Improvements in Stoppering Bottles, Jars, and similar Vessels.
Year: 1897

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Stoppering Bottles, Jars, and similar Vessels.
1, MONTAGUE MOSELEY BEAR, residing at No. 250 Ontario Street, Chicago,
in the County of Cook, and State of Illinois, United States of America,
Copper-piate Engraver, 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 bottles, jugs, jars and similar vessels, and the object
thereof is to provide an improved stopper for this class of vessels; a further
object being to provide an improved stopper for beer bottles, mineral water
bottles and other vessels of this class which may be reused as often as desired.
The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the
accompanying drawing forms a part, in which :-
Fig. 1, is a central vertical section of the upper part of a bottle provided with
my improvement; and,
Fig. 2, a section on the line 2, 2.
In the drawing forming part of this specification, I have shown my invention
applied to a bottle, and the separate parts thereof are designated by the same
numerals of reference throughout the several views.
In the practice of my invention, I provide a bottle 5, having a neck 6, the
upper end of which is enlarged in the usual manner as clearly shown in Fig. 1,
whereby an annular shoulder 7, is formed in the outer walls of the neck; and
formed in the inner walls of the neck preferably just below the annular shoulder 7,
is an annular inwardly directed shoulder or projection 8.
The inner walls of the neck are also provided, at a predetermined distance
below the top thereof, with notches or recesses 9, or an annular groove may be
substituted for these notches or recesses; and I also provide a stopper which
comprises two separate jaws or levers 10, one of which is provided with a circular
head 11, in which is formed an annular groove 12, in which is mounted or placéd
an annular disk or valve 13, of rubber or similar material, and one of the jaws or
levers 10, preferably that on which the bead 11, is formed is provided just above
said head with a central inwardly directed lng or projection 14, and the opposite
jaw or lever is provided with two similar inwardly directed lugs or projections 15,
and said jaws or levers are preferably connected by means of said lugs or
projections as shown at 17.
Each of the jaws or levers 10, is provided on its outer side with a projection 18,
which is adapted to enter the notches or recesses 9, and mounted between said jaws
or levers and between said projection 18, and the pivotal connection 17, is a strong
spiral spring 19, which is adapted to force the upper end of the jaws or levers
outwardly.
Each of the jaws or levers 10, is also provided at its outer end with an
outwardly directed knob or handle 20, and the operation will be readily understood
from the foregoing description, when taken in connection with the accompanying
drawing and the following statement thereof.
Whenever it is desired to close a bottle or other vessel by means of my improved
stopper, the upper ends of the jaws or levers 10, are drawn together, and the
lower end thereof, with the annular disk or valve in position is forced downwardly
into the neck of the vessel until the projections 18, enter the notches or recesses 9,

page_text: and in this position of the parts, the stopper will be securely held by said
projections, and the neck of the vessel will be securely closed by the annular disk
or valve 13.
The spring 19, forces the upper ends of the jaws or levers 10, outwardly, and
securely holds the projections 18, in the notches or recesses 9, and when the parts
are in this position, the annular disk or valve 13, will rest immediately below the
annular shoulder or projection 8, in the walls of the neck of the vessel.
The inwardly directed annular shoulder or projection 8, is not absolutely
necessary, and may or may not be employed; and my improved stopper, when
constructed as described is well adapted to accomplish the result for which it is
intended, and is also comparatively inexpensive.
Whenever it is desired to remove the stopper, all that is necessary is to draw
the upper ends of the jaws or levers 10, together and pull outwardly thereon; and
said jaws or levers and the parts connected therewith may be made of any desired
material; but are preferably made of metal or a combination of metals which will
not corrode or be injuriously affected by fluids or acids.
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. A stopper for bottles and other vessels, comprising two separate jaws or
levers which are pivotally connected at their lower ends, and one of which is
provided with a circular head in which is formed an annular groove in which is
mounted an annular elastic disk or valve, said jaws or levers being also provided
near their upper ends with outwardly directed projections which are adapted to
enter corresponding openings formed in the inner walls of the neck and said jaws
or levers being also provided between said projections and the pivotal connection
with a spiral spring by which they are forced outwardly, substantially as shown
and described.
2. A stopper for bottles and other vessels, comprising two separate jaws or
levers which are pivotally connected at their lower ends, and one of which is
provided with a circular head in which is formed an annular groove in which is
mounted an annular elastic disk or valve, said jaws or levers being also provided
near their upper ends with outwardly directed projections which are adapted to
enter corresponding openings formed in the inner walls of the neck and said jaws
or levers being also provided between said projections and the pivotal connection
with a spiral spring by which they are forced outwardly, and said jaws or levers
being also provided at their upper ends with handles or knobs, substantially as
shown and described.
Dated this 16th day of March 1897
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.