Today in 1907, US Patent 842343 A was issued, an invention of Gustave A. W. Schilling and John H. Flach, for their “Air-Inlet and Beer-Outlet Bung for Barrels.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:

Our invention relates to improvements in the compressed-air inlet and bung-hole apparatus for beer-holding barrels and for other liquors that are kept on tap; and the objects of our invention are, first, to provide an improved adjustable air-inlet and removable bung for beer-barrels of different capacity, second, to provide a simple bung adapted to be threaded to the bung-holes of barrels and an improved air-inlet and beer outlet valve-controlled pipe that is adapted to be held in barrels of different capacities by any predetermined part of the length of said air -inlet and beer outlet tubes, and, third, to provide a simple inexpensive air-inlet and beer-drawing apparatus that can be changed from one barrel to another. We attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view illustrating the application of our improved device. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the improved bung. Fig. 3 is sectional view of the several parts constituting` the bung. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the wrench used for removing the nut which is threaded within the bung. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a device for removing the bung.

Today in 1970, US Patent 3488213 A was issued, an invention of Frank A. Bellato, assigned to Schlitz Brewing Co., for his “Method and Apparatus For Applying a Coating to the Interior Surface of a Hollow Article.” Here’s the Abstract:

A method and nozzle assembly for coating the interior surface of a barrel with wax or other coating material The nozzle assembly is adapted to be inserted within the bunghole of the barrel and includes a central reservoir which contains melted wax. The Wax is continuously pumped to the reservoir and overflows from the reservoir so that a continual flow of melted wax is achieved. The melted wax is atomized by a pressurized stream of air which is ejected through an orifice into a discharge nozzle located above the level of the wax. In addition to the primary air stream, a pair of auxiliary air jets are employed which are directed laterally towards the ends of the barrel and the auxiliary jets aid in atomizing the wax and directing the atomized wax towards the ends of the barrel.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for applying a coating to the interior surface of a hollow article and more particularly to a method and apparatus for applying wax or similar coatings to the interior of beer barrels.

Today in 1870, US Patent 110232 A was issued, an invention of Thomas Hanvey, for his “Improvement in Barrels.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:

The invention relates to straight barrels, of two or more thicknesses, one overlying another, and consists in putting lengthwise on the outside of such barrels hoops or clamps, secured by screws, said screws also forming the rests for the heads. It also consists in the formation of the heads of two thicknesses, with the grain crossing, as hereinafter described General Description.

Today in 1902, US Patent 713975 A was issued, an invention of Philipp Forg, for his “Bung and Tapping Device for Beer-Barrels.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:

The object of this invention is to provide an improved bung for beer-barrels and also an improved beer-barrel tapping device which is adapted to be used in connection therewith; and with these and other objects in view the invention consists in a beer-bung for beer-barrels and a tapping device for beer-barrels constructed as hereinafter described and claimed.

Today in 1979, US Patent 4173295 A was issued, an invention of Dieter Steinmann, assigned to the European Design Corporation, for his “Barrel Dispensing Support.” Here’s the Abstract:

A one way beer barrel dispensing support is provided to facilitate dispensing a beverage from the barrel by gravity flow. The support has a circular area on its upper surface for receiving the bottom end of a beverage barrel. A conduit is mounted in said circular area and has an inlet which enters the barrel when the barrel is placed on the support. The end of the conduit remote from the inlet has a valved spigot to control dispensing.

Today in 1938, US Patent 2131632 A was issued, an invention of Bertil T. Lindell, for his “Design for a Barrel.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:

My invention relates to barrels and particularly to a barrel of the all-metal type having an inner and outer shell portion which are entirely insulated from each other. 5 In the co-pending application of C. H. Widman, A. P. Nacey and B. T. Lindell Serial No. 673,350 filed May 29, 1933, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, a barrel was disclosed wherein reinforcing and insulating portions were provided for supporting and sealing the inner .eontainer portion against a transfer of heat. The present invention is a further extension of the novelty of the above mentioned barrel in that the inner and outer container portions are pre the insulating material is disposed between congruous surfaces which are shaped in such manner as to provide lateral and longitudinal support at the shoulder portions of the barrel. In this manner, the barrel is completely insulated except for the metal bungs where some transfer of heat will naturally occur owing to their direct contact with the contained liquid.