THE TREATMENT OF THE 'DATE' FRUIT AND SEEDS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ARTICLES OF FOOD AND BEVERAGES, AND OTHER USEFUL PURPOSES, ALSO IN MACHINERY OR APPLIANCES FOR SUCH TREATMENT
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Frederick Henley, of 56, St. George's Square,
Pimlico, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "THE TREATMENT
OF THE 'DATE' FRUIT AND SEEDS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ARTICLES OF
FOOD AND BEVERAGES, AND OTHER USEFUL PURPOSES, ALSO IN MACHINERY
OR APPLIANCES FOR SUCH TREATMENT."
Sealed the 4th February 1879, and dated the 9th August 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Frederick Henley
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th August 1878.
THOMAS FREDERICK HENLEY, of 56, St. George's Square, Pimlico, in the County
of Middlesex. "THE TREATMENT OF THE 'DATE' FRUIT AND SEEDS FOR THE
PRODUCTION OF ARTICLES OF FOOD AND BEVERAGES, AND OTHER USEFUL PUR-
POSES, ALSO IN MACHINERY OR APPLIANCES FOR SUCH TREATMENT."
The object of this Invention is to treat the fruit or flesh and the seeds of dates
in a particular manner, to render them available as a food and beverage of a liquid
kind, also in distillation, brewing, and other useful purposes.
"
To carry out my Invention, I take the dates" as imported, and subject them
to a drying operation in a vessel or kiln to expel the moisture; they are then
placed in a circular pan, which has an intermittent movement imparted to it, and in
which the dry dates are acted upon by a mallet or hammer to crack or separate the
flesh from the seeds.
The bottom of the pan is perforated or formed of a strong grating, through the
meshes of which the particles of flesh can pass when broken up sufficiently fine, the
operation of the hammer being carried on during this sifting or separation. The
hammer has preferably a striated face to expedite the treatment.
The fruit or flesh thus separated can be subjected to fermentation, and be used in
brewing and like operations, the distillation of brandy, the manufacture of vinegar,
and of glucose, also the production of fruit wines.

page_text: The seeds which have had the fruit or flesh separated are afterwards placed in a
revolving or other vessel, in which they are subjected to an intense heat until they
become brownish black in colour, like roasted coffee berries; they are then, when
cold, ground or otherwise broken up into small particles or into powder, in which
state they can be employed alone, or in combination with some of the sifted fruit
with water, to produce a beverage which can be drank as a substitute for coffee.
The seeds contain the essential essence or oil and aroma that are known to exist
in the coffee berry itself.
For the manufacture of a kind of liquor to which hops may be added, a non-
intoxicating beverage like beer can be produced, which may or may not be passed
through the fermentation stage by the addition of a small proportion of yeast.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Frederick Henley in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
8th February 1879.
"
THOMAS FREDERICK HENLEY, of 56, St. George's Square, Pimlico, in the County
of Middlesex. THE TREATMENT OF THE 'DATE' FRUIT AND SEEDS FOR THE
PRODUCTION OF ARTICLES OF FOOD AND BEVERAGES, AND OTHER USEFUL PUR-
POSES, ALSO IN MACHINERY OR APPLIANCES FOR SUCH TREATMENT."
The object of this Invention is to treat the fruit or flesh and the seeds of "dates"
in a manner to render them available as a food and beverage of a liquid kind, also
in distillation, brewing, and other useful purposes.
To carry out my Invention, I take the "dates"
as imported, and subject them to
a drying operation in a vessel or kiln to expel the moisture; they are then placed
in a circular pan, which has an intermittent movement imparted to it, and in which
the dry dates are acted upon by a mallet or hammer to crack or separate the flesh
from the seeds.
The bottom of the pan is perforated or formed of a strong grating, through the
meshes of which the particles of flesh can pass when broken sufficiently fine, the
operation of the hammer being carried on during this sifting or separation. The
hammer has preferably a striated face to expedite the treatment.
The fruit or flesh thus separated can be subjected to fermentation, and be used in
brewing and like operations, the distillation of brandy, the manufacture of vinegar
and of glucose, also the production of fruit wines.
In some cases I employ the pulp of the fruit without being heat dried, as afore-
said, in confectionery or in the form of jam.
The seeds which have had the fruit or flesh separated are treated by being placed
in a revolving pan or other vessel, in which they are subjected to an intense heat
until they become brownish black, in colour like roasted coffee berries; they are
then, when cold, ground or otherwise broken into small particles, or into powder,
in which state they can be employed alone, or in combination with some of the
sifted flesh with water, to produce beverage which can be drank as a substitute
for coffee.
The seeds contain the essential essence or oil and aroma that are known to exist
in the coffee berry itself.
For the manufacture of a kind of liquor to which hops may be added, a non-
intoxicating beverage like beer can be produced, which may or may not be passed
through the fermentation stage by the addition of a small proportion of yeast, which
beverages may be charged, if desired, with carbonic acid gas. This beverage I
purpose calling "date beer or "temperance beer."
"
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,―
The treatment of the "date" fruit or flesh and seeds in the manner and by the
appliances described for the production of beverages therefrom.
Secondly. I claim treating or preparing the flesh of the date fruit, substantially
as described, and the production of liquid food therefrom, also its admixture with
other food ingredients for the purposes set forth.
Thirdly. I claim treating or preparing the seeds of the date fruit and the produc-
tion of liquid beverages therefrom, as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Frederick Henley, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Eighth day of February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
T. F. HENLEY. (L.S.)