Stoppers and Covers for Bottles and other Hollow Articles and Materials therefor.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 16th June 1891
Complete Specification Left, 19th Apr., 1892-Accepted, 11th June, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Stoppers and Covers for Bottles and other Hollow Articles and
Materials therefor.
I, HENRY LOUIS PHILLIPS of 57 Moorgate Street, in the City of London
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My present invention relates to stoppers and covers for bottles jars pots and
other hollow articles and to materials substances and compositions employed in and
about their manufacture.
My invention has for one of its objects the production of a stopper for the
purposes set forth which shall also act as a cover or protection to the lip of the
bottle or other vessel. Such stopper consists of a hollow metal cap and a cork or
other plug attached thereto adapted to enter the mouth of the vessel. The metal
cap is devised to have a deep circumferential flange which shall come completely
over the outside of the lip of the bottle or vessel and thus prevent it from being
chipped or injured when so protected.
Another object of my invention is the fixing a cork or plug in a metallic cap
by means of a cement or composition. Hitherto corks have been attached to flat
or to slightly recessed wood head pieces (the end of the cork exactly fitting the
recess) and cement has been applied to the end of the cork to hold them together;
but such stoppers are very unreliable in use. My novel invention has therefore for
one of its objects the making a stronger and more reliable stopper by placing the
end of the cork in a mass or volume of suitable cement or composition contained in
a flanged cap of metal so that the cork shall be securely held thereby and such
combination of a cork or plug held in by means of cement to a metal cap is quite
novel. In my improved form of stopper sufficient space will be left between the
sides of the cork and the inside of the metal flange for the lip of the bottle to enter
it and thus be protected. In some forms of my invention however as will be herein-
after seen, mechanical devices may be sometimes used as well as cement or com-
position for attaching the cork to the cap, and the flanged metal cap may sometimes
have a shallow flange (instead of a deep one) and the whole of the space surrounding
the cork (instead of a shallow depth only) filled up with cement or composition.
The cap may be of other material than metal as wood for instance provided it has
a flange to hold cement or composition in the manner herein set forth.
I carry my novel invention into effect preferably in the following manner.
I take sheet metal or metal plate (preferably tinned plate of good quality) to
form the cap of the stopper and by means of dies operated in a stamping press of
the well known description I stamp or cut out therefrom a disc or piece of the size
required and having a deep circumferential flange thereon which I preferably
groove or flute. Such deep flange is intended to enclose and come down over the
lip of the vessel for the reasons already set forth. If the vessel is furnished with a
spout I sometimes to form the cap therefor stamp or cut out the sheet metal or plate
of such shape that the flange shall also enclose the spout of the vessel. Any rough
edge upon the flange of the cap may be either cut off, or turned over inwardly.
To the central portion of such hollow flanged metal cap I attach one end of the
cork. With that object I place in the cap a sufficient quantity of suitable cement
or composition and insert the end of the cork centrally therein. As the depth of
the flange of the metal cap will permit of a considerable body of cement being used
I do not intend that the flat end of the cork shall be merely attached to the metal
by a thin film of cement; but I intend that a portion of the end of the cork shall
be also actually surrounded by, or embedded in a sufficient mass of the cement or
composition and to such a depth as will hold it securely. In some cases for instance

page_text: the cement may be required to be of a depth of quarter of an inch or there-
abouts.
The cement or composition for the purpose described is preferably made from a
mixture of some of the following materials that is to say resin (or rosin) gypsum
shellac, whiting, linseed oil, glue, Portland, Keens, or other cement, or other
suitable materials.
I make a cement or composition for the purpose described as follows. I take of
gypsum twenty-eight parts by measure, of rosin twenty parts, and of linseed oil
(preferably boiled) two parts. I melt the rosin and gypsum together, and then
gradually stir in the oil. I do not however restrict myself to the above named
proportions of the articles mentioned as they may be varied somewhat.
A cement or composition used alone in the manner set forth, is not always suffi-
cient to withstand strain upon the cork and rough usage, I prefer to adopt certain
mechanical means (to be used in combination with any suitable cement or com-
position) for the purpose of preventing the cork from being twisted, torn away, or
separated from the cap described while it is being forced into or out of the mouth
of the vessel. Such mechanical means will take the form of metal discs or plates,
metal pieces, or pins, inserted into the cap, prongs or projections made in the cap,
or in some of the metal discs or plates mentioned, rivets screws and the like. Some
of such mechanical means are described in the following methods which I give only
by way of illustration of my invention and not as exhaustive thereof.
A disc or other shaped plate of sheet metal, (such as sufficiently stout tinned
plate) is cut so as to fit accurately within the flanged cap already described. If
the plate is a disc then to prevent it turning in the cap its edge will be serrated,
the teeth being adapted to fit into the grooves or flutes formed inside the flange
of the cap. But the plate may be of rectangular or triangular shape and not require
its edge to be serrated. In the central portion of such metal disc will be formed by
cutting or punching a sufficient number of prongs, teeth or pointed projections.
This may be done by cutting two sides of a triangle in the disc and bending the
piece so formed at its base to a vertical position to form a prong or tooth. The
disc is inserted into the flanged cap and the end of the cork forced upon such
prongs or projections and the disc and the cork will be held together and in place
by means of cement or composition placed into the flanged cap as set forth.
The cement or composition is first poured hot into the cap; then the disc or
plate with the cork attached thereto as described will be pressed down into the
cement, and in order that sufficient shall come over the disc I sometimes make
additional slots or openings therein, through which the cement may rise, and spread
over it, and round the end portion of the cork and so hold them both in place.
A serrated disc or other shaped plate (to be inserted into the cap) is with suitable
tools dished or has its central portion forced out, such portion starting as close to
the edge as possible, so that it shall take the form of a short truncated cone. I
then punch out the centre or flat portion thereof of the shape and size required to
take the end of the cork which opening must be of somewhat smaller diameter than
that of the cork to be inserted therein. The shape of the opening will be preferably
hexagonal. I force the end of the cork through the opening in the disc the required
distance and then with a hollow plunger (the opening in its end being large enough
to freely take the cork) I force down the short sides of the truncated cone formed
in the disc to the original flat shape of the disc and in order to do this I support
the disc upon a flat die or tool formed with a shallow central depression to receive the
cork. The effect of such re-flattening operation will be to contract the size of the
opening in the disc and to force the edges of the hexagonal opening into the sides
of the cork and thus hold it securely. The disc and plug attached will be placed
in the cap as set forth. Cement or composition will be placed in the cap for the
purpose and in the manner already set forth.
The serrated disc or plate to be inserted into the cap will have a central opening
made therein to take the end of the cork. Such opening may be of any suitable
shape and somewhat smaller than the cork. The end of the cork is forced through

page_text: the opening the required distance and then secured in place by means of a collar of
Cement or
metal or of wire placed tightly round it, or by other suitable means.
composition will be employed as above set forth.
The serrated disc or plate to be inserted into the cap may have a central opening
with a flange round such opening. The end of the cork will be forced into it and
then sufficient prongs or sharp projections will be punched or pierced in the flange
so as to enter and hold the cork, or the flange will be contracted upon the cork, by
pressure or its edge (wholly or in part) will be forced into the sides of the cork.
The disc with the cork so attached will be then inserted into the cap. Cement or
composition will be employed as already set forth.
The disc or plate to be inserted into the cap may be formed with a very shallow
flange, and if a flanged disc may be fluted (if a large disc the flange may be dis-
pensed with) and it has a central opening to take the end of the cork, such opening
being somewhat smaller than the end of the cork. By means of dies or tools
operated as set forth I make a sufficient number of radial cuts or slits commencing
at the edge of the opening and continued across the remaining portion of the disc
as far or nearly as far as the edge of the flat portion thus dividing it into several
segmental parts the free curved edges of which can be depressed for the purpose
after described. I find that six radial slits are a suitable number. By means of a
suitable tool the segmental parts of the curved edges thereof are forced downwards
and thus enlarge the diameter of the central opening to a size greater than the
diameter of the cork intended to be placed therein. The end of the cork is now
placed in the enlarged central opening and a hollow plunger (admitting freely the
other end of the cork) will be then forced down upon the segmental parts and
flatten them, and so cause their free curved edges to enter the sides of the cork and
so hold it securely. The disc with the cork attached will be then inserted into the
cap, and be held by cement or composition applied in the manner and for the
purpose set forth.
Instead of a serrated disc or plate, the edge of one or more strips of stiff metal or
metal plate will be inserted into and across the flat end of the cork which is then to
be fixed in the cap, the ends of such strips being devised to enter inside grooves or
flutes in the cap. The strips and the cork will be held in the cap by cement or
composition applied as set forth.
Instead of strips as above described one or more metal pins will be forced through
that end of the cork which is to be fixed in the cap and their ends made to enter
inside grooves or flutes in the cap. The pin or pins and the cork will be held in
the cap by means of cement or composition applied as already described.
The serrated disc or plate having central prongs or projections as already
described will be inserted into the cap. The end of the cork will be forced upon
the prongs after being passed through the radially cut disc above described, which
disc will be flattened and also inserted into the cap. The above two discs or plates
and the cork will be held in the cap by cement or composition applied as already
set forth.
The serrated dise or plate to be inserted into the hollow cap described will be
made with a central circular opening (and preferably with a shallow flange to such
opening) to allow of it being slipped over the end of the cork. Cement or com-
position is placed into the cap and the end of the cork set therein. Before the
cement is hard such flat serrated ring will be pushed over the cork and down upon
the cement or the flat metal ring may be placed upon the cork before the cork is
set in the cement. Such flat ring is of much importance as it will fix the cork
accurately in the centre of the cap; render the deep metal flange of the cap more
rigid; and give a much neater finish and appearance to the stopper. The metal
ring may if preferred have also a circumferential flange grooved or not as desired.
In some cases I employ such serrated disc or flanged plate (and with a central
flanged aperture in either case) in combination with the flanged cap. In such cases
the flanged opening will be made to fit and hold the end of the cork tightly. A
recess centrally made in the cap may also be made to take the end of the cork and

page_text: in the cap the prongs or projections above described will be made to engage with
the flat part of the cork. Sharp projections may be punched in the flange of the
cap devised to enter the flange of the disc or piece or to come under its edge so as
to hold it in the cap.
A serrated disc or plate will be formed with a raised central circular portion to
take the end of the cork. A suitable raised central portion will be formed in the
flat part of the flanged cap to receive the central raised portion of the disc when
placed in the cap. The end of the cork will be placed in the recess made in the
dise and the prongs or projections described will be formed in the flat part of the
raised portion as well as in the sides thereof and thus prevent the cork from moving.
Cement or composition will be applied as already described.
or
The prongs or projections already described will be made centrally in the surface
of the hollow cap itself (and not in a separate disc or piece to be placed therein).
The prongs will point toward the interior of the cap, and the end of the cork will
be forced thereon. Cement or composition will be then preferably poured into the
cap for the purposes set forth. If preferred a disc of paper or cardboard or thin
metal metallic or paper foil or other material or fabric such as linen or cloth
may be first pressed over the prongs so as to come between the end of the cork and
the triangular or other openings formed in the surface of the cap when cutting such
prongs and so cover up the exposed parts of the cork. If the openings are arranged
to form a design or pattern, coloured capsule metal foil or paper forced upon the
prongs as above set forth will produce an ornamental effect. In such cases the
cement or composition used may be placed in the cap before the cork is forced on
to the prongs.
In some cases upon the upper part of the circumferential flange of the hollow cap
I form (and preferably from the outside) by means of suitable wheels rollers or
tools, and a short distance from the flat part of the cap a circumferential depression.
This will cause a circumferential recess to be made in the cap close to the flat part.
When the cement or composition to retain the cork is placed in the cap such recess
will assist to hold the cement thereto.
Such recess is sometimes used for holding a disc or plate, piece, or pin for the
purposes already set forth. The disc is formed in the first instance of a cone
shape and with a central opening and then when the end of the cork is placed in
such opening the coned disc will be inserted into the cap and then forced into the
flat position as already herein set forth and the edge of the disc will be forced into
the recess described. Cement or composition will be placed into the cap for the
purpose set forth.
More than one disc or plate if made cone shaped first and then flattened may be
inserted into the circumferential recess above described. One disc may be formed
as described with the central prongs or projections. The other disc may be formed
with the radial cuts described or with the central opening. Both discs will be first
coned and then flattened as described. The end of the cork will be passed a suffi-
cient distance through the last mentioned disc and forced upon the prongs and then
both discs flattened simultaneously. This arrangement of discs may be employed
either with or without cement or composition as set forth, and with or without an
outer disc or ring to pass over the cork as already described.
The
The cork may be prevented from being pulled away from the cap by means of a
screw (preferably of sufficiently stiff wire) screwed lengthwise into the cork.
upper end of such screw may be secured to the cap either from the under side by
means of solder or may be passed through an opening in the cap and then secured
by solder or other means or instead of attaching such end to the cap it may be
attached to a separate disc or piece inserted into the cap and fixed therein by
cement or composition or by other suitable means. In combination with such screw
the disc or plate having prongs may be used and in that case such disc will have a
central aperture large enough to admit the screw. The cork will be first forced
upon the
prongs as set forth and then the screw will be inserted into the cork
through the aperture. Cement or composition may or may not be used therewith.

page_text: A rivet or pin may be sometimes used instead of a screw as set forth and its
lower or pointed end bent over to hold the cork. With a hollow cap of suitable
substance or material (such as metal plate) the rivet or pin may be passed through
the centre of the cap and through the centre of the cork and by mechanical means
tightening and making fast the two together. Or, if preferred the rivet may be
passed through the centre of a disc or plate and such disc made secure to the
flanged cap as set forth. Cement or composition may or may not be used.
Instead of using a flat metal ring inside the flanged cap as already described I
sometimes prefer to use a sufficiently thick disc of wood or other substance. Such
disc may have its edge serrated or not, and will have a central opening to admit
the cork, and such opening may be taper. The end of the cork is placed in the
opening of the disc. Or if the opening is taper then nearly the entire cork is
forced through it, so that the upper end will be held in the taper opening. The
dise and the end of the cork is dipped into cement or composition and cement or
composition is also placed in the flanged cap. The disc with the end of the cork
attached is then placed in the cap and pressed down with a hollow tool. Instead of
wood the ring may be of metal plate having the central opening flanged and of
taper form to hold the cork as above set forth.
The several illustrations above given may be obviously modified without
departing from the scope of my invention. For instance some of the discs or plates
described herein may have flanges formed upon them and such flanges may be
grooved and they may be secured to the flanged cap by the edge of the latter being
turned over upon the edge of the enclosed flanged discs or plates.
As the surface of any adhesive cement or composition which surrounds the cork
may under some conditions be liable to adhere to the lip of the bottle or vessel or
be otherwise an objection when such a stopper as described is pressed down upon
the bottle, I regard it as an important feature in the construction of my novel
stopper that such cement should be prevented from so sticking or otherwise. I
protect it therefore (a) by coating it or brushing it with any suitable substance
such as a hard drying cement or varnish or other suitable composition or (b) by
interposing a fiat covering ring of sheet metal metal foil paper foil paper of any
description cardboard millboard wood pulp board thin wood suitable fabric such as
glazed calico, cloth, cork, vegetable parchment, leather, leather cloth or any other
suitable material fabric or substance. The ring will be cut so as to fit closely to
the inside of the flange of the cap and to the sides of the cork and then it will be
slipped over the cork fixed in the cap and pressed down upon the cement with a
hollow tool. If the flat ring be of sheet metal I preferably serrate the circum-
ferential edge so as to fit into the grooves in the flange.
Sometimes if it be thought desirable to protect the cement in the cap from the
action of liquids in the vessel, I place over the cement a ring of waxed paper or
waxed material. This will be affixed to the cement as above described. Or, some-
times a small quantity of melted wax may be brushed over it.
Dated this Sixteenth day of June 1891.
HENRY LOUIS PHILLIPS.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Stoppers and Covers for Bottles and other Hollow Articles and
Materials therefor.
I, HENRY LOUIS PHILLIPS of 57 Moorgate Street in the City of London,
Gentleman, 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 :-
My present invention relates to stoppers and to covers for bottles jars pots and
.

