IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF ANIMAL REFUSE OR OFFAL FOR THE MANUFACTURE OR SEPARATION THEREFROM OF ANIMAL FAT OR TALLOW AND GELATINE
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE TREATMENT OF ANIMAL REFUSE OR OFFAL FOR THE MANUFACTURE OR
SEPARATION THEREFROM OF ANIMAL FAT OR TALLOW AND GELATINE."
A communication from abroad by Alfred Jean Huet, of Paris, in the Republic
of France
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson at the
Office of the Commissioners' of Patents on the 10th January 1882.
65
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON of 47 Lincoln's Inn Fields in the County of Middlesex
Gentleman. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF ANIMAL REFUSE OR OFFAL
FOR THE MANUFACTURE OR SEPARATION THEREFROM OF ANIMAL FAT OR TALLOW
AND GELATINE." A communication from abroad' by Alfred Jean Huet of Paris in
the Republic of France.
This Invention relating to the treatment of animal refuse or offal for the manu-
facture or separation therefrom of animal fat or tallow and gelatine consists in first
preserving the crude materials from decomposition by submitting them to the
action of chloride of aluminium and afterwards extracting the fat or tallow and
gelatine by the employment of heat in conjunction with pressure as hereinafter
described.
By means of this Invention manufacturers are enabled to comply with the novel
conditions imposed on the trade in consequence of the great demand which has
recently arisen for fats capable of being employed in the manufacture of aliments
and the manufacture of fatty and gelatinous products is at the same time generally
improved and facilitated to a considerable extent.
According to the methods of treatment heretofore employed the materials are
liable to be exposed to a too high temperature which by decomposing the flesh and
adipose tissues has the effect of discolouring the fat or tallow giving it a disagreeable
taste and dispelling that true odour of fresh grease which it is most indispensable

page_text: to preserve. Now according to this Invention this danger is entirely removed and
it is rendered possible to extract all descriptions of edible and other fatty matter
and gelatine with facility and economy.
In carrying out this Invention the crude materials are first sorted according to
their respective grades or qualities.
The fatty matter or refuse which is more especially adapted for the manufacture
of a fat capable of being employed in the preparation of aliments is first subjected
to the action of a machine which breaks up the matter enclosing the fat. This
operation is performed in the usual manner with any suitable apparatus. The
crushed or broken matter issuing from the machine is then macerated in a reservoir
or tank containing an antiseptic liquid of say about 10' degrees Beaumé. The
antiseptic employed consists of chloride of aluminium obtained from mineral in a
natural condition or otherwise. After remaining in this liquid for about twenty
four hours the materials are taken out and drained.
In order to extract the fat from certain kinds of offal the intestines are carefully
emptied and washed in the first place in order to separate them from all foreign
matter which would be liable to discolour the product and impart to it a bad taste,
this washing being duly effected the materials are placed in a machine in which
they are dried and reduced to a pulp; this pulp is then macerated as hereinbefore
described in an antiseptic solution of about ten degrees Beaumé.
After macerating for about twenty four hours the pulped materials are drained
as herein before described and then exposed to cold pressure for the purpose of
removing the excess of tanning liquid with which the materials are impregnated as
well as a portion of the water usually contained in fresh intestines.
In certain cases the antiseptic bath for macerating the crude material may be
employed for several operations without changing the liquid provided that a
sufficient quantity of liquid is added after each operation to compensate for the loss
by absorption but in treating intestines and other like offal the liquid requires to
be renewed after each operation as the quantity of liquid at ten degrees Beaumé
which is required for tanning the materials is also precisely the volume necessary
to completely impregnate the pulp. The liquid collected during the draining
process and by the cold pressure may be employed for washing the materials before
they are broken or crushed thus enabling the small quantity of unexhausted
tanning matter remaining in the liquid to be utilised. This maceration in the
antiseptic liquid has the effect of protecting the crude material from decomposition
or putrefaction.
After preparing the crude materials as herein before described the process of
extracting or separating the fat or tallow is proceeded with in the following
manner viz. In order to facilitate the flow of the fat a small quantity of chopped
straw is added to the drained pulp in the proportion of from about one to two per
cent. of straw and the materials are then spread upon an inclined hollow plate
heated by steam to a temperature not exceeding one hundred degrees centigrade.
The materials are laid upon the plate in a layer of from about six to eight inches
in thickness and are covered and pressed by another hollow plate also heated by
steam. The pressure exerted on the materials should amount to about one hundred-
weight per square yard. The heat and pressure acting in combination cause the
first fats or tallow to run out from between the plates into moulds or other suitable
receptacles. At the commencement of the operation fat or tallow alone escapes but
gradually and in proportion as the temperature rises the flesh and tissue previously
impregnated with the antiseptic become more thoroughly tanned and converted
and water commences to be separated therefrom. This water being separated at a
temperature of about eighty five degrees centigrade acts in its turn upon those
tissues which are capable of being converted into gelatine and a brown liquid
forming a jelly when cold then flows away along with the fat or tallow.
