IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC BOXES, CASES, AND OTHER RECEPTACLES, AND IN THE MANUFACTURE THEREOF
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry William Herbst, of Saint Luke's, in the County
of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC BOXES,
CASES, AND OTHER RECEPTACLES, AND IN THE MANUFACTURE THEREOF."
Saaled the 20th Tul., 1070
ሳለ
15
1050
Sealed the 20th July 1978, and dated the 29th May 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry William Herbst at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th May 1878.
HENRY WILLIAM HERBST, of Saint Luke's, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC BOXES, CASES, AND OTHER RECEPTACLES, AND IN
THE MANUFACTURE THEREOF."
This Invention relates to improvements in the manufacture of metallic boxes,
cases, and other receptacles of various sizes. The bodies of such receptacles are
formed by stamping them out of blanks in such manner that when the flaps of the
blanks are pressed and closed together, they shall respectively form the body of a
box, case, or other receptacle which does not present any sharp or pointed corners
or angles.
cases,
The Invention further relates to improvements in the lids or covers of boxes,
and other receptacles, and the means of ready opening and closing them.
In accordance with my Invention I first cut or stamp out the metal blank
intended to form a box or other receptacle to the required size and shape; the side
flaps or other required portion or portions of the blank are so shaped as to admit of
their being dished by pressure in the ordinary way. I place the blank between a
matrix and mandrel, or in any suitable moulding or pressing machine wherein the
flaps, sections, or portions, or portion intended to form the body of the box, case, or
other receptacle are struck up; the parts or part intended to be of a rounded shape
is or are dished to the requisite depth. The requisite portion or portions of the
shaped blank having been struck up the blank is then withdrawn from the inatrix
or moulding machine, and the parts of it which are intended to be put together
are closed or folded so as to form the body of the box, case, or other receptacle.
The operation of closing or putting together the parts of the blank is effected by
mechanical or other means.
In some onses the operation of striking up and dishing the blank and closing or

page_text: folding it so as to form the body with the requisite rounded sides or parts may be
effected in a single-acting machine. No solder or other means of connection will
be needed to keep the closed or folded parts of the blank together when the boxes
or cases are of small size. If the boxes or cases are made in large size, or if it is desired
that they should be more or-less air-tight the lines of juncture may be closed with
solder, or in any other convenient way.
As I have before stated it is a matter of great importance that the body of the
box constructed according to my Invention is so made as to be free from all sharp
or pointed corners or angles.
The body of the box, case, or other receptacle having been made from a shaped
and partly dished blank, as herein-before described, is then ready to receive the lid
or cover which may be either a spring lid constructed with my improvements,
herein-after described, or a sliding lid or a hinged lid.
I now proceed to describe my spring lid arrangements.
According to one modification I employ a single spring lid in the following
manner I make a longitudinal groove, recess, trough, or channel by bending or
indenting the lip of the side of the blank, which is intended to form the back of the
body of the box. This operation is effected when the blank is struck up as above
described, or it may be effected separately. Into this groove, recess, trough, or
channel, the lid or cover is fitted so as to enable it to be worked with a spring action
as herein-after described. This lid or cover is formed to suit the box, case, or other
receptacle by being cut or punched out and bent at the front so as to form a flange
to lap over the front edge of the body. The lid is provided with two lips, which
take into corresponding depressions or notches in the front of the body and keep
it close when shut down. The lid or cover is divided at its back into three portions,
the central one of which is completely turned over in order to securely hold a wire
which forms the hinge or joint for the said lid to turn on. The end portions pass
around the wire, and are so turned back as to form tongues, the function of which
will be herein-after described.
The ends of the wire forming the hinge project on both sides of the lid, and when
the lid is fitted in its place (by pressing or stretching aside the dished ends or flaps)
they are retained in place by means of two little convex projections formed on the
dished ends or flaps, and the lid is thus prevented from leaving the groove, and
consequently the body of the box, case, or other receptacle. The lid is also kept in
place by the central portion of the groove, which, for this purpose, is higher at its
centre than at its extremities.
back of the lid or cover.
The tongues herein-before mentioned are formed at the
in such a manner as to press or bear upon the end portions of the front side of the
groove or recess, and by so acting when the lid or cover is lowered they compress
the back portion of the body, and cause the same to act as a spring to raise the lid
on being released from pressure.
