US1932304A - Monogram - Google Patents

Description

Patented Oct. Z4, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEy 3 Claims.

My present invention relates to improvements in monograms of the character which are formed as individual units and then bodily applied to a support surface.

The term monogram is used for descriptive convenience only and is intended to include letters, numerals, symbols, decorative devices or identifying characters or indicia of any nature whatsoever. The so-called support lmember to which the monograms are applied may form part of any of an infinite variety of devices, typical examples of which are cigarette cases, vanity cases, escutcheon plates, automobile doors, rings, plaques of glass, celluloid or metal etc.

An object of the invention is to provide a monogram which will, when applied, realistically simulate an inlay.

Another object is to provide a monogram adapted to be adhesively secured to the support by a non-Water solvent adhesive material permanently carried by the monogram so that the monograms when attached to a support may be exposed to the Weather without danger of dislodgement. Furthermore the adhesively coated monograms may be kept in stock indefinitely Without deterioration of the adhesive. J

Another object is to provide a metal monogram with adhesive material so arranged on its back that when the adhesive is treated with a solvent and the monogram pressed against its support, it will adhere tenaciously not only because of the adhesive .qualities of the cement but because of the fact that the adhesiveI is so applied that it forms ridges defining one or more suction pockets which strongly oppose removal of the monogram. Typically such pockets are formed by a ridge of adhesive material which follows the contourof the monogram and coacts with the thinner layer of adhesive on the body of the monogram to afford a sealed pocket when all of the edges of the monogram are pressed into contact with its support surface. p

Another object is to provide a monogram which is extremely difcult to pry loose from its support due to the fact that the metal of the monogram is so thin and the adhesive material is so thin that they offer no edge surface which may be struck -`a hammer blow and the adhesive filled space between the edges of the monogram and the support surface is so extremely thin that it is difficult to wedge even a sharp edged tool between the monogram and support.

Another object of the invention is to provide a monogram inherently capable of clinging to its support surface even though said surface itself be slightly flexed and a monogram which is expensive construction which will be extremely y neat and attractive in appearance and which though made of base metal, will when in applied position simulate an expensive precious metal inlay.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention the monograms are made of extremely thin bendable metal. They may be stamped, but are preferably etched from metal stock of a thickness in the order of not more than .005 to .O15 inches. A very thin'layer of non- Water soluble adhesive or cement is applied to the backs of the monograms in such a fashion that ridges in the adhesive material-coact to define one or more pockets. A typical arrangement is to provide a ridge of adhesive material which follows the entire periphery of the monogram and` is elevated with respect to the thinner layer of adhesive covering the main body portion of the monogram or a series of criss-crossing ridges when cooperatively defining a series of such pockets.

The monograms with their coated backs may be kept in stock indefinitely by a retailer who applies them as required, to the articles of merchandise which he may be--vselling. In order to applythem, it is merely necessary to brush them lightly with a solvent for-the adhsive and press them manually against the support upon which they are to be mounted. This manual pressure is suiicient to cause all of the adhesive ridges to rmly adhere to the support and todene between the ridges evacuated spacesof minute thickness which insure a suction cup action supplementing the action of the adhesive material itself in restraining the monograms against inadvertent dislodgement.

On the other hand, if it becomes desirable to interchange monograms, the introduction of an extremely sharp pointed instrument to break the seal, permits the monograms to be readil stripped from their support. 1

When vthese extremely thin monograms are mounted upon a contrastingly colored background, a most realistic simulation of an inlay is obtained, that is to say, the thickness of the monograms at their edges is so negligible that they appear to be actually embedded in the article upon the surface of which they are mounted.

In the present application I have claimed only the special suction cup effect obtained by the novel method of arranging the adhesive and regardless-oi whether this adhesive be applied to a thin initial or athick one, all of the remaining Fig. 3 is an enlarged pian view of the rear face of the monogram and Fig'. d is a further enlarged View on the line d--el of Fig. 3 with the thicmess of the monogram material and the adhesive material greatly exaggerated.

In Figs. 1 and 2, I have shown my improved vmonogram applied to a conventional metal cigarette case consisting of two hinged sections ill-10 which cooperatively form a pocket for the cigarettes when closed by snap latch l1. It is characteristic of such cases that they are slightly flexible and that at often ltimes, all surfaces of them` are slightly convex. Such slight convexity or such slight flexibility will not impair the security of attachment of my improved monograms. The

monogram illustrated consists of three letters 12,

encircled by a decorative ring or frame 13.

A typical letter is illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. Such letter is etched from 4an. extremely thin gauge bendable sheet metal stock say in the order oi .005 to '.015 inches in thicmess and adhesive material such as a waterproof cement 1d is applied upon the back of the letter 12, in such a fashion that the adhesive/material forms a ridge l l5 following the entire periphery oiL the letter.

Thus, when'the adhesive is softened by the application oi a suitable solvent and the letter is pressedagainst the supporting surface afforded by the cigarette case, the entire area of the letf ter which is conned within the peripheral ridge l5 will cooperate with the supporting surface to define an evacuated chber giving a highly efiective` suction cup action.

While I may form a ridge of adhesive along the edges of the letters, it is within the scope of the invention to form criss-crossing ridges winch will define a plurality of smaller suction cups or pockets, ii desired. The monogrammay be made of bright or dull metal stoel.: or chrome metal nish or may be plated or enameled, the primary consideration being that the `metal with its enamel or plating be extremely thin and where enamel or plating is used, it be ci a nature which will not crack upon slight bending of the monogram which occurs when the monogram is secured to its slightly convex or slightlyconcave surface.

:While it is within'the scope oi the invention to stamp monograms of sheet stock/I prefer to form the moncgs by an etching process which includes the steps of painting the letters with lacquer upon a metal strip or sheet -or otherwise covering the strip with an -acid proof material of the same shape as the proposed letters, and then applying an acid to the metal sheet, the acid eating away 'the metal between the acid impervious portions thereof to form the letters. Subsequently the lacquer is removed.

It `will be understood that the decorative iframe i3l is formed of similar stoclr orsimilarly `plated and that the adhesive on its rear surface is also arranged to form criss-crossing ridges or two annular ridges at the inner and outer edge oi' the ring. Such ridges cooperate to dee an ular evacuated space, evacuation being enected by the ual pressure applied to the as it is p mmf home against the support.

Due to the extreme l ress oi the mon m and theextreme t ww, of the ive, th letters when pressed against a surface, particularly one of contrasting color, give a hig ma istic simulation of an inlay ci precious metal. This is due to the fact that the 111,: oi the letters are so extremely thin that the letters 1.- r' to lie iiush with the surface upon which they mounted. i

By making these extremely thin letrs of mi ily bendable metal, they will accoodate themselves to a slightly convex surface-and they will not be dislodged by slight iiexing of the surface upon which they are mounted.

The suction effect obtained is rekable considering the thinness of the evacuated space. It is seemingly impossible to dislodgefthese letters by an edgewise thrust but if a very sharp instrulll@ ment is applied under them and the seal afforded by the ridge of cement is once broken, the letters may be peeled from their supports with the greatest ease and the tell-tale marks on the support show clearly that the letters have vadhered to the support only at their edges and that a t f suction cup actionfhas been had.

The particular .u fe esive mate which is l is not in itself my invention and there are types of non-water solvent, glues or ents which might be employed for the p, providing that they may be spread thinly enough on the backs of the letters. A typical adhesive material suitable for the purpose consists largely of collcdion with a small amount of shellac and alcohol and a goed solvent for such a cement is benzene.

I do not wish to be limited to any particular metal for the monograms although for simula silver and gold, nickel silver and brass have proven highly satisfactory.

It will thus be seenvthat there is herein described an article in which theseveral features oit this invention are embodied, and which article in its action attains the various objects ci the invention and is well suited to meet the requirements ci practical use.

As many changes could be made in the above construction, and many apparently widely dierent embodiments vof this invention could be f-m-f' without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown inthe accogzupwV w f. :drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Y

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent isz- 1. As a new article ci' manufacture, a t backed monogram of material a nou- -Water soluble adhesive material substantially completely covering its rear surface, a-portion of said adhesive material forming a raised ridge around the periphery of the monogram whereby to afford a suction cup eiect when a solvent is applied to the cement and the monogram pressed against a supporting surface.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a at metal monogram carrying a non-water soluble adhesive coating upon its rear face, said coating being s0 MICHAEL CHERNOW.

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