AN IMPROVED STOPPER FOR BOTTLES FOR CONTAINING GASES, OR GASES COM- BINED WITH LIQUIDS, SUCH AS AERATED BEVERAGES, WHEREBY IMPROVEMENTS IN STOPPERING BOTTLES CAN be EffectED
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Lauchlan Rose, of 11, Curtain Road, Finsbury, London, in
the County of Middlesex, Lime Juice Merchant, for the Invention of "AN
IMPROVED STOPPER FOR BOTTLES FOR CONTAINING GASES, OR GASES COM-
BINED WITH LIQUIDS, SUCH AS AERATED BEVERAGES, WHEREBY IMPROVEMENTS
IN STOPPERING BOTTLES CAN be EffectED.”
Sealed the 11th May 1877, and dated the 9th March 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Lauchlan Rose at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th March 1877.
LAUCHLAN ROSE, of 11, Curtain Road, Finsbury, London, in the County of Mid-
dlesex, Lime Juice Merchant. "AN IMPROVED STOPPER FOR BOTTLES FOR CON-
TAINING GASES, OR GASES COMBINED WITH LIQUIDS, SUCH AS AERATED BEVERAGES,
WHEREBY IMPROVEMENTS IN STOPPERING BOTTLES CAN BE EFFECTED."
The intention of this Invention is to remove the difficulties attending the stopper-
ing process as regards the bottling of aërated or gaseous liquids.
The difficulty hitherto experienced in the practical working of internal stoppers
of bottles containing gascous liquids has been the uncertainty of their action in
obtaining a proper position in the neck of the bottle so as to secure perfect stopper-
ing. This difficulty has been attempted to be met in various ways. In one method,
by the adoption of such an elongated form of stopper as that when combined with
a bottle of narrow diameter, the stopper is prevented from turning in the bottle,
and so reaches the neck of the bottle in proper position for stoppering. The obvious
objection to this mode of stoppering is the large form of stopper required, and its
consequent liability to fouling from outward dust, as well as what remains of the
liquid after decanting, an important matter of consideration, all internal stoppers
being forced inwards into the bottle during the process of decanting, and so remain-
ing in inany cases soine months in the empty bottle, the stopper thereby becoming
much fouled froin fungus and other growths generated in all acid drinks, thus re-
quiring great additional labour and expense in cleaning.
Another great objection to the use of such stoppers is the necessity of their
requiring bottles of narrow diameter to prevent the turning of the stopper and not
bottles in ordinary use, as well as the great liability of such large heavy stoppers
breaking the bottles in the process of washing.

page_text: Another mode of stoppering has been the adoption of a much smaller stopper than
the one described above, and by forming the bottom of the stopper into a hollow
cone, and thereby reducing its weight in comparison with the body or other end.
It has been found in practice, however, that such stoppers, more especially when
made of metal, china, or other heavy material, cannot be relied upon when so con-
structed;
the stopper either frequently falling across the neck of the bottle or cone
downwards, thereby preventing its valve or washer reaching its seat in proper posi-
tion for stoppering.
Still another method I will refer to of stoppering is by inserting a weight, such
as tin, in the head of the stopper, so as to make it fall in position for stoppering.
It will be obvious however that such stoppers, to effect the purpose intended. must
be made of wood, unless great expense is incurred, to the exclusion of glass, china,
tin, and other metals, and such like materials.
A very serious objection besides to stoppers so constructed is, the great liability
of the weight being forced out during the process of filling and washing, which
subjects the stopper to very considerable concussion, a liability much increased where
the weight is made of tiu or other metal, from the reaction of all acid drinks on
metals, the latter in time becoming so reduced in size as to drop out, through the
force of such concussion, the bottle being thereby rendered useless, from the difficulty
and labour of extracting such defective stoppers.
To meet these and other objections, I construct my improved stopper of a body
or spindle, made preferably of china, earthenware, glass, bone, or ivory, although
various metals, heavy woods, rubber, or other suitable material may be used. The
body or spindle I make of such size as to pass freely through the neck of the bottle,
the lower end being somewhat larger and passing less freely, or by some pressure
through the neck. I also form a groove or recess a short distance from the
lower end, in which I place a disc of rubber or other suitable material, which acts
as a valve or washer; when the bottle is stoppered by means of the internal pressure
of gas or liquid forcing the stopper into the neck of the bottle, the disc of rubber or
other suitable material folding over the thick or lower end of the stopper, and so
catching in the neck, prevents any internal pressure of gas or liquid forcing the
stopper out of or beyond its proper position for closely stoppering the bottle. To
secure this position of the stopper, essential to effectual stoppering, I fix or attach
by means of a recess in the end of the stopper, or in any suitable manner, a disc of
cork, vulcanite, non-porous woods, or other suitable material (although it will be
understood material of only less specific gravity than the body of the stopper may
be used) so as to act partially as a float upon the end of the stopper, the body thus
falling into position in the neck of the bottle and so securing effective stoppering.
