Improvements in Receptacles for Letters, Invoices, Bills, and. the like.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Feb., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 24th Nov., 1894-Accepted, 29th Dec., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Receptacles for Letters, Invoices, Bills, and.
the like.
A communication by WILLIAM ALLEN COOKE, Junior, of the City of Brooklyn,
County of Kings and State of New York, United States of America,
Manufacturer.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of The Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool and 6, Bank Street,
Manchester, both in the County of Lancaster, and 323, High Holborn, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to that class of devices and appliances for the reception
and classification of letters, bills, invoices and other papers, in which the papers
that fall under different heads, dates, initial letters or such other system of
classification as may be adopted, are placed loosely between leaves or partitions in
a box or case where they are readily accessible and can be put in or taken out and
replaced without trouble or loss of time.
These appliances are known as "box files" and as heretofore constructed they
have comprised a box with a hinged side and front, inside of which separate leaves
or partitions, have been placed and connected with rods, hooks or other devices
which permitted them to be lifted to admit a paper.
These box files, however, are awkward to handle as it is not easy or safe to
stand them up while putting papers in or taking them out, and when the papers
are put in while the box is flat on its side, and access to a compartment near the
bottom side is desired, all the letters, papers and partitions above have to be lifted
up with their entire weight of contents, which is both inconvenient and unsafe as
frequently it leads to the file being emptied of its entire contents.
The object of the invention is, first, to provide a receptacle for letters and other
papers in which the papers can be filed in any pocket or inspected or removed
without disturbing the contents of any other pocket; and this part of the invention
consists in an inside expansible pocket or compartment file, and an exterior case of
rigid or inflexible material made in two parts hinged together at the back and
adapted to open away from each other and thereby spread the pocket file open
like a fan and retain it in that position by the weight of the sides, whereby the
pockets are made easily accessible and papers can be dropped in or taken out of
any pocket without lifting or disturbing the contents of any of the other pockets.
A further object of my invention is to provide a receptacle for letters, &c.,
which will open automatically when the fastening is released, and spread and retain
the pocket open for the reception or inspection of the papers; and this part of my
invention consists in a box receptacle comprising an inside pocket file made of
flexible material and an exterior case in two parts to which the sides of the inside
file are connected, the construction being such that when the fastening is released
the expansion of the pockets forces the two divisions of the case apart and beyond
their centers of gravity, whereby they are caused to open automatically and
remain in that position with the pockets in an upright position.
°

page_text: A further object of the invention is to provide a box receptacle for papers which
is adapted to retain the pockets or compartments in an upright position when
opened; and this part of the invention consists in a box receptacle comprising an
inside pocket or compartment file made of flexible material, and an exterior case
made in two parts hinged together at the back and adapted, when opened, to be
held open (and thereby retain the pockets spread apart and in an upright position)
by the back when' resting on a level surface.
A further object of the invention is to relieve the flexible part of the receptacle
from the strain occasioned by the weight of the sides of the casing and the contents
of the pockets; and this part of the invention consists in a receptacle comprising
an expansible inside file provided with pockets or compartments, and an outside
casing composed of two parts hinged together and having the two sides connected
together by means of stronger material than the pockets are made of, the said
material being fastened to the ends of the pockets, and to the sides of the casing
by carrying its ends between the side plates of the pocketed part and the sides of
the casing and securing them in that position.
A box or case preferably made of wood forms the outside of the receptacle and
it is composed of two parts each comprising sides and ends, and back pieces which
form a rounded back when the case is closed. The two parts are hinged together
at the meeting edges of the two half backs. The front of the case is formed
by a flap hinged to one of the sides and adapted to connect with the opposite side
by a suitable fastening arrangement that can be readily released by pressing on
the flap. Inside the case is an expansible compartment or pocket file, the sides
of which are joined to the sides of the case so that when the case is opened the
pockets of the inside file will spread apart. This inside file is composed of
plaited or gusseted ends and bottom, preferably made in one piece, and in the
grooves formed by the outwardly projecting folds of the plaits or gussets are
inserted the partitions between the pockets or compartments.
The ends of the partitions are connected with the sides of the said grooves by
means of strips of flexible material pasted to the sides of the grooves and the
adjacent ends of the partitions. On the upper edges of the partitions are tags on
which are printed letters or other classification indexes. The sides of the case and
the ends of the expansible inside file are connected together by means of tapes or
other woven fabric stronger than the ends are made of, pasted to the ends near the
tops thereof, and having their ends carried around between the sides of the
expansible file and the adjoining sides of the case and secured in any suitable
manner. These tapes connecting the sides of the case across the plaited ends of
the inside file, bear the strain of the weight of the sides of the case and the
contents of the file and take all strain off the plaited ends which, being made of a
fragile material, (as paper,) if they bore the strain, would be liable to split or tear
and thereby destroy the utility of the receptacle.
The gusseted ends and bottom are preferably made of paper and the partitions
of a strong and somewhat stiff paper. To open the receptacle it is stood on its
back on a level surface and the finger pressed on the front flap to release the
fastening, whereupon the two parts of the case, being on opposite sides of the
center of gravity, turn away from one another, the hinge serving as the axis on
which they turn and thus automatically open. Their weight being sufficient to
overcome the resistance of the expansible file, the latter is opened with the case
and the pockets spread apart convenient for placing papers in or taking them out
of the pockets. The receptacle is adapted to stand on its back when open without
support, thus holding the pockets in an upright position.
Dated this 23rd day of February 1894.

page_text: Improvements in Receptacles for Letters, Invoices, Bills, and
the like.
A communication by WILLIAM ALLEN COOKE, Junior, of the City of Brooklyn,
County of Kings and State of New York, United States of America,
Manufacturer.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of The Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool and 6, Bank Street, Manchester
both in the County of Lancaster and 323 High Holborn in the County of
Middlesex, Civil Engineer, 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 that class of devices and appliances for the reception
and classification of letters, bills, invoices and other papers, in which the papers
that fall under different heads, dates, initial letters or such other system of
classification as may be adopted are placed loosely between leaves or partitions in
a box or case where they are readily accessible and can be put in or taken out and
replaced without trouble or loss of time.
The object of the invention is to provide a compartment box receptacle for
letters and other papers, the box or casing of which when placed in position and its
fastening released shall be adapted to open automatically, and in the act of opening
simultaneously spread apart or open the compartments or pockets, and retain them
open and in an upright position, whereby ready access to any or all of the compart-
ments is insured, and as the box remains open and the pockets spread apart, both
hands of the operator can be employed in assorting and putting the papers in the
pockets and removing them from the file, and also greater ease of inspection of the
papers is secured.
A further object of the invention is to relieve the flexible part of the receptacle
from the strain occasioned by the weight of the sides of the casing and the contents
of the pockets.
In the accompanying drawing:
Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the improved receptacle for letters &c.,
open and in position for placing papers in the compartments or taking them out.
Figure 2 a perspective view of the receptacle closed, and illustrating the manner
of opening the same;
Figure 3 a sectional view of a part of the receptacle illustrative of the manner of
connecting the compartments with the case;
Figure 4 a cross-section of the receptacle.
Figure 5 a longitudinal section of the same taken on lines of Figure 4.
Figure 6 represents the manner of using the receptacle.
Referring to the drawings, A represents the box or case, preferably made of
wood, forming the outside of the receptacle. It is composed of two equal parts,
each comprising sides S, S¹, and ends e, e¹, and rounded bottom parts b, b²,
respectively, the latter when the case is closed forming a rounded back B (Figure 2)
which gives a neat and book-like appearance to the receptacle, on which the label
and other memoranda may be printed. The two parts are connected together at
the meeting point of the two half backs, say at a, Fig. 1, by a hinged connection of
any suitable kind, for example a strip of cloth or leather glued to the meeting
edges of the half backs, or, if preferred, metallic hinges of any suitable kind may be
used. The flap front F of the case is formed of a single plate of wood which is
hinged to the upper edge of the side S¹ and is sufficiently wide to extend over to

page_text: and against the upper edge of the side S, being let in the end plates e e¹ so as to
form when closed a flush connection with the upper edges of the sides S, S', as
shown in the closed representation of the receptacle, Fig. 2. The case is locked
when closed by means of a stud t on the front F which engages a notched metal
plate p on the edge of side S. The front F is sufficiently elastic to be pressed down
far enough to allow the head of stud t to engage or disengage the plate p when the
case is to be opened.
Inside the case a compartment file R is placed and secured so that when the case
is opened the pockets or compartments will be spread for the admission of papers.
This receptacle is composed of gusseted or accordion plaited ends gg, and bottom r,
the ends and bottom preferably being integral or formed from a single piece of
material, the folds or plaits of each of the gussets being continuous from one end to
the bottom and from the bottom to the other end so that no opening is formed in the
bottom at any point. The side edges u of the end gussets gg and likewise of the
bottom gussets are glued to side plates P P. Between the inward projecting
folds ff of the end and bottom gussets and in the grooves I formed by the outward
projecting folds f₁₁ are inserted partitions H, which are fastened in place
preferably by strips i glued to the partition and the adjacent side of the gusset so
as to form a flexible connection between the partitions and the gusseted ends-this
connection being applied at both ends of the partitions so that they will be held in
place securely. The partitions thus form a series of pockets L which are indexed
or otherwise marked or divided into classes by applying a suitable mark to each of
the partitions. In the drawing Fig. 1, tags m running diagonally are applied to the
upper edges of the partitions, and index letters are printed on both sides of the tags
so as to be read both ways and thus facilitate finding a required compartment or the
papers in any special compartment.
When the receptacle is opened to its full width the strain falls wholly on the
upper edge of the gusseted ends, and to prevent this strain from tearing the gussets
and destroying the receptacle a tape T, which is made of a stronger material than
the gussets, is applied to the gusseted ends at or near the top edges thereof. The
tape is glued fast to the gussets and its ends w w are turned around the corners at
the junction of the gusseted ends with the side plates P P, and glued fast to the
outside of the said plates in the manner shown in Figure 3.
By this arrangement the side plates of the receptacle are connected together
across the gusseted ends at the point where the greatest strain falls, viz., at or
near the top of the gusseted ends. The strain is thus borne by the side plates,
and the tapes and the gussets are entirely relieved. The tapes being glued to
the gussets give them greater stability and make them more durable, but this
feature is merely incidental, the main purpose being to connect the sides together
independently of the gusseted ends, so as to relieve the latter of strain, and by
a stronger material than that which composes the gussets. The compartment
receptacle thus constructed is placed in the case and connected therewith by
glueing or otherwise attaching its side plates P. P. to the sides s, s¹ of the case.
The ends ww of the tapes are thus held fast between the plates P. P. and the
sides S. S¹, and the two sides of the case are thus likewise connected together
by means of the tapes T. T. The gusseted ends and bottom of the compartment
receptacle are preferably made of paper strong enough to retain its form, but
sufficiently pliable for the gussets to be formed without breaking the paper.
The partitions are made of stiff paper by preference, but it is to be understood
that these parts may be made of any suitable material and the construction may be
also varied to adapt it to the material used. The tapes T are preferably made
of a woven fabric in order that they may have the requisite strength and
flexibility.
When the receptacle is to be opened its back is stood on a flat surface, as shown
in Figure 2 and indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 1, to which in connection
with this description of the operation particular reference is made. The finger
is now pressed on the button, thereby causing the stud to release the plate p; :

page_text: the expansion of the pockets separates the two parts of the case and, passing
beyond their centres of gravity (the line), they drop to the right and left.
respectively, as indicated by the arrows Fig. 1, by their own weight. As the back's
two parts are rounded the movement of the two parts to right and left is facilitated
by this rounded bearing on which they rest. When the two parts reach the limit
of their movements in opening, the receptacle rests on the two corners cc of the
back and it is held in an upright position by their back parts resting on the flat
surface. The casing thus opens automatically as soon as the fastening is released
and, as the sides of the pockets are connected with the sides of the case, they are
spread apart and all the pockets are opened like a fan and retained in their open
upright position, and the receptacle remains standing open ready to receive the
papers. By reference to Fig. 6, the manner of using the receptacle and the
It will
advantages arising from its construction will be more fully understood.
be seen that the pockets are held in such a receptive position that the hands of
the person filing the papers are left entirely free to manipulate the papers and his
work thereby greatly facilitated.
It is to be understood that a cord, wire or other device may be used to connect
the two opposite sides of the case, as a substitute and equivalent for the tapes
on the ends of the gussets to prevent the strain from falling on the gusseted ends
of the file.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
First An enclosed or box receptacle for letters, invoices, bills and the like,
constructed of the following parts:-An expansible pocket file made of flexible
material, a two part case enclosing the same made of stiff material, each part
composed of a side, ends and part of a back, and one part provided with a closing
flap, the two parts of the case being joined together at the back by a hinged
connection between the two parts forming the back, and the sides of the case
further connected by means of the expansible file, placed inside the case, and its
sides fastened to the sides of the case, and by stronger material than the file,
carried across the ends of the file from side to side of the case, substantially as
described.
Second-A receptacle for letters, invoices, bills and the like, consisting in the
combination of an expansible pocket file, with a two part exterior case or box
made of stiff material and with the back in two parts, the sides of the case connected
by the expansible file and the two parts hinged together at the middle line of the
back, substantially as specified.
Dated this 23rd day of November 1894
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents.