IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BOXES, CASES, OR RECEPTACLES, ESPECIALLY APPLICABLE FOL HOLDING EDIBLE SUBSTANCES, AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN BUCH MANUFACTURE
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Michael Henry, of Fleet Chambers, 68, Fleet
Street, in the City of London, Patent Agent, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BOXES, CASES, OR RECEPTACLES,
ESPECIALLY APPLICABLE FOL HOLDING EDIBLE SUBSTANCES, AND IN APPARATUS
EMPLOYED IN BUCH MANUFACTURE."-A communication from abroad by
"La Société E. Peltier et A. Paillard," of 17, Boulevart Saint
Martin, Paris, France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Michael Henry at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
24th December 1873.
I, MICHAEL HENRY, of Fleet Chambers, 68, Fleet Street, in the City of
London, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-*
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BOXES, CASES, on RECEPTACLES,
ESPECIALLY APPLICABLE FOR HOLDING EDIBLE SUBSTANCES, AND IN APPARATUS EM-
PLOYED IN SUCH MANUFACTURE,” communicated to me from abroad by "La

page_text: The guideway is level up to a certain part, and then inclines, so that
the springy nipper may be depressed and free the box.
"
The revolving platform can be stopped at the required interval by
means of a treadle, which lowers a pin or catch against which tho
mandril holder abuts, and which when depressed allows the platform to
turn until the former comes to one of a series of holes, whereby the
rotary motion is stopped.
"
When the box is disengaged from the nippers the bottom piece is
placed on a moveable cushion, mandril, or stock fitted in a support
on the stationary platform. It is held in place by a right-angled
piece.
The bottom plate also bears against a spring plate attached to the
'mandril, cushion, or stock, and serving for disengaging the bottom plate
therefrom after it has been placed in the body of the box. The mandril,
cushion, or stock is connected with jointed lovers working on the arm of
a stationary cam, one of these, being a bell-crank lever, carries a stud
which brings forward a collar, against which the box bears, so as to be
brought to the bottom plate, which is led to it by levers so that the
body of the box is brought to the bottom plate, and the bottom plate is
at the same time brought to the box..
"
The machine used when soldering or cementing the bottom plate con-
sists mainly of a revolving table, on which are stocks, cushions, or
mandrils, which may be adapted for various diameters of boxes to be
soldered. They are on a spindle carrying gearing, which, preferably by.
means of friction discs acting in alternate directions, gives a right-hand
or left-hand motion as required without jerk. Each box in turn is
placed on one of the mandrils, and by means of the treadle is moved in
the required direction, so that it may be soldered or cemented, and the
mandril carrying it is moved on so that the box may cool, and be removed.
i
The soldering or cementing composition preferred is composed of oil,
muriatic acid; or soldering solution and resin, which is warmed over an
open fire till it forms a liquid mixture of the consistency of boiled oil or
printer's varnish:
For forming and attaching the covering plates the soldering or
cementing is applied to them so that they may be sent with the boxes,
merely worming the soldering they may be fixed in place.

page_text: A machine or apparatus for applying the soldering or cementing is
thus constructed :-A mandril carrying the plate is fixed on a revolving
platform, and held at the edge by a hinged ring, rim, disc, or frame
slightly bevilled on the inside, so as to allow space for the soldering or
cementing material. A spindle traversing the platform carries a lever i
holding a cushion or spring piece bearing on the plate, but capable of
turning with the plate and its mandril. Another lever allows of the
spring being raised, and the plate disengaged when required.
The workman brings the plate towards him, applies the soldering or
SPECIFICATION in pursuanco of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Michael Henry in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 24th June 1874.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, MICHAEL
HENRY, of Fleet Chambers, 68, Fleet Strect, in the City of London,
Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-fourth day of December, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, in the
thirty-seventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, tho said Michael Henry, Her special
license that I, the said Michael 'Henry, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, tho said Michael Henry, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during tho term
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MANUFACTURE OF BOXES, CASES, OR RECEPTACLES, ESPECIALLY APPLICABLE FOR
HOLDING EDIBLE SUBSTANCES, AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN SUCH MANUFAC-
TURE," communicated to me from abroad by "La Société E. Peltier et
A. Paillard, of 17, Boulevart Saint Martin, Paris, France, upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said Michael Henry, my executors
or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or

