Casks and Barrels Containing Liquids.
Year: 1884

page_text: Casks and Barrels Containing Liquids.
We JOSEPH BURCH of Adswood Grove Stockport in the County of Chester
Consulting Mechanician and WILLIAM JOSEPH HALL of 3 Market Place Stockport
in the County of Chester Grocer do hereby declare the nature of our Invention
for IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR TAPPING VENTING AND SEALING CASKS AND
BARRELS CONTAINING LIQUIDS to be as follows :-
:-
•
The object of our invention is to provide facile means first :-for tapping casks
without the risk of losing any portion of the contents second: to vent them
without the risk of having the contents spoiled through neglecting to put in the
vent peg and so that generally the last glass or measure drawn out will be as fresh
as the first drawing; and third-to so seal both the tap and the vent holes by
means of one seal that the abstraction of any portion of the contents of a cask is
readily detected-Also by the use of our invention mustiness in emptied casks will
be prevented and the trouble and expense of cleansing and sweetening them will
be saved; and to this end our invention consists as follows:-
First; Tapping Into the usual tapping hole we permanently insert a thin
metal bush, screw threaded both inside and outside, the latter cutting its way into
the wood when the bush is screwed in. When a cask is emptied and the tap
withdrawn, we screw into the bush a plug made preferably of hard wood turned
and covered with either india-rubber or cork; the wood projecting at one end is
squared to fit a socket formed inside the end of the tap, which end is also screw-
headed externally to engage with the screw thread inside the bush. The plug
being fluid tight need not be removed by the brewer, who will merely have the
dregs washed out and the cask refilled. When the cask is tapped, the socket at
the end of the tap is applied to the square end of the plug, and then instead of
being driven in by a mallet in the usual way, the tap is turned and gradually
screwed into the bush-The turning of the tap screws the plug forward in the
bush, and it is driven out and set free inside the cask by the time the tap is firmly
fixed in its place-For the purpose of cleaning the inside the tap we make the
nozzle in a separate piece removable when required.

page_text: Second; Venting-Instead of venting a cask as is usual through the bung-hole
stave near the fore end, we make the vent hole opposite the tap hole at the end of
the cask, as close as possible to the chime. We also when the vent peg is not
permanently fixed, screw in a small metal bush which is also screw threaded
inside to receive the vent peg, or when the latter is withdrawn, a small screw
threaded plug is inserted. The vent peg consists of a fine tube, that slides within
an outer tube, the latter being screw-threaded externally to engage with the
screw thread inside the bush. An enlargement on the end of the outer tube
contains a spiral spring, and the end of the inner tube projecting beyond, is
furnished with a small knob upon which when the thumb or finger is pressed, so
as to force the inner tube inwards against the spring, the vent is opened, but the
moment the pressure is removed, the inner tube is forced outwards by the reaction
of the spring and the vent thereby is automatically closed.
Third; Sealing-In the end of the cask extending from the tap hole to the
vent hole a narrow groove is cut, which intersects a shallow circular or other
form of recess, made to contain the wax on which the seal is impressed. Through
the square end of the plug in the tap hole is drilled a small hole, and a similar
hole is made through the end of the plug that closes the vent hole, or through the
projecting end of the vent peg when the latter is permanently fixed, and through
these holes is passed a piece of tine strong cord which is confined to the groove by
suitable means; the two ends of the cord being led back in the groove are made
to cross the recess that contains the wax, which is then heated and melted, and
the seal which forces the cord into the melted wax is then applied, and both the
tap hole and the vent hole are thereby sealed, so that it will not be possible to
unscrew either of the plugs without breaking the seal. When about to tap a cask,
that section of the cord that secures the tap hole plug is cut and the plug is set
free, and in like manner when venting is required the cord that threads the plug
in the vent hole must be cut, and then that plug is free.-When the cask is
returned with the seal intact the brewer will know that no attempt was made to
tamper with its contents.
It is not necessary at all times that the whole of the combination be used, as in
some cases and especially with home brewed beer and with other beverages and
liquids, the sealing may be considered unnecessary, or the old modo of tapping
may be continued and the vent peg used either with or without the seal.

page_text: improvements in Apparatus for Tapping, Venting, and Sealing
Casks and Barrels Containing Liquids.
We JOSEPH BURCH, of Adswood Grove, Stockport, in the County of Chester,
Consulting Mechanician, and WILLIAM JOSEPH HALL, 3 Market Place, Stockport,
in the County of Chester, Grocer, do hereby declare the nature of our Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR TAPPING, VENTING, AND SEALING CASKS
AND BARRELS CONTAINING LIQUIDS," 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 our invention is to provide facile means, first:-for sealing casks
containing beer, wine, spirits, and other liquids, and so that both the tap hole and
the vent hole in small casks can be secured by means of one seal, and any attempt
to tamper with the contents will be readily detected: second-for tapping casks
without the risk of spilling or losing any of the contents: and third-for venting
casks with a self-closing vent peg, so that the risk of having the contents spoiled
through neglecting to put in the vent peg, is avoided, and the last measure drawn
is as fresh as the first. Also by the use of our invention mustiness in emptied
casks will be prevented, and the trouble and expense of cleansing, scouring and
sweetening them will be saved, as a cask when empty and the tap withdrawn, is
at the same time closed against the atmosphere, and to this end our invention
consists as follows:-that is to say.
In preparing a cask designed to hold beer, wine, spirits or other liquid, and
intended to be sealed and drawn off by means of a tap and vent, we securely screw
into the tap hole of such cask a metal bush, and another bush of smaller size is
screwed into the vent hole, which we make in the end of the cask on the side
opposite to the tap hole, and near to the chime of the cask. These bushes are
Screw-threaded inside as well as outside, and are intended to be permanent.
First-Sealing-About midway in the head of a cask between the tap hole and
the vent hole, is made a shallow recess to receive sealing wax, and thence leading
in opposite directions a communication is made between the tap hole and the vent
hole respectively by means of a narrow groove. When a cask is fresh filled a
Screw threaded plug is first screwed into each of the bushes (viz) in the tap hole
and in the vent hole, so that there is no leakage, and the outer end of each plug
being reduced in size and made square, is left projecting.-Through these square
ends of the plugs respectively a small hole is drilled to receive a piece of cord or
fine wire which is passed through, first say the tap hole plug, and is then led along
the groove across the sealing recess, and on along the opposite groove to the vent
hole plug, and after passing through the hole in its square end is led back in the
groove to the recess, and the other end of the cord is brought in the same direction,
so that the two ends of the cord meet and cross at the recess, and one stretch of
the cord passes through it. When the sealing wax is melted upon the cord in the
recess, the cord should be drawn tight and held while the requisite seal is impressed
upon the wax and the cord thereby secured. The cask is now sealed and ready.
.

page_text: for delivery or transit, and it will not be possible to tamper with its contents
without either cutting the cord or wire, or breaking the seal.
The parts above described are shewn on the drawing hereto annexed by Fig. 1
which exhibits a plan of a portion of the head of a cask, and Fig. 2 shews a section
of the same. A, marks the mid-portion of the flat end of a cask, and A' denotes
the ends of the staves or chime. B marks the tap hole bush, which will be further
described hereafter, and C indicates the tap hole plug screwed in the bush.
O¹ marks the square end of this plug, drilled to receive the cord H. C² shews a
prolongation of the axis of the plug, and C³ a small flange on its extreme inner
end, that prevents its withdrawal: D denotes the groove leading from the tap 1
hole to the seal recess E, and thence to the vent hole the groove is marked F.
I shews a series of small staples that confine the cord to the grooves, J marks
the vent hole plug with its square end J, and K marks the vent hole bush.
Second-Tapping:-Fig. 3 exhibits a section and Fig. 4 a plan of the same part
of the head of a cask as is shewn by Figs. 1 and 2, but in this case the cask must be
considered to be in the hands of the consumer, the sealing cord having been cut,
the plugs removed, and the tap and the vent peg inserted. The tap G is of much
lighter construction than an ordinary beer tap, as it is simply screwed into the tap
hole bush B, and not in the usual way driven into the tap hole by the blows of a
hammer or mallet. For the purpose of engaging with the square end C¹ of the
plug C, the tap has a square socket of corresponding size formed in the end that
enters the bush. When this socket is applied and the tap turned, the plug O is
screwed further into the bush B followed by the tap, the screw-threads on which
engage with the screw-threads in the bush, so that both tap and plug move on at
the same speed. It will be seen by Fig. 5, which represents a longitudinal view of
the bush B, (Fig. 6 being an end view,) that about the midlength of the bush there
is an annular series of small holes B¹, which admit the liquor to the tap. That
portion of the bush which projects into the cask receives the plug C when the
latter is driven in by turning the tap. When the tap is fairly screwed in, its collar
face to face with the end of the bush as shewn by Fig. 3, it will be seen that the
holes B¹, open into the bush between the end of the tap and the fore end of the
plug C. G marks short longitudinal grooves made in the end of the tap for the
passage of the liquor (see also Fig. 9) and from each groove, a communication,
marked G³, is made with the central passage G₁, of the tap. G marks the plug
in Go, which denotes the barrel of the tap, and G' is a cap which is scrowed on to
the end of the barrel and carries the key hole, (see Fig. 10). Figs. 7 and 8
represent two views of the tap, and Fig. 9 shews the form of its extreme end, the
several parts being marked with corresponding letters of reference.
Third-Venting:- -When the pressure in the cask is exhausted and venting is
required, the cord that passes through the square end J of the plug J should be
cut and when the plug has been withdrawn from the vent hole bush K, the vent
peg L must be inserted in its place. The vent peg consists of two parts seen com-
bined in Fig. 11, which represents an upright view of the peg, comprising an outer
tubular case M, that screws into the bush; and Fig. 12 shews the inner part N,
which is a short rod fitted to slide up and down in the case M, the upper end
whereof is enlarged to form an internal cavity made to contain a spiral spring.
The upper end N¹ of the rod N is also enlarged and shaped like a knob or
button, the enlarged part beneath the knob being fitted to slide in the cavity and
press upon the spring. A fine hole marked O, is drilled up the centre of the rod,
and two small holes laterally communicating therewith are drilled through the side,
one marked P near the top, and the other Q, near the lower end, the hole where the
drill entered at the extreme end of the rod N being closed. R marks a small loose
collar, and S, a nut on the end of the rod, which is screw threaded. When the
spiral spring is placed in the circular cavity and the rod is inserted, the enlarged
part under the knob rests upon the spring, which is then slightly compressed and
adjusted by screwing up the nut S, and the collar R, so that the latter pressing
fluid tight against the bottom of the case M, prevents the passage through the rod

page_text: of any air. The cavity is constantly supplied with air by means of a sinall hole T,
that is drilled through its wall from the outside, and when venting is required, all
that is necessary consists in pressing the knob down with the finger or thumb, so
as to close the space between it and the top of the case M. The rod N being thus
forced downwards, opens a space between the collar R and the lower end of the
case, and, brings the hole Qbelow the latter, thereby opening a free passage for
the ingress of air, which continues to flow into the cask in a fine stream through
the rod N so long as the pressure on the knob is continued, but the moment the
pressure is removed, the rod is forced up by the reaction of the spring, and the vent
is thereby automatically closed so that by this means the vent can never be left
open. Generally the vent hole plug will be made of metal, but the tap hole plug
may have a hard wood or metal core covered either with vulcanized rubber, gutta
percha, soft metal or other suitable substance, moulded on the core with an
external screw thread exactly corresponding in form and pitch with the internal
thread of the bush.
When a cask is empty, the act of withdrawing the tap by unscrewing it out of
the tap hole bush, brings at the same time the tap hole plug again forward, and as
soon as the tap is free, it leaves the plug in its original position in the fore part of
the bush, ready for the next time of filling the cask. The vent peg at the same
time should be taken out, and the vent hole plug immediately reinserted.
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
First. We claim the mode described for sealing casks containing liquids, by
means of a cord or wire, or cords or wires threaded through the hole in the
square end of the tap hole plug and of the vent hole plug respectively, and
secured by wax or other suitable material, after the manner and for the purposes
set forth in connection with the first part of this invention.
Second. We claim the mode described for tapping casks containing liquids, and
the construction and use of the taps, plugs and bushes employed, after the
manner and for the purposes set forth in relation to the second part of this
invention.
Third. We claim the mode described for venting casks containing liquids, and
the construction and use of the vent peg, plug, and bush employed after the
manner and for the purposes herein set forth in relation to the third part of this
invention.