A Method or Process of Hermetically Closing Receptacles for Preserved Products.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Apr., 1896-Accepted, 9th May, 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Method or Process of Hermetically Closing Receptacles for
Preserved Products.
I, JULIUS SCHÄFER of 268 Breitestrasse Bonn on the Rhine in the Empire-
of Germany, Assistant, 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 :-
On filling receptacles with preserved products despite the most careful carrying
out of the operations of soldering and fixing the lid or cover, it is impossible to
say, whether the closing has been actually effected under the complete exclusion of
air. This disadvantage is of importance because the good quality and preserv--
ability of products essentially depend upon a reliable hermetic closure. Thus the
absence of control over the proper closure of the products to be preserved gives.
rise to material losses, as it is common for preservers when supplying their products,.
to be compelled to make a certain allowance for anticipated spoilt products.
This defect is obviated by the improved process which will now be described.
In the accompanying drawing:
Figure 1 is a central vertical section through a receptacle for preserved products,.
said receptacles being furnished with a so-called Bunsen-valve.
Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of the receptacle with its valve drawn in after-
the sterilization has been effected.
Figure 3 represents the receptacle ready for transport, and
Figure 4 is a plan of the same.
According to this improved process the box a is filled in the usual manner, aud
subsequently, contrary to the method heretofore employed, the cover is then
soldered on, which operation may be executed with the greatest care, since under-
these conditions no special haste is required. After the soldering is finished, the
sterilization is effected. In order to allow the gases and vapours developed during
this process, and the enclosed air, to escape, a hole is provided in the centre of the
cover, and around this hole a tin pipe c is soldered. This pipe is furnished with a.
valve, which allows the vapours to freely escape during the boiling but prevents.
any outer air from entering the vessel.
If now the receptacle is allowed to cool, the valve body d made in the present
case of india-rubber manifests after a very short time the presence of an efficient.
hermetic closure, and is forced, by the outer atmospheric pressure, into the pipe c,.
as illustrated in Figure 2. After the receptacle has completely cooled down, the tin
pipe can be pressed together below the india rubber valve, by means of pincers and
be squeezed off by the aid of blunt edged plate-shears or cutters. By thus nipping-
the tube, the opening is tightly closed, and may then for the sake of greater safety
be eoldered by passing the soldering iron over it. The finished closure is illustrated
by Figures 3 and 4. In many cases the valve, may be permanently retained, in
which case the closing of the tubular piece by squeezing may be avoided. The
tubular piece need not then consist of tin. The process for sterilizing preserved
products, to be kept in glass vessels, is carried out in a similar manner.
The cover, which is tightened by an india rubber ring, is fixed to the vessel by
screwing, or by a lever, spring, pin or bayonet closing device or the like, irrespective
of what material the same may be composed, is pierced with a central hole around.
which a tubular piece with the closing mechanism is fastened.

page_text: 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 hereindescribed method or process of hermetically closing receptacles for
preserved products, according to which the vessel or receptacle is finally closed, by
soldering or otherwise fixing the cover, and the contents are then sterilized, for
which latter purpose a tube (c) is connected to the receptacle, which tube is
provided with a non-return valve (d) of a suitable kind for allowing the gases and
vapours, generated during the sterilizing process, to escape and which tube, when
the contents have cooled down, is hermetically closed, the tube being in addition
further closed by squeezing and by soldering, if desired.
Dated this 4th day of April 1896.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.