IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CLOSING AND OPENING OF NECKED VESSELS OR BOTTLES."
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frederick Trotman, of the Zoological Gardens,
Regent's Park, Refreshment Contractor, William Turner, of Augusta
Street, Regent's Park, Mineral Water Maker, and William Henry
Ryves, of Maitland Park Road, St. Pancras, Accountant, all in the
County of Middlesex, for the Invention of “IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CLOSING AND OPENING OF NECKED VESSELS OR BOTTLES."
We, FREDERICK IRUTMAN, OF
Refreshment Contractor, WILLIAM TURNER, of Augusta Street, Regent's
Park, Mineral Water Maker, and WILLIAM HENRY RYVES, of Maitland
Park Road, St. Pancras, Accountant, all in the County of Middlesex, do

page_text: hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE CLOSING AND OPENING OF NECKED VESSELS OR BOTTLES," to be as follows:-
The improvements have reference partly to fittings to decanters and
other bottles and necked vessels which are intended to stand ordinarily
in an upright position so contrived as by the act of pouring to be self-
opening, and by the act of standing them down or returning them to an
upright position to be self-closing against dust or exposure of the contents
to the atmosphere. We employ a plate, or button, or cover with a
weighted stem thereto, the stem or the weight sliding and passing
through or in a guide fixed in the case of the apparatus or fittings, so as
without the intervention of gimbals, or swivels, or pivots, or rockers to
adapt the contrivance to any or to a particular position for pouring, and
the weight so overbalancing or displacing the cover as to allow a con-
venient egress of the contents, and on the return of the bottle to the
upright or standing attitude to return the cover to its original closed
position.
In the example Figure 1 in the accompanying Drawings the neck of
a cruet or small decanter a is represented with the improved fittings
applied, the casing d of the fittings being shewn in section, and carried
by a cork or stopple b; e is lid or cover to orifice through which the
contents are poured out; e*, stem to same, and e³ weight on the stem;
es, washer for adjustment, and e' guide through which the stem e slides,
thus permitting the cover e to adapt itself for pouring (see Figure 2),
whatever be the chance way in which the cruet is handled. By this
construction a rocking action as well as a sliding action is obtained
without gimbals (or the like). But if no rocking action be desired the
stem ex or the weight es instead of the stem e* may simply slide in the
guide e' without rocking therein, as shewn in the following examples :-
Thus at Figures 3 and 4 is represented the neck of a bottle with the
improved fittings in which the weight slides in the guide.
:-
Figure 5 is an inverted sectional plan to correspond. In order to
preserve a fairly straight sliding motion the lid or cover e carries three
(or more) guiding pins e (see also inverted plan of lid, Figure 6), which
but in a very slight degree only interfere with the egress of the contents
of the bottle.
T
1:1::n mil alan with mouiding ning si

page_text: De dispensed with, and be replaced by the pins e by connecting these
to the weight, the pins then acting as or becoming a compound stem
(instead of the plain stem e*), as illustrated in the Figure 9.
Figure 10 is an inverted plan view of lid to correspond.
A further modification, as in Figure 11, is obtained without a stem e*
by employing a guide e* at or near to the mouth and making it in the
form of a ring, through which the pins e may slide, the weight e² carried
by them also being in the form of a ring (as shown), if desired, for the
more facile passage of the contents of the bottle.
Figure 12 is an inverted plan view of lid to correspond.
In these Figures the lid is shewn as weighted with a protuberance,
serving also the more effectually to close the orifice of discharge when
the bottle stands erect.
Also a further modification as in Figure 13 is obtained, retaining the
stem ex, and dispensing with pins e by employing two stem guides e*.
The lid is shewn made weighty, and the stem may be further weighted,
as shewn in dotted lines, or at the inner extremity, if desired. Or
instead of the guides e*, cross pins e' in two places on the stem as in
Figure 14 may be substituted.
Fig. 15 is a cross section of the stem shewing one pair of the cross
pins e. Generally, for the more facile passage of the contents, when
the fittings are small, as at Figures 1 and 2 (or when not small), the
weight e may be grooved externally, or in cross section be tubular, or
be formed with star-like or radiating arms or members, as at Figures 1*
and 1b.
The following further improvements are contemplated:-For bottles
for holding soda water or gaseous liquids, where it may be desirable to
use at one time a portion only of the contents, we employ a hanging
elastic piston within the bottle without stopple, cork, or cover, at the
mouth of the bottle, and without a central stem or rod for supporting
the piston, but the piston being supported by three or more longitudinal
wires, rods, or members, united at their extremities inside the bottle for
the support mentioned, and at their extremities outside the bottle, united
or attached to a ring or frame, and the said wires or rods being slightly
inclined at a portion of their length, or having an inclined or springing

