Improvements relating to Plates and like Articles.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Mar., 1894-Accepted, 5th May, 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Plates and like Articles.
I, DAVID CHAPMAN, of the Atlas China Works, Longton, Staffordshire, China
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 :-
My improvements have reference to the production of articles such as dinner or
other plates; and have for object to materially enhance the utility, convenience
and serviceability of such wares, and at same time without adding but slightly to
the cost of manufacture as compared with that of ordinary plates as hitherto
generally in use. In proceeding to describe my invention I will assume its most
general application, namely, in connection with fictile goods or wares, though my
invention may be adopted for metal &c. plates. That is to say:-the improved
plates according to my invention are distinguished by the following features;
taking the case of say a dinner plate, I form same on the top or face with raised
partitioning surfaces (in the present case I will take it there is one such) of any
desired configuration. Said partition having already been devised with a view to
keep the meat from the vegetables and so forth.
I make the rim of the plates in accordance with my invention continuous;
and, between the rim and the diaphragm or division aforesaid, at each. end, I
form depressions or "pockets" serving as receptacles for condiments.
The back or reverse of the plate is formed with a groove or channel or
channels corresponding with and forming the counterpart of the ridge aforesaid
on the obverse, and with raised surfaces corresponding with or being the
counterparts of the condiment receptacles aforesaid.
"
By the mode of procedure as above described, I am enabled to ensure that each
one of a pile of plates would "nest or exactly fit into one another; thus very
materially economising space in stacking or piling plates having raised surfaces.
This is a great advantage which will be readily appreciated at the place of
manufacture, warehouses, shops or places of sale as also by the users, in the latter
case especially hotels, restaurants and so forth.
And in order that my invention may be more fully understood I have appended
the accompanying sheet of drawings in which Figure 1 represents a face view of
my improved plate, Figure 2 a back view, and Figure 3 a cross section.
As already above mentioned the rim of the improved plate in accordance with my
invention is continuous or unbroken at the parts where the condiment receptacles
occur; and, therefore any tendency to warping or twisting in firing or kilning,
due to unequal thickness at this part, and the consequent waste are both avoided.
In the manufacture of the improved plates according to my invention I have
found that the present system of what is known in the pottery trade, as the
"jollying" process may be availed of; or, I may proceed as follows, that is to
say-in connection with earthenware or china goods, I take the article in the
clay state whilst still on the mould, and by means of a die worked either by
hand or by machine, I press the clay at the back of the article until the
required groove, channel or recess a is obtained.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood
that I am well aware of the existence of a Patent, for a plate with the dividing

page_text: ridge or partition on the face of same, I make no claim per se in respect of such
ridge, but what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is :-
First. In dinner &c. plates having a separating partition and condiment
"pockets," forming such plates so as to allow of their being nested into each other,
thus very materially economising space, all as herein set forth.
$6
Second. In dinner &c. plates having a separating partition and condiment
'pockets," forming said plates with a continuous or unbroken rim, at the parts
where the pockets or receptacles occur; all, as, and for the purposes herein set
forth.
Dated this 15th day of March 1894.
JAMES
STEVENSON,
1, Furnival Street, Holborn, E.C., Agent for Applicant.