An Improved Apparatus to be used in Opening Screw-stoppered Bottles.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Sept., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 17th June, 1890-Accepted, 19th July, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Apparatus to be used in Opening Screw-stoppered
Bottles.
I JOHN ROBERT WATTS of Lambert Street Sheffield in the County of York
Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to the manufacture and use of a simple inexpensive effective
and handy apparatus or instrument, which is particularly adapted to be used in opening
screw stoppered bottles, the object of this invention being to prevent injury to the
fingers when unscrewing or trying to unscrew the ordinary or other screw stoppers of
bottles, and particularly when such stoppers are tightly fixed in the necks of the
bottles; and to prevent the hands of the opener coming in contact with and being
soiled by the liquid contents of the bottle when effervescing or when what is called
up," or "fresh."
"
(
My apparatus or instrument is made of steel or of other suitable metal or material,
and of any required size. It consists of two principal parts, which are the top or cover
and the operating handle. The top or cover, which is made circular in form, or it can
be made of any other suitable form or shape, is so made as to readily fit over and
encircle or surround the top of the screw stopper and outside the milled or other top
rim of the stopper.
At one part of the circumference of the top, and made in the same piece therewith,
is a small projection on or to which the operating handle is attached by a rivet or
otherwise, but it is so attached that the handle can be moved and operated as
required.
The operating part of the handle, or that portion of it which is above the rivetted
portion, is made of an eccentric shape with notches or teeth or cogs in it so as to grip
and hold the milled or other top rim of the stopper.
The whole-apparatus in its action is something similar to those instruments known
as gas tongs.
That part of the handle which the operator holds in the hand can if desired be made
of or encased in wood or other desired material, and either of a plain or ornamental
shape or pattern.
Dated this 18th day of Santember 1880
BRISTOW HUNT, R.P.A.,
Aldine Chambers, Sheffield, Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Apparatus to be used in Opening Screw-stoppered
Bottles.
I JOHN ROBERT WATTS of Lambert Street Sheffield in the County of York
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 stateinent in writing, and on reference to the accompanying sheet of
drawings:-
4
My Invention relates to the manufacture and use of a simple inexpensive, effective,
and handy apparatus or instrument which is particularly adapted to be used in opening
screw-stoppered bottles, the object of this invention being to prevent injury to the
fingers when unscrewing or trying to unscrew the ordinary or other screw stoppers of
bottles, and more particularly when such stoppers are tightly fixed.in the necks of the
bottle; and to prevent the hands of the opener coming in contact with, and being

page_text: soiled by, the liquid contents of the bottle when effervescing or when what is called
"fresh."
up or
"
"
In order that my said invention may be fully understood it is illustrated on the
accompanying sheet of explanatory drawings, the same being marked with Figures
and letters of reference corresponding with those in the following description, like
reference letters indicating the same parts in all the Figures.
Figure 1, is a plan view of my screw stopper opening apparatus or instrument.
Figure 2, is a partly sectional side elevation of the same, and,
>
Figure 3, is a view of the apparatus representing it gripping the milled rim of a
screw stopper.
My screw stopper opener is made of steel or of other suitable metal or material,
and of any required size. It consists of, or is made in, two principal parts, which are
the top or cover a, and the operating handle b. The top or cover a, which is made
circular in form, or it can be made of any other suitable form or shape, is so made as
to readily fit over and encircle or surround the top of the screw stopper and outside
the milled or other top rim of the stopper, as shown in Figure 3.
At one part of the circumference of the top a, and made in the same piece there-
with, is a small projection c, on or to which the operating handle b, is attached by a
rivet d, but it is so attached that the handle b, can be readily moved and operated as
roquired.
The operating part of the handle or that porti of it which is above the rivetted
portion is made of an eccentric shape and with notches or teeth or cogs in it, as at e,
so as to grip and hold the milled or other top rim f, of the stopper 9, as shown at
Figure 3.
That part of the handle which the operator holds in the hand can if desired be made
of, or be encased in, wood, or of other suitable material, and either of a plain or
ornamental shape or pattern. The handle can be made with or without a hole, in the
end or other suitable part of it, whereby the instrument can be hung up on a hook or
nail when not required to be used.
The apparatus in its action is something similar to those instruments known as
gas tongs.
One great advantage attained by using this bottle opener is that it will uncork with
the greatest case any bottle no matter how tightly it is screw-stoppered. Hitherto
screw stoppered bottles have frequently been returned to the bottlers owing to it having
been found impossible to open them with the fingers, but now it is impossible to
tighten a scrow stopper which my improved opener will not unfasten.
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
The construction and use of a simple, inexpensive and effective band apparatus or
instrument for opening screw-stoppered bottles, substantially such as is hereinbefore
described, and as illustrated on the accompanying sheet of drawings.
Dated this 14th day of 1000
BRISTOW HUNT, R.P.A.,
Aldine Chambers, Sheffield, Agent for the Applicant.