GB393351A - Improvements in and relating to rice shelling machines - Google Patents

Abstract

393,351. Husking rice &c. BROWN, R. H. and MOULSDALE & CO., Ltd., W. E., Victoria Station House, Victoria Street, London. Jan. 12, 1932, No. 961. [Class 58.] Rice is fed from a hopper 7 on to a forwardly and downwardly inclined guide-plate 15 having a curved portion extending round the lower part of a feed roller 9 and a forward straight portion that terminates between an upper husking roller 17 and a lower husking roller 18. The lower roller 18, slightly larger than the roller 17, is carried upon a shaft that extends through perforations in the side walls of the machine casing and is supplied in bearings 23 mounted on pivoted arms 24 which may be adjusted through worm gear by hand-wheels 27. Each roller comprises a hollow cylindrical body provided with a number of longitudinal grooves undercut to hold an outer coating of abrasive material 32. The lower roll may have a rubber or other resilient surface or both rolls may be of chilled iron with their surfaces treated to increase the frictional action. The feed roller 9 is provided with one or two series of grooves inclined with respect to its axis of rotation, these grooves being of such width and depth to permit the passage of the berries only individually and in lengthwise direction. A difference of speed is maintained between the rollers 17, 18. The separated kernels and husks fall on to a shoot 34. Observation windows 36, 37 are provided in the walls of the machine. An opening 38, normally closed by a flap 39, may be connected to an extractor fan for withdrawing the husks as they are separated. Parts of the front and the sides of the frame are arranged to be swung outwardly on a hinge 49 to admit access to the interior. The inclination of the plate 15 may be adjusted by screws 56 engaging arms on spindles 53 fitted with pins 51 bearing against the lower side of the plate 15. The feed plate 15 may be grooved and may be used without the feed roller, the plate in this case being spring-supported and reciprocated ; an adjustably-weighted hinged partition, notched along its lower edge, controls the flow of berries down the plate ; a grooved roller may replace the weighted partition. The rollers may be fitted with bearings adjustable by screws, the lower bearing being also spring-cushioned.