US1027531A - Aerating butter-separator. - Google Patents

Description

A. PAY.

AERATING BUTTER SEPARATOR.

APPLICATION FILED PERM, 1912.

Patented May 28, 19 12.

Jhventar who? * UNITED s rnfrps PATENT OFFICE.

ALPHEU'S FAY, 'OIE LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY AERATING BUTTEB-SEPARATOR.

, Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 28,1912.

, Application filed February 14, 1912. SerialNo. 677,640.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ALrHEUs FAY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Louisville, in the county of Jeifersonand State of Kentucky, have invented a certain new and useful Aerating Butter-Separator, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide improved means for the performance of such processes in connection with the treatment of cream, milkor butter as requires either mechanlcal agitation or aeration orv tion. Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view of the strainer. Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of the nut that holds. the strainer ;in place. v This invention is characterized by the combination of oppositely rotated agitators operating in a substance to be treated, with means for supplying atmospheric air to the vicinity of said agitators, within the substance. The agitators 1 and 1 are of a design similar to vanes or propellers, each consisting, preferably, of two oppositely extended blades 1 or 1" on a hub 1". or l It will be understood, of course, that each agitator may have" any suit-able number of blades. Also, each blade has a median opening or perforation 1* to increase its comminuting effect on the substance; but the" that surrounds the shaft 2, leaving an annular space therearound to conduct air along said shaft 2. Thistubular shaft 2 is open at its upper end andnear its lowerend.

. It has a hub 2 that jis secured to its upper end by arms 2, and at'its lowerend it has an end piece 2"to provide a suitable stay against said solid shaft 2. The lower end of the tubular shaft is furcated and receives this stay between its furcations. By this means, and with the hub 2" having its arms or furcations 2 embracing the tubular shaft above, the open upper and lower ends are not obstructed. The hub 2" is secured to a hollow shaft 2 that surrounds the solid shaft 2 above the tubular shaft 2, this hollow shaft 2 having a close, journal bearing on said solid shaft. The means for attaching said hub to said tubular shaft 2 is an improved one. It consists in lugs or ears 2 on the hub, said hub being split through said ears into its interior opening, and a screw 2 passed through said ears.

Thus, when the screw is tightened, the hub is drawn tightly around the tubular shaft 2,

clamping it rigidly thereon, while crushing.

solid shaft, 2 is avoided. The hubs of the agitators are secured to their respective shafts by similarmeans, each hub 1? or of the shaft 2, or binding it on its inclosedj 1 having lugs or cars l or 1?,- re- -of the shaft, and the same attachment of the hub 1 to the shaft 2 is preferable, in

view of its uniformity with the other hub, and because such attachment also has an advantage over the heretofore employed set screw in that it does not. project objectionably. Any of the above attaching means may be released by loosening the screws, so that either of the agitators may be raised or lowered on its shaft, or the tubular shaft 2 may be raised or lowered on the tubular shaft 2. The adjustment of the agitators in this vmanner accommodates them to various quantities of substance, while the adjustment of the tubular shaft 2 is for the purpose of bringing the open upper end of said shaft above the level of the sub-. stance, as the .quantity is varied.

A bracket 8 forms the bearings for the solid shaft 1 and for the hollow shaft 2 surrounding it. This bracket 3 is'mounted on a standard 3, which extends up from a base 3". Thefbase3 supports a vessel l, which receives the substance to be operated" upon. The tubular shaft 2 extends only far enough above its bearing 2 to receiveia bevel pinion 2,but the solid shaft 2? ex tends up to abearing 2, and has, just below the bearing 2, a bevel pinion. 2. These pinions 2 and 2 to which they are adjacent, and thus l mit endwise movement of their respective shafts down and up, respectively. the solid shaft 2, above and bearing down against the upper end of the tubular shaft 2 and the pinion 2 thereon, prevents endwise movement of said shafts 2 and 2 up and down, respectively. A horizontal shaft 5 is journaled in the bracket 3 in bearings. 5' and 5", midway between the pinions 2 and 2, and a bevel gear 5 is rigidly mounted on this shaft 5, and is in mesh with said pinions. On the other end of said shaft 5, a handle 6 is rigidly mounted, for manual operation of the device. Said gear-5and said handle (3 bear against said bearings 5 and and limit the end play of highly desirable that the 0, respectively, the shaft 5. It 15 gear 5, and the pinions 2 and 2,be pressed onto their respective shafts 5, 2 and 2, so

that they will not become loosened during the most severe service to which the device is subjected. Pins or set screws are inadequate for this purpose, and it is only by boring the gear and pinions so that the shafts fit very tightly, and then placing the gear and pinions on the shafts by the exertion of high degree of pressure, that a satisfactory machine can be constructed. In order to thus press the gear and pinions on the shafts, it is necessary that the shafts be apart from their bearings, so that free latitude of doing the work is possible, as is well known in the art. Accordingly, I have provided an improved construction in 'the bracket 3, enabling the shafts to be placed in their bearings after the gear and pinions have been pressed onto the shafts. This is accomplished by making the bracket 3 in two parts 3 and 8, the dividing planeibeing coincident with the center line of the shaft 5, horizontally through the bearings 5 and 5 thereof. Each part hasears 3 adjacent to the ears of the other when assembled, and screws 3 are passed throughthe ears, binding the parts together so that the bracket 3 is thus practically equivalent to an integral bracket after assemblage is completed. The upper, or lesser part,'3- of the bracket, has the bearing 2f for the upper end of the solid shaft 2. Thus, when the parts are separated, the tubular may be passed through its bearing in the lower or larger part 3 then the solid shaft 2 is slipped through the tubular shaft 2, until its collar 2 engages with the upper end of said sh aft 2 and with the pinion 2 that was pressed thereon. This collar 2 may have been pressed onto the solid shaft 2, in the same manner as were the pinions and gear on their shafts. Then the shaft 5, with its gear 5 pressed on it, and, if desired, with the handle 6 also pressed on it, may be laid in the half of each bearing bear against the bearings A collar 2,? on a of'the bearings 5 .7, binding the terminations of the shaft 2 of the bracket, and

5 and 5" which said lower part 3 has, after which the upper part 3 is secured in place, with the upper end of the shaft 2 in the bearing 2, and with its remaining halves and 5 coming over the shaft 5. Thus it will be seen that the three shafts 5, 2 and 2 are held in their respective operating positions by said upper part 8 being secured to said lower part 3 of the bracket 3. In boringthe bearings 5' and 5", the parts of the bracket may be assembled temporarily, and the parts bored true, and then disassembled for the placing of the various shafts as above described. \Vith this construction, if one of the parts of the bracket isbroken, it may be removed and replaced by a sound part, regardless of the permanent attachment 6f the gear and pinions to their shafts. This would not be possible, were the bracket made integral, even though it were practical topress the gear and pinions, and the handle 6, onto the shafts while they were in place in the bracket. The lower, larger part 3 of the bracket has a main supporting hub 3, with a downwardly extending stud 3, and. this stud fits snugly in a head in the upper end of the standard 3, with a 3 clamps the stud in the socket, thus holding the bracket firmly on the standard, but allowing it to be I removed, carrying the shlafktsand agitatorswith it out of the v'esse The vessel 4 has a faucet or cock 4 at its bottom, on one side, for withdrawal of liquid from the vessel. In order to allow free, un-

obstructed withdrawalof liquid, yet at the same time prevent passage of solid matter, which may be in a comminuted or granular condition, I provide a strainer 7 over the outlet thus formed by the faucet 4. This strainer is preferably semi-cone shaped, as 1s best seen in Fig. 2, being of perforated metal, or of woven material, as of metal wire. It presents its pervious, convex sides inwardly of the vessel, and has its straight, open side against the side of the vessel, and embracing the outlet, as shown in Fig. 1. Across thebottom of the open side is a strut lower parts of the strainer sides together. In its middle, it has a downwardly opening slot 7. This strut may be of thin sheet metal. The faucet is fastened in the side of the vessel 4 by passing its shank 4 through the opening in the vessel side and screwing anut 4 thereon, tightly against the inner side of the vessel. This nut 4 is seen in detail in Fig. 3. It is provided with lateral recesses 4? in its face that is presented toward the inner wall of the vessel, these recesses being deep enough to allow the thin strut 7 to have its parts flanking its slot 7 inserted into them after the nut P has been tightened. Thus,

3 that is formed thestrainer may be placed in position or removed conveniently, at will, and when in place will be held snugly and will draw the the drawings, it is apparent that the arrangement of the gear and pinions, with respect to the shafts and the agitators attached thereto, will result in the agitators being rotated in opposite directions, on rotation of the shaft 5 by the handle 6. Also, it will be understood that'each agitator will have its centrifugal action on the substance, so that there will be a displacement'of the substance radially outward in. all directions, producing a partial vacuum in the vicinity of the agitators, immediately above and below them, and between them. This will induce a current of atmospheric air down through the hollow or tubular shaft 2 from its open upper end, which extends above the upper surface of the substance in the vessel, indicated by the heavy broken line A in the drawing. Since the agitators are oppositely rotated, they have their blades pitched oppositely, so that they both impel the substance upward as they are rotated by turning the handle with the righthand, and turning it to the right, as is natural on the part of the operator.

k The upper surface of the bracket 3 forms a convenient means for grasping with the with the tubular shaft 2 45.

left hand, to hold the device steady during operation. The bracket, standard and base may be ofcast iron, while the tubulanshaft 2 and the agitators are preferably of aluminum. The hub 2" may be formed integral The tubular shaft 2 may be of seamless steel tubing, as may also the collar 2 pressedonto the solid shaft The vessel 4 is preferably of enameled steel, such as are readily obtained on the market.

' The'various parts being separable as described, most ready access is afforded for operating.

may be reached and cleaned through the 551 erating and for cleansing theparts after op- The interior of the tubular shaft openings near its lower end. v 1. For separatlng and churnlng, fresh, sweet milk is placed in the vessel, nearly filling it,

the agitators being adjusted to their higher positions, as is also the tubular shaft 2. The milkis then agitated by the centrifugal upward impelling action above described, inducing air currents throughout the body ofthe milk, thoroughly aeratingthe milk. The milk is preferably introduced at a temperature of from 40 to- '50 degrees Fahrenthe top, of the vessel.

.50 to degrees Fahrenheit.

heit, while the air entering the milk is of atbeen agitated and aerated in the above man-- ner for about five or ten minutes, the agitation is discontinued and the liquid allowed to rest for a few minutes, during which the separation of the cream from the milk will become complete, and the cream will riseto Then the skimmed milk is drawn off, leaving the separated cream. By varying the volume of skimmed milk drawn ofi", the cream may be left with any desired proportion of butter fat. When the desired proportion of skimmed milk has been drawn off, the agitation is resumed to churn the cream, the agitators being lowered to properly operate on the reduced quantity of liquid. 'The temperature of the cream will by this time have risen to approximately. that of the atmosphere, or from to degrees Fahrenheit, and the churning agitation and aeration at this temperature is continued until the butter is separated from the *cream, which will ordinarily require from three to five minutes. The butterwill now be ready for washing, and will be distinct from the residue, the butter being in its solid state, but divided into granular particles approximating the particlesof sugar in its ordinary form, and the residue being in uniformly liquid state. This residue is now drawn off, through the faucet P, the strainer 7 preventing the escape of the butter granules. Then a suitable quantity of pure water is added, preferablyat from The granulated butter is now agitated and aerated in this body of cool water, increasing the thoroughness of separation of the residue. This body of water, contaminated by the residue thus separated, is drawn off, and fresh water added, continuing the agitation and aeration, and such repeated application of cool waterand agitation and aeration are continued until thewater withdrawn shows no more traces of residue. This indicates that complete and thorough separation of the residue from the butter has been accomplished. After the last of the washing Water has been withdrawn, the granular mass of butter in the vesselis ready for salting, pre} paratory to working the butter into the solid consistencythatit'is to have in use. For salting the butter, a solution of substantially a pint-of salt to a gallon of water is applied to the butter granules in the vessel at a tem 'lationwith every particle of the granular butter. On completion of the agitation of the granules and solution, the solution may be withdrawn, leaving that which has been incorporated with the granular mass, which, now thoroughly salted, with great homogeneity, is taken from the vessel and drained and worked to the proper useful consistency in any suitable and well known manner. The purpose of using the washing Water, and the salt solution, at relatively low temperatures, is to maintain a desirable hardness of the butter granules throughout the washing and salting operations, which results in a finished product of great fineness of teX- ture, after final working. The apparatus may be thoroughly cleaned after the operation, by disassemblage, as above described. If desired, the residue from churning and the skimmed milk that had beenwithdrawn after the separating operation may be placed together in the vessel, and the agitators again introduced, to thoroughly agitate and aerate the liquids, intimately mixing them, and producing a good serviceable fresh, sweet milk, with all the natural flavors of fresh sweet milk, and with all of its solids, except the butter fats.

To produce a high grade of buttermilk, the skimmed milk and the churning residue may be mixed and allowed to sour, before agitating and aerating, reaching the condition of clabber. Then, when agitated and aerated in the apparatus, a good quality of finely aerated buttermilk results. The souring may be facilitated by the use of a suitable ferment. The above souring may also be efiected with the use of the skimmed milk alone, allowing it to reach the condition of clabber, and then agitating it and aerating it. Such treatment of skimmed milk alone is of advantage when the cream therefrom has not been used for making butter, leaving no residue for mixing with the skimmed milk. In operating on clabber, the agitators should be adjusted apart so that they offer as little resistance to each other as possible, in the somewhat heavy substance.

A poor quality of butter may be operated upon, to improve it, by the use of my invention, placing such butter in a suitable amount of pure water in the vessel and agitating it and aerating it in the above described manner, but at a temperature of not more than 50 or 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The butter may be granulated to permit a most eflicient purifying action of the air thereon, and of the water, which may be withdrawn and fresh water supplied, as required; the entire operation results in the product-ion of butter granules in a neutral state and with their impurities eliminated. The neutral granules, may then be removed and salted and worked and otherwise treated according to good practice in the production and marketing of palatable fresh butter, with which it is identical. Furthermore, if desired, the butter granules above alluded to may be mixed with sweet milk to produce a high quality of cream of any desired percentage of fatty constituents, thoroughly fresh, sweet and pure, and adaptable for all the purposes that good cream is used for. This combined aeration and agitation will produce a fine quality of whipped cream from a cream of comparatively low percentage of butter fats, with an operation of only from three to five minutes. Usually, a cream to be whipped must be rich in butter fats, to attain the desired peculiar fluft'y consistency, but the effective aeration caused by the operation of my improved device allows the same results to be had with a decided economy. For whipping cream, the agitators should be adjusted close together, and a high speed of rotation should be maintained.

