US2592846A - Filler valve and actuating mechanism therefor - Google Patents

Description

April 15, 1952 H. D. AYARS 2,592,846

FILLER VALVE AND ACTUATING MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed Sept. 27, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet l 1 INVENTOR E Harry D. 36019 H. D. AYARS April 15, 1952 FILLER VALVE AND ACTUATING MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed Sept. 27, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 2 n mm "d5 4 MW 0 J 6 flw l J 5 Z J 0L H. 0 2 7 5 5 m w. 5% FM. AZ 6 5 6 AAA/J o 2! ITM Jim ATTORNEYS Harry Djqyams 6M,

April 15, 1952 H. D. AYARS FILLER VALVE AND ACTUATING MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed Sept. 27, 1949 3 Sheefcs-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Hafiz] 17. 14562178 A ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 15, 1952 FILLER VALVE AND ACTUATING MECHANISM THEREFOR Harry D. Ayars, Salem, N. J.

Application September 27, 1949, Serial No. 118,148

17 Claims. 1

This invention relates to filler valves and mechanism for actuating such valves. More particularly the invention relates to filler valves and valve actuating mechanism for use in connection with apparatus for filling open top containers.

Heretofore it hasbeen customary or most conventional for container filling machines to be so constructed as to move an empty open top container upwardly into sealing engagement with a relatively fixed filler valve body or adjacent part, then to open the valve to permit the flow of filling material into the container, and then, when the filling has been completed, to lower the container. Such an arrangement imposes marked limitations on the speed with which the machine can be operated, since the vertical movement of the containers results in splashing and spilling of the liquid when the machines are operated at a high speed.

An object of the present invention is to provide a filler valve and associated actuating mechanism of new and improved construction and in the operation of which the valve body or a part in connection with it, such as a sealing ring or head, moves downwardly into contact with the top rim of the container to be filled, andis then moved upwardly after filling, instead of moving the container upwardly and then downwardly, as in the more conventional machines. By eliminating the upwardly and downward movement of the container, the principal cause of spilling is eliminated, and greatly increased speed of operation is made possible.

It has heretofore been proposed broadly, in connection with container filling machines, to provide for the raising and lowering of the valve body instead of the container. Mechanism embodying the present invention differs from those previously proposed by the inclusion of novel constructional features and cooperative arrangements of the parts resulting in the advantages of simplicity of construction, ease with which the valve may be taken apart for cleaning, and

sureness of operation, even at high speeds.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved construction of the kind referred to in which certain of the relatively movable parts are sealed or inter-related to provide liquid-tight connections without the use of very close working fits or packing glands.

A further object or the invention is to provide new and improved mechanism for sequentially moving a filler valve into sealing engagement with a container, and then, with delayed action, open-.- ing the valve, the mechanismpreferably includ- EJI ing a single actuating member operable in a con:

tinuous movement for effecting the desired se quence of operations.

Other objects will become apparent from a reading of the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a vertical, sectional view or a filler valve assembly and actuating mechanism therefor embodying the invention, shown in connection with portions of a conventional support and filler tank or reservoir, the valve and. actuating parts being shown in the positions normally. occupied before a filling operation has begun; U

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing the parts in the positions occupied when the'filler valve assembly and a container are in contacting relation-but prior to operation of the valve for admitting fiowable filling material from thetank.

into the container;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, but showing the valve open for admitting filling material from the tank to the container;

Figure 4 is an elevational view of the parts" shown in normal positions;

Figure 5 is a detail, sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a horizontal; sectional .view on the line 6-6 of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a horizontal, sectional view on theline l--'! of Figure 4; V

Figure 8 is a fragmentary developed view of a cam; and

Figure 9 is a detail plan view of a detachablespring clip or blade for holding certain parts-in operative relation.

Filler valve constructions and actuating 'mechanism embodying the invention may be used'in connection" with filling machines of various kinds which may be conventional except for the valveand actuating means, a representative embodiment of which is disclosed in the accompanying drawings. The valve and actuating mechanism are shown as being carried on the bottom of a toroidal reservoir or tank A positioned above a. support B for holding a' container 0 about ,to be' filled. The tank A, support .3, and filler valve D may turn around a central column, not shown... in the manner of a turret. If desired, a plurality of filler valves D may be deployed around the tank to provide a plurality of filling stations. Such turretarrangements are generally known in the art, and no detailed illustration of the condrawings is believed to be necessary.

The present invention resides more particularly in the construction of the filler valve itself, and the associated means for actuating the valve. In the form shown, the reservoir or tank A is formed with a bottom opening l which is counterbored to provide a shoulder 2. Mounted for vertical movement in the opening I is a filler valve body generally designated 3. In accordance with the invention, movement. of the valve body '3 within the opening I and with respect to the tank A and support B, while still maintaining the opening I sealed, is achieved without the use of close sliding fits or packing glands. Instead, a flexible diaphragm or wall 4, which may be of rubber or other suitable plastic or flexible material, is arranged to span the opening between the valve body 3 and the wall of the opening, and is secured in sealed relation with the body 3 and the wall of the opening. To this end, the marginal part of the flexible wall 4 overlies the shoulder 2 and is held in place by-a spider 5, which is formed with a ring base 6 having a rib or ridge 1 pressed down into the margin of the wall 4 for forming an effectively sealed fluid-tight joint. Preferably, the spider is arranged to be clamped down tightly but to be easily detachable, and in the form shown this is accomplished by a plurality of C clamps 8 and securing screws 9, one of each of which'is shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3. The spider 5 also comprises spaced arms 19 which terminate at their upper ends in a fixed guide part axially aligned with the valve body 3.

The inner edge portion'of the flexible wall 4 is fitted over the upper end of a valve body proper |2, which is threaded as at I3 and is formed with a shoulder l4 supporting a ring l5 formed with a rib or ridge l6 positioned to press into the flexible wall 4. A washer ll, surrounding the threaded part l3 of the valve body proper I2, is clamped down against the'top of the wall 4 by an upper end cap i8 which is screwed on the threaded part i 3. The end cap i8 is formed integrally with a guide part 19 which extends through the guide part ll on the spider Ill.

The lower end of the valve body proper I2 is threaded at 2|! to receive a lower end cap 2| which has an inwardly extending bottom flange or wall 22 defining a discharge port 23, the circular outer wall 24 of which is flared downwardly and outwardly. A deflector disc 25 is positioned on the top of the flange or wall 22, and is formed with a downwardly projecting central part 26 having an outwardly and downwardly flared peripheral wall 21 disposed concentrically with respect to the wall 24, the arrangement being such that filling liquid flowing down through the space between the walls 24 and 21 is deflected or spread outwardly and downwardly.

.Interposed between the valve body proper l2 and the deflector disc 25 is a cylindrical insert 28, the top of which is formed with a combined lower guide and spring seat 29. When the end cap 2l'is screwed on .the threaded lower end of the valve body proper I2, the insert 28 and deflector disc are clamped tightly in fixed position so as to provide a complete valve body assembly comprising the upper'end cap i8, valve body proper l2, insert 28, deflector disc 25, and lower end cap 2 I.

-A hollowvalve stem 30 is mounted to slide in the lower guide part 29, and extends'upwardly through a sleeve 3| which is slidable in the guide part l9 on the top end cap i8. Attachedtothe lower end of the stem 39 is a metal valve disc 32 provided with rubber or other suitable facing 33. The valve element 3233 is normally held down by a compression spring 34 interposed between the disc 32 and the spring seat 29. Thus, the valv element comprising the disc 32 and facing 33 normally closes the discharge port in the valve body, the arrangement being such, however, that the spring 34 can yield to permit the valve element 32-33 to be raised by actuating mechanism described later, so as to open the discharge port. Raising of the valve stem 39 and valve element is accomplished by raising the sleeve 3|, which is operatively connected to the stem 39 by a detachable device arranged to be easily accessible exteriorly of the valve structure. In the form shown, the detachable connection device comprises a circumferential groove 35 in the stem 39 and a spring clip or blade 38, which is bifurcated as shown in Figure 9 so as to fit with a snap action in the groove 35, and thus provide an abutment on the stem 39 against whichthe top of the sleeve 3| presses.

When a-container is to be filled, the entire valve construction including the body 3 is moved downwardly so as to be in sealed contact with the open upper end of the container. In the construction shown, the valvebody 3 is equipped with a sealing ring, generally designated 31, including a disc 38 secured to a split clamping ring 39 by screws 49. The clamping ring 39 surrounds the lower end cap 2| and is adapted to be adjusted vertically with respect to the end cap for varying the extent to which the end cap extends into a container, and thus controlling the volume of liquid deposited in the container. The clamping ring may be held in adjusted position by tightening a clamping screw 4|. A layer 42 of cushioning material such as Celltite cushion rubber or the like is cemented or other wise secured to the bottom of the disc 38, and is faced with a conventional sealing gasket 43. When the valve body 3 is moved downwardly, the sealing gasket 43 engages and seals th top rim of the container C, thus preparing for the filling of the container with liquid by raising of thevalve element 32-33 by mechanism now to be described.

