US169113A - Improvement in caddies for holding tea, coffee - Google Patents

Description

R. M AINER.

Caddies for Holding Tea, Coffee, &c.

Patented Oct. 26, 1875.

N. PElERS. PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHER WASHINGTON, D, C.

UNrrEn STATES PATENT OFFICE ROBERT MAINER, or O ILLIA, CANADA.

IMPROVEMENT IN CADDIES HOLDING TEA, COFFEE, &'c.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 169,1 13, dated October 26, 1875 application filed February 18, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT MAINER, of the village of Orillia, in the county of Simcoe, in the Provinceof Ontario, Canada, have invented new and useful Improvements in Gaddies for Holding Tea, Coffee, 800., of which the following is a specification:

My invention consists of a cylindrical case revolving around a central bearing-pivot, and

. divided into. a number of equal or unequal compartments by partitions radiating from. the center to the periphery of the box. The outer edge of the bottom of the case is supported on friction-rollers traveling on a track formed by the base-piece which supports'the central pivot. Between the bottom of the case and the hopper -bottom of the compartments a chamber is formed of suitable depth to receive scoops, which radiate from the center, and slide into suitable seats under each compartment. The hopper -bottoms of the several compartments are closed with a drawslide operated from without the case, and fitted with an upright rod extending into the compartment, for the purpose of loosening the grains of the tea, or other articles stored in the compartment, which are apt topack and refuse to fall, unless disturbed when the slide is opened. The top of the caseis closed with a conical or oval cover, perforated over each compartment, for the purpose of replenishing them, when necessary, each perforation being fitted with a detachable cover.

The object of my invention is, first, to provide a convenient storage for teas, &c., of different grades, colors, and prices; second, tov

enable the said commodities to be handled quickly, with economy, and to be stored without loss of quality.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a cross-section Fig. 2, a plan, and Fig. 3 an outer elevation of a caddy constructed according to my invention. 7

A is the base, circular in form, to the center of which, and extending upward, the pivot O is secured. D is the cylindrical case, of suitable diameter and height, divided into a number of-say, eight-compartments, D by the partition-walls d. In the center of the case a pocket or pivot hole, E, is constructed, extending from the top to the bottom of the case. In this pocket, at a suitable distance from the top of the case, a concave seat, F", is constructed to receive the top of the pivot. The main weight of the case and contents is supported on this central point, the friction-rollers F merely steadying the case as'it is revolved. The top of the case is finished to a conical or oval shape, circular perforations d being cut over each compartment, through which to introduce the tea or other article. Each of these holes is fitted with a tightlyfitting cover. The bottoms D of the compartments are provided with hoppers, the orifices being circular and fitted with sliding doors Gr. These doors have a stem or tail, G which extends outward beyond the case, finishing with a suitable turn or handle, by which they may be opened and closed. On the upper side of the doors, upright rods G are attached, for the purpose of distributing the tea when the sliding doors are drawn.

open, so that it will fall into the scoops H below. Teas and light substances of a nature similar to tea do not flow readily out of an aperture, the particles matting together over the opening, therefore it is necessary to separate the mass thus formed before the grains will run for this reason then are the rods Gr attached to the doors. placed directly under the compartment, radiate to the center, are half round, and fit in half-round seats H, being retained therein by friction. The outer ends finish with a flange and the scoops are provided with a suitable handle for convenience of working. The case D is finished with a molded wood bottom, I, to which the friction-rollers F are secured at suitable distances apart. The rollers F travel on the base-plate A, bearing but lightly thereon. The outer surface of the cylinder may be ornamentedto any degree desired, and at the same time it can be divided into panels which indicate the size of the compartment, and may have written on them the name, quality, price, 860., of the article contained within. I propose to construct the main body of sheet metal, the bottom and pivot base only of wood.

The advantages gained by my invention are, first, articles such as tea, which are of differ- The scoops H are out kinds, qualities, prices, and in general deman din broken quantities, are conveniently stored, easily handled, and kept quite distinct, all within the same case; second, once the article is placed in its proper compartment there is no necessity to lift the lid until the compartment is empty, thus keeping itfree from dirt, accidental mixture with other articles, and in the case of tea, cofl'ee, &c., retaining their full flavor, which they are apt to loose when exposed as in the ordinary way of selling; further, the caddy takes up little room in comparison with the space required foran independent caddy-set," V illclaim as lmyl inventionf-y-e The compartments D, with the hopper bottoms D draw-slides G, with upright rod G,

and handle G in combination with theradially-placed scoops H fitting in the seats H,

arranged substantiallyas described.

, RBT. MAINER.

Witnesses l GEO. A. Arm); CHARLES MoINNEs;

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