Abstract: Cup handles made from clay have their seams removed by the handle being pushed along a passage of appropriate cross-section in a sponge. The sponge is washed after use by the introduction of water into the passage and by squeezing the sponge. The invention provides for the outer surface of the sponge to be treated all over to render it at least substantially impermeable to water. In use, when the sponge is squeezed, water is expelled only from the passage, and thus the uncontrolled flow of water encountered with sponges having permeable outer surfaces is avoided. Rigid plates may cover those parallel faces of the sponge into which the ends of the passage open, the plates having slots aligned with the ends of the passage. The sponges may be incorporated in a handle de-seaming machine operating cyclically.

Abstract: A machine suitable for use in removing seams from cup handles comprises means in the form of a turntable for carrying a plurality of sponges, viz. four, step-by-step successively through a series of operating stations at two of which smoothing operations are preformed on the handles and at two others of which the sponges are cleaned automatically to avoid such build up of clay material on them as will interfere with the satisfactory operation of the machine. Each sponge of the machine has a passage of suitably profiled cross-section through which each handle is caused to traverse first one way and then the other in the operation of the machine.