IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR DRAWING OFF OR DECANTING FLUIDS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Aron Bernstein, of Friedenau, near Berlin, in the
Kingdom of Prussia, Physician, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR DRAWING OFF OR DECANTING FLUIDS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Aron Bernstein at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th January 1878.
ARON BERNSTEIN, of Friedenau, near Berlin, in the Kingdom of Prussia,
Physician. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR DRAWING OFF OR DECANTING
FLUIDS."
This Invention relates to improvements in apparatus for drawing off fluids for pro-
viding them with arrangements whereby the exact quantities or measures required
may be drawn off and automatically registered without any attention from the drawer;
it also relates to a special contrivance for guarding against explosion when drawing
off inflammable fluids.
This apparatus is intended to do away with the measuring out of liquids by
means of open hollow vessels, which need great care in the operation, as unsteadiness
and inattention, or accident in filling the measure and spilling the fluid when
pouring it through a funnel and the like, often results in considerable loss to the
purchaser or the seller, and becomes very dangerous when dealing with inflammable
articles, such as ether, spirits of wine, petroleum, benzoin, and others.
I will first describe the exterior form of the apparatus of my Invention. This
exterior form is shown in Figure 1 of the accompanying Sheet of Drawing. On a
curved support forming part of a stand or box, having within it certain contrivances
herein-after described, is placed a cask of any size or shape containing the fluid.
The connection between the cask and the apparatus may be either a tube or a
siphon, or any other communication leading direct into the main tube m of the
apparatus. The front of the stand has three handles a, b, c, which on the Drawing
form an angle of 45° to the left; each of these handles can be moved an equal

page_text: distance to the right, so that whether moved from left to right, or from right to left,
each handle may describe a circle of 90°.
When the apparatus is put in communication with the cask containing the fluid
the use of these handles is as follows:-If the handle a is moved to the right there
flows from the tube ra pint, and no more; if another pint is wanted it is only
necessary to move the handle back again to the left, and this is always the effect of
moving the handle a whether to the right or to the left. In the same way the
handle 6 causes a quart to issue from the tube each time it is moved, whether from
left to right, or from right to left, and the handle c causes a gallon to flow out.
When a handle is once shifted no watching or waiting is needed to see that only
the required quantity of the liquid flows out.
The seller may quietly go his way and serve other customers, being assured that
in good time he will find the vessel filled with the desired quantity, and the pur-
chaser will be certain that he gets just measure.
In dealing with inflammable fluids the additional contrivance represented at
Figure 5 is required. The vessel which is to receive the fluid must be closed with
the stopper P; through this stopper are two pipes, the large pipe p connected with
the pipe of ingress r, and a pipe of smaller diameter q which communicates by a
tube with the highest point of the cask.
When a handle is moved there is merely a change of place between the fluid and
the air contained in the vessel.
There is also to be seen at Figure 1 a dial plate which marks the quantity of
fluid taken from the cask.
I will now describe the interior construction of the apparatus of my Invention:-
The axles of the handles a, b, c, pass from the exterior to the interior of the
apparatus.
