Improved Process of Preserving Organic Substances, more particularly applicable for Alimentary Substances.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 1st July, 1896-Accepted, 1st Aug., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Process of Preserving Organic Substances, more
particularly applicable for Alimentary Substances.
1, CHARLES LÉON BACHELERIE, of 32, Boulevard Haussmano, Paris, in the
Republic of France, Engineer and Chemist, 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 preservation of alimentary substances including their preparation in the
places where they are produced, their transportation to any distance, and their
delivery in commercial centres is one of the problems which has most exercised
the ingenuity of inventors by the reason of its capital importance from an economic
point of view.
Numerous processes suggested have always been found insufficient or inefficient,
more particularly when it is a question of preserving in a fresh and natural condition
large quantities of meat and fish.
I have myself invented and patented two different methods of preservation which
give practical results without however furnishing a complete and general solution
of the problem stated; the above consist first of the method of preservation by
the reaction of an acid on an alkaline or earthy carbonate, and second the method
of preservation by the combined use of temporary and permanent vacuum in a
closed vessel.
With the first method the alimentary substances are preserved for a long time
without change and without losing anything of their nutritive qualities, but such
substances cannot be packed in cases, as it is indispensable to keep them suspended
freely in air constantly renewed which is an obstacle to their conveyance in large
quantities by ships or by rail. Further at the end of a certain time these
substances dry up and lose their original weight and appearance.
By the combined use of cold and vacuum in a closed vessel, alimentary
substances are preserved, retaining their appearance, their freshness and their
natural taste, but when the receptacles containing them are opened it is necessary
to consume the said products with the shortest possible delay more particularly in
summer, seeing that when once opened they are no longer protected against
corruption.
This is a serious inconvenience when it is a question of cases containing large
quantities of substances such for instance as the provisioning of urban markets, the
supply of armies on a campaign, the revictualling of a fleet, the requirements on
voyages of exploration etcetera.
The two processes herein before mentioned whilst offering advantages much
superior to those obtained previously are however not entirely exempt from
appreciable inconveniences.
By continuing my researches in this line I have found that organic substances
treated by the former process may be preserved in a closed vessel by the combined
action of cold and vacuum and equally well with fresh substances and that
when once removed from the receptacles the same substances exposed to the
renewed air remain without alteration for a somewhat considerable time. Hence
the problem was solved in all its bearings.
My present process therefore consists essentially in treating organic substances
by the first process as hereinafter explained in such a way as to ensure their
preservation in the open air, then in suitably arranging them in tight vessels and

page_text: subjecting them to the action of cold in order to destroy or neutralize germs and
ferments and finally in producing a vacuum in these closed receptacles.
The substances prepared under these conditions are preserved for a long time
without undergoing any alteration. When one case is opened in order to bring its
contents into consumption it is sufficient to withdraw the alimentary substances
and expose them suspended in a current of air in order that they may preserve
their qualities and their appearance until the contents of the case are exhausted;
it is even possible after having extracted a part of the products to be consumed to
close the case again and again establish a vacuum.
This process of preservation is applicable to alimentary substances, butchers'
meat, poultry, game, fish, shellfish, eggs, butter, milk and the like and generally
speaking to all organic substances."
The following is the process I employ in practice for carrying out my
invention-
The substances to be preserved are placed in a metal chamber preferably
cylindrical in form and capable of resisting a somewhat considerable pressure.
Said substances, according to their nature, are suspended therein or placed on
open work stages or arranged on travelling carriages but always in such a way as
to isolate their surfaces and to avoid their being pile done on the other. On the
bottom of the receptacle there is placed a suitable quantity of bicarbonate of soda,
or an alkaline or earthy carbonate which is moistened until of a pasty consistency.
Above is a dish oscillating on a shaft which may be operated from the outside
and in which dish there can be introduced a given quantity of concentrated hydro-
chloric acid by means of a tube opening to the outside where it is terminated by
a funnel and a tap. The matters being thus arranged the apparatus is closed
by means of a lid, man-hole cover or a door having tight joints, the acid is
introduced and the dish is caused to oscillate. As soon as the liquid falls on the
bicarbonate of soda a very active reaction is produced causing a tumultuous release
of gas carrying with it a portion of the hydrochloric acid in a condition of extreme
sub-division; pressure shown by a manometer, rises in the apparatus and the gas
penetrates the substances which are to be preserved. The duration of the operation
varies with the nature and the size of the substances treated nevertheless it is
always short; in most cases it is not advisable to raise the pressure above
one atmosphere and a half.
