Improvements in Devices for Drawing-off Liquids from Casks, Barrels, or other Vessels.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd May, 1888
Complete Specification Left, 28th Feb., 1889
Complete Specification Accented, 2nd May, 1889
Improvements in Devices for Drawing-off Liquids from Casks,
Barrels, or other Vessels.
I JOHN BELL, Canteen Steward, of Gibralter, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is chiefly to prevent the waste usually occurring when a
cask, barrel, or the like, is tapped.
Ordinarily when a cask or the like is to be tapped the stopper closing the taphole
has to be knocked out or otherwise removed and a suitable tap or connection to be
inserted in its place. In this operation considerable waste is liable to occur as there
are no means for retaining the liquid in the vessel during the interval between the
removal of the bung or stopper and the insertion of the tap.
According to my invention however I obviate this loss and make the operation of
tapping simpler, more expeditious and less troublesome.
I carry my invention into practice in the following manner.
I fix in the tap-hole a sleeve or cylinder (attached by a flange or otherwise) which
is screw-threaded in its interior. At the inner end a hollow correspondingly threaded
plug is inserted. The hollow plug has at its extreme end a flange ensuring tightness
when the tap-hole is closed and has perforations in the sides whereby its hollow
interior portion may communicate with the vessel to which the device is applied.
The holes in the sides are so placed that, when the plug is screwed outward from the
vessel (that is to say, into the sleeve) the holes are covered by the sleeve so that the
liquid cannot pass. When the plug is screwed further towards the interior of
the barrel or other vessel, the holes are uncovered and the liquid can pass into the
plug. On the face of the plug are two or more recesses or indentations with which
engage projections on a tap or
into the sleeve. It will
"connection" threaded to pass
be readily understood that when the tap or "connection" is screwed into the sleeve
its projections engage with the recesses on the plug so that the plug being thereby
turned, recedes as the tap passes into the sleeve, while when the tap is screwed out
the plug is drawn forward. It follows that the holes in the plug are uncovered when

page_text: the tap is screwed home and the liquid passes through the plug into the barrel. To
prevent fouling of the sleeve a screw stopper may be applied thereto when the tap is
removed.
Another form of my invention is so constructed as to facilitate filling the vessel
through the same aperture through which the contents are to be drawn off.
In this form the sleeve affixed at the tap-hole is shorter in proportion. Into it fits
a second sleeve threaded so as to fit the first sleeve and having a suitable head for the
application of a spanner whereby this second sleeve is screwed into place or removed,
all the remaining portions coming off with it. The inner end of the second sleeve
projects beyond the first sleeve and is of smaller exterior diameter than that portion
upon which the male thread runs by which it is screwed into the first sleeve. The
smaller inner end has perforations for the liquid to pass. The interior of the second
sleeve is screw-threaded and its lower end receives a plug which carries a cap, the cap
covers the holes when drawn up on the sleeve or uncovers the same when moved
towards the interior of the barrel. The plug carrying the cap has not only a male
thread fitting into the second sleeve but a screw-tapped hole also. On the end of the
tap or connection used with this form of my appliance there is a projecting stem-with
a screw at its end to engage with and work the plug and cap.
The operation of this form is analogous to that of the form first herein above
described.
Dated this and don of Mar 18QQ
BERNHARD DUKES,
226, High Holborn, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Devices for Drawing off Liquids from Oasks,
Barrels, or other Vessels.
I JOHN BELL Canteen Steward of Gibralter do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the sanie is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention which has for its object the prevention of the waste usually occuring
when a cask, barrel, or the like is to be tapped under this invention as seen in the
vertical sectional elevations of Figures 1, 2 and 3. Figure 1 shows the section of the
cock or tap of which A is the key or top part used for revolving or turning the plug B,
and is the body of the cock or tap.
E the prolongation of the shank. F the screw at the end of the prolongation of the
shank. G are a number of holes drilled round the circuinference communicating
with the passage R.
In figure 2. I is a flange-socket which has a female screw S, and also holes J,
through which screws can be passed for attaching it to a cask or similar vessel, T is a
bush which screws into the flange I and has at one end of it a series of holes K drilled
round the circumference, U is a recess or chase in the screwed bush T.
