Improvements in Means for or Applicable to the Filling of Bottles, Jars, or other similar Vessels, and to the Corking or Stoppering of the same.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Aug., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 15th May, 1889-Accepted, 22nd June, 1888
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Means for or Applicable to the Filling of Bottles,
Jars, or other similar Vessels, and to the Corking or Stoppering
of the same.
I, JAMES MCEWEN of 11 Rushton Street, Hulme, Manchester in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention to be as
follows:-
The first part of this invention relates principally to improvements upon the subject
matter of Letters patent granted to me bearing date the 5th August 1886, No. 10016*
and consists in arrangements and constructions whereby more certain and efficient
actions are obtained in apparatus for the filling and stoppering of bottles or other vessels
containing aerated waters or other liquids so as to save the labor of handling each
bottle separately.
In bottling aerated waters and other liquids requiring to be syruped it is necessary
to drive the machine described in the before mentioned patent for the purpose of
operating the syrup pumps and other parts. This I effect by mounting on the frame-
work in bearings or guides a vibrating or rocking shaft or centre pivoted at one end
to the said framework. On this shaft or centre is mounted loosely a driving pulley
carrying on its boss a spur pinion which gears into a spur wheel on the shaft driving
the syrup pumps. The driving pulley is driven by a belt from an overhead pulley,
and the vibrating or rocking shaft is raised sufficiently to lift the spur pinion out of
gear with the spur wheel by the elasticity or tightness of the said 'belt and other
means. The vibrating or rocking shaft is operated to gear the said wheels by means
of a foot lever pivoted to the frame, being connected by a rod and pins to a. loosely
mounted boss or washer on the said shaft. On the said rod is mounted a projecting
bowl or centre which is operated upon by an elliptical or eccentric cam immediately
the machine is set in motion, and which maintains the motion of the machine until
syruping is completed. At this point the machine is stopped automatically by the
elliptical or eccentric cam releasing the bowl or centre, by which the spur pinion on
the vibrating or rocking shaft is lifted out of gear by a weight on the opposite end of
the foot lever. When the machine is stopped after syruping has taken place filling
and stoppering is performed in the manner described in the before mentioned specifi-
cation, after which the box of bottles are slid on to place the next row of empty bottles
under the filler heads, when the operation is repeated. When a box of bottles has
been filled the machine is stopped in such a position by the elliptical or eccentric
cam as to allow of the table being slid back to remove the box of filled bottles and
replace it with a box of empty. bottles.
The sliding bottle or box table carrying the box of bottles is mounted on roller
bearings which operate on guides provided with semi-circular or other slots into which
the said rollers drop when the bottles are immediately under the filler heads. The
said slots are constructed so as to allow of the table being pushed in or out easily.
The second part of my invention relates to the arrangements for the filling and
corking or stoppering of bottles or other vessels so as to save the labor of handling
each bottle separately or of corking or stoppering each bottle separately. It will be
well understood that throughout this portion of this specification the word bottle
denotes not only a bottle or jar but also any other vessel capable of being either filled
or closed on the principles hereinafter described.
In carrying out this part of my invention I fix a cross bar which carries desired
any
number of filler mouths, such filler mouths being supported on a frame, which frame
may be square, or oblong, or any other suitable shape. I so arrange this crossbar
that it supports the frame thus carrying the filler mouths at any required height

page_text: from a table or stand. This table or stand may be either fixed or sliding, and I so
arrange it that it can be lifted to force the bottles against the filler mouths. In some
cases however it may be desirable to so arrange the crossbar and frame that they
travel up or down instead of the table travelling up or down. On the top side of
the fillers I so arrange a supply pipe or other suitable means of supplying the fillers
with the liquids or other substances that all these fillers can be instantly filled. This
filling process can, when still liquids are being bottled, be going on whilst a further
supply of bottles or vessels is being brought up. On the table or stand under the
filler mouths I place a box containing as many bottles as there are filler mouths and
such bottles are so arranged in such box that they can be brought directly under such
filler mouths. Thus when the table containing such box is raised or the filler mouths
lowered the bottle mouths are brought tight up to the filler mouths. Any suitable
mechanical arrangement inay be adopted for raising the table or for lowering the
filler mouths. So soon as the bottles are thus brought in proper position for being
filled the liquid or other substance is discharged into them by raising a handle or
turning a cock or tap or by any other suitable mechanical means for regulating the
supply from the feeder pipe or vessel. Where it is not desired to run the liquid
or other substances into filler heads the large feed pipe or vessel will be fit up with a
sufficient number of smaller supply pipes so fixed as to allow of the bottles being
brought under them.
