Improvements in Moustache Protecting Spoons for Soup and other Liquids.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Dec., 1395-Accepted, 8th Feb., 1996
Improvements in Moustache Protecting Spoons for Soup and other
Liquids.
I, CHARLES FREDERICK COOPER of 532 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne,
Colony of Victoria, Manager, 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 object of my invention is to provide a more cleanly and convenient vehicle
for the conveyance of liquids to the mouths of those who are either lightly or
heavily moustached. The devices that have hitherto been used for the purpose
have either been crude, cumbrous, or costly or else defective but with my improve-
ments an article is produced which is not only small in price but also attractive
and acceptable to both buyer and user.
My invention consists of a metallic or other plate which is applied to the top of
the bowl of a spoon for the protection of the moustache. This plate may either be
attached to the spoon by underlips or clasps which possess a certain amount of
elasticity or it may be hinged thereto or held by the elasticity of the plate itself
when sprung between two abutments formed on the said spoon.
But in order that my invention may be more clearly understood I will now refer
to the accompanying sheet of drawings which are to be taken as part of this
Specification and read therewith.
Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the bowl of a spoon. This is shewn
in dotted lines and onto the edge of it by clips is attached the moustache protecting
plate as seen.
Figure 2 represents a perspective view of the bowl of a spoon also shewn in
dotted lines. Attached to it is a plate with three attachments two of which are at
the rear and one at the front of the bowl.
Figure 3 represents a perspective view of the bowl of a spoon with the plate
hinged to the bowl and with a lip on the plate sprung over the front.
Figure 4 represents a perspective view of a spoon bowl at the front and rear
ends of which are abutments against the interior of which the ends of the rounded
plate bear and thereby become locked.
Similar letters of reference indicate similar or corresponding parts where they
occur in the several views.
On reference to Figure 1 it will be seen that A is the bowl of the spoon and
B the moustache protecting plate. This plate which is stamped all in one
piece from a blank is secured to the side of the spoon by two spring clips C
and C. A glance at these clips shows that they will accommodate themselves
to spoon bowls of varying thicknesses having from their U shape a certain
modulus of elasticity. The plate which may be flat or slightly rounded is
attached to the spoon by simply pressing the two clips C and C' over the
lip of the bowl whilst it is detached in an equally expeditious manner.
On reference to Figure 2 it will be seen that the plate D has three points of
contact, the two rear ones E and E' heing formed by pressing down the plate at
right angles to the body in the form of turn downs. The front contact consists of
a small under lip F or any other well-known form of snapping piece or clasp.
The plate is preferably made slightly rounded on the top and is applied by first
placing the two ends E and E¹ around the outside of the bowl and then pressing the
Price di

page_text: fore end F down on top of it. It is then locked in position and adjusts itself
readily on account of the rounded top before mentioned.
Both the forms of plates shewn in Figures 1 and 2 are applicable to existing
spoons now in use. Their attachment or removal only requiring the exercise of
ordinary care.
On reference to Figure 3 it will be seen that the spoon is of special construction
since it is provided at the rear of the bowl with a hinge G to which the plate H
which may be either flat or round is attached. The front of the plate is secured to
the bowl by an underlip I or other well known snapping piece which when pressed
downwards secures the plate without fail.
On reference to Figure 4 it will be seen that this spoon is also specially
constructed. But the plate J which it receives may either have the ends turned
upwardly as shewn or may have them straight and flat or round and engaging in
any suitable abutment or excrescence formed upon the spoon bowl. The plate is
preferably made slightly rounded since by that means it can be the more easily
inserted or removed.
In the modifications shewn the plate in all cases is made of thin material
which though light and flexible is sufficiently rigid to resist the pressure of the
moustache.
I do not bind myself to a plate of any particular area or conformation since both
these quantities may vary and depend entirely upon the conditions under which the
spoon may be used.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is.
1st. In moustache protecting spoons for soup or other liquids a flat or rounded
plate such as B with two clips as C and C¹ for securing the same to the spoon bowl
as and for the purposes hereinbefore described and illustrated.
2nd. In moustache protecting spoons for soup or other liquids a rounded plate
as D with two turn downs as E and E¹ and an under lip or clasp as F as and for
the purposes herein before described and illustrated.
3rd. In moustache protecting spoons for soup or other liquids a rounded or flat
plate as H, hinged at G and locked by an underlip or clasp as I as and for the
purposes hereinbefore described and illustrated.
4th. In moustache protecting spoons for soup or other liquids a spoon bowl with
abutments at its front and rear ends between which a plate is sprung as and for the
purposes herein before described and illustrated.
5th. In moustache protecting spoons for soup or other liquids a rounded
plate as J with turned up straight flat or round ends engaging within and lockedl
by abutments as K and as and for the purposes herein before described and
illustrated.
Dated this 16th day of December 1895.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.