Improvements in or relating to Machines for Filling Barrels or other Receptacles with Liquids.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Oct., 1896-Accepted, 24th July, 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Machines for Filling Barrels or
other Receptacles with Liquids.
[A communication from HENRY A. WHITE of 7208 Sherman Street, Chicago,
Cook County, State of Illinois, United States of America, and ROYAL C.
WHITE of Geneseo, Henry County Illinois aforesaid.]
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 111 Hatton Garden, in the County of Middlesex,
Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to improvement in machines for filling barrels, or other
packages, with liquids, and more especially in machines or apparatus for use in
breweries for filling barrels or kegs with beer.
The object is to provide apparatus, of generally improved construction, which
shall operate to fill packages without exposing the liquid during any part of the
operation to the surrounding atmosphere, thus avoiding waste either of the liquid
or gaseous contents thereof, when present; which shall prevent foaming of beer,
or other charged liquids, while being poured into the package, and thus permit
the package to be thoroughly filled; and which shall, furthermore, be compara-
tively quick and, to a large extent, automatic in its operation, and of a particularly
mechanical and durable construction.
In the drawings-
Figure 1 is a front elevation of the improved apparatus with certain parts
broken away; Figure 2, a broken sectional detail view, on a larger scale than
Figure 1, of a cylinder and a cylindrical piston therein carrying a filling-tube
and a plunger or bung-driver, the parts being shown in one position, and the
section being taken on line 2 of Figure 6, viewed in the direction of the arrow;
Figure 3, a broken sectional detail view of the cylinder and certain attendant
parts, the section being taken on line 3 of Figure 15 in the direction of the arrow;
Figure 4, an enlarged broken sectional view of the carrier-piston and lower end of
the filling-tube, taken on line 4 of Figure 15, and showing the filling-tube valve
closed; Figure 4", a view the same, substantially as Figure 4, but showing the
valve open; Figure 5, a view of the same nature as Figure 2 and showing the
moving parts in another position; Figure 6, a plan section taken on the crooked
line 6 of Figure 1 and enlarged; Figure 7, a plan section of the cylinder and an
air-chest, with the carrier-piston in place, the section being taken on line 7 of
Figures 3 or 19; Figure 8, a view, partly in elevation with parts broken away,
and partly in section, taken on lines S-8 in Figure 6 showing the bung or stopper
driving-mechanism; Figure 9, a broken section taken on line 9 of Figure 8;
Figure 10, a plan section taken on line 10 of Figure 8, and showing certain details
only; Figure 11, an enlarged perspective view of a wedge-block; Figures 12 and 13
enlarged and broken perspective views of details of construction; Figure 14, an
enlarged section taken on line 14 of Figure 10, showing a spring-catch detail;
Figure 15, a broken section taken on line 15 of Figure 6 and showing the filling tube
and its raising and lowering means; Figure 16, a broken section taken on line 16 of

page_text: Figure 6, corresponding with the two lines 16-16 in Figure 15; Figure 17, a
plan section taken on line 17 of Figure 15; Figure 18, a broken section taken
on line 18 of Figure 5; Figure 19, a broken section taken on line 19 of Figure 5;
Figure 20, a bottom plan view of the cylindrical carrier-piston; Figure 21, a
broken section taken on line 21 of Figure 6; Figure 22, a bottom plan view of the
platform which supports the apparatus; Figures 23 and 24 sections taken, respec-
tively, on lines 23 and 24 of Figure 22; Figure 25, an enlarged broken section
taken on line 25 of Figure 22; and Figure 20, a broken section taken on line 26
of Figure 25.
A is a platform, from the four corner-portions of which rise hollow supporting
columns or tubes A¹. As shown in Figure 21 the tubes A¹ are screwed into cup-
shaped sockets t in the platform A, and are closed at their tops with screw-caps s.
The tubes A afford cylinders and are provided between their ends with vertical
slots s. X (Figure 1) is a compressed air-supply pipe. Most breweries have an
air-compressor which supplies compressed air for various purposes, such as back-
pressure bunging, and in the present instance the pipe X would communicate
with such a compressor, or compressed air reservoir, to convey air to the apparatus
under a pressure of from 10 to 15 pounds to the square inch. Extending from the
nipe X is a branch-pipe X', (see Figure 22) communicating with a valve-
chamber A2 at the center and under side of the platform A (see Figures 25 and 26).
In opposite sides of the chamber A3, in the direction longitudinally of the plat-
form, are ports communicating with pipes s, which, through branch-pipes or
passages, communicate with the lower ends of the columns A¹. In opposite
sides of the chamber A3, in the direction transversely of the platform, are ports
communicating with pipes shaving branch-pipes.5. The branch-pipes
communicate with vertical pipes s6, (see Figure 1) which extend parallel with the
columns A and enter the latter at their upper ends. In each column or cylin-
der A¹ is a vertically movable supporting-piston or piston-mechanism comprising
a rod s provided at its upper end, above the slot s', with a piston 8, and at its lower
end, below the slot s¹, with a piston s. In the chamber A3 is a rotary valve $10
on a stem s which extends through a stuffing-box in the lower end of the shell
of the chamber A2, as shown in Figure 25. Surrounding the stems, and con-
fined between the base of the chamber and under side of the valve so, is a spring $12
which tends to press the valve against the upper side of the chamber and maintain
a space below the valve. In opposite sides of the valve-chamber A2, in the
position shown in Figure 26, are exhaust ports 14 14. In the valve are four
passages 15 extending from the chamber, at the under side of the valve, into
position to register alternately, as the valve is turned, with the ports or pipes ;
and the valve is also provided with passages 16 adapted to register alternately with
the pipes ss, and bring about communication between them and the adjacent
exhaust ports 14. On the stem of the valve is a crank 17 connected by means
of a rod 18 and bell-crank lever 819 with an operating lever 520, (see Figure 24)
which may be raised and lowered in a guide on the platform. Connected with
the rods are brackets or cross-heads B which support the filling and bung-
driving apparatus, hereinafter described. The ends of the brackets slide in the
slots of the columns, and on the brackets are bracing or steadying arms B' which
slide upon the outer surfaces of the columns.
