CHAPTER VII. 



VALVES AND STOPS. 



Self-acting valve tube. Pump valves. Chain pump valves. Faucet stops. Engine and bellows 

 valves. Bag clasp. Bag vise stop. Bag slide fastening. Corks. Phial and bottle corks. Ex- 

 pansive cork. Soda fount corks. Jar corks. Demijohn corks. Inflating corks. Improved 

 screw stopper. Improved valve stopper. 



The unalterable properties of heated or vulcanized gum- 

 elastic, as relates to heat and cold, and the numerous grades of 

 texture and solidity of the substances, between that of the softest 

 sponge and the hard vulcanized compound, would seem to render 

 it certain that some of them are admirably adapted for such 

 articles, and in particular those that are used under water, or in 

 liquids. 



The first use the writer ever made of gum-elastic, was of the 

 common article, for an improvement in faucets, in 1832. At 

 that time the goods did not answer the purpose. It remained 

 for a professional gentleman* to make a completely successful 

 application of vulcanized gum-elastic to this use. 



Some of the articles under this head have been fully tested, 

 and found to be useful ; others are under experiment, or being 

 tested, with every prospect of success. 



* Doct. Charles Steam, Springfield, Mass. 



