IMPROVEMENTS IN WRAPPERS, CASES, OR ENVELOPES FOR PACKING OR ENCLOSING MERCHANDIZE, AND FOR SIMILAR PURPOSES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Harris Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
IMPROVEMENTS IN WRAPPERS, CASES, OR ENVELOPES FOR PACKING OR
ENCLOSING MERCHANDIZE, AND FOR SIMILAR PURPOSES." A communication
from abroad by James H. Weaver, of Chicago, Illinois, United States of
America.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Henry Harris Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th September 1879.
HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN WRAPPERS, CASES, OR
ENVELOPES FOR PACKING OR ENCLOSING MERCHANDIZE, AND FOR SIMILAR
PURPOSES." A communication from abroad by James H. Weaver, of Chicago,
Illinois, United States of America.
This Invention relates to wrappers, cases, or envelopes for packing or enclosing
merchandize, and for similar purposes.
The said wrappers, cases, or envelopes are constructed in various forms as herein-
after described.
Referring to Figures 1 to 8 of the Drawings,-
Figure is a perspective view of a wrapper or case made according to this
Invention.
Figure 2 is a vertical central section thereof.
Figure 3 is a section on the line x, x, Figure 1:
Figure 4 is a section on the line y, y, Figure 1:
Figure 5 is a section on the line 2, 2, Figure 1.
Figure 6 represents a modification in the construction of the mouth or upper
part of the wrapper.
Figure 7 indicates the form of the metallic blank hereinafter described, and
Figure 8 shews a modification in the mode of folding together the edges.
Like letters of reference indicate similar parts in these Figures

page_text: A represents a sheet of paper which, in its blank or unfolded form, may have
parallel sides and rectangular corners, and the dimensions of which correspond to
the size of the case of which it is to form a part. B is a sheet of thin, light,
flexible, but quite stiff sheet metal, having a form before being folded approximating
to that indicated by the full lines in Figure 7. In other words, the sheet B, with
the exception of the tongues a and a¹ extending from opposite edges thereof, and
arranged near one end of the blank, is a parallelogram.
To make the case, I place the sheet-metal blank on the paper blank, so that the
edges of the blanks will coincide or nearly coincide with each other. I then fold
both blanks together along the line b, thus bringing the vertical edges of the parts
together or nearly together. By preference in folding the parts thus, I do not carry
one edge fully up to the other, but only for example to the line b¹, thus leaving a
projecting tongue or end c. I then bend the part cover the edge of the part
brought up to the line b', and fold both these ends upon each other along the line
d. I then turn the tongue a up over the lower end of the body of the case or
envelope, and fold the lower end upon itself along the line e.
A case or wrapper in the form of a pouch or sack is thus made, consisting of
paper and metal, the metal being either upon the inside of the sack or upon the
outside, according to the manner in which the first fold is made. Usually it will
be preferable to fold the parts together, so that the paper will be upon the outside
of the packet, thus admitting of the address being written upon the paper in a
conspicuous place. Sometimes however, it may be desirable to inclose in such a
case matter which should not be in contact with metal; and to furnish a case for
that purpose, I so fold the parts together, that the paper will form an interior
lining. The bottom of the sack, instead of being folded up as described, may be
continuous, as shewn in Figure 8, both sides being folded.
It will be perceived that by making a pouch or case in this manner, I not only
have the option of arranging the metal either inside or outside thereof, but that
the paper and metal are very firmly held together, and that the seams or joints are
made tight without the aid of mucilage.
To close the top or mouth of the pouch, it may be then folded somewhat as the
lower end or bottom was folded in order to close the pouch there; but I deem it
best to make much broader folds at the top, so that the pouch may be then opened
easily, for as will be perceived, after being once closed at the mouth in this manner,
it may be then opened with facility by unfolding the parts then turned down. The
mouth however, owing to the stiffness of the metal, is closed firmly enough to be
prevented from being opened accidentally. The mouth of the pouch or sack may
be opened and closed a number of times without being materially injured by reason
of the flexibility of the metal. An additional tongue all may be made at the top
of the sheet B, if deemed preferable, as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 7, but
no tongues are absolutely essential.
In practice, I deem it preferable to make the sheet A somewhat longer than the
metallic part of the wrapper, especially at the top as indicated in Figure 2, and
to fold these extended parts upon the metallic part before folding the latter as in-
dicated in Figure 3.
Figures 9 to 13 of the Drawings illustrate modifications of the said Invention.
Figure 9 is a perspective view of a pouch made according to such modifications.
Figure 10 is a side view of the same, a part thereof being broken away to shew
the flexible metallic part.
Figure 11 is a section on the line x, x, Figure 9.
Figure 12 is a similar view showing a modification in the construction of the
said pouch, and
Figure 13 is a plan of the unfolded blank.
Like letters of reference indicate similar parts in these Figures.
and
A represents a small paper envelope or pouch made in any suitable manner,
open at one end. B is a flexible metallic piece attached to one side of the pouch,
1
thomas

page_text: This pouch is designed for use in the following manner, that is to say:-When
the pouch is filled, for example, with fine cut tobacco, I fold the mouth or open end
of the pouch upon itself, until the upper end of the piece B is thus folded in, as
represented at a, Figure 9. By this means the mouth is kept closed securely, but
may be easily opened by unfolding or unrolling the parts folded or rolled together
in closing it, it being understood that the part B is long enough to admit of this
result. As the tobacco is used and diminished in quantity, the open end or mouth
of the pouch may be folded in like manner upon that which remains, so that the
tobacco, when only a small amount remains, will be as closely or as tightly enclosed
as when the pouch was first filled, thus keeping the tobacco from being shaken
about in the pouch, and from being crumbled or broken up.
I deem it preferable to make the part B T-shaped as shewn, and to arrange the
lateral arms of the T near the mouth, thus leaving a comparatively slender tongue
al to extend towards the bottom or lower end of the pouch. I also deem it best to
connect the part B to the pouch, by making the blank for the latter about three
times the width of the completed pouch, and by arranging the part B between the
lateral wings of the blank which are folded upon each other in making the pouch,
it being understood that these wings are gummed together, all of which is clearly
indicated in Figure 11. The part B however may be held in place by means of a
separate piece of paper pasted over it, as represented in Figure 12. Also by making
the upper end of the part B as broad, or nearly as broad as the mouth of the pouch,
the latter will be securely closed, while economy and lightness result by making
the remaining or lower part of the metallic part B narrow or slender. I do not
however regard the precise form herein described, of either the metallic or paper
portion of the pouch as absolutely essential. The pouch may be made of muslin or
other suitable material.
Further modifications of the said Invention are illustrated in Figures 14 to 25 of
the Drawings.
Figure 14 is a perspective view of a case or wrapper constructed according to
one of these modifications.
Figure 15 is a top or face view of the parts constituting the blank unfolded.
Figure 16 is a top view of the same folded and fastened.
Figure 17 is a section on the line x, x, Figure 16.
Figure 18 shows a modification in the form of the blank.
Figure 19 is a perspective view of the same folded and fastened.
Figure 20 is a section on the line y, y, Figure 19.
Figure 21 is a face view of the blank indicating the manner of connecting the
metallic part thereof with the paper part.
Figures 22 and 23 are sections on the line 2, 2, and 21, 21, Figure 21.
Figure 24 shews still another modification in the construction of the blank,
and
Figure 25 is a perspective view of the same folded and tied by a string.
Like letters of reference indicate similar parts in these Figures.
A represents a blank of flexible thin metal, approximately a square in form, and
notched or cut away at the points a, a, as shewn, thus making four tongues a¹, a¹,
extending from the four sides or edges of the body of the blank. These tongues
form or constitute flaps, which may be folded in one upon the other upon the body
of the blanks, and the notches a, a, are so formed and arranged that whether the
tongues a', a', terminate in the corners of the blank, as shewn in Figures 5, 21,
and 24, or whether the notches be cut in the corners, as shewn in Figure 18, the
edges of the tongues or flaps when folded together will overlap each other, as indi-
cated by dotted lines in Figures 16, 19, and 25.
This metallic blank when folded together and fastened either by means of a cord,
as indicated in Figure 25, or by means of a clasp, as shewn in Figures 14, 16,
and 19, would form or constitute an envelope or wrapper which would be practical
for many purposes, but there would be danger that the comparatively sharp edges
of the blank would injure other packages with which it might come in contact

page_text: For the purpose of avoiding this danger, and as one of the essential features of this
part of the said Invention, I combine the metallic blank with paper folded over its
edges, and B represents the paper employed for that purpose. If the paper be
merely folded over the edges of the metallic blank the paper and the blank will be
sufficiently connected to each other to be used together as a wrapper.