Figure 2 shows how this is arranged as regards axle a, and as all the others are
similarly arranged, excepting as regards the measuring vessels themselves, which
hold at a, 1 pint; at b, 1 quart; at c, 1 gallon; it will be sufficient if I describe the
arrangement in connection with one of the axles a. This axle (see Figure 2) carries
a toothed wheel g (see Fig. 3); around this wheel are arranged four pipes h, i, k, l,
each of these pipes being fitted with a tap, by means of which it can be closed or
opened, and each of these taps is in connection with a quadrant gearing into the
toothed wheel g, so that if the handle a be shifted either to the right or to the left,
all four taps are moved to an angle of 90°. These pipes are connected with each
other by pipes. The number 1 on each pipe represents the flowing in, the number 2
the flowing out of the liquid. Therefore h¹ is connected by pipes with i¹, h² with
1,2 with k¹, and 2 with 12. From the centre of these pipes issue other pipes m, n, o,
and p, the pipe me being in connection with the cask containing the fluid. The
pipe n is connected with a vessel for measuring, shown in the Drawing at ¹; and
representing 1 pint. The pipe o leads to the pipe r through which the fluid pours
out. The pipe p leads to a second vessel 2 which contains exactly the same quantity
as x¹
The four taps are so constructed that the handle which opens pipe i closes the
pipe h, and vice versa; if pipe & closes, pipe i opens. The saine thing occurs with
the other pipes each time the handle is shifted. Thus if h and k shut, i and l are
open if i and shut, h and k are open. Consequently if the pipe m is connected
with the cask the fluid has ingress into one of the measuring vessels, but no egress,
because when i is open ¹ remains closed. As regards the second vessel, although 12
is open and connected with the outlet, still no fluid can pour out because the con-
nection with the cask is closed up through h'. But when the handle is shifted the
situation is changed, the ingress to the measuring vessel a being closed, and the
egress opened. The liquor in the measuring vessel x¹ can then flow out, but only
the exact quantity that it contains, and while this is taking place the condition of
the second measuring vessel 2 has also changed, that is to say, it has been filling,
while was emptying, and when this filling is complete, by again shifting the
handle the same effect is repeated, and so on.

page_text: To ensure greater accuracy the pipes h and i are somewhat larger than the pipes k
and ; each measuring vessel therefore fills quicker than the other empties.
I will now describe the construction of the measuring vessels :-They are closed
at the top, which is slightly curved, and to the highest point of which a small pipe
is fastened (Figure 3). Through this the air can escape. Instead of this arrange-
ment a floating valve may be used, as shown in Fig. 4. Two small pipes lead
from the top of the vessel to a small valve box v which contains a light hollow ball.
When the vessel is full the ball presses against a small valve, through which the air
can pass in and out, and the weight of which, together with the pressure of air, pre-
vents adhesion when the vessel is filled up to the top; the valve is closed by the ball,
and the liquid cannot flow out.
On the lid of the measuring vessel there is a screw stopper u by which the volume
of vessel can be regulated.
When the cask is almost empty it may happen that one measure more may flow
out, but still there may not be liquid enough to fill the other vessel. To make this
easy to be ascertained and to ensure the purchaser's getting full measure under any
circumstances, I use the following small contrivance :-
The valve (Figure 4) which closes up the opening when the vessel is full has a small
pin pointing outwards. When the valve rises, the pin raises a little tablet, moving
on a delicate hinge, this tablet falling down when pressed upon by the pin. On the
tablet is inscribed how much the measuring vessel contains. As soon as the small
tablet rises buyer and seller know that the measure is full and contains exactly
the right quantity which ought to be in it.
All that I have above set forth in reference to two measuring vessels holds good
for the other handles with their measuring vessels.
All the ingress pipes are united to ono single pipe, which is connected with the
cask; all the egress pipes are likewise united to one pipe, under which the vessel is
placed, into which the liquid has to run, so that the use of a transportable measure
is unnecessary, and inflammable spirituous liquors are in no danger of being set
alight.
One portion of the apparatus is a dial on which is noted the number of measures
drawn from the cask. The construction of this reckoning dial is given in Figure 6.
Between the three handles a ratchet wheel S is placed. A small toothed wheel is
fastened to the axle of each handle, and two racks gear into each of these wheels.
These racks are formed at their end into catches which drive the ratchet wheel S.
On the handle a, from which a pint runs, the toothed wheel is but small.
If the handle is moved from left to right the rod z¹ with its catch goes forward,
slipping over one tooth of the wheel S, while the rod e² goes back, and by means of
the catch turns the wheel S one tooth. If the handle is made to move in the
opposite direction then the catch 23 advances to the extent of one tooth of the
wheel S, but without moving it, whilst z¹ goes back and moves the wheel one
tooth. The effect of this arrangement is that whether the handle is moved from
right to left, or from left to right, the wheel always moves one tooth in the same
direction.
The handle b, from which a quart runs, will cause the wheel S to turn to the
extent of two teeth, whilst the handle is moved in either direction. And the handle c
from which a gallon runs, will cause the wheel S to turn to the extent of eight
teeth if moved the same way.
To the spindle of the wheel S is secured a hand or index, which moves round a
circular plate with ciphers marked upon it. This hand or pointer indicates the
quantity of fluid drawn from the cask.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Aron Bernstein in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 10th July
1878.
ARON BERNSTEIN, of Friedenau, near Berlin, in the Kingdom of Prussia,
Physician. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR DRAWING OFF OR DECANTING
FLUIDS."
This Invention relates to improvements in apparatus for drawing off fluids, for
providing them with arrangements whereby the exact quantities or measures
required may be drawn off and automatically registered without any attention from
the drawer; it also relates to a special contrivance for guarding against explosion
when drawing off inflammable fluids, and to apparatus for preventing the fraud
upon customers of not completely emptying the measures.
This apparatus is intended to do away with the measuring out of liquids by
means of open hollow vessels, which need great care in the operation, as un-
steadiness and inattention or accident in filling the measure and spilling the fluid
when pouring it through a funnel and the like, often results in considerable loss to
the purchaser or the seller, and becomes very dangerous when dealing with in-
flammable articles, such as ether, spirits of wine, petroleum, benzoin, and others.
My improvements are illustrated on the accompanying Sheet of Drawing, upon
which,―
Figure 1 represents a front elevation of an apparatus embodying my Invention.
Figure 2 represents a transverse vertical section of same; Figure 3 represents a
front elevation of a part of the same apparatus detached and drawn to a larger scale
than Figures 1 and 2.
Figure 4 represents a vertical section of a modification of part of the apparatus
detached, and also drawn to a larger scale than Figures 1 and 2.
Figure 5 represents an accessory part of the Invention for the purpose of guarding
against explosion in the case of inflammable material.
Figure 6 represents a front elevation of another part of the same apparatus
detached; and Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10, show various inodifications.
I will first describe the exterior form of the apparatus of my Invention; this
exterior form is shown in Figure 1. On a curved support forming part of a stand
or box having within certain contrivances herein-after described is placed a cask of
any size or shape containing the fluid. The connection between the cask and the
apparatus may be either a tube or a siphon, or any other cominunication leading
direct into the main tube m of the apparatus. The front of the stand has three
handles a, b, c, which on the drawing form an angle of 45° to the left, each of these
handles can be moved an equal distance to the right, so that whether removed
from left to right, or from right to left, each handle may describe an arc of 90°.
When the apparatus is put in communication with the cask containing the fluid,
the use of these handles is as follows:-If the handle a is moved to the right, there
flows from the tube a pint and no more; if another pint is wanted, it is only
necessary to move the handle back again to the left, and this is always the effect of
moving the handle a whether to the right or to the left. In the same way
the handle b causes a quart to issue from the tube, each time it is moved whether
from left to right, or from right to left, and the handle c causes a gallon to
flow out.
When a handle is once shifted, no watching or waiting is needed to see that
only the required quantity of the liquid flows out.
The seller may quietly go his way and serve other customers, being assured that in
good time he will find the vessel filled with the desired quantity, and the purchaser
will be certain that he gets just measure.
In dealing with the inflammable fluids the additional contrivance represented at
Figure 5 is required. The vessel which is to receive the fluid must be closed with
the stopper P; through this stopper are two pipes, the pipe p connected with the

page_text: pipe of giess 7, and & pipe
with the highest point of the cask.
When a handle is moved there is merely a change of place betwen the fluid and
the air contained in the vessel.
There is also to be seen at Figure 1 a dial plate which marks the quantity of
fluid taken from the cask.