In Figure 3, W is a blank cap of which the part M is a sleeve fitting into the
chase U.
In Figure 2. L is a female screw which corresponds to and fits over F in
Figure 1.
Figure 4, shows the position of the several parts of the device of which this patent
is the subject, immediately on the commencement of the operation for placing the tap
in Figure 1 in the required position for drawing off fluid contained in the cask or
other vessel.
In this position the sleeve M of the blank cap W has been drawn into the chase U
having been screwed up by means of the male screw N and female screw H.
It will now be seen that upon the screw F at the end of the shank E engaging with
the screw L in the blank cap W, and the whole of the tap A. B. C. as in Figure 1
being revolved the blank cap W will be moved out of the chase U and uncovering the
holes K will thereby permit any fluid that is in the cask or barrel to pass through the
holes K, likewise through the holes G and flow away into the passage R, and from
thence in any required direction.
Figure 5, shows the relative position of the several parts in Figures 1, 2, and 3
when the screw F is engaged with the screw L and the screw D has been screwed up
to its full length into the bush T, and the arrangement of parts in their proper
positions for the fluid to be drawn off from the cask or vessel containing it. Another
modification for this invention is shown in Figures 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13.
Figures 8, 9, 10 and 13, show the several individual parts. Figure 8 shows the
section of the cock or tap of which A is the crutch or top part for turning or
revolving the plug B in the body or casing C. D is the screwed shark, E the
prolongation of the screwed shank, F, the reduced point of the prolongation of the
shank.

page_text: Figure 9, is the screwed socket which fits into the cask or other vessel. I is the
flange of the screwed socket, J the holes by which it is fastened to the cask or other
vessel by screws or rivets, H, is the female screw.
Figure 10, represents the plug in which K is a rectangular or other shaped recess
or recesses suitable for the point or points F to engage or fit into. L'are holes
connecting the external part of the plug with the internal cavity M.
Figure 13, is a solid plug with the external screw O fitting the screw H. Q is a
square or other rectangular shaped hole.
Figure 11, shows the parts in their relative positions at the commencement of
the operation for getting them into a suitable position ready for drawing off the
contents of the cask. The method of applying this modification of my invention is as
follows:
The flange in Figure 9 being secured to the cask by means of screws through the
hole J, and the plug in Figure 10 being screwed into the end of the screwed socket as
shown in Figure 11. The reduced point F at the end of the prolongation of the
tap A. B. Cfits into and engages with the aperture K in the blank cap in Figure 10.
Upon the tap A. B. C. being revolved it unscrews the plug W and the screw part of
the tap A. B. C. engages with the screwed part of the socket 1 and is revolved until
the tap A. B. C. is screwed completely up to the flanged socket 1. The same move
ment unscrews the blank cap W, allows the liquid in the cask free access to the
holes M and from thence into the passage R from whence it can be directed into any
convenient receptacle or conveyed in any direction by means of pipes or tubes. The
plug Z Figure 13 is for the purpose of blocking up the flange end of the socket in
Figure 9. when the tap is not required for use.
It will be readily understood that when the tap is withdrawn the reverse operation
to that previously described then takes place.
The plug W closes the holes M and so prevents the liquid escaping into the
passage R.
Instead of the tap A. B. C. any other form of tap valve or faucet can be used as
long as it is provided with the special forms of screwed shanks hereinbefore
described.
Figure 6, shows an arrangement of wrench used for putting together the various
parts, the square Y fitting into the square hole Q in Figure 7, and Q in Figure 13.
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. The combination of parts as hereinbefore described and illustrated on the
accompanying drawings.
J
2. The special method of making a communication between the contents of the
vessel and the tap or cock by means of a perforated screwed plug actuated by means
of the shank of the cock,
3. The proportional unscrewing of the perforated plug as the cock or tap is getting
into a position for controlling the flow of the liquid contents of the barrel or cask or
ather vessel.
Dated this 26th day of February 1889
5.