Improvements in Folding Cardboard and similar Boxes.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Nov., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 21st Sept., 1896-Accepted, 24th Oct., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Folding Cardboard and similar Boxes.
1, JOHN EDWARD THORNTON, of Rokeby, Oldfield Road, Altrincham,
Cheshire, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention enables boxes made of cardboard or similar material to be con-
structed so that they will collapse for storage or transit, and can be quickly
erected for use, whilst they are strong and have a good appearance when erected.
The box consists of a bottom, two sides and two ends all joined together, being
all creased, folding, cut, and joined up from one piece, or made of several pieces
joined together. The box is complete and self-contained, no loose or detachable
parts or separate fittings being required to complete it.
The sides are plain and are hinged to the bottom. The ends are hinged to the
sides and to the bottom, and have hinges or folds, each of which runs at an angle
of 45 degrees diagonally from the junction of the bottom, sides, and ends towards
the centre of the top edge of the ends.
This enables the sides of the box to be folded flat on the bottom whilst the ends
fold flat either outwardly or inwardly as desired.
To retain the box in its proper shape when erected, and guard against accidental
collapse, I provide means for stiffening the end so that it cannot fold at the
diagonal joints, which means that the whole box is thereby made rigid.
This may consist of a flap or duplicate end attached to the centre portion of
the folding end. If the end folds outward when flat this flap folds outward also,
and when the box is erected it is turned over inside the box end, thereby preventing
the end from giving way at the hinges or joints, and making it like one stiff piece.
The direction of the folding may be reversed if preferred.
The flap may be secured by catches, clips, buttons, spring studs, adhesive
substance, or by any other suitable means; or may be left unsecured; or the hinge
joint connecting the flap to the end may be stiffened by strips of soft ductile
metal, or by any other suitable means, so that when the flap is bent over it will
naturally retain its position.
The folding end may be made of one piece of cardboard suitably scored or
creased diagonally; or of the requisite number of separate pieces joined together
by linen, paper, or other flexible material, which forms the diagonal hinges where
the separate pieces join. It may be joined to the sides in a similar manner.
The folding end may instead be formed with the centre piece rigid, and the two
angle end pieces which join the sides made flexible, either of paper, linen, tape, or
other suitable material. Or the two sides may be simply joined together by similar
means, and the end of the box formed of a double piece (without any diagonal
scores) which is folded over the flexible strip when the box is erected, as already
described. In this case the side pieces may be turned over a little at the end so as
to fit between the double end piece when it is folded over.. Instead of an ordinary
flexible connecting strip for joining the two sides, an elastic strip (such as rubber)
may be used; this causes the side pieces to tightly grip the end pieces when the
box is erected.
In some cases I may discard the flap and substitute any of the following:-A
grooved metal strip may be placed over the top edge of the folding end in such a

page_text: It may
way that it will stiffen the edge and prevent the jointed end from folding.
be loose, but I prefer to attach it to the box so that it cannot be detached, making
it to slide vertically or laterally.
Or metal tongues or flaps may be attached to the box end, near the top edge, so
that they may be bent over the edge in order to overlap the flexible joints and
prevent them folding.
Or stiffening pieces of cardboard or metal may be arranged to slide vertically or
laterally over the diagonal joints, being secured to the end of the box in any
suitable manner.
Or the end may be made double, with diagonal joints on each
portion coinciding with each other, the sliding stiffening piece being placed
between in such a manner that it can be operated from the outside.
If preferred the folding arrangements herein before described may be applied to
the sides instead of the ends of the box.
Dated this 22nd day of November 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Folding Cardboard and similar Boxes.
I, JOHN EDWARD THORNTON, of Rokeby, Oldfield Road, Altrincham, in the
County of Chester, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the saine is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :—
This invention is designed to so construct a box made of cardboard or other
similar material that while capable of being collapsed for storage or transit it
can quickly be erected for use and will then be strong and present a good
appearance.
It will be fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
as examples several modifications are shown.
Fig. 1. Perspective view of box partly erected showing the form in which
I at present prefer to construct it all in one piece or cut from one piece of
material.
Fig. 2. Perspective view of same collapsed or folded flat.
Fig. 3. Plan of extended blank of same.
Fig. 4. Perspective view of modified form of box showing the bottom sides and
end of the box cut from one piece and some of the joints or creases formed by
light flexible material cemented or otherwise attached over them and the end flap
made of a separate piece cemented thereto.
Fig. 5 Perspective view of same collapsed or folded flat.
Fig. 6. Plan of extended blank of same.
Fig. 7. Perspective view of another modification.
Fig. 8. Perspective view of another modificaticu, showing both the end and the
Hap made of separate pieces.
Figs. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14. End view of boxes showing other modifications.
A box made in accordance herewith comprises a bottom A, two sides B and two
ends C and two end flaps D all joined together, being all creased, folded, cut and
joined up from one piece, or made of two or more pieces joined together. The
box is complete and self-contained, no loose or detachable parts or separate fittings
being required to complete it.
The sides B are plain and are hinged to the bottom A. The ends C are hinged
to the bottom A but are severed or disconnected from the sides B and are provided
with wings C¹ which have hinges or folds on the line a-c at an angle of about
45° diagonally from the junction of the bottom sides and ends towards the top edge
of the ends.

page_text: This permits the sides B of the box to be folded flat on the bottom A whilst
the ends fold flat either outwardly or inwardly as desired preferably the former.
To retain the box in its proper shape when erected, and guard against accidental
collapse, I provide a flap D or other means for stiffening the end so that it
cannot fold at the diagonal joints a-c which means that the whole box is thereby
made rigid.
The flap D may be retained in position when folded over by a soft metal clip
affixed to or placed over the crease to render it self fastening.
Referring to Figs. 12 and 3 the whole box is formed of one piece of cardboard
being creased along the lines a a to form the bottom A the sides B and the
ends C. It is also creased along the lines a-b and cut or severed along the
lines a-d to form wings C¹ which when erected serve as corners for the box
and creased along the lines d-d to form flaps which fold over the wings C¹ and
hold them stiff and in position when the box is erected. The wings C are also
creased diagonally on the lines a-c to permit the sides B to fold over the
bottom A and one portion of the wing C¹ to fold over the other. The outer ends
of the wings C are placed flat upon the ends C and are attached thereto by means
of studs eyelets or other fasteners c¹. Or they may be secured together by wire
staples or stitching cement or other means. The wings C¹ do not form a continuous
part of C with a crease or joint. When the box is erected the flaps D are folded
over the inside of the wings C' thereby holding the box stiff or rigid and preventing
it collapsing. It is to be understood that any of the creases shown along the
lines a-a a-ba-c or d-d may be severed and joints formed by means of thin
flexible material cemented over. Also that the wings C¹ or either part of them
may be made of a flexible material cemented to the sides and ends.
Referring to Figs. 4 5 and 6 the box is made with the bottom A the sides B the
ends C and the wings C formed of one piece of cardboard creased along the
lines a-a to form the sides and ends and along the lines a-b to form the wings C'.
The flaps D are made of a separate piece of cardboard creased along the lines d-d
the part being securely attached to the outside of the end C by cement studs
rivets or other mean. The wings C are flexibly attached to the ends C along
the lines ac by thin flexible material c¹¹ cemented over them to make a joint.
The flexible material c" may be a strip as shown or may cover the whole of the
ends C and wings C₁ either inside or out. When the box is erected the flap Dis
folded inside the end C which is embraced between it and the part d' attached to
the outside of the end C. It will be understood that the creases on the lines a-a
on the lines a-b and on the lines d-d may be severed and the adjacent parts
connected by flexible material cemented thereto. Also that the wings C' may be
made wholly of flexible material.
Referring to Fig. 7 the box is made with the bottom A the sides B the ends C
the flaps D and the wings Call of one piece of cardboard creased along the
lines a a to form the sides and ends and severed along the lines a-d and creased
along the lines a-b to form the wings C¹. In this case the wings C₁ are not
attached or secured to the ends C at all but are connected by a flexible band or
strip of material E such as calico rubber paper or the like over which the flap is
folded when the end is erected. The ends C and flaps D are similar to those
described in Figs. 1-3. The wings C may be square as shown or may be made
triangular being cut off at the dotted line a-c or may be of any other convenient
shape. Or they may be creased diagonally along the line a-c. The creases along
the lines a-a, a-band d-d may be severed and the adjacent parts jointed together
by flexible material cemented thereon. Or the wings C' may be dispensed with
and the sides be connected by an end piece or by a strip of flexible material over
which the flap D would fold.
