The False-Bottom Lemon Press: A Hinged Lever Over a Die, and One Hole for the Juice

"An opening is made through the top d, into which is set the lower or female die G, which may be made of iron, preferably cast, supported on the top by the rim or flange c. It has a sloping or conical bottom, e, with an aperture, i, in the center. h is a separate or false removable bottom, resting on the outer angle of the true bottom. This false bottom is made dishing, and is perforated by a number of comparatively small holes." "The false bottom, which may be perforated over its whole extent, facilitates the escape of the juice from the pulp, while the true bottom e gathers it to the center, and discharges it through a single aperture, preventing its careless or accidental escape outside of the receiving vessel. The false bottom, being removable, also facilitates cleaning the die after use."

**Case.** Make an open-fronted box of hardwood board 20 cm tall with a top 20 × 15 cm, tall enough for a glass beneath, and cut a hole in the top near one end. **Female die.** Cut the bottom 4 cm off a clean tin can that fits the hole with its rim resting on the top. Dent its base into a shallow cone and punch one hole at the centre as the aperture i. **False bottom.** Cut a disc of stainless steel sheet that rests on the cone's outer edge, dish it slightly, and drill it with a dozen 3 mm holes. It lifts out for cleaning. **Lever and male die.** Hinge a 35 cm hardwood lever to the top's end with a butt hinge, and screw a hardwood block to its underside, shaped to press into the die. **Test.** Stand a glass under the aperture, put a half lemon in the die, and bear down on the lever. Count the seeds kept back by the false bottom and check that all the juice reaches the glass.

**John H. Mead** of New York, New York, filed US 140,785 on 23 June 1873; it is dated 15 July 1873. His case C had a base D, sides c c′ and top d, of wood or other material; the lever E carried the male die F on its underside, and the female die G could be cast iron. His claim is the die with its conical bottom, central aperture and removable perforated bottom, with the male die on the hinged lever, all on the case. **Honest limits.** A tin-can die, a stainless steel disc and a wooden block stand in for his cast dies. The notebook ignores friction; its forces, lengths and holes are examples. Your seeds and juice are the result.