IMPROVEMENTS IN STOPPERS, VALVES, OR APPARATUS FOR CLOSING THE NECKS, MOUTHS, OR OPENINGS OF BOTTLES PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Allix, of Church Terrace, Isle of Dogs,
and Henry Gardner, of Clifton Road, both in the County of
Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN STOPPERS, VALVES,
OR APPARATUS FOR CLOSING THE NECKS, MOUTHS, OR OPENINGS OF BOTTLES
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Allix and
Henry Gardner at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,
with their Petition, on the 26th March 1872.
We, GEORGE ALLIX, of Church Terrace, Isle of Dogs, and HENRY
GARDNER, of Clifton Road, both in the County of Middlesex, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN STOPPERS,
VALVES, OR APPARATUS FOR CLOSING THE NECKS, MOUTHS, OR OPENINGS OF BOTTLES
AND OTHER VESSELS, AND IN APPLIANCES CONNECTED THEREWITH," to be as
follows:-
This Invention relates to stoppers, valves, or apparatus for closing
the necks, mouths, or openings of bottles and other vessels, and consists
A

page_text: in combining with a rubber, wood, cork, or other valve a plate, rod, pin,
hook, or loop of metal, pottery, glass, or other material, or a combination
of such, which plate, rod, pin, hook, or loop or a portion thereof may
project above the mouth, where it can be attached or linked to another
plate, rod, pin, hook, or loop or a piece of chain to lay on the outside
of the neck.
The plate, rod, pin, hook, or loop may in some cases be screw threaded
to receive a knob, button, or plate which can be screwed on to draw the
valve tight against or into the neck or opening, the knob also preventing
the entrance of dust. Also in some cases we pass a pin or wire (straight
or bent) or other appliance through the valve, plate, rod, pin, hook, or
loop to lay across the mouth to secure the valve in position. The valve
with its plate, rod, pin, hook, or loop can on opening the vessel be pushed
therein, the linked piece being so shaped that it partly enters into
and partly rests across the mouth and can be drawn outwards again to
lift the valve into the neck or closing the opening. If no link or second
piece be used the plate or other attachment of the valve can be hooked
up from the bottom of, say, a bottle to draw it into the neck. The valve
is preferably composed of flat or a conical shaped washer or disc of rubber
or prepared hide fitted between two metal discs, through the whole of
which one end of the plate, rod, pin, hook, or loop is passed and secured,
the other or holed end being free. If a knob or button is employed it
can stand up above the neck or be cut off almost flush therewith, and be
coated with wax or a label, or a capsule can be put over it to enclose the
whole. Again the valve, pin, or rod can be screw threaded along the
whole or a portion of its length, and one end of it can be turned into an
eye or a loop, the other end having the rubber or other washer and a
disc upon it for closing the neck or opening of the vessel.
By our Invention a stopper is produced which can be pushed into a
vessel each time the vessel is opened and be drawn into the neck again
either by an appliance upon the stopper itself or by a detached appliance.
The solid portion of the stopper may, however, be of pottery shaped
to receive the washer or cone, and a metal loop or a screw pin may be
partially embedded into the pottery by cement or firing to enable it to
be lifted.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said George Allix and Henry Gardner, in the Great Scal
Patent Office on the 26th September 1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, GEORGE
ALLIX, of Church Terrace, Isle of Dogs, and HENRY GARDNER, of the
Clifton Road, both in the County of Middlesex, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-sixth day of March, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the
thirty-fifth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto us, the said George Allix and Henry Gardner,
Her special licence that we, the said George Allix and Henry Gardner,
our executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as we, the
said George Allix and Henry Gardner, our executors, administrators,
and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to
time and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should
and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of
Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN STOPPERS, VALVES, OR APPARATUS
FOR CLOSING THE NECKS, MOUTHS, OR OPENINGS OF BOTTLES AND OTHER VESSELS,
AND IN APPLIANCES CONNECTED THEREWITH," upon the condition (amongst
others) that we, the said George Allix and Henry Gardner, our, or one of
us, our exccutors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under
our, or one of our, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should par-
ticularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and
in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to
be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months
next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said George Allix and Henry Gardner,
do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had to the
Drawings hereunto annexed, that is to say :-
This Invention relates to stoppers, valves, or apparatus for closing the
necks, mouths, or openings of bottles, as herein-after described and
slicwn.

page_text: It may be observed by way of introduction that by the use of our
Invention we are not compelled to put a gaseous or an aerated liquid into
the bottles to retain stoppers in place, nor are we compelled to employ a
special shape of bottle nor a special shape of neck to a bottle, as by
what is to follow it will be gathered that any form of bottle or any form
of neck can be stopped for an unlimited number of times by the same
stopper after being once inserted into the body of the bottle.
:
The various forms of our stoppers are applicable to any and every
bottle with slight modifications, such as by increasing the length of the
stem or by increasing the diameter of the closing medium, in the first
case to prevent the stopper turning bottom upwards in the bottle, and
in the second case to fit the valve so that it bites the shoulder or the
neck to prevent it passing out of the neck again without the bottle being
broken.
It will also be gathered from the foregoing that we were fully aware
of the plans proposed and patented by earlier Inventors and of the many
obstacles which beset them on every side to stopper an ordinary bottle
effectually from the interior by a stopper capable of being raised for the
same purpose continuously, and it is upon this head that we, after con-
siderable amount of thought, expensc, and careful experiments, have
succeeding in accomplishing, and to such an extent that any bottle
capable of being stoppered by a wine or a soda water cork can be stoppered
by one of our stoppers after its insertion into the bottle for an unlimited
number of times without reference to the contents of the bottle, be the
liquid gaseous or otherwise.
Figure 1 is a detached view of a stopper composed of a metal rod a
bent into a loop and with both ends passed through a disc 6 of metal, a
disc of rubber or prepared hide c, and another disc of metal d, upon.
which the ends of the rod are burred or soldered to hold the three discs
firmly in position. The disc b is of smaller diameter than the disc d,
and permits of the central disc or valve c being contracted or squeezed
up so as to pass the entry and neck of the bottle, into which the whole
is forcibly pushed discs foremost, after which the central disc c expands
or returns to its normal condition to act as a stopping medium when its
top surface is brought up against the shoulder of the bottle, the larger
disc d at the bottom forming the resistance to the disc c, thereby pre-
venting it contracting sufficiently to pass through the neck of the bottle
in the reverse manner to that to which it was inserted, the length or

