Improvements in Appliances for Separating and Dissipating Froth from Fluids, applicable also for Removing Fat from Soups and the like.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 29th May, 1899 - Accepted, 22nd July, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Appliances for Separating and Dissipating Froth
from Fluids, applicable also for Removing Fat from Soups and the
like.
I, WILLIAM DAVID BOWKETT, of Winton, in the Colony of Queensland, Medical
Practitioner, 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 object of my invention is to provide an appliance which will prevent the
delay, waste and annoyance frequently caused when there is an excessive forma-
tion of froth or foam in decanting fermented and aerated liquids such as porter,
beer, ginger beer, etc. By my invention the escape of the gas contained in (and
consequently the dissipation of) such froth is facilitated, whilst the fluid can be
rapidly poured or run off into a tumbler or other vessel without taking an excess
of froth with it. Whilst the above is the principal use of this invention there
may be analogous uses which, when the invention is more fully understood will
readily be apparent. My invention further consists in sundry details by which
my appliance is rendered convenient in use and easy of manufacture.
The objects aforesaid are attained by the provision of certain surfaces to retain
the foam, combined with perforations to allow the liquid to trickle or gravitate
from one surface to another in a sinuous or irregular course. This combination
will be understood from the attached drawings, which represent suitable forms
of my appliance, and in which Figure represents my appliance in plan view,
Figure 2 shows a side view in central vertical section, Figure 3 shows a diagram
in plan view on a small scale showing certain parts straight, which in Figure 1
are curved. Figures 4 and 5 show plan views of sundry details of Figure 6, and
Figure 6 shows in central vertical section a modified form of my appliance. In
these drawings A is a pan of any suitable form with walls A¹ of suitable height,
handle or the like I, spout B for discharge, and foot G at the spout side,
so arranged that the pan can be set down on the horizontal surface X Figure 2
and retain liquid therein as indicated by the line Z. This pan is furnished with
partitions or guide bars, either fastened along or integral with the bottom thereof,
and having holes or a slit or slits of suitable size at their bases as shown by D
and E, the holes and partitions being so arranged as to cause the liquid when
being poured out of the pan to traverse the sinuous, zig-zag or irregular path as
indicated by the arrows in Figures 1 and 3. Thus the liquid will pass from
the holes 1 Fig. 1 at the sides of one partition, to the holes E at the centre of
the next partition, then to the holes D at the sides of the next partition and so
on, finally escaping through holes F into the spout. It will be seen from
Figure 3 that when a pan arranged as shown is tilted, the whole of the fluid
will gradually run out, and the corrugation C¹ shown in Figure 1 is merely a
modification intended to show that the invention is not restricted to straight
partitions or to partitions formed of a single are. The latter partitions (not
corrugated) have been found to answer extemely well. The position of the holes

page_text: shown is that which I have found the best, but other positions might be employed
within the spirit of this invention. The rate of flow will depend upon the angle
of inclination at which the appliance is held, the froth and foam forming upon
the pan and partition surfaces and remaining there until it has dissipated, which
it does comparatively quickly, so allowing the appliance to be kept in continuous
use.
Fatty substances will be retained upon the partitions when certain liquids
containing them, such as soups, are poured into the pan, and in this way the
soup free from fat can be conveniently ensured.
Referring now to Figures 4 and 6, I arrange the surfaces in somewhat different
fashion, so that what is poured in at the top will immediately run down until
it reaches the outlet, leaving all the foam and froth behind it. This form is
adapted to be placed with the outlet or base projecting into a tumbler or other
drinking vessel and may have any suitable support fitted to it. The uppermost
inclined surface A2 (shaped somewhat like a funnel except that it is very much
more spread out) receives the liquid which flows down inside the same and
emerges through perforations D on to the outside surface of an inclined part A³,
which is shown fluted to give additional surface and to divide the liquid into
separate streams. A³ rests upon another inclined surface A³, down the inside
of which the liquid flows emerging through the perforations D at its base and
falling on the inside of further inclined surfaces A2, thence through holes D
to the outside of another fluted inclined surface A3 down the outside of which
the liquid flows, thence on to the inside of the last of the inclined surfaces A³
and thence through holes 1) into a discharge spout or pipe B¹. B2 shows parti-
tions in B said partitions being to give an ampler surface for contact with the
liquid. It has the sectional form of a cross as per sectional view shown, but this
may be varied. Instead of plain surfaces on A² there may be flutings or spiral
or other curved or irregular channels for the liquid to flow along and prevent its
taking the shortest course downwards and the number of parts A2 A3 used may be
more or less at will. C¹ in Figure 5 shows the line of a spiral channel. The
whole of the parts in Figure 6 are not necessarily secured permanently together,
thus the upper part marked A2 and A3 may be integral and be removed by simply
lifting it off, and the next part marked A2 and S may also be removed, as like
wise the next part marked A² and A. This facilitates cleaning and packing.
The parts marked S are merely stems by which the removable portions of the
appliance may be fitted or telescoped together, the lowermost part A3 having an
upwardly projecting part S which engages the first mentioned part marked S.
It is essential in this invention that each of the bases on which the liquid forms
shall be inclined, so as to let the same run off, and that the respective surfaces
shall be open to the air and not be covered in altogether. The flutings in
Figure 6 give this exposure where required. It is also necessary to use fine
perforations as 1) so as to allow a fine stream of liquid to pass but not more than
à minute quantity of froth. The holes should be larger as they are nearer to
the outlet B or 131, or else sufficiently numerous to allow the liquid to pass through
said outlet quickly or without obstruction.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is: -
1. In an appliance for separating and dissipating froth from liquids, the com-
bination with the pan A having an inclined base and a wall A¹, of an outlet B, a
foot on the same side as the outlet, and straight, curved, or corrugated parti-
tions extending across the said pan, and having perforations therein, the whole
so arranged as to allow liquid to drain down to the said outlet in a zig-zag or
sinuous path leaving the foam behind substantially as set forth.
2. In an appliance of the class indicated, the combination with a series of
surfaces A, of a series of surfaces A³, the said surfaces being placed in com-

page_text: munication with one another by holes D in A2, and connected or placed one
vertically above another, and having an outlet B', the whole so arranged as to
allow liquid to drain down to the said outlet in a zig-zag or sinuous path leaving
the foam behind substantially as set forth.
3. The combination with the surfaces A2 and A3 (having holes D) of an out-
let B having a partition B2 within the said outlet all substantially as and for
the purposes set forth.
Dated this 29th day of May 1899
S. S. BROMHEAD,
Patent Agent, 171, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C.