Improved Apparatus for Measuring Liquids Contained in Bottles Decanters, and the like.
Year: 1889

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Apparatus for Measuring Liquids Contained in Bottles
Decanters, and the like.
JOHN CONDON Youghal Co. Cork, Ireland, Auctioneer 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 :-
The object of my invention is to automatically measure any prearranged quantity
of liquid contained in bottles decanters or equivalent vessels. The construction of
the apparatus and the manner of using the same will he readily understood by_the_
aid of the accompanying drawings in which:-
Fig. 1, is a side elevation in perspective shewing a vessel constructed in accordance
with my improvements.
Fig. 2, is a side elevation in perspective of modified form of vessel.
Fig. 3, is a plan upon line A B, Fig. 2..
Fig. 4, is a plan upon line A B Fig. 2 but shewing arrangement when one air
tube only is used.
Fig. 5, is an elevation of screw device for adjusting measuring glass.
A, is the containing vessel which may be formed of glass, stoneware, or metal
or metal and glass or equivalent suitable material may be employel. At any suitable
point in vessel A, a diaphragm b, is formed through which is an opening c, sur-
rounded on three sides by lips d d; beneath this diaphragm is a liquid tight
receptacle e, fitted with an overflow pipe f, so adjusted as to carry off any excess liquid
beyond the predetermined quantity. A bent tube g, is inserted in receptacle e, and
passes through opening c, and plate i, in spout h. At a suitable angle upon spout k,
is an outer receptacle m, in the base of which is a tube n, this receptacle may be
either fixed or removeable; the tube n, empties the contents of receptacle m, into
glass o, mounted as shewn. A vent hole and stopper v, is mounted upon the top of
vessel A, for refilling it.
The operation of this part of my invention is as follows:-The vessel A, being
filled with spirit, liqueur, wine, or any other liquid is turned over sufficiently to
permit part of its contents to flow through passage c, in diaphragm b, and by lips dd,
into the receptacle e, upon restoring the vessel to the upright position any excess
beyond the required quantity is drained off by pipe f. Upon again turning over
vessel A, the contents of receptacle e, flow through pipe g, and into receptacle m,
the tilting action again filling receptacle e:-- Upon again setting- vessel A, in the
upright position the contents of receptacle m, are discharged into glass o, out of which
it can be emptied by again turning over the vessel A.
In this form of my invention the glass o, can be dispensed with if desired, the
measurement being effected in receptacle e, its contents can be poured direct into a
drinking glass. The glass o, enables the measured quantity to be seen by the
purchaser.
The modification shewn in Fig. 2, is constructed as follows:-
A, is the decanter or other vessel, the spout k in Fig. 1 being replaced by a
tubular lead piece s, bent round as shewn; a receptacle e, being formed within it
for roughly measuring the predetermined quantity. A tube n, surrounded by one
or several air tubes t, see figs. 3. 4, is fastened in the base of receptacle e, and dips
into a measuring glass o, mounted upon the vessel.
This form of measuring vessel may be made in glass, or stone or equivalent ware,
or it may be formed wholly of metal, or partly of metal and partly of glass or
ware.
The operation is as follows:-
Vessel A. is turned over, so that part of its contents flow into receptacle e, the

page_text: angular shape preventing its escape into vessel A.
When the vessel is returned to
the upright position the excess liquid flows back into vessel A. The contents of e,
flow down the. tube. n, until the liquid rises to the level of the air tube or tubes t t.
The position of the air tube or tubes determining the quantity measured, it will be
seen that by sliding the glass up or down with respect to them any previously
determined quantity may be measured in glass o. The glass o, is emptied into a
tumbler or drinking vessel by turning over vessel A; when upon restoring it to the
vertical position, o is again filled. The glass o, may be adjusted by a screw device
as shewn at n, fig. 5, or an equivalent, or it may be fixed as shewn in fig. 2.
I do not confine my invention to the shapes shewn, nor to the exact shape of
receptacles for measuring, as these may vary in shape and position according to the
vessel employed.
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
1st. In decanters, bottles or like vessels for holding potable and other liquids, the
combination of an internal measuring receptacle filled by tilting or overturning sach
vessel, any excess beyond the prearranged measured quantity being returned to such
vessel when restored to the upright position as set forth.
2nd. The combination in or with a decanter bottle or like vessel of an exterior
receptacle supplied with a measured quantity from a measuring chamber within it,
by the act of tilting or overturning such vessel and discharging its contents into
a glass or equivalent when such vessel is placed in an upright position as set forth.
3rd. The particular combination of parts described under fig. 1, operating together
for the purposes set forth.
4th. In a decanter bottle or like vessel the combination of a chamber filled with
liquid by the act of overturning said vessel, said chamber discharging its contents
into a measuring vessel when the vessel is placed upright as set forth.
5th. The combination in or with a bottle or equivalent vessel of an outer measuring
receptacle the contents of which are regulated by an air tube or tubes dipping into
the same in the manner set forth and for the purposes described under Fig. 2.
6th. The combination in or with a decanter flagon, or the like, of a measuring
vessel the contents of which are regulated by a screw device for adjusting its position
with regard to an air tube or tubes dipping therein as set forth.
Dated December 11th 1889
FRANCIS M. ROGERS,
Agent.