IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO STOPPERS FOR BOTTLES
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Harris Lake, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake
.
and Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO STOPPERS FOR BOTTLES" communi-
cated to him from abroad by Frederick B. Thatcher and Joseph, W. Johnson
both of New Britain, Connecticut, United States of America,
+2
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Henry Harris Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st August 1883.
"
HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine Lake and Co Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings London "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO STOPPERS
FOR BOTTLES communicated to me from abroad by Frederick B. Thatcher
and Joseph W. Johnson both of New Britain, Connecticut, United States of
America
This invention relates to bottle-stoppers and fastening devices therefor.
The said invention comprises an elastic moulded stopper of peculiar construction
as hereinafter described, and a novel combination of a neck-band a cap-plate, links
and a lever, by means of which an elastic stopper is properly confined within the
neck of a bottle, and readily released.
The improved stopper is specially applicable for use in connection with liquids
bottled under pressure, although of general value regardless of the character of the
liquids.
According to the said invention the elastic stopper has vents, through which
the bottle may be charged with liquid and gas, and which enable the contents of
the said bottle to be withdrawn by means of a draft tube. without the removal of
the stopper, from the bottle, or the contents may be discharged directly from the
mouth of the bottle, after the stopper has been removed.
:
.
Bottle-stoppers have heretofore been constructed, which were capable of similar
uses, but the improved stopper differs from all others, in that, it is a moulded
elastic stopper, having a central mortise, contracted at its entrance to form
shoulders for engaging with a knob or bulb on the end of a tube connected with a
cap plate, whereby it is readily and securely attached thereto, and maintained in
Dis 31

page_text: such central relation to the neck of the bottle, as to properly pack, and close its
mouth; and at the same time, the lower end of the elastic stopper, packs against,
and closes, the lower end of the cap-plate tube. The said stopper when elongated
by means of pressure whether of liquid, or gas, or by means of a draught tube, has
its vents placed in communication with the interior of the cap-plate, tube or neck, E
thus allowing free entrance to, or exit from the bottle, with which it is used.
For controlling the cap-plate I employ a neck-band, secured to the neck of a
bottle, a link which pivotally connects the said neck-band with the cap-plate, a
second link or yoke pivoted to the opposite side of the said cap-plate, and a cam-
lever, pivoted to the said neck-band for engaging with the said second link or 1
yoke and confining the cap-plate in position.
Similar devices have been heretofore employed in this general connection, but
heretofore a link by which the cap plate is pivotally connected to the neck-band
has never been employed in combination with a lever, also pivoted to the said
band, for engaging with a second cap-plate, link or yoke, so that when the latter is 1
released, the cap-plate with its elastic stopple,, can freely fly upward and away
from the mouth of the bottle, and thus enable the desirable prompt discharge of the
aërated or gaseous contents.
The said invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing-in which :-
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a bottle neck fitted with devices constructed
according to this invention
4
.
Figure 2 is a view of the same, at right angles to Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a top view of the elastic stopper detached.
Figure 4 is a vertical section of the said stopper
Figure 5 is a side view showing the position of the parts partially unfastened.
Figure 6 is a similar view, with the bottle neck partially in section.
Figure 7 is a side view of the cap plate detached.
Figure 8 is a top view of the neck band and cam lever detached, and
Figure 9 is a side view of the cam lever detached.
The bottle a is of ordinary form and material and has secured about its neck, a
metallic band b, to which is pivoted on one side, a link o usually of wire, and
diametrically opposite to this, is pivoted a cam-lever d.
To the link c is pivoted. the metallic cap plate or cover e which has a central
downward projecting tube or stem e' with a central passage e. The yoke or link f
is pivoted to the cap plate in such position, as to enable its lower end to engage
with the hook d of the lever, when its handle is turned upwardly.
The moulded elastic plug or stopper g which is made preferably of vulcanized
india-rubber, and has a central hole or mortise g', contracted in its upper part, to
form the shoulder hi, is adapted to fit closely upon, and conform to, the shouldered
tube or stem e' of the cover.
This plug or stopper is formed to fit the contour of the mouth of the bottle, at
the flange g.
Near the lower end of the body of the plug g, its lateral walls are perforated by
one or more vents i (of which four are here shown) and through these, and the
tubular stem, the bottle can be filled on the ordinary bottle fillor, or one specially
devised for the purpose.
The various parts of this device when the bottle is to be filled, may be arranged
as shown in Figures 1 and 2, or as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the inwardly turned
point of the cam hook d holding the yoke, while the liquid and gas force the flat
bottom of the plug away from the lower end of the stem and pass to and through
the lateral vents into the bottle. As soon as the filling is completed the lever, if
in the position shewn in. Figures 5 and 6, is then forced down against the bottle
and locked there as shown in Figure 1.
s
The elastic plug is forced into the mouth of the bottle as the lever is thus
depressed thus packing the elastic material firmly into the space between the
bottle and the tubular stein of the cap plate.
Having thus, fully described. the said invention as communicated to me by my

page_text: Foreign Correspondents, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it
understood that I Claim.
First. The elastic plug or stopper g, having the central hole or mortise g'
contracted to form shoulders, and provided with the flange 7%, and the lateral
vents i, substantially as described
Second. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore described, of the cap-
plate having an elastic plug connected thereto, with the neck-band, the connecting
link pivoted to both neck-band and cap-plate, the yoke or link f pivotally
connected to the cap-plate, and the cam-lever d pivotally attached to the neck-
band for engaging with the said yoke or link f, as set forth.
In witness Whereof I the said Henry Harris Lake have hereunto set my hand
and seal this Twenty-first day of August in the year of Our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and eighty three.
HENRY H. LAKE (L.S.)