Hemingray Glass Company, Covington, Kentucky

Black Glass Fruit Jars.

Mr. Adam Dickey, Middletown, O., has patented (Feb. 27, 1877) an improvement in fruit jars, the improvement consisting of their being made of black or opaque glass. In his appeal to the trade Mr. Dickey says: - "The object of my invention is to provide a fruit jar better adapted to preserve its contents. Which jar, while possessing the non-corrosive qualities of glass, shall also posses the light intercepting qualities of tin, and thus obviate the deleterious effects of light upon the fruit. To this end my invention consists, as a new article of manufacture, in a jar composed of black glass. I propose to apply this color of glass to any style of jar, with either tin or glass top."

"A can or jar possessing all of the desired qualities for preserving fruits and articles of food has always been a desideratum. Tin is extensively used for making cans for this purpose, by reason of some qualities; but it is objectionable on account of its tendency to corrode and be unfit for use, which corrosion takes place to such an extent - when the contents are characterized by acidity - as to impart to the same a disagreeable metallic taste, which is not only unpalatable but unwholesome and injurious."

"Transparent glass, of the kind ordinarily used for fruit jars, is not open to this objection of corrosion; but, by reason of its transparency, light is transmitted to the fruit and thereby produces objectionable chemical reaction, causing the fruit to fade and lose its bright, fresh color, and also, to a great extent, induces fermentation."

"Earthenware jars have also been used for putting up fruits, etc., and these, it is true, possess the qualities of opaqueness without the liability to corrosion; but earthenware is either porous or glazed, and if porous it permits the absorption of the fluids, and involves difficulties in cleaning and eliminating the germs of ferment; and if glazed, the glazing becomes decomposed by the action of the acids, and produces discoloration of the fruit, and imparts to the latter a disagreeable flavor. Earthenware, moreover, is heavy and clumsy, and the various objections which apply to its use for fruit jars have led to its abandonment for this purpose."

"By making the jars of black or dark colored glass it will be seen that the color and flavor of the fruit are completely preserved, and while the jar possesses the quality of resisting the action of the acids, it is also free from the injurious effects of light, thus securing all the advantages of tin, earthenware, and glass, as heretofore used, with none of their disadvantages."

"I have for the present adopted for the introduction of my black jar the style called the "Royal, manufactured by the Hemingray Glass Company, of Cincinnati, Ohio, which, from its construction, is considered as good, if not better for the preservation of fruit, than any now introduced into the market, the contents of same coming in contact with nothing but the glass. Royalties to dispose of to parties wishing to introduce any particular style of jar."