E. K. Gregory, Buckley Aerated Waters, Codds style bottle"

Aerated Water Works, Chester Road, Buckley

1900

The following are two documents; one is an article on the "Codds" bottle and the other a letter from Harold Gregory to Herbert Lewis on the subject of the article.

See 1.333 under Harold G. Gregory for a more detailed article: "The "Pop" Alley Bottle and the "Pop" cart in the Buckley Society Magazine Issue One, July 1970

ARTICLE TEXT

Extract from "Soft Drinks Trade Journal" Vol.22.No.8. August 1968. Page 571.

Historical note.

The "Pop Alley" Bottle

by Harold Gregory

Many of the over 40's will look back with pleasant memories of the pop alley bottle. How well we remember our early efforts to sup out of the bottle and how, when held in the wrong position, the marble would get in the way and prevent us from having a good drink.

This most interesting bottle was used solely in the mineral water trade. It was an internally-stoppered bottle introduced around 1870's. The invention of Hiram Codd, its formal title was "Codds patent bottle".

The bottle was so constructed to give two inner ledges which held a clear glass marble or ball suspended above the mineral water. Slightly above these ledges were indentations in the glass which prevented the marble from obstructing the even flow of the liquid on pouring.

In the neck of the bottle a rubber ring was inserted, the marble being forced upwards against it by internal pressure of the liquid to form a gas and liquid tight seal. To open the bottle it was necessary only to push down the marble stopper which rolled smoothly into the indents in the glass and out of the way of the liquid being poured.

To facilitate easy opening a special opener was used comprising a wooden cap with inside peg or dowel which on being fitted to the top of the bottle and pressed, pushed the marble down. There was a similar opener for fitting to the shop counter.

In filling, the main difference between the "Codds" bottle and other types was that at the last stage the bottle had to be upside down to allow the stopper to seal effectively.

A simple "Codds" bottling machine was the "Hand Turnover". In this the empty bottle was placed neck downwards against a rubber coned joint and clamped into position by a spring loaded handle which was then pulled over. This action operated a pump which supplied the requisite quantity of syrup for flavoured goods and also opened a valve, partly filling the bottle with soda water. By momentarily releasing the atmospheric air was allowed to escape and filling continued until complete as observed through a protective gauze. Then the handle was turned back, lifted against the spring and the bottle taken out.

During the fifty years or so that the Codds bottle was in popular favour there is no doubt that the filling machines used for this type of bottle attained a high degree of efficiency.

The bottle was made by being moulded in two parts. First the body was blown including the ledges and indents. When this had cooled the marble was inserted and the neck reheated for the top cap, previously heated, to be sealed on by a special instrument not unlike a pair of tongs. This smoothed round the joint, and, on being pressed, lugs protruded and made the internal shoulder for the rubber ring.

The great drawback of the Codds bottle was that it was difficult to clean, costly to make and liable to be broken by young customers for the sake of the glass marble stopper.

Illustration. (from photo) 2 1/2 X 2 1/2 of Codds glass stoppered bottles on 5 oz and 10 oz size and opener.

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LETTER TEXT

Cold Arbour House

Buckley

Flintshire

Postal Code. CH7 3AH

August 24th 1968

Dear Mr Lewis

You recall many years ago you most kindly and skilfully made some prints and took a photograph of a 5oz. and 10oz. "Codds" type Marble Bottle complete with opener.

You will be pleased to hear the my own literary efforts in respect of the "Pop Alley Bottle" have paid a small dividend of £2.2.0. on the publication of a short article of approximately 500 words together with a photograph in the "Soft Drink Trade Journal" for the month of August.

I enclose an extract of this article, but I do feel that a lot of the credit is due to you for the very fine photograph, as without the photograph I doubt whether it would have been published.

I should like to reimburse you for the trouble you have taken, and if you would permit, should be pleased to credit the £2.2.0.

Some of the photographs of the "Codds" bottles have been on display during the past few months at a photograph, postcard etc. exhibition at the County Record Office Hawarden.

I still obtain a great deal of pleasure in archaeological pursuits, and it is truly amazing how much enjoyment there is to be found in old bottles, old bricks, etc.

I trust you all had an enjoyable holiday, and please do excuse me typing this letter, and not calling, as I am very much tied down due to domestic reasons.

With all best wishes, kindly regards, and many thanks.

I remain

Yours Sincerely

Harold G. Gregory

Mr Herbert Lewis

Lane End

Buckley

Cold Harbour House is now (2003) Willowdale Nursing Home.

Author: Gregory, Harold G

E. K. Gregory, Buckley Aerated Waters, Codds style bottle"

Aerated Water Works, Chester Road, Buckley

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