Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for "Sealing” or Closing the Tap-hole of Barrels.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Feb., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 28th Sept., 1893-Accepted, 28th Oct., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for "Sealing” or Closing
the Tap-hole of Barrels.
Wo HENRY CLapp Trenery, Manufacturer, and WILLIAM ATKINS, Con-
tractor, both of Union Works, Saville Street, Sheffield in the County of York,
do hereby declare the nature of our invention to be as follows :-
This invention is for improvements in apparatus for "sealing" or closing the
tap-hole of barrels, and more particularly those used by brewers, and in the koy
used for opening and closing the same.
The object of sealing is to prevent the barrel from becoming foul or mildewed
inside, and our improved apparatus which is fixed inside the barrel, is so con-
structed that the part which covers, or seals the hole, can be pressed back therefrom,
and be retained in such position, so as to permit the interior to be washed out with
facility, it can then be closed by the aid of the key.
We
propose to construct a bracket that can be screwed to the inside of the end
of barrol, having an arm working on a joint pin, and the opposite end having a
round plate or seal to close the tap-hole when pressed against it. This pressure is
obtained preferably by means of a V spring held upon an extension of the bracket,
and engaging with a back projection of the arm, so that the normal position of the
arm seals the tap-hole, with or without an intermedinte washer.
Below the sealing plate upon the arm, is a swivelling bit with which the key
engages, its axis passes through the arm, and on the other side is secured a catch,
which when the arm is pushed back to its full extent, can when turned on one side,
engage with a stop and hold the arm in that position until turned in the opposite.
direction.
The key by which the arm is pushed back and locked, and also nulocked, is
constructed as follows:
A round bar is made of sufficient length for the purpose, and to fit loosely in the
tap-hole through which it may be pushed, and longitudinally through this bar, and
close to one edge, a hole of about one half of its diameter is bored and fitted with
a shaft which can be turned by a cross handle or the like.
In the front end of the round bar, and in the shaft, is a slot, which engages with
the swivelling bit when the arm is pushed back, and by turning the cross handle,
the beforementioned catch is turned and engages with the stop, the key may then
be withdrawn.
The reverse action of the key disengages the catch and on withdrawing the koy
the spring forces the arm back and seals the barrel.
Dated the 2nd day of February 1893.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for "Sealing" or Closing
the Tap-hole of Barrels.
We HENRY CLAPP TRENERY, Manufacturer, and WILLIAM ATKINS, Con-
tractor, both of Union Works, Saville Street Sheffield, in the County of York
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 for improvements in apparatus for "sealing" or closing the
tap-hole of barrels, and more particularly those used by brewers, and in the key
used for opening and closing the same.
The annexed sheet of drawings illustrates both the apparatus and the key.
Fig. 1, is a plan of the apparatus.
Fig. 2, elovation of the apparatus when closed.
Fig. 3, elevation of the apparatus when opon.
Fig. 4, end and side views of the key.
The object of "sealing" is to prevent the barrel from becoming foul or mildewed.
inside, and our improved apparatus which is fixed inside the barrel is so constructed
that the part which covers or seals the hole can be pressed back therefrom and be
retained in such position, so as to permit the interior to be washed out with
facility; it can then be closed by the aid of the key.
•
In carrying out our invention we construct a bracket B, that can be readily
screwed to the inside of the barrel, having an arm A, working on a joint piu P,
the opposite end being provided with a round plate or seal S, to close the tap-
hole H, of the barrel when pressed against it.
This pressure is obtained preferably by means of a vee spring V, held between
two lugs L, upon an extension of the bracket B, and engaging with a back pro-
jection D, of the arm A; thus when the apparatus is in the position shown
in Fig. 2, the pressure of the spring V, is exerted to hold the seal S, firmly over
the tap-hole H.
The seal may if preferred be provided with a face of elastic or other material, or
a washer may be placed round the tap-hole.
Below the seal, upon the arm A, is a swivelling bit or catch C, with which the
key K, engages; its axis passes through the arm, and on the other side is secured
to a finger F, which can be turned by the action of the key upon the catch C, so
as to engage with a stop piece E, on the bracket, when the arm is pushed back as
shown in Fig. 3, and will retain it in that position until released by the key being
turned in the opposite direction.
The key shown in Fig. 4, is constructed as follows; a round bar 1, is provided
of sufficient length for the purpose, and to fit loosely in the tap-hole, and longi-
tudinally through this bar, and close to one edge, a hole is bored of about one half
the diameter of the bar, and fitted with a shaft 2, which can be turned round by
a cross-handle 3, or a like device.
In the front end of the bar 1, and in the shaft 2, is a slot 4, which is to fit upon
the catch C, on the arm A, and it engages with the said catch when the arm is
pushed back by forcing the end of the key against the face of the seal through the
tap-hole.
When the arm is pushed back to its full extent the key is turned, causing the
finger F, to also turn and engage with the stop E, leaving the tap-hole open for
washing out the barrel, when the key is withdrawn; the reverse action of the key
releases the finger F, and on withdrawing the key, the spring V, forces the arm
back, and seals the barrel.
The two side projections 5 and 6, guide the key upon the catch C, and stops 7
and 8,-regulate the amount of movement of the handle 3.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed or carried into practice, we
declare that what we claim is :-
1. The apparatus for sealing the tap-hole of barrels, hereinbefore described, and
with reference to the annexed sheet of drawings.
2. The special key for operating an apparatus for sealing the tap-hole of barrels,
hereinbefore described, and illustrated in Fig. 4, of the annexed sheet of drawings.
Dated the 27th day of September 1893.
ROBT. F. DRURY, C.P.A.,
Bank Buildings, George Street, Sheffield, Agent for Applicants.