A New or Improved Portable Cooking Apparatus and Food Receptacle.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Nov., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 27th Nov., 1891-Accepted, 19th Dec., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Portable Cooking Apparatus and Food
Receptacle.
WILLIAM MITCHELL 13 New Cross Road London S.E. Commercial Traveller
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
An article made of tin or other suitable metal for carrying food and liquid, and
also containing an arrangement for heating or cooking the food by means of a
lamp.
The apparatus is divided into two main portions by a partition extending from
the top to the bottom thereof.
One portion, which may, if desired, be subdivided and contain receptacles for
holding different articles, is utilized for carrying food. The other portion, also
divided when necessary, is used for the purpose of containing the cooking
apparatus which consists of a drawer for holding a lamp, a liquid receptacle and
a frying pan.
The liquid receptacle and the frying pan, resting upon suitable brackets or ledges,
are placed immediately over the lamp.
The frying pan and liquid receptacle can be lifted out of place by suitable
handles.
The apparatus is perforated in convenient places for the purpose of assisting
combustion and ventilation.
Dated this 7th day of November 1891.
WILLIAM MITCHELL.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Portable Cooking Apparatus and Food
Receptacle.
I, WILLIAM MITCHELL of 13, New Cross Road, London, S.E. Commercial
Traveller, 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 :-
My invention relates to portable cooking apparatus which can be used for
carrying and cooking food, and has for its object to provide a cheap and
efficient cooking apparatus and food receptacle, for the use of the working.
classes, such as tramway men, railway guards and others; to enable them not
only to conveniently carry their food, but also, to cook or heat the same, as
occasion requires.
My said invention consists of a square, rectangular or other shaped box or
receptacle, of any desirable size, made of tin, enamelled iron, or any other
suitable material; divided into a convenient number of partitions or compart-
ments for the purpose of holding food, either solid or liquid, which can be
cooked or heated, when necessary, by means of a spirit or other lamp placed
beneath one or more of the aforesaid partitions or compartments.
Having thus broadly stated the nature of my invention I will now proceed
to particularly describe the same; but before doing so, I would here remark
that I wish it to be distinctly understood, that I do not limit myself to the
precise shape or form of the apparatus, or to the particular number of compart-
ments therein, as it is obvious that the same may be varied as circumstances
require

page_text: In carrying out my invention, I form a box or receptacle made of any
suitable material and divide the same into two distinct portions by means of a
partition (hereinafter referred to as partition A) made of any suitable material
and extending from the top to the bottom of the box so as to form therein two
distinct chambers or compartments.
Each such compartiment or chamber is distinct from, and is utilized for a
different purpose, than the other. Thus one compartment, which may for the
sake of distinctiveness be termed the cool chamber, is intended to be used as a
receptacle for holding solid food either already cooked, or to be cooked or
kept cool. The other which may be termed the heating chamber, is employed
for storing the cooking apparatus (including the can for heating liquids).
In the bottom of the heating chamber I provide a drawer for the purpose of
holding a lamp to be used for heating and cooking purposes. The drawer is
constructed of sufficient depth to allow of its being drawn freely in and out
when the lamp is placed thereon. The front of the drawer and the outside
sides of the chamber are perforated for the purpose of assisting combustion.
The space immediately over the tray or drawer holding the lamp, is divided into
two unequal portions by a partition (hereinafter referred to as partition B), which
extends from the top of the box, down into the interior thereof, as far as the
drawer, or rather, within say half an inch or thereabouts of the same, thus forming
two separate compartments or spaces open at the top, and, also open at the bottom
to the drawer which is thus immediately beneath the two spaces and free to slide
in and out without hindrance from the partition (B); because, the said partition
only extends downwards so far as a point just above or clear of the drawer.
The object of these unequal compartments is to provide divisions in which can
be placed the cooking apparatus, one division for holding a tray or pan for cooking
or heating the solid food, and the other, preferably the smaller, for holding the can
or receptacle for containing the liquid to be heated.
The receptacle for holding the liquid, and the pan for holding the solid food,
each rest upon ledges or suitable supports placed on the sides of the unequal com-
partments at or near the bottom thereof, thus allowing the bottom of the liquid
receptacle and the frying pan respectively, to be exposed to the action of the heat
given off from the lamp in the drawer immediately beneath.
The frying pan or tray for holding the solid food and the can for containing the
liquid are preferably made of tin.
In order that the food may be easily removed from the frying pan, I attach
thereto suitable handles-which if desired can extend to the extreme top of the
box, so that the said pan can be readily lifted out of its position in its particular
compartment, and the contents removed therefrom.
The liquid receptacle has attached to the top thereof a ring or other form of
handle in order that it may be lifted from its position in its particular partition
or chamber, so as to allow of the liquid to be easily poured into, or emptied
therefrom.
The liquid receptacle preferably takes the form of a closed vessel provided with
a suitable opening, spout or mouth to allow of filling and emptying the same; such
mouth or spout being covered preferably by a ventilating screw.
The partition (B) hereinbefore referred to, is made of tin or like substance; but
for the purpose of allowing the heat from the spirit lamp to play as much as possible
upon the liquid receptacle, the partition (B) between the liquid container and the
frying pan, may be made of a perforated material, or may only take the form of a
narrow strip of metal; or, I may dispense with the said dividing wall altogether, and
simply keep the liquid container in position by little ledges, projections or brackets
fastened on the front and back of the heating chamber. The result being, that the
heat in the space above the frying pan can affect without hindrance the immediate
side of the said liquid receptacle.
As before stated, the box or case is as a whole, divided by the partition (A) into
two separate portions-the cool and the heating chambers,

page_text: With the object of preventing to a greater degree, than is secured by the
partition (A), the heat from penetrating into the cool chamber, I fix on the cool
chamber side of the said partition or dividing wall (A) clips or grooves or other
suitable means for holding a plate, made of any desirable material, flat against the
said partition, thus forming, so to speak, a double wall to resist the heat generated
in the neighbouring chamber.
I also fix upon either of the three remaining walls of the cool chamber, clips,
rings, bands, or other holders for retaining a knife, fork and spoon in position.
Also upon either wall, but preferably on the side most remote from the heating
chamber, and near the top thereof, I form a gallery, box or bracket with a hinged
lid. This gallery or box is divided by partitions into box like receptacles, which
may be utilized for holding various articles such as butter, sugar and seasoning
ingredients.
'
The box or apparatus may be covered with a suitable hinged lid which can be
secured in front by any desirable form of catch or fastener.
The lid is provided with a handle of any form for the purpose of carrying my
apparatus or portable hand canteen.
For the purpose of ventilating the interior of the apparatus, the lid may be
perforated either wholly or in part, or may be made of metal netting, or any
suitable material.
In order that the foregoing description of my invention may be the more readily
understood I would here draw attention to the annexed sheet of drawings,
illustrating the same.
Fig. 1 represents the apparatus. A portion of the front is torn away so as to
show the interior of the heating or cooking portion.
A is the principal partition dividing, the apparatus into two main portions or
compartments.
B is the second partition forming two unequal portions in one of the main com-
partments. One portion to contain the liquid receptacle and the other, the larger,
for receiving the frying pan.
C is the drawer for holding the lamp.
Dare holes for the purpose of assisting combustion and ventilation.
E is the frying pan.
F is the liquid receptacle.
G are supporting ledges or projections.
H are the handles of the frying pan.
I is the handle of the liquid receptacle.
J is the spout or mouth of the liquid receptacle.
M is the hinged box or bracket.
N is the lid of the apparatus.
O is the lid fastener.
P is the handle for carrying the apparatus.
Fig. 2 represents a full view of the partition A.
A is the partition.
K are supports for holding the plate.
Lis the plate in position.
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
Lis the plate in position.
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 :-
The arrangement and combination of parts forming my
improved
apparatus substantially as and for the purposes herein before described and
illustrated.
2 17
1
1001
WILLIAM MITCHELL.