Improvements in Apparatus for Carrying and Affixing Stamps, Labels, and the like.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application (in United Kingdom), 24th Sept., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 24th Sept., 1890-Accepted, 6th Dec., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Carrying and Affixing Stamps,
Labels, and the like.
I, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN LANTZ, of Taylorville, in the County of Christian and State
of Illinois, United States of America, Assistant Postmaster, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to he
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in devices or cases
for holding stamps or labels.
The object of the invention is to provide a receptacle for stamps or labels or other
articles having a mucilaginous face, said device being provided with a cover adapted
to contain a sponge and a lid for covering the sponge-receptacle, the parts being
combined and adapted for use, as will be hereinafter fully set forth, and particularly
pointed out in the claims.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a postage-stamp receptacle constructed in accord-
ance with my invention, and
Figure 2 is a sectional view showing the parts detached.
A refers to a casing, which is preferably rectangular in cross-section, the longer
sides of said casing being bent inwardly, as shown at a, to provide a ledge against
which the edges of the stamp or label will abut. This casing has a top 6, which is
rigidly attached thereto and provided with a central opening, through which passes
the stem of a piston C, the upper end being formed into an eye, as shown, while the
lower end is rigidly secured to a follower d. The piston within the casing is encircled
by a coiled spring, which bears against the top of the casing and upon the piston to
hold the labels or postage-stamps by spring-pressure firmly against the projecting
edges a of the casing.
The lower face of the follower is beveled or cut away at its edges, as shown at d¹,
so that the pressure caused by the spring-actuated piston upon the follower will be
upon the central portion on the stamps, while a comparatively light pressure is
exerted upon the edges thereof.
The casing is adapted to be closed by a cover E, which is provided with a trans-
verse partition or wall e, and in the lower compartment is secured a sponge or
moistening pad, which can be closed and protected by an additional cover f.
The hereinbefore-described device is extremely simple in construction and can be
readily manufactured.
In use, when it is desired to affix a postage-stamp or label, the sponge-containing
receptacle and cover E are removed and can be used for moistening the place upon
which the stamp is to be fixed, and the casing A is then placed over said moistened
spot and the stamp will adhere thereto, and there being but slight pressure against
the edges of said stamp it will be easily and readily released from the casing and
held upon the moistened spot by means of its mucilaginous surface becoming
dampened.
I am aware that prior to my invention devices for holding labels, tickets, &c., have

page_text: been provided with spring-followers, and I do not claim the spring-follower, broadly,
in connection with the receptacle ; but
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
In a device for carrying and affixing stamps, the combination, with a receptacle or
casing A, having its lower open end provided with inturned flanges, of a spring-
actuated plunger located in said casing and provided with lower beveled edges, a
separate section adapted to fit over the open end of the casing and provided with a
central wall, forming a sponge-receptacle beneath the same, a waterproof chamber
above the same for embracing the stamp-containing portion, and a cap or cover for
closing the lower end of said section at which the sponge is exposed, substantially as
set forth.
Dated this 24th day of Santamber 1800.
F. W. BARKER,
Applicant's Agent.