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Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Teaser 2



Recognise this article? Yes to yg, Chun See and other old timers. It is a utensil commonly used in the provision shop as well as in homes especially in the rural area about 50 years ago.

10 comments:

Lam Chun See said...

Of course I recognize this. But I cannot remember what container we used to hold the stuff when we went to the provision shop to buy it.

My mother used the empty container to cook bak changs (dumplings)

alex said...

I believe this is a "pump" where the provision shop owner draws oil or kerosine from the tin to bottles.

back then it is not uncommon for people to buy oil by 10 or 20 cents, or a bottle or kerosine for fuel.

PChew said...

Alex, you must be an old timer to know the exact function of the article in the picture. During our younger days, it was 10 to 20 cents a bottle of kerosine.

Chun See, the container your mum used to cook bak changs was an empty kerosine tin. My grandmother did the same.

Lam Chun See said...

Ah ... Alex's memory is better than mine. Yes, we would bring along an empty bottle.

Lam Chun See said...

Philip. You should show us the complete picture with the 'tor you tin' as well. Better still if readers can see a video of the operation.

PChew said...

Chun See, I would have shown the kerosene tin if I could find it and video the operation.

alex said...

Chuan See, the way to “operate” the pump is to draw up the (rod with the) round handle in quick time, and the disc attached to the bottom of the rod (with the ring on the top end, as shown) will lift the liquid up, and flows the liquid out from the “tap” above as shown.
When in operation, the entire “pump” is submerged into the “tor you tin”, normally from one of the corners which is cut opened. Just as the liquid starts to flow out, you immediately “Push” the rod down again with some force, for be ready to “draw” out the next “tube” of liquid.
The same is repeated until the bottle is full. The trick is to know when to stop drawing up the liquid, when the bottle is nearly full, as there is a “delay action” between stop “drawing” and the flow of the liquid. To stop drawing any later than necessary will see precious “tor you” flowing out from the bottle.
I hope you “get the picture”. Sorry to steal your show Philip, if you are preparing an answer for Chuan See.

Cheers.

PChew said...

Alex, thanks for the explanation on how to operate the pump.

Lam Chun See said...

Ah Alex. Thanks for the lengthy explanation. But I didn't mean to say that I do not know how it works. I just thot that it would help the younger readers to understand what we oldies are taking about. Anyway, not wasted. Some young people may benefit from your explanation.

alex said...

Hi Chun See, as an "old timer" (like me) I am sure we have the opportunity to visit the neighbourhood provision stores and see how the shop owner operates the "pump". No intension to assume you were not aware of how the "pump" works. Cheers!