Patent GB-189710465-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Devices for Preventing the Fraudulent Re-use of Bottles and similar Receptacles.
Inventor: SCHUMACHER JOHN
Filed: 1897-04-27
Granted: 1897-09-18
Abstract: 10,465. Schumacher, J. April 27. Stoppers; refilling, preventing.-Relates to means for preventing the fraudulent refilling or re-use of bottles and similar receptacles. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 2, a wood ring 7 is fixed in the mouth of the bottle &c. by means of the spring ring 3, which is mounted in the recess 2 in the neck and engages in notches in the metal cap 5. A frangible shell 10 is attached to the ring 7, and within this shell is mounted a cylinder A, B, which is divided into two compartments, as shown, by the partition 23. This partition is formed with an aperture normally closed by the valve 25. The compartment A is primarily filled with sand 22, against which the plate or follower 20 is pressed by the spring 21. To the lower end of the cylinder A is attached a barrel 17, around which is wound a tightly-coiled spring 27, this spring being held in position by the trigger 26, which is locked by the hollow stem 18 of the follower 20. The bottle &c. is normally closed by the internal stopper 12 affixed to the cylinder B, and the stem 31 of the valve 25 is attached to the flanged tube 34, mounted within the cylinder 10, so that, when the stopper 12 is forced in to open the bottle &c., the valve 25 is also opened. In emptying the vessel, the sand flows from the compartment A into the compartment B, and the follower 20 is pushed after it by the spring 21, the quantity of sand being proportioned so that, when the vessel is emptied, the stem 18 releases the trigger 26 and frees the spring 27, which in expanding shatters the shell 10. The shell bears an inscription, such as "Genuine," and when broken, exposes a contrary inscription, such as "Not Genuine," on one of the inner cylinders. A rubber disc valve 37, which is mounted on a coiled spring and attached to the flanged tube 34, is normally folded up into pleats, as shown, and held in this position by a paper band. When the shell 10 is broken, the paper becomes moistened and breaks, and the valve, being released, expands and closes the neck of the vessel. A quantity of colouring-matter &c, 39 is placed in the shell 10, below the valve 37, to destroy the value of any liquid remaining in the vessel when the shell is broken. In a modification, the liberation of the spring 27 releases a valve which closes the entrance to the vessel. In another modification, the spring discharges a projectile which breaks the shell 10 and also the vessel. In a further modification, the spring 27 is omitted, and the follower stem 18 is provided with a valve which ultimately closes the neck of the vessel. In the arrangement shown, in Fig. 23, the vessel is provided with a hollow float valve 321, within which are mounted two spring arms 68 and a coiled spring 271. The arms 68 are normally held apart by the drill 70, the point of which bears against the diaphragm 70<a> of mica &c. in one of the arms, and which is connected by the crank arm 74 and link 75 to the fixed rod 64. In the operation of pouring liquid from (or into) the vessel, the valve 321 reciprocates between the seats 60, 61, and operates the drill 70. When the predetermined quantity of liquid has passed through the valve chamber, either by emptying, or by partially emptying and re-filling, the drill perforates the diaphragm 70<a> and releases the arms 68, so freeing the spring 271, which then finally forces the valve against its seat 61. Further modifications in details of the invention are described.