Patent GB-1203390-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for automatic filling of liquid containers having semi-rigid walls
IPC: B67C7/00
Filed: 1968-09-06
Abstract: 1,203,390. Container filling machines; endless conveyers. CORRUGATED CONTAINER CO. 6 Sept., 1968 [1 April, 1968], No. 42554/68. Headings B8A and B8T. [Also in Division G4] Containers are transferred alternately to one of two filling stations in a filling machine at which a volume of liquid, e.g. milk, measured by a flow meter 41, is supplied through a respective nozzle 39, 49 inserted into the container. The nozzle is gradually withdrawn, as the liquid is being dispensed, at a rate proportional to the rate of flow of the liquid, so that it remains immersed in the liquid until the container is filled. The containers are then capped and discharged from the machine. The mechanical operations are effected by means of pneumatic circuits, Fig. 18 (not shown), under the control of limit switches which energize electrical circuits, Figs. 19, 19a-19b (not shown) designed to allow each filling station to operate independently if required. Infeed of containers.-Empty containers on an endless conveyer 22, Fig. 1, pass to a receiving station 55, Fig. 4, in which each container is moved on to a horizontal surface 58 at C 2  by means of a reciprocating pusher 56. Pressure from the following container moves it from C 2  to an infeed station 57 where it is tipped into a bracket 64. In this position, C 4 , the container is at the correct angle for filling. A shuttle plate 86 runs on guide rods 87, 88 to move the containers alternately to platforms 37 or 47 which form part of elevators 35 and 45 respectively. Thereafter the filling and capping operations are duplicated: that on the left hand side of the machine (as seen in Fig. 1) is referred to below for filling and that on the right hand side for capping. Raising and filling.-The platform 47 has an inclined frame 122 corresponding to the bracket 64 and carries latch mechanism (140), Figs. 9-10 (not shown), which extends to grip the container about its filling neck. Plates 155 pivot on the platform 47 in a plane parallel to the container sides in order to support them during filling. The platform 47 rises so that a tube (195), and axially movable valve element (197) of the nozzle 49 enter the container and a telescopic shield (210) is raised. With the platform 47 in fully raised position the valve element (197) is lowered to start filling the container. During filling the platform is lowered keeping the nozzle end below the liquid level to avoid foaming. The volume of liquid is measured as it passes through the flow meter (41) (see Division G4) in which a magnet rotates thereby feeding an electrical transducer (712) providing electrical impulses to a pulse counting device. The valve element (197) is closed in response to the required number of pulses received. Capping.-Caps V are picked up manually from a sanitizing solution W, Fig. 14, and placed in channels 255 for conveying by an endless belt 257 to a cap chuck assembly 250. A lift 271 raises each cap into a chuck 335 where it is gripped by the edge (342) of a slide (341), Figs. 16-17 (not shown). The chuck is movable on a carriage (300) transversely of the machine, Figs. 15, 15a (not shown), to a position above a filled container. The carriage (300) supports a further carriage (301) which is lowered on guide rods (325) to apply the cap. Sufficient downward force is applied to deform the cap, of resilient plastics, and thereby form an interference fit on the container neck. The cap may have a closure valve, as shown, or the valve may be omitted. A modified cap chuck, Figs. 21-22 (not shown), has a gravity-operated cam stop (411) in place of the slide (341). Container discharge.-The shuttle plate 86, as it transfers the next container to be filled, ejects the filled and capped container on to a pivot plate (375), Figs. 7 and 8 (not shown), aligned with the inclined frame 122 of the platform 47. The plate (375) is caused to rotate anti-clockwise to lay the container on one of its sides, Figs. 7a, 8a (not shown). A pusher plate (386) removes the container in that position one to a discharge conveyer 23. In a modification, Figs. 20 and 23 (not shown), the container is returned to its original upright position, the pneumatic and electrical circuits being designed accordingly, Figs. 24, 25a-25b (not shown).