Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Aug., 1887
Specification Accepted, 30th Sept., 1887
I, HARVEY ISAAC LEITH, of Providence, in the County of Providence, and State of
Rhode Island, United States of America, Druggist, 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: -
My invention relates to certain novel improvements in the construction of bottles
or analogous receptacles for liquids; and it consists, essentially, of a bottle having an
apertured neck, a self-closing stopper or valve fitting therein, an apertured protection-
cap inclosing the neck and adapted to limit the lift of the valve, and also adapted to
be secured or sealed to the top of the bottle, all as will be more fully hereinafter set
forth and claimed.
It also consists in the combination with the valve and protection-cap, of a rubber
band, or bands, connecting the valve and neck of the bottle for the purpose of
automatically closing the valve when in use.
It consists, finally, in the combination with the self-closing valve and apertured
protection-cap, of a finely perforated plate arranged in the upper portion of said cap,
thereby preventing the entrance into the chamber beneath of a tool or other means
calculated to tamper with the valve, and also to prevent the refilling of the bottle
with spurious preparations.
The class to which I more particularly contemplate applying my improvements is
that in which the liquid contents of a bottle, when inverted, are expelled in inter-
mittent jets, by shaking. By means of the arrangement the protection-cap also forms
a chamber which is adapted to retain a small portion of the liquid after the bottle is
returned to its vertical or normal position and in which the rubber band is immersed.

page_text: The object of my invention is to provide a bottle with means whereby the original
liquid contents thereof are protected from subsequent adulteration or dilution, thereby
insuring to the dealer or user the purity of such liquid.
Another advantage possessed by my improvement is that unscrupulous dealers are
prevented from refilling the bottles with inferior preparations, owing to the fact that
refilling can only be done after the cap and seal have been broken.
It is well known that ordinary bottles containing certain proprietary liquid
preparations are frequently refilled with very inferior goods, although in color and
taste having a close approximation to the genuine. This is particularly true in the
case of preparations adapted to be mixed with drinks.
In order to fully illustrate my improvements, I have prepared the accompanying
sheet of drawings, in which-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bottle embodying my improvements, the bottle
standing in its normal position. Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical central sectional view
taken through the upper portion of the bottle. The protection-cap having interior
lugs for limiting the lift of the valve. Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view through
the cap, taken on line x x of Fig. 2. Fig. 4, is a plan view of the bottle, showing the
sealing recess, &c. Fig. 5, is a side elevation of the upper portion of my improved
bottle, a portion of the cap being broken away to show the manner of seating the
valve by the use of rubber bands and also showing the perforated plate secured in the
neck of the protection-cap. Fig. 6 is a vertical central sectional view of the same,
and Fig. 7 is a plan view of the rubber band, adapted to be secured to the valve and
neck of the bottle as shown in Fig. 5.
The following is a detailed description of my improvements:
-
A, referring to the drawings, designates the improved bottle as a whole, and as
made of glass or other suitable material.
C, indicates the liquid-holding portion of the bottle which may have any desired
form. The top end is provided with a comparatively short central annular neck n,
which is enlarged or otherwise adapted to receive and seat a self-closing stopper or
valve. I prefer that the valve be provided with an elongated stem, as m, which
loosely fits the neck of the bottle, thereby serving as a guide in returning the valve
to its seat n¹. An annular groove or recess a is also formed in or upon the top
surface of the bottle, and concentric with the neck n for purposes hereinafter
described.
B, indicates what I term the glass protection-cap the same being adapted to inclose
the neck of the bottle and the valve, and resting in the recess a, as clearly shown.
The upper end of the cap is contracted to form the small aperture or outlet 6, the neck
of which unites with the vertical sides by the angular or beveled portion 6. In
Figs. 2 and 3, I have represented a series of lugs 1, projecting inwardly from the upper
portion of the cap. By means of these lugs the drop of the valve (when inverted)
is limited, but at the same time not preventing a free out-flow of the liquid from the
bottle and the outlet b.
In order to render the bottle more effectual against the introduction of counterfeit
preparations I secure a finely perforated glass or porcelain plate D, at the base of
the neck b, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. And to ensure the closing of the valve,
referring again to the latter Figures, I stretch an annular band r, of rubber, over
the valve and into a small groove made therein for the purpose; the series of ends
attached to or forming an integral part of the band are then bent down upon the
neck n and secured in place by a circumscribing rubber bands. I prefer, however,
when the rubber bands are employed, to make the interior surface of the cap smooth
or plain, or, in other words, the lugs are omitted. By means of this arrangement
it is apparent that in case the upper surface of the valve comes in contact with the
conical surface of the cap when in use (as in the event of the breaking of the rubber
connection) that the contents of the bottle is thereby prevented from running out.
It is obvious that two simple bands or strips of rubber may be used, in lieu of the
rubber connection shown in Fig. 7, in which case the bands would be placed cross-wise
upon the top of the valve and the ends of the bands then bent down and secured to

page_text: the neck of the bottle by a band s, as just described. Now, by removing the small
stopper from the cap and then inverting the bottle, the contents can be emptied
therefrom only by a gentle shaking of the bottle in a longitudinal direction. The
liquid thereby being caused to run out in small intermittent jets corresponding to the
number and force of the agitations. The valve being seated immediately after each
shake by reason of the tension of the rubber connections which unite it with the neck
of the bottle. I preferably use rubber, as being less injuriously affected by contact
with the various liquids or preparations which may be contained in the bottles.
The following describes the operation of sealing the bottle-
Assuming now that a manufacturer has a valuable liquid preparation, adapted to be
mixed or combined with drinks, and which he is desirous shall be guaranteed genuine
to the consumer-He (the manufacturer) first fills the bottle portion B with the
said liquid and inserts the valve or stopper V, which latter automatically seats itself
by gravity, in the neck n; and, if the rubber band r be used the securing band Si
employed, as shown in Fig. 5. The protection-cap B is then placed in position and
inclosing the neck and valve and resting upon the top of the bottle and also in the
groove a, as shown in Fig. 6. The recess is then filled with a suitable sealing
composition, as sealing-wax, or cement, thereby forming an air-tight joint. The wax
in the recess, before hardening, being impressed with the seal of the manufacturer
to denote the genuineness of the inclosed liquid. A small cork or capsule 2 is finally
secured in the mouth of the cap as usual. Now, a bottle thus filled and protected can
be properly emptied of its contents only by first removing the cork s³ and then
inverting the bottle and gently shaking it back and forth, which movement cause the
liquid to be expelled in little jets, the valve being seated after each agitation partly
by the vacuum formed in the bottle, assisted by the rubber bands. The valve or
stopper (by its gravity) automatically closes the main opening n³, upon replacing the
bottle in its normal (vertical) position.
By means of this improved construction and arrangement of the bottle, the latter
upon being returned each time after use to its normal vertical position leaves a small
quantity of the liquid in the protection chamber, which liquid serves partly as a seal
for the valve, but also serves in addition to protect the rubber bands or springs; for
if the chamber be empty the process of ovaporation soon encrusts the rubber with
crystals thereby making it brittle and diminishing its durability, whereas, in the
former case, as stated, the presence of the liquid, especially acids, prevents crystal-
lization from taking place, thereby preserving the rubber.
It is obvious that my improvement may be applied to metal cans or other holders
of liquids. In such case the protection-cap B should, preferably, be made of metal,
and secured to the top of the can by soft solder. The valve being returned to its
seat by a metallic spring, if desired.
I am aware that bottles having self-closing stoppers have been used prior to my
improvements, an example of which may be seen in beer and soda bottles. Therefore,
I do not claim such broadly.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I claim is ;-
1. The combination, with the apertured neck of a bottle and a self-closing stopper or
valve fitting therein, of the protection-cap having an outlet and lugs formed therein
for limiting the lift of said valve, and means for securing and sealing the cap to the
upper end of the bottle and inclosing said apertured neck and valve, substantially as
herein before set forth, and for the purpose specified.
2. The combination, with a bottle having a self-seating stopper, of the protection-
cap having an outlet, lugs for limiting the lift of the stopper formed in the cap, and
means consisting of an annular groove or rim formed in the bottle to receive cement,
into which the lower end of the cap is embedded and adapted to be sealed, substantially
as shown, and hereinbefore described.
3. The combination of a bottle, as B, a valve normally seated therein, a rubber
band adapted to limit the lift of the valve and seat it when the bottle is inverted, and

page_text: an apertured protection-cap sealed to the top of the bottle and inclosing said valve
and rubber band, whereby upon returning the bottle to its upright position a quantity
of the liquid contents is left in the upper chamber to serve as a seal to the valve and
a preservative to the rubber, substantially as herein before described.
4. The improved bottle hereinbefore described, consisting of the base or liquid-
holding portion, a valve seated therein, a rubber band for normally closing the valve
when the bottle is inverted, an apertured protection-cap sealed to the top of the
bottle and enclosing said valve and rubber band, and a perforated plate located in
the neck of said protection-cap, substantially as shown and for the purpose specified.
Dated this 28th day of July 1887.
HARVEY I. LEITH,
Inventor.