IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF AND APPARATUS FOR ALI- HERMETICALLY CLOSING METALLIC CASES OR VESSELS CONTAINING MENTARY OR OTHER SUBSTANCES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Griffith Brewer, of Chancery Lane, London, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF AND APPARATUS FOR
ALI-
HERMETICALLY CLOSING METALLIC CASES OR VESSELS CONTAINING
MENTARY OR OTHER SUBSTANCES." A communication from abroad by Felix
Marquet, of Paris, France.
Sealed the 14th October 1876, and dated the 29th April 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Griffith Brewer at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th April 1876.
EDWARD GRIFFITH BREWER, of Chancery Lane, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MODE OF AND APPARATUS FOR HERMETICALLY CLOSING METALLIC CASES OR
VESSELS CONTAINING ALIMENTARY OR OTHER SUBSTANCES." A communication
from abroad by Felix Marquet, of Paris, France.
The object of this Invention is the manufacture of boxes or metal receptacles for
the preservation of materials whereby the closing is effected without the employ-
ment of washers, and without soldering.
•
The Invention will be described with reference to round boxes, but it must be
understood that boxes of other shapes can be made according to the Invention
without departing from the essential features of the same.
The apparatus employed for fixing the bottoins and covers of boxes made according
to this Invention consists of a cast-iron hollow frame or mould opening in two
parts to allow of the introduction and removal of the metallic box which is to be
closed. At the bottom of the frame there is a spring, which pushes up the box
after each blow from a stamping plunger used to effect the closure. At the upper
part of the frame there is a steel ring round the opening in the same, with a
vertical flange which is intended to open up or "splay" a joint ring slipped on the
edge of the box to be closed; this joint ring is formed of a cord of india-rubber,
gutta percha, or other suitable material coated with a substance intended to render
it insoluble in contact with fatty matters. Above the hollow frame there is a
metal plunger which is free to be raised or lowered by a lever when required, and
provided on its lower circumference with a kind of circular die to press down the
edge of the box on the joint ring. After this first operation a metal cover is placed
on the box, and the whole is placed in an apparatus similar to that previously
described, with the exception that the steel ring has a different shape, and is made
[Price Gd.1

page_text: inside at the lower part of its vertical flange with a small groove; the plunger is
also provided with a steel ring which is intended to begin the turning over of the
cover. The pressure of the plunger first forces its lower end to press on the bottom
or cover of the box; under this pressure, and consequently by the depression of
the spring, the ends of the bottom or cover becomes recessed into the opening in
the box, and the outer or lower edge of the cover is turned or folded up towards
the inside round the turned down edge of the box, and in this way the extremity
of the box assumes the required form. This operation completed the box is placed
in a frame with flange similar to that first described, and in which the vertical
flange under the action of the plunger compresses the turned over part of box and
cover, and forces the extremity of the latter to lodge in the joint ring, which it
secures strongly to the bottom of the groove thus formed. Finally the box is
placed in its last stage in another frame, in which the interior part of the circle has
a particular form intended to secure the turned over part firmly to the body of the
box, which thereby gives to the bottom or cover the required form, the turned over
part forming a ring close round the top of the box. In this way the hermetically
closing of the box is accomplished.
By avoiding the use of solder the process described enables tin plates to be
dispensed with in the manufacture of preserving boxes, and sheet iron or zinc plates,
which are much cheaper, to be used instead. In this case the body even of the box,
if it is not closed according to this Invention, may be turned over as required,
leaving space for the solder.
An essential part of the Invention consists in the arrangement of the joint which
is on the exterior of the box in order that it may not be in contact with the liquids
in the interior. The joint, made with substances usually employed, is rendered
completely insoluble in the oil or other material contained in the box in the following
manner:- When the box has been subjected to the action of the first press, but not
to the second, the upper edge is steeped in strong gum or analogous substance dis-
solved in a volatile acid, such as acetic acids or other pyroligneous acids; when the
coating is sufficiently dry the box is submitted to the different operations sub-
sequently described. This coating not only renders the joints unattackable by
acids or other matters which the boxes may contain, but the tightness of the box
may be relied upon with the utmost security.
The means last described for rendering the joints more secure may be used in
combination with or without the other means before described.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edward Griffith Brewer in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 28th
October 1876.
EDWARD GRIFFITH BREWER, of Chancery Lane, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MODE OF AND APPARATUS FOR HERMETICALLY CLOSING METALLIC CASES OR
VESSELS CONTAINING ALIMENTARY OR OTHER SUBSTANCES." A communication
from abroad by Felix Marquet, of Paris, France.
The object of this Invention is the manufacture of boxes or metal receptacles for
the preservation of materials whereby the closing is effected without the employ-
ment of washers and without soldering.
The accompanying Drawings fully illustrato how this Invention may be con-
veniently carried into effect.
Figure 1 shows the operation for turning over the edge of box and placing the
india-rubber for joint.
Figure 2 is a vertical section of part of box after first operation.
Figure 3 is a vertical section of cover when placed on the box Figure 2.
Figure 4 shows the operation for turning the edge of cover round that part of
box already turned over.

page_text: igure 5 is a vertical section after the operation shown Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a vertical section of box after the tightening of joint.
Figure 7 illustrates the operation for flattening the joint against the box after it
has been compressed, as shown Figure 6.
Figure 8 is a vertical section of joint in a finished condition.
The Invention will be described with reference to round boxes, but it must be
understood that boxes of other shapes can be made according to the Invention
without departing from the essential features of the same.
As shown in the accompanying Drawings at Figure 1, the apparatus employed
for fixing the bottoms and covers of boxes or other similar articles made according
to this Invention consists of a cast-iron hollow frame or mould A opening in two
parts to allow of the introduction and removal of the metallic box B which is to bo
closed. At the bottom of the frame A there is a spring C, which pushes up the
box B after each blow from a stamping plunger used to effect the closure.
upper part of the frame A there is a steel ring D round the opening in the same,
At the
with a vertical flange which is intended to open up or "splay" a joint ring E
slipped on the edge K of the box B to be closed. This joint ring is formed of a
cord of india-rubber, gutta percha, or other suitable inaterial coated with a substance
intended to render it insoluble in contact with fatty matters. Above the hollow
frame A there is a metal plunger F, G, which is free to be raised or lowered by a
suitable lever when required, and provided on its lower circumference with a kind
of circular groove or recess to press down the flange K of the box B on the joint
ring, as shewn in Figuro 2, which represents a vertical section of part of box after
first operation. After this first operation a metal cover is placed on the box, as
shown in vertical section Figure 3, and the whole is placed in an apparatus shown
at Figure 4 similar to that previously described with reference to Figure 1, with
the exception that the steel ring D has a different shape, and is made insido at the
lower part of its vertical flange with a small groovey, y; the plunger F, G, is also
provided with a steel ring, which is intended to begin the turning over.
pressure of the plunger first forces its lower end N, N, to press on the bottom or
The
cover of the box; under this pressure, and consequently by the depression of the
spring C, the end d, d, of the bottom or cover becomes recessed into the opening y, Y,
in the box, and the outer or lower edge of the cover is turned or folded up towards
the inside round the turned down edge of the box, and in this way the extremity
d, d, of the box assumes the required form P, P, as shown in vertical section
Figure 5. This operation completed the box is placed on a frame with flange
similar to that first described with reference to Figure 1, and in which the vertical
flange D under the action of the plunger F, G, compresses the turned over part P, P,
of box and cover, and forces the extremity d, d, of the latter to lodge in the joint
ring E, which it secures strongly to the bottom of the groove thus formed, as shewn
at Figure 6. Finally the box is placed in its last stage in another frame, Figure 7,
in which the interior part of the circle D, D, has a particular form intended to
secure the turned over part P, P, firmly to the body of the box, which thereby gives
to the bottom or cover the required form, the turned over part forming a ring close
round the top of the box, as shown in vertical section at Figure 8. In this way
the hermetically closing of the box is accomplished. It will be understood then
that the folding up or over of the metal is essentially produced by the successive
action of the different plungers which compress it, as the employment of rollers,
lies, or equivalent tools by flattening the metal increase the length of the ring at
he expense of the tightness of the joint.
By avoiding the use of solder the process described enables tin plates to be
lispensed with in the manufacture of preserving boxes, and sheet iron or ziuc
lates, which are much cheaper, to be used instead. In this case the body even of
he box, if it is not closed according to this Invention and it is desired to be soldered,
he parts to be united must be tinned previous to their being soldered.
An essential part of the Invention consists in the arrangement of the joint, which
3 on the exterior of the box in order that it may not be in contact with the liquids

page_text: in the interior. The joint, made with substances usually employed, is rendered
completely insoluble in the oil or other material contained in the box in the fol-
lowing manner:-When the box has been subjected to the action of the first press,
Figure 2, but not to the second, the upper edge is steeped in strong glue or analogous
substance dissolved in a volatile acid, such as acetic acid or other pyroligneous
acids; when the conting is sufficiently dry the box is submitted to tho different
operations subsequently described. This coating not only renders the joints un-
attackable by oil or other matters which the boxes may contain, but the tightness
of the box may be relied upon with the utmost security.
The means last described for rendering the joints more secure may be used in
combination with or without the other nicans before described. The joint before
described is intended to be the means of obtaining tightness in the case where this
tightness does not result from the mode of setting described. Boxes, therefore, may
be closed according to this Invention with or without the employment of the joint,
at the same time the joint with any other mode of closing forms part of the
Invention.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that I claim-
First. The arrangements in combination and detail, substantially as before
described and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings, for the manufacture of
boxes suitable for preserving alimentary and other substances.
Second. The fastening for the bottom of boxes in and by the rolling over of the
metal with or without the insoluble joint, and effected without the employment of
the ordinary bending or moulding tools or rollers, substantially as described and
illustrated in the accompanying Drawings.
Third. The position of the joint at the exterior of the box so as to avoid its
coming in contact with the contents of the box, substantially as described.
Fourth. The employment of a composition for rendering the joint insoluble and
tight, substantially as described.
Fifth. The application of the insoluble joint as described to all kinds of fastenings
for boxes containing materials to be preserved, substantially as set forth.
Sixth. The tinning of the two edges of the box in the event of the latter being
made of sheet metal or varnished, substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Griffith Brewer, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.