Improvements in Stoppering and Sealing Bottles, Jars, and other Receptacles.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Nov., 1895-Accepted, 7th Mar., 1896
COMPLETE
SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Stoppering and Sealing Bottles, Jars, and other
Receptacles.
I, ELIAOU TAIB, of 4 Rue des Nunides Bône in the French Colony of Algeria,
Tinman, 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 :-
This invention relates to an improved safety stoppering or sealing device for
bottles and other vessels.
Liquid or other preparations of every description, which have met with the
approval of the public at large, are frequently adulterated by dishonest retail
dealers, so that the consumer is deceived as to the quality of the goods he purchases.
Moreover, the manufacturer finds himself the loser,-and that to a by no means
inconsiderable extent, in consequence of such practices, for, in addition to the
direct loss of custom which he sustains, he soon finds that the reputation of the once
pure product is practically gone after it has been tampered with. It is mainly for
the prevention of such fraud as this that I have devised the novel safety stoppering
arrangement which forms the subject of the present invention and which, as will be
seen, from the description hereinafter given, is absolutely proof against any attempt
to open it in any way calculated to escape detection.
The improved stoppering device is intended for all kinds of alcoholic and other
beverages, mineral waters, wines, scent, pharmaceutical preparations, and the like
whether in bottles, phials, jars, pots, boxes, or other receptacles.
The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawing
in which
Figure 1 represents the improved stoppering device as applied to an ordinary
bottle, for example, the same being a vertical section thereof.
Figure 2 shows a modification of the stoppering device.
Figure 3 shows another modification thereof; and
Figure 4 shows a further modified form of the device.
Like letters of reference designate like parts in all the figures.
Referring to Figure 1, it will be seen that the bottle or other vessel or receptacle
which it is intended to close by means of the improved stoppering device is in the
process of its manufacture provided with a circular shoulder a whereon a disc b of
horn, celluloid, or the like is adapted to be placed. This disc is by means of a
suitable cement fixed to an ordinary cork c, whereby the contents of the vessel or
receptacle are effectively protected from any alteration of taste or flavour. Above
the cork there is placed a glass disc d affixed to the walls of the neck of the bottle
or other vessel by means of cement. And the whole is covered over with a
glass cape which may either be smooth or be provided with a screw thread,
or, as will be presently explained, be placed over the vessel and fixed with
cement to a shoulder f formed for the purpose upon the neck and protecting
the edges of the cap.
This cap is moreover provided with a circular groove g which facilitates the
breaking of the glass when it is desired to open the bottle or vessel.
The opening operation is performed by means of a small corkscrew, made very
sharp or pointed. The cap e is first broken, then the glass disc d; then the cork c
s drawn out, along with the horu disc b; and all this is effected without there
Daine

page_text: being any possibility of the disc or cork descending into the interior of the bottle
or the like. the shoulder a preventing this.
The
Figure 2 shows a modification in which the cork is dispensed with, the horn
disc being placed upon the shoulder a direct ; and over it the glass disc d.
horn disc in this modification, as well as in that shown in Figure 3, is preferably
made transparent, so that all the parts of the stoppering device are distinctly
visible.
The glass caps in the modifications represented in Figures 2 and 3 are placed,
whilst hot and in a semi-liquid state, upon the bottles or the like and form a
swelling in the interior thereof, which fits a groove of corresponding shape
provided beforehand upon the bottle neck above the shoulder f.
In the modification shown in Figure 3 the shoulder a is formed by pressure
exercised upon the glass while in a semi-liquid state.
In the modification shown in Figure 4 I have used a cork as in Figure 1, but
this cork is not surmounted by a glass disc. Moreover the bottle or vessel is
unprovided with an external shoulder and the cap is of same diameter as the neck.
This arrangement enables the cork to be withdrawn with the fingers after having
broken the glass cap.
The arrangements shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 may, if desired, be used without
a cap, the horn disc and the glass disc, as well as the cap, if any, may be provided
with any desired marks or letters.
A strip or label may moreover be fixed around the joint of the cap with the
bottle neck. This label may also bear a mark which, of course, would disappear
if any attempt were made to remove the label, say, by dipping it in water;
and such disappearance would be a sure sign of the bottle having been tampered
with.
This safety stoppering device is applicable to bottles of any size or shape and
to vessels or receptacles generally, no matter of what capacity. Thus, in the
case of coffee for example it might be applied to small bottles or flagons
containing exactly one portion or cup, so that the client may in every instance
be sure that the product he is served with is genuine, by satisfying himself that
the stoppering or closing arrangement of the flagon served is intact. Or bottles
may be provided which contain, two, three or four portions or cups, to be
served in cases where a corresponding number of persons are to be served at the
same time.
Furthermore, this device may serve to close or stopper glass tubes, capsules
and the like, say, for the transmission of secret correspondence or valuable
articles.
The details of construction, shape, material, and dimensions may be varied at
will without any departure from the principle of the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A safety stoppering or sealing device for bottles or other vessels or receptacles,
mainly consisting in the combination of a disc such as b, of horn or other suitable
material, fixed to the lower portion of an ordinary cork c, aud of a glass disc d,
fixed within the bottle neck; the whole arrangement resting upon, or being
supported by a shoulder a provided within the neck of the bottle or the like,
and covered over by a smooth glass cap such as e, secured to the neck above a
protecting shoulder such as f, substantially as described and illustrated in
Figure 1 of the drawing.
2. A modification of the stoppering device hereinabove claimed, wherein the
glass disc is dispensed with, while the glass cap is screwed and fixed on to the
neck of the bottle or the like, such cap being of the same diameter as the said
neck, substantially as described and illustrated in Figure 4 of the accompanying
drawings.

page_text: 3. A modification of the stoppering device hereinabove claimed, wherein the
transparent disc b of horn or other suitable material, and the glass disc d, have no
cork interposed between them, the complete arrangement being covered over by a
glass cap e, which is placed over it while the glass is in the semi-liquid state, and
in such a manner that it forms a rib or projection h which fits within a groove
provided above the protecting shoulder f, substantially as described and illustrated
in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawing.
Dated this 21st day of November 1895.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.