GB1115223A - Improvements in and relating to apparatus for washing and/or filling beer casks - Google Patents

Abstract

1,115,223. Washing and filling casks. G. C. DOW. 2 June, 1965 [24 March, 1964], No. 12492/64. Heading B8T. A device for washing and filling a cask 4 whilst inverted and provided with a normally closed valve 6 in a casing 1, comprises a cylindrical member 15 with a tubular outlet 16, a tubular inlet 17 fed by a tube 19, and a sealing ring 22. When the device is applied to an inverted cask the sealing ring engages the cask neck and the valve 6 is opened by the inlet 17, and when washing liquid is supplied to the tube 19 it flows through ports 12 in a tube 10 extending to near the cask base, and leaves the cask via ports 14 in the casing 1 and passes to the outlet 16 via apertures 24. One form of washing apparatus comprises a rotary table, Fig. 4 (not shown), divided into four sections each having four apertures 27 receiving casks which are held by clamps 31, Fig. 3 (not shown), secured to an arm 30. The sections are used respectively for loading and unloading, an initial internal rinse, an internal and external detergent wash, and a final internal rinse. In each of the three treatment sections four devices are provided, each attached by an extension 18 to a pneumatic cylinder which brings the device into, and removes it from, engagement with a cask. Draining of washing liquid may be assisted by a gas blast fed through the inlet 17. In an alternative apparatus the casks are carried on an endless conveyer comprising centrally apertured cask carrying plates 34, Figs. 5, 6 (not shown), resiliently mounted by springs on a transversely spaced pair of endless chains 35. Each chain is driven by a plate 44 having rollers engaging a pair of rails 47, and a spring-urged ratchet arm 43 on the plate comes into engagement with one of a number of spaced extensions 42 on the chain. Each plate is attached by a pivotally mounted drive arm 48 to an endless chain 49 driven by a motor, not shown. In operation, the plates 44 are reciprocated on their rails 47 and thereby drive the chains intermittently and carry the casks from a loading section to a washing section, and at the latter a ram forces a pressure plate downwardly on to the base of the casks, whereby the cask carrying plates 34 are depressed. The washing devices come into contact with the cask inlets. An inverted cask may be filled with beer by the device by feeding the beer through the outlet 16, and overflow from the cask passes through the tube 10 to the inlet 17.