A. NEW OR IMPROVED PORTABLE RECEPTACLE OR BOX FOR CONTAINING VARIOUS USEFUL ARTICLES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Roman, of Piccadilly, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman, for the Invention of "A. NEW OR IMPROVED PORTABLE
RECEPTACLE OR BOX FOR CONTAINING VARIOUS USEFUL ARTICLES."
Sealed the 5th January 1877, and dated the 7th November 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Roman at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 7th November 1876.
HENRY ROMAN, of Piccadilly, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman.
"A NEW
OR IMPROVED PORTABLE RECEPTACLE OR BOX FOR CONTAINING VARIOUS USEFUL
ARTICLES."
This Invention has for its object a new or improved construction of receptacle for
containing matches, cigars, and other useful articles. As an example I will
describe my Invention as adapted for match boxes:-The box is formed primarily
of four portions or parts, viz. :-the outer case, the inner case, the lid, and the
spring. Such box may be made of metal, wood, or other suitable material. The
outer case is formed by preference of one piece of metal, open at one end and closed
at the other. On one side of the said outer case an opening is left (which is
towards the centre). The lid is fixed to one of the sides at the upper part of the
outer case.
The above-mentioned outer case is provided with an inner receptacle, which is
shorter than the outer case, having a fixed bottom. The inner case is of such
length as when the box is closed it fills up the opening in the said outer case.
In the side of the inner case, which fills up the opening in the outer case, is a
catch cut or pressed out in the side of the said inner case, said catch being so
formed that, when in position and the box closed, the catch comes against the edge
or side of the opening in the outer case, and thus prevents the box opening. To
one of the sides of the inner case is attached a spring, which is fixed or connected
to the lid so as to effectuate the opening of the same.
The action of my box is as follows:-When the finger or thumb is placed on the
side of the inner case, projecting through the opening of the outer case above-
mentioned, and the attempt of pushing up the inner case is made, the slight
pressure exercised releases the catch, and then the inner case slides or rises up to
the top of the outer case, and simultaneously the spring attached to the side of the

page_text: inner case pressing against the lid causes it to open, while the articles contained in
the inner case are lifted up above the top of the outer case, and the user can readily
withdraw same.
The closing of the box is effectuated simply by drawing down by the thumb and
finger the inner case till the catch assumes its former position against the side of
the opening in the outer case. By the same action the spring attached to the side
of the inner case and the lid draws down and closes the lid, which practically will
not open in the pocket.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Roman in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 4th May 1877..
HENRY ROMAN, of Piccadilly, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman. " A NEW
OR IMPROVED PORTABLE RECEPTACLE OR BOX FOR CONTAINING VARIOUS USEFUL
ARTICLES."
This Invention has for its object a new or improved construction of receptacle
for containing matches, cigars, and other useful articles. As an example I will
describe my Invention as adapted for match boxes. The box is formed primarily of
four portions or parts, viz., the outer case, the inner case, the lid, and the spring.
The inner. box and spring may however be preferably of one piece; such box may be
made of metal, wood, or other suitable material. The outer case is made out of one
or two pieces of metal, open at one end and closed at the other. On one side of the
said outer case an opening is left (which is towards the centre).
one of the sides at the upper part of the outer case.
The lid is fixed to
The above-mentioned outer case is provided with an inner receptacle, which is
shorter than the outer case, having a fixed bottom. The inner case is of such
length that when the box is closed it fills up the opening in the said outer case. In
the side of the inner case, which fills up the opening in the outer case, is a catch, cut
or pressed out in the side of the inner case, said catch being so formed that when
in position and the box closed the catch comes against the edge or side of the
opening in the outer case and thus prevents the box opening. To one of the sides
or to the bottom of the inner ease is attached a spring or arm, which is fixed
or connected or in one piece with the side so as to effectuate the opening of the
same.
The action of my box is as follows:-When the finger or thumb is placed on the
side of the inner case, projecting through the opening of the outer case above-
mentioned, and the an attempt to push up the inner case is made, the slight pressure
exercised releases the catch, and then the inner case slides or rises up to the top of
the outer case, and simultaneously the spring attached to the side of the inner caso
pressing against the lid to which it is attached by passing through a loop formed in
the lid or otherwise causes it to open, while the articles contained in the inner case.
are lifted up above the top of the outer case, and the user can readily withdraw
same.
The closing of the box is effectuated simply by drawing down by the thumb and
finger the inner case till the catch assumes its former position against the side of
the opening in the outer case. By the same action the spring attached to the side
of the inner case and the lid draws down the lid and thus closes the box.
'

page_text: In these Figures a is the outer case, formed preferably of one piece of metal,
same being furnished with the opening b left on one side of said case a.. This case
a is at the bottom closed, and open at the top; c is the lid fixed (free to move) in
the upper part of case a, as shown; d is the inner case or receptacle, which is
shorter than the outer case a, as shown in Fig. 4, and has a fixed bottom. The
length of this case & however is such as to fill up the opening b of the outer case u.
e is the catch cut or pressed out of the inner case d, and rests when the receptacle
is closed against the edge of the opening b in the outer case, as shown in Fig. 1,
and thus prevents the box opening; fis the spring forming part of one of the sides
of the inner case d, and this spring f is hinged or attached to the lid c by loop or
otherwise.
'
The action is as follows:-The finger or thumb is pressed on the portion of the
inner case d, shown through opening b. The attempt to push up the inner case d
being made frees the catch e from contact with the outer case a, and the said inner
case d slides or rises up to the top of the outer case a, and at the same time the
spring pressing against the lid c causes it to open, and the matches or other
articles in the inner case dare brought up above the top of the outer case a, and
are readily taken out by the user of the box. The closing of the receptacle is
accomplished by simply drawing down the inner case d till the catch e assumes its
position against the opening b in the outer case a. The limit of rise of the inner
case is governed by pressing or forming on the inner case a suitable projections e¹.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and object of my
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed or put in practice, I
hereby declare that I claim the herein-described new or improved portable receptacle
or box for containing various useful articles, substantially as the same is herein-
before set forth and described, and illustrated by the accompanying Drawings, it
being understood that I do not confine myself to the exact form or shape shown
by the Drawings, as same may be varied without departing from my Invention, as
herein-before set forth and described."
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Roman, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Third day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-seven.
Witness,
5
T. MORGAN,
Secretary,
Inventor's Patent Right Assn., Ld.,
21, Cockspur Street, S.W.
H. ROMAN. (L.S.)