GB161257A - Improvements in and relating to grinding, refining or reducing apparatus or machines - Google Patents

Abstract

161,257. Paget, R. F. Jan. 2, 1920. Conical mills.-In machines for grinding, refining, or reducing cocoa &c., and of the kind comprising a conical or like grinding-element cooperating with a correspondingly conical surface or seat, the substance to be treated is fed into an enclosed chamber from which it is forced, as by means of elastic fluid under pressure, between the co-operating surfaces of the treating-element and its seat at the smaller ends thereof. The ccnical element 1 is mounted upon a vertical shaft 2 supported at its upper and lower ends in bearings 3, 4 on the upper and lower parts 5, 5<1> of the casing of the machine. The lower bearing 4 is preferably of the footstep type provided with a helical spring 6 to thrust the cone upwardly. Worm gearing 8, 9 may be provided for adjusting the cup-shaped member 7 which supports the spring; or a counterbalance device or weighted lever may be used. The seat 10 is preferably formed by providing the casing with a cylindrical middle section, which in cross-section resembles two triangles lying on their sides with their apexes towards one another. The seat 10 and feeding-funnel 12 are formed with a jacket 15 to which steam or water is supplied for heating or cooling purposes. Compressed air &c. is supplied by a pipe 18 to the funnel 12 to accelerate the feeding of the chocolate &c. introduced by a rotary air-lock feeder 19. The shaft 2 is driven by worm gearing 20, 21 from the driving-shaft, and the treated material falls on to a conical surface 13 and is delivered by a shoot 14. The element 1 or seat 10, or both. may be provided with cast segments having ribbed, grooved, or pitted surfaces. The element 1 may have a convex or concave surface, and the seat 10 be shaped to correspond; or a hemispherical element and seat may be used.