Improvements in or relating to the Manufacture of Sugar, and in Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Oct., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 18th July, 1898-Accepted, 15th Oct., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to the Manufacture of Sugar, and in
Apparatus therefor.
I, HARRY MACHIN, of the Firm of Batger & Co., 103, Broad Street, Ratcliff, E.,
in the County of London, Wholesale Confectioners, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention, as communicated to me by Edward A. Dix, of Kutor
Michailowsky, Government Tchernigoff, Russia, relates to an improved manu-
facture of cubical white or loaf sugar, and in apparatus employed therefor.
In carrying the invention into effect the sugar "fillings," (such as are used
for filling the forms or moulds in the ordinary manufacture of best loaf sugar),
are poured into the spaces formed by a series of pliable perforated frames,
which are placed on edge sideways in a zinc tank or box like receptacle, so
arranged, and tightened together by a wedge that the spaces form a series of
grooves. The grooves are square in cross section, and the "fillings" therein
subsequently form sticks or prisms of sugar, which are afterwards broken up
into the well known cube sugar. The mass of fillings is of any required
consistency and concentration, and on pouring it into the zinc tank it fills the
frames or prism spaces perfectly, owing to the perforations in the back of the
pliable frames allowing the air to escape readily. In about eight hours the mass is
usually sufficiently cool and hard to permit the withdrawal of the wedge, on
which the pliable perforated frames are loosened, and sometimes placed in a
bath of liquor.
"
$6
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This last step in the process is not always necessary, but it is desirable, inasmuch
as the "fillings are not generally of a uniform heat throughout the mass, and
the liquor bath serves to equalize the temperature, thus rendering the subsequent
operation of spinning more efficient and easier to control. The liquid forming the
bath is a saccharine solution, and being used repeatedly in the operations of
impregnating the liquoring, has consequently become saturated with molasses,
and is of a low quality.
In the process it is convenient to use iron cages for receiving the pliable
perforated frames, each cage holding eight frames, and each zinc tank or box
adapted to receive two cages. The capacity of the centrifugal separator or hydro-
extractor, however, is preferably four cages, thus providing a load therefor of
thirty-two frames.
The operation of impregnating and liquoring occupies about 15 minutes, after
which the aforesaid cages are lifted out of the liquor bath, and placed on a
table to drain; the superfluous liquor being conducted back to the bath. The
inner surface of the basket or receiver of the centrifugal separator is lined with
the frames in their cages, before mentioned, in two or more rows, according to the
strength and capacity of the centrifugal separator, which cages rest upon a bottom
flange or foot piece.
Unlike the ordinary construction, the basket of the centrifugal separator,
is not perforated, so that the liquor or treacle rises to the upper part, or pocket,
through holes in an upper ring, and is drawn off by the ejecting tube. This
tube is fixed in a clamp at the desired angle to the plane of rotation of the drum,
and the clamp-with the tube-is capable of a to and fro movement by means

page_text: of a nut and traversing screw with handwheel set somewhat transversely to the
circumferential line of the drum. A mouthpiece of gutta percha attached to
a removable conical brass pipe, is provided and fitted on the end of the tube or
sheathing of the pocket, to guard against damage by contact with the revolving
drum.
Between the rows of frames a sheet of zinc is perferably placed, to guide the
liquor as it is thrown by centrifugal action to the edges of the frames and on
to the sheathing of the basket, whence it rises to the pocket, without unnecessarily
passing through the sugar prisms. A velocity of about 1000 revolutions per
minute, of the centrifugal separator, is sufficient to free the fillings or prisms
from the first grade of treacle, which may be called green drips, and it is drawn
off into a tank to be filtered and re-boiled in the pan, or re-crystallized.
The sugar prisms are again impregnated with fresh liquor, but of a higher
quality than the first; for which purpose the ejecting tube is withdrawn, and
the cleaner or superior liquor introduced by a syphon tube, or from a tank above,
or in any other convenient manner. As soon as the requisite number of rows are
covered by the liquor, and the interstices of the sugar prisms have been filled by
the cleaner liquor, the ejecting tube is again inserted to receive the liquor on
the second spinning of the centrifugal separator, and conducted to a second
tank. The superfluous liquor between the frames and in the pocket is but slightly
deteriorated, and may be thrown off rapidly, but the liquor in the sugar prisms
is drawn off more slowly, besides its admixture with the green drips remaining
from the first operation. Consequently part of the liquor loses its original high
quality, and this portion is therefore led into another tank for re-boiling.
This process of impregnating or saturating the sugar prisms is repeated as
often as necessary, but it is generally found that three impregnations one in
the bath, and two in the basket of the separator, with three spinnings of the
centrifugal separator-are usually sufficient. By taking off the first portion of
the liquor used for saturating, and conveying it to its special tank for repeated use,
and drawing off the second portion or impaired liquor-into a different tank
for re-boiling, the impregnating liquor is kept clean for a longer period, and the
process is more economical.
The mass of sugar prisms is thus free from green drips or treacle, (glucose
invested sugar), and contains only about eight or ten per cent. of the first grade
clean liquor used for impregnating. The basket is then emptied, and re-filled
with a further supply of frames for repeating the process; the whole operations
of loading, impregnating, spinning, and unloading occupying about fifteen to
eighteen minutes.
The sugar prisms are subsequently removed from the pliable perforated frames
by bending the latter upon a special curved block, so as to open out the divisions
between the prisms, on which the prisms are lifted out and dried in the usual way,
and are ready for chipping into pieces in about twenty-four hours.
The impregnating liquor is prepared by dissolving good white sugar in pure
boiling water, condensed steam-free from contamination-being well adapted for
the purpose. Sugar in excess is stirred into the hot water to make a saturated
solution, and on cooling the clearest liquor is drawn off and allowed to settle.
If the temperature of the spinning room is low, it is advisable to slightly dilute
the syrup by water at about 90° Farenheit. The liquor used in the third operation
decreases during the process, and the deficit is filled by liquor used in the second
operation; while the deficit in the second portion of liquor is supplied from the
first, the latter being filled up by the perfectly fresh liquor, prepared as above stated.
The work is simple and clean, and it ensures a greater economy of liquor than the
usual method of forcing liquor through the sugar.
Did this at dos of October 1897
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
37 and 39, Essex Street, Strand, London,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in or relating to the Manufacture of Sugar, and in
Apparatus therefor.
I, HARRY MACHIN, of the Firm of Batger & Co., 103, Broad Street, Ratcliff, E.,
in the County of London, Wholesale Confectioners, 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, as communicated to me by Edward A. Dix, of Khutor
Michailowsky, Government Tchernigoff, Russia, relates to an improved manu-
facture of cubical white or loaf sugar, and in apparatus employed therefor.
Fig. 4
In the further description of this invention reference is made to the accompany-
ing drawings in which Fig. 1 is a plan, Fig. 2 a side elevation, and Fig. 3
an end view of one of a series of pliable perforated frames employed.
represents a plan, Fig. 5 a side elevation, and Fig. 6 an end view of a zinc tank
or box for containing several frames. Fig. 7 represents a partial plan of a
centrifugal separator or hydro-extractor, with parts broken away to show sections
and arrangement of frames therein, and Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation thereof.
Fig. 9 is a side elevation, and Fig. 10 an end elevation of the hand wheel nut
and traversing screw shown by plan in Fig. 7, for regulating the position of a
mouthpiece, attached to a pipe, through which liquor is drawn off from the
centrifugal separator. Fig. 11 is a side elevation, Fig. 12 an end elevation, and
Fig. 13 a plan of a curved block over which the pliable perforated frames are
bent in order to remove the sugar prisms from the divisions thereof. Fig. 14 is
a general plan showing a convenient arrangement of the apparatus employed, and
Fig. 15 an elevation thereof.