page_text: height of the metal loop being greater than the width of the interior of
the bottle to prevent it turning over or getting bottom uppermost. The
loop has connected to it a piece of soft wire or cord e, whose length is
greater than the depth of the bottle, so that its free end can stand up
above the neck to facilitate the catching hold of it to pull or lift the
stopper into the neck to close the opening, the length of wire being then
whipped round the outside of the neck of the bottle to retain the stopper
in place. The temper or rigidity of the wire prevents it unwhipping
itself, so that the stopper is held up against the shoulder without being
dependent upon a pressure of gas as is the case with other patented
stoppers which are pushed into bottles. The formation of the loop
however when used alone offers various impediments to the adoption of
such a stopper, as the inner space in the neck of the bottle between the
disc c and the top edge is left open for the entrance of dust, conse-
quently we cover the mouth and a portion of the neck with a cap of
paper to overcome the objection, the cap being formed from the pulp
preferably by dipping a plug or mandril in a pulp vat, when it becomes
covered with a film sufficiently thick when dry for the above purpose.
We on placing this cap upon the neck twist it up thercon so that it not
only holds itself permanently in place but also the whipped or coiled wire,
thus offering additional security to the stopper to prevent it being forced
into the bottle during packing, stowage, or transport, by which the
liquor would escape. In some cases we gum the inner edge of the
paper cap and wet-it before placing it over the neck, when a slight
pressure, twisted or not, causes it to adhere both to the wire and to the
neck. In lieu of paper a loose cap of tinfoil can be used, or even a
moulded capsule, the extreme end of the wire being left exposed to be
casily caught hold of and unwhipped, which act will tear the paper, the
capsule, or the tinfoil away and leave the mouth clear, the stopper can
then be pushed into the bottle, its weight carrying it to the bottom to
enable the liquor to be run out on the bottle being tilted in the usual
manner, the projecting wire offering no obstruction to the flow.
Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 are views of rivetted, burred, or soldered
discs similar to that shewn at Figure 1, the difference being more or
less in the upper part; Figure 2 shows a looped or eyed plate stamped
from a sheet of metal; Figure 3, a stem or pin with an eye formed
by casting or otherwise; Fig. 4, a pin with its top end bent into a
hook for the reception of a link or another eyed pin, or a piece of stout

page_text: wire with a T on its other end to rest against the neck of the bottle
when the stopper is up, the legs of the T being curved to follow the
curve or form of the neck to lie nearly flush therewith; Figure 5 is a
view of a single pin or wire split to form a loop; and Figure 6 a view of
'a stud with its eye near the top disc to which a link is secured, the link
in this case being struck or pushed into the bottle for the outflow of
'the liquor.
Figure 7 shows a flattened spherical button or knob with a valve
resting thereon, and embracing the shank or eye over which it has been
passed as also over the link by hand before their insertion into the bottle,
or by an instrument after their insertion, the link being sufficiently long
to project slightly above the neck of the bottle to facilitate the pushing
of the stopper therein.
Figure 8 is a view of a stopper moulded from glass, earthenware,
clay (glazed or enamelled), metal, paper, or other material capable of
•being moulded under pressure or otherwise. The lower end above the
bulb carries a disc of rubber or prepared hide suitable for retaining
the neck of the bottle liquid tight, when the stopper is drawn up by a
wire or cord attached to the looped portion a, as described with reference
to the first-mentioned stopper. The wire or cord can however bc
dispensed with in this as in all cases for ordinary make of bottles, a
wedge or key being pushed through the loop and across the neck of the
bottle to hold and retain the stopper in position. Again in lieu of the
disc c a piece of rubber or other flexible and compressible tubing can
be pushed down over the stem to take on to the bulb as in the case of
some of the stoppers to be hereafter described.
•
Figure 9 shows another form of moulded stopper, or it may be a
wooden one, as also the stopper referred to in the previous Figure, the
lower disc d being formed in a piece with or fitted to the stem by a
screw or other appliance as found convenient to retain the disc in
place. The screw or any other piece of metal, if metal is employed
for the purpose, must be enamelled or tipped with glaze or otherwise
protected against the attacks of the acid or the liquor, and also to
prevent corrosion setting in, by which the taste of the liquor would be
depreciated or interfered with.
Figure 10 represents a stopper composed of a central stem of metal,

page_text: soldered to the disc d after the disc c of flexible or elastic material is
placed over the end, the stem itself being covered with a porcelain,
compressed paper, or other body.
Another example of this construction is shown at Figure 11, where
in lieu of a disc being fitted on to the stem as in the previous Figure
a bulb or plug of cork c, or it may be of rubber or a compound of
rubber and cork, or other substance of an impermeable character, the
eye as in the previous cases with the eye or the loop being for the
reception of a key or wedge if necessary, or only for the wire or cord
to lift and to bind the stopper in position.
Figure 12 shows a stopper somewhat similar to that represented at
Figure 8, the only difference being that the top of the stem is screw
threaded for the reception of a nut of special construction and hereafter
described as forming part of our Invention.
Figure 13 shows a threaded stem with a threaded nut or head upon
it, the threads on both stem and nut being of the ordinary construction.
The lower end of the stem is provided with a double flange, between
which a disc of, say, mineralised or vulcanized rubber can be sprung,
the aperture in the disc being of such a size that it clips the stem to
such a degree that no amount of ordinary force can open it again
to pass over the flange, particularly when the stopper is in a bottle,
the bottom flange being the largest effectually prevents it passing
over without so tearing the rubber that it is useless for stoppering
afterwards.
In almost all cases where we employ a disc of rubber as a closer it
is put into position before the stopper is inserted into the bottle, the
upper disc or flange being the smaller of the two, allowing the rubber
to be contracted by a slight pressure in passing' through the neck, after
which it resumes its normal condition, and acts as a closer hereafter
by reason of the larger flange or disc at the bottom being nearly or
exactly the diameter of the inner rim of the bottle neck. These rubber
discs have a series of threads woven or otherwise enclosed as a lining,
or two discs can be cemented upon the two sides of a fabric washer,
not only to increase the thickness but to offer an obstruction to the
passage of the disc, the thread or fabric forming the resistance to the
rubber being contracted, stretched, or drawn fine under any degree of
pulling force from the outside of the bottle of whatever construction or
shape it may be.

page_text: This introduction of a fabric or a series of threads between the plies
of rubber is also an essential feature for the success of our Invention,
as by its or their use the effectual closing and reclosing of the necks
or mouths of bottles is obtained particularly with stoppers which can
be pushed into bottles not of special make for reclosing the necks or
mouths again and again. The fabric or the threads are preferably near
the outer edge only to permit of the central part stretching sufficiently
to pass over the smaller upper disc or flange.
Figure 14 shows a moulded or a turned stopper with a screw thread
upon the upper end, and with the stem tapering in diameter to facilitate
the pushing down of the disc c into position; Figure 15 being a similar
stopper as if formed of cast metal.
Figure 16 represents a disc stopper whose stem is composed of a metal
strip or rod, one leg of the loop portion being left loose to enable the
rubber disc and the upper metal disc being laced on to the stem and
pushed into position, the loose leg being afterwards forced on to the
top disc to retain it and its neighbour permanently in position; the loop
thus formed can then be twisted to give rigidity. The unbent end of the
stem projects below the lower disc and offers an obstacle to the stopper
turning over when in the bottle. The loop at the top is for the same
purpose as the loops or the cyes previously referred to.
Figure 17 is a view of a cast threaded stem of malleable metal,
the flanged portion being rivetted or brazed to the lower end. This
length of stem would be found in most cases to be long enough to
prevent the stopper turning over, but a lengthening piece as in Figure 18:
can be used. These lengthening pieces or tips will be found of service
only in bottles with short necks and with large diameters of belly or
body, such as beer, stout, ale, wine, and other similar bottles.
Figure 19 shows a wrought metal stem with the discs rivetted on the
lower end, and with the upper end threaded for a wood or other cap to a
be screwed down upon, the cap being shaped as in Figure 13. to go a
short distance into the bottle neck to centralize the stem and thereby
obtain an equal bearing of the rubber against the bottle shoulder or
against the neck should it pass into it as we propose that it should do..
Figures 20 and 21 represent stamped out metal stems with eyes for a
lifting the stoppers into the bottle necks by a hook. In Figure 20 the
bottom of the stem is extended, but in Figure 21 the lower end of the
stem carries a globular mass of porcelain or other material cemented:

page_text: thercon to weight the stopper for sinking it quickly in the liquid when
pushed in by hand.
Figure 22 shows a view of a stopper whose bulb is of rounded conical
form, the rubber being previously shaped by moulding to take over the
cup-shaped bulb. This form of stopper is nearly similar to that shown
at Figure 1, the only difference being that the rubber is moulded into
conical shape beforehand, while in the other the disc assumes the
conical shape by its contact with the bottle neck or its shoulder under
the pressure of the gas if gas is inserted, and also by the wire or cord
whipped round the bottle neck.
Figure 23 is a view of a stopper composed of a central stem of metal
threaded on the upper end and with the lower end passed into a hard
wood, porcelain, or other body forming a bulb or plug for the reception
of a short length of clastic tubing passed over it with the tube turned
inside out, the tube is then tied upon it by a cord or a wire snood.. The
stopper in this condition is then passed through the neck into the bottle
and the tube turned over upon its tied end and upon the plug by a
double lipped or a two-winged expanding tool to give it the appearance
shown, when it can be drawn into the neck to close the opening and
pushed back again into the bottle for an unlimited number of times,
as is the case with the other forms of stoppers before and hereafter
described.
Figure 24 shows another form of moulded or turned stopper. The
lower end has a projecting tip of conical shape upon which the rubber
tube can be tied in the reverse position to that of the previous Figure,
the tube being afterwards drawn up and over upon the bulb by a special
tool with lips. The tying of the tube, which may be of the same
diameter throughout its length or of conical shape, offers additional
security against the tube being wilfully torn or pushed off by malicious
persons. The grip of the tube upon the bulb without the tying is how-
ever almost sufficient for that purpose, and the risk is hardly compensated
for by the extra labour of tying and turning and the cost of the snoods,
but if the tying is found necessary in special cases we desire to retain
it as part of our Invention to stoppers which can be used to close the
necks of ordinary bottles from the insides.
:
Figure 25 represents a stopper whose valve of conical shape is upon
a perforated hollow bulb through which perforations the gas of an
aerated or gaseous liquid can pass to bear direct upon the elastic tube

page_text: valve and bind it into closer contact with the bottle neck than it would
be if such is possible with the upward pressure against the stopper, and
the bite of the nut put over the threaded top end, which in this case is of
wood or of cast metal fitted upon the stem or shrunk thereon.
Figure 26 shows a stopper composed of a metal tube with a screw
thread cut on or in its upper end and with a plug of wood or other
material down the interior to prevent the entrance of liquor. The
bottom end of this tube is swaged out to form the bulb for the reception
of the elastic stoppering medium, which can be forced down into position
by a simple tube of metal after the stopper with the rubber upon the
stem is inserted into the bottle. The bulb portion of the stopper tube
may also be plugged up by a light sinking body so as not to interfere
with the positive sinking capability of the tube.
A modified formation of tube stopper is shown at Figure 27, the bulb
being formed of a separate piece of metal with a plug disc in the bottom:
and with the upper part flanged to receive the stem tube, upon which
a coiled band or strip of metal is caused to adhere by solder, cement,
galvanizing liquid, or other means for forming the screw thread.
Figure 28 shows another construction of stopper with a cap fitted
permanently upon the stem so that it can pass into the bottle with the
stopper. The stem a has a wire twisted round it, or it may be a strip
as in the previous casc to form a screw thread, over or between which
the cap provided with a wire or peg is caused to take, the wire being
simply pushed through the cap at an angle corresponding to the angle.
at which the thread is set to move freely. Its contact is sufficient to
hold itself in place and yet obtain the bite required to hold the plug
or bulb in contact. We use a flat or a dished disc of metal or other
rigid material with a slit in it for embracing the stem when slipped over
the neck, and it is upon this disc that the cap bears when the screwing
down takes place. These discs we propose shall be impressed, stamped,
painted, or printed upon to indicate the maker's name, the quality, or
the nature of the liquid, or some other device in colors or otherwise, so
that the ordinary paper labels usually pasted upon the bottles can be
dispensed with. They can also be impressed with the date of the month
and the year to show at a glance while the bottles are lying down the
date and year of bottling. The bulb of the stopper last referred to is
formed with notches, over which the rubber conc or tube is forced in any
suitable manner after the stopper is inserted into the bottle; the rubber

page_text: may, however, be tied on at the top or at the bottom and be then turned
over by a tool. It is however essential only in special cases to notch
the bulb or to groove it to prevent the rubber being shifted.
Figure 29 represents the stem of metal, a portion of it forming the
screw thread upon which a wired or a pegged cap can travel; the lower
end of the stem is screwed, wedged, cemented, or otherwise attached to
the bulb according to the material of which the bulb is made. The
bulb is scored at the bottom, or it is covered by a disc to form a shoulder
to limit the distance to which the rubber tube can be pushed down, and
also to give a better finish to the stopper when in the bottle. This disc
or the bottom of the stopper, or of any of the stoppers, if made of a
brittle material are first dipped into or coated with liquid rubber, which
becomes set or solidified on exposure. The rubber base then acts as a
cushion, and prevents the bottles being broken or starred. The same
may also be done for the protection of porcelain and other brittle
stoppers, the dipping or coating being extended to any height found
necessary.
This dipping or coating also serves to protect the liquid, and in some
cases the stopper, from corrosive or detersive action, which might other-
wise be set up or brought about.
In lieu of dipping or coating the ends or bases of the stoppers with
liquid rubber, we sometimes paste or cement a rubber disc (hardened or
not), or even a cork disc or other body holed on one side or not to the
'stopper base, over the edge or edges of which the conc or the tube
rubber would bear when pushed over.
Figure 30 shows a view of a parallel sided, moulded, or turned stopper
with a screw thread upon its upper end, and with a scored or notched
base, the lower surface of which is more or less protected by an elastic
medium for cushionizing or for nonflavoring or deteriorating in taste or
color the liquid. If the stoppers are turned or otherwise prepared from
hard wood, such as lignum vitæ, boxwood, hornbeam, and other woods of
greater specific gravity than that of water, we first boil them to extract
the resin and the spirit, as also the softer kinds of wood which are of
less specific gravity than water. The softer and lighter kinds of wood
stoppers we weight by the insertion of a wire down the stem or by
fitting a lead, pottery iron, or other plug in the bottoms, a sample of
which is shown at Figure 31, the bottom plug having a nail tapped
through it into the stem. The bulb is in this case of conical form, and

page_text: the rubber tube when pushed over it assumes the conical shape for
fitting the neck of the bottle.
Figure 32 shows one of these forms of stoppers with the rubber tube
in place, the weighting of the stopper being effected by a plug of heavy
'metal with a threaded pin screwed into the wood.
Figure 33 shows another mode of weighting, and this is by means of
a metal ring forced over the base, which it fits tightly, and upon which
it is retained by the rubber tube after it is pushed over it. We paste
or cement a disc of rubber on the bottom face, and this is also nipped
by the rubber tube, so that the quality or color of the liquid in the
bottle is not interfered with, a circumstance of great importance with
effervescing soda water, and some of the other gascous drinks containing
a powerful acid.
Figure 34 shows a stopper with a metal or porcelain base bulb secured
to the stem by a screw, the head of which can be embedded in rubber
or coated with a varnish. This stem is of soft wood, such as becch,
birch, sycamore, ash, or the like.
Figure 35 represents a pear-shaped bulb of soft wood coated with a
layer of lead, or a bent and compressed sheet of other metal, over which
the rubber tube is passed for closing purposcs.
Figure 36 shows another form of stopper of the heavy wood kind with
a tail or piece for increasing the length of the stopper at the bottom, the
conical shape assumed by the tube being more suitable for short-necked
bottles with prominent shoulders than any of the others.
Figure 37 is a view of a heavy wood stopper with a conical shaped
ferrule or band of rubber, cork, or a compound pushed over the stem,
and into the recess after the hole is passed through the neck into
the bottle, the shoulders of the recess holding the ferrule firmly in
position.
Figure 38 shows a bulb of light or heavy wood with a notched metal
stem, the notches being in alternate order, so that when the stopper is
drawn up into the bottle neck a rectangular holed disc or cap can be
passed over the end, and then turned a quarter round to take under one
of the claws or teeth to hold the stopper in place, a reverse or a con-
tinued quarter turn of the disc being sufficient to free it, so that the
stopper can be pushed in and the contents of the bottle poured out by
´tilting in the usual manner.

