IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURI AND APPARATUS FOR RETAINING AND DRAWING OFF SODA WATER AND OTHER AEBATE LIQUORS,
Year: 1851

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I CHARLES
COWPER, of Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middle-
sex, Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Sixteenth day of
January (One thousand eight hundred and fifty-one), in the fourteenth year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Charles Cowper, my exors, admors, and assigns, Her especial
license, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Charles
Cowper, my exors, admors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
Cowper, my exors, admors, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and
no others, from time to time and at all times during the term of years therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within
England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and in the Islands
of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and Man, and also in all Her said
Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, he Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURI AND APPARATUS FOR
RETAINING AND DRAWING OFF SODA WATER AND OTHER AEBATE LIQUORS," being
a communication from a Foreigner residing abroad; in which s
Patent is contained a proviso that I, the said Charles Cowper, shall cause a
particular description of the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be, performed, by an instrument in writing under
Letters

page_text: my hand and seal, to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said in
part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being thereunto
had, will more fully and at large appear..
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Charles Cowper, do hereby declare that the nature of the said Invention,
and the manner in which the samé is to be performed, are fully described
and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being
had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked
thereon, that is to say :-
The Invention consists,-
Firstly, of improved apparatus for manufacturing aerated liquors under
pressure produced by the generation of the gas.
And,
Secondly, of improved arrangements of bottles or vessels, with valvular
stoppers, for retaining and drawing off aerated liquors, and improvements in
the mode or modes of fixing such stoppers to bottles.
Figure 1, Sheet I., of the Drawings hereunto annexed, is an elevation of the
improved apparatus, with a nozzle adapted for filling ordinary bottles, which
nozzle is shewn in section.
Figure 2 is a section of the same apparatus, but with a different nozzle,
adapted for filling the improved bottles with valvular stoppers.
The same letters represent similar parts in both Figures.
A is a spherical vessel, formed of two hemispheres of copper, thickly tinned
on the inside, and provided with flanges, which are united by bolts and nuts
passing through them, and through two hoops or rings of iron. This vessel is
supported by the pedestal H, on the cover ✗ of the gas generator Y. The
pedestal H is perforated with three holes. The central one iis in connection.
with a small pump B, by means of which the liquor to be aerated is drawn
from the vessel E and forced into the sphere or receiver A. Another hole r
serves to admit the gas from the generator, and is provided with a valve o
opening upwards, and also with a cock or screw valves for closing the passage.
The third hole leads from the sphere A, by the pipe t, to the bottling tap or
nozzle, and may be closed by screw valve U. Within the generator Y is
placed a leaden vessel with an aperture, at the bottom, closed by the valve
is capable of being raised or closed by the screw and
or plug 61,
handle This leaden vessel is used to contain the acid, and is open at top
co communicate with the generator Y. Z is a vessel fixed to the cover X,
and communicating with the generator by the bent tube l, and with the
receiver A by the valve o. An opening d, closed by a screw cap, is formed

page_text: in the cover X, and is used for filling the vessel Z which is employed for
washing the gas. Another opening, also closed by a screw cap or plug, is
employed for introducing the acid into the vessel A', and a similar one e is pro-
vided for introducing the materials into the generator. Another opening and
cap g, at the bottom, serve to empty the generator. E is an agitator,
mounted on a horizontal axis, which passes through a stuffing box, and is
capable of being moved by the handle f. In the receiver A is placed a similar
agitator O, whose axis passes through the stuffing box p, and is capable of
being moved by the handle q. On the top of the receiver A is a piece ; with
three outlets, one of which communicates with the glass tube guage M, which
serves to show the level of the liquid in A. Another outlet communicates
with a pressure guage N, and the third outlet is closed by a safety valve K².
The piece j, with the safety valve K, are shewn on a larger scale in Figure 3.
The valve o, in Figure 2, is of metal, but it may also be made as shewn in
Figure 6, in which a small cap 1, containing a disc of caoutchouc or leather 2,
forms the valve, and rests upon a metal edge 3, which forms the seat; the cap
prevents the caoutchouc from expanding in diameter when pressed against the
seat. This construction of valve will be found much superior to that in which
a mere disc or washer of metal is used in place of the cap 1. The safety
valve K and the small valve m, herein-after described and shewn in Figure 5,
are constructed in a similar manner.
The apparatus is used in the following manner:-The screw caps on the
cover ✗ of the generator are removed, and a quantity of chalk or whiting
is introduced into the generator Y, together with a quantity of water. The
washing vessel Z is partially filled with water, or with a solution of carbonate
of soda, and the vessel A¹ is filled with sulphuric acid. The openings are then
closed by the screw caps. Water or other liquid, which is to be impregnated
with the gas, is pumped into the receiver A by working the handle D of the
pump B, or, when the pump B is omitted, the liquid is introduced by an open-
ing in the upper part of A, which is afterwards closed. The screw valves is
then opened. The apparatus being thus charged, the handle c' is turned, so as
to open the valve b', and allow a small quantity of acid to fall into the mixture
of chalk and water. Carbonic acid gas is immediately disengaged, and, having
no other means of escape, it passes through the tube 7 into the vessel Z, where
it becomes washed and purified. It then raises the valve o in the passager,
and bubbles up through the liquid in the receiver A, by which it is absorbed.
The absorption is facilitated and accelerated by turning the agitator O. The
progress of the operation is indicated by the pressure guage N, and an excess
of pressure is prevented by the safety valve K. When the production of the

