IMPROVE- MENTS IN MEANS FOR STOPPING BOTTLES OR OTHER HOLLOW ARTICLES
Year: 1878

page_text: Filed 23rd October 1879.
In the Matter of Letters Patent granted to DAN RYLANDS, of Ardsley,
near Barnsley, in the County of York, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MEANS FOR STOPPING BOTTLES OR OTHER HOLLOW ARTICLES,"
bearing date the Twenty seventh day of November, One thousand eight
hundred and seventy eight, No. 4839.
DISCLAIMER AND MEMORANDUM OF ALTERATION as proposed to be
filed by the said Dan Rylands, with the Specification to which the same
relates, according to the Statutes in that case made and provided.
WHEREAS by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster the Twenty seventh day
of November, One thousand eight hundred and seventy eight, in the forty second
year of the reign of Her present Majesty Queen Victoria, Her said Majesty did
grant unto me, the said Dan Rylands, iny executors, administrators, and assigns,
the sole use, benefit, and advantage of my Invention of "Improvements in Means
for Stopping Bottles or other Hollow Articles," within the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands and Isle of Man, for the term of
fourteen years: And whereas a Specification of the said Invention was in pur-
suance of a condition in the said Letters Patent contained, duly filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office: And whereas since the date of the said Letters Patent and of
the filing of the Specification, I, Dan Rylands, have discovered and have been
advised that certain parts of the said Specification may be construed as extending
to matters and things which are not new or not accurately described, I, the said
.Dan Rylands, therefore desire in pursuance of the Statutes in such case made and
provided, to enter a Disclaimer and Memorandum of Alteration of certain portions
of the said Specification:
AND WHEREAS the said Disclaimer and Memorandum of Alteration is not
such.a Disclaimer and Alteration as will extend the exclusive right granted by the

page_text: NOW KNOW YE that I, the said Dan Rylands, therefore disclaim (reference
being had to the Queen's Printers' printed copy of the said Specification in page 5
at the twenty ninth line, the word "diminishing," and in place thereof propose to
substitute the word "altering." Also in page 8 at the first line after the word
"that" I would add "I am aware that the use of metal shoes or slides on ends of
"
"
"
"
and on stoppers
A
page 8
arms attached to stopper and projections on bottles have been heretofore used.
" And arrangements of slot holes and arms have likewise been before adopted or
"used. Therefore I do not claim the use of any of the said mechanical parts by
themselves, or otherwise than when used in combination and as part of my
specially devised arrangements hereinbefore described and shown in the accom-
panying Drawings." In the fourth line, said page 8, I disclaim the word
"being," and in place thereof substitute the word "are." In the fifth line,
disclaim the word "firstly." In the sixth line after the word "forth " I would
add "and shown respectively in series in the annexed Drawings, that is to say,
Figures 1 to 18, and in Figures 19 to 29, and in Figures 30 to 33, and in Figures
" 34 to 37, and in Figures 38 to 43, and in Figures 44 to 50." And further
bald page 8
that is to
propose to disclaim and strike out line 8 to line 31 inclusive,
«
I
A
A
say, from and including the word "secondly "in line 8 to and including the
word "thereof" in line 31, and the said Specification when disclaimed and altered
will read as follows:-
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME I, DAN RYLANDS,
of Ardsley, near Barnsley, in the County of York, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters Patent,
bearing date the Twenty seventh day of November, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy eight, in the forty second year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said Dan
Rylands, Her special license, that I, the said Dan Rylands, my executors, adminis-
trators, or assigns, or such others as I, the said Dan Rylands, 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 Invention for "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN MEANS FOR STOPPING BOTTLES OR OTHER HOLLOW ARTICLES," upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Dan Rylands, my executors or adminis-
trators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and
seals, 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 Dan Rylands, 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 :-
In the Specification of my previous Letters Patent, No. 3731, A.D. 1875, I show
a mode of securing stoppers to bottles by crank-action from the side, or through a
hole in the stopper, and also by pressure of arms working in an L inclined plane on
top of stopper, but in working these arrangements I find the clips too expensive
in manufacture and application to bottle mouth, and not so certain in their
working.
Now according to my present Invention I employ, as heretofore, a stopper or
cover, preferentially of glass, bottom part of which stopper has attached to it a
ring of india rubber or other elastic material, which fits on top of bottle neck.
Around the stopper I fasten securely a wire or metal clip, and to this clip I fasten
by means of metal arms another metal clip, which by the act of fitting such clip
over lugs or projections on the neck of bottle, said clips having swells or distortions

page_text: given to it at each side, the said metal arms being so fastened to bottom clip that
they will work loose therein. The neck of the bottle, as near to the top glass ring
as suitable, is made with oblong lugs or projections in the glass, one at each side
of the neck, which are of such a size and shape that they will allow the bottom
clip to pass over them when the swells are brought opposite them.
The neck may
take the form of an octagonal or other swell, but whatever shape may be adopted
same should correspond with swells or distortions in clip in order that a twist of
the clip in one direction will fasten it, and in the other direction will set it at
liberty. The glass ring or top of neck of bottle may if desired be made wider than
the bottom clip, so that when once the bottom clip is fastened on the bottle it
cannot be removed therefrom, but only worked on the neck so as to set free the
stopper, or fasten it as required.
The action is as follows:-The glass stopper, with india-rubber ring attached
beneath, is pressed firmly to the top of bottle neck, and turned in such a position
that the swells in the bottom clip pass over the projections in neck, and the
stopper is then twisted so that the other portion of bottom clip binds underneath
and against bottom side of projections in bottle neck, thus bringing and holding
the stopper in firm and air tight position. When it is required to open the bottle
a twist of metal clip or of stopper brings the swells at bottom clip so that it will
pass over projections on bottle neck, and the stopper can thus be raised, and the
arms working loose on rivets in bottom clip the stopper may be removed clear of
the bottle mouth.
Where stopper when out of bottle is not required to be attached to neck it is
only necessary to have a metal lug or slide in bottom of each arm to fasten against
projections in bottle neck, and thus the bottom clip is in this case dispensed with.
To apply my Invention to bottles made without projections, first, I affix a piece
of iron or metal of the required shape and projections to the bottle neck; secondly,
I fasten arms to stopper in the way before described, but these arms have at their
ends a projection or head. Under the outside of glass ring or mouth of bottle I
fasten securely a bottom clip of metal, wire, or other suitable material, having slot
holes which stand up above the bottom clip, and are of such form that the projections
or heads on the two arms of top clip work in them so as to fasten tightly when
they are turned in one position, but when turned the other way to work loosely to
allow of the stopper being brought clear of the bottle top, the reverse arrangement,
that is to say, of slot holes in stopper and arms working the same, may however be
adopted if desired.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and incidentally
intimated in what manner the same is to be performed, I now proceed to fully and
particularly describe the same by the following statement, reference being had to
the accompanying Sheet of Drawings which I have hereunto appended for the
purpose of shewing the best modes and means I am at present aware of for putting
my said Invention into effect or practice, the same reference letters or numerals
indicating the same or like parts in all the Figures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is sectional elevation, and Fig. 2 is end view of improved bottle neck
showing projections a¹, a¹, formed on outside thereof as near to the mouth or ring a
as suitable, said projections being somewhat wider than the said mouth.
Fig. 3 is plan of said bottle mouth a showing a slight circular ledge or recess.
at top.

