IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SHEET METAL PAILS, COTTON CANS, AND OTHER LIKE VESSELS.
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine,
Lake, & Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SHEET METAL
PAILS, COTTON CANS, AND OTHER LIKE VESSELS.". -A communication from
abroad by Henry Wardwell Shepard, of Brooklyn, and Robert
Seaman, of New York, both in the State of New York, United
States of America.
-
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 22nd January 1874.
I, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co.
Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
SHEET METAL PAILS, COTTON CANS, AND OTHER LIKE VESSELS," a communication,
to be as follows:-
This Invention has reference entirely to the bottoming of sheet metal
vessels, particularly milk and water pails, and what are known as

page_text: factory cotton and woollen cans. The great advantage of these improve-
ments is that while the said vessels are neater, stronger, and in every
way more durable than vessels of a similar character now in general use,
the bottoms are permanently secured to the bodies or cylinders of the
vessels without the expense or labor of either rivetting or soldering.
The bottoms which I propose to use are in the main such bottoms as
are fully described in the Specification of former Letters Patent bearing
date the 12th February, A.D. 1872, No. 444, that is to say, the bottom
has a convex base with a broad well defined base rim, the whole being
stamped or otherwise formed of a single piece of metal suitable for the
purpose, but I wish it distinctly understood that in the construction of
the said bottom there is nothing arbitrary about forming the same with
a convex base, as instead of the base being convex the bottom may be
so stamped or otherwiso formed as to leave the base flat or concave, and,
in many instances the concave formation is preferable, especially in the
construction of pails designed for dairy use, as it avoids the angular
groove or recess at the point of union between the bottom and cylinder
which is difficult to rinse and keep clean.
With these improvements in securing the bottom in the cylinders or
bodies of all sheet metal vessels the same general principle is involved,
that is to say, by means of a groove and bead joint the use of solder and
rivets or both is avoided in the construction of the vessel. But the
novelty in connection with the present improvements does not rest
entirely on the fact that in securing a bottom in a sheet metal vessel a
groove or bead joint is used, but on the fact that such a joint is employed
in connection with the style of bottom used and a peculiar method of
attachment, and in the construction of a class of vessels which in
themselves are new articles of manufacture and hitherto unknown to
the trade.
I will first describe the said improvements as applied to the con-
struction of cans and in connection with which I would remark that the
object of this Invention is to furnish to the trade as an entirely new
article of manufacture a metallic can for cotton and woollen factories,
which shall be strong and durable and exceedingly cheap and simple to
manufacture.
As far as relates to the said cans the nature of the said Invention
consists in securing the cylinder of a can over and around a bottom and

page_text: inner base hoop, formed of a single piece of metal by bead or groove
attachment, and in strengthening the cylinder by attaching to the outer
surface of the same and immediately above the bead that secures the
inner hoop an outer hoop or band which is also fastened through a bead
or groove attachment.
The said Invention also consists in securing the bottom and hoop to
the cylinder of the vessel by two or more bead or groove attachments, and
in securing above the base or bottom hoop and to strengthen the cylinder
an independent outer hoop or band, which like the lower or bottom hoop
is permanently attached to the cylinder, without employing solder, but
simply through a bead or groove connection, thereby avoiding in cach
case scam joints and rivets. The interior surface of the cans is left
exceedingly smooth.
In some instances I employ a bottom and outer hoop in every respect
similar in construction to the above, and the said Invention further
consists in securing the bottom and cylinder without the expense of
solder, but simply by a groove and bead attachment, and in strengthening
the cylinder and in further securing the hoop thereto by forming an
additional groove and bead joint between the hoop and cylinder at the
upper section of the hoop. In the construction of this can instead of
the lower section of the hoop or rim on the bottom extending down flush
with the lower section of the cylinder it extends down below the same,
the projecting section being turned up, over, and around the lower
section of the cylinder or hoop to provide an outer flange, thereby
affording four thicknesses of metal at the base and making the can
exceedingly strong at this section.
The said Invention also consists in securing around the lower edge or
base of the bottom an independent outer hoop of heavier material, and in
permanently connecting the same by means of a groove and bead joint,
and as in the other cases forming an exceedingly strong and durable can
without the expense or labor incident to soldering and rivetting.
The improved pails are constructed according to this Invention on the
same general principle as the aforesaid cans, that is to say, in their
construction I avoid in the attachment of the bottom to the body of the
vessel the expense and labor of both soldering and riveting.
The said Invention in connection with the said pails consists partly
in the employment of a convex bottom and outer hoop stamped out of

page_text: one piece of metal, the hoop or rim being made to conform to the
contour of the body of the vessel, and in seating the body or cylinder
therein, and then uniting the same by groove and bead attachment, one
being at the angle of the base of the bottom and rim or hoop and the
other groove or bead joint being at or near the upper section of the hoop
or rim.
In connection with this pail the said Invention further consists in
securing a bottom having an annular rim within a pail by a groove and
bead joint and without either riveting the same or employing solder. A
short section or flange of the cylinder is turned in and around the lower
edge of the rim or hoop of the bottom, forming a neat and close con-
nection between the rim and body of the pail.
'
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Scal Patent
Office on the 22nd July 1874.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-second day of January, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the thirty-
seventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said William Robert Lake, Her special
licence that I, the said William Robert Lake, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Robert
Lake, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SHEET METAL PAILS, COTTON CANS,
AND OTHER LIKE VESSELS," a communication to me from abroad by Henry
Wardwell Shepard, of Brooklyn, and Robert Seaman, of New York, both
in the State of New York, United States of America, upon the condition

page_text: (amongst others) that I, the said William Robert Lake, my executors or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or
one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was
to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal
Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after
the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Robert Lake, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement, reference being had to the accom-
panying Drawing forming a part of this Specification :-
The present Invention has reference entirely to the bottoming of
sheet metal vessels, particularly milk and water pails, and what are
known as factory cotton and woolen cans. The great advantage of these
improvements is that while the said vessels are neater, stronger, and
in every way more durable than vessels of a similar character now in
general use, the bottoms are permanently secured to the bodies or
cylinders of the vessels without the expense or labor of either rivets or
solder.
The bottoms which I propose to use are in the main such bottoms as
are fully described in the Specification of former Letters Patent dated
February 12th A.D. 1872, No. 444, that is to say, the bottom has a
convex base with a broad well defined base rim, the whole being
stamped or otherwise formed of a single piece of metal suitable for the
purpose; but I wish it distinctly understood that in the construction of
the said bottom there is nothing arbitrary about forming the same with
a convex base, as instead of the base being convex the bottom may be
so stamped or otherwise formed as to leave the base flat or concave.
And in many instances the concave formation is preferable, especially
in the construction of pails designed for dairy use, as it avoids the
angular groove or recess at the point of union between the bottom and
cylinder, which is difficult to rinse and keep clean.
With these improvements in securing the bottom in the cylinders or
bodies of all sheet metal vessels the same general principle is involved,
that is to say, by means of a groove and bead joint the use of solder and
rivets or both is avoided in the construction of the vessel. But the

page_text: novelty in connection with the present improvements does not rest
entirely on the fact that in securing a bottom in a sheet metal vessel a
groove or bead joint is used, but on the fact that such a joint is employed
in connection with the style of bottom used and a peculiar method of
attachment, and in the construction of a class of vessels which in them-
selves are new articles of manufacture, and hitherto unknown to the
trade.

page_text: secures the inner hoop, an outer loop or band, which is also fastened
through a bead or groove attachment.
The said Invention consists in securing the bottom and hoop to the
cylinder of the vessel by two or more bead or groove attachments, as
shewn in Figure 3, and in securing above the base or bottom hoop, and
to strengthen the cylinder, an independent outer hoop or band, which
like the lower or bottom hoop is permanently attached to the cylinder
without, as in the arrangement shown in Figure 1, employing solder,
but simply through a bead or groove connection, thereby avoiding in
each case seam joints and rivets; the interior surface of the cans is left
exceedingly smooth.
In the can shown in Figure 6 I employ a bottom and outer hoop in
every respect similar in construction to that shewn in Figures 1 and 3,
and the said Invention consists in securing the bottom and cylinder
without the expense of solder, but simply by a groove and bead attach-
ment, and in strengthening the cylinder; and in further securing the
hoop thereto by forming an additional groove and bead joint between
the hoop and cylinder at the upper section of the hoop. In the con-
struction of this can instead of the lower section of the hoop or rim on
the bottom extending down flush with the lower section of the cylinder
it extends down below the same, the projecting section being turned up,
over, and around the lower section of the cylinder or hoop to provide
an outer flange, thereby affording four thicknesses of metal at the base
and making the can exceedingly strong at this section.
The said Invention consists in securing around the lower edge or base
of the bottom an independent outer hoop of heavier metal, and in per-
manently connecting the same by means of a groove and bead joint, and
as in the other cases forming an exceedingly strong and durable can,
without the expense or labor incident to soldering and riveting, as
illustrated in Figure 7. I thus furnish to the trade a metallic can for
use in cotton and woolen factories, in every way far preferable to those
now in general usc.
The improved pails according to this Invention are constructed on the
same general principle as the aforesaid cans, that is to say, in their con-
struction, beside other most important advantages, as herein-after fully
set forth. I avoid in the attachment of the bottom to the body of the
vessel the expense and labor of both soldering and riveting.

page_text: The said improved pails, which are new articles of manufacture, are
shown in Figures 2 and 4, Figure 5 simply shewing the first stage of
the process in securing the bottom on the pail, shewn in Figure 4. The
said Invention in connection with the pail shewn in Figure 2 simply
consists in the employment of a convex bottom and outer hoop stamped
out of one piece of metal, the hoop or rim being made to conform to the
contour of the body of the vessel and in seating the body or cylinder
therein, and then uniting the same by groove and bead attachment, one
being at the angle of the base of the bottom and rim or hoop, and the
other groove or bead joint being at or near the upper section of the hoop
or rim.
The pail illustrated in Figure 4 is preferable to the one just referred
to, and for simplicity, cheapness of construction, durability, and con-
venience in cleansing and handling is superior to any article of this
character heretofore offered to the trade.
In connection with this pail the said Invention further consists in
securing a bottom having an annular rim within a pail by a groove and
bead joint, and without either riveting the same or employing solder.
The relative diameters of the bottom and body of the pail are to be such
that when the bottom is inserted the lower edge of its rim shall not
extend down flush with the lower section of the cylinder, but on the
contrary a short section of the cylinder shall extend down or be left
below the rim or hoop of the bottom. A short section or flange of the
cylinder is turned in and around the lower edge of the rim or hoop of
the bottom forming a neat and close connection between the rim and
body of the pail at its base, and which furnishes an annular rim or base
for the vessel, always protecting the bottom, and which is of the greatest
advantage, especially when the pail is used for out-door milking, as it
frees the bottom from all contact with the ground. This rim is also of
the greatest advantage in emptying or pouring out the contents of the
vessel, furnishing a convenient bearing for the hand in tilting the
vessel.
The construction of the cotton and woolen can shewn in Figure 1 is
as follows:-A is the cylinder, which is constructed of any suitable
metal and connected by a single lap joint; B is the bottom and B³ the
inner or base hoop, and these are stamped or otherwise manufactured of
a single piece of metal. The bottom B may be convex, as shown, and

page_text: the counterpart of the bottom described in the Specification of the said
former Letters Patent, or flat, or of any other desired form. The
bottom B and its turned-down hoop or flange B' are secured within the
cylinder without solder or rivets, but simply through the bead or groove
attachments a, b. C is an independent outer hoop or band secured
around the cylinder, the lower section of its face being immediately
above the bead a of the cylinder that secures the bottom and inner
hoop. The hoop or band C is also secured and permanently attached to
the cylinder without being soldered or riveted, but simply through the
beads or grooves a, c.
In Figure 3 D is the cylinder constructed precisely like the cylinder A
in Figure 1, and the bottom E and inner or base loop E¹ are constructed
of one piece of any suitable metal, and are precisely the same as the
bottom and hoop B, B¹, of Figure 1, and like the bottom B the
bottom E may be convex, as shown in the Drawing, flat, or of any other
desired form. This cylinder D is scated in the bottom and turned
-slightly out at its base or lower edge, as clearly shewn at D'. This con-
struction secures a double advantage, that of affording a permanent
connection with the bead e of the bottom and hoop E, E', by turning
the lower edge of the cylinder out and back into the bead e, and besides,
leaves the interior of the cylinder smooth and without any obstruction at
its base, which is essential. This manner of securing the cylinder saves
the expense and labor of covering its lower edge or base with solder,
which heretofore in all cans of this character has been found necessary
and indispensable in order to secure a smooth inner surface of the
cylinder. The upper section of the base hoop E¹ is attached or fastened
through a bead e¹, in which enters and is secured the bead or groove d
on the outer surface of the cylinder D. F is an independent outer hoop
or band and is secured through the bead and groove attachments f, d,
like the hoop E¹ and immediately above the same.
-
In Figure 6 G is the cylinder which is in all respects similar to the
cylinders A and D, Figures 1 and 3. H is tho bottom, and H¹ the base
hoop. These, like the bottoms and base hoops above described, are
stamped or otherwise formed of a single piece of metal, and the
bottom H may be convex, as shewn, or flat, or of any other desired
form. The lower edge of the hoop H' of the bottom in Figure 6 does

page_text: not extend down flush with the lower edge of the cylinder, as shown in
Figure 1, but extends down below the same, and is turned out, up, and
around the independent outer hoop J, forming as it were an outer
flange G¹ as clearly shewn. The bottom H and its turned down inner
hoop or flange H₁ are secured to the cylinder without solder or rivets
but simply through the bead or groove attachments g, h. J is the
independent outer hoop or band secured around the cylinder, and at its
lower section is grooved as at j so as to fit over the bead g, h. This
hoop or band J is also permanently attached and secured to the cylinder
without being soldered or riveted through the beads and grooves h, j, at
the upper section of the hoop.
It will be observed that in these three cotton cans, that is, those
shown in Figures 1, 3, and 6, almost identically, the same principle is
involved in their construction, that is the same style of bottom is used,
and it is secured to the cylinder through groove and bead joints sub-
stantially in the same way. In these cans the use and advantages of
the independent hoops C, F, and J, used in their respective construction
are to afford additional strength to the lower section of the cylinder, a
matter very essential in view of the fact that cans of this character at
their base are called upon to resist the very roughest handling, being
moved about and over the factory floor by the operatives taking hold of
the can at the top and then pushing it along with the foot. Cans con-
structed according to either of the plans herein described are not only
neater and more durable than the old style of cotton can, but can be
manufactured with a saving of nearly one half the labor and expense.
I save in each can one seam and the expense of solder, labor, and time.
Practical experience has fully demonstrated the fact that cans con-
structed as herein described can be made with a great saving to the
manufacturer, while at the same time the trade is furnished with a
better and more durable article, one having a smoother interior surface
than ordinary cans, the seams, rivets, and other protuberances being
avoided, and the said improved cans being in every way better suited to
the trade than the old cans.

page_text: factory purposes, and in addition to the savings of expense before
enumerated, will save in the cost of material.
In Figure 7 the bottom and outer hoop alone are shown, but in all
respects the cans in connection with which they are used bear a close
resemblance in their construction to the cans herein-before described
and illustrated in Figures 1, 3, and 6, and have all the advantages of
cheapness in the saving of solder and labor in manufacturing and cost
of material employed in their construction to recommend them, and are
equally as serviceable as either of the other cans. K is the bottom, and
K' the bottom base hoop, the same being precisely such a bottom as has
been referred to in the description of the other cans, the bottom and
hoop being stamped or otherwise formed of a single piece of metal,
and as in the other cans the bottom K may be convex, as.shown in the
Drawing, flat, or of any other desired form. L is an independent base
hoop which encircles the annular rim of the bottom to protect the same,
and affords the additional advantage of permitting the bottom to be
made of much lighter material. This hoop L is made of black iron, and
has its under section L' much heavier and thicker than the remaining
portion of the hoop and at the section where the greatest wear and tear
has to be borne. The bottom K and hoop L without the use of solder
are connected at their base by a bead and groove joint as shown at k, l.
In the bottom and hoop K, K', is seated the cylinder which is similar
in construction in every respect to the cylinders A, D, and G, described
in connection with Figures 1, 3, and 6. The base of the cylinder in
this instance, so as to fit into the groove k of the bottom and hoop K, K',
is turned out slightly, as shown at D', Figure 3.
The said improved pails as above set forth are constructed on the same
principle as the cans, and are shown in Figures 2, 4, and 5, Figure 5
illustrating the first stage of the process in forming the pail, shown in
Figure 4, or in other words, the position of the bottom in the body of
the pail before the bead which connects the same is thrown out.
In the pail shown in Figure 2 M is the body of the vessel, which is to
be made of black iron instead of tin. Tin of sufficient dimensions to
permit the cylinder of an ordinary sized pail being formed of a single
sheet is so expensive as to render its use by manufacturers entirely
impracticable. Consequently these cylinders have heretofore been.

page_text: invariably constructed of small sheets of tin soldered together,
leaving in each cylinder numerous seam joints, the securing of which
involves both labor and expense, and which are most objectionable,
especially in milk cans, owing to the great difficulty of keeping the same
clean; but when black iron is used in the construction of the cylinder
or body of the pail, as I propose, the entire cylinder is formed of one
piece and connected by a single lap joint or seam. N is the bottom,
which may be convex, as indicated in the Drawing, flat, or of any other
desired form; and N¹ is the outer base hoop. The bottom N and base
hoop N', like the bottoms and hoops of the cans herein-before described,
are stamped out or otherwise formed of a single piece of metal. The
cylinder or body of the pail M is scated in the bottom N, its lower
section being encircled or surrounded by the base hoop N¹. It is con-
nected therewith by the groove or bead joints m and n, one being at the
base of the hoop and the other at its upper section. With this simple
arrangement of beads or grooves at an immense saving of labor and
without the expense of solder a permanent connection between the
body M and hoop N¹ is effected, the beads or grooves uniting the parts
of the pail so firmly together that the tinning makes it as it were one

page_text: in appearance and has a joint as tight as solder can provide, and as
herein-before stated sheets of black iron can be procured at an
exceedingly moderate cost, and of such dimensions as to permit of the
body of the cylinder being formed of one piece of metal, and by the
employment of but a single seam joint instead of two or three as is
invariably the practice with vessels of this character when constructed
of sheet tin. P is the bottom, and may be constructed of black iron or
any other suitable material. This bottom, like all the other bottoms
herein-before described, is stamped or otherwise formed with an annular
rim or hoop P¹. Instead of the cylinder being inserted in the bottom,
as in the pail shown in Figure 2, the bottom is inserted in the cylinder,
the rim or hoop being angular so as to conform to the contour of the
body of the pail, the relative diameters of the lower section of the pail,
and the bottom being such that when the bottom is inserted it will fall
to such position as to leave a short section of the body or cylinder
projecting beyond the lower edge of the cylinder, as shown at O¹,
Figure 5; then by a single operation of an ordinary tool the bead or
groove o, p, is thrown out, firmly connecting the body of the vessel, its
bottom and base hoop. The lower edge or flange of the body O¹ is then
turned up, in, and around the lower edge of the rim or hoop P¹, firmly
uniting the cylinder and bottom at their base and leaving a neat and
most serviceable rim at its base, and one exceedingly useful in all vessels
of this class. The bead or groove o, p, forms the attachment between
the body of the pail and bottom, and when the material is black iron,
possessing as it does advantages which are fully hercin-before set forth,
an exceedingly tight joint or connection is provided simply by dipping
the vessel after its several parts are united in the ordinary composition
used for tinning sheet metal ware. Thus out of the cheapest material
and by a simple construction, which saves several steps in the process of
manufacture, I produce a pail or other like vessel which is tight, strong,
and durable, and with all the joints and scams necessary to unite the
cylinder and bottom under the latter, and out of the way, rendering it
exceedingly easy to keep the interior of the vessel clean. Q is an
ordinary bail, and is attached to the vessel in the usual manner.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to

page_text: First. A sheet metal vessel chiefly designed for factory purposes,
consisting of a cylinder A, bottom B, and inner turned down base
hoop B¹, the latter formed of a single piece of metal, and the hoop or
band C, when the several parts are arranged and connected as shown in
Figure 1 by bead or groove attachments, and in such a manner as to
avoid the expense and labor of soldering or riveting as herein described.
Second. A sheet metal vessel chiefly designed for factory purposes,
consisting of a cylinder D, bottom E, and outer turned up hoop E¹, the
latter formed of a single piece of metal, and the hoop or band F, when
the several parts are arranged and connected, as shown in Figure 3, by
bead or groove attachments, and in such a manner as to avoid the
expense and labor of soldering or riveting, as above described.
Third. A sheet metal vessel chiefly designed for factory purposes,
consisting of a cylinder G, bottom H, and inner turned down base
hoop H', the latter formed of a single piece of metal, and the hoop
or band J, when the same are arranged and connected as shown in
Figuro 6, by bead or groove attachments, and in such a manner as to
avoid the expense and labor of soldering or rivetting, as above described.
Fourth. A bottom for a sheet metal vessel chiefly designed for factory
purposes, consisting of the bottom or base plate K and outer hoop K¹
formed of a single piece of metal, and so arranged as to allow of the
cylinder or body being seated therein, and the independent hoop L, when
the several parts are formed and connected, as shown in Figure 7, by bead
and groove attachments, and in such a manner as to avoid the expense
and labor of soldering or riveting, as above described.
Fifth. A sheet metal vessel consisting of a cylinder or body M,
bottom N, and turned up hoop N₁, the latter being formed of a single
piece of metal, when the same are arranged and connected as in Figure 2
by bead or groove attachments, and in such a manner as to avoid the
labor and expense of soldering or riveting, as above described.
Sixth. A sheet metal vessel consisting of a cylinder or body O, a
bottom P, and turned down hoop P¹, the latter being formed of a single
piece of metal when the same are arranged and connected, as shown in
Figure 4, by bead or groove attachments, and in such a manner as

page_text: to avoid the labor and expense of soldering or riveting, as above
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of July,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
four.
Witness,
H. J. NOONE,
8, Southampton Buildings,
London.
W. ROBT. LAKE. (L.S.)