US3756290A

US3756290A - Volumetric filler system for flexible resilient bottles

Info

Publication number: US3756290A
Application number: US00204174A
Authority: US
Inventors: K Cleland; R Straub
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-12-02
Filing date: 1971-12-02
Publication date: 1973-09-04
Anticipated expiration: 1990-09-04
Also published as: FR2164204A5; IT973637B; JPS4863884A; DE2258907A1; NL7216322A; CA972333A; AU4954172A

Abstract

Ordinary filler mechanisms do not fill plastic bottles satisfactorily. Plastic bottles by virtue of their flexible and expansible characteristics will accept more fluid than they will contain when unstressed. Thus when a plastic bottle separates from an ordinary filler mechanism, the fluid gushes out upon separation. The present system sucks back a predetermined quantity of fluid from the bottle before the bottle separates so that the proper volume of fluid is contained in the bottle. The present system does this with a simple mechanism.

Description

'Tinsley 141/114 X United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,756,290 Cl eland et al. 1 Sept. 4, 1973 VOLUMETRIC FILLER SYSTEM FOR 3,578,038 5/1971 Burford TT 3,626,996 12 1971 Bingham FLEXBLE RESILIENT Bo LES 3,630,242 12/1971 Schieser..... [75] Inventors: Keith B Cleland, Whittier, Ca1if.-; 3,674,060 7/1972 Ruekberg 141 /1 14 X Sim), Haclenda Helghts FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1 h 107,480 7/1917 Great Britain 141/37 [73] Assignee: Keith B. Cle1and,Trustee;by said 841,465 5/1939 France 141/37 v Straub 968,900 4/1958 985,030 31/1965 P119111 2, 1971 1,203,148 10/1965 Germany 141/5 21 Appl. N6.= 204,174 Primary Examiner-Wayne A. Morse, Jr.

, Attorney-Flam & Flam [52] U'.S.'Cl 141/5, 141/37, 141/114,

441/148, 131/275, 141/392 57 ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl. B6511 37/02, B76c 3/34, B67d 5/02 [58] Field of Search 1415 114 I48 Ordinary filler mechamsms'do not fill plastic bottles "141/275 satisfactorily. Plastic bottles by virtue of their flexible I v I i and expansible characteristics will accept more t:1t r ij; 1 [56] e Cited than they will contain when unstressed. Thus when a plastic bottle separates from an ordinary filler mecha- UNITED STATES ATE nism, the fluid gushes out upon separation. The present X ystem sucks back a predetermined quantity of 0 141/148 from the bottle before the bottle separates so that the propervolume' of fluid is contained in the bottle. The 3 177 906 4/1965 ney'r' i'aiserg... 141/5 Present system 1 this. with simple mechanism- 3,49- 1,803 1/1970 Gaiik 141/114 1 Claims, 14 Drawing Figum 3,530,928 9/1970 Swinney, 141/14sx I 3,533,454 10/1970 PATENTEDSEP 4 m I saw 1 or 5 PATENTEDSEP 41m v v sum 30? 5 290 F I V 190.6.

PAIENTEDSEP 4 i973 SHEET 5 OF 5 wm w ww VOLUMETRIC FILLER SYSTEM FOR FLEXIBLE RESILIENT BOTTLES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to mass production apparatus for filling containers with fluid. A commonly used arrangement is one in which a plurality of valve mechanisms are mounted beneath a rotary supply bowl. The valve mechanism is normally closed but moved to open by the contact of a bottle which is moved upwardly by a lifting mechanism.

More particularly, this invention relates to a system for filling flexible resilient containers with fluids that expand due to fluid pressures. Such containers, gorged with fluid tend to splash back at the moment of separation from the filling apparatus.

2. Description of the Prior Art The object of every container filler system is to fill the container to a controlled optimum level in as rapid a time as possible, to fill without causing foam or waste, and to fill with the simplest possible mechanism. Every filler system makes provision for moving air out of the container as the fluid enters, as by providing a vent that extends through the filler spout.

Plastic bottles can and do expand as they are filled with fluid. Such bottles, ballooned under the influence of fluid pressure, tend to return to normal configuration upon separation from the filler mechanism and the source of filling pressure. The result is splashing and overflow unless the bottle is filled only partially.

Several attempts have been made to solve the problem and to fill plastic bottles to a controlled level. However, until the advent of the present invention, there have been no practical solutions. Either the previously proposed mechanisms are complicated or they materially slow down the filling operation.

Fluids that foam, such as milk and orange juice, create additional. problems. One problem is that foam builds up creating a substantial back pressure to the inflow of fluid. Consequently the speed of the total filling apparatus must be slowed down to ensure filling of the bottle. Otherwise the fill level could not be controlled. In order to solve this problem, it has heretofore been proposed to subject the vent to a vacuum or negative pressure. U.S. Letters Patent to Robbins, No. 3,460,590, issued Aug. 12, 1959 and to Risser, No. 2,639,077 issued May 19, I953, disclose such an arrangement. As the bottle first engages the valve actuator, the interior of the bottle is subject to vacuum thus to eliminate back pressure allowing incoming fluid to move at a higher rate of speed. Foam is yet generated in the filling process. This foam tends to create a back pressure, decreasing the flow rate. Robbins seeks one solution which is to prevent or minimize the formation of foam at the very outset. This he does (or hopes to do) by controlling the angularity and location of valve components. While helpful, foam still forms. But there is still the overriding problem if the bottle is plastic and changes volume with pressure. Risser is unconcerned with that problem.

' Alater U.S. Fat. to Risser, No. 3,589,414 claims to be capable of controlling'the level of fluid fill as to compensate for the resilient characteristics of a plastic bottle. This is accomplished by cutting off the flow to the filling stem some time prior to the removal of the filling stem by means of the adjustable cam". This operation is not altogether clear. In any event, control is achieved by timing, which is necessarily inexact. Moreover, the Risser structure is highly complicated, requiring distributor valves and recirculating or wasting overflow fluid. A recirculating system for potable fluids such as milk is often prohibited by law in many jurisdictions.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an atmospheric filler system that quickly fills the container to a predetermined level; that separates without splashing despite the plastic or flexible and resilient characteristics of the bottles; that does not recycle the fluid; that contains only a few simple parts that are easily cleaned and maintained.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to accomplish the foregoing object with the use of an atmospheric as distinguished from a vacuum vent, control is achieved by completely filling the bottle to eliminate all air; then, just in advance of separation, creating a closed system in which the bottle forms only a part, then expanding the volume of other part of that closed system whereby the bottle is reduced in volume to a controlled, near normal configuration. Separation subsequently takes place without splashing. To create an air-space in the neck of the bottle, enough fluid is withdrawn to create a negative pressure whereby, upon separation, the bottleslightly expands to a controlled degree, sucking in just the right amount of air.

If the plastic container has been manufactured to reasonably close tolerances to compensate for the foregoing filling action, then its initial expansion is a function of the hydrostatic head which can be readily controlled. Before separation, the volume of fluid withdrawn from the container can also be controlled by suitable selection of mechanism components. All variables being controlled, the result achieved by the pres ent invention is a true volumetric fill.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS DETAILED DESCRIPTION The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated mode(s) of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

In FIG. 1, there is shown a' stainless steel bowl I0 supplied with fluid by the. aid of a conduit 12. The bowl has a plurality of equiangularly spaced openings in its bottom wall at each of which gravity filler valve assemblies 14 are installed. The filler valves project beneath the bowl for cooperation with bottles 16. A feed mechanism delivers the bottles to a revolving lifter table mechanism 18 that carries the bottles about a circular course. A conveyor mechanism receives'the bottles at the end of the circular course.

The bowl is supported in a known manner so as to revolve in step with the lifter table mechanism. During the circular course of movement of the bottles, the bottles are filled to a controlled level by the filler valves 14. The bowl 10 communicates with atmosphere by a vent 19. All of the tiller valves are identical. One is shown in detail in FIG. 2.

