IMPROVED PROCESSES AND APPARATUS FOR THE EXTRACTION OF OIL AND THE PRODUCTION OF FLOUR FROM MAIZE
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine,
Lake, & Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for
the Invention of "IMPROVED PROCESSES AND APPARATUS FOR THE EXTRACTION
OF OIL AND THE PRODUCTION OF FLOUR FROM MAIZE."-A communication
abrood he Honoré Charles Cavové of Paris, France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 24th May 1872.
I, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co.,
Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVED PROCESSES AND APPARATUS
FOR THE EXTRACTION OF OIL AND THE PRODUCTION OF FLOUR FROM MAIZE," a
communication, to be as follows:-
The object of the present Invention is the extraction of the oil
contained in grains of maize, and the production of a flour of maize,

page_text: which deprived of the oleaginous particles of the grain possesses peculiar
qualities, and is suitable for either making bread and pastry, or the
distillation and manufacture of alcohol.
It is well known that the oil of maize is contained in the cotyledons
of the grain. To extract this oil I first treat the grain by crushing &
it in a horizontal mill, I separate by means of apparatus herein-after
described the cotyledons from the feculent debris; I then reunite the
cotyledons and deliver them to an apparatus connected with a vertical
mill, whereby they are formed into a paste which I subject to heavy
pressure by strong hydraulic or other presses. I thereby obtain the 1
perfect extraction of the oil. The crystallized portion of the grain is
reduced to powder by the ordinary process of grinding.
In this manner I obtain from the maize, first, the largest possible
yield of oil; second, a flour which deprived of its oleaginous principle
will be equal to wheaten flour, and may be used for making bread and
pastry.
The results of my process are no less advantageous with regard to
distillation. Distillers desiring to obtain alcohol from maize have hitherto
subjected the grain to grinding, and have submitted the product of such
grinding to fermentation without any elimination. This method of pro-
cedure is open to serious objections. The oil contained in the cotyledon
is an obstacle to the complete fermentation of the flour, hence there is
a certain loss of alcohol, on the other hand the oil separated from the
oleaginous portions of maize being brought into contact and mixed
with the liquids intended for distillation communicates to them a bad
odor and taste which will be retained by a portion of the alcohol.
My process obviates these evils. It leaves to the fermentation of the
flour all its activity, facilitates the yield of alcohol, and prevents it
acquiring a bad taste. It has furthermore the advantage of producing
an excellent oil for illuminating and other purposes, and furnishes oil
cakes of cotyledon of maize, which form an excellent nourishment for
cattle, thus turning to the profit of the distiller what has hitherto been
to him only a cause of embarrassment and loss.
I will now proceed to describe the apparatus whereby I accomplish
mechanically the separation of the cotyledon from the crushed grain.
I effect this separation by various modifications of apparatus based upon
two distinct principles, viz., separation by the dry method, and sepa-

page_text: ration by the wet method. I will describe successively the apparatus
belonging to each of these methods.
"
According to the dry method the separation of the cotyledons from
the grains of maize is effected by means of the apparatus known as the
èpierreur josse," suitably modified for the purpose. The modification
of this apparatus to adapt it to my purpose is excessively simple, but
of great importance, as the apparatus by it alone is rendered applicable
to this particular work.
The grains of maize crushed by the millstones must first pass into
a cylinder of sheet iron perforated with holes of different sizes so that
the material will be separated into portions composed of fragments of
uniform dimensions that are afterwards passed separately through the
aforesaid apparatus. The said apparatus instead of having only three
triangles for effecting the reactions which produce the separation of the
materials of different densities, should be furnished with six successive
reacting planes, that is to say, independently of the triangular surface
in which is effected the regular feed of the material to be separated
the table of the apparatus should carry a projection presenting upon
its two lateral faces at least five inclined planes for throwing back from
the side of the base of the table the lightest of the said material. Under
these conditions only will the said apparatus give good results, and
separate advantageously the crushed grain from the germs that it
contains.
I have also applied to this separation of the germs a special separator
working also by the dry method, whereby I may operate under excellent
conditions upon considerable quantities of material in a relatively very
short time. Motion is imparted to this apparatus by means of pulleys
which drive a horizontal shaft arranged at the lower part of its frame,
and whose function is the transmission of a reciprocating circular motion
to a series of sieves, and a continuous circular motion to scrapers or
brushes intended to separate the germs. The first or upper sieve is
carried on one vertical shaft, and the second and third sieves are placed
below the first sieve on another vertical shaft. These sieves have a
cross piece of wood around which is placed a flanged hoop of wood or
sheet iron covered with strong cloth or other suitable material, and
which is furnished with an external circular gutter or trough for the
reception of the crushed maize. Above the said cross bar is the sieve

