CANDY BOXES
On account of the greatly increasing demand for candy boxes of all
kinds in every section of the country, the writer thought it well
to devote a chapter to this important subject, and an attempt will
be made to explain the styles and construction of the most popular
models of candy boxes which are on the market at the present time.
It would be almost impossible for one to describe all of the many
different kinds of candy boxes which are being made today, so it is
the writer’s intention to mention merely those boxes that may be
considered as standard in the trade.
Standardization of the styles and sizes of candy boxes is
something that is seriously needed in the paper box industry, but
standardization cannot always be followed by the manufacturers
of candy boxes for the reason that the confectioners often want
odd-shaped and special sizes of boxes to make their product more
attractive to the public. It is a fact that a beautiful, odd-shaped
paper box helps greatly in selling expensive candies, and even
a “freak” box that is attractive without being beautiful is
nevertheless a powerful selling agent. When the confectioner wants
an out-of-the-ordinary box, and is willing to pay the necessary
cost, the box-maker should give the confectioner what he wants,
but whenever possible to talk the confectioner into using boxes of
standard sizes, the box-maker should do so, as the standard styles
and sizes of candy boxes will serve well for every practical purpose.
DEMAND FOR SWEETMEATS
With the passing of strong drinks in this country came a greater
demand for sweetmeats from every direction. Confectionery and ice
cream parlors are taking the places of liquor saloons in many
instances. New candy factories are being erected in almost every town
and city. American men and women are consuming larger quantities
of chocolates, chewing gum and candies than ever before--they are
paying high prices for the best sweetmeats, and expensive grades of
confections are selling more rapidly than the cheaper grades. All of
this means more business for the box-makers, and the box manufacturer
who is in a position to make fine candy boxes as a specialty may have
all of this class of work that he may care to produce.
Many box-makers are specializing in fancy candy boxes. Their
plants are equipped to handle this one line of product to the best
advantage. By making a specialty of this line, a great deal of the
work can be standardized in such a way that the blanks, wrappers,
neck-strips, trimming paper, covering paper, extension bottoms,
etc., can be cut to standard sizes. The operators, through working
continually on the same styles and sizes of boxes, soon become very
efficient, and are capable of producing a larger output than would
be the case in a plant that is not specializing on candy boxes. All
successful box-makers are specializing in some particular kind of
work, and this is a custom which should be more generally followed in
the trade.
SYSTEMATIC ARRANGEMENT OF MACHINES
On the next page is a diagram which shows a systematic arrangement of
machines for staying and wrapping extension bottom boxes and lids,
affixing two laces in each box, and closing the boxes.
The extension bottoms are registered and attached to the box and lid
blanks by means of a Stokes & Smith Extension Bottom Gauge, Model W.
The blanks are glued with a hand stencil and are placed in the gauge
with the extension bottoms, after which they are delivered to the
staying machine, which is elevated on a portable platform.
After the staying operation the boxes and lids are passed through a
hopper to the operator of a Stokes & Smith Wrapping Machine.
The operator of the gluing machine places the glued wrappers upon
a revolving table within convenient reach of the wrapping machine
operator.
[Illustration: Systematic arrangement of machines for Staying and
Wrapping Extension Bottom Boxes and Lids; Affixing Two Laces to Box,
and Closing.]
From the wrapping machine the lids are discharged to a receiving
table ready for closing. The boxes are discharged to a hopper
conveniently located near the lacing machine operator, who applies
the two laces to each box and then passes it on to the receiving
table. The boxes are then conveyed to the table on which the lids
have been discharged, where the boxes and lids are closed ready for
packing.
This is one of the efficiency plans which is being used in many large
box factories with successful results.
PLAIN CANDY BOXES
[Illustration: Plain Telescope Candy Box.]
Plain candy boxes are made of chip-board, news-board, or straw-board,
the board lined on the inner side with white news or book paper
before being cut up into blanks of various sizes. The board is cut
and scored to the required sizes on a cutting and scoring machine.
The corners are then cut out of the blanks on either a single or
double cornering machine. The top of the lid is covered on a topping
machine. The corners of the box and lid are stayed on a staying
machine. The sides of the box and lid are covered with white or
colored glazed paper on a covering machine.
