or Unions to be Used therewith.
Year: 1886

page_text: or Unions to be Used therewith.
1 ALFRED JULIUS BOULT, of 323 High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a communication from
Mott G. Gillette of New York City County and State of New York and Leach'
King of Newark Essex County New Jersey both Citizens of the United States
Manufacturers) and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to tap valves and tap-valve faucets for liquids of any kind
but more particularly for ale, beer, wine and other liquids charged by natural
fermentation or otherwise with gas.
D
Hitherto where tap-valves were not used it has been customary for brewers to
place in the cellars of retailers from ten to one hundred casks of beer arranged in
tiers one above the other. In retailing this beer the retailer inserts a faucet into
the tap-hole by driving the stem into the cask after which it is joined by a
coupling to the lead pipe extending from and connecting with a pump in a sales-
room above the cellar. After one cask is completely empty the faucet or attach-
ment is disconnected and inserted into another cask and although retailers are
requested to plug the holes when the faucets are extracted in order to prevent the
access of the damp mouldy air of the cellar to the interior of the casks, they are in
general and it may be said almost uniformly neglectful of this precaution; and the
apertures into the interior of the cask being left open the foul damp air of the
cellar enters and the casks become mouldy the germs in the mould penetrating
into the pores of the wood and the casks are so permeated with these germs and
tainted thereby that they are rendered valueless and unfit for further use; it being
impossible by any means known to thoroughly purify them either by fumigation.
or by the use of chemical liquids. A great expense is thus entailed resulting in
great loss to brewers.

page_text: To obviate this tap-valves have been invented having for their object to auto-
matically close the tap-hole whenever the cask is disconnected from the pump or
whenever the faucet is withdrawn therefrom. There have been however many
difficulties in the application of tap-valves resulting chiefly from the imperfect
character of their construction. In the first place it has been difficult to.
make them sufficiently cheap. There has also been difficulty in packing
them so that they will close air tight and that all the joints made with them
in establishing the connection between the casks and the pumps shall also be
air-tight.
There has also been difficulty in so constructing them that their operation shall
be certain. A perfect tap-valve should have the following qualifications. It
should automatically exclude the air from the interior of the cask when the faucet
is withdrawn or a disconnection made from the pumps and it should also be
capable of being connected with perfect tightness to the cask so that no air can
enter the cask except through the vent-valve during the act of drawing the beer.
It should also dispense entirely with the wooden tap-plug or cork thus saving
the cost of the same. Moreover the ordinary tap hole becomes enlarged by constant
usage necessitating the removal of a portion of the head of the cask in which the
tap hole is bored one or more times during the life of the cask, tl:us entailing
considerable trouble and expense.
A perfect tap-valve should be constructed in such manner that it can be put into
the cask once for all and remain there as long as the cask is used.
It should moreover permit the connection of a faucet or of a conducting pipe
which connects the cask to the pumps before the valve is opened thus preventing
any spurting or loss of beer. All tap-valves which by inserting the faucet or by
making connection with the beer pump open the tap-valve are subject to the
objection that the beer will spurt before the faucet can be fully inserted or the
connection with the pumps completely established.
Lastly the establishing of the connection between the tap-valve and the lead
pipe which leads to the pumps or the connection of the faucet to the valve should
be capable of being made with great facility and with accuracy and certainty.
It is the object of this invention to provide for these requirements in a
tap valve.
The invention consists partly in certain constructions whereby the tap-valve is
rendered capable of being made by machinery and produced at sinall cost.
It also consists in a novel method of attaching the faucet or lead pipe connection
which connects the valve with the beer pumps with ease and certainty making the
connection perfectly air tight without opening the tap-valve.
It also consists in certain constructions whereby after the connection is made
the tap valve may be opened and when so opened the connection of the lead pipe
which leads to the pump or of the faucet with the tap-valve cannot be broken
without permitting the tap-valve to automatically and instantly close instead of as
Bitherto being both opened when the connection is made and closing when said
connection is broken.
"
This feature of allowing the tap-valve to remain closed upon its seat while the
connection is being established between the lead pipe and the valve or to the
faucet through which the beer is to be subsequently drawn prevents any possible
waste of beer while tapping the cask. No spurting can ensue When the con-
nection is thus established a single movement of the hand is sufficient to open the
valve and it will thus remain open until it is either closed by reversing such
movement or by breaking the connection between the pipe and faucet.
In the drawings Figure 1 is a sectional view of the portion of a head of a cask in
which the improved tap valve is inserted and is also a sectional view of a faucet
connected therewith; the position of the parts in full outline being that in which
the tap-valve is closed fully upon its seat; the position of the parts indicated by
dotted outline being that which is assumed when the tap-valve is open subsequently
to making the connection for the purpose of drawing the beer from the cask.

page_text: Figures 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are respectively detail views showing parts of the
construction.
.Figure 7 is a partial sectional view of a cask having the improved tap-valve
inserted into the head of the same and connected with the pipe which leads to a
pump above.
Figure 8 is also a partial sectional view of a cask in which the improved tap-
valve is inserted the same being connected in this instance with a faucet for
drawing the beer from the cask.
A, Figures 1 and 2 is a metallic bush which has upon it a tapered screw or
parallel thread B for insertion into the wooden bush or bung C. When provided
with a screw-thread it may be screwed into such bush or bung and the latter may
be tightened down upon the same by driving it into the head of the cask Figure 1-
or the bush A may be inserted in any other suitable or preferred manner.
The inside of the metal bush A is bored out for a certain distance at the end of
the same which enters the cask in such a manner as to leave a shoulder a Figure 1
and to permit a valve seat E to enter into said bush and abut against the
shoulder a.
The valve-seat E is manufactured in the following manner:
First a disc is punched from sheet brass or from any metal suitable for forming
said seat. Next by the action of a suitable press this disc is formed into a cylin-
drical cup with parallel sides. Then by a press and suitable dies, a ridge or obtuse
angular edge b is formed on the bottom or closed end of said cup, and lastly the
centre of the bottom is punched out to leave a circular opening of a specific. size
within the annular ridge or obtuse edge b as shown at c in Figure 5. The valve
seat so formed is then inserted into the bored out portion of the metallic bush
until it abuts against the shoulder a and the two parts are then brazed or soldered
together.
A stout coil-spring F of a diameter adapted to the diameter of the cylindrical
part of the valve seat E is also made of any suitable material say brass or German-
silver and is fitted into said cylindrical part. This spring is of such dimensions as
to exert a pressure when inserted as described and held in its position as herein-
after described of 60 pounds to the square inch or thereabouts.
Concen-
The valve G is also of peculiar construction. It is made of two parts G¹ and Gl
as shown in Figures 3 and 4. The part G" consists of a disc c¹ with an upturned
rim like the cover of a cup or box as shown at c¹¹ in Figures 1 and 4.
trically with the top of the disc c¹ and the rim c¹¹ is attached to said disc for
soldering or brazing a short tube G". Near the end of said tube G" are formed a
series of holes g at equal distance entirely around the tube their centres being as
nearly as practicable in the same plane of cross-section. The end of the short
tube G which lies opposite the disc c¹ is champered out as shown at h in
Figure 4.
The part G¹ of the valve is formed as shown in Figure 3. It also is a short tube
the total length of which is slightly less than the total length of the tube G" and
the internal diameter of which is equal to the external diameter of the tube G* so
that when the tube G is inserted internally into the tube Q the champered
margin of the end of the tube G shall project a little beyond the end of the
tube G'.
At one end of the tube G is formed a projecting rim c¹¹ the outer edge of
which is turned inwardly toward the top of the tube G¹ to some extent as shown
at in Figure 3. Near the end of the tube G' opposite the rim is formed a
series of holes g₁ these holes being so spaced and so arranged with reference to the
end of the tube G' that when the tube G" is inserted into the interior of the
tube G and turned properly, the holes g' in the tube G¹ will be exactly super->
imposed over the holes g in the tube G and form continuous passages from the
interior of the tube G₁ through and to the exterior of the tube G¹.
In the annular space between the upturned rim c" Figure 4 and the body of the
tube G is fitted a packing of leather or any suitable composition having the proper

page_text: degree of durability and elasticity as shown at i in Figure 4 and when the tube G¹¹
is inserted into the interior of the tube G¹ the margin of the end of the tube G¹
which is shown at h¹ in Figure 3 bears upon the margin of the packing i and when
forced down upon the saine and the parts are attached together as hereinafter
described forms a perfectly air-tight joint.
The parts of the valve being constructed as described and the spring F having
⚫been made and fitted into the valve seat E as described the tube G¹ is inserted into
the outer end of the bush A and slid down through the same into the valve seat E
in such manner as to enclose the spring and form with the cylindrical part of the
valve seat E an annular cylindrical enclosed space which confines said spring and
holds it always in proper relation with the valve seat.
Next the tube G₁ is inserted into the tube G¹ from the inner end thereof as
shown in Figure 1 and so turned that the holes g therein are brought.in exact
relation with the holes g' in the tube G₁ as hereinbefore described.
The champered off margin h of the end of the tube G which then slightly
projects beyond the rim ol of the tube G is then bent and extended outwardly
to overlap and embrace the inner angle of the rin c¹ and is brazed or soldered
thereto.
The valve G thus made up and constructed becomes thus permanently fitted
with the cylindrical part of the valve-seat E and the action of the spring causes
the annular packing i to bear firmly down upon the annular edge or ridge b of the
valve-seat E herein before described.
In the interior of the bush A near the outer end thereof are formed two
interiorily projecting and diametrically opposite lugs d. These are for the engage-
ment of mechanism whereby the valve G is opened which I will now proceed to
describe.
This mechanism is shown in Figure 1 and Figure 6. A short tube H is
threaded at one end as shown at I and has formed upon the opposite end flanges k
and . The space between said flanges k and k¹ being turned down to a con-
siderably smaller diameter than the threaded portion I. In the periphery of the
flange k are formed two rectangular and diametrically opposite notches m which
notches allow the flange k of the tube H to pass into the outer end of the bush A
- past the internally projecting lugs d and by turning upon its longitudinal axis to
engage the bush by the unnotched portion of said flange k upon said lugs a stop
preferably a pin p¹ Figures 1 and 6 inserted into the flanges k and k¹ limiting the
motion required for making such engagement.
The diameter of the flange k corresponds quite accurately to the diameter of the
interior of the unbored part of the bush A Figure 2. The diameter of the flange kl
is the same or nearly the same as that of the flange k and the threaded part I
may extend entirely to the flange k¹ or it may cease a short distance therefrom if
preferred.
The washer K of leather or other material having sufficient rigidity, imper-
meability and elasticity and having its inner diameter of a size which will permit
it to pass snugly over the threaded part I or to be screwed over the same flush
against the flange k₁ is placed upon the tube H as shown in Figures 1 and 6. This
washer has an exterior diameter slightly greater than that of the bush A and in use
it abuts against the outer end of said bush as shown in Figure 1 and is tightly
clamped against it as will be hereinafter described such bush being preferably
beveled inwardly on its outer face as indicated in Figure 1 in order that the
tendency of the washer will be to press inwardly toward the tube H instead of
squeezing out between the bearing surfaces.
Into the interior of the tube H is fitted a short sliding tube L reinforced at one
end as shown at n the use of which tube will be hereinafter described.
In use there is fitted to the threaded part I of the tube H a female threaded
ferrule M Figure 1 which has a shoulder at o and a female threaded screw portion
P of larger internal diameter than the female threaded part M. Exteriorily to
the female screw threaded part M is formed a male thread q and upon this male
at

page_text: thread q is fitted neatly a thumb nut N having thumb pieces r. The diameter of
the male threaded portion 9 of the ferrule M is considerably smaller than the
external diameter of the washer K and the thumb nut N has a face formed on the
side toward the washer which in use compresses the margin of the washer K firmly
against the outer margin of the bush A thus making a hermetically sealed joint.
The ferrule M is fitted by its female threaded portion p either to the body of a
faucet or to the body of a coupling Q Figure 7 which is a modification of the
faucet which will be hereinafter described.
At right angles with the body of the ferrule M is fitted into the part p of the
same a nipple R provided with a screw threaded gland S which fits into a stuffing
box & formed in said nipple. The threaded part of the nipple R which is inserted
into the body of the valve M is tapered and screwed in so as to make a perfect fit.
Through the gland S stuffing box 8 and nipple R is passed a stem T which has on
its inner end an eccentric and to the outwardly projecting end of the stem T is
fastened cross-handle V. Now the tube L Figures 1 and 6 which was described
as fitting loosely and sliding in the tube H is of such length that when the valve G
is forced down upon the annular ridge or obtuse edge 6 of the seat E as shown in
Figure 1 by the action of the spring it quite accurately fills the space between
the rim c on the innor end of the valve and the stem T which has formed upon
its inner end the eccentric u one end of the tube L bearing against the rim c¹ and
the reinforced end n of said tube bearing against the stem T when the eccentric is
in the position shown in Figure 1.
It will be evident that when the tube H is screwed into the ferrule M as shown
in Figure 1 the faucet Q ferrule M and the tube H may all be attached to the tap-
valve bush A by passing the flange k into the end of the bush in such manner that
the notches m in said flange will allow the flange to pass to the rear of the lugs d
Figure 2 in the bush and then by giving the body of the faucet a quarter turn on
its longitudinal axis the unnotched parts of the flange k will engage with the
lugs d and hold the faucet attached to the bush. When this is done the thumb-
nut may be screwed up firmly against the washer K and thus form a perfectly
tight and rigid attachment of the faucet ferrule and tube H to said bush and this
will be done without opening the valve G in the slightest degree. Therefore
during this attachment it is impossible for any of the liquid in the cask to spurt
out. When the attachment has thus been firmly made and it is desired to draw
liquid from the cask a single quarter-turn of the valve-stem T-causes the eccentric
to press the sliding tube L against the inner end of the valve at c¹ Figure 1 and
to open it into the position shown in dotted outline in said Figure. The liquid
thus flows at once into the body of the faucet and from thence can be drawn as
desired.
In Figure 7 a modification of the invention is shown which is designed to permit
the attachment of the coupling of a lead pipe leading to a beer-pump with the tan-
valve constructed as already described. The only difference between this and the
faucet shown in Figure 1 is that at Q the body of the ferrule M is extended
Bomewhat outward beyond the nipple R and has an exterior screw-thread for the
attachment of the pipe-coupling thread. Also the interior female screw-threat p
is in this case omitted.
•
The parts are in every other respect exactly similar to those already described
and their operation is identically the same.
Figures & illustrates the attachment of a faucet to a cask as when in use and
needs no detailed description.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention as communicated to me by my 'foreign correspondent and in what
manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :—
1. The combination of the metallic bush of a tap-valve and a valve seat fitted to
the interior thereof and attached to the same substantially as herein described, said
valve-seat being formed of sheet metal having a cylindrical body and at its inner

page_text: .
extremity an annular ridge or obtuse edge for engaging packing of the valve and
having within said ridge or obtuse edge an opening c for the passage of the body
of the valve substantially as herein described and for the purpose set forth.
I
2. In a tap valve the valve G constructed substantially as berein described of
two parts G¹ and G" the part G¹ being substantially a tube having a rim clll the
outer edge c of which is turned inwardly toward the body of the tube and having
near the end opposite the rim c¹ openings or holes gl and the part G" being also
substantially a tube having at one end an attached disc c¹ with upturned rim c¹¹
leaving an annular space between the body of the tube and the rim c" for the
insertion of the annular packing i and having near said disc c the openings the
external diameter of the tube G¹¹ being the same as the external diameter of the
tube G¹ and the total length of the tube G¹ being such that when the tube G" is
slid into the interior of the tube G¹ the edge h¹ of the tube G¹ will bear upon the
inner margin of the annular packing the openings gl in the tube G¹ will be
superimposed over the openings g in the tube G₁ and the upper extremity of the
tube Gu will protrude slightly above the rim 1 of the part G¹ the said two parts
when thus put together being joined by turning down the upper extremity of the
tube G upon the rim of the tube Ġ' substantially as and for the purpose herein
set forth.
3. The combination of the bush A cylindrical valve seat E fitted and attached to
said bush the valve G. fitted to pass through and work in the opening c in the
valve-seat E and having the outwardly turned rim cll said valve and valve-seat
when connected together substantially as herein described forming an annular
chamber for the reception and retention of a spring F substantially as herein
described.
4. The combination of the valve seat bush A valve G and the spring F inserted
into and retained within the annular space between the body of the valve and the
cylindrical body of the valve seat substantially as and for the purpose herein
specified.
5. The combination of a tap valve bush A having formed on its interior the
inwardly projecting. lugs d near the outer face of said bush the tube H having
formed thereon the notched flange k the flange k¹ and the threaded part I the
ferrule M having a female thread fitted to the male threaded part of the tube H
and having also a screw thread for engaging the body of a faucet or coupling of
pipe which leads from the tap valve to a pump and a washer K fitted to be engaged
between the outer face of said tap valve bush and the end of the ferrule M which
screws upon the threaded part of the tube H said washer being for packing the
joint between said ferrule and tap-valve bush when the notched flange of the tube H
is inserted into the outer end of the bush A and engaged with the lugs D
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
⚫ 6. The combination of a tap-valve bush A having formed on its interior inwardly
projecting lugs & near the outer face of said bush the tube H having formed thereon
the notched flange k the flange k and the threaded part I a ferrule M having
a female thread fitted to the male threaded part of the tube H and having also a
screw-thread for engaging the tube of a faucet or coupling of pipe which leads
from the tap-valve to a pump a washer K fitted to the tube H between the outer
face of said bush and the end of the ferrule which screws upon the tube H and
a thumb-nut N screwed upon the exterior male thread on the ferrule M in such
manner that it can be tightened down upon the outer margin of the washer K
for more securely and finally packing the joint between said valve and bush
substantially as and for the purposes herein specified.
7. The combination of the valve seat E attached to the bush A the valve G
sliding within said valve seat and bush the spring F enclosed and retained between
said valve and valve seat for holding the valve down upon said valve seat the
tube H for the attachment of the faucet or coupling to the tap valve bush the sliding
tube L fitted to slide internally in the interior of the tube H one end of said tube
bearing against the outwardly turned flange c¹¹ of the valve G and the cam a

page_text: arranged in relation with the end of the tube L which does not bear against the
valve G in such manner that when the cam is turned it may force the valve G
longitudinally toward the inner part the inner part of the cask against the action
of the spring F for opening said valve or contrariwise substantially as and for the
purposes herein set forth.
S. The combination of the valve-seat E attached to the bush A the valve G
sliding within said valve seat and bush the spring F enclosed and retained between
said valve and valve seat for holding the valve down upon said valve-seat the
tube H for the attachment of the faucet or coupling to the tap valve bush
the sliding tube L fitted to slide internally in the interior of the tube. H one end of
said tube bearing against the outwardly turned flange clll of the valve G the cam u
arranged in relation with the end of the tube L which does not bear against the
valve G in such manner that when the cam is turned it may force the valve G
longitudinally toward the inner part of the cask against the action of the spring F
for opening said valve or contrariwise the stem T attached to the cam u nipple R
having therein the stuffing-box 8 and fitted to the threaded gland S and a cross
handle for actuating the cam u in opening the valve or permitting the valve to
close substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.
9. The combination of the tap valve composed of the bush A valve G valve-
seat E and spring F all constructed substantially as herein described the bush A
having in the interior lugs & near its outer face the tube H having thereon the
notched flange k for engaging said lugs and the male screw thread I a ferrulo M
fitted to screw upon the threaded portion of the tube H and having a threaded
portion for the attachment of a faucet or pipe coupling the cam u pivoted to said
valve the sliding tube L between said cam and the valve G for actuating said valve
sul stantially as herein described and a faucet or pipe-coupling Qor Q₁ attached to
said valve in the manner herein described whereby said fau et or pipe-coupling
valve-tube H and sliding tube L may act by turning them slightly upon their
longitudinal axis to release the notched flange from engagement with the bush A
thereby permitting the spring F immediately to act and instantly to close the
valve G upon the seat E substantially as herein des ribed and for the purposes set
forth.
10. The combination of the tube H having formed thereon the notched flange k
flange k¹ and screw-thread I the ferrule M having formed therein a female thread
for engaging the threaded portion I of the tube H the bush A having formed
therein the internally projecting lugs d and a stop p' for limiting the motion of
said tube H upon its longitudinal axis in engaging the bush A substantially as
herein described and for the purposes set forth.