The valve is shown in FIG. 2 in its closed position. The valve includes a receiver cup 20 fastened to and depending from the bottom of the bowl 10. Fluid unrestrictedly passes into the cup 20. Fluid then passes into an antechamber provided by a cylinder or pump cup 22. In the closed position shown, fluid leaks into this pump cup 22 via an annular port 24 defined on the outside by a hole 26 in the bottom of the receiver cup 20 and on the inside by a tubular post 28. The post 28 extends axially through the hole 26. Flow in the closed position is reduced to mere leakage by a closure or throttle ring 30 that moves into and out of the annular port 24. However flow can be increased for bottle filling junctions hereinafter described. For this purpose, the closure or throttle ring 30 is mounted on the cylinder cup 22 which in turn is axially or vertically movable. The ring 30 is mounted on feet 32 (see also FIG. 3) that extend upwardly from the bottom of the cylinder cup. The cylinder cup 22 telescopes over the exterior surface of the receiver cup 20 whereby it is guided for reciprocating movement. An O-ring 34 provides a seal between the

cups

20 and 22. The cup 22 is also guided by a reduced cylindrical spout 36 depending from the bottom of the cup 22. This spout 36 slidably fits the lower end of the post 28.

When the cylinder cup is moved upwardly, the ring 30 correspondingly moves and clears the upper edge of hole 26 and thus opens the annular port 24. In practice, the ring need serve only as a restriction rather than as a seal. The cup is urged to a lower limited position indicated in FIG. 2 in which the ring 30 is axially centered at the port 24. e

The lower limited position of the cylinder cup 22 is determined by engagement of the lower edge of the spout 36 with a frusto-conical plug 38 fitted into the lower end of the post 28. An O-ring 40, resting on an upwardly facing shoulder 42 of the conical plug 38 is contacted by the lower edge of the spout 36 and forms a positive seal, stopping outward flow of fluid from the pump cup 22.

The cylinder or pump cup 22 is urged downwardly by a coil spring 44 that surrounds the post 28. The spring is located in the upper receiver cup 20. The lower end of the spring 44 engages the closure or throttle ring 30. Its upper end engages a hollow sleeve or hub 46 located in the bowl 10 which is supported by a spider 48. The sleeve or hub 46 detachably supports the post 28 as by the aid of a pin 50.

As the lower cup 22 is moved upwardly (by means hereinafter to be described), the fluid in the cup 22 is compressed. The displaced fluid is forced through clearance spaced, one of which is the clearance space between the ring 30 and the hole 26. Another clearance space forms as the spout 36 lifts away from the O- ring 40. An unrestricted communication to the lower end of the spout is formed by a conduit 52 on one side of the post 28. The upper end of the conduit 52 is exposed at all times to the interior of the lower cup 22 and the lower end of the conduit 52 opens beneath the spout 36 when the cup 22 is sufficiently lifted. The conduit 52 is formed by a septum or partition 54 in the lower end of the post 28. The septum terminates at its lower end at the top of the plug 38 and at its upper end in a generally semi-circular wall 56 which may be formed integrally with the septum. The post 28 is cut away, as at 59 so as to laterally expose the conduit 52. In the closed position of FIG. 2 the conduit 52 does not unrestrictedly communicate with the upper receiver cup 20. Thus the upper end of the conduit 52 terminates below the ring 30.

The post 28 forms a vent 58 on the side opposite the conduit 52 as indicated in FIG. 3. The vent opens laterally at the bottom of the post 28 by the aid of a slot 60 (FIG. 2). The slot 60 is so located that its lowermost edge 62 is above the bottom of the conduit 52 whereby, for purposes to be presently described, the fluid conduit 52 opens at the spout 36 before the vent 58 opens and closes after the vent 58 closes.

