US2754082A - Submersible fill pipe dispensing machine - Google Patents

Submersible fill pipe dispensing machine Download PDF

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US2754082A
US2754082A US398794A US39879453A US2754082A US 2754082 A US2754082 A US 2754082A US 398794 A US398794 A US 398794A US 39879453 A US39879453 A US 39879453A US 2754082 A US2754082 A US 2754082A
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valve
pressure
fill pipe
spear
lever
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US398794A
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Clarence D Crandall
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    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67CCLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C3/00Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
    • B67C3/30Filling of barrels or casks
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65BMACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B3/00Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
    • B65B3/26Methods or devices for controlling the quantity of the material fed or filled
    • B65B3/28Methods or devices for controlling the quantity of the material fed or filled by weighing
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65BMACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B39/00Nozzles, funnels or guides for introducing articles or materials into containers or wrappers
    • B65B39/12Nozzles, funnels or guides for introducing articles or materials into containers or wrappers movable towards or away from container or wrapper during filling or depositing
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01GWEIGHING
    • G01G13/00Weighing apparatus with automatic feed or discharge for weighing-out batches of material

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a machine for filling containers with predetermined quantities of fluent material, and it has particular reference to a machine wherein the material discharge pipe may be lowered into the container at the beginning of the dispensing operation and then progressively raised as the container is filled, and wherein the cycle of operation, including stoppage of flow of material, is automatically controlled.
  • the present invention contemplates a machine in which the discharge pipe for the liquid may be moved downwardly into the container to be filled, and with its outlet close to the bottom thereof, and outlet slightly below the surface of the liquid, so that aeration and foaming will be minimized. It is further contemplated that the fill pipe shall be associated with a weighing scale, so interconnected that the motion of the scale beam will actuate instrumentalities to shut off the flow of liquid when the desired amount of material has been delivered.
  • the invention provides a machine in which a dispensing pipe, connected to a source of liquid supply, is mounted for vertical movement with respect to a drum or other container adapted to be positioned on the platform of a weighing scale.
  • a dispensing pipe connected to a source of liquid supply
  • the container is placed on the scale platform, and suitable adjustments are made to the effective moment of the scale beam to offset or compensate for the weight, or tare, of the container itself.
  • the dispensing pipe, or spear as it may be termed is then lowered through the bung of the drum to be positioned adjacent the bottom, and thereafter a liquid flow control valve in the spear is opened to admit the liquid.
  • the spear then rises to a position adjacent the top of the container (assuming that the container is to be filled to its maximum capacity), and it is then arrested in its motion while the flow control valve is actuated to its closed position. The upward motion of the spear is then resumed until it is out of the drum, and the drum may then be removed and replaced by another.
  • the motion of the spear is controlled automatically by a number of valves contained in a hydraulic circuit, and which operate in proper sequence to eflfect the described motion.
  • One of the valves controlling the hydraulic fluid flow, which governs the closure of the liquid valve is actuated of the scale beam, which releases a holding latch for such valve as the desired total weight of liquid is approached.
  • Fig. 1 is an elevation looking from the right hand side of the machine, the fill pipe or spear being shown in its lowermost liquid control or foot valve open, as it would be at the beginning of flow of liquid;
  • Fig. 2 is an elevation looking from the left hand side
  • Fig. 3 is a rear elevation
  • Pig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partly in section and partly in elevation, looking from the right, and showing in greater detail the weighing mechanism;
  • Fig. 4A is a detail of a latch member shown in Figs. 1 and 4;
  • Fig. 5 is a view in plan, with parts in section and with parts omitted, showing particularly a drip catching instrumentality in the position assumed when the fill pipe is withdrawn from the container;
  • Fig. 6 is a fragmentary elevation, also showing the drip catcher
  • Fig. 7 is a section through the fill pipe, showing the foot valve and an actuating piston therefor;
  • Fig. 8 is a detail of a weight releasing mechanism, looking from the front of the scale
  • Figs. 9, 10, and 11 are sections through some of the control valves incorporated in the hydraulic circuit.
  • Fig. 12 is a diagram of the hydraulic circuit.
  • a pair of upright channel iron columns 26 and 27 are mounted in spaced relation at opposite sides of the base 21, and they are interconnected at their upper ends by a cap 28, which provides a support for a scale beam, hereinafter described. It will be noted from Figs. 3 and 5 that the columns are inclined inwardly toward each other, and it has been found that this type of framing increases the rigidity of the structure.
  • a secondary base 29, secured to the main base 21 at the back portion thereof, provides a support for a motor 31, connected through a coupling 32 to a rotary pump 33, which develops pressure in the hydraulic fluid utilized for the above mentioned automatic operations.
  • An elongated cylinder 35 mounted on the outer surface of the left hand column 27, contains a piston and its rod 36, to constitute a hydraulic ram by means of which the above mentioned spear may be raised and lowered. As best shown in Figs. 2 and 3,
  • the main liquid supply pipe which includes a shut-off valve 51, disposed at the back of the machine, and pipe lengths S2 and 53, respectively projecting inwardly and angularly upwardly to adjacent the left hand side of the machine.
  • the pipe 3 to avoid confusion of lines, but
  • the cylinder 57 is provided with upper and lower caps 58 and 59 each having a duct 6-1 for admission and discharge of hydraulic fluid, and which are secured to the cylinder by bolts 62 threaded into the upper end of the T 55.
  • the cylinder contains a piston .53, secured to a hollow piston rod 64 which extends through both caps.
  • the lower end of the rod 64 is connected to a hollow stem 65, which extends downwardly through a spider 66 in the spear 56, for connection to a foot valve 67, formed with a central bore communicating with the ducts on the rods 64 and 65.
  • a spring loaded normally closed valve 71 is shown above the valve 51, and it is mounted on the plate 41.
  • the valve 71 When the valve 71 is elevated, concurrently with the upward movement of the spear 56, and as the spear is withdrawn from a container, it strikes an adjustable stop pin '72, mounted on a bracket 73 on the upper end of the post 45, thus actuating the stem of the valve to open it.
  • One port of the valve 71 is connected by a hose 74 and fitting 75 to the upper end of the piston rod 64, while the other valve port is connected by a hose to a vacuum pump, not shown.
  • a vacuum is applied to the tip of the foot valve 67, to drain drippings through the stem 65 and rod 64 to a place of disposal.
  • the valve 71 automatically closes to discontinue the suction pressure.
  • FIGs. 2, 5, and 6 Other means for drip disposal is shown in Figs. 2, 5, and 6.
  • a slightly inclined rod 81 is fastened at its ends to the arms 37 and 41 of the elevator mechanism, toward the front of the machine. The lower end of the rod 81 is rounded off or beveled on its front.
  • a vertical rotatable shaft 82 is supported in front of the rod $1 by a foot bearing 33 on the base 21, and a bearing bracket 84 projecting from the cap 23.
  • a bracket 85 is clamped on the shaft 82, and it supports a short length of pipe 86, on one end of which is a drip pan 87 adapted to be positioned under the spear 56 when the spear is ele vated, as indicated in full lines in Fig. 5.
  • the drippings caught by the pan drain through a suitable slot cut in the pipe 86, whose other end is connected by a flexible conduit 9i leading to a point of disposal.
  • a torsion spring 88 interposed between the upper end of the shaft 82 and the plate $4, imparts torque on the shaft to rotate it clockwise, as viewed in'Fig. 5, and to a position locating the pan 87 under the spear 56.
  • a second bracket 89 is adjustably secured to the shaft 32, above the pan 37, and on it is mounted, for rotatable adjustment, a finger or cam follower 91, whose inner end is curved downwardly, and which is adapted to contact the rod 81.
  • the finger 91 slips under the lower curved end of the rod 31, permitting the spring 38 to rotate the shaft 82 to drip catching position beneath the spear 56, and the finger then provides a stop to maintain the parts in alignment.
  • the finger 91 'cator is employed to show when the rides over the rod 81, to impart a rotational thrust on the bracket 89 and shaft 82, to rotate the shaft counterclockwise and position the pan 87 in the broken line position of Fig. 5.
  • a known type of weighing beam assembly 191 is positioned on top of the channel member 28, and it includes a base 102, pedestal 1%, multiple arm beam 194 pivotally mounted thereon, connecting swivel 195, and rod 1% extending downwardly to the scale platform 22.
  • the beam 194 carries weights 197, 168, and 1&9, and has a pointer 111 from which may be suspended additional weights or hangpoise 112, whose influence may be eliminated by rocking a lever 113, pivoted on the base 162, to elevate a plate 114 to engage the weights and lift their suspending hook 115 from the pointer eye 116.
  • the several weights 107, 1598, 1&9 are located on their arms to balance the scale against the average weight of the containers 2%, or the mean tare weight. 7
  • a means is provided to correct for deviations, without manually resetting the weights M7, 1% or 1159 in every instance.
  • This comprises a sprocket chain 117, having one end connected to the base 162, and passing over a sprocket 118 mounted in suitably located hearings, one of which is indicated by the numeral 119 in Fig. l, as positioned on an angle iron 121 extending forwardly from the column 25 on the right hand side of the machine.
  • the other end of the chain 117 is connected to an adjustable bracket 122, fastened on the rod 1%.
  • a known commercially available type of visible indidesired compensation has been elfected.
  • a link i151 extends from the beam 1% to a lever 132 depending from indicator casing 133 having a window 134 enclosing a pointer 135.
  • variations in eiiective chain length are reflected by small changes the position of the beam ltd.
  • These are transmitted through the link 131 to the indicator, whose pointer can swing to one side or the other of its center poslion to indicate under or over deviations from the mean tare weight.
  • the hangpoise 112 which has been held oil its hook during this adjustment, is then lowered. its weight is that which will exert a moment on the beam equivalent to the weight of the liquid to be filled.
  • a latch 141 Associated with and actuated by the weighing anism is .a latch 141, so designated in Pi s. l T 1 1 4, and reproduced on an enlarged scale in Fig. to facilita the disposition of the reference numerals.
  • the latch member comprises a plate 14?. mounted on a depending bracket arm 143 secured to the cap 23.
  • a latch finger 144 formed at opposite ends with detects 145 and 14%, is mounted on the plate 142 by a pivot pin 147.
  • a bent lever 148 Also pivotally mounted on the plate is a bent lever 148, one end of which is adapted to engage the detent 146 and maintain the finger 144 in an upper position.
  • the other 148 carries a threaded post 149, on which may be mounted a number of washerlike counterweights 151, the effect of which, of course, is to rotate the lever 148 clockwise to release the finger 144.
  • the counterweights are over the bracket 122 on the scale rod 106, and when the beam 104 is tipped down by the hangpoise 112, the bracket 122 lifts and supports the counterweights, and thereby positions the inner end of the lever 148 to a position where it may engage the detent 1 16.
  • a second bent lever 152 connected to a control valve iereinafter identified, is movable between positions where its upper end engages the finger 144 and detent 145, and a lower poweight, to the dotted line position
  • the operation of the latch is as follows. As will be hereinafter explained, there comes a time in the operating cycle when to hold it there temporarily.
  • Figs. 9 through 12 showing typical valves and the piping diagram.
  • the liquid to be dispensed may be understood to be under pressure from an extraneous source, and supplied to the valve 51 through a hose connection, not shown.
  • the operator has positioned a container under the spear 56, and has made such adjustments of the chain 117 as were indicated to balance the scale against the Weight of the container.
  • the pump 33 is drawing the hydraulic fluid from a tank 161 through a suction line 162 for delivery through lines 163, 164 and 165 to a two-way valve 166, which is then be described. Fluid pressure is then transmitted to a three-way valve 168, such as is shown in Fig. 10, and thence through a line 169 to the bottom of the elevator ram 35, to maintain the A second hydraulic holding circuit is, also in operation to maintain the foot valve position to block flow through the supply lines 52, 53, 54.
  • This comprises a branch 171 connected to the line 163, and leading connection 172 to a hydraulically actuated four-way valve 174 (Fig.
  • valve 11 whose stem is coupled at one end to the previously described scale-actuated at this time, 67 in closed valve 51 and side of the central seal 208, to establish or close communication between the valve ports.
  • the cylinder 211 is connected to the opposite end of the valve body, the parts being made interchangeable for this purpose.
  • the three-way valve of Fig. 10 has one more port 217 and an additional O-ring seal 213, and it will be apbody, as will be apparent upon inspection, without fur- 168, thereby shifting its stem. It may be noted that no spring is required in the cylinder 191 of this particular valve.
  • a depending and angularly inclined angle iron 231 is a compression spring 233, extends between the flanges of the angles 228 and 231.
  • the bolt 232 may be adjusted to vary the inclination of the angle 231, whose inner flange constitutes a cam track.
  • a two-way valve 235 having a body such as that illustrated in Fig. 9 is mounted on the plate 41 for movement With the elemoves to its lower position, it
  • valve 235 assumes its closed position.
  • valve 235 is opened, for a purpose hereinafter explained.
  • a three-way valve 241 biased toward one of its alternate positions by a spring 242 connected to one end of its stern, and movable to the other position by a bent lever 243 projecting inwardly and under the plate 41 of the elevator frame and connected to the opposite end of the stem by a clevis.
  • the common valve port (262a of Fig. is connected to the cylinder of four-way valve 174 by a line 245.
  • a pressure line 246, extending from the line 171 is connected to one of the alternate ports, while the other port is connected to 'return through a line 2 57.
  • a manually adjustable throttle valve 243 is positioned in the pressure line 2416, to control the flow rate and pressure imposed through the valve 241 on the valve 174.
  • the elevator plate 41 strikes the lever 243 of three-way valve 241, thereby shifting its stem to connect the pressure line 246 to the common line 245 leading to the cylinder of four-way valve 174, and forcing its stem to the left, or to the Fig. 11 position, thereby reversing the connections to the cylinder 57 controlling the spear foot valve .67.
  • Flow is now established in this circuit through pressure line 173, line 173 and to the top of cylinder 57.
  • the bottom of the cylinder is now connected to return through line 177, ports 1'76 and 181, and lines 182 and 133. Accordingly, the piston 63 of cylinder 57 is forced down, thereby opening foot valve 67, and admitting liquid into the container.
  • valve 174 upon shifting to the left, actuates the lever 152 in a clockwise direction, so that its end engages the latch 1 11, thereby preventing reversal of valve 17 5 upon release of pressure through the line 245, and until the lever 152 is disengaged.
  • valve 235 which travels with the elevator, is opened by contact between its roller 236 and the track 231, when the spear 56 is in its upper position.
  • a line 255 extends from one port of this valve for connection to the line 178 which, at the start of the cycle, is on the low pressure side of the system.
  • the other port of valve 235 is connected by a flexible line 256 to the cylinder of an additional two-way valve 257, which is biased by its spring to a normally open position.
  • Valve 257 has one port connected to pressure line 163, and the other port connected to a manually adjustable flow regulating valve 258, which is connected also to the pressure line 167 leading to valve 163.
  • fluid pressure may be applied to line 169 through valves 257 and 258, which are in parallel to ports 175 and 17" into 4 is and 'valve 166-the spring of valve 257 inasmuch as line 256 is then connected the line holding it open, to a return line.
  • valve 174 reverses, as just explained, and pressure is then applied through lines 173 and 255, to one side of valve 235, but not through it at this time.
  • a branch line 259 connected to line 255, leads to the cylinder of valve 166, and therefore this valve now closes.
  • valve 163 It is no desired to reverse the valve 163, so that pressure may again be applied to the bottom of the ram 35, to elevate the spear at a rate consistent with the rate of filling of the container.
  • a by-pass line' 261 around the check valve 193, leading from the lines 178, 1% to a needle valve 262, for discharge into the line 192 and the cylinder 121 of'valve 163.
  • the needle valve 262 is set to throttle the pressure from the line 178, so that such pressure will not actuate valve 16% until after the foot valve 67 has opened, to discharge a layer of liquid on the bottom of the container being filled.
  • Valve 262 may therefore be termed a timer valve, introducing a period of delay in the application of pressure to valve 16%.
  • valve 163 When valve 163 is hydraulically operated, it is returned to its initial positon to admit pressure fluid to the line 169, and the lever 226 is restored to its starting position. inasmuch as valve 166 has been closed, the pressure is now applied through valves 257 and 25%, the latter being adjustable to govern the rate of movement of the spear 56. As the spear moves upwardly, the plate 41 of the elevator mechanism recedes from the lever 243 of valve 251, thereby permitting its spring 242 to reverse the valve, and connect the line 2 -3-5 to return line 247, thereby releasing the pressure on the piston of valve 17a. This valve, however, cannot reverse, as it is held by the latch 141.
