GB177285A - Improvements in or relating to cask washing machines - Google Patents

Abstract

177,285. Hopkins, E. C. Jan. 10, 1921. Cleansing casks.-Relates to a machine for cleansing casks internally and externally. A cask h to be treated is first placed bung-hole downwards on a chock g situated at the lefthand end of the machine. From the chock it is lifted and deposited in turn on the nozzles of three devices i, j,. k, adapted to inject through the bung-hole hot or cold water, steam, and hotwater respectively, the weight of the cask operating the valves of the injecting-devices, which valves close automatically on the cask being removed. The lifting and depositing of the cask is effected by means of a link-carrier device b to which a combined rising and falling and reciprocating motion is given by counterweighted mushroom levers c operated by worm-and-wheel gearing from the shaft f. After leaving the last ejecting-device, the link-motion deposits the cask on arms l, the last washing (of hot water) being retained within it. The arms are lifted and permit the cask to roll on to a rumbling-device A where the rotation swills the inside of the cask thoroughly, the exterior being at the same time scrubbed, liquid being squirted on it if desired This operation concluded, radial arms throw the cask on to a device B, where it is rotated on driven rollers and idle rollers o until a spring-controlled pin finds and enters the bunghole ; the longitudinal centralization of the cask is effected by means of discs n urged inwardly by counterweighted levers. A second link carrier device b<1> now picks up the cask and passes it to a second set of injecting-devices p, q, r similar to the ones already referred to, whence it is deposited on the cam-supported carrier s of a turntable C and tipped on to one or other of the inclines of a runway D.