US3456827A - Container for aging whiskey - Google Patents

Description

July 2z, 1969 D. G. WAKEEM CONTAINER FOR AGING WHISKEY Filed Deo. 22, 1966 E? uw /NVE/s/TOQ.` DALE @.WAKEEM,

United States Patent O w 3,456,827 CONTAINER FOR AGING WHISKEY Dale G. Wakeem, Plaid Star Rte., Windyville, M0. 65783 Filed Dec. 22, 1966, Ser. No. 604,056 Int. Cl. B65d 9/04 U.S. Cl. 217-72 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A whiskey aging container of substantially square or rectangular cross section including tongue and groove side and corner slats each having vertically spaced horizontal grooves to receive slats forming the top and bottom of the container, each of these bottom and top slats being formed to occupy predetermined horizontal groove segments in sealing relation, exterior straps or bands holding said slats together and forming a strong integrated container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention The present invention relates generally to the whiskey aging art, and more particularly to a sturdy, square or rectangular wiskey aging container.

Description ofthe prior art Heretofore, whiskey, and the like, has been and continues to be aged in round barrels, many of bulging type, which cause loss of storage space and which are often not strong enough for multiple stacking. These problems are solved by the present novel whiskey container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In brief, the present invention is a space saving, compressively strong whiskey aging container permitting multiple stacking for the storage period or for other purposes. The container is square or rectangular in cross section and includes side, end, top and bottom slats or staves which are integrated by cooperative tongue and groove structure and groove structure receiving complementary stave edges.

Objects of the present invention are to provide a novel whiskey, and the like, aging container which is very strong compressively and laterally, which is of a cross section and configuration permitting substantially maximum storage of units within a specified area, which can be dismantled for treating and reuse of the slats or staves, which is inexpensive, and which is highly effective against leakage. These and other objects and advantages are apparent from the following description taken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF 'DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a top plan View of a whiskey aging container incorporating the teachings of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on substantially the line 3-3 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 4 is a plan View of a corner slat or stave, the central portion being broken away for conservation of space;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of a side slat or stave, looking at the inner surface thereof, the central portion being broken away for conservation of space;

FIGURE 6 is a plan View of an intermediate top or bottom slat or stave, the central portion being broken away for conservation of space; and

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of an end, top or bottom slat or stave.

3,456,827 Patented July 22, 1969 Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numerals, 10 indicates generally a whiskey aging container including the teachings of the present invention. The container 10 includes side slats or staves 12, corner slats or staves 14, intermediate bottom and top slats or staves 16, and end top and bottom slats or staves 18.

Each side slat 12 includes a tongue 20 and a groove 22. A horizontal channel 24 of arcuate cross section is located near each end of the slat 12.

Each corner Slat 14 includes a tongue 26 and a groove 28. A horizontal groove 30 having an arcuate cross section is disposed adjajcent each end of the slat 14.

Each slat 16 includes a tongue 32 and groove 34. Each end is rounded at 36 on the same radius as the grooves 24 and 30 to snugly and rmly t therein.

One top outer slat 18 and one bottom outer slat 18 includes a tongue 38, ends 40 of arcuate cross section, and an outer edge 42 of arcuate cross section, said ends 40 and side 42 being joined by curved corners `44. The other top outer slat 18 and bottom outer slat 18 are identical with the slats 18 just described, except a groove 46 is provided in place of the tongue 38, which obviously is required in view of the overall tongue and groove arrangement.

Bands or straps 48, four being illustrated, hold the aforesaid slats in firm assembled relation. Welding 50 or other means, as buckles, secures each strap 48 in binding operative relation.

It is to be understood, of course, that the grooves 24 and 30 are on the same radius and that the ends 36, ends 40, sides 42, and curved corners 44 are all on a radius complementary to the grooves 24 and 30, so that a liquid tight, snug t obtains throughout. The tongue and groove relationship of the several slats is also consistent throughout, although, of course, it is not essential that the tongue and groove arrangement of the side and corner slats 12 and 14 be identical with the tongue and groove arrangement of the top and bottom slats 16 and 18.

A bunghole 52 may be provided in one of the top slats 16, as shown, or elsewhere if desired. A bung 54 is shown in the bunghole 52 in FIGURE 3.

The container 10 is illustrated as square in horizontal cross section. This cross section may be rectangular or of some other selected cross section which achieves maximum utilization of storage space in the manner of a container of square or rectangular cross section. The slats 12, 14, 16 and 18 are illustrated as of wood suitable for aging whiskey, and the like. Other suitable material may be employed.

It is apparent that there has been provided a container for aging whiskey, and the like, which fulfills the obiects and advantages sought therefor.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings have beeen given by way of illustration and example. It is also to be understood that changes in form of the elements, rearrangement of parts, and substitution of equivalent elements, which will be obvious to those skilled in the art, are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A container for aging whiskey, and the like, said container being of substantially square cross-section and cornprising a plurality of integrated side, corner, top and bottom slats, a single corner slat at each of the four corners, means interlocking said side and corner slats to form a continuous liquid tight wall, means interlocking said top slats into a continuous liquid tight surface, the continuous edges of said top continuous surface engaging the inner surface of said side and corner slats in liquid tight relation, means interlocking said bottom slats into a continuous liquid tight surface, the continuous edges of said bottom continuous surface engaging the inner surface of said side and corner slats in liquid tight relation, and means maintaining said side, corner, top and bottom slats is integrated liquid tight relation, each of said side and corner slats including a tongue and groove construction, each of said top and bottom intermediate slats including side tongue and groove construction and end edges dened entirely by a single cylindrical surface of constant radius of curvature and each of the top and bottom outer slats having their end edges and outer side edge dened entirely by a single cylindrical call surface radius of curvature, one outer top slat and one outer bottom slat having a tongue along the inner sides and the other outer top Slat and the other outer bottom slat having a groove along the inner side, said side slats being interchangeable, said corner slats being interchangeable, and said intermediate top and bottom slats being interchangeable, thereby reducing size and conguration stock piling to a minimum and facilitat assembly of barrels.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 700,567 5/ 1902 Schwab 217-96 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,184,110 2'/ 1959 France. 1,024,928 2/ 1953 France.

169,895 1/ 1935 Switzerland. 355,762 9/ 1961 Switzerland. 191,841 9/ 1937 Switzerland.

31,492 12/ 1920 Norway.

JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner

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