Patent GB-1335147-A (GB)
Title: Pressure-fill container filling machine
IPC: B67C3/16
Filed: 1972-01-18
Abstract: 1335147 Reciprocating pumps HORIX MFG CO 18 Jan 1972 [3 Feb 1971] 2337/72 Heading F1A [Also in Division B8] A container filling machine with means for recycling excess fluid and a net container no-fill value comprises a supply tank 2 maintained at sub-atmospheric pressure, rotatable with a centre post 1 and provided with a plurality of horizontal conduct arms 4 extending radially from the post. Each arm has a longitudinal passage 6 the inner and outer ends of which open into passages 7, 11 respectively. Passage 7 leads into the tank 2 and passage 11 leads into a volumetric dispensing chamber 14 which comprises lower and upper sections separated by an elastic diaphragm 16. The position of a plug 17 in the upper section determines how far the diaphragm can move upwardly and the volume of liquid dispensed. Each dispensing chamber can fill a single container and is filled from the tank through the connecting arm 4. The outlet from the tank is normally closed by a first diaphragm valve 28 operable by air-pressure. Liquid can flow from the dispensing chamber 14 to a container through an outlet 31 in the bottom of arm 4 between the valve 28 and the chamber, controlled by a similar diaphragm valve 49. The container filling tube 36 is connected to this outlet when the dispensing chamber 14 is being filled outlet 31 is closed by pressure applied to diaphragm 47 shutting the valve 49 and the valve 28 is opened by application of a vacuum to diaphragm 26, and whilst the container is being filled from the dispensing chamber the valve 28 is shut and the  valve 49 opened. Cycling excess fluid. Tube 36 is encircled by a suction tube 38 spaced from it and connected by a passage 40 in arm 4 to a passage 44 via a normally open flexible valve diaphragm 42. Passage 44 leads to tube 45 extending into the tank. The capacity of the dispensing chamber is adjusted to slightly overfill the container, the excess liquid being drawn back to the tank by the sub-atmospheric pressure in it via tube 38. The level of the bottom of the tube governs the liquid level in the container, which is mounted on a vertically movable platform 51 with its upper end inserted in a sleeve 52 which is carried by a slide 53. Each arm is controlled by a pneumatic circuit which includes a pilot valve 57 operated by a pair of vertically spaced, normally closed pneumatic switches 58, 59 actuated by projecting elements 60, which strike a pair of stationary cams 61, 62 once per revolution. Operation. A given dispensing chamber has just filled a container that is still in its raised position. Pilot valve 57 is as in Fig.4. Immediately after the filling operation the actuating element 60 of switch 59 strikes cam 62 to open the switch thus connecting air-pressure line 63 with one end of shuttle valve 64, through which the air-pressure acts on the pilot valve, shifting it and connecting line 63 with line 65 which leads to the valve 49 to close it and also to a three-way valve 70 which is shifted to connect a line 71 from the upper region of the dispensing chamber with a line 72 leading to a vacuum pump. Another three-way valve 74 returns to its normal position connecting vacuum line 72 with a line 75 connected to the valve 28, there by opening the valve 28. The dispensing chamber then fills and the filled container is lowered. The container to be filled is raised on platform 51 and as it reaches its upper position it pushes the slide 53 upwardly causing the cam 76 on the slide to actuate a switch valve 78 disconnecting line 63 from line 80 so that, as the actuating element of switch 58 strikes cam 61, pilot valve 57 is shifted by the resultant control blast. Line 63 is thus disconnected from line 65 opening the valve 49 and permitting valve 70 to revert to its normal position connecting pressure line 81 with line 71 to the upper part of the chamber 14 so forcing the diaphragm 16 down to discharge the liquid into the container. Valve 57 also connects pressure line 63 with a line 82 to valve 74 thereby shifting it to connect the pressure line 63 with line 75 and closing the valve 28. No container-no fill mechanism. If no container is present on platform 51 as it is raised, the slide 53 is not pushed upwardly and the valve 78 is not actuated by the cam 76. Line 63 stays connected to line 80, applying a constant pressure to the pilot valve 57 and over-riding the control blast as switch 58 is actuated by cam 61. Thus the valve 64 is held in the position for refilling the dispensing chamber, preventing the discharge and waste of fluid.