US3194451A - Connecting head for use with casks, siphons and the like receptacles containing liquid under pressure - Google Patents

Description

3,194,451 SIPHONS AND THE LIQUID 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 22, 1962 Inventor Z E Muff/l FL ETcl-IEZ July 13, 1965 K. FLETCHER CONNECTING HEAD FOR USE WITH CASKS, SIPHONS AND THE LIKE RECEPTACLES CONTAINING LIQUID UNDER PRESSURE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 22, 1962 lnvenlor 3e ks/wvz r [is rah/ F- 1955 K. FLETCHER 3,194,451

CONNECTING HEAD FOR USE WITH GASKS, SIPHONS AND THE LIKE RECEPTACLES CONTAINING LIQUID I UNDER PRESSURE Filed June 22, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 July 13, 1965 K. FLETCHER 3,194,451

CONNECTING HEAD FOR USE WITH CASKS, SIPHONS AND THE LIKE RECEPTACLES CONTAINING LIQUID UNDER PRESSURE Filed June 22, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN V EN TOR. Mam Em TLE fi E/Q United States Patent 3,194,451 CQNNECTING HEAD FOR USE WITH CASKS,

SIPHONS AND THE LlKE RECEPTACLES ION- TAINING LIQUID UNDER PRESSURE Kenneth Fletcher, Dublin, Ireland, assignor to Arthur Guinness Son & Company (Dublin) Limited, Dublin, Ireland, a company of Ireland Filed June 22, 1962, er. No. 204,539 Claims priority, application Ireland, June 26, i961, 531/ 61 11 Claims. (Cl. ZZZ-409.7)

This invention relates to a connecting head for use with casks, siphons and the like receptacles of the type adapted to contain liquid under pressure, and more particularly to a connecting head for use with metal casks as used in the brewing industry for containing stout or beer under the gaseous pressure of a carbonating gas.

In casks of the type stated, the carbonating gas may conveniently be contained in a separate chamber fitted within the cask, the pressure of the carbonating gas being higher than the gaseous pressure to be applied to the liquid in the cask, communication between the gas chamber and the liquid in the cask being effected through a pressure reducing valve also located within the cask, the arrangement being such that as liquid is drawn oil from the cask, the reduction of gaseous pressure in the cask resulting therefrom is augmented automatically by admission of additional gas from the gas chamber through the reducing valve into thet-op of the cask. Constant gaseous pressure is thereby maintained on the liquid within the cask, and this pressure serves to discharge the liquid, as and when required, through a siphon tube extending from near the bottom of the cask to a valve cont-rolled outlet located in the top of the cask,

Such known casks are usually provided with three valve controlled openings in the top thereof for effecting communication with the gas chamber, with the siphon delivery tube and with the top portion of the cask above the liquid therein. The valves controlling the openings are conveniently of the spring loaded poppet type which are maintained in their closed position under spring pressure assisted by the gaseous pressure in the cask and are opened by the application thereto of downward axial pressure for charging or emptying the gas chamber or the liquid containing portion of the cask.

It is already known to provide a connector head for use with such casks, the connector head being adapted for detachable mounting in seal-proof manner upon the top of the cask and incorporating manually operated means for opening the liquid discharge valve on the cask head and/or the gas inlet valve and at the same time effecting communication between these valves and passageways in the connector head, whereby the liquid contents of the cask may be discharged as and when required, or the connector head may be used for filling or racking of the cask with beer or sterilising the cask with steam or gas prior to refilling.

Experience has shown, however, that diificulties arise from applying the reduced gas pressure to the liquid in the cask through a reducing valve located within the cask, in that the liquid on occasions leaks into the separate gas chamber and, moreover, it is difficult to sterilise the re ducing valve satisfactorily when it is located within the cask and is not directly accessible.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a connecting head for casks of the type stated which not only permits of dispensing of the liquid contents from the cask as and when required, but which incorporate means for effecting connection between the separate gas chamber and the top portion of the cask above its liquid contents Bldfidl Patented July 13, 15%5 through a reducing valve which is itself incorporated in the connecting head.

