I actually have thought that over the years. It was the sort of marketing thing for the late 19th century. One can almost visualize the late 19th century marketing department saying something along the lines of 'How the feck are we going to shift these new pipes. I know! Lets put them in a case and give them a snazzy name, that should really ensure the rubes buy the damn things at 3 shillings and six pence each!'.
