Patent GB-190207369-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to Bottling and Corking Machines
Inventor: JERRAM FREDERIC OLDERSHAW
Filed: 1902-03-26
Granted: 1903-03-05
Abstract: 7369. Jerram, r. O. March 26. Bottling; corking.-Relates to machines of the kind described in Specification No. 21,828, A.D. 1901, but is also applicable, wholly or in part, to bottle-filling machines of other constructions. Fig. 1 shows au arrangement for clearing the air tubes of liquid or froth before the filled bottles are removed, thus preventing drip from the air tubes on the removal of the bottles, and also preventing froth from being returned to the next set of empty bottles. The filling-tubes 14, which are arranged in the Hared bottle-guiding sockets 15 and discharge the liquid from the tank 2 into the bottles under control of the valves 5, are surrounded by the air tubes 38, the annular spaces between the tubes 14, 38 being in communication through the box-like holders 41 of the tubes 38 with the air- escape tubes 40. The holders 41 may be fixed to the tank 2 or to the tubes 14, and the tubes 40 are in communication, either singly or through a single main tube 40<a>, with the compartment 44 of the chamber 42. The compartment 44 is closed at the top, and is in communication below the partition 43 with the compartment 45, which is open at the top and contains a liquid-displacing body 47 con- nected to an arm 48 on the valve-operating shaft 8. The chamber 2 contains a quantity of liquid, which, when the displacer 47 is raised, does not fully cover the passage 46 beneath the partition 43. The displacer is raised while the bottles are being filled, the air displaced from the bottles being thus free to escape through the chamber 44 and passage 46. In closing the valves after the bottles have been filled, the displacer 47 is lowered into the position shown, thus raising the level of the liquid so that the passage 46 is closed, and also forcing a flushing-current of air back through the tubes 40, to clear the tubes of liquid and froth before the filled bottles are removed. The guiding-sockets 15 are fitted with conical packing-rings 16, Fig. 3, having central projecting portions 16<a> adapted to fit the mouths of the bottles. For bottling gas- charged liquids, such as lager beer, stout, &c., the filling-tubes 14 are provided with telescopic or other tubular extensions 51, through which the liquid is delivered at or near the bottom of the bottles, thus preventing frothing. The tubes 51 are connected to rods 54, and are raised and lowered by a connection from an arm 7<a> on the shaft 8, &c. The lower ends of the tubes 51 are provided with projections 52, or are formed with lateral outlets, to prevent them from being obstructed by the bottoms of the bottles. To obviate contact of the liquid in the tank 2 with the air, the tank is provided with a float arranged to fit its interior, and having holes for the passage of the valve rods. The float is preferably balanced, and may be used to control the liquid-supply. For the purposes of centering the bottles in bottle-filling and corking machines, the compartments 19<a>, Fig. 5, of the boxes 19 in which the bottles 25 are placed for filling &c., are each fitted with a pair of V-shaped guide-blocks 73, between which the bottle is inserted. The blocks may be made flaring, as shown, and each may have a lateral guiding-arm 75. The blocks are connected to pivoted links 77, the lateral pivots 78 of which are engaged in guide- slots 79. The pull-knob 77<a> connected to one of the pivots 76 enables the blocks to be moved apart, against the action of the springs 74, to receive the bottle.