US1782505A - Cup for sponge moisteners - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 25, 1930. c. c. HARRIS CUP FOR SPONGE MOI-STENERS Filed Oct l 192 621-6 6%;rgr

Patented Nov. 25, 1930 CARL o. HARRIS, or ORANGE, MASSACHUSETTS l our FORSPQNGE ivIO E EBSf i i Application filed October 1, i923. SeriaLNo; semi)?- i This invention relates to a cup or receptacle for receiving a sponge for use in moistening the fingersfor applying moisture to stamps, gummed strips and the like and for other uses.

The principal objects of the invention are to provide a cup or holderfor this purpose 1 having means whereby the surplus moisture can be removed from the fingers by drawing the fingers over the sponge and over theedge of the cup, which is so located that it can be done ina single motion in a substantially straight line; to provide means whereby the surplus moisture is drained back into the cup; to provide the cup with simple means serving as a hand grip so that the whole device can be moved about conveniently and to provide 1 the base with means for preventing or retarding the sliding of the article on the surface on which it is located and of such a nature as not to mar such a surface. Some features of this invention are adapted to be used in a stamp pad holder in a similar way. I Other objects and advantages of the inven-, tion will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to theaccompany ing drawings in which Fig. 1 is a side view of a sponge cup with a sponge therein showing a preferred embodiment of this invention; i

Fig. 2 is a sectional view diametrically across the center of the same, and

Fig, 3 is a bottom plan view. Gups forholding sponges or pads for the purpose of moistening the fingers ordinarily are made in a very simple manner and they are apt to slide around the desk inconveniently and are hard to keep clean. When the j 40 fingers are moistened on the sponge, they are apt to receive surplus moisture which will drip on the desk. Furthermore these moisteners are not conveniently portable.

I provide a cup of semi-softrubber, somewhat flexible, but not very soft, which has a recess 11 in thetopfor receiving the sponge 12 which may be of sponge rubber. It is shown as circular'in form and convex on top. At the bottom of this recess there are two A diametrioal ribs 13 at right angles whichv hold the sponge rubber above the 3 the recess, r

1 "At thetop of therecess thereis aslanting or curved surface 14 ending in a lip 15 sur-' rounding the cup and having a comparatively sharp circular edge projecting outwardly.

Belowthis is an annular groove18 surroundmg the cup and serving as a handle, the lip projecting above it for this purpose. At the bottom, the base flares out to provide a wide bottom surface for resting on the desk and the bottom of this surface is-provided with a 561168 of projections 19 integral with the base for preventing or retarding any sliding of the article around the desk.

The lip, which has been described, serves to 1 wipe the surplus moisture from the bottom surfaces of the fingers of the userif she draws her fingers over the sponge in the natural way and across this lip in a single motion substantially in a straight line. Onaccount of the slanting top surface of the lip, it will cause. the surplus water to. drain back into the cup. It also serves as the top of the annular groove, enabling theuser tograsp the whole device conveniently and transport it from one place a to another.

Integral rubber spurs 20 project into the sponge to prevent its accidental displacement. This constitutes a. simple, attractive and convenient article for the purpose described andeflicientlyserves all the above mentioned purposes. Theprojections on the bottom and the annular groove can be used in acup for an ink pad also. j i

Although I have illustrated anddescribed one formand two applications of the inven- 7 tion I am aware of the fact that other modifirecess havinga convex upper surface, the base being provided with an outwardly and up wardly projecting ledge aroundthe top for receiving the fingers of the operator when brushed along the surface of the sponge and removing excess moisture therefrom, said lip having on the inside a gentle curve so that the water will drain back into the cup and the base having a groove entirely around it underneath and extending to the edge of said lip whereby it can be lifted and moved around. I

2. As an article of manufacture, a holder for the purpose described comprising an integral body of semi-soft rubber having a cavity therein for a moistening element or pad and provided with a circumferential groove concave in cross section around the surface just under the top for use in manipulating the holder and terminating at the top in a surrounding edge projecting outwardly at the top of said groove and inclined inwardly and downwardly from its extreme outer edge.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

CARL C. HARRIS.

Images