Where the substances to be filled into the bottles, such as, for instance, dry mustard
or other powders, are liable to choke the tubes a mechanical shaker is according to my
present invention so arranged as to ensure the pipes which connect to the bottles being
kept from choking up. In soine cases it may be necessary to use a forcing rod or
rods to push the substances through the pipes.
The table or stand is so arranged that the box containing the filled bottles can be
either drawn back or it may be pushed forward. If drawn back the box containing
the full bottles is now lifted upon another table having a frame containing suitable
corking tubes or other arrangements for holding corks or stoppers. These mechanical
holders for corks or stoppers are so arranged that the bottles in the box can be
brought with their mouths directly under them. Immediately the bottles are in this
position the corks or stoppers are by suitable mechanical or other means forced or
placed into them.
The frame containing suitable corking tubes (or other arrangements for holding
corks or stoppers) I however prefer to fix on the same table as the frame containing or
carrying the supply pipes or filling heads. I then arrange the former frame so that
as the box containing the filled bottles is pushed away it is brought direct under the
latter or corking frame. The corks or stoppers can then be forced in and the
attendant then takes the box with the bottles filled and corked away at the opposite
side to the side where the bottles are being filled. In applying my invention to
internally stoppered bottles I dispense with the corking or stoppering frame. I also
arrange the filling heads or pipes so that syrups as well as aerated waters can be
forced into the bottles.
Dated the 15th August 1888
EDMUND CHADWICK,
A gent
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Means for or Applicable to the Filling of Bottles,
Jars, or other similar Vessels, and to the Corking or Stoppering
of the same.
I JAMES MCEWEN of 11 Rushton Street Hulme Manchester in the County of
Lancaster Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
The first part of this invention relates principally to improvements upon the subject

page_text: matter of Letters Patent granted to me bearing date the 5th August 1886 No. 10016*,
and consists in arrangements and constructions whereby more certain and efficient
actions are obtained in apparatus for the filling and stoppering of bottles or other
vessels containing aerated waters or other liquids so as to save the labor of handling
each bottle separately.
In bottling aerated waters and other liquids requiring to be syruped it is necessary
to drive the machine described in the before mentioned patent for the purpose of
operating the syrup pumps and other parts. This I effect by mounting in the frame-
work in bearings or guides a vibrating or rocking shaft or centre pivoted at one end
to the said framework. On this shaft or centre is mounted loosely a driving pulley
carrying on its boss a spur pinion which gears into a spur wheel on the shaft driving
the syrup pumps. The driving pulley is driven by a belt from an overhead pulley, and
the vibrating or rocking shaft is raised sufficiently to lift the spur pinion out of gear
with the spur wheel by the elasticity or tightness of the said belt and other means.
The vibrating or rocking shaft is operated to gear the said wheels by means of a foot
lever pivoted to the frame, being connected by a rod and pins to a loosely mounted
boss or washer on the said shaft. On the said rod is mounted a projecting bowl or
centre which is operated upon by an elliptical or eccentric cam immediately the
machine is set in motion, and which maintains the motion of the machine until
syruping is completed. At this point the machine is stopped automatically by the
elliptical or eccentric cam releasing the bowl or centre, by which the spur pinion on
the vibrating or rocking shaft is lifted out of gear by a weight on the opposite end of
the foot lever. When the machine is stopped after syruping has taken place filling and
stoppering is performed in the manner described in the before mentioned specification,
after which the box of bottles is slid on to place the next row of empty bottles under
the filler heads, when the operation is repeated. When a box of bottles has been filled
machine is stopped in such a position by the elliptical or eccentric cam as to allow
of the table being slid back to remove the box of filled bottles and replace it with a
box of empty bottles.
The sliding bottle or box table carrying the box of bottles is mounted on roller
bearings which operate on guides provided with semi circular or other slots into which
the said rollers drop when the bottles are immediately under the filler heads. The
said slots are constructed so as to allow of the table being pushed in or out easily.
The second part of my invention relates to the arrangements for the filling and
corking or stoppering of bottles or other vessels so as to save the labor of handling
each bottle separately or of corking or stoppering each bottle separately. It will be
well understood that throughout this portion of this specification the word bottle
denotes not only a bottle or jar but also any other vessel capable of being either filled
or closed on the principles hereinafter described.
In carrying out this part of my invention I fix a crossbar which carries any desired
number of filler mouths, such filler mouths being supported on a frame, which frame
may be square or oblong or any other suitable shape. I so arrange this crossbar that
it supports the frame thus carrying the filler mouths at any required height from a
table or stand. This table or stand may be either fixed or sliding, and I so arrange it
that it can be lifted to force the bottles against the filler mouths. In some cases,
however, it may be desirable to so arrange the crossbar and frame that they travel up
or down instead of the table travelling up or down. On the top side of the fillers I so
arrange a supply pipe or other suitable means of supplying the fillers with the liquids
or other substances that all these fillers can be instantly filled. This filling process
can, when still liquids are being bottled, be going on whilst a further supply of bottles
or vessels is being brought up. On the table or stand under the filler mouths I place
a box containing as many bottles as there are filler mouths and such bottles are so
arranged in such box that they can be brought directly under such filler mouths.
Thus when the table containing such box is raised or the filler mouths lowered the
bottle mouths are brought tight up to the filler mouths. Any suitable mechanical
arrangement may be adopted for raising the table or for lowering the filler mouths.
So soon as the bottles are thus brought in proper position for being filled the liquid or

page_text: other substance is discharged into them by raising a handle or turning a cock or tap,
or by any suitable mechanical means for regulating the supply from the feeder pipe or
vessel. Where it is not desired to run the liquid or other substances into filler heads
the large feed pipe or vessel will be fit up with a sufficient number of smaller supply
pipes so fixed as to allow of the bottles being brought under them.
Where the substances to be filled into the bottles, such as, for instance, dry mustard
or other powders, are liable to choke the tubes a mechanical shaker is according to my
present invention so arranged as to ensure the pipes which connect to the bottles being
kept from choking up. In some cases it may be necessary to use a forcing rod or
rods to push the substances through the pipes.
The table or stand is so arranged that the box containing the filled bottles can be
either drawn back or it may be pushed forward. If drawn back the box containing
the full bottles is now lifted upon another table having a frame containing suitable
corking tubes or other arrangements for holding corks or stoppers. These mechanical
holders for corks or stoppers are so arranged that the bottles in the box can be brought
with their mouths directly under them. Immediately the bottles are in this position
the corks or stoppers are by suitable mechanical or other means forced or placed into
them..
The frame containing suitable corking tubes (or other arrangements for holding
corks or stoppers) I however prefer to fix on the same table as the frame containing
or carrying the supply pipes or filling heads. I then arrange the former frame so that
as the box containing the filled bottles is pushed away it is brought direct under the
latter or
corking frame. The corks or stoppers can then be forced in and the attendant
then takes the box with the bottles filled and corked away at the opposite side to the
side where the boxes are being filled. In applying my invention to internally
stoppered bottles I dispense with the corking or stoppering frame. I also arrange the
filling heads or pipes so that syrups as well as aerated waters can be forced into the
bottles.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
In all the figures the same numerals are used to indicate corresponding parts.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation and Fig. 2 an end elevation of so much of my improved
machine for filling and syruping either separately or conjointly. Artificial, mineral,
and aerated beverages, such as Soda-water, Lemonade, Ginger-beer, ale, porter, and
other drinks, as is necessary to illustrate my present invention with my improvements
applied thereto. 1. 1 are standards to allow of the vertical movement of the table 2,
on which slides, in a horizontal plane-the table 3 carrying the box 4 containing the
empty bottles 5 to be filled or syruped and filled without removing them from the box.
6.6 are side rods attached to the table 2 by the pins 7, guided on the slots 3. 4.
8. 8. are crossbars to which the lifting rods 6. 6. are attached. 9 is a sliding rod
carrying the cross bars 8. 8. 10. 10 are rollers operated by the cams 11 on the cam
shaft 20. The crossbar 12 connecting the standards 1. 1. is fitted with the filler
heads 13, provided with inlets for aerated water and syrup as described and shewn in
my Patent Specification No. 10016* of 1886. On the cam shaft 20 are mounted the
cams or eccentrics 19 for operating the syrup pumps 16. On the cam shaft 20 is
fixed the wheel 21 driven by the pinion 22 on the vibrating or rocking shaft 36. The
latter shaft is pivoted to the top end of one of the standards 1 by the pin 23. On the
vibrating or rocking shaft 36 is mounted loosely the driving pulley 24 on the boss of
which is fixed the pinion 22. The driving pulley 24 is driven by the belt 25 from an
overhead pulley, not shown on the drawings. On the shaft 36 is mounted loosely the
boss or washer 26 attached to the rod 27 by the pins 28. the opposite end of the rod 27
being pivoted to the foot lever 29. The rod 27 is provided with the projecting arm 30
carrying the bowl or centre 31, upon which the eccentric or cam 32 operates. To set
the machine in motion the attendant presses down the foot lever 29 and puts the
pinion 22 into gear with the wheel 21, by which the shaft 20 is rotated causing the
eccentric or cam 32 to engage with the bowl or centre 31 on the connecting rod 27
and maintain or keep the wheel 21 and pinion 22 in gear until the syrup pumps 16

page_text: have discharged the necessary quantity of syrup into the bottles placed in position for
filling.
Immediately syruping has been completed the bowl or centre 31 and rod 27 are
automatically released by the point 60 on the cam 32 passing the bowl or centre 31,
which causes the shaft 36 to rise on its driven end by the action of the weight 33 on
the foot lever 29, thus putting the pinion 22 out of gear with the wheel 21, and which
will not operate the machine again until the foot lever 29 is depressed. When the
bowl or centre 31 is released the shaft 36 and its attachments are lifted by the balance
weight 33 on the foot lever 29. After the machine has stopped the bottles are filled
by pulling the handle 35 provided for releasing or admitting liquids to the filler heads.
Immediately the bottles are filled with liquid, the attendant lets go the handle 35, and
then depresses the foot lever 29 keeping the foot on until the table 3 moves forward to
place the next row of empty bottles in position for filling, after which syruping and
filling are repeated as before described.
Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of my improved machine for filling and corking or
stoppering bottles, jars, and other analogous vessels ;-Fig. 4 is an end elevation of
same. Fig. 4 is a part plan through line A¹ B' in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 is a sectional
elevation of the filler mouth when intended for filling and corking.
To the standards 1 is fixed the crossbar 12 carrying the filler mouths 13. The
empty bottles are placed in position under the filler mouths 13 and are raised as
described in my Specification No. 10016* of 1886, or otherwise as desired by any
suitable mechanical means: Each filler mouth or head 13 is provided with the inlet 37
for liquids as shewn in Fig. 5. Liquids are conveyed to the inlets 37 by pipes in any
convenient manner. The case 38 of each filler mouth or head is attached to the
crossbar 12 in any convenient manner. In the case 38 is mounted the adjustable
casing 39 and spring 40 to compensate for irregularity in the lengths of bottles, jars
and other vessels when filling and corking is being performed. The lower end of the
casing 39 is fitted with the india rubber packing 41 to fit on the top of the bottle when
placed therein. The packing 41 is held in position by the screw cap or mouth piece 13.
The casing 39 is provided with the hole 64 to which is attached an ordinary snift
valve. Inside the casing 39 is fixed the corking tube 42 with a cavity or passage round
the same for liquid. The casing 39 is of such a diameter as to allow of various
diameters of corking tubes being used. After the bottles, jars, or other vessels have
been filled the operator places the corks in the corking tubes 42, and sets the machine
in motion as before described.
This operation causes the shaft 20 to rotate with the pinions 43 which gear into the
racks 44 carrying the corking rods or plungers 45, and pushes the latter down into the
tubes 42 and drives the corks into the necks of the bottles, jars or other vessels. It
will be seen on referring to the drawings that the pinions 43 are devoid of teeth on
about one third of their circumference, to allow of the corking rods or plungers 45
being raised by the springs 46 immediately the corks are driven home, and to be ready
for the next bottles, jars, or other vessels. The pressure for driving the corks home is
imparted when the tooth 52 is in full gear with the rack 44, and the corking rod or
plunger 45 is allowed to follow the bottle for a certain distance to allow the tooth 53
to work itself out of gear with the rack 44, when the latter springs back by the action
of the spring 46. This occurs when the box of bottles are being dropped by the
table. The racks 44 are not operated until the tooth 2 gears therewith, after which
they are driven downwards until the tooth 53 releases the same. After the racks 44
have been released from the teeth 53 they are raised by the pressure on the springs 46.
The upper end of each rack 44 is fitted with the rod 47 and nut 48. The rod 47 slides
through the boss 49 which carries the spring 46 disposed between itself and the nut 48.
The racks 44 are mounted in the sliding guides 50 attached to the corking tubes 42 by
the connecting plates 63 which slides in and presses in working against the bar 51
attached to the standards 1. This corking machine is most applicable for corking
bottles, jars, and other vessels stoppering on the lines described in patent No. 2857 of
1887 granted to Dan Rylands and myself, as well as with ordinary corks when the
bottle necks are made of a proper retaining shape.

page_text: In bottling still liquids the racks 44 may not be attached to the filler mouths, but
may be placed on the opposite side of the shaft 20, so that the bottles may be first
filled and then corked while another row of bottles is being filled.
In adapting my invention for filling dry mustard and other powders into bottles,
jars, or other vessels the filler mouths are provided with the tun dish 54 as in Fig.
or its equivalent into which dry mustard and other powders are conducted by the
pipe 55 or its equivalent from any convenient source. If desired or necessary the
pipe 55 or its equivalent can be operated by any suitable mechanical shaker to prevent
the same being choked. In case the tube 42 becomes choked it is cleared by operating
the machine to push down the corking rod or plunger 45. After each bottle, jar or
other vessel is filled the cork is placed in the tube 42 and is pushed into the neck or
mouth of the bottle, jar, or other vessel by the rod or plunger 45; the latter being
operated as before described.
".
If desired the sliding table carrying the box of bottles can be dispensed with, the
bottles, jars, or other vessels being held or supported on a stationary table under the
filler heads. The machine is operated and driven in the manner described in
Figs. 1 and 2.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
:-
1. In machines for syruping and filling bottles with aerated waters and other
liquids, the use, construction, arrangement, and combination of parts forming my
improvements for operating or driving the machine and for automatically stopping the
same after syruping has been performed to allow of the bottles being filled or other-
-wise, substantially as described and as shown on the drawings.
2. In machines for filling liquids or dry powders into bottles, jars and other vessels,
and for corking the same, the use, construction, arrangement and combination of parts
consisting of the pinions 43 devoid of the portion of their cogs, corking rods or
plungers 45, racks 44, sliding guides 50 connecting to the corking tubes 42, guides 49
and 51, spindles 47, springs 46, and the mechanism for operating the machine and for
automatically stopping the same while the full bottles, jars and other vessels are
removed and replaced by others substantially as described and as shown on the drawings.
3. In machines for filling liquids and dry powders into bottles, jars, and other
vessels, and for corking the same the use of the adjustable filler head to compensate for
irregularity in the length of bottles, jars, and other vessels, substantially as described
and as shown on the drawings in Figs. 3. 4 5 and 6.
4. In combination with the adjustable filler head 13 the use of the corking tube 42
connected to the sliding guide 50, rack 44, plunger 45 and pinion 43 substantially as
described and as shewn in Figs. 3, 4, and 5.
5. In combination with the adjustable filler head and corking tube the use of the
tun dish 54, substantially as described and shewn in Fig. 6 for the purpose specified.
Dated the 11th day of May 1889
EDMUND CHADWICK,
Agent.