IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO PACKING CASES, OR BOXES, OR CRATES."
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frederick Hoyer, of Waterloo, in the County of Lancaster,
for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO PACKING CASES,
OR BOXES, OR CRATES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frederick Hoyer at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd June 1880.
FREDERICK HOYER, of Waterloo, in the County of Lancaster.
IN AND RELATING TO PACKING CASES, OR BOXES, OR CRATES."
"IMPROVEMENTS
My Invention relates to so constructing packing cases, or boxes, or crates, that
the same are collapsable, or can be easily taken to pieces or folded together when
empty, and the several parts packed together or sent loose, and has for its object
the saving of freight and space occupied by "returned empties” by rail, ship, canal,
road, or other transit.
Under the first part I construct a packing case, or box, or crato (of any suitable
shape or size convenient for the article intended to be packed in it) in the
following way: The sides and ends are all made the requisite height, and at the
edges forming the corners I place strong batten pieces, four, or more, or less of
which are flush with the wood forming such side and end pieces, and a corresponding
number of others, which project so as when placed together they overlap and cover
the ends of the sides and end pieces, and also of the battens attached thereto; or
these corner batten pieces may be mitred so as to form a square or other solid angle
when the sides and ends are put together. These batten pieces are by preference
screwed onto the sides and ends, so that in case of damage they may be replaced
by new ones. On the inside of the said ends and sides I attach pieces of wood, so
sloped as to fit one into the other when put together. I also groove out the
respective ends of the side and end pieces of the case or box in such a manner as to
form with the pieces of wood attached inside a continuous and very strong species
of dovetail. To keep the side and end pieces together I employ hinges of form
such as those used in a folding rule, one or more of such hinges being applied to
each corner, as may be needed; or the sides and ends of the case or box may bo
held together by leather straps or their equivalent, attached to the inside faces of
TDS11

page_text: the sides and ends of the box. To render the case or box more thoroughly secure
or rigid I further employ metal clips or holders, and these I associate so that they
fit in the corners of the respective packing case they are designed for, the metal
being shaped to suit the corners and lap over the edges, and two flanges come down
on the outside, and bearing against the batten pieces on the end and side pieces
they, by being slightly tapered, press the corners closer together; or where battens
aro dispensed with, there is a double right angle flango which, in like manner, brings
the corners together so as to hold the sides and ends together when the metal clips
are pressed down, eight clips being used for a square box, namely, four at the
bottom corners and four at the top corners. When put together the case, box, or
crate is perfectly rigid and strong. The sides and ends, or square or other desired
shape of the case, box, or crate being thus formed, I attach the bottom by means of
bolts or screws, which screw into metal plates properly bored and tapped, and let
into the edges of the side and end pieces, and there securely fastened by means of
clip flanges, which are screwed to the wood; or the bolt head being square may be
let into the wood of the end and side pieces, and the screw inay pass through the
lid or bottom, and a nut may be used to screw down, and thus securely close the
case or box. To prevent the wood of the lid and bottom from breaking away under
the pressure of the screws or nuts I protect the holes by metal washers. Any one
or two of the beforegoing fastening arrangements, together or separate, may bo
employed, and the others dispensed with, but in case a dovetail alone is employed,
then it will be requisito in packing or unpacking to pass a band of metal or other
suitable material sufficiently tightly round the top end of the case, box, or crate to
keep the sides and ends in their proper position before beginning to pack or unpack.
The lid or top pieces may be placed on when packing is completed, and secured by
the screws readily and easily in the same way as the bottom is secured in its place.
In this arrangement the lid and bottom form the protecting and binding parts for
the whole case, box, or crate. Additional battens may be used for strengthening
purposes if required. The case, box, or crate being empty can then be readily taken
to pieces, and either returned in loose pieces, or being bound together can be made
in one package; or the case, box, or crate may be folded together. The metal clips
where used being strung together, the fastening screws or bolts being screwed in
their places in the sides or ends, or the nuts screwed onto the bolts, as the case may
be. By thus taking the case, box, or crate to pieces, or folding the same together,
a saving of one half to three quarters or more space in sending it back empty is
effected.
Under the second part I construct a box, case, or crate so as to be collapsable by
dovetailing the sides and ends together, the top and bottom being screwed on
firmly to secure and hold the sides and ends together. When the top and bottom
are taken off the sides and ends can be separated and packed together, effecting a
great saving of space in a returned empty.
Under the third part I employ hinges, such as those used for folding rules, to
keep the sides and ends together. The parts of the hinges may be attached
together by moveable rods or pins, so that by withdrawing the rods or pins the
sides and ends can be separated and packed together for transit when empty.
When put together the sides and ends are held in position by the top and bottom
of the box, which are screwed on.
A case, box, or crate can be constructed with these hinges so that the sides and
ends will fold together when the top and bottom are removed.
By my Invention a packing case, box, or crate can be made collapsable, thus
effecting a great saving in cost of carriage through its being capable of being taken
to pieces and put together again with ease and celerity, and yet being equally strong
or stronger than an ordinary packing caso, and a further advantage is obtained,
inasmuch as through dispensing with nails or screws running into the wood the
life of such a packing case is lengthened and increased to an enormous extent, and
thereby an immense saving is effected in material and labour in making and
renewing packing cases or boxes.

page_text: I propose to save expense in returning cases, that a gradation of sizes be made
and called No. 1 size, No. 2 size, and so on, and each part or piece of such cases
being numbered respectively No. 1, No. 2, they can easily be sorted out at
destination, and no time wasted by men trying to fit the wrong pieces together.
To economise time in putting cases, boxes, or crates together, the screws or bolt
pieces are all to be equally distanced from the corners, the top and bottom being alike,
and all other parts made to gauge where a large number of similar sized packages
are used; thus any respective pieces will fit any corresponding piece, and thus no
sorting be needed, and varying sized packages to have all the component pieces
marked in large and distinct figures inside and out, No. 1, or No. 2, or No. 3, and
so on. Where two or more firms in the same town or part use the same sized
packages the names or cyphers of such firms to be likewise marked inside and out,
boldly and plainly, so that all loose pieces can travel together and be easily and
rapidly separated on arriving at destination.
In small cases, or where the contents of the packages are light, the corner batten
pieces may be dispensed with, especially where parallel dovetails are used.
Other modes of securing the top and bottom to the body of the package may be
employed, but as these parts are needed to be firmly and securely attached to
givo rigidity to the case I employ the means herein described by preference.
Further, the clips or corner pieces may be made continous, if desired, but as no
extra strength is gained thereby I do not advocate their being so formed. Further,
these clips may be made in two pieces and hinged or pinned together at the corner,
if it be desirable, and the top and bottom ones may be connected together with a
sliding rod or its equivalent, so as to make a case more secure, and "eyes" or their
equivalent may be put at distances inside, and such rod or pin connected or other-
wise with the top and bottom, clips being passed through such "eyes," the middle
parts of the package will be more secure from bulging.
I also can or may employ another arrangement for joining the sides and ends
together, namely, I leave pegs projecting from the ends or sides, as may prove most
desirable, or I attach metal pegs or pins thereto, and in the corresponding piece I
havo holes made and protected by a metal plate or plates. The pegs or pins pass
through these holes and the box is formed, and when the top and bottom is on it
becomes a perfectly strong and rigid case. The ends of the pegs or pins can be
screw threaded and have a nut to fit or screw on, and thus the body is rigid per se.
Another modification may consist in outside clamp pieces bolted or screwed on
at the corners, one or more being employed at each corner.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Frederick Hoyer in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 22nd
December 1880.
FREDERICK HOYER, of Waterloo, in the County of Lancaster.
IN AND RELATING TO PACKING CASES, OR BOXES, OR CRATES."
