Today in 1877, US Patent 196297 A was issued, an invention of Charles P. Hovey, for his “Improvement In Beer-Cooling Apparatus.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:

It is to obviate these difficulties, and to produce a cooler which may be readily transported from place to place for use, and which may be placed under an ordinary counter, that my invention is designed.
To this end I construct a chest, A, of wood or other suitable material, and line its interior partially or entirely with galvanized sheet-iron, zinc, or other suitable material, after the manner of constructing an ordinary ice-chest. The chest is provided with one or more removable sides, H, and a removable, cover or top, B, through which access may be had to the interior of the chest. At or near one end of the chest, inside of the same, is located an air pump, G, of any suitable construction, it being secured to one of the walls of the chest by means of screws or other suitable means.

The cask which contains the beer is placed inside of the chest, in such position as to leave an open space all around it between it and the walls of the chest. In the upper end of the cask a cylindrical tubular plug or drive, m, is inserted, and through this plug passes a tube, the lower end of which passes down to, or nearly to, the bottom of the cask, while its upper end terminates in a faucet, F, of any suitable construction. A packed joint is formed at the upper end of the plug or drive m, where the tube 0 passes through it, but below this point an annular space is left between the tube and the interior of the plug or drive m. A tubular projection, I, is formed on one side of the plug or drive, communicating with the annular space just mentioned, so that connecting’ the pump G and the tubular projection, by means of a short tube or pipe, air will be caused to pass into, the area when the pump is operated, and maybe held there by turning the small cock. shown near the tubular projection. It will be observed that all the parts of this apparatus are placed Within the chest, except B and D, as shown, at a point directly in line with the tube or pipe 0, a semicircular nc tch being made in reach section to it around the same.

In order to close the lid or cover when the pump is not being used, and at the same time I to render the pump readily accessible, a portion of the 1id, G, is out and hinged to: the main portion B, as shown, the portion is being directly over the pump. If preferred, however, the handle of the-pump may extend up through the top or cover in the same manner as the tuber or the pump maybe attached to r the outside of the chest, with its supply-pipe opening into the same. The pump, caslg and tubes being all placed within the ice-chest, it is apparent that the air which is forced into the cask must be cold and pure, and the pipes being short, the air and beer will pass through them Without becoming in any Way affected thereby.

The apparatus thus constructed occupies but a small amount of space, and can be placed under an ordinary counter, or it may be made ornamental in appearance and I placed in sight; can be taken from place to place for picnics and exeursiolis, and is cheap to manufacture.

Today in 1974, US Patent 3843172 A was issued, an invention of Frederick F. Stevens, assigned to Hoff Stevens, for his “Keg Tapping Device Having Improved Sealing Means.” Here’s the Abstract:

A tapping device for beer kegs or the like includes a keg unit permanently or semi-permanently mounted on a keg and having a pair of passageways therethrough for receiving a pair of tubular probes associated with a tavern unit which is connected to the keg unit at a tavern or restaurant where beer is dispensed. The device includes a unitary elastomeric seal member carried by the tavern unit and surrounding the probes thereon. The seal member provides a gas and liquid tight seal between the tavern and the keg units when the two units are assembled in connected relation. Means is provided to limit compressive force applied to the seal member by connection of the units so that it retains its sealing integrity even after prolonged usage involving repeated connection ,and disconnection.

Today in 1975, US Patent 3913608 A was issued, an invention of Mack S. Johnston, for his “Keg Adapter Valve.” Here’s the Abstract:

A valve member containing controlled gas and liquid passageways for admitting gas into a keg and for dispensing liquid therefrom through a relatively small opening is mounted on the inside of the keg in alignment with said opening. A tapper connector member is mounted on the outside of the keg and is connected to and in operative relationship with the valve member.

Today in 1969, US Patent 3473556 A was issued, an invention of Edward G. Akers, Keith M. Johnson, and Robert P. Marine, for their “Beer Keg Tapping Device and Seal.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:

The disclosure herein describes a novel seal and more particularly a new beer keg tapping device. The beer keg tapping device described herein includes a tapping valve and an outer fitting with the tapping valve having a beer passageway extending therethrough. The passageway has an outwardly flared portion adjacent the outlet thereof. The tapping valve is releasably secured to the beer keg and a valve element is movable axially within the beer passageway to selectively open and close the beer passageway. The outer fitting includes an elongated probe receivable within the outwardly flared portion of the passageway and engageable with the valve element to move the valve element to open the beer passageway. The probe has a beer passageway therein and a skirt-type seal adjacent the inner end of the probe. The seal is engageable with the outwardly flared portion of the beer passageway of the tapping valve and as the probe is moved axially, the skirt seal is cammed radially inwardly to form a very tight probe-to-tapping valve seal before the beer passageway is Opened. The tapping valve is secured to the beer keg by cooperating lug members on both of the keg and the outer fitting and by a pair of tabs driven through apertures in the tapping valve and engageable with projections or ribs on the keg.

Today in 1959, US Patent 2909044 A was issued, an invention of John F. Wilcox, assigned to Superior Products Mfg Company, for his “Spout Cooling Apparatus.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:

This invention relates to liquid coolers and dispensers and more specifically relates to apparatus for cooling liquid dispensing spouts or faucets.

This one’s interesting and worth the long read. It’s essentially adjunct brewing, but incorporating soybeans in the process, too. The fact that Archer Daniels Midland owns the rights to the patent is also a bit curious.

Today in 1911, US Patent 1006008 A was issued, an invention of Stephen Noland Ross, for his “Faucet-Auger.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:

My invention has relation to new and useful improvements in faucet-angers and the main object thereof is to produce a device of this kind that will be efficient in operation, durable, inexpensive to manufacture and one that will be economical in that with its use there is no waste of the contents of the barrel or keg upon which said auger is applied.

Today in 1990, US Patent 4963175 A was issued, an invention of Donald E. Pace, for his “Keg Cooler Tub.” Here’s the Abstract:

A transportable keg cooler tub comprising a circular tub-like base with a pliable flexible canvas sleeve extending upwards from the top edge of the base. The sleeve enclosing a plastic liner in intimate contact with ice cubes filling the space between the liner and the enclosed beverage keg. A portion of the plastic liner pulled through an orifice on the bottom outside perimeter of the base providing drainage for the ice contained by the plastic liner.

Today in 1996, US Patent 5564568 A was issued, an invention of Pleasant P. Rankin, Sr., for his “Insulating Cover For Keg Beer.” Here’s the Abstract:

An insulating cover for keg beer. The cover consists of a relatively flexible insulating material which substantially surrounds one or more kegs of beer. In a first embodiment the cover closely conforms to a single keg of beer, and thus has a cylindrical shape. Handles are provided on the exterior of the cover for easier manual transport of the keg and cover combination. The insulative properties are sufficient to maintain a relatively constant cool temperature without the use of ice, although multiple-use sealed freeze packs may be placed within the cover. In a further embodiment the cover is sized to fit upon a pallet and enclose up to four kegs. A side wall and top of the cover is openable to remove one or more of the kegs.