US3683976A

US3683976A - Filling heads for liquid containers

Info

Publication number: US3683976A
Authority: US
Inventors: Roger Remane
Original assignee: Application des Gaz SA
Current assignee: Application des Gaz SA
Priority date: 1969-02-14
Filing date: 1970-02-06
Publication date: 1972-08-15
Anticipated expiration: 1989-08-15
Also published as: DE2006614A1; GB1276626A; DE2006614B2; FR2032002A5; DE2006614C3

Abstract

A filling head, particularly for liquefied gas cartridges, comprises a body adapted to extend downwardly into the container to be filled, and a base adjustable in position on the body to rest on the upper edge of the container. The body has an inflatable peripheral gasket to form a seal against the inner wall of the container, a liquid inlet conduit with pneumatically actuated valve means, and an exhaust passage formed with a vertical bore enclosing with a small clearance a slidable pistonlike member. When the head is raised by a container on an automatic filling machine, the valve means are opened and after a short while the gasket is inflated, this delay permitting free escape of the burst of gas which appears when the cold liquid contacts the relatively hot container wall, without the said burst actuating the piston-like member. During the subsequent filling operation air and gas may freely flow through the exhaust passage at a moderate velocity without noticeably actuating said member, but when the container is filled, the liquid flowing through said passages raises said member, which causes closing of the valve means.

Description

United States Patent Remane 1541 FILLING HEADS FOR LIQUID CONTAINERS [72] Inventor: Roger Remane, Sainte-Colombe- Les-Vienne, France [73] Assignee: Application Des Gaz, Paris, France 22 Filed: Feb. 6, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 9,321

521 u.s.c1. ..141/59,137/386, 14l/62, 141/141,141/193, 141/287, 141/368 51 Int. Cl. ..B6Sb 3/30 [58] Field of Search ..141/39, 40, 46, 59, 62, 192, 141/198, 275, 276, 284, 286-288, 291, 292, 296,301, 303, 307, 368, 140, 141, 160;

Vergobbi ..141/198 X 1 Aug. 15, 1972 FOREIGN PATENTS-OR APPLICATIONS 983,326 2/1965 GreatBritain ..141/39 Primary Examiner-Edward J. Earls Attorney-Alexander & Dowell [57] ABSTRACT A filling head, particularly for liquefied gas cartridges, comprises a body adapted to extend downwardly into the container to be filled, and a base adjustable in position on the body to rest on the upper edge of the container. The body has an inflatable peripheral gasket to form a seal against the inner wall of the container, a liquid inlet conduit with pneumatically actuated valve means, and an exhaust passage formed with a vertical bore enclosing with a small clearance a slidable piston-like member. When the head is raised by a container on an automatic filling machine, the

"valve means are opened and after a short while the gasket is inflated, this delay permitting free escape of the burst of gas which appears when the cold liquid contacts the relatively hot container wall, without the said burst actuating the piston-like member. During the subsequent filling operation air and gas may freely flow through the exhaust passage at a moderate velocity without noticeably actuating said member,

' but when the container is filledl, the liquid flowing through said passages raises said member, which causes closing of the valve means.

6 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures Patented Aug. 15, 1972 3,683,976

3 SheetsSheet l 3s 5 In:

33 431a. f 1h 3 3 4m 3a 17 z INVENTOR.

Patented Aug. 15, 1972 3,683,976

'5 Sheets-Sheet 3 W :1 Raw? FILLING HEADS FOR LIQUID CONTAINERS The present invention relates to a volumetric filling head for containers in which the liquid level should be maintained below the upper end of the container, and it more particularly concerns canisters or cartridges which are to be filled with a liquefied gas such as butane or propane and wherein a free space should be provided above the liquid once the cartridge is closed by a generally inwardly bulging closure member adapted to form the bottom thereof.

