Improvements in Beer Taps.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Aug., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 16th May, 1890-Accepted, 2nd Aug., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Beer Taps.
I PETER JAMES CATTERALL of 16 Robert Street Cheetham in the County of '
Lancashire Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My improvements consist in applying between the nozzle of a beer tap and the
tail pipe
a flexible back-pressure valve, for the purpose of preventing the beer
returning to the barrel. The sort of valve I prefer using is one known as the
Perreaux valve. In using this valve I secure it with the disc next to the nozzle and
the projection which resembles the mouth-piece of a musical instrument, called the ..
hautboy projecting into the tailpipe.
In lieu of the above I may insert a perforated tube into the tailpipe which is much
smaller than the bore of the tailpipe. The inner end of this tube is made solid and
the other end is secured to the tailpipe. By this means the beer would have to flow
through the inner tube and out through the perforations. Over the perforations I
draw a piece of rubber tubing which is held in position by its own elasticity or other
known means. When the beer is being drawn it flows through the inner tube and
out through the perforations. In doing so it would force open the rubber tube. As
soon as the pump ceases drawing the rubber tube would close on the perforations and
prevent the beer from flowing back into the barrel.
Dated this 16th day of August 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Beer Taps.
I, PETER JAMES CATTERALL, of 16, Robert Street, Cheetham, Manchester in the
County of Lancaster, Engineer 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 :-
My improvements consist in the application to the draw-off taps employed in
connection with beer barrels, of a valve formed wholly or partly of flexible material
and in part with said tap or independent thereto.
The object of the employment of said valve, is to prevent a return flow of the liquid
into the barrel through the tap.
The form of valve which I prefer to employ is that known as the "Perreaux" valve
which is formed wholly of flexible material and complete in itself, a feature also, being
its interchangeability in application.
The form and manner of application of said valve are explained in the following
statement, reference being had to the accompanying drawings:
--
In the said drawings (a) Figure 1. is the usual form of tap employed for drawing
off the liquid. The nozzle of said tap is screwed at (a¹). (a²) is a union screwed
socket, to which is connected the tail piece (a³) of pipe leading to beer engine. The
socket (a) is screwed to the nozzle (a), suitable packing being employed to obtain a
perfect joint. (a³) shews the tail-piece partly in section with valve, indicated by
broken lines, in position. (A) Figure 1. shews the valve I prefer to employ, which is
of the "Perreaux" form, and the position thereof relative to nozzle of said tap and
union socket. Figure 2 is a plan of valve full size. Figure 3 is a section of
valve. Figure 4 is a side view of same. Figure 5 is a plan of valve shewing lips
expanded.
The valve is formed with a flange (f) which acts as packing between the joint of

page_text: nozzle and tail-piece in the socket (a²), and retains said valve in position, the mouth
or lips (m) being inserted in said tail piece. The mouth (or lips) (m) is formed by
dividing the apex or V shaped nose along its edge. The interior form of the valve
corresponds somewhat with the exterior as shewn in section Figure 3. the division of
the lips being indicated by (m²). The pressure of the liquid upon the inclined
surfaces (m²) keeps the lips sealed.
In place of the employment of a valve formed wholly of flexible material as herein-
before described, I may employ one consisting of a "thimble," or tube with closed
end, (B) Figure 6. having a rim or flange formed thereon, the barrel of said
"thimble" being perforated with holes. Over the "thimble" is drawn a sleeve (B¹)
of flexible material. The said "thimble" is inserted in the tail piece (a³) in a similar
manner to that of the aforementioned "Perreaux" valve, the open end of the thimble
to the nozzle (a¹) of the tap; suitable packing being employed to effect a joint as
with any ordinary union. The suction of the pump destroys the back pressure and
causes the sleeve to expand or lift and permit the passage of liquid through the
perforations.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1st. The application of a valve formed wholly of flexible material, to draw off taps
employed for beer barrels as and for the purposes herein before described and indicated
and in and by the accompanying drawings.
2nd. The application of a valve formed of flexible material in part with perforated
barrel or thimble to draw off taps for beer barrels as and for the purposes hereinbefore
described and indicated.
Dated this 15th day of May 1800
R. J. URQUHART,
Agent for the Applicant.