Improvements in Cigarette Boxes and Cases.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 30th May, 1892 -
Complete Specification Left, 25th Feb., 1893-Accepted, 1st Apr., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cigarette Boxes and Cases.
I, JAMES PLENDERLEITH of 3 Princes Hotel Buildings Coventry Street
London, Salesman do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
:-
This invention relates more particularly to the tin boxes in which cigarettes
are retailed, but may also be applied to nickel plated or silver cigarette cases, and
is for the purpose of extracting or withdrawing the cigarettes without it being
necessary to open the box or to cut the paper label which usually envelopes it.
One corner of the box is cut away or removed forming an opening large enough
for a cigarette to pass through lengthways and allowing it to protrude sufficiently
to be grasped by the finger and thumb and so pulled or drawn out.
Within the box and at the end further from the before mentioned opening is a
slide formed of a piece of metal bent at a right angle thus in length equal to the
interior width of box, the upright portion equal to the depth and bearing about
half an inch on the bottom.
A tape is secured by its middle to centre of this slide, the two free ends continuing
the whole length of box and coming through a small aperture at the end on which
is the before described opening.
The cigarettes being between the slide and the opening, one tape being over and
the other under them, it will be seen that on the first cigarette being extracted, it
is only necessary to pull the ends of the tape when another cigarette is drawn into
the place of the first, ready for extraction, this process being repeated until all the
cigarettes are withdrawn.
If preferred instead of the tapes the slide may be actuated by a small stud or
button outside the box and working through a slot running nearly the whole length
of the bottom.
Dated this 28th day of Mov 1800
J. PLENDERLEITH.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cigarette Boxes and Cases.
I, JAMES PLENDERLEITH, of 3 Princes Hotel Buildings, Coventry Street,..
London, 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 more particularly to the tin boxes in which cigarettes are
retailed, but may also be applied to nickel plated or silver cigarette cases and is
for the purpose of extracting, or withdrawing the cigarettes, without it being
necessary to open the box, or to cut the paper label, which usually envelopes it.
One corner of the box is cut away, or removed forming an opening large enough
for a cigarette to pass through lengthways, and allowing it to protrude sufficiently
to be grasped by the finger and thumb, and so pulled, or drawn out.
Within the box, and at the end further from the before mentioned opening is a
slide formed of a piece of metal bent at a right angle thus in length equal to the
interior width of box, the upright portion equal to the depth and bearing about
inch on bottom. A tape is secured by its middle to centre of this slide, the two
free ends continuing the whole length of box and coming through a small aperture
at the end, on which is the before described opening.

page_text: The cigarettes being between the slide and the opening, one tape being over and
the other under them, it will be seen that on the first cigarette being extracted, it
is only necessary to pull the ends of the tape when another cigarette is drawn into
the place of the first ready for extraction, this process being repeated until all the
cigarettes are withdrawn. If preferred, instead of the tapes, the slide may be
actuated by a small stud or button outside the box and working through a slot
running nearly the whole length of the bottom.
My invention will be clearly understood by reference to the annexed drawings."
Figure. I represents. the bottom half of a box for holding cigarettes, with
the plate in position, and a tape rove through a slot more clearly shown at
Figure 2..
Figure 3 is a similar representation of the lower half of a box with several
cigarettes in position, and with a portion of the tape thrown over to the front end,
and projecting beyond, so that both ends of the tape can be drawn ont, and so cause
the plate to pull the cigarettes successively to the front, for the end of the
foremost, one to be exposed at the cut away corner of the box for easy removal by
the thumb and forefinger, the other cigarettes remaining in the box for a future
action on the tape.
!
Figure 4 shows a box complete with one end of a cigarette exposed at the cut
away corner.
Figure 5 represents a modified form of cigarette box, in which the tape is
dispensed with, and the ✓ plate is provided with a button headed paper fastener,
the neck of which rides in a slot formed along the central part of the box, so that
by a sliding pressure on the head, the plate can push the cigarettes to the
opposite end of the box.
Figure 6 shows a plate for this arrangement.
"Figure 7 represents a complete box, looking on the bottom of same to show the
slot and button, head.
Figure 8 indicates a box of greater depth than the others for holding a double
tier of cigarettes, the tape being arranged for both tiers to be simultaneously moved
for exposing the ends of two cigarettes at one time.
Figures 9 and 10 are end and side elevations of a cigarette case, with the corner
coverable by a hinged lid, and provided with a button to enable the cigarettes to
be slid within the box, as before explained.
All the letters of reference point to the several parts in the figures shown.
A is the bottom of the box. B the sliding ✓ plate. C the tape which may be
single or double, as desired. If the tape be double, as shown, the cigarettes slide
bodily without having a tendency to roll, as with a single tape. D the cut away
corner of the box, left open or closable by a hinged lid E. F button head of
fastener, or other attachment to ☐ plate, to ride in slot G. H, H, cigarettes.
It may be remarked that by my invention, many advantages are noticeable over
existing cigarette boxes, or cases.
paper
1. The box is very complete and enables one cigarette to be withdrawn without
dislodging the actual position of the others in the box.
2. The cigarettes left in the box are not liable to become distorted in shape,
because especially in boxes provided with the double tape, the two tapes exert a
pressure on them and tightly fix them in position.
3. It is not necessary to open the box to obtain a cigarette.
4. The cigarettes do not get handled unnecessarily, nor is the tobacco torn away
at the ends.
5. The boxes are less costly, being produced by stamping, and only require
filling, and closing up.
6. The usual internal packing labels are dispensed with.
I have particularly referred to the boxes being made of metal, but hard rubber,
celluloid, or other like moulded material is available, or even stout paper, such as
cardboard, strawboard, millboard can be shaped for the purpose, and be covered

page_text: with leather, bookbinders cloth, or canvas can be used according to the style, or
finish of the desired box.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The manufacture of cigarette boxes or cases with slideable plates operable.
by tapes, or buttons, and provided with corner openings for exposure of a cigarette.
end as set forth, and substantially as shown in the annexed drawings.
2. The employment of ✓ plates in cigarette boxes and the methods of moving
them for propelling the cigarettes towards an exposed opening for their easy
removal, as described.
TL
H. GARDNER,
Patent Agent, 166, Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the said James Plenderleith.