Improvements in the Manufacture of Covers or Closing Devices for Cans, Bottles, Jars, and the like, and in Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Sep!., 1896-Accepted, 9th Jan., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Covers or Closing Devices for
Cans, Bottles, Jars, and the like, and in Apparatus therefor.
I, FRANCIS PARTRIDGE MO('OLL, of No. 1071 Bergen Street, in the City of
Brooklyn, County of Kings, State of New York, United States of America,
Manufacturer, 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 the manufacture of that class of receptacles or
packages which are so constructed as to adapt them to be opened by removing
& portion of the material of which the vessel or some part thereof is composed.
Vessels of this character bavo usually had such provisions so made in the blanks
out of which the bodies, heads, caps or closures of the vessels are composed as
to confine the part or portion to be reinoved between predetermined lines, the
section which is to be removed being called the "tearing strip" and being
prolonged or extended in order to constitute what is called a "tongue" to
facilitate the opening.
The principle of my invention is applicable to vessels or packages made wholly
or in part of sheet metal or to the sheet metal caps, capsules or closures of
vessels composed of other material than sheet metal. I refer to such vessels
as sheet metal cans of all kinds, as well as bottles, jars and the like, to the
filling opening of which a cap, capsule or closure is applied for the purpose of
sealing the package.
Heretofore all provisions for making what is known as key opening packagas
have proceeded along certain lines, and the previous methods may be conveniently
grouped or classified as follows: First, the most cominon method has been to
form weakening lines by slits, incisions, grooves or excoriations to define a pre-
determined path along which the metal could be severed. Second, opening
devices, such as rip wires of various kinds, have been used, located in beads,
grooves and the like, formed in the material of which the package or some part
thereof was composed and by means of which the metal was ruptured, torn or
separated upon the line followed by the wire or other opening device. Third,
strips have been soldered over openings formed in the body, head, cap or closure
of the vessel and which strips being torn away from the solder enable the removal
of the contente.
All of these methods are objectionable. The first because the weakening line
impairs the strength of the material to resist strains, destroys the continuity of
the coating applied usually to the material of which the package is composed,
exposing it to corrosion when formed upon the outside and tending to injure the
contents of the vessel when formed upon the inside of the package, or in some
portion thereof to which tho enclosed contents have accoss. The second method,
namely, the rip wire and kindred devices, is objectionable because of cost and
also because they do not afford an easy or convenient means for opening the
vessel; and the solder strip method is so expensive as to prohibit its use com-
mercially and, besides, is not adapted to be used on hermetically sealed goods,
being neither tight nor sufficicutly strong.
My method is radically different from any of those heretofore proposed, and
consists in providing the material of some part of the vessel or the cap or closure

page_text: thereof with a ridge which increases the strength of the material where it occurs.
Then when my invention is applied to a self-opening vessel, I preferably condense,
solidify or temper the material adjacent to the base of the ridge so as to cause
the material to part or tear along or through such condensed, solidifled or
tempered portion, the ridge controlling the parting or severing of the material
and confining it to a line which will follow closely the base of such ridge. By
my method the strength of the vessel or of the cap or closure is increased rather
than diminished. The integrity of the material and of the coating thereof, if
any, is preserved, and the vessel may thus be provided with an easy and convenient
means for opening at a minimuin cost.
My invention also comprises a machine which is adapted for the production
of a ridge, such as above described, such machine being capable of producing
the ridge without abrading the sheet of metal so as to lay bare the basic iron.
My invention also includes a novel construction of winding key for effecting
the opening of the vessel by severing the metal thereof or of the cap or closure
thereof along the ridge.
In the accompanying drawings I have selected for illustration such leading lines
of cans and other receptacles as show the wide applicability of my improvements,
but I do not restrict myself to the particular forms of construction illustrated.
In the drawings,
Figure represents a front view of a machine adapted for ridging sheet metal
in accordance with my invention.
