Improvements in and relating to Hot Plates and Carving and Serving Tables Combined, for the Use of Hotels, Restaurants, and all Purposes Connected with Catering.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Apr., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 9th Oct., 1895-Accepted, 23rd Nov., 1895
PROVISIONAL LECIT
Improvements in and relating to Hot Plates and Carving and
Serving Tables Combined, for the Use of Hotels, Restaurants,
and all Purposes Connected with Catering.
I, GEORGE ALEXANDER of The Acorn Hotel Birmingham in the County of
Warwick Hotel Manager, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
--
This invention relates to various improvements in the construction of hot plates
and carving and serving tables whereby very great advantages are obtained over
those hitherto used.
The first part of my invention consists in an arrangement by which the front
and back of the hot plate and carving and serving table is constructed with sliding
doors contained within a frame grooved top and bottom to allow the doors to slide
therein easily, there are preferably four doors on each side provided with suitable
handles, the number of sliding doors will vary according to the size of the bot
plate.
The interior is provided on each side with two or more longitudinal rails upon
which fit and slide loose perforated plates preferably made of galvanized iron or
other metal there are generally four or more of these plates according to size;
this arrangement enables the plates to be easily removed for cleaning.
The upper part of the hot plate is detachable from the main structure, and is
divided into three or more compartments according to requirements which contain
water for heating by gas as hereinafter described or if preferred by steam;
suitable outlet taps are provided to each compartment containing the water, the
waste pipe in connection with the outlet taps is preferably of a slightly curved
form to avoid obstruction. The surface of the hot plate is of any suitable metal
preferably copper or zinc and is cut out as may be required to receive various
descriptions of vessels. Upon the left hand side are two, four, or more loose
oblong or other shaped carving dishes which fit into the corresponding cut out
spaces and are heated by the water contained in the compartment beneath same,
the carving dishes are provided with covers suitably hinged at the back of the
surface of the hot plate, and are arranged in pairs, when four or more are used,
leaving on the right and left hand sides of each pair of dishes, sufficient space to
allow of a number of dinner plates being placed to receive the eatables carved or
served from the said dishes.
The loose carving dishes which are one of the most important features of my
invention are constructed thus. With a view to avoid the inconveniences of the
condensed steam arising from the hot joints etc. instead of the usual hollow dishes,
I make mine absolutely flat at the bottom so as to afford a perfect and firm carving
surface, the sides only being slightly concave, the gravy well situated at the lower
end of each dish is much deeper than usual, the oblong rim is grooved or chaneled,
the edge of the covers fitting into same; the groove or channel receives the water
which condenses inside the covers and in order to allow this condensed water to
run to the lower ends of the carving dishes, the same are slightly elevated at the
upper ends, and at the lower ends there are channels or outlets leading directly
into the gravy wells where the condensed water finally falls, by this system the
surface of the carving dish is kept free from gravy or steam and preserves the

page_text: joint in superior condition besides saving a great amount of gravy which in
the ordinary carving dishes dries up and gets caked on the entire surface and
requires to be replenished with fresh gravy constantly.
In order to prevent the covers which fit over the carving dishes from falling too
far back I provide at the back thereof a railing and supports fixed to the top of
the hot plate, this railing has small pads lined with leather or other suitable
material against which each cover rests when standing open, and prevents same
from being scratched or injured; furthermore this railing is provided with a shelf
made of metal, or wood, carried by supports which are fixed to the railing for the
purpose of receiving dinner plates as they leave the carvers hands, this railing and
shelf may be made in one section the entire length of the hot plate or may be
divided into several parts independently and fixed where desired.
The next part of my invention relates to improved arrangements for gravy and
sauce containers.
Fitting into an opening in the surface of the hot plate is a perforated loose plate
carrying any desired number of loose circular vessels or pots in two or more rows
transversely and of any suitable depth, about midway encircling the exterior of
each is a projecting rim which supports the vessel or pot in its circular opening
and is kept in position by means of a key upon the rim which fits into a slot, the
lid of each vessel is hinged to the body of same and is sunk from the surface to
allow it to easily fall into place, an opening is cut out in each lid to receive the
handle of the spoon (when closed) upon each side of the opening is a projecting
lip to enable the lid to be readily thrown open either by hand or with the carver's
knife or fork, all the lids open in a line with one another being hinged respectively
to the sides farthest from each other so as to afford plenty of space for serving,
handles are provided upon each side of the vessels but fixed in different relative
positions so that they shall not come into contact with one another when in their
respective positions, I also number each vessel in rotation and the openings in the
moveable plate in order that they may be properly placed; these vessels are of a
larger size than ordinary ones to receive earthenware or enamelled metal pots or
pans which contain the sauces or gravy to allow of their being readily removed
with their contents leaving the metal pots above described always clean.
The moveable plate which receives the pots fits bodily with or without all its
pots or vessels into the main surface of the hot plate, the lower part of the metal
pots are thus immersed in the water contained in the compartment beneath same.
The next part of my invention is in connection with the arrangement of the
vessels for containing the entrees and vegetables, a square or other shaped
moveable frame or pan, fits into an opening made to receive same in the hot plate
supported on all sides mid-way in depth of same by a rim in a similar manner
already described above with water compartment beneath, this pan is divided into
six or more compartments which are intended to receive loose earthenware or
enamelled metal vessels, containing the food, an important point in connection with
this part of my invention is the special arrangement of sliding covers, or lids
which slide in grooves in the frame of each compartment above and beneath one
another two by two transversely so that the lids slide over and under one another,
the full width of the frame containing the said vessels is thus fully covered over,
when one or more are open plates can be placed conveniently on the remaining
closed covers; whilst serving from the open vessels, suitable handles are provided
upon the sliding lids, but only at the top and bottom ends.
This divisional frame or pan can be removed bodily from the surface of the hot
plate, there being suitable handles upon each side for the purpose.
The right hand side of the hot plate is fitted with vessels intended to contain
soups or other food, these are arranged and constructed precisely in the same
manner relatively as described in reference to the sauce and gravy vessels above,
the only difference being their larger size.
I will now refer to the method of heating the hot plate and carving and serving
table which may be either by gas or steam, obviously when by the latter, all issues

page_text: by which the steam could escape are made absolutely steam tight, but I prefer to
use gas as being safer and more economical.
Instead of the usual method of running the gas pipes all round the sides of the
hot plate my system is simplified by the following arrangement which not only
saves nearly half the consumption of gas but also affords every facility for lighting
quickly and minimises the possibility of explosion and usual escape of gas when
lighting.
A perforated longitudinal pipe is at the bottom of the hot plate which is fixed
in the centre of same, this pipe is divided into three or more sections each distinct
from the other and each having a separate supply of gas through atmospheric taps
and pipes fixed on the exterior ends of the hot plate in connection with interior
supply pipes, the upper part of the hot plate is provided with a precisely similar
arrangement of perforated pipes and supply, the perforated pipes may be fitted
with three jet light burners or other burners suitable for the purpose.
The gas from the main service is connected at each end of the hot plate, and in
the body of same are a number of holes or apertures for the escapement of
superfluous heat.
I may mention that by my arrangements of gas supply and piping, but very little
gas comparatively is required, moreover a part only of the hot plate may be lighted
and heated by reason of the different sections of piping which can be turned off
according to requirements and thus admitting of instant regulation of the heat.
Dated this 9th day of April 1895.
EDWD. J. PAYNE & SON,
104 Colmore Row, Birmingham, Patent Agents for the Applicant.
UMB. DEIN DIUITIATION.
Improvements in and relating to Hot Plates and Carving and
Serving Tables Combined, for the Use of Hotels, Restaurants,
and all Purposes Connected with Catering.
I, GEORGE ALEXANDER of The Acorn Hotel Birmingham in the County of
Warwick Hotel Manager, 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:-
Reference being had to the drawings accompanying this Specification and to the
figures and letters shewn thereon.
My invention relates to various improvements in the construction of hot plates
and carving and serving tables whereby very great advantages are obtained over
those hitherto used.
Figure 1 is a front elevation.
Figure 2 is a transverse section on line A. B.
Figure 3 is a longitudinal section on line C. D.
Figure 4 is a plan of the top of the hot plate.
Figure 5 is a plan of one of the carving dishes (shewn to a larger scale).
Figure 6 is a transverse section of same on line E. F.
Figure 7 is a side elevation.
The first part of my invention consists in an arrangement by which the front and
back of the hot plate and carving and serving table is constructed with sliding
doors A, contained within a frame B, grooved top and bottom to allow the doors to
slide therein easily, there are preferably four doors on each side provided with
suitable handles C, the number of sliding doors will vary according to the size of
the hot plate. The grooves in the frame in which the doors slide are provided with
apertures to let out grease, oil, dirt, or other obstructions in order to allow the doors
to always slide freely.

page_text: The interior of the hot plate is provided on each side with two or more
longitudinal rails D, above and below upon which fit and slide loose perforated
plates E, to receive dinner plates or dishes to keep them hot, there are generally
four or more of these plates E, (according to the size of the hot plate) preferably
made of galvanized iron or other metal this arrangement enables the plates E, to be
easily removed for cleaning. The upper part or top of the hot plate is detachable
from the main structure, and beneath this upper part are three or more compart-
ments F, according to requirements, which contain water for heating by gas as
hereinafter described, or if preferred by steam.
When required I use plates of a hollow form beneath the water vessels to receive
the condensed water which may accumulate during beating, these hollow plates will
be fitted or may slide in grooves situated under the water vessels; suitable outlet
taps G, are provided to each compartment containing the water, the waste pipes G¹,
in connection with the outlet-taps are preferably of a slightly curved form to avoid
obstruction.
The surface of the hot plate is of any suitable metal preferably copper or zinc
and is cut out as may be required to receive various descriptions of vessels.
Upon the left hand side are two, four, or more loose oblong or other shaped
carving dishes H, which fit into the corresponding cut out spaces in surface of how
plate, and are heated by the water contained in the compartment F,
beneath same,
the carving dishes are provided with covers H', suitably hinged H2, at the back of
the surface of the hot plate and are arranged in pairs, when four or more are used,
leaving on the right and left hand sides of each pair of dishes sufficient space to
allow of a number of dinner plates being placed to receive the catables carved or
served from the said dishes, H³, are handles to raise and lower the covers.
The loose carving dishes which are one of the most important features of my
invention are constructed thus. With a view to avoid the inconvenience of the
condensed steam arising from the hot joints etc. falling on to same and also mixing
with the gravy instead of the usual hollow dishes, I make mine absolutely flat to
where the gravy well H', is situated so as to afford a perfect and firm carving
surface the sides and ends only being slightly concave H, the gravy well H'.
situated at the lower end of each dish is much deeper than those generally con-
structed the oblong rim is grooved or channeled H, the edge of the covers fitting
into same, the groove or channel receives the water which condenses inside th
covers H, and in order to allow this condensed water to run to the lower ends of
the carving dishes the same are slightly elevated at the upper ends H, and at the
lower ends there are grooved channels or inlets H', leading directly into the gravy
wells where the condensed water finally falls, there may be small holes H³, in the
channels to allow condensed water to loose itself in the water vessel beneath same,
by this system the surface of the carving dish is kept free from gravy or steam and
preserves the joint in superior condition besides saving a great amount of gravy
which in the ordinary carving dishes dries up and gets caked on the entire surface
and requires to be replenished with fresh gravy constantly.
In order to prevent the covers which fit over the carving dishes from falling too
far back I provide at the back thereof a railing I, fixed to the top of the hot plate,
this railing has small pads J, covered with leather or other suitable material against
which each cover rests when standing open, and prevents same from being scratched
or injured, furthermore this railing is provided with a shelf K, made of metal or
wood (carried by supports K',) which is fixed to the railing for the purpose of
receiving dinner plates as they leave the carvers hands this railing and shelf may be
made in one section the entire length of the hot plate, or may be divided into several
parts independently and fixed where desired.
The next part of my invention relates to improved arrangements for gravy and
sauce containers. Fitting into an opening in the surface of the hot plate is a
perforated loose plate L, carrying any desired number of loose circular vessels or
pots M, in two or more rows and of any suitable depth, about mid-way encircling
the exterior of each is a projecting rim M', which supports the vessel or pot in its

page_text: circular opening and is kept in position by means of a key upon the rim which fits
into a slot, the lid M³, of each vessel is hinged to the body of same M³, and is sunk
from the surface to allow it to easily fall into place, an opening N, is cut out in each
lid to receive the handle of the spoon when closed, upon each side of the opening
is a projecting lip to enable the lid to be readily thrown open either by hand or
with the carvers knife or fork, all the lids open in a line with one another being
hinged respectively to the sides farthest from each other M³, so as to afford plenty
of space for serving (these lids may be made detachable for cleaning), handles O,
are provided upon each side of the vessels but fixed in different relative positions so
that they shall not come into contact with one another when in their respective
positions. I also number each vessel in rotation and the openings in the movable
plate in order that they may be properly placed; suitable slots or other means may
be upon the covers to fit in tablets of porcelain or other material whereon the names
of the different sauces etc. may be; these vessels are of a larger size than ordinary
ones to receive earthenware or enamelled metal pots or pans, which contain the
Sauces or gravy to allow of their being readily removed with their contents,.
leaving the metal pots above described always clean. The gravy or sauce
containers may be open and separate or made without lids and enclosed in a
frame with sliding covers, similar to the vegetable compartments hereinafter
described.
