Improvements in Sealing or Hermetically Closing Jars and other Receptacles.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Nov., 1897-Accepted, 26th Feb., 1898
Improvements in Sealing or Hermetically Closing Jars and other
Receptacles.
I, THOMAS HUNTER DODD, of 73, Galgate, Barnard Castle, Durham, Surgeon
Dentist, 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:-
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This invention relates to improvements in connection with the sealing of lidded
jars and other receptacles, and its object is to provide a simple device which will
allow such vessels or receptacles to be hermetically sealed in vacuum process or
otherwise.
As applied to vacuum sealing I propose to form at the top of the jar and at the
outside edge a small groove, extending completely round the jar. This groove is
situated at the point of junction between the lid and the jar, and the lid is formed
with a corresponding groove, the two meeting when the lid is placed in position.
The jar is also provided with the steam or air vent commonly employed in vacuum
preserving. This groove and the said steam or air vent are filled up with a suit-
able substance while the vessel is undergoing the hot process. Both the lid and
jar are also provided with an outer groove also including the joint and extending
a short distance above and below, the groove above described thus forming a central
depression or groove within the larger one. The larger groove serves to receive a
rubber band which stretches over and covers the joint and the inner groove after
the latter has been filled up. The joint is completely sealed, and as the band is
stretched it will effectually prevent any air passing through the joint, thus forming
an additional seal. The band is put on after the vessel has been cooled, so that
there is no danger of its being injured.
As applied to the hermetical sealing of jars other than the vacuum process, the
large groove only is employed, the inner one being dispensed with. This arrange-
ment is applied to all kinds of receptacles, which are required to be air tight, or
damp proof, the rubber band entirely preventing air or damp penetrating even
when employed with ordinary joints.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference is had to
the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a vertical section of a jar fitted with
my improvement, and Fig. 2 is a plan of the same with the cover removed.
A is the jar which may be of any suitable shape and size. The cover B is in the
arrangement shown fitted to it by means of the lips a and b formed at the upper
edge of the jar and at the lower edge of the cover. Any other method of fixing the
cover to the jar however may be employed.
Both the jar and the cover are formed with the grooves C and 1 at their outer
edges, arranged to form a single groove when the cover is fitted in place. This
groove is of sufficient width to receive the rubber band E which, as shown, covers
the joint and is stretched tightly over it. Within this larger groove the smaller
one F is formed consisting of a further step or depression at the extreme outer edge
of the jar and the cover. This inner groove F is filled with suitable material

page_text: during the hot process, so that the joint is completely closed, together with f the
vent or perforation provided to allow the steam or air to escape when the vessel is
being sealed by the hot or vacuum process as above described. The vent f opens
exactly in the inner groove so that it is filled at the same time as the groove and
it preferably extends inwardly towards the top of the jar.
When employed only for hermetical sealing the inner groove F is dispensed with
and the rubber ring in large groove only is used.
This device is applicable to all jars or receptacles for the vacuum preservation
of fruits or the like. The jar may be made of glass, earthenware, or any other
material suitable for the purpose. The seal is not destroyed on opening the vessel
so that the jar can be used a number of times without its usefulness being impaired.
The outer groove and rubber band is applicable to all kinds of covered recep-
tacles such as are used for tobacco, tea, coffee biscuits and the like in hermetically
sealing and preserving of such materials from air and damp.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
(1) An improved means for hermetically sealing jars and the like, consisting of
a groove formed in the upper edge of the jar, and in the lower edge of the cover at
the outside, and a rubber ring or band placed in the said groove covering the
joint, substantially as described and for the purposes specified.
(2) An improved means for sealing jars or other receptacles in vacuum process
consisting of two grooves, one inside the other, formed from channels at the upper
edge of the jar and at the lower edge of the cover, suitable material placed in the
inner groove during the vacuum process and a rubber ring placed in the outer
groove when the jar is cool, covering and sealing the joint substantially as
described and shown, and for the purposes specified.
Dated this 18th day of November 1897
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicant.