Improvements in the Covers of Milk Cans, Preserve Boxes, and the like
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Dec., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 21st Sep., 1897-Accepted, 11th Dec., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
"Improvements in the Covers of Milk Cans, Preserve Boxes, and
the like."
I, AUGUSTE GAULIN, of 86 Rue Myrha, Paris, in the Republic of France, Manager
of the Societe Serramalera & Co. Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in the covers of caus, boxes or receptacles
serving either for the transport of milk or for similar purposes, or for enclosing
alimentary preserves and the like, these improvements having for their object to
surely fix the cover upon the can or box and absolutely preclude the opening during
the transport, to provide for a certain and unlimited tightness of the cover, and lastly
to render any fraud impossible.
In the various forms my improved cover comprises three essential parts, that is to
say the cover or closing device proper, the joint and the safety device for ensuring
violability to prevent fraud.
One form of my cover or closing device proper comprises two bolts provided at
their extreme end with hooks or noses designed for engaging with or taking below a
collar with which the can or box is to be closed is furnished. The bolts slide in a
handle connected with the.cover and are actuated in the manner of bolts of windows,
that is to say the tail-piece of each bolt has a transverse incision or groove in which
is displaced a tenon fixed to the upper face of a small disc or eccentric which is
operated from the outside by means of a lever. The grooves in the tail pieces of the
bolts being opposite, the tenons, on the eccentric being caused to turn about its axis
with the aid of the lever, will approach or recede from the bolts so that the hooks or
noses of the latter will embrace on each side the circular collar on the body of the
can or box or will release this collar.
The cover joint comprises a ring of felt, fibre, asbestos or rubber of any suitable
section but preferably circular, which is pressed between the angular or round collars
of the can or box and of the cover. The tightness of such a joint is absolute.
My cover is completed by a safety device for ensuring inviolability, which is
constructed in such a manner as to render the cover absolutely inviolable, leaving a
visible trace either of the opening or of attempted opening. The lever of the
eccentric and the handle or har present two ears or lugs which will be in correspon-
dence when the box is closed I fix them one to the other by means of a rivet or a
ligature of lead which is squeezed with the aid of pincers having removable punches.
I may every day change the punches and consequently change the date and the mark
which the seal bears, thereby rendering the control easy and fraud impossible. I
open the box by introducing a strip between the two ears or lugs so as to cut the
shank of the rivet which may be of circular, prismatic or other section.
In a modification of my cover applied to a milk can the cover or closing device °
comprises also two bolts having noses or hooks, which slide in the handle connected
with the cover, but these bolts are actuated by a spring bent to the arc-shaped form
and made in one or preferably more strips. When the can is closed the noses or
hooks of the bolts will on each side embrace the circular and slightly inclined collar

page_text: of this can and constantly tend to approach each other under the effect of traction
of the spring which acts upon the bolts through the intervention of the rings.
For sealing the box when the cover is in its place I place on the handle a square
piece, the two tenons of which are placed in holes pierced for this purpose in the tail
pieces of the bolts which are laid bare so as to prevent any separation of the latter.
The square arm which is then arranged vertically, thus prevents any action of the
hand upon the spring: Lastly the handle and the piece have each an ear or lug and
these two lugs are connected by a seal or rivet of lead with an impression which latter
may be modified from day to day.
In another constructive form or arrangement the closing of the preserve box is
effected by a single spring bent longitudinally above the handle of the cover and
turned down at its two extremities so as to form noses which will embrace the flange or
collar of the box. The spring is held upon the cover by ears fixed to the side of this
cover. I open the box by flattening the spring which causes its two extremities to
turn and the flange or collar to slip from the noses.
The joint may be obtained as in the preceding arrangements, but I may also use
an exclusively metallic joint. Upon the side is arranged and fixed a metallic flange
or collar which is suitably turned back or chased so as to present upon its upper surface
a circular groove of an angular section or more or less rounded. The cover which is
likewise made of metal, is enchased in such a manner as to present upon its under
surface a circular projection or thickened part of an appropriate section and which at
the time of the closing will engage exactly with the channel of the box and form a
completely metallic joint, the tightness of which is absolute and the durability
unlimited. In order to prevent fraud I introduce after the closing a metallic wedge
between the handle of the cover and the spring. Two ribs may be provided transversely
upon the handle for enabling the wedge to be inserted at the desired point without
any trouble. Lastly I pass a wire into the holes which are pierced in the enls of the
wedge the handle and the spring are surrounded and I seal by means of lead provided
with a variable impression.
In a further modification I provide a small milk can with a cover or closing device
having a single spring bent longitudinally above the handle of the cover and turned
down at its two extremities so as to form noses which will embrace the collar or
flange of the box.
DIAL OF
1000
HASELTINE LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.. Agents for the Applicant.
+66
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Covers of Milk Cans, Preserve Boxes, and
the like."
I, AUGUSTE GAULIN of 86, Rue Myrhn Paris in the Republic of France, Manager of
the Societe Serramalera & Co. Manufacturers, 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 improvements in the covers or closing devices of cans
boxes or receptacles serving either for the transport of milk or other similar purposes,
or for containing alimentary products and the like, the object of these improvements
being to ensure a reliable fastening of the cover upon the box and to absolutely
prevent the latter from being opened during transport, also to render the closing

page_text: certam and absolutely tight and finally to render the commission of any fraud
impossible.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a cover or closing device for milk cans in
which the distinctive features of my invention are incorporated.
Figure 2 is a plan of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a front elevation thereof
Figure 4 is an horizontal section upon the line 1-2 of Figure 3.
Figure 5 shows in elevation and in plan the lever excentric by the operation of
which the device is opened and closed.
Figure 6 shews in elevation and in plan one of the closing bolts.
Figure 7 represents a safety or sealing rivet for the cover.
Figures 8 and 9 represent in vertical section and in plan respectively a slight
modification of any device applied to a milk can.
Figure 10 is partial vertical section of the closing device upon the line 10-10-of
Figure 8.
Figure 11 shews in vertical section and in plan one of the bolts for such device.
Figure 12 and 13 represent in sectional elevation and in plan respectively a metal
box or tin for preserved food to which a further modification of my closing device
is applied.
Figure 14 is a detail view on a larger scale of the metal joint which I may employ,
as in the device represented in Figures 12 and 13 instead of the joint with a cord or
strip of felt, fibre or india-rubber, and
Figures 15 and 16 shew in sectional elevation and in plan respectively a small
milk can to which is applied a third modification of my closing device.
In all its various forins my improved closing device comprises three essential
portions; the closing device properly so called, the joint and the safety or sealing device
for the prevention of fraud.
Referring to Figures 1 to 6 of the drawings, it will be seen that my closing device
properly so called comprises two bolts a a provided, at their outer extremity, with
hooks or noses a¹¹ intended to hook or catch beneath a collar h with which the box
or can H to be closed is formed or provided. The bolts a a slide in the centrally
placed handle b which is integral with or rigidly fastened to the lid e and they are
actuated in the same manner as bolts for fastening windows, that is to say, the tail
piece of each bolt has a transverse notch or groove g which receives a tenon d fixed upon
the upper face of a small disc or eccentric e, which is operated from outside by means of
the lever f. The grooves g g of the tail-pieces of the bolta being oppositely placed,
when the excentric e is caused to turn around its axis e' by means of the lever f, the
tenons d cause the bolts a to either approach or separate from each other in such a
manner that the hooks or noses a¹ a¹ of these latter will either embrace upon each
side the circular flange or collar h upon the body of the box or can H or will leave the
saine.
The opening and closing of the receptacle are effected by horizontal movement or
displacement of the bolts a a for the purpose of causing the noses at 'al to either
approach or recede from the flange so that the weight of the can when held
vertically can in no case cause it to open during transport. The whole of the
mechanism is placed in the centrally situated bar or handle & soldered or riveted to
the walls of the lid c, which is of the usual cup shape as shewn in Fig. 1. Externally
then, all that is seen is the noses a¹ a¹ of the bolts and the lever f for operating the
excentric e.
In order to fix the lid in place, the bolts a a are first caused to occupy the open
position.
The closing joint comprises a ring o of felt, fibre, asbestos or rubber of any
suitable section but preferably circular, which is flattened between the angular or
rounded flanges and e' of the can H and the lid e. The tightness of such a joint
is perfect.
My closing device is completed by a safety or sealing arrangement which is so

page_text: devised as to render it impossible to effect or endeavour to effect an opening without
leaving visible evidence of the fact. The lever f of the excentric and the bar or
handle bare formed with two ears or lugs m and m¹ which register one with the
other when the can is closed (Figures 12 and 3). I seal one to the other by means
of a rivet r (Figure 7) or a piece of leal which I compress by means of pliers having
removable stamps or dies. These stamps may be changed daily and consequently
the date and mark upon the seal, thus rendering the checking easy, and all fraud
impossible.
The can is opened by introducing a blade between the two ears m and m¹ so as
to cut the shank of the rivet which latter may be of circular prismatic or any other
section.
In Figures 8, 9, 10 and 11, 1 have represented one of the modifications of my
closing device applied to a milk can. The closing device in this case also comprises
two bolts a a having hooks or noses a a and sliding in the handle b rigidly fixed to
the lid c, but these bolts are actuated by means of a spring bent so as to form an
are and which consists preferably of several blades.
When the can is closed, the noses a¹ a¹ of the bolts embrace upon each side the
circular and slightly inclined flange or collar h of this can I and constantly tend to
approach each other under the influence of the spring which acts upon the bolts by
means of rings 1. In order to open the box, the fingers are passed beneath the
spring, the palm of the hand remaining resting upon the handle b, and with the
fingers the spring is flattened; the extremities of the spring thus compressed tending
to separate one from the other, act upon the bolts a a which slide in the handle b
and separate parallel one to the other, so that their noses a¹¹ leave the collar h of
the can.
The joint is in this case also obtained by means of a ring o of felt, fibre, asbestos,
or rubber which is flattened between the angular or rounded flanges h and e' of the
can H and of the lid e, whereby perfect tightness is ensured.
In order to seal the can, when the lid c is in place an angle piece n is placed over
the handle the two pins n n of such angle piece fitting into holes provided for this
purpose in the tail-pieces of the bolts a a, which are uncovered, in such a manner as
to entirely prevent the latter from sepamting. The arm n of the angle piece which
is vertically situated, likewise prevents the spring from heing acted upon by the
hand. Finally the handle b and the piece n are both provided with an eye or lug p
or pl and these two lugs p p are united by means of a leaden seal or rivet r havinng
an impression which may be modified from day to day.
. In the constructional arrangement shewn in Figures 12, 13 and 14 the closing of
the preserved food tin H is effected by a single spring / bent longitudinally above
the handle b of the lid c and turned down at its two extremities in such a manner as
to form hooks which embrace the collar A of the box H. The spring is held upon
the lid by means of the staples 88 soldered to the wall of the said lid. The box or tin
is opened by flattening the spring thereby causing the hooks on its two
extremities to leave the collar h.
The joint may he obtained as in the preceding arrangements but I may likewise
employ an exclusively metallic joint. Upon the tin H is fixed a metal flange & which
is suitably stamped or pressed in such a manner that its upper face has a circular
groove t which may be of angular or more or less rounded cross-section. The lid c
which is also of metal is so shaped as to have upon its lower face a circular pro-
jection of suitable cross-section and which, when the receptacle is closed, fits
exactly into the groove upon the latter and forms an entirely metallic joint which is
perfectly tight and will last for any length of time.
In order to prevent the possibility of fraud, after closing the receptacle a metal
wedge vis forced between the handle b of the lid c and the spring . Two transverse
feet may be provided upon the handle so as to enable this wedge to be at once
driven in at the desired place. Finally, a metal wire is passed through the
holes which are pierced in the ends of the wedge v, the wire is then passed

page_text: round the handle band the spring and sealed by means of a leaden seal impressed
with a varying device or mark.
In Figures 15 and 16 I have represented a small milk can H the closing device of
which has a single spring bent longitudinally above the handle of the lid. c, and
bent down at its two extremities so as to form hooks which embrace the flange h
of the can H.
I may apply indifferently any one of the arrangements above described either to
milk cans, boxes or tins for preserved foods or to all more or less similar receptacles.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
clain is
1. An improved closing device for milk cans, boxes or tins for preserved foods and
the like, having two bolts bent at their extremities and wedging one against the
other the edges of this box and of its lid the suid lid engaging with or embracing the
edges of this box and flattening a joint formning ring or band of felt, asbestos, fibre
or rubber, interposed between such edges, the tail pieces of these bolts sliding in the
hollow centrally placed cross-piece forming the handle of the lid under the action of
a suitable device which is so fixed in position as to be immovable whilst the receptacle
is intended to remain closed.
2. A closing device for milk cans as described in claim 1, in which the bolts are
actuated by a lever excentric which cannot be separated from the lid and which acts
upon these bolts after the manner of a window fastening, this lever becoming again
rigidly united to the cross-piece on the lid which carries the bolts, immediately the
latter are closed, by means of a leaden rivet which is compressed in the registering
holes of two lugs formed one upon the cross-piece of the lid and the other upon the
lever of the excentric in such a manner as to render it impossible to open the
receptacle without cutting the rivet between the two lugs, substantially as described
and represented in Figures I to 7 of the accompanying drawings.
3. A closing device for milk cans as described in Claim 1, in which the bolts are
nctuated by a flat spring jointed at its extremities upon each of the bolts and which
constantly tends to draw them together, the flattening of the spring causing the
separation of the bolts, the opening of the receptacle being rendered impossible at
any time by the insertion between this spring and the fixed cross-piece of the lid of
an angle-piece one of the arms of which is rigidly fixed to such cross-piece by a leaden
rivet, substantially as described and represented in Figures 8 to 11 of the accom-
panying drawing.
Dated this 1st
day of Santambes
1007
HASELTINE LAKE & Co.
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C. Agents for the Applicant.