IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF STEAM-SHIPS AND OTHER VESSELS, FOR CONVEYING FRUIT AND OTHER PERISHABLE ORGANIC MATTERS, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO WAREHOUSES OR STORE ROOMS AND WAGONS
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Phillips Thompson, of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, and
323, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for an
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF STEAM-SHIPS AND
OTHER VESSELS, FOR CONVEYING FRUIT AND OTHER PERISHABLE ORGANIC
MATTERS, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO WAREHOUSES
OR STORE ROOMS AND WAGONS." A communication from abroad by George
Augustus Cochrane, of Montreal, Canada, and of New York, United States of
America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Phillips Thompson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th December 1881.
WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON of the Agency for Foreign Patent Solicitors
6 Lord Street Liverpool in the County of Lancaster, and of 323 High Holborn in
the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION
OF STEAM SHIPS AND OTHER VESSELS, FOR CONVEYING FRUIT AND
PERISHABLE ORGANIC MATTERS, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE
ΤΟ WAREHOUSES OR STORE ROOMS AND WAGONS." A communication from
abroad by George Augustus Cochrane of Montreal, Canada, and of New York,
United States of America.
OTHER
My invention consists first in perforating all the decks below the main deck
with numerous holes and arranging the freight so as to allow air to circulate
freely in a vertical direction from the ventilators on the ship deck to the bottom of
the hold.
Second. In arranging a space at the very bottom a foot or two in depth partially
vacant and partially filled with any absorbent of the gases of decomposition such as
charcoal lime, or even soil.
Third, I form the sides of the vessel and the bulkheads especially the one
separating the engine room from the after hold with one or more thoroughly

page_text: ventilated air jackets forming one or more non-conducting bulkheads of air as it
were with an inlet and exit ventilator to each. This shuts off the heat of the
engine room from the cargo.
Fourth. When the outer air is sultry, I take cold dry air not air refrigerated by
contact with ice (which is necessarily moist) but air cooled by compression and
subsequent expansion and pass this air through the cargo to the bottom of the hold
and out through the exit ventilator. By this means the cargo is kept dry as well
as cool and the sweating and spoiling of the fruit avoided.
Fifth. I apply this system of perforated floors and vertical through ventilation to
buildings store-rooms, and wagons for storing or carrying perishable organic
matter and the ventilated air jackets to the shutting off of the heating action of
the rays of the sun or other source of heat. Also the arranging of a bottom
space either empty or partially filled with absorbent matter, in places where fruit
or vegetable matters are stored. My apparatus can be used to keep the cargo warm
instead of cold if required.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent and of
an Order of the Lord Chancellor filed by the said William Phillips Thompson
in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 20th July 1882.
WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON of the Agency for Foreign Patent Solicitors
6 Lord Street, Liverpool in the County of Lancaster and of 323 High Holborn,
London, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF STEAM-SHIPS AND OTHER VESSELS FOR CONVEYING FRUIT
AND OTHER PERISHABLE ORGANIC MATTERS, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS
ARE APPLICABLE TO WAREHOUSES OR STOREROOMS OR WAGONS." A com-
munication from abroad by George Augustus Cochrane of Montreal, Canada and of
New York in the State of New York United States of America.
My invention relates to a novel method and the means for carrying the same
into practical effect for packing, shipping or storing and preserving perishable
articles such as fruit, vegetables &c, &c, and
It consists, first, in the method of treating the perishable articles while in transit
or in store by removing the carbonic acid exhaled by such perishable matter and
in utilizing such gas for purposes substantially as hereinafter fully described;
Second, In the method of packing the perishable articles for storage or shipment as
hereinafter set forth. Third, In the means for carrying out the above method
substantially as hereinafter described.
Fruit or vegetable and more especially the luscious or very juicy fruits, as
peaches, pears, plums, strawberries, raspberries, &c, serious losses occur from the
breaking or bruising of the fruit resulting in speedy decomposition either while in
transit or store. Many experiments have been tried and various means have been
employed to avoid these losses without success so far as I know and so far as I
have been able to learn by a practical experience of 20 years as a shipper of such
articles.
Attempts have been made to ship the more juicy fruits to Europe the losses
however are so enormous that in most cases not even the cost of shipping is realized
from the sales effected. Large quantities of apples a fruit that can be kept with
reasonable care for months have been shipped to Europe and as a general rule
the adventures have proven disastrous to the shipper from losses by decom-
position.
