Today in 1888, US Patent 382023 A was issued, an invention of John C. Bauee, for his “Beer-Bottling Machine.” There’s no Abstract, but the description states that his “invention relates to improvements in machines for filling bottles with beer or other effervescent liquid; and it consists, generally, in an automatic cut-off valve which is opened by the bottle as it is brought in contact with it, and the liquid is allowed to pass into the bottle without being exposed to the atmosphere, thereby retaining the gases which would otherwise pass off and deteriorate the liquid, and be closed and the flow of the liquid stopped when the bottle is removed.”
Patent No. 2155947A: Bottle Opener
Today in 1939, US Patent 2155947 A was issued, an invention of Theodore H. Low, for his “Bottle Opener.” There’s no Abstract, but the description summarizes it that the “invention relates to improvements in hand decappers or openers for bottles sealed with crown caps.”
Patent No. 1956218A: Capping Head
Today in 1934, US Patent 1956218 A was issued, an invention of George J Huntley and Harry A Rau, assigned to the Crown Cork & Seal Co., for their “Capping Head.” There’s no Abstract, but the description summarizes it. “The present invention relates to an improvement in capping heads and, more particularly, comprises a means for feeding closure or cap blanks to the capping mechanism of the capping head.”
Patent No. 672788A: Device For Hoisting And Transferring Bottled Beer In Bottling Establishments
Today in 1901, US Patent 672788 A was issued, an invention of Albert Lieber and August Meimberg, for their “Device for Hoisting and Transferring Bottled Beer in Bottling Establishments.” There’s no Abstract, but in the description summarizes it by stating that they’ve “invented new and useful Improvements in Devices for Hoisting and Transferring Bottled Beer in Bottling Establishments by Means of Air-Hoists and Transverse Carriers.” But below is a more detailed account.
Our invention relates to an improvement in the means for handling of large quantities of bottled beer for the purpose of pasteurizing. During the operation of this process the bottled beer has to be transferred in trays by means of trucks from the place of filling to the pasteurizing-tanks. Arriving at the tanks, the trays loaded with bottled beer must be elevated, so that the tray may be moved over the steaming-tank and then lowered into the same. It has been customary heretofore to perform these operations by means of hand or chain-hoists, necessitating the employment of a large number of men.
Our invention comprehends, in addition to the pasteurizing tank or tanks and the trays in which the bottled beer is contained while being transported and pasteurized, a raising and lowering means which travels on overhead tracks and carries the beer to position over the tank in which it is to be pasteurized and `from said tank after it (the beer) has been pasteurized. The raising and lowering means preferred by us comprises a cylinder having therein a piston-head and provided with a piston-rod having means by which a tray is detachably connected therewith. Said cylinder is also provided with means by which a suitable means or medium, preferably compressed air, is conveyed thereto for the purpose of actuating the piston and raising and lowering the tray with its contained bottles of beer. The construction is preferably such that the compressed air enters the cylinder at points which are both above and below the limits of travel of the piston-head and is conveyed to the inlets by pipes which have their contiguous ends joined by a valve-casing having a suitable valve, actuable to cause the compressed air to enter the upper part of the cylinder in order to drive the piston downward,and thereby lower the tray, with its contained bottles of beer, into the pasteurizing-tank or onto a truck after the beer has been pasteurized and to cause the air to enter the lower port in the cylinder when it is desired to raise the piston, and thereby lift the tray and beer from a truck or from said pasteurizing-tank. This means of raising and lowering the trays, with their contained bottles, by compressed air or other suitable fluid admitted below and above the piston-head, respectively, has especial advantages in the handling of bottled goods, as the action of the piston in both directions of its travel is cushioned by said duid, and said piston, together with the parts carried thereby, is caused to move slowly, steadily, and without jar, whereby the liability of breaking the bottles is reduced to a minimum and is materially less than it would be if the piston were caused to descend by gravity. The means adopted for detachably connecting the hoisting device with the trays are of peculiar construction and include pendent eyes or loops carried by said device to engage hooks on the trays, together with a slidable or movable safety device adapted to prevent accidental disconnection of the parts from each other.
Patent No. D197919S: Beer Bottle
Today in 1964, US Patent D197919 S was issued, an invention of Richard C. Runyon, for his “Beer Bottle.” There’s no Abstract, and there’s really noting whatsoever apart from the “elevational view of a beer bottle.”
Patent No. 1578627A: Bottle Opener
Today in 1926, US Patent 1578627 A was issued, an invention of John C. Baumgarten, for his “Bottle Opener.” There’s no Abstract, but the description states that the “invention relates to bottle capping implements.” It’s essentially a ring with bottle opener. I always thought those were a pretty recent invention, but this is from 1926. Here’s how it’s explained:
Since bottles containing soda water, and the like, are generally closed by crimped on caps a special implement must be used for removing these caps. There are two types of these implements generally used. One of these is a device which is applied by hand. Since this device is readily laid down in one place, when required in another, it is not always handy during the rush of customers. The other type is a device located at some station to which the bottle must be taken, and hence unless several of this type of device be installed it would necessitate considerable running back and forth.
So the object of my invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive implement to pry off said caps, and its construct such implement in the form of a ring which may be carried about for instant use. A further object of my invention is so to construct my implement so that it will not impose undue strain on; or tend to bruise the finger in removing said caps.
So he’s proposing that all bartenders where one his opener rings while working, making it part of the uniform of a barkeep.
Patent No. 1132218A: Bottle-Filling Machine
Today in 1977, US Patent 1132218 A was issued, an invention of Adolph Schneider, for his “Bottle-Filling Machine.” There’s no Abstract, but the description states that the “present invention relates to that type of mechanism used for the purpose of packaging carbonated liquids, or analogous substances, under pressure:”
The objects of the present invention are, to provide a stationary support upon which the to-be filled packages rest during the filling operation; to provide a series of pistons, one of which will actuate the filling tube of the bottle filling mechanism, and the other or. which will actuate the sealing head; to provide a series of cylinders for said pistons, one piston being contained in each cylinder; to arrange system of pressure supply ducts for conveying pressure to said cylinders for the purpose of actuating the pistons; to arrange a series of ducts for exhausting the pressure from the said cylinder so arrange these ducts, if desired, as to enable them to perform double functions, namely, that of an inlet and an exhaust duct; to provide an automatically operated valve for controlling the flow of liquid from the source of liquid supply to the filling tube, and in arranging this valve so that it is automatically operated at a time approximately when the filling tube has reached its lowermost position; to provide a method of establishing communication between a source of air pressure less than the sure of the liquid in the tank and the liquid of the bottle; to provide a valve for controlling the flow of said air whereby said valve will be automatically operated to establish said air communication at practically the same time that the communication is established to permit the flow of liquid from the filling tube into the bottle; to provide an arrangement whereby one of the set of pistons may be power driven in both sections, and the other of said pistons can be power driven in one direction only, with the last mentioned piston being moved in the opposite direction by contact with the first mentioned piston; and to provide a telescopic connection between the source of liquid supply and the filling tube, and a telescopic connection between the source of air supply and the sealing head.
The Next Session Asks: Cans Or Bottles?
For the 98th Session, our host is Nathan Pierce, who writes the blog for Microbrewr. He’s asking us all to weigh in on what’s better, what you prefer, and/or what’s the deal with “Cans or Bottles?” Essentially he wants to know your take on the packaging wars. Alright, maybe not a war, more like a friendly debate. Fingers crossed.
A bottling line or a canning line is a substantial financial investment. So this question is a significant consideration to anyone starting a brewery.
The answers give great insight. However, one thing I see lacking from the discussion is solid data.
Of course aluminum can manufacturers and glass bottle manufacturers each have an interest in showing their packaging is best. I have heard a lot of arguments on both sides, even data and statistics, but I haven’t heard many references from third-party studies. If you can offer this, that would be a great help.
In any case, I’m looking forward to reading the answers not only to see where the consumer trends are going, but also as research for the brewery I dream of opening.
What’s your perspective?
Will you write from the consumer point of view? From which kind of packaging do you prefer to drink beer? Why do you prefer that packaging?
Will you write from a manufacturer perspective? How do you want your brand portrayed? Which packaging suits your beer best?
Will you write from a distributors perspective? Which packaging do you prefer to transport and stock at retail locations?
Some other insight?
So pop a cap or pull a tab, and decide which one you like better. Then to participate in the April Session, leave a comment to the original announcement on or before Friday, April 3.
Patent No. 784596A: Filling Apparatus For Liquids
Today in 1905, US Patent 784596 A was issued, an invention of Simon Schlangen, for his “Filling Apparatus for Liquids.” There’s no Abstract per se, but this is pretty close, from the introduction:
The invention relates more particularly to apparatus for filling barrels, kegs, and similar packages with liquid, such as beer, under pressure, and has for its objects to improve the suspending means by which the closing head and filling-tube are carried, so as to insure the proper contact of the closing-head with the bung-hole or filling-hole of the barrel, keg, or package, to insure the positive opening-of the valve controlling the discharge of the filling-tube when the filling-tube has reached the limit of its descent, to improve the construction and operation of the appliance carrying the closing-head and the filling tube in connection with a fluid-pressure cylinder having therein a piston by which the cross-heads carrying the closing-head and the filling-tube are raised and lowered, to utilize the waste pressure from the filling-package in actuating’ the piston by which the closing head and the filling-tube are raised and lowered, to place the control of the pressure and the liquid under a single valve, to improve the construction and operation of the valve by which the fiI’Iid-pressure and the liquid are controlled, to improve the means by which the inflow and outflow of the pressure between the filling-tank and the to be filled package is regulated and controlled, to prevent the foaming of the liquid within the package and insure the fillingI of the package with the liquid to its full capacity without waste of liquid, to furnish an intermediate controlling means for the pressure between the one controlling-valve and the to be filled package by which the flow of the pressure in either direction will be regulated and controlled, to furnish a relief-valve by means of which the requisite amount of pressure from outside will be supplied to prevent an explosion at the withdrawal of the filling-tube, and to improve generally the construction and operation of the several parts and mechanisms which enter into the “construction of the apparatus as a whole.
Patent No. 2233904A: Bottle Cap
Today in 1941, US Patent 694584 A was issued, an invention of William G. Wagner, for his “Bottle Cap.” There’s no Abstract, but the description claims that the “object of the invention is to provide an improved bottle cap for use on conventionally shaped or conventionally formed bottle mouths wherein the cap is of such design that it may be readily applied to the bottles by means of conventional bottle capping machines, the cap being advantageous in that it forms and maintains a superior seal with the bottle mouth.”
