Patent GB-621682-A (GB)
Title: A control head for devices for filling bottles or other like containers under counter-pressure
IPC: B67C3/26
Filed: 1946-01-04
Abstract: 621,682. Filling bottles. STERN, G. Jan. 4, 1946, No. 430. Convention date, Feb. 20, 1945, [Class 125(ii)] A control head for filling bottles and like containers with gaseous or non-gaseous liquids under counter pressure comprises an upper head member 2 forming a pressure chamber closed by a diaphragm 11, the lower face of which is subjected to the air pressure within the liquid tank, said diaphragm controlling a ball valve 48 housed in the head member 2 allowing the flow of compressed air or other gas into the bottles before filling, a valve 17 for the outflow of liquid intc the bottle and a valve 28 for exhausting the residual air from the bottle. The control head is mounted upon the base R of the liquid tank by a lower member 1 which is connected to the head member 2 by hollow columns 3, 4 The neck of the bottle to be filled is placed against a rubber annulus 32 in the lower part of a sleeve member 29, 31 which is moved vertically by the bottle, sliding over a delivery tube 18, until a cone 30 engages a rod 40 and opens a ball valve 39 so that compressed air is admitted from a nozzle 37 into a duct 49, column 3, duct 45 and into pressure chamber 6, diaphragm 11 being initially upwardly inclined and a rod 44 connected thereto holding the ball 48 above its seating. The compressed air continues its passage through duct 8, column 4, duct 7, and into chamber 5 in lower member 1 from where it issues into the bottle through the clearance between the sleeve 29, 31 and the tube 18. Unless the bottle is defective the air circuit is completed and its pressure causes diaphragm 11 to move downwardly. Attached to the diaphragm 11 is a stirrup 15 which supports the upper end of an air exhaust 16 and holds it in a sealing position against a rubber insert 28 in a nut 25 mounted upon a stationary spider 23, this arrangement constituting an air escape valve. At the lower end of tube 16 is a liquid valve 17. The downward motion of the diaphragm 11 causes the stirrup 15 and the tube 16 to move thus opening the liquid and air exhaust valves and allowing the bottle to fill with liquid through the tube 18. This downward motion of the diaphragm also closes the ball valve 48. When the liquid in the bottle reaches the level of the bottom of tube 16, the air exhaust is cut off and the flow ceases. With the supply of compressed air cut from the chamber 6, the diaphragm will return to its upwardly inclined position by its own resilience immediately the pressure in the chamber 6, column 4 and chamber 5 is relaxed as the bottle is moved away. In the upward position of the diaphragm, ball valve 48 is open, and valves 28 and 17 are closed. The motion of the liquid valve 17 relatively to the diaphragm 11 may be adjusted by a nut 24 mounted upon the spider 23, the upper face of which limits the downward travel of a rod 12 connected to the diaphragm. The extent to which a bottle is filled may be determined by adjustment of the sleeves 29, 31, a stuffing gland 34 being provided for this purpose. A rubber annulus 33 ensures an air-tight closure of chamber 5 when the bottle is in the raised position. A gas tight condition between the housing 5 and the valve body 36 is obtained by clamping the rod 40 on a diaphragm 35 by means of a ring 41 and a spring 46. Instead of compressed air, carbon dioxide or sulphur dioxide may be used.