Improvements in Flour Puriflers and Graders.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Apr., 1894-Accepted, 25th May, 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Flour Puriflers and Graders.
I, SAMUEL DAVID HOOLE, residing in Sioux City, Woodbury County, Iowa,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what manuer the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My invention relates to a process and means of purifying and grading flour,
obtaining an entirely new result, inasmuch as all dead flour and particles of foreign
matters and other deleterious substances are removed from what has hitherto been
considered the perfected article; the result being that the purified flour delivered
from my machine is of far greater value though of somewhat less weight. The
increased value accrues from the fact that after the removal of all dead flour and
foreign and poisonous matter, such as iron and smut dust, the purified flour will
absorb a far greater proportion of water, and hence will make more bread, which
bread will be strictly pure, nutritious and wholesome. The object of my invention
is to provide a process and means whereby this result may be attained. My
invention consists in a process for purifying and grading flour, and in a machine of
the construction and combination of parts all as hereinafter described and
particularly pointed out in the claims.
The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying
drawings, forming part of this Specification, and in which:
Fig. 1 is a general perspective view showing a machine embodying my
invention.
Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal and vertical section of the machine proper.
Fig. 3 is a cross section thereof on the line y-y of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on the line z- of Fig. 2.
Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a similar machine of the air-belt order, a dust
collector being arranged on the top of the main part of the machine.
Fig. 6 is a horizontal section on the line u-u of Fig. 5.
Fig. 7 is a cross-section on the line w―w of Fig. 6.
Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of the feed spout which leads into the reel.
As shown in the drawings, my machine is comparatively low of about the same
length as height and of a width equal to about one-half its height. 2 represents
the casing and 3 the frame pieces, the upper and lower frame pieces 4 being
extended beyond the forward end of the machine to provide supports for the fan
and the air sifter or strainer, which latter is preferably placed upon the top of the
machine. The inside of the casing or body of the machine is divided into several
compartments, chambers and vertical ducts, as shown in Fig. 2. The divisions or
partitions 6, 7 and 8, together with the ends of the machine, divide the lower part
of the casing into the chambers 9, 10, 11 and 12, each of which is provided with a
hopper bottom. The hoppers of the chambers or compartments 9 and 10 lead
down to points opposite the foot of the partition 6, and deliver into the opening 13
which is extended into the two spouts 14 and 15. A swinging valve 16 placed
beneath this partition 6 may be thrown into any desired position to divert all of the
material from the two compartments into either one of the spouts 14 and 15, or the
valve may be placed so that a greater portion of the material will pass into one
spout while a lesser portion descends into the other. Similar spouts 17 and 18, and
valve 19 are provided beneath and connected with the two hoppers 11 and 12,
respectively. For the sake of appearance, the sides of the casing are continued
below the lower reels 4 to conceal the cant boards of the hoppers. The
partitions 6, 7 and 8 rise to about three-quarters the height of the machine, wide
гр.

page_text: openings being left over the tops of the partitions and connecting the several
chambers. On the top of the partition 6 is a folding or hinged extension 20
When raised,
adapted to be dropped down into the dotted line position of Fig. 2.
the upper edge of the extension is substantially on a line with the tops of the
partitions 7 and 8. About midway between the partitions 6 and 7 I provide the
depending partition 21 extending from the top of the casing to about the level of
the upper edges of partitions 6 and 7. The partition & has the inclined retarding
board 22 at its top, the same extending downwardly and towards the front end of
the machine. The depending partitions 23 and 24 drop from the top of the casing
to a lower point in the chambers 11 and 12 and are each preferably provided with
a cant board or wing 25, 26, respectively. These several partitions divide the
upper part of the machine into the upper expansion chambers 27, 28 and 29, and
the ducts 30, 31, 32 and 33, which latter forms the exit duct of the machine
A relief
communicating at the top with the outlet opening duct or pipe 34.
opening 35 is provided in the top of the partition 24, and either a valve or a
At the forward and lower
stationary inclined board 36 placed before the same.
corner of the machine, I provide the fan casing 37 having the inlet openings 38,
and having the tangential discharge spout 39 preferably contracted at the point
where it opens through the end wall of the casing. The discharge spout is
preferably of the full width of the chamber 9, and the chambers 9 and 10 as shown
in the plan view Fig. 4 are considerably narrower than the chambers or com-
partments 11 and 12. Further as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the chambers 9, 10, 11
and 12 increases in longitudinal breadth in the order named. The spout 39 enters
the casing just above the hopper bottom of the compartment 9, and from a point
opposite the lower edge of the air inlet opening and quite close thereto, a curved
sheet metal partition 40 extends upwardly to the level of the top of the partition 6.
The top of this curved partition is located about midway in the chamber 9 and is
provided with a regulating valve or extension 41 similar to the hinged extension 20.
The housing 42 for the reel 43 has the slanting bottom 44 arranged at such an
little
incline as to be practically out of the way of the falling flour, so that very
flour ever lodges upon the same. The lower edge of the bottom 44 projects into
the space between the end wall and the partition 40 contracting the opening
somewhat. The shaft 45 of the reel is preferably arranged slightly beneath the
plane of the partition tops, and the reel is of such a circumference as to project
slightly into the chamber 9. The reel is made up of the solid end 47, and the
opposite end or ring 48, which is provided with a large central opening 49. This
ring is held concentric with the shaft by means of the T 50, the ends of which are
Becured to the ends 47 and 48, while the stems are fastened in a collar 51 on the
shaft. This construction allows the feed spout 52 to extend quite to the middle of
the reel. The cloth or wire 53 is stretched around and between the ends of the
reel, and, as shown, the inner surface of the cloth or wire fabric is entirely free
from obstruction as the cross bars of the T's are arranged at considerable distance
therefrom.
The flour is supplied to the machine through a suitable spout or from a hopper
if desired, and passes into the feed spout 52. This spout is of a peculiar construction.
The end of the spout is secured on the box 54 on the outside of the housing, and
is made of bright tin turned to a concave, and having its edges tapered toward the
lower end, the spout gradually becoming narrower and more shallow toward the
bottom. The result of this construction is that the spout is too narrow to carry
the whole stream of flour to the bottom and a greater part spills out over the
tapered sides of the spout and is thus evenly distributed in the bottom of the reel.
The reel and the fan may be driven at desired speeds by any suitable means, such
as the means shown. In place of taking air directly from the room, which air
always contains considerable dust, which would, if used, be mixed with the flour in
the machine, I strain and purify the air, using for the purpose a large box 55, the
sides being of fine cloth adapted to catch all of the dust while the air passes
through into the box. The cloth parts are of sufficient area to avoid any back pull

page_text: on the fan. Pipes 56 lead from the air strainer to the end of the opening or
openings of the fan casing and these pipes may also if desired be made of cloth.
From the discharge ducts 33, the air may be exhausted into the room' or carried
out of doors, but I much prefer to employ means whereby the dust which is carried
out of the machine is collected while at the same time back pressure on the machine
is wholly avoided. Such means are shown in Fig. 1 to consist in the large room or
box 57, having the hopper bottom 58 and the cloth sides, as shown. The air and
dust leaves the machine and enters this relief box and settlings chamber through
the pipe or duct 34. The dust collects in the hopper and is discharged from the
spout thereof into a convenient receptacle. In this manner the air is relieved and
the dust collected without back pressure upon the air in the machine, which back
pressure would cause a top precipitate deposit of flour and dust particles. In place
of this exterior collector and the air sifter, I may employ the combined air belt
dust collector and air-sifter shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7. This consists in a long
trunk or box 60 mounted upon the top of the main part of the machine, and having
the hopper bottom or large trough or bottom 61, while its sides, and if desired its
top and end, are composed of fine cloth 62. The air enters from the opening 31
in the rear end of the machine and passing over the side of the hopper and around
the end of the solid partition 65 emerges into the series of settlings chambers shown
in Fig. 6. The chambers are made by the employment of the transverse vertical
partitions 63 and 64, some or all of which may have retarding or catch boards 66.
The progress of the dust is impeded by these partitions and as the air pressure is
relieved through the cloth sides, the dust drops upon the hopper bottom and thence
into the conveyor or collector trough 67, in which I provide a conveyancer,
preferably an endless belt having the collector brushes 68 which carry the dust
out into the head of a down spout 69. By the time the air currents reach the
forward end, they are entirely free from dust and being added to by air sucked into
the forward parts of the cloth sides, pass down through the pipes 56' which lead to
the fan. In this manner, both back pressure on the machine or a vacuum on the
fan are avoided, and the re-entrance of fine dust to the machine absolutely
prevented.
