Improvements in or connected with Chests or Cases for Containing Tea or other Goods.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Mar., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 4th Dec., 1899-Accepted, 6th Jan., 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Chests or Cases for Containing
Tea or other Goods.
I, ERNEST HARRY ARCHER, of No. 20, Eastcheap, in the City of London,
Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to that class of chests or cases for containing tea or
other goods, the several parts constituting the body together with the lid and
bottom of which consist of veneer boards united at the seams by means of angle-
pieces or edging or binding consisting of strips of metal bent into an L shape.
Metal edging or binding of this character has hitherto been used to fix together
the several parts of the box or case, and has been secured in position by means
of rivets, flat-headed nails or screws, with the result that it has been necessary
to employ a wider metal edging than is required under the present invention
and when it has been desired to open the box, in the case of nails, a difficulty
has been met with in extracting the nails and the metal edging or binding has
consequently been so bent and injured as to render it unsuitable to be re-used,
whilst when screws have been employed the length of time occupied in inserting
and withdrawing the same has been very objectionable.
The objects of the present invention are to facilitate the opening and closing
of the case, and to economise material by enabling the width of metal edging
and the size of the battens, to which it is nailed, to be reduced.
In carrying the invention into effect, the several parts constituting the body
of the box are formed of sheets of built up veneer connected in the flat or blank
form by means of strips of metal rivetted thereto and then bent into the required
rectangular shape and united at the last seam by means of one of said binding
strips. According to the present invention, however, instead of fixing the top
and bottom in position by nailing binding strips or angle-plates to both of the
meeting edges of the sides and top or bottom of the box, as the case may be,
said strips or angle-plates are permanently nailed or rivetted to the sides or body
whilst they are fixed to the lid or bottom by means of hook-shaped staples, that
is to say, staples having preferably one short and one long leg, and the long legs
of the staples are driven through the lid or bottom of the box into wood battens
around the mouth or end of the body of the box on the inside thereof and the
short legs of the staples are driven through the metal edging into the lid or
bottom of the box.
The meeting edges constituting the last seam of the body of the box may be
similarly fastened in position, a batten being arranged in the angle of the body
of the box upon the interior thereof to receive the long legs of the staples.
In order to strengthen or stiffen the metal edging, binding or angle-plates and
to enable a metal thinner and more suitable for the purposes of this invention
to be employed, said binding is at its edges turned over and seamed by rolling
or otherwise, whilst with a view to readily indicate to persons using the inven-
tion the positions in which the rivets, nails and staples are to be driven, the metal

page_text: strips or edgings are, by means of dies or otherwise indented with marks of
different character in the positions in which the rivets, nails and staples are
respectively to be driven.
By marking the metal edging in the manner lastly referred to, the construc-
tion of the cases by unskilled labour is rendered more simple and the appearance
of the cases is improved by causing the insertion of the fasteners at regular
intervals. Economy is effected in the number of fasteners used, as they can be
marked for insertion at short intervals in those parts of the case which are sub-
jected to great strain and at greater intervals where the strain is less. It would
be practically impossible to provide for this being done by written instructions
or diagrams when making the boxes with inexperienced and unskilled labour,
it would therefore be necessary for safety and simplicity to put all the fasteners
the same distance apart, that is to say, the distance required to stand the greatest
strain.
When it is desired to open a box constructed according to the present invention,
the lid or bottom may be readily opened by withdrawing the short legs of the
staples from the metal edging, when the metal edging can be turned back suffi-
ciently to be clear of the lid which can then be removed, whilst the box may
again be as readily closed in a similar manner and inasmuch as the staple is
adapted to receive beneath its head, and afford an efficient hold for, any suitable
form of opening tool it will be readily understood that the opening may be accom-
plished with great rapidity and without injury to the parts.
To facilitate the opening of the case in the manner hereinbefore described, it is
desirable to make that part of the metal edging which overlaps the top or bottoni
of the case as narrow as possible otherwise that part of the edging which is
attached to the side of the case would have to be wider in order to allow of the
edging being bent. far enough back to leave the lid clear, that is to say, the
wider the overlap at the top the deeper the metal has to be at the side and the
deeper the battens to which it is nailed.
The use of the hooks or staples as herein before described for closing the box,
allows of the reduction of the width of the flange at the top by the distance
between the two legs or prongs of the hook, for the outer prong of the staple is
driven into the centre of the batten outside the edge of the metal strip and the
other prong passes through the metal strip the edge of which is scurely gripped
by the hook.
In the same manner, the entire box may be readily broken down for transport
by withdrawing the staples, screws or rivets at the last seam of the body.
By the means hereinbefore described, economy in materials is effected and the
opening of a chest or box without damage to the parts thereof is greatly facilitated,
whilst the chest or box may be readily put together or broken down by any
unskilled person.
Dated this 4th day of March 1899
VAUGHAN & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in or connected with Chests or Cases for Containing
Tea or other Goods.
I, ERNEST HARRY ARCHER, of No. 20, Eastcheap, in the City of London,
Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the

page_text: same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:-
My said invention relates to that class of chests or cases for containing tea or
other goods, the several parts constituting the body together with the lid and
bottom of which consist of veneer boards united at the seams by means of angle-
pieces or edging or binding consisting of strips of metal bent into an L shape.
Metal edging or binding of this character has hitherto been used to fix together
the several parts of the box or case, and has been secured in position by means
of rivets, flat-headed nails or screws, with the result that it has been necessary
to employ a wider metal edging than is required under the present invention
and when it has been desired to open the box, in the case of nails, a difficulty
has been met with in extracting the nails and the metal edging or binding has
consequently been so bent and injured as to render it unsuitable to be re-used,
whilst when screws have been employed the length of time occupied in inserting
and withdrawing the same has been very objectionable.
The objects of the present invention are to facilitate the opening and closing
of the case, and to economise material by enabling the width of metal edging
and the size of the battens, to which it is nailed, to be reduced.
In carrying the invention into effect, the several parts constituting the body
of the box are formed of sheets of built up vencer connected in the flat or blank
form by means of strips of metal rivetted thereto and then bent into the required
rectangular shape and united at the last seam by means of one of said binding
strips. According to the present invention, however, instead of fixing the top
and bottom in position by nailing binding strips or angle-plates to both of the
meeting edges of the sides and top or bottom of the box, as the case may be,
said strips or angle-plates are nailed or rivetted to the sides ΟΙ body
whilst they are fixed to the lid or bottom by means of staples having preferably
one short and one long leg and one leg of each staple, the long one when the
legs differ in length, is driven through the lid or bottom of the box into wood
battens around the mouth or end of the body of the box on the inside thereof
and the other leg of the staple is driven through the metal edging into the lid or
bottom of the box.
The meeting edges constituting the last seam of the body of the box may be
similarly fastened in position, a batten being arranged in the angle of the body
of the box upon the interior thereof to receive one or both legs of the staples.
In order to strengthen or stiffen the metal edging binding or angle plates and
to enable a metal thinner and more suitable for the purposes of this invention
to be employed, said binding is at its edges turned over and seamed by rolling
or otherwise, whilst with a view to readily indicate to persons using the inven-
tion the positions in which the rivets nails and staples are to be driven, the metal
strips or edgings are, by means of dies or otherwise indented with marks of
different character in the positions in which the rivets, nails and staples are
respectively to be driven.
By marking the metal edging in the manner lastly referred to, the construc-
tion of the cases by unskilled labour is rendered more simple and the appearance
of the cases is improved by causing the insertion of the fasteners at regular
intervals. Economy is effected in the number of fasteners used, as they can be
marked for insertion at short intervals in those parts of the case which are sub-
jected to great strain and at greater intervals where the strain is less. It would
be practically impossible to provide for this being done by written instructions
or diagrams when making the boxes with inexperienced and unskilled labour,
it would therefore be necessary for safety and simplicity to put all the fastener;
the same distance apart, that is to say, the distance required to stand the greatest
strain.
