Morrison Waite

“ It being, then, certain that Lyman contrived a machine which would produce the desired circulation, and could be used for refrigeration in the ascending current, it remains only to consider, whether, if one desired to make use of the descending current for the same purpose, he could claim such use as a new invention.
It is no new invention to use an old machine for a new purpose. The inventor of a machine is entitled to the benefit of all the uses to which it can be put, no matter whether he had conceived the idea of the use or not. ”

“ There was, therefore, in this invention of Lyman, the open-bottom ice-box, and the partition open above and below, dividing the refrigerator into two apartments, in one of which the air passed downward only, and in the other upward only. This constituted all there was of the 'endless passage or chamber' in the original Sanford patent, 'so constructed that the air is compelled to circulate through the entire apartment or apartments.' True, the partition was not vertical; and the apartments need not be of equal or of any particular proportionate size. ”

“ If that can be accomplished by a larger chamber above leading into a smaller one below, for the purpose of concentrating the cold-air current as it descends, a proper structure may be employed. If, in any place, the air descending from the ice-box can strike directly upon the articles to be refrigerated, the structure will be within the limits of the patent. It may be desirable to preserve the temperature at a lower degree until it strikes the article than it would be if permitted to remain in a chamber extending the whole size of the ice-box to the bottom of the refrigerator. ”