The principal part of my process consists in throwing the flour in a cloud form
into a restricted space and then passing a current of air up through the cloud of
flour which cloud is made up of distinct and separate particles, whereby, the
particles are withdrawn, while the heavier and valuable particles fall against
the upward pressure of the air current and are collected beneath.
The operation of my machine is as follows: When the fan is set in motion the
pure air drawn from the strainer or sifter will be blown through the machine,
winding in and out of the succeeding chambers with a considerable velocity, force
and carrying power, but with a gradually decreased velocity as it progresses
towards the last and largest chamber 12. When the reel has reached its normal
speed and the valve opened in the feed spout, the flour passing down the tapered
spout will be spread evenly over the bottom of the reel, and as the reel cloth or
fabric is of a comparatively coarse mesh, the flour will be thrown from thence in a
continuous cloud as distinguished from a thin stream or streams, the particles being
thoroughly and evenly distributed and separated so that the air may take hold of
the same as it passes up between the reel and the curved partition 40. The speed
of the reel is so regulated that none of the flour is thrown over the extension 41
by the reel. The strong current of air entering from the spout 39 is thoroughly
scattered and evenly distributed by contact with the curved and smooth sheet
metal partition 40, and passes through the cloud of flour which is continuously
emitted from the reel, lifting up the lighter particles, while the heavier granulated
particles of good flour drop against the strong current of air, always retaining
their identity of separate particles so that they are thoroughly scoured by the air
currents. The heavier material falls to the bottom of the partition 40 and into the
opper bottom of the chamber 9. The somewhat lighter but still heavy and
valuable particles are carried up over the adjustable wing or extension 41 and drop

page_text: in back of the same and into the chamber or compartment 9. Very similar and
equally good stock is carried over the partitions 6 into the chamber 10, falling into
the bottom thereof. The lighter and unvaluable particles such as fine dead or non-
granular flour, and, all fine particles of foreign matter are easily sustained by the
strong air currents, and are carried through the chambers 27 the upper part of the
chamber 10 and, the chamber 28, and thence into the duct 30. Here, owing to
the sudden turn in the direction of the air current many of the particles are thrown
against the partition 23 and are again discharged through the current of air as
they slide from the board 25. The greater part of the dust and dead flour, more
particularly the latter, is precipitated into the bottom of the chamber 11 owing to
the expansion of air therein.. The remainder is carried upward through the
duct 31, though some is thrown back into the hopper by the inclined board 22.
the same action is repeated in the duct 32 and chamber 12, where, owing to the
greatly increased size of the said chamber and the escape of a part of the air
through the relief opening 35, all of the dead flour is settled in said chamber.
The very light and fine dust is carried upward through the duct 33 and thence into
the dust collector or settlings chamber. In case it is desired to make distinct
separations between the first and the second and third qualities, the two valves or
wings 41 and 20 are brought together at the top to prevent any of the second
quality falling in back of the partition 40, all being carried over with the third
quality into the chamber 10. The valve 14 in the outlet spout is at such times
thrown to the middle position to prevent the blending of the three qualities of
flour at that point. Ordinarily however the first second and third qualities, which
equal from eighty-five to ninety-five per cent. of the original stock will be of a
general quality fully equal in strength, color, etc. to. the well, known "40 per cent.
patent" flour which is now considered the best, and in all cases bread made from
the eighty-five and ninety-five per cent. patent will be of a much better quality
than that made from the ordinary patent flour. The small percentage of dead
flour which is collected is usually turned into the "Bakers" grade if used at all.
Bread made from the product collected in compartments 11 and 12, unless mixed
with other flour could not be safely eaten as it is actually unwholesome and injurious
to the health. The dust which passes out through the duct 33 contains very little
if any kind of flour. The purified product taken from a hundred pounds of
original stock, though of less weight, will make more bread and far better bread
than the full weight of original stock. The increase in the value of the purified
flour is from three to four times the value of the poor stock removed therefrom
and weighed and priced on a scale with the original stock, thereby clearly showing
the great value of my invention. My machine has a further and important use as
a flour tester or grader, as by the same the exact proportion of good flour contained
in a sample may be exactly determined.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention I declare that what I claim is :
1. The process of purifying flour, which consists in discharging the flour in a
cloud into a confined space, and passing the current of air upward through said
cloud made up of evenly distributed and distinct particles substantially as
described.
2. The process of purifying flour, which consists in discharging the flour in a
cloud into a confined space and passing a current of air upward through said
cloud made up of evenly distributed and distinct particles, collecting the heavier
and valuable particles falling against the air currents and by means of said air
current carrying away the lighter and unvaluable particles, substantially as
described.
3. In a flour purifier the combination with a series of vertical chambers or
compartments connected by openings or ducts, with means for blowing air into the
lower part of the first compartment or chamber, and means for throwing flour in a
cloud into said chamber above the air blast opening, whereby the evenly distributed

page_text: and separate flour particles are exposed to the action of the air blast, substantially
as described.
4. The combination in a flour purifier of the series of compartments or chambers
with the connecting openings in the tops thereof, an air blast inlet entering the
lower part of the first compartment or chamber, a curved but substantially vertical
partition extending upward from a point opposite said inlet opening, means for
blowing air through the said opening, and means for throwing a continuous cloud
of flour into the space before said curved partition, substantially as described.
5. The combination in a flour purifier of a series of vertical compartments or
chambers, separated by vertical partitions, having openings over their upper ends, a
reel adapted to throw flour in a continuous cloud into the first chamber or
compartment, and means for blowing air into said first compartment, beneath said
cloud of flour emitted from said reel, the air current or blast being regulated to
carry out the lighter particles therefrom, said lighter particles settling in the
succeeding chambers, substantially as described.
6. The combination in a flour purifier of a series of chambers, means for blowing
air into the first chamber, an exit leading from the last chamber, an air sifter
through which the air is supplied for the air blast and a flour feeding device
consisting in a revolvable reel, substantially as described.
7. The combination in a flour purifier of the series of compartments, increasing
in size from the first to the last, and connected in order by communicating openings
or ducts, the fan, the discharge pipe leading therefrom into the lower part of the
first compartment or chamber, a curved partition arranged in the first compartment
and against the lower part of which the air is blown and a revolvable reel arranged
opposite the upper end of the said partition and adapted to discharge the flour in a
cloud into said chamber, substantially as described.
8. The combination in a flour purifier of the casing containing separate and
distinct compartments or chambers gradually increasing in size, openings in the tops
of said chambers, depending partitions to break the direct passage between alternate
chambers, the fan and discharge spout leading therefrom into the lower part of the
first chamber, the reel operating in the upper part of the first chamber and below
the opening in the top thereof, said reel adapted to throw flour in a cloud form into
said chamber, the curved partition 40, and a dust collector, connected with the
discharge froin the last compartment, substantially as described.
9. The combination in a flour purifier of the compartments 9, 10, 11 and 12, the
depending partitions arranged above the same, the outlet from the machine, the fan
arranged to discharge the air into the first compartment, the partition 40 in said
first compartment, the revolvable reel arranged opposite said partition, means for
spreading flour in the bottom of said reel, and the air-belt dust-collector connected
between the discharge and said fan, substantially as described.
10. The combination in a flour purifier of the compartments 9, 10, 11 and 12,
the depending partitions arranged above the same, the outlet from the machine,
the fan arranged to discharge the air into the first compartment, the partition 40
in said first compartment, the revolvable reel arranged opposite said partition,
means for spreading flour in the bottom of said reel, and the combination air-belt
dust-collector and air-sifter connected between the discharge of the machine and said
fan, substantially as described.
11. The combination with the flour purifying machine provided with the air-
blast fan and with the flour feeding device consisting in the reel or bolt, with the
dust-collector arranged upon the top of said machine, and provided with the
horizontal partitions, and having the cloth sides and pipes leading from the forward
end thereof to the fan casing, substantially as described.
12. The combination with the flour purifier and the fan and reel thereof, of the
air-belt purifier into which the dust laden air is discharged from the machine, said
purifier having the cloth sides, a conveyor provided in the bottom of the said
collector, and pipes leading from the forward and upper end of the said collector to
the casing of the fan, substantially as described.

page_text: 13. The combination with the purifier and the fan and fan casing thereof, of a
box having cloth sides to strain the air and cloth pipes leading therefrom to the
inlet openings in the fan casing, substantially as described.
14. The process for purifying flour herein before described.
15. The process for purifying and grading flour hereinbefore described.
16. The means for purifying and grading flour hereinbefore described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings..
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this. 14th day of
A T 1004
In the presence of:
J. BALLACHEY.
R. C. Hoole.
SAMUEL D. HOOLE.