Back to results
US 5,431,098 AGranted
Ink-impregnated sponges
OwnerJeffrey M. Winstoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for applying ink to an image on an ink stamp. The apparatus comprises an ink-impregnated sponge having side walls that intersect at a first end, where an angle between the side walls is acute at the first end. The side walls are so curved that: (a) a user can see the first end while bringing the sponges into contact with the image; and (b) the likelihood that ink will be applied to an undesired portion of the image is decreased.
Claims5
An apparatus for applying ink to an image on an ink stamp, comprising:
- a. a base portion having a mounting surface and a perimeter ridge surrounding the mounting surface and a plurality of locking detents mounted on the perimeter ridge;
- b. an ink-impregnated sponge attached to the mounting surface of the base portion inside the perimeter ridge, the ink impregnated sponge having an inking surface, a centerline, and at least two side walls that intersect at a first end point located on the centerline, where
- i. an angle between the two side walls is between 70.degree. and 135.degree. at the first and second end points and gradually and continuously decreases away from the first and second end points towards the middle of the sponge, and
- ii. the two side walls become parallel at midway points on the side walls located midway between the first and second end points;
- and
- c. a cover member that engages the locking detents on the base portion in a manner that allows the cover to be manually removed from and attached to the base portion to cover the sponge;
- d. wherein the two side walls are gradually and continuously curved between the first and second end points.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.