In carrying the invention into effect the sugar "fillings" (such as are used for
filling the forms or moulds in the ordinary manufacture of best loaf sugar)
are poured into the spaces formed by a series of pliable perforated frames a, which
are placed on edge sideways in a zinc tank or box like receptacle b, so arranged,
and tightened together by a wedge , that the spaces form a series of grooves.
The grooves are square in cross section, and the "fillings" therein subsequently
form sticks or prisms of sugar, which are afterwards broken up into the well
known cube sugar. The mass of "fillings" is of any required consistency and
concentration, and on pouring it into the zinc box bit fills the frames or prism
spaces perfectly, owing to the perforations in the back of the pliable frames
allowing the air to escape readily. In about eight hours the mass is usually
sufficiently cool and hard to permit the withdrawal of the wedge d, on which
the pliable perforated frames are loosened, and sometimes placed in a bath of
liquor. Handles b₁ are inserted in sockets provided at the ends of each box b
for lifting purposes, and withdrawn from the same when required.
This last step in the process is not always necessary, but it is desirable,
inasmuch as the "fillings" are not generally of a uniform heat throughout the
mass, and the liquor bath serves to equalize the temperature, thus rendering the
subsequent operation of spinning more efficient and easier to control. The liquid
forming the bath is a saccharine solution, and being used repeatedly in the
operations of impregnating and liquoring, has consequently become saturated
with molasses, and is of a low quality.
In the process it is convenient to use iron cages (not shown) for receiving the
pliable perforated frames, each cage holding eight frames, but this is not essential,
and I use the zinc tank or box above referred to adapted to receive several
frames a, as indicated in Figs. 4, 5 and 6. The capacity of the centrifugal

page_text: separator or hydro-extractor e (Figs. 7 and 8), however is preferably adapted for
a load of thirty-two frames.
The operation of impregnating and liquoring occupies about 15 minutes, after
which the aforesaid cages or frames are lifted out of the liquor bath, and placed
on a table to drain, the superfluous liquor being conducted back to the bath. The
inner surface of the basket or receiver f, of the centrifugal separator e, is lined
with the frames a, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, in two or more rows, according to
the strength and capacity of the centrifugal separator, which frames (or the cages
in which they may be placed) rest upon a bottom flange or foot piece g.
Unlike the ordinary construction, the basket f of the centrifugal separator e,
is not perforated, so that the liquor or treacle rises to the upper part or pocket h,
through holes i in an upper ring j, and is drawn off by the ejecting tube k. This
tube is fixed in a clamp 7 (Figs. 7, 9 and 10), at the desired angle to the plane
of rotation of the drum, and the clamp-with the tube-is capable of a to and
fro movement by means of a nut, traversing screw, and handwheel m set some-
what transversely to the circumferential line of the drum, as shown in the plan
Fig. 7.
A mouthpiece of gutta percha k¹, attached to a removable conical brass
pipe, is provided and fitted on the end of the tube k, and secured upon the
sheathing of the pocket h, to guard against damage by contact with the revolving
drum or receiver f, of the centrifugal separator e.
A
Between the rows of frames a a sheet of zinc n is preferably placed, to guide the
liquor as it is thrown by centrifugal action to the edges of the
frames and on to the sheathing of the basket, whence it rises to
the pocket without unnecessarily passing through the sugar prisms o.
velocity of about 1000 revolutions per minute, of the centrifugal separator, is
sufficient to free the fillings or prisms from the first grade of treacle (which may
be called green drips), supplied from the tank I, and it is drawn off by the tube k
(already mentioned) into a tank I, II, or III, as indicated in Figs. 14 and 15, to
be filtered and re-boiled in the pan, or re-crystallized.
