A Self-adjusting Bottle Stopper.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd June, 1890-Accepted, 5th July, 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Self-adjusting Bottle Stopper.
We, GARRITT HARRY OLIVER, EDWARD LOVEJOY BROOKS, of Chicago, in the
County of Cook, and State of Illinois, and ROBERT SAVAGE HOBBS, of Brooklyn, in
the County of Kings and State of New York, United States of America, Merchants,
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:
In the accompanying drawings, illustrating our improved Self Adjusting Bottle
Stopper,
Figure 1, is vertical axial section of a stopper embodying our present improvements,
the parts being shown in their normal expanded condition.
Figure 2, a side elevation, partly sectionized, of the same in a diametrically
contracted condition, showing a slightly modified arrangement of the circular stiffening
rings of the present improvement;
Figure 3, a similar view, illustrating another modified form of our present
improvement.
Similar letters of reference indicate like parts in the several views.
The present invention relates to that form of self adjusting bottle stoppers, in which
a seamless elastic bulb is adapted to expand within the mouth of the bottle; the
adjustment of the bulb being attained by its own elasticity, while its adjustment is
effected by a longitudinally moving plunger within the bulb, which on being pressed
down elongates the bulb, and decreases its diameter to fit the required size of bottle
neck, and when released, allows the bulb to expand, to form a tight and effective
closure of the bottle neck.
Such stoppers as formerly constructed were defective in the one point, to-wit: The
liability of the elastic bulb wall to fold or crease upon itself, and form longitudinal
grooves along the side of the bulb, through which the gases and liquids contained in
the bottle would leak and escape. This very serious defect we avoid in our present
invention, by the provision of one or more circumferentially arranged rings or
enlargements, a, integral with the body of the bulb A, as shown, the action of which
is to circularly stiffen the walls of the bulb and prevent the same from becoming
creased or folded as it expands into a narrow necked bottle. The rings or enlargements, a,
may be arranged on the interior of the bulb as indicated in figure 1; or partly on
the interior and partly on the exterior of the bulb, as indicated in figure 2, or wholly
on the exterior of the bulb, as indicated in figure 3, without departing from the spirit
of this part of our invention.
The second part of our present improvement consists in the employment of a cap B,
of metal or other suitable material for more effectively attaching the mouth of the
elastic bulb A, to the rigid guide core C, at the mouth of the bulb, that forms a guide
for the longitudinally moving plunger D; the cap being secured in place by being
pressed in against the bulb neck immediately beneath the lower rim of the core piece
as shown; and in addition to forming a means of attachment for the parts, said cap
also acts to protect and shield the top of the bulb from damage, etc.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:
1. A self adjusting bottle stopper, comprising in combination, an elastic bulb A,
formed with circumferential stiffening rings in its expanded body portion, a guide
core C. and a longitudinally moving ulunger D. essentially as herein set forth

page_text: 2. A self adjusting bottle stopper comprising in combination, an elastic bulb A, a
core C, in the mouth of the same, a cap B, for securing the bulb to the core, and a
longitudinally moving plunger D, essentially as herein set forth.
Dated this 3rd day of June 1890.
HERBERT & Co.,
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, W.C., London, Agents to Applicants..