page_text: Fig. 6 is a plan, and Fig. 7 elevation of the washer c (preferentially of india
rubber), which I prefer to use with a stopper of size shewn at Fig. 4, though I do
not bind myself as to size or shape of washer.
Fig. 8 is elevation of stopper with india rubber washer attached.
Fig. 9 is end elevation, Fig. 10 side elevation, and Fig. 11 plan of circular clip
made of wire or metal (the metal I prefer to use being malleable iron), or other
suitable substance, having two arms d₁, d¹, with holes d², d², as shown. The circum-
ference of said circular clip d' is such that top part c¹ of stopper (Fig. 4) will just
pass through it, and thus said clip d can be brought opposite groove c; c, in said
stopper, said clip being semicircular in shape so as to fit therein.
Fig. 12 shews position of clip d when passed over stopper.
Fig. 13 shews the shape which said clip assumes on being compressed into groove
c, c, of said stopper, though as will be well understood the portions d³, d³, may be
compressed out at any other part of said circular, d, as for instance at the arms
d, d; also, if preferred, there may be only one portion compressed out instead
of two.
clip
Fig. 14 is elevation, and Fig. 15 plan of circular clip e (made of similar material
to clip d), which said clip e is just large enough to pass over bottle ring or mouth a,
and has two pins e¹, e¹, cast on portions e², e2, which said portions are of same length
as the projections a¹, a', on bottle, and are made somewhat thicker than remainder
of ring e. Fig. 14a shows portions e², e², of circular clip e slightly recessed, and
sloping so as to form an inclined plane.
Fig. 16 shows shape which said clip e is pressed into after being put on bottle
neck.
Fig. 17 shows improved bottle neck with improved stopper attached, and in air-
tight position.
Fig. 18 shows stopper released and being passed clear of bottle mouth.
Fig. 19 shows pins e¹, e', cast on inside of arins d', d', of clip d, instead of on
bottom clip e.
Fig. 19a shows small india rubber washer for fixing on pins e', e¹, when required.
Fig. 20 shows holes d², d², in portions e³, e³, of bottom clip e, which (if the pins
e, e, are required to be rivetted) may be cast (in shape shown) instead of on arms
d', d, of top clip. The said projections e³, e³, may also be cast rather deeper and
thicker than the other portion of clip e.
Figs. 21 to 27 are various views shewing a modification of my said Invention,
according to which I form projections a¹, a¹, on stopper (as shewn in Figs. 23
and 24) instead of on bottle; and the portions f, f, and f¹, f¹, of said stopper are
somewhat larger in circumference than portion f2, the clip e before described
(having arms, d', cast thereon) being attached to stopper and clip d, also before
described (having pins e', e¹, cast thereon) being attached to bottle.
Fig. 28 shows stopper having projections a¹, a', in form of a screw, and also
having. lug on top of stopper, and which said lug may be used on top of the
other stoppers if so preferred.
Figs. 30 to 33 show my Invention applied by means of the slides or shoes d³, d³,
being formed at end of arms d', d', which said slides fasten under and against
projections a¹, a¹, on bottle neck.
Figs. 34 to 48 show other modifications of my Invention, which are more
especially applicable to old bottles or bottles made after the ordinary way.
Figs. 49 and 50 show shape of india rubber washer I prefer to use with old.
bottles, but I do not bind myself as to this shape of washer.
Fig. 51 shews stopper top of hexagonal shape instead of round.
. In performing or carrying out my said Invention I first form the necks (Figs. 1
and 2) of bottles or other hollow articles (preferentially during the process of blowing
or making), with two projectious a', a', on bottle neck, as shewn, but which said pro-
jections may be in any other suitable position. The circular clip d (Figs. 9, 10,
and 11) having two arms d,.d', as shewn, is attached to circular clip e (Figs. 14

page_text: and 15) by the pins e', e', of said clip e being passed through holes d³, d³, in arms
d', d', of said top clip, and by them bending on or rivetting said pins, so that said
arms d, d, are securely attached to and will turn on them. Or (as shewn in
Fig. 19) the pins e¹, e¹, may be on the inside of arms d', d', and fastened
through holes d², d², in clip e (Fig. 20). I then take the stopper (Figs. 4 and 5)
having india rubber ring (Figs. 6 and 7) attached on the portion of said
stopper, as shown (Fig. 8) and pass top portion c¹ of said stopper through circular
portion of clip d, which being only just large enough in circumference
to pass over said portion cl, rests on shoulder of the wider part c² of said stopper.
I then compress said circular clip d into groove c, c, of said stopper, thus bulging.
said clip out, as shown at d³, d³, (Figs. 12 and 13) thus altering its internal circum-
ference, and thereby causing it to fit securely into groove c, c, either so that it may
be turned round therein or be rigid (though I prefer to compress clip d so that it
can be turned round in said groove c, c,). I then take the clip e (Figs. 14, 14ª,.
and 15) baving clip d and stopper attached, as explained, and pass it over mouth a
of bottle (Figs. 1 and 2), and when at portion a³ of bottle neck I compress said
clip e into shape shown (Fig. 16), thus forming said clip at portions e², e², thereof
into the required shape for passing over projections a', a', of said bottle neck,.
which allows stopper to be pressed firmly into bottle mouth, thus bringing the
india rubber washer e tightly into circular ledge or recess a³, the arms d', d¹, being
so proportioned that when stopper is thus pressed firmly to bottle the other portion
of clipe can be twisted under said projection a', a', thus securely holding stopper
in airtight position, as shown in Fig. 17. To open the bottle it is. only necessary to
press on stopper, then twist the attached clips & and e until portions e², e², of said
clip e are brought parallel with projections a¹, a¹, on said bottle neck, when stopper
can be lifted, bringing said portions over said projections, and thus allowing.
said stopper to be passed clear of said bottle mouth, as shown (Fig. 18). The
altered shape of clip e prevents this clip being passed over mouth a of bottle, and
therefore protection is secured against stopper being lost or stolen from bottle. I.
; would here remark that the projections on bottle may be of any suitable number
and shape, and in any suitable position, and the clip e would thus of course be
altered in shape so as to adapt it to such modification. Referring to Figs. 21, to 27,
by either of the two methods I have hereinbefore described I secure circular clip e
(Fig. 15), but in this case having arms d', d', cast thereon to ring d (Fig. 11), which
has either pins e', e¹, or holes d³, d², formed thereon, I then pass portion f, f, of stopper
(Figs. 23 and 24) through said circular clip e, said clip being made just large
enough for this purpose, and when said clip is opposite f³ of said stopper I.
compress it into shape shown in Fig. 16, so that it will pass over projections a', a',
of said stopper. I then pass clip d over portion a of bottle mouth (Fig. 25)
and compress it into groove c, c, thereof, thus forming said clip d into shape shown.
in Fig. 13, which as previously explained secures said clip into said groove, I then
press stopper firmly into the bottle mouth, and thus by means of an india rubber.
ring as before explained form an air tight joint, and by twisting the attached.
clips e and d, the said clip e is brought on top of projections a¹, a¹, of said stopper
as shewn in Fig. 26, thus firmly and securely holding said stopper in air tight-
position. To open the bottle it is only necessary to press on stopper, so that said
clips e and d can be twisted bringing portions e², e², of said clip e, parallel with
projections a, a, on said stopper when stopper may be lifted and swing clear of
bottle neck as shown at Fig. 27. 1 would here remark that though the form of
bottle mouth shown at Fig. 25 is specially suited for this latter arrangement (it.
being understood that said bottle mouth may have the recess or ledge, as shown
at a Fig. 1, if desired) the arrangement for working this modification of my
Patent can be well applied to bottles made after the ordinary manner, the
arms d', d', in such case being made sufficiently long to allow of clip d being
compressed, so as to take a bearing against under side of portion of bottle mouth
marked c², c², in Fig. 25. The india rubber washer used with this stopper may be

page_text: varied in shape according to requirements; or the arms d', d', being cast on clip e,
in manner as before described, may have the pins e¹, e¹, formed thereon as shown
in Fig. 19, such pins e¹, e', being compressed into circular external indents a³, a³,
of a bottle mouth made as shown in Figs. 21 and 22 (thus in this case dispensing
with clip d), though I wish it to be understood that I do not claim the external
indents a³, as, as any portion of my Invention; but for preventing such
pins e¹, e¹, breaking or starring the bottle mouth I pass over and attach to
each of said pins a small india rubber washer, as shown in Fig. 19ª, before
compressing said pins into said indents. Referring to Fig. 28 the projection
al on stopper may be made in the form of a screw, as shewn, in which case the
circular clip d would work thereon by having a suitably corresponding thread on
inside of said clip d, and said clip d would after being passed over portion f, f, of
said stopper be compressed into shape shown in Fig. 13, thus tightening said clip on
screw projection a¹ so that said screw portion a would work in said threaded
circular clip d by the ordinary screw motion, as will be well understood. The
lugs.ff as shown (Figs. 28 and 29) may be either of the shape shown on any
suitable shape, and may be applied to this or any other modification of my Invention
where they may assist to more readily close or open bottles. Referring to Figs. 30,
31, 32, and 33, I form on bottom of arms d¹, d¹, of clip d two shoes or slides d³, d³,
as shown in Figs. 30 and 31. I then secure stopper shown in Fig. 8 to said circular
clip d (Fig. 30) in manner as before described; Fig. 31 showing shape I compress
said circular clip d into after putting it on said stopper. On pressing said stopper
tightly into bottle mouth a as before described, and twisting said arms d', d', the
slides d³, d³, are brought under and against projections a', a¹, of bottle neck, thus
securing said stopper in air tight position as shown in Figs. 32 and 33. If it is
desired to make stopper extra secure the end portions d³, ds, of slides do, do, may be
bent or turned back against end of projections a', a¹, of bottle mouth.
To open a
bottle or jar thus closed it is only necessary to straighten portions d³, d³, of slides
do, d³, if they have been bent back, and whilst pressing on said stopper twist the
clip d until said slides or shoes d³, d' are clear of said projections a¹, a', when the
stopper can be removed from bottle. I would here remark that I consider this last
described arrangement specially adapted for hollow articles or jars used for preserved
meats and fruits, and wlien such jars are of a size so requiring I would have more
than two projections on mouth, and a correspondingly increased number of arms
with shoes or slides on clip d. Referring to Figs. 34, 35, 36, and 37, showing one
adaptation of my said Invention to ordinary bottles, I take circular ring g-(Fig. 34)
having projections a', a', cast on it, and pass it over bottle mouth a (Fig. 36). I
then pass over said bottle mouth circular clip e (Fig. 15) having clip d and stopper
attached as previously explained. I then bring circular clip g close to under side
of said bottle mouth a and compress said clip g into shape shewn in Fig. 35, thus
fastening it rigidly and securely in position as shown in Fig. 36. I then compress
circular clip e into required shape to work on and under projections a¹, a', of clip in
manner as before explained, the said clip e being at position shown in Fig. 36 when
bottle is stopped, and at position shown in Fig. 37 when bottle is open, as will be
well understood. Referring to Figs. 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, and 43, on arms d¹, d¹, of
clip d (Figs. 38 and 39), I form projections, beads, pins, or studs do, do, and on
portions e, e², of clip e I form two L shaped slot holes, as shown, and I attach
clip d to clip e by passing pins. do, do, through said slot holes. I then secure top
clip d to stopper, shown by Fig. 8, in manner as before described, and pass over
bottle mouth a, Fig. 42, clip e having said clip d and stopper attached. I then
compress said clip e (in shape shown in Fig. 16) so that it grips the bottle neck
tightly close to under side of bottle mouth a, and thus said dip e remains in rigid
and stationary position, as shown in Figs. 42 and 43, and when said stopper is
pressed tightly in said bottle mouth the top clip d may be twisted, bringing pins
do, do, into lower horizontal portion e, e, of said slot holes, thus securely holding
stopper in air tight position, as shown in Fig. 42. To open bottles thus closed

