Patent No. 5079927A: Beer Cooling Apparatus

January 14, 2016 By Jay Brooks

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Today in 1992, US Patent 5079927 A was issued, an invention of A. J. Rodino and James R. Kinkaide, for their “Beer Cooling Apparatus.” Here’s the Abstract:

A method and apparatus is provided for dispensing beer from a keg without excess foaming wherein the keg and beer temperatures and fluid pressures are controlled such that beer is dispensed at predetermined temperatures at substantially atmospheric pressures even over a wide range of atmospheric temperatures. Beer is supplied under pressure from the keg to a constricted flow line which abruptly decreases flow pressure. A portion of the constricted flow line is immersed in a refrigerating bath to reduce beer temperature. The length of the constricted flow line to the dispensing nozzle is sufficient long and its internal diameter sufficiently smooth that beer flow therethrough is stabilized to significantly reduce turbulence. Beer pressure drop through the nozzle is minimal and beer flow is relatively laminar.
The portion of the constricted line immersed in the refrigerating bath is formed from coiled tubing. The bath fluid is recirculated and the bath temperature is sufficiently low as to cause ice to form. The constricted line has a constant internal diameter throughout its length, and the dispensing nozzle has that same internal diameter. A portable embodiment includes a wheeled trailer for supporting and sheltering the keg.

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Patent No. EP0208450A2: Beer Filtration

January 14, 2016 By Jay Brooks

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Today in 1987, US Patent EP 0208450 A2 was issued, an invention of Ronald Shackleton, for his “Beer Filtration.” Here’s the Abstract:

It has been proposed to filter beer or tank bottoms using crossflow filtration. In accordance with the invention, this crossflow filtration is achieved using ceramic membranes. In a particular form shown in figure 1, a two stage filtration process combines the functions of clarification and recovery from tank bottoms. Beer is drawn from a tank 1 by a centrifugal pump 2 to a primary filtration stage comprising a circuit in- cludinga a circulating centrifugal pump 3, a ceramic membrane filter 4 and a cooler 5. A proportion of the circulating liquid is drawn off by a positive pump 8, and passed to a secondary filtration stage, again comprising a circuit including a circulating positive pump 9, a ceramic membrane filter 11 and a cooler 12. A proportion of the retentate is drawn off via a line 14. This retentate is of a pasty consistency and normally has a commercial value, in that it is free of kieselguhr or other filter aid.

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Beer In Ads #1789: Flying Goats

January 13, 2016 By Jay Brooks

Wednesday’s ad is for Bock Beer, from either the late 1800s or early 20th century. It was produced by the Donaldson Litho. Co. of Newport, Kentucky as a sample of their printing work, complete with pricing information at the top. This is one of several bock-themed samples they produced, and in this one not only can goats fly, they can fly airplanes.

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Patent No. EP0142966B1: Valved Closure For Kegs Or Casks

January 13, 2016 By Jay Brooks

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Today in 1988, US Patent EP 0142966 B1 was issued, an invention of Roger John Hyde, for his “Valved Closure for Kegs or Casks.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:

This invention relates to valved closures for pressure vessels, such as kegs or casks for beverages dispensed through the valved closure by pressure gas admitted to the keg or cask through the closure.

Beer In Ads #1788: Anti-Prohibition Goats

January 12, 2016 By Jay Brooks

Tuesday’s ad is for Bock Beer, from before Prohibition. In this one, a group of goats are having a beer-furled outdoor carnival of sorts, with casks of bock, a goat band playing from a stage and front and center the personification of prohibition has been strung up from a tree and is being head-butted around in what appears to be some kind of game. There’s another goat in the foreground chewing on the daily newspaper, no doubt because it’s bringing news about prohibition. There’s a sign on the fence on the left that you can barely read. But what you can see is this: “Mr. Bock, Sherrif Barley County.” It signed by a judge and in the middle, written larger, it says “Yahoo Prohibition.”

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Patent No. 3554400A: Nonflipping Beer Can End

January 12, 2016 By Jay Brooks

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Today in 1971, US Patent 3554400 A was issued, an invention of John S. Bozek, assigned to the Continental Can Co., for his “Nonflipping Beer Can End.” Here’s the Abstract:

An easy opening end particularly adapted for use on beverage cans, said end including an end panel, weakening line formed in said end panel and defining a removable tearout portion which extends generally from the central portion of said end panel to the periphery of said end panel, and a circumferential rib in said end panel, said rib being generally C-shaped in outline and having opposite ends terminating adjacent said tearout portion and reinforcing said end panel around said tearout portion to prevent premature rupturing of said can end along said weakening line, and a pull tab secured to said tearout portion for effecting the removal thereof, said rib being depressed to define an upwardly opening groove, and said pull tab having a free end overlying said groove whereby clearance is provided between said pull tab free end and said end panel to facilitate the initial lifting of said pull tab.

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Patent No. 2665936A: Beer Can Handle

January 12, 2016 By Jay Brooks

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Today in 1954, US Patent 2665936 A was issued, an invention of Walter G. Moore, for his “Beer Can Handle.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:

This invention relates to a handle for beer cans and the like, and has for its principal object the provision of a simple, economical, one-piece structure which can be instantly snapped on and off a tin can to provide a handle therefor, and to form a drinking receptacle therefrom.

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Beer In Ads #1787: ABC Bock

January 11, 2016 By Jay Brooks

Monday’s ad is for American Brewing Co.’s Bock Beer, from 1890. The St. Louis brewery has a goat that’s as proud as a peacock, balancing on a beer barrel, with a glass of bock in one paw. He’s also licking his lips and has quite the pair hanging low. Plus, I really love the bines of hops wrapped around his head. That’s one handsome goat!

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Patent No. 2698994A: Beer Can Opener

January 11, 2016 By Jay Brooks

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Today in 1955, US Patent 2698994 A was issued, an invention of Walter M. Hansen, for his “Beer Can Opener.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:

This invention relates to a can opening device and more particularly to a high speed opener of the performating type.
The conventional practice of storing liquids for customer consumption in cans has presented a problem for operators of restaurants and taverns who necessarily handle a large volume of canned liquids in this form such as beer and fruit juices. The usual practice is to punch a hole in the tops of the cans through which the content is poured into the customers glass. Prior to this time such a can punching operation has not only proved dangerous and laborious but also time consuming in that seldom was the punch conveniently located and its use required two hands, one hand to hold the can while the other hand was used to do the punching. Injuries are likely to occur in case of slippage of the can from the hand of the opener.
It is therefore among the objects and purposes of this invention to provide a high speed can opener requiring only a straight thrust by one hand of the operator used to grasp the can wherein a pivoted cutting blade is brought into cutting engagement with the top of the can.

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