"IMPROVEMENTS
My Invention relates to so constructing packing cases, or boxes, or crates that
the same are collapsable, or can be easily taken to pieces when empty, and the
several parts packed together and sent loose, and has for its object the saving of
freight and space occupied by returned empties by rail, ship, canal, road, or other
transit, and the following is a full, clear, and exact description of my Invention,
reference being had to the accompanying Sheet of Drawings making a part of this
Specification, which are marked with letters and figures of reference corresponding
with those used in the Specification, like letters and figures being used to denoto
the same or corresponding parts throughout the various views.
Under the first part of my Invention I construct a packing case, or box, or crate
(of any suitable shape or size convenient for the article to be packed in it) in the
following way, reference to Figures 1 to 24 inclusive:-The sides and ends of the
box are all made the required height, and at the edges forming the corners C
I place strong batten pieces, as at Figures 1 and 2. The batten pieces D, on the
sides A, are flush with the wood of the side A and the ends B. The batten pieces E
project so that when placed together they overlap and cover the ends of the sides A
and ends B of the box, and also the edge of the batten pieco D. These batten
pieces D, E, may also be mitred so as to form a square or other angle when the
sides A and the ends B are put together. The batten pieces D, E, are by preferenco
attached to the sides A, B, by screws, so that in case of damage they may be
replaced by new ones. To keep the side and end pieces together I sometimes
employ hinges in the form shown at Figure 3, being of similar construction to those
used in a folding rule, one or more of such hinges being applied to cach corner as
may be needed.
My Invention further consists in a peculiar form of metal clip or holder, which I
associate so that they fit in the corners of the respective packing case they are
designed for. An example of such a clip or holder is illustrated by F, Figures 1, 2,
4, 5, and 5; Figure 5 is a plan of the holder viewed from the underside; Figure 4
is an elevation of Figure 5. The clip or holder consists of the plate F with the
flanges or clipping pieces G and H, the clip G taking the side of the case A, and the
clip H taking the end of the case B, as shown in section at Figure 2, there being a
clip F to each corner, as shown at Figure 1. The clips may also be made as shown
in plan at Figure 54. The clips bear against the batten pieces D, E, and they may
be slightly tapered to press the corners closer together. In cases where the
battens D, E, are dispensed with the outside flange of the clip F may be continued
round the clip so as to lap over and hold the sides and ends together. Eight clips
are used for a rectangular box, namely, four at the bottom corners and four at the
top corners. When put together, the case, box, or crate is perfectly rigid and
strong. The sides and ends, or square or other desired shape of the case, box, or
crate being thus formed, I attach the bottom of the box by means of bolts or screws
which screw into metal plates. An example of this attachment is illustrated in
section at Figure 6, and in outside view at Figure 7; J is the bottom of the box,
or the top or lid of the box, as the case may be. The side or end A, B, is provided
with a metal plate K, into which screws the screw L, which is formed of a screwed
wire bent over at right angles on the top, or if preferred a nut may be used instead
of the bent over ends, metal washers being used if desired to prevent the wood of
the lid or bottom from breaking away under the pressure of the screws or nuts.

page_text: Another method of attachment is illustrated in sectional clevation at Figure 8, and
in plan at Figure 9. According to this method the bolt L is passed up through
the metal plate K, the hole in which is formed oval, as shown at Figure 10. The
lid or bottom J. is slotted at J', and may be provided with a flat hook Ju, which
hooks round-the bolt L, and forms a washer, as shown in the Drawings. The
position of the bolt L when the lid or bottom is being removed, is shown in dotted
lines at Figure 8.--Any suitable number of the fastening screws or bolts L may be
used for attaching the lid or bottom to the sides and ends. A further method of
attaching the bottom and lid to the sides and ends consists of the sorew and plato,
as illustrated in Figures 11 and 12. In this arrangement the screw L is reduced
in diameter in its upper part, and an oblong hole is cut in the plate so as to leave a
turned up lipa, which allows of the screw being passed into the hole, and by
forcing down this lip the screw becomes attached to the plate, and is always ready
for use. The saw cut or slot in the screw head is made so as to leave a double
incline, as shown at Figure 11. Thus a special form of screw driver is required to
open the box, and the danger of tampering and fraud is reduced.