The filling operation is generally effected under atmospheric pressure, the liquid being maintained. at a quite low temperature. The filling head may comprise a base adapted to be supported by the upper edge of the container to be filled and ,a body which extends downwardly from the base into the container, the

periphery of the said body carrying an inflatable gasket which in the inflated state forms a tight seal between the body and the inner wall of the container, and the said body having a valve through which liquid may flow into the container and an exhaust passage through which air and gas may escape from the container during the filling operation. The operating cycle of the au- .tomatic filling machine on which such a filling head is fore constitutes a marked disadvantage owing to the loss due to the unavoidable evaporation of the low-temperature liquid under atmospheric pressure. Moreover the gas which results from this evaporation may constitute a danger for the operators or for the plant itself, as forinstance in the case of butane and'propane which may form an explosive mixture with atmospheric air.

The object of the present invention is to provide a volumetric filling head wherein the excess of liquid escaping from the container at the end of the filling operation is reduced to a quite negligible value.

In accordance with the invention, in a volumetric filling head of the kind above referred to, the exhaust passage comprises a substantially vertical bore in which a piston is slidably disposed with a noticeable clearance, in such manner that air and gas may freely escape during the filling operation without substantially lifting the said piston, but that as soon as liquid begins to flow through the said exhaust passage, the said piston may be lifted to such an extent as to actuate means adapted to close the said valve.

Under such conditions when the liquid level within the container has reached the lower side of the body of The invention further concerns a'particular arrangement of such pneumatic relays, in order to realize an entirely automatic control of the filling head on a conventional automatic filling machine.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a filling head according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a section thereof taken along line lI--II of FIG. 1, the parts being illustrated at their position before the end of the rising step of the container to be filled.

FIG. 3 is a section taken along line III-III of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a section taken along line IVIV of FIG. 1, but corresponding to the step wherein the container is being filled.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the pneumatic relays which control the operation of the filling head.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic representation in elevation with parts in section showing a conventional filling machine equipped with filling heads according to this invention.

FIG. 7 is a gragmental section taken radially of the filling machine of FIG. 6, as indicated at VII- -VII in FIG. 6.

The filling head illustrated in FIGS. I to 4 comprises a cylindrical body 1 adapted to penetrate into the container 2 to be filled (this container being of course itself cylindrical). In order to permit accurate adjustment of the level down to which this body may be lowered into the container, the periphery of the said body is screwthreaded and it carries an annular nut 3 which forms a resting abutment for the upper edge of the container. This nut 3 may be locked in positionby a counter-nut 4. In the vicinity of its lower end the body 1 is formed with an annular groove la in which is disposed a hollow inflatable gasket 5 made of an appropriate elastomeric material. As shown this gasket has a C-shaped transverse sectional profile, the ends of the C being clamped between the bottom of the groove and a ring 6 provided with radial holes 6a (Fig. 4) which communicate with an inner groove 6b of the said ring, and this inner groove communicating in turn with a conduitlb provided in body 2. This conduit 1b opens into a cylindrical recess 1c through which the inner space of the gasket 5 may be connected with an appropriate inflating source. In order to permit the mounting of gasket 5, groove la opens downwardly, a circular plate 7 being removably applied against the underside of body 1 to retain gasket 5 within the said groove, this plate being integral with upwardly directed tubular bosses 8 which are engaged into corresponding vertical holes Id provided in body I, these bosses being internally screwthreaded to receive the lower ends of securing screws such as 9.

Body I is formed with an axial bore 1e in which is slidably mounted a piston-like member 10 to which is secured to stem 11 of a liquid valve 12. This valve 12 is disposed with a substantial clearance in a central opening of the lower plate 7 and it is applied against a seatforming seal 13 mounted in an inner groove If at the lower end of bore lie and retained in position by the lower plate 7 itself, A spring 14 is interposed between the seal 13 and the piston-like member 10 in order to urge valve 12 against the said seat.

low temperature).

The piston-like member has an upwardly directed extension 10a on which is applied a flexible diaphragm 15. The latter is retained against extension 10a by a head 16 formed with a screw-threaded rod 17 which passes through the said diaphragm and through member 10 itself so as to be screwed into a blind bore provided in the stem 11 of valve 12. Under the action of spring 14 this head 16 is applied against the movable member 18 of a small pneumatic ram 19. The latter comprises a flexible diaphragm 20 adapted to urge member 18 downwardly. The edge of this diaphragm 20 is retained within the enlarged upper end'21a of a cylindrical housing 21 made in two parts, the lower one clamping the edge of the diaphragm against the bottom of an annular recess of body 1. A split ring 22 retains the cover 23 of the pneumatic ram 19 within the enlarged end 21a so as to clamp the edge of diaphragm 20. The lower part of housing 21 is itself retained in position by washers 24 (FIG. 4) clamped under the sociated with the pneumatic ram 19 has been referenced 27.

