Improvements in Apparatus for Excluding Liquids from the Air whilst kept on Draught in Cylindrical Vessels.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Mar., 1897--Accepted, 26th Mar., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Excluding Liquids from the Air
whilst kept on Draught in Cylindrical Vessels.
I, PAUL BAUMERT, of 58, Mohrenstrasse, Berlin, in the German Empire,
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:-
This invention relates to apparatus or appliances for isolating from the atmos-
phere, liquids kept on draught in drums and other like vessels, and is especially
designed for the particular purpose of preventing the escape of carbonic anhydride
and volatile vapours from fermented and other beverages, although it may be
applied for other purposes. At present, for an analogous purpose, casks and other
vessels containing fermented beverages on draught are charged with carbonic
anhydride under pressure, but this occasions an expense in plant and main-
tenance which it is one of the objects of my improvements to avoid.
I will particularly describe my said invention with reference to the accompany-
ing drawings in which Figure 1 represents a vertical section and Figure 2, a plan.
The liquid is kept in a cylindrical vessel C, under pressure set up by the weight
of the piston K, or of a spiral spring acting upon a disc equivalent to the piston.
The piston or its equivalent fits just so closely in the cylinder that it can readily
follow the descent of the level of the liquid F, as the latter is drawn off. A fluid
ight joint can be made by means of a waterproof cushion G, which can be inflated
with air or be filled with a suitable fluid of low specific gravity. This cushion
is compressed between the piston and the fluid by the weight of the former, and
makes contact all round with the wall of the cylinder so as to prevent leakage
past the piston. The draw off tap H is preferably located, as shewn, at a level
below that of the bottom of the cylinder.
When all the fluid has been drawn off, the cylinder may be re-filled in the
following manner:-The bib of the tap H may be connected with a supply of the
liquid, contained in a tank or cask, by means of an indiarubber tube or air-tight
hose opening below the level of the supply liquid. The piston rod P is then
screwed into the upper face of the piston and the latter is drawn upwards, the
tap being first opened. Since, during this action the cushion is no longer com-
pressed, leakage past the piston might occur, and so prevent the refilling of the
cylinder by the upward movement of the piston. This result can be avoided by
applying a disc of leather, sheet indiarubber or other suitable like material M,
of a larger diameter than the cylinder, to the upper face of the piston, with its
edge turned upwards as indicated. This packing disc or ring may be held fast
by a plate having a boss fixed in the piston block or otherwise as will be well
understood. The upper end of the cylinder may be protected by a cover having
perforations therein such as L, for the escape and inlet of air. Parallel with the
cylinder and attached thereto, there may be a tubular pocket R, for the reception
of the piston rod P, when the latter is not in use. If the piston rod however is
allowed to remain attached to the piston. it tends to steady it and by its position

page_text: moment.
affords an indication of the quantity of liquid remaining in the cylinder at any
To facilitate this last named result the piston rod may be graduated
so as to indicate either or both the quantity of liquid drawn off and the quantity
remaining.
Any other suitable means or appliances may be used to prevent the leakage of
air, gas or fluid past the piston, in substitution for the appliances herein before
described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
Apparatus for isolating fluids from the air, whilst kept on draught in cylindrical
vessels, constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described and as
illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
W. E. HEYS & SON,
Agents for the Applicants.