A further metod of attaching the lid J, or the bottom to the sides and ends of
the box, is illustrated at Figure 94. This consists in using the four metal bands b,
which are hinged to the clamps or plates d, for details see Figures 10ª and 11ª.
The metal bands b are secured in the centre, as shown in detail at Figures 12ª
and 12", by the metal plate e, which is secured by the nut f. The ends of the
bands 6 pass under the plate e through the notch e, the plate e being turned by
the pin g. By screwing down the nut f the plate e holds the bands b firmly in
position, and the lid is securely fastened to the box. The nut f may be sealed over
with sealing wax if required, or a hinged hasp may be attached to the plate e and
dropped over the nut and over a stud on the plate e, which stud is provided with
an eye hole. A piece of wire may be passed through, and the two ends sealed
with a lead seal with cypher of firin or otherwise, or else the bolt f' itself may be
provided with an eye hole, and the wiro passed through the same, and sealed, as
described. The plate e may be sunk into the wood or otherwise.
The bands b may bo made as shown at Figure 134 to overlap each other, one
end of each band being hinged to the side or end of the box, and the other end
being screwed to the box or fitting over a hasp and fastened and sealed, thus
attaching the lid or bottom to the sides and ends of the box in lieu of a screw;
an eccentric headed turning stud and a slot in the bands b may be used.
Figure 15 is a modification of clip according to my Invention. In this case the
clip F is made in two pieces, male and female, joining together, as shown. A
further example of clip is shown at Figure 16. This clip also is in two pieces
joining together as shown. These clips, Figures 15 and 16, may be cast of any
suitable metal, such as malleable cast iron.
Figures 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21 illustrate examples of sheet iron clips according
to my Invention. In those shown at Figures 17, 18, and 19, the female clip on the
ends B is of gutter construction, the male clip on the sides A taking into the female as
shown. In the examples shown at Figures 20 and 21, rolled over clips are shown
taking into each other.
•
Figure 20ª is an end section, and Figure 21ª is a sectional clevation illustrating
another example of box constructed according to my Invention, being a method
which I employ for securing the bottom. In this case I use four angle iron or
other strips i, i, which are attached to the ends B of the box, and m, m, which aro
attached to the sides A of the box. The bottom J rests on the angle irons i, i, as
shown at Figure 204, the angle irons m, m, preventing the bottom from rising.
Any of the clip arrangements for holding the sides and ends of the box together
may be employed.
In the case of-boxes constructed of sheet metal I turn over the edges of the
sides and ends so-that_they_will receive a corner piece which slides over them-a8¬
shown at Figure 22. The bottom-is-attached to the sides and ends-by-the-turned
over grooves, as shown at Figures 23 and 24.

page_text: The box, case, or crate according to my Invention, being empty, can be readily
taken to pieces and either returned in loose pieces, or being bound together can bo
made into one package; or the case, box, or crate can be taken to pieces and folded
together, the metal clips being strung together, the fastening screws or bolts
scrowed up in their places. By thus taking the box, caso, or crate to pieces and
folding the same together, a saving of one half to three quarters or more space in
sending it back empty is effected.
By my Invention a packing caso, box, or crate can be mado collapsable, thus
effecting a great saving in cost of carriage through its being capable of its being
taken to pieces and put together again equally strong, or stronger than an ordinary
packing case, and a further advantage is obtained, inasmuch as through dispensing
with nails or screws running into the wood, the life of such a packing case is
lengthened and increased very considerably, and thereby a saving is effected in
material and labour in making and renewing packing cases, boxes, or crates.
I propose, to save expense in the making of cases, that a gradation of sizes be
made and called Number one size, Number two size, and so on. Each part or picco
of such cases being numbered respectively Number one, Number two; they can easily
be sorted out at their destination, and no time will be wasted by men trying to fit
the wrong parts together.
