IMPROVEMENTS IN SHEET METAL CANS."
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Hostell Chinnock, of Brooklyn, New
York, United States of America, Manufacturer, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SHEET METAL CANS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Hostell Chinnock
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 16th November 1872.
I, GEORGE HOSTELL CHINNOCK, of Brooklyn, New York, United States
of America, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SHEET METAL CANS," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to that class of metallic cans made preferably of
sheet tin, and used for holding hermetically sealed paints, preserved
fruits, condensed milk, and other articles, and in which, in order to
afford access to the contents, it is necessary to sever the sealed joint
between the cover and body of the can.

page_text: In this Invention a soldered sealing strip is so combined with the
cover and the body of the can that, while due provision is made for
securing a perfectly close joint, the removal or rupture, as the case may
be, of the sealing strip will suffice to loosen the cover and permit its
detachment. There is also an interspace, either vacant or filled with
appropriate material, between the adjacent edges of the cover and the
body of the can, so that the direct connection of the said edges by the
solder, which would prevent their facile separation after the rupture or
removal of the sealing strip, is effectually guarded against. The inter-
space is also so arranged in one of the modifications of my Invention
with reference to the sealing strip that the said interspace may be made
to serve as a guide for a cutting instrument where the rupture instead of
the removal of the strip is desired. Means are also provided for aiding
the convenient soldering of the strip in place to close the can, and also
for facilitating the ready removal of the strip when required in opening
the can.
The body of the can may be of sheet tin of the ordinary cylin-
drical or other suitable form, and furnished with a bottom applied in any
appropriate manner.
In one modification of my said Invention immediately below the top
edge of the can there is an annular or circumferential groove semi-
circular in its cross section, and below which in the contiguous metal of
the side of the body is formed a circumferential rebate. The cover is
also of sheet metal, and formed with a downwardly extending flanch at
its periphery. At the upper edge of this flanch is formed an annular
rib, below which is a circumferential channel. The width of the
flanch is such that when the cover is applied to the body the lower
edge of the said flanch will be about midway across the groove. The
cover being thus put in its place a strip of sheet metal of such width
that one of its edges will lie nearly across the channel of the flanch and
the other edge will lie in the rebate, is placed around the flanch and the
adjacant portion of the can. The strip is of such length as to pass some-
what more than once around the can, so that when the strip is soldered
in place the extra length may be left loose except that at its extremity it
is made fast to the can by a drop of solder or by a portion of the paper
label pasted over it.
The strip having been placed in position as set forth, soft solder is applied,
and by the appropriate use of a soldering iron is swept along both edges

page_text: of the strip, soldering the same fast to the flanch of the cover and to the
upper part of the body. In this operation the annular rib prevents the
overflow at one edge of the strip of the melted solder, and the channel
under the same edge prevents its passage around the edge to secure a
more efficient action of the solder. The overflow of the solder at the
opposite edge of the strip is prevented by the raised portion formed.
contiguously thereto from the placing of such edge in the rebate. This
soldering it will be observed secures the strip firmly to the flanch and
to the body around their entire circumference, thereby hermetically
fixing the one to the other, but does not extend to the extra length,
except as in the case previously explained, so far as the attachment of
the extreme end of such extension is concerned. In order to open the
can, after it has been closed as aforesaid, it is simply necessary to grasp
the extension with a pair of nippers, and pull the strip from its place,
the solder yielding to permit this. In lieu of pulling upon the extension,
an instrument of any suitable character may be inserted to "pry" or force
off the strip by a wedge like action. The strip removed the cover may
be easily taken off with the fingers.
In another modification of this Invention the upper edge of the
soldered sealing strip rests nearly in contact with the rib of the cover,
while its lower edge rests in the rebate, the groove being in the same
relation to the edges of the body and flanch as in the can first described.
In another form of my Invention the sealing strip instead of having
the extension is made with its contiguous ends "butt jointed" against
each other, but with one or both turned outward at its edges somewhat
aslant to afford opportunity for the insertion of a pair of cutting. pliers
to tear away such end or ends preliminary to tearing off or removing the
strip by force applied to cause the yielding of the solder.
In some instances the flanch is coincident with the sides of the body,
and the sealing strip is formed with an internal rib situated between the
edges of the flanch and body, the upper and lower edges of the strip
being soldered to the adjacent surfaces of the said flanch and body, or an
interspace answering to the groove and subserving the same purpose is
provided by keeping the edges of the flanch and body at an appreciable
and material distance apart.
In another modification of the said Invention the sealing strip is con-
stituted by the lower portion of the flanch there boine a well defined.