I will now describe the interior construction of the apparatus of my Invention.
The axles of the handles a, b, c, pass from the exterior to the interior of the
apparatus.
Figure 2 shows how this is arranged as regards axle a, and as all the others are
similarly arranged, excepting as regards the measuring vessels themselves which
hold at a 1 pint, at 61 quart, at c 1 gallon; it will be sufficient if I describe the
arrangement in connection with one of the axles a. This axle (see Figure 2) carries
a toothed wheel g (see Figure 3); around this wheel are arranged four pipes h, i, k, l,
each of these pipes being fitted with a tap by means of which it can be closed or
opened, and each of these taps is in connection with a quadrant gearing into the
toothed wheel g, that if the handle a be shifted either to the right or to the left, all
four taps are moved to an angle of 90°. These pipes are connected with each other
by pipes. The number 1 on each pipe represents the flowing in, the number 2 the
flowing out of the liquid; therefore his connected by pipes with i¹, h³ with 11, 2ª
with k¹, and, with 2. From the centre of these pipes issue other pipes m, n, o,
and p, the pipe m being in connection with the cask containing the fluid. The
pipe n is connected with a vessel for measuring, shown in the Drawings at x¹, and
representing 1 pint. The pipe o leads to the pipe r through which the fluid pours
out; the pipe p leads to a second vessel 2 which contains exactly the same
quantity as x¹.
The four taps are so constructed that the handle which opens pipe i closes the
pipe h, and vice versa; if pipe h closes, pipe i opens. The same thing occurs with
the other pipes each time the handle is shifted; thus, if and shut, i and laro
open; if i and shut, h and k are open; consequently, if the pipe m is connected
with the cask A, the fluid has ingress into one of the measuring vessels, but no
egress, because when i is open ¹ remains closed. As regards the second vessel,
although 2 is open and connected with the outlet, still no fluid can pour out, because
the connection with the cask is closed up through h'; but when the handle is shifted
the situation is changed, the ingress to the measuring vessel x¹ being closed and
egress opened. The liquor in the measuring vessel ¹ can then flow out, but only
the exact quantity that it contains; and while this is taking place the condition
of the second measuring vessel x2 has also changed, that is to say, it has been filling
while was emptying, and when this filling is complete by again shifting the
handle, the same effect is repeated, and so on.
To ensure greater accuracy the pipes h and i are somewhat larger than the pipes
k and I, each measuring vessel therefore fills quicker than the other empties.
I will now describe the construction of the measuring vessels; they are closed
at the top, which is slightly curved, and to the highest point of which a small pipe
is fastened (Figure 3); through this the air can escape.
Instead of this arrangement a floating valve may be used, as shown in Figure 4.
Two small pipes lead from the top of the vessel to a small valve box which
contains a light hollow ball. When the vessel is full the ball presses against a
small valve, through which the air can pass in and out, and the weight of which
together with the pressure of air prevents adhesion. When the vessel is filled up
to the top the valve is closed by the ball, and the liquid cannot flow out.
On the lid of the measuring vessel there is a screw stopper u, by which the
volume of vessel can be regulated.
When the cask is almost empty, it may happen that one measure more may
flow out, but still there may not be liquid enough to fill the other vessel. To make
this easy to be ascertained, and to ensure the purchasers getting full measure under
any circumstances, I use the following small contrivance :-

page_text: The valve (Figure 4) which closes up the opening when the vessel is full, has a
small pin pointing outwards. When the valve rises, the pin raises a little tablet
moving on a delicate hinge, this tablet falling down, when pressed upon by the pin.
On the tablet is inscribed how much the measuring vessel contains.
As soon as
the small tablet rises, buyer and seller know that the measure is full, and contains
exactly the right quantity which ought to be in it.
All that I have above set forth in reference to two measuring vessels, holds good
for the other handles with their measuring vessels.
