US2800239A - Safety stopper for containers - Google Patents

Description

y 1957 G. KLEWER 2,800,239

SAFETY STOPPER FOR CONTAINERS 3 vSheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 20, 1955 Inventor: 622178118!" K/e we 46 fiorlzeys July 23, 1957 G. KLEWER SAFETY STOPPER FOR CONTAINERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 20, 1955 y 3, 1957 G. KLEWER 2,800,239

SAFETY STOPPERFOR CONTAINERS Filed Jan. 20, 1955 :5 Sheets-She e t s Gd/whek Mewer w dw United States Patent SAFETY STOPPER FOR CONTAINERS Giinther'Klewer, Berlin, Germany Application January 20, 1955, Serial No. 483,105 Claims priority, application Germany January 27, 1954 i 12 Claims. (Cl. 215-14 This invention relates to a safety stopper for closing containers of liquids, such as bottles, and refers more particularly to a stopper which permits a repeated opening, pouring and closing as long as there is any of the original contents in the bottle, and which virtually renders impossible, or at least most difficult, a re-filling of the bottle after it has been emptied completely.

An object of the present invention is to improve prior art constructions and to provide a device which will render impossible the unauthorized re-filling of low-quality products into original high-quality trade marked bottles, and which can be produced at substantially the same cost and with the same convenience as normal corks.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent in the course of the following specification.

According to the invention, the safety stopper includes a metal tube with an outer cork mantle and an inner plastic mantle which forms one piece with a head-like upper part that closed the upper end of the tube. .The metal tube is connected with the upper part by means of tenon-like projections. A disjunctive disc between the cork mantle and the upper part supplies a crack link which disconnects the two parts upon extraction from the bottle and which thus makes impossible any re-use of the severed stopper. Therefore, the purchaser can be assured that the bottle has its original contents so long as the stopper remains unbroken.

The invention will appear more clearly from the following detailed description, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings showing by way of example, preferred embodiments of the inventive idea.

In the'drawings: Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through a safety stopper according to the invention; and Figure la shows a transverse sectional view of the frangible area;

Figure 2 shows partly in section and partly in front view the base of the stopper of Fig. 1;

Figure 3 is a side-viewof the stopper of Fig. '1, partly in section; a I Figure 4 is a longitudinal section of a modified type ,of stopper according to the invention; I

I Figure 5 shows thebase of stopper shown in Figure 4, and is a section along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Figure 6 shows the stopper of Fig. 4.in cross section;

Figure 7 is a,longitudinal section of another modified type of stopper according to the invention; 7 i Figure 8 is a section along the line 88 of Fig. 7;

Figure 9 is a section along the line99 of Fig. 7;

Figure 10 is a side view of the stopper shown in Fig. 7;

Figure "11 is a front view of the baseof the stopper of Fig.10;

Figure '12 is another view of the stopper of Fig. 10;

Figure 13 shows the upper part of the connecting tube between the cork mantle and the upper part of the stopper; a Figure 14 shows the disjunctive disc between the'upper-part and the cork mantle;

- Figure 14a is a detail sectional view;

' Figure 15 is a section along the line 15-15 -of Fig. 7;

2,800,239 Patented July 23, 1957 Figure 16 is a section along the line 16-16 of Fig. 10;

Figure 17 is a section along the line 17-17 of Fig. 7; and

Figure 18 shows the plug for the upper part of the, stopper.

The stopper shown in the drawings includes a tube 1, which is made of thin sheet-metal and bordered at its lower end; a cork mantle 2 is pressed around the tube 1. As is the procedure with normal spout-corks, the cork 2 is pressed into a bottle-neck by the usual tools, and its outer diameter and length are such that it fits like a normal cork and closes the bottle neck absolutely air-tightly. The upper part 3 of the stopper (Fig. l) resembles a spout in shape and juts out of the bottle neck; it is made of a plastic which is chemically compatible with the contents of the bottle and, is arranged around tube 1 by casting or pressing in such manner that the interior of the latter is entirely coated with a plastic mantle 3a which, at 4, extends outwardly to form an appropriate inlet for the contents of the bottle.

