US2645247A - Spout mechanism for filling machines - Google Patents

Description

y 4, 1953 P. R. FECHHEIMER 2,645,247

SPOUT MECHANISM FOR FILLINQMACHINES 3 SheetsSh eet 1 Filed Dec. 31, 1947 IN V EN TOR. flu; fie/#1514155 Afro an e vs.

dllewq 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS- July 14, 1953 P. R. FECHHEIMER I SPOUT MECHANISM FOR FILLING MACHINES Filed Dec. :51, 1947 a 5 w 2, 155W .2 N am w 1 1 m w a c a, 5 7. g. x I E J 4 0 14 i 1 4 2 an a a. Y Y flfi 8 vMB Hon 2 q n L .w H s 2 z 2 xx 44 a July 14, 1953 P. R. FECHHEIMER SPOUT MECHANISM FOR FILLING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 31, 1947 Patented July 14, 1 953 Paul R. Fechheimer, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to The Karl Kiefer Machine Company, Cincinnati,

Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application December 31, 1947, Serial No. 795,113

My invention relates to machines for filling containers, such as cans, bottles, collapsible tubes and the like; and it is my object to provide a machine capable of handlingproducts ranging from thin liquids with low surface tension to heavy, viscous pastes. The present invention relates primarily to filling spouts or nozzles, and in particular to spouts or nozzles which have positive cut-off mechanisms.

It will be understood that different types of spouts or nozzles are required for the handling of different filling materiaL'and one of the objects of the invention is to provide a spout or nozzle construction capable of being rapidly, conveniently and inexpensively altered for the filling of different types of products.

In this connection it is my object to provide a spout or nozzle mechanism in which the main and most expensive parts are standardized and need not be replaced or altered, but in which the changes required for different types of products, or for different sizes and shapes of containers, are largely, if not entirely, restricted to those specific parts having to do with operations or treatments specific to the different kinds of materials.

It is an object of my invention to provide a spout or nozzle construction in which operating parts for the positive, mechanical actuation of valve and cut-off devices are standardized in whole or in large part, and are capable of use with different kinds of cut-01f devices requiring mechanical actuation.

It is a further object of the invention to pro:

vide a type of spout or nozzle construction having the advantages set forth above and capable of use in different types of filling operations, such as those in which the actual orifice of the spout must be kept immersed in the liquid beshall now describe an exemplary embodiment, I

which is a type of spout or nozzle, and associated parts, suitable for use in the various types 7 Claims. (01. 137-447) of filling operations and for the filling-of the various types .of materials to which reference has been made. Attention is now called tothe accompanying drawings:

. Figure 1 is an elevational view of a type of filling' machine upon which the nozzle or spout structures of this invention may be employed.

Figure 2 is a partial plan view with elements in section, taken along the line 22 of Figure 1. Figure:3 is a, perspective view of an assembled spout construction with appurtenances designed.

for handling liquid products or for handling Y the fillingof heavy or viscous materials, pastes,

or materials having, a strong tendency to string.

Figurefi is an explodedperspective view of the same apparatus as that, shown in Figure 5.

Figure '7 is a front elevation of the same apparatuswithparts in section, showing the cutoff gates closed, and taken along the section line of Fig. 5.

Figure 8 is a partial sectional view taken alongthe line 88 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is an elevational view similar to that of Figure '7 but showing therelationship of parts when the cut-off gates are open.

Figure 10 is a front elevational view of a spout or nozzle mechanism designed for filling verythin liquids, especially where it is desirable not to have any flaring of the liquid stream as it leaves the spout.

Figure 11 is a top plan view of the same apparatus.v

Figure 12 is a vertical section through the same apparatus taken along the section line filed July 3, 1946, nowrPatent No. 2,600,982. and

entitled Control and Cut-Off Mechanism for Filling: Machines. The machine itself is analogous to that set; forth in my issued patent No. 2,184,117. The machine of Figure l is characterized by a rotating table for, the containers to be filled, above which there is a stationary head i and a rotary head 3 upon which the nozzles or spouts are mounted. Thelower table is provided with means for raising and lowering the containers with relation to the spouts, as will be understood in the art. The stationary and rotating heads I and 3 are provided with co-operating ports which act also as valves. The spouts or nozzles move with the containers being filled; and the machine is one designed to fill several containers simultaneously with different increments of the same or difierent materials.

The filling spout or nozzle mechanisms to which this invention relates are mounted upon the movable head 3. Referring to Figures 3 and 4, each such mechanism comprises a body 4 having a base 5 for attachment to a fiat surface of the filling head. The base and body, as most clearly shown in Figure 4 are hollow within, and the base orifice will communicate with an orifice in the filling head so that filling material issuing therefrom will be directed into and through the body 4. The base 5 may be provided with pins 6 which, entering holes in the filling head 3, will serve to locate the bodies thereon. Gaskets (not shown) may be located between the several bases 5 and the corresponding flat surfaces of the filling head 3; and the several bodies may be held to the filling head by bracket members 9 (Figure 2) engaging the bases of adjacent bodies, and held'to the head by means of wing bolts Ill. The machine also.

has a stationary cam member II shown in Figure 2 and so located as to actuate the mechanism which moves the cut-off devices of my spouts.

The body elements 4 shown in Figures 3 and 4 are the same for all types of filling nozzles herein disclosed. The lower ends of these bodies are threaded as at I3. At their upper ends the bodies have threaded recesses I4 communicating with their hollow interiors by means of a hole or passageway I5.

The bodies bear integrally at their front sides a pair of spaced bracket members I6 and H which are perforated so as to provide a sliding bearing for a vertical shaft or rod I8.

The bodies also bear, adjacent their front sides, a pair of laterally extending bracket members I9 and 20, as perhaps most clearly shown in Figure 9. These bracket members are employed for mounting a pair of horizontal shaft members 2I and 22.

There is a threaded collar member 23 for each head, engaging the threaded bottom portion I3 thereof.

In the form of structure illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 the nozzle proper is an elongated tubular element 24. This is provided with an upper flange portion 25 so that it may be held to the body 4 by the collar 23.

The nozzle element 24 is designed to be closed on its lower end by a conical valve element 26. This, when drawn'upwardly against the open end of the element 24, will cut off any flow of filling material therefrom. The valve element 26 is mounted upon a vertically extending rod 21 which passes upwardly within the element 24, through the body 4 and above the body through the hole I5. A perforated disc element 28 serves as a guide for the stem or rod 21 in the nozzle element 24 but does not interrupt the passage of the filling material.

At the top of the body I provide a threaded plug 29 containing a gasket or sealing member 30 through which the rod '21 passes. Since the sealing member 30 has its flange portion turned downwardly so as to resist internal pressure in 4 the body 4, the end of the rod 2! is preferably tapered, as shown, to facilitate assembly.

The vertical rod l8 carries on its upper end a downwardly extending arm 3I terminating in a bifurcated portion 32 which has a horizontal perforation. The end of the rod 21 extending up through the bifurcated member may be pinned open and close the valve 26.

The rod I8 is provided, between the bracket members I6 and IT, with a block element 34 pinned or otherwise fastened to it. A coiled compression spring 35 surrounds the rod I8 and engages between the upper bracket I6 and the arm 3| on the rod. This tends to maintain the rod I8 inthe highest or uppermost position permitted by the engagement of the block 34 with the underside of the bracket I6. The parts are so adjusted that this uppermost position of the rod I8 is one which will close the valve 26.

A bell crank element having a hub 35 and arms 31 and 38 is mounted upon the shaft 2I. A second bell crank element 39 is mounted upon the shaft 22. This second bell crank element has slotted arms, one of which is engaged by a pin 40 in the arm 3! of the first mentioned bell crank and the other of which engages a pin 4| extending forwardly from the block 34. This relationship of parts is most clearly shown in Figures '7 and 9. The arm 38 of the first mentioned bell crank is provided with a cam following roller 42 which is actuated by the cam II (Figure 2). It will be evident that as the cam II moves the arm 36 of the first bell crank upwardly, the second bell crank will move the rod I8 downwardly against the compression of the spring 35, thus opening the valve 26.

