A NEW OR IMPROVED COMBINED APPARATUS FOR MIXING, SIFTING, AND COMPRESSING TEA AND OTHER SUBSTANCES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Parnall, of the City and County of Bristol, for
the Invention of "A NEW OR IMPROVED COMBINED APPARATUS FOR MIXING,
SIFTING, AND COMPRESSING TEA AND OTHER SUBSTANCES."
Sealed the 9th August 1878, and dated the 19th February 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Parnall at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th February 1878.
WILLIAM PARNALL, of the City and County of Bristol. "A NEW OR IMPROVED
COMBINED APPARATUS FOR MIXING, SIFTING, AND COMPRESSING TEA AND OTHER
SUBSTANCES."
On a suitable framing or casing I mount a circular or other shaped vessel or
drum, through the centre of which passes a shaft or spindle adapted in shape to the
tongues or plates which are fixed thereto, and upon this shaft is secured any.
desirable number of plates, tongues, or fans, of any suitable design, but by preference
I make the centre piece in shape similar to the human tongue but more pointed
and rounded off at both ends, and those at the sides of the drum I construct of the
same shape but cut in two pieces. The said plates may be made irregular or
knotched on the outer edge if desired.
For the complete mixing of some substances it is desirable that the tongues or
plates should be fixed to the sides of the drum or at its ends, and I reserve to
myself the right of so affixing when desired.
For the purpose of filling the drum an aperture is cut in its periphery, and over
this aperture slides a cover, which is kept in position by a spring or catch, or the
cover may be made to draw in and out instead of sliding over the periphery of the
drum.
The framing of the machine may be made of metal or wood, but preference is
given to cast iron. An opening is left in the side of the framing in which is fitted
a drawer to receive the substances turned out of the drum after being mixed. This
drawer is made to project beyond the sides of the framing, or it may be made to fit
in level

page_text: To prevent dust from escaping I also attach to the framing a ridge, which is
sufficiently broad to lap over the end of the drum, so that when the contents are
turned out into the drawer the dust shall be prevented from rising by means of this
ridge. I also provide pieces of sheet iron to fit into recesses in the framing to
prevent dust from escaping between the top of the draw and the periphery of the
drum.
Another part of my Invention consists in the front of the drawer being made to
slide up or down for the more easily emptying of its contents.
On the upper part
of the framework is fixed on either side an upright, to which is attached one or
more cross pieces, and these cross pieces are intended not only to connect the two
uprights but to hold in position the tea mill or any other apparatus. Rotary
motion is given to the drum either with or without the use of suitable gearing.
When the machine is required for sifting the same internal and external arrange-
ments are necessary, but the periphery instead of being of sheet iron or other metal
is formed of a wire network, which allows the small substances to pass through the
meshes whilst the larger are retained in the drum; and for the purpose of preventing
dust from escaping during the operations of either mixing or sifting a cover is pro-
vided, in the shape of a semicircle, which is placed over the drum and rests on the
top part of the framing, or the whole machine may be enclosed in a case if
preferred.
For the purpose of compressing the substances after they have been mixed or
sifted, or for pressing them separately, I attach to the framing a cylinder of metal,
vitrified, enamelled inside and outside, to which is fixed opposite the mouth of the
drum, or in any other suitable position; and over the mouth of the cylinder is
attached two or more bevelled wheels, one of the said wheels having cut into its
centre a thread, and in this thread a nut works a screw shaft, which is driven by
one of the bevelled wheels which is attached to a handle, which is the means by
which the wheels are set in motion. At the end of the screw shaft is fixed a circular
piece or pieces of metal, wood, or leather, or all three; this circular piece is forced
up or down by turning the handle, and thus compresses the tea or other substance.
This part of my Invention is so contrived as to turn inside or throw off, so that the
contents of the cylinder may be taken out more easily.
The shaft may be worked as above described or similar to a copying press screw,
that is, with screw shaft and screw nut, and dispense with bevelled wheels, but
both are made to throw out of position if required; or the cylinder is made to work
on a pivot or portable, so that it may be moved instead of the gearing to other
parts. This part of my Invention may be worked either vertically or horizontally.
The bearings of this machine are formed of blocks of agate stone, if preferred, on
which the spindle or shaft revolves horizontally; and I claim as part of my Inven-
tion the right to use these blocks of agate stone either in this machine or any other
apparatus, gearing, wheel, or for any purpose in which a spindle or shaft revolves
horizontally, or in a line parallel with the face or wearing parts of the agate stone,
or when the bearings embrace the shaft or spindle.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Parnall in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 19th August
1878.
WILLIAM PARNALL, of the City and County of Bristol.
"A NEW OR IMPROVED
COMBINED APPARATUS FOR MIXING, SIFTING, AND COMPRESSING TEA AND OTHER
SUBSTANCES."
My Invention consists of a combined apparatus for mixing, sifting, and com-
pressing tea and other substances, as follows:-
Mounted on a suitable framing or casing is a circular or other shaped vessel or
drum, through the centre of which passes a shaft or spindle, adapted in shape to
the tongues or plates which are fixed thereto, or it may be of square bar iron, and
upon this shaft is secured any number of plates, tongues or fans of any design, but
by preference I make the centre piece similar in shape to the human tongue, but
more pointed and rounded off at both ends, and those at the sides of the drum to be
the same shape, but cut in two pieces, either of these plates to be notched or made
irregular on the outer edges, if desired.
For the complete mixing of some substances it is desirable that the tongues or
plates should be fixed to the sides of the drum or at its ends, and I reserve to
myself the right of so affixing when desired.
For the purpose of filling the drum an aperture is cut in its periphery, and over
this aperture slides a cover, which is kept in position by a spring or catch; or the
cover may be made to draw in and out instead of sliding over the periphery of the
drum.
The framing of the machine may be of metal or wood, but preference is given to
cast iron. An opening is left in the side of the framing in which is fitted a drawer
to receive the substances turned out of the drum after being mixed; this drawer
is made to project beyond the sides of the framing, or it may be made to fit in
level.
To prevent dust from escaping I also attach to the framing a ridge, which is
sufficiently broad to lap over the end of the drum, so that when the contents are
turned out into the drawer the dust shall be prevented from rising by means of
this ridge. I also provide pieces of sheet iron which are bolted to the framing and
fit into recesses to prevent dust from escaping between the top of the drawer and
the periphery of the drum.
Another part of my Invention consists in the front of the drawer being made to
slide up or down for the more easily emptying of its contents. On the upper part
of the framework is fixed on either side an upright, to which is attached one or
more cross pieces, and these cross pieces are intended not only to connect the two
uprights but to hold in position the tea mill or any other apparatus. Rotary
motion is given to the drum either with or without the use of suitable gearing.
The handles of the small size machines are as represented in the Drawing; the
larger handles are of ordinary construction, or as last described.
When the machine is required for sifting the same internal and external arrange-
ments are necessary, but the periphery instead of being of sheet iron or other
metal is formed of a wire network, which allows the small substances to pass
through the meshes, whilst the larger are retained in the drum ; and for the purpose
of preventing dust from escaping during the operations of either mixing or sifting
a cover is provided in the shape of a semicircle, which is placed over the drum and
rests on the top part of the framing, or the whole or part of the machine may be
enclosed in a wood case, if preferred, or the upper part only of the machine enclosed
in a wood case.
For the purpose of compressing the substances after they have been mixed or
sifted, or for pressing them separately, I attach to the framing a cylinder of metal,
vitrified, enamelled inside and outside, to which is fixed opposite the mouth of the

page_text: drum, or in any other suitable position; and over the mouth of the cylinder is
attached two or more bevelled wheels, one of the said wheels having cut into its
centre a thread, and in this thread a nut works a screw shaft which is driven by
one of the bevelled wheels and is attached to a handle, by the means of which the
wheels are set in motion. At the end of the screw shaft is fixed a circular piece or
pieces of metal, wood, or leather, or all three; this circular piece is forced up or
down by turning the handle, and thus compresses the tea or other substances. This
part of my Invention is so contrived as to turn aside or throw off on a pivot or
hinge so that the contents of the cylinder may be taken out more easily.
The shaft may be worked as above described or similar to a copying press screw,
that is, with screw shaft and screw nut, and dispense with bevelled wheels, but
both are made to throw out of position if required; or the cylinder is made to
work on a pivot, or portable, so that it may be moved instead of the gearing or
other parts. This part of my Invention may be worked either vertically or
horizontally.
The bearings of this machine for mixing, sifting, and compressing tea and other
substances are formed of blocks of agate stone, if preferred, on which the spindle or
shaft revolves horizontally; and I claim as part of my Invention, the right to use
these blocks of agate stone either in this machine or any other apparatus, gearing,
wheel, or for any purpose in which a spindle or shaft revolvès horizontally, or in
a line, or parallel with the face or wearing parts of the agate stone, or when the
bearings embrace the shaft or spindle.
In order that my said Invention may be better understood I have annexed hereto
a Sheet of Drawings, in which,-
Fig. 1 represents a view, drawn in perspective, of my said new or improved com-
bined machine or apparatus for mixing, sifting, and compressing tea and other
substances.
The remaining Figures shew in detail the different parts of the said apparatus,
as follows:-Fig. 2 shewing the cover of the machine to be used when sifting;
Fig. 3, handle and stop fastened to the end of spindle; Fig. 4, drawer with lifting
or sliding front; Fig. 5, end view of tongues or plates as fixed to the spindle; and
Fig. 6, views of side and centre tongues or plates.
Similar letters of reference denote corresponding parts in so far as such parts
or can be seen at each of such said Figures respectively.
A represents framing of the apparatus; B, drum for mixing; C, spindle or shaft;
D, the tongues, plates, or flanges (all shewn at Fig. 6); E, opening in periphery of
drum for the purpose of filling the same with the substances to be treated; F, drawer
to receive the substances turned out of the drum after being mixed; G, sheet iron
for preventing the escape of dust; H, front of drawer, shewn at Fig. 4, with
lifting or sliding front partly raised; I, cylinder of presser; K, bevelled wheels
working the screw L; M, flanges.
Having now described and set forth the nature and object of my said Inven-
tion, together with the manner in which the same is to be performed, I remark
in conclusion that I claim as my Invention and desire to be secured to me
by the herein in part recited Letters Patent, the new or improved combined
apparatus for mixing, sifting, and compressing tea and other substances, substantially
as herein fully described and shewn, or any modifications thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Parnall, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, the Fifteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.
WILLIAM PARNALL. (L.S.)