Apparatus and mthod for removing a latex coating concealing indicia

Abstract

Apparatus and method for removing a latex coating concealing and overlying indicia on a sheet includes an elongated finger and thumb-gripping handle and a forward elbow having a lower end laterally offset from the handle axis. A cavity is provided carrying a compressible resilient member, the outer surface of which extends downwardly below the edge of the lower end of the elbow. The outer surface of the member carries dispersed aluminum oxide grit dispersed in random webs forming a disc to abrasively remove the latex coating with a fine dust residue remaining and larger particles of latex gathered and retained on the outer surface. A ring element is integral with the handle remote from the elbow. The method includes pressing the disc onto a latex coating and moving the handle generally horizontally back and forth to cause the coating to become a fine latex powder and causing residue particles of latex to adhere to the grit.

1 . An apparatus for removing a latex coating concealing and overlying indicia on a sheet comprising an elongated finger and thumb gripping handle having opposite end portions with a longitudinal axis therebetween, an elbow element attached to one said end portions and having a lower end laterally offset from said axis, said lower end including an edge and a spaced shoulder therefrom, said lower end having a wall formed between said edge and said shoulder to form a cavity, said edge extending in a plane at an acute angle to said axis, a compressible resilient member disposed in said cavity and having an outer surface extending downwardly of said edge of said lower end and being generally parallel to said plane, said outer surface carrying dispersed grit to abrasively remove a latex coating without damaging underlying indicia on a sheet.  
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said outer surface when used on a latex coating causing a fine latex dust residue while gathering and retaining larger particles of latex on said outer surface.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a ring element attached to another said end portion of said handle.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said ring element extends in a generally vertical plane in alignment with said axis and perpendicular to said plane, said ring element having a passageway therethrough extending laterally of said axis.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said dispersed grit includes aluminum oxide abrasive.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said resilient member includes random webs carrying dispersed grit and formed into a disc.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said disc includes a pair of spaced substantially flat surfaces and a circumferential surface extending between said flat surfaces.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said disc is compressible in a diameter direction and in an axial direction.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a ring element attached to another said end portion of said handle, said ring element extending in a generally vertical plane in alignment with said axis, said ring element having a passageway therethrough extending laterally of said axis, said outer surface when used on a latex coating causing a fine latex dust residue while gathering and retaining larger particles of latex on said outer surface.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said dispersed grit includes aluminum oxide abrasive.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said resilient member includes random webs carrying dispersed aluminum oxide abrasive.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said handle is generally cylindrical and includes a section with opposed arcuate surfaces adjacent another said end portion, said section having an upwardly extending part and an opposed downwardly extending part, each said part terminating remote from said elbow element, respective said parts having generally elongated flat surfaces and elongated side edge portions, said side edge portions and said arcuate surfaces forming opposed finger and thumb gripping areas of said handle.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  further comprising a ring element attached to another said end portion of said handle.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said ring element extends in a generally vertical plane in alignment with said axis, said ring element having a passageway therethrough extending laterally of said axis.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein said outer surface when used on a latex coating causing a fine latex dust residue while gathering and retaining larger particles of latex on said outer surface.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein said dispersed grit includes aluminum oxide abrasive.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said resilient member includes random webs carrying dispersed grit and formed into a disc.  
     
     
         18 . An apparatus for removing latex coating concealing indicia on a sheet, said apparatus comprising an integral elongated handle having opposite ends, one said end being bent downwardly and having a cavity formed therein, and another of said ends having a ring opening for easy access and storage on a key ring or the like; and a compressible resilient pad in said cavity and having an outer surface extending below said cavity and carrying dispersed grit thereon for abrasively removing latex coating and gathering particles of latex residue on said outer surface.  
     
     
         19 . A method for removing latex coating of concealed indicia comprising the steps of: 
 A. pressing a resilient member having dispersed grit on a lower surface against a latex coating of concealed indicia, the resilient member and grit being positioned at a proximal end of an elongated handle, with the distal end being engageable by a user's finger and thumb; and    B. moving the handle generally horizontally back and forth to cause the latex coating to become a fine latex powder on the indicia without damaging the indicia and causing residue particles of latex to adhere to the dispersed grit.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein step A includes the step of gently applying pressure on the resilient member by a user's finger and thumb on the distal end of the handle offset from the resilient member to inhibit excessive pressure in removing the latex coating.