page_text: proper composed of a metal ring with a curved flange closed at its
lower part by wire gauze, which permits the passage of the fragments
of crushed grain, while the germs are retained in a circular gutter or
trough fixed externally around the said ring. The sieve has also an
inner rim or flange for keeping the materials to be separated away
from the axle or shaft. And the said sieve is provided with adjusting
screws, whereby the passage of the crushed maize which has passed
through the sieve and its admission to the trough may be regulated.
The scrapers or brushes are arranged at the upper part of the sieve,
and are put in operation through the agency of suitable pulleys and
belts.
The material to be separated is placed in the first or upper sieve, and
by the reciprocating circular motion of the same the germs lighter than
the crushed grains come to the surface, and are pushed by the brushes
or scrapers into the circular trough or gutter, whence they escape
through an opening and fall into a receptacle arranged at the lower
part of the apparatus. On the other hand the crushed maize passes
through the sieve, and between the latter and the aforesaid flanged hoop
into the lower circular trough which casts them through an orifice into
the next sieve. The same operations are repeated in this sicve, the
germs are pushed by the scrapers above the curved ring, and enter
the trough, whence they fall through an orifice into a lower receptacle,
while the crushed maize passing between the sieve and the flanged
hoop enters in its turn the lower circular trough, which is open at its
lower part, and allows the material to fall into the third sieve placed on
the same axis as the second sieve. In this third sieve the germs which
have escaped the action of the brushes are brought to the surface of the
material by the reciprocating circular motion of the sieve, and pushed
into the circular trough surrounding the same, from which trough they
escape through an orifice into a receptacle below, while the crushed grain
completely separated from its germs or cotyledons passes between the
sieve and the flanged hoop, whence it falls through an orifice into a
special receptacle.
In the separation of the germs from the crushed maize according to
the wet method I employ an apparatus consisting essentially of a vat,
in which the mixed germs and crushed grain are introduced by means
of a rectangular hopper whose bottom is pierced with holes. The said

page_text: hopper is supported upon two parallel rods and carries a tappet which is
acted on by a wheel to agitate the said hopper.
It will be readily understood that by the falling of the materials to be
separated into the water, the light germs float on the surface while the
heavier fragments of maize sink to the bottom. A collector or sweeper
operated by the same shaft that carries the agitating wheel collects the
floating germs continuously, and directs them towards the discharging
door of the apparatus. On the other hand a second collector near the
bottom of the vat operated by the same shaft pushes the crushed maize
into an opening made in the bottom of the said vat, whence it falls
into a conduit whose orifice is opened and closed automatically. The
height of the collectors may be varied by an arrangement of levers and a
jointed arm. The latter operates a sleeve on the vertical shaft, from which
links extend to rods by which the lower collector is suspended. Behind
the collector is arranged a horizontal shaft actuated by means of bevilled
wheels, it carries at its extremity a roller which travels on a circular
track passing around the vat. Upon the said horizontal shaft is placed
an agitator, whose function is to separate the grains from the germs
which have been drawn to the bottom of the vat, and which on being
brought to the surface of the liquid will be conducted by the upper
collector out of the apparatus.
In order to produce alternately the required agitations of the liquid,
the vertical shaft transmits its motion by means of a horizontal shaft
to two vertical shafts which carry three eccentrics. One eccentric
controls weighted levers which regulate the position of the agitator and
the upper sweeper or collector. Another eccentric controls a cock for
admitting the water to the vat, and the third eccentric controls a slide
for discharging the water and the crushed grain.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London, send greeting.