page_text: fitting against the inside of the neck of the bottle at its mouth to
prevent the piston and wires from dropping down or passing entirely
within the bottle, and to hold the piston depressed so long as desired for
the egress of the contents. The term "hanging," as herein used, is to be
understood as applicable when the bottle is in an upright or approximately
upright position with the mouth presented upwards.
In the following example Figures 16 and 17 are sections of the neck
of a soda water bottle with the said improved fittings adapted thereto, the
piston being shewn closed and open in the two Figures respectively.
Figure 18 is an inverted plan view, and Figure 19 a section of the ring
detached. m is the bottle, n the piston, and p, p, p, the longitudinal
rods united by a small plate or boss p. at their lower extremities for
carrying the piston, and by a ring p³ at their upper extremities outside
the bottle. The parts of the rods next this ring serve to jam into or
spring against the neck of the bottle, as in Figure 17, and the ring p³
prevents the fittings from passing entirely within the bottle. The dotted
lines Z, Z, in Figures 16 and 18 represent a block of wood or of any
convenient material inserted between the rods p and between the ring p²
and the mouth of the bottle, for preventing the accidental opening of
the piston. This block, which is intended to fit tightly, is removeable
by a side pressure, and when it is removed the piston may be depressed
or opened. In these Figures the rods p and ring p* are shewn with a
circular or round section without arrisses, but if desired the sections
may be rectangular, as shewn at Figures 20, 21, and 22.
Removeable external clip fittings (for necks of bottles) with hinged
cover or stopple, and with locking clasp, staple, or fastening to same, are
also contemplated, these will be specially (though not exclusively) adapted
for ginger beer bottles. Thus in the following examples Figures 23 and 24
shew in elevation two patterns of the improved fittings applied to and
as closed over the mouth of an ordinary ginger beer bottle; Figures 23ª
and 24, corresponding Figures respectively shewing the fittings opened;
and Figures 23, and 24, corresponding Figures respectively shewing
plan views of the fittings without the bottle and in the opened position.
m is the bottle; s, a hinged belt clipping round and immediately beneath
the ordinary shouldered neck of the bottle, and fastened by a screw as
shewn; t, the hinged cover or stopple carried by the belt s; and is the
fastening. In the first of the two examples this is a hinged staple, and
in the second a well-known catch, such as is frequently employed for

page_text: securing the lids of small cases and boxes. t* in both examples is an
elastic pad or cushion constituting a part of or carried by the stopple t.
Lastly. We contemplate an improvement or improvements upon the
fittings or appliances to the ginger beer and soda water bottles (known as
Barrett's), and forming the subject of Letters Patent granted to John
Adams and Henry Barrett, No. 2708, A.D. 1868, and which said fittings
consist of an elastic stopple pad or piston within the bottle carried by or
on a loose plug without guides, the gaseous pressure serving to close the
stopple pad against the contracted neck until by pushing the end of the
plug, which projects expressly for the purpose beyond the mouth, the
plug and stopple pad drop into the body of the bottle. This may occur
accidentally, to prevent which we provide a removeable guard or locking
appliance, sometimes by a small bar, or pin, or wire passing across and
through the plug immediately outside the mouth of the bottle; and
sometimes through the mouth or neck of bottle as well as through the
plug or sometimes the plug has no opening across and through it, but
instead thereof a notch or shoulder against which the bar, or pin, or
wire, or a specially prepared clipping piece may act to prevent acci-
dental displacement.
pursuance of
THE Cers Late
filed by the said Frederick Trotman, William Turner, and William
Henry Ryves in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 7th September
1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, FREDERICK
TROTMAN, of the Zoological Gardens, Regent's Park, Refreshment
Contractor, WILLIAM TURNER, of Augusta Street, Regent's Park,
Mineral Water Maker, and WILLIAM HENRY RYVES, of Maitland Park
Road, St. Paneras, Accountant, all in the County of Middlesex, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Eighth day of March, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the thirty-
fourth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give

