Improvements in Boxes, Packing Cases, and the like.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Mar., 1898
Improvements in Boxes, Packing Cases, and the like.
I, CHARLES ALEXANDRE HENRY REBOUL, of 9, Rue Jules César, Paris, in the
Republic of France, Draughtsman, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion to be as follows:-
This subject of this invention is a box or case that can be taken to pieces, and
is characterized by the combination of a wooden structure, forming the body of
the casing, with one, two or several metal bands of special construction herein-
after described.
The structure of wood or other analogous material forming the body of the case
is composed of a suitable number of panels or members entirely independent of
one another and held together, without nails or hinges, by metal bands and by
bracing pieces adapted to form grooves as hereinafter described.
Each band is composed essentially of at least four parts, all employed to secure
the case when together, and of which only two serve to keep the panels in juxta-
position when the case is dismounted or taken to pieces. These parts are fixed
together by very simple means, that is to say by bolts, and without using hinges.
According to one construction of my invention the case proper consists of six
similar panels. On the lower surface of the panel constituting the bottom of the
case are fixed, by means of screws, bolts, or in other manner, one or more U-shaped
On this bottom
iron bands, forming an essential part of each band of the case.
panel the four side panels are simply rested, and on the top of these panels is then
laid the top panel or lid.
The putting together of these panels is carried out without using either nails
or hinges for the purpose of preventing movement of the panels in relation to one
another. With this object two of the side panels are each furnished with two
grooves or slides formed by bracing pieces nailed to the inner surface of these
panels, the side edges of the other two side panels (which in order to facilitate this
description I will term the end panels) being securely held between the said
bracing pieces. The outer bracing piece is preferably thicker than the inner one;
and is slightly longer than the panel to which it is fixed, to the extent of the total
thickness of the top and bottom panels. The projecting portions of said bracing
pieces prevent the side panels from moving longitudinally with reference to the
top and bottom panels.
To avoid also any transverse movement of these panels, the cross pieces which
connect the boards or strips forming the side panels are likewise longer than said
panels to the extent of the thickness of the top and bottom panels and of the cross
pieces of these latter panels.
The metallic bands intended to fix these panels in the two positions (that is
erected or put together and dismounted or taken to pieces) are each formed
essentially of the following parts:-
A bottom piece of approximately U-shape, or comprising a straight portion with
turned up ends. The centre part of this piece is, as has been said, fixed at the

page_text: bottom of the case. The side portions or ends are of a length corresponding to
the total thickness of the panels and their cross pieces when these are dismounted
and simply piled one upon another. The extremities of these side pieces are bent
at right angles to form lugs, and are provided with holes to receive the connect-
ing bolts.
A top piece of rectilinear shape, provided with holes at or near its ends to
receive connecting bolts. The distance separating these holes is the same as the
distance separating the holes in the aforesaid lugs. This piece is preferably
of U-shape in cross section.
Two side pieces of rectilinear shape, but with their extremities bent at right
angles to form lugs which are likewise pierced with holes to receive the connect-
ing bolts. The length of these pieces should be approximately equal to or slightly
less than the difference of height between the case put together and the dis-
mounted pieces piled on one another.
The method of using this improved dismountable case is most simple in
practice-
To put the case together and fill it, the two side panels are first placed on the
bottom panel. These panels are temporarily held by the turned up ends of the
bottom pieces of the iron band, against which the said panels are supported by the
lower extensions of their cross pieces and bracing pieces. The end panels are then
slid into the grooves formed between the bracing pieces, which bracing pieces hold
these panels securely and prevent all lateral movement on their part.
In this condition the case may be filled with perfect safety as the aforesaid turned
up ends of the bottom piece on the one part, and the outer bracing pieces on the
other part prevent any outward movement of the vertical panels.
When the case is filled, it is closed by simply putting the lid on the vertical
panels; the top piece of the iron band is then placed on the lid, onto which piece
there has preferably been. bolted the side pieces; finally the desired tightening
is given to the whole by screwing up the nuts of the bolts which connect the
bottom piece of said band to the side pieces.
