December 1, 1918.] 



THE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



139 



Jar-Ring Tests. 



By Charles P. Fox. 



Ring in the ne«. 

 Ring out the false. 

 Ring :' 



FOLLOWING up a complaint made by Mrs. A. H. Throck- 

 morton, 2600 Wellington road, Cleveland, Ohio, in October, 

 1917, concerning the loss of canned fruit by spoilage, due to 

 faulty jar rings, led to a preliminary investigation of the quality 

 of jar-rings sold in Cleveland. The results of this examination 

 showed the need of a thorough control of the jar-ring trade. 



In the latter part of 1917 and the early part of 1918, 388 

 samples, representing about 60 brands of jar-rings, were exam- 

 ined. On the basis of brands examined, approximately 70 per 

 cent were safe, 20 per cent doubtful, and 10 per cent worthless. 



By "safe" we mean that the ring is suitable for use upon the 

 old style Mason screw-top jar, and using the "cold pack" system 

 of canning. 



A "doubtful" ring is one which is good while fresh but which 

 rapidly perishes when exposed to air and sunlight, or has been 

 kept for a long time in stock. 



A "worthless" ring is wholly unlit for use. It may be too thiri, 

 "perished," "weak," or dirty (covered with soapstone or sulphur), 

 or have an objectionable odor. 



These tests will determine the quality of a ring : 



Pinching Test. — Double the ring upon itself and pinch firmly; 

 ring must not crack. 



Twisting Test. — Twist ring quickly two or three turns, hold- 

 ing ring under a slight tension; ring must not break or tear. 



Pulling Test. — Stretch ring by pulling and note strength and 



—Tennyson. 



quired in the cold pack system. Many rings, apparently safe by 

 other tests, when tested in this way show unfitness by becoming 

 soft, are cut through by the lid, or lose their shape so that they 

 are easily misplaced and the seal broken. 



Jar-rings are sold in bulk or cartons. Cartons contain one 

 dozen rings. Cartons with short count and with broken rings 

 have been found in several cases. The popular price is 10 cents 

 per dozen; however, price is no guide to quality. Good-quality 

 rings often sell for less money than an inferior grade. 



Good rings can be bought; use them. Housewives should re- 

 member that jar rings, like wedding rings, must be made of 

 good inaterial. The chemist applies the "acid test" to the wed- 

 ding ring. The highest grade of jar rings will stand the "alkali 

 test." Poor rings will not. Low-grade rings — those made up 

 largely of mineral matter and oil substitutes, the kind that do not 

 age well — "go to pieces" when treated with boiling alcoholic 

 soda. 



This test, while reliable, is rather severe, is inconvenient to 

 apply, and can only be used successfully by a chemist. A pre- 

 aging test carried out by heating the rings in a water oven for 

 10 hours often indicates what results may be expected of a ring 

 when kept in stock for a long time. 



.A mid-summer examination of the jar-ring trade in Dayton, 

 Ohio, shows a slightly better condition that expected. Dayton 

 is a smaller city than Cleveland, and, perhaps, its housewives are 



Pulling Test. 



Pinching Test. 



Twisting Test. 



elasticity. .\ good ring should require at least a IS-pound pull 

 before breaking. We have tested rings that required more than 

 a 25-pound pull to break them. 



A general or "once over" test will often show the presence of 

 much soapstone in the carton. While soapstone may be harm- 

 less, it is unnecessary. Good rings do not require it. Its pres- 

 ence indicates either poor material or careless factory methods, 

 and it makes extra work for the busy housewife. 



Another thing to be looked after is size. A standard ring- 

 one that will give best results under all conditions — should be 

 1/12-inch thick and 10/32-inch wide. 



These tests should be made at the counter at time of purchase. 

 If convenient, o"- in doubt, test out the ring by adjusting to a jar 

 submerged in lioiling water, following closely the conditions re- 



more careful buyers. They take nothing for granted and usually 

 make their purchases in person and with great care. They de- 

 mand good quality. 



A smaller number of brands of jar-rings are offered for sale 

 and they are of a better grade. Several of the standard brands 

 are represented and there is a great demand for a certain well- 

 known make, a fact which again proves the truth of the slogan, 

 "It pays to advertise." 



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gathered 



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These tests are the results of adoption and application of information 

 obtained from many sources. While they answer the purpose intended, 

 they are not perfect, and are open to criticism from the standpoint of 

 ultra-technical investigators. The object in presenting the subject -ttas two- 

 fold: (1) to bring before the public the condition of the jar-ring situation 

 and the need of iar-ring inspection, and (2) to get manufacturers, through 



Ch, 



rievelan 



Ohi 



1918. 



technical departments, interested 

 r this article, 

 nterest shown by the rubber secti 



of th, 



iping specifications 