In order to lift the cylinder cup 22, a plastic bottle B (FIG. 4) having resilient characteristics is moved upwardly by the lifter mechanism. The neck N of the bottle surrounds the plug 38 at the bottom of the post 28 and over the spout 36. The lip L engages a sealing disk 64 interposed between the lip and the bottom of the cylinder cup 22. The operation is as follows:

As the bottle moves upwardly, a seal between the bottle B and cup 22 is established as shown in FIG. 4. Upon continued movement, the lower end of conduit 52 opens (FIG. 5). The fluid in cup 22 is forced through the spout and through clearances at the cup hole 26. As the bottle continues its upward movement, the lower edge of the ring 30 (FIG. 6) approaches the upper edge of the hole 26. At the same time, the lower edge of the spout 36 approaches the lower edge of vent orifice 60. In the position of FIG. 7, the upper cup 20 is now in unrestricted communication with the lower cup 22 through the annular space 24 and the upper end of the conduit'52. The vent 58 also opens. Fluid now flows downwardly through the lower cup 22 and the spout 36 via conduit 52. The lower edge of the spout 36 is lifted sufficiently from the O-ring to allow flow into the neck of the bottle B.

Entrapped air in the bottle B is now compressed by incoming fluid and vents through slot 60. Any fluid in the vent stack is correspondingly forced upwardly. By virtue of the offset orientation of the vent 58 and its relatively large size, fluid in the vent 58 may flow downwardly along one side while air flows upwardly along the other. The full open position is illustrated in FIG. 8. In the position of parts illustrated in FIG. 8, the fluid fills the bottle to the brim with foam running up the vent stack 58. Fluid follows, pushing foam ahead of it.

The bottle B is now permitted to be pushed downwardly by the spring 44 in accordance with the cam characteristics of the lifter mechanism. The closure or throttle ring 30 approaches closed position (FIG. 9). At the same time spout 36 approaches the lower end of the vent slot 60. At this juncture, the bottle B is expanded beyond its normal size due to the hydrostatic head of fluid in the bowl 10.

The flow is then stopped or restricted by entry of the ring 30 into the port 24 (FIG. 10) and the vent slot 60 is then closed. At this time there is neither foam nor air in the bottle B. The bottle B and the cylinder cup 22 now form a closed system with the bottle B and the cylinder or pump cup 22 in communication with each other via the conduit 52. As the pump cup 22 continues to move downwardly, its volume of course increases. Consequently fluid is sucked up from the bottle B back to the cup 22 (FIG. 11). The bottle B continues to contract as fluid is sucked from it by the cup 22 until com- -munication is interrupted by engagement of the spout 36 with the O-ring 40 at the lower end of the post 28 (FIG. 12).

By controlling the size and shape of the bottle B and by controlling the stroke of the pump cup 22, it is obviously possible to determine how much fluid is sucked back into the antechamber formed by the cup 22. This may be done by locating the pin 50 in any one of a number of holes in the hub 46.

The mechanism is designed so that in the position of FIG. 12 preparatory to separation, the bottle B is slightly constricted so that it will expand slightly upon separation. Thus in the position of FIG. 12, there is a slight negative pressure in the bottle B. In the position of FIG. 13, only a kiss contact remains between the lip L of the bottle B and the pad 64. Air begins to leak into the bottle past the lip L. The bottle is man equilibrium or near equilibrium state at the time of separation (FIG. 14). The liquid level is accurately established close to the top. There is no foam in the bottle because the foam was pushed out long before. Any fluid in the vent is trapped. This is a direct return path which is enclosed within the mechanism itself.

The mechanism is extremely simple and reliable, and most important, easy to service and clean. By removing the pin 50, the post 28 drops away. The cup 22 and spring 44 can then be removed.

Intending to claim all novel, useful and unobvious features shown or described,

We claim:

1. In a process for filling flexible bottles with fluid from a supply bowl, the flexible bottles having a normal unstressed configuration of nominal volume, said process comprising the following steps:

a. positioning the bottle for interposition in a fluid circuit comprising a supply conduit part connected to the bowl and a vent conduit part opening above the bowl:

b. establishing .the said fluid circuit by opening valve means whereby the bottle and vent conduit part both fill with fluid, whereby foam, if any, is pushed up the vent stack, and whereby said bottle is stressed to assume a configura-tion of excess volume;

c. thereafter establishing a closed or substantially closed fluid system in which said bottle or at least one of said conduits forms a part;

d. expanding said one of said fluid conduits while the said closed fluid system exists in order to shift fluid to contract the bottle so that it at least approximately assumes said nominal volume configuration:

e. thereafter isolating the bottle from said fluid system preparatory to separation of said bottle; and

f. thereafter separating the bottle.

2. The process as set forth in claim 1 in which the said volume shift is controlled to impart a slight negative pressure upon said bottle whereby ambient air enters the bottle as the bottle separates.

3. The process as set forth in claim 1 including the step of subjecting said bowl to atmospheric pressure.

4. In a process for filling flexible bottles with fluid from a supply bowl vented to atmosphere, which comprises the following steps:

a. allowing fluid to flow from said bowl to an antechamber substantially to fill the antechamber;

b. thereafter establishing a connection between the lower end of said antechamber and the bottle;

0. opening a vent stack to the top of the bottle;

d. opening the antechamber to the bowl for gravity refilling thereof as the contents of the antechamber discharge into said bottle;

e. allowing the bottle to fill completely as the fluid level rises in the vent stack;

f. substantially closing the vent and the communication between the bowl and the said antechamber to establish a substantially closed system in which the antechamber and said bottle form communicating P g. expanding the volume of the antechamber while said antechamber and said bottle are in communcation as parts of a substantially closed system;

h. thereby shifting the volume of fluid between said parts to cause said bottle to assume a normal or near normal configuration;

i. substantially interrupting communication between said bottle and said-antechamber; and separating the mechanical'connection between the bottle and the antechamber.

5. The process as set forth in claim 4 in which the volume shift between said antechamber and bottle parts is controlled whereby a slight negative pressure is imposed upon said bottle in advance of separation.

6. In a system for filling flexible bottles with fluid:

a. a bowl for containing fluid to be admitted to the bottles;

b. means venting the bowl to atmosphere; one or more gravity tiller valves attached to the bottom of the bowl, each filler valve including i. means forming an antechamber for receiving fluid from the bowl; said antechamber forming means having an outlet sealingly cooperable with a bottle;

ii. means forming a vent adjacent said outlet for passage of fluid therein;

iii. means operable upon connection between the bottle and the antechamber for opening the vent and opening said outlet for unrestricted passage of fluid into the bottle and into the vent;

iv. means operable upon filling of said bottle for closing the vent and the antechamber to define a closed system between the antechamber and said bottle;

v. means operable to expand the antechamber while said antechamber and said bottle form a substantially closed system whereby a volume of fluid is sucked back into said antechamber; and

vi. means for closing the communication between said antechamber and said bottle preparatory to separation of said bottle.

7.' In apparatus for filling flexible bottles with fluid:

a. a bowl for fluid and open to atmosphere;

b. the bottom of said bowl having a plurality of discharge openings;

c. a filler valve installed at each of said discharge openings;

d. a bottle lifter mechanish for moving a bottle upwardly to engage its filler valve and thereafter to disengage its filler valve;

e. each filler valve comprising i. a vent post extending above the level of fluid in the bowl and having a lower end positioned beneath the bowl to enter the neck of a bottle;

ii. a cup surrounding the post and mounted for movement upwardly and downwardly along the post;

iii. said cup having a spout part engagable with the lower end of said post to close said spout and to limit downward movement of said cup;

iv. the lower end of said cup being engagable by the bottle for lifting the cup;

v. resilient means urging the cup downwardly to cause said spout to engage the lower end of said post;

vi. relatively stationary wall means forming with the interior of said cup, an expansible chamber that increases in volume as the cup moves toward said downward limit;

vii. means operable upon continued upward movement of the cup first, to open said vent to a place on said post surrounded by the bottle neck and second, to open the cup to relatively unrestricted flow communication with said bowl; said means upon reverse continued downward movement of said cup first, restricting the communication between said cup and said bowl, second, closing the vent to establish a closed volume system between the bottle and the cup whereby, upon still further movement of the cup, said cup increases in volume to suck fluid from the bottle before the spout finally closes.

8. The combination as set forth in claim 7 in which said cup communicates with said spout via a recessed conduit formed in said post, said vent opening in the side of the post opposite the conduit and being controlled by the edge of said spout. I

9. The combination as set forth in claim 7 in which said means to open the cup to relatively unrestricted movement comprises a throttle or closure ring that moves relative to an aperture in said wall means.

