IM- PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CONTAINING, AERATING, REFRIGERATING, FIL- TERING, AND DRAWING OFF LIQUIDS, AND IN ORNAMENTING SUCH APPARATUS
Year: 1852

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, FRANÇOIS
MATHIEU, of Hatton Garden, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by
Her Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Twenty-third
day of September, in the sixteenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself,,
Her heirs, and successors, give and grant unto me, the said Francois
Mathieu, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority,
that I, the said Francois Mathieu, my exors, admors, and assigns, and
such others as I, the said Francois Mathieu, my exors, admors, or
assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to
time and at all times during the term of years therein mentioned, should-
and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England,
Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, an Invention of "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CONTAINING, AERATING, REFRIGERATING, FIL-
TERING, AND DRAWING OFF LIQUIDS, AND IN ORNAMENTING SUCH APPARATUS;'
being in part a communication to me from abroad, in which said Letters
Patent is contained a proviso obliging me, the said Francois Mathieu,
by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, particularly to describe
and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, and to cause the same to be enrolled in Her Majesty's
"

page_text: High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Francois Mathieu, 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 this present Instrument in writing as follows,
reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, and to the letters and
figures marked thereon, that is to say:
My said Invention relates,-
not.
First, to the refrigerating of beverages of all kinds whether aerated or
Second, to certain novel arrangements for producing aerated beverages.
Third, to a mode of protecting the external surfaces of vessels containing
aerated beverages, by the application of the electro-galvanic process.
Fourth, to certain improvements in the construction of stopcocks, whereby
they may be made self-acting, if required. And,
Fifth, to an improved construction of portable filters.
In order that
The improvements in refrigerating or icing liquids consists in surrounding
the vases, water jugs, flasks, and bottles with a case of metal or other suitable
material containing either ice, cold water, or freezing mixture.
the. Invention may be more clearly understood, reference is
accompanying Sheets of Drawings.
made to the
refrigerator in
Figure 1, on Sheet 1, represents my aerator fitted with a
working order; Figure 2 is a vertical section of the same; Figure 3
represents a horizontal section on the line 1, 2, in Figure 2; and Figure 4
is a plan of a refrigerator with the cover removed. These Figures are all
drawn to a scale of one half the real size. The upper portion of the aerator
A, which contains the aerated water or other liquid, is encased in a double
case or jacket B of metal or any other suitable material, the intervening space
between the sides d, e, being filled with ice or any refrigerating mixture.
The refrigerating case B is never brought in contact with the sides c of the
globe; it is fitted with a lid at f and may be made of any shape to enclose
various designs of vases, &c. This case also obviates any danger which may
arise from the sudden bursting of the aerator, which is occasionally attended
with danger, although it may be enclosed in wicker work. Thus the principle
of my refrigerator is the enclosing of vases or vessels containing aerated
waters, wines, syrups, liqueurs, or beverages of any description, in a case
filled with ice or refrigerating mixture, and opening with a pin or rivet at
the top, bottom, or side, as most convenient, where an opening is desirable;

page_text: these cases or jackets may be forined of zinc, copper, tin, or other suitable
material, and made into any ornamental design sufficiently large to enclose
any ordinary sized vessel.
Sheets 2 and 3 represent the tubes which may be used with the apparatus
shown in Sheet 1 of the Drawings; they are of various kinds, which I shall
now proceed to describe. Figure 1 on Sheet 2 is an external elevation of my
ordinary tin tube; Figure 2 is a horizontal section along the line 1, 2 in
Figure 1; Figure 3 is a vertical section of the same tube in gutta percha;
Figure 4 is a horizontal section of the same along the line 3, 4, in Figure
3; and Figures 5 and 6 are details of the principle portions of the same
tube. These Figures are all drawn full size. It will be seen on reference to
the Drawings in what way the tube A is fitted inside the apparatus, and how
it enters both into the lower chamber, where it effects the dissolving of the
powders, and into the upper vessel which contains the aerated water. The
arrangement remains exactly the same with a gutta-percha tube as with a
metallic one, that is, it is surrounded at 6 with the tube a, and fitted with
a flange or washer to form a joint. The portion b is intended to receive the
silver tube c, which is perforated, as at i, for the escape of the gas, and formed
with a screw thread to its lower extremity to hold the small chamber or tube
D. In using the apparatus, the powder is first introduced into the vessel L,
through a funnel or pipe, the tube is then fitted into the mouth of the vessel.
The globe or vessel M having been filled with water, the tube with the
lower vessel is reversed and screwed on to the neck of the vessel M, and
the apparatus is left standing on the base of the lower vessel; by this means
the water which is above the level of the top of the tube falls down into the
lower vessel D, passing through the holes g and partly filling the interior
of the vessel containing the powder, this water immediately dissolves the
powder contained in the vessel D, and the gas thus formed escapes by the
holes h, h, and perforations in the silver tube, whence it passes into the
water contained in the upper vessel M. Whatever may be the material
used in construction of the tube, the mode of using it is the same.
Sheet 3 of the Drawings contains another arrangement of distributing tube,
and consists,
First, in the general arrangement for effecting the complete impregnation
of the water with carbonic acid gas. disengaged from the powders, as before
stated, contained in a spherical chamber or vase beneath the apparatus.
Second, of a stopper which is so arranged as to allow the water to pass
through the tube into the lower vessel or vase, or to stop its flow with facility
without any external mechanism.

