Joseph P. Bradley

“ We see nothing in all this to raise the slightest implication that the patentees were the inventors of the process of interposing any and every kind of lining between the cans and their contents, and, when their claim is confined to a lining of textile fabric, it is tantamount to a declaration that they claimed nothing else. Some persons seem to suppose that a claim in a patent is like a nose of wax, which may be turned and twisted in any direction, by merely referring to the specification, so as to make it include something more than, or something different from, what its words express. ”

“ The description of the invention throughout specifies a textile fabric as the material to be interposed between the shrimp and the metallic can. It is true that the object of the invention is stated to be 'to prevent the article to be preserved from coming in direct contact with the surface of the can.' But the object of an invention is a very different thing from the invention itself. The object may be accomplished in many ways; the invention shows one way. ”

“ Fig. 2 is a textile lining, which we propose usually to make (although there is nothing arbitrary about the form, as other forms may be used) in the form of a cylindrical bag or sack, the diameter of which, when filled, is to be such as will permit of its fitting snugly within the can. A is the metallic can; a, its lid or cover. B is the bag or sack, constructed of cotton, muslin, or any other suitable textile fabric. ”