Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 25th May, 1887
Complete Left, 21st Feb., 1888
Complete Accepted, 13th Apr., 1888
I HOWARD MATRAVERS ASHLEY of Ferrybridge, in the county of York Machinist
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
My invention of improvements in the manufacture of internally stoppered glass
bottles, of the type known as "Codds Patent" and the like, refers particularly to a
novel method of introducing the stopper into the neck, or the body of the bottle, or
vessel.
The method at present in use is to introduce the stopper into the neck of the bottle
before the lip or ring is attached to the neck, the opening into the neck being large
enough to permit of this being readily accomplished; the lip is then attached or
welded to the neck, its smaller opening preventing the escape of the stopper.
Now according to my invention which is especially adapted for use in manufacturing
bottles by machinery in which the bottle with its lip is made at one operation, (and
for which process I have obtained provisional protection) but which may also be used
or applied to bottles made in the usual way, the stopper is introduced into the finished
neck of the bottle, in such a manner that it shall not be able to escape nor to be
extracted.
I must premise that during the process of manufacture the glass of which the
bottle is composed passes through various stages, first the "molten "then the "plastic,"
next the "elastic" and lastly the "rigid" or brittle, when the glass is cold or there-
abouts.
The making of the bottle by my process is completed in the moment of transition
from the plastic to the elastic state of the glass, and the opening through the lip into
the neck of bottles made by machinery of my invention, is made by a punch or its
equivalent, the diameter of which is slightly less than that of the stopper.
When the glass is in its elastic state, which immediately follows the moulding
operation, the stopper is placed in the mouth of the bottle, and pressed through the
lip into the neck; the lip of the bottle which was slightly expanded during the

page_text: passage of the stopper is again reduced by its inherent elasticity, and the contraction
of the glass during its transition from the "elastic." to the "rigid" state or condition,
still further reduces the size of the opening, and thus effectually secures the stopper
and prevents its escape.
When the bottle is made by hand and the lip has been attached, or when the bottle
has been made by any means that do not admit of the stopper being put into it at the
"elastic" stage; the lip of the hottle may be brought back to the required condition
by such an arrangement of what are commonly termed "Bunsen" gas jets, or atmo-
spheric burners, as will admit of the flame playing upon the tip, in which case I should
use a cupped punch or "closer," the centre having a projection to force down the
stopper, and the surrounding cup to press upon the lip in such a manner as to close
the opening slightly, and if desirable to complete the configuration of the mouth.
It will be understood from the above description that all the conditions will equally
apply, whatever the configuration of the stopper may be.

page_text: and other like Vessels of Glass.
I, HOWARD MATRAVERS ASHLEY of Ferrybridge in the County of York Machinist
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 invention of improvements in the manufacture of internally stoppered bottles
of glass of the type or construction known as "Codds Patent" and the like, refers
particularly to a novel method of introducing the stopper in the neck or body of the
bottle, or like vessel.
The method at present in use is to introduce the stopper into the neck of the bottle
before the lip or ring is attached to the neck, the opening in the neck being large
enough to permit of this being readily accomplished. The lip is then united by fusion
or welding to the neck, its smaller opening preventing the escape of the stopper.
Now my invention is especially adapted for use when the bottles are being manu-
factured by machinery such as is described in the Specifications of Patents No. 14727,
1886 and No. 3434, 1887, granted to me, and describing the method of making
bottles with the lip complete at one operation; but the invention may also be applied
to bottles made in the usual way.
I wish it to be understood that during the process of manufacture, the glass of which
the bottle is made, passes, through various stages; first it is "molten," then "plastic,"
next "elastic," and lastly "rigid," when the glass becomes cold and brittle.
The making of a bottle by my patented process is completed in the moment of
transition from the plastic to the elastic state of the glass; and the opening through
the lip into the neck, is made by a punch, or its equivalent, the diameter of which
is slightly less than that of the ball or stopper.
When the glass is in its elastic state, which state immediately follows the moulding
operation, the ball of solid glass (or other like stopper) is placed in the mouth of
the bottle, and pressed by the before mentioned punch, or by other suitable means,
through the lip into the neck; the lip which during the passage of the stopper was
slightly expanded, is again contracted by the inherent elasticity of the glass, and the
contraction of the glass during its transition from the "elastic" to the "rigid" state.
or condition, still further reduces the diameter of the opening and thus effectually
secures and prevents the escape of the stopper.
When the bottle has been made by any process that does not admit of the stopper
being put into it at the "elastic" stage, the lip of the bottle may be brought back
to the required elastic condition, by a suitable arrangement of Bunsen gas jets or
atmospheric burners, or the like, made to reheat the lip, in which case I should
use a cupped punch or "closer," the centre part being a projection to force down

page_text: the ball or stopper, and the surrounding cup arranged to surround and press upon
the lip in such a manner as to compress and close the opening slightly, and if
desirable to give the final configuration to the mouth and lip.
During the passage of the ball or stopper, when being forced through the hot glass,
the frictional contact will cause the surface of the hot glass to be elongated, and
thus form a slightly overhanging edge to the upper side of the internal annular
recess, which is usually formed in the neck to receive an elastic ring; this edge
renders it much more difficult for the inserted ring to be forced out by the stopper,
or to be lost or shaken out.
The punch or other tool for forcing in the ball or stopper may be provided with
expanding bits to form or to finish the annular recess in the neck if desired, but
this is not material.
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 :-
:-
In the manufacture of internally stoppered bottles (such for example as those in
which a glass ball is secured in the neck of the bottle); the method or process of
inserting the glass ball, or other like stopper by forcing it through the lip or mouth of
the finished bottle while the glass is in a plastic or elastic condition, substantially as
herein before described.