Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Jan., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 4th Oct., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 30th Nov., 1888
1, HENRY LOUIS PHILLIPS, of South Hornsey, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My present invention has for its object improvements in the construction of
stoppers or covers for the inouths or openings of bottles pots jars and other hollow
vessels.
I cut, stamp out, or otherwise form preferably from suitable metal, sheet metal,
or metal plate, by means of tools or dies preferably operated by means of a stamping
or die press in the well known manner, a disc or other shaped piece of the required
size and having a sufficiently deep circumferential flange formed on its edge at right
angles or nearly so to the surface of the said disc or piece. The flanged hollow cap
thus formed is intended to move freely over the mouth of the bottle or other
vessel and also over screw, threads exteriorly formed round the upper part of the
neck of the bottle. I form by means of suitable tools or mechanical means screw
threads of the pitch required in or upon the flange portion of the said hollow cap
which screw-threads are intended to engage with the aforesaid external screw-threads
forming near the mouth or opening of the bottle and 1 complete the construction of
my improved stopper by inserting or fitting a sufficiently elastic cushion pad or
packing in the flat upper portion of the interior of the said hollow cap.
When the stopper is properly screwed upon the neck of the bottle the edge of the
opening or mouth of the vessel will be forcibly pressed against the elastic pad or
cushion thus making a tight joint.
1 sometimes by means of suitable tools or mechanical arrangements preferably
operated as described form in or upon the aforesaid flange on the edge of the said
disc or other shaped piece two or more parts, only, of screw threads arranged
thereon in any convenient manner; or, I form by similar means in or upon the said

page_text: flange two or more suitably shaped depressions, studs, or projections, the said parts
of screw threads, depressions, studs, or projections, being properly devised or
arranged to embrace the screw-thread externally formed on the neck of the bottle
as above described.
Instead of forming the screw-threads or parts thereof or the suitably shaped
depressions, studs, or projections, in or upon the circumferential flange formed on
the said disc or piece as hercinabove described, I sometimes prefer to form the said
screw-threads or parts of screw threads or the said suitable depressions studs or
projections for the purpose and by the means above described in or upon a similarly
formed flanged hollow cap formed from metal, metal plate sheet metal alloy or from other
suitable composition or substance which is intended to be then placed in the interior
of a tightly fitting similar flanged hollow cap preferably formed from metal sheet
metal or metal plate. In such case I preferably form the hollow cap intended to be
inserted in and to fit tightly the outer hollow cap, of a somewhat thinner or softer
metal sheet metal alloy metal plate composition or substance than that of which the
said outer hollow cap is to be formed.
The flange on the said outer hollow cap for the better manipulation of the stopper
may be vertically grooved or milled.
Instead of forming upon the flanges of the said hollow caps the above mentioned
screw-threads or parts of screw threads or the aforesaid depressions studs or pro-
jections as herein described, I sometimes prefer to form thein by means of suitable
dies punches tools or mechanical arrangements upon one or more separate flat
shaped pieces or strips of suitable metal alloy metal plate sheet metal or other
suitable substance or composition. These flat pieces will he cut to the required shape
and size preferably after such screw threads or parts thereof or depressions studs or
projections have been formed thereupon and the said flat piece or pieces will be curved
bent rolled or otherwise adjusted to closely fit against and within the cylindrical flange
forming as already described part of the hollow cap. The necessary threads, parts
of threads, depressions, studs, or projections, will in this manner be formed more
casily than if they were formed upon a cylindrical body or surface and they will be
arranged to engage with the external screw-thread on the neck of the bottle as already
herein described. The ends of the said flat pieces or strips may be shaped in order
to fit into each other and the upper part of the cap may be suitably devised to hold
parts of the said strips to prevent their movement in the said hollow cap. I do
not necessarily fill up the entire inner part of the flange with the shaped pieces or
strips described.
The said inner hollow cap or the said inner shaped piece or strip may be attached
to the outer cap by means of solder or by the edge of the flange formed on the
outer cap being turned over the edge of the said inner cap or the inner shaped piece
or by any other suitable means.
The use of the above described combination of hollow caps or of a hollow cap
and interior strip or lining will admit if desired of the external hollow cap being
made of a stouter or stiffer metal sheet metal, metal plate than that of which the
inner cap or inner flat piece is made and the forming the studs depressions or
thread upon a flat piece of metal metal plate alloy or other suitable substance or
composition will enable a thread of greater length to be formed thereon than
would be generally practicable if the same were formed on the flange of a sheet
metal cap drawn down in the usual way.
Where an arrangement of screw threads of considerable depth is required, the
said inner lining may be made if necessary deeper than the Hange on the outer
cap which contains it.
As some descriptions of external screw caps made from soft metal cannot be always
sufficiently tightened upon the neck of the bottle without destroying the screw threads
in the hollow cap by over-turning I sometimes when my above described inner cap or
inner piece or strip is made from soft metal material or substance fill up the
depressions (forming the interior screw threads) on the outside of the inner cap or
inner piece or strip with any suitable composition or substance (such for instance as
0

page_text: shellac) in order to support the screw-threads when screwed firmly upon the bottle
neck.
Sometimes I make my improved hollow screw-threaded external stopper by forming
the necessary screw thread, or parts thereof, or the suitable depressions, studs, or
projections, in the manner already described upon a flat piece or strip of suitable
metal, metal plate, or sheet metal of the proper size required to form a flange as
hereinabove mentioned. This piece or strip will be then shaped to form a cylindrical
flange and the ends thereof may be secured by solder or by other efficient means.
On the upper edge portion of the said cylindrical flange I fit a shallow flanged cap
of the required size to hold the said edge firmly and I secure the same in any suitable
When the packing is inserted therein a stopper will be made which will
not require the inner cap or inner strip or strips herein above described.
manner.
In order to make an efficient joint between the inner flat part of the hollow cap
and the edge of the mouth of the bottle or other vessel, I place as already mentioned
a suitable sufficiently elastic packing or filling in the said inner flat part of the cap.
