Improvements in Bottle-filling Apparatus.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 27th June, 1691-Accepted, 8th Aug., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICA ITON
Improvements in Bottle-filling Apparatus.
I, AMALIA MARGARETHA DONALLY, of 166, Third Avenue, in the City
County and State of New York, 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 particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
Г
My invention relates to improvements in bottle-filling apparatus and has for its
object to provide an efficient economic and durable machine in connection with
which flexible filling tubes may be employed and to provide a means whereby the
machine may be effectually and expeditiously manipulated by a single attendant.
A further object of the invention is to so construct the machine that a series
of bottles of irregular sizes may be filled as readily as a series of bottles of regular
size, and also to provide a means whereby the supply of liquid may be cut off from
any one or from the entire number of bottles to be filled at the option of the
operator. Another feature of the invention is to provide a means whereby the air
forced out from the bottles by the liquid entering them, and also any surplus liquid
which may be fed to the bottles while being filled will be conducted back directly
to the cask from which the supply of liquid is taken, and to provide for the
suspension of the working portion of the apparatus automatically when the last row
of bottles in a case have been filled, thus enabling the operator to conveniently and
without danger remove the filled case and substitute therefor a case of empty
bottles.
The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of the several
parts, as will be hereinafter fully set forth and pointed out in the claims.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this
Specification, in which similar figures and letters of reference indicate corresponding
parts in all the views.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine;
Figure 2 is a front elevation thereof, illustrating a case of bottles in section, and
also a portion of the base and slide-way of the machine in section;
Figure 3 is a central vertical section through the machine;
Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the filling apparatus, illustrating the
same in position in a bottle;
Figure 5 is a plan view of one of the upper guides receiving a filling tube, the
tube being in section;
Figure 6 is a similar view of an intermediate guide, the filling tube also being in
section, and
Figure 7 is a plan view of the lower guide;
Figure 8 is a transverse section through the filling tube, taken upon the line 8-8
of Figure 4, the view being an enlarged one;
Figure 9 is a similar view taken through the tube upon the line 9-9 of
Figure 4:
Figure 10 is a side elevation of the mechanism, whereby a tally is made of the
rows of bottles filled, and the filling portion of the machine held in suspension when
all of the bottles have been filled;
Figure 11 is a vertical section through an improved bung used in connection with
the machine;
Figure 12 is a front elevation of the bung proper; and
Figure 13 is a side elevation of a device adapted to start the flow of liquid from
the cask into the tubes, and to clean the tubes of liquid when desired.
The frame of the device usually consists of two uprights 10, secured in any

page_text: suitable or approved manner to a base 11 of any desired shape, the base being,
however, preferably rectangular. The uprights 10 are connected at the top by a
cross bar 12, which cross bar has secured thereon at or near its center a pulley 13,
and an opening is made in the cross bar at one side of the pulley. The frame is
further provided at the upper portion of one of the uprights with a second
pulley 14; and in the inner face of each upright a groove or slide-way 15, is
produced. The groove or slideway is adapted to receive the side, bars 16 of
a vertically movable frame B. This movable frame comprises the side pieces 16,
a bottom cross bar 17, which serves in the capacity of a table, and an upper
cross bar 18. The frame is raised and lowered through the medium of a chain 19,
one end of which chain is attached to a treadle 20, pivoted at one side of the base
of the machine, or at any point adjacent thereto; and the chain is passed upward
from the treadle over the pulleys 13 and 14, down through an aperture in the upper
cross bar of the stationary frame to a central connection with the upper cross
bar 18 of the sliding frame.