The body 1 of the filling head further has a conduit 1 j (FIG. 2) which opens downwardly through a perforation 7a of the lower plate 7, an O-ring 28 being interposed between this plate and an annular recess of body 1. The other end of this conduit communicates with a vertical bore 1k which opens on the upper side of body 1 in the form of an enlarged portion II. On this portion there is disposed a block 29 having an elbow-shaped conduit formed of an outwardly opening horizontal portion 29a and of a vertical portion 29b which opens above the enlarged portion ll of bore lk-ll. Screws 30 maintain block 29 in gas-tight engagement with the upper side of body 1.

The bore lk-lll encloses a very light piston (preferably made of an appropriate plastics unaffected by low temperatures) comprising a head disposed with a substantial clearance in the enlarged upper portion ll of the bore, and a tail 31a which slides within the lower portion 1k of the said bore, this tail being grooved, as shown. The head 31 has an upper extension 31b adapted to act as a valve or plug for the downwardly directed outlet of a feeler nozzle 32 axially carried by block 29.

A flat annular member 33 is freely mounted on the periphery of body 1. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 this annular member is slidable on two vertical columns 34 secured to the revolving supporting plate of the filling machine, each carrying a spring 35 which urges member 33 downwardly. The latter rests on

nuts

3 and 4 and it transmits the downward pressure to the body 1 of the filling head.

The annular member 33 is formed with two inwardly directed teeth 36 which slide in longitudinal grooves llm provided in the periphery of body 1, in such manner as to prevent any relative rotation between the two parts.

A headed gudgeon 37 is screwed in the annular member 33, and it rotatably carries a resilient blade 38 the other end of which has a plug 39 adapted to cooperate with an appropriate pneumatic feeler nozzle, not shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. On the gudgeon 37 is mounted a spring 40 which maintains blade 38 in frictional engagement with the annular base 33.

The filling head described is normally adapted to be mounted on an automatic filling machine of conventional type which comprises a revolving supporting plate 101 (FIGS. 6 and 7) having a number of apertures such as indicated at 41, to receive the successive containers 2 to be filled. The above-mentioned columns 34 are secured to this plate each side of each aperture 41. The latter has a diameter which is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the upper edge of the containers such as 2, in order to form a guide for them. Under each aperture 41 there is disposed a vertically movable individual support 102 in the well known manner, these supports rotating with the revolving plate and being vertically reciprocated by means of a slidable rod 103 and of an appropriate stationary annular earn 104. In

the absence of a container the nut 3 of each filling head rests on the revolving plate 101 under the action of springs 35. This nut 3, together with its counter-nut 4 and with the annular member 33 may therefore be considered as forming the base of the filling head.

In operation a container to be filled is placed on a vertically movable support 102 in a zone of the machine wherein these supports are at their lowermost position. Then the container rises and its upper edge passes around the lower portion of the body 1 of the filling head within the corresponding aperture 41, as illustrated in FIG. 2. This edge engages the nut 4 and raises the latter together with the filling head itself and with the annular base 33 against the action of springs 35. At the end of this upward displacement the plug 39 (FIGS. 2 and 7) cooperates with the feeler nozzle (not shown in FIG. 2, but indicated at 49 in FIGS. 5 and 7) with which it is associated and it thus actuates a pneumatic relay. I

As a consequence of this actuation compressed air is supplied to the pneumatic ram 19 which lowers its movable member 18 together with the liquid valve 12 (position of FIG. 4). The liquefied gas at very low temperature begins flowing into the container, the walls of which are at a much higher temperature. There is thus produced an explosive evaporation of the first liquid drops and a burst of gas is evolved. But since the gasket 5 is not yet inflated, this gas may freely escape outwardly without creating any noticeable counter-pressure within the container. In the embodiment illustrated the lower side of nut 4 has been grooved as indicated at 3a in order to facilitate free exhaust of the gas.

A short while after the opening of valve 12 a delayed relay causes inflation of the gasket 5. The container 2 is now sealed in a gas-tight manner, but the air enclosed therein may freely escape through conduit 1j together with the residual gas evolved from the liquid. Since the container walls are now relatively cold, the gaseous stream which flows through conduit lj is quite moderate and it may escape outwardly through the grooves of the tail 31a of the piston 31a-3l-31b and by very slightly lifting the head 31 thereof. The outlet 29a of the block 29 may be connected with any appropriate apparatus, if desired.

When the container is filled, the liquid rises in conduit 1j and in the bore lk-ll. But the resistance to the flow of the liquid being more important than in the case of the gas, and also the density of the liquid being much higher, the piston 31a-31-31b is lifted to a greater ex tent and its upper extension 31b is applied against the lower end of thefeeler nozzle 32 which is thus closed. This has for its effect to actuate another pneumatic relay which connects the ram 19 to the outer atmosphere, thus closing the liquid valve 12. The flow of liquid into the containeris stopped.

Then the support of the container begins its downward stroke together with the container itself and with the filling head which rests thereon. But as soon as the plug 39 is lowered it no more actuates the relay through which the inflatable gasket 5 receives compressed air. The container isthus liberated from the filling head and at the end of the downward stroke of its support, it may be removed from the machine in the filled state, i.e., with the liquid therein rising exactly to the desired level. The quantity of liquid which may have reached the conduit 29a-29b of block 29 is quite negligible' As above indicated the filling head described is preferably controlled by pneumatic relays, though of course any other kind of controlling means could be used, if desired. v e

FIG. 5 illustrates a preferred arrangement of pneumatic relays which has provided satisfactory in this respect.

The conduit 1b through which the gasket 5 is inflated is connected by a line 42 with a first pneumatic relay 43. The latter is of the conventional type, i.e., it comprises a valve member 43a which normally closes a first conduit 43b, but which may rock in such manner as to open this conduit while connecting it with a second conduit 43c, and to close a third conduit 43d which communicates at rest with the second conduit 43c. In other words valve member 43a and

conduits

43b, 43c and 43d form a three-way valve. The valve member 43a is actuated by a diaphragm 43e and by a biassing spring 43f. The diaphragm is disposed in a chamber which it divides into two portions respectively connected with a main actuating inlet 43g and with an auxiliary actuating inlet 43h, the latter being generally connected with the outer atmosphere.

The first conduit43b is connected by a line 44 with the second conduit 45c of another pneumatic relay or master relay 45, the first conduit 45b of which is connected with a compressed air source 46. This source 46 is also connected with the main actuating inlet 45g of relay 45, but through a calibrated orifice 47 downstream of which there is provided a branch line 48 the other end of which is connected with the feeler nozzle 49 disposed above plug 39 when the filling head is at its lowermost position. The air which flows through the calibrated orifice 47 may thus escape freely through nozzle 39 and the master relay 45 is not actuated as long as the filling head is not sufiiciently raised.

The arrangement of FIG. 5 further comprises a third relay 50 the first conduit 50b of which is connected with the line 44 while its main actuating inlet 50g is connected with line 44 through a calibrated orifice 51. Downstream of this orifice there is provided a branch line 52 the other end of which is connected with the feeler nozzle 32 disposed within block 29. Here again at the position of rest nozzle 32 is freely open and relay 50 is unactuated even when line 44 is under pressure. The second conduit 500 of relay 50 is connected with the third conduit 53d of a fourth relay 53 the first conduit 53b of which is also connected with the line 44. The second conduit 53c of this relay 53 is connected with the main actuating inlet 53 g thereof and also with the main actuating inlet 54g of a fifth relay 54. The first conduit 54b of the latter opens to the atmosphere, its third conduit 54d is connected with line 44, and its second conduit 54c is connected with the pneumatic ram 19 of the filling head.

It will further be noted thatline 44 is connected with the main actuating inlet 43g of relay 43 through a calibrated orifice 55. Finally the third conduits 45d, 50d of

relays

45 and 50 communicate with the outer atmosphere. y

In operation, when the fillinghead is at its lowermost position, the master-relay 45 is at rest and line 44 is connected with the outer atmosphere through the third conduit 45d of this relay. The four-other relays are therefore at rest and the filling head receives nocompressed air. v

When the filling head is sufficiently raised by the container 2 to be filled, the plug 59 closes the corresponding feeler nozzle 49. The main actuating inlet 45g of the master-relay 45 is therefore under pressure and this relay is actuated, whereby line 44 is supplied with air under pressure. The first relay 43 receives compressed air both into its first conduit 43b and into its main actuating inlet 43g, but owing to the presence of the calibrated orifice 55, its diaphragm 43:: can only respond slowly to the action of the air pressure. In other words the actuation of relay 43 is somewhat delayed with respect to relay 45. it results therefrom that compressed air will only be supplied to the inflatable gasket 5 a given time after actuation of relay 45.

Compressed air from. line 44 is also supplied to the third conduit 54d of relay 54. Since the latter is at rest, this third conduit communicates with its second conduit 54c which has for its result that the pneumatic ram 19 of the filling head receives air under pressure and opens valve 12. Since no calibrated orifice is provided here, valve 12 opens immediately, before gasket 5 is inflated.

compressed air also reaches the calibrated orifice 51 but since the feeler nozzle 32 is presently fully open, no pressure can build up in the main actuating inlet 50g of relay 50 which remains at rest. It second conduit 500 is therefore without any air pressure. The second and

third conduits

53c and 53d of relay 53 are also under atmospheric pressure as well as the

actuating inlets

53g and 54g of

relays

53 and 54. These relays are thus at rest.

As soon as the container is filled up to the desired level, the extension 31a of the piston head 31 closes the feeler nozzle 32. Relay 50 is thus actuated and compressed air flows towards the third conduit 53d of relay 53; since this third conduit communicates with the second conduit 530 of the relay, the air under pressure reaches the

actuating inlets

53g and 54g of both

relays

53 and 54 which are therefore actuated. The second conduit 540 of relay 54 thus communicates with the outer atmosphere and ram 19 is returned to its initial position by the biassing spring of valve 12 which closes.

When the filling head begins its downward stroke, plug 39 liberates the feeler nozzle 49 and the masterrelay 45 is therefore returned to its position of rest. Line 44 and calibrated orifice 51 are separated from source 46. Relays 50, 53 and 54 also return to their position of rest and the operating cycle is terminated.

I claim:

1. In an automatic unit to control a filling head adapted to be raised by the container to be filled, with said head having an inflatable gasket adapted to form a seal between said head and said container, normally closed valve means to control the flow of liquid into said container, and an exhaust passage provided with detecting means to detect the flow of liquid through said passage, q 4

means to open said valve means when said filling head is raised by said container;

means to cause inflation of said gasket a pre-determined time after opening of said valve means;

and means activated by said detecting means to close said valve means when liquid begins to flow through said exhaust passage. I

2. A filling head to fill from a source of liquid a substantially cylindrical container having an open upper end defined by the substantially horizontal upper edge of a lateral wall having an inner side and an outer side, with valve means to control liquid flow from said source, said head comprising:

a base to rest on the upper edge of said container;

a body carried by said base to extend downwardly into said container, said body having a lower portion, said body being formed with a filling conduit having an upper inlet for connection with said source of liquid to fill said container and an inner outlet in said lower portion, and said body further being formed with an exhaust passage having an inner inlet in said lower portion, a substantially vertical bore and an outer outlet;

a peripheral gasket carried by said body above the lower portion thereof to form a gas-tight seal between said body and the inner side of the lateral wall of said container below the outlet of said exhaust passage;

a piston-like member made of a material heavier than said liquid movably disposed in the bore of the exhaust passage of said body with such a clearance that when said container is being filled, gases escaping from said container through the outlet of said exhaust passage only raise said piston-like member to a first level, while when said container is filled liquid flowing through said exhaust passage raises said piston-like member to a second level situated above said first level;

and feeler means actuated by said piston-like member when same is raised to said second level to in turn act on said valve means to cut off liquid flow from said source into said container;

said filling head being for use on a filling machine operating by successive automatic filling cycles, of

the kind comprising an apertured plate to receive the body of the filling head and to support the base thereo, a vertically movable support to raise the container to be filled so as to cause the upper edge of same to pass around the body of said filling head, to engage the base thereof and to raise said head from said apertured plate, and vertical columns to vertically guide said filling head; said base including an annular plate supported by said body and non-rotatable thereon, said annular plate having perforations to slidably receive said guiding columns;

said annular plate carrying a laterally extending resilient blade having a free outer end;

and the outer end of said blade supporting a plug to act on a pneumatic feeler nozzle carried by said machine when said filling head is raised by said vertically movable support to actuate control means to initiate an automatic filling cycle of said machine.

3. In a filling head as claimed in claim 2, said body being formed with a peripheral groove to receive said gasket, with said groove having a bottom of given diameter; said gasket being formed of a hollow inflatable member havingan outer diameter and an inner diameter, with said inner diameter being substantially equal to the diameter of the bottom of said groove, and with said inflatable member including an inner space; and said body having an inflating conduit communicating with the inner space of said gasket, with said inflating conduit having an outer inlet through which fluid under pressure may be forced into said gasket to expand the outer diameter thereof and to apply said gasket against the inner side of the lateral wall of said container.

4. A filling head to fill from a source of liquid 21 substantially cylindrical container having an open upper end defined by the substantially horizontal upper edge of a lateral wall having an inner side and an outer side, with valve means to control liquid flow from said source, said head comprising:

a base to rest on the upper edge of said container;

a body carried by said base to extend downwardly into said container, said body having a lower portion, said body being formed with a filling conduit having an upper inlet for connection with said' source of liquid to fill said container and an inner outlet in said lower portion, and said body further being formed with an exhaust passage having an inner inlet in said lower portion, a substantially vertical bore and an outer outlet;

said feeler means being in the form of a downwardly directed pneumatic nozzle disposed above said piston-like member to be obturated by said member when same is raised to said second level with said pneumatic nozzle being connected with a relay device to actuate same, and with said pneumatic relay device controlling said valve means.

5. A filling head to fill from a source of liquid a substantially cylindrical container having an open upper end defined by the substantially horizontal upper edge of a lateral wall having an inner side and an outer side, with valve means to control liquid flow from said source, said head comprising:

a base to rest on the upper edge of said container;

a body carried by said base to extend downwardly into said container, said body having a lower portion, said body being formed with a filling conduit having an upper inlet for connection with said source of liquid-to fill said container and an inner outlet in said lower portion, and said body further being formed with an exhaust passage having an inner inlet in said lower portion, a substantially vertical bore and an outer outlet;

a piston-like member made of a material heavier than said liquid movably disposed in the bore of the exhaust passage of said body with sucha clearance that when said container is being filled, gases escaping from said container through the outlet of said exhaust passage only raise said piston-like member to a first level, while when said container is filled liquid flowing through said exhaust passage raises said piston-like member to a second level situated above said first level;

said valve means comprising a' downwardly directed seat formed in the filling conduit of said body close to the inner outlet of said conduit, a movable valve member cooperating with said seat to close or to open liquid flow through said conduit with said valve member having an upwardly extending stem, and spring means acting on said stem to urge said valve member upwardly against said seat;

and means secured to said body to retain the mar- I ginal portion of said second diaphragm and to form above same a gas-tight chamber to receive compressed gas for actuation of said valve means downwardly against said spring means.

6. A filling head to fill from a source of liquid a substantially cylindrical container having an open upper end defined by the substantially horizontal upper edge of a lateral wall having an inner side and an outer side, said filling head comprising:.

a base to rest on the upper edge of said container;

3. body carried bysaid base to extend downwardly into said container,'said body having a lower portion, said body being formed with a filling conduit having an upper inlet for connection with said source of liquid to fill said container and an inner outlet in said lower portion, and said body further being formed with an exhaust passage having an inner inlet in said lower portion, a substantially vertical bore and an outer outlet;

valve means in the filling conduit of said body to control liquid flow therethrough;

means to form a gas-tight seal between said body and the inner side of the lateral wall of said container below the outlet of said exhaust passage;

a piston-like member movably disposed in the bore of the exhaust passage of said body with such a clearance that when said container is being filled, gases escaping from said container through the outlet of said exhaust passage only raise said piston-like member to a first level, while when said container isfilled liquid flowing through said exhaust passage raises said piston-like member to a second level situated above said first level;

a downwardly directed pneumatic nozzle disposed above said piston-like member to be obturated by said member when same is raised to its second level with said pneumatic nozzle being connected with a pnaumatic relay system to actuate same and with said pneumatic relay system controlling said valve means.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION v Patent No. 3, 3 ,97 Dated Anqust 15. 1972 Inventor(s) R ger Remane It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the heading of the patent between [21] and [52] insert:

[30] Foreign Application Priority Date Feb. 14, 1 969 France .Q...'.69.03679-- Signed and sealed this 12th day of December 1972.

(SEAL) Attsst:

EDWARD 'M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 1 U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICEi I959 0-355'31 FORM PO-lOSO (10-69)

Claims

1. In an automatic unit to control a filling head adapted to be raised by the container to be filled, with said head having an inflatable gasket adapted to form a seal between said head and said container, normally closed valve means to control the flow of liquid into said container, and an exhaust passage provided with detecting means to detect the flow of liquid through said passage, means to open said valve means when said filling head is raised by said container; means to cause inflation of said gasket a pre-determined time after opening of said valve means; and means activated by said detecting means to close said valve means when liquid begins to flow through said exhaust passage.

2. A filling head to fill from a source of liquid a substantially cylindrical container having an open upper end defined by the substantially horizontal upper edge of a lateral wall having an inner side and an outer side, with valve means to control liquid flow from said source, said head comprising: a base to rest on the upper edge of said container; a body carried by said base to extend downwardly into said container, said body having a lower portion, said body being formed with a filling conduit having an upper inlet for connection with said source of liquid to fill said container and an inner outlet in said lower portion, and said body further being formed with an exhaust passage having an inner inlet in said lower portion, a substantially vertical bore and an outer outlet; a peripheral gasket carried by said body above the lower portion thereof to form a gas-tight seal between said body and the inner side of the lateral wall of said container below the outlet of said exhaust passage; a piston-like member made of a material heavier than said liquid movably disposed in the bore of the exhaust passage of said body with such a clearance that when said container is being filled, gases escaping from said container through the outlet of said exhaust passage only raise said piston-like member to a first level, while when said container is filled liquid flowing through said exhaust passage raises said piston-like member to a second level situated above said first level; and feeler means actuated by said piston-like member when same is raised to said second level to in turn act on said valve means to cut off liquid flow from said source into said container; said filling head being for use on a filling machine operating by successive automatic filling cycles, of the kind comprising an apertured plate to receive the body of the filling head and to support the base thereo, a vertically movable support to raise the container to be filled so as to cause the upper edge of same to pass around the body of said filling head, to engage the base thereof and to raise said head from said apertured plate, and vertical columns to vertically guide said filling head; said base including an annular plate supported by said body and non-rotatable thereon, said annular plate having perforations to slidably receive said guiding columns; said annular plate carrying a laterally extending resilient blade having a free outer end; and the outer end of said blade supporting a plug to act on a pneumatic feeler nozzle carried by said machine when said filling head is raised by said vertically movable support to actuate control means to initiate an automatic filling cycle of said machine.

3. In a filling head as claimed in claim 2, said body being formed with a peripheral groove to receive said gasket, with said groove having a bottom of given diameter; said gasket being formed of a hollow inflatable member having an outer diameter and an inner diameter, with said inner diameter being substantially equal to the diameter of the bottom of said groove, and with said inflatable member including an inner space; and said body having an inflating conduit communicating with the inner space of said gasket, with said inflating conduit having an outer inlet through which fluid under pressure may be forced into said gasket to expand the outer diameter thereof and to apply said gasket against the inner side of the lateral wall of said container.

