TRIVETOLOGY
Collecting, cleaning, displaying, researching, and appreciating TRIVETS and related go-withs!
Plastic sprinkler bottles, Part 1: Minerware
Did you know that sprinkling water onto fabric prior to ironing helps to release wrinkles? From the 1940s through the 1960s, before steam irons were widely available and affordable, sprinkler bottles were popular with American homemakers.
This unique sprinkler bottle was patented in 1964. It was produced by Minerware Inc., a subsidiary of Miner Industries.
It’s an ornamental design, molded of unbreakable plastic in the shape of a bud vase. There’s a removable, perforated sprinkler that looks like a rose. A green ring with five leaves fits between the sprinkler and the bottle. It measures 8 1/2″ tall, has a 10 ounce capacity, sold for 59¢, and was offered in several color combinations.
Image (above) courtesy of Jerry Marcus.
I’ve been unsuccessful in locating a catalog page, brochure or advertisement for this Minerware “Laundry Damp’ner.” If you have one, please Contact Me and I’ll add your information to this blog post!
Design Patent
A Design patent protects an ornamental design on a useful item. The document itself is almost entirely made of pictures or drawings of the design, making it more difficult to search because few words are used.
Design No. 198,469 was patented with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on June 16, 1964. The inventors were Morris Friedman of New York, New York and Andrey V. Mackey of Ambler, Pennsylvania.
Related information
Collectible sprinkler bottles, Part 1
Collectible sprinkler bottles, Part 2
PS: I currently have a red and white Minerware bottle (with hang tag) listed for sale in my Ruby Lane shop Trivets & Treasures!
Gallery
Clicking the first image will open a Slideshow. There are controls at the bottom of each screen to enlarge the image to full resolution. Click again (+) to zoom in.
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- Minerware bottle, view from above.”Flower openings always provide proper amount of water.”
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- Front of Minerware’s “Laundry Damp’ner” tag.
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- Reverse of Minerware tag, describing the “bouquet” stopper.
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- On bottom: signed MINERWARE INC. as well as PAT. PEND. and MADE IN U.S.A.
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- Minerware also produced this table size Salt and Pepper Set and Paper Napkin Holder. Plastic, unsigned, 5 1/2″ tall.
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- Reverse of Minerware Table Size S&P cardboard packaging. It mentions a larger King Size S&P “for range and barbecue glamour.”
I remember sprinkling our cottons growing up. Then we’d roll them up and put in the fridge until we were ready to iron. Fun memory.
My mother used a sprinkler bottle too, but not this fancy, that’s for sure!
Ah………… your post brings memories of my mother sprinkling cottons and linens before ironing. I bought a steam iron for her, but she continued dampening the laundry items before ironing. I don’t remember such pretty dampening containers! Enjoy your day!
Thanks Jeanette, Marian and Lois. I’m old enough to remember dampened clothes in our refrigerator while ironing was in progress. These days I just throw a damp towel in the dryer with my permanent press clothes that weren’t removed promptly. Same concept!