Improvements in Bung or Tap Hole Fittings for Casks or Barrels.
Year: 1898

page_text: Improvements in Bung or Tap Hole Fittings for Casks or Barrels.
I, WILLY HOMANN, of No. 14, Aders Strasse, Düsseldorf, in the German Empire,
Manufacturer, 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 :-
My invention relates to improvements in bunghole fittings for casks or barrels
which, obviating the usual cork plug consists almost entirely of metal and can easily
and effectively be cleaned and conveniently handled. It provides an inexpensive but
efficient device capable of ready removal whenever desired.
The invention consists of a fitting to be inserted in the bunghole, the opening being
closed by a valve inside the cask. On screwing-in the tap sufficiently the valve will
open as hereinafter described.
By way of example the accompanying drawings illustrate various ways of carrying
out the invention.
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the bung.
Fig. 2 a sectional view of same, the screwed end of a tap being shown inserted in
the bung.
Figs. 3 & 4 are rear elevations of the bung, closed and opened respectively.
Fig. 5 is a front elevation of a modified form of the bung.
Fig. 6 a sectional view of same.
Figs. 7 & 8 show a sectional view and rear elevation respectively of another inodified
form of the bung.
In the bunghole of the cask or barrel a bushing (a) preferably of metal is firmly
secured by means of screw threads and a special screw (6). The bushing (a) possesses
an excentric bore (c), the inner portion of which is provided with a screw thread, into
which is screwed from inside the cask a plug (e) fitted with a square hole (d). The
inner end of this plug is provided with a flange-like projection and rests tightly
against the edge around the bore (c). The inner and narrower end of the hole (d) is
constructed so as to form a valve seating. A cone- or semi-circular shaped valve (f)
fits on this seating. The valve (f) is fast to an arm (h), rotatably mounted on a
pin (g). A spiral spring (i) surrounds the pin (g). It bears against a flange fast to
the inner end of the pin (g) and the arm (h). This spiral spring has one extremity
secured to the pin (9), the other extremity being secured to the arm (h). The spiral
spring is so arranged that it not only constantly tends to press the valve (f) against
its seating, but also, by being tensioned in view of torsion, to press the arm
constantly against a stud (k) on the inner face of the bushing (a). The plug (e) is
provided on its inner face with a projection (l) forming a three quarter circle. This
projection (1) assumes the shape of a hook, extending from (¹) to (12) of Figs. 3
and 4 with preferably an inclined surface, to press the valve (f) on the arm (h) over
which latter the hook may pass, down on its seating. The other end of the projection
gradually inclines towards the face of the plug (e), this incline extending from (13)
to (4) of Figs. 2, 3 and 4. A packing ring (m) of suitable material is placed at the
bottom of the wider part of the bore (c). The tap for emptying the cask is, for the

page_text: purposes of this invention, fitted with an internal screw thread in its end (n) to
correspond with the screw thread on the plug (e), instead of possessing the usual conical
screw threaded end.
The invention operates as follows:
Supposing the cask to be filled and the various organs of my improved bunghole
fitting to be in the position indicated in Figs. 2 and 3, in which position the
valve (f) is locked on its seating by the hook of the projection (1) gripping over the
arm (h), it will be necessary for opening the bung to screw the tap, which may be in
connection with a pipe to "tap" at a distance from the cask, on to the plug (e). The
screw threaded bore of the tap or cock permits it to be screwed on to the plug (e)
until the front part of the latter completely fills the bore of the tap (see Fig. 2) and
on further turning the tap for about three quarter of a revolution, the plug (e) will
be turned with it whereupon the tap will press against the packing ring (m), thus
ensuring a tight connection. During the turning of the plug (e) the hook shaped
part of the projection (1) releases the arm (h), the projection being in connection
with the plug (e) and consequently turned with it, and the inclined part of the pro-
jection (1) passes underneath the arm (h) gradually lifting it until the valve (f) is
off it's seating, whereupon the arm (h) is turned aside by the incline of the projection,
the resistance of the spiral spring (i) not being sufficient to prevent it, until it bears
against a second stud (¹) on the inner face of the bushing (a) (see Figs. 3 and 4).
The hole (d) will now be completely uncovered. In unscrewing the tap the plug (e)
will partake of the turning until it has returned to its original position, the arm (h)
with valve (f) will be returned to its former position by the tension of the spiral
spring (1), which also presses the valve (f) on its seating in addition to the inclined
hook of the projection (1) which finally locks the arm (h) with valve (f) as in turning
the plug (e) this hook will grip over the arm (h).
In Figs. 5 and 6 I have shown a modified form of a simpler construction which will
be preferable in such cases when the contents of the cask is to be tapped direct and
without the application of carbonic acid. The inner end of the bushing (a), the hole
in which need not be eccentric but may preferably be situated centrally, is provided
with a cap (o) screwed on to it. A number of perforations (p) in the side of the cap
permit the cask to be emptied totally. The bore (d) of the plug (e) is closed at the
inner end and lateral openings (q) are provided, which will be covered when the
plug (e) is in its foremost position. A tap similar to that described with reference to
Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 is employed and screwed on to the plug (e). As soon as the screw
threaded hole of the tap is fully occupied by the correspondingly screw threaded
plug (e), the latter will start partaking in the turning of the tap until the latter
presses tightly against the packing ring (m). During the turning of the plug (e) the
openings (g) have been uncovered and the contents may now leave the cask
through the perforations (p), these lateral openings (9) and the bore (d).
In the modified form shown in Figs. 7 and 8 the end of the tap is externally
screw threaded as shown by (n¹) and fits into an internally screw threaded bore in the
bushing (a). This screw threaded bore does not extend to the inside of the cask, but
a hole of smaller diameter connects it with same. At the bottom of the wider bore a
packing ring (m) has been placed against which the tap will press to ensure a tight
fit. The arm (h) is fitted with a suitable valve (f) to tightly close the bunghole.
After the tap has been screwed tightly into the bushing (a) the turning of the
arm (h) is effected by turning the pivot (t), in which turning the arm (h) is forced
to partake by suitable means, such for instance as a spring (14) attached to the lower
side (¹) of a nut (2) screwed on the inner end of the pivot (t) and pressing against
the arm (h) in suitable grooves provided in the surface of the latter.
This spring
simultaneously presses the valve (f) against its seating. A suitable key may serve
for turning the pivot (t). A stud (y) acts as a stop when the arm (h) and with it the
valve (f) is sufficiently turned to close the bore in the bushing (a) completely. A
plug may be inserted into the screw threaded part of the bore of the bushing, when
required.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1) bung or tap hole fitting for casks or barrels having a screw threaded bushing a
hollow plug inserted in the bushing forming a valve seating and provided with a
projection which in sufficiently turning the tap causes the bore in the plug to be
uncovered, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2) A bung or tap hole fitting with hollow plug inserted in the bushing adapted to
form a valve seating, having an arm with valve, laterally and vertically movably
arranged around a pivot inserted in the bushing from inside the cask, substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
3) In combination with the plug of a bung or tap hole fitting of the class described,
a projection on the inner face of the plug forming a hook at one extremity and an
inclined surface at the other, substantially as aud for the purpose set forth.
4) A bung or tap hole fitting having the arm carrying the valve actuated upon by
turning by means of a suitable key the pivot to which the arm is secured, substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
5) A bung or tap hole fitting the plug of which is partly hollow and provided with
lateral openings which in sufficiently inserting the tap are uncovered, permitting the
exit of the contents, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
6) A bung or tap hole fitting arranged and adapted to operate substantially as
described with reference to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.
7) A bung or tap hole fitting arranged and adapted to operate substantially as
described with reference to Figs. 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.
8) A bung or tap hole fitting arranged and adapted to operate substantially as
described with reference to Figs. 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 15th day of November 1898
B. REICHHOLD,
24, Linsen Strasse, Berlin, N.W., Germany, Agent for the Applicant.