IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR STOPPERING BOTTLES OR JARS FOR CONTAINING AËRATED OR OTHER LIQUIDS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John León Besnard, of the Island of Guernsey, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR STOPPERING BOTTLES OR
JARS FOR CONTAINING AËRATED OR OTHER LIQUIDS."
Sealed the 28th October 1876, and dated the 7th July 1876.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said John León Besnard at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 7th July 1876.
JOHN LEÓN BESNARD, of the Island of Guernsey. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
FOR STOPPERING BOTTLES OR JARS FOR CONTAINING AERATED OR
LIQUIDS,"
OTHER
My said Invention consists in certain improvements in the construction of apparatus
for stoppering bottles, the same being especially but not exclusively applicable to
bottles or jars containing aërated liquids.
A cylindrical plug is formed which is capable of fitting the neck of the bottle, the
same having a collar or shoulder at the upper portion thereof for the purpose of
resting upon the upper portion of the neck of the bottle.
An aperture is formed
through the said plug in which is inserted a spindle or rod provided with a button
or disc at the lower end thereof. A short tube of india-rubber or other suitable elastic
material, having at or near the central portion thereof a bulge or enlargement
(formed by well known means and as well understood) is connected with and
attached to the lower portion of the spindle or rod above the button or disc at the
lower end thereof, and also attached to the lower end of the cylindrical plug before
mentior ed. The said elastic tube is attached to the spindle and cylindrical plug
respectively by means of cement, thread, silk, wire, or in any other suitable and
convenient manner. The several particulars before described constitute the essential
parts of the apparatus which forms the subject of my said Invention and the appli-
cation of which is as follows:-The stopper when in its normal state has the spindle
or rod resting within the cylindrical plug, the bulge or enlarged portion of the elastic
tube being between the button or disc at the end of the spindle or rod and the
lower end of the cylindrical tube and in a state of collapse.
When it is desired to introduce the stopper into the bottle or jar the upper end
of the spindle or rod is depressed, and thereby the bulged or enlarged portion of the
elastic tube is elongated and rendered capable of being passed through the neck of
the bottle or jar. Upon the tube having been thus passed through the neck of the bottle
or jar, and the pressure being removed from the spindle or rod, the bulged or
[Price 4d.]

page_text: enlarged portion of the elastic tube returns to its normal condition and shape, and
abuts against the shoulder formed by the junction of the larger portion of the
interior of the bottle or jar with the neck thereof, or against a shoulder specially
constructed for that purpose, in which position it is kept in the case of bottles or
jars containing gascous or aërated liquids by the pressure of the liquid or gas or
compressed air, the entrance to the bottle or jar being thus rendered perfectly air-tight.
The spindle or rod is fixed when desired by means of a transverse pin, which is
passed through the same above the cylindrical plug and the top of the neck of the
bottle or jar.
As a modification of my said Invention the upper portion of the spindle or rod is
jointed so as to be capable, upon the bulged or enlarged portion of the elastic tube
being collapsed or brought into its normal condition, of being turned at right angles
above the upper portion of the cylindrical plug and the top of the neck of the
bottle, thus dispensing with the transverse pin before mentioned, whilst the action
of the remainder of the apparatus remains as before described.
In either of the methods of construction above described the stopper is rendered
capable of being readily withdrawn by simply depressing the spindle or rod and
thus elongating the elastic tube.
The cylindrical plug and spindle or rod may be formed of glass, metal, earthenware,
or of any other suitable material or materials.
"
I will now proceed to refer to the annexed Drawings from which the nature of
my said Invention will be more clearly understood. Figure 1 shews the cylindrical
plug in elevation, Figure 2 being a vertical section of the same. Figure 3 represents
the spindle or rod which is passed through the plug. Figure 4 is the elastic tube with
the bulge or enlargement therein in its normal condition. Figure 5 shews the plug
and spindle or rod with the tube attached thereto respectively, and the bulge or
enlargement extended for the purpose of inserting the stopper into the neck of the
bottle or jar. Figure 6 is a sectional view of the bottle or jar with the stopper
inserted in the neck thereof, and shewing the bulges or enlargement in the tube in
its normal condition, thus effectually preventing any egress of the liquid or gas or
air contained in the bottle or jar therefrom and ingress of the external air thereto.
Having thus described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, I would observe in conclusion that what
I consider novel and original, and therefore claim as constituting my said Invention
is the combination and arrangement of the elastic tube with the cylindrical
plug and spindle or rod, substantially as herein-before set forth and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John León Besnard, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fourth day of July, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-six.
J. L. BESNARD. (L.S.)