Improvements in Bottle Stoppers.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Apr., 1896-Accepted, 6th June, 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Bottle Stoppers.
I, WILLIAM JOHN CUNNINGHAM, of 518 Locust Street Philadelphia, State
of Pennsylvania, United States of America, Manufacturer do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to bottle stoppers and cousists of a novel construction, made
of rubber or other material, in which provision is mado for preventing said rubber
from coming in contact with the liquid in the bottle, whereby the contents thereof
are not impaired.
It further consists of a bottle stopper, having a stopper proper and retaining bail
therefor, detachably connected, whereby said stopper may be primarily inserted
into the mouth of the bottle, without being accompanied by the bail, by which
provision the stopper may be sealed in any suitable manner, after which the bail
may be manipulated to engage said stopper and retain the saune in position.
It further consists of a novel construction of a stopper whereby the initial
movement which occurs in opening the bottle will cause the bail thereof to contact
with a lug mounted upon the said stopper, and thus tilt the latter to one side or the
other thereby greatly facilitating the act of opening said bottle.
It further consists of novel details of construction all as will be hereinafter set
forth.
In the accompanying drawing
Figures 1 and 2 represent vertical sectional views of a bottle stopper embodying
my invention, showing different forms of plates employed.
Figure 3 represents a perspective view of one form of plate which is attached to
the stopper.
Figure 4 represents a vertical sectional view of a bottle stopper, showing jaws
for engaging the bail.
Figure 5 represents a perspective view of the jaws employed.
Figures 6 and 7 represent views of different forms of jaws, which may be
employed.
Figure 8 represents a side elevation of a bottle stopper and a portion of the neck
of the bottle, to which the same is applicable.
Figure 9 represents a vertical sectional view of Figure 8.
.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.
A designates a bottle stopper which consists of the body portion B, the same
being preferably made of rubber or similar material, and having attached to its
lower extremity, the plate C, the same being provided with the countersunk
holes D, the unturned flange E and the inwardly turned flange F, which latter is
inserted in the rubber. It will be seen that by this means provision is made for
preventing the contents of the bottle from coming in contact with and being
impaired by the material composing the stopper.
In Figure 3 I show a plate having a spider G attached thereto, which latter
is adapted to be embedded in the rubber and may be used in lieu of the
flange F.
H designates a thimble which is provided at the bottom with the flange J which
parts are embedded in the body B, and provided at the top with the rim K, which
located a oid body R

page_text: L designates jaws, which are freely located within the thimble H, and project
partly above the rim K, and being connected at the bottom by the base M, which
imparts elasticity to said jaws, the parts being formed in Figures 4 and 5, of a
continuous piece of suitable wire, and said base being located below the flange J,
and prevented from upward displacement thereby.
In Figures 6 and 7 I show different forms of jaws, those in Figure 7 being
formed of cast or wrought metal pieces L', and having the bases M', the same
producing similar results.
It will be seen that the stopper and bail are primarily detached and when
the bottle is filled, the stopper is inserted into the mouth of the same, after
which the bail is raised and the cross bar located centrally over the jaws, the bail
is then lowered, whereby said cross bar enters between tho jaws and holds the
stopper in place.
N designates a cap which is over the body B, and which has a neck P depending
therefrom, to which latter is attached the flange Q, which is adapted to be seated
in the said body portion of the stopper.
R designates upwardly extending lugs which are mounted upon the cap N and
are hollowed or recessed, as will be seen in Figure 9.
S designates a passage extending through the neck P which contains the jaws L,
for the bail T, said jaws having the feet M which are held in position beneath the
flange Q.
U designates shoulders in said lugs R, against one or the other of which the top
of the bail T will contact in the initial act of opening the bottle, whereupon the
gas contained within the same can readily escape and thus greatly facilitate the
opening of the bottle.
I do not wish to be limited to the exact construction shown or described, as
I may make changes which are within the scope of my invention, and which might
be made by one skilled in the art.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what [
claim is :-
1st: A bottle stopper, consisting of a body portion and a plate attached to the
bottom thereof, and adapted to be interposed between the bottom of said stopper
and the liquid in said bottle, substantially as described.
2nd. A bottle stopper having a body portion, a neck, and a plate secured to the
underside thereof, said plate having an upwardly turned portion and an inwardly
turned flange, the latter ontering and being embedded in said neck, substantially as
described.
3rd. A bottle stopper detachably connected with the retaining bail thereof, sub-
stantially as described.
4th. A bottle stopper having jaws therein for detachable connection of a bail
therewith, substantially as described.
5th. A bottle stopper having a thimble therein, jaws within said thimble and
means for connecting said jaws with said thimble, substantially as described.
6th. A bottle stopper having jaws connected by a base, a thimble freely
inclosing said jaws and engaging said baso, substantially as described.
7th. A bottle stopper having a thimble therein, a rim and flange on the ends of
said thimble, and jaws located in said thimble and retained by said flange, said
parts being combined substantially as described.
8th. A bottle stopper having jaws therein for detachable connection with the
retaining bail, and a shoulder on one of the jaws for engagement of said bail, sub-
stantially as described.
9th. A bottle stopper having lugs provided with shoulders thereon, adapted to
be engaged by the bail in the initial act of opening the bottle, substantially as
described.

page_text: 10th. The combination with a bottle, of a stopper having recessed lugs thereon,
a bail, and a supporting device therefor within said lugs, the latter being adapted
to be engaged by said bail in the initial act of opening the bottle, substantially as.
described.
Dated this 22nd day of April 1898.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.