Improvements in Stoppering Bottles, Jars, and like Vessels.
Year: 1891

page_text: ¡Date of Application, 19th Jan. 1891
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Oct., 1891-Accepted, 9th Jan., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Stoppering Bottles, Jars, and like Vessels.
I, LOUIS LAMS, of 31, Boulevard Henri IV, Paris, in the Republic of
France, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to the stoppering of bottles, jars, flasks, carboys and like
vessels.
In carrying out my invention I form the mouth of the vessel with an interior
annular groove and with a hole forming a passage from the said groove to the
outside of the vessel. The stopper or cover of the vessel I also provide with an
annular groove and with a small lateral groove.
In stoppering the vessel I make use of a string or cord which I
pass through
the hole in the neck of the vessel, its end projecting inside. I then pass the
stopper into the mouth of the vessel and turn it until the string which is thereby
drawn in by the lateral groove causes a resistance. I then cut the string outside
the vessel leaving a short length which I tie into a knot or loop.
As the string is drawn in by the lateral groove it enters and is compressed
between the annular grooves in the mouth of the vessel and in the stopper and
thus forms a tight closure.
To unstopper the vessel I turn the stopper in the opposite direction and at the
same time pull the string whereby it becomes unwound from the stopper which
can then be easily removed by hand or is driven out by the internal pressure.
Dated the 19th day of January 1891
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Stoppering Bottles, Jars, and like Vessels.
I, LOUIS LAMS of Villa St. Louis, Lambersart near Lille late of Paris, in
the Republic of France Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to the stoppering of bottles, jars and like vessels and will
be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings in which are shown
bottles, flagons, jars, demi-johns, pots and other receptacles, the necks of which
are provided with stoppers or caps adapted to retain in place the strings closing the
joints.
Figures 1 and 2 represent in longitudinal and transverse section a bottle A with
a groove at the top of the neck B, perforated at C.
A cork or stopper D of hard material provided with a small circumferential
groove and a small longitudinal groove E is inserted into the neck.
The means of closing the joint is a string or cord F compressed between the
grooves of the neck and the stopper.
To stopper a bottle according to this invention, the end of the string (about
2 centimetres long) is passed through the hole c; the stopper is then inserted into
the neck and turned from the left to the right. The string is then pulled until it
resists.
It is then cut a short distance (a few centimetres) from the outer surface of the
neck and a knot is tied with the cut end.

page_text: To open a bottle thus stoppered the cork is turned in the opposite direction, and
the string is pulled.
In stoppering, the string is drawn in through the longitudinal groove E of the
stopper or cork and becomes embedded and compressed in the free hollow space in
the neck B, wherein it forms an actual stuffing box.
By turning the stopper in the direction opposite to that in which the string is
wound, the string is loosened and made readily removable, when the stopper,
being disconnected, is either taken off by hand or expelled by pressure.
After the removal of the string, the stopper or cap may still for all practical
purposes serve as a sufficient temporary closing device.
Figure 3 illustrates a method of closing bottles with hard or compressed cork G
which will easily enter the neck of the bottle and be retained therein by the string
acting as a stuffing box as aforesaid.
Figures 4 and 5 show in longitudinal and transverse sections a small bottle H;
Figures 6, 7 8 and 9 are views of two types of flagons M and N ;
Figures 10 and 11 similarly represent a stone bottle O, and
Figures 12, 13 and 14 represent a jar R;
Figure 15 shows a spoon.
All these receptacles are stoppered by the saine means as have been described in
connection with the bottle A, viz. a stopper or cap and a string.
The stoppering may readily be effected either by hand or machinery. When
completed, it will resist the strongest strains and remain intact under all circum-
stances.
The receptacles, stoppers, and caps mentioned above, may be made of glass,
crystal, porcelain, stone, metal, such as aluminium or enamelled metal, cork, wood,
cardboard, india-rubber, or of any other suitable material or substance; their
shapes and dimensions may vary to suit the tastes and requirements of the con-
sumers. The stoppers may be either solid or hollow and carry one or more lateral
notches. The strings or cords may be of cotton, hemp, flax, china-grass, asbestos,
or a mixture of textile fibres, and they may be composed of a number of threads
or wires twisted together.
They may be made perfectly neutral and incapable of any alteration. The com-
position and preparation may vary according to the nature of the liquids, or the
like, contained in the bottles or jars. The strings may be tied to the stoppers or
caps as the case may be.
The end of the string which is left hanging on the outside of the receptacle may
be provided with an eye or ring, or a small wooden knob or handle.
The stoppers and bottle-heads may be covered over with metal, tinfoil, zinc, or
other caps, so as to improve their appearance and protect them from the effects of
dampness in cellars.
The jar shown in Figures 12, 13 and 14 is mainly intended for mustard or sauce.
Its cap or cover may be provided with a small cork or stopper T fitting into an
opening S therein through which a spoon such as shown in Figure 15 is to be
inserted. A jar thus fitted with a cork and spoon is thoroughly closed for practical
purposes and may conveniently appear on the dinner-table. For this purpose a
spoon should be procured when purchasing the first jar of mustard or the like.
All the parts constituting my invention viz. the receptacles stoppers, caps, or
covers, and strings may be used until completely worn out and the proposed method
of stoppering is the most secure and economical of all those that have hitherto been
employed.
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 :-
1. A receptacle internally provided with a perforated groove and having a
stopper or cap adapted to draw in the tying string which is thus caused to answer
the purpose of packing the packing thus constituted by the string being located

page_text: between the neck and stopper of the receptacle substantially as described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
2. A device for stoppering bottles and the like consisting of an internally
grooved neck and an externally grooved stopper fitting into it the bottle neck being
formed with an opening leading to said grooves so that a piece of string or the like
may be passed into it from the outside of the neck substantially as described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 23rd day of October 1891.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.