IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO THE PACKING of CARTRIDGES IN BOXES AND APPARATUS THEREFOR
Year: 1884

page_text: I, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine Lake and Co. Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature
of my Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO THE PACKING of
CARTRIDGES IN BOXES AND APPARATUS THEREFOR" 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 the packing of metallic cartridges into the boxes in
which they are transported and sold, and to apparatus for use in connection
therewith.
In the accompanying Drawings
Figure 1 shews the implement for lubricating the bullet ends of the cartridges
which I have so constructed as to enable it to be used in performing the first step
in the process of packing them.
Figure 2 is an edge view of same,
Figure 3 is a face view of a device designed to be used in conjunction with that
shewn in Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a transverse section and
Figure 5 is a side view of the same.
Figure 6 is a face view of a device used in the packing process.
Figure 7 is a transverse section and
Figure 8 is a side view of the same.
Figure 9 is a longitudinal vertical section of the devices shewn in Figures 1
and 3 as they are used in the packing process.
Figure 10 is a face view of another device used in the packing process.
Figure 11 is a longitudinal section of the same on the line D D and
Figure 12 is a similar view on the line E E shewing the slide in a different
position.
Figure 13 is a longitudinal section of the devices shewn in Figures 3 and 10
while being used for packing the cartridges.

page_text: Figure 14 represents the device shewn in Figure 3 with the box in the act of
being applied thereto in the final step of the packing process.
Figure 15 is a face view of the cartridge box with the cartridges packed therein
ready for the market, and
Figure 16 is a transverse section through the box, on the line B B.
Heretofore it has been customary to pack large sizes of cartridges in paper boxes
containing one hundred cartridges each, the said cartridges being packed in the
box in rows with the heads and points alternately up and down as shewn in
Figures 15 and 16 in which a a indicate the cartridges packed and b the box ready
to have the cover put on. These cartridges have been always thus packed by hand,
one at a time, it having been supposed to be impossible to pack them in any more
expeditious manner.
The smaller cartridges have been thrown loosely into boxes without packing,
owing to the difficulty and expense of so packing them.
By my Invention I am not only enabled to pack the large cartridges more
rapidly but also to pack the small cartridges in the same manner, and thus ensure
their safety of transportation and more attractive appearance when put on sale, as
well as a saving in space and expense in boxing. I am also enabled to prevent the
grease which is applied to the ball part of the cartridge from being rubbed against
the metallic shell part and causing greater difficulty in inserting and withdrawing
the same from the chamber of the fire-arm, the grease only being required upon the
metallic shell.
Figure 1 shews a plate A having a series of holes a¹ through it into which the
cartridges are inserted so that the heads will rest upon the plate and the cylindrical
case just fill the holes, in the position shewn in Figure 9. This plate is used to
grease the ball parts of the cartridges after the holes in it are filled with them, by
holding it over a dish of melted tallow with the balls downward and lowering these
balls into the tallow.
t.
* Plates with similar holes have heretofore been used for this purpose, but my
improvement in the plate A consists in arranging the holes in regular order and at
such distances apart as that when the cartridges are in them they will occupy the
same position with relation to each other as they do when packed in the box shewn
in Figures 15 and 16 and having their heads all in the same direction; that is the
cartridges in the box having their heads all upward are in the same position as
when in the holes in the plate A' and the cartridges in, the box having their heads
all downward are in the same position, whence it follows that the cluster of
holes a¹ &c. on each side of the central line of the plate A contains just one half the
number of cartridges necessary to fill the box, the plate A being designed to be
used in packing two boxes simultaneously. It will be observed that this arrange-
ment of the holes al requires that the rows parallel to the sides of the plate A
shall have their holes come opposite to the spaces between the holes in the adjacent
rows, and that the distance between the holes in each of these rows both ways of
the plate shall be equal to the diameter of a hole. This arrangement of the holes
in alternating rows is essential to the subsequent processes of the packing operation.
I further improve the plate A by making in it holes c for the introduction of
guide rods substantially as hereinafter described.
