Improvements in Tobacco Pouches.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Dec., 1890-Accepted, 14th Feb.. 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tobacco Pouches.
I, WILLIAM JAMES CUSSEN, a resident of Richmond, County of Henrico and
State of Virginia, United States of America, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the
nature of my invention in Tobacco Pouches, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
The invention has particular relation to improvements upon that class of tobacco
pouches provided with fastening or closing devices that enable the individual
consumers to re-fasten them, after a portion of their contents have been removed,
in such a manner that the tobacco remaining in the pouches may be kept in a solid
compact mass and in prime condition until entirely consumed, as will more fully
hereinafter appear.
Figure 1, represents a perspective view showing the bag packed and closed;
Figure 2, a similar view showing the bag opened and ready to receive the
tobacco;
Figure 3, a perspective view showing the bag filled and packed and the mouth
and flap partially drawn to secure the same;
Figure 4, a perspective view showing the fastening string used without the draw-
string;
Figure 5, a vertical sectional view of the same;
Figure 6, a perspective view of a pouch from which the tobacco has been
partially removed, showing a detachable binding string, and
Figure 7, a vertical sectional view of a portion of the same.
The letter A indicates a bag composed preferably of two thicknesses of textile
fabric or other suitable material, although it may be composed of a single thickness.
The upper edge of the bag on one side, is formed with an angular or other suitably
shaped extension, B, which is provided at its edges with a hem forming a continua-
tion of the usual hem for the gathering string on the opposite side, at the mouth or
opening of the bag. Through these hems is passed the gathering-string C, the
ends of which pass out through an opening at the aperture of the apex of the
angular extension, as shown. The bag as thus constructed is packed in the usual
manner by drawing it over a packing-mould, the extension serving as a means by
which the operation is vastly facilitated, and then forcing in the tobacco.
When
properly packed, the mould is withdrawn from the bag leaving the tobacco therein.
The gathering-string is then drawn, compacting the tobacco in the bag and closing
it, after which the extension is bent over to one side, so as to securely seal the bag
and prevent the escape of moisture. The gathering-string is then carried around
the bag from end to end and fastened or tied in any suitable manner, so as to
confine the extended portion of the mouth. After using a portion of the tobacco
the bag can be closed in this manner from time to time, thus keeping the tobacco
always fresh and moist.
I prefer to fasten the string as follows:-
The free end of this band or cord is passed up through and interlaced in a
vertical series of metallic eyelets e secured in the rear side of the bag and its
extension, whereby sufficient friction is created by such interlacing to prevent the
cord slipping after it is drawn tightly around the pouch. In the present instance
four of these friction eyelets are employed but it is evident that a greater or less
number may be employed, as the exigencies of the case may require. An eyelet
upon the end of the string serves to prevent the same slipping out of the series of
friction eyelets when the fastening string is loosened.
To loosen the fastening string it is simply necessary to draw down upon that

page_text: portion of it lying at the back of the pouch, whereupon it will slip readily through
the eyelets and may be thrown off the bag to permit the same to be opened. In
fastening, the upper edges of the bag are folded in close upon the tobacco and the
flap folded down close over the front of the pouch, and the string may be then
drawn tightly around the package by simply drawing upon its free end. When
drawn tightly the friction of the cord in the eyelets will obviate the necessity of
any other fastening device. By means of this self-adjusting fastening device it
will be observed that the pouch may be always kept tightly folded over and around
the tobacco remaining in the same, thereby preventing the tobacco from becoming
loose in the pouch and spilling and losing its flavour.
The lining secured upon the inner side of the flap serves to cover the eyelets and
prevent the escape of tobacco, and also to prevent the same interfering with the
operation of the cord.
The draw-string may be entirely done away with, if desired, and the string
secured to the apex of the extension as shown in Figures 4 and 5, or instead of
thus permanently securing the fastening string to the extension it may be detachably
connected thereto, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, by means of a hook and eyelet.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is
-
1. A bag for tobacco and other moist materials, constructed with an extension at
one side, the entire upper edge of the bag and extension having a hem, and a
gathering-string extending through said hem, whereby the bag may be gathered,
closed, and sealed at the mouth and securely fastened, substantially as specified.
2. A tobacco pouch consisting of a bag provided with a series of eyelets in its
rear side, a cord attached to one side of the bag, and adapted to be passed around
the same and interlaced in the said eyelets, substantially as and for the purpose
described.
3. A bag having one of its sides extended to form a flap, and provided with a
series of holes in its rear side, in combination with a string or braid attached to the
said flap and adapted to be passed around the bag and fastened by being interlaced
in the said series of holes, substantially as described.
Dated this 1st day of December 1890.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.