Means for Automatically Topping up or Filling Casks or other Vessels Containing Beer or other Fermenting Liquors as the Yeast is Thrown off.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 27th June, 1889-Accepted, 10th Aug., 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Means for Automatically Topping up or Filling Casks or other
Vessels Containing Beer or other Fermenting Liquors as the
Yeast is Thrown off.
WILLIAM FARROW SMEE No. 6 Victoria Quadrant Weston Super Mare in the
County of Somerset, Brewer 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:
The object of my Invention is to enable Brewers and Manufacturers of fermented
liquors during the cleansing process of Beers & other fermented liquors more
satisfactorily and cheaply to separate and get rid of the yeast contained therein than
by any process now in use.
To make my Invention I construct an air tight vessel (Fig. 1.) either of Wood (as
a Cask) or of sheet or cast metal, of any shape, but I prefer round, and having a
uniform diameter from top to bottom, and the following dimensions viz. 12 inches in
diameter and 15 inches in height but larger or smaller as the size of the cleansing
Vessel may require.
The top (Fig. 2.) and bottom (Fig. 3. I make flat and in the bottom 1 make an
opening (A) large enough to admit of the insertion of a man's hand for cleansing
purposes this vessel I hereafter describe as the filling vessel (Fig. 1.)
When the filling vessel (Fig. 1.) is at work this opening (A) will be closed by a
large screw plug made air tight by an india rubber collar or washer.
I fix to the bottom edge of the filling vessel (Fig. 1.) three feet about 3 inches
in length two (B) at the back and a set screw (C) formning the third in front, by
which it can be raised or lowered for the proper fixing of the outlet pipe (D)
hereafter referred to.
I fill or partly fill the filling vessel (Fig. 1.) with beer or other fermenting liquor
and erect it above the bung hole of a cask or other cleansing vessel filled with
fermenting liquor and by the side of the set screw (C) above referred to, I lead a short
outlet pipe (D) projecting about 4 inches from the bottom of the filling vessel (Fig. 1.)
through the bung hole of the cleansing vessel into the liquor undergoing fer-
mentation; the depth of its insertion is regulated by the set screw (C) according to
the condition of the liquor, always penetrating through the yeast into the liquor
itself.
As the yeast works over the side of the cleansing vessel in the process of
fermentation, the liquor contained therein is necessarily diminished, and the end of the
outlet pipe (D) above referred to gradually becomes exposed to the air. When this
takes place it causes the beer or other liquor from the "filling vessel" (Fig. 1.)
to flow automatically into the cleansing vessel, and will keep the contents of the
cleansing vessel at such a level as will enable the yeast to work off freely over
its side.
A tap (E) can be inserted in the outlet pipe (D) if desired but it is not absolutely
necessary for the working of my invention, it prevents waste and shaking in removal
if the cleansing process is completed before the supply of liquor contained in the
filling vessel (Fig. 1.) is exhausted.
Handles (F.) are fixed to the sides.
Having thus described my invention & the means adopted for carrying the same
into practical effect. I would have it understood that I do not confine myself to the

page_text: vessel for the purpose of Automatically topping up or filling the same as the yeast is
thrown off from the cleansing vessel.
2. The method by which such cask or other cleansing vessel is automatically filled as
above described.
In witness whereof I the said William Farrow Smee have hereunto set my
hand & seal this 24th day of June 1889.