Improvements in Casks or Drums.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 10th June, 1895-Accepted, 27th July. 1895
Improvements in Casks or Drums.
I WILHELM STERN, of Rue van Junnerscel, 51, Antwerp in the Kingdom of
Belgium, Merchant, 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 metallic casks or drums and especially to those made
of sheet steel and the improved drum is so constructed that each of the two heads
or ends may be removed and the remainder longitudinally divided in two halves.
Drums of this construction are adapted to be used for dry stowage as well as for
the purpose of holding liquids, they being when used for dry stowage on account
of their peculiar construction, easily and conveniently taken apart to be emptied
of their contents. They may be also most conveniently taken apart for cleaning
purposes and so be prepared for receiving any other desired liquid or material, and
finally, they form when in pieces handy parts for transport as they may be shipped
or loaded subject to charge by weight while ordinary casks or drums, naturally
occupying considerable space, would be charged for by space.
In the annexed drawings Fig. 1 represents a drum standing upright in longitudinal
section, Fig. 2 the same in cross section, Fig. 3 is a side view of a drum with the
upper head removed; Fig. 4 a plan view thereof, Fig. 5 being a detail view on a
larger scale.
The circumference of the drum is composed of two semi-cylindrical parts A
and B which have at the edges of both sides a double fold C, said fold being
alternately bent in and outwardly (Figs. 2 and 5) thus providing, on combining
the two semi cylindrical parts, a water and airtight joint. Fig. 5 represents on a
larger scale the mode of construction and the manner of engagement of said folds.
They are, after the halves have been combined, subjected to the pressure of
cylindrical rollers which will conform them to the radius of the cask, so that the
whole will also form a cylindrical part of the circumference, and moreover serve
to stiffen the cask.
The edges of the top and bottom heads are provided with several sharp edged
triangular annular grooves or corrugations d' while the heads D, D' have corre-
spondingly grooved or corrugated outwardly projecting cylindrical rims d with an
exteriorly projecting flange E. The insertion of both these heads is intended to
be made simultaneously with the act of combining the longitudinal halves, when
the drum is to be prepared for receiving liquids; the insertion of only the lower
head, however, is required when the drum is to be filled with dry matter. In the
latter case the upper part of the halves should slightly diverge and after filling
the drum, the upper head be inserted, whereupon to secure a tight closure, the
two semi-circular bands L are caused to embrace the upper and lower ends of the
circumference of the drum, said bands also provided with interior annular grooves
engaging with the corresponding projections of the rims d. A tightening of the
screws m, m, connecting the ends of the bands L, will then give a compact solidity
to the drum. Any unevenness or discrepancy at a crossing of the annular grooves
or corrugations with the longitudinal folds, and appearing at those points where
the folds are formed is equalized or neutralized inasmuch as at those points the
corrugations are slightly flattened.
In the circumference as well as at the bottom ends screw threaded bung holes
may be provided to receive iron or other plugs. In order to facilitate the taking

page_text: apart of the drum after the removal of the bands L the two longitudinal halves
are at their middle provided with handles L' which, as they do not reach beyond
the flanges E, of the top and bottom ends, do not interfere with rolling the
drum.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is;-
A metallic cask or drum, capable of being taken apart, consisting of two semi
cylindrical balves, the longitudinal grooved edges of which engage with each
other while the top and bottom ends are provided with annular grooves or
corrugations to hold the correspondingly grooved or corrugated rims of the heads,
said ends being embraced by interiorly grooved bands united and tightened by
means of screws.
Dated this 10th day of June 1895.
HERBERT HADDAN & Co.,
18 Buckingham Street, Strand, London, W.C.,
Agents to the Applicant.