Improvements in Folding Boxes.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Nov., 1899-Accepted, 10th Mar., 1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Folding Boxes.
I, LENA FRANCIS FERRELL, of La Monte, in the County of Pettis and State of
Missouri, United States of America, Dressmaker, 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:-
1
This invention relates to folding boxes in general, and more particularly to
that class formed of cardboard, pasteboard, or similar material; and it has for
its object to provide a box which may be formed from a single sheet of material
and in which the elements thereof when in their operative positions will be
held securely in place.
A further object of the invention is to provide a construction in which the
box may be readily set up and taken down and in which, moreover, when taken
down or unfolded it will be in such a form as to enable it to be packed with
others to occupy a minimum space..
In the drawings forming a portion of this specification and in which like
numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in the several views, Fig. 1
is a plan view of a blank from which the box is formed. Fig. 2 is a perspective
view showing the box set up and with the cover thereof in a distended position.
Fig. is a plan view of a box employing the slidable cover in substitution of the
integral cover.
Referring now to the drawings, 5 represents the bottom portion of the box-
forming blank, having side folds 6 and 7 extending from opposite side edges
thereof, the side fold having a further extension 8 to form the top of the box,
and which top is also provided with an extension 9, having a tongue 10, which
is adapted to enter and lie within a slot 11 in the opposite side folds, when the
box is set up. The side folds having hinge connections with the bottom and
with their extensions, as also the extension 9 with the extension S. Hingedly
connected with the end edges of the bottom 5 are end folds 12 and 13, having
extensions 14 and 15, respectively, hinged integrally thereto, and which extensions
have each a transverse slot 16 and 17, respectively, for a purpose to be presently.
explained.
Hinged at each side edge of the end folds 12 and 13 are locking-folds 18
and 19, respectively, the length of each of which is substantially the same as the
length of a side fold i.e., the length of the box-the opposite locking-folds 18
and 19 being slotted half-way through transversely, as shown at 20 and 21,
respectively, the slot of one locking-fold being adapted to receive the unslotted
portion of the opposite locking-fold, thus to prevent longitudinal displacement of
the folds und lock. To prevent outward displacement of one locking-fold
with respect to its engaging locking-fold, tongues 22 and 23 are formed upon
the folds 18 and 19, respectively, and are adapted to enter the respective slots
of the engaging locking-fold, which slots 24 are correspondingly located and
formed.
In setting up the box the end folds 12 and 13 are bent upwardly and at right
angles to the bottom 5, during which operation their respective locking-folds- are

page_text: bent to lie at right angles thereto, with the slotted portions of the locking-folds
in mutual engagement. By further moving the end folds to assume their final
positions at right angles to the bottom the locking-folds slide into the slots of
their engaging folds and assume the position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings,
after which the tongues 22 are engaged with the slots or openings 24 in the
opposite locking-folds to prevent upward movement of the locking-folds from the
bottom 5 and which movement would tend to dislocate the locking-folds. When
the parts have been thus far adjusted, there is formed an open-topped box. In
order to give a smooth exterior to the side of the box, the side folds 6 and 7
are then bent upwardly to lie against their adjacent locking-folds, the side
fold 6 having an extension 25 having slots 26 leading inwardly from its outer
edge and which are adapted to co-operate with the slots 16 and 17 in the exten-
sions 15 of the end folds to further lock the end folds against outward movement,
the slots 16, 17, and 26 receiving the unslotted portions of their opposing
extensions. The remaining side fold is bent upwardly to lie against the
adjacent locking-folds, the top extension S is bent to lie across the open upper
end of the box, and the extension 9 thereof is bent downwardly to lie against
the side while the tongue 10 is engaged with the slot 11, when the box is
completely folded. When it is desired to fill the box, the cover may be dis-
engaged from the side fold 6 and raised part way or to the position shown
in Fig. 2, after which it may be adjusted to close the box, as above described.
In this connection it will of course.be understood that the hinge connections
between the several parts of the box are formed by creasing the material of
which the box is made.
In Fig. 3 of the drawings there is shown a box the body of which is in all
respects the same as that just described with the exception that the cover fold or
extension 8 is omitted, and in substitution thereof an extension 28 is formed
similar to the extension 25 and slotted in the same manner, and which slots are
adapted to co-operate with longitudinal slots in the extensions 30 and 31 of
the end folds, corresponding to the extensions 15, above described, the inter-
mediate portions of the extension 28 and the opposite extension lying in a
plane below the extensions 30 and 31, thus to form slideways for a slidable
cover 32, having projections 33, which act as stops to limit the movement of
the cover. It will be readily understood that in practice the specific construction
and arrangement shown may be varied, and that any desired material may be
employed that is suitable without departing from the spirit of the invention.
In order to fasten the box against accidental opening, the end folds 12 and 13
have perforations 34 therein through which are passed the ends of cords or
ribbous 35, which are of a length sufficient to enable them to be tied across the
top of the box, the inner ends thereof being held in place in any desired
manner.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what
I claim is:-
1. A folding box comprising a bottom having side and end folds connected
therewith, locking-folds connected with the end folds, slots in the locking
folds adapted to interlock with the slots of their corresponding folds, an opening
in each locking-fold, a tongue carried by each locking-fold and adapted to engage
the opening of its interlocking fold, interlocking extensions carried by the end
folds and a side fold, and a cover carried by the remaining side fold.
2. A folding box comprising a bottom having side and end folds connected
therewith, locking folds connected with the end folds and adapted for engagement,
locking extensions carried by the end folds and a side fold at their upper edges
and adapted for engagement to project. inwardly and over the inclosure of the
box, and a cover-fold carried by the remaining side fold.
3. A folding box comprising a bottom having side and end folds connected

page_text: therewith, locking folds connected with the end folds and adapted for engagement,
locking extensions carried by the end folds and a side fold at their upper edges
and adapted for engagement to project inwardly and over the inclosure of the
box, and a cover.
4. A folding box, comprising a bottom having side and end folds connected
therewith, lockingfolds connected with the end folds, slots formed in the locking-
folds and adapted to interlock with their opposite locking-folds, said locking-
folds being adapted to lie against the side folds, openings in the locking-fold
and tongues carried by the locking-folds and adapted to enter the openings of
their interlocking folds, and a cover fold connected with a side fold.
Dated this 23rd day of November 1899.
BOTTOMLEY & LIDDLE,
154, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow,
Applicant's Patent Agents."