Improvements in Tea Chests and the like.
Year: 1892

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tea Chests and the like.
I, PASCHAL BUFORD, of Bryan, in the County of Brazos and State of Texas,
United States of America, Gentleman, 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 packing and storing vessels, and more especially to tea-
chests and other receptacles of a light nature in which the articles are shipped and
retailed in and from the original packages; and it has for its object to provide an
improved chute attachment that can be easily inserted in chests or receptacles of
the class described, by means of which the articles in said receptacles are kept
intact and protected, while at the same time means are provided for the ready
removal of the same.
With these and many other objects in view, the invention consists in a receptacle
provided with an attachment constructed in the novel manner hereinafter more
fully described, illustrated, and claimed.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tea-chest provided with my invention.
Figure 2 is a central vertical section of the same.
Figure 3 is a detail, in perspective, of the flanged cover or cap.
Referring to the accompanying drawings, A represents an ordinary shipping
tea-chest or similar receptacle provided with a square aperture a, that is cut
therein near the side adapted to be used as the bottom of the chest after the
attachment has been inserted therein and forms a complete canister from which the
article may be easily taken in retailing the same or using it for domestic purposes.
An elongated metallic chute B is adapted to be inserted within said aperture or
opening and projects within the receptacle, said chute being preferably rectangular
in shape and open at both ends, as illustrated, while the same is provided at one
end with an encircling flange b, by means of which the said chute is securely
fastened within the receptacle by means of screws engaging said flange and
the outside of the receptacle. An inclosing cover or cap C is designed to be
snugly fitted within the outer end of said chute, and the said cap or cover is
provided with a deep rectangular flange c, forming a compartment conforming to
the shape of the chute and projecting therein, thus providing means to prevent the
escape of the tea or other article within the receptacle. The said cap or cover is
further provided with an outer encircling side flange c¹ that prevents the said
cover from being shoved within the chute, and is further provided with a thumb-
grasp or handle D, by means of which the said cap or cover may be easily
manipulated. A strip or packing of felt or other suitable material E is inserted
upon the inside of the metallic chute so that the cap fits thereover and makes a
comparatively air-tight connection, which materially assists in preserving the tea
or other article inclosed within the chest.
It can be readily seen that the original construction of the package is utilized
not only for the shipment of the article but also for the ordinary use and retail of
the same, while the canister attachment provides against the waste of the tea and
projecting within the chest effectually prevents the same from falling out, while at
the same time it permits it to fall down just as taken out by the ordinary scoop
after removing the cap or cover from the metallic chute.

page_text: 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
A receptacle provided with an opening in one side a metallic chute open at each
end, fitted in the opening, and projecting within the receptacle, and a cover having
a deep flange that fits within the chute and forms a compartment to catch and
receive a certain proportion of the contents of the receptacle, substantially as
set forth.
Datad this 7th day of March 1909
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.