Improvements in and relating to Bottle and like Stoppers.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Bottle and like Stoppers.
I, FRED HARRY NORMINTON, of 240, Catherine Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, near
Manchester, Grocer, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention to be as
follows:-
My invention consists of a novel form of stopper for use chiefly with mineral
and like bottles, also for pickle jars and the like, and consists essentially of a
spring plate or disc, adapted to fit into the neck, or opening of a bottle, and by
reason of radiating slits, capable of taking into an annular groove, or beneath an
annular ridge in the said bottle neck, and on pressure being applied to the centre
of such disc, to contract and leave such groove, or ridge, and in conjunction with
a suitable knob or opener be lifted out of the bottle neck.
"
To render the said disc effectual in sealing the contents of the bottle, and to
prevent contamination of the liquor by contact with the disc, I employ a thin rub-
ber or like flexible covering for the disc, forming a pocket," and the part in
which the edge of the disc lies formed with a sharp moulded ridge to permit the
disc to effectually engage with the aforesaid annular groove, or ridge. The mouth
of the said pocket or covering is, by preference, secured to a thin metal ring
adapted to fit on the "lip" or mouth of the bottle neck, and over such ring is a
wooden or like knob, having a shank or spindle, which takes into the interior of
the said pocket," and normally lies in touching contact with the disc.
Between said ring and wooden knob is a ring or washer of soft india-rubber,
of a nature relatively to the disc, which allows the knob to be pressed down and
its spindle or shank to press upon the disc to an extent which is sufficient to con-
tract the disc and cause it to leave the annular groove.
In such way
produce an efficient bottle stopper with facilities for removing
such stopper without the aid of external means.
In lieu of the soft rubber aforesaid I may use a metal spring and I may make
the device without the wooden knob, which can be made separate and used for
opening a number of bottles but I prefer to have the stopper and opener combined
in one device.
In lieu of pressing the knob or opener I may arrange for it to screw into and
out of the pocket, or I may employ a cam and lever action for effecting the con-
traction of the disc.
I may also adapt my invention for use as a bung or plug for barrels, cylinders
and other contrivances requiring to have an opening periodically closed and
opened.
I may coat the rubber with cork or other material for further protecting the
contents from contamination.
1000

page_text: I, FRED HARRY NORMINTON, of 240, Catherine Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, near
Manchester, Grocer, 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;-
-
My invention consists of a novel form of stopper for use chiefly with mineral
and like bottles, also for pickle jars and the like, and will be clearly understood
by reference to the accompanying drawings upon which;-
Fig. 1 is an elevation of part of a bottle neck with the stopper in position, and
Fig. 2 a sectional elevation of same.
Fig. 3 is a plan of the stopper.
Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are illustrations of various details of the stopper.
Fig. 9 is a section of part of the bottle neck with the stopper removed.
In accordance with my invention I employ a thin metal spring plate (A) see
Figs. 4 and 5 which may either be made in one piece as shewn or in two halves
fastened together in which I cut or stamp a series of openings (B) thereby produc-
ing arms (C).
Previously to cutting the plate I dish or "cup" the plate, and roll its edge to the
cross-section shewn in Fig. 4. I also employ a sheet metal shell (D) formed in
one piece with or connected to the flange (D¹), which is adapted to fit the "lip" or
top edge of the bottle neck (E). To the lower edge of the shell (D), I connect by
claws or extensions (F), and solder, a cup-like part (F) which, when in position,
leaves a series of openings or slits (G) between it and the shell (D) through which
the arms (C) of the plate (A) may project, as shewn in Figs. 2 and 7.
Within the shell (D) I fit a wooden opener (H) the shank of which is just long
enough to touch, or reach the centre of plate (A) and be connected thereto by
small screw. (I), whilst its knob rests upon an india-rubber washer (J).
In the bottle neck I provide a groove (K), with (by preference) a small ridge (K¹).
The action and manipulation of the stopper is as follows;
When the stopper is pressed into the bottle the arms (C) which are slightly
greater in diameter than the base of the bottle neck are compressed and remain
in such condition, until the groove (K) in the neck of the bottle is reached, when
they immediately expand and take into the groove K as shewn in Fig. 2, and
thereby lock the stopper in the bottle neck. To remove the stopper, opener (H)
is pressed down and by the compression of the rubber ring (J) the shank of such
opener presses upon the spring plate or disc (A) causing its arms (C) to close up
or contract, and thus lie clear of the groove (K) the flange 11 being at the same
time slightly pulled allows the stopper to be withdrawn. To render the disc (A)
effectual in sealing the contents of the liquid and to prevent contamination of the
liquor by contact with the disc, I use a thin rubber or other like flexible cap or
covering (L) seen part in elevation and part in section in Fig. 7 and in plan in
Fig. 8, and such cap has a sharp moulded ridge at (L') behind which the rolled
edge of the disc (A) lies, and by which an effectual abutment is made against the
wall of the groove (K). The ridge (K¹) helps to maintain such abutment.
Although I shew the opener (H) as a permanent part of the stopper, it may be
loose and separate, and one opener be used for a number of bottle stoppers.
Having thus 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: Improvements in and relating to bottle and like stoppers consisting of a

page_text: cupped spring plate or disc with radiating slits forming radiating arms sub-
stantially as and for the purpose herein set forth, and shewn upon the accompany-
ing drawings.
2: Improvements in and relating to bottle and like stoppers consisting of a
cupped spring plate or disc, flanged shell, opener and rubber sleeve, substantially
as and for the purpose herein set forth and shewn upon the drawings.
Dated this 29th day of December 1898.
FRED HARRY NORMINTON,
By John G. Wilson & Co., Agents.