IMPROVEMENTS IN STOPPERS FOR BOTTLES FOR AËRATED OR EFFERVESCENT LIQUIDS:
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Williams, of Hanley, in the County of Stafford,
Mineral Water Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN STOPPERS
FOR BOTTLES FOR AËRATED OR EFFERVESCENT LIQUIDS:”·
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Williams at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th March 1876.
JOHN WILLIAMS, of Hanley, in the County of Stafford, Mineral Water Manu-
facturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN STOPPERS FOR BOTTLES FOR AËRATED OR EFFER-
VESCENT LIQUIDS."
This Invention relates to certain improvements in the construction of stoppers;
peculiarly adapted for use in bottles for containing aërated or effervescent liquids.
According to my first improvement I mako or form the stopper of an elongated
cylindrical shape of earthenware or glass or of other suitable material, having a
valve-shaped projection on the central part of the stopper, and on each side of the
projection I make an encircling groove somewhat triangular in cross section. The
ends of the stopper I make of a rounded or button or stud form or of a flat form.
Surrounding and enveloping every part of the stopper but the ends I place an india-
rubber or elastic tube or washer, which in its normal state is of a less diameter
internally than the external diameter of the plug or stopper. The elastic tube or
washer is thus stretched either before or after being placed in position in the bottle,
and it is then distended centrally by the full diameter of the middle portion of the
plug, but its elasticity causes its end parts to contract into the circular grooves of
the plug, and they thus fall flush with the outer periphery of the stopper; the
stopper then assumes a valve-shaped form, or somewhat approaching the shape of an
ellipse. When the bottle is filled the pressure of the gas will force the stopper
against the neck of the bottle, and so form a complete air and water tight joint.
According to a second improvement the stopper is made of the same configuration.
as the first-described one, but in addition it has a hole made-through-it lengthwise;
cach end of the hole is countersunk. --Through the hole is placed a wooden, glass,
or metal-rod. On each end of the rod is placed a small india-rubber disc or
spherical ball or half spherical washer, thus making a valve at each end of the
stopper, the pressure of the gases forcing the india-rubber disc, ball, or washer into
the countersunk hole, and making a perfect air and water tight joint.
"
D

page_text: The object of the above-described improvement is to prevent accidents, as in most
self-acting stoppers there is danger in pressing the stoppers into the bottles, which
causes the gas to expand and often to burst the bottles, causing serious accidents.
By pressing the valve at the end of the stopper it will cause the gas to escape, and
the least touch or pressure on the stopper will cause it to fall into the bottle, thus
avoiding all danger. This modification is applicable to any stopper.
Stoppers as thus made are double acting, that is, each end will act as a stopper,
and it is therefore quite immaterial which end thereof is placed in the bottle first
or which end comes upwards, so that they need be made only of about an inch in
length, inore or less, and they need not be made of a length exceeding the greatest
internal diameter of the bottle, as is required in all stoppers which act only. at one
end.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Williams in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 8th September
1876.
JOHN WILLIAMS, of Hanley, in the County of Stafford, Mineral Water Manu-
facturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN STOPPERS FOR BOTTLES FOR AËRATED OR EFFER-
VESCENT LIQUIDS."
This Invention, which is illustrated on the accompanying Drawings in Figures 1
and 2 relates to certain improvements in the formation of stoppers peculiarly
adapted for use in bottles containing aërated or effervescent liquids.
According to the modification illustrated in Figures 1 I make or form the
stopper 1 of an elongated, cylindrical, oblong, or rounded shape of carthenware,
glass, or other suitable material, the ends 2 being of a flat form or rounded to the
form of a button or stud, and separated from the central part 1 by encircling
grooves 3, somewhat triangular in cross section. I surround the central part 1 with
a tube 4 of india-rubber, which is of a less diameter internally than the external
diameter of the stopper. The tube 4 is stretched on to the stopper, the full diameter
of the central part I of which distends its middle portion, but the clasticity of its
ends causes them to contract into the grooves 3; they thus fall flush with the outor
periphery of the ends 2, causing the stopper to assume a double valve-shaped
from, or a form somewhat approaching that of an ellipse (see Figures 1). When the
bottle 5 is filled the pressure of the gas forces the stopper into the neck of the bottle
(as shown), forming a gas-tight closure thereto. The contents of the bottle may be
emptied on simply pushing the stopper inwards with the finger or thumb.
According to the modification illustrated in Figures 2 the stopper is made of the
same configuration as is above described, but it has in addition a hole 6 made
through it lengthwise, each end 7 of the hole being countersunk. Through the
hole is placed a wood, glass, or metal pin 8, on each cud of which is placed a small
disc, ball, or washer 9 of india-rubber, thus making a valve at each end, the
pressure of the gas within the bottle forcing the disc, ball, or washer 9 into the
countersunk hole 7, and making a perfect gas-tight joint.
The special object of this modification is to prevent the bursting of bottles in
opening them, as in most self-acting stoppers, this danger is incurred on the stopper
being pressed into the bottle owing the compression of the gas within, and this
object is effectually obtained, as by pressing the valve pin 8 inwards of the stopper
the gas can immediately escape, and then the least touch or pressure on the stopper
will cause it to fall into the bottle, thus avoiding all danger. This modification is
applicable to any stopper.
Stoppers made according to these modifications are double acting, that is, each
end acts as a stopper, and it is therefore quite immaterial which end thereof is
placed in the bottle first or which end comes upwards, so that they need be made
only of about an inch or so in length, and not of a length exceeding the greatest

page_text: internal diameter of the bottle as is required in all internal stoppers which act
only at one end.
.
Having now described the nature and object of my said Invention, together with
the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into practical
effect, I would remark in conclusion that I claim as my Invention the above-
described new and useful improvements in the formation of stoppers for bottles con-
taining aërated or effervescent liquids, substantially as described, and as illustrated
on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Williams, have hereunto set my hand and
scal, this Sixth day of September, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-six.
JOHN WILLIAMS. (L.S.)