EP0644846B1 - Adaptateur de soupape de remplissage et procedes associes - Google Patents

Adaptateur de soupape de remplissage et procedes associes Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0644846B1
EP0644846B1 EP92913466A EP92913466A EP0644846B1 EP 0644846 B1 EP0644846 B1 EP 0644846B1 EP 92913466 A EP92913466 A EP 92913466A EP 92913466 A EP92913466 A EP 92913466A EP 0644846 B1 EP0644846 B1 EP 0644846B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
beverage
fill valve
adapter nozzle
nozzle
adapter
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP92913466A
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German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0644846A1 (fr
EP0644846A4 (fr
Inventor
Terry E. Nish
Cecil Ray Mccray
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SERVITECH Inc
Original Assignee
SERVITECH Inc
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Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US07/602,574 external-priority patent/US5141035A/en
Application filed by SERVITECH Inc filed Critical SERVITECH Inc
Priority to AT92913466T priority Critical patent/ATE183720T1/de
Publication of EP0644846A1 publication Critical patent/EP0644846A1/fr
Publication of EP0644846A4 publication Critical patent/EP0644846A4/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0644846B1 publication Critical patent/EP0644846B1/fr
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Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
    • B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
    • B67C3/22—Details
    • B67C3/26—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks
    • B67C3/2614—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks specially adapted for counter-pressure filling
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B39/00—Nozzles, funnels or guides for introducing articles or materials into containers or wrappers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B39/00—Nozzles, funnels or guides for introducing articles or materials into containers or wrappers
    • B65B2039/009—Multiple outlets

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to machinery by which a predetermined quantity of beverage is placed in a can after which the can is capped and more particularly to novel beverage adapter nozzles, and related methods, which replaces an existing flared distal nozzle portion of a standard beverage fill valve whereby filling of a can having a smaller diametral opening in the top thereof is accommodated.
  • Typical of automated machinery by which a beverage, such as soda pop and beer, is dispensed into open top, later capped cans are the disclosures of U.S. Patents 4,387,748 and 4,750,533.
  • Such automated machinery comprises fill valves by which pressurized gas and beverage are delivered into each can through the open top thereof.
  • Such fill valves comprise standard distal beverage effluent nozzle structure comprising an array of downwardly and outwardly directed beverage discharge passages.
  • This standard effluent nozzle structure is diametrally sized to fit through the opening in the top of a can of predetermined size on a close tolerance basis so that the circular discharge streams of beverage not only angularly strike against the most elevated part of the inside surface of the side wall of the can but also the flow distance between the end of each nozzle passageway and the side wall of the can is minimized whereby beverage foaming is kept within tolerable limits.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a reliable and less expensive solution to the above problem.
  • the present invention provides a method of modifying an existing fill valve of a beverage canning machine, intended for filling cans having a predetermined body diameter and a top opening sized to receive therein an existing distal nozzle structure of the fill valve, to adapt the machine for use in filling cans having the predetermined body diameter but a reduced size top opening incapable of receiving the existing nozzle structure of the fill valve, which method is characterised by the steps of: removing from the fill valve a distal portion thereof which defines a downstream portion of an array of outwardly directed beverage dispensing passageways and which includes the existing nozzle structure; retaining a proximal portion of the fill valve which defines an upstream portion of the said array of beverage dispensing passageways; distally attaching to the retained proximal portion of the fill valve an adapter nozzle which has a distal nozzle portion of a size to be received in a can having the reduced size top opening and which defines a plurality of outwardly directed beverage dispensing passageways arranged selectively
  • the invention provides an adapter nozzle for modifying an existing fill valve of beverage canning machine to adapt the machine for use in filling cans having the same predetermined body diameter as cans with which the machine is intended to be used but having a reduced size top opening incapable of receiving an existing nozzle structure of the fill valve, which adapter nozzle is characterised by: a distal nozzle portion which is of a size to be received in a can having the reduced size top opening; a fastening structure for attaching the adapter nozzle to a retained proximal portion of the fill valve after removal of a distal portion of the fill valve, the retained proximal portion defining an upstream portion of an array of outwardly directed beverage dispensing passageways, the removed distal portion defining a downstream portion of the said array of beverage dispensing passageways and including the existing nozzle structure; an adapter nozzle seal for sealingly engaging the proximal portion of the fill valve to form a seal between the proximal portion and the adapter nozzle; and a plurality
  • distal is intended to designate something more distantly located away from the bulk supply of beverage used to fill cans while the term “proximal” is used to designate something disposed more closely toward the bulk supply of beverage.
  • the present invention is concerned broadly with machinery by which a predetermined quantity of beverage is placed, on an automated basis, sequentially into open top cans after which each can is capped or receives a lid. More particularly, the present invention is concerned with solving the aforementioned lid size reduction problem whereby, with progressive reduction in lid sizes, particularly with aluminum cans, a dimensional interference results between the top lip or edge of the open can and the effluent structure from which the beverage is intended to be discharged as a downward and outward array of streams which are circular in cross section.
  • FIG. 1 the lower portion of a fill valve, generally designated 10, is shown.
  • Fill valve 10 is intended to be illustrative only, as there are other fill valves presently in commercial use which are constructed somewhat differently, but serve the same purpose in much the same way as fill valve 10 shown in Figure 1.
  • Traditionally such fill valves are formed from stainless steel.
  • distal discharge nozzle structure is used by which a plurality of downwardly and outwardly directed beverage effluent flow paths are defined, each of which is substantially circular in cross section. As few as nine and as many as fifteen discharge ports are commercially used. Accordingly, the fill valve 10, illustrated in Figure 1, is, as such, illustrative of the problem posed by the prior art.
  • Conventional fill valve 10 specifically comprises a top flange 12, which comprises apertures 14 by which the fill valve 10 is mounted to beverage machinery generally mentioned above in a conventional fashion and for well-known purposes.
  • Fill valve 10 comprises a hollow cylindrical wall 16 through which beverage, such as a carbonated drink or beer, selectively flows.
  • the hollow cylindrical housing 16 merges into an integral radially extending flange 18.
  • Flange 18 comprises internal beverage passageways and exposed threads 20, by which the fill valve 10 is positioned as a part of the aforementioned beverage machinery.
  • Flange 18 integrally merges with a downwardly directed, integral annular boss 22 through which the internal beverage flow passageways continue.
  • the lower surface 24 of the boss 22 is illustrated as being angularly tapped at fifteen separate sites, as illustrated, to accommodate interference fit insertion of an array of beverage discharge nozzle tubes 26.
  • Each nozzle tube 26 is in communication with one of the internal beverage passageways disposed in flange 18 and boss 22.
  • Each tube 28 of the array is, thus, diagonally disposed in a downward and outward direction and internally comprises a single, angularly oriented, linearly extending central bore.
  • the tubes 28 collectively define a maximum diametral size in the form of array 26 which, on a close tolerance basis, is adapted to fit through the top opening at the upper lip or edge of a beverage can of a predetermined size.
  • the sizing and orientation of the array 26 of nozzle tubes 28 accommodates not only insertion through the open top of a predetermined diametral size of a can but also selective discharge of beverage into the can by directing the beverage as a plurality of circular streams against the interior surface of the side of the can near the top thereof. This maintains foaming of the beverage within tolerable limits.
  • the fill valve 10 also comprises a central transversely-directed wall 30 apertured at 33 for introduction into the can of pressurized gas prior to delivery of beverage and progressive evacuation of pressurized gas from the can during filling, centrally disposed above the boss 22, the interior surface 32 of which is downwardly and outwardly tapered in a conical fashion substantially parallel to the collective orientation of the array 26 of nozzle tubes 28.
  • a conventional liquid valve operates within the hollow formed by surface 32 to selectively shut off gas flow to equalize pressure and insure proper head space and liquid volume in a can filled by valve 10.
  • Fill valve 10 also comprises a separate, exteriorly disposed helical tube 34, the hollow of which functions to snift gas from the top of the can at the conclusion of beverage titling before removing the can from the filling equipment.
  • the hollow of tube 34 communicates selectively with a gas passageway disposed through flange 18 and boss 22. This gas passageway has a port located adjacent the slot 36 whereby, in accordance with conventional operation of the aforementioned beverage machinery, pressurized gas at the top of the can is evacuated therefrom or snifted just before the can removed from the filling machinery.
  • Figure 2 shows one nozzle tube 28, of the previously described array 26, juxtaposed the top edge of a can 40 having a reduced diametral top opening. It also shows a seal 38 carried by the fill valve 10 in contiguous superposition over the exterior of the boss 22, the intent of which is to seal against the top edge of a can. However, with the can 40 of reduced top opening, this is not possible. More specifically, the seal 38 is adapted to engage the upper lip or edge 42 of the can 40 for which the array 26 is sized. However, when can 40 is used having a smaller top opening, the diametral size of the lip or edge 42 of the can 40 as well as the top opening at 44 are such that the distal edge of each nozzle pipe 28 lowers directly on to the lip 42.
  • Can 40 is representative of a No. 204 can.
  • the array 26 of nozzle tubes 28 is incapable of passing into the interior of the can 40, and, if beverage were discharged with the array 26 in the condition illustrated in Figure 2, the discharged beverage would not be delivered per se to the can, but would spray upon and contaminate the area around the filling site and would provoke an unacceptable level of foaming.
  • the pre-existing fill valve 10 becomes incompatible and nonaccommodating.
  • the aforementioned dimensional interference problem has, in the past, been resolved by simply discarding the entire existing supply of fill valves associated with an automated canning facility and fabricating a new supply of fill valves having close tolerance dimensions which will accommodate passage through the diametrally reduced opening 44 of the can 40.
  • the expense of doing this is very substantial and may well be cost prohibitive for at least some canned-beverage producers.
  • the present invention offers an efficient, long-term, reliable and cost-effective answer to the reduced lid size problem mentioned above.
  • the boss 22 and tube nozzles 28 of valve 10 are removed from the remainder of the fill valve 10, that remainder being designated by the numeral 10' in Figures 3, 4 and 5. This is preferably done by utilization of standard machining techniques, which need not be described here.
  • each nozzle tube 28 communicates with a liquid passageway which initially extends through the flange 18 and the boss 22, removal of boss 22 and nozzle tubes 28, as by machining, creates a flat, radially directed surface 52 and leaves an exposed array of beverage passageway ports 50, each located along a common radius from the center of the flange 18.
  • a pressurized gas passageway port 54 in which the hollow of the tube 34 is in fluid communication, is similarly exposed at a specific location at the new surface 52 of flange 18.
  • the gas influent and effluent port 33 also remains.
  • the flange 18 is further tapped at a plurality of predetermined sites 56 for receipt of fasteners.
  • the tapped sites 56 are threaded.
  • an adapter nozzle embodying the principles of the present invention, is mounted upon the modified fill valve 10' in contiguous relation with surface 52 to resolve the aforementioned problem.
  • One presently preferred adapter nozzle is illustrated in Figures 4-8.
  • the adapter nozzle of Figures 4-8, generally designated 60 is formed as a single die cast piece of stainless steel, although other materials, such as synthetic resinous material may, in the alternative, be used where desirable and appropriate.
  • Adapter nozzle 60 is specifically configurated to be mounted upon either a Crown fill valve or a Cemco fill valve, after the modification thereto which is described above.
  • Adapter nozzle 60 is generally annular in its configuration, having a tapered hollow frusto-conical interior, at 63 through which influent and effluent pressurized gas from port 33 passes, and a stepped exterior.
  • the body of material comprising adapter nozzle 60 comprises a top flange 62.
  • Flange 62 has a uniform outside diameter illustrated as being just smaller than the diameter at threads 20 of the flange 18.
  • surface 52 is recessed so that an annular lip 64 is formed, the bottom surface of which is essentially flush with the bottom surface 66 of the flange 62.
  • the flange 62 is illustrated as being of uniform thickness and terminates in an annular edge 68.
  • Flange 62 is apertured at six sites.
  • each aperture 70 is aligned with a threaded bore 56 for receipt of an Allen head screw 72.
  • the threaded end of each Allen head screw 72 fits loosely through the associated aperture 70 and threadedly engages the threads of the associated bore 56.
  • each aperture 70 is counterbored at the lower surface 66 of the flange 62 so that the Allen head fasteners 72 are essentially flush with surface 66 upon installation.
  • the adapter nozzle 60 is securely fastened to the modified fill valve 10', as shown in Figure 4.
  • the adapter nozzle 60 comprises a top surface 76, which is planar or flat and extends across the entirety of the adapter nozzle 60 including but not limited to the flange 62.
  • the top surface 76 is interrupted by three annular grooves 78, 80 and 82.
  • An appropriately-sized O-ring is positioned within each of the grooves 78, 80 and 82, as best illustrated in Figure 6.
  • the mentioned three O-rings constitute the manner in which the adapter nozzle 60 is sealed against the modified fill valve 10' at surface 52 against beverage and pressurized gas leakage.
  • an arcuate screen 90 (Fig. 6) may be superimposed upon the top surface 76 between the grooves 78 and 80 for filtration of beverage and, in the case of beer, for accommodating surface tension shut off a beverage flow.
  • the top surface 76 of the adapter nozzle 60 is also interrupted by a snifter port 92 of a snifter gas passageway 94. See Fig. 8.
  • the O-ring located in groove 82 seals against loss of gas pressure between the adapter nozzle 60 and the surface 52, while the O-rings in grooves 78 and 80 seal against beverage loss.
  • the effluent gas passageway 94 also comprises a second port 96 (Fig. 8), which opens to the conical interior 63 at a recessed portion 98 of the adapter nozzle 60.
  • the location of port 92 is adapted to be aligned with port 54 at surface 52.
  • the conically-shaped hollow interior 63 of the adapter nozzle 60 functions to minimize the amount of material used in fabricating the adapter nozzle 60, to deliver influent and effluent pressurized gas to and from the can, accommodates displacement of the conventional ball cage or gas shut-off valve and works in cooperation with the can 40 to occupy only that space within can 40 which results in the desired head space in the can whereby the correct predetermined beverage volume is precisely dispensed into the can.
  • the upper end of the frustro conically-shaped hollow 63 centrally interrupts the surface 76 of the adapter nozzle 60.
  • the surface 76 of the adapter nozzle 60 is further interrupted by three arcuately-shaped beverage influent ports 100, which are disposed along a common radius from the center line of the adapter nozzle 60 and which may be described as slots.
  • Each arcuate influent port 100 is relatively wide and of a thin depth.
  • five successive beverage-dispensing ports 50 (Fig. 3) selectively provide influent beverage to each influent port 100.
  • each influent port 100 is aligned with five effluent ports 50 and, therefore, five beverage streams of circular cross section are converted into one wide, thin stream of beverage.
