IMPROVEMENTS IN OR CONNECTED WITH MILK- CANS OR SIMILAR RECEPTACLES.”
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Joseph Baker, of Greenwich, in the County of
Kent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR CONNECTED WITH MILK-
CANS OR SIMILAR RECEPTACLES.”
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Joseph Baker at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 30th October 1879.
JOHN JOSEPH BAKER, of Greenwich, in the County of Kent.
IN OR CONNECTED WITH MILK-CANS OR SIMILAR RECEPTACLES."
"IMPROVEMENTS
This Invention, which relates to improvements in or connected with cans or
receptacles for containing and conveying milk, has reference to the removable,
hinged, or ventilating, or other lid or cover of the can, with the especial object of
forming the same in such a manner as to allow of the cans (which are termed
"churns" by those accustomed to move them about), being more easily traversed
or rolled on their lower or base edge along railway-platforms, landing-stages, or
from place to place, as desired, than is possible with the present construction of the
cover of the can, and so as to save much trouble and time in effecting the
transit.
The covers of such cans have hitherto been made with a raised centre intended
for one hand to grasp, while the other hand propels the can along by means of the
top rim or edge of the can. The effect of this arrangement is that a series of
curved or scolloping movements are caused in the propulsion of the can, each one of
which deviates from the direct line of traverse required, these movements being
caused through the fixed raised centre of the cover adhering to the hand, and thus
forming the centre of each of the said curved movements, the bottom edge of
the can traversing freely along the platform. Moreover, the part grasped by the
hand is very liable to work out of the hand, and so:let the can fall and get damaged,
or its contents spoiled. Many forms have been given to the centre part to remove
these disadvantages, but without avail, the difficulty seeming to be more in the
retention of the fixed centre as a part of the cover at all.
The especial object of my Invention is to obviate these disadvantages, and I
accomplish my object very effectively by dispensing with the said fixed raised
centre, and substituting in lieu thereof a movable turning or swivelling centre

page_text: which can be held stationary in the hand, the can being propelled along as hitherto,
and by the use of which the propulsion of the can can be effected in an undeviating
course, and much trouble and time saved, the attendant causing the top of the can
to keep pace with the bottom thereof by walking as briskly as he propels the can,
and merely holding the raised centre of the cover which does not rotate in his
hand, all the other parts of the can rotating as hitherto.
Of course this improvement, which consists mainly in the substitution of a
movable for a fixed centre to be held in the hand, can be effected in various ways,
a simple and advantageous way being to cut a central hole in the top of the cover,
strengthening its edge if necessary, and inserting a hollow tubular centre (with its
upper end closed) in the aperture thus formed, providing the same with a bottom
flange which comes under the top of the cover, and with a second flange or rim
which comes over the top of the cover; by this means the can can be readily
moved along, and the advantages of the Invention are easily and simply attained.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Joseph Baker in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 30th
April 1880.
JOHN JOSEPH BAKER, of Greenwich, in the County of Kent.
IN OR CONNECTED WITH MILK-CANS OR SIMILAR RECEPTACLES."
"IMPROVEMENTS
This Invention, which relates to improvements in or connected with cams or
receptacles for containing and conveying milk, has reference to the removeable,
hinged, or other ventilating or other top lid or cover of the can or receptacle, with
the especial object of forming or adapting the same in such a manner as to allow
of the cans or receptacles (which are termed "churns" by those accustomed to
move them about), being more easily traversed or rolled on their lower or base
edge along railway platforms, landing stages, or from place to place, as desired,
than is possible with the present construction of the said top, lid, or cover, and so
as to save much trouble and time in effecting the transit.
The covers of such cans have hitherto been made with a raised centre intended
for one hand to grasp, while the other hand propels the can along by means of the
top rim or edge thereof. The effect of such an arrangement is that a series of
curved or scalloping movements are caused in the propulsion of the can, each one of
which deviates from the direct line of traverse required, these movements being
caused through the fixed raised centre of the cover adhering to the hand, and thus
forming the centre of each of the curved movements, the edge of the can traversing
freely along the platform. Moreover, the part grasped by the hand is very liable
to work out of the hand, and so let the can fall and get damaged, or its contents
spilled or spoiled.
Many forms have been given to the usual fixed centre to obviate these disadvan-
tages, but without avail, the difficulty seeming to lie more in the retention of the
fixed centre as a part of the cover at all.
As above referred to, the especial object of my Invention is to obviate these
disadvantages, and I accomplish my object very effectually by dispensing with the
fixed raised centre of the cover, and substituting in lieu thereof a movable, turning,
or swivelling centre which can be held stationary in the hand, the can being
propelled along as hitherto, and the application of which allows of the propulsion of
the can being effected in an undeviating course, saving much time and trouble, the
attendant causing the top of the can to keep pace with the bottom thereof by
walking as briskly as he propels the can, and merely holding the raised centre of
the cover which does not rotate in his hand, all other parts of the can rotating as
hitherto.
Of course the improvement can be effected in various ways, two of the most
simple and advantageous of which I have illustrated on the accompanying Sheet
of explanatory Drawings in Figures 1 to 4, which represent sectional elevations and
perspective views respectively of the cover as adapted with the improved raised
centre, and of the latter detached.
1 represents the usual cover of the milk can or receptacle, in which I cut an
aperture of a sufficient diameter to receive a ring shaped flanged disc 2, which may
be soldered or otherwise fixed in position; 3 represents the improved raised centre
which is provided with flanges 4 externally thereof, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2,
or internally thereof, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, and which engage with the
flange 5 of the disc 2 in such a manner as to allow of the raised centre 3 being
turned around on its axis only, any rising or vertical movement thereof being
prevented. A still simpler method consists in cutting a central hole in the
cover, strengthening its edge by doubling it over if necessary, and inserting a
hollow tubular centre, with its upper end closed, in the aperture thus formed
providing the same with a bottom flange which comes under the top of the cover'

page_text: and with a second flange which comes over the top thereof, and by which means
the can can be readily moved along, and the advantages of the Invention are
easily, effectively, and simply attained.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and object of my.
said Invention, together with the manner in which the same is to be or may be
performed or carried into practical effect, I would remark in conclusion that what
I consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the improvements con-
stituting the Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part recited Letters
Patent is,-
The application to the tops, lids, or covers of cans or receptacles for containing
and conveying milk of a movable, turning, or swivelling raised centre, in lieu of
the usual fixed centre, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described,
and as illustrated on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Joseph Baker, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty ninth day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.