IMPROVEMENTS IN CASKS FOR WINE SPIRITS, BEER AND OTHER LIQUIDS, AND IN IMPLEMENTS TO BE USED FOR INSERTING PEGS IN CASKS, OR REMOVING SHIVES AND BUNGS THEREFROM
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Rowland Taylor, of the City of Oxford,
Brewer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN CASKS FOR WINE SPIRITS,
BEER AND OTHER LIQUIDS, AND IN IMPLEMENTS TO BE USED FOR INSERTING
PEGS IN CASKS, OR REMOVING SHIVES AND BUNGS THEREFROM."
Sealed the 3rd February 1865, and dated the 6th August 1864.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Rowland Taylor
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
6th August 1864.
I, WILLIAM ROWLAND TAYLOR, of the City of Oxford, Brewer, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CASKS FOR
WINE, SPIRITS, BEER, AND OTHER LIQUIDS, AND IN IMPLEMENTS TO BE USED FOR
INSERTING PEGS IN CASKS, OR REMOVING SHIVES AND BUNGS THEREFROM," to be as
follows:-
This Invention has reference to various improvements in casks for wine.
spirits, beer, and other liquids, and in the shives or bungs of such casks, and
in implements to be used for the insertion or removal of the corks, pegs,
shives, or bungs in or from their holes in such casks.
The chief object of my improvements in casks is the keeping of the casks
air-tight,and thereby preserving them sweet and preventing the formation of
fungus.
First, I propose to employ distinct peg holes, either of wood or metal,
rD...9il

page_text: When formed of metal, the peg holes are to be let into the stave and screwed
therein without passing through the entire thickness of the wood. If formed
of wood, the peg hole may, if thought desirable, pass completely through it.
The object of having a distinct peg hole is,that the peg can be always inserted
therein, instead of having the stave perforated at different places, as is usually
the case, whereby that stave of the cask is much weakened.
Secondly, I propose to form conical peg holes, both when a moveable piece
of metal or wood is employed to form the hole, and when the hole is simply
bored in the stave, the internal portions of such peg holes being narrower than
the external portion; also peg holes which are narrowest in the middle, from
which part they are conical, both outwards and inwards. When no moveable
metal or wooden peg hole is used, I propose to mark the exterior of the
stave so as to shew the exact position of the hole.
Thirdly, I propose to employ an internal valve actuated by a metal spring
for the purpose of closing internally the peg holes and tap holes of casks.
The object of applying such a valve to the peg hole is to allow the atmospheric
pressure to act of itself, so that the external air enters the cask when the
liquid is withdrawn to the extent of the liquid removed. When the cask is
empty, the valve prevents the entry of the atmosphere, which always acts to
deteriorate an empty cask. When the tap is pushed into its place, it thrusts
the valve back, and when the tap is withdrawn, the valve at once closes over
the aperture. When such valve is applied to the tap hole, the chief object is
to keep the cask air-tight after the tap has been removed.
Fourthly, I propose to employ a metal shive hole fastened to the cask by
rivets or screws, and having at one side a distinct metal peg hole, which
being passed through the stave, and being fastened into its place by means
of an internal nut or otherwise, helps to secure the metal shive hole in its
place.
Fifthly, I propose to employ shives or bungs, having therein a distinct peg
hole of metal or wood, to contain a cork or peg, which may be displaced by
the pressure of the ordinary loose peg, which will then fill the hole.
Sixthly, I propose, with a view to prevent fraud, to cover the shive or bung
with a canvas or paper label, such shive or bung being pierced with a peg
hole, and filled with a cork or peg, which can only be removed by breaking a
hole through the canvass or paper label. It will thus be seen when the cask
has been tampered with.
Seventhly, I propose to employ an improved implement for the purpose of
introducing pegs into peg holes on or from the inner side of the cask.
implement is of metal, and is inserted through the shive or bung hole, and has
This

page_text: the form of a lever, one end of which carries the peg to be introduced, whilst
the other end is acted on by the hand, the middle of the lever carrying a
projection acting as a fulcrum resting upon the exterior of the cask.
Eighthly, I propose to employ an improved implement for the purpose of
withdrawing shives or bungs. This implement consists of an iron screw with
an open handle at its upper end. This is screwed into the shive, and when
it has taken firm hold, one end of a lever bar is inserted in the open handle,
whilst the other end of the bar is acted on by the hand, the fulcrum resting
on the cask. The bar may carry a couple of pins, one of which may be made
to play on its axis whilst the other is fixed. By placing the shive on these
pins, it may be easily held whilst the screw above referred to is screwed out of
it. This contrivance obviates the use of a vice.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Rowland Taylor in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 6th February 1865.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
ROWLAND TAYLOR, of the City of Oxford, Brewer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Sixth day of August, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-eighth year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said William Rowland Taylor, Her special license that I, the
said William Rowland Taylor, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as I, the said William Rowland Taylor, my executors, adminis-
trators, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time
to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should
and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CASKS FOR WINES, SPIRITS, BEER, AND OTHER
LIQUIDS, AND IN IMPLEMENTS TO BE USED FOR INSERTING PEGS IN CASKS, OR
REMOVING SHIVES OR BUNGS THEREPROM," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said William Rowland Taylor, my executors or administrators,
by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, or under the hand and
seal of one of them, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within

page_text: six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Rowland Taylor, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, and
to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:-
My said Invention has reference to various improvements in casks for wine,
spirits, beer, and other liquids, and in the shives or bungs of such casks, and
in implements to be used for the insertion or removal of the corks, pegs, shives,
or bungs in or from their holes in such casks.
The chief object of my improvements in casks is the keeping of the casks
air-tight, and thereby preserving them sweet and preventing the formation of
fungus.
The
First, I propose to employ distinct peg holes, either of wood or metal. When
formed of metal, the peg holes may be let into the stave and screwed therein
without passing through the entire thickness of the wood. If formed of wood,
hole
peg
if thought desirable, pass completely through it.
may,
object of having a distinct peg hole is, that the peg can be always inserted
therein, instead of having the stave perforated at different places as is usually
the case, whereby the stave of the cask is much weakened.
the
Secondly, I propose to form conical peg holes, both when a moveable piece
of metal or wood is employed to form the hole, and when the hole is simply
bored in the stave, the internal portion of such peg hole being narrower than
the external portion; alse peg holes which are narrowest in the middle, from
which part they are conical, both outwards and inwards. When no moveable
metal or wooden peg hole is used, I propose to mark the exterior of the stave
so as to show the exact position of the hole.
Thirdly, I propose to employ an internal valve actuated by a metal spring
for the purpose of closing internally the peg holes and tap holes of casks; the
object of applying such a valve to the peg hole is to allow the atmospheric
pressure to act of itself, so that the external air enters the cask when the
When the cask is
liquid is withdrawn to the extent of the liquid removed.
empty the valve prevents the entry of the atmosphere, which always acts to
deteriorate an empty cask. When the tap is pushed into its place, it thrusts
the valve back, and when the tap is withdrawn the valve at once closes over
the aperture. When such valve is applied to the tap hole, the chief object is
to keep the cask air-tight after the tap has been removed.
Fourthly, I propose to employ a metal shive hole fastened to the cask by

page_text: rivets or screws, and having at one side a distinct metal peg hole, which being
passed through the stave, and being fastened into its place by means of an
interual nut or otherwise, helps to secure the metal shive hole in its place.
Fifthly, I propose to employ shives or bungs, having therein a distinct peg
hole of metal or wood to contain a cork or peg, which may be displaced by the
pressure of the ordinary loose peg, which will then fill the hole.
Sixthly, I propose, with a view to prevent fraud, to cover the shive or bung
with a canvas or paper label,such shive or bung pierced with a peg hole, and
filled with a cork or peg, which can only be removed by breaking a hole
through the canvas or paper label. It will thus be seen when the cask has
been tampered with.
Seventhly, I propose to employ an improved implement for the purpose of
introducing pegs into peg holes on or from the inner side of the cask. This
implement is of metal, and is inserted through the shive or bung hole, and
has the form of a lever, one end of which carries the peg to be introduced,
whilst the other end is acted on by the hand, the middle of the lever carrying
a projection acting as a fulcrum resting upon the exterior of the cask.
Eighthly, I propose to employ an improved implement for the purpose of
withdrawing shives or bungs. This implement consists of an iron screw with
an open handle at its upper end. This is screwed into the shive,and when it
has taken firm hold, one end of a lever bar is inserted in the open handle,
whilst the other end of the bar is acted on by the hand, the fulcrum resting
on the cask. The bar may carry a couple of pins, one of which may be made
to play on its axis, whilst the other is fixed. By placing the shive on these
pins it may be easily held whilst the screw above referred to is screwed out of
it. This contrivance obviates the use of a vice.
And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood I shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall
refer to the several Figures on the annexed Sheet of Drawings, the same
letters of reference indicating corresponding parts in all the Figures.
Figure 1 of my Drawings represents a sectional elevation of a distinct peg
hole a inserted in the bung stave b of a cask, such peg hole being composed
of metal, wood, porcelain, bone, or other suitable material; it is screwed into
the bung stave of the cask, the shape of the peg hole being either slightly
tapered or of equal diameter throughout. In lieu of screwing in such peg hole,
it may be secured to the stave by means of an internal nut screwed on to a
tubular prolognation of the peg hole piece, which projects inside the cask.
A projecting rim or flange on the upper part of the peg hole serves to assist
in securing the same when the internal nut is tightened up.

page_text: Figure 2 represents a conical peg hole bored in the bung or shive c, or it
may be made in a separate moveable piece of metal or wood employed to form
the peg hole, or it may be made in the stave itself.
Figure 3 shows a double conical peg hole. In Figure 2 the internal
portion of the hole is the narrowest,and in Figure 3 the hole is narrowest in
the middle, from which part it expands outwards and inwards. On the under
side of this shive I introduce a peg of wood or other suitable material, made
slightly taper, so as to fit the tapered hole in the shive and leave a clear
distinct peg hole from the outside.
The chief object in the construction of this shive is to prevent fraud in the
transit of beer, as the peg can only be displaced by forcing inside the cask,
and consequently it cannot be replaced again whilst the shive is in the cask,or
a stopping of gypsum may be introduced from the inner side,showing a clear
and distinct peg hole from the outside, and being displaced by the pressure of
the ordinary wooden peg.
In the tapered hole shewn in the shive, Figure 2, a porous peg of wood,
bone, porcelain, gypsum, cork, or other material may be inserted, so as to
give slight vent to the contents of the cask on a long journey, and at the same
timeshow a clear and distinct hole when the shive is in the cask. This porous
peg may also be displaced externally by the pressure of the ordinary wooden
peg. These shives or bungs provided with peg holes may be covered with a
canvas or paper label,so that the covering must be destroyed before the peg cau
be forced inside the cask, thereby a guarantee against fraud is insured.
Figure 4 represents an internal valve d,actuated or kept closed by a metal
spring for the purpose of closing the peg hole from the inside of the cask,
whether such peg hole be made in a distinct piece, as shown in Figure 4, or
made in the bung or in the stave itself. This valve will open when a vacuum
is formed in the cask by the stroke of a beer engine; and where no engine is
used, the present common wooden peg is placed in the hole of the valve,
which when pressed will allow sufficient air to enter. When the pressure is
removed the valve will always close and exclude the air.
Figure 5 represents a sectional elevation of a self-acting internal valve d
which is applied to the tap hole,and is opened by the pressure of the end of
the tap when inserted, and closed by the action of a spring when the tap is
removed, so that when the cask is empty it will be perfectly air-tight,retain-
ing at the same time carbonic acid gas, thereby preventing decomposition and
the formation of fungus in the same.
Figure 6 is a section, and Figure 7 a plan of a malleable iron shive hole e,
which is fixed to the bung stave of a cask by a hollow bolt a, with a nut

page_text: securing the bolt inside the cask, the hollow bolt answering as a peg hole,
as in Figure 1.
Figure S represents a shive or bung having a distinct peg hole a of metal,
wood, or other suitable material therein, the hole being slightly tapered
from the outside, and having a cork inserted therein, so as to show a clear
distinct peg hole. This cork can be compressed into the cask by the common
wooden vent peg, which saves the making of a hole with a gimlet in any
part of the cask.
Figure 9 shows a shive having a hole made not quite through it, so as to
leave a thickness of wood which can be pressed into the cask by the common
wooden vent peg. The shive will show a clear distinct peg hole, and when
driven into the peg bung hole is quite liquid-tight until the piece of wood
forming the bottom of the peg hole is broken away by the pressure of the peg.
Figure 10 represents an instrument for inserting pegs in casks through the
bung hole on or from the inner side of the cask. This instrument consists of
a bent lever f, which is introduced through the bung hole, and is provided at
one end with a socket and support g for carrying the peg to be inserted, a
projection / formed in the lever serving as a fulcrum by resting upon the edge
of the bung hole when the handle of the lever is pressed down for the insertion
of the peg in the peg hole.
Figure 11 represents an improved implement for extracting or withdrawing
shives from casks, the object being to prevent injury to the cask in extracting
the shive, and to prevent also the splitting of the shive in drawing the same.
i is a screw, which is inserted firmly into the shive to be extracted, and is
a bent lever, one end of which is made to seize hold of the head of the screw,
whilst the opposite end is depressed. This lever rests at upon the surface of
the cask, which serves as a fulcrum or bearing point. It will thus be obvious
that the depression of the lever will withdraw the shive. In order to take out
the screw from the shive when the latter is extracted, without the necessity
for using a vice or of splitting the shive, I employ the same implement pre-
viously used in extracting the shive, such implement being provided with
two pins, or, which I prefer, two knife-edged projections m, m, on one side,
against the edges of which the shive is pressed by one hand, and so held
firmly from turning whilst the other hand unscrews the screw i.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel
and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the
herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is,―

page_text: First, the application of separate and distinct peg holes of wood, metal, or
other suitable material to casks for wine, spirits, beer, and other liquids,
substantially as and for the purpose herein-before described.
Second, the application and use of conical and double tapered peg holes,
whether made in the stave or bung of a cask, or in a separate moveable
socket piece, in the manner and for the purposes herein-before described.
Third, the application and use of self-acting internal valves for closing
the peg and tap holes of casks, as herein-before described.
Fourth, the application to casks of metal shive holes, combined or not in
one piece with a metal peg hole, as hereiu-before described.
Fifth, the use of shives or bungs provided with peg holes, and covered or
not with a label or canvas, as and for the purpose herein-before described.
Sixth, the introduction of pegs into their holes from the interior of casks,
and the peculiar instrument employed therefor, as and for the purpose
lierein-before described.
Seventh, the implement for extracting shives from casks, and for assisting
in removing the screw therefrom after their extraction, as hercin-before
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Rowland Taylor, have to this
my Specification hereunto set my hand and seal, the Third day of
February, One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.
Witness,
WILLIAM SORAGG.
WILLIAM ROWLAND TAYLOR. (L.S.)