While this is the general construction I prefer for such stoppers, it will be obvious
from above description, that variations may be adopted, such as the formation of the
entire body of the stopper of a material of greater weight than the bottom, such as
a combination of china, earthenware, netal, with a lighter material; preferably,
however, I adopt the form of construction first described, both as a matter of cheap-
ness and efficiency, except in the construction of stoppers where the body or spindle
is formed of bone or ivory, the bottom being made of a comparatively lighter
material such as vulcanite, or non-porous woods, such as lignum vitae, which combina-
tion forms an elegant, cheap, and efficient stopper not otherwise obtainable under the
present modes of stoppering; bone being porous is thus not a suitable material for
such internal stoppers, but admirably adapted under my improved mode of con-
struction; such bone or ivory stoppers also, by being dyed in various colours, may
thereby indicate the nature of the contents of the bottles, and thus dispense with the
labour and expense of labelling.
In all stoppers constructed of very hard or heavy material, such as glass, china,
earthenware, metal, where there may be danger to the bottle in process of washing
or filling, I cover the head, and if necessary, the ends with rubber or other suitable
material, in all stoppers constructed of any porous materials, as some woods,
bone, ivory, &c., I cover the valve or lower end with rubber, vulcanite, or other

page_text: suitable material, so as to form a perfectly air-tight seat for the valvo when in position
for stoppering.
Bottles constructed with a ridge in the neck as seat for the valve, are the most
suitable for this form of stopper, although ordinary bottles may also be effectually
stoppered by selecting a proper diameter of stopper to fit the neck.
Having thus described my said Invention, and the manner in which the same is
or inay be used or carried into effect, I have to state that I am aware that the
general construction and principle of internal stoppers for acrated and other waters
is not new, so far as respects the adoption of a central body or spindle having a
rubber or washer attached at the end, so as to act as a valve, and introduced into the
bottle as described, and also so closing it from the inward pressure of the gas or
liquid, a Patent having been granted to Duncan McCullum, of Greenock, in 1861,
September 27th, No. 2417, for such constructed stoppers. I am also aware that such
stoppers under said Patent were publicly worked in Greenock, having spindles or
centres of hard wood and other heavy material, as well as with the entire stopper
made of caoutchouc or rubber, the latter forming one modification of construction
under said Patent, and all of which consequently of greater specific gravity than
water; I therefore do not seek to claim either any general construction in form of
stopper, nor the particular material from which the body or spindle of such stoppers
are made, except bone or ivory, which are not suitable materials for such stoppers on
account of their porousness unless their valve end is covered or protected as already
described by me, but the fixing or adjusting of a comparatively light body, such as
cork, vulcanite, non-porous woods, or other suitable material to the end of the stopper,
the body of which is of greater specific gravity for the purpose, and in the manner
herein-before described, I consider novel and valuable. Bottles stoppered with
such internal stoppers, may be filled by means of any filling machine adapted for
such purpose, either neck downwards or in upright position, according to action of
machine.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Lauchlan Rosc in the Great Seal Patent Office on the Sth
September 1877.
LAUCHLAN ROSE, of 11, Curtain Road, Finsbury, London, in the County of
Middlesex, Lime Juice Merchant. "AN IMPROVED STOPPER FOR BOTTLES FOR
CONTAINING GASES, OR GASES COMBINED WITH LIQUIDS, SUCH AS AERATED
BEVERAGES, WHEREBY IMPROVEMENTS IN STOPPERING BOTTLES CAN BE EFFECTED."
The intention of this Invention is to remove the difficulties attending the stop-
pering process as regards the bottling of aërated or gaseous liquids.
The difficulty hitherto experienced in the practical working of internal stoppers
of bottles containing gascous liquids has been the uncertainty of their action in
obtaining a proper position in the neck of the bottle, so as to secure perfect stopper-
ing. This difficulty has been attemped to be met in various ways. In one method,
by the adoption of such an elongated form of stopper as that when combined with
a bottle of narrow diameter, the stopper is prevented from turning in the bottle,
and so reaches the neck of the bottle in proper position for stoppering. The obvious
objection to this mode of stoppering is the large form of stopper required, and its
consequent liability to fouling from outward dust, as well as what remains of the
liquid after decanting, an important matter of consideration, all internal stoppers
being forced inwards into the bottle during the process of decanting, and so
remaining, in many cases some months in the empty bottle, the stoppers thereby
becoming much fouled from fungus and other growths generated in all acid drinks,
thus requiring great additional labour and expense in cleaning.
Another great objection to the use of such stoppers is the necessity of their
R 415 W 11047

page_text: requiring bottles of narrow diameter to prevent the turning of the stopper and not
bottles in ordinary use, as well as the great liability of such large heavy stoppers
breaking the bottles in process of washing.
Another mode of stoppering has been the adoption of a much smaller stooper than
the one required above, and forming the bottom of the stopper into a hollow cone, and
thereby reducing its weight in comparison with the body or other end. It has been
found in practice, however, that such stoppers, more especially when made of metal,
china, or other heavy material, cannot be relied upon when so constructed, the stopper
either frequently falling across the neck of the bottle or cone downwards, thereby
preventing its valve or washer reaching its scat in proper position for stoppering.
Still another method I will refer to of stoppering is by inserting a weight such as
tin in the head of the stopper, so as to make it fall in proper position for stoppering.
