Brookston Beer Bulletin

Jay R. Brooks on Beer

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Patent No. 2868247A: Bottle Filling Apparatus

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Today in 1956, US Patent 2868247 A was issued, an invention of Aloysius J. Feit and Sydney R. Weisberg, for their “Bottle Filling Apparatus.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:

Among the principal objects of the present invention are: to provide bottle filling apparatus where the opening of a valve discharging fluid or other material into a lbottle is initiated by the depression of an actuator member by the bottle as it is positioned below a supply outlet controlled by the valve, where the valve is closed preferably automatically by an automatic timer and, under certain circumstances, upon operation of a manual switch, and where the valve is thereafter prevented from again opening until the bottle is removed from the actuator member and another bottle is moved against the same to depress the actuator member to begin a new filling cycle; to provide bottle filling apparatus of the type above described wherein, although the actuator member may be spring urged to an extended position, the actuator member is held in its depressed position at least during the actual filling operation so that the bottle need not he forced against the actuator member during the filling operation, making the system particularly suitable in the filling of very light bottles where the bottles would otherwise require an externally applied force to keep the bottles in the proper filling position against the actuator member; to provide bottle filling apparatus as just described wherein the aforementioned valve is an electrically controlled valve, such as a solenoid valve, which is associated with a control circuit which selectively provides for controlling the solenoid valve either through an automatic electric timer or a manual switch, and which becomes operative to control the valve after the aforesaid actuator member has been depressed to thereby provide flexibility of operation; to provide apparatus as just described wherein there is further provided during manual or timer operation a means for instantaneously shutting off the valve should this be desired for any reason, such as due to a malfunction in the control circuit or timer control circuit which fails to shut off the solenoid valve; to provide such apparatus where means is provided for readily shifting the position of the supply outlet so that the apparatus may be readily adapted for use with bottles of different sizes; and to provide such apparatus which is inexpensive to manufacture and is reliable in operation.

In accordance with the invention, the aforesaid actuator member is preferably arranged to move the. armature of a relay into a position where the contacts controlled thereby initiate, preferably through electric timer, opening of a control valve, preferably a solenoid valve, and also the energization of the relay which holds the actuator member in its depressed position. In such case, the armature, which is spring biased away from the relay core, does not apply any backward force to the bottle which would tend to push it out of alignment with the supply outlet. Both the solenoid valve and the relay are preferably connected in series with a set of contacts controlled by the electric timer which contacts close for an adjustable interval to open the solenoid valve and energize the relay, and open at the termination of such interval to close the solenoid valve and de-energize the relay. An emergency cut-off switch in series with the solenoid valve is provided for instantaneously shutting off the solenoid valve independently of the timer, where this is necessary or desirable. The electric timer is not re-set for a new cycle of operation until the bottle is removed from the actuator member. Once the bottle is filled, the overall weight of the bottle is usually sufficient to hold the actuator member fully depressed even after the relay is de-energized. The resetting of the electric timer is effected by removing the bottle to return the relay contacts to their normal positions, and, upon subsequent closing of the actuator member, a new timing interval is initiated.

In the interest of system flexibility, switching means are provided for disabling the timer circuit from operation and for inserting the relay in series with its own contacts and also the latter in series with the solenoid valve so that, upon depression of the aforementioned actuator member, a holding circuit is established for the relay and the solenoid valve is opened. Closing of the solenoid valve and defenergization of the relay is effected through manual operation of the switching means.

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Patent No. 3063841A: Method Of Dispensing Liquid

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Today in 1962, US Patent 3063841 A was issued, an invention of Michael Edward Ash, assigned to Guinness Son & Co Ltd, for his “Method of Dispensing Liquid.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:

I claim: l. A method of dispensing a beverage under pressure from apressurized system into a drinking vessel so as to ensure a fine, regular and enduring head on the beverage in said vessel which comprises the steps of providing in solution in said beverage a mixture of carbon dioxide and an oxygen-free inert gas and applying a counter-pressure to said beverage which acts to maintain the pressure of the mixed gases in solution in said beverage throughout the dispensing operation without substantial variation of the partial pressure of either of said gases and also acts to expel the beverage from said system through a delivery passage and tap to the outlet thereof.

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Patent No. 1246803A: Beer-Pipe Cleaner

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Today in 1917, US Patent 1246803 A was issued, an invention of Giuseppi Doti, for his “Beer-Pipe Cleaner.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:

This invention relates to a beer pipe cleaner, and the primary object of the invention is to provide a device, by means of which any one or a number of beer pipes or coils may be cleaned, by being first subjected to warm water, after which the beer pipes are flushed or rinsed by cold water.

A further object of this invention is to provide a frame work, which is constructed of a plurality of pipes having branches, and to connect the frame work of pipe structures to a city water supply pipe, and also to an ordinary barrel or keg tap, so that warm water may be forced upwardly out of a barrel into the pipes of the frame work, and outwardly therethrough into and through the beer pipes, for cleansing the beer pipes, after which the flow of hot water is cut oil, and valves for controlling the cold water are opened which permit cold water to flow through the pipe frame work and through the beer pipes.

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Patent No. 3410458A: Beer Tapping Device

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Today in 1968, US Patent 3410458 A was issued, an invention of Mack S. Johnston, for his “Beer Tapping Device.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:

This invention relates to a beer tapping device and especially to an improved adapter for attachment in the beer outlet of a standard keg. It comprises a unit insertable from outside the keg and having a transition element forming a part of separate liquid and gas passageways. At least the liquid passage through the transition element has its lower end offset to take optimum advantage of the limited space available, while at the same time rendering the unit compatible with existing systems.

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Patent No. 871073A: Beer Tapper

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Today in 1907, US Patent 871073 A was issued, an invention of Richard B. Spikes, for his “Beer Tapper.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:

My invention is in the nature of a new beer tapper, for simultaneously drawing beer from a barrel and admitting compressed air, and it consists in a novel construction and arrangement of tapping devices, part of which are permanently fixed in the barrel, and part of which are retained at the bar or dispensing place and are applied by the bar keeper by being coupled on to the permanently attached members on the barrel; an important feature of my invention being a spring pressed conical valve interposed between the stationary parts of the bung casing and the removable coupling, which valve carries registering ports for air and beer and is adjusted by the application and removal of the said coupling and serves to insure a tight fit of the movable parts over each other as hereinafter fully described with reference to the drawing, in which Figure 1 is a central section of the beer tapper shown applied to a barrel part of which is indicated at X. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the bung casing. Fig. 3 is a top perspective view of the spring valve. Fig. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the detachable coupling, and Fig. 5 is a sectional detail of the bung casing.

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Patent No. 549699A: Hop Separator

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Today in 1895, US Patent 549699 A was issued, an invention of Christian Abele, for his “Hop Separator.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:

My invention relates to an improvement in separators, in which the material to be operated upon is given repeated trajectory movements during its passage on an incline.

The machine which I have here illustrated is particularly well adapted for separating the foreign substance from hops; but it may be used for general separating purposes, and I therefore wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to the particular use named.

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Patent No. 414673A: Process Of Aerating And Purifying Beer Wort Or Beer

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Today in 1889, US Patent 414673 A was issued, an invention of Axel Bergh, for his “Process of Aerating and Purifying Beer Wort or Beer.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:

The advantages of my invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which it appertains, and it will be particularly seen that the wort is led to the fermenting-house in an absolutely-sterilized condition, while at the same time it is cooled, aerated to the required degree, and freed from impurities, and the losses due to residual wort are avoided.

The herein-described process of freeing wort from suspended particles by simultaneously subjecting the Wort to centrifugal action and a regulated supply of sterilized air, and subsequently cooling the wort preparatory to fermentation, all to be carried out in contact with sterilized air, substantially as described.

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Patent No. 1078253A: Pipe Cleaner

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Today in 1913, US Patent 1078253 A was issued, an invention of James D. Carey and Bernard Goldenthal, for their “Pipe Cleaner.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:

This invention relates to an improvement in pipe cleaners, and while especially adapted for cleaning pipes leading from beer barrels to the faucets, it is equally applicable for cleaning pipes of soda water fountains, boilers or any other pipes which may be coupled in pairs.

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Patent No. 440464A: Apparatus For Brewing Beer

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Today in 1890, US Patent 440464 A was issued, an invention of Michael Byrne, for his “Apparatus for Brewing Beer.” There’s no Abstract, although in the description it includes this summary:

My invention relates to an improvement in what is known as a wort pan or grande employed in the process of brewing beer, and has for its object to so construct the same that the beer-wort will he maintained at a higher and more regular temperature while in the pan than heretofore, and at the same time be effectually protected against scorching or coloration; and a further object of the invent1on is to provide against the wort cooling down as delivered by the taps of the mashtub, and also to draw the wort from the pan without loss and in a convenient and expeditious manner.

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Patent No. 1112183A1: Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Extract As Sunscreen Agent

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Today in 1981, US Patent 1112183 A1 was issued, an invention of Joe Owades, for a “Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Extract as Sunscreen Agent.” Here’s the Abstract:

There are provided new sunscreening compositions which are suitable for application to human skin, the compositions comprising as an active sunscreening ingredient, an ultraviolet radiation absorbing extract of hops.

And a Description adds more detail:

This invention relates to novel sunscreening compositions which include an ultraviolet radiation absorbing hop extract as an active sunscreening ingredient. The present sunscreening compositions, which are non-toxic and non-irritating and can be safely applied to human skin, prevent the penetration of harmful erythematogenic radiation while transmitting non-erythematogenic ultraviolet rays which promote tanning or bronzing of human skin.

Joe’s patent appears to have expired in 1998, and I’m not sure if his sunscreen was ever available commercially. I did find at least one brand of sunscreen that contains hops, Paul Penders Herbal Sunscreen SPF 22.
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Paul Penders Herbal Sunscreen SPF 22 lists “hops extract” among its ingredients though I’m unsure if that’s the same as what Owades patented. Here’s the ingredient list:

Aqua (Water), Cocos nucifera (Coconut) extract, Organic LevensESSENTIE Gold® {Angelica archangelica (Angelica) extract, Arnica montana (Arnica) flower extract, Calendula officinalis (Calendula) flower extract, Matricaria recutita (Chamomile) flower extract, Sambucus nigra (Elderflower) flower extract, Zingiber officinalis (Ginger) root extract, Panax quinquefolium (Ginseng root) extract, Lonicera japonica (Honeysuckle) extract, Humulus lupulus (Hops) extract, Equeisetum hyemale (Horsetail) extract, Juniperus communis (Juniper) fruit extract, Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender) flower extract, Melissa officinalis (Lemon balm) leaf extract, Urtica dioica (Nettle) extract, Centella asiatica (Penny wort) extract, Mentha piperita (Peppermint) leaf extract, Rosemarinus officinalis (Rosemary) extract, Salvia officinalis (Sage) extract, Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s wort) extract, Curcuma longa (Turmeric) root extract, Hamamelis virginiana (Witch hazel) extract, Archillea millefolium (Yarrow) extract}, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Titanium dioxide, Calendula officinalis (Calendula) flower oil, Cetearyl olivate, Sorbitan olivate, Glycine soja (Soybean) oil, Tocopherol acetate, D-panthenol (Provitamin B5), Citrus grandis (Grapefruit) seed extract, Sorbic acid, Phyto-tocotrienol (Vitamin E), Essential oil of Lavender officinalis (Lavender), Essential oil of Rosemarinus officinalis (Rosemary), Retinyl palmitate, Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10).

Based on finding the one, I’m confident it’s probably not the only one, so maybe…?