Capped barrel system and methods
A capped barrel system for aging liquids includes a barrel and a barrel cap removably coupled to the barrel. The barrel includes: a plurality of wooden staves suitable for aging liquids, hoops for holding the staves together, a head coupled to the staves, and a bunghole formed in the head. The barrel cap includes: a lid including a top portion and a rim extending downwardly from the top portion. The rim includes an inner surface and a seal that defines at least a portion of the inner surface. The barrel cap further includes an opening formed in the top portion of the lid that is generally aligned with the bunghole and a closure removably positioned in the opening. When the closure is positioned in the opening, a gas tight coupling between the closure and the lid and a gas tight fit between the seal and the barrel form a gas tight environment between the barrel and the barrel cap.
1. A capped barrel system for aging liquids comprising:
a barrel including:
a plurality of staves made of a wood suitable for aging liquids,
at least one hoop for holding the staves together,
a head coupled to the plurality of staves, wherein raised ends of the plurality of staves form a chime that extends upwardly beyond the head;
a bunghole formed in the head, and
an exterior surface formed at least in part by the plurality of staves; and
a barrel cap removably coupled to the barrel and including:
a lid including a top portion positioned above the head of the barrel and a rim extending downwardly from the top portion,
wherein the rim includes an inner surface, an outer surface, and a seal;
wherein the seal defines at least a portion of the inner surface and cooperates with and contacts the exterior surface of the barrel at a location below and spaced apart from the chime to provide a gas tight fit between the barrel and the barrel cap, and
an opening formed in the top portion of the lid that is generally aligned with the bunghole; and
a closure removably positioned in the opening to seal the opening.
2. The capped barrel system of claim 1 , wherein the barrel cap is devoid of a spout extending downwardly from the opening formed in the lid.
3. The capped barrel system of claim 1 , wherein the closure is non-frangible.
4. The capped barrel system of claim 1 , wherein the closure includes a bottom fin that is positioned below the opening.
5. The capped barrel system of claim 4 , wherein the opening has a first diameter; and
wherein the bottom fin of the closure has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter.
6. The capped barrel system of claim 5 , wherein the closure includes a recessed portion positioned above the bottom fin; and
wherein the recessed portion has a third diameter that is lesser than the second diameter.
7. The capped barrel system of claim 6 , wherein the third diameter is substantially equal to the first diameter.
8. The capped barrel system of claim 6 , wherein the closure includes a top fin having a fourth diameter that is greater than the first diameter and third diameter; and
wherein the recessed portion is positioned between the bottom fin and the top fin.
9. The capped barrel system of claim 5 , wherein the bottom fin includes a downward facing tapered portion.
10. The capped barrel system of claim 1 , wherein the seal is comprised of thermoplastic elastomeric material.
11. The capped barrel system of claim 10 , wherein the closure is comprised of thermoplastic elastomeric material.
12. The capped barrel system of claim 11 , wherein the thermoplastic elastomeric material of the closure has a greater hardness than the thermoplastic elastomeric material of the seal.
13. The capped barrel system of claim 1 , wherein the lid and the closure consist of the same material or materials.
14. The capped barrel system of claim 1 , wherein the top portion of the lid is comprised of a first material having a first hardness; and wherein the seal of the lid is comprised of a second material having a second hardness that is lesser than the first hardness.
15. The capped barrel system of claim 1 , wherein the lid is a first lid and the barrel cap is a first barrel cap;
wherein the capped barrel system further comprises a second barrel cap configured to be coupled to the barrel and including:
a second lid including: (i) a top portion positioned above the head of the barrel when the second barrel cap is coupled to the barrel, and (ii) a rim extending downwardly from the top portion, wherein the rim includes an inner surface, an outer surface, and a seal that defines at least a portion of the inner surface and cooperates with the exterior surface of the barrel to provide a gas tight fit between the barrel and the second barrel cap; and
an opening formed in the top portion of the second lid that is generally aligned with the bunghole when the second barrel cap is coupled to the barrel;
wherein the seal of the first lid has a first thickness and the seal of the second lid has a second thickness that is different than the first thickness; and
wherein the closure is positionable in opening of the second lid to seal the opening of the second lid.