IMPROVE- MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR STOPPING THE BUNG, VENT, AND TAP HOLES IN CASKS, AND FOR STOPPING THE MOUTHS OR ORIFICES OF JARS, BOTTLES, FLASKS, AND OTHER SIMILAR VESSELS
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Baker at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 13th
September 1873..
I, THOMAS BAKER, of Forest Gate, in the County of Essex, Gentle-
man, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR STOPPING THE BUNG, VENT, AND TAP HOLES IN CASKS, AND
FOR STOPPING THE MOUTHS OR ORIFICES OF JARS, BOTTLES, FLASKS, AND OTHER
SIMILAR VESSELS," to be as follows:-
:-
My Invention has for its object to provide more secure and reliable
means of closing bung vent and tap holes in casks, also the mouths or
orifices of jars, bottles, flasks, and other similar vessels..
My Invention consists, firstly, in constructing à stopper for the bung
holes of casks in the following manner :-I make a stopper by preference
of metal of the form of a cylinder which may or not be tapered or
diminished towards its bottom or lower end. This cylindrical stopper
has round its upper edge an external flange. The cylindrical stopper has
internally a collar or is turned or cast out to form a seating for a lid or
cover made with a lug having a hole through it. This lug enters a
:
.

page_text: recess in the flanged rim of the cylindrical stopper, and is secured
therein by a pin, thereby forming a hinge by which the stopper, lid, or
cover is secured to the cask, thus preventing its being detached or lost.
The cylindrical stopper has in it interior a short distance above the
collar before-mentioned at each side a horizontal grove extending say for
example about a quarter of the circle of the cylinder. These two
horizontal groves terminate in a short vertical grove cut into the upper
edge of the cylindrical stopper. The cover or lid carries upon its upper
or external surface a lever which attached at its centre by a stud or pin
to the lid can make a partial rotation thereon. The lid or cover being
placed in position to close the hole in the cylindrical stopper by being
brought down upon its seating, the two. ends of the lever will come
opposite the vertical groves in the cylindrical stopper and then either by
hand or by keys provided for the purpose are made to enter and pass
along the horizontial groves, thus securely locking the stopped hole. It
is this part of my Invention that with some special modifications for the
particular use to which it is to be adapted; that I purpose applying for
stopping jars, bottles, flasks, and other similar vessels. The stopper thus
constructed may be screwed at its lower end if necessary, and secured
within the cask by means of a screw nut and washer.
The lid or cover may be provided on its under side if necessary with a
washer of india-rubber or other suitable material.
My Invention consists, secondly, in the means of closing the vent
hole. My arrangement for this purpose consists of a hollow plug closed_
at one (the outer) end by means of a head or cap, so constructed as to
have around it an internal rim or flange which receives a thread or
female screw. The other (the inner end) of hollow plug is open, the end
with the head or cap is perforated with small holes and around it is
carried a spiral spring. The hollow plug with spring is placed within
another hollow plug or plug casing, and this external plug or plug casing
is at is outer end threaded externally so as to fit the female screw on the
head of internal plug. This arrangement is entered into the vent hole
and may be secured therein by nuts and washers or other suitable
means.
When it is desired to open the vent the head or cap is unscrewed,
when the spring previously compressed in the action of screwing extends
and impels outwardly the inner hollow plug, and the air is admitted by
the. perforated holes and thus through the plug to the cask.

page_text: My Invention consists, thirdly, in the means of stopping the tap holes
so that in the absence of the tap they may be thoroughly secured, and
the external air prevented from entering the cask. This is done by
means of a plate of metal of any suitable shape, but with a circular hole
of the size of the tap hole at or about its centre. This plate may or may
not be provided with a tube leading from the circular hole into the cask,
and in the former case the tube is at its inner end screwed or threaded
so that the plate may be kept in position by means of a screw nut and
washer. When not provided with the tube the plate may be held by
means of screw bolts passing through and into the cask with nuts and
washers thereon. The plate thus fixed in position carries upon it by
means of a stud or pin an outer plate of corresponding form, but solid at
that portion where the inner plate has the circular hole. To admit the
tap the outer plate is turned back and retained in that position until the
tap is withdrawn, when it is at once brought over the inner plate and
effectually closes the tap hole. The inner plate may be threaded with a
female screw into which a screw on outer plate may be entered, so as
to make a tight joint. Packing rings or washers of india-rubber or other
suitable material may be used if necessary.