The method heretofore employed in preserving such articles during their transit
or while in storage has been to gather or pick the articles in an unripe condition
in the case of fruits except apples and some vegetables then pack them in open or
lattice cases or in barrels and store or ship them for sale. Although the open
crates proper, generally used for packing such articles afford excellent drainage for
carbonic acid gases emanating from the articles packed therein yet they are
defective in construction on the one hand and on the other the articles are
improperly packed.
To provide sufficient ventilation for the drainage of this gas it is necessary
first, that a circulation of air should be established around each article, second,
they should be so packed as not to come in contact with each other, and that each
shall support its own weight only, and lastly the crates should be so constructed
that when piled for shipment or storage a free circulation of air is had between
each two crates. While in store or transit on cars or vessels refrigeration has
been resorted to as a preserving medium both for fruit and vegetables as well as
for meat.
Yet it has been practically demonstrated that even refrigeration, except at so
low a degree as to almost produce congelation will not prevent decomposition of
vegetable matter as now packed and stored. If we consider the latter as living

page_text: matter, which I am now convinced it is, to preserve such it is necessary that it
should be treated as living matter and when treated so as to maintain it in a
healthy condition its life can be prolonged materially if not indefinitely, certainly
sufficiently long to endure a voyage of a week or more and remain in good condition
after a storage of twice that length of time after reaching destination.
Vegetable matter in fact all living matter before or after being severed from its
source of nourishment will give off carbonic acid gas in greater or less quantities
according to its nature. If we allow such matter to remain in contact with or
surrounded by the gas decomposition or death will invariably result in a very
short time. In the case of apples for instance which placed on board ship in good
condition were found after a nine or ten days voyage to have died to such an
extent that those which arrived in good condition did not after their sale realize
sufficient to defray the expenses of packing and shipping. I have observed that
this death rate or decomposition increased from the top tier of a cargo downwards.
I have found the extremes, at. the top and bottom tiers.
At the former point the decomposition is least and and at the latter point it is
greatest where there is any ventilation; if there is none all will be effected alike
but not at the same time, and if so confined sufficiently long (the time required to
ship them to Europe being sufficient), they will all be found decomposed to an extent
as to make them practically worthless. For this reason no perishable matter is now
stored in the after part of a vessel owing as the shipper says to its being too close
or illy ventilated, the whole of such after cargo having invariably been found to
have spoiled or died on arrival. In those vessels and store houses where ventilation
is resorted to and even ventilation and refrigeration combined the evil is but slightly
remedied as I have found in the best ventilated compartiments of vessels.or-in-well-
-ventilated store-houses that the perishable matter close to or on the floors of these
structures suffers as much nearly as if confined in close compartments unless as
above stated the degree of cold applied is such as to produce congelation.
This latter is not only impracticable for whole cargoes but too expensive as the
freezing has to be kept up after such perishable matter has been stored and in the
case of all fruits this would destroy their qualities and render thein unsalable. By
years of observation and study to overcome the difficulties encountered and seek for
a remedy I have found: First,
That the carbonic acid gas exhaled or given off by vegetable or other perishable
matter is the primary and principal destructive agent to this living matter as it is
to animal life.
"
Second, That neither refrigeration nor even ventilation or both as heretofore
applied will remove the decomposing or death dealing agent "the carbonic acid gas
given off by the perishable matter.
Third, That if this gas which is heavier than air could be successfully removed
as fast as it is exhaled, the evil would be remedied.
space or
The first object of my invention is therefore to remove this deleterious gas and
the second object of my invention is to remove the same by the least possible
expensive ineans. In carrying out my invention I provide first of all
chamber below the tier or tiers of vegetable or other perishable matter for the
collection of the heavier gases especially the carbonic acid gas and secondly I remove
this gas either by exhausting it from said chamber or by absorbing it, using any
substance which has a great affinity for this gas or by both. The latter method is
advantageous in as much as the very destructive agent may then be utilized to
assist in giving life.
For this purpose I preferably employ what is termed "poverty soil" or soil that
has been exhausted by cultivation or that is naturally deficient in carbonic acid and
for the further reason that it is the cheapest absorbent available. Upon the floor
of a storehouse or upon the floor of the compartments of a vessel or on the floor of
a chamber below a series of storage floors I place a layer of this earth say about
four to six inches in depth more or less. This quantity of impoverished earth is
capable of absorbing enormous quantities of carbonic acid gas and when sufficiently

page_text: impregnated therewith (which may be readily ascertained by well known tests) it
can be used as a fertilizer.
In order however that the carbonic acid gas exhaled may readily find the lowest
level of the atmospheric strata present namely in order that it may fall below the
lowest level at which such articles are stored to be there absorbed or into the space
or chamber or well provided for its reception and absorption or removal as fast as
it is necessary that the package containing the matter that exhales this gas should
be so stored as not to interfere with the free circulation thereof. It is further
necessary to attain the very best results that the substances should be so packed that
the exhaled gases will not surround or remain in contact with such substances for
any length of time. To preserve the substances stored in their full health and vigor
it is also necessary that we should not only remove the death giving agent exhaled
by such substances but that we should provide the necessary nutriment to keep
them in their healthy condition.
With the present method of packing perishable matter and storing the same in
warehouses or on board ships the conditions above set forth can not be carried out.
Fruit or other like substances are usually packed in barrels or boxes and when so
packed the articles are in contact with each other and to prevent their becoming
bruised in handling the packages, they are packed "tightly" together.
The packages usually employed are of such sizes as to prevent their being
readily lifted and carried by a man hence they are rolled or trundled or turned
from one side to another. In this condition the packages are stored in rooms or
compartments closely packed together and after a very short time their contents
are completely surrounded by the exhaled carbonic acid gas and decomposition
ensues at once unless the temperature is very low. Ventilated or skeleton crates,
barrels with ventilating apertures and in the case of small fruit ventilated baskets
and packages have been used. Notwithstanding this the decomposition can not bo
arrested either on board cars or ships or in storehouses except in cold weather or
by the expensive means of refrigeration and then only so long as these means are
employed for the sole reason that the carbonic acid gas is not removed as fast as
exhaled and its deleterious influence destroyed. To effect these essential conditions
I have devised the following means:
First, I employ skeleton or thoroughly ventilated boxes or packages preferably
.constructed of a light material and of such capacity that their weight when full
of fruit or other perishable matter will not be beyond the easy carrying power of
a man of average strength. I preferably use packages that weigh when full about
ninety pounds. 2nd, I pack the perishable substance be it larger or smaller or
in clusters, in receptacles so ventilated by perforations, slits or other shaped
apertures that when a single piece or cluster is placed in its separate receptacle it
shall not close all the ventilating apertures and shall be isolated from the piece or
cluster next adjoining it by a ventilated partition of some suitable material.
3rd., I attach or place these receptacles upon trays or shelves that are also provided
with such numbers of ventilating apertures so disposed that the free circulation
of air will under no circumstances be interrupted and that such shelves or trays
will not come in contact with the articles on the tray below them. 4th, I construct
each receptacle of a material that may be readily shaped to conform nearly to the
shape of the article it is to contain and that will hold the same sufficiently tight
to prevent displacement without bruising the article. 5th, I provide each tier of
shelves with means whereby an air space is formed between the box or passage
and the adjacent articles or shelves or trays. 6th, I provide each package with
means whereby an air space is formed all around said packages when stored, either
in storehouses or on board cars or ships, and Lastly I construct the packages and
pack the contents in such manner that said packages may be turned on either of
their sides to prevent, especially in the case of soft fruit, what is termed "settling
which is another source of decomposition resulting from the gradual rupture of the
tissues i, e, wounding the fruit.
33
I have found that when packed as described and occasionally turned this settling

page_text: or bruising can be avoided. Perishable matter when packed in boxes or packages
as described and stored on cars, in houses or on ships or safes provided with means
for collecting the carbonic acid gas exhaled and means for destroying the deleterious
effect of such gas will under ordinary circumstances keep fresh or in a healthy
state. There is however a drying process going on that would ultimately lessen
the value of articles so stored by affecting their appearance. This drying process
is due to the emanation of the carbonic acid and the evaporation of the juices and
these losses can be made good to a great extent.
