Patent GB-1232498-A (GB)
IPC: B67C3/08
Filed: 1968-12-16
Abstract: 1,232,498. Counter-pressure filling-machines. SEITZ-WERKE G.m.b.H. 16 Dec., 1968 [16 Dec., 1967], No. 59615/68. Heading B8T. A single- or multi-chamber counter pressure filling machine comprises an electrical probe and a revolving table, around the edge of which are pneumatic bottle lifting devices 13 governed by solenoid operated valves 65. Under the influence of the compressed air through a conduit 12, a cylinder 14 is raised and after running off from the cam guide 15 moves the mouth of the bottle under a centring cup 27 pressing it on to a seal 28. In this way a projection 17 on the cylinder 14 switches a member 18 and the valve 65 is operated, lifting the piston device 60 thus closing the by-pass 69 and further opening the gas valve 38, 39 and subsequently the liquid valve 29, 32. Gas now flows from the container 10 into the bottle. The timing of the electrical pulse from the member 18 may be varied by means of the lever 20, carrying the member 18, which interacts with a further cam guide 21. If the bottle breaks or is missed, the projection 17 moves beyond the member 18 and the valves are closed again. After an electronically contrived delay to allow for pressurization of the bottle and relaxation of the spring 44 opening the liquid valve, a pulse from the printed circuit 87 operates the valve 83. This pulse will be extinguished automatically unless the liquid valve opens and, by interaction of the collarshaped end 45 with the spring 44, operates the switch 46 energizing the member 83. Some electronic delay may also be incorporated in this process. On opening the liquid valve the liquid runs in past a baffle (Fig. 3, not shown) giving a centripetal motion to the flow. The probe 75 now descends into the bottle, limited by a stop 100 corresponding to the desired filling level. Energization of the member 46 simultaneously causes operation of the valve 54 with some possible electronic delay such that, before the rising liquid enters the neck of the bottle, the rod 47 forces on to the collar 45 and throttles the liquid valve. This throttling may take place as the liquid flow starts, be removed, and subsequently restarted before the liquid has finished running in. When the liquid level reaches above the insulator region 89, Fig. 2, in the probe tip the probe circuit is closed and the valves 65 and 83 are switched off electronically so that the gas and liquid valves are closed, the probe retracted and the channel 69 opened to release pressure in the bottle. The curve 21 then moves the lever 20 switching the member 18 so inactivating the valves 65, 83, 54 returning the rod 47 to the starting position. Should the bottle be only part filled at this stage the valves are closed and the probe withdrawn by the operation of switch 18. The guide 15 then forces the cylinder 14 down removing the filled bottle which is moved away, guide 21 then returns the switch 18 for another cycle. Further embodiments include: the facility for passing the return gas into the atmosphere or into a further container at a different pressure, Fig. 4 (not shown); the provision of further solenoid-operated valves (95, 97, 104), Fig. 6 (not shown); to allow the bottle to be evacuated before filling; the introduction of inert gas; the release of pressure in the bottle, and the provision of a channel (106), Fig. 7 (not shown), and an outlet (111), Fig. 7 (not shown), to flush topping-up gas back through to the container 10.