page_text: gas slackens the agitator E¹ is turned so as to mix the acid and chalk, and
from time to time fresh acid is added by raising the valve b'. When the liquid
in the receiver is saturated with gas it is drawn off into suitable vessels, or
bottled, and the receiver is again filled by the pump B, and so on until the
charge of chalk and acid is exhausted, when the screw valve s is closed, and
the generator emptied by removing the cap 9, after having first blown off the
gas at a cock in the upper part of the generator, or by slackening the cap of
the opening by which it is charged. The cap 9. is then closed, and a fresh
charge of chalk, water, and acid is introduced, and the operation proceeds as
before. By placing the acid vessel A' within the generator its interior and
exterior surfaces are both exposed to the pressure of the gas, and consequently
there is no danger of the vessel being burst by the pressure, which would be
the case if it were placed outside the generator in the usual manner.
The
acid vessel is made of lead, but it may be made of glass or earthenware, or any
other suitable material capable of resisting the action of the acid. Even if it
should become corroded after long use it does not endanger the apparatus, and
may be easily replaced by another. The valve 6¹ being commanded by the
handle admits of the most perfect regulation of the flow of the acid on the
materials contained in the generator. The washing vessel Z being also placed
within the generator may be made of thin metal, and therefore it is only the
generator Y and the receiver A which require to be made strong to resist
the pressure of the gas. The apparatus is thus rendered very compact, and is
not liable to derangement even if moved from one place to another. It is
supported on the box or pedestal c, one side of which is open for obtaining
access to the screw cap g, and for introducing a vessel to receive the spent
materials from the generator.
In Figure 1 is shewn an apparatus for bottling the soda water or other
aerated liquor into ordinary bottles. The nozzle terminates with a ring or
washer of leather, caoutchouc, or other elastic material, at k³, against which
the mouth of the bottle is pressed by a treddle n and rod H. The upper part
of the nozzle is conical, and contains the cock and a plunger p', which is
depressed by a lever when the bottle is full. m is a small valve with
allow of the escape of air,
a button, by which it can be pressed inwards to
This valve consists of a stem, terminated at one end by a button, and at the
other by a cap containing a disc of vulcanized caoutchouc, as shewn in
Figure 5. A spiral spring keeps it closed. The bottle being pressed up to
the washer, and the cork introduced in the position shewn in the Draw-
ing, the cock or valve U is opened, and the aerated liquor flows into the bottle.
When a certain
ain quantity has been admitted the air in the bottle becomes so

page_text: much compressed as to prevent the entrance of any more liquid. The cock
or valve U is then closed, and the valve m pressed in for an instant to allow
the air to escape. More liquor is then admitted, and the valve m pressed in
as often as necessary to allow of the escape of any air which may remain.
The bottle is surrounded by a shield Q, to prevent injury to the operator in
the event of its bursting during the process.
In Figure 2 is shewn a simple nozzle, with a small conical jet, surrounded
by a collar of leather or caoutchouc, for filling the bottles herein-after
described. This nozzle is shewn on a larger scale in Figure 4. It is fur-
nished with a cock or screw valve v, and with a small valve and button m,
similar to that shewn in Figures 1 and 5. A treddle n and rod H¹ are
employed to press the bottle up to the nozzle, as in Figure 1, and the valve m
is employed for allowing of the escape of the air.
Sheet 2, Figure 1, is a section of a vessel which may be used for storing
aerated liquors. It is provided with a pipe j, K, and screw valve d, for
drawing off and introducing the liquor. A valve A¹, with a small outlet a, is
fixed on the top for allowing of the escape of the air when the vessel is being
filled. I is a glass tube or guage, communicating with the vessel A by the
passages b and c.
The vessel is fixed upon a foot B.
In Sheet 1 are represented some of the improved arrangements of bottles,
with valvular stoppers attached to them. The body of the bottles may be
made of any suitable form, and is therefore not shewn in the Figures, and they
may be made of glass or earthenware. Figure 7 is a section of one of the
arrangements. W is the neck of the bottle. A is the stopper, formed of
tin or other metal not acted upon by the liquor contained in the bottle.
It is formed with a spout y for the ingress and egress of the liquor, and is
furnished with a valve x screwed or fixed on the end of a stem or wire b, which
terminates in a button q. This stem is surrounded by a spiral spring of metal
which presses at its upper end against the button, and at its lower end upon
one or more dises of leather, caoutchouc, or other soft material, which serve
as a stuffing box to prevent the escape of the liquor round the stem b. The
lower opening of the stopper A is formed with a rounded edge, and the valve.r
consists of a cap of metal or other suitable material, containing a disc of vulcan
ized caoutchouc. The edge of this disc enters a circular recess in the cap .r,
which not only prevents it from getting out of the cap, but also confines it so
as to prevent it expanding too much by the pressure of the rounded edge of the
stopper. By confining the disc of caoutchouc in this manner a very perfect
valve is produced, and one which is not apt to become deranged or injured by
The edge of the stopper may either be rounded or flat. The valvular
use.

page_text: stopper thus made is attached to the bottle in the following manner :-v is a
collar of vulcanized caoutchouc, which. fills the space between the stopper and
the neck of the bottle, forming an air-tight joint. To prevent the stopper
from being blown out by the internal pressure, a metallic capsule s¹ is slipped
over the stopper and the neck of the bottle, and is compressed and contracted
round the narrow part of the neck by means of the apparatus shewn in
Figures 2, 3, 4, and 5, Sheet 2.
In Figure 2, e is the bottle, with the stopper and capsule upon it. v is a
fine-threaded screw fixed to the bracket F. On this screw is a nut d, with two
arms b, b. c is a cord or string fixed to one arm, and attached to a roller and
ratchet wheel on the other arm, by turning which the cord may be stretched
tight. The capsule being placed over the neck the bottle is raised by means
of the treddle and rod r, so as to press the capsule against the fixed screw v.
A turn of the cord c having been passed round the capsule it is stretched by
turning the ratchet wheel, and the nut d being then turned round the
cord c gradually descends as it revolves round the capsule, and compresses and
burnishes the capsule round the neck of the bottle, and thus firmly secures.
both the capsule and the stopper. In this way the stopper is attached to the
bottle in an air-tight manner, and the elasticity of the caoutchouc collar
prevents the junction being deranged or destroyed by a blow, as might be the
case if the junction were made by cement.
Figure 3, Sheet 2, is a front view, Figure 4 is a side view, and Figure 5 a
vertical section of another arrangement of apparatus for affixing the capsule to
the bottle. e is the bottle, which is supported on a block d, which is capable
of revolving on the top of the stem b, by which the block is raised by pressing
on the treddle C. The block d carries teeth on its circumference, which gear
into the wheel d on whose spindle is a similar and equal wheel e¹ gearing into
the wheel e, which is similar and equal to the wheel d, and is fixed upon the
screw i; f is a hand wheel on. the screw i, which works in a fixed nut and
carries at its other extremity a block or socket 9, which receives the capsule;
h is a cord, which is fixed at one end, passed round the capsule, and attached
at the other end to a roller and ratchet wheel on the frame of the apparatus.
The bottle with the capsule upon it being placed on the block d, is pressed up
against the block g by depressing the treddle C. The cord having previously
been passed round the capsule is tightened by the ratchet wheel, and the
hand wheel is then turned round so as to allow the bottle to rise gradually
during the operation. The capsule is thus burnished down and compressed
tightly round the neck of the bottle. It will be observed that in this machine,
as well as in that shewn in Figure 2, the action of the cord is to rub and

