IMPROVEMENTS IN CASES OR RECEPTACLES FOR NEEDLES, PINS, MATCHES, PENS, CARDS, STAMPS,
Year: 1871

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Avery, of Redditch, in the County of
Worcester, Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
CASES OR RECEPTACLES FOR NEEDLES, PINS, MATCHES, PENS, CARDS, STAMPS,
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Avery at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition and
Declaration, on the 16th May 1871, pursuant to the 9th Section
of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
AVERY, of Redditch, in the County of Worcester, Manufacturer, do
hereby declare the nature of the, said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
CASES OR RECEPTACLES FOR NEEDLES, PINS, MATCHES, PENS, CARDS, STAMPS, PHOTO-
GRAPHS, COTTON, AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES," and in what manner the

page_text: same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had to the
Drawings hereunto attached, and to the letters and figures marked
thereon, that is to say :-
My Invention refers to various improved methods of forming or
arranging cases or receptacles for holding or containing the articles
above enumerated, and more particularly needles, the object of such
improvements being to provide ready and effectual means for opening or
closing the cases or receptacles, and also for the extracting or exhibiting
and for the packing or fastening up of the articles. The cases or
receptacles I purpose making of suitable size according to the require-
ments of the articles to be contained therein, and formed of metal, wood,
paper, ivory, bone, fabrics, or other suitable materials, either alone or in
combination as may be preferred.
I form a needle case or receptacle as shewn in Figure (1) of the
Drawings, consisting of a front plate (a) and back plate (6), the one held
within the other by means of partially clipped or turned-over edges.
Upon the face of the front plate (a) is cut a slot (c) in which works a
thumb bit or stud (c¹) attached to an inner sheath or case (d) con-
taining the needles and propelling such inner case or sheath (d) up and
down so as to expose or retire the needles. The front plate (a) is bowed
or suitably bent at (e) to act as a spring and open out for the passage of
the needle packet, and in retiring the needle packet the spring part (e)
will return into position, clipping over the edge of the back plate (6)
and securely closing the case. The case is shewn as containing one
packet or quarter of needles, it may, however, be adapted for holding
any suitable number of such packets, the spring part (e) being formed
at both ends and the slot (c) and stud (c³) placed centrally so as to act
for either end of the inner needle case. Or I form a case or receptacle for
needles as shewn in an open view, Figure 2, and consisting of a front
plate (f) and back plate (9) suitably grooved to slide within each other,
and containing an inner needle packet plate (h), which may be formed as
part of the back plate (9) and tempered as a spring so that upon sliding
down the front plate (f) to expose the needles and the consequent
freeing of the spring packet plate (h) the needles will be raised from the
back plate g for readier extraction from the packet.
Figures 3, 4, and 5, shew in open and closed views a case or receptacle
for containing four quarters or packets of needles (i, i, i, i,) pivoted and

page_text: connected to each other upon their inner side edges as at (k), and also
hinged at (1) for folding up. Figure 3 represents the packet when
opened out flat to close a receptacle so arranged. The packet cases are
first folded up by means of the hinges (1), as seen in Figure 4, the
pair of packet cases (", ",) is then turned upon the pivot connections (k)
so as to slide and be contained between the outer packet cases (i, i,) as
shewn in Figure (5), and the whole may then be fastened up by means
of a lid or cap either loose or secured to the outer packet cases.
Figure 6 represents a receptacle which may be made as a miniature
musical instrument, the lower part (m) containing a reel or spool of
cotton or silk upon a centre, the end of the cotton or silk being passed
through the side of the case ready for use; the upper part of the case (n)
is provided with a hinged lid, and contains a suitable quantity or a
packet of needles. I also make a needle case or sheath by taking a
metal blank, Figure 7, having the centre part (o) suitably cut out, and
turning up a portion of the side and top and bottom edges to form a
frame, into which I insert a case or lining (p) of paper or other suitable
material covered with silk or other woven fabric; the turned up edges
are then folded down or clamped upon case, and in the top edge of the
frame is cut a slot or opening (r), Figure 17, sufficient to allow of the
passage of a needle packet.
Figures 9 and 10 represent the working parts of a case shewn for
containing two packets of needles, but which may be equally as well
adapted for four or other suitable number of packets. (s) is the back
plate of the outer case, upon which slides the needle packet holder (t)
held down upon the plate (s) by a strap (¹) or other similar means. The
needle packet case (t) is actuated at either end by the lever arms or
lifters (u), baving thumb bits, and working upon centres on the back
plate (s), and engaging with small catches or hooks formed on the
needle packets. It will be seen in Figure 10 that the one end of the
needle packet has been raised from the case by means of its lifter or
lever arm.
Figure 11 shews a form of needle wrapper or quiver consisting of a
back part (v) and front part (¹), which are connected by a folding
ribbon or tape (w), in the centre or fold of which I secure the needle
packet (x), thus upon opening the wrapper the folding ribbon (w) will
become straightened, and force or take upwards the needle packet (x)
for the readier extraction of the needles..

page_text: •
Again, I form a needle wrapper or quiver by cutting out a blank, as
shewn in Figure 12, ready for folding up, as indicated; upon the centre
part of this blank I place the flap or tongue piece (y), and secure it in
position by means of a label (y¹) gummed or otherwise secured to the
wrapper, and partially over the tongue piece (y).
Figure 13 represents the wrapper when in use, the needles being
contained in the sheath (2).
Or by another method as shewn in Figure 14, I cut out a blank (A)
and secure a band or ribbon (A¹) from side to side to form a loop,
through which the inner needle wrapper (B) is passed, so that when
folded up as a case the needle wrapper (B) may be drawn out a sufficient
distance from the sheath (A) for extracting the needles, the band (A¹)
protecting the inner wrapper from entire withdrawal. Figure 15 shews
the needle wrapper drawn partly out of the sheath (A) for use.
Figures 16, 17, and 18 represent a receptacle for packets or cases of
needles (C) ready for sale, such receptacle being suitable for use in shops,
in show boxes, or otherwise; it consists of an outer case or holder (D)
for containing any desired number of packets or cases of needles held in
the holder (D) by clips or catches (D¹); (E) is a loose bottom held up by
a spring (F), so that upon sliding out a packet or case from the top of
the holder (D) the spring bottom will force upwards the remaining
packets or cases, and bring each one into position for removal.
Again, as represented in Figure 19 in an open view I form a square
or oblong sheath or case (G), in which is secured a revolving semi-
circular pad (H) containing packets of needles (I), the pad (H) turning
upon a rivet centre, and working out of the top edge of the case (G) to
expose the needles. Or if preferred I modify this arrangement by
dividing the needle pad (H), and working each half of such pad from the
sides (K) of the outer sheath.
I also make a needle case as represented in Figures 20, 21, and 22, by
taking a suitable length of elastic material (L) of the requisite width,
upon which are secured the stuck needles, and to form an opening case
or sheath. I fasten two hollow or recessed pieces of wood, metal, bone,
or other suitable material (M, N,) upon the elastic strip (L) to expose or
extract the needles. The elastic case is pulled at each end beyond the
heads of the needles, as in Figure 21, and the top part (N) of the case
may then be thrown back as represented in Figure 22.

page_text: Another improved form of needle case for containing any suitable
number of packets of needles is shewn in Figure 23, and consists of an
outer sheath or case (O) hinged by a rule joint (O¹) to the lid or cover
when fastened; this case presents an appearance similar to a closed rule,
and I purpose if desired marking upon the sides or edges any suitable
measure.
Again, I form a receptacle for pins, matches, or pens, as shown in
Figure 24 and 25 in partially opened views, the case (P) having
perforated top and bottom edges for a suitable number of articles in rows
or otherwise, such perforated edges being covered over and fastened up
by sliding caps or lids (Q); in combination with this receptacle one or
more needle cases (R) may be used. Or I form an outer sheath or
case (S), Figure 26, provided with a sliding pad (T) for the needle
packet doubled or folded, as shewn in the Drawing.
Figures 27 and 28 illustrate a case or receptacle having a partially
revolving action to expose the needles. This is obtained by securing
the inner needle case (V), shewn in dotted lines, to the outer case by
means of a rivet or centre (W); and in the outer case is cut a quadrant
slot (Y), in which works a stud or thumb pieco (Z) secured to the inner
needle case (V), so that to expose the needles the thumb piece (Z) is
moved in the quadrant slot (Y) to the right or left as desired.
Figures 29 and 30 illustrate a case more especially applicable for pins,
and made by preference in one piece or blank. The sides (1) of the
case are turned up and formed with grooved edges, and the back (2)
and front (3) fold the one upon the other, and are held loosely within
the grooved edges of the sides (1). The back (2) and the front (3) have
also a slot (4) cut in the top part, so that upon pressing down the
handle portion (2¹) of the back (2) a pressure will at the same time be
exerted upon the front part (3), such pressure being sufficient to bring
the two slots or openings under each other, as shewn in Figure 30,
when a pin may be thrown out of the case. Upon the release of the
handle (2) the parts will resume their former position.
A simple description of envelope or wrapper for pins may be formed
by having a pocket similar to a purse pocket, and secured or fastened
up by means of a tongue piece or band. Figure 31 shews the shape of
the envelope or wrapper I prefer to use before it is folded up.

