Improvements in Bottles, Devised to Prevent Fraudulent Refilling.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Apr., 1897-Accepted, 22nd May, 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Bottles, Devised to Prevent Fraudulent Refilling.
I PATRICK HENRY MCGRATH, of Cottage Street, Randolph, in the County of
Norfolk, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, United States of America,
Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to bottles devised to prevent refilling after the original
contents, or a portion thereof is removed, and the invention has for its particular
object the production of such a bottle, effective and simple and cheap in
construction.
The bottle is provided with a suitable valve in its neck, and a gravity_controller
for the valve is so arranged that when the bottle is canted or tipped, the effect of the
controller is increased instead of diminished, as is now usual, and when the bottle is
turned substantially upside-down the valve controller is inoperative.
To prevent refilling even partially, by the use of an air pump or similar device,
I have provided means operating in connection with the valve and valve controller
to positively and absolutely prevent refilling by such means or otherwise.
Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of the neck and upper portion of a bottle, with
my invention applied thereto.
Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing the bottle reversed to empty it, with the valve
controller inoperative.
Fig. 3 is a top or plan view of the valve controller.
Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the locking device for the valve, detached.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the valve carrier.
Fig. 6 in elevation represents the movable member of the locking device.
Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view of the neck and upper portion of the bottle
reversed, with the valve controller inoperative, and showing a float, and
Fig. 8 in section shows the position of the parts when the bottle is canted on its
sides, the float device shown in Fig. 7 being also herein illustrated.
The bottle A is provided with an internally tapered neck A' to about the point 2
to receive tightly a preferably cork bushing a, through which is extended a tubular
lining b, of glass, porcelain, or other similar material, the upper end of the tube
forming the valve seat b', a shoulder resting on the top of the bushing holding the
lining in place.
The valve is made preferably in two parts, in order that it may be constructed of
glass, porcelain, or the like, and consists of a support comprising an annular portion c,
slotted at c and provided with guiding prongs which enter the lining b.
I prefer to thread the annulus c exteriorly at cx, to engage the threaded interior of
the cup-like valve c³, the laterally extended annular base of which cooperates with
the valve seat ' as shown in Fig. 1.
The valve is normally held seated by a gravity controller comprising an elongated
heavy body d substantially pear shaped, annularly enlarged at its neck by a series of
fingers d', which rest on the inner end of the bushing when the bottle is turned upside
down, as in Fig. 2.
A link e having ball like ends e¹ and e², detachably connects the valve controller and
valve, by a ball and socket joint with each, the valve support having an internal
bearing shoulder c to engage the ball e', while a similar shoulder d² in the upper end
of a longitudinal bore d³ of the controller engages the ball e².

page_text: The balle is the smaller, and in assembling the parts the small end of the link
is passed through the controller and then sideways it is inserted through the slot c
into the part c of the support, after which the valve member c³ is screwed on and
the parts are securely connected, yet allowing pivotal movement of the link and
controller.
The upper end of the bore d³ is preferably outwardly bevelled, as at 4, to permit
free pivotal movement of the controller the construction described permitting all the
parts to be made of glass, porcelain, etcetera.
When it is desired to remove the contents of the bottle, the suitable removable
stopper S is withdrawn and the bottle turned nearly or quite upside down, so that the
fingers d¹ of the controller will rest on the bushing a, letting the force of the fluid
passing between the fingers open or push the valve c from its seat.
If the bottle is only slightly inclined the outer ends of some of the fingers will
impinge against the inner end of the bushing, and the part d of the controller wil
act as a lever fulcrumed at the point of contact of the fingers and bushing, so that
the controller is effective to seat the valve unless the bottle is inverted as in Fig. 2,
or inclined sufficiently to permit the force of the discharging contents to maintain the
valve open.
In Figs. 7 and 8 a float 82 is made use of to act upon and seat the valve by the
force of the entering liquid should it be attempted to refil the bottle, for the incoming
liquid will cause the float to press upon and scat the valve firmly.