Figure 2 is a detail view showing two rollers with a sheet of metal between
them, a portion of each roller and of the sheet being broken away.
Figure 3 is a plan view of a fragmentary part of a sheet showing the tearing
with nu integral projecting tongue..
strip
Figures 4 and 5 are enlarged porspective views showing the ridges of the sheets
on a exaggerated scale.
Figure 4 showing the sheet as it leaves the roll, and
Figure 5 the same, after it has been passed through plain rolls.
Figure 6 is a sectional eleration of a can showing the opening provision applied
to the top or cover thereof, and an integral projecting tongue.
Figures 7 and 8 are perspective views showing the opening provision in the
head of the can, the latter view showing the can partially oponed by the aid of the
winding key.
Figure 9 shows the application of the ridge to the flange of the cover.
Figures 10 and 11 show respectively the application of the tearing strip to two
forms of capsule.
Figure 12 shows a can provided with a tearing strip, one edge of which is
defined by the ridge and the other edge of which is soldered to the flange of the
cap or cover and parts on the solder line.
Figure 13 is a similar view of a can having a tearing strip in the body thereof
bounded by parallel ridges, and
Figure 14 is a perspective view of the key.
I will first describe a machine adapted for ridging sheet metal in accordance
with my invention. Referring to Figure 1, O represents the framework of the
machine, in which bearings are provided for the shafts P and Q of the pair of
rolls Rand S. The shaft P has a belt pulley T and a gear U meshing with a
gear V on the shaft Q, whereby the rolls may be driven. The roll S is provided
with a peripheral beads and with a collar S. The surface of the collar runs in
contact with the periphery of the roll R and the beads is by this means heid out
of contact with the fellow roll. The roll R has a peripheral groove or fissure r
located opposite the head. The bead and fissure may be of any suitable or desired
shape in cross-section. As shown in Figure 2 the bead is rounded and the fissure
bus vertical sides rounded at the opening and a straight bottom. The bead.is,
however, widor than the fissure.
When the sheet of tin is passed between the rolls of this machine there will be

page_text: roduced therein a ridge. This ridge is formed by the bead bearing upon the
heet, thus offsetting or displacing the meta! which freely enters the groove or
Issure and forms the ridge ou the opposite side of the sheet from that with which
he bead comes in contact, as clearly shown in Figure 2. The sides of the bead
vill bear upon the metal and crowd it laterally, thus compressing, solidifying or
condensing the metal in lines parallel and adjacent to the base of the ridge, while
he fissure presents a clearance into which the metal beneath the apex of the bead
may pass without substantial compression. The transverse thickness of the ridge
portion will remain the saino as that of the body of the sheet when the parts are
constructed and arranged as shown, while the material of the sheet adjacent to the
buse of the ridge is subjected to such pressure as will condense, solidify or other-
wise structurally change it, which structural change is conveniently expressed by
the word "temper."
The effect of the machine upon the sheet of metal is clearly shown in Figures 4
and 5, wherein A represents the body of the sheet, and B the ridge thereof. It
will be observed that the metal of the sheet is offset or shouldered at C, the
shoulders being produced by the crowding away laterally of the metal from the
sides of the bead. The surface of the roller at the sides of the fissure forming an
unyielding resistance, it results that the sheet is reduced in thickness adjacent to
the base of the ridge, while the metal which forms the ridge enters freely into the
fissure, and assumes its form without compression. This ridge forining and
solidifying action in my machine is altogether different from the action of the
ordinary beading or grooving machine, wherein the bead enters the opening in the
groove and forces the metal into it. It will be observed that in my machine
the bead does not project into the plane of the opening of the fissure, but, ou the
contrary, that there is a clearance between the two. The amount of clearance may
vary considerably. The bead must be set clore enough so as to offset the sheet. to
form the ridge and to solidify or compress the material on one or both sides
thereof, but it is not and should not in practice be set sufficiently close to incise or
cut the metal or result in the abrasion of the coating of the metal shoot.
Sheets of various thicknesses can be ridged without readjustment of the rolls,
and a machine of this character may be used for ridging various grades of tin.
By employing the collar or shoulder upon the roller S, a fixed distance between
the bead and fissure is maintained, and, consequently, the ridge will be of uniform
height or projection, and the portions of the sheet adjacent to the base of the ridge
will be uniformly condensed or solidified.
Structural changes may be made in the machine and some of the features herein
described may be dispensed with without departing from the spirit and scope of
my invention; as, for example, instead of a roller die, reciprocating or pressure
dies may be employed, and the means of mounting and driving the rolls and the
devices for adjusting and maintaining them in adjustment may be changed, or
equivalent devices substituted for them.
After the sheet is formed it may be passed between plain rollera which will act
to retrovert the metal adjacent to the base of the ridge and depress the latter so
that its surfaces shall be in the planes of the sides of the sheet, as clearly shown io
Figure 5.
To show the adaptability of my invention to various forms of packages, I will
now refer briefly to the remaining figures of the drawing. A fragmentary portion
of the sheet or blank for the manufacture of a can body is shown in Figure 3, and
Das there shown, the blank has produced therein, near one side, parallel ridges B.
The blank being of such form that au integral portion thereof projects from the
body of the sheet to provide the tongue D, and the ridges extend upon said tongue
and along the margins thereof. A sheet of this character may be employed to
form the body of a can as shown in Figure 13, or it may be applied to the formation
5 of a cover as shown in Figure 9, in which instance, the flange of the cover is
provided with a ridge B'and 'a' second ridge E extends diagonally from the ridge B
to the lower edge of the flauge, thus providing a strip which inay be torn away.

page_text: A blank of this character may be adapted to form the capsule shown in Figure 1
or that shown in Figure 11. As shown in Figure 12 of the drawings, the ridge
formed in the body of the can below its upper end and the metal above said ridg
is torn off along the solder joint of the head F.
My invention may be applied to one of the heads of the can as shown i
Figure 7, wherein such head has the marginal projecting tongue and the ridge I
is produced therein in the form of a volute. Figure 8 shows the manner in which
a vessel of this kind is opened. In Figure 6 I have shown the application of my
invention to a vessel having a depressed bead. In such construction, the head is
marked G, the central portion of said head being sunken or depressed and the
marginal portion of said head being in the forin of a straight flange extending
parallel to the central depressed portion and connected therewith by an inclined
portion. At one point this inclined portion is retroverted or turned outwardly as
at H and along the apex of this retroverted portion the ridge B is formed, said
ridge extending from the tongue over upon the head in the same manner as is
shown in Figure 7.
In order to facilitate the opening of the vessel, I provide a key such as is shown
in Figure 14, and the application of which key is illustrated in Figures 8, 12
and 13. Said key is formed from a single piece of wire doubled upon itself to
produce the body portions J having an opening between them. While the end
portions are bent to provide a broad loop or head to be grasped by the thumb and
finger, the extremities of said end portions are slightly flatte el ani overlap eauh
other as shown at K, which prevents their separation and furnishes a strong and
reliable opening instrument. The manner of use will be readily understool. The
projecting tongue will be passed through the opening between the body
portions J, J, and then winding the tip of said tongue on one of said body portions,
the tearing strip is readily removed.
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
claim is :-
1. The herein-described improvement in the mauufacture of articles from sheet
metal, which consists in subjecting the sheet to pressure between two opposing
surfaces, whereby to displace or offset a portion of the sheet to forin a ridge and
compressing or solidifying the material adjacent to the base of the ridge,
substantially as described.
2. The herein-described improvement in the manufacture of articles from sheet
metal, which cousists in subjecting the sheet to pressure between two opposing
surfaces, whereby to displace or offset a portion of the sheet to form a ridge without
structural change, and compressing or solidifying the material adjacent to the base
of the ridge, substantially as described.
