Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
This invention is directed toward a bottle stopper.
S The bottle stopper of the present invention is
designed to prevent tamperincJ with the contents of a bottle
while permitting the contents to be dispen.sed when desired.
The stopper is particularly adapted to be used with
liquor bottles. While no means common practice, it is
known to dilute liquor in a bottle, or to replace expensive
liquor in a bottle with cheaper liquor to make more money.
The stopper of the present invention is designed ko eliminate
such practices.
The stoppex oE the present invention is adapted to
be installed hy the manufacturer. The stopper is inserted
into the mouth of a filled bottle; the stopper and/or a
portion of the system is preferably provided with anti-
tamp~ring means such as a fragile component or a sealing
device. Thus, if a seal is provided and if the seal is later
broken it is an indication that the contents of the bottle
may have been tampered with. The stopper is designed to
allow the liquid in the bottle to be poured out when needed.
The stopper is also designed to prevent any liquid Erom being
poured back into the bottle thereby pxeventing dilution of
the original liquid in the bottle, or replacement of the
original liquid in the bottle
~g~
The stopper employs a gr~vity~ac-tuated, one-way
valve member for selectively. closing liquid passage means
in the stopper. When the bottle is in an upright position,
the valve member automatically closes the passage means in
~irection preventing the flow o:E liquid down through the
passage means into the bottle. ~11hen the bottle is tilted
Eor pouring, the valve member moves to open the passage means
to allow liquid from withi.n the bottle to flow out.
The stopper is c~nstructed in a manner to prevent
man.ipulation o~ the valve member whereby the contents of
the bottle could be tampered wi~h. If the valve member has
been tampered with, visible evidence of this tampering should be
apparent. The stoppex is provided with non-linear passage
mean~ for the liquid thereby making it difficult, i~ not
impossible, to manipulate the valve member which is located
adjacent the inner end of the stopper.
In one embodiment, the invention is particularly
directed toward a bottle stopper comprising a body member
adapted at least in part to fit snugly within the mouth
of a bottle. The body member has means for use in sealing
the stopper to the bottle while in the bottle. The body
member also has passage means for use in conducting liquid
between its ends while in the bottle. A movable, gravity
actuated valve member is provided in the passage means
for use in conducting liquid out of the bottle when the
botkle is tilted to pour liquid, and for preventing flow
of liquid into the bottle when upright, when the stopper
i~ in the bo~tle~ Means on the body member normally pre-
vent tampering with the valve member through the passage
means from outside the bottle when the stopper i5 in the
bottle A
S The body member ha~ an inner part which goes
into the hottle firs~ and an out:er part which follows
the inner part into the bo~le. Means join the inner and
outer part~ together in spaced~slpart relation. The valve
member is located in the inner body p~rt.
~ . Pxeferably~ the i~ner alld outer parts and the
valve member, are all made separa~ely. Means are provided
or join:ing the inner and outer parts together with the valve
member between them.
In a further embodiment, the body member may include
one or more components associated therewith for u~e in
indicating if the stopper has been tampered with ~ubsequent
to the placement of the stopper in the mou~h of the bottle.
Thus, fo~ instance, one may employ one or more fragile
component~ which would break if ~he s~opper wer~ tampered
w~th subsequent to insertion in the bot~le. Many such
mean~ are know.n to those ~killed in the art~
In a still further embodiment of the invention, the stopper may
include an outer body member which is deformable by means of an insert out-
wardly against the bottle neck to fit snugly within the mouth of the bottle.
The inner body member may utilize a valve means which includes upper and
lower valve members with the lower valve member serving as tne valve seat
and the upper valve member including a portion having the valve
movable thereinO
The invention will now be described in detail having
reFerence to the accompanying drawings in which:
Fiy. 1 is a cross-section view showing the stopper in
a bottle,
FIG. 2 is a cross-section view taken along line 2-2
oF Fig. l;
FIG. 3 is a cross-section view oF another embodirnent of
the stopper in a bottle;
FIG. 4 is a cross section view taken along line 4-4
of Fig. 3;
FIG. 5 is a cross-section view illustrating a further
embodiment of a topper in a bottle;
Fig. 6 is a cross-section view taken along the line 5-5
of Fi~. 5;
Fig. 7 is a cross-section view of an alternative sealing
arrangement and valve limiting means;
Fig. 8 is a view taken along lines A-A of Fig. 7;
2~ Fig. 9 which is on the sheet of drawings containing
Figs. 5 and 6, is a cross-section view of a Further embodiment of
a stopper;
Fig. 10 is an elevation view oF another embodiment of
the stopper;
Fig. 11 is a cross-section view oF the stopper shown in
Fig. 10;
Fig. 12 is a cross section view taken along line 12-12
o-F Fig. 11;
Fig. 13 is a cross-section view taken along line 13-13
of Fig. 11,
.
