Improvements in Apparatus for Filling Internally Stoppered Bottles.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Oct., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 16th May, 1891-Accepted, 16th Oct., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Filling Internally Stoppered
Bottles.
I, JAMES MEADOWCROFT, of Regent Street, Blackburn, in the County of
Lancaster, Soda Water Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
:―
This invention relates to an improved construction, combination and arrange-
ment of appliances for filling internally stoppered bottles with aerated or
carbonated water, or other liquids whereby the bottles can be filled with the
carbonated or aerated water, and also with the flavouring syrup or essence, with
greater facility and rapidity than heretofore, and also with less waste of the
ingredients employed.
According to this my invention the apparatus consists of an inlet valve for the
aerated water provided with a lever or handle which is operated by, and the valve
opened or closed by a cam or eccentric; there is also a second valve which ensures
accuracy in the amount of essence or syrup which is passed into each bottle, and
this valve is made double acting, so that in case the attendant omits to place in the
machine an empty bottle, the syrup or essence is not wasted but passes back to the
feed pump. A plate, or disc having a passage way connected with the water inlet
valve is attached to the apparatus and on this plate or disc the bottles are secured
whilst revolving and filling with the neck downwards, and the base or bottom of the
bottle held by a block operated and raised from, or lowered onto the bottle by
means of a cam. On the lever or handle of the aerated or carbonated water valve is
a roller which is in contact with the cam for operating the valve, but should the
attendant omit to place a bottle in the machine, the roller is withdrawn from contact
with the cam, and the valve remains closed.
The action is as follows:-The machine is driven by any convenient power and
set in motion by strap and pulleys which will cause the plate or disc carrying the
bottle to revolve and when the block is at the top or highest position a bottle is
placed in the machine, and allowed to revolve. During its progress round, the
Bottle will first be syruped, or the essence placed in it, by the syrup valve being
opened then filled with aerated or carbonated water by the valve whilst the air in
bottle is allowed to escape through a third valve provided for the purpose. The
process of filling is completed by the time the bottle has reached the starting point,
or the plate or disc made one revolution the full bottle is then removed and a second
empty one fed in; and so on.
If the attendant omits to place a bottle in the machine a cam is brought into
contact with a rod, and pushes it backwards, this motion causes the double acting
valve to reverse its outlets and instead of the syrup being pumped through the
said valve it is forced back to the syrup pump inlet pipe and by moving the
roller on the lever of the aerated water valve it prevents the latter from being
opened.
The plate or disc is caused to revolve by gear wheels and shafts from the main
driver, but if it is desired the said plate may have an intermittent motion imparted
to it, so as to allow more time for changing or removing the bottle, and during the
filling of same with liquid. This motion may be obtained by use of an eccentric, or
elliptic wheels by means of which a fast and slow motion is obtained.
Dated the 14th day of October 1800
WALTER BRIERLEY,
Central Chambers, Halifax, Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Filling. Internally Stoppered
Bottles.
I, JAMES MEADOWCROFT of Regent Street Blackburn in the County of
Lancaster, Soda Water Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to an improved construction combination and arrangement
for appliances for filling internally stoppered bottles with aerated or carbonated
water or other liquids whereby the bottles can be filled with the carbonated or
aerated water and also with the flavouring syrup with greater facility and rapidity
than heretofore, and also with less waste of the ingredients employed.
According to this my invention the apparatus consists of an inlet valve for the
aerated water provided with a lever which is operated by and the valve opened or
closed by cam or eccentrics there is also a second valve which ensures accuracy in
the amount of syrup which is passed into cach bottle. A plate or disc having a
passage way connected with the water, inlet valve is attached to the apparatus and
on this plate or disc the bottles are secured whilst revolving and filling with the
neck downwards, and the base or bottom of the bottle held by a block operated and
raised from, or lowered onto the bottle by means of a cam. On the lever of the
acrated or carbonated water valve is a roller which is in contact with one of the
cams for operating the valve, but should the attendant omit to place a bottle in
the machine, the roller is withdrawn from contact with the cam, and the valve
remains closed.
The action is as follows :-
The machine is driven by any convenient power and set in motion by
strap and pulleys which will cause the plate or disc carrying the
bottle to revolve and when the block is at the top or highest position a
bottle is placed in the machine and allowed to revolve. During its progress
round the bottle will be "syruped" by the syrup valve being opened and also filled
with aerated or carbonated water by the other valves whilst the air in the bottle is
allowed to escape through a third valve provided for the purpose. The process of
filling is completed by the time the bottle has reached the starting point or the
plate or disc made one revolution the full bottle is then removed and a second
empty one fed in and so on.
If the attendant omits to place a bottle in the machine a cam is brought into
contact with a rod and pushes it backwards or laterally this motion prevents the
syrup being pumped through the said valve the syrup pump being rendered
inoperative by the roller being moved out of contact with its operating cam and the
aerated water inlet valve remains closed for a similar reason.