page_text: slide upon the capsule, and not merely to roll upon it. The capsule is thus
caused to apply itself very closely to the surface of the bottle.
It will be seen in Figure 7, Sheet 1, that the capsule is formed with a hole
in the upper part to admit of the passage of the spout y and button q, and
that the shoulder is formed of thicker metal than the lower part. To fill this
bottle with the aerated liquor, it is pressed up against the nozzle shewn in
Figure 2, Sheet 1, by means of the treddle n, and the valve x is opened by
the button q coming in contact with a part of the nozzle. The liquor is then
run into the bottle, and the air is allowed to escape from time to time at the
valve m.
When the bottle is filled it is lowered, and the valve x immediately
closes and retains the contents. When it is required to draw off the aerated
liquor, the bottle is inverted, and the button q is pressed with the finger
or thumb, when the liquor is forced out by the pressure of the gas through
the spout y. On releasing the button q the flow of the liquor is immediately
stopped.
Figure 8, Sheet 1, is a section of a valvular stopper, similar to that shewn
in Figure 7, and provided with a similar caoutchouc collar v, but in place of
being attached by a flexible or compressible metallic capsule, it is secured by
a stiff cap d screwed on the neck of the bottle, on which a screw is formed for
that purpose. Figure 9 is a section of a similar valvular stopper secured by
screwing it into the neck of the bottle, which is formed with an internal screw
for that purpose. The air-tight junction, however, is not made by the contact
of the rigid stopper with the glass, but by means of a ring or collar of vul-
canized caoutchouc e, interposed between the top of the bottle and the flange
or shoulder of the stopper. The screw stopper is made a comparatively loose
fit in the neck of the bottle, in order to avoid the danger of bursting the neck
in screwing it in.
Figure 10 is a section of another arrangement, in which the stopper itself
is made to embrace the neck of the bottle, and thus the separate capsule
shewn, Figure 7, is not required. B is a ring of caoutchouc to form the
junction. The stopper A is fixed on the neck of the bottle a by means of the
apparatus employed for fixing the capsules. H is the spout; q is the button,
and the valve. The stem t, as here shewn, is made hollow, and has one or
more perforations close to the surface of the valve. In place of a spiral spring.
of metal, a short tube or collar D of vulcanized caoutchouc is introduced
under the button, and supplies the place of the spring and the discs of caout-
chouc or leather used as a stuffing box in Figure 7. The use of the passage
through the stem t is to adapt the bottle for being used to retain and draw off
liquors which are only slightly aerated, such as some of the natural mineral.

page_text: waters. In drawing off these waters the bottle is inverted, and the button
pressed in by applying the finger and thumb upon the orifice of the button.
When a portion of the liquor has run out, it will cease to flow if it is only
slightly aerated. The finger is then removed from the orifice, still keeping the
valve open, when air will enter, and bubbling up into the bottle, will allow the
remainder of the liquor to flow out. In this stopper it will be seen that the
edge of the disc of vulcanized caoutchouc which forms the valve does not enter
a recess in the cap, as in Figures 7, 8, and 9; but the disc is prevented from
expanding too much by the lower edge of the stopper entering the cap of the
valve, so that the disc of caoutchouc is confined between the two.
Figure 11 is a section of another arrangement, in which the valve is fixed
at the end of a tube which forms the spout. a, a, is the neck of the bottle;
s is the valve fixed on the end of the tube t, in which one or more lateral
apertures are made close to the surface of the caoutchouc disc of the valve.
A screw is fixed to the end of the tube and screwed into the cap, so as at the
same time to secure the disc in its place. The edge of the stopper b just
enters the cap, so that the caoutchouc disc is confined as in Figure 10. r is a
tube or collar of vulcanized caoutchouc, which serves both as spring and
stuffing box; B is a collar of caoutchouc which forms the junction. In this
Figure the stopper is represented as being fixed by cement at f. It may,
however, be fixed by a capsule, or in either of the other ways shewn; q is a
projection on the tube t, on which the finger or thumb is pressed when the
contents are to be drawn off. The shoulder e¹ rests upon the caoutchouc
spring r. The tube is prevented from turning round by a projection or
feather under the finger piece q, which works in a notch or slot in the
stopper b.
Figure 12 is another form of stopper, in which the valve stem is placed in a
horizontal position. This stopper is attached to the bottle like that shown in
Figure 10, being furnished with a ring of caoutchouc g to form the junction.
The valve has a flat disc of caoutchouc which, as here shewn, is not confined
at the edge. It is preferable, however, to confine it at the edge as already
described. b is a screw, plug, or cap by which the valve is introduced into its
place, and by removing which access may be obtained to the valve. A caout-
chouc spring r is employed to close the valve.
Figure 13 is a section of another arrangement. The valve s, spring i,
packing 9, and spout r, are similar in construction to those of Figure 7, but
the stopper is affixed to the bottle in the same manner as Figure 10, with
this difference, that in place of employing a ring of vulcanized caoutchouc the
space e, e, is filled with cement.

page_text: Figure 14 is a section of another arrangement. In this arrangement the
capsule a, a, is attached to the neck of the bottle in the same way as already
described with reference to the other capsules. The stopper F is screwed into
the capsule, and the junction with the bottle is made by a tube or collar of
vulcanized caoutchouc B, which surrounds the lower part 6 of the stopper; E
is the button; D, a tubular spring of vulcanized caoutchouc; t, the valve
stem, and G the valve; f,f, is the projecting edge of the stopper, which enters
the valve cap and presses upon the caoutchouc disc of the valve; H is the
spout. The various arrangements of valvular stoppers may each be affixed to
the bottles by either of the contrivances shewn for that purpose. The bottles
may be employed for retaining soda water, seltzer water, ale, cider, or other
aerated liquors. When the liquor is acid, the stoppers and valves should be
made of some material which is not acted upon by the liquor; and in some
cases stoneware, porcelain, or glass may be used for the stopper and the cap
of the valve, and the latter may be attached by means of cement to a stem
formed of a silver or plated wire, or of ivory, or other material not acted upon
by the liquor.
Having now described the nature of the Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that I do not claim
generally the manufacturing of aerated liquors by means of the pressure pro-
duced by the generation of the gas, nor do I claim generally the application of
valvular stoppers to bottles for containing aerated liquors; but I claim,-
Firstly, the constructing apparatus for manufacturing aerated liquors by
placing an acid vessel furnished with a cock or valve within the generator, and
so arranged that the valve may be opened and closed from the exterior, as
herein-before described.
Secondly, I claim the general arrangement of the apparatus shewn in
Figures 1 and 2, consisting of the generator surmounted by the receiver and
inclosing the acid vessel and washing vessel, both generator and receiver being
furnished with agitators on horizontal axes, as herein-before described.
Thirdly, I claim the constructing the valves of bottles for retaining and
drawing off aerated liquors by means of a disc of vulcanized caoutchouc, or
other similar elastic material, whose edge enter a recess in a cap, and which is
pressed against a rounded or flat edge, as herein-before described with reference
to Figures 7, 8, and 9. And I also claim the constructing such valves of a
disc of vulcanized caoutchouc, or similar elastic material, contained in a cap,
and so arranged as to confine the disc, as herein-before described in reference
to Figures 10 and 11.

page_text: Fourthly, I claim the application of a flexible metallic capsule for secur-
ing the valvular stoppers of bottles for containing aerated liquors, the junc-
tion being made good by cement, or by a ring or collar of caoutchouc, or
other elastic material, as herein-before described in reference to Figures
7 and 14.
Fifthly, I claim the constructing the valvular stoppers of bottles for con-
taining aerated liquors, so that they may embrace the neck of the bottle and
be compressed closely around it, the junction being made good by cement or
by a ring or collar of caoutchouc, or other elastic material, as herein-before
described in reference to Figures 10, 12, and 18.
Sixthly, I claim the application of a cap screwed on the neck of the bottle
for receiving the valvular stoppers of bottles for containing aerated liquors, the
junction being made good by a collar of vulcanized caoutchouc, or other
similar elastic material, as herein-before described in reference to Figure 8.
Seventhly, I claim the constructing a stopper with a valve, as shewn in
Figure 9, and affixing the same to a bottle for containing aerated liquors by
screwing it into the neck of the bottle, the junction being made good by a
ring of vulcanized caoutchouc, as herein-before described.
Eighthly, I claim the application of a collar or tube of vulcanized caout-
chouc as a spring to close the valves, and serving at the same time as a
packing to prevent the escape of liquor round the stem of valvular stoppers,
for retaining and drawing off aerated liquors.
Ninthly, I claim the constructing the valvular stoppers of bottles for
retaining and drawing off aerated liquors with the stem of the valve hollow,
and perforated at the side, for the purpose of admitting air, in the manner
herein-before described in reference to Figure 10.
Tenthly, I claim the constructing valvular stoppers for retaining and
drawing off aerated liquors by attaching the valve to a moveable tube, which
serves as the spout, and by pressing upon which the valve is opened, as herein-
before described in reference to Figure 11.
Eleventhly, I claim the affixing the capsules and stoppers of bottles for
retaining and drawing off aerated liquors by means of the apparatus shewn in
Figures 2, 3, 4, and 5, Sheet 2, and herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Cowper, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-one.
CHARLES (L.S.) COWPER.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Fifteenth day of July, in the
year of our Lord 1851, the aforesaid Charles Cowper came before our said
Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification afore-
said, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form above
written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the
tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Fifteenth day of Tule in the
WOOD
Lond
Enrolled the Fifteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-one.