Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Oct., 1886.
Complete Left, 11th Jan., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 22nd Mar., 1887
I WILLIAM HENRY RAYWOOD KELLY, of Low Royd Cottage, Apperley Bridge,
Yorkshire, Commercial Traveller, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
The Invention concerns Stoppers for Bottles and other Receptacles, and the object
of the Improvements is to secure a thoroughly air or gas-tight closing or stoppering
of such vessels, whilst permitting them to be opened with great facility.
To effect this, I make inside, a ledge around the neck of the Bottle or Receptacle,
at a suitable distance from the mouth, which distance will be about an inch in 'most
vessels, but in some vessels more, the outside top part of the neck being formed with a
screw thread on it.
I use an ordinary cork or an elastic plug, which fits the neck; and I let it slide down
until it rests on the ledge. I then screw on a screw-cap and the pressure on the top of
the ordinary cork or the elastic plug forces it so firmly upon the ledge and against the
sides of the neck, that the orifice is rendered completely air-tight.
To obtain additional leverage in screwing home, I attach an ear or projection on
each side at the top of the cap.
1011
L1000
WILLIAM HENRY RAYWOƠD KELLY.

page_text: Improved Stoppers for Bottles and other Receptacles.
I WILLIAM HENRY RAYWOOD KELLY Low Royd Cottage, Apperley Bridge
Yorkshire, Commercial Traveller, 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 method of and means for
stoppering bottles and other receptacles and consists in means for effecting a thoroughly
air and gas tight closure whilst at the same time being readily released without
simultaneously increasing the pressure of gas as is at present the case in bottles
provided with the ball or other stoppers and closed by the pressure of gas or air
contained in the particular vessel.
According to my Invention the closing or stoppering of the vessel whether it
contains aerated or other liquids or ingredients is not effected by any pressure from the
interior of the vessel for that purpose but by means that are mechanical and actuated
from the exterior or neck of the bottle or vessel as the case may be. Such contrivances
are not new and both india-rubber or cork washers have been employed in combination
with screw caps, or revolving or partially revolving stoppers or hinged covers for
effecting the closure of the vessel and in some cases a cam or bayonet fastening has
been employed for that particular purpose. According to my Invention I employ
what may be termed an ordinary cork which is received loosely in the neck but is
prevented from falling to the interior by means of an internal annular ledge upon
which the cork rests. The cork is advantageously of a sufficient length as to project
above the neck of the bottle so that by pressing the cork to the level of the top of the
bottle neck it is obvious that the cork is compressed to such an extent as to effect not
only a tight joint on the annular ledge but simultaneously by expansion a joint
annularly in the neck of the bottle that is to say between the aforesaid annular ledge
and the top of the neck of the bottle.
When a considerable pressure is exerted on the cork it is obvious that not only will
an air tight joint be effected on the annular ledge but also by reason of lateral
expansion a joint annularly in the neck of the bottle which pressure is further increased
by the pressure in the bottle where these stoppers are applied to aerated liquids.
I will now proceed to describe my Invention with reference to the accompanying
drawings in which Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of a bottle with a neck constructed
in accordance with my Improvements. In this Figure the Cork A is shown in position
resting on the ledge B in the neck C. of the bottle. The cork is shown protruding a
short distance to allow of its compression for effecting the objects of this Invention in
which position I have shown a sectional elevation at Fig. 2 and in elevation at Fig. 3.
This modification shows the cork compressed and secured by means of the ordinary
wiring method but it is obvious that an effective joint can be secured by means of
either a screw plug D as shown at Fig. 4 which may or may not be connected to the

page_text: cork or
by a screw cap E as shown in Fig. 5 or by any other suitable method of
compression.
I do not limit myself to the length of cork but I find it advantageous that its length
should not be less than its diameter and that the top of the cork or other plug need
not necessarily protrude above the top of the neck as the cork may be either dropped
or pressed on to the ledge and a second plug of glass, wood or other material may be
employed for carrying out the objects of my Invention.
I have described with reference to the drawings the employment of a cork for
carrying my invention into effect but I would have it understood that I do not confine
myself to that material as it is obvious that india-rubber or other material or materials
in a similar form to that before described may be used most effectively although for
all ordinary purposes a cork may be more advantageously employed. In some cases
the plugs may be compound i.e., of wood and cork or other suitable combination.
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 means for stoppering bottles or other vessels the employment of a cork or plug
of suitable material fitting loosely in the neck and resting on an internal ledge, such
cork or plug being capable of compression by any mechanical means for compressing
or for retaining the cork or plug, pressed on to the ledge and within the neck of the
bottle substantially in the manner herein set forth with reference to the accompanying
drawings.