Improve- MENTS IN BOTTLE FILLING MACHINES AND IN BOTTLE STOPPERS
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Aubrey Day, Proprietor of the Firm and Agency
of Davies and Hunt, Patent Agents, of 321 High Holborn, London, in the
County of Middlesex, Consulting Patent Agent for an Invention of Improve-
MENTS IN BOTTLE FILLING MACHINES AND IN BOTTLE STOPPERS communicated
to him from abroad by Edwin Lowis Lloyd, and Charles Christian Joly, both
of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States of America
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Aubrey Day at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd June 1883.
CHARLES AUBREY DAY, Proprietor of the Firm and Agency of Davies and Hunt,
Patent Agents, of 321, High Holborn, London, in the County of Middlesex:-
Consulting Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BOTTLE FILLING MACHINES AND IN
BOTTLE STOPPERS (a communication to me from abroad by Edwin Lewis Lloyd
and Charles Christian Joly, both of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United
States of America)
"
This Invention relates to certain improvements in machines used for filling
bottles with effervescent liquids, and also to improvements in. stoppers for such
bottles or for bottles generally.
The improvements in the filling machines consist in so constructing the plunger
thereof that the cork or plug of the bottle may be applied to the same while tho
lower end of the plunger is above the mouth of the filling tube, and will be securely.
held in proper position for external application to the mouth of the bottle.
The improvements in the stopper consist in the combination of a cork holder
with the cork and retainer, in such manner that while the cork can be readily
detached from the bottle when desired, or the retainer applied to the cork after the
latter has been adjusted to the mouth of the bottle, there will be no risk of losing
the cork in opening the bottle.
In the lower end of the plunger of a bottle filling machine is formed a recess
having four spring jaws adapted to catch and hold the head of the cork which is to
be applied to the mouth of the bottle.

page_text: The cork is adjusted to the lower end of the plunger when the latter is above
the upper end of the filling tube which has the usual lateral passages whereby
provision is afforded for the escape of air from the bottle, and for the introduction
of the liquid under pressure, the lower end of the tube having a packing ring for
forining a tight joint with the mouth of a bottle applied thereto, and when the
bottle has been filled and the flow of liquid cut off, the plunger is caused to descend
through the filling tube so as to apply the cork to the mouth of the bottle, the
spring jaws insuring the maintenance of the cork in position for proper application
to the mouth of the bottle.
The filling tube is then elevated, and while the cork is held firmly in place by
the plunger, a retainer is applied to the cork, and the plunger is then retracted
prior to a repetition of the operation.
Instead of providing the lower end of the plunger with spring jaws, the recess
in the plunger may be lined with rubber, cork, leather, or like material, which,
when the head of the cork is thrust into the recess, will exert sufficient friction
upon the edges of said head to insure the holding of the cork in proper position.
Plungers have been constructed so as to push the stoppers into the mouths of
bottles, the stoppers having been first deposited in the filling tube, but in the
present case the stopper or cork is applied to the plunger while the lower end of
the latter is above the filling tube, so that the attendant can be fully assured that
the cork is properly centred before the plunger descends.
Plungers have also been constructed with fingers to grasp internal stoppers
within the neck of the bottle, but in such cases the stopper is closed by the
internal pressure, the fingers serving simply to hold the stopper within the bottle
away from its seat, whereas when an external stopper is used the plunger must
be relied upon to force the stopper through the filling tube and so, seat the stopper
as to permit the application of the retainer and insure a close joint.
The improved stopper, although applicable for general use, has been devised
particularly for use in connection with. bottles for containing effervescent liquids,
which are under pressure when the bottles are filled, the stopper being applied to
the mouth of the bottle by the plunger of the filling machine in the manner above
set forth.
Heretofore, ordinary corks have been used, and these corks have been retained
in place by a wire fastener pivoted to a ring on the neck of the bottle, and bent to
form an open loop which bears on the top of the cork. The objection to this plan
is that the corks are thrown aside when the bottle is opened, and this waste of
corks is a serious item of expense in large bottling establishments.
Attempts have been made to overcome the objection by connecting the corks to
the necks of the bottles or to the retainers by means of cords or chains, but such
devices are crude and have not been practically adopted to any extent.
In carrying out this Invention, the cork and retainer are combined with a cork-
holder so constructed that the cork can be readily detached therefrom when
necessary, and so that it will not interfere with the ready application of the
retainer to the cork when the latter has been applied to the bottle, and is held in
place by the plunger.
In one modification of the Stopper, the cork comprises a metallic disk with a
packing ring and a central stem with a head, the stem being embraced by the
central loop of the retainer, which consists of a yoke hung to a wire on the neck
of the bottle, and bearing on the cork.
At one side of the retainer the wire composing the same is bent so as to form an
eye, and to this eye is hung the cork-bolder which consists of a picce of olastic
wire bent to form an eye or coil and projecting arms which are each bent inward
at the outer end.
When the retainer is being applied to the cork, the cork-holder hangs down at
the side of the same so that it will not interfere with the ready manipulation and
application of the retainer, but after the retainer has been applied and the bottle
removed from the machine, the outer bent ends of the arms are pressed together
"

page_text: so as to expand the arms and permit them to readily slip over the head of the
central stem, and on releasing the bent ends of the arms the latter will close on
the stem, and thus prevent the cork from being accidentally detached from the
retainer.
On throwing back the retainer so as to release the cork, the latter as it is
discharged from the mouth of the bottle is caught by its holder and thereby
suspended from the retainer, the accidental release of the cork being impossible as
Buch release necessitates the pressing together of the said bent ends of the arms so
as to expand the arms sufficiently for the passage of the head of the stem of the
cork.
In another modification of the stopper, the cork-holder consists of a wire bent to
form a loop, and elastic arms, the holder being pivoted to the retainer so as to close
the mouth of the loop formed by the retainer.
On moving the retainer in one direction, so as to release the cork from the
control of the same, the stem of the cork is caught in the loop of the holder, the
elastic arms yielding as they pass the stem, and then springing back into position
to retain the stem in the loop, the continued movement of the retainer causing the
cork to be pulled from the mouth of the bottle and retained by its holder.
In applying the retainer to the cork, the holder is thrown back so as not to
interfere with the ready application of the retainer to the cork.
When the retainer is applied the holder is drawn forward the elastic arms
yielding as they pass the stem and head of the cork.
In order to free the cork from the holder it is simply necessary to apply
sufficient force to cause the elastic arms to yield and permit the passage of the
stem of the cork.
In another modification the holder consists of a simple wire pivoted to the rear
of the retainer loop, and adapted to an opening in the stem of the cork; the front.
end of the wire being bent to form an elastic hook which can be compressed so as
to be passed through the opening, but which cannot be withdrawn through tho
same to release the cork unless it has been first compressed, so that accidental
release of the cork is impossible.
In a variation of this modification, the elastic hook is replaced by an enlarged
head, and the stem of the cork has a slot enlarged at the upper end, the lower
portion of the slot being wide enough to receive the wire, and the enlarged upper
portion of the slot being of such a size that the head can be passed through the saine
in either direction when the wire is properly guided, there being very little likelihood
of the head passing through the opening unless it is so guided.
In another modification, the cork has a yoke instead of a projecting stem, and
the retainer has a central projection or finger adapted to pass under this yoke, tho
holder in this case being substantially similar to that described with reference to
the preceding modifications and being provided with an elastic hook adapted to
catch the top bar of the yoke as the retainer is pushed back so as to release the
cork.
The cork holder in all cases is made of wire possessing such rigidity that the
holder can be handled without risk of being bent, which in the case of the holders
described with reference to the two preceding modifications permits of the appli-
cation of the holder to the cork simultaneously with the adjustment of the retainer,
and in the case of each of the holders described with reference to the other
preceding modifications permits of the movement of the holder into operative
position by simply swinging it on its pivotal connection.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Charles Aubrey Day in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
22nd December 1883.
CHARLES AUBREY DAY, Proprietor of the Firm and Agency of Davies and Hunt,
Patent Agents, of 321, High Holborn, London, in the County of Middlesex, Con-
sulting Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BOTTLE FILLING MACHINES AND IN
(A Communication to me from abroad by Edwin Lewis Lloyd,
and Charles Christian Joly, both of Philadelphia Pennsylvania, in the United
States of America)
BOTTLE STOPPERS
This Invention relates to certain improvements in machines used for filling
bottles with effervescent liquids, and also to improvements in stoppers for such
bottles or for bottles generally.
The improvements in the filling machines consist in so constructing the plunger
thereof that the cork or plug of the bottle may be applied to the same while the
lower end of the plunger is above the mouth of the filling tube, and will be securely
held in proper position for external application to the mouth of the bottle.
The improvements in stoppers consist in the combination of a cork holder with
the cork and retainer in such manner that while the cork can be readily detached
from the bottle, when desired, or the retainer applied to the cork after the latter
has been adjusted to the mouth of the bottle, there will be no risk of losing the
cork in opening the bottle.
On the accompanying drawings, Fig 1, Sheet 1, represents a sectional view of
sufficient of a bottle filling machine to illustrate that portion of the invention which
relates to the machine;-Figs 2 and 3 represent the same with some of the parts
in different positions; Fig 4 represents an end view of the plunger; Fig 5, Sheet 2,
represents a perspective view of part of a bottle with one form of improved stopper,
the latter being applied to the mouth of the bottle; Fig 6 represents the same
with the stopper removed; Figs 7 and 8 represent plan views of the cork and cork
holder; and Figs 9 to 18, inclusivo represent views showing other forms of cork
holders made in accordance with the present improvements.
A represents the filling tube of a bottle-filling machine, this tube having
passages a, whereby provision is afforded for the escapo of air from the bottle, and
for the introduction of the liquid under pressure, the lower end of the tube having
a packing ring b, for forming a tight joint with the mouth of a bottle B applied
thereto, as shown in Fig 1.
D represent the plunger in the lower end of which is a recess d, having four
spring jaws f, adapted to catch and hold the head g, of the cork F' which is to be
applied to the mouth of the bottle B.
The cork is adjusted to the lower end of the plunger when the latter is above
the upper end of the tube A, as shown in Fig. 1, and when the bottle has been
filled and the flow of liquid cut off, the plunger is caused to descend through the
tube so as to apply the cork to the mouth of the bottle, as shown in Fig 2, the
jaws f, insuring the maintenance of the cork in position for proper application to
the mouth of the bottlo.
The tube A is then elevated, and while the cork is held firmly in place by the
plunger D, a retainer h, is applied to the cork as shown in Fig 3 and the plunger is
then retracted prior to a repetition of the operation.
Instead of providing the lower end of the plunger with spring jaws f, such as
shown, the recess d, may be lined with rubber, cork, leather or like material,
which, when the head of the cork is thrust into the recess, will exert sufficient
friction upon the edges of said head to insure the holding of the cork in proper
position,

page_text: Plungers have been constructed so as to push the stoppers into the mouths of
bottles, the stoppers having been first deposited in the filling tube, but in the
present case, the stopper or cork is applied to the plunger while the lower end of
the latter is above the filling tube, so that the attendant can be fully assured that
the cork is properly centred before the plunger descends.
Plungers have also been constructed with fingers to grasp internal stoppers
within the neck of the bottle, but in such cases the stopper is closed by the internal
pressure, the fingers serving simply to hold the stopper within the bottle away
from its seat, whereas when an external stopper is used the plunger must be relied
upon to force the stopper through the filling tube and so seat the stopper as to
permit the application of the retainer and insure a close joint.
The improved stopper, although applicable for general use has been devised
particularly for use in connection with bottles for containing effervescent liquids,
which are under pressure when the bottles are filled, the stopper being applied to
the mouth of the bottle by the plunger D of the filling machine in the manner
above set forth.
Heretofore, ordinary corks have been used, and these corks have been retained in
place by a wire fastener pivoted to a ring on the neck of the bottle, and bent to
form an open loop which bears on the top of the cork. The objection to this plan
is that the corks are thrown aside when the bottle is opened, and this waste of corks
is a serious item of expenso in large bottling establishments.
Attempts have been made to overcome the objection by connecting the corks to
the necks of the bottles or to the retainers by means of cords or chains, but such
devices are crude and have not been practically adopted to any extent.
In carrying out this Invention the cork and retainer are combined with a cork-
holder so constructed that the cork can be readily detached therefrom when
necessary and so that it will not interfere with the ready application of the
retainer to the cork when the latter has been applied to the bottle, and is held in
place by the plunger.
In the stopper illustrated in Figs 5, 6, 7 and 8, F represents the cork which
comprises a metallic disc i, with a packing ring m, and a central stem n, with a
head g, the stem being embraced by the central loop of the retainer h, which
consists of a yoke hung to a wire on the neck of the bottle, and bearing on the
cork.
At one side of the retainer the wire composing the same is bent so as to form an
eye 20, and to this eye is hung the cork-holder G, which consists of a piece of elastic
wire bent to form an eye or coil a, and arms y, y, each bent inward at the outer
end 8.
When the retainer is being applied to the cork, the holder G hangs down at the
side of the same so that it will not interfere with the ready manipulation and
application of the retainer, but after the retainer has been applied and the bottlo
removed from the machine, the outer bent ends s, of the arms y, are pressed
together so as to expand the arms and permit them to readily slip over the head g,
of the stem n, as shown in Fig 8 and on releasing the bent ends of the arins the
latter will close on the stem, as shown in Figs 5 and 7, and thus prevent the cork
from becoming accidentally detached from the retainer.
On throwing back the retainer so as to release the cork the latter as it is
discharged from the mouth of the bottle is caught by the holder G and thereby
suspended from the retainer, as shown in Fig 6 the accidental release of the cork
being impossible as such release necessitates the pressing together of the bent
ends 8, of the arms y, so as to expand the arms sufficiently for the passage of the
head 9, of the stem of the cork.