My apparatusis well adapted for producing homogenized dairy products, as preparations to be used as butter, or as oleomargarin, or as butterin. In either case, the butter, or the oleo-margarin, or, in case of butterin, the lard, should be taken in equal quantity by weight, with the milk, and the mixture placed in the vessel with the milk at a temperature of about 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and the fatty ingredient at any of the usual temperatures. Then heat should be applied to the vessel, by placing it over a stove or a burner, sufficient heat being provided to raise the temperature of the mixture in the vessel to about 90 degrees Fahrenheit in about three minutes. During't-his three minutes, the agitation and aeration are kept up in the mixture, and at the end of the time, the fatty ingredient will be found to have merged with the milk into a single. homogeneous mass, having the characteristics of butter, oleo-margarin, or butterin, as the case may be. Such a homogenized article will be well adapted for use as the article it is a substitute for, by the user of the apparatus, and, when properly labeled, this article also becomes a marketable product. In any case it allows economy,

since the cost of the resultant product is I only a mean between the cost of the butter, or other fatty ingredient, and the cost of the milk. Such homogenized products are superior to their fatty ingredients, inasmuch as they contain milk solids not found in the pure fatty substances alone. The convenience'with which these products are made with my device makes them available to the private consumer, for domestic preparation and use.

I have set forth the above processes to illustrate the use of my apparatus, and it will be understood that other advantageous uses will be suggested in the employment of my invention, and divers minor modifications may occur in such adaptation. Therefore I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise details herein illustrated and described, .but

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the character described, two shafts, one of which surrounds the other and incloses a space therearound and therealong forming substantial conducting means for air under atmospheric pressure, said surrounding shaft having openings from its exterior into said space at remote positions, an agitator mounted On each shaft to turn with'it, one of said openings being in thevicinity of one of said agitators, and means -for rotating said shafts and their respective agitators in opposite directions.

2. In a device of the character described, two shafts, one of which surrounds the other and incloses a space therearound and therealong forming substantial conducting means for air under atmospheric pressure, said surrounding shaft having openings from its exterior into said space at remote positions, an agitator mounted on each shaft to turn with it, one of said openings being in the vicinity of one of said agitators, oppositely facing bevel pinions, one of said pinions being attached to each of said shafts, whereby the shaft rotates with it, and a bevel gear in mesh with said pinions.

3. In a device of the character described, two shafts, one of which surrounds the other and incloses a space therearound and therealong forming substantial conducting means for air under atmospheric pressure, an agitator mounted on each shaft to rotate with it, said surrounding shaft having an opening in the vicinity of one of said agitators and having its end remote from said opening open to the atmosphere, another shaft surrounding the shaft surrounded as aforesaid, and having a substantially concentric bearing thereon, adjacent the open end of the first mentioned surrounding shaft, means for securing the two surrounding shafts to rotate together, a pinion on the surrounded shaft whereby said surrounded shaft rotates with the pinion, a pinion on the shaft that surrounds and bears on said shaft, and a gear meshing withthe pinions to rotate the shafts in opposite directions.

4:. In a device of the character described,

a bearing on and the other surrounding shaft inclosing a space around and along the shaft which they surround, said inclosed space forming substantial conducting means for air under atmospheric pressure and said shaft that incloses said space having remotely positioned openings from its exterior to said space, an agitator on the surrounded shaft to rotate with it, an agitator on said shaft that incloses said space, to rotate with the shaft it is on, one of said openings being in the vicinity of one of said agitators, means attaching the two surrounding shafts together, a bevel pinion on the surrounded shaft, a bevel pinion on theishaft that bears on the surrounded shaft, said pinions facing oppositely, and a bevel gear in mesh with said pinions.

5. In a device of the character described, a vessel, concentric shafts substantially vertically disposed therein, one of the shafts in closing a space around and along the other, forming substantial conducting means for air under atmospheric pressure, an agitator on each shaft to rotate with it, each agitator having oppositely disposed impelling means, and the agitators being adapted to be submerged in a substance held in the vessel,

said shaft that incloses said space having openings, one of which communicates with said space from without the body of submerging substance and the other of which communicates with said space from within the body of submerging substance, and means for rotating the shafts in opposite directions.

6. In a device of the character described,

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0. I

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