Improvements in Tea-caddies, Coffee-canisters, and other Receptacles for Powdered or Granulated Substances, to Facilitate the Measuring and Delivering Out of the Contents of the same.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Feb., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 21st Nov., 1890-Accepted, 27th Dec., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tea-caddies, Coffee-canisters, and other Receptacles
for Powdered or Granulated Substances, to Facilitate the
Measuring and Delivering Out of the Contents of the same.
I, SAMUEL BRIDGE, of Lye, near Stourbridge, in the County of Worcester, School-
master, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of these improvements is the construction of an improved caddy,
canister or other similar receptacle, by applying to the interior of such vessel a
suitable apparatus whereby certain fixed quantities of tea, coffee or other powdered
or granulated substances may be measured and delivered out through an aperture in
the foot of the vessel.
In carrying out my invention, I construct the interior of the receptacle in the form
of a hopper, so as to conduct the contents thereof into a chamber or cavity at the foot,
the size of which determines the quantity of material to be measured out. By
actuating the improved apparatus connected therewith, to be hereinafter described,
the contents of this chamber are cut off from those of the vessel above, and are
released by the opening of a door in the bottom of the chamber. The return move-
ment of the apparatus restores the door to its former position and permits the contents
of the receptacle to again fall into and fill the chamber in readiness for the next
operation.
With slight modifications the apparatus is applicable to all kinds of receptacles con-
taining tea, coffee or other powdered or granulated substances, where it is desired to
draw off the contents in regulated quantities.
I will now describe and illustrate my invention by the aid of the accompanying
drawings, confining myself first to its application to tea caddies. I wish it to be
understood, however, that I do not bind myself to any precise details, relative
proportions or dimensions represented in the drawings, as the same may be con-
siderably varied without departing from the invention. The same letters of reference
are put to denote the same parts throughout the drawings.
Figures 1 and 2 show the apparatus in its normal position, the former being a
sectional elevation of the caddy and the latter a sectional plan of the same.
Figures 3 and 4 represent similar views of the caddy, and show the apparatus after
it has been actuated from without.
The interior of the caddy is constructed like a hopper in its lower portion in
order to permit the tea to fall readily into a receptacle or chamber A at its
lower extremity. This chamber, which may conveniently be referred to as the
well, is rectangular in plan where it is joined to the caddy (see Figs. 2 and 4),
and its dimensions are fixed according to the quantity of tea-say a teaspoonful
to be measured out. It is open at the top while the apparatus is in its normal
position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and is then filled with tea from the interior B
of the caddy. It is provided with a door at the bottom, which works on a
hinge at D, and is kept closed by a spring E, the latter being supported by a
wire frame F, to be hereinafter described. G represents a set of parallel wires,
fixed in a bar or "back" H at their outer ends, like the teeth of a comb, and
arranged to nove longitudinally through holes pierced near the upper edge of
the side J of the well; the play of the wires being so adjusted as to permi
them to traverse the well A from side to side without leaving the holes on their
backward movement (see Figs. 2 and 4). This set of wires (hereinafter referred
to as the cutter) is supported by the wire frame F above mentioned, which,
passing round the well (see Fig. 2) and having a draw rod K attached to it,
affords means of actuating the apparatus from without. When this takes place,

page_text: "
the cutter G, being drawn forward, passes with very little friction through the
tea leaves, until it occupies the position represented in Figs. 3 and 4, thereby
cutting off the portion of tea enclosed in the well A from that in the caddy
above: During the first part of this movement the door C is kept closed by the
spring E, which, as has already been mentioned, is attached to the cutter frame F
and is carried along with it; the outer end of the spring, which is provided with
a roller L, then riding over and pressing against the under face of the door.
When the cutter G is about to complete its forward movement, the roller L of
the door spring approaches the hinged edge of the door, and here the latter is
provided with a projecting attachment M, extending out over the hinge, and
which for the sake of convenience may be termed the door heel. The roller L
in its further progress passes on to the door heel M, thereby throwing open the
door C, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and setting free the portion of tea enclosed
in the well. A; at the same time the position of the cutter G (see Fig. 4)
prevents the inrush, of tea from the caddy above as long as the door remains
open. The tea in the well, on being thus released, falls out and passes through
an aperture N in the foot of the caddy.
While the apparatus continues in this position, the roller L, resting upon the door
.heel M, is there maintained at a suitable level for return; and as soon as. the cutter G
commences its backward movement (which is effected by the action of a spring P
operating upon the draw rod K) the door C is at once.closed and held in that
position by the spring E, while the cutter recedes to its starting point and the
well A refills.
During the time the apparatus is in its normal position, as represented in Figs. 1
and 2, the rear portion F¹ of the cutter frame rests underneath and gives support to
the door heel M, thereby preventing the door being forced open by accidental undue
pressure of the tea within the caddy.
Fig. 5 illustrates an improved method of working the apparatus by means of a
depressing knob acted upon by the thumb. R' is a sectional elevation of a tubular
handle attached to the side of the caddy by the two supporting brackets R' and R³,
and fitted with a depressing knob S. W is a lever moving upon a fulcrum at X and
connected at one end with the depressing knob by a vertical rod Y, the other end
being attached, to the draw rod K which passes through the hollow bracket R. When
the knob S is depressed by the thumb,. the action is communicated by means of the
lever W to the draw rod K, which has thereby imparted to it an outward movement,
as shown by the dotted portions of Fig. 5. The return of the draw rod is effected as
before by the action of the spring P, which in this case operates upon the vertical
rod Y.
The improvements hereinbefore described may be applied to receptacles containing
coffee or other powdered or granulated substances by modifying where necessary the
width of the wires forming the cutter, or by substituting for the wires a plate of
metal or other material, playing through a slot in the side of the well; the.óther
portions of the apparatus, remaining substantially as described.
In dealing with finely powdered substances it is sometimes desirable to defer the
opening of the door till a later stage in the forward movement of the cutter, that is,
until the latter has proceeded far enough to prevent the escape of material from
above when the door opens. To do this I employ a modified form of the apparatus,
as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. The roller L of the spring E being omitted, 'I. arrange
the outer end of the spring itself (see L, Figs. 6 and 7) to slide over and exert
pressure upon the under face of the door C; the latter being opened, as before, by
contact of the, spring with the door heel M. In this case, as, will be seen by reference
to Figs. 6 and 7, the cutter is enabled to nearly complete its forward movement
before the opening of the door commences,, and thereby any escape of materiál in
front of the cutter is prevented. As soon as the latter starts on 'its backward
movement (which is effected in the manner herein before described) the door
is at once closed by the return of the spring E,.before the refilling of the
well commences.

page_text: In order to obtain a plan view of Figs. 6 and 7, Figs. 2 and 4 may be referred to,
those being sufficiently accurate as far as the shapes of the spring E and other
important parts of the apparatus are concerned.
11
1
TI
1000
SAMUEL BRIDGE,
Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tea-caddies, Coffee-canisters, and other Receptacles
for Powdered or Granulated Substances, to Facilitate the
Measuring and Delivering Out of the Contents of the same.
I, SAMUEL BRIDGE, of Lye, near Stourbridge, in the County of Worcester,
Schoolmaster, 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 :-
The object of these improvements is the construction of an improved caddy,
canister or other similar receptacle, by applying to the interior of such vessel a
suitable apparatus whereby certain fixed quantities of tea, coffee or other powdered or
granulated substances may be measured and delivered out through an aperture in the
lower portion of the vessel.
In carrying out my invention, I construct the interior of the receptacle in the form
of a hopper, in order that the contents thereof may be conducted freely downwards
into a chamber or cavity which forms the lower extremity or apex of the same, and
the size of which determines the quantity of material to be measured out. By
actuating the improved apparatus connected therewith, to be hereinafter described, the
contents of this chamber are cut off from those of the vessel above, and are released
by the opening of a door in the bottom of the chamber. The return movement of the
apparatus restores the door to its former position, and permits the contents of the
receptacle to again fall into and fill the chamber, in readiness for the next operation.
With slight modifications the apparatus is applicable to all kinds of receptacles
containing tea, coffee or other powdered or granulated substances, where it is desired
to withdraw the contents thereof in regulated quantities.
I will now proceed to describe my invention more fully in detail, confining myself
first to its application to tea caddies. In order to illustrate the same, I shall make
reference to the drawings attached to my Provisional Specification, the same letters of
reference being put to denote the same parts throughout. I wish it to be distinctly
understood, however, that I do not bind myself to any precise details represented in
the drawings, either as regards the shape of the caddy or the relative proportions or
dimensions of the various parts of the apparatus applied thereto, as the same may be
considerably varied without departing from the invention.
Figures 1 and 2 show the apparatus in its normal position, the former being a
sectional elevation of the caddy and its internal mechanism, and the lattor a sectional
plan of the same. Figures 3 and 4 represent similar views respectively, and show the
apparatus after it has been actuated from without.
The interior of the caddy is constructed like a hopper in its lower portion (see
Figs. 1 and 3), in order that the tea may fall readily into a receptacle or chamber A
at the bottom. This chamber, hereinafter referred to as the well, is preferably
rectangular in plan where it joins the hopper portion of the caddy (see Figs. 2 and 4),
and its dimensions are fixed according to the quantity-say a teaspoonful of tea to
be measured out. It is open at the top while the apparatus is in its normal position,
as shown by Figs. 1 and 2, and is then filled with tea from the interior B of the caddy
above. A scoop-like door C, working on a hinge at D, forms its lower portion, and is
kept closed while the apparatus remains in its normal condition by a spring E, the
latter being supported by a frame F passing round the well, to be hereinafter described.
G represents a series of parallel wires, fixed in a bar or "back" H at their outer ends,
like the teeth of a comb, and arranged to move longitudinally through. holes pierced

page_text: along the upper edge of the side J of the well, the play of the wires being so adjusted
as to permit them to traverse the well from side to side without leaving the holes on
their backward movement (see Figs. 2 and 4). This set of wires, hereinafter referred
to as the cutter, is supported in its position by the frame F above mentioned, which,
passing round the well, and having a draw rod K attached to it, affords means of
actuating the whole apparatus from without. When this takes place, the cutter, being
drawn forward across the well, passes freely through the loose tea leaves, until it
occupies the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4, thereby cutting off the portion of tea
enclosed in the well A from that in the caddy above. During the first part of this
movement, the door C is kept closed by the spring E, which, as has already been
mentioned, is supported by the cutter frame F and is carried along with it; the outer
end of the spring, which is provided with a roller L, then riding over and pressing
against the under face of the door. When the cutter G is about to complete its
forward movement, the roller L of the door spring approaches the hinged edge of the
door, and here the latter is provided with a projecting attachment M, extending out
over the hinge, and which for convenience may be termed the door heel. The roller L
in its further progress passes on to the door heel M, thereby throwing open the door,
as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and setting free the portion of tea enclosed in the well; at
the same time the position of the cutter G (see Fig. 4) prevents the inrush of tea
from the caddy above as long as the door remains open. The tea in the well, on
being thus released, falls out and passes through an aperture N in the foot of the
caddy.
While the apparatus continues in this position, the door heel M takes its bearing
upon the hopper portion of the caddy (see Fig. 3), thereby supporting the roller Lin
a suitable position for return; and as soon as the cutter & commences its backward
movement (which is effected by the action of a spring P operating upon the draw
rod K), the door C is immediately closed and held in that position by the spring E,
while the cutter recedes to its starting point and the well refills.
During the time the apparatus is in its normal position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2,
the side of the cutter frame rests underneath and gives support to the door heel M,
thereby preventing the door being forced open by accidental undue pressure of the tea
within the caddy.
In order to afford facilities for easily removing and replacing the spring E, the
side F of the cutter frame, upon which the spring is coiled, might be cut through at
its central point, so as to permit the spring to be passed on or off; in which case the
draw rod K would not be connected with the cutter frame in the manner represented
in the drawings, but might be attached to it by means of two arms somewhat like the
upper limbs of the letter Y, leaving sufficient room for the coils of the spring between
⚫them. Or the spring E might be placed upon a separate bar attached to the cutter
frame in such a way as to leave its two ends free to receive the coils of the spring;
but I consider the former arrangement preferable.
The support given to the door heel M when the apparatus is in its normal condition,
as hereinbefore described, would not be interfered with by either of these arrange-
ments. In the first case the portion cut out of the centre of F¹ would be so small as
not to affect the action of the latter in that respect; in the second case the bar upon
which the spring is coiled could be placed in a suitable position for effecting the
desired purpose.
Fig. 5 illustrates an improved method of working the apparatus by means of a
depressing knob acted upon by the thumb. R is a sectional elevation of a tubular
handle, attached to the side of the caddy by the two supporting brackets R¹ and R³,
and fitted with a depressing knob S. W is a lever moving upon a fulcrum at X and
connected at one end with the depressing knob by a vertical rod Y, the other end
being attached to the draw rod K which passes through the hollow bracket R. When
the knob S is depressed by the thumb, the action is communicated by means of the
lever W to the draw rod K, which has thereby imparted to it an outward movement,
as represented by the dotted portions of Fig. 5. The return of the draw rod is
effected as before by the action of the spring P, which in this case operates upon the
.

page_text: vertical rod Y. The pivot X upon which the lever W moves is supported in position
by a folded plate of metal, or other suitable arrangement, soldered or otherwise
secured within the tube R. This also forms a guide for the lower portion of the
vertical rod Y, as well as a resting place for the spring P; or the latter may take its
bearing upon a separate attachment provided for the purpose within the tube.
the
The improvements herein before described may be applied to receptacles containing
coffee or other powdered or granulated substances by modifying, where necessary,
width of the wires forming the cutter, or by substituting for the wires a plate of
metal or other material, playing through a slot in the side of the well; the other
portions of the apparatus remaining substantially as hereinbefore described.
In dealing with finely powdered or granulated substances, it is sometimes desirable
to defer the opening of the door until a later stage in the progress of the cutter, and
to do this I employ a modified form of the apparatus, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. The
roller L of the door spring being omitted, I arrange the outer end of the spring itself
(see L, Figs. 6 and 7) to slide over and exert pressure upon the under face of the
door, the latter being opened as before by contact of the spring with the door heel M.
In this case, as will be seen by reference to Figs. 6 and 7, the cutter is enabled to
practically complete its forward movement before the contents of the well are released,
and thereby any escape of material in front of the cutter is prevented. As soon as
the latter starts on its backward movement (which is effected in the manner herein-
before described), the door is smartly closed by the return of the spring E, before the
refilling of the well has had time to commence.
A sufficiently accurate plan view of the apparatus represented by Figs. 6 and 7 is
afforded by Figs. 2 and 4, the only difference being in respect of the roller L and one
or two other points of minor detail.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
(1) The improvements in tea caddies, coffee canisters and other receptacles for
powdered or granulated matter, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
(2) The improved apparatus applied to the above-named receptacles, for measuring,
cutting off and delivering out regulated quantities of the contents of the same, sub-
stantially as herein before described and illustrated in Figs. 1-4 of the accompanying
drawings; also the alternative methods of attaching the spring E and draw rod K to
the cutter frame, substantially as and for the purposes herein before described.
(3) The modifications in the above-named apparatus for the purpose of dealing with
finely powdered or granulated matter, substantially as hereinbefore described and
illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.
(4) The improved method of working the said apparatus by means of a depressing
knob, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in Fig. 5 of the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this 21st day of November 1890.
SAMUEL BRIDGE,
Applicant.