Improvements in Stoppers for Bottles and similar Articles, and in Apparatus Employed in their Manufacture.
Year: 1885

page_text: Improvements in Stoppers for Bottles and similar Articles, and
in Apparatus Employed in their Manufacture.
I ALEXANDER RICHMOND STOCKER of 76 Glengall Road, Peckham in the
County of Surrey Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of said invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN STOPPERS FOR BOTTLES AND SIMILAR ARTICLES AND IN
APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN THEIR MANUFACTURE 38
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in stoppers capable of being moulded
from clay dust or other compressible material by compression and to the plunger
or top tool working in combination with a suitable matrix for the manufacture of
this class of stoppers and caps whether screwed or plain or whether perforated or
solid.
The improved plunger which can be readily adapted to suit the particular make
of cap or stopper required consists of a hollow shell fixed to an ordinary press and
fitting into a matrix of suitable form said shell being provided with a central
moveable die for forming the hollow of a cap or the recess in the underside of the
head of a plug stopper which die is capable of being more or less raised and
lowered independently of the said outer shell by a screw spindle or similar
contrivance for the purpose of releasing the moveable die from the cap or stopper
whilst it is being held down in the matrix by the rim of the outer shell. When the
clay dust in the matrix has been sufficiently compressed the central moveable die
is first released from the interior of the cap by being slightly withdrawn therefrom
the outer shell remaining stationary for the time being so as to hold the article
down in the matrix after which the entire plunger rises clear of the matrix and
the finished cap or stopper is expelled by the usual lifter. Such an arrangement of
compound plunger may be used for making plug stoppers having enlarged heads
also caps having a central plug (screwed or plain) for receiving a cork or other
packing the central moveable die of the plunger being in such case bored through-
out to receive a stationary pin or spindle which will bear upon the top of the plug
of the cap or stopper and hold it down whilst the central moveable die of the
plunger is being withdrawn.
When a perforated cap or stopper is to be produced a central perforating spindle
is combined with the improved compound plunger or with the matrix.

page_text: If desired the said compound plunger may be worked from below through the
bottom of the matrix in lieu of from the top, an ordinary plunger or top tool being
in that case employed for shaping the top of the article. By the addition of a
central projection of suitable form and dimensions to the ordinary lifter in the
matrix employed in combination with the aforesaid compound plunger the said
apparatus will be suitable for the production from clay dust of the class of feeding
bottle stopper wherein a chamber or cavity is provided for the reception of a loose
ball or other shaped valve the stopper being afterwards completed by fitting a
perforated nipple of compressed clay dust into the said cavity so as to enclose the
loose valve. If a screw thread be required round the interior of a cap shaped
stopper I form the lower part of the central moveable die of the compound plunger
with a corresponding screw thread on its exterior and in order to release the same
from the moulded cap stopper the said die should be further provided with a screw
thread working in an internal screw of corresponding pitch in any convenient part
of the outer portion or shell of the plunger.

page_text: Improvements in Stoppers for Bottles and similar Articles, and
in Apparatus Employed in their Manufacture.
I ALEXANDER RICHMOND STOCKER of 76 Glengall Road, Peckham in the
County of Surrey, 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 has for its object improvements in the top tool or plunger
employed in conjunction with a matrix and lifter for the production by pressure
from clay dust or other compressible material, of stoppers and caps of various kinds
whether screwed or plain and whether perforated or solid; also a new or improved
manufacture of the class of feeding bottle stopper provided with a loose ball valve.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings is a vertical section of a valve-feeding-
bottle-stopper constructed according to my invention.
I make the enlarged head a and stem b whether screwed or plain, in one piece
from clay dust compressed between suitable dies and matrices of the required
contour and at the same time I perforate the stopper and form in the body thereof
a cavity c for the reception of the loose ball valve. The perforated nipple d for the
attachment of the flexible feeding tube is made separately by compression from clay
dust by the aid of suitably shaped dies as is well understood and is then fixed by
screwing or otherwise into the mouth of the cavity c after the loose ball valve has
been introduced therein as shown in the drawing. I also prefer to make separately
from clay dust by compression, the short perforated tube e which serves
receive the junction rubber ring of the usual glass tube inside the feeding bottle a
recess being provided in the end of the stem 6 for the reception of the short tube d,
the whole being then finished by glazing and firing. The stem b may be either
screwed or left plain or provided with the usual longitudinal ribs or projections on
its surface for more tightly holding the cork covering or packing. f is the usual
annular recess formed in the underside of the head a for the reception of a packing
ring if required.
to
Figure 2 of my drawings is a vertical section of one arrangement of my
improved top tool or plunger working in conjunction with a matrix, and arranged
for the production from compressed clay dust of screwed stoppers and caps generally.
the drawing showing it as specially adapted for making the main portion of the
valve-feeding-bottle-stopper herein before described.
Figure 3 is a horizontal section taken along the line 1-2 in Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a vertical section of the lower portion of the improved top tool or
plunger with its matrix as arranged for the production of a screwed pomade cap.
Figure 5 is a vertical section of a simplified arrangement of the improved top
tool or plunger with its matrix as adapted for making an ordinary feeding bottle
stopper with a plain or unscrewed stem or shank for the cork packing.

