Improvements in Devices for Seeding Raisins.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Mar., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 20th Oct., 1892-Accepted, 10th Dec., 1892
[Communicated from abroad by EDWARD RUSSELL HAYWARD, of North Easton,
County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts, Farmer.]
Improvements in Devices for Seeding Raisins.
I, REGINALD WALTER BARKER, of Monument Chambers, King William Street,
London, Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to devices for seeding raisins or similar small fruit of that
type in which the raisin is seeded by pressing it against a set or series of ribs of
wire adapted to first yield or open laterally to permit the passage of the seeds
between them, and then close and prevent the withdrawal of the seed as the seeded
raisin is removed; and my improvement consists in the detailed construction of the
seeder, which will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.
The two handles of my improved raisin-seeder are constructed like the handles
of a pair of scissors or shears and are pivoted together. The jaws of the device
consist of open frames preferably of square or rectangular shape, although, if
desired, they may be circular, oval, or of any other desired configuration. Each
of these open frames form the support for a series of parallel wire ribs arranged
like the bars of a gridiron, and bent at opposite ends, where they are connected to
opposite sides of the frame so that they will form a raised platform above (or below)
their appropriate supporting-frames. This raised middle part or wire platform is
preferably made slightly convex to obtain a better grip or bearing against the
raisin to be seeded, and the distance or open spaces between the parallel ribs should
be slightly narrower than the minimum thickness of a raisin-seed. The wire of
which they are made should also be sufficiently. flexible to permit the ribs composing
the jaws to spring apart and allow a raisin-seed to pass between them. The ribs on
opposite jaws are so arranged that those of one jaw will cross those of the other
approximately at right angles, both jaws being in other respects constructed
exactly alike.
To use the device, the jaws are opened by forcing the handles apart with the
fingers of the right hand, and a raisin is inserted between the two jaws. By now
bringing the handles together the ribbed jaws will close upon and compress the;
raisin, when the seeds are caused by the pressure to break through the skin on
opposite sides and pass between the ribs of the upper and lower jaws, the ribs.
yielding or springing apart to permit the passage of the seeds, and springing back
into their normal position after the seeds have passed through, thereby preventing
the seeds from sticking to the under side of the wire ribs.
By this device one raisin may rapidly be seeded after another without soiling the
fingers, as the raisin is compressed and broken to force the seeds out between the
jaws, and with a little practice the operation of seeding raisins and similar small
fruit can be performed very speedily and cleanly.
Dated this 1st day of March 1892.

page_text: Improvements in Devices for Seeding Raisins.
I, REGINALD WALTER BARKER, of Monument Chambers, King William
Street, London, Middlesex, Patent Agent, 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 :-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved raisin seeder.
Fig 2 is a side view of the device, showing the same as when in use with a raisin
inserted between the jaws.
Fig. 3 is a sectional view through the jaws on line in Fig. 2, and
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the jaws.
Like letters of reference denote corresponding parts in all the figures.
This invention relates to devices for seeding raisins or similar small fruit of that
type in which the raisin is seeded by pressing it against a set or series of ribs of
wire adapted to first yield or open laterally to permit the passage of the seeds
between them, and then close and prevent the withdrawal of the seed as the seeded
raisin is removed; and my improvement consists in the detailed construction of the
seeder, which will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.
Referring to the drawings, the letters A and B designate the two handles of my
improved raisin seeder which are constructed like the handles of a pair of scissors
or shears and pivoted together at C. The jaws of the device consist of open
frames D, preferably of square or rectangular shape, although, if desired, they may
be circular, oval, or of any other desired configuration. Each of these open
frames D forms the support for a series of parallel wire ribs E, arranged like the
bars of a gridiron, and bent at opposite ends, where they are connected to opposite
sides of the frame, as shown, so that they will form a raised platform above (or
below) their appropriate supporting frames. This raised middle part or wire
platform is preferably made slightly convex to obtain a better grip or bearing
against the raisin to be seeded and the distance or open spaces between the parallel
ribs should be slightly narrower than the minimum thickness of a raisin seed. The
wire of which they are made should also be sufficiently flexible to permit the ribs
composing the jaws to spring apart and allow a raisin seed to pass between them.
The ribs on opposite jaws are so arranged that those of one jaw will cross those
of the other approximately at right angles, both jaws being in other respects
constructed exactly alike.
To use the device, the jaws are opened by forcing the handles A and B apart with
the fingers of the right hand, and a raisin is inserted between the two jaws DD
as shown in Fig. 2. By now bringing the handles together the ribbed jaws will
close upon and compress the raisin, when the seeds are caused by the pressure to
break through the skin on opposite sides and pass between the ribs of the upper
and lower jaws, the ribs yielding or springing apart to permit the passage of the
seeds, and springing back into their normal position after the seeds have passed
through, thereby preventing the seeds from sticking to the under side of the
wire ribs.
By this device one raisin may rapidly be seeded after another without soiling the
fingers, as the raisin is compressed and broken to force the seeds out between the
jaws, and with a little practice the operation of seeding raisins and similar small
fruit can be performed very speedily and cleanly.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
A raisin seeder composed of a pair of inwe consisting of anan frames orcesed in

page_text: opposite directions by raised ribs of wire, so that when closed the ribs of opposite
jaws will cross each other approximately at right angles, said jaws being provided
with handles, whereby they may be opened, and closed, substantially as and for the
purpose herein shown and set forth.
Dated this 20th day of October 1892