Improvements in or relating to the Bottling of Aörated Waters and other Liquids under Pressure.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Jan., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Oct., 1894-Accepted, 24th Nov., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to the Bottling of Aörated Waters and
other Liquids under Pressure.
I, CHRISTIAN HAMILTON GRAY of the Indiarubber, Gutta-percha and
Telegraph Works Company Limited, of Silvertown, in the County of Essex,
idiarubber Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to the bottling of aerated waters and other liquids under
pressure and is particularly applicable where screwed stoppers are used, although
I do not bind myself to use it only with screwed stoppers. The details of the
mechanism may be varied but the following description will serve to indicate the
salient features.
The bottle or other equivalent vessel to be filled is provided with a valve;.
preferably the valve is placed in a screwed stopper, and through this valve and
generally through the stopper as well is inserted a tube through which the liquid is
inserted. It is a condition with many aerated waters and similar beverages that
after the bottle is primarily filled a snifting operation must be performed in order to
allow of the escape of the atmospheric air which was in the bottle before charging
(and also in some instances for the purpose of simply decreasing the pressure) and
to replace the pressure occasioned by such escape; this can be effected by the
apparatus I am now describing.
The tube through which the liquid is introduced is perforated or open at the end
and is also perforated in its length where required, and may extend substantially
throughout the length of the filling portion of the machine, which for convenience
I will call the filler. The filler consists of several parts many of which may for
convenience be screwed together or may be formed in the same piece with other
parts, the apparatus produced resulting in a tube or opening extending substantially
throughout the filler, and also having one or more cavities or chambers in its length.
The filling tube previously described passes through this hollow interior of the
filler and receives through its perforations some of the liquid contained in the
hollow interior and chamber of the filler. The tube passes through one or more
stuffing boxes or equivalent devices in the filler so as to allow of the filler or one or
more portions thereof reciprocating upon the tube. The lower or operating end of
the filler is coned to fit into a corresponding recess in the stopper or valve casing of
the bottle and pressed thereon so as to make a gas-tight joint by preferably
a helical spring surrounding this portion of the filler which may be of smaller
diameter than some of the other portions, and surrounding this end-or nozzle of the
filler is a centreing device consisting preferably of three or more spring clamps so
arranged that when these are pressed down upon the bottle the latter will be in the
centre line of the filler. This latter device is necessary and particularly useful in
a multiple machine where many bottles are charged simultaneously. The stem of
the nozzle end of the filler passes through a stuffing box in or upon the body of the
filler and is provided with one or more openings so as to allow it to act as a valve
closing the lower end of the chamber within the filler. When the apparatus
is applied the spring surrounding the nozzle stem is compressed and the stem forced
inwards into the filler thus opening communication between the interior of the
filler and particularly the chamber thereof and the interior of the nozzle stem and
nozzle and also incidentally between the interior of the nozzle stem and the
perforated tube. The liquor enters the bottle partly through the perforated tube

page_text: and partly around the tube which does not fit tight in the cock or valve during the
filling operation. The inner end of the nozzle stem may be provided with a cup
leather or equivalent so as to slide gas-tight upon the perforated tube which is not
perforated at that part.
The upper portion or body of the filler is carried in a head which works upon or
in guides in the framework, being reciprocated by a cam or equivalent device
which may be carried upon a shaft operated by hand or other power; the head
which may carry any desired number of fillers and may be of any suitable design
or shape to accommodate these is kept in its raised position say in contact with the
cam by means of one or more preferably helical springs which conveniently may be
placed around the guide rods upon which the head travels. The head may have an
anti-friction roller for engagement with the cam. The filler passes through a
suitable opening in the head and has a collar or equivalent at the top to prevent it
escaping from the head and a spring (preferably stronger than that surrounding the
nozzle stem) between the lower side of the head and the body of the filler so that a
certain amount of movement upon the filler may be made by the head in its
downward and upward travel. To the head is pivotted a link or arm connected
with the key or stem of a cock or valve with which the upper end of the perforated
tube is connected. Any suitable connection is made between the liquid under
pressure and syrup supplies and the interior of the filler. The operation is as
follows:-
The bottles being placed in any suitable frame or holding device in the machine
the nozzle is brought down on to the bottle and properly centred by the centreing
device the nozzle making a gas-tight joint with the stopper as before explained.
The downward movement of the filler is due to the cam operating the head and as
the cam continues to force down the head the nozzle stem of the filler is forced
inwards opening the connection into the chamber or interior of the filler and while
this condition remains the liquid is passing into the bottle. As the filler continues
to descend the inner end of the valve stem which may be formed as a head or
otherwise so as to act as a valve closes the upper end of the chamber thus cutting
off the supply of liquid and pressure, and during this part of the operation the head
still continuing to descend the second spring under the head gives way and allows
the head to descend although the movement of the filler is now stopped. The
result of the head descending is that the link connecting the head with the valve or
cock on the perforated tube opens this valve or cock and connects the interior of the
tube with the atmosphere, thus effecting a momentary connection between the
atmosphere and the interior of the bottle in consequence of which the atmospheric
air which is compressed above the liquor in the neck of the bottle escapes. This
snifting operation takes place at or about the lowest position of the head and
immediately it is effected the cam allows the head to rise which it does under the
operation of its spring or springs. The first result of the rising of the head is the
closing of the snifting valve: the next is the opening of the valve at the inner end
of the nozzle stem so as to reconnect the interior of the bottle with the supply of
liquid under pressure and the pressure which has been lowered by the snifting
operation is thus reinstated: the third operation is that as the head and upper
portion of the filler rise the spring surrounding the nozzle stem draws the latter
outwards thus closing all access to the interior of the nozzle stem and to the bottle
and as the head finally rises and lifts the filler clear of the bottle the openings in
the nozzle stem and perforated tube are all closed and as the perforated tube
is withdrawn from the valve and the bottle this valve closes also and no loss
of liquid is sustained.
It will be understood that instead of operating the head by a cam and springs the
head may be connected with an eccentric or crank by an eccentric or connecting rod
the spring being dispensed with.
Instead of employing the springs as above mentioned and the particular
arrangement of valves described other forms of valves may be employed the
precise construction of the apparatus as already explained being comparatively

page_text: immaterial so long as the above mentioned cycle of operations is properly
effected.
Dated this 22nd day of January 1894.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to the Bottling of Aërated Waters and
other Liquids under Pressure.
I, CHRISTIAN HAMILTON GRAY, of the Indiarubber, Gutta-percha, and
Telegraph Works Company Limited, of Silvertown, in the County of Essex,
Indiarubber Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to the bottling of aërated waters and other liquids under
pressure and is particularly applicable where screwed stoppers are used, although
I do not bind myself to use it only with screwed stoppers. The details of the
mechanism may be varied but the following description will serve to indicate the
salient features.
The bottle or other equivalent vessel to be filled is provided with a valve;
preferably the valve is placed in a screwed stopper, and through this valve and
generally through the stopper as well is inserted a tube through which the liquid is
inserted. It is a condition with many aërated waters and similar beverages that
after the bottle is primarily filled a snifting operation must be performed in order
to allow of the escape of the atmospheric air which was in the bottle before
charging (and also in some instances for the purpose of simply decreasing the
pressure) and to replace the pressure occasioned by such escape; this can be
effected by the apparatus I am now describing.
