IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH BOXES, CASES, OR LIKE RECEPTACLES, SPECIALLY DEVISED WAD THE TRANCHISSION OF ARTICLES THROUGH THE POST."
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Phineas Lawrence, of Farringdon Road, in the County
of Middlesex, Merchant, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND
CONNECTED WITH BOXES, CASES, OR LIKE RECEPTACLES, SPECIALLY DEVISED
WAD THE TRANCHISSION OF ARTICLES THROUGH THE POST."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Phineas Lawrence at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st December 1880.
PHINEAS LAWRENCE, of Farringdon Road, in the County of Middlesex,
Merchant. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH BOXES, CASES, OR LIKE
RECEPTACLES, SPECIALLY DEVISED FOR THE TRANSMISSION OF ARTICLES THROUGH
THE POST,"
My Invention relates to improvements in and connected with boxes, cases, or like
receptacles, specially devised for the transmission of articles through the post, and
has for object to permit of the ready inspection of such articles during their
transit, and at the same time to ensure them against loss or damage.
In carrying out my Invention the lid of the box, which is preferably constructed
with a rebate all round, fits closely on to the body or box proper, and is provided
on its outer surface with T shaped or other suitably shaped grooves, channels, or
depressions. Corresponding grooves, channels, or depressions are also provided on
the bottom and sides of the box, and into these, bands or belts of india rubber
(which act as springs) are introduced and fit closely therein and around the box and
lid, and thus securely retain both in position.
When it is desired to open the box or case to inspect the contents thereof, the lid
can be raised either from the sides or from the ends, and after inspection is effected
and the lid released, the closing of the box immediately takes place by reason of
the springy nature of the rubber bands or belts.
Or instead of the rubber bands or belts aforesaid, cords, wires, or the like may be
employed, according to the requirements and the mode of conveyance of the box
case, or like receptacle.
These boxes may be made of wood, metal, card-board, papier-mâché, or other
suitable material.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Phineas Lawrence in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
17th June 1881.
PHINEAS LAWRENCE, of Farringdon Road, in the County of Middlesex,
Merchant. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH BOXES, CASES, OR LIKE
RECEPTACLES, SPECIALLY DEVISED FOR THE TRANSMISSION OF ARTICLES THROUGH
THE POST."
My Invention relates to improvements in and connected with boxes, cases, or like
receptacles, specially devised for the transmission of articles through the post, and
has for its object to permit of the ready inspection of such articles during their
transit, and at the same time to ensure them against loss or damage.
In carrying out my Invention the lid of the box, which is preferably constructed
with a rebate all round, fits closely on to the body or box proper, and is provided
on its outer surface with T shaped or other suitably shaped grooves, channels, or
depressions. Corresponding grooves, channels, or depressions are also provided on
the bottom and, if required, on the sides of the box, and into these grooves endless
bands or belts of india rubber, which act as springs, are introduced, and fit
closely therein and around the box and lid, and thus securely retain both in
position.
When it is desired to open the box or case to inspect the contents thereof, the lid
can be removed either from the top, from the sides, or from the ends, and after
inspection is effected and the lid restored, the closing of the box immediately takes
place by reason of the contraction of the rubber bands or belts. Or instead of the
rubber bands or belts aforesaid, cords, tapes, wires, or the like may be employed,
according to the requirements of the box, case, or like receptacle.
These boxes may be made of wood, metal, cardboard, papier-mâché, or other
suitable material.
And in order that my Invention may be more fully understood and readily
carried into effect, I proceed with reference to the accompanying Drawings to
describe a box constructed in accordance therewith.
Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the box in its closed position; Fig. 2 is a
side elevation of same; Fig. 3, a plan; and Fig. 4, a transverse section taken
through the line a, 8, of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 shews one method of raising the lid for
inspecting the contents of the box.
A is the box; B is the lid or cover which is formed with a rebate b in order that
it shall fit closely on to the box and shall be more readily retained in place.
a, a, are T shaped grooves or channels formed on the outside of the lid or cover;
and a*, a*, are corresponding T shaped grooves or channels formed on the bottom
of the box. These T shaped grooves or channels may likewise be formed in the
sides of the box as well as in the top and bottom thereof.
c, c, are endless india rubber bands or belts which are introduced into the
Tshaped grooves a, a, a*, ax, and lie therein and closely surround the box and
lid, thereby securely retaining the lid in place; they likewise act as springs to effect
the closing of the lid after the same has been raised, and they are prevented from
shifting during transit through the post or otherwise by reason of the peculiar
formation of the grooves a, a, a*, ax, and the rebate b.
After the rubber bands or belts have been placed within the grooves a piece of
paper or cardboard d may be pasted on the upper surface of the lid; this would
effectually prevent the bands leaving the grooves, and at the same time would
serve as a label or card, on which an address or other inscription may be written
or printed.

page_text: To inspect the contents of the box the lid may be raised or removed in the
manner shewn in Fig. 5, its closure being effected immediately the lid is released
from the hand and the cover placed in position by reason of the contraction of the
india rubber bands or belts acting as springs for such purpose.
The lid or cover of the box when removed may be held to the box, as shewn in
Fig. 6, so as to allow of the box being packed with facility.
Although I have described my box as being specially devised for the transmission
of articles through the post, yet I wish it to be understood that I do not confine
myself to such purpose, as the box may be used for mercantile purposes, or for
purposes of packing articles for sale, such as jewellery, pins, pens, bonbons, etc., etc.,
and for disposing of them therein when so packed.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the
same may be performed, I declare that I claim,―
1. The improved construction of box, case, or like receptacle, in which the lid
and bottom (or the lid, bottom, and sides) are provided with grooves or channels
for the reception of endless india rubber bands, or rings, or tapes, or cords,
substantially as and for the purposes described and as shewn.
2. The employment of endless india rubber bands or belts arranged on or around
a box constructed as set forth and acting as springs for the purpose of closing the
lid and keeping the same closed, substantially in the manner as herein described
and shewn in the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Phineas Lawrence, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this First day of June, in the year 1881.