Year: 1886

page_text: I, HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of 67 Strand, in the County of Middlesex, Civil
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, a communication to me
from abroad by Charles H. Jackson, of Providence, State of Rhode Island, United
States, Manufacturer, 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 an improvement in blacking boxes.
Hitherto blacking boxes have been constructed with covers which fitted snugly
on the boxes and in order to remove the covers therefrom it has been necessary to
pound the box, or pry with the finger nails often tearing or breaking the nail, or
they have necessitated the use of a stick or clamp of some kind to take the place
of the nail in removing the cover. Also the covers have been constructed to fit
closely over the surface of the blacking thereby coming in contact with the latter
and frequently wasting it.
In an article of such universal use it is important that some means should be
devised by which the trouble hitherto experienced in removing the cover may be
avoided.
The object of the present invention is to provide a blacking box in which the
cover shall be so constructed as to enable a person to remove it without difficulty
and without soiling the fingers and at the same time not materially increase the
cost of manufacture.
A further object is to construct a cover in such shape that its interior face shall
be elevated from the surface of the blacking and which shall be convenient in
shape for packing and shipping.
With these ends in view my invention consists in certain features of construction
and combinations of parts as will be hereinafter fully described and pointed out
in the claim.
In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a view of the box with the cover adjusted
thereon and Fig. 2 is a detached view of the cover.
A represents a box of circular form or it may be of any desired form and
preferably constructed of tinned sheet iron as is common.

page_text: B represents the cap portion of the cover with its diameter slightly less than the
diameter of the box A and having an annular shoulder a sufficiently broad to fit
snugly over the said box. The part of the cover a¹ which embraces the box is
provided with a laterally extending flange or rib b. The rib b may be formed by
turning the lower edge of the cover outwardly and this is the preferred form, since
it is simple and economical, or it may be provided with an annular rib extending
around it at the edge of the crown or between its lower edge and the edge of the
crown.
By means of this simple device the fingers obtain a firm hold and the cover is
readily removed while the blacking which ordinarily creeps over the edge of the
box is at such a distance from the points where the fingers take hold that they are
less likely to become soiled.
The annular shoulder holds the cover from the blacking and makes a neat finish
for the cover. It also takes the place of an annular rib formed in the box to
prevent the cover from sliding too far on the box.
:-
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :-
A blacking box cover having an outwardly projecting flange at its free edge and
the shoulder located between the flange and the top of the cover, the above parts
being constructed substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 1st day of June 1886.