page_text: press on top of stopper, at the same time twisting clip & until pins do, do, on arms
d', d, are brought into the vertical portion of slot hole, when stopper can be lifted,
bringing said pins do, do, to top es, es, of vertical portion of said slot holes, thus
allowing said stopper to be passed clear of bottle mouth, as shown in Fig. 43.
Figs. 44, 45, 46, 47, and 48 show a modification of the before mentioned
arrangement, which, as shewn in Fig. 44, has L shaped slot holes with vertical
portion h, and horizontal portion h³, as shown. I attach to clip e the arms d', d¹,
in manner as before described, the said arms d', d', having bends or angles d', d³,
as shown in Fig. 45, which said bends or angles I compress into slot holes of
said stopper, but so that they will work to and fro therein. I then pass the said
circular clip e over bottle mouth a, and when close to under side of said bottle
mouth I compress in either of the ways before explained, so that it can be com-
pressed either to grip the bottle neck rigidly or to work loose in said bottle neck at
under side of said bottle mouth a. On pressing said stopper tightly into said bottle
mouth, either it or the clip e can be twisted so that angles d', d, of arms d', d', pass
into horizontal portion h2, h², of said stopper, thus securely holding said stopper in
air tight position, as shown (Fig. 47). To open bottle I press on said stopper, and at
same time twist either it or said clip e until bends or angles d', d, are brought into ver-
tical portion h', h¹, of said slot holes in said stopper, thus allowing stopper to be lifted
and passed clear of bottle, as shewn in Fig. 48; or the stopper, as in my previous
Patent, may have a hole right through it, but such hole to be shape, and instead
of having the arms d', d', to terminate in the bends or angles d', the arms d¹, d¹,
with the portion d' (Fig. 46*) being in one straight piece is passed through the hole
and bent down, as in Fig. 46a, being secured to the clip e. In this case the clip e
would be made rigid to the bottle. This latter arrangement will admit of the
application to the bottle shown in Figs. 21 and 22, thus dispensing with the clip e;
or the slot holes may be formed on bottle neck or mouth and the angles d', d',
work therein instead of a stopper, as will be well understood, the circular clip being
of course attached to a stopper formed as shown in Fig. 8, instead of said circular
clip being attached to bottle.
Referring to Figs. 49 and 50, showing shape of india rubber washer, I prefer to
use for bottles which have not the circular ledge or recess a³, a³, (Fig. 3) the top
portion c, c, of said washer is wider than bottom portion c³, c, which latter portion
is intended to enter bottle mouth, the top portion c³, c, resting on top of said bottle
mouth so that an air tight joint may be more certainly, secure when stopper is.
pressed on bottle mouth.
Referring to Fig. 51, showing top part c¹ of stopper (Fig. 4) of sexangular shape,
the said top part may be formed after this or any other polygonal or other preferred
shape, and the bottom portion c² of any of the stoppers shown may have grooves
formed on under side thereof so as to receive india rubber washer, thus dispensing
with glass centre if preferred, as will be well understood.
and on stoppers
A
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be perforined, I have to state that "I am
aware that the use of metal shoes or slides on ends of arms attached to stopper and
projections on bottles have been heretofore used, and arrangements of slot holes and
arms have likewise been before adopted or used; therefore I do not claim the use of
any of the said mechanical parts by themselves or otherwise than when used in
combination and as part of my specially devised arrangements, herein before described
and shown in the accompanying Drawings. I do not restrict myself to the precise
details herein described or delineated; but what I believe to be novel and original
and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part
recited Letters Patent are,-
The improved means or arrangements for stopping bottles or other hollow articles,
substantially as herein before described and set forth and shown respectively in
series in the annexed Drawings, that is to say, Figs. 1 to 18 and in Figs. 19 to 29,

page_text: and in Figs. 30 to 33, and in Figs. 34 to 37; and in Figs. 38 to 43, and in Figs. 44
to 50, or any mere modification thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said Dan Rylands, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Eigth day of August, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy nine.
I hereby grant my Fiat, giving leave to the above named Dan Rylands to
file in the Great Seal Patent Office, with the Specification to which the same
relates, the above written Disclaimer and Memorandum of Alteration.
· Dated this 29th day of September 1879.

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Dan Rylands, of Ardsley, near Barnsley, in the County
of York, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS FOR STOPPING
BOTTLES OR OTHER HOLLOW ARTICLES."
Sealed the 21st February 1879, and dated the 27th November 1878,
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Dan Rylands at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th November 1878.
DAN RYLANDS, of Ardsley, near Barnsley, in the County of York.
MENTS IN MEANS FOR STOPPING BOTTLES OR OTHER HOLLOW ARTICLES."
" IMPROVE-
I employ as heretofore a stopper or cover.preferentially of glass, the bottom part
of which has attached to it a ring of rubber or other elastic material which fits on
top of bottle-neck, the stopper being so made that the glass centre only enters said
neck.
Around the stopper I fasten securely a metal or wire clip, and to this clip I
fasten by means of metal arms another metal clip which has a swell at each side,
the said metal arms being so fastened to bottom clip that they will work loose
therein. The neck of bottle as near to top glass ring as suitable is made with
oblong lugs or projections in the glass (one at each side of neck).
These are of such size and form that they will allow the bottom clip to pass over
them when the swells are brought opposite them. The neck may take the form of
an octagonal or other swell, but whatever shape may be adopted same should
correspond with swell in clip, in order that a twist of the clip in one direction will
fasten it, and in the other direction will set it at liberty. The glass ring or top of
neck of bottle may be made wider than the bottom clip, so that when once the
bottom clip is fastened on the bottle it cannot be removed therefrom, but only
worked on the neck so as to set free the stopper or fasten it as required.
The action is as follows:-The glass stopper with india rubber ring attached
beneath is pressed firmly to top of bottle neck, and turned in such a position that
the swells in bottom clip pass over the projection in neck, and the stopper is then

page_text: twisted so that portion of bottom clip binds underneath and against bottom side of
projections in bottle neck, thus bringing and holding the stopper in firm and air-
tight position. When it is required to open the bottle a twist of stopper brings
the swell at bottom clip, so that it will pass over projection on bottle neck, and the
stopper is thus raised, and the arms working loose on rivets in bottom clip, the
stopper may be removed clear of the bottle mouth.
Where stopper when out of bottle is not required to be attached to neck it is
only necessary to have a metal lug on bottom of each arm to fasten against pro-
jection in bottle-neck, and thus the bottom clip is in this case dispensed with.
To apply my Invention to bottles made without projection 1 affix a piece of iron
or metal of required projection to the bottle neck, and fasten arms to stopper in
the way before described, but these arms have at their ends a projection or head.
Under the outside of glass ring or mouth of bottle I fasten securely a bottom clip
of metal, wire, or other suitable material, having slot holes which stand up above
the bottom clip, and are of such form as to fasten tightly when they are turned in
one position, but when turned the other way to work loosely to allow of the stopper
being brought clear of the bottle top.
Another arrangement for applying my Invention to ordinary bottles is, having a
bottom clip and top clip so arranged that top clip works at one side on a hinge,
and by an arm at other side suitably formed fastens on the neck.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Dan Rylands in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 26th May
1879.
DAN RYLANDS, of Ardsley, near Barnsley, in the County of York. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MEANS FOR STOPPING BOTTLES OR OTHER HOLLOW ARTICLES."
In the Specification of my previous Letters Patent, No. 3731, A.D. 1875, I show
a mode of securing stoppers to bottles by crank-action from the side, or through a
hole in the stopper, and also by pressure of arms working in an L inclined plane on
top of stopper, but in working these arrangements I find the clips too expensive in
manufacture and application to bottle mouth, and not so certain in their working.
Now according to my present Invention I employ as heretofore a stopper or
cover, preferentially of glass, bottom part of which stopper has attached to it a ring
of india-rubber or other elastic material which fits on top of bottle neck, the stopper
being made of such a shape that the glass centre only enters bottle neck. Around
the stopper I fasten securely a wire or metal clip, and to this clip I fasten by means
of metal arms another metal clip, which by the act of fitting such clip over lugs or
projections on the neck of bottle, said clip having swells or distortions given to it
at each side, the said metal arms being so fastened to bottom clip that they will
work loose therein. The neck of the bottle as near to the top glass ring as suitable,
is made with oblong lugs or projections in the glass, one at each side of neck, which
are of such a size and shape that they will allow the bottom clip to pass over them
when the swells are brought opposite them. The neck may take the form of an
octagonal or other swell, but whatever shape may be adopted same should corre-
spond with swells or distortions in clip, in order that a twist of the clip in one
direction will fasten it and in the other direction will set it at liberty. The glass
ring or top of neck of bottle may if desired be made wider than the bottom clip, so
that when once the bottom clip is fastened on the bottle it cannot be removed
therefrom, but only worked on the neck so as to set free the stopper or fasten it as
required.
The action is as follows:-The glass stopper with india-rubber ring attached
beneath is pressed firmly to top of bottle neck, and turned in such a position that
the swells in bottom clip pass over the projections in neck, and the stopper is then
twisted so that the other portion of bottom clip binds underneath and against
bottom side of projections in bottle neck, thus bringing and holding the stopper in
firm and air-tight position. When it is required to open the bottle a twist of
metal clip or of stopper brings the swells at bottom clip so that it will pass over
projections on bottle neck, and the stopper can thus be raised and the arms working
loose on rivets in bottom clip, the stopper may be removed clear of the bottle
mouth.
Where stopper when out of bottle is not required to be attached to neck it is
only necessary to have a metal lug or slide on bottom of each arm to fasten against
projections in bottle neck, and thus the bottom clip is in this case dispensed
with.
To apply my Invention to bottles made without projections,-First. I affix a
piece of iron or metal of the required shape and projections to the bottle neck.
Secondly. I fasten arms to stopper in the way before described, but these arms
have at their ends a projection or head. Under the outside of glass ring or mouth
of bottle I fasten securely a bottom clip of metal, wire, or other suitable material,
having slot holes which stand up above the bottom clip, and are of such form that.
the projections or heads on the two arms of top clip work in them so as to fasten
tightly when they are turned in one position, but when turned the other way to
work loosely to allow of the stopper being brought clear of the bottle top, the,
reverse arrangement, that is to say, of slot holes in stopper and arms working thei
same may however be adopted if desired.