page_text: By this means I obtain from the maize, first, the utmost possible
yield of oil; secondly, a flour which being deprived of the oleaginous
principle is equal to wheaten flour and can be introduced very advan-
tageously into the manufacture of bread and pastry.
For distillation when the product derived from the simple grinding
of the maize is caused to be fermented, not only is the presence of oil
obtained from the oleaginous part of the maize an obstacle to the
fermentation, which produces a loss of alcohol, but it also communicates
an unpleasant odour and taste to the alcohol. My process on the
contrary leaves to the fermentation of the flour all its activity, facilitates
the yield of alcohol, and prevents its acquiring an unpleasant taste. It
has, moreover, the advantage of producing an excellent oil for lighting
and many other uses, and furnishes oil cakes of the tusks of maize,
which are an excellent food for fattening cattle, thus turning to the
profit of the distiller that which would otherwise be a cause of embar-
rassment and loss.
The utility of my process is proved by the following products, first,
maize flour perfectly rectified very suitable for the manufacture of
bread and pastry; second, a more considerable yield of alcohol in dis-
tillation in consequence of an easier and more complete fermentation
of the flour; third, a better quality of alcohol free from unpleasant
taste; fourth, the profit resulting from the greater proportion of oil
extracted from the husks; fifth, the profit upon the oil cake made by
pressing the husks.
I effect mechanically the separation of the husks from the crushed
grain by means of apparatus constructed upon two distinct principles,
namely, the separation by the dry process and the separation by the
wet process.
I will now proceed to describe the machines for carrying my Invention
into practice according to these two systems. The separation of the
husks and grains of crushed maize may be effected by means of the
apparatus known as the "epierreur josse" which may be conveniently
adapted for this purpose. This adaptation although excessively simple
is nevertheless of great importance, considering that it will make an
apparatus applicable to this special work.
The grains of maize crushed under the millstone have first to pass
into a cylinder formed of sheet iron perforated with holes of different

page_text: "
sizes to divide the contents into several portions composed of fragments
of uniform dimensions, which are afterwards passed on separately to the
eupierreur." On the other hand the "epierreur" instead of carrying
three triangles for the purpose of producing the reactions which result
in the separation of the substances of different densities must be pro-
vided upon each of its faces with six successive reacting planes. Under
these conditions only will this apparatus give good results and separate
conveniently the crushed grain from the germs which it contains.
I have likewise applied to this separation of the germs a special
separator for effecting the object of my Invention according to the dry
process, and for operating under excellent conditions upon considerable
masses of material in a relatively short time. This apparatus is repre-
sented in Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings.
The required movement is transmitted to the apparatus by means of
bands a which actuate the shaft b arranged horizontally on the lower
part of the frame c, and whose function is to give an alternate circular
movement to the sieves, and a continued circular movement to the
scrapers or brushes intended to separate the germs. For this purpose
the shaft b, whose speed is about 130 revolutions, transmits by means of
cog wheels da continued circular movement to a vertical shaft e which
controls the brushes or scrapers designed to separate the germs from the
grain, and an alternative circular movement to a horizontal shaft ƒ by
means of an eccentric g actuating a sort of handle h fixed upon the
shaft f. This shaft fin its turn carries at its extremities two grooved
beams actuating squares ; sliding horizontally in guides fixed to the
frame c, and which in their turn are articulated to arms k fixed to the
lower part of the two vertical shafts t that carry the sieves.
These sieves are composed of a wooden cross bar m, around which is
fixed a hoop with turned edges n made of wood or sheet iron covered with
a strong cloth of hemp or with a metallic cloth, and which is on its
circumference provided with a circular trough or gutter o wherein the
crushed maize is collected. Above the cross bar m is placed the sieve
composed of a crown of metal with a curved edge p closed at its lower
part by a metallic cloth q intended to permit the passage of the fragments
of crushed maize, whilst the germs are discharged into a circular trough
or gutter r fixed on the outer circumference of the crown p.
In the centre of the sieve is also arranged a ring of wood or sheet
iron f for the purpose of keeping the material to be sifted at a distance

