IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO STOPPERS AND BOTTLES FOR CONTAINING AERATED, GASEOUS, OR OTHER LIQUIDS, AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED FOR BOTTLING SUCH LIQUIDS AND MEANS OF STOPPERING
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Léon Vallet, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO STOPPERS AND BOTTLES
FOR CONTAINING AERATED, GASEOUS, OR OTHER LIQUIDS, AND IN APPARATUS
EMPLOYED FOR BOTTLING SUCH LIQUIDS AND MEANS OF STOPPERING."
Sealed the 21st February 1879, and dated the 27th September 1878.
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Léon Vallet at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th September 1878.
LÉON VALLET, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster. IMPROVEMENTS IN
AND RELATING TO STOPPERS AND BOTTLES FOR CONTAINING AËRATED, GASEOUS,
OR OTHER LIQUIDS, AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED FOR BOTTLING SUCH LIQUIDS
AND MEANS OF STOPPERING.
This Invention relates, firstly, to certain improvements in and relating to stop-
pering bottles containing aerated, gaseous, or other liquids; secondly, to certain
formations of bottles used in conjunction with the first portion of this Invention;
thirdly, to certain improvements in apparatus employed for filling bottles when
constructed and stoppered according to this Invention, also applicable to filling
other classes of bottles; fourthly, to stoppering bottles by vacuum.
1. This Invention consists of a stopper of conical shape, spherical, or partially
spherical shape, formed of wood, glass, metal, vulcanité, india-rubber, or other
suitable material; the external part or part which enters the mouth of the bottle is
provided with an elastic covering of india-rubber or other suitable material, so as
to form an air-tight packing when pressed into the mouth of the bottle or receptacle
to be closed. To secure the stopper or the frame which holds it I form one or more
grooves externally round the mouth or neck of the bottle or receptacle, for fixing
by means of wires a hinge or eye to hold the stopper, or the wire itself may form
the hinge or eye.
This hinge or eye is connected to a like part on the stopper, which is thereby
attached to the bottle or receptacle.

page_text: Opposite the hinge the stopper is provided with a projection or hook, or hole,
or groove, there being a similar projection or hook provided on the bottle, so that
by means of a wire or its equivalent the parts may be fastened or secured and the
stopper held pressed on to the mouth of the bottle. When the bottle has to be
opened the securing wire must be unfastened or taken off, and the stopper is then
free to hinge over so that the contents of the bottle may be poured out, the stopper
remaining attached to the bottle by its hinge.
2. This Invention consists in forming the stopper as described in part 1 with an
opening or passage through its centre, so that the bottle or receptacle may be filled
with the stopper secured in position, the stopper being provided with a non-return
valve opening inwards.
3. In lieu of fastening the stopper by a wire or its equivalent a screw thread may
be formed externally round the bottle mouth, and a corresponding threaded ring
provided with a hinged frame may be screwed on to the mouth of the bottle for
holding the stopper, the hinged frame being provided with a small catch which
springs on to a corresponding catch on the ring. The stopper is held in position by
a small spring and stop upon which the hinged frame bears, sufficient elasticity
being given to keep the stopper up to its place, and to prevent the stopper becoming
loose by re-use.
4. I would state that I am aware that hinged stoppers have been known and
used prior to my Invention, but such stoppers have been arranged to swing over
and stop the mouth of the bottle upon a stiff wire, frame with no provision for
keeping the stopper up to its work upon re-use. Such stoppers in time become
leaky and ineffective; another objection being that they are difficult to work.
5. This Invention consists in forming a bottle with a bulbous mouth in which I
form a screw thread, and I form the stopper of glass or other suitable material with
a corresponding screw thread so as to screw into the mouth of the bottle. The
stopper is formed hollow with a closed top and with a lateral hole right through
the stopper, so that upon unscrewing the stopper until the hole comes above the
bottle, the contents can be poured out, the lateral hole providing an air passage and
a liquid way A, or another screwed stopper may consist of a hollow screwed plug
which screws into the bulbous neck of the bottle. Such plug is open at its upper
end, and closed and provided with a washer at its lower end, which forms a valve
which screws down on to a seat formed where the bulbous part joins on to the
bottle. The plug is provided with a transverse hole for emptying the liquid from
the bottle and an air hole for allowing free passage and "ventilating." B or
another screwed stopper may consist of a hollow screwed plug, provided with a
spring worked valve opening into the bottle and a transverse hole for a liquid
and air way, The valve is worked by a spindle passing through the stopper, such
spindle being retained by a spring and worked by a knob or lever. In this modi-
fication there is no occasion to screw or unscrew the stopper for opening the bottle,
the opening of the valve allowing free passage of the liquor. When a bottle thus
stoppered is charged with gaseous liquid, the pressure inside the bottle assists in
closing the valve. When the bottle is filled with non-gaseous liquids the valve is
kept in its place by the spring in connection with the spindle, which spring must
be of sufficient strength for such purpose.
6. Another modification of this Invention consists in the use of a cap which to a
certain extent resembles the cap of the well-known syphon bottle in construction.
The cap is screwed over the mouth of the bottle and is provided with a valve
worked by a spindle and lever. Through the valve there passes a small tube or
pipe, which descends into the bottle and can be used as an air exit when the bottle
is being filled or an air inlet when the bottle is being emptied. The top of the tube
is closed by butting against an india-rubber or other washer at the top of the cap
or cover, and is worked with the valve by means of the lever or its equivalent.
The valve is kept closed by means of a spring. This stopper may be called an
atmospheric or low-pressure syphon, as by its use a bottle may be emptied without
high internal pressure.

page_text: 7. The improvements in bottling apparatus according to this Invention consist
in certain additions and modification of a bottling machine described in the Speci-
fication of Letters Patent, No. 490, A.D. 1875. The alteration consists of an
alteration of the mouth-piece to suit the orifices of the bottles to be stoppered.
With the syphoned stoppered bottle the requisite vacuum for filling may be effected
through the air tube and the bottle filled in an inverted position. To prevent
waste of gas and cordial or syrup I place over the feeding tap of the filling machine
a box or tube in a vertical position provided with a piston, the position of which is
regulated by a screw so as to increase or diminish the capacity of the tube or box.
so as to admit the quantity of air contained in the bottle when empty. The box
or tube is graduated so that the capacity of the tube can be regulated in according
with the pressure under which the bottle is being filled. The atmospheric air being
lighter than the carbonic gas will all enter the vertical box or tube without
splashing out with water and syrup or cordial, as it usually does in the process of
bottling with the corking machine, or other machines, as at present in use. Non-
aërated liquids may be filled and bottled in the ordinary way.
Aërated or gaseous
liquids may be filled by the "nipple" machine, or with a machine similar to the
one described in my former Patent No. 490, A.D. 1875, but with the present
method the machine does not require to revolve and bring the bottle mouth down,
neither is the stop valve required.
8. This Invention further consists in filling bottles with non-aerated liquids
and stoppering same with stoppers, similarly constructed to those as described.
under head 1. In this case I first fill the bottle with non-aerated liquid, or liquid
which is only slightly gaseous. I then put the stopper in the bottle quite loosely,
and I place the bottle in a bottle holder similar to my machine described in my
Patent No. 490, A.D. 1875. The bottle mouth is then brough into contact with
the mouth-piece which allows the stopper to move freely, at the same time forms
an air-tight joint on the bottle shoulder. On the top of the mouth-piece there is
provided an air pump with which I exhaust the air from the bottle, causing a
vacuum therein, which holds the stopper in position by ordinary atmospheric
pressure on the outside thereof. This system of stoppering according to my
Invention may be termed the vacuum system, as distinguished from the internal
pressure system now used for non-aerated liquids.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Léon Vallet in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 26th March
1879.
LÉON VALLET, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
AND RELATING TO STOPPERS AND BOTTLES FOR CONTAINING AËRATED, GASEOUS,
OR OTHER LIQUIDS, AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED FOR BOTTLING SUCH LIQUIDS
AND MEANS OF STOPPERING.
This Invention relates, firstly, to certain improvements in and relating to
stoppering bottles containing aërated, gaseous, or other liquids; secondly, to certain
formations of bottles used in conjunction with the first portion of this Invention ;
thirdly, to certain improvements in apparatus employed for filling bottles when
constructed and stoppered according to this Invention, also applicable to filling
other classes of bottles; fourthly, to stoppering bottles by vacuum.
k
In order that this Invention may be thoroughly understood, and to show how
the same may be practically carried into effect, I have hereunto attached two Sheets
of Drawings illustrative of my Invention marked with letters and figures of
reference corresponding with those used in the following Specification, like letters
being used to denote the same or corresponding parts throughout the various
Figures.
1st. This Invention consists of a stopper of conical shape, spherical, or partly!
spherical shape, formed of wood, glass, metal, vulcanite, india-rubber, or other
suitable material; for example see A, Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, (Sheet 1). The external
part of the stopper A, or the part which enters the mouth of the bottle B, is
provided with an elastic covering of india-rubber or other suitable material C, so as
to form an air-tight packing when the stopper A is pressed into the mouth D of the
bottle B or other receptacle to be closed. The stopper A. is held in a hinged
frame E. To hold the frame E to the bottle I form a groove F externally round
the mouth or neck D of the bottle B or other receptacle, so that the hinged frame E
can be fixed by means of a wire G to the mouth or neck D, the stopper A being
hinged, as shown in Figure 1, which illustrates the stopper open, and Figure 2,
which illustrates the stopper closed and fastened or secured by the tieing wire H.
Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8, Sheet 1, illustrate a modification in which the wire G serves
instead of the frame E for hinging the stopper A to the neck of the bottle B.
Figure 5 illustrates the stopper open and Figure 6 illustrates the stopper closed and
fastened by the wire H. The fastening both in this case and the case illustrated at
Figures 1 and 2 is effected by binding the wire H round the hooks a and d on the
stopper and bottle.
The same result can be obtained by substituting eyes, holes, or
grooves for the hooks or projections a, d. When the bottle has to be opened the
securing wire H must be unfastened and the stopper is free to hinge over, as shown
at Figures 1 and 5, so that the contents may be poured out and the stopper remain
attached to the bottle by its hinge.
2nd. This Invention further consists in forming the stopper A as described in
part 1st, with an opening or passage I through its centre provided with a non-return
valve J, see Figures 9, 10, 11, and 12, Sheet 1, so that the bottle or receptacle B
may be filled with liquid with the stopper A secured in position. The non-return
spring retained valve J, preventing the return of the liquid, and thus closing the.
bottle.
3rd. In lieu of fastening the stopper A to the bottle B by the wire G a screw
thread may be formed internally or externally round the bottle mouth D, and a
corresponding threaded ring or cap E may be screwed into or round the mouth D
of the bottle B, so that the stopper A may be hinged thereto, as shown at Figures
13, 14, 15, 16, and at Figures 17, 18, 19, and 20 of Sheet 1. The stopper A may
be carried in a hinged frame A¹ provided with a spring catch a which takes into
the catch d on the cap E, see Figures 21, 22, 23, and 24, Sheet 1. It will be seen

page_text: that the stopper A is kept up to its seat by the spring b in the frame A', so that
the stopper A will not become loose by re-use.
4th. I would here state that I am aware that hinged stoppers have been known
and used prior to my Invention, but such stoppers have been arranged to swing
over and stop the mouth of the bottle upon a stiff wire frame with no provision for
keeping the stopper up to its work upon re-use. Such stoppers in time become
leaky and ineffective, another objection being that they are difficult to work.
5th This Invention further consists in forming the bottle B with a screwed
mouth D, see Figures 25, 26, and 27, Sheet 2. The stopper A is formed with-a
screw thread, so as to screw into the mouth D of the bottle B. Upon reference to
Figures 27 and 28 it will be seen that the stopper A is formed hollow with a
closed top and with holes e, f, so that upon unscrewing the stopper A until the
holes e, f, come above the bottle mouth D the contents can be poured out, the hole e
providing a liquid way, the hole f an air or ventilating passage. In Figure 27 the
stopper A is shown with a valve. J for filling. In Figure 284 the stopper A is
shown with a closed top. Another description of this stopper is illustrated at
Figures 28, 29, 30, which consists of a hollow screw plug A which screws into the
bulbous neck D of the bottle B. The plug A is open at its upper end through the
holes e, f, and at its lower end through the holes h, i. The stopper or plug A is
provided at its lower end with an india-rubber washer k, which forms a valve and
can be screwed down on to the seat D¹ forined where the bulbous neck D joins the
bottle B. The bottle can be emptied by unscrewing the stopper or hollow plug A,
the liquid entering the plug through the holes h, i, and discharging through the
hole e, the hole serving as an air passage. Another description of the screwed
stopper is illustrated at Figures 31, 32, 33, Sheet 2. This consists of a hollow
screwed plug A provided with a valve J retained by a spring K, or applied without
a spring and retained by the pressure of the gas inside the bottle A in the case of
aërated liquids. The hollow plug or stopper A is provided with a spout e and an
air aperture f. The valve Jis opened by pressing the knob or cap L. The opening
of the valve J allowing free passage of the liquid in the bottle. When a bottle
thus stoppered is charged with gaseous liquid the pressure inside the bottle assists
in closing the valve. When the bottle is filled with non-gaseous liquid the valve J
is kept in its place against the rubber seating k by the spring K, which is of
sufficient strength for this purpose. The air hole is provided so that the contents
of the bottle may be more readily poured out through the spout e.
6th. Another modification of this Invention consists in the use of a cap, which to
a certain extent resembles the cap of the well-known syphon bottle in construction.
This part of my Invention will be understood upon reference to Figures 34 and 35.
In Figure 34 the cap A is shown screwed into the mouth D of the bottle B. In
Figure 35 the cap A is shown screwed over the mouth D of the bottle B. The cap
or stopper A is provided with a valve J, worked by a hollow spindle J¹ and a.
lever Ji In connection with the hollow spindle Ji there is a tube J", which
descends into the bottle and is used as an air exit when the bottle is being filled, or
as an air inlet when the bottle is being emptied. The top of the hollow spindle J'
is closed by butting against an india-rubber or other washer M at the top in the
cap. The valve J is worked by the lever J and the spring K. I term this, form
of stopper, as illustrated at Figures 34 and 35, an atmospheric or low-pressure;
syphon, as by its use the bottle may be emptied without internal pressure.. When
this stopper is used for gaseous liquids the valve must be arranged to open slightly;
before the air tube Ju
7th. The improvements in bottling apparatus according to this Invention consist
in certain additions and alterations of the mouth-piece to suit the orifices of the
bottles to be stoppered. With the syphon-stoppered bottle the requisite vacuum
for filling may be effected through the air tube J, Figures 34 and 35, the bottle
being filled in an inverted position, the filling mouth-piece having a horizontal
position. To fill bottles stoppered in manner as illustrated at Figures 31, 32, and
33 it is necessary to liave an elastic packing to cover the air hole f. The inlet
L
"

page_text: mouth e is held to the feeding tap; the bottle is held in a horizontal position on
the holder. To prevent the gas and water from escaping through the valve rod
hole (Figure 33) when filling a washer m is placed in the cap L, so that when
the valve J is pressed open for filling the washer m presses on the rim n of
the stopper A. By slackening or raising this washer the necessary escape of air
for filling can be regulated. Figure 36 is a modification of the bottling machine
described in the Specification of former Letters Patent granted to me, No. 490, A.D.
1875. O is the framework; P, the bottle holder; Q, the foot lever, which serves
to keep the mouth of the bottle against the mouth-piece p and elastic packing R;
S is a projection to keep the filling valve, such as shown at Figures 27. 12, open to
enable the atmospheric air to escape from the bottle during bottling, I provide a
passage way T in connection with the air guage U. This prevents the waste of
gas, liquid, and cordials usual in ordinary bottling machines. V is a plunger which
screws up and down in the gauge U to regulate the quantity of air that may be
admitted. It will be readily understood that more capacity must be given to the
guage U for low-pressure bottling, and less capacity for high-pressure bottling.
This is effected by screwing up or down the plunger V in the gauge U. W is the
liquid pipe in connection with the tap for filling. It will be evident that the air
gauge as just described is applicable to most classes of bottling machines and also
to corking machines. The machine as shown at Figure 35 may be provided with a
syrup pump in connection with the inlet W, as will be understood.
