IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO CANS OR VESSELS FOR CONTAINING MILK OR OTHER LIQUIDS AND IN APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING THE. TRANSPORT OF THE SAME
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake
& C° Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London for an Invention of
IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO CANS OR VESSELS FOR CONTAINING
MILK OR OTHER LIQUIDS AND IN APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING THE.
TRANSPORT OF THE SAME." communicated to him from abroad by Edward.
Burnett of Southborough and Alexander P. Browne of Boston both in
Massachusetts United States of America
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th July 1883.
-WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co, Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO CANS OR
VESSELS FOR CONTAINING MILK OR OTHER LIQUIDS. AND IN APPARATUS FOR
FACILITATING THE TRANSPORT OF THE SAME [a communication to him from
abroad by Edward Burnett of Southborough and Alexander P. Browne of Boston
both in Massachusetts United States of America]
"
This invention relates to milk cans or similar vessels and to apparatus for
facilitating their transport.
One part of the said invention relates generally to the construction of closing,
devices or stoppers for liquid-containing vessels but is particularly adapted to that
class of vessels commonly used in the transportation and distribution of milk,
this part of the said invention. has for its object to provide means whereby the
outflow of the liquid may be permitted while the surreptitious introduction of
liquid, as an adulterant or otherwise, is prevented.
This I accomplish substantially by providing the vessel at its place of discharge
with a stopper or kindred closure of such a character that a passage will auto-
matically open and allow the outflow of the liquid but will be automatically closed
against the introduction of liquid from without, the whole being so constructed
and arranged as to prevent outside interference with the due action of the working
parts. Such a construction of the vessel and stopper will commonly require that

page_text: a special air-tube or vent be provided. Its outer opening should be protected
either by putting it within the stopper in the manner to be hereinafter described,
or otherwise preventing the introduction of an adulterant through it to the interior
of the can,
According to this part of the said invention I construct a stopper intended
primarily for use with large cans or vessels in the following manner that is to
sayIt is usually made of metal of sufficient thickness and durability to withstand
ordinary usage in transportation and handling and consists of a dome-shaped cap
or cover having an internally screw-threaded flange, by which it is screwed to the
top of the can. Within this cap a plate of metal is fitted this plate, as well as the
cap, is centrally bored for the insertion of an educt pipe which is soldered or brazed
on to the metal plate or made integrally with it.
The educt-pipe has a valve of the pattern known as the "mushroom," the sent
and valve chamber of which are formed in an enlargement of the educt pipe and
this pipe, for convenience of insertion of and access to the valve, is formed in two
parts united by a screw joint. Within this pipe also, is a perforated plate which
serves the double purpose of a stop for the outward movement of the valve, and
also in connection with the extension of the educt pipe, as a screen or shield to
prevent tampering or interference with the valve from without; the same being
in practice screwed down tightly upon the metal plate holds it and an interposed
ring of packing firmly in place and also prevents the upper portion of the educt
tube from being unscrewed when the case is covered. The dome, after being
screwed down in place as above described, is secured by a lock or seal.
The metal plate also carries an air-vent consisting of a metallic tube. This
air-tube extends into the interior of the dome and communicates with the outer
air through minute slits in the rim of the dome where the eduction tube passes
through.
Any known kind of valve which will open automatically to permit the outflow
of the fluid contained in the can, and will close automatically to prevent the
introduction of fluid into the can, may be substituted for the valve automatically
acting by gravity as above described,
I sometimes so form the lock stopper that while the same remains locked in its
place in the mouth of the can, the liquid contents thereof may still be poured out
by means of a conduit through the said stopper which is opened by the out flowing.
liquid but is kept closed at all other times whatever be the position of the can.
I accomplish this by constructing the stopper to fit the mouth of the can, either
by overlapping its mouth or by fitting inside. A conduit or educt-pipe passes
through the stopper by means of which the milk or other liquid may flow out.
The passage through this pipe is controlled by a spring valve which closes the
passage except when opened by the pressure of liquid in outpouring.