In the accompanying drawings-I have shown as an example one of the forms
which the apparatus may assume but it is needless to state that I do not limit
myself as regards this point to any special form or dimensions.
Figure 1 is an elevation of a treating chamber with a portion of the outer casing
removed.
Figure 2 is an elevation of a fixed metallic box or case,
Figure 3 is an elevation of a receptacle mounted on a road waggon and,
Figure 4 the same on a railway truck.
A is a metal vessel or receptacle, the bottom B of which has a discharge tap C.
D is a service door having tight fitting joints, E is a dish mounted on a spindle F,
which is caused to revolve or tilt from the outside by means of a crank handle G.
A pipe I, provided with a tap J and terminated by a funnel H allows of hydro-
chloric acid being introduced into the dish. The apparatus has in addition one
or more safety valves, a pressure indicator and if required an electric alarm device
signalling to a distance the limit of pressure which it is desired should not be
exceeded. Sight holes of thick glass may be arranged in order to allow of the
operations inside being inspected. Finally on the internal wall of the apparatus
pipes perforated with holes are arranged in order to allow of the apparatus being
washed out with plenty of water between two operations. The operation terminated,
the apparatus is opened the substances are withdrawn, and the second phase of the
process is proceeded with.
For this object I employ a perfectly tight metallic box capable of resisting
atmospheric pressure when a vacuum is produced therein. This box is provided

page_text: with a charging door inaintained on its seat by a stirrup and a pressure screw or any
other equivalent means. It has in addition a pipe opening to the outside and
provided with a tap for producing a vacuum by means of a pump; one or more
thermometers; a pressure indicator showing at any instant the degree of vacuum
and indicating consequently any accidental entrance of outside air; and finally a
discharge tap for cleaning purposes.
The substances are suitably arranged in this box according to their nature and
size; after which the box is hermetically closed and its contents subjected to
the action of cold more or less prolonged according to the case but always to
such an extent as to destroy or neutralise germs and ferments. This result
obtained, the air pipe is placed in communication with a vacuum pump, a vacuum
is produced inside the box or inside the case and the tap is then closed. If
necessary the closing of the joint may be completed by crushing up the end of
the pipe and the operation is thus terminated. The vacuum may also be formed
before the application of cold.
It is evident that the manner of applying the cold may vary according to the
dimensions of the case, the applications in view or the installations which are
available.
Thus the cases may be conveyed and remain during any desired time in
permanent cold chambers; or they may have double walls filled with a refrigerating
mixture or traversed by a circulation of unfreezable liquid or the like. However
it may be, the cases thus prepared may be sent to docks or warehouses, stored on
board ships, conveyed by rail or road and travel in all latitudes without fear of
the least alteration in the organic substances contained therein. These substances
on the opening of the cases preserve their normal appearance, their freshness
and their original taste. The form and size of the cases may of course vary
according to the requirements to be satisfied. I have indicated on the accompanying
drawing various types which may be employed.
In Figure 2, M is a fixed metallic case provided with a closing stopper N,
a discharge tap O, a pipe for producing vacuum with a tap P, thermometer Q
and manometer R. Similar cases serve equally well for conveying alimentary
substances, but in such case the tap O is preferably replaced by a screw, plug or
stopper for the convenience of stowing and handling.
If the case has frequently to travel on railway trucks, it is given the form
shown in Figure 4.
Finally the cases for preserving substances may be mounted on wheels for
travelling on roads as shown in Figure 3.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be described, I declare that what I
claim is-
The herein described improved process of preserving organic substances more
particularly applicable for alimentary substances solid or liquid, which consists
essentially in submitting these substances in a closed vessel and under pressure to
the action of gaseous or subdivided products arising from the reaction of hydro-
chloric acid on bicarbonate of soda or other equivalent compound, and in then
arranging these substances in tightly closed receptacles and applying to them a
more or less prolonged action of cold and finally in producing a vacuum in the said
receptacles the whole substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 30th day of June 1896.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant.