IMPROVEMENTS IN VESSELS FOR CONTAINING AND PRESERVING WINE AND SIMILAR FLUIDS AND SOME SOLID SUBSTANCES
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Robert Dunlop at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 10th October 1883.
ROBERT DUNLOP, of 41 Oakfield Street, Cardiff, Glamorganshire, Wine Merchant
and Importer IMPROVEMENTS IN VESSELS FOR CONTAINING AND PRESERVING
WINE AND SIMILAR FLUIDS AND SOME SOLID SUBSTANCES
The object of my invention so far as fluids are concerned, 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 contents
in sound condition, and thus to do away in many cases with the necessity for
bottling, and thus to cheapen the wine (or other article) 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 which he would run of
spoiling the bulk if a similar quantity were so treated in an ordinary vessel.
Solids may be stored in the same vessels provided they are associated with
some fluid or gelatinous substance or substance which may under certain
conditions become so, to fill up the interstices, but in such cases the piston must
be removed in order to gain access to the contents and the Vessel can be efficiently
closed again only when the medium with which the solid is associated is in a fluid
state or by the use of an Air pump to drive out or exhaust the Air.
I construct my said Vessels of any convenient sizes, from a quart or less, to a
capacity of many gallons, as may be required and of any suitable material, such as
metal, glass, stoneware terra cotta 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-When it is intended for
fluids the Cylinder has an opening near the bottom fitted with a tap for drawing
off the liquid

page_text: 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 lowered 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, the Piston may be under certain conditions, made and used
without the valve.
In order to draw off some of the Wine, I turn the tap at the bottom of the
Cylinder and at the same time open the valve, and when sufficient is drawn, turn
off the tap, lower the Piston until it is again on the face of the wine, and then 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 air-tight
The shape of the Vessel need not necessarily be cylindrical, it may be square, or
oblong, or any convenient shape.
The Vessel may be filled either by pouring in the liquid or by pumping it in