page_text: Having thus described the nature of my said Invention and incidentally intimated
in what manner the same is to be performed, I now proceed to fully and par-
ticularly describe the same by the following statement, reference being had to the
accompanying Sheet of Drawings which I have hereunto appended, for the pur-
pose of showing the best modes and means I am at present aware of for putting
my said Invention into effect or practice, the same reference letters or numerals
indicating the same or like parts in all the Figures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is sectional elevation, and Fig. 2 is end view of improved bottle neck,
showing projections a¹, a¹, formed on outside thereof as near to the mouth or ring a
as suitable, said projections being somewhat wider than the said mouth.
Fig. 3 is plan of said bottle mouth a, showing a slight circular ledge or recess
at top.
Fig. 4 is elevation, and Fig. 5 plan of improved stopper, made of glass or other
Buitable substance, showing a semicircular annular groove c, c, about the centre
thereof, the top part c¹ of said stopper being somewhat less in circumference than
bottom part c. On underside of said bottom part is a circular portion or glass
centre, which may either bevel somewhat, being narrower at parts c, c, than at
parts c³, c5, or be quite parallel, or straight, or grooved.
Fig. 6 is plan, and Fig. 7 clevation of the washer c (preferentially of india
rubber), which I prefer to use with a stopper of size shewn at Fig. 4, though I do
not bind myself as to size or shape of washer.
Fig. 8 is elevation of stopper with india-rubber washer attached.
Fig. 9 is end elevation; Fig. 10, side elevation; and Fig. 11, plan of circular clip
made of wire or metal (the metal I prefer to use being malleable iron) or other
suitable substance, having two arms d', d', with holes d², d², as shown. The cir-
cumference of said circular clip d' is such that top part c' of stopper (Fig. 4) will
just pass through it, and thus said clip d can be brought opposite groove c, c, in
said stopper, said clip being semi-circular in shape so as to fit therein.
Fig. 12 shows position. of clip d when passed over stopper.
Fig. 13 shows the shape which said clip assumes on being compressed into
groove c, c, of said stopper, though as will be well understood the portions d³, d³,
may be compressed out at any other part of said circular clip d, as for instance at
the arms d', d. Also, if preferred, there may be only one portion compressed out
instead of two.
Fig. 14 is elevation, and Fig. 15 plan of circular clip e (made of similar
material to clip d), which said clip e is just large enough to pass over bottle ring or
mouth a, and has two pins e¹, el, cast on portions e², e², which said portions are of
same length as the projections a¹, a', on bottle, and are made somewhat thicker
than remainder of ring c. Fig. 14a shows portions e³, e², of circular clip e, slightly
recessed and sloping so as to form an incliued plane.
Fig. 16 shows shape which said clip e is pressed into after being put on bottle neck.
Fig. 17 shows improved bottle neck with improved stopper attached and in air-
tight position.
Fig. 18 shows stopper released and being passed clear of bottle mouth.
Fig. 19 shows pins e¹, e¹, cast on inside of arms d', d', of clip d instead of on
bottom clip e.
Fig. 19a shows sinall india-rubber washer for fixing on pins e¹, e¹, when required.
Fig. 20 shows holes d², d², in portions e³, e³, of bottom clip e, which (if the pins
e¹, e¹, are required to be rivetted) may be cast (in shape shown) instead of on arms
d', d', of top clip. The said projections e³, e³, may also be cast rather deeper and
thicker than the other portion of clip e.
Figs. 21 to 27 are various views showing a modification of my said Invention
according to which I form projections a¹, a', on stopper (as shown in Figs. 23
and 2+) instead of on bottle, and the portions f. f, and f¹, f¹, of said stopper are
somewhat larger in circumference than portion f, the clip e before described (having

page_text: arms d, d, cast thereon) being attached to stopper and clip & also before described,
(having pins e¹, e¹, cast thereon) being attached to bottle.
Fig. 28 shows stopper having projections a¹, a¹, in form of a screw, and also
having lug f on top of stopper, and which said lug may be used on top of the
other stoppers if so preferred.
Figs. 30 to 33 show my Invention applied by means of the slides or shoes d³, d³,
being formed at end of arms d', d', which said slides fasten under and against
projections a', a', on bottle neck.
Figs. 34 to 48 show other modifications of my Invention which are more especially
applicable to old.bottles, or bottles made after the ordinary way.
Figs. 49 and 50 show shape of india rubber washer I prefer to use with old
bottles, but I do not bind myself as to this shape of washer.
Fig. 51 shows stopper top of hexagonal shape instead of round.
In performing or carrying out my said Invention I first form the necks (Figs. 1
and 2) of bottles or other hollow articles (preferentially during the process of
blowing or making) with two projections a, a, on bottle neck as shown, but which
said projections may be in any other suitable position. The circular clip d (Figs. 9,
10, and 11,) having two arms d', d, as shewn, is attached to circular clip e (Figs. 14
and 15) by the pins e', e', of said clip e, being passed through holes d², d², in arms d', d',
of said top clip, and by tlien bending or rivetting said pins so that said arms d', di
are securely attached to and will turn on them. Or (as shewn in Fig. 19) the
pins el, el, may be on the inside of arms d', d', and fastened through holes d², d², in
clip e (Fig. 20). I then take the stopper (Figs. 4 and 5) having india-rubber ring
(Figs. 6 and 7) attached on the portion e³ of said stopper, as shown (Fig. 8), and
pass top portion c¹ of said stopper through circular portion of clip d, which being
only just large enough in circumference to pass over said portion c¹ rests on shoulder
of the wider part c² of said stopper. I then compress said circular clip d into,
groove c, c, of said stopper, thus bulging said clip out, as shown at d³, d³, (Figs. 12
and 13), thus diminishing its internal circumference, and thereby causing it to fit.
securely into groove c, c, either so that it may be twined round therein or be rigid
(though I prefer to compress clip d so that it can be turned round in said groove c; c).
I then take the clip e (Figs. 14, 14ª, and 15,) having clip d and stopper attached as
explained, and pass it over mouth a of bottle (Figs. 1 and 2) and when at portion a³
of bottle neck I compress said clip e into shape shown (Fig. 16), thus forming said
clip at portions e², e², thereof into the required shape for passing over projections a¹, a',
on said bottle neck, which allows stopper to be pressed firmly into bottle mouth,
thus bringing the india rubber washer tightly into circular ledge or recess a³, the
arms d', d', being so proportioned that when stopper is thus pressed firmly to bottle
the other portion of clip e can be twisted under said projection a¹, a¹, thus securely
holding stopper in airtight position, as shown in Fig. 17. To open the bottle it is
only necessary to press on stopper, then twist the attached clips & and e until
portions e², e2, of said clip e are brought parallel with projections a¹, a¹, on said
bottle neck when stopper can be lifted, bringing said portions over said projections,
and thus allowing said stopper to be passed clear of said bottle mouth as shown
(Fig. 18). The altered shape of clip e prevents this clip being passed over mouth a
of bottle, and therefore protection is secured against stopper being lost or stolen
from bottle. I would here remark that the projections on bottle may be of any
suitable number and shape, and in any suitable position, and the clip e would thus
of course be altered in shape so as to adapt it to such modification. Referring to.
Figs. 21 to 27, by either of the two methods I have herein before described I secure
circular clip e (Fig. 15), but in this case having arms d¹, d', cast thereon, to ring d
I then pass
(Fig. 11), which has either pins e¹, e', or holes d², 2, formed thereon.
portion f, f, of stopper (Figs. 23 and 24) through said circular clip e, said clip being
made just large enough for this purpose, and when said clip is opposite portion f²
of said stopper I compress it into shape shown in Fig. 16, so that it will pass over
projections a, a', of said stopper. I then pass clip & over portion a of bottle mouth
(Fig. 25) and compress it into groove c, c, thereof, thus forming said clip d into

