Improvements in and relating to Stoppering Devices for Bottles and similar Vessels to prevent the Fraudulent Refilling of the same.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 8th July, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 6th May, 1897-Accepted, 3rd July, 1897
Improvements in and relating to Stoppering Devices for Bottles and
similar Vessels to prevent the Fraudulent Refilling of the same.
I, ARTHUR WILLIAM ELLIS, of 5 Oakley Crescent, Chelsea, in the County of
London, Chemical Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in stoppering devices for bottles and
similar vessels whereby, after they have once been wholly or partially emptied of their.
contents they cannot be fraudulently refilled without detection.
Hitherto the means proposed, with a view of preventing the refilling of bottles or
the substitution of an inferior liquor for one of a well known brand, have consisted
either in the employment of a bottle having a specially constructed neck forming a
valve seat to which a valve is fitted or of a bottle having an ordinary neck into which
a casing, containing a valve and valve seat, is secured in some suitable manner.
The disadvantages of the former class of bottle are the great difficulty of moulding
a valve seat in the interior of the neck into which a valve can be fitted with sufficient
accuracy to form an absolutely tight joint, the unsightliness of the neck itself, and
the necessity for special and expensive moulds and tools in the manufacture of the
bottle. In the second of these cases the space occupied by the casing, valve seat, and,
valve, so reduces the area of the neck that a sufficient flow of liquid for practical
purposes cannot be obtained and moreover in designing such bottles it has been
assumed that a bottle which cannot be filled in an upright position in the ordinary
way, in a reversed position by means of a vacuum, or in a horizontal position by
gently immersing the said bottle in a liquid, meets all the requirements of an
unfillable bottle; such however is not the case, for it is possible by simple means to
introduce a liquid into such bottles when they are placed in certain intermediate
positions between those above indicated.
The object of this invention is to provide a stoppering device that can be secured
to a bottle or similar vessel having a neck of the ordinary shape and which will
permit the original contents to be poured out in a continuous stream, without the
necessity of shaking or jerking the bottle, but will prevent the fraudulent refilling of
such bottle or the substitution or partial substitution of an inferior liquor to that the
bottle originally contained, by any means or contrivances whatsoever, save and except
by such means as would be at once detected. For this purpose I provide a hollow
cylindrical stopper having a short tube, of less diameter than the said stopper, fitted
to each end thereof; upon the upper part of the lower tube, which I contract for the
purposes hereinafter described, I form a valve seat to which I accurately fit a valve,
of less specific gravity than the liquid the bottle is to contain, and to this valve I,
preferably, attach a central stem which I cause to work in guides fitted to the interior
of the said lower tube in such a manner that the valve when pressed against its seat
shall take an even bearing upon all parts thereof. At a short distance from the upper
tube, forming the outlet of the stopper, I affix a circular disc of slightly less diameter.
than the interior of the stopper so that an annular space is provided around such disc
for the passage of liquid, and at a short distance below this annular space I attach a,
ring so arranged that it completely covers the said annular space and prevents the
insertion of a wire or other instrument wherewith to raise the valve from its seat.

page_text: In some cases I may employ, in addition to, or in lieu of, the said disc and ring, a
disc, ring or cylinder of wire netting of fine mesh. To the centre of the said circular
disc, or to the substituted disc, I attach a shallow cup preferably in the form of a
truncated cone and into this cup or cone I place a ball of such weight that it shall
prevent the valve floating in a liquid when the bottle is upright, or with its neck
inclined towards the horizontal, and I so arrange this ball within the cup or cone
that it shall not only press against and keep the valve in contact with its seat until
the horizontal position is attained, but until the neck of the bottle has been depressed
considerably below that position; in fact until the lifting power of a liquid entering
the stopper will float the valve onto its seat without the aid of the said ball.
For the successful carrying out of this invention it is essential not only that the
valve shall float onto, or be pressed against its seat immediately an attempt is made
to introduce liquid into the bottle, but also that the said valve shall leave its seat
and permit the free outward passage of liquid directly the bottle is inverted for that
purpose. To ensure the attainment of these objects the weight (in contradistinction
to specific gravity) of the valve must be kept within certain limits, that is to say, the
valve must be sufficiently light to be readily pressed against its seat by the rolling
action of the ball, and yet of sufficient weight to overcome the resistance offered to
its opening by cohesion or friction or a combination of the two.
I find in practice that the effect of cohesion existing between the valve and its seat
when moistened by a liquid, and particularly when the bottle is full (in which case
this cohesion is increased by the pressure of the atmosphere) is materially lessened by
slightly reducing the diameter of the upper part of the tube, forming the valve seat,
and this can be done without diminishing the area available for the flow of liquid for
the reason that this tube is already contracted to the extent of the space occupied by
the guides, hereinbefore mentioned, in which the stem of the valve works. To secure.
the stopper to the neck of the bottle I fit around the lower tube of such stopper a
perforated cork and I may, between the top of such perforated cork and the underside
of the stopper, apply a thin layer of cement or other suitable material.
The bottle having been filled with liquid.I press the lower tube into the neck of
the bottle so that it makes an absolutely tight joint therewith. Having inserted the
stopper, and to prevent the removal of the same, I place over it a distinctive capsule
having a circular perforation through which the small outlet tube alone may pass,
this capsule is then to be closed in under the rim of the bottle forming the mouth
in the ordinary manner where it can be secured by any of the well known means, and
in such manner that its removal is impossible without instant detection. In some
cases I secure the said stopper entirely be means of cement in such manner that the
bottle must be destroyed in order to release the stopper.
Dated this eighth day of July 1896
Improvements in and relating to Stoppering Devices for Bottles and
similar Vessels to prevent the Fraudulent Refilling of the same.
I, ARTHUR WILLIAM ELLIS, of 5 Oakley Crescent, Chelsea, in the County of
London, Chemical Engineer 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 is an improvement upon my Patents No. 1376 and No. 21,643
of 1892 and relates to stoppering devices for bottles and similar vessels whereby
after they have once been wholly or partially emptied of their contents they cannot
be fraudulently refilled without detection,

page_text: Hitherto the means proposed with a view of preventing the refilling of bottles, or
the substitution of an inferior liquor for one of a well known or approved brand, have
consisted either in the employment of a bottle having a specially constructed neck
forming a valve seat, to which a valve is fitted, or of a bottle having an ordinary
neck in which a casing containinga valve and valve seat is secured in some suitable
manner. The disadvantages of the former class of bottle are the great difficulty of
moulding a valve seat upon which a valve can be accurately fitted, the unsightliness
of the neck itself and the necessity for special and expensive tools in the
manufacture of such bottle. In the second of these cases the space occupied by the
casing, valve seat and valve so reduces the area of the neck that a sufficient flow of
liquid for practical purposes cannot be obtained. Moreover in designing such
bottles it has been assumed that a bottle which cannot be refilled in an upright
position in the ordinary way, in a reversed position by means of a vacuum, or in a
horizontal position by gently immersing the same in a liquid, meets all the require-
ments of an unfillable bottle; such however is not the case for it is possible by
simple means to introduce a liquid into such bottles when they are placed in certain
intermediate positions between those indicated.
The object of the present invention is to provide a stoppering device, hereinafter
called a stopper, that can be secured to a bottle or similar vessel which will permit
the original contents to be poured out in a continuous stream without the necessity
of shaking or jerking the bottle, but will will prevent the fraudulent refilling of the
same by any means or contrivances whatsoever save and except by such means as
would be readily detected.
In carrying my invention into effect, I provide a hollow cylindrical stopper having
an opening through which the liquid can be discharge and a short tube adapted to
be permanently or otherwise secured to the neck of the bottle or vessel, and I so
arrange this tube that it shall form, or receive, a valve seat upon which I fit a valve
of such material that its specific gravity shall be slightly less than that of the liquid
which the bottle is to contain so that if an attempt is made by means of a vacuum
to introduce liquid into the bottle whilst in an inverted position the said valve will
float into contact with its seat and prevent such introduction. In order to prevent
the valve floating upon liquid introduced into the stopper when in an upright position
I arrange in conjunction with the valve a suitable weight, preferably a spherical
ball. In conjunction with the valve and the weight I provide a shallow cup
preferably in the form of a truncated cone and I so arrange the said valve, weight
and cone that not only shall the said weight press against and close the valve when
the vessel has been tilted from an upright position to that of horizontal, but that the
said weight shall continue to press against and have a tendency to close the
valve until the neck of the vessel has been depressed to an angle of about 45
degrees, in which position, assuming a vacuum were produced in the vessel, the
combined action of the weight and the rising liquid would cause the valve to be
pressed into contact with its seat and thus close all communication with the interior
of the vessel. In other words I so arrange the several parts that before the
closing action of the weight has ceased to have effect upon the valve, the floating
power of the inflowing liquid shall commence to act and that in whatever position
the vessel may be placed the said valve will close upon any attempt being made
to introduce liquid therein. In conjunction with the valve, weight and cone I
provide a shield and perforated guard, forming with the said cone and the casing
of the stopper, zig-zag or indirect passages through which the liquid and air can
flow, and I so arrange these passages that a wire or other contrivance or shot or
the like, for holding the valve from its seat, to allow the fraudulent filling of the
vessel, cannot be inserted.
The outlet of the stopper is adapted to receive an ordinary cork or other suitable
closing device.
To enable my invention, as applied to a bottle, to be fully understood I will
proceed to describe the same by reference to the accompanying drawings, in
hiah

page_text: Figure 1 is a vertical section of my improved Stopper, the valve and weight
being shewn in elevation.
Figure 2 is a plan view of the same.
Figures 3 and 4 represent forms of cones which are shewn for the purpose of
comparison with the one I adopt.
Figures 5 and 6 are an elevation and plan respectively of the shield, perforated
guard and cone.
Figure 7 is a plan of the perforated guard detached from the shield.
Figures 8, 9 and 10 are modifications of the shield and guard.
Figure 11 is a plan of the ring I, Figure 8.
Figure 12 is a plan of the valve, viewed from the underside.
Figures 13 and 14 are views in section and plan respectively of the valve guides.
Figures 15, 16 and 17 are views of my improved stopper in various positions
hereinafter described.
Figure 18 is a view, partly in elevation, of the stopper adapted to the neck of a
bottle.
Figures 18A and 19 illustrate modifications of the means I employ to secure the
stopper to the said neck,
Figure 20 is an elevation of the upper part of a bottle shewing the stopper
secured thereto.
Figures 21 and 22 are views illustrating modifications of my invention and
hereinafter described.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.
A indicates the outlet tube, B the inlet tube, C the valve seat, D the valve, E the
weight or ball for pressing the same onto its seat, F the cone for receiving the said
weight or ball, G the shield and H the perforated guard.
As shewn in Figures 1, 15, 16 and 17 the stopper, which in some cases is
advantageously made of glazed or enamelled metal is formed in two parts the
upper portion a being slightly larger than the lower portion al, so that the latter
may enter and be secured to the former by means of cement or in some other
suitable manner. The upper portion of the casing a I furnish with an outlet tube
A adapted to receive an ordinary cork or other stopper, and to the lower part of the
casing al is attached the inlet tube B. To this tube B I fit the valve seat C, which
I preferably make of less diameter than the said inlet tube as I have found in
practice that to ensure the free opening of the valve when the bottle is inverted and
is full, or nearly full, of liquid the area of such valve seat must be limited. For
example if with a valve of suitable size and weight for a stopper of one inch and one
eighth of an inch in diameter the valve seat were five eighths of an inch in diameter
it would be found that the said valve, if accurately fitted, would cling to the valve
seat when the bottle was inverted and to release the same it would be necessary to
shake the bottle, which would not be the case were the valve seat reduced to a
diameter of half an inch. Upon the valve seat I fit the valve D Figures 1, 12, 15,
16 and 17 which is advantageously made of cork and I preferably make the upper
part of this valve slightly convex for the purposes hereinafter described. To the
centre of the said valve I attach a stem or spindle b which I particularly arrange
shall work with as little friction as possible in the guides c, c, attached to the tube B.
To the end of the stem b I preferably attached a small nut d of such weight that the
specific gravity of the complete valve, when thoroughly saturated with the liquid
which the bottle is to contain, shall be slightly less than that of the said liquid.
I may in some cases employ in conjunction with the said valve a washer of leather or
other suitable material è Figure 1, which is held in position by the plate. Upon
the valve D, I place the weight or ball E, which may be made of enamelled metal or
glass, and above this I adjust the cone F at such a height above the valve and ball
as to allow a free movement of the said valve and ball when the bottle is inverted for
the purpose of pouring out the contents.
It is essential for the successful working of this invention that the angle of the
cone F be such that when the bottle is depressed to an angle of about 45 degrees, as

page_text: represented in Figure 16, the ball E shall still press against and keep the valve in
contact with its seat, I have found that an angle of 100 degrees answers well,
but I do not confine myself to this precise angle, as a slight variation in the weight
of the ball or in the weight and frictional resistance of the valve will permit of a
slight variation in the angle of the cone. It is however absolutely indispensable that
the valve, ball and cone be so regulated with regard to buoyancy, weight and angle
respectively that before the closing tendency of the ball upon the valve has ceased,
the lifting power of an inflowing liquid (a vacuum having been produced in the
bottle) will assist in closing the said valve and ultimately, unaided by the said ball,
float the valve upon its seat as shewn in Figure 17.
I am aware that a bottle having in the neck thereof a valve seat, valve and
spherical weight, and provided with a conical surface of very considerably less angle
than the one. I employ, might under certain circumstances be termed an unfillable
bottle. For instance if in such a bottle a vacuum were produced, the neck thereof
immersed in a liquid, and communication to the full extent of the area of such neck
were opened with the interior of the bottle, the sudden rush of liquid would close the
valve, but if this sudden rush were prevented and the entry of liquid were diminished
to a stream so gentle as not to overcome the frictional resistance of the valve (and
particularly when the depression of the neck was so small that the floating power of
a liquid would not in itself be sufficient to close the valve and prevent the influx of
liquid) then such a bottle could be refilled.
The form of the cone in contradistinction to the angle thereof is also important
and I employ one truncated in form as illustrated in Figure 1 and avoid the use of
the forms shewn in Figures 3 and 4 and for this reason, in the form illustrated in
Figure 1 contact therewith and the ball can only take place simultaneously at two
points no matter in what position the bottle may be placed, whereas in the form
shewn in Figure 3, when the bottle is inverted sufficiently to permit the ball to roll
towards the apex of the cone, contact takes place around a complete circle, and in
the form shewn in Figure 4 à large proportion of the surface of the said ball comes
in contact with the cone which when inoistened with liquid will cause a certain
amount of cohesion of the two and thus retard the free action of the said ball.
To the cone F, Figures 1 and 5 I attack by means of the rivet G and the washers
N, N 1, or in some other suitable manner, the shield G and guard H. This shield
I provide with horizontal lugs or projections i, ₁, and vertical lugs i,,,,,, for
the purpose of keeping the said shield in position. The guard H I perforate
on its upper surface and around its circumference with small holes (shewn more
clearly in Figures 5 and 7) but I do not perforate that portion of the guard forming
the ring I. I preferably from the perforations by punching them from the under
and inner sides of the said guard so that the holes shall have raised and rough
edges in order to prevent the passage of any foreign substance whereby the valve
might be held from its seat..
In arranging the several parts constituting the complete stopper it is essential for
the perfect working of the same that the passages for air and liquid be gradually
increased in area towards the outlet tube A. For instance assuming the area of the
valve seat to be equal to the area of a half inch tube, the space Y, Figure 1, between
the circumference of the valve and the inner surface of the stopper should slightly
exceed that area and under no circumstances must it be so small that capillary
attraction, when the surfaces are moistened with liquid, would retard the free
opening of the valve when the bottle is inverted. Again the annular space Y 1
around the cone F should exceed the area of the space Y and the collective area of
the perforations in the guard H must exceed the area of Y 1 for the reason that the
frictional resistance of the zig zag passages and the perforations must be so
reduced that the outward flow of liquid from the stopper shall be as free as the
inward flow thereto, otherwise it will be found that the valve will float upon its seat
at irregular intervals when the bottle is inverted for the purpose of pouring out
the contents and the outward flow will consequently become interrupted and
spasmodic.

page_text: In cases in which it is desired to make use of the stopper, hereinbefore described,
more than once I secure the same to the neck of the bottle in the follow-
ing manner. I provide the neck of the bottle with a rim or shoulder j
Figure 18 and I fit around the tube B a perforated cork k. Having filled the bottle
to the desired height I insert the said tube and preferably before pressing the
stopper home I coat the underside thereof with some suitable cement so that a thin
layer of that material shall exist between the said stopper and the rim of the
bottle. The outlet tube may now be closed by an ordinary cork. Over the stopper
I adjust the capsule 1, Figures 18 and 20, (having a perforation m to permit the
passage of the tube A) which I close around the neck of the bottle. Immediately
under the rim j, I pass around the capsule one or more turns of wire or other
suitable material which I secure by knotting or otherwise at the point n, Figure 20,
and I carry the ends of the said wire or other material down to the shoulder of
the bottle and seal the said ends with any desired impression n 1 which,
so long as it remains intact, is a guarantee that the contents of the bottle are
genuine and have not been tampered with.
It will be seen that in discharging the contents of a bottle provided with my "
improvements it is unnecessary to break or otherwise disturb the seal n 1 for
upon removing the cork from the outlet tube and inverting the bottle to a sufficient
angle the valve D drops away from its seat so that the liquid is free to pass through
the various passages and thence out of the outlet. It will be seen however that
no liquid can be introduced into the bottle whilst the stopper is in an upright
position as in Figure 1, or when immersed in that position in a liquid and
shaken vertically owing to the fact that the valve is retained upon its seat by the
ball or weight E which in consequence of the convex surface of the valve rolls
towards the edge of the cone and becomes so to speak wedged between the
same and the valve. Again if the bottle is immersed in a liquid with the stopper
in a horizontal position as shewn in Figure 15 the valve is also closed by the action
of the ball, neither can any liquid be introduced into the bottle when the stopper
is depressed from the horizontal position to the position indicated in Figure 16 as
the weight or ball owing to the great inclination given to the conical surface will
still roll against and press the valve in contact with its seat, when however, or
before this position has been attained a liquid entering the stopper (in which a
vacuum has been produced) will assist in closing the said valve and upon further
depressing the neck of the bottle or completely inverting the same the valve would
float upon the liquid and bear against its sealing as shewn in Figure 17. Thus
in whatever position a bottle provided with my improved stopper may be placed, it
is impossible to introduce a liquid therein after the original contents have been
wholly or partially poured out.
In lieu of the perforated cork k, Figure 18, or in conjunction therewith, I may
employ a suitable cement for the purpose of securing the stopper to the neck of
a bottle so that the latter must be destroyed in order to release the said stopper.
In this case I preferably provide the said neck with a circumferential groove 8,
Figure 18a, and I attach to the inlet tube B a ring or its equivalent q so that it
may hold the perforated cork k in position. Upon coating the upper portion of the
said inlet tube with cement and inserting the same into the neck of the bottle
the said cement will enter the groove a and upon becoming set will prevent the
withdrawal of the stopper.
In Figures 8, 9, and 10 I have shewn modifications in the arrangement of the
shield and perforated guard. In. Figure 8 the guard is shewn in the form of an
inverted concave dish H having the ring I (shewn in plan in Figure 11) placed
above it. Figure 9 represents an arrangement consisting of two inverted concave
dishes H, HI the perforations of the one being opposite to the solid portions of the
other thus forming a series of indirect passages and in Figure 10 the guard is
'shewn as consisting of a short cylinder perforated around its circumference and
attached to the shield G and having the unperforator ring I1 affixed to its lower
part.

page_text: In Figure 19 I have shewn a modification of the means I employ for securing the
stopper to the neck of a bottle. In this case I affix to the inlet tube two or more
springs 0,01 which are adapted to engage with the circumferential groove p formed
in the neck of the bottle; when the stopper is inserted therein and is pressed
downwards these springs are at first compressed but upon arriving in a position
opposite to that of the said groove they will open outwardly and thus so to speak
lock the stopper to the bottle, from which it cannot be released without breaking
the same. Immediately below, or at a short distance below, these springs I attach
a circular rim or shoulder q for the purpose of keeping the perforated cork & in
position. Before inserting the stopper I place around the upper part of the inlet
tube a layer of cement .
In Figures 21 and 22 I have shewn further modifications of my invention in which
either the neck of the bottle or the stopper itself must be destroyed before the said
stopper can be released from the bottle.
Figure 21 represents the casing of the stopper made in glass and having an
inner circumferential groove a corresponding with the external groove s 1 formed in
the upper part of the neck of the bottle t which I carry above the rim or shoulder j.
I attach to the inlet tube B a ring or perforated disc t1 for the purpose of
keeping the perforinated cork in position. In securing this form of stopper to a
bottle I first insert the said inlet tube, containing the valve, into the neck of the
bottle and press the same down until the ring becomes seated upon the surface of
the neck upon which is preferably placed a thin layer of cementu. I then place
the ball E upon the said valve and in order to keep the ball in position, during the
operation of securing the stopper, I provide a slight indentation in the centre of
the valve in which the hall may rest. The casing a containing the shield guard
and cone may now be secured to the neck of the bottle by means of some suitable
cement and when the same has become set I cover the whole with a capsule which I
preferably seal in the manner illustrated in Figure 20.
In the modification of my invention shewn in Figure 22, I have illustrated the
stopper secured to the bottle by means of a screw thread x formed in the inner
surface of the casing and adapted to engage with a corresponding thread 1
formed on the neck of the bottle. Before screwing these threads together I
coat them with some suitable cement preferably on in which silicate of soda or of
potash forms a constituent part.
In carrying out my invention I wish it understood that I do not confine myself to
the precise forin of valve, shield, or guard illustrated by the drawings as they may be
varied in form without departing from the nature of this invention neither do I
confine myself to the particular material of which the several parts of the stopper
are made as they must necessarily be adapted to the particular characteristics of the
liquid which the vessel is to contain.
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 I
claim is:-
1. The improved stopper for the prevention of the fraudulent refilling of a bottle,
substantially as described.
2. In stoppering devices for bottles designed to prevent refilling, the combination
of valve D, ball E, and conical surface F arranged and operating substantially as
described and in particular so that when the mouth of the bottle is depressed (as
indicated in Figure 16) for the purpose of refilling, the valve will be effectively
closed at all angles of depression which are so small that the floating power of the
incoming liquid would not of itself be sufficient to close the valve and prevent the
influx of liquid.
3. The combination of a valve such as D having a stem such as b working in
guides as shewn, with a spherical ball E and a conical surface F, arranged and
operating substantially as and for the purposes described.
4. The improved stoppering device for bottles and similar vessels, consisting in

page_text: the employment,, in conjunction with the neck of a bottle or similar vessel, of a
hollow stopper having the valve seat C, the inlet tube B, the outlet tube A, the
valve D, the weight or ball E, the cone F, the shield G and perforated guard H,
the said parts being arranged substantially as and for the purposes described.
5. In stoppering devices for bottles arranged to prevent refilling, the combination
with the neck of a bottle or similar vessel, of a hollow stopper having indirect or
baffled passages there through so arranged that each successive passage from the
valve seat outwards is increased in area as and for the purposes described.
6. The combination with the neck of a bottle or similar vessel, of a hollow
stopper having the valve seat C, the valve D, the weight or ball E and the cone F
arranged substantially as and for the purposes described and illustrated in Figures 1,
15, 16 and 17.
7. In stoppering devices for bottles designed to prevent refilling, the combination
of the valve D with the valve seat C inserted into the tube B as and for the purposes
described.