To achieve this object, the connecting head is adapted to open all the three valve controlled openings in the cask and to simultaneously establish communication directly with the siphon tube delivery from the cask for discharging the contents through a passageway provided therefor in the connecting head, as well as effecting communication between the separate gas chamber and the top portion of the cask above the liquid therein through a reducing valve incorporated in the connecting head,

Accordingly, the present invention comprises a connecting head for detachable mounting upon the top of casks, siphons and the like receptacles of the type stated in which the receptacle has three valve controlled openings in the top thereof communicatin respectively with the top of a liquid contained in the receptacle, with a siphon delivery discharge for the liquid, and with a separate chamber within the receptacle containing a gas under pressure. The connecting head comprises a valve actuator element adapted for vertical axial downward movement within a casing against the action of spring means tending to return the actuator element to its uppermost position, two throughway passages formed in the actuator element terminating at their lowermost ends in nozzles which, on downward movement of the actuator element, communicate with and open the valve controlled openings in the top of the receptacle communicating with the top of the liquid and with the sip-hon delivery discharge therefor, a pressure reducing valve carried on the exterior of the actuator element to partake in the movement thereof and fitted with a nozzle at its inlet and adapted to communicate with and open the valve controlled openings in the top of the receptacle communicating with the gas pressure chamber, manual actuating means mounted on the casing for effecting downward axial movement of the actuator element against its return action and for maintaining the actuator element in this position, the outlet from the pressure reducing valve being connected to the uppermost end of the actuator element passageway which communicates with the top of the liquid in the receptacle, and the top of the other passageway in the actuator element being adapted for flexible connection with a dispensing outlet for the liquid.

The connecting head according to the invention obviates the necessity for providing a reducing valve connection within the cask between the gas pressure chamber and the top of the liquid containing portion of the cask. Thus, the gas pressure chamber and the liquid con-t aining portion of the cask remain unconnected and sealed off from each other during transport and storage of the casks and no leakage therebetween can occur. The necessary intercommunic-ation between the gas chamber and the liquid containing portion of the cask, and the dispensing of the liquid contents can only be eifected when the connecting head is fitted to the cask and actuated to open the valves on the cask.

It will be understood that each public house, lounge or similar establishment to which filled casks are sup plied will be furnished with a connecting head for detachable mounting on each cask as the cask is required for use, the discharging passageway on the connecting head being connected by flexible hose to a bar counter tap for dispensing as and when required at the bar counter. Thus, the one connecting head serves for dispensing from a large number of casks separately, the connecting head being adapted for easy mounting to and detachment from each cask.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of one embodiment thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the connecting head.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the connecting head.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the line HIHI of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an underneath plan view.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view on the line VV of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a partial vertical sectional view showing the connecting head mounted on a cask.

Referring to the drawings, the connecting head comprises a valve actuator element 1 having inwardly recessed front and rear sides 2 and 3 and part circular end sides 4, the actuator element being provided with through- way passages 5 and 6 fitted with screw-in projecting nozzles 7 and 8 at their lower ends and with tubular extensions 9 and 1t) screwed into the upper ends of the passages. The actuator element 1 is centrally recessed at 11 to accommodate therein a coiled spring 12 surrounding the shank of a cam bearing plate 13 located within a central circular recess 14 therefor formed in a disc 15 secured to the upper surface of the actuator element 1 by screws 16 (see FIG. 5). The upper surface of the bearing plate 13 is slightly convex and projects slightly above the surface of the disc 15.

The actuator element 1 and disc 15 are mounted for vertical axial movement within a casing comprising upper and lower halves 17 and 18, the lower half 18 being interiorly of circular periphery to correspond with the part circular end sides 4 of the actuator element 1 and having four recesses in the base thereof to receive the lower ends of four coil springs 19 the upper ends of which bear against the lower urface of the disc 15, the springs 19 passing upwardly within the inwardly recessed front and rear sides 2, 3 of the actuator element 1. In this manner the actuator element 1 and disc 15 are continuously spring urged to an uppermost position within the casing, the lower half casing 18 having a cut away recess 20 therein shaped to receive and guide the lowermost portion of the actuator element 1 in its axial movement.

The upper half 17 of the casing is dome shaped and is provided at its top with a pair of lugs 21 between which a cam 22 is rotatably mounted on a pivot pin 22a, the cam 22 having a lever 23 extending therefrom whose outer end is provided with a hand actuating knob 24. The two halves of the casing 17, 18 are secured together by screws 25 passing upwardly from beneath the lower half casing 18 through screw holes therein and engaging with tapped screw formed in the underneath surface of the upper casing 1'7. The upper casing 17 is provided with openings 25, 27 for the passage theret'hrough of the tubular extension 9 and 1d of the passages in the actuator element.

The upper half of each circular end side of the actuator element 1 is offset inwardly to accommodate therebetween and the circular periphery of the lower casing 18 a sleeve 28 having an arm 29 rigidly secured thereto, said arm having at its outer end an adjustable pressure reducing valve 30 communicating with a third nozzle 31. The reducing valve 30 is equipped with an outlet 32 and may be adapted for the mounting thereon of a pressure gauge, if so desired. It will be understood that the mounting of the sleeve 28 on the actuator element 1 ensures that the third nozzle 31 partakes in any axial movement of the actuator element 1 within the casing. The casing is provided with the opening 2% for the projection of arm 29; therethrough.

The outlet 32 from the pressure reducing valve 30 is connected by a length of suitable hose 34 to the tubular extension 15, and the tubular extension 9 is provided with a length of suitable hose 35 for connection to a bar counter serving tap,

As shown in FIG. 6, the entire connecting head is adapted for easy detachable mounting upon the top of a cask 37 in such manner that the nozzles 7 and 8 are respectively in direct alignment with the valve controlled openings 38 and 39 in the cask head 40 for the siphon delivery tube 41 and the top portion of the cask above the liquid therein, the spacing of the latter valve controlled openings being standard. Simultaneously the sleeve 28 is rotated to bring the third nozzle 31 into alignment with the valve controlled opening 43 in the cask head communicating with the gas pressure chamber 44, the spacing of the latteropening being also standard. The illustrated valves are conventional structures whose valve body is moved in the valve seat against the bias of springs bearing thereagainst to open the valve. To facilitate seal proof engagement of the connecting head with the cask, the bottom end of the actuator element 1 may be provided with a downwardly projecting skirt projection 35 at each end side adapted to ensure correct location with the in respect of the sealing cover 45 which is mounted on the cask head, a gasket 46 being interposed between the cask head and the sealing cover.

The cam lever 23 is now pressed downwardly whereby the cam 22 is rotated to exert downward pressure on the cam bearing plate 13 against the cushioning action of spring 12, and the actuator element 1 is moved downwardly in the axial direction against the action of the springs 19 whereby the three nozzles 7, 8 and 31 are projected downwardly to engage and open the three valves controlling the three openings 38, 39, 43 in the head of the cask and establishcommunication with the passageways in the connecting head. 7

Thus, the gas chamber 44 within the cask communicates via nozzle 31 with the reducing valve 30, and reduced pressure therefrom is applied via outlet 32, hose 34 and tubular extension 10 through nozzle 8 and opening 39 to the portion of the cask above the liquid therein. The siphon delivery 41 from the cask is put in direct communication with a dispensing tap at the serving bar counter via opening 38 and nozzle 7, passageway 5, tubular extension 9 and hose 35.

