Egg Carriers or Boxes.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Dec., 1895-Accepted, 18th July, 1896
Egg Carriers or Boxes.
We, THOMAS SCHOALES FERGUSON, Inventor and Patent Expert, residing at
Omaha, in the County of Douglas and State of Nebraska, U.S.A., SAMUEL
HOUSTON WALKER, Mining Expert, residing at Omaha, Douglas County,
Nebraska, MORRIS PALMER, Banker and Mayor of Schuyler, in the County of
Colfax, State of Nebraska, EDWARD LLOYD LOMAX, General Passenger and
Ticket Agent Union Pacific Railway, residing at Omaha, Douglas County,
Nebraska, and HERMANN SCHAEFFER, Merchant, residing at Omaha, Douglas
County, Nebraska, U.S.A., do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
a certained in and by the following statement:-
Reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows a sectional view of an egg case embodying our invention.
F. gure 3 shows a top view disclosing the position of the various trays, while
Figure 2 shows an end view with portions removed.
that
In the drawing we have shown but three trays. It will be understood, however,
any number of trays can be used and the trays provided with a suitable number
of openings, adapted to receive the eggs.
A, represents a suitable casing adapted to hold a desirable number of egg
trays, B, all of which trays are alike in construction. In practice we prefer making
each tray of a thickness so as to nicely accommodate seventy-two eggs. The trays
are made of wood and so are slightly springy. They are further provided with
openings in shape nicely adapted to receive the eggs, E, as is shown in the
drawings. The eggs further are placed in an upright position, the larger end
upward, which position is best for the preservation of the eggs, and further the egg
being held in an upright position is less liable to breakage. The trays are secured
to two end-strips, marked D, D, which project above and below the trays, as shown
in Fig. 1. In arranging these trays in the case, the trays are reversed so that the
eggs of one tray come between the eggs of the tray below, as will be noticed in
referring to Figs. 1 and 2.
In referring to Figs. 2 and 3, it will be noticed that the trays, B, are not as wide
as the width of the box. This forms an economic feature in the construction of our
egg carrier, the end strips, D, however, which are used in pairs, are made of a
width corresponding to the width of the egg crate proper so that when the different
trays are placed in position they are permitted no lateral movement by virtue of
the snugness with which these end strips work into the box. The strips, however,
are all made alike and are bored by the same gang of bits. In drilling these
openings, in referring to Figs. 1 and 3, it will be noticed that the series of openings
nearer approach one end than they do the other, the difference at the end having
the widest margin being equal to about the circumference of an ordinary egg.
Now, as the eggs are held in a suspended position within the cup-shaped openings
of the trays, it is absolutely necessary that the eggs of the several superposed trays
do not touch. This is brought about by means of the trays, B, which are made of
a width less by approximately half the thickness of an egg than the case proper, as
will be noticed in referring to Fig. 3, the end strips, D, as stated, however, being
made the full width of the casing.
In making the trays of a width less than the casing, A, and terminating the egg
seatings nearer one end of the tray than the other, we accomplish two things.

page_text: First, there is permitted a free ventilation within the casing as the ventilating
space comes upon alternate sides insuring the air passing from side to side in
circulating as will be understood in referring to Figs. 2 and 3. Secondly, the egg
seatings of the several trays are held in a staggered position.
Now, in filling an egg crate constructed according to our invention, the first tray
is put into the bottoin of the case in any convenient way. The eggs are theu
placed within the openings, when the second tray is ready to be placed within the
casing. The position of the second tray, however, is determined by the position of
the first tray as it is necessary that the projecting ends of the strips, D, of an upper
tray come opposite to those of a lower, as will be noticed in referring to Fig. 3.
This reversal in a horizontal plane brings the shortest end of the upper tray above
the end having the widest space of the tray below it so that the series of egg
openings of the upper tray fall squarely between the series of egg openings in the
lower tray. The third tray would be placed in a position corresponding to that of
the first tray, the fourth tray being in a position corresponding to that of the
second, and so on. In arranging these trays in a reversed position we further
provide an opening between the tray and the egg casing upon opposite sides
which offer a ready means of ventilation within the casing, as will be understood
in referring to Fig. 2.
By this means the eggs are given full protection, they cannot work out of their
seatings, and so are given the best possible protection. The case, as well as the
trays, being made of wood, permits them being readily cleaned, and there is further
a free circulation of air between the trays, thus tending to keep the eggs fresh.
The device is noticeable because of its extreme simplicity.
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. In an egg carrier, the combination with a suitable casing, of a system of trays,
each tray being provided with a series of egg-holding openings, said trays being
provided with end pieces projecting at one end, said egg trays being used in sets,
all substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2. In an egg carrier, the combination with a suitable casing, of the egg trays, B,
provided with egg-holding openings, K, said openings being arranged in series,
said egg trays further being provided with the ends, D, said ends overlapping the
tray proper upon one side, said trays being used in sets, the openings within
one tray being arranged to come between the openings of the tray above, all
arranged substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
3. In an egg carrier, the combination with a suitable casing, of a system of
trays, each tray being proviled with a series of egg-holding openings, and
supporting end pieces, all substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
4. In an egg carrier, the casing, and a horizontally grooved end piece in each
end of the casing combined with a series of duplicate trays of a width less than the
casing and provided with egg-shaped seatings which have their ends snugly secured
to said end pieces, said trays being reversed in the casing so that there is a
ventilating space left between the edges of the trays and the side of the casing on
each alternate side so as to cause a constant circulation of air and to cause said
egg-shaped seatings within said trays each to be out of line or staggered with
respect to the other, all substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 9th day of Thonamber 100:
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicants.