MESSRS KNOX AND RIDLER'S FLOUR MILL

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2470, 10 May 1888, Page 2

MESSRS KNOX AND RIDLER'S FLOUR MILL

On* Tuesday last we wore invited to inspect the machinery in this mill, more particularly a patent separator, an invention of Mr Moses Bite, of Brighton, Auckland, and patented by him about six months ago, under the title of the "Gravity purifying separating machine." This is the first machine of the kind that has been praotically applied, and Messrs Knox and Ridler are to be congratulated upon their enterprise in introducing it, Judging from what we saw and heard explained about the working of the machine, they will have no cause to regret this step. In describing the machine, wo may say that although it can be used for cleaning the grain before grinding, it has been designed particularly for treating the "semolina,'' more generally known by the name of " returns." To the unuitinted, the "returns" is that portion of the ground wheat too coarse to pass through the finest silk in the process of dressing, but which still retains a large proportion of what, if fine enough would be classed as first quality flour. Under the old system of milling these returns, now termed semolina, would be passed through the mill stones again and re-dressod, This operation would, to a large extent, affect the quality and colour of the flour prodiiped, which this machinery is claimed to provide against. Wo believe a somewhat similar process is now in use in the roller mills, but with this difference that the separator and air blast aro applied after the semolina has passed through the stones, and in comparatively, so confined a space as practically to nullify much of the advantage that might accrue to tho application. The machine under notice can best be described as an elongated winnowing machine, at one end a fan is worked, causing a draught of air through the machine, regijlated by a false top on the machine, which can be raised or lowered according to the desired force required. At the end, opposite the fan, the semolina is pijt through the process of separating first, wherein is claimed the great advantage of this machine, This is dono by a set of brushes working in a fine wire cylinder. On passing from this cylindor it is caught by the air blast, so regulated as to allow of the heayier and finer portions dropping into their several compartments on their passage up the machine towards the blast fan. Tho light fluffy matter is conducted up the escapc shoot to the staving room. Five or six different qualities of ipeal ape produced by this process. No's. 1 and 2, on examination ap found to be a coarse but white product. This is fhei) put through the null stones free from all impurities in the shape of dust and fluffy matter, that portion of ordinary flour affecting the colour of tho loaf. After being ground again it is re-dressed, and a very large proportion of first quality flour is obtained, which, i|nder fhe old process, would be only classed as secoiid quality flour. The advantages claimed for the machines are so patent that we shall be much surprised if many, if net all, the mills in the country do not introduce it.