US2643806A - Automatic container-filling machine - Google Patents

Description

June 30, 1953 A. c. MILNE 2,643,806

AUTOMATIC CONTAINER-FILLING MACHINE Filed May 20. 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VE TOR.

.fifna'r a 1% 18 W 6 i June 30, 1953 A. c. MILNE AUTOMATIC CONTAINER-FILLING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 20. 1948 n/ 2 2 Q. mm l q 0 a 0 jz R! l i 1 f H l I M +0 Q H C O. l 4 I 2 Z LVJ c I e mums H 0 L M N,

June 30, 1953 A. c. MlLNE AUTOMATIC CONTAINER-FILLING MACHINE,

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 20, 1948 June 30, 1953 A. c. MILNE 2,643,806

AUTOMATIC CONTAINER-FILLING MACHINE Filed May 20, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented June 30, 1953 AUTOMATIC CONTAINER-FILLING MACHINE Arthur C. Milne, Collingswood, N. J., assignor to Central Machine Works, Inc., Philadelphia, Pa a, corporationof Pennsylvania Application May 20, 1948,'Serial No..28;098

Claims. 1

The-present invention relatesto mechanism for filling cans, jars, bottles or other containers and it relates more particularly to a reservoir and valve-assembly mechanismfor use in an'automatic can-filling machine, or the like.

An object of the present invention isto provide a new and improved construction for filling cans, jars, bottles or other containers with liquids, liquid-solid mixtures, semi-solids, syrups and the like. Another object of the presentinvention to provide a new and improved valve construction for an automatic can-filling machine which is capable of delivering measured quantities-of liquids, liquid-solid mixtures, semi-so1ids, syrups or the like to a moving series of cans .Or like containers. Still another object of the present in vention is to provide anovel reservoir and fillingvalve construction for automatic can-filling, ma chines.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention are apparent in the following detailed description, appended claimsand accompanying drawings.

It has been proposed in the past to provide automatic machines wherein liquids (such as milk) or liquid-solid mixtures (such as garnished food products), syrups or like compositions are automatically dispensed, in measured quantities, to a series of cans while the cans move along a circular path.

One conventional type of construction employs a valve mechanism having a gasket mounted at the lower end of a sleeve which is contact ed by the upper edge of the can and moved to Valve-opening position when the can is raised during its rotation by reason of the fact that the can-supporting table rides upon an appropriately-dimensioned circular cam-track.

However, conventional filling-valve constructions, as heretofore employed, have not proven entirely satisfactory since they require relatively long filling periods (due to the restricted area of the filling-port and of the vent-opening) and since they create considerable turbulence and undesirable aeration of the product, and since there is a tendency to prevent proper closure of the valve and to clog the vent-opening, when liquidsolid mixtures are dispensed.

Accordingly, the present invention contemplates a new and improved valve assembly construction which eliminates the shortcomings of the prior-art and which provides a relatively high rate-of-flow with minimu turbulence during the can-filling operation andwhich provides a positive, dependable, non-dripv and non-clogging closing action and non-clogging venting when used with liquids, liquid-solid mixtures, semi-solid suspensions-syrups or the like.

The presentinvention furthercontemplates a new-and improved reservoir construction for automatic can-filling'machines which permits a large number of circumferentially distributed filling-valves'to be employed and which maintains relatively uniform consistency of the material being dispensed, without any excessive settling or the'like such-as is encountered in con ventional cylindrical reservoirs;

For'the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the accompanying drawings forms thereof which areat present preferred, although it is to ;be understood that the various instrumentalities of which the invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and organizations of the instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

Referring to the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters indicate like parts throughout:

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of an automatic can-filling machine embodying the novel filling-valve construction and reservoir construction of the present invention.

Figure '2 represents a view, partly in front elevation and partly in cross-section showing the configuration of the reservoir and showing, more or less schematically, the vertical movements of the cans during operation of the machines.

Figure 3 represents a vertical cross-sectional view showing .one of the filling-valve assemblies in the fully-closed position.

Figure 4 represents a view of theembodiment of Figure '3 but showing the filling-valve in the f ully-open position.

Figure 5 represents a viewgenerally like those of Figures 3 and ibut showing the filling-valve in intermediate position.

