Improved Apparatus for and Method of Purifying and Preserving Milk.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Jan., 1890-Accepted, 8th Mar., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Apparatus for and Method of Purifying and Preserving
Milk.
I, JOHN THURE APPLEBERG of the city of Knoxville in the County of Knox and
State of Tennessee, United States of America, Gentleman, 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 :-
:-
Fig. is a perspective view of my apparatus for purifying and preserving milk.
Fig. 2 is a similar view of one of the boxes or compartments of the apparatus
showing the same open.
Fig. 3 is a similar view of the same but showing it closed.
Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of one of the compartments or heating boxes ;
and
Fig. 5 is a horizontal view of the same on line x-x in fig. 4.
Like letters of reference denote corresponding parts in all the figures.
My invention relates to Apparatus for and method of purifying and preserving
milk in its natural state by subjecting the same to a sufficiently high temperature to
effectually destroy bacteria and other germs or microbes which it may contain while
in a fresh condition, absolutely sterilizing it in such a manner that it may be kept for
a long period of time without deteriorating, and may be used as food for infants and
persons in delicate health without danger, all the nourishing and rehabilitating
properties of the milk being retained.
With this object in view, my invention consists in the Apparatus for and Method
of Purifying and Preserving Milk by sterilizing the same which will be hereinafter
more fully shown and described.
My apparatus consists of a series of boxes A, arranged in a "battery" alongside one
another, as illustrated in Figure 1, the number of boxes in a battery depending upon
the capacity of the concern using the invention.
In Figure 1 of the drawings I have thus, for example, shown a battery consisting
of four boxes, one of which is open and the others closed. These boxes are placed
on a platform B, of suitable height, and are each provided with a hinged top cover C
and hinged front door D, by opening one or both of which access may readily be had
to the inside of the box. Near the closed bottom of each box is placed a grating or
support E, upon which rests a coil F of pipe; or, instead of a coil, parallel sections
of pipe may be used, coupled together end wise by U-shaped end pieces or couplings,
as shown in the drawings. This inside pipe is connected by suitable steam-tight
joints or couplings to connecting-pipes G, which are provided with suitable valves g,
for controlling the flow of steam or shutting it off altogether. The steam is supplied
from a boiler or steam-generator (not shown in the drawings) of any approved con-
struction. The hinged cover C has a central aperture for the insertion of a
thermometer or indicator H, which is held in place adjustably and removably by
means of a spring clip or clasp 1, or other suitable device adapted for the purpose.
For the sake of convenience, this thermometer or indicator may have only two marks
on its face, the lowermost one of which indicates the minimum and the uppermost the
maximum degree of heat to which the milk is to be subjected during treatment. This
enables the attendant in charge to observe, at a single glance, and without close
inspection, whether the proper temperature is maintained in each box.
The operation of this apparatus is as follows:
The fresh milk, after straining, is poured into cans of the usual shape and con-
struction, one of which is shown in Figure 2. The cover of the can having been
removed, it is placed in its appropriate box by opening the top and the door of the
same, with its l'ottom resting upon the coil or sections of steam-pipe F. The box is

page_text: then closed (both the cover and the door fitting air tight) and the indicator is inserted
through the top aperture c, with the bulb at its lower end projecting down into the
milk, after which the aperture c is packed around the stem of the indicator. All or
part of the boxes having been filled in this manner, properly closed, and their respec-
tive indicators adjusted, steam is turned on until the indicators register 160° Fahrenheit.
The steam is admitted in the first instance very rapidly, so as to reach the point of
160° Fahrenheit as soon as possible, thus avoiding the liability of separation taking
place. The heat in the boxes is then regulated and modified until the upper or
maximum mark on the indicators is reached and a temperature of 185° or
190° Fahrenheit is registered, with the result that the germs contained in the milk
will be effectually destroyed without in the least affecting or changing the character
of the fluid, as the heat is never raised to the boiling point, (212° Fahrenheit). In
other words, when the steam is first admitted, it is desirable that a very rapid inflow
be provided, so that the indicator may register 160° Fahrenheit as soon as possible,
thereby guarding against separation, which would be apt to take place wore a slow
heat permitted, also at the same time economizing time. Between 160° and 185° or
190°, however, the necessity for a rapid heat no longer exists, as there is not the same
likelihood of separation occuring, and, consequently, the heat is then regulated so as
to slowly or gradually reach the maximum point of 185° Fahrenheit, thereby pre-
venting the too rapid rise up to the higher mark. After the cans, with their contents,
have been subjected to this treatment for a sufficient length of time, steam is turned
off, the boxes opened, and the cans withdrawn and closed, after which they are ready
(when cooled off sufficiently) for shipment and sale.
It is obvious that instead of arranging the series of boxes in a horizontal row, as
in the drawings, they may be arranged in a vertical column or tier one above another
where it is desired to economize space. It is more convenient, however, to handle the
cans where the boxes are arranged in a row and upon a platform of suitable height,
as illustrated on the drawings.
It will be obvious that the detailed construction, combination and arrangement of
parts may be changed or modified in various ways without deviating from the essence
or spirit of my invention; thus, for example, the shape of the boxes may be changed
or modified at will to conform to the shape of the cans, and instead of making the
boxes square or rectangular as illustrated on the drawings, they may be cylindrical,
oblong, or of any other shape so as to conform readily to the shape of the cans or
receptacles in which the fresh milk is subjected to treatment.
It will be noted that I not only purify the milk, but the cans and cover or milk
receptacles in which the fresh milk is placed are also purified by destroying any
bacteria or microbes which may adhere to the same. This is of utmost importance,
because the milk, however pure or sterilized it may be when poured into a can which
has not been so purified will rapidly become contaminated by the impurity of the can,
whereas this danger is absolutely avoided by the purification of the cans or milk
receptacles simultaneously with their contents.
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 1
claim is:
1. The herein-described apparatus for purifying and preserving milk by heating,
the same consisting of a series of boxes, which are adapted to contain a movable
milk receptacle, said boxes having hinged tightly fitting doors and covers and provided
near the bottom with a coil of pipe adapted to support the milk can or receptacle, and
having a packed aperture in the hinged cover for the insertion of a thermometer or
indicator, the several coils or supports of pipe (one for each box) communicating
with one another to permit the flow of steam through the entire series; substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
2. The herein-described method of purifying and preserving milk by sterilizing the
same while in its natural state, by subjecting it within an air tight closed receptacle,
to a steam heat commencing at or about 160° Fahrenheit, and slowly or gradually

page_text: raising the heat to 185° or 190°; the initial point of 160° being started very rapidly
in the first instance to prevent separation of the milk, and then increased gradually
until the maximum point has been reached, said maximum point being always below
the boiling point of milk; substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 24th day of January 1890
H. D. FITZPATRICK,
70, Wellington Street, Glasgow, Agent.