An Improved Apparatus to be Attached to Casks and Barrels for Automatically Closing the Tap Hole thereof.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 20th June, 1891-Accepted, 25th July, 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Apparatus to be Attached to Casks and Barrels for
Automatically Closing the Tap Hole thereof.
I, CHARLES COLDICOTT, of Summer Place, North Barbourne, in the County of
Worcester, Gentleman, 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 :-
My invention relates more particularly to certain improvements in, or a modifica-
tion of my invention of prior date, and for which I have obtained Letters Patent
No. 18773 dated the 20th day of November 1890.
My present invention relates to an improved method of and means for, auto-
matically closing the tap hole of such casks and barrels as are intended to contain
liquids, and more particularly fermented liquors, such for instance as beer or
wine, the object sought to be attained by its use being, that casks or barrels to
which it may be fitted are prevented from becoming musty or unsweet, through
exposure to atmospheric influence by the tap hole being left open after use, as is
generally the case when the tap is withdrawn, thereby rendering the cask, or
barrel often permanently unfit for further use, for the same, or similar purposes.
By the application of my invention to any cask or barrel either during the
process of the construction thereof, or at any subsequent period, the hole intended
for the reception of the tap is always hermetically closed, except during the time the
tap is therein, and the instant the tap is withdrawn the hole becomes again closed,
and perfectly air tight by the automatic action of the apparatus.
In order that my invention and its adaptation for the purposes named, and its
manner of operation may be clearly understood I have appended a sheet of drawings,
in which :-
Fig. 1 is an external side view of the apparatus as it would appear when fixed
within or without the head of the cask or barrel.
Fig. 2 is a view of that end of the apparatus that is attached to the head
aforesaid.
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of Fig. 1 reversed.
Fig. 4, 5, 6 and 7 are details to be hereinafter explained.
Similar letters are used to indicate like parts throughout the drawings.
In carrying out my invention I construct a cylinder A of any suitable metal, or
alloy of metals, plated, galvanized or otherwise as may be best suited for the
purpose, one end of which may be open for its entire diameter the opposite end
being provided with a broad flanged end B, either formed integrally with A, or
suitably connected thereto, in the centre of which is a circular hole D large enough
to admit a perforated tap, such as shewn by Fig. 3 in my Patent No. 18773
of A.D. 1890 to be driven therein. A suitable number of small countersunk holes a
are formed in B, for the reception of screws for attaching the apparatus to the inside
or the outside of the cask, or barrel. An unlimited number of small holes
formed in A of sufficient size to admit the free passage of liquor therethrough, and
at the same time small enough to act as a screen for the retention of any substances
within the cask that it may not be desirable should pass through the tap, such for
instance as, hops, or the like. The diameter of the hole D, in B, is somewhat less
than the diameter of the interior of A, so that the gradation from the diameter of
the one, to that of the other, gives to that end of the interior of A, a conical form
as at d Fig. 3.
are
A circular disc or shive E is formed of soft wood, cork, vulcanite, or other
suitable resilient substance, and bevelled to coincide with the formation of d, so that,
when pressed close thereon, it forms a perfect air tight seal for the aperture D.

page_text: Through the centre of E, passes a rod F, one end of which carries a disc Gr, the
opposite end being threaded to receive a nut. A tube H, provided at one end with
a Hange e, passes over the rod F, until e, abuts against E. The tube H, being
slightly less in length than F, permits a nut g, to be screwed upon the threaded
end of F, which firmly holds E, between G, and e, these details are particularly
shewn by Figs. 4, 5, 6, and 7. Before the screw g, is fixed upon F, the rod,
and tube with disc E, are placed within A, and a spiral spring J, placed over, and
surrounding H. A metallic cap, or cover C, is fitted upon the open end of A, the
rim of which surrounds A circumferentially, and is fastened thereto by ins, screws,
or other suitable means, but preferably by that of two, or more bayonet joints, one
of which is shewn at c in the sectional view Fig. 3. A hole is formed in the centre
of C, sufficiently large to permit the end of the tube H, to pass freely therethrough,
the nut may now be screwed upon the end of F, and the apparatus is completed.
The apparatus constructed as described is screwed to the inside, or outside of the
cask or barrel head K, by screws passing through the holes a and in such a position
that the circular hole D in B occurs immediately behind the tap hole L in K
when the apparatus is fixed inside K, but when the apparatus is screwed upon the
outside of K, the tap hole in K would be enlarged for the admission of the
cylinder A and the cap C, shewn by the dotted lines in Fig. 1, suitable packing
being inserted between B and K in either case. The spring pressing against the
J
disc e and the cap C, keeps E in close contact with the coned end d of A, scaling
the aperture D, in B, so that the liquid in the cask or barrel while free to enter A,
through the holes cannot pass through D, and L, until the tap be driven therein,
but upon the insertion of this, the disc E, with the rod F, and the tube H, would
recede within A, the rod and tube and H, passing out through C, and at the
same time compressing the spring. J, the liquid in A passing through the perforations
of the tap when the same is turned on.
Upon the removal of the tap accidentally, the contents of the cask is not wasted,
as the disc E would immediately close the aperture D, as before, the same occurring
when the tap is intentionally removed, thereby closing the cask against the
influence of the atmosphere, and so preserve the sweetness of the cask, or barrel for
an indefinite period.
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 :-
First. In an improved apparatus to be attached to casks, or barrels, for auto-
matically closing the tap thereof, the construction and use of the appliance herein
described and shewn, consisting of the several parts, combined and operating
substantially for the purposes set forth.
Second. In an improved apparatus to be attached to casks, or barrels, for auto-
matically closing the tap thereof, the employment of a perforated cylinder A, with
flanged end B, with circular opening D, hermetically sealed by an internal resilient
disc E, held between discs G, and e, upon a rod and tube F, and H, operated by a
spiral spring, retained in position by a cap C, attached to A, by a bayonet joint,
or its equivalent c substantially as described and shewn by the appended
drawings.
Third. The method and means of attaching the apparatus set forth in the
preceding claim to the inside or outside of casks, or barrels, for automatically
hermetically closing the tap holes thereof, substantially as described and shewn by
the accompanying drawings.
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
4, Moorfields, Fore Street, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.