Improvements in Collapsable Packing Cases.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 5th June, 1889-Accepted, 27th July, 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Collapsable Packing Cases.
WILLIAM MITCHELL 213 Essex Road Islington, London N. 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 a method whereby packing cases and boxes used for
sending various kinds of goods from place to place are more easily got ready and can
be utilised a greater number of times than those at present used.
As is well known packing cases as at present used are nailed or screwed together
and a great difficulty arises to abstract the nails or screws, and more often than not
the wood is split and a fresh case has to be made, but with this Invention the same
case may be used several times before it is rendered useless. The way I carry my
Invention into practice may be thus described. I provide as is usual a bottom, sides
and top, which said pieces whether formed of wood, iron or other materials are joined
one to the other by means of split pins or bolts with eyes of the necessary size and
strength, after the articles are packed in the case and the lid or cover placed thereon,
a cord
rope or chain is threaded through the eyes or holes in the heads of the said
bolts or pins and carried round the box until it is tightly corded or chained, after
"
which the split pins are driven "home to pick up any "slack "that might occur
in chaining or cording up.
When it is desired to take goods or articles from a case, it is only necessary to
unfasten the cord or chain with which it may be fastened, remove two of the split
bolts from the sides of the box, and lift the lid or cover sufficiently to permit the side
from which the two upper bolts or pins are removed to swivel or turn on the lower
bolts or pins, the bolts or pins are passed through the two adjacent parts, if the case
is not wanted for use again for some time it may be taken apart and compactly stowed
away till again required.
In order that my Invention may be more readily understood and explained in
detail I have hereunto annexed a sheet of Drawings on which letters of reference are
marked on corresponding parts on all the Figs. alike.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is a view of my improved packing case, put together for use.
Fig. 2 is a section of the cover and bottom part of box, shewing the four sides
compactly stowed away therein.
Fig. 3 is a section of one form of cover that may be used.
Fig. 4 is a section of another form of cover or lid.
Figs. 4 and 4 are views of the split pins or bolt I prefer to use.
Fig. 5 is a plan of one form of bottom that may be used.
Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of same, the dotted lines in this view showing the
fixed position of the sides in same.
Fig. 6 is another form of bottom.
Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation of same, the dotted lines in this example as in
Fig. 5 shewing the position of the sides.
In Fig. 1, a is the bottom of the box having only three walls or sides thereto, the
remaining side in this example being dispensed with to shew how the side of the box
marked b may by taking out the two upper pins 63 and lifting the cover b³ be made to
swivel on the two lower pins or bolts c for unpacking without taking the whole of the
said box apart.
In Fig. 2. a is the bottom of the box, and 68 the cover of same, having the
sides 1, 2, 3, 4 compactly enclosed therein for stowing away until again required for
use, the chain or cord may be hound round outside the whole to keep them together.

page_text: In Fig. 3. 63 is one form of cover.
In Fig. 4 63 is another form of cover, although a plain cover without the laps or
ears at the sides may be used if preferred.
Figs. 4 and 4 are front and side elevations respectively of the split pin or bolt I
prefer using as it is more convenient than the ordinary bolts for fixing the various
parts together and for taking them apart although ordinary bolts may be used.
In Figs. 5 and 5ª a is 'the bottom of the box having an inner wall or skin fixed
thereto a³ with dowel pins a³ for entering the bottom parts of sides of box for keeping
the said sides in position.
In Figs. 6 and 6ª the bottom a of the box instead of having an inner wall with
dowel pins therein, has a groove a² formed therein around same for keeping the sides
in position as shewn by the dotted lines, but it must be understood that it is not
obligatory to have a top or bottom as herein shewn on the drawings, as a flat bottom
or top may be used if desired.
This method is also applicable to packing cases and boxes already in use.
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 :-
The principle of forming a collapsible box or packing case, which when ready for
use is held together by split pins or bolts, through the eyes of which a chain or cord is
passed so as to hold all the parts constituting the same compactly together, and when
taken apart may be compactly stowed away until again required for use, this
collapsible system being also applicable to packing cases and boxes already in use, as
herein substantially described and illustrated in the drawings hereunto annexed.
Dated this 5th day of June 1889.
WILLIAM MITCHELL,
Applicant.