IMPROVEMENTS IN BEER ENGINES OR APPARATUS FOR WITHDRAWING BEER OR OTHER LIQUIDS FROM BARRELS OR CASKS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Parkinson Worthington, of Blackpool, in the
County of Lancaster, Architect, and John Fish, of Blackpool aforesaid, Inn
Keeper, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BEER ENGINES OR APPARATUS
FOR WITHDRAWING BEER OR OTHER LIQUIDS FROM BARRELS OR CASKS."
Sealed the 10th February 1880, and dated the 14th August 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Parkinson Worthington
and John Fish at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th
August 1879.
THOMAS PARKINSON WORTHINGTON, of Blackpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Architect, and JOHN FISH, of Blackpool aforesaid, Inn Keeper. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN BEER ENGINES OR APPARATUS FOR WITHDRAWING BEER OR OTHER LIQUIDS.
FROM BARRELS OR CASKS."
This Invention consists in an arrangement and combination of apparatus for
withdrawing beer or other liquids from barrels or casks in such manner as to enable
us to make one pump serve for withdrawing such liquid from any number of
barrels or casks, thereby dispensing with the use of a separate pump for each cask.
The improvements consist in the employment of a cylinder, the piston of which
is moved backward and forward by means of a hand lever or other equivalent. At
one end of this cylinder are one or more inlet valves connected by pipes to casks
intended to be drawn off, and at the same end of the said cylinder is an outlet
valve for the discharge of the beer or other liquid. Between each cask and the
inlet valves of the cylinder and in close proximity thereto is placed another valve
or tap, so that communication between each cask and inlet valve to the cylinder
can be put on or shut off at pleasure. Vent taps are placed in suitable parts of the
pipes and cylinder for the admission and discharge of air.
By this arrangement of mechanism the cylinder is always empty after each
operation, so that another kind or quality of liquid may be withdrawn from another
cask without admixture of liquids; or the liquids may be intermixed at pleasure
by opening the taps communicating with the separate casks.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Parkinson Worthington and John Fish in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 14th February 1880.
THOMAS PARKINSON WORTHINGTON, of Blackpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Architect, and JOHN FISH, of Blackpool aforesaid, Inn Keeper. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN BEER ENGINES OR APPARATUS FOR WITHDRAWING BEER OR OTHER LIQUIDS
FROM BARRELS OR CASKS."
This Invention consists in an arrangement and combination of apparatus for,
withdrawing beer or other liquids from barrels or other receptacles in such manner
as to enable us to make one pump serve for withdrawing such liquids from any
number of sources of supply, thereby dispensing with the use of a separate pump
for each.
The apparatus consists of a cylinder, the piston or plunger of which is moved
backward and forward by means of a band lever or other equivalent. At one end
of this cylinder are one or more inlet valves connected by pipes to sources from
which liquor is to be drawn, and at the same end of the said cylinder is an outlet
valve for the discharge of the beer or other liquid. Between each source of supply
and the inlet valves of the cylinder and in close proximity thereto is placed another
valve or tap, so that communication between each such source and inlet valve of
the cylinder can be established or shut off at pleasure. Vent taps are placed in
suitable parts of the pipes and cylinder for the admission and discharge of air. By
this arrangement of mechanism the cylinder is always empty after each operation
so that another kind or quality of liquid may be withdrawn from another source
without intermixture of liquids; or the liquids may be intermixed at pleasure by
opening the taps communicating with the separate casks or sources of supply.
In order that our Invention may be more fully understood we herein give
reference to the accompanying Sheets of Drawings illustrative thereof, Fig. 1 is
side elevation in section; Fig. 2, front elevation, and Fig. 3 plan view in section;
Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are details of a modified construction of apparatus. The Invention,
as illustrated by Sheet 1, consists of a cylinder A placed a little above the level of
the counter for convenience, and enclosed within a suitable box or casing. Within
the cylinder is a piston or plunger B, to which is attached a piston rod C passing
through a stuffing-box c and connected to a cross head D, on the ends of which are
rollers or runners d, for which are provided roller ways E. To the cross head are
also secured guide rods e, which work within the guides el placed at each side of
the cylinder. Mounted in bearings f is a short shaft F, which is cranked underneath
the cylinder, and the crank and cross head of piston are connected by crank arm g.