When the quantity of fat or tallow and gelatine thus flowing from between the
plates falls to a minimum the operation is arrested. The material between the
plates is then removed quickly and placed in the bags of a hot press and pressed

page_text: so as to extract as far as practicable the last remnants of fatty and gelatinous
matter. In lieu of the hot press a centrifugal machine may be employed in
combination with a steam jet.
The materials remaining in the press or centrifugal machine after this operation
consists of a dry cake of animal tissues mixed with a small quantity of straw and
still containing an infinitely small proportion of fatty matter. These cakes may be
employed as food for cattle or as manure or again if considered advisable they may
be treated with sulphuric acid or by any other suitable process in order to extract
from them all traces of stearic or margaric acid as is commonly practised in the
case of residues from oil mills.
According to this improved method of treatment the crude materials are protected
from decomposition and are not brought into direct contact with either water or
steam. The temperature is never allowed to exceed the boiling point of water and
although the operations are rendered more simple all risks of any action upon the
organic matter which would be likely to discolour and otherwise deteriorate the
quality of the tallow are entirely obviated. Tallow of prime quality only is collected
in the first place and cakes of a useful substance and commercial gelatine are obtained
as bye products.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 10th
July 1882.
26
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON of 47 Lincoln's Inn Fields in the County of Middlesex
Gentleman. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF ANIMAL REFUSE OR OFFAL
FOR THE MANUFACTURE OR SEPARATION THEREFROM OF ANIMAL FAT OR TALLOW
AND GELATINE." A communication from abroad by Alfred Jean Huet of Paris in
the Republic of France.
This Invention relating to the treatment of animal refuse or offal for the manu-
facture or separation [principally of animal fatty matter consists in first preserving
the crude materials from decomposition by submitting them to the action of
chloride of aluminium and afterwards extracting the fat by the employment of heat
in conjunction with pressure as hereinafter described.
Fatty matter has heretofore been extracted by means of two perfectly distinct
processes.
In small establishments a simple treatment with an open fire is employed which
enables the fat to be obtained by decantation draining and pressure and also a cake
of residue retaining a considerable proportion of fat.
This process has the disadvantage of coloring the fat. The other method consists
in employing water and steam simultaneously in the place of the melting by the
direct action of the fire. This process enables a larger quantity of product of a
superior quality to be obtained as the materials are not liable to be discolored by
exposure to a two elevated temperature. The demand for fat suitable for the pre-
paration of articles of food as however now become so considerable that this process
is no longer capable of fulfilling the requirements of the trade.
By means of this Invention manufacturers are enabled to comply with the novel
conditions imposed on the trade in consequence of the great demand which has
recently arisen for fats capable of being employed in the manufacture of aliments
and the manufacture of fatty and gelatinous products is at the same time generally
improved and facilitated to a considerable extent.
According to the methods of treatment heretofore employed the materials are
liable to be exposed to a too high temperature which by decomposing the flesh and
adipose tissues has the effect of discoloring the fat giving it a disagreeable taste
and dispelling that true odour of fresh fat which it is most indispensable to
preserve.
Now according to this Invention this danger is entirely removed and it is
rendered possible to extract all descriptions of edible and other fatty matter and
gelatine with facility and economy without risk of decomposing the bodies by which
they are accompanied as is the case when the treatment with steam and water
is adopted which involves the employment at a certain period of salt to be followed
by sulphuric acid.
Moreover the plant and special appliances or apparatus for running off the liquid
as well as the sanitory difficulties connected with establishments of this description
are greatly simplified and diminished.
In carrying out this Invention the materials to be treated are first divided into
two classes videlicet. Firstly grease or fatty materials not mixed with much fleshy
or other matters and secondly grease or fatty materials consisting of offal from
butchers shops or slaughterhouses.
The first mentioned fatty matter or refuse is more especially adapted for the
manufacture of a fat capable of being employed in the preparation of aliments.

page_text: It is first subjected to the action of a machine which breaks up the skin or
envelope of the fat. This operation is performed in the usual manner with any
suitable apparatus. The crushed or broken matter issuing from the machine is
then macerated in a reservoir or tank containing an antiseptic liquid of say about
ten degrees Beaumé.
The antiseptic employed consists of chloride of aluminium obtained from minerals
in a natural condition or otherwise.
After remaining in this liquid for about twenty four hours the materials are
taken out and drained.
In order to extract the fat from the second class of offal the offal is carefully
washed and cleaned in the first place in order to separate it from all foreign matter
which would be liable to discolor the fat produced and impart to it a bad taste
this washing being duly effected the materials are placed in a machine in which
they are dried and reduced to a pulp. This pulp is then macerated as hereinbefore
described in an antiseptic solution of about ten degrees Beaumé.
After macerating the fatty material of either class for about twenty four hours
the pulp materials are drained as herein before described and then exposed to cold
pressure for the purpose of removing the excess of tanning liquid of which the
materials are impregnated as well as a portion of the water usually contained in
fresh intestines.
In treating offal of the first class the antiseptic bath for macerating the crude
material may be employed for several operations without changing the liquid
provided that a sufficient quantity of liquid is added after each operation to com-
pensate for the loss by absorption but in treating intestines and other like offal the
liquid requires to be renewed after each operation as the quantity of liquid at ten
degrees Beaumé which is required for tanning the materials is also precisely the
volume necessary to completely impregnate the pulp. The liquid collected during
the draining process and by the cold pressure may be employed for washing the
materials before they are broken or crushed thus enabling the small quantity of
unexhausted tanning matter remaining in the liquid to be utilized. This maceration
in the antiseptic liquid has the effect of protecting the crude material from decom-
position or putrefaction so that it is not essential to conclude the operations within
twenty four hours and they may be stored in a warehouse with perfect safety so
as to operate upon a convenient quantity daily or arrest the manufacture when the
stock is exhausted so as to always work with a proper supply at hand.
After preparing the crude materials as hereinbefore described the process of
extracting or separating the fat or tallow is proceeded with in the following
manner videlicet. In order to facilitate the flow of the fat a small quantity of
chopped straw is added to the drained pulp in the proportion of from about one to
two per cent. of straw for the first class and about two per cent. of the same in the
case of pulp consisting of intestines and other like offal. When thus prepared the
materials are then spread upon an inclined hollow plate heated by steam to a tem-
perature not exceeding one hundred degrees centigrade. The materials are laid
upon the plate in a layer of from about six to eight inches in thickness and are
covered and pressed by another hollow plate also heated by steam. The pressure
exerted on the materials should amount to about one hundredweight per square
yard. The heat and pressure acting in combination cause the first fats to run out
from between the plates into moulds or other suitable receptacles. At the com-
mencement of the operation fat alone escapes but gradually and in proportion as
the temperature rises the flesh and tissue previously impregnated with the anti-
septic become more thoroughly tanned and altered and water commences to be
separated therefrom. This water being separated at a temperature of about eighty
five degrees centigrade acts in its turn upon those tissues which are capable of being
converted into gelatine and a brown liquid forming a jelly when cold then flows
away along with the fat.
When the quantity of fat and gelatine thus flowing from between the plates
falls to a minimum the operation is arrested. The material between the plates is

page_text: then removed quickly and placed in the bags of a hot press and pressed so as to
extract as far as practicable the last remnants of fatty and gelatinous matter. In
lieu of the hot press a centrifugal machine may be employed.
The materials remaining in the press or centrifugal machine after this operation
consists of a dry cake of animal tissues mixed with a small quantity of straw and
still containing an infinitely small proportion of fatty matter."
These cakes may be employed as food for cattle or as manure or again if
considered advisable they may be treated with sulphuric acid or by any other
suitable process in order to extract from them all traces of stearic or margaric acid
as is commonly practiced in the case of residues from oil mills.
According to this improved method of treatment the crude materials are protected
from putrefaction and are not brought into direct contact with either water or
steam. The temperature is never allowed to exceed the boiling point of water and
although the operations are rendered more simple all risks of any action upon the
organic matter which would be likely to discolour and otherwise deteriorate the
quality of the fat are entirely obviated. Fat of prime quality only is collected in
the first place and cakes of a useful substance and commercial gelatine are obtained
as.bye products.
Having now described, and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original
and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein before in part
recited Letters Patent is
First. The improvements in the manufacture or production of fat from the
materials herein before mentioned consisting in submitting them to the treatment
and operations substantially as herein before described.
Second. In the manufacture or preparation of fat from the materials herein-
before mentioned subjecting the said materials to the action of chloride of aluminium
substantially as and for the purpose described.
Third. Extracting fat and gelatine from the materials hereinbefore mentioned by
means of pressure combined with heat applied by means of hot plates or like
apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described.
In witness whereof I the said John Henry Johnson have to this my
Specification set my hand and seal the Tenth day of July One thousand
eight hundred and eighty two.
J. HENRY JOHNSON. (L.S.)