On pressure being applied to the front of the box when it is to be opened, the
hold of the lips, formed as before mentioned on the front of the lid, will be released
from the depressions made in the front of the body, and the back part of it acting
as a spring, the two end portions of the groove or recess as they tend to rise will be
forced against the ends of the tongues of the lid, and by thus causing the lid to
turn on its hinge in the groove it will immediately fly open to its full extent, and
remain open until pressure be again applied to close it.
According to another modification I form the lid in two parts, each of which is
attached to one edge of one side of the body of the box, and the two parts of the
lid are made to close together over the open part of the body. On the inside of
the two parts of the lid are two bent wires, whose ends are attached to each of
these two parts of the lid so as to cause the lids to open together at the same time.
on pressure being applied to the body of the box, but on pressure being released
from the body of the box the two sides thereof act as springs, and bring the lids
together at the same time, and thereby close the box. But in some instances only
one lid is used, and the other then becomes part of the body of the box.

page_text: According to another modification I employ a sliding lid or cover, the body of
the box, case, or other receptacle being formed in manner similar to that herein-
before described, so as to obviate all sharp or pointed corners or angles. In this
instance the side portions of the body of the box or receptacle are grooved to receive the
sliding lid, which is provided with a rim, and which is so shaped or formed as to
pass over the dished end or ends, or flap or flaps of the body of the box. The side
portions act as springs to keep such lid firmly in position on the box being partly
opened or closed.
In another arrangement the lid is fitted to the body of the box or receptacle in
manner similar to an ordinary hinge, the back of the lid and back of the box being
so contrived as to form eyes, through which a pin is passed. In this instance also
the body of the box or receptacle is constructed like the one first herein described,
so as to avoid all sharp or pointed corners or angles.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry William Herbst in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 29th
November 1878.
HENRY WILLIAM HERBST, of Saint Luke's, in the County of Middlesex:
"IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC BOXES, CASES, AND OTHER RECEPTACLES, AND IN
THE MANUFACTURE THEREOF."
This Invention relates to improvements in the manufacture or production of
metallic boxes, cases, and other receptacles of various sizes and shapes. The bodies
of such boxes, cases, and other receptacles are formed by stamping them out of
metal blanks of suitable sizes and shapes and by dishing such blanks in the
required part or parts in such manner that when the flaps of the blanks are pressed
and closed together they shall respectively form the body of a box, case, or other
receptacle which does not present any sharp or pointed corners or angles.
The Invention further relates to improvements in the lids or covers of boxes,
cases, and other receptacles, and the means of readily opening and closing them.
I proceed to describe, with reference to the accompanying Drawings, some
metallic boxes or cases constructed according to this Invention, and suitable for
holding, say by way of example, lucifer matches, fusees, tobacco, cigarettes, pins,
pens, or other articles.
The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the Figures.
Figure 1 shows a metal blank cut to the required size and shape, and ready for
being operated upon to form such body of a box or case, as herein-before mentioned,
and Figure 1 shows the blank after it has been dished and is ready to be folded
into the body of the box.
1
Figure 2 shows the blank formed or folded into the body of the box or case.
Figure 3 is a plan of the box provided with a cover and shown closed.
Figure 4 is a transverse section taken on the line y, y, of Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 2, 2, of Figure 3.
Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the box or case finished and ready for
use. It is shown open in this Figure.
Figures 7, 8, and 9 are views of the lid or cover,

page_text: Now in accordance with my Invention I first cut or stamp out the metal blank
intended to form the box or case to the required size and shape as seen at Figure 1,
the side flaps b, bx, of the blank being so shaped as to admit of their being dished
by pressure in the ordinary way. I place this blank between a matrix and man-
dril, or I place it in any suitable moulding or pressing machine wherein the front
and back flaps, sections, or portions a, ax, and the side or end flaps, sections or
portions b, bx, to form the body A of the box or case, are struck up, and those parts
intended to be of a rounded shape are dished to their requisite depth, as shown in
Figure 1. The flaps, sections, or portions a, a*, receive a curved or rounded form,
and the flaps, sections, or portions b, bx, are dished. The requisite portions of the
shaped blank having been struck up, the blank is then withdrawn from the matrix
or moulding machine, and the parts of it which are intended to be put together are
closed or folded so as to form the body of the box or case, as seen at Figure 2.
