US512121A - Moistening device for cigar boxes - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) 1

B. A. RICH. MOISTENING DEVIGE'FOR CIGAR BOXES.

Patentd Jan. 2, 1894.

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IVIOISTENING DEVICE FOR CIGAR-BOXES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 512,121, dated January 2, 1894. Application filed February 2, 1893. $erial No. 460,711. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EMANUEL ADOLPH Bron, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful-Improvements in Cigar-Moistening Devices for Cigar-Boxes, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

My invention relates to cigar moistening devices, and more particularly to a moistener which is applicable to cigar boxes which have been packed with cigars and placed on the dealers shelves for sale, or for use by the consumer.

It is well known that a great trouble experienced by cigar dealers and consumers in the use of cigars, is that when kept in adry place, or from natural causes, the cigars become so dry as to be unfit for use; and the object of my invention is to provide a means within the boxes in which cigars are packed, whereby the cigars may be moistened and kept in a moist condition for any length of time.

Referring to the drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cigar box having my improved moistening device applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the moistening device removed. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section of the same, taken on line l1 of Fig. 2.

A represents a cigar box, and B a receiver for the moistener 0. As will be seen by the drawings the receiver B is constructed of two separate plates, said plates being connected together at the sides and bottom, and secured one to the other in such manner as to form a pocket. The top of said receiver B is open topermit theinsertion or removal of the moistener O. The front plate a is perforated at its upper portion fora purpose to be described hereinafter, and the back plate I) is solid over its entire surface.

The moistening device is formed of a strip of metal folded upon itself, and is adapted to receive within the fold a suitable absorbent material, such as blotting paper, felt, &c. As seen in the drawings I prefer to use three thicknesses of blotting paper 0 for this purpose.

The moistening device 0 is provided with perforations in its upper side portion for the purpose of enabling the absorbent mater al to receive and exhale moisture. The moistening device 0 when charged with moisture is adapted to be inserted within the recelver, when moisture will be caused to enter the box through the perforations in both the moistening device and the receiver.

The device 0 is moistened by dipping it inverted in water, allowing it to remain in the Water only a sufficient length of time for the outside sheets of blotting to become saturated. By. this means the middle sheet of blotting will absorb any superfluous water. The lower portion of the device 0 is solid to prevent the absorbent material contained in said portion from receiving moisture. The device 0 being inserted in the receiver, the moisture with which the upper portion of the absorbent material has been saturated will gradually soak down toward the lower edge, and that portion of the absorbent materlal which is covered by the solid lower portion of the device 0 will absorb some of the superfluous moisture. Notwithstanding these pro- 7 5 visions to prevent water from flowing into the box, it is possible that afew drops might escape from the device 0. To prevent these drops from entering the box and damaging the cigars, the lower portion (not perforated) of the receiver B is formed in the shape of a trough which serves to collect any escaping water.

The moistening device C is provided with a lip or shoulder d by whichit may be removed 8 from the receiver.

My invention as described does not necessitate any alteration in the construction of the ordinary cigar boxes, and in this form it is applicable for use where the boxes are sold intact to the consumer, who can use the moistener after he has bought and opened the box.

Where it is desired to preserve the cigars in their boxes in a moist condition without opening said boxes or breaking the revenue stamps, I provide ail-auxiliary lid D directly over the receiver B. This lid maybe opened without violating the internal revenue laws, as the goods could not be removed through such opening, but would permit of the retoo moval and insertion of the moistening device with ease, thus preserving the goods in a proper condition'for use.

Having now described my invention, I declare that what I claim is The combination with a cigar box, of a receiving device B within said box, said receiving device formed of two plates secured together, closed at the sides and bottom, and open at the top, one plate having perforations along its upper portion; a removable moistening device contained within said receiver comprising a strip of metal folded upon itself, one of the flaps formed thereby being provided with perforations; absorbent material within the fold; a lip to facilitate the removal of the moistening device from the receiver, and an auxiliary box lid D. situate over the mouth of the receiver, substantially as and for the purposes herein shown'and de- 20

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