IMPROVEMENTS IN FASTENINGS FOR THE LIDS OF MILK CANS AND OTHER VESSELS
Year: 1882

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Ernest George Cook Bomford at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 7th February 1882.
ERNEST GEORGE COOк ВOMFORD of Fladbury near Pershore in the County of
Worcester Farmer IMPROVEMENTS IN FASTENINGS FOR THE LIDS OF MILK
CANS AND OTHER VESSELS
My Invention has for its object so to fasten the lids of milk cans and other
vessels, that the lid cannot be unfastoned without having an indication of the
unfastening and thereby showing when any opening of the can or vessel has been
effected. By the use of my Invention the contents of milk cans or other vessels
cannot be tampered with by unauthorized persons without leaving behind evidence
that the can or vessel has been unfastened.
My Invention is especially applicable to milk cans, but is also applicable to other
cans or vessels, the contents of which it is wished to protect from the interference
of unauthorized persons. I will describe my Invention in connection with a
inilk can.
To the lid of the milk can and opposite to the hinge on which the lid turns, I
joint a tongue or flap. This tongue or flap lies flat on the top of the lid, and is
capable of turning on the pin which connects it to the lid so that it may be turned
through a small angle. On the outside of the can and near its top edge, a cranked
arm is jointed. This arm turns upon its joint so that its upper horizontal part
may either be brought over the edge of the lid or thrown back from off the lid.
In the former position of the said arm, the lid of the can cannot be raised; in the
latter position of the arm the lid is free to rise. On the underside of the edge of
the lid is a projection which when the lid is shut down strikes against the heel of
the cranked arm and forces the upper end of the arm over the edge of the lid so
that the lid cannot be shut down without the said arm being brought into a
position proper for fastening down the lid. The lid can only be liberated and
permitted to rise by turning aside the tongue or flap so as to remove its end from
under the cranked arm and this turning aside of the tongue or flap is made to leave
evidence of its having been moved in the following manner. The said tongue or
Hap is double, the upper part being jointed to the lower part. The upper part has
an opening in it and the lower part has a curved slot into which projects a steel
ID 11
"

page_text: point or cutter fixed in the lid. Before shutting down the lid the tongue or flap
is brought against a stop on the lid and a strip of strong paper or like material
having any desired design or inscription upon it is placed between the two parts
of the tongue. By now shutting down the lid the cranked arm is projected over
the edge of the flap and holds it and the lid down.
In order to unfasten the lid, the tongue is turned aside from under the end of
the cranked arm when the lid can be raised. But in turning aside the tongue or
flap, the cutter on the lid cuts a nick or slot in the paper or material between the
two parts of the tongue or flap and indicates that the lid has been unfastened.
In order to prevent the escape of milk between the can and the lid during transit,
the heel of the cranked arm may carry a plate or false lid which when the said
cranked arm is in its fastening position is supported on the can a short distance
below the top and prevents the escape of the milk.