page_text: other hollow articles and to materials substances and compositions employed in and
about their manufacture.
My invention, in one of the various alternative forms, shown herein, has for its
object the production of a stopper or cover for the purposes above set forth, which
shall also act as a protection to the lip of the bottle or other vessel. Such stopper
as hereinafter described, consists of a flanged metal disc, forming a metal cap, and
of a cork or other plug, thereto attached, and adapted to enter the mouth of the
vessel. Such metal cap is devised to have a deep circumferential flange to go
completely over the outside of the lip of the bottle or vessel, and by so enclosing
it, prevent it from. being chipped or injured, whilst thus protected.
Another object of my invention, is the securely fixing a cork, or other plug, in
or to a metal disc or cap by means of a mass or volume of sufficiently thick
adhesive cement or composition. I am aware that hitherto, stoppers have been
formed by attaching corks to solid discs of wood (such discs being either quite
flat, or having only slightly recessed central portions on their under side, and in
that event the end of the cork exactly fitting such shallow recess) and liquid cement
or glue then thinly applied to the surface of the flat end of the cork to hold them
together; but such stoppers are well known to be unreliable in use, as the cork
when only thus superficially held, is easily broken away or detached from the wood
disc or head piece. My novel invention has therefore for its chief object, the
making a stronger and more reliable stopper for bottles and the like, by inserting
the end of the cork to some depth, into a mass or volume of suitable thick cement
or composition, and preferably held or contained in a cap, or disc having a circum-
ferential flange, (and for the purpose of easily and cheaply obtaining such flange
the cap will be preferably drawn in the manner well known from sheet metal such
as ordinary tinned plate) so that such thick cement or composition shall, in fact,
become a substantial portion of the stopper, and shall surround the therein inserted
end of the cork to a sufficient depth, and thereby hold it securely, and so support
it, and such combination of a cork-plug, held by means of a mass or volume of
thick cement or composition, in which its end portion is embedded, in and to a
flanged cap formed or stamped from metal plate or sheet metal, such as that
described, is altogether novel. In one form of my improved stopper as above
stated, sufficient space is left between the sides of the cork and the inside of the
flange of the metal cap for the lip of the bottle to enter such space and thus be
protected. In some alternative forms of my novel invention however, as will be
hereinafter seen, mechanical devices may be used as well as cement or composition
for attaching the cork to the disc or cap, and the flanged metal cap may sometimes
have a shallow flange (instead of a deep one) and the whole of the space surround-
ing the cork (instead of only to a shallow depth) may be then entirely filled with
thick cement or composition.
Although the employment of sheet metal enables me to readily obtain a flanged
cap for the purpose of holding a considerable mass of cement or composition as set
forth, yet, a further reason for forming the upper portion of the cap or headpiece
of my novel stopper from sheet metal in combination with thick cement or compo-
sition (instead of from wood, which is porous, dirty, and generally objectionable)
is that such metal upper portion thereof will render the stopper air-proof and also
give facilities for impressing thereon sharp and elaborate devices, patterns, or
names by a single stamping operation (which upon a wood or composition surface
will only produce a very inferior result). Besides which, metal tops are obviously
more ornamental, and are not so easily soiled.
To avoid needless repetition in describing processes or things herein, I desire it
to be understood that the descriptions in the earlier illustrations given of my inven-
tion, are in some cases more ample than some of the subsequent ones which
recapitulate like processes or things, and further, that the following interpretation
clauses are herein inserted for a like purpose, and I refer to the same
accordingly.

page_text: INTERPRETATION.
Whenever in the body of this Specification and in the claims at the end
hereof, I employ the word "stopper" it shall also mean "cover" for bottles and
the like. "Cork" shall also mean a bung or shive of that material, or a plug of
any other material or substance, suitable for like purposes. "Disc" shall mean
(when of metal) a disc cut out or stamped from suitable sheet metal or metal plate
(such as iron or steel plate preferably tinned). The word "disc," shall also include
and mean pieces of suitable shape other than discs, such as hexagonally-shaped
pieces unless excluded by the context. When discs are used inside metal caps of
circular shape, I preferably serrate their edges so as to fit into correspondingly
shaped grooves vertically formed or being inside the flanges of the caps and thus
prevent their turning therein; but when pieces of other suitable shapes are used in
such caps their edges need not be serrated. The word "cap" shall mean a disc or
other shaped piece, having on its edge a circumferential flange, and preferably
formed or drawn from sheet metal or metal plate such as described. by means of dies
operated in a suitable stamping press in the well known manner; but it may some-
times be a flanged cap of material or substance other than metal, (such as suitable
wood, stiff cardboard, wood-pulp board, or straw board and the like) provided it is
not excluded or its use restricted by the language or meaning of the context. Such
cap" in some cases (and when of metal) having its flange partly vertically grooved
or fluted; such grooving being stopped short of the bottom edge, in order that the
metal cap shall have at the bottom of its flange, a plain circumferential portion as
shown at a. a. in Figure A of the drawing annexed hereto in order (a) to give
greater rigidity to the cap than if the grooving or fluting were carried quite
through the edge, and (b) also permitting the edge (when the ragged portion is
cut off) to be left smooth instead of rough or serrated which would be the case if
the cut were made through the grooves or flutes. "Head piece" means the cap or
the upper portion of the stopper as the case may be.
"
I carry my novel invention into effect in the manner shown in and by the follow-
ing illustrations and in the several figures of the drawing annexed.
The following illustrations are numbered from 1 to 28 inclusive and are intended
to simplify and shorten the language of the different claiming clauses set out at the
end of this Specification and correspondingly numbered, so that each such numbered
claim, and its corresponding illustration in the body of the Specification, may be
read together, and if necessary explained by the correspondingly numbered figure
of the drawing. Such illustrations and figures are however not to be taken as
exhaustive of the methods I employ for carrying my invention into effect; but
merely illustrative thereof. Those figures of the drawing and claims which are
indicated alphabetically, refer to other illustrations of my invention shown in other
parts of the Specification.
ILLUSTRATION 1.
For this illustration, and generally in respect of those which follow for like
purposes, I take sheet metal or metal plate (preferably tinned plate of good quality)
to form the flanged disc (or cap) of my novel stopper, and by means of suitable
dies or tools, operated in the manner well known to tin plate workers, by means of
a stamping press of the usual description, I stamp, cut out, or draw therefrom, a
disc of the size required, and having upon its edge a deep circumferential flange as
shown in section at a Figure 1 of the drawing, which flange I preferably groove or
flute by means of fluting dies or tools. Such deep flange is intended to go outside
the lip of the vessel and thus enclose it for the reasons already herein set forth.
If the vessel is furnished with a spout I provide that the deep flange upon the cap
shall enclose the spout also. Any rough edge upon the flange of the cap may be

