Improved Means for Moistening Gummed Labels.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 8th June, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Feb., 1890-Accepted, 24th May, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means for Moistening Gummed Labels.
I, WALTER WEIR, Postmaster, Milngavie, Stirlingshire N.B. do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to an improvement in the method of moistening gummed
labels by means of a damper.
My Invention is of a different construction from which
any
in past years.
may have been patented
My Invention can be made any size and shape and is constructed in the following
manner. The water which gives the moisture to the labels is contained within an
earthenware vessel measuring three inches deep by two and three-quarter inches wide,
and which contains first a brass spiral spring of the thickness of number fifteen
Birmingham wire gauge, upon which rests a cork, covering the spring but not
touching the sides of the vessel, to this cork is attached a copper tack and sponge, on
the top of this tack a second sponge is placed, next covering the sponge is a fine muslin
cloth, and above all comes a covering of fine copper woven wire cloth of seventy-
two meshes to the inch, and the whole contents and this covering are secured by an
elastic band. For ornamentation the whole apparatus and vessel is encased in an
ornamental japanned tin case or any other metal or earthenware cases which may be
considered best.
Dated this Seventh day of June Eighteen hundred and eighty nine.
WALTER WEIR,
Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means for Moistening Gummed Labels.
I, WALTER WEIR Postmaster of Milngavie, in the County of Stirling North Britain,
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 :-
My Invention relates to an improved means for moistening gummed labels. My
invention consists of a pot or vessel made of earthenware, glass, wood or metal, which
may be made any size. Inside of pot or vessel, fitted spiral spring made of
Birmingham brass wire. Secured to top of spring is a round perforated zinc valve
which completes lower portion of vessel and contains the water necessary for my
invention.
The rim of cap or cover is made of same material as pot or vessel with bevelled
top-edge sloping inwards to prevent overflow. Secured inside this bevelled edge is
covering of fine wire cloth No. 72 mesh to the inch which forms top surface of cap or
cover.
A layer of flannel or cotton cloth is placed inside cap, next to wire cloth to prevent
moisture passing too freely through wire cloth.
A sponge of sufficient size is next placed inside cap or cover and next to cloth to
absorb and retain the water. The cap containing the sponge, the cloth and wire-cloth
is screwed on to vessel firmly and securely. Then, by pressing gently the wire
cloth surface of cover, by the action of the spiral spring sufficient moisture is forced
through valve, sponge, and cloths to damp or moisten gummed labels.
A is a vessel made of brass wood or zinc etc. which is filled with water. B is a
spiral spring. C is a perforated valve or plate secured to top of spring. F is a space

page_text: in which is placed a sponge and cloth, which is pressed by the spring against the
gauze wire "E" fixed to the lid or cover.
When the label is pressed on the wire gauze the water is forced through the
perforated plate C to the sponge f.
Having now particularly described the nature of my invention, I declare that
what I claim is
1st. It saves time;
2nd. Is cleanly;
3rd. Is always ready for use.
Dated this Twentieth day of February -1890.
WALTER WEIR.