: BELATES Vous Substances.
I EDWIN POWLEY ALEXANDER of 36 Southampton Buildings in the County of
Middlesex, Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents do hereby declare the nature
of said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLER MILLS FOR GRINDING REDUCING
AND MIXING VARIOUS SUBSTANCES (Communicated to me from abroad by
Auguste Frédéric Beyer and Adolphe Gustave Beyer both of Paris in the
Republic of France Engineers, to be as follows :-
11
This Invention relates to improvements in that class of roller mills wherein one
of the pair of rollers (hereinafter called the "fixed roller") turns in stationary
bearings and the other roller hereinafter called the "moveable roller" turns in
moveable bearings and receives during its rotation a to-and-fro movement longi-
tudinally, derived from rings or collars formed obliquely, on its journals and
consists in the combination in such roller mills of certain improvements the
characteristic features of which and their objects are hereinafter described, that is
to. say.
With a view to prevent the wearing of the edges of the rollers at the ends
thereof which ordinarily results from the before mentioned to-and-fro longitudinal
movement of the front or moveable roller causing its extremities to pass alternately
slightly beyond the lateral faces or ends of the fixed roller it is proposed according
to this invention to form the ends or lateral faces of the moveable roller obliquely
to the axis thereof such obliquity corresponding to the angle of the inclined rings
or collars on the journals which impart the to-and-fro longitudinal motion to the
said roller in lieu of leaving the lateral faces or ends of the roller at right angles to
its axis; this formation of the two ends of the roller may be produced by the aid
of a diamond (in the case of porcelain rollers) or other suitable cutting tool after
the rollers have been mounted in their bearings.
The large toothed wheel usually keyed onto the axle of the longitudinally
reciprocating roller and working under the same conditions is also formed with
oblique sides or faces, corresponding in angle to the ends of the roller, or may be
mounted at a slight angle on the said axle for the same object.
To avoid the heating of the rollers which results when they are allowed to run
in contact with each other without any substance passing between them, that is to
say when the feed from the supply hopper ceases from any cause, a receding
motion is imparted to the moveable roller through its sliding bearings so as to
withdraw it away from the fixed roller without necessitating any interference

page_text: with the main pressing spring which holds the front roller up to the fixed roller.
A disengaging clutch in connection with the feed roller at the bottom of the supply
hopper is also connected with the movement which effects the withdrawal of the
moveable roller so that the feed is arrested at the moment the moveable roller is
caused to recede.
"
This receding or withdrawal of the moveable roller away from the fixed roller
and the simultaneous disengaging or uncoupling of the feed roller may be effected
either by hand through the intervention of a hand lever, and suitable connections,
or automatically on the emptying of the hopper by the action of a vibrating
pallet mounted on an axis inside the hopper which pallet so long as the hopper is
charged is maintained in position by the contents thereof but when the hopper is
empty the said pallet turns on its axis and in so doing brings into action the
disengaging mechanism, thus separating the grinding rollers and also arresting the
feed.
In order to prevent the obstruction of the regular flow of the substances under
treatment from the hopper, or in other words the choking of the feed, which some-
times occurs behind the feed regulator this regulator is mounted on an axle free to
turn partially and is maintained in its proper position with reference to the feed
roller by a weighted lever on the said axle which it is simply necessary to agitate
by hand as required in order to liberate and render certain the flow of the contents
of the hopper. This movement in nowise influences the regulation of the feed as
the regulator is always free to resume its original or normal position again by the
action of the weighted lever.
With a view to facilitate access to the internal parts of the mill and especially to
expose to view the rollers when required, the entire front of the body of the
hopper, and also the upper portion of the support for the same is hinged to the
main framing or standards.
To ensure a better automatic lubrication of the journals of the grinding rollers, to
prevent contact of the oil with the substance operated upon, and to avoid loss or
waste of oil, lubricating rings on the journals of the rollers are employed in com-
bination with wicks resting upon conduits at the ends of the said journals and
passing across the bearings in order to convey fresh oil from a small reservoir
formed in the bearing supports and covered with glass for greater convenience of
inspection. The oil is arrested by reason of the increased diameter of the journals
in the .plummer blocks and is collected in a cavity formed in each end of the brass
or bearing in order to be thence conducted by vertical tubes into corresponding
inclined collecting chambers formed within the thickness of the main framing, the
spent oil being received at the upper ends of the said chambers and discharged at
the lower end. These collecting chambers are provided with lids to prevent access
of the oil to the substance under treatment.
In the case of rollers of extra length required to produce a large amount of work
they may be composed of two or more short sleeves or cylinders of porcelain
mounted end to end on shafts or axles & the junction faces or ends of the said
sleeves or cylinders are rebated or formed with annular grooves and corresponding
projections fitting closely together so as to leave a perfectly regular surface
externally without any trace of the joint.
:
The said improved roller mills are specially suitable for grinding grain and seeds
of all kinds and the treatment of "middlings," for the partial or complete reduction
or pulverization of crystals, sugar, and the like and for the grinding and mixing of
alimentary and other substances such as Cocoa, viands in the form of powder,
colors, pigments, and the like, whether in the form of paste or otherwise.

page_text: improvements in Roшer mms for Grinding, Reducing, and
Mixing Various Substances.
I EDWIN POWLEY ALEXANDER of 36 Southampton Buildings in the County of
Middlesex Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents do hereby declare the nature
of this invention (Communicated to me from abroad by Auguste Frédéric Beyer
and Adolphe Gustave Beyer both of Paris in the Republic of France Engineers)
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 improvements in that class of roller mills wherein one
of the pair of rollers (hereinafter called the "fixed roller") turns in stationary
bearings and the other roller (hereinafter called the "moveable roller" turns in
moveable bearings and receives during its rotation a to-and-fro movement longi-
tudinally derived from rings or collars formed obliquely on its journals and working
in annular recesses in the bearings and consists in the combination in such roller
mills of certain improvements the characteristic features of which and their objects
are hereinafter described and illustrated on the accompanying drawing which
represents various views of the said improved roller mill with the principal parts
shown in section.
Figure 1 is a front elevation of the mill in partial section taken along the axis of
the cylinder or roller turning in fixed bearings.
Figure 2 is a plan of the cylinders or rollers mounted in the main framing or
standard of the mill and shown partly in horizontal section.
Figure 3 is an end view partly in transverse section showing the interior of the
Hopper the mechanism which effects the withdrawal of the moveable cylinder
(having a longitudinal to-and-fro motion) from the cylinder turning in fixed
bearings and the arrangement for stopping the feed roller at the lower part of
the feed hopper.
Figure 4 is a similar view of a slightly modified arrangement for producing the
same results.
With a view to prevent the wearing of the edges of the rollers at the ends
thereof which ordinarily results from the before mentioned to-and-fro longitudinal
movement of the front or moveable roller C causing its extremities to pass
alternately. slightly beyond the lateral faces or ends of the fixed roller it is
proposed according to this invention to form the ends or lateral faces c of the
moveable roller C obliquely to the axis A thereof as shown clearly in figure 2 such
obliquity corresponding to the angle of the inclined rings or collars c¹ c² on the
journals, which impart the to-and-fro longitudinal motion to the said roller C in
lieu of leaving the lateral faces or ends of the roller at right angles to its axis; this
formation of the two ends of the roller may be produced by the aid of a diamond
(in the case of porcelain rollers) or other suitable cutting tool after the rollers have
been mounted in their bearings.
The large toothed wheel R usually keyed onto the axle A of the longitudinally
reciprocating roller and which drives the pinion r fast on the axle of the fixed

page_text: roller Cworks under the same conditions and is therefore also formed with
oblique sides or faces corresponding in angle to the ends of the roller or may be
mounted at a slight angle on the said axle for the same object.
To avoid the heating of the rollers which results when they are allowed to run
in contact with each other without any substance passing between them that is to
say when the feed from the supply hopper T ceases from any cause a receding
motion is imparted to the moveable roller C through its sliding bearings P
(figure 3) so as to withdraw it away from the fixed roller C without necessitating
any interference with the main pressing spring I which holds the front roller C up
to the fixed roller C-A disengaging clutch in connection with the feed roller D
at the bottom of the supply hopper T is also connected with the movement which
effects the withdrawal of the moveable roller C so that the feed is arrested at the
moment the moveable roller is caused to recede as hereinafter explained.
This receding or withdrawal of the moveable roller C away from the fixed
roller C¹ and the simultaneous disengaging or uncoupling of the feed roller D may
be effected either by hand through the intervention of a weighted hand lever L and
suitable connections, or automatically on the emptying of the hopper by the action
of a vibrating pallet E mounted on an axis e inside the hopper T, which pallet so
long as the hopper is charged is maintained in position by the contents thereof but
when the hopper is empty the said pallet E turns on its axis and in so doing brings
into action the disengaging mechanism, thus separating the grinding rollers and
also arresting the feed.