10. In apparatus for filling flexible bottles with fluid:

a. a bowl for containing fluid, and opening to atmosphere;

b. a plurality of receiver cups attached to and suspended from the bowl and in uninterrupted communication with the bowl; the bottom of each of said receiver cups having a central opening;

c. a tubular vent post for each receiver cup, and supported by the bowl to extend downwardly through the opening in the bottom of the corresponding receiver cup, and upwardly beyond the normal level of fluid in the bowl;

d. a companion cylinder cup for each receiver cup and telescopically accommodated on the bottom of the corresponding receiver cup, each of said cylinder cups having a central opening in its bottom surrounded by a depending cylindrical spout slidably fitted over the bottom of the corresponding vent post, each of said cylinder cups being engageable from below by a bottle to lift the cylinder cup. each 6 communication between the companion cups or for establishing relatively unrestricted communication therebetween all in accordance with the axial position of the cylinder cup on the corresponding receiver cup;

e. each of said vent posts having a plug at its lever end forming a stop and closure for the corresponding cylinder cup spout; the ring being in throttle or closure position at the stop position of said cylinder cup, each of said vent posts having a lateral recess for establishing a discharge path from said cylinder cup 'past the spout as the cylinder cup member is raised, and each of said vent posts having a vent opening opposite the corresponding recess that opens only after upward movement of the corresponding cylinder cup beyond a position corresponding to opening of said discharge path;

f. each cylinder cup forming a part of a substantially closed volume system by operation of said closure ring upon return movement of the cylinder cup toward its lower limited position and when said vent is closed, whereby continued downward movement of said cylinder cup sucks fluid from said bottle in an amount sufficient to establish a substantially normal bottle configuration in advance of separation of said bottle from said cylinder cup.

11. A gravity filler valve for bottles and adapted to be attached to a fluid-containing bowl:

a. means forming an antechamber for receiving fluid from a bowl; said antechamber forming means having an outlet sealingly cooperable with the bottle;

b. means forming a vent adjacent said outlet for passage of fluid therein;

c. means operable upon connection between the bottle and the antechamber for opening the vent and opening said outlet for unrestricted passage of fluid into the bottle and into the vent;

d. means operable upon filling of said bottle for closing the vent and the antechamber to define a closed system between the antechamber and said bottle;

e. means operable to expand the antechamber while said antechamber and said bottle from a substantially closed system whereby a volume of fluid is sucked back into said antechamber; and

f. means for closing the communication between said antechamber and said bottle preparatory to separation of said bottle.

12. The combination as set forth in claim 1 1 in which said vent is formed on one side of said outlet and is of sufficient size to allow fluid to run down one side of the vent while air rises on the other side of the vent.

13. A gravity filler valve for bottles, including:

a. a substantially tubular post having provisions for attachment to a bowl so that the upper end of the post extends above the level of fluid in the bowl and so that the lower end of the post projects beneath the bowl for cooperation with bottles positioned about the post;

b. means partitioning only the lower end of said post so that the lower end of said post is divided into an influent side and an effluent or vent side; said post having lateral openings to expose both said influent side and said effluent side;

c. means providing a pathway between said influent side and said bowl;

d. valve actuator means reciprocably mounted at the lower end of said post for controlling communicasaid influent side of said post is truncated in axial length to minimize the corresponding length of the reduced portion of the effluent side.

16. The combination as set forth in claim 13 in which said valve actuator means also controls the communication between said bottle and said effluent side.

I! I i '9 l UNTTEn STATES PATENT oTTTcT; CERTIFCATE 0F CQRECHQN Patent No. 3 1 Dated September 4 1973 Inventor(s) KEITH B. CLELAND. and ROY H. STRAUB It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

' Claim 1, Column 5, line 51, change "configura-tion" to c-onfigura tion Claim 6 Column 6 line 41 before the word "one" insert c.

Claim 10 Column 8 .line 6 change "lever" to lower-.