4. A filling head to fill from a source of liquid a substantially cylindrical container having an open upper end defined by the substantially horizontal upper edge of a lateral wall having an inner side and an outer side, with valve means to control liquid flow from said source, said head comprising: a base to rest on the upper edge of said container; a body carried by said base to extend downwardly into said container, said body having a lower portion, said body being formed with a filling conduit having an upper inlet for connection with said source of liquid to fill said container and an inner outlet in said lower portion, and said body further being formed with an exhaust passage having an inner inlet in said lower portion, a substantially vertical bore and an outer outlet; a peripheral gasket carried by said body above the lower portion thereof to form a gas-tight seal between said body and the inner side of the lateral wall of said container below the outlet of said exhaust passage; a piston-like member made of a material heavier than said liquid movably disposed in the bore of the exhaust passage of said body with such a clearance that when said container is being filled, gases escaping from said container through the outlet of said exhaust passage only raise said piston-like member to a first level, while when said container is filled liquid flowing through said exhaust passage raises said piston-like member to a second level situated above said first level; and feeler means actuated by said piston-like member when same is raised to said second level to in turn act on said valve means to cut off liquid flow from said source into said container; said feeler means being in the form of a downwardly directed pneumatic nozzle disposed above said piston-like member to be obturated by said member when same is raised to said second level with said pneumatic nozzle being connected with a relay device to actuate same, and with said pneumatic relay device controlling said valve means.

5. A filling head to fill from a source of liquid a substantially cylindrical container having an open upper end defined by the substantially horizontal upper edge of a lateral wall having an inner side and an outer side, with valve means to control liquid flow from said source, said head comprising: a base to rest on the upper edge of said container; a body carried by said base to extend downwardly into said container, said body having a lower portion, said body being formed with a filling conduit having an upper inlet for connection with said source of liquid to fill said container and an inner outlet in said lower portion, and said body further being formed with an exhaust passage having an inner inlet in said lower portion, a substantially vertical bore and an outer outlet; a peripheral gasket carried by said body above the lower portion thereof to form a gas-tight seal between said body and the inner side of the lateral wall of said container below the outlet of said exhaust passage; a piston-like member made of a material heavier than said liquid movably disposed in the bore of the exhaust passage of said body with such a clearance that when said container is being filled, gases escaping from said container through the outlet of said exhaust passage only raise said piston-like member to a first level, while when said container is filled liquid flowing through said exhaust passage raises said piston-like member to a second level situated above said first level; and feeler means actuated by said piston-like member when same is raised to said second level to in turn act on said valve means to cut off liquid flow from said source into said container; said valve means comprising a downwardly directed seat formed in the filling conduit of said body close to the inner outlet of said conduit, a movable valve member cooperating with said seat to close or to open liquid flow through said conduit with said valve member having an upwardly extending stem, and spring means acting on said stem to urge said valve member upwardly against said seat; said body having an upwardly opening bore for passage of said stem; a first substantially circular flexible diaphragm having a central portion secured to said stem and a marginal portion secured to said body to form a seal between said body and said stem, with said stem extending above said first diaphragm and terminating into a free end; a second substantially circular flexible diaphragm having a central portion and a marginal portion with said central portion being secured to said free end of said stem; and means secured to said body to retain the marginal portion of said second diaphRagm and to form above same a gas-tight chamber to receive compressed gas for actuation of said valve means downwardly against said spring means.

6. A filling head to fill from a source of liquid a substantially cylindrical container having an open upper end defined by the substantially horizontal upper edge of a lateral wall having an inner side and an outer side, said filling head comprising: a base to rest on the upper edge of said container; a body carried by said base to extend downwardly into said container, said body having a lower portion, said body being formed with a filling conduit having an upper inlet for connection with said source of liquid to fill said container and an inner outlet in said lower portion, and said body further being formed with an exhaust passage having an inner inlet in said lower portion, a substantially vertical bore and an outer outlet; valve means in the filling conduit of said body to control liquid flow therethrough; means to form a gas-tight seal between said body and the inner side of the lateral wall of said container below the outlet of said exhaust passage; a piston-like member movably disposed in the bore of the exhaust passage of said body with such a clearance that when said container is being filled, gases escaping from said container through the outlet of said exhaust passage only raise said piston-like member to a first level, while when said container is filled liquid flowing through said exhaust passage raises said piston-like member to a second level situated above said first level; a downwardly directed pneumatic nozzle disposed above said piston-like member to be obturated by said member when same is raised to its second level with said pneumatic nozzle being connected with a pnaumatic relay system to actuate same and with said pneumatic relay system controlling said valve means.