IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OF PRESERVING IN A FRESH AND SOUND STATE MEAT, POULTRY, AND FISH
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William James Bonser, of Highbury New Park, in the
County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS
OF PRESERVING IN A FRESH AND SOUND STATE MEAT, POULTRY, AND
FISH"
Sealed the 25th January 1878, and dated the 28th July 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William James Bonser at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th July 1877.
WILLIAM JAMES BONSER, of Highbury New Park, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OF PRESERVING IN A FRESH AND SOUND STATE
MEAT, POULTRY, AND FISH."
The object of my Invention is, as set forth in the title," the preservation of meat,
poultry, and fish," so that it may be kept for a considerable length of time fresh and
free from taint. To effect this object at present, several means of circulating air
lowered in temperature by contact with ice or freezing mixtures have been devised,
and notwithstanding the application of these various plans the meat brought into
the market is often far from saleable, and in consequence either depreciated in value
or altogether useless. To meet this objection I propose to use an arrangement or
arrangements of refrigerating apparatus, which may be a blowing or exhausting
arrangement, by which the air is caused to pass over or around ice, or over a freezing
mixture, or an arrangement of tubes coiled or otherwise, into which a freezing
mixture is introduced, or a series of chambers, spaces, or cells containing a freezing
mixture or a simple chamber or space in which ice or a freezing mixture is placed,
the air by being lowered in its temperature from its contact with the ice or freezing
mixture becoming denser and descending from its increased gravity, the warmer and
lighter air rising in its place, in its turn to be made denser from contact with the
ice or freezing mixture, and thus to create a natural circulation; but in all cases I
introduce and use with all or any of these arrangements vessels or receptacles con-
taining charcoal, asbestos, pumice stone, or other natural or manufactured substance,
i

page_text: which will take up or absorb a certain quantity of sulphurous acid gas, hydrochloric,
or other antiseptic or preservative gas, gradually give it out so as to act upon the
meat, and thus preserve it from becoming tainted or unfit for food; or I may
introduce such antiseptic gases directly into the refrigerating arrangements without
the employment of any absorbent substances in such manner as may be found most
convenient.
The vessels or receptacles are placed within the refrigerating apparatus at certain
places, and by the combination of the refrigerating and antiseptic arrangements
the meat is kept wholesome, this combination being the important feature of my
Invention
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William James Bonser in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 28th
January 1878.
WILLIAM JAMES BONSER, of Highbury New Park, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OF PRESERVING IN A FRESH AND SOUND STATE
MEAT, POULTRY, AND FISH."
The object of my Invention is, as set forth in the title, the preservation of meat,
poultry, fish, and other perishable matter, so that it may be kept for a considerable
length of time fresh and free from taint. To effect this object at present, several
means of circulating air lowered in temperature by contact with ice or freezing
mixtures have been employed, and notwithstanding the application of these various
plans the meat brought into the market is often far from salable, and is in consequence
either depreciated in value or altogether useless. To meet this objection I propose
to use an arrangement or arrangements of refrigerating apparatus, which may be a
forcing or exhausting arrangement, by which the air is caused to pass over or around
ice, or over a freezing mixture, or an arrangement of tubes, coiled or otherwise, into
which a freezing mixture is introduced, or a series of chambers, spaces, or cells con-
taining a freezing mixture, or a simple chamber or space in which ice or a freezing
mixture is placed, the air by being lowered in its temperature from its contact with the
ice or freezing mixture becoming denser, and descending from its increased gravity,
the warmer and lighter air rising in its place, in its turn to become denser from
its contact with the ice or freezing mixture, and thus to create a natural
circulation; but in all cases I introduce and use with all or any of these arrange-
ments vessels or receptacles containing charcoal, pumice, asbestos, or other natural
or manufactured substance which will take up or absorb a certain quantity of
sulphurous acid gas by hydrochloric or other antiseptic or preservative gas, and
gradually give it out so as to act upon the meat, and thus preserve it from becoming
tainted or unfit for food; or I may introduce such antiseptic gases directly into the
refrigerating arrangements without the employment of any such absorbent substances
in such manner as may be found most convenient.
The time during which the meat, poultry, fish, etc., is subjected to the combined
treatment I vary as occasion requires, according to the length of time it is desired
to preserve the substance under treatment.
The vessels or receptacles, to the exact form or shape of which I do not confine
myself, are placed within the refrigerating apparatus at certain places, and by the

page_text: combination of the refrigerating antiseptic arrangements the meat is kept
wholesome.
Having thus fully described my Invention, what I claim is, the process substan-
tially as herein-before described of preserving meat, poultry, fish, and other perishable
matter, consisting essentially in subjecting such matter to the combined action of
refrigerating and antiseptic agents in the manner as and for the use and purpose
specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William James Bonser, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of January, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
Witness to the signature of
W. J. Bonser,
W. MONAB-SOUL.
W. J. BONSER. (LS.)