Improvements in the Process of and Apparatus Employed in the Treatment of Tea.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Nov., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 8th Aug., 1890-Accepted, 11th Oct., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Improvements in the Process of and Apparatus Employed in the
Treatment of Tea.
I JOHN DAVIES TREHARNE of 86 to 88 Leadenhall Street in the City of London,
Wholesale Druggist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The invention has for its object improvements in the process of and apparatus
employed in the treatment of ten by submitting the latter to the action of alkaloid
fumes or vapour to neutralize or eliminate the tannic acid of the tea.
For this purpose I place a given quantity of the alkaloid_powder used in one or
more receivers so as to spread it out as much as possible and I place the said receiver
or receivers in a vapourizing chamber submitted to the action of heat which may be
applied thereto in any convenient manner but preferably by means of gas jets under-
noath said vapourizing chamber. From the vapourizing chamber the alkaloid vapor
passes through a suitable strainer into a receiver provided with a pressure gauge to
indicate the pressure of the vapor therein, and with a pipe to convey the alkaloid
vapor into the centre of a drum in which the charge of toa is treated.
The pipe leading into the drum terminates in a globular cylindrical or other shaped
receiver which is finely perforated to allow the alkaloid vapour to pass out therefrom
into the drum or cylinder in minute streams so as to act upon every particle of tea
therein whilst the drum is being turned. The vaporizing chamber, the vapor receiver
and the heating means are preferably enclosed in a suitable case provided with a flue
to carry off the products of combustion and the said chamber and receiver are provided
with glass in their sides to enable the interior thereof to be seen as required.
Below the cylinder is a removeable receiver which receives the charge of tea after
it has been submitted sufficiently long, generally a few minutes, to the action of the
alkaloid vapor.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Process of and Apparatus Employed in the
Treatment of Tea.
1 JOHN DAVIES TREHARNE of 86 to 88 Leadenhall Street in the City of London
Wholesale Druggist 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 :—
This invention has for its object improvements in apparatus employed in the treat-
ment of tea by submitting the latter to the action of alkaloid fumes or vapour to
neutralize or eliminate the tannic acid of the tea.
The accompanying drawing represents an elevational view of the apparatus partly
in section.
I place a given quantity of the alkaloid powder used in one or more recoivers so as
to spread it out as much as possible and I place the said receiver or receivers in a
vapourizing chamber A. submitted to the action of heat which may be applied thereto
in any convenient manner but preferably by means of gas jets as shown at B
underneath the perforated shelf C which supports the vapourizing chamber A.
From the vapourizing chamber A the alkaloid vapour passes through a suitable

page_text: strainer into a receiver D supported upon the perforated shelf J and provided with a
pressure gauge E to indicate the pressure of the vapour therein and fitted with a pipe F
for conveying the alkaloid vapour into the centre of a drum or cylinder G in which the
charge of tea is trented.
The pipe F terminates in a globular, cylindrical or other shaped receiver H which
is finely perforated to allow the alkaloid vapour to pass out therefrom into the drum
or cylinder G in minute streams so as to act on every particle of tea therein whilst
the drum or cylinder G is slowly rotated by means of the handle K connected with a
pinnion L engaging with the spur wheel M.
The vapourizing chamber A, the vapour receiver D and the gas burner B are
preferably enclosed in a case N provided with a flue P to carry off the products of
combustion passing through the perforated shelves C and J. The vapourizing
chamber A and the vapour receiver D are each fitted with a glass door Q and R to
provide means of gaining access to their interior and to enable the interior thereof to
bo seen upon opening a door provided in the outer casing N.
Below the drum or cylinder G is a removable trolley S which receives the charge
of tea passing out from the drum or cylinder G by the door T after it has been
submitted sufficiently long, generally a few minutes, to the action of the alkaloid
vapour.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
In apparatus for the treatment of tea by submitting it to the action of alkaloid
fumes or vapour, the combination of a vapourizing chamber, a vapour strainer and
receiver and a rotative drum in which the charge of tea under treatment is agitated
in an atmosphere of alkaloid fumes or vapour introduced into the drum from the
receiver by means of a pipo entering the drum at its centre and terminating in a finely
perforated globe or cylinder substantially as described.
Dated this 7th day of August 1890.
AIMION & THOMAS,
Agents for the Applicant.