IMPROVEMENTS IN CLOSING A VESTS COMMAND ALINARY SE PROVISIONAL
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Louis Amand Lesage, of 2, Rue Ste. Appoline,
Paris, Empire of France, Manufacturer, in the name of the Society
Lesage et Paignard, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN CLOSING
A VESTS COMMAND ALINARY SE
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Louis Amand Lesage at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 14th October 1869.
I, LOUIS AMAND LESAGE, of 2, Rue Ste. Appoline, Paris, Empire of
France, Manufacturer, in the name of the Society Lesage et Paignard,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
CLOSING AND SECURING VESSELS CONTAINING ALIMENTARY SUBSTANCES," to be as
follows:-
This Invention consists in a mode or means of hermetically closing
vessels of glass, porcelain, china, or other ceramic substances. A
convex cover of thin metal is placed on the top of the vessel, which
is provided with a circular projecting belt on which the cover rests.

page_text: A band of thin metal is then soldered round the cover to form a sort of
flange, which comes above the top of the vessel and descends below
the projecting belt. Liquid plaster or mastic is then run in between
the band and the vessel, and ensures hermetic closing. The substances
to be preserved being introduced into the vessel at a high temperature
they occupy a volume which diminishes by their cooling. The cover,
which was convex, therefore sinks under the atmospheric pressure, and
the capacity of the vessel being thus diminished in proportion to the
volume of the substance which it encloses the vessel is always quito
full. The band, which can first be united to the cover, is longer than the
circumference of the said cover, and the end which remains when all
the circumference is soldered is left free and serves to open the vessel.
It is, in fact, sufficient to take hold of the end of the band and to draw it
up in order to detach the band from the cover, notwithstanding the solder;
the cover can then be lifted without difficulty. The covers may first be
placed on the vessels which they are intended to enclose, they would
then have a central opening for filling; this opening would be closed
by a small capsule, the edge of which would dip into a circular groove
made round the opening of the cover, and into which solder is run
after the capsule is put on. The opening of the vessel would always
be effected by the band previously soldered to the outer edge of the
cover.
Instead of plaster and mastic I can employ to form a hermetic joint
elastic matters, such as caoutchouc or felt placed between the metal
band and the top of the vessel. The vessel may be provided with
circular grooves, into which the elastic matter is forced by pressing upon
the metal band which covers it. This pressure may be produced by
hand or by mechanical means.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Louis Amand Lesage in the Great Seal Patent 8
Office on the 14th April 1870.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, LOUIS
AMAND LESAGE, of 2, Rue Ste. Appoline, Paris, Empire of France,
Manufacturer, in the name of the Society Lesage et Paignard, send
greeting.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Fourteenth day of October, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the thirty-
third year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Louis Amand Lesage, Her special
licence that I, the said Louis Amand Lesage, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Louis Amand Lesage,
my excouters, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter 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
CLOSING AND SECURING VESSELS CONTAINING ALIMENTARY SUBSTANCES," upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said Louis Amand Lesage, 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 Louis Amand Lesage, do hereby
declare the nature of my 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 accompanying
Drawings, and to the letters of reference. marked thereon, that is. to.
say
This Invention consists in a mode or means of hermetically closing
vessels of glass, porcelain, china, or other ceramic substances. A convex
cover of thin metal is placed on the top of the vessel, which is provided
with a circular projecting belt or band on which the cover rests. A
band of thin metal is then soldered round the cover to form a sort of
flange, which comes above the top of the vessel and descends below the
projecting belt. Liquid plaster or mastic is then run in between the
band and the vessel, and ensures hermetic closing. The substances to
be preserved being introduced into the vessel at a high temperature
they occupy a volume which diminishes by their cooling. The cover,
which was convex, therefore sinks under the atmospheric pressure, and
the capacity of the vessel being thus diminished in proportion to the

page_text: volume of the substance which it encloses the vessel is always quite
full. The band, which can first be united to the cover, is longer than
the circumference of the said cover, and the end which remains when
all the circumference is soldered is left free, and serves to open the
vessel. It is, in fact, sufficient to take hold of the end of the band, 5
and to draw it up in order to detach the band from the cover, notwith-
standing the solder; the cover can then be lifted without difficulty.
The covers may first be placed on the vessels which they are intended
to enclose, they would then have a central opening for filling; this
opening would be closed by a small capsule, the edge of which would 1
dip into a circular groove made round the opening of the cover, and
into which solder is run after the capsule is put on. The opening of
the vessel would always be effected by the band previously soldered to
the outer edge of the cover.
Instead of plaster and mastic I can employ to form a hermetic joint 1
elastic, matters, such as caoutchouc, cork, or felt, placed between the
metal band and the top or neck of the vessel.
The vessel may be
provided with circular grooves, into which the elastic matter is forced by
pressing upon the metal band which covers it. This pressure may be
produced by hand or by mechanical means.
And in order that this Invention may be more clearly understood the
same is illustrated by the annexed Drawing, which represents some
examples of my system of closing and securing vessels.
Fig. 1 is an outside view of a closed vessel; Fig. 2 is a plan of the
same; and Fig. 3 a vertical section on line 1, 1, in Fig. 2; Fig. 4
shews plan and section of a cover with the central capsule; the latter
is shewn in a separate view in Fig. 5; Fig. 6 shews in plan and section
a cover without such capsule.
a, a, Figs. 1 and 3, is the pot or jar, which may be of glass, pottery
ware, or porcelain; b, the cover or cap for the same; c, c, is the strip
soldered on to the cover; o, o, is the mastic or plaster; & d the central
capsule which is soldered on to the cover b. The cover shown in
Fig. 6 may be substituted for the one just described.
Fig. 7 is an outside view, and Fig. 8 a section of an arrangement
somewhat similar to the above described, but the plaster or mastic is
here replaced by a band or ring of india-rubber, cotton, wadding, felt, or
other material having sufficient clasticity as to form a hermetic joint
when compressed.
2

page_text: Figs. 9 and 10 are an outside view and a section of my system as
applied to bottles or jars containing preserves.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,-
First. The construction and arrangement of covers with a loose end
whereby the opening of vessels containing alimentary substances is
facilitated without the necessity of using any tool, substantially as
herein-before described.
Second. The particular arrangement described of the external convex
cover whereby the vessels or cases may be completely filled.
Third. The sealing of the cover of vessels for containing alimentary
substances so as to produce a hermetically closed fastening, as herein-
before described.
Fourth. The general application of the method or methods of her-
metically closing vessels of all forms and dimensions, and of any material,
but more especially of glass, porcelain, china, and other ceramic sub-
stances, substantially as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Louis Amand Lesage, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Twelfth day of April, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy.
L. A. LESAGE. (L.s.)