A MODE OF OBTAINING DECOCTIONS, AND APPARATUS FOR CARRYING THE SAME INTO EFFECT
Year: 1865

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Francis Wise, of Chandos Chambers, Adelphi, in
the City of Westminster, Consulting Engineer, for the Invention of
"A MODE OF OBTAINING DECOCTIONS, AND APPARATUS FOR CARRYING THE
SAME INTO EFFECT."-A communication from abroad by Benjamin Green
Martin, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
Sealed the 31st October 1865, and dated the 2nd May 1865.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Francis Wise at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 2nd
May 1865.
I, FRANCIS WISE, of Chandos Chambers, Adelphi, in the City of West-
minster, Consulting Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "A MODE OF OBTAINING DECOCTIONS, AND APPARATUS FOR CARRYING
THE SAME INTO EFFECT," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in separating the particles of a material of which a
decoction is to be made by introducing into a body of the said material a.
current or currents of air, so that the water which is afterwards introduced may
be brought into intimate contact with every particle of the material, and
dissolve all the soluble portions of the same.
The Invention further consists of apparatus for carrying out the above
process, and in the use, in connection with the same, of a steam casing,
by means of which the liquor is maintained at any required temperature, and

page_text: of a cold-water casing for condensing the vapors which arise during the
operation.
On reference to the accompanying Drawing, which forms a part of this
Specification, Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of an apparatus for carrying ont
the improved mode of obtaining decoctions, and Fig. 2, a plan view. Similar
letters refer to similar parts in both views.
A is a cylindrical vat or boiler of wood or metal, technically termed a mash
tub, which is supported in the present instance on legs B. At the under side
of the mash tub is a fire-box, through the upper part of which passes a pipe D,
the latter communicating with the mash tub, and having at a point between
the fire-box and its outer end a cock a. E is a metal tank, in the centre of
which is a conical casing 6, the latter being open at the bottom, and both the
tank and casing being perforated to the height of the top of the latter. From
the upper edge of the tank extends a flange c, to which are attached the
lower ends of a number of ropes or chains Z connected to suitable apparatus,
by means of which the tank may be raised from the mash tub. Round the
outer side of the tank E is a jacket E, which extends above the perforations
in the tank, and is closed at the top and open at the bottom. In one side of
the tank, near the lower edge of the same, is hinged a door d, which is
secured by a suitable latch and bolt. Above the tank E is a double casing or
cover F, in which is maintained a constant circulation of cold water. In the
centre of the cover F is an opening through which projects the upper end of
a conical vessel G, the bottom of the latter being perforated, and to the top of
the same is secured a pipe f which communicates in any suitable manner
with a reservoir containing warm water. Above the top of the cover F is a
hopper g, to the top of which are hinged suitable lids h, h. At the bottom of
the tub A is a flat case H, into which steam is admitted through tubes i
and . I is a vat which is provided with a false bottom K, and with the
space between the latter and the true bottom K' communicate the pipes m, m,
for a purpose described hereafter.
OPERATION.
The material of which a decoction is to be obtained is first introduced into
a-tank E; the lids h are then closed, and one-third of the water which is to
be employed in obtaining the decoction is introduced into the vessel G, and

page_text: the tank E is withdrawn from the mash tub by means of the chains Z, and
the remaining two-thirds of the water is introduced through the distributor G
into the tank, from which it flows into the tub beneath; the tank is then
lowered to its first position. As the tank descends into the water in the tub,
the air confined beneath the jacket E¹, as well as that in the casing b will be
forced by the pressure of the water through the perforations in the tank and
its casing and into the mass of material in the former, the particles of the said
material being thus so separated from each other that on the admission of
the water the latter will be brought into intimate contact with every particle.
As the vapor arising from the heated liquor comes in contact with the inner
surface of the cover F, it is rapidly condensed and flows back again into the
tank. When a decoction of the proper strength is obtained the liquor is
drawn off through the pipe D into the vat I, where it is allowed to ferment, the
proper temperature being maintained by a current of warm water or steam
circulating between the two bottoms K and K. During the fermentation
of the liquor in the vat I the tank E is elevated, and the spent material is
removed through the door d by means of a rake or other suitable instrument;
the tank is then again filled, and another decoction is obtained in the same
manner as the first.
The method heretofore pursued of obtaining decoctions has been to intro-
duce the material, of which the decoction is to be made, together, with water,
already heated, into a vessel, and then to stir the whole until the water is
charged with all the matter it will dissolve; it is then drawn off and another
supply of water admitted, this operation being repeated until all the soluble
portions of the material capable of being extracted are obtained. This
operation is tedious and expensive, and the soluble portions are but imper-
fectly extracted, owing to the material caking or "setting," so that the water
is not brought into contact with many particles of the same; this is especially
the case in obtaining a decoction from hops. In this operation, also, the
escaping vapor from the vat carries with it much of that portion of the
material which contributes mainly to impart a flavor to the decoction.
By the process above described the water is brought into intimate contact
with every portion of the material, and as the liquor is maintained at a high
temperature during the entire operation the soluble portions of the same are
completely extracted without an undue expenditure of time and labor. By
this process, also, the flavor is retained, and the decoction made is greatly
superior to that obtained in the usual manner.
In case it is desirable the hopper 9 may be dispensed with, the material
being introduced into the tank through an opening in the cover; it will also

page_text: be apparent that a coil of steam pipe may be substituted for the case H, and
in some instances where steam cannot be readily obtained, the liquor in the
vat may be heated by means of a fire in the fire-box C. In some instances,"
also, after the proper decoction has been obtained, the liquor in the vat may
be rapidly cooled by introducing cold water into the case H.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Francis Wise in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 1st
November 1865.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, FRANCIS
WISE, of Chandos Chambers, Adelphi, in the City of Westminster, Consulting
Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Second day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, in the twenty-eighth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Francis Wise, Her special licence that I, the said Francis
Wise, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such. others as I, the
said Francis Wise, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at
any time agree with, and no others, from time to time, and at all times there-
after 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 "A MODE
OF OBTAINING DECOCTIONS, AND APPARATUS FOR CARRYING THE SAME INTO EFFECT,"
a communication to me from abroad by Benjamin Green Martin, of Phila-
delphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America, upon the condition
(amongst others) that 1, the said Francis Wise, my executors or admi-
nistrators, an instrument in writing under or their, or one of their
hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of
the said Invention, and in what manner 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 1, the said Francis Wise, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-

page_text: This Invention consists in separating the particles of a material of which a
decoction is to be made by introducing into a body of the said material a
current or currents of air, so that the water which is afterwards introduced
may be brought into intimate contact with every particle of the material, and
dissolve all the soluble portions of the same.
The Invention further consists of apparatus for carrying out the above
process, and in the use, in connection with the same, of a steam casing by
means of which the liquor is maintained at any required temperature, and of
a cold water casing for condensing the vapors which arise during the
operation.
On reference to the accompanying Drawing, which forms a part of this
Specification, Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of an apparatus for carrying out
the improved mode of obtaining decoctions, and Fig. 2, a plan view.
Similar letters refer to similar parts in both views.
A is a cylindrical vat or boiler of wood or metal, technically termed a mash
tub, which is supported in the present instance on legs B. At the under
side of the mash tube is a fire-box, through the upper part of which passes a
pipe D, the latter communicating with the mash tub, and having at a point
between the fire-box and its outer end a cock a. E is a metal tank, in the
centre of which is a conical casing b, the latter being open at the bottom, and
both the tank and casing being perforated to the height of the top of the
latter. From the upper edge of the tank. extends a flange C, to which are
attached the lower ends of a number of ropes or chains Z connected to
suitable apparatus, by means of which the tank may be raised from the mash
tub. Round the outer side of the tank E is a jacket E', which extends above
the perforations in the tank, and is closed at the top and open at the bottom.
In one side of the tank near the lower edge of the same is hinged a door d,
which is secured by a suitable latch and bolt. Above the tank E is a double
casing or cover F, in which is maintained a constant circulation of cold
water. In the centre of the cover F is an opening through which projects
the upper end of a conical vessel G, the bottom of the latter being perforated,
and to the top of the same is secured a pipe f which communicates in any
suitable manner with a reservoir containing warm water. Above the top of
the cover F is a hopper g, to the top of which are hinged suitable lids h, h.
At the bottom of the tub A is a flat case H, into which steam is admitted
through tubes i and i¹. I is a vat, which is provided with a false bottom K,
and with the space between the latter and the true bottom K' communicate
the pipes m, m, for a purpose described hereafter.

