Improvements in Cases or Devices for Packing Eggs.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Mar., 1899-Accepted, 29th Apr., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cases or Devices for Packing Eggs.
I, CHARLES EDWARD LA FLEUR, of 912, North Arlington Avenue, in the City
of Baltimore and State of Maryland, United States of America, Manufacturer, 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 an improved collapsible egg case filler having
hexagonal cells or pockets for the reception of eggs, adapted to be used in con-
nection with several others of a like character is a suitable packing or shipping
box or case, as will hereinafter fully appear.
In the further description of the said invention which follows, reference is made
to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, and in which,--
Figure 1 is a top view of the improved filler, showing the same as extended and
laid upon a perforated board which separates it from a similar filler beneath.
Fig. 2 is an edge view of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a top view of the filler as it appears when nearly collapsed or closed
for storage or transportation.
Fig. 4 is an enlarged top view of a section of the filler before the two sides
thereof are glued together.
Fig. 5 is an edge view of Fig. 4.
In constructing a filler in accordance with my present invention, I take a straw
or wood-pulp board A of suitable width, and of a length equal to the aggregate
length of the sides, of say,-four hexagonal cells, and in addition, twice the length
of the spaces between them, and provide it with notches or incisions a which
extend transversely of the board and have a separating distance equal to the
length of the sides of the cells.
These notches or incisions constitute the corners of the cells, and allow of the
board being bent thereat without distorting the material between them, from a
straight line.
The board is then susceptible of being given the form shown in Figs. 1 and 4,
its ends meeting at the centre of the device.
Other folded boards, constructed as described, are then added to the first, the
adjoining faces b being glued together, when the last is provided with a half
board B.
The united boards are then clamped until the glue is dry, when they are cut
into strips of a width a little greater than the length of an egg.
From the foregoing description, it will be understood that each filler consists
of a number, preferably six, of independent sections, and a half section, glued
together, each section having a continuous wall; and that the ends of the strips
meet at the centre of the device where they are glued to the opposite face.
By folding the board so that its ends will meet at the centre, as described, the
manufacture of the filler is much simplefied, and more readily constructed by
machinery, for the reason that the up-turned ends have a common length.
It is well known that eggs when confined in close places, acquire a moldy taste,

page_text: and I therefore provide the fillers with means whereby air may pass from one cell
to another. This may be effected in many different ways, but I prefer to notch
the wall of the cells and perforate the separating partition between the fillers,
as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in which the notches are denoted by d, and the holes in
the partition board C by e.
The cases in which the fillers are placed are not air tight, consequently air
entering the case may pass to all the eggs in the cells. While the circulation of air
as described is not rapid, or of a very pronounced character, it is sufficient to
prevent for a considerable time, the eggs from becoming musty.
In packing eggs for shipment, a filler is laid on the bottom of the case and
extended, and its cells filled. A perforated partition board is then laid over the
eggs and another filler added, and its cells filled, this process being continued until
the requisite number of fillers are in place, and the case filled.
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-
-
A square egg case filler comprising a series of independent sections any two of
which form an odd number of complete hexagonal cells, secured together with
glue, each section consisting of a sheet or strip folded upon itself with its ends
united intermediate the ends of the section, and made collapsible to admit of its
being flattened and clamped to a corresponding and similar section, substantially
as and for the purpose specified.
ruary 1899.
CHARLES EDWARD LA FLEUR.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.
Agents for the Applicant.
Dated this 16th day of February 1899.
CHARLES EDWARD LA FLEUR.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.
Agents for the Applicant.