The operation of closing or putting together the parts of the blank is effected by
mechanical or other means, and in some cases the operation of striking up and
dishing the blank, and closing or folding it so as to form the body with the requisite
rounded sides or parts may be effected in a single-acting machine. No solder or
other means of connection will be needed to keep the closed or folded parts of the
blank together when the boxes, cases, and other receptacles are of small size, but if
the boxes or receptacles are made in large sizes, or if it is desired that they should
be more or less air-tight, the lines of juncture may be closed with solder or in any
other convenient way.
As I have before stated, it is a matter of great importance that the body of the
box, case, or other receptacle constructed according to my Invention is so made as
to be free from all sharp or pointed corners or angles.
In another instance, as illustrated in Figures 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14, I only dish
out the portion C of the blank forming the body A; the dished out portion in this
instance forming the bottom of the box, case, or other receptacle, as shown.
Such bodies of boxes, cases, or other receptacles, having been made from shaped
and partly dished blanks, as herein-before described, so as to obvinte all sharp or
pointed corners or angles are then ready to receive the lid or cover, which may be
either a single or double spring lid, or a sliding lid, all of which are constructed
according to my improvements herein-after described, or a hinged lid may be
employed.
According to the first arrangement I employ a single spring lid B (seen in inside
view, Figure 7, outside view, Figure 8, and side view, Figure 9) in the following
manner: I make a longitudinal groove, channel, or recess c (herein-after, to avoid
repetition, called groove only) by bending or indenting the lip of that side or
portion ax of the blank which is to form the back of the body of the box, and
which for this purpose is longer than its opposite side or portion a.
The operation
of forming this groove may be effected in the machine at the same time as the
blank is struck up or formed, or it may be effected separately. Into this groove
the lid or cover B is fitted (by pressing or stretching aside the dished ends or
flaps b, bx), so as to enable it to be worked with a spring action, herein-after
described. This lid or cover B is formed to suit the box, case, or other receptacle
by being cut or punched out and bent at the front so as to form a flange b2 to lap
over the front edge of the body A of the receptacle. I provide this lid with two
lips 63, 64, which take into corresponding depressions or notches a³, a', formed in the
front of the body, and which keep it closed when shut down. This lid or cover is
divided at its back into three portions d, dx, d. The central portion d* is com-
pletely turned over, as seen in Figure 9, in order to securely hold a pin or wire f,
which forms the hinge or joint for the lid or cover to turn on. The end
portions d, d, pass around the wire f and are turned up, as seen in Figures 7 and 9,
so as to form tongues.
The ends of this pin or wire f, forming the hinge, project on both sides of the lid,
and when such lid is fitted in place the ends are retained by means of two little
convex projections h, h*, one on each of the dished ends or flaps b, 6×, and prevent

page_text: the lid from leaving the groove c and consequently the body A. But the convex
projections h, hx, may be dispensed with and the dished out portions b, b*,-made to
answer the purpose by the ends of the pin or wire being simply placed under their
upper part. The central upstanding portion c* of the front side of the groove c is
made higher than are its end portions c¹, c³, in order to help to keep the lid or cover
in its place.
The tongues d, d', herein-before mentioned, at the back of the lid or cover, press
or bear upon the end portions c¹, c², of the front side of the groove c on the lid
being lowered or closed, and by pressing them down compress the back portion a*
of the box and cause it to act as a spring on its being released from pressure in
order to raise the lid or cover.
On pressure being applied to the front of the box when it is to be opened the
hold of the lips 63, 6, in the front of the lid will be released from the depressions or
notches a³, in the front of the body, and the back part of such body now acting
as a spring will cause the two end portions c¹, c², of the groove c, as they tend to rise, to
be forced against the tongues d, d', of the lid and cause the lid to turn on its hinge f
in the groove c, and to immediately fly open to its full extent, as seen in Figure 6,
and to remain open until pressure be again applied on the lid to close the box.
To facilitate the pressure on the front part of the box for opening it a small
projection m is formed, when desired, on its centre. This projection m as well as
the projections h, hx, and the notches a³, a*, can be formed at the same time when
stamping or striking up the blank to form the body of the receptacle.
