US2666557A - Liquid dispenser - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 19, 1954 D. HE/STER LIQUID DISPENSER Fried April 1, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lnti ia. IE1

Jan. 19, 1954 D, HESTER 2,666,557

LIQUID DISPENSER Filed April 1, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 19, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 2,666,557 g g Li m DISPENSER v Dwight Hester, Chicago, Ill. 2 Application April 1, 1948, Serial No. 18,370

3 Claims. (01. 222-479) My invention relates to an improved liquid dispensing device, particularly of the type adapted to be mounted on a liquor bottle for pouring the contents thereof into the commonly employed measuring glasses such as shot glasses, wine glasses, and the like. 7

One object of my invention, therefore, is to provide a liquid dispensing device which will fill a container to any desired level without carefully calculated pouring.

Another object is to provide a liquid dispensing device for bartendin use which will fill a measuring glass without danger of loss of liquor through overpouring.

Yet another object is to provide a pouring spout for a liquor bottle which, mounted on the bottle, may be rested on a glass with minimum danger of upsetting it for hasty pouring' Still another object of my invention is to pro vide a pouring spout for a liquor bottle which will dispense liquor into a glass to fill. it toany desired level and which thereupon may be transferred to another glass to dispense liquor thereinto without loss or spilling of liquor.

Yet another object is to provide a liquid dispenser for a liquor bottle which is particularly suited for filling rapidly and accuratelya large number of glasses to a predetermined level.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following description and drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the device embodying my invention shown mounted in a bottle in pouring position;

Fig. 2 is a central sectional view of the device illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of the outer face of the device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a central sectional view similar to Fig. 2 showing, however, the extension tubes in extended position;

arrows Fig. 8 is a perspective view of still another modification of my invention; and

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the modification illustrated in Fig. 8 which may be considered as being'taken substantially along the line 99 of Fig. 8, looking in the direction of the arrows.

The device embodying my invention comprises an obtuse-angled, flat-sided, elongated body 20 preferably formed of a plastic material and having a circular section at one end 22 thereof slightly smaller in diameter than the mouth of a conventional liquor bottle. Above this circular section a shoulder 24 is formed, and a cork 26 of a size to fit the mouth 28 of a liquor bottle 30 and drilled to seat snugly on the circular portion of the body, is fitted thereon to abut against the shoulder. Passages 32 and 34 are formed in the body by moldin cores or drilling to extend centrally through the body from the face of the cork-fitted or inner end to the face 35 of the outer or pouring end 38, following the angle of the body. Passage 32, having the larger diameter and lying adjacent the underside of the dispenser, constitutes the liquid passage, and passage 34, the air passage. A tube 49, having a diameter of near capillary size, is press-fitted in theinner end of passage 34 to extend the air passage well into the neck of the bottle.

The passages 32 and 34 are enlarged as at 42 and 44 in the outer end of the body and are countersunk as at 46 and 48 at the outer face thereof. Tube sections 50 and 52, whose interior walls are coextensive with or slightly larger than the passages of which they respectively form an extension, are slidably fitted in the enlarged portions 42 and 44. These sections have flaring flanges 54 formed on their outer ends. The enlarged portions 42 and 4 4 terminate in shoulders 56 and 58 to limit the insertion of the tube sections to a point not farther than flush with the outer face 36. A space is thus left between the countersinking of the passages at 45 and 48 and the flanges 54 of the tubes 50 and 52 to permit grasping of the tubes with the fingernails to draw them out to an extended position.

The outer end 38 of the body is furnished with legs 62 which project outwardly therefrom in a plane parallel to the plane of the outer face 36 and spaced as closely as possible thereto consonant with the firm support of the legs. The length of the legs is such that they will conveniently bridge the rims of the conventionally used bar glasses. Three means are suggested for providing the body with these legs. In the first (Figs. 1-5) a metallic band is formed to have an outside contour conforming to the side wall contour of the body. Holes are formed in the band at opposite points in the ends (Figs. 1-4.) or sides (Fig. 5) to fit the legs closely. The legs are metallic pins having therefrom with the heads 64 abutting against the inner surface of the band, the holes being too small to pass the heads. The body may then be molded directly into the band to hold the legs rigidly in place.

A second means is illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 in which the legs 62 are metallic headed members as before. In this form the body is molded about the head ends of the legs to embed them therein. Ihis structure, (if-course, demands that the body have somewhat thicker walls.

The third means shown in Figs. 6 and '7 involves forming the legs 62 in the same process and of the same material as the body. In this form a supporting web 68 may be provided linking the under sides of the legs to the body'to give the legs additional rigidity and strength.

Similarly, a variety of leg arrangements on the body are possible depending on the .taste of the fabricator. Thus, the arrangements are suggested of the legs lying in the plane defined by the center lines of the passages 3.4 and ,35 as illustrated in Figs. 1--,4 and Fig. 6 or the legs may lie in a plane perpendicular to this plane as shown in Fig. or a number of legs greater than two may be employed to form a spider, here illustrated as a three-legged spider (Figs. ,8 and 9).

To use the dispenser the cork-carrying inner end is first inserted in the mouth of a liquor bottle. In the event that the glass to be filled is of the small thick walled type illustrated in Fig. l which is intended to be filled to the top, the tubes at and 52 are pushed into the passages to be flush with the outer face 36 of the body. The bottle is then inverted over the glass, the legs 52 resting on the rim thereof, and the liquid flows to fill the glass When the liquid level rises to cut off the admission of air into the passage 34, the how ceases and the bottle may be moved to fill another glass.

In the event that only a partial filling is de sired, such as in the type of glass illustrated in Fig. 4 having an etched line thereon substantially below the rim thereof to indicate the desired measure, the flanges 54 of the tubes 5i) and 52 are grasped and the tubes withdrawn such that the vertical distance from the flanged tube ends to the legs is equivalent to the vertical distance from the etched mark to the glass rim. After thus setting the tubes, the bottle again is inverted and the liquid fiows into the glass and then is cut off as previously described.

The extension tube .52 on the air passage 34 is, or" course, required to halt the intake of air therethrough upon the liquid rising to the desired level in the glass. The tube 58 in the liquid passage 32 is necessary to prevent a secondary air intake through passage 32 after the cutting off of passage 34 whereby air will bubble up through the column of liquid to permit further liquid flow into the glass.

It will be noted that in thetwo leg ed forms (Figs. 1 -7), the legs are centered on the air passage 34. Since the closure of this passage serves to limit the flow of liquid, it is evident that its correct placement is fundamental to an accurate measure. Thus if the legs were centered elsewhere, a slight tilting of the bottle could result in a substantial inaccuracy in the quantity of liquid delivered. The vertical leg structure of F gs. 1-4 and Figs, 6 and 7, wherein the legs are centered on both the liquid and air passages, provides for the a curate placement of each- S o d the bottle e tilt d sligh y t ward the side in Pouring,-there will still be a simultaneous closure of the passages with the advantages above referred to. In the stru ture employing more than tw 4 legs (Figs. 8 and 9), the centering of the legs with reference to the passages is not critical since the dispenser cannot occupy an incorrect position when all the legs are in contact with the rim of the glass.

Attention also is directed to the varying inside diameters of the air intake passage 34. A large diameter passage throughout would permit the liquid to flow at such a rate that after air is shut ofi the momentum of the liquid column will cause a substantial overpouring. To avoid this eifect the air passage must be limited to a near capillary size. If this size should be employed throughout the length of the passage however, when the liquid rises in the glass to close the end of passage 34, a small amount of the liquid is drawn into the passage 34 by a combination of the momentum of the liquid column and capillary attraction and is retained therein by thelatter force. This liquid remains in its position following removal of the dispenser from the glass to block the air passage 34. I have found that inversion of the bottle to its upright position at least, and, sometimes, additional shaking or pounding is necessary to dislodge this liquid to reopen the air passage. By providing a relatively large diameter section of the air intake passage at the point where it meets the liquid in the glass, any entering liquid during the pouring will fall out upon removal of the dispenser from the glass.

I also have found as an empirical observation of the Workings of this air intake structure that an appreciable delay occurs between the removal of the dispenser from the glass and the restarting of liquid flow, though the bottle be retained in its pouring position, which permits a bartender to move the bottle from one glass to another without danger of liquid loss.

' Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A liquid dispensing device adapted to be detachably fitted into the mouth of a liquor bottle for dispensing liquid therefrom to fill similar containers with a uniform quantity of liquid comprising a body having a passage therethrough for the fiow of liquid from the bottle into a container and a second passage for admitting air into the bottle, separately adjustable tubular members telescopically fitted in the outer ends of said passages whereby said passages may be selectively lengthened to any desired extent up to the length of said members, the tubular member in said air passage having a suificiently large diameter to prohibit passage-blocking capillary retention of the liquid therein and said air passage having a portion of near capillary diameter connecting said tubular member with the interior of the bottle and means on said body to establish the outer ends of said passages at a fixed distance from the bottom of the contai er.

2. A liquid dispensing device adapted to be detachably fitted into the mouth of a liquor bottle for dispensing liquid therefrom to fill similar containers with a uniform quantity of liquid comprising a body having a passage therethrough for the flow of liquid from the bottle into a container and a second passage for admittin i into th bottle to replace the outpouring liquid, said air passage being substantially lon er than said liquid passage, transversely extending legs formed on said body and adapted to rest on the rim of the container, support ng webs on said legs extending between said legs and said body, said legs and said supporting webs being integral with said body, the

ends of said passages in said body distant from the bottle terminating in a plane lying parallel to the liquid surface in the container when said body is positioned on the container by said legs, and separately adjustable tubular members telescopically iitted in the outer ends of said passages whereby said passages may be selectively lengthened to any desired extent up to the length of said members, the tubular member in said air passage having a sufiieiently large diameter to prohibit passage-blocking capillary retention of liquid therein when the liquid rises in the container to close said air passage, and said air passage having a portion of near capillary diameter connecting said tubular member with the interior of the bottle to prevent outpouring of liquid through said air passage when the bottle is tilted from upright to pouring position.

3. A liquid dispenser adapted to be detachably fitted to the mouth of a bottle to dispense liquid therefrom to fill a receptacle to any desired level, comprising a body having a passage therethrough for the flow of liquid from the bottle into the receptacle, a second passage for admitting air into the bottle, a tubular member mounted in said air passage having a portion of near capillary diameter connecting said tubular member with the interior of the bottle, and having a portion extending beyond the mouth of said bottle, said latter portion having a diameter sufiiciently large to prohibit passage-blocking capillary retention of the liquid therein, a tubular member extending beyond the mouth of said bottle and having its other end in communication with the liquid passage in said body, means on said body to rest on the rim of said receptacle to maintain the outer ends of said tubular members in a plane parallel to the plane of the liquid in said receptacle when said means are positioned on the rim of said receptacle, whereby flow through said liquid passage is interrupted by the rising liquid level in the receptacle closing said air passage.

DWIGHT HESTER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 66,494 Halcomb July 9, 1867 217,127 Luckhardt July 1, 1879 500,260 Carter June 27, 1893 654,580 Venable July'24, 1900 773,457 Barton Oct. 25, 1904 1,550,738 Payne Aug. 25, 1925 1,564,430 Maddrell Dec. 8, 1925 1,595,231 Dryer Aug. 10, 1926 1,984,803 Marlowe Dec. 18, 1934 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 333,343 France Sept. 18, 1903 739,929 France Nov. 3, 1932

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