IMPROVEMENTS IN "MILK CARRYING CANS "
Year: 1885

page_text: I HERBERT AKROYD STUART of Bletchley Iron Works, Fenny Stratford, in the
County of Buckinghamshire Mechanical Engineer do hereby declare the nature of
my Invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN "MILK CARRYING CANS " to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved vessel or can whereby milk is kept air
tight, and under pressure; whilst at the same time it is prevented from washing or
slopping during transit; and consequently it is kept sweeter for a longer period of
time than milk when conveyed in one of the present vessels or cans used for such
purpose; and it is not necessary as hitherto to cool the milk by passing it through
a refrigator or otherwise before it is placed in one of my improved vessels or cana.
In carrying this invention into practice there is arranged a cylinder or equi-
valent having a suitable air tight fitting piston therein; such piston is arranged
and is for the purpose of being forced upon the milk contained in the vessel or can,
whilst at the same time it is also used to expell the air contained in that portion of
the vessel (where the milk is) through suitable air valves, or openings, constructed
in the arrangement..
I do not confine myself to the configuration of the before mentioned cylinder or
equivalent, as it may either be used alone as the carrying capacity of the vessel,
or it may be used in connection with another or outer cylinder; and in such a case
the inner one is protected from injury; or they may together or seperate form the
vessel or can.
The milk contained in the vessel or can may be kept under pressure by means of
the piston being acted upon by the external air and keeping it tight upon the
milk, or the pressure may be produced and the piston kept from rising in the
vessel by means of a threaded spindle and nut, or by friction; or the piston may
be weighted so as to gravitate onto the milk and thereby keep it tight, this last
means is specially adapted when it is desired to empty the vessel or can at
intervals.
It will easily be perceived by the herein-before described combination that
vessels or cans constructed on this improved principle are specially adapted for
conveying milk from one town to another, as the milk kept air tight, and under
pressure and thereby prevented from washing or slopping about during any time it
is contained therein either during transit or otherwise.

page_text: HERBERT AKROYD STUART Bletchley Iron Works, Bletchley, Buckinghamshire,
Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MILK-CARRYING CANS, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
This Improvement relates to an improved milk can or churn, the whole or part
of which may be made of a cylindrical form, with a suitable air-tight piston
pressing on the milk contained therein; so as to prevent the milk being shaken or
washed about during transit; whereby it is kept sweet for a much longer time.
than when conveyed, or kept, in the present cans or churns, and it is not so
necessary to cool the milk by passing it through a refrigerator, as at present.
In carrying this Invention into practice, several forms of churn and piston may
be used, some of which may be seen and better understood by reference to the
accompanying drawings, but I do not confine myself to those forms in their exact
details.
In the drawings; Fig. 1. is the vertical section of a churn, having the upper
part K cylindrical.
After the milk is poured into the churn the piston P shewn in Fig. 3 on an
enlarged scale is placed on the surface of the milk. The plug P¹ is then forced
into the rubber ring R, by means of the spindle and nut, or other suitable means,
pressing the ring outwards and completely closing the aperture S. Fig. 3 is a plate
on which the rubber rests.
Figs. 2 and 4 are plans of Figs. 1 and 3 respectively.
Fig. 5 is the vertical section of a churn, wholly cylindrical, with a piston made
sufficiently heavy to cause it to follow the milk, as it is lowered by being drawn
off, and to keep a steady pressure on it all the time, being well suited for retail
business, or any case in which the milk is drawn off at intervals by a tap. Fig. 6
is the plan of Fig. 5.
"
Fig. 7 is the vertical section of a churn like Fig. 1. but with an external casing T
for protection.
The space thus enclosed will also be of service as a refrigerator, and when filled
with a non-conducting substance also greatly prevents the external casing from
bulging.
Fig. 8 is a plan of Fig. 7.
Fig. 9 is the vertical section of a churn of the ordinary shape K with a
cylinder K' inserted in it supported at the neck Q and reaching within a short
distance of the bottom.
Fig. 11 is an enlarged section of the piston suitable for such a churn. Small
valves are provided at the neck of K to allow the escape of air as the piston is
pressed down and the milk forced up to the top of the external churn K. Figs. 10
& 12 are plans of Figs. 9 & 11 respectively.
Fig. 13. is the vertical section of a churn, nearly of the ordinary form, but
double cased and having a cooling vacuum formed in the space between the two

page_text: casings. In this form the lower part of the head or cup is made cylindrical and
the piston fitted to that part, the churns being always filled to the neck. Fig. 14
is the plan of Fig..13.
Fig. 15 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the lower iron hoop of the churns,
both edges of which are rounded or bevelled, the lower edge to prevent the injury
usually caused to floors, railway platforms &c. by the sharp edge, and the upper to
prevent one churn resting on and damaging another.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention and the manner in which it is to be carried into effect, I wish it to be
fully understood that I do not confine myself to this exact configuration of the
churns or cans; neither as to the material to be used for any of the parts; but
I observe that what I consider novel and original and therefore claim as my
Invention are the following viz.
1. The construction of a milk carrying can or churn, either wholly or partly
cylindrical, for the purpose of receiving a piston or equivalent arrangement, for the
safe carriage of milk; substantially as herein described and set forth.
2. The construction and combination with such a vessel or churn of an
adjustable expanding piston, or equivalent arrangement, made wholly or partly
of india rubber, or other like material; substantially as herein set forth and
described.
3. The combination of such a vessel or churn so fitted with an outer casing
for the purpose of protecting it from injury, forming also if desired a cooling.
or refrigerating chamber, by the production of a vacuum between the casings;
substantially as herein described and set forth.
Dated this 21st dot of Dacomber 1885