A New or Improved Method of and Apparatus for Cleansing, Steaming, and Seasoning Casks.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application 31st Jan., 1896-Accepted, 7th Mar., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Method of and Apparatus for Cleansing,
Steaming, and Seasoning Casks.
I, JOHN METCALFE of Prospect House, Thornton-le-Moor, Northallerton in
the County of Yorkshire, Brewer 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 a new or improved machine or apparatus for cleansing
and sweetening old, and seasoning new beer wine and other casks, the principle
feature of my said invention being, an improved arrangement of valves operated
by an index wheel, by means of which the attendant in charge of the machine can
by the motion of the said wheel, cause steam only, or liquor only, or steam or
liquor combined, to be forced into the cask under treatment, or both liquor or
stenm to be shut off during the time the said cask is being placed in position for
cleaning sweetening or seasoning, or being removed therefrom, the said index
wheel at all times showing at a glance the position of the said valves so that the
commission of errors is next to impossible.
In order that my invention and the manner of its operation may be fully
understood reference is hereinafter made to the accompanying drawings, in which
the same reference letters are used in all the figures when referring to the same
or equivalent parts.
Figs. 1, 2 and 3, Sheet 1 are side elevation, end elevation and plan respectively,
of the improved machine or apparatus constructed according to my invention.
Fig. 4 Sheet 2 is an enlarged part sectional elevation (taken upon the line A B
Fig. 5) of a bridge piece, forming part of the said apparatus, Fig. 5 being a plan
view of the same.
Fig. 6 is an enlarged part sectional elevation of the adjustable steam nozzle,
taken upon the line CD of Fig. 7 which is a plan view of same.
Fig. 8 is an enlarged part sectional elevation of the water or
upon the line E F of Fig. 9, which is a plan view of Fig. 8.
liquor nozzle, taken
Fig. 10 Sheet 3 is an enlarged vertical part sectional view of one of the valves
constructed according to my invention.
Fig. 11 is an enlarged part sectional view of the index wheel for operating
Fig. 10, taken upon the line G H of Fig. 12, (which is a side elevation of same) as
it would appear when viewed in the direction of the arrow Fig. 11.
Figs. 13 to 20 inclusive are diagrams illustrating the position of the valves
according to the varying positions of the wheel Figs. 11 and 12 and hereinafter
fully explained.
In carrying my invention into effect I cast or otherwise provide a suitable and
preferably oblong base A, which for convenience, may have formed therein an
opening B, and upon the said base I mount, and belt or otherwise fix thereto, a
skeleton standard B', arranged to carry at its summit plummer blocks or their
equivalents C and C as bearings for the spindle D of a wheel D', (hereinafter
referred to as the index wheel) on which are fixed or formed integrally therewith
four arms or vanes E F G and H, at right angles to each other. Upon that end
of the spindle or shaft D carried by the bearing C, is a projecting stud or pin a
placed eccentrically with the axial centre of D, while upon the opposite end of D
carried by the bearing C' is a similarly disposed stud or pin b, the position of a
and & relatively to each other being more graphically shewn by Fig. 12, in which

page_text: bis shewn in full lines, and a in dotted outline. The pin crank or eccentric a
carries the upper end of a rod J, the lower end of which is pivotally connected or
yoked at e to the stem or rod d of a valve K, in connection with a steam supply
conduit e, while the pin, crank or eccentric 6 carries in like manner a rod L,
connected at e' to the stem or rod d' of a valve M in connection with a water
conduit e'.
In Fig. 10 I illustrate more fully the manner in which I prefer to construct the
valves K and M, or substantially so, which consist of a casting 1, of any suitable
metal, having a flange 2, by which it may be connected to a like flange upon the
water or steam conduit e or e', and a flange 3 by which it may be connected to a
conduit leading to the operative nozzle, hereinafter referred to. The casting 1 is
so constructed internally as to receive a reuewable ring 4, of metal, asbestos or
other suitable material, which forms a seating for a valve 5, and its cage 6. the
former being pinned or otherwise suitably connected to its rod or stem, in such a
manner, as to provide a sufficient amount of slack or play between these to permit
the valve 5, to reach and rest upon its seating 4 a moment in advance of the finish
of the downstroke of the said rod or stem for the prevention of leakage. The
casting is also so constructed as to receive a threaded plug 7, which in
combination with a screw cap 8, forms a gland or stuffing box for the said rol or
stem.
The base A carries a bridge piece N (Figs. 4 and 5) bolted thereto by flanges
such as, and upon the upper surface of N, centrally of its length or thereabouts
is a preferably circular table or flange O, having a central circular aperture 9,
communicating with a passage hk, leading to and out of one end of N, whereat a
screw plug may be provided to facilitate the periodical cleaning of hand g. At
this end of N is a flange such as k, through which is a passage, leading into the
passage h, and to the said flange kis bolted one end of a conduit P (Fig. 3), the
opposite end of which is bolted to the flange 3 (Fig. 10) of the steam valve K.
