Improvements in Entree, Jam, Butter, and other Dishes.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 25th July, 1895-Accepted, 3. st Aug., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Entree, Jam, Butter, and other Dishes.
I, JOHN EDWARD BINGHAM of Howard Street, Sheffield, in the County of
York, Manufacturer, 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 :-
This invention consists of an improved dish for table use and can be made in
various shapes and sizes for holding entrees, butter, jam, and other like articles.
The improved dish is so constructed that the lid is not detachable but can be
raised or lowered as desired, and if required can be fixed in a position above the
dish.
The dishes at present in use have either detachable lids, or lids connected to the
dish by means of hinges. In the former case if the contents of the dish are hot,
the inside of the lid is full of steam which soils the cloth when the lid is removed,
or if the contents of the dish are of the nature of jam or honey, the edges of the
lid come into contact with the said contents, and when it is removed it frequently
occurs that the table linen is soiled and becomes unsightly.
In the case of dishes having lids attached by means of hinges, the lid has to be
thrown back and occupies more room than is either necessary or convenient.
These objections are entirely removed by this invention, and a further advantage
is obtained from the fact that if it is desired to keep the contents of the dish hot,
it is only necessary to raise the lid a sufficient height to enable the server to remove
what is required, when the lid is immediately lowered into position again.
The accompanying drawings shew various forms of the improved dish.
Fig. 1. is designed as an entree dish.
Fig. 2. is designed for a butter, honey or jam dish.
In Fig. 1. it will be seen that the stem A. attached to the lid B. passes through
a suitable slot in the frame C.
The cover B. is fitted with lugs D. which are notched to travel up and down
the feathers E. on the frame C. and by lifting the cover by the stem as far as it
will go and giving the stem a half turn, which is possible by reason of the
notches in the base of the stem, the cover is held in position.
If necessary one or two intermediate notches may be made in the stem, or by
making the stem of a split tube as in Fig. 1A it may have sufficient friction in the
slot through which it passes, as to retain the dish cover at any height to which it
may be lifted.
When the dish cover is circular and its rotation with the stem does not matter,
as in the type shown in Fig. 2. no side guides are necessary, but otherwise the
action is the same. In Fig. 2. however, is illustrated a spring keeping the cover
strongly down so that the contents of the dish are the better kept. In place of a
spring the stem may have two pins across it as shown at F. F. Fig. 2 and the slot
being of the shape shown in Fig. 2B the cover can be retained when fully up, by a
half turn of the stem, which in the vicinity of the pins, is circular in section
although square throughout the rest of the distance. By giving a half turn to
the stem when the cover is at its lowest position the cams G. on the frame C.
cause the cover to bear strongly down, practically (if a good fit exists between the
cover and the dish) sealing the contents or preventing spilling in removing.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. In dishes for the purposes above described or similar uses a frame, also acting
as a handle, and forming part of, or attached to, the lower portion of the dish, or
its accessory, which guides and retains a stem connected with the cover or lid of the
dish, the stem and the frame being so formed that they admit of the cover being
retained at any prearranged distance from the dish, substantially as illustrated
and described in the accompanying drawings and Specification.
2. The construction or combination of the parts forming dishes and covers,
substantially as illustrated and described in the accompanying drawings and
Specification.
Dated this 24th day of July 1895
J. E. EVANS-JACKSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.