When it is desired to open a box constructed according to the present invention,
the lid or bottom may readily be opened by withdrawing the staples when the

page_text: metal edging can be turned back sufficiently to be clear of the lid which can then
be removed, whilst, the box may again be as readily closed, and, inasmuch as the
staple is adapted to receive beneath its head, and afford an efficient hold for, any
suitable form of opening tool, it will be readily understood that the opening
may be accomplished with great rapidity and without injury to the parts.
To facilitate the opening of the case in the manner hereinbefore described, it is
desirable to make that part of the metal edging which overlaps the top or bottom
of the case as narrow as possible otherwise that part of the edging which is
attached to the side of the case would have to be wider in order to allow of the
edging being bent far enough back to leave the lid clear, that is to say, the
wider the overlap at the top the deeper the metal has to be at the side and the
deeper the battens to which it is nailed.
The use of the hooks or staples as hereinbefore described for closing the box,
allows of the reduction of the width of the flange at the top by the distance
between the two legs or prongs of the hook, for the outer prong of the staple is
driven into the centre of the batten outside the edge of the metal strip and the
other prong passes through the metal strip the edge of which is securely gripped
by the hook.
In the same manner, the entire box may be readily broken down for transport
by withdrawing the staples, screws or rivets at the last seam of the body.
And, in order that the said invention may be more clearly understood and
readily carried into effect. I will proceed, aided by the accompanying drawings,
more fully to describe the same.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is an outside face view of a blank designed to form the body of a
chest or case having the present invention applied thereto.
Figure 2 is a plan or edge view thereof.
Figure 3 is an end view thereof.
Figure 4 is a vertical section of part of a complete chest or case showing the
metal edging or binding turned over and the staple driven into position.
Figure 5 is a similar view showing the staple partly withdrawn and the metal
edging or binding turned back in the opening of the case or chest.
Figure 6 is a plan of a portion of a chest or case minus the lid or bottom
illustrating a modification.
Figure 7 is a face view of one of the lengths of edging or binding to form an
angle plate for connecting the sides of the case.
Figure 8 is an edge view thereof partly in section.
Figure 9 is a similar view to Figure representing one of the lengths of
edging or binding to form an angle plate for connecting the top and bottom or
ends with the sides.
Figure 10 is a horizontal section taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 9.
In the several figures in which like parts are indicated by similar letters of
reference, Figures 4 to 10, are drawn to an increased scale with respect to
Figures 1 to 3.
Referring to Figures 1 to 5, a represents the sheets of built up veneer consti-
tuting the sides or body of the case or chest and a* represents one of the ends or
top or bottom as the case may be.
The sides of the case or chest are connected in the flat or blank form as
represented at Figures 1 to 3 by means of strips of metal fixed thereto by means
of short rivets and are then bent into the required rectangular shape and united
at the last seam by means of the overhanging part 6* of one of said binding or
edging strips which however is preferably previously bent into angle shape.
According to the present invention, however, instead of fixing the top and
bottom a* in position by nailing binding strips or angle plates to both of the
meeting edges of the sides a and top and bottom * of the case or chest as the case
may be the lid or bottom having been placed in position the angle plates b, which are

page_text: bent to the required angle, are arranged over the meeting edges and are at first fixed
to the lid or bottom a by means of hook shaped staples that is to say staples
having one long leg c¹ and one short leg and the long legs of the staples are
driven through the lid or bottom a* into wood battens a arranged around the
mouth or end of the body a of the case or chest on the inside thereof and there
secured by the nails or rivets d and the short legs of the staples e are driven
through the part 6* of the metal edging into the lid or bottom * of the case
or chest the other edges of the angle plates are then fixed by nails d or they
might be long rivets to the sides or body a.
In the example given at Figure 6, the meeting edges of the last seam consti-
tuting the body a of the case or chest are shown to be similarly fastened in
position, a batten * shown by dotted lines being arranged in the angle of the
body of the case or chest upon the interior thereof to receive the long legs of
the staples c.
In order to stiffen the metal edging binding or angle plates 6 of the ends a*
and last seam of the body and to enable a metal thinner and more suitable for
the purposes of this invention to be employed said binding is at its edges b
turned over and seamed by rolling or otherwise.
In the example given at Figures 7 to 10, is shown a means of readily indicating
to persons using the invention the positions in which the rivets, nails and staples
are to be driven.
For this purpose, the metal strips are by means of dies or otherwise indented
with marks of different character in the positions in which the rivets, nails
and staples are respectively to be driven, those relating for example to the
rivets and those to the staples and nails d.
By marking the metal edging in the manner lastly referred to; the construc-
tion of the cases by unskilled labour is rendered more simple and the appearance
of the cases is improved by ensuring the insertion of the fasteners at regular
intervals and furthermore economy is effected in the number of fasteners used as
the strips can be marked for insertion at short intervals in those parts of the
case which are subjected to great strain and at greater intervals where the strain
is not so severe.
It would be practically impossible to provide for the effectual performance of
this work by the aid of written instructions or diagrams when employing unskilled
labour in making the cases but it would be necessary for safety and simplicity to
place all the fasteners the same distance apart that is to say the distance required
to stand the greatest strain.
When it is desired to open a case constructed according to the present inven-
tion, the lid or bottom a* may readily be opened by withdrawing the short legs &
of the staples e from the metal edging & when the latter can be turned back suffi-
ciently to be clear of the lid a* as indicated at Figure 6 and the lid can then be
removed whilst the case may again be as readily closed in a similar manner
and inasmuch as the staple cis adapted to receive beneath its head and afford a
sufficient hold to any suitable form of opening tool, it will be readily understood
that the opening may be accomplished with great rapidity and without injury to
the parts.
To facilitate the opening of the case in the manner hereinbefore described it
is desirable to make that part 6* of the metal edging b which overlaps the top or
bottom a* of the body a of the case as narrow as possible otherwise that part 6 of
the edging which is attached to the body a would require to be wider in order to
allow of the edging being bent far enough back to leave the lid clear that
is to say the wider the overlap * at the top a* the deeper or wider the metal b
would have to be at the side a and the deeper the batten a to which it is nailed.
A convenient point for the bend of the edging is indicated by the dotted line
in Figure 9.
The use of the hooks or staples c for closing the case allows of the reduction of

page_text: the width of the flange or part 6* at the top by a distance equal to that between
the two legs or prongs the outer prong c being driven into the centre of the
batten a outside the seamed edge of the metal strip and the other prong
passes through the metal strip the edge of which is securely gripped by the
back or head c of the staple.
In the accompanying drawings, the staples 6 are shown with legs of differential
length, but it will be readily understood that the legs of the staples may be of
equal length.
Aided by the foregoing description, it will be understood that the entire case
may be readily broken down for transport by withdrawing the staples c or screws
or rivets as the case may be at that part of the edging * securing the last seam of
the body a.
By the means hereinbefore described, economy in metal is effected and the
opening of a case or chest without damage to the parts thereof is greatly facilitated
whilst the chest or case may be readily put together or broken down by any
unskilled person.
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;
1. In a chest or case of the character hereinbefore described, the combination
of a metal edging and a staple formed with legs of differential length, substan-
tially as herein shown and described and for the purpose stated.
2. In a chest or case of the character herein before described, the combination
of a metal edging, a staple formed with legs of differential length and a batten
arranged upon the interior of the chest to receive the long leg of the staple,
substantially as herein shown and described and for the purpose stated.
3. In a chest or case of the character herein before described, the combination
of a metal binding strip seamed at the edges, a staple formed with legs of
differential length and a batten arranged upon the interior of the chest to receive
the long leg of the staple whilst the short leg thereof engages the seam of the
binding strip, substantially as herein shown and described.
4. In a chest or case of the character hereinbefore described, the combination
of a metal edging and a staple one leg of which passes directly into the wood and
the other leg through the edging into the wood, substantially as herein shown
and described and for the purpose stated.
5. In a chest or case of the character herein before described, the combination
of a metal edging differentially stamped or marked with the position of the
different fastenings and suitable fastenings securing the edging to the case, sub-
stantially as herein described.
15 J
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