IMPROVEMENTS IN VESSELS FOR CON- TAINING OIL OR OTHER LIQUID
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Francis Preston, of Huddersfield, in the County of York,
Civil Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN VESSELS FOR CON-
TAINING OIL OR OTHER LIQUID.”
Sealed the 31st October 1879, in pursuance of an Order of the Lord Chancellor,
and dated the lot. Anril 1870
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Francis Preston at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st April 1879.
FRANCIS PRESTON, of Huddersfield, in the County of York, Civil Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OIL OR OTHER LIQUID."
My Invention relates to the manufacture of vessels for containing oil or other
liquid, of a spherical or nearly spherical form, and consists in making the vessels of
two hemispherical pieces, by preference of tin or other thin sheet metal, which
pieces are soldered together to form a spherical vessel. To the lower half I fix a
piece of metal as ballast to insure the vessel remaining in a vertical position when
at rest, and in any convenient part of the vessel I place a spout or tube.
The hemispherical pieces I prefer to make on a block; I fasten the two pieces
together by soldering inside of their edges a narrow strip of metal, which strip is
overlapped by each hemispherical piece, the edges of the hemispherical pieces meet,
but do not overlap; the joint thus made is as strong as any part of the vessel, and
is not liable to leak.
Vessels made in the manner above described may be used, as oil cans or lamps,
and are cheaper and more durable than those now in use, and as they always regain
a vertical position, the danger of fire by the upsetting of the lamps when lighted is
obviated, and the oil or other liquid cannot be spilled.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Francis Preston in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 31st October
1879.
FRANCIS PRESTON, of Huddersfield, in the County of York, Civil Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OIL OR OTHER LIQUID."
My Invention relates to the manufacture of vessels for containing oil or other
liquid, of a spherical or nearly spherical form, and it consists in making the vessels
of two hemispherical or almost hemispherical pieces, by preference of tin or other
thin sheet metal, which pieces are soldered together to form a spherical vessel, to
the lower half I fix a piece of metal as ballast, to ensure the vessel remaining in a
vertical position when at rest, and in any convenient part of the vessel I place a
spout or tube. The hemispherical pieces I prefer to make on a block. I fasten the
two pieces together by soldering inside or outside of their edges a narrow strip of
metal, which strip is overlapped by each hemispherical piece, or the strip overlaps
each hemispherical piece; the joint thus made is.as strong as any part of the vessel,
and is not liable to leak. Vessels made in the manner above described may be used,
as oil cans or lamps, and are cheaper and more durable than those now in use, and
as they always regain a vertical position, the danger of fire by the upsetting of the
lamps when lighted is obviated, and the oil or other liquid cannot be spilled.
t
And in order that my Invention may be understood, I will describe the accom-
panying Sheet of Drawings.
Fig. 1 is an elevation, and Fig. 2 a section of one of my improved oil cans.
Fig. 3 is a section of one of my improved lamps, and Fig. 4 is a plan of the lower
half of the same; a, a, are the hemispherical parts forming the body of the oil can
or lamp; b is the strip of metal, one half of which is soldered inside or outside the
rim of one portion, and the other half is soldered to the other portion of the oil can
or lamp, but I prefer the strip to be soldered inside the two hemispherical pieces, 60
as not to interfere with the spherical shape of the vessel. c is the ballast to keep
the vessel in a vertical position; d is the screwed plug for closing the aperture
through which the oil or other liquid is poured into the oil can or lamp.
Having thus stated the nature of my Invention, and described the manner of
performing the same, I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to the
details given, but what I claim is, the manufacture of oil cans and lamps of two
hemispherical or nearly hemispherical parts connected together, substantially as
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Francis Preston, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Eighth day of October, One thousand eight hundred and
FRANCIS PRESTON. (L.S.)