page_text: In the example Figure 1 in the accompanying Drawings the neck of
a cruet or small decanter a is represented with the improved fittings
applied, the casing d of the fittings being shewn in section and carried
by a cork of stopple b; e is the lid or cover to orifice through which the
contents are poured out; e*, stem to same, and e² weight on the stem;
e³, washer for adjustment, and e* guide through which the stem e slides
loosely, thus permitting the cover e to adapt itself for pouring (see
Figure 2), whatever be the chance way in which the cruet is handled.
By this construction a rocking action as well as a sliding action is
obtained without gimbals (or the like). But if no rocking action be
desired the stem e*, or the weight e² instead of the stem e*, may simply
slide in the guide e without rocking therein, as shewn in the following
examples. Thus at Figures 3 and 4 is represented the neck of a bottle
with the improved fittings in which the weight slides in the guide.
Figure 5 is an inverted sectional plan to correspond. In order to
preserve a fairly straight sliding motion the lid or cover e carries three
(or more) guiding pins e* (see also inverted plan of lid, Figure 6),
which in a very slight degree only interfere with the egress of the
contents of the bottle.
Figure 7 shews stem e* sliding in guide, also with guiding pins e³.
Figure 8 is an inverted plan of the lid to correspond. Or the stem e*
may be dispensed with and be replaced by the pins es; by connecting
these to the weight the pins then acting as or becoming a compound
stem (instead of the plain stem e*), as illustrated in the Figure 9.
Figure 10 is an inverted plan view of lid to correspond.
A further modification as in Figure 11 is obtained without a stem e*
by employing a guide e' at or near to the mouth, and making it in the
form of a ring, through which the pins e* may slide, the weight e³ carried
by them also being in the form of a ring (as shewn) if desired for the
more facile passage of the contents of the bottle.
Figure 12 is an inverted plan view of lid to correspond. In these
Figures the lid is shewn as weighted with a protuberance, serving also
the more effectually to close the orifice of discharge when the bottle
stands erect.
Also a further modification as in Figure 13 is obtained, retaining the
stem e*, and dispensing with pins e by employing two stem guides e*.

page_text: The lid is shewn made weighty, and the stem may be further weighted
as shewn in dotted lines or at the inner extremity if desired. Or instead
of the guides e*, cross pins e in two places on the stem as in Figure 14
may be substituted.
Figure 15 is a cross section of the stem shewing one pair of the cross
pins e. Generally for the more facile passage of the contents when the
fittings are small, as at Figures 1 and 2 (or when not small), the
weight e² may be grooved externally, or in cross section be tubular, or
be formed with star-like or radiating arms or members as at Figures 1ª
and 1'.
The following further improvements are contemplated :-For bottles
for holding soda water or gaseous liquids, where. it may be desirable to
use at one time a portion only of the contents, we employ a hanging
elastic piston within the bottle without stopple, cork, or cover at the
mouth of the bottle for supporting the piston, but the piston being
supported by three or more longitudinal wires, rods, or members united
at their extremities inside the bottle for the support mentioned, and at
their extremities outside the bottle united or attached to a ring or frame,
and the said wires or rods being slightly inclined at a portion of their
length, or having an inclined or springing fitting against the inside of
the neck of the bottle at its mouth to prevent the piston and wires from
dropping down or passing entirely within the bottle, and to hold the
piston depressed so long as desired for the egress of the contents. The
term "hanging" as herein used is to be understood as applicable when
the bottle is in an upright or approximately upright position with the
mouth presented upwards.
In the following example Figures 16 and 17 are sections of the
neck of a soda water bottle with the said improved fittings adapted
thereto, the piston being shewn closed and open in the two Figures
respectively.
Figure 18 is an inverted plan view, and Figure 19 a section of the
ring detached; m is the bottle; n, the elastic piston formed of vulcanized
indian-rubber; and p, p, p, the longitudinal rods united by a small
plate or boss p* at their lower extremities for carrying the piston, and
by a horizontal ring p³ at their upper extremities outside the bottle.
The parts of the rods next this ring serve to jam into or spring against
the neck of the bottle when the piston is partially depressed, as in

