Apparatus for heating liquor.

Application filed June 28i 1902. Serial No.113,609. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, James P. Roche, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Louisville, in the county of Jefferson and 5 State of Kentucky, have invented a new and Improved Apparatus for Heating Liquor, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to a means for coIto oring and improving the flavor of whisky due to the treatment it receives by heating it in a cask or barrel, the latter being charred on the inside surface in the usual manner, the heat being communicated to the liquor by 15 steam which circulates in a pipe that is introduced within the liquor-holding receptacle.

One object of my invention is to provide novel simple means for the convenient introduction of a doubled or looped steam-pipe 20 within the bung-hole of a barrel in an airtight manner, and a further object is to provide novel simple means of attaching such steam-pipe to stationary steam supply and exhaust pipes at certain fixed points without 25 requiring the barrel to occupy a certain exact position in relation to said fixed points of connection whereby steam circulation is effected through the looped steam-pipe in a safe manner for uniformly raising the tem30 perature of the liquor confined in the sealed receptacle.

A further object is to provide a novel attachment for the steam-heating appliance, which visually exhibits the degrees of heat 35 communicated to the liquor in the barrel by denoting accurately the expansion of volume produced in the liquor by the application of heat thereto.

The invention consists in the novel con10 struction and combination of parts, as will be hereinafter described, and the actual scope of the invention will be defined in the appended claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying 45 drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved apparatus applied in operative posi50 tion to a barrel or cask. Fig. 2 is a partlysectional side view of the apparatus and a sectional side view of the barrel upon which the device is mounted. Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional side view of the details, showing a novel connection of parts with an improved 55 bung for the barrel, the plane of the section being indicated by the line 3 3 in Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a partly-sectional plan view, substantially on the line 4 4 in Fig. 3, and Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional side view of an exten- 60 sion or slip-joint box which is employed to connect the branches of the doubled or looped insertible pipe to the steam supply and exhaust pipes.

In the drawings that illustrate the con- 65 struction and application of the invention A represents a liquou-holding cask or barrel of the usual construction, the same being charred on the inside surface in the usual manner. Into the bung-hole of this barrel 70 or cask is inserted the novel bung that is a part of thepresentinvention. As best shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the bung contemplates the employment of a shell 6, which constitutes the exterior wall of said bung, said shell hav- 75 ing a tapered form and being threaded externally to adapt it for screwed insertion into the bung-hole a.

The bung-shell 6 is centrally bored to form a cylindrical perforation or passage therein 80 of considerable diameter, and at the normal upper end of said bore b a counterbore b' is formed of a suitable depth, said counterbore terminating in a beveled shoulder b², the latter being countersunk at the inside angle, 85 as shown in Fig. 3. Upon the outer surface of the bung-shell 6 a preferably hexagonal flanged projection c is formed at a suitable distance from the upper end of said bungshell, and above said angular flange the up- 90 per portion of the bung-shell is rendered cylindrical, having an exterior thread for the reception of a cap-nut 7, which is internally flanged, as at d, which flange defines the diameter of a central opening d', formed in the 95 top of the nut. Preferably the cap-nut 7 is provided with two arms 7^a, that project oppositely from its circular side wall and afford convenient means for the manipulation of the nut, as occasion may require. 100

Within the bore b and the counterbore b' is fixed a mainly cylindrical plug or fillingblock 8, the same forming a removable member of the bung, and said plug, block, or

748,531 member having an annular tapered shoulder thereon which seats upon the countersunk surface of the shoulder &³, and these contacting surfaces of the bung-shell and the filling 5 block or plug are rendered air and liquid tight by grinding them together or by other available means.

As shown in Fig. 3, the flange d, that projects inwardly at the upper end of the capio nut 7, bears upon the upper end of the plug or filling-block 8 when the nut is screwed down far enough on the bung-shell 6, thus effecting aclampingadjustment which makes a liquid - tight joint between the tapered 15 shoulder of the plug or filling-block and the correspondingly countersunk surface of the shoulder &³ of the bung-shell. As represented in Fig. 4, there are three vertical perforations formed in the plug or filling-block 8 for 20 the reception of the tubular stem 9 and the body portions of a doubled or looped steampipe 10 10“.

As represented, the steam-pipe is bent at e, so as to provide two members 1010^a, which 25 extend side by side, of a suitable length, and are then bent or curved, as at g g’. The members 10 10^a are arranged parallel and close together, and said members are so disposed that the lower parts thereof lie in substan30 tially horizontal positions within a barrel, while the lower portions of the members occupy vertical positions,so as to extend through the bung a.

The upright portions or shanks of the steam35 PiP® ^that P^ass through two of the perforations in the plug or filling-block 8 are permanently secured therein and in a liquidtight manner, and above the upper end of said block the shanks of the steam-pipe are 40 bent, as at h, so as to extend laterally, and thereby form branches on the exposed part of the steam-pipe. At a suitable distance from the bends h the normally exposed branches or members 10 10^a of the steam-pipe 45 are bent upward, or these branches may be thus extended by provision of the L-fittings i. (Shown in Fig. 2.)

As shown in Fig. 1, the upright branches or continuations of the pipes are severed, and 50 at each severed portion a screw union-joint 11 is introduced, said union-joint being of ordinary construction, but preferably having arms for convenient manipulation.

Above the union-joints 11 the branches or 55 members 10 10“ of the looped pipe are bent, as at m, and thence extend to the slip-joint boxes 12, and from said joint-boxes the steampipe branches or members 10 10^a extend to an engagement, respectively, with the live-steam 60 pipe 13 and the exhaust-steam pipe 14. A valve 13“ is introduced into the pipe extension 10 for controlling of steam fed from the live-steam pipe.

Referring to the slip-joint boxes 12, (rep65 resented in Fig. 5,) each comprises a cylindrical body having a packing-box 12“, which is screwed to one end portion of said body, each packing-box being centrally perforated to permit the insertion therethrough and into the box-body of an end portion of the steam- 70 -pipe member 10 or 10“, that the joint-box is a portion of, the steam-pipe member mentioned being extended from the opposite end of the joint-box into which the extension is screwed, as represented in said Fig. 5. The slip-joint 75 box 12 and the cap 12^a may be of any suitable size to provide a chamber adapted to receive an ordinary packing material. In Fig. 5 the slip-joint box is shown as being divided to produce a number of sections, one of which, 80 12°, is threaded to receive the cap 12“, while another section, 12^d, is similar to a ring or sleeve that is disposed between the parts 12 and 12^c. Preferably the stuffing-box cap 12“ is not tapped through its entire depth; but a 85 plain true bore is provided at the inner end, so that a similarly-finished part 12^c of the head may closely fit within it, thus providing a smooth true wall for the packing-chamber.

The opposing ends of the cap and head, re- 90 spectively,are oppositely countersunk, so that when the cap is screwed down on the head the packing material within the chamber is wedged around the pipe 10, thus forming a steam-tight joint around the pipe, but allow- 95 ing the pipe to slip freely lengthwise within the joint-box.

The stem 9 is fitted to slide in the remaining vertical perforation of the plug or fillingblock 8, and it consists of a cylindrical tube ico having length sufficient to permit its extension a proper distance above and below the filling-block, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the relative position of the stem disposing it at a point triangularly removed from the two 105 spaced members 10 10“ of the doubled steampipe, as represented in Fig. 4. The stem 9 may be open at the lower end or be closed, as in Fig. 3. If closed, perforations n are formed in the wall of the stem near the lower 1 ir end for the free entrance of the liquid therein. The perforations are of a diameter small enough to prevent the entrance of particles of floating charcoal into the stem, which might have a tendency to clog the passage- 115 way of the liquid.

An internal thread is formed in the upper portion of the perforation occupied by the stem 9, and a corresponding male thread is chased on said stem, said male thread being 120 of sufficient length to receive the collar 15, which is detachably screwed against a shoulder at the upper part of the stem, a portion of the thread on the stem being exposed below the collar for engagement with the inter- 12-. nal thread of the perforation in the plug or block s. A gasket 0 may be used in the joint between the upper surface of the collar and the opposing shoulder of the stem.

Upon the upper extremity of the tubular 130 stem 9 is formed or secured a coniform wall 16, the latter being united or joined to the stem in a liquid-tight manner. The circular upper portion of said wall 16 is rigidly affixed

748,531 in a like manner upon or to the lower end of the liquid-receiver 17,that is cylindrical, said receiver being of proper dimensions for efficient service and closed at the upper end with 5 exception of an air-vent that is controlled by the sealing-capp. (Shown in Fig. 1.)

Upon the side of the upright liquid-receiver 17 a scale-plate 18 is secured, the same having its exposed surface marked with degree io graduations that increase in value upwardly, said graduations being adapted to denote an increase in the volume of liquid within the receiver.

To render the scale practical for the pur15 pose indicated, a gage-tube 19 is provided, the same being of proper length and diameter in itsbore. Said gage-tube is joined atits lower end to a valve 20, that is in open communication with the side wall of the receiver 17, tap20 ping it near the coniform bottom 16 of said receiver, as indicated in Figs. 1 aud 2, the gage-tube 19 also extending upwardly from the valve and in front of the scale-plate and near thereto. The collar 15 is preferably 25 hexagonal in form as to its outside wall, and it is of convex shape on the lower encl thereof at r and seats in a liquid-tight manner upon a corresponding concavity formed around the upper end of the tapped perforation, wherein 30 the stem 9 is sere wed. In case the joint between the collar 15 and the upper end of the plug or filling-block 8 should become imperfect the collar may be taken off the stem 9 and the joint be repaired by grinding the op35 posed surfaces together. In order to preserve the proper relative positions of the opposing surf aces during this grindingprocess,a gu iderod of proper diameter may be used extending through the collar into the perforation of 40 the filling-block. After thus preparing these surfaces to secure a liquid-tight joint the collar may be screwed back into its proper position against the gasket-surfaced shoulder of the stem of the receiver, and if it then be 45 found on connecting the receiver with the filling-block that when proper contact is made at the top of the filling-block the scale-plate and gage-tube have a position unfavorable for convenient inspection it will be necessary to sub50 stitute a thicker or thinner gasket, as the case may require, said gasket being disposed in the joint between the shoulder of the stem and the upper end of the collar.

It will be evident that the lower portion of 55 the stem 9 may have sufficient length to extend well down into the cask or barrel A when fully inserted within the plug or filling-block 8, and thus the stem will be immersed in the liquor contained in the barrel, as indicated 60 in Fig. 2.

In assembing the several parts of the apparatus for use the doubled or looped end e of the pipe members 10 10^a is slipped through the bore of the bung-shell 6 and the bung65 shell is then drawn upward and placed in proper position to encircle the plug or fillingblock 8, which is permanently attached to the members 10 10^a. The cap-nut 7 is then put in position, the same loosely encircling the members 10 10^a above the filling-block 70 and said cap-nut being introduced at the severed points 11 of the pipe members.

After thus arranging the aforesaid parts the heater-pipe is introduced into the bungliole of the barrel containing the liquor that 75 is to be heated, said pipe entering at its looped end and extending downward until the bung-shell, which encircles the filling-block, fills the bung-hole. The bung-shell is now screwed in a liquid-tight manner into the 80 bung-hole and the cap-nut 7 is loosely screwed on the upper part of the bung-shell above the plug or filling-block, after which the receiverl7 is then putiu proper position byslipping the stem 9 into the perforation provided 85 for it in the plug or filling-block, said stem 9 being screwed downward until liquid-tight contact is m ade between the beveled su rf ace of the collar 15 and the countersunk surface at the top of the plug or filling-block, the ex- 90 posed thread of said stem 9 engaging with the thread tapped in the-perforation of the plug or filling-block. After properly adjusting the plug or filling-block within the bungshell and also adjusting the slip-joints 12 of 95 the members 10 10^a so as to bring the corresponding parts of the union - joints 11 in proper relative position the members 10 10^aare connected at said union-joints, and communication is thus established with the steam ico supply and exhaust line, the cap-nut 7 being then screwed down on the bung-shell sufficiently to make a secure joint at the contacting shoulders of the bung-shell and the filling-block. 105

Assuming that the apparatus has been arranged as described, the liquor in the barrel A may now be subjected to the heat radiated from the doubled or looped steam-pipe members 10 10^a within the barrel by opening the no live-steam valve 13^a, which will cause a flow of steam through the looped pipe and out into the exhaust-pipe 14.

It will be seen that the construction and combination of parts of the apparatus as de- 115 scribed adapts the device to serve as a sensitive spirit-thermometer, the barrel A forming the bulb, so that heat communicated to the liquor in the barrel will by expansion of the volume of the liquor cause a correspond- 120 ing rise of the same in the receiver 17 and the gage-tube 19, which expansion will be accurately denoted on the scale-plate 18.

Obviously the heating process for aging and coloring whisky may be exactly 0011-125 trolled by the improved apparatus, so that a uniformity in flavor and color may be given to quantities of liquor of the same make by employment of the improvement.

It will be seen that the members of the heat- 130 ing apparatus are so devised and disposed that provision can be made for heating a large number of barrels of liquor atone time , by the installation of steam supply and exeg.

748,531 haust pipes in horizontal parallel lines, the same having fittings similar to those herein described located at certain points or at equal distances apart for connection with separate 5 heating apparatus. To prepare for the heatingoperation on thisplan,thebarrelsofliquor are placed in rows, each barrel being so positioned that its bung-hole is approximately in line with a supply and exhaust fitting in io the fixed lines of pipe 13 14. The proper relative position for connection of the respective component parts of each union-joint is attained by adjusting the members of the heating apparatus to suit the requirements of 15 each ease. The plug or filling-block may be so fixed within the bung-shell before tightening the clamping cap-nut that the lower or exteriorly-threaded part of the union-joint on the pipe member, which looks upward in nor20 mal position, may be directly in line with the bung-stave of the barrel or may be placed in a position to the right or left of this line to suit the position of the upper or interiorlythreaded part of the union-joint. The posi25 tion of the upper part of the union may be adjusted longitudinally backward or forward by means of the horizontal slip-joint to place it directly over the corresponding lower part of the union-joint. That portion of the heater30 pipe to which the lower part of the unionjoint is attached being preferably made of copper is of a sufficiently pliable character to supply any additional adjustment that would be required in ordinary practice to bring the 35 corresponding parts of the union-joints in properrelationforscrewedconnection; butif conditions should be such that the means described above would not supply sufficient adjustability for convenient operation facility 40 for more extensive adjustment may be supplied by employment of a slip-joint in vertical position, as indicated at 21 in Figs. 1 and 2, in addition to the horizontal slip-joint referred to, such arrangement affording a 45 swinging adjustment to the right and to the left and also providing a vertical lengthening and shortening adjustment.

The collar 15 is adapted to make a tight joint with the plug, and the opposing or en50 gaging faces of the plug and the collar may be reground at any time in order to make a perfectly tight joint between these parts, so as to prevent the escape of liquor. The collar may, if desired, be adjusted on the stem; but 55 normally the collar remains tightly jammed against the shoulder of the stem or an interposed gasket.