IMPROVEMENTS IN CANS OR PACKAGES FOR PAINTS OR OTHER SUBSTANCES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Arthur John Berger, of Water Lane, Homerton, in tho
County of Middlesex, a Partner in the Firm of "Lewis Berger & Sons," of
Homerton aforesaid, Paint, Color, &c., Manufacturers, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN CANS OR PACKAGES FOR PAINTS OR OTHER SUBSTANCES."
A communication from abroad by John W. Masury, of Brooklyn, in the County
of Kings, in the State of New York.
Sealed the 10th May, 1878, in pursuance of an Order of the Lord Chancellor, and
Jaded the 10th Orisha1011
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Arthur John Berger at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th October 1877.
ARTHUR JOHN BERGER, of Water Lane, Homerton, in the County of Middlesex,
a Partner in the Firm of "Lewis Berger & Sons," Homerton aforesaid, Paint,
Color, &c., Manufacturers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN CANS OR PACKAGES FOR PAINTS OR
OTHER SUBSTANCES." [A communication from abroad by John W. Masury, of
Brooklyn, in the County of Kings, in the State of New York.]
One object of the Invention is to secure a soft metal top to a can or package
in such a manner that the can or package shall be perfectly air-tight and preserve
the contents of the package from contact with the atmosphere and consequent
deterioration from such exposure.
The can is of such construction, that is, of
sufficient strength at the point where the soft metal top is attached thereto, to
withstand any ordinary pressure experienced during the transportation of the same,
and thus preserve the reliability of the joints.
Another object of the Invention is to form the joint between the soft metal top
and the can in such a manner that the top may be readily severed at its outer.
edge by a horizontal cut of a knife, which operation results in forming a pail of an
improved form of construction, and adapted for any of the ordinary uses of a pail
or bucket.
The Invention consists in the combination with a can or package provided with
an upper wired edge, of a soft metal top soldered to the outer surface of the can,

page_text: whereby the wire serves to impart sufficient strength to the can to render it
specially adapted for safe transportation, and also serves to constitute a groove
about the upper edge of the can or package, within which the solder is placed to
secure the edge of the soft metal top to the outer surface of the can, and thus
effectually preventing the solder from running within the the can or upon the upper
edge of the same, which would prevent the ready severance of the top from the body
of the receptacle.
When it is desired to remove the top of the can or package, a knife blade is
inserted through the outer edge of the soft metal top, and the handle depressed until
the knife is brought to a horizontal position. As the upper rounded edge is perfectly
smooth it constitutes an easy bearing for the blade, as it is forced around the edge
of the package and allows the top to be removed without the necessity of inserting
the point of the knife into the contents of the package.
After the top has been removed the body of the package constitutes a pail of
improved construction, the same having a smooth upper edge, which is strengthened
by a wire, thus rendering it adapted for any of the uses for which such vessels are
employed.
The additional strength imparted to the package by means of the upper wired
edge is a matter of great importance in connection with air-tight packages, for the
reason that when the wire is dispensed with the upper portion of the package is
capable of sustaining but little pressure owing to the very light material employed
in the construction of the soft metal tops, and hence the can is easily forced out of
its original shape. This defect in construction not only results in impairing the
form and appearance of the package, but it often results in opening the joints between
the soft metal top and the body of the packages, and consequently subjects the
contents of the package to the deteriorating influences of the atmosphere.
The cans or packages may be of any shape, and they may be utilized for trans-
porting solids or liquids of any character.
Another improvement or part of the Invention consists in a valve arranged to be
secured to the side of a can or package over a discharge opening, whereby the con-
tents can be discharged at pleasure.
The valve can be made of sheet metal, stamped in suitable dies, so as to fit the
side of the can, and consists of a valve plate, to which is pivoted a valve, which
slides over the valve opening, and is locked to the plate, when the valve is closed
by springing its free end under a button on the plate.
The valve opening is closed by a disk or plate of thin metal in such a manner
that when the valve is secured to a can or package it is thereby hermetically sealed,
the valve plate being solid or without any opening in it, and the hole in the side of
the can being covered over by the valve plate, and the can or package may be safely
transported or handled.
When it is desired to draw out any of the contents of the can or package the
valve or gate is raised so as to expose the thin metal disk, which is then cut away
so as to allow the contents to run out.