L
8th. This Invention further consists in filling bottles with non-aërated liquids,
and stoppering same with stoppers similarly constructed to those described under
head 1. In this case I first fill the bottle with non-aërated liquid, or liquid which
is only slightly gaseous when bottled. I then put the stopper in the bottle quite
loosely, and I place the bottle in the bottle holder P of the machine, such as illus-
trated at Figure 37. The bottle mouth is then brought in contact with the mouth-
piece X, which allows the stopper to lie loosely upon the mouth of the bottle, and
at the same time forms an air-tight joint on the bottle shoulder. The mouth-piece X
is provided with a spring X', and is in connection with a suction pipe Y." With
this pump Y I exhaust all the air from the bottle, causing a vacuum therein, which
holds the stopper in position by ordinary atmospheric pressure on the outside
thereof. This system of stoppering may be termed the vacuum system. The spiral
spring X' serves to press the stopper or cork slightly, so as to prevent the stopper
from being removed from its position when drawing the air from the bottle, and
also serves to slightly press the stopper into the bottle when a sufficient vacuum
has been obtained, and thus prevent the air returning into the bottle.
It will be evident that this machine is also applicable for bottling with ordinary
corks, which may be further secured by a wire or string; or the bottle may be
made with a concave mouth sufficiently high to exceed the top of the stopper or
cork, and serve as a guard to prevent the stopper being accidentally canted or
moved.
Having now described and ascertained the nature, object, and purposes of my
Invention, and shown how the same may be carried out into practical effect, what
I claim as my Invention and secured to me by Letters Patent as aforesaid is,
Firstly. The construction and arrangement of stoppers for bottles for containing
aërated, or gaseous, or other liquids, and the method of attaching and fastening
such stoppers to bottles or other receptacles as herein described, and as illustrated
at Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying Drawings.
Secondly. The construction and arrangement of stoppers for bottles for containing
aërated, or gaseous, or other liquids, and the method of attaching and fastening such
stoppers to bottles or other receptacles as herein described, and as illustrated at
Figures 5 to 8 of the accompanying Drawings.
Thirdly. The construction and arrangement of stoppers for bottles for containing
aërated, or gaseous, or other liquids, and the method of attaching and fastening such
stoppers to bottles or other receptacles as herein described, and as illustrated at
Figures 9 to 12 of the accompanying Drawings.

page_text: Fourthly. The construction and arrangement of stoppers for bottles for containing
aerated, or gaseous, or other liquids, and the method of attaching and fastening such
stoppers to bottles or other receptacles as herein described, and as illustrated at
Figures 13 to 16 of the accompanying Drawings.
Fifthly. The construction and arrangement of stoppers for bottles for containing
aërated, or gaseous, or other liquids, and the method of attaching and fastening such
stoppers to bottles or other receptacles as herein described, and as illustrated at
Figures 17 to 20 of the accompanying Drawings.
Sixthly. The construction and arrangement of stoppers for bottles for containing
aërated, or gaseous, or other liquids, and the method of attaching and fastening such
stoppers to bottles or other receptacles as herein described, and as illustrated at
Figures 21 to 24 of the accompanying Drawings.
Seventhly. The construction and arrangement of stoppers for bottles for containing
aërated, or gaseous, or other liquids, and the method of attaching and fastening such
stoppers to bottles or other receptacles as herein described, and as illustrated at
Figures 25 to 28 of the accompanying Drawings.
Eighthly. The construction and arrangement of stoppers for bottles for containing
aërated, or gaseous, or other liquids, and the method of attaching and fastening such
stoppers to bottles or other receptacles as hercin described, and as illustrated at
Figures 28 to 30 of the accompanying Drawings.
Ninthly. The construction and arrangement of stoppers for bottles for containing
aërated, or gaseous, or other liquids, and the method of attaching and fastening such
stoppers to bottles or other receptacles as herein described, and as illustrated at
Figures 31 to 33 of the accompanying Drawings.
Tenthly. The construction and arrangement of stoppers for bottles for containing
aërated, gaseous, or other liquids, and the method of attaching and fastening such
stoppers to bottles and other receptacles, such stopper constituting an atmospheric
or low-pressure syphon as herein described, and as illustrated at Figures 34 and 35
of the accompanying Drawings.
Eleventhly. The construction and arrangement of a bottling machine such as
illustrated at Figure 36 (the novel parts being the formation of the filling mouth-
piece and the application of the air gauge), substantially in the manner and for the
purposes herein-before described.
Twelfthly. The method of bottling non-gaseous liquids by creating a vacuum in
the bottle or receptacle, and retaining the stopper or cork by natural atmospheric
pressure, as herein-before described, and accomplished by a machine such as illus-
trated at Figure 37, or any modification thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said Léon Vallet, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-second day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
LÉON (L.S.) VALLET.