Improvements in Bottle Sealing Devices.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 4th July, 1896-Accepted, 8th Aug., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Bottle Sealing Devices.
I, NIELS GEORG SORENSEN, of 11 Blasieholmstorg, Stockholm, in the Kingdom
of Sweden, Merchant, 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 a device the object of which is to hermetically and
antiseptically close or seal bottles of every description; and in order to carry out this
improved method of air-tight and sanitary closing, after the bottles have been filled
up to about the level of their necks, a cork, plug or stopper is inserted in each, so
that part of the neck extends beyond it. After this, a fluid possessing antiseptic
properties is poured over such stopper or cork, and a second stopper is forced into the
bottle neck for such a distance that the antiseptic fluid wholly or partially fills up the
space between the two stoppers. This creates what is known as a water seal, which
will effectively cut off any access of air and at the same time prevent any mould,
fungus growth or bacteria from developing in the contents of the bottle. It is the
well-known fact, that liquid may be utilised in obtaining a perfectly air-tight closing
of a joint, which led to the idea of applying the water seal arrangement in this
modified and improved form to the closing of bottles and similar receptacles, by the
employment of two stoppers with an intermediate space between them and the bottle
neck. By such means, bottles containing champagne, for example, or any other wine
or like beverage, may be economically sealed in an hermetic manner by means of
two corks procurable at little cost instead of one long and expensive cork; this
method of sealing affording, besides, a means for preventing absolutely any evaporation
of the liquid contained in the bottle and in fact protecting the same from being in
any way influenced by the ambient air for an indefinite period of time, as the antiseptic
fluid renders the formation of micro organisms in or their access to, the liquor
absolutely impossible. As antiseptic liquids solutions of formaline, boracic acid, or
like agents innocuous to the human health may be used, though (even in the worst
case) there can remain but an insignificant quantity of the antiseptic liquid in the
bottle neck after the corks or stoppers have been removed therefrom.
The device herein described necessitates no alteration in the shape of existing
bottles, excepting so far as it is more applicable to bottles with comparatively long
necks, it being also preferable (where the bottle is specially manufactured) to form
its neck with an enlargement for the reception of the antiseptic liquid between the
two corks.
The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings in
which
Figures 1 and 2 show the improved device in two different forms or modifications and
Figure 3 is a further modified form of the device.
The bottle neck, Figure 1 is provided with two cylindrical portions, A and C
between which is located the enlargement B. After the bottle has been filled with
the liquor to be preserved, the cork E is inserted into the portion C of the bottle
neck; the space B is filled with antiseptic fluid, and lastly, the cork D is driven into
the bottle neck above the fluid. Should any small amount of air remain behind in
the space B, so long as the bottle is kept in a horizontal position, the water seal will
nevertheless act in a perfectly satisfactory manner, inasmuch as the small quantity
of air remaining has room to collect in the space B at the top, without any portion

page_text: of the cork E in the enlarged part B of the bottle neck remaining uncovered with
fluid. The portion A of the bottle neck should preferably be somewhat wider than
the portion C. These parts A and C, moreover, may be either of a cylindrical or
of any other suitable shape, and they may be reduced in width in the middle, or be
provided with inwardly projecting swellings or beads, or, in fact, present any
configuration conducive to, or assisting the air-tight closing of the bottle.
In the modified form of the invention shown in Figure 2, a stopper such as F is
employed instead of a cork, such stopper being retained in position by means of a
well-known device. Or the stopper may be replaced by a cover or lid. Or a
number of corks may be employed, with a number of intermediate spaces filled with
antiseptic liquid.
In the modified form illustrated in Figure 3, the portion A starts directly from
the part C, but is longer than this part, so that it may receive part of the liquid
without its being necessary to shorten the upper cork as in the arrangement shown in
Figure 1.
The closing or sealing device herein described is particularly adapted for use in
connection with wines, sterilized beverages or liquors and the like, which, in order
to be made preservable for a lengthened period of time, should be effectively protected
from contact with the atmosphere, and to preserve which it is necessary that both
the bottles and the corks should be thoroughly sterilized.
The invention is applicable to bottles of all sizes from the smallest phials to the
largest jars, whether or not encased in wicker work, and whether made of glass or
any other material.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
A device for hermetically and antiseptically sealing bottles of every description,
the main feature of which is that in the bottle neck, or in the corresponding part of
a similar receptacle there are inserted two corks or stoppers or one cork or stopper
and a cover or lid, or one cork and one stopper, between which an intermediate space
is provided for the reception of fluid possessing antiseptic properties.
Dated this 4th day of July 1896.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.