3. A machine for ridging sheet metal, comprising two surfaces, one of which has
a fissure and the other a projection or bead opposite the fissure and of greater
width than the fissure, and means for applying pressure to one of the die surfaces
and thereby to a sheet interposed between them, whereby to offset the metal of
the sheet into the fissure to produce a ridge and to condense or solidify the body
of the sheet adjacent to the base of the ridge, substantially as described.
4. A machine for ridging sheet metal having two adjaceut surfaces contiguous
to each other in their functional operation, one of said surfaces having a fissure
and the other a bend of greater transverse width than the fissure, and means for
compressing the sheet between the surfaces whereby
substantially as described.
a ridge is produced,
5. A machine for ridging sheet metal, comprising in combination two rolls, one
of which has a peripheral bead and the other a fissure of less width than the bead
and said rolls being separated from each other so as to leave a clearance between
the bead and the adjacent fissure, substantially as described.
6. A machine for ridging sheet metal, comprising in combination two rolls, one

page_text: of which has a peripheral enlargement or collar adapted to contact with the surface
of the other roll and a peripheral bead out of contact with the fellow roll and the
other roll having a peripheral fissure adjacent to the bead, substantially as
described.
7. A machine for ridging sheet metal, comprising in combination a roll having a
peripheral fissure therein, and a roll adjustable to and from the first mentioned
roll and having a peripheral enlargement or collar rolling in contact therewith and
a bead opposite the fissure but out of contact with the surface of the roll containing
Baid fissure, substantially as described.
8. A packing vessel or receptacle having a tearing liue provided by two parallel
condensed or comprossed liues aud an intermediate ridge, substantially as
described.
9. A packing vessel or receptacle having an offset portion, a ridge in said offset
portion and the metal being condensed or solidified adjacent to said ridge,
substantially as described.
10. A packing vessel having a portion thereof provided with a projecting tongue
and a ridge extending from said tongue into an adjacent portion of the vessel,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
11. A packing vessel having a portion thereof provided with a projecting tongue
and a ridge extending from said tongue, to and upon an adjacent portion of the
vessel, the material adjacent to the ridge being condensed or solidified, substantially
as and for the purpose described.
12. A packing vessel having a portion thereof provided with a ridge and having
the material adjacent to the ridge condensed or solidified, a projecting tongue and
said ridge extending upon said tongue along the margin thereof, substantially as
described.
13. A packing vessel having a ridge defining one side of a tearing strip and a
tongue projecting from said strip, the ridge being extended longitudinally of the
tongue and along the margin thereof, substantially as described.
14. A packing vessel having a ridge defining one sido of a tearing strip, a
projecting tongue, and said ridge extending across the juncture of the tongue with
the body and upon said tongue, substantially as described.
15. A packing vessel baving a flanged cap, cover or closure for the opening
thereof and a ridge formed in the material of said cap, cover or closure and
extending into or through the flange, substantially as described.
16. A packing vessel having an offset portion with a ridge on said offset portion
and the material of said portion adjacent to the ridge and on both sides thereof
being condensed or solidified, substantially as described.
17. A sheet metal packing vessel having in some portion thereof a ridge defining
one side of a tearing strip and a second ridge in the material arranged at an angle
to the first mentioned ridge and defining another portion of the boundary of said
strip, substantially as described.
18. A sheet metal can or other receptacle having ridges formed in the metal
thereof and providing predetermined opening lines und an integral tongue
extending from the body of metal enclosed by said ridges, substantially as and for
the purpose described.
19. A sheet metal packing vessel having an annular depression in one of its
walls, said depressed portion having a transverse elevation or slope crossing the
bottom of the depression, a ridge traversing said elevated portion and a projecting
tongue, substantially as described.
1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
46 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agonts for the Applicant.