IMPROVEMENTS IN FOLDING OR COLLAPSIBLE BOXES AND IN MACHINERY FOR SCORING OR CREASING PAPER BOARDS FOR FORMING SUCH BOXES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark of the firm of A. M and W
Clark of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agents, for
an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN FOLDING OR COLLAPSIBLE BOXES AND
IN MACHINERY FOR SCORING OR CREASING PAPER BOARDS FOR FORMING SUCH
BOXES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES A communication to him from abroad by
William Henry Harrison Rogers of Brooklyn in the County of Kings and
State of New York United States of America, Manufacturer.
.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville Clark at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th November 1882.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK of the firm of A M and W Clark of 53 Chancery
Lane in the County of Middlesex Patent Agents "IMPROVEMENTS IN FOLDING
OR COLLAPSIBLE BOXES AND IN MACHINERY FOR SCORING OR CREASING PAPER
BOARDS FOR FORMING SUCH BOXES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES." [A communication
to him from abroad by William Henry Harrison Rogers of Brooklyn in the County
of Kings and State of New York, United States of America, Manufacturer.]
This Invention consists first of a folding or collapsible box of improved con-
struction, and of an improved cover therefor, the construction of the box being
such that the waste of material in its manufacture is very small, and that the box
can be easily and quickly set up for use, the construction of the cover being such
that it can be made of one piece of material, and that any number of covers may
be set one within another, so that they may be packed away in small space.
The form of the box which I prefer will be a four cornered box made with the
lock at the bottom of the box, and open at the top, the sides or walls of the box
being continuous or solid, the same as ordinary non-folding boxes.
The rim of the cover will be made to stand slightly outward or flaring from the
main portion or top of the cover, and the top of the box will be slightly cut away.
at the corners in such manner that the flaring covers will fit upon the box.
.J
:

page_text: In making this folding box I prefer to take a rectangular piece of material of
suitable size and unite its ends so as to practically form a cylindrical blank. This
blank will then be flattened or collapsed so as to form diametrically opposite bends
or folds and then bent or folded again on opposite sides, to form the bends or
folds, intermediate of and at equivalent distances from the first mentioned bends
respectively. If a square box is desired, these second pair of bends or folds will be
made midway between the first bends. If a rectangular box is desired these
second folds will be made respectively on opposite sides of the center line of the
blank as folded, the distance from the center line being varied according to the
desired relative width of the sides and ends of the box. The blank is then cut
through with the slots or cuts in all four of the bends or folds, the slots or cuts
extending from one edge of the blank to or nearly to the horizontal center, or
center of the length of the blank thus forming four flaps which are to be turned
inwards to form the bottom of the box.
One of these flaps is then bisected by a slit extending from its edge to or nearly
to the centre of the width of the blank portion and its corners are diagonally cut
to form the locking heads or tabs. The opposite flap to this one is incised to form
a locking slit in which the said tabs are to be engaged. The other two flaps are
left plain. The four flaps are then bent or folded at the centre of the width of the
blank to form the folds which will be the lower edges of the box when set up.
To set the box up, the two plain flaps are first folded in, the flap with the
locking slit in it is then folded in, and then one of the locking tab heads forming
half of the opposite flap is passed through the locking slit and, then, finally, the
other;
The cover is made of a single piece of material, and the rims thereof, are made
slightly flaring, so that the covers may fit within another to permit of many covers
-being packed or stowed away in small space.
In order to make the cover fit upon the box, the corners of the box are slightly
cut away at the top of the box so that the upper edges of the-box-will-spring-
inward and conform to the inclination of the cover..
By this construction the box is very simple, quickly and ensily set up, has but
one fastening or lock, is continuous or solid, at its sides and is open at the top like
ordinary boxes, and that the waste of material in the manufacture of the box is
reduced to the minimum, for making a complete strong, and perfect box.
The two plain flaps serve only to close the bottom of the box at two of the
corners, and to strengthen the bottom of the box, and they might be omitted
in small boxes or boxes intended for light use and thus effect a still further saving
in material.
Although I prefer to make the box so that the lock is formed upon the bottom
I do not confine myself to such construction, as the box may be formed so that the
lock will come on the side.
This Invention relates secondly to a machine forming the "scores
"J or "breaks"
in sheets of straw board or other paper preparatory to bending the sheets for
forming paper boxes or for other purposes.
The score or break is made in the paper or other material by compression
between a head or bar having a reciprocating or guillotine action, and a ribbed bed.
This compressing head or bar is attached at its ends to side bars sliding in ways
in the side frames and have cam-studs or rollers at their lower ends that are
received in the grooves of cam wheels on the main shaft. Immediately below the
compressing head is secured a cross piece or bed which has a rib, upon which the
sheets are scored or broken by being pressed forcibly thereon by the descent of the
compression head. To prevent the material being cut or injured and to cause the
machine to make a good and perfect score in the material, I provide the face of the
compression head with a strip of raw bide, or some other yielding material placed
in a recess in the compression head and secured adjustably therein by a plate and
screws or other fastenings the openings formed through it for the screws being
elongated.

