Improvements in Boxes or Cases for the Transmission of Fruit, Flowers, and other Perishable or Fragile Articles.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd July, 1898-Accepted, 3rd Sept., 1898
Improvements in Boxes or Cases for the Transmission of Fruit,
Flowers, and other Perishable or Fragile Articles.
I, WILLIAM HOGARTH TURNBULL, of Kilburn, Catel, in the Island of Guernsey,
Gentleman, 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, reference being had to the accompanying drawings
and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
This invention relates to boxes or cases for the transmission of fruit, flowers, and
other perishable or fragile articles, and is designed to provide convenient and
simple means which will ensure the safe transport of their contents and will permit
the removal or unpacking of any portion of such contents without disturbing the
rest.
According to my invention, I construct the box or case of rectangular form, and
provide it with suitable doors at the front thereof. Inside the box or case I
arrange suitable sliding shelves or racks having apertures for the reception of
baskets, or other appropriate receptacles, containing the goods. The arrangement
is such that after the shelves are filled, which can more conveniently be done when
they are withdrawn from the box or case, they can be pushed or slidden back
thereinto, and will be kept in place by the doors when the latter are closed and
fastened.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood and be readily carried into
effect, I will describe the same fully with reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one construction of my improved box or case with
its doors open so as to shew the interior arrangement, and
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section thereof on the line x, x of Fig. 1.
Figs. 3 and 4 are respectively a plan and an underside view, on an enlarged
scale, of one of the sliding shelves or racks employed in this construction of box
or case.
a is the body of the box or case, the interior of which is divided, say into two
compartments, by a vertical partition a¹.
b, b, are the doors which are, in the example shewn, adapted to fit flush inside
the edges of the box or case, and to meet opposite the partition a' which latter is set
back slightly to permit of the doors closing flush in the manner referred to.
These doors are hung on hinges 61, and are provided with any suitable fastening,
such as a hasp and wedge, or a padlock.
At the lower part of the box or case, there may be a turn-button or catch, such
as 62, by which the left hand door can be secured in its closed position before finally
fastening both doors by the hasp, or other device.
c, c, are the sliding shelves or racks, of which there may be any suitable number.
They are fitted in runners or guides c¹ fixed to the sides of the box or case, and to
the partition a¹.
c2, c², are the apertures in these shelves or racks, which apertures may be square,
oblong, or of any other suitable shape.

page_text: The shelf or rack shewn in Figs. 3 and 4 has all its apertures square, but I find
it advantageous to provide some of the shelves both with square apertures and also
with oblong ones.
The shelves or racks may be formed of a single piece of wood, or other suitable
material, in which the apertures are cut, and which is strengthened by battens and
strips screwed, or otherwise secured, to the underside thereof. They may,
however, simply consist of wooden or iron frames, or the like.
d, d, are the baskets in which the articles or goods are packed before being
placed in the case a. These baskets preferably have sloping sides and ends, so
that when forced into the apertures c² they become jammed or wedged and fit
tightly therein, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2.
Any suitable means may be provided to assist in preventing the baskets being
shaken out of the apertures when in transit. For instance, the space between the
shelves or racks might be filled with light packing material after the baskets are in
place, or the baskets may be fastened down by string, or otherwise.
The box or case may be provided with iron bands or straps to strengthen it, and
may also be provided with rings arranged at each corner, or otherwise, for the
purpose of hoisting it.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1. A box or case for the transmission of perishable or fragile articles, provided
with sliding shelves or racks having apertures to receive suitably shaped baskets, or
other like receptacles, containing the articles or goods, substantially as described.
2. A box or case of the kind referred to in the preceding claim, divided into
compartments by a vertical partition and provided with doors which, when closed,
serve to keep the sliding shelves or racks in position, substantially as described.
3. My improved box or case substantially as hereinbefore described with
reference to the accompanying drawings, and for the purposes set forth.
KOYAYO
Do them
OYAYO
1050
ERNEST DE PASS,
Chartered Patent Agent, 78, Fleet Street, London, and
5A, Market Street, Nottingham, Agent for the Applicant.