A NEW OR IMPROVED PROCESS OR MEANS FOR PRESERVING EGGS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Cristoforo Muratori, of Hackney, in the County of
Middlesex, for the Invention of "A NEW OR IMPROVED PROCESS OR MEANS
FOR PRESERVING EGGS."
Sealed the 20th October 1877, and dated the 2nd May 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Cristoforo Muratori at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd May 1877.
CRISTOFORO MURATORI, of Hackney, in the County of Middlesex. "A NEW OR
IMPROVED PROCESS OR MEANS FOR PRESERVING EGGS."
My Invention consists in enveloping eggs in what is known as soapstone or
magnesic silicate of alumina reduced to a fine powder so as to hermetically close the
pores of the shell of the egg and prevent the air from coming into contact with its
contents. In order to effect this object I either pack the eggs in any convenient
case or receptacle, and fill up the interstices with the powdered soapstone, or I coat
the eggs with any suitable adhesive fluid or substance, and then allow such adhesive
fluid or substance to take up by contact a sufficient quantity of the powdered
soapstone to form a coating to the egg.
In making the adhesive fluid I sometimes employ sea water or water containing
an infusion of common salt; or I rub the soapstone into the pores of the egg shell
so as to close them, whereby a similar result is obtained.
If desired, other substances, such, for example, as micacious ironstone, may be
substituted for the soapstone, but the latter is by preference employed.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Cristoforo Muratori in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 29th
© October 1877.
CRISTOFORO MURATORI, of Hackney, in the County of Middlesex.
IMPROVED PROCESS OR MEANS FOR PRESERVING EGGS."
"A NEW OR

page_text: as soapstone or steatite reduced to a fine powder, so as to close the pores of the shell
of the egg and to retard or prevent the air from coming into contact with its
contents. In order to effect this object I either pack the eggs in any convenient
case or receptacle, and fill up the interstices with the powdered soapstone or steatite,
or I coat the eggs with any suitable adhesive fluid or substance, such, for example,
as a solution of albumen, gelatine, or gum, and then allow such adhesive material to
take up by contact a sufficient quantity of the powdered soapstone or steatite, so as
to form a coating upon the egg.
In making the adhesive fluid I sometimes employ sea water or water containing
an infusion of common salt, or the soapstone or steatite may be rubbed upon the
egg, so as to enter into and fill the pores of the egg shell, and thus close them.
If desired, other substances, such, for example, as micacious ironstone, may be
substituted for the soapstone, but the latter is by preference employed.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion 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, effecting the preservation of eggs by the use of what is known as
soapstone or steatite, the same being in a fine powder, and employed either alone or
in conjunction with an adhesive material, substantially in the manner as herein-
before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Cristoforo Muratori, have to this my Specifica-
tion set my hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of October, One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-seven.
C. MURATORI. (L.S.)