IMPROVEMENTS IN CLOSING AND UNCLOSING BOTTLES AND "OTHER VESSELS USED FOR CONTAINING LIQUIDS, ALSO IN THE MODES OF INSERTING, SECURING, AND LIBERATING LIQUIDS THEREIN AND THEREPROM
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Fischer Alexander Wilson, of Kennington, in the
County of Surrey, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
CLOSING AND UNCLOSING BOTTLES AND "OTHER VESSELS USED FOR CONTAINING
LIQUIDS, ALSO IN THE MODES OF INSERTING, SECURING, AND LIBERATING LIQUIDS
THEREIN AND THEREPROM."
Sealed the 28th August 1855, and dated the 28th February 1855.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Fischer Alexander Wilson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
28th February 1855.
I, FISCHER ALEXANDER WILSON, of Kennington, in the County of Surrey,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN CLOSING & UNCLOSING BOTTLES AND OTHER VESSELS USED FOR
CONTAINING LIQUIDS, ALSO IN THE MODES OF INSERTING, SECURING, AND LIBERATING
LIQUIDS THEREIN & THEREPROM," to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to certain modes of closing and unclosing bottles, pots,
and other vessels for containing liquids, also for the better inserting, securing,
and liberating liquids therefrom; it comprises a series of tubes, stoppers, and
lids, which are variously conducted, but may be classified as follows:-
1stly, the single tube stopper, which consists of one or more tubes fitted with
one or more lids or valves to open and close by means of a spring, screw, lever,

page_text: or slide. When there are more than one valve or lid, they are made (except when
used for effervescing liquids) so as to open and close simultaneously. These single
tubes are intended to be used in place of the ordinary stopper or cork, from
which, however, they differ, inasmuch as it is not necessary to remove them
from the vessel either to insert or release the liquid, the opening of the valves
being all that is necessary for that purpose.
2ndly, the double tube and concentric cylindrical stoppers, the outer tubes
of which are intended to be inserted in the vessel, and secured thereto in the
double tube stopper. The inner tube fits into the outer one; the bottom of
the outer tube (which is secured to the vessel) is closed, but there are apertures
in the sides of both the inner and outer tubes; and when the inner one is
turned till both these apertures coincide or are even with each other, the liquid
can be either inserted into or discharged from the vessel. These double
stoppers are either made cylindrical or in the form of a frustrum of a cone.
When cylindrical, the inner tube can be made so as to open and close the
apertures by being raised and lowered instead of being turned round as before
described. The concentric cylindrical stoppers are also in two parts, the one to
be secured to the bottle, the other loose; the centre tube of the part fixed to the
bottle is open, and upon this an outer short flanged cylinder is fixed, the space
between the bottom of which and the inner tube is closed; the loose part fits
into the fixed part by means of a plug and inverted cylinder, also flanged and
closed at the top; the plug fits into the open tube, and the inverted cylinder
into the interstice between the fixed cylinder and tube, and when closed the
two flanges are pressed down one upon the other, a stratum of cork, leather,
or other suitable substance being placed between them or not, as circumstances
may require.
3rdly, valved lids or covers for open vessels; these lids can be made to
expand and contract, so as to suit vessels of different sizes, and may be fixed
or moveable.
4thly, a valve stopper and cup and mouth-pieces for pocket or portable
bottles. These can be either inserted into the bottle so as to form a stopper,
or they can be inserted through the cork by means of the boring and cutting
tubes, hereafter mentioned. The cups or mouth-pieces are also made separate
from the tubes or stopper, so as to be either fitted thereto or fitted to the bottle
without the stopper; in the lattle cases the mouth-pieces are furnished with a
valve, which answers the purpose of a stopper when closed.
5thlly, cutting tubes, for cutting out a hollow opening through the cork of
a bottle for inserting any of the foregoing tubular stoppers, drinking cups, or
mouth-pieces, or parts thereof. These cutters consist of thin inner and outer

page_text: tubes, which are sharp at the bottom or cutting part, made slightly conical, and
fit one within the other. There is a head similar to the head of a corkscrew,
which fits on to the top of these tubes, and is made hollow and fitted with a
valve to open and close the same; this head is made to fit on to and fasten to
both tubes, which are then used as follows, viz.:-When the head is fitted
to the tubes they are forced through the cork, and thereby cut out a circular
core which enters the inner tube, and when the cork is cut through to the
bottom, the inner tube is withdrawn, and brings with it the portion of the cork
cut out; the head may then be attached to the other tube, which will then
form a valved stopper; or the outer tube may be also removed, and any of the
other tubes or valve stoppers may be inserted. For the better inserting,
securing, and releasing effervescent and corrosive liquids, I use one of the
double-tubed or double-valved stoppers, the valves of which open inwards;
the outer tube is inserted into the neck of the bottle or other vessel, and the
inner tube and plug are then inserted, and are finally secured by a screw
or other suitable fastening. When inserting the liquid the outer valve only is
first opened, when the space between the outer and inner valves is filled,
and the outer valve being closed, the inner one is opened and the liquid
passed into the bottle or other vessel, and so on, till the required quantity
of the liquid is inserted.
Lastly, in making bottles and other vessels, I adapt the form of the neck so
as to receive one of the tubes and valves above mentioned, or to dispense with
part thereof, so as to render the application of my Invention more perfect, and
to produce a vessel which may be alternately opened and closed without the
intervention of loose corks or stoppers. I make the said stoppers, tubes, lids,
and valves of wood, metal, glass, gutta percha, or other material suitable for
he purpose.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Fischer Alexander Wilson in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 28th August 1855.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, FISCHER
ALEXANDER WILSON, of Kennington, in the County of Surrey, Gentleman,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-eighth day of February, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, in the eighteenth year of

page_text: Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Fischer Alexander Wilson, Her special licence that I, the said
Fischer Alexander Wilson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as I, the said Fischer Alexander Wilson, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time
and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CLOSING AND UNCLOSING BOTTLES AND OTHER VESSELS
USED FOR CONTAINING LIQUIDS, ALSO IN THE MODES OF INSERTING, SECURING, AND
LIBERATING LIQUIDS THEREIN AND THEREFROM," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Fischer Alexander Wilson, by an instrument in
writing under my hand and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be
performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Fischer Alexander Wilson, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement and description thereof, and in and by the Drawings
accompanying this Specification, together with the explanation applying
thereto herein-after contained, that is to say :-
My Invention relates to closing and unclosing bottles, pots, and other vessels
for containing effervescent, corrosive, or other liquids, and consists in certain
modes of forming the said vessels or parts thereof, and also in forming
certain plugs, stoppers, plates, covers, or lids to be used therewith, or to be
applied to bottles and other vessels as at present constructed, for the better
inserting, securing, and liberating liquids (whether effervescent, corrosive, or
otherwise) therein and therefrom, and comprises,―
1st, a single hollow plug or stopper, fitted with one or more valves or lids to
be opened, closed, and secured by means of one or more springs, screws, levers,
or slides. When there are more than one valve or lid, they are so arranged as
to be capable of being opened, closed, or secured simultaneously or separately,
as may be required; the said hollow plug or stopper being also capable of
being fastened to the vessel (but so as to be removed when necessary), or to
form an integral part of the said vessel, the object thereof being to dispense
with (when necessary) a loose cork, stopper, or lid, and to render the said
vessels self-opening, self-closing, and self-securing.

page_text: 2ndly, a double tube and hollow plug, or concentric cylindrical or concentric
conical tube stopper. The double tube and plug consists of a tube and plug
and twin tube, or tubes formed at one end with a single opening and at the
other end with a double opening, the opening through the single tube being
common to both the openings through the double tube, one of which tubes is
closed by a hollow or solid plug, which descends to and also closes the single
opening, in which both tubes terminate at the bottom. By inserting this
into the vessel, and by raising the plug in its own tube, but without removing
it therefrom, the liquid can be inserted into or discharged from the vessel,
and is secured therein by pushing down the plug, which closes both tubes
simultaneously. By making the plug hollow, and having an aperture in the
side thereof to coincide with the aperture at the confluence of the twin
tubes, the same operations can be performed by merely turning the hollow
plug round. The twin tube or double tube and plug may either be made
separate from the bottle or other vessel, or integrally therewith, the plug
only being moveable and removeable at pleasure. By giving to the necks
of bottles and other vessels a form similar to the twin tube stopper a common
cork or plug only will be required. The plug may be made hollow or
solid, and secured to the vessel, but so as to be removed therefrom when
necessary. I purpose this form to be used for inserting effervescent and
corrosive liquors, and securing and liberating the same in any required quantity
at pleasure without allowing the escape and waste of rarefied air or gases
therein contained, consequent upon the use of the common cork bottle, &c.
The concentric cylindrical or concentric conical tubo stopper consists of two
or more hollow tubes, which fit accurately one within the other, and are open
at the top but closed at the bottom, each tube having an aperture or apertures
in the sides thereof. The outer tube is to be inserted in the bottle or other
vessel, and secured thereto or formed therewith integrally, and may be either
open or closed at the bottom, as may be found necessary; for effervescing or
corrosive liquors the latter plan is preferable. The inner tube, when the outer
one is open, must be closed at the bottom, and must fit accurately within the
outer one, so as to prevent the escape of air or gasses between their surfaces
in contact. By turning the inner tube round till the aperture or apertures in
the sides thereof coincide with the apertures in the sides of the outer tube, the
liquid can be either inserted into or discharged from the vessel, and secured
therein by turning the inner tube (through which the liquid passes) round till
the apertures are closed. The inner tube may then be held fast in the required
position, the opening covered, and the whole more completely secured by means
of a screw, lid, plug, or other suitable fastening at the top. When these tubes

page_text: are cylindrical or the sides parallel, the apertures may be opened and closed by
raising or lowering the inner tube instead of turning the same. I, however,
prefer the conical form (frustrum of a cone), as it will generally be found to
be capable of being more easily inserted and secured in the neck of a bottle;
at the same time it allows more space round the aperture within the neck of
the bottle, decanter, or vessel, while, from the nature of the conical form, the
concentric tube can be more accurately fitted, and the apertures more perfectly
closed. In the double tube and plug, as above described, it is not necessary
that the confluence of the tubes should be in any particular angle, as the plug
may be inserted through the neck tube at right angles therewith if required.
The ornamental tops (shewn upon the Drawings) are not essentially neces-
sary either to the single or double tube stoppers, being introduced as a matter
of taste; by using these, however, or the modifications, hereafter described, the
additional safety of a locking cover is obtained. These will be found described
under the head of plates, lids, and covers.
3rdly, plates, lids, and covers for bottles, pots, and other open vessels.
These plates, lids, or covers are formed with apertures therein, opened and
closed by valves, actuated by springs, levers, screws, or slides, or other suitable
contrivances. These valves are either formed within, under, or upon the said
plates or covers, or are placed in tubes inserted in the apertures, as may be
required, and the said plates or lids may either be formed with the vessel or be
fixed thereto, so as to be removeable therefrom, and may be placed partially
within, or over, or upon the same. When the said plates, lids, and covers are
intended to be loose, and capable of being fitted to vessels of different sizes,
they are made with an expanding and contracting under-flange for that purpose.
For the better security or safety of the contents of bottles, pots, and other
vessels, I fit the valves or moveable parts of the above-mentioned single and
double tubed and other stoppers, as also the plates, lids, covers, &c., with a
screw or spring lock, or other suitable fastening, with a loose key, by the
removal of which (the stoppers, lids, &c. being closed and locked), the contents
of the said vessels may be rendered inaccessible, and placed under the same
conditions of safety as the contents of a locked drawer, box, or safe, i. e.,
accessible only by force.
4thly, valved stoppers, cups, mouth-pieces, and portable pocket bottle or cau-
teen. The portable bottle or canteen is formed by connecting two of the aforesaid
plates together by means of a cylinder or pipe of india-rubber or other suitable
elastic and hydro-impervious material, forming one entire vessel, or divided into
compartments for containing different liquids which are to be inserted through
the valves and tubes, in the plates of which the top and bottom or two ends are

page_text: formed, and to which the valved stopper, cups, and mouth-pieces are to be
attached. These can either be formed entire with the valve or so as to sepa-
rate therefrom. For common bottles these mouth-pieces and cups are made
with a valve in them, and are attached to a tube, either for insertion into the
neck of the bottle in lieu of the cork, or are fitted with a cutting tube or small
pipe to be inserted through the cork, a hole being cut therein by the cutting
tubes herein-after described under the head of cork-cutting tubes, &c.
5thly, cork-cutting tubes, heads, and valves. The cutting tubes are to be
used for cutting a suitable hole through the cork of a bottle or other vessel for
inserting any of the foregoing tubes, stoppers, valves, or parts thereof, or to be
used with the head valve, &c. in lieu thereof, if necessary. The cutters consist
of thin inner and outer metal steel tubes, sharp at the bottom or cutting part,
made slightly conical, and so as to fit one within the other. The outer tube is
made with a spiral cutting flange or projection on the outside for giving it a
firm hold in the cork. The head which fits on to the top of these tubes is
similar to the head of a corkscrew; is made hollow, and open at one or both
ends, and fitted with a valve or valves to open and close the same. This head
is made to fit on to and fasten to both tubes, which are used as follows, viz. :-
When the head is fitted to the tubes, they are thereby forced through the cork
and cut out a core, which enters the inner tube; and when the cork is cut
through to the bottom, the inner tube is withdrawn, and brings with it the
portion of the cork cut out, the outer tube remaining in the cork secured by
the spiral flange. The hollow head (or any of the foregoing stoppers) may
then be attached to this tube, which will then form a valved stopper; or the
outer tube may also be removed, and any of the other valved tubes, stoppers,
cups, mouth-pieces, &c. may be inserted and used as aforesaid. For the
better inserting and securing effervescent and corrosive liquids into bottles
and other vessels, I use a double tube or double valved tube, the valves of
which open inwards. The lower end of the tube is to be placed firmly in the
hollow stopper or in the neck or aperture of the bottle or other vessel formed
as above described, and when inserting the liquid the outer valve only is first
opened, when the space between the outer and inner valve is filled, and the
outer valve being closed, the inner one is opened and the liquid passed through
the valved stopper or valved neck of the vessel, as the case may be, by pressure
or otherwise, until the required quantity of the liquid is inserted. These
inserting tubes may be made of any size required, and fitted with a piston
escape pipe and valve, through which any superabundant quantity of air may
be liberated from the vessel at the time of inserting the liquid.
Lastly, in making bottles and other vessels I adapt the form of the neck or