Fig. 14 is a vertical cross sectional view of a further embodiment
of a stopper; and
Fig. 15 is an exploded view of the component parts of the stopper
of Fig. 14.
The bottle closure of the presen~ inven~ion has a body member 3
which is, at least in part, adapted to fit snugly within the mouth 5 of a
narrow-neck bott1e 7 as shown in Fig. 1. The body member 3 preferably has
an inner body part 9 whieh is adapted to enter the bottle first, and an
outer body part 11 which follows the inner body part 9 into the bottle.
The two body parts 9, 11 are held together in spaced-apart relation as will
be described.
The inner body par~ 9 has a cylindrical base 13 wi~h a first axial
opening 15 extending through it. The first opening 15 is defined by a large
diameter cylindrical surface 17 adjacent its outer end face 19 and a small
1~ diameter cylindrical surface 21 adjacent its inner end face 23. A truncated
conical surface 25 joins the two cylindrical surfaces 17, 21 together.
The opening 15 opens into an enclosure 29 projecting axially out-
wardly from the outer end face 19 of base 13. The enclosure 29 is defined
by a cylindrical siqe wall 31, concentric w;th opening 15, and a circular9
unbroken end wall 33, closing the side wall 31 which end wall 33 is parallel
with end face 19. The cylindrical side wall 31 has an outer diameter Dl
smaller than the diameter D2 of the cylindrical base 130 The inner diameter
of side wall 31 is equal to the diameter of the cylindrical surface 17 of
open;ng 15. A plurali~y of second openings 35 are provided is side wall 31.
The second openings 35 preferably have a quadrangular shape.
A valve member 39 is provided within the enclosure
29 for normally closing the openi.ng 15 when the bottle is
upright. The valve member 39 has an inner cylindrical portion
41 and an outer cylindrical portion 43. The outer cylindrical
portion 43 has a diameter less than the diameter of the
outer cylindrical surface 17 of the first o~ening 15.
The inner cylindrical portion 41 is smaller in diameter
than the diameter of the inner cylindrical surface
21 of opening 15. ~ truncated cc,nical portion
45 joins the two cylindrical port:ions 41, 43 of valve member
39. The conical portion 45 is shaped to have its surface
sit flush on the conical surface 25 of opening 15 when
valve member 39 closes opening lS. When the valve member
;~~' 39 moves up into the enclosure 29, as when the bottle is
tilted ~or pouriny, the opening 15 is opened.
The outer body part 11 of the body 3 has a generally
cylindrical side wall 51 and a circular end wall 53 closing
the inner end of side wall 51. A flange 55 is provided
-- on the ~ide wall 51, about midway between its ends~ and
projecting outwardly. One or more third openings 57 are
provided in the end wall 53. Two such openings 57 can be
provided, each being generally semi-circular in shape, as
shown in Fig. 2. Flange 55, as previously discussed, is
- p.rovided on side wall 51. In one embodiment, flange 55
25. may be relatively thin and thus serve as a positioner or
guide for insertion of the device to the right depth. Also,
flange 55 may be employed to provide sealing properties to
the stopper.
The outer body part 11 is joined to the inner
body part 9 by suitable connect:ing means. These can
comprise a cylindrical post 61 extending axially between
the center of end wall 53 of outer body part 11, and
the center of the end wall 33 ~f the enclosure 29 on
the inner body part 9. It wil:L be noted that -the outer
ra~ius R3 of the openings 57 in the outer body part 11
is less than half the diameter D1 of the end wall 33 of
the enclosure 29. I~ will also be noted that the outer
diameter D4 of the side wall 51 of ~he upper body part 11
equa~s the diameter D2 of the base 13 of ~he lower body
part 9, The outer surface of base 13 9 and the outer
surface of side wall 51, beneath flange 55, can be provided
with suitable sealing meansO These sealing means can
comprise a set of sealing flanges 63 integral with both
the base 13 and side wall 51, Other types of sealing
means can, however, be employed. The ,outer surface of
the side wall 51, above flange 55, is provided with a
screw thread 65 to receive a closure cap (not shown) for
the bottle.
The bottle closure is used by inserting it into
the mouth 5 of a filled bottle 7 at a factory unti]. the
flange 55 abuts the lip 69 of the bot~le at the mouth 5
of the bottle. A circular seal 71 can then be fastened
~5 about both the flange 55 and lip 69. The seal 71 is of
the type that the closure cannot be removed from the bo-ttle
7 without damaging the seal. With the bo-ttle 7 in an
upright position, the val~e member 39, -through gravity,
c]oses opening 15 and prevents anyone from pouring li~uid
into the bottle 7. I.iquid originally in the bot-tle 7 can
be poured out by turning the bottle over so that the valve
member 39 slides into the enclc)sure 29 thereby separating
sealing surfaces 25, 45. The liquid then flows throuyh
first opening 15 in~o enclosure 2~, out of enclosure 29
through second openings 35, and around the enclosure 29
to third openings 57 and out. The opening 15, the enclosure
29, the openings 35, the space 73 surrounding the enclosure
29 and the openings 57 form non-linear passage means for
the li~uid to flow out of the bottle. When the bottle is
rep~sitioned in an erect or upright position, the valve
member 39 slides down to have the sealing surfaces 25, 45
contact thereby closing the passage means and thus pre-
venting anyone from adding any kind of liquid to the bottle.
It will be noted that the end wall 33 of the
enclosure 23 acts as a shield for the valve member 39.
The end wall 33 prevents anyone from tampering or raising
the valve member 39 through the openings 57. It is further
noted that even if a person were able to slide a wire or
pin down through opening 57, around end wall 33 and through
openings 35 into the enclosure 29, it would still be
difficult to raise the valve member 39 since it lies
below the openings 35 in the enclosure side wall 31.
~$~ 3
Any tampering of the valve member 39 through -the end wall
33, or through the body parts 9, 11 would normally be
visible.
The closure, except for the valve member 39,
could be molded in one pie~e, with the valve member 39
then forced through opening 15 into the enclosure 29.
It is preferred, however, to mold the closure 1 in two
pieces with the closure 1 dividec~ along a plane 75 passing
through the base 13 and the large diameter portion 17 of
the opening 15. A~ter the valve member 39 is inserted
into the enclosure 29, the two pieces of the closure
are joined along plane 75 by adhesive, or by other
suitable means.
If desired~ the valve member 39 could be hollowed
out ~rom its upper face 77 downwardly. The hollowed out
space, defined by a dotted line 79 in Fig. 1, would fill
with liquid, if an attempt were made to pass llquid into
the bottle through the closure thereby pressing the
sealing surfaces 25, 45 more tightly together.
While one form of the valve member in the closure
has been described, it could also have other forms. As
shown in Fig. 3, the valve member could comprise a sphere
81 within the enclosure 29. The lower portion 83 o~ the
opening is curved to provide a seal for the sphere 81
to close the opening 15 when the bottle is upright. As
be~ore, the vase 13 could be divided along a plane 75 to
permit insertion o~ the sphere 81 with enclosure 29.
The means connecting the two body por~ions
together could also be modi~ied to comprise a number of
thin connecting members arranged in a circle about the
end wall 33 of the enclosure 2'3 near its edge. Four such
members 87, e~ually spaced ap~rt, could be used, as
shown in Fig. 4, ~o replace the central post 61 shown in
FigO 1~ If khe connecting members 87 are employed,
the semi-circular holes 57 in the end wall 53 of the
upper body part 11 could be replaced by a single large circu-
lar hole 89 as shown in Fig. 4. The hole 89 will however
still have a diameter less than the diameter of the end
wall 33 to prevent direct tampering with the valve memb~r.
