The Squeeze-Ball Sprinkler: A Lever That Seals, Then Sprays

"This invention relates to a simple and comparatively inexpensive and very convenient and effective device adapted for throwing fine sprays and for sprinkling clothes, tobacco in manufacture, plants, and for various other useful purposes." The ball is "in the form of a hollow rubber ball, provided on one side with perforations a a, and on the opposite or upper side with a water-inlet". It is filled by pressing the plunger onto it, "submerging the ball in this condition under the water, and while holding it there releasing the ball from the pressure of the plunger". "The sprinkling being effected by pressing the plunger down onto the ball, the plunger first coming over the port b, and thus closing it, the compression of the ball forces the water in a fine spray through the perforations a a thereof."

Pierce a rubber bulb with 20 or 30 fine holes on one side using a hot needle held in pliers, and leave its neck as the filling hole. Fill it by squeezing it under water and letting go. Weigh a dry cotton shirt. Sprinkle it with the bulb, thumb over the neck as you squeeze, until it weighs a fifth more; count the ballfuls and compare with the notebook. Roll it up for ten minutes, then iron it, and iron a second shirt sprayed with a spray bottle to the same weight. Note which was dampened more evenly.

**Moses Goldman** of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, filed US 293,730 on 14 May 1883; it is dated 19 February 1884. **Honest limits.** The notebook uses a steady orifice law for a pressure that really rises and falls with each squeeze; ball size, holes, pressures and the dampness wanted are examples. Your ballful count and scale readings are the measurement.