Improvements in Apparatus for Connecting Barrels or other Vessels for the Purpose of Mixing the Contents and Preventing the Return of Liquid Drawn from them.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Mar., 1887
Complete Left, 3rd Dec., 1887
Complete Accepted, 13th Jan., 1888
Improvements in Apparatus for Connecting Barrels or
other
Vessels for the Purpose of Mixing the Contents and Preventing
the Return of Liquid Drawn from them.
I, EDWARD ROUSE of Lymm in the county of Chester Plumber do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
This invention is designed chiefly to be applied to barrels containing beer and like
liquids, the contents of which are drawn of by a pump or otherwise through a pipe
though it may also be applied to the filling of the barrels and also for other
purposes.
I construct the apparatus preferably of H. or T. shape with connections to
connect it with the main pipe and with a pipe connecting with the barrel or vessel.
The junction between the inlet and outlet orifices is fitted with a tap or valve of any
ordinary construction preferably a plug tap which can be closed at pleasure. The
connections with the barrels are made by suitable pipes connected by a union or
where a single or T. shaped apparatus is used it may be made with a tang for
inserting in the barrel. A valve chamber is formed at or near the point where the
pipes from the barrels connect and in each of these is one or more valves which
allow of the flow of the liquid in one direction only. These valves may be of any
suitable construction such as ball, spindle deadlift or otherwise but I at present prefer
a plate valve hinged at top with a seat slightly inclined but of course do not limit
the invention to such. This valve allows the free flow of the liquid in one direction
but prevents any return of the liquid or the passage of that flowing through the
other valve.

page_text: It will of course be obvious that three or any other number of connecting ends
may be fitted to the apparatus each with its own valves and valve chambers but in
practice two will I consider be found the most useful. The apparatus may also be
used for filling vessels or casks the valves being set to allow the liquid to flow in the
required direction.
The apparatus can be fixed to the barrel or vessel to a stillage or to any other
convenient place.

page_text: Improvements in Apparatus for Connecting Barrels or other
Vessels for the Purpose of Mixing the Contents and Preventing
the Return of Liquid Drawn from them.
I EDWARD ROUSE, of Lymm, in the County of Chester, Plumber 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 is designed chiefly to be applied to barrels containing beer and like
liquids, the contents of which are drawn off by a pump or otherwise through a pipe,
though it may also be applied to the filling of the barrels and also for other purposes.
Its primary object is to provide a stillage union, or mixer which may be placed in
close connection with the barrels or below the level of the liquid contained in them,
by means of which the contents of one or more barrels of a series may be drawn off
or mixed without the return of any of the liquor that has onco left the barrel, or the
flow of any liquor from one barrel to another.
It consists essentially of a union which connects at one end to a barrel or barrels
and at the other to the main or flow pipe, fitted with a self closing valve or valves to
prevent a return flow and a plug tap or other valve by which the connection between
the barrels and the main pipe may be cut off.
Referring to the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1 is a sectional plan showing apparatus as constructed for application to two
barrels.
Fig. 2 front elevation of same.
Fig. 3 side elevation of same.
Fig. 4 is sectional plan showing apparatus for connecting to one barrel.
Fig. 5 front elevation of same.
Fig. 6 side elevation of same.
Fig. 7 side elevation of valve.
A is a casting of brass or other suitable material preferably of the shape shown
though it may be of other convenient shape. One end or part of which, B, is fitted
with connections for connecting it with the barrel or barrels from which the beer or
liquor is to be drawn and the other end or part C is fitted to connect with the main
pipe through which the liquor flows or is pumped away. The junction D between
these two parts is provided with a tap or valve E preferably a plug tap as shown
though one of any other suitable construction may be employed.
Referring more particularly to Sheet 1 Figs. 1. 2 and 3 which shows the apparatus
constructed for application to a couple of barrels the liquor from which is to be
mixed as it is drawn. The part B of the apparatus is fitted with the screw couplings F,
by which the barrels are connected to it. At or near the point where each union is
fixed there is formed a valve chamber G, fitted with the valve H, to prevent any
return flow of the liquor or the flow of liquor from one barrel to the other. The

page_text: valve H is preferably of the form shown, a clack or plate valve hinged at top with a
seat slightly inclined. Any other form of valve such as a ball valve may be used
which will quickly return to its seat when the suction ceases and the pressure acting
on it from behind is relieved. The liquor can only flow in one direction through the
valve H.
Referring to sheet 2 Figs. 4. 5 & 6 the apparatus therein shown is constructed to
draw liquor from a single barrel and prevent its return after passing out. In
construction this apparatus is similar to that already described and similar letters of
reference refer to like parts.
Instead of the screw coupling and valve chamber G formed therein the union may
be made with a tang to fit into the barrel direct and a separate valve chamber be
made to receive the valve to prevent the backward flow of the liquor.
In operation one two or more of the apparatus, (either of the double or single type
as may be required) according to the number of barrels, are connected or fitted at
the end B to the series of barrels from which the liquor has to be drawn and at the
end C to the main or flow pipe. The tap E is opened to connect the main pipe with
the barrel or barrels from which the liquor is required and the ordinary pump or
forcing apparatus set in motion to draw the liquor. When any barrel is empty the
tap E is turned off the coupling unloosed and replaced by one connected to a full
barrel.
The apparatus although intended to be connected close to the barrels may be placed
in any convenient position between the pump and the barrel but I prefer to have it
placed as near to the barrel as practicable.
It will of course be obvious that three or any other number of connecting ends
may be fitted to the apparatus each with its own valves and valve chambers but in
practice two will I consider be found the most useful. And although herein before
described with reference to barrels the apparatus may be used in connection with
other vessels. And may also be used when filling barrels or vessels the valves being
set to allow the flow of the liquor in the required direction.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I wish it to be understood that
I am well aware that valves have been used to prevent the back flow of liquor
passing from a barrel or vessel and do not broadly claim the use of valves for that
purpose but what I claim is :-
(1.) An apparatus for connecting together, or through which the contents of, two
or more barrels of a series may be drawn off or mixed, provided with connections at
one end to connect with the barrel or barrols and at the other with the main or flow
pipe and having self closing valves to prevent the return flow of the liquor and a
plug tap or other valve to shut off communication with the barrel or vessel to which
it is connected substantially as and for the purposes described.
(2.) In a stillage union or mixer the combination with the connecting ends B and C
of the self closing valves H to prevent return of the liquor and the shut off valve E
to close the connection between the barrel and main pipe substantially as described
and shown.
Dated this 2nd day of December 1887