Improvements in Cans, Jars, and like Vessels, and in Covers or Closing Devices therefor.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 15th July, 1892-Accepted, 20th Aug., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cans, Jars, and like Vessels, and in Covers or
Closing Devices therefor.
1, RICHARD HOWARD LEAKER, of Montague Villa, Kingsdown Parade,
Bristol, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to cans, jars and the like and is specially applicable to
such vessels as employed in processes of sterilizing milk and in like or analogous
operations, that is to say in which the vessels with their contents are first
subjected to heat and thereafter cooled.
It will suffice to describe the vessels and covers as employed in the sterilization
of milk, as the construction and action are substantially the same as for other like
or analogous processes.
Referring to the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 represents the upper part of a
metal cannister or churn a constructed and fitted in accordance with one method
comprised in this invention. In this arrangement is a curved plate covering the
mouth of the cannister and held down against the washer d of india-rubber or
other suitable material by clamping screws c working in brackets hinged to the
side of the cannister so as to be capable of being turned back clear of the mouth.
At the centre of the cover b is an aperture over which is a valve e normally held
down by the spiral spring contained within the chamber f¹. When a cannister
thus fitted and charged with milk is subjected to the action of heat the valve e is,
by the expansion of the contents and the generated gas, vapour or steam, raised,
the spring being compressed. After escape of a proportion of the gas, rapour
or steam, the valve is returned to its seat by the action of the spring and is
assisted in remaining closed by the atmospheric pressure acting above it against a
partial vaccuum being created below it, more particularly when the contents of
the vessel are cooled by immersing the vessel in cold water or by other means.
At Fig. 2 is shewn a modification under which the cover of the vessel a is
fitted with an india-rubber packing ring and is held down upon the washer d by
weights placed on the top during the process of sterilization. The valve e is acted
upon by the dished spring f fitted in the cover b. At Fig. 3 is illustrated an
arrangement in which the cover b of the vessel a serves also as the valve and is
held down on the washer d by the dished spring f.
In the arrangement shown at Fig. 4 the cover b of the vessel a is held down on
the washer d by the clamping screws c carried in brackets hinged at the outside of
the vessel, as shown. The valve e is acted upon above by the spring f.
At Fig. 5 is shown a method similar to that herein before described with
reference to Fig. 2, except that the valve e is a ball of india-rubber. In Fig. 6
the cover b of the vessel a serves also as the valve and is fitted with a packing
ring r. The cover is held down on the washer d by the flat spring
The action of the various devices shown at Figs. 2 to 6 inclusive is precisely
similar to that hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 1.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
:-
The improved methods of and means for closing cans, jars and other vessels
employed in the sterilization of milk and in like and analogous devices, consisting
of a cover surmounted by a spring acting downwardly on a valve, or on the cover
itself as a valve, the said spring being arranged to yield under a preponderating

page_text: pressure from below and to close again after removal of such preponderating
pressure, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accom-
panying sheet of illustrative drawings, or any mere modification thereof.
Dated this 12th day of July 1892.
NICHOLAS WATTS,
Agent.