IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MACHINERY OR APPARATUS AND IN THE PROCESSES. FOR THE TREATMENT AND MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR
Year: 1865

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Fletcher, of 42, Betts Street, St. George's in
the East, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer. for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MACHINERY OR APPARATUS AND IN THE PROCESSES. FOR
THE TREATMENT AND MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR."
Sealed the 23rd February 1866, and dated the 19th September 1865.
PPOVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said. John Fletcher at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 19th September
1865.
I, JOHN FLETCHER, of 42, Betts Street, St. George's in the East, in the
County of Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MACHINERY OR APPARATUS AND IN THE
PROCESSES FOR THE TREATMENT AND MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR," to be as follows:-
My improvements consist, first, in a peculiar construction of apparatus for
dissolving sugar prior to the process of filtration.
Secondly, in a peculiar process for facilitating the passage of the syrup
through the charcoal in the filter, and for washing the sugar from the
charcoal retained by it in the process of filtering, part of which latter process
is applicable to cleaning the syrup receivers.
Thirdly, in a process for reducing the liability to acidity and fermentation
in syrups placed in receivers.
Fourthly, in an improved construction of vacuum pan for boiling and
concentrating syrups.

page_text: гиону, m the construction of a pecular sen-acung apparatus (in con-
nection with the condensed steam box) for carrying off the air from the
vacuum pan and pipes in connection therewith.
First, my improved dissolving apparatus consists of a cylindrical metallic
vessel open at the top, and fitted with two vertically placed spindles in the
centre, one spindle being hollow and the other solid, the solid spindle is
passed through the hollow one; each spindle is fitted with a bevel wheel.
which bevel wheels receive their motion from a pinion placed in any convenient
position to work same, said pinion to have a spindle laying horizontally and
fitted with riggers for driving, and thus give motion to the two vertical
spindles, and cause them to revolve in contrary directions to each other; each
spindle is fitted with one or more arms which agitate the sugar and water in
their revolutions; at the bottom of the cylindrical vessel are one or more
conducts for steam and water, which conducts are fitted with a series of
metallic tubes curved to suit the circumference of the cylindrical vessel, and
laying horizontally to the bottom of the vessel; these tubes are placed at
equal distances from each other, and near the bottom of the cylindrical vessel
where the ends are secured to the above-mentioned conducts, which may be
made by being cast on the bottom of cylindrical vessel, or otherwise secured
to it by bolts or screws: these tubes are pierced on their lower side with small
holes, through which the steam and water are injected into the vessel for
dissolving the sugar; immediately over the tubes is a second or false bottom
which is perforated all over with small holes. The steam and water for
dissolving the sugar are injected immediately through the same conducts by
the steam and water pipes being connected together. To each of these pipes
is fitted a valve for regulating the discharge of steam and water into the
cylindrical vessel: a portion of the pipe conducting the water is formed of
glass, and placed immediately below the outlet valve, which allows the water
to be seen in its passage to the steam pipe, and also allows the attendant to
regulate the required flow.
To carry out the second part of my Invention for facilitating the passage of
the syrup through the filter, preparatory to the syrup entering the charcoal
Alter, the air is exhausted therefrom by connecting the filter with an air pump
or other suitable contrivance, and the part or process relating to the washing
operation consists in the employment of steam or steam and water for washing
the sugar from the charcoal after the process of filtration, and this part of my
improvements also consists in exhausting the filter of air both while the
rocess of filtering is going on and while the charcoal is being cleansed of the
ugar at the termination of the filtering operation the filter cistern is con-

page_text: nected to the syrup tank or tanks by a pipe, part of which is made of glass,
so that the color of the syrup may be readily ascertained; the syrup tank or
tanks are also to be exhausted of air.
Hitherto for the purpose of washing animal charcoal after the process of
filtering, water has been used, sometimes hot and sometimes cold; in either case
the quantity is necessarily great to clean the charcoal of the sugar thoroughly.
For the purpose of washing the charcoal by my process, steam or steam and
water are injected into the charcoal filter; the steam and water are conducted
into the charcoal by two pipes, one for steam and the other for water; each
pipe has a valve for the regulation of the steam and water. Just before
these pipes for steam and water reach the filter they are joined together and
form one pipe, thereby blending the steam and water together before they
enter the charcoal, consequently raising the temperature of the water and
partially or wholly condensing the steam.
For cleansing the syrup receivers a jet of steam is introduced, and by
means of an outlet at the bottom caused to pass off when opened.
To carry out the third part of my Invention I employ closed cisterns
exhausted of atmospheric air for keeping or storing the syrup when in the
stage of being converted into sugar; hitherto it has been the practice to use
vessels with the top open or partially open for storing or keeping the syrup
during the process of manufacture into sugar, by which the syrups are
exposed to the action of the air, thereby causing at all times more or less
fermentation in the syrup, which renders it to a more or less extent un-
crystallizable. To obviate this defect I use a closed vessel of any suitable
shape, and attach the same to an air pump or other suitable contrivance to
exhaust it of atmospheric air, whereby acidity and fermentation are very much
lessened.
The fourth part of my Invention consists in an improved vacuum pan,
which is constructed as follows:-It is of a square or rectangular shape with
a curved top and a sloping sided bottom. The steam chambers or heating
surfaces in the inside of the pan are of a flat form, and appear in section of a
link shape; they run from end to end, or side to side, of the vacuum pan, and
are placed side by side of each other, with a space left between them to
afford room for cleaning and for sugar: these flat chambers or heating surfaces
are placed in a series of tiers one above another, according to the size of the
vacuum pan; if placed in tiers each tier has its separate steam connection, by
which they can be worked separately or collectively as required; a steam box
is fitted to each end of each tier of chambers, into which is admitted the
steam. The steam can be admitted into the boxes at one or both ends of the

page_text: pan (a large pan requiring admission of steam at both ends to give a uniform
temperature to the liquor; a small pan requiring steam at one end only). The
boxes at one end of the pan are secured to the same by rings of metal with
bolts running through the ends or sides of the boxes and pan, and through
rings which serve for admitting steam to the boxes and thus into chambers.
The boxes at opposite end of the pan have. tubes connected, which project and
pass through stuffing boxes on the end or side of the pan to allow for the
expansion of steam chambers; the above tubes or boxes are arranged to take
the condensed steam from chambers and boxes. To this pipe also is connected
a condensed steam box, which allows the water to pass off but not the steam.
On the top of the vacuum pan is fitted an arm pipe for conveying the vapour
and air from the syrup while under the process of boiling in the vacuum pan,
to the end of this arm pipe is fitted a receiver, that is, a cylindrical vessel
placed in a vertical position; the arm pipe is attached near to the top end of
the receiver, and to this receiver is also connected a measure, this measure
receives the syrup prior to its being passed into the vacuum pan. The
improved measure is fitted with a series of metallic tubes through which the
vapor and air. from the syrup under treatment in the vacuum pan pass, to
this measure is fitted a condenser which is a cylindrical vessel placed vertically
and connected near to or at its upper end to the bottom of the measure; this
condenser is fitted in its centre with a metallic tube perforated with small
holes; the water for condensing is admitted into the tube either at the top
or bottom as may be most convenient.
Fifthly, the condensed water box in its general construction with regard to
its mechanism for letting out the condensed water is of the usual kind, viz., a
cylindrical vessel closed at each end and fitted in its interior with a float and
valve; the float rises and falls according to the supply of water in the box or
vessel, thereby opening and shutting the valve and discharging the water; the
cover of the box or vessel is fitted with a small cock for discharging any
air that may accumulate in the box or pipes, which cock at all times is kept
more or less open; and when the apparatus to which the condensed steam
box is attached is first put in motion it is necessary to open the cock wide to
facilitate the discharge of the air which is in the pipes and apparatus to make
room for the steam by which the apparatus is worked to obviate the necessity
of opening the air cock wide every time the apparatus is put to work.
Now my improvement consists as follows:-To facilitate the discharge of
the air a valve is fitted to the inside of the cover of the box, to which valve is
attached a lever, to one end of which is connected the valve, and the opposite
end is connected to a stud pin fixed in the cover, by the side of which lever is

page_text: arranged a second lever with one of its ends connected to a stud pin fixed to
the cover of the box, while the opposite end is connected to the first lever
near to its fulcrum by means of a link; to the second lever is also connected
a second link near to its fulcrum, the opposite end of said link is connected to
a stud pin fixed in the cover, this link is placed nearly at right angles with
the levers, and gives the required motion to the levers in connection with the
air valve for opening and shutting the same. The action of the link upon
the levers and air valve is produced by expansion and contraction while the "
link is at the natural temperature of the surrounding atmosphere; the air
valve which is attached to the first-named lever is opened to allow of the free
exit of the air, in which position it remains until the air is expelled, and the
steam arrives in the box, the heat of which steam. causes the second
mentioned link to expand, which puts the levers in motion and shuts the air
valve. The required amount of motion at the end of the first lever to which
the air valve is attached is given by multiplying the expansion and contraction
of the last-named link by the means of the two levers.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Fletcher in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 19th
March 1866.
TO ALL TC WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
FLETCHER, of 42, Betts Street, Saint George's in the East, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her Most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Nineteenth day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, in the twenty-ninth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said John Fletcher, Her special licence that I, the said John Fletcher.
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I. the said
John Fletcher, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time.
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MACHINERY OR APPARATUS AND IN THE PROCESSES FOR THE TREATMENT AND
MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
John Fletcher, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing.

page_text: under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after
the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Fletcher, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings hereto annexed:-
My Invention consists, first, in a peculiar construction of apparatus for
dissolving sugar prior to the process of filtration.
Secondly, in the peculiar process for facilitating the passage of the syrup
through the charcoal in the filters, and for washing the sugar from the charcoal
retained by it in the process of filtering, part of which latter process is
applicable to cleaning the syrup receivers.
Thirdly, in a process for reducing the liability to acidity and fermentation
in syrups placed in receivers.
Fourthly, in an improved construction of vacuum pan for boiling and
concentrating syrups.
Fifthly, in the construction of a peculiar self-acting apparatus (in connec-
tion with the ordinary condensed steam box) for carrying off the air from the
vacuum pan and pipes in connection therewith.
In order to make my Invention better understood 1 will proceed to describe
the same by reference to the accompanying Drawings.
Firstly, Sheet 1 shows three different views of the dissolving apparatus.
Figure being a section through the pan or tank on line, a, b, of Figure 3;
Figure 2, elevation of plan with a section of the apparatus for admitting and
blending the water and steam; Figure 3, plan of pan, showing the arrangement
for driving the spindles; the same letters of reference are used in the several
Figures to represent parts which are similar. The improved dissolving appa-
ratus is composed of a circular metallic tank A, on the bottom of which is an
arrangement of copper pipes or tubes W, secured by a stay piece D, and
attached to the steam chambers cast on the bottom C of the pan or fixed on
by bolts or screws; these pipes are perforated on the under side for the
egress of steam and water for dissolving the sugar; over these tubes is
placed a plate of wrought or cast iron M, perforated with small holes to allow
the water and steam to pass through to the sugar. Figure 3 is a view with
half this plate removed to shew the arrangement of tubes W. In the centre
of the bottom of the tank is a step E, carrying the two vertical spindles F and

page_text: G, one inside the other, as shown, the upper parts being carried in a block on
a cross plate H, and fixed at each end by bolts to the flange round the top
of the pan.
Attached to these spindles are bevil wheels J, which receive
their motion from the pinion e, fixed on the shaft K, carrying driving
pulleys c, d; this shaft is carried by the brackets L, L; within the pan are
two arms a and a", one fixed on each of the vertical spindles F and G, and
revolving with them in opposite directions for the purpose of keeping the
sugar in a gentle state of agitation; they also serve for breaking the lumps of
sugar. The steam and water are admitted into the pan or tank through a
chamber B, cast on one side of the pan or tank, and having a facing or pro-
vision to receive the apparatus for blending the streams of water and steam:
this apparatus consists of a pipe P (attached to the pan) with two branches R
and S; the branch S is for steam and is provided with a steam stop valve T;
on the other branch or pipe R, which is for water, is fitted a piece of glass
pipe U. above which is the stop valve V, for regulating the flow of water.
which can be seen through the glass tube U; N, outlet provision or face for
carrying outlet or discharge cock.
Secondly, to carry out the second part of my Invention for facilitating the
passage of the syrup through the filter, preparatory to the syrup entering
the charcoal filters, the air is exhausted therefrom by connecting with the
filter an air pump or other suitable contrivance; and the improved process
relating to the washing operation consists in the employment of steam, or
steam and water, for washing the sugar from the charcoal after the process
of filtration; and this part of my improvements also consists in exhausting the
filter of air, both while the process of filtering is going on and while the
charcoal is being cleansed of the sugar at the termination of the filtering
operation. The filter cistern is connected to the syrup tank or tanks by a
pipe, part of which is made of glass, so that the color of the syrup may be
readily observed. The syrup tank or tanks are also to be exhausted of air.
Hitherto, for the purpose of washing animal charcoal, after the process of
filtering water has been used, sometimes hot and sometimes cold water, in
either case the quantity required is necessarily great to clean the charcoal of
the sugar thoroughly. For the purpose of washing the charcoal by my
process, steam or steam and water are injected into the charcoal filter; the
steam and water are conducted into the charcoal filter by two pipes, one for
the steam and the other for the water; each pipe has a valve for the regula-
tion of the steam and water; before these pipes reach the filter they are
joined together and form one pipe, thereby, blending the steam and water
together before they enter the charcoal, consequently raising the temperature

page_text: of the water and partially condensing the steam. For cleansing the syrup
receivers a jet of steam is introduced, and by means of an outlet and stop valve
at the bottom, caused to pass off when opened.
Thirdly, to carry out the third part of my Invention, I employ closed
cisterns exhausted of atmospheric air for keeping or storing the syrup when
in the stage of being converted into sugar. Hitherto it has been the practice
to use vessels with the top open or partially open for storing or keeping the
syrup during the process of its manufacture into sugar, by which the syrups
are exposed to the action of the air, thereby causing at all times more or less
fermentation and acidity in the syrup, which renders it to a more or less
extent uncrystallizable. To obviate this defect. I use a closed vessel or
vessels of any suitable shape, and attach to the same an air pump to exhaust
it of atmospheric air, whereby the liability of the syrup to acidity and
fermentation is very much lessened.
Fourthly, Sheet 2 shows different views of the improved vacuum pan,
Figure 1 being a section through the pan receiver, measure, and condenser;
Figure 2, end elevation; Figure 3, plan; Figure 4, longitudinal section, shewing
arrangement of steam chambers and boxes; Figure 5, plan of the bottom of the
pan seen from underneath. The same letters are used in all the Figures to
represent parts that are similar. The improved vacuum pan is constructed as
follows: The body of the pan A, instead of being circular is square or
rectangular, with a curved top a and a sloping sided bottom b, fitted inside
with two tiers of steam chambers or heating surfaces S, made in a flat form and
representing the form of a link in section; these chambers (of which one tier
only or more than two may be employed) are connected at their ends to steam
boxes T, T. The box T fixed at one end of the pan is secured to it by
having hollow blocks of metal U between the box and the end of the pan,
through which bolts pass, uniting the steam box, the hollow blocks, and the
end of the pan securely together. These hollow blocks serve also as conducts
for the steam, while the box at the other end has tubes or pipes Y attached
to it, which pass through the end of the pan and through stuffing boxes W on
the outside to make the junction of the pipes Y with the end of the pan air-
tight; these pipes serve to form a connection with the condensed steam box;
they also allow for the free expansion and contraction of the steam chambers S,
thus preventing any liability to fracture; the steam chambers are secured
agansi bursting or collapsing by having pillar stays t. t, from side to side at
intervals throughout their length; the steam boxes are made in two or more
parts, with the connecting pipes for steam and condensed steam separate; the
supply of steam to chambers S is regulated by the valves V. The pan is fitted

page_text: on the top with a dome B, from which a branch pipe c projects over the side
of the pan and joins on to a receiver C, which vessel takes or receives all or
nearly all the liquor which may be carried up from the pan through the
branch pipe by a too rapid boiling. This receiver C is fitted on the front
side with a glass tube gauge D to shew the quantity of liquor in it; it is also
fitted with a cock or valve for drawing off the liquor when necessary; a
branch pipe connects this receiver to the improved measure; this measure,
which is supplied with syrup by the pipe K, consists of a cylindrical vessel F,
with ends and copper tubes Z running through it; the vapour from the pan
passing through these tubes imparts a higher temperature to the syrup before
being run into the pan: the measure is connected to the pan at top and
bottom by pipes, each having a cock or valve, as shown. The bottom pipe L
serves to supply the pan with liquor. the top pipe M to allow the vapour to
pass into the top of the measure, and thus cause the liquor to flow readily
into the pan: under this measure, and bolted directly on to it or otherwise
connected to it by a pipe, is the condenser G, which is a plain cylindrical
vessel with a curved bottom, and having a pipe I attached to it, which is con-
nected with the air pumps. Across the condenser is a pipe H, perforated
over its surface, as shown. for the distribution of jets of water for the purpose
of condensing the vapour drawn from the pan; this pipe is provided with a
cock or valve g for regulating the supply of water to the condenser. The
top of the pan is also furnished, as is usual, with a thermometer P and a
vacuum gauge O, also with two sight holes or frames with glasses M, N, one
having a plain piece of glass for the purpose of examining the state of the
liquor in the pan, the other having a single convex glass for the purpose of
throwing a strong light into the pan. In front of the pan is placed á test
rod R to take out small quantities of the syrup for examining it in its various
stages. The pan is emptied by the outlet sluice valve X.
Fifthly, Sheet 3 shows three different views of a condensed steam box,
furnished with my improved self-acting apparatus for carrying off the air from
the vacuum pan and pipes in connection therewith. Figure 1 is a plan of the
box and float; Figure 2 plan of the inside of cover and of the self-acting
apparatus for working the valve; Figure 3 section of box. The condensed
steam box consists, as usual, of a cylindrical vessel A, having a branch B on
one side for admitting the water and steam, and is provided with an open
bell or float G; the cover of the box is made to receive the self-acting appa-
ratus for blowing off the air from the vacuum pan or other apparatus to which
the box may be applied. This self-acting apparatus is constructed in the
following manner:-On the the cover of the box a valve E is fixed, to which is

page_text: attached a lever F, the other end of which is held by a stud pin L fixed in the
cover M; to this lever F, near its fulcrum, is connected the end of another
lever H by a short link G, the opposite end of which lever H is also held
by a stud piñ O fixed in the cover; this lever has also near its fulcrum
another link 1, attached, the opposite end of which is secured to the cover by
a screw or bolt P; the hole in this end of the link is made of a slotted or
elongated form to allow of the adjustment of the levers. The link is made
of zinc, brass, or other metal easily affected by heat or cold. I prefer, how-
ever, to employ zinc, the expansion and contraction being greater in that
metal.
This apparatus acts in the following manner:-When the condensed steam
box is attached to the vacuum pan and pipes in connection therewith (it may
be employed for other analogous apparatus), the air will pass out of the open
valve E; but when the steam arrives in the box the heat causes the link I to
expand, which, acting on the levers H and F closes the valve; the time
between the arrival of the steam in the box and the closing of the valve being
sufficient for the escape of the air from the box. When the box is discon-
nected from the vacuum pan or pipes to which it is applied the link I will
contract, and thus open the valve.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself
to the precise details herein set forth, provided the principle of my Invention
is preserved; but what I claim as my Invention and desire to be protected by
the said herein in part recited Letters Patent is,-
Firstly, the general arrangement and construction of apparatus for dissolving
sugar, as herein-before described and shown in the several Figures of Sheet 1
of the accompanying Drawings.
Secondly, the application of arms, revolving in opposite directions, to an
apparatus for dissolving sugar, as herein-before described and shown in Figure 1.
of the accompanying Drawings.
Thirdly, the use of steam and water blended together in the process of
dissolving sugar, and in the mechanical arrangements for blending the said
steam and water before entering the dissolving apparatus, as herein-before
described and shown in Figure 2, Sheet 1, of the accompanying Drawings.
Fourthly, the exhausting the charcoal filter of air in the manner and for
the purposes herein-before described.
Fifthly, the employment of steam or steam and water blended alone or in
conjunction with the exhausting process, for cleansing or removing sugar from
the charcoal in the filter, as herein-before described.

page_text: Sixthly, the employment of closed vessels exhausted of atmospheric air for
storing syrups, and the employment of a jet of steam for cleaning the same,
as herein-before described.
Seventhly, the general arrangement and construction of vacuum pan and
apparatus, whereby the hot vapour from the liquor under treatment in the
vacuum pan is utilized, as herein-before described and represented in Figures
1, 2, and 3, Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawings.
Eighthly, the employment in the vacuum pan of heating chambers or sur-
faces (in section link-shaped) and the arrangement for their free expansion
and contraction, as herein-before described and shewn in Figures 1 and 4.
Sheet 2, of the accompanying Drawings.
Ninthly, the general arrangement and construction of a self-acting appa-
ratus applied to the condensed steam box, for allowing the escape of air, but
not of the steam, as herein-before described and represented in Figures 2
and 3, Sheet 3 of the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Fletcher, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.
Witness,
W. A. GILBEE.
JOHN FLETCHER.
(L.S.)