Patent GB-1110327-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to devices for metering liquid or semi-fluid products and apparatus incorporating such devices
IPC: G01F11/02
Filed: 1965-08-16
Abstract: 1,110,327. Bottling and packaging apparatus. E. P. REMY & CIE. 16 Aug., 1965 [29 March, 1965], No. 34991/65. Headings B8C and B8T. [Also in Division F1] A rotary filler for automatically dispensing liquid products into containers R comprises, mounted on a common fixed frame structure 41, a vat 43 containing the product to be dispensed rotatably mounted on a vertical shaft 42, and having secured to its bottom wall a plurality of piston and cylinder type metering devices 1 disposed circularly and communicating with the interior of the vat, devices for feeding each container to one of the metering devices, the position of the containers and dispensing tube outlet being moved relatively during filling to ensure a constant depth of immersion of the tube outlet, and mechanical means for actuating in synchronism the piston of each metering device, a control cock thereof, and the container feeding device. Metering devices.-Each metering device or pump 1 comprises a cylinder 2 in which is slidably mounted a piston 5 with a rod 6 combined with a guide member 7 which slides in a chamber 8. The cylinder 2 has opposed slots 11 and 12 in which slide a pin 13 mounted on the member 7 and carrying a roller 14. A three-way cock 22 is mounted in the upper portion of the cylinder 2 and connects a port 17 communicating with the cylinder to either an intake port 18 communicating with the vat 43 or to a port 19 communicating with a dispensing tube 20, the end of which carries a diaphragm 37 and an abutment means 40. The cock is rotated by the engagement of pins 27, mounted on the cock body, with a stop member on the filler. General operation.-In a first embodiment each container is delivered to the mouth of a dispensing tube 20 by means of a platform 44 mounted on a member 44a revolving with the main shaft 42. Each platform is carried by a member 69 slidably mounted on a member 69a and provided with a roller 70 coacting with a guide cam 71, a spring or like means 72 urging the platform upwards. As the main shaft revolves in the direction of F the rollers 14 of the pistons 5 coact with a cam member 45 to lower the pistons, to draw the product into the cylinder. At this time empty containers are fed to the platforms and full ones removed. Then rollers 70 engages cam 71 and the platforms are raised until the container abuts the means 40 on the dispensing tube. Meanwhile, pins 27 have abutted a stop 87 which turns the cock to connect ports 17 and 19, whereupon the roller 14 coacts with cam 46 and the pistons are raised to deliver the product. In the event of a platform 44 being raised with no container thereon, the distance it rises is checked only by the abutment of the associated roller 70 on the cam 71. However, the stop means 87 is mounted on a tube which also carries a trip means 78 projecting under the cam 71, so that when the roller is allowed to abut this trip means, the tube swivels and the stop 87 is removed from the path of the pins 27 of the appropriate cylinder. The cock therefore remains connecting the ports 17 and 18, and on raising the piston the contents are returned to the vat. In the embodiment of Figs. 15-20 (not shown), the metering devices are mounted for vertical movement, and the containers are fed at a constant level. In the embodiment of Figs. 21-23 (not shown), the apparatus is adapted to feed containers made from plastics strip, which is cut, folded and welded at spaced intervals, and after filling to deliver them to a welding and cutting device.