When the operating lever 20 is lowered to the position shown in Figures 1 and
24, the valve is turned to the position shown in Figures 25 and 26, causing com-
pressed air from the supply-pipe X to pass into the pipes and branch-pipe
to the lower ends of the cylinders or columns A, whereby 'the sup-
porting-pistons are raised until the brackets B strike the upper ends
of the slots, to sustain the parts in the elevated position shown in
Figure 1. As air is forced into the lower ends of the columns A¹, the
air above the pistons 8 vents, through the pipes s6 5s and passages $16, out at the
ports 14
When the lever 20 is raised to the top of the guides, the valve o is
turned to move supply-passages $15 into coincidence with the ports or passages,

page_text: and cause the passages to open communication between the ports or pipes .
and outlets s. This operation causes the air in the columns below the pistons
to escape, and compressed air to enter through the pipes sss to the columns
above the pistons. As air is vented from beneath the pistons, the brackets B,
and parts carried thereby, descend toward or to the lower ends of the slots s¹;
and the air forced into the tops of the columns will hold the parts down under
pressure.
Mounted upon the supporting brackets B is a shell or casing C containing two.
parallel chambers, one of which affords a compressed-air chest C and the other a
piston-cylinder C. At one end of the air-chest C is a pipe or hollow projection r.
which is coupled to a hose r extending from a branch of the air supply-pipe X.
The flexible hose-connection is provided to permit raising and lowering of the
shell C without obstruction therefrom. Cored in the shell C is a passage C³, which,
at one end, terminates in a port 7 at one end of the piston-chamber C3; and at its
opposite end terminates at a port q in a seat in a valve-chamber C' on the shell.
In the seat 2 is a port opening into the piston-chamber C, at the end thereof
opposite the port and in the seat between the ports gq is an exhaust
port Extending from the air-chest C₁ to the upper side of the valve-chamber
is a pipe . In the valve-chamber, and sliding upon the seat g², is a valve q
having a stem g6 which works through a stuffing-box in the end of the chamber
and is connected with an operating handle g7, fulcrumed at 4, upon the shell.
in the upper side of the piston-chamber C3 is a longitudinally extending slot Co.
Sliding in the chamber is a cylindrical piston or carrier C. On the under
side of the shell, below the piston-cylinder, and extending longitudinally thereof,
is a projection C presenting a flat bearing surface. At the center of the under
side of the cylinder is a vertical opening C, surrounded at its lower end by a pre-
ferably rubber ring or seal Co.
C
Extending through the carrier-piston Care vertical guide-openings ? plin
the upper ends of which are fastened guide-sleeves p³, respectively, which pro-
ject through the slot C. The lower end of the opening p is slightly enlarged to:
produce a chamber. When the piston C7 is moved to cause the sleeve ³ to con-
tact with the end of the slot C (the position shown in Figure 2) the opening p
registers exactly with the opening C; and when the piston is moved to the position
wherein the sleeve 22 contacts with the opposite end of the slot C, as in Figure 5,
the opening 2, at its chambered portion 7, registers exactly with the opening (".
Fastened rigidly upon the sleeve 22 is a frame D, comprising a base-plate n,
having a central opening to receive the said sleeve, and four standards n¹² n³n,
respectively. D is a plunger or bung-driving pin, working through a stuffing-
box 25 at the top of the sleeve p³ and through the said sleeve and the opening p.
The upper end portion of the plunger D is provided on opposite sides with teeth
affording racks m m. Fastened upon the tops of the standards is a vertical cylin-
der or piston-chamber D2, closed at its upper end, and containing a piston D³ on a
vertical stem D which works through a stuffing-box in the lower end of the
cylinder. On the side of the cylinder D is a valve-chamber D containing a valve-
seat provided with ports leading to the upper and lower ends, respectively, of
the cylinder, and an intermediate exhaust port 12. In the chamber I is a slide-
valve 13 on a downwardly extending stem which works through a stuffing-box
in the lower end of the said chamber. In the outer side of the chamber D³ is an
inlet port communicating with an air-supply pipe which extends thereto from
the pipe C. Movement of the valve 3, as hereinafter described, upward to the
position shown in Figure 9, causes compressed air to enter the cylinder D through
the port ', and an exhaust to take place through the ports 12, whereby the
piston D3 and its stem D' are raised to the position shown in Figures 8 and 9;
while downward movement of the valve causes compressed air to enter above the
piston and the lower end of the cylinder to exhaust, whereby the piston and its
stem are lowered. De is toggle-mechanism, comprising links m pivotally con-
nected at their upper ends to the stem 1) and at their lower ends to the long arms

page_text: At one
of levers m³. The levers m are fulcrumed between their ends upon pins 'mit
fastened to the standards, and the ends of their short arms are formed into seg-
mental, toothed gears, which anesh with the racks m. The toggle-mechanism
operates to raise the plunger 1 when the piston D³ descends, and to drive the
plunger downward when the said piston rises. 17 is an operating lever for the
slide-valve, pivotally connected with the lower end of the stem or rod 1.
side of the rod the lever extends through a vertical guide-loop n, on the stan-
daril n', beyond which it carries a handle ; and at the opposite side of said rod,
the lever is pivotally secured to the standard at . Beyond the standard
the lever is formed with a downward projecting part k, and a laterally projecting
lug, (see Figure 12). A spring on the standard bears downward upon the
adjacent end of the lever D, and tends to maintain the handle-portion k, rod /*
and valve 3 raised.
E is a sustaining guide for the rear end of the lever D, comprising a bar i
mounted parallel with the slot C on the shell C. Pivoted to the end of the bar i
is a backwardly swinging extension or stop i, held normally in its forward posi-
tion, in line with the bar i, by a spring fastened to the bar. The upper forward
corner of 'the bar i is recessed to afford a guide-way, and the said guide-way
registers with a gradually diminishing recess in the pivotal extension 2, affording
a cam 2+.
On one side of the lever D is a laterally projecting shoulder or stop, and ex-
tending loosely through the adjacent lever m2, near the toothed end m³ thereof,
is a pin or stop m, provided with a spring m which tends to project the pin at
its outer end into the path of the shoulder . On the inner end of the pin is a
head m presenting an inclined face m at the side adjacent to the lever m².
Fastened against the upper end-portion of the plunger D is a wedge m³, which
may be a round block, as shown, sharpened circumferentially to produce the
wedge-surface m10. The wedge is fastened in place by means of a screw m".
the movement of the plunger D', as the wedge passes the pin m³, it enters between
the head m and lever m2 and retracts the pin, to withdraw it to the position shown
in Figure 10, out of the path of the lever D7, as hereinafter described.
In
Fastened upon the sleeve 7 is a vertical tube or cylinder F, provided at its lower
and upper ends with stuffing-boxes h h', respectively. F is a filling-tube extend-
ing longitudinally through the cylinder and working through the stuffing-
boxes and opening in the carrier-piston C. Mounted upon the shell C is
a. vertical tube or cylinder F, closed at its lower end and containing a piston F
provided with stem which moves through a stuffing-box in the top of said
cylinder. On the side of the cylinder F is a valve-chamber F (Figure 16) con-
taining a valve-seat 3 provided with ports h, which lead to the upper and lower
ends, respectively, of the cylinder F, and an intermediate exhaust port . Ex-
tending to the chamber F from the air-chest C is an air supply-pipe . In the
chambe: F is a slide-valve 48 which, when raised, directs pressure to the lower end
of the cylinder F2 and exhausts the upper end thereof, to raise the piston ; and
which wie: lowered, reverses the operation. The slide-valve 8 is upon a stem "
which works through a stufling-box in the lower end of the chamber.
The upper end of the filling-tube F is closed by means of a pivotal screw-cap 10
provided with an opening extending horizontally through it and flanked by anti-
friction wheels " (Figure 17). Pivotally secured to the upper end of the piston-
rod or stem F is a horizontally swinging finger h which extends loosely through
the opening in the cap 10 between the wheels h. The finger 2 causes the
filling-tube to ascend and descend with the piston 13, and in the movement of the
carrier-piston C7 and consequent horizontal movement of the filling-tube, e cap-
portion of the latter turns and slides upon the finger 2 and the said finger turns
upon the rod F. In the side of the cylinder F is an inlet opening g provided with
a tubular projection g' for the reception of a pipe which leads thereto from a
beer or other liquid supply. The filling-tube F is provided between its ends with
inlet openings g³ ³ communicating with the cylinder F; and in the lower end of

page_text: the tube is a downwardly tapering screw-plug (see Figure 4). The upper end
of the plug forms a seat for a valve upon a stem which extends normally
through and beyond the lower end of the plug. The stem g has a longitudinal
slot g through which loosely extends the shank-portion of a pin On one
end of the pin F is a head or enlarged cylindrical part g, movable in an opening
in one side of the plug, and capable of entering the slot g. The opposite end of the
pin extends through an opening in the side of the plug, and is beveled.to afford
a cam glo. A spring gl in a chamber g2 at one side of the plug presses the pin
in the direction to the right in Figures 4 and 4", whereby when the valve is raised
as shown in Figure 4, the head y enters the slot and holds the valve open.
In the rise of the filling-tube from a package, as hereinafter described, the cam
end go of the pin strikes a shoulder 26, formed by the top of the chamber 24, and
moves the pin to the left against the resistance of the spring, whereby the head g
is withdrawn from the slot 7 and the valve closes. In the side of the plug below
the valve seat is an outlet opening . In practice the downward pressure of
liquid in the tube F1 tends to maintain the valve closed, while pressure against the
lower end of the stem g lifts the valve and permits the liquid to escape through
the outlet gla.
In the piston C7 and extending from the chamber 24 out through the side thereof
is a vent-passage 27, which registers with the mouth of a passage f when the cham-
ber registers with the opening 09. The passage f is cored in the shell C,
extending first downward, as shown in Figures 8 and 18, then horizontally and
longitudinally of the shell, then upward through the top of the shell (see Figure 16).
Screwed into the outer end of the passage f is a tube f provided in its upper end
with outlets opening into the lower end of a vent chamber or cylinder G, the
circumferential wall of which may be of glass. At the side of the cylinder G,
is a back-pressure chamber G of desired size which communicates with the upper
end of said cylinder through a pipe f. At the top of the chamber G is a vent-
valve f and at the lower side thereof is a draw-off cock f. In the cylinder G,
is a piston or movable abutment e having a stem e which works through a stuff-
ing box in the top of the cylinder and is connected at its top with the lower end of
the valve-stem . Extending through the piston e is an annular series of open-
ings, which are opened and closed by a ring or float-valve e, of cork, or the
like, in the chamber below the piston.
In the under side of the piston C7 at the side of the opening is a recess d,
which registers with a bung or stopper feed opening through the side of the
shell C, when the opening registers with the opening C.
Secured upon the platform A, below the shell C, is a barrei or package holding
frame H H.
In operation, the pipe X is connected with the compressed air supply, as before
stated, whereby the air-chest C is charged with compressed air; and, presuming
that the apparatus is to be employed in filling barrels or kegs with beer, the pipe g
is connected with the beer-supply. Initially, the apparatus will be in the position
shown in Figure 1. A barrel is rolled upon the barrel-support H' and centered
at its bung-hole below the plunger D'. The lever will then be turned to turn
the valve so, on the under side of the platform, to vent pressure from the lower
ends of the column A and direct pressure into the upper ends thereof, whereby
the brackets B, and parts carried thereby, will be lowered until the cushion-ring
or seal Corests and presses firmly down upon the barrel about the bung-hole,
producing an air-tight joint. The lever D is then pressed down at its handle-
portion, whereby the projection, on the rear end-portion of the lever, will rest
upon the upper surface of the bar-extension. This lowering of the lever D
pulls the valve down to the lower end of the chamber D, causing compressed
air from the pipe 15 to be directed against the upper end of the piston 13 in the
cylinder D, forcing the piston downward and turning the toggle-mechanism to
raise the plunger D to the position shown in Figure 5. The operating lever q
is then turned to move the slide-valve in the valve-chamber C, and direct air

page_text: under pressure from the pipe C through the passage C and port y against the
end of the piston C and thus force the latter to the left, which is the position
shown in Figure 5, wherein the chamber p registers with the opening C and the
bung receiving chamber d registers with the bung-feed opening d. At the same
time the passage p7 in the valve C will register with the mouth of the cored
passage f, whereby the contents of the chamber or lantern G will drain out from
below the float e and piston e to the barrel, causing the piston e to descend under
the back pressure in the chamber G¹ and draw down the valve 8 in the cham-
ber F. This movement of the valve h8 causes air to be directed into the upper end
of the cylinder F and exhausted from the lower end thereof, whereby the piston F
and its rod or stem F are moved downward, thereby moving the filling tube F
downward through the opening C and to the bottom of the barrel, with which
latter the stem g contacts to open the outlet-valve g. Beer from the pipe g
passing into the tube or cylinder F, and thence through the openings ginto
the filling-tube F1, escapes through the outlet g3 to the barrel. The venting of the
barrel takes place around the filling-tube F, which is of smaller diameter than the
opening C, to the chamber p, thence through the port and cored passage f to
the vent chamber or lantern G. The float e being out of contact with the piston e,
the air forced from the barrel passes through the openings in the said piston
and through the pipe f to the chamber G and out through the vent-valve f
The chamoer G should be originally charged with compressed air to the desired
bunging pressure and the vent-valve f should be set to effect sufficient back pres-
sure in the barrel to prevent foaming of the beer as it enters the latter. When the
barrel is filled to the top the beer which flows in thereafter escapes through the
passages f to the lantern or chamber G and raises the float e to close the open-
ings, through the piston, and raise the latter to slide the valve 3 in the upward
direction to the position shown in Figure 16. This movement of the valve directs
pressure against the under side of the piston F3 and vents' pressure from the upper
side of the cylinder or tube 2, whereby the piston F3, its stem F and the filling-
tube Fare raised until the lower end of the latter is withdrawn into the piston C.
When the filling-tube valve is initially opened, the head g' of the pin Fo enters
the slot g' in the valve-stem, and as soon as the filling-tube commences to rise from
the lower end of the barrel, the upward pressure against the valve-stem or pin g
is released and the valve is held open by the head g of the pin Fe until the
filling-tube is withdrawn from the barrel, and the pin is moved by engagement of
its cam-end go with the shoulder 26. The lever is then turned to direct pressure
into the cylinder C, through the port y', whereby the piston C is moved to the
right to the initial position shown, for example, in Figures 2 and 3.
