US1978138A - Sealing panel for cedar chests or like receptacles - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 23, 1934. LQFTIN 1,978,138

SEALING PANEL FOR CEDAR CHESTS 0R LIKE RECEPTACLES Filed June 13, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented Oct. 23, 1934 l 1 {UNITED sTArss PATENT OFFICE SEA LIN G PANEL FOR CEDAR CHESTS OR LIKE RECEPTACLES Grady A. Loftin, Altavista, Va., assignor to The 7 Lane Company, Inc., a corporation of Virginia Application June 13, 1933, Serial No. 675,642

4 Claims. (01. 206-10) This invention relates to sealing panels or cloimpraetical, to so clean every article; stored asto sures for the storage chambers of cedar chests insure the non-existence of moth'larva or moth orother like receptacles constructed of cedar-- eggs when the article was stored away. wood or other materials giving off vapor or aroma Experiments demonstrate the fact that the r the escape of which to the external atmosphere it aroma of the cedar oil, which is in fact cedar 6O is desired to prevent, or receptacles for goods oil in a highly gaseous or vapor state, suspended W containing volatile or evaporating substances or in, the air, is extremely penetrating and that, if essencesthe loss of which by evaporation to the the article infested with moth larvae' could be free atmosphere it is desired to prevent, or remaintained in a receptacle for a suflicient length 19 ceptacles for goods subject toa drying out action of time wherethe cedar aroma was of sufficient 6 5 or deterioration on exposurepto the atmosphere, density, all moth larvae would be completely which deleterious actions it is desired to prevent. destroyed. The problem, therefore, was to first The efficiency of action of a cedar chest as a obtain a suflicient amount of cedar oil aroma, protector of garments stored therein against the next to imprison this aroma in the receptacle so ravagesaof moths is dependent upon the strength that the article'would remain in an atmosphere to or amount of the aroma or cedar oilvapor conof cedar aroma of sufficient concentration the tained in the atmosphere of its goods storage requiredlength of time to destroy the moths and, space or chamber and the maintenance of this second, to so imprison and maintain the basic strength againstlosses due to leakage even when supply of cedar oil that the required density of 2.0 the lid or coverof the chest is kept constantly aroma would be supplied over a long period of 75 closed. years to make the receptacle continuously eflec- From experiments, conducted over quite along tive. period, the object of which was to produce a cedar It was also found by experiment that cedar chest that would destroy the clothes moth larvae, aroma, that is cedar oil molecules in suspension it was discovered that aromathrown on by the in air, is heavier than air. Consequently it is so aromatic cedarwood oil, found in aromatic cedar more dense at the bottom of the receptacle and, was effective in killing moth larvae of any age if of course, when the receptacle is closed the givthe proper concentration could be developed, and i s Oil of the Cedar Oil molecules creates in the it was also found that the two fundamentals in receptacle a vapor or gaseous pressure which, a

so securing proper concentration of aromaare to although slight as pressuresfare ordinarily meas- 5 get enough cedarwood oil into the chest by in ured, is quite sufiicient to causethecedar aroma troducing enough cedar lumber to supply this-oil to escape from the recept c e h u h a y and by making the chest sufliciently aroma tight. crevice or crack. And, while it will escape more By preventingthisleakage and putting enough rapidly from a hole at the bottom of the chest,

oil in the chest enough concentration can be obas the density is greater at the bottom, this pres- 9Q tained to kill moth larvae of any age, obviously sure created as heretofore explained, Will cause obviating the necessity of having clothes cleaned it at certain s a to ape r r l f h to get them free of moth eggs and ,larvae, or location of the leak. L Leakage, or escape of the beaten, or brushed, orsunned, all of which metharoma from the chest is also caused by the varia- 4,0 odshave been recommended by variousauthorition in temperature in the room outside as com ties to free fabrics of moth infestation; The ld pa d to theai w t in h s r The a p xitype of cedarchest which wasnot aroma tight mat amount of edar oil in h avera red according to United States Government recomcedar. board may be ascertained by dry;weight mendations would kill newly hatched moth worms andthe Chest COIIStTHCBBd ,Withthe p p am unt :45 up to half grown (three months old) but ifthe of redcedarfpr each cubic inch of storage space;

fabrics had more than half grown moth worms This will give a Sufii e hq t y. of C da Oil on them, they were so hard to kill that thecedar to produce aroma of sufficient density to be efaroma concentration in the chest was not strong fective in destroyingmoths, provided the density enoughlto kill them, but this objection I have been of the aroma could be, maintained, leakage pre- 50 able to overcome with my new aroma tight chest. vented and the escape of thefcedar oilin the form The problem which I desired to workout was to of aroma could be largely confined to the inside. destroy the moth larvae present in such articles, of the chest so that it might not be wasted'by or hatching from eggs, that might have been escape outside into the room.v V

deposited on them when they were stored away, This percentage of redcedar to the cubic con- .55 as it has been difiicult and expensive and, in fact, tent of a receptacle will not only supply an aroma. 1m

of sufficient density to destroy moths, but will continue to supply it over a long period of years, provided as above, that leakage and waste are prevented.

My experiments conducted over many years have proven that the moth killing efficiency of a cedar chest is proportionate to the amount of cedar oil present in the closure and the aroma tightness of the closure.

A cedar chest may be specially constructed and provide special sealing means to prevent or reduce to a minimum loss of cedar oil vapor when the lid or cover of the chest is closed, and chests of this character kept in a more or less'closed condition at all times will be maintained in effective condition for a long period of years. It is the custom, however, in stores in which the cedar chests are kept for sale to leave the chests open when on display in order to clearly expose the internal construction, as a result of which a very material loss of the cedar oil aroma may occur, thus reducing the effective life period of usefulness of the chest.

It is, therefore, highly desirable to provide a means for preventing or reducing the loss of cedar oil vapor from a chest kept open for display, while at the same time permitting the chest to be kept with its lid in open condition so that the interior of the chest may be readily and conveniently inspected by prospective purchasers; and accordingly one object of my invention is to provide a transparent sealing means for sealing the open top of the storage chamber of a cedar chest from the escape of cedar oil aroma when the chest is left open for display purposes.

It is another object of my invention to provide a sealing means of the character described in which provision is made for holding a transparent panel composed of a sheet of air and waterproof material marginally secured upon the rim of the chest body so that it may be applied at the factory and employed as a supplemental sealing means to keep the chest body sealed against the escape of cedar aroma at all times until sold to a person for use, and which person may thereupon remove the panel in an easy and convenient manner to permit of the use of the chest without in any manner marring or damaging the chest.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide a sealing means of the character set forth which is adapted for general use to seal the stor age chamber of a container against deleterious actions which would occur if the interior of the container or its contents were constantly exposed to the atmosphere.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter fully described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:- i i Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cedar chest, such as a Lane cedar chest, provided with a sealing panel embodying my invention, showing the lid of the chest thrown open to expose the panel and the interior of the chest through the panel.

Fig. 2 is a cross-section through the rim of one of the walls of the chest body, showing the manner in which the protective panel is fastened in position.

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the arrangement after the panel has been removed by severance along the designated cutting line.

Fig. 4 is a cross-section through. thfi rim O one of the walls of the chest body and the lid or cover, showing the lid in closed position and with the sealing strip compressed.

Fig. 5 is a section similar to Fig. 4 showing the lid and sealing strip as they appear when the lid is closed but not locked.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a part of the chest body and panel, showing the reinforced portion of the panel cooperating with the lock.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, 1 designates a cedar chest or other receptacle, which may be, as customary, of oblong rectangular form and open at its top for insertion and removal of goods from its storage space or chamber and provided with a lid or cover 2, hinged thereto, as at 3, for closing the open top of the storage chamber to keep the goods therein confined and to exclude the same from the atmosphere. The chest 1 comprises a bottom end walls 5, a rear wall 6 and a front wall "I, which, together with the lid or cover 2, may be constructed wholly or partly of cedar oil bearing wood in suificient quantity and of proper quality to supply cedar oil aroma for a period of years, assuming that undue leakage losses are avoided. In order to reduce these losses to a large extent the walls of the body and the lid or cover are specially constructed, as by providing them with a leakproof outer veneer, leak-proof joints between the parts thereof, and other means designed to prevent escape of cedar oil or cedar oil vapor from the interior outwardly through the chest walls. Also in order to close the joints between the chest body and lid or cover when the latter is in closed position, the inner provided with a resilient metallic sealing strip 8 secured at one edge to the cover and projecting angularly therefrom toward its opposite or free edge, which free edge of the strip is adapted for engagement with the marginal rim edges 9 of the walls of the chest body to close the spaces therebetween in an air-tight manner. The strip is so applied and arranged that when the cover is let down but is not locked in closed position the free edge of the strip will engage the edges 9 and support the cover in a slightly raised position. By this means the joints between the lid and body will be closed when the lid is let down but not locked in closed position, and so that when the cover is forced down and locked in closed position the strip will be compressed to make the joints absolutely tight even in the event of irregularities due to warping or other imperfections in the cover or contacting surfaces. The front wall '7 of the chest has applied thereto a lock 10 of suitable construction for engagement with a keeper 11 on the free edge of the cover, whereby the lid may be locked in closed position whenever it is desired to make an absolutely tight seal or to prevent theft or unauthorized inspection of the contents of the chest.