page_text: from the axle of the apparatus, and upon the circumference of the
edged ring n are fixed screws t for allowing the position of the sieve q
to be varied above the latter to regulate the passage of the crushed
maize which has passed through the sieve and its arrival in the circular
gutter o. On the upper part of the sieve are arranged curved brushes or
scrapers u put in motion by means of pullies loose upon the shafts /
which support them, and controlled by pullies x fixed upon the vertical
driving shaft e.
The substance to be separated is put into the upper sieve, the germs
being lighter than the crushed grains come to the surface, and are driven
on by the curved brushes or scrapers u into the circular gutter r, whence
they escape by a circular opening y, Figure 2, and fall into a receiver
placed at the lower part of the apparatus. The crushed maize crosses
the sieve q, and passes between the latter and the flanged ring n, whence
it arrives in the circular gutter o, which turns it by the orifice z into the
sieve placed laterally underneath. The same operations are performed
in this sieve; the germs are passed on by the scrapers u above the
curved crown p and arrive in the gutter r, whence they fall by an
orifice y into a lower receiver, whilst the crushed grain passing between
the sieve q and the flanged ring n arrives in its turn in the circular
trough o, which is open at its lower part, and allows the material to fall
into the lower sieve placed immediately beneath and mounted upon the
same axle l. In this third sieve the germs which have escaped the
action of the brushes are brought back to the surface of the material by
the alternative circular motion of the sieve; the brushes u push them
into the circular gutter r, whence they fall by the aperture y into a
lower receiver, whilst the crushed grain, completely separated from its
germs or husks passes between the sieve q and the edged ring n to
reach the circular gutter o, whence it lastly falls by the aperture z into
a special receiver w.
As herein-before stated I can obtain the separation of the germs from
the crushed maize by the wet process, and I have illustrated this part
of the said Invention in Sheet 2 of the Drawings.
The said apparatus is constructed with a vat A filled with water, in
which the mixture of [germs and crushed grains is caused to fall by
means of a rectangular vibrating hopper B, the bottom of which is
formed of an iron plate perforated with holes so as to distribute the fall
of the material upon a sufficiently large surface of the basin A, whereby

page_text: the lighter germ will be caused to float on the top, and the heavier
fragments of maize will fall to the bottom. The hopper B is supported
upon two parallel columns c, and carries at its side an angle block D
continually pressed by the springs E against a cog wheel F attached to
the vertical axle G fixed at the centre of the vat A. A gatherer which
is put in motion by the shaft G, and whose height may be varied by
an arm N, brings back the floating germs, and directs them towards
the door I, through which they pass out of the apparatus. A second
gatherer J near the bottom and actuated by the shaft G pushes the
crushed maize into an aperture K made at the bottom of the vat, whence
the substance falls into a conduit L closed by a trapdoor M, which
opens and shuts automatically. The arm N jointed at O controls a
socket P, to which is suspended a lever Q, one of whose jointed ends is
fixed to the horizontal rod R fixed upon the shaft G; it also acts as a
guide to the rods S to which the gatherer J is suspended, and which are
themselves supported by the free end of the lever Q. By this contrivance
the gatherer J can be raised or lowered according as it is desired or not
to extract the material collected together at the bottom of the vat A.
Behind the gatherer is placed a horizontal shaft T put in motion by cog
wheels U controlled by the shaft G, and carrying at its extremity a
roller V which moves upon a circular way cut upon the circumference
of the rat A, and which thus gives to the entire apparatus a general
driving motion into the vat A. Upon the shaft T is fixed an agitator X
for separating from the grain the germs which have been drawn down
to the bottom of the vat, and which are thus brought back to the
surface of the liquid, whence the gatherer H conducts them out of the
apparatus.
In order to produce alternately the agitation of the liquid the shaft G,
which may receive motion from any suitable driving shaft Y, transmits
it by means of a horizontal shaft Z to two vertical shafts W, whereon
are fixed three eccentrics a, f. j. The eccentric a controls the balancing
levers & which regulate the position and the motion of the agitator X
and of the gatherer J. The eccentric f controls the cock E by which
the water comes into the vat A. The eccentric j regulates by means of
a balancing lever z the opening and closing of the slide valve M for the
discharge of the water and the crushed maize.
8
It results from the use of this system of eccentrics that at the moment
when the gatherer J is to be actuated the whole mechanism which

page_text: supports the agitator X descends simultaneously the cog wheels U no
longer control themselves, and the agitator ceases to move in order to
allow the fragments of maize to settle at the bottom of the receiver A,
whence the gatherer J carries them into the funnel K. The latter
precedes the outlet valve M, which opens and shuts alternately in a
very short time determined by the eccentric j, so as to allow the escape
only of liquid strongly charged with fragments of maize, the introduction
of water being effected in the same manner at intervals and in quantities
always equal to the volume discharged by the apparatus.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the
same, I wish it understood that I claim,-
First. The herein described processes for the extraction of oil contained
in the grains of maize in order to produce a flour for the manufacture of
bread and alimentary pastes and for distillation.
Second. The so-called "epierreur josse" adapted to the separation of
the husks of maize from their grain previously crushed and sorted into
fragments of equal size.
Third. The above described separator constructed to operate rapidly
by the dry process upon considerable masses of material.
Fourth. The arrangement of apparatus above described for the purpose
of producing by the wet process the separation of the germs and the
grains of maize.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-third day of November,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
ton
0
Witness,
W. J. LOWE.
W. ROBT. LAKE. (L.S.)