To take the case to pieces and cause it to occupy the minimum space for the
purpose of reducing as much as possible the cost of empty return freightage,
the various panels are piled between the turned up ends of the bottom piece of
the iron band, in such a way as to occupy the least possible space. The top piece
of the iron band is then bolted directly onto the lugs of the bottom piece. As to
the side pieces, if thought of use, they may be bolted together, and placed between
the panels, or be fastened in any manner to the bundle formed by the parts of the
case.
Although I have only described the use of one band it is obvious that two or
more such bands may be employed.
According to a modified construction each side piece of the iron band has at
one of its extremities a lug bent at right angles and drilled; but the other
extremity has an eye of sufficient size to allow the lug of the bottom piece of the
iron band to enter. Said eye is preferably rivetted to the main part of said piece,
but any other appropriate arrangement may be employed.
The top and bottom pieces of the band may remain as above described, with this
slight difference, that the lugs of the bottom piece should be bent_downwardly
at their extremities so as to keep in place the above described eye. I may some-
times form the top piece of the band with turned down ends similar to those
of the bottom portion and in such case it is not necessary to use iron of U section.
As it has less tendency to bend, it may be made of common flat iron.
This modification in the manner of making the side pieces of the bands has the
great advantage of enabling two bolts per band to be dispensed with, indeed, it
is sufficient, for putting together, to hook the eyes onto the lugs of the bottom
piece; and, to close the case, it is necessary only to tighten the bolts connecting
the top and side pieces. The putting together and taking to pieces are thus
simplified.

page_text: Further, when taking the case to pieces, it is sufficient to turn downwards and
inwards the side pieces, which slide along the turned up ends of the bottom piece
and are held between the superposed panels.
It is obvious that I may vary as desired, the sizes and material of the parts con-
stituting my improved box or case. It is evident also that the accessory details
of construction and shape of the parts are likewise variable. Thus, for example
I may employ for the bands iron of any shape and section. Each piece of the
bands may be composed of one or more pieces; the top piece particularly may be
divided at its centre and have vertical lugs joined by a bolt, which would allow
of tightening likewise in a transverse direction. Finally the details of connect-
ing together the panels and the pieces of the bands may likewise be varied.
In all these cases the essential feature consists in that the panels are joined
one with another, and with the bands, so that no relative movement of the parts
can take place.
Dated this 18th day of March 1898.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
I, CHARLES ALEXANDRE HENRY REBOUL, of 9, Rue Jules César, Paris, in the
Republic of France, Draughtsman, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
―
The subject of this invention is a box or case that can be taken to pieces, and
is characterised by the combination of a wooden structure, forming the body of
the casing. with one, two or several metal bands of special construction herein-
after described.
The structure of wood or other analogous material forming the body of the case
is composed of a suitable number of panels or members entirely independent of
one another and held together without nails or hinges by metal bands and by
bracing pieces adapted to form grooves, as hereinafter described.
Each band is composed essentially of at least four parts, all employed to secure
the case when together, and of which only two serve to keep the panels in juxta-
position when the case is dismounted or taken to pieces. These parts are fixed
together by very simple means, that is to say by bolts, and without using hinges.
In the accompanying drawings which illustrate a case made in accordance with
my invention.
Figure 1 shows on the left, a half elevation; on the right a half vertical, longi-
tudinal section of the said case put together;
Figure 2 is an end elevation;
Figure 3 is a plan, half in horizontal section, of the case put together.
Figures 4 and 5 show two sections, respectively at right angle to one another
of the case taken to pieces and packed.
Figure 5 is a detail view to be hereinafter referred to.
Figure 6 is an end view corresponding to Figure 2 and showing a modification
of the metal band.
Figure 7 is a front view of the iron band, made in accordance with this modi-
fication.

page_text: Figures 8 and 9 are respectively perspective views of the case together and in
pieces, furnished with the modified band.
According to one construction of my invention the case proper consists of six
similar panels, A, A¹, B, B¹, C, C¹. On the lower surface of the panel A con-
stituting the bottom of the case are fixed, by means of screws, bolts, or in any other
manner, one or more U-shaped iron bands d forming an essential part of each
band of the case. On this bottom panel A the four side panels B, B, C, C' simply
rest, and on the top of these panels is then laid the top panel or lid A¹.
The putting together of these panels is carried out without using either nails
or hinges, and for the purpose of preventing movement of the panels in relation
to one another, two of the side panels B B are furnished with two grooves or
slides formed by bracing pieces bb nailed to the inner surface of these panels
(Figures 1 and 2); the panels C C₁ being securely held between the said bracing
pieces. The outer bracing piece is preferably thicker than the inner one, and is
slightly longer than the panel B 13₁ to which it is fixed to the extent of 62 corre-
sponding with the total thickness of the top and bottom panels A, A¹ (Figure 1).
These projectings or extensions 2 prevent the side panels B B and conse-
quently C C from moving longitudinally with reference to the top and bottom
panels A A¹
To avoid also any transverse movement of these panels, the cross pieces 63 64
which connect the boards or strips forming the side panels B B¹ are likewise longer
than said panels to the extent of 6 corresponding to the thickness of the top and
bottom panels A A¹ and of the cross pieces a a¹ of these latter panels (Figure 2).
The metallic bands intended to fix these panels in the two positions (that is
erected or put together and dismounted or taken to pieces) are each formed essen-
tially of the following parts:
A bottom piece 1 of approximately U-shape or comprising a straight portion.
with turned up ends. The centre part d, of this piece is, as has been said, fixed
at the bottom A of the case. The side portions or ends ', are of a length corre-
sponding to the total thickness of the panels and their cross pieces when these are
and 5). The
dismounted and simply piled one upon another (see Figures
extremities of these side pieces are bent at right angles to form lugs d³ provided
with holes to receive the connecting bolts.
A top piece D', of channel shape, provided with holes at or near its ends to
receive connecting bolts. The distance separating these holes is the same as the
distance separating the holes in the aforesaid lugs.
Two side pieces D2, cf rectilinear shape, but with their extremities d² bent at
ight angles to form lugs which are likewise pierced with holes to receive the
connecting bolts E. The length of these pieces 12 should be approximately equal
or slightly less than the difference of height between the case put together (Figure 2)
and the dismounted pieces piled on one another (Figures 4 and 5).
The method of using this improved dismountable case is most simple in
practice:
To put the case together and fill it, the two side panels B B₁ are first placed
on the bottom panel A which is fixed to the iron band 1); these panels are tem-
porarily held by the turned up ends of the bottom piece of the iron band
aga'nst which the said panels are supported by the lower extensions of their cross
pieces and by the lower extensions 62 of the bracing pieces b¹. The end
panels are then slid into the grooves bb formed between the bracing pieces bb¹.
The said bracing pieces 6 hold these panels C C₁ securely and prevent all lateral
movement on their part.
In this condition the case may be filled with perfect safety, as the aforesaid
turned up ends of the iron band D on the one part, and the outer bracing pieces b¹
on the other part prevent any outward movement of the vertical panels.
When the case is filled, it is closed by simply putting the lid or top panel A
on the vertical panels; the top piece of the iron band D) is then placed on the
lid onto which there have preferably been previously bolted the side iron

page_text: bands 12 D, by means of the bolts E'; finally the desired tightening is given to
the whole by screwing up the nuts of the bolts E which connect the pieces D to
the pieces De D².
To take the case to pieces and cause it to occupy the minimum space, for the
purpose of reducing as much as possible, the cost of empty return freightage, the
various panels are piled between the turned up ends of the bottom piece of the
iron bands 1, in such a way as to occupy the least possible space, as shown in
Figures 4 and 5. The top piece of the iron band D is then bolted directly onto
the lugs of the iron bands 1). As to the side pieces if thought of use, they
may be bolted together as shewn in Figure 5*, and placed between the panels, or
be fastened in any manner to the bundle formed by the parts of the case.
According to a modified construction shewn in Figures 6-9 each side piece of
the iron band D2 has at one of its extremities a lug & bent at right angles and
drilled; but the other extremity is provided with an eye d', of sufficient size to
allow the lug of the bottom piece of the band D to enter.
The end of the iron band D, in which the hole d' is made is preferably rivetted
at d to the iron band D2, but any other appropriate arrangement may be employed.
The top and bottom pieces 1) D¹ of the band may remain as above described,
with this slight difference, that the lugs d³ of the band should be bent a second
time at so as to keep in place the end d of the band D.
The band D¹ may
sometimes form the top piece of the band it may be bent Ụ shaped in the direction
of its length, with turned down ends similar to those of the bottom portion 1) (see
Figure 6) and in such case it is not necessary to use iron of U section,
less tendency to bend, it may be made of common flat iron.
As it has
This modification in the manner of making the side pieces of the bands D2 has
the great advantage of enabling two bolts per band to be dispensed with; indeed,
it is sufficient for putting together, to hook the eyes d onto the lugs of the
irons D; and to close the case, it is only necessary to tighten the bolts connect-
ing the top and side pieces. The putting together and taking to pieces are thus
simplified.
Further, when taking the case to pieces, it is sufficient to turn the side pieces
downwards and inwards which slide along the turned up ends of the bottom piece
and are held between the superposed panels (see Figure 9).
It is obvious that I may vary as desired, the sizes and material of the parts con-
stituting my improved box or case. It is evident also that the accessory details
of construction and shape of the parts are likewise variable. Thus for example,
I may employ for the bands iron of any shape and section. Each piece of the
bands may be composed of one or more pieces; the top piece D' particularly may
be divided at its centre and have vertical lugs joined by a bolt, which would
allow of tightening likewise in a transverse direction. Finally the details of con-
necting together the panels and the pieces of the bands may likewise be varied.
In all these cases the essential feature consists in that the panels are joined
together themselves and with the bands, so that no relative movement of the parts
can take place.
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:-
1. A box packing case or the like which can be taken to pieces, characterised
by the combination of several independent panels, forming the case proper, and
capable of being put together by any means (except hinges) with
one, two or
several bands of variable perimeter each one composed of several independent
pieces, intended to be joined together by bolts, or other equivalent means (except
hinges) in such a way as to obtain the locking together of the built-up case by
assembling the pieces together; and the locking together of the case when taken
apart, by using only one of them, substantially as above specified.
2. The construction of each of these bands of at least four pieces; one, such as D

page_text: having arms of a height corresponding to the total thickness of the panels of the
case, superimposed one upon another; two others such as 12 D2 of a length
approximately equal to the difference of the heights taken up by the
case when put together and when in pieces; and one piece, such
as 1, completing the variable adjustable perimeter of the band in these two
positions, by being joined to the piece D, either by the medium of the pieces D2 D2
when the case is put together; or directly to the ends of the piece 1) when the case
is in pieces, in substance as described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
3. The method of joining one of the extremities of the irons 12 to the arms 1)
or D', consisting in making eyes (d) at the ends of the said irons 12, hooking
onto the lug (d) bent at (d) in the iron 1) or D', substantially as described with
reference to Figures 6 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.
4. The details of joining the panels of the case, without nails or hinges, character-
ised especially by the slides formed on two of the panels by the, bracing pieces (bb),
the exterior one (1) being prolonged by the extensions (62), working in conjunction
with the extensions (d) of the cross pieces of the said panels, to prevent all sliding
in relation to the panels and all deformation of the case, as above described with
reference to the accompanying drawing.
5. The combination of the whole of the case capable of being taken to pieces,
with perimetral bands capable of being adjusted as above describped with refer-
ence to the accompanying drawings, as well as the different details of construction
considered either separately or in combination one with another.
Dated this 17th day of Decombo, 1908
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.