Improvements in Bottle Stoppers for Drawing Off Aerated or Effervescent Liquids.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Nov., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Aug., 1899--Accepted, 23rd Sept., 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Bottle Stoppers for Drawing Off Aerated or
Effervescent Liquids.
WILLIAM HENRY WOODALL, of 24, Delamere Road, Flixton, in the County of
Lancaster, Wine Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
This invention has for its object improvements in bottle stoppers for drawing
off aerated or effervescent liquids and relates more particularly to the application
to champagne bottles of a device whereby the gas contained in the bottle is not
permitted to escape in attaching my improvements thereto.
Many devices have been heretofore proposed, in all of which however the
cork has been withdrawn, permitting the gas to escape, but according to my
improvements I first cut off the top of the cork flush with the top of the bottle.
Í secure to the neck of the bottle a ferrule or clamp, to which I can attach
a tap, and in effecting this attachment I force the cork into the bottle so that
immediately it is clear, the tap portion is turned slightly in a bayonet or screw
fastening to lock it in position and thereby prevent the escape of gas until the
liquid is being drawn off. The pipe that dips into the bottle is provided with
as india-rubber ring or washer to effect the joint with the bottle.
Improvements in Bottle Stoppers for Drawing Off Aerated or
Effervescent Liquids.
WILLIAM HENRY WOODALL, of 24, Delamere Road, Flixton, in the County of
Lancaster, Wine Merchant, 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 bottle stoppers, for drawing
off aerated liquids, and relates more particularly to the application to champagne,
or other bottles, containing sparkling wines, of a device whereby the gas con-
tained in the bottle need not be permitted to escape, in attaching my said im-
provements thereto.
Many devices have been heretofore proposed, in all of which, however, the
cork has been withdrawn, allowing the gas to escape, but according to my
improvements I first cut off the top of the cork, flush with the top of the bottle.

page_text: The lower portion of the cork is forced into the bottle by the apparatus hereafter
described, and simultaneously the apparatus is connected to the bottle, a tight
joint effected, and the apparatus is ready for use.
I will now proceed to describe my invention with reference to the accompany-
ing drawing, which is a part sectional elevation.
The neck portion of the bottle a is shown in section, and the tap 6 is shown
attached thereto. The lower portion of the said tap dips into the neck of the
bottle for a convenient distance, to ensure the cut cork being pushed far enough
down into the bottle, and being a tube it permits of the passage of the liquid,
as and when required.
A screw thread c is formed on the upper end of this tube, having a nut d
which can be turned so as to exert pressure on a cork or indiarubber washer
which surrounds the tube and by which રી perfect joint between
the tap ánd the interior of the bottle is effected. In order to
lock the apparatus to the outside of the bottle I form trunnions on the nut d
and under the head around the neck of the bottle I attach a clip e,
which may be either a spring or jointed as may be required. This clip e may
also be provided with trunnions, and is connected to the nut d by links f.
The tap is advantageously a spring one, and the lever g is only depressed when
the tap is above the glass, and immediately released when in this position, so
as not to allow any of the gas to be unnecessarily wasted.
When the bottle is in the vertical position, it may be automatically locked by
a balance lever which when the bottle is in position for drawing the liquid,
will fall out of its way and allow the lever g to be depressed. However I would
have it understood that I do not confine myself to the exact form of tap I may
employ.
It will be obvious that my said improvements can be used in cases other than
where the cork is depressed into the bottle, but under such circumstances a certain
amount of gas would be wasted, whilst the fact of a portion of the cork being
forced into the bottle, is no detriment to the wine, and its flavour and freshness
is fully maintained.
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::
In bottle stoppers for drawing off aerated or effervescent liquids, the employ-
ment of a tap of such a construction as to permit of its being forced into, or
attached to, the neck of a bottle, and adjustably connected thereto, whereby the
gases need not be permitted to escape during its attachment, and only intended
to be released with the contents, substantially in the manner herein set forth.
Dated this 28th day of July 1899.
W. H. WOODALL.
J. F. Phillips,
High Street, Leigh, Lancs., Agent for the Patentee.