page_text: In Figure 39 is a stem of wire in lieu of a plate, the notches being
formed by bends in the wire before the ends are flattened or otherwise.
prepared for being pinned or rivetted to the bulb as shewn.
Figure 40 shows a stopper whose bulb has a series of annular
notches for the reception of circular rings of rubber which are pushed
over the stem into their respective notches while the stopper is in the
bottle.
Figure 41 shows a modified form or shape of notches for the reception
of square, flat, or other shaped rings of rubber, the rings in both cases.
being of different thicknesses, or the spaces or notches of greater depth.
to form either parallel or tapered exteriors to suit the necks against
which they have to engage.
Figure 42 shows a heavy wood or a moulded stopper with a rubber.
tube in the bulb, and with two rubber rings on the outside of it, or a
hide tube or wrapping and rubber rings as the closing medium.
Figure 43 represents a stopper of heavy wood or moulded porcelain
with a rounded conc form of bulb and the rubber tube in place thereon,
while Figure 44 shows the same form of stopper for a short-necked
bottle, a tail or extension being upon the lower end to prevent the
stopper turning over in the bottle when once it is pushed in the inside,
the tube when in place upon the bulb also fitting as to prevent the
stopper being withdrawn from the bottle without destroying the rubber.
The latter remark serves to explain one of the main objects in view in
the present Invention when used for or with any ordinary bottle as also
for almost any special make of bottle whose mouth is on the top surface
like a wine bottle, and of such a kind that a stopper can sink in it, and
be lifted again to close the neck.
Figure 45 is a similar view to that shown at Figure 44, the screw
thread upon the stem being dispensed with. The means of fastening
the stopper in this case is by a wire or a cord, as herein-before described
with regard to the looped stoppers, and a loose laced disc to keep the
dust out of the neck, or by means of a pin passed through the stem, or
the pointed teeth of a lever arranged upon the disc, such as we have
shown at Figure 46. The same means of securing soft and light wood
stoppers which are weighted can be adopted whether they are made of
the same shape as that shown at Figure 45, or with plain stems without
bulbs with a single score, as in Figure 47. The upper edge of the tube
upon the plain stem in the first case forms the bite upon the neck of

page_text: the bottle, while in the double-scored stopper the bite is upon the flat
wall or exterior of the tube.
Figure 49 represents another form of plain stem with the whole length
covered with a rubber tube, the bottom portion to act as a bulb to form
the closing portion, the upper portion being free for the tapered edge of
the cap g to enter and bulge the tube out against the neck, and prevent
the entrance of dust. The cap is in this case permanently fitted upon
the threaded portion by an extra pin or stud, consequently it can only
travel up or down within certain limits. When the cap is unscrewed,
so to speak, and at the top of the stem thread it allows the free end of
the tube to contract; the whole stopper tube and cap can thus be pushed
into the interior of the bottle; by this means, as with reference to
Figure 27, there are no loose pieces to become lost or misplaced.
In Figure 50 we have shown a threaded stem somewhat similar to
that shown at Figure 25, and the conical bulb with the rubber over it,
the rubber tube valve being tied upon the outside before it is turned
over upon the stem, and before it is inserted into the bottle, after which
it is turned back again over the bulb by a tube tool of plain edge,
notched edge, or serrated form, or an open double or treble winged
expanding tool, as found convenient. This turn over of the rubber when :
in the bottle may be effected by pressing the base of the bulb against
the bottom of the bottle, or by employing a central rod or wire in the
tool with a ring or clip the stopper can be pulled or drawn up between
the wings, and the tube becomes turned over thereby. The threaded
portion of this stem is reduced in pitch as it approaches the bulb, so
that the cap can travel a good distance in, say, the first half turn, and
then at a less distance for the next half turn for biting itself upon the
neck without putting undue strain upon the thread to injure it.
Figure 51 is a view of a stopper with a disc valve in combination with
a tube valve upon or in connection with the same bulb, so that the
disc valve can act against the bottle shoulder, and the tube valve against
the inner wall of a bottle neck.
Figure 52 shows a stem whose lower part is embraced by a split tube
of metal h, the splits or saw cuts extending up and down beyond one
another from either end to make it expansible throughout its length, so
that the stem can be forced into it after it has been inserted into the
bottle with the rubber cap valve c on its outside at one end, when the

page_text: rubber and the split tube contracts and combines to hold themselves
firmly on the curved portion of the stem.
I
Figure 53 represents a hollow bulbed stopper, the stem being com-
posed of a tube rivetted or pinned to the bulb, and with the upper part
shut off by an internal piece of metal or hardened india-rubber with
which the tube may also be lined. The internal piece is screw threaded
at the centre for a threaded rod to be moved up or down by a cap or
button on its top end, so that a valvė can be raised or depressed to close
or open the passage from the interior of the bottle to the outside, there
being a hole at the upper part of the stem tube. By this means any
small quantity can be drawn off from the bottle, or even the whole.of
the liquid, without pushing the stopper into the bottle. The head of the
pin which fixes the internal piece in place is left projecting for taking
into the thread, which in this case is formed in the exterior cap as shown
at Figure 54, instead of upon the stem as in nearly all the previous
Figures, and for which one or other of the caps with the wires or pegs
at an angle shown at Figures 55, 56, 57, and 58, the last of which is
shown upon an egg-shaped soda water or lemonade bottle with the
stopper in position. This cap is shown as detachable from the stopper
and from the bottle, but by attaching the cap by a wire or a cord as in
Figure 59 to a band upon the bottle, the band being free to ride up and
down and turn upon the neck as the cap is turned, the cap is held
securely upon the bottle at all times. The stopper in this bottle. is of
the same kind as that shown in Figure 58, the bottle only being different
or of the flat bottomed kind.
Figure 60 shows a flat bottomed glass bottle with a looped stem and
disc valve, the stem having a wire attached and bent to lay upon the
exterior of the neck previous to the reception of the paper or other
capsule already mentioned.
4
Figure 61 represents a portion of a stoneware ginger beer bottle with
a conical disc valve closing the mouth or opening against the egress of
liquid, the loop being held firmly by a wedge, the wedge being held to
the bottle neck by a cord or a wire.
In the two views or arrangements shown at Figures 60 and 61, we
have shown our stoppers 'fitted to ordinary bottles, and it is to the
stoppering of ordinary bottles only that we desire to employ our Inven-
tion, particularly as far as the use of looped or holed stems is concerned,
whether such bottles are to be used for holding acrated or gascous