page_text: either cut off or turned over preferably inwardly. If the flange is vertically
grooved, I preferably stop the grooving short of the extreme bottom edge for the
purpose already above described and claimed herein.
To the central part of the inside of such flanged metal cap I attach the end of a
cork. With that object, I place in the cap a sufficient quantity of suitable suffi-
ciently thick and adhesive cement or composition, as shown at 6 and insert therein
the end of the cork c. As the depth of the flange and the diameter of the metal
cap are devised to permit of a considerable mass or body of cement or composition
being inserted therein, I provide that the end portion of the cork shall be actually
embedded in and surrounded by a mass of such thick cement or composition, in the
manner shown at 6 in Illustration 1, and to such depth, that when set or hard, it
will hold the cork to the cap securely. In some cases for instance, the cement or
composition round the cork, may be required to be of a depth of a quarter of an
inch or thereabouts; but I only give such dimension to show that the cement is to
be used in considerable volume, and 1 do not intend that the flat end of the cork
shall be attached to its cap portion or headpiece merely by a thin film of adhesive
cement or glue superficially applied as has hitherto been the case, when corks have
been attached to discs of wood, to form the stoppers hitherto in use.
Such a stopper and also other forms thereof may have a flat metal ring, arranged
to slip over the cork and to cover the exposed cement, and devised to fit tightly to
the inner diameter of the flange of the cap, in which case (if the cap be vertically
fluted) its edge may be serrated. Figure 1 of the drawing shows in section at a
the cap, cement b and cork c but does not show any flat ring, which is separately
shown in plan at Figure B of the drawing.
с
"
As it is desirable that the cork shall be placed accurately in the centre of the
flanged cap as described herein, the use of such flat ring for centering the cork will
be obvious, and as its object is different from the ornamental or "covering ring
hereinafter described and claimed (which may be made of either soft or hard
material) I preferably make the "centering ring" (Figure B) from hard metal or
metal plate (such as tinned plate) by means of stamping dies as set forth. Its use
is to accurately fix the position of the cork in the centre of the cap; to give
greater rigidity to the flange of the metal cap or to the cap itself; and to prevent
lateral strain upon the cork (if a long cork) and therefore I prefer to form a
shallow flange round the central aperture of the flat ring so that the sides of the
cork may not be cut. For greater convenience I hereinafter describe such flat ring
as a "centering ring."
The thick cement or composition for the purpose described above, and generally
herein, is preferably made from a mixture of some of the following materials that
is to say resin, gypsum, linseed oil (preferably boiled,) Portland, or other cement
or other suitable materials; but I do not restrict myself to any of the particular
forms or combinations of cement or composition hereinunder given and claimed by
me, as other cements or compositions may be found sufficiently suitable for use in
some of the various forms of my novel stopper herein illustrated. Such cements
as I have herein described, are made by incorporating the ingredients over a fire
and mixing them well together and when hot applying the cement or composition
to the end of the cork, or inserting a sufficient quantity into the caps as the case
may be. I make a suitable thick cement or composition as follows:-I take of
gypsum fourteen parts by measure, of melted resin nine parts by measure, and of
linseed oil (preferably boiled) two parts by measure. 1 first melt the resin in an
iron vessel and gradually add the powdered gypsum and afterwards the oil. I
do not however restrict myself to the above named proportions of the articles
mentioned as they may be somewhat varied.
Sometimes I prefer to make a cement by using twelve parts by measure of
Portland cement, nine parts by measure of melted resin, and two parts of linseed
oil (preferably boiled). I make this cement in the manner described in the last
paragraph.

page_text: ILLUSTRATION 2.
When my improved stopper is required to consist of a sheet metal cap, with
only a shallow circumferential flange (and therefor not intended to enclose the lip
of the vessel as shown in Illustration 1) I make such stopper as follows: I take a
shallow-flanged metal cap as shown in section at a in Figure 2, of the description
already set forth, which cap is preferably vertically fluted or grooved, and I fill it
(or nearly fill it) with thick cement or composition band in the centre thereof 1
place the end of a cork c in the manner already described, and remove therefrom
any excess of cement. The " covering ring" hereinafter particularly described
may be slipped over the cork and pressed down upon the cement preferably while
tacky or soft. The edge of the flange if desired may be kept sufficiently deep to
permit of a small but sufficient portion heing turned over upon the cement or over
the edge of the "covering ring" if such be used therewith. I generally prefer
that the surface of the cap shall be slightly domed; but it may be of flat or other
suitable shape. Figure 2 of the drawing does not show the "covering ring," nor
the edge of the cap turned over upon the cement.
ILLUSTRATION 3.
In some cases my novel stopper may be formed as follows:-For its upper portion
I form it with a circumferentially flanged disc or cap stamped from metal plate in
the manner and of the kind already described, and shown in section at a in Figure 3
of the drawing. I then form from metal plate, also as described, a separate disc
(preferably flat or nearly flat) as shown in section at it, in which is made a central
opening preferably flanged to admit the end of a cork placed therein as already
described. Or, such shaped bottom disc (or flat ring as I shall now call it) may be
of wood or card or millboard or woodpulp board, or the like, or of other suitable
and sufficiently stiff or hard material. Thick cement or adhesive composition b
is placed into the shallow flanged cap as already described and the end of the
cork c is forced into such cement or composition and thereby held securely. The
edge of the circumferential shallow flange on the metal cap a will be then turned
over by means of suitable tools, and embrace the edge of the flat bottom flat
ring d which edge is preferably "stepped so as to receive the edge of the upper
disc neatly. Figure 3 shows a shallow flanged cap; but in some cases where the
cap has instead a deep flange (as shown in Illustration 1 and Figure 1,) the flat
ring herein described will be simply pressed down upon the cement, and be held
thereby or by being made to fit tightly within the deep flange of the cap as
described without departing from the spirit of my invention.
с
"
ILLUSTRATION 4.
Instead of using a separate bottom flat ring to be held in place by the edge
portion of the cap embracing it, as given in Illustration 3, or otherwise, I some-
times dispense with it. In such cases, I form the stopper by making the circum-
ferential flange on the sheet metal cap already described, of greater depth than
that described in Illustration 3, and then, after the cap has had placed in it a
sufficient quantity of thick suitable cement or composition, and the end of a cork
centrally inserted therein as already described, I turn the edge of the flange of
the cap over as shown at a in Figure 4 of the drawing, so that it shall lie flat or
nearly flat upon or against the cement or composition contained therein, and in

page_text: An improvement upon the last illustration, is to construct the stopper as therein
described; but instead of leaving the cement exposed as there shown, I prefer to
cover over the cement or composition contained in the aforesaid convex or shallow
metal cap with a disc of metal or other substance or material (preferably of thin
metal plate as shown at d in Figure 6 of the drawing) and having a flanged central
opening (thus making a flat ring) to receive the end of the cork c such as I have
already herein described. The bottom plate or ring will be secured to the shallow
metal cap by turning over a portion of the circumferential edge of the metal cap
upon the circumferential edge of the flat ring, which edge may be slightly
"stepped" or recessed, so as to receive the edge of the shallow cap more neatly.
In constructing my novel stopper, I have found that if two circumferentially
vertically flanged discs (or like flanged pieces of other shape) be formed with
great accuracy from suitable sheet metal (such for instance as tinned plate which I
prefer) so that the outside of the flange of one shall be made to fit very tightly
and exactly, within the flange of the other of them, and be then forcibly pressed
down therein, that considerable force will be required to pull such flanged discs
apart, and I avail myself of this fact in forming headpieces for stoppers, and show
the device as follows, that is to say :-
I preferably groove flute or mill, the vertical flange of a flanged sheet metal
disc, or cap, formed as already set forth and preferably from tinned plate, and I
then correspondingly groove or flute the vertical flange of another similarly formed
flanged disc intended to be inserted therein, and therefore somewhat smaller than
the other. By thus grooving or milling such two flanges, I considerably increase
the area of friction when one is forced into the other (and consequently render it
more difficult to separate them) and I make the smaller of such two flanged discs
to fit the inside of the larger disc so tightly (when inserted in an inverted form in
relation to the other) as to require very considerable pressure to force it down into
the larger cap, and after making a central aperture in the smaller disc (before
fitting them together) to admit the cork, I thus make a headpiece for stoppers of
great practical efficiency; but the cork will obviously have to be secured to the
inner flanged disc either by one of the methods herein shown, or by some other
suitable method. The following illustration shows such alternative form of my
stopper.
ILLUSTRATION 7.
Into a circumferentially-flanged sheet metal cap, such as I have already herein
described, and preferably vertically grooved fluted or milled, I insert a similarly
formed and grooved fluted or milled flanged disc, and I prefer to make both such
flanged discs from tinned plate. The intended inner flanged disc has a central
circular aperture devised to hold or to receive the end of a cork inserted therein a
short but sufficient distance, and such aperture is preferably formed with an out-
wardly turned shallow flange, so as to hold or grip the cork tightly without cutting
it. After placing the end of the cork a sufficient length through the aperture in
the disc, and fixing it thereto by any suitable means (but preferably by filling up
the remainder of the space within the circumferential flange of the disc with
sufficiently thick and adhesive cement or composition so as to hold the end of the
cork securely in the manner already described herein) I insert such flanged disc

page_text: into the other flanged disc or cap, in an inverted position, as shown in Figure I
the drawing. The flange of the inner disc on its outside, is made to fit very
tightly inside the flange of the outer cap for the reason already given in the
previous two paragraphs hereof, and I employ considerable pressure (preferably by
means of a press) so as to force the one down into the other, and for such purpose
I employ therewith a tool with a deep circular recess so as to enclose and protect
the protruding end of the cork during the operation. Figure 7 on the drawing,
shows the shallow flanged disc aforesaid e which holds the end of the cork cinserted
through the flanged aperture therein and surrounded and covered with thick cement
or composition -such flanged disc being inverted and then forcibly inserted into
the outer flanged disc or cap a. The figure does not show grooves or flutes in the
flanges, and it shows a comparatively shallow flanged disc forced into one having a
deep flange, so as to enclose the lip of the vessel; but it will be obvious that the
outer disc may be formed with a shallow flange without affecting the spirit of my
invention, and the inner disc may have a shallower flange than is shown in the
figure.
ILLUSTRATION 8.
A further modification of the form of stopper shown above in Illustration 7 is as
follows. Instead of employing a flanged disc in the inverted position shown in
Illustration 7 I sometimes prefer to use a sheet metal disc having a circumferential
flange of such depth that when it is inserted into the flanged cap the required
distance (but not inverted therein as shown in Illustration 7) I am enabled to fix
it firmly thereto by turning the edge of the outer flanged cap a over the edge of
the flange of the inner flanged disc, or I may make such inner disc to fit very
tightly the inside of the flange of the cap in the manner particularly described
above, and shown in Illustration 7 (but not inverted). The end of the cork will be
inserted the required distance into a central (preferably flanged) aperture made in
the flanged disc as already well described, and a mass of thick cement or composi-
tion will be previously placed at the back of such disc and over the end of the
cork as already set forth to hold the cork securely thereto.
ILLUSTRATION 9.
קיי
Or, as a modification of Illustration 7 above (but not necessarily having a deeply
flanged outer cap) instead of filling up the space which surrounds the end of the
cork in the shallow flanged disc e therein described with thick cement or composi-
tion to hold it in and to the flanged disc having a central aperture as described in
that, and in the last illustration, I sometimes fill such space with any suitable
mechanical device to hold and grip the cork securely to the disc, for instance, by
way of illustration I sometimes use a strip of suitable sheet metal devised to go
round the end of the cork but previously bent into a crimped, waved, or zig-zag
form and then placed on edge in such inner flanged dise so that the outer projecting
parts of the crimping may be caused to press against the inside of the Hange and
the inner projecting parts of the crimping be caused to press into and round that
part of the cork placed in the cap. A suitable tool will be formed to compress
such crimped annular strip upon the cylindrical end portion of the cork previously
to the insertion of the strip in the flanged disc, or instead thereof, the width of the
crimping may be sometimes so devised that when the crimped strip is placed on
edge and bent into the annular form, it will, when placed in the flanged disc, fill
up the annular space between the cork and the flange, and the forcing of the inner
parts of the crimping into the sides of the cork will be then effected by turning
over, compressing, or reducing the diameter of the edge portion of the flange of
the disc by means of a suitably devised closing tool. The shallow flanged disc
holding the cork by means of the crimped strip will be then inserted into the other
flanged disc or cap in the manner described, and forced down therein as in
Illustration 7. Figure 9 of the drawing, shows in view at e, the flanged disc

page_text: ILLUSTRATION 10.
Instead of inserting the inner metal disc e with the crimped, bent, and set-on-
edge metal strip holding the cork (as described in the last illustration) into another
flanged disc or cap as set forth in Illustration 7 I sometimes entirely dispense with
such outer cap. In such case I form the stopper by fixing the cork into the
shallow flanged metal disc with the crimped strip as described in the last illustration
and shown in Figure 9 of the drawing-but instead of covering the surface thereof
with a flanged cap, I fill up the spaces formed by the crimped or zig-zag strip
with suitable cement or composition so as to make a neat and solid finish to the
surface. The drawing shows at Figure 10 the stopper in section having the
cement 6 on its upper portion but the zig-zag strip is not shown therein; but is
shown in plan in Figure 9 aforesaid to which I refer.
ILLUSTRATION 11.
Another variation of my improved stopper is as follows: I form as described
from sheet metal (preferably of the description already herein given) a disc having
a shallow circumferential flange, and a central opening (preferably flanged) to
admit the end of a cork. I first insert the end of the cork the required distance
into the opening which should be made so as to hold the cork tightly, and then I
fill up the remaining space within the flange of the disc with a mass of suitable
thick cement or adhesive composition so that the cork will be held securely thereto.
I trim off any rough edge upon the flange and also remove any excess of cement
after shaping it as desired, and sometimes I then apply to the surface of such
cement varnish paint enamel or the like, or I cover it with a disc of metallic foil
or capsule metal or paper or cardboard or other material or substance or fabric
of any kind, such as cloth velvet plush or the like. If required, the edge of the
flange of the disc may be turned over the edge of the thick cement or composition
or over the edge of the discs or pieces of material substance or fabric placed
thereon. Figure 11 of the drawing shows the flanged cap e, cement b, and
cork c, held therein and in the flanged opening described; but shows no surface
disc.
ILLUSTRATION 12.
Instead (as shown in Illustration 11 above) of filling up the space within the
flanged metal disc entirely with thick cement or composition to hold the cork, I
sometimes employ a disc (preferably of wood) therefor in which a central opening
has been made to take the end of the cork. Such opening will be also sufficiently
large to hold a quantity of thick cement or composition for the purposes set forth.
The end of the cork will be first inserted into the flanged central opening of the
metal flanged disc and then into the opening in the wood disc and into the mass
of thick cement or composition inserted in such opening. The edge of the metal
flange may be turned over upon the edge of the wood disc. The appearance of
such stopper may be improved or ornamented by the means described in Illustra-
tion 11 and claimed herein. Figure 12 shows in section the wood or other disc e¹
flanged metal disc e cement and cork c.
ILLUSTRATION 13.
Instead of using a flanged metal dise inverted and employed in combination with
and forced into a flanged metal cap in the manner described in Illustration 7, I
sometimes prefer to use a sufficiently thick disc of wood or of other suitable

page_text: shallow flange as desired. Such wood disc will be made to fit the cap very tightly
and may have its edge serrated in which case the flange of the cap will be
correspondingly fluted or grooved or it may be plain, or the wood or substance if
sufficiently yielding may take or receive the form of the flutes after pressure is
applied to the wood disc as below set forth; but it must have a central opening
to admit or hold a cork, and such opening is preferably taper. The end of the cork
is placed in such central opening as already described. Or, if the opening is of
taper form, then the greater portion of the cork is forced through it, so that its
upper end will be held in the taper opening as shown in Figure 13, wherein c is
the cork and e¹ the wood disc. Thick adhesive cement or composition may be
applied to and over the back of the wood disc aud the end of the cork so as to
secure them together. The disc, with the cork attached, is then placed in the
cap a and forcibly pressed down, preferably with a circular hollow tool as already
described. The cap may be formed with a deep circumferential flange as described
in Illustration 7 or it may have a flange the edge of which may be turned inwards
upon the inner wood disc to keep it in place as shown in section in Figure 13 of
the drawing. No cement is shown in the figure.
ILLUSTRATION 14.
Or, instead of covering a wood or composition disc (such as above described)
with a flanged disc or cap of sheet metal I sometimes form my stopper without it,
and in such case the stopper will be formed as follows: I take a sufficiently thick
disc of wood of the required size to form the headpiece (or I take a disc of any
other suitable material or substance) and I make a central opening therein to
admit the cork. Such opening will be preferably taper and the cork will be
forced through it starting at the larger end of the opening until the end which is
to remain in the disc or headpiece is below the level of the upper side of the disc.
I then fill up the opening over that end of the cork with thick cement or composition.
I sometimes prefer to form a recess or to enlarge the wider end of the taper
opening so as to hold a larger quantity of cement. Figure 14 of the drawing
shows in section, the wood or other disc e¹ the cork c and the cement b.
ILLUSTRATION 15.
A modified form of such stopper is made in the following manner. I take a
disc of suitable wood of the required size and thickness, and preferably having a
convex shaped surface (or I sometimes take a disc of other suitable and sufficiently
hard substance or composition) in which disc is formed a central circular opening
larger than the end of a cork to be inserted therein and such opening may be
made through, or (preferably) only partly through the disc, as shown in the
section of the figure. I first insert into such central opening sufficient suitable
thick adhesive cement or composition, such as that herein described, and then I
insert the end of a cork centrally therein so that it shall be surrounded by and
embedded in the thick cement or composition. Any surplus cement is removed
and the disc may if desired be then painted or varnished or it may be covered
with thin capsule metal, metal foil or with paper, and the "covering ring'
herein described to go beneath the disc may be also used and fixed to the cap by
means of cement. Figure 15 shows a convex solid wood or other cap e'; cement b
filling up a hollow portion therein; and c the cork inserted into the cement.
covering ring is not shown.
ILLUSTRATION 16.
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The
Another and cheaper illustration of my stopper is as follows. I form the disc
or other shaped portion intended to be the headpiece, or upper portion of the
stopper, entirely from any thick suitable adhesive cement or composition (such as
h samanto homin decanihad and alaimali ho ulosing
sufficient volume

page_text: the end of
After removal
Bumciently plastic and then with a nonow plunger or too to
cork press down the cement or composition surrounding the cork.
of the disc or piece thus formed from the mould I sometimes varnish paint or
enamel its surface or I cover it with pliable capsule metal, metal foil, or paper.
Figure 16 shows such stopper in section b being the headpiece of moulded cement
into which the cork c is inserted at its upper end.
ILLUSTRATION 17.
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An improvement however upon the last described device, is to mould the cement
or composition upon a metal plate (or a plate of wood or other substance but I
prefer tinued metal plate) which is attached to the cork as follows. I first cut
the metal disc, or piece of the size required, and I cut out a central opening therein.
rather less than the diameter of the end portion of the cork to be inserted. I
then insert the end portion of the cork a sufficient distance, and then drop the
longer portion of the cork into a suitable iron mould, which has a circumferential
recessed portion round the cork to admit the disc and of the shape and size of the
composition head required to be made thereon. I then pour or place the adhesive
cement or composition over the short end of the cork and upon the disk and make
the surface of the cement smooth and when sufficiently set or hard I remove it
from the mould. Such a stopper will be more rigid than if the headpiece were
formed solely from cement. The edge of the central opening may be formed with
a shallow flange to prevent the cork from being cut, and the edge of the metal
disc may be turned up slightly. Figure 17 shows the stopper in section, in which
d is the metal disc (or flat ring) b the cement or composition and e the cork, passed
a sufficient distance through the central opening in the disc and covered with
cement shaped as desired.
I am aware that some bottle stoppers are now in use in which the plug as well
as the head portion are formed of the same hard material or composition; but the
novel arrangement above described by me, consists of forming the plug portion
entirely of soft and elastic cork while the cap or head portion is of a hard
material or substance formed of cement or composition, into which the end of the
cork is embedded.
ILLUSTRATION 18.
A further improvement upon the last described form or device is to take a disc
of sheet metal of the size required and to make a central flanged opening therein
such flange being preferably turned upward. The cork is placed in such opening,
and then such flange is contracted upon, or its edge forced into the cork either
wholly or partly. The cork and disc attached are then dropped into a suitably
shaped mould and the cement is then moulded upon the surface of the disc as
described in the last illustration. Figure 18 shows the disc in section with central
flanged opening d cement and cork as described; but does not show any con-
tractions upon the flange.
Another variation in the method of securing a cork plug to a disc or plate is
accomplished also in the following manner, and is equally available in the
construction of stoppers, whether such disc or plate with the cork attached is used
only with a thick covering of cement or composition on its outside as herein
described, or is inserted into a flunged cap of any shape, in the manner herein
set forth, and also whether such disc or plate itself be circumferentially flanged or
not. For such purpose, I take a disc of the shape and size required and prefer-
ably of metal such as tinned plate and I cut out a ceutral opening to admit the
end of the cork. Such central opening will be formed on its edge with a sufficient
number of teeth or prongs of sufficient length and if the disc be of metal, the
teeth will be preferably turned or forced upward to any suitable angle. The end

page_text: of the cork will be then forced through the opening on the underside of the disc
a sufficient distance, and then by means of a suitable tool having a deep central
opening to admit and clear the end of the cork the teeth will be pressed down or
caused to enter sufficiently the sides of the cork and so hold it and prevent any
downward pull. Thick cement or composition will be then placed over and round
the cork and disc to prevent movement of the cork in manner herein described.
ILLUSTRATION 19.
My stopper may therefore consist of the centrally serrated metal disc or plate
in which a cork is held or fixed by means of such serrations, and a volume of
cement or composition placed over the end of the cork and upon the disc or plate,
all of which I have described in the last paragraph. I then insert such disc, cork
and cement into a sheet metal flanged cap and turn the edge of the cap under the
edge of the disc so as to hold the parts together. Figure 19 shows such a stopper
in section with a metal cap a; metal disc showing teeth d before being pressed into
the cork; cement b; and cork c.
As a mass or body of thick cement or composition when used alone in the manner
set forth is not always sufficient to withstand severe strain upon the cork or rough
usage, I sometimes prefer as I have shown, to adopt certain mechanical devices
(and others which are also hereinafter described and mainly in combination with
suitable thick cement or composition) for the purpose of preventing the cork
from being twisted, torn away, or separated from its cap or head-portion while
in use.
ILLUSTRATION 20.
In some cases to form my stopper I take a disc or cap of metal, wood or other
substance (or it may be of a suitable composition) as previously described, and in
the centre of its flat part, I punch a small hole and after inserting therein a metal
screw having its end sufficiently pointed (it may be made from sufficiently stiff
wire) I screw it lengthwise into the end of a cork. The underside of the disc may
be sometimes suitably recessed. Thick cement or composition as set forth, will
be placed in the flange of the cap (if such cap be used) or applied to that end of
the cork intended to go next the disc, or the recess may be filled up to prevent
the cork turning upon the screw. Instead of a screw a mechanical equivalent such
as a rivet or pin may be used in like manner and its pointed end first pushed
through the cork and then turned over so as to hold it. In somewhat large sizes
more than one opening and more than one screw or rivet may be obviously used.
The head of the screw may be fixed to a metal cap by solder. Figure 20 shows
this combination with the screw at f.
ILLUSTRATION 21.
Or, I take a flanged metal cap such as already herein described, and use a
metal screw applied to a cork in the manner already shown in Illustration 20. To
prevent the cork turning on the screw I (when punching the small hole in the cap
to admit the screw) make or punch one or more sharp projections teeth or prongs
pointing downward in the cap at right angles and devised to enter the end of the
cork as set forth herein. The cork will be forced on to the projections and then
the screw will be inserted through the opening as described in Illustration 20 and
into the cork. Some sufficiently thick cement or composition may if desired he
placed round the cork in the cap. Instead of a screw a rivet or pin may be used
in like manner and its pointed end turned over to hold, the cork. In large sizes
more than one opening and more than one screw or rivet may be obviously used.
The projections teeth or prongs may be formed by cutting in the metal plate two
slits representing two sides of a triangle the size required for each tooth and
bending the piece so formed at its base to a vertical position to form each tooth or

page_text: sufficiently thick cement or composition as above set forth to hold both together.
Figure 25 of the drawing shows the collar described, the disc d and the
cement thereon. The disc may then be placed in a flanged cap as already
herein fully set forth. If the flange of the cap be vertically grooved then the
edge of the disc will be serrated.
ILLUSTRATION 26.
Or a metal disc as described (which may be serrated on its edge) has a central
opening (formed with a shallow flange round such opening) into which the end of
a cork is forced a sufficient distance and then several sufficiently sharp projections
are punched or pierced in such flange so as to enter into and hold the cork.
Thick cement or composition will be placed over the end of the cork in the manner
already set forth to hold the disc and cork together. The disc may be inserted
into a flanged cap as already described. Figure 26 of the drawing shows such
disc with the central punctured flange i the cement b and the cork c.
When my novel stopper consists of a flanged metal cap, and of one or more
discs of metal wood or other substance or composition inserted therein such as for
holding the cork as described, I find that one method of keeping such disc or
piece in place in the cap is to form suitably shaped depressions or contractions in
the flange of the cap from its outside, or to contract the size of the diameter of
the flange at a desired place. This may be done by forming a groove in the flange
of the cap so as to produce a bead inside it, to come outside the edge of an inner
disc when placed therein and such groove may be accomplished by dies, tools, or
by suitable wheels or rollers. Or, such disc may be kept in place by forming or
punching a sufficient number of depressions or punctures in the outside of the
flange to come outside the edge of the metal disc as set forth, or if the disc also
has a flange, then that they may enter such flange or if the disc is of sufficiently
thick wood or other suitable substance then that they may enter the sides of such
wood. If the flange of the cap is fluted or grooved, I prefer to make such
depressions (which may be sufficiently sharp pointed depressions or punctures)
such as would be made by means of a triangularly pointed tool, between some or
all of the flutes thereon; but more depressions than are needed may be made so
as to give uniformity of appearance. The following illustration exhibits the utility
of this device.

page_text: ..cement or composition to hold the cork is placed in the cap a as already
described herein such recess will assist to retain the cement or composition in the
cap forming part of the stopper.
ILLUSTRATION 28.
Such circumferential recess described in the last illustration, is also sometimes
used by me for holding a disc of metal plate (such as tinned plate as described)
for the purposes set forth. The disc is formed in the first instance of a cone
shape as shown at d. d in Figure 28 with a central opening and then when the
end of the cork c is placed in such opening the coned disc will be inserted into
the cap and then by means of a circular hollow tool forced into the flat position
as already herein set forth, and the edge of the disc will thus be forced into the
annular recess described. Adhesive cement or composition b will be first placed
into the cap for the purposes already set forth.
As such device of a circumferential groove in a flanged metal disc is quite povel
for the purposes set forth that is to say for holding therein cement or composition
or for holding one or more metal discs employed for holding a cork or for holding
both disce and cement, it will be obviously unnecessary to describe every description
of disc which is capable of being used therein as Illustrations 27 and 28 herein
given sufficiently describe the object and scope of the device.
Some of the above illustrations may be obviously modified in detail. For
instance some of the plain discs or pieces described therein may have flanges
formed upon
them and such flanges may be grooved, and they may be secured to
the flanged cap by the edge of the latter being turned over upon the edge of the
enclosed flanged discs, without departing from the scope of my invention.
As the surface of any adhesive cement or composition which surrounds the cork
may under some conditions be liable to be fractured or to adhere to the lip of the
bottle or vessel or be otherwise an objection when such a stopper as described is
pressed down upon the bottle, I regard it as an important feature in the various
forms of construction of my novel stopper herein set forth, that such cement should
be prevented from so sticking or otherwise. I sometimes protect the exposed
surface therefore either (a) by coating or brushing it with any suitable substance
such as a hard drying composition or varnish or the like, or (b) by covering it
with a flat "covering ring" of very thin sheet metal, metallic foil, paper foil,
paper of any description, cardboard, millboard, wood pulp board, thin wood,
suitable fabric such as glazed calico, cloth, cork, vegetable parchment, leather,
leather cloth, or any other suitable material fabric or substance. Such ring is
cut so as to fit closely to the inside of the flange of the cap and to the sides of
the cork, and then it is slipped over the cork fixed in the cap and pressed down
upon the cement preferably with a hollow tool so as to take and protect the cork.
Such "covering ring" employed as described in several of the illustrations herein
given, will impart a neat and finished appearance to my novel stopper and is shown
in Figure C of the drawing and claimed in Claim C.
Sometimes, if it be thought desirable to protect cement or composition when
placed in the cap from the action of liquids, I place next the cement or composition
such a ring of waxed greased or oiled paper, or waxed greased or oiled cardboard,
material or fabric. Or, sometimes a ring of vegetable parchment or paper or
cardboard may be used in the same manner, or 1 brush melted wax, grease or oil
upon the cement.
Such covering ring as described above may be used to cover up or protect an
exposed portion of a wood or metal disc or other piece forming the lower part of
a stopper or cover and which it may be an improvement to disguise, and if necessary
adhesive cement may be used to cause it to adhere thereto.
The various figures and drawings annexed hereto and forming part of this
Specification, are only given by way of illustration generally of my novel invention,

page_text: and I do not necessarily restrict myself to those shown, or bind myself to the
adoption of the precise forms given therein. In the drawing, the same letters of
reference indicate the same parts in the several figures.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
Claim 1. In a stopper, the combination of a flanged sheet metal cap (devised
to enclose the edge, lip, or spout of the bottle, or other hollow article) and of
thick cement or composition placed therein, with a cork held by such cement, as
set forth and illustrated in Illustration 1 and in Figure 1 on the drawing.
Claim 2. In a stopper, the device of a shallow flanged metal disc or cap, in
combination with a cork plug, and also with a body of thick cement or composition
contained in such flanged cap for the purpose of holding the cork thereto, as
described and shown in Illustration 2 and in Figure 2 on the drawing.
Claim 3.-In a stopper, the device of a flanged metal disc or cap, and of a body
of thick cement or composition contained therein, and of a cork held thereby, in
combination with a flat ring of metal or other substance, placed next such cement
and secured to the cap by the edge of the cap flange embracing it as described
in Illustration 3 and shown in Figure 3 on the drawing.
Claim 4. In a stopper, the combination of a deeply flanged metal disc or cap,
and of a body of thick cement or composition contained therein, and of a cork
held thereby but the lower edge portion of the flange on the cap turned inward
against such cement a considerable distance as set forth in Illustration 4 and shown
in Figure 4 on the drawing.
;
Claim 5. In a stopper, the combination of a convex or dome shaped metal cap,
and of a mass of thick cement or composition contained therein, and of a cork held
thereby, the edge of the cap being turned inward against the cement, substantially
as described in Illustration 5, and shown in Figure 5 on the drawing.
Claim 6. In a stopper, the combination of the convex or dome-shaped metal
cap, the cement contained therein, and the cork attached thereto (as described in
Illustration 5, and in the last claiming clause) with a flat ring of metal or other
substance secured to the cap, as described and shown in Illustration 6 and in
Figure 6 on the drawing.
Claim 7. In a stopper, the combination of two flanged sheet-metal discs, (one
of which has a central aperture to admit the cork, and such disc being inverted
and forced down into the other and held therein by accuracy or tightness of fit)
with thick cement or composition (inserted into such flanged disc to hold the
cork) and also with a cork held thereby substantially as described in Illustration 7
and shown in Figure 7 on the drawing (but the device being there illustrated as
having a shallow flanged disc inserted into a deeply flanged disc).
Claim 8.-In a stopper, the combination of two flanged sheet metal discs one of
which has a central aperture to admit the cork, (but not being inverted as in
Illustration 7) with thick cement or composition, and also with a cork, and the
two flanged discs being held together in any suitable manner; but preferably by
turning over the edge of the outer flanged disc inward, and embracing the edge of
the inner disc as set forth in Illustration 8, and in Figure 8 on the drawing.
Claim 9. In a stopper, the combination of two flanged sheet metal discs (one of
which has a central aperture to admit the cork and such disc being inverted and
forced down into the other and held therein by accuracy or tightness of fit) with
a cork and also with a mechanical device to hold such cork and preferably being a
crimped or zig-zag strip of metal placed on edge and bent round so as to enter the
sides of and hold the cork when both are inserted into the shallow flanged disc, as
described in Illustration 9 and shown (as to fixing the cork in the inner inverted
cap only) in Figure 9 on the drawing, the outer cap not being shown.
S
Claim 10. In a stopper, the combination of one shallow flanged metal disc, with
an annular crimped strip of sheet metal (placed on edge therein to grip the cork)

