IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS OR APPLIANCES FOR SERVING MUSTARD AND OTHER CONDIMENTS
Year: 1867

page_text: Sealed the 5th June 1868, and dated the 11th December 1867.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Murdoch Napier
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition. on the
11th December 1867.
1. JAMES MURDOCH NAPIER. of York Road, Lambeth. in the County of
Surrey, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS OR APPLIANCES FOR SERVING MUSTARD AND OTHER CONDIMENTS,"
to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in that description of
apparatus or appliances for serving mustard or other condiments in which the
mustard is served by being forced through an orifice. Means for serving
mustard in this manner are described in the Specification of Letters Patent
granted to me dated 24th May 1867. No. 1552.
In my improved mustard serving apparatus. or mustard server as it may be

page_text: more shortly termed. I eject the mustard through the serving orifice by means of
a pump having connected with it a vessel or reservoir from which it is supplied.
The supply vessel or reservoir may be of any convenient size and form and
may be suited for stationary and for portable mustard servers.
The pump
portion of the apparatus may also be of any desired size. but I prefer that its
dimensions be regulated so that it may eject at one throw a quantity equal to
about an ordinary serving of mustard. The piston of the pump may be
constructed with a valve, which may be arranged to open on the return stroke
and allow the mustard to pass through to the pressure side of the piston, and
in close when the piston is forced against the mustard to eject it from the
pump chamber. An exit valve may be used for the purpose of preventing
the entrance of air into the pump chamber through the serving orifice on the
return stroke of the piston or the exit. passage. that is. the passage leading
from the pump chamber to the serving orifice may be sufficiently constricted
so that the mustard remaining in it will block the passage, and so serve
instead of a valve to prevent the entrance of the air on the return stroke
of the piston. and to enable a vacuum to be formed in the pump chamber.
which is refilled with mustard from the supply vessel. The pump. of
my improved mustard serving apparatus may also he constructed with
a piston or plunger having no valve. and a suitable suction or intake
valve separate from it may be employed. A solid piston or plunger may
also be used without a separate suction or intake valve. and the mustard
may enter the pump chamber through an opening or openings in it uncovered
by the piston when at and near the end of its return stroke, or the piston may
be withdrawn in its return stroke beyond and out of the end of the pump
chamber far enough to leave an opening through which the mustard may flow
from the supply vessel into the pump chamber. In this arrangement of my
apparatus the supply vessel should he placed above the pump. A separate
suction or intake valve may be used not only when a solid piston is employed
but also in conjunction with a valve piston. more especially in cases where
the supply vessel is situated below the pump.
In my improved mustard serving apparatus therefore intake and exit valves
may be provided when desired. and in the manner which may be preferred.
and which may he most suitable to any particular form and arrangement of
the apparatus. The pumps and supply vessels of my improved mustard servers
may be placed in any convenient positions with respect to each other, so as to
suit various forms of and to accommodate to preferential arrangements of the
apparatus. In some arrangements of the apparatus I apply the necessary
pressure for rejecting the mustard out of the pump chamber through the exit