page_text: groove cut in the internal surface of the flanch, and the lowermost edge
being soldered to the body. When force is applied to tear the strip from
its place the thinned portion in line with the groove yields simultaneously
with the yielding of the solder at the lower edge, and thereby insures
the separation of the cover from the body of the can.
The lower edge of the flanch is sometimes curved inward, and a cor-
responding form is given to the upper edge of the body, thereby providing
an annular circumferential groove, in which is placed a cylindrical wire,
soldered above and below, to connect the flanch to the body, and enable
the same to be separated when desired by the rupture of the solder in
pulling off the wire, or the flanch shuts down past the groove, and is
soldered to the body at the lower edge of such groove. By thrusting a
suitable instrument through the solder at any point along the joint, and
forcing it along or around the said joint the same may be severed to
detach the cover, the point of the instrument following the course of the
groove, which is thus made to serve as a guide therefor.
In some instances the flanch fits in a rebate formed at the upper edge
of the body, there being an interspace between the edge of the flanch
and the shoulder of the rebate. In this interspace is placed a layer of
paper or other material non-adhesive to solder, over which with its edges
soldered to the flanch and body is the sealing strip.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said George Hostell Chinnock in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 16th May 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
HOSTELL CHINNOCK, of Brooklyn, New York, United States of America,
Manufacturer, send greeting,
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Sixteenth day of November, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the
thirty-sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said George Hostell Chinnock, Her special
licence that I, the said George Hostell Chinnock, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said George Hostell Chinnock,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with,

page_text: and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
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
SHEET METAL CANS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
George Hostell Chinnock, my executors or administrators, by an instru-
ment in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Inven-
tion, 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 George Hostell Chinnock, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement, reference being made to the accompanying
Drawings:-
This Invention relates to that class of metallic cans made preferably of
sheet tin, and used for holding hermetically sealed paints, preserved fruits,
condensed milk, and other articles, and in which, in order to afford access
to the contents, it is necessary to sever the sealed joint between the cover
and the body of the can.
In this Invention a soldered sealing strip is so combined with the
cover and the body of the can that while due provision is made for
securing a perfectly close joint the removal or rupture, as the case may
be, of the sealing strip will suffice to loosen the cover, and permit its
detachment. There is also an interspace, either vacant or filled with
appropriate material, between the adjacent edges of the cover and the
body of the can, so that the direct connection of the said edges by the
solder, which would prevent their facile separation after the rupture or
removal of the sealing strip, is effectually guarded against. The inter-
space is also so arranged in one of the modifications of my Invention,
with reference to the sealing strip, that the said interspace may be made
to serve as a guide for a cutting instrument where the rupture instead
of the removal of the strip is desired. Means are also provided to aid
the convenient soldering of the strip in place to close the can, and also
for facilitating the ready removal of the strip when required in opening
the can.

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, are transverse vertical sections,
shewing various modifications in cans constructed according to my
Invention.
Figure 10 is a horizontal sectional view, shewing one feature of my
Invention applicable to several of the afore-mentioned modifications, and
Figure 11 is also a horizontal section of the same, but indicating another
method of applying it in practice.
Figure 12 is a transverse sectional view; Figure 13 is a side view and
partial section; Figure 14 is a horizontal section; and Figure 15 is a
side view, shewing certain other modifications of the said Invention.
Figure 16 is a vertical transverse section; Figure 17 is a horizontal
section; and Figure 18 is a side view, shewing further modifications of
the same.
Similar letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the Drawing.
The body A of the can is of sheet tin or other suitable material of the
ordinary cylindrical or other suitable form, and furnished with a bottom
applied in any appropriate manner. In Figure 1 the top or upper edge
of the can is shewn as having immediately below it an annular or
circumferential groove a, semicircular in its cross section, and below
which, in the contiguous metal of the side of the body A, is formed a
circumferential rebate c, about equal in depth to the thickness of the
metal of which the can is formed. The cover B is also of sheet metal,
and is formed with a downwardly extending flanch fat its periphery.
At the upper edge of this flanch fis formed an annular rib a¹, below
which is a circumferential channel e¹. The width of the flanch is such
that when the cover is applied to the body A the lower edge of the said
flanch will be about midway across the groove a. The cover being thus
put in its place a strip C of sheet metal of such width that one of its
edges will lie nearly across the channel e' of the flanch, and the other
edge will lie in the rebate c, is placed around the flanch and the adjacent
portion of the can. The strip C is of such length as to pass somewhat
more than once around the can, so that when the strip is soldered in
place the extra length A' may be left loose, except that at its extremity
it is made fast to the can by a drop of solder, as indicated in Figure 10,
or by a portion of the paper label a pasted over it, as represented in
Figure 11.

page_text: The strip C having been placed in position, as set forth, soft solder is
applied, and by the appropriate use of a soldering iron is swept along
both edges of the strip, soldering the same fast to the flanch ƒ of the
cover and to the upper part of the body A. In this operation the
annular rib a¹ prevents the overflow at one edge of the strip of the
melted solder, and the channel e¹ under the same edge permits its
passage around the edge to secure a more efficient action of the solder.
The overflow of the solder at the opposite edge of the strip is prevented
by the raised portion formed contiguously thereto, from the placing of
such edge in the rebate c. This soldering it will be observed secures the
strip firmly to the flanch fand to the body A around their entire circum-
ference, thereby hermetically fixing the one to the other, but does not
extend to the extra length A', except as in the case previously explained,
so far as the attachment of the extreme end of such extension is con-
cerned. In order to open the can after it has been closed as aforesaid
it is simply necessary to grasp the extension A' with a pair of nippers,
and by applying force pull the strip from its place, the solder yielding to
permit this. In lieu of pulling upon the extension, an instrument of
any suitable character may be inserted to "prize" or force off the strip
by a wedge-like action. The strip removed, the cover may be easily
taken off with the fingers. It will be observed that the groove a inter-
cepts any spreading of the solder underneath the strip from the edge of
the flanch to the edge of the body which might otherwise occur. Also,
that by the provision made to prevent the overflowing of the melted solder
from the edges of the strip, a soldering iron of requisite width properly
applied will suffice to solder both edges of the strip in place at once.
In the modification represented in Figure 2 the upper edge of the
soldered sealing strip rests nearly in contact with the rib a¹ of the cover,
while its lower edge rests in the rebate c, the groove a being in the same
relation to the edges of the body A and flanch f, as in Figure 1.
In Figure 3 the sealing strip, instead of having the extension A¹ is
made with its contiguous ends "butt jointed" against each other, but
with one or both turned outward at its edges somewhat aslant, to afford
opportunity for the insertion of a pair of cutting pliers to tear away such
end or ends preliminary to tearing off or removing the strip by force
applied to cause the yielding of the solder.
In Figure 4 the flanchfis coincident with the sides of the body A,
and the sealing strip is formed with an internal rib c", situated between

page_text: the edges of the flanch and body, the upper and lower edges of the strip
being soldered to the adjacent surfaces of the said flanch and body.
In Figure 5 the attachment of the strip is the same as in Figure 2, but
the interspace, answering to the groove a, and subserving the same
purpose, is provided by keeping the edges of the flanch and body at an
appreciable and material distance apart.
In Figure 6 the sealing strip is constituted by the lower portion of the
flanchf, there being a well defined groove e" cut in the internal surface
of the flanch, and the lowermost edge being soldered to the body A.
When force is applied to tear the strip from its place, the thinned portion,
in line with the groove e", yields simultaneously with the yielding of the
solder at the lower edge, and thereby ensures the separation of the cover
from the body of the can.
In Figure 7 the lower edge of the flanchfis curved inward, and a
corresponding form is given to the upper edge of the body A, thereby
providing an annular circumferential groove, in which is placed a cylin-
drical wire x, soldered above and below to connect the flanch to the
body, and which allows the same to be separated when desired by the
rupture of the solder in pulling off the wire a, which answers the purpose
of the sealing strip above described.
In Figure 8 the flanch shuts down past the groove a, and is soldered
to the body A at the lower edge of the said groove. By thrusting a
suitable instrument through the solder at any point along the joint, and
forcing it along or around the said joint, the same may be severed to
detach the cover, the point of the instrument following the course of the
groove a, which is thus made to serve as a guide for the same.
In Figure 9 the flanchf fits in a rebate formed at the upper edge of
the body A, there being an interspace between the edge of the flanch
and the shoulder of the rebate. In this interspace is placed a layer i¹ of
paper or other material non-adhesive to solder, over which, with its edges
soldered to the flanch ƒ and body A is the sealing strip.
As represented in Figures 12 and 13, the narrow circumferential
rim a¹ of the cover has the strip C soldered thereto with soft and easily
severed solder previous to the attachment of the cover to the body of
the can.
The top of the latter is made with an inward slant or bevel
indicated at ", below which is provided a groove e", below the latter is

page_text: a circumferential rib f". In soldering the strip to the cover the soldering
iron is guided by a peripherical rib g", formed at the edge of the cover
and above the narrow rim a¹¹. The cover being placed upon the body,
as shewn in Figure 12, with the strip C externally arranged and its lower
edge against the rib f", the said edge is soft soldered to the said rib, the
latter serving as a guide to the soldering iron during the operation.
will be seen that the slant or bevel 6" affords space for the accommodation
of the rim a", thereby permitting the proper fixing of the cover in place.
It
In the fabrication of the cover, with its attached strip C, the latter has
one of its ends n lapped over the other outward therefrom, as shown in
Figure 14, the extremity at m" being fastened down with a drop of
solder to prevent its being accidentally displaced. Furthermore, in order
to avoid soldering the edges of the loop itself to the adjacent surfaces,
the portion constituting the said loop is made of the taper form represented
in Figure 15.
In Figure 16 I have shewn a method of strengthening the top of the
body of the can by means of an inward folding 7" of its upper edge
acting in conjunction with the external rib f¹. There is also provided
at or near the top of the body a rigid transverse brace t, which serves to
further stiffen the top against the strain exerted upon it by the bale u
when the filled can is suspended thereby. This brace is made hollow or
tubular and open at both ends to permit the insertion of the inwardly
turned extremities of the bale, the ends of the brace thus constituting
efficient pivotal bearings for the bale, and allowing the ordinary lugs or
ears to be dispensed with. The cover is attached by means of the strip C
having its upper and lower edges soft soldered respectively to the cover
and to the body of the can. The cover is attached to the body previous
to filling the can, and to permit the filling an orifice & cither in the
cover or in the body is provided. When the filling operation is completed
this orifice is closed by a soldered cap a*. To open the can the cover is
of course detached by tearing off the strip C.
In Figures 17 and 18 is represented a cup or holder D rigidly attached
to the body of the can, and intended to be partially filled with water, oil, or
when liquid. The can with the cover removed forms a convenient pot for
ordinary painting purposes, and when not in immediate use the painter's
brush may be thrust head or bristles downward into the cup or holder D,
which serves the double purpose of holding the brush where it may

page_text: always be found with the can or pot; and when filled with some liquid as
aforesaid, serves for keeping the bristles in their normal and requisite
flexible condition.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I wish it understood that I claim,—
First. The combination with the cover and body of the can of the
soldered strip C, when due provision is made substantially as described to
prevent the soldering of the cover directly to the body as and for the
purpose specified.
Second. The interspace provided between the edges of the cover and 1
the body of the can, and in relation with the soldered strip as and for the
purpose specified.
Third. The arrangement of parts for guiding the soldering iron in the
attachment of the strip as herein set forth.
Fourth. The arrangement of the soldered or sealing strip with refer- 1
ence to the rib of the cover and the rebate in the body, as shewn in
Figure 2.
Fifth. The soldered strip butt-jointed, as shewn in Figure 3, and
provided with outwardly turned edges, as and for the purpose specified.
Sixth. The soldered strip formed with an internal rib arranged between 2
the adjacent edges of the flanch of the cover and the top of the can, as
represented in Figure 4.
Seventh. The arrangement of the flanch of the cover at an appreciable
distance from the adjacent edge of the body and in relation with the
soldered or sealing strip, as shewn in Figure 5.
Eighth. The soldered or sealing strip attached to the cover, and
provided with a well defined groove e", to furnish a line of rupture in
opening the can, as shewn in Figure 6.
20
Ninth. The arrangement shewn in Figure 7 of the inwardly curved
edges of the flanch of the cover and the top of the body, and the cylin- 30
drical soldered wire for the purpose specified.
Tenth. The arrangement represented in Figure 8 of the soldered strip
attached to the cover and to the body of the groove a, whereby a cutting
tool may be guided when used in opening the can.

page_text: Eleventh. The interposition, as shewn in Figure 9, of paper or other
like material between the soldered strip and the edge of the flanch of the
cover and the adjacent edge of the body for the purpose specified.
Twelfth. The cover made with the circumferential flanch a¹¹ and with
the strip C attached with soft solder previous to the application of the
cover to the body A, as set forth.
Thirteenth. The slant or bevel 6 at the top of the body A, arranged
to receive the flanch a" of the cover B, while the strip C of the said cover
is extended downward to the rib f¹, as and for the purpose specified.
Fourteenth. The loop n" of the strip C, fastened to its overlapping
extremity, and arranged with reference to the cover B and body A as
and for the purpose specified.
Fifteenth. The loop n tapered as described, and in combination with
the strip C, arranged with reference to the cover B and body A, as and
for the purpose specified.
Sixteenth. The combination of the inwardly turned fold at the top
of the body A, with the external rib f¹ formed in the said body below
the fold, as and for the purpose specified.
Seventeenth. The combination with the body A of the rigid brace t,
as and for the purpose specified.
Eighteenth. The combination, with a tubular transverse brace arranged
in the upper part of the body A, of the inwardly turned extremities of
the bale w, as and for the purpose specified.
Nineteenth. The combination, with the cover B attached to the body A
by the soldered sealing strip C, of an orifice s¹¹ provided either in the
cover or in the body, and when the can is filled closed by a soldered
cap or disc a*, as and for the purpose specified.
- TT