US506156A - James chase - Google Patents

Description

Fries.

PATENT JAMES CHASE, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

MUClLAGE-HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 506,156, dated October 3, 1893.

Application filed May 15, 1893- Serial No, 474,226. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES CHASE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements n Mucilage-Holders, of which the following is a specification. This invention relates to holders and spread- 1ng devices for mucilage, paste, liquid colors and s milar materials which it is desirable to keep 1n lmmediate readiness for smooth and even application to any required surfaces w thout liability of obstruction from impaired pliability of the spreading device or brush due to gumming or hardening thereon of any surplus adhesive or coloring matter, or the llke, remaining in or upon the brush or spreader aftera previous use of the instrument.

The principal objects of my invention are to provlde a compressible fountain or holder for mucilage, or other liquids, with an im: proved spreading device that will obviate leakage and with an elastic annular flange or seat which shall closely conform to a corresponding seat formed in or upon the circular mouth of a supporting vessel that is thus adapted to serve as an air tight or hermetically sealed chamber for excluding the external atmosphere, thereby preventing the drying and hardening of matter in or upon the brush or distributing device and keeping it in a moist and pliable condition for an indefinite period and in readiness for instant use.

My invention has for its other objects, to arrangethe elastic annularflange upon the fountain or holder in such a manner that it will center the distributing brush or spreading device within the supporting vessel so as not to come 1n contact with the sides or bottom thereof; to provide in the lower part of the supportng vessel a receptacle for water, so that the lnclosed air will be kept moist; and generally to so improve the construction of the fountain and its air sealing support as to greatly lncrease the efficiency and convenience of the apparatus for household as well as office use.

To these ends my invention consists in the features of construction and novel combinations of parts in a self-sealing compressible fountain or holder and spreader for mucilage, or other liquids, as hereinafter more particularly described and claimed.

In the annexed drawings illustrating my invention-Figure 1, is a vertical section representing the compressible fountain or holder in an inverted position with the attached brush or distributing device centered in the hermetically sealed supporting vessel. Fig. 2, is an elevation of the fountain removed from the sealing or supporting vessel and standing upright.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designatesa compressible fountain or holder for containing, and discharging as required, such liquids as mucilage, paste, ink, and various coloring matters or like material. This compressible fountain 1 is in the form of an oblong bulb composed of rubber or similar elastic substance that can be readily compressed, while held in the hand so, as to expel its liquid contents through a brush or spreading device at one end.

In the smaller end'of the fountain bulb 1 is secured a flanged and externally threaded tubular neck 2 for attachment of an internally threaded tubular cap 3 having a nozzle or discharge tube 4, located centrally therein. Between this internal nozzle or discharge tube 4., and the elongated tubular portion of the cap 3 is secured a spreading device 5 which may be a piece of felt or other porous and flexible material, but is preferably composed of bristles arranged in the form of a brush. The butts of the brush bristles fill the whole of the space between the central nozzle or discharge tube 4, and the outer end of the tubular cap 3, and are securely cemented therein. Within the enlarged portion or base of the screw cap 3, is placed a valve or porous diaphragm 6 to control the inner end of the discharge nozzle 4, and prevent the escape of liquid except when the fountain bulb is compressed. This valve or diaphragm 6 is preferably in the form of a disk or pad,of felt or similar material. By reason of the small diameter of the nozzle 4, and the obstructive character of the felt pad or diaphragm 6, the liquid will not escape from the inverted fountain unless the elastic bulb is compressed.

For the purpose of expelling the contents of the fountain, and spreading the same smoothly and uniformly upon any required surface, the fountain bulb is grasped in the hand and compressed from time to time, while IOC the brush 5, is moved along or over the surface. The porous diaphragm or pad 6, serves to sufficiently retard the exit of fluid, under compression of the bulb, as to cause an even and regular flow to the brush and a smooth and uniform distribution or spreading of the material. 1

In many devices of this character, great difliculty is commonly experienced from the drying, hardening or gumming of surplus material upon the brush, unless the device is kept in almost constant use. When, by infrequent use and from exposure to the atmosphere, the surplus of mucilage, or like material on the brush, loses its moisture the brush will become hard, dry and unpliable and cannot be employed with any satisfaction. It has been proposed to keep the brush in a moist condition by surrounding thelower portion of the inverted fountain and the attached brush with a supporting receptacle which has not, however, been provided with any adequate means for firmly retaining the fountain in a vertical position to prevent it from rocking and, at the same time, thoroughly exclude the atmosphere. The spherical portion of a fountain bulb has, for instance, been directly seated at its lower end in the circular mouth of acup with a view to exclude air from the brush while not in use; but no means being provided to prevent rocking of the bulb from any slight jar, the position of the brush is liable to become so changed as to strike the mouth or upper portion of the cup and smear the same so that the fountain will adhere thereto, while the hardened adhesive material that will accumulate upon the exterior of the bulb, and in the mouth of the cup will prevent the forming of an elastic seal to exclude air from the brush. These difficulties and objections, I effectually obviate by providing the exterior of the compressible fountain bulb 1 with a centrally located thin, elastic annular flange or self sealing seat 7 that will rest upon and readily conform itself to the contour of the circular mouth 8, of a supporting vessel 9, so as to form a close hermetically sealed joint therewith. The vessel 9, with the fountain 1, in position thereon, thus forms a hermetically sealed or air tight chamber whereby the brush 5 is thoroughly protected from any access of the external atmosphere. It will be observed, that by the weight of the bulb 1 and its contents, the thin elastic flange 7 is pressed down into close and continuous contact with the circular mouth or rim 8 upon which it rests and which is preferably press molded so as to permit the most accurate fit.

By making the annular elastic flange 7, thin, its flexibility is greatly increased, so as to enable it to more readily conform to the contour of the upper surface or rim of the mouth 8, and the accuracy of fit may be further insured by providing the flange 7 with beveled surfaces, as shown. A thoroughly reliable and eificient hermetic seal is thus provided. The elastic annular flange 7, also, serves to accurately center the brush 5, within the vessel 9, so that it will not come in contact with the bottom and sides thereof. It also firmly retains the fountain bulb in a vertical position,so thatit cannot be jarred or shaken out of place. There is thus no risk of contact between the brush and the mouth of the vessel 9, so that the latter will be always clean and free from any liability of adhering to the bulb or fountain. The supporting vessel 9, is of cylindrical form with a broad base and may be constructed of any suitable material, preferably glass. For the purpose of keeping moist the air within the vessel 9, the bottom of said vessel may be provided with a concaved receptacle 10 for a small quantity of water which should not, however, be allowed to come in contact with the brush. As above mentioned, the circular mouth or rim 8 of the glass vessel 9, is press molded and thus permits an accurate conformity with the elastic annular sealing flange 7 on the fountain bulb.

In order to enable the fountain 1 to be stood upright upon a desk or table when it is not convenient to return it at once to the supporting vessel 9 the larger end of the compressible bulb may be provided with a flat or broad horizontal base 11 that will furnish an adequate temporary support, but for the purpose of retaining the brush 5 in a moist or pliable condition, free from access of the evaporating influence of theatmosphere, the fountain when not in use should be supported by its thin elastic flange 7 upon the vessel 9, with the brush 5 downward within and protected by the said hermetically sealed vessel.

WVhen it becomes necessary to refill the fountain bulb the screw 3 with attached nozzle 4:, brush 5, and pad 6 can be removed all together without any liability of disarrangement. The screw cap provides a safe closure and, if desired, an elastic washer 12 may be inserted between it and the neck of the bulb.

I have found that if the brush or spreader is allowed to remain outside the cup or was sel 9 long enough to become dried and hardened and is then placed in the said vessel with a small quantity of water (not sufficient to reach the brush) it will, by the action of the damp air inclosed in the hermetically sealed vessel, become soft and pliable and ready for use. If preferred a small quantity of glycerine or other moistening liquid may be used in the vessel or cup 9, instead of water.

What I claim as my invention is- 1. A compressible fountain or elastic bulb, for mucilage or other liquids, having at one end a tubular neck, in combination with a screw cap provided with a discharge nozzle and brush or spreading device, and having a porous pad or diaphragm at the inner end of said discharge nozzle, substantially as described.

2. A compressible fountain or elastic bulb for mucilage or other liquids having a discharge nozzle, and a brush or spreading device at one end and provided on its exterior with a thin elastic annular sealing flange, in In testimony whereof I have hereunto set combination with a vessel provided with a my hand in the presence of two subscribing circular mouth with which the thin elastic witnesses.

flange by its flexibility and elasticity closely 7 JAMES CHASE. accommodates itself to hermetically seal the Witnesses:

vessel and also sustain the bulb, snbstan- WM. H. FARRAND,

tially as described. WM. 0. LOWREY.

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