IMPROVEMENTS IN MAKING BOXES, AND IN THE MANUFACTURE OR PREPARATION OF CARDBOARD, SCALE BOARD, SHEET METAL AND OTHER SIMILAR MATERIALS FOR THE SAME PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Adam Millar of Glasgow in the County of Lanark
North Britain for. an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MAKING BOXES, AND
IN THE MANUFACTURE OR PREPARATION OF CARDBOARD, SCALE BOARD, SHEET
METAL AND OTHER SIMILAR MATERIALS FOR THE SAME
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Adam Millar at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th July 1882.
ADAM MILLAR, of Glasgow, in the county of Lanark, North Britain, " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MAKING BOXES, AND IN THE MANUFACTURE OR PREPARATION OF CARD-
BOARD, SCALE-BOARD, SHEET-METAL, AND OTHER SIMILAR MATERIALS FOR THE
SAME,"
The chief purpose of this Invention is to produce boxes for the transmission of
light articles by the parcel post, and consists, firstly, in forming the top, bottom,
and sides of boxes from two or more sheets of cardboard, millboard, scale-board, or
other similar material, which have an extra degree of stiffness imparted to them
by any of the processes known as "dishing," "beading" and "corrugating"
Secondly. In forming the several parts of boxes from composite sheets made of
two or more sheets of corrugated, dished, or beaded cardboard, scale-board, sheet-
tin, or other similar material, combined together into one sheet, so that the lines
of the corrugation or beading are at right angles to each other, or otherwise cross
each other.
Thirdly. In forming the several parts of boxes from composite sheets formed
by combining corrugated, beaded, or dished sheets, with ordinary flat sheets, so as
to present a flat surface.
Fourthly. In fitting the tops and bottoms to the sides of the boxes, by a series
of tongues and notches formed upon the edges of the top, bottom, and sides
respectively, the tongue of one part fitting into the notch of the opposite
corresponding part.
For the purpose of fastening the top or lid, and enclosing the whole box, I form
wrappers or envelopes from a sheet of cloth, paper, or other suitable material, cut

page_text: to the proper size and shape, and coat their edges with gum or other suitable
adhesive material.
The composite boards or sheets from which the boxes are made are prepared by
combining together several sheets of cardboard, scale-board, tinned iron, or similar
material, which may be separately corrugated, dished, or beaded, in the same
manner as sheet metal is commonly so treated, and then uniting them by suitable
means in such wise that the line of corrugations of the one sheet are at right
angles or nearly so to the line of corrugations of the adjoining sheet.
In preparing scale-boards for making boxes, I use tough wood which may be
softened by means of hot water or steam, before corrugating, dishing, or beading,
and I form the lines of corrugations by preference at or near the angle of forty-five
degrees to the direction of the fibre or grain of the wood.
The composite boards or sheets prepared as described may be used for other
purposes than for the making of boxes. For example the composite sheets when
prepared from sheet metal may be advantageously used for making travelling
trunks or other large boxes, and in general in cases in which a maximum of
strength and a minimum of weight are required.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Adam Millar in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 12th January.
1883.
ADAM MILLAR, of Glasgow in the County of Lanark, North Britain. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MAKING BOXES, AND IN THE MANUFACTURE OR PREPARATION OF CARD-
BOARD, SCALE-BOARD, SHEET-METAL, AND OTHER SIMILAR MATERIALS FOR THE
SAME
"
The chief purpose of this Invention is to produce boxes for the transmission of
light articles by the parcel post, and consists, firstly, in forming the top, bottom and
sides of the boxes from two or more sheets of cardboard, millboard, scale-board, or
other similar material which have an extra degree of stiffness imparted to them
by any of the processes known as "dishing," "beading" and corrugating.
Secondly. In forming the several parts of boxes from composite sheets made of
two or more sheets of corrugated, dished or beaded cardboard, scale-board, sheet
tin, or other similar material, combined together into one sheet, so that the lines of
the corrugation or beading are at right angles to each other, or otherwise cross
each other.
Thirdly. In forming the several parts of boxes from composite sheets formed by
combining corrugated, beaded, or dished sheets, with ordinary flat, sheets, so as to
present a flat surface.
Fourthly. In fitting the tops and bottoms to the sides of the boxes, by a series
of tongues and notches formed upon the edges of the top, bottom, and sides
respectively, the tongue of one part fitting into the notch of the opposite
corresponding part.
For the purpose of fastening the top or lid, and enclosing the box, I form
wrappers or envelopes from a sheet of cloth, paper, or other suitable material, cut
to the proper size and shape, and coat their edges with gum or other suitable
adhesive material.
The composite boards or sheets from which the boxes are made are prepared by
combining together several sheets of cardboard, scale-board, tinned iron or similar
material, (which may be separately corrugated, dished or beaded in the same
manner as sheet metal is commonly so treated) and then uniting them by suitable
means in such wise that the line of corrugations of the one sheet are at right
angles or nearly so to the line of corrugations of the adjoining sheet.
In preparing scale-board for making boxes, I use tough wood which may be
softened by means of hot water or steam, before corrugating, dishing, or beading,
and I form the lines of corrugations by preference at or near the angle of forty five
degrees to the direction of the fibre or grain of the wood. The dished, beaded or
corrugated scale-boards may be prepared from a single thickness of this wood, or
from two or more thicknesses glued or cemented together, with the fibre of the
wood at or nearly at right angles in the alternate sheets.
The composite boards or sheets prepared as described may be used for other
purposes than for the making of boxes. For example, the composite sheets when
prepared from sheet metal may be advantageously used for making travelling
trunks or other large boxes, and in general in cases in which a maximum of
strength and a minimum of weight are required.
My Invention will be readily understood by reference to the accompanying
Drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan showing a sheet of cardboard, millboard, or
scale board shaped so as to form the bottom A, and four sides A' of a box, and

page_text: having lines of "beading" a formed on each part for the purpose of giving
increased stiffness.
The dotted lines indicate the position where the sides A¹ are bent perpendicularly
to the central portion A which forms the bottom of the box. The edges of the
four sides may be attached together in the ordinary way, as by folding a small &
part of each side over the adjoining side, or by fixing strips of paper or cloth over
the vertical edge joints by means of gum, glue, or cement. Figure 2 is a cross
section of the beaded sheet; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of the finished box.
The lid A may be made from another beaded sheet in a similar way or in the
form shown in Figure 3.
Figure 4 shows the cross section of a corrugated sheet of cardboard, millboard,
or scale board. Figure 5 shows the section of a composite sheet formed by an
ordinary flat sheet B, combined with a corrugated sheet C. Figure 6 shows the
section of a composite sheet formed by a flat sheet A combined with a dished or
beaded sheet D.
. Figure 7 shows the cross section, and Figure 8 the diagonal section of a
composite sheet formed of two corrugated sheets C, C, combined together so that
the direction of the lines of corrugation of the one sheet is at right angles to the
direction of the lines of corrugation of the other sheet.
1. The diagonal section is taken at an angle of 45° to the lines of corrugation of
both sheets. The corrugated sheets when formed of cardboard, millboard or scale-
board, are attached to each other, where the surfaces touch each other, by glue or
cement, and when the sheets are formed from sheet metal, by soldering or other
similar means. Figure 9 is a perspective view of a box made from composite
sheets of cardboard, millboard, scale board or sheet metal, of the kind shown in
Figures 7 and 8. The composite sheet forming the bottom and sides of the box,
is cut in a form similar to that shown by figure 1, and the edges are joined by.
folding a portion of each side over the adjoining side, or by other ordinary modes
of attachment. The dotted lines show the outline of the sides of the box before
being folded up. To facilitate the folding up of the sides of the box, the corru-
gations may be partially pressed out at the lines which from the junction of the
bottom and sides. The lid is formed of a similar composite sheet which is by
preference fitted in the manner described in reference to Figures 10, 11 and 12.
Boxes may be formed in a similar manner from composite sheets of the form
represented in figures 5 and 6.
Figure 10 shows a plan, and Figure 11 a cross section of a sheet of cardboard,
millboard or scaleboard of one or more thicknesses which has an extra degree of
stiffness imparted to it by the process known as "dishing," and further, having
each of its four edges formed into tongues b and notches b¹, for the purpose of
fitting into corresponding notches and tongues formed on the upper and lower
edges of each of the four sides of the box. Figure 12 shows a complete box made
of six dished sheets cut in this way. The vertical side joints are shown fitted
with notches and tongues, but they may be plain and be joined in any of the
ordinary ways.
It is not claimed as new to connect the sides of boxes by means
of notches and tongues, as this means of attachment does not materially differ
from "dove-tailing" as applied to trunks and large boxes made of wood. The
forming of the lid and bottom of boxes with tongues and notches to fit into
corresponding notches and tongues in the sides is however quite new.
method of fitting the lid and bottom of light boxes is equally applicable to boxes
made of single corrugated sheets or composite sheets of millboard, cardboard, or
scale board of the kind hereinbefore described: In making boxes according to
this part of my Invention, the bottom of the box should be permanently fastened
to the sides by glue or other adhesive substance, but the top or lid should remain
loose and be held in its position by the wrapper alone, the wrapper being a piece
of cloth, paper, or like material tightly enveloping the box on all sides, and
secured by gum or other cement. .
This
By the arrangement of tongues and notches previously described the sides of
]

page_text: the box support the lid in case of any outside pressure being applied to it, while
the lid in a similar manner supports the sides when any outside pressure is applied
to them.
No new form of appliance for producing the beading, dishing, or corrugating
is necessary, as the same sort of appliance used for metal is applicable to the
sheets of scaleboard, cardboard, or inillboard.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I have to state that I do not confine myself to the precise
details herein described or delineated, but what I consider novel and original,
and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part
recited Letters Patent is,-
First. Making boxes and other like receptacles from sheets of cardboard, mill-
board, or scale board, which sheets have previously been strengthened or stiffened
by the process of beading, dishing or corrugating, substantially as herein set forth.
Second. Making boxes from composite sheets formed by combining two or more
sheets of beaded, dished, or corrugated cardboard, millboard, scaleboard, or sheet
metal, or other like material, substantially as herein set forth.
Third. Making boxes from composite sheets formed by combining corrugated,
dished or beaded sheets of cardboard, millboard, scale board or sheet-metal with flat.
sheets of similar material, substantially as herein set forth.
Fourth. Fitting the tops and bottoms to the sides of boxes by a series of
tongues and notches formed upon the edges of the top, bottom, and sides,
substantially as herein set forth.
Fifth. Forming composite sheets for use in making boxes and for other purposes,
by combining together two or more corrugated, dished, or beaded sheets of
cardboard, millboard, scale board, or sheet metal, substantially as herein set forth.
Sixth. Forming composite sheets for use in making boxes, and for other purposes
by combining corrugated, dished or beaded sheets of cardboard millboard, scale
board, or sheet-metal, with flat sheets of similar material, substantially as herein
set forth.
In Witness Whereof, I the said Adam Millar have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Ninth Day of January, in the year of our Lord One thousand
Witness
WALLACE FAIRWEATHER C.E.
Of the firm of
W. R..M. Thomson & Co.
Patent Agents
Glasgow.
ADAM MILLAR. (L.S.)