Improved Apparatus for Washing Casks and other Utensils.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Oct., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 17th July, 1894-4ccepted, 18th Aug., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Apparatus for Washing Casks and other Utensils.
I, FREDERICK NOEL MACKAY, of 242 York Road, King's Cross, in the County
of Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to improved apparatus for washing casks and other utensils.
The principal object of my said invention is to construct for the purposes
aforesaid, improved washing-apparatus wherein a cleansing-jet, preferably of steam
and water, is delivered into the interior of the utensil by simple means capable of
being easily operated to move within the utensil in such a manner that every part
of the interior surface thereof is readily and thoroughly cleansed.
Further objects of my said invention are to construct improved means for
enabling a known quantity of water to be delivered from the jet during each
washing operation, in accordance with the size of the particular utensil to be
cleansed, and to improve the construction of the air-valve of the reservoir, and to
improve and simplify the means whereby the steam and water valves thereof are
operated.
According to my invention, I substitute for the stationary nozzle employed in
certain well-know types of such apparatus, a telescopic tube. One part of the said
tube is fixed; another part slides thereon or therein and has at its upper end a
hollow valve movable in suitable guides and adapted to seat upon the end of the
tube. The amount of lift for the valve is regulated by any suitable means; for
instance the valve may have a spindle passed through a suitable guide and provided
with an adjustable head at one end. Or a spring can be interposed between the
said head and the guide. The fixed portion of the telescopic tube is attached to a
reservoir into which the supply of steam and water is delivered through suitable
valves. Upon the said reservoir is a circular support for the utensil to be washed.
When the telescopic tube is not extended, it does not protrude beyond the upper
end of the circular support. This is an important feature, for a reason which will
be hereinafter stated. The said circular support is suitably flanged; any waste or
leakage from the telescopic tube is received into the said support and serves, as it
overflows therefrom, to wash the lower part of the utensil. The upper end of the
support is closed by perforated material to prevent the entry of dirt thereinto.
The perforated material is provided with a suitable opening for the passage of the
telescopic tube.
The aforesaid hollow valve is so shaped as to cause the jet to issue around it at
the desired angle. The entry of steam from the reservoir into the telescopic tube
causes the movable part of the said tube to rise gradually to the upper limit of its
travel, and conversely, the cessation of the flow of steam after the closing of the
steam-supply permits the movable tube to descend under the influence of gravity.
During the rise and fall of the tube the issuing jet rises and falls therewith, washing
all the interior of the utensil, first from the bottom towards the top, and then
vice versa. This operation may be repeated, as often as desired, by suitably
manipulating the supply of fluid from the reservoir.
When the movable part of the telescopic tube is down it lies, as aforesaid, below
the edge of the circular support, so that it runs no risk of damage when a utensil
is carelessly placed in position or removed. Projections can be formed upon the
said support to enter the inside or to embrace the outside of the utensils, so as to
centre them properly.
66

page_text: The said apparatus has a device, hereinafter referred to, applied to the water
chamber, to enable different and definite quantities of water to be discharged
therefrom, in accordance with the difference in the sizes of utensils to be cleansed
thereby. For example above the outlet orifice of the reservoir I fit a tubular case,
adapted to be raised and lowered therein, so that when raised it allows the whole
of the contents of the reservoir to pass out, but when lowered it makes a tight joint
with the bottom of the reservoir and surrounds the outlet orifice to allow the efflux
of only that part of the liquid contents which is contained within and above it.
The handle or other means by which the said casing is raised and lowered is led to
the exterior of the reservoir through a suitable stuffing-box and is so arranged in
conjunction with suitable lugs or projections that by rotating it the casing can be
locked in either of its extreme positions.
A block or extension of wood or other suitable material is preferably placed
upon the upper end of the movable portion of the telescopic tube, to prevent the
said tube from striking the interior of the utensil at the end of its ascent.
The improved air valve constructed according to my invention is employed in
the upper cover of the aforesaid reservoir, in place of the rubber valve, hitherto
commonly used, which latter is very liable to deteriorate and to allow considerable
waste of the water to occur. My improved valve may, for example, be made with
a body of cork, or india-rubber, provided at one end with a metal cap or cover and
at the opposite end with another such cap or cover suitably shaped to fit upon the
valve-seating. The said caps may be connected to each other by any suitable
means, for instance I may use a metal pin passed through the caps and the body
and having its point riveted over in a recess in one of the caps. Or I may screw
or otherwise attach the caps to the opposite ends of a light tube of metal or other
suitable material.
The said valve is placed within the usual cage or valve case on the top of the
reservoir and serves to discharge the air contained in the receiver when water is
being admitted, thereby ensuring that the receiver shall be filled.