page_text: Figures 32, 33, and 34 represent a lady's companion, or a receptacle
for containing a variety of articles, such as are usually required in this
description of case. Figure 32 represents the receptacle closed, and
which may have the form of a globe hung between two centres or
pivots, and capable of opening midway at (5), the two halves of the
globe being suitably hinged at the back. Figure 33 shews the case
open the two halves are furnished with revolving lids or pads (6),
Figure 34. The lid (6) when closed may be formed as a mirror, as
at (8), Figure 33, and when turned upon its centre presents needles,
pins, thimble, cotton, silk, and other articles. The lid (7) of the lower
half when closed may be a pad or cushion, as at (9), of suitable material,
but when turned up upon its hinges may have scissors, bodkin, stiletto,
or other similar articles arranged thereupon.
Figure 35 shows the lower lid (7) in plan for the purpose of illus-
trating the hinge I prefer to make by indenting the parts (10) of the
lid, and raising the parts (11) so that wire may be passed through such
parts and form the connection or hinge. This description of hinge I
purpose using in other forms of cases if desired.
It will be obvious that many of the descriptions of cases or receptacles
already specified may be applied for the purposes of holding or con-
taining cards, stamps, photographs, and other such articles. The case
shewn in Figures 16, 17, and 18 may readily be adapted as a railway
ticket or card holder, or for other similar use, when it is required to slide
out consecutively a series of such articles.
My Invention further consists in converting the wings of artificial 2
insects into cases or sheaths for needles in packets or otherwise.
Figure 36 illustrates an ordinary butterfly, the dotted lines upon the
wings indicating the needles or packets arranged upon the under side
of the wings in any convenient manner.
Figure 38 represents a moth. In this instance the wings are formed 3
into sheaths for receiving the needles, and the body of the moth may
be made as a pin cushion.
Figure 37 illustrates a butterfly with needle packets, and attached to
a sprig having its wings in an upright position. To the under side of the
sprig I purpose applying a small spiral or other spring, the end of which 3
is fastened to the bottom of a box or case, so that in opening such case
the butterfly would rise up for the ready extraction of the needles.

page_text: I also purpose forming the wings of artificial birds of suitable material,
and arranging them as needle packets or cases. In Figure 39 is repre-
sented a bird having its wings hinged or otherwise suitably connected to
the body, and upon the under side of the wings, as shewn in Figure 40,
are arranged needle packets singly or in pairs.
Again, as illustrated in Figure 41, I so arrange an artificial fish as to
open in two halves or parts upon hinges, and in such halves or parts
are contained packets of needles. Or instead of dividing the fish I insert
at the tail end the needle packet or packets, and arrange if desired a
series of pins upon the body to represent the fins.
I also propose to form the leaves of any suitable artificial flower into
sheaths for the needle packets, or having the needle packets secured
upon the inner side of the leaves.
Figure 43 illustrates a flower similar to a tulip, the leaves forming
the sheath of the needles, and being kept in position or opened out
as required by a small collar at the bottom, which may be flexible if
necessary. Figures 44, 45, and 46 illustrate a similar application to
other forms of flowers.
Having thus described the nature and object of my said Invention,
and the manner in which the same is to be carried into effect, I
claim, without confining myself to the mere outlines or designs of the
various cases or receptacles shewn, the several improvements in cases or
receptacles for needles, pins, matches, pens, cards, stamps, photographs,
cotton, and other similar articles, substantially in manner as herein more
fully set forth and specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Avery, have hereunto set
my hand and scal, this Eighth day of May, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.
WILLIAM AVERI. (L.S.)