page_text: passage and serving orifice directly upon the piston or plunger by means of a
rod attached to it, and conveniently placed for the person serving the mustard
to actuate it, and in other arrangements I introduce a lever or levers through
the medium of which the pump may be actuated by the person using the
mustard server. The pump may also be actuated by any other suitable means.
I prefer to cause the return throw of the piston or plunger by the reaction of
a spring conveniently placed so as to be compressed, extended, or otherwise
disturbed from its normal condition by the action which forces the mustard
through the serving orifice. The serving orifice of my mustard servers
may be placed at the lower part, or at the upper part, or at any convenient
part of the apparatus, the general arrangement being in accordance
therewith, and the mustard servers may be formed with convenient handle
or handles for holding them while serving the mustard, and for removing
them from place to place according to the particular mode of use for which
they may be more especially designed. The mustard servers
may be
arranged and formed suitably for being placed directly upon the table,
and also for being placed in a stand or holder, such stands or holders
being adapted to receive them and to support them in a manner convenient
for use. My mustard servers, which are more especially suited to be
supported in a stand or holder, have the serving orifice placed at the lower
part or bottom of the apparatus, and directed downwards. The stands or
holders may be formed to allow the serving orifice of the mustard servers
supported in them to overhang, so as to permit of the mustard being served
from the mustard server without displacing it from the stand or holder. The
stands or holders may also be arranged so that when preferred the mustard
server may be removed from the stand or holder for serving the mustard.
1 also in some cases form and arrange my stands or holders and mustard
servers so that when the mustard server is placed in the stand or holder the
serving orifice is closed by contact with a cork or other suitable surface. In
order to protect the mustard contained in the supply vessels or reservoirs of
my mustard servers from exposure to the atmosphere I sometimes employ a
float suited to the form of the supply vessel, which float rests on the mustard
and sinks in the vessel as the quantity of mustard diminishes, keeping the
surface of the mustard covered; the weight of the float may, when desired, be
made available to assist the flow of the mustard into the pump chamber.
When such floats are used the vessels should be cylindrical or have parallel
sides.
In certain of my mustard servers which are intended to occupy fixed
positions more than one pump may be connected with one supply vessel, and

page_text: the pumps may be arranged so as to project and overhang from the supply
vessel with their serving orifices directed downwards or otherwise in a manner
convenient for use.
The several parts of my improved mustard serving apparatus may be made
of any suitable materials.
Throughout this Specification I have spoken only of serving mustard. but
it is evident that the apparatus is also applicable to the serving of other similar
condiments.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said James Murdoch Napier in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
11th June 1868.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I. JAMES
MURDOCH NAPIER, of York Road. Lambeth. in the County of Surrey, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria. by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eleventh day of December. in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, in the thirty-first year of
ller reign. did. for Herself, Her heirs and successors. give and grant unto
me, the said James Murdoch Napier. Her special licence that 1. the said.
James Murdoch Napier. my executors. administrators, and assigns, or such
others as 1. the said James Murdoch Napier, any executors, administrators. and
assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and
at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed. should and lawfully
might make. use. exercise. and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland. the Channel Islands. and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS OR APPLIANCES FOR SERVING MUSTARD AND
OTHER CONDIMENTS," upon the condition (amongst others) that L. the said James
Murdoch Napier. my executors. or administrators, by an instrument in writing
under my, or their, or one of their hands and scals. should particularly describe
and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what maner the same
was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the
said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I. the said James Murdoch Napier. do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention. and in what manner the same is
to be performed. to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, that is to say:-

page_text: This Invention has for its object improvements in that description of
apparatus or appliances for serving mustard or other condiments in which the
mustard is served by being forced through an orifice. Means for serving
mustard in this manner are described in the Specification of Letters Patent
granted to me dated the 24th of May 1867. No. 1552.
In my improved mustard serving apparatus. or mustard server as it
may be more shortly termed, I eject the mustard through the serving
orifice by means of a pump having connected with it a vessel or reservoir
from which it is supplied. The supply vessel or reservoir may be of
any convenient size and form and may be suited for stationary and for
portable mustard servers. The pump portion of the apparatus may also
be of any desired size, but I prefer that its dimensions be regulated so
that it may eject at one throw a quantity equal to about an ordinary
serving of mustard. The piston of the pump may be constructed with
a valve which may be arranged to open on the return stroke and allow the
mustard to pass through to the pressure side of the piston and to close
when the piston is forced against the mustard to eject it. from the pump
chamber. An exit valve may be used for the purpose of preventing the
entrance of air into the pump chamber through the serving orifice on the
return stroke of the piston or the exit passage. that is. the passage leading
from the pump chamber to the serving orifice may be sufficiently con-
stricted so that the mustard remaining in it will block the passage and
so serve instead of a valve to prevent the entrance of the air on the
return stroke of the piston and to enable il vacuum to be formed in
the pump chamber which is refilled with mustard from the supply vessel.
The pump of my improved mustard serving apparatus may also be con-
structed with a piston or plunger having no valve and a suitable suction or
in-take valve separate from it may be employed. A solid piston or plunger
may also be used without a separate suction or in-take valve and the mustard
may enter the pump chamber through an opening or openings in it uncovered
by the piston when at and near the end of its return stroke: or the piston
may be withdrawn in its return stroke beyond and out of the end of the pump
chamber far enough to leave an opening through which the mustard may flow
from the supply vessel into the pump chamber. In this arrangement of my
apparatus the supply vessel should be placed above the pump. A separate
suction or intake valve may be used not only when a solid piston is employed
but also in conjunction with a valve piston. more especially in cases where the
supply vessel is situated below the pump.
In my improved mustard serving apparatus therefore in-take and exit valves

