Today in 1902, US Patent 706884 A was issued, an invention of Dillon Beebe, for his “Valved Bung and Connection For Beer Barrels.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes these claims:
The objects of this invention are to provide a valved bung for service more particularly in connection with packages of beer, ale, or carbonated beverages; to provide locking means for the valve and cooperating key means for operating said locking means; to enable what is termed a slip-rod, such as commonly used by saloon-keepers, to open the valve after the same has been unlocked by the forcing of said slip-rod through the said bung; to secure impervious closure; to protect the working parts, and to secure other advantages and results, some of which may be referred to hereinafter in connection with the description of the working parts.
The invention consists in the improved bung for barrels or other packages adapted to contain beer, ale, or other carbonated beverages or liquids under pressure and in the arrangements and combinations of parts of the same, all substantially as will be hereinafter set forth and finally embraced in the clauses of the claim.
