IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC BOXES OR RECEPTACLES FOR HOLDING ALIMENTARY AND OTHER SUBSTANCES
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Featherstone Griffin, of No. 47 Holborn Viaduct,
in the City of London, Engineer, for an invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
METALLIC BOXES OR RECEPTACLES FOR HOLDING ALIMENTARY AND OTHER
SUBSTANCES
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Featherstone
Griffin at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th March
1882.
GEORGE FEATHERSTONE GRIFFIN, of No. 47 Holborn Viaduct, in the City of
London, Engineer, "IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC BOXES OR RECEPTACLES FOR
HOLDING ALIMENTARY AND OTHER SUBSTANCES
32
My Invention relates to an improved construction of part of a metal box and of
the lid or cover thereof, in such a way, that when they are in combination that
is to say when the lid is soldered to the box, the body affords a fulcrum, for any
kind of lever to break the solder should a soldered joint be used and lift the lid,
or simply to lift the lid if not soldered upon the body, or if the same has been
soldered upon a wedge shaped shoulder, and the solder has been broken by
a blow, as set forth in the Specification of my Patent No. 3727 dated the
13th September 1880.
A construction which I find to answer well, is to form a groove near to the
opening which is to receive the cover or lid, and to make the top of the lid or
cover project over its flange, thus, when it is desired to break the soldering of the
lid, all that is required is to take any article which may be within reach and
can be used as a lever, and placing one end immediately under the ledge, formed
by the projection of the top of the lid over its flange, use the edge of the groove,
and body of the box as a fulcrum, and thereby prise open the lid.
I do not propose to limit myself to any particular form of groove or recess, or to
form the projections on the lid by the extension of its top over its flange, as I
may use a rectangular or any other convenient shaped groove or recess on the

page_text: body of the box, and form projections at any point of the top of the lid or recesses
or projections on any part of the flange thereof for the insertion of, or purchase
for, the point of the lever. I may also make the lid to turn upon a hinge when
lifted by the lever.
I may also strengthen the body at the part which I use as a fulcrum, by doubling 5
the metal at that part, or by the introduction of a strengthening wire, or band, or
otherwise, and I may in like manner strengthen the lid, at the point or points,
where the lever is to be applied. I may also find it desirable in some cases to
dispense with the use of a groove and soldered joints and to solder from the inside
and to open the box by simply forcing the end of the lever between the projection 1
or the lid and the body of the box.

page_text: I strengthening piece for cover
K tapering flange to receive lid,
At Figure 1 it will be seen that the lid is soldered at E to the body of the box,
so that when this lid is removed by a lever introduced under 0 and having its
fulorum at H, the entire top of the box is taken away and no projection left to
prevent its contents sliding out in one piece. At Fig. 1ª the fulcrum of the lever
may be either at H or H.
In the other Figures the lid is shown soldered to the top plate, either against an
upward flange as at Figures 2, 4 and 6, or a downward Hange as at Figure 3;
and it will be observed that in all these Figures the flange K of the top of the box
is made tapering so that the lid or cover when fitted thereon is tightened upon it
by a wedge like pressure.
In certain boxes, sardine boxes for example, one part of the lid may be soldered
to the body, or top plate, so as not to be broken away by a lever but so that the

page_text: lid may turn on that side as upon a hinge: The neck may likewise be formed out
of the body of the box without using a top plate.
My method of forming a groove in the top plate of the box with neck to
receive the cover will be found very suitable for oil cans, the projecting neck of
ordinary oil cans being very objectionable, and I may insert a cork in the neck,
for which purpose I propose to make it with a downward flange about equal
to the depth of the cork and then to close the whole by a cover of this
Invention.
I do not propose to limit myself to any particular form of groove or recess, or to
form the projections on the lid by the extension of its top over its flange, as shown
on the Drawing, as I may use a rectangular or any other convenient shaped groove
or recess on the body of the box and form projections at any point of the top of
the lid, or recesses or projections on any part of the flange thereof for the insertion
of a purchase for the point of the lever.
I may make the lid to turn upon a hinge when lifted by the lever and I may
also strengthen the body of the box at the part which I use for a fulcrum, not only
by doubling over the metal at that part, as shown on the Drawing, but by the
introduction of a strengthening wire or bands, or otherwise, and I may in like
manner strengthen the lid at the point or points where the lever is to be applied.
Having now described and ascertained the Nature of my said Invention and in
what manner the same is or may be performed
I claim as secured to me by the herein before in part recited Letters Patent :
Firstly. In metallic boxes or receptacles for holding alimentary and other
substances, the use of a lid or cover having a projection or projections, or a
recess or recesses to receive one end of a lever whereby it may be lifted from
the box substantially as set forth.
Secondly. In metallic boxes or receptacles for holding alimentary and other
substances, the combination of the lid or cover with the body or the top of the
box or receptacle so that the lid or cover may be broken from its soldering,
or be simply raised if the soldering is otherwise broken, by the aid of a lever
using the body of the box, or a part of its top, as a fulcrum, substantially as
hereinbefore described.
Thirdly. The combination of the lid or cover with the body of the box or
receptacle substantially as shown Figure 1 of the Drawing, so that the entire top
of the box may be removed by the aid of a lever as specified.
Fourthly. In metallic boxes or receptacles for holding alimentary and other
substances the lid of which is to be raised by a lever, the use of a tapering or
inclined flange neck or projection stamped out of the top plate of the box, or the
box itself, so that the lid or cover may tighten thereupon as specified.
In Witness whereof I the said George Featherstone Griffin have hereunto
set my hand and seal this Twelfth day of September in the Year of Our
Lord Ŏne thousand Eight hundred and Eighty two.

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Featherstone Griffin, of No. 47 Holborn Viaduct,
in the City of London, Engineer, for an invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
METALLIC BOXES OR RECEPTACLES FOR HOLDING ALIMENTARY AND OTHER
SUBSTANCES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Featherstone
Griffin at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th March
1882.
GEORGE FEATHERSTONE GRIFFIN, of No. 47 Holborn Viaduct, in the City of
London, Engineer, "IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC BOXES OR RECEPTACLES FOR
HOLDING ALIMENTARY AND OTHER SUBSTANCES
"
My Invention relates to an improved construction of part of a metal box and of
the lid or cover thereof, in such a way, that when they are in combination, that
is to say when the lid is soldered to the box, the body affords a fulcrum, for any
kind of lever to break the solder should a soldered joint be used, and lift the lid,
or simply to lift the lid if not soldered upon the body, or if the same has been
soldered upon a wedge shaped shoulder, and the solder has bean broken by
a blow, as set forth in the Specification of my Patent No. 8727 dated the
18th September 1880.
A construction which I find to answer wall, is to form a groove near to the
opening which is to receive the cover or lid, and to make the top of the lid or
cover project over its flange, thus, when it is desired to break the soldering of the
lid, all that is required is to take any article which may be within reach and
can be used as a lever, and placing one end immediately under the ledge, formed
by the projection of the top of the lid over its flange, use the edge of the groove,
and body of the box as a fulcrum, and thereby prise open the lid.
I do not propose to limit myself to any particular form of groove or recess, or to
form the projections on the lid by the extension of its top over its flange, as I
may use a rectangular or any other convenient shaped groove or recess on the

page_text: body of the box, and form projections at any point of the top of the lid or recesses
or projections on any part of the flange thereof for the insertion of, or purchase
for, the point of the lever. I may also make the lid to turn upon a hinge when
lifted by the lever.
I may also strengthen the body at the part which I use as a fulcrum, by doubling
the metal at that part, or by the introduction of a strengthening wire, or band, or
otherwise, and I may in like manner strengthen the lid, at the point or points,
where the lever is to be applied. I may also find it desirable in some cases to
dispense with the use of a groove and soldered joints and to solder from the inside
and to open the box by simply forcing the end of the lever between the projection
or the lid and the body of the box.

page_text: I strengthening piece for GOVER
K tapering flange to receive lid,
At Figure 1 it will be seen that the lid is soldered at E to the body of the box,
o that when this lid is removed by a lever introduced under C and having its
ulcrum at H, the entire top of the box is taken away and no projection left to
prevent its contents sliding out in one piece. At Fig. 1. the fulcrum of the lever
may be either is at Her H.
In the other Figures the lid is shown soldered to the top plate, either against an
pward flange as at Figures 2, 4 and 6, or a downward flange as at Figure 8;

page_text: and it will be observed that in all these Figures the flange K of the top of the box
is made tapering so that the lid or cover when fitted thereon is tightened upon it
by a wedge like pressure.
y be soldered
In certain boxes, sardine boxes for example, one part of the lid may 1
to the body, or top plate, so as not to be broken away by a lover but so that the
lid may turn on that side as upon a hinge: The neck may likewise be formed out
of the body of the box without using a top plate.
My method of forming a groove in the top plate of the box with neck to
receive the cover will be found very suitable for oil cans, the projecting neal of
ordinary oil cans being very objectionable, and I may insert a cork in the neck,
for which purpose I propose to make it with a downward flange about equal
to the depth of the cork and then to close the whole by a cover of this
Invention,
I do not propose to limit myself to any particular form of groove or recess, or to
form the projections on the lid by the extension of its top over its flange, as shown
on the Drawing, as I may use a rectangular or any other convenient shaped groove
or recess on the body of the box and form projections at any point of the top of
the lid, or recesses or projections on any part of the flange thereof for the insertion
of a purchase for the point of the lover.
I may make the lid to turn upon a hinge when lifted by the lover and I may
else I in some cases strengthen the body of the box at the part which I use for a
fulcrum, not only by doubling over the metal at that part, as shown on the Drawing,
but by the introduction of a strengthening wire or bands, or otherwise, and I may
in like manner strengthen the lid at the point or points where the lever is to be
applied.
Having now described and ascertained the Nature of my said Invention and in
what manner the same is or may be performed
I claim as secured to me by the herein before in part recited Letters Patent :
Firstly. In metallic boxes or receptacles for holding alimentary and other
substances, made as herein described with a groove or recess and a seat upon or in which
the lid or its neck rests the use of a lid or cover having a projection or projections, or
a recess or recesses to receive one end of a lever whereby it may be lifted from the
box substantially as set forth.
Secondly. In metallic boxes or receptacles for holding alimentary and other
substances, the combination of the lid or cover made as herein described with the body
or the top of the box or receptacle so that the lid or cover may be broken from its
Boldering, or be simply raised if the soldering is absent or otherwise broken, by the aid
of a lever using the body of the box, or a part of its top, as a fulcrum, substantially
as hereinbefore described.
Thirdly. The combination of the lid or cover with the body of the box or
receptacle substantially as shown Figure 1 of the Drawing, so that the entire top
of the box may be removed by the aid of a lever as specified.
Fourthly. In metallic boxes or receptacles such as are specified in the first claiming
clause for holding alimentary and other substances the lid of which is to be raised by
a lever, the use of a tapering or inclined flange neck or projection stamped out of the
top plate of the box, or the box itself, so that the lid or cover may tighten thereupon
as specified.
In Witness whereof I the said George Featherstone Griffin have hereunto
set my hand and seal this Twelfth day of September in the Year of Our