page_text: a tank E; the lids h are then closed, and one-third of the water which is to
be employed in obtaining the decoction is introduced into the vessel G, and is
distributed from the latter over the material in the tank. After percolating
through the material the water passes through the perforations in the tank
into the tub A, where it is maintained at the required temperature by the
heated steam case H. In about an hour after the introduction of the water
the tank E is withdrawn from the mash tub by means of the chains Z, and
the remaining two-thirds of the water is introduced through the distributor G
into the tank, from which it flows into the tub beneath; the tank is then
lowered to its first position. As the tank descends into the water in the tub,
the air confined beneath the jacket E', as well as that in the casing b will be
forced by the pressure of the water through tho perforations in the tank and
its casing, and into the mass of material in the former, the particles of the
said material being thus so separated from each other that on the admission
of the water the latter will be brought into intimate contact with every
particle. As the vapor arising from the heated liquor comes in contact with
the inner surface of the cover F, it is rapidly condensed and flows back again
into the tank. When a decoction of the proper strength is obtained the liquor
is drawn off through the pipe D into the vat I, where it is allowed to ferment,
the proper temperature being maintained by a current of warm water or
steam circulating between the two bottoms K and K. During the fermen-
tation of the liquor in the vat I the tank E is elevated, and the spent material
is removed through the door d by means of a rake or other suitable instru-
ment; the tank is then again filled, and another decoction is obtained in the
same manner as the first.
The method heretofore pursued of obtaining decoctions has been to intro-
duce the material, of which the decoction is to be made, together with water,
already heated, into a vessel, and then to stir the whole until the water is
charged with all the matter it will dissolve; it is then drawn off and another
supply of water admitted, this operation being repeated until all the soluble
portions of the material capable of being extracted are obtained. This
operation is tedious and expensive, and the soluble portions are but imper-
fectly extracted, owing to the material caking or "setting," so that the water
is not brought into contact with many particles of the same; this is especially
the case in obtaining a. decoction from hops. In this operation, also, the

page_text: escaping vapor from the vat carries with it much of that portion of the
material which contributes mainly to impart a flavor to the decoction.
By the process above described the water is brought into intimate contact
with every portion of the material, and as the liquor is maintained at a high
temperature during the entire operation, the soluble portions of the same are
completely extracted without an undue expenditure of time and labor. By
this process, also, the flavor is retained, and the decoction made is greatly.
superior to that obtained in the usual manner.
In case it is desirable the hopper g may be dispensed with, the material
being introduced into the tank through an opening in the cover; it will also
be apparent that a coil of steam pipe may be substituted for the case H, and
in some instances where steam cannot be readily obtained the liquor in the
vat may be heated by means of a fire in the fire-box C. In some instances,
also, after the proper decoction has been obtained, the liquor in the vat may
be rapidly cooled by introducing cold water into the case H.
Having now fully described and ascertained the nature of the said Invention,
and the manner in which the same may be performed, I would have it understood
that, without limiting myself to the precise details represented, I claim,-
Firstly, separating the particles of a material of which a decoction is to be
made by introducing into a body of the said material a current or currents of
air, for the purpose specified.
Secondly, the perforated casing E with its jacket E' combined with the
tub A, and operating substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Thirdly, the condensing casing or cover F combined with a mash tub,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Fourthly, the steam case H, or its equivalent, combined with a mash tub, as
specified.
Fifthly, the fermenting vat I, with its false bottom K and pipes m, m, or
their equivalents.
In witness whereof, I, the said Francis Wise, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Thirtieth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.
FRANCIS (L.S.) WISE.
Witness,
W. LLOYD WISE,
Office for Patents, Chandos Chambers, W.C.