Abstract:
A filling valve assembly including a support adapted for being operably fixed to a filling machine and through which a liquid is conveyed from the filling machine. The filling valve assembly includes a valve subassembly interchangeably attached to the support, the valve subassembly and support having integrated fluid passages in fluid communication when the valve subassembly is attached to the support. At least a portion of the liquid received by the support from the filling machine is conveyed to the valve subassembly, and at least a portion of the liquid received by the valve subassembly from the support is selectively dispensed from the valve subassembly. The fluid passages of the support and the valve subassembly are connected through fluid openings located in respective interfacing surfaces of the valve subassembly and the support, when the valve subassembly is attached to the support. The filling valve assembly may be a recirculating filling valve assembly.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS FROM WHICH PRIORITY IS CLAIMED 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/065,031, filed on Feb. 8, 2008 (Attorney Docket No. 065111.00122), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The subject invention relates to a beverage filling valve capable of recirculating fluid. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    Filling valve apparatuses for beverage filling machines are known in the art for injecting liquids into beverage containers. Generally, a filling valve apparatus is used with a beverage filling machine (not shown). Beverage filling machines are known in the art for injecting a fluid into a container (not shown), such as injecting a beverage into a bottle or can. The beverage filling machine often uses many filling valve apparatuses for filling many containers simultaneously. Typically, a conveyor (not shown) is used to bring the container to the filling valve apparatus. The filling valve apparatus then descends over the container and fills the container with the beverage. Once filled, the filling valve apparatus lifts up and the conveyor moves the container away from the filling valve apparatus. 
         [0006]    However, as the filling valve apparatus is used, certain parts of the filling valve apparatus may begin to wear. For instance, the liquid being injected into the beverage container with the filling valve apparatus may corrode certain parts of the filling valve apparatus. Once corroded, those parts of the filling valve apparatus must be replaced before the beverage filling machine may continue operating. Replacing the corroded parts of the filling valve apparatus can be difficult and time consuming since this often requires removing and replacing the entire filling valve apparatus, which takes considerable time. Also, the beverage filling machine typically incorporates many filling valve apparatuses, and replacing one filling valve apparatus requires stopping the entire beverage filling machine. When filling large quantities of bottles each day, stopping the beverage filling machine to replace the filling valve apparatus reduces production and results in lost profits. 
         [0007]    Therefore, a filling valve apparatus may include at least one release mechanism to quickly replace corroded portions of the filling valve apparatus. Generally, the release mechanism couples an interchangeable valve portion to another portion of the filling valve apparatus, such that the interchangeable valve portion may be selectively removed from the apparatus with the release mechanism to facilitate its repair or replacement. 
         [0008]    Recirculating filling valve apparatuses are typically used for filling containers with a liquid that is either hot or cold, and is continually circulated through the valve apparatus and a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the valve apparatus, to continually maintain a desired temperature even when not being dispensed from the valve apparatus and/or injected into the container through the valve apparatus. Recirculating filling valve apparatuses may also be typically used when the liquid may congeal, or cause other concerns if allowed to remain in the filling valve apparatus between injections rather than caused to continually flow through the apparatus. 
         [0009]    It is desirable to provide a filling valve apparatus with such a release mechanism, and further, to provide a filling valve apparatus in which the valve subassembly may be interchangeably removed as a module, for quickly replacing a valve subassembly requiring replacement or repair with one in proper condition, and to provide the valve subassembly with improved means for quickly accessing and replacing components. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention provides a filling valve assembly including a support adapted for being operably fixed to a filling machine and through which liquid is conveyed from the filling machine. The filling valve assembly includes a valve subassembly interchangeably attached to the support, the valve subassembly and support having integrated fluid passages in fluid communication when the valve subassembly is attached to the support. At least a portion of the liquid received by the support from the filling machine is conveyed to the valve subassembly, and at least a portion of the liquid received by the valve subassembly from the support is selectively dispensed from the valve subassembly. The fluid passages of the support and the valve subassembly are connected through fluid openings located in respective interfacing surfaces of the valve subassembly and the support, when the valve subassembly is attached to the support. The filling valve assembly may be a recirculating valve assembly. 
         [0011]    The present invention also provides a filling valve assembly including a support fixed to a filling machine, and a valve subassembly selectively mounted to the support, at least a portion of the liquid received by the valve subassembly from the filling machine being selectively dispensed from the valve subassembly when the valve subassembly is mounted to the support and in fluid communication with the filling machine. The valve subassembly and the support have respectively interengagable features through the engagement of which the valve subassembly is mounted to the support. These respectively interengageable features include a lip provided on one of the valve subassembly and the support, and a notch into which the lip is received when the valve subassembly is mounted to the support provided on the other of the valve subassembly and the support. These respectively interengageable features further include a tab provided on one of the valve subassembly and the support, and a latch provided on the other of the valve subassembly and the support, the tab and latch being selectively engaged when the lip is received in the notch. The valve subassembly is mounted to the support through the engagement of the latch and the tab. The filling valve assembly may be a recirculating valve assembly. 
         [0012]    The present invention also provides a filling valve assembly including a valve body having an end and an opening at the valve body end, and an elongate valve stem disposed within the valve body, the valve stem having a first end and an opposite second end and being installed into and removed from the valve body through the valve body opening. The valve stem is longitudinally movable within the valve body along a central axis, the flow of a liquid received in the valve body, from the valve body through the valve body opening, being controlled in response to longitudinal movement of the valve stem. A neck slide is disposed at the valve body end and is laterally movable relative to the central axis. The neck slide has selective locked and first unlocked positions, and the neck slide and valve body have respectively interengaging features through which the neck slide is retained to the valve body in the neck slide locked and unlocked positions. The filling valve assembly also includes a removable exit cone disposed at the valve body end, the exit cone covering the valve body opening, with liquid flow from the valve body through the valve body opening being through the exit cone. The neck slide and the exit cone have respectively interengaging features through which the exit cone is retained to the valve body and the neck slide in the neck slide locked position, and the exit cone is separable from the valve body and neck slide in the neck slide first unlocked position. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    Advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a filling valve assembly in accordance with the subject invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a transparent side view of the filling valve assembly; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is an exploded side view of the filling valve assembly; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is another side view of the filling valve assembly; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the filling valve assembly with a valve subassembly detached from a support; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6A  is a side view of the valve subassembly; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6B  is a fragmentary perspective view of the valve subassembly; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the support with a latch in an unlocked position; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the support with the latch in a locked position; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a under-side view of the latch in the unlocked position with a tab of a valve body spaced therefrom; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is an under-side view of the latch in the unlocked position with the tab disposed therein; 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a bottom view of the latch in the locked position securing the tab of the valve body; 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is a rear perspective view of the filling valve assembly; 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  is a rear perspective view of the filling valve assembly with an exit cone detached therefrom; 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  is a front perspective view of the filling valve assembly with the exit cone detached therefrom; 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  is a front perspective view of the filling valve assembly with the exit cone detached and a valve stem released from the valve body; 
           [0030]      FIGS. 16-19  are under-side views of the filling valve assembly illustrating the operation of a neck slide; 
           [0031]      FIGS. 20A-20B  are various views of a tension plug; 
           [0032]      FIGS. 21A-21B  are various views of a valve stem tip; 
           [0033]      FIG. 22  is a transparent view of an actuator; 
           [0034]      FIG. 23  is a transparent view of a recirculation device; 
           [0035]      FIG. 24A  is a bottom view of the neck slide; 
           [0036]      FIG. 24B  is a partial cross-sectional view of the neck slide along line  24 B- 24 B of  FIG. 24A ; and 
           [0037]      FIG. 24C  is an end view of the neck slide. 
       
    
    
       [0038]    While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and may herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 
         [0039]    Elements shown in more than one Figure that may be similarly configured have been indicated using the same reference numerals. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0040]    Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a filling valve assembly  25  is generally shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . The filling valve assembly  25  includes a valve subassembly  26  that is selectively mounted to a support  28 . The valve subassembly  26  in turn includes a valve body  30  with an actuator  32  and a recirculation device  34  mounted to the valve body  30 . An exit cone  36  is also releasably attached to the valve body  30 . A valve stem  38  having a stem tip  40  is selectively mounted within the valve body  30  to the actuator  32 . 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIGS. 4-11 , the valve subassembly  26  is capable of being efficiently and quickly removed from or installed onto the support  28  without the use of tools, thereby facilitating the modular interchangeability of valve subassembly  26  relative to support  28 , promoting quick replacement of valve subassemblies requiring repair, minimizing production downtime. 