The closure of the can by the stopper may be made practically tight and yet
admit sufficient air to allow pouring out, but it will be often found desirable to
provide a special air-tube or vent, and this may be conveniently placed within the
stopper, and its openings may be valved as hereinafter described.
This form of stopper, when intended for a milk can of large size, is constructed
as follows, that is to say:-
The dome, the metal plate, and the educt pipe, are constructed substantially as
herein before described except that the educt pipe is in one piece and, is of uniform
bore throughout.
The spring valve is constructed of a piece of india-rubber tubing vulcanized flat,
one end which goes next the interior of the can being distended by the insertion of a
collar of suitable material and of proper size to fit within the educt-pipe. Such a
spring valve will normally retain a position in which the end or lips opposite the
distended end will be kept closed by the spring action of the walls of the flattened
tube. The valve is made of sufficient length to give a good closing at the outer end.
The collar and valve are pressed into the educt tube from the inside, and to
prevent their accidental removal, a locking ring and locking arms may be employed.

page_text: To prevent opening or otherwise tampering with the valve.from the outside a
finely perforated screen covers the exterior end of the pipe. A sliding cover, or
cap also covers the end of the pipe to prevent accidental outflow, and keep out
dirt.
The air tube passes through the plate and communicates with the outer air by
minute slits in the dome as herein before described. . Its lower end may be covered
by a valve of fluted tubing similar to the valve in the educt pipe.
Another form of the stopper adapted to enter and close the mouth of a small
can is constructed as follows, that is to say-The stopper forms a plug which fits
into and closes the mouth of the can. The passage through the stopper is closed
by the spring valve with its collar which is inserted into the inner end of the tube
or passage the outer end of which is covered with a perforated plate as above
described, and a cap or cover fits over the whole. The air tube in this form of
stopper communicates with the outer air by a special aperture. The upper end of
the air-tube may also be provided with a valve.
As another means of preventing premature emptying of the contents of the
cau, the mouth of the orifice by which air is conveyed to the interior of the can is
sometimes covered with a frangible air-excluding seal, preferably in the form of a
paper label. So long as this seal is in place it is obvious that little or no milk can
be poured out, and loss of milk by accident or otherwise is prevented, until the
seal has been removed or broken.
It is obvious that the above described construction may be widely departed from,
in many matters of detail. For example the stopper may be made solid throughout,
except the educt tube, and a suitable passage for air to supply the air-vent. This
is especially true of the form of stopper last described which may be a solid block
suitably bored to provide an educt passage for the milk and for an air supply, if
the latter is desired to be introduced through the stopper. The external end of the
educt tube may be carried out and bent, so as thereby to prevent the successful
introduction of any tool to open the spring valve, in which case the perforated
plate may be dispensed with, or it may be retained to serve merely as a strainer.
The fastening or securing of the valve and its collar within the educt tube may be
accomplished in any desired manner.
Any form of spring valve may be used that will operate to keep the educt passage
closed, except when opened by the pressure of the out-flowing liquid.
The spring valve formed of flattened tubing as above described is preferable, by
reason of its cheapness, simplicity, and certainty of action, it being free from any
liability to fail to close or seat, and its great sensitiveness which allows the liquid
contents of the can to be removed to a degree that might not be attained in spring
valves of less sensitiveness.
The object of another part of my invention is to provide a simple, cheap, easily
applied, and secure fastening for preventing the unauthorized removal of the
stopper from the mouth of a milk can or similar vessel
This fastening consists of a flexible or elastic band preferably constructed of one
piece of wire, the said band being adapted to be opened so as to allow the stopper
to be introduced into its place in the mouth of the can and provided with means
for engaging with the can, so that when the ends of the band are brought together
and secured by a lock or seal, the band engaging with the can, and also with a
suitably formed projection upon the stopper, prevents the withdrawal of the
stopper from the can without tampering with the lock or seal. The flexible or
elastic band of wire is provided with an extension adapted to engage with the
inner side of the handle of a can of ordinary construction. This band has its ends
formed in loops so that when the stopper is in place, and the ends of the band
brought together, their looped ends may be secured by a seal or pad-lock.
L
To enable this band to engage with, and prevent the withdrawal of, the stopper,
the latter is provided with a horizontal groove or slot, with which the band
engages, when its ends are drawn together. Instead of this groove, a longitudinal

page_text: shoulder or projection from the side of the stopper may be provided to engage the
band and thus in the same manner prevent the withdrawal of the stopper.
The looped ends of the band may be simply drawn together or they may be
drawn together and lapped one over the other, the extension of the band may
also be formed so as to engage with some other suitable portion of the can than
the handle; as for example the rim of the can formed in the ordinary manner.
Should the stopper enter the mouth of the can so far that it could not be
removed by being swung out of the can in a circle but would require to be first
lifted out vertically, the single engagement of the band with the can at one part
only being sufficient, to prevent this vertical withdrawal of the stopper is sufficient
to prevent the stopper from being withdrawn at all. On the other hand when the
stopper does not enter the can to a depth sufficient to prevent its being thrown
out of the mouth of the can in the arc of a circle I provide the end of the band
with a projection, hook, or catch, which is also adapted to engage with the can
itself, and the band being thus secured the stopper cannot be removed.
It is obvious that the said extension by a slight modification of its form, may be
adapted to engage with, and be held by, some projection specially formed upon
the can or the handle to receive it. But I prefer in this respect to avoid such a
construction as would require the addition to the can of any special structure to
engage with the fastener, a merit of the fastener in its present form being that it
is capable of attachment directly to the can as ordinarily constructed, without the
necessity of adding any part thereto.
In the transportation and sale of the milk or other liquid it is found to be
convenient and economical to make use of a vessel of large size in which the milk
may be transported, and from which it may be sold. Among other advantages,
are the following viz: that the time, labour, and risk of loss in transferring the
milk to smaller vessels are saved, and the milk being in a large body is less
susceptible to injurious effects from exposure to unfavourable temperature. On
the other hand a vessel of sufficient size to give these advantages is commonly.too
large to be conveniently handled and transported except in a suitable vehicle or
carriage, and to provide such vehicle or carriage is the object of another part of
my invention.
My improved carriage consists of a two wheeled truck having a bent axle and a
suitable draft attachment, or pole. The bend in the axle is made of sufficient size
to admit the can or vessel to be carried, and the height of the truck or the
diameter of the wheels is made sufficient to give a good clearance of the axle from
the ground when the truck is being drawn. Upon the axle are springs, one on
either side, and upon these springs are fingers, which perform the double function
of lifting the can from the ground, and supporting it in transportation, the springs
interposed between the point of support and the axle of the truck serving to take
up or cushion the jar occurring in transportation and thus diminishing the extent
to which the liquid in the can is liable to be stirred or churned up;
The can or vessel with which the truck is to be used is provided with trunnions
or equivalent projections with which the fingers can engage. These trunnions are
put upon the sides of the can at a sufficient height to be above the centre of
gravity of it and its contents so that the can will remain upright.
For further convenience in the management and use of the truck, I prefer to
provide the draft or pole with a standard or rest of such length that when it rests
upon the ground the weight of the can and contents is divided between this
standard and the wheels so that the truck and can may be safely left standing if
desired. This standard may be hinged to the pole, if desired, so as to be folded
up out of the way when the truck is being moved along.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Robert Lake in the Patent Office on the 18th January
1884.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE of the firm of Haseltine Lake & Co. Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London 'IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO CANS OR
"
VESSELS FOR CONTAINING MILK OR OTHER LIQUIDS AND IN APPARATUS FOR
FACILITATING THE TRANSPORT OF THE SAME" a communication to me from abroad
by Edward Burnett of Southborough and Alexander P. Browne of Boston both
in Massachusetts United States of America
This invention relates to cans or similar vessels for containing milk or other
liquids and to apparatus for facilitating the transport of the same.
One part of the said invention relates generally to the construction of closing
devices or stoppers for liquid-containing vessels, but is particularly adapted to that
class of vessels ordinarily used in the transportation and distribution of milk.
This part of the said invention has for its object to provide means whereby the
outflow of the liquid is permitted, while the surreptitious introduction of liquid, as
an adulterant or otherwise, is prevented. This I accomplish substantially by
providing the vessel at its place of discharge with a locked stopper or closing
device of such a character that a passage will automatically open to permit the
outflow of the liquid contained in the can, but will be automatically closed against
the introduction of liquid from without, the said device being so constructed as to
prevent external interference with the due action of its working parts. Such a
construction of the vessel and stopper will ordinarily require that a special air-tube
or vent be provided. The outer opening of this tube or vent should be protected,
either by putting it within the stopper in the manner hereinafter described, or
otherwise so as to prevent the introduction of an adulterant through 'the said tube
to the interior of the can.
I sometimes so form the lock-stopper that, while the same remains locked in its
place in the mouth of the can, the liquid contents thereof may still be poured out
by means of a conduit through the said stopper when the said conduit is opened
by the pressure of the liquid, but the said conduit is kept closed at all other times
whatever be the position of the can. I accomplish this by constructing the stopper
to fit the mouth of the can either by overlapping, or by fitting inside, the same.
A conduit or educt-pipe passes through the stopper, by means of which pipe the
milk or other liquid may flow out. The passage through this pipe is controlled by
a spring-valve, which closes the passage, except when opened by the pressure of
liquid in outpouring.
The closure of the can by the stopper may be made practically tight and yet
admit sufficient air to allow the liquid to be poured out; but it will be found
desirable to provide a special air-tube or vent, and this may be conveniently
placed within the stopper, and its opening be provided with a valve as hereinafter
described.
In the transportation and sale of liquid commodities, particularly milk, it is
found to be convenient and economical to make use of a vessel of large size in
which the milk or other liquid may be transported, and from which it may be sold.
Among other advantages are the following, via :-the time, labor and risk of loss
in transferring the milk to smaller vessels are saved, and the milk, being in a
large body, is less susceptible to injurious effects from exposure to unfavorable
temperature. On the other hand a vessel of sufficient size to afford these
advantages is too large to be conveniently handled and transported except in a
suitable vehicle or carriage.
Another part of the present invention, therefore, has for its object to provide a
vebicle or carriage, as hereinafter described, which is, well adapted for this purpose.

page_text: Another part of the said invention is designed to provide a simple, cheap, easily
applied, and secure fastening for preventing the unauthorized removal, from the
mouth of a milk-can or similar vessel, of the stopper by which it is closed, and I
accomplish this object as hereinafter described.
The said fastening consists of a flexible or elastic band preferably constructed of
one piece of wire, which band is adapted to be opened so as to allow the stopper
to be introduced into its place in the mouth of the can, and is provided with means
for engaging with the can so that when the ends of the band are brought together
and secured by a lock or seal, the band, engaging with the can, and also with a
suitably formed projection upon the stopper, prevents the withdrawal of the stopper
from the can without tampering with the lock or seal.
The said invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which
Figure 1 is a vertical central section showing a stopper chiefly designed for use
with large cans or vessels.
Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 are views illustrating details of the said stopper.
The remaining figures are hereinafter described.
The stopper shown in Figure 1 is made with a dome-shaped cap or cover A of
metal of sufficient thickness and durability to withstand ordinary usage in
transportation and handling, and having an internally screw-threaded flange a by
which it is screwed to the top of the can B. Within this cap a metal plate C is
fitted. This plate, as well as the cap, is centrally bored for the insertion of the
educt pipe D, which is soldered or brazed to the plate C or made integral therewith.
The educt-pipe, the construction of which is illustrated in Figures 2 and 5, has a
valve F as shewn in Figure 3. The valve seat and chamber are formed by the
enlargement of the pipe D, and this pipe, for convenience of insertion of, and
access to, the valve F, is formed in two parts which are united by a screw-joint.
Within this pipe, also, is a perforated plate d, Figure 4, which plate serves as a
stop for the outward movement of the valve, and, in connection with the extension
of the pipe D, as a screen or shield to prevent tampering or interference with the
valve from without. The dome A. being in practice screwed down tightly upon
the plate C, holds it and the interposed packing ħ firmly in place, and also prevents
the upper portion of the tube D from being. unscrewed when the can is covered.
The dome A, after being screwed down in place as above described, is secured by
a lock or seal. The plate C also carries an air-vent consisting of a metal tube g.
This air-tube extends into the interior of the dome and communicates with the
outer air through minute slits (not shown) in the upper edge of the said dome,
where the eduction-tube D passes through the same.
The operation of this apparatus is as follows, that is to say-The can having
been first filled with milk, the cover A is screwed on and locked or sealed in the
ordinary manner. When it is desired to pour out from the can it is inverted, the
valve opens, and the milk flows out through the tube D. Upon turning the can
back to its original position, the valve closes by its own weight and remains closed,
thus cutting off access to the interior of the can and preventing the introduction
of water or other adulterant. The valve F is so shielded by the dome A, tube D;
and perforated plate d, that it cannot be opened from without.
Any known kind of valve, which will open automatically to permit the outflow
of the liquid contained in the can and close automatically to prevent the
introduction of fluid into the can, may be substituted for the valve automatically
àcting by gravity as above described.
The details of construction and arrangement may, moreover, be varied or
changed in many ways if desired.
Figure 6 is a vertical central section, and
Figure 7 a plan showing another form of stopper.
Figure is a perspective view of the valve used in this stopper.
Figure 9 is a perspective view showing part of the said valve.
Figure 10 is an inverted plan of the said stopper.

page_text: Figure 11 is a vertical central section showing a modification of this stopper.
Figure 12 is an inverted plan of the same.
Figure 13 is a side elevation of the stopper shown in Figures 6 and 7.
Figure 14 is a vertical central section, and
Figure 15 a front elevation showing a further modification of this stopper.
In Figures 6 to 10, A is a dome, having a flanged screw-threaded extension a
to engage with the mouth of the can B. C is a plate fitted within the dome A to
close the mouth of the can. Through the plate C and dome A passes a pipe or
conduit D, which is closed by the spring-valve F consisting of a piece of india-
rubber tubing vulcanized flat, as shown in Figure 9, the end which is intended to
face the interior of the can being distended by the insertion of a collar f of
suitable material, as shown in Figure 8. Such a spring-valve will normally retain
the position shown in Figures 6 and 8; the end or lips opposite the distended
end being kept closed by the spring action of the walls or sides of the flattened
tube. The valve F is made of sufficient length to give a good closing at the outer
end as shown. The collar and valve are pressed into the tube D from the inside
and, to prevent their accidental removal, a locking ring E and locking arms e are
arranged as shown in Figure 10.
The operating faces of these arms e, which bear against the face of the locking
ring E, have a transverse bevel, and those portions of the ring E against which
these bevelled faces of the arms e are to operate have also two bevelled or inclined
recesses cut in them. At the lower end of each of these recesses the ring E has a
slot or channel cut in and across its periphery of a width equal to the width of the
arm e and of a depth equal to the amount of projection of the arm e over the
ring E. To insert the locking ring E these slots are set opposite the arms e. The
ring E is then pushed in and is gradually turned, whereby the opposite inclines of
the opposed portions of the arms e and the wedge-shaped recesses in the ring E
produce jointly a locking or wedging action and thereby firmly secure the ring E
in place.
To prevent opening, or otherwise tampering with, the valve from the outside, a
finely perforated screen d covers the external end of the pipe D. A sliding cover
or cap d' (Figure 6ª) covers the end of the pipe to prevent premature or accidental
outflow and keep out dirt. The air-tube G passes through the plate C into the
air-chamber H which communicates with the outer air by minute slits g' in the
dome A. Its lower end may be covered by a valve g similar to the valve F:
Figures 11 and 12 show another form of the stopper adapted to enter and close
the mouth of a milk-can of different construction to that above referred to. As
shown in Figure 11, the stopper A forms a plug which fits into, and closes, the
mouth of the can B. The passage D through the stopper is closed by the spring-
valve F with its collar f, which are inserted in the inner end of the tube or
passage D; the outer end of which is covered with a perforated plate d as above
described, and a cap or cover d¹ fits over the whole, as shown. The air-tube in
this form of stopper communicates with the outer air by the aperture g¹, Figure 11.