Improved means constructed according to my invention for operating the steam
and water valves of the said reservoir will now be described. In place of the
arrangements now commonly employed for this purpose, which permit of a con-
siderable waste of steam and water by leakage, I provide a rack and a cross-bar
on a rod to which the discharge-valve of the reservoir is connected; with the said
rack, I gear a pinion carried upon a transverse spindle journalled in the wall of the
reservoir and arranged to protrude therethrough at one side through a suitable
stuffing-box. A coned collar on the spindle gears against a coned facing on the
inner end of the gland so that a tight joint is maintained by the action of the fluid
pressure within the apparatus, and leakage is effectually prevented. The steam
inlet valve is seated in the top of the reservoir and its spindle protrudes into the
interior thereof. The aforesaid cross-bar acts, when raised, to push up the steam
valve, which is normally kept down on its seat by the pressure in the steam pipe.
The water valve is carried upon the said cross-bar or is otherwise placed in
connection therewith; it is arranged so that when moved up it closes the water
inlet and when moved down it opens the same. The length of the valve spindle is
so proportioned that the outlet valve is opened simultaneously with the closing of
the water valve and the opening of the steam valve, so that a jet of steam follows
the issuing jet of water.
Dated this 17th dow of Ontahan 1002
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Improved Apparatus for Washing Casks and other Utensils.
I, FREDERICK NOEL MACKAY, of 242 York Road, King's Cross, in the County
of Middlesex, 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 invention relates to improved apparatus for washing casks and other
utensils.
The principal object of my said invention is to construct for the purposes
aforesaid, improved washing-apparatus wherein a cleansing-jet, preferably of steam
and water, is delivered into the interior of the utensil, through an improved nozzle
capable of moving within the utensil in such a manner that every part of the
interior surface thereof is readily and thoroughly cleansed.
Further objects of my said invention are to construct improved means for
enabling a known quantity of water to be delivered from the jet during each
washing operation, in accordance with the size of the particular utensil to be
cleansed, and to improve the construction of the air-valve of the reservoir, and to
improve and simplify the means whereby the steam and water valves thereof are
operated.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood I will now proceed
to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings in which,
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation shewing by way of example a cask-washer
constructed according to my invention.
Figures 2 and 3 are sectional elevations drawn to an enlarged scale of an
improved nozzle constructed according to my invention.
and
Figure 4 is a sectional elevation illustrating one form of my improved air valve,
Figure 5 is a plan of the same.
Figures 6 and 7 are similar views respectively shewing another form of my
improved air valve.
Figure 8 is a sectional elevation illustrating my improved device for operating
the steam and water valves of the water reservoir, and
Figure 9 is a section on the liner, Figure 8.
Like letters denote similar parts throughout the drawings.
A is the reservoir; B is the steam supply pipe, C the water supply pipe; D is
the outlet valve at the bottom of the reservoir, E is the cask to be washed.
Referring now to Figures 1 to 3 the nozzle consists of two parts F, F. The
part F is stationary and fixed on the end of a pipe G connected at its other end to
the water reservoir A. Said fixed part F of the nozzle is surrounded by a
chamber F2 the upper part of which is couical as shewn at F3 and approximately
fits the bung hole of the cask to be washed. The cask is supported on a suitable
support E' and the entire apparatus is preferably placed in a trough H to contain
the washing water flowing out of the cask when the same is washed. The greater
part of the washing water flows into the chamber F and escapes therefrom in the
trough H through orifices F provided in the sides of such chamber.
I is a rod passing through a suitable stuffing box I' in the top of the reservoir A
by which rod the steam valve in the steam supply pipe B and the water valve in the
water supply pipe C are operated to allow steam or water to flow into the reservoir
as hereinafter explained. Said rod is also attached to the outlet valve D and
operates the same to allow steam and water to flow from the reservoir to the
nozzle F when required. K is an air-valve at the top of the reservoir through
which air can escape when water is flowing into said reservoir.
L is a cylinder sliding on guides L', Land surrounding the outlet valve D for

page_text: a purpose hereinafter described, L' is a rod passing through a stuffing box L³ in the
top of the reservoir and by which the cylinder may be lifted.
The operation of the washing device will now be described. In order to fill the
reservoir with water, the valve D is closed the valve in the steam supply pipe B is
also closed and the valve in the water supply pipe is opened, the valves being
operated by the rod I in a manner well understood. Any air in the reservoir
escapes by the air valve K. The cask E to be washed is placed on the support E'
as shewn in Figure 1 the part F' of the nozzle being in its lowest position as shewn
in Figure 3. When the rod 1 is raised as shewn in Figure 1 it closes the water
supply pipe and opens the steam supply pipe and the valve D. The steam blowing
into the reservoir then forces out the water therein along the pipe G to the
nozzle F, F, the pressure of the steam and water on the movable portion F of the
nozzle gradually raising the same to the position shewn in Figure 2. The water is
expelled through the orifices in the top of the part F¹ during the whole time the
said part is rising thereby washing the whole of the cask very thoroughly. After
all the water is expelled from the reservoir steam issues through the nozzle F¹ and
completes the washing of the cask leaving it heated so that it will very quickly dry
when removed from the apparatus. When the rod I is lowered the supply of steam
is cut off and the valve D closed the water supply pipe being opened so that the
reservoir is filled in readiness for another operation. As soon as the pressure
of steam on the nozzle is removed the part F¹ drops by its own weight to the
position shewn in Figure 2. In this position said movable part lies below the
edges of the chamber F2 so that it runs no risk of damage when a cask is carelessly
placed in position or removed.
The regulation of the amount of water used in washing the cask or utensil
is accomplished by means of the cylinder L above mentioned. The cylinder is
faced on its bottom edge with a washer L' of indiarubber or leather so that when
said cylinder is lowered as shewn in Figure 1 it makes a tight joint with the bottom
of the reservoir. In this position only that part of the water which is contained
within and above the said cylinder is expelled when steam is turned on to the
reservoir. When the cylinder is raised the entire liquid contents of the reservoir
can be expelled through the pipe G when the valve is opened. The cylinder
is lifted by the rod L2 which is furnished with a rotating handle L' said handle
having a projecting part L thereon which when the rod L is lifted can by
rotating the handle be made to engage with a stop L' attached to the top
of the reservoir and so maintain the cylinder L in a raised position when
desired.
The improved air valves constructed according to my invention for permitting
the escape of air from the reservoir in order to allow the same to become quite full
of water are shewn in Figures 4 and 5 and in Figures 6 and 7.
Referring to Figures 4 and 5 the body of the valve is inade of cork K' provided
with a metal cap or cover K2 at the top which is suitably shaped to fit the valve
seating and with a metal base K³. The cap K2 and the base K³ are connected by
a metal pin K passing through the cork 'K' and riveted at its ends in recesses
formed in the cap and base as shewn. The cap and base are shaped as shewn in
Figure 5 which is a plan view of the valve, so that the valve is suitably guided in
its metal casing K, shewn in dotted lines, air at the same time being allowed to pass
by the slots K when the valve is opened.
In the valve shewn in Figures 6 and 7 the part K' is made of indiarubber and
the cap K2 is very small so that both the cap and the rubber part of the valve come
into contact with the valve seat when the valve is closed. The base K³ of the
valve is square as shewn in Figure 7 the air passing between the sides of the base
and the cylindrical valve casing when the valve is open.
Instead of connecting the cap and base of the valve by means of a pin riveted
over said cap and base as shewn in the drawing I may screw or otherwise attach
the caps to the opposite ends of the pin, or other suitable means may be employed
for connecting said cap and base.

page_text: My improved means for operating the steam and water valves of the reservoir
are shewn in Figures 8 and 9. In place of the rod I shewn in Figure 1, I provide
a rack-bar N the top of which slides in a suitable recess N' in the top of the
reservoir the lower part of said bar being provided with a suitable guide N² sliding
in a cylindrical chamber N³ secured to the bottom of the reservoir. Said
chamber N³ may be an extension on the end of the tube G as shewn in the drawing.
The bar N is provided with a cross bar O to which is attached the spindle B' of the
steam inlet valve B. Said valve is so arranged that when the bar N is raised the
steam inlet valve is opened and when said bar is lowered the steam valve is closed.
The spindle C¹ of the water valve C2 is also attached to the bar O and I arrange
that when said bar is raised the water valve is closed, the valve being opened when
the bar is lowered. I provide for raising and lowering the rack-bar by means of a
pinion P carried upon a transverse shaft P¹, one end of which is journalled in the
wall of the reservoir as shewn at P2 Figure 9. The other end of said shaft is
carried through a stuffing box P³ in the side of the reservoir and provided with an
operating handle P. A suitable form of stuffing box is shewn in Figure 9 in which
a coned collar Q on the spindle is pressed against a coned facing on the inner
end of the gland Q so that a tight joint is maintained by the action of the fluid
pressure within the reservoir and leakage is effectually prevented.
In the position shewn in Figure 8 the outlet valve D is open, the steam inlet
valve B2 is open and the water valve C2 is closed. If the handle P₁ be operated to
lower the rack bar the steam valve and outlet valve D are closed and the water
valve is opened. I arrange the lengths of the valve spindles so that the outlet valve
is opened simultaneously with the closing of the water valve and the opening
of the steam valve so that a jet of steam follows the issuing jet of water.
My improved washing apparatus is shewn in Figure 1 adapted more especially
for washing casks but it is obvious that by suitably designing the stand or
support E' and the chamber F2 it may be used for washing hollow utensils of any
description.
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 :-
1. In an apparatus for washing hollow utensils, a nozzle through which the
cleansing jet issues, said nozzle being constructed in two parts one of which can
move freely in and out of the utensil to be washed the other of said parts being
fixed, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
2. For a washing apparatus a nozzle constructed and operating substantially as
described with reference to Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
3. In a washing apparatus, the means for regulating the amount of water
expelled from the reservoir, such means comprising a movable cylinder surrounding
the outlet valve of the reservoir and adapted when lowered to make a tight joint
with the bottom of the same, substantially as described.
4. A washing apparatus constructed substantially as described with reference to
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, either with or without the cylinder L and
its appurtenances, and operating as specified.
5. Air valves constructed substantially as described with reference either to
Figures 4 and 5 or to Figures 6 and 7 for the purpose specified.
6. The improved means for simultaneously operating the steam, water, and
outlet valves of the reservoir, by means of a rack-bar and pinion substantially
as described with reference to Figures 8 and 9 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 16th day of July 1894.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.