page_text: one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be
performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the
said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Michael Henry, do hereby declare tho
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:-
1
The object of this Invention is the improved manufacture of boxes,
cases, or receptacles, especially those made of tin, tinplate, or latten, and
used for containing sardines and other edibles.
According to this Invention the time occupied in the manufacture of
such boxes, and especially in the soldering or cementing thereof, is con-
siderably reduced.
Machines or apparatus constructed according to these improvements
are used for bringing the boxes to the solderers, and for removing them
after the soldering or cementing operation has been performed, so that a
fresh relay of boxes may be brought up for soldering or cementing, and

page_text: jaws. The jaws close when the mandril carrying a box is brought to the
soldering apparatus and the jaw is opened when the mandril carrios the
box after having been soldered and cooled (that is to say, the box body.
with soldered sides) to an apparatus for fitting or fixing the bottom plate
thereon. Below the slot is a spring nipper with a stud, pin, or catch,
which projects below the moveable platform, and is guided in a path
formed in the stationary platform, so that it rises when. the jaws are
closed, whereby the edges of the box are held in position while the.
soldering or cementing is performed.
.
The guideway is level up to a certain part, and then inclines, so that
the spring nipper may be depressed, and thus set the box free.
Thé revolving platform: can be stopped at the required interval by
means of a treadle, which lowers a pin or catch against which the
mandril holder abuts, and which when depressed allows the platform to.
turn until the former comes to one of a series of holes, whereby the
rotary. motion is stopped....
:
i
When the box is disengaged from the nippers the bottom piece is
placed on a moveable cushion, mandril, or stock fitted in a support
on a stationary platform. It is hold in place by a right-angled.
piece.
The bottom plate also bears against a spring plate attached to this
mandril, cushion, or stock, and serving for disengaging the bottom plate.
therefrom after it has been placed in the body of the box. The mandril,
cushion, or stock is connected with jointed levers working on the arm of
a-stationary cam, one of these (being a bell-crank lever) carries a stud 2
which brings forward a collar, against which the box bears, so as to be;
brought to the bottom plate, which is led to it by levers, so that tho..
body of the box is brought to the bottom plate, and the bottom plate is
at the same time brought to the box.
"
The machine for soldering or cementing the bottom plate consists
mainly of a revolving table or platform, on which are stocks, cushions,
or mandrils, which may be adapted for various diameters of boxes to be
soldered. They are on a spindle carrying gearing, which by means of
friction discs gives right-hand or left-hand motion as required without
jerks. Each box in turn is placed on one of the mandrils, and by means 8
of the treadle is moved in the required direction, so that it may be .
soldered or cemented, and the mandril carrying it is moved so that the
boximay cool down, and be removed,

page_text: The soldering or cementing composition, liquid or flux preferred; is
composed of oil, muriatic acid, or soldering solution and resin, which, is
warmed over an open fire till it forms a-liquid mixture of the consistency
of boiled oil or printer's varnish.
r
For preparing and attaching the tops, lids, or covering plates the
soldering or cementing material is applied to them so that they may be
sent with boxes, and by merely warming the soldering material they
may be fixed in place.
A machine or apparatus for applying the soldering or cementing is
thus constructed:-A mandril carrying the plate is fixed on a revolving
platform, and held at the edge by a hinged ring, rim, disc, or frame
slightly bevilled on the inside so as to allow space for the soldering or
comonting material. A spindle traversing the platform carries a lever
holding a cushion or spring piece bearing on the plate but capable of
turning with the plate and its mandril. Another lever allows of the
spring being raised and the plate being disengaged when required. The
workman brings the plate towards him, applies. the soldering or cement-
ing substance, and releases the plate.
The accompanying Drawings represent apparatus constructed accord-
ing to the Invention.
Figure 1 is an elevation, and Figure 2 a plan of an apparatus for
effecting the longitudinal soldering operation and the fitting of the box
bottom in the manner above described.
:
i
Figure 1 shows the apparatus in which are fitted mandrils on
which the boxes are held while the soldering operation is performed.j
and the mandril on which they are held while the fitting of the box
bottom is effected.
.
The apparatus is thus constructed:-A, B, are two tables or plat-
forms. The table or platform A is attached to and supported on a
suitable stand, support, or framework. The table or platform B turns!
freely on the central axis C. On this table B are a number of
mandrilsa, say for instance, cight. These mandrils a are slotted
longitudinally at their lower part, as-shown-in-Figure-1-and-Figure-1*,
and they are fitted with a spring 6 which the soldering iron or.
3 implement bears against, and which serves as a guide thereto. The
mandril is kept in position (whether in action or not) by the support,

page_text: or rest c bolted to the moving or revolving platform B. On the
periphery or edge of this mandril are nippers or jaws d, d', supported
by bars e, e', jointed at one of their ends to the rest or support of the
mandril and jointed also to an arm f, the back end of which is furnished
with friction rollers g, g'. These rollers when subjected to the action of
the stationary cam D are impelled in a forward direction, and when
subjected to the action of the stationary cam D₁ they are impelled
in a reverse direction, and thus they cause the jaws d, d, to approach
each other or to recede from each other accordingly.
The mode in which the closing or engaging action is effected, as
shown at X in Figure 2, is when the mandril carrying its box
comes up to the soldering implement; and the unclosing or dis-
engaging action is effected when the same mandril with its box
soldered and cooled comes to the point Y where the bottom is to be
applied.
Under the lower alot of each mandril is a nipper / carrying a stud
which projects under the revolving table or platform B, and is guided
in its travel by a guideway E formed in the stationary table or
platform A. This stud rises suddenly as soon as the nipping or
holding jaws have closed, so as to keep the edges of the box in position 2
and support the box when the soldering operation takes place, as shown
in Figure 1*.
The guideway E remains in a level or normal position during the
soldering and until the fitting of the box bottom is effected, but
as soon as the box bottom is applied, it goes out of level and 2
descends or is depressed so as to permit the nippers to drop and to free
the box under treatment.
.
In order to regulate with accurate precision the rotatory movement
of the revolving table B, the workman after cach soldering acts on a
treadle which depresses a pin & which traverses the two tables A, B, 3
and against which the support or rest of the mandril abuts when the
soldering action is taking place. The brief or instantaneous depression
of this pin allows the table B to move round until it meets one of
the holes m, and returns of itself so as to stop the rotary action.
Though only two mandrils with their nippers or holding jaws are 3
shown in Figure 2, it is evident that there may be any number thereof
and that they must be all fitted, and actuated, and work in like
manner.

page_text: As regards the parts of the machinery in which the "bottoming" or
fixing of the box bottom is effected, the arrangements should be such
that such bottom shall be fitted so accurately as to dispense with the
employment of further operation, except the soldering of the bottom,
as herein-after described. For this purpose the box after its sides have
been soldered longitudinally, and when the soldering has cooled down,
is released by the nipping or holding jaws and the nippers, so as to bo
set free on the mandril in the manner above described by the cam D¹
and the guideway E. When this is done the workman places the
bottom plate o on a mandril chuck, revolving cushion, or stock p fitted
in the rest or support a bolted to the stationary platform A and held in
position by a right angled piece attached to the support. The bottom
plate also rests on a spring plate connected with the mandril p, and
which disengages the bottom plate therefrom after it has been fitted in
the box. The mandril or stock p is connected by a rod s with an arm
or levert centred at u and jointed at bottom to a lever or arm
connected with a hand lever x centered at z¹ on
stationary cam D'. This lever x also carries a piece which when the
workman draws the said lever towards himself abuts against the
rods 2, 3, and causes the washer 4 with which they are connected to
come forward.
an arm of the
Now when the box having its sides soldered bears against this washer
the box is brought with the washer towards the bottom plate, and this
said bottom plate is moved forward by the action of the levers x, u, t.
Hence by this arrangement the bottom plate is brought towards the
body of the box, and the body of the box is at the same time brought
towards the bottom plate intended to form the bottom of the box. Thus
the parts are fitted together and the box when completed can be readily
withdrawn from the apparatus.
The operation of this machine is as follows:-The box bodies arc
placed on the mandrils Y, Y°, Y*, in such manner that the edges to be
soldered shall be presented in a convenient position for the purpose
and the nippers are closed to hold the box body in the proper position.
The workman who attends to the soldering apparatus stands at X and
bears on the treadle so as to allow the stop / to free the revolving
platform and turn it, say, for an interval of one-cighth of its circum-
ference, in such manner as to bring it up to a mandril carrying a box

page_text: body ready for being soldered. The soldering being effected the workman
again works the treadle, the table turns another one-cighth interval and
another box is presented for being soldered, and so on. The box having
had its sides thus soldered is brought from the position X to the positions
X and X³, and is allowed to cool so as to give time for the soldering to
set. From X the box with its sides soldered and cooled is moved to the
position Y where the bottoming of the box is effected as above described.
When the box is moved to Y' it is taken by the workman who fits on
the bottoms, or by the workman who brings the mandrils Y, Y³, Y₁, to
their work.
Figures 3, 3*, and 4, show the apparatus on which the soldering of
the box bottoms is effected. On the revolving table A are mounted four
mandrils, stocks, or chucks, B, B³, B', B³; a section of one of these
mandrils is shewn at B, Figure 1. They are so arranged (as shewn) in
order to accommodate themselves to the various diameters of the boxes
to be soldered, and they are mounted on an axis a which carrics a gearing
wheel b, which when the mandril comes to B engages a pinion c
mounted at one end of an axis carrying the disc d, which is held between
two vertical discs e, e³, acting in turn thereon according as the workman
(by means of a treadle and forked clutch lever) causes a shaft ƒ to
traverse to the right hand or to the left hand. The employment of the
discs instead of gearing prevents jerks or disturbances which might result
from using gearing in soldering operations.
A workman takes the bottomed boxes when they come from the appa-
ratus, Figures 1 and 2, and places each on a mandril B, B³; for example,
the workman who attends to the soldering brings before him at B the
box ready for being soldered and then by means of a treadle ho turns
the discs c, e³, which impart rotary motion (in one or other direction at
pleasure) to the disc d and thence to the mandril which carries the box.
When the soldering has been effected the workman in the same manner
as described in reference to the apparatus described in Figures 1 and 2,
disengages a stop pin which regulates the position of the mandril and
moves the mandril B to B', where the box cools down. When the box
comes to B³ it is removed and the workman places the bottomed boxes
on the mandrils B³, B'.
In this as in the UANG

page_text: operation continuously without troubling himself about the cooling down.
of the box and its removal from the apparatus.
".
-In order to prevent the rapid thickening of the soldering matter which
might take place if resinous matters were used as the fluxes in pre-
paring the soldering compounds, a soldering flux or composition pro-
duced as herein-after described may be employed. This consists of oil,
hydrochlolic acid, or soldering liquid (or flux) and resin. It is heated
over an open fire until a liquid amalgam is formed of the consistency of
boiled oil or printer's varnish.
Hitherto considerable difficulty has been experienced in closing boxes.
of the class to which this Invention refers and intended for holding
edible substances.
Whether the defects be due to the fault of the workman or the.
delicacy or difficulty of. the operation it is clear that the closing or
cementing of the filled bones is a somewhat difficult operation. Now
theso, difficulties are overcome by the employment of the following
arrangement of apparatus constructed as described, and by the following
mode of procedurė :—
The soldering or cementing composition is applied to the top, bottom,
or closing plates themselves, so that these may be sent off or forwarded
with the boxes or bodies thereof, and thus any ordinary workman will:
be able to solder on the bottom or closing plate without any special skill
or experience in the art of closing boxes, and without requiring the use
of soldering rods or irons, which is a troublesome operation. For this
purpose the following apparatus is used by means whereof a rim or edge-
of soldering or cementing composition is placed on the bottom plate,
top, or closing plate, so as to be as it were part of or in a piece with the
same.
The apparatus shewn in Figures 5, 6; and 7 is used for this purpose..
By means of this apparatus the soldering or cementing composition is-
applied in a uniform manner and in sufficient quantity. for the object.
above explained.
The bottom plate, lid, or closing plate a is placed on a mandril & fitted
in a moveable table or platform A. c is a ring jointed to the platform A-
-so that it can be turned down over (and around) the mandril in order to
keep down the bottom piece or closing piece at its edges. The inner
side of the ring is bevelled so that a small space is left between it and.

page_text: the edges of the other plate or closing piece in order to leave room for
the cementing or soldering substance to be applied to the latter.
Through the centro of the table or platform passes an axis stepped in
or carrying a socket, to which is jointed a lever, at one end of which is
a mandril, chuck, cushion, or stock d, which is caused to bear or impinge
against the picce a by the pressure of a spring e, but which is nevertheless
free to be moved by the rotary action of the mandril and the bottom or
closing pieco thereon.
A lever or arm a jointed in the same manner as the disc d allows the
spring to rise when pressure no longer need be exerted and when the
bottom piece or closing piece can be released from or taken off the
mandril. This can be effected by any ordinary mechanical means, as
for example by a spring put into action when required so as to release
the said bottom plate or closing piece of the box.
The apparatus being thus constructed and actuated the workman
places the bottom plate or closing piece on the cushion, mandril, or
chuck, and the workman who has to employ the soldering or cementing
composition brings one of these mandrils to him and depresses a disc on
the closing piece or bottom plate, and applies thereon the soldering or
cementing substance in the annular space left between the ring or ring- 1
shaped frame and the edges of the said closing piece or bottom plate.
The upper disc and the ring may be made of any suitable material
which shall not allow the soldering to adhore thereto, such as for
example vitrified or enamelled metal, fire-clay, or glass.
The disc is raised by means of the lover or arm e. The table is turned a
so as to bring another cushion, mandril, or chuck head up to the work-
man, and so on. Hence all that has to be done is for the workman to
remove the bottom plate or closing piece which bears on it (as shewn in
Figure 1) the soldering or cementing composition applied on its entire
periphery or edge, and which is thus prepared for the operation of closure 3
which any ordinary person accustomed to common mechanical processes
can readily effect.
The same method and apparatus may be applied in the manufacture
of the boxes, that is to say, in preparing the boxes complete for the
market, as well as in preparing such boxes quito complete, except 3
without the application thereto of the bottoms or closing plates.

page_text: It is obvious that without further description the mandrils and
apparatus can be adapted to any shape of boxes, rectangular or-other-
wise, as well as round.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention and the
manner in which the same may be performed, I declaro that I claim as
the improvements in the manufacture of boxes, cases, or receptacles
especially applicable for holding edible substances, and in apparatus
employed in such manufacture,-
First. The mode of manufacture, herein-before described, whereby
the time of the workman is saved, and boxes may be rapidly and
economically produced.
·
Second. The general arrangement and combination of parts consti-
tuting the apparatus herein-before described and represented in Figures
1, 1*, and 2 of the accompanying Drawings, such apparatus being. for
the purpose of enabling the boxes to be soldered and the bottoms or
closing plates to be applied.
Third. The general arrangement and combination of parts, herein-
before described, constituting the apparatus for soldering the bottoms, as
´shewn in the accompanying Drawings, Figures 3, 3*, and 4.
Fourth. The arrangement and combination of parts constituting the
apparatus for applying solder on the tops, bottoms, or closing plates, as
represonted in Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8, in the manner and for the purpose
set fortli.
In witness whereof, I, the said Michael Henry, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of June, in the year
year
ad and sovente forn
Witness,
E. DE PASS,
Patent Office,
!
68, Fleet Street,
London.
M. HENRY. (L.S.)