MENTS IN PRESERVING ANIMAL SUBSTANCES, AND IN SEALING TINS OR CASES CON- TAINING PRESERVED PROVISIONS, AND IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN
Year: 1866

page_text: 1866.
I, JOHN MORGAN, of 23, Stephens Green North, in the City of Dublin,
Surgeon, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE
MENTS IN PRESERVING ANIMAL SUBSTANCES, AND IN SEALING TINS OR CASES CON-
TAINING PRESERVED PROVISIONS, AND IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN," to be
as follows:-
This Invention consists in the application and use to and in the preserving
of animal substances intended for food, of acetate of soda, either in the form
of a solution or in its solid state.
In carrying out this Invention in practice I first fill the tin or case with
the provisions to be preserved, and I then pour in a solution of acetate of soda,
consisting of from 1 to 2 ounces of acetate of soda to every 8 ounces of water,
until the tin is filled up to within half an inch of the top; I then solder a strap
of bent tin across the case opposite to the vent hole in the cover, and finally
solder on the cover or lid. The boxes or tins are now placed in a bath of
boiling tallow, or oil, or muriate of lime solution, or on a hot hearth, so as to
bring the contents gradually to the boiling point, allowing the boiling to continue
for the space of about 10 minutes for each four pounds of the contents of the
In the centre of the lid or cover, and corresponding with the perfora-
tions therein, there is soldered a short tube of lead or pewter, which I suddenly
and effectually close up whilst the boiling is going on by means of a pair of

page_text: pincers constructed for that purpose; these pincers consist of a fixed jaw and
a spring jaw secured to the handle, and also of a cam or eccentric lever
hinged to the said bandle, the cam or eccentric portion being made to press
against the spring jaw, and thereby nip the vent tube by turning the cam
lever on its fulcrum pin; the tin having been thus sealed its contents may be
further quietly cooked for about 5 minutes, and then allowed to cool. In
order to prevent the accidental rupture or detachment of the sealed vent tube
I propose to solder a protecting cap or shield over it before the tin is sent to
the market. It is obvious that this mode of and apparatus for sealing pre-
served meat tins is applicable to all kinds of tins containing preserved food by
whatever process such preservation may have been effected. If it be intended
that meat should be preserved only for a short time a sprinkling of half an
ounce of acetate of soda for each pound of meat will suffice, and in some
cases even this may be dispensed with.
In lieu of acetate of soda I recommend for campaigning and such like
purposes the use of fat filled into the cases, which will be more efficacious and
nutritious than the mere fluid or soup made from bones usually employed.
In hot countries or in summer the meat should be first infiltrated, as described"
in the Specification of my Patent bearing date the 14th of February 1863,
No. 412, with a solution of 2 pounds of acetate of soda and 4 pounds of salt
to one gallon of water for each hundredweight of flesh; the first stage of the
process being dispensed with no fluid need be added in the boiling, and fat
may be used for filling in, or half an ounce of acetate of soda may be sprinkled
in for each pound of meat.
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