The nozzle elements 24 may be made of lengths and external diameters appropriate for the filling of different sizes and shapes of containers, and containers of different depths. Nozzle members 24 and their appropriate valve members 26 and valve rods 21 may readily be interchanged in my apparatus, with no further manipulations than the installation of the nozzle and valve elements by means of the collars 23, and the engagement of their respective valve rods 21 with the arm 3I by means of the pin 33. Such changes are readily accomplished; and it will be seen that I have provided an apparatus in which such changes do not require the dismounting and interchange of entire spout mechanisms.

In Figures 5 to 9 inclusive I have illustrated a spout assembly designed particularly for the filling of heavy, viscous or stringy materials. Like parts have been given like index numerals, and the appearance of index numerals heretofore employed and described will indicate that these parts remain in the assembly. The specific nozzle element, in this instance is different, comprising a tubular element 43 of generally larger diameter, provided at its upper end with a collar or threaded element 44 for direct engagement with the threaded end I3 of the body 4. The lower end of the tube 43 is cut on two intersecting slantwise lines as will be evident from Figures 7 and 9; and the cut-off or valve mechanism comprises a pair of gate elements 45 and 46, adapted to'come together in the closed position shown in Figure 7 across the end of the tube, and which act not only to cut off flow of material therefrom but also to pinch off any filling material which has formed a string between the nozzle element and the body of such filling material in the container.

The gate elements 45 and 46 are connected by links 41 and 48 to the ends of a horizontal bar 49. A block 50 which may be readily attached to a reduced and perforated end of the vertical rod I8 by means of a pin 5|, is also attached centrally to the horizontal bar 49 by a pin 52-having a loose connection with the bar. The block 50 carries a horizontal ledge element 53. The " gate elements 45 and 46 are pivoted to rods or other abutments attached to the nozzle element 43 at positions shown at 54 and-55 in Figures 7 and 9.

As before, when the cam element l l moves the arm 38 of the first bell crank upwardly, the second bell crank moves the rod l8- downwardly. The ledge 53 on the block 50 engages the upper edge of the horizontal bar 49, moving this bar downwardly, and opens the gate elements 45 and 45 as will be clear from Figure 9. The horizontal bar, engaged by the ledge and bodily moved by it insures that the gates 45 and 46 open equally and sufficiently to clear the stream of filling material. When the head bearing the spout or nozzle mechanism passes beyond the cam II, the sprin 35 raises the rod l8. When this happens, the pin 52 pulls upwardly on the horizontal bar 49. By reason of the clearance betweenpin 52 and horizontal bar 49, as the rod I 8 rises the ledge 53 moves away from the bar 49 until the pin 52 contacts the top of the hole through the bar. Thus the pin 52 can act as a pivot for the bar and the bar will be free to tilt. Continued upward motion of the rod l8 causes the gates 45 and 46 to close, and the horizontal bar 49, fulcrumed n the pin 52, becomes an equalizer so that both gates 45 and 46 will come to rest against the beveled end of the'tube.

Since no vertical-rod extending through the body 4 is employed, I remove the plug 29 and replace it with a solid plug 56 to close the upper end of the body. The arm 3| is present but unused in this embodiment of my nozzle structure.

The manner in which the structure shown in Figures 3 and 4 can be changed over into the structure shown in Figures to 9 inclusive will be clear from the foregoing description.

In Figures to 13 inclusive, I have illustrated yet another type of spout assembly. Like parts are again indicated by like index numerals, showing that these parts are common to all forms herein described. In this third embodiment a nozzle element 51 is provided. This element has at its lower end a valve seat 58 having a downwardly tapering perforation. The valve 59 is correspondingly shaped, and is carried by a valve rod 66. This valve rod extends through the seal.. ing plug 29 hereinabove described, and is pinned to the arm 3|. But it will be observed that the valve in this form is opened by an upward movement of the rod 60 and hence of the rod l6, which is opposite to the mode of operation described for the embodiment ofFigures 3 and 4. The valve rod 66 is again guided in the nozzle element 57 by a perforated disc 6|.

To attain this opposite mode of motion, Iremove the first mentioned bell crank comprising the hub 36 and arms 3'! and 38. The second bell crank 39 is also removed, and in its place there is positioned on shaft 22 a third bell crank having an arm 62 carrying a cam following roller 63 bearing on the cam II, and having another arm 64 which is slotted and which engages the pin 4| in the block 34. It will be evident from the arrangement of arms illustrated in Figures 10, 1'1 and 12, that as the cam II moves the cam follower 63 upwardly, the last mentioned bell crank device will move the rod l8 upwardly, thereby opening the valve. The bell crank 62, 64 is provided with a rearward extension 65 which is connected by a tension spring 66 to the shaft 21 from which the first mentioned bell crank was removed. The function of this spring is to move the rod [8 downwardly, thereby closing the valve '58, 59 when the cam element II is not engaging the cam follower 63. While the spring 35 has not been illustrated in Figures 10 to 13 inclusive, it need not be removed. Allqthat is necessary is to employ a tension spring 66 of sufliciently greater power to overcome the action of the spring 35.

The nozzle structure illustrated in Figures 10 to 13 is one particularly designed for the 1111- 1 ing of thin li'quidswith low surface tension. The downwardly tapering valve seat 58 tends to prevent ilaringof the liquid stream as it leaves the nozzle; "The nozzle element of this embodiment may be set closer to the mouth of the container being filled, and can be employed for filling containers with restricted openings because of the confining and narrowing of the stream. However the nozzle elements 51 may be made as long as desired, and the structure of Figures 10 to 13 inclusive is one which also may be used for bottom-up filling as can the spout of Figures 3 and 4. In such an operation, the tubular portion ofthe nozzle is extended so that it can be inserted through the neck opening of the container when the container is raised. The filling operation is then begun, and the container is lowered in synohronisin therewith so that the tip of the nozzle can be kept immersed inthe filling material in the container.

The removable pins which have been mentioned herein may have any app opriate shape, and are preferably provided with threaded portions for engagement in the elements they penetrate'so as to hold them in position.

It will be, seen that I have provided a structure in which nozzle elements may readily be interchanged for different purposes, and wherein provision is made for the mechanical actuation of various types of cut-off or valve mechanisms requiring various modes of .motion.

' Modifications may be made in my invention without departing from the spirit of it. Having thus described my invention in certain exemplary embodiments, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A filling spout mechanism comprising a hollow body having a base with a perforation therein for attachment to a filling head, a pair of vertically spaced apart bracket members extending outwardly from said body and perforated for slidably journaling a vertically disposed rod, an actuating rod journaled .in said brackets, a block on said actuating rod located between said brackets,

"an additional bracket member extending laterally l to a filling head, a pair of vertically spaced apart bracket members extending outwardly from said body and perforated for slidably journaling a vertically disposed rod, an actuating rod journaled in said'brackets, a block on said actuating rod located between said brackets, additional bracket members extending laterally from said body and mounting horizontally disposed shafts,

bell crank elements mounted on said shafts, a

first of said bell crank elements having a cam follower on one arm thereof, a connection between a second arm of said first bell crank element and an arm of a second of said bell crank elements, and a connection between said second bell crank element and said block, and spring means connected to said actuating rod for biasing it in one direction.

3. A filling spout mechanism comprising a hollow body having a perforated base for attachment to a filling head, a pair of vertically spaced apart bracket members extending outwardly from said body and perforated for slidably journaling a vertically disposed rod, an actuating rod journaled in said brackets, a block on said actuating rod located between said brackets, additional bracket members extending laterally from said body and mounting horizontally disposed shafts, a bell crank element mounted on one of said shafts, said bell crank element having a first arm carrying a cam follower, a second arm operatively connected to said block, and a third arm connected by a tension spring to the other of said shafts.

4. A filling spout mechanism comprising a hollow body having a base with a perforation therein for attachment to a filling head, a pair of vertically spaced apart bracket members extending outwardly from said body and perforated for slidably journaling a vertically disposed rod, an actuating rod journaled in said brackets, a block on said actuating rod located between said brackets, two additional bracket members extending laterally from said body mounting horizontally disposed shafts, bell crank elements mounted on said shafts, one of said bell crank elements including an arm bearing a cam follower, a connection between said last mentioned bell crank element and the other of said bell crank elements, and a connection between the other of said bell crank elements and said block, an arm mounted on the upper end of said actuating rod extending to a position above the top of said hollow body, a compression spring surrounding said rod and engaged between said arm and the uppermost of said first mentioned pair of bracket members, the top of said body having a perforation therein a nozzle element secured to the lower end of said hollow body, said nozzle element including a valve rod extending upwardly through said hollow body and said perforation, the upper end of said valve rod, being secured to the end of said arm extending above said hollow body.

5. A filling spout mechanism comprising a hollow body having a base with a perforation therein for attachment to a filling head, a pair of vertically spaced apart bracket members extending outwardly from said body and perforated for slidably journaling a vertically disposed rod, an actuating rod journaled in said brackets, a block on said actuating rod located between said brackets, additional bracket members extending laterally from said body and mounting horizonl tally disposed shafts, bell crank elements mounted on said shafts, a first of said bell crank elements including an arm bearing a cam follower, a connection between said first bell crank element and a second of said bell crank elements, and a connection between said second bell crank element and said block, a compression spring surrounding said actuating rod and extending between the uppermost of :aid first mentioned pair of bracket members and a fitting secured to the top of said vertical rod, a nozzle element attached to the lower end of said hollow body, said nozzle element having external gates closable across the end thereof, links connecting said gates to a bar, and a connection between the lower end of the said actuating rod and said bar.

6. A filling spout mechanism comprising a hollow body having a perforated base for attachment to a filling head, a pair of vertically spaced apart bracket members extending outwardly from said body and perforated for slidably journaling a vertically disposed rod, an actuating rod journaled in said brackets, a block on said actuating rodlocated between said brackets, additional bracket members extending laterally from said body and mounting horizontally disposed shafts, bell crank elements mounted on said shafts, a first of said bell crank elements including an armbearing a cam follower, a connection between said first bell crank elements and a second of said bell crank elements, and a connection between said second bell crank element and said block, a compression spring surrounding said actuating rod and extending between the uppermost of said first mentioned pair of bracket members and a fitting secured to the top of said actuating rod, and a nozzle element secured to the lower end of said hollow body, said nozzle element having a beveled lower end, a pair of gate members for closing the end of said nozzle element by coming together across the beveled portion thereof, said gate members being respectively pivoted at both sides of said nozzle element, a horizontal bar connected at its ends by links respectively to said gate members, a second block on the lower end of said actuating rod, said second block including a ledge element contacting said horizontal bar, and a loose pivotal connection between the mid-point of said horizontal bar and said second block.

7. A nozzle element comprising a body having a beveled lower end, a pair of gate members for closing the lower end of said body by coming together across the beveled portion thereof, said gate members being respectively pivoted at both sides of said body, a horizontal bar connected at its ends by links respectively to said gate members, and means for effecting a loose pivotal connection between said bar and the actuating rod of a filling spout mechanism with which said nozzle is associated.

PAUL R. FECHHEIMER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,677,102 Taussig July 10, 1928 1,705,138 Rich Mar. 12, 1929 2,114,900 Gilchrist Apr. 19, 1938 2,185,201 Kraus Jan. 2, 1940 2,340,536 Joplin Feb. 1, 1944

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