In accordance with the invention, the mechanism for lowering the valve body 3 into sealed engagement with the container 0, and for opening the filler valve is of a new and advantageous construction by means of which the valve body 3 is moved downwardly into engagement with the container and then, with delayed action, the valve element 32-43 is raised. Preferably, the construction is such that the valve body 3 is lowered, and the valve element 32-33 is raised with delayed action by the operation of a common or single actuating means. In the illustrative mechanism, a bracket 44 is secured by screws 45 to the bottom of the tank A. An actuating lever 46 is pivoted at 4! on the bracket 44, and is pro vided at its inner end with a cam follower roller 8 cooperable with the cam track E. The outer end of the lever 55 is forked to provide bifurcations or parts 49 and 55 spaced vertically with respect to each other. Also. pivoted on the bracket 44 asat5'i is a valve body operating lever 52 comprising two arms 53-53 and a connecting part or strap 54. The arms 5353 extend alongside opposite sides of thevalve body 3,

tively, and formed with slots 59 for engagin reduced ends 56a on the pins 56 to maintain the arms 53 and pins 56 against accidental disconnection.

For transmitting motion from the lever 46 to the valve body operating lever 52 to move the valve body 3 downwardly, a spring 66 is interposed between the upper part 49 of the lever 46 and the strap 54 of the lever 52. Thus, when the lever 46 is rocked clockwise as viewed in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, the bifurcation 49 of the lever 46 pushes downwardly through the spring 66 to move the strap 54 of the lever 52 downwardly, and thereby rock the lever 52 clockwise so as to lower the valve body 3 and bring the sealing gasket 43 into engagement with the top of the container C. When such sealing engagement has been established firmly, continued rocking of the lever 46 will be absorbed, so to speak, by yielding of the spring 66 while the lever 52 remains stationary.

When the lever 46 is returned, that is, rocked counterclockwise to relieve the pressure on the spring 66, the resiliency of the flexible wall 4 will tend to raise the valve body 3. However, to insure positive raising of the valve body completely to its normal position, the lower bifurcation or part 56 of the lever 46 is arranged to push upwardly against the strap 54 so as positively to rock the valve body operating lever 52 and lift the valve body 3. Preferably, the bifurcation 56 is equipped with a contact screw 6| adapted to be adjusted so as to determine the timing and amount of positive lifting movement transmitted to the valve body 3.

Mechanism preferably operated by the actuating lever 46 previously referred to is provided for operating the valve element 32-33 with a delayed action, following movement of the valve body 3 into sealed engagement with the container C. In the form shown, the valve body proper I2 is provided with a side opening 62 which is covered by a flexible closure in the form of a diaphragm or plate 63, which may be of rubber or other suitable plastic or flexible material. The closure 63 is secured in sealed relation to the body proper l2 by a metal ring 64 and screws 65. The closure 63 is apertured centrally to receive a valve element operating lever 66, which projects from outside the valve assembly to the interior of the valve body. The lever 66 is formed with a flange 61, and is provided with a collar 68 threaded on the left end of the lever so as to draw the flange 61 and collar 68 into clamping engagement with opposite faces of the closure 63, thereby sealing the aperture therein against the escape of fluid. The collar 68 is provided with an offset end part 69 which extends below the upper bifurcation or part 49 of the actuating lever 46, being normally in spaced relation to the part 49, but in its operating path. The end of the lever 66 which projects into the valve body is bifurcated and forked as at 16 so as to provide rounded portions underlying and being in engagement with the bottom end of the sleeve 3|.

When the actuating lever 46 is rocked clockwise, it first moves with lost motion with respect to the valve element operating lever 66 until the bifurcation 49 of the lever 46 engages the offset end part 69 of the lever 66. Thereafter, further rocking of the lever 46 rocks the lever 66 about its point of connection to the closure 63 as a fulcrum, causing the bifurcations 16 to press upwardly against and raise the sleeve 3|, which in turn presses against the spring blade 36 and raises the valve stem 36 and valve element 32-33. r

In a normal cycle of operation, the parts will be initially in the positions shown in Figure 1, in which the valve body 3 is spaced above the container C and the valve element 32-33 is closed. Movement of the tank A and support B about the central column, or any other machine operation eifective for rocking the lever 46, will cause the lever 46 to be moved to the po-. sition shown in Figure 2. During this movement, the lever 46, acting through the motiontransmitting spring 66, will rock the valve body operating lever 52 in the manner previously described, so as ,to move the valve body 3 downwardly, and bring the sealing gasket 43 into sealed contact'with the upper end of the container C. Since the container C will block the valve body l2 against further downward movement, continued rocking of the actuating lever 46 will be in the positions shown in Figure 2, with the upper bifurcation 49 of the lever 46 just having made contact with the adjacent end of the valve element operating lever 66.

