Improvements in Apparatus for Filling and Corking Bottles..
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 30th May, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 28th Feb., 1891-Accepted, 25th Apr., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Filling and Corking Bottles..
I, KARL FEHMEL, of Pfeddersheim, Hessia, in the Empire of Germany, Foreman,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to apparatus for filling and corking bottles.
The peculiarity of the improved apparatus consists in a material simplification
and perfection of the arrangements heretofore employed for filling bottles, and in a
new combination of these arrangements with a corking device. The apparatus is
adapted for any liquids that contain gas, and besides being very effective and easily
operated, presents the advantage that the liquid will always remain under pressure
during the filling, and that no carbonic acid will escape from the same. A
characteristic feature of the apparatus is especially the arrangement enabling always
a measured definite quantity to be introduced into the bottles whether they are
large or small. After the filling of the bottles has terminated the corking is effected
directly in the apparatus so that the bottles are taken from the apparatus ready
for delivery. As the corking device contains a great number of corks at the same
time it is not necessary to put in each cork separately.
The main parts of the apparatus are an air cylinder, beer cylinders, cocks for
filling the bottles, a bottle tray and a cork receptacle. The air cylinder is made of
glass and provided above with a metallic lid which possesses a nozzle for connecting
the same with two pipes, extending on the one hand to the beer cylinders, and the
other to the filling cocks, and the bottom which is also made of metal is connected
by a pipe on one side with the beer cylinders and on the other side with the nozzle
receiving one end of the hose for the beer which enters. In the lid on the air
cylinder is moreover provided an air channel which can be closed by a valve through
the medium of a float inside the said cylinder. The beer cylinders of which there
are two in the present case, consist of glass like the air cylinder. Through the lid
of these cylinders extends a screw having a bore through its entire length. This
Screw can be moved upwards and downwards by a hand wheel.
With the upper
end of the screw is connected one of the aforesaid pipes leading to the air cylinder, and
the lower extremity of the same carries a piston. In the bore extending through
the screw is loosely guided a pipe which carries below a float. The space wherein
the float moves communicates through the bore in the screw with the air cylinder,
this communication being closed by an indiarubber disc on the top of the float in
the upward movement of the latter. The pipe adapted to slide in the bore of the
screw has for its object to connect the interior of the float in the beer cylinder with
the parts of the apparatus which are under air-pressure, in order that the float shall
not be compressed by over-pressure.
In each of the bottoms of the beer cylinders terminates a branch of the above
mentioned pipe coming from the bottom of the air cylinder and in each branch is
included a cock so that each beer cylinder can be connected independently with the
air cylinder. These cocks together with the filling cocks are controlled by positive
motions, as hereinafter set forth.
The combined action of the air cylinder and beer cylinders is as follows: When
the nozzle at the end of the pipe connecting the bottom of the air and beer cylinders
is put in communication by a hose with the beer cask or barrel and the said cocks
are opened the beer will pass first through the hose to the aforesaid pipe and through
the cocks into the beer cylinders. It rises in each of the beer cylinders as far as
the piston in them will permit, raises the float and by means of the disc on the top
of the float will close the lower end of the bore in the screw above mentioned.
When the beer cylinders have been filled the beer gradually rises in the air cylinder

page_text: It also raises the float in this cylinder and thereby closes the air discharge channel
by means of its valve, in order to compress the air in the cylinder and the pipes
which are connected therewith and closed at the same time, until in all parts of the
apparatus that are in communication with the cylinders is established the same
pressure which is exerted by the beer, for instance 1 atmospheres. In the present
case the float in the air cylinder continually regulates the quantity of air contained
therein. This regulation can also be simply effected by an ordinary air cock
actuated by hand for the level of the liquid in the air cylinder made of glass can
always be observed, and if in time the level of the liquid descends too far it is only
necessary to open the cock a little until the level has again reached the desired
height. The level has however no effect on the regular filling of the bottles.
When the pistons of the beer cylinders are adjusted by means of a scale on the
outer periphery of the cylinders quite a definite quantity of beer will pass into the
apparatus under any circumstances.
Each casing of the filling cocks, of which one belongs to each beer cylinder, has
two openings, and the plug or body of the cock possesses a longitudinal bore and an
upper opening which corresponds to one of the said openings in the casing and
extends to the longitudinal bore, and a lower opening which corresponds to the
second opening in the casing and leads to a space formed in the plug or body of the
cock and a longitudinal groove in the above-mentioned bore. During the opening
of the cock the upper two openings will meet first, and then the lower openings:
whilst the closing of all the openings takes place at the same time. From the nozzle
at the lower opening in the casing extends a pipe to the lower part of the beer
cylinders, and from the nozzle at the upper opening extends a pipe through the
nozzle connected with the upper part of the air cylinder, and through the branch
pipe extending from the aforesaid nozzle to the bore of the screws in the beer cylinders.
The filling cocks and the cocks in the admission pipe of the beer cylinders are
rigidly connected with each other through an operating rod in such a manner that
one filling cock is always open when the cock in the said admission pipe is closed,
and vice versa. In the former case of course no beer can flow into the beer cylinder
the air then passes first from the air cylinder through the above-mentioned pipe
connected with the upper opening in the casing to the opening which communicates
with the bottle and first meets alone the said upper opening. When accordingly
the bottle necks are inserted, into the filling cocks below, and the longitudinal bore
in the cock has already been closed by the cork pushed in with a stamp the bottles
are at once filled with the compressed air in the apparatus. As soon as then the
lower openings in the plug and casing of the filling cock meet when the latter is
turned beer commences under the prevailing air pressure to flow through a pipe
from the beer cylinders into the bottles. The air which has entered the bottles is
then forced back again through the pipe connected with the upper part of the air
cylinder. As however at the same time the beer in the beer cylinders begin to
descend compressed air passes again through the longitudinal bore in the screw
below the piston in the said cylinders, and takes the place of the beer displaced, the
quantity being the same as that of the air displaced from the bottle. As therefore
in this operation the same pressure always prevails everywhere in.the apparatus no
carbonic acid or gas can escape from the liquid.
In this manner the accurately measured quantity of beer in the beer cylinder
passes to the bottles without any need for watching the filling operation, the bottles
may therefore also consist of opaque material.
For opening the filling cock it is turned by hand, and the cock is closed by a lever.
This lever is especially designed to press the bottles on the bottle trays against the
filling cocks and to actuate at the same time the device for corking the bottles.
The bottle tray is supported in a slide by means of a guide rod surrounded by an
indiarubber ring. This slide is connected with a rack and can be moved up and
down therewith. It can however be raised by a rod through the medium of a snug.
This snug is adapted to catch below a catch which can be displaced in the aforesaid
slide. A. spring tends to force the catch outwards but the latter is drawn back by

page_text: a lever as soon as the tray with its guide rod moves downwards; in this case the
said suug does not take below the catch but slides past the same in the lifting of the
rod above referred to. This rod receives its movement through levers with which
it is connected by means of a projection. The lower end of one of these levers is
adapted to bear upon one arm of a bell-crank lever the other arm of which forms a
pawl for the said rack. A spring causes the pawl to engage with the teeth but is
prevented from doing so as long as the lower end of the said lever bears upon the
arm of the bell-crank lever.
When a bottle has been placed upon the tray and one of the levers has been lifted
the said rod and with it the slide together with the bottle and the rack, moves
upwards. At the same time the bell-crank lever is liberated and the pawl engages
with the rack. As soon as the bottle neck touches and is pressed into the india-
rubber ring of the filling cock, the bottle tray, by reason of the compression of its
indiarubber ring forces the guide rod downwards and turns the lever by which the
catch is pulled backwards, the latter will therefore allow the snug on the said rod
to move through the slide. This rod now moves further without obstruction, and
the slide does not participate in the movement. The slide is now held by the
aforesaid pawl in the position which it occupies in the position of the above-mentioned
lever wherein the pawl would be released."
The cork receptacle is made circular and possesses a circle of small holes for the
reception of the corks. It is adapted to so turn above the filling cock that one hole
after another passes above the neck of the bottle. The turning movement of the
cork receptacle is caused by means of a rod which is likewise raised by the lever
above mentioned, a part of which strikes above against a lever provided with a
pawl and moves through the same a ratchet wheel a toothed wheel, and lastly
another toothed wheel which is arranged upon the cork holder. The movement of
the toothed wheel after every corking operation is always effected exactly through
the distance between two holes in the cork-holder, for which purpose the said rod
is provided with a projection which limits its movement by coming against tappets..
Through the centre of the cork holder pass two rods, and another rod is held above
or in one of the holes. The three rods are connected with each other by a transverse
piece, and therefore take part in the movement of the rod herein before referred to.
When this rod has been raised so far that the said rod is above a hole and the cork
holder has been filled it is only necessary to move down the lever in order to force
a cork through the longitudinal bore of the filling cock into the neck of the
bottle.
One of the aforesaid rods automatically closes the filling cock in the downward
motion of the corking device. For this purpose a half wheel is provided which in
the opening of the cock had turned another half-wheel below the said rod raised in
this movement. In the downward movement, of the rod, that is to say in the
downward pressure of one of the said levers the said rod then presses the second
half-wheel back again, so that the first half-wheel is again turned to the position
wherein the cock is closed.
The operation of the whole apparatus as above described is as follows:-Beer is
caused to flow into the air cylinder when the admission cocks are open. Then a
bottle is placed upon the tray and the above-mentioned lever is lifted until the
bottle stands firmly between the tray and the filling cock and the rod referred to
rises above the cork holder and fills the same. Next the above-mentioned lever is
pressed down again together with the cork about half way and a filling cock is
opened. By this means the corresponding admission cock is closed and the corre-
sponding beer cylinder is emptied. When it is empty and the bottle is therefore
full the said lever is pressed completely down. In this action the rod pushes the
cork into the neck of the bottle the groove in the longitudinal bore allowing part of
the compressed air to pass through for the sake of safety; at the same time the said
rod closes the filling cock automatically, and opens the admission cock whilst the
above-mentioned pawl is disengaged after the cock has been driven into the neck so
that the slide together with the bottle tray descends and the bottle can be replaced

page_text: by a fresh one. In the next raising movement of the aforesaid lever the cork
holder turns through the distance between two of its holes owing to the lifting of
the rod referred to.
The second filling cock is suitably used in such a manner that the operation of
the two cocks alternates and will be effected with rapidity.
Dated this 30th day of May 1890.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Filling and Corking Bottles.
I, KARL FERMEL, of Pfeddersheim, Hessia, in the Empire of Germany, Foreman,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
This invention relates to apparatus for filling and corking bottles.
A
The peculiarity of the improved apparatus consists in a material simplification
and in perfecting the arrangements heretofore employed for filling bottles, and in a
new combination of these arrangements with a corking device. The apparatus is
adapted for any liquids that contain gas, and besides being effective and easily
operated presents the advantage that the liquid will always remain under pressure
during the filling and that no carbonic acid will escape from the same.
characteristic feature of the apparatus is especially the arrangement which enables
a definite quantity to be introduced into the bottles whether they are large or
small. After the bottles have been filled, the corking is effected directly in the
apparatus so that the bottles are taken from the apparatus ready for delivery. The
corking device is adapted to contain a great number of corks at the same time so
that it is not necessary to put in each cork separately.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 represents a front view of the improved apparatus.
Fig
Fi
igure 2 is a side view of the same some parts being shown in section.
igure 3 is an upper view of the corking device.
Figure 4 is a vertical section and
Figures 5 and 6 are horizontal sections through a filling cock of the apparatus.
Figures 7 and 8 show the controlling cocks of the apparatus in two sections, and
Figures 9 to 11 illustrate the combination of the same with the principal parts of
the apparatus.
h
The improved apparatus consists principally of an air cylinder A, beer cylinders B
the cocks C for filling the bottles, a bottle tray n and a cork receptacle v.. The air
cylinder A is made of glass and provided above with a metallic lid which is pro-
vided with a nozzle for connecting the same with two pipes, 3 and 9 extending on
the one hand to the beer cylinders B and the other to the filling cocks C, and the
bottom which is also made of metal is connected by a pipe on one side with the
beer cylinders B and on the other side with the nozzle receiving one end of
the hose for the beer which enters. In the lid on the air cylinder is moreover
provided an air channel m which can be closed by a valve through the medium of
a float / inside the said cylinder. The beer cylinders B of which there are two in
the present case, consist of glass like the air cylinder. Through the lid of these
cylinders extends a screw having a bore through its entire length. This screw can
be moved upwards and downwards by a hand wheel g. With the upper end of
the screw is connected one of the aforesaid pipes 9 leading to the air cylinder and
the lower extremity of the same carries a piston f In the bore e extending
through the screw is loosely guided a pipe k which carries at its lower extremity a
float d. The space in which the float moves communicates through the bore in the
screw with the air cylinder A, this communication being closed by an india-rubber

page_text: disc on the top of the float in the upward movement of the latter. The pipe k
adapted to slide in the bore of the screw has for its object to connect the interior
of the float d in the beer cylinder with the parts of the apparatus which are under
air pressure, in order that the float shall not be compressed by overpressure.
In the bottom of each of the beer cylinders terminates a branch of the above-
mentioned pipe coming from the bottom of the air cylinder A as shown more
especially in Figures 9 to 11, and in each branch is included a cock c Figures 7, 8
and 11 so that each beer cylinder B can be connected independently with the air
cylinder A. These cocks are controlled by positive motions together with the
filling cocks C, as hereinafter set forth.
.
The combined action of the air cylinder A and beer cylinders B is as follows.
When the nozzle a at the end of the pipe b connecting the bottoms of the air and
beer cylinders is put in communication by a hose with the beer cask or barrel
and the said cocks c are opened the beer will pass first through the hose to the
aforesaid pipe b and through the cocks c into the beer cylinders B. It rises in
each of the beer cylinders as far as the piston f in them will permit, raises the
float d and by means of the disc on the top of the float will close the lower
end of the bore in the screw above-mentioned. When the beer cylinders B have
been filled the beer gradually rises in the air cylinder A. It also raises the
float in this cylinder and thereby closes the air discharge channel m by means
of its valve e, in order to compress the air in the cylinder and the pipes which
are connected therewith and closed at the same time, until in all parts of the
apparatus that are in communication with the cylinders the same pressure is
established-which-is-exerted-by the beer, for instance-1 atmospheres In the
present case the float in the air cylinder A continually regulates the quantity
of air contained therein. This regulation can also be simply effected by an ordinary
air cock actuated by hand, for the level of the liquid in the air cylinder A made
of glass can always be observed, and if in time the level of the liquid descends
too far it is only necessary to open the cock a little until the level has again
reached the desired height. The level has however no effect on the regular filling
of the bottles. When the pistons of the beer cylinders B are adjusted by means
of a scale on the outer periphery of the cylinders B quite a definite quantity of
beer will pass into the apparatus under any circumstances.
The arrangements of the cocks C, of which one belongs to each beer cylinder B,
for filling the bottles is illustrated in Figures 1 and 4 to 6. The casing has two
openings, 2 and 5, the plug or body of the cock is provided with a longitudinal
bore and an upper opening 1 which corresponds to the one of the said openings 2
in the casing and extends to the longitudinal bore and a lower opening 4 which
corresponds to the second opening in the casing and leads to a space 7 formed in the
plug or body of the cock and a longitudinal groove 10 in the above-mentioned bore.
During the opening of the cock the two upper openings 1 and 2, as shown in Figures 5
and 6 will meet first, and then the lower openings 4 and 5; whilst the closing of
all the openings takes places at the same time. From the nozzle at the lower
opening 5 in the casing extends a pipe 6 to the lower part of the beer cylinders b
and from the nozzle at the upper opening 2 extends a pipe 3 through the nozzle 8
connected with the upper part of the air cylinder A, and through the branch
pipe 9 extending from the aforesaid nozzle 8 to the bore e of the screws h in the
beer cylinders B.
The filling cocks C and the cocks c in the admission pipe of the beer cylinders B
are rigidly connected with each other through an operating rod w (Figures 9 to 11)
in such a manner that one filling cock C is always open when the cock c in the said
admission pipe is closed, and vice versa. In the former case of course no beer can
flow into the beer cylinder B the air then passes first from the air cylinder through
the above-mentioned pipe 3 connected with the upper opening in the casing to the
opening which communicates with the bottle and first meets alone the said upper
opening 2. When accordingly the bottle necks are inserted into the filling cocks
below and the longitudinal bore in the cock has already been closed by the córk

page_text: pushed in with a stamp u² the bottles are at once filled with the compressed air in
the apparatus. As soon as the lower openings in the plug and casing of the filling
cock 4 and 5 meet when the latter C is turned beer commences under the prevailing
air pressure to flow through a pipe 6 from the beer cylinders B into the bottles.
The air which has entered the bottles is then forced back again through the
pipe 1, 2, 3, connected with the upper part of the air cylinder. As however at
the same time the beer in the beer cylinders B begins to descend compressed air
passes again through the longitudinal bore e in the screw below the piston in
the said cylinders, and takes the place of the beer displaced, the quantity being the
same as that of the air displaced from the bottle. As therefore in this operation
the same pressure always prevails everywhere in the apparatus no carbonic acid or
gas can escape from the liquid.
In this manner the accurately measured quantity of beer in the beer cylinders B
passes to the bottles without any need for watching the filling operation the bottles
may therefore be made of opaque material.
For opening the filling cock C it is turned by hand, and the cock is closed by a
lever o. This lever is especially designed to press the bottles on the bottle trays n
against the filling cocks C and to actuate at the same time the device for corking
the bottles. The bottle tray is supported in a slide by means of a guide rod n¹ sur-
rounded by an india-rubber ring n² in the slide ». This slide is connected with a
rack and can be moved up and down therewith. It can however be raised by a
rod p through the medium of a snug p². This snug in the position shown in
Figure 2 is adapted to engage below a catch which can be displaced in the afore-
said slide. A spring tends to force the catch outwards but the latter is drawn
back by a levert as soon as the tray n with its guide rod n moves downwards; in
this case the said snug p² does not take below the catch but slides past the same
in the lifting of the rod p above referred to. This rod p receives its movement
through levers of 02 03 with which it is connected by means of a projection p'.
The lower end of one of these levers 2 is adapted to bear upon one arm of a
bell-crank lever q' the other arm of which forms a pawl for the said rack r¹.
A spring 2 (Figure 1) causes the pawl to engage with the teeth but is prevented
from doing so as long as the lower end of the said lever o² bears upon the arm q¹
of the bell-crank lever.
.
When a bottle has been placed upon the tray n and one of the levers o has
been lifted the, said rod p and with it the slider together with the bottle and the
rack moves upwards. At the same time the bell-crank lever is liberated and
the pawl engages with the rack. As soon as the bottle neck touches and is
pressed into the india-rubber rings of the filling cock C the bottle tray, by
reason of the compression of its indiarubber ring n² forces the guide rod n' down-
wards and turns the lever by which the catch p² is pulled backwards, the latter
will therefore allow the snug p² on the said rod to move through the slider. This
rod p now moves further without obstruction, and the slide does not participate in
the movement. The slide is now held by the aforesaid pawl in the position which
it occupies in the position of the above-mentioned lever wherein the pawl q would,
be released.
