Improvements in and connected with Taphole Fittings for Casks or Barrels.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Apr., 1899-Accepted, 24th June, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Taphole Fittings for Casks or
Barrels.
I, WILLY HOMANN, of No. 14, Aders Strasse, Düsseldorf, in the German Empire,
Manufacturer, do hereby 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:-
The present invention relates to improvements in and connected with taphole
fittings for casks or barrels, which obviate the employment of the usual plug and
of the rubber packing for the tight connection of the tap. A bunghole fitting
according to the present invention is made of metal, it can easily and con-
veniently be handled, permitting tapping of the contents of the cask or barrel
in the simplest possible manner. It can also easily and effectively be cleaned.
I will now proceed to describe the improvements in taphole fittings forming the
subject of the present application more fully, reference being had to the accom-
panying drawings, in which
Fig. 1 shows a vertical section of a bunghole fitting with the tap inserted
therein.
Figs. 2 to 9 illustrate modified constructions of the taphole fitting, of which
Figs. 6 and 9 are plans.
Corre-
Into the bunghole of the cask or barrel an externally screw threaded bushing d
is inserted from outside. This metal bushing d is provided with a bore f of
different diameter, the larger diameter being towards the outside of the barrel.
Both portions of the bore fare internally screw threaded. Into the screw threaded
lower and narrower portion g of the bore f a plug h, having its lower end
externally screw threaded in accordance with the portion of the bore f, the top
end being externally plain, is screwed. The plug h is hollow, its bore extending
downwards to the conical extension at the lower end of the plug h.
sponding with the bore of the bushing d, this bore is composed of two different
portions, a lower narrower one ¹ of square section and an outer wider portion i.
Passages extend from the square bore through the plug h terminating above
the conical extension h'. The wider part of the bore i is screw threaded, as
indicated by in Fig. 1, permitting the tap m to be screwed therein. The tap m
fitted with a petticoat-like screw threaded extension n will simultaneously be
screwed into the bushing d and the plug h. The step formed by the two different
portions of the bore in the bushing d receives a packing ring h².
The device operates in the following manner: On screwing into the bunghole
fitting the tap m, the edge of the petticoat-like extension n will bear against the
packing ring and the externally screw threaded ordinary end of the tap m
will reach the bottom of the wider portion i of the bore in the plug h, as illus-
trated in Fig. 1. On now further screwing the tap m the plug his forced to
partake in the turning, the outer annulus n of the tap simultaneously tightening
on the packing ring 2. The resilient material of the ring h² permits of the plug h
turning and advancing into the interior of the barrel respectively, sufficient to

page_text: uncover the passages . The bung in this position will be open, permitting the
exit of the contents of the barrel. On unscrewing the tap m the plug h will
partake in the turning during the earlier part of same until the conical exten-
sion h' comes to bear against the bushing d, when the passages k will again be
covered, thereupon the tap and its petticoat-like extension will unscrew from
the plug and the bushing d respectively, in the usual manner.
In the somewhat modified construction of my bunghole fitting illustrated in
Fig. 2, the plug his not screwed into the bushing d, but to a ring o, as shown
at in Fig. 2. The central bore of the bushing d is provided with an upper
wider portion for the reception of this ring o, which may rest on a packing
ring if desired. The lower portion of the central bore in the bushing d
which latter projects into the barrel, is tapered outwards, a horizontal passage p
being provided in one side of the projecting part of the bushing d. The lower
portion of the plug his shaped conically in accordance with the bore of the bush-
ing d. The central bore of the plug h ends in a curved passage y, which ter-
minates in the conical side of the plug, coinciding with the passage p in the
bushing d. A stud A' screwed into the bushing d from inside the bore projects
into a horizontal groove A in the plug h, which extends over half the circum-
ference of the latter. The bore immediately above the curved passage in the
plug of Fig. 2 may be of square section as indicated by throughout the draw-
ings. On screwing in the usual externally screw threaded tap m until its lower
edge reaches the bottom of the top portion of the bore in the plug h, the stud A
will prevent the advancement of the plug into the barrel, and on further screwing
the tap to the extent of 180° the plug will be turned from the position shown
in Fig. 2 so that the mouth of its curved passage q coincides with the passage p,
when the exit of the contents of the barrel is permitted. The extremities of the
semi-circular groove A in the plug may indicate the open and closed position of
the plug h, the stud A preventing a further turning at these two extreme
positions.
