IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CLEANSING AND DRYING OF GLASS BOTTLES, AND IN APPARATUS FOR THAT PURPOSE
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Leonard Barber Edgcome, of 52, Erskine St.,
Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE CLEANSING AND DRYING OF GLASS BOTTLES, AND IN APPARATUS FOR
THAT PURPOSE."
Sealed the 9th June 1876, and dated the 18th February 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Leonard Barber
Edgcome at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th February
1876.
THOMAS LEONARD BARBER EDGCOME, of 52, Erskine St., Liverpool, in the
County of Lancaster. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CLEANSING AND DRYING OF GLASS
BOTTLES, AND IN APPARATUS FOR THAT PURPOSE."
This Invention has for its object improvements in cleaning and drying the inside
of glass bottles, and in apparatus for that purpose.
In washing wine and other bottles, and in removing the crust from them, and
in getting them into such a condition that they will dry rapidly, I proceed as
follows: The bottle is partially filled (say one-third full, or more or less) with water,
and is made to stand up on its end upon a shelf under a small steam pipe which
passes down the neck of the bottle into the body of the same, so that it either
approaches near to, or by preference actually dips into the water which is in the
Lottle. The steam is then allowed to pass through the pipe with the double object
of agitating the water, which is thus enabled to lave every part of the interior of
the bottle, whilst it at the same time very gradually raises the heat to boiling
point, and then keeps the water actually boiling in the bottle. As the water
increases in volume by means of the injected steam it bubbles up and over from
the bottle, often escaping through the neck, whilst it circulates rapidly in the bottle
during the operation described. After a short time it will be found that the crust
or dirt gradually becomes thoroughly detatched, and the interior of the bottle is
perfectly cleaned. When this is the case the steam is turned off or the bottle is
ED..
173

page_text: removed from the steam pipe, and being in a heated condition it dries very
rapidly.
In order to clean a number of bottles at the same time, with the least degree of
labor, and in such a manner that they will dry with uniform quickness, I find it
to be very advantageous to employ a considerable number of these small steam
pipes branching from a boiler or from a steam pipe or pipes communicating with a
boiler, and each such pipe or series of pipes is provided with a cock which controls
the supply of steam according as it is wanted, a shelf being usually placed under
every row of steain pipes upon which the bottles directly or indirectly rest. The
operator passes from pipe to pipe, removing and emptying the bottles that are
sufficiently cleaned, placing them where they may naturally cool and dry, and
replacing them by dirty bottles partly filled with water or entirely filled with
water, in the manner described.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Leonard Barber Edgcome in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 18th August 1876.
"
THOMAS LEONARD BARBER EDGCOME, of 52, Erskine St., Liverpool, in the
County of Lancaster. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CLEANSING AND DRYING OF GLASS
BOTTLES, AND IN APPARATUS FOR THAT PURPOSE."
This Invention has for its object improvements in the cleansing and drying of
the inside of glass bottles, and in apparatus for that purpose.
In washing wine and other bottles, and in removing the crust and dirt from
them, I proceed as follows:-Every bottle to be washed is placed to stand up upon
its end on a shelf, and in every bottle a quantity of water is placed, the quantity
varying according to the temper of the glass, or the water may be filled into the
bottle before placing it on the shelf. The bottle is so placed that a small steam
pipe passes down the neck of the bottle and dips into the water in the bottle, or
at least touches the water in the bottle. The steam is them turned on, not too
forcibly, but so as very gradually to boil the water from the top downwards. After
a short time it will be found that the crust and dirt is thoroughly detached, no
matter how thick it may have been. When this is the case the steain is turned off
and the bottle is removed from the steam pipe and emptied, when being thoroughly
warm it rapidly dries. When required it may be advisable to rinse the bottle after
the boiling process, one advantage of which is that it enables the bottle to be
rinsed in very hot water.
To clean a large number of bottles at the same time, which is a great advantage
gained by this Invention, I employ a considerable number of these small steam
pipes branching from a boiler or from a main steam pipe or pipes, a shelf being
placed under each row of steam pipes. The most convenient method of arranging
these small steam pipes is to have them capable of turning near to the main steam
pipes upon joints made so that they may swing to and fro and not emit steam
when at a considerable angle, and therefore not in actual use. This arrangement
renders it easy to insert the pipes into the bottles at the time of placing them on
to the shelves. It is also convenient to have a stop-cock upon each main steam
pipe to control the admission of steam to the several small steam pipes branching
from it. This apparatus may be used by itself as a complete process, or else as an
adjunct to any other system of cleaning bottles.
I claim as my Invention the process above described of washing and drying
glass bottles; one or more series of bottles being placed in the manner described
and cleansed by water being boiled in them by the operation of steam sent into

page_text: them through a series of pipes, each pipe being inserted from above through the
neck of every bottle so as to enter or touch the water.
I also claim the arrangement of apparatus herein described for effecting this
operation.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Leonard Barber Edgcome, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of August, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
T. L. B. EDGCOME. (L.S.)