IN APPARATUS FOR HOLDING OR CARRYING EGGS
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Halley and Alexander Barr, both of Glasgow, in
"IMPROVEMENTS
the County of Lanark, North Britain, for an Invention of
IN APPARATUS FOR HOLDING OR CARRYING EGGS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Halley and Alexander
Barr at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st August
1880.
JOHN HALLEY and ALEXANDER BARR, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark
North Britain. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR HOLDING OR CARRYING
EGGS."
This Invention relates to the holding or carrying of eggs in large or small
quantities, and consists in fitting boxes, trays, frames, or other receptacles with
spring holders, which will hold the eggs securely, notwithstanding variations in
size, and which are such as to prevent injury from ordinary shaking and concussion,
or from the turning over of the receptacles or packages. The use of straw or other
packing material is dispensed with, and possible contamination of the eggs by such
material completely avoided.
The spring holders may be constructed in a variety of ways, but in what appears
to be a preferable modification each holder consists of two or three fingers made
of wire, the wire of each finger being bended approximately into the form of the
contour of an acanthus leaf. Each finger or leaf is fixed by its stalk or shank to
the board or bottom of a tray, or to the bar of a frame, and the wire is by
preference made with two or three spring coils to give elasticity. When an egg
is in place it is grasped by the concave parts of the fingers or leaves, and above the
concave parts the fingers or leaves are curved outwards to facilitate the insertion
of the eggs, the eggs being by preference entered and placed with their long axes
at right angles to the board or bar. In another modification the holder for each
egg consists of a pair of wire clips, in which the egg is placed with its long axis
parallel to the board or part to which the clips are fixed, each clip consisting of a
fork with curved prongs shaped to grasp the egg, their upper parts being curved

page_text: inwards and finally outwards again. The prongs open when an egg is being
inserted, and afterwards spring back.
In other modifications the parts grasping the eggs may be of wood, or metal, or
other suitable material, and when not themselves elastic may have separate springs
of metal or rubber applied to them. Rubber in cords, or bands, or sheets, may be
combined with metal or wood, or both, or other material in a variety of ways to
form the holders, the parts being arranged so that the rubber is slightly stretched
on inserting an egg, which it retains or holds by its resilience.
The several spring holders are arranged in rows or sections of dozens, or sets of
dozens, or grosses, to facilitate counting. Two or more trays or frames be
may
combined together in the form of folding boxes for holding small or moderate
quantities, such boxes being provided with handles for being conveniently carried
by hand. Where eggs are collected from several farms, separate sets of boxes with
distinctive labels may be allotted to the different farms, so that the customers of
the egg merchant may be able, if they desire it, to always purchase the eggs from
particular farms. For conveying larger quantities to considerable distances larger
packages may be provided to receive a number of trays one above the other.
Some modifications of the holders will project slightly above or beyond the eggs,
and will be sufficiently strong to support the upper trays; or grooves or other
supports for the trays may be formed or fitted in the packages or boxes.
In some
cases holders may be fixed on both sides of each board or frame, and with some
modifications of the holders the eggs may be conveniently coated with a preservative
composition by being dipped therein when in the holders.
The spring holders may be arranged otherwise than in straight rows; thus for
the purposes of being displayed in shop windows, for example, and in order to
occupy space not conveniently available for other purposes, they may be fixed on
tree-like structures, or on rings, or spheres, or pyramids, or on frames or supports
inade in any more or less ornamental form.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John Halley and Alexander Barr in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 19th February 1881.
JOHN HALLEY and ALEXANDER BARR, both of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark.
North Britain. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR HOLDING OR CARRYING
EGGS."
Our said Invention relates to the holding or carrying of eggs in large or small
quantities, and consists in fitting boxes, baskets, barrels, trays, frames, or other
receptacles with improved spring holders which will hold the eggs securely notwith-
standing variations in size, and which are such as to prevent injury from ordinary
shaking or concussion or from the turning over of the receptacles or packages. The
use of straw or other packing material is dispensed with, and possible contamina-
tion of the eggs by such material completely avoided.
The spring holders and the receptacles may be constructed in a variety of ways,
but the selection of modifications shown on the accompanying two Sheets of
explanatory Drawings, and the following particular description thereof, will
enable those concerned to understand the nature of the Invention, and what we
believe to be the best modes of practically carrying it out. In these Drawings the
same reference letters are used to mark the same or like parts wherever they are
repeated.
Figures 1 and 2 on Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings are a plan and a side
elevation of a simple, efficient, and inexpensive modification of spring holder, which
consists of three fingers or members A, made of round steel or other suitable
elastic wire. One of the fingers A is shown separately in face and edge elevation
in Figures 3 and 4, and is bended into the form of a loop, which, as viewed
edgeways, is shaped to suit the form of an egg. The upper part is curved inwards,
the extreme and B being however turned outwards, so that when the three fingers
are combined they retain the egg, whilst their extreme upper ends B form a
conical or flared mouth to facilitate the insertion of the egg. Spring coils Care.
formed on the lower parts of the wires, and the ends of the wires are fixed in a
board, bar, or plate D in the manner indicated in the Drawing or in any other
convenient way. The holder now being described is made for holding an egg with
its long axis at right angles to the board D, and when the egg is pressed with one
end down against the upper ends B of the fingers A. the fingers open to admit the
egg, and then close by their spring action and retain it securely.
