IMPROVEMENTS IN DRY GOODS VESSELS OR CANISTERS SUCH AS COFFEE CANISTERS
Year: 1884

page_text: I JAMES CONYERS MORRELL of 59 Hereford Road, Bayswater, in the County of
Middlesex, Civil Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN DRY GOODS VESSELS OR CANISTERS SUCH AS COFFEE
CANISTERS, to be as follows:
=
The object of my Improvements is to provide the means of preventing waste in
measuring or dealing out the quantity of the article required for use, and further
in the case of Coffee and such Goods to retain the flavour which is lost by exposure
from the ordinary way of emptying or taking out the same from the Canister
for use.
My Improvements consist in making the vessel or Canister with a small
chamber by preferance inside at the bottom or within the lid of the Canister.
Within this chamber I place a moving piece if square or oblong somewhat
resembling a drawer in outer form, if round a cylinder with both ends closed,
within this moving piece a compartment or cell is made, this compartment or cell
is open at the top or side the opening corresponding with an opening in the fixed
small chamber so that when closed a given quantity of the article contained in the
Canister enters the compartment or cell of the moving piece, and through another
opening made at another suitable place in it, when this moving piece is pushed or
drawn out somewhat as a drawer is opened the compartment or cell which has
been filled or partially so with the article comes outside wholly or partially and its
contents can be delivered into the intended receptacle outside meanwhile the rear
part of the moving piece fills up the orifice or opening in the chamber through
which the compartment or cell has been charged-The moving piece may work
horizontally in a chamber placed across the bottom of the Canister and may be
drawn out by a ring or may be pushed out from the opposite side by any suitable
means. When the chamber is a tube, in lieu of the moving piece, an Archimedean
Screw may be fitted within it and receiving into its worms through the aperture
or opening made as above provided in the chamber the article contained will on
the screw being turned by a small button, crosspiece or other suitable means fitted
at one end deliver as much of the article as is required through an opening in the

page_text: chamber and in the outer Canister at the other end a small sliding door being
fitted to cover the opening at this end or instead of sliding this door may be made
to fall so as to form a sort of spout for the more convenient delivery of the article.
By another modification I make the Canister with a false bottom so that a
chamber may be formed by fitting in a sort of lid having a flange as deep or a
little deeper than the depth below the false bottom within and between this lid
and the false bottom I place a smaller chamber attached to the lid so that when
the lid is twisted or moved round the smaller chamber moves with it in the false
bottom an aperture is made which has a corresponding aperture in the smaller
chamber which fit or meet one another when the canister is closed In the flange
of the lid is an aperture and in the piece extending beyond the false bottom is an
aperture corresponding with that in the flange of the lid which apertures fit against
one another when the Canister is opened by the twisting or moving round of the
lid in its place so that the contents which have been received in the chamber when
closed may be discharged through the opening thus made meanwhile the aperture
in the false bottom has been closed by the solid portion of the smaller chamber
covering it-Instead however of the small inner chamber being fastened to the lid
before named it may work quite independently and be moved radially by a small
pin attached to it and working in a slot at the bottom end of the Canister in which
case the small moving chamber will be complete in itself and have an opening in
its outer edge corresponding when open, to discharge the article contained, with
the opening in the outer case-There will then instead of the moving lid be a true
fixed bottom in or through which the pin works-the chainber being formed
between the false bottom first named and this true bottom. At the opposite end
the true lid for charging the Canister will be placed but this will always romain in
its place until the Canister has been emptied or thereabouts.
By the means specified or any modification thereof I prevent waste and also
prevent exposure of the article contained in the vessel or Canister.

page_text: I JAMES CONYERS MORRELL late of 59 Hereford Road Bayswater in the
County of Middlesex now of 112 The Grove Ealing in the said County of Middlesex
Civil Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS
IN DRY GOODS VESSELS OR CANISTERS SUCH AS COFFEE CANISTERS and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :—
The object of my improvements is to provide the means of preventing waste in
measuring or dealing out the article required for use and further in the case of
coffee and such goods to retain the flavour which is lost by exposure from the ordinary
way of emptying or taking out the same from the canister for use.
My improvements consist in making the vessel a canister with a small chamber
by preference inside at the bottom or within the lid of the canister, within this
chamber I place a moving piece, if square or oblong somewhat resembling a drawer
in form if round a cylinder-within this moving piece is a compartment or cell—
this compartment or cell is open at the top or side, the opening when the chamber
is closed corresponds with an opening in the small chamber, or that when closed a
given quantity of the article contained in the canister enters the compartments or
cell of the moving piece, and through another suitable opening when this moving
piece is pushed or drawn out somewhat as a drawer is opened the compartment or
cell which has been filled or partly so with the article comes outside wholly or
partially and its contents can be delivered into the intended receptacle outside,
mean while the rear part of the moving pieces fills up the orifice of the chamber,
or this may be accomplished by other suitable means The moving piece may work
horizontally in a chamber placed across the bottom of the canister and may be
drawn out by a ring or pushed out from the other side-When the Chamber is a
tube in lieu of the moving piece an Archimedean screw may be fitted within and
receiving into its worms through the aperture mado as above provided in the
chamber the article contained will, on the screw being turned by a small button or
suitable cross piece fitted at one end deliver as much of the article as is required
through an opening in the Chamber, at the other end a small sliding door being
fitted to cover the opening at this end or instead of sliding the door may be
made to full, or as to form a sort of spout for the more convenient delivery of the
article.
By another modification I make the canister with a false bottom, so that a
Chamber or chambers may be formed by fitting in a sort of lid having a partial
flange or flanges with cross-pieces as deep as the depth below the false bottom,
within and between this lid and the false bottom a smaller chamber or Chambers

page_text: are formed but attached to the lid so that when the lid is twisted or moved round
the smaller chambers move with it in the false bottom an aperture is made, which
nearly corresponds in size with the upper open part of the smaller chambers In
the piece extending beyond the false bottom is an aperture corresponding with the
apertures in the sides of the chambers which fit against one another as the 5
Canister is opened by the twisting, or moving round of the lid in its place, or
that the contents that have been received in the chamber or respective chambers
when closed may be discharged through the opening thus made-meanwhile the
aperture in the fulse bottom has been closed by the solid portions respectively of
the cross pieces forming the sides of the smaller chambers-Instead however of 1
the small inner chamber being fastened to the so called lid before named it may
work quite independently and be moved radially by a small pin attached to it, and
working through the aperture of the flange at the bottom end of the canister in
which case the small moving chamber will be complete in itself, and have an
opening in its outer edge or flange corresponding when open to discharge the article 1
contained with the opening in the outer case there will then instead of the moving
lid, be a true fixed bottom, the Chamber being formed between the false bottom first
named, and the true bottom-In both the latter cases I prefer to make my improve-
ments in the lid of the canister but especially so in the latter in which case it must
be understood when I speak of the bottom that the lid forms the bottom of the
canister and so will always be at its lower end for the removal of the contents
I do not however confine myself to the application of my improvements in the
lid Where applied to the round lid of the ordinary square canister then the
canister will have to be turned top downwards for the purpose of removing
the contents. When my improvements are applied in the lid of the Canister the
outside appearance of the flange of the lid is about double that of the depth of
the flange of the ordinary lid.
For the removal or measuring out of the article from a store Canister I can best
describe my improvements by the aid of drawings.
It will be understood that the application of my improvements to round shaped
canisters and to square ones but must necessarily vary somewhat though be the
same in effect.
By the means specified in my modification thereof I prevent waste in measuring
and dealing out and also prevent exposure of the article contained in the vessel or
canister.
Having stated the nature of my invention I now proceed to describe more
particularly by the aid of the drawings how the same is to be performed.
b
Figures 1 and 2 shew the application to a square or oblong shaped canister A is
the body of the canister b is the false bottom c is the opening in the falso bottom
bis the natural bottom the space between 6 and 6' forms the chamber or com-
partment dis the moving piece working within the compartment into which a
quantity of the article is received through opening c when this moving piece is
drawn outwards by handle h portion e covers aperture c as shewn in Figure 2 the
contents can then be discharged and the moving piece returned to its original
position as shewn in fig. 1.
Figure 3 shews an Archimedian screw & working within Chamber or compartment
formed between 6 and 6' door f having been dropped down to form a guide or spout
Motion is given to the screw by turning handle h.
Figure 4 shews the construction of the Chamber or Compartment along the side
or end within the body of the Canister b forming the solid top or side of the com-
partment c the opening for supplying the compartment & and e the opening for
letting out the article contained in d which is opened by sliding to one side by
knob or handle h the moving piece within & Fig. 5 shewing the position thus
taken viz opening o is closed and opening e is open Figure 6 is the same in effect
as figures 4 & 5 only that bis made at an angle this shows opening c as open and
opening e as closed.

