GB493170A - Method and apparatus for preparing bottles and like containers for filling - Google Patents

Abstract

493,170. Preparing bottles &c. for filling. ENZINGER - UNION - WERKE AKT.-GES. Oct. 19, 1937, Nos. 28485, 28486, and 28487. Convention dates, Oct. 19, 1936, Dec. 21, 1936, and March 8, 1937. [Class 125 (ii)] In filling bottles &c. with beer or other liquids impregnated with carbon dioxide, the bottle, before the actual filling operation, is filled with liquid, preferably sterile or sterilizing, and this is then replaced by an oxygen - free atmosphere ; the preliminary filling liquid may be replaced by carbon dioxide or nitrogen or a mixture of these gases which are preferably sterilized. As shown, the filling and emptying members 6, Fig. 1, comprising a stationary plug 7, Fig. 2, and a rotatable cock body 8, Fig. 2, are carried by the upper part 5 of a central column 4 which is rotated by gearing 2, 3 and the bottle or other container 11 to be filled is carried by a plate 10 and pressed by a spring 12 against a rubber packing 8a on the body 8. The body 8 carries a toothed segment 9 meshing with a toothed segment 15 on an angle lever 14 carrying a roller 13 engaging a stationary cam 16 and during the rotation of the column 4 the bottle is first swung into a position in which a sterile or sterilizing liquid from a reservoir 17 flows through a pipe 18 and ducts 19 in the plug 7 and body 8 into the bottle, the displaced air and overflow liquid after the completion of the filling passing through ducts 20 and pipe 21 to a chamber 22 and by a pipe 23 to a tank 24. Further rotation of the column causes the bottle to be swung upwards and the carbon-dioxide or other gas from a container 28 passes through a pipe 27 to the reservoir 17 and through a pipe 26 and ducts 25 into the bottle, the preliminary filling liquid passing from the bottle through the ducts 20 and pipe 21 into the chamber 22 and so to the tank 24. The bottle now filled solely with the gas returns to its original position and is transferred to the actual filling machine which is connected by a pipe 32 to the gas supply ; a check valve 33 prevents gas or liquid being forced towards the filling machine. The liquid in the tank 24 is returned to the reservoir 17 by a pump 29 through the pipe 30 and filter 31. The bottles may be cooled to the temperature of the beer &c. with which they are to be filled by providing a cooling coil 34 in the tank 24.