  • cam track 231 engages roller 236 of valve 235, there y opening this valve, and applying pressure to the cylinder of valve 257, which thereupon closes.
  • the motion of the spear is accordingly arrested, although flow of liquid into the drum continues.
  • the bracket 122 therefore moves away from the lever arm 14%, enabling the arm to rotate clockwise and unlatch the lever 152, as has previously been described.
  • valve 17a therefore now reverses this valve, and wih it the pressure and return connections to the cylinder 57.
  • the foot valve 6'7 of the spear therefore begins to close and, with the release of pressure in the lines 178, 255, 25%, and 256, valves 1&6 and 257 will open, thereby again applying pressure to the line 169, and elevating the spear to its final position free from the container at an accelerated rate of travel, due to tr e by-passing of regulating valve 253.
  • There is suificient freedom of displacement of the stem of valve 235 to accommodate this additional upward movement.
  • the counterweights 151 on the lever arm 152 are made substantially equal to the weight of liquid which will flow into the container, after the lever 152 is released and until the foot valve 67 has closed, and which quantity of liquid may be termed the liquid in suspension.
  • the weights 151 act on the rod 1%, and thus pre-load the platform 22, inducing the beam 1% to move upwardly sooner than it would otherwise.
  • the bracket 122 moves away from the under side of the lever 14%.
  • one application of the present invention has been for the filling of 55-gallon drums with mineral oil, the net weight of which may range from about three hundred and fifty to close to four hundred pounds. With a well built weighing scale in good condition, the weight may be controlled wihin limits of plus or minus four ounces per drum.
  • valve 23$ may be adjusted through a wide range to enable the machine to dispense as little as one gallon of liquid, up to quantities in excess of that just given by For filling 55-gallon drums, it has been found advantageous to employ a 2-inch supply line 52-, U I 4 lll actual filling may be maintained at say ninety gallons per minute.
  • the hydraulic head pressure may be maintained at approximately one hundred pounds or more gage, by adjusting of the spring loaded bypass valve 196, to provide an over-all filling cycle of approximately one minute.
  • the maximum descent of the spear 56 may be readily varied by attaching a depending rod (not shown) on the plate 41, to engage the lever 243 of valve 241, and such a rod may be made adjustable.
  • the invention fur ther provides a positive control for the supply valve til, causing it to close in the event the hydraulic pressure should fail.
  • This comprises a hydraulic cylinder 265, constantly connected to the pressure side of the pump 33 by a line 266 connected to pressure lines 163 and 171.
  • the cylinder 2-65 is mounted on the valve 51 by a bracket 267, and its piston 268 engages a slidable stem 269 in the valve 51, pushing the valve element of valve 51 ofl its seat, and against spring pressure, when there is adequate pressure in line 266. If the hydraulic pressure should drop below a safe operating value, the built-in spring of valve 51 causes it to close, thereby shutting ofl the liquid supply.
  • valve 252 controls the rate of descent, and the valve 253 controls the rate of ascent during most of the upward movement of the spear 56.
  • the valve 166 in parallel with the valve 258, provides for accelerated movement of the spear at the end of the cycle.
  • the valve 174 controls the position of the piston 63 in the cylinder 57, and therefore the opening and closing of the spear foot valve 67, and the position of the valve 174 also controls the opening and closing of the valve 166.
  • the position of the valve 174 is controlled, on the one hand, by the position of the valve 241, which in turn is governed by the position of the elevator mechanism. On the other hand, the position of the valve 174 is controlled by the quantity of material which has been disensed.
  • the position of the valve 257 is also controlled by the position of the elevator, through the valve 235.
  • the check valve 193 provides for rapid release of hydraulic pressure on the valve 163, while the needle valve 262 prevents too rapid an application of pressure which reverses the valve 163. As such pressure is governed by the position of the valve 174, these valves are also coordinated with each other.
  • the hydraulic operating pres stu e is controlled by valve 196, and this pressure, in turn,
  • elevator position also governs the position and operation of the means for removing drip.
  • a dispensing machine comprising a vertically disposed fill pipe, an elevator mechanism connected to the fill pipe for raising and lowering the same with respect to a container, a closure valve in the fill pipe, a two-position controlling means for the closure valve adapted in one position to retain the closure valve closed and in the other position to open said closure valve, governing means actuated by the downward movement of the elevator mechanism to operate said controlling means to closure valve open position, ascent means actuated by the movement of said controlling means to closure valve open position to move said elevator mechanism and fill pipe upwardly while said closure pipe is open, a supply conduit connected to said fill pipe for the admission thereto of material to be dispensed, and means responsive to a predetermined quantity of material discharged from the till pipe during the upward movement thereof and while said closure valve is open to actuate said controlling means to closure valve closed position.
  • a dispensing machine comprising a vertically movable fill pipe, elevator mechanism connected to the fill pipe to move the same up and down with respect to a con tainer, said mechanism including a ram having a piston movable in response to the application of fluid pressure thereto, a source of fluid pressure, elevator valve means interposed between said source and said ram for applying fluid pressure thereto to raise the ram and for releasing such pressure to enable the ram to descend, a closure valve in the fill pipe, a cylinder containing a piston connected to said closure valve, fluid pressure connections between said cylinder and said source to apply pressure to the piston of said cylinder, a control valve interposed between said source and said cylinder to apply pressure thereto to open and close the closure valve, said control valve being biased to closure valve closed position, governing means actuated by the downward movement of the elevator mechanism to apply fluid pressure through said control valve in a direction to open the closure valve, means responsive to the actuation of the control valve to closure valve open position to move the elevator valve means to a position to move the elevator
  • a dispensing machine comprising a fill pipe, an elevator mechanism connected to the fill pipe and movable to direct the fill pipe toward and away from a container to be filled, .sa'id elevator mechanism including a ram adapted to be actuated by fluid pressure, a pressure circuit for said ram including a source of pressure, a return line to said source, a manually adjustable regulating valve, and a three-way valve having a common port connected to one end of the ram and other ports respectively connected to said regulating valve and source and to said return line, means for manually operating said three-way valve to connect the common .port to the return line whereby the elevator mechanism may move the fill pipe in one direction, a fluid pressure cylinder for the threeway valve, a control valve having a port connected to said pressure source and a port connected to the cylinder of said three-way valve, said control valve being operable by the movement of said elevator mechanism in said one direction to connect the pressure source to the cylinder or" the three-way valve, thereby to shift said three-Way valve
  • a dispensing machine as set forth in claim 4, having a by-pass circuit between the source of pressure around said regulating valve and to said three-way valve, a normally open by-pass valve in said circuit, means for closing said normally open by-pass valve when the elevator mechanism begins its movement in said opposite direction, whereby pressure is applied through the regulatin valve, and means for opening said by-pass valve as the elevator mechanism approaches the limit of its movement in said opposite direction, thereby to accelerate the rate of such movement.
  • a dispensing machine comprising a fill pipe having a closure valve therein, a cylinder containing a piston associated with the fill pipe, a rod for the piston extending into the fill pipe and connected to the closure valve, a source of pressure fluid, a four-way valve, a line connecting said source to a port of said valve, additional lines respectively connected to said valve and to said cylinder on opposite sides of the piston therein, a return line from said valve to said source, means in said fourway valve normally biasing the same to connect the pressure source to that side of the cylinder which will close said closure valve and connect the opposite side of the cylinder to the return line, means to reverse the connections through said four-way valve and thereby open the closure valve, a lever connected to said four-way valve and movable to alternate positions depending on the connections through the four-way valve, a latch member engageable with said lever when said connections are reversed to open the closure valve, said latch member, while so engaged, restraining the four-way valve from movement under the influence of its biasing means, a
  • a dispensing machine comprising a fill pipe having a closure valve, control means for said valve biasing the same to closed position, an operating lever associated with said control means and movable to one position overcoming the bias in such means to maintain the closure valve in open position, a weighing scale having a counterpoised beam, a platform, and a rod extending from the platform to the beam to transmit the efiect of material being weighed, said fill pipe being positionable over the platform and a container adapted to be placed thereon, a latch member adjacent said rod and operating lever and adapted, when said lever is in said one position, to engage and hold the same, said latch member including a counterweight biased to release said latch memher from said operating lever, a support for the counterweight connected to the scale rod and effective, when an unfilled container is placed on the platform, to ofiset the bias imposed by said counterweight, said counterweight thereby preloading the platform, said support being removed from the counterweight as material deposited in the container causes the rod to move, thereby to unlatch
  • a dispensing machine comprising a fill pipe having a closure valve therein, control means for opening and closing said valve, said control means being biased to closure valve closed position, said fill pipe being connectible to a supply of material to be dispensed for fiow past the closure valve when the same is open, a weighing scale including a beam, platform, and interconnecting rod, said beam being adapted to be counterpoised against a predetermined weight of material and said platform being adapted to receive a container into which material is discharged through said fill pipe, a latch member having a pivoted finger and a latch lever adapted to hold said finger in latching position, adjustable weights on said latch lever biasing it into disengagement with the finger, a bracket on said interconnecting rod adjacent the latch lever and supporting said weights when the scale platform receives an empty container thereby to move the latch lever into holding engagement with the latch finger, said counterweights thereby pre-loading the scale, an operating lever for said closure valve control means engageable with and retained by the latch finger when the closure valve is moved to open position
  • means of means for manually instituting a change of pressure on the ram which will enable the ram to move downwardly, of means for regulating the rate of ascent and descent of the fill pipe, and of means for accelerating the rate of ascent after the control valve has moved to closure valve closed position.
  • a dispensing machine comprising a support including a base and upright side members, a weighing scale platform on the base, a scale beam mounted on the upright members and connected to the platform, a ram mounted vertically on one of the side members, an elevator frame connected to the piston rod of the ram and depending therefrom and into the space between the upright members, a liquid supply pipe mounted on the frame and extending forwardly and upwardly therefrom, a fill pipe connected to the the cylinder and piping connections from said source through the control valve to the cylinder, an elevator valve for the ram and piping connections from the source through the elevator valve to move the elevator frame thereby lower and raise the platform, a governing valve mounted on the support adjacent the base and adapted to be operated by the elevator frame when said frame is in a low position, piping connections from the source through the governing valve to the control valve for shifting the control valve to closure valve open position, a latch mounted on the support, a lever connected to the control valve and engageable with the latch when the closure valve is opened, a normally open valve in the
  • a dispensing machine comprising a fill pipe having a closure valve therein, an elevator mechanism for lowering and raising the fill pipe with respect to a container to be filled, means responsive to the downward movement of the fill pipe to open the closure valve whereby material supplied to the fill pipe may be dispensed, adjustable means for moving the elevator mechanism upwardly in timed relation to the flow of material through the fill cam means being elevator mechanism and actuated drip pain under the fill pipe when said pipe is raised, and to move the drip pan away from References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Loading And Unloading Of Fuel Tanks Or Ships (AREA)

Description

Judy 1Q, 1956 c, CRANDALL, 2,754,082
SUBMERSIBLE FILL PIPE DISPENSING MACHINE Filed Dec. 17, 1953 7 SheetsSheet 5 INVENTOR. (fareflcefi. (ran aaJZ ATTORN Y.
Juiy 10,1956
SUBMERSIBLE FILL PIPE DISPENSING MACHINE Filed Dec. 17, 1955 C. CRANDALL 0 joy M5 v i 4 I 11mm 129 7 SheetsShee" 4.
INVENTOR.
garemefl Cmndaf],
ATTO NE'Y.
y 10, 1956 c. D. CRANDALL 2,754,082
SUBMERSIBLE FILL PIPE DISPENSING MACHINE Filed Dec. 17, 1953 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 K INVENTOR.
ATT
July 10, 1956 Filed Dec. 17, 1953 C. D. CRANDALL SUBMERSIBLE FILL PIPE DISPENSING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 IIIII" INVENTOR.
ATTORNEY.
y 10, 956 c. D. CRANDALL SUBMERSIBLE FILL PIPE DISPENSING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Dec. 17, 1955 INVENTOR. Llczrence .D Cmndai],
2,754,082 SUBMERSELE FILL PHE DISPENSING MACHINE Clarence D. Crandall, Buffalo, N. Y. Application December 17, 1953, Serial No. 398,794 16 Claims. (Cl. 249-63) This invention relates to a machine for filling containers with predetermined quantities of fluent material, and it has particular reference to a machine wherein the material discharge pipe may be lowered into the container at the beginning of the dispensing operation and then progressively raised as the container is filled, and wherein the cycle of operation, including stoppage of flow of material, is automatically controlled.
Numerous liquids tend to foam when poured freely into a container, due to admixture with air. The foaming may be practically eliminated by submerging the tip of the discharge nozzle beneath the surface of the initial layer of the liquid. The present invention contemplates a machine in which the discharge pipe for the liquid may be moved downwardly into the container to be filled, and with its outlet close to the bottom thereof, and outlet slightly below the surface of the liquid, so that aeration and foaming will be minimized. It is further contemplated that the fill pipe shall be associated with a weighing scale, so interconnected that the motion of the scale beam will actuate instrumentalities to shut off the flow of liquid when the desired amount of material has been delivered.
More specifically, the invention provides a machine in which a dispensing pipe, connected to a source of liquid supply, is mounted for vertical movement with respect to a drum or other container adapted to be positioned on the platform of a weighing scale. At the beginning of a cycle of operation, the container is placed on the scale platform, and suitable adjustments are made to the effective moment of the scale beam to offset or compensate for the weight, or tare, of the container itself. The dispensing pipe, or spear as it may be termed, is then lowered through the bung of the drum to be positioned adjacent the bottom, and thereafter a liquid flow control valve in the spear is opened to admit the liquid.
The spear then rises to a position adjacent the top of the container (assuming that the container is to be filled to its maximum capacity), and it is then arrested in its motion while the flow control valve is actuated to its closed position. The upward motion of the spear is then resumed until it is out of the drum, and the drum may then be removed and replaced by another.
The motion of the spear, from the time the operator institutes the cycle, is controlled automatically by a number of valves contained in a hydraulic circuit, and which operate in proper sequence to eflfect the described motion. One of the valves controlling the hydraulic fluid flow, which governs the closure of the liquid valve, is actuated of the scale beam, which releases a holding latch for such valve as the desired total weight of liquid is approached.
Other features of the invention include means to disnited States Patent O 0E the flow of liquid to the machine if, for any reason, there should be a failure of the hydraulic pressure employed as the motive force for the operation. Other features and the numerous advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of one embodiment, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Fig. 1 is an elevation looking from the right hand side of the machine, the fill pipe or spear being shown in its lowermost liquid control or foot valve open, as it would be at the beginning of flow of liquid;
Fig. 2 is an elevation looking from the left hand side;
Fig. 3 is a rear elevation;
Pig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partly in section and partly in elevation, looking from the right, and showing in greater detail the weighing mechanism;
Fig. 4A is a detail of a latch member shown in Figs. 1 and 4;
Fig. 5 is a view in plan, with parts in section and with parts omitted, showing particularly a drip catching instrumentality in the position assumed when the fill pipe is withdrawn from the container;
Fig. 6 is a fragmentary elevation, also showing the drip catcher;
Fig. 7 is a section through the fill pipe, showing the foot valve and an actuating piston therefor;
Fig. 8 is a detail of a weight releasing mechanism, looking from the front of the scale;
Figs. 9, 10, and 11 are sections through some of the control valves incorporated in the hydraulic circuit; and
Fig. 12 is a diagram of the hydraulic circuit.
Referring primarily to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the machine the conveyor frame to assist in locating the top bun of the drum 24 into correct position for filling. A pair of upright channel iron columns 26 and 27 are mounted in spaced relation at opposite sides of the base 21, and they are interconnected at their upper ends by a cap 28, which provides a support for a scale beam, hereinafter described. It will be noted from Figs. 3 and 5 that the columns are inclined inwardly toward each other, and it has been found that this type of framing increases the rigidity of the structure. A secondary base 29, secured to the main base 21 at the back portion thereof, provides a support for a motor 31, connected through a coupling 32 to a rotary pump 33, which develops pressure in the hydraulic fluid utilized for the above mentioned automatic operations.
An elongated cylinder 35, mounted on the outer surface of the left hand column 27, contains a piston and its rod 36, to constitute a hydraulic ram by means of which the above mentioned spear may be raised and lowered. As best shown in Figs. 2 and 3,
away to pass in back is secured to two tubes 42, 43, which are slidably mounted on upright posts 44, 45, positioned between the base 21 and the overhead cap 28. It will be seen that this arrangement constitutes a hydraulically operated elevator .or the various parts of the machine which are mounted on it.
One part connected to the elevator is the main liquid supply pipe, which includes a shut-off valve 51, disposed at the back of the machine, and pipe lengths S2 and 53, respectively projecting inwardly and angularly upwardly to adjacent the left hand side of the machine. The pipe 3, to avoid confusion of lines, but
the location of its upper end 54 is connected to the upper .end of the pipe 53, and it is also connected at its'forward end to a flange T fitting 55. The lower "id of the tting 55 receives the till pipe or spear 56, and the upper end receives a hydraulic actuating cylinder 57, both of which are shown in section in Fig. 7.
The cylinder 57 is provided with upper and lower caps 58 and 59 each having a duct 6-1 for admission and discharge of hydraulic fluid, and which are secured to the cylinder by bolts 62 threaded into the upper end of the T 55. The cylinder contains a piston .53, secured to a hollow piston rod 64 which extends through both caps. The lower end of the rod 64 is connected to a hollow stem 65, which extends downwardly through a spider 66 in the spear 56, for connection to a foot valve 67, formed with a central bore communicating with the ducts on the rods 64 and 65. It will be apparent that when pressure fiuid is applied through the duct 61 in the lower cap 59, the piston will be forced upwardly to seat the valve 67 against the end of the spear 56, and thus stop the flow of liquid into a container. Reverse motion of the piston 63 opens the valve 67 to allow liquid flowing through the supply line to empty into a container.
The purpose of having a central duct or bore through the rod 64, stem 65, and valve 67 is to provide a means of collecting and removing liquid which drains from the spear 56 after it has been withdrawn from the container 24. Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, a spring loaded normally closed valve 71 is shown above the valve 51, and it is mounted on the plate 41. When the valve 71 is elevated, concurrently with the upward movement of the spear 56, and as the spear is withdrawn from a container, it strikes an adjustable stop pin '72, mounted on a bracket 73 on the upper end of the post 45, thus actuating the stem of the valve to open it. One port of the valve 71 is connected by a hose 74 and fitting 75 to the upper end of the piston rod 64, while the other valve port is connected by a hose to a vacuum pump, not shown. Hence, when the valve 71 is open, a vacuum is applied to the tip of the foot valve 67, to drain drippings through the stem 65 and rod 64 to a place of disposal. When the spear 56 begins its downward movement, the valve 71 automatically closes to discontinue the suction pressure.
Other means for drip disposal is shown in Figs. 2, 5, and 6. A slightly inclined rod 81 is fastened at its ends to the arms 37 and 41 of the elevator mechanism, toward the front of the machine. The lower end of the rod 81 is rounded off or beveled on its front. A vertical rotatable shaft 82 is supported in front of the rod $1 by a foot bearing 33 on the base 21, and a bearing bracket 84 projecting from the cap 23. A bracket 85 is clamped on the shaft 82, and it supports a short length of pipe 86, on one end of which is a drip pan 87 adapted to be positioned under the spear 56 when the spear is ele vated, as indicated in full lines in Fig. 5. The drippings caught by the pan drain through a suitable slot cut in the pipe 86, whose other end is connected by a flexible conduit 9i leading to a point of disposal.
A torsion spring 88, interposed between the upper end of the shaft 82 and the plate $4, imparts torque on the shaft to rotate it clockwise, as viewed in'Fig. 5, and to a position locating the pan 87 under the spear 56. A second bracket 89 is adjustably secured to the shaft 32, above the pan 37, and on it is mounted, for rotatable adjustment, a finger or cam follower 91, whose inner end is curved downwardly, and which is adapted to contact the rod 81. When the elevator mechanism is in its upper position, the finger 91 slips under the lower curved end of the rod 31, permitting the spring 38 to rotate the shaft 82 to drip catching position beneath the spear 56, and the finger then provides a stop to maintain the parts in alignment. As the elevator moves down to position the spear 56 in a container, the finger 91 'cator is employed to show when the rides over the rod 81, to impart a rotational thrust on the bracket 89 and shaft 82, to rotate the shaft counterclockwise and position the pan 87 in the broken line position of Fig. 5.
Considering next the weighting mechanism, a known type of weighing beam assembly 191 is positioned on top of the channel member 28, and it includes a base 102, pedestal 1%, multiple arm beam 194 pivotally mounted thereon, connecting swivel 195, and rod 1% extending downwardly to the scale platform 22. The beam 194 carries weights 197, 168, and 1&9, and has a pointer 111 from which may be suspended additional weights or hangpoise 112, whose influence may be eliminated by rocking a lever 113, pivoted on the base 162, to elevate a plate 114 to engage the weights and lift their suspending hook 115 from the pointer eye 116. in production operation, the several weights 107, 1598, 1&9 are located on their arms to balance the scale against the average weight of the containers 2%, or the mean tare weight. 7
Assuming the machine is employed, for example, to fill drums with oil, the user will employ drums of the same size as a matter of course, and some of these will depart from the mean tare weight by small amounts. A means is provided to correct for deviations, without manually resetting the weights M7, 1% or 1159 in every instance. This comprises a sprocket chain 117, having one end connected to the base 162, and passing over a sprocket 118 mounted in suitably located hearings, one of which is indicated by the numeral 119 in Fig. l, as positioned on an angle iron 121 extending forwardly from the column 25 on the right hand side of the machine. The other end of the chain 117 is connected to an adjustable bracket 122, fastened on the rod 1%.
It will be seen that the chain hangs over the sprocket, festoon fashion, and that part of the chain between the sprocket and bracket 122 adds to the weight or moment imposed on the beam 1G4, or in effect adds to the tare weight. Hence, by varying the amount of chain so added to the weight, under or over variations from the mean tare weight may be compensated for. Rotation of the sprocket 118 is efiected through a shaft 125, mounted in suitable bearings 126 and 127, located on the inner side of the angle iron 121. A hand wheel 128 is positioned on the outer end of the shaft 1'25, and the inner end is connected to the sprocket by bevel gearing 129.
A known commercially available type of visible indidesired compensation has been elfected. A link i151 extends from the beam 1% to a lever 132 depending from indicator casing 133 having a window 134 enclosing a pointer 135. it Will suffice to note that variations in eiiective chain length are reflected by small changes the position of the beam ltd. These are transmitted through the link 131 to the indicator, whose pointer can swing to one side or the other of its center poslion to indicate under or over deviations from the mean tare weight. When the pointer is centered, the balance is set for the true tare of the particular container positioned on the scale. The hangpoise 112, which has been held oil its hook during this adjustment, is then lowered. its weight is that which will exert a moment on the beam equivalent to the weight of the liquid to be filled.
Associated with and actuated by the weighing anism is .a latch 141, so designated in Pi s. l T 1 1 4, and reproduced on an enlarged scale in Fig. to facilita the disposition of the reference numerals. 'The latch member comprises a plate 14?. mounted on a depending bracket arm 143 secured to the cap 23. A latch finger 144, formed at opposite ends with detects 145 and 14%, is mounted on the plate 142 by a pivot pin 147. Also pivotally mounted on the plate is a bent lever 148, one end of which is adapted to engage the detent 146 and maintain the finger 144 in an upper position. The other 148 carries a threaded post 149, on which may be mounted a number of washerlike counterweights 151, the effect of which, of course, is to rotate the lever 148 clockwise to release the finger 144.
