IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SHEET METAL VESSELS OR UTENSILS FOR DOMESTIC AND SIMILAR PURPOSES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, &
Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SHEET METAL VESSELS OR
UTENSILS FOR DOMESTIC AND SIMILAR PURPOSES." A communication from
abroad by Frederick Gottlieb Niedringhaus and William Frederick Niedring-
haus, both of Saint Louis, Missouri, United States of America, Manufacturers,
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th June 1877.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
SHEET METAL VESSELS OR UTENSILS FOR DOMESTIC AND SIMILAR PURPOSES." A
communication from abroad by Frederick Gottlieb Niedringhaus and William
Frederick Niedringhaus, both of Saint Louis, Missouri, United States of America,
Manufacturers..
In attaching spouts to vessels composed of sheet metal it has been customary
either to solder the spout to the body of the vessel or to fasten it thereto by means
of a double lock seam formed from a flange on the inner end of the spout, and a
flange upon the body of the vessel projecting inwardly into the vessel around the
opening of the spout.
To the first-named plan exists the objection that the solder is easily melted. On
the other hand a double lock seam in the position referred to is difficult and expen-
sive to form, and when formed contains so much metal as to render a vessel having
such a joint unfit for enamelling, for owing to the double thickness of the metal
occasioned by this kind of seam this part of the vessel heats and cools unevenly
with the surrounding part, and in consequence the enamel is liable to crack,

page_text: This Invention is designed to obviate these difficulties, and to obtain a strong
neat joint adaptable to enamelling.
In the accompanying Drawings,-
Figure 1 is an elevation of a vessel with the spout attached according to this
Invention.
Figure 2 is an elevation of a portion of this vessel and spout in side elevation.
Figure 3 shows the parts composing the joint and the strainer in section.
Figure 4 shows the strainer, detached; and Figure 5 is a section through the line
, x, of Figure 4, showing the strainer lugs folded as when under the spout
flange.
The remaining Figures are herein-after described.
A represents a vessel embodying my improvements, and B the spout of the
same; the latter in its general outline may be of any desired shape or proportions.
I prefer to make it of the form shown, and arrange the spout or at least that part
of it that is nearest the body of the vessel so that it enters the body a of the vessel
at an inclination, and preferably at an angle of about fifty degrees with the base of
the vessel, as shown. The spout projects through the side of the vessel, and at its
inner end is provided' with a flange b turned up against the inside of the body a
and around the opening a¹ for the spout. The part of the vessel along the sides
and bottom of the opening a¹ is pressed outward, forming a flange all that bears
against and supports the spout underneath and at its sides nearly or quite up to
its top, for the flange all is preferably made to gradually run out at the extreme
upper end of the spout opening a¹. A rivet b¹ just below the lower end of the
opening a passes through the body a and the flange b, fastening these parts
securely together, and in connection with the bearing at the upper end of the
opening a¹, serving to hold the spout against any, strains in a vertical direction.
The flange all upon the body of the vessel in connection with the flange b of the
spout supports the spout against lateral strains; thus the spout is firmly locked
and braced in all directions. At the same time the body of metal that surrounds
the opening a¹ and forms the joint is not materially increased, so that when the
vessel is coated with an enamel the latter is not endangered by any unevenness in
the heating and cooling. The joint also from the outside presents a neat appear-
ance, as the flange a¹¹ is preferably inclined inward toward the spout, so as to avoid
leaving a sharp corner at its base. C represents my improved strainer; it is
provided toward its upper end and at either side with lugs c, c, which when the
strainer is in position are folded under the flange,b.of the spout. The rivet b¹,
when the strainer is used, passes through it, as shewn, and the strainer is thus
held firmly at three points. Its extreme upper end is also preferably pressed
outward into the spout, where it is out of the way, and so that a tool can be inserted
at that point to upset the spout against the top of the opening. This mode of
attaching a spout and strainer is useful in a great variety of vessels. It is especially
valuable in vessels that are finished by coating them with a frangible substance
like enamel. In such cases the vessel is not only necessarily exposed to a high
degree of heat in the formation of the enamel where solder would not answer to
attach the spout, but when the enamel is formed it soon cracks if every part is not
thoroughly rigid.
If desired the strainer C can have additional lugs similar to the lugs c, c; and they
can be arranged toward or at the lower part of the strainer, and can be used in
place of the rivet b¹ in securing the lower end of the strainer.
A further modification of the strainer. would be a continuous flange in place of a
series of lugs c, c, and similarly folded under the spout flange b.
In Figures 6 and 7 is shewn a modification of this mode of attaching spouts and
strainers that is especially adapted to vessels of enamelled sheet-iron ware.
Figure 6 is a sectional view, showing the lower or inner end of the spout and the
strainer prior to their attachment to the body of the vessel.