In the embodiment of Fig. 5, similar reference
numbers are employed to indicate similar components as
described in the previous figures. As will be seen,
stopper 3, in this instance, is not provided with a
flange that extends outwardly beyond the neck of the bottle
7. Further, the entire stopper or body member is adapted
to fit within the neck of the bottle and in assocation
with this, anti-tampering means may be provided. As
previously mentioned, such anti-tampering means are
known in the art and may include the use of fragile
components or the like.
As shown in Fig. 7, the movement of valve
member 39 may be limited thxough use of an integral stop
member 4a molded to enclosure 29. The particular form
of stcp member shown may be varied according to conventional
--10--
practice. Furthermore, as will be seen in Fig. 7, valve
member 39 may be formed in diEferent configuration~ in
order to seat on base 13. Thus, in view of the
arrangement shown in Fig. 1, valve member 39 may sirnply
seat in a conventional manner on base 13.
Also, a~ shown in Figure 7. bo-ttle 7 may include
a flange member 60; corresponding flange 55 of the stopper
is adaptecl to seat thereon and a seal 71 is then applied
thereto. ~hus, in this embodiment, the bottle neck may
be adapted to screw threadingly receive a closure member.
Referring to Fig. 9, an embodiment similar to
Fig. 7 is illustrated. In this embodiment, an end wall
similar to end wall 53 of Fig. 1 is provided in conjunction
with the teachings of other embodiments.
In another embodiment of the invention shown
in Figs~ 10 to 13, the bottle closure 101 has a body
member made in two separate parts to both facilitate
manufacture of the closure, and installation of the
valve member in the body member~ To this end, the body
member comprises an inner body part 103, and an outer
body part 105, made separately from the inner body part
103. The inner body part 103 comprises a cap-shaped
member having a flat, circular base 107 and a flange
109 projecting upwardly from the outer edge of base 107.
The flange 109 has a set of equally spaced-apart V-shaped
slots 111 extending down from its upper free edge 113,
toward base 107. The slots 111 divide the flange 109 into
~ set of resilent fingers 115. The inner surface of
-11
each finger 115 is undercut between the base 107 and a line
genera]ly half-way up the finger to provide a shoulder 117.
A central opening 119 is provided in the base 107 with the
wall 121 of the opening sloping inwardly from the flange
side of the base.
The outer body part 105 comprises a yenerally
cylindxical member having a Eirst central bore 125
extending inwardly from the inner end 127 of the member,
and a second central bore 129 extending inwardly
from the outer end 131 of the member~ The central
bores 125, 129 extend toward each other and are
separated from each other in the middle of the member
by a dividing wall 133. The first central bore 125
has a counterbore 135 for about half its length thereby
enlarging the outer end of bore 125. The outer end of
second boxe 125 could also be flared outwardly as shown at
137 if desired.
The member 105 has a wide, shallow groove 141
encircling it in its central region. A first set of
encircling ports 143 extend throughthe wall of the member
105 joining the bottom end portion of the first bore 125
with the inner portion of groove 141. A second set of
encircling ports 145 extends through the wall of the member
105 joining the bottom end portion of the second bore
129 with the groove 141. A second narrow, shallow groove
147 encircles member 105 near its inner end 127 forming
an encircling rib 149 adjacent inner end 127. The rib
149 may be reduced slightly in outer diameter. A guide pin
12-
lSl projects axially from the center oE wall 133 into
boxe 125 and part way into counterbore 135.
A valve member 155 is provided having a plug-
shaped head 157 and a stem 159 projecting axially up from
the center of the head. A guicle bore 161 extends axlally
down through stem 159 from i~s free end 163 and part way
into head 157. The head 157 has a sidewall 165 that
slopes inwardly ~rom the side of the head frorn which
stem 159 projects.
The valve memb-er 155 and the body parts 103,
105 can all be easily manufactured separately. To form
the bottle closure the stem 159 of the valve member 155
is slidably mounted on the guide pin 151 in bore 125.
The inner body part 103 i5 then joined to the outer
body part 105 by sliding its fingers 115 over rib 149
until the shoulders 117 on the fingers snap into groove
147 and lock with the rib 149 to prevent separation
of the body parts.
The assembled closure 101 can now be mounted
in a bottle, inner body part 103 first, and sealed thereto
hy suitable means similar to those previously described.
