Improvements in Metal Egg Cases.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Sept., 1897-Accepted, 9th Oct., 1897
COME DELE DE CULTIVATION.
Improvements in Metal Egg Cases.
We, HENRY HARVEY KNIGHT, Railroad Agent, and MINTER EARLE JACKSON,
Book-keeper, both of Janelew, in the County of Lewis, and State of West Virginia,
one of the United States of America, 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 improvements in the construction of metal crates or
cases adapted for the shipment of eggs, or other articles, and has for its purpose
to provide a crate of such character that the bottom, side and end portions thereof
will be formed integrally from a single sheet of metal and the top portion from
another sheet of metal, and means for readily securing the top and bottom portions
together.
Our improved crate is of simple construction and durable.
In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this Specification,
Figure 1 is a plan view of the blank from which is formed the end, bottom and
side portions of the case.
Figure 2 is a plan view of the blank from which is formed the top portion.
Figure 3 is a top plan view with the portion of the surface broken away, showing
the means for securing the top portion to the side portions, and
Figure 4 is a view in detail of the means for such fastening.
In the construction of our improved crate or case, we provide first a metal
sheet 1 cut into the form as shown in Figure 1, the edges being provided with the
apertures 2, said apertures in the side portions being adapted to register with
those in the end portions when they are bent into conjunction with each other.
We next form semi-circular slits 3 in the end portions adjacent to the outer edges
thereof, and from said slit we press outwardly a portion of the sheet separate, so
as to form downwardly projecting portions suitable for lifting the case or crate.
We next provide a metal sheet 4 from which to form the top portion or the
cover of the case or crate. The side and end edges of said top portion 4 are bent
downwardly until in conjunction with each other, after which they are riveted
together. In the depending side portions of the top portion 4 and at a point
longitudinally central of said depending portions we provide apertures 5, and we
also provide similar registering apertures 6 in the side portions of the sheet 1
adjacent to the edges thereof, and we also provide a rod 7, provided unon one end
with a suitable head and a transverse aperture through the opposite end, said rod
being more particularly shown in detail in Figure 4. Adapted for being secured
upon the apertured end of said rod we provide a snap-ring 8, similar to a key-
ring, which will hold the rod in engagement with the said apertures 5 and 6 after
it is projected therethrough. The meeting edges of the side and end portions of
the metal sheet 1 forming the body of the casing or crate are riveted together in
any suitable manner.
For the purpose of strengthening our improved crate or case we may provide
transversely of the bottom portion a partition 9, preferably of wood, secured

page_text: within the body portion by means of screws passing through the portions into
said partition. When said partition is used, the upper edge thereof is provided
with a groove 10 in which the rod 7 rests when in position.
Instead of the ring above referred to a small lock may be provided, the hasp of
the lock passing through the aperture in the end of the rod 7, so that the rod
cannot be removed until the lock is taken from the end thereof. I may also pro-
vide slots in the side and end portions of the body of the crate or case, and also in
the top portion when it is desired to permit the passage of air through the same.
By means of the construction as above set forth we provide not only a durable
crate, but one easily constructed and with a very siniple and effective mode of
fastening the cover thereon and of locking said fastener when so desired. The
material from which the casing is constructed should be of sheet metal as light as
possible consistently with the degree of strength expected.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :-
:-
1. An improved metal case or crate consisting of a body portion formed integrally
from a sheet of metal with its edges riveted together, an overlapping top portion
similarly constructed, and a transverse rod adapted to pass through registering
apertures in the top and body portions, and means for securing said rod after being
so placed.
2. In a metal case or crate, the combination with the body portion formed from
a single metal sheet, of an overlapping top portion similarly formed, a transverse
rod adapted to be passed through registering apertures in the top and body portions
of the case, a head formed upon one end of said rod and an aperture in the opposite
end, and a snap-ring adapted to be secured within said aperture.
3. An improved metal casing or crate for eggs or other articles consisting of a
body portion integrally formed from a single sheet, a transverse partition
centrally dividing the interior of said body portion, an overlapping top portion
formed similarly to the body portion, a rod adapted to be passed transversely
through registering apertures in the top and body portions, and means for
securing said rod in said position, the whole construction arranged and adapted
for operation substantially as herein set forth.
Dated this 3rd day of September 1897.
WHITE & WOODINGTON,
27 Southampton Buildings, London, Agents.