Improved Metal Cap for Securing Corks or Stoppers in Bottles.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Oct., 1897-Accepted, 12th Mar., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Metal Cap for Securing Corks or Stoppers in Bottles.
We, BERNARDO FONTAN and CARLOS FONTAN, both of Ombu, 746, Buenos Ayres,
in the Argentine Republic, Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to he performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
Many patterns of capsules of different shapes and sizes have been devised, all
based on the same principle that is to say, a collar or band surrounding the bottle
neck from which project two or more supports either.fixed to the collar in various
ways, or made out of one piece with it and intended to keep in position the capsule
proper which secures the cork or stopper of the bottle.
It has been our aim to abandon this method and look out for something new
that would meet the desired requirement, something strong, neat, economical.
and easily attached to the bottles. With this view we have contrived to fix our
capsule not to the neck of the bottle below the projecting rim at the mouth, but
in the groove or round the lower edge of the "rim" itself as may be required as
will be explained below; by this means shorter capsules than those now in use
are obtained thus effecting a considerable saving in metal notwithstanding the said
capsule is in one piece and more pleasing to the eye, whilst being exceedingly
strong.
Our capsule for which we solicit Letters Patent is illustrated by the drawings
hereunto annexed, and is made as follows:-
1st. By cutting out of a sheet of suitable metal, tin-plate, sheet-iron, copper or
other suitable metals, the single piece of which it is composed as clearly shown in
Figs 1 and 1* on the drawing.
2nd. By folding inwards the clasping strips BB at the bottom part so as to
form a flange and at the same time stamping the said clasps into the form of a
semi-circle so as to embrace the neck of the bottle below the rim.
3rd. By laying over the edges of the central portion A and passing the ends CC
of the clips B through the openings 1 D, the capsule being now ready for fitting on
to the bottles Figs. 2.
FIXING.
The method of fixing the capsule to the bottles is extremely simple as a glance
at Figs. 3, 4 and 5 will show. Figs. 2 shew the capsule ready for fixing. Fig. 3
represents the manner of fixing it, that is to say the capsule, at the moment of its
being pressed by the fore-finger over the bottle mouth (see Fig. 3) opens out its
arms which, on attaining their right position, close of their own accord Figs. 4
and 4*. In the latter the arms connecting the parts A and B are shorter, so that
the clasps B will fit a bottle having a groove formed in the rim of its neck.
רנס...D

page_text: The finished capsules, owing to the rounded shape of the clasps previously com-
pletely bent to such form, and owing also to the bending down of their supports,
form a spring keeping the clasps always closed.
In this position it only remains necessary to double back towards the right
hand the ends CC in order to finally fix the capsule in place (see Fig. 5).
ADVANTAGES.
We maintain that the capsule invented by us combines undoubted advantages
over all others hitherto known, the chief of which are:-
1st. Great facility in its adjustment to bottles or other similar vessels, as our
capsule is arranged in such a manner as to form a catch holding together the clips
which keep the arms closed thus enabling it to be instantaneously fixed in its
position by a simple pressure of the fore-finger.
2nd. Far greater resistance and safety than any other owing to the flange on
the arms and the reduced depth of the uprights or supports. By a very slight
increase in the thickness of the metal employed in its manufacture the capsule will
gain considerably in strength and thus be enabled to stand high pressures without
any appreciable difference in the labor or cost of production or the facility of its
adjustment.
3rd. It is far neater than any other pattern, being of smaller depth, lighter, and
more in accord with the canons of good taste.
4th. More economical as to the cost of production which, by our system, is chiefly
effected by machinery thus securing greater perfection.
Besides, there is a greater saving in the amount of metal used, as may be seen
by a glance at its reduced depth.
5th. The lower edge being folded inwards, it does not injure the hands when
handling the bottles, its other parts being suitably rounded with the same object.
6th. Our capsule may he affixed to the mouth of any of the bottles in common
use and without the aid of a machine or implement of any description and without
incurring the necessity of making special bottles on purpose, as is the case with
other makes.
Teatures.
1st. By the new method of fitting the capsule to the rim at the mouth of the
bottle or to the lower edge of the saiderim, according to the depth required for the
capsule, which can thus be made shorter, consequently effecting a great saving in
metal.
2nd. By the new system of clasps with edges folded inwards which hold the
capsule in position on the mouth of the bottle.
3rd. By the general arrangement of the bands which form the clasps which
are both of the same shape and size, with the object of enabling them to he fitted
on at a single effort. as also the special arrangement of the said parts lying in
opposite directions whereby the end is enabled to slip readily into the hole in the
opposite part and thus materially facilitate the grip.
4th. In short our capsule is contrived in such a manner as to form a spring
clip, and by this means to be fitted on instantaneously without the assistance of
a machine or implement of any description.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is

page_text: The improved metal capsules for bottles as hereinbefore described and
illustrated by the drawings annexed.
Dated this 6th day of October 1897.
GEO. DAVIES & SON.
Agents for the Applicants, 4, St. Ann's Square, Manchester.