The wire forming each finger or member A may be bended in various ways so
as to have sufficient spring action, whilst parts of it grasp or hold the egg in a secure
manner when placed in the holder. Figure 5 shows a mode of bending the lower
part of the wire at E to increase the elasticity; and Figure 6 shows a simple plain
form which may be adopted when the wire is sufficiently elastic; Figure 7 shows a
modification having four fingers or members A, and made out of two pieces of flat
steel wire similar to what is used for watch springs, the pieces being crossed at the
bottom and fixed by a screw F or by a nail to the board D. One length of wire
may be bended to form all the members of a bolder. The fingers or members B
of the spring holders may be made of ornamental forms, examples of which are
shown in Figure 8, which comprises two face views of single fingers and two views
of complete holders. Each holder may be forined of a single piece of sheet metal
cut as shown in Figure 9, and then bended into the proper form, and if desired
embossed or otherwise ornamented.
Figure 10 is a plan, and Figure 11 is a side elevation of a modification of our egg
holder as made of round wire bended or shaped so as to give more elasticity than is
possessed by the modifications herein before described; and Figure 12 is a face view of

page_text: one of the three members forming the holder. Each member A is formed with a loop
of the wire extending downwards from the top between the two sides and forming a
tongue T, the bottom of which is curved inwards to give elastic support to the
bottom of the egg.
A circular hole is formed in the board D, as shown in Figure 12,
to allow of the egg being placed in a lower position so that space may be saved
when a number of boards or trays are arranged one over another. When the
board D is made with holes in this way, any suitable woven fabric, or felt, or
rubber cloth may be fixed on the upper surface of the board, and will at the holes
form yielding cushions for the bottoms of the eggs; and when such cloth or flexible
covering is used the tongues T need not have their bottom ends bended inwards so
far as shown. Instead of the board being made with holes covered with cloth or
the like, pieces of felt, cork, or other suitable elastic material and shaped like gun
wads may be placed on the board to act as cushions to the bottoms of the eggs.
Wood, cane, ebonite, or other suitable material may be used instead of metal for
forming the spring holders, the elasticity of the material itself being relied on for
allowing of the opening and automatic closing of the fingers A, as in the
modification shown in Figure 13, the fingers of which are of cane; or the pieces
forming the fingers may have springs applied to them as in the modifications
shown in Figures 14 to 19; Figures 14 and 15 are a plan and a sectional side
elevation of a modification in which the bottom ends of the fingers A. are bent
outwards and entered into a dovetailed socket in the board D, whilst a small
rubber ball G placed in the centre between them serves both to retain them and to
act as a spring, being compressed when the upper ends of the fingers are opened;
Figures 16 and 17 are a plan and a sectional side elevation of a modification in
which the lower parts of the fingers A are encircled by a rubber ring H, which acts
as a spring, the fingers being held in position by their bottom ends being hook-
shaped and engaging in an undercut part of the socket formed for them in the
board D; Figures 18 and 19 are a face view and an edge view of a finger A., which
is jointed to the board D by means of a wire staple J, and has a spring K applied
to the back of it; Figure 20 shows a single finger of wood, or ebonite, or similar
material having its lower bent end entered into a dovetailed socket in the board D,
whilst a separate spring K is applied to it; Figures 21 and 22 show modifications,
in each of which each finger of wood, or ebonite, or similar material is fixed upon
a spring.
Figures 23 and 24 are a plan and a vertical section of a modification in which a
slight recess is formed for each egg in a bottom board or bar L, whilst to a vertical
bar M there is fixed a spring fork or clip N to retain the upper part of such egg.
Figures 25 and 26, on Sheet 2 of the Drawings, are a side elevation and an end
elevation of a modification of spring holder constructed for holding an egg with
its long axis parallel to the board D. This holder is made of two pieces of round
steel or other elastic wire bended and fixed in a manner which will be easily
understood from the Figures, and which is analogous to what is hereinbefore
described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. An egg is shown in the holder in
Figures 25 and 26, and it will be obvious that holders for holding the eggs in the
same position may be modified in various ways analogous to those hereinbefore
described for holding eggs with their long axes at right angles to the board.
When several rows of spring holders are combined together upon a tray or other
surface they may be arranged as shown in Figure 29, which is a vertical section as
taken diagonally across a number of rows. In this modification instead of there
being a quite separate holder or set of holding fingers for each egg the fingers for
the several holders are clustered or combined together in the interstices which
occur between the eggs. Each cluster of holding fingers forms what may be
designated as a spring stud, and it is obvious that such spring studs may be
constructed in a variety of ways and of various materials.
