US3073358A

US3073358A - Filling nozzle

Info

Publication number: US3073358A
Application number: US662880A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert V Burt
Original assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Current assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Priority date: 1957-05-31
Filing date: 1957-05-31
Publication date: 1963-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 1980-01-15

Description

Jan. 15, 1963 R. v. BURT 3,073,353

FILLING NOZZLE I Filed May 31, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR flaeri 2310f? BY 1m (26;, GM vwm 5/ ATTORNEYS Jan. 15, 1 963 R. v. BURT 3,073,358

FILLING NOZZLE Filed May 51, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 f z! 1/ .77 J

INVENTOR 20k 226w)? Loam. (M @Mud&,1 wag",

ATTORNEYS R. V. BURT FILLING NOZZLE Jan. 15, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 31, 1957 INVENTOR 2205972? 12.52071;

BY m, 03e, M/(fig Y (11mm ATTORNEYS United States Patent Ofiice 3,073,358 Patented Jan. 15, 1963 This invention relates to a filling nozzle that can be attached to a conventional vacuum filling machine. More particularly, the invention relates to a vacuum actuated .filling nozzle wherein the liquid within the filling nozzle can not be contaminated by inward air leakage. The invention also contemplates an automatic vacuum cut-oil valve for a filling nozzle including means for opening the valve.

In a conventional vacuum operated filling nozzle, the end ofv the filling nozzle is inserted into a container and the internal portion of the container is sealed from atmosphere by means of a sealing washer attached to the filling nozzle. Air is evacuated from the container through a vacuum passageway within the filling nozzle. After the pressure in the container is reduced to a predetermined value, the liquid is drawn rapidly into the container through a liquid passageway within the filling nozzle. In a filling nozzle operated in this manner, the liquid is drawn from a liquid supply source through the nozzle under a slight sub-atmospheric pressure making it possible for air to leak into the nozzle at the juncture of loose fitting elements. In most cases air contamination of the liquid does not present any special problems. However, if the chemical properties of the liquid are such that even slight air contamination causes harmful oxidation, such leakage is undesirable. For example, a conventional vacuum type filling nozzle, when used for filling liquid shortening, poses a definite problem. Any inward air leakage contaminates the liquid shortening by causing oxidation which results in the development of rancidity in the shortening. Obviously, this is undesirable. If the conventional filling nozzle is supplied with liquid above atmospheric pressure to prevent inward air leakage it will not satisfactorily cut-01f liquid flow when the container is full causing excessive over filling and waste.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a filling nozzle for a conventional vacuum filling machine in which no inward air leakage can occur thereby preventing oxidation of the liquid passing through the nozzle.

Another object of this invention is to provide a liquid filling nozzle which may be supplied with liquid above atmospheric pressure and arranging the parts in such a way that any leakage due to loose fitting parts will result in outward liquid leakage rather than inward air leakage in the liquid system.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a filling nozzle which automatically shuts off when the container is filled thus reducing overflow losses to a minimum.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a vacuum cut-01f valve actuated by the liquid level to close the vacuum port and including means for removing the valve from the vacuum port.

Briefly and broadly stated, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention a filling nozzle is provided for a vacuum operated filling machine which can be supplied with liquid above atmospheric pressure. The filling nozzle includes a filling nozzle body having a liquid passageway and a vacuum passageway terminating at a vacuum port slidable in a valve body having primary and secondary valves in series so that the primary valve is opened by upward movement of the filling nozzle body in the valve body and the secondary valve is opened against a spring bias by the combinedeifects of the liquid pressure and the vacuum acting on its under surface. The

secondary valve is arranged to shut automatically when' the vacuum acting on its under surface is reduced. A liquid level activated vacuum cut-off valve may be provided at the vacuum port including means for .opening' said cut-oflf valve.

The subject matter which is regarded as forming the instant invention is particularlry pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may bestbe understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical section of the filling head wherein neither the liquid-filling conduit nor vacuum conduit are in communication with the container..

FIGURE 2 is a horizontal section of the apparatus of FIGURE 1 along the line 2-2.

FIGURE 3 is a section of the apparatus of FIGURE 1 along the line 3-3.

FIGURE 4 is a vertical section of the filling head with the primary valve open and the vacuum conduit in communication with the container.

FIGURE 5 is a vertical section of the filling head in the filling position.

FIGURE 6 is a vertical section of a modified form of filling head.

FIGURE 7 is a vertical section of the filling head of FIGURE 6 in the filling position.

FIGURE 8 is a section of the apparatus of FIGURE 6 taken along the line 8-8.

FIGURE 9 is a vertical section of a vacuum cut-ofif device which can be used with the present invention.

FIGURE 10 is a section of the apparatus of FIGURE 9 along the line 10-10.

FIGURE 11 is a vertical section of a modified form of vacuum cut-off valve.

vFIGURE 12 is a vertical section of the apparatus of FIGURE 11 with the vacuum port exposed.

The filling nozzle of the instant invention is particularly useful in a rotary vacuum type filling machine wherein a plurality of filling nozzles are arranged to move in a circular path. Machines of this type usually include a plurality of vertically movable platforms arranged in a circular pattern beneath the filling nozzles, there being one platform moving on a circle beneath each filling nozzle. A container is placed on each successive platform at a loading station.

vention may be used is shown and described in the United States Patent to Ber-thelsen, No. 2,509,756, issued May 30, 1950, to which reference may be made for the general construction and mode of operation of such a machine.

The instant invention will be best understood by referring to FIGURES l, 2 and 3 wherein the filling nozzle comprises a valve body 10 which can be attached to the filling machine for rotation in a horizontal plane. A

liquid conduit 11 is connected to the valve body 10 and is in communication with a liquid supply source (not shown) in the filling machine from which liquidv is supplied to As the container is rotated by the machine, it is raised into and lowered out of enthe filling head slightly above atmospheric pressure. A vacuum conduit 12 is connected to a vacuum pump or other suitable means (not shown) for creating a vacuum. A cap 13 and a gland member 14 are threadedinto the upper and lower ends respectively of the valve body 10, and are sealed to prevent leakage by

resilient sealing rings

15 and 16. A filling nozzle body 17 is received with a sliding fit in bore 18 of gland member 14 and bore 19 of valve body 10, and is provided with a sealing face 20 adapted to engage a valve seat 21 on gland member 14, as shown more particularly in FIGURE 4.

Resilient sealing rings

22 and 23 retained by the filling nozzle body 17 prevent leakage at their line of contact with the

bores

18 and 19.

A supporting tube 24 is force-fitted into the inner bore of the filling nozzle body 17 and a liquid filling tube 25 is force-fitted into the inner bore of the supporting tube 24. The liquid filling tube 25 has a longitudinal vacuum groove 26 terminating at the wall 27 formed by inwardly deforming the wall of the liquid filling tube 25. A residual vacuum relief groove 28 below the wall 27 is similarly formed. The cross-section of the vacuum relief groove 28 will be better understood by referring to FTGURE 2. The longitudinal vacuum groove 26 has a similar cross section.

A central vacuum tube 29 is attached to the liquid filling tube 25 above the wall 27 and communicates with the longitudinal vacuum groove 26. The lower end of the central vacuum tube is surrounded by a nozzle tip 30 and terminates in the vacuum opening 31. A nozzle tip sleeve 32 is bonded to the nozzle tip 30 and is attached to the lower end of the supporting tube 24 and the liquid filling tube 25. The liquid filling tube 25 provides a central liquid filling passageway 33 through which liquid can flow to the container to be discharged through a plurality of liquid filling openings 34.

Small bleeder openings

35 and 36 through the wall of the supporting tube 24 provide a connection from the inside of a container to the atmosphere for a purpose which will hereinafter become evident. A large vacuum opening 37 connects between the vacuum groove 26 and a recess 38 in the filling nozzle body 17. A drip-control vacuum port 39 having a relatively small orifice, as indicated, is provided so that a slight vacuum effect is always present at the vacuum opening 31. The purpose of the constant vacuum is, of course, to draw any liquid clinging to the opening 31 and the nozzle tip 30 into the vacuum system through the port 39, thus eliminating dripping when the filling nozzle is not in operative filling position.

A sealing washer 41) preferably made of a resilient ma terial, such as rubber, is attached to and surrounds the supporting tube 24. A G-shaped washer 41 engages a groove 42 in the filling nozzle body 17 in order to support the spring holder 43. A compression spring 44 seated against the bottom of the spring holder 43 at one end and against the lower face of the gland member 14 at the other, urges the entire filling nozzle body 17 downwardly with respect to the valve body 10.