         [0042]    In particular, the support  28  includes a latch  42  that engages a tab  44  on the valve body  30 . As perhaps shown best in  FIGS. 6-8 , the support  28  includes a dovetail notch  46  with a pair of pins  48  extending transverse to the notch  46 , and valve body  30  includes the tab  44  as discussed above and a lower dovetail lip  52 . Referring to  FIG. 6B , lower dovetail lip  52  includes a pair of slots  54  that mate with the pins  48  of the support  28 . Specifically, the lower dovetail lip  52  and slots  54  of the valve body  30  engage and align with the dovetail notch  46  and pins  48  of the support  28  when the valve subassembly  26  is disposed on the support  28 . Once inserted onto the notch  46  of the support  28 , with slots  54  seated onto pins  48 , the valve subassembly  26  is rocked toward the support  28  until interfacing surfaces  50  and  51  of support  28  and valve body  30  are brought together. Tab  44  of the valve body  30  is then engaged by the latch  42 , securing the valve subassembly  26  to support  28 . Thus, it can now be readily understood that the interengagement of dovetail notch  46  and dovetail lip  52  acts to relatively position interfacing surfaces  50  and  51  vertically, and the interengagement of slots  54  and pins  48  acts to relatively position interfacing surfaces  50  and  51  horizontally. It can now be further readily understood that the interengagement of latch  42  and tab  44  holds interfacing surfaces  50  and  51  in operative position, and valve subassembly  26  is attached to support  28 , through the engagement of latch  42  and tab  44 . 
         [0043]    As best shown in  FIGS. 7-11 , the latch  42  can rotate on the support  28 . The latch  42  includes an opening  56  for receiving the tab  44  of the valve body  30 . The latch  42  has an arcuate interior  57  with a cam  58  having a sloped configuration. The tab  44  extends into the arcuate interior  57  of latch  42  through latch opening  56 , and has an arcuate shaped engagement surface  59  for being slidably engaged by cam  58  within the arcuate interior of the latch  42  when latch  42  is moved to its locked position. Movement of the latch  42  from the unlocked position ( FIGS. 7 ,  9  and  10 ) to the locked position ( FIGS. 8 and 11 ) draws the valve body  30  into close contact with the support  28 , bringing their respective interfacing surfaces  51 ,  50 , into abutment. The arcuate shape of the engagement surface  59  on tab  44  is sloped in such a manner to cause this movement of the valve body  30  relative to the support  28 . The cam  58  of latch  42  acting on surface  59  of tab  44  wedges the tab  44  between the latch  42  and support  28 . 
         [0044]    As best shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , surface  50  of the support  28  also includes the openings of fluid lines or passages  60 ,  62 ,  64 , and  66  integrated into support  28 . These fluid passages include air passages  60 ,  62 ,  64  and liquid passage  66 , the openings of which are located in surface  50  of support  28 . Specifically, the support  28  includes a first integrated operation air line  60  that is used for a short stroke of the valve stem  38  for releasing a relatively lower volume of fluid. The support  28  also includes a second integrated operation air line  62  that is used for a long stroke of the valve stem  38  for releasing a relatively higher volume of fluid. Further, the support  28  includes an integrated recirculation air line  64  for connection to the recirculation device  34 . Liquid received by support  28  from the filling machine flows through liquid line  66 . Respective mating openings of respectively mating integrated fluid lines  60   a,    62   a,    64   a  and  66   a  in the valve subassembly  26 , which direct the flow of air and liquid to the appropriate locations, are located in surface  51  of valve body  30 . When valve subassembly  26  is affixed to support  28 , the respective pairs of fluid passage openings in surfaces  50  and  51  are aligned, thereby placing the associated fluid passages of the support  28  and the valve subassembly  26  in fluid communication. 
         [0045]    Surface  51  of the valve body  30  also includes integrated O-rings  68  securely disposed in counter-bored annular grooves surrounding each of openings  60   a,    62   a,    64   a,  and  66   a,  for sealingly connecting together openings  60  and  60   a,    62  and  62   a,    64  and  64   a,  and  66  and  66   a,  when latch  42  is locked. That is, when the valve body  30  is mounted to the support  28 , the O-rings  68  seal about the respectively mated openings of integrated fluid lines  60 ,  60   a,    62 ,  62   a,    64 ,  64   a,    66  and  66   a.  The sealing and engagement of the O-rings  68  with abutting surface  50  of the support  28  occurs automatically as the latch  42  is moved to the locked position. 
         [0046]    In addition to the selective attachability and detachability of the valve subassembly  26  to support  28 , it is beneficial to be able to access many of the inner working components within the valve subassembly  26  for servicing. One of the items that often becomes worn is the valve stem  38 . The subject invention includes a unique process to remove and replace the valve stem  38 . In particular, with reference to  FIGS. 12-15 , the exit cone  36  is removable from the valve body  30 . Once the exit cone  36  is removed, the user actuates a quick release mechanism  70  (see  FIGS. 2 ,  14  and  15 ) to release the valve stem  38 . The quick release mechanism  70  is accessible through an opening  71  in mount  72  of valve subassembly  26 . The quick release mechanism  70  preferably includes a sliding latch as disclosed in greater detail in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0113917, the complete disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. Upon re-installation of the valve stem  38  into the valve body  30 , inserted first or terminal end  73  of valve stem  38  will often engage an interior component of the valve body  30 , which inhibits the assembler&#39;s ability to fully engage the valve stem  38  with the quick release mechanism  70 . In order to ensure proper engagement, a push pin  74  is provided. The push pin  74  is coupled to the quick release mechanism  70  and extends through the actuator  32 . A user actuates the push pin  74  to move the quick release mechanism  70  downward and into engagement with the terminal end  73  of valve stem  38 . Once the valve stem  38  is securely installed in the valve body, the exit cone  36  can then be easily re-installed. 
         [0047]    The removal and re-installation of the exit cone  36  is also done in a unique manner. Turning to  FIGS. 16-19 , the particulars of the removal and securing of the exit cone  36  are now discussed. The valve body  30  includes at least one and preferably a pair of holes  88  for receiving a post or posts  90  (see FIGS.  3  and  13 - 15 ) on the exit cone  36  to align the exit cone  36  with the valve body  30 . To secure the exit cone  36  to the valve body  30 , a rectangular, frame-like neck slide  76  is provided on an underside of the valve body  30 , the exit cone being inserted into the central aperture or void defined by the frame, with exit cone posts  90  being received in valve body holes  88 , to control the exit cone installed position. 
         [0048]    As best shown in  FIGS. 24A-24C , the neck slide  76  includes two pairs of aligned recesses or slots  78  on each opposite lateral side of the neck slide  76 , each recess or slot being open towards and partially defining the neck slide central aperture. As shown best in  FIG. 24B , each lateral side, and one end, of the neck slide  76  is substantially C-shaped in cross section, defining a first, upper flange  77  and a second, lower flange  79  with a groove  80  extending between the flanges  77 ,  79  and being open to the central aperture. On each lateral side of neck slide  76 , each flange  77 ,  79  includes a pair of slots or recesses  78 , with corresponding slots or recesses  78  in the flanges  77 ,  79  being aligned. Flanges  77 ,  79  and groove  80  are included in the end of the neck slide  76  opposite the end that is provided with handle  81 . Handle  81  is for grasping to slide the neck slide relative to the valve body  30  between locked and unlocked positions. 
         [0049]    Valve body  30  includes tabs  83   a  that, in the neck slide locked and first unlocked positions, are disposed in groove  80  and align with and overlap portions of first, upper flange  77  on the opposite lateral sides of the neck slide  76 . Valve body  30  also includes a tab  83   b  that, in the neck slide locked and first unlocked positions, is disposed in groove  80  and aligns with and overlaps first, upper flange  77  at the end of neck slide  76 . Thus, in the neck slide locked and first unlocked positions, neck slide  76  is retained to valve body  30 . 
         [0050]    As described further herein below, the neck slide second unlocked position is achieved by further sliding the neck slide  76  beyond its first unlocked position and further away from its locked position. In the neck slide second unlocked position valve body tabs  83   a,  which are sized substantially equal to the width of the slots or recesses  78  of the neck slide  76 , become aligned with the slots or recesses  78 , and valve body tab  83   b  is positioned such that it is clear of and no longer overlaps neck slide first, upper flange  77 . Installation and removal of the neck slide  76  to and from the valve body  30  is facilitated in the neck slide second unlocked position, with tabs  83   a  passing through slots or recesses  78 , and tab  83   b  passing with clearance past first, upper flange  77 . Installation and removal of neck slide  76  to and from valve body  30  is respectively done prior to installation of exit cone  36  to and removal of exit cone  36  from valve body  30 . That is, installation and removal of neck slide  76  to and from valve body  30  is done when exit cone  36  is not attached to the valve body  30  or the neck slide  76 . Thus, the exit cone  36  may be removed and replaced, as may valve stem  38 , without disassembly of the neck slide  76  from the valve body  30 . 
