Improvements in and relating to Screw Bottle Filling Machines.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Screw Bottle Filling Machines.
We, CHARLES THOMAS GIBBINGS of 108, Camberwell Road, S.E., Mineral Water
Manufacturer, and WALTER PHILIP BARNARD, of 66, Fenchurch Street, E.C.,
Merchant, both in the County of London, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
:-
Our invention relates to improvements in and connected with screw bottle filling
machines for bottling aerated waters and the like, which will fill bottles of any
size on one machine."
In carrying the same into effect we provide a suitable frame having apparatus
actuated by a treadle or otherwise for holding and raising the aerated water bottle
substantially as in the machines at present known. The bottle is supported upon
a block in the usual manner and is retained in place by a ring encircling the upper
part of the neck thereof so as to hold it steadily in place and admit of its being
slightly depressed in the process of filling. There is further applied to the machine
apparatus actuated by the foot or otherwise for injecting syrup or flavouring
materials into the bottle in the usual manner. The inlet for conveying the
aerated water passes preferably up from below into a swivelling head which pro-
jects to the requisite distance from the frame of the machine and is connected to
the inlet by watertight connections of any kind; those which we at present prefer
are boxes in which the swivelling head can slide to the requisite extent provided
with hydraulic leathers so as to prevent an escape of water gas or syrup at the
junctions. The swivelling head is also suitably supported above and likewise
provided with a water tight and pressure proof connecting device and the pipe
for the syrup preferably descends from above and connects to the upper part of
the swivelling head. A semi-circular or curved back plate is provided having
an angle slot in which works a roller or stud attached to the swivelling head and
passing through the frame from front to back to a counter weighted handle bar
which operates the screw stoppering device in the manner hereinafter set forth.
The swivelling head possesses a nozzle provided with a central supply tube for
the delivery of the syrup and surrounded by a second tube perforated laterally
around its closed lower end with a series of side holes. This nozzle is devised to
enter the mouth of the bottle when in position and to deliver the aerated water
sideways around the bottle so as to fill the same without splashing and without
unnecessary disturbance of the liquid, thus forcing the air out of the bottle without
mixing it with the aerated water. Means are provided whereby the mouth of
the bottle when brought into contact with the nozzle for the purpose of being
filled forms an air tight joint therewith. These means may consist of a conical
washer of indiarubber or other soft material surrounding the base of the nozzle
against which the bottle mouth is pressed forming a complete joint, or the junction
may be by means of the ordinary cup leather in general use.
When the pressure
of the bottle against the washer is sufficient it pushes up the nozzle and opens a
clear way from the aerated water tube to the interior of the bottle and the aerated
D

page_text: water rushes in and fills the bottle.
As soon as the bottle is removed from the
nozzle the same falls again and shuts off the aerated water.
The mechanism for stoppering the bottle is arranged preferably as follows:-
Vertically above the supply nozzle and the bottle holding device is adjusted a
rod arranged to move freely in two vertical bearings; to the upper part of this
rod is secured a left, handed screw upon which is a matrix connected by a pin
and slot to a counter weighted lever handle. At the lower end of the bar means
are provided for holding the screw stopper. The apparatus is operated as follows:-
The bottle having been placed upon the holder the treadle or its equivalent is
depressed and the bottle consequently lifted and pressed against the nozzle; this
pressure causes the nozzle to lift until the aerated water tube can discharge in to
the bottle, the requisite amount of syrup being previously injected. When the
bottle is sufficiently filled the counterweighted lever is pulled down. The first
effect of this motion is to depress the bottle because of the connection between a
slotted crank mechanism placed at the back of the frame and connected by a lever
to, the back plate of the machine and having a cam which comes in contact with
a wheel pivoted on a pin secured to the treadle rod. The moment the bottle has
been sufficiently depressed, the continued motion of the counterweighted handle
causes the swivelling head to be pushed aside by means of the slot and roller in
the back plate, it also causes the vertical rod bearing the screw stopper to descend.
As the rod moves freely in its bearings the screw matrix descends with the left
hand screw until the screw stopper enters the bottle mouth and resists the further
downward motion of the rod; the pressure on the counterweighted lever then
causes the lefthanded screw to revolve in its matrix revolving the rod and the
stopper which is thus screwed into its place. As soon as the stopper is securely
screwed into the bottle the handle is released and the counterweight impels it back
to its original position, carrying the stoppering rod with it and restores the other
mechanism to its original position. The bottle is then removed from the appara-
tus, an empty bottle put in place and the operation repeated. The apparatus
hitherto constructed by us has been adapted for hand manipulation but the inven-
tion can be adapted to machines of any size actuated by motive power of any kind,
certain detail modifications being made in the organs to adapt them to the specific
purpose.
FINAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Screw Bottle Filling Machines.
We, CHARLES THOMAS GIBBINGS, of 108, Camberwell Road, S.E., Mineral Water
Manufacturer, and WALTER PHILIP BARNARD, of 66, Fenchurch Street, E.C.,
Merchant, both in the County of London, 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:-
Our invention relates to improvements in and connected with screw bottle filling
machines for bottling aerated waters and the like.
The improved machine of our invention will fill bottles of any size (within
practicable limits) on one and the same machine.
The machine comprises the following main parts, namely
1. A frame, similar to that of the machines hitherto in use;
2. A treadle mechanism for raising the bottle into position for filling;

page_text: that as Qtravels along it the bottle is gradually raised correspondingly. The
swivelling head D shewn in position for filling will be understood more clearly
by reference to the enlarged scale section Fig. 5 and plan Fig. 6. A is a portion
of the main frame work, M' the slot in same for the arm of D to pass through,
D¹ the swivelling portion of the head turning in top and bottom bearings Da
and 13, secured in position by nuts D4 and D. Suitable top and bottom leather
washers D6 and 17 are provided to prevent any leakage from the carbonated water
under pressure. 18 is a one-way valve, W is the water inlet, S the syrup inlet,
and T the passage leading to the snifting valve E. All three passages communicate
with the filling nozzle D one form of which is shewn in position in Fig. 5, another
form suitable for soda water being shewn separate and on a larger scale in Fig. 7.
The nozzle as shewn in Figure 7 is held in place by the ring d through which
slides the tube d¹ closed at one end 2, said end being pierced by holes d³. Its
other end is closed by a disc d provided with a leather washer d, the disc d being
held in position by a rod de passing down through the hollow tube d¹ and securely
screwed into the closed end. The top of the tube has holes d arranged
around it. A collar 8 is secured to the tube d', and is a washer to prevent
leakage when the collar 8 is pressed up against d, whilst 10 is a rubber washer
against which the orifice of the bottle to be filled is pressed.
: Fig. 8 shews a filling valve surrounding the bottle mouth, instead of entering it.
The operation of the valve is as follows:-When the neck of the bottle is
pressed against the seating d the parts of the valve will be in the position shewn
in Fig. 7, and remain thus until the pressure is removed, water and syrup passing
in through the holes d round the top of the valve down the tube and into the
bottle through the holes d. When however the pressure is withdrawn, the force
of the water acting upon the head of the valve d automatically closes it, and
prevents leakage of carbonated water.
The operation of the machine is as follows:-The bottle having been placed
upon the bottle block 137 the foot lever B is depressed and the bottle consequently
lifted and pressed against the rubber washer 10 of the nozzle D).
At the same
time the bracket 136 upon the rod 133 compresses the spring C+ against the collar C³
and raises the syrup plunger sufficiently to force a measured quantity of syrup
into the bottle through the syrup pipe C. At the back of the machine the pin Q
has been raised together with the rod B, because it is secured to it. The handle H³
is then slightly lowered, turning the cam plate P until the cam ridge P³ engages
with the pin Q. The hand and foot can then be taken away from the levers H
and respectively and the bottle will be held rigidly in position whilst it is
being filled. The handle E¹ (Fig. 4) of the "snifting" and water valve is then
manipulated until the bottle has been filled. When this has been done the
handle H is again lowered, actuating the grooved cam plate M, which turns the
filling nozzle D into the position shewn in dotted lines in Fig. 6. The rod G
meanwhile descends bringing with it the bottle stopper held in the socket G2.
the rod G moves freely in its bearings the screw matrix G descends with the
left-hand screw G³ until the screw stopper enters the bottle mouth and resists the
further downward motion of the rod; the pressure on the counterweighted lever H
then causes the left handed screw to revolve in its matrix G+, revolving the rod G
and the bottle stopper held thereby which is thus screwed in its place. As soon
as the stopper is securely screwed into the bottle the handle H2 is released and
the counterweight H³ impels the lever H back to its original position, carrying
the stoppering rod with it and restoring the other mechanism to its original
position. The bottle is then removed from the apparatus, an empty bottle sub-
stituted and the operation repeated.
As
A shield (not shewn) partly encircling the nozzle D is provided to prevent any
water which may leak through the joints or connections whilst filling, from being
squirted upon the operator.
The apparatus above described is adapted to work as a hand machine but the

page_text: 3. A filling head with suitable, organs and connections for injecting the aerated
vater syrup, flavour, or the like into the bottle under pressure and admitting of
he escape of air;
the filling and screw Stoppering of the bottle,
5. Means for keeping the bottle in place during the filling without continued
ressure upon the treadle and lever mechanisms. The above parts are connected
ogether and operate in the manner hereinafter described. In order that our
nvention may be clearly understood we will proceed to explain the same as con-
tructed in one modification, and with reference to the accompanying drawings,
n which;
1
new stoppering of the bottl
5. Means for keeping the bottle in place during the filling without continued
pressure upon the treadle and lever mechanisms. The above parts are connected
ogether and operate in the manner hereinafter described. In order that our
invention may be clearly understood we will proceed to explain the same as con-
structed in one modification, and with reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which;
Figure 1 shows a front elevation.
Figure 2 a back elevation.
Figure 3 another position of the cam mechanism.
Figure 4 a detail to be described.
Figure 5 a section of revolving bottle filling head taken on the line 1-2
Figure 6.
Figure 6 a plan of the filling head, and
Figure 7 a detail drawing of one form of filling valve.
Fig. 8 another form of filling valve.
The apparatus comprises a suitable frame work A. Pivoted at B₁ is a foot
lever B which upon being depressed by the foot, transmits motion through a
connecting link 132 to the rod 133, guided in suitable bearings 13 and 15. Upon
the upper end of this rod B3 is placed the bottle block 137 secured in such a manner
as to prevent its rotation on said end. The top of this block has a pad of leather
or some roughened substance to prevent the bottle when placed upon it from
turning. Attached to the rod 133, but capable of adjustment is a bracket arm B6
with an oval hole B8 through which passes the syrup pump plunger rod C bearing
a counterweight C adjustable with regard to spiral spring C+.
C is a syrup pump
of ordinary construction as used in aerated water bottling machinery. Below the
syrup pump is a collar Co to regulate the supply of syrup by varying the stroke
of the pump.
The pipe C supplies the syrup to the swivelling head D. E is a
combined "snifting" and carbonated water supply valve operated by the handle E
(Figure 4), one valve of which allows the compressed air accumulated in the top
of the bottle during the process of filling to pass out. The other valve controls
the supply of carbonated water through the pipe F to the lower portion of the
swivelling head D. Vertically above the rod 133 and sliding in two vertical
bearings G G is a rod G. The upper part of this rod G is provided with a left
handed screw G3 over which passes a matrix G' actuated by a lever H hereinafter
described. At the lower end of the rod G a socket G2 is provided for holding the
screw stopper. The lever H is forked at H¹, and pivotally secured between it
is the matrix G. The lever is also capable of a sliding motion in the boss I which
turns on an axis K in bearings in the bracket J. One end of the lever has a
handle H2 and the other end is provided with a counter-poise H3 to bring the
various parts of the machine back to their normal position after the filling and
stoppering has taken place, that is into the position shewn in Fig. 1. Keyed to
the axis K is an arm L which operates the cam plate M through the link L'.
The cam plate M has a cam groove M¹ which turns the operating arm II of the
swivelling head D. Said arm I¹ passes through a slot D2 in the main framing A
of the machine. The arm L also actuates a cam P through link L', sliding cam-
plate M, link N, arm 0, to cam plate P which turns upon an axis P¹ (Fig. 2).
The aforesaid cam plate P has a ridge P2 at its lower portion. When the foot
lever B is pressed down, it raises the roller pin Q attached to the rod B³, whereupon
by bringing down the handle H³ the cam plate P is moved through a distance
sufficient for the pin Q to be caught by the projecting ridge P2 and the parts.
are then locked in the position shewn in Figure 3. The position thus assumed
by the parts allows the bottle to be held up under the filling valve. The said
ridge P2 is eccentric with relation to the pivot P₁ (as shewn in the drawing) so

page_text: invention may obviously be constructed to be operated by steam or other motive
power without departing in any way from the principle thereof.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. In a screw bottling machine for aerated waters and the like the device for
maintaining the bottle pressed against the nozzle during the filling after the
release of the filling lever and lifting treadle substantially as described and shewn
in the accompanying drawings.
2. In a screw bottling machine for aerated waters and the like, the stoppering
apparatus consisting essentially of a rod moving freely in bearings, and having a
left-handed screw attached to it, said screw working in a matrix pivotally secured
in a forked lever having a sliding motion, constructed and operating substantially
as described.
3. In a screw bottling machine for aerated waters and the like, the means for
adjusting and displacing the swivelling head, substantially as described.
4. In a screw bottling machine for aerated waters and the like, the improved
valve opened by the pressure of the bottle against it, and closing automatically
under the pressure of the water on the removal of the bottle substantially as
described and shewn in Figures 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.
5. The improved machine for screw bottling aerated waters and the like con-
structed and operating substantially as described.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,·
Patent Agents for the Applicants,
Of London, Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham.