US1201897A - Air-moistening apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

R. WALLACE.

AIR MOISTENING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 29. 1916.

1,201,897. Patented Oct. 17,1916.

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r STA ROLAND WALLACE, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

AIR-MOISTENING APPARATUS.

Application filed. January 29, 1916.

To all whom it may] concern:

Be it known that I, ROLAND WALLACE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Air-Moistening Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in air moistening apparatus generally, and more particularly to devices useful in maintaining a proper degree of humidity in horizontal cigar display cases. The air contained within such inclosed spaces is without motion, and where vertically disposed moist curtains, or other moist bodies are situated in one or more places, the air only immediately surrounding the moist bodies is affected, while the surrounding air is comparatively dry. It is very essential that the required humidity be equably disposed throughout the entire area of the inclosed space, and thisis only possible when the moisture is equably distributed throughout the entire area.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a means whereby the distribution of moisture is general for a period of time, or until the entire amount'of air with in the inclosed space is rendered humid, and then to supply moisture locally to maintain the required degree of humidity.

A further object is to provide a form of apparatus that may be adjustable to show cases of various sizes.

With these objects in view, I have devised the moistening apparatus herein described and claimed, the functions and application of which will be better understood by reference to the drawings and specifications, in which Figure ,1, represents a perspective view of a glass show case containing the moistening apparatus with the moistening curtain extended. Fig. 2 represents a central section of the moistening roll with the side rods out off at the supports. Fig. 3 represents an end elevation of the moistening roll etc., with the supports removed. Fig. 4 represefits a rear elevation of the same, showing the roll used in removing surplus moisture from the moistening roll. Fig. 5 represents a portion broken away of the adjustable side rods, showing the clamp nut. Fig. 6 represents a section taken on lines ww 0 Fig. 5.

Specification of Letters-Yatent.

Patented Oct. 17, 1916.

Serial No. 75,052.

Similar numerals of reference refer. to

represents a glass show-case containing the entire moistening apparatus, consisting of a water container or trough 2, provided with an ear 2 at one end having an open slot as shown, and an ear 2* at the other end, provided with a hole. A strip of absorbent fabric 3, preferably of cotton cloth, is rolled on a tubular roller a which contains a coiled spring 5 surrounding a rod 6. One end of the spring 5 passes through a hole 6 of the rod 6, and is secured thereto, and the other end is soldered or otherwise permanently secured to the cap 4* also permanently secured to the roller 4:. The roller f is also provided at one end with a pin 4 which passes through the hole in the ear 2 of the trough 2, being free to rotate therein, and the fiattenediend 6 of the rod 6 engages the slot 2* in the ear of the trough 2, which prevents the rod 6 from turning. The trough 2 is also provided with a lug 2 at each end containing a set screw 2 One end of the moistening fabric 3 is permanently secured to the roller 4:, and the other end is provided with a rigid metal strip 3 which is provided with a hook 3 located in the middle as shown. The moistening fabric 3 is rolled upon the spring roller t and is considerably longer than the show-case, so that when extended, a considerable quantity will still be rolled on the roller 4: in order that the fabric may still take moisture from the trough 2.

A roller 7 located back of the fabric roll 3, and in contact therewith, is mounted on a spindle 7 the ends of which pass through holes 8 in the upper ends of the swing brackets 8, being free to rotate therein. Lugs 2", each being provided with a hole, are mounted on the back of the trough 2, and a rod 9 passes through these lugs and the lower ends of the brackets 8, hinging the roller 7 to the trough 2. Two coiled springs 9 are mounted, one at each end of the rod 9, one end of the springs in engagement with the brackets 8 and the other with the back of the trough 2 as shown, pressing the roller 7 firmly against the fabric roll 3 and removing any excess water from the fabric as it is being unrolled.

The trough 2 is mounted on uprights or supports 10, which pass through holes in the lugs 2. Setscrews 2 secure the trough firmly in position. At the-other end of the show-case, two other uprights or supports 10 are placed,connected with a rod 15, and both sets of uprights are connected at the top 11 with adjustable side rods 12 and 13, The rod 12 slips into the tubular rod 13 which is provided at one end Wth a tapered thread and three slots 13 equidistantly separated. A knurled nut 14 engages the threaded end of the rod 13, and when tightened, holds the two rods together firmly as one. In this manner, the length of the apparatus maybe adjusted to suit show-cases of various sizes.

In operation, at night, or at stated intervals, the moist curtain 3 is drawn the full length of the show-case and fastened to the end rod 15 by the hook 3 presenting a moist surface to and over the entire area of the show-case, increasing the humidity of the air contained. Only a portion of the fabric roll or curtain is extended, the halanee remaining on the roll and being immersed in the trough 2, which contains Water into which has been placed a small quantity of a suitable odorless antiseptic fluid.

The object ofthe use of a bacteria destroy Which can be increased at any time by drawing the curtain over to the end rod 15. In

very long cases, tWo of the devices may be 40 mounted, one at each end of the show-case, and hooked together in the middle.

I claim: l. The combination With a storage compartment, a spring roller in the same, a

neath said sheet for supporting said sheet r in a horizontal plane When unrolled and extended throughout the compartment.

2. The combinatlon W1th a storage compartment, a spring roller 1n the same, a

horizontally disposedsheet of absorbent material adapted to roll upon the spring roller, means for supplying moisture to the ab sorbent material, and means extended beneath said sheet and adjustable to said compartment for supporting said sheet in a horizontal plane when unrolled and extended throughout the compartment.

3. The combination with a storage compartment, a Water trough in the same, a

spring roller, a sheet of absorbent material applied to said roller and adapted to obtain molsture from said trough, and means held I under tenslon agalnst said roller for removing excess moisture from said sheet as it is being unrolled. g

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

ROLAND WALLACE. Witnesses E. H. RIDGELY, W. C. DUVALL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. C.

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