The flat upper part of the hollow cap may be depressed in order to form a suitably
shaped circular projecting portion to enter the mouth of the bottle or other vessel or
a suitably shaped disc or piece may be separately cut or stamped out from sheet metal
or metal plate or any other suitable material or substance in which a circular depressed
portion will be formed the said depressions being intended to enter the mouth of the
bottle. Against the said depression I place the disc of cork or other packing.
Sometimes solid corks or plugs may be fitted in the interior of the above described
hollow caps and they may be fixed in any convenient manner.
It being somewhat difficult to form screw-threads upon the flanges of hollow caps
when formed from stiff or stout metal or metal plate I sometimes form the screw
threads required upon the flanges of separate hollow caps formed from sufficiently thin
or soft metal and I insert by screwing one of the said hollow caps within the other by
which means a sufficiently stout screw threaded hollow cap may be built up or
obtained.
Instead of forming screw threads as herein described I sometimes place a short
helical coil preferably of wire inside the said hollow cap and secured thereto and the
said helical coil will engage with the screw threads formed upon the neck of the bottle
as described. The said helical coil may sometimes be arranged to act as a spring as
well as a screw thread by having one end thereof secured to the interior of the hollow
cap and the other end left free.
When the necks of the bottles or other vessels are made with interrupted threads I
adapt the studs or projections formed in my improved stopper in the manner herein-
ahove described to suit the same.
1000
EDWARDS & Co.,
35, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Stoppers or Covers for the
Mouths or Openings of Bottles, Pots, Jars, and other Hollow
Vessels.
I, HENRY LOUIS PHILLIPS, of 28, Brownswood Park, South Hornsey, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement and accompanying drawing (that is
to say):
My present invention relates to improvements in the construction of stoppers or
covers, for the mouths or openings of bottles pots jars and other hollow vessels, such
for instance as cans, canisters, boxes, kegs, pails, and the like.
In order to put my invention in operation, I cut or stamp out or otherwise form
from any suitable substance or material but preferably from suitable sheet metal, or
metal plate (such for instance as tinned iron or tinned steel plate) by means of
suitable cutting or stamping tools or dies operated by a stamping or die press in the
well known manner, a disc or other suitably shaped pieced of the required diameter
or size and having a sufficiently deep circumferential flange formed upon its edge at
right angles or thereabouts, to the surface of the said disc or piece. This hollow cap
or hollow cover is intended to be placed over the mouth of the bottle jar, can, or other
hollow vessel, its circumferential edge fitting freely over a screw thread exteriorly
formed round the upper part of the neck and the depth of the flange being regulated
accordingly. I also form in or upon the flanged portion of the cap or cover by means
of suitable stamping, pressing, or other tools and machines or mechanical arrange-
ments (and preferably in the manner and by the means hereinafter set forth) a
sufficient number of depressions or grooves to form inside the cap a screw thread of
the pitch, size, and length required and intended to engage with the above mentioned
external screw thread on the bottle or other vessel and I complete the construction of.
the screw cap cover or stopper by fitting one or more discs or pads of cork or other
suitable sufficiently soft or elastic substance or material as a packing in its interior flat
upper portion. When the cap or cover is properly screwed down upon the screw
thread exteriorly formed as described the packing will be pressed closely against the
edge of the mouth of the bottle or other vessel and a sufficiently tight joint be thus
made.
When I employ hard metal such as tinned iron or tinned steel plate to form the cap
or cover above described I prefer to make my improved stopper by forming the screw
thread in the cap in the manner immediately below set forth instead of in the manner
ordinarily adopted when a screw thread is formed in caps made from thin and com-
paratively soft metal or alloy-such as zinc, pewter, and the like-such metal caps being

page_text: screw threaded by means of a machine having a screw threaded mandrel, upon the
bead of which the soft metal cap is placed, and an advancing rotary motion being
imparted to the mandrel, the cap is brought under the action of screw-threaded roll-dies
surrounding it, so as to form the thread.
Instead of employing any such rolling revolving or rotating dies tools or mechanical
parts, I place the flanged cap upon a cylindrical die or tool, and 1 use other dies or
tools which operate upon the outside of the flange of the cap or cover, by direct
pressure or percussive action, by which means I obtain in the inside of the flange a
screw thread of any desired fineness and shape. I prefer to use a cylindrical central
die or tool having depressions to form the desired screw-thread in its periphery and
over its end I place the plain flanged cap to be screw-threaded, I then, by means of
a sufficient number of suitably, curved external dies or tools (formed upon their
respective curved edges with corresponding projecting curved parts to form the
required screw-thread) press the flange of the cap into the depressed parts of the
screw-thread formed in the central die, and thus produce the inner screw-
thread required. The cap is subsequently removed from the central die by
unscrewing it.
In cases where I require to form a sufficient number of inner projections in
the cap which may sometimes also be made as parts of a screw thread (or to form like
projections which may have placed between their ends, parts of vertical or suitable
milling or grooving as hereinafter described) the central die on which the cap is
placed, is arranged in segmentally divided portions, which are capable of collapsing in
order to admit of the withdrawal or partial withdrawal of some of them, or of the
centre of the die from below the cap, so that the cap may be removed. The outer
tools or dies may be put in motion by any suitable means so as to give to them the
direct pressure or percussive force upon the flange of the cap or cover as above
described. It is obvious that the screw-threads or the parts thereof or the like
may be formed also in a similar manner in the open cylinders hereinafter
described.
Sometimes I also prefer to form the hereinafter described milling grooving or
fluting upon the outside of the flange by a similar but suitable arrangement of
stamping or striking tools or dies as above set forth instead of by the drawing down
method usually adopted.
As hereinafter expressly provided instead of making the hollow cap or cover as
above described in one piece I sometimes make it in two or more pieces and I then
preferably form parts of the screw thread in the separate flange portions as in manner
hereinafter particularly set forth and I afterwards join such several pieces of the cap
together.
Instead of forming in or upon the circumferential flange of the cap or cover the
screw-thread for the purposes above mentioned I sometimes only form thereon
preferably by means of the method above described for forming screw threads in caps
of hard inetal or by means of suitable stamping dies or tools operated by a press in
the usual manner two or more inner projections which may sometimes be adapted to
form parts of a screw thread preferably placed equi-distant from each other and
intended to engage with a screw thread or with suitable depressions, inclines, or
projections formed on the external upper part of the neck of the bottle or other
vessel in the well known manner.
I sometimes form the screw thread required or the inner projections just described
when they are arranged to form parts of a screw thread, upon the respective flanges
of two separate flanged caps or covers formed in the different sizes required from
sufficiently thin or soft metal alloy or sheet metal or from other suitable material and
then I insert the smaller cap inside the other cap or cover and screw them together
by means of their respective screw-threaded or partially screw-threaded flanges, and I
sometimes employ more than two such caps of different sizes, and I thus build up or
form a sufficiently stout screw-threaded or partially screw-threaded hollow cap for the
purposes set forth.
1 sometimes however prefer to form as described the screw-thread or the inner

page_text: projections which may form parts of a screw-thread as described or to cut a sufficient
number of slots or openings of a shape to correspond and engage with studs or projec-
tions upon the neck of the bottle, jar, or other vessel, in the manner of a bayonet
joint in the well known way, in or upon the flange of a circular cap or cover which
is then inserted within another circular cap or cover formed as described but without
screw-threads and is held tightly within the latter and secured thereto by solder or by
other means.
The inner cap (being thus protected by the outer cap or cover) may be
formed from a softer metal sheet metal metal plate material or substance than that
from which the outer cap is formed. The flange of the outer cap being free from
screw-threads or projections such as those above mentioned I sometimes ornament or
vertically mill flute or groove it for the better manipulation of the stopper when in
use and it may be formed of a hexagonal or other suitable shape. The outer cap or
cover may be also raised or depressed in parts and the inner cap may be then corre-
spondingly depressed or raised in order that the two caps when fitted together may be
prevented from moving or rotating independently of each other.
Instead of forming in or upon the flange of such inner cap the above described
screw threads or inner projections or the suitable slots or openings, I occasionally
form the same and preferably by the means described for forming screwthreads in
hard metal caps in or upon a separate short open cylinder or ring (of the size of the
inside of the flange on the outer cap) preferably made from sufficiently soft or suitable
metal or sheet metal (but it may be of other suitable substance) and I then fit the
cylinder or ring into the hollow cap or cover or only partially into a shallow flanged
cap or cover, and secure it therein as set forth and sometimes I insert each cylinder
into another cylinder before fixing on the cap and when the metal sheet metal or other
substance is sufficiently thin or soft for that purpose I sometimes make two or more
such cylinders or rings of different diameters and from each of them with screw-
threads or parts of screw-threads as set forth and I screw one into the other and then
insert the stiff cylinder thus made into the cap or cover and secure it therein by solder
or by other efficient means.
In some cases I form the cap or cover by stamping out from suitable metal plate
or other suitable material by the means already described a blank or piece in the form
of a flat disc with flat free projecting portions round its intended circumferential edge
(as shewn in figure 10 of the accompanying drawing) the disc g being made to
correspond with the diameter of the cap required I then by means of suitable tools or
dies bend up the projecting portions hhh to right angles with the flat disc portion
so that they form with it a vertically divided flanged cap. I make the cap in this
manner in order that the flango if required may be made of greater depth in a hard
material than is possible when the flange is only stamped up by means of the usual
stamping and drawing tools or dies, and therefore the depth of the flange required
will be regulated by the length of the projecting portions.
I form a screw-thread or inner projections which may form part of a screw thread
or suitably shaped slots or openings in or upon this divided flange by means of
suitable dies or tools arranged to stamp, impress or cut the depressions or openings
required either upon the outside of the flange or upon the backs of the respective
projecting portions before being turned up to form the flange.
Figure 11 shows the arrangement of the parts. A ring or hoop of metal or other
material (shewn at i in figure 12) may be placed round the flange to keep the parts
together and be fixed thereto by solder or the parts may be soldered together or
otherwise suitably attached. Or the cap may be placed in another cap or cover and be
attached thereto.
If preferred some of the free portions of the flange may be milled grooved or
fluted and the remaining portions as shewn in figure 11 may be formed with the
inuer projections slots or openings as above described, and the disc may be also
centrally domed if desired.
Sometimes I form by means of stamping or pressing tools or dies as set forth
suitably shaped milling grooving fluting letters or ornamentations in or upon a
separate strip or piece of suitable sheet metal or other material of the size required

page_text: as shewn in figure 13 and I then curve it round the flange of the cap formed as above
and attach it thereto by solder or by other means.
This method of forming and fixing a separate milled grooved or lettered strip or
piece upon the flange of a cap or cover can also be adopted for covering in like
manner a separate strip or piece upon which screw-threads or inner projections or
slots or openings have been made in the manner and for the purposes hereinafter set
forth.
Instead however of forming a screw thread or parts thereof in or upon the
circumferential vertical flange of a hollow cap or cover or in or upon a separate short
open cylinder or ring such as I have hereinabove described I prefer to form the
required screw thread for the purposes herein mentioned in the following novel
manner. I take a separate strip or piece a (figure 1) of suitable metal plate or sheet
metal such for example as ordinary tinned iron or tinned steel plate of good quality
or I take any other suitable substance or material capable of sufficiently retaining
the shape (when previously formed upon it) of the hereinafter described depressions or
grooves to form a screw thread and preferably of a rectangular shape and of a length
and width to correspond with the internal dimensions of the vertical flange on a
hollow outer cap or cover formed as already herein described and intended to hold such
strip and to be placed over the mouth or opening of the bottle jar can or other hollow
vessel. By means of suitable stamping and shaping dies. punches or tools operated by
a stamping press as already herein set forth or by means of suitably grooved rollers
properly adjusted and operated in the usual manner or by any other suitable means I stanip
impress groove or otherwise form in or upon the strip or piece a and in the direction
of its length a sufficient number of straight depressions or grooves all of them equi-
distant and parallel with each other but sufficiently inclined to the longer edge of the
strip or piece so that when the strip or piece is bent round into an annular form the
end of each such depression or groove will meet the commencement of the next lower
depression or groove and the series of depressions or grooves thus form a screw-thread
of the length required and of any desired pitch size and shape of thread.
