IMPROVEMENTS IN CAPSULES FOR BOTTLES AND SIMILAR RECEPTACLES PARTLY APPLICABLE TO THE PREVENTION OF FRAUDULENT INTERFERENCE WITH THE CONTENTS OF SUCH RECEPTACLES
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edwin Powley Alexander of 36 Southampton Buildings
in the County of Middlesex Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents, for an
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN CAPSULES FOR BOTTLES AND SIMILAR
RECEPTACLES PARTLY APPLICABLE TO THE PREVENTION OF FRAUDULENT
INTERFERENCE WITH THE CONTENTS OF SUCH RECEPTACLES" communicated
to him from abroad by Charles Cheswright of Paris in the Republic of
France,
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edwin Powley Alexander
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th April 1883.
EDWIN POWLEY ALEXANDER of 36 Southampton Buildings in the County of
Middlesex Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents "IMPROVEMENTS IN CAPSULES
FOR BOTTLES AND SIMILAR RECEPTACLES PARTLY APPLICABLE TO THE PREVENTION
OF FRAUDULENT INTERFERENCE WITH THE CONTENTS OF SUCH RECEPTACLES
"
A communication to me from abroad by Charles Cheswright of Paris in the
Republic of France,
This invention relates to an improved and economical manufacture of collarette-
label-capsule specially adapted for champagne bottles but also applicable to ordinary
bottles and other like receptacles. These collarette-capsules present a large surface
above or below the shoulder of the bottle upon which the collarette is placed
which admits of a stamped chased or perforated label of large dimensions being
placed thereon or incorporated therewith. I avoid the objection formerly existing
as the labels being incorporated with the capsules are mutilated or destroyed.
when the capsule is removed or the bottle opened. By this invention the contents.
of the bottle can be more effectually guaranteed against fraud.
The ordinary depth of Champagne capsules is from 4% inches to 4 inches by
13 inches, beyond these dimensions the manufacture in a machine cannot profitably
be carried out whereas by this invention and mode of manufacture champagne
capsules can be produced of a depth of from 5 inches to 10 inches and upwards
with a base of from 2%, to 33/4 inches and can if necessary be made to extend half
way down the champagne bottle.

page_text: Capsules for Champagne bottles requiring to be of great depth and diameter
have hitherto been produced only at great cost by expensive and elaborate
machinery requiring continual supervision and great skill in adjusting the dies or
matrices and punches or plungers by means of which the metallic disc is gradually
and by a succession of strokes drawn into the shape of the Capsule. Moreover the
longer the Capsule the greater is the amount of waste in its manufacture.
It is proposed to produce a Capsule of almost any required length and diameter
as yet unattainable by machinery and at a cheaper rate than those of moderate
dimensions now in use. This manufacture is the object of the present invention
which is carried out in the following manner.
The new capsule may be used alone or combined with tin foil over the cork or
with a smaller perforated or plain capsule over the mouth of the bottle forming a
sort of head or crown to the lower capsule or collarette to which it is fixed as
well as to the bottle neck.
In making the new collarette-capsule I employ thin sheet tin or tin foil or lead
coated with tin or any other suitable alloy or metal, the guage I find most useful
for the purpose is that known in the trade as N° 1 French measure it is sufficiently
strong to retain under hydraulic or mechanical pressure on an indiarubber matrix
the characters lettering and designs embossed thereon.
Having prepared a suitable metal or wood model proportioned to the diameter
and curves of the Champagne bottle I fold a sheet of metal perforated or plain
round the said block and solder the fold or joint or the joint may be made by
compression or by any suitable strong adhesive cement; I do not confine or restrict
myself exclusively to the above mode of manufacturing the conical tubular
collarettes but may if required spin them in a lathe or strike them up at a single
blow from a metal disc by punches and dies similar to the means employed in the
manufacture of collapsible tubes for artists colours and when high relief designs
are required and consequently a stouter gauge of metal is necessary to stand the
strain and tension of such manufacture I make the collarettes in the ordinary
champagne capsuling machines with open heads by means of punches and dies.
These conical collarettes open at both ends rest on the bottle neck below the
ring or projection I then place a small ordinary capsule on the mouth of the bottle
(over or under the collarette) and I fix this collarette on the bottle with the
small capsule by means of an ordinary capsuling machine by hydraulic or mechanical
pressure.
The small capsule which can be perforated or plain or have openings cut therein
may in certain cases be replaced by a sheet of tin foil applied by hand. The
capsule can also be fixed to the collarette by soldering welding or otherwise. If
desired the collarette or the body of the capsule can be made in one piece by
increasing the taper of the cone to suit the neck of the bottles to be capsuled, the
cone is placed on an iron mandrel and the edges of the metal at the smaller end of
the tube are turned inwards and a small disc of metal attached thereto by soldering
welding or otherwise. The end of the conical collarette can also if desired be
fitted with a small cap.
These collarette-capsules can be made of sheet metal plain, cut, perforated,
or in relief also colored in a lathe like ordinary capsules they can also be dealt with
in the flat state before forming into a cone.
Security against fraud can be afforded by the use of a paper or other label with
special wording pasted onto the body of the Champagne or other bottle, part of the
inscription showing through the openings in the capsule-collarette on which the
completion of the text or inscription is stamped in such a manner as to correspond
with the inscription on the bottle; by which arrangement when the capsule is
removed the inscription on the label is rendered incomplete showing at a glance
that the bottle has been tampered with.
Another means of making conical-collarette-capsules consists in rolling the sheet
of metal round the neck of the bottle and then joining the edges, this however
presents some difficulty and it is quicker and more economical and simple to

page_text: prepare the cone by first closing and seaming on the block before applying the
capsule to the bottle neck which presents a more finished appearance when
capsuled.
I also make capsules star cut or cut in the form of a Maltese cross in the flat
on their circumference these capsules are applicable to bottles of all dimensions
and are cut from sheet metal or other suitable material.
The central disc or portion of the star or cross shaped capsule can be stamped at
the same time as the capsule is cut by a convenient punch or in a die or these
discs can be stamped separately.
Great economy is ensured by this manufacture as the crown of the disc can be
made of much slighter metal than is used for ordinary capsules which require a
certain thickness of crown or cap and are consequently more costly to make.
I further propose to perforate (after the manner of postage stamps) the surface
of the capsule before cutting out so that the long strips can be easily bent and
closed under the pressure of the capsuling machine by hydraulic or mechanical
pressure and adhere firmly to the bottle neck.
+
By means of these capsules bottles of all dimensions and forms can be covered
at a much cheaper rate than by ordinary capsules of the same depth; these star
capsules or cross shaped capsules made of metal, colored paper, vegetable paper,
parchment, and the like should be more especially employed in conjunction with
the collarette-capsules.
By compressing the sheet metal in a jointed or hinged metal mould corresponding
to the shape of the bottle neck the exact required form is given to it and the
capsule thus produced is applied to the bottle by hydraulic or mechanical pressure.
in a capsuling machine having previously soldered the junction or having folded it
and caused it to adhere by pressure, soldering, or by adhesive material.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Edwin Powley Alexander in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
26th October 1883.
EDWIN POWLEY ALEXANDER of 36 Southampton Buildings in the County of
Middlesex, Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents "IMPROVEMENTS IN CAPSULES
FOR BOTTLES AND SIMILAR RECEPTACLES PARTLY APPLICABLE TO THE PREVENTION
OF FRAUDULENT INTERFERENCE WITH THE CONTENTS OF SUCH RECEPTACLES
A communication to me from abroad by Charles Cheswright of Paris in the
Republic of France
"
32
"
The Said invention relates to an improved and economical manufacture of
collarette-label-capsule specially adapted for champagne bottles but also
applicable to ordinary bottles and other like receptacles. These " Collarette-
capsules" present a large surface on or below the curve of the shoulder of the
bottle upon which the collarette is placed for the reception of an enlarged label
whether embossed perforated or repousée which being incorporated with the
capsule is mutilated or destroyed in the act of removing the said capsule or on
opening the bottle the contents of which are thereby guaranteed against fraud.
The ordinary depth of champagne capsules is from 4/4 inches to 4 inches
by 1 inches beyond these dimensions the manufacture in a capsule making
machine cannot profitably be carried out whereas by this invention champagne
capsules can be produced of a depth of from 5 inches to ten inches and upwards
with a base of from 21%, to 33 inches and can if necessary be made to extend half
way down the champagne bottle.
Capsules for champagne bottles requiring to be of great depth and diameter have
hitherto been produced only at great cost by expensive and elaborate machinery
requiring continual supervision and great skill in adjusting the matrices and
punches or plungers by means of which the metal disc is gradually and by a
succession of strokes drawn into the shape of the required capsule. Moreover
the longer the capsule the greater is the amount of waste in its manufacture.
It is proposed by this invention to produce in the manner hereinafter described
a capsule of almost any required length and diameter as yet unattainable by
machinery at a cheaper rate than those of moderate dimensions now in use.
The new
collarette capsule" may be used either alone or combined with, tin-
foil over the cork or with a smaller perforated or plain capsule over the mouth of
the bottle forming a species of head or crown to the lower capsule or collarette to
which it is fixed as well as to the bottle neck.
26
In making the new Collarette-Capsule " I employ thin sheet tin or tin foil or
lead coated with tin or any other suitable alloy or metal, the guage I find most
useful for the purpose is that known in the trade as N° 1 French Measure it being
sufficiently strong to retain under hydraulic or mechanical pressure in an india
rubber matrix the characters letters and designs embossed thereon.
Having prepared a suitable metal or wood model approaching in shape to the
form shown in figure 1 of the accompanying drawings commensurate with the
diameter and curves of the champagne bottle I fold a sheet of metal plain or
perforated round the said block and solder the fold or joint or the joint may be
made by compression or by the use of any suitable strong adhesive cement. I do
not confine myself exclusively to the above mode of manufacturing the conical
tubular collarettes" but may if required spin them in a lathe or strike them up
at a single blow from a metal disc by punches and dies in a similar to that employed
in the manufacture of collapsible tubes for artists colors. When designs in high
"

page_text: relief are required and consequently a stouter metal is necessary to bear the strain
and tensión I make the "collarettes " in the ordinary champagne capsule making
machines with open heads (see figure 1) by means of punches and dies or matrices.
These conical "collarettes" open at both ends rest on the bottle neck (see
figure 2) below the ring or projection, then place a small ordinary capsule A
(figure 2) on the mouth of the bottle (over or under the collarette B) and I fix this
collarette on the bottle with the small capsule by means of an ordinary capsuling
machine worked by hydraulic or mechanical pressure.
The small capsule A which can be perforated or plain or have openings cut
therein may in certain cases (as shown in figure 3) be replaced by a sheet of tin-
foil C applied by hand. The capsule can also be fixed to the "collarette" by
soldering or otherwise. If desired the "collarette " or body of the capsule can be
made in one piece by increasing. the taper of the cone to suit the neck of the
bottles to be capsuled, the cone is placed on an iron mandrel and the edges of the
metal at the smaller end of the conical tube are turned inwards and a small disc of
metal a attached thereto by soldering welding or otherwise. A capsule is thus
produced as shown in figure 4. The end of the conical "collarette" can also if
desired be fitted with a small cap b (figure 5).
These "collarette-capsules" can be made of sheet metal either plain or
perforated or with openings cut therein and be coloured in a lathe like ordinary
capsules or they may be dealt with in the flat state before forming into a cone.
Greater security against fraud can be obtained by the use of a paper or other
label with special wording pasted onto the body of the champagne or other bottle
part of the inscription showing through the openings in the "capsule-collarette"
on which the completion of the text or inscription is stamped in such a manner as
to correspond with the inscription on the bottle, by which arrangement when the
capsule is removed the inscription on the label is rendered incomplete showing at a
glance that the bottle has been tampered with.