In useing a float, however, it might be possible to refil, by means of an air pump,
but with my positively operated pneumatic lock for the valve, hereinafter described
and illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, it is impossible to refil should an air pump be
employed.
'
It may be stated that the air in the emptied bottle would prevent the entrance of
liquid therein, without artificial external pressure upon said liquid, and with such
pressure the valve would be closed.
By resorting to an air pump, however, to first exhaust the air in the bottle, and then
admitting liquid, it would fill the exhausted bottle, and this latter procedure I have
herein guarded against.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 4, I have shown a plug-like guard f having tortuous or
indirect exit passages f¹ therein for the fluid, said guard fitting tightly in the bottle neck
above the valve, and having as a part thereof an inwardly extended tubular portion ƒ²,
ending a short distance from the top of the valve member c³.
A cork 3 having an annularly flanged head is fitted snugly yet easily in the
inner end of the tube f2, with the flange resting against the end thereof, a vitreous
cap surrounding the exposed portion of the cork, which constitutes the movable
member of the locking device for the valve.
The upper end of the guard f is interiorly threaded at f³, and is open into the
tubular extension 2, see Fig. 1, the threaded portion receiving therein the corre-
spondingly threaded stem g' of a guard retainer 9 having liquid exit openings g².
A thread A is formed on the interior of the bottle neck, to engage the threaded
exterior of the retainer g, the latter having a socket g³ in its threaded exterior, see
Fig. 4, with a locking detent g therein, held normally across the path of the thread
by a springs of wood, cork, or other suitable material.
Now when the retainer is screwed into the bottle neck the detent g* will yield to
permit the leading end of the thread a* to pass, and will be thrown back into normal
position by its spring s, across the spiral path after the terminal or inner end of the
thread A passes, so that it is impossible to withdraw the retainer without fracturing
the bottle.
When the bottle is filled with its liquid the valve seat, valve and controller are
inserted in the bottle neck, and then the valve locking device, but before the retainer g
is screwed into the guard f a small quantity of liquid is poured into the tube 2 above
the movable member 73, after which the retainer is screwed into place and locked
permanently by the detent.
Supposing the bottle to have been emptied of all or of a part of its original contents, and

page_text: it is desired to refill it, the valve is only open when the bottle is inverted, and then
liquid cannot be introduced without exhausting the air from the bottle.
If recourse is had to an air exhausting device the equilibrium of pressure on the
inner and outer ends of the movable locking member is destroyed, and the
expansive force of the confined air in tube will force out said member f³ against
the valve member c³, positively seating the valve c and absolutely closing all
communication thereafter with the interior of the bottle.
The liquid h, Fig. 1 in the tubular extension f' of the guard acts to retain the
locking member f³ moist and prevent its shrinkage, so that the confined air cannot
escape even after many months, and the cap /* covering the normally exposed part of
the inember 3, prevents it from becoming dry.
If desired, some word, such as "Fraud" may be formed on the main part of the
member, see Fig. 6, normally concealed by the lower end of the tube, which
may be rendered opaque, as at 10, Fig. 4, if necessary, the word appearing in sight
when the locking member has moved into abnormal, locking position indicated by
dotted lines Fig. 1.
Anyone can then see at a glance that the bottle has been tampered with and its
unauthorized refilling attempted.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a non-refillable bottle, a valve in the neck thereof, a valve-seat for said valve,
a valve controller connected with the valve and arranged below said valve and its seat,
within the body of the bottle, said controller acting by gravity to retain the valve
closed when the bottle is upright or canted, and a pneumatic valve locking device,
to positively move the valve to and retain it upon its seat, substantially as
described.
2. In a non-refillable bottle, a valve in the neck thereof, a valve seat for said valve,
a valve controller connected with the valve and acting by gravity to retain the valve
closed when the bottle is upright or canted, and a normally inoperative valve locking
device, including a fixed tubular member and a movable member therein, to engage
and positively close the valve upon reduction of air pressure upon the exposed
external portion of the movable member, substantially as described.