On one end of the shaft F is a handle G by means of which the piston can be
worked backwards and forwards within the cylinder. The different positions of
the handle are indicated by full and dotted lines in Fig. 1. To the front end of
the cylinder are attached inlet valves H, H¹, and an outlet valve J. Below each
inlet valve is placed a vent tap h, and another vent ; is provided at the back end
of the cylinder, the use of this latter vent being to allow free passage of air behind
the piston as it is working to and fro within the cylinder. The suction or supply
pipes 1, 2, 3, 4, through which the liquor has to be drawn from the various sources
of supply bave each a tap K immediately below their junction with the horizontal
pipes L, L', which communicate with the inlet valves H, H', which are ball or
spindle valves, whilst the outlet valve J is a hinged valve, though we do not confine
ourselves to these particular forms of valve. The action of the apparatus is as
follows: On the piston being forced outwards the outlet valve is closed by
atmospheric pressure and the liquor flows into the cylinder through the inlet valve,
one or more of the taps K. having being previously opened so as to allow the liquid
to pass. When the piston has been withdrawn to the full extent the motion is

page_text: reversed and the piston pushed forward, when the inlet valves are closed by the
pressure of liquid and the outlet valve opened so as to allow the liquid to flow out
at the nozzle. If after drawing liquid from one source it is desired to draw from
another without any intermixture of the first the vent tap h in connexion with the
supply pipe last in operation and also the tap K of the said pipe are both opened,
and the entrance of air through the vent will cause the whole of the liquid in the
horizontal junction pipe to return to its source through the open supply pipe, which
can then be closed and so effectually prevent mixture. By this means we dispense
with the use of a separate pump for each class of liquor. It will also be observed
that by means of the vent taps h the supply pipes can be emptied every night by
admitting air until the liquid has receded, thus avoiding the waste of liquor which
occurs with existing pumps in consequence of the first draught every morning
having been rendered poisonous by remaining in the pipes all night. In Figs. 4, 5,
and 6 we have shewn how a number of inlet valves may be made to communicate
directly with the end of cylinder, the valve chamber M being covered by cap N,
which can be readily removed so as to inspect or repair valves when necessary.
The piston is fitted with a wedge of the same shape as the valve chamber, so
as completely to fill the same and expel all the liquid therefrom. By this con-
struction of piston and valve chamber there is no possibility of any perceptible
quantity of liquor being left in the cylinder and becoming mixed with the next
draught. The apparatus will work in any position, horizontal, vertical, or diagonal,
provided it is placed above the source of supply, and may be used for a variety of
purposes, such as pumping water from the various dips and holes in mines, from
the various compartments in a ship's botton, for raising the various kind of oils
used as illuminant or lubricants, and similar purposes.
Having thus described the nature of our Invention, and the manner in which
the same is to be or may be performed or carried into practice, we would have it
understood that we do not confine ourselves to the precise details of construction or
arrangement herein shewn, as the same may be varied and arranged to be worked
or propelled by any motive power; but what we claim as our Invention and
consider to be new is,-
Firstly. The general arrangement of apparatus whereby we are enabled to draw
liquid from one or more of a series of barrels or sources of supply by the use of only
one cylinder and piston, substantially as herein shewn and described.
Secondly. The construction of cylinders for beer engines, having the inlet and
outlet orifices at the same end of the cylinder.
Thirdly. The employment of vent taps h, as and for the purpose herein shewn
and described.
Fourthly. The construction of apparatus shewn in Figs. 4, 5, and 6, as and for
the purposes herein described, or any mere modification thereof.
In witness whereof, we, the said Thomas Parkinson Worthington and John
Fish, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Thirteenth day of
February, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty.