Improvements in Bottling Apparatus.
Year: 1896

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Bottling Apparatus.
I, ALVIN JAMES DONALLY, of No. 86 Franklin Avenue, Passaic, in the County
of Passaic, and State of New Jersey, United States of America, Warehouseman
and Banker, 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 particularly to the bottling of beer and ale, but is
generally applicable to the bottling or transfer from one vessel or receptacle to
others, of other liquide. It is highly desirable in the bottling of various liquids,
and more especially in the bottling of ale and beer, to maintain gas or air pressure
on the liquid, both for the purpose of retaining the gas of the liquid in solution
and for the purpose of effecting the delivery of the liquid into the bottles under
a steady pressure so that there may not be any material variation in the rate of
flow, and it is also desirable to keep the liquid as far as possible from exposure to
the air of the place where the bottling is carried on. It is of course desirable also
to prevent the waste of the liquid which frequently occurs through the filling of
the bottles to overflowing. Some of these objects, have been attained in part
hitherto, but so far as I am aware, no apparatus has been devised as yet which will
enable all of these objects to be obtained in a satisfactory manner. Thus, it has
been sought to maintain the pressure on the liquid and to prevent the waste of
liquid by providing in addition to the filling tube, a second tube which returns or
conducts to the barrel or other supply vessel the air displaced from the bottle, but
this alone is not altogether satisfactory. It has also been proposed to maintain the
required pressure of carbonic acid gas in the keg or barrel in which the liquid is
delivered to the bottler; this is possible sometimes, but in some cases it happens
that the keg or barrel is not capable of standing the gas pressure which is necessary
to force the liquid into the bottles. I have sought to provide in the first place for
the separation in large part of the air displaced in the bottles from whatever
overflow of liquid there may be, and for the escape of the air from the apparatus
and the return of the liquid to the supply vessel; I have sought also to provide
for the admission of gas to the supply vessel without interference with the escape
of the air and the return of the overflow. Furthermore, I have sought to provide
for the handling of the liquid under gas pressure in the manner already referred
to in cases where the original keg or barrel is not calculated to withstand gas
pressure and the liquid can be drawn therefrom only by gravity. I will proceed
to describe hereinafter certain convenient and practical forms of apparatus in
which my invention is embodied, with reference to the accompanying drawings
in which such forms of apparatus are illustrated, but it will be understood that the
invention may be embodied in other forms of apparatus than those shown and
described herein.
In the drawings,-
Figure 1 is a rear view of a complete bottling apparatus to which my improvements
are applied, the said apparatus being adapted for use in connection with kegs or
barrels which are not adapted themselves to withstand the gas pressure necessary
to force the liquid into the bottles ;
Figure 2 is a view of the same, partly in side elevation and partly in vertical
section;
Figure 3 is a detail view in section to illustrate the relation of the filling and
return tubes to the bottle in the apparatus chosen for illustration;

page_text: Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 are detail views in section, of parts of the
apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2, Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 being on a larger
scale than Figure' 4;
Figure 11 is a side view of a bottling apparatus of the same kind as that shown
in Figures 1 and 2, but adapted for use in connection with a keg or barrel which
is capable of withstanding gas pressure, so that the intermediate tanks shown in
Figures 1 and 2 can be dispensed with.
I shall herein describe my improvements as applied to a bottling machine of
the general character of that shown in Specification for Letters Patent of Great
Britain to Melvin Donally, No. 5,234, of 1893, to which reference may be made
for a detailed description and illustration of the bottling machine. For the
purposes of this case it will be sufficient to refer briefly herein to some of the main
features of the machine. The base A of the machine is provided with standards 10
between which a frame or carrier B is adapted to reciprocate, carrying head
blocks 15, each of which is provided with a vertical central recess for the reception
of a filling tube D. The latter pass rearward under a cross bar or rod 12 of the
frame B and are connected to the supply vessel as described hereinafter.
The frame or carrier B is adapted to be raised and lowered by the operator, with
the assistance of devices not necessary to be described herein, for the purpose of
presenting the filling tubes to the bottles and of withdrawing them therefrom.
A series of cut-offs or compressors 29 are pivoted upon à rod 30, each being formed
as a plate, bent as clearly shown in Figure 2, and slotted centrally for a portion of
its length to receive the corresponding tube D which is normally pinched between
the compressor and the fixed rod 12 by a stout spring 32 so as to prevent the flow
of liquid through the tube. Means are provided to operate all of the compressors
simultaneously, so that when the movable frame is at its lowest point and the filling
tubes are inserted in the bottles, the compressors shall be caused to relcase the
tubes and permit the liquid to flow through the pipes. Rods 42, forming a frame
which carries the corresponding tube D and the cap or stopper 43, are so supported
by the head blocks 15 as to introduce the ends of the filling tubes into the bottles
and to form tight joints about the mouths thereof as the frame B moves downward,
and to withdraw them from the bottles as said frame moves upward. An air vent
and overflow delivery tube 44 is carried with each filling tube D and enters but
slightly within the mouth of the bottle. All of these parts thus far referred to
operate in substantially the same manner as the like parts in the machine described
in the specification before referred to and for convenience they have been designated
by the same reference characters as in said specification. I will now proceed to
describe the additional features with which my invention is more particularly
concerned.
In the construction illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 and in that illustrated in
Figure 11 also, the several vent and overflow tubes 44, if there are more than one,
are connected to a common header 70, which is connected in turn by the single
tube 71, through a check valve 72, with a pump cylinder 73, (Figure 4) preferably
near the upper end thereof. Said pump cylinder is supported by a bracket 74
which is carried by the movable frame B. The piston 75, which fits preferably
somewhat loosely within the cylinder 73, is carried by a rod 76, which is secured
to a bracket 77 mounted upon the fixed frame of the machine so that, in the
construction shown, the cylinder reciprocates while the piston is stationary.
Hence, when the frame B is at its lowest point and the liquid is flowing into the
bottles and the air is being displaced therefrom, the piston 75 is at the highest
point in the cylinder, above the connection of the tube 71 therewith, so that the
displaced air, and whatever overflow of liquid or foam may be carried along with
it, pass into the pump cylinder 73; the liquid accumulates in the bottom of the
cylinder while the air, separating therefrom, passes out through a relief valve 78
(Figure 5) which is provided for the purpose. As the cylinder moves upward
with the frame B, the air therein passes by the loosely fitting piston 75, but when
the cylinder approaches its highest point, so that the piston is in contact with the

page_text: denser fluid in the lower portion of the cylinder, the packing of the piston is at once
expanded to have a snugger fit within the cylinder and the liquid which has
accumulated in the lower portion of the cylinder is forced out through the check
valve 79 (Figure 6). A tube 80 serves to conduct the liquid from the pump thus
arranged to the supply vessel and in order that the proper pressure of gas or air
may be maintained in the supply vessel for the purpose of forcing the liquid to the
filling tube, a connection 81 is provided, preferably between the supply vessel and
the pump, so that gas or air can be supplied from an ordinary gas cylinder 82, or
other suitable source of supply, the check valve 79 serving to prevent the gas from
passing back through the conductor formed by the pump 73 and the tube 71.
