Casks and other vessels.
Year: 1888

page_text: Dale of Application, 23rd May, 1888
Complete Specification Left, 13th Feb., 1889
Complete Specification Accepted, 6th Apr., 1889
Casks and other vessels.
I CHARLES ALBERT TEW of 176 Rolfe Street Smethwick in the County of Stafford,
Machinist do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows
My improved Tap (which is a modification of the one described in the Specifica-
tions of my Patent dated 15 March 1886 and numbered 3617) consists of a taper
plug fitted into but free to turn within a similarly tapered barrel. The plug, which
is cast hollow is perforated or grated at its smaller end and has an opening or outlet
on one side which corresponds with a similar opening in the barrel and when these
two openings are brought together by the partial revolution of the plug, the liquid
flows out of the cask or other vessel to which the tap is applied. The barrel of the
tap is furnished with a flange or face plate of adequate dimensions so that when the
taper portion thereof is inserted in the cork hole it can be securely fastened there
by means of ordinary wood screws passing through the said flange and into the head
of the cask, or in such other way as may more readily and effectually secure the
same. Provision is made in the face-plate for the insertion of a bent or straight
spout whereby the tap is adapted for use in private or public houses.
The main purpose to be served by this, my invention, is to secure casks or other
vessels, when empty, from becoming foul, as they are liable to do, by the admission
of atmospheric air. This is effected by the partial revolution of the plug within the
barrel by means of a suitable key which effectually closes the water-way and excludes
the air. A portion of my improved tap consists of a simple and ready method of
drawing off the liquor, whereby the trouble, inconvenience and frequent loss incident
to the tapping of casks are avoided, and by its adoption I believe a large saving, not
only of labour but also of wear and tear of the casks to which it may be applied,
will be effected.

page_text: Casks and other Vessels.
I CHARLES ALBERT TEW of 176 Rolfe Street, Smethwick in the County of Stafford
Machinist, 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 improved Tap (which is a modification of the one described in the Specifica-
tions of my patent dated 15 March 1886 and numbered 3617) is intended to secure
casks or other vessels when empty from becoming foul, which they are very apt to do,
by the admission of atmospheric air.
That the nature of my invention may be more clearly understood I have attached
hereto drawings thereof which I now proceed to explain.
Fig. 1 is a front elevation shewing the method of securing the tap to the head of
the cask and also the key hole. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the tap. Fig. 3 an
elevation of the tap, as fixed in the head of the cask or barrel. Fig. 4 is the key.
Fig. 5 a straight spout with "Union "for use in public houses and Fig. 6a washer
or nut for screwing onto the smaller end of the casing to exclude hops or other
substances from the space between the tap and the interior of the Cork-hole. The
nut may also be used, if desired for retaining the tap in its position without the aid
of wood Screws.
On reference to Fig. 2 it will be seen that the tap consists of an outer casing or
shell A containing a taper plug B which is kept in position by means of the cover C.
(Figs. 1 & 2).
To understand the working of the tap it will be needful to observe that it is intended
to be fixed in the head of the cask, when empty, the cork-hole being enlarged for that
purpose a washer of leather India rubber or other suitable material being placed
under the flange, through which ordinary wood screws are passed so as to securely
and permanently retain the tap in that position-or, if preferred, it may be fastened
from the inside, by means of a nut of suitable form and dimensions, being screwed onto
the smaller end of the casing and which may also be made to so cover the aperture
surrounding the tap as to exclude therefrom any hops or other substances which
might otherwise lodge therein.
To draw off the liquor the loose spou (a figs. 1 & 2) is first inserted in the face
plate and then by means of the key the plug is turned so as to bring the opening in
it into conjunction with the one in the casing ( &c fig. 2) when the liquor entering
the plug by its grated end flows out through the spout. The return of the plug to
its former position closes the water-way and effectually excludes the atmosphere, and
thus the purity of the cask is preserved.
The arrangement of a loose spout will be found very convenient in the event of
hops or other material getting into the tap, and thereby obstructing the flow of the
liquor. In such a case the spout can be turned upwards (which cannot be done
with ordinary taps) the plug being turned at the same time so as to open the
water-way when by blowing into the tap the obstruction can be readily removed.

page_text: 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
1st. An improved tap for permanently fixing in casks or other vessels, consisting
of an outer shell and containing a rotating plug whereby the flow of liquids is
controlled and the vessels to which the said tap, is fixed, are by the exclusion of the
atmosphere, when empty, preserved from becoming foul and unfit for use.
2nd. A convenient and effective method of retaining the plug in its seat, without
the use of the ordinary nut and washer by means of a cover or cap as herein before
described.
3rd. I also claim that by my improved tap the trouble and loss which frequently
attend the ordinary method of tapping casks are entirely avoided.
In witness whereof, 1 the said Charles Albert Tew, of Rolfe Street. Smothwick,
in the County of Stafford, Machinist, have hereunto set my hand this Twelfth
day of February, One thousand eight hundred and eighty nine.
CHARLES ALBERT TEW.