swells

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swells Infected cans of food swollen at the ends by gases produced by fermentation. A ‘hard swell’ has permanently extended ends. If the ends can be moved under pressure, but not forced back to the original position, they are ‘soft swells’. ‘Springers’ can be forced back, but the opposite end bulges. A ‘flipper’ is a can of normal appearance in which the end flips out when the can is struck.

Hydrogen swells are harmless, due to acid fruits attacking the can.