Improvements in Folding or Collapsible Boxes.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Aug., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 4th June, 1895-Accepted, 13th July, 1895
Improvements in Folding or Collapsible Boxes.
We ARTHUR ROGER CARTER of 4 Arthur Street, New Oxford Street, London,
Merchant, and JAMES PALMER ROBERTSON of 36 Loampit Hill, Lewisham,
London, S.E. Drysalter, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to collapsible or folding boxes, and more particularly
to boxes adapted to contain comparatively light articles, such as millinery,
flowers, fruit, toys, or the like, and the object of the invention is to construct
such boxes without any independent parts necessary to retain the box in its
expanded position, (which when used are liable to be mislaid) and to enable the
boxes to be readily packed away in a very small compass when not in use or
during transport or storage and to be set up for use with equal facility.
These boxes might be made in small sizes or for light articles, of cardboard,
and in the larger sizes, requiring greater stiffness, of wood or other strong material.
According to this invention the boxes have their sides hinged to one another,
and to the bottom, these hinges being arranged so as to fold inwards whilst
certain of the sides are divided by diagonal or inclined hinges arranged so as
to fold outwards, the effect of the combined arrangement being to permit of the
whole of the sides being folded down upon the bottom of the box when the
latter is collapsed. In certain modifications the bottom of the box would also
he divided by diagonal hinges arranged so as to fold outwards, the main segments
produced by such division being under certain conditions sub-divided by hinges
arranged so as to fold inwards, the effect of such division being to permit of
two opposite sides of the box being folded together, the remaining sides and the
bottom of the box collapsing between them.
According to one form of box, the bottom is in a single piece as is also each
of one pair of opposite sides, whilst each one of the remaining opposite pair of
sides is made in three segments. These three segments are in the case of each
side separated from one another by two hinges, inclined to either edge at an
angle of preferably, about 45 degrees, extending across the whole depth of the
side from the bottom corners upwards and so arranged as to allow the two end
segments to fold outwards over the middle segment. The effect of the combined
arrangement as a whole is that when the two undivided sides are folded inwards
over the bottom of the box the remaining sides collapse between them.
In order to keep the sides of the box in their proper relative positions when
erected stiffening bars are employed arranged so as to resist the tendency of the
three segments of each divided side to fold upon one another.
The divided sides have each two of these bars one to each end segment,
pivoted on the outside of the middle segment near the top edge, so as to be
capable of moving in the plane of the middle segment. When the box is expanded
and the bars are moved into a position parallel with its upper edge, the divided
sides thus stiffened effectually prevent the box from collapsing.
When the box is of such dimensions or proportions that the middle segment
of a divided side is approximately triangular, the two stiffening bars of one side
may conveniently be attached one over the other to the same pivot. In any
case a bar is prevented from dropping out of its proper position for keeping the

page_text: box open, by latching it in that position over a projection or shoulder or by other
suitable means.
In a modification, one of the sides is made in three segments arranged to fold
upon one another and furnished with a pair of stiffening bars, as above. Each
of the two sides adjacent to the last is made in two segments, separated by a
hinge extending from the bottom corner next to the undivided side, upwards
across the whole depth of the box at an angle of preferably about forty-five
degrees to either edge, and so arranged as to allow the two segments to fold outwards
upon one another, the effect of the combined arrangement as a whole being that
when the undivided side and the bottom of the box are folded together, the
remaining sides collapse between them.
In a further modification which is more conveniently applicable to boxes whose
sides are of equal length, and whose depth does not exceed the length of one
side, two opposite sides are made each in one piece, the remaining sides being
each composed of two segments, hinged together so as to fold outwards, the hinge
extending from one of the top corners downwards across the whole depth of the
box at an angle of preferably about 45 degrees to either edge, the hinge terminating
either at the diagonally opposite corner or at a point in the bottom edge. The
hinges of these two divided sides do not lie parallel to one another but in
opposite directions, starting from two top corners of the box diagonally opposite
to one another. The bottom board of the box is, in this form, segmental,
the segments being in the case of a cubical box four in number, whose dividing
lines extend diagonally from corner to corner, thus crossing each other at the
centre of the bottom approximately at right angles, the connecting hinges being
all arranged to fold outwards. In the case of a box whose depth is less than
the length of one side, or each of whose diagonal side hinges meets the bottom
edge at a point intermediate between the extremities of that edge, the above
described main segments of the bottom adjacent to the segmental sides are each
subdivided by a hinge arranged to fold inwards and extending from the point
where the diagonal side hinge meets the bottom edge, to the centre of the bottom
board. The effect of the combined arrangement as a whole is that the two
undivided sides can be folded together, the remaining sides and the bottom of
the box collapsing between them.
This form of collapsible box requires no stiffening bars, whilst by having each
pair of opposite sides segmental, as described above, for one pair of sides, the
inain segments of the bottom board being correspondingly subdivided, the box
will be capable of folding up or collapsing, in either of two alternative directions.
Dated this 2nd day of August 1894.
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.
ing of Conapsible boxes.
We ARTHUR ROGER CARTER of 2 Arthur Street Oxford Street, London W.C.
Gentleman, and JAMES PALMER ROBERTSON of 36 Loampit Hill Lewisham,
London S.E. Drysalter, do hereby declare the nature of our said invention 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 collapsible or folding boxes, and more particularly to
boxes adapted to contain comparatively light articles, such as millinery, flowers,
fruit toys and the like; and the object of this invention is to construct such boxes
without any independent parts necessary to retain the box in its expanded position,

page_text: which separate parts would be liable to be mislaid; and also to enable the boxes
be readily packed away in a very small compass, when not in use, or during
transport or storage and to be set up for use with equal facility.
Boxes of small sizes, and for containing light articles, may be made of cardboard
or the like; and those of larger sizes, requiring greater stiffness, of wood or other
strong material,
And in order that our said invention may be particularly described and
ascertained, reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings, in which
similar figures of reference indicate corresponding parts.
Fig. 1. is a perspective view of a box and lid according to our invention.
Fig. 2. is a plau view showing the method of folding the box.
Fig. 3. is a perspective view of a box with hinged folding lid.
Fig. 4. is a plan view showing the method of folding the same.
Fig. 5. is a plan view showing the box illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 laid out
previously to uniting the corners.
Figs. 6 to 9 are perspective views of other forms of our invention.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2: 10, 10, are two sides of the box each formed in one
piece, and in positions opposite to each other 11, 11, are the other two sides opposite to
each other, each formed in two pieces or in one piece bent or hinged on a diagonal
line of 45 degrees or thereabouts; 12 is the bottom of the box also formed or
folded into two parts, hinged on a diagonal line at 45 degrees or thereabouts
relatively to the rectangle. The vertical junctions of the sides with each other,
and the horizontal junctions of the sides with the bottom, are all made to fold
easily by bending or otherwise, in a manner well understood, the manner of hinging
the several parts being varied according to the material of which they are
constructed; thus, boxes formed of cardboard or analogous material may be simply
bent or folded to form the diagonal hinges. 13, 13, are the diagonal junctions of the
bottom and sides 24 is the lid.
When the box is raised and opened out, as shown in Fig. 1, the lid 24 assists in
retaining it in position, without any other support, when placed over or upon the
box, so as to close it, in the ordinary way.
On removing the lid and turning the two sides 11, 11 inwards at their diagonal
junctions, the junction 13 of the bottom is simultaneously raised, as indicated in
Fig. 2. The box is then folded flat, and it may be packed away inside the lid,
occupying very little space when collapsed or folded.
Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate a similar rectangular box to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2
with the exception that the lid 24" is hinged to one of the sides numbered 10, the
sides of the lid being hinged and having also diagonal binges or bends at 13* as
shown in Figs. 3 and 4.
Fig. 5 illustrates in solid lines the 5 rectangular portions forming the box shown
in Figs. 1 and 2; and, with the addition of the broken lines, also the box shown in
Figs. 3 and 4.
Fig. 6. is a perspective view showing another forin of folding or collapsible box,
according to our invention. The two ends 10, 10, and the bottom are each formed
in one piece, and the two sides 11, 11, are each formed in 3 parts having diagonal
hirged junctions 14, 14, as shown; the angles of the junctions varying according
to the relative length and depth of the sides. Hinged or pivoted stiffening bars 15
are fitted to retain the sides in position, when the box is expanded. The box is
folded or collapsed by pressing the sides 11 inwards and folding the ends 10 over
the folded sides 11.
Fig. 7 is a perspective view, showing another form of folding box, constructed
according to our invention. One side, 11, is formed in a similar manner to those
numbered 11 in Fig. 4. The side 16 is formed in one piece, and the two ends 17, 17
are formed in two parts with diagonal junctions 14 hinged together. The box is
fitted with a stiffening bar 15, as shown. The box is folded or collapsed by
pressing inwards the side 11 and the two ends 17, and folding down the side 16 over
the other 3 sides.

page_text: Fig. 8 is an end view and Fig. 9 a perspective view, showing another form of
collapsible box, constructed according to our invention. The two opposite
sides 16, 16, are each formed in one piece. The bottom consists of two rectangular
pieces, hinged at 13. Each of the two cads 18, 18 consists of four pieces, hinged
at 19, 20, 21 and 22, fitted with stiffening bars 15. The box is folded or collapsed
by folding inwards the two ends 18; raising the bottom inwards, and then pressing
the two sides 16, 16, towards each other.
All the rectangular vertical and horizontal junctions of the sides, with each other
and with the bottom, are hinged together so as to readily fold, in each case as
described and illustrated.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:-
1. The improvements in folding or collapsible boxes substantially as and for the
purposes herein before described.
2. In a folding or collapsible box, the combination of two folding sides 11, 11,
and a folding bottom 12, each formed in two pieces bent or hinged diagonally; and
two rigid sides 10, 10; the whole being also hinged both vertically and horizontally,
substantially as and for the purposes herein before described and illustrated by
Figs. 1. 2. and 5 of the drawings.
3. In a folding or collapsible box, the combination of two folding sides 11, 11,
and a folding bottom 12, each formed in two parts hinged diagonally; two rigid
sides 10, 10; and a lid 24° formed in six pieces, all hinged together and to the
body of the box, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by
Figs. 3. 4 and 5 of the drawings.
4. In a folding or collapsible box, the combination of two folding sides 11, 11,
each formed in three pieces hinged or bent diagonally; two rigid end pieces 10, 10
and a rigid bottom; the whole being also hinged both vertically and horizontally,
substantially as and for the purposes herein before described and illustrated by
Fig. 6 of the drawings.
5. In a folding or collapsible box, the combination of a folding side 11, formed
in three parts hinged diagonally; two folding ends 17, 17 each formed in two
parts also hinged diagonally; a rigid side 16, and a rigid bottom; the whole being
also hinged both vertically and horizontally, substantially as and for the purposes
herein before described and illustrated by Fig. 7 of the drawings.
6. In a folding or collapsible box, the combination of two folding ends 18, 18,
each formed in four pieces hinged diagonally and vertically; a folding bottom in
two parts hinged together, and two rigid sides 16, 16; the whole being also hinged
both vertically and horizontally, substantially as and for the purposes herein
before described and illustrated by Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawings.
Dated 4th June 1895.
GEO.
DOWNING,
8 Quality Court, London, W.C., Agent.