IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED FOR CORKING AND UNCORKING BOTTLES, JARS, AND OTHER VESSELS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Arthur Robert Doyle and Francis Henry Stubbs, both of
Leeds, in the County of York, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MEANS OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED FOR CORKING AND UNCORKING BOTTLES,
JARS, AND OTHER VESSELS."
Sealed the 1st September 1877, and dated the 7th March 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Arthur Robert Doyle and
Francis Henry Stubbs at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
7th March 1877.
ARTHUR ROBERT DOYLE and FRANCIS HENRY STUBBS, both of Leeds, in the
County of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED FOR
CORKING AND UNCORKING BOTTLES, JARS, AND OTHER VESSELS."
Our Invention refers to means or apparatus applicable for drawing corks from
bottles, jars, or other vessels, but may also be employed for corking the same.
A convenient way of carrying our Invention into effect is as follows:-On a
suitable standard or upright we mount a sleeve or socket fitted so as to slide freely
thereon. To this sleeve or socket is attached a bracket which carries a spear
or V pointed piercer. Under this piercer a suitable adjustable rest is provided for
the bottle.
The bottle to be uncorked having been placed on the rest, I cause the socket to
slide downward by a convenient lever arrangement carrying with it the piercer
which is forced through the cork, the spear or V end passing completely through
the cork; a slight turn is then given to the bottle, which brings the flat or under side
of the spear or V shaped piercer across the hole previously made, presenting at the
same time a blunt face to the cork. An upward motion is then imparted to the
piercer through the socket or sleeve, which at the same time extracts the cork from
the bottle. The bottle is prevented from rising with the piercer by means of a
suitable projection attached to the upright.
The shank of the piercer is made taper so that each succeeding cork bursts off the
the preceding one during the piercing operation.

page_text: The above arrangement may also be employed for corking bottles by substituting
a blunt or flat-ended instrument instead of the herein-before mentioned piercer.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Arthur Robert Doyle and Francis Henry Stubbs in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 7th September 1877.
ARTHUR ROBERT DOYLE and FRANCIS HENRY STUBBS, both of Leeds, in the
County of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED FOR
CORKING AND UNCORKING BOTTLES, JARS, AND OTHER VESSELS."
Our Invention refers to means or apparatus applicable for drawing corks from
bottles, jars, or other vessels, but may also be employed for corking the same.
A convenient way of carrying our Invention into effect is as follows:-On a
suitable standard or upright we mount a sleeve or socket fitted so as to slide freely
thereon. To this sleeve or socket is attached a bracket which carries a spear
or V pointed piercer. Under this piercer a suitable adjustable rest is provided for
the bottle.
The bottle to be uncorked having been placed on the rest, we cause the socket to
slide downward by a convenient lever arrangement carrying with it the piercer
which is forced through the cork, the spear or V end passing completely through
the cork. A slight turn is then given to the bottle which brings the flat or under
side of the spear or V shaped piercer across the hole previously made, presenting at
the same time a blunt faco to the cork. An upward motion is thon imparted to tho
piercer through the socket or sleeve, which at the same time extracts the cork from
the bottle. The bottle is prevented from rising with the piercer by means of
a suitable projection attached to the upright.
The shank of the piercer is made taper so that each succeeding cork bursts off the
preceding one during the piercing operation.
The above arrangement may also be employed for corking bottles by sub-
stituting a blunt or flat-ended instrument instead of the herein-before mentioned
piercer.
And in order that our Invention may be more completely understood, reference is
criven to the reconnonvios
Figure 1 is a side elevation; Figure 2, a front elevation; Figure 3, a plan looking
at the top of apparatus constructed in accordance with our Invention for uncorking
bottles.
Figures 4 and 5 are respectively a side and front elevation of apparatus arranged
for corking bottles.
Figures 6 and 7 are respectively a front and side elevation of treadle, as applied
to the above apparatus.
Figure 8 is a longitudinal section of hydraulic apparatus which may also be
applied.
On the standard a is provided a socket or sleeve b in which is made to slide
freely the hollow rod c; to the upper part of the rod c is attached the bracket d,
which carries the spear or V pointed piercer e; below this piercer is provided the
adjustable rest or table f. A vertical movement is given to the piercer by incans of
the hand lever g, lever h, and rod i, which is coupled to the bracket at by means
of a suitable pin h
In some cases we make the rod c a fixture and fit on the outer side thereof a
socket or sleeve so as to work freely thereon. To this sleeve is attached a bracket

page_text: carrying the piercer, and a vertical motion is also given by means of suitable levers
or their equivalents.
.
The table is provided with a screwed spindle which works in the sliding
socket m; by means of this screw the height of the table ƒ may be varied.
The bottle is shewn at n in position for the cork to be drawn, and the piercer as
it appears after passing through the cork. After the piercer has passed through the
cork a slight turn is either given to the bottle by the attendant or to the piercer
itself by means of tho cam plate o.
It will be readily understood that the pin p coming in contact with the incline q
at the bottom of the cam piece o during the downward motion of the piercer
imparts a portion of a turn thereto, which turn takes place after the piercer has
passed through the cork, and brings its head or spear across the hole previously
made, presenting at the same time a blunt face to the cork. The lip of the bottle is
brought by means of the lever u into a socket provided on the bracket r; this
bracket retains the bottle in position during the time the cork is being extracted.
After the cork has been extracted by an upward movement, the pin p is brought in
contact with the lower end of the incline t on the cam plate o, which has the effect
by continuing this upward movement of turning the piercer back to its former
position. The bottle is raised to the position shewn by means of the hand lever u
and lever acting upon the sliding socket m; this is brought into the position, as
shewn by the attendant previously to the piercer being brought into operation.
The levers g and u in dotted lines represent their respective positions when at
rest, into which position the lever g is brought by means of the spiral or other
spring w.
When preferred, instead of the lever arrangement u and v, a treadle arrangement
is provided, as shewn at Figures 6 and 7, in which 1 is a foundation plate on which
are mounted the brackets 2 and 3, of which bracket 2 is employed as a bearing for
the treadle 4 and bracket 3 for the intermediate lever 5. The movement of the
treadle is conveyed to the table ƒ by means of the connecting rod C which is attached
to the socket m at 7 by means of the pin 8.
For the corking operation the machine is constructed in a similar manner to the
herein-before described; but instead of the piercer a blunt-headed ram 9 is provided
on the bracket d, and a guide or funnel 10 for the cork is provided on the bracket ?.
The bottle is placed in a similar position to that described for uncorking, and tho
cork after being placed in a guide or funnel 10 is forced into the bottle by means of
the downward movement of the ram 9.
In some cases, when preferred, we actuate the table f by hydraulic pressure,
thereby dispensing with the lever arrangement u and v, and is shewn at Figure 8. In
this case we employ a ram 11 within the socket m which is secured at its lower
end by means of the plate 12 or other equivalent means. When the table is
required to be worked up to its position the water is allowed to pass through
tube 13 and ram passage 14 into space 15 at any suitable pressure, whereby the
table fis raised, and in order to retain it in its position after being raised the tap is
closed.
We construct the tap in such a form that by turning the tap in one direction the
water passes into the space 15, and by turning it in another direction the pressure
is stopped, and the water allowed to pass down the waste pipe 16. In the plug is
also provided an intermediate stage, whereby the water can neither pass in one
direction nor the other, but remains stationary. Any convenient two-way tap may
be employed.
Having now described the nature of our said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, we declare that we are aware that other apparatus has
been employed for corking and uncorking bottles, but what we claim as our
Improvements in the Means or Apparatus Employed for Corking and Uncorking
Bottles, Jars, and other Vessels" is,
First. The arrangement, construction, and application of piercer e, substantially
as shewn and for purposes herein set forth.

page_text: Second. The arrangement and combination of the various parts forming the
means or apparatus for corking and uncorking bottles, with mere modifications of
the same, substantially as herein set forth.
In witness whereof, we, the said Arthur Robert Doyle and Francis Henry
Stubbs, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Sixth day of September,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
AKTHUK KUBERT DUIDE.
Witness to the Signatures of the
said Arthur Robert Doyle and
Francis Henry Stubbs,
W. FAIRBURN HART,
FRANCIS HENRY STUBBS. (LS).
Messrs. A. R. & J. W. Harding's,
Engineers & Patent Agents,
2, East Parade,
Leeds.