US3768706A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods of and apparatus for dispensing potable liquids
Assignee: Whitbread and Co Ltd
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Filing: 1972-02-03
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Granted: 1973-10-30
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Expires: 1992-02-03
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for dispensing a potable liquid from a container which has a top opening but is unable to withstand an unbalanced internal pressure, comprising a casing having a removable cover extending over an opening of such a size that the container can be inserted through it into the casing, a union for the connection of a supply of gas under pressure to the casing to produce a super-atmospheric pressure in the casing and an outlet tube which extends downwards in the casing in a position in which, in use, it extends into and near to the bottom of the container through its top opening. Preferably the casing has its opening extending over the whole area of its top and the union for the connection of the gas supply and the outlet tube both extend through the cover downwards into the casing.
Inventors
- 👤 A Hill
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 14:17
CPC Classifications
B; B67; B67D; B67D1/00; B67D1/04; B67D1/08; B67D1/0801; B67D1/0802; B67D1/0829
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
251 words
In apparatus for discharging a liquid from a container of low strength, said apparatus comprising a pressure-withstanding casing having an annular seat defining a top opening and receiving the container through the top opening, a lid to engage the seat for closing the top opening, clamping means operative between the casing and the lid and securing the lid in its casing-closing position on the seat whereby the casing may be internally gas-pressurized, a pressure-gas inlet, and a liquid outlet tube carried by the lid and reaching towards the bottom of the casing; the improved clamping means comprising abutments on the casing above the seat, a lid retainer, a handle screwed into said lid retainer whereby up and down movement of the handle results from rotation of the handle in said lid retainer, said lid being mounted on said handle to partake of its up and down movement but being free to rotate relatively to the handle, and said lid retainer being provided with abutments movable between a position beneath the abutments on said casing to a position clear of said last mentioned abutments when said lid retainer is rotated, whereby screwing down of the handle clamps the lid against the seat and forces said abutments on the lid retainer into contact with the abutments of the casing and whereby unscrewing of the handle positively retracts the lid from the seat, whereupon further rotation of both handle and lid retainer releases the abutments for disengagement of the lid retainer from the casing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
251 words
In apparatus for discharging a liquid from a container of low strength, said apparatus comprising a pressure-withstanding casing having an annular seat defining a top opening and receiving the container through the top opening, a lid to engage the seat for closing the top opening, clamping means operative between the casing and the lid and securing the lid in its casing-closing position on the seat whereby the casing may be internally gas-pressurized, a pressure-gas inlet, and a liquid outlet tube carried by the lid and reaching towards the bottom of the casing; the improved clamping means comprising abutments on the casing above the seat, a lid retainer, a handle screwed into said lid retainer whereby up and down movement of the handle results from rotation of the handle in said lid retainer, said lid being mounted on said handle to partake of its up and down movement but being free to rotate relatively to the handle, and said lid retainer being provided with abutments movable between a position beneath the abutments on said casing to a position clear of said last mentioned abutments when said lid retainer is rotated, whereby screwing down of the handle clamps the lid against the seat and forces said abutments on the lid retainer into contact with the abutments of the casing and whereby unscrewing of the handle positively retracts the lid from the seat, whereupon further rotation of both handle and lid retainer releases the abutments for disengagement of the lid retainer from the casing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the abutments on the casing and lid retainer are annularly arranged and engageable by rotation of the lid retainer relatively to said casing in one direction and disengageable by rotation of the lid retainer in the opposite direction, said lid retainer being entrained by the handle and rotated in said opposite direction by continued rotation of the handle after it is fully unscrewed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a locking member carried by the lid retainer and displaceable into engagement with the casing to lock the lid retainer and casing together, and means for effecting said locking displacement of the locking member in response to screw-down of the handle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, in which the locking member is a bolt radially slidable in the lid retainer, one end of the bolt being positioned to enter a hold in the casing when said abutments are in engagement and the other end contacting a cam on the handle, and said apparatus comprising a spring urging the bolt towards the cam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, in which said lid is mounted on the outlet tube and the outlet tube extends centrally through both the lid and the handle, said apparatus comprising a fluid-sealed rotating bearing between the tube and the handle whereby the handle is rotatable relatively to the tube and lid when being screwed down and when being unscrewed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
229 words
Apparatus for dispensing a potable liquid from a container which has a top opening but is unable to withstand an internal pressure, said apparatus comprising a casing, an annular seat on said casing defining a top opening therein through which said container is insertable into said casing, detachable closure means for closing and sealing said opening, means for admitting gas under pressure to said casing to produce a super-atmospheric pressure therein and outlet tube means extending downwards in said casing into and to near the bottom of said container through said opening, said closure means comprising a cover extending over said opening, means for forming a seal between said cover and said seating, abutment means on the side of said cover remote from said seating, means releasably interlocking said abutment means with said casing for resisting forces on said abutment means towards and away from said cover, screw clamping and disengaging means acting between said cover and said abutment means, means positively attaching said screw means to said cover and means for rotating said screw means whereby rotation of said screw means in one direction produces a thrust from said abutment to said cover to hold said cover sealingly on said seating and rotation of said screw means in an opposite direction exerts a pull on said cover from said abutment to positively separate said cover from said seating.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
229 words
Apparatus for dispensing a potable liquid from a container which has a top opening but is unable to withstand an internal pressure, said apparatus comprising a casing, an annular seat on said casing defining a top opening therein through which said container is insertable into said casing, detachable closure means for closing and sealing said opening, means for admitting gas under pressure to said casing to produce a super-atmospheric pressure therein and outlet tube means extending downwards in said casing into and to near the bottom of said container through said opening, said closure means comprising a cover extending over said opening, means for forming a seal between said cover and said seating, abutment means on the side of said cover remote from said seating, means releasably interlocking said abutment means with said casing for resisting forces on said abutment means towards and away from said cover, screw clamping and disengaging means acting between said cover and said abutment means, means positively attaching said screw means to said cover and means for rotating said screw means whereby rotation of said screw means in one direction produces a thrust from said abutment to said cover to hold said cover sealingly on said seating and rotation of said screw means in an opposite direction exerts a pull on said cover from said abutment to positively separate said cover from said seating.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, further comprising locking means operative to prevent release of said means interlocking said abutment means with said casing and means operated only by rotation of said screw means sufficiently far to separate said cover from said seating for releasing said locking means and allowing said interlocking means to be released.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
193 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, further comprising an outer cover member forming said abutment means, lugs projecting radially outwardly from the periphery of said outer cover member, a rim secured to said casing surrounding said seating, means defining slots in said rim, said lugs being interlockingly engageable in said slots by rotation of said cover member relative to said rim, a bolt mounted on said cover member for radial sliding movement between a locking position in which said bolt engages in an opening in said rim when said lugs are interlockingly engaged in said slots to prevent rotation of said outer cover member relative to said casing and thus also to prevent release of said lugs from said slots, and a release position clear of said rim, and means actuated by said clamping and disengaging means for causing said bolt to move between said positions whereby, when said clamping and disengaging means is operated to hold said cover on said seating, said bolt is in said locking position and, when said clamping and disengaging means is operated to separate said cover from said seating, said bolt is moved to said released position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-29 | 1977-04-30 | 1977-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-29 | 1981-04-30 | 1981-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-29 | 1985-04-30 | 1985-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |