Improvements in Devices for Moistening Stamps, Labels, and the like.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 10th May, 1898--Accepted, 11th June, 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Devices for Moistening Stamps, Labels, and
the like.
I, JULIUS JOHN KARGES, of 1315, McGee Street, in the City of Kansas City, in
the County of Jackson, and State of Missouri, United States of America, Merchant,
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 improvements in moistening devices.
The object of my invention is to provide a moistening device adapted to be
used in connection with label or stamp affixing machines, the moistening device
being used to apply moisture to the gummed sides of the stamps or labels.
Ordinarily it is difficult to each label or stamp the proper amount of moisture,
usually too much is taken up by the label or stamp thus destroying the adhesive
quality of the same. With the use of my invention the proper amount of moisture
is applied and evenly distributed over the gummed side of the stamp or label. To
accomplish this, I provide a thin strip or filament of absorbent material, such as a
piece of linen cloth, mounted upon a non absorbent support and communicating
with a water supply.
My invention provides further, a cushioned support or pad provided with a
water proof covering and a filamentous absorbent strip, such as cloth placed upon.
the water proof covering and communicating with a water supply. This form of
my invention is particularly adapted to be used with label or stamp affixing
machines, the pad providing a yielding support upon which the label affixing
machine may be pressed, while the water proof covering for the pad prevents the
absorption of too much moisture by the filamentous strip.
My invention provides further means for preventing the label from adhering
to the absorbent strip.
My invention is also adapted to be used by a person in counting bills or
notes.
In the accompanying drawings, illustrative of my invention, Fig. I represents
a perspective view of the enclosing casing with the cover raised and the pad
removed. Fig. II represents a vertical sectional view with the cover removed.
Fig. III represents a plan view of the same. Fig. IV represents a vertical sectional
view with the cover removed, and showing a modification of the non-absorbent
plate H, and also a vertical sectional view of a common form of label affixer.
Fig. V represents an edge view of a plate in which the plate is provided with
corrugations. Fig. VI represents another form of the plate H, in which the
plate is perforated. Fig. VII represents the plate H in the form of a wire
screen. Fig. VIII represents a vertical sectional view of the pad in which an
auxiliary absorbent strip is interposed between the absorbent strip G and the non-
absorbent support. Similar letters of reference indicate similar parts.
A indicates the receptacle for the pad comprising a box of any desirable con-
formation with a cover B. C indicates posts in the receptacle adapted to support a
block D upon the upper side of which is, in some instances, secured a cushion E,

page_text: of felt or other yielding material. Over the block D and the cushion E is placed
a water proof covering F of soft rubber or oil cloth. Upon the water proof
covering F is placed a filamentous strip G composed of some absorbent material
such as linen cloth, and having its ends extending into a water supply contained
in the box A below the block D. The strip G being thin presents the water
absorbed by it in a thin sheet, so when the label is applied to the strip an excess of
moisture is not taken up. When more moisture is required, I insert an auxiliary
absorbent strip indicated by L in Fig. VIII between the covering F and the
strip G. When less moisture is required than is taken up by the strip G, I
place upon the strip G a non-absorbent plate H, and upon the plate H I place
an absorbent strip I. Moisture is conveyed from the strip G to the strip I by
absorption, the strip I having its ends resting under the plate H and upon the
strip G. I have provided several ways to prevent the label adhering to the
strip I. In Fig. V the plate is corrugated, the plate H shown in Fig. VI is
In either
perforated, and in Fig. VII the plate H is in the form of a wire screen.
of these forms the adherence of the label or stamp is not so great as when the plate
is flat and smooth. I also provide the plate H in the form of a curved, resilient
perforated plate as shown in Fig. IV. In using this form the label is applied to
the strip with pressure thus flattening the plate and permitting the moisture to
reach the strip I through the perforations in the plate H from the strip of absorbent
material. As the label is withdrawn it is released from the strip I by degrees,
beginning at the ends and being released last at the center. In Fig. IV K
indicates the labels, and the label holder. The strips G and I may be of any
desirable material that is absorbent. Various modifications may be made without
departing from the spirit of 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:-
Claim 1. In a moistening device, the combination with a cushioned pad, of a
non-absorbent covering for the pad, a filamentous device of absorbent material
upon the said covering, a liquid supply below the pad with which the filamentous
device has communication, substantially as described.
2. In a moistening device, the combination with a cushioned pad, of a non-
absorbent covering for the pad, a liquid supply below the pad, and a cloth strip
upon the covering and communicating with the liquid supply, substantially as
described.
3. In a moistening device, the combination with a suitable receptacle adapted
to contain a liquid supply, of a cushioned support having a non-absorbent covering
and located within the receptacle, and a filamentous device upon the support and
extending below the same, substantially as described.
4. In a moistening device, the combination with a suitable receptacle adapted to
contain a liquid supply, of a cushioned support having a non-absorbent covering
and located within the receptacle, and a cloth strip upon the support and extending
below the same, substantially as described.
5. In a moistening device, the combination with a support of nonabsorbent
material, of a filamentous absorbent covering for the support, a nonabsorbent
plate upon the said covering, a filamentous covering for the said plate, and an
absorbent connection between the two coverings, substantially as described.
6. In a moistening device, the combination with a support of nonabsorbent
material, of a filamentous absorbent covering for the support, a nonabsorbent
plate upon the said covering, a filamentous covering for the said plate, and means
for conveying moisture from one covering to the other, substantially as described.
7. In a moistening device, the combination with a nonabsorbent support, of an
absorbent covering for the same, a plate having a foraminated upper surface upon
the said covering, an absorbent covering for the said plate, and means for convey-
ing moisture from one covering to the other, substantially as described.

page_text: 8. In a moistening device, the combination with a nonabsorbent support, of an
absorbent covering for the same, a curved plate upon the said covering, an
absorbent covering for the said plate, and means for conveying moisture from
one covering to the other, substantially as described.
Dated this 21st day of March 1898.
JULIUS JOHN KARGES.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.