Improvements in Bungs or Stoppers for Casks and like Vessels.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Dec., 1892-Accepted, 4th Feb., 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Bungs or Stoppers for Casks and like Vessels.
We JOHN BAEUMLE, BERNHARD BAEUMLE, and FRED BOHEIM, all of
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America, Manufacturers, 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:-
Our invention has for object the provision of a strong and durable bung or stopper
for casks and the like, adapted to be readily inserted in, and removed from the bung
hole, and so constructed as to be readily expanded or packed air tight against its
corresponding bushing together with means for inserting, tightening and removing
the bung readily and in a convenient manner.
In the drawing
Fig. 1 represents a fragment of a stave of a barrel with the bung inserted,
Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the centre of Fig. 1,
Fig. 3 a portion of a combined spanner and hook for fixing and releasing
the bung,
Figs. 4, 5, 6 are views of details.
8 are
1 is a stave of a barrel fitted with an ordinary metallic bushing 2 in the screw
threaded bung aperture. The bung consists of a disc 3 of any suitable hard
material substantially in the form of a truncated cone and extending outwardly there-
from a stem 4 screw threaded at its outer end. 5.is a ring of india rubber or other
suitable elastic material of annular cross section. 6 is a bevelled metallic collar
adapted to engage by a screw thread within its truncated apex the screw thread on
stem until this passes clear of the same when it fits loosely round said stem with a
slight play. 7 is a nut turning on the thread of stem 4 against collar 6 which is
made hollow to admit the nut normally within the outer edge of the collar.
grooves in the nut for the engagement of the prongs of a spanner 9 forming part of
a tool 10, by which the nut may be rotated on the stem. The nut is also provided
on the outside with a recessed part or under cut 11 the continuity of which is broken
by grooves 8. The shoulders 12 thereby formed may be engaged by hooks 13 of
tool 10 and the bung withdrawn from the bushing when the pressure of elastic ring 5
against the same is relieved by unscrewing nut 7. To prevent the nut when
engaged on the screw thread of stem 4 from working off outwardly it is formed with
an annular recess 14 at the outer end of the thread into which the outer end of the
stem is rivetted or upset (Fig. 6). Ring 5 fits easily into the bushing 2 whilst disc 3
is slightly less in diameter than the ring. The collar 6 is preferably slightly greater
in diameter than bushing 2 so that when the bung is in place the collar at its outer
edge will rest on the bushing thus covering the outer edge of the ring 5. This form
of collar is adapted to fit into the ordinary metallic bushing in common use and of
varying sizes. The outer bevelled face of disc 3 is provided with a series of radial
ribs 15 to take into corresponding grooves 16 in the inner surface of ring 5. Collar 6
has similar ribs 15* to take into corresponding grooves in the outer surface of the
same ring. When the collar is being placed in position the radial ribs are made to
engage in the ring when the collar has left the screw thread on the stem 4. The
bung is inserted without first screwing down nut 7 against collar 6. After adjustment
however the nut is screwed down, which has for effect to draw disc 3 and collar 6
towards each other thus exercising a pressure against both surfaces of the elastic
ring, spreading this out against the bushing and forming a liquid tight and air
tight closure of the bung hole. In screwing down the nut the disc 3 carrying stem 4
is prevented from turning by the engagement of its ribs 15 in the elastic ring.
In the event of nut 7 accidentally working off or being designedly removed from

page_text: stem 4 the bung is prevented from falling into the barrel by shoulder 17 engaging
the edge of the aperture of the collar 6.
Figs. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 of the same kind as the preceding, shew a somewhat modified
form of the bung of this invention. In this case disc 3 is formed with a screw
threaded aperture and has oblique opposite surfaces with a series of short bevelled
ribs 3* on the inner surface radiating from the central aperture. 4 is a screw bolt
with a hexagonal enlargement underneath the head to adapt it to be operated by
5 is the
spanner 10 by which the bung may be tightened, loosened and removed.
elastic ring 6 the metallic collar. 15 are radial ribs on the outer face of disc 3
and 15 similar ribs on the inner face of collar 6, the ribs taking into corresponding
grooves on the two oblique surfaces of ring 5. 7 is a pin in the end of bolt 4 for
taking against ribs 3× when it is desired to turn round the elastic ring 5 as for
instance when, it being desired to remove the bung, it has got stuck. Other
particulars of this construction will be readily understood from the drawing.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to performed, we declare that what we
claim is:
The general construction, arrangement and combination of parts forming the
bung or stopper for casks and the like substantially as hereinbefore described with
reference to Figs. 1, 2, 4, 5 6, and to Figs. 7, 8, 10, 11 of the drawings.
Dated this 20th day of December 1892.
THOMAS R. SHILLITO,
89, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicants.