US3589410A - Valve arrangement for container filling machines - Google Patents

Abstract

Fluid filling machine with novel control valving movable from closed to open condition when a container is in position to receive the filling fluid, the valving remaining closed if no container is present and in such event permitting bypass return flow of the filling fluid to its source. The valving is operated by a control lever which is movable from an inoperative to operative position by the container that is to be filled. The lever, in turn, in its operative position is moved to valve-open position by engagement of the lever with a cam in the path of travel of the container to initiate filling thereof and is subsequently movable to close the valve at completion of fill, the latter movement being effected either by sensing means responsive to level of fill in the container or a further cam in the event of failure of the sensing means. In intermediate stages of the fill, the lever can be manipulated to a controlled extent by additional cam means to control rate of flow during fill if desired. The valving is applicable to rotary or linear filling machines. Valving arrangements suitable for gravity and pressure filling are disclosed.

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventor Herman D. Mans Roslyn Estates. N.Y. [21] Appl. No. 837,158 (22] Filed June 27, 1969 [45] Patented June 29, 1971 [73] Assignee M.R.M. Company, Inc.

Plainview, Long Island, N.Y.

[54] VALVE ARRANGEMENT FOR CONTAINER FILLING MACHINES 8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.CI .1 141/45, 141/141, 141/144 [51] Int. CI B65b 31/06 [50] Field otSearch 141/128, 138-152, 45

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,385,328 5/1968 Riesenberg 141/128 Primary Examiner-Houston S. Bell, .Ir. Attorney-Kenyon and Kenyon, Reilly, Carr & Chapin ABSTRACT: Fluid filling machine with novel control valving movable from closed to open condition when a container is in position to receive the filling fluid, the valving remaining closed if no container is present and in such event permitting bypass return flow of the filling fluid to its source. The valving is operated by a control lever which is movable from an in operative to operative position by the container that is to be filled. The lever, in turn, in its operative position is moved to valve-open position by engagement of the lever with a cam in the path of travel of the container to initiate filling thereof and is subsequently movable to close the valve at completion of fill, the latter movement being effected either by sensing means responsive to level of fill in the container or a further cam in the event of failure of the sensing means. In intermediate stages of the fill, the lever can be manipulated to a controlled extent by additional cam means to control rate of flow during fill if desired. The valving is applicable to rotary or linear filling machines. Valving arrangements suitable for gravity and pressure filling are disclosed.

FLUIDICS 'HIGH -SENS|NG PRES DEVHZE SOURCE PATENTEU JUNZ 9 lBYi SHEET 1 OF 5 R O T N E V m HERMAN D. M ANAS BY ORNEY PATENIED JUN29 [9H 3,589, 41 0 sum 2 or 5 FLU lDl C S SE N SING DEVICE INVENTOR HERMAN 0. M AN AS PATENIEMuuzsmn 35 9,1110

SHEET 3 1F 5 7 F I G 3 TL INVENTOR HERMAN D. MANAS A TORNEYSV" PATENTEU M29197] 3,589,410

SHEET 5 OF 5 INVENTOR HERMAN 0, MANAS BYZ (ATTORN VALVE ARRANGEMENT FOR CONTAINER FILLING MACHINES BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION This invention relates to filling machines of any type wherein filling of successive containers is to be effected successively from a common filling source during travel of the containers on appropriate conveyors through the machine. In effecting the fill of the containers, filling spouts are introduced into the open mouths of the successive containers. Each spout includes a rotary type of valve movable from a normally closed condition to an open condition after the spout has been introduced into the container to be filled. To this end, a lever is associated with each valve which lies normally in an inoperative position and which is moved to an operative position by the container itself upon introduction into the latter of this spout for filling. Subsequently, the lever while in its operative position is acted upon by cam means in its path of travel to rotate the valve to an open condition for effecting filling of each particular container. Sensing means responsive to level of fill of the liquid in the particular container acts on the lever when desired fill level is achieved to restore the valve to its closed condition or a further cam performs this function if the sensing means fails. Thereafter, on removal of the container from the spout, the lever itself returns to its normally inoperative position so that unless a successive fresh container moves it again to operative position it will not reopen its associated valve. Thus, the arrangement prevents inadvertent opening of a valve and consequent waste of filling fluid unless a container is in a position to receive fill flow from the spout inserted into it. The presence of a container is necessary to move the lever to an operative condition and absence of a container will, therefore, prevent opening of the particular valve associated with its spout and avoid waste of fill fluid. Return flow to the source of fluid from an unopened valve is provided. In the case of pressure fill, a special bypass arrangement is provided to avoid excessive pressure buildup during fill in the event that one of the valves fails to open when no container appears beneath its spout for filling.

Objects and features of the invention are to provide fluidfilling machines with the novel valving arrangement above mentioned that will be simple, effective in operation and which may be produced at relatively low cost.

Other objects and features of the invention are the provision of novel filling flow control whose operation is initiated by the presence of a container in position to receive fill flow and whose absence will prevent initiation of fill flow together with means to cut off flow upon completion of fill as well as to provide, if desired, control of the rate of fill flow during filling.

Further objects and features of the invention are to provide bypass means in conjunction with the valve to permit return flow to the filling source of fill from an unopened valve.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings forming part hereof wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a rotary filling machine embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a rotary filling valve and its operational control in the closed condition of the valve;

FIG. 3 is a similar sectional view showing the valve in its open filling condition;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a modified form of rotary filling valve and its operational control in the closed condition of the valve used particularly with a pressure filling system, and

FIG. 5 is a similar sectional view of this embodiment in its open filling condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings and first to FIGS. 13, denotes generally a filling machine which embodies a rotary conveyor 11 mounted for rotation on a vertical shaft 12 driven in any suitable manner in the direction of the arrow A in FIG.

1. Containers C to be filled are delivered for entrainment on the conveyor 11 from a feed conveyor 13 via a star wheel 14 which delivers the successive containers in timed, properly spaced sequence onto successive vertically movable platforms 15 forming parts of the rotary conveyor 11 and which may be elevated respectively in any suitable manner after delivery thereon of a container C and maintained in elevated condition during container filling and subsequently lowered for enabling removal from the rotary conveyor 11 of filled containers as by a second star wheel 16 which, in turn, acts successively on the filled containers to deliver them to a removal conveyor 16'.

A circular body (FIGS. 2 and 3) 17 is keyed for rotation with shaft 12 in synchronism with the rotary conveyor 11 and is positioned in spaced, overlying vertical relationship therewith. This body 17 carries a plurality of arcuately equispaced valve retaining members 18 which correspond in number to the said vertically movable platforms 15 and are respectively vertically aligned therewith.

Each valve retaining member 18 is provided with a vertical bore 19. A radially extending inlet passageway 20 as well as radially extending outlet passageway 21 in body 17 as seen in FIG. 2 can communicate via bore 19 in the position shown in FIG. 2 of a rotatable cylindrically shaped valve body 22 as described in more detail below. These passageways 20 and 21 in turn extend through body 17 and communicate respectively with outlet and inlet openings (not shown) of a reservoir (not shown) for filling fluid designed to be fed by gravity for filling.

One rotatable cylindrically shaped valve body 22 is mounted in the bore 19 of each member 18. Each such body 22 has an axially directed passageway 23 in the lower portion of its length which has a lateral opening 24 (FIG. 3) which may be rotated into and out of registry with inlet passageway 20 by proper rotation of valve body 22 as will be described.

Each such valve body 22 bears externally a sealing sleeve 25 of appropriate sealing material to prevent leakage. This sleeve 25 in turn has a port 26 in registry with lateral opening 24 and the sleeve 25 is rotatable together with valve body 22 so that when the latter is rotated from the position of FIG. 2 to that of FIG. 3, both the port 26 and the opening 24 may be brought simultaneously from out of registry with inlet passage 20 into registry therewith as seen respectively in FIGS. 2 and 3. Body 22 and sleeve 25 also have aligned vertical slots 22 and 25 therein phased approximately from port 26 and opening 24 which, in the closed position of said body, seen in FIG. 2, provide bypass intercommunication between flow passages 20 and 21.

Each such valve body 22 is provided with an annular external flange 27 that rests upon an O-ring seal 28 on the upper surface of its retaining member 18 being maintained in sealing relationship therewith as by a retainer 29.

A solid extension 30 extends upwardly of each such valve body 22 above flange 27 through the retaining member 29.

A tubular spout 31 carried by a sealing plug 32 is fitted into the axial passageway 23 at the lower end of each such valve body 22 with a conventional O-ring seal 33 between the lower end of said body 22 and a flange 34 of said plug 32 A retaining cuplike part 35 having a threaded opening 36 in its lower end is secured to the under face of each valve retaining member 18. A tubular securing body 37 having a threaded upper end 38 is screwed into threaded opening 36 to tighten plug 32 into place and effect a seal at O-ring 33 as well as at a second O-ring 39.

The spout 31 extends axially through and below the lower end of securing body 37. The bore 40 of securing body 37 has an enlarged diametered portion 41 adjacent its lower end into which an overflow tube 42 is mounted. This overflow tube 42 has larger diameter than the external diameter of spout 31 to provide an annular overflow passageway 43 surrounding the lower end of spout 31. The overflow passageway 43 opens at its upper end into an overflow chamber 44 provided with a lateral opening 45 with which a fill sensing system 46 to be described may be connected.

The lower end of spout 31 and its surrounding overflow tube 42 project downwardly and outwardly of the lower end of securing body 37 whose lower end surface is covered by a washer 47 of rubber or other resilient material.

A valve-operating lever member 48 is freely and pivotaily mounted in unbalanced condition at the upper end of solid extension 30 of each such valve body 22 as by a transverse pivot pin 49. The pivot pin 49 is so located with respect to lever 48 that its arms 48' and 48" are unbalanced on respective sides of pivot pin 49 being of unequal length so that the lever 48 tends normally under action of gravity to swing to the inoperative position shown in FIG. 2 at which time it lies at a slant with the horizontal, with its shorter arm 48 in an elevated position above horizontal and its longer arm 48" in a lowered position below horizontal. The outer ends of arms 48' and 48" are provided with cam surfaces 48" and 48" for purposes to be described.

A ring member 50 is slidably mounted on the solid extension 30 of each such valve body 22 for free axial movement thereon. A bracket 51 is secured at its upper end to each such ring member 50 and its lower end in turn is secured to a container engaging element 52 which extends horizontally and lies normally below the lower end of the spout 31. This element 52 is provided with an opening 53 axially aligned with said spout tube 31 and overflow tube 42, said opening 53 being of larger diameter than said tubes, the said opening having a downwardly flared portion 53' with which the surface of a container C below its open mouth and neck may engage when said container C is elevated after having been deposited on a vertically movable platform 15. The opening 53 also has larger diameter than the mouth and neck of container C so that they may pass freely therethrough.

A support member 54 is fixedly secured in concentric spaced relationship above the circular body 17. This support member 54 carries a cam roller 55 on a radially adjustable arm 56 that may be fixed in any adjusted position as by a bolt 57 operating in slot 56' of arm 56 so that the roller 55 may be projected to any desired extent to lie in the circular path of travel of the cam surfaces 48" of the respective lever arms 48 when the latter have been elevated to operative horizontal position by upward movement of a container C on a corresponding underlying platform 15, such engagement then serving to cause rotation of lever 48 and consequent axial rotation of the valve body 22 from its closed position seen in FIG. 2 to its open condition as seen in FIG. 3.

A similar cam roller 58 is suitably supported by a radially adjustable arm 59 that may be fixed in any adjusted position as by a bolt 60 as that the roller 58 may be positioned to lie projected in the circular path of travel of the cam surface 48 of the respective lever arms when the latter lie in elevated operative horizontal position to which they have been elevated by corresponding elevation of a container on platform to rotate lever 48 and consequently valve body 22 in a valve closing direction from the open position of FIG. 3. The extent of projection of roller 58 into the path of cam surface 48" determines the extent of closing rotation action on valve body 22. An additional similarly supported cam roller 61 at a further distance along the path of travel of the cam surface 48" may be positioned to effect a complete shutoff rotation of the valve body 22.

In addition to the cam roller control for operating the respective levers in valve-closing direction pneumatically operated plungers 62 are associated with each of the levers 48, they and their outer noses 63 being normally in retracted condition and being respectively extendable to engage with portions of respective levers 48 to rotate them in valve-closing direction. The extension of these plungers 62 from their retracted positions to valve closing positions is effected by connection of their control cylinders 64 to valves 65 whose operation is responsive to the respective fill detection sensing devices 46. Thus, when fill completion of a container at desired level is detected by respective elements 46, the respective control cylinder 64 from a pressure source is energized to cause the respective plunger 62 of such a control cylinder 64 to be thrust outwardly into its extended position to engage the corresponding lever 48 and to rotate its associated valve body 22 to the closed condition of FIG. 2. The pressure cylinders 64 and valve 65 may be replaced by a solenoid, if the sensing device delivers electrical signals, if desired.

OPERATION In operation, successive containers C from conveyor 13 are transferred by star wheel 14 to successive vertically movable platforms 15 of the rotary body 11. After each transfer is effected, the container on such platform is moved in a rotary path by conveyor 11 in synchronism with body 17 and its supporting platform 15 is elevated during such movement. When such elevation occurs, the mouth of the container enters the opening 53 in element 52 and in its upward travel lifts the latter vertically while spout 31 and overflow tube 42 enter the open mouth of the underlying container. Elevation of element 52 causes ring member 50 to slide vertically on portion 30 of valve body 22 and to swing operating lever 48 from its inoperative slanting position shown in FIG. 2 to its horizontal operating position as shown in FIG. 3. Of course, if no container C lies on platform 15, such swing of the particular lever 48 will not occur and it will remain in the inoperative slanting position of FIG. 2.

lf movement to operative horizontal condition of lever 48 has occurred, further travel of it and its underlying container in the rotary path imparted by the rotation of conveyor 17 will move the cam surface 48 of the operatively positioned lever 48 into engagement with cam roller 55 causing a rotation of lever 48 about the axis of the valve body 22 and like rotation of the latter to rotate it into valve-open condition shown in FIG. 3, whereat the port 26 and passage 24 then communicate with inlet passageway 20 from the fill source so that fluid fill from the latter can pass by gravity via spout 31 into the container C into which it has been projected. As long as particular container C remains maintained in elevated position by correspondingly maintained elevation of its supporting platform 15 the associated lever 48 remains in its horizontal operative condition and as a result the open condition of valve body 22 continues as the body member 17 continues to rotate and carry the container being filled along a rotary path of motion with it. During such motion, if desired, the cam roller 58 projects into the path of cam surface 48" of lever 48 and when they engage, a partial reverse rotation of valve body 22 towards closed position occurs, the extent of which depends upon the adjusted projecting condition of cam roller 58 with resultant partial closure of port 26 and passage 24 relative to inlet opening 20, thereby reducing fill flow into the container toward the end of fill.

When fill to desired level has been effected, the fill sensing device 46 detects this condition and energizes the pneumatic cylinder64 so that its plunger 62 is extended and its nose engages lever 48 and effects complete closing rotation of valve 22 into the condition seen in FIG. 2, cutting off further fill flow to the particular container. If by chance, the detection device fails to function, the cam surface 48" of lever 48 engages cam roller 61 and this completes closing rotation of valve body 22 to its FIG. 2 condition. Then, platform 15 and its filled container C are lowered and the latter becomes engaged by takeofi star wheel 16 for transfer to the removal conveyor 16'. During this occurrence, the operating cylinder 64 becomes deenergized and retracts plunger 62. Also, since filled container C has moved down, the ring member 50 slides down and permits operating lever 48 to return to its inopera tive slanting condition seen in FIG. 2.

This same sequence is repeated with each successive container C delivered to a platform 15 and in this manner fill of the successive containers is effected in seratium with, if desired, change in rate of fill during the filling period by reason of cam roller 58 and complete cutoff of fill occurs at action of the sensing device 46 or cam roller 61.

The valving embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is intended particularly for use with high-pressure filling systems wherein when the valve is open fill material is delivered under pressure into the receiving container from its inserted spout. In this embodiment, parts of similar construction to those of FIGS. 2 and 3 are designated with like reference numerals and the added subscript a.

Therein, the circular body 17a has the arcuately equispaced valve retaining members 18a each with a vertical bore I9a. A radially extending inlet passageway a alone is provided in body 117a which communicates with bore 19a in a sidewall thereof. Passageway 20a extends radially through body 170 and communicates with an outlet (not shown) of a pressurized source of fill material.

The rotatable valve body 22a. which is supported in bore 19a of each member 18a has an axially directed passageway 23a in its lower portion which has a lateral opening 24a, FIG. 5, which may be rotated into and out of registry with inlet passageway 20a by rotation of valve 220.

Valve body 22a bears externally a sealing sleeve 25a of 'appropriate sealing material to prevent leakage. This sleeve 25a in turn has a port 26a in registry with lateral opening 24a and the sleeve 25:: is rotatable together with valve body 220 so that when the latter is rotated from the closed position of FIG. 4 to the open position of FIG. 5, the port 26a and opening 24a may be brought simultaneously into registry with inlet passage 20a and vice versa.

The sleeve 25a and body 22a also have aligned vertical slots 25'a and 22'a therein offset angularly relatively to the opening 24a and port 26a by about 90 which in the closed position of valve body 2211 lie 'in registry with the inlet passage 20a and also with the inner opening of a return flow pipe 21a mounted in a wall of retaining cup a for return flow to the pressure source of fill material in the closed position of valve body 22a as seen in FIG. 4.

The valve body 22a is provided with a pair of stepped annular external flanges 27a and 27b which rest respectively on O- ring seals 28a and 28b on the upper surface of body member 1811 and sleeve 250, being maintained in sealing relationship therewith as by a retainer 29a.

The solid extension 300 extends upwardly of valve body 22a above flange 2711 through the retainer 29a.

The tubular spout 31a is carried by a sealing plug 32a fitted into passageway 2311 at the lower end of valve body 22a with conventional O-ring seal 33a between the lower end of said body 22a and a flange 34a of said plug 32a.

The retaining cuplike member 35a having a threaded opening 36a in its lower end is secured to the under face of member 118a. A tubular securing body 37a having a threaded upper end 38a is screwed into threaded opening 36a to tighten plug 32a into place and effect a seal at O-ring 33a as well as at a-second O-ring 3911. v

The spout 310 extends axially through and below the lower end of securing body 37a. The bore 40a of securing body 37a has an enlarged diameter portion 41a adjacent its lower end in which an overflow tube 42a is mounted. This overflow tube 42a has larger diameter than the external diameter of spout 31a to provide an annular overflow passageway 43a surrounding the lower end of spout 31a. The overflow passageway 43a opens into an overflow chamber 44a provided with a lateral opening 45 with which a fill sensing system 460 to be described may be connected. The overflow passageway 43a also extends upwardly in body 37a and communicates with lateral passages 34a in flange 34 which open into space S. The sleeve 25a has a slot 25c in its lower position which is dimensioned and positioned to register with the inner opening of return flow pipe 210 when the valve body is in its open position shown in FIG. 5 for purposes presently to be described.

The lower end of spout 3Ia and its surrounding overflow tube 42a project downwardly and outwardly of the lower end of securing body 37a whose lower end surface is covered by a washer 47a of rubber or other resilient material.

A valve-operating lever member 480 is freely and pivotally mounted in unbalanced condition at the upper end of solid extension 30:: of valve body 22a as by a transverse pivot pin 49a. The pivot pin 49a'is so located with respect to lever 48a that its arms 48a and 48"a are unbalanced on respective sides of pivot pin 49a being of unequal length so that the lever 48a tends normally under action of gravity to swing to the inoperative position shown in FIG. 4 at which time it lies at a slant with the horizontal with its shorter arm 48'a in an elevated position above horizontal and its longer arm 48"a in a lowered position below horizontal. The outer ends of arms 48'a and 48"a are provided with cam surfaces 48a and 48% for purposes to be described.

A ring member 50a is slidably mounted on the solid extension 30a of valve body 22a for free axial movement thereon. A bracket 51a is secured at its upper end to the ring member 50a and its lower end in turn is secured to a container engaging element 52a which extends horizontally and lies normally below the lower end of the spout tube 310. This element 52a is provided with an opening 53a axially aligned with said spout 31a and overflow tube 42a, said opening 53a being of larger diameter than said tubes, the said opening having a downwardly flared portion 53a with which the surface of a container C below its open mouth and neck may engage when said container C is elevated after having been deposited on a vertically movable platform 15. The opening 53a also has larger diameter than the mouth and neck of container C so that they may pass freely therethrough.

' When pressure-type filling is to be practiced, the circular body 17a with valves 22a and associated components just described is substituted for the circular body 17 on shaft 12 of FIG. 1.

In addition to the cam roller control of FIG. 1 for operating the respective levers in valve-closing direction as described above with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3, the pneumatically operated'plungers 62 of FIG. I then are associated with each of the levers 480, said plungers 62 and their outer noses 63 being normally in retracted condition in their cylinders 64 and being respectively extendable so that their noses 63 will engage with portions of respective levers 48a to rotate them in valve-closing direction. The extension of these plungers 62 from their retracted positions to valve closing positions is effected by connection of their control cylinder 64 to valves 65, whose operation is responsive to the respective fill detection sensing devices 46a. Thus, when fill completion of a container at desired level is detected by respective elements 46a, the respective control cylinder 64 from a pressure source is energized to cause the respective plunger 62 of such a control cylinder 64 to be thrust outwardly into its extended position so that its nose will engage the corresponding lever 48a and to rotate its associated valve body 22a to the closed condition of FIG. 4. The pressure cylinder 64 and valves 65 may be replaced by solenoids if the sensing device delivers electric signals if desired.

OPERATION In operation, successive containers C from conveyor 13 are transferred by star wheel 14 to vertically successive platforms 15 of the rotary conveyor 11. After each transfer is effected, the container on such platform is moved in a rotary path by conveyor 11 in synchronism with body 17a and the supporting platform 15 is elevated during such movement. When such elevation occurs, the mouth of the container enters the opening in element 52a and in its upward travel lifts the latter vertically while spout 31a and overflow tube 42a enter the open mouth of the underlying container. Elevation of element 52a causes ring member 50a to slide vertically on portion 30a of valve body 220 and to swing operating lever 48a from its inoperative slanting position shown in FIG. 4 to its horizontal operating position as shown in FIG. 5. Of course, if no container C lies on platform I5, such swing of the particular lever 480 will not occur and it will remain in the inoperative slanting position of FIG. 4.

If movement to operative horizontal condition of lever 480 has occurred, further rotary travel ofit and its underlying container will move the cam surface 48"a ofthe operatively positioned lever 480 into engagement with cam roller 55 causing a rotation of lever 480 about the axis of the valve body 220 and like rotation of the latter to rotate it into valve-open condition shown in FIG. 5, whereat the port 26a and passage 24a then communicate with inlet passageway 20a from the fill source so that fluid fill from the latter can pass under pressure via spout 310 into the container C into which it has been projected. As long as particular container C remains in elevated position of its supporting platform 15, the associated lever 48a remains in its horizontal operative condition and as a result the open condition of valve body 22a continues as the conveyor 11 continues to rotate and carry the container being filled along with it in a rotary path of motion. During such motion, if desired, the cam roller 58 projects into the path of cam surface 48% of lever 48a and when they engage, a partial reverse rotation of valve body 22a towards closed position occurs, the extent of which depends upon the adjusted projecting condition of cam roller 58 with resultant partial closure of port 2611 and passage 24a relative to inlet opening 20a, thereby reducing fill flow into the container toward the end of fill.

When fill to desired level has been effected, the fill sensing device 460 detects this condition and energizes the pneumatic cylinder 64 so that its plunger 62 is extended and its nose ongages lever 48a and effects complete closing rotation of valve 22a into the condition seen in FIG. 4, cutting off further fill flow to the particular container. If by chance, the detection device fails to function, the cam surface 48% of lever 48a engages cam roller 61 and this completes closing rotation of valve body 22a to its FIG. 4 condition. Then, platform and its filled container C are lowered and the latter becomes engaged by takeoff star wheel 15 for transfer to the removal conveyor l6.

lt is to be noted that when valve 220 is in the closed condi tion of H6. 4, that free transit of fluid under pressure from inlet passage a via slots 25'a and 22'a into return flow pipe 210 is possible. Thus, if a particular valve 220 fails to be opened because nonappearance of a container below its spout 31a has occurred,-no pressure buildup will occur to disturb specific pressure fill flow in opened valves of containers being filled.

Furthermore, when a valve 22a is in its open condition (FIG. 5) toward the end of pressure fill flow, pressure and overflow fill from the container being filled can pass freely through the overflow passage 43a upwardly via passageways 34a and chamber S and slot 25c to the return flow pipe 21a, thus preventing counter pressure buildup in the container as it approaches fill condition.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, variations in structural detail within the scope of the appended claims are possible and are contemplated. There is no intention, therefore, of limitation to the exact abstract or disclosure herein presented.

lclaim:

I. In a container filling machine, conveyor means for moving containers successively in a rotary path of travel for filling from a fill source, common means for delivering fill material from said source to each such container during its movement in said rotary path, including a plurality of spout means insertable respectively into successive containers entering said path, said spout means each being individually communicable with said delivery means, means for positioning containers successively while moving in said rotary path for insertion into each successively of one of said spout means, independent rotary valves between said fill material delivery means and each of said spout means, valve rotating means comprising stationary means in said rotary path and an independent valve rotating member for each valve movable with its valve in said rotary path, each valve rotating member being separately movable and normally lying in a nonengageable inoperative condition relative to said stationary means means requiring presence of a container in said rotary path with an inserted spout means to move said valve rotating member into operative engageable condition with said stationary means for then rotating said valve to shift said valve from closed condition to open condition to permit flow of fill material into said container, and additional means to rotate the valve to closed condition upon completion offill of said container.

2. In a container filling machine according to claim 1, each said valve rotating member comprising a lever freely pivoted to a part of said rotary valve, said lever normally tending to lie in an oblique position relative to horizontal so that its shorter arm is nonengageable by said stationary means and its longer arm is nonengageable by said additional means, the said means requiring presence of a container in said path with an inserted spout means serving to turn said lever from its said oblique position to a position wherein its shorter and longer arms are respectively in engageable conditions with respect to said stationary means and said additional means in seratium during travel in said rotary path of each said lever and the said part of said valve to which it is freely pivoted.

3. ln a container filling machine according to claim 2, wherein said stationary means and said additional means respectively comprise separate cam means, each independently and adjustably positionable as to their respective extents of projection into the rotary path of travel of the respective shorter and longer arms of each said lever, the extent respectively of such projections controlling respectively the amount of closing and opening rotation imparted to the respective valve to whose part said such lever is pivoted.

4. In a container filling machine according to claim 1, return flow means for fill material to its source and bypass in said valve means for interconnecting said means for delivering fill material and said return flow means when said valve is in its closed condition.

5. In a container filling machine according to claim 1, fill level detecting means and means controlled by said detecting means to rotate the valve to valve closing condition upon achievement ofa selected extent of fill of the container.

6. In a container filling machine according to claim 5, overflow means for the container with which said detecting means is connected.

7. In a container filling machine according to claim 2, said part of said rotary valve including a body portion and said means serving to pivot said lever includes a slide member movable on said body portion by movement of a container to position to be filled to engage said lever and move it from its oblique position.

8. In a container filling machine according to claim 1, said rotary valve including a passageway having a part movable on rotation of said valve from closed condition to open condition with respect to said delivering means and vice versa, and said spout means communicating with said passageway for introduction into a container to be filled of fill material in the open condition of said valve.

Claims (8)

1. In a container filling machine, conveyor means for moving containers successively in a rotary path of travel for filling from a fill source, common means for delivering fill material from said source to each such container during its movement in said rotary path, including a plurality of spout means insertable respectively into successive containers entering said path, said spout means each being individually communicable with said delivery means, means for positioning containers successively while moving in said rotary path for insertion into each successively of one of said spout means, independent rotary valves between said fill material delivery means and each of said spout means, valve rotating means comprising stationary means in said rotary path and an independent valve rotating member for each valve movable with its valvE in said rotary path, each valve rotating member being separately movable and normally lying in a nonengageable inoperative condition relative to said stationary means, means requiring presence of a container in said rotary path with an inserted spout means to move said valve rotating member into operative engageable condition with said stationary means for then rotating said valve to shift said valve from closed condition to open condition to permit flow of fill material into said container, and additional means to rotate the valve to closed condition upon completion of fill of said container.

2. In a container filling machine according to claim 1, each said valve rotating member comprising a lever freely pivoted to a part of said rotary valve, said lever normally tending to lie in an oblique position relative to horizontal so that its shorter arm is nonengageable by said stationary means and its longer arm is nonengageable by said additional means, the said means requiring presence of a container in said path with an inserted spout means serving to turn said lever from its said oblique position to a position wherein its shorter and longer arms are respectively in engageable conditions with respect to said stationary means and said additional means in seratium during travel in said rotary path of each said lever and the said part of said valve to which it is freely pivoted.

3. In a container filling machine according to claim 2, wherein said stationary means and said additional means respectively comprise separate cam means, each independently and adjustably positionable as to their respective extents of projection into the rotary path of travel of the respective shorter and longer arms of each said lever, the extent respectively of such projections controlling respectively the amount of closing and opening rotation imparted to the respective valve to whose part said such lever is pivoted.

4. In a container filling machine according to claim 1, return flow means for fill material to its source and bypass in said valve means for interconnecting said means for delivering fill material and said return flow means when said valve is in its closed condition.

5. In a container filling machine according to claim 1, fill level detecting means and means controlled by said detecting means to rotate the valve to valve closing condition upon achievement of a selected extent of fill of the container.

6. In a container filling machine according to claim 5, overflow means for the container with which said detecting means is connected.

7. In a container filling machine according to claim 2, said part of said rotary valve including a body portion and said means serving to pivot said lever includes a slide member movable on said body portion by movement of a container to position to be filled to engage said lever and move it from its oblique position.

8. In a container filling machine according to claim 1, said rotary valve including a passageway having a part movable on rotation of said valve from closed condition to open condition with respect to said delivering means and vice versa, and said spout means communicating with said passageway for introduction into a container to be filled of fill material in the open condition of said valve.

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