US3873080A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stamp soaker
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-10-03
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Granted: 1975-03-25
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Expires: 1993-10-03
Abstract
Abstract A stamp soaking unit comprising a pan providing a shallow cavity having a generally flat bottom, a sponge disposed in the cavity and having a thickness significantly greater than the depth of the cavity, a generally flat top for the pan disposed to cover and close the cavity, and a hinge for connecting the top to the pan for movement to and from its closing position which is generally parallel with the bottom of the cavity. The pan and the top are perforated, and the sponge is effective to hold envelope sections on which stamps are glued flat against the bottom and the top while the unit is held under a stream of hot water or steam.
Inventors
- 👤 James A Bostic
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 01:37
CPC Classifications
B; B43; B43M; B43M99/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S269/00; Y10S269/909; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/19; Y10T156/1928
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A stamp soaking unit comprising a pan providing a shallow cavity having a generally flat bottom, sponge means disposed in said cavity, a generally flat top for said pan disposed to cover and close said cavity, and means for connecting said top to said pan to be generally parallel with said bottom in its cavity closing position, said pan and said top being perforated, said sponge means being effective to hold envelope sections on which stamps are glued flat against said bottom and said top while said unit is held under a stream of hot water or steam.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
A stamp soaking unit comprising a pan providing a shallow cavity having a generally flat bottom, sponge means disposed in said cavity, a generally flat top for said pan disposed to cover and close said cavity, and means for connecting said top to said pan to be generally parallel with said bottom in its cavity closing position, said pan and said top being perforated, said sponge means being effective to hold envelope sections on which stamps are glued flat against said bottom and said top while said unit is held under a stream of hot water or steam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
The unit of claim 1 in which said pan is generally rectangularly shaped with said cavity being generally rectangularly shaped and centrally located within said pan to provide a boundary portion extending perimetrally about said cavity and generally parallel to said bottom, said connecting means including hinge means connecting said top to said pan for movement between a closing position against said boundary portion and an opening position away from said boundary portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The unit of claim 2 in which the thickness of said sponge means is such that, when said top is in its closing position, said sponge means is compressed securely to hold such envelope sections, respectively, against said top and bottom.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The unit of claim 3 in which said pan and top provide adjacent parallel edges joined together by said hinge means and opposite edges, handle means on said pan and top and extending outwardly, respectively, from said opposite edges.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The unit of claim 4 including downwardly extending leg means for supporting said pan.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The unit of claim 1 in which said sponge means has a thickness greater than the depth of said cavity such that, when said top is in its closing position, said sponge means is compressed securely to hold such envelope sections, respectively, against said top and bottom.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
110 words
A stamp soaking unit comprIsing a perforated pan providing a shallow cavity having a bottom, sponge means disposed in said cavity, a perforated top for said pan disposed to cover and close said cavity, and means for connecting said top to said pan for movement to and from its cavity closing position, said sponge means having a thickness greater than the depth of said cavity such that, when said top is in its cavity closing position, said sponge means is compressed securely to hold envelope sections on which stamps are glued against said bottom and said top while said unit is held under a stream of hot water or steam.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
110 words
A stamp soaking unit comprIsing a perforated pan providing a shallow cavity having a bottom, sponge means disposed in said cavity, a perforated top for said pan disposed to cover and close said cavity, and means for connecting said top to said pan for movement to and from its cavity closing position, said sponge means having a thickness greater than the depth of said cavity such that, when said top is in its cavity closing position, said sponge means is compressed securely to hold envelope sections on which stamps are glued against said bottom and said top while said unit is held under a stream of hot water or steam.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-24 | 1978-09-23 | 1979-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-24 | 1982-09-23 | 1983-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-24 | 1986-09-23 | 1987-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |