IMPROVEMENTS IN TIN OR OTHER METALLIC BOXES, CANS, AND RECEP- TACLES FOR HOLDING PRESERVED MEATS, FISH, FRUITS, MILK, AND OTHER SUBSTANCES.
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Featherstone Griffin, of No. 7, Mandeville Place,
Portman Square, London, in the County of Middlesex, for an Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN TIN OR OTHER METALLIC BOXES, CANS, AND RECEP-
TACLES FOR HOLDING PRESERVED MEATS, FISH, FRUITS, MILK, AND OTHER
SUBSTANCES.
33
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Featherstone Griffin
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th September 1880.
GEORGE FEATHERSTONE GRIFFIN, of No. 7, Mandeville Place, Portman Square,
London, in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN TIN OR OTHER METALLIC
BOXES, CANS, AND RECEPTACLES FOR HOLDING PRESERVED MEATS, FISH, FRUITS,
MILK, AND OTHER SUBSTANCES."
The special object of my Invention is to make a metallic box, can, or other
vessel in such a manner that it may be readily opened without the trouble and
annoyance at present existing of providing tools and cutting the vessel open;
and whereby the vessel may be again made available for the same or a similar
purpose.
I propose to attain my object by the use of a rib or ribs, or any angular projection
or projections upon the tin or other metal forming the body of the box or can, this
rib or ribs encircling or only partially encircling or surrounding the body at a slight
distance from its upper edge, and being formed by rolling or in any convenient
manuer.
I also propose to make the lid or cover of the box, can, or other vessel of metal,
and to solder it to the body in such a manner that its top will not rest upon the
edge thereof.
Thus, when the box is closed, such a space will be left between the top of the
cover and the top edge of the body that a sharp blow or a succession of blows at
different points of the circumference of the cover will cause the edge of the cover
to cut its way from the solder and descend on to the rib or ribs, in passing upon
which the sides of the cover will expand as if forced open by wedges, until it can
be easily removed from the body..

page_text: I propose to give to the rib or ribs any shape which
may find will facilitate
the expansion of the cover when forced down upon the body. I may also for this
purpose find it desirable to give a slightly tapering form to the body and to the
cover, the edge of this latter being of the form best adapted to cut the solder, and
also to yield to the blow struck upon the cover.
I may also depress or recess the top of the cover or lid so that the boxes or cans
may be filled quite full of liquid matter and the cover be removed without loss;
but a space must always be left between the top edge or edges of the box and the
top of the cover to permit the descent of this latter on to the rib or ribs, or any
angular projection or projections of the body when struck free from the solder.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George Featherstone Griffin in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
12th March 1881.
$6
GEORGE FEATHERSTONE GRIFFIN, of No. 7, Mandeville Place, Portman Square,
London, in the County of Middlesex. IMPROVEMENTS IN TIN OR OTHER METALLIC
BOXES, CANS, AND RECEPTACLES FOR HOLDING PRESERVED MEATS, FISH, FRUITS,
MILK, AND OTHER SUBSTANCES.”
The object of my Invention is to make a metallic box, can, or other vessel in
such a manner that after having been closed' by soldering it may be readily opened
without the trouble and annoyance at present existing of providing tools and
cutting the vessel open, and whereby the vessel may be again made available for
the saine or a similar purpose.
I attain my object by the use of a rib or ribs, or angular projection or projections
upon the tin or other metal forming the body of the box or can, this rib or ribs
encircling or only partially encircling or surrounding the body at a slight distance
from its upper edge, and forming a wedge or a series of wedges for expanding the
cover of the tin or box when this latter is forced or driven thereupon so that
the cover may be easily removed.
It will thus be seen that I utilize the wedging action of the inclined surface of
the rib to force asunder the sides of the lid of the box or case, and so enable the
lid or cover to be readily taken off the box or receptacle.
I have found that in order to ensure the necessary expansion of the cover of the
tiu or box in the most advantageous manner, not only should the upper surface of
the rib or projection be inclined or taper to act like a wedge upon the lid, but
means should be provided for preventing the rib or projection from so yielding
under the force of the blow or blows by which the cover is driven down upon it
that the body and the cover would become jammed and bent together.
This is effected by forming the lower part of such rib or projection in such a
inanner as to give the greatest possible amount of support to the upper or wedge

page_text: box is usually made should be mechanically strengthened at the point where
resistance is most required; this I effect by folding over inward the top edge of the
inetal of the body.
I also in some cases strengthen the cover by bending the metal inward.
It is absolutely necessary, for a secure fastening, that the solder uniting the body
of the tin or box and the cover shall run into the joint, and, when a deep cover is
used, I regulate the height to which the solder may flow into this joint by making
a groove or channel above the angular projection or projections, as hereinafter
further described by reference to the annexed Drawing.
In cases where the ordinary solders are objectionable, I use combinations of tin,
lead, antimony, bismuth, metallic arsenic, and quicksilver in proportions varying
with the degree of tenacity and strength required.
For biscuit boxes, wine cases, or other large receptacles, I find it advisable to fold
and corrugate the metal at certain points to give additional strength.
On the accompanying Sheet of Drawing are shown various modifications of my
improved boxes or receptacles.
Figure 1 is a section through a can having a continuous rib or projection, the lid
.or cover being soldered on.
Figure 2 is a similar view, shewing the lid or cover forced down upon the rib or
projection ready for opening.
Figure 3 is an elevation of a can furnished with intermittent ribs or
projections.
Figure 4 is a section through a can with smaller intermittent ribs.
Figure 5 is a section through a can, the mouth of which is strengthened by
folding or doubling the metal inside the same.
Figure 5, cap or cover for sainc.
Figure 6 is an elevation of a can provided with a groove or channel E to regulate
the flow of the solder so that it may not run too far up the joint.
Figure 7 is a sectional view through the same. This Figure shews edge of cover
bent inward and terminating at F.
Figure 7º, section through cover, shewing bent edge terminating at G. This
mode of bending applies equally to bottom as to cover.
Figure 8 illustrates a can, the sides of which are strengthened by corrugations.
This mode of strengthening is more particularly required for metal boxes of
somewhat large dimensions. The corrugation will not run the whole length of the
body in order that a plane surface may be left for the fitting on of the bottom,
which stamp out with an inward strengthening fold similar to that of the lid
shewn, Figure 7.
Figures 9, 10, and 11 show a box having a strengthening vertical fold in the
metal at the sides and also at the corners. I may use this mode of strengthening
by folding the metal at various points either alone or in combination with other
modes of strengthening as, for for example, with corrugations, as at Figure 8.
Figure 12 shows a box or can with several thicknesses of inward bending for
giving strength at the rib and top of the box.
Figure 13 illustrates a rib commonly used. This rib not having an angle above
will not expand the lid, and its form below will cause it to give way under the
blow given to the lid.
Similar letters of reference indicate similar parts in each of the Figures
respectively.
A represents the body of the box; B, the ribs or projections; C, the cover or
cap; D, solder or joint; E, groove or channel for regulating flow of solder into
joint.
My improved boxes, cans, or vessels inay be round, square, or any desired form.
I sometimes make the ribs or projection and the strengthening folds by rolling,
stamping, or pressing, or by any of the known means of obtaining projections on or
bending metal.

page_text: For certain tins or boxes it is desirable that, for close packing, the box should
have plane surfaces on all sides. In this case I recess a plate of metal and raise
thereon a flange provided with my angular ribs or wedge shaped projections. I
then solder a cover on to this flange, soldering from the inside. This plate having
also been flanged on all its edges, I solder it in the ordinary way upon the body of
the box. When it is desired to get at the contents, the recessed lid is driven on to
the angular projections, and expanded so that it may be removed and replaced at
pleasure, see Figure 14.
My Invention, as illustrated in the various modifications of my improved boxes,
above described and shewn in the annexed Drawings, has been directed to overcome
the difficulties met with in working with the thin tin usually employed in boxes
hitherto used for like purposes; those boxes do not fulfil what I have found to be
necessary requirements, namely, that the cans or boxes should be readily opened by
the most inexperienced person; that there should be little or no increase of cost as
compared with the present manufacture; that the strength of the tin plate almost
always employed should be greatly augmented; that a perfectly sound and strong
joint should be made; and, where a deep cover is used, that the strength of
the joint should be capable of being mechanically regulated, all of which require-
ments are fully met by one or more of my improvements as used in the modifications.
shewn in the accompanying Drawings, as illustrating my Invention.
- Having now described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention, and
in what manner the same is or may be performed; I would have it understood
that
I claim, as secured-to-mc-by_the_hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent,-
Firstly. The manufacture of improved metal boxes, cans, or other-receptacles_for_
holding alimentary and other substances by forining-on-the_body_of_the receptacle
a rib or ribs, projection or projections, tapering upward to receive and expand by a
wedging action under the force of a blow, the lid or cover of the box, and downward
so as to give support against the cover when driven down, substantially as herein-
before described and shown respectively in the accompanying Drawing.
Secondly. The use in boxes or receptacles such as are herein described of the
groove or channel E, whereby a certain strength of joint is regulated and secured,
substantially as specified.
Thirdly. The use with boxes or receptacles such as are herein described of a lid
or cover or bottom of box recessed, as shown at Figures 7 and 74, so as to form a
raised part to receive or box in the inward fold of the lid and the folding of the
metal to such a form as to give lateral and vertical strength, as hereinbefore
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Featherstone Griffin, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twelfth day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eightv.
G. FEATHERSTONE GRIFFIN. (L.S.)
Witness,
W. E. GEDGE,
Patent Agent,
11, Wellington St., Strand,
London.