Improvements in Means for Purifying Casks and the like.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Means for Purifying Casks and the like.
We, RALPH JAMES FREMLIN, RICHARD HENRY FREMLIN, WALTER THOMAS
FREMLIN, and FRANK FREMLIN, trading as Fremlin Bros., Brewers, of the Pale
Ale Brewery, Maidstone, in the County of Kent, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention applies more particularly to casks made of an absorbent
material such as wood, or may be employed for any other material. It
has been customary to prepare casks previous to filling, by introducing hot
water or steam into them through the bung hole, by means of a jet, nozzle or
other suitable apparatus. Such internal application does not however heat up the
material of the cask throughout, to a sufficiently high temperature to be effective
in destroying or removing any germs or other injurious matter, contained in the
pores of the cask, or adherent to the interior thereof.
We obtain the complete destruction of such germs by placing the casks within
a closed chamber into which steam is then introduced allowing the casks to
remain therein for a sufficient time. The bung holes of the casks must be left
open, so that the steam is in contact with both the interior and exterior of the
material of the cask. The temperature of the cask material can be raised to a
higher temperature throughout although a lower temperature actually acts upon
the surfaces of the cask, with a consequent saving of the impoverishing effects of
high temperatures.
A great economy in the use of the steam will also be effected by using a non-
conducting chamber for holding the casks, as the loss by radiation and conduction
will be very materially reduced. In carrying our invention into effect we prefer-
ably form a chamber of thick timbers bolted together. Two opposite ends should
be provided with doors for the purpose of loading and unloading the casks. A
suitable steam inlet with or without a distributing pipe, will be fitted in a con-
venient position, & thermometers should be inserted in the chamber for indicating
the internal temperature.
It will be readily understood that an iron chamber covered with suitable non-
conducting composition may also be employed, and that the door or doors may be
on any convenient position. Internal rails or racks may be fitted, or a
trolley containing such rails or racks, be used.
Ti thin 10th day of October 1897
age or

page_text: Improvements in Means for Purifying Casks and the like.
We, RALPH JAMES FREMLIN, RICHARD HENRY FREMLIN, WALTER THOMAS
FREMLIN, and FRANK FREMLIN, trading as Fremlin Bros., of the Pale Ale Brewery,
Maidstone, in the County of Kent. Brewers, 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:-
Our invention applies more particularly to casks made of an absorbent
material such as wood, but it may be employed for casks made of any other material.
It has been customary to prepare casks previous to re-filling by introducing hot
water or steam into them through the bung hole by means of a jet, nozzle, or other
suitable apparatus.
Such internal application does not however heat up the
material of the cask throughout to a sufficiently high temperature in a reasonable
time to be effective in destroying or removing any germs or other injurious matter
contained in the pores of the casks.
We obtain the complete destruction of such germs by placing the casks within a
closed chamber, into which steam is then introduced, allowing the casks to remain
therein for a sufficient time. The bung and tap holes of the casks must be left
open, so that the steam is in contact with both the interior and exterior surfaces
of the material of the casks. A much lower temperature is required under this
system to heat up the material throughout than when steam is blown into the
bung-hole only. A very great economy in the use of steam will consequently be
obtained, and a still further saving may be effected by using a non-conducting
chamber for holding the casks, as the loss by radiation and conduction will be very
materially reduced. The casks are in a fit condition for re-filling directly they
are cold, as they will also be dry, while they will remain "sweet" for a much
longer period than usual.
The lower temperature has a less impoverishing effect on the wood; there is
therefore less destruction of casks and consequently less coopering necessary.
Owing to the quick drying-off," a smaller stock of casks will be required, and
less storage space is necessary for cleaning casks.
The amount of cask-washing plant is reduced, and the substituted apparatus is
subject to less wear and teur; there is therefore a saving in the annual outlay in
this department.
An important advantage of this system is that, as a result of the perfect steriliz-
ing of the casks, there necessarily must be a reduction in the amount of
returns."
It will be evident also that alkaline and antiseptic materials can be more readily
introduced into the casks by this system.
In order that our invention may be more clearly understood and readily carried
into effect, we will describe the same by aid of the accompanying drawings which
show one form in which it may be carried into effect, and in which similar letters
in the various figures refer to similar parts.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation, Fig. 2 is à plan and Fig. 8 is an end elevation, all
partly in section.
In carrying our invention into effect we preferably form a chamber of thick
timbers A bolted together by bolts B and provided with bearers and joists C
and. D. Two opposite ends should be provided with doors E for the purpose of
loading and unloading the casks. These doors are more convenient if hung in two
leaves with the meeting edges splayed or related. A stout bar F is employed for
holding the doors closed. The lower end of this bar drops into a staple or

page_text: socket G, while the top end is preferably set up by means of a screw H with hand
wheel working in a bracket K. Any of the various well known methods of closing
such doors may be used. A suitable steam inlet pipe L is provided with a regulat-
ing valve as M. The steam pipe is preferably placed on the floor of the chamber
with a tee end and short distributing pipes N. Thermometers should be inserted
in the chamber for indicating the internal temperature. The doors may be made
tight if required by means of rubber or other suitable material.
It will be readily understood that an iron chamber covered with suitable non-
conducting composition may also be employed, and that the door or doors may be
in any convenient position.
Internal rails or racks may be fitted in the chamber, or a cage or trolley
containing such rails or racks may be used.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:
The method of preparing casks and the like for re-filling by enclosing them in a
chamber so that the steam may be brought in contact with both surfaces of the
material of which the cask is formed, as herein described.
Dated
UITS 15 day
au 10
1000.
HARRIS & MILLS,
23, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.