US635963A - Medicine carrier and measurer. - Google Patents

Description

No; 635,963. Patented Oct. 3|, I899. L. HOAGE 8:. A. NYVALL. MEDICINE CARRIER AND MEASURER.

(Application filed Apr. 27, 1899.) (no Modell) I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIC.

LEON I-IOAGE AND ALBERT NYVALL, OF NEYV YORK, N. Y.

MEDICINE CARRIER AND MEASURER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 635,963, dated October 31, 1899.

Application filed April 27, 1899. Serial No. 714,645. (No model.)

To a whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that we, LEON HOAGE and AL- BERT NYvALL, citizens of the United States, residing in the city of New York, borough of Brooklyn, county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Medicine Carriers and Measurers, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to various improvements in medicine carriers and measnrers.

The object of our invention is to provide a device of this character which is simple, cheap, and neat and wherein doses of absolutely accurate proportions may be measured and consumed, the operation being entirely automatic and being performed easily and quickly.

Our invention is based upon the balancing and overbalancing of hydrostatic columns, and by the correct utilization of well-known physical laws we are enabled to divide a liquid into two parts, one of which is the desired dose or any other quantity, and to maintain such parts in their separated condition while the dose or other quantity is removed.

Broadly stated, our invention comprises a suitable receptacle divided into at least two portions, but capable of division into a larger number, and a partition or diaphragm between each two portions, provided with one or more openings or passages therein, so arranged as to permit a fluid to pass readily from one portion into another, but to prevent the return of the liquid so separated. The size of the opening or openings in the diaphragm is of such character as to prevent the passage of the liquid from one chamber to the other when the receptacle is inclined in a predetermined position, but admitting of the ready passage thereof when inclined in another predetermined position, thus securing to the operator a full and perfect control'over the passage of the liquid from one chamber to the other. One of the'portions into which the receptacle is divided may be of the capacity of a dose or of several doses, in which case it will be suitably calibrated to indicate doses or any desired quantities of liquid measurement, and the other portion may be of a larger capacity to contain a sufficient bulk of the liquid for the desired purpose.

Since our device is designed particularly for use by persons who may be required to take liquid medicines at times and under conditions where the employment of a spoon with ordinary bottles would be inexpedient or impossible, we can very conveniently provide the larger portion or chamber of a capacity of, say, three doses and the smaller portion of, say, one dose. When of this size, the entire device will be of a very neat appearance and sufficiently portable as to be carried in the vest-pocket. We give these dimensions merely as an illustration of a good embodiment of our invention; but it will be understood, of course, that the sizes and proportions may be widely varied to meet the uses to which it may be applied. The character, arrangement, and location of the opening or openings or passage or passages in the partition or diaphragm may also be varied without affecting the general operation of the device. For example, a single slot may be formed in the partition of a sufiicient width to permit the free flow of the liquid when such flow is desired, and narrow enough to allow the cohesion of the liquid to prevent its return when the liquid above the slot is disposed in a column of substantially uniform height throughout, or, in other words, when the atmospheric pressure beneath the slot sustains a uniform opposing stress throughout the entire area of the slot; or instead the partition may be provided with two openings, approximately diametrically opposed and of the proper size, or with a plurality of such openings arranged diametrically, or with three openings arranged triangularly. Many other arrangements may be conveniently used. In every instance the size of the one or more passages or openings will be properly proportioned to prevent the return of the separated quantity of liquid, it being noted that the viscosity of the liquid largely determines this factor, very viscid fluids requiring larger passages than less viscid fluids.

The operation of the device and the general theory upon which it is based will-be fully pointed out hereinafter.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents in perspective an embodiment, but not an effective one, of our invention, showing the diaphragm provided with three passages; Fig. 2, a similar view of an effective embodiment of the invention, showing a single slot; Fig. 3, a similar view showing an equally-eitective form, the diaphragm having a series of diametricallyplaced passages; Fig. 4, a similar view showing a three-compartment receptacle for use with liquids of different viscosities; Figs. 5, 6, and 7, similar views showing the operation of our device.

In all the above views corresponding parts are represented by the same numerals of reference.

In each instance the receptacle is illustrated as being formed of glass and of a cylindrical form, Fig. 4c showing a tubularbottle and the remaining figures an ordinary medicine-vial. Any other form or character of receptacle or material therefor may be employed. In Figs. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 the receptacle is divided into two portions 1 and 2 by a partition or diaphragm 3. The latter is made of any suitable material, preferably elastic and relatively tasteless, such as cork or rubber. It may be held in place by friction or by a suitable adhesive or cementing substance or by being forced into a groove at, Fig. 2, blown or otherwise formed in the walls of the receptacle. The bottom of the chamber 1 is closed and the chamber 2 is provided with a cork or closure 5. The chamber 1 contains a desired bulk of the fluid, and the chamber 2 receives successively the portions which are to be removed. The latter may be of a capacity of a dose or other desired q uantity, and it may be suitably calibrated, Fig. 2, to represent different denominations in liquid measurement. The partition or diaphragm 3 is provided with one or more passages therein to permit the free flow of the liquid from the chamber 1 into the dose-chamber 2 when desired, but to prevent the return of the portion so separated unless specially effected. In Fig. 1 the partition is provided with three passages 6 6 (5, disposed in a triangular form. In Figs. 2, 5, G, and '7 a single diametric slot 7 is used, and in Fig. 3 a series of openings 8 diametrically arranged. In Fig. 4 the receptacle is provided with a single chamber 1 and two dosechambers 2 and 2, each having a cork or closure 5 or 5. Two diaphragms 3 and 3 are used, each being shown as having two passages 9 9 or 9 9, the former being larger than the latter, for the reason to be explained.

The operation of the device shown in Fig. 2 is made entirely clear in Figs. 5, (3, and 7. The device being held in the position shown in Fig. 5, with the slot vertical, liquid may be poured in and enters the chamber 1 through the slot. The air within the chamber 1 escapes through the upper portion of the slot above the liquid. \Vhen the receptacle is entirely filled, the quantity in the chamber 2 represents the first dose or other quantity. This may be removed from the chamber 2 by holding the slot in a horizontal position, Fig. 6, whereby the hydrostatic pressure on the liquid in the chamber 1 being balanced no liquid will flow out of said chamber. Then a further quantity is to be removed, the receptacle is tilted, with the slot vertical, as shown in Fig. 5, to overbalanee the hydrostatic pressure or, in other words, to cause the height of the column at the bottom of the slot to be greater than that at the top, and hence liquid will again fiow through the slot into the chamber 2, the air thus displaced from said chamber passing through the slotinto the chamber 1. inverted, Fig. 7, the chamber 2 will be thus entirely full. By now returning the receptacle to its original position, Fig. 2, the liquid above the diaphragm will not flow back, since the air-pressure is equal upon all portions thereof coincident with the slot. In removing the dose the cork 5 is removed and the dose poured out, the slot being kept horizontal, Fig. 6. Obviously the operation of the device shown in Fig. 3 is the same as that just described, the series of openings being the same to all purposes as the slot. With the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 the operation is less perfect. In passing the liquid from the chamber 1 it flows through one or two of the openings G,air passing back through the other opening or openings until the chan1- ber 2 is entirely filled. By now quickly in verting the receptacle the quantity within the chamber 2 will be retained therein, since the height of the column above each of the openings 6 will be uniform and the hydrostatic pressure will be in balance. It the cork 5 were now removed and the dose were slowly poured out, the balance would be overcome and more or less of the fluid would return to the compartment 1. Vith this form of device, therefore, it is necessary to very quickly pour out the dose, and hence it is not so effective as the other forms of our invention already described, where the passages are so disposed as to maintain thehydrostatic balance in any angle to which the receptacle may be tilted, provided the slots or openings are maintained horizontal, as explained.

In Fig. 2 the dose-chamber is shown as having a suitably-graduated scale which may be conveniently employed. \Vhen so used, the intention is to give to the dose-chamber the capacity of a maximum dosesay a tablespoonfuland to indicate by the calibration lesseramounts-such as adessertspoonful and a teaspoonful, respectively. In this way the user may allow the dose-chamber to fill up to any desired extent and to thus secure doses of varying quantities. With this arrangement it will be observed that if too much liquid has flowed into the chamber 2 for the purpose the surplus may be allowed to return to the chamber 1 by bringing the slot into its vertical position and by then tilting the receptacle toward the horizontal, Fig. 5.

The arrangement shown in Fig. 4 may be used, if desired, and it possesses the advantage that non-viscid or viscid liquids maybe lVhen the receptacle ismeasured. When very viscid liquids are employed, such as heavy cough-syrups, the receptacle is filled by removing the cork 5, the openings in the partition 3 being too small to permit the passage of the liquid, which therefore fills only the chambers 1 and 2. When non-viscid liquids are used, they are poured in through the other end and fill all three chambers 1, 2, and 2. The operation need not be referred to in detail, as it is identical with that already described. The liquid is permitted to flow from the chamberl into the dose- chamber 2 or 2 by maintaining the openings 9 9 or 9 9 in vertical relation, the liquid passing through the lower opening and air through the upper. When the dose-chamber is filled, the openings are maintained horizontal to balance the hydrostatic pressure, whereby the dose may be poured out as slowly as may be desired without any liquid returning to the chamber 1 or passing out of that chamber. The construction of device shown in Fig, 4 illustrates the instructions we have already given-i. (2., that the size or capacity of the passage or passages in the diaphragm or partition depends almost entirely upon the viscosity of the liquids and in the individual cases can be best determined by experiment. Thus with a device such as we show in Fig. 4 the openings 9 9 may be too small to permit the passage of very viscid fluids, while the openings 9 9 may be too large to prevent the return of very thin liquids.

Having now described our invention, what We claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. As a new article of manufacture, a medicine carrier and measurer comprising a receptacle divided into a plurality of chambers,and a diaphragm between said chambers, said diaphragm being so perforated as to allow a liquid, when the receptacle is inclined in a predetermined position, to flow readily from ,one chamber to the other, and the reverse flow of air, and not permitting such flow to occur when the receptacle is in another inclined position, owing to an equalization of hydrostatic pressure, substantially as set forth.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a medicine carrier and measurer,comprising a receptacle divided into aplural-ity of chambers,and

a diaphragm between two of said chambers and perforated in or upon a diameter of said diaphragm, whereby, by maintaining such diameter in a vertical disposition, a flow of liquid and, reversely, of air from one chamber to the other may take place, and by maintaining such diameter in a horizontal position an equalization of hydrostatic pressure is socured, substantially as set forth.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a medicine carrier and measurer,comprising a receptacle divided into a plurality of chambers, one of said chambers being calibrated, anda diaphragm between two of said chambers and perforated in or upon a diameter of said diaphragm, whereby, by maintaining such diameter in a vertical disposition, a flow of liquid and, reversely, of air from one chamber to the other may take place, and by maintaining such diameter in a horizontal position an equalization of hydrostatic pressure is se cured, substantially as set forth.

4. As anew article of manufacture,- a medicine carrier and measurer, comprising a recep= tacle divided into three chambers, two diaphragms separating the central chamber from each end chamber, said diaphragms being perforated in or upon a diameter thereof, and the area of perforation of one being greater than that of the other, substantially as set forth.

5. As a new article of manufacture, a medicine carrier and measurer, comprising a receptacle divided into a plurality of chambers, said receptacle having a groove formed in its walls and a diaphragm between two of said chambers, engaging said groove, and perforated in or upon a diameter of said diaphragm, whereby, by maintaining such diameter in a vertical position, a flow of liquid and, reversely, of air from one chamber to the other in a horizontal position an equalization of hydrostatic pressure is secured, substantially as set forth.

This specification signed and witnessed this 25th day of April, 1899.

LEON HOAGE.

ALBERT NYVALL. Witnesses:

JNo. R. TAYLOR, FRANK L. DYER.

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