Improvements in Beer and other similar Barrels.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Mar., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 17th Dec., 1891-Accepted, 30th Jan., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Beer and other similar Barrels.
I, TOM BAY, NV, DAN
in the County of York. Decorator,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in beer and other similar barrels and its
object is to dispense with the cork commonly employed to close the aperture where
the tap is inserted as well as to automatically close said aperture when the tap is
removed.
For this purpose I employ a taper or conical plug mounted upon a spring arm
fixed inside the barrel. Said arm is preferably in the form of a curved spring of
steel, hard brass or other suitable material fixed at the top to the end of the barrel
and having the said plug mounted upon its free end. An annular seat fitting said
plug is provided inside the barrel round the aperture for the tap. This seat is
preferably formed of flexible material such as india-rubber or asbestos and may be
held in position by a metal or other cover secured to the end of the barrel. The
metallic portions are preferably plated or tinned to prevent corrosive action thereon
by the liquid contained in the barrel.
When said spring is fixed in position its free end carrying the plug is arranged
to bear with considerable pressure upon said plug so that there is a decided
tendency to keep such plug against its seat in the aperture for the tap, but not
sufficient to prevent it being forced inwards by the tap when the latter is inserted in
the usual manner.
The above described arrangement is entirely free from complication or parts
liable to get out of order or become fouled or clogged by deposits of solid matter
and prevent the plug springing to its seat to close the aperture when the tap is
accidentally or intentionally removed.
A cardboard or other suitable disc is inserted in the aperture for the tap in front
of the said plug adapted to receive a seal or impression and prevent the plug being
tampered with without breaking such seal.
A perforated taper shell is employed to hold the said plug away from its seat
whilst the barrel is cleaned, or dried, etc.
Dated this 16th day of March 1891.
DRACUP & NOWELL,
Bradford, Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Beer and other similar Barrels.
I, TOM BATTY, of North View, Drighlington in the County of York, Decorator,
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 :-
This invention relates to improvements in beer and other similar barrels and its
object is to dispense with the cork commonly employed to close the aperture where
the tap is inserted as well as to automatically close said aperture when the tap is
removed.
For this purpose I employ a taper or conical plug mounted upon a spring arm
fitted inside the barrel. Said arm is preferably in the form of a curved spring of
steel, hard brass or other suitable material fixed at the top to the inside of the
head of the barrel and having the said plug mounted upon its free end. An annular
seat fitting said plug is provided inside the barrel round the aperture for the tap.
Price 6d.

page_text: This seat may be formed of flexible material such as india-rubber or asbestos and
may be held in position by a metal or other cover secured to the head of the barrel.
The metallic portions are preferably plated or tinned to prevent corrosive action
thereon by the liquid contained in the barrel.
When said spring is fixed in position its free end carrying the plug is arranged
to bear with considerable pressure upon said plug so that there is a decided
tendency to keep such plug against its seat in the aperture for the tap, but not
sufficient to prevent it being forced inwards by the tap when the latter is inserted in
the usual manner.
The above described arrangement is entirely free from complication or parts
liable to get out of order or become fouled or clogged by deposits of solid matter
and prevent the plug springing to its seat to close the aperture when the tap is
accidentally or intentionally removed.
In the accompanying drawing
Figure 1, represents a cross section shewing the interior of a barrel looking
towards the head fitted with my improvements.
Figure 2, is a diametrical section of the head end of the barrel at right angles to
the former figure shewing the aperture for the tap closed by my improved spring
plug.
Figure 3, is a similar view with the tap in position.
Figure 4, is an outside view of the head end of the barrel, and
Figure 5, is a sectional view on a larger scale of a portion of the barrel head
shewing the aperture for the tap with the taper plug for closing the same in
position.
Similar letters of reference indicate similar parts in each of the figures.
The taper plug A of cork or other suitable material is secured by the bolt B and
the washer C to the free end of the spring D. The other end of the spring D is
fixed by the screws a to the inner side of the head E. A non-corrosive metal
seat is secured round the inside of the aperture G for the tap H by the screws e
and any suitable packing material i may be introduced between the seat F and the
barrel head E.
In case I employ a metal or other non-elastic plug I preferably fit an elastic seat
such as india-rubber or asbestos instead of the metal seat F.
A card-board or other suitable disc may be inserted in the aperture for the tap
in front of the said plug adapted to receive a seal or impression and prevent the
plug being tampered with without breaking such seal, or a metal disc, pendant or
slide may be arranged to swing or slide down in front of the aperture and be fixed
by a seal.
I find the perforated taper shell referred to in my Provisional Specification
unnecessary as when the plug is pushed in, the form of the spring allows it to be
sprung aside clear of the aperture as shown by the broken lines Figure 1 thus
leaving said aperture free and open when required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare what I
claim is:
1. The improved means or method of closing the tap aperture of beer and other
barrels by means of a plug carried upon a spring arm secured in the interior of the
barrel, substantially as herein shewn and described.
2. A spring arm D adapted to be secured to the inner side of a barrel head and
having a taper plug secured to its free end to fit a suitable seat surrounding the
aperture for the tap, substantially as herein shewn and described and for the purpo-e
specified.
Dated this 15th dor of Decumber 1401
DRACU
& NOWELL,
Brad. ord, Agents.