The cork receptacle Figure 3 is made circular and is provided with a circle of
small holes for the reception of the corks. It is adapted to turn above the filling
cock C so that one hole after another passes above the neck of the bottle. The
turning movement of the cork receptacle is caused by means of a rod 11 which is
likewise raised by the lever above mentioned, a part of of which strikes above
against a lever 12 provided with a pawl 13 and moves through the same a ratchet
wheel 14, a toothed wheel, 15, and lastly another toothed wheel 16 which is arranged
upon the cork holder. The movement of the toothed wheel after every corking
operation is always effected exactly through the distance between two holes in
the cork holder, for which purpose the said rod 11 is provided with a projection 17
which limits its movement by coming against tappets 18. Through the centre of
the cork holder pass two rods, p and u² and another rod u is held above or in one of

page_text: the holes v. The three rods are connected with each other by a transverse
piece " and therefore take part in the movement of the rod p hereinbefore
referred to. When this rod p has been raised so far that the said rod u is above
a hole and the cork holder has been filled it is only necessary to move down the
lever in order to force a cork through the longitudinal bore of the filling cock C
into the neck of the bottle.
The aforesaid rod u automatically closes the filling cock C in the downward
motion of the corking device. For this purpose a half-wheel is provided which
in the opening of the cock turns another half-wheel below the said rod u² raised
in this movement. In the downward movement of the rod, that is to say in the
downward pressure of one of the said levers of the said rod then presses the second
half-wheel back again so that the first half-wheel is again turned to the position.
wherein the cock is closed.
The operation of the whole apparatus as above described is as follows. Beer is
caused to flow into the air cylinder A. when the admission cocks c are open. A
bottle is then placed upon the tray n and the above-mentioned lever o' is lifted until
the bottle stands firmly between the tray and the filling cock and the rod u' referred
to rises above the cork holder and fills the same. Next the above-mentioned lever of
is pressed down again together with the cork about half way and a filling cock C
is opened. By this means the corresponding admission cock c is closed and the
corresponding beer cylinder B is emptied. When it is empty and the bottle is.
therefore full the said lever o' is pressed completely down. In this action the rod u¹
pushes the cork into the neck of the bottle the groove in the longitudinal-bore
allowing part of the compressed-air to pass througli for the sake of safety; at the
same time the said rod 2 closes the filling cock C automatically, and opens the
admission cock c whilst the above-mentioned pawl is disengaged after the cork has
been driven into the neck that the slide r together with the bottle tray descends
and the bottle can be replaced by a fresh one.
In the next raising movement of
the aforesaid lever o' the cork holder turns through the distance between two of its
holes owing to the lifting of the rod 11 referred to.
The second filling cock is suitably used in such a manner that the operation of
the two cocks alternates and will be effected with rapidity.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that, what I
claim is:
First. In a bottle filling apparatus the employment of a measuring cylinder B
put under pressure, with adjusting device for various quantities of liquid, con-
sisting of a piston rod adapted to be adjusted by a screw spindle or in a similar
manner.
Second. A bottle filling apparatus in which the pressing and holding of the bottles.
under the filling cock, the forcing in of the cork and finally the closing of the filling
cock C and the simultaneous opening of the admission cock care effected by positive
motion by actuating the lever o'.
Third. In an apparatus for filling and corking bottles the bottle lifting device
comprising a slider with a disengaging device which is moved by the elastic
tray and which liberates the slide from the projection of the rod pas
soon as the bottle is firmly pressed, the slide being held in its highest position
by a ratchet device until the filling and corking of the bottle has been
effected.
Fourth. In an apparatus for filling and corking bottles the arrangement of the
slide rod p which pushes the slide upwards and is connected with the stamps u¹
and u the former of which forces in the corks whilst the latter closes the filling cock
during the forcing of the cork.
Fifth. In an apparatus for filling and corking bottles the arrangement of a
circular cork receptacle which is moved by the levers o³ ³, rod 11, ratchet.
wheels 12, 13, 14 and toothed wheels 15, 16 above the aperture of the bottle in

page_text: such a manner, that the stamp in every downward movement will drive in a
fresh cork.
Sixth. In an apparatus for filling and corking bottles the positive connection of the
filling cocks C and of the admission cocks c in such a manner that in the opening
of a cock C the cock c is closed and vice versa, so that in the filling of the bottles
only the previously measured quantity of liquid can flow from the cylinder B.
Dated this 28th day of Fehmare 1801
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.