The mechanism for throwing out of action or arresting the movement of the feed
roller D which mechanism is combined with and actuated by the mechanism for
producing the withdrawal of the roller C consists (as shown in figure 3 and in
separate detail at Figure 3) of a pulley H keyed onto one end of the axle & so as
to turn constantly with the roller D. This pulley is provided with a rubber
friction band or ring which fits the groove of a corresponding pulley J mounted
on the end of the axle e of the pallet E and maintained in equilibrium by its own
weight. The detail Figure 3a represents more clearly the construction of the
grooved pulley J and its normal position whilst the mill is in regular work that is
to say whilst the material under treatment passes regularly into the hopper T
(Figure 3). This pulley J remains stationary so long as the pallet E is in the
position shown by the full lines. That portion of the groove of the pulley J
extending from 1 to 2, and shown by the undulated line in Figure 3ª is eccentric
in order to allow the pulley H to turn freely and constantly in the direction of the
arrow along with the feed roller D without being in contact with or affecting the
pulley J. But so soon as the pallet E assumes the position indicated in dotted
lines in Figures 3 and 3ª by reason of its being no longer sustained by the presence
of the charge in the hopper T the pulley J naturally follows this displacement by
turning slightly in the direction of the dotted arrow thereby bringing progressively
the eccentric part 1, to 2 in contact with the rubber ring surrounding the
pulley H whereby the pulley J is caused to turn more or less it being driven by
the pulley H. This pulley J carries a stud pink to which a light push rod K is
jointed said rod being so inclined that its lower extremity shall be in contact with
the weighted hand lever L (Figure 3). So soon as the materials or substances to
be treated cease to be fed into the hopper the pallet E makes a partial rotation in
the direction of the arrow (Figures and 3) and causes the grooved pulley J to
engage with the pulley H as already described. The rod K is thereby pushed forward
(as shown by the arrow) and forces the weighted lever L to turn over into a
horizontal position. The rotation of the wheel J is only partial as it ceases so
soon as the lever L falls in order to effect the separation of the rollers and to
interrupt at the same time the rotation of the feed roller D and of the pulley H.
This having been effected the attendant returns the pulley J to its normal position
again (see Figure 3) by turning it in the reverse direction by hand. The before
mentioned lever L is mounted on the spindle which also carries the eccentrics l¹
the rods 2 of which being connected at p to the sliding bearings P draw the said

page_text: bearings forward compressing the main spring I and separating the roller C from
the fixed roller C¹. At the same time an endless screw or worm M fast on the end
of the spindle (Figure 4) and situate at the opposite side of the mill to the gear
wheels R and by gearing into a toothed sector m fast on an inclined spindle n
causes the said sector and its spindle to turn partly and through the intervention
of an anti-friction roller n¹ (shown in dotted lines in figure 4) carried on an arm or
disc on the said inclined spindle, to throw out of action the clutch on the axle d
of the feed roller thereby arresting its motion. Motion is transmitted to the axle d
from the axle of the roller C¹ by a pinion gearing into an internal toothed wheel 1,
mounted loose on the axle d and engaging with the sliding clutch ď.
The same result may be obtained by the modified arrangement shown in
figure 4 which consists of a disc cam G having a notch in its periphery and keyed
onto the axle or spindle d of the feed roller D so as to turn constantly therewith in
the direction of the arrow. Upon the spindle e of the pallet E there is mounted a
lever Foutside the hopper, carrying a pin fand a joint pin or stud k to which
latter the light push rod K is jointed-0 is an arm or tablet hinged at o to the
upper edge of the back of the hopper as shown in dotted lines in figure 4. This
arm or tablet which is maintained in equilibrium by the grain or other substance
inside the hopper serves as a stop to the pallet E and when the contents of the
hopper no longer acts upon the arm or tablet O a small counterweighted lever i¹
mounted on a spindle ȧ provided with a finger or tappet j lifts the said arm or
tablet and releases the pallet E allowing it to turn partly and give motion to the
lever F in the direction of the arrow (figure 4) thereby bringing the pin fonto the
-periphery of the cam G. This pin then enters the notch g and is actuated by the rotary
movement of the cam G causing the push rod K to be moved towards the weighted
lever L which is thus pushed over into a horizontal or nearly horizontal position
thereby withdrawing the roller C from the roller C and also stopping the feed
roller D as already explained.
In order to prevent the obstruction of the regular flow of the substances under
treatment from the hopper or in other words the choking of the feed which some-
times occurs behind the feed regulator S, this regulator is mounted on an axle s free
to turn partially and is maintained in its proper position with reference to the feed
roller D by a weighted lever g² on the said axle which it is simply necessary to
agitate by hand as required in order to liberate and render certain the flow of the
contents of the hopper T. This movement in nowise influences the regulation of
the feed as the regulator is always free to resume its original or normal position
again by the action of the weighted lever s¹.
The axle s carries a cam t the lower part t¹ of which strikes against a stop u
formed on the bearing support U of the axle of the feed roller D (see figures 1
and 3).
With a view to facilitate access to the internal parts of the mill and especially to
expose to view the rollers when required, the cover plate carrying the hopper and
parts in immediate connection therewith is hinged at Z to the main framing or
standards B.
To ensure a better automatic lubrication of the journals A of the grinding rollers,
to prevent contact of the oil with the substance operated upon and to avoid loss or
waste of oil, lubricating rings a, c¹, c², on the journals of the rollers (see Figures 2
and 3) are employed in combination with wicks x (Figures 2 and 3) resting upon
conduits at the side of the said journals and passing across the bearings y through
lateral rectangular openings made therein at 11 in order to convey to the journal A
fresh oil from a small reservoir X formed in the bearing supports and covered with
glass v for greater convenience of inspection. The oil is arrested by reason of the
increased diameter of the journals in the plummer blocks and is collected in a
cavity (Figure 1) formed in each end of the brass or bearing y in order to be
thence conducted by vertical tubes q¹ into corresponding inclined collecting gutters Q
formed within the thickness of the main framing B the spent oil being received at
the upper ends of the said gutters and discharged at their lower end as shown

page_text: clearly in the figure 4. These collecting gutters are provided with lids_q²
(Figure 1) to prevent access of the oil to the substance under treatment-The
important feature of the lubricating arrangement is the mode of supplying fresh
oil from the special reservoir X combined with the use of rings a, c¹ and cell which
take their oil from the large reservoir in the plummer block as is more clearly
shown in Figure 3.
In the case of rollers C C³ of extra length required to produce a large amount of
work they may be composed of two or more short sleeves or cylinders of porcelain
mounted end to end on their shafts or axles and the junction faces or ends of the
said sleeves or cylinders are rebated or formed with annular grooves and corre-
sponding projections fitting closely together so as to leave a perfectly even and
regular surface externally without any trace of the joint as shown in section in
figure 2.
The said improved roller mills are specially suitable for grinding-grain and seeds
of all kinds and for the treatment of "middlings," for the partial or complete
reduction or pulverization of crystals, sugar, and the like, and for the grinding and
mixing of alimentary and other substances such as Cocoa, viands in the form
of powder, colors, pigments, and the like whether in the form of paste or other-
wise.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1. In roller mills making the lateral faces or ends of the roller having a to-and-
fro longitudinal movement as well as the lateral faces of the gear wheel on the axle
thereof, oblique or at an. angle corresponding to the angle of the inclined ring or
collar which serves to impart the longitudinal motion to the said roller as and for
the purpose specified.
2. Withdrawing or separating the longitudinally reciprocating roller from the
stationary roller of roller mills either by hand through the intervention of a
weighted hand lever and mechanism connected therewith or automatically by the
arrangements herein set forth acting on the said weighted lever substantially as
and for the purpose specified.
3. The peculiar arrangement of feed regulator for restoring in cases of obstruction
or choking the regular flow or passage from the hopper of the substances under
treatment as specified.
4. In roller mills mounting the hopper on a support hinged to the main framing
of the mill substantially as and for the purpose specified.
5. The peculiar combination and arrangement of parts for ensuring a regular
and constant lubrication of the journals of the rollers of roller mills preventing
access of the oil to the substances under treatment avoiding loss or waste of oil
and permitting of ready inspection of the action of the lubricator as specified.
6. Forming the rollers for roller mills when required of extra length by
mounting two or more porcelain or other cylinders end to end on a shaft or axle
substantially as specified.
100%
EDWIN P. ALEXANDER,
Fel. Inst. P.A.