IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED IN FILLING BOTTLES OR VESSELS WITH AËRATED, OR GASEOUS, OR OTHER LIQUIDS." PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred May Davis, of Esher Street, in the City of
Westminster, Aërated Water Manufacturer, and Harry des Forges, of the said
Esher Street, Foreman, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
USED IN FILLING BOTTLES OR VESSELS WITH AËRATED, OR GASEOUS, OR
OTHER LIQUIDS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred May Davis and
Harry des Forges at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
26th September 1881.
ALFRED MAY DAVIS, of Esher Street, in the City of Westminster, Aërated Water
Manufacturer, and HARRY DES FORGES, of the said Esher Street, Foreman.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED IN FILLING BOTTLES OR VESSELS WITH
AERATED, OR GASEOUS, OR OTHER LIQUIDS."
The apparatus, according to our improvements, is for filling bottles or other
vessels with aerated, or gaseous, or other liquids by admitting them at or near the
bottom instead of the top or mouth of the bottle.
Such apparatus will also charge bottles or other vessels with compressed gas
or air to the desired pressure before filling them with aerated or gaseous liquids.
An arrangement of the apparatus as employed by us is constructed as follows:-
A pipe leading from a cylinder charged with aerated or gaseous water or other
liquid is passed through a wooden post or metal or other standard securely fixed.
To the protruding end of this pipe is attached a strong metal cock. On the outlet
end or nozzle of this cock is fixed an india rubber or other suitable nipple or
projection, by preference cone-shaped, the end of which is of a size to fit into or
close the neck of the bottle. A movable tube open at the end is passed through the
centre of the cock and nipple. The upper end of this tube and a rod connected
with it passes through a stuffing box or airtight chamber, the tube itself being also
enclosed in an air tight chamber extending to the nipple. To the rod is attached

page_text: a lever and handle, by which the tube can be pushed down and drawn up. Near
the top of the tube a hole is drilled. Immediately above the cone referred to two
pipes are introduced to the passage of the tube at convenient distances apart, say,
from one to two inches. The upper of these two pipes leads to the upper or
gaseous portion of the charged cylinder or to an air pump or receiver of an air
pump. The lower pipe is connected with the lower portion of the charged cylinder,
that part which contains the aerated water or liquid that it is proposed to bottle.
Both pipes are closed by valves. A third hole in the passage of the tube connects
with an escape valve. Slots or grooves are made in the exterior of the tube itself
to allow of the passage of air or gas into the chamber containing the tube, and
thence to an escape valve.
The bottle to be filled is now held firmly on the nipple. On pulling down the
handle carbonic acid gas or air under pressure, as may be arranged, is admitted to
the bottle by pressing down a valve when the hole in the tube is opposite that in
the chamber leading from the air pump or upper part of the cylinder. The
adjustable valve may be set to admit any pressure of air or gas that may be at
command into the bottle, or the admitted air or gas will pass out through the
escape valve, leaving a pressure in the bottle in accordance with the setting of the
adjustable escape valve, or the whole may be retained in the bottle.
On pushing the tube lower down, tho hole in it is brought opposite to the pipe
containing the aerated waters. The valve in this pipe is now pressed open and
the water rushes in. When the water ceases to enter-the-bottle in-consequenco-of-
-the-pressure.of_the_air_or_gas_in the upper_part_of_the_bottle_the_escape valve is
lifted to admit of the bottle being filled to the required height. The bottle is then
removed from the nipple and corked.
For bottling still liquids the nozzle or outlet of the tap is lengthened into a tube
sufficiently long to reach the bottom of the bottles to be filled. The tube is passed
to the bottom of the bottle, and the wine, beer, or other liquid afterwards turned
on into the bottle.
Bottles which are closed externally by any stopper or cork are filled and stopped
in the way above described. Those closed internally by pressure of the gas on the
stopper after filling them are by this Invention filled in an upright position; the
bottle is then reversed, and on the tube being withdrawn while the bottle is in this
position the stopper follows it to its seat. ¡

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Alfred May Davis and Harry des Forges in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 25th March 1882.
ALFRED MAY DAVIS, of Esher Strect, in the City of Westminster, Aërated Water
Manufacturer, and HARRY DES FORGES, of the said Esher Street, Foreman.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED IN FILLING BOTTLES OR VESSELS WITH
AERATED, OR GASEOUS, OR OTHER LIQUIDS."
The apparatus, according to our improvements, is for filling bottles or other
vessels with aerated or gaseous or other liquids by admitting them at or near the
bottom instead of the top or mouth of the bottle.
Such apparatus also charges bottles or other vessels with compressed gas or air
to the desired pressure before filling them with aerated or gaseous liquids.
An arrangement of the apparatus as employed by us is constructed as follows:-
A pipe leading from a cylinder charged with aerated or gascous water or other
liquid is passed through a wooden post or metal or other standard securely fixed.
To the protuding end of this pipe is attached a strong metal cock. On the outlet,
end or nozzle of this cock is fixed an india rubber or other suitable nipplo or
projection, by preference cone shaped, the end of which is of a size to fit into or
close the neck of the bottle. A moveable tube open at the end is passed through
the centre of the cock and nipple.
The upper end of this tube and a rod connected with it acting as a driver also
pass through a stuffing box or air tight chamber extending to the nipple. To the
rod is attached a lever and handle by which the tube can be pushed down and
drawn up; near the top of the tube a hole is drilled. Immediately above the cone
referred to, two pipes are introduced to the passage of the tube at convenient
distances apart.
The upper of these two pipes leads to the upper or gaseous portion of the charged
cylinder or to an air pump or receiver of an air pump.
The lower pipe is connected with the lower portion of the charged cylinder, that
part which contains the aerated water or liquid that it is proposed to bottle. Both
pipes are closed by valves. A third hole in the passage of the tube connects with
an escape valve. Slots or grooves are made in the barrel to allow of the passage
of air or gas into the chamber containing the tube and thence to the escape
valve.
In order to provide for filling bottles of different sizes or lengths, a slot is cut in
the interior of the barrel, as shown at D, Figure 3, by means of which cominuni-
cation is made with the hole in the tube when a short distance only down in the
barrel.
A shifting piece on the driver of the tube or a pin inserted through the quadrant
or lever into or through the driver of the tube provides for pressure on the valves
when the the tube is down to any of the required lengths.
The bottle to be filled is now held firmly on the nipple. On pulling down the
handle carbonic acid gas or air under pressure, as may be arranged, is admitted to
the bottle by pressing a valve when the hole in the tube is open to the chamber in
the barrel, which admits it to the tube by the pipe from the air pump or receiver
or upper part of the cylinder.
On pushing the tube or driver of the tube lower down, the valve which admits
the compressed gas or air closes, and tire valve is opened connected with the pipe
leading from the cylinder containing the aerated liquid, which immediately rushes
in. When the water ceases to enter the bottle in consequence of the pressure of the

page_text: filled to the required height.
The bottle is then removed from the nipple and corked.
Bottles which are closed externally by any stopper or cork are filled and stopped
in the way above described.
Those closed internally by pressure of the gas on the stopper after filling them
are by this Invention filled in an upright position, the bottle is then reversed, and
on the tube being withdrawn while the bottle is in this position the stopper follows
it to its seat.
For bottling still liquids the nozzle or outlet of the tap is lengthened into a tube
sufficiently long to reach the bottom of the bottles to be filled. The tube is passed
to the bottom of the bottle and the wine, beer, or other liquid afterwards turned on
into the bottle.
But that the Invention may be the better understood we will by the aid of
the accompanying Drawings proceed to describe the same.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, Shoot 1, represent front and side views of the machine for
what is known as knee or nipple bottling, with a section and end view on a larger
scale at Figures 3 and 3* of the barrel and tube. A indicates the frame of the
machine which may be secured to the floor by bolts or otherwise; B is the barrel
which is attached to the frame by the lugs or holdfasts B'. In this barrel the
tube C moves, and this tube C-with-hole in side and end communicates with the
slot or channel D in the barrel; E is the driver of the tube C, and it is moved by
the lever F and the quadrant G; H is a metal block sliding on the driver E and
held in position by a pin J passing through the block H and the holes K in the
driver E; L is a valve admitting the compressed gas or air to the tube C; M is a
valve admitting the aerated liquid from the condenser; N is an escape or easing
valve O, the nipple P is a block attached to the driver E; Q is the bottling tray
or knee board; R is a metal block attached to the bottling tray Q and moving in
a slot in the frame A; S is a washer or cup leather preventing communication
between the upper and lower portions of the barrel B; T is a passage leading to
the valve N; U are slots in the barrel B leading to the valve N; W, gland or
stuffing box.