page_text: liquids or liquids of a non-acrated or non-gaseous kind, such as beers,
spirits, wines, water, or other fermentable or non-fermentable, liquids,
the stoppers not being dependent upon the pressure of gas or compressed
air, as before recited.
Figure 62 shows in section a bulbed stopper with a hollow or passagei
' from end to end through which gas, air, or liquid can be passed under
pressure by simply inserting a tube leading from a reservoir into the
outer end of the stopper after it is fitted in the neck, the pressure of
the gas, air, or liquid being sufficient to dislodge a valve q from its seat r:
The valve q in this case is attached by an elastic band to a cross pin to
draw and retain the valve upon its seat on the removal of the supply
tube, whether the. bottle be filled up or not. It will be understood that
should air or gas be forced into the bottle the back pressure will assist
the elastic to keep the valve closed.
We have heretofore referred to caps with pins through them at an
angle as being used for retaining the threaded stoppers in place, but
dises of metal or other rigid material with D shaped holes in them such
as we have shown at Figure 63 can be used for that purpose instead.
The flat of the D is split or cut at one corner to form a tongue to be
turned up or down to answer the purpose of the angle pin i, the disc
can like the open caps be fitted over the stem, either end uppermost
if they are flat on the faces, but if flanged or dished to fit slightly
over the bottle neck it is preferable to fit them on flanged edge down-
wards to give a finish. These discs can be fixed in a kind of socket
cover and may be attached to the bottle neck if desired.
Figure 64 represents the top portion of an ale, stout, or wine bottle
with one of our sinkable stoppers suspended in the neck to the lower
end of a funnel in which a wire i is arranged at an angle in. a similar
manner to that shown in the caps before referred to, there being
sufficient clearance between the shell of the funnel outlet and the
threaded portion of the stopper for the passage of liquid from the body
of the funnel to the body of the bottle. We fit a flange upon the
exterior of the funnel tube to rest upon the bottle neck, the funnel being
steadied thereon by an outer cup-shaped flange as shown. In filling
a bottle with non-aerated or non-gaseous liquid, supposing the bottle
to hold a pint of liquid only, the bottle is first turned over to allow the
stopper to fall into the neck and the threaded end to project, the funnel
tube is then placed over the end and rotated about one turn for the

page_text: cross wire to engage into the stopper thread, the whole is then reversed
and the stopper is left suspended to the funnel, the liquor is then
placed in and allowed to run out of the funnel and into the bottle, the
funnel is then lifted, which act draws the stopper up tightly and fixes it
in the bottle neck, at the same time a twist is given to the funnel and
becomes disengaged.
The above description serves more or less for all bottles provided with
our stoppers and in which non-acrated or non-gaseous liquids are placed.'
If the gas or the air alone, or either of them in combination with the
liquid has to be inserted into a bottle we employ the apparatus shown in
Figure 65. The bottle is first placed mouth downwards in a frame with
the stopper end projecting, a padded end ; of the apparatus is then
forced against the bottle mouth, say by the left hand of the attendant,
who then pushes in the rod 7 with his right hand, and opens a communi-
cation with the air, gas, air and liquid, gas and liquid, or liquid only, as
the case may be, and with the bottle through the slotted hole m till the
bottle becomes sufficiently charged, he then removes his right hand
sharply and the spring n returns the rod and shuts off the flow.
We have described this apparatus as a single one, but any number of
them can be fed from one pipe p, all the rods being acted upon at the
same time for the filling or charging of a number of bottles. The
pushing in of the rod lifts the stopper slightly off its seat in the neck,
and its return allows the stopper to fall and the bottle become gas, air,
and liquid tight by the top force or the weight of the liquid, the stopper
can however be fixed by lifting the bottle and pulling on the stopper
end, but in practice we have found this unnecessary. The rod tube may
have a cross wire upon it to take hold of a lift and then to draw the
stopper tight by a simple twisting or rotation in pushing in and
returning.
A simple method of filling or charging bottles is by a flanged and
padded nozzle being forced against the mouth, as seen in Figure 70, a
cross wire being used for removing and refixing the stopper in place, the
wire or peg cap being put on and turned tight afterwards for protection
sake only.
The tubes for pushing the valve down upon the stopper may have a
plain end as in Figure 66, a jagged end as in Figure 67, a notched or
winged end as in Figure 68, or a recessed end as in Figure 69.

page_text: And having now described the nature of our said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that we claim as
our Invention and hereby protected by Letters Patent,―—
Firstly. The construction and employment of sinkable looped,
stemmed, pinned, screw-threaded, and other stoppers provided with
elastic discs for closing the necks of ordinary bottles when such
stoppers are to be used over and over again in the same bottles and
are not dependent upon a pressure of gas or air as herein-before
described and shewn.
Secondly. We claim the closing of a bottle neck by a sinkable stopper
or closer when such stopper or closer is capable of being lifted or drawn
and secured in the neck by an appliance upon itself, or by an attachable
appliance as herein-before described and shewn.
Thirdly. We claim the employment of sinkable stoppers or closers and
the fixing of them in the necks of ordinary bottles for transport or
storage by cord, wire, chain, wedge, or other similar appliance attached
to or separate from the stopper, in combination with the means of
preserving the interior of the necks from dust, as described.
Fourthly. We claim the employment of conical, tapered, or parallel
cup or tubular valves upon sinkable stoppers in bottles, as described.
Fifthly. We claim the formation of screw threads upon sinkable
stoppers for bottles when such stoppers have impermeable or clastic
tubular valves upon them, as described and shown.
Sixthly. We claim the means of or appliances for pushing the imper-
meable or elastic tubes (conical or otherwise) along or upon sinkable
stoppers when in the bottles, as described and shewn..
Seventhly. We claim the formation of conical and other shaped bulbs
upon the stems of or attaching such bulbs to sinkable stoppers, as
described and shown, and whether such bulbs form the closing medium
or have a closing medium fitted thereon or thereto.
Eighthly. We claim the formation, construction, and employment of
caps or covers for bottles in which sinkable stoppers are arranged when
such caps or covers are wired or pegged, substantially in the manner and
for the purpose set forth.
Ninthly. We claim the formation, construction, and employment of
discs or pieces of material with D or other similarly shaped openings

page_text: in them, and with a portion turned up as a tongue or any equivalent
thereto, as described for the purposes set forth.
Tentlily. We claim the formation, construction, and employment of
sinkable stoppers in bottles when such stoppers have upon them the
appliance for retaining them in the necks of bottles, as described and
shewn.
Eleventhly. We claim the employment of a hinged toothed lever and
disc such as is shown in Figure 46 of the Drawings for retaining sinkable
stoppers in place, and for preventing the entrance of dust into the bottle
necks, substantially as described.
Twelfthly. We claim the employment of hollow sinkable stoppers
with elastic or other valves capable of being opened from the outside to
withdraw a portion of the contents of the bottle without disturbing the
stopper proper from the bottle neck, substantially as described..
Thirteenthly. We claim the formation and employment of a hollow
sinkable stopper provided with a self-closing valve as described and
shown, through which a bottle can be charged or recharged without
disturbing the stopper from the neck.
Fourteenthly. We claim the appliances or apparatus herein-before
described and particularly shown on Sheet 2 of the annexed Drawings
for filling or for charging bottles.
And, lastly, we claim the several improvements in apparatus for
closing the necks or mouths of bottles as herein-before described and
shown, as also the appliances for fitting the stoppers or closers per-
manently within the bottles, and also the appliances for charging or
recharging the bottles with liquor, gas, or air, singly or combined,
substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof, we, the said George Allix and Henry Gardner,
have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Twenty-fifth day of
September One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two.

page_text: Filed 20th November 103.
En the Matter of Letters Patent granted to GEORGE ALLIX, of Church Terrace,
Isle of Dogs, and HENRY GARDNER, of Clifton Road, both in the County
of Middlesex, dated the 26th day of March, in the year 1872, No. 916.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, WE, JOHN-LAMONT,
of Virginia Street, Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, and HENRY GARDNER, of
Bounds Green, Tottenham, in the County of Middlesex, send greeting:
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters Patent
under the Great Seal of Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date the Twenty sixth
day of March, One thousand and eight hundred and seventy two, in the thirty
fifth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto George Allix and Henry Gardner, Her special license, that they, the said
George Allix and Henry Gardner, their executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as they, the said George Allix and Henry Gardner, their executors,
administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from
time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should
and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN STOPPERS, VALVES, OR APPARATUS FOR CLOSING THE NECKS,
MOUTHS, OR OPENINGS OF BOTTLES AND OTHER VESSELS, AND IN APPLIANCES
CONNECTED THEREWITH," and whereas, in pursuance and performance of a proviso
in the said Letters Patent contained, the said George Allix and Henry Gardner did,
within six calendar months next and after the date of the said Letters Patent cause
a Specification in writing, under their hands and seals, particularly describing the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed
to be duly filed in the Great Seal Patent Office:
«
<<

page_text: And whereas by an Indenture of Assignment, bearing date the Fourteenth day
of October, in the year One thousand eight hundred and seventy eight, and duly
registered in the Great Seal Patent Office, the said George Allix did assign unto the
said John Lamont, his executors, administrators, and assigns, all his interest in the
said Invention and Letters Patent for the consideration therein named, whereby all
the said Invention and Letters Patent, and all and singular the rights and privileges
granted became, and are now absolutely vested in us, the said John Lamont and the
said Henry Gardner:
And whereas we have been recently advised that certain parts of the said Inven-
tion, as described in the said Specification, are not new, and were not so at the date
of the said Letters Patent, and we are desirous therefore to strike out all those
parts which relate to the first series of stoppers described with reference to Figures
to 36 inclusive of the second series of stoppers, and from 38 to 42 inclusive, also
Figure 46, and from 49 to the end of the Figures shown in the Drawings annexed
thereto :
And whereas we are further advised that several of the claims, referring par-
ticularly to the said first and second series of stoppers are bad and untenable, and
we are therefore desirous to strike out claims 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and
the last claim, leaving only claims 4, 5, and 7, as forming part of the said amended
Specification as hereinafter mentioned:
And whereas we have been advised that in consequence of striking out all
reference to the several parts, as above mentioned, from the description and Draw-
ings, that the title of the Invention requires amendment by striking out the words
"valves or apparatus," and also the words "and other vessels, and in appliances
connected therewith" therefrom, all as hereafter described.
SE
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said John Lamont and Henry Gardner, by and
with the leave of Her Majesty's Solicitor General, do hereby for the reasons
aforesaid strike out the words "valves or apparatus" from line 19, page 3 of the
print of the said Specification printed by the Queen's Printers, and published at
the Great Seal Patent Office, also the words "and other vessels" from line 20 of
the same page, and the words "and in appliances connected therewith on line 21
of the same page, that the title of the Invention shall read as follows "Improve-
"ments in Stoppers for Closing the Necks, Mouths, or Openings of Bottles."
"
We also strike out the words "valves or apparatus" from line 34, page 3 of the
printed Specification aforesaid, and we introduce the words "the object being the
employment of a rubber tube made conical, or to conform to that shape by being
"fitted over a conical bulb" after the word bottles, and before the words as herein-
after, etc., line 35, page 3 as aforesaid, the words here introduced being substantially
the same as set forth in the general description or body of the Specification filed
by the said Henry Gardner and by the before mentioned George Allix, on the
25th September, in the year 1872, in pursuance to the condition and proviso
contained in the said Letters Patent.
We strike out the whole of the description on pages 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and
down to and including the whole of line 24, of page 12 of the print aforesaid, and
we substitute the numeral 1 for the numerals " 37" after the word "Figure" on
line 25, page 12; we also strike out the words "heavy wood" from the same
line (25).
We strike out the whole of the paragraph beginning on line 30, and ending at
the foot of the pago (12).
We strike out the whole of the first, second, third, and fourth paragraphs, lines
"1 to 15" inclusive, of page 13, and we substitute the numeral 2 for the numerals
43 after the word Figure, line 16, page 13, and we strike out the words "of heavy
wood or moulded porcelain" from line 16, same page, and we substitute the
numeral 3 for the numerals 44 after the word Figure, line 18 on the same page.
We strike out all the words after the word "bottle" contained in lines 19 to 27
inclusive.

page_text: We strike out the numeral 5 from the numerals 45, line 28, page 13, and we
substitute the numeral 3 for the numerals 44 on the same line.
We introduce the following words as explanatory of Figures 47 and 48 of the
original Sheet of Drawings, "Figure 5 shows a plain stem stopper a with a single
cone closing medium c, and Figure 6 a similar stopper with a rounded conical
'closing medium," the said explanatory words to follow the word "with" on line
29 of that page.
We strike out the remainder of page 13 after the word "with" as printed, and
also the whole of pages 14, 15, 16, 17, of the said print.
We strike out the whole of the first, second, and third claims from page 18, and
we substitute the word "First" for the word "Fourthly" at the commencement
of line 19, page 18. We strike out the words "We claim" from lines 19, 21, and
27 same page.
We substitute the word "Secondly" for the word "Fifthly" at the commence-
ment of line 21, page 18.
"
We strike out the whole of the sixth claim, and we substitute the word
thirdly" for the word "seventhly " at the commencement of line 27, page 18.
We strike out the whole of the words following the word "thereto " line 30, to
the end of page 18.
We strike out the whole of the words on page 19 of the print aforesaid, down to
and including the word "set forth," line 27 of that page.
And in order that it may be clearly understood what is the Invention which we
now consider to be secured by the part herein before part recited Letters Patent,
we shall proceed to repeat the said Specification as proposed to be amended by this
present Disclaimer and Memorandum of Alteration as follows:-
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, JOHN LAMONT,
of Virginia Street, Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, and HENRY GARDNER, of
Bounds Green, Tottenham, in the County of Middlesex, send greeting:
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent bearing date the Twenty-sixth day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy two, in the thirty fifth year of Her reign,
time
the said
did for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us ▲ George Allix,
of Church Terrace, Isle of Dogs,-in-the-County of Middlesex, and me-the-said
Henry Gardner, Her special license, that the said George Allix and Henry
Gardner, their executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as the
said George Allix and Henry Gardner, their executors,, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time agree with and no others, from to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
STOPPERS FOR CLOSING THE NECKS, MOUTHS, OR OPENINGS OF BOTTLES," upon the
condition (amongst others) that the said George Allix and Henry Gardner, their or
one of their executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under our-or-one
of-our-or their or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascer-
tain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be
performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said John Lamont and Henry Gardner, do
hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed,
that is to say -
This Invention relates to stoppers for closing the necks, mouths, or openings of
bottles, the object being the employment of a rubber tube c made conical or to

page_text: conform to that shape by being fitted over a conical bulb f, as hereinafter described
and shown in the annexed Drawings.
Figure 1 is a view of a stopper with a conical shaped ferrule or band c of rubber,
cork, or a compound pusher over the stem a, and into the recess of the whole is
passed through the neck into the bottle, the shoulders of the recess holding the
ferrule firmly in position.
Figure 2 represents a stopper with a rounded cone form of bulb f, and the rubber
tube c in place thereon; while Figure 3 shows the same form of stopper for a short
necked bottle.
Figure 4 is a similar view to that shown at Figure 3, the screw thread upon the
stem a being dispensed with.
Figure 5 shows a plain stem stopper with a single cone closing medium c; and
Figure 6, a similar stopper with a rounded conical closing medium.
And having now described the nature of our said Invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, we declare that we claim as our Invention, and hereby
protected by Letters Patent,-
First. The employment of conical tapered or parallel cup or tubular valves upon
sinkable stoppers in bottles as described.
Secondly. The formation of screw threads upon sinkable stoppers for bottles when
such stoppers have impermeable or elastic tubular valves upon them as described
and shown.
Thirdly. The formation of conical and other shaped bulbs upon the stems of or
attaching such bulbs to sinkable stoppers as described and shown, and whether
such bulbs form the closing medium or have, a closing medium fitted thereon or
thereto.
In witness whereof, we, the said John Lamont and Henry Gardner, have
hereunto set our hands and seals, this Sixth day of August, One thousand
eight hundred and seventy nine.
HENRY GARDNER. (L.S.)
To the Commissioners of Patents for Inventions.
I hereby grant my fiat, giving leave to the above named John Lamont (assignee
of George Allix) and Henry Gardner, to file in the Great Seal Patent Office, with
the Specification to which the same relates, the above written Disclaimer and
Memorandum of Alteration..
I hereby grant my fiat, giving leave to the above named John Lamont (assignee
of George Allix) and Henry Gardner, to file in the Great Seal Patent Office, with
the Specification to which the same relates, the above written Disclaimer and
Memorandum of Alteration..
HARDINGE S. GIF
S. GIFFARD.
Solicitor-General.