Signed and sealed this 27th day of November 1973 (SEAL) Attest:

: EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. RENE D. TEGTEMEYR Attestlng Officer Acting Commissioner of Patents F ORM PO-1050 (19-69) USCOMM-DC 6O37 6-P69 u.s. sovznumsm PRINTING o nc: 1969 O-366-334

Claims

1. In a process for filling flexible bottles with fluid from a supply bowl, the flexible bottles having a normal unstressed configuration of nominal volume, said process comprising the following steps: a. positioning the bottle for interposition in a fluid circuit comprising a supply conduit part connected to the bowl and a vent conduit part opening above the bowl: b. establishing the said fluid circuit by opening valve means whereby the bottle and vent conduit part both fill with fluid, whereby foam, if any, is pushed up the vent stack, and whereby said bottle is stressed to assume a configura-tion of excess volume; c. thereafter establishing a closed or substantially closed fluid system in which said bottle or at least one of said conduits forms a part; d. expanding said one of said fluid conduits while the said closed fluid system exists in order to shift fluid to contract the bottle so that it at least approximately assumes said nominal volume configuration; e. thereafter isolating the bottle from said fluid system preparatory to separation of said bottle; and f. thereafter separating the bottle.

4. In a process for filling flexible bottles with fluid from a supply bowl vented to atmosphere, which comprises the following steps: a. allowing fluid to flow from said bowl to an antechamber substantially to fill the antechamber; b. thereafter establishing a connection between the lower end of said antechamber and the bottle; c. opening a vent stack to the top of the bottle; d. opening the antechamber to the bowl for gravity refilling thereof as the contents of the antechamber discharge into said bottle; e. allowing the bottle to fill completely as the fluid level rises in the vent stack; f. substantially closing the vent and the communication between the bowl and the said antechamber to establish a substantially closed system in which the antechamber and said bottle form communicating parts; g. expanding the volume of the antechamber while said antechamber and said bottle are in communcation as parts of a substantially closed system; h. thereby shifting the volume of fluid between said parts to cause said bottle to assume a normal or near normal configuration; i. substantially interrupting communication between said bottle and said antechamber; and separating the mechanical cOnnection between the bottle and the antechamber.

6. In a system for filling flexible bottles with fluid: a. a bowl for containing fluid to be admitted to the bottles; b. means venting the bowl to atmosphere; one or more gravity filler valves attached to the bottom of the bowl, each filler valve including i. means forming an antechamber for receiving fluid from the bowl; said antechamber forming means having an outlet sealingly cooperable with a bottle; ii. means forming a vent adjacent said outlet for passage of fluid therein; iii. means operable upon connection between the bottle and the antechamber for opening the vent and opening said outlet for unrestricted passage of fluid into the bottle and into the vent; iv. means operable upon filling of said bottle for closing the vent and the antechamber to define a closed system between the antechamber and said bottle; v. means operable to expand the antechamber while said antechamber and said bottle form a substantially closed system whereby a volume of fluid is sucked back into said antechamber; and vi. means for closing the communication between said antechamber and said bottle preparatory to separation of said bottle.

7. In apparatus for filling flexible bottles with fluid: a. a bowl for fluid and open to atmosphere; b. the bottom of said bowl having a plurality of discharge openings; c. a filler valve installed at each of said discharge openings; d. a bottle lifter mechanish for moving a bottle upwardly to engage its filler valve and thereafter to disengage its filler valve; e. each filler valve comprising i. a vent post extending above the level of fluid in the bowl and having a lower end positioned beneath the bowl to enter the neck of a bottle; ii. a cup surrounding the post and mounted for movement upwardly and downwardly along the post; iii. said cup having a spout part engagable with the lower end of said post to close said spout and to limit downward movement of said cup; iv. the lower end of said cup being engagable by the bottle for lifting the cup; v. resilient means urging the cup downwardly to cause said spout to engage the lower end of said post; vi. relatively stationary wall means forming with the interior of said cup, an expansible chamber that increases in volume as the cup moves toward said downward limit; vii. means operable upon continued upward movement of the cup first, to open said vent to a place on said post surrounded by the bottle neck and second, to open the cup to relatively unrestricted flow communication with said bowl; said means upon reverse continued downward movement of said cup first, restricting the communication between said cup and said bowl, second, closing the vent to establish a closed volume system between the bottle and the cup whereby, upon still further movement of the cup, said cup increases in volume to suck fluid from the bottle before the spout finally closes.

