IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SHEET METAL CANS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Louis Vincent Sone, of the City of New York, in the State
of New York, United States of North America, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SHEET METAL CANS,"
Sealed the 22nd June 1877, and dated the 3rd May 1877.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Louis Vincent Sone at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd May 1877.
LOUIS VINCENT SONE, of the City of New York, in the State of New York,
United States of North America. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SHEET
METAL CANS."
«
Heretofore in making sheet metal cans the body and the two heads (the top and
the bottom) have usually been formed separately, and subsequently united at their
edges. This mode of construction forms seams which by reason of their position
on the most prominent parts of the can are necessarily much exposed to injury by
blows from and against objects with which they come in contact.
It is one object of the present Invention to remedy this defect in sheet metal
cans, and likewise to brace or strengthen the heads. The mode of accomplishing
this is shewn in the accompanying Drawing, in which,
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a four-sided can embodying the Invention; Fig. 2
is a blank from which one half of the can shown in Fig. 1 can be formed; Fig. 3 is
a cross section of one of the heads of the can through the line x, x, of Fig. 1.
Figs. 4 and 5 are plan views showing modifications in the mode of forming the
head.
The dotted lines in Fig. 2 show where the blank is to be bent in forming it up
for the finished can; it is to be bent along the line a, so that the two sides b and c
of the can will stand at right angles to each other and along the lines d, d, and e, e,
so that the triangular parts f, f, and g, g, will stand at right angles to the sides b
and c.
The edges of the triangular parts f, f, are to be turned up into a flange along
the dotted line near the margin, while the edges of the triangular parts g, g, are to
be bent into a U form (along the double dotted lines) so as to overlap the flange
formed on the parts f, f. The outer margins of the parts b and c are to be bent into
simple hook form so as to engage with the hooked edges of the adjacent sides of the
can, forming with them the ordinary tinner's joint. A similar blank similarly
D

page_text: manipulated will complete the four sides and the two heads of the can, after which
the seams may be soldered in any convenient mode.
In a similar way the entire can may be made from a single blank, or if preferred
one blank may be used for each of the sides, and the body instead of being rect-
angular in section may be triangular or hexagonal, or of any desired number of
sides.
To aid in shaping the blank up into form the lines d, d, and e, e, may if preferred
be slightly scored.
It is to be observed that by shaping the edges of the triangular parts of the
blanks in the manner above described these parts are stiffened, so that when they
are bent over the edges will unite readily and uniformly without the necessity of
using an internil mandrel or rest to support the parts during the manipulation, and
consequently both heads of the can may be formed in the same way. This would
be impracticable if the edges of these triangular parts were left plain, so as to form
in their union a simple lap joint.
It is to be observed further that by shaping the edges of these parts of the blanks,
as above set forth, they will interlock and form scams standing out at right angles
to the face or plane of the head. Seams thus formed will give such strength to the
heads traversed by them that the heads may, if desired, be formed at right angles
with the body of the can, while the simple lap seam under similar circumstances
would be found greatly deficient in strength.
One great advantage of being able thus to form the head at right angles with the
body is that the seam if made upright or outstanding from the face of the head may
be readily dipped in a reservoir of melted solder without involving other parts of
the can; the flat head cans also are far more economical in packing and in storage.
After the edges of the head parts of the blank or blanks have been engaged with
each other, as above described, the seams formed thereby can be dipped all the
more readily because standing up from the plane of the adjoining parts, and this
even though the head should be made slightly crowning, provided its swell does not
exceed the depth of the outstanding seam. It is by no means necessary that these
lock seams be exactly at right angles with the adjoining surface. In setting the
seams together preparatory to soldering they may be slightly turned over or
inclined; this will aid in holding the parts in position during the soldering process.
As shown in Fig. 1 of the Drawing the seams formed upon the heads of the can
run from the corners inward towards a central point, but it is not intended to limit
the Invention to this special relation of the seams to each other either as regards
their direction or their length; the blanks may be so cut as to form a part of the
head, that is to say, to cave in the head a central aperture of any desired shape to
be closed by a similarly shaped piece seamed on to the surrounding edges, thus
giving additional strength. This construction is shown in plan in Figs. 4 and 5.
Among the advantages of the Invention above described are the following:-
First. Cheapness of construction in the following particulars:-(1.) The machine
now used for cutting out the heads as well as the panel presses for stamping the
heads and the skilled labor necessary to operate these machines may be dispensed
with. (2.) This can has nearly one-third less length of seam to be secured with
solder than the ordinary can, and this saving of solder is an important item in a
large manufacture. (3.) The can may be made from a comparatively cheap grade
of metal, as there are no sharp corners (as in many constructions) around which the
metal must be drawn. (4.) The machinery required for compressing the seams and
for soldering them is of the simplest character. (5.) Less labor will be required
than in the manufacture of the ordinary can, as the improved can is made from
fewer pieces, and thus the expense of handling is materially reduced.
Second. Its great strength. This results from the fact that the heads are cross
braced with outstanding seams which give it great power of resisting either external
or internal strain.
Third. By this improved construction, whereby the heads are made continuous
with the vertical walls, the usual seams formed by the union of the walls with tho

page_text: periphery of the heads are entirely obviated. These seams are the most exposed
parts of the ordinary can, and it is along these seams that it generally gives way
first.
Fourth. This Invention is specially valuable in connection with the bottom of
the can, the central part of which is by this means firmly supported so that its
vibration and strain under the movements and weight of the contents of the can
(which with the ordinary countersunk head is a prolific source of injury) is almost
wholly prevented. Not only does this supporting of the bottom upon the diagonal
scams increase durability by preventing vibration and sagging, but it also provides
a means of keeping the bottom up from contact with dainp surfaces, upon which
otherwise it might be set, and thus it greatly aids in keeping the metal from
corrosion.
What is claimed as new is,―
(1.) A sheet metal can, one or both heads of which are formed by bending over
parts of the blank or blanks which form the body, and uniting the edges of the
parts thus bent over into lock seans traversing the face of the head, substantially
as above set forth.
(2.) A sheet metal can, both heads of which are formed either wholly or in part
by bending over portions of the blank or blanks which form the body, and uniting
the edges of the parts thus bent over into seans traversing the face of the heads,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
(3.) A sheet metal can, the head or heads of which are formed by uniting the
edges of the blank or blanks with upright seams or seams which stand out sub-
stantially at right angles with the surface of the heads, as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Louis Vincent Sone, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twentieth day of April, A.D. One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-seven.
LOUIS VINCENT SONE. (L.S.)