AN IMPROVED SPILE OR VENT PEG FOR CASKS, BARRELS AND THE LIKE
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Alfred Julius Boult at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd October 1883. A communication
from J. P. Schönig of Besançon in the Republic of France.
"
ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer, AN IMPROVED SPILE OR VENT PEG FOR CASKS, BARRELS AND THE
LIKE [A communication from J. P. Schönig of Besançon in the Republic of
France]
"
This improved spile or vent peg for casks barrels and similar vessels allows the
contents of the barrel &c to be readily drawn off whilst at the same time preventing
the entrance of dust and similar matters The shape of this spile is the usual one,
that is to say it is circular in cross section and tapers from the top downwards.
It consists of two essential parts. The top forms a hollow cap fitting upon the
upper part of the body. The top has at its sides vent holes which are made
oblique rising from the outside inwards so as to prevent the entrance of dust with
the air.
These holes or channels communicate with the hollow interior of the cap which
forms an air chamber filled with loose carded cotton or the like through which the
air passes before entering the cask &c.
The body or lower part of the vent peg is formed into three chambers or
compartments containing the closing device. The top part of the body is reduced
so as to present a neck fitting exactly into the loose top or cap.
The centre of the top part of the body (say one third of its height) is is taken
up by a cylindrical aperture in which is placed a helical spring resting against the
bottom of the chamber; to this spring is suitably connected a hook which carries &
similar spring of smaller diameter; the space left between the spring in the first
compartment and the walls of the latter may be filled with slightly compressed
carded cotton. The said first spring is thus entirely surrounded by the cotton-
wool which filters the air entering the cask etc when the contents thereof are
drawn off.
The second compartment occupies likewise about a third body and is of such
size as to give free play to the second spring which possesses very considerable
elasticity being nevertheless capable of exerting a suitable degree of pressure.
The second spring has at the top a ring engaging with the hook provided on the

page_text: first spring and the lower end of the second spring is attached to a washer which
moves freely in the third compartment the diameter whereof is almost equal to
that of the first compartment.
The washer whose diameter is but slightly less than the bore of the second
compartment bears on the top a piece of rubber which, by reason of the tension of
the springs bears against the bottom of the second compartment closing the orifice
of the same hermetically. The bottom of the bore of the spile is provided with a
washer which fits with slight friction into the aperture, from the last named
washer rise preferably three pins or studs of equal height upon which the rubber
valve rests when liquid is being drawn,off. The said bottom washer has holes
which are always open.
I
It is obvious that when liquid is drawn off the rubber valve is depressed by
atmospheric pressure (the springs being elongated at the same time) allowing air to
pass into the vessel.
This spilo or vent-peg may be constructed of any convenient size and material,