Improvements in Apparatus for Moistening Letter Copying Sheets and the like.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Jan.. 1888
Specification Accepted, 17th Feb., 1888
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Moistening Letter Copying Sheets
and the like.
I, CHARLES MILES BEARDSLEY, of No. 1221 Slater Avenue, in the City of
Cleveland, County of Cuyahoga, State of Ohio and United States of America,
inventor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:-
The invention relates to Improvements in apparatus for moistening letter copying
sheets and the like, and consists in a blotter bath in which the fluid for moistening
the blotting pads is supplied by capillary attraction substantially as shown and
described and especially pointed out in the claims.
The invention is designed to overcome the objection to placing the blotting pads
immediately in the pan or bath which contains the moistening fluid, as in such cases
it is very difficult if not impossible to maintain a uniform moisture of the pads and
have them always ready for use. Usually when the bath is supplied with a fresh
quantity of water the pads at first become too wet, and if they are to be used soon
have to be pressed in the letter press so as to evenly distribute the moisture and
make them dry enough not to run the ink on the paper to be copied. Then if they
are frequently used or allowed to stand in the bath after all the water has been
absorbed they soon become too dry for immediate use, then more water must be
added and the pads placed in the press for the reason afore mentioned. Again the
wet pads can scarcely be handled without tearing, and if excessively moistened, as
will frequently occur, mildew or lose their consistency and become worthless. By
my invention these and other material objections and difficulties are overcome and a
bath is produced in which the degree of moisture can be easily and quickly controlled
according to the needs of the blotters and in which the blotters can be kept uniformly
moist and in condition for use.
Referring to the drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a bath embodying my
invention, the cover being thrown open, Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the bath
closed, Fig. 3 is an enlarged section of one end of the bath disclosing the capillary
wick and the means for holding and compressing it.
A represents the outer pan of the bath shown here as rectangular in shape and
having a cover hinged thereon in the usual way. This pan may be made of
galvanized iron, sheet tin, or other suitable material it only being necessary that it
should keep its shape and be water proof.

page_text: B is an inner pan of like material supported on legs & on the bottom of the outer
pan, so as to provide a reservoir for water between the two pans. Any way that
suggests itself for maintaining this relation will answer the purpose, or one pan may
be set right upon the other. In the structure here shown there is a water space
about the sides and ends of the inner pan as said pan is set within the flanged edges
of the outer pan, said flanges being merely to give strength to the structure. If
preferred the outer pan may fit closely within the inner pan and the size of the whole
be materially reduced.
C represents a wick of fibrous material of such length that while one end rests on
the bottom of the outer pan, or is immersed in the water therein, the other may be
carried over the side of the inner pan and rest upon the bottom of said pan. Any
material that will conduct water or fluid by capillary attraction, and any arrangement
of the material that will serve to convey the fluid from one pan to the other, will
serve my purpose and fall within the spirit and scope of my invention. However
the arrangement shown probably is as good as any and I know of no material that
answers my purpose better than common sponge.
In the drawings I show a wick of sponge enclosed in a sheath or tube c of rubber,
preferably, and a slight recess 61 cut in the pan B to enter said pan beneath the
flange on the outor pan. On either side of the edge of the pan B I place short
bars d, d, which are fastened thereon by short screw bolts e, e, and as the wick is
gripped between these bars on both sides of the pan I can by merely turning the
screws regulate the attraction of fluid through the wick to a nicety and permit just
as much fluid to enter the pan B as may be required and no more. Either or both
screws may be operated and the wick may have more or less width and thickness.
A V shaped cover over each end of the pan B is shown, but this has no use except
to cover the wick and to prevent the blotting pads from slipping against the adjusting
arrangement.
The rubber sheath or tube is designed to confine the wick and keep it in a compact
body so that it may be more readily controlled. It is more especially useful when a
sponge forms the capillary medium.
G represents a sheet of cloth or material that will absorb and retain moisture
readily. This sheet is laid in the bottom of the pan B and serves admirably to take
up the moisture from the wicks and distribute it to the pads. The capillary wicks
might of course discharge on top of the pads shown in the drawing at H, or imme-
diately along their edges. The details of the arrangement are not essential so long
as the principle of capillary attraction is employed to do the moistening, and the
particular construction shown and described is not therefore regarded as material and
may be considerably varied without departing from my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :
1. In combination, a blotter bath having a reservoir for holding fluid, a blotter
holder removed from the fluid chamber, and capillary conducting material for
conveying moisture from the reservoir to the holder, substantially as set forth.
2. In a blotter bath, the combination of a fluid reservoir and a blotter holder, with
a capillary conductor and means, substantially as described, to regulate the flow of
fluid through the conductor.
3. The combination of a water reservoir and a blotter holder with a capillary
conductor between said parts having a sheath in which the wick is enclosed,
substantially as set forth.
Dated the 7th day of December 1887.