Patent ID: 6446681
Filing Date: 2002-09-10
Classification: H01M,Y02E,Y10T

Abstract:
A filler unit for dispensing a liquid into a container to top up the container to a predetermined desired level, the unit including a vessel for containing the liquid to be dispensed, means for establishing a first predetermined substantially constant head of liquid in the vessel, means defining at least one flow passage communicating between the vessel and the container, the flow passage defining means including a downpipe extending downwardly into the container, means for establishing a second head of liquid within the container responsive to the first head, the first and second head establishing means being arranged to co-operate to form therebetween a pressurized air column in the downpipe which is sufficient to prevent an inflow of liquid from the vessel to the container in response to filling of the vessel whilst a pre-existing level of liquid in the container is equal to or higher than the predetermined desired level, and evacuating means comprising a liquid evacuating passage along which liquid can leave the vessel thereby to reduce the level of the first predetermined substantially constant head of liquid to a venting level at which the pressurized air column is vented to allow the pressurized air column to re-establish itself on topping up of the vessel, so as to prevent overtopping of the container.