Improvements in Collapsible Boxes.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Oct., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 13th July, 1893-Accepted, 23rd Sept., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Collapsible Boxes.
We, EDWARD JESSETT EARLE, Gentleman and FLORENCE MAUD EARLE,
Lady, both of 20 Cheriton Square, Upper Tooting in the County of Surrey, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:--
This invention for improvements in collapsible boxes has for its object to
construct a box, basket, case or the like in such manner that when empty it can be
folded up into a small space for storage or transit as a returned empty and that it
can readily be extended or unfolded to form a box or the like and the parts be
rigidly fixed in position.
In a box constructed according to this invention, the ends of the box are hinged
to the bottom so that they can be folded inwards over the bottom, and each side is
formed in two parts, the lower of which is secured to the bottom and extends
upwards a distance equal to the thickness of the ends, and the upper of which is
hinged at its lower end to the upper end of the lower part so that it can be folded
inwards over the ends; the extremities of the sides overlap if the depth of the
upper part of the sides of the box is greater than half the width of the box. The
sides and ends are secured in their upright positions by means of hooks on
the insides of the ends and corresponding eyes on the sides, the ends having a small
groove to allow them to pass the eye, or by other suitable fastenings. In order
to further secure and strengthen the whole construction, the ends, irons, strips or
angle irons are secured to the sides so that they project inwards slightly beyond the
insides of the sides of the box and thus prevents the ends being forced outwards.
The lid is formed with lips which fit on the bottom when the box is folded and grip
the sides and ends when the box is extended.
In a modification of this arrangement the lid is made in two parts, one hinged to
one side so that when this side is folded over the ends it extends over the remainder
of the ends not covered by the sides and the other part hinged to the other side so
that it can be folded outwards on this side; the lower portion of this side extends
upwards a distance equal to the thickness of an end together with that of a side.
The meeting edges of the sides and lid are chamfered or bevelled or special hinges
are employed to permit of the folding as described and meeting edges of the lid are
rebated.
In another modification the ends are hinged to one side of the box so as to fold
inwards on this side which is hinged to the bottom so as to fold outwards and under
the bottom; the other side is hinged to the bottom so as to fold inwards on the
bottom over the ends; the lid is hinged to this side so as to fold outwards on to it.
The three free edges of the ends are provided with beads or projections taking into
corresponding recesses in the side bottom and lid. In order to permit of the
folding outwards as described the meeting edges of these parts are chamfered or
bevelled or special hinges are employed.
The boxes are locked by means of a bar pivotted on the underside of the lid and
which can be rotated from the outside by means of a suitable key to cause the ends
to take into grooves or recesses in the sides or ends.
In a further modification suitable more especially for cardboard boxes the ends
are hinged to the bottom so that they will fold inwards on the bottom; and are
prevented from being forced outwards by suitable stops. The sides are hinged to
the bottom and top so that when the ends are folded in the bottom and top can be
collapsed together. The top is provided with a large opening over which is hinged

page_text: a lid. A cord can be attached to each end so that the ends can be tied in position
by passing the cords under the bottom and tying them.
Dated this 13th day of October 1892.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Collapsible Boxes.
We EDWARD JESSETT EARLE, Gentleman, and FLORENCE MAUD EARLE,
Lady, both of 20 Cheriton Square, Upper Tooting, in the County of Surrey, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to he
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention for improvements in collapsible boxes has for its object to
construct a box, basket, case or the like in such manner that when empty it can be
folded up into a small space for storage or transit as a returned empty and that it
can readily be extended or unfolded to form a box or the like and the parts be
rigidly fixed in position.
In a box constructed according to this invention the ends of the box are hinged
to the bottom so that they can be folded inwards over the bottom, and each side is
formed in two parts the lower of which is secured to the bottom and extends
upwards a distance equal to the thickness of the ends and the upper of which is
hinged at its lower edge to the upper edge of the lower part so that it can be
folded inwards over the ends; the extremities of the sides overlap if the depth of
the upper part of the sides of the box is greater than half the width of the box.
The sides and ends of the box are secured in their upright positions by means of
hooks on the insides of the ends and corresponding eyes on the sides, the ends
having a small groove to allow them to pass the eye, or by other suitable fastenings.
In order to further secure and strengthen the whole construction iron strips or
angle irons are secured to the sides so that they project inwards slightly beyond
the insides of the sides of the box and thus prevents the ends being forced outwards.
The lid is formed with lips which fit on the bottom when the box is folded and grip
the sides and ends when the box is extended.
In a modification of this arrangement the lid is made in two parts, one hinged
to one side so that when this side is folded over the ends it extends over the
remainder of the ends not covered by the sides and the other part hinged to the
other side so that it can be folded outwards on this side; the lower portion of this
side extends upwards a distance equal to the thickness of an end together with that
of a side. The meeting edges of the sides and lid are chamfered or bevelled or
special hinges are employed to permit of the folding as described and the meeting
edges of the lid are rebated.
In another modification the ends are hinged to one side of the box so as to fold
inwards on this side which is hinged to the bottom so as to fold outwards and
under the bottom, the other side is hinged to the bottom so as to fold inwards
on the bottom over the ends, the lid is hinged to this side so as to fold outwards
on to it. The three free edges of the ends are provided with beads or projections
taking into corresponding recesses in the side bottom and lid. In order to permit
of the folding outwards as described the meeting edges of these parts are chamfered
or bevelled or special hinges are employed.
The boxes are locked by means of a bar pivotted on the underside of the lid
and which can be rotated from the exterior by means of a suitable key to cause
the ends to take into grooves or recesses in the sides or ends.
In a further modification suitable more especially for cardboard boxes the ends
are hinged to the bottom so that they will fold inwards on the bottom and are
า

page_text: prevented from being forced outwards by suitable stops. The sides are hinged
to the bottom and top so that when the ends are folded in the bottom and top
can be collapsed together. The top is provided with a large opening over which
is hinged a lid. A cord can be attached to each end so that the ends can be
tied in position by passing the cords under the bottom and tying them.
In the accompanying eight sheets of illustrative drawings
Figure
is a cross section of a wooden collapsible box shown expanded con-
structed according to this invention and Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the
same.
Figure 3 is a cross section of the same showing the box collapsed and Figure 4 is
a detail view.
Figures 5, 6 and 7 are similar views to Figures 1, 2, and 3 showing a slightly
modified arrangement of collapsible box.
Figures 8, 9 and 10 are similar views to Figures 1, 2, and 3 showing another
slight modification together with a suitable fastening or lock for the same and
Figures 11, 12 and 13 are detail views.
Figures 14, 15 and 16 are similar views to Figures 1, 2 and 3 showing a further
modification also showing the fastening device or lock.
Figures 17 and 18 are vertical sections at right angles to one another of a
collapsible box made in tin or metal and suitable for packing tea and the like and
Figure 19 is a cross section showing the box collapsed and Figures 20 and 21 are
detail views.
Figures 22 and 24 are similar views to Figures 17 and 19 showing a modified
construction of metal box and Figure 23 is an elevation of the same.
Figures 25, 26, and 27 are similar views to Figures 17, 18 and 19 showing a
modified construction of box and Figure 28 is a detail view.
Figure 29, is a perspective view showing a modified arrangement of this box
more especially suitable to be made in cardboard or the like.
Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, the ends a of the box are hinged to the
bottom so as to be capable of being folded in upon the bottom as shown in
Figure 2. Each side is formed in two parts c d the lower part c being firmly
secured to the bottom and the upper part i hinged by its lower edge to the upper
edge of the part c. One part e as shown in Figure 3 extends upwards from the
bottom a distance slightly greater than the thickness of the end and the other
part c extends upwards from the bottom a distance slightly greater than the com-
bined thickness of an end and side. The part d above the smaller part c is adapted
to be folded over the folded ends and then the other part d over it. A tongue
on the part c is arranged to fit into a groove m in the part d. The sides and ends
are secured in their upright positions by means of hooks e pivotted to the insides
of the ends and adapted to engage with eyes f on the insides of the sides, the
ends having small grooves in their edges to allow them to be folded past the eyes.
The sides are also formed with a small rebate g to prevent the ends being forced
inwards when the box is in use. To strengthen the angles of the box angle
irons are secured to the sides and prevent the ends being forced further
outwards. The lid is formed in two parts i jone part i being hinged to the top
of the smaller part d and being of such width that together with the part dit
extends to the width of the box when folded; and the other part j being hinged to
the part i, the two parts being formed with rebates at the hinge.
In the modification shown in Figures 5, 6, and 7 the lid n is separate from the body
and is formed with lips o which fit on the bottom when the box is folded and grip the
sides and ends when the box is expanded. The sides are also shown without the
tongues and grooves m.
{
In the modification shown in Figures 8 to 13 the parts care of the same height
and the parts d when folded overlap as shown. A suitable and cheap hinge is
shown in Figure 13. The lock or fastening consists of a bar p pivotted on the
underside of the lid by means of the bracket y and hole in the box and provided
with a spindle having a square head projecting into the said hole so that the bar

page_text: can be rotated by a suitable key. The ends of the bar are adapted to engage in
grooves in the sides of the box when desired to lock it.
In the modification shown in Figures 14, 15, and 16 the ends a are hinged to one
sides of the box so as to fold inwards on that side which is hinged to the bottom
so as to fold outwards and underneath the bottom. The other side sis hinged to
the bottom to fold inwards on it and the lid n is hinged to this side so as to fold
outwards on it. The three free edges of the ends are provided with tongues & fitting
into corresponding grooves in the bottom and sides. The meeting edges are
chamfered or bevelled as shown at u to allow of the folding or special binges may
be employed. This box is also shown fitted with a fastening or a lock.
In the metal box shown in Figures 17 to 21 the four sides s¹ s² s3 s4 are hinged at
varying heights from the bottom so that the side s¹ will fold on the bottom b, the
sides on the sides, the side s³ on the side 2 and finally the side on the top.
The lid is formed in two parts hinged together and one part i hinged to the
sides, the arrangement of the lid being similar to that shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3.
The sides are provided along their meeting edges with flanges and one of each
adjacent edge is also provided with sockets y to receive rods z the flanges of the other
edge being cut away at yl to allow the socket y to pass the flange. A socket ' is
fixed to the bottom in each corner.
In order to collapse a box the rods z are removed the flanges of the sides
disengaged and the rods replaced in the socket and held in a raised position by
clips
The sides can then be folded on the bottom in the order s¹, 2, 3, s. In
order to put up the box the sides are turned up beyond the vertical, the rods
removed, the adjacent edges engaged, the rods replaced in their sockets and in front
of the flanges of the adjacent edges and their ends are pressed into the sockets ¹ on
the bottom. Figure 21 shows a recess 23 in the side into which the head of the rod
is forced to retain it in its raised position when the sides are to be folded over the
bottom.
In the modification shown in Figures 22, 23 and 24, the lid n is detachable and
fits when the box is collapsed within the bottom over the sides as clearly shown.
The side edges of the bottom of the box being continued above the hinges to
a sufficient height to hold the lid in this position. In order to make the box
perfectly air and watertight when filled or packed thin strips A may be soldered
by their edges over the joints so that it can readily be removed without injuring
the box. Beads B serve to protect the joints from drippings.
In the arrangement of box shown in Figures 25 to 28 the ends a are hinged to
the bottom so that they can fold inwards on the bottom. The tops of the ends
are provided with flanges a, which take into the jaws T, formed on the top T to
prevent the ends being forced further outwards. The top is perfectly open being
only of sufficient strength to retain the sides and ends in position when the box is
opened out or it may consist of two side bars pivotted to the sides. The top
sides and bottom are hinged together at their adjacent edges so that when the ends
are folded on the bottom the box can be collapsed as shown in Figure 27. The
lid n is hinged to the top or to one of the sides. Projections P or P' on the lid
when the lid is closed pass in front of the ends to prevent them being forced
inwards.
In a cardboard box shown in Figure 29 the arrangement is very similar to that
shown in Figures 25, 26, 27 and 28. The top T, sides s end a and bottom bare
cut out of a sheet of cardbcard which is scored and afterwards bent into the
required rectangular form, the hinges being strengthened by strips of canvas, tape
or other material C pasted on said box. Strips are fastened to the sides extending
across from one side to the opposite side to prevent the ends being forced outwards.
The top preferably consists of two transverse strips a connecting the sides at or
near the ends the centre being left open as shown at X for the insertion or removal
of the contents. The lid or cover n is secured by a canvas or other hinge to one
side. A cord or tape y passes through a hole at each end of the top through similar
holes in the ends of the box and under the bottom as shown, the ends of said cord

page_text: being left free to secure the box by tying around the latter when erected. It
will be further seen that the box may be erected by simply pulling the ends of
the cords y thus drawing up the ends and erecting the box. This arrangement
is also suitable for construction in paper machè, thin wood, paper or the like.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The arrangement of wooden box substantially as described with reference to
Figures 1 to 4 or to Figures 5 to 7 or to Figures 8 to 13 or to Figures 14 to 16 of
the drawings.
2. The arrangement of metal box substantially as described with reference to
Figures 17 to 21 or to Figures 22 to 24 or to Figures 25 to 28 of the drawings.
3. The construction and arrangement of a cardboard, paper, or the like box
substantially as described with reference to Figure 29 of the drawings.
Dated this 13th day of July 1893.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.