Improvements in Metallic Barrels and similar Vessels.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Nov., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 17th Aug., 1896-Accepted, 10th Oct., 1896
[Communicated from abroad by ELIAS WILCZYNSKI, of No. 5 Holzbrücke,
Hamburg, in the German Empire, Merchant.]
Improvements in Metallic Barrels and similar Vessels.
I, HENRY HARINGTON LEIGH, Assoc. M. Inst. C.E., Fel. Ch. Inst. P.A.,
F.I. Inst., practising as Phillips and Leigh at No. 22 Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane, in the Administrative County of London, Engineer and Patent
Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to barrels and similar vessels of the class formed of two
halves or of a greater number of parts stamped, drawn, or spun, from sheets or
blanks of metal, and united at their edges by a double seamed, sweated, or other
suitable joint, so as to form a complete barrel.
in use.
Heretofore such vessels have been formed with inwardly or outwardly projecting
corrugations or ribs intermediate of their ends, and with two external hoops adjacent
to the seam between their parts or halves, and held in position by said ribs for
protecting the seam and receiving the shocks to which such vessels are subjected
To fix such hoops in position, it has been necessary to strike or spin up a
rib or projection at one side of the hoop after the application of the latter to the
part of the barrel carrying it, this being usually done before the two parts of the
barrel are seamed together; and to unite the two parts of the barrel when a folded
or double seam is used for the joint, it has been necessary to cut an aperture in
the head end of one of the parts, through which could be inserted an arm carrying
a resistance roller for re-inforcing the inner wall of the barrel against the pressure
of the folding rollers operating on the exterior to form the seam.
Such apertures
are subsequently closed by a disc soldered or otherwise applied to the head.
In such devices, the external hoops are inconvenient in use, increase the size of
the barrel, and being necessarily some distance from the seam or joint, do not
afford sufficient protection for the latter. Should either hoop be distorted, its
distortion is communicated by the part of the barrel carrying it to the adjacent
seam, thus tending to impair the tightness of the latter.
Devices of the character described belong to the class of vessels in which the
parts or sections going to make up the shell of the body, are permanently or
inseparably jointed together, and are to be distinguished from the class of metallic,
vessels in which the parts or sections of the shell are merely temporarily and
detachably coupled to each other. In the latter class, it has been customary to
outwardly flange the adjacent edges of the sections, place rubber or other packing
washers between these edges to prevent leakage, clamp the edges together by outer
sectional clamps channelled on their inner faces and taking over the flanges of the
sections, and hold these clamps in place by screws passed through them and the
rubber between the edges of the sections and screwed into an internal ring within
the vessel. A second rubber or other packing washer or ring is, in such devices,
placed between the internal ring and the inner faces of the sections at the joint,
as a further preventative of leakage. When not in use, the parts of such vessels
are uncoupled and nested for shipment or storage, and when assembled and used,.
their strength is dependent upon that of the outside clamps, which project beyond
the normal belly of the vessel and thereby increase its bulk, and their tightness
is dependent on the packing washers filling the spaces between the sections, and '
between the internal ring and the latter.

page_text: My present invention aims to provide an improved construction for barrels
and similar vessels made of two or more parts united by a joint or seam, to the
end that such devices may be provided with a strengthening hoop or hoops
without increasing their bulk, and may be otherwise improved simplified and
strengthened, while their manufacture shall be rendered more convenient and less
expensive.
To this end in carrying out my invention, I provide such vessels with an
internal re-inforcing hoop or hoops; and the shell of the barrel body with indenta-
tions around its circumference engaging and holding in place the hoop or hoops,
and in the preferred form of the invention I provide one such hoop opposite each
seam or joint between the parts of the vessel, and construct the hoop and vessel
with reciprocal inter-engaging faces resisting separation of the respective parts of
the vessel, and construct the hoop with an annular external groove receiving the
folds of the seam uniting the two parts of the vessel, so that the seam does not
project beyond the bilge or belly of the barrel.
Dated this 30th day of November 1895.