A rib 21, is longitudinally formed preferably upon the upper front surface of the
lower cross bar 17 of the sliding frame; and a second rib 22, is produced upon the
said lower cross bar near the rear face thereof, the said rib extending preferably
from end to end of the cross bar and being adapted to act in the capacity of an
anvil block. In connection with the rib or anvil block 22, a series of levers 23, is
employed, which levers are preferably curved, as illustrated in Figure 3; and they
are fulcrumed near their lower ends upon a shaft 24, fixed in the sliding frame B,
and extending usually from one side piece to the other of said frame. The levers
are ordinarily spaced through the medium of sleeves 25, as shown in Figure 2. The
lower portions of the levers are decidedly curved, but their upper portions are
essentially straight and extend upward beyond the front face of the upper
cross bar 18 of the sliding frame.
The levers are normally held at their lower ends in frictional engagement with
the anvil block 22 through the medium of springs 25°, of any suitable or approved
type, a spring being secured to each lever preferably at the back thereof and to the
upper cross bar 18 of the sliding frame, as is likewise shown in Figure 3.
Upon the upper face of the upper cross bar of the sliding frame, a crank shaft 26,
is journaled at its extremities in suitable bearings, the shaft being located just over
the front edge of the bar; and through the medium of a handle 27, attached to the
shaft at or near its center the shaft may be rocked forward against the upper ends
of the levers 23 a sufficient distance to force the lower ends of all the levers out of
frictional engagement with the anvil block 22; and it is also evident that any
particular lever may be carried out of engagement with the anvil block by grasping
its upper end and drawing it forward.
In connection with the apparatus flexible tubes D, are employed. Each tube is
a twin tube, and comprises a filling tube 28 and an air vent and waste tube 29 of
less diameter than the filling tube. The combined air vent and waste tubes
are attached to the filling tubes preferably at one side from the bottom of the filling
tubes to a point near their opposite ends, as shown in Figure 3, from which point
the combined air vent and waste tubes are independent of the filling tubes. A twin
tube is passed over the anvil block 22 beneath each of the levers 23, and over
the front rib 21 of the sliding frame down below the front portion of the same.
A slideway 30, is ordinarily produced in the front face of the lower cross bar 17
of the sliding frame; and in said slide way a number of blocks 31, which may be
termed guide blocks, are located, corresponding to the number of levers employed.
One of these blocks is illustrated in detail in Figure 5, in which it will be observed
that in the front face of the block near its center a recess 32, is produced through
which recesses the twin tubes pass at the front of the machine. In the arms at the
right and left of the recess 32 of the guide blocks 31, perpendicular rods 33,
are located, one rod passing loosely upward through each arm of each block; and
the upper end of each rod is provided with a cap, or a cotter pin, or the equivalent
thereof, whereby it can not leave the block.

page_text: A second set of guide blocks 34, is employed, one of which is shown in detail in
Figure 6. These guide blocks are adapted to act not only as guides but as sealing
or cap blocks, as will be hereinafter described. The blocks 34 are provided with
an essentially U-shaped horizontal body portion and arms at the sides of the body.
Through the arms of the body of these blocks 34 the rods 33, carried by the upper
guide blocks pass, the sealing or cap blocks being loose upon said rods.
A scaling or capping block is located beneath each upper guide block; a twin
tube passes downward through the body portion of each sealing or capping block,
and each of said blocks rests upon a flange 35, preferably of rubber, which flanges
ordinarily constitute integral portions of the twin tubes, as shown in Figure 2.
Each sealing or capping block is pressed by the end of a spring 36, the ends of the
springs bearing upon the blocks being provided with a concave surface so as not to
interfere with the tubes. The springs are made fast in any suitable or approved
manner to the under face of the lower cross bar 17 of the sliding frame.
Beneath each scaling or capping block 34, a guide block 37, is located, which
corresponds in shape practically to the shape of the sealing or capping block above
it. The openings in the lower guide blocks, however, face the back of the machine,
and the lower ends of the rods 35, are securely fastened in the arms of these
blocks.
The lower guide blocks 37, are adapted as supports for guide funnels 38, the
shank or upper portion of the funnels being entered in the recesses of the blocks,
and bolts 39, are passed through the body portions of the blocks to hold the funnels
in their places.
Near the upper end of each funnel an annular flange 40, is formed, having an
upturned margin; and between the upper portion of the shank of the funnels and
the upturned, margins of the flanges 40, a packing 41,-of rubber, or equivalent
material is located, as shown in Figure 4. When rubber is employed it may be
vulcanized directly in the chamber thus formed to receive it; and the inner face of
the body of the funnel is provided with a lining 42, also of rubber or any equivalent
substance. The lower end of each flexible tube is made to pass down loosely
through a funnel; and I desire it to be distinctly understood that the flexible tubes
are entirely independent of the funnels. *
The combined air vent and waste tubes are stiffened at their lower ends preferably
by the introduction of a metal rod 43; and above the metal rod 43 each combined
air vent and waste tube is provided with an opening 44. By stiffening the lower
ends of the flexible tubes they more readily enter the mouths of the bottles C to
be filled, and the openings 44 in the combined air vent and waste tubes are so
located that when the tubes have been entered into the bottles as far as necessary
in the process of filling, said openings 44, will be within the necks of the bottles,
as shown in Figure 4.
To the inner face of each upright of the fixed frame a horizontal beam 45, is
attached in any approved manner; and each of the horizontal beams 45, is provided
in its inner face with a slide-way 46, adapted to receive the side edges of a table 47.
The table is provided, preferably at the center upon its under face, with a rack
surface, or an attached toothed bar 48, and the bar 48, is engaged by a spring-
pressed dog 49, located upon the upper end of an arm 50, projected upwards from
a shaft 51, said shaft being journaled in the uprights of the stationary frame below
the table, and operated through the medium of a lever 52, secured to one end of
the shaft and which extends beyond the outer face of an upright, as shown in
Figure 2.
From the upright through which the shaft extends, and above the shaft, a
horizontal, slotted plate 53, is located, having an upturned end in which a set
screw 54 is placed and a block 55, has movement in the slot of the plate and is
capable of being fixed at one point in the length of the slot through the medium
of an attached set screw.
The screw 54, regulates the movement of the lever 52 in one direction, and the
.block 55 limits its movement in the opposite direction. The block is so placed

page_text: with relation to the set screw 54 that at each forward throw of the lever the
box E, containing the bottles to be filled and placed upon the table 47,.is thrown
through the medium of the shaft 51 and the dog 49, a sufficient distance inward to
carry a row of bottles beneath a row of guide funnels. It is desirable that as each
row of bottles is presented to be filled by the action of the lever 52, notice of such
fact should be given to the operator, and also that the operator may determine,
without glancing at the case of bottles, what row is being filled; and further, that
when the last row of bottles is filled, the filling mechanism when lifted will remain
in a suspended position to enable the filled case of bottles to be removed and a case
of empty bottles substituted.
This is accomplished by forming slide ways 56 in the front face of one of the
uprights of the fixed frame, preferably the upright near which the shifting lever 52,
is located. In this slide way a plate 57, is located, being capable of vertical move-
ment, and it is prevented from dropping from the slide way by locating a pin 58, or
its equivalent, near the bottom of the latter. The slide-way at its inner side is cut
away to disclose one edge of the sliding plate. This edge is provided with a series
of shallow notches 59, and a deep notch 60. If the case contains four rows of
bottles three shallow notches are employed and one deep one; and if five or six
rows of bottles are contained in a case an equivalent number of notches is made in
the plate, the deep notch being at all times the lowermost notch of the set; but if
in practice it is found desirable a shallow notch 61 may be located beneath the
deeper notch 60.
A latch 62, is pivoted at its upper end upon the cross bar 12 of the fixed frame.
This latch is normally held in engagement with the plate 57, through the medium
of a spring 63. The latch is provided in its outer edge with a lip 64, and a
recess 65, below the lip, the lower end of the latch terminating in a hook-like
head 66. The latch is also provided, usually at its head, with an attached
handle 67. Upon one of the side pieces of the sliding frame, a spring-pressed
dog 68, is located, adapted for engagement with the notches in the plate 57.
In the operation of this portion of the device, after the first row of bottles has
been filled the treadle 20, is pressed, which elevates the frame B; and the lever 52,
is pressed forward to bring another row of bottles in position to be filled. When
the frame B moves upward the dog 68, enters the second shallow notch 59 in the
plate 57, and carries the said plate upward a sufficient distance to enable the lip 64
of the latch 62, to enter the first shallow notch and hold the plate in its elevated
position. This will indicate to the operator that the first row of bottles has been
filled. When the second row of bottles has been filled, the plate is again carried
upward by the dog and the latch engages with the second shallow notch. This
operation is repeated until the fourth or last row of bottles has been filled, where-
upon the dog entering the lower shallow notch 61, will carry the plate 57 upward a
sufficient distance to present the deeper notch to the lip 64 of the latch 62, and the
spring 63, acting upon the latch forces its lip into the deep notch. When the lip
enters the notch the head of the latch will engage with the bottom of the dog 68,
and the sliding frame will be held in a fixed position above the case of bottles.
After a case of empty bottles has been substituted for the case of filled bottles,
the operator places his foot upon the treadle 20 and disengages the latch from the
sliding plate, and as the frame descends the plate 57 falls also.
In connection with the flexible tubes 1 employ a bung F. This bung is made of
metal, rubber, wood or other material, and is hollow and somewhat curved. The
front face of the bung is provided with a series of holes 69, ordinarily arranged in
a circle around the center, and the various liquid supply tubes 28, are passed
through said holes and down through the bottom of the bung, which is open or is
apertured. The bung is also provided at its front face with a central aperture
into which a sleeve 70, is fitted, the said sleeve extending horizontally some distance
beyond the face of the bung. The sleeve 70, is adapted to receive the shank
section of a funnel-like structure 71, the body portion of which is closed at its end,
and is provided with a series of apertures surrounded by nipples 72, the said nipples

page_text: being each adapted to receive the end of a combined air vent and waste tube, as
hown in Figure 11.
The cask G from which the liquid is to be drawn is placed upon a suitabie
restle or other support G, at the back of the machine, and at some clevation above
the inachine, as is shown in Figures 1 and 3.
In the operation of the apparatus, a case of empty bottles is placed upon the
table 47; the lever 52, is then manipulated to carry the first row of bottles beneath
the guide funnels of the delivery section of the uprights. While this is being
accomplished the delivery section of the uprights, which is carried by the movable
frame B, is elevated; the delivery section is then permitted to descend, whereupon
the guide funnels 38, will engage with and cover the mouths of the bottles of a
row in the case. This action takes place at the first downward movement of the
frame B. Upon the further downward movement of the frame the flexible tubes pass
downward through the funnels and enter the bottles, as shown in Figure 4, and upon
the further downward movement of the frame the sealing or capping blocks 34,
subject to the tension of the springs 36, press downward upon the flexible caps or
flanges 35 of the flexible tubes and force the said flanges firmly downward against
the upper ends of the guide funnels, thus completely sealing the latter.
When this has been accomplished, the handle 27 of the rock shaft 26, is drawn
forward, and all of the flexible tubes are released from the pressure of the levers 23,
and the liquid flows from the cask G, through the tubes into the bottles. As the
bottles are filled the air therein is forced up through the smaller tubes 29,
entering said tubes at their apertures 44, and the air passes back to the cask in
which the bulk of the liquid is located. When the bottles have been filled, any
surplus liquid enters the said apertures 44 of the smaller tubes 29, and passes back
to the cask. The operator seeing the bottles are filled presses downward upon the
foot lever 20 and the frame B, is elevated. The dog 68, as the frame ascends,
engages with one of the upper notches in the sliding plate 57, causing the said
plate to rise until the upper notch receives the lip 64 of the latch 62, thus indicating
to the operator that one row of bottles has been filled.
