GB174226A - Improvements in machines for cutting and slicing grain, seeds, and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

174,226. Birch, W. E., Birch, J., Birch, W., and Birch, J..A. Nov. 3, 1920. Mills and apparatus.-Relates to machines for cutting and slicing cereals, seeds, beans, peas, berries, &c., and of the type in which the grain is fed from a hopper to a rotary drum having peripheral grooves to hold the grains, which are cut by rotary knives working in circumferential grooves in the drum surface. The feed-hopper 1, Fig. 1, and the cutters 3 are arranged so that the grain is taken from the hopper by the upper upwardly-moving quadrant of the drum 2 and carried upwards under the cutters, the cut grain being delivered on the downward movement of that portion of the drum's surface. The drum 2 is formed with circumferential grooves 5 and with longitudinal grooves or recesses 4, Fig. 4, the rear sides 4a of which mav be more or less radial whilst the forward sides 4b may be convex or concave. The drum 2 may consist of a series of discs with intervening smaller discs forming circumferential grooves in which the cutter blades 6 run. The hopper 1 is preferably made in two parts 1<a>, 1<b> bolted together, the rear section being removable; and magnets 10 may be used in the shoot 7 to remove any metallic particles from the grain. A rotary brush 11 driven bv a chain 12 distributes the grain evenly in the grooves of the drum 2. A barrier or wall formed in sections 13 is placed vertically over the top of the drum to hold back any excess of grain from the cutters. Interchangeable horizontal knives 14, Fig. 11, at the bottom of the sections 13 slice any grains that may be standing on end and projecting above the surface of the drum. The sections 13 are threaded on a bar 16 and are pressed upon by adjustable springs 15. The knife drum 3 consists of a series of thin circular blades 6, Fig. 5, with spacing-washers 18 clamped together on a. shaft 19, the washers 18 being chamfered at both sides 20 towards their periphery. The cleaning- blades 21, which enter between the knives 6 at the rear of the drum, are mounted on a shaft 22 and are adjustable by bolts 23. The drums 2, 3 are geared together by spur-wheels, and the drum 2 is driven by gearing from a shaft driven by a belt pulley. The knife grooves 5 in the drum 2 are kept clear by stationary or revolving blades 27 having hooked or clawed ends 28 preferably formed with cutting-surfaces 28<a>. The blades 27 are threaded on a bolt 30 which is slid at each end into an open slot in a plate 31 fixed at each side of the machine and secured therein by a pivoted latch 32. A bolt 33 is passed through holes in the lower parts of the blades 27 and distance-pieces, and the blades are secured in the adjusted position by means of eye-bolts 35 acting at each end of the bolt 33. According to one Provisional Specification, the cleaning-device for the grain drum may be operated by cam action; and, according to both Provisional Specifications, an endless conveyer with recesses on its surface may be used instead of the rotary grain drum.