Improvements in or relating to Card-board and similar Light Packing Boxes.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Feb., 1889
Specification Accepted, 16th Mar., 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Card-board and similar Light
Packing Boxes.
I, JOHN FENTON, of Browncross Street, Salford, in the County of Lancaster,
Box 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 relates to that class of box made from card-board, paste-board, or
other similar materials and used for packing light articles, such as articles of millinery,
flowers, wreaths, etcetera. These boxes are made in various shapes, such as rectangular,
oval, circular, or polygonal, and deep or shallow as required by the articles for which
they are intended.
Hitherto the lids have been usually secured in position, after the boxes have been
packed, by means of twine tied across or around them, though in some instances a
strap secured to the box by a rivet or pin and connected by a buckle above the lid,
has been used, but this has been found objectionable, chiefly on account of its
expense.
This invention is designed to provide a box of the class referred to with a fastening
device connected to it, which will dispense with the use of twine or string without
greatly increasing the cost of production.
It consists essentially of a box having a twine or band of textile material attached
at each side below the lid and passing up over the lid there connected or fastened by
a hook, button, or other simple device, readily connected and dis-connected, which will
serve to prevent the removal of the lid, and as a means for carrying the box.
The invention will be more fully described by reference to the accompanying
drawing in which, by way of example, the invention is shown applied to a milliners
rectangular bonnet or hat box.
Fig. 1. is a front elevation of the box.

page_text: Fig. 4, enlarged section through the side of box, showing detail of the shield or
protecting plate, for the hole through which the twine passes.
Fig. 5, enlarged section of protecting plate with the box removed.
Fig. 6, enlarged front elevation of same.
At two
The box A is constructed in any suitable way, of any desired shape or material,
and provided with a lid B passing down over the upper edge of the box.
sides of the box A, preferably at the back and front I securely attach a twine or
band C, the loose ends of each of which passes over the lid B of the box A when
the former is in position. These loose ends each carry a small connecting device
or the complementary parts of such a device, such as a hook and eye, or a button
and loop; or one may carry a ring through which the other band or twine would
pass and be tightened up for tieing with a similar ring or other obstructing piece
on the other to prevent the two bands or twines entirely separating.
The arrangement and construction of the invention as shown in the drawings I
consider to be simple and inexpensive, and is what I at present prefer, though
other arrangements may be substituted. In both the back and front of the box 1
punch a small hole a, through which to pass the twine C, for the purpose of securing
it on the inside, this hole I strengthen with a small plate of metal D, attached to the
outside of it, and secured either by the projecting prongs d, see enlarged view,
Figs. 4, 5, 6, or by a tube passing through the hole and turned back on the inside
with a burr d, after the manner of an ordinary eyelet, or the eyelet may be inde-
pendent the plate D, and may pass through it and the box and thus secure the
two together; or an eyelet alone may be used instead of or substituted for the plate.
The twine C is passed through the hole a, and a knot c or its equivalent, placed on
the inside to retain the end and prevent it passing back through the hole. The loose
ends of the twines C, are fitted with a hook E and eye F. I prefer to use what is
known as a safety-hook, that is, one which as the twine becomes slack will not slip
out of the eye of its own accord. The hook I prefer to use is that shown in the
drawings which is mado broad at the bill, so that it cannot be inserted in, or with-
drawn from the eye, without being placed in a position inclined to the longitudinal
axis of the eye. The twine is left long enough for this purpose. The twine being
double may be easily and neatly attached to the hook and eye in the manner
indicated.
It it obvious that instead of the hook shown a spring catch, such as used on purses,
or other description of hook may be substituted, or a button may be substituted for
the hook on one twine and a suitable loop or ring formed on, or attached to the other
to receive the button; or one twine or band may carry a small metallic ring through
which the other would be passed, it having at its end a ring or other attachment
which will prevent it being withdrawn from the ring on the other twine; in this case
the twines would require to be of sufficient length to allow of being passed down
while in this position to the side of the box, and would be fastened by drawing the
one through the ring on the other and securing it there by a slide knot.
Instead of the twine a band or tape of textile material may be employed, to which
the fastening device would be attached by stitching or otherwise. I however at
present prefer the twine as presenting a neater appearance and being more easily
attached.
Where a band of textile material is substituted for the twine it may be attached to
the box in a variety of ways such as by an eyelet, rivet, or split fastner, passing
through both or by being stitched or glued to the box. For the twine I prefer the
means shown for attaching it to the box-though some of the other means mentioned
may be adopted as it presents a very neat and ornamental appearance, strengthens
the box at the point of attachment, and presents an easy method of adjusting the
length of the twine, by adding an additional knot at the inside end should such at
any time be considered of too great a length.
I wish it to be fully understood that I am well aware that boxes of this class have
been fastened by twine tied completely round them in different directions; by tapes
attached to the box and tied over the lid; by tapes attached one to the box and the

page_text: other to the lid and tied; by an elastic band both ends of which are attached to the
box and the lid secured by the band being stretched and drawn over it; and by
straps attached at one end to the box connected above the lid by a buckle, neither of
which answer the purpose I have in view nor do they form part of my invention and
are not claimed by me.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. A card board or similar packing box having a twine or band of textile
material attached at each of two opposite sides to pass over and secure the lid,
said twines or bands being provided at their loose ends with the complementary
parts of a safety hook or equivalent fastening device, to connect them above the
lid and secure it in position substantially as described.
2. In a cardboard or similar light packing box the combination with the box of
an ornamental attaching plate such as D, a twine or band of textile material such
as C, passing over the lid and a hook-eye fastener such as E, F, attached to the
twines, substantially as and for the purposes described.
Dated this 11th dow of Fahr 1889
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
6, Bank Street, Manchester,
Patent Agents.