Patent GB-960061-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for filling containers with liquid
Inventor: FECHHEIMER PAUL RHEINSTROM
IPC: B67C3/26
Filed: 1961-01-24
Abstract: 960,061. Bottling. KARL KIEFER MACHINE CO. Jan. 24, 1961, No. 2822/61. Heading B8T. In a container filling machine the filling nozzle comprises a filling stem 39, Fig. 3, for supplying liquid product under pressure, and a vacuum tube 42 connected continuously to vacuum, and the product valve 37, which is opened after presentation of a container 74 to a reception bell 66, is held open by releasable securing means, the valve 37 being closed by pressureresponsive means after the introduction into the container of a predetermined quantity of liquid. In Fig. 1, the machine, which is of the rotating table type, has a pressurized liquid container 10 feeding through pipes 32 to the valves 37 in the nozzle heads 25 and a separating chamber 17 connected by pipe 20 to a vacuum source and through pipes 16, 34, to the nozzle vacuum tubes 42. Any liquid sucked off through the vacuum tubes is separated in chamber 17 and returned by a pump 21 to container 10. As the table 28 rotates, Fig. 2, container 10 is lifted at stage B to contact the bell 66 and raise it so that a valve actuating plate 60, connected thereto by tie rods 64, is positioned immediately below abutments 62, 63, Fig. 6, on the stems 38, 57, of the product valve 37 and a vacuum release valve 56. At stage C a cam 69 contacts roller 68 to lift head 66 and plate 60, whereby valve 56 is lifted to temporarily destroy the vacuum acting below piston 50 and valve 37 is opened. The head 66 and plate 60 immediately return into contact with the container neck, stage D, and valve 56 recloses to re-establish the vacuum in the vacuum tube 42, but valve 37 is held opened against the force of the vacuum acting on piston 50 by a spring-pressed ball engaging a recess 71 in the stem. Liquid now flows into the container until it blocks the end of vacuum tube 42, producing a sudden increase in vacuum in the pipes 45, 34, which acts on piston 50 to overcome the holding means 71 and close the product valve 37. The small overfill, shown at stage D, which occurs while the valve is closing is removed by the vacuum tube 42 as shown at stage E. A cam 75, Fig. 2, provides a positive closing means for the valve 37 should it remain open. In a modification, Fig. 8, the vacuum surge when the liquid level reaches the vacuum tube actuates a switch 87 which energizes solenoid 85 to close the liquid valve 37. In Fig. 10 the liquid valve 97 slides on the upper end of the vacuum tube 102 and is connected to a stem 109 attached to a diaphragm 104. Valve 97 is opened by a cam, as in Fig. 3, and is releasably held open by a magnet 111. The vacuum surge when the liquid level reaches pipe 102 acts upon diaphragm 104 to close the valve 97, the overfill being removed by the tube 102 which remains connected to suction through a port 107. In a modification, Fig. 12 (not shown), the valve 97 is held open by a latch which is released by a vacuum-actuated piston. A valve 13b, Fig. 1, actuated by a solenoid in the circuit of the rotating table motor cuts off the liquid supply to chamber 10 when the table is inoperative. The cam 69, Fig. 2, may also be associated with means to automatically move it sideways to discontinue the filling operation if the machine stops. Specification 748,911 is referred to.