Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for Conditioning and Drying Grain, Berries, Sugar. Seeds, Crystals and Granular or Pulverulent Material generally.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Feb., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 15th Aug., 1898-Accepted, 15th Oct., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for Conditioning and
Drying Grain, Berries, Sugar. Seeds, Crystals and Granular
or Pulverulent Material generally.
•
I, CHARLES MALLINSON, of 34, Great Mersey Street, Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, Mill Manager, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to an apparatus for conditioning and drying grain, berries,
sugar, seeds, crystals, and granular or pulverulent material generally, into which
the produce or other material (after being washed, drained or otherwise treated)
is placed and falls by gravity in contact with steam or hot water or air pipes.
An apparatus having a like object is described in the Specification of Letters
Patent No. 10,810 and the present invention is designed to provide certain
improvements in the construction of said apparatus. These improvements as
applied to grain drying and conditioning consist mainly in shortening the
apparatus, and in reducing the number of parts and thereby the cost of construction.
To this end I arrange the apparatus upright and in a straight line and not
zig-zag as heretofore, the apparatus in this case consisting of two vertical casings
about 12 ft. in height and about 18 inches apart but I do not confine myself to
any particular dimensions. The space between these vertical casings I utilise as
a hot air chamber by providing sides and a top connecting the two casings. Through
each of the casings the steam or hot water pipes pass as in my former patent, but in
one of the casings I reduce the diameter of the pipes from about half their length
downwards to reduce the heat and to further reduce it and dry and cool the grain
I allow cold air to enter the casing in a manner hereinafter described. On the top
of each casing is arranged a steam chest or box, into which the pipes enter and
from which they are fed: In this arrangement I dispense with the device for
subdividing the descending stream of grain used in my former apparatus and
substitute for it the following. Inside the casing or shute and opposite the
openings leading to the vapour or exhaust shafts, are deflecting plates inclined
downwards from the walls of the shute or casing to the outside of the steam pipes
and continuing downwards a short distance in contact with such pipes thus filling
up the whole space except between the pipes, and causing the whole of the grain
to fall in thin streams and to come in close contact with such pipes. Immediately
underneath these inclined plates, are other plates inclined in the opposite direction,
that is downwards from the centre towards the sides of the casing, and filling up
the whole of the space except a narrow passage on each side between the walls of
the casing and the edges of the plates thus causing the grain to descend in thin
streams on the inclined plates and in a warm, moist state and into an exhaust
chamber formed by such deflecting plates, this chamber being in communication
with the main exhaust pipe whereby all vapour or heated moist air is at the same
time drawn off, this commencing immediately the grain has left the heated surface
of the pipes. At a convenient distance below this is a slit or opening or other

page_text: suitable tunnel in the casing at the opposite side to that of the openings leading
to the exhaust. These slits or tunnels are in communication with the hot air
chamber which hot air passing upwards through the falling grain extracts the
moisture therefrom. In order to distribute the hot air among the grain I may
place deflectors similar to those above described along each side of the pipes. This
arrangement of deflectors and openings for exhaust and hot air in the casings is
repeated at certain intervals alternately along the whole length of the casing or
shute, though in a portion of one of the casings as before stated the pipes are
reduced in diameter and from this point downwards cold air enters the casing
through flattened tubes or tunnels arranged horizontally on the opposite side of the
casing to those of the hot air inlets and in such a manner that while affording
no means of escape for the grain, they subdivide the descending stream and enable
currents of cold air to be drawn in through the stream of grain to the exhaust
shaft for the purpose of drying the grain and carrying off the moisture therefrom.
In some cases instead of having two inclined plates to guide the wheat to the pipes,
I may use only one extending at an angle right across the casing or shute, leaving
only a passage between the edge of the inclined plate and wall of the casing
sufficient for the grain to pass down in a narrow stream, after leaving which the
moist hot air is exhausted in the manner described with reference to the arrange-
ment first set forth. The two casings being independent of each other allow of
different pressures of steam being used in each, as it is of the utmost importance
that the heat can be graduated from the beginning of the process to the finish.
This invention can be used for drying and conditioning berries, sugar, seeds,
crystals and granular or pulverulent material generally, as well as for grain. The
invention as applied to these other purposes will be obvious without any further
description.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool,
Patent Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for Conditioning and
Drying Grain, Berries, Sugar, Seeds, Crystals, and Granular
or Pulverulent Material generally.
I, CHARLES MALLINSON, of 34, Great Mersey Street, Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, Mill Manager, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to apparatus for conditioning and drying grain, berries,
sugar, seeds, crystals and granular or pulverulent material generally, into which
the produce or other material (after being washed, drained or otherwise treated)
is placed and falls by gravity in contact with steam, or hot water, or air pipes.
The invention will be understood from the following description, reference being
had to the accompanying drawings, in which,
Figure 1 is a general side elevation of the apparatus, parts being in section;
Figure 2, a detailed sectional view of one of the trunks on an enlarged scale,
showing one arrangement of deflectors:
Figure 3, a detailed sectional view of one of the trunks with another arrange-
ment of deflectors.
An apparatus having a like object is described in the Specification of Letters

page_text: Patent No. 1080/50 and the present invention 15 designed to provide certam
improvements in the construction of said apparatus. These improvements as
applied to grain drying and conditioning, consist mainly in reducing the space
taken up by the apparatus and reducing the number of parts and
thereby the cost of construction. To this end I arrange the apparatus up-
right and in a straight line and not zigzag as heretofore, the apparatus in this case
consisting of two vertical casings or trunks about 18 feet in height and about
18 inches apart, though I do not confine myself to any particular dimensions,
down which the material to be desiccated falls by gravity in thin streams or
layers, and within each of which a parallel row of centrally placed steam or hot
water pipes are arranged, in such a manner that the descending stream of material
is brought into very intimate contact with their heated surfaces. Suitable arrange-
ments are also provided for admitting air to the trunk, for drawing off moisture
therefrom and for breaking up the stream of material as it descends therein.
Referring to the drawings, A and B are the two vertical casings or trunks, Ca
space between these vertical trunks which is utilised as hot air chamber. Through
each of the trunks steam or hot water pipes D pass as in my former patent, but in
the trunk B I reduce the diameter of the pipes from about half their length down-
wards to reduce the heat, or discontinue the pipes at this point, and to further
reduce it and dry and cool the grain I allow cool air to enter the trunk B in the
manner hereinafter described. At the top of each trunk is arranged a steam chest
E into which the pipes enter, and from which they are fed by means of steam
pipes E. The steam pipes are connected with and drain into a tank, such as
that designated by the reference letter C in my British patent aforesaid.
I dispense with the devices for subdividing the descending stream of grain used
in my former apparatus and substitute for it the following:-
Inside the casings or trunks and opposite the openings F leading to the vapour
or exhaust shafts G are deflecting plates H, Figure 3, inclined downwards from the
walls of the casing or trunk to the outside of the steam pipes D and continuing
downward a short distance in contact with such pipes, thus filling up the whole
space except between the pipes, and causing the whole of the grain to fall in thin
streams and come in close contact with such pipes. Immediately underneath these
inclined plates are other plates J inclined in the opposite direction, that is down-
wards from the centre towards the sides of the casing and filling up the whole of
the space, except a narrow passage I on each side between the walls of the casing,
and the edges of the plates, thus causing the grain to descend in streams on the
inclined plates and in a warm moist state into an exhaust chamber J¹ formed by
such deflecting plates, this chamber being in communication with the main exhaust
shaft G, whereby all vapour or heated moist air is at the same time drawn off. At
a convenient distance below this is an opening K in the casing at the opposite
side to that of the openings F leading to the exhaust. These openings K are
in communication with the hot air chamber C which hot air passing upwards through
the falling grain extracts the moisture therefrom. In order to distribute the hot
air among the grain I may place deflectors h and j similar to those above
described. This arrangement of deflectors, openings for exhaust and hot air in the
casings, and exhaust chambers J¹ is repeated at certain intervals alternately, along
the whole length of the casing or trunk, though in a portion of one of the casings
as before stated the pipes are reduced in diameter (or discontinued) and from this
point downwards cool air enters the casing in such a manner that while affording
no means of escape for the grain, they subdivide the descending stream and
enable currents of cool air to be drawn in through the stream of grain to the
exhaust shaft for the purpose of drying the grain, and carrying off the moisture
therefrom. In some cases instead of having the plates inclined as above indicated,
I may use a plate H extending at an angle right across the casing or trunk,
leaving only a passage between the edge of the inclined plate and the wall of the
casing sufficient for the grain to pass down in a narrow stream, this being the
arrangement set forth in Figures 1 and 2. Immediately above these inclined

page_text: plates H¹ are other plates J2, inclined in the opposite direction, that is downwards
from the opposite side of the trunk towards the steam pipes, thus compelling the
