IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CAPSULING BOTTLES AND OTHER LIKE RE- CEPTACLES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Betts, of Wharf Road, City Road, in the County
of Middlesex, Capsule Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CAPSULING BOTTLES AND OTHER LIKE RE-
CEPTACLES."
Sealed the 7th August 1877, and dated the 14th February 1877.
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Betts at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th February 1877.
<C
WILLIAM BETTS, of Wharf Road, City Road, in the County of Middlesex,
Capsule Manufacturer. IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CAP-
SULING BOTTLES AND OTHER LIKE RECEPTACLES."
My Invention relates to improved apparatus for applying and securing capsules
to the necks of bottles and other like receptacles, and it consists essentially in the
employment of a series of radiating slides operated by a rotatory ring through the
intervention of toggles or links, the pressure of such slides being applied to the
capsule surrounding the bottle (for example) so as to cause the same to adhere to
and assume the shape of the neck thereof through the mediumn of an indian-rubber
or other elastic tube or ring contained within the chamber formed by the inner
ends of the series of slides.
The slides work along grooves or guide ways formed in a disc or frame, the peri-
phery of which also constitutes a guide for the ring in its motion, and the toggles
or links are provided with pins projecting inwards, which enter holes formed in
the slides and ring respectively, so as to cause the toggles or links to advance or
draw back the slides, according to the direction in which the ring is rotated.
The ring may be operated upon so as to receive a partial rotatory motion in one
direction, in order to advance the slides by means of a lever mounted upon a fixed
centre or fulcrum in the frame, and connected to the ring by a link, the return
motion for retracting the slides being obtained by means of a counterweight, or
other suitable appliances.
When the apparatus is in its position of rest, that is to say, with the slides
retracted, the toggles or links are situated at an angle to an imaginary inner circle
concentric with the actuating ring. By working the ring, however, the toggles or

page_text: links are caused to converge to the centre, whereby the whole series of radial slides
are moved forward simultaneously, so as to force the elastic ring or tube against the
capsule, thereby forcing the capsule into intimate contact with the neck of the
bottle, and causing it to assume the shape thereof.
By constructing the elastic medium through which the pressure is applied in
the form of a tube or ring facility is afforded for applying capsules of various
lengths to bottles without changing the tube or ring, by the bottle being capable
of adjustment longitudinally in the latter. The elastic tube or ring is, moreover,
provided with a flange at its inner end, whereby the liability is obviated of its
being withdrawn when the bottle is removed from the apparatus.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Betts in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 10th August
1877.
WILLIAM BETTS, of Wharf Road, City Road, in the County of Middlesex, Capsule
Manufacturer. " IMPROVEMENTS IN. MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CAPSULING
BOTTLES AND OTHER LIKE RECEPTACLES."
My said Invention relates to improved apparatus for applying and securing
capsules to the necks of bottles and other like receptacles, and it consists essentially
in the employment of a series of radiating slides, operated by a rotatory ring through
the intervention of toggles or links, the pressure of such slides being applied to
the capsule surrounding the bottle (for example) so as to cause the same to adhere
to and assume the shape of the neck thereof through the medium of an india-rubber
or other elastic tube or ring contained within the chamber formed by the inner
ends of series of slides.
And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood I shall now proceed
more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall refer to the
several Figures on the annexed Sheet of Drawings, the same letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the Figures.
Figure 1 is a partial front elevation and longitudinal section of a capsuling
apparatus constructed according to my Invention; Figure 2 is a back elevation of
the same with the back plate removed.
Figure 3 is a transverse vertical section, and Figures 4 and 5 are respectively
detail views of one of the toggles, and one of the slides detached.
A, A, are the radiating slides working along grooves or guide ways B formed in
a disc or frame C, the periphery c of which also constitutes a guide for the rotating
ring D in its motion when operating the toggles or links E, which are provided
with pins or projections, a, a¹, (see Figure 4) engaging with the holes b, b¹, formed
respectively in the slides A, A, and the ring D, and causing the toggles or links.to
advance or draw back the slides, according to the direction in which the ring is
rotated. The ring D is operated so as to receive a partial rotatory motion in the
direction of the arrow in Figure 1, in order to advance the slides A into the position
shewn in Figure 2 by means of a lever F mounted upon a fixed centre or fulcrum
G in the base plate H, and connected to the ring by a link I, the return motion
for retracting the slides and causing them to return into the position shewn in
Figure 1 being obtained by means of a counterweight K, as shewn, or by means of
a spring or other suitable appliances.
When the apparatus is in its position of rest, as shewn in Figure 1, that is to
to say, with the slides A retracted, the toggles or links E are situated at an angle to
an imaginary inner circle concentric with the actuating ring D. By rotating the
ring, however, in the direction of the arrow in Figure 1 the toggles or links are
caused to converge more towards the centre, whereby the whole series of radial
slides are moved forward simultaneously, causing the elastic ring or tube L (against

page_text: which their inner ends bear) to be contracted, whereby a capsule placed upon the
neck of a bottle inserted within the ring or tube L will be forced into intimate
contact with the neck of the bottle, and caused to assume the shape thereof.
The distance to which the neck of the bottle is inserted in the ring L depends
upon the length of the capsule to be applied, which distance is regulated by means
of an adjustable stop M, Figure 3, fitted in a recess N provided in the back plate O,
and adjusted by means of a screw P.
By constructing the elastic medium through which the pressure is applied in the
form of a tube or ring, and providing means, as herein-before described, for adjusting
the distance to which the bottle is to be inserted therein, facility is afforded for
applying capsules of various lengths to bottles without changing the tube or ring,
which latter may if desired be provided with a flange at its inner end to
prevent the liability of its being withdrawn when the bottle is removed from the
apparatus.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said Invention,
and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect, I would
observe in conclusion, that what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore
claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters
Patent is, the application and use to and in the capsuling of bottles and other like
receptacles of a series of radiating slides, operated by a rotatory ring through the
intervention of toggles or links, substantially in the manner herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Betts, have to this my Specification
set my hand and seal, this Sixth day of August, One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-seven.
Executed by the within-named
William Betts by his mark
and seal, the same being pre-
viously read over to him in
the presence of
ALF. H. MACNAGHTEN,
Merchant,
The mark of William Betts x. (L.S.)
3, Mincing Lane,
London.