Improvements in and in connection with Tapping Barrels.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Mar., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 8th July, 1891-Accepted, 8th Aug., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and in connection with Tapping Barrels.
JAMES SAMUEL THOMAS BEVERIDGE 78 Northbrook Street, Newbury, Berks,
Watch & Clockmaker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The apparatus consists of a spiral spring acting behind a piston, the top of which
is conical. This works in, and is held in position by, a perforated tube, the front
end of which is capped by a metal plate which is coned in the centre to receive
conical part of the piston, and is fitted through the existing tap hole in the head
of barrel, the plate being screwed thereto by four ordinary wood screws.
The
tap is fixed by being pushed in against the conical piston (which is forced back) &
secured by means of a bayonet joint, an indiarubber washer preventing any
leakage.
Dated this the 3rd day of March 1891.
P. VARNALS,
6, Granville Villas, Earlsfield, Surrey, S.W., Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and in connection with Tapping Barrels.
I, JAMES SAMUEL THOMAS BEVERIDGE, of No. 78, Northbrook Street,
Newbury, in the County of Berks, 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 stateinent:-
Barrels used for beer and other liquids are usually furnished with a tap hole in
the head of the barrel into which is fixed a cork or bung. For the purpose of
drawing off the liquid the tapping is effected by the introduction into the head of
the barrel of a tap which is driven in by means of a mallet in such a manner as
to force the cork or bung into the barrel, one end of the tap then occupying the
place previously occupied by the cork or bung, leakage being prevented by means
of a wrapping of brown paper or other material placed around that end of the
tap which is inserted in the barrel.
The disadvantages of this system are as follows:-first, that the tapping, if
effected by an inexperienced person, is likely to result in an immediate loss of a
portion of the liquid and second, that a constant subsequent leakage is likely to
ensue. A third disadvantage is that the concussion consequent upon the use of
the mallet disturbs the liquid and necessitates its remaining for some time in order
to clear. This, of course, applies more forcibly to the case of liquids intended for
bottling.
In bottling liquids previously enclosed in casks, it is usual for the bottle to
bore a hole in the head of the barrel and to draw off a small quantity in order to
ascertain whether the liquid is sufficiently clear for bottling. If the liquid be
found in such condition, the tap is driven into the barrel head with the result, as
above mentioned, that the liquid is disturbed and that further time must be allowed
for its clearing before the bottling process can be satisfactorily carried out.
My invention obviates all these disadvantages and dispenses with the necessity
D

page_text: of using corks for corking empty casks in order to prevent their being soured. It
consists of an apparatus which comprises a spiral spring acting behind a piston.
This spring works within a tube which is perforated on a portion of its upper side
and is held in position by means of a rod attached to the piston. The piston rod
is provided near one of its ends with two pins or projections. At the end of the
perforated tube is a plate suitably cut in the centre to allow the passage of the
piston rod. The piston rod is passed through this plate, receives a half turn, and
is then secured in position by means of the aforesaid plate against which lodge
the two pins or projections. This arrangement allows a free passage of water or
air through the barrel and the latter can thus be easily cleaned and dried when no
longer in use. A key like an ordinary clock key and of sufficient length to reach
the fore end of the piston rod which is made square to fit the key forms part of the
apparatus but is only used when it is desired to clean the barrel. It replaces the
tap which, of course, is previously removed.
The perforated tube has about midway a circular metal disc, the centre of which
is cut away to allow the passage of the piston rod and of the liquid. The tube is
attached to a circular metal plate, and is passed through the tap hole in the head
of the barrel, the circular metal plate being backed by a washer and screwed to
the barrel by four ordinary screws.
The tap is furnished with a circular metal plate along the edge of which and
parallel to each other are two semi-circular grooves, so formed as to fit into two
slots on the face of the previously mentioned circular metal plate which as before
stated is secured on to the head of the barrel.
The metal plate belonging to the tap is backed by a washer and is provided along
its edge with a pin or stud. It is also graduated, being slightly thinner at the
groove points than at any other point of its circumference.
The tap is fixed in the following manner :-the piston rod projects both before
and behind the piston. The tap is placed in such a position that the grooves in
the edge of the plate fit exactly into the slots; it is then pushed against the fore
end of the piston rod; receives a half turn and is secured in the desired position,
the stud preventing it from being overturned the washer, owing to the half turn,
and the graduated thickness of the plate, is firmly pressed into position.
The tap may at any time be withdrawn without disturbing or otherwise injuriously
affecting the liquid in the barrel as, upon the withdrawal of the tap, the piston
recoils and automatically closes the outlet in such manner as to keep the barrel
perfectly air-tight.
In the accompanying drawing
L
Fig. 1 represents a longitudinal section of the apparatus. A A is the piston
rod, B the piston, C the spiral spring, D D the perforated tube, d d the perforations
in the tube, E E the metal disc in the perforated tube, F F the metal plate in the
head of the barrel, ff the washer at back of plate, two of the screws with
which the metal plate is fastened to the head of the barrel, G G two slots on the
plate, H the tap, h h perforations in the tap, I I circular plate forming part of tap,
washer at back of same.
Fig. 2 represents a front view of metal plate F F as shown in Fig. 1,
ffff are four screws by which the plate is fixed, G G are the two slots on
the plate.
Fig. 3 is a front view of metal plate as shown in Fig. 1 (I I), J J are two grooves
in the plate.
Fig. 4 represents a section of the apparatus when closed. A A is the piston rod,
B the piston, nn washer on piston, Onut keeping washer in position, E E circular
disc in perforated tube.
Fig. 5 represents the apparatus ready for cleaning. K is the key placed on the
fore end of the piston rod, A. A the piston rod, S S the pins in the rod, T T the
plate through which the piston rod passes and by means of which it is securely
held.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this my
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is as follows:-
Improvements in and in connection with tapping barrels substantially as described
in the foregoing Specification and as illustrated by the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 8th day of July 1891.
P. VARNALS,
151, Earlsfield Road, London, S. W., Agent for the Applicant.