An Improved Method of and Apparatus for Sweetening Casks.
Year: 1898

page_text: Pprivacion
Complete Specification Left, 27th June, 1899-Accepted, 19th Aug., 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of and Apparatus for Sweetening Casks.
We, CHARLES LAMPITT, of 8, Crescent Road, Wood Green, London, N., ARTHUR
JOHN CARLILE, of 270, Branstone Road, Burton-on-Trent, in the County of Stafford-
shire, and CUTHBERT SIMKIN, of 7, Southampton Row, in the County of London, W.C.,
Engineer, Cooper and Iron Merchant, respectively, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
The casks used by brewers, wine merchants and others if left unclosed after use
become unsweet through atmospheric influence, and are then technically known as
"stinkers," and cannot be again used until sweetened or cleansed, and various means
have been employed to effect the said sweetening but without perfect success, the most
favoured of such means being that of steam and other vapours under pressure, but
such means have signally failed by reason of the bursting of the casks while under-
going this treatment, and the object of our invention is to provide a way in which
such casks may be quickly and perfectly cleansed and sweetened without in any way
injuring them.
Our invention consists firstly-of a system of injecting into such casks, ozone, pure
oxygen, hydrogen or other vapour or vapours under great pressure, the force of which
may be such as to cause the vapour employed to penetrate the wood and drive all
impurities therethrough and therfrom. Secondly of an apparatus adapted to grasp.
externally every part of the cask undergoing such treatment, and so prevent the
internal pressure from injuring the same.
For the purposes of our invention we provide a suitable stand, adapted to receive a
cask of any size placed bulgewise thereon, the said stand having an upright at each
end, each of which carries a horizontal threaded shaft arranged to slide longitudinally
in suitable guides, by the means of a rotating wheel or disc, or its equivalent, having
an internally threaded centre adapted to engage with, and impart longitudinal motion
to the said shaft. Upon the inner ends of each of the said shafts is mounted, by the
means of a cup and ball or other universal joint, a circular disc or plate, the diameter
of which is capable of expansion and contraction so as to correspond with the
diameters of the heads, and fit close within the chimes of the cask being treated,
when the said discs or plates are brought to press firmly and evenly against the said
heads when the said shafts are manipulated by the said wheels or discs or their
equivalents, and by these means the said heads are secured against internal
pressure.
The bung hole of the cask we securely close by the means of a device consisting of
a threaded bolt having upon one end an expanding plate or jaws, adapted to engage
with the inner surface of the bung hole stave, the opposite end of the said bolt carry-
ing a plate or block adapted to close the said bung hole when drawn towards the said
plate or jaws by the means of a nut or nuts screwed upon the said bolt. The said
plate or block has upon its outer surface a male screw thread adapted to receive a
suitable force pump, and an air tight cap after such pump is removed, suitable holes

page_text: (which may be valve governed or otherwise) being formed in the said plate or block
through which the gas or vapour being used may be injected, under pressure, when
the said pump is connected as stated.
In order that the hoops of the cask may not burst from the force of the internal
pressure, we provide any number of wire or other ropes, chains or bands adapted to
encircle and embrace the cask at different parts of its length, the said ropes or the
like, or some of them, being preferably forined in two parts, one end of each said
part being hooked or otherwise connected to the before mentioned stand or base or a
flange upon the said bung-hole closing device, while the opposite or free ends of both
parts may be adapted to be connected to each other, and drawn tightly around the
cask, and so take up the strain that would otherwise be imposed upon the hoops.
Either or both parts of each of the said ropes, chains or bands may be provided with
means for adjusting the length thereof.
By these means we are enabled to expose a cask to an internal pressure of from 120
to 150 lbs. to the square inch without injury to the cask, the said pressure serving to
drive the vapour employed entirely through the pores of the wood of which the cask
is made, carrying with it all the impurities which previously rendered the cask
unsweet and unfit for use.
ך.
2011
nonhan 10nd
An Improved Method of and Apparatus for Sweetening Casks.
We, CHARLES LAMPITT, of 8, Crescent Road, Wood Green, London, N., ARTHUR
JOHN CARLILE, of 270, Branstone Road, Burton-on-Trent, in the County of Stafford-
shire, and CUTHBERT SIMKIN, of 7, Southampton Row, in the County of London,
W.C., Engineer, Cooper and Iron Merchant, respectively, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
Our invention relates to an improved system and apparatus in connection there-
with for the utilization of ozonized air, or electricized, allotropic, nascent, active, or
excited or otherwise pure oxygen or other similar or like gases, under great pressure
in the sweetening or cleansing of casks or barrels that have been used for the storing
or holding of beer, wine and other liquors or liquids, and have become unsweet
through exposure to atmospheric influence after use, and technically known as
" stinkers."
It is well known by brewers, wine makers, and others that such casks or barrels,
when in the conditions stated, are absolutely useless for re-filling with such or like
liquors until the said vessels have been cleansed or sweetened, and various means
have been tried for effecting the said sweetening such as steaming, boiling, firing and
the like, all of which have proved ineffectual, the most successful being that of
treating them with ozonized air under pressure, but so far as we are aware, such means
have never been employed (prior to our invention) exceeding a pressure of 50 lbs.,
or 60 lbs., to the square inch, which while insufficient to effect the said cleansing or
sweetening after a lengthy period of use, has yet been sufficient to burst the cask or
barrel under treatment, but by means of the apparatus hereinafter described and
shewn we are enabled to charge a cask or barrel with such gases as hereinbefore
mentioned up to a pressure of from 120 lbs. to 150 lbs. to the square inch, without in
any way injuring the said vessel, and we have found by repeated experiments, that
by such pressures the impurities named may be forced entirely through the pores of

page_text: the timber of which the said vessels are made, and the cask rendered sweet in the
space of from three to four minutes, and so attain the object of our invention.
In order that our invention and the manners in which we purpose carrying the
same into effect may be fully understood, we have hereunto appended four sheets of
drawings, of which.
Fig. 1, Sheet 1 is a side elevation (partly in section) of a cash or barrel and the
machine or apparatus according to our invention, Fig. 2 being an end elevation of
same as it would appear when viewed from right to left.
Fig. 3 Sheet 2 is an enlarged view representing a portion of a cask or barrel in
section, illustrating one method in which we purpose binding or grasping the
circumference of the vessel at various parts of its length.
Fig. 4 is a plan view of Fig. 3, while Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of a section of the
said binding or grasping medium.
Fig. 6 is an enlarged central section and plan of one form of bung hole'
closing and gas admitting device, according to our invention, while Fig. 7 is a.
further enlarged elevation of the anchor-bolt (showing its two positions when opened
and closed) for use in connection with Fig. 7, in the manner illustrated by the smaller '
view Fig. 8.
Fig. 9 Sheet 3, is a much enlarged part sectional view of part of a cask or barrel,
and an alternative bung-hole closing and gas admitting device, Figs. 10 and 11 being
plan view of the upper part and lower ends respectively of the central portion of
Fig. 9.
Fig. 12 Sheet 4, is a cross sectional view of a cask or barrel illustrating an
alternative device for grasping and binding the circumference of same at various
parts of its length, Fig. 13 being a plan or top view of the said device.
Similar letters of reference are used throughont the several views when referring to
the same or like parts.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, we carry our invention into effect by casting or other-
wise producing of any suitable metal or other material or materials, a base A, .
arranged to stand and be fixed upon a concrete or other substantial bed, and to
further the stability of the said base we may provide upon the under surface of same
two or more longitudinal webs B, dipping into, and enclosed by the said bed.
1
Upon each end of the base A, we bolt or otherwise fix standards C and C¹, bored
at their upper ends to permit the free passage of, preferably, square threaded shafts D.
and D', upon which are mounted wheels E and E, the naves or bosses of which are
threaded internally to mesh with the threads of D and D¹. The said wheels E and E',.
dip into spaces G and G¹, in C and C', which provides that by the rotation of the said
wheels within the said spaces, the threaded shafts D and D¹ may be caused to travel
horizontally in either direction, according to the direction of rotation of the said
wheels. The inner ends of the shafts D and D₁ are each connected by a cup and
ball or other universal joint a, with a circular metallic or other dise H, (shewn in
section at the left, but omitted at the right of Fig. 1) the inner faces of which, may,
if desired, be faced with wood or other yielding material, the diameters of the said.
discs being such as to closely fit within the chimes of the largest cask of the several
sizes for which the apparatus is intended, but for casks of smaller size when the
diameter of its heads is less, the said discs are adapted to have screwed or otherwise
fixed thereon, discs capable of fitting in like manner within the chimes of the said
smaller casks, such auxiliary discs being indicated by dotted outline at the left of
Fig. 1, the said universal joint a upon the inner ends of D and D' permitting the
said dises to conform with any irregularity that may obtain in the position of the
heads of the cask being treated.
The said stand or base A, is provided with any number of standards J, (preferably
four) so shaped as to permit the cask K under treatment to rest firmly thereon, and
when this is placed in position the wheels E and E¹, would be rotated until the
discs H firmly abut against the heads b b of the cask, the said dises thus serving to
protect the said heads against the internal pressure of the gas with which the cask is
subsequently charged.

page_text: In Figs. 6, 7 and 8, Sheet 2, we illustrate one form of device (forming part of our-
invention) for closing the bung-hole of the cask and admitting gas under pressure to
same, which consists of a circular metal cast or wrought metallic plate L, adapted to
fit closely upon the bung-hole stave and cover the bung-hole, the upper surface of the
said plate having a nosing L, threaded externally to receive a suitable force pump,
provided with a non-return valve or valves, suitable gas passages 12 and a central
passage L³, being provided, extending entirely through L and 1, the said. central
passage being for the reception of. the anchor bolt Fig. 7, which consists of a
threaded rod M, the lower end of which has pivotally connected thereto the inner
ends of a pair of arms M1 and M2, the ends of which are reduced or cut away at M³.
To secure the plate Lin position the arms M' and M2 would be raised towards M
so that these and M may be passed down through the passage L³ in L, until the
shoulders Ms of the portions M1 and M2 are below the inner surface of the bung-hole
of the cask K, when the said arms would fall outwardly by the action of gravity with
their reduced portions M³ and M³, [resting against the walls of the bung-hole
when, by means of a nut K', screwed upon M, the bung hole stave would be firmly
gripped between the arms M¹ and M2 and the plate L, thus closing the bung-hole
air tight as shewn in Fig. 8, when the air pump may be screwed upon L, and
gas under any pressure at or above 90 lbs, to the square inch may be forced into
the cask through the passages L.
To prevent the cask from bursting bulgewise, we surround the cask circumferentially
with any number of adjustable wire or other ropes, chaius, or bands, suitably dis-
posed along the length of the cask, as suggested by dotted outlines in Fig. 1, and
the said ropes or the like may, if desired, be each formed in two parts, the one ends
of some of which may be fastened to suitable hooks or cleats upon the base A (not
shewn), while others may engage with studs or cleats c upon the standards J, the
other ends of the said ropes or the like being joined by any suitable form of con-
necting and tightening devices, but for preference, we arrange the said ropes, chains,
or the like in the manner illustrated by Figs. 3, 4 and 5, in which we provide, that
each rope or chain N is in one piece, one end of which may be formed to provide an
eye or loop, while its opposite end is connected to a threaded bolt, the remainder of
the said rope or chain N, being passed through any number of carriers N¹, con-
structed substantially as shewn, each formed upon its under surface to approximately
fit the convexity of the cask K, the said rope or the like N, being retained therein
by the means of bolts c¹, the said carriers being arranged as near as possible to each
other along the rope or chain or the like N, any number of the latter being then
passed around the circumference of the cask, a suitable metal casing 0 (adapted to
approximately fit the convexity of the cask) being provided for each rope or the
like, upon one end of which is a hook O¹, adapted to receive a loop or eye N2 upon
one end of N, and a lug 02 upon its opposite end, adapted to receive a threaded
bolt N upon the opposite end of the rope or the like N, when, by the means of a
nut N screwed upon N³, the said ropes or the like may be so tightened around'
the cask as to protect the latter against rupture from the internal pressure of the
gas, and in respect of the said rope or the like which may surround the cask at the
centre of its length, the said metal casting O, may be formed at its centre with a
nosing 03, upon which may be seated the plate L, of the bung-hole clcsing device,
Figs. 6 and 7, the said nosing 03 having a central passage 0 to permit the gas to
pass through the holes L2 and the anchor bolt through the hole 13, a suitable
resilient washer being interposed between 03 and the cask K and between 0 and
the plate L if necessary.