The operation with this apparatus is as follows:-
Seated at his work the bottler places the bottle in the tray Q and holds it firmly
to the nipple O.
In pulling forward the lever F the driver E and tube C are brought down and
the block H first presses upon a lever arm L operating the valve L to open that
valve, and then by passing the lever arm L, the valve L is released, thus admitting
the compressed gas or air to the bottle supplied by means of the channel D in the
barrel and the hole in the tube C now in the channel D.
On pulling further forward the lever F the block H is brought upon the pin M'
of the valve M to admit the aerated liquid to the slot or channel D, and thenco by
the tube C to the bottle to be filled.
When in consequence of the excess of pressure in the bottle the liquid ceases to
run into it, the pulling the lever F further forward opens the escape or casing
valve N when the bottle may be immediately filled.
The tube C is then withdrawn, and the bottle removed and corked in the usual
way.
To prevent accident in case a bottle breaks during filling, the block R on the
tray Qwill immediately come in contact with the block P on the driver, and the
tube is thus lifted without coming in contact with the tray Q.
The filling of longer or shorter bottles is provided for by shifting the block H, so
that by shifting the pin J and shifting it with the block H that block may be held
to either of the holes K.

page_text: Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8, Sheet 2, are front and side views of an adaptation of our
principle of filling bottles to a corking machine.
The parts in Figure 5 not shewn on Sheet 1 aro:-A is the oscillating frame by
which the bottle is conveyed from the filling tube C to the corking thimble F, and
vice versa; B is the pin on which the oscillating frame works; C is the wheel
attached to the screw D for moving the frame; E is the lever for driving the cork;
F is the cork cone or thimble; G is a passage for water for washing the cork cone
and the bottom of the cork. It may be connected with the supply pipe from the
condenser of the machine or to a pipe from any tank or main, whence sufficient
pressure for the purpose can be obtained. This passage may be left open unless
when closed by the cork. Or it may be worked by means of a valve, and the
quantity of water passed through on each occasion regulated by an ordinary stop-
cock; H is the "sniffing" or "snifting" valve; I is the india rubber cup, in which
the neck of the bottle is placed for filling the same; K is the trendle for pressing
the bottle into the indiarubber cup 1; L is the block on which the bottle is placed;
M is a metal rim on the block L to come in contact with the stop N on the driver E
of the tube C in case of breakage of the bottle.
The stop or driver N acting as just described also prevents the moving of the
lower plate A' and oscillating frame A until the tube C is withdrawn from the
bottle.
O is a screw for tightening up the lower plate A¹ and oscillating frame A to the
upper plate Z. Figure 7 shows the underside of the top plate Ž of the machine.
A² in this Figure indicates an india rubber washer.
Figure 8 shows a section of a bottling tap for still liquids, such as wine or beer,
with changeable tubes Y, Y¹, to act therewith of different lengths.
To work the arrangement indicated by Figures 5 and 6, first place the cork in
the thimble F, the bottom of which cork and the thimble are then washed as
described in relation to G.
The frame A is now moved over by the wheel C, or it may be moved by other
suitable means.
The bottle being placed in position for filling is pressed up with its neck in the
india rubber cone I by the treadle K, and is then filled by pulling down the lever F*,
as shown in relation to the lever F in Figures 1 and 2.
When the bottle is full it is moved together with the oscillating frame by
the wheel C until under the cork thimble F and then corked in the usual
way.
Figures 9, 10, and 11, Sheet 3, are front, section, and side views of an arrangement
of parts of apparatus according to our improvements for filling what are known in
the trade as "patent bottles," or those closed by stoppers being held in position by
the pressure of the gas within the bottle.
A is the frame or stand.
A is a plate to carry the valves M and N.
B is the barrel,
C, the tube.
C*, the stuffing box or cup leather.
D is the channel in the barrel B.

page_text: Z.,.stuffing. box..
To work the machine the lever G is put at its highest point. The bottle is then
placed in position upside down, space between the block T and india rubber cup U
being obtained by pushing up the lever G. The moveable part of the machine is
then turned round by means of the same lever G, by which movement aided by
the roller F travelling in the guides of the diaphragm Q, the tube C is brought
down into the bottle; the valves N, M, and L are successively opened and the
bottle filled and "snifted" by the time it reaches the upright position and the
lever G is at its lowest point. By continuing the motion in the same direction
the tube C is withdrawn and the stopper follows to its seat. The bottle is released
filled when in the same position as that in which it is first placed between the
block T and india rubber cup U by pushing up the lever G.
We will now mention some of the advantages secured by our improvements.
Soda water and other aerated waters may be hottled with a pressure in the
condensing cylinder of from 65 to 80 lbs. per square inch, instead of from 120 to
200 lbs. as hitherto required and with complete and uniform neration.
In consequence of the low pressure in the condenser there is a saving of about
one half in the cost of material used in the production of the carbonic acid gas, one
half the breakage of bottles during filling and in leakage afterwards, and much in
wear and tear of machinery.
The aerated liquid entering at or near the bottom of the bottle, the atmospheric
air in the bottle is at once lifted to the top or mouth of the bottle instead of being
brought into contact and antagonism with the carbonic acid gas and water, which
is the case when they enter at or near the top or mouth of the bottle.
By our improvements beer, wine, lemonade, or any sweetened or frothy liquids
can be passed through the condenser of an ordinary soda water machine, and then
be drawn without difficulty into the lottle and corked in the usual way.
Still liquids, such as wines and beers, are by our improvements bottled without
contact with the external air, no circulation of air being set up in the bottle such
as is the case when bottles are filled from the ordinary bottling tap or when the
liquid is first drawn into a vessel or trough and the bottles filled from such vessel
or trough.
It will be apparent that many different forms of machines may be constructed to
which our improvements may be applied.
Having thus described our improvements and means which we adopt in carrying
the same into eflict, we would have it understood that we do not contine ourselves

page_text: to the precise details shown and described, as the same may be varied without
departing from the peculiar character of our Invention.
But what we claim as our Invention is the arranging or combining parts forming
apparatus adapted to deliver aerated or gaseous or other liquids to be bottled at or
near the bottom of the bottle or vessel instead of at or near the mouth of such
bottle or vessel as hitherto.
Also we claim the arranging or combining parts of such apparatus, whereby
compressed carbonic acid gas, or other gas or atmospheric air, is admitted
into the bottle or vessel to be filled prior to the admission of the liquid to be
bottled.
Also we claim the arranging or combining parts in connection with apparatus
for filling bottles with aerated or other liquids, whereby corking of such bottles
by what is known as the rack process may be effected, substantially as described in
respect of Figures 5, 6, and 7, Sheet 2 of the Drawings.
Also we claim for bottling still liquids by means of a bottling cock,"
constructed with changeable elongated barrels or nozzles, adapted to reach to the
bottom or as near the bottom as may be convenient of the bottle to be filled,
substantially as described in respect of Figure 8, Sheet 2 of the Drawings.
Also we claim the arranging or combining parts of apparatus used in filling
bottles or vessels with aerated or gaseous liquids, whereby the filling of what are
known in the trade as "patent stoppered" bottles or those closed by the pressure
of the gas within the bottle may be effected, substantially as described in respect of
Sheet 3 of the Drawings.
In witness whereof, we, the said Alfred May Davis, and Harry Des Forges,
havo hereunto set our hands and seals, this Twenty third day of March,
One thousand eight hundead and nighty kwa
Witness to the signatures of
the said Alfred May Davis
and Harry Des Forges,
ALFRED G. BROOKES.
(L.S.)
A. M. DAVIS.
H. DES FORGES. (L.S.)