Patent GB-642823-A (GB)
Title: Improvement in counter-pressure bottle filling machines
IPC: B67C3/06
Filed: 1946-04-10
Abstract: 642,823. Bottle-filling machines. AKTIEBOLAGET BRYGGERIMASKINER. April 10, 1946, No. 10983. Convention date, April 14, 1945. [Class 125(ii)] A counter pressure bottle filling machine comprises a revolving container 1 for gas, e.g. carbon dioxide, and liquid under pressure, having a plurality of nozzles each supported by a housing 2 provided with channels connecting the nozzle with gas, liquid feed, and return pipes and is characterized in that each housing has a surface 13 penetrated by the adjacent ends of successive parts of each channel which are connected in series by an individual chamber in a cover 3 detachably secured to the housing and having arranged therein a poppet valve operable by mechanism mounted on the cover. Each filler nozzle has a filling pipe 4 surrounded by a resilient cushion 9 against which the bottle is pressed and comprises a feed passage 5 and return passage 7. Gas enters the bottle from container 1 via a pipe 20 and channels 18 and 19 controlled by poppet valve 21, and returns by the passage 7, channels 26, 22 controlled by poppet valve 25, return pipe 23 and through a check valve 24. A bye-pass to atmosphere from the channel 26 is provided by channels 27, 29 controlled by poppet valve 28. The check valve 24 comprises a nozzle 63 covered by a soft rubber hood 64 having a slit 65 and is encased in a dome 66. Liquid is supplied to the bottle through a pipe 11 and channels 12, 16 controlled by a poppet valve 15. A ball 17 of great inertia is provided in channel 12 so as to permit normal flow of liquid but which prevents an abnormal flow such as would be occasioned by a burst bottle. Each of the poppet valves 25. 28, 15, 21 is urged against its seating by a spring 32 and is connected to a lever 33 pivoted on an axle 34 mounted on the cover 3. The mechanism operating the valves also comprises a series of cams 35 on a shaft 36 also mounted on the cover 3, the cams engaging the levers 33. The cam shaft has at its upper end a spider wheel 37 having shanks 38, 39, the shank 39 being disposed at a higher level than the three shanks 38. The container 1 rotates within a stationary frame 46 upon which is mounted abutments 40-45 which co-bperate with the shanks 38, 39 to operate the poppet valves, the abutment 40 being at a higher level to co-act with shank 39. The abutment 40 is mounted upon an arm 48 pivoted at 47 and is held in the path of shank 39 by a spring 49. Bottles 10 to be filled are raised in the usual way, and the mouth of each is guided to the cushion 9 by a centering ring 57, which, sliding on columns 58, is raised by the bottle. In this position, valve 28 is open and valves 15, 21 and 25 are closed. The shank 39 first contacts abutment 40 and partly rotates shaft 36 which through cams 35 closes valve 28 and opens valves 21 and 25 to allow counter pressure gas to circulate through the bottle. The first shank 38 contacts abutment 41 opening valve 15 and allowing the flow of liquid. A pin 60 upon this shank co-acts with abutment 45 to effect a further slight turning of the spider so that the second shank 38 just touches a series of abutments 42 to cause intermittent opening of valve 28 so that liquid or extraneous matter which may have entered channel 26 or pipe 23 is blown to atmosphere, the check valve 24 preventing excessive exhaust of gas. The abutments 42 are adjustable in slots 62 to regulate this operation. The second and third shanks 38 co-operate with abutments 43 and 44 respectively to close valves 15, 21 and 25 and to open valve 28. A mechanism for preventing the filling operation in the absence of a bottle is provided comprising a rotatable shaft 52 mounted in frame 46 and connected at its lower end to a lever system 53, 54, 55 which, if the centering ring 57 has not been raised, is depressed by a projection 59 thereon. At its upper end the shaft 52 carries a lever 51 having a block 50 which slides in a slot in the arm 48. Thus by depressing the lever system 53, 54, 55 and rotating the shaft 52, the arm 48 is rotated and abutment 40 moved out of the path of shank 39. The spider 37 is not rotated and the shanks 38 will not contact the abutments 41-45.