IMPROVEMENTS IN TRAVELLING PACKAGES
Year: 1853

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Thomas Day at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 29th April 1853.
I, GEORGE THOMAS DAY, of Burghfield Hill, in the County of
Berkshire, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN TRAVELLING PACKAGES" to be as follows:-
First, in a peculiar construction of travelling bags, rendering them
more capacious for the carriage of wearing apparel, and other purposes,
without their usual inconveniences; and, secondly, in a means of closing
boxes and other like travelling packages, so that they close either
quite or sufficiently air-tight to be inaccessible to moisture or to
insects.
And that my said improvements may be the better understood, I
shall now proceed to describe the same, reference being had to the
drawings hereunto annexed, in which the same letters indicate the
same parts in each.
The improved travelling bag is constructed by first forming a light
box of the intended form of the bag; such box may be made to open
at the middle with hinges at one side, so that the lid may have nearly
the same capacity as the bottom portion; or it may be divided longi-

page_text: 1.
tudinally, being hinged at the bottom. Whatever form is chosen, the
exterior may afterwards be covered to imitate the external appearance
of the usual travelling bags.
Fig. 1, represents my improved travelling bag A, fully opened.
A, being the bottom of the bag; B, B, the two handles as attached to
the top edge, when closed; D, E, the internal box portion opening at
the middle, and showing the two flap lids a, b, a little raised. D, may
be reserved for linen; and E, may be furnished at bottom with a metal
or other circular open box, formed to the shape of a bonnet or hat body,
so as to prevent crushing. Within the hat may be placed a cylindrical
portable dressing and writing case, exactly fitting the interior of the
hat. In these bags space should be allowed around and above the hat
case, for apparel. When required for the use of ladies, these bags
will be more convenient made to open from top to bottom, being hinged
underneath, so as to present the two sides for packing, upon; & by a
suitably formed metal or other case for bonnets, these, and dresses, may
be arranged in bags of this construction without disarranging them.
#1
I would observe that the internal shell or box of these travelling
bags may be made of various materials, and when required to be light
and portable may be strengthened with wire, or ribs of flat. metal.
But when it is desired that they should be strong and capable of resisting
the attacks of insects or the weather, the interior box may be manu-
factured of any thin sheet metal, strengthened and made broad and
even. at its opening, with a proper hinged rim of stronger metal,
closing evenly all round. I then recommend one or both of the
joining surfaces to be covered with vulcanized india-rubber; so
that when pressed down and locked, a close joint will be formed
thereby; and the same result will be obtained by a tube of. vulcanized
india-rubber laid within & pressed upon in like manner by the closing
..of the lid.
C
"
Fig. 2, No. 1, is a transverse section of the under edge of a metal
box lid made flat and broad, so as to present a rib a', running all round;
and No. 2, is a similar section of the upper edge of the sides of a metal
box, also made flat and broad, with a groove or channel 6', correspond-
ing to the rib a; when the box is shut; and over the groove bis

page_text: stretched the flat vulcanized india-rubber c', so that when the lid No. 1,
closes on the box No. 2, the rib a', presses the diaphragm c', into the
groove b, effectually ensuring a very close joint all round.
In the construction of such boxes, I advise their being wholly made
of metal, or of wood and metal combined; but I do not confine myself
to their being used as travelling bags, or to any particular form or
dimensions, so long as they present an internal or external metallic
surface, and are protected from insects and from moisture by the use
of vulcanized india-rubber.
And I do declare that what I claim as my Invention is, the peculiar
construction of travelling neekoces as described

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Elizabeth Day, of No. 3, Stanley Street,
Pimlico, in the County of Middlesex, Widow and Relict of
George Thomas Day, late of Burghfield Hill, in the County of
Berkshire, Gentleman, deceased, and Administratrix of the Goods,
Chattels, and Effects of the said George Thomas Day, for the
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Thomas Day at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 29th April 1853.
: 1.
I, GEORGE THOMAS DAY, of Burghfield: Hill, in the County: of Berk-
5 shire, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
"IMPROVEMENTS IN TRAVELLING PACKAGES "to be as follows:-
for
First, in a peculiar. construction of travelling bags, rendering them
more capacious for the carriage of wearing apparel, and other purposes
.without 'their usual inconveniencies; and, secondly, in a means of

