Improvements in Means or Apparatus employed in Aerating Water and other Liquids in Bottles and the like.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Mar., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 21st Dec., 1898-Accepted, 28th Jan., 1899
Improvements in Means or Apparatus employed in Aerating Water
and other Liquids in Bottles and the like.
I, HARRY VAUGHAN RUDSTON READ, of Broad Street Avenue, in the City of
London, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
I employ a stopper which may be secured to the bottle neck by screwing or in
any other convenient manner and to the exterior of such stopper I fix an air or
expansion chamber. The stopper is also provided with a holder to contain a capsule
filled with liquefied or highly compressed gas and with a tube communicating with
the said holder which opens into a tube or chamber open at the lower end and
preferably perforated at the sides. The stopper is also provided with a perforating
instrument which may be separate from or connected with such descending tube.
In operation the stopper is applied to the neck of a bottle or the like a hermetic
joint is first made with the bottle neck then by the same or a further or distinct
action the gas container is perforated and the gas liberated therefrom; free com-
municating is made between the outer descending tube and the air or expansion
chamber. Thus on the container having been perforated the gas passes down
the inner tube and in combination with the outer tube or chamber causes a vigorous
circulation and agitation of the water or other liquid thus materially reducing the
pressure by the absorption of the gas by the water or other liquid.”
111009
HARRIS & MILLS,
23, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.
Improvements in Means or Apparatus employed in Aerating Water
and other Liquids in Bottles and the like.
I, HARRY VAUGHAN RUDSTON READ, of Broad Street Avenue, in the City of
London, 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; -
-
The invention relates to that class of apparatus for aerating liquids in bottles
and the like in which a small metallic capsule containing liquefied or highly
compressed gas is inserted into the bottle and the gas liberated therefrom after a
tight closure of the bottle has been made, and the object of my improvements is to
utilize, on the injector principle, the energy stored up in the capsule to agitate the
liquid in such a manner that it, in whole or in part, absorbs the gas to such an
017

page_text: extent as to materially reduce the pressure, and at the same time avoid the danger
that has existed in an other bottles and stoppers for aerating liquids hitherto made.
I also avoid the necessity, which heretofore has existed, to shake the bottle so con-
tinuously. My invention also consists in the use of an air or safety chamber on the
exterior of the stopper. Another great advantage of the introduction of this
system of ejection of the gas into the water and mechanical agitation, is that I shall
be able with perfect safety to aerate much larger quantities of water at one oper-
ation than at present. Larger capsules can be made than hitherto possible under
the old process on account of the danger. In large bottles a safety valve can also
be adopted if considered necessary.
Other advantages secured by the use of my invention are that the capsule need
not necessarily touch the liquid to be aerated, adding to cleanliness, and that all
parts touching the liquid can be made of porcelain, glass, enamelled metal or some
other suitable metal which will not injure or deteriorate the liquid.
By means of my invention I am also able to use several capsules in succession
for aerating liquids contained in bottles of larger size than that for which the
capsule was intended.
My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:-
Figs. 1, 2, 2 and 3 are sections showing various methods of carrying my inven-
tion into effect.
Fig. 4 is a section and Fig. 5 an external view showing another modification,
and
Figs. 6 and 7 are respectively a section and an external view showing another
modification.
Fig. 8 is a section showing the application of the principal part of my inven-
tion to a stopper constructed according to my British Patent No. 3584 dated
February 10th 1897 viz. that part effecting the agitation of the liquid and the
consequent reduction of the pressure on account of same.
Fig. 9 is a section showing the application of my invention to an arrangement
in which the bottle is closed and the contents of the capsule liberated by a single
action of the hand.
Fig. 10 is a section of part of a stopper to a large scale, and Fig. 11 is a section
of the complete stopper, injection tube and circulation chamber, showing a non-
return value enabling several capsules to be used in succession.
In Figures 1, 2, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, and 11, 1 have represented the combination
of an air chamber with the other parts of my invention.
In all views like parts are indicated by similar letters of reference.
Referring to Fig. 1, a is a bottle-neck provided on the interior with a screw
thread, into which the screw-threaded part b of the stopping and aerating apparatus
is screwed and which, by the aid of a rubber washer c, makes a tight joint with the
bottle.
The part is hollow and above it is formed or fixed an air chamber b, whilst a
tubular circulation chamber projects from its lower part down into the bottle.
Within the air chamber b¹ is fixed a chamber d to receive a gas-containing cap-
sule : this chamber is connected at its lower part with an injection tube d' having
a fine or contracted opening, whilst the upper part of this chamber d projects above
the air chamber and has a screw thread on the exterior thereof, on to which is
screwed a cap f forming the top of the chamber d. This cap is fitted with a per-
forating ping to perforate the capsule, and with a washer h to make a tight joint
with the upper end of the chamber d. The tubular circulation chamber 62 has
perforations 3 at its upper part and is open at its lower part, which latter extends
a little below the lower end of the injection tube d¹.
In operation the bottle is supplied with the liquid to be aerated up to a given
height and the bottle closed; the cap or top f is then removed from the chamber d,
cap ule
is placed within said chamber, and the
thereon until the ping has perforated the
a
cap screwed
gas from
capsule e, the
the latter finds its way around the same, into and down the tube d¹,

page_text: from the contracted lower end of which it issues with considerable force, thereby
causing a vigorous circulation and agitation of the liquid in the bottle, said liquid
being drawn through the perforations into the chamber 62 and expelled from the
lower end of said chamber.
The air chamber b' has free communication with the interior of the bottle through
the chamber band serves to prevent an excessive pressure within the bottle.
The apparatus shown at Fig. 2 is of very similar construction to that of Fig. 1,
except that the capsule containing chamber d* is external of the chamber b¹, and
the perforating pin g is fixed in the lower part of said chamber d* and communicates
with the injector tube d', said pin g having a cross perforation g¹ and a longitu-
dinal perforation g³ for such purpose.
In addition the capsule e is shown inverted and the cap or top f* is of form to
fit the body of the capsule e and forces the latter against the pin g.
The apparatus shown at Fig. 24 is very similar to that shown at Fig. 2, except
that the capsule-neck is provided with a screw thread and screws direct into the
upper part of the stopper d**, the head of the capsule forming a gas-tight joint
against the rubber washer d'. These capsules would probably be closed with a
valve and would be utilized again.
The apparatus shown at Fig. 3 is of very similar construction to that shown at
Fig. 2, except that the chamber d* to receive the capsule projects somewhat into
the air chamber b¹ and is of different form, whilst it has an internal screw thread
into which the cap or top f** is screwed, said part f** being formed to fit the body
of the capsule and provided with a friction ring f¹ to hold the capsule e in position
therein when it is being screwed into the chamber d*.
instead
The apparatus shown at Figures 4 and 5 is very similar to that shown at Fig. 2,
except that the bottle neck is externally screw threaded, and the part 6* connected
to the air chamber b¹ is formed to screw thereon, whilst the chamber d*,
of being closed at the top by a cap or top f*, is provided with packing f to make
a tight joint with the neck of the capsule e and the latter is forced against the
pin by toggle lever apparatus i of a similar character to that used with some
descriptions of bottle stoppers.
The apparatus shown at Figures 6 and 7 is very similar to that shown at Fig. 2,
with the exception that the part b and the screw within the bottle neck are dispensed
with, and in lieu thereof the lower end of the chamber b¹ is formed with an annular
grooved ring b to receive a packing ring c to make a tight joint with the top of the
bottle neck, and the ring has pins to receive the hooked ends of toggle-lever
apparatus to force the chamber firmly on to the end of the bottle neck.
If desired the chamber 62 shown in Figures 1 to 7 may have a bell shaped mouth
as shown in Fig. 8 or the chamber 62 may be entirely dispensed with.
In the apparatus shown at Fig. 8 the air chamber bi is dispensed with. In this
case the bottle neck a has an internal screw thread, and the part is formed with
a head 66, by which it can be screwed into the bottle neck.
The parts b, 66 are bored centrally, and the lower portion of the part b has fixed
therein a centrally perforated block j, on to which is screwed a cylindrical piece k.
Within the parts 666 is fitted a safety valve acted upon by a spring m, the strength
of which is regulated by a perforated screw plugn. The capsule holder dis
formed with an opening in its side through which the capsule is inserted and with-
drawn, and it has a flange d³ which, when the apparatus is in position, is supported
by the seat a in the bottle neck.
The capsule holder d is capable of movement relatively to the cylindrical piece k,
and such motion is limited by the collar around such piece. The lower part of
the capsule-holder da has fixed therein the perforating ping and the injector tube d',
and around this latter is fixed the circulation chamber 2, which in this ca-e is
bell shaped at its lower end.
The operation of this arrangement is as follows:-A capsule is placed within
the holder, the stopper b, 1 is screwed into the bottle neck, in the early part of

page_text: such motion the capsule holder becomes supported by the seat a', then the stopper
forms a tight joint with the bottle neck and the cylindrical piece k forces the
capsule on to the perforating pin g, which latter is cross and centrally bored as
before explained. The gas from the capsule passes through the pin g into the
tube d', and from the lower contracted end of the latter into the circulation
chamber b², whence it issues at the lower part into the liquid in the bottle and thus
sets up a vigorous circulation of such liquid through the chamber 62, causing the
reduction of pressure as before described. In this case the bottle should not be
filled higher than shown. In the event of an excess of pressure arising within
the bottle, it is relieved by the valve l, and the excess of gas passes away through
the perforated plug n. By turning the bottle upside down, or placing the apparatus
herein described at the lower part of the bottle, the pressure within the bottle is
still further reduced and the agitation of the liquid is more perfect.
In the apparatus shown at Fig. 9, the arrangements for supporting and perforat-
ing the capsule are similar to those shown and described with respect to Fig. 8,
but the safety valve in the stopper is dispensed with and in lieu thereof the stopper,
in the arrangement shown at Fig. 9, has an air chamber 6' carrying the part b, which
parts are connected together by a hollow extension 6** in the exterior of the part b.
This hollow part 6** extends a short distance below the part b and is externally
screw threaded to receive the cylindrical piece k carrying the capsule holder d².
The interior of the air chamber b has free communication with the interior of
the bottle through the perforation in the cylindrical piece k. The
operation of inserting a capsule in the capsule holder and of closing the bottle
and perforating the capsule are in this arrangement exactly similar to those of the
arrangement shown and described with respect to Fig. 8, except that the stopper
is screwed into the bottle neck by means of the air chamber 61 instead of by means
of the head 66.
In the apparatus represented at Figs. 10 and 11 I have shown one form of
annaratus by which I am enabled to use several capsules in succession for aerating
liquids contained in bottles of larger size than that for which the capsule was
intended. The gas containing capsule e is external of the chamber 61, the perforat-
ing ping is fixed in the lower part of the capsule chamber d* and communicates
with the injector tube d¹ through the non-return valve. The injector tube dis
enlarged at its upper part into the form of a small chamber dt to accommodate the
non-return valve, which latter consists of a body g³, which is attached to the lower
part of the perforating pin g and is provided with a gas passage g, the upper end
of which coincides with the lower end of the longitudinal perforation in the
perforating pin g. The said body g³ is formed with a rib or enlargement g³ and
has a rubber tube g stretched around its exterior. The gas containing capsule e
is placed inverted in its seat in the lower part of chamber d, and the cap or top f*,
which is of form to fit the body of the capsule e is screwed down and forces the cap-
sule e against the perforating pin g. The gas escaping from the capsule e passes
through the longitudinal perforation into the gas passage g, raises the rubber
tube g and, passing down the injector tube d', enters the liquid. The pressure
of the gas on the exterior of the rubber tube go, closes the end of the gas passage g
and prevents any escape of gas or liquid. The cap or top f*, is then unscrewed,
the exhausted capsule removed, and another capsule is placed in position for per-
forating. A number of small capsules may thus be used for aerating a large
bottle or other receptacle, which latter may be provided with a syphon tube or tap
for drawing off a small quantity of the aerated water.
I would here remark that the methods of forming a tight joint between the
aerating apparatus and the bottle neck, and the arrangement of means for holding
and perforating the capsule may be varied, and in some cases the perforations in
the circulation chamber are omitted.
I would further remark than in lieu of employing capsules e which require to be
perforated in order to release the gas therefrom, I may employ capsules provided
with valvular closing means, such for instance as those described in my Specifica-

page_text: tion No. 19067 of the year 1898, in which case instead of employing a perforating
ping to pierce the end of the capsule, a mere pushing pin will be used.
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. In apparatus for aerating liquids in bottles and the like, the combination with
a stopper having means for holding a capsule and releasing the gas in the same, of
an external safety air chamber secured to said stopper and having free communica-
tion with the interior of the bottle, an ejecting tube carried by said stopper and
communicating with the capsule holder and down which the gas from the capsule
passes and from the lower end of which it escapes by a contracted opening, a per-
forated circulation chamber carried by the said stopper and surrounding the eject-
ing tube and into which the gas is delivered from the ejecting tube, and an open-
ing at the lower end of such circulation chamber, substantially as herein set forth
and for the purpose stated.
2. In apparatus for aerating liquids in bottles and the like, the combination with
a stopper having means for holding a capsule and releasing the gas in the same,
of an ejecting tube carried by said stopper and communicating with the capsule
holder and down which the gas from the capsule passes and from which it escapes
by a contracted opening at the lower end, a perforated circulation chamber also
carried by said stopper and surrounding the ejecting tube and into which the gas
from the ejection tube is delivered and an opening at the lower end of such circula-
tion chamber, substantially as herein set forth and for the purpose stated.
3. In apparatus for aerating liquids in bottles and the like, the combination with
a stopper having means for holding a capsule and releasing the gas in the same,
of an external safety air chamber secured to said stopper and having free com-
munication with the interior of the bottle, an ejecting tube carried by said stopper
and communicating with the capsule holder and down which the gas from the cap-
sule passes and from the lower end of which it escapes through a contracted open-
ing, a circulation chamber also carried by said stopper and surrounding the eject-
ing tube and into which the gas is delivered from the ejecting tube, and an opening
at the lower end of such circulation chamber, substantially as herein set forth and
for the purpose stated.
4. In apparatus for aerating liquids in bottles and the like, the combination with
a stopper having means for holding a capsule and releasing the gas in the same,
of an ejecting tube carried by said stopper and communicating with the capsule
holder and down which the gas from the capsule passes and from the lower end of
which it escapes by a contracted opening, a circulation chamber also carried by said
stopper and surrounding the ejecting tube and into which the gas from the ejection
tube is delivered, and an opening at the lower end of such circulation chamber,
substantially as herein set forth and for the purpose stated.
5. In apparatus for aerating liquids in bottles and the like, the combination with
a stopper having means for holding a capsule and releasing the gas in the same, of
an external safety air chamber secured to said stopper and having free communica-
tion with the interior of the bottle, and an ejecting tube, having a contracted out-
let, carried by said stopper and communicating with the capsule holder and down
which the gas from the capsule passes into the liquid, substantially as herein set
forth and for the purpose stated.
6. In apparatus for aerating liquids in bottles and the like, the combination with
a stopper having means for holding a capsule and releasing the gas in the same,
of an ejecting tube, having a contracted outlet, carried by said stopper and com-
municating with the capsule holder and down which the gas from the capsule passes
into the liquid, substantially, as herein set forth and for the purpose stated.
7. In apparatus for aerating liquids in bottles and the like, the combination with
a stopper having means for holding a capsule and releasing the gas in the same,

page_text: of an injecting tube and a non-return valve enabling two or more capsules to be
used in succession, substantially as herein shown and described.
8. In apparatus for aerating liquids in bottles and the like, the combination with
a stopper having means for holding and releasing the gas in a capsule, of an
external safety air chamber having free communication with the interior of the
bottle, substantially as herein set forth.
Dated this 21st day of December 1898.
HARRIS & MILLS,
23, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.