CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN TAPS OR COCKS IN CONNECTION WITH A METAL BUSH AND SCREW, THE SAID BUSH AND SCREW BEING INSERTED IN THE BARREL OR VESSEL IN THE PLACE OF A CORK USED IN THE ORDINARY WAY, THE SAID BUSH BEING SECURED TO THE BARREL OR VESSEL FOR THE PURPOSE OF DRAWING ALE, PORTER, CIDER, BEER, WINE, WATER, AND OTHER FLUIDS."
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Samuel Hands and William Weaver, Manufacturers, of
Wolverhampton, in the County of Stafford, for an Invention of "CERTAIN
IMPROVEMENTS IN TAPS OR COCKS IN CONNECTION WITH A METAL BUSH
AND SCREW, THE SAID BUSH AND SCREW BEING INSERTED IN THE BARREL
OR VESSEL IN THE PLACE OF A CORK USED IN THE ORDINARY WAY, THE
SAID BUSH BEING SECURED TO THE BARREL OR VESSEL FOR THE PURPOSE
OF DRAWING ALE, PORTER, CIDER, BEER, WINE, WATER, AND OTHER
FLUIDS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Samuel Hands and William
Weaver at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th March
1881.
"
SAMUEL HANDS and WILLIAM WEAVER, Manufacturers, of Wolverhampton, in
the County of Stafford. CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN TAPS OR COCKS IN
CONNECTION WITH A METAL BUSH AND SCREW, THE SAID BUSH AND SCREW
BEING INSERTED IN THE BARREL OR VESSEL IN THE PLACE OF A CORK USED IN
THE ORDINARY WAY, THE SAID BUSH BEING SECURED TO THE BARREL OR VESSEL
FOR THE PURPOSE OF DRAWING ALE, PORTER, CIDER, BEER, WINE, WATER,
AND OTHER FLUIDS."
Our Invention consists of the improvements hereinafter described.
On the outside shank or stem of our tap or cock which enters the barrel or
vessel a suitable screw thread is cut along its entire length having passages or
flow-ways formed near the end of the stem or shank as in ordinary cases. At the
extreme end of the said shank or stem a small rectangular or otherwise shaped
projection is formed; the top side of this projection has a groove in which is secured
a small suitable spring. In barrels and vessels for containing liquids we purpose using
a metal bush of a suitable length for entering the barrel or vessel tapped on the inside
instead of, and in the place of, a cork, the said metal bush having a projecting
flange on the outside for securing it to the end or face of the barrel or vessel.
Through this said bush a screw the same length as the metal bush works (the
Price GI

page_text: diameter and thread of which being identical with the stem or shank of the tap,
or in other words, is a continuation of the said stem or shank), which enters the
cask or vessel as the tap is screwed in, having on its inside end a small flange, the
outside diameter of which equals the outside diameter of the metal bush, a washer
of leather or other suitable material is placed on the screw and works against
and between this small projecting flange and the inside end of the metal bush.
In the other end or front of the metal screw a corresponding shaped orifice is
formed for receiving the projection formed on the end of the stem or shank of the
tap or cock before mentioned. Thus it is evident that the tapping of barrels is
much simplified, so much so that a child can tap the largest barrel with the greatest
ease and safety, as you have only to insert the projection on the end of the tap
into the orifice in the screw for receiving it and it is held firmly by the small
spring before referred to by coming in contact with a small projection on the inside
of the orifice in the said screw. The end of the tap being thus inserted and screwed
into the metal bush, and by the time the said tap is screwed in and the shoulder
comes against the flange of the bush (against which shoulder a suitable washer
is placed) it will have entered the barrel sufficiently to allow the contents to flow.
In tapping a cask thus the use of a mallet, paper, &c., is dispensed with, and
there is no danger whatever of any of the contents being spilled. In the event of
the cask being empty you have only to unscrew the tap, the action of which brings
back the screw through the bush until the flange at the end of the screw comes in
contact and impinges against the inside edge of the metal bush (the tap has then
only to be pulled out) and the cask is thus hermetically sealed, thereby dispensing
with the use of corks and keeping the barrel or vessel perfectly sweet; this in itself
must be a great desideratum to brewers and others for the great trouble and
expense of washing and cleaning is greatly lessened.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Samuel Hands and William Weaver in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 15th September 1881.
SAMUEL HANDS and WILLIAM WEAVER, Manufacturers, of Wolverhampton, in
the County of Stafford. "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN TAPS OR COCKS IN
CONNECTION WITH A METAL BUSH AND SCREW, THE SAID BUSH AND SCREW
BEING INSERTED IN THE BARREL OR VESSEL IN PLACE OF A CORK USED IN THE
ORDINARY WAY, THE SAID BUSH BEING SECURED TO THE BARREL OR VESSEL'
FOR THE PURPOSE OF DRAWING ALE, PORTER, CIDER, BEER, WINE, WATER, AND
OTHER FLUIDS."
On the outside shank or stem of our tap or cock which enters the barrel or
vessel, a suitable screw thread is cut along its entire length, having passages or
flow-ways formed near the end of the stem or shank, as in ordinary cases; at the
extreem end of the said shank or stem a small rectangular or otherwise shaped

page_text: formed in the end of the metal screw E for receiving it, where it is held firmly by
means of the small spring before mentioned by coming in contact with a small
projection on the inside of the orifice F marked G in the metal screw, which is
shewn in Figs. 3 and 7. The end or projection B of the tap being thus inserted
and screwed into the metal bush C until the shoulder of the tap comes against the
flange of the bush C, by which time it will have entered the barrel or vessel
sufficiently to allow the contents to flow through the holes or flow-ways, which are
shewn in Figs. 1, 4, and 6, formed in the stem or shank of the tap for the purpose.
Fig. 4 shews the stem or shank of the tap screwed through the bush with the
metal screw E at its end (the projection B'being shewn in dotted lines), which has
also worked through the bush C by the action of screwing in the tap. Our
improved tap dispenses with the use of a mallet and paper, and all danger of any
portion of the contents being wasted is entirely obviated, as any such mishap
could not possibly take place. When the barrel, cask, or vessel is empty all that
is required is to merely unscrew the tap, which action brings back the metal
screw E through the bush C until the flange and washer at the end of the screw
marked H comes in contact and impinges against the inside edge of the metal
bush C and the front of the said bush C, and the end of the metal screw E with
its orifice F will then be flush or level (the tap has only then to be pulled out),
and the barrel or cask is thus hermetically closed, thereby dispensing with the
use of corks, and has the effect of keeping them perfectly sweet, which must be a
very great desideratum, for the trouble of washing and cleaning is greatly reduced.
The mouth of the tap may be maid straight (as well as curved), as shewn at
Fig. 6, and fitted with a union joint marked I, so adapting it for cellar-work to
supply beer engines, which work it would greatly facilitate.
Having thus given a general description of our Invention and the manner of
giving effect to the same, we wish it understood that we do not limit or confine
ourselves to the precise details herein described and illustrated, as the same may
be slightly varied and diversified without departing from the nature and spirit of
our Invention, but what we do claim as our Invention and wish to protect under
these our Letters Patent are the improvements in taps or cocks, substantially in
the way herein described and illustrated for giving effect to the purposes herein
set forth and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Weaver, for myself and for the said
Samuel Hands, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Thirteenth day
of September, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
Witness,
ALFRED PERRY, C.E.
WILLIAM WEAVER. (L.S.)