A SELF-ACTING APPARATUS FOR PRESERVING WINES, CIDERS, AND BEERS IN A CLOSED VESSEL
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Georges Desvignes, of Libourne, France, Clockmaker, for
the Invention of "A SELF-ACTING APPARATUS FOR PRESERVING WINES,
CIDERS, AND BEERS IN A CLOSED VESSEL."
Sealed the 25th February 1879, and dated the 31st August 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Georges Desvignes at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st August 1878..
GEORGES DESVIGNES, of Libourne, France, Clockmaker. "A SELF-ACTING
APPARATUS FOR PRESERVING WINES, CIDERS, AND BEERS IN A CLOSED VESSEL.",
This Invention relates to preserving wines, ciders, and beers in a closed vessel or.
cask, and preventing their fermentation and evaporation; it consists of a recipient
made of metal or other suitable material, the bottom of which is provided with a
tapped pipe or nozzle screwing into the bung of the cask or the, lid of the vessel
containing the liquid. This nozzle is prolonged inside and up to the top of the
recipient by a small tube, the upper end of which terminates at the top of the
recipient. Another small tube fixed to a perforated plug stopping up an orifice at
the top of the recipient, plunges into the inside of the latter into which a dissolution
of sulphate of protoxyde of iron is poured to about three-fourths of its height. In
proportion, as liquid is withdrawn from the cask or vessel, it is replaced by an
equivalent quantity of azote sucked up to the upper part of the recipient where the
said azote is formed by the air coming in through the holes in the plug, and the
small tube plunging into the dissolution of sulphate of protoxyde of iron traversed
by the said air.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Georges Desvigues in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 27th
February 1879.
GEORGES DESVIGNES, of Libourne, France, Clockmaker. "A SELF-ACTING
APPARATUS FOR PRESERVING WINES, CIDERS, AND BEERS IN A CLOSED VESSEL."
This Invention relates to preserving wines, ciders, and beers in a closed vessel or
cask, and preventing their fermentation and evaporation; it consists of a recipient
made of metal or other suitable material, the bottom of which is provided with a
tapped pipe or nozzle screwing into the bung of the cask or the lid of the vessel
containing the liquid. This nozzle is prolonged inside and up to the top of the
recipient by a small tube, the upper end of which terminates at the top of the
recipient. Another small tube fixed to a perforated plug, stopping up an orifice at
the top of the recipient plunges into the-inside of the latter, into which a dissolution
of sulphate of protoxyde of iron is poured to about three-fourths of its height. In
proportion as liquid is withdrawn from the cask or vessel it is replaced by an
equivalent quantity of azote sucked up to the upper part of the recipient, where
the said azote is formed by the air coming in through the holes in the plug, and the
small tube plunging into the dissolution of sulphate of protoxyde of iron traversed
by the said air.
The dissolution of sulphate of protoxyde of iron may be composed of about 200
grams of sulphate of iron or copperas, and of about 400 grams of water. This
dissolution absorbs the oxygen of the air which passes through it, and retains also
the germs of the mouldings which are always in suspense in the atmospheric air.
The liquids are also subtracted to two adulterating agents, especially the oxygen,
which transforms the alcohol into acetic acid.
The use of this improved apparatus does away with the expenses of bottling, the
consequent loss of liquids, the necessity of purchasing stoppers, and the breaking of
bottles.
Having thus fully described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner of
carrying it into effect, I would have it understood that I claim and desire to secure
by the said Letters Patent a self-acting apparatus for preserving wines, ciders, and
beers, consisting of a closed vessel containing a dissolution of sulphate of protoxyde
of iron which the atinospherical air traverses before passing into the vessel or cask
containing the liquid in proportion as it is emptied, substantially as above
described.
In witness whereof, I, tho said Georges Desvignes, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of February, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
GEORGES DESVIGNES. (L.S.)