Improvements in Metallic Boxes or Cans for Preserving Alimentary. Substances.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Jan., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Oct., 1891-Accepted, 24th Dec., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Metallic Boxes or Cans for Preserving Alimentary.
Substances.
I LOUIS LAMS of Lille France Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in metallic boxes or cans for preserving
alimentary substances and refers more particularly to the mode of closing such
receptacles.
Heretofore metallic boxes or cans used for preserving purposes were furnished
with a lid which in order to close the former had to be soldered on the top of the
box. This solder however was found to impart a disagreeable taste to the substance
stored in the boxes, while a knife or opener was required to open the latter and
exposed the user thereof to have his hands cut grazed or otherwise injured. More-
over once the box was open it could not be closed again and became useless for
refilling purposes, thus causing a considerable loss to the manufacturer.
Now according to my invention I am able to hermetically close metallic boxes
or cans in such a manner that they can be readily opened without the use of any
special tool while they may be closed again after the required quantity of
substance has been withdrawn therefrom and be replenished for further use
whenever empty.
In carrying my invention into practice I furnish the top of an ordinary metallic
box or can with a rim or flange which may be formed integrally thercwith or
separately. In the latter case the said rim is soldered or otherwise fixed to the
upper edge of the box.
The upper part of the box is made to taper slightly and is furnished upon
its periphery with a rib or belt raised or notched at suitable intervals to form
loops.
The box is closed by a lid provided with a number of tabs corresponding with
that of the said loops these tabs being inserted through the latter as the lid is
being secured to the top of the box and bent over the rib aforesaid. A ring of
asbestos or other suitable material is placed on the rim before mentioned and forms
a tight joint. The lid is further provided with a ring by means of which it can be
removed after the tabs have been detached from the ribs.
In some cases I may dispense with the rib above mentioned, the tabs or hooks
being secured by galvanized wires passed over the same and twisted, the ends being
soldered to the bottom of the box make hollow for the purpose.
Or the lid may
be secured to the rib by wires furnished with a knot at their free extremities, the
tabs being straight and slightly soldered to the box, so that by pulling on the knots
the lid will be opened.
According to a modification of my invention, I bend the upper edge of the box
or can outwardly and I place the asbestos ring upon the rim or flange thus formed.
The lid is arranged to enter slightly in the box. its tabs extending horizontally as
Wires are
far as the said flanges to which they are secured by suitable fasteners.
held in the latter at one end, their other end being bent over the fastener and
terminated by a ring by means of which the box can be readily opened.
Dated this 9th day of January 1891.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.

page_text: COMPLETE
SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Metallic Boxes or Cans for Preserving Alimentary
Substances.
I, LOUIS LAMS, of Villa St. Louis, Lambersart near Lille, late of Lille (Nord)
in the Republic of France, 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 :-
The metal boxes now in use for packing preserves or the like are objectionable
for the following reasons ;-
(1). In the case of boxes in which the walls are soldered together, great difficulty
is experienced in opening the box, a special knife or tool being used for the purpose,
the handling of which requires some strength and skill, and frequently leads to
accidents. The solder touching the food impairs its taste and quality. When
opened the box cannot be air-tightly closed again so that its contents unless wholly
consumed at once, are liable to become corrupted by contact with the air. And
lastly each box may only be used once and when empty must be thrown away.
(2). In the case of a joint-band only being soldered the unpleasant taste arising
from contact with solder is at best the only drawback avoided all the other incon-
veniences before pointed out remaining the same.
They are all however removed by this invention according to which preserve
boxes may be made which are
(1) Free from solder, and
"
"
(2) Fitted with a closing device on the "hook or clasp" system enabling the
box to be airtightly closed again after use, and when empty to be returned to the
tradesman and refilled by him several times over if necessary.
This result is accomplished by constructing the box in the manner hereinafter
described.
The metal preserve box according to this invention consists of a body A, a bottom
plate or wall B, and a collar C with a flat flange; this collar being either integral
with or soldered or otherwise attached to the body A. The upper portion situated
above a groove or shoulder is slightly tapered. A piece D of asbestos or any
other material fit for use as packing is placed upon this collar.
A groove E formed in the body of the box is covered or surrounded with a
band provided with projections or loops.
The box is closed by a cover G the projecting wings H of which are folded down
around the said band at its projections. The flange of this cover exactly fits the
conical portion at the top of the body A.
The cover is provided with an eye or ring I to be grasped in raising it.
Upon filling the box the cover with its packing is placed upon the collar in such
a manner that its wings or lugs pass between the body of the box and the projections
of the band. The box is then placed into a press and while the cover and joint
are tightly secured on to the collar the said lugs or wings are turned around the
band at its loops or projections. In this manner a perfect closing is ensured.
To open the box the hook-shaped lugs G H are turned down either with the
finger or a knife and then the ring or eye of the cover pulled.
The cover may remain attached to the box, the lugs being left turned up on one
side so as to form hinges.
These lugs or wings acting as hooks or clasps may vary in size and number
according to the size or shape of the box and be either integral with the cover or
soldered or otherwise secured to it.
In the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1 is an elevation of a preserve box of substantially square shape.
Fig. 2 is a plan thereof.