The table or flange O, of the bridge piece N, has also a rectangular or other
shaped aperture m formed therein, (Fig. 5) which communicates with a passage
passing through and out of the opposite end of N, provided with a screw plug j
similar to, and for the same purpose as the plug j of the passage h. At this end
of N is a flange such as k, through which is a passage leading into the
passage a, and to the said flange is bolted one end of a conduit P' (Fig. 3) the
opposite end of which is bolted to the flange 3 (Fig. 10) of the water or liquor
valve M.
The circular aperture g in the bridge piece N is threaded internally, and into
this is screwed a coned or tapered steam nozzle R, of gun or other suitable metal,
(Figs, 6 and 7) hollowed at its lower end, from which extends vertically a ceutral
passage o, and upon its outer surface an annular recess p. is formed in which are
any number of passages r, communicating with the hollow interior of the nozzle, a
screw collars upon the outer face of R by more or less covering the annular
recess p, serves to regulate the quantity of steam permitted to pass through the
passages formed by rand p.
A hollowed tapered water or liquor nozzle S, having at its upper end any
number of perforations such as t, and a central vertical passage such as t, and at
its lower end a flange v, is by the means of the said flange bolted to the table or
flange O on the bridge piece N, suitable bolt holes to being provided in both O
and for this purpose. The said nozzle S is of such a size as to cover and enclose
the steam nozzle R, leaving a space or clearance sufficient to permit a passage of
water to be forced through S, outside of K.
A rectangular portable metallic or other frame T (the upper surfaces of the
sides of which are hollowed out as at X and X' to receive bulge wise, casks of
varying sizes, and recessed at their lower surfaces to clear the bridge piece N) is
mounted upon the base A surrounding the nozzle S, so that a cask may be seated
thereon with the perforated end of the nozzle S within its bunghole either as shewe
by the dotted outline in Fig. 1 or Fig. 2.

page_text: From the foregoing it will be understood that if water or other liquor be
permitted to pass through the valve M, this would be conducted through P, ', n,
an1 m, into the nozzle S, and through the perforations and passage t' into the
eask, the tapered formation of the nozzle S permitting this to fit water tight,
or nearly so, within the bung hole of the eask, and prevent undue escape of the
liquor, but such as would escape upon the removal of the cask or otherwise would
flow down through the opening B in A and be led away by suitable conduits to
the drains or elsewhere.
In like manner if steam be permitted to pass the valve K, this would be
conducted through P, L, & and g to the nozzle R, and from this through the
passage o or through the controlled passages rp, or both, into the cask, and in
like manner if both valves K and M be opened, liquor and steam would enter the
cask simultaneously, and by these n eans, singly or collectively, old or used casks
may be thoroughly washed and sweetened, and new casks seasoned, for purposes
necessary and well known by brewers, wine merchants and the like.
The most important feature of my invention is the valves K and M and the
index wheel D, and the manner in which the latter and its eccentrics ai. operates
the said valves, which is as follows:-
In the diagrams in Sheet 3, it is assumed that the axle D of the index wheel D
is being viewed in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 11, and to illustrate the
relative positions of the eccentrics on D the eccentric . is shewn in full lines and
the eccentric a in dotted outline in Fig. 12, the Figs. 13, 15, 17 and 19 repre-
senting the motions of the water or liquor valve M and the eccentric , while
Figs. 11, 16, 18 and 20 represent the motions of the steam valve K and the
eccentric a, and it is also assumed that the motion of the index wheel D' is in
the direction of the arrow Fig. 12, although in practice this may be rotated in
either direction.
In Fig. 13 the position of the eccentric pin b shows the water valve M open, while
the dotted outline of the position of the pin a in Fig. 14 shows the steam valve K
closed at the same moment, and let it be supposed (as an illustration only) that at
this moment the arm E of the wheel D' is uppermost, it may then be taken as an
index that to place E in this position would pass liquor only into the cask. In
Figs. 15 and 16 the positions of a and b. show the water valve M and the steam
valve K both open, at which moment the handle F would be uppermost, from
which it may be taken as an index that when F is in this position both water and
steam are entering the cask. If the arm G be now brought uppermost the pins a
and & would be us at Figs. 17 and 18; which shows the liquor valve M closed, and
the steam valve K open, and consequently steam only is entering the cask, and if
the arm H be now placed uppermost the pius a and b would be in the positions
indicated by Figs. 19 and 20, which shows the water or liquor valve M and the
steam valve K both clused, and while H was in this position the cask to be treated
would be placed upon the stand T, or after treatment be removed therefrom.
From the foregoing description it will be understood that all these motions of the
valves can be effected by on cycle of the wheel D', the vanes or arms of which
may be so marked respectively, that each may correctly indicate, by its position,
which valve or valves were closed and which were open, such for instance, as by
marking the vane E with the word water, the vane F water and steam, the
vane G steam and the vane H neutral, the latter indicating that both valves
were clused, or suitable letters or characters may be employed in lieu of the said
words.
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 :-
1st. In an improved machine or apparatus for cleansing sweetening and seasoning
casks, the combination of a stand or base, carrying a standard or frame, surmounted
by an index wheel, having cranks or eccentrics for operating suitable valves,

page_text: together or separately, in connection with a supply of water and steam, with means
for conveying the said steam to an adjustable steam nozzle, and the water to a
perforated water nozzle, or water and steam to both simultaneously, with means
for closing the said valves, so that neither steam or water can pass, while the cask
is being placed in position upon a suitable stand, or being removed therefrom,
substantially as herein described and shewn by the accompanying drawings.
2nd. In an improved method of and apparatus for cleansing, sweetening and
seasoning casks, the combination of a base plate such as A, upon which is mounted
a standard such as B', carrying in suitable bearings such as Cand C', the
spindle D of an index wheel D, the latter having radial arms or vanes such
as E, F, G H, and the former eccentrics or cranks such as ab, the former of said
eccentrics (a) being in connection with the stem d of a piston valve K, and the
latter () in connection with the stem of a like valve M, the former of said.
valves controlling a steam supply and the latter a water supply, both leading to
the cask being treated, connected and operating substantially as herein described
and shewn by the accompanying drawings.
3rd. In combination with the machine or apparatus substantially as set forth in
the preceding claim, the construction, use and application of a pair of piston valves
such as M, and K each consisting of a casting 1, having flanges 2 and 3, and
renewable asbestos, metal or other ring 4, forming a seating for a piston 5, with
cage 6, the screw plug 7 and screw cap 8, forming together a gland or stuffing box
for the valve stem such as d the latter being connected by a link or rod such as J,
to the eccentric a, or a link or rod such as L, connected to the eccentric, of the
index wheel D', the said valve M being connected by its Hange 2 with a water
supply e and by its flange 3 with a conduit such as P connected to a bridge
piece N, the said valve K being connected by its flange 2 with a steam conduit e
and by its Hange 3 with a conduit such as P connected to a bridge piece N the
said bridge piece having conduits leading to suitable nozzles for connection with
the cask being treated, substantially as herein described and shewn by the
accompanying drawings, more particularly by that of Fig. 10.
4th. In an improved machine or apparatus for cleansing sweetening and
seasoning casks, the combination of a base A, standard B, wheel D with
vanes E, F, G, H and spindle D, the latter having cranks or eccentrics such as ab,
the former of said cranks operating a steam piston valve such as K, and the latter
a liquor valve such as M. The bridge piece N (Figs. 4 and 5) mounted upon the
base A, and having a passage such as hg, connected to a conduit P, communicating
with the valve K for conveying steam to an adjustable nozzle such as R, connected
to g, the said bridge piece N having also a passage such as nm, connected to a
conduit communicating with the valve M, for conveying water or other liquor
to a perforated jet or nozzle S, bolted to N, and surrounding R, with means for
suspending the cask or barrel being treated, such as a frame T, the whole connected
combined and operating substantially as and for the purposes herein described and
shewn by the appended drawings.
5th. In combination with a machine or apparatus substantially as set forth in
the preceding claims, the construction use and application of a steam nozzle such
as R, arranged to screw in the aperture in the bridge piece N, and provided with
a central passage o, passages r and annular recess p, the two latter being
controlled by an adjustable collar s the said steam nozzle being arranged to
operate alone, or in combination with the water or liquor nozzle S, having perfora-
tions t and passage t', bulted to the bridge piece N, surrounding without touching
the nozzle R, and in watertight connection with the aperture m, the whole
connected combined and operating substantially as and for the purposes herein set
forth and shewn by the drawings, more especially by Figs. 4 to 9 inclusive.
6th. In combination with the machine or apparatus substantially as set forth in
the preceding claims, the construction use and application of an index wheel such
as D', having suitably marked vanes or projecting arms such as E, F, G, H, and
mounted upon a spindle D, baving at its ends eccentrically disposed pius or

page_text: projections a and b, connected by rods or links to, and operating as cranks or
eccentrics for, controlling the steam valve K and liquor valve M respectively, and
by which one cycle of the wheel D' performs all the necessary operations of the
said valves, substantially as herein described and shewn by the accompanying
drawings, more especially by Figs. 11 and 12 and the diagrams Figs. 13 to 20
inclusive.
Dated this 31st day of January 1896.
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
1 Broad Street Buildings, Liverpool Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.