Food, Tobacco, Snuff, and Paint, and for other like Purposes.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Dec., 1886
Complete Left, 26th May, 1887.
Complete Accepted, 1st July, 1887.
RESERV
Food, Tobacco, Snuff, and Paint, and for other like Purposes.
We WILLIAM BLIZARD WILLIAMSON and GEORGE HENRY WILLIAMSON trading
as W. B. Williamson and Sons of Providence Works in the City of Worcester
Manufacturers do hereby declare the nature of this Invention to be as follows :-
Our said invention consists of improvements on an invention for which Letters
patent were granted to one of us namely George Henry Williamson dated the 1st day
of August 1885 No. 9251 and for improvements on which provisional protection was
granted to us dated the 7th of September 1886 No. 11378.
Our present invention consists of the further improvements herein after described.
The patented invention herein before referred to consists in making hermetically
sealed metallic boxes or cases having their tops closed by tagger tin plate sheet lead
or strong tin foil and provided with loose fitting covers which covers are used to
protect the contents of the box or case after the tagger tinplate or other top has been
removed. The provisionally protected invention referred to had for its object to
facilitate the opening of the said boxes or cases by affixing to the underside of the
loose cover a cutter somewhat resembling the end of the blade of a penknife. When
the loose cover having the said cutter is pushed home on the box or case the cutter
perforates the tagger tin plate top and by turning the cover round the said tagger
tin plate top is cut away and the box or case opened. In order to prevent the loose
cover from being pressed home accidentally and the top of the box or case punctured
a pad or packing is placed on the top of the box or case before the loose cover is put
on the box or case and the said pad or packing has to be removed before the top of
the box or case can be cut away.
The object of our present invention is to render the said pad or packing unnecessary
and thereby to simplify the said invention.
We effect our object in the following manner. Instead of making the cutter in the
ways described in the provisional specification filed by us on the 7th of September
1886 No. 11378 we make the cutter in the following ways.

page_text: We joint to the underside of the loose cover a short strip of steel or iron the free
or unjointed end of which is pointed and turned at right angles to the other part. In
the loose cover is an indentation into which when the jointed strip or cutter is turned
down the point enters or seats itself so that when the loose cover is put on the box or
case the cutting point is turned away from the tagger tin plate top of the box or case
and pressure on the loose cover does not effect the cutting or puncturing of the top
of the box or case.
When it is desired to open the box or case the loose cover is removed and the
cutter is thrown back on its hinge or joint. The sharp point of the cutter is thus
presented to the tagger tin plate top of the box or case when the loose cover is
replaced on the box or case and by pressing home and turning the cover the tagger
tin plate top of the box or case is cut away.
Or instead of jointing the cutter to the loose cover as described the cutter may be
so connected to the underside of the loose cover that it can slide in the direction of a
radius. When the cutter is pushed outwards the cutting point is situated beyond the
margin of the tagger tin plate top and pressure on the loose cover does not effect
the cutting or puncturing of the tagger tin plate top. The filled cases or boxes are
sent out with the cutter in the position described. In order to open the case the loose
cover is removed and the cutter pressed towards the centre of the cover.
The point of the cutter when the loose cover is replaced is now over the marginal
part of the tagger tin plate top of the box or case and by pressing home and turning
the cover the tagger tin plate top of the box or case can be cut.
Dated this Seventeenth day of December 1886.
W. T. WHITEMAN,
Agent for the Applicants.

page_text: Improvements in Metallic Boxes or Cases for Storing Articles or
Food, Tobacco, Snuff, and Paint, and for other like Purposes.
We WILLIAM BLIZARD WILLIAMSON and GEORGE HENRY WILLIAMSON trading as
W. B. Williamson and Sons of Providence Works in the City of Worcester,
Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature of our invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
Our said invention consists of improvements on an invention for which Letters
Patent were granted to one of us namely George Henry Williamson dated the 1st day
of August 1885 No. 9251 and for improvements on which provisional protection
was granted to us dated 7th of September 1886 No. 11378.
Our present invention consists of the further improvements hereinafter described.
The patented invention herein before referred to consists in making hermetically
sealed metallic boxes or cases having their tops closed by tagger tin plate, sheet lead
or strong tin foil and provided with loose fitting covers which covers are used to
protect the contents of the box or case after the tagger tin plate or other top has been
removed.
The provisionally protected invention referred to had for its object to facilitate the
opening of the said boxes or cases by affixing to the underside of the loose cover a
cutter somewhat resembling the end of the blade of a penknife. When the loose
cover having the said cutter is pushed home on the box or case the cutter perforates
the tagger tin plate top and by turning the cover round, the said tagger tin plate top
is cut away and the box or case opened. In order to prevent the loose cover from
being pressed home accidentally and the top of the box or case punctured, a pad or
packing is placed on the top of the box or case before the loose cover is put on the box
or case and the said pad or packing has to be removed before the top of the box or
case can be cut away.
The object of our present invention is to render the said pad or packing unnecessary
and thereby to simplify the said invention.
We effect our object in the following manner. Instead of making the cutter in
the ways described in the provisional specification filed by us on the 7th of
September 1886 No. 11378, and the complete specification subsequently filed we make
the cutter in the following ways.
We joint to the underside of the loose cover a short strip of steel or iron the free or
unjointed end of which is pointed and turned at right angles to the other part. In
the loose cover is an indentation into which when the jointed strip or cutter is turned
down the point enters or seats itself so that when the loose cover is put on the box or
case the cutting point is turned away from the tagger tin plate top of the box or case
and pressure on the loose cover does not effect the cutting or puncturing of the top of
the box or case.
When it is desired to open the box or case the loose cover is removed and the cutter
is thrown back on its hinge or joint. The sharp point of the cutter is thus presented
to the tagger tin plate top of the box or case when the loose cover is replaced on the
box or case and by pressing home and turning the cover the tagger tin plate top of the
box or case is cut away.

page_text: Or instead of jointing the cutter to the loose cover as described the cutter may be
so connected to the underside of the loose cover that it can slide in the direction of a
radius. When the cutter is pushed outwards the cutting point is situated beyond the
margin of the tagger tin plate top and pressure on the loose cover does not effect the
cutting or puncturing of the tagger tin plate top. The filled cases or boxes are sent
out with the cutter in the position described. In order to open the case the loose
cover is removed and the cutter pressed towards the centre of the cover.
The point
of the cutter when the loose cover is replaced is now over the marginal part of the
tagger tin plate top of the box or case and by pressing home and turning the cover
the tagger tin plate top of the box or case can be cut away.
We will now proceed to describe with reference to the accompanying Drawings the
manner in which our invention is to be performed.
Figures 1 and 2 represent partly in elevation and partly in vertical section and
Figure 3 in plan, a box or case provided with a jointed cutter constructed according
to our invention; Figures 4 and 5 represent plans of underside and Figure 6 a side
elevation, partly in section, of the loose cover carrying the jointed cutter detached
from the box or case. In Figures 1 and 4 the jointed cutter is represented turned
down against the inner side of the loose cover out of action and in Figures 2. 3. 5
and 6 the jointed cutter is represented turned back from the cover into its acting
position.
a is the body of the box or case and 6 the tagger top; c is the loose cover and dis
the cutter turning on the joint pin d². The said jointed cutter d is pointed and its
sides are made into cutting edges, the cutter being turned at right angles to the part
which is jointed to the pin d as represented. When the jointed cutter is turned down
against the inner side of the cover c as represented in Figure 1 its cutting edge and
point are turned from the tagger top 6 of the box or case and when the loose cover c
is put on the box or case and pressed down no puncturing of the tagger top b can
take place.
In order to open the box or case the loose cover c is removed from the said box or
case and the cutter d is turned on its hinge or joint into the position represented in
Figures 23, 5 and 6. The sharp point and cutting edge of the cutter are now
presented to the tagger top 6 when the cover is replaced in the box. The loose cover
being now pressed home the point of the cover d is made to perforate the tagger top b
and by turning the loose cover upon the top of the box through a complete circle the
tagger top is cut away by the cutter d. In Figure 3 the tagger top is represented
partly cut away by the action of the cutter d, the incision made by the said cutter
being marked e.
Figure 7 represents partly in elevation and partly in vertical section a box or case
provided with a sliding cutter constructed according to our invention and Figure 8
represents a part of Figure 7 drawn to a larger scale.
In Figures 7 and 8 the cutter is represented out of action Figure 9 represents
the same view as Figure 7 with the cutter in action; Figure 10 represents a modification
of the tagger top of the box or case; Figure 11 represents the loose cover carrying
the cutter detached from the box or case.
a is the body of the box or case 6 the tagger top and c the loose cover; d d² is the
sliding cutter situated on the innerside of the loose cover c the cutting part of the
said sliding cutter being marked d. The end of the body d of the cutter d is looped
to form a handle for putting the cutter into and taking it out of action. The cutter d, d²
slides on the loose cover c in the direction of a radius the said cutter being secured to
the cover and guided in its motion by the two parallel slots e, e in the cover through
which slots ear pieces f,fare passed and turned back on the outer side of the cover,
the turned back ear pieces, also acting as stops to the cutter. When the cutter d, d
is pushed outwards into the position represented in Figures 7 and 8 its cutting point
is situated beyond the margin of the tagger top band pressure on the loose cover c
does not effect the cutting or puncturing of the tagger top. The filled boxes or cases
are sent out with the cutter in the position represented in Figures 7 and 8. When it
is desired to open the box or case the loose cover c is removed from the box and the

page_text: cutter d, d² is pressed towards the centre of the cover into the position represented in
Figure 9. The loose cover c is now replaced on the box and the cutting part d of the
cutter is now situated over the annular depression 62 in the tagger top b. By now
pressing home the cover c the point of the cutter d enters and perforates the said
tagger top at the said depression 62 as represented in Figure 9 and by turning the
loose cover through a complete circle upon the top of the box the tagger top bis cut
away and the box is opened.
Instead of making an annular depression & in the tagger top 6 for the cutter to
perforate as represented in Figures 7, 8 and 9 the tagger top may be made in the
manner represented in Figure 10, that is, the greater part of the tagger top ↳ is
situated at a lower level than the marginal part, the cutter perforating and cutting
away the tagger top at the base of the shoulder of the marginal part as seen in
Figure 10 where the cutter d is represented in its acting position and the tagger
top perforated by the said cutter d preparatory to the cutting away of the said
tagger top.
Instead of making two slots e, e (Figure 11) in the loose cover for fixing and guiding
the sliding cutter, a single slot e may be used as represented in Figure 12 the ear
pieces being first folded upon the body d² of the cutter and their ends bent at right
angles and the bent ends passed through the single slot and turned back on the outer
side of the cover.
The sliding cutter may be placed on the inner face of the rim of the loose cover
instead of on the inner face of the top of the loose cover.
This arrangement is
represented in side elevation partly in section and plan, with the cutter out of action,
in Figure 13 and the cutter in action in Figure 14. In the plan view of Figure 13
the loose cover is removed from the box; Figure 15 represents the loose cover in
section detached from the box; d d is the cutter situated on the inner face of the rim
of the loose cover the said cutter being capable of sliding to and from the top of the
cover. The cutter is secured to the cover and guided in its motion by the slots e, e
and ear pieces ff as before described.
In the tagger top is a depression 3 (see the plan Figure 13) for the cutting point
of the cutter to take into as hereinafter described. When the cutter d, d³ is pushed
to its full extent towards the top of the loose cover c and the cover is placed on the
top of the box, the cutting point d is situated above the face of the tagger top bas
represented in Figure 13 and no pressure of the cover c causes the perforating and
cutting of the tagger top. In order to open the box the cover c is removed from the
box and the cutter d, d is drawn back to its full extent so as to withdraw the cutting
point d from the top of the cover. The cover e is now replaced on the tagger top bin
such a position that the cutting point d of the cutter enters the depression and is
thus situated in a position to cut the side of the tagger top. By now rotating the
cover c through a complete circle the cutting point d cuts away the tagger top by
an incision made in the side of the tagger top as represented in Figure 14 where the
incision is marked g.
h
In order to dispense with the depression 63 in the tagger top 6 the parts of the
cutter may be arranged in the manner represented in side elevation and section in
Figure 16 and side elevation in Figure 17. In this arrangement the sliding cutter d
is formed from a spring arm & carried by the cross piece and ears working in slots
in the loose cover c. In the loose cover e is an opening through which the spring
cutter & can project. On the loose cover c is a slide i. This slide i is for the purpose
of covering the opening when the cutter is in the non-acting position Figure 17 and
for preventing the outward motion of the spring cutter when it is in the depressed or
acting position Figure 16. When the cover c is placed upon the filled box or case the
spring cutter d and slide i have the positions represented in Figure 17. For the
purpose of opening the box or case, the loose cover c is removed and the slide i is
drawn back into the position represented in Figure 16 and the spring cutter d is
depressed into the acting position represented in the said Figure 16, the spring
cutter d now protruding from the opening h in the loose cover.
The loose cover
having been replaced the spring cutter d is now opposite the side of the tagger top to

page_text: be cut away and by pressing upon the protruding spring cutter d its cutting point can
be made to perforate the said tagger top the cutter being held in that position by
moving forward the slide i into the position Figure 17. The cutting operation is now
performed by rotating the loose cover c upon the top of the box in the manner before
described.
Or the spring cutter may slide in a direction parallel to the top of the loose cover
and be fixed in its acting and non acting positions in the manner represented in
Figures 18 and 19: d is the sliding spring cutter and h is the opening in the loose
cover for the spring cutter to protrude through for piercing the side of the tagger top
of the box. The slide 1 of the spring cutter is connected to the loose cover c by the
ear pieces m working in the pairs of slots nn and p p the said pairs of slots being
at different levels. When the car pieces m of the slide 7 are situated in the pair of
of higher slots nn the pointed end of the spring cutter d is out of action and is
removed from opposite the opening h so that it cannot puncture the tagger top as
represented in Figure 18.
When the ear pieces m of the slide are drawn into the lower pair of slots p, p the
pointed end of the spring cutter d is in its acting position or in a position to cut the
side of the tagger top and the said spring cutter is made to protrude through
the opening h. By pressing inwards the spring cutter d it is made to perforate the
side of the tagger top and the cover c is rotated upon the top of the box. As the
cover is rotated it travels upon the stationary cutter until the shoulders 9, q bear
against the ears m; the opening his thereby removed from the front of the spring
cutter d and the said cutter is supported by engaging inside the part d³ of the loose
cover. The further rotation of the loose cover now carries the cutter with it and
effects the cutting away of the tagger top in the manner herein before described, the
cover in this case having to travel to cut away the tagger top a little more than a
complete circle.
The several constructions of cutters herein before described and represented
may be applied to loose rims as well as to loose covers and to boxes or cases having
ordinary tops.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our invention and
the manner in which the same is to be performed we declare that we claim as our
invention of "Improvements in metallic boxes or cases for storing articles of food
tobacco snuff and paint and for other like purposes"
First The combination with the loose covers or loose rims of the said boxes or
cases of hinged cutters constructed and acting substantially as herein before described
and represented in Figures 1. 2. 3. 45 and 6 of the accompanying Drawings
for cutting away the tagger tin plate tops or other like tops of the said boxes or
cases.
Secondly The combination with the loose covers or loose rims of the said boxes or
cases of sliding cutters constructed and acting substantially as herein before described
and illustrated in Figures 7. 8. 9. 10. 11 and 12 of the accompanying Drawings
for cutting away the tagger tin plate tops or other like tops of the said boxes or cases.
Thirdly The construction of the sliding cutters and sliding spring cutters and the
appliances connected therewith herein before described and illustrated in Figures 13
to 19 both inclusive of the accompanying Drawings for causing the cutters to operate
at the side of the tagger top or other like top for opening the box or case substantially
as described and illustrated.
Dated this Tenth day of May 1887
WILLIAM BLIZARD WILLIAMSON.
GEORGE HENRY WILLIAMSON.