IMPROVEMENTS IN BOXES OR CASES FOR THE PRESERVATION OF FOOD AND OTHER ARTICLES OR MATERIALS
Year: 1876

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 BOXES OR CASES FOR THE PRESERVATION OF FOOD AND
OTHER ARTICLES OR MATERIALS." A communication from abroad by Amieux,
Brothers, of Paris, France.
Sealed the 5th January 1877, and dated the 15th July 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th July 1876.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BOXES OR CASES FOR THE
PRESERVATION OF FOOD AND OTHER ARTICLES OR MATERIALS." A communication.
My Invention relates to improvements in boxes or cases for preserved food or
other substances, either solid or liquid, and comprises, first, the said boxes or cases
for containing and preserving all alimentary substances, and principally boiled beef
or bouilli.
I make the body of the case, which is of ordinary tin, in two distinct parts,
joined together by solder by a transversal band of very thin tin or tin foil. The
advantage of this construction is that owing to the existence of the thin band
which joins the two parts of the case the latter can be cut into two equal parts
with any ordinary knife.
My Invention comprises cases for preserved substances, whether such as those
above referred to or cases of preserved substances which do not require (as with
cases for beef) to be divided into several parts, such as sardines, tunny fish, and
other fish preserved with oil or butter, pies or patties, and other articles which are
served at table; and generally cases for containing any substances, either solid or
liquid, which require to be kept air-tight and to be used gradually, that is to say,
taken out of the case from time to time little by little, such as paints, pomades,
and the like.
I place above the ordinary soldered lid or cover a second cover not soldered,
which fits exactly to the top of the case. This moveable cover may be of tin,
wood, or any other suitable material.
The advantages resulting from this construction are as follows:-
First. By making the moveable cover of the required strength it protects the
T

page_text: soldered or fixed cover from injury by a blow or shock, and thus allows the latter
to be made of such thin tin that it can be opened easily without a special knife or
other tool.
Second. The case when it has been once opened can be closed again by means
of the moveable cover, thus preserving the contents and keeping them clean. The
same advantages may be obtained with a fixed or soldered covering of thick tin.
may also provide between the two covers a sufficient space within which to place
certain condiments suitable for use with the contents of the case, as, for instance,
with beef I may place in the said space a packet containing salt, pepper, and
mustard.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 10th
January 1877.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BOXES OR CASES FOR THE
PRESERVATION OF FOOD AND OTHER ARTICLES OR MATERIALS." A communication
from abroad by Amieux, Brothers, of Paris, France.
This Invention relates to improvements in boxes or cases for preserved food or
other substances, either solid or liquid, and comprises,―
First. Boxes or cases for containing and preserving all alimentary substances,
and principally boiled beef or "bouilli." For this purpose the body of the case is
made of ordinary strong tin in two distinct parts united by a transverse band of
very thin tin or tin foil soldered thereto.
In the accompanying Drawing Figure 1 shows an elevation and a central vertical
section of the body of a box or case constructed according to this Invention in
two parts a and b joined by the transverse band c. The advantage of this
construction is that owing to the existance of the thin band which joins the two
parts of the case the said case can be cut into two equal parts with an ordinary
knife.
Secondly. My Invention comprises all kinds of cases for preserved substances,
such as those above specified, also cases for preserved substances which (unlike the
cases for beef) do not require to be divided into several parts, such, for instance, as
those used for sardines, tunny fish, and other fish preserved with oil or butter, or
for pies or patties, and other articles to be served at table, and generally cases for
containing any substance, either solid or liquid, which requires to be kept air-tight
and to be used gradually, that is to say, taken out of the case from time to time in
small quantities, such as paints, pomades, and the like.
For carrying into effect this part of the said Invention I place above the ordinary
soldered lid or cover a second cover not soldered which fits exactly to the top of
the case. This movable cover may be of tin, wood, or any other suitable
inaterial.
The advantages resulting from this construction are as follows:-
First. By making the movable cover of the required strength it protects the
soldered or fixed cover from the injury which might be caused by a blow or shock,
and thus allows the latter to be made of such thin tin that it can be opened easily
without a special knife or other tool.
The
Secondly. The case, when it has been once opened, can be closed again by means
of the movable cover, thus preserving the contents and keeping them clean.
same advantages may be obtained with a fixed or soldered covering of thick tin.
I may also provide between the two covers a sufficient space within which to place
certain condiments suitable for use, with the contents of the case, as, for instance,
with beef I place in the said space a packet containing salt, pepper, and mustard.

page_text: The movable cover may be attached to the fixed or soldered cover by means of
a small clamp with two branches, which is soldered at its bottom end to the centre
of the top of the first or soldered cover so as to leave free its two branches, which
are passed through a slot made in the centre of the second or movable cover, also
through an ornamental knob or device placed thereon, the said branches are then
bent down upon the said knob or device, and thus the two covers are joined
together. To open the box or case it is only necessary to raise the two ends of
these branches when the movable cover can be taken off and the soldered one cut
open in the ordinary manner. The ornamental knob or device may be of pewter
or other suitable substance, and may represent in relief a bird, a fish, a hare, or
other figure, according to the contents of the box or case.
Within the space
between the two covers may be placed instead of condiments prospectuses or
advertisements through which the branches of the clamp will pass. This mode of
attaching two covers may be applied to all kinds of boxes or cases for preserved
substances.
The accompanying Drawing shows as an example of this Invention a closed case
containing truffled partridge, the two covers of which are united as above
described.
Figure 2. is a vertical central section showing the box or case closed. Figure 3 is
a plan or top view of the same.
Like letters indicate the same parts in these two Figures.
a is the body of the box or case; b, the contents of the same; c, the first cover
soldered to the body a; d, the clamp soldered at its bottom to the cover c; e, the
second cover placed over the first cover c and traversed by the branches of the
clamp; ff are prospectuses or advertisements placed within the space between
the two covers c and e, and through which pass the branches of the said clamp;
is the ornamental knob or device, through which also pass the branches of the.
clamp, and upon which they are turned back, as shown in the Drawing.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,―
First. A box or case for containing preserved substances, and the body of which
is formed in two distinct parts of strong tin united by soldering around them a
transverse band of thin tin or tin foil, as above set forth and for the purpose
specified.
Second. The novel application of a movable cover either thin or thick, and made
of any suitable material, in combination with a fixed soldered cover either thin or
thick, as above set forth and for the purpose specified.
Third. The manner of uniting the movable cover to the soldered cover by means
of a clamp, with two branches and a knob or device, as above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Tenth day of January in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.