page_text: shape shown in Fig. 13, which, as previously explained, secures said clip into said
groove. I then press stopper firmly into the bottle mouth, and thus by means of
an india rubber ring as before explained form an air-tight joint, and by twisting the
attached clips e and d the said clip e is brought on top of projections a¹, a', of said
stopper, as shown in Fig. 26, thus firmly and securely holding said stopper in air-
tight position. To open the bottle it is only necessary to press on stopper so that
said clips e and d can be twisted, bringing portions e, e, of said clip e parallel
with projections a¹, a', on said stopper when stopper may be lifted and swung clear
of bottle neck, as shown at Fig. 27. I would here remark that though the form of
bottle mouth shown at Fig. 25 is specially suited for this latter arrangement (it
being understood that said bottle mouth may have the recess or ledge as shown
at a³, Fig. 1, if desired), the arrangement for working this modification of my Patent
can be well applied to bottles made after the ordinary manner, the arms d', d', in
such case being made sufficiently long to allow of clip & being compressed so as to
take a bearing against under side of portion of bottle mouth marked c², c², in Fig. 25.
The india-rubber washer used with this stopper may be varied in shape according
to requirements; or the arms d¹, d, being cast. on clip e, in manner as before
described, may have the pins c', el, formed thereon, as shown in Fig. 19, such pins e¹, e¹,
being compressed into circular external indents as, a³, of a bottle mouth made as
shown in Figs. 21 and 22 (thus in this case dispensing with clip d), though I wish
it to be understood that I do not claim the external indents a³, a³, as any portion
of my Invention; but for preventing said pins e¹, e¹, breaking or starring the bottle
mouth I pass over and attach to each of said pins a small india rubber washer, as
shown in Fig. 19a, before compressing said pins into said indents. Referring to
Fig. 28 the projection a¹ on stopper may be made in the form of a screw, as shewn,
in which case the circular clip d would work thereon by having a suitably cor-
responding thread on inside of said clip d, and said clip & would after being passed
over portion f, f, of said stopper be compressed into shape shown in Fig. 13, thus
tightening said clip on screw projection a¹ so that said screw portion a¹ would
work in said threaded circular clip d by the ordinary screw motion, as will be
well understood. The lugs ff, as shown (Figs. 28 and 29) may be either of the
shape shown, or any suitable shape, and may be applied to this or any other modifi-
cation of iny Invention, where they may assist to more readily close or open bottles.
Referring to Figs. 30, 31, 32, and 33, I form on bottom of arms d', d', of clip d two
shoes or slides do, do, as shown in Figs. 30 and 31. I then secure stopper, shown in
Fig. 8, to said circular clip d (Fig. 30), in manner as before described, Fig. 31,
showing shape, I compress said circular clip d into, after putting it on, said stopper.
On pressing said stopper tightly into bottle mouth a, as before described, and
twisting said arms d¹, d', the slides ³, d³, are brought under and against pro-
jections a¹, a', of bottle neck, thus securing said stopper in air-tight position, as
shown in Figs. 32 and 33. If it is desired to make stopper extra secure the end
portions d, de, of slides d³, ds, may be bent or turned back against end of pro-
jections a¹, a¹, of bottle mouth. To open a bottle or jar thus closed it is only neces-
sary to straighten portions d³, ds, of slides d³, d³, if they have been bent back, and
whilst pressing on said stopper twist the clip d until said slides or shoes d³, d³,
are clear of said projections a¹, a', when the stopper can be removed from bottle.
I would here remark that I consider this last described arrangement specially
adapted for hollow articles or jars used for preserved meats and fruits, and
when such jars are of a size so requiring I would have more than two pro-
jections on mouth and a correspondingly increased number of arms with shoes
or slides on clip d. Referring to Figs. 34, 35, 36, and 37, showing one adapta-
tion of my said Invention to ordinary bottles, I take circular ring g (Fig. 34),
having projections a¹, a¹, cast on it, and pass it over bottle mouth a (Fig. 36). I
then pass over said bottle mouth circular clip e (Fig. 15), having clip & and stopper
attached, as previously explained. I then bring circular clip g close to under side of
said bottle mouth a and compress said clip g into shape shewn in Fig. 35, thus
fastening it rigidly and securely in position, as shown in Fig. 36. I then compress

