Improvements in Stoppers for Bottles, Jars, and the like.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Jan., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 15th Oct., 1894-Accepted. 24th Nov., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Stoppers for Bottles, Jars, and the like.
I PHILIP HENRY HOLMES of Gardiner in the County of Kennebec and State
of Maine, United States of America Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to an improvement in stoppers for bottles, jars etc., the
object of the invention being to produce stoppers which can be produced at a cost
much more less than corks, and which shall be equally as effectual in the performance
of their functions.
With this end in view my invention consists in a stopper made of fibrous pulp
and compressed into shape and permeated by a liquid and acid proof material.
In the manufacture of my improved stoppers I take fibre of any suitable kind
and while beating it, I inject steam to soften the pulp. The pulp thus prepared is
colored with any desired and suitable coloring material and then pressed into proper
form in suitable molds.
A stopper thus made is capable for use for various purposes where the appearance
of the stopper is not taken into consideration, but to render the stopper more
presentable in appearance I prefer to dress or finish it. This may be accomplished
by means of knives in a machine made for the purpose or by means of sand wheels
in lieu of the knives.
Instead of molding the stoppers separately, the material may be molded in the
form of blocks and afterwards cut off in proper sizes.
The stopper made as thus far described, is capable only for stopping bottles or
other vessels containing dry material. In order to render the stoppers water and
acid proof I dip them in melted paraffine wax preferably having gutta-percha added
thereto, which latter has the effect of making the stoppers strong. The stopper
may, for many purposes, be used in this condition, but in order to render it softer
and more like cork I place it in an oven, heated to some 250° or 300° F., and let it
stay for 20 or 30 hours, or until it becomes soft.
Stoppers made in accordance with my invention are much cheaper than corks,
and when very large corks are considered, the difference in the expense is very
considerable. In cork stoppers 60 per cent. of the stock is wasted as they are first
sawed square and then turned round. My improved stoppers are pressed in a round
form (in cross section) and may be so pressed that they will be capable of use without
further treatment.
Stoppers can be made from fibre without the use of steam, but I prefer to use
steam as it renders the pulp more soft.
Dated this 16th day of January 1894.
K. HADDAN,
Agent for Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Stoppers for Bottles, Jars, and the like.
1 PHILIP HENRY HOLMES, of Gardiner in the County of Kennebec and State
of Maine, United States of America, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature
of my invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :—
My invention relates to an improvement in stoppers for bottles, jars etc., the
object of the invention being to produce stoppers which can be produced at a cost
much less than corks, and which shall be equally as effectual in the performance of
their functions.
With this end in view my invention consists in a stopper made of fibrous pulp
and compressed into shape and permeated by a liquid and acid proof material.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 represents a stopper as it comes from the mold.
Figure 2 is a view of a stopper after it is properly dressed and shaped.
Figure 3 is a view of a stopper made in accordance with my invention, capable of
withstanding the action of acids and fluids.
Figure 4 is a view of a jar stopper made in accordance with my invention.
In the manufacture of my improved stoppers I take fibre of any suitable kind
and while heating it, 1 inject steam to soften the pulp. The pulp thus prepared is
colored with any desired and suitable coloring material and then pressed into proper
form in suitable molds.
A stopper thus made is capable for use for various purposes where the appearance
of the stopper is not taken into consideration, but to render the stopper more
presentable in appearance I prefer to dress or finish it until it assumes the form
shown in Figure 2. This may be accomplished by means of knives in a machine
made for the purpose or by means of sand wheels in lieu of the knives.
Instead of molding the stoppers separately, the material may be molded in the
form of blocks and afterwards cut off in proper sizes.
The stopper made as thus far described, is capable only for stopping bottles or
other vessels containing dry material. In order to render the stoppers water and
acid proof I dip them in melted paraffine wax preferably having gutta-percha added
thereto, which latter has the effect of making the stoppers strong. The stopper
may, for many purposes, be used in this condition, but in order to render it softer
and-more like cork I place it in an oven, beated to some 250° or 300° F., and let it
stay for 20 or 30 hours, or until it becomes soft.
Such baking may also be made under pressure.
Stoppers made in accordance with my invention are much cheaper than corks,
and when very large corks are considered, the difference in the expense is very
considerable. In cork stoppers 60 per cent. of the stock is wasted as they are first
sawed square and then turned round. My improved stoppers are pressed in a round
form (in cross section) and may be so pressed that they will be capable of use without
further treatment.
Stoppers can be made from fibre without the use of steam, but I prefer to use
steam as it renders the pulp more soft.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. As a new article of manufacture a bottle stopper made of fibrous pulp, molded
and compressed into shape and permeated by a liquid and acid proof material,

page_text: 2. The herein described process of making bottle stoppers consisting in molding
and compressing wet pulp into the desired shape, coating said article with a liquid
proof coating and finally baking same, substantially as set forth.
3. The herein described process of making a stopper, consisting in pressing fibre
pulp into the form of a stopper, dipping the stopper in material capable of
withstanding liquids and baking said stopper, substantially as set forth.
4. A herein described process of making a stopper of fibre, consisting in treating
the fibre pulp with steam, pressing the pulp in the form of a stopper, dressing or
finishing the stopper, dipping it in a solution of paraffine wax and gutta-percha,
and finally baking the stopper under pressure, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 15th day of October 1894.
R. HADDAN,
Of the Firm of Herbert Haddan & Co.,
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, W.C., Agent to Applicant.