Improvements for Starting the Flow of Liquid in Siphons.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 30th July, 1889-Accepted, 21st Sept., 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by MICHAEL SIERSDORFER, of 154, 3rd Avenue,
Louisville, County of Jefferson, State of Kentucky, United States of America.]
Improvements for Starting the Flow of Liquid in Siphons.
I, GEORGE MACAULAY-CRUIKSHANK of 62 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, in the
County of Lanark, Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as com-
municated to me to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
Heretofore in starting the flow of liquors from barrels which have not been
tapped it was usually the custom to insert a hose-pipe or other suitable tube
through the bung and suck the air therefrom by means of the mouth of the operator
in order to start the siphonic flow. This method is a very laborious and ineffective
means, and especially so when the barrels used are to be retained in a horizontal
position, as it then becomes necessary for the operator to retain his head at a point
below the level of the liquor while performing the operation.
My invention is designed to obviate these inconveniences by drawing the air
from the pipe leading to the barrel, and thus starting the siphonic flow by means
of a mechanical suction device, which will now be described with reference to the
accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, and then its novel
features will be more specifically pointed out in the claims.
The said drawings are vertical longitudinal sections of the various forms of my
device.
In figure 1 of the drawings 1 is a rubber bulb of any suitable shape but in the
present instance shown elliptical which has at each end a straight portion firmly
secured in which are tubes 2, 3. To the tube 3 is connected the pipe 7 which leads
from the barrel or other receptacle and on the end of the tube 3 is screwed a
nozzle 9. In the outer end of tube 5 is a suitable strainer 6, the purpose of which is
to arrest any sediment or dirt that may leave the barrel with the flow of liquid. In
the inner end of each of these tubes 2, 5 is a wire cage 14 which is cup shape, they
being arranged with their mouths towards or against the current or flow of the
liquid and at the mouth of each of which cages is an annular flange 5, the latter
being preferably made integral with the tubes 2. 3. A ball 4 of any suitable material
is placed in each of these cages, and serves the purpose of a valve which is operated on
the one hand by the current of air and on the other by the current of the liquid, as
will readily be discerned. 12 represents a box or dome on the top of the tube 2,
which contains a stem 11, around which a spiral spring 13 is coiled, on whose upper
end is a thumb tap by means of which the said stem is depressed, and on the lower
end is a disc 10 preferably made integral with the stem and of a diameter equal to the
internal diameter of tube 3. A pin 15 is inserted transversely in this stem for the
purpose of affording a bearing for the spiral spring which latter holds the disc 10
normally elevated when the disc is depressed, it descends through a suitable slot in
the tube 3.
8 is a flat ring secured to or made integral with the bottom of the tube 3, the
purpose of which is to afford a bearing for the forefinger when the thumb is pressed
upon the stem 11.
From the description given it will obviously be seen that when the bulb 1 is
squeezed, the ball in the tube 3 will be forced away from the flange 5 or its
valve seat, and allow the air to escape via nozzle 9, while the other ball will be
forced against its seat and prevent air entering the barrel. Now, when the pressure
upon the bulb is released the movements of the balls will be vice versa causing the
liquid to enter the bulb and preventing air from entering via nozzle 9.

page_text: The siphonic action will now be complete and the liquor will continue to flow until
the disc 10 is depressed for momentarily checking the flow, when it is desired to
convey the nozzle 9 over another receptacle or for other reasons.
In figure 2 I have shown a modification. The tube 3 has a swelled portion or
valve-chamber 4, into which is screwed a tube 5 having secured at one end by means
of a screw 7 and a plate or washer 8 an ordinary flap-valve 6 while the tube 2 is
screwed into the neck 10 of a spigot 12* and has at one end a flap-valve 9, which is
secured to the end of said tube in a manner similar to that described for the valve 6.
The valve 6 opens into the bulb 1, while the valve 9 opens into the valve-chamber 11
in which is screwed a cover 13 having an upwardly-projecting box 14 screw-threaded
exteriorly, and on which is screwed a cap 15 for holding the stem 16 of the valve 17
in a vertical position. This stem 16 is provided at its upper end with a shoulder 18
between which and the cover 13 is coiled a spiral spring 19 for the purpose of holding
said valve 17 normally elevated from the seat 24.
The lower end of the stem 16 is screw-threaded, and the valve 17 may be screwed
thereon at any desired height from the valve-seat and below the valve may be placed
a rubber-washer 20 which is itself held on by a cap 22. At the upper extremity
of said valve-stem is provided a thumb-button 23 upon which pressure may be pro-
duced for forcing the valve in contact with its seat 24 and thus checking the flow
of liquor through the opening 12.
In the outer end of the tube 5 upon which the pipe 26 which leads to the barrel
is secured is located a strainer 25 composed of wire-gauze or of any other suitable
material, and also in the end of the pipe 26 which is inserted in the liquor, is located
another strainer 27, these two strainers being for the purpose of arresting any
sediment or dirt that may leave the barrel with the flow of liquid.
As a matter of convenience, to the operator, I provide on the lower side of the
spigot 12 a finger-ring 26 which may be screwed to said spigot, or if desired cast
integrally therewith, and is for the purpose of affording a bearing for the fore-finger
when the thumb is pressed upon the thumb-button 23 for closing the valve.
In order to ensure the entrance of the stream into receptacles having small
openings, I provide the spigot with a supplementary nozzle 29 which may be screwed
on at the end of the main nozzle, and which is provided with a smaller opening
than the main nozzle for the purpose mentioned.
From the description given it will obviously be seen that when the bulb 1 is
squeezed the valve 9 on the pipe 2 will open and allow the air in the bulb to escape via
the opening 12 of the spigot, while the valve 6 will be forced against its seat and
prevent the air from entering the barrel. Now, when the pressure on the bulb is
released the movements of the valves will be vice versa (the valve 9 will be closed,
while the valve 6 will be opened) the passage of the air will be checked, and the
liquor will be drawn into the bulb 1. The siphonic action will now be completed,
and the liquor will continue to flow until the valve 17 is depressed upon its seat for
momentarily checking the flow when it is desired to convey the nozzle over another
receptacle or for other reasons.
In figure 3 of the drawings I show another modification.
To the tube 2 is connected the pipe 7 which leads from the barrel or other
receptacle, and on the end of the tube 3 is screwed a nozzle 9. In the outer end
of the pipe 7 is a suitable strainer 6, the purpose of which is to arrest any sediment
and prevent it from leaving the liquid containing barrel.
The strainer 6 consists of a wire cage or frame which is adapted to fit over the
outer end of the rubber pipe or tube 7 and is provided with a binding or locking
ring 16, which serves to keep and retain in position the cloth strainer which is
arranged around the wire cage or frame. These parts are assembled and placed
in position as follows:-
The piece of cloth, such as is used for straining purposes, is placed around the
wire frame and the edges of the cloth are slipped underneath the ring. The end
of the rubber tubing is then forced into the open end of the completed strainer,
the sliding locking ring serving to bind the parts together.

page_text: The tube 2 is provided with a valve chamber 17, having a valve slot 18 and
valve 19. This valve is mounted on a longitudinally moving stem 20, the latter
serving as a guide for the valve and keeping it to the proper directions and positions.
12 represents a dome or box on top of the tube 3. It contains a hollow stem 11
around which a spiral spring 13 is coiled, on whose upper end is a thumb-lever,
and on the lower end a disk 10, preferably made integral with the stem as shown.
A pin 15 is inserted in this stem for the purpose of affording a bearing for the
hollow stem. The valve or pan 21 is also mounted on the pin 15. The spring holds
the disk 10 normally depressed. When the disc is depressed it rests on the valve or
pan 21.
8 is a flat ring secured to or made integral with the bottom of the tube 3, the
purpose of which is to afford a bearing for the forefinger when the thumb is pressed
upon the stem 11.
When the thumb-lever 22 is pressed down the hollow stem 11 is raised. This
movement will relieve the valve or pan from pressure, and it will be free to respond
to any outward movement.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me,
I declare that what I claim is :
:-
1. The combination with the suction device, of two tubes having communication
therewith, a valve in each of said tubes arranged with their openings in opposite
directions, whereby one is constituted an outlet and the other an inlet, a cut-off in
one of said tubes, and a spring for holding said cut-off normally in one position,
and a strainer in one of said tubes, for the purpose described, as shown in figure 1
of the drawings.
2. The combination with the flexible bulb 1, having tubes 2, 3 inserted therein,
balls 4 in each of said tubes, flanges or valve-seats 5 arranged in said tubes between
the bulb and said balls, a cage 14, partially surrounding said balls for retaining them,
a dome or box 12 on the tube 3, a stem projecting vertically through said dome, a
disc 10 on the lower end of said stem 11, a lug on said stem, a spiral spring sur-
rounding said stem between said lug and tube 3, a strainer 6 located in one of said
tubes, and a ring 8, on the under side of tube 3, all substantially as shown in
figure 1 of the drawings.
3. The combination with the flexible bulb 1, of the tubes 2, 3 in said bulb, the
valves 6, 9 for the purpose described, the spigot 12ª secured to tube 2, a chamber 11
in said spigot having valve-seat 24 and opening 12, a cover, 13 having box 14,
the valve-stem 16 having shoulder 18, the spiral spring 19 coiled in said box between
the said shoulder and cover, and the finger-ring 28, substantially as shown in figure 2
of the drawings.
4. The combination with the bulb 1, of a spigot connected therewith, a valve in
said spigot opening away from said bulb, a partition in said spigot forming a
chamber 11 and having an opening 12 therein, a valve-seat surrounding said opening,
the removable cover 13 in said chamber, a valve-stem projecting through said cover,
a valve on said stem, and a spring for holding said valve normally open, substantially as
described and as shown in figure 2 of the drawings.
5. The combination with the flexible bulb 1, having tubes 2, 3 inserted therein, a
suitable valve located in the tube 2 and a second valve located in the tube 3, said
latter valve being operated and controlled by means of the hollow vertically moving
stem 11, disc 10, spring 13 and thumb-lever 22, all substantially as described in
figure 3 of the drawings.
6. The combination in a siphon of the flexible bulb 1, the tube 2 having a valve-
chamber therein and provided with a valve 19 mounted on a longitudinally moving
stem 20, and a second tube 3 likewise provided with a valve chamber and valve, the
latter being mounted on the pin 13, said parts being guided and controlled sub-
stantially in the manner hereinbefore shown and described in figure 3 of the
drawings.

page_text: 7. In combination with a siphon, the straining device consisting of the wire frame
or cage on which is mounted a suitable straining cloth, and a locking ring as described
in figure 3 of the drawings.
Dated this Twenty-ninth day of July 1889.
CRUIKSHANK & FAIRWEATHER,
62, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Agents.