IMPROVEMENTS IN PRESERVING MEAT, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Herbert Maguire Whitehead, of 110, Fenchurch Street,
in the City of London, Merchant, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
PRESERVING MEAT, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Herbert Maguire Whitehead
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th November 1876.
HERBERT MAGUIRE WHITEHEAD, of 110, Fenchurch Street, in the City of London,
Merchant. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRESERVING MEAT, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED
THEREWITH."
This Invention relates to cutting meat into slices or slabs corresponding in thick-
ness and size to the depth, width, and length of the tin or vessel in which it has to
be preserved, in order that each slice or slab which is by my Invention preserved in
a solid form may retain all its nutritive properties within itself, instead of imparting
them to the liquor, as is now the case.
I prefer that each tin be about six inches square on the top, and about one inch
or an inch and a half to two or three inches in depth, but I do not confine myself
to making the tins of square shape on top, as tins of other shapes can be equally
filled with slices or slabs of meat to be preserved in solid form according to my
Invention.
By the method and means above described the meat will be preserved and retain
all its nutritive properties.
In cutting the meat I purpose to use a plunger press, with a mould knife cor-
responding in shape to that of the tin in which the meat has to be afterwards placed.
The knife has enclosed within it a plunger, which as the knife rises after cutting
the meat, and a tin being affixed under it, the plunger, which is stationary after
rising a given distance recedles, and pushes the meat into the tin. The plunger then
rises and takes its place within the knife ready for the next down stroke, when
they both travel a given distance together, and then the plunger stops, leaving the
knife to continue its progress through the next portion of meat which has been
placed under it for a repeat of the operation.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Herbert Maguire Whitehead in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
26th May 1877.
HERBERT MAGUIRE WHITEHEAD, of 110, Fenchurch Street, in the City of London,
Merchant. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRESERVING MEAT, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED
THEREWITH."
This Invention relates to cutting meat into slices or slabs corresponding in thick-
ness and size to the depth, width, and length of the tin or vessel in which it has to
be preserved, in order that each slice or slab which is by my Invention preserved in a
solid form may retain all its nutritive properties within itself instead of imparting
them to the liquor, as is now the case.
I prefer that each tin be about six inches square on the top, and about one inch or
an inch and a half to two or three inches in depth, but I do not confine myself to
making the tins of square shape on top, as tins of other shapes can be equally
filled with slices or slabs of meat to be preserved in solid form according to my
Invention.
By the method and means above described the meat will be preserved and retain
all its nutritive properties.
In cutting the meat I purpose to use a plunger press with a mould knife cor-
responding in shape to that of the tin in which the meat has to be afterwards placed.
The knife has enclosed within it a plunger, which as the knife rises after cutting the
ineat, and a tin being affixed under it, the plunger, which is stationary after rising
a given distances recede, and pushes the meat into the tin. The plunger then rises
and takes its place within the knife ready for the next down stroke, when they
both travel a given distance together, and then the plunger stops, leaving the knife
to continue its progress through the next portion of meat which has been placed
under it for a repeat of the operation.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and the manner in which
the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,―
Firstly. Preserving meat in flat tins, in which the meat fills the tins in solid form,
as described.
Secondly. I claim the method of and apparatus for cutting meat, as herein
described, whereby flat tins can be filled with meat to be preserved in solid form, as
set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Herbert Maguire Whitehead, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-fifth day of May, One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-seven.
H. M. WHITEHEAD. (L.S.)