Improvements in the Prevention of Fermentation or Decomposition of Animal and Vegetable Substances and in Apparatus Applicable therefor.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 21st June, 1883
Complete Specification Left, 20th Mar., 1889
Complete Specification Accepted, 20th Apr., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Prevention of Fermentation or Decomposition
of Animal and Vegetable Substances and in Apparatus Applicable
therefor.
I, JAN ANTHONY MULLER, of 77, Crayford Road, in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
-
It is well known that when water or other fluid under pressure flows through a tube
shaped so as to embrace the forms of the cena contracta and vena expansa arranged in
proper relation to one another their exists near the part of greatest contraction a
negative pressure, and that, if communication be made between the interior of such
tube at such part and the atmosphere, air will be induced and be carried mechanically
with the jet of fluid. I employ this principle in constructing apparatus for creating a
vacuum or partial vacuum in a closed vessel for the purpose of preventing or checking
fermentation or decomposition of animal or vegetable substances contained in such
vessel.
In constructing apparatus according to this invention, I mount in connection with
a receiver two tubes, each having the form of a truncated cone, their axes lying in the
same straight line and their apexes being in the interior of the receiver in close
proximity to each other. One or both of these tubes may be moveable in an axial
direction, so that the distance intervening between the opposed extremities of the said
tubes may be regulated as desired. The receiver is further provided with one or more
hollow projections or nozzles, each being provided with a branch having a faced recess
for the reception of a disc of rubber or other soft packing against which the vessels
containing the substances to be preserved are pressed, as will be hereinafter more
fully described. Between the receiver and the branch, the nozzle is provided with a
cock whereby communication between the interior of the receiver and of the vessel
can be controlled, and also, when requisite, between the interior of the branch and the
atmosphere. The branch is, moreover, provided with a packed plunger whereby an
india-rubber disc may be closed over the orifice in the vessel without air being
permitted to enter the branch.

page_text: The action of the apparatus is as follows:-A continuous jet of water or other fluid
under pressure is forced through the two truncated conical tubes, the one serving as
the inlet and the other as the outlet; the air contained in the receiver being educed
and carried away with the jet of fluid. The air in the receiver continues to expand
until rarefied to such an extent that animal or vegetable matters kept hermetically
sealed in the presence of the small quantity of air which may remain would not be
liable to fermentation or decomposition. The vessels containing the substances to be
preserved are hermetically sealed; a small orifice being, however, left in each vessel
through which communication with the receiver may be effected by means of the
branched nozzle for the purpose of enabling the air contained in the said vessels to be
rarefied to the same extent as that within the receiver. This having been accom-
plished, the orifice in each vessel is hermetically sealed, communication between the
receiver and the branch closed and that between the branch and the atmosphere
opened, whereupon the vessel may be readily removed from the receiver.
The form of the apparatus may be varied to suit the character of the vessels to be
treated and the conditions under which the work is required to be carried out.
Dated this 21st day of June 1888.
G. G. M. HARDINGHAM,
191, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Prevention of Fermentation or Decomposition
of Animal and Vegetable Substances and in Apparatus Applicable
therefor.
I, JAN ANTHONY MULLER, late of 77, Crayford Road, in the county of Middlesex,
but now of 1 and 3 Charlotte Street, Fitzroy Square, in the same County, Engineer,
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:-
It is well known that when water or other fluid under pressure flows through a tube
shaped so as to embrace the forms of the vena-contracta and vena-expansa arranged in
proper relation to one another there exists near the part of greater contraction, a
negative pressure, and that, if communication be made between the interior of such
tube at such part and the atmosphere, air will be induced and be carried mechanically
with the jet of fluid. I employ this principle in constructing apparatus for creating a
vacuum or partial vacuum in a closed vessel for the purpose of preventing or checking
fermentation or decomposition of animal or vegetable substances contained in such
vessel.
In constructing apparatus according to this invention, I mount in connection with
a receiver or vacuum chamber two tubes each having the form of a truncated cone,
their axes lying in the same straight line and their apexes being in the interior of the
receiver or vacuum chamber in close proximity to each other." One or both of these
tubes may be moveable in an axial direction so that the distance intervening between
the opposed extremities of the said tubes may be regulated as desired. The receiver
or vacuum chamber is further provided with one or more hollow projections or
nozzles, each being provided with a branch having a faced recess for the reception of
a disc of india rubber or other soft packing against which the vessels containing the
substances to be preserved are pressed, as will be hereinafter more fully described.
Between the receiver or vacuum chamber and the branch, the nozzle is provided with
a cock whereby communication between the interior of the receiver or vacuum
chamber and of the vessel can be controlled and also, when requisite, between the
interior of the branch and the atmosphere. The branch is, moreover, provided with a
plunger whereby an india-rubber disc may be closed over the orifice in the vessel
without air being permitted to enter the branch.
The action of the apparatus is as follows
-
A continuous jet of water or other fluid under pressure is forced through the two
truncated conical tubes, the one serving as the inlet and the other as the outlet: the
air contained in the receiver or vacuum chamber being educed and carried away with
the jet of fluid.
The air in the receiver or vacuum chamber continues to expand until rarefied to
Such an extent that animal or vegetable matters kept hermetically sealed in the

page_text: presence of the small quantity of air which may remain would not be liable to
fermentation or decomposition. The vessels containing the substances to be preserved
are hermetically sealed; a small orifice being however left in each vessel through
which communication with the receiver or vacuum chamber may be effected by means
of the branched nozzles for the purpose of enabling the air contained in the said
vessels to be rarefied to the same extent as that within the receiver or vacuum
chamber. This having been accomplished, the orifice in each vessel is hermetically
sealed, communication between the receiver or vacuum chamber and the branch closed
and that between the branch and the atmosphere opened whereupon the vessel may be
readily removed from the receiver.
The form of the apparatus may be varied to suit the character of the vessels to be
exhausted and the conditions under which the work is required to be carried out.
In the accompanying sheet of illustrative drawings,
Fig. 1. is a vertical section of apparatus according to this invention adapted for the
exhaustion of vessels such as wide mouthed bottles or jars.
Fig. 2. is a longitudinal central section, drawn to an enlarged scale, of the
exhausting portion of the apparatus.
Fig. 3. illustrates partly in longitudinal central section and partly in elevation a
modified arrangement of the apparatus adapted for exhausting vessels that can be
connected therewith by having tubular parts whereby they can be connected with
the apparatus and which parts can be fused or compressed to hermetically seal the
vessel after the same has been exhausted. This illustrates the application of
the apparatus to the exhausting of an incandescence lamp bulb to prevent decomposi-
tion of the filament therein for which the apparatus may be advantageously employed:
this view also illustrates the application of the apparatus for exhausting another
vessel 25, which may be an ordinary cylindrical or drum shaped food tin.
Figs. 4, 5 and 6. are diagrammatic sectional views of modified arrangements of the
exhausting portion of the apparatus.
Fig. 7. shews partly in elevation and partly in section a wide mouthed bottle or jar
and the means for hermetically sealing the same after it has been exhausted.
Fig. 8. is a part plan or top view thereof and
Fig. 9. a similar view of a flexible closure for such vessel.
In Figs. 1 and 2. are shewn two tubes 1 and 2 of truncated conoidal form arranged
with their axes in the same straight line, and with their smaller ends in close proximity
to each other. These tubes are secured within a third tube 3, the interior of which is
in communication by a hole 4 or holes with the interior of the receiver or vacuum
chamber 5 within which tube 3 is (in the present illustration) secured in any suitable
manner. The tubes 1 and 2 have respectively connected to them other tubes 6 and 7
for supplying and for conducting away the water or other fluid caused to pass through
the tubes 1 and 2 for creating a vacuum or partial vacuum in the receiver or vacuum
chamber 5. To permit of the distance between the adjacent ends of the tubes 1 and 2
being properly adjusted, one or both of them may be screwed into the tube 3 as both
are shown to be.
1 is a disc of perforated metal to serve as a screen to prevent the entrance of
solid bodies, such as pieces of wood, to the tubes 1 and 2. The receiver or vacuum
chamber 5. is provided with one or more hollow projections or pipes 8 with devices
adapted to have applied thereto, the vessel to be exhausted. At the right hand side
of Fig. 1. the pipe is shewu as carrying a vessel 9 within which is arranged a
plunger 10 that is supported by a spring 11. The vessel 9 is closed at the top by a
flxcible cover or diaphragm 12 and its bottom is a plate 13. formed with an opening 14.
of a size to admit of the passage of the lower end of the plunger and furnished with a
ring or perforated disc 15. of suitable packing material, such as india rubber for
ensuring a good joint between the vessel 9 and the jar or other vessel to be exhausted,
when the mouth of the latter is pressed against the packing. The head of the
plunger is normally held against the cover or diaphragin 12. as shown by the action
of the spring 11. which rests upon the plate 13. and serves to counteract the pressure
of the atmosphere upon the cover or diaphragm 12. 16. is a valve or cock for

page_text: controlling the communication between the receiver or vacuum chamber 5. and the
vessel 9, and 17, is another valve or cock for controlling the communication
between the vessel 9 and the atmosphere. 18. is a vacuum gauge. When a wide
mouthed vessel such as 19. (Figs. 7 and 8) is to be exhausted, it may advantageously
be fitted with a stopper or cover 19" that is secured in place with an air tight joint
between it and the mouth of the vessel by means of any suitable cementing
material such as bees wax or plaster of Paris. This cover is recessed at 20 and
formed with a small hole 21 having over it a cover or closure 22 of suitable
material, such as india rubber, the same fitting within the recess 20 but being cut
away at 22 so that when it is placed within the recess but clear of the bottom of
that recess the vessel can be exhausted by my apparatus, air being then free to pass
from the vessel 19 of the apparatus to the vessel 9. When however the closure 22
is pressed to the bottom of the recess 20 after exhaustion of the vessel 19, it will
hermetically close the hole 21. When this has been done, the recess may be filled
above the closure 22 with suitable material such as bees wax or plaster of Paris.