In the stopper illustrated in Figs 9 to 15, the cork-holder G consists of a wire
bent to form a loop, and elastic arms y, y, the holder being pivoted to tho
retainer as shown so as to close the mouth of the loop formed by the retainer.
On moving the retainer in the direction of the arrow Fig 9, so as to release tho
cork Ffrom the control of the same, the stem n, of the cork is caught in the

page_text: loop ', of the holder G, the elastic arms y, yielding as they pass the stem, and
then springing back into position to retain the stem in the loop a¹, as shown in
Fig 10, the continued movement of the retainer causing the cork to be pulled
from the mouth of the bottle and retained by the holder G, as shown in Figs 11
and 13.
In applying the retainer to the cork the holder G is thrown back as shown in
Fig 14 so as not to interfere with the ready application of the retainer to
the cork.
When the retainer is applied the holder is drawn forward in the direction of
the arrow Fig. 15, the elastic arms y, yielding as they pass the stem n, and head g
of the cork.
In order to free the cork from the holder it is simply necessary to apply
sufficient force to cause the elastic arms y, to yield and permit the passage of the
stem n.
The holder illustrated in Fig 16 consists of a simple wire pivoted to the rear of
the retainer loop, and adapted to an opening t, in the stem n, of the cork, the front
-end-of-the-wire being bent to form-an-elastic hook y, which can be compressed so
as to be passed through the opening t, but which cannot be withdrawn through the
same to release the cork unless it has been first compressed, so that accidental
release of the cork is impossible.
Fig 17 illustrates a variation of this modification, but in this case the elastic
hook is replaced by an enlarged head y, and the stem n, of the cork has a slot
enlarged at the upper end, the lower portion of the slot being wide enough to
receive the wire, and the enlarged upper portion of the slot being of such a size
that the head y³ can be passed through the same in either direction when the wire
is properly guided, there being very little likelihood of the head passing through
the opening unless it is so guided.
In Fig 18. the cork has a yoke instead of a projecting stem, and the rotainer h
has a central projection or finger adapted to pass under this yoke, the holder G in
this case being substantially similar to that shown in Fig. 16, and being provided
with an elastic hook y¹, adapted to catch the top bar of the yoke as the retainer.
is pushed back so as to release the cork.
The cork holder in all cases is made of wire possessing such rigidity that the
holder can be handled without risk of being bent, which in the case of the holders
illustrated in Figs 16, 17 and 18 permits of the application of the holder to the
cork simultaneously with the adjustment of the retainer, and in the case of cach
of the holders shown in Figs 5 to 15 permits of the movement of the holder into
operative position by simply swinging it on its pivotal connection.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature and objects of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be or may be performed or
carried into practical effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to
be novel and original, and therefore claim as constituting the Invention secured
to me by the herein before in part recited Letters Patent, is ;-
1. The combination of the filling tube of a bottle filling machine, a cork or stopper
to be applied externally to the bottle mouth, and a plunger D adapted to force the
cork through the filling tube, and provided at the lower end with cork-receiving
and retaining devices, whereby the cork may be applied to the plunger while the
latter is above the mouth of the filling tube ;-
2. The combination of the filling tube, the external cork or stopper, and the
plunger D adapted to force the cork through the filling tubo, and provided at the
lower end with cork receiving and retaining devices adapted to yield and release
the cork on the ascent of the plunger ;-
3. The combination of the cork, the retainer, and a cork-holder of rigid material,
but constructed substantially as herein before described to permit the release of the
cork therefrom, and hung to the retainer so as to engage with a projecting portion
of the cork —

page_text: 4. The combination of the cork, the retainer, and a cork-holder hung to the
retainer, and having an elastic portion y ;-
5. The combination of the cork having a stem n, the retainer having a side eye w,
and the cork holder adapted to the stem n, and hung to the eye w;-
6. The combination of the cork having a stem n, the retainer having the side eye w,
and the cork holder hung to said eye, and comprising the coil x, and arms y, with
bent ends 8;
7. The formation and use of the retainer h, consisting of a yoke adapted to bear
on tho cork, and having a side eye w ;—
8. The formation and use of the holder G comprising a coil x, and elastic arms y, y,
having bent ends 8 ;-
9. The combination of a cork having a stem n, a retainer having an open loop
adapted to the stem, and a cork-holder G closing the mouth of the loop ;-
10. The combination of a cork having a stem n, a retainer having an open loop
adapted to the stem, and a cork-holder G closing the mouth of the loop and having
elastic arms -
Each and all substantially as hereinbefore set forth or specified with reference
to the accompanying drawings.
In Witness whereof, I, the said Charles Aubrey Day have hereunto set my
band and Seal this 22nd day of December, in the year of our Lord, One thousand
cight hundred and eighty threc.
TIDDEV TAV
L
CILA
AUBREY DAY.