It will be obvious however that such stoppers, to effect the purpose intended, must
be made of wood, unless great expense is incurred, to the exclusion of glass, china,
tin, and other metals, and such like materials.
A very serious objection besides to stoppers so constructed is, the great liability
of the weight being forced out during the process of filling and washing, which
subjects the stopper to very considerable concussion, a liability much increased where
the weight is inade of tin or other metal, from the action of all acid drinks on metals,
the latter in time becoming so reduced in size as to drop out, through the force of
such concussion, the bottle being thereby rendered useless, from the difficulty and
labour of extracting such defective stoppers.
To meet these and other objections, I construct my improved stopper of a body or
spindle, made preferably of china, earthenware, glass, bone, or ivory, although
various metals, heavy woods, rubber, or other suitable material may be used. The
body or spindle I make of such size as to pass frcely through the neck of the bottle,
the lower end being somewhat larger and passing less freely, or by some pressure
through the neck. I also form a groove or recess a short distance from the lower
end, in which I place a disc of rubber or other suitable material, which acts as n
valve or washer; when the bottle is stoppered by means of the internal pressure of
gas or liquid forcing the stopper into the neck of the bottle, the disc of rubber, or
other suitable material, folding over the thick or lower end of the stopper, and so
catching in the neck, prevents any internal pressure of gas or liquid forcing the
stopper out of or beyond its proper position for closely stoppering the bottle. To
secure this position of the stopper, essential to effectual stoppering, I fix or attach by
means of a recess in the end of a stopper, or in any suitable manner, a disc of cork,
vulcanite, non-porous woods, or other suitable material (although it will be under-
stood only material of less specific gravity than the body of the stopper may be
used) so as to act partially as a float upon the end of the stopper, the body thus
falling into position in the neck of the bottle and so securing effectual stoppering.
While this is the general construction I prefer for such stoppers, it will be obvious
from the above description that variations may be adopted, such as the formation of
the entire body of the stopper of a material of greater weight than the bottom,
such as a combination of china, earthenware, or metal with a lighter material.
Preferably, however, I adopt the form of construction first described, both as a 4
matter of cheapness and efficiency, except in the construction of stoppers where the
body or spindle is formed of bone or ivory, the bottom being made of a compara-
tively lighter material, such as horn, vulcanite, or non-porous woods, for instance
lignum vite, which combination forms an elegant, cheap, and efficient stopper not
otherwise obtainable under the present mode of stoppering. Bone, being porous, 5
is not when used as before mentioned a suitable material for such internal stoppers,
but admirably adapted under my improved node of construction. Such bone or
ivory stoppers also, by being dyed in various colours, may thereby indicate the
nature of the contents of the bottles, and thus dispense with the labour and expense
of labelling.
In all stoppers constructed of very hard or heavy material, such as glass, china,
earthenware, or metal, where there may be danger to the bottle in the process of
5

page_text: less diameter; C, the bottom of same diameter as head; D', screwed metal spindle
joining or screwing together the three portions of the stopper, as above described.
Fig. 12 shows a complete section of this form of construction.
In Fig. 13 the stopper is constructed of two parts, as shown. A is the body, with
screwed hole for receiving the weight D and spindle of bottom; C, bottom with
screwed spindle. Fig. 14 shows sectional view of this form of stopper.
In Fig. 15 the stopper also consists of two parts, body and bottom, joined
together by a metal spindle, A. being the body with screwed hole for spindle ;
C, bottom with hole to receive spindle; D, the spindle.
The sectional view of this form of stopper is the same as shown by Fig. 14.
Bottles stoppered with such internal stoppers may be filled by means of any filling
machine adapted for such purpose, either neck downwards or in an upright position,
according to the action of the machine.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and object of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed or carried out in
practice, I have to state that I am aware that the general construction and principle
of internal stoppers for bottles for aërated and other waters is not new, so far as
respects the adoption of a central body or spindle having a piece of rubber or
washer attached at the end, so as to act as a valve and introduced into the bottle,
as described, and also so closing it from the inward pressure of the gas or liquid,
a Patent having been granted to Duncan McCullum, of Greenock, in 1861,
September 27th, No. 2417, for such constructed stoppers. I am also aware that such
stoppers under said Patent were publicly worked in Greenock, having spindles or
centres of hard wood and other heavy material, as well as with the entire stopper
made of caoutchouc or rubber, the latter forming one modification of construction
under the said Patent, and all of which are consequently of greater specific gravity
than water. I therefore do not seek to claim any general construction in
form of internal stoppers, but what I claim is the fixing or adjusting a com-
paratively light body, such as cork, vulcanite, horn, non-porous woods, or other
suitable materials to the ends of the stopper, the body of which is of greater specific
gravity, for the purpose and in the manner herein-before described, as also the
particular form of construction in the application of weight to light bodied stoppers,
whereby such weight is secured from contact with the liquid, as above described, all
of which I consider novel and valuable.
In witness whereof, I, the said Lauchlan Rose, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this First day of September, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-seven
Witness,
JOHN S. HENDERSON,
Merchant,
Leven.
LAUCHLAN ROSE. (L.S.)