Improvements in Powder Boxes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application 23rd Feb., 1897-Accepted 27th Mar., 1897
Improvements in Powder Boxes.
I PHILIP ARTHUR NEWTON of The Office for Patents, 6 Bream's Buildings,
Chancery Lane, in the County of London, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to powder boxes of that class used for tooth powder and
similar material, in which the powder is discharged from the box, as desired, through
one or more side openings in a discharge tube, which tube is drawn out from the
box for discharging the powder, and pushed in to close the box, the especial object of
the invention being to provide a simple, cheap, and durable construction for this
purpose, in which the box shall be efficiently closed against the escape of powder,
except as desired through the opening in the tube, and the tube efficiently held in
position, both when drawn out for the discharge of the powder, and pushed in, for
closing the box.
For a full understanding of the invention, a detailed description of constructions
embodying all the features of the same in their preferred form, will now be given in
connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and
the features forming the invention then specifically pointed out in the claims.
In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of the box closed, the box shown being adapted
especially for tooth powder.
Fig. 2 is a similar view, partly in elevation, showing the box open for the discharge
of powder.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the same box, open, as in Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 shows a box with sprinkling discharge, the box being shown open, as in
Fig. 2.
Referring to the drawings, A is the box, preferably cylindrical, as shown, but which
may be of any suitable form, having a cover B, closing the top of the box, and which
is preferably permanently secured thereto, being shown as secured by spinning the
cover flange and top edge of the box together to form a rib and groove connection 1.
In the centre of the cover B is an opening having an outwardly extending neck a,
shown as formed by a short tube open at the outer end, and which is preferably
integral with the cover, and the exterior surface of this neck is preferably inclined
slightly, as shown, so that the neck increases in outside diameter from its outer end.
Within this neck a slides the discharge tube C, open at its inner end, and closed
at its outer end, and which is provided with one or more discharge openings, 4, at
the side, so as to form a side discharge tube, which opening or openings are outside
the outer edge of the neck a, when the tube is withdrawn for the discharge of the
powder, and wholly inside the outer edge of the neck, when the tube C is pressed in,
to close the box, as shown clearly in the drawings.
In the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 3, a single discharge opening, 4, is shown,
this opening being oblong, as is preferable in the case of boxes used for tooth powder.

page_text: The number of discharge openings may be increased, as desired, in accordance with
the use to which the box is to be put.
In Fig. 4, the box illustrated is of a form suitable for face and similar powders, where
a sprinkling action is desired, the discharge portion of the tube C being perforated
with a large number of small discharge openings, 4, which may extend through the
whole or any part of the circumference of the tube. It will be understood, therefore,
that the term "tube," as applied to the discharge member C, is intended to cover
any construction providing suitable discharge opening or openings on the side, and
supports by which said opening or openings may be moved into and out of the box..
The tube C carries, outside the discharge opening 4, a collar b, which is offset
slightly from the body of the tube, which collar b, when the box is closed by pushing
in the tube, as shown in Fig. 1, fits tightly over the neck a of the cover B. It will
be seen that this construction secures the tight closing of the box A against the
escape of powder, when the tube C is pushed in, and holds the tube firmly in place
in this position, and, in the preferred construction, with the neck inclined, as shown,
tbis inclined surface of the neck secures the taking up of all wear, so that the box
may be used for a long time with a tight closure. The collar & may be formed in any
suitable manner, but is preferably a part of cap D, as shown, which cap also forms a
convenient handle for operating the tube. The cap and collar may be formed in a
single piece, or in two or more pieces, but the construction shown, in which the cap
and tube are each formed of a single piece, is preferred, and, in itself, forms a part of
the invention, the cap, in this construction, being formed and secured to the tube C
as follows:-
The cap D has, at the top, an expanded knurl 5, preferably with a roughened surface,
which knurl forms the handle by which the tube is drawn out, and below this knurl a
depressed ring, 6, formed by spinning the metal of the head inward, this ring 6, and the
knurl 5, preferably being formed at a single operation, so that the depression of the metal
in the ring is compensated for by the expansion in the knurl. Below the depressed
ring 6 in the construction shown, is an expanded ring,7, which is formed in the operation
of spinning the ring 6 and knurl 5, and is not an essential feature of the construction,
so far as its use is concerned, but is ornamental, and desirable, for that purpose.
Below this ring 7 is the collar b, previously referred to. The cap D and the tube C
are preferably combined by being forced together under heavy pressure, the tube C
being then held firmly in position by the depressed ring 6. This depressed ring 6
thus performs two important functions in the construction shown, in that it holds the
tube C when the cap D and tube C are forced together, as above described, and
further, it forms a gauge ring, and determines the space between the collar 6 and
tube C, so that, by making the cap D and tube C to accurate measurement,
and spinning the ring 6 to an exact depth, the proper relation between the collar ó
and tube C, for co-action of the collar with the neck a on the cover B, is assured.
The construction thus far described secures the tight closing of the box, and holds
the tube C firmly in its position when the box is closed, as shown in Fig. 1, and this
construction may be used without the provision of means for holding the tube in
position, when drawn out for the discharge of the powder, or with any suitable means
for this purpose. There is provided, however, a novel, efficient, and durable construc-
tion by which the tube C is held firmly in position when drawn out, and a tight
closure between the tube C and the interior surface of the neck a secured, and wear
resulting from the movement of the tube C in the neck a compensated for.
In this construction, the inner end of the tube C is split by one or more slots, 8, one
being shown and preferred so as to form a spring inner end on the tube C moving
within the neck a. It will be understood that the spring action should be sufficient to
hold the tube C in position when drawn out, secure a tight closure between the tube
and neck, and compensate for wear, due to the movement of the tube, thus enabling
the box to be used for a long time with efficient action, and that the slot or slots, 8,
should be of such width that the tube cannot be sprung inward by pressure sufficiently
to destroy the set of the spring, and cause the loss of the spring action. The inner
end of the tube C is provided with a stop of some form, to prevent the tube being

page_text: drawn out of the cover, and this result is preferably secured by spinning the inner
end of the tube outward, as shown, to form an outwardly projecting flange or
shoulder, 9, serving as a stop for the tube when it is drawn out, which not only
prevents the tube being accidently drawn out of the cover, but strengthens the tube.
The permanent powder-tight connection between the cover and body of the box
is not absolutely essential, but secures several important results, as follows, and,
in connection with other features of the construction, forms a part of the invention.
It will be seen that the drawing out of the tube C, for the discharge of the
powder, exerts a direct pull upon the cover, tending to draw it off the box, and
this pull is strong, on account of the tight fit of the tube and collar 6, and the
sudden stop of the tube, at the limit of its outward movement, tends also to jerk
the cover off. The permanent connection between the cover and box, however,
prevents the cover being thus accidently drawn off the box, which has been an
objectionable feature in similar powder boxes as heretofore constructed, especially
on account of the resulting spilling of the powder. By such a powder-tight con-
nection between the cover and box, moreover, the dusting out of the powder
between the cover and box is prevented, it being found, in practice, that
such dusting out occurs with the ordinary friction-held covers. The tendency of
the powder to dust out is very great, because the pushing in of the tube causes an
air pressure inside the box, which will force the powder through even a very fine
opening. This feature is especially important, because these tooth-powder boxes are
carried largely by travellers, and the dusting out of the powder on the clothing
and other effects of the owner is very objectionable.
A further advantage of this permanent connection, and especially the form of
connection shown, is to prevent the convenient refilling of the box, so that the box
shall not be sold or used with other powders than those of the manufacturer or
dealer by whom the box is originally filled. The rib and groove connection shown
is especially desirable for this purpose, because it is impossible to remove the cover
for refilling without damaging the box, so as to practically make it unsaleable, and
show that the box has been opened.
It will be found, in practice, that this invention provides a very efficient and
durable construction of powder box, by which the box is tightly sealed against the
escape of powder, except through the discharge opening, as desired, the discharge
tube held firmly in both positions, even after long use of the box, and the other
advantages above pointed out, secured. It should be noted that these results are
attained also by a construction which does not necessitate the use of a tube of any
peculiar shape. A perfectly cylindrical tube may be used, therefore, which is
desirable, because the most convenient withdrawal of the tube is secured by partially
rotating it as it is pulled out.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what 1 claim is :-
1. A powder box having a neck, a side discharge tube sliding in said neck, and
a collar carried by said tube and fitting the neck, when the discharge tube is pushed
in, to close the box, substantially as described.
2. A powder box having a neck provided with an exterior inclined surface, a
side discharge tube sliding in said neck, and a collar carried by said tube, and
fitting over the inclined surface on the neck, when the discharge tube is pushed in,
to close the box, substantially as described.
3. A powder box having a neck, a side discharge tube sliding in said neck, and
a collar carried by said tube and fitting the neck, when the tube is pushed in, to
close the box, said tube being provided with a spring inner end coacting with said
neck, to close the space between the tube and neck, and hold the tube in position,
substantially as described.
4. A powder box having a neck
side discharge tube sliding in said
provided with an exterior inclined surface, a
neck, and a collar carried by said tube, and

page_text: fitting over the inclined surface on the neck, when the tube is pushed in, to close
the box, said tube being provided with a spring inner end coacting with said neck
to close the space between the tube and neck, and hold the tube in position, substantially
as described.
5. A powder box having a side discharge tube moving longitudinally in an
opening in the box, to open and close the box, said tube being formed with a spring
inner end coacting with the wall of the opening, to form a tight closure, and hold the
tube in position, substantially as described.
6. A powder box having a side discharge tube moving longitudinally in an opening
in the box, to open and close the box, said tube being formed with a spring inner
end coacting with the wall of the opening, to form a tight closure, and hold the
tube in position, and a stop to prevent the withdrawal of the tube, substantially as
described.
7. A powder box having a side discharge tube moving longitudinally in an opening
in the box, said tube being split at its inner end to form a spring tube, and
provided with an outwardly projecting stop flange at its inner end, substantially as
described.
8. A powder box having a cover secured to the box by a powder-tight joint,
constructed to hold the cover against being drawn off the box, a side discharge tube
moving longitudinally in an opening in the cover, and in a direction exerting a direct
pull upon the cover tending to draw the cover off the box, and coacting with the
cover to form a powder-tight closure of the opening in the cover, when the tube is
pushed in, to close the box, and a stop to prevent the tube being drawn out of the
cover, substantially as described.
9. A powder box having a neck, a side discharge tube sliding in said neck, and a
cap on said tube, formed separately from the tube, and carrying a collar enclosing the
tube, and fitting over the neck,, when the tube is pushed in, to close the box,
substantially as described.
10. The combination with tube C, of cap D formed in a single piece, and having
the depressed gauge ring 6 and collar enclosing the tube, substantially as
described.
11. The combination with tube C, of cap D, formed in a single piece, and having
the expanded handle knurl 5, gauge ring 6, and collar b, substantially as
described.
12. A powder box having cover B provided with neck a, side discharge tube C,
and cap D, formed in a single piece, and having the expanded handle knurl 5, gauge
ring 6, and collar b, substantially as described.
13. A powder box having a cover B permanently secured to the box, neck a, side
discharge tube C, collar 6 fitting over the neck a, when the tube is pushed in, to close
the box, said tube being slotted to form a spring inner end coacting with the neck to
form a tight closure, and hold the tube in position when withdrawn, and having an
outwardly projecting stop flange on its inner end, substantially as described.
14. A powder box having cover B secured by a rib and groove connection 1, and
side discharge tube C sliding in the cover, and pulling directly upon the cover, when
drawn out for discharge of the powder, said tube being slotted to form a spring inner
end fitting tightly in the cover, substantially as described.
Dated this 3rd day of Wahon 1907
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.