  • each passageway comprising two segments having different successive angles of orientation, i.e., a first arcuately disposed angular passageway segment 102 from port 100 to site 108 and a second arcuately disposed angular beverage passageway segment 104.
  • Each passageway segment 104 has a sharper radial angle than the associated passageway segment 102.
  • Each associated sequential passageway segments 102 and 104 merge at an angular transitional location 108.
  • the overall maximum diametral size of the adapter nozzle 60 below the flange 62 is of reduced size so as to accommodate displacement through the top opening of a No. 204 can.
  • issuance of beverage emanating from each of the three effluent ports 110 of passageway segments are directed angularly against the interior surface of the sidewall of the can 40 at an elevated location so that foaming is within tolerable limits.
  • the adapter nozzle 60 is illustrated as being of one piece construction and comprises a bottom transverse, radially-directed annular planar surface 112 through which each of the three ports 110 emanates.
  • Surface 112 integrally merges with interior frustro-conical surface 63 at an annular corner 114.
  • Surface 112 also integrally merges at annular outside corner 117 with an exterior annular surface 116, which has a uniform diameter.
  • Surface 116 integrally merges at outside corner 118 with diagonal surface 120.
  • Surfaces 116 and 120 and corner 118 as well as corner 117 are exposed at the exterior of the adapter nozzle 60.
  • Diagonal surface 120 merges at inside corner 122 with annular surface 124.
  • Surface 124 is of uniform diameter and integrally merges with diagonal surface 126 at inside corner 128.
  • Diagonal surface 126 merges with annular surface 134 at outside corner 130.
  • Annular surface 134 is of uniform diameter throughout.
  • Surface 134 integrally merges with the lower surface 66 of flange 62 at inside corner 136.
  • Pressurized gas communication recess 98 comprises an arcuate top surface 150.
  • the recess 98 communicates to the exterior of the adapter nozzle 60 and thence to the interior of can 40 across a notch 152, whereby gas at the top of the can 40, during progressive filling, is evacuated to the exterior of the can 40 through hollow 63 and port 33. Snifting of gas from the top of the can 40 occurs across notch 152, and through recess 98, port 96, passageway 94, port 92, port 54 and conduit 34.
  • an essentially standard elastomeric seal 154 is stretched and released and thereby superimposed upon the exterior of the adapter nozzle 60 so as to be interiorly contiguous with the surfaces 66, 134, 132, 126 and 124.
  • Elastomeric seal 154 is substantially conventional and comprises an exposed annular surface 156 forming a part of a flange the maximum diameter of which is substantially equal to the diameter of edge 68.
  • the flange comprising annular surface 156 also comprises lower, radially-directed surface 158.
  • a reduced diameter annular surface 160 below the seal flange 156/158 is disposed a reduced diameter annular surface 160, the diameter of which is somewhat greater than the top opening of can 40 at site 44 (Fig. 2).
  • Surface 160 merges with a tapered surface 162.
  • Tapered or diagonal surface 162 serves to physically compressively engage the edge 42 of the can 40 to create a liquid and gas seal to prevent inadvertent escape of either pressurized gas or beverage from the can 40 during filling and snifting.
  • the diagonal surface 162 merges with the hollow interior of the seal 154 at lower annular corner or edge 164.
  • the hollow interior of the seal is configurated so as to contiguously match the external configuration of the adapter nozzle 60, as described above.
  • the hollow interior of the beverage can seal 154 seals against the above-mentioned exterior surfaces of the adapter nozzle 60 so that gas or liquid leakage between the adapter nozzle 60 and the seal 154 cannot occur.
  • FIG. 9 illustrates in enlarged fragmentary perspective a second presently preferred adapter nozzle with structural differences when compared with adapter nozzle 60 predicated primarily upon the basis that adapter nozzle 200 is intended to be used with the well-known Meyers fill valve after being modified by detaching the distal nozzle portion thereof by bolt removal.
  • the adapter nozzle 200 addresses the same problem mentioned above, when applied to a Meyers fill valve and is preferably formed of stainless steel through use of conventional die casting techniques, although other suitable beverage-inert materials could be used.
  • the adapter nozzle 200 comprises a stepped hollow interior and a stepped interior, fashioned to minimize the quantity of material used in fabricating the adapter nozzle 200, to accommodate flow of influent and effluent pressurized gas through the central hollow interior of the adapter nozzle 200, to accommodate displacement of a conventional ball cage or gas shut-off valve within the hollow interior and works in cooperation with the can 40 to occupy only that space within can 40 which results in the desired head space in the can whereby the correct predetermined beverage volume is precisely dispensed into the can.
  • adapter nozzle 200 comprises a radially-directed top flange 202, illustrated as having a uniform thickness and comprising top surface 204, bottom surface 206 and edge 208.
  • Four apertures 209 are disposed in the flange 202, located and size to be aligned with threaded bores existing in the Meyers fill valve for receipt of screw fastener whereby the adapter nozzle 200 is secured to the modified Meyers fill valve.
  • the flange 202 is circular in its configuration, with the exception of two linear edge segments 210, which are oppositely disposed at 180-degree positions. Only one linear edge 210 is illustrated. Linear edges accommodate a non-interference union with the modified Meyers fill valve.
  • annular wall 212 Integral with and extending in an upward direction from flange 202 along a common radius is an annular wall 212.
  • Wall 212 is illustrated as being essentially rectangular in cross section and has an outside diameter slightly greater than the unstressed diameter of an O-ring 215' which is stretched over and compressively contracts against the wall 212 due to the memory of O-ring 215', as illustrated in Figure 9.
  • the O-ring 215' serves to seal the adapter nozzle 200 to the modified Meyers fill valve against inadvertent loss of beverage during the filling operation.
  • Annular wall 212 is illustrated as comprising an outside wall surface 214, a top wall surface 216 which merges with wall surface 214 at annular corner 215, and interior wall surface 218 which integrally merges with top wall surface 216 at annular corner 217.
  • the wall 212 is illustrated as having a vertical dimension greater than the diameter of the O-ring 215'.
  • Interior wall surface 218 merges with radially-directed, planar surface 220 at annular inside corner 222.
  • Flat surface 220 is 5 illustrated as being disposed within the same plane as surface 204.
  • Gasket 221 is illustrated as being of rectangular cross section and comprises a snifter gas passageway 223.
  • Surface 220 merges with annular, vertically-directed surface 224 at annular outside corner 226.
  • Vertical surface 224 is disposed at a predetermined diameter from the longitudinal center line of the adapter nozzle 200.
  • Wall surface 224 forms a portion of a common beverage reservoir 228, which selectively receives beverage from the modified Meyers fill valve.
  • Annular, vertically-directed wall surface 224 merges at inside corner 230 with diagonally-disposed, downwardly and inwardly tapered surface 232.
  • the lower edge 234 of surface of 232 intercepts each of three downwardly-directed beverage passageways 236, which are spaced one from the next by a supporting rib 238.
  • each passageway 236 of adapter nozzle 200 are concentrically disposed around the longitudinal axis of the adapter nozzle 200, each passageway 236 comprising a beverage influent, arcuate slot 240.
  • the conventional beverage seal at the end of the liquid valve seat retainer is disposed reciprocally in the beverage reservoir 228 and is selectively closed upon and lifted from the influent slots 240 to respectively stop and accommodate beverage flow through the passageways 236.
  • Each of the three passageways 236 comprise two successive passageway segments, a first passageway segment 242 which is downwardly and outwardly arcuately configurated at a first predetermined angle in respect to the longitudinal axis of the adapter nozzle 200, and a second passageway segment 244, disposed at a sharper angle in respect to the axis of the adapter nozzle 200.
  • the two passageway segments 242 and 244 of each passageway 236 merge at an elbow site 250.
  • a second beverage reservoir diagonal surface 252 Opposite the diagonal wall 232 and disposed interior thereof is a second beverage reservoir diagonal surface 252. Diagonal surface 252 extends downwardly and outwardly and intersects each of the three beverage flow slots 236 at edge 254.
  • Wall surface 252 intersects, at inside annular corner 256, a vertically-directed wall 258.
  • Wall 258 comprises an outside vertically-directed, slightly tapered surface 260 which merges with tapered surface 252 along inside corner 256.
  • Surface 260 merges with a radially-directed top central wall 262, which comprises top surface 264, annular edge surface 266, defining a central aperture therethrough and lower surface 268.
  • Surface 268 merges with vertically-directed annular surface 272 at inside corner 270.
  • Surface 272 merges at corner 274 with transverse planar surface 276, which in turn at outside corner 278 merges with vertically-directed annular edge surface 280.
  • the aligned apertures formed by edge surface 266 and 280 snugly receive in reciprocal relation a conventional Meyers' valve stem to which the liquid valve seat retainer is connected at the distal end thereof.
  • Edge 280 merges with undersurface 282 at outside corner 284.
  • Surface 282 merges with vertically-directed cylindrical surface 284' at inside corner 286.
  • Annular or cylindrical surface 284 merges with radially-directed interior surface 288 at outside corner 290.
  • Radial surface 288 merges at annular inside corner 292 with interior surface 294.
  • Surface 294 extends downwardly and outwardly in an arcuate configuration and terminates in a lower annular edge 296.
  • a recess 298 which comprises an arched top 300, a gas snifter port 302 and a snifter passageway 304 by which snifted gas flows between the port 302 and the top interior portion of the can 40, after filling.
  • a snifter passageway extends between the interior port 302 and a second port 306, located along surface 220 to accommodate flow of snifter gas between ports 306 and 302.
  • the gasket 221 fits upon surface 220 so that snifter aperture 223 thereof is aligned with the snifter port 306. Gasket 221 prevents loss of pressurized gas.
  • a conventional metal snifter gas tube of the Meyers fill valve fits into the top of the aperture 223.
  • snifter gas flows selectively from passageway 304 through recess 298, port 302, port 306, aperture 223 into the Meyers snifter tube and the can 40.
  • Notch 304, recess 298 and hollow 294 as well as the apertures form by edges 280 and 266 accommodate evacuation from the top of the can 40 during filling.
  • Downwardly and outwardly tapered surface 294 merges, at bottom corner or edge 296, with a radially-directed annular flat base surface 310, at which each beverage effluent slot 244 opens.
  • the directions of passageway segments 244 and locations of the slots 244 insure that beverage flow from the adapter nozzle 200 strikes the inside surface of the can 40 near the top thereof so that foaming of the beverage is within tolerable limits.
  • Base surface 310 merges with vertically-directed, annular surface 312 at annular outside corner 314.
  • Diagonal surface 316 merges with vertically-directed, annular surface 320 at inside corner 322.
  • Annular surface 320 merges with diagonal surface 324 at inside corner 321.
  • Diagonal surface 324 in turn, merges, at outside corner 328, with vertically-directed, outside annular surface 330.
  • Surface 330 merges at inside corner 332 with radially-directed, annular surface 334.
  • Threaded surface 340 accommodates threaded connection to the conventional can guide sleeve of the Meyers fill valve.
  • Surface 340 is interrupted by a groove 341 in which an O-ring seal 343 is located. O-ring 343 seals against the Meyers conventional guide sleeve.
  • the top surface of the groove 341 is an extension of the bottom surface 206 of the flange 202.
  • a can seal 345 similar to seal 154 (Fig. 5) is mounted in sealing relation upon some of the exterior surfaces of the adapter nozzle 200, i.e., surfaces 320, 324, 330 and 334, whereby the top opening 44 at top flange 42 of can 40 (Fig. 2), is engaged by the can seal located on the exterior of the adapter nozzle 200 so that the edge of the can is sealed against inadvertent loss of pressurized gas and/or beverage during the filling process.
  • Can seal 345 is shown in dotted lines in Figure 9.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)
  • Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)

Claims (25)

  1. Un procédé de modification d'une soupape de remplissage existante (10) d'une machine de mise en boíte de boissons, destinée au remplissage de boítes ayant un diamètre de corps prédéterminé et une ouverture supérieure dimensionnée pour recevoir intérieurement une structure de buse distale existante (26) de la soupape de remplissage (10), pour adapter la machine au remplissage de boítes (40) ayant le diamètre de corps prédéterminé mais une ouverture supérieure de taille réduite incapable de recevoir la structure de buse existante (26) de la soupape de remplissage (10), ce procédé étant caractérisé par les étapes de : retrait de la soupape de remplissage (10) d'une partie distale (22, 26) de celle-ci qui définit une partie aval (28) d'une série de passages distributeurs de boisson dirigés vers l'extérieur et qui comprend la structure de buse existante (26) ; maintien d'une partie proximale (10') de la soupape de remplissage (10) qui définit une partie amont (50) de ladite série de passages distributeurs de boisson ; fixation distale sur la partie proximale conservée (10') de la soupape de remplissage (10) d'une buse d'adaptation (60 ou 200) qui a une partie distale (112, 116, 120 ou 310, 312, 316, 320) d'une taille pour être reçue dans une boíte (40) ayant l'ouverture supérieure de taille réduite et qui définit une pluralité de passages distributeurs de boisson dirigés vers l'extérieur (102, 104 ou 236) et agencés sélectivement pour communiquer avec la partie amont (50) de la série de passages distributeurs de boisson dans la partie proximale (10') de la soupape de remplissage (10) ; et formation d'une étanchéité (78, 80 ou 215', 221) entre la partie proximale (10') de la soupape de remplissage et la buse d'adaptation (60 ou 200).
  2. Un procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'étape de retrait comprend l'usinage de la partie distale (22, 26) de la soupape de remplissage (10) sur la partie proximale (10').
  3. Un procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'étape de retrait comprend le détachement de la structure de buse existante (26) de la partie proximale (10').
  4. Un procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, comprenant l'étape d'interposition d'au moins une étanchéité (78 ou 80) entre la partie proximale (10') de la soupape de remplissage (10) et la buse d'adaptation (60) attachée de façon distale.
  5. Un procédé selon la revendication 4, dans lequel une interface existe entre la partie proximale (10') de la soupape de remplissage (10) et la buse d'adaptation (60) attachée distalement et dans lequel l'opération d'étanchéité comprend le placement d'au moins deux joints d'étanchéité annulaires (78, 80) à l'interface entre la partie proximale (10') et la buse d'adaptation (60) en dehors de l'alignement avec les passages distributeurs de boisson (50, 102).
  6. Un procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'étape de fixation comprend la connexion de la partie proximale (10') de la valve de remplissage (10) et de la buse d'adaptation (60) au moyen d'organes de fixation (70).
  7. Un procédé d'utilisation d'une machine existante de mise en boíte de boissons pour remplir des boítes (40) ayant un diamètre de corps prédéterminé mais ayant une ouverture supérieure de taille réduite qui est incapable de recevoir une structure de buse (26) d'une valve de remplissage existante (10) de la machine, comprenant les étapes de : détachement de la soupape de remplissage existante (10) de la machine ; modification de la soupape de remplissage (10) par un procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6 ; refixation de la soupape de remplissage modifiée sur la machine ; placement de la buse d'adaptation distale (60 ou 200) à travers l'ouverture supérieure de l'une des boítes (40) ayant une ouverture supérieure de taille réduite ; distribution de boisson par ladite machine au moyen des passages distributeurs de boisson (50) de la partie proximale (10') à la buse d'adaptation de distribution de boisson (60 ou 200) ; déplacement de la boisson vers l'extérieur et vers le bas par les passages (104 ou 236) de distribution de boisson de la buse d'adaptation (60 ou 200) de sorte que la boisson sort des passages (104 ou 236) de façon inclinée contre une surface intérieure d'un côté de la boíte (40).
  8. Un procédé selon la revendication 7, dans lequel la boisson sort des passages de distribution de boisson (104 ou 236) de la buse d'adaptation (60 ou 200) sous forme d'une pluralité de jets relativement larges et minces.
  9. Un procédé selon la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce que les passages de distribution de boisson (102, 104 ou 236) de la buse d'adaptation (60 ou 200) délivrent trois courants effluents de boisson.
  10. Un procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 7 à 9, comprenant l'étape de délivrer du gaz sous pression à l'intérieur de la boíte (40) par la buse d'adaptation (60 ou 200) via un passage de débit de gaz (94 ou 304) avant de faire couler la boisson par la buse d'adaptation (60) dans la boíte (40), suivie par l'évacuation progressive du gaz pressurisé de l'intérieur de la boíte quand la boisson est progressivement délivrée à l'intérieur de la boíte (40).
  11. Un procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 7 à 10, comprenant l'étape d'étanchéification d'un rebord (42) de l'ouverture supérieure de la boíte (40) par application d'une étanchéité de distribution en élastomère (154 ou 345) portée de façon superposée par la buse d'adaptation (60 ou 200), contre le rebord (42) avant la délivrance de boisson.
  12. Une buse d'adaptation (60 ou 200) pour modifier une soupape de remplissage existante (10) d'une machine de mise en boíte de boissons pour adapter la machine au remplissage de boítes (40) ayant le même diamètre de corps prédéterminé que les boítes avec lesquelles la machine est destinée à être utilisée, mais ayant une ouverture supérieure de taille réduite incapable de recevoir une structure de buse existante (26) de la soupape de remplissage (10), cette buse d'adaptation (60 ou 200) étant caractérisée par : une partie de buse distale (112, 116, 120 ou 310, 316, 320) qui est d'une taille pouvant être reçue dans une boíte (40) ayant l'ouverture supérieure de taille réduite ; une structure de fixation (62, 70, 72 ou 209) pour attacher la buse d'adaptation (60 ou 200) à une partie proximale conservée (10') de la soupape de remplissage (10) après retrait d'une partie distale (22, 26) de la soupape de remplissage (10), la partie proximale conservée (10') définissant une partie amont (50) d'une série de passages distributeurs de boisson orientés vers l'extérieur, la partie distale retirée (22, 26) définissant une partie aval (28) de ladite série de passages distributeurs de boisson et comprenant la structure de buse existante (26) ; une étanchéité de buse d'adaptation (78, 80 ou 215', 221) pour engager de façon étanche la partie proximale (10') de la soupape de remplissage (10) afin de former une étanchéité entre la partie proximale (10') et la buse d'adaptation (60 ou 200) ; et une pluralité de passages distributeurs de boisson dirigés vers l'extérieur (102, 104 ou 236) pour une communication sélective avec la partie amont (50) de la série de passages distributeurs de boisson dans la partie proximale (10') de la soupape de remplissage (10).
  13. Une buse d'adaptation selon la revendication 12, dans laquelle les passages distributeurs de boisson (102, 104 ou 236) de la buse d'adaptation (60 ou 200) comprennent des passages larges et minces (102, 104 ou 236), chaque passage (102, 104 ou 236) comprenant un orifice d'arrivée de boisson (100 ou 240) et un orifice de sortie de boisson (110 ou 244) par lequel la boisson qui en sort est dirigée pour frapper de façon inclinée un côté interne de la boíte (40) en jets relativement larges et minces.
  14. Une buse d'adaptation selon la revendication 13, comprenant un filtre (90) disposé sur les orifices d'entrée (100) des passages distributeurs de boisson (102, 104).
  15. Une buse d'adaptation selon la revendication 12 ou 13, comprenant une structure (94 ou 223, 306, 302, 298, 304) de réception d'un courant de gaz, par laquelle du gaz sous pression est introduit par l'ouverture supérieure de taille réduite dans la boíte (40) avant l'écoulement de la boisson et est progressivement retiré pendant l'écoulement progressif de la boisson.
  16. Une buse d'adaptation selon la revendication 15, dans laquelle la structure de réception de courant de gaz comprend un orifice traversant (94) destiné à communiquer avec l'intérieur de la boíte (40) par une extrémité de l'orifice traversant et avec un passage de gaz (54) de la partie proximale (10') à l'autre extrémité (92) de l'orifice traversant.
  17. Une buse d'adaptation selon l'une quelconque des revendications 12 à 16, dans laquelle la structure de fixation (62, 70, 72) comprend un rebord (62).
  18. Une buse d'adaptation selon l'une quelconque des revendications 12 à 17, dans laquelle la buse d'adaptation (60 ou 200) comprend une pièce d'un seul tenant.
  19. Une buse d'adaptation selon l'une quelconque des revendications 12 à 18, comprenant une structure (120, 124, 126 ou 320, 324, 330, 334) de réception d'une étanchéité de distribution (154) en superposition sur la buse d'adaptation (60 ou 200) pour engager une boíte (40) sur le rebord (42) entourant l'ouverture supérieure de taille réduite.
  20. Une buse d'adaptation selon l'une quelconque des revendications 12 à 19, dans laquelle l'étanchéité de buse d'adaptation comprend au moins un joint annulaire (78 ou 80 ou 215').
  21. Une buse d'adaptation selon la revendication 20, dans laquelle l'étanchéité de buse d'adaptation comprend au moins deux joints annulaires (78 et 80).
  22. Une buse d'adaptation selon l'une quelconque des revendications 12 à 21, dans laquelle chaque passage (102, 104 ou 236) a une forme en section transversale d'un segment d'arc.
  23. Une buse d'adaptation selon la revendication 22, dans laquelle les passages (102, 104 ou 236) sont constitués par trois segments incurvés disposés le long d'un rayon commun et qui sont destinés collectivement à recevoir de la boisson des passages distributeurs de boisson (50) de la partie proximale (10').
  24. Une buse d'adaptation selon l'une quelconque des revendications 12 à 23, dans laquelle chacun des passages distributeurs de boisson (102, 104 ou 236) comprend des premier et second angles successifs distincts d'écoulement.
  25. Une buse d'adaptation selon l'une quelconque des revendications 12 à 24, dont le centre (63 ou 294) est creux.
EP92913466A 1990-10-24 1992-06-12 Adaptateur de soupape de remplissage et procedes associes Expired - Lifetime EP0644846B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT92913466T ATE183720T1 (de) 1992-06-12 1992-06-12 Füllventiladapter und verfahren

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US07/602,574 US5141035A (en) 1990-10-24 1990-10-24 Fill valve adapter and methods
CA002135750A CA2135750C (fr) 1990-10-24 1992-06-12 Adaptateur pour robinet de remplissage et methode pour son utilisation
PCT/US1992/004924 WO1993025437A1 (fr) 1990-10-24 1992-06-12 Adaptateur de soupape de remplissage et procedes associes

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0644846A1 EP0644846A1 (fr) 1995-03-29
EP0644846A4 EP0644846A4 (fr) 1996-03-13
EP0644846B1 true EP0644846B1 (fr) 1999-08-25

Family

ID=27169893

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP92913466A Expired - Lifetime EP0644846B1 (fr) 1990-10-24 1992-06-12 Adaptateur de soupape de remplissage et procedes associes

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0644846B1 (fr)
WO (1) WO1993025437A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BR112012009469A2 (pt) * 2009-10-23 2016-04-26 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance cabeça de bocal para encher um líquido em uma embalagem, e, máquina de enchimento

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1288935B (de) * 1960-01-12 1969-02-06 Meyer Geo J Mfg Co Fuellorgan an einem Gegendruckfueller fuer Buechsen
US3289712A (en) * 1964-02-04 1966-12-06 Chemetron Corp Receptacle filling machines
DE2123866C3 (de) * 1971-05-10 1980-06-19 Holstein Und Kappert Gmbh, 4600 Dortmund Fullelement einer Füllmaschine fur Gefäße
US4253505A (en) * 1980-05-22 1981-03-03 Jos. Schlitz Brewing Company Valve control construction for a filling machine
US4387748A (en) * 1981-10-29 1983-06-14 White Hugh L Can filling nozzle head
US4750533A (en) * 1981-11-27 1988-06-14 Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc. Filling valve for counterpressure filling of cans
DE3245943C2 (de) * 1982-12-11 1986-03-20 Bremerland Molkerei eG, 2800 Bremen Auslaßventil zur schaumarmen Abgabe loser Frischmilch in abgemessenen Mengen an den Verbraucher
IT1221884B (it) * 1985-04-29 1990-07-12 Simonazzi Spa A & L Riempitore con rubinetto intercambiabile per lattine di differente diametro
GB8809940D0 (en) * 1988-04-27 1988-06-02 Mclennon J L Ltd Apparatus for packaging
US5141035A (en) * 1990-10-24 1992-08-25 Servi-Tech, Inc. Fill valve adapter and methods

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0644846A1 (fr) 1995-03-29
EP0644846A4 (fr) 1996-03-13
WO1993025437A1 (fr) 1993-12-23

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