IMPROVEMENTS IN STOPPERS FOR BOTTLES AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Adolphus Clark, of Frith Street, Soho, in the County of
Middlesex for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN STOPPERS FOR BOTTLES
AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH" A communication from abroad by
Gustavus Davis Dows, of Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Adolphus Clark at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th March 1882.
"
ADOLPHUS CLARK, of Frith Street, Soho, in the county of Middlesex. IMPROVE-
MENTS IN STOPPERS FOR BOTTLES AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH" [A com-
munication from abroad by Gustavus Davis Dows, of Boston, Massachusetts,
United States of America]
The Invention communicated to me relates to the construction of an improved
external stopper for bottles, the said stopper being provided with a peculiar con-
struction of valve opening inwards so arranged that a liquid under pressure can be
introduced through it into the bottle when the stopper is in place, and so that the
pressure within the bottle will close the valve when the external pressure is
removed; also to an improved device to allow of the contents of the bottle being
withdrawn as required through the said valve without removing the stopper.
In carrying out the invention a metal band is fitted round the neck of the
bottle under the usual shoulder, the front of the said band being formed with a
cam shaped projection for the purpose hereinafter described; the ends of the band
are connected together by a pin on which works one end of an arm, to the other
end of which is articulated a metal cap which fits over the top of the bottle; the
centre of the cap is perforated and provided on the underside with a flanged
tubular projection, and to the front of the cap is jointed a slotted lever or arm, the
said slot being adapted to pass over the hereinbefore described cam-shaped
projection on the band for the purpose of closing the stopper; or the said slotted
arm instead of being jointed to the cap may be separate therefrom and be formed
with an eye at the upper end, adapted to fit over a projection on the cap.

page_text: The valve is made of india-rubber or other suitable material consisting of a
flanged cup with a number of radial ribs on the bottom thereof, the bottom between
the ribs being formed with slits, and the centre of the bottom is bulb-shaped so as
to project upwards; the valve thus formed is sprung over the flanged tubular
projection on the cap, the flange of the valve forming an elastic seating which,
when the stopper is closed, fits over the top of the bottle and forms a hermetic joint.
The stopper being closed, the bottle can be filled through the said valve with a
liquid under pressure by means of an ordinary filling machine provided with a
suitable rubber fitting over the stopper.
The device for withdrawing the liquid from the bottle consists of a slotted tube
to which is fitted an india rubber cup and a metal flange or its equivalent; the
slotted end of the tube being introduced into the central hole in the stopper the
hereinbefore described valve will be opened by pressing the device downwards,
and the contents will then pass out through the tube, the india rubber on the tube
forming a tight joint.
The upper end of the tube may be formed bulb-shaped or enlarged and be
provided with a breakwater to check the force of the discharge.
{
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Adolphus Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
7th September 1882.
ADOLPHUS CLARK, of Frith Street, Soho, in the county of Middlesex "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN STOPPERS FOR BOTTLES AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH”
A com-
munication from abroad by Gustavus Davis Dows, of Boston, Massachusetts,
United States of America.
The Invention communicated to me relates to the construction of an improved
external stopper for bottles, the said stopper being provided with a peculiar con-
struction of valve opening inwards so arranged that a liquid under pressure can be
introduced through it into the bottle when the stopper is in place, and so that the
pressure within the bottle will close the valve when the external pressure is
removed; also to an improved device to allow of the contents of the bottle being
withdrawn as required through the said valve without removing the stopper. Or
the stopper may be employed without the valve.
In carrying out the invention a metal band is fitted round the neck of the bottle
under the usual shoulder, the front of the said band being formed with a cain
shaped projection for the purpose hereinafter described; the ends of the band are
connected together by a pin on which works one end of an arm, to the other end
of which is articulated a metal cap which fits over the top of the bottle; the centre
of the cap is perforated and provided on the underside with a flanged tubular pro-
jection, and to the front of the cap is jointed a slotted lever or arm, the said slot
being adapted to pass over the herein before described cam-shaped projection on

