An Improved Process for Compressing Figs and Apparatus therefor
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 28th July, 1891-Accepted, 3rd Oct., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Process for Compressing Figs and Apparatus therefor
We HERCULES GEORGIADES and STYLIANOS PERICLI, trading as Hercules
Georgiades and Company, of Smyrna, Turkey, Merchants, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
-
The usual method of packing the better kinds of figs, is to press them tightly by
hand into the small wooden boxes in which they are commonly sold. This method
is open to objection because it involves so much handling, and any perspiration or
dirt on the hands cannot fail to become transferred to the fruit. It is also impossible
to compress the figs into the smallest space they are capable of occupying, and
moreover the pressure of the hand is not sufficient to destroy the insects which
sometimes penetrate the fruit when on the trees.
The object of this invention is to remove these objections by a new and simple
process of compression by machine, which will be free from the defects before
described, and will also enable the figs to keep better because they will be less
susceptible to atmospheric and climatic effects.
To effect this we subject each fig to considerable pressure. We prefer to use as
much compression as can be employed without rupturing the skin. This pressure is
applied to each fig separately, and they are each placed in small moulds and com-
pressed into small blocks of rectangular shape, so that they can be packed closely
together without loss of space. The method of compression into small blocks is
similar to that employed for compressing various other soft substances, consisting of
a series of moulds or matrices of the required size and a rammer or presser which
fits closely therein. The mechanical means employed consist of a press with a fly
wheel which is driven by a revolving handle attached to the fly wheel or if preferred
by a pulley for power, or in any other well known way.
We will now describe the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings
in which
Fig. 1 shows a press worked by a crank handle as employed by us for com-
pressing figs which gives good results in point. of speed, but we do not restrict
ourselves to any special form of press, as any ordinary fly-wheel or screw press can
be easily adapted to perform this simple operation.
a,
e,
is the nut of the handle. 1, is the fly wheel. c, is the presser which rises and
falls by means of an eccentric or similar device, inside the chamber d.
is a strap
communicating motion to a small shaft, on which is an eccentric f which by means
of a rod attached thereto actuates a jointed pawl p which effects the movement of
the moulds h, in correspondence with the stroke of the presser c.
9, 9, are slides
by which the moulds are held in place and guided while passing under the presser.
i, is the base plate.
It will be seen that the moulds h, sliding as they do on the base-plate i, need
have no bottom, but can be merely cells or enclosures, from which the figs when
compressed can be easily removed by a slight tap or jerk.
In working the apparatus all that is necessary is to place the moulds in position,
put one fig in each cell and turn the handle.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The process or method of compressing figs by means of a suitable press with

page_text: 2. The combination of any mechanical press. with the presser moulds slides
and other parts, for the purpose of: compressing. figs, as herein described and set
forth.
Dated this 98th 'daw of Tule 1801°
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, London, E.C., Agent:fór Applicants:.