The upper end of this tube may also be provided with a valve g² as shown.
As another means of preventing premature emptying of the contents of the can, the
mouth of the orifice by which air is conveyed to the interior of the can may be
covered with a frangible air-excluding seal, preferably in the form of a paper label.,
So long as this seal is in place, it is obvious that little or no milk can be poured
out and loss of milk by accident or otherwise is prevented until the seal has been
removed or broken. In Figure 11 a seal of this sort is shown in place covering.
the aperture g¹.
It is obvious that the above described construction may be widely departed
from in many matters of detail. For example, the stopper may be made solid
throughout with the exception of the tube D and a suitable passage for air to.
supply the air-vent. This is especially true of the form shown in Figures 11 and 12
which may be a solid block suitably bored to provide a passage D for the milk
and for an air-supply if the latter is desired to be introduced through the stopper.

page_text: When the solid block is used, the passage through the air-tube G from the
outside to the interior of the can should always be suitably protected. For
example, the valve shown at g2 in Figure 11 may be employed to close the passage
when the can is upright. When a solid block stopper of the form shown in
Figure. 6 is employed, the outer extremity of the passage for the air-supply should
be made as small in area as the slots g₁ shown in Figures 6 and -7, and for the
same reason as hereinbefore set forthi, viz:-In this manner to prevent the
introduction of any material quantity of adulterant. by way of the air supply
passage. When the solid stopper of the form shown in Figure 11 is employed, the
passage for the air-supply, instead of being an annular chamber, as shown, is
preferably formed by boring nearly through the stopper from its inside end and
then boring laterally through the side of the stopper as far as the passage thus
formed. This lateral. passage should be suitably situated relatively to the
valve g² in order that this valve may not be accessible from without through the
said. lateral passage. The angular or bent air-passage thus formed in the hollow
stopper will admit air and at the same time by its angularity prevent tampering
with the valve g². This form of construction is shown in section in Figure 14.
The external end of the tube D may be extended and bent; so as thereby to
prevent the successful introduction of any tool to open the spring valve F, in which
case the perforated plate d may be dispensed with, or it may be retained to
servė merely as a strainer. The fastening or securing of the valve F and its
collar within the conduit D may be accomplished in any desired manner.
The function of the spring-valve F is to keep the passage D closed, except when
opened by the pressure of the liquid, when the can is wholly or partially inverted.
Such a valve is more advantageous for this purpose than the gravity valve above
described, for the reason that the gravity valve operates independently of the flow
of liquid, and is necessarily always open when the can is in certain positions, for
example wholly or partly inverted, although no liquid be flowing out.
The form of valve shown in Figures 6, and 9 possesses in a high degree the
advantages of cheapness, simplicity, and certainty of action by reason of its being
free from any liability to fail to seat and its great sensitiveness, which allows the
liquid contents of the can to be removed to a degree that might not be attained
in spring-valves of less sensitiveness.
The form of stopper shown in Figure G is intended to be fastened against
removal by a wire passing through the hole in the lug or projection shown on the
stopper near the letter a¹ the said wire being also passed through a staple soldered
to the can itself near its mouth, and the two ends of the wire being then secured
by a seal in the ordinary manner, as shown in Figure 13, S denoting the seal.
Figures 11 and 14 show two forms of stopper intended to be secured in the can by
means of a metal strap of suitable form hinged to the body of the can, which
strap is brought over the stopper after it is in place and is then secured by passing
the slotted end of the said strap over a staple soldered to the can, the strap is
then fastened by a padlock in this position. This construction is shown in section
in Figure 14 and in front elevation in Figure 15, in which L is the lock. Besides
these methods, any other of the ordinary and well known means of locking
can-stoppers in place may be used, care being taken that the particular devices
chosen are so arranged and applied as not to interfere with the functions of the
stopper when locked.
The spring valve g operates to permit the inflow of air, but prevent the outflow
of milk through the air-tube G. It may be replaced by a gravity valve opening,
when the vessel is inverted, only to a degree sufficient to allow the inflow of air,
but prevent any material outflow of milk.. A gravity valve g2 may be used to
prevent the introduction of liquid into the can through the air-tube, if the can
should be immersed with its mouth upward in an adulterant.
The improved carriage which I employ is represented in plan in Figure 16 and
in section on the line xx (Figure 16) in Figure 17. It consists of a two wheeled
truck having a bent axle A, and a suitable draught attachment or pole B. The

page_text: bend in the axle is made of sufficient size to admit the can or vessel C and the
height of the truck or the diameter of the wheels I is made, sufficient to keep the
axle a considerable distance above the ground.
Upon the axle A are springs D, one on either side, and upon these springs are
fingers or hooks E which perform the functions of lifting the can from the ground
and supporting it in transportation, the springs interposed between the point of
support and the axle of the truck serving to deaden or cushion the jars or shocks
occurring in transportation and thus diminish the extent to which the liquid in the
can is liable to be stirred up or churned.
The can or vessel with which the truck is to be used is provided with
trunnions F, or equivalent projections, with which the fingers or hooks E can
engage. These trunnions are fixed on the sides of the can at a sufficient height to
be above the centre of gravity of the said can and its contents, so that it will
remain upright.
I will now describe: the operation of this apparatus. When it is desired to
transport the can, the truck is brought up to it in the position shown by dotted
lines in Figure 17.so that the fingers E engage with the trunnions F on the can as
it stands. The truck is then turned back to its normal position and in so doing
is made to act as a lever of the first order to lift the truck; the hubs of the
wheels I being the fulcrum, the can the weight, and the pole, axle, springs and
fingers making up the lever. The truck and can are now in position for
transportation. The truck may either be locked to prevent its swinging in the
fingers E and the milk may be taken out as required, or the swing of the can on
its trunnions in the fingers may be retained and the can thus be inverted and its
contents poured out as required. When so used the handles G ordinarily
provided on large cans, will afford a convenient grasp to invert the can, care
having been taken to locate the trunnions as shown with reference to the
handles
For further convenience in the management and use of the truck. I prefer to
provide the draught attachment or pole with a standard or rest H, of such length
that when it rests upon the ground, the weight of the can and its contents is
divided between this standard and the wheels, so that the truck and can may be
safely left standing if desired. This standard H may be hinged to the pole if
desired, so that it can be folded up out of the way when the truck is being moved
along.
It is obvious that so far as the lever action is concerned, other contrivances
might be used in place of the draught pole; but the draught pole constructed and
arranged as shown forms a simple and convenient attachment for the lifting as well
as the transporting of the can.
I will now describe the construction and operation of the improved band or
fastener.
Figures 18 and 19 show in perspective two forms or modifications thereof.
Figure 20 shows in elevation a stopper and part of a can, the stopper being
locked in place and the fastener engaging with the handle of the can.
Figures 21 and 22 show a section and a plan of a locked stopper, the attachment
of the fastener to the can being, in this case, by means of the rim instead of by the
handle.
A is a flexible or elastic band of wire, provided with an extension B adapted.
to engage with the inner side of the handle D of a can C of ordinary con-
struction. This band A has its ends formed in loops E so that, when the
stopper is in place and the ends of the band are brought together, they may be
secured by a seal or padlock F. To enable this band to engage with and prevent
the withdrawal of the stopper G, the latter is provided with a horizontal groove or
slot I with which the band A engages when its ends are drawn together. This
groove is shown in section in Figure 21 and by dotted lines in plan in Figure 22.
Instead of this groove, a longitudinal shoulder or projection on the side of the.

page_text: stopper G may be provided to engage with the band A and thus in the same
manner prevent the withdrawal of the stopper.
The looped ends of the band may be simply drawn together, as shown in
Figures 18 and 20 or they may be drawn together and lapped one over the other
as shown in Figures 19, 21 and 22; the extension B of the band A may also be
formed so as to engage with some other suitable portion of the can than the handle.
In Figures 21 and 22 it is shown as engaging with the rim K of the can.
-
. Should the stopper G enter the mouth of the can so far that it could not be
removed by being swung out of the can in an are of a circle but would require to
be first lifted out vertically, the single engagement in Figure 20 at one part only
being sufficient to prevent this vertical withdrawal of the stopper is sufficient to
prevent the stopper from being withdrawn at all. On the other hand when the
stopper does not enter the can to a depth sufficient to prevent its being thus swung
out of the mouth thereof, I provide the end E of the band A with a projection,
hook or catch H, which is also adapted to engage with the can itself, and, the band
being thus secured, the stopper cannot be removed. This is illustrated in
Figure 21. In this respect I consider the lower part or extension of the stopper G,
if entering the can to a sufficient distance to prevent the stopper from being
swung out as above described, as performing a function equivalent to that of the
part H.
In applying the fastening band for the purpose of securing the stopper against
removal from the mouth of the can, the operation is as follows, viz:-The band A
is put in place above the mouth of the can, the part B having been caused to
engage with the corresponding part of the can. The ends of the band are then
slightly separated so as to permit the introduction of the stopper, which is put into
the can to such a distance that the groove I is in position for the band A to enter
it, the said groove being for this purpose so placed on the stopper as to enable the
latter to make a tight closure of the mouth of the can when the groove I is in
position to be engaged by the band A when the ends of the same are brought
together. The ends are then brought together and may or may not be lapped one
over another and they are secured by passing through them the wire of a sealed
lock or the hasp of an ordinary padlock, the wire being subsequently sealed or the
padlock closed as the case may be.
It is obvious that the extension B, either as shown or by a slight modification of
its form, may be adapted to engage with, and be held by, some projection specially
formed upon the can or the handle to receive it; but I prefer to avoid such a
construction as would require the addition to the can of any special contrivance to
engage with the fastener, a merit of. the fastener in its present form being that it.
is capable of attachment directly to the can as ordinarily constructed without the
necessity of adding any part thereto.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me my
foreign correspondents and the manner of performing the same I wish it understood
that I Claim:-
First. A closing device or stopper having a perforated internal plate, a tube
forming a passage-way for the liquid through the said plate and containing a valve
which automatically permits the outflow and prevents the inflow of liquid through
the said stopper, and means for preventing external interference with the normal
action of the valve, (with or without the external perforated shield and with or
without the air-inlet and means for preventing access thereto), all substantially as
described with reference to Figures 1 to 5 of the drawings for the purposes
specified.
Second. A closing device or stopper provided with the passage D and the
outwardly-opening automatic spring valve F and means for preventing external
interference with the normal action of the said valve and passage (with or without
the air-tube and its valve.and with or without the frangible air-excluding seal) all
substantially as described with reference to either of the forms or modifications.

page_text: shown in Figures 6, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 or Figures 11 and 12 or Figures 14 and 15
of the drawings for the purpose specified.
Third. The combination of the wheels I, the bent axle A, the springs D, the
fingers E and the draught attachment or pole B or its equivalent, (with or without
the can C having the trunnions F), all substantially as described with reference to
Figures 16 and 17 of the drawings for the purposes herein specified.
Fourth. The band A having the extension B and the looped ends E (with or
without the projection, hook or catch H), all substantially as described with
reference to Figures 18 to 22 of the drawings for the purposes specified.
Fifth The combination, with the band A having the extension B and the
ends E and with or without the projection, hook or catch H, of the can C (with or
without the bandle D), the stopper G having the groove I and means for locking or
securing the ends of the band together, all substantially as described with reference
to Figures 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 of the drawings for the purposes herein set forth.
In witness whereof I the said William Robert Lake have hereunto set my
hand and seal this eighteenth day of January in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty four.
DAB
ROB
LAKE (L.S.)