The sugar prisms are again impregnated with fresh liquor, but of a higher
quality than the first; for which purpose the ejecting tube is withdrawn, and
the cleaner or superior liquor introduced by a syphon tube or tubes p, or from a
tank, or in any other convenient manner. As soon as the requisite number of
rows are covered by the liquor, and the interstices of the sugar prisms have been
filled by the cleaner liquor, the ejecting tube is again inserted to receive the
liquor on the second spinning of the centrifugal separator, and conducted to a
second tank, such as II, Fig. 14. The superfluous liquor between the frames and
in the pocket is but slightly deteriorated, and may be thrown off rapidly, but the
liquor in the sugar prisms escapes more slowly, besides its admixture with the
green drips remaining from the first operation. Consequently part of the liquor
loses its original high quality, and this portion is therefore led into another tank
such as III, Fig. 14, for re-boiling.
This process of impregnating or saturating the sugar prisms is repeated as often
as necessary, but it is generally found that three impregnations-one in the
bath IV, (as indicated in Figs. 14 and 15), and two in the basket of the separator,
with three spinnings of the centrifugal separator-are usually sufficient. By
taking off the first portion of the liquor used for saturating and
conveying it to its special tank for repeated use, and drawing off the
second portion-or impaired liquor-into a different tank for re-boiling, the
impregnating liquor is kept clean for a longer period, and the process is more
economical.
The mass of sugar prisms is thus free from green drips or treacle, (glucose
inverted sugar), and contains only about eight or ten per cent. of the first grade
clean liquor used for impregnating. The basket is then emptied, and re-filled with
a further supply of frames for repeating the process; the whole operations of
loading, impregnating, spinning, and unloading occupying about fifteen to
eighteen minutes.

page_text: The sugar prisms are subsequently removed from the pliable perforated frames a
by bending the latter upon a special curved block q, Figs. 11, 12 and 13, arranged
to receive and hold the pliable frames in the outwardly bent curve shown in the
section Fig. 11, so as to widen and open out the divisions between the prisms o,
(as indicated in Fig. 11), on which the prisms are lifted out in the form of long
sticks, and dried in the usual way, and are ready for chipping into pieces in about
twenty-four hours. The block 7 has a sliding piece r, working in guides s, by
means of a nut and screw t, as shown; the sliding piece r engaging with the
frame a to hold it in the bent position.
The impregnating liquor is prepared by dissolving good white sugar in pure
boiling water, condensed steam-free from contamination-being well adapted
for the purpose. Sugar in excess is stirred into the hot water to make a saturated
solution, and on cooling the clearest liquor is drawn off and allowed to settle. If
the temperature of the spinning room is low, it is advisable to slightly dilute the
syrup by water at about 90° Fahrenheit, to a density 65° Brix, or 36° Beaume.
The liquor used in the third operation decreases during the process, and the deficit
is filled by liquor used in the second operation; while the deficit in the second
portion of liquor is supplied from the first, the latter being filled up by the
perfectly fresh liquor, prepared as above stated. The work is simple and clean, and it
ensures a greater economy of liquor than the usual method of forcing liquor
through the sugar.
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. The herein described process of manufacturing sugar prisms, consisting of
pouring sugar "fillings" into suitable moulds formed on pliable perforated frames,
allowing the said "fillings" to harden in the moulds, placing the said frames and
prisms in the receiver of a centrifugal separator together with a saccharine solution,
subjecting the same to a spinning operation whereby the liquor is caused to pass
through the prisms and rise to the upper portion of the receiver, ejecting or
removing the spent liquor therefrom, repeating the operation two or more times
with an improved quality of liquor at each succeeding operation until the prisms
are free from green drips or treacle, removing the frames from the centrifugal
separator, and bending the said frames to expand or open the moulds containing
the prisms, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
2. Perforated pliable frames constructed to form moulds for sugar prisms,
substantially as and for the purpose described and shown by the drawings.
3. In the manufacture of sugar prisms, the combination of an ejecting pipe
and means for holding and traversing it, with a centrifugal separator, substantially
as and for the purpose herein described and shown by the drawings.
4. In the manufacture of sugar prisms the combination of a bending block,
with perforated pliable frames or moulds, substantially as and for the purpose
herein described and shown in the drawings.
Doted this 18th day of Jul 1898
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
37 & 39, Essex Street, Strand, London,
Agents for the Applicant.