Page:Federal Reporter, 1st Series, Volume 8.djvu/165

COaVALIilS FBtJIT 00. V. CURRAN. ���151 ���was beard upon the bill and sundry af&davits, and the models of ihe respective machines. �The Plummer fruit-drier is a -wooden case, three feet sixinches square and six feet two inches high, with a fixed inverted hopper- shaped cap or cover, having an aperture in which a tube is inserted to allow the steam to escape from within. In the lower part of the case is the hot-air chamber, with a lining of brick or metal at a little distance from the outer wall of the case, to facilitate the ascent of the bot air towards and upon the aides of the case, so as to dry the fruit evenly upon the edges of the trays as well as the center. The air is heated in this chamber by a box-stove or furnace, two feet long and one and a half feet wide. Above this cleats are fastened to the sides of the case, about four inches apart, upon which rest the movable trays containing the fruit to be dried, and in front of each tray is a door that opens perpendicularly, through which it can be taken out and replaoed. �The defendants admit they are making and vending a fruit-drier in Linn county known as the "Thomas Fruit-drier," and claim, that it was invented by the defendant Charles Thomas, and that he bas applied for a patent therefor. Upon the argument it was stated, by counsel for the defendant, that a decision was daily expected upon this application, and the consideration of this motion bas since been delayed co await the resuit of smcb application; but as y et nothing bas been heard from it, so fat as lam advised. - : �The Thomas drier is similar in form and operation to the Plummer drier, except that the spaco between the wall and lining of the hot' air chamber in the latter is carried inithe former up to the top of the case by means of metal lining a little distance from the walls of the case. The effect of this is to distribute the beat more evenly through- out the drying chamber, and to prodace a greater uniformity in the results. The cap or cover upon the Thomas drier is flatter than that on the Plummer, and is moTa,ble. . It is also claimed that it is 80 shaped inside as that, when the bot air from the space between the lining and the wall of the case strikes it, it is thrown downwards and inwards upon the upper trays of fruit, which are otherwise the longer drying. The other differences are mere differences in form or meehanieal contrivance, as in the shape of the stove and the door to the drying chamber, which latter is in one piece, and opens horizon- tally instead of perpendicularly. The continuation of the space for bot ait on sides of the Thomas drier to the top of the case is probablv a patentable improvement on ihe Plummer one; and it may be that ��� �