page_text: may be provided when desired, and in the manner which may be preferred, and
which may be most suitable to any particular form and arrangement of the
apparatus. The pumps and supply vessels of my improved mustard servers
may be placed in any convenient positions with respect to each other so as to
suit various forms of and to accommodate to preferential arrangements of the
apparatus. In some arrangements of the apparatus I apply the necessary
pressure for ejecting the mustard out of the pump chamber through the exit
passage and serving orifice directly upon the piston or plunger by means of a
rod attached to it and conveniently placed for the person serving the mustard
to actuate it, and in other arrangements introduce a lever or levers through
the medium of which the pump may be acuated by the person using the
mustard server. The pump may also be actuated by any other suitable means.
I prefer to cause the return throw of the piston or plunger by the reaction of a
spring conveniently placed so as to be compressed, extended, or otherwise
disturbed from its normal condition by the action which forces the mustard
through the serving orifice. The serving orifice of my mustard servers
may be placed at the lower part, or at the upper part, or at any con-
venient part of the apparatus, the general arrangement being in accordance
therewith, and the mustard servers may be formed with convenient handle
or handles for holding them while serving the mustard and for removing
them from place to place according to the particular mode of use for
which they may be more especially designed; the mustard servers may be
arranged and formed suitably for being placed directly upon the table and
also for being placed in a stand or holder, such stands or holders being
adapted to receive them and to support them in a manner convenient for
use. My mustard servers which are more especially suited to be supported
in a stand or holder have the serving orifice placed at the lower part or
bottom of the apparatus and directed downwards. The stands or holders may
be formed to allow the serving orifice of the mustard servers supported in
them to overhang so as to permit of the mustard being served from the
mustard server without displacing it from the stand or holder. The stands or
holders may also be arranged so that when preferred the mustard server may
be removed from the stand or holder for serving the mustard.
also in some cases form and arrange my stands or holders and mustard
servers so that when the mustard server is placed in the stand or holder the
serving orifice is closed by contact with a cork or other suitable surface. In
order to protect the mustard contained in the supply vessels or reservoirs of
my mustard servers from exposure to the atmosphere, I sometimes employ a
float suited to the form of the supply vessel, which float resis on the mustard

