AN IMPROVED METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRESERVING ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Kennard Knott, of 4, South Street, Finsbury, in the
County of Middlesex, Contractor, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED METHOD
AND APPARATUS FOR PRESERVING ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES."
Sealed the 2nd February 1877, and dated the 17th November 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Kennard Knott at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th November 1876.
KENNARD KNOTT, of 4, South Street, Finsbury, in the County of Middlesex,
Contractor. "AN IMPROVED METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRESERVING ANIMAL
AND VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES."
This Invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for preserving meat,
fish, poultry, and other animal and vegetable substances in a fresh state for any
desired length of time for sea-going and other purposes.
In carrying out my Invention I take a quantity of fresh meat or other animal
substance, and prepare it for packing by extracting therefrom its animal heat and
moisture by subjecting it to a low artificial temperature, and then freezing it by any
suitable known process. The meat or other animal substance thus prepared is
then packed in cases of peculiar construction, as herein-after described.
I construct my improved cases for preserving animal and vegetable substances of
an interior box of tinned iron or other suitable metal capable of being hermetically
closed, and in this box the meat or other animal substance, prepared as herein-before
described is placed, and whilst still at the same low temperature the box is sealed. The
box is then placed within an outer wooden case or box, so as to leave a space between
the two boxes on all sides, the inner box being held in the centre of the outer box
by lengths of boarding placed edgewise. The space between the two boxes is then
filled up with a suitable nonconducting substance, preferably flour, and the outer
box is then closed.
I prefer employing flour, because this substance not only forms a good non-
conductor of heat, but is also required for daily use on board ship, the battle field,
or-otherwise.
-
I make my improved packing cases of various sizes to suit the required daily
consumption of the preserved substance, as when once the case is opened the contents
will require to be consumed within a short space of time,

page_text: For preserving vegetable substances, such as fruit, the process is the same as that
herein-before described, except that so low a temperature is not required.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Kennard Knott in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 14th April
1877.
KENNARD KNOTT, of 4, South Street, Finsbury, in the County of Middlesex,
Contractor. "AN IMPROVED METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRESERVING ANIMAL
AND VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES.".
This Invention relates to a new and improved method and apparatus for preserving
meat, fish, poultry, and other animal and vegetable substances in a fresh state for
an indefinite period, packed in cases enabling fresh meat to be kept constantly on
hand for use by the navy and merchant service, also by the army in camp or actual
service, and other purposes.
In carrying out my Invention I take a quantity of fresh meat or other animal
substance, and prepare it for packing by subjecting it to various degrees of artificial
'cold, namely, from about fifty. degrees Fahrenheit down to ten degrees Fahrenheit,
these different degrees of temperature serving, first, for extracting the animal heat
from the meat or other animal substance; secondly, for drying the same by removing
therefrom about five to fifteen per cent. of the water they contain; thirdly, for
freezing the said substance. The meat or other animal substance thus prepared is
then packed in cases of peculiar construction, as herein-after described, the packing
operation being conducted in an atmosphere the temperature of which is the same
as that in which the articles have been cooled or frozen, as herein-before described.
I construct my improved cases for preserving animal and vegetable substances,
prepared for packing as herein-before described, of an interior box of tinned iron or
other suitable metal capable of being hermetically closed, and in this box the meat
or other animal substance, prepared as herein-before described, is placed, and whilst
still at the same low temperature the box is sealed. The box is then placed within
an outer wooden case or box, so as to leave a space between the two boxes on all
sides, the inner box being held in the centre of the outer box by lengths of boarding
placed edgewise. The space between the two boxes is then filled up with a
suitable nonconducting substance, preferably flour, and the outer box is then closed.
I prefer employing flour, because this substance not only forms a good non-
conductor of heat, but is also required for daily use on board ship, the battle field,
or otherwise.
I make my improved packing cases of various sizes to suit the required daily
consumption of the preserved substance, as when once the case is opened the contents
will require to be cooked within a short space of time.
For preserving vegetable substances, such as fruit, the process is the same as that
herein-before described, except that so low a temperature is not required, and a
greater per-centage of water is extracted.
To make my Invention better understood I will proceed to describe the same by
reference to the accompanying Drawing, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of
my improved packing case or apparatus for preserving animal and vegetable sub-
stances prepared as herein-before described; and Figure 2, section of same on line
x, x, of Figure 1.
A is the inner case of tinned iron or other metal hermetically closed, and B the
outer wooden case; C, C, are the pieces of board for keeping the inner case A in the
centre of the outer case B; and D shews the flour or other non-conducting material
filled in the space between the inner and outer cases A. and B.
Although I have shewn my improved packing case of cubical form it may of
course be made of any other suitable form."

page_text: Having thus described my said Invention, and the best means with which I am
acquainted for carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be understood that what
I claim is,―
Firstly. The improved method of preserving animal and vegetable substances by
subjecting them to various degrees of low temperature to prepare them for packing,
substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein-before described.
Secondly. The construction and employment of the improved packing case, con-
sisting of an inner metal case hermetically sealed for containing the animal or
vegetable substances prepared as herein-before described, and an outer wooden case,
the intervening space between the cases being filled in with flour or other suitable
non-conducting substance, substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein-
before described and represented in the accompanying Drawing:
In witness whereof, I, the said Kennard Knott, have hereto set my hand
and seal, this Fourth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-seven.
Witness,
A. ALBUTT,
4, South Street,
Finsbury,
London,
E.C.
KENNARD KNOTT. (L.S.)