page_text: circular clip e into required shape to work on and under projections a¹, a', of clip,
in manner as before explained, the said clip e being at position shewn in Fig. 36
when bottle is stopped, and at position shown in Fig. 37 when bottle is open, as
will be well understood. Referring to Figs. 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, and 43 on arms d¹, d';
of clip d (Figs. 38 and 39), I form projections, beads, pins, or studs do, do, and on
portions e², e, of clip e I form two L shaped slot holes, as shown, and I attach clip d
to clipe by passing pins do, do, through said slot holes. I then secure top clip & to
stopper, shown by Fig. 8, in manner as before described, and pass over bottle mouth
Fig. 42, clip e having said clip d and stopper attached. I then compress said clip e
(in shape shown in Fig. 16) so that it grips the bottle neck tightly close to under
side of bottle mouth a, and thus said clip e remains in rigid and stationary position,
as shown in Figs. 42 and 43, and when said stopper is pressed. tightly in said bottle
mouth the top clip & may be twisted, bringing pins. d, d, into lower horizontal
portion e, e, of said slot holes, thus securely holding stopper in air tight position,
as shown in Fig. 42.
To open bottles thus closed I press on top of stopper, at the
same time twisting clip d, until pins do, do, on arms d¹, d', are brought into the
vertical portion of slot hole, when stopper can be lifted, bringing said pins do, do, to
top e, e, of vertical portion of said slot holes, thus allowing said stopper to be
passed clear of bottle mouth, as shown in Fig. 43.
Figs. 44, 45, 46, 47, and 48 show a modification of the before mentioned arrange-
ment, which, as shewn in Fig. 44, has shaped slot holes with vertical portion h¹
and horizontal portion h2, as shown. I attach to clip e the arms d', d', in manner
as before described, the said arms d', d', having bends or angles d', d, as shown in
Fig. 45, which said bends or angles I compress into slot holes of said stopper, but
so that they will work to and fro therein; I then pass the said circular clip e over
bottle mouth a, and when close to under side of said bottle mouth I compress in
either of the ways before explained, so that it can be compressed either to grip the
bottle neck rigidly or to work loose on said bottle neck at under side of said bottle
mouth a.
On pressing said stopper tightly into said bottle mouth, either it or the
clip e can be twisted so that angles d', d, of arms d', d', pass into horizontal
portion h³, h, of said stopper, thus securely holding said stopper in air-tight position,
as shown (Fig. 47). To open bottle I press on said stopper, and at same time
twist either it or said clip e until bends or angles d', d, are brought into ver-
tical portion h¹, h¹, of said slot holes in said stopper; thus allowing stopper to be
lifted and passed clear of bottle, as shewn in Fig. 48; or the stopper as in my
previous Patent may have a hole right through it, but such hole to be shape,
and instead of having the arms d', d, to terminate in the bends or angles d
the arms d', d, with the portion (Fig. 46a) being in one straight piece is
passed through the hole and bent down, as in Fig. 46, being secured to the
clip e. In this case the clip e would be made rigid to the bottle. This latter
arrangement will admit of the application to the bottle shown in Figs. 21 and
22, thus disponsing with the clip e; or the L slot holes may be formed on bottle
neck or mouth and the angles d', d7, work therein instead of a stopper, as will be
well understood, the circular clip being of course attached to a stopper formed as
shown in Fig. 8, instead of said circular clip being attached to bottle.
Referring to Figs. 49 and 50, showing shape of india rubber washer, I prefer to
use for bottles which have not the circular ledge or recess a³, a³ (Fig. 3); the top
portion c, c', of said washer is wider than bottom portion cs, es, which latter portion
is intended to enter bottle mouth, the top portion c³, c', resting on top of said bottle
mouth, so that an air-tight joint may be more certainly secure when stopper is pressed
on bottle mouth.
Referring to Fig. 51, showing top part c' of stopper (Fig. 4) of sexangular shape,
the said top part may be formed after this or any other polygonal or other preferred
shape, & the bottom portion c² of any of the stoppers shown may have grooves
formed on under side thereof so as to receive india rubber washer, thus dispensing
with glass centre if preferred, as will be well understood.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-

page_text: tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I have to state that I do not
restrict myself to the precise details herein described or delineated, but what I
believe to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me
by the hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent, being,-
Firstly. The improved means or arrangements for stopping bottles or other hollow
articles, substantially as herein before described and set forth, or any mere modifica-
tion thereof.
Secondly. The combination effected by forming any convenient number of pro-
jections of any suitable shape, on outside of bottle neck or on stopper, and the
adapting of clips to work thereon so as to secure stopper in air-tight position, and
(when required) to release said stopper, substantially as hereinbefore described and
set forth, or any mere modification thereof.
Thirdly. The arrangement for securing clips to stoppers or bottles by compressing
said clips so as to diminish their circumference, substantially as hereinbefore
described and set forth (with reference to Fig. 13) or any mere modification
thereof.
.
Fourthly. The arrangement for compressing clips into any required shape to work
over or under projections on bottle or on stopper, substantially as hereinbefore
described and set forth (with reference to Figs. 15 and 16), or any mere modification
thereof.
Fifthly. The arrangement of shoes or slides on end of arms attached to stopper to
fasten under and against projections on bottle, substantially as hereinbefore described
and set forth (with reference to Figs. 30, 31, 32, and 33) or any mere modification
thereof.
Sixthly. The arrangement of metal projections fitted on ordinary bottles, coni-
bined with improved arrangements adapted thereto, substantially as hercinbefore
described and set forth (with reference to Figs. 34, 35, 36, and 37), or any mere
modification thereof.
Seventhly. The combination of arrangements of slot holes and arms, with pins to
work therein, substantially as herein before set forth and described, or any mere
modification thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said Dan Rylands, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Twenty-fifth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy nine
Witness,
HENRY THEWLIS,
Ardsley,
Near Barnsley.
DAN RYLANDS. (L.S.)