Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd June, 1888
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Mar., 1889
Complete Specification Accepted, 4th May, 1889
A communication from abroad by the firm of BERTHE, WULVERYCK, and SERVAS,
of 15, Rue Tiquetonne, Paris, in the Republic of France, Manufacturers.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD GEDGE, of No. 11 Wellington Street, Strand, London, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved method of closing or stoppering bottles, jars,
and other similar vessels, and machinery or apparatus in connection therewith.
The stoppering or closing of bottles or jars of glass, or other ceramic material,
has always been difficult by reason of the fragility of the material.
A glass bottle or jar is capable of supporting very great pressure, or a very powerful
clasping or clamping if this is effected without shock.
These conditions of resistance are turned to account in this novel system.
A metal cover or lid powerfully compresses an elastic joint upon the neck of a bottle
or jar, then, during this pressure, a strong ligature or fastening is made, so that at the
moment the pressure ceases the ligature or fastening holds the cover.
The closing therefore takes place without any shock, by means of a collar which
grips the capsule or cap by the aid of a setting or clamping press suitably arranged
for the purpose.
On the accompanying Sheet of Drawing
:-
Figure 1 represents a metal cap or capsule in section.
Figure 2 a section of a bottle or jar covered with a cap or capsule, and
Figure 3 the same bottle seen from the exterior.
The cover, cap, or capsule is composed of a stamped round plate or blank having a
first depression in the centre, at a, corresponding to the entrance or mouth of the
bottle or jar into which it enters.
The cap or cover then takes the shape of a ring, b, corresponding to the thickness
of the neck.

page_text: This ring is provided underneath with grooves or corrugations intended to insure
the hermetical closing of the joint.
It is in the channel formed by this ring that is placed the joint or pad c, which may
he, of leather, felt, india-rubber, or any other elastic material.
The edge d of the cover or cap is then bent downward to an angle of about
45 degrees; but it is slightly rounded to correspond with the rim, flange, or swelling
of the neck of the bottle, and for application thereon.
The cap or cover is secured upon the bottle or jar, by a collar e which, clasping the
edge d of the cover and the rim or swelling of the bottle, clamps the whole so as to
hold the cap as shown Fig. 2.
Therefore in order to obtain the hermetical closing desired, the stoppering comprises
a first operation which consists in compressing the joint and compelling the cover or
lid to come down as close as possible upon the neck of the bottle, and it also comprises
a second operation which consists in then clamping this cover, while under pressure,
with a collar e, to exert a tightening pressure upon this collar and to clasp it while
thus held.
The bottle or jar being then liberated, the elastic joint has a tendency to rise and
retake its original volume; but the collar opposes any uplifting of the cover and
therefore the joint or pad exercises a pressure on all sides which ensures hermetical
closing.
The clasping of the collar is effected by the aid of a tongue or clasp 1 terminating
one of its ends, which tongue engaged in the opening 2 is bent over, thus uniting the
two ends of the collar.
The opening is effected without the aid of any tool, it is only necessary to raise this
tongue and break it, the collar then opens and frees the cap or cover.
To rapidly operate the stoppering of bottles and jars as above described, use is made
of a tool or apparatus specially constructed for the purpose.
Figure 4 shows this apparatus in Elevation.
Figure 5 is a section of the box and of the press through the axis of the screw, and
Figure 6 is a plan view.
It is composed of a stand A. upon which is fixed an upright or standard B, and
upon this slides a block or plate C to be fixed by the aid of a screw c, at a height
determined by that of the bottle or jar.
This plate is pierced with a screw threaded hole traversed by the screw D, which is
actuated by the fly wheel E.
At the lower part of this screw is fitted a plate or plates.F which may turn freely.
This screw, the fly and the plate serve to give the vertical pressure upon the bottle
or jar.
The plate F has the form of the cap or cover and enters it so as to hold it firmly
and keep the bottle in the centre of its axis.
The piece intended to tighten or clamp the collar and effect the clasping consists of
a box G of a semicircular form.
It is furnished interiorly with an india rubber band.g embedded in the thickness of
the metal.
It is terminated at its upper part by a pivot h serving as axis. of rotation to the
clamping lever H.
The screw D passes freely through this pivot h so as to allow the box.a:certain play
to and fro; but it cannot turn, being stopped by the fork entering the upright:B.
The clamping lever H possesses a movable piece or tappet 1, a sort of finger pivoting
on itself.
The pivot of this finger I is set eccentrically at h¹, which permits advancing or
retiring the finger according to the diameter of the bottle or jar, which for a same
kind can only vary a few millimetres.
The finger I recessed following the profile of the collar and the rim or swelling of
the bottle or jar, comes on to the collar, the end. of which it pushes so as to cause the
tongue 1 to enter the opening 2 as far as possible, and to lay it down by the circular
movement given to it.

page_text: It will be seen that the action is very simple and rapid.
The bottle having been fitted with cap or cover, and the joint or pad, and also
carrying the collar the tongue of which is already entered, is placed upon the bel
plate or stand A.
The fly wheel E is then turned, lowering the screw and the plate F.
The plate F being movable on its axle seats in the cap or cover, stops there, and
while the screw continues to turn descends always compressing the joint.
The bottle being thus securely held, the workman grips the end of the lever H
drawing it towards him so as to bring the india rubber band on the collar; this
pressure pushes the collar and causes it to adhere close upon the neck.
•
The lever H is then moved in a circular direction, which causes the finger to press
on the collar and to push before it the free end thereof.
When it meets the tongue 1 it lays it down in its passage as shown figure 6.
The operation is ended by reversing the motion of the fly which liberates the bottle
or jar.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of Closing or Stoppering. Bottles, Jars, and
other similar Vessels, and Machinery or Apparatus in Connection
therewith.
A communication from abroad by the firm of BERTHE, WULVERYCK, and SERVAS,
of 15, Rue Tiquetonne, Paris, in the Republic of France, Manufacturers.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD GEDGE of No. 11 Wellington Street Strand, London in the
County of Middlesex Patent Agent. 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:-
This Invention relates to an improved method of closing or stoppering bottles, jars,
and other similar vessels, and machinery or apparatus in connection therewith.
The stoppering or closing of bottles or jars of glass, or other ceramic material, has
always been difficult by reason of the fragility of the material.
A glass bottle or jar is capable of supporting very great pressure, or a very powerful
clasping or clamping if this is effected without shock.
These conditions of resistance are turned to account in this novel system.
A metal cover or lid powerfully compresses an elastic joint upon the neck of a bottle
or jar, then, during this pressure, a strong ligature or fastening is made, so that at
the moment its pressure ceases the ligature or fastening holds the cover.
The closing therefore takes place without any shock, by means of a collar which
grips the capsule or cap by the aid of a setting or clamping press suitably arranged
for the purpose.
On the accompanying sheet of Drawing:-
--
Figure 1. represents a metal cap or capsule in section.
Figure 2. section of a bottle or jar covered with a cap or capsule, and
Figure 3 the same bottle seen from the exterior.
The cover, cap, or capsule, is composed of a stamped round plate or blank, having
a first depression in the centre, at a, corresponding to the entrance or mouth of the
bottle or jar into which it enters.
The cap or cover then takes the shape of a ring 6, corresponding to the thickness of
the neck.
This ring is provided underneath with grooves or corrugations intended to ensure
the hermetical closing of the joint.
It is in the channel formed by this ring that is placed the joint or pad
be leather, felt, india-rubber, or any other elastic material.
which may.
The edge d of the cover or cap is then bent downwards to an angle of about
45 degrees; but it is slightly rounded to correspond with the rim, flange, or swelling
of the neck of the bottle, and for application thereon.

page_text: A second plate a¹ is depressed so as to enter the neck of the bottle and rests by its
edge upon the bottle.
The capsule a does not penetrate into the bottle as deeply as the plate a¹ a space
being thus left between them.
The object of this second plate is to bear the strain of the interior pressure
developed in the ebullition and further ensure a hermetical joint.
The capsule a thus having to bear less strain produces a perfectly hermetical closing.
The cap or cover is secured upon the bottle or jar by a collar e which clasping the
edge d of the cover and the rim or swelling of the bottle, clamps the whole so as to
hold the cap as shown Fig 2.
"Therefore in order to obtain the hermetical closing desired, the stoppering comprises
a first operation which consists in compressing the joint and compelling the cover or
lid to come down as close as possible upon the neck of the bottle, and it also com-
prises a second operation which consists in then clamping this cover while under
pressure, with a collar
to exert a tightening pressure upon this collar and to clasp it
while thus held.
e,
The bottle or jar being then liberated, the elastic joint has a tendency to rise and
retake its original volume; but the collar opposes any uplifting of the cover and
therefore the joint or pad exercises a pressure on all sides which ensures hermetical
closing.
The clasping of the collar is effected by the aid of a tongue or clasp 1 terminating
one of its ends, which tongue engaged in the opening 2 is bent over, thus uniting the
two ends of the collar.
The opening is effected without the aid of any tool, it is only necessary to raise this
tongue and break it, the collar then opens and frees the cap or cover.
To rapidly operate the stoppering of bottles and jars as above described, use is made
of a tool or apparatus specially constructed for the purpose.
Figure 4 shows this apparatus in Elevation.
'Figure 5 is a section of the box and of the press through the axis of the screw, and
Figure 6 is a section at X. Y Z Fig. 5.
It is composed of a stand A upon which is fixed an upright or standard B and upon
this slides a block or plate C to be fixed by the aid of a screw c, at a height determined
by that of the bottle or jar.
This plate is pierced with a screw threaded hole traversed by the screw D, which is
actuated by the fly wheel E.
At the lower part of this screw is fitted a plate or plates F which may turn freely.
This screw, the fly and the plate serve to give the vertical pressure upon the bottle
or jar.
The plate F has the form of the cap or cover and enters it so as to hold it firmly
and keep the bottle in the centre of its axis.
The piece intended to tighten or clamp the collar and effect the clasping-consists
of a box G of a semicircular form.
It is furnished interiorly with an india-rubber band 9 embedded in the thickness of
the metal.
g
It is terminated at its upper part by a pivot h serving as axis of rotation to the
clamping lever H.
The screw D passes freely through this pivot h so as to allow the box a certain play
to and fro; but it cannot turn; being stopped by the fork i entering the upright B.
The clamping lever H possesses a movable piece or tappet I, a sort of finger pivoting
on itself.
The pivot of this finger I is set excentrically at h¹ which permits advancing or
retiring the finger according to the diameter of the bottle or jar, which for a same
kind can only vary a few millimetres.
The finger I recessed following the profile of the collar and the rim or swelling of
the bottle or jar, comes on to the collar, the end of which it pushes so as to cause the
tongue to enter the opening 2 as far as possible, and to lay it down by the circular
movement given to it.

page_text: It will be seen that the action is very simple and rapid.
The bottlehaving been fitted with cap or cover, and the joint or pad, and also
carrying the collar the tongue of which is already entered, is placed upon the bed
plate or stand A.
The fly wheel E is then turned, lowering the screw and the plate F.
The plate F being movable on its axle seats in the cap or cover, stops there, and
while the screw continues to turn descends always compressing the joint.
The bottle being thus securely held, the workman grips the end of the lever H
drawing it towards him so as to bring the india-rubber band on the collar; this
pressure pushes the collar and causes it to adhere close upon the neck.
The lever H is then moved in a circular direction, which causes the finger to press
on the collar and to push before it the free end thereof.
•
When it meets the tongue 1 it lays it down in its passage as shown figure 6.
The operation is ended by reversing the motion of the fly which liberates the bottle
or jar.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
The method of closing or stoppering bottles, jars, and other similar vessels herein
before described, characterised by a
:-
1. A metallic cap or capsule provided with an elastic joint to be applied upon the
neck of a bottle or other vessel by the aid of a metal collar or ligature.
2. The application of a double cap within the bottle for the purpose of supporting
the strain of the internal pressure.
•
3. The stoppering or closing obtained under vertical pressure by the aid of a collar
producing a horizontal tie or grip without shock, by the tool the construction and
working of which is above described.
4. Stoppering or closing under pressure and without shock by the aid of a screw
press combined with a clip or clamp having a circular movement for effecting the
clasping of the collar.
Dated this Twenty second day of March 1889.