The movable plate L, which receives the pots fits bodily with or without all its
pots or vessels into the main surface of the hot plate, the lower part of the
metal pots are thus immersed in the water contained in the compartment F, beneath,
same.
The next part of my invention is in connection with the arrangement of the
vessels for containing the entrees and vegetables, a square or other shaped movable
frame or pan P, fits into an opening made to receive same in the hot plate, supported
on all sides mid-way in depth of same by a rim in a similar manner already
described above with the water compartment beneath F, this pan is divided into
six or more compartments Q, which are intended to receive loose earthenware or
enamelled metal vessels containing the food, an important point in connection with
this part of my invention is the special arrangement of sliding covers or lids R,.
which slide back and forth in grooves in the frame P, of each compartment above
and beneath one another so that the lids R, slide over and under one another, the
full width of the frame containing the said vessels, is thus fully covered over, when
one or more are open plates can be placed conveniently on the top of the remaining
closed covers whilst serving from the open vessels, suitable handles S, are provided
upon the sliding lids, but only at the top and bottom ends.
This divisioned frame or pan can be removed bodily from the surface of the hot
plate there being suitable handles T, upon each side for the purpose.
The right hand side of the hot plate is fitted with vessels U, intended to contain
soups or other food, these are arranged in a loose plate L, and constructed precisely
in the same manner relatively as described in reference to the sauce or gravy
vessels above, the only difference being their larger size.
1 will now refer to the method of heating the hot plate and carving and serving
table which may either be by gas or steam, obviously when by the latter, all issues
by which the steam might escape are made absolutely steamtight, but I prefer to
use gas as being safer and more economical.
Instead of the usual method of running the gas pipes all round the sides of the
hot plate my system is simplified by the following arrangement which not only
saves nearly half the consumption of gas but also affords every facility for lighting
quickly and minimises the possibility of explosion, and the usual escape of gas
when lighting up the hot plate.
A perforated longitudinal pipe V, is situated at the bottom of the hot plate and
is fixed in the centre of same, this pipe is divided into three or more sections each
distinct from the other, and each having a separate supply of gas through
atmospheric taps and pipes W, W¹, fixed on the exterior ends of the hot plate in

page_text: connection with interior supply pipes W' the upper part of the hot plate is provided
with a precisely similar arrangement of perforated pipes V, and supply, the
perforated pipes may be fitted with jet light burners or other burners suitable for
the purpose of heating.
The gas from the main service is connected at each end of the hot plate, and at
the upper part of the body on the sides and ends of same are a number of holes or
apertures for the escapement of superfluous heat etc.
I may mention that by my arrangements of gas supply and piping but very
little gas comparatively is required, moreover a part only of the hot plate may
be lighted and heated by reason of the different sections of piping which can be
turned off or on according to requirements, and thus admitting of instant regulation
of the heat.
I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details
herein set forth in regard to the arrangement and construction of my invention as
I may require to vary the same as occasion may demand.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
Firstly. In connection with hot plates and carving and serving tables combined,
the general arrangements and method of construction for carrying my invention
into effect, or other similar acting means for the purpose herein set forth and
described.
Secondly. In connection with hot plates and carving and serving tables combined
the special arrangement and formation of sliding doors front and back of the
structure as set forth.
Thirdly. In connection with hot plates and carving and serving tables combined
the arrangement of longitudinal rails in the interior of same, together with the
perforated loose plates thereon, for the purpose set forth and described.
Fourthly. In connection with hot plates and carving and serving tables combined
the method of dividing the same into compartments for containing the water for
heating purposes, together with outlet taps, in combination with a suitable number
of detachable carving dishes, receptacles for sauces, vegetables, and gravies,
constructed, and arranged in the surface of the hot plate for their individual
requirements in manner set forth and described.
Fifthly. The particular formation and arrangement of the said carving dishes
with their concave channels around same for the purpose set forth and described.
Sixthly. The particular formation and arrangement of the sauce and gravy
receptacles as set forth and described.
Seventhly. The particular formation and arrangement of the vegetable containers
and the method of sliding covers in connection therewith as set forth and described.
Eightly. The arrangement of perforated longitudinal pipes for the gas (or other)
supply in combination with the atmospheric taps and pipes for the purpose set
forth and described.
Dated this 8th day of October 1805
EDWD. J. PAYNE & SON,
104, Colmore Row, Birmingham, Patent Agents for the Applicant.