Improvements in the Method of Malting and Drying Grain, and in Machinery or Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Dec., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 24th Oct., 1892-Accepted, 26th Nov., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of Malting and Drying Grain, and in
Machinery or Apparatus therefor.
I, JAMES SLEEMAN, of Taunton, in the County of Somerset, Maltster, do hereby
declare the nature of my said invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to certain improvements in the method of malting and
drying grain, and in machinery or apparatus therefor, for which I have obtained
Letters Patent No. 10,8918, No. 11,844, No. 19,286, and No. 19,7958; and
the object of my present invention is to effect further improvements in relation
thereto.
I construct malting machines somewhat similar to those described in the
Specifications of my said former Patents, but instead of covering the same with
wire, or analogous perforated material, I cover the same with unperforated galvanised
sheet iron, or other suitable close material, and fit thereto, or to the ends of the
cylinders, suitable valves and openings for the inlet and discharge of grain, air and
water.
In other respects the cylinder is very similarly constructed and fitted to the
machines described in my said former Patents.
The machines forming the subject of my present application, may either be
fitted in a steep and air-tight compartment, as before patented, or it may be made
air-tight and water-tight, and be self-contained; thus rendering unnecessary an
outside air-tight compartment, and an outer vessel for the reception of water.
Dated 24th December 1891.
GEO. DOWNING,
8, Quality Court, London, W.C., Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of Malting and Drying Grain, and in
Machinery or Apparatus therefor.
1, JAMES SLEEMAN, of Taunton, in the County of Somerset, Maltster, do hereby
declare the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
My invention relates to certain improvements in the method of malting and
drying grain, and in machinery or apparatus therefor, for which I have obtained
Letters Patent Nod. 10,891, 11,841, 19,286, and 19,7958; and in which Letters
Patent malting machines or cylinders are described, the shells of which are
constructed of materials which allow the free passage of air, each cylinder being
fixed in an air-tight room or compartiment, affording complete control as to the
condition of the air admitted to the cylinder, and serving as a chamber in which all
or any of the various processes of washing, steeping, germinating, withering and
kilning grain and malt may be carried on.
My present invention consists in constructing the malting cylinder of sheet iron,
or other suitable material impervious to air, in order that the cylinder may by
itself serve for effecting ail or any of the processes of washing, steeping, germinating,
withering and kilning. In the internal arrangements of my improved cylinder, I
sometimes make use of the internal fittings of the various cylinders described in my
said previous Patents, and combine some or all of such internal arrangements and
fittings as may from time be found desirable.

page_text: Another improvement consists in fitting the perforated tubes described in 19,28689
in the cylinder, in such a manner that one half or thereabouts in number of such
tubes are open to the right hand air chamber and closed to the left hand chamber;
and the other half or thereabouts in number of the same tubes are similarly open to
the left hand air chamber and closed to the right hand chamber. The cylinder
is also fitted internally with lifting shelves, as also described in 19,286, and is
mounted on wheels to reduce friction, and driven by toothed wheels, or other
suitable gear.
Valves are fitted to the tubes, having spindles passing through glands, fitted to
the covers of the air chambers, by which valves any of the tubes may be shut off
from the air chamber. The cylinder is so mounted and constructed that the
whole machine (the cylinder and its internal fittings) may be rotated all together,
or the shell only may be rotated while the tube plates and tubes are held
stationary.
Cocks or valves are fitted to the cylinder and air chambers for drawing off the
water, as required, and man holes and doors are fitted to the cylinder for charging
and discharging grain and malt.
The method of working is as follows:-The cylinder is partly filled with water
and charged with grain. The cylinder and air chambers, or the shell only with its
lifting shelves, being then rotated, the grain and water are stirred up together by
the action of the lifting shelves until the grain is thoroughly cleansed. The dirty
water is then drawn away through the taps or valves while the rotation of the
cylinder is continued. This operation of washing may be repeated at pleasure
during the whole time of steeping.
After the grain has been sufficiently steeped, the central end tubes (shown in
No. 11,8448) are connected with blowers or fans, whereby air is forced into one
air chamber, from whence it passes into and through the tubes opening into the
same chamber; from thence the air passes into the tubes connected with the opposite
air chamber, and out through the central air tube. Or air may be driven inwards
through both central end tubes at the same time and allowed to escape through the
manholes, or valves provided for that purpose.
When germination and withering are completed, the end openings, and the fans
or blowers are connected with a furnace or heating apparatus, and hot air is
circulated through and withdrawn from the grain or malt in the cylinder in a similar
manner to that provided for the circulation of cold air.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
The improvements in the method of malting and drying grain, and in machinery
or apparatus therefor, substantially as hereinbefore described.
רד
2000
GEO.
DOWNING,
8, Quality Court, London, W.C., Agent.