page_text: The grooves of the cam-wheels are by preference formed with two (though one
may be used with good effect) inwardly projecting swells so situated that the com-
pression head at the time it comes in contact with the material to be scored will
receive two sudden and distinct downward movements or thrusts. One of the
swells is preferably larger than the other so that the second downward movement
will be greater than the first. The material will thus receive two hard blows or
compressions by the compression head across and upon the rib, one harder than the
other, which causes the material to be well and perfectly scored.
In rear of the ribbed bed is a table which carries a guide or stop made adjustable
by the bolts which hold it passing through slots in the table.
This stop or guide limits the insertion of the material into the machine so that
when properly set the scores will always be made in the proper place in the sheets;
and the front edge or face of the stop or guide is formed with projections leaving
considerable spaces between them which spaces form clearances or chambers to
receive any trash that might collect on the table and obstruct the proper facing of
the edge of the sheets against the guide or stop.
In front of the bed is another table having hinged to its forward edge a leaf
supported by springs so that its upper edge will come about on a line with the
upper edge of the rib of the bed and thus furnish a yielding support in front of the
rib for the material being scored to rest upon, thus indicating to the attendant the
proper position of the sheet.

page_text: -
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 9th May 1888.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK of the Firm of A, M, and W, Clark of 53 Chancery
Lane in the County of Middlesex Patent Agents "IMPROVEMENTS IN FOLDING
"
OR COLLAPSIBLE BOXES AND IN MACHINERY FOR SCORING OR CREASING PAPER
BOARDS FOR FORMING SUCH BOXES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES." A communication
to me from abroad by William Henry Harrison Rogers of Brooklyn in the County
of Kings and State of New York, United States of America, Manufacturer.
This Invention consists first of a folding or collapsible box of improved con-
struction and of an improved cover therefor, the construction of the box being
such that the waste of material- in its-manufacture is very small, and such that the
box can be casily and quickly set up for use, the construction of the cover being
such that it can be made of one piece of material, and such that any number of
covers may be set, one within another, so that they may be packed away in small
space.
The form of the box which I prefer will be a four cornered box made with the
lock at the bottom of the box and open at the top, the sides or walls of the box
being continuous or solid, the same as ordinary nonfolding boxes. The rim of the
cover will be made to stand slightly outward or flaring from the main portion or
top of the cover, and-the top-of the box will be slightly cut away at the corners in
such manner that the flaring covers will fit upon-the-box..
The Invention is illustrated-in-the-accompanying_drawings, in which similar
letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures. Figure 1 is a
plan view of the box collapsed. Figure 2 is a section of the same taken on the
line x-x of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the box as set up for use,
but inverted. Figure 4 is a plan view of the box cover, and Figure 5 is a cross
section of several covers fitted one in the other for packing or stowing away.
In making this new and improved folding box, I prefer to take a rectangular
piece of material of suitable size and unite its ends so as to practically form a
cylindrical blank: This blank will then be flattened or collapsed as shown in
Figure 2 so as to form diametrically opposite bends or folds a a' and then similarly
bent or folded again on opposite sides to form the bends or folds bb' which are
made at equivalent distances from the bends a a' respectively. If a square box is
desired, these bends or folds b b' will be made midway between the bends a a¹. S
If a rectangular box is desired, these folds b b¹ will be made on opposite sides of
the centre line of the folded blank, as shown in Figure 1, the distance from the
centre line being varied according to the desired relative width of the sides and
ends of the box. The blank then has the slits or cuts c c and d d' formed at all
four of the bends or folds, the said slits or cuts extending from one edge of the
blank to the line at which it is intended to make the folds; ff', g g', which line is
situated at, or nearly at, the horizontal centre or centre of the width of the blank,
thus forming four flaps D E F and G which are to be turned inwards to form the
bottom of the box. The flap G is then bisected by a slit h extending from its edge
up to, or nearly up to, the fold ficut to form the locking heads or tabs j j, as
clearly shown in Figure 1, and in dotted lines in Figure 3. The opposite flap F to
this one is incised to form a locking slit k in which the said tabs are to be engaged,
as shown in Figure 3, and in dotted lines in Figure 1. The other two flaps are
left plain. The flaps D E F and G are then bent or folded along the folds'ƒ ƒ',
9 g which will be the lower edge of the box.
To set the box up, the two plain flaps D and E are first folded in, as shown in

page_text: Figure 3, the flap F is then folded in, and then the locking tabs j are, one after the
other, passed through the slit and after overlapping one another in passing
through the slit, are drawn sideways until they lie side by side in position as
shown. The cover is made of a single piece of material and the rims or flanges
Pp thereof are made slightly flaring, as shown clearly in Figures 4 and 5, so that
the covers may fit one within the other, as shown in Figure 5, so that a number of
covers can be packed or stowed away in a small space. In order to make the
cover fit upon the box, the corners of the box are slightly cut away at the top of
the box, as shown at ll, so that the upper edges of the box will spring inwards
and conform to the inclination of the cover.
By this construction the box is very simple, quickly and easily set up, has but
one fastening or lock, is continuous or solid at its sides, and is open at the top like
ordinary boxes and that the waste of material in the manufacture of the box, is
reduced to the minimum for making a complete, strong, and perfect box. The two
plain flaps D and E serve only to close the bottom of the box at two of the corners
and to strengthen the bottom of the box, and they might be omitted in small
boxes, or boxes intended for light use, and thus effect a still further saving in
material.
Although I prefer to make the box so that the lock is formed upon the bottom,
I do not confine myself to such construction, as the box may be formed so that the
lock will come on the side of the box.
"
This Invention relates secondly to a machine for forming the " scores or
"breaks" in sheets of straw board or other paper preparatory to bending the
sheets for forming paper boxes or for other purposes. Figure 6 is a front elevation
partly in section of the improved scoring machine. Figure 7 is a sectional elevation
of the same taken on the line x-x of Figure 6, and Figure 8 is a face view of one
of the cam wheels used for reciprocating the compressing head or bar of the
machine. The same letters of reference are used to indicate the same parts in
these three figures.
A A represent two cam wheels which are secured upon the ends of the main shaft
B which is journalled in the main frame of the machine, and D represents the com-
pressing head or bar which is secured to, or has secured to it at its ends the bars E E
which slide in suitable ways cc formed in the side frames C C. These bars E E
are provided at their lower ends with cam studs or rollers d d which are received
in the grooves a a of the cam wheels A A which reciprocate the said bars and
compressing head D. Immediately below the compressing head is secured in the
main frame a cross piece or bed F formed or provided with a rib (Figure 7) upon
which the sheets of paper or other material are scored or broken by being pressed
over and upon the rib by the descent of the compression head D. To prevent the
material being cut or injured and to cause the machine to make a good and perfect
score in the material, I provide the face of the compression head with a strip of raw
hide or some other yielding material G which forms the contact surface of the head
with the material being scored. This yielding material is placed in a recess e
formed in the compression head and secured adjustably therein by a plate g and
screws or other fastenings i passing through the elongated screw openings ¹ The
cam grooves a a of the cam wheels A A are by preference formed with two (though
one may be used with good effect) inwardly projecting swells so situated that
the compression head at the time it comes in contact with the material to be
scored, will receive two sudden and distinct downward, movements or thrusts.
One of the swells j' for example is preferably larger than the other so that the
second downward movement of the compression head will be greater than the
first. By this means the paper or other material being scored, will receive two
hard blows or compressions by the compression head across and upon the rib,
one harder than the other, which causes the material to be well and perfectly
scored.
In rear of the ribbed bed F is a table H which carries a guide or stop J

page_text: The stop or guide J serves to indicate and limit the insertion of the material to be
scored into the machine, so that when properly set, the scores will always be made
in the proper place in the sheets, and the front edge or face of the stop or guide is
formed with projections bb leaving considerable spaces between them, which spaces
form clearances or chambers to receive any trash that might collect on the table
and obstruct the proper facing of the edge of the sheets against the guide or stop.
In front of the bed F is another table Hỉ which has hinged to its forward edge a
leaf K supported by springs so that its upper edge will come about on a line
with the upper edge of the rib f and thus furnish a yielding support in front of the
rib for the material being scored to rest upon, thus indicating to the attendant the
proper position of the sheet.
It will be understood that I do not confine myself to the particular construction
and arrangement of the parts of the new and improved scoring machine herein
shown and described, as various changes might be made without departing from the
principles which constitute the Invention.
Having described the nature of the said Invention and the manner of performing
the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected by the here-
inbefore in part recited Letters Patent is.
1 A folding box blank formed with the flaps G and F, the flap G being cut to
form the locking heads or tabs j j, and the Hap F being formed with the slit k,
substantially as described.
2 A blank for a folding box bent to form the folds a a¹, b b¹, ƒ ƒ', and g g¹ and
cut to form the flaps D E F and G, the flap G being centrally slitted and formed
with the locking heads or tabs jj, and the Hap F cut to form the slit / substantially
as described.
3rd The combination with the compressing head D of the cam wheels A A having
the grooves a-a-with-successively increasing swells-j-and the bars E E having
-end-studs or rollers did received in said grooves, whereby the compresser-is-made-
to give successively harder blows as described.
4th The combination with the grooved cam wheels A having successively
increasing swells, and the bars E having end studs of the intermittent compresser D
having elastic facing strip G in a recess e with a cross piece F having rib f whereby
the material is scored by two successive blows upon the rib without cut or injury
as described.
5th The combination with the compresser and strip F having rib f of the table H
having the hinged leaf K supported on springs to give a yielding support to the
material while it is being scored as described.
In Witness whereof I the said Alexander Melville Clark have hereunto set my
hand and seal this ninth day of May, A.D. 1883.
A. M. CLARK (LS)