The tube through which the liquid is introduced is perforated or open at the end
and is also perforated in its length where required, and may extend substantially
throughout the length of the filling portion of the machine, which for convenience
I will call the filler. The filler consists of several parts many of which may
for convenience be screwed together or may be formed in the same piece with other
parts, the apparatus produced resulting in a tube or opening extending substantially
throughout the filler, and also having one or more cavities or chambers in its
length. The filling tube previously described passes through this hollow interior
of the filler and receives through its perforations some of the liquid contained in the
hollow interior and chamber of the filler. The tube passes through one or more
stuffing boxes or equivalent devices in the filler so as to allow of the filler or one or
more portions thereof reciprocating upon the tube. The lower or operating end of
the filler is coned to fit into a corresponding recess in the stopper or valve casing of
the bottle and pressed thereon so as to make gas-tight joint by preferably a
helical spring surrounding this portion of the filler which may be of smaller
diameter than some of the other portions, and surrounding this end or nozzle of the
filler is a centreing device consisting preferably of three or more spring clamps so
arranged that when these are pressed down upon the bottle the latter will be
in the centre line of the filler. This latter device is necessary and particularly
useful in a multiple machine where many bottles are charged simultaneously. The
stem of the nozzle end of the filler passes through a stuffing box in or upon the
body of the filler and is provided with one or more openings so as to allow it to act
as a valve closing the lower end of the chamber within the filler.
apparatus is applied the spring surrounding the nozzle stem is compressed and the
stem forced inwards into the filler thus opening communication between the interior
of the filler and particularly the chamber thereof and the interior of the nozzle
When the

page_text: stem and nozzle and also incidentally between the interior of the nozzle stem and
the perforated tube. The liquor enters the bottle partly through the perforated
tube and partly around the tube which does not fit tight in the cock or valve during
the filling operation. The inner end of the nozzle stem may be provided with a cup
leather or equivalent so as to slide gas-tight upon the perforated tube which is not
perforated at that part.
The
The upper portion or body of the filler is carried in a head which works upon or
in guides in the framework, being reciprocated by a cam or equivalent device which
may be carried upon a shaft operated by hand or other power; the head which
may carry any desired number of fillers and may be of any suitable design or shape
to accommodate these is kept in its raised position say in contact with the cam by
means of one or more preferably helical springs which conveniently may be placed
around the guide-rods upon which the head travels; or if a groove cam be used as
illustrated in the accompanying drawings these springs will be unnecessary.
head may have an anti-friction roller for engagement with the cam. The filler
passes through a suitable opening in the head and has a collar or equivalent at the
top to prevent it escaping from the head and a spring (preferably stronger than
that surrounding the nozzle stem) between the lower side of the head and the body
of the filler so that a certain amount of movement upon the filler may be made by
the head in its downward and upward travel. To the head is pivotted a link or
arm connected with the key or stem of a cock or valve with which the upper end of
the perforated tube is connected. Any suitable connection is made between the
liquid under pressure and syrup supplies and the interior of the filler. The
operation is as follows;-
The bottles being placed in any suitable frame or holding device in the machine
the nozzle is brought down on to the bottle and properly centred by the centreing
device the nozzle making a gas-tight joint with the stopper as before explained.
The downward movement of the filler is due to the cam operating the head, and as
the cam continues to force down the head the nozzle stem of the filler is forced
inwards opening the connection into the chamber or interior of the filler and while
this condition remains the liquid is passing into the bottle. As the filler continues
to descend the inner end of the valve stem which may be formed as a head
or otherwise so as to act as a valve closes the upper end of the chamber thus
cutting off the supply of liquid and pressure and during this part of the operation
the head still continuing to descend the second spring under the head gives way and
allows the head to descend although the movement of the filler is now stopped.
The result of the head descending is that the link connecting the head with the
valve or cock on the perforated tube opens this valve or cock and connects the
interior of the tube with the atmosphere, thus effecting the momentary connection
between the atmosphere and the interior of the bottle in consequence of which the
atmospheric air which is compressed above the liquor in the neck of the bottle
escapes. This snifting operation takes place at or about the lowest position of the
head and immediately it is effected the cam allows the head to rise which it does
under the operation of its spring or springs or draws it up. The first result of the
rising of the head is the closing of the snifting valve; the next is the opening of
the valve at the inner end of the nozzle stem so as to reconnect the interior of the
bottle with the supply of liquid under pressure and the pressure which has been
lowered by the snifting operation is thus reinstated; the third operation is that as
the head and upper portion of the filler rise, the spring surrounding the nozzle stem
draws the latter outwards thus closing all access to the interior of the nozzle stem
and to the bottle, and, as the head finally rises and lifts the filler clear of the bottle
the openings in the nozzle stem and perforated tube are all closed, and as the
perforated tube is withdrawn from the valve and the bottle this valve closes also
and no loss of liquid is sustained.
It will be understood that instead of operating the head by a cam and springs
the head may be connected with an eccentric or crank by an eccentric or
connecting rod the spring being dispensed with.

page_text: Instead of employing the springs as above mentioned and the particular arrange-
ment of valves described other forms of valves may be employed, the precise
construction of the apparatus as already explained being comparatively immaterial
so long as the above mentioned cycle of operations is properly effected.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of filling apparatus constructed
according to this invention, a portion of the bottle to be filled being also shown.
Figure 2 is an elevation of the centreing device.
Figures 3 and 4 are respectively a front elevation and a vertical section on
line 4-4 of Figure 3 of the complete bottling machine, and
Figure 5 is a plan of a detached portion of the machine shown in Figures 3
and 4.
Figures 1 and 2 are shown to a larger scale than Figures 3, 4 and 5.
Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.
The bottle or vessel A to be filled is shown complete in Figure 3 whereas only
the upper portion of it is represented in Figure 1. This bottle is provided with a
suitable valve B which may either be located in the neck of the bottle itself, or, as
shown in the accompanying drawings, in the stopper C, the latter arrangement
being preferred. Whatever the construction employed, the valve B is adapted to
be opened by the mechanical pressure of the filling tube upon it and closed by the
pressure of gas within the bottle after the snifting tube has been moved out of
contact with it. In the arrangement shown the stopper B which otherwise is of
the ordinary screw form is provided with a central passage C¹ the upper or outer
end of which is widened out to form a seating for the cone I hereinafter described
and at whose lower or inner end is provided the valve B which may be pivotted (as
shown) or otherwise applied to the stopper C.
D is the tube hereinafter for convenience termed the "snifting tube," through
which the snifting is effected and whose lower end is left open or preferably
perforated as at D₁ and which may also be perforated at other parts if desired, for
example at D. The snifting tube D may as shown extend substantially through-
out the length of the filling portion of the machine, which for convenience is herein
called the filler. This filler may comprise the following main parts viz.-a body E
adapted to slide vertically in one of the cylindrical guides or sleeves F¹ of the
machine frame F, Figures 3, 4 and 5, a lower body portion or valve chamber G
conveniently screwed into the lower end of E, a valve-seating sleeve H whose
lower end is provided with a gland and stuffing box H, and a valve I whose
tubular spindle 1' constitutes the filling tube as which it is hereinafter referred to
& passes out through H H' and at its lower end has secured upon it the before-
mentioned soft rubber or equivalent cone I².
At its upper end the body E is screwed externally for receiving a nut E' which
limits its downward movement through the sleeve F, and internally for receiving
the nozzle J having a branch J₁ through which the liquid under pressure is
delivered to the filler. A feather or other convenient means may be provided for
preventing the body E from rotating in the sleeve F¹ while allowing it to recipro-
cate longitudinally therein. The nozzle J is provided with a passage, concentric
with the general bore of the filler, through which passes the snifting tube D, the
upper part being of about the size of the external diameter of the tube D and the
lower part into which the branch opens of larger diameter. At its upper end
the snifting tube D may be screw-threaded as shown for the connection therewith
of the snifting cock D³.
The body E is formed with a shoulder or projection E2 between which and the
lower end of the sleeve F¹ a helical spring K exerts pressure so as to tend always
to move the filler to its lowest position.
