Improvements in Grain Scourers.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Aug., 1889-Accepted, 5th Oct., 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Grain Scourers.
I, JOHN MURRAY CASE a citizen of the United States, residing at Colombus in the
County of Franklin and State of Ohio, Manufacturer, 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:-
The Invention consists in certain features of novelty which are hereinafter particu-
larly pointed out in the claims, being first fully described with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of the
improved machine a portion only of the stand pipe being shown. Figures II and III
are vertical transverse sections on the lines II-II and III - III respectively,
figure looking in the direction of the arrows. Figures IV, V and VI are detail
perspective views of various forms of plates of which the scouring cylinder may be
constructed. Figure VII is a vertical section of my improved cleaner under a slight
modification. Figure VIII is a vertical section thereof on the line VIII figure VII.
Figure IX is a transverse section of the cleaning rings or flanges on the line IX
fig. VII.
Figure X is a perspective view of one of the rings or flanges having oblique
corrugations.
A represents the cylindrical shell or casing which is preferably formed of metal in
two sections a a, whose meeting edges are scarfed as at a¹. One half of each of the
journal boxes is formed integrally with each of these sections a, the bearing surfaces
being preferably babbited to protect them against wear. The two parts a a of the
casing are held together by bolts a passing through flanges projecting from the sides
of the journal boxes. This cylindrical shell or casing is preferably of unequal diameter,
that is to say the receiving end is of a diameter somewhat less than that of the delivery
end, the two being united by an offset as at a³. The interior of the casing is divided
into two compartments B and C by a transverse partition a* formed in two parts
united at their meeting edges by a scarf a¹ similarly to the meeting edges of the
external shell, and cut away for the passage of the operating shaft. The compart-
ment B is the one in which the scouring is done by means of an externally toothed,
corrugated or otherwise roughened rubbing or scouring drum D fixed to an operating
shaft E which may be driven by any suitable mechanism, as for example, a belt,
passing over a pulley F. The interior wall of the compartment is lined with metallic
plates G (preferably four in number) whose surfaces may be ribbed or corrugated as
shown in figures III and IV, indented as shown in figure V, or provided with short
protuberances or pins, as shown in figure V1; the first form being, however,
preferable. These plates are secured within the external shell or casing by means of
screw-bolts g, as shown in figures I and II, their heads being countersunk so as not to
form uneven surfaces against which the grain could be crushed. The distance between
the contiguous surfaces of the drum D and its enclosing cylinder should not exceed
the length of two grains of wheat, so that in the revolution of the cylinder the grains
are forced one against another and against the corrugated, or roughened surfaces until
entirely freed from external impurities and thoroughly polished without being
abraded. It is well known that by polishing the wheat the bran is toughened in suc
manner that on passing between the rolls or burs in grinding the bran is much less
liable to pulverize and become intermingled with the flour and the degree of perfection
with which this latter result is accomplished depends upon the thoroughness with
which the polishing is done.
I have found that much better results are accomplished by subjecting the grain in

page_text: the scouring cylinder to pressure, and according to my present invention this is done
by feeding the grain thereinto through an opening at top from an upright chute or
stand-pipe H. This pipe is broken off in the drawing for want of room to show its
full length, drawn on the same scale as the other parts of the machine. It may how-
ever, be of any height which is found necessary to produce the desired amount of
pressure in the cylinder. It will be seen that the weight of this vertical column of
grain will press upon the grain within the cylinder and automatically feed it forward
to the other or delivery end, whence it is discharged through an aperture a³ formed
through the top of the scouring cylinder B and into the dusting cylinder C through
an aperture a formed through the offset portion a³ of the shell or casing. This
aperture is provided with an adjustable valve I whereby the discharge from and con-
sequently the feed to the scouring cylinder may be regulated.
The objects of my invention are best accomplished by locating the discharge
aperture (aa) above the bottom of the scouring cylinder, for the reason that by so
doing the passage of the grain therethrough is retarded and the cylinder kept full
up to the level of said opening. Hence it follows that by placing the discharge
opening at top the cylinder will be kept constantly full, it being impossible for
any to escape until forced out by the superincumbent column of grain in the stand-
pipe.
Within the dusting cylinder and concentric with the shaft E is a wire-gauze
cylinder J through which the dust and fine impurities which have been dislodged from
the grain fall or are forced by beaters or brushes K carried by stout arms radiating
from the working shaft. I do not desire to confine myself exclusively to the use of
either solid paddles or brushes for agitating the grain in this cylinder, as one or the
other may be used at pleasure or both together, as shown in figure III, this being the
preferred form of the device. The impurities which pass through the screen are
discharged through an opening L formed through the casing A and extending from
end to end of the dusting cylinder C. The scoured, polished and dusted grain is dis-
charged from the cylinder C through an opening a formed in the end wall of the
casing, said opening being covered to any desired extent by a valve M which is hinged
at its lower side to the end wall of the casing and is adapted to be swung in a
vertical plane to any desired position and there fixed by an operating rod or
stem m.
M³, M', are a pair of parallel boards or wings affixed to and projecting inward from
the inner side of the end wall of the dusting chamber. These boards or wings are situated
upon opposite sides of the discharge aperture a' and at such distance apart that the
valve M may have free vertical movement between them while they at the same time
prevent the grain from passing to the discharge aperture otherwise than over the top
edge of the valve.
I will now describe the modified form of the invention in which the casing is of the
same general shape as that of the preferred form but of slightly different proportions.
Instead of being formed of two semicylindrical portions in the manner described it is
formed of two cylindrical portions a, a, one of which is of smaller diameter than the
other and formed with a radial flange a³ which, when bolted to the short flange on the
other portion a, forms an offset uniting the two portions. The stand-pipe H instead
of communicating directly with the top side of the scouring chamber B communicates
with a tube or pipe N formed integrally with the end of the casing and projecting
horizontally thereinto, the tube being concentric with the axis of the operating shaft E.
The shaft is also provided within the pipe N with a screw conveyor O which serves to
increase the pressure with which the grain is introduced into the cylinder. This pipe
terminates in close proximity to a circular plate P secured to the shaft E from which
plate projects horizontally and concentrically with the shaft an annular ring Q. This
ring is of somewhat larger diameter than the pipe N and terminates in rather close
proximity to the end wall of the casing. From this latter projects a ring Q₁ similar
to but somewhat larger in diameter than the ring Q, said ring Q¹ being likewise con-
centric with the shaft E and terminating in about the same proximity to the plate P

page_text: as does the pipe N. Q" is a third one of these rings of still larger diameter secured
to the periphery of the plate P and terminating similarly to the plate Q. This
arrangement is such that the grain will be caused to follow the course indicated by the
arrows in figure VII being thoroughly rubbed as it passes successively over these
plates each alternate one of which is fixed to and revolves with the shaft Ĕ.
These plates may be plane, roughened, milled or corrugated, and the corrugations
may be parallel or spiral with relation to the axis of motion.
The grain escaping from the scouring chamber B finds its way into the brushing
chamber which is constructed substantially as already described with reference to
the preferred form of the device. In the form of the device shown in figure VII the
beaters or paddles K are secured by means of suitable arms or braces to the disk P
instead of directly to the shaft E. Furthermore the opening a for the escape of
the cleaned grain is not provided with a valve, while the opening L through which
the impurities are discharged is provided with a weighted valve 1. A further
modification consists in placing in communication with the brushing chamber an air
trunk R through which the air and the light refuse material is expelled by the action
of the paddles or beaters K which are so constructed as to act as an exhaust fan.
The paddles K are provided alternately with wipers or rubbers formed of some
tough, yet flexible material such as leather or canvas and brushes as shown in
fig. VIII.
S is a conical' deflector secured to the shaft E within the chamber C. This
deflector is of greater diameter than the plate P toward which latter its concave side
is presented. Its object is to catch the grain which passes over the plate P as shown
by the arrow in fig. VII and guide it to the bottom portion of the dusting cylinder
to be acted upon by the paddles or beaters K and their brushes. Without some such
device the grain passing over the plate P would fall directly into the opening a' or
eise it would fall on the top of the grain within the chamber and pass directly
through the opening without being further acted upon.
I am aware that grain scourers have heretofore been supplied with grain through
a vertical tube or spout but I am not aware that this spout or tube has ever been
made of such diameter and height as to keep the scouring cylinder continually full
of grain under pressure.
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:
1. A shell or casing for grain cleaners comprised of but two parts each consisting
of a semi-cylindrical portion and two semi-circular disks so arranged that when
the parts are placed together the cylindrical portions will form the sides and the
semi-circular disks will form the ends of the casing substantially as set forth.
2. A shell or casing for grain cleaners comprised of but two sections each con-
sisting of a semi-cylindrical portion formed in two parallel planes united by an
offset so that the casing will be cylindrical throughout its length but of unequal
diameter at its opposite ends, substantially as set forth.
3. In a grain scourer the combination with the scouring chamber of a stand-
pipe communicating therewith, said stand-pipe being of such diameter and height
that the grain is caused to pass through the said cylinder by reason of the pressure
of the superincumbent column of grain within the stand-pipe, substantially as
set forth.
4. In a grain scourer the combination with the scouring chamber of a stand-
pipe communicating with the top part of said chamber whereby it is kept constantly
filled with grain, the grain being caused to pass through and be discharged from
said chamber by the pressure of the superincumbent column of grain within the
stand-pipe, substantially as set forth.
5. In a grain scourer the combination with the scouring chamber, of a stand-pipe
communicating therewith, said stand-pipe being of such diameter and height that

page_text: the grain will be caused to pass therethrough by the pressure of the superincumbent
column of grain within said stand-pipe, and means for regulating the rapidity with
which the grain shall escape from said chamber, substantially as set forth.
6. In a grain scourer, the combination with the scouring chamber of a stand-
pipe communicating therewith, said stand-pipe being of such diameter and height
that the said chamber will be kept filled with grain constantly under the pressure of
the superir.cumbent column of grain in the stand-pipe, means for agitating the grain
within the chamber and a discharge aperture situated above the bottom of the chamber
substantially as set forth.
7. In a grain scourer the combination with a horizontal cylinder of a stand-pipe
communicating with one end thereof and at the top side, a rubbing drum journaled
within said cylinder, and a discharge aperture situated at the other end of the
cylinder and near the top thereof, the stand-pipe being of such diameter and height
that the pressure of the column of grain within the same will keep the grain in the
chamber under constant pressure and cause it to pass through the cylinder from the
receiving to the discharge end, substantially as set forth.
8. A grain cleaner comprising the combination of the following elements, to wit:-
a scouring cylinder and a dusting cylinder placed end to end, a diaphragm or
partition between them having an aperture through which the interiors of said
cylinders communicate, a scouring drum situated within the scouring cylinder a
reticulated cylinder situated in the dusting cylinder, and a rotary beater situated
within said reticulated cylinder, substantially as set forth.
9. In a grain cleaner, the combination of the cylindrical shell or casing, the
partition dividing it into two chambers B and C, an aperture through which the grain
is discharged from the chamber B into the chamber C, said aperture being situated
near the top of the dividing partition, a corrugated lining secured within the chamber B,
a revoluble rubbing drum mounted to revolve in said chamber, a reticulated cylinder
situated within the chamber C and a rotary duster mounted within said cylinder,
substantially as set forth.
10. The combination with the casing having the discharge aperture a' and means
for adjusting its upper edge vertically, whereby the quantity of material retained
within the casing may be regulated, substantially as set forth.
11. A shell or casing formed in two planes connected by an offset, an aperture a
through the offset having communication with an aperture a³ through the top of
the portion of the shell which is of smaller diameter, and a partition separating the
interior of the shell into two compartments, substantially as set forth.
12. The combination with the adjacent chambers B, C, the scourer located in the
chamber B, and the duster or beater located in the chamber C, of the partition
separating said chambers having the aperture through which said chambers com-
municate, and the valve for controlling said aperture, substantially as set forth.
13. The combination with a chamber and a rubber situated therein, of a stand-
pipe communicating with one end of said chamber and an outlet at the other whereby
the pressure of the grain and the movement of the rubber causes a feed from one end
of the cylinder to the other, as set forth.
14. The combination with a chamber having its inlet and outlet at opposite
ends, of a stand-pipe communicating with the inlet, a valve controlling the outlet
and a rubber within the cylinder, substantially as set forth.
15. The combination of the stand-pipe H, horizontal pipe N, horizontal shaft E
passing through pipe N, screw conveyer O, overlapping horizontal flanges or
rings Q, Q¹, Qu, circular plate P, and paddles K, as set forth.
16. In a grain cleaner, the screen J, in combination with the horizontal revolving
shaft carrying the cone deflector S, and the fan paddles K, and plate P, supporting
flange Q, as set forth.
17. The circular plate P, having arms d, provided with alternate brushes and
wipers and the fan paddles in combination with the screen J, flanges or rings Q, Q
horizontal shaft E and pipe N, as set forth.

page_text: 18. The combination with the discharge aperture of the adjustable valve M hinged
at its lower edge beneath said aperture and the parallel boards M', M', projecting
from the casing on opposite sides of the aperture, substantially as set forth.
Dated this Twenty-sixth day of August 1889.
CRUIKSHANK & FAIRWEATHER,
62, Saint Vincent Street, Glasgow, Agents.