Figure 6 represents a perspective view of the filling-valve assembly, shown in open position; parts being broken away betterto reveal the construction thereof.

Figure 7 represents a horizontal cross sectional view generally along the line 1--! of Figure'2, showing the mannerof connection ofthe individual can-supporting tables to the rotor.

In Figures 1 and v2 I have shown generally an automatic can-filling machine which, except for the features to be particularly described hereinbelow, is conventional in construction and corresponds to a type of machine manufactured by Central Machine Works, Inc, of Philadelphia, Pa, and sold under the trade-mark Dura-Mil. Accordingly, the construction and operation of the machine (apart from the filling-valve and reservoir construction) are shown and described Only generally since they are known to those skilled inthe art. 3 t

The machine of Figures 1 and 2 includes a base 23, a circular cam-track 2l fastened to said base by supporting arms 2l-a and a rotor 19 rotatably mounted upon the upper end of said base and extending upward therefrom in radiallyspaced relationship to said cam-track 2L, The rotor 13 is provided with a plurality (for example twenty) of circumferentially-distributed vertically-extending radially-outwardly-protruding tongue members 13 having enlarged heads I! formed at their outer edges. A plurality (for ex- 7 rotor but are free to move up-and-down relative thereto as the rollers 23 move along the fixed cam-track 2| in a manner to be more fully described hereinbelow.

A reservoir 26 is mounted at the upper end of u said rotor I3 and is keyed thereto for rotation therewith; the reservoir being vertically adjustable relative to the rotor. by means of a threaded adjusting member 29. V

, The reservoir 26 is provided with a plurality (for example twenty) of circumferentialiy-distributed downwardly-extending filling-valves 2'! (to be more fully described hereinbelow) disposed generally in vertical alignment with the tables 22.

A relatively thin flat turret 24 is mounted upon said rotor 89 below the reservoir 25; the outer periphery of the turret 24 being provided with notches or serrations 25 disposed vertically intermediate the filling-valve 21 and the tables 22 in a manner to be more fully described hereinbelow.

The rotor Isis constructed and arranged to be rotated (counterclockwise in Figure 1) from a motor (not shown) by means of a conventional gear-box (not shown) and a drive-chain [6 shown in Figure 2.

Referring now particularly to Figure I may construct the reservoir 25 with a generally cylindrical outer wall 33 and a frusto-conical central or inner wall 3! which terminates a short distance from the outer wall so as to provide an annular, fiat, bottom wall 32 of relatively small radial dimension having a plurality (for example twenty) of openings 33 formed therein, as shown more clearly in Figures 3 and 4.

As indicated particularly in Figures 3 and 4, each of the openings 33 is adapted to receive an individual filling-valve 2i and is provided with a lowermost inwardly-protruding annular shoulder or flange 34 which supports the uppermost annular flange-portion 35 of the filling-valve 2'1; an annular sealing gasket 36 being provided therebetween.

The filling-valve assembly 21 is placed in position from above the opening 33, after which a plurality of individual attaching clamps or lugs 31 are adapted to be connected to the under-side of the flange-portion 35 by studs 33. The clamps are beveledadjacent their ends as at 3l-a so that. when the clamps are rotated upon their 4 studs to the radially-outwardly-extending position, underlying the flange 34 of the opening 33, they exert a camming action tending to force the filling-valve assembly 21 downward so as to compress the sealing-gasket 3G and thereby to provide a secure fluid-tight seal intermediate the filling-valve and the reservoir.

The filling-valve 21 includes a'downwardly-extending cylindrical stem 33 which maybe formed integrally with the flange-portion 35.

A filling-opening 40 extends downwardly from the top of. the filling-valve 2'! to a point somewhat above the bottom of the stem 39 and termimates in a filling-port 4! which, as indicated particularly in Figure 3-6, opens on one side or" the stem 39. The filling-port 4| i defined by an upper arcuate edge 42 (extending circumferentially of the stem 39 for approximately one-third its periphery) which is beveled as at 43; generally straight side edges 44 extending more or less axially of the stem 39; and a bottom edge G5 which is formed by the intersection of the inclined plane wall 45 with the cylindrical outer surface of thestem 39 and which, as will be described hereinbelow, provides a shear-lip during operation of the filling-valve.

The upper inner edge of the plane wall $5 in tersects the generally plane axially-extending inner wall 4B-a of the filling-opening 43, as indicated particularly in Figure 6, providing a continuous and uninterrupted flow passageway.

Extending downwardly from the upper end of the filling-valve 21 is a generally cylindrical vent-opening 48 which communicates, at its lower end; with a relatively-thin elongated arcuate vent-port or slot 49 which has a chambered lower edge 49-0! and which is disposed generally diametrically opposite the lower edge of the filling-port 46. The upper end of the ventopening 43 is formed as a countersunk recess or socket 53 into which fits the lower end of an elongated cylindrical vent-pipe 5i which, as indicated particularly in Figure 2, terminates somewhat above the top of the reservoir 26.

Screw-threadedly fastened to the bottom of the stem 39 is a displacement-plug 32 having an annular upwardly-directed beveled valve-seat 53 disposed slightly below the lowermost portion of the shear-lip 45.

The filling-valve 21 also includes a slideable valve-member 54 having an elongated sleeve-portion 55 fit snugly about the stem 39; the sleeveggrtion terminating ina lowermost circular edge The valve-member also includes a relatively large outwardly-directed annular flange-portion 5'! which carries a sealing gasket 58 of rubber or other similar resilient material.

A helical spring 59 is disposed intermediate the flange-portion 51 of the valve-member 5d and the upper flange-portion 35 and normally urges the valve-member 54 to the lowermost position shown in Figure 3 wherein the circular edge 55 is maintained in fluid-tight contact with the eveled valve-seat 53, thereby closing off both th filling or discharge port ll and the vent-port 39. When upward pressure is exerted against the sealing gasket 58, the valve-member 5 3 is moved upward against the pressure of its spring to the open position shown in Figure 4 (wherein the circular edge 55 is at or above the level of the upper edge or lip 42 of the filling-port ti), thereby to open both the filling-port ll and the vent-port 49. Release of this pressure permits the valve-member 54 to move downward to its original position under the action or its spring59.

The circular cam-track 2! includes a low section til, a relatively steep incline section 6|, a high section 62 and a relatively gradual decline section 63. For example, the angle of incline of the section (ii may be approximately 30 while the angle of decline of the section 83 may be approximately 17. The vertical rise in going from the low section Bil to the high section '62 may be generally of the order of 1-l /2 inches.

As the individual can-supportingtables 22 rotate above the fixed cam-track, they are raised, when their rollers contact the incline section GI, and are thereafter lowered as their rollers move along the decline section 63.

This oscillation of the tables 22 causes the individual cans 64 to be moved vertically toward and away from the individual filling-valves .21 during rotation. Thus. when an empty can (which has been automatically positioned upon the table 22. by any appropriate automatic feeding means, not shown) is on the low sectionfifi, as shown at A in Figure 2, its upper open end is spaced vertically somewhat from the valvegasket 53, as disclosed more particularly in Figure 3. When the table 22 reaches the incline section 6!, it is raised, in the manner described above, so as first to bring the upper edge of the can 6-! into contact with the valve-gasket 58. This intermediate position is indicated in dashdot lines at B in Figure 2. Further movement of the table 22 along the incline section 6! raises the can 64 causing it to move the slideable valvemember 54 upward, against the pressure of the spring 59, to the valve-opening position indicated at C in Figure 2. Opening of the valve permits the material being dispensed to flow downward from the reservoir, through the opening 40 and out through the filling-port 4| into the can as indicated in Figure 4.. Inasmuch as the upper open edge or the can is closed on by the sealing gasket 58, the air which is displaced from the can by the enterin liquid escapes through the vent-port t9, the vent-opening 48 and the ventpipe 5|.

During the period that the table 22 rides on the high cam section 52 (as indicated at positions C, C and C) the valve El is maintained in the fully-opened position shownin Figur cso as to permit relatively rap-id flow of liquid into the can through the filling-port 4!.

As the table 22 moves further along it begins to descend upon the decline cam section 63 whereupon the can 64 begins moving downward permitting the valve-member 54 to move downward under the action of its spring 59 so as gradually to close the filling-port ll. During this filling operation, the vent-port 49 is maintained above the rising level of the liquid in the can, by reason of the downward movement of the can relative to the stem 39 during the latter part of the filling operation. Thus, there can be no premature closing ofi of the vent-opening until the can is fully filled, which eliminates the possibility of having a can only partially filled due to entrapment of air in its upper portion.

When the can Se reaches the position shown at D in Figure 2, it has been fully filled and'the valve-member 55 has reached the position indicated in Figure 5 wherein its sleeve-portion 55 has closed on both the filling-port 4| and the vent-port :59, but wherein its lower circular edge 56 has not yet seated against the beveled valveseat 53. a

As the can 64 descends further along the de- 6. cline section-tithe circular edge 55 seats against the beveled.- valve-seat '53. (thereby providing the primary and more. positive. fluid: seal) after which the can descends to: itsoriginal lowermost posi= tion, :as indicated inyFigui-te 3.

The. filledica-n. and. table then continue moving. along the low section 60 until-the canis automatically removed by any appropriate take-off device (not showmand, thereafter, the can is sealed in. conventional manner.

As indicated particularly inFig-ures 2, 4 and 6, the turret notches 25. hold the-cans. 6e in oncenter relationship relative to the stem, 39 and the-gasket 5 8 of the filling-waive 21; the eccentricity being. in-the leading, direction with respect to the rotation of the machine.

.As indicated particularly in Figure 4, this eccentricity provides. greater clearance for the fill= lug-port. M and thereby permits freer unobstructed flow of liquid .or the: like into the can from the. filling-valve. At the same time, the vent-port. is disposed. closely adjacent the side of. the. can 64; the smallness of the clearance tending to. prevent. solid particles from entering and clogging said vent.

In addition, the userof a. relatively elongated arcuate vent-port with a relatively small trans.- verse dimension further tends to prevent clogging of the vent by the relatively larger-sized solid particles (such as pieces of meat or vegetables) which are present in garnished food products.

Moreover, even if a smallpart of. the elongated ventport is clogged by a solid particle, the remainder of the. slot will provide adequate ventmg.

The downwardmovement of the sleeve relative to the bottom edge or shear-lip 45 of the filling-port 41 gives a, shearing action whereby the circular edge 55 slices any intervening solid particle indicated in Figure 5 permitting the severed portion to drop free, thereby minimizing the possibility that a solid particle will. become lodged between the edge 56 and the beveled valve-seat 53' which would prevent proper closing of the valve and would result in drip-ping.

In Figures .1 and.2 the high cam. section 62. is shown as being relatively small, in circumferential dimension (as compared to the low cam section 60) for clarity of. illustration. In actual practice, however, the high cam section 62 usually extends for more than half the circumference of the cam track 2|.

As mentioned above, the adjusting member 29 permits thereservoir 26 to be raised and lowered relative to the rotor 19. This permits the ma chine tobeadiusted to accommodate difierentheight cans. v

In addition, this vertical adiustability of the reservoir permits control of the filling-rate.

Thus, if it is found that the cans are filling too rapidly, the reservoir 26 can be raised up somewhat. This positions the filling-valves a greater distance above the cam-track 2| and results in only partial-opening of the valves. That is, with the filling-valves located at a greater distance above the cam-track, it is obvi ous that the slideable valve members 54 will be contacted at a later point by the rising cans and will be moved back upon the stems 39 a shorter distance so that the circular edge 55, instead of being in the fully open position shown inFigure 4, when the table rides on the high cam section, will be at a somewhat lower point at which the filling port 41 will be only partially 7"- open, thereby resulting in a slower rate of filling. It can be seen that the-filling-opening 40 and the filling-port 4| provide a generally smooth and continuous passageway for the liquid, without the conventional valve obstructions (such as bafile plates, valve-springs, etc.) which cause turbulence and aeration of the liquid. This, coupled with the off-center disposition of the can and the valve-stem 39 makes possible appreciably greater flow-rate, thereby cutting down on the filling time and permitting faster operation of the machine. The novel configuration and disposition of the vent-port 49 (diametrically removed from the filling-port and closely adjacent the side of the can) protects the vent against clogging, even at high flow-rates.

The novel construction and arrangement of the shear-lip 45 and the edge 46' makes the valve construction of the present invention adaptable for use with liquid-solid mixtures, without the danger of having the valve-closure blocked by solid particles. The filling-valve mechanism of the present inventionis equally well adaptable for use with relatively viscous syrups, as well as with free-flowing liquids.

While intended particularly for use in filling cans, it is obvious that the novel machine of the present invention can be used equally well for filling jars, bottles or other open mouthed containers. V

The novel configuration of the reservoir prevents settling of the material being dispensed in a zone remote from the filling-valves and ensures uniformity of the dispensed material. p

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiments be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to the appended claims rather thanto the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent:

1. In an automatic container-filling machine; a rotatable reservoir having a generally-cylin drical outer wall and a generally frusto-conical inner wall and an annular bottom-wall of relatively small radial dimension providing an annular liquid-compartment tapering downwardly in cross-section, said bottom-wall having a p1urality of circumferentially-distributed openings formed therein, and a plurality of individual filling-valves mounted in the bottom openings of said reservoir and communicating with the lowermost portion of said liquid-compartment, each of said filling-valves being insertable from within said reservoir and having an uppermost outwardly-protruding annular flange constructed and arranged to rest on a correspondingly-shaped inwardly-protruding annular shoulder formed at its opening with a compressible sealing-gasket disposed therebetween, and a plurality of lugs screw-threadedly carried by said filling-valves and adapted to bear against the underside of said reservoir whereby tightening of said lugs will lock said flange against said shoulder in fluid-tight relationship therewith.

2. In an automatic container-filling machine; a rotatable reservoir having a plurality of circumferentially-distributed bottom-openings formed therein, and a plurality of individual filling-valves mounted in said bottom-openings;

each of said filling-valves being insertable from within said reservoir and having an uppermost outwardly-protruding annular flange constructed and arranged to rest on a correspondingly-shaped inwardly-protruding annular shoulder formed at its opening with a compressible sealing-gasket disposed therebetween, and a plurality of lugs screw-threadedly carried by said filling-valves and adapted to bear against the underside of said reservoir whereby tightening of said lugs will lock said flange against said shoulder in fluidtight relationship therewith.

3. For use in automatic container-filling machines, a filling-valve comprising a generally cylindrical stem having a filling-opening and a vent-opening extending downward therewithin, said stem having a filling-port communicating with said filling-opening and disposed adjacent the lower end of said stem and opening on one side thereof, the lower edge of said filling-port being formed as an inclined shear-lip, said stem having a relatively thin elongated circumferentially-extending vent-port communicating with said vent-opening and disposed generally at the same level with and diametrically opposite the filling-port, an annular upwardly-directed valveseat formed at the lowermost end of said stem, and a generally sleeve-like valve-member telescopically mounted on said stem in snug-fitting slideable relationship thereto, said valve member being normally spring-urged to lowermost posi tion and having a lowermost generally circular edge adapted to provide a shearing action at said shear-lip and also to contact said valve-seat in fluid-tight relationship so as to close off said filling-port and said vent-port, said valve-member having an annular outwardly-extending flange provided with a sealing gasket on its under-side whereby the upward pressure of an openmouth container moved against said sealing gasket will force said valve-member to upper position opening said filling-port and said vent-port for communication with the inside of said container said sealing gasket being disposed generally at the same level as said filling-port and vent-port and said valve-seat when said va1vemember is in lowermost position, and holding means disposed below said filling-valve for positioning the container in eccentric relationship to said stem whereby the vent-port will be disposed closely adjacent the container-wall while the filling-port will be substantially spaced from the container-wall.

4. An automatic container-filling machine including a base; a circular upwardly-directed cam-track carried by said base and having a low section, an incline section, a high section and a decline section; a rotor rotatably mounted upon said base; a plurality of circumferentially-distributed can-supporting tables provided with rollers resting upon and supported by said camtrack, said tables being connected to said rotor for rotation therewith but being free to oscillate vertically relative to said rotor to permit said tables to move along said cam-track; a reservoir for liquid or the like mounted upon said rotor and rotatable therewith; a plurality of circumferentially-distributed filling-valves mounted in the bottom of said reservoir in vertical alignment with'said tables; an annular turret carried by said rotor intermediate said tables and said reservoir, said turret being provided with peripheral can-positioning notches for locating the containers upon said tables in eccentric relationship to the filling-valves.

5. An automatic container-filling machine including a base; a circular upwardly-directed for liquid or the like mounted upon said rotor and rotatable therewith, said reservoir'hfaying a generally cylindrical outer wall and havinga generally frusto-conical inner wall .andh'a'ving an annular bottom-wall of relatively smallradial dimension,. said bottom-wall havinga plurality of circumferentially-distributed openings formed therein; a plurality of individual filling-valves mounted within said openings in vertical alignment with said tables; an annular turret carried by said rotor intermediate .,sai d tables ,and' ,said reservoir, said turret being provided with peripheral can-positioning notches for locating thec ontainers upon said tables in eccentric relationship to the filling-valves.

6. An automatic container-filling machine including a base; acircular upwardly-directed camtrack carried by said base and havin a low section, an incline section, a high section and'a decline section; a rotor rotatablymounted upon said base; a plurality of circumferentiallyedistributed can-supporting tables provided with rollers resting upon and supported by said cam-track, said tables being connected to said rotor for rotation therewith but being free to oscillate vertically relative to said rotor to permit said tables to move along said cam-track; a reservoir for liquid .or the like mounted upon said rotor and rotatable therewith; a plurality of circumferentially distributed filling-valves mounted in the bottom of said reservoir in vertical alignment with said tables, each of said filling-valves being insertable from within said reservoir and having an uppermost outwardly-protruding annular flange constructed and arranged to rest on a correspondingly-shaped inwardly-protruding annular shoulder formed at its opening with a compressible sealing-gasket disposed therebetween, and a plurality of lugs screw-threade'dly carried by said filling-valves and ladapted to bear against the under-side of said reservoir whereby tightening of said lugs will lock said flange against said shoulder in fluid-tight relationship therewith; an

annular turret carried by said rotor intermediate said tables and said reservoir, said turret being provided with peripheral can-positioning notches for locating the containers upon said tables in eccentric relationship to the fillingvalves.

7. An automatic container-filling machine including a base; a circular upwardly-directed cam-track carried by said base and having a low section; an incline section, a high section and a decline section; a rotor rotatably mounted upon said base; .a plurality of circumferentially-distributed can-supporting tables provided with rollers resting upon and supported 'by said camtrack, said tables being connected to said rotor for rotation therewith but being free to oscillate vertically relative to said rotor to permit said tables to move along said cam-track; a reservoir for liquid or the like mounted upon said rotor and rotatable therewith; a plurality of circumferentially-distributed filling-valves mounted in the bottom of said reservoir in vertical alignment intermediate saidtables eluding a base;

Withsaid b es each, .oisaid fi11inerva1v s c mprising a generally cylindrical stem having a filli e p ni e' and a ent-Open n exten ngldown- Ward therewithin, said stemhav-ing a filling port ce unicati g W t isai fillin -op nin and dispo d a ia en t ower-end o sa d. tem and opening on one s de h reo t ower ed e of said filling-port being formed as aninc i-n dshear-up;

i tem a ga r ive y, elo ated circumferentiall-y extending vent-port communicating with said vent-opening and disposed generally at the same level with and diametrically opposite the l-fllling-port -an annular upwardly-directed valve-seat formed at the lowermost end of said stem, and a generally sleeve-like valve-member .teleswpically niounted onsaid stem in snu fitting slideable relationship thereto, said valvemember being normally spring urged .t'orlower- :most position and having alowermost generally circular edge adaptedto provide a shearing action atsaid shear-lip and alsoyto contact said valveseat in. fluid-tight relationship so as to close off said filling-port and said vent-port, said valvemember having an annular outwardly-extending flange provided with a sealing gasket on its underside whereby the upward pressure of an openmouth container rnovedagainst said sealing gasket will force said valve-member to upper position opening said filling-port and said ventport for communication with the inside of said container; an annular turret carried by said rotor and said reservoir, 7 said turret being provided with peripheral can-positioning notches for locating the containers upon said tables in eccentric relationship to the stems of said fllling-valves'whereby each vent-port will be disposed closelyadjacent the container-wall while the filling-port will hex-substantially spaced from the container-wall.

8. An automatic container-filling machine in I a circular upwardly-directed-cam track'carried by said'base and having a low sect on, an incline sectionahigh section and a decline' section; a rotor rotatably'mounted upon said base; a plurality. of: circumferentially-dis- .tribnted can-supporting tables provided with e ally cylindrical outer wall and having a generally frusto-con'ical' inner'w'all and having an v l l lular bottom-wall of relatively small radial dimension; saidibottom-wa'll having a plurality of circumferentially-distributed openings formed therein; a plurality of individual filling-valves mounted within said openings in vertical alignment with said tables, each of said filling-valves being insertable from within said reservoir and having an uppermost outwardly-protruding annular flange constructed and arranged to rest on a correspondingly-shaped inwardly-protruding annular shoulder formed at its opening with a compressible sealing-gasket disposed therebetween, and a plurality of lugs screw-threadedly carried by said filling-valves and adapted to bear against the under-side of said reservoir whereby tightening of said lugs will lock said flange against said shoulder in fluid-tight relationship therewith; an annular turret carried by said rotor intermediate said tables and said reservoir, said turret being provided with peripheral can-positioning notches for locating the containers upon said tables in eccentric relationship to the fillingvalves.

rollers resting upon and supported by said cam- 7 track, said tables being connected to said rotor for rotation therewith but being free to oscillate vertically relative to said rotor to permit said tables to move along said cam-track; a reservoir for liquid or the like mounted upon said rotor and rotatable therewith, said reservoir having a generally cylindrical outer wall and having a generally frusto-conical inner wall and having an annular bottom-wall of relatively small radial dimension, said bottom-wall having a plurality of circumferentially-distributed openings formed therein; a plurality of individual fillingvalves mounted within said openings in vertical alignment wth said tables, each of sad fillingvalves comprising a generally cylindrical stem having a filling-opening and a vent-opening extending downward therewithin, said stem havin a filling-port communicating with said filling- -opening and disposed adjacent the lower end of said stem and opening on one side thereof, the lower edge of said filling-port being formed as an inclined shear-lip, said stem having a relatively thin elongated circumferentially-extending ventport communicating with said vent-opening and disposed generally at the same level with and diametrically opposite the filling-port, an annular upwardly-directed valve-seat formed at the lowermost end of said stem, and a generally sleevelike valve-member telescopically mounted on said stem in snug-fitting slideable relationship thereto, said valve-member being normally springurged to lowermost position and having a lowermost generally circular edge adapted to provide a shearing action at said shear-lip and also to contact said valve-seat in fluidtight relationship so as to close oiT said filling-port and said vent port, said valve-member having an annular outwardly-extending flange provided with a sealing gasket on its under-side whereby the upward pressure of an open-mouth container moved against said sealing gasket will force said valvemember to upper position opening said fillingport and said vent-port for communication with the inside of said container; an annular turret carrier by said rotor intermediate said tables and said reservoir, said turret being provided with peripheral can-positioning notches for locating the containers upon said tables in eccentric relationship to the stems of said filling-valves whereby each vent-port will be disposed closely adjacent the container-wall while the filling-port will be substantially spaced from the containerwall.

10. For use in automatic container-filling machines, a filling-valve comprising a generally cylindrical stem having a filling-opening and a vent-opening extending downward therewithin, said stem having a filling-port communicating with said filling-opening and disposed adjacent the lower end of said stem and opening on one side thereof, the lower edge of said filling-port being formed as an inclined shear-lip, said stem having a relatively thin elongated circumferentially-extending vent-port communicating with said vent-opening and disposed generally diametrically opposite the filling-port and with the lower edge of the vent-port slightly below the lower edge of said filling-port, an annular upwardly-directed valve-seat formed at the lowermost end of said stem below and closely adjacent said filling-port and vent-port, and a generally sleeve-like valve-member telescopically mounted on said stem in snug-fitting slideable relationship thereto, said valve-member being normally spring-urged to lowermost position and having a lowermost generally circular edge adapted to provide a shearing action at said shear-lip and also to contact said valve-seat in fluid-tight relationship so as to close off entirely first said fillingport and then said vent-port, said valve-member having an annular outwardly-extending flange provided with a sealing gasket on its under-side whereby the upward pressure of an open-mouth container moved against said sealing gasket will force said valve-member to upper position opening said filling-port and said vent-port for communication with the inside of said container, said sealing gasket being disposed slightly below said valve-seat when said valve member is in lowermost position.

ARTHUR C. MILNE.

Kerr Mar. 2, 1948

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