page_text: closing boxes, and other like travelling packages, so that they close
either quite or sufficiently air-tight to be inaccessible to moisture or to
insects.
And that my said improvements may be the better understood I
shall now proceed to describe the same, reference being had to the
Drawings hereunto annexed, in which the same letters indicate the
same parts in each.
The improved travelling bag is constructed by first forming a light
box of the intended form of the bag; such box may be made to open
at the middle, with hinges at one side, so that the lid may have nearly
the same capacity as the bottom portion, or it may be divided longitu-
dinally, being hinged at the bottom. Whatever form is chosen, the
exterior may afterwards be covered to imitate the external appearance
of the usual travelling bags.
Fig. 1, represents my improved travelling bag A, fully opened; A,
being the bottom of the bag; B, B, the two handles, as attached to the
top edge when closed; D, E, the internal box portion, opening at the
middle, and showing the two flap lids a, b, a little raised; D, may be
reserved for linen; and E, may be furnished at bottom with a metal
or other circular open box, formed to the shape of a bonnet or hat
body, so as to prevent crushing. Within the hat may be placed a
cylindrical portable dressing and writing case, exactly fitting the interior
of the hat. In these bags space should be allowed around and above
the hat case for apparel. When required for the use of ladies, these
bags will be more convenient made to open from top to bottom, being
hinged underneath, so as to present the two sides for packing upon;
& by a suitably formed metal or other case for bonnets, these and
dresses may be arranged in bags of this construction without dis-
arranging them.
I would observe that the internal shell or box of these travelling
bags inay be made of various materials, and when required to be light
and portable may be strengthened with wire or ribs of flat metal.
But when it is desired that they should be strong and capable of
resisting the attacks of insects or the weather, the interior box may be
manufactured of any thin sheet metal, strengthened and made broad

page_text: and even at its opening with a proper hinged, rim of stronger metal,
closing evenly all round. I then recommend one or both of the join-
ing surfaces to be covered with vulcanized india-rubber, so that when
pressed down and locked a close joint will be formed thereby, and the
same result will be obtained by a tube of vulcanized india-rubber laid
within, & pressed upon in like manner by the closing of the lid.
Fig. 2, No. 1, is a transverse section of the under edge of a metal box
lid, made flat and broad, so as to present a rib a', running all round;
and No. 2, is a similar section of the upper edge of the sides of a metal
box, also made flat and broad, with a groove or channel b', correspond-
ing to the rib a', when the box is shut; and over the groove b', 'is
stretched the flat vulcanized india-rubber c', so that, when the lid
No. 1, closes on the box No. 2, the rib a', presses the diaphragm c',
into the groove 6', effectually ensuring a very close joint all round.
In the construction of such boxes I advise their being wholly made
of metal, or of wood and metal combined; but I do not confine myself
to their being used as travelling bags, or to any particular form or
dimensions, so long as they present an internal or external metallic
surface, and are protected from insects and from moisture by the use of
vulcanized india-rubber.
And I do declare that what I claim as my Invention is
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
and of the above Order, filed by the said Elizabeth Day in the
Great Seal Patent Office, on the 29th December 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I
ELIZABETH DAY, of No. 3, Stanley St., Pimlico, in the County of
Middlesex, Widow and Relict of George Thomas Day, late of Burgh-
field Hill, in the County of Berkshire, Gentleman, deceased, and
Administratrix of the Goods, Chattels, and Effects of the said George
Thomas Day, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-ninth day of April, in the

page_text: year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in the
sixteenth year. of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto the said George Thomas Day, deceased, Her special
licence that he, the said George Thomas Day, his exécutors, administra-
tors, and assigns, or such others as he, the said George Thomas Day, his
executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter, during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
TRAVELING PACKAGES," upon the condition (amongst others) that he, the
said George Thomas Day, by an instrument in writing under his hand
and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the 'same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
:
AND WHEREAS: the said George Thomas Day departed this
life on the Twentieth day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, before the expiration of the
said term of six. calendar months, and without having filed'such particular
description of the said. Invention, and the 'nature thereof and Letters
of Administration of his goods, chattels, and effects were on the Eighth
day of December, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and fifty-three, granted by the Prerogative Court of the
Archbishop of Canterbury to me, the said Elizabeth Day, as the widow
and relict of the said George Thomas Day: And whereas the Right
Honorable the Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, by virtue of the
provisions of the "Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852," enabling him in
that behalf, was pleased to order and direct that the said Letters Patent
should be granted to me as such administratrix as aforesaid, and that
the time limited by the aforesaid Letters Patent for filing in the. Office
of the Commissioners of Patents for Inventions the said instrument in
writing particularly describing and ascertaining the nature of the said
Invention, and in what way the same was to be performed, should be