In a cedar chest of good construction the internal protective atmosphere of the chest consists of a mixture of air and cedar aroma or cedar oil vapor, the vapor being formed by the exudation of oil from the exposed inner surfaces of the oil bearing wood which upon liberation becomes vaporized and combined with the air contained in the storage chamber of the chest. The efficiency of this atmosphere as a moth repellent and destroyer is dependent not only upon the richness of the oil bearing media and its capacity to supply a suflicient quantity of oil to form a moisture of proper strength, but also upon the retention of the strength of this atmosphere as a result of face of the lid or cover is leakageto the outer atmosphere. Serious losses because of unduly rapid exudation and evaporation of the oil from the Wood may occur when a i be kept open for an indefinite period of time so that its interior may be readily viewed, while the same time sealing the chest against aroma losses so that its life period of usefulness will be preserved and not in any manner impaired.

I Incarrying my invention into practice for this purpose, I I provide the outer portions of the marginal or rim surfaces of the chest walls with an L-shaped rabbet or recess 12, extending completely around the chest, the Walls of which recess having a horizontal floor portion 13 and a vertical riser portion 14 connecting said floor portion 13 with the surface 9. The rabbet or recess is designed to receive the depressed marginal portions of a sealing panel 15 which is applied to extend over and cover the open top of thechamber and is of such dimensions as to rest flatly upon the rim edges 9 and to provide a marginal portion 16 adapted to be bent or deflect- ;ed downwardly in L formation so. as to bear against the floor and riser of the recess. This panel comprises a sheet of some suitable clear transparent material which is impermeable to air and moisture and not aifected by cedar oil aroma. A good clear quality of untinted celluoid of the character used for moving'picture films may, for example, be used, so long as sheets of sufiicient clarity are provided to permit the interior construction and surfaces of the chest to be readily seen. This panel is secured in position by suitable fastening means, such as ornamental beading or molding strips 17 seated in the recesses 12 and secured by nails or other suitable fastenings 18 so as to firmly clamp the marginal portions of the panel 15 against the floor and riser surfaces 13 and 14 of the recesses. These wood strips may be of pleasing appearance and ornamental character and incidentally add to the finish of the chest.

When the panel is applied in this manner to cover the opening in the chest it will protect the chest chamber against access of dust, dirt or moisture and thus keep the chamber clean and free from foreign particles while it will, at the same time, act a barrier against the escape of the cedar oil vapor, thus maintaining the potency of the chest atmosphere and preventing loss of vapor which would ordinarily occur through leakage of the vapor to the external atmosphere.

In practice the panel sheets may be applied to the chests at the factory prior to shipment to a dealer, so that they will act as a sealing means supplemental to that of the cover to prevent any vapor losses due to unavoidable leakage, and this mode of application ensures the delivery of the chest in the best possible condition and with the panel applied in an expert manner, so that while these general advantages are gained the dealer will be saved the trouble and expense of applying the panels and possible damage to the chest through the application of a panel by inexperienced hands obviated. When the chest reaches the dealer, therefore, he may at once set it out in open condition for display with the assurance 3 that the interiorwill be protected not only against loss of vaporbut from dirt, dust, moisture and finger-marks, so that the working efficiency and sales value and appearance of the chest will not be reduced while it is exposed for free display and inspection. The character of the material employed not only. ensures against vapor losses but also permits it to be dusted or washed off if casualty soiled without damage.

unimportant and desirable feature of my invention consists in making the strips 17 of somewhat less depth'than the recess 12 and of its riser portion 14, so that the upper surface of the strip will terminatesuificiently below the rim surface 9 as to leave a definite amount of the upper part of said riser portion and portion of the margin of the panel applied thereto exposed above, level of the upper surface of the molding strip. By this means the exposed upwardly projecting portion of the depressed margin of the panel will form a defined part along which the body of the panel may be severed from the clamped margins thereof whenever it is desired to remove the panel either by the purchaser of the chest or by a dealer prior to delivery of the chest to the customer. In this operation the upper surface of the molding strip will form a guide by means of which a knife or other sharp tool may be engaged withthe defined panel portion in a quick and convenient manner and the knife run around the entire margin of the panel to sever the same, the upstanding part of the riser 14 serving in this connection as a firm backing for the sheet whereby a quick and clean cut may be readily made.

By thismeans the panel may be removed but the dealer need not go to the trouble of removing the remaining marginal portion or the molding strip, unless he desires to do so, as thesurfaces of the chest will not be marred and no unsightly portions leftby the trimming action.

In order to permit of the passage of the lockingbolt of the lock member through the panel for engagement with the keeper member, the panel portion overlying the lock member is provided with a bolt hole or opening 19. Because of the formation of this opening it is desirable to suitably strengthen and reinforce thesheet at this point, which may be accomplished by providing a laminated reinforce consisting of one or more reinforcing plies which may be cemented or otherwise secured to each other and to the panel sheet, and which may be of the same material as the sheet or of any other suitable material.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings, the construction and mode of use of my novel and improved protecting panel will be readily understood and it will Luccourse, be understood that a protective structure of this character may be used in connection with other similar receptacles where it is desired to prevent admission of air or moisture to an open receptacle and the possibility of the drying out or deterioration of goods in the receptacle, or

aroma or other losses from the contents of the receptacle, and I therefore wish it understood that I reserve the right to employ the invention in any of these connections. While the structure disclosed is the one preferred, because of its combined simplicity and efliciency, it will, of course, be understood that various changes in the form, proportions and details of construction may be made within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the process of manufacturing it frequently happens that some of the exterior finishing material spatters or otherwise deposits on the inner surface of the chest which results in setting up an oily or gummy deposit due to the cedar aroma coming in contact therewith, all of which is avoided by placing this panel on the chest before the exterior finishing coating is applied to the chest.

What I claim is:-

1. In means for sealing the mouth of the storage chamber of a storage receptacle against the escape of volatile substances therefrom while permitting ready observation of the chamber, a receptacle of the character set forth having a bearing surface extending around its mouth, a transparent panel comprising a sheet of a flexible, transparent impermeable material closing said chamber mouth and resting on the bearing surface, and means for securing said panel in position, said means engaging a marginal portion of the panel and having an upper surface lying below the plane of the bearing surface and defining a cutting line along which the panel may be severed from its secured portion for removal of the receptacle.

2. In means for sealing and preventing evaporation of volatile substances from the storage chamber of a receptacle while permitting observation of the chamber, a receptable having a storage chamber provided with a mouth or opening and a recess surrounding the same and providing a ledge portion and a shoulder portion, a panel of flexible, transparent, impermeable material covering said opening and having a marginal portion depressed into the recess and resting against said ledge and shoulder, and a securing strip disposed wholly in said recess secured to and clamping the strip against the ledge and lower portion of the shoulder, said strip having an upper surface terminating below the top of the shoulder and coacting therewith to form a guide surface for a cutting tool and an anvil backing for the panel whereby the panel may be severed to separate the body part of the panel from the secured marginal portion thereof.

3. In a sealing closure for storage receptacles, a storage receptacle comprising a body having a bottom and vertical walls forming a storage chamber and an opening communicating therewith, said walls of the body being provided about said opening with a horizontal transverse bearing surface, and a recess forming a horizontal ledge lying outwardly beyond said shoulder and between the same and the outer faces of said walls, a vertical shoulder lying outwardly beyond and surrounding said bearing surface, a hinged lid for closing said opening, a sealing panel of flexible transparent material covering said opening and resting on the bearing surface and provided with a marginal portion bent downwardly into the recess of the body, a molding strip lying wholly within said recess and clamping the marginal portion of the panel against said ledge and shoulder of the recess, and having an upper surface terminating below the top of the shoulder, and a resilient metallic sealing strip on the lid adapted to bear upon said bearing surface of the receptacle and the portion of the panel overlying the same.

4. The combination with cedar chests and similar receptacles, comprising a chamber presenting an inner cedar oil vapor emanating surface, said chamber having a permanent opening and a removable closure therefor, of a temporary closure secured across said opening and sealing said chamber, said closure consisting of a sheet of flexible, transparent material which is impervious and neutral to cedar oil aroma.

GRADY A. LOFTIN.

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