CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF RECEPTACLES FOR CONTAINING, PRESERVING, AND DELIVERING MUSTARD AND OTHER LIKE CONDIMENTS FOR TABLE USE."
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Shaw and William Spencer, both of Birmingham,
in the County of Warwick, for an Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF RECEPTACLES FOR CONTAINING, PRESERVING, AND
DELIVERING MUSTARD AND OTHER LIKE CONDIMENTS FOR TABLE USE."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Shaw & William
Spencer at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th June 1880.
"
HENRY SHAW and WILLIAM SPENCER, both of Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick. CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF RECEPTACLES FOR
CONTAINING, PRESERVING, AND DELIVERING MUSTARD AND OTHER LIKE CONDIMENTS
FOR TABLE USE."
Our Invention relates particularly to an improvement upon mustard pots now in
use, in most of which the air obtains access to the whole surface of the mustard,
drying it, and causing it to become unfit for use; in addition to which important
defect, when the mustard pot is made of glass, which is the most ordinary material,
the partially dried mustard has an unsightly appearance.
We propose in the first place to apply the principle of pneumatic pressure to the
surface of the mustard or other similar semifluid condiment, thereby forcing &
portion out of the pot on to a plate held to receive it.
We make a pot, box, or vessel of any suitable shape, but by preference a cylinder
standing vertically, of metal, glass, porcelain, or any other material applicable to
the purpose.
This vessel is provided with a spout, somewhat similar in shape to
an ordinary tea kettle spout; this spout is outside the vessel or mustard pot when
the latter is made of glass; but when the pot is made in a cheap manner, in tin
or other metal, we prefer to place the spout inside with only a small portion at the
upper end projecting through the side of the pot. This spout, whether inside or
outside the pot, communicates with the pot at the bottom of the latter; the upper
end of the spout, which need not be closed, is above the level of the prepared
mustard in the pot when the latter is full. The upper end of the mustard pot is
quite open for cleaning and for the reception of the mustard. It is then covered
with a dome shaped cover of metal or other suitable material, underneath which
and secured to it round the rim is a hemisphere of thin vulcanized india rubber or
Drine B17

page_text: other suitable elastic material. In the centre of the metallic dome there is a
small hole, through which works a small push rod armed with a button on the top.
The action will be as follows:-The dome cover with the india rubber heini-
sphere attached being removed from the pot, the mixed mustard is introduced and
the dome with its attachments replaced. The external air is thus entirely excluded
from the mustard, except that small portion which meets the surface of tlie mustard
in the spout, and which is not enough to cause any inconvenience. When a person
desires to place some mustard on his plate, he places his plate under the spout of
the pot and presses on the button above mentioned. This depresses the elastic
hemisphere and causes a compression of the air contained in the mustard pot; this
causes a portion of the mustard to flow out on to the plate. When the pressure of
the finger on the button is withdrawn the flow of mustard instantly ceases, and the
elasticity of the india rubber hemisphere brings it to its normal position; the slight
leakage which is permitted in the upper part of the vessel allows a small portion of
We do not
air equal in bulk to the mustard expelled to replace it in the vessel.
limit ourselves to the shape or material described above; for instance, we may
dispense with a cover entirely, and employ any shape in elastic material other than
hemispherical.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Shaw and William Spencer in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 8th December 1880.
HENRY SHAW and WILLIAM SPENCER, both of Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick. "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF RECEPTACLES FOR
CONTAINING, PRESERVING, AND DELIVERING MUSTARD AND OTHER LIKE CONDIMENTS
FOR TABLE USE.'
Our Invention relates particularly to an improvement upon mustard pots now
in use, in most of which the air obtains access to the whole surface of the mustard,
drying it, and causing it to become unfit for use; in addition to which important
defect, when the mustard pot is made of glass, which is the most ordinary material,
the partially dried mustard has an unsightly appearance.
We propose in the first place to apply the principle of pneumatic pressure to the
surface of the mustard or other similar semi-fluid condiment, thereby forcing a
portion out of the pot on to a plate held to receive it.
We make the pot, box, or vessel of any suitable shape, but by preference a
cylinder standing vertically, of metal, glass, porcelain, or any other material
applicable to the purpose.
We will describe our Invention thus, reference being made to the Figures and
letters marked thereon, (that is to say):-
-
Fig. 1 is a view in elevation; Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, parts of same; 4ª and 5ª, plans
detached; Fig. 6, a view in elevation, sectional; Fig. 7, cover of same removed,
sectional; 7a, plan; Fig. 8, a view in elevation, sectional; 8ª, a lid or cover;
Fig. 9, also a view in elevation, sectional; 9ª, plan view.
a is the body of the vessel provided with a spout b; this spout is outside the
vessel or mustard pot, by preference, when the latter is made of glass, as Fig. 1;
but when the pot is made in a cheaper manner in earthenware, tin, or the baser
metals, we prefer to arrange the spout 6 inside, as Fig. 6 (but we do not restrict
ourselves), a small portion at the upper end projecting through the side of the
pot b.
This spout b, whether inside or outside the pot or vessel, communicates
with the said pot in all cases at the bottom of the latter, shewn 62, Figs. 1, 6, 8.
The upper end of the spout b, which need not be closed, is above the level of the
prepared mustard in the pot when the latter is full. The upper end or mouth of
the vessel or pot containing the mustard or other condiment is quite open for
cleaning and for the reception of the same. It is then covered with a dome shaped
cover or lid c, Figs. 1, 4, composed of metal, bone, or other solid substance, metal
by preference; underneath the said cover or lid c is arranged the hemispherical
form d to the rim interiorly by fitting in or upon a check or seat specially provided,
as d¹; this form d is made of thin india rubber or other suitable yielding material.
In the centre of the cover or lid c, Figs. 1, 4, and 4ª, there is a small aperture
through which works a push-rod e, provided with the button or stud e¹ at the top
and a similar stud at its base e², this finding its bearing upon d.
The action will be as follows:-The cover c with the form d attached being
removed from the pot or vessel, the mixed mustard is introduced and the said
attachments replaced. The external air is thus entirely excluded from the mustard,
except that small portion which meets the surface of the mustard in the spout, and
which is not enough to cause any inconvenience. When a person desires to place
some mustard on his plate, he places his plate under the spout b at bl, and presses
upon the button or stud e¹; this forces e³ and depresses the elastic hemispherical
form d, causing a compression of the air contained in the inustard pot or vessel;
this causesa portion of the mustard to flow out on to the plate. When the pressure
of the finger on the button e' is released or withdrawn the flow of mustard instantly

page_text: ceases, and the power and elasticity of the hemispherical form d brings it to its
normal position; the slight leakage which is permitted in the upper part of the
vessel allows a small portion of air equal in bulk to the mustard expelled to replace
it in the said vessel.
In Fig. 6 we dispense with the lid or cover c and its attachments, and apply
pressure direct to d by the finger.
In Fig. 8 we dispense with the form d by constructing the lid or cover c of
metal, so arranged and of such a thickness that by pressure it will buckle or yield,
compressing the air for the purposes above described, but will return to its normal
position when the pressure is released; f is a chain for securing the lid or cover c
to the body of the vessel a.
In Fig. 9, which is a modification, we construct the lid or cover c to receive a
piston g, with a packing of flexible or yielding material, as g¹; this moves vertically
and confined entirely to the cover or lid c, it will descend by pressure of the finger
upon the button or stud e¹; for the purposes above described, and ascend to its
normal position by the power of the helical spring g².
Having given a general description of our Invention, and the manner in which
the same may be practically carried into effect, nevertheless we wish to observe
that we do not confine ourselves to the exact details herein before described, as
various modifications may be made without departing from the principle of this
our Invention; but what we claim and desire to be secured to us by the herein
before in part recited Letters Patent is, the application, combination, and arrange-
ment of parts for the purpose above set forth, described, and illustrated, or any
mere modification thereof.
In witness whereof, we, the said Henry Shaw and William Spencer, have
hereunto set our hands and seals, this Seventh day of December, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty.
Witness,
THOMAS KENDRICK.
HENRY SHAW.
(L.S.)
WILLIAM SPENCER. (L.S.)