Another slightly modified construction is shown in Fig. 3 in which the bush-
ing is formed conically and closed at its bottom end. The corresponding
conically shaped plug h is fitted into the bushing d and is held in position by the
ring of surrounding it and screwed into the bushing. A packing ring h² may be
interposed between this ring o' and the step formed on the plug h. In other
respects the parts constituting this bunghole fitting and their arrangement and
action are similar to these described with reference to Fig. 2. Opening and
closing the bunghole is likewise effected in a similar manner.
In the further modified construction of the bunghole fitting illustrated in
Fig. 4 the bore in the plug his eccentric allowing the straight lower portion i
of said bore to coincide with the passage on turning the plug h into the proper
position, the lower end of the plug being conical and fitting into a similarly
conical and closed bottom end of the bushing d as described with reference to
Fig. 3.
In other respects the construction and operation of this bunghole fitting
coincides with that described with reference to Figs. 2 and 3 respectively with
the exception that the exit of the contents of the barrel takes place in a straight
line through the passage p in the bushing d, the eccentric bore in the plug hand
the tap m.
In the construction of the bunghole fitting illustrated in Fig. 5, in vertical
section and in Fig. 6 in an inverted plan, the lower portion of the bore in
the plug is not opened by a passage in the bushing d coinciding with same,
as described with reference to the previous constructions and those of Figs. 2, 3
and 4 particularly, but in the following manner. The lower face of the bush-
ing d is provided with an extension carrying a horizontal pivot s, around which
an arm turns. This arm is fitted with a valve u for closing the bore ¹, a
spiral spring ¹ being interposed between the arm t and the valve disc r. The
bushing d supports on a flange the plug h, the flange fitting into a groove in
the edge of the lower side of the plug h. The lower face of the latter carries

page_text: an extension x, which takes the form of a hook w at one end, and that of an
incline w at the other end. The hook w grips over the arm t when the valve u
is on its seating, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6 respectively. A projection t¹ on the
armt may serve for limiting the movement of the latter. The operation of this
construction is as follows:
The tap m is inserted and screwed into the plug h in the manner hereinbefore
described. When both tap and plug turn together the hook w gradually releases
the arm t, the incline won the other hand, after the arm t has been released,
gripping underneath same, thus lifting it and with it the valve u of its seat. The
contents of the barrel may now escape. In unscrewing the tap m the hook w
will ultimately grip over the arm t again pressing it down and the valve u
on to its seating in the bore . The spiral spring renders the valve disc v
elastic.
The modified construction of the bunghole fitting shown in Fig. 7 varies from
the constructions previously described in the following respects. An extension k¹
of the bushing d carries a horizontal pin, the latter having rigidly mounted on
it a special plug y conically shaped and fitting into the conical lower portion
of the bore in the plug h. A curved or bent passage y2 in the special plug y
communicates at the upper end with the bore in the plug h and terminates at
the conical surface. The tapered lower end of the plug h projecting into the
barrel, is provided laterally with a passage 2 which on turning the plug h in the
manner described with reference to the previous constructions to the required
extent coincides with the mouth of the bent passage y2 in the special plug y,
thus permitting the exit of the contents of the vessel.
A
The construction of the bunghole fitting illustrated in Fig. 8 in vertical section
and in Fig. 9 in an inverted plan, partly in section, shows some modifications in
the construction described with reference to Fig. 7, which consist in movably
mounting the conical special plug y horizontally in an extension of the plug h.
The free end of the special plug y is provided with teeth y on its surface which
engage a toothed segment or rack on the lower side of the bushing d.
passage is provided in the special plug y, which may communicate with the
two portions and of the bore in the plug h. When both tap m and plug h
turn together as previously described, the rotation of the plug h will cause the
special plug y to turn by virtue of the engagement of the teeth y with the
stationary toothed segment d on the bushing d, so that the passage when
the special plug y is turned to the required extent, establishes communication
between the interior of the barrel and the bore in the tap m. A packing ring z
may be interposed between the special plug y and its bearing in the constructions
of the bunghole fitting shown in Figs. 7 to 9.
The stud A projecting into a groove A¹ in the plug limits the turning of the
latter, thus indicating the two extreme positions viz. when the bung hole fitting is
closed and opened respectively, in all the constructions described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1) The combination with a taphole fitting of a bushing d with a bore of different
diameters, a plug h resting with a conical extension h' on said bushing, passages k
communicating with the bore in the plug h and adapted to be uncovered on
screwing the tap m and its petticoat-like projection non to the plug h and into
the bushing d respectively, the plug h partaking in the turning of the tap m when
it has reached the bottom of the screw threaded bore in the plug h, and a packing
ring interposed between the annulus n and a step in the bushing d, as and for the
purpose specified.
2) The combination with a taphole fitting of a bushing d, having a bore of
different diameters, the lower portion being tapered outwards; a plug h with
conical extension fitting into the bushing and held therein by a ring o screwed to

page_text: a
the top end of the plug and projecting into the upper wider bore of the bushing,
packing ring 2 being interposed between said ring and the step on the bushing,
if necessary; a curved passage q in the plug h, communicating with the central
bore and terminating at the conical surface; an opening in the tapered
extension, which latters projects into the barrel, adapted to communicate with the
mouth of the curved passage q; and a stud A projecting from the bushing d into a
groove A¹ in the plug h, as and for the purpose specified.
3) The combination with a taphole fitting of a bushing d, the bottom end being
tapered inwards and closed; a plug with conical extension fitting into the
bushing and held therein by a ring o¹ screwed into the bushing, said ring
projecting into a groove at the top edge of the plug h, a packing ring h² may be
interposed between the ring ol and the step on the bushing; a curved passage q in
the plug h communicating with the central bore and terminating at the tapered
surface; an opening p in the conical extension, which latter projects into the
barrel, adapted to communicate with the mouth of the curved passage 9; and a
stud A projecting from the bushing d into a groove A¹ in the plug h, as and for the
purpose specified.
4) The combination with a taphole fitting of a bushing d, the bottom end
being tapered inwards and closed; a plug with conical extension fitting into
the bushing and held therein by a ring screwed into the bushing, said ring
projecting into a groove at the top edge of the plug h, a packing he may be inter-
posed between the ring o' and the step on the bushing; an eccentric bore in the
plug terminating at the tapered surface; an opening in the conical extension,
which latter projects into the barrel, adapted to communicate with the mouth of
the bore of the plug and ensuring a straight exit of the contents; and a stud A
projecting from the bushing & into a groove A' in the plug h, as and for the purpose
specified.
5) The combination with a taphole fitting of a bushing d carrying on an
extension at the lower surface a horizontally pivoted arm t, with valve u and
spiral spring ¹ interposed between the valve disc and said arm;
a plug h
having on its lower face an extension forming a hook w, adapted to grip over the
arm t, on one end and an incline ¹, adapted to lift the arm t, on the other end,
said plug h fitting into the bushing d and resting on an internal flange d thereof, a
ring o holding it in position by being screwed into the bushing d and projecting
into a groove at the top edge of the plug h, a packing ring h² may be interposed
between the ring o' and the step on the bushing; a central bore in the plug h
adapted to be closed by the valve ; and a stud A projecting from the bushing d
into a groove A¹ in the plug h, as and for the purpose specified.
6) The combination with a tap hole fitting of a bushing d, carrying on an
extension at the lower surface a horizontal pin, on which is rigidly mounted
a special conical plug y; a plug the central bore of which is continued in an
extension of the plug tapering outwards and receiving the special plug y; a
bent passage y in the special plug communicating with the bore in the plug h
and adapted to communicate with a lateral passage in the extension of the plug,
which projects into the barrel; said plug fitting into the bushing d and resting
on an internal flanged d thereof, a ring o' holding it in position by being screwed
into the bushing & and projecting into a groove at the top edge of the plug h and
a stud A projecting from the bushing d into groove A¹ in the plug h as and for the
purpose specified.
7) The combination with a taphole fitting of a bushing d, carrying a toothed
segment dat its lower face, a plug h fitting into the bushing and resting on an
internal flange thereof, a ring o securing the vertical position of the plug by
being screwed into the bushing and projecting into a groove at the top edge of
the plug h, a packing ring h² being suitably interposed between the ring o' and the
step formed on the plug an extension of the plug h projecting into the barrel
and forming a bearing for a rotatable special plug y, a passage y through which, is
adapted to communicate with the two portions and 2 of the central bore in the

page_text: plug h; the free end of the special plug y being provided with teeth y³ to engage
with the toothed segment and on the plug h being turned to revolve the special
plug y; and a stud A projecting from the bushing d into a groove A' in the plug h,
as and for the purpose specified.
8) An improved taphole fitting having its parts constructed arranged and adapted
to operate substantially as described with reference to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, 7,
and 8 and 9 respectively of the accompanying drawings.
B. REICHHOLD,
International Patent Office,
24, Luisen Strasse, Berlin, N.W., Germany,
Agent for the Applicant.