Continued rocking of the lever 46 will rock the lever 66, as is permitted by flexing of the closure 63, causing the bifurcation 16 of the lever 66 to raise the sleeve 3| and valve stem 36 in the manner previously described until the parts have reached the positions shown in Figure 3, whereinthe bottom discharge port is uncovered by the lifted valve element 32-33. Fluid in the tank A will then how downwardly through the open upper end of the valve body 3 and the discharge port, and will be deflected outwardly by the walls 24 and 21 so as to fiow toward the outside of the container C. Air displaced from the container by the infiowing liquid will escape through the bore H of the stem 36, either to the atmosphere When the container has been filled, the actuating lever 46 will rock counterclockwise so as first to permit the lever 66 and associated sleeve 3|, valve stem 36, and valve element 32-33 to be returned to their normal or closed positions. Thereafter, the valve body 3 will be raised by the resiliency of the flexible wall 4 and by the action of the lower bifurcation 56 on the valve,

body operating lever 52.

It will be observed that the lever 46 operates as a common actuating means for the valve body 3 and the valve element 32-33, the actuating mechanism being so timed that the operating effort supplied by the single part 46 first moves the valve body 3 into sealed relation with the container C, and then, with delayed action, opens the valve element 32-33. Because the lever 66 is fulcrumed at a point farther from its and by taking off the end cap 2| or sealing rin 31, the valve assembly may be removed from the tank A without difl'iculty. If it is desired to clean the interior of the valve assembly, it is necessary only to unscrew the end caps l8 and 2| to enable all of the parts to be disassembled, I

The construction shown embodies the inven: tion in a preferred form, but it intended; that bottom with an opening extending vertically therethrough; a horizontal support for holding a con'tainer under said opening; means main-- taining said support against vertical movement;

a filler valve body guidedfor vertical movements perpendicular to said support and in alignment with a container on said support; means providinga horizontal sealing face on the bottom of said "valve body; a flexible wall secured respectively to the reservoir bottom at the'walls of-said' opening and tosaid valve body so as to seal'the opening between the walls thereof and said valve body'and so "as to mount said body for vertical movement relative to said reservoir bottom from a normal position out of engagement with the container downwardly into sealing engagement the "container; a valve element carried by and movably mounted in said valve body for con-- trolling the flow of material from said reservoir through said valve body and thence into said container; and means for first moving said valve body from normal position into sealing engagement with the container and then moving said valve element relatively both to said reservoir and to said valve body for opening the valve.

' -2. In a container filling machine, a reservoir for fio'wable "filling material having a horizontal bottom with an opening extending vertically therethrough; a horizontal support for holding a container under said opening; means maintaining said support against vertical movement; a filler valve body guided for vertical movements perpendicular to said support and in alignment with'a container on said support; means providing a horizontal sealing face on the bottom of said valve body; a flexible wall secured respectively to thereservoir bottom at the walls of said opening and to said valve body so as to seal the opening between the walls thereof and said valve body and so as to mount said body for vertical movement relative to said reservoir bottom from a normal position out of engagement with the container downwardly into sealing engagement with the container; a valve element carried by and movably mounted in said valve body for controlling the how of material from said reservoir through said valve body and thence into said container; and means for first moving said valve body from normal position into scaling engagement with the container and then moving said valve element to open position comprising a common actuating member, a yieldable motiontransmitting connection between said actuating member and said valve body, and a delayed action motion-transmitting connection between said actuating member and said valve element.

3.111 a container filling machine, a reservoir for flowable filling material having a horizontal bottom with an opening extending vertically therethrough; a horizontal support for holding a container under said opening; means mainbody in sealed relation thereof, horizontally spanning the space between said valve body=and the wall of said opening, and being secured to said wall in sealed relation thereto, said diaphragm mounting said body for vertical movement relative to said reservoir bottom from a normal position out of engagement with the container downwardly into sealing engagement with the container; a valve element carried by and movably mounted in said valve body for controlling the flow of material from said reservoir through said valve body and thence into said container; and means for first movingsaid valve body from normal position ,int'o sealing engagementwith the container and then moving saidvalve element to open position comprising a. com mon actuating member, a yieldable motiontransinitting connection between said actuating member and said valve body, and a delayed action motion transmitting connection between said actuating member and said valve element.

LA construction as set forth in claim 3 in which means for guiding the valve body comprises a movable vertically extending guide part onsaid valve body and a guide part having a base removably secured to the reservoir bottom and being positioned on said diaphragm and clamping the-latter against the reservoir bottom in sealed relation thereto.

5. In a container filling machine, a supportfor a container to be filled; a filler valve body; means mounting said valve body above said support formovement from a normal position out of engagement with a container on the support downwardly into sealing engagement with the container; a valve element carried by and movably mounted in said valve body; and means for first moving said valve body from normal position into sealing engagement with the container and then moving said valve element to open position comprising a common actuating member, and mutually independent connecting means respectively between said common actuating member and said valve body and between said common actuating'member and said valve element, said connecting means including a yieldable motiontransmitting spring between said actuating member and said valve body, and a lost/ motion 0p= era-ting connection between said actuating member andsaid valve element.

6. In a container filling machine, a support for a container to be filled; a filler valve body; means mounting said valve body above said s'up port for movement from a normal position out of engagement with a container on the support downwardlyinto' sealing engagement with the container; a valve element carried by and movably mounted in said valve body; and means for first moving said valve body from normal position into sealing engagement with the container and then moving said valve element to open position comprising a common actuating lever, a

valve body operating lever, a yieldable motion: transmitting spring connected between said twolevers, and a valve element operating lever having'a part normally in spaced'relation to but in the operating path of a part of said common actuating lever so as to be operable by'said common actuating lever with delayed action after movement of said valve body into engagement with the container.

'7. In a container fillingmachine, a support,

for a container to be filled; a filler valve body;

means mounting said valve body above said support formovementfrom a normaliposition outi ofengage'ment with a container on 'the'supp'ort downwardly into sealing engagement with the container; a valveelement carried by and movably mounted in said valve body; and means for first moving said valve body from normal position into sealing engagement with the container and then moving said valve element to open position comprising a common actuating lever having a bifurcated end, a valve body operatin lever having one of its ends connected to said .valve body and having the other of its ends pro- .iecting between the bifurcations of said actuating lever, a compression spring between one of said bifurcations and said other end of said valve body operating lever for transmitting motion 7,

its ends normally in spaced relation to but in the operating path of said one of said bifurcations so as to be operable by said actuating lever with delayed action after movement of said valve body into engagement with the container.

8. A construction as setforth in claim 7 in which the valve element operating lever is fulcrumed at a point further from the end thereof connected to said valve element than from its other end, whereby quick opening of said valve element is eflected.

9. In a container filling machine, a reservoir for fiowable filling material having a bottom opening; a hollow filler valve body having a port for the passage of filling material from said reservoir to a container to be filled, and having an opening in its wall; a valve element movably mounted in said body for controlling said port; an apertured flexible closure secured to said body in sealing relation thereto and covering said opening; a valve operating member extending through said aperture and being secured to said closure in sealed relation thereto and movable with respect to said body by flexing of said closure, one end of said member projecting into said body for operating said valve element, and the other end of said valve operating member projecting outwardly from said body; and means cooperable with said other end of said member for operating said member and said valve.

10. In a container filling machine, a reservoir for fiowable filling material having a bottom opening; a hollow filler valve body having a port for the passage of filling material from said reservoir to a container to be filled, and having an opening in its wall; a valve element movably mounted in said bodyior controlling said port; an apertured flexible closure secured to said body in sealing relation thereto and covering said opening; a lever extending through said aperture and having rigid, sealed connection to said closure whereby said lever is fulcrumed by said closure and enabled to rock by flexing of said closure, one end of said lever projecting into said body for operating said valve element and the other end of said lever projecting outwardly from said body; and means cooperable with said other end of said lever for rocking said lever and operating said valve.

11. A construction as set forth in claim 9 in which the closure is constituted by a flexible plastic plate, the valve operating member having sealing means clamped respectively against opposite faces of the plate at the opposite'ends of the aperture therein for providing afluidtight connection between the valve operating member and the plate.

12. In a filler valve for container fillingmachines, a hollow valve body having a port for the passage of filling material to a container'to be filled and having an opening. in its wall; a valve element movably mounted in-said body for controlling said port; an apertured flexible closure secured to said body in sealing relation thereto and covering said opening; and avalve operating member extending through said aperture and being secured to said closure 'in'sealed relation thereto and movable withvrespectto said body by flexing of saidclosurabne end o'1 said member projecting into said-bo'dyior operating said valve element, and.;the -other;.,end"of said member projecting outwardly jfrom: said body for cooperation with means for actuating said member and said valve element. 1 V

13. A oonstruction as set forth in claim 12 in which the closure is constituted by a flexible plate, and in which the Valve operating member is constituted by a lever having sealing means clamped respectively against opposite facesgcf the plate at the opposite ends of the aperture therein for providing afluid-tight connection between the lever and the plate. 1

14. In a container filling machine, a reservoir for fiowable filling material having a bottom opening; a support for holding a container under said opening; a filler valve body havinganopening and being guided for vertical movements in alignment with a containenon said support; a

flexible wall secured respectively to the reservoir bottom at the walls of said opening and to said valve body so as to seal the opening between the walls thereof and said valve body and so as to mount said body for vertical movement from a normal position out of engagement with the container downwardly into sealing engagement with the container; a valve element carried by and movably mounted in sad valve body for controlling the fiow of material from said reservoir through said valve body and thence into said container; an apertured flexible closure secured to said body in sealing relation thereto and covering said opening; a valve operating member extending through said aperture and being secured to said closure in sealed relation thereto and movable with respect to said body by flexing of said closure, one end of said member projecting into said body for operating said valve element, and the other end of said valve operating member projecting outwardly from said body; and means for first moving said valve body from normal position into sealing engagement with the container and then moving said valve element to open position comprising a common actuating member, a yieldable, motion transmitting connection between said actuating member and said valve body, and a delayed action motion transmitting connection between said actuating member and said other end of said valve operating member.

15. In a filler valve assembly for container filling machines, a hollow valve body open at its top and having a bottom discharge port; a valve stem extending from within said valve body upwardly and projecting above the top of said body; a valve element carried by said stem and being cooperable with said port; a spring for urging said stem and valve downwardly to close said port; a guide on the top of said body and through 11 which, said, stem extends; a. sleevesurroundin ai stemusnuelv and. bein received, snu ly and guidedin said guide, the lower end or said sleeve 'xni tting liiting'oi' said sleeve to saidvalvestem iorlifting theiatter and said valve to open said 16. In a filler valve assembly? forcontainer filling-machines, a cylindrical valve body proper;

a-lpwerend cap removably secured to said body proper andhavinga discharge port; a cylindrical insert interposed between the lower end oisaid body proper-and the bottom of said end cap, and havinga lower guide and a spring seatspaced fromthe bottom of said end cap; an upper end cap: removably' secured to said body; an upper guide on said upper end cap; a sleeve slidable in said upper guide; a valve stem slidable in said lowerguideand extending through said sleeve; a valve element carried by said stem and being cooperable with said port; a compression spring interposed between said valve element and said spring seat; means projecting through said body proper-and being operable for raising said sleeve against the urge of said spring; and means above the-top of said sleeve for transmitting raising movement of said sleeve to said stem.

17. In a filler valve assembly for container flllingmaohines, a oylindricalvalve body proper; a lower end cap removably secured to said body proper andnavinga discharge port; a cylindrical i i ertzint tp sed;betw eni h lower end 01 said body proper and, the bottom of said. end can. and having av lower guide and. a spring seat spaced from the-bottom oi-said. end cap; an upper end cap removably secured, to saidbody; anupper guide. on said upper end oap; a sleeveslidable in said upper guide; a valve stem slidable in said lower-guide and extending through and projecting upwardly beyond said sleeve; a valve element carried bysaid stem and being cooperable with said port; a compression spring interposed between said" valve element and said'spring seat; means projecting through said body proper and being operable for raising said sleeve against the urge of said spring; a circumferential roove in said stem above the upper end of saidisleeve, and a bifurcated spring blade-inserted in-said groove and providingan abutment for transmitting raising thrustirom said sleeve to saidstem.

HARRY D. AYARS.

GES CITED The following refereneesare of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,046,715 Arnold Dec. 10, 1912 1,438,483 Garrett Dec. 12, 1922 1,965,246 Meyer July 3, 1934 2,005,471 Pittaluga June 18,1935 2,166,528 Johannes July 18, 1939 2,270,709 7 Pittaluga Jan. 20, 1942 2 356,142 Ayars Aug. 22, 1944

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