Improvements in Machines for Corking or Stoppering Bottles.
Year: 1899

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Corking or Stoppering Bottles.
I, ANDERS ANDERSEN PINDSTOFTE, of No. 66, Vesterbrogade, Copenhagen, in
the Kingdom of Denmark, Manufacturer, 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:
-
This invention relates to improvements in corking machines, enabling the
water present in the cork and the waste adhering thereto to be completely
pressed out and removed from the cork, prior to its insertion in the neck of the
bottle.
The novel arrangement whereby this result is attained is illustrated in the
accompanying drawing, in which:-
Figure 1 illustrates the device in section as applied to a corking machine of
the known kind, and
Figure 2 is a plan view of the sliding mechanism arranged above the device for
pressing out the water, and which serves for compressing the cork in the first
place.
The corking machine, which is of the known kind, consists of a beam A upon
which is mounted a standard B carrying a fixed table C, through which is formed
an aperture c for the passage of the cork. This aperture is partially surrounded
by a fixed cheek a (Figure 2) working in conjunction with a movable cheek b,
both being arranged in a slide E which is displaceable in a longitudinal direction
upon the table C The cork is placed between the cheeks a and b and com-
pressed when the slide is displaced towards the left hand upon the table (Figure
1); the slide N which is displaceable along the standard B, being depressed by
means of a handle which is not shewn. When the cork is compressed between
the two cheeks, it is at the same time brought above the passage in the table C,
so that it may be forced down through this passage by means of the piston V
which is connected with the slide N.
The novel device for pressing out the water is arranged immediately beneath
the table C, and consists of a cylinder or conical guide socket F which is rigidly
attached to the underside of the table, the axial passage through this socket,
which tapers downwards, forming a continuation of the passage c.
This cone
or cylinder F may be closed below by means of an elastic washer G, against
the underside of which the mouth of the bottle placed upon the table D may be.
pressed, during corking.
The wall of the cone or cylinder F is provided with a number of oblique and
downwardly directed passages f, through which the water, waste and the like
pressed from the cork may escape. The cone or cylinder F is surrounded by a
closed chamber H from which the air is withdrawn at the same time as the
cork passes by the passages f of the cylinder. This withdrawal of air may be
effected in any suitable manner, for example, by connecting the chamber H
with a chamber L arranged beneath the air pump by means of a pipe through
which the air is sucked when the pump piston n is displaced. The piston rod m

page_text: of the pump is connected with the slides N in such a manner that the piston is
depressed and the air withdrawn from the chamber L, and consequently from
the chamber H connected therewith, at the same time as the cork is conducted
through the cone.
The operation of the device is as follows:-
The cork is placed between the cheeks a and b, whereupon the slide N and
with them the piston V, are depressed. By this means the cork is compressed
and forced downwards through the aperture c of the cone or cylinder by the
action of the piston V; the water, waste and the like which is present in the cork
being forced out and passing away through the passages f. When the
piston is depressed, the piston n which is connected with the slides N of the
air pump, is also pressed down, so that the air is sucked out of the chamber L
and the chamber H which is in communication with this latter. The effect of
this suction will of course be to withdraw the water and waste from the cork.
The passages f serve for this purpose and they are maintained free from
obstruction owing to the current of air; the water and cork waste passing from
the bottom of the chamber H through the pipe to the chamber L from which
they may be withdrawn from time to time by means of a drain cock, or any
other suitable manner.
The result above described is effected by one stroke, so that the cork is not
released after the first pressing. This is of great importance, as in other cases
the cork will give off waste. By the stroke used for forcing down the cork,
the waste is withdrawn at the same time as it becomes deposited in the
passages f, from which it is sucked after the passage of the cork, and removed
by means of the air pump. There are provided in the cone or cylinder F
either upon the whole or a portion of its length a sufficient number of
apertures to ensure that upon the downward passage of the cork, each pore
shall pass at least two such apertures. By this means a certain outlet is provided
for the water and cork waste.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, declare that what
I claim is:
1. In corking machines the provision of a number of fine passages in the
guiding socket for the cork, such passages leading into a chamber surrounding
the socket, from which the air is withdrawn by means of an air pump in com-
munication therewith, at the same time as the cork is forced down through the
socket.
2. In the arrangement described in Claim 1, the arrangement of the piston
pressing down the cork, and also the piston of the air pump upon or in connection
with the parts of the machine which are displaced during the corking operation,
in such a manner that the suction of the air pump takes place automatically at
the same time as the cork is pressed downwards through the guiding socket.
3. In corking machines in which corks are pressed downwards through a
guiding socket, tube or cone, the provision in such cone or the like either upon
the whole or a portion of its length, of a number of passages through which the
water and waste pressed out of the cork, may be removed.
Dated this 16th day of January 1899.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.