page_text: [
the band for the purpose of closing the stopper; or the said slotted arm instead of
being jointed to the cap may be separate therefrom and be formed with an eye at
the upper end adapted to fit over a projection on the cap.
The valve is made of india-rubber or other suitable material consisting of a
Banged cup with a number of radial ribs on the bottom thereof, the bottom
between the ribs being formed with slits and the centre of the bottom is bulb-
shaped so as to project upwards; the valve thus formed is sprung over the flanged
tubular projection on the cap, the flange of the valve forming an elastic seating
which, when the stopper is closed, fits over the top of the bottle and forms a
hermetic joint.
The stopper being closed, the bottle can be filled through the said valve with a
liquid under pressure by means of an ordinary filling machine provided with a
suitable rubber fitting over the stopper.
The device for withdrawing the liquid from the bottle consists of a slotted tube
to which is fitted an india-rubber cup and a metal flange or its equivalent; the
slotted end of the tube being introduced into the central hole in the stopper the
hereinbefore described valve will be opened by pressing the device downwards,
and the contents will then pass out through the tube, the india rubber on the tube
forming a tight joint.
The upper end of the tube may be formed bulb-shaped or enlarged and be
provided with a breakwater to check the force of the discharge
In order to enable the invention communicated to me to be better understood I
will proceed to describe the same by reference to the accompanying drawing in
which figures 1, 2 and 3 represent a front and side elevation and a plan respectively
of the neck of a bottle provided with a stopper constructed according to this
invention the stopper being closed; figure 4, side elevation showing the stopper
opened; figure 5, section of figure 2; figures 6, and 7, detached elevation and
section of the stopper shewing the valve; figures 8, and 9, plans of the top and
underside respectively of the stopper; figures 10, and 11, elevation and section of
the device for withdrawing the liquid from the bottle, figure 12, plan of the
underside of same; figure 13, a view shewing the method of using the said device
for withdrawing the liquid from a bottle closed by the improved stopper. Similar
letters in all the figures represent similar parts.
a, is the metal band fitted round the neck b, of the bottle; c, is the cam-shaped
projection; d, pin or wire connecting the ends of the band together, f, arm or link
working on the said pin d; g, the metal cap jointed to the link J, the said cap
fitting over the top of the bottle; h, hole in the centre of the cap; i, flange shaped
tubular projection on the underside of the metal cap; j, slotted lever or arm jointed
at k, to the front of the cap g; or the said slotted arm instead of being jointed to
the cap may be separate therefrom and be formed with an eye at the upper end
adapted to fit over a projection on the cap g; l, is the valve of india rubber or
other suitable material and constructed in the form of a flanged cup; m, ribs on
the bottom of the valve; n, the slits between the ribs; o, the bulb-shaped bottom
projecting upwards; the said valve is sprung over the tubular projection i, of
the cap g.
To close a bottle provided with a stopper of this construction the cap g, is
brought over the mouth of the bottle and the flange of the valve 1, will form an
elastic seating on the top of the bottle and will be closely pressed thereon so as to
form a hermetic joint by the slot p, of the lever or arm j, being brought over the
cam shaped projection c.
The stopper being thus closed the bottle can be filled through the said valve
with a liquid under pressure by means of an ordinary filling machine provided
with a suitable rubber fitting over the stopper, and when filled the pressure within
the bottle will close the valve as soon as the external pressure is removed.
The device for withdrawing the liquid from the bottle shewn in figures 10, 11,
and 12, consists of a tube q, slotted at its lower end r, and provided with an
india-rubber cup 8, and having a flange t.

page_text: To make use of the said device for withdrawing a liquid under pressure from a
bottle closed by a stopper constructed as hereinbefore described, the slotted end r,
of the device is inserted into the opening h, in the cap g, of the stopper and being
pressed inwards as shewn in figure 13, the flange u, of the cup 8, will form a tight
joint on the cap g, and the slotted end of the tube q, will open the slits n, of the
valve l, and the liquid will be discharged from the open end of the tube q.
By the employment of this device part of the contents of a bottle may be with-
drawn as required but if the whole of the contents are to be withdrawn at once
the stopper may be opened by simply removing the arm or lever j, from the cam
or projection c, and the pressure of the liquid will throw open the stopper as
shewn in Figure 4, and in this case the valve would not be required in the stopper,
as the bottle could be filled before the closing of the stopper.
The
upper end of the tube of the device for withdrawing the liquid may be
formed bulb-shaped or enlarged and be provided with a breakwater for checking
the force of the discharge, the tube may also be curved for more conveniently
discharging the liquid.
Having thus described the invention communicated to me and the best means
I am acquainted with for carrying the same into effect I wish it to be understood
that what is claimed and intended to be protected by the herein in part recited
Letters Patent is :-
Firstly. The combination of parts forming the improved external stopper for
bottles herein described the whole arranged and operating substantially in the
manner and for the purpose hereinbefore described and represented in figures
9 and in figure 13, of the accompanying drawing.
to
Secondly. The peculiar construction of valve for external bottle stoppers such as
those herein described, the said valve operating substantially in the manner and
for the purposes described and represented in the accompanying drawing.
Thirdly. The construction and employment in combination with a stopper
having a valve such as that herein described of the improved device for with-
drawing a liquid under pressure from a bottle substantially as bereinbefore
described and represented in figures 10, to 13, of the accompanying drawing.
In witness whereof I the said Adolphus Clark have hereto set my hand
and seal this seventh day of September in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.