Improvements in and relating to Corks.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 29th May, 1890
Complete Specification Left. 28th Feb., 1891-Accepted, 28th Mar., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Corks.
I, FRANK MITCHELL, of 324, Redman's Road, Mile End, in the County of
Middlesex, Cork Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
My invention relates to embossing or forming in relief, designs, patterns, letters,
or figures etc., on cork stoppers, and it has for its objects the ornamentation thereof
and enabling a better grip to be obtained on the cork stopper for the purpose of
extracting it from a bottle, jar, or other receptacle which it is designed to close, or
the combination of both these objects.
I attain these objects by compressing the surface of the cork on which it is desired
to emboss the letters, figures, designs, or patterns with a die or its equivalent
having the letters, figures, design, or pattern in relief-immediately in front of the
cutting edge of the knife adapted to shape or trim the cork. After the cut is com--
pleted the parts which have been compressed by the relief die rise above the surface
of the parts which have not been compressed, and so form the letters, figures, design,
or pattern, on the cork in relief.
My invention may be utilized in many ways either for embossing the ends of the
corks with a name, trade mark, or other design, or for embossing a design, pattern,
or name round one end of the cork to afford a better grip on it for extracting it
from a bottle or other receptacle. This design or pattern may either be a simple
ornamentation or it may be the name and address of the person or firm for whose
use the corks are intended. The ends of corks are embossed by pressing the end
into a die and passing a knife between the surfaces of the die and cork, but in
embossing the periphery of a cork the die placed immediately in front of the
cutting edge of the knife and is adapted to move laterally, or rotate, as the cork is
turned for the purpose of being shaped.
It will be obvious that in some cases it is possible to make the design or
pattern in intaglio by sinking the design or pattern in the die instead of having it in
relief.
Dated this oil 1
1000
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
Royal Courts Chambers, 70-72, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Corks.
I, FRANK MITCHELL, of 324 Redman's Road, Mile End, in the County of
Middlesex, Cork Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to embossing or forming in relief, designs, patterns, letters,
figures, or the like, on corks, or stoppers, made of cork bark or other compressible and
elastic material or substance, and it has for its object, the ornamentation of corks or
stoppers, enabling a better rip to be obtained on them for the purpose of extracting
them from bottles, jars or the like, and rendering corks or stoppers more efficient
and effective as such.
I attain this end by compressing the surface of the cork in front of the cutting
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page_text: knife when the cork is being trimmed. or cut in a rounding machine, by means of a
die or its equivalent having the desired letters, figures, design, or pattern in relief.
After the cut is completed and, the die removed, from contact with the cork the
parts which have been compressed by the die rise above the surface of the other
part of the cork and so form the letters; figures, design, or pattern; on the cork in
relief.
In order that my invention may be fully understood will more particularly
describe it making reference to the accompanying drawing in which
Figures 1, 2, and 3 are views in side elevation of corks or stoppers, decorated,
according to my invention. In Figure 1 a cork or stopper is shown, having the
name of a firm embossed round its top side, and in Figures 2, and 3, a cork or
stopper is shown having ribs or serrations formed round the top side for the purpose
of facilitating its extraction.
Figure 4 is a view in plan of the cork shown by Figure 2, and
Figure 5 is a view in plan showing a cork having the name of a firm embossed on
the top instead of on the side as shown by Figure 1.
It will be obvious that both the tops, bottoms, and sides of corks may be embossed
if desired, and that the ornamentation may take the form of a name, trade mark, or
any other design or pattern.
In embossing the ends of corks the chuck gripping the end of the cork intended
to be embossed may form the die, with the letters, figures, design, or pattern in
relief, or a revolving die may be used, the cutting knife being adapted to trim the
end of the cork as near to the face of the said die as possible.
In embossing the sides of corks the die is placed immediately in front of the
cutting edge of the knife, and is adapted to rotate as it is brought into contact with
the cork and so compress it immediately in front of the cutting knife.
It will be obvious that the method of applying this compression die will vary with
the type of rounding machine used, but in order that my invention may be clearly
understood I will describe its application to a cork rounding machine a manufactured
by Messrs. R. Cort and Son making reference to Figures 6, 7, and 8 of the accom-
panying drawing which are views in broken side elevation, and plan, respectively
showing the application of a die for embossing the sides of corks to a machine made
by the afore-mentioned firm.
Referring to these figures of the accompanying drawing A designates the cork
which is held between two chucks and carried in poppet heads B and B', the
chuck being mounted on light shaft C which is operated by the slide D carrying
the cutting knife E in the usual manner to rotate the cork A. On to any convenient
part of the frame of the machine-such for instance as the bed D in which the
slide D travels is fixed a bracket F on to which is fulcrated an arm G carrying a
stud axle H, on which is mounted the circular dic.). This die J is mounted on the
stud axle H in such a manner that it can only rotate one complete revolution, a
suitable stop being provided to limit its rotation and a suitable spring to return it
to its normal position after its rotation, the object being to ensure the die com-
mencing its work at the same point each time it is brought into contact with a cork.
The arm G is connected by an adjustable connection with an arm L carried by
the raising and lowering lever M of the rounding machine adapted to raise the cork
for the second cut, so that as the cork is so raised the die is brought down into
contact with it and kept there during the cut. When the lever M is raised after
the cut is completed the arm G carrying the die J is also raised, either directly by
the connection K, or indirectly by means of a suitable spring acting between the
said arm G and the bracket F carrying it.
It will be obvious that the die may be adapted to be brought into contact with
the cork during the first cut when only one cut is made.
I do not limit myself to the use of a circular die, as a semi-circular one may be
used with equal effect, and even a flat die may be used providing it is adapted to
move transversely across the cork when brought into contact therewith when it is
revolving.

page_text: It will be obvious that the design or pattern may be made in intaglio, by sinking
the design or pattern in the die instead of having it in relief.
It will be understood that my improved process for producing designs in relief or
intaglio on corks or stoppers may be utilized for other purpose than those herein-
before referred to, for instance corks or stoppers may be made with external screw
threads by this process at a very small cost.
I wish it to be particularly understood that I do not bind myself to the precise
details for carrying my invention into practical effect herein set forth and illustrated
by the accompanying drawing, but that I hold myself at liberty to make such
changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit of my invention.
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 -
1st. Producing designs, patterns, and the like on the surfaces of corks, stoppers,
and the like, made of cork bark, or other compressible and elastic material or
substance, by compressing the said surfaces by means of a die, and cutting off the
surface of the cork or stopper immediately in front of the said die, as and for the
purpose set forth.
2nd. The process for producing designs, patterns, or the like, on corks or stoppers
made of cork bark or analogous material or substance, as and for the purpose herein
set forth.
3rd. The combination with a cork rounding, cutting, or trimming machine, of a
die having a design or pattern in relief or intaglio, and adapted to be brought into
contact with and compress the surface cork immediately in front of the cutting
knife, as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 20th 1 f 11001
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E., ETC.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for Applicant.