A wrapper
embodying this feature of construction is shewn in Figure 21. The paper however
may be made to adhere to the metal by using suitable adhesive substance for that
purpose. It is not absolutely essential that the paper should be folded over the
edges of the metal before the blank is folded to wrap its contents, for if the paper
be slightly larger than the metal blank, and extends beyond the edges thereof, as
shown in Figures 15 and 18, the metallic edges will be covered by folding the
paper and the metal together, so that both shall enclose and enwrap the contents,
as will be perceived if it be understood that the parts are folded together along the
dotted lines c, c, of the Figure last above referred to. The same result will also
follow if the parts shewn in Figure 24 be folded together in like manner.
These parts after being folded together to contain or enwrap any contents thus
enclosed may be held in their folded condition, either by means of a string or cord,
as indicated in Figure 25, or by means of a clasp, as shewn in Figures 14, 16,
and 19. When a clasp is employed for the purpose above referred to I extend two
of the opposite tongues a¹, a', into supplemental tongues c¹, c³, and one of these
tongues I pass through a loop or link c, and then bend that tongue back upon
itself, thus securing the loop or link to the parts to be fastened or clasped together,
as is clearly indicated in Figures 17 and 22. A modification of the mode of
securing the link or loop is represented in Figure 20. To fasten the folded parts
in their folded condition it is only necessary to pass the tongue c¹ through the link
or loop c¹¹, and then bend that tongue back upon itself, as shewn in Figures 14, 16,
19, and 20. When enclosing certain classes of goods in these wrappers it will be
best to first wrap the goods carefully in paper, but no string or cord need in
ordinary cases be used with this interior wrapper, as the outer wrapper will confine
it sufficiently. Other classes of goods may be wrapped directly in the wrapper.
It will be perceived that the envelope or wrapper may be easily folded or
unfolded, and that no binding strings or cords need be used when a clasp is
employed. It will also be perceived that whether a binding cord or string be used
the contents will be much better protected than if paper alone were used, as in the
latter case the wrapper would be liable to be punctured or torn. I deem the use
of a clasp preferable, as the wrapper may then be fastened and unfastened with
facility, and is much more complete than if strings or binding cords were employed.
I do not however here intend to be restricted to a fastening connected to the
wrapper.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I am aware of the fact that paper wrappers or cases have been heretofore used
lined with tin-foil and like thin metallic sheets, having substantially no stiffness,
and aiding in no way to preserve the original form of the wrapper or case, and in
no way performing the function or office of the metallic parts of the wrappers, cases,
or envelopes constructed according to my Invention; I do not therefore claim the
combination in a wrapper or case of paper and tin-foil or other like thin metallic
sheets not having the quality of stiffness to a considerable degree, but I claim, -
First. An envelope, case, or wrapper consisting of a sheet of paper, and of a
sheet of flexible metal folded together at the seams or joints, the said metallic sheet
having the property of stiffness or rigidity to a sufficient degree to serve to hold
together firmly the parts united at the seams and at the mouth, substantially as
and for the purposes specified.
Second. A pouch provided with a flexible metallic stiffening strip applied to the
body of the same, and arranged with one end near the mouth or open end thereof,
and with the other end toward the bottom of the pouch, substantially as and for the
purpose specified.

page_text: Third. A pouch provided on its body with a flexible metallic T-shaped piece,
arranged substantially as described with reference to the mouth of the pouch, for
the purposes specified.
Fourth. A wrapper or envelope consisting of thin flexible sheet metal, having in
its edges the notches, arranged substantially as described, to admit of the over-
lapping of the tongues thereby formed, and of a paper shield or covering for the
edges of the said sheet of metal, the said sheet and shield or covering being coupled
or connected to each other, and arranged substantially as described, each with
relation to the other, for the purposes set forth.
Fifth. The combination of the thin flexible sheet metal A, having thereon the
tongues or flaps a¹, a¹, and the oppositely arranged supplemental tongues c¹, c', the
link or loop c, and the shield or covering B, all substantially for the purposes
specified, and as described with reference to Figures 14 to 23 of the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Harris Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
HENRY H. LAKE. (L.S.)