The projection on the lever 1 slides in the guide-recess of the rod i. In
th: movement of the piston C from the position shown in Figure 5 to that shown
in Figure 2, the projection on the lever D' engages the cam-face on the
hinged-extension of the guide-bar i and swings the latter outward against the re-
sistance of the spring. As soon as the projection or shoulder has passed the
end of the hinged-extension, the lever D' is pressed downward at its end-portion
carrying the projection, by means of the spring 3, to raise the rod and slide-
valve . This movement causes compressed air to be directed into the cylin-
der 12 below the piston D3 and to be exhausted from the upper side of the said
piston, whereby the latter is driven upward, and, through the toggle-mechan-
ism D, drives the plunger-bar D downward. When the piston is in the
position shown in Figure 5, the recess or chamber d, by registering with the
opening d', causes a bung or stopper to be fed into the lower end of the passage p,
as shown in Figure 19, whereby the bung is carried by the piston C to the open-
ing C, and, in the descent of the plunger D', is engaged and driven into the bung-
hole of the barrel.
As the plunger or bung-driver D¹ is raised from the position shown in Figure 8,
as before described, the wedge m³ engages the head m² of the spring-catch or
pin m and withdraws the latter, as shown in Figure 10, whereby it will pass the

page_text: Thus
shoulder on the lever D, and then releases it. Thus when the plunger is in
its raised position, shown in Figure 5, the spring-catch projects over the
shoulder In the descent of the plunger to drive a stopper as described, the
spring-catch m engages the shoulder k' and swings the lever at its long arm down-
ward to draw down the rod and slide-valve 13, to cut off the flow of compressed
air to the under side of the piston D3. This cut-off mechanism operates, in prac-
tice, to cause the slide-valve 13 to close the ports just as the lower end of the
plunger D arrives flush with the under surface of the ring or cushion Co.
the force of the descending plunger D¹ is checked just as the bung is driven home
in the bung-hole of the barrel. When the apparatus is lifted from the barrel,
the expansion of 'the air in the chamber D, below the piston D3, will raise the said
piston and cause the plunger D¹ to descend to the position shown in Figure 1
where it operates to center or position the next barrel to be filled. In the final
descent of the plunger D', after the removal of the barrel, the spring catch m³, which
moves in the arc of a circle, slides off of the end of the shoulder and releases the
lever D. This permits the spring to turn the lever and raise the valve 3, where-
by the plunger D₁ is held firmly down in its barrel centering position.
The cut-off mechanism for the plunger D is a very desirable feature of the
improvements, as it causes the bung to be driven just far enough, and no farther,
into the bung-hole than is desired. The distance to which the plunger may be
driven downward under direct air pressure may be shortened by shortening the
rod /, which may be done by first loosening the set-screw (Figure 1) so that the
valve will never rise to the top of the chamber D³ and consequently a shorter
engagement of the pin m with the lever D7 will produce closing of the port /.
While it is desirable to provide a barrel holder or support like the holder H H',
shown in the drawings, any kind of support which will hold the barrel when the
shell C descends upon it will answer the purpose.
The centering or positioning of the mouth or bung-hole of a package or barrel
by means of the bung-driving plunger is important in practice, as it insures a
proper positioning of the barrel or package, obviating all danger of damage to
the filling-tube, and economizes movements and therefore time. When a barrel
is placed upon the holder the latter may be slid longitudinally and turned upon
the holder to register at its bung-hole with the plunger, which latter descends into
the bung-hole as the apparatus is lowered into position. By this means the posi-
tioning of the barrel may be performed very quickly and always exactly. As
before described, the bung is received by the carrier-piston while the filling-opera-
tion is being performed, and is then moved by the piston into position to be driven.
Thus from the time the filling-tube is withdrawn until the bung is driven, the
contents of the barrel are not exposed to the surrounding, atmosphere, or the
pressure thereon relaxed. As even momentary opening of the bung-hole, or relax-
ation of pressure thereon, causes a material waste of charged liquid, the improve-
ments which obviate this difficulty, are of great importance. In the event that
the operator should neglect to keep the chamber supplied with bungs Y, and
no bung should be in position to be driven by the plunger when it descends, the
latter will descend into the bung-hole under the expansion of the air in the
cylinder D, and by the distance of its descent indicate that no bung has been
driven.
The carrier-piston C7, in practice, conforms very closely to the wall of the cylin-
der or piston-chamber C, so that while it will slide readily, no gas can escape
around the piston during the filling operation. Hitherto carriers in the form of
plates or blocks have been mounted upon supporting or sealing plates to slide
from one position to the other, but owing to the upward pressure of the gas it has
been a matter of great difficulty to so mount the carrier that it will move with
desired ease upon the support, and at the same time rest so firmly thereon, against
the gas pressure, as to maintain a gas-tight joint. The improved construction
completely overcomes this difficulty.
The raising and lowering feature of the apparatus permits the latter to be quickly

page_text: and easily adjusted to any size of package; and, owing to the construction at the
platform, barrels may be rolled into position from one side and rolled from the
opposite side when filled, thus producing a material saving in the time necessary
for placing barrels in position. The construction of the holder H is such that it
will support and position a barrel or keg of any size, and the fact that it slides
longitudinally facilitates positioning of the package.
Owing to the construction of the filling-tube and its outlet-valve, liquid will
not commence to pour into the package until the tube has reached the lower end
thereof. Thus the package is filled from its lower side, which tends to prevent
splashing and foaming of the liquid in the event, particularly, that the back or
bunging pressure is initially too low. As the filling-tube valve remains open
until the tube is withdrawn from the package, all as described, liquid will enter
and supply the quantity displaced by the tube, so that the package will be filled
throughout when the tube is withdrawn.
While it is preferred to construct the improved apparatus in all its parts sub-
stantially as shown and described, the construction may be variously modified
without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claims.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said in-
vention, as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is:-
1. In a liquid-filling machine for breweries or the like, the combination of a
hollow column provided with means for its connection with the fluid pressure
supplier of the establishment, a piston in said column movable under the fluid
pressure from said supplier, filling and stopper driving mechanisms, and a
vertically adjustable support for 'said mechanisms operatively connected with the
said piston to be raised and lowered thereby, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
2. In a liquid-filling machine for breweries or the like the combination of
hollow columns provided with means for their connection with the fluid pressure
supplier of the establishment, pistons in the columns simultaneously movable
under the fluid pressure from said supplier, filling and stopper driving mechan-
isms, a support for said mechanisms operatively connected with the said pistons,
to be raised and lowered thereby, and valve mechanism operative to direct the
compressed fluid from the supplier, equally to the columns, and vent the fluid
equally from the columns, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
3. In a liquid-filling machine for breweries or the like, the combination of
hollow columns, pistons in the columns vertically movable under fluid pressure,
means for connecting the columns above and below the pistons, with the com-
pressed fluid supplier of the establishment, valve mechanism for directing com-
pressed fluid from said supplier alternately in the upper and lower parts of the
columus to move all the pistons simultaneously down and up, filling and stopper-
driving mechanisms, and a support for said mechanisms operatively connected
with said pistons to be raised and lowered thereby, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
4. In a liquid-filling machine for breweries or the like, the combination of a
support having a guide opening to fit closely about the filling opening of a posi-
tioned package to be filled, a reciprocatory carrier on the support, a vertically
reciprocator filling tube, and a vertically reciprocatory stopper-driver on the
carrier, reciprocating means for the carrier connected with the fluid pressure
supplier of the establishment and operated thereby to move the said tube and
driver alternately into alignment with the said guide-opening, and reciprocating
means for the tube and driver, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
5. In a filling-machine for liquids, the combination with a holder for position-
ing the package to be filled, of a chamber having .compressed-air supply and
exhaust ports, a carrier-piston in the chamber, a vertically reciprocatory filling-
tube and a vertically reciprocatory stopper-driver on the carrier-piston, means for

page_text: connecting the chamber with a compres ed-air supplier and for directing the
pressure alternately into opposite ends of the chamber to reciprocate the carrier-
piston and thereby move the said tube and driver alternately into alignment with
the filling opening of a positioned package, and reciprocating means for the tube
and driver, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
6. In a filling-machine for liquids, the combination with a holder for position-
ing the package to be filled, of a carrier, a vertically reciprocatory stopper-driver
and a vertically reciprocatory filling-tube on the carrier, the carrier being mov-
able to bring the said driver and tube alternately into alignment with the filling
opening of a positioned package, means 'for lowering the filling tube through the
mouth of the package, a discharge valve for the tube, a vent-passage at the tube,
and mechanism, at said vent passage for withdrawing said tube from the package,
actuated by rise of liquid in the vent-passage, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
7. In a filling-machine for liquids, the combination of a horizontal piston cham-
ber, a carrier piston in the chamber, a vertically reciprocatory filling-tube and a
vertically reciprocatory stopper-driver on the carrier piston, the carrier-piston
being movable to bring the said tube and driver alternately into alignment with
the filling opening of a positioned package, a stopper receiver on the carrier piston
for holding a stopper in the path of movement of the said driver, and actuating
means for the driver, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
8. In a liquid-filling machine for breweries or the like, the combination of a
support, having a guide-opening with which the filling-opening of a positioned
package to be filled registers, a carrier on the support, a filling-tube, and a stopper-
driver upon the carrier, and reciprocatory through openings in the carrier, means
connected with the fluid-pressure supplier of the establishment for moving the
carrier on the support to bring the said filling-tube and driver alternately into
alignment with the said guide-opening, and means connected with the said fluid
pressure supplier for reciprocating the filling-tube and driver through, the said
guide-opening, substantially as described.
9. In a filling-machine for liquids, the combination of a support, having a pis-
ton-chamber and a guide-opening with which the filling-opening of a positioned
package to be filled registers, a carrier-piston in the said chamber, a filling-tube,
and a stopper-driver upon the carrier-piston, and reciprocatory through openings
in the carrier-piston, means for moving the carrier-piston on the support to bring
the said filling-tube and driver alternately into alignment with the said guide-
opening, means for reciprocating the filling-tube and driver through the said
guide-opening, and a stopper-receiver on the carrier-piston for holding a stopper
in the path of movement of the driver, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
10. In a filling-machine for liquids, the combination of a support, having a
piston-chamber and a guide-opening with which the filling-opening of a positioned
package to be filled registers, a carrier-piston in the chamber, a filling tube and a
stopper-driver upon the carrier-piston and reciprocatory through openings in the
carier-piston, means for moving the carrier-piston to bring the said filling tube
and driver alternately into alignment with the said guide-opening, means for
reciprocating the filling-tube and driver through the said guide-opening, a stopper
feed-opening on the support, and a stopper-holding receptacle on the carrier-piston
in the path of the vertical movement of the driver, the said receptacle in the
movement of the carrier-piston registering alternately with the said stopper feed-
opening and guide-opening, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
11. In a filling-machine for liquids, the combination with a holder for position-
ing the package to be filled, of a casing above the said holder containing a pis-
ton-chamber, a valve chamber provided with means for its connection with a
compressed-fluid supplier and having ports leading to opposite ends of said piston-
chamber, a valve in said valve-chamber movable to direct the fluid-pressure
alternately into the opposite end-portions of said piston-chamber, said piston-

page_text: chamber having an elongated guide-slot in its upper side and a guide-opening in
its under side, a carrier-piston in the piston-chamber, a reciprocatory filling-tube'
and a reciprocatory stopper-driver mounted in openings through the said piston,
and laterally movable in the said guide-slot, and reciprocating means for the said
tube and driver, the carrier-piston being movable in the chamber under the fluid-
pressure to carry the said tube and driver alternately into alignment with the
said guide-opening, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
12. In a filling-machine for liquids, the combination with a holder for position-
ing the package to be filled, of a casing above the said holder containing a piston-
chamber, a valve-chamber provided with means for its connection with a com-
pressed-fluid supplier and having ports leading to opposite ends of said piston-
chamber, a valve in said valve-chamber movable to direct the fluid-pressure
alternately into the opposite end-portions of said piston-chamber, said piston-
chamber having an elongated guide-slot in its upper side and a guide-opening in
its under side, a carrier-piston in the piston-chamber, a reciprocatory filling-tube
and a reciprocatory stopper-driver mounted in openings through the said piston,
and laterally movable in the said guide-slot, reciprocating means for the said tube
and driver, the carrier-piston being movable in the chamber under the fluid-
pressure to carry the said tube and driver alternately into alignment with the
said guide-opening, a stopper-feed opening at the chamber, and a stopper-holding
receptacle in the piston in the path of movement of the driver registering in the
movement of the piston alternately with said. feed and guide-openings, substan-
tially as and for the purpose set forth.
13. In a filling-machine for liquids, the combination of a casing, a chamber in
the casing provided in its upper side with an elongated guide-slot, and in its under
side with a guide-opening, a downward projecting package-engaging seal on the
casing about said guide-opening, a carrier-piston in the chamber, a vertically
reciprocatory filling-tube, and a vertically reciprocatory stopper-driver, laterally
movable in said guide-slot and mounted in and movable through vertical 'openings
in said carrier-piston, the carrier-piston being movable to bring the said tube and
driver alternately into alignment with said guide-opening, whereby they may recip
rocate through said opening, substantially as described.
14. In a liquid-filling machine for breweries or the like, the combination of a
support, a carrier on the support, a vertically reciprocatory filling-tube, and a
vertically reciprocatory stopper-driver on the carrier, the carrier being movable
to bring the said tube and driver alternately into alignment with the filling open-
ing of a positioned package, a cylinder and a piston therein operatively connected
with the said driver, and means for connecting the said cylinder with the com-
pressed-fluid supplier of the establishment and for directing the fluid alternately
against opposite sides of the piston to reciprocate the stopper-driver, substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
15. In a liquid-filling machine for breweries or the like, the combination of a
support, a carrier on the support, a vertically reciprocatory filling-tube, and a
vertically reciprocatory stopper-driver on the carrier, the carrier being movable
to bring the said tube and driver alternately into alignment with the filling open-
ing of a positioned package, a cylinder and a piston therein operatively connected
with the said filling-tube, and means for connecting the said cylinder with the
compressed-fluid supplier of the establishment and for directing the fluid alter-
nately against opposite sides of the piston to reciprocate the filling-tube, substan-
tially as and for the purpose set forth.
16. In a filling-machine for liquids, the combination with a holder for the pack-
age to be filled, of a carrier above the holder, a vertically reciprocatory filling
tube and vertically reciprocatory stopper-driver on the carrier, the carrier being
movable to bring the said tube and driver alternately into alignment with the
filling-opening of a positioned package, and actuating means for the driver, opera-
ting to plunge the driver down to its bung-driving position and then lower the

page_text: driver beyond said position, whereby the driver operates as a package-positioning
medium, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
17. In a liquid-filling machine for breweries or the like, the combination with
the stopper-driver, of a cylinder connected with the fluid pressure supplier of the
establishment, piston in the cylinder movable under said fluid-pressure and
operatively connected with said driver, a stop on said driver, and cut-off mechan-
ism, for the piston-actuating fluid-pressure, in the path of the said stop, whereby
in the driving movement of the stopper-driver the said stop actuates the cut-off
mechanism, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
18. In a liquid filling-machine for breweries or the like, the combination with
the stopper-driver, of a cylinder connected with the fluid pressure supplier of the
establishment, a piston in the cylinder movable under said fluid-pressure and opera-
tively connected with said driver, a stop on said driver, and adjustable cut-off
mechanism, for the piston-actuating fluid-pressure, in the path of the said stop,
whereby in the driving movement of the stopper-driver, the said stop actuates the
cut-off mechanism, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
19. In a filling-machine for liquids, the combination with a holder for position-
ing the package to be filled, of a carrier above the holder, a vertically recipro
catory filling-tube and a vertically reciprocatory stopper-driver on the carrier, the
carrier being movable to bring the said tube and driver alternately into alignment
with the filling-opening of a positioned package, a piston reciprocatory under
fluid-pressure and operatively connected with the said driver, a valve movable to
direct the fluid-pressure alternately against opposite sides of the piston, mechanism
upon the carrier operatively connected with said valve to shift the same, and means
in the path of said mechanism operating through the latter to shift the said valve
and produce driving plunge of the driver when the said carrier is moved to bring
the driver into alignment with the package opening, substantially as described.
