IMPROVEMENTS IN BOXES, CASES, OR RECEPTACLES FOR HOLDING MATCHES, CIGARS, CARDS, PENS, AND OTHER ARTICLES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Russell Morris, of Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BOXES, CASES,
OR RECEPTACLES FOR HOLDING MATCHES, CIGARS, CARDS, PENS, AND OTHER
ARTICLES."
ealed the 21st December 1877, and dated the 2nd July 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Russell Morris at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd July 1877.
EDWARD RUSSELL MORRIS, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BOXES, CASES, OR RECEPTACLES FOR HOLDING
MATCHES, CIGARS, CARDS, PENS, AND OTHER ARTICLES."
My Invention relates to boxes, cases, or receptacles for containing matches, fusees,
cigars, cards, pens, and other articles. I so construct such cases as that the lid of
the case will be thrown open, and the matches or other articles contained therein
will be raised above the sides of the case, so as to be more accessible. Each box
or case is provided with a hinged lid..
In one arrangement the lid is binged between the two sides, and when closed falls
between the two sides, and rests upon one end, which prevents further inward move-
ment.
Within the box is an inner case, which in the case of a rectangular box is formed
with four sides, three sides being shorter than the fourth. The longest side is on
the side of the box to which the lid is hinged, and is bent over at its upper or
outer end into a hooked form, or provided or formed with hooks. A hook or hooks
is or are also formed or fixed on the lid near the hinge.
In a side of the inner case is formed a hole, in which works a cam which is con-
nected by means of a spindle rivet or stud with a lever indicator finger or arm
situated outside the box. Supposing the box to be closed when the outer lever or
indicator is acted upon, the cam may be caused to raise or push outwards the inner
case, and the longer side of the said case will open the box by pushing open the lid,
which will assume a position in line with the side to which it is hinged, or parallel
therewith, or thereabouts. The inner case continuing its outward movement, the
.)

page_text: contained articles will be exposed beyond the mouth of the box, and a selection
therefrom may be readily made. When the said cam is turned to draw inwards the
inner case, the hook on the longer side engages with the hook or hooks upon the
lid, which is thereby shut down so as to close the mouth of the box. The said hole
in which the cam works is so formed as to limit the action of the cam to the
required extent in either direction.
When the boxes are intended to contain matches or fusees, the outer lever or any
other suitable part may be roughened or serrated.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edward Russell Morris in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
1st January 1878.
EDWARD RUSSELL MORRIS, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BOXES, CASES, OR RECEPTACLES FOR HOLDING
MATCHES, CIGARS, CARDS, PENS, AND OTHER ARTICLES."
My Invention relates to boxes, cases, or receptacles for containing matches, fusees,
cigars, cards, pens, and other articles. I so construct such cases as that the lid of
the case will be thrown open, and the matches or other articles contained therein
will be raised above the sides of the case, so as to be more accessible. Each box or
case is provided with a hinged lid.
·
Within the box is an inner receptacle, which in the example is of a rectangular
form, and is formed-with four sides, three sides being shorter than the fourth. The
longest side is on the side of the box to which the lid is hinged, and is bent over at
its upper or outer end into a hooked form, or is provided or formed with hooks. A
hook or hooks is or are also formed or fixed on the lid near to the hinge.
Supposing the box to be closed when the inner receptacle is moved towards the
lid, the said lid is pushed open by the said longer side, and the lid is caused to
assume a position in line with the side to which it is hinged, or parallel therewith,
or thereabouts. The inner receptacle continuing its outward movement, the con-
tained articles will be exposed beyond the mouth of the box, and a selection
therefrom may be readily made. When the said inner receptacle is drawn inwards,
the hook on the longer side engages with the hook or hooks upon the lid, which is
thereby shut down so as to close the mouth of the box.
And in order that my said Invention may be readily described and well under-
stood, I have appended hereunto a Slicet of Drawings, marked with letters of
reference, corresponding marks indicating the same parts in the various Figures.
Figs. 1 to 4 are illustrative of a box suitable for holding wax matches, fusees, or
similar articles. Figs. 1 and 2, drawn about the full size, are outside views of the
said box;
and Fig. 3 is a vertical section, and Fig. 4 a horizontal section on the
line a, b, in Figs. 1 and 2. The said box consists principally of an outer case c and
an inner receptacle e, seen in Fig. 3, and represented by dotted lines in Fig. 2. In
the example the said outer case consists of a rectangular metal case c, open at both
ends. To this outer case is hinged a lid d. The part of the said lid which is
nearest to the hinge is bent into a hook, as seen at n in Fig. 3. In the example
the said lid is formed with projecting flanches, which enter between the sides of the
outer case when the box is shut, but the said flanches may be flush with the said

page_text: sides, or may pass outside of the said sides, as may be preferred. The inner
receptacle e is formed with four sides and a bottom. One of the sides or ends of
the said receptacle is longer than the others, and its outer edge is bent outwards so
as to form a hook, as seen at h in Fig. 3. In the example parts i of the two sides
of the receptacle are extended to the said hook, so as to impart sufficient strength
thereto. In one of the sides of the receptacle e a nearly rectangular opening is
formed. A cam f is arranged to work within the said opening, and is fixed or
formed upon a spindle or short shaft which passes through one side of the outer
case c. Upon the outer end of the said spindle is fixed or formed a lever finger or
indicator g, seen in Figs. 1 and 4, but removed in Fig. 2. By turning the said lever
the cam may be moved into one or the other of the two positions indicated in
Figs. 2 and 3. When in the position indicated in Fig. 2, the lid of the box is shut
down. When the lever g is turned so as to move the cam into the position indi-
cated in Fig. 3, the inner receptacle is pushed outwards, and the hook h pushes open
the lid into the position represented in the said Fig. The fusees or articles are also
raised by the same movement so as to project beyond the mouth of the case, and as
a consequence are more accessible for removal.
I
When the lever g is operated to close the box, the inner receptacle moves inwards,
and the hook h engages with the hook n, and the lid is thereby drawn inwards
towards the case so as to close the box.
The form of cam indicated is such as I consider to be most suitable, but I do not
confine myself thereto nor to the form of the lever g.
If preferred, a disc or ornament may be used as a lever.
I prefer to so form the opening as to limit the movements of the cam to the
extent required in the opening and closing of the box. In the example the cam
is formed with curved edges, and one side of the opening in the receptacle is made
of a correspondingly curved form.
The arrangements for raising the inner receptacle by means of an outer lever
may be otherwise varied, as, for example, a pin upon an inner lever or disc might
work in a slot formed in the side of the said receptacle.
The two ends or narrowest sides of the outer case are arranged to limit the
movements of the lid d, one end acting as a stop when the lid is closed, and the
other when the lid is opened.
Figures 5, 6, and 7 illustrate a larger case, suitable for containing cigarettes or
larger articles than the case previously described, Fig. 7 being a vertical section on
the line c, d, in Fig. 6. In this example the lid is opened and shut by the action of
the inner receptacle, in the same manner as in the previous example, the only im-
portant difference in the action being that the said inner receptacle is slid to and fro
within the inner case by the direct action of the finger and thumb. The outer case
is cut away, as seen distinctly in Figs. 6 and 6, in order that access to the inner
receptacle may be had to grasp it between the finger and thumb.
The remaining Figs. are illustrative of a case adapted to be used to contain
miniature photographs. In this example the inner receptacle m is moved to and fro
within the outer case by means of a knob, which is secured to the said receptacle
and projects through a slot in the outer case c.
The said knob might project through a slot formed in one of the broader sides of
the case, or two or more knobs might be attached to the inner receptacle.
A ring is attached to the lid d, in order that the case may be suspended in any
suitable manner, so as to be worn as a locket or ornament.
The part of the receptacle m which is projected beyond the mouth of the case m
in the example is composed of flaps or leaves, which are hinged together and can be
opened out so as to display the photographs or contents.
The method of sliding the inner receptacle in any one of the examples illustrated
may be employed in any one of the other examples in lieu of the indicated
method.
I may make the cases of metal tubing drawn to the required forms, or may make
them in any other suitable manner, and for some purposes I may cover the said

page_text: cases with leather or other material, or may enamel or otherwise render them
ornamental.
Having now fully set forth and indicated the nature of my said Invention and
means whereby the same may be carried into effect, I would have it to be understood
in conclusion that I claim,
First. The inner receptacle sliding within. an outer case and constituting the
bottom or closing one end thereof, and being formed with a hook or with hooks to
engage with a hook or with hooks upon the lid, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth and indicated herein-before, and by the accompanying
Drawings
Secondly. The cam actuated by means of a lever or equivalent appliance situated
outside the case, substantially as and for the purpose set forth and indicated.
Thirdly. The inner receptacle arranged to be slid within the outer case, for the
purposes set forth, by the means substantially as set forth and indicated.
And, lastly. The articles formed, fitted, and arranged, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth and indicated.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Russell Morris, have hereunto set
iny hand and seal, this Thirty-first day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
EP. RUSSELL MORRIS. (L.S.)