IMPROVEMENTS IN STOPPERS FOR BOTTLES, AND IN THE MEANS OF SECURING STOPPERS IN BOTTLES
Year: 1870

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Nicholas Domaille, of the Parish of the Vale,
in the Island of Guernsey, and Peter Collas, of the said Parish of
the Vale, in the said Island of Guernsey, for the Invention of
“IMPROVEMENTS IN STOPPERS FOR BOTTLES, AND IN THE MEANS OF SECURING
STOPPERS IN BOTTLES."
Sealed the 4th April 1870, and dated the 10th October 1870.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Nicholas Domaille and
Peter Collas at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
their Petition, on the 10th October 1870.
We, NICHOLAS DOMAILLE, of the Parish of the Vale, 'in the Island
of Guernsey, and PETER COLLAS, of the said Parish of the Vale, in
the said Island of Guernsey, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVELIENTS IN STOPPERS FOR BOTTLES, AND IN THE MEANS OF
SEGURING STOPPERS IN BOTTLES,” to be as follows :—
This Invention relates to an improved stopper for and improved means
of securing stoppers in bottles, more particularly such bottles as are
used to hold wine, ale, or stout, or for those containing aërated effer-
vescing or gaseous drinks or liquids.

page_text: The improved stopper is made of lignum vitæ, or some other suitable
and durable material. Inside the top portion of the neck of the bottle
is secured a ring or washer of india-rubber, by pressing which, on the
stopper being inserted, the bottle is closed and rendered air-tight. Below
the rim or projecting top of the bottle is placed a metallic ring (encircling
the same), to which is attached a strap or piece of wire or other suitable
material, which is passed over the top of the stopper or cork in order
to hold down and secure the stopper in its place. On the top of the
stopper or cork a small spring can be attached or not as desired for
the purpose of keeping the strap or wire firmly in its proper position.
A small chain is attached at one end to the stopper or cork, and at the
other to the neck of the bottle or to the metallic ring before-mentioned,
in order to prevent the stopper from being mislaid or lost.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Nicholas Domaille and Peter Callas in the Great
Seal Patent Office on the 10th April 1871.
TO ALL, TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS, SHALL ÇOME, we, NICHOLAS
DOMAILLE, of the Parish of the Vale, in the Island of Guernsey, and
PETER COLLAS, of the said Parish of the Vale, in the said Island of
Guernsey, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Tenth day of October, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy, in the thirty-
fourth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto us, the said Nicholas Domaille and Peter Collas, Her
special licence that we, the said Nicholas Domaille and Peter Collas, our
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as we, the said
Nicholas Domaille and Peter Collas, our 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN STOFFERS FOR BOTTLES, AND IN THE MEANS
OF SECURING STOPPERS IN BOTTLES," upon the condition (amongst others)
that we, the said Nicholas Domaille and Peter Collas, our executors or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under our, or one of our,

page_text: or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and
ascertain the nature of our 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 we, the said Nicholas Domaille and Peter
Collas, do hereby declare the nature of our 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 writing, reference
being had to the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, that is to say:
This Invention relates to an improved stopper for and improved means
of securing stoppers in and to bottles, more particularly such bottles as
are used to hold wine, ale, or stout, or other liquids, or for those
containing aërated, effervescing, or gaseous drinks or liquids.
Our improved stopper is made of lignum vitæ, or some other suitable
and durable material. Inside the top portion of the neck of the bottle.
is secured a ring or washer of india-rubber, by pressing which, on the
stopper being inserted, the bottle is closed and rendered air-tight. Below
the rim or projecting top of the bottle is placed a metallic ring
(encircling the same) to which is attached a strap or piece of wire or
other suitable material which is passed over the top of the stopper or
cork in order to hold down and secure the stopper in its place. On the
top of the stopper or cork a small spring can be attached or not as desired
for the purpose of keeping the strap or wire firmly in its proper position.
A small chain is attached at one end to the stopper or cork and at the
other to the neck of the bottle or to the metallic ring before mentioned in
order to prevent the stopper from being mislaid or lost.
Such being the nature and object of our said Invention for "Improve-
ments in Stoppers for Bottles, and in the Means of Securing Stoppers in
Bottles," we will now proceed to describe more in detail the manner in
which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into practical
effect, and in order that the same may be distinctly understood we have
annexed hereunto one Sheet of Drawings illustrative thereof and have
marked the same with figures and letters of reference corresponding
with those in the following explanation thereof, that is to say :-
On the accompanying Sheet of Drawings Figure 1 represents our

page_text: improved stopper, and Figures 2 to 10 various modifications of the same,
most of these Figures representing sections of the improvements.
In Figure 1 a represents our improved stopper which is made of
lignum vitæ or other suitable material; b the washer or ring of suitable
shape and size made of india-rubber or other suitable material, and e is
a hole through the stopper into which an eye pin d is placed, and through
the eye of which one end link of the small connecting chain e is placed
so as to attach the stopper to the bottle. Should it be necessary to
prevent the liquid contained in the bottle from coming in contact with
and deteriorating the washer 6 the stopper can be made as represented
in Figure 2, a cork washer d¹ of suitable shape and size being added,
through which a small peg e³ is placed so as to keep the cork firmly in
its place, or it can be made as shewn in Figure 2, where a¹ represents
the cork ring, and 6¹ the india-rubber washer or ring.
When the stopper is made as described in Figures 1 and 2 it is adapted
to and intended to be used for bottles, the neck or mouth of which is
shaped as represented in those Figures and for bottles bevilled or grooved
at the mouth or top of the neck inside as represented in Figures 3 and 4,
the stopper is made as there represented and as partly described above,
a groove of suitable shape, size, and depth being in addition made in the
stopper just under the projection or shoulder into which the india-rubber
ring 6 is placed. For bottles which are to be often unstoppered our stopper
is made as represented in Figure 4, and as partly described above.
A hole fis made at the top and in the centre of the stopper, into which a
spring g is inserted, and over the spring is placed a small piston or rod /
provided with a hole i, through which the eye pin d passes and a small
notch or score j, into which the tie or strap k which secures the stopper
in the bottle is placed; by pressing downwards on the knob at the top
of the piston or rod h the strap.or tie k which fastens the stopper to the
bottle is moved aside, and the stopper is thus unfastened and can be
easily taken out.
Figure 1 illustrates another and simpler mode of placing the
spring.

page_text: beer. When made of lignum vitæ, glass, or earthenware the stopper is
secured to the bottle by means of a metal ring or a loop of wire m (as
shewn in Figure 5), provided with two eyes n (Figure 2), one at each
side, through which the tie or strap k is passed, and where it is attached,
the metal ring or loop of wire is placed under the collar or projection on
the neck of the bottle outside, as shewn. To fasten the stopper con-
structed as here illustrated first press it down and at the same time draw
the strap or tie k towards the small score or notch ; at the top of the
stopper till it be placed in the same, and by this means the india-rubber
washer 6 will be compressed and the mouth of the bottle will be closed;
and to again unstopper the bottle continue to press the stopper down-
wards till the tie or strap can be disengaged from the score or notch j,
and then the stopper can be easily removed. For gaseous liquids the
stopper is made and secured to the bottle as represented in Figures 6, 6*,
7, 7, 8, 9, and 10. When it is manufactured of lignum vitæ, glass, or
earthenware it is made as represented in Figure 6, and it is secured to
the bottle by the means previously described (see Figure 5). The mouth
or neck of the bottle inside and at the top is bevilled or grooved as
represented, and under the shoulder or projection of the stopper a groove
of suitable size and shape is made, into which a washer 6 of suitable
shape and size and made of india-rubber or other suitable material is
placed; a hole is made vertically through the stopper through which is
passed a rod o made of tin, pewter, or other suitable material, and pro-
vided at its lower end with a valve d made of india-rubber or other
suitable material as represented. The upper part of the hole is made
just large enough to allow the rod c to be snugly moved in it up and
down. The lower part as far upwards as to meet the side hole or out-
lete is made large enough (when the rod o is in its place) to leave
sufficient space for the liquid to flow freely in and out of the bottle
through the exit hole e at the side of the stopper, and which hole meets
that into which the rod c is placed. The bottle is or may be filled and
emptied with the stopper on the stopper being taken out only when it is
necessary to wash the bottle. When it is desired to fill the bottle it is
placed under any ordinary filling machine and is filled through the
hole e at the side of the stopper, and when the bottle is filled the gas
inside the bottle forces the valve d up against the bottom side of the
stopper a, and by this means the mouth of the bottle is closed and the
gas cannot escape. To pour out the whole or a part of the liquid con-

page_text: tained in the bottle first turn the bottle the stopper downwards and with
the hole e at the side of the stopper over the glass or vessel into which
the liquid is to be poured, then press on the top of the rod c and keep
the valve down; the gas inside the bottle will immediately force the
liquid out of the bottle. Unless the bottle be placed with the stopper
downwards previous to pressing the valve down it will not empty, for
should the valve be pressed down while the bottle is the stopper upwards
the gas only would escape.
The stopper is also made as represented in Figures *; it is
similarly fitted with a rod and valve and a hole at the top and one at
the side, and is grooved and provided with a washer, as previously
described in reference to Figure 6; it is made of lignum vitæ or other
suitable material, and is secured to the bottle by means of a strap or
ție L made as represented. The lower ends of the legs are hooked or
shouldered as shewn. Under the collar or projection on the neck of the
bottle outside is placed a ring M made of suitable material, the lower
part of which is bevilled on its inner edge as represented. To secure
the stopper to the bottle press it downwards till the hook or shoulder on
the lower part of the legs be as low as the under part of the ring M, then
press the legs tightly against the ring M and at the same time withdraw
'the pressure from on the stopper. The bottle is filled and emptied in
the manner before stated.
* In Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10 the stopper is represented as made of tin,
pewter, or other suitable metal. It is fitted with a rod c and a valve d,
as described for Figure 6. As represented in Figure 7 it is secured to
the bottle by means of a slotted ring ƒ made of tin, pewter, or other
suitable metal, and hereafter described. The bottle is shaped as repre-
sented in Figure 7, the neck of the bottle on the upper part outside
being provided with four projections 1, 2, 3, 4, the corners of each of
which are slightly rounded, and it has also a collar or projection a³ on
which the slotted ring f rests when it is placed on the neck of the
bottle. A holee (of sufficient size and through which the bottle is or
may be filled and emptied in the manner previously described) is made
in the side of the stopper a, which in this case is hollow; there is also
one at the top and in the centre of the stopper, through which latter the
valve rod c is placed; this hole is made just large enough to allow the
valve rod c to be snugly moved in it up and down. A disc g made of
•

page_text: tin, pewter, or other suitable metal, is fitted inside of and under the
lower part of the shoulder of the stopper, as represented in Figure 7,
and in the centre of this disc a hole is made of sufficient size to allow
the valve rod c to be easily moved in it up and down. Inside and under
the shoulder the stopper is provided with a washer or cushion 6 of india-
rubber or other suitable material, which when the stopper is in its place
rests on the end of the neck of the bottle; the stopper is also provided
on its lower part inside with a female screw, by means of which it is
attached to the slotted ring f, which is provided on its outside part with
a male screw,
and on its inside part with four slots and four projections
5, 6, 7, 8, made so as to correspond with and fit against the under part
of those on the neck of the bottle and with a stop or check to prevent
its being rotated past its proper place. To fix the stopper on the bottle
place the slotted ring with the slots just over the projections 1, 2, 3, 4,
on the neck of the bottle, then push it downwards till it rests on the
projection or collar a³ on the neck of the bottle, then turn it one-eighth
of a revolution or till it be stopped by the check, and screw on the.
stopper till the washer 6 is sufficiently compressed as not to allow the
gas to escape when the bottle is filled. The slotted ring will then be
drawn tightly up against the lower part of the four projections on the
neck of the bottle, and will be firmly kept in its place. The stopper is
taken off only when it is necessary to wash the bottle, or if the latter
should be broken. To take the stopper off, unscrew it just enough to
allow the slotted ring to be turned backwards one-eighth of a revolu-
tion, and the stopper with the slotted ring attached to it can then be
easily taken off the neck of the bottle. For filling and emptying the
bottle, fitted with the stopper as above described, proceed as described,
for Figure 6.
A modification of this is illustrated in Figure 8. On the lower part
inside the stopper is provided with four projections 1, 2, 8, 4, as repre-
sented, and the bottle on the outside of the neck is provided with a
collar into which four slots 5, 6, 7, 8, are made, which correspond in
position and shape to the four projections on the inside of the stopper.
The stopper is placed on the neck of the bottle in a similar manner to
5 the slotted ring described in reference to Figure 7. The bottle is filled,
and emptied in the manner previously described for Figures 7. and it is

page_text: Another modification is represented in Figures 9. The stopper is here
provided on its lower part with slots 1, 2, 3, and on the outside part with
a collar or rim 4. The neck of the bottle is provided with the same
number of projections 5, 6, 7, as represented. The upper part of the
projections on the neck of the bottle are made so as when the stopper is- {
in its place to project sufficiently outside the stopper as to form a
shoulder for the upper part of a slotted ring p to rest against. To place
the stopper on and secure it to the bottle the ring p must first be put
on the stopper, and the slots in either adjusted, then put both on the
neck of the bottle and press them downwards till the upper part of the 1
ring p lies as low as the under part of the shoulder formed by the pro-
jections on the neck of the bottle, then rotate the ring one-fourth of a
revolution. The inside of this stopper is similar to the one represented
in Figures 8, and for emptying and filling the bottle proceed similarly as
described for this Figure.
Figures 10 illustrate à stopper partly made, as previously described
and represented by Figures 9. On its lower part it is provided with
legs & (from two to four as may be required) made as represented, and
also with a ring Q made of suitable material. The neck of the bottle
on the outside is provided with a collar t into which slots are made (from
two to four), as represented. To secure the stopper to the bottle, first
put the ring Q on the stopper and hold it just above the legs, adjust the
legs of the stopper to the slots in the collar on the neck of the bottle,
and then press the stopper downwards till the shoulders or catches on
the ends of the legs come as low as the under part of the collar, then
push the ring Q downwards till it rests on the projection on the lower
part of the collar. To take it off, draw the ring Q upwards till it be
just above the legs of the stopper, it is then easily taken off. The
bottle is filled and emptied in the manner previously described.
]
Having now described the nature and object of our said Invention a
for "Improvements in Stoppers for Bottles, and in the Means of
Securing Stoppers in Bottles," together with the manner in which the
same is to be or may be performed or carried into practical effect, we
would remark in conclusion that we claim as our Invention, the im-
provements in the construction of stoppers and the means of securing a
stoppers in bottles, substantially as herein-before described, and as illus-
trated on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, together with the various
modifications of the same, substantially as described and delineated, and

page_text: the improved means of fastening or connecting the stoppers to the bottles,
substantially as herein described and as illustrated or any mere variation
or modification thereof.
In witness whereof, we, the said Nicholas Domaille and Peter
Collas, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Twenty-ninth
day of March, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and seven
NICHOLAS DOMAILLE. (L.S.)
PETER COLLAS.
(L.S.)