This I accomplish by establishing a circulation of air throughout the packages
and the compartment store or safe or chest and combining with the air a sufficient
quantity of moisture or by supplying the moisture separately. It has heretofore been
believed that perishable articles should be removed from all contact with moisture
and that the moisture resulting from the ventilation should be carried off if the
articles are to be kept at all. I have found that it is true and necessary that the
moisture resulting from the evaporation of the fruit juices should be removed and
this because the vapors are composed largely of deleterious constituents and to
keep such articles especially fruit in a healthy condition, it is however necessary
that moisture free from the deleterious constituents should be supplied.
In the perfect preservation of such perishable articles as herein referred to we
have therefore to observe the following essential conditions. 1st, Isolation of the
articles from each other. 2nd, Thorough ventilation to allow of the free escape of
the carbonic acid and other gases emanated. 3rd. Removing the carbonic acid gas
from contact with the articles and lastly supplying the waste by fresh air and
moisture. I have ascertained by practical tests on a scale sufficiently large to
convince me that if the above conditions are carried out that fruit can be kept_|
for_a_much longer-time-than-is-the-case at present.
Many and various are the means that may be employed in carrying out my
invention and in order that these may be better understood I have illustrated in the
accompanying drawings devices that I have found effectual.
Figure 1 represents in perspective the interior of a fruit dealer's store. Figure 2
shows in section so much of a store house as will illustrate the invention. Figure 3
is top plan view of a vessel constructed according to my invention. Figure 4 is a
side elevation thereof one of the sides being removed. Figure 5 is a longitudinal
horizontal section taken on a line through the fire or boiler room. Like letters of
reference are employed to indicate like parts in all the figures of drawings.
A represents a building store or vessel that is divided into a number of store
rooms or compartments B in which the perishable matter is stored either in crates
or packages C, or as in a sales room in safes or cases C¹. The boxes or packages
and their trays or shelves are constructed upon the principles substantially as
herein before described to ensure perfect ventilation among the articles stored. The
cases or safes C', are preferably closed on all sides except at top and bottom to
allow the air to enter at top and the heavier gases such as carbonic acid given off
by the substances stored to escape at the bottom of the safes or cases. Though it
is evident that where perfect drainage is provided to carry off or absorb the carbonic
acid and other deleterious gases such safes or cases may be provided with passages
formed in their frame work or paneling to allow of such gases to pass out at points
above the bottom of such safes though this is not essential. In its upper part each
safe or case C¹, is provided with a chamber in which are placed shallow vessels
containing fresh or pure water to supply the necessary moisture evaporated from
the substances stored. All the trays or drawers are perforated and each piece of
fruit is preferably isolated from the others as described herein before. In cars or
vessels the water receptacles inay be placed or hung in any convenient place. This
moisture may also be supplied by means of the air forced into the compartiments
in which the substances are stored by passing such air through water or by any of
the well known means such as a suction or force pump or blast apparatus driven
by steam or other motive power.
The floors B of all the compartments, chambers or rooms B, are provided with a

page_text: sufficient number of openings or passages, v, to allow the gases heavier than air to
sink to the lowest level of the building or vessel at which point these gases are
collected, said lowest level forming a chamber B', which is as described in commu-
nication with all the rooms or compartments above it. From this chamber a large
proportion of the gases may be removed by means of a natural draft through pipe
or pipes P, the inlet opening being on or nearly on a level with the floor of the
collecting chamber B' and passing upward through the several rooms or compart-
ments is extended to and through the roof of the building or the upper deck of the
vessel. These exhaust pipes are or should be provided each with an adjustable
cowl, pl, so as to admit of its being turned from the wind or to admit of its turning
automatically from the wind so as not to interfere with the upward draft. By
these means a large portion of the deleterious gases are carried off. In each of the
storing rooms or compartments the exhaust pipe or pipes P are provided with like
inlet openings, p², near the ceiling of such rooms or compartments to carry off any
gases that may collect there and also assist the inflow of fresh air by producing or
accelerating the draft. Such gases as collect in the chamber B' and which can not
be removed by the means described, are absorbed by spreading upon the floor of the
chamber a substance that has great affinity for the carbonic acid gas or soil
deprived of or deficient in carbonic acid. Such soil is capable of absorbing enormous
quantities of the acid and is removed from time to time and supplied with fresh
soil when by testing it is found that it has absorbed about as much of the carbonic
acid as it is capable of absorbing. This soil impregnated with carbonic acid and
other gases is a valuable fertilizer and may be disposed of as such. Thus the
deleterious gases instead of being a source of enormous loss become a source of
profit.
As shown in figure 1 the cases C, in the sales room are placed over openings, b, in
the floors that may be covered with wire netting of large mesh and the centre of
the floor has a like opening. These openings are arranged so as not to marr the
beauty of the room. The storing floors B2 of the building or the various decks of
a vessel are all provided with numerous openings or passages, b', of any desired
shape and of convenient size and as the crates or packages are provided with means
whereby they are prevented from coming into close contact with each other or
with the floor air spaces are formed between said floors and the packages and
between the packages themselves to provide an unobstructed passage for the
emanated gases.
As the articles themselves are isolated from each other by means of ventilated
partitions and are supported upon ventilated trays that do not come in contact
with the articles on the tray below it the most perfect ventilation is secured.
When the substances are stored in rooms or compartments having tight floors
and ceilings upon which the absorbent is spread fresh air is supplied by means of
pipes either by natural draft or by mechanical devices and deleterious light gases
and heat exhausted as hereinafter described and such means are also necessary or
useful in storehouses or vessels having perforated floors for supplying artificially
cooled and moist air to the storing chambers or compartments.
Fresh air is admitted through pipe or pipes P2, that passes from the roof down
through the rooms or compartments B, into the collecting chamber B¹. The
pipe P2, is provided with an adjustable cowl, ps, that may be turned and held to the
wind. In each room or compartment the air inlet pipe or pipes P2, have an opening, p²,
located between the ceiling and floor or at any other convenient point. Of course
it will be understood that when a vessel or store house is constructed with perforated
floors so as to form practically one compartment or room out of a series of such
then it is not necessary that the air inlet or the outlet pipe should be carried
down to the lowest chamber since the lighter gases will rise through the floors and
collect below the ceiling of the upper compartment when they are then carried off
while the colder air fed at or near that point will with the heavy gases sink to the
lowest level.
. Whep perishable substances are to be kept for a long time or are to be shipped

page_text: great distances in very hot weather it is desirable such articles, more especially
fruit, should be kept at a low temperature. In the temperate zones this inay be
readily accomplished by the described means on board of a vessel or on board of
cars the motion of which will keep up a constant and rapid circulation of air..
This is however not the case in buildings or on board ships or cars traveling in
hot latitudes. This I accomplish by any of the well known means for creating
artificial circulation of air and cooling the same.
In figures, 1 and 3, I have shown a blast fan K, and a multitubular cooler L, the
air being passed through the latter and cooled, the cooling being effected by any of
the well known agents used in the manufacture of ice. As in hot weather the
evaporation of the fruit is greater, it is necessary that a great supply of moisture
should be carried to the fruit and then the air may be passed through a chamber
filled with water or over ice in which case the refrigerator may be dispensed with
or the latter and a small quantity of ice may be employed in conjunction.
On board ship, to prevent the heating of the compartments adjacent to the
boiler and engine room I isolate these rooms from the compartments by means of
two air chambers N, N1, the cool air being carried to the lowest level and at one
side of said chambers by a pipe A, that has a cowl, m, turned to the wind. The
warm air is carried out at the highest level of said chambers and at the side opposite
to where the fresh air is admitted by a pipe M¹, carrying a cowl turned from the
wind. The pipe M may if desired be connected with the refrigerating apparatus and
air of a lower temperature than that of the atmosphere forced into said chambers.
It is evident that the means described may be greatly varied and when found
convenient the natural draft may be dispensed with and a circulation of air
established by any well known mechanical means. And a suction pump may be
employed for pumping the foul gases from the wells. These however necessitate
the outlay of considerable capital and under ordinary circumstances and in
temperate climates the circulation by natural draft will be found ample for the
object in view. The method of packing perishable articles by isolating each from
the others, may perhaps be objected to as being expensive, I have found by actual
experiment that fruit and vegetables packed in this manner especially for shipment
instead of proving expensive have proved to be exceedingly remunerative. This
is due (even with the existing imperfect construction of conveyances) to the
comparatively slight loss and the admirable state of preservation in which the
articles reach the market after a transit of seven or more days. The prices paid
being double and treble those paid for light articles packed in the usual manner.
In Figs. 6 to 12 inclusive, I have shown a construction of safe for family or dealers'
use embodying the principles of my Invention herein before set forth and in these
figures, A represents the outer body of the safe, which in form and ornamentation
may be varied according to the fancy of the manufacturer or to suit the taste of
the public.
