US1324577A - baldwin - Google Patents

Description

J. H. BALDWlN. DEVICE FOR PREVENTING THE FRAUDULENT REFILLING 0F BOTTLES AND OTHER CONTAINERS FOR LIQUIDS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 31, 19w.

Patented Dec. 9,1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 zea a mw l. H. BALDWIN. DEVICE FOR PREVENTING THE FRAUDULENT REFILLING 0F aomss AND OTHER CONTAINERS FOR uqums.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 31, I918.

1,324,577. Patented Dee. 9,1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- 5 m ze UNITED STATES PATENT oEEIo i JAMES HEWITT BALDWIN, or Lennon, ENGLAND.

'IJEVIIICEFORjPIRJ-EIVETLYPI.ING THE FRAUDULENT 'RE'F-ILLING OF BOTTLES AND OTHER CONTAINERS FOR LIQUIDS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 31, 1918. Serial No. 237,410.

To all whom it may concern:

. Be .it known that I, JAMES HEWITT BA D WIN, a citizen of the United States of America, and resident at 68 Fenchurch street, London, E. O. 3, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Devices for Preventing the Fraudulent Refill'ing 'of Bottles andother Containers for Liquids, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to means for preventing the unauthorized or fraudulent refilling of bottles and other containers for liquids, and refers to an improved device of the class in question, which is simple in construction, possesses a comparatively smallnumber of working parts, is not liable to get out of order, effectually prevents refilling whether by the ordinary process of pouring the liquid into the bottle or other container: by immersion of the orifice in the liquid: by the use'of an exhaust pumpor force pump: or by any other known means usually employed for refilling bottles or other containers furnished with so called non-refillable stoppers or attachments. At the same time the device enables the liquid to be readily poured out from the bottle or other container as required.

-"In carrying outmy invention, I'provide upon or in connection with the pouring orifice of the bottle or other container, a chamber at the bottom of which is located a valve that when the valve is resting upon the seating it does not come completely into contact therewith at all points except when pressure is exerted upon the top of the buoyant valve. Means are provided for centering'the valve and preventing it coming into contact with 45 Fitted within the'betore limitsthe motion ofthe suspended weight while allowing for the free movement of the buoyant valve between. the valve seating and the bafile disk or its equivalent. Theweight is moreover, so proportioned, formed and arranged, that it enables the liquid to pass.

ma anese, 1919. I

freely into the chamber whenpouringis to be effected, and at the same time it draws Fig.3,is asimilarview with-the bottle in the horizontal position, to illustrate the action ofthe-weight. V q

"Fig. isa similar view with the bottle. invertedto illustratethe action of tlie float or buoyant valve, if the fitting were immersed in liquid. I Fig. 5- shows details hereinafter 'referred to. I

Fig. 6 shows one method of applying my invention to the-filling orifice of a petrol back the valve'upon its seating when the bottle;orcontainer is'tilted back to-or bee can, andtoa-tube in connection therewith for the admission of air. Figs. 7 and 8 showinelevation and plan respectively a detail hereinafter referred to.

The same letters. and numerals of reference are employed to denote the same parts in all the views. i 7

Referring. to the form of the device shown in Figs. 1 to 5 a is the neck of the bottle. I) is a cylindrical fitting forming a shallow chamberiprovided with a valve seating 0 and vertical ribs (Z. .This fitting is made 1 with a downwardly extending stepped boss 6, the whole fitting resting at the top of the neck of the bottle with the stepped boss 6 projecting downward, a suitable washer f being interposed between the fitting and the top of the neck of the bottle, before the metallic sleeve effecting the attachment is spun into position.

The valve seating c is made so that it is not perfectly even. In the present case it is provided with two diametrically opposite raised portions 0 as shown greatly exaggerated at Fig. 5, for the purpose hereinafter fully explained.

g is a flexible cork valve of suitable size to rest upon the seating and to move with sufficient freedom between the ribs d. This valve has suspended therefrom by means of a flexible cord h a weight It, which is of substantially conical form provided with upwardly extending radial arms m betweenwhich are arched spaces or channels 39.

g is a disk provided with a number of arch-shaped slots g and a central portion Q1 of about the same size as the cork valve g. This disk is adapted to rest upon the top of the fitting b as shown. 1" is an outer casing provided with a pouring orifice s. This casing is adapted to linclose the fitting b and to rest upon the washer f and is held in position by means of the sleeve which is spun over it and the neck of the bottle in the ordinary well known manner, thus holding all the parts securely in position.

I will now explain the way in which the device operates.

Referring first to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the valve 9 is held in position upon the seating 0 under the pull of the suspended weight, k.

