US2105051A - Dispensing attachment for beverage containers - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 11, 1938. w, MYERS DISPENSING ATTACHMENT-FOR BEVERAGE CONTAINERS Filed. Jan. 23. 1936 @Inrfintor, 5% me Patented Jan. 11, 1938 DISPENSING ATTACHMENT FOR BEVERAGE CONTAINERS George W. Myers, Bushnell, Fla.

Application January 23, 1936, Serial No. 60,443

5 Claims.

This invention relates to dispensing attachments for beverage containers.

For the handling of beer in containers of about fifteen gallons capacity, a large size glass bottle, having sufficient strength to withstand the pressure which is normally present with beer in the ordinary containers, has many advantages, providing such a glass bottle is equipped with a proper dispensing attachment to the mouth of the bottle to hold the pressure, both after filling the bottle and before delivery, and when in use after delivery at the time of dispensing the beer. Beer thus contained and held under pressure in glass bottles can be kept in a sanitary fresh condition, in connection with refrigeration, and be free from any poisonous influences due to the material of which the container is made.

In handling beer, where a license is to be attached to the container, to be destroyed by the first user, provision can be made on the dispensing attachment to receive a paper license sealed over the outlet of the container.

It is therefore the main object of my invention to provide a detachable means, including a multiple valve structure, adapted to fit and be releasably clamped in pressure sealing relation to the mouth of a glass or other suitable beverage container, where the beverage is to be held or dispensed under pressure.

Another object of my invention is to provide means, which while fulfilling the above mentioned main object, will include a releasable check valve in the mouth of the container, which is released by the engagement of an outside faucet or other manually operated valve, with the outlet leading from the said check valve. In addition, I desire to provide a paper seal, receiving portion to the said detachable means, having said portion surround the said outlet, whereby, before said faucet is attached for dispensing the beer, held in by said check valve, the said seal, be it a license or other purpose seal, can be attached to said portion, to seal over the said outlet, only to be broken by the ultimate user, when he attaches the faucet and releases the said check valve for dispensing the been A further object is to include in a detachable means for bottles, fulfilling the said main object, a second check valve at a gas inlet, and also include a safety valve to let down the pressure in the container, after it has gone beyond that limit which is safe for the glass container, in respect to its strength.

And another object of my invention is to include in a detachable means for bottles, fulfilling the said main object, a form of adjustable clamp, adapted to lock under the usual outside flange of the bottle head, having said clamp simple in construction and easily releasable from the bottle head.

With these and other objects which will appear hereinafter, my invention resides in certain construction, one embodiment of which is illustrated in the drawing, is hereinafter described, the functioning of the parts is explained, and what I claim is set forth.

In the drawing,

Figure 1 is a mid-sectional elevation of a glass container having thereon a. beverage dispensing attachment embodying my invention, showing the central valve open.

Figure 2 is a fragmental section of the center tube portion of the said attachment, showing the valve closed.

Figure 3 is an inverted perspective view of the cup-body of the said attachment.

Figure 4 is a top plan of the cup-body.

Figure 5 is a perspective View of one of the half bushings adapted to come into screw threaded engagement with the cup of the cup-body.

Figure 6 is a perspective View of the central valve and stem with its cross bar.

Figure '7 is a top plan of the central, perforated, valve seat.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the tubular valve release member.

In the figures, the glass container I0, having a bottom I I, side walls I2 and head I3, has mounted thereon, the body I 4, of the dispensing attachment. This body I 4, has a fiat top portion l5, recessed above at I6, in which is cemented a paper seal I'l. Depending from the top portion I5 is a cup portion l8. The top portion I5 rests upon a gasket I9, in contact with the lip 20, of the mouth 2 I, of thecontainerhead I3. Theinsidewall of the cup portion I8 is threaded for engagement of the two half bushings 22. These half bushings 22 have each an inturned, lower flange 23, which engage the under side of the flange 24, of the head I3. Each bushing 22 has an outward extension 25, of the flange 23, adapted to receive a wrench. The body I4, of the dispensing attachment, has a central tubular portion 26, reaching down into the mouth 2|, of the container I0. The inside of this tubular portion 26 is threaded from end to end. The lower end of this portion 26 engages a bushing 21, from which a tube 28 depends into the container I0, reaching close to the container bottom II. Midway of the ends of the tubular por- 7 seat 29.

tion 26, is a valve seat 29, having a central tubular port 36 and perforations 3i This valve seat 29 is in threaded engagement with the tubular portion 25, of the body l4, and when in proper position, is there sealed at its periphery, with the body portion 26. In sliding engagement with the central tubular port 39, of the seat 29, is the valve stem 32, having at its lower end a valve disc 33, and a washer 34, between the disc 33 and the seat 29, adapted to cover all of the perforations 3 l, of the The upper end of the stem 32-, has a cross-bar 35, screwed thereto. Between this cross-bar 35, and the valve seat 29, is a compression spring 36, for normally holding the valve closed, when the cross-bar 35 is free to move up within the body portion 25.

In threaded and sealed engagement with the top of the tubular portion 26, of the body it, is a bushing 31, in tubular connection withthe faucet 38, which is normally kept closed, except when dispensing the beverage from the container ll). Loosely positioned axially within the threaded :bore of the bushing 3 3., is the tubular valve release member 3 i the lower part of which rests upon thecross-bar35. After thebushing 3-! is screwed into the top of the tubular portion 26, of the body 14, the portion 38 of the faucet 38, is screwed down into the top of the bushing .31, where it engages the top of the tubular, valve releasing member 37 The faucet portion 38 is screwed down .far enough into the bushing '31, to cause the member 37 to depress the cross-bar 35, and the spring 36, to hold the valve open, offdts seat 29. The lower end of the member 31* isexpanded, and also has a hole 31 to facilitate the free passage of a fluid passing up through the valve seat 29 and the faucet 38.

On opposite sides'of the top of the body M is shown two valves 39 and 4t, engaging the respective passages 4| and 42. The valve 39 is a check valve tohold gas pressure within'the container after CO2 gas or air passes in through the valve 39. Valve is a pressure relief valve, used to relieve pressure over a certain limit, for the safety of the container. In the figures these valves 39 and 49 are represented by the, symbols for the same, as shown in the Patent Oilice Rules of Practice for 1935.

The dispensing attachment is assembled and made fast to the bottle, in the following manner:

The valve seat 29 is preferably made separate, on account of the readiness with which theholes or perforations 3i, and the hole in the central tubular part 38, can be drilled, when the valve seat is free from the attachment body H5. The valve seat 2% is afterward screwed into its place in the central tubular portion 26, of the body Hi, and afterward galvanized, particularly at the threads, to seal it in place. However, the tubular portion 26 with the valve seat 2 9, as a cross wall, can be made in any other manner desired. With the valve seat 29 in place, the valve stem 32, with its valve disc 33, and washer 36, is next assembled with the valve seat 2? and the coiled compression spring 36, is next dropped in place, enveloping the valve stem 32. The cross-bar 35 is then pushed down, compressing the spring 33, while the washer 34, of the valve disc 33 is forced to seat against the valve seat 29, and while thus assembled, the cross-bar 35 is screwed tight to the top of the valve stem 32, while the spring 35 is held compressed, thus normally holding the central valve closed at the valve seat 29-, so that the washer 34 covers all the perforations 3i, of'the valve seat 29. After thus assembling the central valve parts with the compression spring 36 compressed, the tube 28 and its bushing 2'! is put in threaded engagement with the lower end of the central, tubu lar portion 26, of the body 14. Next the check valve 39 and the pressure relief valve 40 are screwed in place into. the sides of the body 14, as shown in Figure l.

The body l4 and its parts being thus assembled, is next mounted upon the bottle head 83, having the tube 28 reaching down to near the bottom I l, of the bottle I0, and having the tubular portion 26, of the body M, in the mouth 2|, of the bottle head I 3, with the. gasket !9 in place. Now, with the cup portion 18 enveloping the bottle head 13, the half bushings 22, are placed around the neck of the bottle, and together they are screwed up into the cup portion I3, until their inturned flanges 23, engage the flange 24, of the bottle head I3, and are further turned to bring the flanges 23 up tight against the bottle flange 2 compressing the gasket 19, on top of the bottle head l3. 1

' With the attachment thus clamped upon the bottle head E3, the bottle can be filled with beer or any other liquid to be dispensed under pressure, by passing the liquid through the central tubular portion 25,01 the attachment, and under suflicient pressure to overcome the .closing urge of the spring 35, of the central valve and pass through. After thus filling the bottle l8, the

liquid contained is held under pressure by the three valves 39, all, and the central valve 33. If

this pressure happens to rise higher than the desired amount, as a limit, for the safety 'of the container 10, then the relief valve lil, set for that particular safety pressure, will let out the excess. Next, if desired, a slip of paper 17, which may be a kind of seal, as a license seal, is cemented over the central hole leading to the central'valve, 33, and within the shallow recess N5, of the flat portion ,i5,'of'the body M. This seal 1'! is to remain intact, until an authorized user breaks it, by screwing in the bushing 31, with its faucet attachment '38 closed. As the faucet portion 38 is screwed down into the bushing3'l, it engages the valve release member 3'! bears down on the cross-bar 35, of the central valve 33, moving it down and opening the valve against the action of the compression of the spring 36. The container is now ready for dispensing the pressure' charged beverage within the container 10, by opening the faucet 38. With the same dispensing attachment, water or milk can be dispensedfrom the container I0, where the space above the liquid in the container is filled with compressed air.

While I have illustrated and described but one embodiment of my invention, various changes and additions can be made without departing from the spirit and :scope thereof, I therefore wish to in-- clude all forms which come within the purview through said cup, down into said top portion, an

extension depending from said tubular means, down into said container, a valve seat positioned across the bore of said tubular means, and positioned intermediate the ends of said tubular means, a valve normally in spring-pressed relation to close said valve seat from the side toward said container body, faucet meansoutside of said cup in releasably sealed relation with the outer end of said tubular means, and releasing means acting with said faucet means and adapted, when said faucet means is in sealed relation with said tubular means, to reach to said valve and hold the same off its seat.

2. A dispensing attachment for containers made in accordance with claim 1, and having in addition thereto means forming a gas outlet through said top portion, communicating with the inside of said container, and a pressure relief valve in said outlet, adapted to relieve said container of pressure of gas, in excess of a fixed amount, at which the said relief valve is set.

3. A dispensing attachment for containers made in accordance with claim 1, wherein said valve has a central stem reaching outwardly through said valve seat, a cross piece on the end of said stem away from said valve, a compression spring between said cross piece and said valve seat for normally holding said valve closed in its spring pressed relation to said seat, said cross piece being positioned to be depressed by said extended end of said faucet means to hold said valve open when said faucet means is connected with said tubular means.

4. A dispensing attachment for containers made in accordance with claim 1, having in addition thereto, means forming a gas inlet through said top portion, communicating with the inside of said container, and a check valve in said inlet adapted to check the escape of gas out through said inlet, while permitting a gas or fluid to be forced past said check valve into said container, through said inlet.

5. The combination with a container having a mouth portion and an outside flange carried thereby, of a dispensing attachment including in combination a plate portion serving as a cover to said mouth portion, of said container, a cup part depending as a flange from said plate portion, said cup part enveloping said mouth portion, clamping means on said cup portion, engaging said flange, a central tubular portion on said attachment, fitting into said mouth portion, there being a hole passing through said plate portion, communicating with said central tubular portion, a tube forming an extension to said tubular portion, reaching down into said container, positive sealing means between said dispensing attachment and said container at the said mouth portion thereof, a spring-closed valve device in said tubular portion, having the valve thereof normally closed from within to hold pressure within said container, said central tubular portion being positioned to be put in communication with faucet means and a valve being arranged for movement by engagement with an unseating element, carried by said faucet means; and a frangible seal on said plate portion, covering said hole in said plate portion, and having a portion of said seal in the path traversed by the faucet means, as the latter is moved into communication with the tubular portion.

GEORGE W. MYERS.

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