It is provided with feet, a, that have or may have casters, so as to permit of its
being readily moved. B, B, are folding doors, and C is the lid of the safe. The
former (the doors) are arranged so as not to close tight against the face of the
trays or shelves or drawers, whereby an air space is left between them, and the
lid need not fit air tight on the safe. The interior of the safe and the inside of the
doors and lid are made non-porous and acid proof; or they are lined with a non-
porous and acid proof material, such as zinc or other like material; or the wood
may be made non absorbent and acid proof by varnishing, or by any of the well-
known means.
In the upper part of the safe, below the lid, is a chamber or compartment, a',
having a perforated bottom, a², within which are placed shallow receptacles for
holding water. The safe may be divided into two or more vertical compartments
by means of suitable ventilated partitions, a³, or the trays or shelves may extend
across the whole width of the safe. Where drawers D are used for the larger kind
of fruit or for holding vegetables these are or may be lined with zine; or such
drawers may be made acid and water proof, and their sides and bottom provided

page_text: with numerous perforations or passage d, corresponding with, or nearly corres-
ponding with, the perforations in the partition, a³. The bodies of the drawers,
that is to say, their sides, may also be made of a less width and depth than the
bottoms; or spacing-strips may be attached to the three sides to prevent their
coming into close contact with the partition, and with the back and side of the
safe, thus forming passages for the free escape of the gases and the circulation of
air. Around the compartment or chamber, a', air inlets, at, may be provided to
admit air from the sides and front of the safe at a point above the vessels
containing the water, and the lid C is or may also be provided with a number of
air-inlets, c, to admit air to the compartment, a', and to the trays or drawers and
shelves below. This air in passing down over the water, will take up a sufficient
quantity of moisture and will be cooled, thereby acquiring a greater gravity, and
sink to the lower levels of the safe, give up its moisture, during its passage among
the articles stored, and practically compensate for the waste in the fruit resulting
from the emanation of gases and from evaporation.
In very hot weather ice may be placed in the upper chamber in suitable
receptacles, or in a receptacle specially provided therefor, and its too rapid melting
prevented by covering the same with blanketing or by other suitable means.
For the trays or shelves E, any suitable acid and water-proof material, or a material
rendered acid and water proof, may be employed; or sheets or panes of common
glass may be used, and these may be supported upon suitable cleats, c, at specified
distances apart, or the supporting-cleats, e, may be constructed like those of book-
cases namely, a step-cleat-whereby the shelves are made adjustable vertically
of the safe to adjust the distance between them. In this manner various sizes of
fruit or vegetables may be stored upon these shelves, and the latter so adjusted
that the articles will not come in contact with the shelf above. The shelves E are
also provided with a number of openings or passages, e', for the circulation of the
air, and with knobs or handles or rings, e, to draw them out. I also prefer to
isolate each article from the others, and instead of merely placing such articles upon
the trays I place them in cells or receptacles F, provided with openings or
passages, f, for the air, and I also make thein of any material that in itself, is or
that may be made acid and waterproof, and the tray and cells may be made in
one piece. In stores, however, where such trays are frequently handled it will
be found more convenient to use separate cells, which may be open at one or both
ends. These cells may be made of such form and in such sizes as to accomodate
various kinds of fruit or vegetables and they may be made of glass, wood, hard
rubber, enameled earthenware, delf or stone ware, porcelain, papier-maché, paper
or wood pulp, celluloid or of any other suitable material; but when made of an
absorbent material it should be made water and acid proof. At the bottom of the
safe, I provide a receptacle, G, for the collection of the heavier deleterious gases, as
it is well known that carbonic-acid gas, like cold air, will seek the lowest level to
which it can sink, and it being heavier than air, is not displaced thereby. In this
receptacle, I place a layer of what is termed "poverty-soil" or soil that has been
deprived of its carbonic acid constituents through cultivation or that is naturally
deficient in such acid. This soil is capable of absorbing enormous quantities of the
acid, and may be replaced from time to time by fresh soil. I mention this poverty-
soil on account of its being the cheapest absorbent medium attainable, and I do
not wish to limit myself to its use only, as other substances or bodies that have
greater affinity for carbonic acid and other deleterious gases are well known, and
may be had at a low price.
