An Improved Funnel to Facilitate the Fining of Beers, applicable also for Filling Casks.
Year: 1897

page_text: An Improved Funnel to Facilitate the Fining of Beers, applicable also
for Filling Casks.
I, HARRY GEORGE OWLES, of 34, Finsbury Square, London, E.C., Brewers
Manager, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for object the construction of a funnel or vessel with a
nozzle surrounded by a cone shaped elastic ring for fitting closely within the
bung or chive hole of a cask, said nozzle also having a valve closable by a rod
a portion of which is within a tube and capable of being locked in an open
position by a bayonet joint and closed by a spring arranged between the top
button or handle of the rod and of a bridge piece from which the rod guiding tube
depends.
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The invention is specially intended for the supply of finings to beers and ales
and for the reception of the froth or workings" while the funnel apparatus is
affixed in an air tight manner on the cask and in which funnel the working and
surplus finings can be collected and retained by a closing of the valve, for it to
be removed, as desired.
The funnel if the valve be kept open enables it to used for ordinary cask
filling purposes therefore the use of the article is twofold in a brewery.
In practice the apparatus requires no attention after fining until ready for use
when the funnel can be removed with all the products thus leaving the beer or ale
perfectly bright and free from floating or flocculent particles.
H.
GARDNER,
Patent Agent, 166, Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the said H. G. Owles.
An Improved Funnel to Facilitate the Fining of Beers, applicable also
for Filling Casks.
I, HARRY GEORGE OWLES, of 34, Finsbury Square, London, E.C., Brewers
Manager, 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 has for object, the construction of a funnel or vessel with a nozzle
surrounded by a cone shaped elastic ring for fitting closely within the bung or
shive hole of a cask, said nozzle also having a valve closable by a rod, a portion

page_text: of which is within a tube and capable of being locked in an open position by a
bayonet joint and closed by a spring arranged between the top button or handle
of the rod and of a bridge piece from which the rod guiding tube depends.
66
The invention is specially intended for the supply of finings to beers and ales
and for the reception of the froth or workings while the funnel apparatus is
affixed in an airtight manner on the cask and in which funnel the working and
surplus finings can be collected and retained, b
by a closing of the valve, for it to
be removed, as desired.
The funnel if the valve be kept open enables it to be used for ordinary cask
filling purposes therefore the use of the article is twofold in a brewery or a
beer cellar.
In practice, the apparatus requires no attention after fining until ready for use
when the funnel can be removed with all the products, thus leaving the beer
or ale perfectly bright and free from floating or flocculent particles.
My invention will be clearly understood by reference to the annexed drawing
which represents in part sectional elevation the funnel in question composed of a
vessel A with tapering bottom B having a nozzle C of conical form and provided
with an elastic ring or ferrule D held in place by a flange, E which also serves as
a seating F for a taper edged valve G for closing the bottom edge of the nozzle C,
said valve G being outside and at the lower end of a rod H which is steadied by
the bridge piece I through which it passes, and above in a tube J which is slotted
for a pin or stud K to have play up and down in when the handle or button head N
on the top of the rod H is simply moved up or down but which pin or stud K can,
by the rod H being turned, say, to the right, slip under a cheek or into a bayonet
like joint to fix the rod H down and consequently the valve G open, as by the
dotted lines, or by turning the rod H to the left, the stud K can pass under a
similar cheek, or enter a similar notch to fix it in its upmost travel to lock the
valve G in a closed position.
L is a helical spring encircling the rod H and bearing against a strengthening
bridge M of the vessel A and of the button head or handle N.
The position of the nozzle fitting airtight in the bung or shive hole of a cask
or barrel P for the purposes or use of my invention is clearly represented whether
it be employed for fining purposes or for filling purposes.
When the article is not in use it can be hung up on a nail or hook by the
loop Q.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
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The article represented on the annexed drawing constituting a funnel by which
finings can be admitted to beers or ales, and for receiving the froth, scum, and
other refuse forming on the surface by fermentation or working therefrom with
the valve open and then by shutting the valve facilitating the removal of such
refuse as waste or otherwise, as described and explained, or for filling purposes as
specified.