GB1134406A - Improvements relating to apparatus for filling bottles or other containers - Google Patents

Abstract

1,134,406. Bottling. ALBRO FILLERS & ENG. CO. Ltd. 29 June, 1966 [29 June, 1965], No. 27509/65. Heading B8T. Apparatus for delivering measured quantities of liquid to bottles B comprises several filling heads 1 mounted for rotation in a circular path above a bottle turn-table 2. Each head 1 has a vacuum chamber 5 connected, in the form shown, to a vacuum reservoir 7 and to a liquid reservoir 9, so that when the chamber 5 is evacuated, liquid is drawn up through a pipe 8 to fill the chamber 5 and an open-topped measuring chamber 12 extending upwardly into the chamber 5, and to reach the level of the vacuum reservoir 7. At a predetermined position in the rotation of the head 1 a valve 15 is opened by a cam, reducing the degree of vacuum in the chamber 5, and causing the liquid therein, and in the vacuum reservoir 7, to flow back into the liquid reservoir 9. The measuring chamber 12, however, remains brim-full. Bottles B are fed on to the turntable 2, and beneath each head 1 a lifting cylinder 3 is provided to raise the bottle into contact with a nozzle 4, thereby pressing against a spring and causing a supply valve 13 to open. A measured quantity of liquid is then delivered, and on subsequent lowering of the bottle B the valve 13 is reclosed and the cycle is repeated. As shown the measured quantity is determined by the position of the top of a measuring tube 14 connected to the nozzle 4, relative to the upper rim of the measuring chamber 12. The length of the tube 14 may be adjustable, or the tube may be replaceable by tubes of varying lengths to vary the measured quantity. Alternatively a displacement piece (21), Fig. 3 (not shown), may be inserted within the measuring chamber (12), adjusting the total volume of the chamber (12) to the required value. In this case liquid enters the measuring chamber by an annular space between the chamber wall and the displacement piece (21), and air is displaced through a central bore (22) in the displacement piece (21), to be drawn away by the vacuum system. The vacuum reservoir may be dispensed with, in which ease a rotating valve (16) is provided, alternately connecting the chamber (5) to a vacuum source or to atmospheric pressure, as required by the filling cycle. The vacuum produced in the chamber (5) is, in this case, sufficient only to draw the liquid from the reservoir (9) up to the level of a sight-tube (20).