Improvements in Boxes, Cans, or other Vessels, and in Lids or Covers for the same.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Aug., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 30th May, 1889-Accepted, 6th July, 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Boxes, Cans, or other Vessels, and in Lids or
Covers for the same.
I, EDMUND EDWARDS, of the firm of Edwards and Co. Patent Agents and
Engineers, of 35 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex
do hereby declare the nature of my said invention to be as follows :—
My invention relates more especially to boxes, cans, or other vessels of sheet metal
such as tinned plate, and it has for its object a novel method of forming the mouth of
such vessels and the cover by which such mouth is closed when required, in such
manner that the vessels can be readily closed or opened as often as desired, whilst
they are very simple, cheaply made, neat in appearance, and effective in operation.
Supposing that my invention is to be applied to an ordinary cylindrical can of
tinned plate, I fit and fix round the upper edge of the cylindrical can an annular
ring the outer edge of which fits round the edge of the can, the ring then extending
at right angles for a short distance leaving a central circular or other opening
through which the contents of the can can be introduced or withdrawn.
This opening preferably has a flange projecting either upward or downward for a
short distance, and made slightly taper to fit a corresponding flange upon the lower
side of the lid which fits into or over it in the usual way.
I form the lid itself of sufficiently strong tinned plate or other suitable material
having a flange round its outer edge of a diameter equal or nearly equal to the outside
diameter of the can, and I make that part of the cover which fits into or round the
opening in the can, of such size that when the cover is pressed sufficiently tightly
down to close the can, its outer flange is parallel with but a short distance from the
inner flange already described round the upper edge of the can.
In order to open the can it is only necessary to insert the edge of a wedge into the
space between the two flanges, at any point of the circumference, and to press or
force the wedge in until the flanges are separated and the cover loosened.
Or, instead of the flange upon the cover being parallel to the flange upon the can,
one or both flanges may be made somewhat inclined so that the space between them
is wider at their outer edge, and instead of a wedge any instrument of not too great
thickness can be forced between them so as to separate them and loosen the cover.
The instrument used for opening the can may be separate, or attached to the can.
Or the space may be made of least width at the outer edge a suitable wedge being
inserted between the flanges before the lid is closed and having a projecting ring or
hook by which it drawn out to open the lid.
My invention may be applied to boxes, cans, or vessels, of any shape or size, and the
mouth of the vessel may be formed of a separate cylindrical Hange fixed or formed
upon its top.
The edges of the flanges, and the other parts of the can or vessel may be milled or
otherwise ornamented, and may be strengthened where necessary. The upper surface
of the flange upon the can or vessel, or the lower surface of the flange of the lid or
cover or both, may be provided with suitably shaped projections, against which the
wedge acts when forced in for the purpose of opening the can.

page_text: COMPLETE
SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Boxes, Cans, or other Vessels, and in Lids or
Covers for the same.
I, EDMUND EDWARDS of the firm of Edwards and Co. Patent Agents and Engineers,
of 35 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex do hereby
declare the nature of my invention and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement and
accompanying drawing (that is to say):-
:--
My invention relates more especially to boxes, cans, or other vessels of sheet
metal such as tinned plate, and it has for its object a novel method of forming the
mouth of such vessels and the cover by which such mouth is closed when required,
in such manner that the vessels can be readily closed or opened as often as desired,
whilst they are very simple, cheaply made, neat in appearance, and effective in
operation.
In the accompanying drawing which is in illustration of my invention, figure 1 is
a vertical section through a cylindrical metal can constructed according to my inven-
tion. Figure 2 is a corresponding section through the lid or cover, and figure 3 is a
section showing the lid or cover in its place upon the can. Figure 6 is a view of a
similar can with the lid closed.
Supposing that my invention is to be applied to an ordinary cylindrical can of
tinned plate (as shewn in the figures) I fit and fix round the upper edge of the
cylindrical can a an annular ring & the outer edge or flange of which fits round and
is soldered or otherwise attached to the edge of the can, the ring then extending
inward at right angles for a short distance and having a central circular or other
opening through which the contents of the can can be introduced or withdrawn.
This opening preferably has a flange projecting downward (as shewn in the
figures) for a short distance, and made to fit a corresponding flange upon the lower side
of the lid c¹ which fits into it as shewn in figure 3.
I form the lid itself of sufficiently strong tinned plate or other suitable_material
having a horizontal flange c¹ round its outer edge of a diameter equal to or some-
what smaller or larger than the outside diameter of the can a, and I make the flange
or part of the cover which fits into the opening in the ring upon the can; of
such size that when the cover is pressed sufficiently tightly down to close the can, its
outer flange c' is parallel with but a short distance from the annular ring or flange b
round the upper edge of the can a (as shewn in figures 3 and 6).
In order to open the can it is only necessary to insert the edge of a wedge into the
space between the two flanges b and c at any point or points of the circumference,
and then press or force the wedge in until the flanges are separated and the cover
loosened.
Or, instead. of the flange c¹ upon the cover being parallel to the flange upon the
can, one or both flanges may be made somewhat inclined (as shown in figure 9 in
which the ring or flange bis shewn inclined) so that the space between them is wider
at their outer edge, and instead of a wedge any instrument of not too great thickness
can be forced between them so as to separate them and loosen the cover.
The instrument used for opening the can may be separate or attached to the can.
Or the space may be made of least width at the outer edge (as shewn at figure 8) a
suitable wedged being inserted between the flanges b and c¹ before the lid is closed,
and having a projecting ring or hook by which it can be drawn out to open the lid.
The central part of the lid may be raised, as shewn in figures 4 and 5, and it may be
provided with any desired ornamental or other design or inscription. The flange b of
the ring may project outside the can a (as shewn in figure 7) the lid or cover c²
being made of corresponding size. In this figure the descending flange c of the
lid is shewn made separate from but enclosed and held by the body of the lid,
but it may be made in the way shewn in figure 2.
My invention may be applied to boxes, cans, or vessels, of any shape or size and

page_text: the mouth of the vessel may be formed of a separate cylindrical or other flange fixed
or formed upon its top.
The edges of the flanges, and the other parts of the can or vessel may be milled or
otherwise ornamented, and may be strengthened where necessary. The upper surface
of the flange b upon the can or vessel, or the lower surface of the flange c¹ of the
lid or cover or both, may be provided with suitably shaped projections against
which the wedge acts when forced in for the purpose of opening the can.
Instead of the descending flange upon the ring, into which the corresponding
flange upon the lid fits, it may be made to rise and the flange upon the lid made to
fit round it.
The ring and the cover or lid are conveniently and cheaply made by stamping
them from sheet metal by means of suitably shaped dies.
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
claim is :-
1. In metallic boxes, cans, or other vessels, the annular ring b, fixed to the box, can or
vessel, and having a central opening at 1, to receive the cover, substantially as set
forth and shewn, in figures 1, 3, 4 and 6.
2. In covers for such boxes, cans, or vessels, the flange c, fitting the opening
at described in the first claim, and having a flange c' which when the cover is
in its place, is parallel with the annular ring & upon the box, can, or vessel, sub-
stantially as and for the purpose set forth, and shewn in figures 2, 3, 4, and 5.
3. The method of making the annular ring b upon the can, box, or vessel, inclined
instead of parallel to the Hange c' upon the cover, the space between them being
wider at the outer edge, substantially as and for the purpose set forth and shewn in
figure 9.
4. The method of making the annular ring b upon the can, box, or vessel, inclined
to the flange c¹ upon the cover, the space between them being narrower at the outer
edge, and a wedged being inserted between them, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth and illustrated in figure 8.
5. The method of making the annular ring upon the can, box or vessel project
outwardly instead of inwardly, substantially as set forth and shewn in figure 7.
Dated this 30th day of May 1689.
1000
EDWARDS & Co.,
35, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Patentee.