The valve chamber G is more or less closed-in, at its upper part, by the end or
disc G through which are formed one or more holes G² to allow the liquid to pass
from above to the interior of G, and a central hole to accommodate the tube D,

page_text: which latter at this part may be provided with a fixed collar D' to enable it by
means of a nut or equivalent G³ screwing into G¹, to be secured in the position it
is to permanently occupy in relation to the valve chamber G. G is a soft
rubber or equivalent seating, also provided with holes coinciding with those in G',
and adapted to receive or be moved into contact with the valve face 1³ formed on
the upper side of the valve I whose under side as at 1 is formed conical to
correspond with the seating H2 provided at the upper end of H. The tubular
valve-spindle is perforated at any convenient part of its length as for example
at I so as when the lower face of the valve I is off its seat the interior of the
filling tube 1 may be in free communication with the interior of the valve
chamber G. Within the valve I I may conveniently provide a cup leather or
equivalent packing 1' to make a gas-tight joint at the part.
Between the upper end of the cone 12 and the gland H₁ I provide a helical
spring L whose tendency is always to press the cone 12 into its lowest position in
relation to the filler so as when applied to a bottle to make a gas-tight joint
between said cone and the bottle or stopper thereof; this spring L is weaker than
the before described spring K.
M is a centreing device fitting around the filling-tube I¹, and the three spring-
arms of which are adapted to fit over the mouth and on to the neck of the bottle,
substantially in the manner shown in Figure 1, to hold the bottle concentrically
below the filler. This latter device is necessary and particularly useful in a
multiple machine such as illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 5, where many bottles are
charged simultaneously.
The arm D of the snifting cock D³ is connected by a link D and pivot-
bracket D to the sleeve F1 or other convenient part of the frame F Figures 3, 4
and 5.
The machine shown in the three last-named figures comprises;-a fixed table N,
two guide rods or standards O (more than two may be used) provided at their
upper ends with bearings O¹ for supporting the horizontal shaft P, two tie rods O²
Figure 4 for retaining the guide rods in their vertical position, the before-
mentioned frame F and, on the shaft P, a cam P¹ and belt pulley or equivalent P²;
any other arrangement of mechanism may however be employed for fulfilling the
functions performed by that shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5.
The frame F shown in the drawings is provided with twenty-four sleeves F'each
for receiving a filler constructed as before described with reference to Figure 1,
as shown for example, as regards one of the sleeves Fin Figure 3. A machine
thus constructed will fill or charge twenty-four bottles at each operation but I may
construct other machines to fill more or less than that number or any of these
machines constructed for charging a number of bottles at each operation may, as
regards the character of its work, with equally satisfactory results, be used for
charging less than the full complement. At the upper part of the frame F
I provide the bridge F2 on which are mounted the brackets F3 carrying the
anti-friction rollers F which engage with the grooves one on each side of the
cam Pl
Instead of using grooved cams as last described for both lowering and raising
the frame FI may employ a cam which only depresses the frame leaving the ascent
to be effected by one or more springs say conveniently encircling the guide rods O.
The before described branches J' may be connected by flexible and other pipes
all with the same reservoir or charging vessel.
From the foregoing description it will be seen that although the filler as a
complete whole is capable of moving up and down with the frame F, if no
obstruction is presented, without independent motion during which operation the
valve I remains uninterruptedly on its seat H and the supply of liquid is con-
tinuously cut off which is the case if no bottle is placed beneath the filler, yet when
a bottle is placed beneath or brought into the path of the filler, the valve and
filling tube II', the body E and parts rigidly connected therewith and the frame F

page_text: all partake of independent motion which is the operation or series of operations
performed when a bottle is charged.
In operation the bottles to be charged are all placed in a box Q whose interior
may be divided into compartments whose number corresponds with that of the
fillers in the frame F', one bottle being placed in each of said compartments. This
box is then placed on the table N in proper position to ensure each of the fillers
when the frame F is lowered engaging with one of the bottles, battens or stops
being conveniently provided on the table for this latter purpose. The shaft P is
then rotated and the first operation to take place is the fitting of each centreing
device M on to the bottle neck below it and pressing of each cone I tightly into
the opening of said bottles or, as in the example represented, the stopper C thereof.