whole of the material at these points to pass between the pipes. The openings K
leading from the hot air chamber C into the trunks are arranged on the opposite
sides of the trunks to the exhaust openings F and alternating therewith, and these
openings K are protected by deflecting plates L. All the deflecting plates H¹, J³
and L are designed to check the wheat in its fall and turn it over at intervals while
thoroughly subdividing or breaking up the stream of material as it descends so
that the air currents may act upon it with the greatest possible effect, and so that
it may be brought into intimate contact with the heating pipes. The air current
moreover being upwards and in an opposite direction to the stream of downward
material, acts to hold or buoy up the material as it descends, and though the
weight of the latter overcomes the force of the upward air current, yet the air
prevents a too rapid descent of the material, and has the tendency to turn it over
so that it shall be thoroughly exposed on all sides to the drying action of the
hot dry air and the steam pipes. The arrangement of deflectors and openings
for exhaust and hot air in the trunks is repeated at intervals alternately along
the whole length of the trunk, though in a portion of the trunk B as before stated
the steam pipes are reduced in diameter, or discontinued, and the lower part of
trunk B is separated from the hot air chamber by cold air space M, to allow a
current of cool air to be passed through the wheat before finally leaving the
machine. The exhaust shafts G are connected with fans G N is a steam chest
for supplying heat for the hot air chamber. O and O¹ hoppers at the top of
trunks into which the wheat is fed and falls on to the adjustable tray P which
is connected by the cord Q with a lever R at the bottom of the machine. By this
arrangement the vertical trunks are always kept charged full of wheat, and a
continuous stream is kept flowing through. At intervals of a few inches hot air
is exhausted through the wheat, so that every grain of wheat is continuously
subjected to the current of hot air. After first passing down the trunk A, the
grain is elevated up by means of an elevator and delivered into the other
hopper 0 and so into the trunk B. Thus the wheat is again thoroughly turned
over and is finally delivered dried and cooled. The effect of the steam pipes
inside the trunks causes the wheat to perspire, that is to say it brings the moisture
.inside the wheat berry to the surface, whilst the fan drawing currents of hot air
through the inlets and outlets takes away the surplus moisture and delivers it
through the exhaust shafts. Thus the inside of the wheat is put into splendid
condition for grinding whilst the bran has just sufficient moisture left in it to
make it thoroughly tough, ready and suitable for a good scouring. Another
valuable advantage gained by drawing the moisture from the interior of the wheat
berry is that it brings with it the dirt in the crease and skin, which can then
readily be removed by scouring or brushing, and the lower qualities of flour are
thus greatly improved. By this invention also, the treatment of the material
improves its colour.
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. An apparatus for drying grain or other material in which one or more
straight upright trunks heated internally by parallel rows of centrally placed
steam pipes, and having ventilators at intervals on alternate sides thereof, are
adapted to receive the grain at their upper ends, and permit it to descend in
contact with the steam pipes aforesaid, in combination with ventilators and
deflecting plates, the latter so arranged inside the trunks as to check the material
in its fall, and turn it over at intervals while subdividing or breaking the stream
as it descends, so that the air currents from the ventilators may act upon it with
greater effect substantially as described.
2. In an apparatus for drying grain or other material, providing the upright

page_text: trunks with deflecting plates H' inclined downwards from one side across the
trunk to near the other side thereof, and filling up the whole space between the
steam pipes, thus leaving only a passage I between the edges of the plates and
the wall of the trunk sufficient for the material to pass down in a narrow stream,
and plates J2 inclined downwards from the opposite side of the trunk towards
the steam pipes substantially as described whereby all the material is compelled
to pass between the pipes.
3. In an apparatus for drying grain or other material providing the upright
trunks with deflecting plates H inclined downwards from the walls of the casing
or trunks to the outside of the steam pipes, thus filling up the whole space except
between the pipes, and causing the whole of the grain to fall in thin streams in
close contact with such pipes, and plates J arranged immediately underneath and
inclined in the opposite direction to the plates H, namely from the centre towards
the sides of the casing and filling up the whole of the space except a narrow
passage on each side substantially as and for the purposes described.
-
4. In apparatus of the kind described for drying grain and other material,
arranging two or more of the casings or trunks side by side with the hot air
chamber between, and in separating part of one of these trunks from the hot air
chamber by a cool air space in such a manner as to allow a current of cool air to
be passed through the material before delivery, whereby the material subsequent
to drying will be gradually cooled substantially as described.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Patent Agents,
Of Liverpool, Manchester; Birmingham, and London.