Hayward’s Cork Puller

From an 1886 issue of American Druggist; an article taken from Scientific American focusing on Hayward’s Cork Puller, and some editorializing from the editors at American Druggist.

HAYWARD’S CORK PULLER.

JOHN W. HAYWARD, of St. John’s New Foundland, is the inventor of an appliance for drawing corks, which makes it easy to get a cork out of a bottle as it is to drive it in.  An ordinary cork, O, of the required size, has a piece of strong non-corrosive twine, 1, let into tis sides.  A button or shield, 5, also non-corrosive, is placed on the inner end of the cork to prevent the twine cutting through it.  A hand metal tag, 2, is secured on the twine where it is knotted, or in case a capsule is placed on the end of the piece, 4, which hangs below the capsule.

A rubber button, 3, placed on the outer end of the cork, has a hole slit through which the twine passes.   In 6 is shown the wire attached to the

bottle neck, 6¹ representing the hook, and 6² the manner of locking it in place.  7 gives the appearance of a bottle when corked and the twine secured on the wire hooks.  In 8, a capsule has been placed over the cork, ad the tag is seen protruding beneath its edge.  9 shows the manner of securing the twin over the wire by stretching the elastic

button, 2 and 9¹ the top view of the bottle when the operation is completed When the cork is driven into the bottle, the rubber button is turned over on the twine and tag, as shown in 10, to protect from injury.  The button is then reversed, one loop of the twine passed under the wire hook on one side, and by stretching the rubber button the other loops is secured on the opposite hook.  The process of unbottling is shown in our last figure. The tag is grasped, and by an upward twist the capsule is torn open.  The twine is disengaged from the wires, and, by passing the first and second fingers through the loop, the cork can be readily drawn.  This system does away with the corkscrew entirely, each cork carrying its own means of release.  It is applicable for any liquids, medicines, liquors, inks, etc., and as the corks are not injured they may be used a number of times.—Scientific American

[It is by no means necessary to resort to so intricate a device as the one just described, to accomplish the purpose of getting out a cork without the intervention of a corkscrew.  A piece of of small but strong twine is all that is essential, and two (of several) modes of using it are shown.

In Figure 2, one end of the twine having been tied about the neck of the bottle, the tine is laid across the centre of the opening, allowing a little slack towards the end that is fast (a).  The cork having a notch cut across its lower face to prevent the twine slipping, is then pushed into the neck of the bottle, and the free end of the twine (b) will serve as a means for drawing the cork out.

A second, Figure 3, which is a little more elaborate, consists in first tying a loop, a, by means of which to attach a label, or to serve for hanging the bottle up out of the way of children, etc., then tying the ends together at b, so as to encircle the neck, cutting one of the ends short, and tying the other tightly around the cork in the manner shown.  This serves not only to furnish a cork-drawer, but prevents the cork from being lost.  Either method is especially useful in case of medicine bottles for travellers.—ED. AMER. DRUGGIST.]

The Monarch Manufacturing Company

From an 1897 issue of Home Furnishing Review

THE MONARCH MANUFACTURING COMPANY, of Meriden Conn., are the sole makers of the much celebrated “Monarch” can opener, which has no superior, if it has an equal anywhere. The “Monarch” is heavily nickel-plated, with blades of tempered steel, and put up in an attractive manner for counter display, as illustrated on an advertising page of this issue.

The Eagle can opener illustrated here is an excellent and most convenient article. It is nickel-plated also with the tempered steel blade, and has a pivoted corkscrew attachment. The other illustration shows the Monarch tack-puller, nickel-plated, with claws of tempered steel. It pulls the tack straight, and is unrivaled for leverage power and general effectiveness. For prices, etc.. write to the manufacturers or to their branches at 97 Chambers street, New York, or 118 Lake street, Chicago.

more on the Browne

As mentioned yesterday, in 1908 patent #896,577 was awarded to C.W. Reynolds for a combination tool, and the patent was assigned to Browne and Dowd MFG. Co.

Yesterday, a deal was struck for an example of the Reynolds, that carries the 1892 patent date, the 1895 patent date, and the 1908 patent date.

Thanks for the deal Don!

For those of you that might be unaware, Don Bull is selling off Bert Giulian’s collection of American corkscrews.

There are some fantastic pieces still available, and should you want to check out the sale page, you can link to it here!

BROWNE & BENTON

On May 17, 1892, William G. Browne and John L. Benton were awarded patent # 475,222 for their “Can Opener.”

And, when this can opener turns up, as shown in the patent drawings, it is marked with the patent date and also with NEVER SLIP.

For those of you thinking, that the date rings a bell, it should, as W. G. Browne was awarded a patent in 1895 for another can opener; patent # 541,034

And, when that can opener turns up (with the addition of a fold out corkscrew) it is marked with both patent dates; for 1892 and for 1895, and is also marked KING.

A later version, maintains the 1895 patent date, but then adds a 1908 patent date; which is Reynold’s patent (#896,577) for a combination tool; also marked the KING, with the patent was assigned to Browne and Dowd MFG. Co.

The other day, I picked up yet another version, that predates the 1895 patent, and references the 1892 patent.

A departure from the NEVER SLIP form with leanings toward the 1895 Browne, it is marked PAT. MAY 17-92 AND PAT PEND’D.

And fortunately, includes corkscrew…

A fun addition to the collection.

“…the prettist looking and the most perfect articles of practical use.”

The other day, I ran across an interesting corkscrew, with its original box.

The label on the box, reads as follows:

THE CORK SCREW

UTILITY MODEL PATENT NO. 64,845

CORK SCREW MFC. T. S. & Co

It is u_______ cork Screw and

Opening of Crown Cork

as well the prettist

looking and most

perfect articles

of practical

use

Not sure if the corkscrew really is the prettist (sic), and I am also unsure of the word(s) that comes after “It is.”

Still, pretty cool to find the piece with its original packaging.

Also, it does have a utility model patent number. In looking at Bull’s book on Japanese patented corkscrews, you can find the patent drawing, which according to the image, is supposed to have a can opener hidden inside the handle.

I am guessing that attribute in the patent didn’t make it into production.

That said, I will certainly give the handle a twist when it arrives, just to be sure.

J.T. Haviland…

In his 1870 patent description, J.T. Haviland explains, “Be it known that I, John T. Haviland, of the city and county of San Francisco, state of California, have invented an Instrument for Removing Wire and Twine from Bottles; and I hereby declare the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, and to the letters marked thereon.”

This invention has for its object the production of an instrument for cutting wires and or twine by which corks are secured in champagne and other bottles…”

Interestingly, Haviland adds some detail for others that would produce the device, explaining: “To enable others skilled in the art and science to which it most nearly appertains to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe its  construction and operation.

A are the curved arms, provided with handles B.

C is the brush, and

D, the cutting-blades, each arm being hinged to the blade E

The blades D and E have serrated edges, but may be constructed with smooth beveled edges, if preferred.  The blade E may also be fixed to or form a part of one of the curved arms, or the instrument made b made with only one of the blades D.

It will be seen by reference to figs. 2 and 4, that the inner corners of the curved arms are beveld off toward the cutting-edges.

If desired, the curved arms A may be connected together by a single or double hinge without the pointed blade E.”

Of course, the most confusing part of the patent, is on the drawing, instead of “Device for Removing Wire or Twine from Bottles” it reads “Cork Screw.”

For years, I have been looking at that drawing that is present in the back of Fred O’Leary’s book on American corkscrews, and wondered.

First, how is that a corkscrew? And second, will I ever find one?

Having read through the patent, we may never know why the drawing reads “Cork Screw,” as it isn’t mentioned, but clearly we can understand the purpose of the invention.

And, the will I ever find one question….

Stay Tuned

House Clean-out

Over the last week, there have been some interesting corkscrew lots put up on eBay–with some fair buy it now prices.

I missed out on a couple of them, but one lot had a Von zur Gathen folding bell. Another, for reasons unknown was listed as something other than corkscrews, and contained a Tucker.

And, there were others; two different lots contained at least one corkscrew from Troy. And, the lot I picked up had both a Curley and a Hicks and Reynolds

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Converses, bottle roundlet, folding bows, it will be an interesting package to go through when it arrives.

Fun story, the seller explained that she got all of the corkscrews as part of a house clean-out she was hired to do.

If you have a house that needs cleaning out that contains a collection of antique corkscrews…

Drop me a line!

Aquos Distilled Water Company

From a 1916 issue of the Indianapolis Star.

Aquos Distilled Water is Used for a Wide Variety of Purposes

Distilled water answers a constantly increasing number of needs in the home, in commerce and in industry, according to the officers of the Aquos Distilled Water Company, 420-West St. Clair street.

Its popularity as a table water grows because of its unexcelled purity and the convenient form of bottles in which it is delivered.  It is an indispensable article in the sickroom, the nursery and the hospital.  It is very generally used for drinking purposes in offices and business buildings.

It serves many uses in commercial and industrial lines.  Druggists, manufacturing chemist and pharmaceutical homes must have it.  Storage battery companies use it.  It is a necessary part of the manufacture of mirrors and it enters into the plating of metals.

Useful In Industries

Photographers find distilled water preferable for a number of their operations and in other lines where the chemical properties of water given the perfection of processes the distilled kind is universally preferred.

“The Aquos Distilled Water Company is twelve years old.” Said I. C. Frush, president and general manager.  “Our business has grown rapidly, owing to the quality of our service and the growing appreciation of the value of distilled water for a variety of purposes.  Each year more families adopt Aquos water for table use, because of the assurance that they will be free from the diseases that may be introduced through water.

“Aquos distilled water is delivered to houses in cases of dozen half-gallon bottles, at a cost of 75 cents a dozen, with a rental charge of 50 cents for the bottles.  Within the ‘mile square’ downtown we maintain a cooler service for offices and buildings, icing the cooler daily and supplying five-gallon bottles of water as frequently as they are needed.  The charge for the cooler service is $2 a month, with ta charge of 50 cents for each five-gallon bottle of water.’

Ginger Ale in Demand.

“In addition to the distillation of water for domestic and commercial uses, our company manufactures Aquos ginger ale and a line of bottled sodas.  The ginger ale is one of our specialties and the growth of the demand for it shows, in our opinion, that it meets the most exacting judgement of what a palatable and beneficial ginger ale should be.  Too many persons have formed an impression of ginger ale as something biting and unpalatable, but they are familiar only with improper compounds which are ginger ale in name only.

“We claim for Aquos ginger ale that it is, “imported in quality, domestic in price,” and the growing preference for it sustains our contention.  It is mile, exceedingly pleasant to the taste, absolutely pure in ingredients, and really quenches the thirst.  It has a tonic quality that makes it an agreeable and beneficial beverage for some disorders of the stomach and alimentary tract.”

The Aquos company operates two stills.  Recently it installed a new bottle washing machine.

Recently, a hook cork puller made its way into the collection that carries an advertisement for both Aquos Distilled Water and Jason Mineral Water…

A neat addition to the collection!

Can opener, Tack Hammer, Screwdriver, and fold-out-lock-in-place corkscrew

The combination tool with corkscrew mentioned the other day arrived. And, it is a very cool addition to the collection.

When I first saw this piece, I knew it was unusual, and when I saw that it was marked PAT. PEND, I knew that I had to acquire it.

Of course, the next question, is, “Was this ever awarded a patent?”

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Sending images to a few fellow collectors, the responses have been; never seen it, cool, and unusual. And, of course the Toolman, followed up with a patent number where the drawing has some similarities. Thanks Bob!

Not sure if this is actually the Shaffer, but it certainly does have a similar look.

That said the hunt for the patent will continue.

Any thoughts?

Monfort…

On Apr. 29, 1890, Abram C. Monfort of Pawtucket, RI was awarded patent # 426,510 for his “Champagne or Mineral Tap.”

As the story goes, well over a decade ago, I was at Brimfield, and was traversing the fields, and I saw an unusual shaped champagne tap. The price wasn’t super high, but high enough that I balked, and left it behind. Just prior to the next field opening, I ran into Barry to ask him about this unusual champagne tap.

He responded with, you should have snapped that up, it is a rare American patent. Apparently BT, didn’t balk at the price, and I believe it made his best 6 that year. And, I kicked myself a little bit, for not trusting my instincts of seeing something that was unusual and pulling the trigger.

Several years later, II managed to acquire a Monfort, without balking at the price, and it resides in the collection.

That said, the other day, a pair of champagne taps were listed on eBay, and one of the shapes looked very familiar.

And, now a second Monfort is heading to the island.

Now, I don’t really need two, so if any of you need to add a Monfort to your collection, just let me know….