Rotary grain mill having means for controlling air and grain flow therethrough, and method

Abstract

Much better control of the grind of a rotary mill and much more uniformity of grind of the mill is achieved by better control of air flow through the mill, provided by making the milled product collecting pan of the mill air-tight and regulating the amount of in allowed to escape from the pan. The apparatus of the invention includes a housing in which are mounted two discs in spaced, confronting axial alignment, each disc having extending therefrom toward the other disc concentric rows of teeth. The rows of teeth overlap so that alternating rows of radially spaced, interposed teeth are formed. One of the discs is adapted to be rotated in relation to the other disc and grain to be milled, along with any air flow through the mill, is introduced through an inlet to the area between the discs inwardly of the innermost rows of teeth. An outlet into a substantially air tight collecting pan is provided for the milled material after it passes radially outwardly through the interposed row of teeth. An air control valve in communication with the collecting pan controls air flow out of the collecting pan which, in turn, controls air flow through the mill. Making the innermost row of teeth on the stationary disc, and making them shorter than the other teeth, substantially prevents the throwing of pieces of grain back out through the inlet under low feed condition.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.