20. The combination with the stopper-driver D', operating piston D³ and piston-
stem D', of the toggle mechanism 1 comprising links m', levers ma pivotally con-
nected to the links, fulcrumed between their ends upon stationary supports and
provided with segmental racks, and racks upon the said stopper-driver engaged by
said segmental racks, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
21. The combination of the stopper-driver D, operating piston D3, toggle
mechanism De and valve, of an operating rod for said valve, a lever D7 pivot-
ally connected with said rod, a spring engaging the lever and holding the said rod
and valve normally raised, a catch upon the toggle mechanism engaging said
lever in the downward movement of the toggle mechanism to lower said rod and
valve, and engaging means for said catch on the stopper-driver operating to with-
draw the catch out of the path of the lever in the upward movement of the stopper-
driver, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
22. The combination with the carrier C, stopper-driver, piston operatively con-
nected therewith, and valve movable to direct pressure against opposite sides of
said piston, of the operating lever 17 for said valve, spring engaging said lever,
and the stationary guide-bar E having the hinged-extension i', all constructed and
arranged to operate substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
23. In a filling-machine for liquids, the combination with the carrier, the
stopper-driver, stopper-driver actuating mechanism and the operating lever D,
all constructed and arranged to operate substantially as described, of the stationary
lever-guide E comprising the bar i, having the guide-recess, swinging-exten-
sion having the cam i, and spring hearing against said extension, as and for
the purpose set forth.
.
24. In a filling-machine for liquids, the combination with the filling-tube, guide
therefor, and means for lowering and raising the tube in the guide, of a down-
wardly seating valve in the lower end portion of the tube, a stem for said valve
5 projecting beyond the end of the tube to be opened by contact with a surface of the
package to be filled, a catch for said valve engaging and holding the same from its

page_text: seat when open, and a catch releasing stop on the guide in the path of the said
catch, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
25. In a filling-machine for liquids, the combination with the reciprocatory
carrier provided with the guide-opening p, filling-tube, and means for raising and
lowering the tube through the said guide-opening, of a downwardly seating
valve g, in the lower end portion of said tube, having a stem g projecting beyond
the end of the tube, a pin 8 mounted in the tube to extend through a slot in said
stem and having a head, a spring operating normally to press the head into the
said slot when the valve is raised, a cam on the end of the pin movable through
the side of the tube under the action of the spring, and a stop at the said guide-
opening in the path of said cam, operating, as the tube is raised at its lower end
portion into said guide-opening, to engage the cam end of the pin and move the
head out of engagement with the valve-stem, whereby the valve may close, sub-
stantially as described.
26. In a filling-machine for liquids, the combination of a support, a carrier
upon the said support, a vertically reciprocatory filling-tube movable through the
said carrier, a cylinder, a valve-chamber with means for its connection with a
compressed-fluid supplier and having ports leading to the opposite ends respect-
tively of said cylinder, a piston in the cylinder operatively connected with the
said filling-tube, a slide-valve in said chamber movable to direct fluid-pressure
alternately against opposite sides of said piston, and having a stem extending
beyond said chamber, a vent-passage at the support for the package, a vent-
chamber at said passage, a movable abutment in said vent-chamber, an air-
passage affording communication between opposite sides of said abutment, a float
in the chamber operating when raised to close the said air-passage and lift the
abutment, the abutment being operatively connected with said valve-stem where-
by when liquid rises through the said vent-passage it lifts the float to close said
air-passage and raise the abutment to slide the valve, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
27. In a filling-machine for liquids, the combination of a support, a carrier upon
the said support, a vertically reciprocatory filling-tube movable through the said
carrier, a cylinder, a valve-chamber with means for its connection with a com-
pressed-fluid supplier and having ports leading to the opposite ends respectively
of said cylinder, a piston in the cylinder operatively connected with the said filling-
tube, a slide-valve in said chamber movable to direct fluid-pressure alternately
against opposite sides of said piston, and having a stem extending beyond said
chamber, vent-passage, at the support, for the package, a vent-chamber at said
passage, a movable abutment in said vent-chamber, a back pressure chamber com-
municating with the vent-chamber at the side of the abutinent opposite the said
vent-passage, an air passage affording communication between opposite sides of
said abutment, a float in the chamber operating when raised to close the said air-
passage and lift the abutment, the abutment being operatively connected with
said valve-stem, whereby when liquid rises through the said vent-passage it lifts
the float 'o close said air-passage and raise the abutment to slide the valve, sub-
stantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 22nd day of October 1896