HENRY H. LEIGH.
Improvements in Metallic Barrels and similar Vessels.
I, HENRY HARINGTON LEIGH, Assoc. M. Inst. C.E., Fel. Ch. Inst. P.A.,
F.I. Inst., of No. 22 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, England,
Engineer and Patent Agent, 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 barrels and like vessels of the class formed of two
halves or a greater number of parts stamped, drawn or spun from sheets or blanks
of metal and united at their edges by a double-seamed, sweated, or other suitable
joint to form a complete barrel. Heretofore such vessels have been formed with
inwardly or outwardly projecting corrugations or ribs intermediate of their ends
and with two external hoops adjacent to the seam between their parts or halves and
held in position by said ribs for protecting the sean and receiving the shocks to
which such vessels are subjected in use. To fix such hoops in position it has been
necessary to strike or spin up a rib or projection at one side of the hoop after the
application of the latter to the part of the barrel carrying it, this being usually
done before the two parts of the barrel are seained together, and to unite the two
parts of the barrel when a folded or double seam is used for the joint it has been
necessary to cut an aperture in the head end of one of the parts, through which
could be inserted an arm carrying a resistance-roller for reinforcing the inner
wall of the barrel against the pressure of the folding-rollers operating on the
exterior to form the seam. Such apertures are subsequently closed by a disk
soldered or otherwise applied to the head. In such devices the external hoops are
inconvenient in use, increase the size of the barrel, and being necessarily some
distance from the seam or joint do not afford sufficient protection for the latter.
Should either hoop be distorted, its distortion is communicated by the part of the
barrel carrying it to the adjacent seam, thus tending to impair the tightness of the
latter.
Devices of the character described belong to the class of vessels in which the
parts or sections going to make up the shell of the body are permanently or
inseparably joined together and are to be distinguished from the class of metallic
vessels in which the parts or sections of the shell are merely temporarily and
detachably coupled to each other. In the latter class it has been customary to
outwardly flange the adjacent edges of the sections, place rubber or other packing
washers between these edges to prevent leakage, clamp the edges together by outer

page_text: sectional clamps channeled on their inner faces and taking over the flanges of the
sections, and hold these clamps in place by screws passing through them and the
rubber between the edges of the sections and screwing into an internal ring within
the vessel. A second rubber or other packing washer or ring is in such devices
placed between the internal ring and the inner faces of the sections at the joint as
a further preventive of leakage. When not in use the parts of such vessels are
uncoupled and nested for shipment or storage, and when assembled and used their
strength dependent upon that of the outside clamps, which project beyond the
normal belly of the vessel and thereby increase its bulk and their tightness is
dependent on the packing washers filling the spaces between the sections and
between the internal ring and the latter.
My present invention aims to provide an improved construction for barrels and
like vessels made of two halves or parts united by a joint or seam, to the end that
such devices may be provided with a strengthening hoop or hoops without
increasing their bulk and may be otherwise improved, simplified, and strengthened,
while their manufacture shall be rendered more convenient and less expensive.
To this end in carrying out my invention provide such vessels with an internal
reinforcing hoop or hoops and the shell of the barrel-body with indentations
around its circumference engaging and holding in place the hoop or hoops, and in
the preferred form of the invention I provide one such hoop opposite each seam
or joint between the parts of the vessel and construct the hoop and vessel with
reciprocal interengaging faces resisting separation of the respective parts of the
vessel, and construct the boop with an annular external groove receiving the folds
of the seam uniting the two parts of the vessel so that the seam does not project
beyond the bilge or belly of the barrel.
In the accompanying drawings, which show certain adaptations of my invention,
Figure 1 is an axial section of a metallic barrel constructed according to the
preferred form of my invention. Figure 2 is a fragmentary section thereof on a
larger scale.
Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, but showing a modification.
Figure 4 is a similar view showing another modification, and
Figure 5 is a similar view showing still another modification.
Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, let A. A indicate the two barrel-heads,
B B the two half bodies or parts of the shell, and C the seam or joint between
them. As shown, the parts B are in general of ordinary construction, one of them
having a bung-hole D in its head and each having annular ribs or corrugations E,
projecting internally or externally, as desired, at suitable points intermediate of its
ends. The parts B are shown as cup-shaped half-barrels having the usual bilge or
belly as their seamed edges are approached. The seam or joint C is, as usual,
formed by folding the flange or edge a of one part over the corresponding flange or
edge of the other part and then folding the fold thus made inwardly against the
adjacent wall, as in the process known as "seaming" or "double-seaming." This
form of joint as a permanent or normally inseparable connection between the
halves or parts of the body is commonly used in such vessels, as is also the form
shown in Figure 3 wherein the flange a¹ of one part B' of the barrel is overlapped
by the flange b' of the other part of the body, the two being sweated soldered, or
otherwise suitably fastened together to make a tight joint.
According to my invention I provide a strengthening or reinforcing hoop within
the body or shell of a barrel or vessel composed of permanently-connected or
inseparable sections or parts, and indentations around the shell engaging with the
hoop and holding it in place. This hoop may be variously disposed within the
vessel, but I prefer to arrange it as shown in Figures 1 and 2, wherein the hoop
lettered F consists of a single relatively-heavy metallic-ring, and is arranged
within the two adjacent parts of the vessel embracing the adjacent portions of each
part at the seam or joint between them, whereby the one hoop reinforces both parts
at the seam.
A similar arrangement is shown in Figures 3 and 4, the hoop
lettered Fin Figure 3 being within and embracing both the body parts B¹, and

page_text: the hoop lettered F" in Figure 4 being likewise within and embracing both of the
adjacent body parts B". This arrangement is not essential, however and instead
of following this construction two or more internal hoops may be employed, as
shown in Figure 5, wherein a separate hoop G is employed for each body part,
each such hoop being distant from the seam or joint H, between the adjacent body
parts or halves J. In this construction the hoops G are each held in position
within their respective parts by inwardly projecting corrugations, ribs, or indenta-
tions J, formed in the adjacent metal of the body part, the one nearest the head
end being formed prior to the application of the hoop and the other after such
application. By thus forming the hoop within the vessel its displacement is
prevented, while its reinforcing function is most advantageously availed of, since it
resists all compression forces which are applied to the bilge or belly of the barrel,
instead of only those applied directly to the hoop, as is the case when it is at the
exterior of the barrel, and externally the barrel has all the advantages as to size
and shape incidental to hoopless barrels.
Another feature of my invention consists in utilizing the hoop to strengthen the
barrel longitudinally as well as diametrically. In carrying out this part of my
invention construct the hoop and barrel with adjacent interengaging faces which
abut or interlock and resist either axial separation or compression of the adjacent
parts or halves of the body. Preferably this is accomplished in the manner shown
in Figures 1 and 2, wherein the hoop is provided with opposed faces or shoulders c
on its outer surface, and the adjacent halves or parts B have reciprocal faces d
engaging those of the hoop and preventing separation of the parts or halves or
movement of the latter relatively to the hoop, and the hoop is formed with abutting
faces e and the parts with opposing faces f, engaging to prevent movement of the
parts toward each other or movement of the hoop into either part beyond a
predetermined extent. The faces c are preferably formed by grooving the outer
periphery of the hoop, and the corresponding faces d of the parts B by inwardly-
bent portions or indentation, of these parts. The faces e of the hoop preferably
consist of the side edges thereof, and the reciprocal faces of the parts
formed as indentations, inwardly-projecting corrugations, or ribs in the walls of
these parts.
are best
In a barrel or like vessel constructed with the improvements just described the
respective parts will be prevented from movement axially toward or from each
other by these interengaging faces, and thus the seam between the parts will
be relieved from the strain incident to forces tending to such movement.
Consequently, a proportionate reduction in the liability to impairment of the joint
results.
My invention also comprises means whereby the joint or seam between the
halves or parts is brought within the face of the bilge or belly of the barrel or
vessel. To this end I construct the hoop with an annular groove K in its outer
face, which groove is opposite the seam C and coincides in depth with the
additional thickness due to the scam, and I fold or press the seam into this groove,
the seam and groove being proportioned, preferably, so that the former closely fits
the latter when pressed home therein. Preferably the faces e on the hoop
constitute the side walls of the groove K, and the faces d of the parts B consist of
the folds or bends of the joint C; but this is not necessarily so, as separate or
other faces may be provided for performing the functions of these faces. When
the groove K is provided for the seam C, and the latter is seated in the groove,
the exterior of the vessel has the advantage of having a uniform bilge or belly,
while the seam is inclosed by the walls and bottom of the groove to prevent its
separation or distortion, and the adjacent walls of the parts or halves are also
reinforced by the outer face of the hoop to prevent any distortion near the seam.
These various conditions present an advantageous and very complete protection
for the joint.
In constructing the barrel shown in Figures 1 and 2, the halves are spun or
stamped with their ribs E and face formed and their opposing flanges a and b

page_text: outwardly turned, the hoop F is placed within one of the halves until it seats on
the face thereof, the adjacent half is passed over the hoop until its face f engages.
the corresponding face thereof, and then the seam C is bent and folded according
to the usual manner of double-seaming, the folding continuing until the seam is
thoroughly seated in the groove K. The barrel is then complete and ready
for use.
By my invention the hoop F takes the place and dispenses with the necessity of
any internal resistant roller or other provision for preventing collapse of the walls
of the barrel during the formation of the double seam, the seam-pressure being
entirely taken up by the internal hoop. Thus it is not necessary to provide an
aperture at the barrel-head through which to insert any tool during the seaming
operation. Both heads of the barrel may thus be constructel as solid heads, or
one may be solid and the other have the usual bung-hole D.
It will be seen that my invention provides improvements in barrels and like
vessels which can be advantageously availed of, and it will be understood that the
invention is not limited to the particular details of construction and arrangement
set forth as constituting its preferred form, since it may be availed of according to
such modifications as circumstances or the judgment of those skilled in the art may
dictate without departing from the spirit of the invention.
Figure 3 shows a modification in which the hoop lettered F¹ is constructed with
two grooves L, and the parts B¹ with reciprocal ribs or corrugations M entering.
these grooves, the opposing faces of the grooves and ribs corresponding to the
faces c, d, e and f, described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. These faces
are here lettered c¹ d' and el f', respectively. The seam here lies in a
groove K¹.
In the construction shown in Figure
hoop F in position, and the joint C
parts.
the ribs N are relied on to preserve the
relied on to prevent separation of the
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 :-
1. In a metal barrel, a body made of two annular, sheet metal shells joined
together, and a hoop consisting of a single integral piece of metal within said body
at the joint between said shells and embracing the inner faces of both, said shells.
having inwardly indented portions having inwardly projecting faces and said hoop
having on its outer wall outwardly extending reciprocal faces, said faces inter-
engaging and preventing axial separation of said shells and hoop.
2. In a metal barrel, a body made of two annular sheet metal shells, a seamed
joint between said shells seaming them together, and a hoop consisting of a single
integral piece of metal within said body opposite the joint between said shells, said
hoop having an external groove embracing said joint, and said joint indented into.
and entering said groove, said hoop reinforcing said body, and said interengaging
joint and groove holding said hocp in position within said body, substantially as
and for the purpose set forth.
3. In a metal barrel, a body composed of two sectional tubular sheet metal shells,.
an inwardly projecting and indented double folded seam joint at, composed of, and
uniting the adjacent annular edges of said shells, and a hoop consisting of a single
integral piece of metal within said body at said joint and embracing the inner faces
of both said sections adjacent thereto, said hoop having an external groove
receiving the inwardly projecting part of said joint, and said joint indented into.
said groove whereby said hoop reinforces said body and is preserved in position by
said interengaging joint and groove.
Dated this 17th day of August 1896
HENRY H. LEIGH, C.P.A..