An Improved Device for or applicable to Spile-holes in Beer Casks and analogous purposes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Sept., 1890-Accepted, 1st Nov., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Device for or applicable to Spile-holes in Beer
Casks and analogous purposes.
We, EDWARD ROBSON of 14 Warren Street, Engineer and DAVID SHARP of
Horatio Street, Monkwearmouth Engineer both in Sunderland in the County of
Durham 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 refers to an Improved Device for or applicable to Spile Holes in
Beer Casks and analogous purposes.
As is well known the spile or small wooden plug used to close or regulate the small
opening or spile hole in beer casks and the like is not infrequently the cause of beer
being deleteriously affected through the careless or ignorant usage of the same by
servants and others.
The object of our invention is to provide some simple and suitable means whereby
equilibration as between the conditions existing inside and outside the vessel or cask
may be automatically effected. Two unequal and opposite forces have to be dealt
with, the one the product of fermentation seeking an outlet from the cask, the other
a vacuum or partial vacuum within the cask (due to the gradual fall in level of the
beer or liquid therein) which can only be equilibrated by the admission of air from
without. To meet these conditions we provide a pair of simple valves arranged to act
oppositely so that one can effect any desired outlet and the other any desired inlet in
either case to restore equilibrity.
To fully explain our invention we will now refer to the accompanying drawings
in which
Fig. 1. shows a sectional elevation thereof and in this description like letters are
meant to represent like parts.
Referring to the figure, a. is a tube and a¹ is a branch thereof, the extremities of
which are furnished with chambers to take the ball valves b. b¹.
Each chamber has an adjustable cover c. c¹ through each of which a hole d. d' is
made. The valves b. b rest in carefully prepared scats the former formed on the end
of tube
the latter on the inside of the cover c'. The lower end of tube a may be
tapered or screwed to fit into the cask e.
a,
The action of our apparatus is as follows: As soon as the products of fermentation
begin to exert any pressure in the barrel and in tube a, the ball b, which is nicely
balanced for the purpose is lifted from its seat: communication with the atmosphere
through d being thus established relief is at once given and thus equilibrium may be
restored. Any pressure tending to open 3. only closes 61 tighter.
As the level of the liquid in cask e lowers any vacuum formed therein is relieved by
the lifting of valve which by admitting atmospheric pressure through d' restores
equilibrium. The lids c c¹ being adjustable give ready access to valves and seats for
cleansing or other purposes.
We do not confine ourselves to the particular shape or design shown in the figure
representing our invention as many other shapes or designs may be employed without
departing from the nature of the invention hereinabove described. The whole may be
constructed in brass or other suitable material.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is:
1. For restoring equilibrity as between the conditions existing inside and outside a
coal or vassal the von of volvos arrencend and aranating onhstantially in the manner

page_text: and for the purposes hereinabove described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawing.
2. The improved arrangement or combination of parts substantially as and for the
purpose hereinbefore set forth.
Dated this 22nd day of September 1890.
A. CRAWHALL CHAPMAN,
3, St. Nicholas' Buildings, Newcastle-on-Tyne,
Patent Agent for Applicants.