Another means of making conical "collarette-capsules" consists in rolling the
sheet of metal perforated or plain round the neck of the bottle and then joining.
the edges this however presents some difficulty and I have found it quicker and
more economical and simple to prepare the cone by first closing and seaming on
the block before applying the capsule to the bottle neck moreover the capsule
presents a more finished appearance when the bottle is capsuled.
I also make capsules star cut or cut in the form of a Maltese cross in the flat on
their circumference as shown in figures 6 and 7 these star cut or cruciform capsules
are applicable to bottles of all dimensions and are cut from flat sheets of metal or.
other suitable material.
The central portion or disc of the star or cross shaped capsule can be stamped at
the same time that the capsule is cut by the aid of a convenient punch or matrix.
or the said discs can be stamped separately..
:
Considerable economy is ensured by this mode of manufacture as the crown.
of the disc can be made of much slighter metal than is used for ordinary capsules.
I further propose to perforate after the manner of postage stamps the sides of
the capsule before cutting out in order that the long strips can be easily folded
and closed by mechanical or hydraulic pressure in the capsuling machine and
caused to adhere firmly to the bottle neck.
By means of these capsules which I designate "universal capsules" bottles of all
dimensions and forms can be covered at a much cheaper rate than by ordinary
capsules of the same depth, these star or cross shaped capsules composed of metal
colored paper vegetable paper parchment and the like are specially applicable for
use in conjunction with the "Collarette-capsules."
By compressing the sheet metal for the "collarette-capsule" in a jointed or
hinged metal mould corresponding to the shape of the bottle neck the exact
required form of capsule can be obtained and the capsule thus produced can be
applied to the bottle by hydraulic or mechanical pressure in a capsuling machine

page_text: having first soldered the junction edge or folds and caused them to adhere by
pressure adhesive material or otherwise.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
invention and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original
and therefore claim as the invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part
recited letters Patent is :
**
First. The application and use to and in the covering of the necks of champagne
and other bottles of a sheet of tin or other soft metal or alloy or of what is known
8.8 Bett's Metal" prepared and cut so as to form when the junction is made a
hollow truncated cone or "collarette " open at both ends substantially as
herein before described.
Secondly. The combination with these conical "collarettes" of a plain perforated
ornamented or embossed smaller capsule covering the cork or stopper of the bottle
in such a manner that the two combined parts overlapping at the joint shall cover
a greater length of the bottle than ordinary capsules substantially as hereinbefore
described.
Thirdly. The combination with the aforesaid conical "collarettes" of a covering
of thin sheet tin or other soft metal or alloy or of paper parchment or other
suitable material for covering the cork or stopper of champagne and other bottles
substantially as hereinbefore described.
Fourthly. The combination with the said open ended conical "collarettes" of a
disc or cap fixed over the cork or stopper of a champagne or other bottle so as to
form economically a longer capsule than has heretofore been found practicable
substantially as herein before described.
Fifthly. The application and use to and in the covering or capsuling of the
necks of bottles and other like receptacles of a star shaped or cruciform flat piece
of sheet tin or other soft metal or alloy or of what is known as "Bett's metal"
the central portion of which rests upon and covers the cock or stopper whilst the
radiating arms thereof are pressed against and cover the sides of the neck of the
bottle substantially as hereinbefore described.
Sixthly. The combination of the aforesaid star 'shaped or cruciform piece of
sheet metal with the open ended "collarette-capsule" substantially as and for the
purpose herein before described.
Seventhly. As a security against fraud the combination of the aforesaid
"collarettes" with a label cemented or otherwise applied to the neck of a bottle
or other like receptacle portions of the device on the said label being exposed
through perforations or openings in the collarette and being completed by
corresponding indications on the "collarette" itself substantially as hereinbefore
described.
In witness whereof I the said Edwin Powley Alexander have hereunto set my
hand and seal this twenty sixth day of October in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and eighty three.