IMPROVEMENTS IN CASES OR RECEPTACLES FOR CONTAINING GOODS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT
Year: 1884

page_text: I, WILLIAM BUCKWELL, of Ancona, in the Kingdom of Italy, Civil Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of the said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CASES
OR RECEPTACLES FOR CONTAINING GOODS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT 37 to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in cases or receptacles for containing
goods for storage or transport and the invention consists in constructing cases,
baskets, boxes, canisters, chests, crates, cubical envelopes, and other receptacles in
such a manner that they shall be collapsible when not required for use and at the
same time all the means for fastening and securing the same are attached thereto
instead of being separate therefrom; the receptacles can be easily fastened and
secured or unfastened without the aid of any tool or implement and the whole can
always be re-used when required.
The object of my invention is to provide greater facility for packing than has
hitherto been afforded, security for the goods packed or stored, safety and strength
for transport, means whereby the receptacles can be packed away in a very small
space when being transported as returns or empties, or when being stored, facility
for breaking the seals, unlocking, unfastening, and opening the receptacles, no
deterioration being caused by use, and the closing can be made more or less water-
tight by the use of an air and water-tight lining.
The receptacles when not required for storage or transport can be employed to
form cupboards, chests, safes, or stores with doors or lids to open and shut as in
ordinary articles of furniture.
The sides of the receptacles instead of being nailed, screwed, or dove-tailed
together at the angles are fastened together by back flap hinges, or sheet steel, or
other metal hinges, the whole height of the sides (less the thickness of the ends
that is to say the top, and bottom) in one piece, or two, or more pieces, close
together, or separate like two, three, or more, back flap hinges or butts, fixed on
the inside preferably by rivets which may have a large thin flat head, or a round
head, on the outside and be riveted on the hinges on the inside, or the rivets may
CD 017

page_text: be small headed to counter sink flat on the hinges and be riveted through washers,
or hoop iron, or other thin metal on the outside.
The top and bottom edge inside of the sides is rabbeted and metal buttons are
firmly fixed on the edges of the sides, the ends fitting the rabbets on the inside
edges of the sides, and the ends being chased to receive the sling buttons which
turn into same and to provide a seating for the buttons to the tongues fixed in the
ends, and in addition at the angles of the ends cords may be knotted inside, passing
out through a hole which they nearly fit and then along a groove, to the angles
of the sides, the cords are tied together at the top and bottom ends after being
fastened to looped cords knotted in the sides; such cords will lay snugly in the
angles of the sides, and may be sealed.
For many purposes the cords alone will be sufficient to hold the ends without
the buttons, as where the sides or ends from their short length will not yield to the
weight or other pressure of the contents but generally for long sides two, three, or
four buttons will be necessary but one or more buttons may be provided on all the
sides and where desirable the cords may be dispensed with.
I attach the metal buttons firmly to a plate or band of metal or clasp or staple
fixed on the edge of the sides inside and outside.
The buttons which form slings (or looped staples or links) are hinged to tongues,
part of the staple plates being securely fixed to the edge of the ends of the top and
bottom.
The button sling in passing on the tongue, draws the sides to the ends, and fixes
samme thereto firmly and also secures the ends to the sides in the rabbets-The
buttons may be on the ends and pass onto tongues fixed on the edge of the sides
or on the sides themselves, the reverse of the edges of the ends with the same
fittings and fixings; or the ends may be made to slide into three of the sides, over
the edge of one side.
All fastenings are formed on and applied to the sides, to draw and fix the ends
thereto, or to the ends to draw and fix the sides thereto, and all fastenings and
means for fixing and provisions for sealing, are attached to the receptacle so as
to be always ready and in place; simple and effective loop fastenings may be
formed of string, cord, tape, or wire and be applied so as to fix and pull together
with or without being tied and may be fixed with or without being sealed and
I apply the same in substitution or in duplication of the cord fastenings hereinbefore
described.
The sides of the receptacles conform in shape to the ends thereof which may be
square, rhomboidal, hexagonal, octagonal, or other suitable shape; in the inside
angles triangular fillets may be fixed by entering the ends when using back flap
butts or hinges intermediate spaces being provided to close the non-meeting of
sides between butts or hinges.
