US848434A - Cigar-moistener. - Google Patents

Description

PATENTED MAR. 26

L. P. BRADLEY. CIGAR MOISTENER.

APPLIOATION FILED JAN. 10. 1907.

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CIGAR-MOISTENER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 26, 1907.

Application filed January 10,1907. Serial No. 351,656.

To It 1071 0777 it may concern:

Be it known that I, LoUIs F. BRADLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at I/Vashington, in v the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cigar-\Ioisteners, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

This invention relates to humidifiers or airmoisteners for show-cases in which are displayed cigars, tobacco, or other commodities apt to become too dry in a warm salesroom.

The object of the invention is to produce as an article of manufacture and sale an inexpensive, attractive, and efficient device for the purpose named that can be readily and quickly applied to the inner surface of the glass top of a show-case without obstructing the view to any appreciable extent.

A further object of the invention is to so construct the device as to form an attractive advertising medium.

IVith these and other objects in view the invention consists in the novel features to be hereinafter described in detail and set forth in the claims at the close of this specification. In the accompanying drawings, wherein similar numerals of reference are used to indicate corresponding parts in each of the several views, Figure 1 is a top plan view showing a portion of the top plate of a show-case with my improved moistener applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a view showing the moistener in side elevation and the top plate of a showcase in section. Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on the broken line III III of Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation disclosing a modified means of attaching the shell to the head or cover.

My improved moistener comprises a head or cover 2 for attachment to the glass top 1 of a show-case and a perforated shell 5, detachably secured to the head 2 and adapted to contain some material which is an absorbent of moisture, the design being that more or less rapid evaporation of the liquid or moisture will take place, and the articles in the case, having hygroscopic properties, will extract needed moisture from the air in the case to maintain a desired condition.

I prefer to construct the head or cover 2 of transparent glass, as indicated in Fig. 3, and the outer surface thereof is provided with an open-ended recess 3 to receive an advertisingcard 4, containing such advertising matter as may be desired. The top surface of the head surrounding the recess is molded flat to lie snugly against the glass top 1 of the case and may contain intaglio lettering, such as the patent date and number.

The inner end of the head or cover 2 is of reduced diameterto receive the shell 5, the exterior of the latter being flush with the rim of the head, and, as shown, the reduced plug 2 is threaded to engage the interiorlythreaded mouth of the shell 5, thereby admitting of ready detachment of the parts. The engaging threads of the plug and shell are preferably of rapid pitch to provide for quick engagement and disengagement of the parts, and I contemplate in some instances making the screws of interrupted threads, so that the parts may be engaged and disengaged by, say, a quarter-turn. As a continuous screw-thread joint between these parts is the equivalent of an interrupted thread and also the equivalent in this connection of a bayonet-joint, I intend my claims to cover such equivalents.

The shell is preferably for the sake of lightness, non-liability to tarnish, and non corrodibility made of aluminium and is provided with a multiplicity of small apertures 6 to admit circulation of air and the evapora tion of the liquid or moisture held by the absorbent material 7.

In practice sponge, wool, or other absorbent material 7 may be used Within the shell, care being taken to avoid packing the material so closely as to prevent free circulation of air therethrough and consequent evaporation. I prefer in this connection to use the well-known absorbent cotton, owing to its absorptive and aseptic properties, and the cost is so slight that the charge or mass may be renewed frequently as the air rising from the lower part of the case becomes laden with the tobacco or other odors given off by the articles contained therein.

In use the head or cover 2 will be attached by a film of transparent cement to the under side of the glass top 1 of a show-case, with the open end of the recess 3 in position for ready insertion or removal of a card. The shell 5 is then to be filled with a looselyformed charge or mass of cotton 7, moistened with water alone or water containing a slight proportion of wine, rum, or other liquid usually employed in such relations. The shell 5 being now secured to the head 2, the process of airmoistening Will take place, and the articles in the show-case Will take up the moisture from the air according to need.

I do not, of course, limit myself to a head 2 of transparent glass, as translucent or opaque glass or other material might be used; but I prefer the construction described, as it makes an attractive attachment in appearance and does not obstruct the view as other materials Would do. Also it Will be understood that the shell 5 may be made of silver, glass, or other material, my preference, however, being for aluminium, as described, or glass, they being non-corrosive and readily cleansed.

Having thus fully described my invention, What I claim is 1. A humidifier for cases consisting of a head having a top for attachment to the case and a reduced plughaving engaging projectio'ns, and a perforated shell adapted to fit said plug and having recesses to engage the projections of the plug.

2. A humidifier for cases consisting of a top for attachment to the case and a reduced plug, and a perforated shell fitting said plug, the plug and shell having interlocking recesses and projections.

3. A humidifier for cases consisting of a head having a recessed top for attachment to the case and a reduced plug, and a perforated shell fitting said plug; the shell and plug being respectively screw-threaded.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two attesting Witnesses.

LOUIS F. BRADLEY.

Vitnesses:

MATTHEW TRIMBLE, JANE T. BLAND.

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