page_text: and with a cork, and also with cement or composition substantially as described in
Illustration 10 (and shown only to illustrate the method of placing the cement on
the surface of the stopper in Figure 10 on the drawing).
Claim 11. In a stopper, the combination of a flanged metal disc (having a
central opening as set forth), with a cork, and also with sufficiently thick cement
or composition placed in such disc to hold the cork, substantially as described in
Illustration 11 and shown in Figure 11 on the drawing.
Claim 12. In a stopper, the combination of the wood or other suitable disc,
with the flanged metal disc, the thick cement and also with the cork, the parts
being arranged as shown in Illustration 12 and in Figure 12 on the drawing.
Claim 13. In a stopper, the combination of the disc of wood or other substance,
with a cork; and also with a flanged metal cap, the parts being arranged and
fitted together substantially as described in Illustration 13, and shown in Figure 13
on the drawing.
Claim 14. In a stopper, the combination of the disc of wood or other suitable
substance, with a cork, and also with suitable thick cement or composition contained
in an opening in such disc, the parts being arranged and fitted together substantially
as described in Illustration 14 and shown in Figure 14 on the drawing.
Claim 15. In a stopper, the combination of the disc of wood or other suitable
substance, with a mass of thick cement or composition contained in a central recess
.or opening therein and also with a cork held by such cement, substantially as set
forth in Illustration 15 hereof and illustrated in Figure 15 on the drawing.
Claim 16. In a stopper, the combination of a moulded or shaped headpiece
formed from suitable hard cement or composition with a cork the end of which is
inserted therein, made substantially as described in Illustration 16, and shown in
Figure 16 on the drawing.
Claim 17.-In a stopper, the combination of a flat metal ring with suitable cement
or composition (moulded thereon) and also with a cork held thereby substantially
as described in Illustration 17 and shown in Figure 17 on the drawing.
Claim 18. In a stopper the combination of a flat metal disc (having a contracted
flanged opening) with suitable cement or composition (moulded thereon) and also
with a cork held thereby substantially as described in Illustration 18 and shown in
Figure 18 on the drawing.
Claim 19. In a stopper, the combination of a flanged metal cap, and of a flat
metal disc (having a central opening with a serrated edge) held thereby, with
suitable cement or composition (moulded thereon) and also with a cork held therein,
the same being devised substantially as described in Illustration 19 and shown in
Figure 19 on the drawing.
Claim 20. In a stopper, the combination of a flanged cap, thick cement or
composition, and a cork, with a screw, or its equivalent, substantially as described
in Illustration 20, and shown in Figure 20 on the drawing.
Claim 21. In a stopper, the device of a flanged metal cap having downwardly
pointed sharp projections therein, and a cork, in combination with a screw or its
equivalent substantially as described in Illustration 21 and shown in Figure 21 on
the drawing.
Claim 22. In a stopper, the device of a shallow flanged cap, and of a cork, in
combination with an inner disc provided with sharp downward projections, and
also with a screw or its equivalent substantially as described in Illustration 22 and
shown in Figure 22 on the drawing.
Claim 23. In a stopper, the device of a metal disc provided with sharp downward
projections, and of a cork, in combination with thick cement or composition and
also with a screw or its equivalent substantially as described in Illustration 23 and
shown in Figure 23 on the drawing.
Claim 24. In a stopper, the combination of a flanged cap (preferably of metal)
and of a metal disc having sharp projections inserted therein and with cement, and
also with a cork as desc.ibed in Illustration 21 and shown in Figure 24 on the
drawing.

page_text: Claim 25. In a stopper, the combination of a flanged cap (preferably of metal)
a metal disc, a cork, and cement, and also with a suitable collar of metal or wire
or other equivalent as described in Illustration 25, and shown in Figure 25 on the
drawing (the cap is not shown thereon).
Claim 26. In a stopper, the combination of a flanged cap. (preferably of metal)
a metal disc, a cork, and cement, such metal dise having a centrally flanged opening
in which punctures are made to enter the cork, substantially as described in
Illustration 26 and shown in Figure 26 on the drawing (the cap is not shown
thereon).
Claim 27. In a stopper, the combination of a metal cap (having a recessed
circumferential portion formed in its flange) with cement or composition, and also
with a cork as described in Illustration 27 and shown in Figure 27 on the drawing.
Claim 28. In a stopper, the combination of a metal cap (having the recessed
portion described in Illustration and Claim 27) with cement or composition, and
also with a disc, and cork as set forth in Illustration 28 and shown in Figure 28
on the drawing.
Claim A. In a stopper, the method of obtaining in flanged and fluted or milled
sheet metal caps, a plain circumferential portion at the free edge of the flange, by
stopping the fluting or milling short of such edge as described herein and shown
in view at Figure A on the drawing in order to give rigidity to such caps.
Claim B. In a stopper, the use of a flat centering ring of sheet metal or other
sufficiently stiff substance to be placed next the cement or composition within a
flanged cap and round the cork plug (and if for a vertically fluted cap, then
preferably serrated) as set forth herein and shown at Figure B on the drawing with
its edge serrated.
J
Claim C.-In a stopper, the use of a flat covering ring made from any suitable
substance or material and intended to go over or next the cement or composition
and round the cork plug as described herein and shown in Figure C on the
drawing.
Claim D.-In a stopper, the method of constructing it by placing into a flanged
cap of sheet metal a mass or volume of sufficiently thick cement or composition
into which the end of a cork is inserted and held by it, so as to form a combination
of sheet metal cap, cement or composition, and cork plug, as and for the purposes
hereinabove set forth.
Claim E. In a stopper, the combination of a metal flanged disc or cap; thick
cement or composition placed therein, and a cork or other plug; with a flat ring
of metal, or other substance or material, inserted into or held by means of the
turned over edge of such cap as set forth herein, and shown in some of the
illustrations and figures on the drawing.
Claim F. As a suitable thick cement or composition for use in constructing
stoppers or covers for the purposes set forth a mixture consisting of powdered
gypsum, resin and linseed oil melted together substantially in the proportions given
and as described herein.
Claim G. As a suitable thick cement or composition for use in constructing
stoppers or covers for the purposes set forth, a mixture consisting of Portland
cement, resin and linseed oil melted together substantially in the proportions given
and as described herein.
Claim H. In a stopper, the method of protecting the cement or composition
used (or the exposed part of a wood or metal disc) from the action of liquids by
covering it with a ring of waxed greased or oiled paper or other material substance
or fabric or vegetable parchment, paper and the like substantially as herein
described.
Claim I. In a stopper, the method of protecting cement or composition used
therein from the action of liquids by applying melted wax grease or oil thereto
substantially as herein described.
Claim J. In a stopper the device of a flanged disc or cap formed from wood or

page_text: '
other suitable substance composition or material, (but not being metal) in combina-
"tion with a cork plug, and also with a body of cement or composition contained in
such cap for the purpose of holding the cork thereto as described herein, and
similar to some of those figures on the drawing which describe and relate only to
caps formed from sheet metal.
Claim K. In a stopper, the particular method of constructing a headpiece or
upper portion therefor by forcing an inverted and tightly fitting flanged sheet
'metal disc (having a central opening to admit a cork) into another sheet metal
flanged disc, both such discs preferably having their respective flanges similarly
'vertically grooved fluted or milled (but may be plain) and held together only by
tightness or accuracy of fit (to form such headpiece) but the cork previously
secured in and to the inner disc by any suitable device or method as described at
length in the body of the Specification.
Claim L. In a stopper having a cement or composition headpiece or upper
part the decoration of the surface thereof with metallic foil, capsule metal, or other
material or substance, or with cloth, velvet, plush, or like or other material or
fabric as described.
Claim M. In the construction of stoppers the method of attaching the end
portion of a cork to a disc of metal plate or other sufficiently stiff substance, by
inserting the cork a sufficient distance into a central opening in such disc and then
-placing or moulding a sufficient mass of thick adhesive cement or composition
(while plastic) upon and round the end of the cork and upon the surface of the
disc, and which central opening may have a plain, or flanged, or serrated edge
substantially as set forth herein and illustrated in several of the figures on the
drawing.
Claim N.-In a stopper the method of fixing cement or composition to a metal
disc or plate by forming slots or openings in the disc, which will be then filled up
by the cement, thus giving it a better hold upon the metal substantially as herein
described.
Claim O. In a stopper, the method of attaching a cork to a disc of metal plate
or other substance, by inserting the end of the cork sufficiently into an opening
made therein, and then securing it thereto by a collar of metal wire or other
equivalent and by thick cement or composition in the manner herein set forth.
Claim P. In a stopper, the method of attaching a cork to a disc of metal plate,
by inserting the end of such cork sufficiently into a flanged opening made therein
and forming sharp projections in such flange to enter the cork, and then covering
'the disc with cement or composition in the manner herein described.
Claim Q. In a stopper, the forming in the flange of a metal cap, an inner bead
or projection or parts thereof, so as to produce a recessed portion or means for the
purpose of better retaining discs of metal or other substance or composition
placed in such cap substantially as and for the purposes set forth herein.
Claim R. In a stopper, forming in the flange of a metal cap from the outside,
a number of depressions to form internal projections for the purpose of better
retaining in the cap, discs of metal or other substance substantially as set forth
herein.
Claim S. In a stopper, the method of protecting cement or composition used
therein from the action of liquids by applying hard drying composition or varnish
to the surface of the exposed cement or composition as described herein.
Dated this 16th day of April 1892.
HENRY LOUIS PHILLIPS.