Egg and Fruit Case.
Year: 1897

page_text: Egg and Fruit Case.
I, WILLIAM WILSON, of the Township of London, in the County of Middlesex,
in the Province of Ontario, Canada, Merchant Tailor, 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 a case for holding eggs or fruit in the proper carrying
position without jolting against each other during transportation.
And has for its object, the provision of a device simple in construction, cheap
in manufacture, and efficient in practical use.
And it consists in the novel construction and combination of parts, as will be
hereinafter fully described and claimed.
Reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein,
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my egg or fruit case, showing the front and top
removed, and placed a short distance from the case.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the central partition or division of the case, partly in
section, showing the cleats removed and a cross sectional view of the case.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the trays containing egg cells or
fillers.
Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of one of the trays.
Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of a set of cells or fillers which are contained
in the tray.
A designates, a case consisting of the front, a', the back, a², the ends, a³, the
bottom, a, and the top, a³.
B designates a central partition or division, rigidly secured to the case, A, in any
manner or by any means found most suitable or convenient.
C, C, designate cleats or battens with which the adjacent faces of the ends, a³, and
central division, B, are provided.
D, D, designate trays formed of card board or other suitable material of such
thickness that said trays will spring to a certain extent, but not sufficient, that
one tray will come in contact with another tray or its contents when placed in
the case, A, and said trays, D, are provided with the upwardly projecting sides, o¹,
and the bottom, o², the upwardly projecting sides, o¹, of which trays in depth, are
fitted to the space between the cleats or battens, C, leaving an opening between
the trays, D, equal to the thickness of said battens, C; one result of leaving this
opening equal to the thickness of the battens, C, between the trays, D, is, that every
tray rests upon its own individual battens, and thereby avoids and completely
prevents the resting of one tray upon another, the object of which construction
is the prevention of breakages, especially where larger or longer eggs project above
those of average height.
And to further assist in the prevention of breakages, oat hulls, curled shreds or
shavings of wood termed "excelsior" packing, or other suitable packing material
equal to the thickness of the cleats or battens, may be interposed between the
Prine Rd1

page_text: trays, D; whereas in the ordinary method of packing eggs where the fillers are
separated by straw board partitions, a large per centage of breakages is the result.
E designates perforations in the bottom of the trays, D, which are for the purpose
of testing or examining the condition of the eggs.
F, F, designate the egg cells or fillers which are fitted to and placed in the
trays, D.
G, G, designate extentions which form part of and extend beyond the cells or
fillers, F, E.
These extensions, G, extend across an open space between the cells or fillers and
the upwardly projecting sides of the trays, D, and thus form a spring cushion all
around the cells or fillers on which cushions, any jar or injury to which the case is
subjected is expended, before affecting the eggs, and thus assist in preventing
breakages.
In lieu of these extensions, G, a packing of excelsior or other suitable material may
be interposed between the egg cells and the upwardly projecting sides of the trays, D,
to act as a spring cushion for the same purpose as the extensions, G.
And again, this spring cushion may be formed partly of the extensions, G, and
partly of "excelsior" or other suitable packing material as preferred.
The cover, a³, is preferably provided with tenons, 61, and with pins, 62, which are
fitted to the grooves, c¹, and the pin holes, c², respectively, of the sides and back of
the case.
When placing the cover in position, the tenons, b', of the cover, are inserted in the
grooves, c¹, on the inside face of the ends, a³, when by adjusting the cover until the
pins, 62, enter the pin holes, c², the cover is firmly secured in position on the case,
one advantage of this construction is, that all warping of this portion of the case, is
avoided and completely prevented, but this cover may be secured to this case in any
manner or by any suitable means, for instance, the cover may extend over the whole
of the top of the case and be nailed or otherwise secured thereto.
a¹ designates the front of the case in which the opening, d¹, is formed and which
front is provided with the keeper, d², and the pins, d³, the latter of which engage
with the screw eyes or staples, e¹, secured in the front edge of the bottom, a, for the
purpose of assisting in securing the front in place at this point.
In lieu of providing the edge of the bottom, a², with the screw eyes or staples, el,
pin holes may be formed in the upper side near the edge of the bottom, a*, with
which the pins, d³, may engage to hold the front in place at this point.
H designates a spring catch, one of which is shown secured to the central partition or
division, B, but one or more of these catches may be used as preferred; this spring
catch, H, is rigidly held in place as shown in Fig. 2, by brads or nails, n, driven into
the partition, B, and through an opening or pin holes in said catch.
This spring catch is formed with the shoulder, h¹, the inclined face, h², and the
projection, h³, for the purposes which will be hereinafter set forth.
By placing the pins, d³, in the staples, e¹, and pressing the front tightly against
the case, the inclined face, h², of the spring catch, H, would ride up over the
keeper, d², until the shoulder, h¹, would fall on the outside of the keeper and thus
firmly secure the front in place as shown in Fig. 2.
d is a key hole cavity formed on the outside of the front, a', around the
opening, d', and the depth of this key hole cavity is equal to the length of the pro-
jection, h³, on the outer end of the spring càtch, H, so that this projection, h³, does
not extend beyond the outer face of the front, a³, the result of this construction is,
that the accidental opening of the front, a¹, will be avoided and completely prevented.
At the same time, by engaging a narrow object with the projection, h³, of the
spring catch, H, and pressing upwards thereon, until the shoulder, h¹, rises above the
keeper, d², the front of the case may be easily and quickly removed for the purpose
of examining the contents.
A hand hold, S, may be formed centrally of and near the top of each end, a³, for
the purpose of providing convenient means for handling the case, but the case, A,
may be provided with any means for the convenient handling thereof.

page_text: The practical advantages of this invention are,-that the eggs are surrounded by a
spring cushion on which is expended any jar or injury to which the case may be
subjected without affecting the eggs and thereby avoid breakages; and again the
trays, D, are formed of card board of such thickness that they will spring to a certain
extent, but being separated by the cleats or battens, C, will not spring so that one
tray will come in contact with another tray or its contents, this will avoid and com-
pletely prevent the eggs from coming in contact with the rigidness of the wood
forming the sides of the case thereby preventing breakages &c.; this springiness of
the environments surrounding the eggs in transit, is one of the practical advantages,
as well as one of the best results of the construction of this egg case as distinct from
the rigidness heretofore prevailing in ordinary egg cases, by the weight of the egg
fillers all resting one on top of the other.
Again, in a case packed as herein before described, the contents will be perfectly
safe in whatever position it may be adjusted while handling or during transportation
or storage.
And further, in a case constructed as described, any or all of the trays in any
of the cases, may be readily, easily and instantly removed and examined as to the
number and condition of their contents.
This case has been described particularly for holding eggs, but it may be used
with equal advantage for holding fruit or other merchandise.
And again, while I prefer the construction herein shown and described, I do not
wish to limit myself to the details thereof, as they may be modified in various ways,
without departing from the spirit of my invention; for instance the, flanges, R, on
the upper edges of the ends, a³, which hold the tenons, 61, of the cover, a³, in place
in the groove, c¹, may be formed of wood or metal as preferred; and in lieu of the
battens, C, grooves may be formed in the adjacent faces of the ends, a³, and partition, B,
for the purpose of supporting the trays, D.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is: -
1st. The egg and fruit case, substantially as shown and described and for the
purposes herein before set forth.
2nd. In an egg and fruit case, the springiness of the environments surrounding
the eggs and fruit substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore set forth.
3rd. In an egg and fruit case, a tray, D, and the cells or fillers, F F, in com-
bination with a cushion or packing, G, interposed between said cells and the
upwardly projecting sides of said tray, substantially as and for the purposes herein before
set forth.
4th. As a new article of manufacture and egg and fruit case, consisting of the
body, A, provided with the front, a¹, and means for securing the latter in place, the
cleats or battens, C C, and the trays, D D, substantially as shown and described and
for the purposes hereinbefore set forth.
_
5th. As a new article of manufacture an egg and fruit case, consisting of the
body, A, provided with the front, a¹, and means for securing the latter in place, the
cleats or battens, CC, the trays, D D, and the cells or fillers, F F, substantially as
and for the purposes hereinbefore set forth.
.
6th. As a new article of manufacture an egg and fruit case, consisting of the
body, A, provided with the front, a¹, and means for securing the latter in place, the
cleats or battens; C C, the trays, D D, the cells or fillers, F F, and the cushion or
packing, G, substantially as and for the purposes herein before set forth.
7th. The trays, D, and the cells or fillers, F, therein, in combination with the
case, A, provided with the central partition or division, B, cleats or battens, C, and
detachable front, a¹, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore set
forth.
8th. The cover, a³, provided with the tenons, b¹, and the pins, 62, in combination

page_text: with the case, A, provided with the grooves, c¹, and the pin holes, c², substantially as
and for the purposes herein before set forth.
9th. The front, a¹, provided with the pins, d³, in combination with the case, A,
provided with the staples or loops, e¹, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore
set forth.
10th. The front, a¹, in which is formed the opening, d¹, and the key hole
cavity, d, and which is provided with the keeper, d², in combination with the
spring catch, H, formed with the shoulder, h¹, the inclined face, h², and the pro-
jection, h³, and means for supporting said spring catch, substantially as and for the
purposes herein before set forth.
11th. The spring trays, D, the cells or fillers, F, therein, and a spring cushion or
packing, G, interposed between the cells or fillers, F, and the upwardly projecting
sides of said trays, in combination with the case, A, provided with the central
partition or division, B, the cleats or battens, C, the detachable front, a¹, and
the hand hold, S, in the ends, a³, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore
set forth.
1441
tabou 1007
I, WILLIAM WILSON, of the Township of London, in the County of Middlesex, in
the Province of Ontario, Canada, Merchant Tailor, 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 a case which is adapted for holding eggs, fruit or any 2
other commodity, in the proper carrying position without jolting against each other
during transportation.
And has for its object, the provision of a device simple in construction, cheap in
manufacture, and efficient in practical use.
And it consists in the novel construction and combination of parts, as will be 3
hereinafter fully described and claimed.
Reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein,-
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my egg or fruit case, showing the front and top
removed, and placed a short distance from the case.
Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail perspective view of one of the trays containing a
egg cells.
Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of the case, showing the fastener for holding the
front in place.
Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail perspective view of a set of egg cells.
Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail perspective view of one of the trays.
Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail perspective view of one of the trays showing a
modification in the construction of the egg cells contained therein, and showing a
supplemental packing interposed between the adjacent faces of said egg cells and
said trays.
A, designates a case or body consisting of the front, a¹, the back, a², the ends, a³,
the bottom, a, and the top, a³, and said bottom, a, projects beyond the ends, a³, at
the front side of the case, for the purpose which will be hereinafter set forth.
B, designates a central partition or division, rigidly secured to the case, A, in any
manner or by any means found most suitable or convenient.
4
4

page_text: C, C, designate cleats or battens with which the adjacent faces of the ends, a³, and
central division, B, are provided, and said battens may be secured to or formed with
the ends, a³, and central partition, B, as preferred.
D, D, designate trays formed of card board or other suitable material, of such
thickness that said trays will spring to a certain extent, but not sufficient, that one
tray will come in contact with another tray or its contents when placed in the
case, A; and said trays, D, are provided with the upwardly projecting sides, o', and
the bottom, o2; the upwardly projecting sides, ol, of which trays in depth, are fitted
to the space between the cleats or battens, C, leaving an opening between the
trays, D, equal to the thickness of said battens, C; one result of leaving this opening
equal to the thickness of the battens, C, between the trays, D, is, that every tray
rests upon its own individual battens, and thereby avoids and completely prevents
the resting of one tray upon another, the object of which construction is the pre-
vention of breakages, especially where larger or longer eggs project above those of
average height.
And to further assist in the prevention of breakages, oat hulls, curled shreds or
shavings of wood known as excelsior or other suitable packing material equal to the
thickness of the cleats or battens, C, may be interposed between the trays, D;
whereas in the ordinary method of packing eggs where the egg cells are separated
by straw board partitions, a large per centage of breakages is the result.
E, E, designate perforations in the bottom of the trays, D, which are for the
purpose of testing or examining the condition of the eggs.
F, F, designate egg cells or fillers which are fitted to and placed in the trays, D.
G, G, designate extensions which form part of and extend beyond the cells, F, F.
These extensions, G, extend across an open space between the cells, F, and the
upwardly projecting sides of the trays, D, and thus form a spring cushion all around
said cells, on which cushions, any jar or injury to which the case is subjected is ex-
pended, before affecting the eggs, and thus assist in preventing breakages.
In lieu of these extensions, G, a packing, G¹, of curled shreds or shavings of wood
known as excelsior or other suitable material may be interposed between the egg
cells and the upwardly projecting sides of the trays, D, to act as a spring cushion for
the same purpose as the extensions, G.
And again, this spring cushion may be formed partly of the extensions, G, and
partly of excelsior or other suitable packing material, G, as preferred.
R, R, designate plates or strips of metal, each of which is provided with a flange, r¹,
and one of each of said plates, R, is secured to each of the two opposite ends, ³, in
such a manner that a portion of said plates, R, equal to the thickness of the front, a¹,
will project beyond each of said ends, a³, at the front side of the case, and the
flanges, r, will project inwards over on the front side of the case, all as shown in
Fig. 1.
H, designates a spring catch, one end of which is secured to the front, a', by a
screw,
h¹, or other suitable securing device; and, h², is a staple by which said catch
is further secured to said front; and, h³, is the angular end of the catch, H, which is
fitted to and projects through the opening, h4, in the front, a¹.
The front, a¹, is readily and easily locked and securely held in place as follows;-
the top, as, is first nailed or otherwise secured in place, on the ends, a³, and back, a²,
then the spring catch, H, is adjusted to the position shown by dotted line in Eig. 3,
after which by interposing the front, a¹, between the front edges of the ends, a³, and
the flanges, ¹, and adjusting said front until it rests on the projecting portion of the
botton, 4, and releasing the spring catch, H, the front, a¹, will be securely held and
locked in place against accidental displacement.
One end of the spring catch, H, being firmly secured to the front, a¹; by
adjusting the other end to the position shown by dotted line in Fig. 3, said catch, H,
is formed resilient, so that as soon as the front, a¹, is adjusted to the position shown
in Fig. 3 by releasing said catch, its resilience will immediately adjust it to the
position shown by solid line, and the angular end, h³, under the top, as, all as shown
in Fig. 3, thus the front, a¹, will be locked and securely held in place by the

page_text: projecting portion of the bottom, a, and the angular end, h³, of the spring
catch, H.
Again by adjusting the catch, H. to the position shown by dotted line in Fig. 3,
the angular end, h³, will be adjusted in the opening, h, and clear of the top, a³,
when so adjusted the front, a', may be readily and easily raised out of the flanged
plates, R, to permit the removal of the trays, D.
A hand hold, S, may be formed centrally of and near the top of each end, a³,
for the purpose of providing convenient means for handling the case, A; and the
front, a, may be formed with a hand hold, S¹, for the purpose of providing a
convenient means for handling said front, a'. independent of the case, A, but said
case, A, and front, a', may be provided with any means for the convenient handling
thereof.
The practical advantages of this invention are;-that the eggs are surrounded by a
spring cushion, on which is expended any jar or injury to which the case may be
subjected, without affecting the eggs, and thereby avoid breakages; and again the
the trays, D, are formed of card board of such thickness that they will spring to a
certain extent, but being separated by the cleats or battens, C, will not spring so that
one tray will come in contact with another tray or its contents, this will avoid
and completely prevent the eggs from coming in contact with the rigidness of
the wood forming the sides of the case thereby preventing breakages, &c.; this
springiness of the environments surrounding the eggs in transit, is one of the practical
advantages, as well as one of the best results of the construction of this egg case as
distinct from the rigidness heretofore prevailing in ordinary egg cases, by the weight
of the egg cells all resting one on top of the other.
Again, in a case packed as herein before described, the contents will be perfectly
safe in whatever position it may be adjusted while handling or during transportation
or storage.
And further, in a case constructed as described, any or all of the trays in any of
the cases, may be readily, easily and instantly removed and examined as to the
number and condition of their contents.
This case has been described particularly for holding eggs, but it may be used with
equal advantage for holding fruit or other commodity.
And again, while I prefer the construction herein shown and described, I do not
wish to limit myself to the details thereof, as they may be modified in various
way without departing from the spirit of my invention, for instance the top, a', may
be secured in place by means of flanged metal strips, R, the same as the front, a¹.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1st. The improved egg and fruit case, adapted for holding eggs, fruit or other
commodity, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2nd. In a case adapted for holding eggs, fruit or other commodity, the springy
environments surrounding the commodity contained in said case, substantially as and
for the purpose set forth.
3rd. In an egg and fruit case, a tray, D, formed with the upwardly projecting
sides; o, and the bottom, o2, in which the openings, E, are formed in combination
with the cells, F, F, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
4th. In an egg and fruit case, a tray, D, and cells, F, F, in combination with a
spring cushion, G, and packing, G¹, either or both of the latter partially or wholly
filling the space between the adjacent faces of said cells and the upwardly projecting
sides of said trays, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
5th. In an egg and fruit case, the body, A, provided with the front, a¹, and
means for securing the latter in place, in combination with the cleats or battens, C, C,
and the trays, D, D, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
6th. In an egg and fruit case, a body, A, provided with a front, al, the flanged
plates, R, R, and means for preventing said front, a³, from falling out of said flanged

page_text: plates, RR, in combination with the cleats or battens, C, C, and the trays, D, D,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
7th. In an egg and fruit case, a body, A, provided with a front, a¹, the flanged
plates, R, R, and spring catch, H, in combination with the cleats or battens, C, C,
and the trays, D, D, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
8th. In an egg and fruit case, the body, A, provided with the front, a¹, and means
for securing the latter in place, in combination with the cleats or battens, C, C, the
trays, D, D, and the cells, F, F, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
9th. In an egg and fruit case, the body, A, provided with the front, a¹, flanged
plates, R, R, and means for preventing said front, a', from falling out of said flanged
plates, R, R, in combination with the cleats or battens, C, C, the trays, D, D, and the
cells, F, F, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
10th. In an egg and fruit case, the body, A, provided with the front, a¹, flanged
plates, R, R, and spring catch, H, in combination with the cleats or battens, C, C,
the trays, D, D, and the cells, F, F, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
11th. In an egg and fruit case, the body, A, provided with the front, a¹,
and means for securing the latter in place, in combination with the cleats or
battens, C, C, the trays, D, D, the cells, F, F, the spring cushion, G, and
packing, G¹, either or both of the latter partially or wholly filling the space
between the adjacent faces of said cells and the upwardly projecting sides of said
trays, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
12th. In an egg and fruit case, the body, A, provided with a front, a¹, the
flanged plates, R, R, and means for preventing the front, a', from falling out of the
flange plates, R, R, in combination with the cleats or battens, C, C, the trays,
D, D, the cells, F, F, and the spring cushion, G, and packing, G¹, either or both
of the latter partially or wholly filling the space between the adjacent faces of said
cells and the upwardly projecting sides of said trays, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
13th. In an egg and fruit case, the body, A, provided with a front, a¹, the
flanged plates, R, R, and spring catch, H, in combination with the cleats or
battens, C, C, the trays, D, D, the cells, F, F, and the spring cushion, G, and
packing, G¹, either or both of the latter partially or wholly filling the space
between the adjacent faces of said cells and the upwardly projecting sides of said
trays, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
14th. The trays, D, and the cells, F, therein, in combination with the case, A,
provided with the central partition or division, B, cleats or battens, C, and detach-
able front, A, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore set forth.
15th. The trays, D, and the cells, F, therein, in combination with the case, A,
provided with a central partition or division, B, cleats or battens, C, C, detachable
front, a¹, flanged plates, R, and catch, H, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
16th. The trays, D, the cells, F, therein, the cushion, G, and packing, G¹, either
or both of the latter partially or wholly filling the space between the adjacent faces
of said cells and the upwardly projecting sides of said trays, in combination with the
case, A, provided with a central partition or division, B, cleats or battens, C, C, detach-
able front, a, flanged plates, R, and catch, H, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.