IMPROVEMENTS IN COVERS FOR VESSELS AND AN IMPROVED CLIP FOR BOTTLES PLACED IN SUCH VESSELS
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frederick Schäfer, of the Firm of P. and F.
Schäfer, of Golden Square and Piccadilly, both in the County of
Middlesex, Manufacturer. for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
LETTERS PATENT to Frederick Schäfer, of the Firm of P. and F.
Schäfer, of Golden Square and Piccadilly, both in the County of
Middlesex, Manufacturer. for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
COVERS FOR VESSELS AND AN IMPROVED CLIP FOR BOTTLES PLACED IN SUCH
VESSELS."
Sealed the 25th September 1869, and dated the 2nd April 1869.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frederick Schäfer at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 2nd April 1869.
I, FREDERICK SCHAFER, of the Firm of P. and F. Schäfer, of Golden
Square and Piccadilly, both in the County of Middlesex, Manufacturer,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN COVERS FOR VESSELS AND AN IMPROVED CLIP FOR BOTTLES PLACED IN BUCH
VESSELS," to be as follows:-
My improvements consist in fitting to the upper part of such vessels
as wine coolers a cover composed of rings with or without flanges,
between which a ring of elastic or non-elastic porous material, preferably
india-rubber sponge, is fitted, the hole in the centre being of such a
.

page_text: diameter as to fit the body of a bottle inserted into the vessel. I also
provide the rings with a cup or cone shaped valve of elastic porous
material or rubber sponge. This valve has a series of cuts or divisions
forming a number of flaps to enable the bottle in its passage into the
vessel to bend down each of the flaps, and these on the removal of the
bottle spring back to their normal position. This movement causes the
flaps to take under the bottom of the bottle and remove any drops of
water which may be hanging thereto before the bottle is wholly removed
from the vessel. The upper face of the ring is fitted with a projecting
ring of rubber sponge on which the bottom of the bottle may be drawn
in order that drops of water which escape the flaps can be removed.
The inside of the vessel is provided with a wirework lining to prevent
the ice or other cooling medium falling into the space to be occupied by
the bottle. I also construct a spring clip by which the bottle can be
lifted without soiling the hands. One end of the clip is ring-shaped
and has a series of tongues extending therefrom, which clip the neck of
the bottle and hold it in place when in position. The clip is forced over
the mouth of the bottle on to the neck, the spring portion expanding to
admit of its doing so. The spring is sufficiently powerful to prevent the
clip coming off without pressure being applied.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Frederick Schäfer in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 2nd October 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, FREDERICK
SCHÄFER, of the Firm of P. and F. Schäfer, of Golden Square and
Piccadilly, both in the County of Middlesex, Manufacturer, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Second day of April, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the thirty-
second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Frederick Schäfer, Her special licence
that I, the said Frederick Schäfer, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Frederick Schäfer, my executors,

page_text: administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN COVERS FOR VESSELS AND AN IMPROVED CLIP FOR BOTTLES PLACED IN SUCH
VESSELS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Frederick
Schäfer, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing
under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed
in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Frederick Schäfer, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings
hereunto annexed, that is to say: -
My improvements consist in fitting to the upper part of such vessels
as wine coolers a cover composed of rings with or without flanges,
between which a ring of elastic or non-elastic porous material, preferably
india-rubber sponge,
is fitted, the hole in the centre being of such a
diameter as to fit the body of a bottle inserted into the vessel. I also
provide the rings with a cup or cone shaped valve of elastic porous
material or rubber sponge. This valve has a series of cuts or divisions
forming a number of flaps to enable the bottle in its passage into the
vessel to bend down each of the flaps, and these on the removal of the
bottle spring back to their normal position. This movement causes the
flaps to take under the bottom of the bottle and remove any drops of
water which may be hanging thereto before the bottle is wholly removed
from the vessel. The upper face of the ring is fitted with a projecting
ring of rubber sponge on which the bottom of the bottle may be drawn
in order that drops of water which which escape the flaps can be removed.
The inside of the vessel is provided with a wirework lining to prevent
5 the ice or other cooling medium falling into the space to be occupied by
the bottle. I also construct a spring clip by which the bottle can be
lifted without soiling the hands. One end of the clip is ring-shaped
and has a series of tongues extending therefrom, which clip the neck of

page_text: the bottle and hold it in place when in position. The clip is forced over
the mouth of the bottle on to the neck, the spring portion expanding
to admit of its doing so. The spring is sufficiently powerful to prevent
the clip coming off without pressure being applied.
And in order that my Invention may be well understood I annexed the
following detailed description and the accompany Drawings thereto.
Figure 1 is a external view of a vessel of the shape I prefer to
employ, and Figure 2 is an elevation in section of the same to show
the interior.
a, a, is the body of the vessel formed with a ring at its bottom, so that
it can stand upright upon a table. The inside is provided with a guard
ring b, so that the space between it and the body forms a chamber for
the reception of water which runs from the ice. Inside this ring > and
resting upon the bottom of the vessel is an openworked wire frame or
lining c. The ice which is placed in the vessel is prevented falling and
occupying the central space intended for the bottle d which is to be
inserted in it. The top flange of the body is shaped to receive a
depending flange of the ring or cover e which can be easily taken on
and off when the fastener f, seen in Figure 3, is turned clear of it. The
under face of the ring cover is provided with screw pins for receiving a
circular valve g composed of any porous material, such as sponge, rubber,
or other material capable of sucking up the water from the body of the
bottle when it is being withdrawn from the vessel. This valve is caused
to exert a certain amount of pressure on the bottle as to hold it in place.
Under the valve is another valve h of a cup shape with a series of cuts
or slits in it, as shown in the plan and sectional views, Figures 4 and 5,
so that a number of flaps are formed, which on the withdrawal of the
bottle take under its bottom and remove any drops of water that may be
hanging thereto, and the top rim of the valve g which projects above the
level of the cover also serves for the bottom of the bottle to be drawn
over to receive any drops that may escape the flaps. When the bottle is
forced into the vessel the flaps are pressed outwards, as shewn in
Figure 2.
The vessel is provided with handles i, j, so that it can be
moved from place to place as required. The lip k forms an abutment
for the cover to take under. Figure 6 is a perspective view of my
improved clip which is pressed on to the neck of the bottle, as shewn in
Figure 1, so that the bottle can be lifted without soiling the hands; it is
formed with a series of slits at its upper or ring end, and with another

page_text: series which spring from its bottom. These two series of slits enable
it when forced over the neck to adjust itself to the shape of the bottle
and hold it securely in place.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,-
Firstly. The construction and employment of a vessel fitted with a
cover to which a porous material is secured, substantially in the manner
and for the purposes herein-before described and represented in the
accompanying Drawings.
Secondly. The employment for such vessels of cup-shaped valves with
slits in them, in the manner and for the purpose herein-before described
and represented in the Drawings.
Thirdly. The employment of a wirework lining in combination with a
vessel in which bottles are placed, in the manner and for the purpose
described.
And, lastly. I claim the construction and employment of a spring
clip for passing over the neck of the bottle in the manner and for the
purpose herein-before described and represented in the accompanying
Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Frederick Schäfer, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Second day of October One thousand
eight hundred and sixty-nine.