Improvements in or relating to Beer-taps and other Taps for Drawing Off Liquids from Casks.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 6th June, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 4th Oct., 1890-Accepted, 13th Dec., 1800
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Beer-taps and other Taps for
Drawing Off Liquids from Casks.
I, RICHARD BATES, of the Bull's Head lun, Ettingshall near Wolverhampton in the
County of Stafford, Licensed Victualler, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object the employment of a wire gauze strainer around
the outside of the inner or perforated end of the tap, that is the part thereof which
is within the cask when the tap is fixed; and comprises means whereby such strainer
may be inserted, together with the tap, into the cask as the tap is driven in through
the bunghole, the purpose of the employment of the strainer being to prevent any
solid matter from getting into the tap or from blocking up any perforation or
perforations formed through the inner end thereof, and by acting as a filter, more
especially when coated with hop leaf and such like particles of matter, to cause the
liquid to pass out in a clearer form than would otherwise be the case and thus also
permit of the liquid being drawn down to a much lower level than with an ordinary
tap with the consequent reduction of waste.
According to this invention, the wire gauze strainer is formed into a circular
shape preferably somewhat tapering to suit the taper of the inner end of the tap,
the longitudinal joint being soldered or otherwise made good; and the forward end
of the gauze is soldered or otherwise fixed around a metal ferrule and the outer end
is soldered or otherwise fixed to a solid disc. The ferrule is preferably screw-threaded
internally, and the strainer is fixed by screwing the ferrule upon a screwed portion of
the tap, and when fixed the solid disc forming the end thereof is brought up against
the back end of the tap. When the tap with the strainer fixed thereto is driven
against the bung, in the process of inserting it into the bung hole, the blows of the
mallet are transmitted through the solid disc forming the back end of the strainer to
the bung and there is no strain upon the gauze. As the bung is driven into the cask
the strainer and tap follow it and the tap becomes fixed in the bung hole.
Though it is preferred to screw the ferrule upon the tap it may be made simply to
fit thereon so as to be merely pushed on endways into place.
The strainer, being entirely exposed on its outer surface where the solid matter
collects, may be readily cleansed without removal from the tap.
Dated this 5th day of June 1890.
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Beer-taps and other Taps for
Drawing Off Liquids from Casks.
1, RICHARD BATES, of the Bull's Head Inn, Ettingshall near Wolverhampton in the
County of Stafford, Licensed Victualler, 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 its object the employment of a strainer of wire gauze or
other suitable material around the outside of the inner or perforated end of a tap,
that is the part thereof which is within the cask when the tap is fixed; and comprises
means whereby such strainer may be inserted, together with the tap, into the cask as

page_text: the tap is driven in through the tap hole, the purpose of the employment of the
strainer being to prevent any solid matter fron getting into the tap or from blocking
up any perforation or perforations formed through. the inner end thereof, and by
acting as a filier, more especially when coated with pieces of hop or such like particles
of matter, to, cause the liquid to pass out in a clearer form than would otherwise be
the case, and thus also permit of a liquid, such as beer, which is somewhat thick or
muddy at the bottom, being drawn down to a much lower level than with an ordinary
tap, with the consequent reduction of waste.
In order that the invention may be clearly understood I have appended hereto a
sheet of illustrations, of which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a tap with my improved
strainer applied thereto, the strainer being shewn in longitudinal section for con-
venience of illustration; Figure 2 is a detached side elevation of the strainer:
Figure 3 is a transverse section taken on line ae of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is an
elevation of the hinder end of a tap, with a modified form of my improved strainer
shewn in longitudinal section.
Referring first to the modification shewn by Figures 1, 2 and 3, a strainer a of wire
gauze or other suitable material is formed into a circular shape, preferably somewhat
tapering as shewn so that when placed in position its surface will be a continuation of
the tapering surface of the tap, the longitudinal joint of such strainer being soldered
or otherwise made good. The forward end of the gauze or corresponding material is
soldered or otherwise fixed around a metal ferrule c, and the outer end is soldered or
otherwise fixed to a cap or disc d. The perforated portion e of the tap is reduced in
diameter to admit of the strainer being passed therearound, and the ferrule e fits
around a part of the tap, and the cap or Hanged disc forming the hinder end of the
strainer fits just easily around the hinder end of the perforated portion of the tap.
The ferrule cis, preferably, screwed upon the portion of the tap to fix the
strainer securely in place. The strainer should be so constructed that when it is fixed
upon the tap the cap or disc d will be brought up against the back end of the tap.
When the tap with the strainer fixed thereto is driven against the cork, in the process
of inserting it into the tap hole, the blows of the mallet are transmitted through the
cap or disc forming the back end of the strainer, to the cork, and there is no strain
upon the gaaze. As the cork is driven into the cask the strainer and tap follow it
and the tap becomes fixed in the hole. gare longitudinal bars soldered or otherwise
fixed to the ferrule and cap, respectively, in order to form a framing therewith and
thus relieve the gauze from strain. A plain metal disc may be used in lieu of a
flanged disc or cap, but it is not so convenient as will be obvious.
Referring now to the modification shewn by Figure 4, the end of the tap is the
same as in the previously described modification, and the only difference between
the strainer of this modification and of that previously described is that, in lieu of
the cap or dise d, a ferrule d¹ is employed to which the hinder end of the gauze
or corresponding material is fixed. The ferrule fits easily around the hinder end
of the perforated portion of the tap, and when the strainer is fixed in place the
hinder end of the perforated part of the tap projects somewhat beyond the hinder
end of the ferrule, and the cork is consequently driven in by the pressure of the
end of the tap as the tap is driven into the cask. I prefer the modification last
described for general use, because it is scarcely possible for anyone to fix it amiss ;
whereas in the modification first described care should be exercised to screw the
ferrule e home upon the part of the tap, so as to bring the cap or disc d against
the hinder end of the tap, other wise the bars y and gauze will tend to become buckled
as the tap is driven, into the cask.
The strainer, being in either modification, entirely exposed on its outer, surface
where the solid matter collects, may be readily cleansed without removal from the tap.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what.I
claim is :-
1. The combination with a beer or other tap for drawing off liquid from a cask,

page_text: of a wire gauze strainer around the inner or perforated end of the tap in such manner
that the tap may be inserted in the ordinary way, with the strainer therearound,
substantially as described and shewn for the purpose set forth.
2. A strainer for a beer or other tap for drawing off liquids from a cask, formed to
pass over the inner or perforated end of the tap and provided at its forward end
with a ferrule to screw or fit around a portion of the tap, and at its hinder end with
a cap or disc which passes across the end of the tap or with a ferrule which fits
(preferably easily) around such end, substantially as described and shewn, for the
purpose set forth.
3. Strainers fitted to beer or other taps for drawing off liquids from casks, substan-
tially as described and shown by the drawings herewith, for the purpose set forth.
Dated this Third day of October 1890
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicant