IMPROVEMENTS IN TAPS FOR DISCHARGING CHAMPAGNE AND OTHER FLUIDS FROM BOTTLES AND OTHER VESSELS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Sidney Grafton, 20, Regent Place, Birmingham, in the
County of Warwick, Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
TAPS FOR DISCHARGING CHAMPAGNE AND OTHER FLUIDS FROM BOTTLES AND
OTHER VESSELS."
Sealed the 29th October 1878, and dated the 6th May 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Sidney Grafton at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 6th May 1878.
SIDNEY GRAFTON, 26, Regent Place, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN TAPS FOR DISCHARGING CHAMPAGNE AND
OTHER FLUIDS FROM BOTTLES AND OTHER VESSELS."
My Invention consists of an instrument to be used in the hand, and thereby
passed through the cork, and comprises the following advantages :-The impossibility
of the orifice becoming choked with cork; the absence of grease, by doing away
with the stop-cock; and the facility of discharging or checking the contents of a
bottle with the same hand that holds it.
The instrument in configuration is the shape of a cross, the longest part or
staff being about threo inches long and one-quarter of an inch in diameter, having a
shallow thread or screw cut on the outside. Through its centre is a hole terminating
at the other end with a small recess for a stuffing box, through which passes a rod,
and over which rod a washer, and on to which washer a helical spring, which is
secured by a stud screwed to the end of the rod.
To the other end of the rod is a valve having an indin-rubber washer on it,
and fitting into a recess in the staff. The guide of the valve is squared, having a
corresponding recess in the staff.
The other end of the valve has a sharp taper thread or screw upon it, cor-
responding in pitch to the one upon the staff, or it may be only a plain taper point.

page_text: Through one of the arms, at right angles with the staff, is an orifice which meets
the centre one, making a clear way for the liquor to pass.
The method of using the instrument is as follows:-Screw it into the cork as
an ordinary gimlet until the whole of the taper, screw, or point is clear through
the cork. Hold the bottle in a horizontal position with the arm having the
orifice downwards. Compress the helical spring by placing the thumb upon the
projection stud which will open the valve and discharge the contents of the bottle.
By relinquishing the pressure of the thumb, the valve will close by reason of the
helical spring expanding.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Sidney Grafton in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 5th November
1878.
SIDNEY GRAFTON, 26, Regent Place, in the Borough of Birmingham, in the
County of Warwick, Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN TAPS FOR DISCHARGING
CHAMPAGNE AND OTHER FLUIDS FROM BOTTLES AND OTHER VESSELS."
My Invention relates to an improved instrument to be passed through a cork
for the purpose of discharging the contents of bottles and other vessels, and
comprises the following advantages :—The impossibility of the orifice becoming
choked or stopped up; the absence of grease, by dispensing with the stop-cock;
and the facility of discharging the contents.
The instrument is in shape of a cross, the longest part or staff being about
four inches long and a quarter of an inch in diameter, having a thread or screw upon
its exterior, and through its centre in a longitudinal direction a hole terminating
at the upper end with a small recess as a stuffing box, and its lower end in a
valvo seat.
Through one of the arms at right angles with the staff, is an aperture_com-
municating with the staff, making a clear way for the fluid to pass out through.
Through the interior of the staff passes a rod having attached to one end of
it a valve with a recess for an india-rubber washer.
The guide of the valve is squared and fits into a corresponding aperture in the
lower end of the staff. The valve terminates in a point or taper screw for entering
the cork, and corresponds in pitch with that on the exterior of the staff.
The other end of the rod passes through the stuffing box, which is surmounted
with a helical spring which is held in its position by means of a nut or disc screwed
upon the end of the rod.
The instrument is used in the following manner :-The instrument is scrowed into
the cork until the whole of the taper point or screw is visible. The bottle is elevated
to a horizontal position, and the nut or disc depressed by the fingers or thumb which
releases the valve and allows the fluid to pass out through the arm. Upon relin-

page_text: quishing the pressure on the nut or disc, the valve is closed by means of the helical
spring expanding.
I construct a modification by dispensing with the taper point or screw and india-
rubber washer, and affix the instrument to the cork before the latter is put into the
bottle, making the cork the seat upon which the valve rests.
If I desire the fluid to pass out at the extreme end of the instrument, I dispense
with the aperture in the arm, and substitute for the rod to which the valve is attached
a tube having a lateral orifice communicating with the inner one through which the
fluid passes out.
Having described the nature of the Invention, and the manner of performing the
same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected by the herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent is, an instrument, substantially as described,
consisting of a hollow staff with arms having a screw on its exterior fitted with a
tube or rod passing through its interior, having a valve terminating in a point or
screw at one end and passing through a stuffing box surmounted by a helical
spring and nut at the other end, the whole operating as and for the purpose set
forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Sidney Grafton, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fifth day of November, in the year of our Lord One thousand