Improvements in Tobacco Pouches.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Dec., 1890-Accepted, 7th Feb., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tobacco Pouches.
I, WILLIAM JAMES CUSSEN, a resident of Richmond, County of Henrico and
State of Virginia, United States of America, Manufacturer, do hereby declare
the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENT IN TOBACCO POUCHES, 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 certain improvements in bags for tobacco, which in
prime condition necessarily contains a certain amount of moisture; and it has for
its object to provide for packing the tobacco in an original package from which
portions may be taken from time to time, the bag being of such nature as to
preserve the tobacco in its original condition by retaining the moisture until it
is exhausted.
The invention further has for its object to provide a bag which will be
sufficiently ornamental to serve as a pouch for carrying the tobacco about the
person, and which may, by means of a string concealed in a flap or pocket which
seals the mouth of the bag primarily, be secured around the tobacco as it is
diminished by use, so as to preserve the tobacco always in prime condition.
These objects I attain by the means illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in
which-
Figure 1, represents a perspective view of a bag packed and forming an original
package.
Figure 2, represents a similar view of the bag after it has been opened, showing
the means for securing it to prevent evaporation.
Figure 3, represents a view showing the flap or pocket carrying the concealed
string, with the string partially drawn out.
Figure 4, a vertical sectional view of a pouch, showing particularly the manner
of fastening the string;
Figure 5, a perspective view showing a modification of the means of securing
the flap; and
Figure 6, a vertical sectional view of the same.
The letter A indicates a bag which is provided with the usual hem at the top,
and drawing-string, by means of which it may be closed. Near the upper edge, at
one side is a flap or pocket, B, which is secured to the inside of the bag in such
manner that it may be brought over the edge opposite to that to which it is
attached, when required, as shown in the drawings.
The bag may be constructed of a single piece of fabric, which may be chemically
or otherwise prepared to retain the moisture of the contents when packed, but it is
preferably made of two thicknesses of material, or, in other words, in the form of a
double bag, or an external bag and an internal lining, the internal bag or lining
being chemically or otherwise prepared to retain the moisture of the inclosed
article. Within the flap or pocket is secured a concealed string, D, one end of
which projects slightly through a suitable aperture, for the purpose hereinafter
explained.
In the modification shown in Figures 5 and 6 a hook E, is employed in
connection with the flap or pocket instead of the string D.
This hook is preferably attached to the bag by suitable prongs passed through
the two thicknesses of material and clinched upon the inner side thereof. The
point or end of this hook is blunt so as not to catch in and injure the bag or
the wearer's person or clothing. Along the front side of the outer bag, down the
middle thereof, preferably, is inserted a vertical series of metallic eyelets c,
which the hook upon the end of the extension is adapted to engage when the bag is
ID 031
into

page_text: closed as shown. These eyelets only extend through the outer bag, as will be
perceived, the lining or inner bag serving to close the unused eyelets or apertures
and thereby prevent the escape of the confined tobacco.
It will be observed that as fast as the tobacco is needed the hook is engaged in
the next lower eyelet and so on until the entire contents are consumed. The
special advantage in the arrangement is that the unused tobacco in the pouch is not
disturbed or permitted to work loose while being carried in the wearer's pocket,
but is retained in its original solid and prime condition in the bottom of the bag
until consumed. Most of the pouches now on the market permit the tobacco to
shake and work loose after they are once opened, thereby permitting it to spill out
into the wearer's pocket and become dry and lose its original flavour.
To pack the bag, the flap or pocket is drawn out in the position shown in
Figure 3, and the tobacco or other article is forced in in the usual manner, the flap
or pocket containing the concealed string keeping the said string out of the way
and in position ready for use subsequently. When properly filled, the flap is
folded over the tobacco inside of the bag and the draw-strings drawn so as to close
the bag, the flap serving as a seal to prevent the escape of moisture and any
possible waste of tobacco. The draw-strings are then tied and the package is
ready for the market.
When required for use, the strings are untied and the bag opened in the usual
manner, and after a sufficient quantity of tobacco is removed for immediate use the
flap is brought over the edge of the bag to the outside thereof, as shown in
Figures 2 and 4, and the flap secured. This may be done by drawing out the
concealed string D, and tying it around the bag, as shown in Fig. 2, or by means
of the hook E, as shown in Figure 5 of the drawings. As the tobacco is used from
time to time the flap is drawn down and the empty portion drawn down over the
unemptied portion and secured as before.
Any means may be employed for securing the string D, against slipping but
I prefer the following:-
In passing up the rear side of the pouch the string is inserted in an aperture in
the back of the bag and passed up through a vertical casing or tube c¹ formed in the
interior of the same, this tube or hem extending preferably about half the length of
the pouch and terminating at the upper edge of the extension thereof, near the
point of attachment of the string. This tube is preferably formed of the material
of which the bag is made, preferably by simply forming a hem along the interior of
the same.
The end of the string or braid is provided with a metallic tip to permit
of its being drawn into the tube.
The bag is packed in the usual manner and its upper edges folded upon the
tobacco. The string is then drawn tight around the bag by simply pulling upon its
free end, which projects from the upper open end of the tube. When the cord is
drawn tightly around the bag, the friction caused by the pressure of the material
in the bag will hold the cord against slipping, without the use of any other fastening
device whatever. To loosen the cord and open the bag it is simply necessary to
draw down upon that part of the cord lying upon the back of the bag below the
tube, whereupon the cord will readily pass out of the tube sufficiently to be moved
to one side, off the bag.
The advantages of this fastening device are obvious. It is not only extremely
simple thereby enabling me to supply it to the trade at about the same price as the
ordinary bags now on the market, but it is also adjustable and readily tightened
and loosened, and is positive and secure in action, without the use of any hooks, or
other metallic fasteners, to injure the bag or the person carrying it. Its essential
feature of advantage is that it adjusts itself to the varying size of the bag, thereby
enabling the individual consumer to always re-fasten it in such a manner that the
tobacco remaining in the bag will be kept in a solid and prime condition in the
bottom of the same.
I do not desire to confine myself to the exact construction shown and described,
inasmuch as the same might be varied without departing from the spirit of the

page_text: invention. For instance, the vertical tube through which the string passes, may,
with equal advantage, be formed upon the exterior of the bag. Metallic eyelets
may be inserted in the aperture in the bag through which the cord passes to
and from the tube, to prevent wear and unraveling of the material.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The combination with a tobacco-bag, of a flap secured to the mouth at one
side and a fastening device secured to said flap, the flap serving as a seal to the
original package and in connection with the fastening device to secure the bag
while in use, substantially as specified.
2. A bag for tobacco or other material, having a flap near the edge on one
side, the said flap containing a concealed string, which may be drawn out and
tied around the bag to secure it, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
3. A tobacco-bag having a metallic hook attached to the upper edge of one
of its sides, a series of eyelets along its opposite side, and an interior lining
covering the said eyelets, as and for the purpose described.
4. The combination with a pouch having formed in one of its sides a vertical
tube or hem, of a string secured to the bag and passed through the said tube
and around the bag, as and for the purpose described.
Dated this 1st day of December 1890
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.