Improvements in Bottles.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Feb., 1897-Accepted, 17th Apr., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Bottles.
I, HENRY THOMAS ATKINSON, of corner of 4th and Washington Streets,
Oakland, Alameda County, California, Carpenter, 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 application relates to improvements in bottles.
The objects which the invention has in view are to provide means whereby, when
originally filled, the bottle provided with this invention, cannot be refilled without
detection, and which will permit the liquid to flow outward freely and overcome
any tendency to stoppage by reason of the force of the partial vacuum formed in
the bottle incidental to the exit of the liquid. And a further object is that of
providing a construction for the operative parts which may be saved from destruction
with the bottle and reused, thereby lessening the cost of the bottles.
In the drawings:
Fig. 1, is a vertical section through the top of a bottle provided with the
invention.
Fig. 2, is a detail in side elevation of the valve operating device.
Fig. 3, is a detail in plan of the valve operating device.
Fig. 4, is a plan view, from above, of the valve seat and valve operating device
in position.
Fig. 5, is a plan view, from beneath, of the valve.
Its operation, after the bottle has been originally filled, and the seal, C, set in
position, is as follows:-
In
In the upright position shown in drawings the valve, A, is seated by the expansion
of the spiral spring, B, the float, F, being constructed so light as to offer slight
resistance to the strain of the spring. The parts will remain in the positions shown
until the bottle is inverted for pouring. The pouring is designed to come from
one side of the neck of the bottle and as a guide to this effect the spout, C 4, is
formed therein. When now the bottle is inclined so that the liquor would
ordinarily flow, it surrounds the float, F, and raises the same by its buoyancy.
raising or floating on this liquor, the float raises the arm, F 1, to which it is con-
nected and lifts the end, F3, and valve under which it rests, allowing the liquor to
flow into the outer neck of the bottle, from whence it finds an exit through the
passages, C 3, in the seal, C. The spring, B, is formed of just sufficient strength
to seat the valve and support the float, F, in the position shown in drawings, when
the bottle is in a vertical position, but not of sufficient strength to resist the
floating strain of the float, in the manner described. The valve is seated by the
spring, B, whenever the liquor in the neck of the bottle is insufficient to raise
the float.
The construction and arrangement of the various parts is as follows: All the
parts, with the exception of the spiral spring, B, are constructed of glass.
The valve, A, is formed as shown, to fit the conical valve seat, and is provided
with the central extension or projection, A 1, to receive the spiral spring, B, which
extends between it and a similar projection, C1, on the under side of the seal, C.
When the seal is placed in position, the spring exerts a slight and sufficient
pressure to seat the valve. The valve is provided on its under surface with a
groove, A 2, which is provided to receive the end, F3, of the float arm ог
tem, F1.
The valve seat is formed in the partition, D, and is formed in the same off
he centre of the partition as shown at Fig. 4, of drawings. Two objects are

page_text: accomplished by thus placing the valve off centre: that of opening the passage way
at the top to permit the entrance of air into the bottle-while the liquor is coming out,
and, that of accommodating the swing of the valve and its operating device.
Across the opening in the valve seat are extended the parallel cross bars, D 1,
which are provided to receive and hold the fulcrum, F 2, on the float stem, F 1,
indentations being provided to receive the same, as shown at Figs. 1 and 4, of
drawings. The partition, D, is forced in place and maintained there by the
circular ring, E, which is of cork or similar compressible material. This partition
is regulated in its position by the internal ridge, X 1, which is formed in the neck
of the bottle. The partition is forced down against this ridge, after the float has
been put in place. The bottle may be filled either before putting in the partition
or afterwards; when filled, the valve, A, is placed in position, the groove, A 2,
resting over the end, F 3, of the float stem.
When the valve is thus placed the spring, B, is inserted over it and the seal, C,
is placed on it, so that the extension, C 1, engages the spring and holds it in place.
The seal, C, is provided at the bottom, with the saucer shaped flange, C 2, which
closes the bottom of the seal and extends, upward to near or above the top of thei
side openings, C 3. The purpose of this formation is the prevention in inserting a
wire or like article in the neck. and with it. tamper with the valve.
When placed in position, as shown, it is secured by cement, which is floated into
the grooves, C 5, which are formed; in both the neck of the bottle. and the seal.
When hardened the cement cannot be removed and the seal cannot be, withdrawn,
unless the neck of the bottle is destroyed.
It will be observed that as the only means, of opening the valve is by floating
the float, F, there must be sufficient liquor in the bottle to do so. Audy when this
liquor has been withdrawn, it is impossible to insert any from without unless the
valve is raised, and to do this in any other than the manner mentioned the neck of
the bottle would have to be destroyed, which would immediately.
the fact of refilling.
serve to detect
It will also be observed that by reason of the construction and arrangement of
the valve and float, the valve in being raised from its seat, is thrown to one side,
and downward, thereby opening the top to the widest.extent. By this means, the
air is admitted into the bottle and the stoppage of the flow by vacuum in the bottle
is prevented.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what
I claim, is-
:
1st. In a bottle a valve adapted to close the entrance to the bottle from the outside,
a spring to seat, the valve, a float suspended within the bottle adapted to be raised
by the liquor therein, and a lever fulcrumed under the valve seat and attached to
the said float and having its free end resting under the valve to raise it to one sidé
the centre of the said seat when the said float is raised; all combined, substantially
as described.
2nd. In a bottle a valve adapted to close the entrance to the bottle from the
outside and provided with an upwardly extended stem, a seal to provide a tortuous
passage at the end of the neck of the bottle, and having suitable means for holding
a spring, a spring connected to and extending.. between the said- scal.and valve, a
float suspended within the bottle and adapted to be raised by the liquor therein;
and a lever fulcrumed under the valve seat and attached. to the said float, and
having its free end resting under the valve to raise it to one side the center of the
seat, combined, substantially as described..
1. Dated this 18th day of February 1897.
F. BOSSHARDT & Co.,
4, Corporation Street, Manchester,, Agents to Applicant..
F. BOSSHARDT & Co.,
4, Corporation Street, Manchester, Agents to Applicant.