page_text: Figure 6 is a similar view of the same tool or plunger with its matrix as adapted
for making plain or unscrewed pomade caps.
Figure 7 is a vertical section and
Figure 8 a horizontal section, (taken along the line 3-4) of my improved top
tool or plunger as adapted for making from compressed clay dust a screwed plug
stopper of the kind described in my specification N° 15056 filed concurrently
berewith.
A is the matrix or lower die which may be of the ordinary construction and
provided with the usual lifter for facilitating the removal of the moulded or
compressed article as is well understood. B is my improved top tool or plunger
working in connection with the corresponding matrix A. This plunger consists
essentially of the combination, together of a hollow shell g rigidly connected with
an ordinary or other suitable press (not shown in my drawings) and a central
moveable die h which, when screwed articles are to be produced receives a rotary
as well as an up and down motion inside the hollow shell but when plain work
only is required this moveable die is caused to slide vertically within the shell g
without rotary motion. In Figure 2 the outer shell g is shown as screwed at i
directly into the block or holder k which is firmly secured to the press by a shank
or otherwise. The hollow shell g in all cases fits accurately inside the matrix A
fixed in the usual manner into a block A¹ secured to the bed of the press mounted
on the work bench. The central die h fits accurately the interior of the hollow
shell g and when a screw thread is to be produced on the article as in the examples
shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4 the central die is fitted or formed with a spindle m
having a screw thread n formed upon it of a pitch corresponding to that of the
thread to be produced on the article. The screwed part n works in an internal
screw formed in any convenient part of the block or holder k or of the hollow
shell g-Rotary motion when required is imparted in any convenient manner to
the die h. In Figures 2 and 3 this is effected by a toothed pinion o inside a chamber
in the block through which pinion the spindle m slides freely upwards and
downwards it being made flat sided at that part or connected with the pinion by a
slot and feather (see Figure 3). This pinion gears into a carrier pinion p turning
on a vertical pin q in the block and gearing into an internal toothed ring ŕ provided
with handles 8 8 for rotating the same. The said ring whilst being free to rotate,
is maintained in position on the block k by the inner projecting flange t resting on
a shoulder on the outside of the block k and by the lower ring or flange u screwed
to the toothed ring and bearing against the underside of the said shoulder.
rotating the internal toothed ring r the central die and its spindle m will be
rotated and will at the same time be moved upwards or downwards as the case
may be by the screw thread at n. When the article to be produced is formed with
a projecting stem or nipple b as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 5 it is important in order
to avoid fracture or injury of the stem or nipple whilst the central die his being
unscrewed or raised therefrom for the purpose of releasing that part of the article,
that the said stem be held down from above and this I accomplish by an adjustable
central rod v passing longitudinally through the spindle m (made hollow for the
purpose) and into the die h said spindle being fixed at its upper end to the block k
by an adjusting screw w whilst its lower end bears upon the top of the stem 6 of
the article. The screw w serves to regulate the height of the lower end of the
holding down rod v to suit the height of the stem on the article to be produced.
In Figure 2 this rod v is shown as projecting slightly below the top of the screwed
chamber or cavity in the die h which forms the screwed stem 6 of the article in
order to produce a slight recess in the end of the stem for the introduction of the
short perforated junction tube e of the feeding bottle stopper herein before described
in reference to Figure 1. If the article is required to be wholly or partially
perforated this may be accomplished by a perforating pin of suitable length fixed
to the moveable die h or to the bottom of the rod v of the plunger or fixed to the
upper surface of the lifter die x in the matrix it being immaterial whether the
article is perforated from above or from below. In figure 2 y is a projection in
On

page_text: the centre of the lifter die x for forming the cavity c (see figure 1) for the reception
of the loose ball valve. z is the perforator for perforating the otherwise closed end
of the said cavity, it is here shown as forming a part of the lower or lifter die
the end of the perforator entering a small recess in the bottom of the rod vas
shown. C is a handle engaging with a spindle D secured to the lifter die for
elevating the same.
In Figure 4 the perforator is not required and the lower-end of the central
moveable die h is screwed to form the screw thread in the interior of a pomade cap
the said die being rotated and caused at the same time to rise and fall inside the
shell as described with reference to Figure 2.
In Figure 5 the perforator or spindle z which produces the central opening or
passage in the stopper for the reception of the rubber tube of a feeding bottle top
for example is attached to or formed in one with the holding-down rod v of the
top tool or plunger and is of sufficient length to penetrate the entire depth of
the article and to enter a short distance into a recess formed in the centre of the
lifter die x.
In the simplified arrangements shown in Figures 5 and 6 the central moveable
die h is required to be lifted only without rotating in order to release the article
and this I accomplish by the action of a screw 1, turning freely inside the shell g
and engaging, with a corresponding screw thread in or on the central moveable
die h which latter is prevented from turning along with the screw 1, by a pin or
feather in the shell engaging into a slot or groove 2, made longitudinally in the side
of the die h. The head of the actuating screw 1, is maintained in position
vertically inside the shell g by an annular groove formed therein into which a
pin 3, in the outer shell engages. A sufficient amount of rotary motion is imparted
to the screw 1, to withdraw the die h to the required extent by a handle 4 attached
to the head of the screw 1, and working in a slot or opening in the outer shell so
that by imparting the requisite circular movement to the said handle in either
direction the die h will be raised or lowered accordingly inside the shell g the
amount of movement to be imparted to the handle depending on the pitch of the
screw 1.
Before compressing the clay dust in the matrix A the central moveable die h of
the plunger should be properly adjusted in the shell g so as to protrude therefrom
the required distance according to the depth of recess to be made in the article.
The matrix is then charged with sufficient clay dust to form the particular article
required and the plunger is next brought down into the matrix A so as to impart
the requisite pressure to the clay dust. The central die h of the plunger is then
raised slightly as hereinbefore described so as to release it from the article whilst
it is held down at its outer edges by the shell g after which the entire plunger and
outer shell is lifted leaving the article in the matrix. To free the article from the
matrix the lifter die x is elevated until the article is brought on a level or there-
abouts with the upper edge of the matrix whence it is removed by the attendant
and a fresh charge of clay dust is introduced and so on. As it would not be
practicable (when making by compression from clay dust the peculiar plug stopper
described in my specification N° 15056 A.D. 1885 filed concurrently herewith) to
release from the central moveable die h that part of the screwed plug which
includes the annular groove for the packing ring, the rounded annular projecting
ridge and the reduced portion of the stem referred to in the said specification,
I propose to accomplish this by an arrangement similar to that shown in vertical
and horizontal section of the plunger at Figures 7 and 8 respectively where
5 indicates a supplementary removeable die divided diametrically into two separate
halves said divided die being so adjusted within the shell g as to shape the
particular portion of the stopper above referred to and to be then readily released
or detached from the shell, whilst still clinging to the stopper, by the rising of the
top tool-The two halves of the divided supplementary die 5 are separated
laterally and detached from the stopper, after it has been lifted from the matrix,
by the hand of the attendant. The said die 5 is then replaced again in the shell g

page_text: so as to bear against the lower face of the central die h in readiness for the next
descent of the plunger. To facilitate the separation of the two halves of the
supplementary divided die 5 their junction edges may be bevelled as shown in
figure 8 for the insertion of the point or edge of any convenient separating tool.
In order to maintain the divided die in its place when the top tool is elevated two
small pins or catches 6 pressed inwards by metal springs 7 or if preferred by a
rubber band stretched over their outer ends are caused to enter an annular
V shaped groove formed round the exterior of the two halves of the divided die
the said pins or catches having only just sufficient hold to prevent the supplementary
die 5 from dropping out of the tool when elevated whilst permitting the shell g to
be withdrawn from the die 5 when the top tool is raised the two halves of the
die 5 being left behind adhering to or embracing the plug of the stopper.
It is obvious that my improved compound plunger although described and
illustrated as working from above in conjunction with a matrix below may be
worked in an inverted position that is to say from below upwards through the
bottom of the matrix an ordinary plunger or top tool being in that case employed
for shaping the upper surface of the article, the outer shell g serving as the
lifter die.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. The manufacture of valve-feeding-bottle-stoppers by fashioning or forming the
chamber or cavity for the loose valve, the enlarged head and the plug of the
stopper from clay dust by compression between suitably shaped dies and natrices
substantially as specified.
2. As a new article of manufacture I claim the valve-feeding-bottle-stopper
illustrated by Figure 1 of the drawings annexed when manufactured in the
manner and from the material herein before specified.
3. In a compressing die or tool for shaping plain or screwed stoppers and caps
and such like articles from clay dust the combination of a hollow outer shell fixed
to a press, and a central moveable die receiving a vertical sliding motion or a
combined rotary and vertical motion inside the said hollow shell independently
of the movement of the press substantially as and for the purpose specified.
4. The use in combination with the aforesaid improved compressing die or tool
of a matrix fitting accurately the exterior of the said hollow shell and provided
with a lifter die substantially as and for the purpose specified.
5. The combination with the aforesaid improved compressing die or tool of a
central adjustable rod bearing upon the centre portion of the article so as to hold
it down whilst the independently actuated central moveable die is being released
therefrom substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Dated this 24th day of December 1885.