Improvements in and connected with Cans for Filling Lamps and the like, and for like purposes.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Dec., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 6th Sept., 1894-Accepted, 17th Nov., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Cans for Filling Lamps and
the like, and for like purposes.
I EDWARD THOMAS HUGHES, of 38. Chancery Lane, in the County of
London, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a com-
aunication to me by Burtwin L. Brinton, of Bradford, in the County of McKean
and State of Pennsylvania, U.S. America Inventor) to be as follows:-
The invention relates to oil-cans, particularly such as are used for dispensing
oil in small quantities for purposes such as filling lamps, and similar receptacles. It
may also be advantageously used for retailing oil and for like purposes.
Although my improvement is especially designed for and is herein described as
employed in dispensing oil, it is obvious that vessels constructed in accordance with
the invention may be used for other liquids.
Prior to my invention oil-cans had been provided with lamp-filling devices, which
comprised as an essential part of their structure, an air-supplying tube having its
orifice in close proximity to the discharge orifice of the outlet tube for oil or
other liquid, so that the rise of the liquid in the lamp reservoir, or other receptacle
being filled, will automatically close the air inlet and stop the flow.
My invention embodies the same principle of an automatically closing air-supply
pipe, and its object is to produce an apparatus less complex and costly than those
of similar character heretofore devised, and one which avoids, in operation certain
difficulties or defects that have heretofore attended the use of devices of
this class.
According to my invention I provide an air-tight oil-can or tank, having
supporting base or stand and a filling opening provided with a cap. An oil-tube
inclined upwardly from the bottom of the can passes through the side thereof,
(a tight joint being formed around. the tube) at a point a short distance from the
bottom of the can. The oil-tube outside of the can comprises a horizontal part and
a vertical part open at its lower end. The upper end of the vertical portion, above
the horizontal portion is interiorly screw-threaded, for purposes which will be
hereinafter pointed out.
Around that portion of the oil-tube outside of the can with the exception of the
upper end of the vertical part is a concentrically arranged air-tube the lower end of
which terminates in the same horizontal plane with the end of the oil-tube, for
purposes hereinafter described.
A branch of the air-tube extends upwardly from the latter at a point near
the can. The upper portion of this branch projects beyond the top of the can where
it is bent over and extended downwardly, the lower end thereof communicating with
the interior of the can through its top.
A three-way cock is placed in the air-tube at any suitable point said cock serving
to alternately throw into communication with the exterior air, the interior of the
can (through the nozzle of the air-tube when the valve at the lower end thereof is
open) and that portion of the branch and air-tube communicating therewith, which
is between the cock and the receiving end of the air-tube, for purposes hereinafter
described. A pin of the plug of the cock engages a stop when the cock is in the
position first mentioned, and when in the latter position said pin engages a second
stop, said stops allowing only a quarter of a revolution of the plug.
The lower ends of both the air and oil-tubes are shut off by a single valve or
closure. This valve consists of a flexible washer clamped tightly against the under
face of a cone-shaped enlargement at the lower end of a valve-rod, by a nut

page_text: engaging a screw-threaded extension of said rod below the said cone. The
valve-rod passes upwardly through and emerges from the vertical portion of the
oil-tube, its enlarged upper end being provided with a screw-thread which engages
the interiorly screw-threaded upper end of the said portion, hereinbefore referred
to, whereby upon the rotation of the valve-stem by a handle the valve is closed;
the flexible washer being brought to its seat against the ends of the tubes, the cone
engaging inside of the oil-tube, serving to guide said washer squarely and firmly to
its seat.
A stuffing-box surrounds the upper end of the valve stem.
A support for the lamp or other receptacle to be filled, is adjustably secured to a
rod by a thumb-screw, which rod passes upwardly through a guide secured to the
can, and carries at its upper end a sleeve surrounding the upper branch of the air-
tube, along which it may be adjusted and secured at the desired height by a thumb-
screw, engaging against a clamping block, said block having enlarged ends to hold
it in place.
The said upper branch is extended above the can for the purpose of giving greater
adjustment to the support which is regulated according to the height to which the
lamp or other receptacle is to be filled.
Dated this 6th day of December 1893
HUGHES, SON & Co.,
38, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Cans for Filling Lamps and
the like, and for like purposes.
I EDWARD THOMAS HUGHES, of 38 Chancery Lane, in the County of
London, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a com-
munication to me by Burtwin L. Brinton, of Bradford, in the County of McKean,
and State of Pennsylvania, United States of America Inventor) and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to oil-cans, particularly such as are used for dispensing oil
in small quantities for purposes such as filling lamps, and similar receptacles. It
may also be advantageously used for retailing oil and like purposes.
Although my improvement is especially designed for and is herein described as
employed in dispensing oil, it is obvious that vessels constructed in accordance with
the invention may be used for other liquids.
Prior to my invention, oil-cans had been provided with lamp-filling devices,
which comprised as an essential part of their structure, an air-supplying tube
having its orifice in close proximity to the discharge orifice of the outlet tube
for oil or other liquid, so that the rise of the liquid in the lamp reservoir, or
other receptacle being filled, will automatically close the air inlet and stop
the flow.
My invention embodies the same principle of an automatically closing air-supply
pipe, and its object is to produce an apparatus less complex and costly than
those of similar character heretofore devised, and one which avoids, in operation,
certain difficulties or defects that have heretofore attended the use of devices of
this class.
In carrying out my invention, the discharge pipe for oil terminates in a down-
wardly projecting portion, adapted to project into the receptacle to be filled, and
the end of the air-supply pipe is in close proximity therewith.
Preferably the air and liquid pipes are concentric tubes (the air tube outside) with
their ends in the same horizontal plane, so that they are simultaneosly shut off by
the same valve or closure.

page_text: .
The arrangement of the air tube or passage surrounding the liquid outlet,
in combination with means for closing both simultaneously, constitutes a special'
feature of the invention. The air-tube is extended upward, outside the can, to
or near the top thereof, and in this portion of the air-pipe is placed a three-way
cock, which in one position puts the air-space in the upper part of the can into
communication with the orifice of the air-tube, and puts the lower part of the
air-tube into direct communication with the outside air.
The special objects and utilities of the new devices will be fully understood
from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,.
in which-
Fig. I is a vertical section of my improved can, the upper portion of the air-tube
being in elevation.
Fig. 1 is an elevation of a portion of the air-tube including the three-way cock,
taken at right-angles to Fig. I showing the positions of the passages in the cock
in dotted lines, and omitting the thumb-piece or lever for turning the cock, and
Fig. 111, is a similar view partly in section, the cock being turned to a different
position from that shown in Fig. II.
Referring to the drawings, A represents an air-tight oil-can or tank, having
supporting base or stand B and a filling opening C, provided with a cap c.
a
An oil-tube D inclined upwardly from the bottom of the can, passes through
the side thereof (a tight joint being formed around the tube) at a point a short
distance from the bottom of the can. The oil-tube outside of the can comprises
a horizontal section d and a vertical section open at its lower end.
The upper end of the vertical section, above the horizontal section, is interiorly
screw-threaded, for purposes which will be hereinafter pointed out.
It will be noted that the oil-tube thus arranged forms a siphon when the oil in
the can has reached a level below the horizontal section d, but it is evident that'
such an arrangement (though in some cases preferable) is not necessary as the
oil-tube may communicate with the interior of the can through an opening adjacent
to the bottom thereof.
Around that portion of the oil-tube D outside of the can, with the exception of
the upper end of the vertical section d', is a concentrically arranged air-tube E, the
lower end which terminates in the same horizontal plane with the end of the oil-tube,
for purposes hereinafter described.
E is a branch of the air-tube E, extending upwardly from the latter at a
point near the can. The upper portion of this branch El projects beyond the top
of the can where it is bent over and extended downwardly, as at e, the lower end
thereof communicating with the interior of the can through its top.
A three-way cock is placed in the air-tube at any suitable point, by preference
in the portion e thereof, said cock serving to alternately throw into communication
with the exterior air, the interior of the can (through the nozzle of the air-tube
when the valve at the lower end thereof is open) and that portion of the branch E',
and air-tube E communicating therewith, which is between the cock F and the
receiving end of the air-tube E, for purposes hereinafter described. is a lateral
opening in the air-tube to admit the outside air thereto. A pin of the plug f
of the cock engages a stop f³ when the cock is in the position first mentioned,
and when in the latter position said pin engages a stop, said stops allowing only
a quarter of a revolution of the plug. The lower ends of both the air and oil
tubes are shut off by a single valve or closure G.
This valve consists of a flexible washer y clamped tightly against the under face
of a cone-shaped enlargement at the lower end of a valve-rod h, by a nut g
engaging a screw-threaded extension of said rod below the cone /'.
The valve-rod passes upwardly through and emerges from the vertical section di
of the oil-tube, its enlarged upper end being provided with a screw-thread
which engages the interiorly screw-threaded upper end of the said section,
herein before referred to, whereby upon the rotation, of the valve-stem by a
handle the valve G is closed; the flexible washer g being brought to its seat

page_text: against the ends of the tubes, the cone engaging inside of the oil-tube, serving to
guide said washer g squarely and firmly to its seat. A stuffing box surrounds
the upper end 2 of the valve stein.
By this arrangement of the shut-off valve, both tubes are tightly closed by
the single valve, and when the valve is closed no oil can drip out of the pipes.
The arrangement of the oil and air passages, the latter being annular and
surrounding the former, is particularly useful, not only in that it enables both
passages to be opened and closed simultaneously by a single valve, but also because
both fluids are allowed to flow freely; whereas when the air tube is within the oil
tube, as heretofore arranged in some instances, the oil acts as a curtain, cutting off.or
impeding access of air to the air-tube.
A support H for the lamp or other receptacle to be filled, is adjustably secured
to rod by a thumb-screw . The rod passes upwardly through a guide
secured to the can, and carries at its upper end a sleeve surrounding the
branch E of the air-tube, along which it may be adjusted and secured at
the desired height by a thumb-screw, engaging against a clamping-block
(shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1) said block having enlarged ends to hold it in
place.
The branch E' is extended above the can for the purpose of giving greater
adjustment to the support which is regulated according to the height to which the
lamp or other receptacle is to be filled.
The operation is as follows:-Assuming that no oil has been drawn from the
can, so that there is no oil in the lower end of the air-tube, the receptacle to be
filled is placed on the support H which is adjusted so as to bring the lower end of
the air-tube to the height to which the receptacle is to be filled.
The three-way cock is then turned to the position shown in Fig. III (the pin f
engaging against stop f³) and the valve G opened, or vice-versa. As soon as the
valve G is opened, the air passing into the air-tube E, its branch E' and into
the top of the can, fills the space left by the outflow of oil, and the flow. of both
fluids continues until the oil rises in the receptacle and closes the end of the air-tube,
in consequence of which in turn, the flow of oil is also arrested.
Inasmuch as the air in the top of the can A and the air-supply pipe E Eis
slightly rarefied, a small quantity of oil will be drawn by suction into said pipe.
The, user then shuts the valve G, closing both tubes. If now it be desired to fill
another lamp from the can, the presence of oil in the air-supply tube would
prevent the outflow of oil. Therefore the user must turn the cock F to the
position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 11, so as to open the tube E to the outer air
above the level of the oil therein. When this is done and the valve G again
opened, the oil in the lower part of the air pipe runs off, and the cock Fis
then turned again to the position shown in Fig. 111. By this arrangement it
will be seen that the usual difficulty in starting the flow of oil after one lamp
has been filled, is obviated, and the filling is done in a convenient and expeditious
manner.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that
what claim is :-
1. The combination with an oil-can or other vessel, of a nozzle or spout for
automatically cutting off the flow of liquid therefrom, comprising an oil-tube and
an air-tube communicating with the atmosphere through its lower end only during
the flow of the liquid and with the interior of the oil-can or other vessel at its
upper end, both tubes having their orifices in the same horizontal plane, and a
shut-off valve for simultaneously closing the ends of both said tubes, substantially
as described.
2. The combination with an oil-can, or other vessel of a nozzle for automatically
cutting off the flow of liquid therefrom, composed of concentric tubes, the inner
tube being the oil outlet, and the outer tube being connected with the interior of

page_text: the oil-can or other vessel, and communicating with the atmosphere through its
lower end during the flow of liquid, the lower ends of both tubes being in sub-
stantially the same horizontal plane, and a flat faced valve adapted to close against
the ends of said tubes, substantially as described.
3. The combination with an oil-can of a nozzle composed of concentric tubes, the
inner one being the oil outlet, and the outer one being connected with the interior of
the upper part of the can, the lower ends of both tubes being in substantially the
same horizontal plane, and a flat faced valve adapted to be closed against the ends
of said tubes, substantially as described.
4. The combination with an oil-can of a nozzle or spout comprising an oil tube
consisting of horizontal and vertical sections, an air-tube arranged concentrically
around the vertical part of the oil-tube, a continuation of the air-tube communicating
with the upper part of the oil-can, a valve-rod passing upwardly through the vertical
section of the oil-tube, a shut-off valve or closure for the ends of the tubes at the
lower end of said valve-rod, a cone-shaped enlargement on the rod above said shut-off
valve, adapted to guide the said valve to its seat, and means for closing the valve,
substantially as described.
5. The combination with an oil-can of a filling device comprising a discharge
pipe or tube, an inlet pipe having its orifice in close proximity to the discharge
outlet, and leading to the upper part of the can, a closure for the discharge pipe,.
and a cock or valve in the upper part of said air-pipe for closing said pipe to the
can and opening it to the outer air, substantially as described.
6. The combination with an oil-can of a nozzle or spout comprising an oil-tube,
and an air-tube arranged concentrically around the same, an upwardly extending
branch of said air-tube, leading into the air-space in the upper part of the can, a
shut-off valve for closing the lower ends of the air and oil tubes, and a three-way
cock in the branch tube for alternately throwing the air-space in the upper part of
the can into communication with the orifice of the air-tube, and the lower part of
the said tube into direct communication with the outside air through a lateral.
opening therein, substantially as described.
Dated this 6th day of September 1894.
HUGHES, SON & Co.,
38, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.