US3796348A - Liquid metering and counting and dispensing means - Google Patents

Abstract

A liquid pourer is attached to a bottle for automatically dispensing a predetermined amount of liquor each time the bottle is tilted to pouring position, and the number of such tilts or dispensing operations appear as a count. The count is read from a sleeve which is advanced one count. Such sleeve has saw-toothed type projections at each of its ends cooperating with complementary projections to assure advancement of the sleeve only one count for each dispensing operation. The amount of liquor dispensed is metered using a plunger assembly having apertured portions therethrough which are covered by a valve element movable on the plunger assembly. The position of the plunger assembly is adjustable to adjust the amount of liquor dispensed. To prevent dispensing of liquor unless the bottle is in substantially an upright, inverted position, a so-called antimilking device is associated with the pouring spout, and it involves a spool-shaped valve element carrying a locking ring which is engageable with an abutment on the pouring cap to prevent this valve element from uncovering openings in the pouring spout unless the bottle is in substantially a completely inverted position to thereby assure complete advancement of the counting sleeve prior to dispensing of liquor.

Description

United States Patent [191 Zipper [451 Mar. 12, 197 4 1 1 LIQUID METERING AND COUNTING AND DISPENSING MEANS [76] Inventor: Walter J. Zipper, 463 Mesa Road,

Santa Monica, Calif. 90402 [22] Filed: Oct. 18, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 190,006

3/1955 Germany 222/38 Primary Examiner-Stanley I 1. Tollberg Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Lyon & Lyon [57] ABSTRACT A liquid pourer is attached to a bottle for automatically dispensing a predetermined amount of liquor each time the bottle is tilted to pouring position, and the number of such tilts or dispensing operations appear as a count. The count is read from a sleeve which is advanced one count. Such sleeve has saw-toothed type projections at each of its ends cooperating with complementary projections to assure'advancement of the sleeve only one count for each dispensing operation. The amount of liquor dispensed is metered using a plunger assembly having apertured portions therethrough which are covered by a valve element movable on the plunger assembly. The position of the plunger assembly is adjustable to adjust the amount of liquor dispensed. To prevent dispensing of liquor unless the bottle is in substantially an upright, inverted position, a so-called antimilking device is associated with the pouring spout, and it involves a spool-shaped valve element carrying a locking ring which is engageable with an abutment on the pouring cap to prevent this valve element from uncovering openings in the pouring spout unless the bottle is in substantially a completely inverted position to thereby assure complete advancement of the counting sleeve prior to dispensing of liquor.

8 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures LIQUID METERING AND COUNTING AND DISPENSING MEANS Thepresent invention relates to improved means and techniques for dispensing predetermined amounts of liquor from a bottle with associated means for counting and indicating the number of times a bottle has been moved from a predetermined position.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved pouring spout having features of accurately dispensing predetermined adjustable amounts of liquor for each bottle inversion, for counting the number of such inversions or the number ofdrinks dispensed, and the incorporation therein of a so-called antimilking device which prevents liquor frorn being dispensed unless the bottle has been tilted to a sufficiently vertical condition that assures complete advancement of the counting device.

A specific object of the present invention is to provide an attachment to bottles incorporating a counting device and which incorporates means that prevent dispensing of any liquor unless and until the counting device is advanced. Y 1

Another specific object of the present inventionis to provide an improved dispensing device of this character in which the amount of liquor dispensed may be adjusted.

Another specific object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing apparatus of this character which allows complete inventory control and portion control in a simple, expeditious and inexpensive manner.

Another specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved dispensing device of this character incorporating novel sealing means for prevention of unauthorized removal or tampering with the-counting mechanism.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pouring device of this character which is small considering the number of functions accomplished and which is also inexpensive in its manufacture and assembly.

Another specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved device of this character which assures the elimination of over-pours, unauthorized giveaways, slippage, pilferage, etc.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved pouring device of this character which allows the use of security seals individually and consecutively numbered with the assurance that the device may not be removed or impaired without destroying the seal.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. This invention itself, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section of a pouring device embodying features of the present invention mounted on the neck of a liquor bottle.

FIG. 2 is a section taken substantially on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3, 4 and are sectional views taken on corresponding lines 3-3, 4-4 and 5-5 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 6-6 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a view like FIG. 2 but with the bottle tilted sufficiently to cause the antimilking valve to be opened.

FIG. 8 illustrates some of the elements of FIG. 7 when the bottle is tilted insufficiently in which case as shown the antimilking valve remains closed.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

The pouring device has abase element 10 with a downwardly extending tubular portion 10A adapted to fit into the neck N of the liquor bottle B, the tubular portion 10A having a flange portion 108 limiting downward movement of the base member into the bottle. Arubber sealing device 12 in the form of a resilient sleeve extends around the flange portion 108 to prevent leakage in that area when the bottle is tilted during a dispensing operation.

Thisbase element 10 includes an annular groovedportion 10C attached to snugly receive the lower end ofcylinder element 14 within which a plunger structure. 16 is closely seated for sliding movement therein, and aspecial counting sleeve 17 is slidably mounted on the outside surface of thecylinder element 14.

Thebase element 10 is formed with avent channel 10E which as seen in FIG. 1 terminates as a vent opening 10F, and the lower end ofsuch vent channel 10E in FIG. 2 is fitted with avent tube 18 which extends through the neck of the bottle and is formed with aball cage portion 18A for retaining the ballcheck valve element 18B. Thiscage 18A is formed with two diametrically opposedopenings 18C anda lower. opening 18D against which theball 18B is seated in the upright position of the bottle in which case venting occurs through theside openings 18C,tube 18 andchannel 10E.

Thebase element 10 is also formed with asemiannular pouring opening 106 which as seen in FIG. 5 is somewhat less than a complete ring opening. This opening in the upright position of the bottle B is closed by an inverted cup-shappedvalve element 20 which is of the following construction:

Thisvalve element 20 is of plastic, is adapted to seat against thebase element 10 to close off theopening 106, andsuch element 20 is integrally formed with a centraltubular portion 20A, the lower end of suchtubular portion 20A being bifurcated and of resilient plastic, and one of the bifurcatedportions 20B, 20C is fonned with a lug 20D. This lug 20D is in the nature of a hook and is retained within a slottedportion 10H of the tubular portion 10K ofbase element 10. The upper end of thesleeve portion 20A screw threadedly receives adjustingscrew 22 of plastic material formed with an enlargedend portion 22A to facilitate turning of the same. Thiselement 22 is adjusted before the pouring device is mounted on the bottle and serves as an adjustment in that it contacts a portion of themovable plunger structure 16 to close a valve thereon to thereby provide adjustment of that closedvolume 26 defined by the following elements: plunger 16 in that position where it contacts therod 22; a portion of thecylinder 14;base element 10 andvalve element 20 in its sealed position. Thevalve element 20 is maintained in its sealed position against thebase plate 10 by the weight of theplunger element 16 contacting the upper end of theadjustment screw 22.

Thisplunger assembly 16 incorporates aplastic piston element 16A which has an outercylindrical wall 16B slidably contacting the inner wall ofcylinder 14, and it also incorporates a central generallyconical portion 16C terminating in a rounded end 16D. This centralconical portion 16C is integrally formed with thering portion 16A by a pair ofweb members 16F, 160. Theseweb members 16F, 16G (FIG. 4) defineopenings 16K, 16L, and such openings are closed in FIG. 2 by a metal disk 16M contacting an annular valve seat I6N. Movement of this valve element MM is guided by its rod-like portion 161 which is slidably mounted in a central aperturedportion 16R. Also, thisrod 16? extends downwardly and is contacted by the previously mentionedadjustment screw 22. To limit movement of the valve element 16M, aplastic spider 165 of resilient plastic material has the outer end of its three legs engaged by an annular groovedportion 16T. Thisspider 165 is readily assembled by deforming the leg portions and allowing them to snap into thegrooved portion 16T. It will be observed that the premissible travel of the valve element 16M on theplunger structure 16 is the distance between the retaining spider 16S and the shoulderportion 16V'on pin 16P.

On the other hand, thecomplete plunger assembly 16 is movable from the position shown in FIG. 2 to the position shown in FIG. 7 wherein the round conical end 16D closes thecentral opening 148 of the recessedportion 14C ofcylinder 14.

The previously mentioned countingsleeve 17 is constructed for counting movement as described in the copending US. Pat. application of Robert R. Johnsonand Walter J. Zipper, Ser. No. l24,235, filed Mar. 15, 1971, to which reference may be had for perhaps a more detailed description.

In general, the ends of the countingsleeve 17 are provided withprojections 17A, 178 as indicated in FIG. 1, and these projections cooperate respectively withcomplementary projections 14F oncylinder 14 andlike projections 10M onbase element 10. There is a pair ofsuch elements 14F and a pair ofsuch elements 10M with elements of the same pair being diametrically disposed.

The countingsleeve 17 is advanced one notch corresponding to one count each time the bottle is tilted from an upright position to a substantially vertical dispensing position and then returned to its upright position. These cooperating projections prevent the counting sleeve from moving more than one count and produce movement only in the advance direction as more fully described in the previously mentioned co-pending application.

Aprotective metal cover 25 which is generally bellshaped surrounds the countingsleeve 17; but to allow a person to see the count, the same is apertured as indicated at 25A in FIG. I wherein it is seen that the counting sleeve has been moved to its last count, namely count 40. Further movement ofsleeve 17 is prevented as a result of engagement of the projection 17D on countingsleeve 17 with theprojection 258 on thecover 25. To prevent unauthorized tampering, the cover is secured by a means now described.

Astiff wire 26W hooked at each of its ends is retained by apaper strip 27 in the form of aseal which may have printed thereon certain data. As seen in FIG. 2, the upper end of thewire 26W is pivotally mounted in an apertured portion of thecover 25 and extends through one of the fortyslots 10R (each indexed and corresponding to one of the individual forty counts) and the lower end ofwire 26W is in the form of an open hook to allow the paper band or seal to be inserted within the confines of thehook portion 26X.

A so-calledantimilking device 30 is mounted on the upper end of thecylinder 14 with a portion of thecover 25 being sandwiched therebetween.

A pouringtube 30A of metal is secured within the plastic closure member 308, and such tube is closed at its lower end. Diametrically disposedside openings 30C intube 30A (FIG. 2) are closed or covered by a valve element 305 which is slidably mounted on thetube 30A and which as seen in FIG. 2 is generally spool-shaped. Loosely mounted but confined on such spool-shaped valve element is lockingring 30F which may move radially withrespectto pouring tube 30A and become-engaged with an annular internal shoulder portion 30G of the cap 308.

Certain precautions are taken to prevent tampering, i.e., false readings of thecounting cylinder 17. These involve the provisions of end stops 17D, 258 which cooperate to prevent movement of thecylinder 17 beyond the 40 count should one be inclined to attempt to produce a false reading by tilting of the bottle holding his finger over the pouringspout 30A. Also the coverapertured portion 25A is provided with atransparent window 25W which prevents one from projecting an object through the opening and impeding movement of thecounting cylinder 17. For the same general purpose the base member has an integrally formed flange portion 108 which projects upwardly beyond thespace betweencover 25 and the outer rim ofbase 10 to deny access to thecounting cylinder 17 and also to provide a guide for thecover 25 and to prevent any possible movement of the lower end ofcover 25 into engagement with countingcylinder 17.

In operation when the device is mounted as shown on a bottle B containing liquor, one or two preliminary tilting operations are performed to assure complete filling of thevolume 26A above theplunger assembly 16 with liquor and also complete fillingof thevolume 26 belowsuch assembly 16. A subsequent tilting of the bottle through progressive positions shown in FIGS. 2, 8 and 7 in that order results in the following: There is no dispensing of liquor in the position shown in FIG. 8 because theantimilking valve element 30F is still locked beyond the abutment 30G in its closed position preventing any fluid from leaving the bottle. However, thecounting cylinder 17 is allowed to and does slide downward in FIG. 8 towards the cooperating pair ofcam abutments 14F to achieve an advancement of countingcylinder 17 to the next count. Further slight tilting movement towards the position shown in FIG. 7 results in the previously lockedvalve ring element 30F with a rounded corner thereon sliding over abutment 30G due to the gravity forces acting on theelement 30F to thereby open the antimilking valve, i.e., to uncover thetube openings 30C in which case the liquor is then dispensed of an amount determined by thepreadjusted volume 26A which is defined in FIG. 2 by the upper portion ofpiston assembly 16 and inner walls ofcylinder 14 and also by the closed end oftube 30A. In such dispensing, theplunger assembly 16 moves downwardly from its position shown in FIG. 2 to its position shown in FIG. 7 in which case theplunger rod 16F no longer contacts thevalve stem 22 and thusvalve 20 is allowed to open to allow liquor flow from the bottle into the then expandingvolume 26. Thevolume 26A becomes smaller as the liquor is being dispensed therefrom as theplunger assembly 16 moves downwardly towards the position shown in FIG. 7 where substantially all liquor is dispensed and further dispensing is prevented because the rounded nose portion 16D is seated in itsvalve seat 14B at which time also thevalve element 20 is in an open position to allow the expandedvolume 26 to be completely filled with liquor. Return of the bottle from its inverted dispensing position to its upright position results in the gravity actuatedvalve element 20 returning to its closed position in which case when and as theplunger assembly 16 descends, liquor flows through the then open valve 16M, 16N to allow the then expanding volume to be filled. Ultimately theplunger stem 16? contacts therod 22 to cause the valve 16M, 16N to close and also to prevent further downward movement of the assembly 16.-

It will be seen that the volume dispensed is thatvolume 26A in FIG. 2, and it is established by the upward protruding length ofrod 22 which as seen is adjustable but in some cases a fixed adjustment may be provided by first securing therod 22 in position and then cutting off the rod to establish a predetermined protruding length, and when this is done, it is no longer necessary or desirable to have therod 22 protrude below thevalve element 22. In further explanation of the operation it is assumed that thespaces 26A and 26 are each void of any liquid. The first tilting of the bottle from the position shown in FIG. 1 or 2 to inverted position results in the following:Valve 20 opens under the combined influence of gravity and liquid pressure causing liquid to flow throughchannel 106 and throughvalve 20 intolower chamber 26 and thereby causing theplunger 16 to move to its end position indicated in FIG. 7; however at this time no fluid enters theupper chamber 26A, i.e., the space aboveplunger 16, because the valve element 16M covers theopenings 16K and 16L. The bottle is then reinverted to its original normal position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and during thisreinversion valve 20 closes under the influence of gravity and liquid forces acting onvalve 20 thereby trapping the liquid inspace 26 and at the same time gravity forces acting on valve element 16M causes it to uncover theports 16K, 16L to allow fluid to enter theupper chamber 26A and theplunger 16 to descend to its original position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. At thispoint chamber 26A is substantially filled with liquid. The next succeeding inversion of the bottle from FIGS. 2, 8 to 7 results in the liquid inchamber 26A being dispensed through the antimilking valve as described previously.

While the particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. In a measuring dispenser for mounting on the neck of a bottle or the like including a base having a liquid entrance portion adapted for attachment to the neck of a bottle; means defining a cylinder on said base; a twosided plunger assembly slidably mounted in said cylinder in substantially fluid tight relationship; first valve means on said plunger assembly for communicating one side of said plunger assembly with its other side in the open position of said valve means and for disestablishing communication in closed position; second valve means movable on said base and in its open position establishing communication between said other side of said plunger assembly and said liquid entrance portion and disestablishing the last-mentioned communication upon closure of said second valve; pouring spout means on said cylinder; third valve means in its open position establishing communication between said spout means and said one side of said plunger assembly and in its closed position disestablishing the last-mentioned communication; counting means mounted on said base and actuated upon tipping of said base from an upright position to a dispensing position; and means associated with said third valve means for preventing its opening until and unless said base has been tilted sufficiently to produce actuation of said counting means.

2. A dispenser as set forth inclaim 1 in which said third valve means includes side openings in said pouring spout, a spool-like valve element for closing said openings, a ring loosely mounted in said spool-like valve element and having a corner thereof engageable with an annular shouldered portion of an extension of said base-to prevent movement of said spool-like element. 7

3. A dispenser as set forth inclaim 2 in which said corner is a round corner.

4. In a measuring dispenser for mounting on the neck of a bottle or the like including a base having a liquid entrance portion adapted for attachment to the neck of a bottle; means defining a cylinder on said base; a two-. sided plunger assembly slidably mounted in said cylinder in substantially fluid tight relationship; first valve means on said plunger assembly for communicating one side of said plunger assembly with its other side in the open position of said valve means and for disestablishing communication in closed position; second valve means movable on said base and in its open position establishing communciation between said other side of said plunger assembly and said liquid entrance portion in the open position of said second valve and disestablishing the last-mentioned communication upon closure of said second valve; counting means mounted on said base and actuated upon tipping of said base from an upright position to a dispensing condition; said counting means including a sleeve slidably mounted on the outside of said cylinder; a cover member mounted on the upper end of said cylinder and extending around said sleeve; a wire pivoted on said cover and extending downwardly therefrom to the neck of said bottle; and a frangible sealing band wrapped around said neck and a portion of said wire.

5. A dispenser as set forth inclaim 4 in which the lower end of said wire is bent to partially embrace said band.

6. A dispenser as set forth inclaim 4 in which said wire extends through one of a series of grooves in said base, said grooves being equal in number to the total number of counts on a circumferential portion of said sleeve.

7. A dispenser as set forth inclaim 4 in which there are cooperating stop means on said cover and said sleeve preventing movement of said sleeve beyond the last count on said sleeve.

8. A dispenser as set forth inclaim 4 in which said cover has transparent means in an apertured portion of the cover to prevent access to saidsleeve and said base has a flange extending upwardly into said cover to provide a guide for same and also to prevent access to said cylinder.

- a a a

Claims (8)

1. In a measuring dispenser for mounting on the neck of a bottle or the like including a base having a liquid entrance portion adapted for attachment to the neck of a bottle; means defining a cylinder on said base; a two-sided plunger assembly slidably mounted in said cylinder in substantially fluid tight relationship; first valve means on said plunger assembly for communicating one side of said plunger assembly with its other side in the open position of said valve means and for disestablishing communication in closed position; second valve means movable on said base and in its open position establishing communication between said other side of said plunger assembly and said liquid entrance portion and disestablishing the lastmentioned communication upon closure of said second valve; pouring spout means on said cylinder; third valve means in its open position establishing communication between said spout means and said one side of said plunger assembly and in its closed position disestablishing the last-mentioned communication; counting means mounted on said base and actuated upon tipping of said base from an upright position to a dispensing position; and means associated with said third valve means for preventing its opening until and unless said base has been tilted sufficiently to produce actuation of said counting means.

2. A dispenser as set forth in claim 1 in which said third valve means includes side openings in said pouring spout, a spool-like valve element fOr closing said openings, a ring loosely mounted in said spool-like valve element and having a corner thereof engageable with an annular shouldered portion of an extension of said base to prevent movement of said spool-like element.

3. A dispenser as set forth in claim 2 in which said corner is a round corner.

4. In a measuring dispenser for mounting on the neck of a bottle or the like including a base having a liquid entrance portion adapted for attachment to the neck of a bottle; means defining a cylinder on said base; a two-sided plunger assembly slidably mounted in said cylinder in substantially fluid tight relationship; first valve means on said plunger assembly for communicating one side of said plunger assembly with its other side in the open position of said valve means and for disestablishing communication in closed position; second valve means movable on said base and in its open position establishing communciation between said other side of said plunger assembly and said liquid entrance portion in the open position of said second valve and disestablishing the last-mentioned communication upon closure of said second valve; counting means mounted on said base and actuated upon tipping of said base from an upright position to a dispensing condition; said counting means including a sleeve slidably mounted on the outside of said cylinder; a cover member mounted on the upper end of said cylinder and extending around said sleeve; a wire pivoted on said cover and extending downwardly therefrom to the neck of said bottle; and a frangible sealing band wrapped around said neck and a portion of said wire.

5. A dispenser as set forth in claim 4 in which the lower end of said wire is bent to partially embrace said band.

6. A dispenser as set forth in claim 4 in which said wire extends through one of a series of grooves in said base, said grooves being equal in number to the total number of counts on a circumferential portion of said sleeve.

7. A dispenser as set forth in claim 4 in which there are cooperating stop means on said cover and said sleeve preventing movement of said sleeve beyond the last count on said sleeve.

8. A dispenser as set forth in claim 4 in which said cover has transparent means in an apertured portion of the cover to prevent access to said sleeve and said base has a flange extending upwardly into said cover to provide a guide for same and also to prevent access to said cylinder.

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