Baling-Press (open access)

Baling-Press

Patent for improvements in "the class of baling-presses in which the follower is forced upward in the press-box by a lever pivoted or fulcrumed upon the ends of toggle-arms, and having a rope or chain for drawing it into an upright position," (lines 26-31) with illustrations.
Date: May 24, 1887
Creator: Stopple, John Julius
System: The Portal to Texas History
Artificial Fruit, Foliage, and Flowers. (open access)

Artificial Fruit, Foliage, and Flowers.

Patent for a new and improved method of making artificial fruit. This design "consists in cutting out a piece of lace or netting of the desired shape, forming the lace or netting into a bag, stuffing the bag with cotton or wool . . . picking the cotton or wool up through the meshes of the lace or netting, cutting narrow strips of tissue-paper, and applying them in layers until a covering similar to pasteboard is formed, drying the article, painting the article, sinking the article in a bath of wax heated to a point beneath boiling . . . letting it drain off, and finally applying a paint finish" (lines 34-47).
Date: May 24, 1887
Creator: Eve, Emma H.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Kitchen Cabinet. (open access)

Kitchen Cabinet.

Patent for a new and improved cabinet. This design consists in "the combination, with a hinged door or lid, of [a] . . . separate bail" (lines 99-100). Further, said bail is "pivotally secured at its upper ends to the cabinet, and adapted to support on its middle portion the free end of the said door when the latter is in its horizontal position . . . [and it consists in] a suitable frame, the drawers having compartments on either side thereof, in combination with the hinged pie-board having the opening . . . which when raised closes said compartments" (lines 1-10).
Date: May 24, 1887
Creator: Dollens, Wood C.
System: The Portal to Texas History