IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR CORKING BOTTLES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Johann Schultz, of Alter Steinweg, 19, Hamburg, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR CORKING BOTTLES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Johann Schultz at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th February 1878.
JOHANN SCHULTZ, of Alter Steinweg, 19, Hamburg. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES
FOR CORKING BOTTLES."
This Invention of improvements in machines for corking bottles consists in giving
to the cork before it enters the bottle a side pressure to produce an oval form of the
cork, and then a second pressure at right angles to the former pressure, so that the
cork is then reduced to a cylindrical form of less dimensions than its former size;
the so prepared cork is then ready for the action of the plunger to press the cork
into the bottle.
I mount the apparatus on a cylindrical column, which forms the support and
guides for the apparatus, which, except in this particular, and as to the plunger, does
not differ from the ordinary apparatus.
The pressing apparatus is formed of dies or stamps, one part of each being fixed
to the frame, and the other part being movable, and compressing the cork as it
descends down an inclined surface, thus gradually forcing the cork to assume the
smaller dimensions required. Other means of pressing the cork before the plunger
drives the cork into the bottle may be adopted, but I prefer the mode indicated.
Corks so treated are in every respect sound, and when placed in the bottle swell
uniformly and make a very sound fit to the bottle neck.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Johann Schultz in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 2nd August
1878.
JOHANN SCHULTZ, of Alter Steinweg, 19, Hamburg. “IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES
FOR CORKING BOTTLES."
This Invention of improvements in machines for corking bottles consists in giving
to the cork before it enters the bottle a side pressure to produce an oval form of the
cork, and then a second pressure at right angles to the former pressure, so that the
cork is then reduced to a cylindrical form of less dimensions than its former size;
the so prepared cork is then ready for the action of the plunger to press the cork
into the bottle.
I mount the apparatus on a cylindrical column, which forms the support and
guides for the apparatus, which, except in this particular, and as to the plunger,
does not differ from the ordinary apparatus.
The pressing apparatus is formed of dies or stamps, one part of each being fixed
to the frame, and the other part being movable, and compressing the cork as it
descends down an inclined surface, thus gradually forcing the cork to assume the
smaller dimensions required. Other means of pressing the cork before the plunger
drives the cork into the bottle may be adopted, but I prefer the mode indicated.
Corks so treated are in every respect sound, and when placed in the bottle swell
uniformly and make a very sound fit to the bottle neck.
In the Drawings forming part of this Specification, the like letters referring to
the like parts of the machine composed of cast and wrought iron gun metal or other
suitable material.
Figure 1 is a front elevation of the machine.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of it.
Figure 3, part elevation of opposite side of machine to Figure 2.
Figure 4, part elevation of the parts actuated by the slotted vertical shaft.
Figure 5, section through the dies for pressing the corks enlarged size.
a is the weighted lever and handle fulcrumed at a¹, the enlarged part a² actuating
the vertical column b, working in suitable guides on the frame c and round the
cylindrical part of the frame c; attached to the vertical column is the cork plunger
b; the slotted parts of the column at 62 are the moveable faces actuating the cork
dies from front to back, as will be explained in Figure 5, and the face of the column
at 63 is the movable face actuating the cork dies from right to left, in respect to
Figures 5 and 1, the inclined face being fully shown in Figure 4, b
In Figure 5 is shown the action of the cork dies d held in the frame at Figures
2 and 4. d is fixed to the frame as the handle is brought down for corking the
part bs pressing on the roller e by the lever e¹ forces the die up to the dotted
outline; this die now becomes stationary having squeezed the cork up to an oval
section. The part 6 now comes into play on the roller f, and carrying the pin f¹,
sliding shaft f, and die d³, forces the oval cork into a cylindrical shape. The dies
now in the required position receive no more movement, the slotted inclined portions
of the column 6 and 63 having completed their course, the upper and vertical
portions of the part 62 and 63 retain the dies but allow the plunger b¹ to descend,
and the cork now smaller than the orifice of the bottle to be corked is thrust into
the bottle, and at once expands to fit the neck and secure the contents. To bring
the die d to its normal position there is a small inclined projection g attached to
the vertical column, which, acting on a prolongation of the axle of the roller e
brings the die back ready for the next cork.
The other parts of the machine are of the ordinary type, and do not form part of
the Invention.
Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of the Invention of
the manner of carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood that what
I claim is, in a corking machine, the compressing of the cork by dies acting

page_text: horizontally to the axis of the cork, and at or about at right angles to each other,
such dies being successively brought into action by one movement of the lever or
handle, substantially in the manner described, and for the purpose set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Johann Schultz, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Thirtieth day of July, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.
JOHANN SCHULTZ.
(L.S.)