IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS OF STOPPERING OR CLOSING THE NECKS, MOUTHS, OR OPENING OF RAMMY G TADS מחAirn A SIMITAD V
Year: 1870

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Underwood, of 5, Archway Road, Highgate,
in the County of Middlesex, Manufacturer, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS OF STOPPERING OR CLOSING THE NECKS, MOUTHS,
OR OPENING OF RAMMY G TADS
מחAirn A
SIMITAD V ""
Sealed the 25th October 1870, and dated the 27th April 1870.

page_text: In carrying out my Invention I employ a hollow cylindrical or other
shaped plug (formed of wood, gutta percha, or other suitable material)
corresponding in shape with the form of the opening to which it is to be
applied. This cylindrical or other shaped plug is by preference formed
slightly conical or with inclined sides, and at its lower end is divided
radially into segments or divisions, so as to be capable of expansion or
contraction by the application or withdrawal of a conically formed screw
wedge. The inner surface of the cylindrical or other shaped plug being
tapped to receive the screw of the conically formed wedge. Around
the outer surface of the cylindrical or other shaped plug I place a ring
or surface of india-rubber or other elastic material capable of expansion
and contraction as the cylindrical or other shaped plug is expanded or
contracted by the insertion or withdrawal of the conically formed screw
wedge..
In some cases I dispense with the outer ring or surface of india-
rubber or other material, in which case the cylindrical or other shaped
plug is not divided into segments or divisions, but is formed of india-
rubber or other clastic material capable of expansion or contraction on
the application or withdrawal of the conical screw wedge. On the
upper end of the screw wedge I form a knob, enlargement, or handle to
facilitate the insertion or withdrawal of the same.
In applying my improved stopper to a bottle or other vessel I first
insert the cylindrical or other shaped plug into the neck or other
opening of the vessel to be closed, and when the same is in the neck or
opening I insert the screw wedge and thereby expand the said plug, and
by so doing securely close the neck or opening of the vessel into which
it is inserted.
In some cases I apply a ring of metal to the upper surface of the
cylindrical or other shaped plug to give greater strength thereto.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, 30
filed by the said John Underwood in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 27th October 1870.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
UNDERWOOD, of 5, Archway Road, Highgate, in the County of Middlesex,
Manufacturer, send greeting.
31

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh day of April, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy, in the thirty-
third year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said John Underwood, Her special licence that I,
the said John Underwood, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as I, the said John Underwood, 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS OF STOPPERING
OR CLOSING THE NECKS, MOUTHS, OR OPENINGS OF BOTTLES, JARS, AND OTHER
SIMILAR VESSELS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
John Underwood, my executors or administrators, 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 John Underwood, 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 thereof, that is to say :-
My improvements relate to means of stoppering or closing the necks,
mouths, or openings of bottles, jars, and other similar vessels, whereby
such bottles, jars, or other vessels may be more readily opened or closed
at pleasure.
In carrying out my Invention I employ a hollow cylindrical or other
shaped plug (formed of wood, gutta percha, or other suitable material)
corresponding in shape with the form of the opening to which it is to be
applied. This cylindrical or other shaped plug is by preference formed
slightly conical or with inclined sides, and at one end is divided radially
into segments or divisions; so as to be capable of expansion or con-
traction by the application or withdrawal of a conically formed screw
wedge, the inner surface of the cylindrical or other shaped plug being
tapped to receive the screw of the conically formed wedge, or it may
simply be bored out plain, in which case the screw of the conical wedge

page_text: In applying my improved stopper to a bottle or other vessel I first
insert the cylindrical or other shaped plug a into the neck or other
opening of the vessel to be closed, and when the same is in the neck
or opening I insert the screw wedge b, and thereby expand the said
plug, and by so doing securely close the neck or opening of the vessel.
into which it is inserted.
In some cases I dispense with the outer ring or surface of india-rubber
or other material, in which case the cylindrical or other shaped plug is
not divided into segments or divisions, but is formed of india-rubber
or other elastic material capable of expansion or contraction on the
application or withdrawal of the conical screw wedge.
Having thus described my Invention and means by which the same
may be carried into effect I would have it understood that I do not
confine myself to the precise details as shewn and described, as the
same may be varied without departing from the peculiar character of
my Invention; but what I do claim is, the arrangement or combination
of means for stoppering or closing the necks, mouths, or openings of
bottles, jars, and other similar vessels by the expansion of a hollow
cylindrical or other shaped plug by means of a conically formed screw
wedge, substantially as shewn and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Underwood, have hereunto set
my hand and scal, this Twenty-seventh day of October, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy.