IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CLOSING THE TAP CORK AND VENT HOLES OF ALE CASKS AND OTHER SIMILAR CASKS AND BARRELS
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George White at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 4th April 1883.
GEORGE WHITE of Balsall Heath in the County of Worcester Gunsmith
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CLOSING THE TAP CORK AND VENT HOLES
OF ALE CASKS AND OTHER SIMILAR CASKS AND BARRELS "3
My invention consists of the improvements herein after described in automatic
apparatus for closing the tap cork and vent holes of ale casks and other similar
casks and barrels.
My improved apparatus while permitting of the introduction of the tap cork or
vent peg into the hole in the cask or barrel closes the said hole air and water tight
when the tap cork or vent peg is withdrawn thereby preventing the fouling of the
cask or barrel by the introduction of air and water into the said cask or barrel.
The said apparatus is applied to the interior of the cask or barrel and is
constructed essentially as follows.
I will describe my invention in connection with a tap hole to which it is
particularly applicable. Near the tap hole and in the interior of the barrel I fix
a plate the ends of which are provided with eyes or knuckles. To this fixed plate
a metal flap is hinged by means of a joint pin which is passed through eyes or
knuckles on the said flap and also through the eyes or knuckles described of the
fixed plate. By means of a strong coiled or wire spring around the axis or joint
pin of the hinged flap or other spring the said flap is pressed down so as to lie
against the inside of the cask and in the same plane as the fixed plate. The said
Hap is situated over the tap hole in the cask and when at liberty to move is
pressed down by its spring and made to close the tap hole. That face of the auto-
matic flap which is presented to the tap hole is covered by preference with a
washer of india rubber leather cork or other elastic or soft material for the
of making an air and liquid tight joint between the flap and tap hole; or a washer
of the kind described may be fixed in the interior of the cask for the flap to seat
itself against.
purpose
When the tap is forced from the exterior of the cask into the tap hole the end
of the leg of the tap coming against a lump or protuberance on the face of the flap
lifts the said flap and supports it in a horizontal or nearly horizontal position.
ΓΡ. 3,71

page_text: When however the tap is withdrawn from the empty cask the flap resumes its
normal position by the action of the spring and the tap hole is closed and the
fouling of the cask prevented
Although I prefer to use a washer either on the acting face of the automatic
flap or on the inside of the cask as described yet a washer need not be used.
My improved automatic apparatus prevents the loss of liquid in tapping a caak
or barrel should the tap used not fit the tap hole as the tap hole is immediately
closed on withdrawing the tap.
My improved automatic apparatus may either be made of metal or of some
non metallic material which will not injure the liquid held in the cask or barrel
such for example as wood or ebonite; and when made of metal the apparatus may
be tinned or plated to prevent corrosion.
I apply my invention to the cork and vent holes of casks or barrels substantially
as herein described with respect to a taphole.