With the bottle in a vertical position, the valve member
155 closes the bottle with its head 157 snugly sitting in
opening 119, its sloping sidewall 165 mating with the
sloping wall 121 de~ining opening 119. Thus no liquid
could be added to the bottle, and wall 133 prevents
-13-
tamp~ring with the valve member 155 in its closed pos-
ition. When the bottle is tilted to pour out liquor~
the valva member 155 slides away from opening 119
into counterbore 135, guided by pin 151 on which stem
159 slides. Liquor then flows out of the bottle
through opening 119, counterbo~e 135 and firs-t bore
125, first ports 143, groove l~1, second ports 145 and
second bore 129. ~he siæe of the op~ning ll9 is generally
equal to the ~ize of counterbore 135 less the largest
size of head 157 of valve memb~r 115.
If des.ired, encircling .sealing ribs 167 can
be provided on both body parts 103, 105 t~ enable the
assembled closure to more tightly fit in the bottle.
Referring to the embodiment of Fig. 14-169 the stopper
includes an outer generally cylindrical body part generally designated
by reference numeral ?05. Outer body part 205 has a cylindrical bore 207
extending therethrough. At its upper end, there is provided a flange 209
while a recess 208 is provided interiorly thereof. As may be seen in
Fig. 14, a central portion 211 of part 205 is relatively thick-walled
compared to the remainder of the portion. A radially extending groove 213
is provided above middle portion 211 while part 205 also has a plurality
of vertical grooves 215 in the exterior surface. A plurality of innercuts
or recessed portions 217 is provided at spaced apart locations at the base
of other body part 205.
An inner body part generally designated by reference numeral
225 includes an upper valve member 227 having a lower cylindrical portion 231
-14-
and a top portion Z29 of a circular out1ine with tabs 230 extending
outwardly therefrom. Cylindrical portion 231 has a bore 233 therein; an
aperture 235 in the wall of portion 231 provides fluid communication bet-
ween the exterior and bore 233.
Lower valve member 237 includes a valve seat 239 and a Flange
241 extending inwardly From the ma;n body portion. A plurality of inner~
cuts 242 are provided in the upper portion of the wal'l of lower valve mem-
ber 237. Within lower member 237 is valve 243 which includes an upper
portion 225 of a cylindrical configuration adapted to s'lidingly fit within
bore 233 of upper valve member 227 while lower portion 247 seats on valve
seat 239.
A plurality of legs generally designa~ed by reference numeral 251
function as joining means for inner body part 225 and outer body part 205.
As may be seen from FigO 16, 'le~s 251 include an upper portion 253 adapted
to seat within innercuts 217 and a lower portion 255 adapted to seat within
innercuts 242 on lower valve por~ion 237. Intermediate upper portion 253
and lower portion 257 there is provided an annular groove 257 adapted to
receive tabs 230,of top portion 22'~ of upper valve member 227.
Finally, the s~opper includes a sealing plug or insert generally
designated by reference numeral 261 ~Ind which sealing plug has an upper
flange portion 263 adapted~ o seat in recess 20~ of outer body part 205. A
sealing portion Z65 has a relatively ~hick wall per reasons apparent here-
inafter. Preferably, a sealing fin (not shown) is provided exteriorly of
lower valve member 237.'
As may be seen from Fig. 14, the stopper comprising outer body
part 205 and inner body part 225 may be inserted into a conventional bottle
with flange 209 seating flush on a recess provided on the bottle. The fit
2~3
is a relatively tiyht one and frictional enga~ement is provided between
the inner wall of the bottle neck and central portion 211 of outer body
part 205. Subsequently, sealing plug 261 will be inserted with sealing
portion 265 engaging middle portion 211 and forcing the same outwardly
to provide and extremely tight fit between the bottle neck and stopper.
In operation, as is self evident, valve 243 is free to move to provide
fluid communica~ion between the contents of the bottle and the exterior~
However, a non-l;near passage of the fluid is provided in a manner such
that valve 243 may not be tampered with. Even if the bottle were to be
subjected to to continuous vibration, apature 235 will prevent the mo-
vement of valve 243.
It will be understood that the above-described embodiments are
for purposes of illustration only and changes and modifications may be
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus
a stopper may be manufactured employing a combination of features shown
in the different embodiment described herein. In actual manufacture9
several of the component parts may be molded as a single piece.
- 16 -
