IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR, for the Invention of STORDERING BOTTLES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Worthington, of Blackpool, in the County of
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR
Lancaster, for the Invention of
STORDERING BOTTLES."
Sealed the 17th January 1879, and dated the 20th November 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Worthington at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th November 1878.
JOHN WORTHINGTON, of Blackpool, in the County of Lancaster. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR STOPPERING BOTTLES."
This Invention of improvements in apparatus for stoppering bottles is applicable
not only to bottles used for aerated or gascous liquids and effervescing waters but
also to bottles for holding beer or porter, or for liquids which do not give off a
sufficient pressure of gas to hold a washer (answering as a stopper) tight against a
shoulder; washers or stoppers so employed being usually arranged within the neck
of the bottle.
According to my Invention I so arrange an india rubber or elastic washer within
the interior of the bottle, that when the bottle is stopped or closed the outer portion
of the washer will be held tight against the shoulder formed by the bottle neck.
The elastic washer is hung centrally on the lower extremity of a rod, the upper
part of which is capable of being turned round independently of the lower part.
The upper portion of the rod is enlarged or flattened to nearly the size of the
interior of the bottle neck, the sides of the flattened portion being provided with
notches, which, when the washer is pulled upwards against the shoulder, are caused
to catch or rest upon suitably formed projections inside the bottle neck. The upper
end of the rod extends somewhat above the top of the bottle neck, and is in the
form of a handle. To open the bottle the metal rod is turned round until the
notches are free of the projections when the elastic washer below may be lowered
or pressed down; the reverse operation being required for closing the bottle.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Worthington in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 19th May
1879.
JOHN WORTHINGTON, of Blackpool, in the County of Lancaster.
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR STOPPERING BOTTLES."
" IMPROVE-
This Invention of improvements in apparatus for stoppering bottles is applicable
not only to bottles used for aerated or gaseous liquids and effervescing waters but
also to bottles for holding beer or porter or for liquids which do not give off a
sufficient pressure of gas to hold a washer answering as a stopper tight against a
shoulder; washers or stoppers so employed being usually arranged within the neck
of the bottle.
According to my Invention I so arrange an india rubber or elastic washer within
the interior of the bottle, that when the bottle is stopped or closed the outer portion
or upper side of the washer will, by a projecting part or parts of the stoppering
apparatus resting on a projecting part or parts of the bottle within (or at bottom of
the neck) be held tightly against the shoulder formed by the bottle neck within the
bottle.
In the accompanying Drawings Figs. 1 and 3 are respectively vertical sectional
and plan views of a bottle with my improved stoppering apparatus, which is shown
as open for the admission or egress of liquid; and Figs. 2 and 4 are respectively
vertical sectional and plan views of the same when closed.
A represents the bottle, which may be of glass, earthenware, or other suitable
material, having its shoulder provided with inner projections or ledges B, between
which are openings or spaces C, for the purpose hereinafter mentioned; D is the
elastic washer or stopper, preferably composed of india-rubber, hung centrally to
the lower end of the metal rod E. The lower part of the rod E is made of triangu-
lar form as shewn, or may be otherwise shaped so long as it is provided with
projections or parts which are able to pass up through the openings or spaces C,
and when turned partially round will overlap the projections or ledges B so as to
hold up the clastic washer against the shoulder and close the bottle as described.
The extremities of the bar a, forming the base of the triangle, upon being lifted
or raised through the openings C, and twisted, turned, or swivelled round by means
of the loop or handle F, or its equivalent, will rest upon the upper surfaces of the
projections or ledges B, thereby drawing the washer or stopper D tightly against
the shoulder of the bottle, and closing the bottle, as shown in Fig. 2. The elastic
washer D is suitably supported between metal washers or parts 1 and 2 on a central
pin G, which passes up through a hole in the bar a, and at its upper end is rivetted
or provided with a head or projection; thus a swivel is formed, and the rod E is
capable of being turned. round without also turning round the pin G and elastic
washer D supported by it.
To open the bottle the rod E is turned round until the bar a is free of the pro-
jections or parts B when the elastic washer below may be lowered or pressed
down.
The loop or handle F of the metal rod E is larger than the opening in the neck
of the bottle, so that the rod and washer hang suspended from the bottle neck
when the bottle is open; and unlike many other stoppers my improved stoppering
apparatus cannot easily be removed from the bottle and lost. Moreover, it will be
evident that my improved arrangement of stoppering apparatus as above described
will allow not only of a portion or the entire contents of the bottle being with-
drawn, and of the stopper being readily readjusted, but also is so constructed as
not to be dependent upon gas or fluid pressure within the bottle and acting upon
the underside of the stopper.
The openings C, in the projection B, may be dispensed with, and the catch
attached to the metal rod E made in the form of a spring, which, by being com-

page_text: pressed with the fingers may be moved up or down the neck of the bottle, but
when distended its outer ends may be caused to bear upon the projection B in the
same manner as the lower bar a of the triangle on the rod E as above described.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and explained the
manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into practical
effect, I would have it understood that 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 constructing and arranging apparatus for stoppering
bottles, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Worthington, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Seventeenth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
JOHN WORTHINGTON. (L.S.)