Plain boxes of this type may also be covered on the automatic
wrapping machine, but in that case the wrappers must be cut out at
the corners as described in a previous article. Either tight wrapping
or loose wrapping can be done on a Stokes & Smith machine, or on an
Alger Wrapping Machine.
Plain candy boxes are made in ¼, ½, 1, 2 and 5 pound sizes.
TELESCOPE CANDY BOXES
These are made in the same manner as plain set-up boxes, with the
exception of the lid which is as deep as the box, and which sets down
over the sides of the box, permitting the box to contain an overflow
of candy. Boxes of this kind usually have the lid loose wrapped, but
many are tight wrapped, or are covered in the regular way on covering
and topping machines.
[Illustration: Telescope Perfumery Box.]
The loose wrapped candy box is very popular on account of its
artistic appearance. The same wrapper tightly glued on the lid
would not look as well as the loose wrap. This statement applies
to telescope candy boxes. The loose wrap plan saves a considerable
quantity of glue, as the glue is applied only to the margins of the
wrapper.
The majority of telescope candy boxes are covered on wrapping
machines, although many are covered by hand. The shape of this style
of box is long and rather narrow, so far as the smaller sizes are
concerned. They are made in ¼, ½, 1, 2 and 5 pound sizes.
LACING
Paper lacing adds decidedly to the appearance of the interior of
a candy box, and it helps in making the contents of the box look
tempting. Nearly all good candy boxes contain lacing for the reasons
mentioned, and some have lacing which is of excellent quality. In
some cases the box has two laces, one on either side, and in other
instances, a plain or fancy fly leaf on one side.
The Stokes & Smith Lacing and Fly-Leafing Machine is a very useful
device on this class of work. It will glue and insert laces or
fly-leaves to the boxes as fast as the operator can handle them.
A great deal of lacing and fly-leafing work is still being done by
hand operators, and one advantage of the hand-work is that a pure
white paste may be used, while the machine requires glue to run
properly. On fine candy boxes sanitary white paste should be used
for the lacing or fly-leaves, as a yellow glue would not look as
clean.
[Illustration: Candy Box with Two Flyleaves and Two Laces.]
The U. S. Lace Paper Works, Inc., of New York City, supply many
different varieties of lacing to the trade. This paper may be run on
the Stokes & Smith Lacing and Fly-Leafing Machine, or on the Bird Fly
Machine. Sample books of the lacing will be furnished on request.
SHOULDERED BOXES WITH EXTENSION TOPS AND BOTTOMS
Manufacturers of fine chocolates and candies are using shouldered
boxes with extension tops and bottoms to a great extent as containers
of this product, and many boxes of this variety also have padded
tops.
The boxes and lids are first made in the same way as plain set-up
boxes. Separate pieces of box-board, about ¼ of an inch larger on
all four edges than the size of the box, are then glued to the tops
of the lids and to the bottoms of the boxes. After this has been
done, the boxes and lids are then wrapped with the covering paper,
the paper being turned in over the top edges of the box and the
corresponding edges of the lid. The shoulder, or neck section is then
set in the box.
[Illustration: Candy Box with Extension Top and Bottom.]
The John T. Robinson Company, of Hyde Park, Mass., has designed an
extension edge machine which is especially adapted to this kind
of work. The machine automatically glues and places the blanks on
the tops and bottoms of the boxes, placing the blanks accurately
into position so that the margins are the same on all four edges.
Stacks of the blanks are set in the machine which is equipped with
a glue-fountain and rollers for applying glue to one side of the
blanks. As the operator places a box or lid on the form, an automatic
feeding device moves the glued blank to the box or lid in just the
right position. This machine is adjustable, of course, to blanks of
various sizes. The Stokes & Smith Extension Bottom Gauge is another
time-saving device for this kind of product.
[Illustration: Stack of Box Blanks with Bottoms Attached.]
As mentioned before, the Stokes & Smith Wrapping Machine is well
adapted to the work of wrapping candy boxes having extension edges,
but when this or any other wrapping machine is used for such work, it
is essential that the wrappers be cut out at the corners to suit the
requirements.
[Illustration: Box Ready for Staying.]
In the case of a padded top for a candy box, this top is applied
after the cotton wadding has been put on and covered. First, the
cotton wadding is loosely placed on the piece of box-board which is
to form the top. Second, a sheet of heavy paper, same size as the
wadding, is laid over the top of the wadding. Third, the top is then
wrapped with the covering paper, turning in over the under-side of
the top. Fourth, the covered, padded top is now glued to the top
of the lid which has previously been covered on the sides. This is
said to be the most efficient method for making lids with padded
tops, although it is practicable to cover the lid while the piece of
box-board and wadding rests upon it.
[Illustration: Development of the Wrapper.]
Some expensive candy boxes in the larger sizes, square or oblong,
have extension edges as wide as ½ of an inch, but in such cases the
box-board used for the tops and bottoms should be of heavy weight so
that the wide, covered edges will not break easily. Most extension
edges on candy boxes average from ⅛ to ¼ of an inch.
[Illustration: Shouldered Candy Box Tied with Ribbon.]
Many shouldered candy boxes with extension edges have padded
tops; are covered with fine colored and embossed paper, and are
tied together with silk or satin ribbon of a color that blends
well with the color of the covering. When ribbons are used, the
ribbons are inserted between the bottom of the box and the piece
of box-board which forms the extension edges, which means that the
extension-bottom piece must be glued to the bottom of the box after
the ribbons have been applied. The ends of the ribbons are to be tied
in large bows over the top of the lid after the sweetmeats have been
placed in the box. Or, the ribbons may be in the form of loops,
which slip over the lid.
The shoulders, or necks, are made in long strips; are folded and
stayed at one corner, and are then cut to the proper sizes for
insertion in the boxes. The cut sections of shoulder-strips are
covered with glazed paper, at the top edges, before being set in the
boxes.
Box-board used for all good candy boxes is lined on one side with
white news or book paper before being cut and scored.
TRAYS FOR CANDY BOXES
Not a few of the better-grade candy boxes are fitted with trays for
holding the different kinds of chocolates, etc., separately. Some of
the larger-size candy boxes have several trays, arranged either in
groups or in tiers. Others have merely one tray. These trays are made
of the ordinary, light-weight box-board in the same way as set-up
boxes, cut, scored, cornered, stayed and covered with white glazed
paper. Before being cut, the box-board is lined on one side with
white paper.
FLAT CANDY BOXES
Flat candy boxes are made as low as 1 inch, and are made in various
sizes. They are used for holding single layers of chocolates,
caramels, gum-drops, etc., and by reason of their long and wide shape
they have the appearance of holding more material than is actually
the case. The flat box of this type is usually of the telescopic
pattern, extension edge bottom, the lid fitting down over the sides
of the box, although many are made without extension bottoms.
Sometimes small ends of ribbon are glued to the inner sides of the
lid, the ends of the ribbon extending outside so that one may readily
lift the low lid with the aid of the ribbons.
Thumb-holes at the sides of the lids are advisable with boxes of
this kind. The thumb-holes are cut after the lids have been covered.
There are several thumb-hole cutting machines on the market which are
capable of handling all varieties of such work.
THE DUPLEX SHOULDER-BOX PRESSER
The Stokes & Smith Company, of Philadelphia, is manufacturing the
Duplex Shoulder-Box Presser which is a time-saving device for all
kinds of shoulder-box work. The use of this machine prevents the
sides of the boxes from pulling away from the shoulder, and it also
eliminates finger markings so noticeable in hand-work.
This company also manufactures a Shoulder-Box Gluing Machine which is
intended for gluing the inside of shoulder-boxes, and the device is
a big time-gainer over the ordinary hand method of gluing necks, or
shoulders.
ROUND CANDY BOXES WITH EXTENSION EDGES
All round candy boxes are made by hand by skilled operators who
have had long experience in the one line of work. Practically all
round candy boxes are made with extension tops and bottoms, and have
shoulders, although some are being made with plain tops and bottoms.
The round, shouldered box with extension edges is formed of four (4)
pieces of box-board--two disks, the side-piece, and the neck.
The disks are cut out to the proper sizes on a die-press by means of
round steel dies. When plain covering paper is to be applied to the
tops, or fancy covering paper for that matter, this paper is also cut
to the necessary sizes and shapes with the aid of round steel dies.
For the side-pieces of round candy boxes the stock should be a
quality of strong cardboard which will roll easily into “rings.” The
ring is held together at the two ends with a strip of stay-paper, or
linen, glued to the inner side of the ring.
First, the ring is placed over a form to obtain the proper round
shape. Second, one of the round pieces of box-board, which is to form
the top or bottom and extension edges, is placed to the edges of
the ring in accurate position. Third, the operator then applies the
covering paper, wrapping it around the sides of the ring and turning
over the edges of the paper, top and bottom of the ring. The box and
lid are both covered in the same way, the paper holding the round
disks of box-board to the edges of the rings. Fourth, a round piece
of paper is pasted to the lid of the box. Fifth, a slightly smaller
ring than the one forming the side of the box, and higher, is glued
to the inside of the box. This forms the neck, or shoulder. The box
is now complete.
[Illustration: Large Round Candy Box with Flat Top.]
Plain, round candy boxes are made much in the same manner, only the
round disks of box-board are inserted at the top edges of the rings.
Boxes of this model usually have shoulders, although some few are
made on the telescopic pattern, the lid being large enough to fit
down over the edges and sides of the box.
Through the courtesy of Jesse Jones Company, of Philadelphia, the
writer is able to furnish information in reference to large round
boxes with convex, or dome tops--information which is very practical
and valuable. The Jesse Jones Company for many years has been noted
for the production of round and fancy candy boxes and this concern
has been successful in building up an extensive business in this line.
Dome tops for large-size round boxes, such as the five-pound size,
for example, are made after the lids and boxes have been covered.
The finished boxes are lined up on a spacious table. The lids are
then inverted and placed upside down over the top edges of the
boxes. Over the inverted lids soft, dampened pieces of muslin are
spread. Each inverted lid is then filled with fine buck-shot, and
while holding the buck-shot the boxes and lids are allowed to stand
in that condition for several hours. The dampened muslin and the
weight of the buck-shot causes the top of the lid to shape into an
almost perfect convex form. This is said to be the best process for
doming the tops of large round boxes. The lids for large-size oval or
odd shaped boxes can be domed in the same way. It is necessary, of
course, for the box-maker to have on hand a considerable quantity of
the fine buck-shot when following this plan.
ART CANDY BOXES
Some fine candy boxes are covered with silk or satin, and on the
tops of others are glued fancy “cut-outs,” such as pictures of
girl’s heads, yachts, flowers, etc. Hand-painted designs, pictures,
etc., are glued to the tops of some of the larger-size boxes. There
is always a strong demand for beautiful candy boxes of this kind,
no matter how costly they may be. They are particularly popular at
Christmas time.
[Illustration: Beautiful Art Candy Box. The picture contains a real
feather.]
LARGE, ODD-SHAPED CANDY BOXES
The larger-size candy boxes, like the five-pound size, are often
made in the form of hearts, diamonds, hexagon, octagon, square with
round corners, oblong with round corners, shamrocks, fans, keystones,
shields, and other figures. Nearly all boxes of this variety have
shoulders and extension tops and bottoms. The pieces of box-boards
for the tops and bottoms, whatever the shape desired may be, are cut
out by means of steel dies, and the cover paper for the tops are also
cut out with steel dies, so that the paper will accurately fit on the
tops, or lids, after the other covering work has been done.
Moreover, for fancy boxes of this class, smaller pieces of box-board
than the pieces used for the extension tops and bottoms must also
be cut out into the shapes of hearts, diamonds, etc., to be used as
formers for the boxes and lids, as follows:
First, the strip of heavy cardboard for the side of the box is
stayed together at the ends, and the side-piece is then placed
around a form of a heart, diamond or whatever the subject may be.
This correctly forms the sides of the odd-shaped box, but to keep
the shape permanently, the smaller piece of box-board is set in at
the top, and the sides of the box are then covered, the edges of the
covering paper being turned at the top of the form so as to hold the
set-in piece firmly. The form may now be removed from the box, and
the covered extension-edge piece of box-board glued on. The lid is
constructed in the same way.
Another, and perhaps a better method is in placing the side-piece
on the form; setting in the bottom or top-piece; gluing on the
extension-edge piece, and then covering the box in such a manner
as to wrap the edges of the covering paper around the sides and
extension-edges. The cut out piece of covering paper--a heart,
diamond, or whatever it may be--is then pasted to the top of the lid.
It is to be understood that the side-pieces, and the set-in top and
bottom-pieces are lined on the inner side with white or colored
glazed paper before the boxes and lids are made. In other words, the
stock is lined before being cut into the different shapes.