All the metal fittings, joints and fastenings can be stamped or cut from sheet,
band, or hoop metal, or be made of cast malleable metal thereby avoiding the
expense of forged work,
The binges for receptacles constructed of wood I make (cutting out the alternates
or not) by bending the same so as to fix them on the ends of the sides, also I fix
the hinge to the internal face only like an ordinary back flap, or other wrought
metal butt.
In applying metal to materials which are liable to expand from moisture the
hinges or edgings or the like should be used in short lengths with spaces between.
As moisture will cause pasteboard or Bristol board or analogous material to expand
while the metal will not and cause the expanded material to get out of shape
may use with such materials water-proof webbing or other material which will
not absorb moisture, but I prefer to employ for the construction of the receptacles
materials which are unaffected by moisture.
If wood be used the metal should be as much as possible in lengths placed
lengthwise of the wood and not across it.

page_text: Cubical envelopes or receptacles in order to be strong and light I make with
a lining of parchment, paper, artificial leather, canvas, cotton, linen, mackintosh, or
other suitable materials which I cement to the pasteboard, Bristol-board, artificial
wood or metal, the lining will form all the hinges and outside strips of the lining,
or other suitable material may be employed (or not) to strengthen the receptacle.
For baskets, crates, or hampers, I prefer to frame the sides, and ends, and panel
the same with basket or wicker work, or wire work, or perforated sheet metal;
crates may also be strongly formed with hoop iron or steel panels as also may other
receptacles. Looped cords may be secured by knots inside at the angles, forming
handles by which to lift the receptacle and to fasten the ends of cords to; to the
bottom loop I fasten the cords of the bottom ends and the cords of the top or
cover end should pass inside the top loop and be fastened also to the bottom loop,
or to the cord of the bottom end or to both, leaving the top loops clear to serve as
handles.
In applying the principle of my invention to metal canisters, boxes, or receptacles
of thin or sheet metal I form the hinges at the ends of the sides; the alternate
may be riveted, back cut off, or simply bent back tape may be cemented on the
inside angles and the ends can be turned up at the four edges or at three of them
and one of the ends can be hinged on the edge of one side to cover the outer sides
the hinged ends will fold back against the same to the turned up rim of the ends
I apply a fastening of thin metal doubled to serve for both sides of the turned up
rim and hinged thereto forming a link or sling loop to pass on to a tongue which
can project out from the sides or be riveted thereto, the loops passing on to the
tongues towards the angles; a string from each of them tied together at the angles
serve to fix the same; or by being tied to the right length and passed over the
corners will draw and fix the fastenings on the tongues the above arrangement is
applicable to the cubical envelope or receptacle the metal receptacles can collapse
and be packed into a space of about 1 to 2% of the cube capacity-when the
ends are removably attached one end should fit into the other and the sides into
one of the ends; any of these receptacles so made can be got ready for use or
made to collapse in about a minute particularly if wire or cord loop fastenings
be employed.
The receptacles of paste-board or Bristol-board or other like suitable material
are strong and light and can be made at small cost they will be found very useful
for postal purposes, for packages and parcels affording greater facility for sealing
than ordinary envelopes for letters as two postage stamps or other means of sealing
will serve to make them as secure as the present receptacles in which many seals
and much cording is often required and such light receptacles will serve for the use
of many tradesmen for containing their goods or articles when sold affording great
facility in packing the articles and giving greater satisfaction to their customers by
having their parcels sealed up in envelopes that will serve to keep them in or for
protecting them when travelling.
Baskets, boxes, cases, chests, or other receptacles may have canvas or other
covering but in such coverings I make the seams internally and cover the seams
externally with an extra thickness of the same or other material.
The said coverings should be drawn on over the bottom of the box or the like
the opening of the coverings being on the same side as the opening of the box to
which the covering is applied and to cover the same by double flaps the first flap
may be simply buttoned or tied the second flaps of the covering being fastened by
metal plates having slots and buttons so that by one movement the fastening acts
on the whole length and may be released or secured by a button or other like
means of fixing with or without locking or sealing.
In using four sided receptacles the sides (square or rhomboid as the ends may
be) are stood up one end or the bottom is put into the rabbet in the sides, and
fixed, buttoned, or corded to the looped cords, then turned over and filled or
"

page_text: packed; the other end or cover is then put in and fixed, buttoned, or corded and
sealed, or buttoned and simply tied.
All the fastenings of my improved receptacles and the metal fixings of the sanie
are attached and are designed to act with the greater force at the points where
close joints are required when closing and can generally be operated by the
fingers.
G. F. REDFERN,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London,
Agent for the Applicant.
for Storage or Transport.
I WILLIAM BUCKWELL, of Ancona, in the Kingdom of Italy, Civil Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of the said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CASES
OR RECEPTACLES FOR CONTAINING GOODS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT" 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 improvements in cases or receptacles for containing
goods for storage or transport and the invention consists in constructing cases,
baskets, boxes, canisters, chests, crates, cubical envelopes and other receptacles in
such a manner that they shall be collapsible when not required for use and at the
same time all the means for fastening and securing the same are attached thereto
instead of being separate therefrom; the receptacles can be easily fastened and
secured or unfastened without the aid of any tool or implement and the whole can
always be re-useḍ when required.
The object of any invention is to provide greater facility for packing than has
hitherto been afforded, security for the goods packed or stored, safety and strength
for transport, means whereby the receptacles can be packed away in a very small
space when being transported as returns or empties or when being stored, facility
for breaking the seals, unlocking, unfastening and opening the receptacles, no
deterioration being caused by use and the closing can be made more or less water-
tight by the use of an air and water-tight lining.
The receptacles when not required for storage or transport can be employed to
form cupboards, chests, safes, or stores with doors or lids to open and shut as in
ordinary articles of furniture.
In order to enable my invention to be fully understood I will describe the same
by reference to the accompanying drawing in which figure 1 represents a perspective

page_text: view of a case or receptacle made of a light material such as millboard for con-
taining goods for storage or transport and constructed according to my invention;
figure 2 is a horizontal section and figure 3 is a longitudinal section of the same;
figure 4, is an elevation of the case or receptacle folded up ready for transport as a
return or empty; figure 5, is a plan; figure 6, a section and figure 7, a plan of the
underside of a cord fastening for the box; figure 8, is a plan view drawn to a
larger scale of a clip fastening suitable for use with wooden boxes or receptacles.
Similar letters in all the figures represent similar parts.
In carrying out my invention as applied to the construction of a box or case from
mill board or like light material I connect the sides A, A1, A", A¹¹¹, of the box
together by means of hinges a, a, a, a, placed inside the box and extending the
whole height of the sides, the said hinges being fixed to the sides by means of
rivets b. The top B of the box is similarly hinged to the side a¹, and the
bottom C is hinged to the side A, but the hinges c, and c' respectively are fixed
outside the box as shewn in figure 1. The remaining threo edges of the top and
bottom respectively are provided with thin metal strips d, rivetted thereto and
turned over as shewn in figure 3, so as to form a groove or channel to receive
the top and bottom edges of the sides A, A', A", A", of the box; the sides A¹¹,
and A, are in two parts hinged together as shewn, the hinges o being on the
outside of the box; near the top edge of the side A and bottom edge of the
side A', I fix projections e, which receive buttons or fastenings f, pivotted to the
strips d, on the edges of the top B, and bottom C of the box; similar fastenings e,
and f, are provided at the bottom of the sides A and A¹¹1; 9, g³, are cords which
can be used to fasten the top part of the box as shewn, which cords can also be
used to fasten the bottom part instead of the fastenings e, f.; the said cords 9, g',
when such are employed are knotted inside the box and pass through holes h,
in the sides A", A¹¹, thereof; the cords are then passed over the top edges of the
box to the centre thereof where they are looped over or passed round buttons i,
figures 5 to 7 on a rotating plate j, pivotted in a plate k, fixed to the top B of the
box; the bottom end of the pivot l, of the plate j, is fixed to a plate m ; the
bottom part of the plate k, is provided with two pins or stops n.
The cords g.
and g', having been looped over the buttons i, the plate; is rotated so as to draw
the cords taut and when the plate j, has been turned past the dead point the
plate m, rotating with it will come against the pins or stops n, and the cords will
be held securely fastened as shewn in figure 1.
When the box is empty and it is required to fold it up to reduce its bulk for
transport the parts of the box being in the position shewn in figure 1, the
cords g, g¹, are loosened and detached from the buttons i, and the fastenings ef,
having been undone the sides A" and A111, are pressed inwards into the position
shewn in figure 4; the top B is turned back on its hinge c and the bottom is
turned in the opposite direction on its hinge c', and the parts of the box will be in
the position shewn in figure 4.
When the boxes or receptacles are made of wood the sides thereof instead of
being nailed, screwed or dovetailed together at the corners as usual are fastened
together by back flap hinges a as hereinbefore described and shewn of sheet steel
or other metal in one piece, or two or more pieces close together or separate like
two, three, or more back flap hinges or butts fixed on the inside preferably by
rivets which may have a large thin flat head, or a round head on the outside
rivetting on the hinges on the inside, or the rivets may be small headed to counter-
sink flat on the hinges and be rivetted through washers or hoop iron or other thin
metal on the outside.
The top and bottom edge inside of the sides is rabbeted and metal buttons or
fastenings such as are shewn at fin figure 8, are firmly fixed on the edges of the
sides, the edges of the top and bottom fit the rabbets on the inside edges of the sides
and are chased to receive the sling buttons f, which turn into same and to provide a
sonting for the buttons to the tongues e, fixed in the ends and in addition at the

page_text: corners of the box or receptacle cords may be knotted inside passing out through-a
hole which they nearly fit and then along a groove to the angles of the sides; the
cords are tied together at the top and bottom ends after being fastened to looped
cords knotted in the sides; such cords will lay snugly in the angles of the sides
and may be sealed.
For many purposes the cords alone will be sufficient to hold the ends without the
buttons e, f, as when the sides or ends from their short length will not yield to the
weight, or other pressure of the contents but generally for long sides two, three
or four buttons will be necessary but one or more buttons may be provided on all
the sides and where desirable the cords may be dispensed with.
I attach the metal buttons f, to a plate or band p of metal or clasp or staple
fixed on the edge of the sides inside and outside.
The buttons f which form slings (or looped staples or links) take on to the
tongues e formed on the staple plates q which are securely fixed to the edges of the
top and bottom.
The button sling f, in passing on the tongue e draws the sides to the edges of the
top and bottom and fixes same thereto firmly and also secures the said edges in the
rabbets. The buttons f, may be on the edges of the top and bottom and pass on to
tongues fixed on the edge of the sides, or on the sides themselves with the same
fittings and fixings; or the top and bottom may be made to slide into three of the
sides over the edge of one side.
All fastenings are formed on and applied to the sides to draw and fix the ends
thereto or to the ends to draw and fix the sides thereto and all fastenings and
means for fixing and provisions for sealing are attached to the receptacle so as to
be always ready and in place; simple and effective loop fastenings may be formed
of string, cord, tape or wire and be applied so as to fix and pull together with or
without being tied and may be fixed with or without being sealed and I apply
the same in substitution or in duplication of the cord fastenings herein before
described.
The sides of the receptacle conform in shape to the ends thereof which may be
square rhomboidal, hexagonal, octagonal or of other suitable shape; in the inside
angles triangular fillets may be fixed by entering the ends when using back flap
butts or hinges, to close intermediate spaces at the non-meeting of the sides
between the butts or hinges.
All the metal fittings, joints and fastenings can be stamped or cut from sheet,
band, or hoop metal or be made of cast malleable metal thereby avoiding the
expense of forged work.
The hinges for receptacles constructed of wood, I make (cutting out the alternates
or not) by bending the same so as to fix them on the ends of the sides, also I fix
the hinge to the internal face only, like an ordinary back flap or other wrought
metal butt.
In applying metal to materials which are liable to expand from moisture the
hinges or edgings or the like should be used in short lengths with spaces between.
As moisture will cause paste-board or Bristol-board or analogous material to expand
while the metal will not do so and cause the expanded material to get out of shape.
I may use with such materials waterproof webbing or other material which will not
absorb moisture but I prefer to employ for the construction of the receptacles,
materials which are unaffected by moisture.
If wood be used the metal should be as much as possible in lengths placed length-
wise of the wood and not across it.
Cubical envelopes or receptacles in order to be strong and light I make with a
lining of parchment-paper, artificial leather, canvas, cotton, linen, macintosh or
other suitable materials which I cement to the paste-board, Bristol-board, artificial
wood or metal, the lining will form all the hinges and outside strips of the lining,
or other suitable material may be employed (or not) to strengthen the receptacle.

page_text: For baskets, crates or hampers I prefer to frame the sides and ends; and panel
the same with basket or wicker-work, or wire work, or perforated sheet metal
crates may also be strongly formed with hoop iron or steel panels as also may other
receptacles. Looped cords may be secured by knots inside at the angles forming
handles by which to lift the receptacle and to fasten the end cords to; to the
bottom loop I fasten the cords of the bottom ends and the cords of the top or cover
end should pass inside the top loop and be fastened also to the bottom loop or to
the cord of the bottom end or to both leaving the top loops clear to serve as
handles.
In applying the principle of my invention to metal canisters, boxes or receptacles
of thin or sheet metal I form the hinges at the ends of the sides; the alternate may
be rivetted back, cut off or simply bent back. Tape may be cemented on the inside
angles and the ends can be turned up at the four edges or at three of them and one
of the ends can be hinged on the edge of one side; to cover the outer sides the
hinged ends will fold back against the same to the turned up rim of the ends.
I apply a fastening of thin metal doubled to serve for both sides of the turned up
rin and hinged thereto, forming a link or sling loop to pass on to a tongue which
can project out from the sides or be rivetted thereto, the loops passing on to the
tongues towards the angles a string from each of them tied together at the angles
serves to fix the same or by being tied to the right length and passed over the
corners will draw and fix the fastenings on the tongues; the above arrangement is
applicable to the cubical envelope or receptacle, the metal receptacles can collapse
and be packed into a space of about 1 to 2% of the cubical capacity. When the
ends are removably attached one end should fit into the other and the sides into
one of the ends. Any of these receptacles so made can be got ready for use or
made to collapse in about half a minute particularly if wire or cord loop fastenings
be employed.
°
The receptacles of paste-board or Bristol-board or other like suitable material are
strong and light and can be made at a small cost; they will be found very useful
for postal purposes for packages and parcels affording greater facility for sealing
than ordinary envelopes for letters as two postage stamps or other means of sealing,
will serve to make them as secure as the present receptacles in which many seals and
much cording is often required and such light receptacles will serve for the use of
many tradesmen for containing their goods or articles when sold affording great
facility in packing the articles and giving greater satisfaction to their customers by
having their parcels sealed up in envelopes that will serve to keep them in, or for
protecting them when travelling.
Baskets, boxes, cases, chests or other receptacles may have canvas or other
coverings but in such coverings I make the seams internally and cover the seams
externally with an extra thickness of the same or other material.
The said coverings should be drawn on over the bottom of the box or the like,
the opening of the coverings being on the same side as the opening of the box to
which the covering is applied and to cover the same by double flaps, the first flap
may be simply buttoned or tied the second flaps of the covering being fastened by
metal plates having slots and buttons so that by one movement the fastening acts
on the whole length and may be released or secured by a button or other like
means of fixing with or without locking or sealing.
In using four sided receptacles the sides (the ends being square or rhomboid) are
stood up, one end or the bottom is put into the rabbet in the sides and fixed,
buttoned or corded to the looped cords, then turned over and filled or packed; the
other end or cover is then put in and fixed, buttoned or corded and sealed or
buttoned and simply tied.
All the fastenings of my improved receptacles and the metal fixings of the same
are attached and are designed to act with the greatest force at the points where
close joints are required when closing and can generally be operated by the
fingers

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1. In a collapsible box, case, basket, canister, chest, crate, cubical envelope or like
receptacle the combination of the sides, top, and bottom, hinged or fastened together
substantially in the manner herein described with suitable fastenings such as those
shewn and referred to and which are permanently attached thereto for securing the
parts in position substantially as hereinbefore described and represented in the
accompanying drawing.
2. The improved collapsible boxes, cases, baskets, canisters, chests, crates, cubical
envelopes and like receptacles hereinbefore described.