page_text: Third, of a peculiar valve placed on the opposite end of the tube for
retaining the powders and preventing their admixture with the aerated water
at whatever angle the apparatus may be held.
Fourth, in the mode of lifting the various pieces together in the apparatus.
Fifth, in certain modifications of these arrangements.
Figure 1, on Sheet 3, represents a vertical section of my apparatus, shewing
the new tube in elevation and properly fitted into its place. Figure 2 is a
vertical section of the tube in the position it holds when the apparatus is
standing on its proper base. Figure 3 is a section of the same tube shewing
its appearance when the apparatus is inverted, to effect the communication
between the two vases. Figures 4 and 5 are two transverse sections, the
first along the line 1, 2, and the second along the line 3, 4. The tube A is
made of tin and fitted at its lower portion with the neck 6 for holding the
elastic packing c for forming a junction with the apparatus; this neck bas
also screwed or otherwise attached to it the lower tube B, thus having the
appearance of one solid tube. Two cross pieces d and d¹ (Figure 5) are
cast inside two tubes serving as guides and stops to the two valve spindles p
and ; these buttons or valves work independently of each other. In order
that the action of this tube may be clearly understood,
shall proceed to
describe the mode of using the entire apparatus:-The vessel M is placed on
its base e, and filled with water up to its neck, the powders are introduced
into the smaller vessel N, which is fitted with a tap or draw-off cock f, and
the tube is placed in the upper portion of this vessel by squeezing the conical
elastic collar c, into the neck g, which is also made conical; in this state the
valves remain in the positions shewn in Figures 1 and 2. The vessel N is
now inverted and screwed on to the neck of the vessel M, the valves then
assume the positions shewn in Figure 3, that is to say, the valve C which was
closed is opened, and on the contrary, the valve D which was open is closed,
thereby preventing the entrance of the powder into the tube, and consequently
into the large vessel M. The operation is completed by bringing the
apparatus into its former position, as shewn in Figure 1, the apparatus,
however, being held obliquely for a moment when reversing it, so as to
cause a small quantity of the water contained in the vessel M to descend
into the lower vessel N through the space i between the valve C, and interior
of the tube A, for the purpose of moistening and dissolving the powders
contained in the lower vessel.. When the vessel N is about half full, the
apparatus is brought to a vertical position, as shewn in Figure 1, and the
valve C completely closes the tube. The saturation or impregnation of the
water is quickly and effectually accomplished without any more of the water

page_text: in the upper vessel escaping into the lower one, or, on the contrary, without
any of the water in the lower vessel being mixed with that of the upper
one, although the apparatus were to be again reversed.
It will be seen on
reference to the Drawings that the water in its descent passes directly down
the interior of the tube A, and the gas thrown off by the powders passes
also through this tube; but as the valve C entirely closes the upper end of
the tube A, it passes up through the valve C and enters the water in small
globules, which issue from the innumerable perforations in the silver disc
(Figure 4), which greatly assist in effectually distributing the gas through the
water to be charged. Although I have stated that the tube A was formed
entirely of tin, I propose constructing it of various kinds of materials, such as
porcelain, gutta percha, glass, &c., and iron oxidating metals, either separately
or as alloys. By another arrangement in place of the lower valve Da globe
D₁ (see Figure 6) may be used enclosed in a cage and left to move freely,
so as to close the mouth of the tube when required. And instead of
making the tube slightly conical to fit the valve C, it may be bored parallel
inside and fitted with a ring (see Figure 7) of caoutchouc for the valve seat.
I propose also to protect the globes of acrated or other vessels requiring
protection, by coating them with metal deposited on the sides of the glass,
by means of a galvanic battery, after the manner adopted in electro-typing.
By this means coating of any thickness may be deposited on the sides of the
vessel and made strong enough to withstand any pressure.
Figure 7, on Sheet 3, represents an acrator, partly in the section and partly
in clevation, fitted with an electro-metallic covering or guard. This Figure
shews clearly that any amount of thickness may be obtained as well as any
pattern of ornamental design. By first coating the vase with gutta percha,
gelatine, plaster of Paris, or black lead, &c., according to the design required
to be produced, and then immersing it in the solution and subjecting it to the
action of the galvanic battery, the metallic deposit will fall only on those
portions so coated.
Another portion of my Invention consists of a new arrangement of stop-
cock for discharging fluids, whereby the cock may be opened and the liquid
discharged by the simple contact of the glass or vessel to be filled. Sheet 4
shews various modifications of this arrangement. Figure 1 is a syphon vase
fitted with my automatic stopcock. The levers and rods a, b, c, are connected
with the plug e of the stopcock by the projecting piece d. The rods or arms c
are fitted at their lower ends with a receiver f for supporting the glass and
receiving the drops falling from the cock e. Figure 2 represents the applica-
tion of my system to an ordinary syphon bottle A, in which the valve e is

page_text: opened in the ordinary manner by pressing the lever i. A strap j embraces
the bottle and carries a lever 1, which is fitted at one end with a support f, as
before, so that when the glass is placed upon it the lever becomes depressed
and striking against the lever i opens the valve e. Figure 3 shews an arrange-
ment whereby a bottle without a syphon may be made to run off its liquid by
the simple pressure of the glass to be filled. The bottle A is held in a bracket k
fitted on to a stand n; to the bracket is suspended a lever p, and when the
glass is placed on the support p and slightly pressed, the levers p and 7 will
cause the cock to open and allow the liquid to flow out by the pipe h. In
these three arrangements the flowing or drawing off of the liquid is effected
by the simple contact pressure of the glass which is held by the hand on a
support which is connected by an arm with the outlet valve or stopper of the
vessel. It will be obvious that various mechanical arrangements may be
adopted for effecting the same object without deviating from the main feature
of this portion of my Invention. Figures 4 and 5 represent the application
of this principle to fountains. The fountain B supplies the water by the cock e,
which is actuated by the lever g, ornamented to suit any design. When the
glass is to be filled it is placed on the stand beneath and pushed slightly
against the ornamented projecting end of the lever q, which immediately
opens the cock and allows the fluid to run off into the glass, as before
described. In washing the fingers it is simply requisite to keep one or the
other of the hands against the lever to keep the flow constant. Figure 6
shows my arrangement applied to a barrel C, which is fitted with a valve or
stopcock e and lever u; beneath the valve is placed the vessel to be filled,
which rests upon one end of the lever a, this lever oscillating on the fixed
centre Y, and fitted with a counterweight. By this arrangement the vessel
may be filled without requiring the attendance of the Drawer. This is effected
by having the weight rather lighter than the vessel when full of liquid, so
that when the vessel is set down to be filled it is caused to press against the
lever u, and the liquid commences to flow, which it will continue to do until
the vessel gets heavier than the counterweight, or in other words, until it is
full, when the lever a turns slightly on its centre and frees the vessel v from
contact with the lever u, when the flow instantly ceases, the stopcock being
closed. This portion of the Invention then consists of an arrangement for
effecting the drawing off of liquids either aerated or not, without displacing
the vessel containing such liquid, but by the mere contact of the vessel to be
filled with the supplying vessel. The various apparatuses, which are con-
structed on this principle may be highly ornamented if required, and formed
of various designs. Figures 4 and 5, on Sheet 5 of the Drawings, represent

page_text: an external elevation and longitudinal section of a screw stopcock particularly
applicable to my aerators, &c. It consists of a screwed key a, of large pitch,
fitting into the correspondingly screwed socket b, and packed internally with
suitable collars c and c', of metal and leather, to prevent the escape of the liquid.
In order to open the cock the key a is turned slightly, which elevates it and at the
same time opens the orifice leading to the discharge pipe d. My improvements
in portable filters consists in the application of porous stone shaped to
represent an ordinary bottle, but mounted with metal at its upper portion.
This filter has the advantage of being exceedingly quick in its action, filtering
at least one quart in an hour. It is easily carried about and may be immersed
either in a vessel of water or a running stream, when it will be presently filled
with clear water. The filter may be of the form of a bottle or of
any other
design, according to the taste of the purchaser. The stone for making the
filter is hollowed out internally so as to form a reservoir for the filtered water.
These filters may also be used in the ordinary manner, videlicet, with charcoal,
sand, sponge, &c. Various other forms may be very advantageously employed,
such as a flat dise fitted with suitable fastenings into the bottom of a bucket
or pail in place of a wooden bottom, or into a "lavoir." Sheet 5 shews two
arrangements. Figure 1 is a water bottle, and Figures 2 and 3 a pocket
filter for journeys, fitted with a flexible tube to drink with.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, I would observe, in conclusion, that I do not confine or restrict
myself to the precise details or arrangements which I have had occasion to
describe or refer to, as many variations may be made therefrom without
deviating from the principles or main features of my Invention; but what
I consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention
secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is,-
First, the system or mode of refrigerating liquids, wherein the chamber or
receptacle containing the ice or freezing mixture is not actually brought in
contact with the sides of the vessel which contains the liquid to be refrigerated,
as herein-before described.
Second, the peculiar construction and arrangement of the acrating tubes
herein-before described and referred to in Sheets 2 and 3 of the Drawings.
5 Third, the protecting and ornamenting of glass or other fragile vessels by a
metallic coating deposited by the electro-galvanic process, as herein-before
described.
Fourth, the peculiar construction and arrangement of stopcocks for "lavoirs,"
or other vessels, wherein the mere contact of the vessel to be filled effects the