US3486538A - Apparatus for filling containers - Google Patents

Apparatus for filling containers Download PDF

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Publication number
US3486538A
US3486538A US648638A US3486538DA US3486538A US 3486538 A US3486538 A US 3486538A US 648638 A US648638 A US 648638A US 3486538D A US3486538D A US 3486538DA US 3486538 A US3486538 A US 3486538A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
valve
filling
liquid
bottle
gas
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US648638A
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English (en)
Inventor
Karl Quest
Heinz Jordan
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Holstein und Kappert Maschinenfabrik Phonix GmbH
Original Assignee
Holstein und Kappert Maschinenfabrik Phonix GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from DE1966H0059748 external-priority patent/DE1532531C3/de
Application filed by Holstein und Kappert Maschinenfabrik Phonix GmbH filed Critical Holstein und Kappert Maschinenfabrik Phonix GmbH
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Publication of US3486538A publication Critical patent/US3486538A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
    • B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
    • B67C3/22—Details
    • B67C3/26—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks
    • B67C3/2614—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks specially adapted for counter-pressure filling
    • B67C3/2625—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks specially adapted for counter-pressure filling the liquid valve being opened automatically when a given counter-pressure is obtained in the container to be filled
    • B67C3/2628—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks specially adapted for counter-pressure filling the liquid valve being opened automatically when a given counter-pressure is obtained in the container to be filled and the filling operation stopping when the liquid rises to a level at which it closes a vent opening
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
    • B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
    • B67C3/06—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus using counterpressure, i.e. filling while the container is under pressure
    • B67C3/08—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus using counterpressure, i.e. filling while the container is under pressure and subsequently lowering the counterpressure

Definitions

  • the filling head of the bottle filling apparatus has a relief valve which can connect a bottle and the upper end of the filling tube with the atmosphere, and a shutofi valve which can eifect expulsion of liquid from the return connection as well as pressurization of the interior of an empty bottle.
  • This invention relates to improvements in a method and apparatus for filling bottles or like containers with liquids, particularly with beer, soda or other carbonated beverages.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a novel method which can be carried out with our improved apparatus.
  • a further object of the invention is to provide a method according to which the liquid column in the return conduit for compressed gas is prevented from creating turbulence in and/or of eventually contaminating the tank and/or the containers, and according to which a series of bottles or analogous containers for beer, soda or other carbonated beverages can be filled in rapid sequence and to the same level.
  • one feature of our invention resides in the provision of a method of filling bottles or like containers with liquids, particularly with beer or another carbonated beverage, from a source having a body of liquid therein under pressure of a cushion of compressed gas disposed above the liquid level.
  • the method comprises placing an empty container below the source, establishing an upwardly extending connection between the cushion in the source and the interior of the container to raise the pressure therein, admitting liquid from the source into the thus pressurized container whereby the liquid displaces the gas and a liquid column also penetrates into the connection, sealing the cushion from the connection, removing the container from registry with the source, and expelling the liquid column from the connection prior to placing of a fresh container below the source.
  • Such expulsion of the liquid column can be carried out by admitting gas from the source into the upper end of the connection, and the thus expelled liquid can be collected at a point other than in the source or in a container.
  • the admission of liquid from the source into the container preferably takes place through a substantially vertical filling tube, and the step of removing a container from registry with the source is preferably preceded by the steps of connecting the interior of a substantially filled container with the atmosphere and admitting atmospheric air into the upper end of the. filling tube to effect gravitational flow of liquid from the tube into the neck of the container while the liquid colunm remains in the connection.
  • At least a portion of the connection preferably extends through the filling tube; for example, the latter may be provided with a vertical channel or pipe the lower end of which is open and the upper end of which can be connected with the gas cushion through a shutoff valve.
  • FIG. 1 is an axial section through a portion of a parts of the apparatus being shown in positions they assume during an intermediate stage of a filling cycle;
  • FIG. 2 illustrates the same structure but with the parts shown in positions they assume during a further stage of the cycle
  • FIG. 3 illustrates the parts of the structure shown in FIG. 1 during the initial stage of a filling cycle.
  • FIG. 1 there is shown a portion of a filling machine which can introduce beer, soda or another carbonated liquid into successive containers in the form of bottles B.
  • the apparatus comprises a series of filling heads 1 (only one shown) each of which is provided with a vertical passage 1:: for the flow of beer from the outlet 9a of a main source or tank 9 into a bottle B (FIG. 1 or 2).
  • the passage 1a of the filling head 1 shown in FIG. 1 is surrounded by an annular seat 1b which can be engaged by the vertically movable valve member 2a of a first valve 2 serving to control admission of beer from the outlet 9a of the tank 9 into the bottle B.
  • the filling head 1 further comprises a novel relief valve 3, a normally closed first shutofi" valve 29 which admits compressed gas into the bottle B from a plenum chamber 9b above the liquid level 9c in the tank 9, and a normally closed second shutoff valve 4 which can permit return flow of compressed gas from the bottle B into the plenum chamber 9b during inflow of beer from the tank 9.
  • the valve seat 112 is disposed at level above a vertical filling tube 5 which is installed in the head 1 and is provided with a channel or pipe 6 forming part of a gas returning connection and communicating at its upper end with a return conduit or bore 7 provided in the filling head 1 and controlled by the second shutoff valve 4.
  • the latter is further connected with a gas returning riser pipe 8 which extends into the tank 9 and communicates with the cushion of compressed gas in the plenum chamher 915 above the liquid level 90.
  • the lower end of the channel or pipe 6 is connected with a radial aperture 10 of the filling tube 5.
  • the upper end of the tube 5 communicates with a relief conduit or bore 11 of the filling head 1, and the bore 11 can be connected with an annular chamber 13 of the filling head by means of the relief valve 3 and a further relief conduit or bore 12.
  • the chamber 13 communicates with the neck portion 14 of the bottle B, and the relief valve 3 can connect the upper end of the tube 5 and/or the chamber 13 with a venting orifice 15 which communicates with the atmosphere.
  • a pincer-shaped suspending device 17 connects the filling head 1 with a bell-shaped centering and sealing member 16 which is slidable along the filling tube 5.
  • the centering member 16 has a sleeve-like central portion 18 which can be moved upwardly against an annular sealing element 19 provided at the lower end of a cylindrical sleeve 20 which is integral or rigid with the filling head 1.
  • the parts 18, 19, 20 define with the filling tube 5 an annular clearance which constitutes a downward extension of the chamber 13.
  • the top of the neck portion 14 can engage a sealing ring 16a in the centering member 16 in order to urge the latter upwardly whereby the central portion 18 bears against the sealing element 19 to prevent uncontrolled escape of gas and/or beer.
  • the shutoff valve 29 can connect the interior of the bottle B with the plenum chamber 9b above the liquid level 9c in the tank 9.
  • the gas admitting bores or conduits 35 which establish such communication when the valve 29 is open are shown in FIG. 1 by broken lines.
  • the relief valve 3 comprises two coaxial axially movable valve stems 21, 22 which respectively carry valve members 23 and 24.
  • Each of the valve members 23, 24 is biased by a spring which causes it to bear against the adjoining seat provided therefor in the filling head 1 or in a separate valve body 36 installed in the filling head.
  • the valve member 23 can connect or seal the relief bore 12 from the orifice 15 and the valve member 24 can connect or seal the relief bores 11 and 12 from each other.
  • the stems 21, 22 are separated by a relatively narrow gap 25 shown in FIG. 3.
  • the stem 21 is displaced in a direction to the right, as viewed in FIG.
  • valve member 23 moves away from its seat ahead of the valve member 24 because the stem 21 requires a short interval of time to move across the gap 25 and to displace the stem 22.
  • a connection between the orifice 15 and relief bore 12 is established ahead of a connection between the relief bores 11 and 12 whereby the differential in time need not exceed a fraction of a second.
  • the stem of the shutoff valve 4 has an annular groove 26 which can receive a porton of a weighted or springbiased locking pawl 27 mounted in the filling head 1.
  • the pawl 27 has a follower 28 which can be engaged by an actuating member here shown as a cam 28a in order to disengage the pawl from the stern of the shutoff valve 4.
  • An empty bottle B is placed into registry with the centering member 16 and is caused to move upwardly so that the sleeve-like portion 18 of the centering member is moved into engagement with the sealing element 19.
  • the first valve 2 is opened by its spring 2b so that the valve member 2a moves away from the seat 1b and allows beer to flow from the lower portion of the tank 9 into the bottle B and to fill the latter to the level 32 of the aperture 10 in the filling tube 5.
  • the neck 14 of the bottle is empty.
  • the shutoff valve 4 is open while the valve 2 is open and is closed together with the valve 2 when the liquid level in the bottle B reaches the aperture 10.
  • An actuating cam 30 is thereupon caused to shift the stem 21 of the relief valve 3 so that the stem 21 assumes the position shown in FIG.
  • the liquid column in the filling tube 5 is now free to descend into the bottle B and to fill the neck 14 to a predetermined level.
  • the relief valve 3 remains open for an interval of time which is long enough to allow for removal of the bottle B whereby the remainder of liquid contained in the tube 5 also descends into the bottle.
  • the shutoff valve 4 remains closed so that it entraps the liquid column which has risen into the channel 6.
  • the shutoff valve 4 opens shortly after removal of the filled bottle B whereby the gas filling the chamber 9b in the upper part of the tank 9 expels the liquid column by penetrating through the riser pipe 8, shutoff valve 4, return bore 7 and channel 6. The evacuation of liquid from the channel 6 is terminated prior to placing of the next bottle into liquid-receiving position.
  • FIG. 2 shows the relief valve 3 in fully open position during evacuation of liquid from the filling tube 5.
  • FIG. 3 shows the initial stage of a filling cycle.
  • the centering member 16 is engaged by the neck 14 of an empty bottle BB.
  • the relief valve 3 is closed but the shutoff valve 29 is open due to engagement with an actuating cam 31 to permit entry of gas from the chamber 917 in the tank 9 into the bottle BB.
  • the shutoff valve 29 closes and the valve 2 opens automatically to permit flow of liquid by gravity.
  • the shutoff valve 4 opens shortly before or simultaneously with opening of the valve 2 and is engaged by the locking pawl 27 to remain in open position.
  • a trough 34 (shown in FIG. 1 by phantom lines) or an analogous receptacle serves to collect liquid which is expelled from the channel 6 in response to opening of the shutolf valve 4 prior to placing of an empty bottle into registry with the filling head 1.
  • An important advantage of the relief valve 3 is that a reduction of gas pressure in the neck 14 of a bottle B or BB can be initiated shortly before the upper end of the filling tube 5 is allowed to communicate with the atmosphere via conduit 11. This prevents escape of liquid from the bottle through the upper end of the filling tube. Furthermore, and if necessary, the gas pressure in the bottle can be reduced independently of the establishment of a connection between the filling tube 5 and the atmosphere; this can be achieved by imparting to a portion of the cam 30 a shape which insures that the valve member 23 moves away and stays away from its seat while the valve member 24 remains in sealing position. It is clear that the various cams may be replaced by electromagnets or other suitable valve actuating devices.
  • the configuration of the cam 30 can be selected in such a way that this cam effects controlled axial movements ofthe stem 21 in the course of the main filling stage, i.e., while the first valve 2 is open, in order to establish a connection between the interior of the bottle and the atmosphere for the purpose of effecting complete or partial reduction of gas pressure in the bottle and of thereby accelerating the inflow of liquid via valve 2.
  • the valve 3 may also serve as a means for selecting the length of intervals required to fill a bottle to the level 32.
  • Such versatility of the relief valve 3 enables the improved filling head 1 to find preferred use in a variety of filling operations and to modify a filling cycle by the simple expedient of replacing the cam 30 with a different valve actuating device.
  • the cam 28a which controls the locking pawl 27 for the shutoflf valve 4 need not form a complete annulus. It suffices to use one or more short arcuate sections which are adjacent to the path of travel of the filling heads 1 to effect upward movement of successive followers 28 during certain stages of the respective filling cycles.
  • the manner in which a conveyor supplies, lifts and removes bottles, and the manner in which the filling heads 1 are driven is well known from the art of bottle filling apparatus and is not shown in the drawing.
  • Apparatus for filling bottles or like containers with liquids, particularly with carbonated beverages comprising a source containing a supply of liquid and a plenum chamber above the liquid level and having an outlet for liquid; a filling head having a downwardly extending filling tube registering with said outlet and extendable into a container; a first valve in said head for admitting liquid from said' source into said tube; a gas admitting conduit connecting the interior of a container to be filled with said chamber to pressurize the container; a gas returning conduit connecting said chamber with the container into which said tube extends to effect return flow of gas during admission of liquid through said first valve; second and third valves in said head for respectively regulating the fiow of gas through said gas admitting and gas returning conduits; relief conduit means in said head to connect the upper end of said tube and the interior of said container into which said tube extends with the atmosphere; and a relief valve in said head to regulate the flow of gas in said relief conduit means, each of said valves including at least one valve member movable in axial direction toward and
  • said relief valve comprises two axially movable stems each provided with a valve member engageable with a seat in said head to respectively seal the tube and the container from the atmosphere, and further comprising actuating means for displacing one of said stems and for effecting displacement of the other stem through the intermediary of said one stem.
  • said locking means comprises a pawl movable between locking and idle positions, said third valve having a groove to receive a portion of said pawl in the locking position thereof.
  • a relief valve particularly for use in the filling head of the apparatus as set forth in claim 1, comprising a pair of axially movable coaxial valve stems normally separated from each other by a gap; a valve member provided on each of said stems and engaging with a seat in the filling head when the stems are separated by said gap; and means for urging said valve members against the respective seats, one of said stems being movable axially across said gap to displace the other stem.

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  • Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)
US648638A 1966-06-24 1967-06-26 Apparatus for filling containers Expired - Lifetime US3486538A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE1966H0059748 DE1532531C3 (de) 1964-10-06 1966-06-24 Füllorgan zum Abfüllen von Bier oder anderen kohlesäurehaltigen Getränken

Publications (1)

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US3486538A true US3486538A (en) 1969-12-30

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US648638A Expired - Lifetime US3486538A (en) 1966-06-24 1967-06-26 Apparatus for filling containers

Country Status (7)

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US (1) US3486538A (xx)
AT (1) AT279400B (xx)
BE (1) BE699365A (xx)
CH (1) CH500127A (xx)
GB (1) GB1131559A (xx)
NL (1) NL6708788A (xx)
SE (1) SE337338B (xx)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4538652A (en) * 1982-06-10 1985-09-03 Etablissements F. Valentin Device for incorporating a dose of liqueur in a bottle of champagnized wine
US4693054A (en) * 1984-11-06 1987-09-15 Anheuser-Busch, Incorporated Process for filling beer into containers
US5329963A (en) * 1991-10-08 1994-07-19 Guinness Brewing Worldwide Limited Method of and apparatus for packaging a beverage in a container
ITTO20130278A1 (it) * 2013-04-05 2014-10-06 R M Stampi S R L Supporto di fissaggio per un dispositivo di rilevazione della pressione all'interno di un contenitore aperto e riempito con un prodotto versabile contenente un gas disciolto, e relativo metodo
CN105197863A (zh) * 2015-10-26 2015-12-30 长沙铭盛科技发展有限公司 一种负压灌装机的灌装头
CN105947962A (zh) * 2016-06-27 2016-09-21 安徽省润普纳米科技股份有限公司 一种自动升降式注油机

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012123768A1 (en) 2011-09-12 2012-09-20 Pertia Shota Dispensing of fizzy beverages under counter - pressure
CN109095427A (zh) * 2018-08-27 2018-12-28 张家港瑞莱伯机械制造有限公司 一种果汁灌装机

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE628290A (xx) *
US3207189A (en) * 1962-12-17 1965-09-21 Pneumatic Scale Corp Container filling machine
US3252486A (en) * 1960-12-24 1966-05-24 Seitz Werke Gmbh Filling apparatus for liquids

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE628290A (xx) *
US3252486A (en) * 1960-12-24 1966-05-24 Seitz Werke Gmbh Filling apparatus for liquids
US3207189A (en) * 1962-12-17 1965-09-21 Pneumatic Scale Corp Container filling machine

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4538652A (en) * 1982-06-10 1985-09-03 Etablissements F. Valentin Device for incorporating a dose of liqueur in a bottle of champagnized wine
US4693054A (en) * 1984-11-06 1987-09-15 Anheuser-Busch, Incorporated Process for filling beer into containers
US5329963A (en) * 1991-10-08 1994-07-19 Guinness Brewing Worldwide Limited Method of and apparatus for packaging a beverage in a container
ITTO20130278A1 (it) * 2013-04-05 2014-10-06 R M Stampi S R L Supporto di fissaggio per un dispositivo di rilevazione della pressione all'interno di un contenitore aperto e riempito con un prodotto versabile contenente un gas disciolto, e relativo metodo
CN105197863A (zh) * 2015-10-26 2015-12-30 长沙铭盛科技发展有限公司 一种负压灌装机的灌装头
CN105947962A (zh) * 2016-06-27 2016-09-21 安徽省润普纳米科技股份有限公司 一种自动升降式注油机

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1131559A (en) 1968-10-23
NL6708788A (xx) 1967-12-27
SE337338B (xx) 1971-08-02
AT279400B (de) 1970-03-10
CH500127A (de) 1970-12-15
BE699365A (xx) 1967-12-01

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