Improvements in Boxes and Lids Made of Cardboard or similar Materials.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Nov:, 1895"
•
Complete Specification Left; 12th. Aug.,, 1896 Accepted, 31st Oct., 1898...
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION..
Improvements in Boxes and Lids Made of Cardboard or similar
Materials.n
1, John EDWARD THORNTON; of Rokeby, Oldfield Road, „Altrincham,
Cheshire, Manufacturer, do hereby declare, the nature of this invention to be.as
follows:
This invention relates to improvements in boxes and lids whereby, whilst retaining
the same general principle of construction, they may be sent out to the consumer
either as ordinary. ready made-up and permanently secured boxes; or as expanding
boxes which may open out wider at the top than the bottom, in order that boxes,
of the same size may nest within each other to save space in. storage or transit,
and yet be readily closed up to. the form of an ordinary box when required for
use; or so that they will open out:flat for storage or transit, and yet can be readily
made up for use when required.
In carrying out the invention I take a sheet of board and. score, and out it in
the usual manner so that it will form a bottom, two sides and two ends, when folded
up into shape..
I make the ends double, which may be done by leaving them. extra deep, and
Scoring so that they will fold inwards, when they may be secured by glue, wire
I prefer to make. the
staples, eyelets or any other suitable form of fastener.
fastening near the bottom and centre of the end, so that a space or pocket is
formed between the double part.
In forming the sides, I leave them extra long, and scored, so that flaps are
formed which may be turned inwards and inserted into the aforesaid pookets formed
by the double ends.
If the box is required to be. permanently fastened up so that it will neither
suitable means, .
expand nor open out flat, I secure the flaps in the pockets by any s
such as glue, wire staples, rivets, or other fastening.
If the box is. required to open out flat,. I .omit. the permanent fastenings
altogether.
If the box is required to expand as before described; I score or otherwise make
an hinge in the flaps at an angle.to their sides, the apex of the angle being directed
to the bottom of thoubox. One or more: scores may be formed in each flap.
Therefore, if the sides of the box are pressed. outwards they will be wider apart
at the top than the bottom; the flaps will be partly withdrawn from the pockets,
and when withdrawn far enough for the angle, scores to be clear of the pockets,
the ends of the box can be also pressed outwards, so that they will be wider apart
at the top than the bottom. The form of the box will then be practically as a
four sided one at the bottom and an eight sided one at the top. Thus boxes of
the same size may be nested; and yet are quickly brought into their normal shape
ready: for use.
-
The foregoing describes the main principle of construction, and I will therefore
now describe modifications which may be adopted, when required, according to, the
form or construotion desired to meet different requirements...
The pockets may be made to grip the flaps so closely that, no further fastening
is necessary to hold the folding or expanding box together, when closed up, but in
some cases one may be. desirable: Many methods may be used. For instance, the,

page_text: two flaps of opposite sides may be connected by a rubber or elastic band passing
through the pocket, and therefore having a tendency to draw them towards each
other. Or similarly a cord or tape may be used which may be passed through a
hole or eyelet to the outside of the box, where it may be tied or joined with the
one from the opposite end of the box to form a carrier; or it may be passed
round the box and tied up in the ordinary way in lieu of the usual string.
Or the flaps may be secured by buttons, studs, or other fasteners passing through
holes in the Haps and ends of the box.
Or the flaps may be made so that they are automatically looked by spring
pressure.
For instance, depressions or dinges may be made in one or both surfaces of
the pocket, whereby the space inside is reduced. Corresponding holes may be
punched in the flaps, so that when pushed into the pockets they force the reduced
parts outwards until the holes correspond with the said dinges or raised parts
on the inside of the pockets, whereupon the said raised parts spring into the said
holes, and tend to retain the flaps in position. Or the holes may be formed in
the pockets and dinges in the flaps.
.
Similarly, studs, pins, or projecting tongues may be used instead to enter the
Baid holes.
The spring pressure exerted by the sides of the pocket, which gives them a
tendency to close nearer together, may be added to by the use of metal springs.
These may consist of pieces of sheet metal, attached to either the inside or outside
of the pocket, where folded over, and with or without projecting pins engaging
with holes in the flaps.
In some cases, I may combine, in one metal piece, a fastener for joining the
folded over end piece forming the pocket, with the springs for securing the flaps.
This may be made in various ways, but a convenient form consists of a short and
narrow strip of sheet metal bent up at both ends to form pins which drop into
holes in the flaps, the said strip being secured to the end piece by similar bent-up
tongues formed either on the sides or in the centre of the strip, which pass
through the two portions of the folded end (being fastened by clinching), to secure
the said strip and the two parts of the pocket together.
The folded over part of the box end or pocket need: not necessarily extend to
the bottom of the box when it is desirable to save board' in the manufacture; and
it may be made of a seperate piece of board suitably joined to the end for the
same reason. Or a strip of metal, either extending across a portion or the whole
of the box end may be turned over in a similar manner to form the pocket.
The extent to which the sides of the box may be opened is limited by the length
of the flap, aud by its shape. It may he so cut and shaped as to form a stop to
prevent the sides from opening out flat.if desired.
The flaps need not necessarily be made of cardboard same as the sides. Strips
of soft sheet metal; or even strips of calico or cloth or tape may be used, and
may be joined to the cords or tapes herein before described..
.
The parts may be reversed if desired; the pockets forming the sides of the
box and the flaps joined to the ends.
By another modification, to suit special requirements, I form pockets on all four
sides (or both ends and sides) of the box, and insert a tap in the form of a corner
piece of cardboard or soft sheet metal.
This corner piece is suitably bent or scored, aud may be either loose or joined
to the bottom of the box at the apex of the angle formed by the side, end, and
bottom of the box.
Or the parts may be reversed, the corner piece itself being double, to form the
pocket, the ends and sides being single and fitting into the pocket, which would use
Jess board in some sizes of boxes.
Tapes may be employed to draw the corners together, and they may with
advantage pass all round the box; either inside the pockets or not. Or any of the
methods of fastening herein before described may be used.

page_text: The lid may be constructed in the same manner as the box.
A cord or tape to secure. the lid and box together by tieing up, may be passed.
through holes or eyelets in the ends or sides of the box or lid.
.
Some portions of this invention (particularly the fasteners) are applicable to
boxes of other kinds, made without the pockets.
Dated this 15th day of November 1895.
Improvements in Boxes and Lids Made of Cardboard or similar
Materials.
1, JOHN EDWARD THORNTON, of Rokeby, Oldfield Road, Altrincham, in the
County of Chester, Manufacturer, 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 is designed to provide boxes which may be sent out to the
customer either as ordinary ready made up. and permanently secured boxes; or as
expanding boxes which open out wider at the top than the bottom with others of
the same size packed or nested therein, to save space in transit and storage and
capable of being readily adjusted for use; and also capable if desired of boing
collapsed or spread out Hat for transit and storage and then of being readily made
up when required.
The invention refers to boxes and lids which are constructed with the ends (or
sides) double at their edges and a space or pocket formed thereby into which
projecting flaps on the sides (or ends) are inserted and it consists essentially in
forming such flaps with a second score or crease at an angle to the corner crease
so that when the sides (or ends) are pulled outwards the flaps may bend at these
second creases assuming an expanded position at top allowing of another box of
same size being nested therein.
It will be fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
several examples are shown.
Fig. 1. Perspective view of box capable of expanding at top.
Fig. 2. Extended blank of same.
Fig. 3. Perspective view of expanding box also capable of opening out fat.
Fig. 4. Extended blank of same.
Fig. 5. Plan of another modification capable of opening out flat..
Fig. 6. Perspective view showing a modification in the formation of the pocket
Fig. 7. Another modification.
Fig. 8. End view of box showing one arrangement of fastening cords.
Figs. 9, 10 and 11. Details for fastening the flaps in the pockets.
The sheet of cardboard from which the box is to be made is cut and scored or
creased in the usual manner to form a bottom A two sides B.and two ends C'when.
folded up into shape.
The ends are made double by means of flapelles or additional pieces D
which are turned over or attached leaving a space or pocket d between the two.
The flapelles. D are folded inwards.and they (or separate pieces) are attached by
means of glue wire staples rivets eyelets or other form of fastener. The fastener
is preferably made near the bottom and centre of the end.
The sides B are made with flaps E which are scored on the line e-e so as to bend
at right angles and are turned inwards and inserted in the pockets & formed in the
ends C. The flaps E are also scored or creased on the line at an angle to
the line e-e so that when the flaps E are partially withdrawn from the pockets'd a
.

page_text: double bend is made to allow the ends (or sides) to incline outwards at the top.
The shape of the flaps E determines whether they may be drawn wholly or partly;
out of the pockets d.
If the box is required to remain permanently fastened after it is erected so.
that it will neither expand or open out flat I can secure the flaps E in the
pockets d by glue or by wire staples rivets studs or other fastenings passed through
them.
In Figs. 1 and 2 I show a box the sides of which are capable of expanding at
the top but not of opening out flat. The ends C are constructed with flapelles D
scored or creased and folded over on the inner side secured by a fastening c
forming pockets d and the sides B are formed with flaps E at each end which
are scored or creased on the line e-e and are folded at right angles thereon
to pass into the pockets d. In addition to the score or crease on the
line ee in the flap E at right angles to the bottom I also score ог
crease it on the line eel forming an angle therewith the apex of which is
directed to the bottom corner of the box. One or more. such. additional scores or
creases may be formed in each flap. The flaps E are so cut or shaped that when
drawn out the desired distance and the line e-el is exposed the top edges ell thereof
shall come into contact with the bend or joint of the flapelle D preventing further
withdrawal. When the sides of the box are pressed outwards they will be wider
apart at the top than at the bottom the flaps E being partly withdrawn from the
pockets. When the flaps E are withdrawn until the inclined scores or creases on
line are clear of the pockets d the ends of the box can also be pressed
outwards at the top (see Fig. 1) so that they also are wider apart at the top than
at the bottom. The form of the box will as shown be practically four sided at
the bottom and eight sided at the top. By this construction boxes of the same
size may be nested and yet quickly brought into normal shape when desired
for use.
In Figs. 3 and 4 I show a box intended to expand at the top and also capable
of opening out flat the ends C are made with the flapelles D scored or creased and
folded over on the inner side secured by a stud or rivet fastening passed through
near the centre. This allows the edges to expand somewhat to form the pockets d.
The sides B are made with flaps E at each end which are scored or creased' on the
line e-e and are folded at right angles to pass into the pockets d' from the end.
The flaps E are also scored or creased on the line eel to allow the ends to incline
outwards when the flaps are withdrawn to that line as described with reference to
Figs. 1 and 2. To allow of the flaps E being entirely withdrawn from the
pockets d'the upper edge ell is cut away sufficiently not to come in contact with the
joint of the flapelle D as the side is turned outwards.
In Fig. 5 J show a modification in which pockets d are formed by flapellos Don
all four sides (or both sides and ends) of the box and a flap E¹ in the form of a
corner piece is inserted into the pockets in the adjoining side (or side and end).
The pockets d are formed as already described and the flap E is formed from a
piece of cardboard or other suitable material shaped as shown loosely inserted with
the edges inside the pockets. It is scored or creased down the centre on the
line e-e so that it may bend. The bend e permits the box sides to be erected and
'form the corner of the box. 'It is also creased or scored on the lines e-e¹ to allow
of the sides and ends expanding as described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2. The
edges of the flap E' are sufficiently long not to come out of the pockets d so that
it retains its position when the box is extended. I prefer to make these flaps El
loose and Bo shaped that the box opens out flat but they may be attached to oue
or both sides in such a way as to limit the movement so that the box will only
expand at the top. This may be done with a slot and a stud rivet or the like or
by a cord attachment or otherwise.