Whatever liquid is contained in the tubes (and said tubes are full) is held in
suspension while the frame B, is elevated. Before allowing the frame B to descend
again, the lever 52, is carried forward, which will bring the second row of bottles in
The frame is then allowed to
the position formerly occupied by the first row.
descend, the levers 23, are removed from the tubes, said levers having been allowed
to depress said tubes when the frame formerly ascended, and the bottles are then
filled in the manner heretofore described. This operation is repeated until the last
row of empty bottles has been filled, at which time, upon the upward movement of
the frame B, the lip 64 of the latch 62, will enter the larger notch 60, in the
sliding plate 57, and the head of the latch will engage with the lower end of the
dog 68, and the frame B will be held in an elevated position until the filled case is
removed and an empty case has been substituted therefor. The operation of filling
an empty case is then resumed, after the latch 62, has been carried out of engage-
ment with the dog 68.
The apparatus is exceedingly simple, durable and complete in construction, and
by the use of the apparatus bottles of regular or of irregular sizes may be
When bottles of irregular sizes are
expeditiously and conveniently filled.
employed, when the smallest bottle has been filled, the levers 23, may be allowed
to compress the tubes and stop the flow of liquid; and each bottle not filled may
be completely filled by disengaging the lever controlling the supply pipes of the
particular bottles or bottle from the pipes, as the levers 23, may be independently
or collectively operated.
In starting the flow of liquid from the cask G, I preferably employ an air
bulb 74, connected with a tube 75, which is inserted in the sleeve 70 of the bung,
the funnel 71 being removable; and the flow of liquid is induced by the pressure
of the air upon the top of the liquid. The bulb and its attached tube 75, may also
be employed to force liquid from the combined air vent and waste tubes 29, by

page_text: :
inserting the pipe of the bulb into the shank of the funnel 71, which funnel may be
properly called a nozzle, as is shown in Figure 13.
It will be observed that the twin flexible tubes, as heretofore stated, are entirely
independent of the guide funnels, being capable of free movement therein; and
that the air supply is cut off from the bottles by the sealing or capping blocks
pressing downward upon flanges integral with the flexible tubes, which Hanges cap
the guide funnels.
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 a bottling apparatus, the combination, with an anvil block and flexible
tubes passed over the same, of valves located above the anvil block and adapted for
engagement with the tubes, and an actuating mechanism connected with said valves,
substantially as shown and described.
2. In a bottle filling apparatus, the combination, with an anvil block and flexible
tubes passed over the same and adapted as filling tubes, of valves located above the
anvil block and adapted for engagement with the tubes, an actuating mechanism
connected with the valves whereby the latter are released from engagement with
the tubes, and a means, substantially as shown and described, for carrying.the tubes
to and from the receptacles to be filled, as and for the purpose set forth.
3. In a bottle filling apparatus, the combination, with an anvil block and flexible
tubes passed over the same, of spring-controlled pressure valves engaging with the
flexible tubes and capable of being manipulated independently or collectively, and
means, substantially as described, for carrying the tubes to and from the receptacles
to be filled, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
4. In a bottling apparatus, the combination, with a fixed frame, a frame held
to slide in the fixed frame carrying an anvil block, and flexible tubes passed
over said anvil block, of spring-pressed levers acting as valves and adapted for
engagement with the flexible tubes, a shifting mechanism connected with the levers,
and a hoisting mechanism connected with the sliding frame, as and for the purpose
specified.
5. In a bottle filling apparatus, the combination, with a fixed frame, a table held.
to slide in said frame and adapted to carry bottles or receptacles to be filled, a
frame held to slide in the fixed frame and provided with an anvil block, flexible
tubes passed over the anvil block and leading from a cask containing liquid, and
spring-pressed levers adapted to normally engage with the tubes, of a shifting
mechanism connected with the levers, a hoisting mechanism connected with the
sliding frame, and a shifting mechanism connected with the table, substantially as
shown and described.
6. In a bottle filling apparatus, a filling tube provided with an air vent at one
side, substantially as shown and described.
7. In a bottle filling apparatus, a filling tube and an air vent and waste pipe
combined with the filling tube, the latter being provided with a vent opening at one
side, as and for the purpose specified.
8. In a bottle filling apparatus, a filling tube provided with a combined air vent
and waste tube forming an integral portion of its lower or delivery end, the lower
portion of the combined air vent and waste tube being rigid, and the said tube
being provided with an opening above its rigid portion, as and for the purpose set
forth.
9. In a bottle filling apparatus, the combination, with a cask containing liquid and
receptacles adapted to be filled with said liquid, of a filling tube connected with the
cask and adapted to enter the vessels to be filled, the said filling tube being
provided with an attached combined air vent and waste tube provided with an
opening near its lower end, whereby the air from the receptacles to be filled is
conducted back to the cask as is likewise any overflow of liquid which may occur,
as and for the purpose specified.

page_text: 10. In a bottle filling apparatus, the combination, with a frame provided with an
anvil block, levers located above the anvil block, and flexible tubes passed between
the levers and the anvil block, of movable rods carried by the frame provided with
the anvil, sealing or capping blocks held to slide upon said rods and engaging with
capping washers secured to the tubes, and guide funnels carried by the lower ends
of the rods and through which the flexible tubes loosely and independently pass, as
and for the purpose specified.
11. In a bottle filling apparatus, the combination, with a sliding frame provided
with an anvil block, valve levers located above the anvil block, flexible tubes
passed between the valve levers and the anvil block, said tubes consisting of a
filling tube having a combined air vent and waste tube constituting virtually an
integral portion thereof, and said tubes being provided with capping Hanges and an
opening in the combined air vent and waste sections, the lower ends of said
sections being preferably stiff, of rods located in pairs, carried by the sliding frame
and adapted for vertical movement, guide funnels carried by the lower ends of said
rods and through which the flexible tubes freely and independently pass, and
spring-pressed sealing or capping blocks held to slide upon the rods and having a
constant bearing against the flanges of the tubes, whereby said flanges are made to
scal the funnels, as and for the purpose specified.
12. In a bottle filling apparatus, the combination, with a fixed frame and a
sliding plate carried by said frame and provided with graduated notches in one
edge, of a sliding frame carrying filling apparatus, a dog pivoted upon the
sliding frame and adapted for engagement with the notches of the plate, and a
latch pivoted upon the fixed frame, provided with a lip adapted to enter said
notches and a head adapted to engage with the dog, whereby a registry of the
rows of bottles or receptacles filled is obtained and the filling apparatus is held
suspended when the last row of receptacles has been filled, as and for the purpose
specified.
13. In a bottle filling apparatus, a bung provided with an interior chamber and
having a series of openings in one end adapted to receive filling tubes, as and for
the purpose specified.
14. In a bottle filling apparatus, a bung having an interior chamber and a
series of openings in one face and a central sleeve opening, as and for the purpose
set forth.
15. In a bottle filling apparatus, the combination, with a bung containing an
interior chamber and provided with a series of apertures in one face preferably
circularly arranged, and a central sleeve opening, of flexible filling tubes passed
through the circularly-arranged openings, and a funnel-like receptacle entered in
the sleeve of the bung and provided with apertures with which air vent and waste
tubes are connected, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
16. In a bottle filling apparatus, the combination, with a bung provided with a
series of apertures preferably circularly arranged in one face and having a sleeve
opening, and a funnel-like receptacle the shank of which is introduced into the
sleeve opening, said funnel-like receptacle being provided with apertures, of filling
tubes having attached to a portion of their length combined air vent and waste
tubes, both of the tubes being flexible, the filling tubes being adapted to enter the
bung through the apertures around the sleeve opening, and the combined air vent
and waste tubes being connected with the funnel-like receptacle at the apertured
portion thereof, as and for the purpose specified.
Dated this 27th day of June 1891.
*icor Jun o io lvn 11 sua nav
A. M. DONALLY.
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Patent Agents.