IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR OPENING BOTTLES HAVING INTERNAL STOPPERS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Hiram Codd, of Grove Lane, Camberwell, in the County
of Surrey, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR OPENING
BOTTLES HAVING INTERNAL STOPPERS."
Sealed the 30th June 1876, and dated the 14th January 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Hiram Codd at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th January 1876.
HIRAM CODD, of Grove Lane, Camberwell, in the County of Surrey. IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR OPENING BOTTLES HAVING INTERNAL STOPPERS."
This Invention has for its object improvements in apparatus for opening bottles
having internal stoppers. The apparatus is intended to be fitted to a counter or
table, and consists of a standard which is fixed to the counter or table, and has
hinged to its top a bent lever handle. At the side of the standard is a bracket
which is bored at its end so as to carry the stem of a plunger. This plunger is
kept in place by two spiral springs on its stem, one end which rests on the bracket
the other ends abutting against projections on the stem. The upper spring is
stronger than the lower, so that the normal position of the plunger is the highest
point of its travel. When in this position the upper end of the stem rests against
the arm of the bent lever handle. By pulling the handle forward the stem is forced
down and the plunger entering the neck of the bottle forces the stopper into the
bottle. The plunger is of any shape suitable for opening this class of bottle, and is
similar to those now in use. At the bottom of the bracket there is a semicircular
jaw for holding the neck of the bottle.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Hiram Codd in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 14th July
1876.
"
IMPROVE-
HIRAM CODD, of Cove Lane, Camberwell, in the County of Surrey.
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR OPENING BOTTLES HAVING INTERNAL STOPPERS."
This Invention has for its object improvements in apparatus for opening bottles
having internal stoppers. The apparatus is intended to be fitted to a counter or

page_text: table, and consists of a standard which is fixed to the counter or table, and has
hinged to its top abent lever handle. At the side of the standard is a bracket
which is bored at its end so as to carry the stem of a plunger. This plunger is
kept in its place by a spiral spring, one end of which rests upon the top of the
bracket, the other end abutting against a projection upon the stem of the plunger;
a corresponding spiral spring of less power is also provided, one end of which bears
upon the lower edge of the bracket, the other end abutting upon a projection on the
plunger, or a shoulder provided for that purpose in the hood, the said spring being
intended to keep the hood pressed upon the head of the bottle while the plunger is
allowed to travel in order that it may force down the stopper.
In some cases I dispense with the lower spring, in which case the hood is fixed to
the plunger by a pin or other suitable incans, the portion of the plunger which
enters the mouth of the bottle being left long enough to force the stopper from its
scating.
A washer of vulcanized rubber, leather, or other suitable material may be
provided as a lining for the hood. The upper spring being the strongest the normal
position of the plunger is the highest point of its travel. When in this position tho
upper end of the plunger bears against the arm of the bent lever handle. The
lower spring also serves to control a hood which it holds against the neck of the
bottle whilst the bottle is being opened. By pulling the handle forward the plunger
is forced down and entering the neck of the bottle forces the stopper into the
bottle. The plunger is of any shape suitable for opening this class of bottle, and is
similar to those now in use. At the bottom of the bracket there is a semicircular
jaw for holding the neck or shoulder of the bottle.
In order that my said Invention may be most fully understood and readily:
carried into effect I will proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
On Sheet 1 Figuro 1 is a side elevation; Figure 2 is a vertical section;
Figure 3 is a front elevation partly in section; and Figure 4 is a plan of apparatus
constructed according to this Invention.
a, a, is a standard; it is intended to be fixed to a counter or table in such
manner that the jaw a', a', overhangs. A lug or foot is cast on the standard at
for the purpose of fixing it; a³ is a bracket projecting from the standard, the
plunger b works through it; c is a coiled spring which sustains the plunger b; d is
a similar coiled spring for the purpose of holding the hood o over the mouth of the
bottle; is a bent lever handle; it is jointed to the top of the standard and one
end of it bears on the upper end of the plunger.
In the use of the apparatus the bottle to be opened is placed in the jaw, so that
its shoulder is supported by it, and then by depressing the handle the plunger is
brought down, and the hood e with it until the hood which is lined with cork,
wood, or other suitable material rests upon the month of the bottle, and the licad of
the plunger upon the stopper. Then by a further motion of the plunger the
stopper is displaced. Tubes of india-rubber may be placed on the two projections
of the jaw where it bears upon the shoulder of the bottle to prevent risk of
breakage.
On Sheet 2 of the Drawings slight modifications of the arrangements aro
represented; Figure 1 is an elevation; and Figure 2 is a borizontal section of an
apparatus in which the jaw is made to embrace the under part of the ring of tho
ttle in place of the shoulder. The jaw is provided with two lips of india-
rubber g, g, to afford the neck an elastic support. Or the jawa may be made, as is
shewn at Figure 3, and tubes of india-rubber may be placed on the two side
projections of it; Figure 4 represents a plan of this jaw; or the jaw may be mado
with adjustable clams on one side as is represented at Figure 3.
Figures 6 and 7 show another arrangement in which a rod b is provided, tho
upper end of which bears against the age of the caine, the lower end is shouldered,
the smallest part passing through holes in the clams e, c, and forming a junction of

page_text: the two. The shoulder of the bottle rests upon the said clains when they are
drawn together and when the handle is depressed the rod is forced down in the
first movement by the cam and holds the clams firmly in the position in which
they have been placed.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention and the manner of
performing the same, I would have it understood that I do not confine myself to the
exact details described, but I claim the construction of apparatus for opening bottles,
substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Hiram Codd, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Thirteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord Oue thousand
eight hundred and seventy-six.
H. CODD. (L.S.)