In each of these examples it is to be understood that the folded over part or
flapelle D need not necessarily extend to the bottom of the box when it is desirable
to save board more particularly in the manufacture of deep boxes.

page_text: In Fig. 6 I show a modification in which the pocket d is formed of a separate.'
piece of board D' or other material affixed or joined to the end C of the box by
rivets, glue, wire, staples or other suitable device for the purpose of saving material.
or cost in the manufacture.
In Fig. 7 I show another modification in which the pocket d is formed by a strip
of netal D or other material extending across a portion or the whole of the box
end C being turned over in a similar manner to form the pocket.
In Figs. 8 to 11 1 show means for securing or fastening the flaps in the pockets
when the boxes have been erected' into their normal positions.
The pockets may be made sufficiently tight or the space so narrow as to grip-
the flaps so tightly that no further fastening is required to hold the folding or
expanding box when erected in normal position for use but in some cases a.
fastening may be desirable.
The two opposite flaps may be connected by a rubber or elastic band passing
across the pocket always exerting a tendency to draw the flaps inwards or towards
each other or a cord or tape F may be used to connect them as shown in Fig. 8.
which will be passed through a hole or eyelet to the outside of the box and be
used for tying or securing the lid on the box or to form a carrier therefor.
Or as shown in Fig. 9 tapes or cords G may be used for drawing the corners
together and erecting the box. The tapes G extend along inside the pockets d.
from corner to corner and are threaded through a bole about the centre of the flap.
or corner piece E' from front to back and thence pass through end pocket and
emerge from a hole or eyelet in centre of end. Thus one single endless cord will.
be sufficient. It is formed into a loop where it emerges at each end of the box and.
a pull at both loops erects the box.
In another arrangement shown in Fig. 10 the flaps E may be secured by
buttons studs or other fasteners passed through holes or flaps in the ends of
the box.
In another arrangement shown in Fig. 11 spring pressure may be exerted on
the flaps by a metal strip H inserted in the interior of the pockets d. Such clips.
may simply press against the flaps or may be provided with projecting pins / or
hinges or other projections that engage with holes h' in the flaps. These clips.
may be secured to the pocket by prongs h" that are passed through the board and
clinched. A spring clip may if desired be attached outside the flapelle D to give
the desired pressure.
The flaps E need not necessarily be made of cardboard or same material as the
sides but strips of soft metal or strips of cloth tape or other material may be used
when joined to cords, tapes or elastic bands as hereinbefore described to draw them.
inwards.
In the construction of any size or shape of box the parts may if desired.
be reversed the pockets forming the sides of the box and the flaps joined to.
the ends.
The lids may be constructed in a similar manner to the boxes or may be
constructed in any other suitable manner.
A cord or tape to secure the lid in position on the box may be passed through.
holes or eyelets in the ends or sides of the box or lid.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. In a box constructed with pockets formed in the ends (or sides) and flaps.
attached to or connected to the sides (or ends) forming such flaps with two scores
or creases one on line e-e to allow the flap to bend at right angles to form the
corner of the box when erected and the other at an inclination thereto on line e―el
to allow the ends and sides to expand outwards to receive another box of same size
nested therein, substantially as described.
2. In a box formed with pockets such as d in both ends and sides the

page_text: combination of flaps El such as described and shown with reference to Fig. 5 of
the drawings.
3. In a box the combination with pockets formed in the ends (or sides) of flaps
attached or connected to the sides (or ends) substantially as and for the purposes
described and shown with reference to Figs. 1 and 2, Figs. 3 and 4 or Figs. 6
and 7 of the drawings.
Dated this 10th day. of August 1896.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
6, Bank Street, Manchester, Patent Agents.