Improvements in Stoppers to be Used with Infants' Feeding Bottles.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 20th June, 1888
Complete Specification Left, 19th Mar., 1889
Complete Specification Accepted, 20th Apr., 1889
Improvements in Stoppers to be Used with Infants' Feeding Bottles.
I ALEXANDER RICHMOND STOCKER of 549 Holloway Road London N. Manufacturer
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in screwed Bayonet jointed & similar Plug
stoppers to be used with Infants Feeding Bottles whereby a more efficient & certain
means is attained of admitting air into the Bottle while in use & at the same time
preventing leakage & consists in producing through the heads of such stoppers a hole
of suitable size & employing therewith an india Rubber or other washer of desirable
thickness (fitting tightly onto the screws or shanks of such stoppers & immediately
under their heads) having one or more incissions or what are technically known as
"leech bites" through them-Stoppers so constructed when screwed or otherwise
fixed into the necks of the Bottles (the india Rubber suction tube & appendages
having been previously passed through & fitting tightly the centre hole through the
stopper) will be perfectly liquid tight at the same time allowing sufficient air to pass
into the Bottle when in use to enable the contents to be withdrawn with perfect
or other incissions in the
ease & comfort to the infant as the "leech bites
washers in conjunction with the small hole through the heads of the stoppers will
act as valves.
Dated this Twentieth day of June 1888.
"

page_text: ALEXANDER RICHMOND STOCKER 83, Queensland Road, Hornsey Road, London N.
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 screwed, bayonet jointed, and similar
plug stoppers to be used with infants feeding bottles; whereby a more efficient
and certain means is attained of admitting air into the bottle while in use and at
the same time preventing leakage by making a sound joint. The construction and
operation of my improvements will be understood by reference to the accom-
panying drawing in which :-
Fig. 1, is a vertical section through part of an infants feeding bottle fitted with
my improved stopper.
Fig. 2, is a plan of washer shewing leech bito perforations.
Fig. 3, is a plan of washer shewing plain perforations.
Fig. 4, is a plan of washer having radial perforations.
a, Fig. 1, is the bottle, b, screwed stopper which engages with the internal
thread c, formed in the glass, earthenware or other suitable material replacing
same. The underside of screwed, bayonet joint, or other plug form of stopper b,
is bevelled oblequily upward as shewn at d, a small hole, or series of holes or
vents e, being formed from the highest point of the recess formed by the bevel
outwardly for the admission of air. An india rubber or other elastic washer f
surrounds and tightly fits the shank of the stopper and rests upon the flat face 9,
of bottle a. Leech bites or other punctures h, see figs. 2, 3, 4 are formed near inner
edge of the washer, and when the stopper is screwed or otherwise forced down upon
the face g, a liquid tight joint is secured.
The operation of my invention is as follows:-
As the infant sucks the teat attached to the tube i, passing through, and fitting
tightly the central hole j, of the stopper, a partial vacuum is formed within the bottle,
and the air entering by the hole, holes or vents e, deflects the rubber or other washer f,
in a downward direction thereby opening the leech bite or equivalent perforations or
punctures, and permitting the contents to be withdrawn. Should the infant cease
sucking, the leech bites, perforations or punctures 7, in washer f, are instantly closed
by the inherent elasticity of the washer and the child prevented from sucking air.
The hole, holes, or vents e, can be formed from the side of stopper if desired, and my
improvements can be applied to bottles fitted with any of the known forms of internal
stopper employed for the purpose.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. The combination in or with an infants feeding bottle of a stopper screwed or
otherwise fastened thereto having an air hole, vent, or vents therein and operating with
a tightly fitting punctured elastic washer in the manner described for effecting the
purposes set forth.
2nd. The particular construction and arrangement of stopper and perforated or
punctured washer f, mounted thereon for the purpose of forming a liquid tight
joint and admitting air to the bottle by its downward deflection, substantially as
described.