A CERTAIN IMPROVEMENT OR CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED IN CONNECTION. WITH WRITING, AND ALSO IN ATTACHING POSTAGE STAMPS AND LABELS
Year: 1845

page_text: PERSHOUSE'S SPECIFICATION.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HENRY
PERSHOUSE, of: Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Manufacturer, send
greeting..
こ
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Twenty-third day of December, in the ninth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself,-Her- heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Henry Pershouse, my exors, admors, and assigns, Her especial
licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Henry
Pershouse, my exors, admors, and assigns, and such others as I, the said
Henry Pershouse, my exors, admors, or assigns,, should, at any time agree
with, and no others, from, time. to time and at all times during the term of
years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon Tweed, my
Invention of "A CERTAIN IMPROVEMENT OR CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
USED IN CONNECTION. WITH WRITING, AND ALSO IN ATTACHING POSTAGE STAMPS AND
LABELS;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I, the
said Henry Pershouse, shall cause a particular description of the nature of

page_text: my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
inrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said in part recited
Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being thereunto had, will
more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Henry Pershouse, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, are particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had
to the Drawing hereunto, annexed, and to the figures and letters marked
thenon that in to CO2
Thirdly, of instruments for attaching postage stamps and labels; and,
Fourthly, of an instrument to be used in securing letters and papers with
wafers.
Figure 1 represents an elevation, and Figure 2 a 'plan, of one of my
improved inkstands. a is the reservoir containing the ink. 6 is the dipping
cup into which the pen is introduced. This cup is supported on a horizontal
arm c, and is connected with the reservoir a by the elastic tube d, which tube
establishes a communication between the said reservoir and dipping cup. The
tube & may be made of caoutchouc or any other sufficiently elastic substance.
e is a screw, which is supported at f and g, and is furnished with a nut h at its
upper end. The screw e passes through the horizontal arm c, which supports
the dipping cup b. The hole in the said arm through which the screw e passés
is furnished with a concave thread corresponding to the convex thread of the
said screw. By turning the nut h, the arm c, and with it the dipping cup b,
may be raised or lowered. i is an opening at which the reservoir a may be
filled, and is a case which defends and conceals from view the elastic tube d.
The action of the several parts of the inkstand is as follows:-Before the
inkstand is filled the nut h is turned so as to raise the dipping cup to its highest
point; ink is then introduced at the opening i, and the said opening closed.
By turning the nut in the direction opposite to that in which it was turned
in raising the dipping cup, the said dipping cup is depressed, and as it descends
the ink gradually appears therein, the said ink preserving the same level both
in the reservoir and dipping cup. When the surface of the ink in the dipping
cup becomes so low that a pen is not sufficiently charged when dipped therein,

page_text: the nut h is turned so as to depress the dipping cup, and the said cup becomes
again filled by descending to the level of the ink in the reservoir. Since there
is a communication between the reservoir and dipping cup, the abstraction of
ink from the said dipping cup affects equally the level of the ink in the dipping
cup and reservoir, and the level of the ink in the dipping cup does not descend
through any given distance (say an eighth of an inch), until a quantity of ink
has been abstracted sufficient to lower to the same distance the level of the
ink in the reservoir; hence, the level of the ink in the dipping cup suffers
little alteration by long-continued use of the inkstand. When the inkstand is
not in use the dipping cup may be raised so as to return the ink back to the
reservoir, and prevent evaporation.
Figure 3 represents a vertical section of another of my improved inkstands.
k is a vessel of glass or earthenware which contains the ink. is the dipping
cup, which also is made of glass or earthenware. This dipping cup consists of
a hollow cylinder, the lower end of which is of a hemispherical form. A
small hole at the bottom permits the passage of the ink from the reservoir k to
the said dipping cup l. A collar or washer of leather m contained in the
cap n (which cap is fastened by cementing or otherwise on the neck of the
vessel k) serves as a screw box, in which the dipping cup / screws.
In using
the inkstand the dipping cup is raised or lowered by turning it round until it
is so far immersed in the ink that by dipping the pen to the bottom of the
said dipping cup the desired quantity of ink is taken up therewith. A small
hole is made at o in order to allow of the passage of air in filling the
inkstand.
Figure 4 represents a vertical section of another of my improved inkstands.
is a shallow vessel containing the ink. 7 is the dipping cup formed in the
middle of the plate or cover r. This dipping cup is open at bottom, as seen
in the Drawing. s is a disc or diaphragm of vulcanized india rubber or other
suitable elastic material. This disc or diaphragm is stretched on the under side
of the cover r, and is fastened by tying on the groove r³, or in any other con-
venient manner. This diaphragm forms a valve which closes the bottom of
the dipping cup. The disc or diaphragm s is not continuous, that is to say, it is
perforated or cut away in the form shewn in the Drawing, Figure 5, or it may
be perforated in a variety of other ways, the object of the perforations being to
allow a free passage for the ink from the under to the upper side of the
diaphragm. In order to use this inkstand, the cup or cover, and
with it the diaphragm s, are removed, and ink is poured in the vessel p
to a height somewhat below the plane occupied by the diaphragm s. The
height is indicated by a horizontal line in the Figure. The cover or

page_text: cap is then replaced, and the inkstand is fit for use.
When a pen is
dipped into the dipping cup q, and a gentle pressure exerted, the diaphragm.'s
is depressed, and the ink displaced by its depression, passing through the
perforated parts of the diaphragm, runs into the conical cavity formed in the
middle of the diaphragm (see the dotted line, Figure 4), and the pen becomes
charged. On removing the pen the diaphragm by its elasticity rises, and
assumes its plain form, the ink runs back through the perforations in the
diaphragm, and the bottom of the dipping cup is closed. By this inethod of
constructing an inkstand the whole of the ink is kept from contact with the
air, excepting at the moment when the pen is immersed in it; evaporation is
thereby almost entirely avoided.
4.
Figure 6 represents a vertical section of a modification of the inkstand last
described. In this modification a valve t attached to the end of a spring u is
substituted for the diaphragm s, Figure 4: This valve is pressed upwards
against the bottom of the dipping cup v, and is depressed by pressing the pen
upon it. In filling this inkstand care must be taken not to put' in more ink
than will reach to a point somewhat below the bottom of the dipping cup.
This point is indicated by a horizontal line in the Figure. The valvet may be
made of a thick piece of vulcanized india rubber; and I sometimes place a
thick piece of vulcanized india rubber in the middle of the diaphragm s;
Figure 4, in order to prevent the point of the pen from penetrating the said
diaphragm..
Figures 7, 8, and 9, represent two modifications of my improved pen wipers.
Figures 7 and 8 being, the former a side view, and the latter a front view of
the same pen wiper. w represents a piece of sponge attached to the lid of a
vessel, either of glass or earthenware, as in Figures 7 and 8, or of metal, as
in Figure 9, the lid being in each case hinged to the vessel. When a glass
vessel is used, a metal ring is attached thereto, to which ring the lid is hinged.
The said sponge is attached to the lid by a hollow button, which may either be
small, as in Figure 9, or large, as in Figures 7 and 8. When the former
method is employed the edges of the sponge are gathered under the button,
and the sponge thereby secured. The effect of the latter method of attaching
the sponge to the lid is to compress the said sponge, and thereby
render it less likely to be torn by the pen than when loosely attached. In
using the modifications of my improved pen wipers represented in Figures 7,
8, and 9, the vessels & and y are filled with water to such a height that when
the lids,, are shut down, the sponge attached thereto shall touch the
surface of the water.
The modification of my improved pen wiper represented in Figure 10

page_text: consists of a glass vessel 1, to which is fitted a loose lid 2 a tube 3 in the
said lid contains the sponge 4. The vessel 1 is nearly filled with water, and
when about to be used the lid 2 is inverted so as to bring the sponge into the
position represented in the Drawing. When not in use the lid 2 is placed so as
to plunge the sponge in the water: A small hole is made in the tube 3, near
the point 5, and any water which runs from the sponge outside the side tube
passes through the said hole into the inside of the tube. When the position of
the lid 2 is reversed, the water inside the tube 3 runs through the sponge into
the vessel I, and washes the said sponge.
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Figure 11 represents another modification of my improved pen wiper. It
consists of a glass vessel 6, the neck or mouth of which has a shoulder 7. 8
is: a tube of glass or metal; having a ring 9 near its middle, which serves by
resting on the shoulder-7 to support the said tube. A piece of sponge 10-is
fixed in each end of the tube 8. When this pen wiper is in use, water is
poured into the vessel :6 until it is nearly full, and one end of the tube with
its sponge having been dipped therein, that end is placed uppermost, the other
end is consequently in the water; and when that end which is uppermost be-
comes either dry or 'impregnated with ink, the tube 8 is inverted, and the
sponge which has been immersed in water is placed uppermost, while that
which has been used is immersed in the water.
Figure 12 represents a vertical section of an instrument for affixing postage
stamps or.labels.
a ..
Figures 13 and 14 represent, parts of the same. 11 is a hollow cylinder,
one end of which is attached by screwing or otherwise to a square plate 12.
13, 13; 13, 18, are four holes in the square plate 12 (see the plan of the
plate. 12, Figure 13). 14 is a disc or piston, which moves freely in the
cylinder 1.1. Four pointed wires 15, 15, 15, 15, are fastened to the disc or
piston (see the plan of the under side of the disc or piston, Figure 14),
and pass through the four holes 18, 18, 18, 18, in the plate 12. 16 is a
helical spring, which rests on the upper- surface of the plate 12, and by its
elasticity. presses: upwards the disc or piston 14. The upper end of the
cylinder 11 is slightly contracted, in order to prevent the disc or piston 14*
from. being pressed.out; and a thin rod, one end of which is attached to the
disc or piston 14, and which is situated in the axis of the helical spring 16,
prevents the descent of the disc or piston 14 beyond the distance represented
in Figure 12, by its lower end coming in contact with the plate 12. This rod
is seen at 17, in Figure 14. I sometimes construct this instrument without
the spring, in which case the wires 15, 15, 15, 15, are placed in the disc or
piston 14, not quite parallel to each other, that is to say, they either converge

page_text: to or diverge from each other; so that when forced into a parallel position by
being passed through the holes 18, 13, 13, 18, there is sufficient friction
between the said wires and the said holes to maintain the said piston in any
position in which it may be placed. Or I sometimes produce the convergence
of the said wires by placing an elastic ring or band around them, as represented
in Figure 14. The action of this instrument is as follows:-The postage
stamp or label is placed with its gummed side downwards upon a piece of
moistened sponge or cloth or other suitable substance. The cylinder 11 is taken
hold of by the thumb and second finger, the first finger being placed on the
disc or piston 14, so as to depress it, and force the wires 15, 15, 15, 15, through
the holes 13, 13, 13, 13, as seen in Figure 12. The instrument is in this
way brought upon the postage stamp or label, the pointed wires pass
through it, and on raising the instrument the postage stamp or label, with
its gummed side moistened, is brought away with it, being held on
the four wires. The instrument and attached moistened stamp or label are
brought down upon the letter or other article to which the stamp or label is to
be attached, and pressed thereon; the first finger which pressed the said piston
or disc 14, being at the same time removed from the said piston or disc,
the stamp or label is pressed by the plate 12 into close contact with the
letter or other article to which the stamp or label is to be attached. The
spring 16 raises the piston or disc 14 (or where the spring 16 is not used the
pressure of the points 15, 15, 15, 15, on the letter or other article, raises the
said piston or disc), and withdraws the points 15, 15, 15, 15, from the stamp
or label.
Figure 15 represents a vertical section of a vessel to contain the moistened
sponge or discs of moistened cloth or other suitable substance to be used in
wetting postage stamps or labels to be attached by the instrument just
described.
Figure 16 represents a side view and Figure 17 a vertical section of another
of my instruments for affixing postage stamps and labels.
This instrument is particularly applicable for attaching long labels or a
series of postage stamps. It consists of a box or case 17, inclosing a glass
vessel 18, the interior of which said glass vessel is filled with moistened
sponge 20. (Where the labels are not gummed on the back, gum water must
be substituted for water.) 19 is a lid hinged to the box or case 17.
18' is a
roller attached to the under edge of the lid 19. The side of the box under the
roller and the opposite side are cut away, as seen in the Drawing. The
manner of using this instrument is as follows:-The label or stamp is wetted
at one end by being drawn over the wet sponge 20, and the said stamp or.

page_text: label is laid across the box 17, the gummed side being placed in contact with
the
sponge. The lid and roller 18¹ are brought down upon the label or stamp,
the wetted end of the said stamp or label projecting beyond the roller 18¹; the
box or case 17 is then taken hold of by the thumb and second finger, the first
finger holding down the lid 19. The instrument is then partly inverted, that
is to say, the lower end is raised to a higher level than the upper end, and the
roller 18 is brought down upon the stamp or label. The pressure of the
roller 18 causes the projecting and wetted end of the stamp or label to adhere,
and by drawing the instrument along on the letter or other article in a direc-
tion from the wetted and attached end of the said stamp or label the whole
length of the said stamp or label is drawn through the said instrument (being
held by the attached end), and in passing through the said instrument is first
wetted by the sponge, and afterwards pressed into close contact with the surface
to which it is to be attached by the roller 18¹. When this instrument is not
in use the part above the shoulder 21 is covered by a cap or cover.
Figure 18 represents an instrument to be used in sealing letters with
wafers. It consists of two arms or levers 22, 23. The arm or lever 23 is
jointed to the lever 22 at 23¹. A notch or groove is made in the end of each
lever, so that when a wafer is placed between them, as shewn in the Drawing,
there is no risk of it falling from the instrument. The pressure by which the
wafer is held between the ends of the arms or levers 22, 28, is produced by
means of a ring of india rubber (either vulcanized or otherwise). This ring is
stretched upon three pins, two of the said pins 24, being fixed in the lever 22,
and the third 25, in the lever 23. The following is the method of using this
instrument: The wafer to be used is placed on a flat surface, and is taken
hold of by the instrument, as shown in the Drawing. In order to take up the
wafer the instrument is held by the handle 26, and the first finger pressed
upon the projection 27, so as to cause the lever 23 to turn upon the joint 23',
and separate it sufficiently far from the other lever to allow of the introduction
of the wafer between them. When the instrument is brought into such a
position that the wafer is between the two ends of the levers, the finger is
removed from the projection 27, and the elastic ring presses the arms or
levers 22, 23, together, and causes their ends to grasp the wafer. The said
wafer is then dipped in water, and introduced between the two surfaces to be
sealed. By again pressing the projection 27, the arms or levers 22, 23, are
separated, and the wafer being detached from the instrument attaches itself to
the surfaces to be sealed.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that I do not

page_text: limit myself to the precise manner of carrying out my Invention herein-before
described, as the same may be varied without departing from the nature of my
said Invention.
Bút I claim as my Invention,
. First, the method of constructing inkstands, in which the dipping cup or
opening at which the pen is introduced is raised and lowered to the level of
the ink in the reservoir, as herein-before described; and represented in Figures 1,
2, and 3; of the accompanying Drawing...
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Secondly, the method of constructing inkstands, in which the dipping cup
or opening at which the pen is introduced is closed by an elastic-diaphragm
or valve and spring, so as to défend the ink from the action of the air,
the said diaphragm or valve being depressed by the pressure of the pen
thereon on the introduction of the said pen into the dipping cup, as herein-
before described, and represented in Figures 4, 5, and 6, of the accompanying
Drawing.
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"Thirdly, the method of constructing a pen wiper by attaching sponge to the
lid of a vessel, the said vessel containing water, into which, when the said lid is
shut down upon the vessel, the sponge is introduced and soaked, as herein-
before described, and represented in Figures 7, 8, and 9; of the accompanying
Drawing; also the methods of constructing pen wipers, herein-before
described, and represented in Figures 10 and 11, of the accompanying
Drawing.
Fourthly, the method of constructing an instrument for attaching postage
stamps or labels by placing the said stamps or labels on a moistened substance,
and taking them up by points introduced therein, the said instrument also
affixing the said stamps or labels by pressure of the same upon the surface to
which they are to be attached, as herein-before described; and represented in
Figures 12, 13, and 14, of the accompanying Drawings.
Also I claim the method of attaching postage stamps and labels herein-
before described, and represented in Figures 16 and 17, of the accompanying
Drawing.
Lastly, the method of 'constructing an instrument to be used in sealing
letters or papers with wafers, herein-before described, and. represented in
Figure 18 of the accompanying Drawing:
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In; witness whereof, I, the said. Henry. Pershouse, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of June, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-six.
HENRY (L.B.) PERSHOUSE::.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Eighteenth day of June, in
the year of our Lord 1846, the aforesaid Henry Pershouse came before
our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Speci-
fication aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified,
in form above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped
according to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Twentieth day of June, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and forty-six.