Improvements in Stoppers for Bottles, Jars, and like Vessels.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Oct., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Aug., 1890-Accepted, 22nd Nov., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Stoppers for Bottles, Jars, and like Vessels.
I, GEORGE HORATIO JONES, of 57 Great Russell Street, in the County of
Middlesex, Surgeon Dentist and Doctor of Dental Surgery, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
:-
My invention relates to bottle stoppers and is designed to improve the construction
of the same.
An important feature in my said invention consists in providing a stopper for
hermetically closing the mouths or apertures of bottles which can be readily
applied thereto or removed therefrom, without necessitating any alteration in existing
bottles.
My improved stopper can be manufactured at a low cost and can consequently
compete advantageously with ordinary corks.
Another important feature in my said invention consists in a novel method of cutting
cork to form discs or washers for use with my improved stopper and of employing
discs or washers of parchment bladder or the like in conjunction with the said discs or
washers of cork. My said invention comprises moreover various other improvements
hereinafter set forth.
In carrying my said invention into practice I provide a metal collar preferably
formed in two parts adapted to fit round the neck of the bottle below the collar thereon,
and having projecting extremities each provided with one or more holes into one or
other of which are adapted to engage hooks upon the lower extremities of extensions
provided upon a suitable bridge or cross piece so as to hold the metal collar firmly in
position upon the neck of the said bottle. In the centre of this bridge or cross piece
is provided an internally screw threaded hole in which is adapted to fit a corre-
spondingly screw threaded thumb screw. The lower extremity of this thumb screw is
adapted to bear against a cylindrical or other suitably shaped piece or block of wood
metal or other suitable material. In some instances I provide upon the lower
extremity of the thumb screw a collar adapted to fit into a recess provided in the said
cylindrical or other suitably shaped block or piece, a groove or slot being provided for
permitting its insertion therein or removal therefrom, or I provide any other suitable
means for retaining the said cylindrical or other suitably shaped block or piece upon
the extremity of the thumb screw, and permitting the latter to rotate independently
thereof. In some instances I provide suitable grooves in the sides of the said
cylindrical or other suitably shaped block or piece or I provide projections thereon
adapted to engage with the hereinbefore mentioned extensions upon the bridge or
cross piece and prevent the rotation of the said cylindrical or other suitably shaped
piece or block but to permit the vertical movement thereof to or from the mouth or
aperture of the bottle.
In order to form a tight joint between the above mentioned cylindrical or other
suitably shaped piece or block when the latter is pressed against the mouth or aperture
of the bottle by means of the said thumb screw, I provide a disc or washer of cork.
I prefer to place on either or both sides of this disc or washer of cork a disc or washer
formed of parchment, bladder, or other suitable material impermeable to moisture and
non-injurious to the wine or other liquid contained in the bottle. By placing the said
dise or washer of parchment bladder or the like between the disc or washer of cork and
the mouth of the bottle 1 obviate any chance of the liquid contained in the said bottle
being injured in any way by contact with the cork. In order to prevent the said discs
or washers from leaving the cylindrical or other suitably shaped piece, when the latter
is removed from the mouth or aperture of the bottle I sometimes secure them to the
said cylindrical or other suitably shaped piece or block by means of cement, or by
means of a collar, or by placing them in a recess provided therein, the said collar, or

page_text: the edges of the recess being turned down, or bent inwards, over or against the said
washers in order to hold them in position. Any other suitable means however may be
provided for this purpose.
I have found in practice that thin discs of cork cut in the ordinary way, that is to
say, with the pores or interstices thereof running horizontally across the same are
liable when subjected to a high pressure to leak, and therefore to permit the escape of
the liquid contained in the bottle. Now, I obviate this objection by cutting the said
discs in such a manner that the said pores or interstices are situated vertically therein,
and thus when the said discs are compressed tightly between two plane surfaces
leakage is rendered practically impossible.
When it is desired to capsule a bottle fitted with the above described improved
stopper I provide a hollow conical, or other suitably shaped cap of metal or other
suitable material adapted to fit over the head of the above mentioned thumb screw.
The extremities of the twine or cord employed for securing the said cap in position are
brought up through the same and tied over a bar or cross piece provided in a recess or
aperture in the upper portion of the said cone or cap. A seal may then be placed
over the said extremities in the said recess or aperture, if desired. In some instances
1 construct the said cone or cap of such a form as to imitate the shape of a champagne
cork.
Although I have herein before described a convenient and advantageous method of
carrying my said invention into practice it is obvious that I can somewhat modify the
construction of my improved bottle stopper without however departing in any way
from the nature of my said invention. For instance instead of forming the motal
collar in two parts or portions as hereinbefore described I sometimes form it in one
continuous strip or piece of metal bent into the desired form.
In some instances I provide in the underside of each of the projecting portions of the
said collar a notch or notches adapted to engage with the hooks upon the lower
extremities of the extensions or projections of the bridge or cross piece, or I provide
upon the said collar a projecting or turned down flange or rim adapted to engage with
the said hooks. Instead of the said hooks I may provide suitable slots in the lower
extremities of the said extensions or projections adapted to fit over the extensions or
projections of the collar. In some instances I pivot or hinge the projecting portions
of the said bridge or cross piece thereto, instead of forming them in one therewith as
hereinbefore described.
Moreover although I have hereinbefore described my improved stopper as applied
more especially to an ordinary wine or other bottle, it will readily be seen that by
obvious modifications it is also advantageously applicable to jars or other vessels.
A bottle stopper constructed according to my said invention can be entirely removed
from a bottle when required, and replaced in position thereon with extreme facility by
the consumer. Owing to the construction of the said stopper moreover, it is capable
of resisting very high pressures and is therefore especially suited for champagne or
other sparkling wines, aërated liquids as well as to still wines or other liquids.
Dated this 23rd day of October 1889.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Stoppers for Bottles, Jars, and like Vessels.
I, GEORGE HORATIO JONES, of 57 Great Russell Street, London, in the County
of Middlesex, Surgeon Dentist and Doctor of Dental Surgery, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be 50
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to bottle-stoppers or devices for hermetically closing the
mouths or apertures of bottles, jars, and similar vessels and comprises the improve-
ments hereinafter set forth.

page_text: My improved device may be readily attached to the bottle or other vessel or detached
therefrom. It is simple in construction, cheap, and efficacious, and does not necessitate
any alteration in existing bottles.
An important feature of my said invention consists in the provision of a conical or
other suitable shaped piece or cap of metal or other suitable material adapted to fit
over or upon the said stopper, and provided with grooves or recesses for receiving the
tie or wire, and with a chamber for securing the extremities of the said tie or wire by
means of a seal or the like. The illicit opening of the said bottle, and the unauthorized
tampering with the contents thereof is thus rendered extremely difficult or impossible.
The said caps may be used with other stoppers or with ordinary corks.
Another feature of my said invention is a novel method of cutting cork to form discs
or washers for use with my improved stopper, and of employing discs or washers
of parchment, bladder or the like in conjunction with the said discs or washers
of cork.
My said invention comprises moreover other improvements hereinafter set forth.
In the accompanying drawing I have shown how my said invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 shows in elevation a portion of a bottle with my improved stopper and
cone or cap in position thereon the said cone or cap being in vertical section.
Figure 2 is a similar view to Figure 1 the cone or cap being shown in elevation and
tied or wired and sealed.
Figure 3 shows in elevation the cone or cap removed from the bottle.
Figure 4 is a plan, and
Figure 5 is a vertical section illustrating an improved disc or washer.
Figure 5 is a side elevation.
Figure 5 is a plan illustrating a modification of my improved stopper.
Figures 6 to 12 illustrate further modifications of iny improved stopper and cover
or cap hereinafter described.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
A is the bottle. B is a metal strap or collar secured upon the stem of the bottle A
and below the usual collar thereon, by means of a tongue B¹ provided upon one extremity
of the said strap or collar, and passed through a slot B2 provided in the other extremity
thereof and bent over as shown, or the said metal strap or collar may be secured in
position in any other convenient manner. B3 B3 are extensions firmly secured to or
formed on the strap or collar B. C is a bridge or cross piece the extremities of which
are supported in suitable holes provided in the extensions B³. D is a thumb screw
fitted to screw into a correspondingly screw threaded hole in the centre of the said
bridge or cross piece and provided at its lower extremity with a conical or other
suitably shaped plug D'. E is a disc of cork adapted to be pressed tightly against the
mouth or aperture of the bottle by means of the said thumb screw and plug so as to
form a perfectly tight joint.
I sometimes provide in either or both of the extensions B³ a slot by means of which
the bridge C and thumb screw D can be removed so as to facilitate the pouring out of
the contents of the bottle.
When it is desired to capsule the bottle I provide a cover or cap F which is
preferably struck or stamped out of thin sheet metal. F F are grooves or recesses
formed in the said cap F (as more plainly shown in Figure 3). G is a wire or other tie.
F2 is a well or chamber for receiving the extremities of the said tie G, and the seal for
securing the said extremities (as shown in Figure 2). B B are lugs firmly secured
to or formed on the strap or collar B. The wire or tie G is preferably doubled so as to
form a loop. The free ends are passed downwards through the said lugs B' on one
side of the bottle, crossed carried round the neck of the bottle, again crossed, passed up
through the other two lugs, and secured to the loop and sealed in any suitable manner
in the well or chamber F. It will be seen that by crossing the said wire or tie as
above mentioned it will tend to secure the metal collar in position upon the neck of the
bottle. That portion of the wire or tie passing round or over the cap F engages in the

page_text: grooves or recesses F¹ and is thus retained firmly in position thereon. I sometimes
dispense with the lugs B' in which case the wire or tie G is secured to the neck of the
bottle in the ordinary manner.
I sometimes fit the disc or plug of cork E in a metal casing H and place on the
outside thereof a piece or washer I of parchment, bladder or other suitable material
which is practically impermeable to moisture and non-injurious to the wine or other
liquid contained in the bottle. The metal casing is then burred or turned over (as
shown in the drawing) so as to retain the latter in position. In some cases I employ
cement for securing the parchment or other washer to the disc of cork, and the latter
to the metal disc. When parchment is employed I prefer to treat it with glycerine in
order to render it soft, and pliable, and more impermeable to moisture. The piece or
wasber is placed over the mouth or aperture of the bottle and is tightly pressed against
it by means of the thumb screw D and the metal plug D' which in this case is formed
flat instead of conical. By this means I obviate any chance of the wine or other
liquid being injuriously affected by contact with the cork.
I sometimes form the hereinbefore mentioned metal strap or collar B in two parts,
(as shown in Figures 5 and 5) and having projecting extremities provided with
holes B in which are adapted to engage hooks C upon the lower extremities of
projections or extensions C2 provided upon the bridge or cross piece C so as to hold the
said metal strap or collar B firmly in position upon the neck of the bottle A. In some
instances provide in the underside of each of the projecting portions of the said strap
or collar notches adapted to engage with the hooks C upon the lower extremities of
the extensions or projections of the bridge or cross piece C, or I provide upon the
said collar a projecting or turned down flange or rim adapted to engage with the said
books. Instead of the said hooks I may provide suitable slots in the lower extremities
of the said extensions or projections adapted to fit over the extensions or projections
on the strap or collar. I sometimes provide upon the lower extremity of the thumb
screw D a collar or enlargement D2 (Figure 5) adapted to fit into a recess, groove, or
slot D³ in the metal disc or plug D in such a manner as to permit of its insertion
therein or removal therefrom, or I provide any other suitable means for retaining the
said disc or plug upon the extremity of the thumb-screw, and permitting the latter to
rotate independently thereof. In some instances I form the said disc or plug of larger
diameter and provide suitable grooves in the sides thereof or projections thereon
adapted to engage with the herein before mentioned extensions upon the metal strap or
collar or upon the bridge or cross piece and prevent the rotation of the said disc or
plug, but permit the vertical movement thereof to or from the mouth or aperture of the
bottle.
My improved cap or capsules may be made either hollow as herein before described
or solid, and with any suitable number or arrangement of grooves for retaining the
wire or other ties in position.
Figure 6 is a vertical central section showing a modification wherein I construct the
above mentioned cap of wood or other suitable material and in the form of a disc or
cone having a central, taper, conical or other hole, and I secure therein by driving or
otherwise a taper or other cork E' in such a manner that the said cork will not extend
right through the said hole and a recess or chamber will be left in the upper portion of
the said disc for the purpose of forming a sealing chamber for securing the extremities
of the wire or tie. The projecting extremity of the said cork can be used for
stoppering a bottle in the ordinary manner.
Figures 7 and 8 illustrate in elevation and vertical central section a modification
wherein the cap and stopper are both formed of cork.
Figures 9 and 10 are similar views to Figures 7 and 8 illustrating a further
modification in which the said cap and stopper are formed of wood or other suitable
material. His a ring of india-rubber or the like for forming a tight joint between the
stopper and the bottle.
Figures 11 and 12 show a further slight modification wherein I employ a tube H¹ of
india-rubber or other suitable material instead of the said ring H.

page_text: When the bottles are intended to be exposed to a high temperature I prefer to
employ metal caps and a seal of lead or solder for securing the extremities of the wires
or ties. I sometimes dispense with the above mentioned sealing chamber.
I have found in practice that thin discs of cork cut in the ordinary way, that is to
say, with the pores or interstices thereof running horizontally across the same are liable
when subjected to a high pressure to leak, and therefore to permit the escape of the
liquid contained in the bottle.
I obviate this objection by cutting the said discs in such a manner that the said
pores or interstices are situated vertically therein, and thus when the said discs
are compressed tightly between two plane surfaces leakage is rendered practically
impossible.
My improved bottle stopper can be entirely removed from a bottle when required,
and replaced in position thereon with extreme facility by the consumer.
It is capable
of resisting very high pressures and is therefore especially suited for champagne or
other sparkling wines, and, for aerated liquids, as well as for still wines, or other
liquids.
It will readily be seen that by obvious modifications my improved stopper is also
advantageously applicable to jars or other vessels.
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 is :-
First. A device for closing bottles and similar vessels comprising a bridge or cross
piece connected with a strap or collar which surrounds the neck of the bottle or other
vessel, and a thumb screw arranged to screw into the said bridge or cross piece and
having at its lower extremity a suitable plug or disc, substantially as and for the
purposes above specified.
Second. The modification in which the strap or collar is formed in two parts and
the bridge or cross piece is provided with hooked or slotted extensions adapted to
engage in suitable holes or notches provided in the extremities of the said strap or
collar substantially as described.
Third. The improved device for covering the stopper or closing device and
facilitating the tying or wiring thereof, substantially as described.
Fourth. The improved disc or plug substantially as described with reference to
Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.
Fifth. The modifications substantially as described with reference to Figure 6, or
Figures 7 and 8, or Figures 9 and 10, or to Figures 11 and 12 of the accompanying
drawings.
Sixth. The improved apparatus consisting of the parts constructed and combined
substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying
drawings for the purpose specified.
Dated this 23rd day of August 1890.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.