As the further descent of the cone I' is prevented by the bottle and the cam P¹ is
still depressing the frame the filler and its rigidly connected parts are moved down
against the pressure of the spring L which yields under the greater pressure of the
spring K so that the lower end of the snifting tube D presses open the bottle
valve B and at the same time the valve seat H is lowered away from the valve I
with the result that free communication is then established through the valve-
chamber G and perforations I between the inlet J' and interior of the bottle A
which latter consequently becomes filled. Throughout this stage of the operation
and subsequent to it the filler still continues to descend until the valve seat G' is
pressed upon the valve face I³ when consequently the communication between the
admission branch J' and the interior of the bottle is again cut off. Up to this
time the filler has descended with the frame F as though it were in one piece
therewith but now that its further descent is prevented by the valve-seat G
abutting upon the valve face I the frame F in its further descent against the
pressure of the spring K, moves down independently of the filler and thereby
through the link D and arm D* opens the snifting cock D³ and consequently
releases the atmospheric air and pressure in the bottle. At this moment the
ascent of the frame F commences and the before described series of operations
is gone through in the reverse order that is to say the snifting cock D³ is first
closed, then, after F' has reached the collar or nut E¹ the valve seat G is moved
away from the valve face 13 thus again establishing communication between the
inlet J' and the interior of the bottle, which latter is again filled and has the
pressure restored within it, this communication being maintained until the valve
seat H is brought up against the conical valve face I and the snifting tube D is
withdrawn out of contact with the bottle valve B which then closes under the
pressure of the gas within the bottle. By this operation also the further extension
of the spring L is prevented so that the further ascent of the frame withdraws the
cone 12 and centreing device M from the bottle, all of which have been simul-
taneously charged in the manuer last described in connection with one. The box Q
with the charged bottles is then removed from the table N and a fresh batch placed
in position for the next operation of the machine.
I desire it to be understood that I do not restrict my invention to the filling of
bottles having valves such as before described as I may apply it to the filling of
bottles or vessels of other description neither do I restrict myself to the precise
construction shown in the accompanying drawings as for instance many of the parts
which are shown screwed together in Figure 1 may be formed integrally with each
other.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is ;-
1. In apparatus such as described the combination with the filling mechanism of
automatic snifting mechanism.
2. An automatic filling apparatus in which the following operations are
successively performed
First, opening the supply and filling or approximately filling the vessel,

page_text: Second, cutting off the supply and opening the snifting device,
Third, closing the snifting device and re-opening the supply,
whereby the vessel is automatically filled and the compressed air got rid of.
3. In apparatus such as described the combination with a snifting tube such as D
which after opening the valve in the vessel or stopper does not move during the
filling operation of a filling tube such as I' with valve head I substantially as and
for the purpose described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
4. In apparatus such as described the combination with a snifting tube such
as D and filling tube and valve such as II of a movable valve chamber such as G
substantially as and for the purpose described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
5. In apparatus such as described the combination with a filling tube and valve
head such as I' I aud movable valve chamber such as G of two controlling springs
of different powers such as L and K substantially as and for the purpose described
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
6. In apparatus such as described the combination of a filling tube and valve
head such as II and movable valve chamber such as G constructed and operating
substantially as and for the purpose described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
7. In apparatus such as described the combination with a snifting tube such as D
of an automatically operated snifting cock such as D³.
8. In apparatus such as described the combination with a snifting tube such as D
snifting cock such as D³ and a movable frame such as F F¹ of a connecting link
such as D the whole constructed and operating substantially as and for the purpose
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
9. An apparatus for charging vessels with liquid under pressure automatically
performing the cycle of operations in the order of succession substantially as
described.
10. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete device
for use in a machine for charging vessels with liquid under pressure substantially
as described and illustrated in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.
11. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete machine
for charging vessels with liquid under pressure substantially as described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 20th day of October 1894
CHRISTIAN H. GRAY.
W. P. Thompson & Boult,
Agents for the Applicant.