IMPROVEMENTS IN STOPPERING BOTTLES TO CONTAIN AERATED OR FERMENTED LIQUIDS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Battersby, of Ardwick, near Manchester, in the
County of Lancaster, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN STOPPERING
BOTTLES TO CONTAIN AERATED OR FERMENTED LIQUIDS."
Sealed the 4th November 1879, and dated the 16th May 1879.
*
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Battersby at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th May 1879.
WILLIAM BATTERSBY, of Ardwick, near Manchester, in the County of Lancaster.
IMPROVEMENTS IN STOPPERING BOTTLES TO CONTAIN AERATED OR FERMENTED
LIQUIDS."
The object of this Invention is to provide a stopper for bottles to contain aerated
or fermented liquids, which shall self-actingly adjust itself in position in the neck
of the bottle, and which shall afford the widest possible area for the exercise of
pressure upon the india-rubber washer or ring employed for effecting the requisite
joint, and consists in arranging a stopper heavier at one end than the other, so as to
ensure the heaviest end entering first in the neck of the bottle; this is effected by
constructing the stopper of metal, glass, liguum-vitae, or other heavy wood or
material which will sink in water, by preference, in the shape of a half sphere
hollowed on the inside, and surrounded on the outside with an india rubber ring
or washer; from the outside of this half sphere a suitable shaped piece of metal
projects to give the requisite weight at that extremity, to cause the stopper to enter.
the neck of the bottle in the right position. A modification of the Invention
consists in making a stopper of india rubber, or india rubber and vulcanite com-
bined, either in the form of a single stopper, in which case one end would require to
be weighted, or in the form of a double ended stopper with a washer in the centre.

page_text: Fig. 1 shows stopper made in india rubber vulcanized, hard at the head or top A
with the bottom B left soft or pliable.
Fig. 2 is a form of stopper, soft or pliable throughout, a ball or weight being
inserted in the head of the stopper at C, to give greater specific gravity if desired.
This stopper may be also formed with a square shoulder.
Fig. 3. modified form of stopper, showing round (though they might be square)
corners also, with weight or ball. This stopper is made smaller just above the
shoulder as shown, to allow the stopper to bend more easily when inserting same
into the bottle.
Fig. 4 shows another form of the stopper, without ring or washer, made of glass,
wood, ebonite, or any other material, compound, or substance that may be required.
Fig. 5, stopper shown in Fig. 4, with ring or washer fitted thereon." The washer
can be put on the stopper inside the bottle by an instrument for that purpose.
Fig. 6 shows bottle fitted with stopper similar to Fig. 1, except that it has square
corners.
Fig. 7, bottle fitted with stopper, shown by Fig. 5.
The advantages of a stopper constructed according to my Invention, as shown in
Figs. 1, 2, and 3 are, that it is made or moulded in one solid piece, with the head
or top portion of greater specific gravity than the bottom, thus securing a proper
gravitating stopper without the aid of a loose washer or ring, and by its peculiar
construction is easily inserted or passed through the mouth of the bottle. The
advantages of my stopper, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, are the cheapness and the
neatness of the stopper, when the bottle is filled with aerated or gaseous liquids,
there being so little of the stopper to be seen.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed or carried out in
practice, I hereby declare that I claim the Invention of "Improvements in Stoppering
Bottles to Contain Aërated or Fermented Liquids," substantially as hereinbefore set
forth and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Battersby, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twelfth day of November, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
Witness,
STEPHEN CHESTERS,
1, Lyndall Avenue,
Ardwick.
WILLIAM BATTERSBY. (L.S.)