If the valve seating were perfectly flat, as soon as it and the underside of the valve 9 became wet, the air would be excluded and would be unable to pass between them and the valve would adhere to the valve seating. The outer air being thus unable to enter the bottle, and the pressure outside being greater than the pressure inside, it would be possible even to invert the bottle and to have the entire weight of the liquid pressed down upon the valve 9 without the said valve becoming separated from the seating. It would consequently be impossible to pour from the bottle unless the adhesion were broken.

In order to weaken the adhesive forces and to secure the necessary balancing of air pressure, I therefore incline the seating c at a very slight angle, as already explained.

Supposing now that the bottle is tilted into the position shown at Fig. 2. The stream of liquid attempting to find its Way out pushes on the back of the buoyant valve 9 and as with the construction shown, the forces making for adhesion between the valve and the valve seating are not so great as the forces operating against it, the valve pushed forward and the liquid finds its way through the spaces 10, past the valve 9, be-

tween the valve and the fitting b through the spaces between the ribs (Z, and through a the slots 9 to the pouring orifice Owing to the limitations of form imposed upon devices of this general character, it is very difficult to prevent some accumulation of liquid within the chamber, when pouring, and when such accumulation takes place, owing to the buoyancy of the va vs (5 and the force of the incoming currents of air, there is a tendency for the valve to close 30 upon the valve seating and to shut ofi entirely or greatly impede the flow of liquid. This tendency is counteracted in the following manner. The shape and size of the part 9' of the plate 9 closely approximate to that of the valve 9 and largely or entirely protects it from the force of the incoming current of air. As the bottle is tilted into the pouring position, what is normally the upper surface of the valve 9 comes into contact with what is normally the under surface of the plate q, and the parts being wet there is a tendency to adhesion, which tendency is greatly augmented by the pressure of the air in the chamber, and (or) the pressure of the outflowing liquid upon what is normally the under surface but in the pour ing position the upper surface of the valve 9.

The forces thus brought into .play are sufficiently strong to overcome the buoyancy of the valve and any possible pressure of incoming air against which the valve 5% is protected by the plate 9, as just explained.

The whole result is that the liquid is found to pour out very freely and in a most satisfactory manner, even when the bottle is inverted. 7

On the other hand, as soon as the bottle is tilted back to or beyond the horizontal position, as shown at Fig. 8, which would be necessary in any attempt to re-fill in the ordinary way the end of one of the radial arms m comes against the bottom of the fitting b and the weight exerts a lever like action which pulls the valve upon the seating 0. I

The flexibility of the valve 9 is so pro portioned that any attempt to force in liquid will be sufficient to cause the valve to adhere to all parts of the seating and to lose the ingress of liquid.

" When the .bottle is inverted, as shown at Fig. t, and the fitting immersed in liquid, it is still impossible to refill the bottle, as the buoyancy of the valve causes it to rise to the top of'the chamber and any attempt to force in liquid will in addition make the valve adhere closely to the seating, thus preventing the passage of the liquid. 7

In practice, I prefer to make all the parts of the device, except the buoyant valve 9,

, washer f and the cord, of porcelain or some analogous material where the fitting 'isto be appliedto a bottle for containing spirits or the like. a

I will now consider the adaptation of my invention to the pouring orifice of. a petrol can, asillustrated in Figs/6,7 and 8.

10 is the nozzle of the can, which is preferably made somewhat larger than isus'ual, and may be provided with adownwardly extending flange or skirt 11.

13 is a fitting which corresponds with the fitting b in the previous construction,

. and which is adapted to slide into and rest '17, pouring orifices 18 being left for the passage of the liquid.

The flange 14: and the ring 15 are surficiently small to pass through the outer orifice which is turned or beaded over at 19.

When the ring 15 is placed inposition with the edges coming below'the'projecting beading 19, the metal is'spun out or otherwise treated to hold the device in position, as indicated by dotted lines at Figs. 7 and 8, and as seen clearly at Fig. 6.

When it is required to re-fill the can,

when it is returned to the works, the ring plate 15, is levered out by means of a suitable tool,-and a fresh plate is required, after the can has been re-filled, which is done by simply lifting out the fitting 13 with the valve and associated parts, this fittingbeing replaced-after the filling has been effected.

I prefer to combine, with the filling device, a means for enabling air to pass to the top of the can, as pouring takes place, and one method of effecting this is shown in Fig. 6.

It will be seen that the nozzle 10 is cut away at 20. 21 is a tube which is flattened out at 22, and soldered or otherwise suitably attached to the fitting 13, so that it can be removed therewith when required.

The tube 21 extends downward to within a short distance of the bottom of the can, and may be fitted at the lower end with a small non-refillable fitting indicated in section at 23. I

In this case the edge of the ring 15 is has been placed in po- With this arrangement, pouring may be easily effected, as the petrol passes outthrough the principal fitting, while the air passes in by the tube 20. The fitting 23 is intended to prevent the possibility of re-filling the can by passing .petrol down the tube intended for the passage of air.

I prefer to provide a single cap, for c'ov-.

ering in the orifice for pouring and the top of the tube for the admission of air.

It will of course be understood that the details of construction may be varied with-V out departing from the principle of my in- Vention.

In some cases I may dispense with; the

retaining action of the disk above the valve, relying upon the forward rush of the liquid to counteract the buoyancy of the valve, but in all cases I provide above the valve means for preventing tampering with the said valve through the outlet orifices.

lVhile the invention'has be'en'shown and described in its preferred f0rm,:it will be understood that changes and variations may be made with respectto certain of the sp'e-" cific structures shown and described, and that the inventlon is not therefore limited to the precise structure illustrated What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States of America- 1. In a device ofthe class described, the combination of a container having a pouring orifice, a chamber, a valve seat at the bottom of the chamber, a'pouring outlet at the top of the chamber, a buoyant valve I adapted to seat on the valve seat'and to move vertically in said chamber, means for prevent ng contact between the sides 'o'f'the valve and the inner surface of the chamber,

means for minimizing adhesion betwee'nthe.

underside of the valveand the valve seat, and means between the pouring orifice-and the valve for valve.

2-. In a device of the'clas's described, the combination with. a container having a pouring orifice, a chamber, a valve seat-at the bottom of the chamber'the upper sur face of the valve seat having portions in different horizontal planes, a buoyant valve of a material of such flexibility that when pressure is applied to its top it will seat on the entire surface of theseating, said valve being adapted to move vertically in the chamber, means for preventing. contact be.- tween the sides of the valve and the inner surface of the chamber, and means between the pouring orifice and the top of the valve for preventing tampering with the valve.

3. In a device of the class described, the

combination of acontainer having a pour preventingtampering with the ing orifice, a chamber, an outlet opening at the top of the chamber, an inlet orifice at the bottom of the chamber around which is a valve seat, a buoyant valve adapted to move vertically within the chamber, means for preventing contact between the sides of the valve and the inner surface of the chamber, means for preventing adhesion between the underside of the valve and the valve seat, a weight secured to the valve by a flexible cord so as to depend therefrom, and means between the pouring orifice and the top of the valve for preventing tampering therewith.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination of a'container having a pouring orifice, a chamber, a valve seat at the bottom of the chamber, a pouring outlet at the top of the chamber, a buoyant valve adapted to seat on the valve seat and to move vertically in said chamber, means for preventing contact between the sides of the valve and the inner surface of the chamber, means in the chamber to which the valve adheres when wet to prevent the valve from floating against the seat when there is liquid in the chamber, and means for break-- ing the adhesion.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of a container having a pouring orifice, a chamber, a valve seat at the bottom of the chamber, a pouring outlet at the top of the chamber, a buoyant valve adapted to seat on the valve seat and to move vertically in said chamber, neans for preventing contact between the sides of the valve and the inner surface of the chamber, means in the chamber to which the valve adheres when wet to prevent the valve from floating against the seat when there is liquid in the chamber, and a weight secured to the valve by a flexible cord so as to depend therefrom and pull the valve to its seat.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination of a container having a pouring orifice, a chamber, an outlet opening at the top of the chamber, an inlet orifice at the bottom of the chamber around which is a valve seat, a buoyant valve adapted to move vertically within the chamber, means for preventing contact between the sides of therefrom, said weight being provided with radial arms provided with openings for the passage of liquid therebetween, the ends of said arms acting to exert a levering action to seat the valve when the container is at or above horizontal position, and means between the pouring orifice and the top of the valve for preventing tampering with the valve.

7 In a device of the class described, the combination of a container having a pouring orifice, a chamber, an outlet orifice at the top of the chamber, a valve seat at the bottom of the chamber, a buoyant valve adapted to move vertically within the chamber, means for preventing contact between the sides of the valve and the inner'surface of the chamber, means in the chamber to which the valve adheres when wet for preventing the valve from floating to the valve seat when there is liquid in the chamber, a weight secured to and suspended below the valve for pulling the valve back to its seat, a tube for the admission of air to the container, and a valve in the tube vacting to prevent refilling therethrough.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination of a container having a pouring orifice, a chamber, a valve seat at the bottom of the chamber, a liquid outlet at the top of the chamber, a buoyant valve arranged to seat upon the valve seat and to move vertically in the chamber, means for preventing contact between the sides of the valve and the inner surface of the chamber, means for minimizing the adhesion between the underside of the valve and the valve seat, means in the chamber with which the valve may adhere when wet to prevent its floating the valve seat when there is liquid in the chamber, and means secured to the valve for breaking the adhesion.

JAMES HEWITT BALDWIN. l/Vitnesses:

A. E. VIDAL, N. E. L. CREWx

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