The plate or disc is caused to revolve by gear wheels and shafts from the main
driver, and if it is desired the said plate may have an intermittent motion imparted
to it, so as to allow more time for changing or removing the bottle, and during the
filling of same with liquid. This motion may be obtained by use of eccentric or
elliptic wheels by means of which a fast and slow motion is obtained.
Such being the nature and object of my said invention the following is a complete
description.
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a machine for filling internally stoppered bottles
and fitted with my improved apparatus.
Fig. 2. is a sectional side elevation same.
Fig. 3. is a plan view on line A B of Fig. 2 drawn to enlarged scale.
The remaining figs. on Sheet 3 are details drawn to enlarged scale in order to
more clearly shew their construction.
Fig. 4. is a back view of disc or plate wheel detached from the machine.
Fig. 5. is a similar view of Fig. 4. but illustrating a modification of same.

page_text: Fig. 6. is a detail of Fig. 5. shewing the parts in a different position.
Fig. 7. is a view partly in section the valve for allowing air or gas to escape from
the bottle when filling.
Fig. 8. is a section on line A B of Fig. 7. looking in the direction indicated by
the arrow.
Fig. 9. is a section on line A B of Fig. 4 and
Fig. 10 is a section on line A B of Fig. 5.
According to this iny said invention the apparatus consists of an inlet valve 1
for the aerated water, the spindle or handle 2 of the valve 1 being operated and
forced inwards, opening the valve by the end of the contact screw 3 carried in one
end of the lever 4 mounted and free to move on its fulcrum stud 5. the other end of
the lever 4 having a loose roller or runner 6 mounted on it, and forming a part of
the runner 6. is the collar 7 loosely enclosed or held by the fork or clip 8 mounted
on the rod or shaft 9. Cams or cacentrics 10 on the main shaft or axis 11 of the
machine operate on the runner 6 when the latter is not moved out of contact
therewith by the rol or shaft 9 being slided horizontally in its bearings carrying
with it the clip or fork 8 as hereinafter described. At 12 is the inlet for the syrup
which is conveyed into the pump 13. and by the latter forced along the pipe 14. to
the valve 15 which communicates with the aerated water inlet valve 1. The main
axis or shaft 11 has a passage way 16 as ordinary formed through it communicating
with the inlet valve 1. and the outlet 17. in the front of the disc or plate wheel 18
and on the latter the bottles 19 are secured in the ordinary manner whilst the plate
wheel revolves, and the bottle is filling. The bottle 19 is held in position on the
plate wheel 18 by the neck or mouth resting on the cup shaped outlet 17 and the
block 20 pressing on the base or bottom of the bottle 19, the block 20 being
raised by the cam 21 and lowered by the spiral spring 22 attached to the plate
wheel 18.
Above the main axis or shaft 11 is a second roller or runner 23 carried loosely in
the fork or clip 24 to the upper side of which is fixed the piston 25 of the pump 13,
the roller or runner 23 has a collar cast to it which collar is loosely enclosed by a
fork or a finger 25, this finger or fork 25° is mounted on the rod or shaft 9ª, and if
the latter is moved or slided in its bearings the finger or fork 25 will move the roller
or runner 23 laterally out of contact with the cam 26 on the main axis or shaft 11
and the pump is inoperative. By referring to Fig. 4 it will be seen that when the
runner 49 passes over the cam 21 which is fixed to the machine frame the slide 50
will be raised compressing the spring 22 and also raising the block 20 (see Fig. 2)
for the insertion, or removal of a bottle. A bottle 19 when in position maintains
the slide 50 in the raised position and thus the cam 32 will pass 47 without touching
same and also the runner 44 will pass clear off the end of the rod 9.
Referring now to Figs. 5 and 6 in which is shewn a modification of my invention
by the use of which the whole of the machine (gear wheels excepted) is rendered
inoperative when no bottle 19 is placed under the block 20 (see Fig. 2). The
disc or plate wheel is mounted loosely on the main axis 11 and carried on the wheel 18
is the slide 50 maintained in the position shewn by Fig. 5 by the spring 22.
On the slide 50 is mounted the runner 49. which the wheel 18 revolves passes
over the cam 21 fixed to the machine frame by which the slide 50 and block 20
are raised as above described. By raising the slide 50 the half clutch or finger 51
is brought in contact with the half clutch or finger 52 on the main axis 11. (sec
Fig. 6) and the wheel 18 is then locked fast on the axis 11 so long as the slide 50
remains in the raised position. If no bottle 19 is in the machine and the slide 50
is by the spring 22 lowered then the wheel 18 is thrown out of gear with the main
axis 11 and the latter with all its connections and the whole of the machine
(excepting the gear wheels) is at a standstill.
By this arrangement the cam or runner 44 cam or runner 32 finger 47 and its
connections, and the rod 9 and its connections may be dispensed with.
The action of the machine is as follows:-
The machine is driven by belt from any convenient power, and on the shaft 27

page_text: is a loose and a fast pulley, this shaft revolving imparts motion to the gear wheel 28
which is mounted eccentrically on the shaft 27, the wheel 28 gears with and drives
the wheel 29 mounted eccentrically on the stud or pin 30 on which latter is also
mounted the wheel 31 gearing with and driving the plate wheel 18 and giving to
the latter an intermittent motion, by means of the eccentric or elliptic wheels 28. 29.
This intermittent motion allows more time for the attendant to change or remove
the bottles which are filled with aerated water whilst making one revolution.
When the block 20 is at the top in the position shewn by Fig. 2 it is raised by the
cam 21 comprising the spring 22 and a bottle 19 is placed in position as soon as the
wheel 18 moves the cam 21 allows the spring 22 to force down the block 20 on to
the bottle and the latter is held until the block again comes in contact with the
cam 21.
During its progress round, the bottle will have the "syrup" placed in it by the
pump 13 forcing syrup along the pipes 14 through the valve 15 into the aerated
water pipe 16 and immediately after the cam 10 on the main axis 11 will press on
the runner or roller 6 turning the lever 4 on its fulcrum stud 5 and pressing the
contact screw 3 against the end of the spindle 2, opening the aerated water valve 1
and allowing the water to pass along 16 and into the bottle 19. the air from the
latter escaping by way of the valver 31 provided for it and clearly shewn by Figs. 7
and 8 of the accompanying drawings the air being forced out of the bottle 19, by
the entrance of the aerated water, and "spitting "along with it a small quantity of
liquid which passes along the passage 36 into the chamber 37 having two
outlets 38-39. and the lower one 39 (see Fig. 8) being closed by the rubber
ball 40 the liquid, and air escapes by way of the outlet 38-and so falls to the
ground. Now supposing the disc wheel to have made a half revolution carrying
with it the outlet valve 31, then the outlet 39 will be directed downwards, and the
outlet 38 upwards the ball 40 will fall by gravitation and close the outlet 38 so that
liquid will escape by the outlet 39 and fall to the ground. By this improved outlet
valve 31 it will be seen that the liquid- and air is always squirted towards the
ground in whichever position at which liquid escapes the wheel 18 and outlet
valve 31 may be in and obviating the annoyance heretofore caused by the liquid
and gas spitting." in every direction.
The process of filling is completed by the time the bottle has reached the starting
point, or the plate wheel 18 made one revolution, the block 20 is then raised by the
cam 21, and the bottle removed and an empty one fed in and so on.
If the attendant omits to place a bottle in the machine it follows that the block 20
will not be maintained in its higher position and a cam or runner 44 on the back of
the block 20 comes in contact as the wheel 18 revolves with the end of the rod 9.
sliding the same in its bearings carrying with it the clip or fork 8 and the fork or
finger 25 the former of which will carry with it and remove from contact the
roller or runner 6 with the cam 10 and the latter not operating thereon the
acrated or carbonated water valve 1 remains closed. When the rod 9 is forced
forward by the cam or runner 44 as above described it is maintained in the forward
position by the catch 45 (see details Sheet 3) dropping behind the step 46, the
catch remaining behind the step until the disc 18 makes a revolution, and a bottle
is placed in the machine whereon the cam or runner 32 comes in contact with and
depresses one end of the finger 47 raising the opposite end, and also raising the
catch 45 from behind and clear of the step 46 and the rod 9 is returned to its
normal position by the spiral spring 34 (see Fig. 3). When the modification shewn
by Figs. 5 and 6, and described is employed the action is similar to that hereinbefore
set forth but the wheel 18 is thrown out of gear with the axis 11 and several of the
parts are dispensed with making the machine less complicated in its construction at
the same time being equally efficacious in practice. The fork or finger 25 in a
like manner moves the roller or runner 23 laterally out of contact with the cam 26
and the piston 25 of the pump 13 is not raised and the latter remains inoperative.
A spring 33 holds the pump in the "down" and inoperative position when not
acted upon by the cam 26..

page_text: The cam 10 may be made duplicate as shewn, one cam being employed when
filling large bottles, and a smaller cam for filling small one the roller or runner 6
being moved, and fixed by set screw opposite the cam which it is desired should
operate.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and object of my
said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. I claim the combination of parts shewn by Sheet 3 of the drawings..
2. The wheels 28. 29. 31 and 18 constructed and arranged and in combination
with a machine for purpose set forth operated and operating as and for the purpose
herein fully described and substantially as illustrated by the accompanying
drawings.
Dated this 15th 1 of 1001
JAMES MEADOWCROFT.
By his Agent, Walter Brierley,
Central Chambers, Halifax.
JAMES MEADOWCROFT.
By his Agent, Walter Brierley;
Central Chambers, Halifax.