Flour Bin and Sifter. (open access)

Flour Bin and Sifter.

Patent for a flour bin and sifter that improves on a patent that was previously granted to the inventor (No. 411,671). The improvements improve "in an adjustable attachment to the bin whereby said bin may be easily and adjustable attached to a wall; a cut-off inserted near the base of the bin to regulate the flow of material into the sifter; a scraper adapted to scrape the upper side of the cut-off so that no material can be drawn out with said cut-off; in having the sifter connected to the base of the bin by single instead of double pins, and in a single door hinged to the front face of the sifter, and so closely hinged that when the same is open no dust can fly out in the face of the operator" (lines 20-33).
Date: March 21, 1893
Creator: McCellan, John A.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Steam Cooker. (open access)

Steam Cooker.

Patent for a new and improved steam cooker. This design consists, "with a water-holder and a funnel-shaped reservoir provided with dependent lugs superimposed thereon, of an open-ended foraminous cylinder fitting within said water-holder, a circular foraminous disk fitting within said cylinder, said disk having a raised rim or flange adapted when the disk is lifted to engage the lugs on the reservoir, and a cover for said water-holder, with means for securing said cover within the reservoir" (lines 31-41).
Date: October 21, 1890
Creator: Thomason, Gustave
System: The Portal to Texas History
Horse and Team Holder. (open access)

Horse and Team Holder.

Patent for "a device adapted to be applied to ordinary vehicles, and designed to be connected with the driving reins, and capable of automatically engaging the horse or team, and by preventing the same from advancing or turning to the right or left or backing, thereby obviating the necessity of tying a horse or team, of dropping the traces, or of leaving it stand with small weights that endanger life." (Lines 12-20) Includes instructions and illustrations.
Date: May 21, 1895
Creator: Moore, Franklin Orville
System: The Portal to Texas History
Strainer for Coffee-Pots, &c. (open access)

Strainer for Coffee-Pots, &c.

Patent for a strainer for coffee and tea strainers "so constructed as to be attachable in the lower end of the spout or body of the pot, as shown; and the object of my improvement is to construct a strainer to be removable, durable, of minimum cost, and perfect in its operation" (lines 13-18).
Date: April 21, 1896
Creator: McClellan, John A.
System: The Portal to Texas History