page_text: other part, as the case may be, so as to receive one or more of the tubes, valves,
plates, lids, tops, or covers above-mentioned, or to dispense with part thereof,
so as to render the application of my Invention more simple and perfect, and
to produce a vessel or vessels which may be alternately open and closed without
the intervention of loose corks, stoppers, lids, or covers.
Having thus stated and specified the nature and objects of my said Invention,
I will now proceed to describe and illustrate certain modes by which the same
is to be performed
EXPLANATION OF THE DRAWINGS.
The Drawings accompanying this Specification are laid down to a geometrical
scale the full size, and are lettered Drawing A, Drawing B, and Drawing C,
respectively.
Drawing A. Figs. 1 and 2 show a single valve stopper open and closed; and
Fig. 3 shows a vertical section through the centre thereof; Figs. 4 and 5 show
a single tube dip valve stopper as actuated by a spring a, a, (Fig. 6,) which
is a spiral spring, and is pressed down by the quadrant a'; Figs. 7 and 8 show
another mode of actuating the valve by means of a screw b, shewn in section at
Fig. 9; the valve is raised and lowered by turning the head of the stopper c,
and which is held in its place by the cap d, which screws on to the tube c.
Figs. 10 and 11 show a single-tubed stopper with a double valve, and is shewn
in section at Fig. 12. The valves f, f, are opened and closed by raising and
lowering the lid g.
Drawing B. Figs. 1 and 2 show a double-tubed concentric stopper for
opening and closing a vessel, by turning the inner tube a, Fig. 3, until both
apertures 6 coincide; the cover c screws on to the tube d, or may be hinged
thereto, so as to fasten with a spring, or the cover may be entirely dispensed
with. Fig. 4 shows a twin tube stopper as closed; Fig. 5 shows the same in
section. e, e, are the tubes; and f, the plug by which they are closed. Fig. 6
shows a similar tube with a hollow plug, with an aperture 9 in the side for
inserting and liberating the liquids, by turning the same instead of raising and
lowering the plug, as at Fig. 5.
Figs. 7 and 8 shows a covering plate with a lock valve. h is the plate; i, an
aperture, which is closed by the slide valve j, and is locked by the screw lock k.
Figs. 9 and 10 show a plate or cover, in which there is a large aperture 7,
which is opened and closed by the knob m, which actuates an under lid, and
which is also capable of being locked by the screw lock n. Figs. 11 and 12
show a lid with an expanding and contracting flange o, o, which is actuated
by turning the moveable centre p. Figs. 13 and 14 show the portable bottle

page_text: and cup. 7, 9, are the valve lids; 1, the division plate; and s, s, the com-
partments for containing different liquids; t is the cup which screws on to the
valves u, u. Fig. 15 shows the small valved stopper v detached, and a mouth-
piece w adapted thereto. Fig. 16 shows a view of the stopper with the valve
open, and Fig. 17 the same stopper with the valve closed.
Drawing C. Fig. 1, 2, and 3 show the cutting tubes. a is the outer tube
with the spiral cutting flange, and 6 the inner one; Fig. 3 shows them in section;
Figs. 4 and 5 show the valved head to be used therewith. c, c, are openings
through the neck and limb of the head, and which are opened and closed
by the plug, which may be drawn back by the rod e. This plug may also be
made hollow, when the openings will be opened and closed by merely turning
the same. Fig. 6 shows a syphon pipe, in which f is a small air pipe formed
therein. This syphon may be used for liberating liquors through corked vessels.
I make the said stoppers, tubes, valves and lids, plates and covers, of wood,
metal, glass, gutta percha, or other material suitable for the purpose.
I have now, to the best of my ability, described and ascertained the nature of
my said Invention, and illustrated certain modes by which the same is to be
performed. It must, however, be understood that I do not confine myself to
the particular forms of stoppers, tubes, valves, plates, lids, cutting tubes, &c.,
nor do I confine myself to the modes of actuating the same shown upon the
several Drawings, but include as part of my said Invention all such modifi-
cations thereof as may be, so long as the said modifications are consistent with
the description and statement herein-before contained or identical with my said
Invention.
In witness whereof, I, the said Fischer Alexander Wilson, have hereunto
F. A. (L.S.) WILSON.