According to another arrangement or modification a double lid, also operating
with a spring action, is employed; Figure 11 being a side view of the box closed;
Figure 12, a plan showing it open; Figure 13, a vertical section, also showing it
open; and Figure 14, a perspective view, showing it closed. The dotted lines in
Figure 14 show the position that the parts will assume when the box is open, the
body of the box being formed in manner similar to that herein-before described, 80
as to obviate all sharp or pointed corners or angles. In this case I form the lid, as
before stated, in two parts B, B*, and I hinge or otherwise attach one part B to one
edge of one side of the body of the box or other receptacle and the other part B* to
the other edge of the other side of the body, these two parts in their normal
position always being closed together over the open part or mouth of the body of
the box or other receptacle. i, i, aro two bent wires fitted into eyes i*, i*, which
are formed by turning up portions of tho lids. These wires connect together the lids,
in order to cause their opening and closing action to be simultaneous. The body in
this arrangement is formed out of the shaped blank shown in Figure 10 (only one
of its portions, the one marked C, being dished in the manner as herein-before
stated), and when folded up acts as a spring to close the lids B, B*. Supposing
that the box is closed and it be desired to open it the sides of the body must be
pressed towards each other, and this action causes the ends of the bent wires i, i,
attached to the lids to immediately throw open simultaneously the lids B, B*, to
their full extent; on pressure being released the sides of the box on returning to
their normal position act as springs and bring the lids together simultaneously,
thereby closing the box. But in some instances only one lid is used, and the other
then becomes part of the body of the box, one of the hinges in that case being
dispensed with.
According to another modification or arrangement I employ a sliding lid or
cover.
Figure 15 is a plan showing a box with my sliding lid or cover (party open);
Figure 16 shows the sliding cover in plan detached from the body of the box;
Figures 17 and 18 show the cover in side elevation and in transverse section
respectively; Figure 19 is a side elevation of the box with its cover; Figure 20, a
longitudinal section, and Figure 21 a transverse section of the same. For this
purpose the portions a, a*, of the body A have a groove c formed in them at their
upper part to receive the sliding lid or cover B. This lid, which is provided on its
two sides with a rim or lip d, is shaped or formed as shown (by striking it up), in

page_text: order that it may readily pass over the dished end or ends or flap or flaps, 6, 6x. The
portions a, ax, of the body act as springs and keep the lid firmly in position at
whatever extent it may be drawn out, and also when it is quite closed. The body
of this box, case, or other receptacle is also formed in manner similar to that
described in the first arrangement, so as to obviate all sharp or pointed corners or
angles.
In a still further arrangement or modification, in which Figure 22 is the body of
the box and Figure 23 the lid, the body A after having been constructed in the
same manner as those herein-before described, so as to obviate all sharp or pointed
corners or angles, is provided with an ordinary hinged lid or cover B, as shown.
Although I have described my Invention and shown the same, by way of
example, in the Drawings, as applied to metallic boxes or cases suitable for holding.
lucifers, fusees, pins, pens, bon-bons, and other articles, I wish it to be understood
that I do not confine myself to boxes or cases for holding such articles, as they can
be made in large sizes and of various shapes, so as to render them suitable as
travelling or other cases or canisters for tea or coffee, biscuit or sandwich boxes, or
as ladies' companions, necessaires, writing desks, and the like.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same may be performed, I declare that I claim and desire to secure by Letters
Patent,-
First. The manufacture or production of the bodies of metallic boxes, cases, and
other receptacles, in which all sharp or pointed corners or angles are obviated by
making them from blanks of suitable shapes, and by dishing the blanks in the
required part or parts, substantially in the manner as herein described.
Second. Forming a groove, channel, or recess in the back portion of the body of
the box, case, or other receptacle, to receive the lid or cover, and causing the back
to act as a spring for the purpose of raising such lid or cover, substantially in the
manner as herein described.
Third. The manufacture of boxes or other receptacles in which all sharp or
pointed corners or angles are obviated and constructed with a body and single
spring lid, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 9, both inclusive, Figure 6 showing a general
view of the box completed.
Fourth. The manufacture of boxes or other receptacles in which all sharp or
pointed corners or angles are obviated and constructed with a body and double
spring lid, as illustrated in Figures 10 to 14, both inclusive, Figure 14 showing a
general view of a complete box with the double lid.
Fifth. The construction of double spring lids, substantially as described, when
applied to boxes, cases, or other receptacles.
Sixth. The manufacture of boxes in which all sharp or pointed corners are
obviated and constructed with a body and sliding lid, as illustrated in Figures 15
to 21, both inclusive.
Seventh. The manufacture of boxes in which all sharp or pointed corners are
obviated and constructed with a body and hinged lid, as shown in Figures 22
and 23.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry William Herbst, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-eighth day of November, in the year of our Lord
Witness,
ERNEST DE PASS,
Patent Agent,
68, Fleet Street,
London.
H. W. HERBST. (L.S.)