I curve or bend the grooved rectangular strip or piece for the objects set forth by
means of suitable bending rolls dies or tools or other means into a cylindrical shape
and after joining its ends by means of solder or by other suitable means. I insert it in
the already described cap or cover made to receive it against the flange of which it
should fit closely. I then attach this annular groove or screw-threaded strip or piece
by means of solder or by other means to the inside of the cap or cover and when a
suitable packing (preferably formed as hereinafter set forth) has been inserted in the
flat portion of the cap an effective screw-threaded stopper or cover will be obtained
adapted to engage with a corresponding screw-thread formed on the outside of the
neck of the bottle jar can or other hollow vessel as already described.
When the strip or piece is intended to he cut or shaped to the required size of the
flange of the cap or cover previously to being stamped impressed or otherwise formed
with the separate depressions or grooves to form the screw-thread desired, provision
should be made for the quantity of metal plate or sheet metal or other material or
substance which is taken up or used in forming such depressions or grooves and for
that reason it may be preferred to cut the strip or piece into the precise shape and
size required after the grooves or depressions have been formed thereon. Figure 1
of the drawing annexed hereto and forming part hereof shows the arrangement of
the several parallel straight depressions or grooves b, b, b, forming parts of the screw-
thread as described upon a plane or flat surface a and Figure 2 shews the respective
ends of the same depressions or grooves after bringing them into the curved position
to form the screw-thread required.
The strip or piece a as already stated is preferably made of such width and length
when curved or bent as described as to fit accurately the inside of the flange of the
cap or cover c (figure 3) in which it will be inserted and held, but sometimes it may
be made of a somewhat greater width than the depth of the flanged cap or cover
intended to hold it, if it should be desired to have a considerable length of screw-
thread to operate upon the neck of the vessel.
'

page_text: Figure shews such an arrangement at a¹.
Sometimes the edge of that part of the curved strip or piece which is first inserted
in the cap or cover is formed with a step or shoulder or is otherwise formed and
arranged, to be without any part of a screw-thread or inner projections in order that
a clear space may be provided to receive the edge of the suitable elastic packing which
will be then more securely held in place by the projecting part of the screw thread or
projections below it, and the ends of the strip or piece may be similarly formed with
a strip in order that they may fit into each other and thus facilitate their being
soldered together or the ends of the strip may be left free and it may then be
attached by its centre portion to the inside of the flange by solder or by other efficient
means.
Instead of forming the screw-threads in the actual flange of the cap or cover my
improved stopper or cover (owing to the method of its construction herein set forth)
can be formed with its external flange portion either quite plain or ornamented or
furnished with a milling grooving or fluting as already described and it may be also
formed of a hexagonal or other suitable shape.
Instead of forming upon the separate strip or piece just described a series of
separate straight depressions or grooves to form a screw-thread when curved as above
set forth I occasionally form in like manner the hereinabove mentioned two or more
inner projections which may form parts of a screw thread, or two or more suitable
slots or openings for the purposes set forth in or upon a like separate strip or piece to
be afterwards completely curved and fixed in the flange of the outer cap or cover as
described.
I generally prefer to form the depressions or grooves, intended to form a screw-
thread, or the inner projections which may form parts of a screw thread or the slots or
openings for like purposes hereinabove described, upon plane or flat surfaces in the
manner hereinabove set forth but in some cases (as for instance when a rather long
strip or piece is required) I find it more convenient to form the depressions grooves
inner projections or the slots or openings by means of suitably curved or semi-
cylindrically shaped stamping and shaping tools or dies operated by a press as above
described upon a suitably curved or semi-cylindrical strip or piece of suitable substance
or material such as those herein described which will be then completely curved and
its ends be joined by solder or by other means to form the cylinder or ring required
and will be then inserted in the cap or cover and attached to the inside of the flange
in the manner already described.
If a considerable length of strip be required (as when the cap or cover is of large
diameter) two or more strips may be placed end to end. and inserted and fixed in
the cap.
Sometimes instead of a single strip or piece two or more short strips or pieces of
suitable metal or material curved to correspond with the flange of the cap may be
formed with a sufficient number of parallel parts of the screw thread desired or with
the hereinabove described inner projections slots or openings and these short strips or
pieces will be attached by means of solder or otherwise to the inside of the flange of
the cap or cover preferably at equal distances from each other, as illustrated at a, a, a,
(figure 5).
I sometimes make an efficient stopper or cover for the purposes herein described by
forming the screw thread desired or the parts thereof or the aforesaid suitable
inner projections slots or openings in the manner already described upon a separate
strip or piece of suitable metal plate sheet metal or other suitable material or substance
of the length and width required to form when curved into a cylindrical shape a
suitable flange for the intended stopper or cover.
I then curve or bend the strip or piece so as to form a ring or cylinder of the
diameter required and 1 fasten its ends together by solder or by other efficient means.
Occasionally I make an interrupted screw thread upon such strip or piece and
between the ends of the parts of tlic screw thread I make a vertical milling, grooving,
or fluting to facilitate the manipulation of the stopper.
Upon the upper edge of this ring or cylinder I fit a shallow flanged cap formed.

page_text: as set forth from metal metal plate cardboard wood or from other suitable substance
or composition the inside of the flange of which is made to embrace 'ightly the upper
circumferential edge of the ring or cylinder (as shewn in figure 7) to which it is then
attached by solder, cement, or by other suitable means. For some purposes suitable
elastic packing e may be inserted in the flat part of the cap thus formed and its
outer flanged portion if desired may be covered with paper paper foil metal foil
linen or other suitable material attached thereto by any suitable means.
Or, the strip or piece formed as above described may be inserted and fixed in
a short hollow cylinder made in the usual or any other manner from metal metal
plate sheet metal or from other suitable substance or material (preferably vertically
or otherwise grooved milled or ornamented) and the shallow flanged cap above
described will be fixed to the upper part of this outer cylinder in the manner above
set forth.
Instead of employing sheet metal or metal plate to form the inner strips or pieces
to be used in the flanges of caps as hereinabove described for the purposes set forth,
I occasionally employ one or more separate strips or pieces of any sufficiently flexible
suitable substance or material for that purpose capable of sufficiently retaining the
respective shapes (when previously formed upon it) of the hereinabove described
depressions or grooves to form screw-threads or parts thereof or like locking
arrangements as above set forth, and I take for that purpose suitable cardboard or
paper of suitable texture and thickness, wood, paper felt, gutta percha, or other felted
or other suitable substances and I sometimes also combine with them or with some of
them other materials, fabrics, or substances, such as linen, or paper foil, or metallic
foil, arranged in any desired manner and I cut the single or combined materials or
substances into strips of the size required and form upon them in the manner already
set forth such of the suitable grooves or depressions or inner projections as may be
required and I then curve and secure them in the flange of the cap or cover by means
of cement or by any other suitable means.
And in some cases I cut or stamp out from one or more thicknesses of paper thin
gutta percha thin soft metal alloy metallic foil, linen, or from other sufficiently
Soft or suitable material fabric or substance a separate cap or cover having a
circumferential flange of sufficient depth to come well over the screw-thread exteriorly
formed upon the neck of the bottle jar can or other hollow vessel and after placing it
over the mouth of the vessel I cover it with the hollow cap the flange of which may
contain the strip or piece described and by using a suitable screwing motion I cause
the screw threads formed upon the neck of the vessel to press into the flange of the
inner separate cap of soft material and also to press against the inside of the flange
of the outer cap or cover and in that manner for some useful purposes I cause a
sufficiently tight joint to be obtained.
In cases where comparatively soft materials or substances are used inside the cap
or cover as for instance when the soft inner caps or the soft strips or pieces above
mentioned are employed in combination with an outer hollow cap or cover I
preferably insert a curved plain strip or piece of metal sheet metal or metal plate (or
other sufficiently hard material or substance) between the outside of the flange of the
inner cap or between the curved strip or piece and the inside of the Hange of
the outer cap or cover (as shewn at j., in figure 6) in order that the screw-threads
or the other depressions made therein may be supported and not be pressed into the
grooving or milling formed in the flange of the outer cap as described.
Sometimes I produce a similar result to that obtained by inserting a screw-threaded
or other suitably arranged strip or piece in the cap or cover by first placing and
securing in the cap a plain strip or piece of sufficiently soft metal such as lead,
pewter, or other soft alloy or composition or by filling up the inner portion adjoining
the flange thereof with any suitable metal or composition or any other suitable
substance and then by means of tools or mechanical devices I cut out, tap, or screw,
or otherwise form in the metal composition or other substance the hereinabove
described screw-thread or the inner projections slots or openings for the purposes
set forth.

page_text: The use of the hereinahove described combination of two or more caps or covers
or of a cap or cover with one or more inner cylinders or inner strips or pieces will
permit of the outer cap or cover being made of a harder or stiffer metal alloy sheet
metal metal plate material or substance than that of which the inner cap or inner
strip or piece is made. The outer cap or cover may be also ornamented or vertically
or otherwise grooved or milled upon its outer edge or flange without interfering with
the inner screw threaded or other fastening arrangements herein described. The
forming also as hereinabove set forth the requisite depressions or projections upon a
separate comparatively wide strip or piece of metal plate or other suitable substance
will enable a screw thread to be made of a greater length than would be practicable
if it were made upon the cylindrical flange of a hard sheet metal cap or cover drawn
down by stamping dies or tools in the usual manner in which the depth of the flange
is limited. Where therefore a long screw-thread is required the inner strip or piece
(suitably depressed or grooved as set forth) may be made sufficiently wide to extend
below the edge of the flange on the outer cap or cover which holds it, as already
described and shewn.
As a screw-threaded inner cap or inner strip when made from soft metal or other
soft substance cannot be screwed up very tightly upon the screw-threaded neck of the
vessel without sometimes destroying (by overturning) the screw-threads formed
therein, I occasionally when my herein described inner cap or inner strip or piece
is made from a soft metal or other soft substance or material fill up the outside
depressions which form the interior screw-threads or other inner projections, with any
suitable cement composition or substance (such for instance as shellae) in order to
give support to the hollow screw-threads or other projections where they are screwed
tightly upon the bottle neck.
My herein described novel method of forming a screw-thread upon a separate strip
or piece of metal or other substance and afterwards curving the strip into a cylindrical
form, is also available as an improvement in the construction of a well known form of
stopper or cover wherein a glass or other disc or lid resting upon the mouth of the
jar or vessel is held down or tightened upon the latter (or upon an elastic annular
packing or cushion placed thereon) by means of a screw threaded collar formed from
metal which embraces freely the edge of the disc or lid and engages with a screw-
threaded neck formed upon the jar. After forming as herein set forth upon a strip or
piece of suitable sheet metal or other substance of the required size the straight
grooves or depressions to form the screw thread set forth and turning over the top
edge to form a shallow flange for the purpose of holding down the glass lid or cover,
I complete the screw-threaded cylinder or collar by curving it into a cylindrical
shape and then fixing the ends together by means of solder or by other efficient
means, and sometimes I also fix thereon by like means a curved separate strip or
piece formed with milling, grooving, lettering, or the like, in the manner I have
already herein described and shewn. In some cases the two strips combined and
curved as set forth may be suitably arranged inserted and fixed in a shallow flanged
cap or cover.
Instead of forming screw threads as above described, I sometimes place a short
helical coil preferably made of wire of suitable guage inside the hereinabove described
hollow flanged cap or cover the same being secured to the flange by means of solder
or by other suitable means. This helical coil is placed and arranged so as to form a
screw thread to engage with the screw-thread formed upon the neck of the bottle or
other vessel as described and if preferred it may be made in more than one length or
piece. Or such helical threads may be properly arranged on and similarly fixed to a
flat or curved strip or piece of suitable sheet metal or other substance of suitable
width and length for the purposes required which will be then curved as herein
described having the screw-threads inward and inserted in the flange of the cap or
cover and secured therein in the manner already set forth, or the strip or piece with
the screw threads or parts thereof attached thereto, may be formed into a short
cylinder and its ends fastened together as already described and the shori flanged cap
or cover herein also previously described will be suitably attached to the upper

page_text: part of such cylinder to form the stopper or cover for the purposes described as
set forth.
If it be desired that a stopper shall operate in the inside of the mouth of a bottle
or other vessel in which a screw-thread or other suitable fastening or holding arrange-
ment has been formed instead of upon the outside thereof, I make such stopper in
the following manner (as illustrated in figure 8).
I form the desired screw thread upon a separate strip or piece a of suitable metal
plato sheet metal or other suitable material or substance of the required size in the
manner already described and I bend or curve it (with the screw threads bb outside)
into the shape of a hollow cylinder or hollow plug its ends being preferably attached
together by solder or by other means.
The lower edge of the cylinder may be slightly turned in and the cylinder may be
plugged with cork or other suitable substance (and the lower end of the cork & may
project below the cylinder). The upper end of the cylinder will be preferably closed
by means of a shallow flanged cap or headpiece formed from metal sheet metal,
wood, or other suitable substance or composition to which it will be fixed in any
convenient manner.
The above described cylinder or plug may also be formed in two or more vertically
divided or cut pieces and their vertical edges be afterwards fastened together as
already set forth.
Wherever I have herein described a method of forming upon the flange of any
cap or cover (whether it be intended for insertion within another cap or cover or to be
used alone) a sufficient number of depressions or grooves to form inside the cap a
screw-thread or the inner projections which may form parts of a screw thread I some-
times prefer to form them as already pointed out in or upon the semicylindrical flanges
of two separate halves of a cap or cover. I cut or stamp out or otherwise form as
herein set forth from suitable metal plate or sheet metal such as that I have already
described or from other suitable substance the said separate halves and each of the
semi-cylindrical portions (which will form when united by their edges the complete
cylindrical flange of the cap or cover) will be separately formed with the sufficient
number of depressions or grooves required to form the screw thread in such manner that
when the edges of the flanged separate semi-cylindrical portions are fitted together and
secured by solder or by other means the several depressions or grooves form one inner
screw-thread of any desired length shape and pitch as already herein set forth. The
herein described inner projections of suitable shape may in like manner also be
similarly formed on the flanged portion of like semi-cylindrical parts of a cap or
cover. Figure 9 shews a part of a hollow.cap made as described in order to more
easily form the parts of a screw-thread bbas above set forth.
Or the entire cap or cover may be formed in the usual manner and afterwards
vertically cut into halves or parts and the parts of the screw-thread or suitable
slots or openings will be then formed in each flange portion thereof as described
above.
It is obvious that instead of two parts, three or more may be used.
The separate parts may also be kept together by means of a hoop or ring placed
round them and attached by solder or other means as already described and shewn.
Sometimes a flanged cap or cover may be similarly fitted over the parts and be fixed
by like means.
Wherever also I have herein described my novel method of forming the screw-thread
or the other fastening devices for like purposes (such as those herein set forth) upon a
separate strip or piece and whether such strip be inserted in the flange of a cap or
cover or used as a cylinder as herein described, I sometimes form the said separate
strip or piece by the means and in the manner set forth in one or more curved or
seini-cylindrical parts or pieces and after forming therein the screw threads or parts
thereof or the inner projections or the like or other fastening arrangements I join
their respective ends together by means of solder or by other efficient means so as to
form a complete cylinder for the purposes herein set forth. It is obvious that the
stamping tools or dies for forming such curved or semi-cylindrical strips or pieces

page_text: and also for forming the necessary grooves or depressions therein will be corre-
spondingly curved and shaped, and they will be preferably operated by a stamping
press.
When I form as herein described in or upon parts of flanged hollow caps or covers to
be inserted in other caps or covers, or in or upon inner strips or pieces (when made of
sufficiently soft and thick suitable metal or other suitable substance) the screw-threads
inner projections or other devices for like locking or fastening purposes as herein set
forth I prefer to form such screw threads or other devices on one side of the strip
and also to keep the outside periphery of such strip or piece either perfectly smooth
or to make it so as to correspond with such internal pattern vertical grooving or
milling as may be formed on the inside of the flange of the cap or cover I preferably
obtain this result, by means of suitable stamping tools or dies operated as set forth
the upper die by way of illustration being arranged to produce on one side of the
strip the screw-thread, and the bottom die being arranged to produce on the other
side of the strip either the smooth result required or the desired pattern or vertical
grooving or milling. By this means the screw-thread formed on the inside of a
strip or piece formed of sufficiently soft metal or other substance will not be a hollow
thread but will be formed of the solid metal or other substance of which it is composed
and thus prevent the overturning or crushing the screw-thread which usually happens
when too much force is applied to the stopper for I find from experience that it is
easy to destroy by such overturning the efficiency of a hollow screw-thread when
it is formed in soft metal unless it is well supported by metal at the back of the
thread in the manner I have herein set forth.
When the cap or cover as described is employed as a stopper for feeding bottles I
make a central hole therein in order to admit a tube and in some cases the cap or
cover screw-threaded or otherwise arranged for like purposes as set forth may be
used without any packing and only as a protection cap to a separate cork inserted in
the mouth of the bottle or other vessel.
In order to make an efficient joint between the inner flat portion of the cap or
cover and the edge of the mouth of the bottle jar can or other vessel I place in the
cap as already mentioned one or more discs or pieces of cork or other sufficiently soft
or elastic material.
I prefer to make such packing as follows:-I stamp out from thin metal plate or
other suitable material a disc corresponding with the internal circumference of the
cap and having a central depressed portion to fit the mouth of the bottle. Upon this
I place a disc of cork or other suitable substance which will take the form of such
central portion and I insert both discs in the cap and I then insert and fix my
curved inner strip the edge of which will keep the packing in place as already herein
described. This will make a better joint than if a flat elastic disc only were used,
and is superior to depressing the top of the cap which then becomes a receptacle
for dirt.
Sometimes a solid cork or plug to enter the mouth of the bottle or other vessel
may be centrally fixed by means of cement or by rivetting or in any other suitable
manner in the interior of the above described cap or cover formed with screw-
threads or parts of screw-threads, or the suitable inner projections or devices herein
set forth.
The drawings annexed hereto and forming part hereof are only given by way of
illustration generally of my invention and 1 do not restrict myself to the exact
proportions therein shewn. The various letters of reference refer to like parts in the
several figures.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I wish it to be understood that
I do not claim broadly the use of an external stopper or cover for the mouths or
openings of bottles pots jars and other hollow vessels having a screw-thread upon its
flange but I declare that what I claim is :-
1. In the construction of external stoppers or covers the method of forming in or

page_text: upon the flange of a hollow cap or cover (or in or upon an open cylinder or ring) an
inner screw-thread or inner projections which may sometimes be shaped as parts of a
screw thread, by means of inner and outer suitably curved or shaped tools or dies
formed with corresponding parts in order to form such screw thread or inner projec-
tions and the outer tools or dies being arranged to operate upon the external flange of
the cap or upon the open cylinder or ring by stamping or percussive force substantially
as and for the purposes herein described.
2. In stoppers or covers the method of making suitable milling grooving fluting
or ornamentation in or upon the flange of a cap or cover or upon a cylinder or ring
by means of suitably cut inner and outer tools or dies (similarly arranged and worked
as those described herein and claimed in claim 1) substantially as and for the purposes
herein set forth.
3. In the construction of external stoppers or covers the methods of making the
hollow flanged cap forming part thereof in two or more pieces and the forming a
sufficient number of depressions or grooves forming parts of an inner screw thread
or inner projections which may sometimes form parts of a screw thread in or upon
the two or more separate flange portions thereof the separate parts being after-
wards attached together substantially as and for the purposes herein described and
shewn.
4. The combination of such cap or cover formed in two or more parts, with a hoop
or ring or with a flanged cap or cover placed over the parts and attached thereto, as
and for the purposes set forth and shewn.
5. In the construction of external stoppers or covers the method of constructing a
sufficiently stiff hollow cap by screwing two or more hollow caps (cach cap previously
having a screw-thread or parts of a screw-thread formed on its flange portion) into
each other as and for the purposes described.
6. In the construction of external stoppers or covers the combination of an inner
hollow cap having on its flange a screw thread or parts of a screw thread' or slots or
openings with another somewhat larger circular outer hollow cap having its flange
ornamented or formed with milling flutes or grooves the smaller cap being inserted
in the other and attached thereto substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
7. In the construction of external stoppers or covers the combination of the inner
hollow cap described herein and claimed in the last claim with an outer hollow cap of
hexagonal shape or any other suitable shape (but not circular) the flange of which may
be ornamented or milled fluted or grooved and the two caps then being united to each
other substantially as and for the purposes described.
8. In the construction of external stoppers or covers the forming a screw-thread or
parts of a screw thread or suitable slots or openings in or upon a short open cylinder
or ring and the combination of such cylinder with a cap or cover in which it is
afterwards wholly or partly inserted and fixed substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
9. In the construction of external stoppers or covers the employment of two or
more such open cylinders or rings as are described herein and claimed in the last
claim, both having screw-threads or parts of screw-threads formed thereon, one such
cylinder being screwed into the other, and their combination with a hollow cap or
cover in which they are inserted and fixed substantially as and for the purposes
described.
10. In the construction of external stoppers or covers the combination of such
short cylinder or ring as is described herein and claimed in claim 8 with a cylinder
or ring (which may be either plain or ornamented on its outside periphery) and in
which it will be inserted and fixed, and to which a cap or cover preferably having a
shallow flange is attached substantially as and for the purposes described.
11. In external stoppers or covers the method of forming a cap or cover by means
of a flat, disc having projecting pieces formed upon its circumferential edge which are
afterwards raised to right angles with the disc and are then (or previously) formed
with a screw-thread or inner projections slots or openings and are kept in place by
solder or other means, substantially as and for the purposes described and shewn...

page_text: 12. In external stoppers or covers the combination of the divided flanged cap or
cover described herein and claimed in the last claim with an external ring or
hoop or with an external flanged cap or cover, as and for the purposes set forth
and shewn.
13. For external stoppers or covers the method of making a milled grooved fluted
lettered or ornamented flange by forming the desired impressions in or upon a
separate flat or curved strip or piece of any suitable metal plate sheet metal or
other like or suitable material and afterwards curving it into a cylindrical flange
its ends being fastened together by solder or by other means substantially as herein
described and shewn.
14. In the construction of external stoppers or covers the combination of the
cylindrical strip or piece (formed as herein described with milling grooving fluting
lettering or ornamentation and claimed in the last claim) with a cap or cover in or
upon the flange of which a screw thread or inner projections or slots or openings are
formed and to which it is suitably attached, or with a cylinder in which a screw thread
or parts thereof or slots or openings have been formed, and to which it is externally
attached, substantially as and for the purposes described.
15. In the construction of external screw threaded stoppers or covers for the
purposes herein set forth the method of producing a screw-thread for the same by
forming in or upon a separate flat or curved strip or piece of any suitable metal plate
sheet metal or other like or suitable material or substance a sufficient number of
equi-distant parallel depressions or grooves sufficiently inclined to its edge the strip
or piece being afterwards curved into a cylindrical shape and its ends preferably
fastened together by solder or by other means so that the series of inclined depressions
or grooves then forms a screw-thread substantially as herein described and shewn.
16. In the construction of external screw-threaded stoppers or
covers the
combination of the separate cylindrical strip or piece or of two or more strips or
pieces forming a cylinder (formed with parallel depressions or grooves to form a
screw-thread as described herein, and claimed in the last claim) with a hollow
flanged cap or cover in which it is inserted so as to form a screw-thread and to the
inside of which it is suitably attached substantially as and for the purposes herein
described and shewn.
17. In the construction of external stoppers or covers the method of producing
therefor a sufficient number of suitably shaped inner projections which may form
parts of a screw thread or of suitably shaped slots or openings by forming them in
or upon a separate flat or curved strip or piece of any suitable metal plate sheet metal
or other like or suitable material or substance such strip or piece being afterwards
curved into a cylindrical shape and its ends preferably fastened together by solder or
other means substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.
18. In the construction of external stoppers or covers the combination of the
separate cylindrical strip or piece (or strips or pieces) formed as herein described
in which inner projections which may form parts of a screw thread or suitably shaped
slots or openings have been formed in the manner herein described and claimed
in claim 17 with a hollow cap or cover in which it is inserted and to the
inside of which it is suitably attached substantially as and for the purposes herein
described.
19. In external stoppers or covers the combination of one or more of either of the
separate strips or pieces described herein and respectively claimed in claims 15 and 17
with a cap or cover in which such separate strip or strips is inserted and fixed the
outer flange of which cap or cover is provided with milling, grooving or fluting
or is otherwise ornamented substantially as and for the purposes described.
20. In external stoppers or covers the forming either of the strips or pieces
respectively claimed in claims 15 and 17 with a step shoulder or depression upon
the edge of that part which is first inserted in the cap or cover in order that the
packing placed in the flat part of the cap may be more securely held or retained
therein substantially as and for the purposes herein described and shewn.
21. In the construction of external stoppers or covers the combination (instead of

page_text: a single piece) of two or more short strips or pieces of suitable metal metal plate or
other suitable substance or material (such strips having formed upon them parallel
parts of a screw-thread suitably arranged or with inner projections or slots or
openings as set forth) with a cap or cover in the flange of which they are placed and
fixed preferably equidistant, the outside of the flange being preferably vertically
grooved milled or otherwise ornamented substantially as and for the purposes described
and shewn.
22. In external stoppers or covers the combination of either of the separate curved
strips or pieces formed as herein described and claimed respectively in claims 15
and 17 with a curved separate strip or piece formed also as described and claimed
in claim 13 and attached thereto by solder or other means the ends of both strips or
pieces being likewise similarly united to form a cylinder and the cylinder then used
either in combination with a suitable shallow flanged cap or cover attached thereto,
or only used as a collar formed as described herein and a modification of which is
claimed in claim 0 substantially as and for the purposes herein described.
23. In the construction of external stoppers or covers the combination of either of
the separate strips or pieces described herein and claimed in 15 and 17 of the above
claims, having the screw-thread or parts of a screw-thread or inner projections or
slots or openings made therein and bent into a short hollow cylinder with a shallow
flanged cap or cover attached to the upper part thereof substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
of
24. In the construction of external stoppers or covers the combination of either of
the curved strips or pieces formed as herein described and claimed in claims 15 and 17
with a short hollow cylinder in which it is inserted and fixed and the outer part
which is preferably grooved milled or otherwise ornamented, and also with a shallow
flanged cap or cover attached thereto as described substantially as and for the purposes
herein set forth.
25. In the construction of external stoppers or covers the employment of one or
more strips or pieces of suitable cardboard or paper of suitable texture and thickness,
wood, or wood pulp, paper felt, gutta percha or other suitable felted or other
substance or material of such quality as to be able to sufficiently retain either the
shapes of the screw-threads, parts of screw threads, or inner projections, forming the
various fastening means or arrangements herein set forth when fixed by any suitable
means in the flange of a cap or cover, some of which may be also used in combination
with linen or with paper foil or metallic foil or other suitable substances, substantially
as and for the purposes described.
26. In external stoppers or covers the combination of a separate cap. or cover
made from paper thin gutta-percha, thin soft metal alloy metallic foil linen or other
suitable material or fabric with an outer metal or other cap or cover, and also with
a screw thread formed on the neck of the bottle jar or other hollow vessel, the said
outer cap or cover being preferably formed or provided with a corresponding screw-
thread as herein described substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
27. In external stoppers or covers the combination of a separate curved strip or
piece of thin metal plate or sheet metal or other sufficiently hard material with the
separate cap claimed in the last claim or with one or more strips of any softer suitable
material or substance inserted in the flange of a cap or cover such curved strip or
piece of sheet metal or other hard material being inserted between the softer material
and the inside of the flange of the outer cap substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
28. In external stoppers or covers the cutting and forming a screw-thread or parts
thereof or inner projections slots or openings in or upon suitable metal or composition
first inserted into the cap or cover as and for the purposes set forth.
29. In external stoppers or covers the method of supporting the hollow screw-
thread formed on the flange of an inner cap or cover or the screw-thread formed on
an inner strip or piece, by means of any suitable cement, composition, or substance,
(such as shellac), as and for the purposes set forth.

page_text: 30. In external stoppers or covers the method of making a screw-threaded collar
for the purpose of holding a glass or other disc or lid upon the correspondingly
screw threaded neck of a jar or other vessel, and a modification of which collar is
also claimed in claim 22 as and for the purposes set forth.
31. In external stoppers or covers the method of forming a screw-thread or
parts of a screw thread by means of a helical coil or parts thereof of suitable
wire inserted and fixed in the flange of a cap or cover, or attached to a separate
strip or piece, which is curved inserted and fixed in such cap or cover, as and
for the purposes described.
32. The method of forming internal stoppers by means of a screw-thread or parts
of a screw-thread. outer projections, or suitable slots or openings formed upon a
suitable strip or piece of sheet metal or other suitable substance, curved round and
forming the outside of the stopper, as and for the purposes set forth and shewn,
33. In stoppers or covers the method of forming the screw-thread upon strips
or pieces of sufficiently thick and soft metal metal-plate or other suitable substance
in such manner that the back of the thread is left solid or flat or is arranged to take
the form of the grooving milling or other pattern or ornamentation against which it
is to be placed as and for the purposes set forth.
34. In stoppers or covers the combination of a centrally fixed cork or plug intended
to enter the mouth of a bottle jar or other hollow vessel, with a cap or cover having
a screw thread or parts thereof or suitable inner projections or slots or openings formed
in or upon its flange, or in or upon a curved strip or piece inserted and fixed therein
as and for the purposes set forth..
35. The method of making a packing for external stoppers or covers for bottles
jars and other hollow vessels, by the combination of a disc of thin metal or other
suitable material having a central depressed portion with one or more discs of cork or
other suitable substance placed outside such depressed portion and arranged to
sufficiently enter the mouth of the vessel and preferably kept in place by means of the
inner curved strip or by other suitable means as described.
Dated this 4th day of October 1888.