The story of the jerry can - video

[Altair]

The story of the jerry can. 30:14 video.

Previously:

Aircraft fuel extractor - GIF
Ethanol content tester - photo
1942 gasoline storage tanks
Improvised fuel funnel - photo
Refinery oil tank leak - GIF

[Duke_of_URL]

This is an excellent documentary that is well worth watching for those interested in military history or industrial design.
I never realized how many solutions to challenging problems are wrapped into this one simple design. It made me want to go buy one... and I don't even need one!

[Fluffle-Valve]

People just use them and never think about how they came about.

[Frank S]

The US had 2 versions. The blitz can for fuels which as he reported had the 2" pipe thread fill opening and a pour spout that had an expandable rubber seal.


The second can was for potable water only with a flip top lid


There were several reasons why the differences in design, not the least of which was to prevent any confusion of either can's intended use.
The much larger opening on the water can allowed for faster refilling from the water buffalo which usually had a 2" gravity pour pipe outlet. Other reasons was the rapid emptying of the can no internal vent tube was required on either can, on the Blitz can there was a simple 1/8" dia. hole drilled through the flange, sealed off by the rubbed gasket in the screw in lid the hole was left exposed when the flexible spout was inserted

[Fluffle-Valve]

Since listening to this video, I have gathered up all my cans and I find that I have 11 of them.

[Frank S]

Since listening to this video, I have gathered up all my cans and I find that I have 11 of them.

Now that is just cool.

[hotdog0627]

I wonder how they welded the cans together with a plastic lining inside....

[Frank S]

I wonder how they welded the cans together with a plastic lining inside....

Put in after assembly either poured or sprayed in like a paint, or rolled up and put in the same way bladders are inserted in pressure tanks are made for water wells

[WmRMeyers]

This is an excellent documentary that is well worth watching for those interested in military history or industrial design.
I never realized how many solutions to challenging problems are wrapped into this one simple design. It made me want to go buy one... and I don't even need one!

Just a little tidbit to add to your store of knowledge, then. I spent a good chunk of the last half of my military career, doing load planning for deployments to various locations around the world, and frequently flew on the aircraft I did the load planning for. Jerry cans are purged and shipped empty because they are known leakers, and quite dangerous to ship via aircraft when there is even a trace of fuel left in them. Gasoline has a flash point of -57 degrees F, IIRC. It's a vapor unless it's confined at any temperature we find comfortable, and easy to ignite with a static spark. Which you get lots of flying around in airplanes. A mix of air and gasoline vapor in a container is also called a "bomb." Fun stuff!

Bill