US3191644A - Filling device - Google Patents

Description

June 29, 1965 L. R. HoLLlFlELD 3,191,644

FILLING DEVICE Filed Aug. 3l, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 ans/Mfr INV ENT OR mwefzfQHaz/eld Z 3Q/m M, Mb

A ORNEY' June 29, 1965 R, HoLLlFlELD 3,191,644

FILLING DEVICE Filed Aug. 3l, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 gg. A 3 3g /g 37 l `,Z/ .if 34 9 30 f --22 /3 40 l I El L/QU/P l" 'i f I :E l E 1).- I l i; :j -@4' E la l INVENTOR l Pff TTORNEYS June 29, 1955 L. R. HoLLlFlELD 3,191,644

FILLING DEVICE Filed Aug. 31, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IIIIIIIIIII 5 uw' INVENTOR ym, am@ @x4/M United States Patent O pue 3,191,644 FILLING DEVICE Lawrence R. Holliiield, R0. Box 193, Grover, N.C. Filed Aug. 31, 1962, Ser. No. 229,629 s (3i-arms. (er. 141-302) This invention relates to lling apparatus, more particularly to apparatus for lling glass or metal containers with a gas impregnated liquid under pressure such as the familiar carbonated beverages and the like.

In the bottling art relating to lling receptacles with carbonated beverages, a major problem is the prevention of foaming during the lling cycle. In general this is accomplished by admission of the impregnating gas, usually carbon dioxide, to the bottle or other container so as to equalize pressure in the container with that of the gas-impregnated liquid, after which the latter lows substantially by gravity into the container. This gravity ow coupled wih no substantial change in pressure minimizes agitation of the liquid thereby reducing foaming of the liquid.

This procedure requires an assembly which controls the flow of the gas, commonly referred to as counter pressure, and also controls the ow of the gas-impregnated liquid lat the desired rates together with a mechanism for operating the same in the desired sequence. In order to avoid spattering when the container is separated from the ller valve and stem, it is customary to provide means for reducing the pressure in the filled container at the closeof the filling operation and before the container is removed from the lling machine for transfer to the capping or sealing machine.

These steps of counter pressure, liquid admission, and pressure release, make up the lling cycle. The length of this cycle, of course, determines the speed of operation which, in turn, directly affect production costs.

It is an object of this invention to reduce the filling time for a given size container. It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved filling valve which is simpler and less expensive to manufacture and maintain. It is a further object of this invention to provide a filler stem which is simpler and less expensive to construct and maintain. These and other objects of invention will be readily apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of the valve and associated liller tube constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a view in vertical section of the filler assembly constructed according to the present invention, taken along the line 2-2 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is another vertical sectional view similar to that of FGURE 2 but taken along the line 3 3, that is 90 away from that of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a transverse sectional view of the valve assembly along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is another cross-sectional View taken somewhat higher on the valve at the line 5--5 of FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the filler stem along the line 6--6 of FIGURE 3.

Referring to the several figures, more particularly FIGURE 1, the construction and operation of my improved ller valve will now be'described. The valve 1, formed `of a body 11 and head or cover 12, is mounted upon a lilling machine 10, exteriorly thereof, by bolts or other fastening means 33. The construction and operation of filling machine are conventional and per se form no part of the present invention. Reference therefor will be made only to `such parts of the filling machine as coact with the improved valve. The valve ICC 1 is in communication with machine 10 through inlets 13 and 14 for liquid and gas (counter-pressure) respectively. Liquid is supplied to inlet 13 and gas is supplied to inlet 14 through lines in the filling machine indicated generally at 13 and 14', respectively. These supply lines 13 and 14', in turn are connected to corresponding reservoirs of uid, not shown, in the lling machine.

Within valve body 11, liquid inlet 13 communicates through chamber 15 with channel 16, which extends downwardly through the lower extension 17 of the valve body. Located within chamber 15 is a pear valve -18, tting conical seat 19 in the upper part of channel 16. Valve 1S is provided with a stern 20 extending vertically within chamber 15 into a socket 21 within valve head 12. Pear valve 18 is normally held tightly in seat 19 by compression spring 22 which is located about stem 2t) between extension or shoulder 23 on the stern and head 12. Torfacilitate locating spring 22, a recess or groove 24 may be provided in head 12 concentric with Socket 21.

Valve 18 is lifted by means of fork 25 pivotally mounted on pin 26. In closed position, fork 25 rests upon the cut-out portion or flat 27 of rod 28 as shown in FIGURE 2. Rod 28 extends through an opening in the valve body and is provided with an actuating lever or valve arm 29 at the outer end thereof. In order that rod 28 may turn freely without leakage, the opening in the valve body is provided with a suitable packing gland 30.

Gas inlet 14 communicates with chamber 35 through Achannel 34 in valve body 11 and channel 34 in valve head 12. Channel 36 `in head 12 leads from chamber and is normally closed by valve 37 under the loading of spring 3S. Stem 39 extends downwardly from valve 37 through valve head 12, with the lower end adjacent extension 31 on fork 25. Means such as adjusting screw 40 may be provided to increase or decrease the eifective length of stem 359 if desired. Channel 36 in valve head 12 communicates in turn with channel 36 in valve body 11.

A third channel 41, in valve body 11, extends from channel 16 to chamber 42 which in turn is in communication with the atmosphere through valve 43. Valve 4 3 is normally closed under the action of spring 44, and

`is provided with an actuating stem which extends exteriorly of valve body 11 through opening 46.

Another feature of this invention is the filler stem or tube 61 which is used in connection with valve l. As shown in the drawings, iiller stem 61 comprises an elongated lower cylindrical section 62 adapted to be inserted in a bottle or other container to be lled, and a relatively short upper portion 63 of greater diameter which is adapted for connection with the filler valve by means of the threaded union 50.

The enlarged upper section is provided with two channels 64 and 65 for gas and liquid respectively. These in turn are so spaced and sized as to align with the appropriate gas and liquid channels 36 and 16 in the lower part 17 of the valve body. These channels 64 and 65 are extended into the elongated ller tube 62` as channels 64 and 65'. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, channel 64' extends along the inner wall substantially t0 the bottom. At or near the lower end of channel 64', there is an opening 66 in the wall of the ller tube Whereby gas under pressure may ow out of said channel. A number of apertures 67 are provided in the tube wall whereby liquid Within the larger central bore may W out through a plurality of relatively small streams with a minimum of agitation. The lower end of the stern is lsolid and tapered, substantially as shown.

Surrounding stem 62, and mounted on the under side of the enlarged upper portion 63 is a sealing means 70 of rubber or other relatively soft resilient material which is inert to the beverage or other liquid and which may be readily cleaned and/ or sterilized.

The operation of this device in filling bottles with a carbonated beverage will now be explained. With the valve 1 mounted upon filling machine 16 as hereinbefore described, carbonated water or other aqueous beverage is supplied to inlet 13, and a'suitable gas under pressure is supplied to inlet 14'. 'A bottle 9@ to be filled with the liquid is placed under valve 1 with the filler tube centered within theneck of the bottle and the mouth of the bottle pressed against sealing means 7i) in fluid-tight engagement therewith. The size and shape of stem 62 provides the desired centering effect for bottle 90 without the use of the bell or like centering means of' the conventional filling devices now in use, at no sacrifice of filling speed.

With'the bottle in position to receive the carbonated liquid, valve arm 29 is turned approximately 35 counterclockwise by a first stationary cam on the filling machine, indicated at 30. This position is indicated in broken lines B, FIGURE l. Valve arm 29 being firmly fixed to rod 28, there is a'coresponding rotation of rod 2S. As rod 28 rotates, fork 25, which initially rests upon flat 27, is gradually lifted by'the arcuate portion of rod 28 opposite fiat 27. As fork 25 is thus raised the upper side thereof engages the under side of shoulder 23 of stem 2i), and thus lifts stem 20. With this lifting of stem 20, valve 18 moves upwardly from its seat 19 and the carbonated liquid flows from channel 13 through chamber 15 and channel 16 into the bore 65 of filler tube 61.

Since the carbonated liquid is under pressure, it is necessary that the pressure in bottle 9@ be substantially equaliZed therewith before theliquid flows through openings 67. This is accomplished in the present invention by extension 31 on fork 25 which engages stem 39 of gas valve 37. The effective length of stem 39 is so fixed by adjusting means 40 that gas valve 37 is opened slightly ahead of liquid valve 18. By this sequence of valve openings, gas passes through the several passages or channels 64 and 64 and opening 66 into bottle 94B so that the pressure therein is substantially equalized with the pressure on the carbonated liquid before the saine enters the bottle through the several openings 67 in the filler tube.` The liquid thus admitted to bottle iiows under substantially the static head of the liquid in the lling machine so that foaming due to agitation and substantial pressure release is substantially eliminated.

By the time the bottle is thus filled, valve arm 29 is moved clockwise 35 to closing position corresponding to position A, FIGURE l by a second stationary cam on the filling machine. The relative position of this cam is indicated in broken lines at Si).

In this operation, cam 68, on the inner side of linear 29 engages stem 45 of the snift valve 43, lifting the valve against spring 44 so that opening 46 is uncovered. Gas under pressure within bottle 90 is thereby vented to atmosphere through channels 16 and 41, chamber 42 and opening 46. By thus reducing the pressure, agitation and foaming is largely eliminated as the filled container is discharged from the filler for transfer to the sealing or capping machine.

The improved filling valve and filling stem can be l used to fill cans'and other metal containers as well as bottles, jars and other glass containers. Either or both are useful'with plain or uncarbonated liquids, such as water, Vas well as carbonated beverages such as beers and ales, along with the conventional soft drinks.

Upon reference to the figures it will be noted that the valve head portion 12 is connected to the valve body portion 11 by means of bolts, thus facilitating assembly and maintenance, including cleaning and sterilizing. The filler stern 61 is likewise separable for repairs Vand cleaning, being connected to valve body 11 by means of the union 50. Leakage at these several joints is prevented by means of gaskets in the conventional manner. Similarly, the valves 18, 3'7 and 43 may be provided with resilient rings or discs to ensure a duid-tight seal in the closed position. v

The tapered solid lower section 68 of stem 62 may be integral or it may be a separate element united therewith by brazing, welding or the like. If desired, tip 68 may be removably held by friction or threads. Instead of metal, tip 68 may be made of natural or synthetic rubber or of one of the synthetic plastics with the desired properties.

It is understood, of course, that the foregoing disclosure relates only to preferred embodiments of the invention and that it is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the examples of the invention herein chosen for the purposes of disclosure, which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus `described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In a device for filling a container with a gas-impregnated liquid comprising a valve body having passages therethrough for a gas and said gas-impregnated liquid, respectively, a hollow filling `stem on said body forming 'outlet extensions for said gas and gas-impregnated liquid passages respectively, said filling stem being adapted for Vinsertion into a container'to be filled, means to form a fluid-tight seal between said filling stem and said container, and a valve in each of said passages to control flow of iiuid therethrough into said container, the improvement which comprises a common means for actuating said valves, said means comprising a lever arm vmounted exteriorly of said body and operatively connected with said valves, means within said body for ade justing the order of opening said valves, a third valve within said body for controlling flow of fiuid through a third conduit, and means on said lever arm to open said third valve after said first and second valves are closed and to close said third valve before -said first and second valves are opened.

2. Apparatus for filling receptacles with gas-.impregnated liquids which comprises a valve body having a gas inlet and a liquid inlet and a gas outlet and a liquid outlet, a gas channel in said body between said gas inlet and gas outlet, a first valve controlling flow in said gas channel, a liquid channel .in said valve body, between said liquid inlet and liquid outlet, a second Valve controlling fiow in said liquid channel, each of said valves being'held normally closed by a biasing force, means within said body for concurrently actuating said rst and second valves, means within said body for varying the opening of said' first valve in relation tothe lopening of said second valve, a third fiuid channel inzsaid valve body, said third channel extending from said liquid channel between said second valve and said liquid outlet to the exterior of said valve` body, a third valve in said third channel controlling fiow of fluid therethrough, a stern for actuating vsaid valve extending through the valve body and terminating exteriorlythereof, a lever arm mounted exteriorly of said valve body operatively connected with the means for actuating said first and second valves, said lever arm'including a cam portion, said cam portion being inv operative engagementwith the stem of said third valve to open the saine when said lever is in its closed position with respect to said first and second valves.

3. Apparatus for filling receptacles with gasimpreg nated liquids which comprises a valve body, a first fluid channel in saidv body, a first valve controlling flow of fluid in said first channel, a second fiuid channel in said Valve body, a second valve controlling iiow of fiuid in said second channel, each of said valves being' held normally closed by a biasing means, means within said body for concurrently actuating said first and second valves, adjusting means to vary the timing ofthe opening of said 5 lirst valve in relation to the opening of said second valve, a tube depending from said body, said tube having a relatively large central bore, and a second channel of relatively small diameter extending longitudinally therein, a single aperture in the wall of said tube in open communication with isaid second channel, a plurality of apertures in the wall of said tube in open communication with said central bore whereby uids within said channel and said bore may be discharged therefrom, means for attaching said tube to said valve body with the rst and second channels of said body connected in fluid flow relation with :said bore and said second channel, respectively, of said tube, a third uid channel in said valve body, said third channel extendingfrom said first channel between said first valve and the connection with said central bore to the exterior of said valve body, a third valve in said third channel controlling flow of fluid therethrough, a stem for actuating said valve extending through the valve body and terminating exteriorly thereof, a lever arm mounted exteriorly of said valve body operatively connected with the means for actuating said first and second valves, said lever arm including a cam portion, said cam portion being in operative engagement with the stem of said third valve to open the same when said lever is in its closed position with respect to said first and second valves.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,063,326 12/36 Meyer 141-302 XR 2,178,559 1l/39 Cohen et al 137-628 XR FOREIGN PATENTS 777,930 7/57 Great Britain.

LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. IN A DEVICE FOR FILLING A CONTAINER WITH A GAS-IMPREGNATED LIQUID COMPRISING A VALVE BODY HAVING PASSAGES THERETHROUGH FOR A GAS AND SAID GAS-IMPREGNATED LIQUID, RESPECTIVELY, A HOLLOW FILLING STEM ON SAID BODY FORMING OUTLET EXTENSIONS FOR SAID GAS AND GAS-IMPREGNATED LIQUID PASSAGES RESPECTIVELY, SAID FILLING STEM BEING ADAPTED FOR INSERTION INTO A CONTAINER TO BE FILLED, MEANS TO FORM A FLUID-TIGHT SEAL BETWEEN SAID FILLING STEM AND SAID CONTAINER, AND A VALVE IN EACH OF SAID PASSAGES TO CONTROL FLOW OF FLUID THERETHROUGH INTO SAID CONTAINER, THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES A COMMON MEANS FOR ACTUATING SAID VALVES, SAID MEANS COMPRISING A LEVER ARM MOUNTED EXTERIORLY OF SAID BODY AND OPERATIVELY CONNECTED WITH SAID VALVES, MEANS WITHIN SAID BODY FOR ADJUSTING THE ORDER OF OPENING SAID VALVES, A THIRD VALVE WITHIN SAID BODY FOR CONTROLLING FLOW OF FLUID THROUGH A THIRD CONDUIT, AND MEANS ON SAID LEVER ARM TO OPEN SAID THIRD VALVE AFTER SAID FIRST AND SECOND VALVES ARE CLOSED AND TO CLOSE SAID THIRD VALVE BEFORE SAID FIRST AND SECOND VALVES ARE OPENED.

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