IMPROVEMENTS IN STOPPERING BOTTLES JARS AND SIMILAR RECEPTACLES
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph John Rawley of St George Street in the County
of Middlesex, Wine Merchant, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph John Rawley at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th September 1882.
JOSEPH JOHN RAWLEY of St. George Street in the County of Middlesex,
Wine Merchant. IMPROVEMENTS IN STOPPERING BOTTLES JARS AND SIMILAR
RECEPTACLES
"
"
"
This Invention relates to a simple and effective mode of stoppering bottles jars
and similar receptacles and consists of a stopper composed of a stem of wood
porcelain glass or other suitable material of considerably smaller diameter than the
mouth of the bottle formed by preference with an enlarged head at its upper end
and with a small shoulder at its inner extremity. This stem may be of any
section by preference round and upon it there is placed so as to roll tightly along
it a packing ring of india rubber or other suitable elastic material the said ring at
the same time fitting tightly against the interior of the neck of the bottle or other
receptacle so that when the stopper is forced down the ring will roll along the stem
and when at rest will tend to hold it firmly down in position.
The rolling ring may be of any section but I prefer to make it of a round or
elliptical section. If desired a stationary packing ring may be fitted underneath
the head of the stem so as to bear upon the lip of the bottle but this stationary ring
may if desired be dispensed with in some cases.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Joseph John Rawley in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
15th March 1883.
JOSEPH JOHN RAWLEY of St George Street in the County of Middlesex
Wine Merchant "IMPROVEMENTS IN STOPPERING BOTTLES JARS AND SIMILAR
RECEPTACLES
39
My said Invention relates to a simple and effective mode of stoppering bottles
jars and similar receptacles but more especially adapted for stoppering bottles
whereby I dispense with the use of ordinary corks which are costly and being
generally destroyed in the act of drawing cannot be used a second time, I also
avoid the risk of bursting bottles and the uncleanliness attendant on the use of
internal loose stoppers which are forced inside the bottle when opening the same
and in many cases fall into, the contents thereof.
The accompanying drawing illustrates my improved mode of stoppering as
applied to a bottle. Figure 1 is a separate view of the stopper before insertion or
after its withdrawal the same stopper being serviceable several times. Figure 2
-shows the same stopper inserted into the neck of a bottle for closing the same
according to my invention. a is a stem of wood, vulcanite, porcelain glass or other
suitable material of considerably smaller diameter than the interior of the bottle
neck b. This stem which I prefer to make of a round section is formed with an
enlarged head c at its upper end and a slightly projecting shoulder d at its
opposite end. Its diameter may be slightly reduced just above the said shoulder
so as to form an annular groove or recess for the reception of a ring e of rubber or
other soft and elastic material of square polygonal round or oval section which
grips the lower part of the stem as shown in figure 1 and is of rather larger
diameter than the interior of the mouth of the bottle neck. f is a rubber or other
washer fitting into a groove in the stem immediately under the enlarged head c so
as to form a packing against the lip of the bottle but it is not essential and may
be dispensed with if preferred. The neck of the bottle intended to receive the
said stopper should be slightly contracted at the mouth so as to form an internal
seat b¹ against which the ring e takes it bearing and fits tightly when forced into
the neck as shown clearly in figure 2. In applying the stopper the stem a with
the ring e on the end thereof is pressed into the bottle neck when the ring will be
caused to roll inside the mouth of the bottle and along the entering stem until it
has arrived at its seat just below the shoulder b¹ formed by the contracted mouth
of the neck by which time the enlarged head of the stem will have reached the
lip of the bottle and the closure will be complete. I prefer to make a series of
annular projections round that portion of the stem along which the ring e rolls as
shown in my drawings in order to increase the bite or hold of the ring upon the
stem and thereby hold it more securely in position.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
invention and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect I would observe in conclusion that I do not claim separately a rolling packing
ring as the same is well known but what I consider to be novel and original and
therefore claim as the invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part recited
Letters Patent is :-
The application and use to and in the closing or stoppering of bottles jars and
similar receptacles of a stem caused to travel through a rolling packing ring which
ring takes its perinanent bearing or seat against a shoulder inside the neck of the

page_text: bottle thereby closing the neck and at the same time gripping the stem so firmly
as to prevent its displacement by internal pressure as herein before described and
illustrated by my drawings.
In Witness whereof I the said Joseph John Rawley have hereunto set my
hand and seal this thirteenth day of March in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and eighty three.
JOSEPH JOHN RAWLEY (L.S.)