By the use of a suitable number of such ropes, chains, or the like N, each borne
by a suitable number of carriers N¹, we are enabled to entirely grasp and surround
and protect every part of the circumference of the cask, and the heads of same by
means of the discs H, which enables us to charge the cask with the gas or gases
stated at the enormous pressure of from 120 lbs. to 150 lbs. to the square inch,
without fear of bursting the cask, the said gas or gases by penetrating the pores of

page_text: same entirely removing therefrom the impurities and unsweetness previously men-
tioned, which has not been possible by the lower gas pressures hitherto employed.
As an alternative arrangement we may dispense with the bung-hole closing and gas
admitting device previously described and in lieu thereof employ the device illustrated
by Figs. 9, 10 and 11. In this arrangement we drive into the bung-hole of the
cask K, a wood or other shive P, having a central bore into which we screw the
lower and externally threaded end P1 of a tubular metallic casting R, the body of
which has an external screw thread of the same pitch as the thread on P1, which
passes through, and is screwed into, a metallic or other block R¹, in which is provided
two or more internally threaded holes, with which engage threaded plugs P, formed
at their upper ends so as to receive and be rotated by a spanner, while their lower
ends engage with, and are adapted to rotate within, metallic or other blocks 13, formed
upon their under surfaces to fit the convexity of the cask K, and when the chains,
ropes, or the like N, previously described, are formed in two, one end of each may be
linked, hooked, or otherwise connected to the blocks P3, while their opposite ends
may be connected as previously stated with the casting O.
The tube R has, near its upper end, a hollow nosing or boss R2, communicating
with the interior of R, and may be threaded internally, or externally, or both, for the
reception of the suitable valve governed force pump previously mentioned, so that
the said gas or gases may be thereby passed through R into the cask K. The upper
end of R is threaded internally to receive a plug S, through which passes, and is
brazed, screwed, or otherwise firmly connected thereto a tube S¹, which passes entirely.
through the tube R, and reaches nearly to the opposite side of the bulge of the
cask K, the upper end of S¹ being threaded externally to receive, and be closed by a
suitable exhaust cock, (not shewn) for the purpose of exhausting the gases and any
moisture that may remain in the cask after treatment. In this arrangement the
blocks P³ would be firmly held in contact with the cask K, partly by the tension of
the rope or the like N and partly by the plugs P2, the tube R being firmly held in
position partly by its connection with the shive P', and partly by its connection with
the block R¹.
In treating casks of large dimensions, or as an alternative arrangement, we may
dispense with the before mentioned chains, ropes, bands or the like N, and in lieu
thereof, provide a like or any desired number of devices such as shewn in
Figs. 12 and 13, which consists of a pair of approximately semi-circular metal
castings T and T, pivotally connected together at a point T, and adapted to open as
indicated by the dotted outline of T, to facilitate fixation upon the cask K, and be
connected at their free ends, when closed, by the means of a bolt and nut c³, while
the portion T is provided with a suitable footing T for supporting the whole.
At suitable intervals along T and T¹ are provided holes d, through each of which
passes a hollow rod V, adapted to be rotated in the said holes by the means of wheels
or handles V, and secured in position by a flange e the inner ends of the said
tubes V, being provided with female threads, with which engage threaded bolts W,
the free ends of the said bolts being connected to metallic or other blocks W1, shaped
internally to fit the cask K, and externally to correspond with the internal
formation of T and T.
By this arrangement the frame or frames T T¹ having been placed around the cask
in the positions described with relation to the ropes or the like N, the handles V1
would be rotated in a direction to cause the blocks W₁ to firmly abut against the cask K,
thus securing this circumferentially in the same manner as the carriers N¹ previously
described.
The central one of the set of frames T T employed, or that covering the bung
hole of the cask, may have its section T so arranged as to provide a plate or block 15
having a central hole f, the said block serving as an equivalent for the nosing 03 in
Figs. 3 and 4, so as to receive the device Figs. 6 and 7, or as an equivalent for the
block R¹, so as to receive the tube R, Fig. 9, and if the latter, as shewn, the said
portion To may have internally threaded holes for receiving like threaded plugs Pa
und their blocks P³, as shewn in Figs. 12 and 13

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we wish it to be understood
that we are aware of the Specification of Engledue and Yarnold, No. 16,632
of 1896, and we do not claim anything described and claimed therein, but we declare
that what we claim is:-
1st. The use and application of ozonized or electricized, allotropic, nascent or excited
oxygen at a pressure above 90 lbs. to the square inch, in the cleansing of unsweet or
stinker casks or barrels substantially as set forth.
2nd. As a means for supporting casks and barrels whilst charged with gases under
pressure, for the purpose of cleansing or sweetening the same, the combination of a
base or stand A, having standards G and G¹, carrying threaded shafts D D¹, operated
by wheels E E¹, and connected by a universal joint a with discs H adapted to
support the heads of a cask or barrel K, the circumference of the said cask being
supported by any number of ropes, chains or bands such as N, substantially as
described and shewn.
:
3rd. In the cleansing or sweetening of casks or barrels by the means of gases under
pressure, and in combination with the apparatus set forth in the preceding Claim,
the use and application of chains, ropes, or bands N, supported by any number of
carriers N', and connected by the means of a hook O₁ and screw bolt N*+, to a
casting O, substantially as herein described and shewn by the appended drawings.
4th. In the cleansing or sweetening of casks or barrels by the means of gases
under pressure, and in combination with the apparatus set forth in the Second
Claim hereof, the use and application of a circular frame, composed of two parts
Tand T, hinged together at T3, and bolted together at c, and having any number
of holes d, with which engage tubes V, in connection with threaded bolts W,
attached to blocks W₁, and adapted to be rotated by wheels or handles V¹, sub-
stantially as herein described and shewn by the accompanying drawings.
5th. In combination with the apparatus set forth in the preceding Claims, the
use and application of a bung-hole closing and gas admitting device consisting of
a plate L, with externally threaded nosing L', gas passages I, and central aperture L³,
the latter for the passage of an anchor bolt M, having pivotted arms M and M²
provided with shouldered ends M3 and M³ and nut K', substantially as described and
shewn by the appended drawings.
6th. In combination with the apparatus set forth in Claims 2, 3 and 4, the use
and application of a bung hole closing and gas admitting and exhausting device,
consisting of a tube R, having an internally or externally threaded gas inlet R², the said
tube R being threaded externally for connection with a shive l' and block R', and provided
internally with a screw plug S, carrying a tube S¹, adapted to receive an exhaust
cock, the said block R', having threaded plugs P2 connected to blocks P³ substantially
as herein described and shewn by the appended drawings.
7th. In combination, the herein before described apparatus for supporting casks
or barrels externally, and the charging of same with gases at a pressure at or above
90 lbs. to the square inch, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
CCOT
June
30 fen nur
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
1, Broad Street Buildings, Liverpool Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicants.