An Improved Apparatus for Drawing Off Measured Quantities of Liquid and Checking the same.
Year: 1895

page_text: •
Date of Application, 31st Jan., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Dec., 1895-Accepted, 31st Jan.. 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Apparatus for Drawing Off Measured Quantities of
Liquid and Checking the same.
MONTAGU BALLINGER of 15 Argyle Square London W.C. Journalist, and
WILLIAM BAYNTUN, of 15 Argyle Square London, W.C. Patent Razor-strop
Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
A contrivance the primary object of which is the creation of a precise and
accurate check-register of the number of times a tap is used together with the
quantity of liquid drawn from the apparatus devised or from any cask or vessel to
which the same may be attached. For the purpose of carrying out this primary
object in a more certain and accurate manner it has been found expedient to attach
to the said check-register tap, and to connect and incorporate therewith as part
and parcel of the same a device which possesses the nature of, and fulfils what may
be called a secondary object, viz. a self-acting measuring apparatus.
The nature of the invention in its cutirety is such that any standard measure or
other fixed quantity of liquid may at all times be accurately and precisely with-
drawn without using separate measures, and that upon indicating on a dial the
required measure, or upon touching or moving keys set apart for each measure, the
measuring becomes self acting, and only the exact quantity of liquid required runs
through the tap. Further, that the action of setting the indicator (or of touching
key or tap) also operates upon a dial check register marking thereon the quantity
of liquid with-drawn on each and every occasion the tap is used.
a
The most notable parts of the invention are briefly as follows:-
One, or by preference two, cylinders or vessels are used the smaller being placed
inside the other (or one cylinder may be placed on top of the other; or in close
proximity, with a pipe leading therefrom to the second vessel or cylinder). The
liquid which it is intended to draw off is contained in the inner cylinder (or in the
top cylinder) the same being supplied from time to time by hand; or by means of
a connection with a supply cask, vessel, or tap, the liquid running unchecked
through the communicating pipe. Or when large supply casks are used the
cylinders may be placed entirely therein, the tap portion of the same projecting
through the usual tap hole.
Passing through the inner cylinder the liquid runs into the outer cylinder
through a pipe which is placed under control of a ball stop-cock, or other suitable
contrivance which will control and limit the running of the liquid from the inner to
the outer cylinder. To the outer or second cylinder there is secured a tube (or
two or more) which by a method hereinafter appearing enables the liquid to leave
the outer cylinder and enter the check tap, the tube or tubes being so placed in the
cylinder that the liquid passes into the same at certain heights representing ascer-
tained quantities according to standard measures or desired proportions. By means
of an indicator or of keys or taps (or like methods) the operator is able to turn the
tube so as to discover openings or valves for the flowing out of the liquid. The
position of such opening or valve corresponding to the setting of the indicator or to
the particular tap used. The only outlet for the liquid being these openings or
valves (which are closed except when the indicator or tap is turned), it follows that
the liquid can only run out until it becomes level with the opening or valve, when
it ceases; and thus a "self-acting measuring apparatus" is obtained.

page_text: When the required liquid is being drawn off it is necessary to prevent the inflow
of further liquid, and for this purpose there is used a contrivance which communi-
cates with the ball-stop-cock for the purpose of suspending the action of the same.
Such contrivance is moved (indirectly) by the action of the indicator or keys or
taps (or other devices used in place thereof), and effectually stops the inflow so
long as the indicator or tap remains in position for an outward flow. The
indicator, keys, or taps, also communicate with a dial register which acts upon the
indicator being pointed or the keys or taps moved. Each tap or key is connected
with its own dial register and a complete, certain, and accurate check-registering
takes place, registering the various and distinct quantities drawn from the tap on
every occasion any liquid is drawn therefrom.
On the outward vessel there is marked by means of a gauge (or other convenient
method), the heights of the liquid which represent equivalences to standard
measures, or other pre-arranged quantities, which enables the operator to draw off
the liquid between any marked measures or according to discretion, by using a low
valve or opening.
Dated this 31st day of January 1895.
MONTAGU BALLINGER.
W. BAYNTUN.
An Improved Apparatus for Drawing Off Measured Quantities of
Liquid and Checking the same.
We MONTAGU BALLINGER of 15 Argyle Square London, W.C. Journalist and
WILLIAM BAYNTUN of 15 Argyle Square, London W.C. 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 :-
1. The primary object of this invention as hereinbefore set forth in the
Provisional Specification is to check the quantity of liquid drawn from any cask
or vessel so that the quantity of liquid so drawn together with its value in cash
may be at once ascertained. There are at the present time taps in existence
from which a single quantity of liquid may be drawn but when different quantities
are required different taps fixed to additional casks and vessels have to be
resorted to.
2. The primary and secondary objects of this invention is the creation and
combination of a tap apparatus from which all the standard measures together
with any number of different quantities of liquid (such as may be required in
different trades) may be automatically measured, drawn and checked from one and
the same tap affixed to any single cask or vessel.
3. The tap apparatus the subject of this invention is so arranged that any
simple combinations of clock wheels or any ordinary revolving check now in use
(such as those extensively used in money tills and the like) may be applied to
this invention at the handle part or other suitable place and when so applied will
in it combination with the rest of the invention create and fulfil the primary
and secondary object and purpose of this invention, namely, a combined automatic
measuring and checking tap.
4. The patentee lays no claim in this invention to any precise or particular
checking arrangement and does not therefore particularise or describe the various
checking arrangements that may be adopted combined or attached to his invention.
5. The nature of this invention in its entirety is such that any standard
measure or other fixed quantity of liquid may at all times be accurately and
precisely withdrawn without using separate measures and upon indicating on a
dial the required measure or upon touching the keys set apart for each measure

page_text: the measuring becomes self-acting, and ouly the exact quantity of liquid runs
through the tap. Further, the action of setting the indicator (or of touching a
key or tap) also operates upon a dial check register marking thereon the quantity
of liquid withdrawn on each and every occasion the tap is used.
The most notable parts of this invention are as follows:-
6. One or by preference two cylinders or vessels are used, the smaller being
placed inside the other, or one cylinder may be placed on top of the other or in
close proximity, with a pipe leading therefrom to the second or lower vessel or
cylinder. The liquid which it is intended to draw off is contained in the inner
cylinder or in the top cylinder the same being supplied from time to time by
hand or by means of a connection with a supply cask, vessel, or tap. (For
further explanation and detail of the above refer to paragraphs 12, 13, 14 and 15
of this Specification.)
7. Passing through the inner or top cylinder the liquid runs into the outer or
lower cylinder through a pipe which is placed under control of a ball stop-cock or
other suitable contrivance which will control and limit the flow of the liquid from
the inner or upper to the outer or lower cylinder. (For further explanation and
detail see paragraph 16.)
8. To the outer or second or lower cylinder there is secured a tube (or two or
more) which by a method hereinafter appearing enables the liquid to leave the
outer or lower cylinder and enter the check tap, the tube or tubes being so placed
in the cylinder that the liquid passes into the same at certain heights or distances
representing ascertained quantities according to standard measures or desired
proportions. By means of an indicator or of keys or taps (or like methods) the
operator is able to turn the tube so as to discover openings or valves for the
flowing out of the liquid. The position of such opening or valve corresponding to
the setting of the indicator or to the particular tap used. The only outlet for the
liquid being the openings or valves which are closed except when the indicator or
tap is turned it follows that the liquid can only run out until it becomes level with
the opening or valve, when it ceases; and thus a self acting measuring apparatus
is obtained. (For further particulars and details see paragraph 17.
the same.
9. When the required liquid is being drawn off it is necessary to prevent the
inflow of further liquid and for this purpose there is used a contrivance which
communicates with the ball stop-cock for the purpose of suspending the action of
Such contrivance is moved by the action of the indicator or keys or
taps (or other devices used in place thereof such as is set forth in paragraph 16)
and effectually stops the inflow so long as the indicator or tap remains in position
for an outward flow for drawing off the liquid. This is further referred to in
paragraph 16.
10. The indicator keys or taps also communicate with a dial register which acts
upon the indicator being pointed or the keys or taps moved. Each tap or key if
more than one be used may be connected with its own dial register and a complete
certain and accurate check-registering will then take place registering the various
and distinct quantities drawn from the tap on every occasion liquid is drawn
therefrom.
11. On the outward vessel there may be marked by means of a gauge (or other
convenient method) the heights of the liquid which represent equivalences to
standard or other pre-arranged quantities.
Some portions of the details constituting my invention may be varied as stated
in the foregoing paragraphs but one of the most advantageous methods of carrying
the same into effect is shown in the accompanying drawings and is further
described in detail as follows:-
12. Referring to paragraph 6 I prefer to use two distinct cylinders or vessels and
to place one above the head of the other with a short pipe (having a screw nut at
the head) leading from the top to the lower vessel, as set forth in the said
paragraph 6.
13. The top vessel has a tail or back projection for insertion in a cask or other

page_text: vessel with a tap-hole containing the liquid in bulk and when the top vessel is thus
inserted the second or lower vessel can be attached to it by means of the screw nut
on the head of the short pipe which projects upwards out of the said second or
lower vessel.
14. The liquid which is about to be drawn runs into the top vessel and thence into
the lower vessel through the short pipe above mentioned.
15. The use of the top vessel is to fulfil two important objects (amongst others
of minor consideration) namely, to form a ready simple and easy attachment of
the entire apparatus to any cask or liquid vessel at present in use, and secondly to
constitute a reservoir for rapidly refilling the lower vessel after liquid has been
drawn therefrom. By reason of the position of the top vessel and the tube
connecting it with the lower vessel the liquid presses into the latter with a rapidity
and force extraordinary known and recognised in the science of hydrostatics. It is
perhaps proper to observe that the vertical pipe connecting the lower and upper
vessel must not, on account of the rapidity and great pressure of the liquid, be of
too great a length, and where a supply cask is kept on the first floor or upper part of
the premises and the liquid is drawn off at a great distance below, or upon the
ground floor (as is not unfrequently the case in public taverns) my apparatus must
be attached wholly on the ground floor. That is to say the upper vessel connected
with my invention must not be attached to a cask on the ground floor and the length
of the vertical pipe increased by the addition of another pipe to make it
communicate with my lower vessel used on the ground floor. In such cases my
apparatus must be attached to the end of the pipe which brings the liquid from
aloft, my top vessel being placed in the position and in the stead of the tap now
used in such cases.
16. Referring to paragraph 7. the liquid passes from the top to the lower cylinder
or vessel as mentioned therein and in paragraph 14, and the flow of the liquid into
the lower vessel may be controlled by means of a ball cock or other suitable
contrivance that will control and limit the running of the liquid from the upper to
the lower cylinder or vessel as mentioned in paragraph 7. If a ball-cock be used,
its action must be suspended as mentioned in paragraph 9. by means of an attach-
ament to the tap handle or keys which said attachınent upon the turning of the said
tap handle keeps the ball locked or suspended, or otherwise prevents the said ball
falling with the liquid as the latter lowers in the vessel during the process of
drawing off. The float ball being thus locked the supply of further liquid is
prevented until the desired quantity has been automatically measured and drawn
and the tap turned off releasing the float ball which drops and allows fresh liquid
to rush in. But there is another method of carrying out this part of my invention
which I have shown in the accompanying drawings and which answers the same
object and purpose as the float ball cock. It is as follows:-I make a compart-
ment or chamber in the upper part of the lower vessel into which the liquid flows
from the top vessel. In the centre of this chamber or compartment which is also
the centre of the lower vessel I fix a vertical cylinder or tube which is fastened
to the upper and lower part of the said compartment by its edges or sides leaving
a free centre. The said cylinder or tube bas cut therein an opening or hole in one
portion of its side which forms the only outlet for the liquid from the said chamber
or compartment into the other portion of the lower vessel. This said hole is
opened and closed by another cylinder or tube fitting tightly and moving within
the above mentioned cylinder or tube and this second tube has a similar opening
or hole to correspond as occasion requires with the opening in the tube that
surrounds it. The head of the second mentioned tube is closed except that it
contains a float vent. When the two holes in the tubes correspond in position the
liquid flows out of the compartment or chamber mentioned above and fills the
lower vessel and the liquid rising upwards reaches and closes the above mentioned
float vent. The inner tube above referred to is connected with the tap handle
that is used for drawing off the liquid from the lower vessel and immediately the
said tap-handle is turned the inner tube revolves and it walls face the inflow opening

page_text: thus effectually shutting off the inflow of further liquid until the handle be turned
back and the holes in the two tubes thus again made to meet.
17. Referring to paragraph 8 the liquid is measured as it is being drawn off,
by my invention of two tubes as therein mentioned and the position, novel
combination, and attachment of the same to other parts of my invention. These
two tubes which are smaller than the cylinders or tubes set forth in the preceding
paragraphs are closely fitting one inside the other and are placed inside the lower
vessel one of the tubes being fixed thereto, whilst both lead from the top to the
bottom of the said lower vessel and communicate with, or lead into the tap from
which the liquid is drawn. One of the tubes being fixed to the bottom of the
vessel as aforesaid the other tube is fixed at the top and connected with or fitted
to the tap handle, and it is thus turned, or revolved with the movement of the
latter when the liquid is about to be drawn. These two tubes have openings or
holes at various heights which on occasions correspond, the opening in one tube
facing and meeting alternately one of the openings in the other tube as the said
tube revolves upon being turned with the tap handle. The heights at which
the respective openings are made are fixed in exact accordance with the liquid
holding capacity of the lower cylinder or vessel into which they are fitted as
aforesaid and the distances of the openings in the tubes from the top of the lower
vessel is varied to constitute the different standard measures and other additional
measures that may be required. The size and liquid holding capacity of the lower
vessel may differ according to its manufacture for use in different trades. For
licensed houses and wine and spirit merchants the lower vessel may be made to
hold a pint of liquid whilst for oil salesmen and the like it would be desirable to
increase the size to, say, one gallon.
18. An indicator, as set forth in paragraph 8, connected with or attached to the
tap handle which turns to draw off the liquid is made to point on a dial to the
quantity of liquid which it is desired to draw. The movement of the tap-haudle
revolves one of the tubes referred to in the last preceding paragraph, and the
stoppage of the tap-handle against one of the measures marked on the dial brings
together the particular holes in the said tubes which correspond to the required
measure as indicated on the dial, and the liquid flows out to a level with these
said holes that correspond in the said tubes and the exact quantity desired is thus
automatically measured. By moving the tap handle a little further and stopping
it on the dial against a larger measure lower holes in the tube will come into
correspondency and thus any desired quantity of liquid may be drawn auto-
matically measured. Although any number of different quantities of liquid may
be thus drawn, it will be found as a matter of fact that six or seven different
quantities will be sufficient for most trades.
19. Where reference has been made in this Specification to tubes, it may be
found of advantage to give them a slightly conical shape, either throughout or
at the ends. Where openings or holes have been referred to they may be oblong
or circular or of any shape, but a slight advantage may be obtained by making
the openings of the oblong or circular shape as respectively shown in the drawings
the same having been based on scientific facts connected with the friction of
liquids.
:―
The accompanying drawings have reference to my invention as follows:-
Fig. 1. is a side elevation of the apparatus.
Fig. 2. is a similar elevation partly in section to more clearly show its
combination.
Fig. 3. is a side elevation partly in section, of part "c" and also a side elevation
of "d."
The portion of the drawing marked with the letter "a," Figs. 1 and 2, is that
referred to in paragraphs 12 and 13 as the top vessel having a tail or back
projection for insertion in a supply cask. This said top vessel is, after being
fixed in the said supply cask joined to the other portions of the apparatus by a
connection with pipe a2 by means of a screw nut as and when this is done the tap

page_text: at a' may be turned on for the flow of liquid into the apparatus to take place.
"The hole in the centre of the top vessel is to give free passage of air to the vent
situated at c³.
The part of the drawing marked with the letter 6 Figs. 1 and 2 is that referred
to in paragraph 16 as the lower vessel, and is the portion of the apparatus which
has fitted or fixed therein a compartment or chamber 6' referred to in the said
paragraph. The liquid leaves the said compartment at the opening 62 when the
tap is at rest and the holes c² face the said opening. At 6 are shown flangs by
which the apparatus when of a large size may be attached to the counter or shelf
upon which the supply cask or vessel is placed.
с
The portion of the drawing marked c Figs. 2 and 3 represent the cylinder or
tube referred to in paragrapli 16 which fits tightly and revolves in the other
cylinder or tube forming the centre of the compartment and having a liquid
way through holes for the flow of liquid from the said compartment. Down
the centre of c is another tube referred to in paragraph 17 having openings or
holes cat ascertained heights for the automatic measuring of the liquid as it is
being drawn off such openings or holes corresponding alternatively with openings or
holes marked d¹. At the top of c is a handle or tap seat, and c³ shows a handle
fixed thereto with a pointer or hand attached e' which moves as the handle is being
turned and points to the desired measure marked on the dial 63. A float vent
through which the air escapes during the inflow of the liquid through c² until it
is closed by the said inflow and supplying air during the outflow is shown at c³.
The references c and e' are simply seats and worms for the fixing of washers and
screw nuts for purposes of packing and preventing the escape of liquid as c revolves
within compartment b¹.
C
The portion of the drawing marked d refer to the outer tube described in
paragraph 17 which is fixed to the tap through which liquid is drawn off. The
said tube has openings or holes cut at varying heights which represent
definite quantities of liquid when the same is drawn off to a level with such holes.
Whilst the tap is at rest these openings or holes are entirely closed by the walls
of the inner tube c but as the tap handle is turned the opening c correspond
alternately with one of the openings d' at a height in accordance with the setting
of the indicator e' on the dial 63.
The letter in Fig. 1 shows the position of the check register dial referred to
in paragraphs 3 and 4.
The course taken by the liquid and the flow of the same through my tap
apparatus is shown in Fig. 2 marked by arrows. The tap is shown in this figure
set for the first or top measure which is opened by the setting of the holes c¹
which are seen through the top d' opening. The lower d' openings are shown
closed. The liquid runs out of the lower vessel from which it is drawn until it
is at a level with the opening and then the liquid ceases to flow, the apparatus
having supplied the required measure. A further twist of the tap handle would
have given a lower opening, and thus a greater measure. And by similar means
-any desired measure may be obtained.
.
To simplify the drawings only three measures are shown therein, but the number
of different measures that can be obtained is absolutely unlimited.
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 :-
: a. The invention in its entirety and in its essential parts as a check registering
tap and liquid measuring apparatus for more than one measure.
b. The application, construction, and arrangement of all the parts constituting
this invention as applied for purposes of drawing off liquids.
c. The method adopted for measuring and for drawing off liquids by means of
two tubes one within the other with holes cut at intervals to allow of the
flow of liquids at certain heights or distances to represent desired measures.

page_text: And the combination of an inner and outer tube with holes at fixed heights for the
flow of pre-arranged quantities of liquid therein and therefrom (or the combination
of two or more tubes separately placed with openings at fixed heights or distances
for the flow of liquids answering the same purpose aforesaid).
d. The construction and combination of two tubes mentioned in the preceding.
paragraph and as set forth in this Specification.
e. The means and methods employed for supplying and shutting off the supply of
inflowing liquids.
f. The improved method of drawing off and measuring liquids as set forth in
this Specification.
9. The combination of an apparatus set forth in this Specification that will
deliver more than one measured quantity of liquid in the manner herein set forth
with any of the revolving checking arrangements now in use, or with any other
mechanism answering the purposes of a check.
h. The combination arrangement and construction of an apparatus for measuring
and drawing off more than one quantity of liquid as described and set forth in this
Specification, and the combination of the parts constituting the same so far as the
said parts are new and novel in their combination.
i. The combination arrangement and application of such parts of this invention
as are not new in so far as their combination arrangement and application are novel.
for the purposes herein set forth.
Dated this 30th day of November 1895.
MONTAGU BALLINGER.
WILLIAM BAYNTUN.