Improvements in or relating to the Preservation of Milk, Cream, and other Liquids.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Mar., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 1st Feb.. 1897-Accepted, 27th Mar., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to the Preservation of Milk, Cream,
and other Liquids.
1, HUBERT HIGGINS, of 26 Trinity Street, Cambridge, in the County of
Cambridge, Demonstrator of Anatomy to Cambridge University, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to the preservation of milk cream and other liquids,
principally foods, and may be carried out in the following manner.
The vessel containing the liquid is provided with a suitable opening by which
the liquid is to be introduced, this opening may then be hermetically closed, another
and preferably small opening being provided for use during the sterilising process,
and adapted to be closed as soon as that process is finished. If desired a cork or
stopper, plain or screwed, may be employed to close the orifice by which the liquid
entered, and may be so arranged as to be capable of being driven further in, so as
also to close the second orifice, both of which may then be sealed with paraffin wax or
other suitable material, or the small opening may be closed by soldering, or in the
case of glass by sealing with a blow pipe. The sinall opening may be provided
with an extension, if desired, which may contain dried cotton wool or other filtering
agent, and may be formed so as to be used as a liquid seal previous to the final
closing, any suitable liquid or fluid being employed to form the liquid seal.
Instead of the small opening previously mentioned, which would preferably be
formed in the side of the vessel, a suitable tube of innocuous material, preferably
metal may be used, pointed at the bottom, and provided with small lateral openings
near the point, and one or more lateral openings near the top, which would preferably
be tapered or conical, the actual top being solid or closed; this tube would pass
through the cork or stopper, and during the sterilising operation would be projecting
beyond it so as to allow the escape of vapour etc. through the opening near the
outer end. When the sterilising process was complete the tube would be driven
inwards, so as to force the outer lateral opening below the outer end of the cork,
the taper formed of the tube forming a tight joint in the cork, and thus closing
the opening, which could subsequently be rendered air-tight by paraffin wax or the
like as before. Or this tube may be adapted to screw into the stopper. Or the
tube might be withdrawn altogether from the stopper after sterilising, and the orifice
sealed.
In dealing with large quantities of the material to be preserved, say for example,
milk, two orifices may be provided in the lid, one for the introduction of the milk,
which may be sealed thereafter, and another for the admission of air when the liquid
is withdrawn. In this case a tube or orifice in the lid of the can may be closed by a
tap, which can be operated outside a metal or other cap; the tube or tap orifice
leads into a filter receptacle, containing dried cotton wool or other filtering medium,
having a lid with one or more perforations. An orifice capable of being sealed may
be provided in the cap, the cap may screw on to the lid of the can or vessel.
To prevent contamination of the contents in consequence of leakage or the
withdrawal of some of the milk, a tap may be placed at the lowest part of the exit
tube, which would be arranged for a cap to screw on to it or on to the can enclosing

page_text: the tap; the cap would contain a suitable antiseptic solution, having a sufficient
germicidal power. In use the milk can or vessel and its contents would be sterilised
by being placed in boiling water for a sufficient period.
When it is desired to withdraw some of the milk the previously mentioned metal
or similar cap may be unscrewed or removed from the exit pipe, and the orifice in
the cup at the entrance part opened to allow of the entrance of air through the
filter, after which the orifice can be reclosed. The cap at the exit would be removed
when it was necessary to draw of the milk, and it would be replaced, and re-charged
with the antiseptic solution.
Instead of employing a high temperature for the sterilising, I may employ the
lowest practical temperature on several occasions, and at suitable intervals of time,
so as to prevent spoiling the flavour of the milk by subjecting it to a temperature
which would coagulate its albumen and modify its other constituents.
In a bottle or vessel suitable for soups and other foods or substances capable of
withstanding a high temperature, a ball mouth may be provided with a glass or
equivalent ball, resting upon a rubber or other packing ring, the whole to be closed
after sterilisation with paraffin wax or the like.
Dated this 31st day of March 1896.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to the Preservation of Milk, Cream,
and other Liquids.
I, HUBERT HIGGINS, of 26 Trinity Street, Cambridge, in the County of
Cambridge, Demonstrator of Anatomy to Cambridge University, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to the preservation of milk, cream and other organic
liquids, such as soups, meat, or malt extracts and the like, where sterilization is
employed, and is also applicable to the treatment of beer, lager beer, malted
liquors etc., and consists in various devices in connection with receptacles for
containing organic liquids during and after the process of sterilization and in the
construction ot a plug for use in the vent hole of a sterilizing vessel.
To carry out this invention an air-tight receptacle is constructed of any con-
venient form and suitable material, on the top of which an opening is provided tor
the introduction of the liquid; this opening is closed by a suitable stopper or cork.
A second smaller orifice is made, also in the top, to which is attached a suitable
cock or tap, the mouth of which is protected by a filter. The cock and filter are
enclosed in a cover, fixed to the top of the receptacle In this cover a small hole
is provided which may be closed by a screw cap, and a rod is carried through a
stuffing box in its side, and connected to the plug of the cock so that it can be
opened and shut from outside the cover; or instead of a separate rod the head of
the cock plug itself may be continued to the outside of the cover. As an alter-
native form the filter and plug cock may be dispensed with, and the cover alone
act as the filter, a conical vent, closed by a screw plug replacing the cock; or the
vent may be closed by a flanged plug operating through the top of the cover.
In the lower portion of the receptacle a draw-off cock is provided, entirely
enclosed in a cap, which is filled with some suitable antiseptic fluid and can be
readily removed and applied.
The improved plug for use in the vent hole of a sterilizing vessel consists of
a taper plug of metal, glass, or suitable material formed with a hollow middle

page_text: portion, but with a solid point and head. A hole or holes are pierced through
the wall of the hollow portion of the plug, at or near the top, and a similar
hole or holes at or near the bottom. The solid head of the plug may be recessed,
and the plug may be either plain or provided with a screw thread.
To further explain the details of the invention reference is made to the
accompanying drawings, in which
Fig. 1 is a receptacle as described, shown in vertical section,
Fig. 2 is an alternative form of rod for opening and shutting the cock D.
Figs. 3 and 4 are alternative forms, replacing the cock D and filter E Fig. 1.
Fig. 5 shows in section a plain plug, placed in position in the stopper of a jar,
ready for the process of sterilization, and
Fig. 6 a screw plug, likewise in section, and in position when sealing the vent
hole after the completion of the sterilizing process.
Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.
Referring to Fig. 1 A is the receptacle, with an opening B for the intro luction
of the liquid; D is the cock or tap, soldered or otherwise hxed to an orifice C in.
the top of the receptacle A, and with its mouth protected by a filter E preferably
filled with cottou wool; soldered or otherwise permanently fixed to the top of the
receptacle is a projection F, on the side of which is placed the stuffing-box G,
through which latter the rod G passes to engage the plug of the cock D, a cap H,
furnished with a small opening H₁ which is closed by a screw cap, being screwed,
soldered or otherwise fastened on the projection F. The space J surrounding the
cock D and filter E is also filled preferably with cotton wool. K is the draw-off
cock, fixed on the exit pipe K', and enclosed by the deep cap L, which is screwed
on to the plate L' fixed on the pipe K¹.
Instead of the ordinary stuffing-box G and roi G', the device shown in Fig. 2
may be used in which case the opening H is dipensed with.
D' is the plug of the cock D the rod G is formed with a forked end, the
prongs G of which pass through lugs D' on each side of the flat head of the
plug D'; on the other end of the rod, below the handle is formed a taper G³,
which fits a conical projection G replacing the stuffing-box G on the side of the
projection F. The prongs G, have a slight amount of play, backwards and
forwards, in the lugs D. The taper G3 is preferably made of or covered with
rubber, and is fitted so as to make a fairly air tight joint in the cone G.
the cock D is to be opened, the rod G is pulled slightly back, so that air can
penetrate into the space J.
When
Referring to Fig. 3 the orifice C is prolonged by a tube C', closed at the top,
and furnished on one side with a conical vent C: a rod G6 controls this vent,
and works in the screwed neck G placed on the side of the projection F.
(Fig. 1).
Or the arrangement may be used shown at Fig. 4, where the orifice C is
furnished with a prolongation C, screwed internally and provided with a flange C.
The rod G7 is fitted with a flange G8 and washer G, and has a threaded end to
screw into the prolongation C³. Where the rod G' passes through the cover H, a
conical cup His provided so that the head of the rod G' can be sealed.
The receptacle is utilised as follows;-
The fluid is introduced through the opening B, which is closed with a suitable
stopper and sealed after sterilization either in the manner hereinafter described or
by means of the apparatus described in my Patent No. 8232 of 1896.
In order to withdraw fluid from the receptacle, the cock D is opened or the
rod G³ or G' is unscrewed, and either the cap removed from the opening II', if an
ordinary stuffing box or the devices shown at Figs. 3 and 4 are employed, or the
rod is drawn slightly back, if the device shown at Fig. 2 is used, so that air can
enter through the space J, filter E and cock D, to the receptacle A. The cap L
is then removed from the draw off cock K on opening which the liquid will flow
When the amount of liquid required has been withdrawn, the cap L, filled
with antiseptic fluid is replaced, the cock D is closed, and the rod G' pushed home
out.

page_text: into the conical projection or the cap replaced on H' and the receptacle is then
hermetically closed.
Refering to Figs. 5 and 6, M is the solid top, N the hollow portion and O the
solid point of the plug. N' are the holes in the top and N the holes in the bottom
of the wall of the hollow portion N. P is the cork or stopper of the jar or other
vessel R.
The solid top M may be provided with a recess M', (Fig. 3) or the head may be
formed of a square, flat or other convenient shape us M (Fig. 6) and may be
provided with a washer M³ (Fig. 6).
The stopper P may be of suitable shape, and be securel al sealel in some
convenient manner, being placed inside the neck of the vessel R, as shown in the
drawings, or fastened on to the outside of the neck as desired. The stopper may
be constructed of suitable material and is preferably provided with a vent hole, but
the plug may be screwed or forced through the substance of the stopper, if the
latter is made of cork or like material easily penetrated.
The operation is as follows;-When the vessel is filled and ready for the process
of sterilization, the plug is placed in position so that the orifices in the wall of the
hollow portion of the plug are respectively above and below the stopper, thus
forming a communication with the inside of the vessel for the escape of vapour
during the sterilization process. When this is completed the plug is driven or
screwed further into the stopper until the upper orifice is sealed by the body of
Scopper, as shown in Fig. 6.
This may be done either before the vessel has cooled so that a vacuum will, after
the sealing be formed within it, or the vessel may be allowed to cool before it is
sealed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is ;-
1. In the sterilization and preservation of liquids the combination with a
receptacle of a vent cock and a filter enclosed in a cap and a draw-off cock protected
by a sterilizing cap substantially as described.
2. In the sterilization and preservation of liquids the combination with a
receptacle of a draw-off cock, protected by a cap, containing an antiseptic
fluid.
3. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete
apparatus for use in the sterilization and preservation of liquids substantially as
described and illustrated in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.
4. In the sterilization and preservation of liquids the combination with a
receptacle of a vent cock or valve controlled by a rod and attachments substan
tially as described and illustrated in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.
5. In the sterilization and preservation of liquids the combination with a
receptacle of a vent hole controlled by a rod and attachments substantially
as described and illustrated in Figure 3 and Figure 4 of the accompanying
drawings.
6. The vent plug for use in sterilizing processes substantially as and for the
purpose described and illustrated in Figure 5 or Figure 6 of the accompanying
drawings.
Dated thin lot lave of Dahua 1007
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.