Today in 1984, US Patent 4436228 A was issued, an invention of John A. Frey, assigned to Hoff-Stevens, Inc., for his “Keg Tapping Apparatus Having Improved Retainer.” Here’s the Abstract:

A keg tapping apparatus includes a keg unit secured within the neck of a keg by a retainer and a tavern unit coupled to the keg unit by the retainer. An operating handle opens valves associated with the keg unit to establish fluid communication between the keg and fluid inlet and outlet fittings on the tavern unit. The retainer has a body which includes a generally cylindrical bore and notches which communicate with the bore. Complementary inserts received within the notches are integrally attached to the body and define coupling lugs which project into the bore for coupling connection with the tavern unit. The inserts are made from a harder material than the body.

Today in 1974, US Patent 3720355 A was issued, an invention of Mack S. Johnston, for his “Portable Beer Siphon Device.” Here’s the Abstract:

The device includes a keg adapter mounted within a 1 1/2 inch keg opening and a dispenser coupler secured to the keg adapter, the adapter and coupler having gas and liquid passages for permitting ingress of gas into the keg and outflow of beer from the keg. The gas passage receives gas from a hand operated portable plunger type pump with the beer dispensing outlet including a spout. The coupler is secured to the adapter by rotating the former relative to the latter which, in turn, opens normally closed gas and liquid valves in the adapter. A liquid valve is disposed in the coupler and displacement of the spout opens the valve to permit outflow of beer therefrom.

Today in 1912, US Patent 1020212 A was issued, an invention of Edward A. Lukowski, for his “Beer-Tap.” There’s no Abstract, but in the description states that it’s an “invention relat[ing] to beer taps and has for its main object to provide an improved beer tap, capable of being readily inserted in the bushing without the use of a mallet or other device for pounding upon the tap. A Another object is to provide a beer tap in which the danger of leakage is reduced to a minimum.”

Today in 1899, US Patent 620820 A was issued, an invention of Charles Zies, for his “Automatic Keg-Soaking Apparatus.” There’s no Abstract, but it’s described as follows:

It is the object of my invention to provide an improvement in that class of troughs or tanks for soaking and rinsing beer-kegs and other casks which are provided with automatic apparatus for causing such kegs or casks to roll and travel through the tank and to deliver them therefrom, say, to a scrubbing machine. I have devised improved means or mechanism for submerging the kegs or casks in the body of water contained in the tank and also for causing the same to roll and travel from one end of the tank to the other, where an improved elevating and delivery mechanism is arranged for automatic cooperation with the means for submerging as aforesaid. I further provide an improved guard for regulating the admission of kegs or casks to the tank, the same being automatically operated in connection with the other mechanism above referred to.

Today in 1970, US Patent 3498313 A was issued, an invention of Daniel E. Belich, for his “Beer Keg Tap.” Here’s the Abstract:

This application discloses a tap in which the portion of the tap from the head to the bottom of the keg may remain in place during merchandising. The user needs only a small coaxial outlet unit attached to tap beer and gas pressure lines. The outlet unit is small and easily cleaned, and represents only a modest investment for the tavern keeper. The portion of the device which is retained in the barrel contains valving arrangements which prevent the escape of beer or gas pressure from a partially used keg when the outlet is withdrawn, and provide improved Valve arrangements which rely on elastic valve members for admission of air under pressure.

Today in 1988, US Patent 4728010 A was issued, an invention of Mack S. Johnston, for his “Keg Tapper.” Here’s the Abstract:

A keg tapper for use with a keg having a neck with a closure valve carried therein and a flange with a tapered edge on the neck. An arrangement for attaching the tapper at the flanged neck so that completion of the attachment opens the inner valve of the keg closure. A plunger carried in the keg tapper with an arrangement for moving the plunger axially within the tapper body to engage the keg closure and open the outer valve. A keg tapper which can be utilized in the tavern configuration and in the picnic configuration.

Today in 1949, US Patent 2462930 A was issued, an invention of Victor Alvear, for his “Keg Closure.” There’s no Abstract, but the description claims that the “object of the present invention to provide a bung for a keg in which the stopper is a fixture on the keg and cannot become lost and the chance of its becoming damaged is reduced to a minimum.” Alvear also writes that in addition, additional reasons for his patent include the “means for bringing the stopper or plug to alignment with the bung hole by gravity where it can easily be moved into closed position, the “means for readily grasping it with a tool and with means for sealing the opening in the bung,” “eliminate hammering and pounding on the barrel head and to eliminate spearing of corks,” to “facilitate tapping of the keg,” “provide a stopper that is sanitary, simple in construction and economical to manufacture,” “provide a stopper that cannot leak or blow out regardless of the pressure in the keg thereby providing an air-tight seal,” and “to provide a stopper that is self-sealing.” That is one impressive keg stopper.

Today in 1882, US Patent 254120 A was issued, an invention of Patrick J. Darcy, for his “Beer-Cooler.” There’s no Abstract, but the description states that his “improvement relates to a device for cooling beer as it is drawn from the cask, by which it is cooled as it is used, instead of being obliged to cool the cask, and thereby diminish the head or pressure, besides the waste of ice in cooling through the wood.”