page_text: Figure 17, and still more effectually as when the piston is fully.
depressed, and the ring p³ prevents the fittings from passing entirely
within the bottle. The dotted lines z, z, in Figures 16 and 18 represent
a block of wood or of any convenient material inserted between the
rods p and between the ring p³ and the mouth of the bottle for pre-
venting the accidental opening of the piston. This block, which is
intended to fit tightly, is removeable by a side pressure, and when it is
removed the piston may be depressed or opened. In these Figures the
rods p and ring p* are shewn with a circular or rounded section without
arrisses, but if desired the sections may be rectangular as shewn at
Figures 20, 21, and 22.
Figures 23 to 27 are furnished as obvious modifications of the fore-
going "three-rod piston" illustrations.
Figures 23, 24, and 25 shew different views of a tubular guide
replacing the rods, the guide being (at the bottom) where or near
to where it carries the piston rod closed, excepting that there are
one or more holes q through it for the liquid to pass. Also the tubular
guide has a rim r to prevent its dropping through the neck of the
bottle.
Figures 26 and 27 shew a modification of the last, the holes q being
at side instead of at bottom.
Removeable external clip fittings (for necks of bottles) with hinged
cover or stopple, and with locking clasp, staple, or fastening to same,.
are also contemplated; these will be specially (though not exclusively)
adapted for ginger beer bottles. Thus in the following examples
Figures 28 and 29 shew in elevation two patterns of the improved
fittings applied to and as closed over the mouth of an ordinary ginger
beer bottle; Figures 28 and 29", corresponding Figures respectively
shewing the fittings opened; and Figures 28 and 29, corresponding
Figures respectively shewing plan views of the fittings without the
bottle and in the opened position. m is the bottle; 8, a hinged belt
clipping round and immediately beneath the ordinary shouldered neck
of the bottle and fastened by a screw as shewn; t, the hinged cover
or stopple carried by the belt; & and u is the fastening. In the first
of the two examples this is a hinged staple, and in the second a well-
known catch such as is frequently employed for securing the lids of

page_text: small cases and boxes.
* in both examples is an elastic pad or cushion
constituting a part of or carried by the stopple t.
Lastly. We contemplate an improvement or improvements upon the
fittings or appliances to the ginger beer and soda water bottles (known
as Barrett's), and forming the subject of Letters Patent granted to John
Adams and Henry Barrett, No. 2708, A.D. 1868, and which said fittings
consist of an elastic stopple pad or piston within the bottle, carried by or
on a loose plug without guides other than the internal surfaces of the
bottles, the gaseous pressure serving to close the stopple pad against the
contracted neck, until by pushing the end of the plug, which projects
expressly for the purpose beyond the mouth, the plug and stopple pad
drop into the body of the bottle. This may occur accidentally, to
prevent which we provide a removeable guard or locking appliance,
sometimes by a small bar, or pin, or wire passing across and through
the plug immediately outside the mouth of the bottle, and sometimes
through the mouth or neck of bottle as well as through the plug. Or
sometimes the plug has no opening across and through it, but instead
thereof a notch or shoulder against which the bar, or pin, or wire, or a
specially prepared clipping bar or piece may act to prevent accidental
displacement.
Figure 30 illustrates the case of a locking bar applied through the top
or end of the stopple pad, projecting beyond the mouth of the bottle. A
is the bottle; B, the improved stopple pad, generally of glass; B*, the
ordinary indian-rubber or other elastic clothing thereon at the lower
end for closing the neck; B², the projecting end, which has through it a
slot or opening to receive the bar C, which may be of metal, of
wood, or of glass. A hole is shewn through the bar C for twine or wire,
for more readily withdrawing the bar when desired, or for tying to the
stopple pad to prevent the bar being withdrawn.
Figure 31 shews separate view of the improved stopple pad, with slot
or opening presented from a different point of view.
Figure 32 shews the improved stopple pad when formed with hole for
the reception of a locking pin instead of a bar.
Figure 33 shews an ordinary wire pin to be used with same, or a
wooden pin may be substituted. If desired, a sunk recess or seating
across the mouth of the bottle may be provided for the under side or
edge of the locking bar or pin, so as the better to hold the stopple pad

page_text: in position, and such seating and the said edge may be V shaped or
otherwise as desired.
Figure 34 illustrates the case of the locking bar passing through the
neck of the bottle as well as through the stopple pad.
Figures 35 and 36 are corresponding separate views of the stopple pad
and bottle, respectively shewing the positions of the slots or openings
through them respectively intended for the bar.
Figure 37 shews a corresponding view of the stopple pad with hole for
reception of a pin instead of a bar.
Figures 38 and 39 illustrate the case of the improved stopple pad with
notch instead of bar opening or pin opening through it, and where
a locking bar is to be used passing through and across the neck of
the bottle. The modification necessary for a pin instead of a bar is
obvious.
Figure 40 exhibits the application of a specially prepared clipping bar
or piece against a notch or shoulder on the stopple pad B, the clipping bar
(shewn in section) being forked or having two arms G, G, as seen more
distinctly in the detached plan view of the clipping bar at Figure 41,
or other forms of clipping bar may be used if effecting the locking
purpose, as for instance a bar in two separate semicircular pieces, each
clipping half round the stopple pad, and having externally a groove or
recess for wire or twine to bind the two together. And in all or some of
the cases in which bars are used as distinguished from pins, the bars may
if desired be formed tapering, the better to key or tightly hold up the
stopple pad, inclined seatings for the bar being provided on the bottle to
correspond with the tapering of the bar. And pins as distinguished from
bars may be used with stopple pads, having slots or elongated openings
intended for or adapted to receive bars.
Having now described the nature of our said Invention, and the
manner in which the same is to be and may be performed, we declare
that we claim as of our said Invention,―
Firstly. The constructing fittings to decanters, bottles, and vessels of
the kind or description above set forth, with a plate, or button, or lid, or
cover, in combination with a sliding weighted stem thereto, but without
gimbals, swivels, pivots, or rockers, in accordance with the several
methods (of effecting our desired purpose or purposes) herein-above set
forth and described, and as represented in the Drawings.

page_text: Secondly. The construction of hanging elastic pistons (without stopple
cork or cover at mouth of bottle) with three or more longitudinal
wires, rods, or members for supporting the piston, these being united
inside of the bottle or vessel for the said support, and united outside
also and attached to a ring or frame, the said wires being (as a feature
of this claim) slightly inclined at parts to obtain a springing fitting
against the inside of the neck of the bottle or vessel at its mouth, in
accordance with the method or methods herein-above set forth and
described, and as represented in the Drawings. And we claim as an
obvious modification of this three-rod piston feature of the Invention,
the construction of hanging elastic pistons (without stopple cork or
cover at mouth of bottle) with a tubular guide (to replace the rods)
closed at the bottom, where or near to where it carries the piston,
excepting that holes in it (the guide) are provided for the passage of the
liquid, and having a rim or projection to prevent its dropping through
the neck of the bottle, as herein described and as represented in the
Drawings.
Thirdly. The combinations of parts constituting removeable external
clip fittings (for necks of bottles) with hinged cover on stopple, and
locking clasp staple or fastening to same, herein-above described, and as
represented in the Drawings.
And, lastly. The securing or locking the padded plugs or stopples of
the "Barrett" soda water and ginger beer bottles (or vessels) by a pin,
or wire, or bar passing through the plug or stopple either above and
outside of the mouth of the bottle (or vessel) or through the neck of the
bottle (or vessel), as well as through the plug. And also the substi-
tution of a notch, or shoulder, or plug, instead of the hole for the pin,
or wire, or bar, all as herein-before set forth and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Frederick Trotman, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Sixth day of September, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two.