The valve seat may be made of sheet metal, stamped by dies to give it the proper
shape to fit the side of the can or package, to which it is united by soldering its edges
fast to the can or package, or in any other convenient manner.
The valve seat may be made of soft metal that can be cut with a knife, or it may
be provided with a disk of such metal, which is soldered over a valve opening madė
in the valve seat in such a manner that while the disk remains in place, or while
the valve seat of soft metal remains whole, the can or package remains sealed up;
but when the disk is cut out its contents can be run out through the valve opening,
provided the valve is lifted.
The valve consists of a sliding plate, one end of which plate is pivoted to one end
of the valve seat, while the other end is notched to allow it to close down behind
a button catch that projects from the other end of the valve seat.
The inner face of the valve has a recess stamped or formed in it to receive a
packing of paper or other suitable material, which is secured in the recess by glue or

page_text: other fastening, and the said recess is so arranged that the packing will cover the
valve opening when the valve is shut down.
It is obvious that while the disk remains in place the can or package can be
transported and handled the same as if it had no valve attached to it; and when it
is desired to draw out any of the contents the soft or thin metal disk is cut out, and
the contents are then free to run out until the valve is closed down.
As the valve and valve seat can be made of sheet metal they can be produced at
a comparatively small expense, while by reason of the simplicity of construction they
are not very liable to get out of order.
When the valve is closed the contents of the can or package are preserved from the
air and leakage.
Having fully described such improvements, what I claim as new, and desire to
secure by Letters Patent, is,-
1. An air-tight package or can consisting essentially in the combination with a
can or package having an upper wired edge of a soft metal top, soldered to the
outer surface of the can, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2. The valve seat, adapted to be secured to the side of a can or package, and pro-
vided with a removable disk or part of soft metal, at or over the valve opening
in the seat, substantially as described.
3. The valve seat, adapted to to be secured to the side of a can or package, in
combination with the valve, substantially as described.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Arthur John Berger in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 10th
May 1878.
ARTHUR JOHN BERGER, of Water Lane, Homerton, in the County of Middlesex, a
Partner in the Firm of "Lewis Berger & Sons," of Homerton aforesaid, Paint, Color,
&c., Manufacturers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN CANS OR PACKAGES FOR PAINTS OR OTHER
SUBSTANCES."
One object of the Invention is to secure a soft metal top to a can or package in
such a manner that the can or package shall be perfectly air-tight, and preserve
the contents of the package from contact with the atmosphere and consequent dete-
rioration from such exposure. The can is of such construction, that is, of sufficient
strength at the point where the soft metal top is attached thereto, to withstand any
ordinary pressure experienced during the transportation of the same, and thus
preserve the reliability of the joints.
Another object of the Invention is to form the joint between the soft metal top
and the can in such a manner that the top may be readily severed at its outer edge
by a horizontal cut of a knife, which operation results in forming a pail of an
improved form of construction, and adapted for any of the ordinary uses of a pail or
bucket.
The Invention consists in the combination with a can or package provided with
an upper wired edge, of a soft metal top soldered to the outer surface of the can,
whereby the wire serves to impart sufficient strength to the can to render it specially
adapted for safe transportation, and also serves to constitute a groove about the
upper edge of the can or package, within which the solder is placed to secure the
edge of the soft metal top to the outer surface of the can, and thus effectually pre-
venting the solder from running within the can or upon the upper edge of the same,
which would prevent the ready severance of the top from the body of the
receptacle.
In the accompanying Drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of an
improved can or package.
A designates the body of the package, which may be round, or of any desired
form; B is its top or cover, made in whole or in part of soft metal, capable of being
cut with a knife, so that the top or cover can be removed, the mode commonly
employed for uniting the top B to the body of the cans is represented in
Figure 5.
According to my improvements the edge D of the top or cover is turned out-
wardly over a wire, thereby constituting a smooth rounded upper edge E and a groove
or depression just below the upper edge of the package. This method of securing
the parts renders it impossible for any solder to run inside the can, or lodge or
harden on the rounded upper edge of the same, which would seriously interfere
with the easy severance of the top from the body of the package.
When it is desired to remove the top "G" a knife blade is inserted through the
outer edge of the soft metal top, and the handle depressed until the knife is brought
to a horizontal position. As the upper rounded edge is perfectly smooth it consti-
tutes an easy bearing for the blade, as it is forced around the edge of the package
and allows the top to be removed without the necessity of inserting the point of
the knife into the contents of the package.
After the top has been removed the body of the package constitutes a pail of
improved construction, the same having a smooth upper edge, which is strengthened
by a wire, thus rendering it adapted for any the uses for which such vessels are
employed.
The additional strength imparted to the package by means of the upper wired
edge is a matter of great importance in connection with air-tight packages, for the
reason that when the wire is dispensed with the upper portion of the package is

page_text: capable of sustaining but little pressure owing to the very light material employed
in the construction of the soft metal tops, and hence the can is easily forced out of
its original shape. This defect in construction not only results in impairing the
form and appearance of the package, but it often results in opening the joints
between the soft metal top and the body of the packages, and consequently subjects
the contents of the package to the deteriorating influences of the atmosphere.
I do not limit myself to the employment of my improved can or package for any
particular use, as it is evident that they may be utilised for transporting solids or
liquids of any character.
Another part of my Invention consists in a valve arranged to be secured to
the side of a can over a discharge opening, whereby the contents can be discharged
at pleasure.
The valve can be made of sheet metal, stamped in suitable dies so as to fit the
side of a can, and consists of a valve plate, to which is pivoted a valve, which slides
over the valve opening and is locked to the plate, when the valve is closed by
springing its free end under a button on the plate.
The valve opening is closed by a disk or plate of thin metal, in such a manner
that when the valve is secured to a can or package it is thereby hermetically sealed,
the valve plate being solid or without any opening in it, and the hole in the side
of the can being covered over by the valve plate, and the can may be safely trans-
ported or handled.
When it is desired to draw out any of the contents of the can or package the
valve or gate is raised so as to expose the thin metal disk, which is then cut away so
as to allow the contents to run out.
In the Drawings accompanying this Specification, —
Figure 1 is a vertical cross section of my improvement.
Figure 2 is an elevation of the can, shewing the valve as it appears when closed;
Figure 3 is a like elevation shewing the valve as it appears when closed.
Figure 4 is a horizontal section in the line X, X, Figure 1.
Figure 5 shows the form of joint at the top of the cans as heretofore commonly
made.
"F" is the discharge opening cut in the can.
The valve seat "G" may be made of sheet metal, stamped by dies to give it the
proper shape to fit the side of the can or package to which it is united by soldering
its edges fast to the can, as shewn in the Drawing, or in any other convenient
manner.
The valve seat may be made of soft metal that can be cut with a knife, or it may
be provided with a disk "H" of such metal, which is soldered over a valve opening
"I" made in the valve seat in such a manner that while the disc remains in place
or while the valve seat of soft metal remains whole the can or package remains
sealed up; but when the disc is cut out its contents can be run out through the
valve opening, provided the valve is lifted.
The valve consists of a sliding plate "J," one end of which is pivoted to one end
of the valve seat at "K," while the other end is notched at "L" to allow it to close
down behind a button catch M" that projects from the other end of the valve
seat.
26
The inner face of the valve has a recess N stamped or formed in it to receive a
packing "O" of paper or other suitable material, which is secured in the recess by
glue or other fastening, and which said recess is so arranged that the packing will
cover the valve opening when the valve is shut down.
It is obvious that while the disc H remains in place the can or package can be
transported and handled the same as if it had no valve attached to it, and when it
is desired to draw out any of the contents the soft or thin metal disc is cut out and
the contents are then free to run out until the valve "J" is closed down.
As the valve and valve seat can be made of sheet metal they can be produced at
a comparatively small expense, while by reason of the simplicity of construction
they are not very liable to get out of order.

page_text: When the valve is closed the contents of the package are preserved from air and
from leakage.
What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,―
An air-tight package or can consisting essentially in the combination with a can
or package having an upper wired edge or soft metal top soldered to the outer
surface of the can, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
The valve seal " G" adapted to be secured to the side of a can or package, and
provided with a removable disc or part H of soft metal at or over the valve opening
in the seat, substantially as described.
The valve seat "G," adapted to be secured to the side of a can
combination with the valve "J," substantially as described.
or package, in 1
In witness whereof, I, the said Arthur John Berger, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Tenth day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight
ATT
ב תחת
ARTHUR JOHN BERGER. (L.S.)