IMPROVEMENTS IN STOPPERS FOR BOTTLES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edgar Breffit, of the City of London, and John Edwards,
of Castleford, in the County of York, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN STOPPERS FOR BOTTLES."
Sealed the 2nd March 1877, and dated the 9th November 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edgar Breffit and John
Edwards at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th November
1876.
EDGAR BREFFIT, of the City of London, and JOHN EDWARDS, of Castleford, in
the County of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN STOPPERS FOR BOTTLES."
Our Invention relates to an improved internal stopper for bottles containing
aërated liquids. In most of such stoppers now in use the stopping is effected by a
flexible ring inserted in a groove either in the bottle neck or in a plug, but difficulty
is found in getting the flexible ring into the groove when inserted separately. Now
our Invention provides a small metal stem between two discs at a sufficient distance
apart to admit of the flexible ring taking a conical shape while being pressed
through the bottle mouth but expanding to its full size to close the bottle when
it rises into the lower part of the bottle neck by the pressure of gas within.
The flexible ring may fit loosely on the stem of the stopper, as the lower disc
closes any slight annular opening.
+
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edgar Breffit and John Edwards in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
8th May 1877.
EDGAR BREFFIT, of the City of London, and JOHN EDWARDS, of Castleford, in the
County of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN STOPPERS FOR BOTTLES."
Our Invention relates to an improved internal stopper for bottles containing
aerated liquids. In most of such stoppers now in use the stopping is effected by a
flexible ring inserted in a groove either in the bottle neck or in a plug, but difficulty
[Price 4d.1

page_text: is found in getting the flexible ring into the groove when inserted separately. Now
our Invention provides a short stem between two discs at a sufficient distance apart
to admit of a flexible ring arranged upon said stem taking a conical shape while
being pressed through the bottle mouth but expanding to its full size to close the
bottle when it rises into the lower part of the bottle neck by the pressure of gas
from within.
The flexible ring may fit loosely on the stem of the stopper, as the lower disc
closes any slight annular opening.
In order that our said Invention may be well understood we have hereunto
annexed a Sheet of Drawings illustrative thereof, wherein Fig. is a side view of
arrangement of improved stopper; Fig. 2, a sectional plan at line A, B, of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 represents the stopper when being inserted in the bottle mouth; and Fig. 4,
the stopper with flexible ring expanded to close the bottle when same is filled.
a is the stem, of desired material and required section, here shown circular; and
b, 61, discs at extremities thereof; c is an annular eylet piece upon which is
mounted the india-rubber disc d. This annular eylet. piece is for the purpose of
allowing the india-rubber disc d to work more freely and without undue friction
upon the stem a, but may in some cases be dispensed with. The flexible disc dis
to be securely fixed to the annular eylet piece c when latter is employed.
In entering the stopper into the bottle the flexible disc d is, as represented in
Fig. 3, gathered into a conical shape around the stem a, and pressed well into the
bottle mouth in this position, either by hand or by a pair of forceps with flanged
or turned down jaws; pressure will then be brought upon the previously projecting
part of stem and disc b to complete the insertion of the stopper ready for use.
Having now described the nature of our said Invention and shown by the
Drawings how the same is or may be carried into practical effect, what we claim
is, the employment, in a stopper for bottles, of a stem arranged between two discs
and of sufficient length to admit of the sliding up and down on said stem of a
flexible disc, and between which discs at the extremities of the stem the said flexible
disc can collapse around the stem to such an extent as will adinit of the stopper
being inserted into the neck of a bottle of suitable configuration to form a seat for
the flexible disc, substantially as herein set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edgar Breffit, for and on behalf of myself
and the said John Edwards, have hereunto set my land and seal, this
Second day of April, One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.