3. In a non-refillable bottle, a valve seat in the lower part of the neck, a two part
valve to cooperate therewith, comprising a supporting member and a detachable valve
member, a valve controller consisting of a weighted body with the bottle and having
radially extended fingers at its upper end, and a link connected by a ball and socket
joint with said valve and the upper end of the weighted body respectively, whereby
when the bottle is canted the fingers retain the body out of contact with the bottle
side and operative to maintain the valve seated, substantially as described.
4. In a non-refillable bottle an annular valve in the neck thereof, a valve seat,
a valve controller connected by a ball and socket joint with the valve and arranged
below it and its seat within the body of the bottle, said controller closing the valve
when the bottle is upright or canted, and a valve locking device comprising a fixed
guard having a tubular extension, and a movable member held therein and adapted to
engage and seat the valve upon reduction of air pressure upon the exposed portion of
said member, substantially as described.
5. In a non-refillable bottle, an annular valve in the neck thereof, a valve seat, a
valve controller connected with the valve and acting by gravity to normally retain
the valve closed, a guard in the neck above the valve, having a liquid passage,
means to retain said guard in place, and a pneumatic locking device between said
valve and guard, operative upon reduction of external air pressure thereupon to
engage and positively close the valve, substantially as described.
6. In a non-refillable bottle, an annular valve in the neck thereof, a valve seat,
a valve controller connected with the valve and acting by gravity to normally
retain the valve closed, a guard in the neck above the valve, having a liquid

page_text: passage, a threaded retainer for the guard, to engage a thread in the bottle neck,
a detent to prevent removal of the retainer, and a locking device operative upon
reduction of external air pressure thereupon to positively close the valve, substantially
as described.
7. In a non-refillable bottle, an annular valve in the neck thereof, a valve seat,
a valve controller connected with the valve and acting by gravity to normally
retain the valve closed, a guard in the neck above the valve and having an air
chamber closed at its outer end, and a movable locking member closing the inner
end of said chamber, reduction of external pressure upon said member permitting the
air in said chamber to expand and force the locking member against and to close the
valve, substantially as described.
8. In a non-refillable bottle, a guard provided with a liquid exit, adapted to be
inserted in the bottle-neck, and having an air chamber, a retainer for said guard,
adapted to screw into the bottle neck and to close the outer end of the air chamber,
and a valve locking member inserted in and closing the inner end of said chamber,
reduction of external pressure upon said member permitting the air in the
chamber to expand and move said member into position to close the valve, substantially
as described.
9. In a non-refillable bottle, a valve within the neck thereof, a valve seat for
said valve, and a pneumatically controlled valve closer, adapted to operate upon
reduction of external air pressure thereupon, said valve closer having a normally
concealed warning, to indicate fraudulent manipulation when exposed in abnormal
position, substantially as described.
10. In a non-refillable bottle, a valve in the neck thereof, a valve seat for said
valve, and a valve controller flexibly connected with the valve and arranged below
the seat and valve and within the body of the bottle, and acting by gravity to
retain the valve closed when the bottle is upright or canted, and composed of a
heavy top, provided with an annular flange or enlargement which affords a fulcrum
against the valve seat support when the bottle is tilted sidewise, to ensure the closing
of the valve by the weight of the said controller, said controller being provided with
fluid passages in its flange or enlargement, substantially as described.
11. In a non-refillable bottle, a guard in the neck thereof, a valve seat and
support therefor also arranged in said neck and distant from the guard, a valve
applied to said seat, a float interposed between the guard and the said valve, and
a valve controller flexibly connected with the valve and arranged below the seat and
valve and within the body of the bottle, and acting by gravity to retain the valve
closed when the bottle is upright or canted, and composed of a heavy top having
an annular flange or enlargement projecting laterally, the said flange or enlargement
serving as a fulcrum against the valve seat support when the bottle is tilted side-
wise, to insure the closing of the valve by the weight of the said controller, said
controller and guard being provided with fluid passages, introduction of liquid while
the bottle is upside down pressing the valve upon its seat, substantially as
described.