Improvements in Barrel. Valves.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Aug., 1895-Accepted, 21st Sept., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Barrel. Valves.
I, HERMAN STRATER, residing at the corner of Maple and Schuyler Streets, in
the City of Boston, County of Suffolk State of Massachusetts, United States
of America, Manufacturer, 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 :—
This invention relates to a device for controlling liquid discharge or such
elements as are applied at the tap hole of barrels or similar storage vessels.
The desired characteristics of these barrel valves, so termed, require that they
should close automatically and thus prevent the escape of the liquid contents';
further that they should be capable of union with a pipe system in order that they
may act to allow the contents to be easily discharged and lastly. in the act of
uniting the valve with the pipe system, or in the opening or closing of said valve,
that the contents cannot escape and be wasted.
The purpose and object of my invention is to embody all the above characteristics
in a barrel valve or liquid dispensing device which in brief comprises a valve to be
closed at all times except when liquid is being drawn from the barrel, likewise in a
separable valve stem which is connected with a pipe coupling or elbow, this latter
uniting with a pipe system to the source of distribution. One of the most important
features in this invention is to provide for ready discharge of the liquid through the
valve and at the same time have the external parts of the device fit snugly and
thereby not only conceal the ducts and openings for the flow of liquid, but likewise
prevent dirt or foreign substances entering these passages at such times when the
barrel is not in use or is being trausported. The peculiar construction, mode
of operation and other prominent features will be hereinafter fully described and
explained.
The drawings represent in Fig. I a vertical longitudinal section on line 1. 1. in
Fig. 3 of a barrel valve embodying my invention.
Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of a barrel valve united with a pipe
system on line 2. 2. in Fig. 3.
Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of the barrel valve on line 3. 3. in Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal section on line 4. 4. in Fig. 5 of a modified form
reduced.
Fig. 5 is a horizontal section of the same on line 5. 5. in Fig. 4.
In said drawings 2 represents a flanged tube exteriorly screw-threaded for
permanent attachment in the tap hole of a barrel or analogous storage vessel.
This tube acts as a valve casing and will be so termed for convenience of explana-
tion, since it contains the valve 3 which controls the discharge of the liquid contents.
Said valve is actuated by a spring 4 which is capable of withstanding any pressure
within the barrel and thus prevents their escape except at desired times. The
valve rests upon the seat 5 which is at one end of the valve casing and is apertured
to connect with the interior of the barrel. The opposite end of the casing is
interiorly screw-threaded to engage an annular nut 6 inserted in position by a
spanner wrench the holes being indicated at 7. 7. or otherwise; this nut regulates
the tension of the spring 4. In order to provide for free escape of liquid through
the valve casing, the periphery of the valve shank is longitudinally grooved at 8.8,
D31

page_text: Faid grooves not extending the entire length, leaving the upper terminal portion 10
of the shank intact. This part is screw-threaded as shown and projects through
the annular nut 6 for purposes hereinafter described. Thus when the valve
is lifted from its seat for the discharge of liquid, the shank moves through the nut 6
and the grooves now show upon the upper side of said nut. In this way ducts or
openings are created for the escape of liquid through the bore of the valve casing.
To allow the liquid to pass the valve head recesses or openings 20 are created, see
Fig. 3.
One of the peculiar features of this barrel valve is a separable valve stem, in
other words this valve is of such construction that when disconnected from a pipe
system it is closed and cannot be operated or tampered with. When circumstances
require discharge of the liquid contents, the valve stem is attached and the valve
opened this valve stem 9 engages a screw-threaded portion 10 on the valve
shank 23, while the valve head is formed with lugs 12 which engage grooves 13.
Hence the valve cannot turn when the valve stem is connected with or disconnected
from said valve. It will be observed that the extremity of the valve shank in the
position of the parts as in Fig. 1 is free to slide through the annular nut 6; thus
when the valve is closed the terminal portion 10 circular in cross section snugly fits
the central opening in the nut and the entire exterior portion presents a smooth
appearance with no apertures or recesses. But when the valve is raised the
grooves 8 extend through the nut and passages for the escape of liquid are thereby
created. Thus the nut not only co-operates with the valve shank to allow discharge
of the liquid but it also serves to produce the proper tension on the spring while the
valve shauk is of such a length as to admit of engagement with the separable valve
stem in order that the valve may be operated and opened fully when it is so desired.
A removable packing or gasket 15 on the head of the valve acts to maintain a tight
joint and can be renewed when necessary.
In the discharge of the liquid contents of a barrel of ale or other malt liquors, it
is very necessary that the act of uniting said vessels with a delivery pipe system
should not be accompanied by loss of the contents. This frequently happens owing
to the high pressure within the barrels. The purpose of my invention is to enable
this act to be accomplished quickly and readily and without such loss. In connection
with this barrel valve as before stated is a separable valve stem furnished with a
handle 20 for convenience in use; this valve stem forms part of a pipe coupling or
preferably an elbow or Y 16, through one branch of which said valve stem extends
and engages the upper end of the valve shank. It will be noticed that one end of
said coupling is screw-threaded in order to interconnect with a pipe system, not
shown. The opposite end is furnished with a flange 17, while a lip 18 with a
smooth periphery or the extension of the coupling therebeyond is adapted to euter
the screw-threaded end of the valve casing. A packing or gasket 19 is interposed
between the outer end of the valve casing and the flange of the coupling. Hence
the coupling is swivelled about the valve stem and is free to revolve and thus may
be placed in any position prior to the act of opening the valve and can be turned
even then without disturbing the other operating elements. In fact it may be
united with the pipe system prior to the attachment of the valve stem and the
opening of the valve.
In Figs. 4 and 5 I have shown slight changes in the construction but these are
evident modifications and embody the gist of my invention. In said drawings the
passages for the escape of liquid occur exteriorly of the annular nut 6 instead of
through it as in Fig. 1. In order to create these ducts the interior walls of the
valve casing are longitudinally grooved at 81 81, while the valve head is cut away
at points 20¹ 20' corresponding to said grooves in order to increase the capacity
for discharge. Furthermore in lieu of the exterior threaded extremity 10 on the
valve shauk 3 a screw-threaded socket 10¹ is formed. But these are merely
alternative constructions, but such as is shown in Fig. 1 is preferred since as has
been stated herein before the parts fit snugly and no opening or recesses are left

page_text: exposed for the admission of foreigu substances when the vessel is disconnected
from the pipe distributing system.
The operation of the above described instrumentalities is as follows: In Fig. 1
the barrel valve is in its normal closed position, the valve casing being a fixture in
the barrel and the latter is in condition for transportation where the contents are
to be drawn off. It is to be understood that the various parts comprising the
barrel valve are assembled prior to insertion in a barrel, a suitable spring being
placed within the casing and the nut screwed down to a shoulder. Fig. 2 represents
the various parts interconnected, with the valve open and the interior of the barrel
united with a pipe system. This act is accomplished as follows: The valve stem
and coupling preferably inseparably attached are properly positioned, the valve
stem being united with the threaded shank portion 10 and revolved until the
gasket 15 and flange 17 contact against the outer face of the valve casing. The
valve stem is now still further revolved, but because the valve stem can at present
advance no further upon the shank since the coupling is in contact with the valve'
But before the
casing, movement of the valve stem now causes the valve to lift.
valve can open the tension of the spring 4 must be removed therefrom. Hence as
the valve stem is rotated the tension of said spring is gradually transferred from
the valve proper to the joint between the flange 17 and the end of the valve casing,
thereby sealing this joint with the pressure of the spring equal to that which acted
to prevent the escape of liquid past the valve. Hence it is evident no liquid or gas
can escape at this point; as soon however, as the valve stem has raised the valve
from its seat the liquid contents are free to escape through the grooves 8. 8. said
liquid flowing about the spring and between the grooves and the central opening in
the nut and after escaping through the annular nut, it passes into the coupling and
thence through the pipe system to the proper points of distribution. It will be
understood that the valve stem may be employed to open and close the valve as
would be done under ordinary conditions, but preferably said valve stem is rotated
until the shoulder 24 on the valve shank is brought against the nut 6, which latter
acts as a stop, and further rise of the valve is prevented. The valve is then wide
open and will so remain until the barrel is emptied, the discharge being controlled
by a valve or valves at the source of distribution. It is to be understood that the
diameter of the valve shank below the screw-threaded portion is larger than the
opening in the nut, for the following reasons. Firstly, the valve stem must engage
with and separate from the valve shank easily, hence no taper occurs in the screw-
threaded union between the valve shank and the valve stem. Secondly, by causing
the valve shank to act as a stop at a predetermined point, undue compression upon
the spring is prevented and the strength of the spring is not impaired, while at the
same time by allowing the coils of the spring to remain some distance apart, spaces
are created for the passage of liquid about the spring and between it and the valve
shank. Lastly, when the upward lift of the valve and valve shank is stopped by
contact of the latter element with the nut, should greater pressure be needed upon
the packing 19 the valve stem may be further rotated, and any pressure desired may'
be thus produced without further compression of the spring. This is an important
feature, since the life of the spring is prolonged, while any pressure in addition
to that already produced by said spring may be applied upon the packing should
occasion demand.
A ter the liquid contents are all drawn off, the valve stem is given reverse
motion, and the valve is thrust positively towards the inner end of the valve
casing, and seated thereupon. Further reverse rotation of the valve stem transfers
the pressure of the spring from the flange on the coupling to the valve itself and
subsequent rotation finally separates the valve stem from the valve shank, and said
valve stem together with the coupling or Y having performed their duties are now
disengaged and removed in readiness for attachment to a filled barrel. The empty
barrel may now be transported to the place where the liquid, whatever it may be,
is produced and recharged. Thus it will be seen that the interior of the barrel is

page_text: easily interconnected with a pipe system, and no loss of the fluid contents can
occur. The device is simple, positive and not liable to get out of order, the only
repairs being at times renewal of the valve packing as likewise that for the flange
of the coupling. In order to prevent particles of dirt, sediment or the dregs of the
barrel from passing into or through the valve a strainer 25 may he applied as
shown by the broken lines in Fig. 1 of the drawings.
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. A liquid controlling device, as a duct for fluid discharge, comprising a
tubular valve casing provided with a valve seat at one end and interiorly screw-
threaded at the opposite end, a non-revoluble valve having a threaded shank, an
annular retaining nut, and passages for the flow of liquid through the valve casing,
combined with a discharge pipe, and a separable valve stem in said discharge pipe
to engage the valve shank, said valve stem being adapted to revolve but having no
end wise movement, substantially as explained.
2nd. A liquid controlling device which acts as a duct for fluid discharge,
consisting of a valve casing interiorly screw-threaded in part, a spring-actuated
valve for rise and fall therein, an annular nut to adjust the spring tension, and a
valve shank having an attenuated portion, said portion adapted to slide through
the nut to permit fluid discharge when the valve is open, substantially as stated and
set forth.
3rd. The combination with a valve casing, a non-revoluble spring actuated
valve, and a nut for adjusting the spring tension, of a tubular coupling adapted
to form a sealed joint with the valve casing, and a valve stem secured to the
coupling and separably united with the valve shank, substantially as described
and stated.
4th. In combination with a tubular valve casing interiorly and exteriorly
screw-threaded in part, a valve within said casing, and a nut to limit the open
movement of the valve, a revoluble coupling, and a valve stem secured to the
coupling and adapted to engage the valve and transfer the spring tension from the
valve to the flange of the coupling, substantially as specified.
5th. A device for controlling the flow of liquid, comprising a valve casing as a
fixture in the liquid containing vessel, a non-revoluble valve having a screw-
threaded shank end, an annular nut in the bore of the casing, a spring to
hold the valve closed, combined with a tubular coupling or Y, a valve stem
separably united with the valve shank and revoluble in the coupling, and passages
for the flow of liquid from the vessel to the coupling when the valve is opened,
substantially as described.
6th. The combination with a valve casing, a spring actuated normally closed
valve, an annular uut interiorly of the casing to control the spring tension, of a
valve shank longitudinally grooved in part and to extend through the bore of the
nut, a detachable discharge pipe to engage with the valve casing, and a revoluble
valve stem mounted in said pipe to engage the valve shank and cause the shank to
reciprocate through the nut, as set forth.
7th. In a liquid controlling device adapted to serve as a duct from a source of
supply to a discharge pipe system, a valve casing for attachment to the source
of supply, a valve to close an aperture in the inner end of said casing, combined
with an annular nut interiorly in the outer end of said casing, and a valve stem
having a screw-threaded end adapted to slide through the nut and to seal the
outer end of the valve chamber against the entrance of substances from without,
substantially as stated.
8th. A liquid controlling device comprising a tubular valve casing provided with
a valve seat at one end, an annular nut interiorly.near the opposite end, a non-
revoluble valve, a valve shank to contact against the nut and limit the rise of the

page_text: valve, a revoluble coupling, and a valve stem detachably united with the valve
shank and adapted to force the coupling and valve casing together without rotary
movement of the valve, as explained.
dhin kah do. of 1905
HERMAN STRATER.