         [0051]    Exit cone  36  includes tabs  83   c  and  83   d  that, in the neck slide locked position, are disposed in groove  80  and align with and overlap second, lower flanges  79  on the opposite lateral sides and end of the neck slide  76 . In the neck slide locked position, exit cone  36  is retained to valve body  30  through the interengagement of neck slide  76  with tabs  83   a - 83   d.    
         [0052]    With the neck slide  76  in its first unlocked position, exit cone  36  is inserted into, or removed from, an opening in the bottom end of the valve body  30  through the central aperture of the neck slide  76 , with exit cone posts  90  being received in, or withdrawn from, valve body holes  88 . In the neck slide first unlocked position, exit cone tabs  83   c  are aligned with the slots or recesses  78  in second, lower flange  79  of the neck slide  76 , and exit cone tab  83   d  is clear of second, lower flange  79 , permitting installation and removal of exit cone  36  to and from the valve body  30 , with tabs  83   c,  which are sized shorter than the length of the neck slide slots or recesses  78 , passing through the slots or recesses  78 , and tab  83   d  passing with clearance past second, lower flange  79 . Tabs  83   c  on the exit cone  36  are ramped to provide a wedging effect as they engage the second flange  79  as the neck slide  76  is moved from its first unlocked position to its locked position. In the locked position, the exit cone  36  tabs  83   c  and  83   d  are disposed in groove  80  and slidably engaged with second, lower flange  79 . 
         [0053]    Thus, the interplay between the tabs  83   a,    83   b  on the valve body  30 , the tabs  83   c,    83   d  on the exit cone  36 , the slots or recesses  78  on the neck slide  76 , and the groove  80  in the neck slide  76  allow the exit cone  36  to be selectively removed from and re-secured to the valve body  30  without removing the neck slide  76 . With the exit cone  36  removed, valve stem  38  may be also removed and replaced, without removing the neck slide  76  from the valve body  30 , the valve stem  38  passing through the central aperture of the neck slide frame. The neck slide  76 , however, can also be removed from the valve body  30  for servicing if necessary. 
         [0054]    The particular series of operations for the neck slide  76  are now discussed in greater detail with reference to  FIGS. 16-19 . In particular, as shown in  FIG. 16 , the neck slide  76  is held into its locked position on the valve body  30  through the use of a set screw  82  and a lock pin  84 . The set screw  82  and lock pin  84  abuttingly engage opposing longitudinal ends of one of the slots or recesses  78  in the first, upper flange  77  to lock the neck slide  76  into its locked position. Ordinarily, an exit cone  36  would be disposed within the central aperture of neck slide  76 , but is omitted from  FIG. 16  for clarity. As noted above, in the neck slide locked position, tabs  83   a,    83   b  of valve body  30  (as wells as tabs  83   c,    83   d  of omitted exit cone  36 ) are disposed in neck slide groove  80 , and overlapped by portions of the respective adjacent neck slide flange  77  (and  79 ). The relative distance traveled between neck slide  76  and valve body  30  in moving to each of its unlocked positions from the locked position is indicated by the scale  87  shown in  FIGS. 16-19 , on which the neck slide locked position corresponds to indicated position “0”, the neck slide first unlocked position corresponds to indicated position “1”, and the neck slide second unlocked position corresponds to indicated position “2”. 
         [0055]    A push button  86  is in engagement with the lock pin  84  and upon actuation of the push button  86 , such as shown in  FIG. 17 , the lock pin  84  moves out of position with in the slot or recess  78 . The neck slide  76  can then slide relative to the valve body  30  to distance D 1  from its locked position shown in  FIG. 17 , to its first unlocked position, by moving neck slide  76  in the direction of arrow  85  to the first unlocked position, as shown in  FIG. 18 . As noted above, the tabs  83   c,    83   d  on the exit cone  36  are orientated and sized such that tabs  83   c  can pass through the slots  78  in second, lower flange  79 , and tab  83   d  can pass with clearance past flange  79  at the end of neck slide  76 , as exit cone posts  90  are received in and withdrawn from holes  88  in the valve body  30  during installation and removal of the exit cone  36 . This alignment and positioning of the exit cone  36  can only be accomplished when the neck slide  76  is in the first unlocked position shown in  FIG. 18 . The neck slide  76  does not detach from the valve body  30  when in the first unlocked position shown in  FIG. 18 , as the tabs  83   a  on the valve body  30  are larger than tabs  83   c  and are not fully aligned with the slots  78 . Moreover, in the first unlocked position, valve body tab  83   b  is still disposed in groove  80  and partially engaged with first, upper flange  77  at the end of neck slide  76 . 
         [0056]    The set screw  82  is secured to the valve body  30  within one of slots or recesses  78  in first, upper flange  77 , and prevents the neck slide  76  from sliding past its first unlocked position shown in  FIG. 18  by its head abutting on the edge of flange  77  defining an end of that recess  78  in which set screw  82  is disposed. After the exit cone  36  is placed into position, the neck slide  76  can be slid back into its locked position in which tabs  83   c,    83   d  become disposed in groove  80  and engage second, lower flange  79 . As the neck slide  76  moves back to the original, locked position, the lock pin  84  automatically re-engages the slot or recess  78  to re-secure the neck slide  76  in the locked position shown in  FIG. 16 . The lock pin  84  is continuously biased against the interior edge of flange  77 , as by spring  89  which tends to move lock pin  84  into the recess  78  once the neck slide it returned to the locked position. 
         [0057]    With reference now to  FIG. 19 , with the removal of set screw  82 , the neck slide  76  can be further slid relative to the valve body  30  in the direction of arrow  85  to a distance D 2  from its locked position by moving neck slide  76  to its second unlocked position, as shown in  FIG. 19 . As noted above, the neck slide  76  is removed from or installed onto the valve body  30  in the second unlocked position, with exit cone  36  removed from the assembly. In the second unlocked position, tabs  83   a  on the valve body are positioned to pass through the slots  78  in first, upper flange  77 , and tab  83   b  is positioned to pass with clearance past flange  77  at the end of neck slide  76 , during installation and removal of the neck slide  76  relative to the valve body  30 . The installation and removal of the neck slide from the valve body can only be accomplished when the neck slide  76  is in the second unlocked position shown in  FIG. 19 . After re-installation of the neck slide, the set screw  82  is re-installed with the neck slide positioned at its first unlocked position, and exit cone  36  is then re-installed. The neck slide  76  can then be slid back into its locked position, with lock pin  84  automatically re-engaging the slot or recess  78  to re-secure the neck slide  76  in the locked position. 
         [0058]    As shown in  FIGS. 20A-20B , one or more tension plugs  92  can be locked into the exit cone  36 . In particular, the tension plug is preferably formed of a polymeric material and includes a unique configuration for snap fitting into a groove within the exit cone  36 . 
         [0059]      FIGS. 21A-21B  disclose further detail of the configuration of the stem tip  40  disposed at the second end of the valve stem  38 . This particular configuration of the valve stem  38  seals an interior chamber of the valve body  30  in an up position. 
         [0060]      FIG. 22  discloses a transparent view of the actuator  32 . The actuator  32  includes a number of components for actuating the valve stem  38  to release or seal the discharge of fluid. This particular embodiment of the actuator  32  includes two different operational strokes such that the actuator  32  includes a pair of independently operable diaphragms  94 . A spindle  96  is provided within the actuator  32  for providing the requisite movement to the valve stem  38 . The spindle  96  includes a portion of the quick release mechanism  70 . 
         [0061]    Turning to  FIG. 23 , the recirculation device  34  is shown in greater detail. The recirculation device  34  includes a spring-biased plunger  98  for releasing or restricting the flow of fluid. Although not required, the filling valve assembly disclosed in the Figures is designed to continuously recirculate fluid even when fluid is not being discharged out of the exit cone  36 . Recirculating filling valves of various types have been previously used in the industry in a number of applications include the filling of fluids at elevated temperatures. 
         [0062]    The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. It is now apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.