IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC PACKING CANS USED FOR PRESERVING FRUIT, OYSTERS, MEAT, AND OTHER PROVISIONS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Sydney Pitt, of Sutton, in the County of Surrey, for the
Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC PACKING CANS USED FOR
PRESERVING FRUIT, OYSTERS, MEAT, AND OTHER PROVISIONS."
A com-
munication from abroad by Hugh Lewis McAvoy, of Maryland, United States
of America.
Sealed the 6th February 1880, and dated the 27th November 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Sydney Pitt at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th November 1879.
SYDNEY PITT, of Sutton, in the County of Surrey. "IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC
PACKING CANS USED FOR PRESERVING FRUIT, OYSTERS, MEAT, AND OTHER
PROVISIONS." [A communication from abroad by Hugh Lewis MoAvoy, of Mary-
land, United States of America.]
The Invention relates to an improvement in the ordinary packing can which is
made of the "tin plate" of commerce, and used for preserving fruit, oysters, meat,
and other provisions.
In order to prevent any action of the fruit acids or other ingredients contained
in the goods preserved in cans made of the tin plate of commerce, the inner surface
of such packings are lined or coated, after the same have been soldered and finished
as usual ready for the packer, with silver or any other metal which is similarly
non-oxidizable, or which will similarly resist the action of fruit acids or other
ingredients which exist in the goods that are canned. This is effected by electro-
plating the interior of the cans with the silver or other metal. For this purpose
the cans are placed on a metallic plate in connection with one pole of a battery or
other source of electricity, and are also filled with the electro-plating solution, and
a cylindrical node in connection with the other pole is placed into the solution in
each can.
The lids are also coated on their inner surface with the same metal as the interior
of the cans.
Or in place of depositing a nonoxidizable metal on the interior of the cans the
interior of the cans may be lined with parchment, paper, or any other organic
substance that will prevent the goods packed in the cans from coming into contact
with the metal, such substances being caused to adhere to the interior of the cans
by shellac or other suitable cement.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Sydney Pitt in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 27th May 1880.
SYDNEY PITT, of Sutton, in the County of Surrey. "IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC
PACKING CANS USED FOR PRESERVING FRUIT, OYSTERS, MEAT, AND OTHER
PROVISIONS." A communication from abroad by Hugh Lewis McAvoy, of Mary-
land, United States of America.
The Invention relates to an improvement in the ordinary packing can which is
made of the "tin plate" of commerce, and used for preserving fruit, oysters, meat,
and other provisions.
In order to prevent any action of the fruit acids or other ingredients contained
in the goods preserved in cans made of the tin plate of commerce, the inner surface
of such packings are lined or coated, after the same have been soldered and finished
as usual ready for the packer, with silver or any other metal which is similarly
non-oxidizable, or which will similarly resist the action of fruit acids or other
ingredients which exist in the goods that are canned. This is effected by electro
plating the interior of the cans with the silver or other metal. For this purpose
the cans are placed on a metallic plate or tray in connection with one pole of a
battery or other source of electricity, and are also filled with the electro plating
solution, and a cylindrical node in connection with the other pole is placed into the
solution in each can.
To allow of a large number of cans being thus electro plated internally at the same
time the best way is to place a number of the cans on to a fixed horizontal metal
tray in connection with one pole of a battery, and then to fill the cans with the
electro plating solution, and lower down into cach can a node in connection with
the other pole, and in order that. this may be done quickly I suspend all the nodes
to a frame, which can be raised and lowered in guides, so that all the nodes may
simultaneously be introduced into the cans, the cans themselves being held in
proper position for the nodes to enter them by stops or holders on the tray; this
allows of one set of cans being removed from the tray when sufficiently coated and
of a fresh set of cans being quickly put in their place to be filled, and for the nodes
to be lowered into them.
The lids are also coated on their inner surface with the same metal as the interior
of the cans.
Or in place of depositing a non oxidizable metal on the interior of the cans the
interior of the cans may be lined with parchment, paper or any other organic
substance that will prevent the goods packed in the cans from coming into contact
with the metal, such substances being caused to adhere to the interior of the cans
by a shellac solution or other suitable cement.
Having thus described the nature of the Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, I would have it understood that I claim,-
The manufacture of metallic packing caus used for preserving fruit, oysters,
meat, and other provisions, substantially as herein before described; the cans being
made from the tin plate of commerce, and having their interior surface electro
plated with silver or other non oxidizable metal or lined with parchment, paper, or
other organic substance.
In witness whereof, I, the said Sydney Pitt, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Twenty sixth-day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand
dood and nighte