Other modes of securing the top and bottom to the body of the package may
be employed, but as these parts are needed to be firmly and securely attached to
give rigidity to the case, I employ the clips by preference. Further, the clips or
corner pieces may be made continuous if desired, but as no extra strength is gained
thereby I do not advocate their being so formed. Further, these clips may be
made in two pieces and hinged or pinned together at the corner if it is desirable,
and the top and bottom ones may be connected together with a sliding rod or its
equivalent, so as to make a case more secure, and "eyes" or their equivalent may
be put at distances inside, and such rod or pin connected or otherwise with the top
and bottom clips being passed through such "eyes," the middle parts of the package
will be more secure from bulging.
I also can or may employ another arrangement for joining the sides and ends
together, namely, I have pegs projecting from the ends or sides as may prove most
desirable, or I attach metal pegs or pins thereto, and in the corresponding piece I
have holes made and protected by a metal plate or plates. The pegs or pins thus
pass through these holes and the box is formed, and when the top and bottom is
on it becomes a perfectly strong and rigid case. The ends of the pegs or pins
can bo screw threaded and have a nut to fit or screw on, and thus the body is
rigid per sc.
Having now described my Invention and shown how the same may be put into
practical oporation, I would have it understood that although the methods and
devices herein described and illustrated enable me to construct a completely
collapsable box, case, or crate, the devices may he used with advantage and applied
to cases, boxes, and crates other than collapsable.
What I claim as my Invention and secured to me by Letters Patent as aforesaid
is,-
First. The mode of constructing packing cases, boxes, or crates so that they are
collapsable by securing the parts together by means of the devices herein described
and shown in the Drawings hereto annexed.
Second. The mode of fastening the ends and sides of boxes, cases, and crates
together by means of clip pieces such as F, and batten pieces such as D, E, as herein
described and shown at Figures 1, 2, 4, 5, and 54, of the Drawings hereto annexed.
Third. The modes of fastening the ends and sides of boxes, cases, and crates
together by means of devices such as F, F, as herein described and shown at
Figures 15 and 16 of the Drawings hereto annexed.
Fourth. The modes of fastening the ends and sides of boxes, cases, and crates
together by means of devices such as F, F, as herein described and shown at
Figures 17, 18, and 19 of the Drawings hereto annexed.

page_text: Fifth. The modes of fastening the ends and sides of boxes, cases, and crates
together by means of devices such as F, F, as herein described and shown at
Figures 20 and 21 of the Drawings hereto annexed.
Sixth. The mode of constructing boxes of sheet metal, substantially as herein
described and shown at Figures 22, 23, and 24 of the Drawings hereto annexed.
Seventh. The mode of fastening the lids and bottoms of boxes, cases, or crates by
means of the device as herein described and shown at Figures 6 and 7 of the
Drawings hereto annexed.
Eighth. The mode of fastening the lids and bottoms of boxes, cases, or crates by
means of the device as herein described and shown at Figures 8, 9, and 10 of the
Drawings hereto annexed.
Ninth. The mode of fastening the ends, sides, lids, and bottoms of boxes, cases,
or crates by means of the device and screw as herein described, and such as shown
at Figures 11 and 12 of the Drawings hereto annexed.
Tenth. The mode of fastening the lids and bottoms of boxes, cases, or crates by
means of the device as herein described and shown at Figures 104, 114, 124, and
12 of the Drawings hereto annexed.
Eleventh. The mode of fastening the lids and bottoms of boxes, cases, or crates
by means of the device as herein described and shown at Figure 13ª of the
Drawings hereto annexed.
Twelfth. The mode of fastening the bottoms of boxes, cases, or crates by means
of the device as herein described and shown at Figures 20ª and 214 of the Drawings
hereto annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Frederick Hoyer, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twentieth day of December, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.
FREDERICK (L.S.) HOYER.