IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF STOPPERING BOTTLES, AND IN THE APPLIANCES CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Samuel Wilkes, of Selly-oak, near Birmingham, in the
County of Warwick, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF
STOPPERING BOTTLES, AND IN THE APPLIANCES CONNECTED THEREWITH."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Samuel Wilkes at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th October 1880.
SAMUEL WILKES, of Selly-oak, near Birmingham, in the County of Warwick.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF STOPPERING BOTTLES, AND IN THE APPLIANCES
CONNECTED THEREWITH,"
My Invention relates to improvements in the closing or stoppering of bottles for
containing aerated and other liquids, also applicable for chemical purposes.
To the neck of the bottle and immediately beneath the collar I arrange a ring of
wire or sheet metal; this ring is provided with two loops, one upon each side, and
situated equi-distant; these loops carry a bowed lever by means of the ends
working in the same; in form this corresponds to the lower part of the neck of the
bottle; this lever is also provided with two loops, one upon each side, and this
carries an arched bow which will pass over the mouth of the bottle when required,
the ends of which also work in the last named loops freely, and to this arched bow
is arranged the stopper, which is constructed of a metallic cap upon its upper part
with a bow or eye, the said arched bow passing through the same, this also has a free
movement. To this metallic cap is permanently arranged a circular form with
collar in size approaching the interior of the neck of the bottle, this in its entirety
When this said form or
is composed of india rubber or other yielding material.
stopper proper is arranged at the mouth of the bottle, the bowed lever above
described takes an horizontal position, but by a downward pressure of the same to
the neck of the bottle which it fits it also carries the arched bow, and compresses
the metallic cap and collar upon the rim of the bottle, and hermetically enclosing
the contents.
The chief object of this my Invention consists in the stoppering or closing of
bottles in a simple and economical manner and easier in application than those
hitherto employed.

page_text: "
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, and of
an Order of the Chancellor, filed by the said Samuel Wilkes in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 21st April 1881.
SAMUEL WILKES, of Selly-oak, near Birmingham, in the County of Warwick.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF STOPPERING BOTTLES, AND IN THE APPLIANCES
CONNECTED THEREWITH."
My Invention relates to improvements in the closing or stoppering of bottles for
containing aerated and other liquids, also applicable for chemical purposes.
To the neck of the bottle and immediately beneath the collar I arrange a ring
of wire or sheet metal; this ring is provided with two loops, one upon each side,
and situated equi-distant; these loops carry a bowed lever by means of the ends
working in the same; in form this corresponds to the lower part of the neck of the
bottle this lever is also provided with two loops, one upon each side, and this
carries an arched bow which will pass over the mouth of the bottle when required,
the ends of which also work in the last named loops freely, and to this arched bow
is arranged the stopper, which is constructed of a metallic cap upon its upper part
with a bow or eye, the said arched bow passing through the same, this also has a
free movement. To this metallic cap is permanently arranged a circular form with
collar in size approaching the interior of the neck of the bottle; this in its entirety
is composed of india rubber or other yielding material.
When this said form or stopper proper is arranged at the mouth of the bottle the
bowed lever above described takes an horizontal position, but by a downward
pressure of the same to the neck of the bottle which it fits it also carries the arched
bow, and compresses the metallic cap and collar upon the rim of the bottle, and
hermetically enclosing the contents. The chief object in this my Invention consists
in the stoppering or closing of bottles in a simple and economical manner, and
easier in application than those hitherto employed.
But as my Invention will be best understood aided by a reference to the Drawings
hereunto annexed, I will proceed to describe the same, reference being made to the
several Figures and letters marked thereon (that is to say) :-
Fig. 1 is a front view in elevation of my Invention applied to the neck of an
ordinary bottle securely stoppered. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the same, and
Figs. 2 and 2b, plan and sectional views respectively.
Fig. 3, a side view elevation with stopper in position preparatory to securing the
same.
Fig. 4, a side view elevation with stopper removed for pouring out the contents
or for cleansing.
Fig. 5 is a side view in elevation of my Invention applied to the neck of a spirit
jar or bottle.
Fig. 6, a front view elevation of same.
Fig. 7, a side view elevation with lever appliance.
Fig. 8, front view elevation of same.
Fig. 9, a view in elevation sectional with stopper chiefly applicable to bottles for
containing aerated waters.
Fig. 10, a side view elevational of my Invention applied to chemical jars.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in the several Figures of
the Drawings. A is the neck of the bottle or vessel; B is a ring of wire or sheet
metal provided with the loops C: D is a bowed lever with loops, also E, the ends
of the arched form F. fitting loosely therein so as to allow it to move in either
desired direction; the upper part of F carries the stopper by passing through the
eye G. This stopper H is constructed of two parts, the upper with eye G of metal
or alloy produced by pouring the metal when in a molten state into moulds specially

page_text: provided, or the same purpose may be effected by stamping and piercing with tools
in a well known manner. To the lower part is arranged a collar and flange fitted to
receive the form I, the interior of which corresponds to the exterior of the former ;
this is composed of india rubber or other suitable yielding material.
In Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, the principle is as before described, departing only by form
or configuration. A is the neck of the bottle or vessel; B, the ring for holding D
in an horizontal and permanent position, the ends of which project and carry the
form D¹; this is moveable and has a loop through which is passed the one end of F,
the said F receiving the stopper H by means of the eye G; the other end of E
terminates in a loop which receives the loose lever J.
By reference to Fig. 4 the stopper H is removed from the mouth of the bottle;
after filling H is placed in position, as shewn by Fig. 3, which brings D from the
neck of the bottle to an horizontal line or approaching thereto, but when pressure
is applied downward to D, bringing it to its normal position, it depresses H and its
component part I upon and into the mouth of the bottle or vessel and the same is
hermetically closed; an outward pressure to D will remove H and I and allow the
contents to be discharged. Figs. 7 and 8 shew the lever J, which is provided with
a recess K and engaged with D, the contents being securely closed; by elevating J
it will become disengaged. Fig. 9 illustrates my Invention applied to bottles for
containing aerated liquids. For this purpose, I construct the stopper H of wood or
other material than metal, the lower part of H approaching in size to the interior of
the neck of the bottle; it is also provided with a check or seat, and receives the
india rubber or elastic ring L, finding its bearing upon the edge of the mouth
of A, the mode of securing being as before described.
The description of Figs. 7 and 8 illustrates Figs. 5, 6, 10.
Having given a general description of my Invention, and the manner in which
the same may be practically carried into effect, nevertheless I wish to observe that
I do not confine myself to the exact details herein given and set forth, as various
modifications may be made without departing from the principle. of this my
Invention; but what I claim and desire to be secured to me by the herein before
in part recited Letters Patent is,―
1. The improvements in the mode of stoppering bottles, substantially as herein
before described.
2. The arrangement and use of the appliances for stoppering bottles, substantially
as described and shewn on the Drawings or any mere modification thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said Samuel Wilkes, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twelfth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty one.
Witness,
THOMAS KENDRICK.
SAMUEL WILKES. (L.S.)