When a vessel such as that described has its mouth applied to the lower end of a vessel
such as 9, and water or other fluid is caused to flow through the tubes 1 and 2,
the air within the tube 3 receiver or vacuum chamber 5, vessel 9, and vessel 19. will
be gradually withdrawn and carried away by the jet of fluid. When the exhaustion
is as far as possible complete pressure is applied to the top of the flexible cover or
diaphragm 12, so as to depress the plunger 10 and cause it to force the cover or
closure 22 to the bottom of the recess 20. and close the hole 21. The cock 16. is then
operated to close the communication between the receiver or vacuum chamber 5 and
vessel 9, and by the cock 17. the vessel 9. is placed in communication with the external
atmosphere. The exhaustive vessel 19. may then be readily removed and its recess 20
be filled as above mentioned.
By the means just described animal and vegetable substances placed in the vessel 19.
before exhausting the air from it may be preserved in their natural state. Or if
desired such substances may be cooked or prepared before being placed in the vessel to
be exhausted and hermetically sealed as described.
A
In the modification Fig. 3. the tubes 1, 2, and 3. are external to the receiver or
vacuum chamber 5. which is of tubular form and provided with a number of connection
pipes 8, so that a corresponding number of vessels may be exhausted simultaneously;
each of these pipes being provided with a valve 16 for controlling communication
between the receiver or vacuum chamber 5, and the vessel to be exhausted.
valve 5* is also provided in the connection between pipe 3. and receiver or vacuum
chamber 5. When the vessel to be exhausted is of glass, as for example when it is a
bulb 23. for an incandescence electric lamp, it may be formed with the usual tubular
stem 24. whereby it can be connected in any convenient manner (for example by a
short flexible tube) with one of the pipes or branches 8. When the bulb is exhausted,
it may be hermetically sealed by fusing and closing the stem 24. as well understood.
When the vessel 25. to be exhausted by means of my apparatus is of metal, as for
example a tinned can (Fig. 3.) it may be connected by a small tube 26. of soft metal
or alloy to one of the pipes or branches 8. to which the tube 26. may be screwed. In
this case the vessel 25. when exhausted may be hermetically closed either by fusing
the tube 26, or by compressing it so as to effectually close the passage therethrough.
When the vessel 25 is of glass it may be closed by a stopper of zinc or other
suitable metal or material secured in place with an air tight joint by means of a
suitable cementing substance such as bees wax or plaster of Paris. To the stopper is
soldered or otherwise connected by an air tight joint, a tube or stem, such as 24, of
soft or pliable metal or metallic alloy which may be connected to the pipe 8 by
screwing as before referred to. In some cases, the receiver or vacuum chamber
instead of being a vessel such as illustrated at 5. in Figs. 1 and 2, may be a pipe 5
(or pipes) connected to the tube 3, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2.
As will be obvious apparatus constructed according to this invention may be of any
suitable dimensions according to the work to be done and be applied to the exhaustion
of large portable tanks or vessels such as may be employed for the transport of animal

page_text: and vegetable substances, such tanks or vessels being provided with air tight doors or
manholes and with means for readily connecting and disconnecting them from the
exhausting apparatus. Amongst the applications of my apparatus may be mentioned
the exhaustion of vessels containing perishable organic substances intended for daily
consumption.
The tubes through which the fluid is caused to flow may be variously arranged.
Thus instead of using two tubes, arranged end to end as in Figs. 1 2 and 3, two or
more concentric tubes may be used, arranged one to extend into another as indicated
in Figs. 4 5 and 6, the tubes being either all of gradually decreasing cross sectional
area from the inlet to the outlet (Fig. 4) or some of them being of this form and some
of cylindrical form as in Figs. 5 and 6.
The jet of fluid may pass through the centre tube, the air being drawn through the
outer tubes as in Figs. 4 and 5; or the jet of fluid may be annular, passing through
the annular space next the outer tube, the air then flowing through the inner tube as
in Fig. 6.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that I do not
claim broadly exhausting air from vessels containing animal or vegetable substances
nor do I lay any broad general claim to the production of a partial vacuum by causing
fluid to flow through conical tubes but what I do claim is,
1. For the prevention of fermentation or decomposition of animal and vegetable
substances, enclosing the substance to be preserved in a vessel, exhausting air there-
from by the means herein described and hermetically sealing the same.
2. The improved exhausting apparatus constructed and operating substantially as
described with reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3. respectively of the accompanying
drawings and adapted for use in the prevention of fermentation or decomposition of
animal or vegetable substances.
DIL 2011
M
L 1000