8. The combination as set forth in claim 7 in which said cup communicates with said spout via a recessed conduit formed in said post, said vent opening in the side of the post opposite the conduit and being controlled by the edge of said spout.

10. In apparatus for filling flexible bottles with fluid: a. a bowl for containing fluid, and opening to atmosphere; b. a plurality of receiver cups attached to and suspended from the bowl and in uninterrupted communication with the bowl; the bottom of each of said receiver cups having a central opening; c. a tubuLar vent post for each receiver cup, and supported by the bowl to extend downwardly through the opening in the bottom of the corresponding receiver cup, and upwardly beyond the normal level of fluid in the bowl; d. a companion cylinder cup for each receiver cup and telescopically accommodated on the bottom of the corresponding receiver cup, each of said cylinder cups having a central opening in its bottom surrounded by a depending cylindrical spout slidably fitted over the bottom of the corresponding vent post, each of said cylinder cups being engageable from below by a bottle to lift the cylinder cup, each of said cylinder cups having a throttle or closure ring working in the bottom opening of the corresponding receiver cup for alternately restricting communication between the companion cups or for establishing relatively unrestricted communication therebetween all in accordance with the axial position of the cylinder cup on the corresponding receiver cup; e. each of said vent posts having a plug at its lever end forming a stop and closure for the corresponding cylinder cup spout; the ring being in throttle or closure position at the stop position of said cylinder cup, each of said vent posts having a lateral recess for establishing a discharge path from said cylinder cup past the spout as the cylinder cup member is raised, and each of said vent posts having a vent opening opposite the corresponding recess that opens only after upward movement of the corresponding cylinder cup beyond a position corresponding to opening of said discharge path; f. each cylinder cup forming a part of a substantially closed volume system by operation of said closure ring upon return movement of the cylinder cup toward its lower limited position and when said vent is closed, whereby continued downward movement of said cylinder cup sucks fluid from said bottle in an amount sufficient to establish a substantially normal bottle configuration in advance of separation of said bottle from said cylinder cup.

11. A gravity filler valve for bottles and adapted to be attached to a fluid-containing bowl: a. means forming an antechamber for receiving fluid from a bowl; said antechamber forming means having an outlet sealingly cooperable with the bottle; b. means forming a vent adjacent said outlet for passage of fluid therein; c. means operable upon connection between the bottle and the antechamber for opening the vent and opening said outlet for unrestricted passage of fluid into the bottle and into the vent; d. means operable upon filling of said bottle for closing the vent and the antechamber to define a closed system between the antechamber and said bottle; e. means operable to expand the antechamber while said antechamber and said bottle from a substantially closed system whereby a volume of fluid is sucked back into said antechamber; and f. means for closing the communication between said antechamber and said bottle preparatory to separation of said bottle.

12. The combination as set forth in claim 11 in which said vent is formed on one side of said outlet and is of sufficient size to allow fluid to run down one side of the vent while air rises on the other side of the vent.

13. A gravity filler valve for bottles, including: a. a substantially tubular post having provisions for attachment to a bowl so that the upper end of the post extends above the level of fluid in the bowl and so that the lower end of the post projects beneath the bowl for cooperation with bottles positioned about the post; b. means partitioning only the lower end of said post so that the lower end of said post is divided into an influent side and an effluent or vent side; said post having lateral openings to expose both said influent side and said effluent side; c. means providing a pathway between said influent side and said bowl; d. valve actuator means reciprocably mounted at the lower end of said post for controlling communication between a bottle and saId influent side whereby fluid entering the bottle flows along one side thereof as air and foam, if any, is vented along the other side thereof.

14. The combination as set forth in claim 13 in which the cross-sectional area of the lower end of the effluent side is about the same size as said influent side.

15. The combination as set forth in claim 13 in which said influent side of said post is truncated in axial length to minimize the corresponding length of the reduced portion of the effluent side.