Referring to Fig. 8 the box is made with the bottom A and sides B in one piece
creased along the lines a-a. The ends C and the wings C are made of separate
pieces scored along the lines a'-a' al-band diagonally along the lines a¹-c.
The end is secured to the bottom and the wings C" to the sides by studs eyelets,

page_text: rivets stitches or other fasteners or may be cemented thereto. The flaps D are
similar to those described in Figs. 4 to 6 being jointed to the pieces d' which are
securely attached by a stud c¹ or otherwise to the outside of the ends C. The
creases along the lines a-a, a¹—a' a'—b¹ a¹-c and d-d may be severed and the
adjacent parts joined by flexible material cemented thereto. Or the ends may be
made wholly of flexible material.
Referring to Fig. 9 the flap such as D is dispensed with but a metallic or other
stiff clip G is bent over the top edge of the box being cut away at the inside ends
at g corresponding with the diagonal creases. This clip when in the position shown
allows the box to fold but when the clip is moved either to right or left the joints
are prevented folding.
Referring to Fig. 10 soft metal pieces H are fastened to the outside of the
creased and folding end C and bent over the edge to the inside to overlap the
diagonal creases a-c and prevent collapsing.
Referring to Fig. 11 the box end C is formed as has already been described and
the wings C are cut away at their top edges. A piece of cardboard is doubled
over in the form of a deep clip K the sides being secured together by say three
studs k. The piece K slides freely up and down on the box end C and when
moved downwards encloses the end and wings, covering the creases and making the
end rigid. When the piece K is raised the lower edge clears the tops of the
wings C and the end is free to fold on the diagonal creases a-c.
as deep as the box so as to extend to the bottom.
It may be made
Referring to Figs. 12, 13 and 14 the ends C of the box are made of double
thickness the wings Ci being inserted between. The ends are stiffened and
prevented from folding either by stiff sliding pieces L inserted between the double
thickness of board or by the wings C which extend beyond the diagonal creases a―c.
When it is desired to fold the box in the one case the sliding pieces L are drawn
back and in the other the wings are withdrawn until they are clear of the
creases a―r.
Lids may be made in the same way as shown for the boxes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is.―
1. A box made of cardboard or other similar material capable of collapsing or
folding flat comprising the bottom A with sides B and ends C connected thereto
by creases or flexible joints on the lines a-a, and provided with wings C¹ con-
nected to the sides B but severed or cut from the ends C on lines a-d and flaps D
connected to the ends C the wings C¹ being creased diagonally along the lines a-c
and secured flat upon the ends C by a stud c¹ the flaps folding over the wings C¹
and embracing them between the ends C and the said flaps substantially as and
for the purpose described and shown with reference to Figs. 1 2 and 3 of the
drawings.
2. A box made of cardboard or other similar material capable of collapsing or
folding flat comprising a bottom A sides B and ends C connected thereto by creases
or flexible joints on the lines a-a wings C¹ connected to the sides by creases or
flexible joints on the lines a-b severed from and flexibly connected to the ends C
on the lines ac in combination with the flaps D to fold inside securely attached
to the ends C by the piece d' and stud or its equivalent cl substantially as described
and shown with reference to Figs. 4 5 and 6 of the drawings.
3. A box made of cardboard or other similar material capable of collapsing or
folding flat comprising a bottom A with sides B and ends C connected thereto by
creases or flexible joints along the lines a- a wings C flexibly connected to the
sides but severed from the ends and also connected to each other by flexible
strips E and the flap D to fold over the flexible strips E constructed and
arranged substantially as described and shown with reference to Fig. 7 of the
drawings.

page_text: 4. A box made of cardboard or other similar material capable of collapsing or
folding flat comprising a bottom A. and sides B connected together by creases or
flexible joints in combination with an end piece C and wings C¹ creased on the
lines a a¹, a'-' and a¹-c affixed thereto by studs rivets or other fastenings and
the flap D and piece d creased on the line d-d and attached to the centre of the
side by cement studs or otherwise substantially as described and shown with
reference to Fig. 8 of the drawings.
5. In a folding cardboard box formed with diagonal creases in the ends such
as a c the combination with the ends of clips or strips of metal or other stiff
material which engage with the creases when the box is erected and prevent their
folding substantially as and for the purposes described and shown with reference
to either of the Figs. 9 to 14 of the drawings.
Dated this 19th day of September 1896.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co,.
6, Bank Street, Manchester, Patent Agents.