US2173570A - Bottle closure - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 19, 1939. c. J.y JEsNlG '2,173,570

BOTTLE cLosURE Original Filed July 27, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEYy C. J. JESNIG Sept. h19, 1939.

BOTTLE CLOS URE Original Filed July 27, 1935 2 sheets-sheet 2 5 5'/ 76 Z0 A76 56 f' wz 35 1/ Patented Sept. 19, 1939 UNITED STATES BOTTLE CLOSURE Charles J. Jesnig, Philadelphia, Par., ,assigner of one-half to Theodore G. Alteneder, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application July 27,

Renewed October 28, 1938'v 7 claims.

This invention relates to bottle closures, and particularly to closures of the so-called non-rellable type.

This application constitutes a continuation-inpart of application No. 7565021, led December 5, 1934, and now abandoned.

So farfas-known in bottle closures as previously developed it has not been possible to provide a non-iellable device which was of such simplicity, economy, ruggedness and attractiveness in aspect as to have any appreciable commercial appeal. It has Vbeen found,v moreover, that in most of the devices developed heretofore the bottles could be refilled, despite the alleged nonrellable nature thereof, by subjecting the lbottles to the action of a vacuum, and by introducing substitute fiuid to the evacuated bottle under a slight head.

It is among the objects of this invention; to improve the art of closures for bottles; to improve the art of bottles; to provide a closure for bottles or other receptacles which is possessed of simplicity, economy and ruggedness; to provide a bottle closure of a substantially non-refillable nature that will withstand the effects of evacuation by automatically closing the bottle against the entry of the supposed relling fluid, or by preventing its pouring out after it has lbeen illegitimately refilled; to provide a novel bottle arranged for Vassociation with a closure device; to .provide a bottle closure with a valve which is closed in all positions other than pouring; to provide a valve in a bottle closure arranged Vfor automaticclosing if anattempt is made to refill the bottle; to provide a closure for bottles that will close automatically upon any attempt to evacuate the bottle and which functions substantially regardless of the amount of liquid in the bottle at the time; to improve the capclosure of bottles; to provide improved means to indicate the fact that a bottle has been opened; to provide a valve mechanism so arranged that with the valve seated through differential air preseures effective on the valve, the valve may be moved axially Vthrough appreciable distances without unseating the valve; to provide a bottle closure with sealing means arranged to prevent undesired rotation of the threaded closure cap; to `provide a sealing valve structure in a preserving jar lid to enable evacuation for preserving purposes; to provide improved tops for mason jars and the like for preserving purposes; to improve closures for receptacles whereby tampering will be positively indicated; to provide-a rupturable seal for a movable closure cap applicable 1935, Serial No. 335450 toboth removable and `non-removable caps; and

many other objects and advantages will .become more apparent as the description proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings;

Fig. 1 representsa fragmentary elevation of a bottle closed witha preferred form of closure,

Fig. 2 represents a fragmentary elevation of the end of the bottle neck With which the preferred formof closure is to be associated,

Fig. 3 represents afragment'ary section partially in elevation of the bottle neckand 'associated parts in closed position,

Fig. 4 represents an Aenlarged vertical section through the end of the bottle showing the relation of' all of the working parts in closed nonpouring position,

Fig. 5 represents a similar sectional view through the bottle and closure with the parts in open and pouring relative position,

Fig. 6 represents a detached elevation of the movable-valve .element of the invention,

Fig. `7 represents afragmentary diagrammatic section .through one side of the Valvedevice with its seat to show the normal gravitational seating of the valve,

Fig. \8 represents asimilar diagrammatic view of the same elements as Fig. '7, with the valve shown seated under the influence -of fluid pressure on the outer surface of the valve,

Fig. `9 represents a similar diagrammatic view of the same elements as Fig. 7, with the flexible margin of the valve shown seated by air or.fluid pressure-exerted upon the flexible valve element, while outward urging pressure, suchas a surge of liquid Within the bottle, has been effective to move the cylindrical valve element axially outwardly to a limited extent, short of actual unsealing of the flexible element,

Fig. 10 represents a fragmentary elevation of a closure cap having a form modified from that of Fig. 1, for sealing the closure to the bottle,

Fig. Il represents a fragmentary transverse section through the bottle neck of Fig. 10, to illustrate the bendable or tongued sealing element and its relation to 'the thread groove of the bottle.

Figs. 12 and 13 representV respectively a similar fragmentary elevation and section of a modified form of sealingelement for the closure and neck,

Figs. 14 and 15 represent respectively a similar fragmentary elevation and section of a further modified bottle and closure having a dimpled or depressed seal element,

Figs. 16 and 17 represent respectively a similar fragmentary elevation and section of a still further modied bottle and closure having cooperating sealing elements, but with the closure such as might be made detachable from the neck, if desired, and

Fig. 18 represents a side elevation partially in section of a jar closure, of the Mason jar type, having a valve element similar to that shown in the other figures.

Referring now to the preferred form of bottle closure, it will be understood, referring to Fig. 2, that there will be provided a neck I0, preferably having a bead I I, to retard manipulations on the end of the outer closure cap, and having the indented or grooved thread |2 or pair of diametrically spaced threads I2, disposed in the cylindrical portion 9 of the neck, and each terminating at its upper end in a shoulder I3. Preferably below the grooved thread, and above the bead Il, there is provided the pair of diametrically spaced peripheral grooves I4 having divergent angular relation to the helical thread groves and of rather appreciable length. As will be explained the length ofthe transverse non-inclined recess |4 is each such as to permit a safety clearance -on each end, for the subsequent indentation or forming of the sealing plug to be described. Preferably each sealing groove I4 has a sharp upper andjrighthand margin Where it is formed in the glass 'of' the neck. Above the upper termination I3 of lI Jhefhje'lical grooves, on the outside of the neck,V theperipheral annular groove I5 is formed. This 'gr'ove'servestwo functions, one, to be described, andtheotherto form a break in continuity betweenthe'outer;diameter of the neck portionj havingjtlie' thread' grooves formed in it, and theslightly reduced `rirnpomrtion IS. VThe difference inthe respective diameter/sis substantially the" thickness' offthe WallerY the inner cap to b'e"des'cribed.j Therim portion endsjin the rim or lip Il faeainstiwhch, 'the' ,sealing `element,V t0 be' described,4 ,is axially: ierlsdldel $11.011 pres,- Isure asY t0 161.05 iandLSeel thgbtle Irnally thev neck' emerges ifromf thel 'bottle with vva passage .surface .l'lwhrchfmerse teilw ,anmllal'internal 'shoulder I8, andthen expands tojfor-1`rr` the enlarged relatively short internal `Substa'rrtially cylindrical' surface ,8jxnergingfinlothey voutwardly 'tering -011iererins'fcpenins 'extending ie Vthe ,It will beilrrdestpodtt the'upper Surface '0f thelshoulderi |13v 'is siibstaltiallyf ifi 'lineY Wit-11th@ .ioue'rlsrouldery ,formele bifffheiuricrion of rim portion Iii` andlsrmvet 1.5;;.Qrirea`r1y ,'SQ and iS a'stepiirrthe manufacturing processi "Oflhe'bdttle Ithatisjvery "mportan .1'; The provision vof the an- 'jarig cvefl'excellerltlyServesthe purpose O'ffcnrcirie .rsqueezins the. mlien glass inwardly `during themolding'to Vform` the: internal 'shoulder AI 8. It l,will be understqo'dgtl''at While avcontinuous annular Shlderijl 's:, ,=,cntemp1ated*ar1d,1S" preferre'cl', yet itv may. be iirrterrupd 'SMS GQ cmpri'se inleffect 'a .spider 'oriqt'h'er' :Series .or plurality vof spaced"supportingjlugs Knot/shown) ,ifv desired. Itwill' be. lunser.stod that 'the inner" neck. S111'- fa'celf2; may-ibs" (substantiallyjcylindrical from ,thej slfiofulcfl'er.18: yto tli'ejrimj '|,"but preferably it nasa" greater or ds'ree .Qfflare :or Outward taper.' Vin, I accordance ywithjrequirements;fboth 4'as tothe' necessary strensth'othe b0t151e1"i1r1;v pour- 'ns'j Speed-desired Qfr'oni` thefrieck', ,and s0. on; and

. i'siu'sually a maresme". 'or' 'Cylindrical 'extent 18 'adjacent'to' the shoulder I3, turning vinto the out- 4Wardly .flaredcr ,tapered p'otlollfl iust'bove the frictiorral Washer of the i valve` insert f to "bei de- "SC-I'irbed; l, r- *ff-:1, l. `V

" f The valve insertH rassembly is 'Welrslrovvn' in Figs. 4 and 5 and is disposed as a unit which substantially comprises a cylindrical sleeve valve device having lateral ports, a valve seat and valve guide with reference to which the sleeve valve has axial movement, and a flexible Washer device mounted on the cylindrical portion having a marginal portion in position to flex axially in both directions and to overlie the valve seat. Reiinements and details will become more apparent as the description proceeds.

Referring to Fig. 4 a valve guide housing comprising a short tubular shank portion 2| defining a valve opening is provided merging into a transverse flange or seat 22, which latter in turn merges into the short cylindrical sleeve 23 the axis of which is substantially concentric With the axis of the guide housing 2|. The valve seat 22 may under certain conditions comprise a mere plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the guide housing 2|, but it is preferred that it have an annular ridge, crest or peak portion 24 raised out of the plane of the seat 22, and which peak is transversely curved and is preferably arcuate in cross section and is disposed so that the guide surface internally of the guide housing 2| merges into the peaked seat 24 as a substantial tangent thereto. It will be clear that thearrangement described and as shown, provides an apex or annular peak on thevalve seat, which is laterally spaced from the'guide surface of housing 2 I. IThis spacingis of importance, as is the generally curved nature of the peaked portion of the seat, for reasons to be described.

