US2057134A - Nonrefillable bottle - Google Patents

Description

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 y G. CAI-"LL NONREFILLABLE BOTTLE Oct. 13, 1936.

' Oct. 13, 1936. I G. CAI-ULI.- 2,057,134

.NONREFILLABLE BOTTLE Filed July 27, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. i3, 1936 UNTE STA'I FATE OFFIQE Claims.

This invention relates to a non-rellable bottle. Many attempts have been made to provide bottles with means for making it impossible to rell them. Three methods have been employed for il- 5 licit dealers to refill a valve-protected bottle with a liquid: (l) by inserting a wire to hold the valve away from its seat; (2) by a rapid oscillating movement of the bottle while it is submerged in a liquid; and (3) by reciprocating movement with a quick return, the bottle being held in a vertical position submerged in the liquid. The first method is overcome by having a circuitous or interrupted passage between the mouth of the bottle and the valve. However, the second and third methods have been employed effectively for refilling the present types of valve-protected bottles.

A primary object of my invention is to provide a valve-protected bottle with means whereby the bottle cannot be refilled by any of the above methods, A further object is to provide means for locking the valve to its seat when either the s-econd or third method mentioned above is used, while permitting the valve to move freely toopen position when the bottle is held in a pouring position.

The invention is illustrated, in preferred embodiments, by the accompanying: drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a bottle neck equipped with my improved means for preventing refilling; Fig. 2, a transverse sectional view, the s-ection being taken as indicated at line 2 of Fig. l; Fig. 3, a transverse sectional view, the section being taken as indicated at line 3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4, a transverse sectional view, the sectio-n being taken as indica-ted at line 4 of Fig. 1; Fig. 5, a broken sectional view showing the bottle neck equipped with a modified form of means for preventing relling of the bottle, the valve being shown in closed position; Fig. 6, a view similar to Fig. 5, but showing the valve raised; Fig. '7, a sectional View, the section being taken as indicated atline 'I of Fig. 8; and Fig. 8, a transverse sectional view, the section being taken as indicated at line 3 of Fig. 5. Y

In the illustrationV given in Figs. l, 2, 3, and 4, the bottle neck A is providedwith an enlargement A near its upp-er end.

Received within the bottle neck A is a metal tube or casing I 6 having an outwardly flared portion II which is expanded into interlocking engagement with the enlargement A and for insertion within the bottle neck. In this manner,

the tube IQ is permanently locked within the bottle neck. The upper portion of the tube ID may be spun around the upper edge of the bottle neck to form an interlock I2 and seal I2a. In the illustration given, a screw cap I3 equipped with a sealing disk III is clamped in position. Fixed within the tube III is a pendulum cage I5 having its side walls interlocked with the tube I 0 at the point indicated by the numeral I6. Supported by arms Il at the upper side of cage I5 is a tubular guide I8 adapted to receive the coilspring stem I9 of the plumb-bob 2B. Fixed to the tubular guide I8 are two spaced flanges 2| which have their outer edges spaced inwardly of wall Ill. An annular partition wall 22 is secured to the tube I@ and overlaps the space between the flanges 2I and wall It. By means of flanges 2I and 22, a staggered passageway is provided which prevents the introduction of a wire into the bottle to engage operating parts below the flanges.

As shown more clearly in Fig. 1, the lower wall 23 of cage I5 is provided centrally with an opening 24 through which the bob 23 may move and through which the stem I9 may oscillate.

Within cage I5 and near one side thereof is xed a pivot 24 upon which is mounted a pendulum deflector 25. As shown more clearly in Figs. 1 and 3, the pendulum deflector is provided with a recessed end 26 adapted to receive the spring stem I9. When the pendulum deiiector 25 is swung to its lowermost position, as indicated in Fig. l, it holds the bob 2!) in the position indicated in dotted lines on the left hand side of the figure. In this position, the bob is locked against vertical movement.

Near the bottom of. the tube IIJ is a valve seat member 2'1 providing a centrally disposed iiow passage 2B. The seat 2l is provided with an annular recess into which the metal of the tube I0 is spun at 29.

The float valve 3i) of cork or Vother suitable material is disposed above the seat 21. In the illustration giv-en, the valve 3D is provided at its top with a metal disk SI having an over-hanging lip or flange 32. A rod 33 extends through the valve 39 and to a point considerably below the valve. Immediately below valve 30, I provide a series of thin disks 34 of cork or other suitable material to minimize friction due to expansion, which disks are separated by washers 35. In the lower portion of tube I0 is secured a closure memb-er 36 which has inclined walls terminating in a tubular member 3I which receives and guides the lower portion of stem 33. The lower portion of tube I0 is provided with a series of apertures 38 through which liquid may enter the tube below opening 28.

A ball weight 39 is secured by a iiexible member 48 to the lower end of stem 33.

In the space above valve seat 21 and below pendulum cage I5 is slidably mounted a weight member 4I provided at its top with spider arms 42, as shown more clearly in Fig. 4. In order to releasably lift the valve 30 from its seat, I provide a pair of tongs 43, each one of the tongs having a free end 44 extending upwardly through openings between the spider arms. The tongs are pivotally supported below the spider arms by pivot 45 which engages depending lugs 4B carried by the spider arms 42. Secured to the inner walls of the slidable weight member 4I are springs 41 which urge the depending tong arms inwardly so that the claws 48 thereof engage the flange or lip 32 of valve 30. f Y' In the operation of the device, when it is desired to pour liquid from the bottle, it may be inverted to the usual vertical position. The weight member 4I slides toward the pendulum cage I5 while at the same time, the bob stem I9 slides within the tubular guide I8. As the member 4I moves toward the cage I5, the arms 44 of the tongs 43 engage the inner wall 23 of cage I5, thus spreading the tong arms 44 and causing the claws 48 to release the flange 32 of valve 30. The float Valve 30 is thus freed so that it may return to its seat if an attempt is made to rell the bottle. If. the bottle is held in a horizontal position in an attempt to rell it, the valve return weight 39 pulls the released valve 30 to its seat.

If a rapid oscillating movement is made while the bottle issubmerged, centrifugal force causes all the movable members to fly tangent to their position, and are deiiected toward the mouth of the bottle, and in the action of the plumb-bob, which is suspended by a iiexible stem, the bob is free to fly laterally, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1. In such positions, the bob is caught between the cage I5 and valve lifter member 4I, and thus permits partial opening of the valve only.

If the bottle is held in a vertical position while submerged in a liquid, and given a reciprocal movement with a quick return, the movable members will tend to ily toward the mouth of the bottle. The pendulum deflector 25, under such conditions, forces the stem I9 out of. true alignmentV with the cage opening 24 and causes it to be locked in the positionshown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 on the left hand side of the figure, thus arresting the outward movement of the valvelifting member 4I and thereby the opening of the valve. Thus, under any of the conditions or methods heretofore set out for refilling protected bottles, the above improved construction prevents refilling the bottle.

In the modification shown in Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive, the construction is the same as that heretofore described, except with respect to one or twoV features. Secured to theV top of oat valve 30 is a metal plate or disk 5|] having integrally formed therewith spring fingers 5I which have inwardly turned upper ends 52. A weight-lifter member 53 is movably confined by fingers 5I so that there may be some relative movement between the valve disk 50 and the yweight-lifter member 53. Integrally formed with the weight member 53 are outwardly extending lugs 54 which serve as guides or spacers. The members 54 center the weight member 534 within the tube I0. As shown more clearly in Figs. 7 and 8, the weight member 53 is provided with a transverse slot 55 in which is pivotally mounted a latch 56. The locking latch 56, as shown more clearly in Fig. 7, is mounted on pivot 51 and is adapted to swing about the pivot into the locking position shown in Fig. '7. In this position, the locking latch engages plate 50 of valve 39, and thus holds the Valve in partially closed position.

Depending from the stem 33 of the valve is a metal rod 58 having a flattened end 59. A ball weight 60 is connected to the flattened end 59 by a flexible member 6I The lower end of the tube Ill is closed by a wall 62 which is formed to provide an annular groove 63 spaced about a centrally disposed tubular guide 64.

In the operation of the modification shown in Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive, when the bottle neck is inverted-to a vertical position as in the normal pouring position, the weight 53 slides forwardly engaging the inturned ends 52 of fingers 5I, thus pulling the valve 30 partially away from its seat. The ball weight B0 then strikes the flat end 59 of stem 58 and forces the remainder of the valve and more particularly the valve disks 34 out of engagement with the valve passage 28, thus opening the valve. 'Ihe flexible portion 6I then permits the ball 60 to fall over into the annular groove 63. In this position, the liquid flows freely through the openings 38 into tube I0, and thence through valve passage 28 into the chamber thereabove and out through opening 24 in the pendulum cage, as has already been described.

When an attempt is made to refill the bottle, the Valve 30 is free to float toward its seat, it being observed that the lingers 5I permit movement of the valve 30 toward its seat without disengagement from weight 53. The depending Weight 60 draws at least a portion of the valve into sealing relation with the valve passage 28. It will be-seen that the pusher ball 60 does not prevent the return of the float valve to its seat, but on the other hand actually aids in drawing the disks 34 into the valve passage 28 when the bottle is in hori- Zontal position.

If the bottle is given a rapid up-and-down movement or oscillatory movement, the locking latch 56 tends to swing toward the position shown in Fig. 7, thus maintaining the valve 30 in its lower position with some of the disks 34 sealing the valve opening.

In both of the modifications illustrated in the drawings, it will be observed that pendulum means are employed on both sides of the valve, the upper pendulum means being used mainly for dogging the opening of the valve and preventing the opening thereof when the bottle is held in certain positions and given certain movements. The lower pendulum serves mainly the functions of drawing the valve to its seat, locking the valve in closed positions, and in the second modification, the lower pendulum has the additional function of pushing against the valve to unseat it. The double pendulums in combination with the locking means disclosed prevent the opening of the valve through the employment of any of the methods heretofore discussed, and render the bottle non-reflllable. In the first modification, the lower ball has a dual function, (1) returning the valve to its seat, and (2) acting as a lock in the event the upper bob fails to get caught between the weight and the cage.

While in the illustrations given, I have set forth certain specific constructions, it will be understood that such details of construction may be modied greatly without departing from the principles and spirit of my invention.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understandingA only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible, in view of the prior art.

I claim:

l. In combination with a container neck, a guard structure locked within said neck and providing a flow passage and valve seat therein, a oat valve on said valve seat, weight means for positively moving said valve from its seat, and a swinging member supported within said guard structure and adapted to prevent said weight means from opening said valve seat, except when said container neck is inverted to a substantially vertical position for pouring.

2. In combination with a bottle neck, a guard structure locked within said neck and providing a flow passage and a valve seat therein, a float valve on said valve seat, slidable valve-lifting means supported above said valve and releasably engaging said valve, and swingable means supported by said guard structure above said valvelifting means and Vadapted to be moved into obstructing position preventing upward movement of said valve-lifting means except when said container neck is inverted to substantially vertical position.

3. In combination with a container neck, a guard structure locked within said neck and providing a flow passage and valve seat therein, a oat valve on said valve seat, a tubular guide supported at a spaced distance above said oat valve, a flexible stem received within said tubular guide, a weight member secured to the lower end of said stem, said stem yielding to permit the swinging of said weight member laterally into obstructing position preventing movement of said iioat valve away from said seat but said stem being receivable within said guide to permit movement of said float valve away from its seat when said container neck in inverted to a substantially vertical position for pouring.

4. In combination with a container neck, a guard structure locked within said neck and providing a flow passage and valve seat therein, a float Valve on said valve seat, slidable means supported above said valve for releasably lifting said valve from its seat when the container neck is inverted, .and swingable means slidably supported above said valve-lifting means for dogging the movement of said valve-lifting means except when said container neck is inverted to substantially vertical position.

5. In combination with a container neck having a guard structure within said neck and providing a flow passage and valve seat therein, a float valve on said valve seat, a swingable member supported above said valve seat and dogging upward movement of said valve when the container is given a longitudinal reciprocal movement, and a pendulum deector pivotally supported in said guard structure and adapted to engage said swingable member and to urge it into obstructing position when the container is given a longitudinal reciprocal movement.

6. In a guard structure for a bottle neck, said guard structure being provided with a valve seat and a oat valve thereon, a swingable member controlling the movement of said valve from its seat, and a pendulum deflector pivotally supported at one end by said guard structure and having its' free end adapted to engage said swingable member to maintain it in valve-obstructing position when the container is given a longitudinal reciprocal movement.

7. In combination with a container neck having an enlargement therein, a guard structure locked within said enlargement and providing a iiow passage and valve seat therein, a float valve on said valve seat, a slidable valve-lifting member above said valve and equipped with means for releasably lifting it from its seat, a pendulum cage supported Within said guard structure above said valve-lifting member, said cage providing a tubular guide, a coil wire stem received within saidV guide, a Weight engaging the lower end of said stem, said weight being swingable into positions between said pendulum cage and said valvelifting means to prevent upward movement of said valve-lifting means, and a weight member suspended below said valve and secured to said valve.

8. In combination with a container neck having an enlargement therein, a guard structure locked within said enlargement and providing a iiow passage and valve seat therein, a float valve on said valve seat, weight means for positively moving said valve toward its seat, and automatic means for releasably lifting said valve from its seat, said valve being provided with at least one Valve disk extending within and sealing the flow passage below said valve seat.

9. In combination with a flow passage and a valve seat, a float valve received on said seat, and a plurality of valve disks carried by said float valve and spaced apart by washers, said disks being received within and sealing the ow passage below said valve seat.

10. In combination with a container neck having an enlargement therein, a guard structure locked within said enlargement and providing a flow passage and valve seat therein, a oat valve on said valve seat, a valve-lifting member movably mounted above said Valve and equipped with tongs adapted to engage a portion of said valve, said tongs having free upwardly extending arms, and an abutment supported by said guard structure above said valve-lifting means, said abutment serving to engage said arms and to spread said tongs to release said valve when said valvelifting member moves toward said abutment.

ll. In combination with a container neck having an enlargement therein, a guard structure locked within said enlargement and providing a iiow passage and valve seat therein, a float valve on said valve seat, and pendulum members supported on either side of said valve and coacting With the valve in the opening and closing thereof.

12. In combination with a container neck, a guard structure locked within said neck and providing a flow passage and valve seat therein, a float valve on said valve seat, weight means for lifting said valve from its seat, a pendulum swingably supported above said weight member and adapted to obstruct forward movement of said weight member when the bottle is given an oscillating movement and a pendulum member suspended below said valve and secured thereto, said pendulum serving to draw said valve toward its seat when the bottle neck is held in substantially horizontal position.

13. In combination with a container neck, a guard structure looked within said neck and providing a flow passage and valve seat therein, a float valve on said valve seat, weight means for lifting said valve from its seat, a pendulum swingably supported above said Weight member and adapted to obstruct forward movement of said weight member When the bottle is given an oscillating movement and a pendulum member suspended below Vsaid Valve and secured thereto, said last-mentioned pendulum being equipped with a stem by which it is adapted to push said valve from its seat when the bottle is inverted to pouring position.

14. In combination with a container neck having an enlargement therein, a guard structure locked Within said enlargement and providing a 110W passage and valve seat therein, a float valve on said valve seat, a weight member slidably connected to said valve and adapted to partially move said valve from its seat, a stem suspended from said valve, and a Weight flexibly connected to the end of said stem and adapted to push said valve from its seat when the bottle neck is inverted to pouring position.

15. In combination With a container neck a guard structure locked Within said neck and providing a flow passage and Valve seat therein, a float valve on said valve seat, weight means slidably connected to said valve and adapted to lift said valve from its seat, and a locking latch pivotally connected to said Weight member and adapted to engage said valve to hold said valve in partially closed position when the bottle is given an oscillating movement.

GERALD CAHILL.

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