Improvements in or relating to Receptacles for Oigars, Oigarettes,. Tobacco, or the like.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Nov., 1896-Accepted, 13th Feb., 1897
Improvements in or relating to Receptacles for Oigars, Oigarettes,.
Tobacco, or the like.
A communication from PHILIP HENRY ERTHEILER, of Philadelphia, State of
Pennsylvania, United States of America.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 111 Hatton Garden in the County of Middlesex,.
Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this 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 boxes for cigars, and has for its object the better
preservation of the flavor and aroma of the cigars, and the prevention of impair-..
ment by changes in bygrometric condition of the air, and changes of temperature.
To this end this invention consists of a box having double walls including air-
spaces or chambers, which chambers are lined with a tissue of film impervious.
to moisture, and charged with an absorbent, which is innocuous to the material.
of the cigars, so that the flavor, odor and aroma of the cigars is unimpaired by
either evaporation or absorption from the atmosphere.
The construction and operation of the invention is hereinafter fully described.
and shown in the accompanying drawing, in which,
Figure 1 shows in perspective view a box with the lid open, embodying this.
invention;
Figure 2 shows a vertical lengthwise section of the same;
Figure 3 shows a vertical transverse section of the same;
Figure 4 shows a modified form of the box, and
Figure 5 shows a modified form of the box lid, and the portion of the box in
which it fits, drawn in section.
1 represents the cell or chamber of the box, surrounded by the walls, or sides 2;
ends 3, and bottom 4; 5 is the lid of the box, containing an air cell 6, the lid is.
attached to the box by hinges 7, and may be provided with any of the usual
fastenings, such as a spring latch 13, screw 14, or hook 15, all of which are-
depicted in the drawing. 8 is the outer shell or casing formed of the bottom 9,
ends 10, front 11, and back 12. The upper part of the case is bevelled inwardly
at 14, so as to fit corresponding bevels 15 upon the lid. These bevels may be
made in plane surfaces as is shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3 or of curved lines or what
is known as the o-gee form, as shown in Figure 4, or in reeds and shoulders, 16.
and 17 as shown in Figure 5. An essential feature being in all these forms,.
air tight fitting between the box and the lid. To the inside surface of the outer
box, there is secured a lining of asbestos, wax paper, or foil impervious to
moisture.
The outside surfaces of the inner case or cell may be similarly covered. The
cells, or air spaces between the inner and outer box, are filled with material
having moisture retaining properties, and innocuous to the material of the cigars.
The cut stems of tobacco, from which the cigars are made, answering the purpose,.
or it may be ground still finer, in a condition known as suuff. This absorbs the
normal quantity of moisture and retains it, and in the event of auy air leaking
in the outer box, acts as a defence against absorption by the inner box, and
prevents any circulation of air in the event of leakage, which might otherwise
transmit moisture or heat by convection, and arrests all, or nearly all, of the

page_text: evaporation which is due to boxes of usual construction under hygrometric or
temperature changes of the atmosphere. The filling marked 18 in the air cells
of the box is confined in its position by a cement at the joints, plaster of Paris
answering, but any other cement which is not noxious or injurious to the tobacco,
may be substituted.
The filling is introduced from the bottom and then cemented over and closed.
The cell of the box is supported by strips 19 reaching across from one side to
another, or by blocks 20 resting upon the bottom of the box, or by pillars 21
upon the bottom or bosses 22 from the sides and ends of the box, or by all
of them.
Boxes thus made and closed are incapable of access by the atmosphere to them,
when the lids are closed, so that whatever cigars or tobacco are placed in the
cell is prevented from any change by currents of air in the cells, because the
air is closely confined therein and air is prevented from entering the box by
the close fitting of the lid and the absorption from the contents by the material of
the inner box is prevented by the waterproof or moisture-proof lining, and the
charge of filling.
It is found that in the finer grades of tobacco or cigars, that a very material
deterioration occurs when packed in ordinary boxes, which deterioration is wholly
avoided when the atmosphere is excluded, and an envelope of dampened tobacco
material is placed around it so that the finest cigare, having the most delicate
flavour and aroma, can be protected in these boxes from any deterioration through
various changes of climate either in temperature or moisture, or both, thus
enabling parties to carry a larger stock of cigars with safety from deterioration
than heretofore practicable, and permitting the keeping of the finest grade of
cigars in establishments at distances remote from the place of manufacture, or
having a moderate or a slow sale therefor, without in any degree impairing the
quality of the goods.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. An improved box for cigars, having an inner cell adapted to receive cigars,
and surrounding air tight cells in combination with a lining impervious to moisture
in said air tight cells, a filling of cut stems of tobacco in said cells, and a lid
fitted to close tightly into the neck of the box, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
2. In a box for storing and protecting cigars, an external case, and a cell
within said, external case having an air tight space around it, supports uniting
said cell with the outer case, and an inclined rim or neck, uniting the open side
of the inner cell with the upper or outer margin of the outer cell, in combination
with a lid having air tight spaces contained therein, also lined with moisture
impervious material and charged with the described absorptive material and fitted
to conform closely to the fit in the bevelled rim or neck, substantially as and
for the purpose set forth.
3. In a box for storing cigars, and protecting the same from impairment from
climatic changes, a double walled box containing air tight cells within said walls
and lining material impervious to moisture applied to the interior surface of said
air tight cells, in combination with the described absorptive material and cement
for securing such absorptive material, in the cells substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
Dated this 24th day of November 1896
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.