AN IMPROVED PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR PRE- SERVING MEAT, FRUIT, VEGETABLES, AND OTHER LIKE PERISHABLE SUBSTANCES
Year: 1873

page_text: ""'
LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine,
Lake, & Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London,
for the Invention of “AN IMPROVED PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR PRE-
SERVING MEAT, FRUIT, VEGETABLES, AND OTHER LIKE PERISHABLE SUBSTANCES."
- A communication from abroad by Amanda Theodocia Jones,
Author, of Clinton, Wisconsin, and Le Roy Clarke Cooley, Author
and Teacher, of Albany, New York, both in the United States of
America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 26th June 1873.
I, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co.,
5 Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED PROCESS AND APPARATUS

page_text: FOR PRESERVING MEAT, FRUIT, VEGETABLES, AND OTHER LIKE PERISHABLE SUB-
'STANCES," a communication, to be as follows:—
This Invention has for its object the preservation of meat, fruit,
vegetables, and other commodities perishable in the presence of air
without cooking and without the introduction of any substance, gaseous
or otherwise, that could produce chemical change therein or deteriorate
their natural purity and freshness of flavour.
The preservation of food has been accomplished in many ways, chiefly
requiring for the production of satisfactory results a degree of tempera-
ture sufficient at least to partially cook the substance or coagulate
the albumen therein. Fruit and berries and some of the more delicate
vegetables are far preferable in the fresh state, and this Invention is
designed to provide means for their enjoyment by the public at any
season of the year.
The first part of the said Invention consists in a process whereby the
air is exhausted from the vessel containing the substance to be preserved
and from the pores or cells of the substance itself, the place of the air
being supplied by a simple liquid, as syrup or water, in which ebullition
is caused in the rarified air of the jar or vessel at a low temperature,
never exceeding 150° Fahrenheit. The effect of this treatment is to
complete the expulsion of air from the jar and its contents, after which
the jar is hermetically sealed.
The second part of the said Invention consists in simple apparatus
designed to be used in practically carrying out the above-described
process in an economical manner. The said apparatus consists chiefly of
an air exhauster depending for its effect upon the condensation of steam,
of transfer devices, and preserving vessels adapted for ready connection
with the exhauster on the one hand, and on the other hand with a tank
or vessel containing the aforesaid liquid. The latter may be introduced
into the jar at any time during the operation of exhausting the air
without disconnection or interfering with the said operation.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 24th December 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London, send greeting.
.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-sixth day of June, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, in the thirty-
seventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said William Robert Lake, Her special licence
that I, the said William Robert Lake, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said William Robert Lake, 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 "AN
IMPROVED PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR PRESERVING MEAT, FRUIT, VEGETABLES,
AND OTHER LIKE PERISHABLE SUBSTANCES," a communication to me from.
abroad by Amanda Theodocia Jones, Author, of Clinton, Wisconsin, and
Le Roy Clarke Cooley, Author and Teacher, of Albany, New York, both in
the United States of America, upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said William Robert Lake, my executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and
scals, 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 William Robert Lake, 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, reference being had to the accom-

page_text: This Invention has for its object the preservation of fruits, meats,
vegetables, and other commodities, perishable in the presence of air,
without cooking and without the introduction of any substance, gaseous
or otherwise, that can produce chemical change therein or affect the
natural purity and freshness of flavour.
The first part of the said Invention consists in a process whereby the.
air is exhausted from the vessel containing the substance to be preserved
and from the pores or cells of the substance itself, the place of the air
filled by a simple liquid (as syrup or water) and ebullition caused in the
rarefied air of the vessel at a temperature lower than that at which the
chemical change of cooking begins.
In practising the said Invention the substance to be preserved is
placed in a vessel of any material and form adapted to the purpose, and
this vessel is subjected to heat of a temperature always lower than that¸
at which the chemical change of cooking commences, that is to say,.
about one hundred and fifty degrees Fahrenheit. An air exhauster is
connected with the said vessel, and by its operation air is taken from
the vessel and from the interior substance of the perishable article
therein contained.
During the operation of exhausting the air, sometimes at the begin-
ning, sometimes at intervals or at the close of said operation, a liquid is
introduced of a character depending upon the nature of the substance
being preserved, but which will not produce chemical change therein.
Thin syrup is preferred for fruit, for meat simple water. In the vacuum
or partial vacuum produced by the air exhaustion, and at the low
temperature employed, always below cooking heat, the liquid having
penetrated the pores and cells of the substance will be partly converted
into vapour therein, which oozing from the said pores and cells carries
with it the last traces of air from the fruit or other substance. The
vessel being completely filled with the liquid the cells of the substance
therein will have imbibed the same in lieu of the air which before
occupied them. After the air has been thus completely expelled the
connection with the air exhauster is broken and the vessel hermetically
sealed.
:
It is found also that very good results may be obtained by pouring in
411il aftra archanation of the air of
tamnomater
that
11

page_text: cause vapour to rise without ebullition. And because each substance
requires somewhat different treatment from all others in order to secure
the most speedy and sure results I vary the temperature from that of
the room in which the process is carried on (or perhaps still lower in
3. case the substance to be preserved is of a very delicate nature and subject
to rapid fermentation) to any degree less than that at which the coagu-
lation of albumen may take place.
The second part of this Invention consists in simple apparatus designed
to be used practically in carrying out the process described above in an
economical manner. The said apparatus consists chiefly of an air
exhauster depending for its effect upon the condensation of steam, also.
of transfer devices adapted for ready connection on the one hand with
the exhauster, and on the other hand with the preserving vessels, the
cistern containing said vessels and a tank or vessel containing the liquid
in such a manner that the latter may be, introduced into the said pre-.
serving vessels at any time during the operation of exhausting the air
without disconnection or interfering with such operation.
For the air exhauster a common air-pump will serve'; but a simple
and economical instrument has been devised whereby the vacuum
created in an air-tight chamber may be directly, or through the medium
of certain transfer devices herein-after described, applied to a jar or
vessel or to several jars or vessels simultaneously for the rarefication
of the air therein contained without liability to admit any steam or.
water into said jars or vessels. Instead of having but a single chamber
as shown in Figure 1 the exhauster may consist of two or more chambers
connected as indicated in Figure 2, whereby the exhaustion may be kept
up continuously or renewed at short intervals with great energy by the
alternate or successive action of the several chambers.
A designates the air and steam-tight condensing chamber, which may"
for some purposes when a portable apparatus is preferred serve as a
generator, but when more extensive operations are contemplated the
condensers A are designed to be connected with a steam pipe B leading
from a separate generator, which may be located in some remote part of
the building. The connecting pipes C leading from the main steam pipe.
to the condensers are provided with stop-cocks c. D indicates the blow-.
off pipe usually placed at the opposite end of the chamber from the

page_text: a pressure of steam may be more readily established. This pipe D is:
also provided with a stop-cock d, and is designed for the exit of air from.
the chamber A, when the same is expelled by the steam admitted.
through the pipe C or formed in said chamber when it is used as a
generator.. At some point of the chamber above its base the pipe E is,
placed, the said pipe being provided with a stop-cock e, and designed
for connection immediately with the vessel to be exhausted of its air or
with such intermediate transfer pipes or devices as may be required in
the operation; or the pipes E of two or more condensing chambers may
be connected with a common pipe, provided with a vacuum gauge, and
leading to the preserving vessel.
When the condensing chamber is designed to be used as a generator
the blow-off pipe should be arranged at the top or upper end of said
chamber, and curved or bent downward so that its end can be introduced
into a vessel of water for the purpose of ascertaining when steam has
driven all the air from said chamber. After the air has been expelled
from the chamber A. by the steam the stop-cocks are closed, and conden-
sation is effected by externally drenching the exhauster in cold water or
otherwise.
The transfer devices, Figures 3 and 4, are designed to provide means
whereby an air-pump or exhauster and a tank of liquid on the one hand
and a number of preserving vessels on the other hand may be só con-
nected that the air may be exhausted from the vessels and the liquid
conveyed into them without admitting the outside atmosphere; F
designates a tank or cistern filled with the preserving liquid, for instance
syrup; G, G, indicate preserving vessels, each provided with an air-tight
cover having a small opening for connection with a branch pipe of the
"transfer";.H is the main tube or longitudinal chamber of the "transfer"
of proper diameter and sufficient length for the attachment of any
desired number of branch pipes or conducting tubes I leading to the
vessels G, G. These conducting tubes are connected to the main tube H
on each side a little above its lowest portion, leaving therefore within
the main tube a channel a between and below the mouths of these
connecting tubes. The outer or free ends of these branch tubes are
provided with short sections 6 of glass, through which the operation

page_text: may be observed. At the lower end of each glass section a flange f
may be formed serving as a shoulder to receive an annular packing
which may be placed around the nipple or extension g, which is designed
to be inserted into the opening in the cover of the preserving vessel.
In this manner an air-tight joint is formed. K indicates a tube opening.
into the upper portion of the main tube, and extended for connection.
with the air-pump or exhauster. This tube is provided with a valve or
stop-cock h. L designates a tube opening into the lower or channel
portion of the main tube, and extended for connection with the syrup
tank or liquid vessel. This tube is provided with a valve or stop-cock i
and with a glass section or sight /. The operation of the "transfer "is
as follows:-The stop-cocks h and i being open the exhauster is put in
operation, and when the syrup or preserving fluid has risen in the tube L
to the height of the stop-cock i the latter is closed until it is required to
pour the liquid upon the fruit or substance to be preserved. The
operation of the air pump or exhauster is then continued until the air is
exhausted from the substance.
Sometimes in order to insure thorough exhaustion it may be advisable.
to close the stop-cock i for awhile, allowing the substance to stand under
the operation of the exhauster, and before introducing the preserving
liquid. In this manner time is given for the air in the cells and
interstices of the substance to escape and ascend into the exhauster..
When the syrup or preserving fluid is to be introduced the stop-cock h
is closed and the stop-cock i opened, allowing the liquid to rise into the
channel a of the main tube and to pass down through the branch pipes.
into the preserving vessels. When the fluid ceases to flow into the vessels.
the stop-cock i is closed and the stop-cock h opened for the renewed
operation of the exhauster. Then the preserving fluid is again allowed >
to run into the preserving vessels until by means of these alternate
operations they are filled. Or the stop-cock h may remain open while
the preserving fluid is running from the tank into the jars, the air
exhaustion being thus carried on simultaneously.
To insure the complete exhaustion of air from the fluid lately intro-
duced, as well as any possible trace yet existing in the substance, the
temperature is raised to a degree of heat sufficient to cause ebullition.
and such expansion of the fluid that a return of atmospheric pressure
will not depress it below the upper line of the opening in the vessel

page_text: before an opportunity for sealing. If in any case after disconnection
from the "transfer" a vessel should be found not completely filled, enough
preserving fluid to fill it is to be poured in. When the operation is
completed the "transfer" is disconnected from the preserving jars or
vessels, and they are hermetically sealed before their temperature subsides
to that of the room in which the process has been carried on.
Instead of a common tank in extensive operations where the transfer
device is long and heavy I employ a cistern M, Figure 5, of corresponding
length, in which the preserving vessels may be placed upon india-rubber
cushions or springs q. The end walls of this cistern are elevated.
sufficiently to form bearings for the ends of the main tube of the.
"transfer." For this purpose these end walls are vertically notched at m.
and provided with bridge caps n and the elevating screws p, which
engage with the said bridge caps, and are connected by swivel joints
with the ends of the main tube. By this means the "transfer" may be
depressed or elevated gradually and evenly. Any accidental uneveness
will be compensated by the springs under the preserving vessels, and the
joints with the branch pipes will be tightly closed.
Various forms of vessels have been devised for the reception of the
commodities to be preserved by this process, all provided with covers:
capable of being closed hermetically, and each having an aperture which
is usually centrally located and. capable of being packed to form an air-
tight joint when connected with the air exhauster or the transfer pipe.
Some of these forms of the said vessels are herein described, and
although especially designed for use in connection with this improved 2
process they are adapted to the ordinary method of preservation by
cooking.
The jar illustrated in Figures 6, 7, and 8 has around its neck an
external flange r adapted to engage with the hooked ends of a curved
bar N pivoted to a central elevation or boss A on the cover, which is 3
centrally perforated through the boss in such a manner that an internal
ledge 8 of oval form is provided for the reception of a packing ring t.
The flange is recessed or disconnected at points u, u, diametrically
opposite each other for the reception of lugs v, which prevent the
turning of the cover, and for the passage of the hooked ends of the 3
fastening bar N before this bar is turned around to bring the said hooked
ends under the flange. Above the flange a shelf is formed for the

page_text: reception of an india-rubber packing ring. The top of the cover is
convex, and provided with cam-like rises or swells P, which alternate
with lower places thereon in such a manner that the fastening bar will
be tightened when it is turned on the cover after the ends have been
engaged with the flange. The orifice in the cover is closed with a
stopple o girt with the small packing ring t, which is kept from slipping
upward by a shoulder on the said stopple. At the lower end of the
stopple an elongated button w is arranged, and being passed through
the orifice below the oval shelf and turned serves to secure the stopple,
its ends being caught by the narrower diameter of said ledge or shelf.
Instead of a stopple I may employ a' concave cap plate x with end
hooks, as shown in Figures 9 and 10. In this case the bars of the clamp
N which embrace the central boss are bent downward at their outer
edges and middle portions to form cams, with which the hooks z of the.
cap plate engage, being passed under these cam bars, and when the cap.
plate is turned it is thereby brought down forcibly against the packing
ring which rests on the internal ledge of the central opening.
2
Sometimes the elevation or boss around the central opening may b
.be
dispensed. with. In this case, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, the internal
shelf is depressed below the surface of the cover, the cam curves of the
clamp are on the inside edges of the central bars which separate to form
the central opening, and the concave cap plate. is provided with straight
ends, which are slipped under the raised portions of said bars and turned
under the depressed portions, bringing the cap plate down against the
rubber packing ring which lies on the ledge within the orifice.
In Figures 13 and 14 an annular shelf is shown within the neck of
the jar, which receives the packing ring and the cover. Above this shelf
the jar is provided with inclined ledges or grooves 2² for receiving the
ends of a fastening bar, which being turned brings the cover down
tightly upon the packing ring. A circular plate or concave cap, in size
equal to the ledge within the central orifice, has a spring R attached to
its under side, and being pressed down upon the packing is held in place
by the opening of the spring after its ends have fallen below the under.
surface of the cover, which is made concave in form to receive the ends
of the springs neatly and without play or loosening after pressure is
removed.

page_text: The aforesaid jars may be of metal, glass, or earthenware. A can of
simple construction suitable for transportation is shown in Figures 15
and 16, having a flange a¹ projecting from its upper end, the edge of
which is bent upwards to retain a rubber packing ring which lies upon
said flange. Around the central opening and at a sufficient, distance
therefrom is secured a rim or wall designed to enclose the small packing
ring which is necessary in connection with the transfer devices. This
cover is provided with a horizontal flange b', having its inner portion
somewhat depressed to ensure a close contact with the packing, when
the outer edge is pressed down. Two metallic semicircular groove
clamps d', d', are provided, each having one inner wall straight or hori
zontal, or nearly so, and the other inclined or bevelled towards its edge
in such a manner that, being fitted around the united flanges of the
cover and can, they will tighten upon the said flanges as they are pressed
towards cach other. To cause the groove clamps to bite upon the flanges
and to keep them from springing apart the groove is usually slightly
enlarged in its deepest portion. This enlargement is not indispensable
however, as the groove clamps will be ordinarily held firmly by the
elasticity of the packing. The central orifice may be hermetically scaled
by dropping therein (the packing ring having been removed) a small
plate or cap and then filling the space within the rim with solder or
cement; or it may be closed by any of the contrivances, above

page_text: Second. The apparatus employed in practising this Invention, sub-,
stantially as herein set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of December,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
three.
Witness,
H. J. NOONE,
8, Southampton Buildings,
London.
WM. ROBT. LAKE. (L.S.)