IMPROVEMENTS IN VESSELS FOR CONTAINING WINE AND SIMILAR FLUIDS
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Robert Dunlop at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 10th April 1883.
ROBERT DUNLOP, of 41 Oakfield Street, Cardiff, Glamorganshire, Wine Merchant
and Importer, "IMPROVEMENTS IN VESSELS FOR CONTAINING WINE AND SIMILAR
FLUIDS
The object of my Invention is to provide a vessel in which a considerable
quantity of any fluid, but more particularly claret, and other light Wines ales &
may be stored and from which it may be drawn, as required, in small quantities, as
for instance a glass at a time, without leaving the surface of the liquid exposed to
the action of the air, so as to preserve the Wine in sound condition, and thus to do
away in many cases with the necessity for bottling, and thus to cheapen the wine
to the consumer.
My intention is that the wine may be drawn direct from the cask into jars, of
say two or three gallons each, and may then be sent direct to the purchaser who
can then empty the contents into one of my improved vessels hereinafter described,
from which he can draw it off for drinking as he may require it, without the
trouble and risk of drawing corks, and without the risk of spoiling the bulk which
he would run if a similar quantity were so treated in an ordinary vessel.
I construct my said vessels of any convenient sizes, as may be required, and of
any suitable material, such as metal, glass, stoneware, or timber.
The principal vessel consists of a vertical cylinder fitted with a piston working
comparatively airtight, and with a cover through which the piston rod works, as
does also a valve-rod controlling a valve in the piston. The cylinder has an
opening near the bottom fitted with a tap for drawing off the liquid.
In order to fill the tank with Wine the cover and piston are removed, and the
wine poured in; The piston is then inserted above the surface of the Wine, the
cover replaced, and the piston pressed down until it comes in contact with the
surface of the wine, the valve being meanwhile opened slightly-to allow any enclosed
air to escape.
In order to draw off some of the wine I turn the tap at the bottom of the
cylinder and at the same time depress or open tho valve, and when sufficient is
drawn turn off the tap, press down the piston rod until the piston is again on
3.77

page_text: the face of the wine, and then draw upwards and close the valve, when the vessel
is again air tight.-This operation being repeated each time any wine is drawn off
prevents the air being at any time left in contact with the surface of the wine
(except for a few moments while the wine is being drawn) and thus causes it to
keep unchanged and in good condition until the whole is consumed.
The piston may be so made as to float upon the surface of the wine during the
time the latter is being drawn off and so that when the tap is turned off the
packing of the piston by a special locking apparatus will be pressed against the
sides of the cylinder or vessel making it again airtight.
The shape of the vessel need not necessarily be round, it may be square, or
oblong, or any convenient shape.
The size of the Vessel is not limited as it may be made to hold a quart or less
and it may be made to contain a large number of gallons.
The vessel containing the Wine may be filled either by pouring in the liquid or
by pumping it in.