page_text: Figure 7. 8. 9 and 10 represent one application to a round canister A is the
body of the Canister bb b¹ the case or lid of the Canister b¹ being the bottom of
the case or the bottom of the lid and the bottom of the canister. In the ordinary
lid b¹ would be the top but this is reversed excepting when this lid is applied at
the top of a square canister the space between c and b¹ is the Chamber or com-
partment & c forming the false bottom of the Canister when in its place or the
upper covering of the chamber or compartment de is the opening in c within
the Chamber or compartment & a revolving disc f having a flange extending
almost the full round of the circle Figure 10 is a plan of the top of this disc
an opening e¹ being made therein which corresponds with openings e in the false
bottom c or covering to Chamber d In a portion of the outer circle or flange b
enclosing chamber or compartment d an aperture o is made nearly but not quite as
deep as d and extending along the circle about the same length as the circular
portion forming one of the sides of e and e¹ A portion of flange g see g¹ nearly
corresponding with the aperture o has been cut away or omitted in the construction
of fattached to the flange g of this revolving disc f is a little knob or handle h
by which the disc is made to revolve to such an extent as to bring opening e¹ Fig. 10
immediately under opening e Figure 8 and simultaneously to bring a portion of the
flange g to cover and close aperture o Fig. 9 The canister being placed with the
chamber or compartment d at the foot a portion of its contents will pass through
openings e and el into d and there remains until the revolving disc f is moved
round to its former position and aperture o is uncovered The solid portion of
discf simultaneously covering and closing opening e in c as shewn in Figure 7 the
contents of Chamber or compartment & can then be discharged whilst the contents
of the body of the canister will be enclosed and retained by the closing of opening e
in the manner named aperture o will then be closed as before and opening e be
again opened as shewn in Figure 9 for the chamber or compartment d to be
again charged with a portion of the contents of the canister for dealing out as
before.
The revolving disc f may be made s micircular as shewn in Fig. 12 and kept in
its place by connecting handle h with pin p and turning up the end of pin p
through a small hole in the centre of c as shewn in Fig. 11-This semicircular disc
has a flange its full extent aperture o, being opened by turming the disc from it the
solid portion f coming under e in c and when o is closed the solid portion f being
removed from under e in c The effect produced is the same as in the full circular
disc This semicircular disc is applicable also to a square shaped canister with a
round end only that it must have a flange its full depth along its diameter.
The revolving disc may be applied for vertical act on-the apertures to the
chamber or compartment being modified to suit this.
Figures 13-show the application to a round Canister with a chamber or
chambers d, d, d, d, formed by affixing cross pieces b, b, b, b with partial flanges f, f,
ff at the ends thereof to a lid or circular piece 7 the upper or opposite edges of
the cross pieces fitting against the false bottom c, such circular lid with its affixed
cross pieces being held in position by a central pin p passing through the false
bottom and the lid itself, or it may be held in position by suitable angular pieces
fitted outside-The case of g. 9, 9 the compartment extending below the false
bottom will have an opening o the circular lid or piece l, will be suitably
prepared for being twisted or moved round in its place, the effect being that the
chambers d, d, d, d, will in turn be charged through opening n in false bottom c
and when moved round the charged chambers will in their turn face the opening o
and the contents be discharged-In lieu of the lid or circular piece l, imoving
round on centre p it may be made a fixture by making o a little longer.―
Chambers d, d, d, d, may work on their own centre 2 and be moved round
independently for emptying.
Figure 14 shews also an application to a round ended Canister A being the body
of the Canister d being the fourth of a circle forming a chamber or compartment

page_text: covered over having a flange g, g, g, such flange extending over aperture o to cover
same. Opening to compartment or chamber being e which when moved round by
handle connected to centro c fixed to a cross rod p and working as shewn at
Figure 11 is brought to opening o to discharge its contents so that A is enclosed
when the contents of d are being discharged.
Figures 15 and 16 shews an application with a circular compartment having a
rod working in the same with a hollow cone shaped end piece, e e being the
opening to the chamber or compartment d, d by drawing out the handle h-tho
rod and cone shaped portion brings with it the contents of d and when it has passed
the end of opening e it practically closes the body of the Canister A;--the end
of the chamber beyond the pointed end of the cone is left uncovered so that any
portion of the article that has fallen in d after rod and cone has been drawn
forward will be penetrated or pushed back by the point of cone on being closed-
This may be pushed out instead of drawn out and pushed back.
.
Figures 17 and 18 shew an application with a trough compartment & into which
a scoop receptacle a fits the compartment is only partially covered over a portion
of the contents of the body of the canister A fall into 8 which is drawn out at o
but a lid which moves in slots and is encased to the height it lifts has first to be
lifted and directly the scoop 8 is withdrawn the lid drops down and closes
opening o and has again to be lifted to return the scoop 8-A sliding cover may be
fitted instead of the lifting lid this cover to slide over opening to s. which sliding
cover will be withdrawn to allow 8 to fill and then returned to cover opening to s
before s is drawn out with its contents.
Figure 19 shews the application to a Store canister which provides especially for
measuring out without exposing the article contained in the canister-A is the
lower part of the store canister-B is the opening from the same which fits in to
opening C.leading to chamber or compartment d-d which is suitably held in
position A and d d may be one; d1 forms the canister lid and being free to
move as shewn drops when it has received through opening ee as much of the
contents of A as are equal to the weight of uu which may range from a quarter of
a lb. upwards, in the act of dropping it draws down with it the cone shaped
piece . to which it is attached by the cross piece f. f. and rod : 1. Z taking the
position l, l, and closing the opening ee which will arrest its descent but this is
further arrested by the cross piece ff projecting and meeting the weights as shewn
at g. g. at the moment the descent of 1 is arrested it locks itself as shewn at n
Fig. 20 or n Fig. 21 The lock or catch in Fig. 20 being affixed to the side of d 1..
The lock or catch in Fig. 21 being affixed to the lower part of d-the contents of d
may then be discharged into receptacle k. by drawing out handle h1 and thus
.opening o.- -When the contents of d 1 have thus been removed n Figure 20 or
Fig. 21 is drawn or pushed back and d¹ instantly resumes its former position by
the action of counter balance weights ww. to be charged again-m m is a cap
fitting to same shape as L. to preserve the freedom of movement of 11. and is
suitably held in position-b is opened either by drawing a sliding lid out or by
moving round a small lid on a pivot at the side or by any other suitable means
when the contents of A fall into d d and are conducted by m m through d and e
into d 1 and so measured out without any handling and any waste.
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
1st The construction of a dry goods vessel or canister with a chamber or com-
partment contained in or forming part of the lid or body of the said canister for
receiving and regulating the delivery and removal of such a portion or portions of
the contents of the canister as required from time to time to be taken therefrom
and in such a manner that the main body of the canister containing the article is
closed during such delivery or removal and as and for the purposes, named and

page_text: substantially as described and more particularly shewn by Figures 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 13a 13b 14. 15. 16 17. 18. and 19 in Sheets of drawings
attached hereto or any modification of the same.
2nd The application of my said invention as and for the purposes named to any
existing dry goods vessel or canister.
3rd The weighing or measuring out the contents of the store canister as and for
the purposes named and substantially as described and shewn by Figure 19 or any
modification thereof.