page_text: Fig. 5 is an elevation of the box when open.
Fig. 6 is a band adapted for round boxes the corresponding sections being
represented at V V and Z Z.
This band or ring F may at its projections V be either hollow or solid as shown
in Fig. 6.
To be fit for use more than once the walls of the box should be comparatively
thick. On the other hand its improved construction enables the services of special
skilled workmen for soldering the joints to be dispensed with, the closing being
effected by the before mentioned clasps or lugs which women and even children
may be entrusted with.
The facility with which this box may be opened and closed makes it suitable
even for cooking purposes, say after the manner of a saucepan.
The principle of my invention having thus been set forth I would point out a few
modifications which irrespective of their commercial value I claim as lying within
the scope of my invention.
Figs. 7 and 8 show a metal box in which the clasps or lugs of the cover are
retained in position by means of pieces of galvanized iron wire K having eyes in
which the said lugs engage and which are twisted together two and two, these
twisted portions being embedded in the hollow part of the bottom and fixed in place
by a little solder.
Fig. 9 represents part of a modified cover applied to the box. The packing D
is here located within the said cover G and retained therein by a narrow flange M.
Figs. 10, 11 and 12 represent a box differing from the preceding types in the
A wire or
method of attaching the hooks or clasps which in this case are straight.
string N is attache beforehand below the shoulder or rim P or within the groove Q
Fig. 12.
While the box is undergoing pressure in suitable apparatus the ends of
the said hooks or clasps are lightly soldered to the body of the box. The wire or
string terminates in a knot an eye or ring or a small wooden handle which it is
sufficient to pull to open the box. The wire may be replaced by a pin which may
be inserted under the shoulder or rim to loosen each hook or clasp in succession, in
which case each box of preserves should be accompanied by such a pin.
Figs. 13 and 14 are respectively a plan and a vertical section of a preserve box
constructed in accordance with my invention, the collar C being in this case formed
externally. The asbestos or other packing D corresponding in shape to the said
collar C is placed upon it. It is covered with a lid R which projects a short
distance into the box and whose flange is on a level with the margin of the collar C.
Clasps or grippers S in any suitable number may be arranged around the collar
and Hange whereupon by means of a suitable tool, the collar, flange, packing and
grippers are compressed at once, a mandrel or die being conveniently used so that
by its imprint it at the same time firmly secures the whole together.
A piece of wire N is located within the hollow portion of each of the said clasps
or grippers one end of which is bent into the shape of a hook engaging with the
said clasp while the other terminates in an eye or handle T by simply pulling
which the box may be opened.
The external fittings of the box may be applied by soldering or secured in any
other suitable way.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. An improved metal box for preserves and the like mainly characterized by an
air-tight joint combined with a hooking or clasping arrangement such as H F
whereby the use of solder is avoided and the empty box made capable of re-employ-
ment substantially as described.
2. The combination with an air-tight and damp-proof joint of hooks or clasps
for the purpose of (a) dispensing with solder at any part of the box liable to

page_text: come into contact with the food or the like and to impair its taste; (b) readily
opening the box without any danger of injuring the hands; and (c) enabling the
box which is not spoiled in the process of opening to be used again substantially
as specified.
3. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete box
substantially as described and illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the accom-
panying drawings.
4. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete box
substantially as described and illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 of the accompanying
drawings.
5. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete box
fastening substantially as described and illustrated in Figure 9 of the accompanying
drawings.
6. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete box
substantially as described and illustrated in Figures 10 and 11 of the accompanying
drawings.
7. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete box
fastening substantially as described and illustrated in Figure 12 of the accompanying
d:awings.
8. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete box
substantially as described and illustrated in Figures 13 and 14 of the accompanying
drawings.
Dated this 23rd day of October 1891.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.