The several filling tubes D are preferably connected to a common header 83 to
which the liquid is delivered from the supply vessel through a tube 84. If the
keg or barrel or other original package in which is contained the liquid to be
bottled, is capable of withstanding the necessary gas or air pressure, the tubes 80
and 84 may be connected directly therewith as shown in Figure 11, the flow of the
liquid being maintained by the pressure of the gas or air which is admitted to the
vessel through the tube 80. When the original keg or barrel is not capable of
withstanding the necessary gas or air pressure, or when, for any other reason, it is
not convenient or desirable to draw directly from the original package, the
apparatus is provided with the additional features of improvement shown in
Figures 1 and 2 and, in detail, in Figures 7, 8, 9 and 10. In the construction
there shown, two tanks 85, closed to the external air and of suitable size, are
represented as connected, through a suitable connection 86, with a common
header 87, to which several barrels or kegs may be connected, it being supposed
that the latter are placed so that the liquid will run from them by gravity. The
tanks are also connected through a connection piece 88, with the tube 84 through
which liquid is conducted to the filling tubes. Furthermore, the tube 80 also
communicates with the tanks 85 through a connection 89, both for the purpose of
returning to said supply tanks the overflow liquid and for the purpose of permitting
the gas or air pressure to be supplied from the connection at 81 to said tank, each
branch of the connection piece 89 being provided with a floating check valve 89*
(Figure 10) which will permit gas to pass backward but not liquid. A three-way
valve 90 (Figure 8) is located in the connection piece 86 for the purpose of
enabling either one of the tanks 85 to be connected at will with the common
header 87, the spindle of said valve having an arm 91. In the connection piece 88
is a similar, but oppositely disposed three-way valve 92 (Figure .9) its spindle
having an arm 93. A four-way valve 94 (Figure 7) is located in the connection 89
and is adapted to connect the tube 80 alternately with the branches of said
connection 89 and at the same time to connect the other branch with a blow-off 95,
the spindle of this valve also having an arm 96. By means of links 97 and 98 the
three valves 90, 92 and 94 are coupled to the lever 99 which is mounted upon
the frame of the machine in a convenient position to be operated. The operation
of this part of my invention will be readily understood. When the valves are in the
positions represented in the drawings, the right hand supply vessel 85 is in communi-
cation both with the tube 84 and with the gas or air supply through the tube 80
and is cut off from the header 87. The liquid in the right hand supply vessel will
therefore be forced through the tube 84 to the filling tubes. At the same time the
left hand supply vessel 85 is in communication with the header 87, so that the
liquid may flow into the same from the kegs or barrels, and is also in communi-
cation with the blow-off 95 through the valve 94, so that the gas in said left hand
supply vessel may find escape as it is displaced by the inflowing liquid. As soon
as the supply of liquid in the right band vessel 85 is exhausted or nearly so, the
operator reverses the valves by means of the lever 99, connecting the left hand.
tank 85 with the filling tubes and the gas or air supply and the right hand tank 85
with the kegs or barrels. In this manner the supply of liquid to the filling tubes.
is constantly maintained without contact of the liquid with the atmosphere in the
place where the bottling is carried on, and all of the overflow liquid is returned

page_text: immediately to the supply vessel after separation from the air displaced from the
bottles. Furthermore, any desired pressure may be applied to the liquid in the
supply vessels 85 without regard to the condition of the kegs or barrels from
which the liquid is drawn.
It will be understood, of course, that I do not intend to limit my invention to the
precise construction and relation of parts which I have shown and described
herein, but that the same may be varied to suit different conditions of use and
different styles of bottling machines without departing from the spirit of my
invention.
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 of a closed supply vessel, a conductor
to deliver liquid therefrom to the bottle to be filled, a second conductor to conduct
air and overflow of liquid from the bottle to said vessel, a connection in said second
conductor to a supply of gas or air under pressure and a check valve interposed in
said second conductor to prevent the flow of gas or air backward through the same,
substantially as shown and described.
2. In a bottling apparatus, the combination of a closed supply vessel, a conductor
to deliver liquid therefrom to the bottle to be filled, a second conductor to conduct
air and overflow of liquid from the bottle to said vessel, a pump interposed in said
second conductor to facilitate the return of liquid to said vessel, and a connection
in said second conductor, between said pump and said vessel, to a supply of gas
or air under pressure, substantially as shown and described.
3. In a bottling apparatus, the combination of a closed supply vessel, a conductor
and a filling tube to deliver liquid therefrom to the bottle to be filled, means to
present said filling tube to the bottle to be filled, a second tube presented with said
filling tube to the bottle, a pump connected to said filling tube, a conductor to
deliver liquid from said pump to said vessel, and a connection in said last named
conductor, between said pump and said vessel, to a supply of gas or air under
pressure, substantially as shown and described.
4. In a bottling apparatus, the combination of a closed supply vessel, a conductor
and a filling tube to deliver liquid therefrom to the bottle to be filled, a
reciprocating carrier to present the filling tube to the bottle to be filled, a second
tube presented with said filling tube to the bottle, a pump connected to said second
tube and operated by said carrier, a conductor to deliver liquid from said pump to
said vessel and a connection in said last named conductor, between said pump and
Eaid vessel, to a supply of gas or air under pressure, substantially as shown and
described.
5. In a bottling apparatus, the combination of a closed supply vessel, a conductor
to deliver liquid therefrom to the bottle to be filled, a second conductor to conduct
air and overflow of liquid from the bottle, a pump to which said second conductor
is connected, a relief valve to permit the escape of air from said pump and a tube
to deliver liquid from said pump to said vessel, substantially as shown and
described.
6. In a bottling apparatus, the combination of a closed supply vessel, a conductor
to deliver liquid therefrom to the bottle to be filled, a tube to conduct displaced
air and overflow of liquid from said bottle, a pump to which said tube is connected
and in which the air is separated from the liquid, a relief valve for the escape of
air from said pump, a tube to conduct liquid from said pump to said vessel and a
connection in said last named tube to a gas or air supply, substantially as shown
and described.
7. In a bottling apparatus, the combination of a closed supply vessel, a conductor
to deliver liquid therefrom to the bottle to be filled, a tube to conduct displaced
air and overflow of liquid from said bottle, a pump to which said tube is connected
and in which the air is separated from the liquid, a relief valve for the escape of

page_text: air from said pump, a tube to conduct liquid from said pump to said vessel, a
connection in said last named tube to a gas or air supply, and a check valve iu
said tube between said connection and said pump, substantially as shown and
described.
8. In a bottling apparatus, the combination of a closed supply vessel, a conductor
to deliver liquid therefrom to the bottle to be filled, a tube to conduct displaced
air and overflow of liquid from said bottle, a pump to which said tube is connected
at its upper end, a relief valve at the upper end of said pump for the escape of air,.
a tube to conduct liquid from the lower end of said pump to said vessel, and a
connection in said last named tube to a gas or air supply, substantially as shown.
and described.
9. In a bottling apparatus, the combination of two closed supply vessels, a filling
tube, means to connect either one of said vessels to said filling tube, means to
connect either one of said vessels to a keg or barrel while the other is connected to-
the filling tube aud means to apply gas or air pressure to either one of said vessels
to force the liquid therefrom to the filling tube while the other is connected to the-
keg or barrel, substantially as shown and described.
10. In a bottling apparatus, the combination of two supply vessels, a connection
whereby liquid may be delivered to said vessels from a keg or barrel, a three-way
valve to control the delivery of the liquid to one or the other of said tanks, a filling.
tube, a connection whereby the liquid may be delivered from said vessels to said
filling tube, a three-way valve to control the delivery of liquid from one or the
other of said vessels to said filling tube, means to operate said valve whereby one
is closed to one vessel as the other is opened to the same vessel and means to apply
gas or air pressure to either one of said vessels as it is connected to the filling tube,
substantially as shown and described.
11. In a bottling apparatus, the combination of two vessels, a connection whereby
liquid may be delivered to said vessels from a keg or barrel, a valve to control the
delivery of the liquid to one or the other of said vessels, a filling tube, a connection
whereby the liquid may be delivered from said vessels to said filling tube, a valve-
to control the delivery of liquid from one or the other of said vessels to said filling
tube, a gas or air supply, a connection whereby gas or air may be delivered to said
vessels from said gas or air supply, a valve to control the delivery of gas or air to
one or the other of said vessels from said gas supply, and means to operate said
valves whereby one of said vessels is connected to the filling tube and the gas or
air supply as the other is connected to the keg or barrel, substantially as shown
and described.
12. In a bottling apparatus, the combination of two vessels, a connection whereby
liquid may be delivered to said vessels from a keg or barrel, a valve to control the
delivery of the liquid to one or the other of said vessels, a filling tube, a connection
whereby the liquid may be delivered from said vessels to said filling tube, a valve
to control the delivery of liquid from one or the other of said vessels to said filling
tube, a tube to return the overflow of liquid to said vessels, a valve to control the
delivery of the overflow of liquid to one or the other of said vessels, means to
operate said valve whereby one of said vessels is connected to the filling tube as
the other of said vessels is connected to the keg or barrel and to the overflow
delivery tube, and means to apply gas or air pressure to said vessels as each is
connected to the filling tube, substantially as shown and described.
Dated 26th October 1906
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
55 Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agent.