Itwill be apparent from the shape of the cam 22 as illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings, that the cam 22 will remain in its operative actuator element depressing position until the lever '23 is actuated to restore the cam to its inoperative position again, when the actuator element 1 rises again under the action of the springs '19, disengaging the nozzles 7, 8 and 31 from the valves controlling the cask openings whereby the latter close again.

It will be understood that the arrangement of the nozzles in the connecting head may readily be modified to suit the disposition of the valves in different makes of casks, and the manner of mounting the connecting head in easy detachable seal proof manner to the top of the cask will also be selected to suit the disposition of the valves and their mounting in any particular make of cask. The invention, therefore, is not confined in its scope to the precise construction of the connecting head shown in the accompanying drawings by Way of example.

I claim:

1. A connecting head for dispensing a liquid contained in a cask and subjected to pressure from a gas contained in a separate chamber located within the cask, the top of the cask being provided with three valve controlled openings communicating respectively with the top of the liquid contained in the cask, with a siphon delivery tube extending from the top to the bottom of the cask, and with the separate gas chamber within the cask, said con necting head comprising a casing adapted for detachable mounting upon the top of the cask, an actuator element movable in a downward axial direction within the casing against the action of spring return means, two through- Way passages formed in the actuator element terminating at their lowermost ends in a pair of nozzles, which, on downward movement of the actuator element communicate with and open the two valve controlled openings in the cask communicating with the top of the liquid and with the siphon delivery tube, a pressure reducing valve carried on the exterior of the actuator element and fitted with a nozzle at its inlet end which, on downward movement of the actuator element, communicates with and opens the valve controlled opening in the cask communicating with the separate gas pressure chamber, connecting means between the outlet from the pres-sure reducing valve and the uppermost end of the throughway passage which communicates with the top of the liquid in the cask, and manual actuating means mounted on the casing for effecting the downward axial movement of the actuator element.

2. A connecting head as claimed in claim 1, in which the casing comprises screw assembled upper and lower halves.

3. A connecting head as claimed in claim 1 further comprising tubular extensions fitted to the uppermost ends of the two passageways formed in the actuator element, said extensions projecting through openings provided therefor in the casing.

4. A connecting head as claimed in claim 3, in which the said connecting means comprises a tubular extension fitted to the outlet from the reducing valve and a flexible hose connecting the latter tubular extension to the uppermost end of the throughway passage which communicates with the top of the liquid in the cask.

5. A connecting head as claimed in claim 1, in which the casing includes upper and lower halves connected to each other, the lower half of the casing defining an interior circular periphery and the actuator element being formed with part circular end portions which have sliding engagement with the interior circular periphery of the casing during the axial movement of the valve body.

6. A connecting head as claimed in claim 5, in which the upper half of each part circular end portion of the actuator element is offset inwardly, further comprising a sleeve interposed between the actuator element and the interior circular periphery of the lower half of the casing where the actuator element is inwardly offset, and an arm rigidly secured to said sleeve and projecting through an opening formed in the casing, the pressure reducing valve being mounted on a free end of said arm.

7. A connecting head as claimed in claim 6, in which the actuator element has an upper surface defining a central recess, further comprising a disc having a central circular recess and secured to the upper surface of the actuator element, a cam bearing plate having a shank mounted in the central circular recess of the disc, with the shank extending into the central recess of the upper surface of the actuator element, a coiled spring mounted in said central recess and sur-rounding'the cam bearing plate shank, and a cam engaging the cam bearing plate.

8. A connecting head as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a plurality of coiled springs each having one VII d end located in a recess therefor formed in a base of the casing, and extending upwardly to bear against the lower surface of the disc for urging the actuator element to its uppermost position.

9. A connecting head as claimed in claim 8, in which the upper half of the casing is dome shaped and is provided at its top with a pair of lugs between which the cam is rotatably mounted for engagement with the cam bearing plate to move the actuator element downwardly and maintain the actuator element in this position, said cam having a lever rigidly secured thereto for its manual actuation.

10. A connecting head for a cask and like receptacle which comprises:

(a) a casing adapted to be releasably mounted on said receptacle;

(b) an actuator element mounted in said valve casing for movement toward and away from an operative position adjacent said receptacle when said casing is mounted on said receptacle;

(c) a first, a second, and a third nozzle, said nozzles being mounted on said actuator element and facing toward said receptacle in the direction of movement of said actuator element toward said operative position thereof;

(d) a conduit means between said first and second nozzles and a pressure reducing valve in said conduit means;

(e) a conduit communicating with said third nozzle and extending outward of said casing;

(f) yieldably resilient means on said casing permanently urging said actuator element to move away from said operative position thereof; and

(g) manually operable actuating means on said casing for actuating said movement of said actuator element toward said operative position against the restraint of said resilient means.

11. A connecting head as set forth in claim 10,,wherein said actuating means include means for locking said head in said operative position thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 587,987 8/97 Mills 222400.7 597,292 1/98 Linder et al l37609 X 1,840,968 l/32 Miller l37609 X 2,504,009 4/50 De Phillips et al. 222-400.7 X 2,741,262 4/56 Crookston l37-6l3 X FOREIGN PATENTS 103 ,116 5/99 Germany.

EVERETT W. KIRBY, Primary Examiner.

LOUIS J. DEMBO, MPHAEL M. LUPO, Examiners.

Claims (1)

1. A CONNECTING HEAD FOR DISPENSING A LIQUID CONTAINED IN A CASK AND SUBJECTED TO PRESSURE FROM AW GAS CONTAINED IN A SEPARATE CHAMBER LOCATED WITHIN THE CASK, THE TOP OF THE CASK BEING PROVIDED WITH THREE VALVE CONTROLLED OPENINGS COMMUNICATING RESPECTIVELY WITH THE TOP OF THE LIQUID CONTAINED IN THE CASK, WITH A SIPHON DELIVERY TUBE EXTENDING FROM THE TOP TO THE BOTTOM OF THE CASK, AND WITH THE SEPARATE GAS CHAMBER WITHIN THE CASK, SAID CONNECTING HEAD COMPRISING A CASING ADAPTED FOR DETACHABLE MOUNTING UPON THE TOP OF THE CASK, AN ACTUATOR ELEMENT MOVABLE IN A DOWNWARD AXIAL DIRECTION WITHIN THE CASING AGAINST THE ACTION OF SPRING RETURN MEANS, TWO THROUGHWAY PASSAGES FORMED IN THE ACTUATOR ELEMENT TERMINATING AT THEIR LOWERMOST ENDS IN A PAIR OF NOZZLES, WHICH, ON DOWNWARD MOVEMENT OF THE ACTUATOR ELEMENT COMMUNICATE WITH AND OPEN THE TWO VALVE CONTROLLED OPENINGS IN THE CASK COMMUNICATING WITH THE TOP OF THE LIQUID AND WITH THE SIPHON DELIVERY TUBE, A PRESSURE REDUCING VALVE CARRIED ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE ACTUATOR ELEMENT AND FITTED WITH A NOZZLE AT ITS INLET END WHICH, ON DOWNWARD MOVEMENT OF T HE ACTUATOR ELEMENT, COMMUNICATES WITH AND OPENS THE VALVE CONTROLLED OPENING IN THE CASK COMMIUNICATING WITH THE SEPARATE GAS PRESSURE CHAMBER, CONNECTING MEANS BETWEEN THE OUTLET FROM THE PRESSURE REDUCING VALVE AND THE UPPERMOST END OF THE THROUGHWAY PASSAGE WHICH COMMUNICATES WITH THE TOP OF THE LIQUID IN THE CASK, AND MANUAL ACTUATING MEANS MOUNTED ON THE CASING FOR EFFECTING THE DOWNWARD AXIAL MOVEMENT OF THE ACTUATOR ELEMENT.

Images