IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR TAKING AND EXAMINING SAMPLES OF WINE, SPIRITUOUS LIQUORS AND
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Julius Boult of 323. High Holborn in the County
of Middlesex Engineer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
FOR TAKING AND EXAMINING SAMPLES OF WINE, SPIRITUOUS LIQUORS AND
a communication from Paul Contant of Rheims in the Republic
:
:
THE LIKE"
of France
.5.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Julius Boult at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th May 1883.
f
ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR TAKING AND EXAMINING "SAMPLES
OF WINE SPIRITUOUS LIQUORS AND THE LIKE” [a communication from Paul
Contant of Rheims in the Republic of France]
This invention relates to an improved form of syphon for use in drawing samples
of wine, spirituous liquors and other liquids and has for its object to provide a
handy and portable apparatus which will at all times enable the operator to draw,
a sample for himself without being compelled to use a syphon that may be dirty
or otherwise unfit, and without having cumbersome apparatus to carry
This improved apparatus consists of say two lengths, (or more) of tube one
sliding within the other and having small apertures at the extreme top and bottom
of the apparatus. The tubes may be entirely or partly of glass or of metal say a
metal outside tube in which slides an inner one of glass. On the outside tube
may be fixed a swivelling cross piece which when swung transversely to the body
forms lugs to prevent the apparatus passing too far into the cask or other vessel
containing the liquid to be "sampled "whilst when placed parallel with the body
it will not project therefrom to any great extent..
At the end opposite to this swivelling piece a cap may be fitted over the end of
the tube and when removed serves as a cup for tasting the liquid.
If a part of the apparatus is made of glass it will afford greater facility for
ascertaining the color and clearness of the liquid to be "sampled." The joints of
the tubes will if necessary be packed with leather, rubber, cork, or other suitable
material. The size is preferably such that the apparatus may conveniently be
carried in the pocket
J;

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Alfred Julius Boult in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
12th November 1883.
L
"
ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex
Engineer IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR TAKING AND EXAMINING SAMPLES 5
OF WINE, SPIRITUOUS LIQUORS AND THE LIKE a communication from Paul
Contant of Rheims in the Republic of France,
"
"
This invention has for its object an apparatus called a "pocket tasting pump
which has for its object the tasting of wine or other liquors either at the growers
or at the stores, the merchants or elsewhere without requiring recourse to be had 1
to a syphon of a stranger of the cleanliness of which and its proper state one has
no knowledge.
As the name indicates this instrument can conveniently be carried in the pocket
whilst, when drawn out it will have the length of an ordinary syphon.
It may be constructed wholly or partly of glass instead of the ordinary metal
which allows at once the clearness and color of the liquid which is contained
therein to be ascertained In this case it carries a hollow stopper or other con-
venient means for closing the same so as to protect the glass against breaking.
This stopper may also serve as a cup for the tasting.
One or more rings or lugs may be added as usual, which may be hinged or
otherwise so attached that they may be folded down along the body of the
instrument so as to reduce the size as much as possible.
This pump is formed of two or more tubes one passing into the other either by
sliding air tight joints or by attaching one to the other by screws or in other
suitable manner. These tubes may be of metal, glass or other material and the
joints may be packed with leather, india rubber, cork etcetera so as to make them
work properly, or the joints may be made sufficiently tight fitting to dispense
with packing.
A convenient form of this apparatus and which I prefer to use is shown in the
annexed drawings.
Figure 1 is the instrument closed and in longitudinal section.
Figure 2 shows the instrument A opened out for use and the stopper D Figure 3
by its side to serve as a cup or goblet for tasting.
A is the first tube serving as the casing also.
B the second tube sliding into the former.
C the joint assuring proper function of the apparatus
D the stopper covering the inner tube when the instrument is closed, and this
may serve as a cup for tasting.
E is a screw-stud serving as a pivot for
F the arm serving as a handle and for preventing its passing through the bung
hole of casks. This arm is to this end turned into a position perpendicular to that
of the body as shown in Figure 2 A projecting loop or ring would answer the
same purpose.
The mouth can be applied to the aperture b at the top and the sample of the
contents sucked up through the aperture a at the bottom.
The two portions can be put together as shown so as to slide, or may be screwed
together.
Having now described the nature of the said invention and the manner of

page_text: performing the same as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, I wish
it to be understood that I claim.
First: A pocket pump for sampling liquors consisting of two tubes one sliding
within the other substantially as described and shown.
Second: The combination with the outer tube A of the pivoted handle F
substantially as and for the purposes described and shown.
Third: The loop or ring in lieu of handle F substantially as set forth.
•
In witness whereof I the said Alfred Julius Boult have hereunto set my hand
and seal this twelfth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and eighty three.
ALFRED J. BOULT (L.S.)