A series valve arrangement permits liquid to be maintained above atmospheric pressure in the upper portion of the valve body 10 thereby preventing inward air leakage. A stationary member 45 is held against the face 46 of the valve body 10 by means of the compression spring 47 and is sealed to prevent leakage by means of the resilient sealing ring 48. A primary valve 49 seals on the valve seat 56 of the stationary member 45. The primary valve 49 is supported and is guided by the valve guide 51 and attached thereto by means of the primary valve retainer 52 which is locked in place by means of the screw 53. Lugs 54 on the primary valve guide 51, as illustrated in FIGURE 3, serve as a pilot for vertical movement of the primary valve 49 in the bore 55. The primary valve is normally biased toward the closed position by means of the spring 56 bearing against the primary valve retainer 52. A disk 57 is received with a sliding fit in the bore 19 and rests on the top face of the filling nozzle body 17. A slidable member 58 is received with a sliding fit in the

bores

19 and 55 and has a valve seat 59 on the lower edge of its aperture as indicated. A secondary valve 60 is normally held against the seat 59 by means of the spring 61 which rests on a counterbore in the disk 57. A resilient sealing ring 62 is provided to prevent leakage.

In operation, a container 63 is moved upwardly by means of a platform (not shown) until the upper face of its spout engages the sealing washer 49. At this point the parts in the filling nozzle are in the position shown in FIGURE 1. There is no liquid flow since the primary valve 49 is seated against the valve seat 50. The vacuum conduit 12 is not in communication with the con ainer 63, except for a slight amount of bleeding through the drip-control vacuum port 39 since the scaling face 29 of the filling nozzle body 17 is in engagement with the seat 21. into the upper chamber of the filling nozzle is prevented when liquid is supplied through conduit 11 slightly above atmospheric pressure. Any leakage at loose joints of the parts will result in a loss of liquid rather. than inward air leakage. For instance, if leakage occurs at the re silient sealing ring 15 it will result in liquid leakage outward rather than air leakage inward. Similarly, leakage past the resilient sealing rings 48 and 62 will result in leakage around the primary and secondary valves and into the passageway 33 which will ultimately be used for passing the liquid into the container, the pressure in passageway 33 being below atmospheric for reasons that will hereafter be evident.

As the filling nozzle and container rotate on the filling machine, the container 63 is raised until the parts in the filling nozzle assume the position shown in FIGURE 4. In this position, the filling nozzle body 17 is raised upwardly against the force of the compression spring 44 by means of the container 63 pushing on the sealing washer 40. The sealing face 20 is moved out of engagement with the valve seat 21 permit-ting the vacuum conduit 12 to communicate with the container 63 through the passageway afforded by the recess 38, large vacuum opening 37, longitudinal vacuum groove 26 and the central vacuum tube 29. Movement of the filling nozzle body 17 to the intermediate position also results in raising the disk 57, the slidable member 58 and the primary valve guide 51 to move the primary valve 49 off its seat 56. This permits the liquid in the upper chamber surrounding the primary valve to flow between the lugs 54. However, the force of spring 61 is greater than the force exerted by the pressure of the liquid on the secondary valve 60. Consequently, liquid flow to the container 63 is prevented until such time as a sufficient vacuum is drawn in the container 63 to overcome the force of the spring 61 holding thesecondary valve 60 in place. With the parts in this position, it will be seen that liquid flows into the cavity immediately above the secondary valve and below the primary valve. This will expose the fit between the

members

45 and 58. Since the liquid is at a pressure above atmospheric, leakage between these members will result in liquid flow past the resilient sealing ring 62. This, of course, will not permit air contamination of the liquid since any leakage past that member will allow liquid to how into the filling passageway 33. It will be evident, of course, that leakage past the resilient sealing ring 48 is not likely to occur since the pressure on either side thereof is substantially equal and even if leakage does occur it will not contaminate the liquid.

As the vacuum is increased within the container 63, the force exerted by the pressure of the liquid acting on the exposed upper surface of the secondary valve 60 coupled with the increased vacuum effect on the bottom surface exceeds the effective force of the spring 61 so that the secondary valve 60 assumes the position shown in With the parts in this position air leakage 5. FIGURE 5. In this position, liquid flows from the conduit 11 past the primary valve 49, between the lugs 54, past the secondary valve 69, through the central liquid filling passageway 33 and into the container 63 by means of the openings 34.

It will be evident that since liquid is pumped to the filling nozzle through the conduit 11 with a pressure slightly above atmospheric and is delivered to the container 63, which is evacuated, there will be a pressure gradient in the liquid between the conduit 11 and the liquid within the container 63. This pressure drop occurs primarily as the liquid passes the secondary valve 60 and is in the form of a throttling effect so that liquid above the valve 60 is at a slight pressure above atmospheric and liquid below the valve 60 in the passageway 33 is under substantially the same vacuum as the vacuum within the container. Although there is a pressure drop when liquid passes the secondary valve, it does not allow inward air leakage. the only additional exposed joint is at the resilient sealing washer 23 which acts as a seal between the filling nozzle body 17 and the bore 19. However, even though the liquid is at a vacuum in the passageway 33, the vacuum is not as great as that surrounding the filling nozzle body 17 at the chamber adjoining the vacuum conduit 12. This will be apparent since the vacuum in the conduit 12 will be greater than at any other point beyond the conduit 12 because of air flow losses occasioned by the air. being withdrawn from the evacuated portion of the system. Accordingly, any leakage past the resilient sealing washer 23 will be into the vacuum chamber surrounding the filling nozzle body 17 where it will be withdrawn by the vacuum source (not shown) connected to the vacuum conduit 12. Thus, the container can be filled without any possibility of inward air leakage through loosefitting nozzle parts.

When the liquid level in the containeer rises sutliciently to close the vacuum opening 31, the remaining vacuum above the liquid level is reduced due to air leakage into the container through the

bleeder openings

35 and 36. Ordinarily, air leakage into the container through the

bleeder openings

35 and 36 is insignificant and has no effect on the operation of the device when the vacuum conduit 12 is in communication with the container 63. However, when communication is stopped as by the liquid level rising to shut the vacuum opening 31 the bleeder openings reduce the vacuum in the space above the liquid sufficiently to cause the secondary valve 60 to close due to the reduced vacuum or higher absolute pressure sensed by its under surface. Closing of the secondary valve 60 will, of course, prevent further flow of liquid from the conduit 11 into the container 63. The liquid remaining in passageway 33 will not flow into the container and will be held therein because of a small vacuum pocket above the liquid and below the secondary valve which prevents the liquid from discharging through the filling openings 34 since these openings are too small to permit air to enter and flow upwardly to displace any liquid. However, a small amount of liquid will discharge through the openings 34 before this air lock effect prevents further discharge and any such excess liquid will be'withdrawn by means of the vacuum effect at the opening 31. Thus, the vacuum maintained in the con-, duit 12 will assure a nearly uniform fill for each container since excess liquid is withdrawn until the level is stabilized by the level of the opening 31.

The filled container is lowered and the force of the compression spring 44 restores the elements of the filling nozzle to the position shown in FIGURE 1 wherein the primary valve 49 is seated and the sealing face 20 seals against. the valve seat 21 to shut off communication to the vacuum conduit 12. It will be evident that the filling nozzle heretofore described permits liquid to be fed to the nozzle above atmospheric pressure and the structure This will be evident since of the parts is such that inward air leakage is prevented even though the nozzle operates on a vacuum principle.

FIGURES 6, 7 and 8 show one modification of the filling head operating on the same basic principle in which like numerals indicate like parts as shown in FIGURES 1 to 5. In this modification, parts 14, 16-18 and 20 through 44 are identical to those previously described. The valve body 64 is somewhat different from valve body 10 of FIGURE 1 in order to accommodate the series valve arrangement of this modification. A cap 65 is threaded into the top of the valve body 64 and leakage is prevented by the resilient sealing ring 66. A primary valve seating member 67 is centered in the valve body 64 by means of the bore 68 and is seated on the surface 69. The resilient sealing ring 71 prevents leakage past the member 67. A secondary valve guide 72 with a projecting shoulder 73 is force-fitted into the bore 74 of the primary valve seating member 67. A resilient sealing ring 75 prevents leakage between the bore of the primary valve seating member 67 and the secondary valve guide 72. The upper end of the secondary valve guide 72 is centered in the conterbore 76 of spacer 77. The spacer 77 is centered in the bore 78 of the cap 65 and leakage past the spacer 77 is prevented by the resilient sealing ring 79. A plurality of projections 81 on the secondary valve guide 72 bear against the bottom surface of the counterbore in the spacer 77. A retainer 82 screwed into the cap 65 bears against the top surface of the spacer 77 which in turn bears against the secondary valve guide 72 and primary valve seating member 67 to lock these elements in place. A riding magnet 83 rests on the top surface of the spacer 77 and is received with a sliding fit in the bore 84 of the retainer 82. A flux bar 85 is mounted for vertical movement through a pair of opposed and elongated slots 86 provided in the retainer arms 87.

A primary valve 88 has a sealing surface 89 normally bearing against the seat 90 of the primary valve seating member 67 as best illustrated in FIGURE 7. The primary valve 88 is mounted on and guided by a member 91 having a plurality of projecting fingers 92 adapted to slide in the bore 93. The location and spacing of the fingers 92 are illustrated in FIGURE 8. When the primary valve 88 is open, the liquid fiows downwardly past the valve 88 and between the fingers 92. A lock nut 94 engages a central threaded shank of the member 91 to secure the primary valve 88 thereon. A resilient sealing ring '95 prevents leakage between the shank of the member 91 and the bore of the primary valve 88. A primary valve spring 96 seated on the projecting shoulder 73 normally urges the sealing surface 89 of the primary valve 88 against its seat 90. p

A secondary valve 97 is received with a sliding fit in the bore 98 of the secondary valve guide 72 and is provided with a plurality of openings 99 and arecess 100 on its top surface. The secondary valve 97 is normally held against the bottom surface of the counter- 1 bore in spacer 77 by the secondary valve spring 101 which is seated on the projecting shoulder 73. A plurality of openings 102 in the secondary valve guide '72,

register with the openings 99 in the secondary valve 97 when it is lowered to allow liquid flow as will hereinafter become evident. The passageway 103 in the secondary valve guide 72 allows the liquid to flow to the recess 100 in the top surface of the secondary valve 97.

The operation of this modification is similar to that of the embodiment heretofore described. The spout on the container 63 is first moved into engagement with the sealing washer 40 and is raised to a position whereat the sealing face 20 is moved upwardly to permit the vacuum conduit 12 to communicate with and evacuate the container 63. Simultaneously, the top face of the filling nozzle body 17 pushes the fingers 92 of member 91 thereby raising the primary valve 88 upwardly against '2 the resistance of the spring 96 to open the primary valve to liquid fiow.

After opening of the primary valve, the filling head is rotated on the machine until it is beneath a fixed magnet 104 shown in FIGURE 7. The fixed magnet 104 is attached to the filling machine at a predetermined point so that after the primary valve is opened, the fixed magnet 104 acting through the flux bar 85 lifts the riding magnet 83 to the position shown in FIGURE 7. In that position, the riding magnet 83 no longer exerts a magnetic force on the secondary valve 97. Therefore, the secondary valve 97 is free to be actuated by the forces acting on it in the filling head. The liquid is supplied through the conduit 11 at a pressure slightly above atmospheric and acts on the top surface of the secondary valve 97. This force coupled with the vacuum effect on its bottom surface overcomes the force of the spring 101, so that the secondary valve 97 is lowered to the position indicated in FIGURE 7. In this position the openings 99 in the secondary valve 97 register with the openings 102 in the secondary valve guide 72 permitting liquid to flow past the primary and secondary valves into the container 63. The riding magnet 83 is dropped to the position shown in FIGURE 6 as soon as the secondary valve is opened. However, the distance between the secondary valve 97 when open and the riding magnet 83 when lowered is such that there still is no magnetic force acting on the secondary valve. When the liquid level rises to the lower end of nozzle tip 30, communication between vacuum opening 31 and the upper portion of container 63 is blocked. Air enters the container neck through

bleeder openings

36, 35 and reduces the vacuum in the liquid filling passageway 33 and the underside of the secondary valve 97. Valve 97 is then restored by spring 101 to the closed position in which it is shown in FIGURE 6, and further flow of liquid is interrupted. The riding magnet 83 provides a positive lock for the secondary valve 97 to prevent opening of the secondary valve until the magnet is again raised. The container 63 is lowered closing the primary valve 88 and allowing the sealing face to engage the valve seat 21.

In this modification, the liquid supplied through the conduit 11 at a pressure slightly above atmospheric will surround the primary valve seating member 67 and the secondary valve guide 72. The liquid has access only to the joints sealed by the resilient sealing rings 71, 66 and 79. Since the liquid is above atmospheric pressure, any leakage at the joints sealed by the

rings

66 and 79 will result in outward liquid leakage. Leakage past the washer 71 will result in liquid passing to the filling passageway which, of course, will not be harmful since it would only be bypassing the valves prior to being discharged to the container. When the primary and secondary valves are open no additional joints are exposed through which harmful inward air leakage might occur.

While the embodiments heretofore described satisfactorily cut-off the vacuum passageway when the liquid level reaches the vacuum opening 31, this invention also contemplates the provision of a positive cut-off in order to get closer control of the fill level and prevent excessive overflow to the vacuum line. Such a device is shown in FIGURE 9.

The cut-off shown in FIGURE 9 can be attached to the tip of the nozzles illustrated in FIGURES l and 6 by attaching a cage 105 to a threaded nozzle tip The set screw 106 prevents the cage 105 from becoming disengaged. A plurality of narrow slots 107 and an opening 108 are provided at the bottom of the cage 105. The ball valve 109normally rests in the bottom of the cage 105 and is free to move vertically to close the vacuum port 31.

When the nozzle is filling a container 63' with liquid, the valve 109 assumes the position shown by the dotted linesin FIGURE 9. When the liquid level reaches the opening 108, the rapid rise of liquid in the container see causes accelerated flow of liquid through the slots 107 against the valve 109 thereby causing it to move upwardly and seat against the vacuum opening 31. While the valve 109 is not buoyant, it is raised by the impact force on its bottom and the vacuum effect on its top. These forces are created by the rapidly rising liquid. The vacuum efiect on the top of the valve 109 is increased due to the rapid fiow of liquid past its side which causes an addedvacuum etfect on the downstream side of the liquid flowing past the valve 109 or in the pocket above the valve 109.

Means are provided for stripping the valve 109 from the vacuum port 31. In one form, the stripping means comprise a magnet 110 attached to a bracket 111 which is secured to the stationary filling machine frame 112. The magnet 110 may be U-shaped in form and is placed with the ends of the arms of the U very close to the spout of the container 63' and at a point Where the filled container 63' is being lowered so that the valve 109 is removed from the vacuum port 31 to expose it for the next filling cycle.

Another form of stripping means is shown in FIGURES l1 and 12. In this modification, the cage is provided with a plurality of stripping balls 113 held in the holes 114 by a resilient retainer 115. Removal of the valve 109 from the vacuum port 31 is achieved by the inward force of the stripping balls 113 as the nozzle tip iswithdrawn from the container since the diameter of the spout is such as to cause the stripping balls to move inwardly while the nozzle tip is withdrawn.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that come within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is:

1. A vacuum actuated filling nozzle for filling containers with liquid supplied at pressure above atmospheric comprising a valve body having a bore therein, a filling nozzle body slidable in said bore of said valve body and having a liquid filling passageway and a vacuum passageway therein, said vacuum passageway terminating in a vacuum port, said filling passageway terminating in a filling port, said filling port and said vacuum port being located in the portion of the filling nozzle body adapted to be projected into a. container to be filled, a liquid conduit and a vacuum conduit each connected to said valve body and in communication with said liquid filling passageway and vacuum passageway respectively when said filling nozzle body is in the liquid filling position, a primary valve resiliently urged to normally prevent flow from said liquid conduit to said liquid filling passageway and being opened by movement of said filling nozzle body in said bore of said valve body, a resiliently urged separately operable secondary valve in series with said primary valve, said secondary valve being normally closed and being opened under the force of a ditferential of liquid pressure acting on one side and vacuum on the other, and a vent provid-v ing communication between a first bleeder opening adjacent the portion of said filling noule body adapted to be projected into the container to be filled and a second bleeder opening exposed to the atmosphere, said vent comprising a passageway having a cross-sectional area at its most constricted point which is substantially smaller than the smallest cross-sectional area of said vacuum passage way whereby gas flow through said vent is more restricted than gas flow through said vacuum passageway.

2. A vacuum actuated filling nozzle for filling containers, said nozzlev being supplied with liquid above atmospheric pressure comprising a valve body having a bore therein, a filling nozzle body slidable in said bore of said valve body, said filling nozzle body having a liquid filling passageway and a separate vacuum passageway, said vacuum passageway terminating in a vacuum port, said filling passageway terminating in a filling port, said filling port and said vacuum port being located in the portion of the filling nozzle body adapted to be projected into a container to be filled, a liquid conduit and a vacuum conduit each connected to said valve body and incommunication with said liquid filling passageway and vacuum passageway in said filling nozzle body respectively when said filling nozzle body is in the liquid filling position, a spring biased primary valve normally preventing flow from said liquid conduit to said liquid filling passageway, means for opening said primary valve, a spring biased separably operable secondary valve in series with said primary valve, said secondary valve opening only after said primary valve and under the force of a differential of liquid pressure acting on one side and vacuum on the other, and a vent providing communication be tween a first bleeder opening adjacent the portion of said filling nozzle body adapted to be projected into the container to be filled and a second bleeder opening exposed to the atmosphere, said vent comprising a passageway having a cross-sectional area at its most constricted point which is substantially smaller. than the smallest crosssectional area of said vacuum passageway whereby gas flow through said vent is more restricted than gas flow through said vacuum passageway.

3. The filling nozzle claimed in claim 2 wherein said secondary valve is normally held closed by means of a riding magnet.

4. The filling nozzle as claimed in claim 2 including a ball valve cut-off arranged to close the vacuum port in response to the rising liquid level within the container.

5. In a filling device the combination of the vacuum actuated filling nozzle claimed in claim 4 and means for stripping the ball valve from the vacuum port.

6. The filling nozzle as claimed in claim 5 wherein said stripping means comprise a magnet.

7. A vacuum actuated filling nozzle for filling containers said nozzle being supplied with liquid above atmospheric pressure comprising a valve body having'a bore therein, a

filling nozzle body surrounded by an external sealing washer near the'bo'ttom thereof, said filling nozzle body slidable in said bore of said .valve body, said filling nozzle body having a liquid passageway and a separate vacuum passageway, said vacuum' passageway terminating in a vacuum port, said filling passageway terminating in a fill=f ing port, said filling port and .said vacuum-port being 1 u located in the portion of the filling nozzle body below said sealing washer, a liquid conduit and a vacuum' conduit each connected to said valve body and in communication, H with said liquid filling passageway and vacuum passageway in said filling nozzlebody respectively when. said filling nozzle body isjin the liquid filling position, a spring biased primary valve normally preventing flow fromsaid liquid conduit to said liquid fillingpassageway,,a spring biased separably' operable secondary valve in series with.

said primary valve, the pressure acting upon the bottom surface of said secondary valve being reducedjby the flow of air from the container into the vacuum passageway when the sealing washer bears against a containenjsaid secondary valve being movable from its seat by the prestop surface and the vacuum on its bottom surface, said differential being sufiicient tooppose the bias of the spring which normally. urges the secondary valve to the closed .sure difierential between the liquid pressure acting on its position, and a vent providing communication between. a a

first bleeder opening located adjacent thep ortion of said i filling nozzle body below said sealing .washer and a second bleedenopeningexposed tothe atmosphere, saidvent comprising a passagewayhaving across-sectional area at its '7 "mostconstrictedpoint which is substantially smaller than; the smallest cross-sectional area of said vacuum passage I way whereby gas flow through said vent is more restricted than gas flow through said vacuum passageway.

8. A filling nozzle for a vacuum operated filling Inacommunicating with separate ports in said nozzle tip, said vent passageway connecting a first bleeder opening in said nozzle tip with a second bleeder opening exposed to at mospheric air, said sealing means being located at a point I on said nozzle body between said first and second bleeder openings, said vent passageway having a cross-sectional area thereof substantially smaller than the most constricted portion of said vacuum passageway, whereby during the filling operation a greater volume of air may be withdrawn from the container through said vacuum passageway than is admitted through the vent passageway, a primary valve in said valve body capable of opening and closing said filling passageway, said primary valve being displaceable to an open position by a sliding movement of said nozzle body'imparted by contact with said container as said nozzle tip is projected into. saidcontainer,ja s'e'parably operable secondary valve in said'valve body in series with said primary valve, said secondary' valve being beyond said primary valve indirection of liquid flow and also capable of opening and closing said chine comprising: a valve body, a filling nozzle'body ver-,- I

tically slideable within said valve body and resiliently urged in a downwarddirection,"said filling nozzlebody l including a liquid filling passageway, a vent passageway g and a vacuum passageway, said vent passageway havinga cross-sectional area which, ,is substantially smaller than. thatof said vacuum passageway, saidvacuumv and said" V fillin'gpass'agew'a'ys each'terminating at a separate port in the end portion of said filling nozzle body adapted to be projected into a container: to be filled, 'saidvent passage- -way connecting ableeder opening insaid end portion of 50 said'nozzle body with a source of gas at a pressure at least as great as about atmospheric pressure, saidfilling passageway",containing-a primary valve and a-separably operable secondary valve -in= series,"said primarywalve closed position, said last named means yielding to permit 1 .the opening of said secondaryvalve' upon the applicatiom of'a predetermined pressuredifferentialacting on opposite I when the greater pressure is sides of said secondary valve onthe upstreamside thereof.

References Cited in the file of patent v UNlTED-STATES PATENTS 1,149,256

Claims

1. A VACUUM ACTUATED FILLING NOZZLE FOR FILLING CONTAINERS WITH LIQUID SUPPLIED AT PRESSURE ABOVE ATMOSPHERIC COMPRISING A VALVE BODY HAVING A BORE THEREIN, A FILLING NOZZLE BODY SLIDABLE IN SAID BORE OF SAID VALVE BODY AND HAVING A LIQUID FILLING PASSAGEWAY AND A VACUUM PASSAGEWAY THEREIN, SAID VACUUM PASSAGEWAY TERMINATING IN A VACUUM PORT, SAID FILLING PASSAGEWAY TERMINATING IN A FILLING PORT, SAID FILLING PORT AND SAID VACUUM PORT BEING LOCATED IN THE PORTION OF THE FILLING NOZZLE BODY ADAPTED TO BE PROJECTED INTO A CONTAINER TO BE FILLED, A LIQUID CONDUIT AND A VACUUM CONDUIT EACH CONNECTED TO SAID VALVE BODY AND IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID LIQUID FILLING PASSAGEWAY AND VACUUM PASSAGEWAY RESPECTIVELY WHEN SAID FILLING NOZZLE BODY IS IN THE LIQUID FILLING POSITION, A PRIMARY VALVE RESILIENTLY URGED TO NORMALLY PREVENT FLOW FROM SAID LIQUID CONDUIT TO SAID LIQUID FILLING PASSAGEWAY AND BEING OPENED BY MOVEMENT OF SAID FILLING NOZZLE BODY IN SAID BORE OF SAID VALVE BODY, A RESILIENTLY URGED SEPARATELY OPERABLE SECONDARY VALVE IN SERIES WITH SAID PRIMARY VALVE, SAID SECONDARY VALVE BEING NORMALLY CLOSED AND BEING OPENED UNDER THE FORCE OF A DIFFERENTIAL OF LIQUID PRESSURE ACTING ON ONE SIDE AND VACUUM ON THE OTHER, AND A VENT PROVIDING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN A FIRST BLEEDER OPENING ADJACENT THE PORTION OF SAID FILLING NOZZLE BODY ADAPTED TO BE PROJECTED INTO THE CONTAINER TO BE FILLED AND A SECOND BLEEDER OPENING EXPOSED TO THE ATMOSPHERE, SAID VENT COMPRISING A PASSAGEWAY HAVING A CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA AT ITS MOST CONSTRICTED POINT WHICH IS SUBSTANTIALLY SMALLER THAN THE SMALLEST CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA OF SAID VACUUM PASSAGEWAY WHEREBY GAS FLOW THROUGH SAID VENT IS MORE RESTRICTED THAN GAS FLOW THROUGH SAID VACUUM PASSAGEWAY.