It Will be obvious that with satisfactory molding conditions, a substantial reproduction of the guide housing 2|, lateral valve seat 22 and short larger cylindrical sleeve 23 could be formed in the neck of the bottle, from the inner'surface shoulder I8, suitably formed, and tapering surface 2li. Thus, under certain circumstances, a cheaper product could be provided by which the parts, just described, could be obviated as a separate insert as shown in Fig. `18. However, owing lltfotlieuncertainties of molding, among other disadvantagesthe insert valve assembly as thus far described?ispreferred.

ffhelgu'idefh'l ing andvalve seat described as aj'separate'nurn ,may be completed by the provi- LsioriMof-:a closure-cap--device 25 having an upper 4planeA closure Y surface'j` 426 preferably closed thronghoutyits entire area;r having' the peripheral -por'tsf2lj'just beneatli the'upper, -transverse closed lend-,j ffandf-having an argedjoffflset cylindrical Sleeve iS-fjarreneed, i'tionellif' Slidinsly emjbracethe cylindricaljsle've23fof fthe -valveV housins: ardito remairileeked*ihereiriihithfouehfriction.. any 'other desired: drmfpf, .lek- "The 301ejsure Y device is notapplieduntil'- after theA movable "veli/. elementfiabe :described isrst installed in 'the assemblythe? Closure pis., rigida', engaged updrrtheousiegrit ,forms a baseer insert dcvice'whih ,ani brmarleuleted andv installed Liri thetnek: siunit-f "Theiurli' is completedby the provision ,ofj anfrretallic; disc or Plate Washer ilarins i'tietibutsldiiis ft Drenthe reduced' lWashers-3 I is" engaged 'axially betweenwthe J Vdisc i washer and the lower surface ofthe valve seat portion 22, and, preferably-'the lower edge of the enlarged cylindrical sleeve 28. With the valve housing assembly in operativeposition in the bottle neck in engagement withthe internal .surface of the neck at 8, and engaging shoulder I8, it will be clear that there is provision for a slight axial yielding of the assembly to facilitate seating of the outer bottleclosure to be described to maintain its seal, but this yielding is sharply limited owing to the -fact that the resilient washer 3l has such restricted area into which to ow under axial pressure. It can yield slightly to such axial pressure to increase its transverse or lateral frictional engagement with the surfaces it is supposed to seal (the bottle neck and the valve housing), but it cannot, preferably, be susceptible to continued inward axial movement thereafter.

The valve device itself, that is the'movable element, comprises a substantially cylindrical tubular plunger or valve shank 32 of such external diameter as to have easy sliding t within the valve guide 2l (or the internal bottle surface Il if the shoulder VI8 is used as the valve seat itself). The plunger preferably has one end closed as at 33 and is provided with an axial separate or integral rivet or the like 34, upon the outer diameter of which the ilexible resilient washer or flexible flange is mounted, overlying the outer surface of the closed end, and which is held in place by a metallic plate washer 35 seated upon the rivet and of substantially the same outer diameter as and forming in effect an extension of the plunger 32. The end of the rivet 34 is swaged or otherwise upset as at 3l to force the plate washer 36 against the resilient washer. Obviously the plunger or piston valve device can be formed in any other desired manner, asthe only'essential is that the flexible washer 35, which is preferably quite thin, have `a peripheral marginal portion SSB which is capable of free `flexing in both axial directions. The plunger has peripheral ports` 4G through which, as shown in Fig. 5, the liquid in the container can pass when the ports inthe i movable device are in substantial registration with fixed ports 21 in the cage inthe no-rmal proper operation of the bottle assembly.

When the plunger or' movable valve device is disposed in the cage assembly in sliding relation to the housing, the normal gravitational functioning that ensues' is the downward sliding of the movable elements until the ports 4D are below the level of the valve seat so that egress V(or ingress) of fluids through the ports 40 is precluded by the closing of the ports by the'cylindrical housing 2l. Such relative liquid movement is also prevented by the fact that the marginal flexible portion 33 of the washer 35 `engages axially upon the peak 24 of the seat 22 of the valve, as the only support of the movable sleeve or-plunger. As shown in Fig. 4, and in the fragmentary diagrammatic showing of Fig. 7, the axially flexible margin 38 of the sealing washer 35 engages the 24 in appreciably spaced relation -to the outer wall surface of the movable plunger `32, and this space or clearance is preferably as wide as is reasonably convenient to provide, for reasons to be described, and in the rst instance upholds the plunger against gravity bythe resistof the flexible margin to shear and compression strains, and toits inherent resistance to Obviously with a thin washer especiaily adapted for flexing of its marginal portion, it has relatively small rigidity so that the actual position assumed by the parts is not really as shown in Figs. 11 and 7, but somewhat between the-showings of! Figs. '7 and A8. In Fig. 8 the plungerisshown in an extreme inward position in which the flexible washer still prevents the plunger from'falling inwardly, through resistance of the Washer to shearing strains, and through the fact that the iouter diameter of the top plate 36 is vcloseenoughto that of the `cylinder 32 that the marginal '.portion A38 of the washer cannot be bentiinto a`cy1inder, the outer diameter of which is substantially the same as that of plunger 32. Owing -to 'the lightnesss of the parts used in the preferred form the normal gravitational aspect of the assembly will be less extreme than as shown in Fig. 8.

It should be notedithat the inner substantially cylindrical surface ofthe entire cage assembly has justsuch clearance from the outer periphery of the marginal flexible portion as to bel possesssed of a sort of piston and cylinder relation, and especially so belowthe cage ports 2l, for reasons to be explained. Y

Before describing the functional benefits of the valve construction shown, the remainder of the cooperating parts of the device should per- I haps be described.- Referring to Fig. `4., it will be observed that the closure device per s'e comprises an inner cap comprising a substantially cylindrical sleeve portion 42 arranged for a sliding but tight o-r snug twwith the reduced rim portion I6 of the neck I0, and which is disposed for axial movement only, in the preferred form. This may be enhanced'byforcing the thin cylinder 42 to conform to a slightly oval neck portion I6. The sleeve 42 merges into a transverse inwardly directed perpendicular plane portion 43, which latter merges in turn, by the axial inward extension 44, in to the reduced cylindrical spout portion 45. `The inner cap -may be protected againstefforts to pry into the interior with wires and the like, by the mesh or reticulated metallic screen '46, preferablyhaving the outer ange 4l, and the annular recessed lportion 48 to fit into the recessed end formed by lthe annular inward extension 44, and is cemented or otherwise anchored within thev cap. The sealing gasket 5U of any desired material andof any desirable thickness is cemented or-glued or otherwise secured to extend laterally-outwardly to sealingengagernent with the inner surface of the cylinder 42 or flange 41 of the mesh material, and inwardly to the yaperture 5l forming a surface that engages in part at least the axial inward extension 44 or the mesh in contact therewith. The axial inward extension is preferably provided to prevent the entry of lluid, possibly containing solvents such as alcohol, beneath the sealing gasket, to permit its detachment. It also serves to prevent the entry o'f fluids into the exposed cut portions ofthe gasket exposed at the aperture 5I, to a large extent, and obviously it can have such size and proportions as best Ito serve the desired ends. The function -of the spout in pouring liquids from thebottle will'be'apparent from Fig. 5. The inner cap is arranged for axial movement only, in the preferredform, by means of a rotatable outer cap 52, having sliding engagement with the outer surface of the cylinder 42 of the `inner cap, and vwith the outer surface of the The outer upper outer surface Aof the viiange o'r transverse plane portion of the inner cap and has a reduced smaller end embracing slidibly thev end of the spout 45, and secured thereto by the spun over or swaged end 56 of the spout. It will be observed that the outer cap can rotate in either direction relative to the inner cap when the latter is frictionally engaging the bottle, but that any axial movement of the outer cap forces the inner cap, to move axially with it, and thus to move between sealing and unsealing position.

Obviously the outer cap may have threads formed in it to engage over external threads upon the bottle neck, but for several reasons the threads are preferred to be grooves disposed in the neck of the bottle, as it thus furnishes a solid corner or shoulder of glass for a purpose to be described, and enables' the maintenance of a smooth exterior of the outer cap such that its embellishment and decoration as desired is facilitated and the visual aspect improved. To both thread the outer cap to the bottle and also secure it in place when threaded, it is but necessary to indent a lug 51, or a pair of such lugs, into the respective thread grooves, by drawing the metal so that it cannot be crowded back into its original place in the periphery of the cylinder, and the cap is threaded to the bottle and cannot be removed because the lug 5'! engages a positive abutment I3 comprised of the shoulder I3 at the upper end of the thread groove in the bottle neck. The outer cap being thus lockable onto the bottle, it will be clear that, with the bottle filled with liquid, and the valve insert assembly as shown mounted withinthe bottle neck, then screwing the cap downwardly will forcethe inner cap axially to force the gasket 50 into sealing engagement with both the central valve cage assembly and the rim Il of the bottle. A reversed motion of the outer cap will apply pressure axially outwardly of the spout 45 effective upon the swaging 5S to unseat the inner cap and gasket. to the position shown in Fig. 5, to permit normal pouring from the bottle. 'Ihe pouring will be preceded by the unseating of the valve plunger, the lifting of the flexible washer from its valve seat, the moving of the ports 40 above the valve seat, and the free pouring of the liquid in the path of the arrows of Fig. 5, from the pouring spout 45. When pouring has stopped and the bottle has been set upon its base, the small amount of liquid-contained `in the space between the rim and the valve assembly will be trapped therein, usually, to maintain a liquid seal upon the flexible washer as the latter gravitationally closes.

Referring to Fig. 18, there is disclosed the threaded top 8D of a Mason jar or the like usually made of a single piece of metal having the more or less plane top 8 l, and threaded peripheral flange 82, and in use on a threadedglass jar or the like (not shown) having a gasket 83 to engage the upper rim of the jar to sealthe joint. The successful use of such jars and tops for preserving purposes involves the exhaustion of air from the containers. While it is recognized that there have been other attempts to provide forms of valves in such jar tops, yet these havebeen of great cost, and of dubious merit, owing totheir inability to maintain a` seal even under quiet conditions, much less in the presence of abrupt manipulations of the containers, such as might be incident, forinstance, to dropping -a crate thereof from a truck body.

To establish and preserve a seal at a low cost the top 8l (Fig. 18) of the jar cover 80, is provided with the axially drawn valve seat structure comprising the short cylindrical guide 84, open at the top and bottom in a guide or valve opening, merging into the valve seat 85, the annular peak of which is outwardly or radially spaced from the internal guide surface of the guide 84, and which valve seat merges into the enlarged cylindrical wall 86, forming `a valve chamber, as a continuation of the top wall 8|. Obviously instead of the integral drawn member shown, the valve seat and guide could be a separate element, soldered or otherwise secured to the jar top.

The valve element proper, of the jar top of Fig. 18, comprises a cylindrical element or shank 8l, having preferably a loose sliding engagement inthe guiding sleeve 84, and closed at the upper end by a wall 88, and swaged or upset at its lower end as at 98 to prevent undesired outward movement of the valve in the guide housing. The valve element 8l has a reduced port 9| to permit ldesired restricted air movement for venting gas pressure from within the container. to the space between the shank and the guide surface and thus to the contact line between the annular valve seatcrest and the superposed flexible flange, and carries a washer or flexible flange 35 having the flexible marginal or flange portions 38, functioning: relative to the valve seat exactly as the flexible washer of the bottles function, as has been and will be described.v 'Ihe flexible washer is secured rmly in place by a dished or otherwise shaped guard 92 having an inner part 93, of the same diameter, substantially, as, and forming in effect an extension of, the valve cylinder 81, and a raised outer ring 94 forming a housing and prying element having relatively small clearance from the walls 86 forming the valve housing and held in place as by a rivet 95. It will be clear that after the jars are filled with the foodstuffs or the like, and the lids or tops are screwed on, then the jars may -be placed in boiling water to sterilize the contents and cause the entrapped air `to expand with a consequent increase in pressure, which will unseat the valve and flexible washer or flange to permit escape of air through port 9|. Obviously, as will be explained in connection with the bottles and which also maintains as to Fig. 18, any return movement of fluid, whether liquid or gas will cause the sudden snapping shut of the valve. Alternatively, a suction devicev may be applied to exhaust the air in the jar, and to seal the valve automatically upon breaking the suction and admitting atmospheric pressure to the outside ofthe jar valve. The valve may be pried open` by a knife, or the like, inserted under the edge of the guard 92. Any other sort of device desired can be used to break the seal and admit air through the valve when desired, as for instance by forming a ring or head on rivet 95, which can be pulled to insure a direct axial pull on the valve, in place of the eccentric thrust of the pry under guard 92.

lt will be apparent that with the matter thus far disclosed there is no means discussed for indicating the fact that a bottle has once been opened. Furthermore it will be clear that the threaded assembly disclosed may be subjected to jarring and the like in transit that, in sporadic cases, may cause slight rotative movement such as to permit seepage lfrom the bottle. To protect against this and to provide an improved seal and indicator of tampering with the bottle is an important object of this invention.

It will be understood in the preferred form of the invention, the filled bottle is provided with installations.

a valve insert, whichV is substantially seated on its shoulder I8, and that the` compound cap of the invention, comprisingtheooupled inner and outer cap members, is pushed on axially with such pressure as may be desired, and with the gasket U in sealing engagement with both the compressible axial insert andthe rim Il, the thread lugs 51 are simultaneously formed on diametrically opposite sides of the outer cap and pushed and drawn inwardly to lie in and be in mesh with the indented thread or threads l2 of the bottle at some point between its end or its respective ends, if the threads are plural. At the same time, preferably, that the tool moves forward to force lugs or abutments 51 out of the peripheral extent of the outer cap, a tool (not shown) moves forward to force lines of scoring B-l-Fig. 4) about an indented sealing button or tongue 6I, bent inwardly out ofthe Vperipheral extentof the outer cap cylinder to lie in intimate frictional relation with the cooperating surfaceV of the peripheral external slot I4, which is parallel tothe plane of rim I'I, and of greater length, preferably, than the button 6I, so that exact lining upof the button between narrow limits of shoulders is obviated.

Itis to be observed thattheperipheral external slot or groove I4, has a` divergent angular relation to the helical thread groove I2, so that with the slightest eiort to rotate the outer cap the button 6I is given a downward pressure from the upper shoulder of the groove I4, such as to tear the buttonl loose from Lits'weakened connection with the outer cap 52 andfitpwillbe-forced outwardly through its scored. apertureito aA point of complete severance from the cylinder' 52 of the outer cap. It will be observed that button 6I by reason of its being forced into indented seated relation in arcuate slot I4 has been extrudedfor drawn or caused to flow sothat it is hardened somewhat and made relatively brittle'to serve two desired ends. First is to prevent its being unlawfully pulled out 'into the original arcuate extent of the bottle with intent to'deceive observers by subsequently being indented again pursuant to eiforts to rell the bottles. This latter of course is only contemplated if the cap Aassembly shown should be used'without the valve insert combination such as is`contemplate'd in certain types of Secondly, theA indentation, or drawn or dimpled button '6I, is a substantial continuation, an integral portion, of the closure cap proper and can be instantly observed to be intact or to be missing and the latter serves visual notice that the cap has'been moved to pouring position. The advantage ofthe drawn indented button, as shown, is that it assistsin preventing manipulations'by external tools and is more'easily and quickly observed. It will be understood that rotation of the cap to open' the bottle for pouring purposes will be accompanied by movement' of the lugs 5l in grooves I2, until they vabut therespective thread shouldersIB when the upward movement of the closure cap terminates. Obviously at this time the rotation ofthe outer cap has imparted axial movement to the'inner cap by means of the swedged flange-56 so that the bottle, becomes' unsealed;

Referring to Figs. 10and 1l a modiiicationf'of the sealing ldevice is kindicated in that with all other portions of' the invention the same, a tongue 62 is struckY inwardly from the arcuate extent of the closure on a line of scoring or weakening 63, preferably of such prole as to fit snugly, in the bottom of groove I2 and to be bent into abutting engagement with shoulder I3 in the end of groove I2. In this caseV there `is left an aperturelill. through which the observerY can note the presence or absence of tongue 62 in lits abutting disposition. With the tongue or sealing lug tting snugly in the end of the'threaded groove it will manifestly beV very dicult to manipulate same by tools supplied externally through the aperture 64. The tongue G2* is preferably so disposed as to tenuousness of connecting link with the main body of the cylinder52 as tobe'broken and moved out of the aperture 64 upon the slightest attempt to-'bend it back intoany position'such as to permit shoulder I3 to slide past it in the rotative openingoi" the bottle.

In Figsj l2 andlS a further slight modification is shown in that the tongue 65. is struck in to leave aperture 36, with the tongue attached by weakened connections with cylinder 52 and lying in substantial parallelism with thethreadgroove'v I2 so that the edgeof tongue 551s in position to be engaged by shoulder I3 so thatl relative movement of'tongue and shoulder enhances the shearing function to force the tongue' B5 loose through shearing rather than mere bending as-in thecase of the iorms'hovvn in Figs. 10 and 11.

In Figs. 14 and 15 there is: provided an indented, drawn, dimpled seal 68 having a. Weakened line of scoring 'It and arranged to be vindented to substantial'abutment with shoulder I3 of the thread groove and arranged to bel forced outwardly to leave an aperture when the seal has been broken, 'but arrangedtoshow a continuation ofthe metal housing if` the seal has not been broken. It is believed .theoperation of this will be understood.

In Figs. 16' and 17 there is'disclose'd a further modioation by which the ybenei'lts'of a' portion of the invention can be secured with a cap whichis removable from the bottle. As 'shown the bottle Y itself has a helical indented' or other sort of groove` or thread 'II which hasno upper terminationbelow vthe rim. In spaced 'relation'to it, at its lower` end, a recess l2 is provided. The cap I3 has either threads cast in it tomesh with threads II vor has suitable lu'gsasin the other forms :described in this application so as to 'be axially removable by an unscrewing function. The cap'3'has'a scored and weakened'indented tongue 'lll arranged to abut shoulder 15 formed at one edge of recess l2. It will' be clear that the cap 'I3 may be provided with the sealingdevice shown or with any of thosealready .described lin connection with thepreferred embodimentof the invention so that'the cap I3 cannot be unscrewed for removal without iirst breakingaway the sealing tongue 74. There will obviously bev many other variations and modications' which will occur to those skilled in the art by which the'principles of the sealing devices, thus far described, may be utilized, and Vall such are to` be construed as within the scope of the instant invention.

It will be understood that with the complete assembled invention as disclosed, the purchaser h'as a bottle `provided with a number of safeguards, which contribute to providing an outer closure of simplicity of design which cannot jar loose onitsth'reads in transit because'of the provision of a sealing medium preventing either axial or rotative movements or both, and which is doubly' sealed in the proper upright position by the fact that plunger 32 hangs down in guide 2l to close its ports 40,- which is` also accompanied seat peak 24 and by the engagement of the sealing gasket U with the rim Il of the bottle and the closure top element 26 .of the insert. Unscrewing the outer cap, breaking the seal out to permit rotation, by rotation of the cap or by providing supplemental manual tearing out tabs or the like (not shown) enables axial movement of the cap closureso. that gasket 5i) is moved axially away from its seat on rim Il and cage end 26 to expose a passage through cage ports 21, flaring passage 16, between the outwardly flared wall surface 20 ofthe bottle and the inwardly tapered wall surface defined by the retracted upper end 26 of the cage closure relative to the enlarged embracing cylindrical portion 28 thereof and which passage 'I6 is in communicationwith the pouring spout 45. At this juncture, however, the gravity valve element or .plunger 32 remains in its closed position. Tilting .the bottle permits plunger element 32 to move axially in the guide 2| to move flexible -washer 38 off seat 22 and also to bring its ports 40 into position to register with the ports 21, and channel 'I6 to permit the uids in the bottle to pass out of thebottle. Termination of the pouring and returning of the bottle to upright lpo-sition marks inward and downward movement of the plunger32 to close both the sliding and poppet valves associated therewith. The few drops contained in passage 16 and spout 45 will be trapped against reentry. Owing to the tight sliding axial .engagement of the inner cap 4| with the reduced cylindricalend I6 of the bottle, there will be practically no seepage or leakage of the iiuid in the pouring channeds at the time the pouring stops so that itcannot run down into and about the threads to leakage over the neck of the bottle as is common to most ofthe prior art devices, so far as known.

Any .attempt to pour liquids into the bottle through spout 45 will inevitably result in failure, because of the fact that the valve 32 remains closed. There has developed a technique of bootlegging, the essentialingredient of which is the subjecting of the bottle to the action of a vacuum during or following the existence of which iiuid may be caused to move upwardly through the inverted bottle neck into the bottle. Great success has been attained with filling bottles according to this procedure, according to the prior art, and it is a feature of this invention to preclude this mode of refilling the bottle, or at least so substantially to minimize it as to render it impossible upon any commercial basis.

Referring to Figs. 4, 7, 8 and 9, it will be observed that the plunger 32 and flexible washer 35 constitute a piston movable in the cylinder of the upper cage member so that when the air pressure effective upon the outer upper end of this piston is greater than the air pressure on the inner upper end of the piston, the piston snaps shut.. Regardless of the scientific reason for the activity it is a well established fact that pursuant to an evacuation of the bottle by subjecting both sides of the valve to less than atmospheric pressure while the bottle is held upside down so that the valve can fall open, this opening is terminated with a snap when it is sought to restore the bottle to normal atmospheric conditions externally. It will be understood that for all practical purposes the existence of differential air pressure on opposite sides of flexible valve 35, if the pressure externally is the greater, the valve will be held tightly closed byair pressure effective over the entire outer area .of the piston and particularly effective upon the flexible margin 38 to cause it to tightly engage and seal itself upon the peak 24.0f seat 22. As shown in Fig. '7 the gravitational seating of the flexible margin 38 may. be at a point spacedv appreciably from the guiding surface of guide 2|. W'hen there is an appreciable condition of vacuum within the bottle, the greater external atmospheric pressure may cause the valve to be pulled inwardly so that the flexible margin 38 rolls around the peak 24 to engage closer to the guiding surface 2|. In this relation, by the way, the thin flexible washer 38 holds the plunger` 32 into the bottle by squeezing of washer 38 between the outer margin of plate washer 36, and the valve seat 22 as shown in Fig. 8. It may have happened that some portion of liquid has been successfully introduced into the bottle at the time that the vacuum condition became effective to exert differential pressure on the valve and the bottle may even have been filled before the valve snapped shut.

It will be clear that with the bottle half filled, for instance, violent oscillations of the bottle could cause pounding surges of liquid within the bottle to be incident upon the inner face of the closed end 33 of plunger 32 to develop violent unseating urges of the piston tending to force washer 35 from the seat 22. This impact factor would probably be of considerable concern in any other type of valve closure than the one disclosed. Owing to the air pressure effective on the outer face of the piston valve forcing the flexible washer into sealing engagement with the valve seat andowing to the fact thatthe peak of the valve seat is considerably spaced relative to the cylindrical guide wall 2|, there is thereby provided means whereby considerable axial movement of the cylindrical plunger 32 in both directions can occur while the air pressure is effective to force the thin flexible washer marginal portion 38 against the rounded peak 24. In other words the outwardsurge of liquid is driving against the excess air pressure trying to force it inwardly to the position shown in Fig. 8. Therefore the irst outward impulse is marked by absorption of Athe energy by the excess air pressure against which it must function. Continued application of the surge of liuid energy after the valve has been pushed outwardly to the position, shown for instance in Fig. 7, is marked by the continued flexing of the marginal portion 38 while maintaining sealing engagement with some portion of the peak 24, as shown in Fig. 9. There seems to be a sort of rolling action that occurs `when there is a vacuum in the bottle, and the plunger valve is subjected to outward urges, the rolling beginning with the marginal portion 38 in contact with the peak 24 rather close to the guide surface of guide 2|, as shown in Fig. 8,.rolling outwardly radially to the position shown in Fig. '7, to an extreme outward roll of the contact area, as' shown in Fig. 9. In other words when the valve in the valve insert has once snappedshut because of atmospheric pressure on oneside of the valve withV vacuum or smaller pressure inside of the bottle, it remains permanently sealed against the egress of any of the contents of the bottle.

It will be understood that all resilient washers, gaskets, flanges and the like', will be made of suitable materials that are resistant to adverse chemical reactions from the iiuids in the containers. There is an alcohol-proof rubber now available-from which it is preferred to manu-` facture the flexible washer 35 and the gasket 3l.

The features and advantages of the invention are thought to be clear.

I claim:

1. In receptacles, in combination, means having an integral valve seat having an annular c-rest and a substantially concentric valve guide spaced from the crest, a cylindrical valve element in the guide and having a movable portion extending beyond the valve seat end thereof, a flange operatively associated with the said portion of the cylinder and having a margin capable of flexing in both axial directions and of such diameter as to overlie said crest and to sealingly engage said crest to seal the space between the crest and the valve element during various conditions of flexing incident to movement of said portion.

2. In receptacles, a means having an integral valve seat and a substantially concentric valve guide, a cylindrical valve element slidabl-e in the guide and having a port, a washer operatively associated with the cylinder and having a margin arranged for iiexing in both axial directions overlying said seat, said seat having an annular peak radially appreciably spaced from the guide to establish clearance for such marginal flexing.

3. In receptacles, means having an integral valve seat and a substantially concentric valve guide, a cylindrical valve element slidable in the guide, a flange operatively associated with the cylinder and having a margin arranged for ilexing in both axial directions overlying said seat, means anchoring said flange to the valve element to prevent undesired flexing of said margin away from said seat to maintain sealing engagement therewith, said seat having an annular peak radially appreciably spaced from the guide to establish clearance for such marginal flexing.

4. In receptacles, a means having an integral valve seat and a substantially concentric valve guide, a cylindrical valve element slidable in the guide and having a port, a washer operatively associated with the cylinder and having a margin arranged for flexing in both axial directions overlying said seat, and means overlying said Washer to prevent undesired flexing of said margin away from said seat to maintain sealing engagement therewith, said last mentioned means comprising a washer having a dished prole with the smaller portion of substantially the same diameter as the cylindrical element and in engagement with the washer, and with the larger portion overlying the seat in spaced relation to said washer.

5. In closures for receptacles, a removable closure having a wall, a rec-essed valve seat having a substantially concentric guide sleeve disposed in said wall, a valve cylinder slidable in said sleeve and having a portion disposed to abut the end of said sleeve in one axial position, a washer mounted on said cylinder having a flexible margin in position to engage said seat in another axial position of said cylinder, means forming a substantial extension of said cylinder on the opposite side of said washer to prevent the flexible margin from flexing to a point permitting the cylinder to pass out of the lower end of said sleeve and undercut means facilitating prying the valve outwardly relative to said wall.

6. In closures, means defining a substantially cylindrical valve guide, a valve seat disposed concentric-ally of the valve guide having an annular peak spaced from the valve guide, the peak merging into the guide with a curved surface, valve means slidable in said guide, a washer carried by said valve means and comprising a re1- atively thin flexible margin overlying said peak and curved portion and so arranged that the washer margin can flex relative to said valve means toward and away from said curved surface while maintaining contact with said peak.

7. A bottle closure comprising a bottle neck having an internal shoulder and an annular rim, a valve assembly comprising a cage and a cylindrical shank disposed in said neck in engagement with said shoulder, said cage having slots and a closed end, a valve element slidable in said shank and having ports arranged to register with said slots when the valve is open, a flexible washer carried by said cylinder in position to engage a portion of said cage and to serve as an automatic closure device when moving uid is inc-ident upon the upper surface of said washer, and means removably engaging the cage and said rim to temporarily seal said neck.

CHARLES J. J ESNIG,

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