Improvements in or relating to the Preservation from Decomposition of Organic Substances.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to the Preservation from Decomposition
of Organic Substances.
I, FRANZ DICKMANN, of No. 5, Seydelstrasse, Berlin, in the German Empire,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Experiments have proved that the flesh of freshly slaughtered animals is in
itself free from bacteria, and that these are first introduced through surface
infection, and are propagated gradually inwards, and thus produce the decom-
position of the whole mass of flesh. It follows that a method which without
the application of heat effects a superficial disinfection of the said substance
must be of great effect in preventing the decomposition of animal substances,
and in preserving the same in their original condition.
This preservative method consists in bringing the substances rendered sterile
in this manner into an atmosphere which itself acts as a preservative, and
prevents any fresh infection.
The invention will be described by way of example in connection with the
preservation of flesh. If it is desired to preserve carcasses for weeks and even
months in their natural condition the same are brought as quickly as possible
after slaughter, and after the animal heat has escaped, preferably suspended in
an air tight chamber. After the said chamber is closed a suitable gas or vapour
having the required action against bacteria, such as for instance formaldehyde,.
is supplied to the chamber. This is effected by withdrawing the air by means
of an air pump to a certain degree of rarefaction, which degree depends essen-
tially on the period which has elapsed since the slaughter of the animal and
the air thus removed is replaced by formaldehyde.
According to the quantity and quality of the meat to be preserved the mixture.
of air and formaldehyde is allowed to remain a given time in the chamber..
In most cases a few hours are sufficient in order to completely destroy the
bacteria. The chamber is then again connected with the vacuum pump, and
the air and mixture of gas or vapour is again exhausted as much as possible,
and replaced by a suitable inactive gas, preferably carbonic acid, so that the
substance to be preserved is maintained hermetically closed up in this new
atmosphere.
In order to prevent any possible want of hermetical closing permitting diffu-
sion between atmospheric air, and the gases in the chamber, and thus preventing
any fresh infection of the substance to be preserved, it is necessary to maintain
the atmosphere of the chamber under a slight vacuum.
Meat treated in this manner has been preserved for 90 days without becoming
distinguishable in colour, appearance, or taste from fresh meat.

page_text: The process suitably modified to suit special requirements is equally applicable
to the preservation of all kinds of substances either animal or vegetable.
Dated this 9th day of March 1898
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
322, High Holborn, London, W.C.,
Patent Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in or relating to the Preservation from Decomposition
of Organic Substances.
I, FRANZ DICKMANN, of No. 5, Seydelstrasse, Berlin, in the German Empire,
Engineer, 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:-
Experiments have proved that the flesh of freshly slaughtered animals is in
itself free from bacteria, and that these are first introduced through surface
infection and are propagated gradually inwards, and thus produce the decom-
position of the whole mass of flesh. It follows that a method which without
the application of heat effects a superficial disinfection of the said substance,
must be of great effect in preventing the decomposition of animal substances,
and in preserving the same in their original condition.
This preservative method consists in bringing the substances rendered sterile
in this manner into an atmosphere which itself acts as a preservative, and
prevents any fresh infection.
The invention will be described by way of example in connection with the
preservation of flesh. If it is desired to preserve carcasses for weeks and even
months in their natural condition the same are brought as quickly as possible
after slaughter, and after the animal heat has escaped, preferably suspended in
an air tight chamber. After the said chamber is closed a suitable gas or vapour
having the required action against bacteria, such as for instance formaldehyde,
is supplied to the chamber. This is effected by withdrawing the air by means
of an air pump to a certain degree of rarefaction, which degree depends essen-
tially on the period which has elapsed since the slaughter of the animal and
the air thus removed is replaced by formaldehyde.
According to the quantity and quality of the meat to be preserved the mixture
of air and formaldehyde is allowed to remain a given time in the chamber.
In most cases a few hours are sufficient in order to completely destroy the
bacteria. The chamber is then again connected with the vacuum pump, and
the air and mixture of gas or vapour is again exhausted as much as possible,
and replaced by a suitable inactive gas, preferably carbonic acid, so that the
substance to be preserved is maintained hermetically closed
atmosphere.
in this
up
In order to prevent any possible want of hermetical closing permitting diffu-
sion between atmospheric air, and the gases in the chamber, and thus preventing
any fresh infection of the substance to be preserved, it is necessary to maintain
the atmosphere of the chamber under a slight vacuum.
Meat treated in this manner has been preserved for 90 days without becoming
distinguishable in colour, appearance, or taste from fresh meat.
The process suitably modified to suit special requirements is equally applicable
to the preservation of all kinds of substances either animal or vegetable.

page_text: 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:-
Process for the preservation of animal or vegetable substances, consisting
essentially in placing the substances to be preserved in a receptacle, capable
of being hermetically closed, and in subjecting the said substances therein to a
superficial disinfection without the aid of heat by removing a portion of air
contained in the said receptacle, and replacing it by a suitable gas or vapour which
will re-act suitably upon the bacteria present; after which the air and gas
present are entirely removed, and a neutral gas, preferably carbonic acid, sub-
stituted, whereby the substance to be preserved is kept until it is required for
use in the aforesaid neutral atmosphere.
ד
.
Daicu
THIS
oru day of December 1898.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
322, High Holborn, London, W.C.,
Patent Agents for the Applicant.