page_text: extended to the period of eight calendar months, and that such instru=
ment filed as aforesaid before the expiration of such last-mentioned
period under my hand and seal, as the administratrix' of the said
George Thomas Day, deceased, should be received and filed, and be
as effectual as if the same had been filed under the hand and seal of
said George Thomas Day, deceased, within the time or space of six
calendar months before limited for that
purpose.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Elizabeth Day, as such adminis-
tratrix of the said George Thomas Day, deceased, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, that is to say:
:
The said Invention consists, firstly, in a peculiar construction of
traveling bags, rendering them" more capacious for the carriage of
wearing apparel, and for other like purposes, without the inconvenience
of compressing and spoiling articles conveyed in them; and, secondly;
in a means of closing boxes, and other like traveling packages, so that
they shall close either quite air-tight, or sufficiently-so to be inacces-
sible to moisture or to insects.
.
And that the said Invention may be the better understood I will
now proceed to describe the same in detail, reference being had to the
Drawings hereunito annexed, in which the same letters indicate similar
parts in each.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1, is a side or front view of a traveling bag.
Figure 2, is an end view; and
Figure 3, represents the internal improved arrangements of such
traveling bags, as exhibited when they are wide open; A, being the
bottom of the bag; B, the two handles of the top edge when closed;
D, the upper and E, the lower internal box, opening at or about the
middle, and showing one flap lid a, closed, and crossed with tapes b;
the lid of the other half E, being removed. The portion D, may be
conveniently reserved for linen; and the half box E, may be furnished,
at the bottom with a. metal or other circular open box E', formed to

page_text: the shape of a bonnet or hat body, and so arranged as to prevent the
contents from being crushed. If the article placed therein be a hat,
then within the hat may be deposited a cylindrical portable dressing and
writing case, shown in Figure 5, closed, and in Figure 6, spread open,
and suitably provided with partitions, or the like, for retaining the several
articles therein in their seperate places, and the whole may exactly fit
the interior of the hat. In these bags space should generally be allowed
around and above the hat and hat case, or the bonnet, for introducing
apparel. Ladies will find the bags to be most convenient when made
to open from top to botton, as shown in Figure 4, being hinged under-
neath, as at c, d, so that when wide open they will present the inside of
the two sides for packing upon; and by a suitably formed metal or
other case E', for bonnets, these and the dresses may be packed in
bags of this shell-like construction without disarrangement.
I would here observe, that in the manufacture of the said improved
traveling bags they are constructed by first forming a light metal
skeleton box or framing of the desired shape of the bag; such box
or framework may be made to open at the middle, as in Figure 3, with
hinges at one side, so that the lid may have nearly the same capacity
as the bottom portion, or it may be divided longitudinally, that is, from
top to bottom, as in Figure 4, being then hinged on the under side.
Whatever form is chosen, the exterior may afterwards be covered to
imitate the external appearance of the usual traveling bags; such
covering being permanent or otherwise. It is evident that the internal
box, shell, or skeleton for bags, made according to the said Invention,
may be manufactured of various materials, but particularly of wire, or
flat metal in narrow ribs or ribbons. But when it is desirable that
they should be particularly strong, and proof against insects or moisture,
the interior boxes may be made of any suitable thin sheet metal, turned
broad and even at the edges forming the mouth or opening, or having
a proper hinged rim of stronger metal, exactly closing all round. One
or both of these joining surfaces should then be covered or inlaid with
vulcanized india-rubber, so that when pressed down and locked a close
joint will be formed thereby, as hereafter more particularly described.
Figures 7, and 8, are two sectional diagrams of two differently formed

page_text: joints between a box and its lid, closed air and water tight by applying.
vulcanized india-rubber thereto. Figures 7, No. 1, is a transverse section
of the under edge of a metal-lined box lid, made flat, broad, and with
a rib e, running all round; and No. 2, is a similar section of the upper
edge of the sides of a metal-lined box, also made flat, broad, and with
a groove f, corresponding to the rib e, when the box is shut; and over
the groove c, is stretched the flat vulcanized india-rubber g, so that when
the lid No. 1, closes down on the box No. 2, the rib e, pressing the elastic
diaphragm g, into the groove f, effectually ensures a very close joint all
round. Figure 8, Nos. 1, and 2, are transverse sections of the box
and lid joint, each having a groove f¹, and f", and a vulcanized india-
rubber tube g', so placed between the grooves that on closing the box
the springing and spreading of the compressed tube closes the joint, as
before described.
Having thus fully described the particulars of the said improvements,
I wish it to be understood that I do not restrict myself to the air and
water proof boxes being adapted for traveling bags, as the principle of
the Invention applies to various boxes, trunks, portmanteaus, and like
traveling packages; neither do I limit myself to materials, form, or
dimensions in the several parts of the said Invention. And I do
declare that what I claim is, namely:-
The peculiar construction in the manufacture of traveling packages,
as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Elizabeth Day, as such adminis-
tratrix as aforesaid, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this
Twenty-eighth day of December, in the year of our Lord 1853.
ELIZABETH DAY,
(L.S.)