IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BOTTLE STOPPERS
Year: 1884

page_text: We WILLIAM HILL, and SAM HILL, both of Times Works Holly Street Sheffield
in the County of York Manufacturers do hereby declare the nature of our said
invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BOTTLE STOPPERS to be
as follows:
Our invention of improvements in Bottle Stoppers, refers more particularly to
stoppers that are screwed into the necks of bottles, such bottle necks being
provided with a coarse thread suitable for the purpose.
As we are aware that stoppers with screw threads are at present in use it will
be understood that we are not claiming the use of screw stoppers absolutely, but
only improvements in such stoppers.
In carrying out our improvements we take a suitable piece of horn, and by
means of applied heat, bring it to a soft state.
Having previously prepared a pair of dies or moulds each of which are sunk,
cut or otherwise moulded so that when put together they form a mould or matrix
of the exact shape or configuration of the stopper required, complete with the
screw thread, and thumb-bit.
We fix the moulds in a pressing vice, or in other suitable press, and we place the
piece of softened horn before mentioned in the mould, and by exerting the power
of the press, the horn is forced and compressed into the matrix, and is thus formed
into a complete horn bottle stopper.
We make the thumb-bit of a convenient shape and by preference hollowed on
both sides, giving the operator a very firm grip, and enabling him to screw the
stopper very securely into the bottle, and also to easily release the same when
required.

page_text: Improvements in the Manufacture of Bottle Stoppers.
We WILLIAM HILL and SAM HILL, both of Times Works, Holly Street Sheffield
in the County of York, Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature of our
invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BOTTLE STOPPERS and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement, that is to say :-
Our invention of improvements in bottle stoppers, refers more particularly to
stoppers that screw into the necks of the bottles, the necks being provided with a
coarse screw thread for the purpose.
The annexed Sheet of Drawings represents a stopper made according to our
invention, and two modifications. Fig. 1, shows a stopper of horn with a metallic
cap. Fig. 2, a solid horn stopper. Fig. 3, section of a stopper with a metallic
cover on the screw.
As we are aware that screw stoppers are now used, we wish it to be clearly
understood that we only claim for our invention that it is an improvement upon
such screw stoppers, both in the process of manufacture, and also from a sanitary
point of view.
•
In carrying out our invention, we make our improved stoppers from horn, of
which material we take a suitable piece, and by the application of heat we reduce
it to a soft state.
We then place it between a pair of moulds which are sunk or moulded
internally so that when brought together the interior space forms a matrix, of the
'exact configuration of the stopper with the screw-thread and thumb-bit.
We fix the said moulds in a vice or other suitable apparatus for pressing, and
compress the piece of softened horn until it fills the matrix, and is thus formed
into a complete stopper.
The thumb bit A is made of a very convenient shape, by preference hollowed on
both sides, which enables it to be firmly gripped between the fingers for the
purpose of screwing or unscrewing.
An elastic ring B is placed round the parallel neck of the stopper, (indicated by
the dotted lines) so as to fit against the neck of the bottle, and make the joint
airtight.
J
'
For some purposes we fix upon the end of the screw C, 'a cap D, of suitable
metal, that will not oxidize, nor be otherwise affected by the contents of the bottle,
or we cover the whole of the screwed part by pressing upon it a cover of soft
metal as shown in Fig. 3, and marked E.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that
what we claim is
1. The manufacture of horn bottle stoppers in the manner substantially as
herein described and illustrated.