All the ingress pipes are united to one single pipe, which is connected with the
cask; all the egress pipes are likewise united to one pipe under which the vessel is
placed, into which the liquid has to run, so that the use of a transportable measure
is unnecessary, and inflammable spirituous liquors are in no danger of being set
alight.
One portion of the apparatus is a dial on which is noted the number of measures
drawn from the cask. The construction of this reckoning dial is given in Figure 6.
Between the three handles a ratchet wheel S is placed. A small toothed wheel is
fastened to the axle of each handle, and two racks gear into each of these wheels.
These racks are formed at their ends into catches, which drive the ratchet wheel S.
On the handle a, from which a pint runs, the toothed wheel is but small. If the
handle is moved from left to right, the rod z¹ with its catch goes forward, slipping
over one tooth of the wheel S, while the rod 23 goes back, and by means of its catch
turns the wheel S one tooth.
If the handle is made to move in the opposite direction, then the catch z² ad-
vances to the extent of one tooth of the wheel S, but without moving it, whilst z¹
goes back and moves the wheel one tooth; the effect of this-arrangement is, that
whether the handle is moved from right to left or from left to right, the wheel
always moves one tooth in the same direction.
The handle b, from which a quart runs, will cause the wheel S to turn to the
extent of two teeth, whilst the handle is moved in either direction; and the handle
c, from which a gallon runs, will cause the wheel S to turn to the extent of eight
teeth if moved in the same way.
To the spindle of the whee! S is secured a hand or index which moves round a
circular plate, with ciphers marked upon it. This hand or pointer indicates the
quantity of fluid drawn from the cask.
In the sale of liquids fraud is frequently practised by not completely emptying
the measures. By means of the apparatus which I will now proceed to describe, a
fraud of this nature is very easily found out. When the cranked handle is not
brought down to the utmost limit, and is drawn back too soon before the measures
in the apparatus are entirely empty, it becomes fixed at a certain point. In order
to prove to the purchaser that the cranked handle has been turned to fully 45
degrees, and has remained in that position a sufficient length of time to allow of the
corresponding measures to become quite empty, I have designed two new arrange-
ments.
These arrangements are as follows:-The crank handle a, Figures 7 and 8, is pro-
vided with a feathering stud at b, which slides on a bow c, which has ratchet teeth,
and prevents the movement when it has once taken place past the fixed point out-
wards from returning back again, unless the crank handle has been moved to fully
45 degrees. When that has taken place, the feathering stud sinks down at d, and
thereafter lies under the bow c. The crank handle can now again be laid towards
the other side; the under side of the bow c is however also furnished with ratchet
teeth pointing in a contrary direction, so that the crank handle must again perform
the whole of its travel, and cannot be laid back before completing the same.
that the crank handle shall thereby be held fixed at the end points of its travel,
until the corresponding measures shall have been emptied, I make use of the follow-
ing arrangement :-
But
In the outflow, Figures 7 and 8, there is a plate h, which at its highest point
turns on an axis, moving outwards at both sides. At the ends of this axis fand 9,

page_text: are two arms m and n, so connected as to move with the plate h. In Figure 7
only the arm m is seen, as n is covered by the outflow pipe. In m and n are fixed
studs o and o¹, which are raised up when the plate h is moved by the liquid from
its vertical to an oblique position. For the purpose of regulating this action, there
is at p (Figure 7) a small adjustable counterweight.
The feather of the studs o and o' moves with the least possible friction through
the position q and q¹, and both of the studs rise upwards in consequence of the
movement of h, in such manner that they remain in front of the feathering stud b,
so long as the liquid is not fully emptied out, and they thereby prevent the crank
handle being moved back. By this means every vendor is obliged, firstly, to lay
back the crank handle to full 45 degrees; and secondly, to wait for the return move-
ment of the same until the measuring vessels are empty, and the plate h, and with
this the studs o' and o have moved downwards.
A second modification in in the cock itself is shewn at Figure 9. The cock a is a
double four-way cock, and allows of the in and out flow of a liquid out of two
separate measures at the same time. This arrangement has the advantage of
allowing the contents of two vessels to be measured at the same time, for the sum
of which two there is no legal standard measure in existence. Therefore, for
example, in accordance with the law of the German Empire, there is no standard
measure for 0.3 litre and 0.4 litre, so that when it is required to measure 0.3 or 0.4
litre, two measures must be used of 0.1 and 0.2 litre respectively, as only 0.1, 0.2,
and 0.5, &c., are standard measures.
By means of my arrangement of the double four-way cock, I can in fact draw
out the contents of two standard measures of 0.1 and 0.2 litre out of the tubes b and
c, at the same time by which I get 0.3 litre. In the same manner I get 0.4 litre
by means of this arrangement, when I vend two measures of 0.2 litre instead of one
measure of 0-4 litre.
A third modification is as follows:-In the apparatus first above described a
floating valve is brought into operation, which works thus,-A ball floats on the
surface of the in-flowing liquid, rises with the same, and presses against a valve.
This valve should sink down by its own weight, and the pressure of the air when
the liquid flows out of the measure; but it will frequently happen that the valve
adheres very firmly to the upper side of the vessel, and that the weight of the
valve and pressure of the air is insufficient to press the valve down quick enough.
To avoid this disadvantage I have made the improvement shewn at Figure 10.
The studs a, a, are fixed to the crank spindle parallel with the crauk handle, which
studs have each the part b at the end. A rod c, c¹, adjustable in an upward and
downward direction, is placed in the bearings d, d. The upper and lower end of
the rod is bent to an angle of 90 degrees to the right and left hand, so that the
parts e and f project. Now when the crank handle moves from left to right the
part b of the stud a presses on the part of the rod c, c¹, shortly before the end of the
travel of the crank handle upon which the rod sinks down, and with it the part e,
which then presses on a stud g, this latter being attached to the clack valve by which
it is opened. A feather h again presses the rod c, c, upwards, and when the
measuring vessel is again empty, that is to say, when the crank handle is moved
in the contrary direction the valve can close itself again, and the before-mentioned
operation is performed on the other side in a precisely similar manner.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is or may be performed, what I claim as of my Invention, and
secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is,-
Firstly. The handle a, with its axle and toothed wheel g, constructed as described
in combination with the pipes h, i, k, l, n, o, p, and measuring vessels x¹, x², con-
structed, arranged, and operating substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Secondly. The handles a, b, c, with their pipes h, i, k, l, n, o, p, constructed as
described, in combination with the pipes m and r, constructed, arranged, and
working substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Thirdly. The measuring vessels ¹, x², constructed as described, in combination

page_text: with the screw u and valve v, constructed, arranged, and operating substantially as
and for the purposes set forth.
Fourthly. The handles a, b, c, with their axles and toothed wheels constructed as
described, in combination with the racks and catches 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 20, and toothed
wheel S, with index and dial, constructed, arranged, and operating substantially as
described and for the purposes specified.
Fifthly. The stopper P, constructed as described, in combination with the pipes p
and q, constructed, arranged, and operating substantially as described, and for the
purposes specified.
Sixthly. The double four-way cock, which empties several measures at the same
time, substantially as above set forth.
Seventhly. The arrangement of the bow with ratchet teeth, in which the
feathering stud at every operation, whether upwards or downwards, so works as to
insure its proper return movement, substantially as above described.
Eighthly. The arrangement of the plate e, which is moved by the pressure of the
liquid, and in conjunction with the studs in connection therewith, prevents the
backward movement of the crank handle before the complete outflow of the liquid,
substantially as above described.
And, Ninthly. The arrangement for the prevention of the adhesion of the floating
valve, substantially as above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Aron Bernstein, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-eighth day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight
DRONSTEINT
ARON BERNSTEIN
(97)