Figure 7 is a similar view, showing the spout and strainer attached to the said
vessel.

page_text: D represents the spout, E the strainer, and F the body of the said vessel.
The spout is made ready for attachment by swelling it slightly outward so as to
form a fold or corrugation d, Figure 6, into which the strainer E is sprung, as
shown. The inner end d³ of the spout, and which is made to fit the spout opening,
is then passed into the body F as far as the corrugation or thereabout, and then by
means of suitable appliances the inner end d is turned up upon the inside of the
body F, forming a flange around the spout opening, and the corrugation & flattened
and closed down upon the outside of the body. The vessel is then coated with an
enamel, serving to close the joint and give the vessel a finished appearance.
A further modification of this improved method of attaching spouts and strainers
of vessels of enamelled sheet-iron ware is shown in Figures 8 and 9. Figure 8 is a
sectional view showing a portion of the body of a vessel, to which the spout and
strainer are to be attached, and the flange used in attaching them, the parts being
arranged as before; the fastening of the flange in position, Figure 9, is also a
sectional view, showing the flange and the strainer attached to the body of the
vessel.
In the present Invention the spout is not directly attached to the body of the
vessel, but to a flange that in turn is fastened to the body.
G represents the body of a vessel, and g the opening for the spout. Around this
opening and outward from the vessel a flange g¹ is turned, as shown in Figure 8.
A collar H, having at its inner end an inwardly projecting flange h, is then placed
upon the flange g¹, the former flange being fitted to slip on to the latter, as shown.
The flange g of the body G is then turned down over and upon the flange h of the
collar, locking the latter firmly to the vessel, as shown in Figure 9. The spout is
then attached to the collar.
This part of my improvements is intended especially for a vessel, the body of
which is finished with a coating of enamel, but which has an ordinary metallic
spout; therefore the body of the vessel is formed of a metal to which enamel
adheres, but the collar H is of a metal from which, as the vessel cools after baking,
the enamel splinters off. This construction enables the spout to be attached to the
collar by soldering.
The spout can be attached independently of the strainer I; this strainer however
can be attached, as shown in Figure 9, as follows:-The strainer is] made to fit
closely into the collar, and after the latter is fastened in position the strainer is
placed against the flange gl. The collar outside the strainer is then slightly con-
tracted, as shewn in Figure 9, operating to fasten the strainer in place..
The enamel is preferably applied to the vessel after the strainer is attached.
In Figures 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, is shown a mode of attaching lips and
strainers to coffee boilers and similar vessels, especially such vessels as are finished
with a coating of enamel.
Figure 10 is an elevation, partly in section, of a vessel embodying this part of
my improvements.
Figure 11 is a view of that part of the vessel to which the lip is attached.
Figure 12 is a view of the strainer.
Figure 13 is a view of the inner side of the lip.
Figure 14 is a cross section on the line x, x, Figure 10; Figure 15 is a section on
the line y, y, Figure 10; and Figure 16 is a view from the inner side of that part
of the vessel that is immediately above the lip opening.
In making coffee boilers, milk buckets, and similar vessels it has been customary
to attach the lip to the body of the vessel by soldering. This method of manufacture
answers with vessels completed in the ordinary manner, but when they are finished
by coating them with enamel, involving their subjection to a high degree of heat,
the solder melts, and is insuffieient for holding the lip in place. To overcome this
difficulty, and to provide a mode by which the lip of a vessel subsequently finished.
with enamel can be economically and securely attached is my present aim.
J represents a vessel, such as a coffee boiler, embodying my improvement; K
represents the lip. The body of the vessel, as shown in Figure 11, is first prepared

page_text: by making an opening in the wall of the vessel of the shape and size or there-
about of the intended lip. At the sides of this opening similar flanges,, are
respectively formed by turning the metal outward and back over the body j
Above the top of the opening a lip, beginning near the top of the vessel, projects
outwardly and then downward to the opening. The lip K in its general outline is
of the usual forn. At its base however it is provided with a flange extending
on either side of the lip laterally outward from the body of the lip, and then
turning inward again at k¹, k', underneath the part k, k. The flango k also extends
downward at k³, at the lower end of the lip L, represents the strainer. It is formed
of a separate piece of metal; its shape and size are such as to cause its side edges 7, L,
to coincide when the strainer is in place with the edges of the flanges, ². Its
lower edge is even or thereabout with the bottom of the opening.j¹, and its upper
edge 12 extends above the top of the opening.
The lip and strainer are attached as follows:-The said strainer is placed over
the opening upon the flanges j,, its upper edge 2 being slipped under the lip
and upon the adjacent parts of the vessel, and as shown in Figures 10 and 14.
The lip K is then attached by sliding it suitably upward, so as to cause the
flanges k, l, to interlock with the flanges ,, as shown in Figures 10 and 14.
The flanges k, k, at the sides of the lip and the flange at the lower end of the
lip are, then closed, is forced down upon the body j, and two rivets k, k, are
preferably passed through the upper ends of the flanges h, k, and the body j¹. By
this means the various parts are firmly locked together. The vessel is enamelled,
in which process the joint around the lip is made tight and the vessel finished.
The lip K can be attached independently of the strainer, and in such case the
flanges k, k¹, bear directly upon the flanges ³, j. If desired the opening j¹ may be
so shaped as to bring the lower ends of the flanges j, j², together.
In Figures 17 and 18 is illustrated a modification of the method of forming and
attaching the lips and strainer of sheet metal vessels; according to this Invention
Figure 17 being a perspective view showing the upper portion of a vessel, which is
perforated to form the strainer and to receive the lip; Figure 18 is a horizontal
section of the said vessel and its lip.
This modification is also especially intended for vessels composed of enamelled
sheet iron. By means of the improvement the strainer can be formed and the lip
attached in a comparatively inexpensive manner. The construction is durable, and
it presents a neat appearance; M represents the body of a vessel, such as a coffee
boiler. It has a series of perforations m, m, forming the central part of the strainer,
and from which in their formation the metal is entirely removed in the ordinary
manner.. It has also another set of perforations m¹, m³, that form the outer part
of the strainer, and from which the metal is partly cut away, as shown more
distinctly in Figure 17. These last named perforations m³, m², are arranged at the
sides of the central perforations m, m, and they are made so that the metal ml, ml,
remaining attached to them can be turned (at each side of the strainer) outwardly,
and so as to form a series of flanges; N represents the lip. It is of the usual
shape, having a flange n, n, which when the lip is attached comes beneath the
flanges m, m. The lip is then fastened in place by closing the flanges n, n, and
mm, down upon the body M, and the joint is made tight by an enamel
covering. Rivets are preferably inserted at the corners respectively of the base of
the lip.
The said Invention further relates to improvements in the hinges of vessels of
enamelled sheet iron ware, as shown in Figures 19 and 20, the former Figure being
a perspective view of the hinge, showing it detached, and the latter Figure being
a vertical section of the said hinge attached to a portion of the vessel.
The object of this part of the said Invention is to provide a neat, inexpensive,
and durable hinge for vessels of enamelled sheet iron ware. O represents the body
of.the vessel, and P its cover; these parts are coated with an enamel; Q represents
the strap of the hinge; it is folded at its centre around the wire o (that usually
encircles the top of the body of the vessel), and its ends q, q, are then passed

page_text: through a slot p in the cover, and then opened apart, as shown, and turned down
upon the upper side of the cover. Solder R is then applied to and between the
ends q, q, as shown in Figure 20, which serves by becoming attached to the ends
to form a head on the strap and to prevent its being withdrawn through the
slot p. The strap is of a material to which solder will adhere.
This Invention has reference to the mode of attaching the handles of sheet-metal
vessels, especially such as are enamelled; Figures 21 and 22 illustrate this feature.
of the said Invention, Figure 21 being a perspective view, showing a portion of a
vessel embodying my Invention, the handle being detached, and Figure 22 a detail
view in section, showing the handle attached; S represents the body of a vessel
that may be of any preferable shape; the body is coated with an enamel; T repre-
sents the handle to be attached; it may be of any desirable form and material,
saving at the points t, t, where it is attached to the body, and which are of a
substance like tin that solder will adhere to'; U, U, represent ears, that are attached
preferably by riveting. to the body S, and at suitable points to receive the handle.
They are composed of a material to which solder will adhere, and preferably of a
material, such as tin or brass, that does not readily receive an enamel, and in form
are of such a shape as to project from the body S and enter into the points t, t, of
the handle, which are cup-shaped to fit down over the projections u, u, of the ears,
and preferably to abut against the body S, as shown in Figure 22. The pro-
jections u, u, of the ears may be of any desirable shape, as well as the cup-shaped
points t, t, of the handle, provided that one part is made to pass into the other, that
is to say, the projections into the cups or the cups into the projections. The handle
is attached in position by passing the cups t, t, over the ears U, U, as in Figure 22,
and then soldering these parts together. There are openings t, t, in the parts t, t,
to admit the solder; and these parts are preferably so shaped as to leave a space
between the side of the projection u and the cup t to receive the solder. In this
manner the handle can be neatly and strongly attached to the vessel. The said
handle may be of the kind shown, which is now an article of commerce, and the
body of the vessel may be covered with an enamel.
Figures 23 and 24 shew another mode of attaching the handles, Figure 23 being
a sectional elevation of a portion of the vessel and handle, and Figure 24 an
elevation partly in section, showing a modification of a portion of the construction ;
V represents a portion of the vessel and W the handle. A rivet X having a head o
is passed from the inside of the vessel outward through the wall v, vl, of the vessel,
and through and slightly beyond the point w of the handle, and at its outer end á
head is formed by applying solder at Y; this serves to fasten the handle in position.
It is very important, however, in vessels coated with enamel to have every portion
to which the enamel is applied as rigid as practicable, and it is the principal object
of this portion of the said improvements to provide means for readily and firmly
securing the rivet in the wall of the vessel. Therefore the rivet is notched at x¹, x1;
then after the rivet has been passed through the wall v, v, a closely fitting
washer Z is applied to it in such a manner as to spring the washer into the notches,
as shown in Figure 23. The notches are properly located on the rivet to enable
the washer when attached thereto to bear against the outside of the wall of the
vessel, and to draw the rivet head tightly against the inside of the vessel. This
operation serves to fasten the rivet rigidly in the wall v, vl, and as a handle is
usually attached at the line of the vertical seam in the vessel wall, the rivet X can
then be made to take the place of one of the ordinary rivets in the seam.
enainel is applied after the washer Z is attached; the handle is provided with
the usual cup-shaped flange w serving to cover the washer, and 'givo a finish to
the construction of the vessel.
The
In Figure 24 is shown a modification of this construction. In place of the washer
engaging in the notches x, x¹, the wall is made to engage therein. In either
case use is made of the bead that is usually formed at the edge of a liole in punching
sheet metal by pressing it into the notches, and thereby forming the lock with the
3

page_text: rivet; one or more notches x¹, x², can be used, or one notch extending entirely
around the rivet.
When the washer is not used, the notches are suitably arranged for the wall ² to
engage therein. While valuable in drawing the two parts v, vl, of the wall together,
this part of the said improvements is serviceable as the means whereby a part like
the rivet X can be rigidly set in a wall of only a single thickness.
If desired a nut may be used in place of the solder Y, and in such case the rivet
is suitably threaded.
The said Invention further relates to the mode of forming the joints of vessels of
enamelled sheet iron ware.
Figure 25 is an elevation (partly broken away) of an unfinished vessel, showing
the arrangement of the parts of the joint before being finished, and Figure 26 is a
similar elevation showing the joint when finished. A¹ represents a vessel
embodying this part of the said improvements and showing the joint connecting
the bottom a of the vessel with its side b.. The parts are first arranged, as shown
in Figure 25, that is to say, the bottom a is provided with a downwardly projecting
flange a¹ that when the bottom is in place comes against the lower end b¹ of the
slide b. The flange a¹ and end 61 are then by any suitable mechanism turned
outward up and over forming a double hollow bead, as shewn in Figure 26; this
serves to lock the side and bottom of the vessel together. An enamel coating is
now applied serving to calk the joint and give a finish to the construction of the
vessel.
If desired a wire may be enclosed within the bead a¹, b¹; I prefer, however, to
omit this wire, as the cylindrical form of the bead combines the advantages of
strength and lightness and is readily produced.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondents and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,
First. The combination of the vessel having a flange, the spout having a flange,
and the rivet with or without the strainer, having the lugs as above described and
for the purposes specified.
Second. The combination of the rivet, the vessel, and spout, the latter being
inclined and bearing against the upper end of the opening, and provided with the
flange to resist vertical strains as above described.
Third. In vessels of enamelled sheet iron ware, the spout having the corrugation
and flange and the body, and with or without the strainer as above set forth and.
for the purposes specified.
Fourth. The enamelled body having a flange, and the collar having a flange
without enamel, combined in the manner and for the purpose specified.
Fifth. The combination of the enamelled body having a flange, the collar having
a flange without enamel and contracted, and the strainer as above described.
Sixth. The combination of the vessel, the lip, and the strainer as. above
described.
Seventh. The combination of the body having perforations and flanges, and the
lip having flanges as above described.
Eighth. The combination of the vessel, the wire, the cover, having a slot, the
strap and the solder as above described.
Ninth. The body, the projecting ears, and the handle, having sockets constructed
and combined in the manner above described.
Tenth. In sheet metal or other vessels the combination of an enamelled body, the
projecting car or ears formed of metal, to which enamel does not adhere, and a
handle as above described.
Eleventh. The ears having projections and the handle having cup-points arranged
and united by soldering as above described.
Twelfth. The vessel and the rivet having notches, and with or without the
washer, and with or without the handle and solder as above described.

page_text: Thirteenth. In a sheet-iron vessel, the joint in the vessel, consisting of the flange
and end upturned into a double hollow bead, the end forming a circle and meeting
the side of the vessel as above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighth day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
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