Improvements in Stoppers or Plugs for Bottles, Flasks, and Casks.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 6th May, 1893-Accepted, 10th June, 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Stoppers or Plugs for Bottles, Flasks, and Casks.
I, CARL MÖLLER of 32 Borsigstrasse, Berlin, Architect, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention 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 a stopper or plug for hermetically closing bottles of all
kinds, flasks and casks.
And in order that my said invention may be properly understood I have here-
unto appended an explanatory sheet of drawings, whereon
Fig. 1 is a vertical section of the stopper.
Fig. 2 shows, in section, a modification of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line - Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a cross section on the line y-y Fig. 2.
Fig. 5 shows the stopper fitted in the neck of a bottle.
Referring to the drawings whereon the same reference letters wherever repeated
indicate similar or like parts.
The stopper or plug consists of a disc a, which has a number of cuts made in its.
circumference. In these cuts a number of wing-shaped thin metal plates c are
fitted. A piece of wire d passes through holes in the upper ends of the plates and
retains them in position. This wire is laid in a circular groove made in the disc..
A hole is bored up through the centre of the disc and through this hole is passed
the rod e of the piston f. The rod e is made with a head through which is passed
a ring handle i. The disc a is made with an upwardly projecting part which is
screwed externally and on this part is screwed a cap g.
An india-rubber or other
suitable flexible covering k is pushed over the plates c and disc a and is held in
place by the flange on the underside of the cap 9, when said cap is screwed down.
The covering is, as shown, of conical shape, and has on its interior surface a
ridge l.
The stopper is applied in the following manner :-
After the stopper is inserted by hand into the bottle, the head is pressed down,
60 as to force downward the piston and thereby spread out the wing plates c and
cover k. In this manner the said cover k is pressed firmly against the interior
surface of the bottle neck and closes it. The piston passes down until it reaches
the ring or ridge which it expands so as to insure a perfectly air tight closure of
the bottle.
The use of a cover with a ridge or ring
of bottles.
enables it to be fitted in various sizes
To fix the stopper to the bottle a shackle is provided which is soldered to the
cap g. The arms n of the shackle slide through holes in ball joints m¹ fitted to
the ring m on the bottle.
The stopper shown at Fig. 2 has the leaves or plates c made in one with a ring
screwed on to the disc a, or with the disc itself. In this case the leaves or plates
are made of thin spring metal.
The new stopper is much superior to those hitherto used, in simplicity of con-
struction, handiness, neatness, durability, and in its action on interior surface of
the bottle.
The stopper, when inserted, will resist the strongest internal pressure, whilst,
at the same time it can be taken out of the bottle with the greatest ease.
The pressure of the gases within the bottle renders the stoppering more secure
as the pressure acts on the rubber cover k and tends to press or bulge it out
laterally against the surface of the bottle neck.

page_text: 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 stopper for bottles, flasks and casks, having a disc (a), provided with a
number of plates or leaves (c) which can be spread out, by means of a piston (f),
or equivalent so as to expand a flexible cover (k) which encloses said leaves,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2. The construction of stopper, substantially as hereinbefore described and
shown at Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings annexed.
3. The modified construction of stopper, substantially as hereinbefore described
and shown at Figs. 2 and 4 of the drawings annexed.
4. The india-rubber cover k, with its internal ring or ridge 1, substantially as
hereinbefore set forth.
Dated this 5th day of May 1893
H. D. FITZPATRICK,
70, Wellington Street, Glasgow, Agent.