Improved Method of and Box for Packing Rabbits and the like.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 12th May, 1897-Accepted, 12th June, 1897 .
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Method of and Box for Packing Rabbits and the like.
1, JOHN WESTWOOD of 42 Munro Street, Ascot Vale, in the Colony of Victoria,
Manufacturer of Packing Cases, 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 has been devised to provide an improved method of packing rabbits,
hares and the like animals in boxes or frames and the box or case in which they are
to be refrigerated or transported.
In order to make my invention clear I will refer to the accompanying sheet of
drawings
Figure 1 shews a view of a box with rabbits in place before the lid is secured in
position.
Figure 2 is a similar view but with the lid in place shewing the altered position of
the rabbits.
I employ a box "A" of wood or other suitable material which is perforated as
illustrated on Figure 2 or constructed with battens as in Figure 1.
In this box or
frame I place two longitudinal bars rods wires or analogous supports "B" spaced a
short distance apart and running parallel with one another and set about one fourth
of the distance of the depth of the box from its top, the space between the top of a
bar and the top of the box being such that it will allow of the lid being secured to
the box when the legs of the rabbits are turned over as hereafter described, each bar
or its equivalent being equidistant from its respective side of the box or frame. The
edges of the bars "B" at their tops are chamfered or rounded off. A cover or
lid "C" is provided for the top of the case and is perforated with an opening or
openings.
The rabbits are hung in pairs over the bars "B with their heads hanging down-
wards, and the hind legs of each pair interlocked so as to form a loop over the said
bars. The ends of the hind legs are so arranged that they stand out above the top of
the box or frame for a distance of some two or three inches when the cover or lid
is not fastened down upon same (Figure 1) but when the cover or lid is pressed
down and fastened the said legs are spread out in a direction approximately rectangular
to that of the hanging body (Figure 2).
Any number of rabbits or the like may be hung on a pair of bars in the manner
shewn (according to the length of box). If desired a box may be formed with
partitions and be provided with parallel bars "B" set at an equal distance from such
partitions in the manner described.
By this arrangement of bars "B" within the box and the method of hanging
the rabbits upon same a clear air space is obtained within the box which allows of a
passage of refrigerated air when in a cooling chamber, and thus prevents putrefaction
of the rabbits or the like during transportation.
By my invention (see Figure 2) it will be noticed that the legs are well spread out
from the body thus allowing a better ventilation to take place about the portions
where the legs and body join than is at present the case in ordinary methods of
packing and at the same time an economy of space is effected by the lid fitting closer
to the legs than is the case with the boxes in use.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
⚫claim is―
1. The herein described method of packing rabbits consisting essentially in hanging
same in pairs upon longitudinal bars as "B" set within a box as "A" with their hind.
legs interlocked and such legs being capable of being pressed down into a position
approximately rectangular to the hanging body by the lid of box when same is secured
in position substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
"
2. A perforated vertical box as "A" having longitudinal bars as B" set in pairs
and at an equal distance from the sides or partitions of box and arranged to enable
rabbits or the like to be hung thereon in pairs and pressed into position by lid
substantially as and for the purposes set forth and also illustrated on the accompanying
sheet of drawings.
Dated this will don CM 1907
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents.