Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for Racking or Filling Carbonated Liquids into Casks and the like.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Mar., 1899-Accepted, 23rd Sept.,
1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for Racking or Filling
Carbonated Liquids into Casks and the like.
I, DAVID OSGOOD PAIGE, of Detroit, in the County of Wayne, and State of
Michigan, United States of America, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be parti-
cularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in apparatus
for racking carbonated liquids, without relieving the pressure, and it may be
more particularly referred to as a hermetic apparatus for this purpose.
The invention has for its object the provision of new and novel means for
preventing the escape of the carbonic acid gas contained in the liquid, and
prevent it from becoming "flat"; furthermore the construction of a device that
will prevent any overflow or waste of the liquid being racked.
A further object of the invention is the construction of a device of the above
referred to class, whereby the receptacles may be placed rapidly in position,
filled and removed, and means whereby the bungs are driven into the receptacle
after it has been filled without reducing the pressure.
A further object of the invention is the construction of an apparatus for the
above described purpose that will fill the receptacle with air or gas at a greater
pressure than atmospheric pressure, replacing the air with carbonated liquid,
cutting off the supply when the receptacle is filled, and sealing the same;
furthermore, to provide a separate bung receptacle whereby the bung is carried
to the desired position to be driven into the receptacle without relieving the
pressure.
A still further object of the invention is the construction of a racker that will
greatly facilitate the labor involved in this work, and at the same time consider-
ably reduce the expense of the same.
A further object of the invention resides in the construction of an apparatus
that will be comparatively simple, strong, durable, efficient in its operation
and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.
With the above and other objects in view, the invention finally consists in
the novel construction, combination and arrangement of the parts to be herein-
after more specifically described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.
In describing the invention in detail reference is had to the accompanying
drawings forming part of the specification, and wherein like figures of reference
indicate similar parts throughout the several views, in which :-
Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of my improved beer racker.
Fig. 2 is a rear perspective of the same.
Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the same.
Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the filling tube, showing part of the
frame in elevation.
TA
an
the line
* of Tio 4

page_text: Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the arm regulating the driving of
the bung.
Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the sight glass and float valve.
Fig. 10 is a plan view of one of the valves.
Fig. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of same.
Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view of the same.
Fig. 13 is a plan view of the filling head.
Fig. 14 is a detail view of the same.
Fig. 15 is a sectional view of the filling head and a portion of the filling
tube.
Referring to the drawings, 1, designates the base which is provided with
suitable feet 2. Secured to the base in any suitable manner are standards 3,
to which are secured uprights 4, which are secured together at the top ends
by a yoke 5. Said standards 4, are provided with longitudinal slots 6, which
extend from about half the length of the standards to the top. Secured to
the inside face of the standards 4, and near the top thereof are rack bars 7,
having the lower face of the teeth at right angles to the face of the standard.
Formed in the inside face of the standards and extending longitudinally thereof
are V-shaped grooves 8, which will be hereinafter more fully explained.
Secured to the outside face of the standards 4, in any convenient manner and
just below the longitudinal slots 6, are fluid cylinders 9, having suitable piston
heads operating therein, and to which are secured the piston rods 10, projecting
through the top end of the cylinders. Secured to the ends of the piston rods 10,
is a cross-head 11, which operates in the longitudinal slot 6, and has a bearing
surface against the outside face of the standards 4. Said cross-head 11, is
formed with flanges 12 and 13 between the standards and an opening 14. Pivot-
ally secured to the cross-head 11 by means of bolts 15, are twelve or more dogs;
six arranged above the front flange 12 of the cross-head, and a like number
above the rear flange 13, three in the front and three in the rear of the cross-
head facing the rack bar 7, one of the dogs 16 of each set of three being the
same length, the dogs 17 being a fractional part of an inch longer, and the
dogs 18 being fractional part of an inch longer than the dogs 17 so that
the distance between the engaging points of the dogs 16, and the engaging points
of the dogs 18, is a frictional part of an inch less than the distance between the
lower face of the teeth of the rack bar. By constructing the teeth in this
manner one of each set is always sure of engaging the teeth of the rack bar,
and many times two of each set will engage the teeth of the rack bar. Formed
integral with the dogs and extending at substantially right angles thereto, are
arms 19, the arms of each set projecting toward each other and in front of the
opening formed in the cross-head 11. Acting against the underneath side of
the arms 19, are springs 20, tending to normally hold the dogs in engagement
with the rack bar 7.
Engaging the top of the arms 19, and passing through the opening 14, in
the cross-head is a plate 21, which is normally held out of engagement with the
arms 19, by the bolt 22 passing through a vertical opening in the cross-head,
and terminating in a recess in which is arranged a spiral spring, and which is
held in position by a nut engaging the end of the bolt 22. Pivotally secured
to the flange 12, is a trip lever 23, one arm of which acts against the top
of the plate 21 whereby all of the arms 19 are depressed at the same time to
release the dogs from engagement with the rack bars, the opposite end of said
trip lever projecting downwardly on an angle to the top of the plate 21. After
the package has been filled, and the bung placed in position and the bung
driver descends to force the bung in position in the package, the lever 23 is
released and the tension of the springs 20 forces the arms upward and the dogs 17
are brought into engagement with the teeth of rack 7 and preventing the seal
of the filling made with the mouth of the package from being disturbed.
The standards 4 are provided on their inner face with V-shaped longitudinal

page_text: grooves 8, in which operate V-shaped projections 25, formed on the bars 26.
Said bars are also provided with flanges 27, which extend at right angles to
the face of the bars 26. Said bars 26 are secured to the underneath face of the
flanges 12 and 13 and are rigidly braced intermediate of their ends by a cleat 28,
secured to the front faces. Secured to the lower end of the bars 26, is a plate 30,
to which is rigidly secured a filling head consisting of a plate 31, provided with
an opening 32, and a recess 33, in which the bung is placed previous to filling
the package. Communicating with the recess 33, is an opening through which
a plunger 34 operates, one end of which engages the bung, the opposite end
being pivotally secured to a handle 35, which in turn is pivotally secured upon
a fulcrum 36, which is secured to the end of plate 30. Communicating with
the recess 32, is an opening 37, which permits the air and gas to escape to the
back pressure tank, which is located at any convenient position, while the
package is being filled with carbonated liquid. Secured to the top of plate 31,
is a closure plate 38, having a screw threaded flange 39, projecting through an
opening in plate 30. The opening in said closure plate 38, registers with the
opening 32, of the plate 31, although somewhat smaller. Engaging the flange 39,
is a packing ring 40, adapted to form a tight seal with the filling tube, said
packing ring being securely held in position by a thimble 41. Engaging a
flange 38 on the lower face of the plate 31, is a rubber gasket 39*,
which is held in position by a ring 40%, said gasket forming a tight
seal with the package to be filled. Secured to the flanges 27, are angle irons 42
and 43, in which are secured rods 44. Reciprocating on said rods 44, is a
frame 45, provided with lugs 46, in which is pivotally secured an adjustable
arm consisting of two screw threaded members 47 and 48; engaging said members
is an internally screw threaded sleeve 49, said sleeve being adapted to regulate
the length of the arm. Engaging the member 47, and acting against the end of
the sleeve is a nut 50, adapted to lock the sleeve in any desired position.
Secured to the underneath face of the flange 12, is a plate 51, which is provided
with lugs 52, in which is pivotally secured an arm 53, having an extension 54,
the opposite end of said arm 53, being pivotally connected to the adjustable
arm 47, the extension 54, being adapted to engage the trip lever 23, to depress
the arms 19 of the dogs to release the same from the rack bars.
Secured to the bars 26, are brackets 55, having an upward extension 56;
said extensions are secured together in any suitable manner, and are provided
with longitudinal openings 57. Secured to the top of the upward extensions,
is a fluid cylinder 58, having inlets to the top and bottom thereof, through the
extensions 59, said extensions being connected together by the pipe 60, which
is provided with a three-way valve 61, having a connection 62, through which
the fluid is supplied, connection 63 leading to the top of the cylinder and con-
nection 64 leading to the bottom of the cylinder. When the plug 65 is in the
position as shown in Fig. 12, the fluid is being admitted to the top of the
cylinder to force the piston down and the fluid in the lower part of the cylinder
exhausts through the opening 66, and when the fluid is admitted to the lower
part of the cylinder, the fluid exhausts through the opening 67.
All the valves used in the construction of this invention are of the same
construction.
Secured to the plug 65, is a lever 68, to which is pivotally secured a rod 69,
the lower end of which is pivotally secured to an operating handle 70, one
end of said handle being secured to a plate 71, carried by the bar 26. The valve
admitting the fluid to the cylinders 9, is operated by handle 72; the liquid
enters through the pipe 73, to the pipes 74 and 75, directly to one cylinder, and
through pipes 76 and 77, to the other, the openings leading from pipes 74
and 75 to the cylinders is somewhat smaller than the pipes 76 and 77, which
convey the fluid to the cylinder on the opposite side by this construction, the
fluid is admitted substantially the same time to both cylinders.
Operating in the cylinder 58, is a suitable piston carrying a piston rod;

page_text: the lower end of said piston rod is provided with a square head which operates in
slots 57; said head is secured to an arm 78, which is pivotally secured to the
arms 47 and 53 and as air is admitted to the lower part of the cylinder 58, the
arms 47 and 53, will be drawn to the position shown in Fig. 7, and as the
arm 53 is held firmly to the plate 51, the arm 47 will cause the frame 45 to slide
on the rods 44.
Reciprocating in the V-shaped grooves 79, formed in the edge of the flanges 27,
is a bracket. 80, to which is secured the filling tube 81 and having a supply
pipe 82, communicating therewith. Said filling tube is formed of a pipe of
any suitable material, and is provided on the outside thereof, at any convenient
position with a lug 83, which engages a catch 84, pivoted to the stay 28. Secured
to the top of the filling tube 81, is a cap 85, which is provided with a central
opening and an upwardly extending screw threaded flange 86, forming a cup
to receive suitable packing. Engaging said screw threaded flange 86 is a head 87,
having a longitudinal opening 88. Communicating with said opening 88, are
openings 89. Reciprocating in the opening 88, of the head 87, is a bearing
block 90, carrying a rod 91, to the lower end of which is secured an adjustable
valve 92, which is adapted to close the end of the filling tube 81, said
valve 92, being operated by means of levers 93, having arms 94, said levers
being pivotally secured to supports 95, carried by the cap 85. The levers 93.
engage an opening in the bearing block 90. Rotatably secured in the ends of
arms 94, are roller bearings 96, which engage plates 97, secured to the bars 26,
said plates 97, being provided at their lower ends with a beveled place as
shown. Secured to the roller bearing 96, and projecting back toward the
flange 27, are extensions 98, which engage beads 99, secured to the flanges 27,
said plates 97 and beads 99, forming a guideway for the roller bearings 96, and
extensions 98.
Secured to the bracket 80 is a piston rod 100, secured to a suitable piston
head operating in fluid cylinder 101, to which air is admitted, through the
supply pipe 102, and pipes 103, and 104; the valve controlling the admission
of air to said cylinder is operated by the lever 105, said lever being operated by
the handle 106, and a rod connecting said lever and handle together.
Secured in the opening 107, of the closure plate 38, is a pipe 108, in which is
located a suitable cut-off 109; engaging the plug of said cut-off is a handle 110,
(Fig. 3) carrying on one end a rod 111, operating in an opening in one of the
angle irons 42. The end of said rod is actuated by the frame 45, when the
bung is driven, to close the cut-off and prevent the escape of air and gas from
the back pressure tank.
Secured to the pipe 108, a suitable distance above the cut-off 109, is a sight
glass 112, of the usual construction. Secured in the lower head thereof are
three or more pins 113, arranged in a circle around the openings and forming
a cage for the float valve 114. The downward movement of the valve is
regulated by set screws 115, passing through the pins 113 and engaging the
lower end of the valve. Secured to pins 113 and immediately below the set
screws 115, is a hood 116, said hood serving as a protection for the valve 114,
against the action of the escaping air and foam from the package, while it is being
filled. Secured in the top head of sight glass 112, is a pipe 116", leading
directly to the back pressure tank.
Arranged on top of the base 1, is an adjustable table 117, operating on
slides 118 secured to the base, said table being adjusted by the rod 119, secured
to the lever 120, which is provided at one end with the jacket 121, adapted to
engage the leg of the operator. Secured to the front of the base 1, is a plate 122,
having a flange 123; said flange carries cleats 124 forming a fulcrum for the
foot lever 125; one of said levers 125, actuates a pin 126, which serves as means
for throwing the package off after being filled and bunged.
Operation:The package to be filled is placed on the adjustable table 117,
when the lever 105, is operated by the handle 106, which admits air into the

page_text: top of cylinder 101, which forces the piston and piston rod 100, together with
the bracket 80 and filling tube 81, down until the lug 83, engages a catch 84.
When the filling tube is in this position, the lower end projects below the filling
head so that when the vertically reciprocating bars 26, carrying the filling head
are lowered on the package by admitting the fluid to the top of the cylinder 9,
which operates the piston head therein which is connected to the cross-head 11
by the piston rods 10, said filling head forming a seal, the end of the filling tube
projecting below the filling head serves as a guide to center the package.
When the package is centered and the seal is formed the end of the catch 84,
is depressed and the filling tube is forced down into the package. As the filling
tube descends the roller bearings 96, act against the edge of the plates 97 until
the extensions 98, engage the beads 99, thereby being forced outwardly into the
guideway. The levers 93 being pivoted to the supports 95, the ends of said
levers will be depressed, thereby forcing the rod 91, carrying the valve 92,
downwardly opening the end of the filling tube 81, to allow the liquid to enter
the package.
As the liquid fills the package, the air which has previously been admitted
through the pipe 116", from the back pressure tank (not shown) is forced out
through the sight glass 112, and through the pipe 116, to the back pressure
tank. When the package becomes full, the liquid passes through the opening 37,
to the pipe 108, into the sight glass 112, and as the liquid raises in the sight
glass, the float 114 is raised until it closes the opening in the top of the sight
glass, which will prevent the liquid from entering the package from the supply
pipe. By raising the handle 106, air is admitted to the lower end of cylinder 101,
raising the piston head operating therein, and through the piston rod 100 and
bracket 80, the filling tube 81, is withdrawn from the package and at the same
time the valve 92, is seated against the end of the filling tube. By operating
the handle 35 and rod 34, the bung is placed in position over the opening of
package ready to be driven. The handles 70 and 106, are in an elevated position,
and by forcing the handles downward simultaneously, air is admitted to the
top of cylinders 58 and 101, the cylinders 58, operating the arms 47 and 53,
through the arm 78, causing both to assume a vertical position; the frame 45 is
forced downwardly striking the top end of the filling tube driving the bung in
position, and at the same time the frame strikes the end of rod 111, which
is secured to the handle 110 thereby closing the cut-off 109, to prevent the escape
of air and gas from the back pressure tank. The filling tube is forced downwardly
by the air in cylinder 101, at the same time the piston head in cylinder 58,
and the intermediate mechanism is acting upon it, thereby receiving the action of
two forces from two different points.
The lever 72 is then raised admitting air to the lower end of cylinders 9,
and through the piston heads operating therein and the piston rods 10, the cross-
head is raised elevating the filling head from the package.
The dogs have been previously disengaged from the rack bars by the exten-
sion 54, as the piston head in cylinder 58 is returned to its normal position.
To remove the package from the table the foot is pressed on the end of lever 125,
which bears against the lower end of the pin 126, raising the same and tipping
it backwards until it rolls off.
To regulate the distance the bung is driven into the package, the nut 50 is
loosened, when the sleeve 49 is turned separating or drawing together the threaded
members 47 and 48.
From the foregoing description it will be seen that various changes may be
made in the details of construction and yet the general spirit of my invention
will not be departed from.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. In a racker for carbonated liquids, a frame, vertical standards secured to

page_text: said frame, fluid cylinders secured to said vertical standards, a cross-head
reciprocated by piston heads operating in said cylinders, said cross-head carrying
a frame provided with a filling head, a filling tube reciprocating through said
filling head and means for stopping the flow of liquid, substantially as shown
and described.
2. In a racker, as described, a frame carrying vertical standards, a frame
reciprocating in said standards, and carrying on its lower end a filling head,
a filling tube reciprocating through said filling head, a supply pipe carried by
said filling tube, and means for driving the bung, substantially as shown and
described.
3. In a racker, a frame carrying vertical standards, a frame reciprocating in
said standards, and carrying on its lower end a filling head, a filling tube recipro-
cating through said filling head, a fluid cylinder operating said filling tube,
said filling tube also serving as bung driver, substantially as shown and
described.
4. In a racker, a vertically reciprocating frame, a filling head secured to said
frame, a filling tube reciprocating therethrough, said filling head consisting
of a plate provided with an aperture, a recess for holding the bung communicating
with said aperture, a plunger operating in said recess, a handle pivotally secured
to said plunger, whereby the bung is forced in position over the opening in
the package, and a closure plate secured to the top of the first named plate,
substantially as shown and described.
5. In a racker, standards secured to a suitable frame and provided with longi-
tudinal slots, rack bars secured to said standards, a cross-head reciprocating in
said slots, dogs pivotally secured to said cross-heads, said dogs being arranged
in sets, the engaging point of the dog of each set being graduated in height o
that the distance between the engaging point of the highest and lowest dog is
equal to the distance between the lower faces of the teeth of the rack bar, and
means for disengaging said dogs from the rack bar, substantially as shown and
described.
6. In a racker, a frame reciprocating in suitable standards and carrying on
its lower end a filling head, a filling tube reciprocating through said filling
head, a frame sliding on longitudinal bars carried by the reciprocating frame,
an arm secured to the cross-head and provided with an extension, an arm secured
to the sliding frame, the free ends of said arms being pivotally secured together,
a fluid cylinder for operating said arms, whereby the sliding frame is forced
against the top of the filling tube to drive the bung, substantially as shown
and described.
7. In a racker, an adjustable arm regulating the stroke of the bung driver
consisting of two screw threaded members, an adjustable sleeve engaging said
members, whereby the length of the arm is regulated, and a nut carried by one
of said members to lock the adjusting sleeve, substantially as shown and
described.
8. In a racker, standards provided with longitudinal slots, a cross-head recipro-
cating in said slots, a frame carried by said cross-head, an arm pivoted to the
lower face of the cross-head and provided with an extension, dogs pivotally
mounted on the cross-head and provided with arms, a plate engaging said armis,
a trip lever pivoted to the cross-head one end of which presses against the top
of the plate, the opposite end engaging the extension whereby the dogs are
disengaged from the rack bars when the frame is raised, substantially as shown
and described.
9. In a racker for carbonated liquids, a frame carrying standards, the frame
reciprocating in said standards and carrying a filling head, a filling tube
reciprocating therethrough, a pipe secured in said filling head and leading to
the back pressure tank, a sight glass arranged in said pipe, a float valve arranged
in said sight glass, said float valve closing the opening in the pipe to stop the

page_text: flow of liquid, a cut-off arranged in said pipe and means for closing said cut-off
when the bung is driven, substantially as shown and described.
10. In a racker, a reciprocating frame carrying a filling head, a combined
filling tube and bung driver reciprocating through the same, and means for
cutting off the flow of liquid when the package is filled, substantially as shown
and described.
11. In a liquid filling machine for breweries and the like, the combination
with a source of fluid pressure, of hollow columns, pistons in said columns simul-
taneously movable, filling and stopper-driving mechanisms, a support for said
mechanism operatively connected with the said pistons to be raised and lowered
thereby, means for controlling the pressure whereby the support and filler and
driving mechanisms are automatically operated, and valve mechanism operative
to direct the pressure equally to the columns and vent the pressure equally from
the columns, substantially as shown and described.
Dated thie 23 day of March 1900.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.