As shown in Fig. 13, the upper end of the metal tube 1 has a number of projections or tenons 5 which engage corresponding mortises or recesses 6 in a disc 7. The diameter of the recesses 6 corresponds to the outer diameter of the tube 1; the inner diameter of the disc 7 corresponds to that of the plastic mantle 3a which is cast or pressed into the tube 1. The inner diameter of the tube 1 is greater than the inner diameter of the disc 7 to the extent of the wall thickness of the plastic mantle 3a. The disc 7 thus divides the plastic mantle 3a and separates the cork mantle 2 from the upper part 3 of the stopper. Consequently the plastic mantle 3a and the upper part 3 are only lightly connected in those places where the projections 5 of the tube 1 extends through the recesses 6 of the disc 7 and, due to the size of the above diameters, permit the passage of the plastic material during the casting or pressing operation. Thus the zone of disc 7 forms a section unprotected against pulling or bending, and makes it impossible by pulling or bending the upper part 3 to safely remove the cork mantle 2 from its firm position in the bottle-neck. By providing an appropriate number of projections 5 and an appropriate size of the various diameters, the necessary sectional area of the plastic mantle can be formed in this place in such manner that less force will tear the upper part 3 from the plastic mantle 3a, i. e. from the lower part of the bottle-neck, than would be needed for removing the cork from the bottle-neck.

Thus any bottle can be closed safely with the described safety stopper. When the original contents are consumed and it is desired to use the bottle for other purposes, the safety stopper will be destroyed while it is being removed from the bottle, so that it cannot be used for a second time. Thus as long as the safety stopper remains undamaged the user can be assured that the contents of the bottle consists of the original filling. In order to protect this device against unintentional lateral jolting or pushing, the projections 5 of tube 1 extend some way into the plastic upper part 3 without being fixed thereto. Upon pulling or bending, however, they will be disconnected immediately.

For repeated pouring, the upper part 3 of the safety stopper is provided with a nozzle-like spout 8, similar to a normal spout-cork (Fig. 1). In order to prevent, or at least render most dilficult, the unauthorized re-filling of the contents of the bottle, the spout-bore 9 must be specially devised and can have only an indirect connection with the inlet 4.

To achieve this end, several modifications can be provided, which will be described hereinafter:

The construction according to Figs. 1 to 3 has a spoutbore 9 which extends vertically to the bottle-neck. The

slot 10 (Figs. 1 and 2 formed asv the result oiiv the gradual variation of the inlet 4, encloses the spout-bore 9 from below, and forms a part of its transverse section; thus the contents of the bottle can'flow into the spout while air for the re-adjustment. of the pressure flows into the bottle through the air-hole 11. For reasons of manufacturing and in order to provide better closing, the spout-bore 9 is of pronounced conical form.

t A person attempting to re-fill the bottle through the safety stopper will try to pour a liquid back into the bottle through the spout 12 and the slot 10. In order to prevent this,- the spout-bore 9 extends transversely through the stopper, and at its end is the outlet 13 in the rear nozzle 14. If the bottle is tilted, liquid filled in through the spout 12 will forv the greater part flow out through the outlet 13; liquid poured through the outlet 13 will pass out through the spout 12 while, due to cohesive power, only small quantities will find their way into the bottle through the narrow slot 10 or through the little airhole 11.

However, a person could attempt to close one of the outlets 12 and 13, then tilt. the bottle and, while simultaneously pouring in the liquid from the open side, to slowly let the liquid rise in the spout-bore 9 and cause it to find its way into the bottle through either the slot 10 or the air-hole 11. By an appropriate design it is possible to prevent, or at least render most difficult the closing of the outlets 12 and 13. These design features are as follows:

The outlets 12 and 13 are conical with a star-like crosssection (Fig. 15) and have different angles between the inner and outer mantle lines, so that the connection with the likewise conical spout-bore 9 does not take place along a circular line which can easily be plugged but extends some way upon the mantle, as indicated at 15 in Figs. 1 and 2. Since the star-like'outlets 12 and 13 join the spout-bore 9 along curved surfaces, all the crosssections with their star-like form are of a difierent size in this location so that the possibility of plugging the outlet does not exist.

The star-like cross-section of the outlet 8 also prevents the attachment of a hose thereto (Figs. 3, 12, 16). In this type of stopper, the plug threads 16 (Figs. 1 and 2) are located in the spout-bore 9 at the mouth of the airpipe 11-. If an attempt is made to plug the threaded opening of the spout-bore 9, then the air-hole 11, too, will be closed and will prevent the adjustment of pressure. Consequently, the liquid will be prevented from entering the bottle.

additional protection against attempts of unauthorized refilling by a syringe or similar instrumentis provided by the modified constructionshown in Figs. 4 to 6.

In this construction, when the bottle is tilted, the con- :t'ehts" flow thiough the inlet 4, avoid the spout-bore 9, now through the rectangular opening 17 into slot' 18 (Fig's'1 4, and 6) and from there enter the spout-bore '9,- The adjustment of the pressure is efiected through the slot 19 and through the rectangular opening 20. The slots 18 and 19 enclose the spout-bore 9 from above; this construction makes it necessary for the vessel to be held upside down if it is to be re-filled without severing the safety stopper by means of a syringe. This method, however, permits only a trifling quantity to be refilled since the liquid can rise only to the location where the slots 18 and 19 enter the spout-bore 9. If the outlets 12 and 13 are of star-like and conical shape, as in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, it will be impossible to plug one of these openings. Hence the bottle can not be re-filled even in vertical position of the spout-bore 9 and the horizontal position of the bottle.

r In order to prevent the outlets. 12 or 13 from being closed with adhesive plaster or the like, the walls of the nozzle 14 and of the spout 8 (into which the spoutbore 9 discharges) are provided with semicircular flutes 21 (Fig. 4). At their bottom they form sharp edges which cannot be closed. by plaster. The stopper type according to Figs. 4, 5 and 6 is manufactured in two steps by means of two separate casting or pressing molds.

The contents of the bottle cannot be poured unless a stream of outer air adjusts the pressure in the bottle by passing through a second pipe or through the liquid itself. This corelation between the air in the bottle and the outer air may be utilized as a safeguard against unauthorized re-filling.

A stopper type realizing this idea is shown in Figs. 7 to 12 and 15 to 17. Here, the contents can reach the spout only through an angular system of pipes.

In the modification shown in Figs. 7 to 9 and 17 the liquid enters the chamber-23, through the inlet 4; when the bottle is tilted toward its upper end the inlet narrows to a semi-circular cross-section, and extends through the bend 22. Both are so inclined toward each other that the expanding cross-section narrows to a slot and that a pointed, nose-like edge 24 is formed (Fig. 7).' From chamber 23, the liquid passes through pipe 25 which is inclined at a suitable angle; from here the liquid. flows into the spout-bore 9 which receives. from above the slot-- like mouth of tube 25. The adjustment of pressure is effected by air which streams in through the slot 26. Air reaches the chamber 23 at the edge 27. When the bottle is properly tilted, air enters into the bottle in form of bubbles which pass by the edge 24. Furthermore, the edge 27 is located under the edge 28, which is formed by the pipe- 25 and the chamber 23; thus any liquid which drops off the edge 8 will flow into the slot 26. It is thus apparent that any liquid which has been introduced into the pipe 25 by means of a syringe will not get into the bottle but will drop into the slot 26 from where it passes out through the outlet 13.

If an attempt is made to re-fill the bottle through the outlet 12 while the outlet 13 is closed and the spout-bore 9' is vertical, the liquid will pass through the slot 26 and will rise to about the height of the edge 24 in the pipe system. The air cushion which forms in the corner of chain ber 23 cannot escape and will prevent any liquid from entering into the bottle.

Onthe other hand, if an attempt is made to close the outlet 12- and to fill the bottle through the outlet 13, the liquid-level can rise in the spout-bore 9, in the pipe-system and in the bottle-neck (which now points upwardly at an angle) only until the outlet 13 overflows. Thus only a very small quantity of liquid penetrates into the bottle, apart from the fact that in this position also the air cushion in the bottle acts as a locking device. This type of stoppenhowev'er, can be produced by means of several casting or pressingrnoul'd's, and only'in several successive operations.

After each pouring, some liquid in the form of drops necessarily remains in the spout-bore 9, so that a drip catcher is necessary. While with the type of stopper according to Figs. 1 to 3 a drop will fall back automatically "into the bottle through either the slot 10 or the air-hole 11, in accordance with the construction of Fig. 7, the drop will be caught in the slot 26 which extends downwardly over the spout-bore 9. Similarly, the slot 19 of the construction shown in Fig. 4 can be designed as a drip-catcher, if it is provided with a downward extension.

Fig. 18 shows a threaded conical plug 29 for-closing the spout-bore 9 after use. The plug can be made of metal or of a plastic material, and it may be either die cast or pressed simultaneously with the stopper, or if may be formed later. The conical shaft of the plug corresponds to the spout-bore and, at the same time locks all the open *i'ngs. It is immaterial whether the threaded portion of 'the plug is located near the spout or near the rear outlet.

A handle 29a is used for the insertion of the plug. One end of the plug shown in Fig. 18. can be provided with a hole 30,, through which a cord, seal or other indicia. may

extend. The handle 29 may be suitably shaped to 'serve the same purpose. Furthermore, the end of the plug may the original surface by drilling and the like. That portion of the upper part 3 which is most exposed is pro vided with a shiny ball-like dome on which even small scratches or injuries will be conspicuous immediately when pouring from the bottle. Other variations and modifications may be carried out also within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is: l

1. A safety stopper for bottles and the like, comprising a plastic spout portion, a bottleneck-fitting portion comprising a metal tube, a cork layer enclosing said tube, and a plastic coating upon the inner surfaces of said tube; and means connecting said plastic coating with said spout portion and constituting a frangible area along which the spout portion breaks off from the bottleneck-fitting portion when an attempt is. made to pull the stopper out of the bottle.

2. A safety stopper for bottlesand the like comprising a plastic spout portion, a bottleneck-fitting portion comprising a metal tube, a cork layer enclosing said tube, and a plastic coating upon the inner surfaces of said tube; and means connecting the bottleneck-fitting portion with the spout portion and comprising projections integral with said tube and engaging said spout portion, said means constituting a frangible area along which the spout portion breaks otf from the bottleneck-fitting portion when an attempt is made to pull the stopper out of the bottle.

3. A safety stopper for bottles and the like, comprising a plastic spout portion, a bottleneck-fitting portion comprising a metal tube, a cork layer enclosing said tube, and a plastic coating upon the inner surfaces of said tube;

and a disc located between said spout portion and said bottleneck-fitting portion, said disc having an inner diameter corresponding to inner diameter of said coating, said disc further having groove-like recesses formed upon the inner circumference thereof and having a depth corresponding to the outer diameter of the tube, said tube comprising projections extending into said'recesses, said coating having ledges also extending into said recesses.

4. A safety stopper for bottles and the like, comprising a plastic spout portion, a bottleneck-fitting portion comprising a metal tube, a cork layer enclosing said tube, and a plastic coating upon the inner surfaces of said tube; and means connecting said plastic coating with said spout portion and constituting a frangible area along which the spout portion breaks off from the bottleneck-fitting portion when an attempt is made to pull the stopper out of the bottle, said spout portion having formed therein a conical passage connected with the interior of said tube and terminating in two opposed openings, the portions of said passage adjacent said openings being star-like in crosssectlon.

5. A safety stopper for bottles and the like, comprising a plastic spout portion, a bottleneck-fitting portion comprising a metal tube, a cork layer enclosing said tube, and a plastic coating upon the inner surfaces of said tube; and means connecting said plastic coating with said spout portion and constituting a frangible area along which the spout portion breaks off from the bottleneck-fitting portion when an attempt is made to pull the stopper out of the bottle, said spout portion having formed therein a conical passage connected with the interior of said tube and terminating in two opposed openings, the portions of said passage adjacent said openings being star-like in cross-section.

6. A safety stopper for bottles and the like, comprising a plastic spout portion, a bottleneck-fitting portion comprising a metal tube, a cork layer enclosing said tube, and a plastic coating upon the inner surfaces of said tube; and means connecting said plastic coating with said spout portion and constituting a frangible area along which the spout portion breaks oif from the bottleneck-fitting portion when an attempt is made to pull the stopper out of-the bottle, said spout portion having two opposed nozzles the outer surfaces of which form in cross-section a polygon of at least five sides, said spout portion. further having formed therein a passage extending between said nozzles and communicating with the interior of said tube.

7. A safety stopper for bottles and the like, comprising a plastic spout portion, a bottleneck-fitting portion comprising a metal tube, a cork layer enclosing said tube, and a plastic coating upon the inner surfaces of said tube; and means connecting said plastic coating with said spout portion and constituting a frangible area along which the spout portion breaks off from the bottleneck-fitting portion when an attempt is made to pull the stopper out of the bottle, said spout portion having two opposed nozzles the outer surfaces of which extend at angles to each other, and ribs upon at least some of said outer surfaces, said spout portion further having formed therein a passage extending between said nozzles and communicating with the interior of said tube.

8. A safety stopper for bottles and the like, comprising a plastic spout portion, a bottleneck-fitting portion comprising a metal tube, a cork layer enclosing said tube, and a plastic coating upon the inner surfaces of said tube; and means connecting said plastic coating with said spout portion and constituting a frangible area along which the spout portion breaks off from the bottleneck-fitting portion when an attempt is made to pull the stopper out of the bottle, said spout portion having formed therein two channels located between the top of the spout portion and the hollow interior thereof and connecting said hollow interior with the interior of said tube.

9. A safety stopper for bottles and the like, comprising a plastic spout portion, a bottleneck-fitting portion comprising a metal tube, a cork layer enclosing said tube, and a plastic coating upon the inner surfaces of said tube; and means connecting said plastic coating with said spout portion and constituting a frangible area along which the spout portion breaks off from the bottleneck-fitting portion when an attempt is made to pull the stopper out of the bottle, said spout portion having formed therein a plurality of interconnected passages located upon different levels and forming a labyrinth communicating with the interior of said tube, an edge within said passages to form an air pocket when the bottle is tilted, a chamber within said passages, a slot communicating with said chamber, said slot and said chamber forming another edge, one of said passages forming a third edge with said chamber, said other edge being located within the drop-forming range of said third edge.

10. A safety stopper for bottles and the like, comprising a plastic spout portion, a bottleneck-fitting portion comprising a metal tube, a cork layer enclosing said tube, and a plastic coating upon the inner surfaces of said tube; and means connecting said plastic coating with said spout portionand constituting a frangible area along which the spout portion breaks oif from the bottleneck-fitting portion when an attempt is made to pull the stopper out of the bottle, said spout portion having formed therein two channels located between the top of the spout portion and the hollow interior thereof and connecting said hollow interior with the interior of said tube, and at least one downwardly extending air channel communicating with one of the first-mentioned channels and serving as a dropcatcher.

11. A safety stopper for bottles and the like, comprising a plastic spout portion, a bottleneck-fitting portion comprising a metal tube, a cork layer enclosing said tube, and a plastic coating upon the inner surfaces of said tube; and means connecting said plastic coating with said spout fldftidfi am cpfisti'mti'qga frangible area along which the 'sp ilt'fibrtififl bi lfsfifi irqmthe bqflenecbfitting pcg i w eii afi a ttcmpt made to pull th sto'ppcr out (if the Battle, saidspcsfit pc' rticn having formed therein a conical passage bdiifiiitd with the interior ofsaid tube and terminati ig i'n'twoppposed op iings, said conical passage havifig ivthi'e'ded portioms id s'pc z portion havin a further pas'sags Coimcotiiig the interior of said tube with said threaded pcftion.

I2. Acldsure for he safety stopper described in claim 10 c 8 11 said closure comprising a conical member fitting into aid, cnicai passage and having a threaded portion adzptcd tomcsh with the threaded portion of said conical passage. V 7

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

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