IMPROVE- MENTS IN MEANS OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRESERVING AND COOLING BEVERAGES TO BE DRAWN OFF
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Walter Alfred Barlow of 6 St Pauls Churchyard in the
City of London Patent Agent and Engineer for an invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MEANS OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRESERVING AND COOLING
BEVERAGES TO BE DRAWN OFF A communication from abroad by Henry
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Walter Alfred Barlow at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th May 1882.
WALTER ALFRED BARLOW of 6 St Pauls Churchyard in the city of London
Patent Agent and Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS OF AND APPARATUS FOR
PRESERVING AND COOLING BEVERAGES TO BE DRAWN OFF" a communication from
abroad by Henry Hohl of Emmishofen Canton Thurgan Switzerland
This Invention relates to certain improvements in means of and apparatus for
preserving and cooling beverages to be drawn off.
The methods hitherto employed for drawing off or tapping out liquors present
considerable disadvantages, which are completely done away by this new method.
The method hitherto employed to make liquors flow off has been either to allow
atmosphereic air to enter into the cask or barrel, or to conduct air or gas into it by
means of syphons
The inherent disadvantages in this method are so well known that it is not
necessary to discuss them any further. When tapping out wine, beer, and other
liquors not only is a great part of the carbonic acid lost, but very often also air
saturated with noxious gasses enters into the casks and comes in contact with the
liquors.
By the new method which forms the object of the invention in question the air
entering into the casks does not come in contact with the liquor so that all the
disadvantages of the methods hitherto used are avoided
The cask to be tapped according to this invention is fitted with an apparatus
about the position of the bung hole consisting of a tube to which is fastened a

page_text: bladder.
The blader may be made of animal stuff or of caoutchouc or of any
other gas and waterproof material but it must be of such a size or elasticity that
when distended with wind or filled with water or any other liquid it fills the whole
cask.
The tube is at its lower part provided with a screw thread around which is
placed a ring of caoutchouc which is supported by a flange that is fast by lock
nuts. When the caoutchouc ring is seated in the bung hole it is pressed together
by means of a turning screw or wing nut above it so that it is spread out whereby
a hermetic closing of the bung-hole is effected and to prevent a pressing in or
rubbing of the turning screw on the caoutchouc ring a metal washer
between the parts.
placed
To the upper end of the tube is provided two taps and a pipe which latter
conducts compressed air or water by pressure into the bladder from a reservoir.
In the reservoir which is provided with a mano-meter and a safety valve air, or
gas, or water is pumped. The reservoir may for the purpose of cooling the gas or
fluid contained in it be put into an ice chest, which cooling is of the greatest value
inasmuch as the cooled air etc or other medium which is conducted into the bladder
keeps the beverage always fresh, consequently the whole apparatus serves not only
for preserving, but more especially also for cooling beverages.
By the tap the entering of the gas or the fluid contained in the reservoir into
the bladder can be regulated.
Where there is a head of water available the reservoir is superfluous; the water
may by pressure be conducted directly into the bladder by the tap.
When the cask is empty the tap is shut the second tap opened, the turn screw
loosened and the bladder slowly taken out of the cask.
By this improved method which may be employed in the direct tapping of
liquors out of casks as well as in using the modern apparatus for tapping beer by
pressure the liquor contained in the cask does not come in contact with the air
at all,

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Walter Alfred Barlow in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
17th November 1882.
WALTER ALFRED BARLOW of 6 St Pauls Churchyard in the City of London
Patent Agent and Engineer
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS OF AND APPARATUS FOR
PRESERVING AND COOLING BEVERAGES TO BE DRAWN OFF a communication from
abroad by Henry Hohl of Emmishofen, Canton Thurgau Switzerland.
"
The invention has for its object to remedy the present defective means in use
for preserving and cooling beverages. Previous to this Invention the liquid as for
example beer was raised to a higher level by forcing air under pressure into the
barrel or vessel by pumps or other appliances. This method is objectionable on
account of the air being sometimes charged with injurious gas contaminating the
liquid inside the barrel or vessel. The principal object of my present invention is
to preserve and cool the beer and prevent the air when forced into the barrel or
vessel coming in contact with the liquid To this end I form and fit into the
interior of the barrel and through the bung hole a bag or bladder made from any
suitable expanding material as for example india rubber into which bag air, gas or
water may be forced by means of a pump to expand the bag and thereby cool the
beer or other beverage. The air before being forced into the bag may be passed
through a refrigerator to cool it and to which a thermometer may be attached.
Referring to the accompanying drawing Fig. 1 represents a side view Fig. 2 a front
view and Fig 3 a section of the barrel and bag. The bag or bladder a formed from
any suitable expanding substance or material is inserted through the bung hole b
and fixed therein. The apparatus supporting the bag or bladder a in position
consists of an india rubber conical plug c through which the spindle d is passed
which spindle is formed on its lower end with a screw thread on which are fixed the
nuts c. f which firmly grip the ends of the expanding bag or bladder a which bag
when fully expanded fits the sides of the bag or barrel in which case the whole of
the contained liquid in the barrel would have been drawn off as seen in Fig 3.
On the upper part of the said plug c a washer h is placed to prevent injury to the
plug. A collar i to which a handle j is connected is mounted on the said spindle d
and when rotated presses the plug c into the bung hole. The spindle is formed
with a passage through which the air is conveyed into the interior of the bag the
coupling K connecting the air or water tube 7 with the spindle. In one arrange-
ment for expanding the bag or bladder a an air pump m is mounted to the side of
a casing n which casing may contain any suitable refrigerating apparatus through
which the air pipe l is carried. I consider this refrigerating of the liquid by the air
of importance as the air will thereby allways keep the beverages in a good condition
and also preserve the same. The construction and position of the reservoir is
optional, provided that a sufficient pressure be obtained to expand the bag or
bladder. By means of the cock o the flow of water, air or gas into the bag or
bladder can be regulated. When water from the mains or under pressure is used
the reservoir or refrigerator is dispensed with. When the barrel is empty the
thoroughfare in the coupling k becomes closed the collar i is loosened by the
connected hand lever and the spindle and bladder are free to be removed An
important feature of my Invention consists in preventing the contact of the air
with the beverages while in the barrel as hereinbefore mentioned.
Having now described and indicated the nature of my Invention and means for
carrying the same into effect I would have it to be understood that I claim :—
First the method of preserving and cooling liquids by means of a bag or bladder

page_text: mounted within the barrel or vessel containing the liquids which bag is capable of
being expanded to fill the interior of the barrel. Air, gas, or water under pressure
being forced into the said bag in order that the contents of the barrel may be
gradually expelled and at the same time kept in a cool state.
Secondly the combination with the bag or bladder of the hollow spindle plug and
coupling and connected air pump for the purpose specified
Thirdly the combination of parts herein before mentioned and as illustrated on
the accompanying drawings
In witness whereof I the said Walter Alfred Barlow have hereunto set my
hand and seal this ninth day of November in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.