US2637478A

US2637478A - Filling machine and valve therefor

Info

Publication number: US2637478A
Application number: US24525A
Authority: US
Inventors: Mcgihon Leonard
Original assignee: King Sales & Engineering Co
Current assignee: King Sales & Engineering Co
Priority date: 1948-05-01
Filing date: 1948-05-01
Publication date: 1953-05-05
Anticipated expiration: 1970-05-05

Description

May 5, 1953 L. M GIHON FILLING MACHINE AND VALVE THEREFOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 1, 1948 W m 6 6 M m N w y 5, 1953 M GIHON 2,637,478

FILLING MACHINE AND VALVE THEREFOR Filed May 1, 1348 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. lap/4:0 Mumv ATTOE/VE) May 5', 1953 M GIHON 2,537,478

FILLING MACHINE AND VALVE THEREFOR Filed May 1, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR. Zia/map fi/mmv BY W 414A ATTOIA/[Y 5, 1953 L. MCGIHON 2,637,478

FILLING MACHINE AND VALVE THEREFOR Filed May 1, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IIIIIHIIIIIII VIII/II ATTOE/VI) Patented May 5, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,637,478 FILLING MACHINE'AND VALVE THEREFOR Leonard McGihon, Oakland, Calif., assignor to King Sales & Engineering 00., San Francisco,

Calif., a corporation of California Application May 1, 1948, Serial No. 24,525

Claims.

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a filling machine embodying the instant invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional plan view of the filling machine taken as indicated by the line 2-2 in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the filling machine taken as indicated by the line 3-3 in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the valve conprecise limits, so that the required amount of oil struction similar to Figure 3 showing the valve will be supplied but no excess amount of this exin its closed and inactive position as in Figpensive ingredient will be used. Also, quantity ure 3.

production requires filling equipment which can Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view through operate accurately in large capacity production the piston portion of the valve member taken as lines and which is easy to adjust for different indicated by the line 55 in Figure 7.

quantities of fill in accordance with the size of Figure 6 is a transverse sectional View through can in which the fish is being packed. the valve member and the valve body taken as v Accordingly, it is a general object of the presindicated by the line 6-6 in Figure 8.

cut invention to provide an improved filling ma- Figure '7 is a vertical sectional view through chine having a valve for discharging measured the valve member taken as indicated by the line quantities of the liquid material and capable of operating at a high production rate.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved filling valve of the foregoing type which is of simple construction and not likely to require servicing.

A further object of the invention is to provide a filling valve which can be easily adapted to vary the quantity of liquid measured thereby so that a'substantial micrometer-type adjustment of the measured amount can be made.

' Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved filling valve of the above type whichcan readily be converted to fill different measured quantities in accordance with the size of can being used in the packing operation.

' Another object of the invention is to provide a filling valve construction which can be easily installed in and removed from the machine.

A further object of theinvention is to provide a filling valve which is adaptable either to fill measured amounts or to fill to a desired head space in the can.

Still another object of the invention is to providea filling valve which attains the foregoing objects and which can be employed in vacuum filling operations.

e Other objects and advantages of the invention willbe apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated which:

inythe accompanylngdrawings, in

'l l in Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a sectional view of a filling valve similar to the section thereof shown in Figure 3 but illustrating the valve position for vacuumizing of the can and its contents.

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8 with the valve shown as positioned to dispense the measured quantity of liquid into the can.

Figure 10 is a horizontal sectional view of the portion of the filling machine taken as indicated by the line Ill-l 0 in Figure 3.

Figure 11 is a sectional plan view of the valve mounting plate taken as indicated by the line Il-l I in Figure 8.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary sectional view of the filling valve showing its adaptation for use in filling to a desired head space.

Referring to Figure 1, there is illustrated a filling machine embodying the instant invention (Figures 1, 2 and 3) including a base or frame casting ID on Which a rotary top or table II is mounted in a conventional manner by means including a central hub 12 journalled about a center post IS. The table l l carries a plurality of substantially rectangular upright bosses M on each of which there is adjustably mounted a can lifter it of conventional construction. The lifter I6 is supported by a pair of shafts I! (Figure 3) which are slidable in a boss 18 in a guide ring IS. The ring I9 is carried by means including a spider frame 2! supported on the'main drivegear 22 which isdriven through a gear box '23 from a suitable source of power. The lifter shafts I! carry a roller 24 engaged with a cam tracl; 25 suitably supported on the main casting [0. The above parts are of generally conventional construction so it is believed that no further detailed description is required.

The upper end of the hub l2 (Figure 3) is threaded to provide a support screw 22a on which the split hub 26 of a bowl 2? is adjustably clamped to determine the height of the bowl with respect to the base. The bowl 2? is formed of suitable sheet metal such as stainless steel and has its inner periphery clamped between a clamping ring 28 and the bottom fiange 29 of a center casting 3| of the bowl. The main bottom plate 32 of the bowl has its inner periphery clamped between the ring 29 and the upper flange 26a. of the hub 23.

A series of filling valves 36 are secured to the bowl 2'! respectively in alignment with the corresponding series of lift plates I6 and are described later in detail. For feeding cans in cooperative relation with the lift plates I6 and the filling valves 36, a conventional feed mechanism is provided including a pair of conveyor chains 31, a feed screw 38 and a star wheel 39, all of conventional construction. Cooperating with the star wheel 39 is an arcuate guide rail 4| for guiding cans about the wheel and onto the lift plates 16. A short arcuate guide rail 42 is provided at the discharge of the star wheel so that cans transferred onto the lift plates [6 are guided into enagement with the U-shaped centering brackets I612 thereon. Correspondingly, after the cans have been filled, a conventional discharge means is provided including a wiper arm 44 and an opposed guide rail 46 mounted above a rotary discharge disk 41. It will be understood, of course, that the feed mechanism is driven in synchronism with the table and the lift plates by a conventional drive indicated generally at 48 in Figures 1 and 2.

Referring to the filling valve, as illustrated in Figures 3 to 8, the valve is made up of a cylinder structure including the various cooperating parts later described which operate together to define the total volume of the measuring chamber and a piston structure which operates within the cylinder structure to control the operation of the valve in so far as the opening and closing thereof the ring 52, the bowl 21, its bottom plate 32 and threaded into the valve body 5|. The body 5| has a lower tubular extension 5lb about which a sleeve 53 is slidably mounted. The sleeve 53 is urged downwardly by a spring 54 so that the lower or valve seat end of the sleeve 53 engages the valve portion 56a of a valve member 56.

Above the valve portion 56a, the valve member 56 (Figure 4) has a portion of reduced diameter 562) which is spaced from the inner periphery of the tubular extension 5lb of the valve body to provide a measuring chamber portion 51. Above the portion 56b of reduced diameter, the valve member 56 is provided with a piston portion 560 preferably lap-fitted within the valve body. Above the piston portion 560, the valve member 56 has an upper reduced portion 56d immediately below an upper portion 56c of slightly larger diameter to provide a seat therebetween. This seat is engaged with a support strip 58 which is recessed to slide over the reduced portion 56d and engage below the portion 56c. A spring 59 is compressed between the strip 58 and a collar 6| on the portion 56c to provide a lifting force for the valve member 56 during operation of the valve. This lifting force is overcome normally by the spring 54. The two legs of the strip 58 seat against a stop ring 62 having a tapered aperture therein providing communication from the tank to the valve. This ring 62 is adjustable to change the valve from a measuring valve to a head space type valve as later described.

In mounting the valve on the tank, the valve body is first secured in place, then the spring 54 is compressed and the valve member 56 is passed through the valve body and the stop ring 62. The spring 59 is then compressed so that the stop plate 58 can be slid sideways into position with respect to the valve member 56.

To enable change in the volume of the measuring chamber 51, a pair of half-sleeves 63 are clamped about the portion 56b of the valve member by a conventional split-type clamping ring 64.

At the lower end of the valve 36 and adjustably threaded onto the valve sleeve 53, there is provided a lift collar 66 secured in place by a locknut 67 and having mounted therein a rubber seal ring 68 in the conventional manner.

The valve member 56 (Figures 4 to 7) is provided with a lower central passageway H extending from the recessed portion 12 at the lower end thereof to within the piston portion 560 thereof and communicating with a laterally extending passageway Ha (Figures 4 and 6) for communication with an annular recess 13 in the valve body 5| in one adjusted osition of the valve member. The recess 13 communicates with a radial passage 14 which is adapted to communicate by means later described with a source of vacuum and with atmospheric pressure or air under pressure during the operation of the filling valve, all as later described. The piston portion 560 of the valve member 56 is provided adjacent its periphery with four vertical passages 15 which extend throughout the length of the piston portion to communicate with the chamber 51, both below and above the piston portion 560. Also, two vertical passages 16 are provided which are closed at the top (Figure '7) by suitable plugs. These vertically extending passages 16 are in turn connected with a transverse passage 11 which intersects an upper central passage 18 in the valve member 56. The passages 15, 16, 11 and 18 all form part of the measuring chamber 51.

The measuring chamber preferably also includes a detachable and telescopically adjustable chamber member 19 (Figures 3 and 4) by means of which the capacity of the measuring chamber can be adjusted easily without removing any parts and with liquid in the tank. The chamber member includes a cylindrical body 19a which is internally threaded to engage over a threaded base 192) carried on the valve member by means of a lower threaded extension. The base 19b is preferably locked to the valve member by a set screw indicated in dotted lines in Figure 4. A tube is threaded into the upper end of the chamber body 19a and extends up above the liquid level in the tank and is employed in adjusting the body 19a. The upper end of the tube I9: is covered by a cap 8| (Figures 4 and 8) whose bottom peripheral flange extends over and shields a transverse aperture 82 of the tube which provides for communication of the measuring chamber with the atmosphere at all times.

It will be seen that the plate 62 extends radially inwardly over the central bore in the valve body 5| and lies overthe passage I5 so that in the uppermost position of the valve member shown in Figure 9 the tank is shut-off from the valve as will. be more clearly explained in connection with the operation of the valve. In Order to provide for a micrometer-alike adjustment of the volume of the measuring. chamber, the. level of liquid indicated at 86 in Figure 3 is under the control of a float 81 and a valve 98 which is float controlled in a conventional manner and communicates through the pipe 89 with the source of liquid for the tank. Byadjusting the operative levelor height of the float 81 in controlling the valve 88, the level of liquid in the tank can be controlled .accurately. Correspondingly, the extent to which liquid will rise in the tube I9 can be accurately controlled, and thereby a slight adjustment of the level of liquid in the tank causes a corresponding adjustment ofthe volume of liquid in the measurin chamber.

In order to control vacuumizing of the .cans before filling, the radial passage 14 (Figure 3) of each valve body is connected by a tube 9| with a radial passage 92 in the flange 26a of the bowl hub 26. Each passage 92 communicates with a passage 93 extendin upwardly through the flange 26a, the bottom wall 32, the clamping ring 28 and the flange 29 and a tube 94 seated at its upper end in the top flange 96 of the center casting of the bowl 3|. Thus, the flange 96 presents a series of annularly spaced apertures at its upper surface, each aperture communicating with the associated valve. This upper surface of the flange 96 is ground to receive the correspondingly machined lower surface of a vacuum cap IOI (Figures 3 and 11) provided with respective fragmentary annular recesses I (I2 and I93 in the lower surface thereof. The recess I02 connects through radial passages I94 in the cap IOI with a central passage I 66 connected through a fitting II with a suitable source of vacuum. The passage I63 communicates through a fit-. ting I08 with atmospheric pressure or with a source of air under pressure as may be desired. The cap I III is carried by a slotted collar I99 having sliding engagement with an upright shaft III carried on the center post I3 by a clamping plate. I I2. Thus, the cap is maintained relatively stationary with respect to the ported flange 96 so that as the apertures therein rotate with the tank and with the valves, the passage system leading to the lower central aperture II of each valve will be subjected to the source of vacuum for a selected portion of each cycle of travel thereof and subsequently to atmospheric pressure or to a source of air under pressure for a selected period.

Operation As will be understood from the foregoing description, the valve operates in conjunction with the filling machine, as the machine rotates, under the control of the successive levels of the lift cam 25 which determines the different periods that the valve is conditioned for its successive stages of operation. The lift cam 25 has four successive levels a, b, c and d, only the first three of which are seen in Figure 1. The fourth level, (1, is indicated schematically in Figure 2. When the can lift member or plate I6 is posi-v tioned under control of the cam portion a, the

valve is closed as shown in Figure 3, and is open to the tank to receive its charge of material.

When the plate I6 is lifted by the cam portion b, as shown in Figures 6 and 8, and a cam ls interposed between the can lift plate I6 and the seal ring 68, the valve sleeve 53, together with its lift collar 66, are lifted against the pressure of the spring 54. The valve member 56 is lifted also by the spring 59 so thatthe annular radial passage IIa communicates with the'annular recess 13 (Figure 8) and the can and its contents are subjected to vacuum for a selected period of time indicated at b in Figure 2. It will be noted that the lifting of the valve mem-' her from the position shown in Figure 4 to that shown in Figure 8 results in a discharge 'or return of some of the material within the measuring chamber back into the tank. In other words, as shown in Figure 4, the measuring chamber is filled to capacity and the excess material is subsequently returned to the tank during the two lifting movements of the valve member.

When the lift plate I6 (Figure 9) is controlled by the highest portion 0 of the cam track, i. e., during the portion 0 of its travel as indicated in Figure 2, the valve member 56 is lifted from the position shown in Figure 8 to that shown in Figure 9 when its radial passage Ila is out of communication with the, annular recess I3 so that the source of vacuum is shut off. Also the upper end of the piston portion 560 engages the shut-off ring 62 so that the passages 15 are closed at the top and the valve chamber is closed off from the tank. Also, valve sleeve 53 is lifted away from the valve portion 56a so that the liquid in the measuring chamber can run into the can. Subsequently, the lift plate I6 is again loweredby the cam track portion d not shown) which is at the same height as portion a and extends for about 30 of travel as indicated at d in Figure 2. During this time, the valve is again closed and the can is in communication with atmospheric pressure through the slot I03.

It will be understood that the measured charge discharged into the can is made up of thema teri'al contained in the chamber or chamber pertion 51, the passages I5, "I6 and I8, and the aux-. iliary chamber member I9, so that the exact volume of the measured charge is controlled in part. by the liquid level within the tank .21. By adjusting this level under control of the float..8l a micrometer-like adjustment of the amount of fill can be obtained. Major adjustment of the valve to affect the .volume of the measured charge can be made by removing or changing the size of the detachably mounted inserts 63 within the chamber 51 or by adjusting the bulb member 'I9(Figure 3) or by varying its size.

To change the valve from filling a measuredquantity to filling to adesired head space, inassembly of the valve on the machine, the shut off plate or ring 62 is inverted or reversed in its mounting so that the tapered construction of its central recess has its largest diameter downwards as shown in Figure 12. In this p0 sition of the ring, even with the valve in liftedposition, there is always communication between the tank and the can during the filling cycle., The amount of head space within the can is adjusted in the usual fashion with the adjustment of the collar 65, Figure 8 on the valve sleeve 53 so that the valve sleeve 53 and the valve portion 56a will project into the can to the extent required for the desired head space.

In this adapted condition of the valve, the com munication of each can with atmospheric pressure under control of cam portion (1 is used to break any vacuumin the can. When filling with heavier materials, air under pressure is employed in the place of atmospheric pressure to clean out the vacuum lines during travel of a valve under control of the cam portion d.

While I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be apparent that the invention is capable of furthe;- variation and modification and its scope should be limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto I claim:

1. In a filling machine, a substantially vertical cylinder structure normally open for admission of liquid at its upper end and comprising an upper-stationary part and lower movable part telescopically engaged therewith, said movable part having a valve seat at its lower end, spring means urgingcsaid movable part downwardly, a valve and piston structure movably mounted within said cylinder structure for selective positioning in'relative adjusted positions thereof and having a valve engaged'by said valve seat under the urgency of said spring means, passage means in one of said structures for conducting fluid past said valve and piston structure in one relatively adjusted position of said structures in I which said valve is engaged with said seat, said structures having cooperating surfaces operative to close said passage means in a second relatively adjusted position of said structures in which said valve and said valve seat remain closed,

said structures having respective other passage means therein and disposed in cooperative relation in a third relatively adjusted position of said structures to place a container engaged with said movable part in communication with a source of vacuum, said valve seat part being movable from said second position to separate from said valve.

2. In afilling machine having a tank with means for maintaining a constant level of liquid therein, a cylinder structure communicating at its upper end with the tank and having a valve seat at its lower end, a valve and piston structure mounted in said cylinder structure for movement between relatively adjusted positions thereof and past said valve and piston structure into said chamber portion in one relatively adjusted position of said structures in which said valve is engaged with said seat, and said structures having cooperating surfaces operative to close said passage means in another relatively adjusted position of said structures, and other passage means in said valve and piston structure leading from below said surfaces to above the level of liquid in the tank, said other passage means including an adjustable chamber member within said tank and below the level of liquid therein and a tube extending upwardly from said chamber member and terminating above the level of said liquid.

3. In a filling machine having a tank with means for maintaining a constant level of liquid therein, a cylinder structure communicating at its upper end with the tank and having a valve seat at its lower end, a valve and piston structure mounted in said cylinder structure for movement between relatively adjusted positions thereof and defining a chamber portion therewith and'havins a valve at its lower end for cooperation with said valve seat, passage means in one of said structures for conducting fluid from the tank past said valve and piston structure into said chamber portion in one relatively adjusted position of said structures in which said valve is engaged with said seat, and said structures having cooperating surfaces operative to close said passage means in another relatively adjusted position 01 said'structures, and other passage means in said valve and piston structure leading from below said surfaces to above the level of liquid in the tank, said other passage means including an adjustable chamber member within said tank and below the level of liquid therein.

4. In a filling machine, a substantially vertical cylinder structure normally open for admission of liquid at its upper end and comprising an upper stationary part and lower movable parts telescopically engaged therewith, said movable part having a valve seat at its lower end, spring means urging said movable part downwardly, a valve and piston structure movably mounted within said cylinder structure for selective positloning in relatively adjusted positions thereof and having a valve engaged by said valve seat under the urgency of said spring means, passage means in one of said structures for conducting fluid past said valve and piston structure in the lowermost position of said piston structure with respect to said cylinder structure in which said valve is engaged with said seat, said cylinder structures having an annular surface operative to close said passage means in the uppermost position of said piston structure with respect to said cylinder structure, said structures having respective vacuum passage means therein and disposed in communication with each other in an intermediate position of said piston structure with respect to said cylinder structure to place a container engaged with said movable part in communication with a source of vacuum, said valve seat art being movable to separate from said valve with said piston structure in its uppermostposition with respect to said cylinder struc ture.

5. In a filling machine,'a substantially vertical cylinder structure normally open for admission of liquid at its upper end and comprising an upper stationary part and lower movable part telescopically engaged therewith, said movable part having a valve seat at its lower end, spring means urging said movable part downwardly, a valve and piston structure movably mounted Within said cylinder structure for selective positioning in relatively adjusted positions thereof and having a valve engaged by said valve seat under the urgency of said spring means, said valve and piston structure including a piston portion engaged within said upper cylinder part and having respective annular end surfaces, passage means extending between said end surfaces of said piston portion for conducting fluid past said valve and piston structure in the lowermost position of said piston structure with respect to said cylinder structure in which said valve is engaged with said seat, said cylinder structures having an annular surface operative to close said passage means in the uppermost position of said piston structure with respect to said cylinder structure, said structures having respective vacuum passage means therein and disposed in communication with'each other in an intermediate position of said piston structure with respect to said cylinder structure to place a container engaged with said movable part in communication with a source of vacuum, said valve seat part being movable to separate from said valve with said piston structure in its uppermost position with respect to said cylinder structure.

LEONARD McGIHON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Beardsley Nov. 28, 1893 Number Number Number