The spring holders made more or less like any of the modifications shown on the
accompanying Drawings, and hereinbefore described, may be arranged in rows or
sections of dozens or other numbers to facilitate counting, being fixed upon boards

page_text: or trays, or frames, or in boxes or other receptacles. Figures 30 and 31 are a side
elevation and an end elevation of a convenient form of tray, shown filled with eggs.
A number of such trays may be set one over the other in a box or packing case
when the eggs are to be carried in considerable quantities. Figures 32 and 33 of
the accompanying Drawings are a plan and a vertical section showing as opened a
convenient form of folding box for carrying a moderate quantity, but which may
of course be made of various sizes. This box is made in halves hinged together
and fitted with closing catches and with handles, and it can be very conveniently
carried by hand. A sheet of felt or cartridge paper, or millboard, or other suitable
material, may be placed between the two layers of eggs, and ventilating holes may
be made at convenient parts of the box. Where eggs are collected from several
farms separate sets of boxes with distinctive labels may be allotted to the different
farms, so that the customers of the egg merchant may, if they desire it, rely on the
eggs they purchase being from particular farms. For a small quantity, such as
one, two, or three dozen, a convenient arrangement will consist of a single board
or tray fitted to slide into a case the operfing of which is at one end and which is
provided with a handle or handles if desired.
The trays or boards may have springs fitted to their undersides to diminish the
effect of concussion when they are set down on a table or counter, and when a
number of trays are to be combined in a box or packing case the ends or side
pieces are shaped so that the trays will fit together without requiring extra
space for the springs.
The trays may be formed of light wood covered with thin tinned iron, to
which the holders may be securely fixed by soldering. The trays may also be
made entirely of metal, and may, for example, be shaped so as to conveniently
serve for holding a small or large number of eggs in a pan whilst being boiled.
For the convenience of packing in barrels the spring holders may be fixed on
circular trays, and when the trays are of a form precluding the use of rows of
holders of uniform numbers the total number held by each tray may be prominently
marked or shown it. When it is desired to coat the eggs with a preservative
composition this may be very conveniently effected by dipping each tray full of
eggs in an inverted position.
The spring holders may be arranged in rectangular or hexagonal rows, or
otherwise than in straight rows; thus, for the purposes of being displayed in shop
windows, for example, and in order to occupy space not conveniently available
for other purposes, they may be fixed on tree-like structures or on rings, or
spheres, or pyramids, or on frames, or supports made in any more or less ornamental
form; or they may be fixed on rods or stout wires, as shown in Figures 27 and 28,
or so as to project horizontally from walls or other vertical surfaces.
Trays provided with our improved holders may be mounted or fitted with
trunnions or journals to admit of their being easily turned over, and a series of
such reversible trays may be combined together like the slats of a Venetian blind,
so that those who wish to turn the eggs repeatedly with a view to their better
preservation may be enabled to do so with facility.
We have in conclusion specially to state that in every modification of our
improved spring egg holders, it is essential to and characteristic of our Invention
that the holding fingers are incurved or bended inwards above and beyond the
concave parts fitting the broad part of the egg, such incurved parts of the fingers
serving to retain the egg and prevent it from falling out when the holder is
inverted, and the extreme outwardly bended or flared points of the fingers being
for the purpose, herein before described, of allowing the fingers to be opened by an
egg when pushed in with sufficient force.
Having thus particularly described our said Invention and the manner of
performing the same, we have. to state that we do not restrict ourselves to the
precise details herein described or delineated, but that what we believe to be novel

page_text: and original and claim as the Invention secured to us by and in terms of the
hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent is,-
1. The fitting of boxes, baskets, barrels, trays, frames, or other receptacles with
spring holders for eggs, such holders being constructed with incurved retaining
fingers, substantially as hereinbefore described.
2. The making of spring holders for holding or carrying eggs, each with two
or more fingers or members curved inwardly at their upper parts, and formed with
mouth parts shaped so that an egg will open them on being pushed in or drawn
out, substantially as hereinbefore described.
3. The making of the spring holders with incurved retaining fingers or members
of metal or other material possessing the necessary elasticity in itself, and
substantially according to any of the modifications, herein before described, with
reference to Figures 1 to 13 and 23 to 29 of the accompanying Drawings.
4. The making of the spring holders with incurved retaining fingers or members
which have separate springs applied to them, and substantially according to any of
the modifications hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 14 to 22 of the
accompanying Drawings.
5. The making of the spring holders in clusters or as spring studs to occupy
the interstices between the eggs, substantially as herein before described with
reference to Figure 27 of the accompanying Drawings.
6. The fixing of the spring holders in a folding box, such as is hereinbefore
described, with reference to Figures 32 and 33 of the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, we, the said John Halley and Alexander Barr, have
hereunto set our hands and seals, this Eighteenth day of February, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty-one.
JNO. HALLEY. (L.S.)
ALEX, BARR. (L.S.)