page_text: and sinks in the vessel as the quantity of mustard diminishes keeping the
surface of the mustard covered. The weight of the float may when desired
be made available to assist the flow of the mustard into the pump chamber..
When such floats are used the vessels should be cylindrical or have parallel
sides,
In certain of my mustard servers which are intended to occupy fixed
positions, more than one pump may be connected with one supply vessel, and
the pumps may be arranged so as to project and overhang from the supply
vessel with their serving orifices directed downwards or otherwise in a manner
convenient for use.
The several parts of my improved mustard serving apparatus may be made
of any suitable materials.
Throughout this Specification I have spoken only of serving mustard, but
it is evident that the apparatus is also applicable to the serving of other
similar condiments.
And in order that my said Invention may be most fully understood and
readily carried into effect. I will proceed to describe the Drawings hereto
annexed.
Figure represents a view in section of one of my improved mustard servers
designed suitably to be placed directly upon the table and not in a stand or
holder as are some other forms of my Invention to which I shall herein-after
refer.
A is the body of the vessel or reservoir for containing the mustard: B. the
base. which is in this instance formed in one piece with the body and of the
same material. The pump is placed in the centre of the base: C is the pump
chamber: the piston fitted to it, which in this instance is formed as a ring
with cross bars supporting a boss at the centre and leaving passage ways
through the piston. In the centre boss is a hole. through which the lower
end of the piston rod c passes and fits freely. On the extreme end of the
piston rod is a small head or collar d which prevents the piston from coming
off the piston rod and acts against it when it is drawn upwards on the return
stroke. e is a valve which is fast upon the piston rod. and has its seat on the
upper part of the piston a. The piston is shown in its highest position, and
the piston valve e is raised from off its seat. leaving sufficient opening for the
contents to pass from the reservoir A into the pump chamber C. The con-
struction of the piston a and valve e will be clearly understood by reference to
the enlarged views shewn in Figures 19 and 20. The upper end of rod c
passes through the cover or stopper D which has a hollow g suited to contain
the spring h: the tube i serves as a covering to the spring, and is attached to

page_text: the button, which is screwed to or otherwise fastened to the rod c. It will
be seen that the spring acts upwards against the button . and downwards
against the bottom of the recess in the stopper D. so that the pision rod is
now raised by the force of the spring. The collar 1. which is fast upon the
rod c. comes against the under side of the stopper D. and thus prevents the
rod being raised too high by the spring: it will now be clearly understood
that sufficient pressure being applied upon the hutton the spring will he
compressed, and the rod e will be forced down. carrying with it the valve e.
which, when it comes upon its seat on the piston will carry it downwards
also. and so eject the contents of the pump chamber into the passage m and
out of the serving orifice n. When the pressure upon the button is released
the spring reacts and resumes the position shewn in the Figure withdrawing
the valve from its seat on the piston w, and raising the piston by the head
or collar d. Q is a plug piece for making good the end of the pump chamber.
The cover or stopper D may be made of any suitable material. and may he
encircled, as shown at by a soft material. such as vulcanized india-rubber.
p is a hole in the stopper to supply air to the vessel. The delivery lube E is
in this Figure represented of metal and fitted into the base of the server.
and the body and handle are shown of such thickness and form as would
suit for the manufacture in materials such as glass, porcelain, and other like
substances.
Figure represents the position of the button : when it is fully pressed
down the tube has passed into the recess and the spring his compressed.
the rod c has been forced down and has carried with it the valve e, which is
now upon its seat on the piston a which it has carried downwards also, so that
the contents, or at least a great portion of the contents of the pump chamber C
have been ejected into the exit passage m and out of the serving orifice.
Figure 2 is similar in its mechanical action to Figure 1. but the stopper is
made conical as an ordinary glass stopper. The pump chamber C is in this
Figure shown of metal fitted and fastened into the bottom of the reservoir
vessel A the handle is also omitted, so that when used the vessel will be
laken hold of by the body.
Figure represents a modification in form and arrangement which will be
at once understood. The mechanical action is the same as that which I have
already described. The cover D may be hinged. and the delivery nose E may
be formed of metal if preferred.
Figure 4. In this Figure the necessary pressure is given upon the end of
a lever at G, and through the connecting piece r is transmitted to the piston.
rod c compressing the spring contained in the tube which is fast to the under

page_text: side of the cover D; H is a guide to steady the end of the lever, and I, the
fulcrum upon which it acts. The thicknesses in this Figure are shown as for
construction in metal.
Figure 5. In this. Figure the pump. chamber C and piston rode are shewn
in a horizontal position beneath the reservoir A. the contents of the reservoir
flow into the pump chamber through the opening O in the bottom of the vessel.
The pressure is given against the lever at G..in the direction of the arrow, and
as the fulcrum is at I, the opposite end of the lever will act towards the vessel
and compress the spring which is contained in a tube s, as in the last Figure,
the collar on the piston rod acting against the spring and compressing it
against the bottom of the tube s. The handle in this Figure is shewn of metal
and fastened to the vessel by bands. J is a float loosely fitting the vessel, and
intended, to rest upon the contents.of the supply vessel, so as to keep the
surface covered from exposure to the atmosphere. The chain shewn attached
to the float affords a ready means for withdrawing it from the vessel.
Figure 6. In this Figure the piston rod c passes out of the bottom of the
pump chamber, and is actuated by a lever placed underneath, having its
fulcrum at 1, and being actuated at G through the rod K. The pressure is
given on the button j. The spring is in this case extended by the pressure,
and the réaction is produced by the contraction, one, end of it is attached to
the lever and the other to the metal base of the mustard server. The lid D
is in this Figure shown hinged.
Figure 7. In this Figure the pressure is given as in the last upon the
button, and is communicated to the lever at G. The lever is so formed as
to embrace the vessel, and has on each side a fulcrum pin at I. At it is
connected by rods to a cross bar at (see Figure 7), to which cross bar the
piston rod a is attached. By these means the piston may be actuated by
pressure upon the button on the top of the rod K (see also Figure 7). The
contents of the vessel A pass through the opening O into the pump
chamber C, and through the exit passage me and out of the serving orifice n.
Figure 8 represents one of my mustard servers A placed in a stand or
holder M. The server rests at N on the ring forming the top of the stand
which may be a tripod. The base of the stand is provided with a piece of
soft material, such as cork or vulcanized india-rubber, so placed at P as to
close the serving orifice n by contact with it, when the server is placed in the
stand or holder.
..
Figure 9 represents a mustard server A with stand or holder M, of a
similar description to that last described, but differing in form, and suited for
execution in glass, porcelain, or other. similar materials. The vessel A rests

page_text: in the stand or holder at N. The serving orifice is shown with metal
point.
In Figure 9 the piston or plunger a is solid, and the pump chamber C in
which the piston a works is elongated upwards forming a tube, and fits at its
upper end round the collar 1. which is fast to the piston rod, c. When the
pressure is exerted upon the button the spring his compressed and the rod c
and piston a are forced downwards, and by the friction of the piston a in the
chamber C, and the friction of the collar in the upper end of the tube C the
tube is brought down until the lower end of it (which acts as a valve) comes
into contact with the bottom of the vessel A at c', where it finds its seat.
In the further descent of the piston a it slides in the pump chamber C. and
ejects the mustard out of the chamber through the passage m and out of the
serving orifice n. In the return stroke of the piston the tube C' is raised from
off its seat at c' by the friction of the piston in it, and by the friction of the
collar in the upper portion of the tube C until the upper end of the tube
comes against the under side of the stopper D, in which position it is shewn
in the Figure. After this has taken place the piston continues to rise until
it assumes the position shewn in the Figure, the collar coming in contact with
the stopper D. During this last portion of the rise of the piston it slides in the
chamber C, and leaves space in the chamber which is filled up by the mustard
which flows in between the seat at c' and the lower end of the chamber C.
Figure 10 shows a mustard server A placed in a stand or holder M.
which is designed so that the serving orifice n overhangs, and the mustard
may be served by pressing down the button without removing the server
from the stand. The server can also be removed from the stand when desired
and used separate from it being replaced in the stand after use.
The server
rests in the stand at N.
Figure illustrates the form of the server to which I have referred. in
which a solid piston is used without suction valves. the piston being withdrawn in
its return stroke against the pressure of the atmosphere until it uncovers open-
ings through which the contents of the vessel can pass into the pump chamber.
a is the solid piston, which is now withdrawn by the force of the extra strong
spring shown above, and the openings o are uncovered. so that the contents
of the containing vessel A can pass into the pump chamber C; while the piston
is being withdrawn from the pump chamber the exit valve u serves to keep
the mustard which may be in the exit passage m from returning into the pump
chamber. When the piston is forced into the pump chamber the valve u is
displaced from its seat and the mustard passes through the exit passage m,
and out of the serving orifice n. The construction of the valve u will be

page_text: clearly understood by reference to the enlarged views shown in Figures 21
and 22.
Figure 12 represents another form of my mustard servers in which the
pump chamber is placed above the reservoir. A is the containing vessel or
reservoir C, the pump chamber: m. the exit passage: n. the serving orifice:
1, the pressure button. The piston a is in this example solid, and as it retires
in the return stroke a partial vacuum is formed in the pump chamber. (the
exit passage and serving orifice being made sufficiently constricted so that the
mustard remaining in them will prevent the air entering the pump chamber).
When a vacuum is thus formed in the pump chamber the contents of the
vessel A will raise the intake or suction valve and flow up the suction
pipe S. and fill the pump chamber C. When pressure is applied on the
button and the piston is forced forward the valve » serves to prevent the
mustard passing back again into the reservoir A. and it is ejected through the
exit passage m and out of the serving orifice n. In the arrangement shown
in this Figure the pump apparatus is attached to the cover D of the reservoir,
which cover is intended to fit so as readily to be removed.
Figure 1 shows an arrangement somewhat similar to Figure 12, but the
piston is made with a valve such as I have previously described.
The use
of the valve piston makes the in-take valve less necessary. and it might
even be dispensed with if preferred.
Figure 14 is similar to Figure 12 with the addition of the exit valve .
which keeps the exit passage closed on the return stroke when the piston .
which in this instance is solid, is withdrawn from the pump chamber C, the
exit passage m is made larger in this Figure as the valve v serves to close it at
the proper time, instead of the mustard which in Figure 12 blocks up the
constricted passage and so serves instead of an exit valve.
Figure 15 is similar to Figure 13. with the addition of the exit valve
and the enlarged exit passage m and serving orifice n. The reservoir A in
this last Figure is represented thicker, and suitable to be executed in glass,
porcelain, and the like materials.
Figure 16 is an ornamental mustard server with stand or holder; the
server A is supported in the stand M. and the serving orifice is shown in
contact with a piece of soft material at P. The server may be readily
removed from its stand or holder for use, and replaced.
Figure 17 illustrates in section the upper and lower portions of the server A.
which in mechanism is similar to some of those which I have already
described.
Figure 18 represents in section one of my servers which is intended to occupy

page_text: a fixed position. The reservoir A is arranged to have four supply tubes branching
from it, to the end of each of which a pump is supposed to be attached. One
of these pumps only is shown, and is of the same mechanical construction
as those which I have already fully described. The vessel A is placed on a
pedestal A', and a ring which encircles it near the top carries brackets for
supporting the pumps. J is a float for keeping the surface of the contents
covered against the effects of exposure to the atmosphere. The pressure is
exerted upon the button and the mustard passes out of the serving orifice n.
Figure 23 shows one of my mustard servers and its stand or holder com-
bined in a stand with vessels suited for containing other condiments. A is
the mustard server which rests in its stand or holder at N and has its serving
orifice at n. The server A may be removed from its, stand and replaced at
pleasure.
Figure 24 represents a small stand for salt, pepper, and mustard, arranged
as a stand or holder for my improved mustard server. A is the mustard
server which rests in the stand or holder at N. The serving orifice is at n.
This server may also be removed from the stand, and replaced at pleasure.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Murdoch Napier, have hereunto
set my hand and scal, this Eleventh day of June, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight.
JAMES M. NAPIER. (..s.)