Improvements in Protected or Seal Fastenings for Boxes or Cases.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd May, 1899-Accepted, 10th June, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Protected or Seal Fastenings for Boxes or Cases.
I, JOSEPH WILLIAM HOWARD, of Wellpark Brewery, Glasgow, Brewery
Manager, 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:
A
To
I construct a box or case of wood or other suitable material with sides of
sufficient thickness to hold the screws by which I fix the frame hereinafter men-
tioned. This case should have a lid held in its place by and working on hinges,
and, for the better protection of any goods to be conveyed in it, it is desirable that
the hinges should be attached in such a manner (as by screwing from the inside
of the case and its lid) as only to be detachable when the case is open. Inside the
front side of the box or case, and near the middle of the upper part thereof I fix
a spring latch. Access to the handle or free end of the latch is to be obtained
through a hole H (in the drawing herewith) cut in the front side of the box.
catch O is fastened on the inner side of the lid in such a position that when the
lid is closed it will be secured by the action of the spring of the latch. The
handle of the latch or its free end should be a knob so constructed that when in
position the knob shall be just within the hole cut in the side of the case.
the front side of the case I fix a three sided rectangular frame of metal. This
frame is bolted to the case by one or more nuts and bolts B; care being
taken that the nuts are on the inner side of the case.
to hold a card C in position over the hole by which access is obtained to the
The object of this frame is
handle of the latch: accordingly the middle side of this frame is fixed a little
below the hole and parallel with the upper edge of the front of the box. The
ends of the other two sides of the frame (which are placed parallel with the sides
of the front of the box) are turned back over the upper edge of the front of the
box and are let into it, so that their upper surfaces are level with it; and the
frame is further secured by screws S, S passing through a hole cut in each of
the parts that are so turned back. The back of the frame (which is
next the box) is recessed so as to allow a stout card C to be slid between it
and the box and then held by the three sides of the frame in position covering
the hole by which access to the latch is obtained. The card should be of such
size that when in position in the frame and before the box is closed the card
projects a little above the upper edge of the box. This projecting part of the
card CC should then be turned back over the edge of the front side of the box
so as to be held between that edge and the under side of the lid when the latter
is closed. It is very desirable that the lid itself should be of such size as to pro-
ject slightly, say about three eights of an inch, beyond the front of the case when
the lid is down: this will render any tampering with the card more difficult
than when the lid is made to close flush with the front of the case.
closing the lid the spring latch comes into play, and as its free end or handle is
As upon
how covered by the card which has been dropped into the frame, it will be
mpossible to open the box by the latch without breaking or damaging the card,
nd thus giving warning of any wrongful attempt to open the case

page_text: Instead of a spring latch, which is released by pressing a knob or turning or
sliding a handle, a lock which will act automatically when the lid is closed and
which can only be opened by means of a key can be used in connection with my
invention, provided that the consignee of the box or case is possessed of the
necessary key.
My invention is applicable more particularly to boxes or cases made of stout
material such as are used for the transport of bottles.
By the use of cards of special color or design or with instructions as to the
object of the card and mode of opening the case (when protected by the card)
printed on them even greater security from any wrongful interference with the
contents of the case can be endured than by the use of a plain card, for which
another may be more readily substituted.
my
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of
said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. The construction substantially as above described of the several parts above
described in combination so as to produce a box or case protected or sealed in the
manner and for the purpose above specified.