Among other such substances, I may mention air-slaked line, fuller's earth, or
analogous substances, whereby the carbonic-acid gas is absorbed and either held
or neutralized or destroyed. The principle involved in this invention and the
compliance with the requirements of these principles may be carried into practical
effect in a thorough manner by lining the safe throughout with common sheet-glass,
for instance.
This may be done without materially enhancing the cost of construction in the

page_text: following manner, and as shown in figs. 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. For the back of the
safe one, or more plain sheets of glass L, may be used, when the safe has no vertical
partition. If the safe is to be partitioned, the back 'sheet or sheets L, are each
provided with one or more vertical grooves, Z, according to the number of such
partitions. For the sides one or more sheets, M, may be used, each provided with
the step m, for supporting the shelves or trays. These steps, m, I preferably extend
across the whole width of the sheet as shown, and if partitions M¹ are used these
are provided with like steps, m¹, on opposite sides, as shown in Fig 8. This
construction not only affords a firm support for the perforated glass-trays, but it
also materially strengthens the partitions. The doors are likewise lined with
sheet-glass. The under side of the removable glass-bottom, a³, of the chamber, a',
is also provided with one or more horizontal grooves, a, for the upper edge of the
partition or partitions, and said bottom may be composed of two or more sheets of
glass supported on the one side by the steps, m, and in front and rear by suitable
ledges or ribs formed in the front lining or sheet, N', of the chamber a', and the
sheet L. The bottom sheet, N, where partitions are employed will likewise be
provided with grooves, n, for said partitions. When so constructed the linings and
partition or partitions and shelves or trays may be put in place without great
trouble, as follows:
The front lining, N¹, of the chamber, a', is first attached to its place by screws or
otherwise. The back is next placed in position, after which the sides M, which
latter hold said back in place. The bottom, a², of chamber, a¹, is next placed in
position, then the floor or bottom N, and finally the partition M'. It will thus be
seen that the whole lining, except the part N', is removably connected with the
interior surface of the safe, and each part can be removed, when necessary, for
purposes-of-cleansing-or-for-other-purposes, and may therefore be kept in a
thoroughly clean state at all times. When the lining is made of several sheets of
glass, these may be cemented together, and they may be cemented to the wood-
work, if desired or attached thereto in any convenient manner.
It will of course he understood that I do not desire to limit myself to the use of
glass only, as any other material that is or may be rendered water and acid proof
can be employed with equally good results.
Having now described my invention and the manner in which the same may be
carried into practical effect, I wish to have it understood that I do not desire to
limit myself to the details of the mechanical constructions hereinbefore described as
these may be varied without departing from the nature and spirit of this my
invention, but what I do claim and desire to secure by letters patent is:
1st. The herein described process of packing, storing and preserving perishable
matter such as described, by establishing a thorough ventilation not only through
the compartments or rooms in which such articles are stored but also through the
packages in which such articles are packed and around the latter for the purpose of
removing the deleterious gases emanated by such perishable matter collecting such
deleterious gases at a point below the lowest level at which said perishable matter
is stored and destroying the deleterious influences of such gases by absorption or
otherwise, substantially in the manner as hereinbefore set forth.
2nd. The herein described process of packing storing and preserving perishable
matter such as described by establishing a thorough ventilation not only through
the compartments or rooms in which such articles are stored but also through the
packages in which such articles are packed and around the latter conveying
moisture thereto to compensate for the losses of such evaporation and removing
the deleterious gases emanated by such perishable matter collecting such dele-
terious gases at a point below the lowest level at which said perishable matter
is stored and destroying the deleterious influences of such gases by absorption
or otherwise, substantially in the manner as herein before set forth.
3rd. The means substantially as hereinbefore described and shown in Figs, 1, 2, 3,
4, and 5 for packing, storing, transporting and preserving perishable matter such as
specified.

page_text: 4th. A safe or cabinet for storing and preserving perishable matter, having a
chamber or receptacle below the lowest point for storing such articles for the
collection of the deleterious gases emanated by the latter for the purposes set forth.
5th. A safe or cabinet for storing perishable articles having an interior lining of
water and acid proof material and shelves, trays or drawers or combinations of
these of like material for the purpose specified.
6th. The construction of safe for storing, perishable matter substantially as
described and shown in Figs. 6 to 12 inclusive.
In witness whereof I the said William Phillips Thompson hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fourth day of July in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty two
W. F. THOMISON. (L.S.)