Improvements in Copying Baths.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 19th June, 1899-Accepted, 12th Aug., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Copying Baths.
I, GEORGE HENRY CANNIFF, residing at 36, Bolton Place, Cleveland, Ohio,
United States of America, Manufacturer, 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:
"This invention relates to copying baths, and it is intended by the present
construction. to overcome numerous disadvantages and inefficiencies heretofore
encountered in such devices, and particularly to insure a thorough saturation
of a number of copying cloths or blotters with water or other liquid and
maintaining such. devices in a desirable moist condition for a considerable
period and ready for use at any time.
The invention consists essentially of a receptacle having a water or liquid feed
at one end, a hollow cover enclosing a perforated distributor, the bottoms of the
distributor and the receptacle having absorbent pads, thereon, the pad of the
receptacle being provided with capillary feeding devices.
The invention further consists of the details of construction and arrangement
of the several parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.
In the accompanying drawing:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the bath shown closed.
Figure 2 is a similar view of the bath shown open and ready for use.
Figure 3 is a central longitudinal vertical section of the bath, as shown
arranged in Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a detail perspective view of a portion of a pad used in the recep-
tacle of the device.
Referring to the drawings, wherein similar numerals are employed to indicate
corresponding parts in the several views, the numeral 1 designates a receptacle
which may be of any desired dimensions and preferably constructed of galvanized
iron or other non-corrosive sheet metal. The said receptacle is completely
open at the top and has surrounding sides and ends and a closed bottom, and
extending entirely across one of the ends and the major part of the opposite
sides are inwardly projecting flanges 2, the side flanges being attached to or
made continuous with an angular abutment 3 transversely crossing the receptacle
near the end opposite to that having a flange similar to the side flanges. This
abutment 3 stands above the bottom of the receptacle, and there-
from, to a nearby end, a supplemental bottom strip 4 is positioned, and has
apertures 5 therein at suitable intervals. This supplemental bottom, with the
end of the receptacle, to which it is attached, and the adjacent portions of
the sides and abutment, forms a feed receptacle for the reception of water or
other liquid which flows down through the openings 5 and is absorbed by a
felt or other suitable pad 6, held by the flanges 2 and the overhanging edge
of the abutment 3, closely to the bottom of the receptacle. The exposed edge
of the pad is free to take up the water or liquid flowing down from the openings 5
of the supplemental bottom 4, and to facilitate this operation, the bottom of the
said pad has a series of wick strips 7 secured thereto, which, by capillary attrac-

page_text: tion induce a thorough saturation of the pad by equally distributing the
moisture thereon. The ends of these wick strips 7 are also free to take up the
water, or liquid from the feed specified, and are disposed lengthwise of the pad,
in close relation.
With the said receptacle, a lid or cover 8 is used, the sides being turned
down and bent inwardly at 10 to form a support for an upper moistening pad 12.
Above this pad and resting upon it is the distributing plate 9, provided with
a series of perforations 11 at regular predetermined intervals, and the number
of said perforations will depend upon the dimensions of the device and they
may be positioned to best serve their intended purposes. An open space S is
left between the upper surface of the distributing plate and the cover for free
circulation of water. In the center of the upper side of the top or cover, an
opening is formed, having a reticulated closure 13, with a top flange 14 sur-
rounding it. The reticulated cover 13 serves as a strainer to exclude dust and
the surrounding flange has the function of a funnel when pouring water
into the cover. To conveniently elevate the entire lid or cover S, a handle 15
is movable attached near one end.
In order to change the bath so as to moisten the blotters, water or other
liquid is poured on the supplemental bottom 4 and is taken up by the lower
pad which becomes thoroughly saturated, and on this is placed a number of
copying cloths or blotters. The lid or cover 8 is then closed into the receptacle
and water is poured through the reticulated covering 13, and passes through the
perforations 11 into the pad 12. In passing through the reticulated covering 13,
the water or other liquid is spread over the bottom 9, passes through the
perforations therein, and the said pad 12 also becomes thoroughly saturated
with moisture.
By this means, the copying cloths or blotters contained in the device are
gradually and regularly moistened from below and above simultaneously, and
when it is desired to use them, the lid or cover 8 is elevated by raising the
handle 15 and said lid or cover is raised and held in the position shown in Figure 2,
through the medium of the abutment 3. This is a very convenient mode of
supporting the lid or cover, and in primarily placing the latter in the receptacle,
the end thereof furthest from the handle 15 will be located directly over the
supplemental bottom 4, the distance between the ledge and the adjacent end
of the receptacle being slightly greater than the thickness of the entire lid
or cover, the edge. of the cover will rest in the recess formed between the
abutment and the adjacent end of the receptacle and the cover can be raised and
lowered by the handle at the other end, the lower end then pivoting freely in
the aforesaid recess.
When the lid or cover is supported in the position shown by Figure 2, it
will have the resistance offered by the abutment on one side, and will be propped
at the opposite side by the adjacent end of the receptacle, and by this arrange-
ment and operation, it is unnecessary to remove the said lid or cover entirely
from the receptacle.
The copying cloths or blotters are located between the abutment 3 and the
end of the receptacle farthest therefrom, and therefore, will not interfere with
the operation of the lid or cover just explained, and will be also free for removal
from or replacement in the receptacle.
By thoroughly moistening the copying cloths or blotters in the manner set
forth, dry spots are avoided and irregularity in copying a letter is overcome,
and the top and bottom cloths or blotters will be equally moist so that, when in
the press, under the same amount of pressure, the copies resulting from their
use will have an even appearance, and not show one letter neatly copied and
the next blurred. The top or cover will also contain directions for the use of
the device, and the amount of water or liquid to be poured in will be propor-
tionate to the number of cloths or blotters employed.
One of the greatest advantages that accrues from the use of the present form

page_text: of device is that the clotbs or blotters will always be ready for use at any time,
and the several parts being of compact form, will occupy but little space.
In the event that the felt pads wear out, they can be readily replaced at a
very small cost, by simply pulling out the old ones and inserting the new
ones in place thereof.
Changes in the dimensions, proportions and minor details of construction can
be resorted to without in the least departing from the spirit of the invention
or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.
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 a copying bath, the combination of a receptacle having a moistening
pad therein, and a lid or cover removably fitting the said receptacle and also
provided with a moistening pad, whereby copying cloths or blotters may be
moistened simultaneously from above and below.
2. In a copying bath, the combination of a receptacle having a water or liquid
feed at one end, a pad in the lower portion thereof, a lid or cover provided with
an upper opening and a perforated water distributor, and a pad forming the
bottom of the lid or cover.
3. In a copying bath, the combination of a receptacle having an abutment
adjacent to one end, and a lid or cover adapted to be held elevated by the said
abutment.
4. In a copying bath, the combination of a receptacle having a water or liquid
feed at one end comprising a supplemental bottom and an abutment, and a lid
or cover having a handle near one end of the upper portion thereof and con-
structed to rest at the opposite end upon the said supplemental bottom, between
said abutment and end wall of receptaacle.
5. In a copying bath, the combination of a receptacle, of a pad therein of
suitable material, having wick strips thereon, for conveying water or liquid
equally to all parts thereof, and a lid or cover for said receptacle.
6. In a copying bath, the combination of a receptacle having an absorbent
pad therein, and a lid or cover having an opening with a reticulated covering
in the upper portion thereof, a perforated water distributor, and an absorbent
pad forming the bottom.
7. In a copying bath, the combination of a receptacle having an absorbent
pad in the lower portion thereof, and a removable lid or cover also carrying
an absorbent pad.
3. In a copying bath, the combination of a receptacle having a perforated
supplemental bottom opposite one end and a transverse ledge or abutment, an
absorbent pad held against the bottom and a lid or cover provided with a per-
forated water distributor and an opening for the admission of water or liquid
and also provided with an absorbent pad forming the bottom thereof.
9. In a copying bath the combination with a receptacle of a pad of absorbent
material, a water reservoir in said receptacle and a capillary feeding device,
leading from said receptacle to said absorbent pad, substantially as described.
10. In a cover for the receptacle of a water bath a pad of absorbent material
forming the bottom thereof, in combination with a water distributing device
over said pad.
11. In the cover for the receptacle of a water bath, a pad of absorbent material
forming the bottom thereof, a water distributing device over the absorbent pad,
and a closed top provided with a reticulated opening.
12. In a copying bath the combination with a receptacle provided with a water
reservoir, an absorbent pad and a capillary feeding device, of a cover provided
with an absorbent pad forming the bottom, and a water distributing device,
substantially as described.
13. In a copying bath, the combination with a receptacle provided with an
.

page_text: absorbent pad and capillary feeding device of a cover provided with an absorbent
pad forming the bottom and a water distributing device over said absorbent pad,
substantially as described.