IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING EXTRACTS FROM THE LIQUORICE ROOT
Year: 1859

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander William Williamson, of University
College, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING EXTRACTS FROM
THE LIQUORICE ROOT."
Sealed the 13th October 1859, and dated the 20th April 1859.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander William
Williamson at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 20th April 1859.
I, ALEXANDER WILLIAM WILLIAMSON, of University College, do hereby
declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING EXTRACTS
FROM THE LIQUORICE ROOT," to be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is to increase the amount of liquorice extract
obtained from the root, and at the same time to improve the quality of the
product, and consists in removing and excluding atmospheric air from the
vessels in which the roots are boiled with water and performing the subsequent
evaporation of the extract in a vessel from which atmospheric air is similarly
removed and excluded.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twentieth day of April, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, in the twenty-second
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto me, the said Alexander William Williamson, Her special licence
that I, the said Alexander William Williamson, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said Alexander William Williamson, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN
OBTAINING EXTRACTS FROM THE LIQUORICE ROOT," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Alexander William Williamson, my executors or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under my 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 I, the said Alexander William Williamson, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement thereof, that is to say :-
The object of this Invention is to increase the amount of liquorice extract
obtained from the root, and at the same time to improve the quality of the
product, and consists in removing and excluding atmospheric air from the
vessels in which the roots are boiled with water, and performing the sub-
sequent evaporation of the extract in a vessel from which atmospheric air
is similarly removed and excluded.
Having thus stated the nature of my Invention, I will proceed more fully
to describe the manner of performing the same. In place of the liquorice root
and water being boiled, and the liquor thus obtained concentrated in vessels
open to the atmosphere, as heretofore, the water and root are introduced into
a vessel capable of being closed air-tight, which is conveniently done by means
of a washer or ring of vulcanized india-rubber placed between the cover and
its seat, or the same may be rendered air-tight in any convenient manner.
The air is then removed by a suitable air pump as completely as possible, and
then the stop-cock or valve between the air pump and vessel is closed. The

page_text: heat of steam is applied in a suitable steam jacket. For this purpose I have
used low-pressure steam, and the boiling is continued for about the same time
as heretofore when obtaining an extract by water and heat in vessels open to
the atmosphere. It is, however, preferred before closing the stop-cock or
valve to apply heat gently for a short time before ceasing to extract the air by
the air pump, as by such means the air is more effectually removed. The
liquor or extract is then run off, and the root subjected to pressure to separate
any extract which may still remain therein. The extract thus obtained is
then evaporated in a vacuum pan or vessel similar to that used by sugar
refiners, or it may be of other suitable form, from which the atmospheric air is
removed by an air pump, and the evaporation is continued to the desired
degree of concentration is obtained. And I prefer to use low-pressure steam
for heating such vessel. When a high degree of concentration is required,
then it is desirable to have a stirrer within the vacuum pan or vessel, in order
to keep the extract stirred, as it becomes more and more thick.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I would have it understood that what I claim is the
obtaining extracts of liquorice root, as herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander William Williamson, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of October, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine.
ALEXP. W. WILLIAMSON. (L.S.)