Patent GB-189801533-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Apparatus for Charging Bottles or other Vessels with Liquids.
Inventor: HUCKS WILLIAM
Filed: 1898-01-19
Granted: 1899-01-07
Abstract: 1533. Hucks, W., and Hucks, W. Jan. 19. Bottling.-The bottles &c. D are placed in the truck H, which is run into position in the machine, as shown, and is then raised, by a hand-lever on the shaft m<2> acting through the cranks m<1> and links m, to insert the mouths of the vessels in their respective filling-nozzles C. The same movement of the hand-lever also acts through the cranks e<2> and links e' on the suction pumps E and suction chamber E', and lowers them and the suction tubes c<5>, until the tubes enter the mouths of their respective vessels. The reservoir A has a lateral well a<2>, in which a displacer L is mounted, the reservoir being supplied with liquid through the pipe F and supply - controlling float valve F<1>, F<2>. In operation, when the bottles &c. are in position, the displacer L is lowered into the well a<2>, as shown, by the connections l<2>, l<3> from a hand-lever on the shaft l<4>, so causing the liquid in the well to rise and flow over the filling-nozzles C into the bottles. The displacer L is then raised, the excess of liquid flowing back along the inclined bottom a of the reservoir into the well. The pump E is next operated to withdraw the liquid from the necks of the bottles to the level of the lower ends of the suction tubes, after which, by the reverse operation of the handlever on the shaft m<2>, the pump E, chamber E<1>, and the tubes are raised, and the truck and bottles are lowered into position to be withdrawn from the machine. The liquid withdrawn from the bottles escapes from the chamber E<1> through the valve e<3> into the reservoir. The suction tubes c<5> serve as air vents during filling, and are provided with sleeves c<6> to prevent liquid from being carried into the tubes by the escaping air. The machine is mounted on wheels B<1>, to enable it to be conveniently moved. In a modification, the nozzles C are normally closed by valves held in place by springs mounted on an airtight cover pivoted to the tank, and are opened simultaneously by arms on oscillating shafts within the tank, these shafts being operated by a single sliding crossshaft actuated by an external screw and hand-wheel. The platform, which carries the truck, is also connected by chains to a counterweight, which holds it raised except when the bottles are filled, and the bottles are further supported, independently of the truck, by spring plungers passing between the bottom bars of the truck. The plungers are mounted on a separate frame, which is connected by chains to a counterweight, and to a hand-operated worm gearing by which it can be raised and lowered. The cover of the reservoir can also be connected to and raised by this gearing, when required The liquid-supply valve f<1>, Fig. 13, is formed with a seat for a smaller valve f<2>, which is connected to the float F<2>, so that, in case the larger valve f<1> should be held on its seat by the pressure in the supply tube F, when the liquid in the reservoir has fallen below the predetermined limit, the valve f<2> will first open and relieve the pressure, until the valve f<1> also falls from its seat. The nozzles are also provided with drip-catchers, which are brought into position under the nozzles and removed therefrom synchronously with the lowering and raising of the bottles. In a further modification, the suction pump is replaced by a bellows arrangement mounted on the cover, and adapted to force air into the bottles to expel the superfluous liquid through the tubes c<5>.