US162478A - Improvement in cans - Google Patents

Description

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEioE.

TRYON J. M. JEW'ELL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF HIS RIGHT TO NATHAN SEELEY AND GEORGE I. STEVENS, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN CANS.-

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 162,478, dated April 27, 1875; application filed February 16, 1875.

CASE B.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, TRYoN J. M. J EwELL, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain Improvements in Cans, of which the following is a specification:

This invention contemplates the use of a wire so arranged, with reference to the cover of a sheet-metal can, that a firm pull upon the wire will draw it through the metal of the cover, and thereby sever the same from the can.

My said invention consists in a can-cover constructed with a groove, in which is provided the severin gwire, laid free or unsoldered in the said groove, with its two ends projecting through a suitable orifice in the cover, in such manner that either end of the wire may be pulled upon in order to sever the cover, as aforesaid.

Figures 1 and 2 are side views of a can made according to my invention. Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal section of the same, and Fig. 4 a transverse section taken in the line as 00 of Figs. 1 and 2.

A is the usual cylindrical can, of sheet-tin or other sheet metal. B is the cover, of which A is the rim or flange, shutting down past and upon the upper edge of the can in closing the same. Formed externally in this flange is a rib, which provides, at its inner side, a groove, to. At 0 in this rib is a small hole or perforation. G is a wire, of such diameter that a moderate strain in a direction more or less radial to the axis of the cover will force it through the same as a cutting-edge, as hereinafter explained. This thin wire is laid in the groove to, with its two ends projecting through the perforation c, the wire lying free in the groove, and its two outwardly-projecting ends being turned into loops b or rings, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. The cover, be-

ing thus prepared, is placed upon the can, its flange A shutting or slipping upon the top of the can in the ordinary way. The lower edge of the flange is then soldered to the can, permanently uniting the same thereto, as required in the closing of the can for storage, transportation, 850. If preferred, a drop of solder, cement, or the like may be dropped upon the orifice c to make the same air-tight, but with no special design of fixing the ends of the wire. a

in opening the can a stem of wood, metal, or other materialas, for example, a lead-pencil or the like-is thrust into one of the loops 1), as shown atf, and a firm pull in a direction more or less radial to the longitudinal axis of the can is exerted upon the wire. The first result is to draw the wire in the direction of its length until the loop at the opposite end strikes the flange A, and is thereby made to hold the wire against further longitudinal movement, whereupon the outward or radial draft of the wire causes it to cut through the metal of the flange as cleanly and clearly as would be done with a knife. This movement of the wire under the continued strain requisite to the cutting effect is maintained until the cut is extended quite around the circumference of the can, and, the flange being quite cut through, the cover is separated from the can, and may be lifted off.

It will be seen, therefore, that the wire is arranged for separation by a strain upon either end, and that the loops afford provision for securing a firmer purchase upon the wire in opening the can, and. providing a resistingpoint for the latter when strained in severing the metal.

What I claim as my invention is- The can-coverA, constructed with the groove a, in combination with the free wire 0, projecting from the cover at both ends, and arranged to sever the sheet metal by tension upon either end, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

TRYON J. M. JEW'ELL.

Witnesses:

J AMEs A. WHITNEY, ADOLPH NIOOLLET.

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