It will be noted that the counterweights are over the bracket 122 on the scale rod 106, and when the beam 104 is tipped down by the hangpoise 112, the bracket 122 lifts and supports the counterweights, and thereby positions the inner end of the lever 148 to a position where it may engage the detent 1 16. A second bent lever 152, connected to a control valve iereinafter identified, is movable between positions where its upper end engages the finger 144 and detent 145, and a lower poweight, to the dotted line position The operation of the latch is as follows. As will be hereinafter explained, there comes a time in the operating cycle when to hold it there temporarily. This motion causes the upper end of the lever 152 to engage the lower edge of the finger 14 i, moving it upwardly, and causing its free end to cam over the upper end of the lever 148, which then engages the detent 146. Prior to this time, the bracket 122 on the rod 1% has engaged the outer end lever 14% to support it. The lever arm 152 then engages the container 24, the support for the counterweights 151 is removed, thereby causing the counterweights to rotate the lever 148 to disengage from the detent 146, and permitting the valve lever 152 to disengage.
the hydraulic circuits, which the elevator mechanism is automatiand in this connection, reference may be made to Figs. 9 through 12, showing typical valves and the piping diagram. It will be recalled that, at the start of a cycle, the spear 55 is elevated, the foot valve 67 is closed, and the pump 33 is running. The liquid to be dispensed may be understood to be under pressure from an extraneous source, and supplied to the valve 51 through a hose connection, not shown. It will further be understood that the operator has positioned a container under the spear 56, and has made such adjustments of the chain 117 as were indicated to balance the scale against the Weight of the container. At this time, the pump 33 is drawing the hydraulic fluid from a tank 161 through a suction line 162 for delivery through lines 163, 164 and 165 to a two-way valve 166, which is then be described. Fluid pressure is then transmitted to a three-way valve 168, such as is shown in Fig. 10, and thence through a line 169 to the bottom of the elevator ram 35, to maintain the A second hydraulic holding circuit is, also in operation to maintain the foot valve position to block flow through the supply lines 52, 53, 54. This comprises a branch 171 connected to the line 163, and leading connection 172 to a hydraulically actuated four-way valve 174 (Fig. 11), whose stem is coupled at one end to the previously described scale-actuated at this time, 67 in closed valve 51 and side of the central seal 208, to establish or close communication between the valve ports. For a normally open valve, such as the valve 166, the cylinder 211 is connected to the opposite end of the valve body, the parts being made interchangeable for this purpose.
The three-way valve of Fig. 10 has one more port 217 and an additional O-ring seal 213, and it will be apbody, as will be apparent upon inspection, without fur- 168, thereby shifting its stem. It may be noted that no spring is required in the cylinder 191 of this particular valve.
Referring primarily to the upper portions of Figs. 2 and 3, an angle iron 228, mounted on the posts 44 and 45, projects rearwardly of the machine, and has secured to it a short angle iron 229, disposed at right angles and extending toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 3. A depending and angularly inclined angle iron 231 is a compression spring 233, extends between the flanges of the angles 228 and 231. The bolt 232 may be adjusted to vary the inclination of the angle 231, whose inner flange constitutes a cam track.
Referring to the bottom of Figs. 2 and 3, a two-way valve 235 having a body such as that illustrated in Fig. 9 is mounted on the plate 41 for movement With the elemoves to its lower position, it
vator mechanism. This valve is normally biased to closed position by its spring (indicated in Fig. 12), and its stem is movable to open position by a cam lever and roller 236 (connected by a clevis to such stern), when the elevator moves upwardly, causing the roller 236 to engage the track 231. When the elevator and spear are in their'lower position, roller 236 is released from the track 231, and valve 235 assumes its closed position. When the spear 56 is elevated a certain amount, valve 235 is opened, for a purpose hereinafter explained.
Also shown in Figs. 2 and 3 is a three-way valve 241, biased toward one of its alternate positions by a spring 242 connected to one end of its stern, and movable to the other position by a bent lever 243 projecting inwardly and under the plate 41 of the elevator frame and connected to the opposite end of the stem by a clevis. Referring in this connection to Fig. 12, the common valve port (262a of Fig. is connected to the cylinder of four-way valve 174 by a line 245. A pressure line 246, extending from the line 171, is connected to one of the alternate ports, while the other port is connected to 'return through a line 2 57. When the elevator mechanism engages the lever 243 to connect the pressure line to the valve 174, to perform a function hereinafter discussed, and when the elevator moves upwardly, the spring 242 restores the stern of valve 241 to cut oil pressure from the line 245, and allow the line 245' to drain to the return side of the system. A manually adjustable throttle valve 243 is positioned in the pressure line 2416, to control the flow rate and pressure imposed through the valve 241 on the valve 174.
In order to institute the cycle of operation, the attendant pushes lever 226, thereby manually reversing valve 163. The common line 169, leading to the bottom of the ram 35, is now out olf from pressure, and is connected to return through the line 251, in which is positioned a manually adjustable throttle valve 252, controlling the rate of how of fluid from the bottom of the cylinder 35. The spear 56 is now free to descend under its own weight, and at a speed which can be regulated by the setting of the valve 252.
As the spear 56 approaches the bottom of the container to be filled, the elevator plate 41 strikes the lever 243 of three-way valve 241, thereby shifting its stem to connect the pressure line 246 to the common line 245 leading to the cylinder of four-way valve 174, and forcing its stem to the left, or to the Fig. 11 position, thereby reversing the connections to the cylinder 57 controlling the spear foot valve .67. Flow is now established in this circuit through pressure line 173, line 173 and to the top of cylinder 57. The bottom of the cylinder is now connected to return through line 177, ports 1'76 and 181, and lines 182 and 133. Accordingly, the piston 63 of cylinder 57 is forced down, thereby opening foot valve 67, and admitting liquid into the container. The stem of valve 174, upon shifting to the left, actuates the lever 152 in a clockwise direction, so that its end engages the latch 1 11, thereby preventing reversal of valve 17 5 upon release of pressure through the line 245, and until the lever 152 is disengaged.
It will be recalled that the valve 235, which travels with the elevator, is opened by contact between its roller 236 and the track 231, when the spear 56 is in its upper position. A line 255 extends from one port of this valve for connection to the line 178 which, at the start of the cycle, is on the low pressure side of the system. The other port of valve 235 is connected by a flexible line 256 to the cylinder of an additional two-way valve 257, which is biased by its spring to a normally open position. Valve 257 has one port connected to pressure line 163, and the other port connected to a manually adjustable flow regulating valve 258, which is connected also to the pressure line 167 leading to valve 163. Hence, at the outset of the cycle fluid pressure may be applied to line 169 through valves 257 and 258, which are in parallel to ports 175 and 17" into 4 is and 'valve 166-the spring of valve 257 inasmuch as line 256 is then connected the line holding it open, to a return line.
When the spear moves downwardly, due to manual reversal of valve 168, the roller of valve 235 is released from. the track 231, to close the valve and prevent pressure fluid exerting any force, at this time, on valve 257, which therefore remains open. As the spear reaches its lower position, valve 174 reverses, as just explained, and pressure is then applied through lines 173 and 255, to one side of valve 235, but not through it at this time. A branch line 259, connected to line 255, leads to the cylinder of valve 166, and therefore this valve now closes.
It is no desired to reverse the valve 163, so that pressure may again be applied to the bottom of the ram 35, to elevate the spear at a rate consistent with the rate of filling of the container. For this purpose, there is provided a by-pass line' 261 around the check valve 193, leading from the lines 178, 1% to a needle valve 262, for discharge into the line 192 and the cylinder 121 of'valve 163. The needle valve 262 is set to throttle the pressure from the line 178, so that such pressure will not actuate valve 16% until after the foot valve 67 has opened, to discharge a layer of liquid on the bottom of the container being filled. Valve 262 may therefore be termed a timer valve, introducing a period of delay in the application of pressure to valve 16%.
When valve 163 is hydraulically operated, it is returned to its initial positon to admit pressure fluid to the line 169, and the lever 226 is restored to its starting position. inasmuch as valve 166 has been closed, the pressure is now applied through valves 257 and 25%, the latter being adjustable to govern the rate of movement of the spear 56. As the spear moves upwardly, the plate 41 of the elevator mechanism recedes from the lever 243 of valve 251, thereby permitting its spring 242 to reverse the valve, and connect the line 2 -3-5 to return line 247, thereby releasing the pressure on the piston of valve 17a. This valve, however, cannot reverse, as it is held by the latch 141.
As the spear 5s approaches the upper limit of its travel, cam track 231 engages roller 236 of valve 235, there y opening this valve, and applying pressure to the cylinder of valve 257, which thereupon closes. The motion of the spear is accordingly arrested, although flow of liquid into the drum continues. At this time, there is suflicient weight of liquid in the container to begin to tip the scale beam 1%, with concurrent downward movement of the scale rod 1%. The bracket 122 therefore moves away from the lever arm 14%, enabling the arm to rotate clockwise and unlatch the lever 152, as has previously been described.
The spring in valve 17a therefore now reverses this valve, and wih it the pressure and return connections to the cylinder 57. The foot valve 6'7 of the spear therefore begins to close and, with the release of pressure in the lines 178, 255, 25%, and 256, valves 1&6 and 257 will open, thereby again applying pressure to the line 169, and elevating the spear to its final position free from the container at an accelerated rate of travel, due to tr e by-passing of regulating valve 253. There is suificient freedom of displacement of the stem of valve 235 to accommodate this additional upward movement.
The counterweights 151 on the lever arm 152 are made substantially equal to the weight of liquid which will flow into the container, after the lever 152 is released and until the foot valve 67 has closed, and which quantity of liquid may be termed the liquid in suspension. When the scale beam 104 is tipped down, the weights 151 act on the rod 1%, and thus pre-load the platform 22, inducing the beam 1% to move upwardly sooner than it would otherwise. As the increasing weight of liquid flowing into the container moves the this efiect of the weights 151 is removed, as the bracket 122 moves away from the under side of the lever 14%.
rod 1% downwardly,-
Hence, the liquid in suspension, added to that already in the container, brings the total weight to that for which the scale is set through the hangpoise 112.
interrelation of the weighing mechanism and bydraulic circuits is of considerable practical significance. For example, one application of the present invention has been for the filling of 55-gallon drums with mineral oil, the net weight of which may range from about three hundred and fifty to close to four hundred pounds. With a well built weighing scale in good condition, the weight may be controlled wihin limits of plus or minus four ounces per drum.
It may also be mentioned that the cam track 231 for valve 23$ may be adjusted through a wide range to enable the machine to dispense as little as one gallon of liquid, up to quantities in excess of that just given by For filling 55-gallon drums, it has been found advantageous to employ a 2-inch supply line 52-, U I 4 lll actual filling may be maintained at say ninety gallons per minute. The hydraulic head pressure may be maintained at approximately one hundred pounds or more gage, by adjusting of the spring loaded bypass valve 196, to provide an over-all filling cycle of approximately one minute. Similarly, the maximum descent of the spear 56 may be readily varied by attaching a depending rod (not shown) on the plate 41, to engage the lever 243 of valve 241, and such a rod may be made adjustable.
draulic cycle (for example, motor 31 being interrupted), there could be considerable spillage of flammable oil before the operator could get the oil supply shut off. Accordingly, the invention fur ther provides a positive control for the supply valve til, causing it to close in the event the hydraulic pressure should fail. This comprises a hydraulic cylinder 265, constantly connected to the pressure side of the pump 33 by a line 266 connected to pressure lines 163 and 171. The cylinder 2-65 is mounted on the valve 51 by a bracket 267, and its piston 268 engages a slidable stem 269 in the valve 51, pushing the valve element of valve 51 ofl its seat, and against spring pressure, when there is adequate pressure in line 266. If the hydraulic pressure should drop below a safe operating value, the built-in spring of valve 51 causes it to close, thereby shutting ofl the liquid supply.
From the foregoing description of a complete operatram 35, the valve 252 controls the rate of descent, and the valve 253 controls the rate of ascent during most of the upward movement of the spear 56. The valve 166, in parallel with the valve 258, provides for accelerated movement of the spear at the end of the cycle.
The valve 174 controls the position of the piston 63 in the cylinder 57, and therefore the opening and closing of the spear foot valve 67, and the position of the valve 174 also controls the opening and closing of the valve 166. The position of the valve 174 is controlled, on the one hand, by the position of the valve 241, which in turn is governed by the position of the elevator mechanism. On the other hand, the position of the valve 174 is controlled by the quantity of material which has been disensed. The position of the valve 257 is also controlled by the position of the elevator, through the valve 235.
The check valve 193 provides for rapid release of hydraulic pressure on the valve 163, while the needle valve 262 prevents too rapid an application of pressure which reverses the valve 163. As such pressure is governed by the position of the valve 174, these valves are also coordinated with each other. The hydraulic operating pres stu e is controlled by valve 196, and this pressure, in turn,
governs the position of liquid admission valve 51.
elevator position also governs the position and operation of the means for removing drip.
These instrumentalities, operating in proper sequential order through suitable adjustments,
enables one to disomitted While still retaining a system capable of operating on the submerged fill-pipe plan, although the entire numerous changes and modifications of the structural parts without departure from its principles. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention should be limited to the precise embodiment shown, but should be deemed to encompass all those modifications, variations, and combinations which fall within the scope of the following claims.
I claim:
1. A dispensing machine comprising a vertically disposed fill pipe, an elevator mechanism connected to the fill pipe for raising and lowering the same with respect to a container, a closure valve in the fill pipe, a two-position controlling means for the closure valve adapted in one position to retain the closure valve closed and in the other position to open said closure valve, governing means actuated by the downward movement of the elevator mechanism to operate said controlling means to closure valve open position, ascent means actuated by the movement of said controlling means to closure valve open position to move said elevator mechanism and fill pipe upwardly while said closure pipe is open, a supply conduit connected to said fill pipe for the admission thereto of material to be dispensed, and means responsive to a predetermined quantity of material discharged from the till pipe during the upward movement thereof and while said closure valve is open to actuate said controlling means to closure valve closed position.
2. A dispensing machine as set forth in claim 1, having an additional means operated by the upward movement of the elevator to arrest the action of the ascent means, said additional means being nullified by the movement of said controlling means to closure valve closing position.
3. A dispensing machine comprising a vertically movable fill pipe, elevator mechanism connected to the fill pipe to move the same up and down with respect to a con tainer, said mechanism including a ram having a piston movable in response to the application of fluid pressure thereto, a source of fluid pressure, elevator valve means interposed between said source and said ram for applying fluid pressure thereto to raise the ram and for releasing such pressure to enable the ram to descend, a closure valve in the fill pipe, a cylinder containing a piston connected to said closure valve, fluid pressure connections between said cylinder and said source to apply pressure to the piston of said cylinder, a control valve interposed between said source and said cylinder to apply pressure thereto to open and close the closure valve, said control valve being biased to closure valve closed position, governing means actuated by the downward movement of the elevator mechanism to apply fluid pressure through said control valve in a direction to open the closure valve, means responsive to the actuation of the control valve to closure valve open position to move the elevator valve means to a position to move the elevator mechanism in an upward direction, a latch member adapted to retain the control valve in closure valve open position and engageable with said control valve when said governing means is actuated by downward movement .of the elevator mechanism, a material supply conduit connected to the fill pipe, and weight controlled means responsive to the discharge of a predetermined quantity of material through said fill pipe to disengage said latch member, whereby said control valve is restored to closure valve closed position.
4. A dispensing machine comprising a fill pipe, an elevator mechanism connected to the fill pipe and movable to direct the fill pipe toward and away from a container to be filled, .sa'id elevator mechanism including a ram adapted to be actuated by fluid pressure, a pressure circuit for said ram including a source of pressure, a return line to said source, a manually adjustable regulating valve, and a three-way valve having a common port connected to one end of the ram and other ports respectively connected to said regulating valve and source and to said return line, means for manually operating said three-way valve to connect the common .port to the return line whereby the elevator mechanism may move the fill pipe in one direction, a fluid pressure cylinder for the threeway valve, a control valve having a port connected to said pressure source and a port connected to the cylinder of said three-way valve, said control valve being operable by the movement of said elevator mechanism in said one direction to connect the pressure source to the cylinder or" the three-way valve, thereby to shift said three-Way valve to .a position connecting the common line to the pressure source and thereby moving the elevator mechanism in the other direction, and a throttle valve in the connection between the pressure source and the cylinder of the three-way valve, said throttle valve being adjustable to vary the time interval between the end of movement of the elevator mechanism in said one direction and the start of movement in said opposite direction.
,5. A dispensing machine as set forth in claim 4, With another adjustable throttle valve in said return line, whereby the rate of movement of the elevator mechanism in said one direction maybe varied.
6,. A dispensing machine as set forth in claim 4, wherein a normally open valve 'is interposed in series between the source of pressure and the regulating valve, means actuated by the movement of the elevator mechanism in said opposite direction to close said normally open valve, thereby to arrest the movement of the elevator mechanism, and means acting sequentially to the closing of said normally open valve to open the same and enable the elevator mechanism to continue to move in said opposite direction, thereby to interpose a time delay in the movement of said mechanism in said opposite direction.
7. A dispensing machine as set forth in claim 4, having a by-pass circuit between the source of pressure around said regulating valve and to said three-way valve, a normally open by-pass valve in said circuit, means for closing said normally open by-pass valve when the elevator mechanism begins its movement in said opposite direction, whereby pressure is applied through the regulatin valve, and means for opening said by-pass valve as the elevator mechanism approaches the limit of its movement in said opposite direction, thereby to accelerate the rate of such movement.
8. A dispensing machine comprising a fill pipe having a closure valve therein, a cylinder containing a piston associated with the fill pipe, a rod for the piston extending into the fill pipe and connected to the closure valve, a source of pressure fluid, a four-way valve, a line connecting said source to a port of said valve, additional lines respectively connected to said valve and to said cylinder on opposite sides of the piston therein, a return line from said valve to said source, means in said fourway valve normally biasing the same to connect the pressure source to that side of the cylinder which will close said closure valve and connect the opposite side of the cylinder to the return line, means to reverse the connections through said four-way valve and thereby open the closure valve, a lever connected to said four-way valve and movable to alternate positions depending on the connections through the four-way valve, a latch member engageable with said lever when said connections are reversed to open the closure valve, said latch member, while so engaged, restraining the four-way valve from movement under the influence of its biasing means, a material supply conduit connected to the fill pipe, a weighing scale adapted to receive a container for such material, and means connected to a movable part of the scale and also engageable with said latch member to trip said latch member and release said lever when a predetermined quantity of material has been discharged into the con tainer, thereby enabling said biasing means of the fourway valve to shift the same to closure valve closed position.
9. A dispensing machine comprising a fill pipe having a closure valve, control means for said valve biasing the same to closed position, an operating lever associated with said control means and movable to one position overcoming the bias in such means to maintain the closure valve in open position, a weighing scale having a counterpoised beam, a platform, and a rod extending from the platform to the beam to transmit the efiect of material being weighed, said fill pipe being positionable over the platform and a container adapted to be placed thereon, a latch member adjacent said rod and operating lever and adapted, when said lever is in said one position, to engage and hold the same, said latch member including a counterweight biased to release said latch memher from said operating lever, a support for the counterweight connected to the scale rod and effective, when an unfilled container is placed on the platform, to ofiset the bias imposed by said counterweight, said counterweight thereby preloading the platform, said support being removed from the counterweight as material deposited in the container causes the rod to move, thereby to unlatch the operating lever and enable the control means to close the closure valve, said fill pipe being connectible to a supply of material to be dispensed, the mass of the counterweight being adjustable to have a preloading effect equivalent to the weight of the material discharged through the fill pipe while the closure valve moves from open to closed position.
10. A dispensing machine comprising a fill pipe having a closure valve therein, control means for opening and closing said valve, said control means being biased to closure valve closed position, said fill pipe being connectible to a supply of material to be dispensed for fiow past the closure valve when the same is open, a weighing scale including a beam, platform, and interconnecting rod, said beam being adapted to be counterpoised against a predetermined weight of material and said platform being adapted to receive a container into which material is discharged through said fill pipe, a latch member having a pivoted finger and a latch lever adapted to hold said finger in latching position, adjustable weights on said latch lever biasing it into disengagement with the finger, a bracket on said interconnecting rod adjacent the latch lever and supporting said weights when the scale platform receives an empty container thereby to move the latch lever into holding engagement with the latch finger, said counterweights thereby pre-loading the scale, an operating lever for said closure valve control means engageable with and retained by the latch finger when the closure valve is moved to open position, said operating lever, when so latched, overcoming the bias of the control means to trip the latch when a predetermined amount of material has been dispensed through the fill pipe, thereby enabling the biasing means of the control valve to estabcurrently reestablishing fluid pressure to the ram through the elevator valve means and move the fill pipe upwardly an additional distance.
means, of means for manually instituting a change of pressure on the ram which will enable the ram to move downwardly, of means for regulating the rate of ascent and descent of the fill pipe, and of means for accelerating the rate of ascent after the control valve has moved to closure valve closed position.
13. A dispensing machine as set forth in claim 11, characterized by the provision of adjustable means to control the magnitude of the fluid pressure, and means fill pipe supply means when the fluid pressure drops below a predetermined magnitude.
14. A dispensing machine as set forth in claim 11, characterized by the provision of means actuated by the movement of the elevator to its upper position to remove drippings from the tip of the fill pipe.
15. A dispensing machine comprising a support including a base and upright side members, a weighing scale platform on the base, a scale beam mounted on the upright members and connected to the platform, a ram mounted vertically on one of the side members, an elevator frame connected to the piston rod of the ram and depending therefrom and into the space between the upright members, a liquid supply pipe mounted on the frame and extending forwardly and upwardly therefrom, a fill pipe connected to the the cylinder and piping connections from said source through the control valve to the cylinder, an elevator valve for the ram and piping connections from the source through the elevator valve to move the elevator frame thereby lower and raise the platform, a governing valve mounted on the support adjacent the base and adapted to be operated by the elevator frame when said frame is in a low position, piping connections from the source through the governing valve to the control valve for shifting the control valve to closure valve open position, a latch mounted on the support, a lever connected to the control valve and engageable with the latch when the closure valve is opened, a normally open valve in the connection between the source of fluid pressure and the elevator valve, an arresting valve mounted on the elevator frame and movable therewith, an adjustable cam track mounted on the support and adapted to actuate the arresting valve when the frame moves upwardly, piping connections from the fluid source through the arresting valve to close the normal y open valve when the arresting valve is operated by engagement with the track, and means movable with the scale beam and platform for tripping the latch to release the control valve lever, said control valve being biased to closure valve closed position.
16. A dispensing machine comprising a fill pipe having a closure valve therein, an elevator mechanism for lowering and raising the fill pipe with respect to a container to be filled, means responsive to the downward movement of the fill pipe to open the closure valve whereby material supplied to the fill pipe may be dispensed, adjustable means for moving the elevator mechanism upwardly in timed relation to the flow of material through the fill cam means being elevator mechanism and actuated drip pain under the fill pipe when said pipe is raised, and to move the drip pan away from References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS
US398794A 1953-12-17 1953-12-17 Submersible fill pipe dispensing machine Expired - Lifetime US2754082A (en)

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Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2898077A (en) * 1954-02-25 1959-08-04 Bastian Blessing Co Automatic filling manifold
US3005473A (en) * 1959-01-20 1961-10-24 Chapman Chem Co Liquid filling device
US4532968A (en) * 1983-06-23 1985-08-06 The Kartridg Pak Co. Rotary filling apparatus and method
US4588001A (en) * 1983-06-23 1986-05-13 The Kartridg Pak Co. Rotary filling apparatus and method
US20080196787A1 (en) * 2006-12-08 2008-08-21 Bryan Gabriel Comstock Process for Making Non-Uniform Patterns of Multiphase Compositions

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2150760A (en) * 1938-01-28 1939-03-14 Cozzoli Frank Ampoule filler
US2208018A (en) * 1938-02-14 1940-07-16 Walter F Cousino Perforating in succession
US2544734A (en) * 1947-07-14 1951-03-13 Phillips Petroleum Co Automatic filler
US2633282A (en) * 1949-04-01 1953-03-31 Kinney Automatic can filling machine having siphons for dispensing a predetermined amount of fluid

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2150760A (en) * 1938-01-28 1939-03-14 Cozzoli Frank Ampoule filler
US2208018A (en) * 1938-02-14 1940-07-16 Walter F Cousino Perforating in succession
US2544734A (en) * 1947-07-14 1951-03-13 Phillips Petroleum Co Automatic filler
US2633282A (en) * 1949-04-01 1953-03-31 Kinney Automatic can filling machine having siphons for dispensing a predetermined amount of fluid

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2898077A (en) * 1954-02-25 1959-08-04 Bastian Blessing Co Automatic filling manifold
US3005473A (en) * 1959-01-20 1961-10-24 Chapman Chem Co Liquid filling device
US4532968A (en) * 1983-06-23 1985-08-06 The Kartridg Pak Co. Rotary filling apparatus and method
US4588001A (en) * 1983-06-23 1986-05-13 The Kartridg Pak Co. Rotary filling apparatus and method
US20080196787A1 (en) * 2006-12-08 2008-08-21 Bryan Gabriel Comstock Process for Making Non-Uniform Patterns of Multiphase Compositions

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