In Figures 3, 4, and 5 is sbewn a plate B¹ having in it holes b¹ extending through
it to the cap piece 62 which is secured to the lower side of the plate, thus forming
recesses in the plate; these recesses may be formed, by counter-boring into the
plate B without going entirely through it. These recesses 6¹ are of just the diameter
to receive the heads of the cartridges and allow them to rest upon the plate 62 in
the manner shewn in Figure 13 when the cartridges are placed in the recesses as
there shewn.
The series of recesses b₁₁ are in the same position with relation to each other
that the heads of the cartridges are when inserted in the holes a' of the plate A,
and the plate B' has a double series of these holes like the plate A. for packing two
boxes at once.

page_text: Between the recesses bin the plate B¹ is another series of recesses b³ made of
the shape of the points of the bullets of the cartridges the purpose of which will be
hereinafter explained. The plate B' is provided with posts c' at its corners which
fit into the holes c in the plate A so as to slide in them when inserted as shewn in
Figure 9.
C Figures 6, 7, 8 indicates a frame made with square holes C² in it, and with round
holes ca at its corners, so arranged as to fit upon the posts c' of the plate B¹ and
slide down upon them when the frame C¹ comes into the position shewn in
Figure 13. The holes C2 in this frame, when in this position, just surround the
cartridges, leaving space enough to apply the box, as shewn in Figure 14 when they
are ready for it. Short upright posts c³ are fixed in the frame C and extend a
short distance above it for the purpose hereinafter described. Short studs c¹ are
also fixed in the frame C¹ which fit snugly into holes c³ in the plate B' when they
are placed together as hereinafter described.
Di Figures 10, 11, 12 indicates an instrument which consists of the following
parts-Two plates d² d³ having holes e¹ e¹ drilled through them exactly opposite to
each other of sufficient diameter to just receive the heads of the cartridges freely.
The plates d d³ are secured together so that the holes e¹ in each come directly
opposite each other, the plates having their surfaces opposite to each other held
apart and parallel by narrow strips of metal about 3/2 of an inch thick placed
between them along the longest sides. These strips of metal are about 16 of an
inch in width and are secured in place by rivets passing through the plates d² d³
and themselves. They extend inward from the edges of the plates d³ d³ far enough
to form side guides for the plate D2 which is of such a thickness that it will just
slide freely in the space between the plates d³ d³ when slipped into it. The plate D²
has a series of holes through it exactly corresponding in position and size with the
holes e in plates de d³. It also has two elongated holes through it, d, which slip
freely on the pins d³ passing through and fixed in the plates d² d³. These holes
and pins d' d³ are in such a position that when the plate D2 (Figure 11) is slipped
as far as the pins and holes d' d³ will permit to the left (Figure 11) the larger
holes in the plate D³ will be drawn slightly out of coincidence with the holes e¹
and prevent a cartridge head passing through the latter.
do indicates another plate secured to the lower side or face of the plate d³ to form
the holes e¹ into receptacles or cavities with flat bottoms on which the cartridge
heads may abut when inserted in the holes e as shewn in Figure 13, in which
latter Figure the cartridges are shewn as secured in the instrument or holder D' by
the plate D being slipped so as to prevent their escape from the holes or cavities e¹.
Through the corners of the holder D' are made holes e* which fit and slide freely
upon the studs c¹ of the plate B¹ when the holder and plate are applied together as
shewn in Figure 13.
Two studs es are made to project slightly above the plate d of the holder D¹
which studs fit into the holes in the plate A, and serve to bring the holes a¹ in
this plate over the corresponding holes or cavities e¹ in the holder D¹ when the
cartridges are transferred from plate A, to the holder D' as hereinafter described.
The method of using the devices described for packing cartridges is as follows;
The cartridges are first inserted into the holes of the plate A, points downward
as shewn in Figure 9, and having had their bullets dipped in melted tallow as
above described while in this plate, substantially as has heretofore been done, the
plate B is slipped upon the plate A by inserting the posts c¹ in the holes c of the
latter, so that the cavities b¹ will exactly come over the heads of the cartridges as
shewn in Figure 9.
When the plates B¹ and A are thus placed together they are inverted or turned
over, and by slightly shaking the plate A the cartridges will settle down into the
cavities b' in the plate B¹ with their heads resting upon the plate be substantially
as shewn in Figure 13; the plate A is then lifted away from the plate B₁ leaving
the cartridges standing-points upright in this position, which is the position they
are to have in the box when packed.
b.

page_text: 4
The holes a¹ of the plate A, are again filled with cartridges and after dipping in
tallow as before and the holder D₁ having its parts in the position shewn in
Figures 10 and 11, is placed over the plate A, so that its studs e³ will enter the
hole c² and its holes or cavities e¹ will come over the heads of the cartridges; these
plates are in like manner inverted, and by slightly jarring the plate A the cartridges
will be left standing-points upward in the holes or cavities e¹ when the plate A is
lifted off the plate d². The slide D2 is now drawn into the position shewn in
Figures 12 and 13 thus securing the cartridges in the holder D₁ so that they
may be turned points downward as shewn in Figure 13, without dropping out.
The frame C¹ is now placed upon the plate B¹ by inserting the studs c¹ of the
latter into the holes of the former and slipping them together. Next, the
holder D is inverted and its holes e² slipped upon the studs c¹ as shewn in
Figure 13 and is dropped down until its face plate d² rests upon the top of studs.c³
when the points of the cartridges in the holder will enter the cavities 63 between
the cartridges in the plate B¹ and be in the position in which they are to be
packed in the box. The slide D2 of the holder is now slipped back to the position
shown in Figures 10 and 11 so as to allow the holder, by jarring slightly on its
top, to be lifted off the cartridges and studs c¹ leaving the cartridges in the position
shewn in Figure 14. The box b is then taken and inverted and slipped over the
cartridges as shewn in Figure 14, down within the frame C¹ and the box and
frame are inverted, when, by slightly jarring the frame and plate B' and
withdrawing it from the box, the cartridges will be found packed in the box in the
most perfect manner.
Although this operation is somewhat tedious to describe it is very quickly
performed in practice, as its several movements, when once learned, are exceedingly
simple and no handling of the cartridges is required after they are placed in the
holder A, to grease the bullets as has heretofore been necessary.
It is obvious that the form of the tools described may be somewhat varied and
the several steps of the process may have their order somewhat varied without
departing from the nature of this Invention. Thus the cartridges may be placed
in the holder D₁ first and in the plate B¹ afterwards. The small cavities b³ in the
plate B may also be omitted and the slide D² may be made to work on the outer
surface of the plate d² or the plate d³.
Again the plate d² may be omitted and the slide D³ be made to operate with, the
plate d³ in suitable guide ways on the latter; but I prefer the construction I have
described.
J
The guide studs and holes may also be omitted if desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is;
First. The greasing plate A provided with the holes a' fitting the body of the
cartridge and arranged regularly in alternating rows and in positions with
relation to each other substantially the same as those which the cartridges when
placed in the said holes occupy in the packing box, when packed with their heads
adjacent to each other, substantially as described.
Second. The plate A provided with holes a¹ fitting the body of the cartridge and
arranged regularly in alternating rows and with guide holes c placed between the
rows of holes a' and the margin of the plate, substantially as described.
Third. The plate A provided with holes a¹ fitting the body of the cartridge and
arranged regularly in alternate rows and with guide holes c c² placed between the
rows of holes a¹ and the margin of the plate, substantially as described.
Fourth. The cartridge holding plate B₁ provided with cavities b' adapted to fit
the cartridge heads and hold a series of cartridges with their bullets in one
direction in the alternating rows in which they are to be packed in the box and
form one course or layer therein adjusted to alternate with another course,
substantially as described,

page_text: Fifth. The holder B¹ provided with cavities 6' for holding a series of cartridges
with their bullets in one direction and the cavities 63 for holding an alternate
series of cartridges with their bullets in the opposite direction, substantially as
described.
Sixth. The cartridge holder B¹ provided with the series of cavities b¹ and the
guide studs or rods c¹ substantially as described.
Seventh. The cartridge holder B₁ having the series of cartridge holding
cavities b¹ and the guide holes c³ situated and adapted to receive the studs c* of the
frame C¹ substantially as described.
Eighth. The frame C₁ provided with holes C² of the size to receive and guide
the cartridge packing box around the cartridges, and guide holes c² corresponding
to the guide studs c¹ of holder B₁ substantially as described.
Ninth. The frame C¹ provided with holes C adapted to receive and guide the
cartridge box around the cartridges, guide holes c² and studs c¹ substantially as
described.
of
Tenth. The combination of the holder B¹ provided with cavities b¹ of proper size
to receive the cartridge head and the plate A provided with corresponding holes a'
proper size to receive and fit the cartridge body, substantially as described.
Eleventh. The combination of the plate B¹ provided with cavities and
intermediate cavities b³, with the plate A provided with one or more series of holes
corresponding with the series of cavities 6² substantially as described.
Twelfth. The combination of the plate B¹ provided with cavities b¹ and guide
rods c¹, with the plate A provided with corresponding holes a¹ and corresponding
guide holes c substantially as described.
Thirteenth, In combination with the holder D₁ having a series of holes or
cavities e adapted to receive the cartridge heads, the sliding plate or gripper D²
provided with a corresponding series of holes substantially as described.
Fourteenth. The combination of the plates d² d³ provided with holes or
cavities e¹ with the sliding plate D2 placed between them substantially as
described.
Fifteenth. In combination with the holder D¹ provided with a series of holes or
cavities e¹ the guide holes e² and the guide studs e³ the sliding plate D²,
substantially as described.
Sixteenth. The combination with the holder B¹ provided with a series of holes b¹
adapted to receive cartridges, of the surrounding packing box guide frame C¹,
substantially as described..
Seventeenth. The combination with the holder B₁ provided with the series of
cavities and the series of intermediate cavities 63, of the surrounding packing
box guide frame C', substantially as described.
Eighteenth. In combination with the holder B¹ provided with the series of
cavities b¹ and intermediate series of cavities b³ the enclosing frame C provided
with posts, c³ substantially as described.
Nineteenth. The combination of the holder B₁ provided with a series of
cavities b¹ and the guide studs c¹, with the enclosing frame C¹ provided with guide
holes c² sliding on the said guide studs c', substantially as described.
Twentieth. The combination of the holder B¹ carrying and supporting a series of
cartridges, heads downward and points upward, with the holder D' carrying and
supporting its series of cartridges heads upward and points downward in such
position that the latter shall be deposited alternately between the upwardly
projecting cartridges of the holder B' substantially as described.
Twenty-first. The combination of the holder B¹ provided with a series of
cavities b', with the holder D¹ provided with a series of alternate cavities c¹
substantially as described.
Twenty-second. The combination of the holder B¹ provided with cavities b¹ and
alternate cavities b³, with the holder D₁ provided with cavities e¹ coming opposite
to the cavities b³, substantially as described.

page_text: Twenty-third. The combination of the holder B¹ provided with a series of
cavities b¹ and guide studs c¹, with the bolder D' provided with an alternate series
of cavities e¹ and the guide holes e² fitting the said guide studs c'; substantially as
described.
Twenty-fourth. The combination of the holder B₁ provided with the series of
cavities b', with the surrounding frame C¹ and the holder D' provided with the
series of alternate cavities e', substantially as described.
Twenty-fifth. The combination of the holder B' adapted to receive and hold a
series of cartridges points upward and provided with guide studs c', with the
surrounding frame C provided with guide holes c2 fitting the said studs and the
holder D adapted to receive and hold a series of alternate cartridges points
downward and provided with guide holes e² fitting said guide studs substantially
as described.
Twenty-sixth. The method of accomplishing the greasing and packing of ball
cartridges in boxes, which method consists in arranging the cartridges of each
layer in the greasing plate in the positions relatively to each other which they are
to occupy in the packing box and in holding and retaining them in such relative
position while being transferred into the packing box by a suitable perforated plate
or plates the said cartridges being deposited therein in two layers, head and points,
substantially as described..
1 11.
1
P T 1
1001
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
For the Applicant.