Improvements in Stoppers for Barrels and the like.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Sept., 1894-Accepted, 6th Oct., 1894
COMPLETE
SPECIFICATION,
[Communicated from abroad by SIMON SCHLANGEN, of No. 227, West Chicago
Avenue, and IGNATZ NEUMANN, of 3664, Indiana Avenue, both of Chicago,
in the County of Cook, and State of Illinois, United States of America.]
Improvements in Stoppers for Barrels and the like.
J, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent
Agents, 45 Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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 relates to the construction of a bung stopper and bung bush in
which a rubber ring is compressed laterally between a flange on the bung stopper
and a flat ring which lies between the lug plate and the rubber ring, and the radial
lugs, which being turned are locked on two inclined serpentine came each opposing
notch of which serves to lock the lugs so that the bung stopper cannot be removed
unless considerable force is applied to a wrench fitted into said bung stopper, as will
be clearly understood from the following detail description.
In the accompanying drawing
Figure 1 is a top or plan view of my improved bung stopper inserted in the
bush, and the bush inserted in a barrel.
Figure 2 is an inverted view of the bung stopper inserted in the bung bush, and
the bush removed from the barrel.
Figure 3 is an inverted view of the rubber ring inserted on the hub of the bung
stopper removed from the bung bush, and the ring below the rubber and the cam-
plate removed from the hub.
Figure 4 is a vertical sectional elevation of the complete device inserted in a
barrel
Figure 5 is an inverted view of the complete bung stopper removed from the
bung bush.
Figure 6 is an elevation of the hub of the bung stopper.
Figure 7 is a detached plan of the ring which lies round the hub and between
the rubber and cam-plate, and
Figure 8 is an elevation of the complete device removed from the barrel.
A, represents that portion of a barrel or cask into which the bung bush B is
inserted by means of a suitable screw thread on its periphery in the ordinary
manner. The
primary part of the bung stopper consists of a central cylindrical
portion G which is cast solid with a cap C, which projects over the cylinder G in
the form of a flange, and also cast solid with rivet-studs g.
In the middle top
portion of the bung stopper is formed a wrench D, by which, and a key-
wrench, the bung stopper is to be inserted and removed; a rubber ring F,
substantially circular in cross section, is placed around the cylinder G to bear
against the underside of the flange formed by the outward projecting cap C, as
shown at Figure 4. The secondary part consists of a flat ring J which is also
placed around the cylinder G to bear against the under portion of the rubber ring.
The third part consists of a circular lug plate E which is recessed out at its top
portion at K to engage the periphery of the lower end of the cylinder G, and it is
provided with as many vertical holes through it as there are rivet studs 9,
projecting down from the cylinder G, and also with two opposite lugs, ff, which in
cross section are convex on their top portions, properly to engage the notches or
depressions in serpentine cams H, H; the plate E is secured to the cylinder G by
the heading down of the rivet studs q.

page_text: The bung bush B is of ordinary construction except, the serpentine cams
mentioned; it is provided with a screw thread to be turned into a barrel or cask
with an internal flange H at its lower end, opposite slots I, I through which the
lugs f,fpass, and also with opposite serpentine cams H H. The difficulty in the
use of plain inclined cams as tightening surfaces for the lugs to operate on, is by
handling barrels provided with such devices the lugs become quite readily loosened,
and the gas from the beer escapes, to remedy this difficulty we have found it
necessary to form depressions in the cam H with rounded intermediate portions so
that the lugs will have when in place a firm seat, while at the same time the lugs
can be turned back to permit the bung stopper to be removed; that this may be
accomplished the rubber ring F must contain considerable stock whereby the
necessary contraction and expansion may be attained, and further, it becomes
necessary that the said ring has four bearings within its seat, riz. :-One on the
underside of the flange of the cap C; one on the cylindrical portion G; one on
the ring J, and one against the inside of the bung bush-all the space for expansion
being the difference between the circular rubber in cross section and the square of
the seat in which it lies in cross section. As the devices come from the
manufactory the lugs brought into the first depression in the cams H will shut off
the escape of any pressure of gas which the barrel will withstand, but after
considerable use the lugs can be inserted in the second depressions.
These statements are made from a thorough test of the device, the novelty is
fully set forth in the claim, therefore, any other construction not containing the
elements claimed, would not contain my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is :-
A bung stopper consisting of a central cylindrical portion G, an integral cap
forming a flange at the top of said stopper; a rubber ring F circular in cross
section, placed on the cylindrical portion to bear against said flange; a flat ring
placed on the cylindrical portion below the rubber ring; a circular plate below the
flat ring connected with the cylinder and provided with opposite lugs which are
convex on their top portions, in combination with a bung bush provided with
opposite serpentine cams on the underside of its internal flange and the rubber ring
having four bearings within its seat, as and for the purpose specified.
Dated this 4th day of September 1894.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.